#CARD::1991 AUG 29 AGRESSO WINS SWEDISH GOVT ACCOUNTING ORDER 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(OSL)(00001) AGRESSO WINS SWEDISH GOVT ACCOUNTING ORDER 08/29/91 OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- "I didn't sleep much after they called me at 11 PM to tell me we had won," says Thorolf Kildal. The Norwegian company he heads, Agresso AS, had been chosen by Sweden's Riksrevitionsverket (RRV) to supply the Swedish government and its institutions with decentralized accounting systems. Although not a monopoly, the contract effectively makes it all but impossible for other suppliers to get orders from the government sector. If an institution wants to buy a different system, the system must go through a lengthy approval process to show that it meets the requirements. And the purchase decision must be approved almost at the ministerial level. Riksrevitionsverket will act as an "in-house" dealer to the institutions, providing support and training. Before selecting a supplier, RRV is known to set high standards and requirements that they have to meet. In this case Agresso had to compete with 23 other suppliers, many of them Swedish based or owned companies. The contract, valued at about NOK 20 million (US$ 2.9 million), gives a big boost to the Norwegian company with sales of NOK 11.9 million last year. Over a period of two to five years the contract calls for a minimum of 150 installations. The total order potential is about three times that amount - and that translates into about 800 installations. The institutions that may buy Agresso range from the smaller government agencies through Sweden's state-owned telephone company and the postal service. Agresso is a complete administrative system encompassing general ledger, order entry, payroll, project accounting, and time accounting subsystems, among others. Based on Ingres, the system is highly portable and translatable. The company estimates that a port to different hardware will take it 1-2 days, and a language translation of the software about a week. Manuals take a bit longer. The Swedish order marks Agresso's first success in an internationalization drive. The company has targeted Sweden, UK, and USA as the markets it wants to penetrate by signing strategic alliances. Currently it has installations in Holland and England in addition to Norway and Sweden. But it does not end there. "When we travelled to Sweden to sign the contract we felt jinxed," tells Mr. Kildal. "Last year Kuwait Petroleum evaluated our system, and we got to the point where only the signing of the contract remained. Their people were returning to Kuwait with the final draft on the first of August. On the second of August Saddam struck - and the contract went up in smoke. This time around we left for Sweden on the morning of the coup in Moscow..." All is not lost, though, and they still hope that they'll get the contract in Kuwait when things get back to normal. Their contact in Kuwait has told them that "all the equipment has to be replaced first. Iraqi soldiers took all the PCs and terminals with them in the belief that it was TV sets...." Agresso believes they have an unique product that is highly suitable for multinational corporations. One of the system's more prominent features is a multi-currency facility that allows a company to do its accounts in two different currencies at the same time. For an American company with a subsidiary in France, that translates into having the subsidiary keep their accounts in French francs (as required by regulations) and US dollars at the same time. This can ease consolidation, and provide top-management in the USA with an up-to-the-minute correct picture of the situation, if the networking facilities are used. Agresso A/S can be reached in Oslo, Norway; telephone: International +47-2-230420. (Jan-Frode Nordli/19910828/Agresso AS, Thorolf Kildal, managing director, tel: International + 47 - 2 - 230420; Norway is GMT + 1) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 SWEDISH GOVT ORDER BOOST FOR INGRES 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(OSL)(00002) SWEDISH GOVT ORDER BOOST FOR INGRES 08/29/91 OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Ingres, a division of Ask Computer Systems, has gained a foothold in Swedish government institutions. Over the next two to five years it will get at least 150, maybe as many as 800 installations. This follows the success of Agresso AS, a Norwegian company, which has been selected as the supplier of the accounting system that Swedish government institutions are going to use. Agresso has based its system on Ingres, so the 4GL language is piggy-backed into the state organizations. Although not a contract for a development tool, the Ingres/Agresso order gives Ingres an advantage in the competition. With Ingres databases already installed in the organizations, integration of the accounting systems and applications developed by the organizations should be easier to do if both are based on Ingres. That translates into savings for the state in a country that currently is in a slump. (Jan-Frode Nordli/19910828) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 AUSTRALIA: MELBOURNE'S FIRST LASER LIGHT ADVERTISING 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00003) AUSTRALIA: MELBOURNE'S FIRST LASER LIGHT ADVERTISING 08/29/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Melbourne has entered the "new-age" of advertising, with its first computer-controlled laser light advertising. The lasers were used to promote the forthcoming tour of rock band Dire Straits. Such advertising has already been used in Sydney, where banks, Coca Cola, and 3M have promoted their wares and services. The laser light was projected onto the side of the ANA (All Nippon Airlines) building in Melbourne, as well as above a car dealership and on a blank billboard. Although the promoter, Garry Van Egmond, said the use of Laservision was costly, it was a medium of advertising which attracted attention. The Laservision system allows pre-entered text or graphics to be projected via computer software control, as well as freehand graphics created on the spot. The images can be projected onto almost any surface, and the Sydney Opera House, boat hulls and football fields have all been used successfully. (Sean McNamara/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 AUSTRALIA: TEACHERS HONORED 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00004) AUSTRALIA: TEACHERS HONORED 08/29/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Two teachers from Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges have been recognized for their work in computer-based literacy and math lessons. Wendy Neal and Michael Dene, who head a team of teacher-developers at Cockatoo Public School, won first and fourth places at national Author Computer-Based Training Conference. The Conference was held in Brisbane, and the competition drew entries from such corporate giants as BHP and National Australia Bank, as well as the University of Queensland. The teachers' lessons cover math, language development, reading, and spelling, and utilize multimedia for maximum effectiveness. Over the last two years, the team has developed more than 300 lessons, and these can be adapted across the primary school curriculum. The team's school will receive an AUS$2,500 Microcraft distribution authoring package as a result of the awards. The team currently consists of five teachers, and is constantly expanding. One of the team's projects is to develop lessons which can be contained on diskettes, allowing students to take them home to complete the lesson. All of the lessons have been developed on Author, a computer-based training development tool designed and manufactured by Australian firm Microcraft. (Sean McNamara/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 AUSTRALIA: MIDEN & KAMBROOK JOIN TO EXPLOIT GAMING 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00005) AUSTRALIA: MIDEN & KAMBROOK JOIN TO EXPLOIT GAMING 08/29/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Miden Pacific and Kambrook have formed a consortium to take advantage of a potentially large market in electronic gaming machines. Although legislation still needs to be passed in Victoria to approve such machines, the two companies are sure this is only a formality. The consortium, Victorian Gaming Machines, will manufacture state-of-the-art gaming machines for the Victorian market initially, and if all goes well, will target other Australian states and New Zealand. All game transactions, breakdowns, and security breaches would be reported immediately to a central control facility through a statewide communications network, delivering to Victoria one of the most sophisticated gaming machine networks in Australia. Legislation approving the machines is expected to be introduced and passed next month. (Sean McNamara/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 AUSTRALIA: COMPUTER-ASSISTED SPRINTING 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00006) AUSTRALIA: COMPUTER-ASSISTED SPRINTING 08/29/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Derek Meredith, one of Australia's best professional sprinters, has developed a database similar to punters' form guides which he hopes will help him beat his opposition. The database records Meredith's performances, as well as that of his opponents, allowing him to better prepare for racing meets. Meredith is an experienced systems designer, and he developed the system to work on a 386SX-based notebook computer with a 60 megabyte hard disk drive. The system stores data on around 100 runners, and gives Meredith instant access to his sprinters form guide. For competitive reasons, Meredith is not giving access to his opponents, and maintains it is a valid training tool he developed for his own use. The local professional sprint circuit begins in November, and consists of over 30 events. Meredith has been participating in the circuits on a selective basis over the last five years, and has run second in the prestigious Stawell Easter Gift, one of the world's richest handicapped sprint races. An added incentive to sprinters is on-track betting, which allows them to back themselves or other competitors to double their share of the winnings. This is where Meredith finds the most use for his database, as he can plan to have his performance peak for those races where he has the best chance of winning, and therefore the best chance of doubling his prizes. (Sean McNamara/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 AUSTRALIA: EXPERT SYSTEM TO PLAN ROADS 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00007) AUSTRALIA: EXPERT SYSTEM TO PLAN ROADS 08/29/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- The New South Wales (NSW) Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has developed an expert system which will be used to help it plan major roadworks. PROFISY (Project Fitting System) will be installed in every office of the RTA, and is expected to help engineers develop plans much faster than previously possible. PROFISY was developed by the RTA, according to Shaun Gray, an expert systems officer with the RTA, because there were no such systems available. One of the features which will see Profisy improve roadworks planning is the capability to do "What-if" analysis in 20 minutes - a task which previously took engineers two weeks to complete. The system uses both subjective and objective data to arrive at its findings, which are based on the knowledge of engineers and traffic planners with years of experience. The system also takes into account the differing needs of both city and country areas, as well as particular areas within the State. Gray says the engineers are very enthusiastic with the system, and that the system's performance has exceeded all expectations. Interest has already been shown in PROFISY by other authorities with high capital works expenditure. (Sean McNamara/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 WORLDWIDE PATENT DATABASE ON CD-ROM PLANNED 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008) WORLDWIDE PATENT DATABASE ON CD-ROM PLANNED 08/29/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Patent authorities in the U.S., Europe, and Japan have basically agreed to jointly develop a CD-ROM-based computer software system for their patent data, reports the Kyodo news. With this new computer software system, patent information from these countries would be quickly accessed. According to the report, the patent offices of these regions have already agreed in principle, and it is expected that they will officially agree at a joint meeting scheduled for October. They are also thinking of inviting patent offices from other countries to join the project. The CD-ROM will contain the first pages of each patent record. The page includes bibliographic data and a patent abstract in the English language. The usage of the database is expected to be free for governmental organizations, but a "reasonable usage fee" will be charged for private organizations. More details are due after the meeting in October. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 AT&T SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH NIPPON DENSO ON IC CARD 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00009) AT&T SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH NIPPON DENSO ON IC CARD 08/29/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- AT&T has signed a business agreement with Nippon Denso concerning production and sales of IC (integrated circuit) cards. AT&T's Chairman Robert Allen predicted earlier this week that his firm will be signing more business agreements with Japanese firms in the near future. The agreement with Nippon Denso calls for the firms to jointly develop products which work with AT&T's contactless IC card systems. These units use IC cards with no external ports or connectors. Nippon Denso will market the products, including the card reader/writer, in Japan and other Asian regions when they are developed. It is expected that the first commercial samples of new products will be released by October. The IC card reader/writer is expected to be used in cars, for factory automation products, and office automation equipment. Nippon Denso is the manufacturer of car equipment, including air-conditioners and stereo sets. Nippon Denso expects that it will make around 10 billion yen ($75 million) from sales of the IC card reader/writer within 5 years. AT&T is currently licensing the manufacturing and marketing of its card reader/writer to Olivetti in Italy. AT&T has reportedly given an exclusive license to Nippon Denso in the Asian region. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 NEW FOR PCS: Macromind Action! Multimedia For Windows 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00010) NEW FOR PCS: Macromind Action! Multimedia For Windows 08/29/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- At Boston's World Trade Center during the recent Windows & OS/2 Conference, Macromind finally brought its considerable Macintosh expertise to Windows with the introduction of Action!, a program described by company President Bruce Cummings as "Instant multimedia for people who don't make a living making presentations." Action! is designed to let users easily create presentations incorporating sound, motion, and animation with text and graphics. It includes dozens of ready-to-use templates which users can customize by adding their own text, sound or graphics. Also included is a Clip Media Library of special sounds, as well as still and animated graphics. Cummings said he has been talking to some notebook PC manufacturers about incorporating sound capability that products such as Action! would be able to exploit. The $495 Action! package is compatible with SoundBlaster, a popular PC add-in card. Action! is scheduled to ship late September and is available from Macromind, 410 Townsend Suite 408, S.F., CA 94107, 415/442-0200. (David Needle & Computer Currents/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 NEW FOR PCS: PowerLeads! Contact Manager 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00011) NEW FOR PCS: PowerLeads! Contact Manager 08/29/91 CARSON CITY, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Pyramid Data, Inc. showed off its $295 PowerLeads! package, a Windows contact management and sales lead tracking system, at the recent Windows and OS/2 Conference in Boston. Due to ship in October, the product is a relational database developed in SuperBase and is designed to keep track of clients, calls, schedules, priorities, and expenses. A notes field can be of unlimited size (depending on memory) and are keyword searchable. Other features include auto-dialing, mail merge to Ami Pro and Microsoft Word for Windows word processors, and a mailing label generator that includes eight different Avery label formats. PowerLeads! is the first module in PowerOffice!, a family of groupware and organizational productivity tools the company is developing. Contact Pyramid Data at 1000 E. William Street Suite 100, Carson City, NV 89701 or call toll-free 800/972-7972. (David Needle & Computer Currents/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 NEW FOR PCS: Help Learning Windows with WindEase 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00012) NEW FOR PCS: Help Learning Windows with WindEase 08/29/91 CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Bloc Publishing showed off its WindEase ($59) Windows tutorial package at the recent Windows and OS/2 Conference in Boston. After Windows is installed, WindEase is designed to give the user hands-on or interactive instruction in all the major aspects of how to use Windows including the File Manager, DOS Executive, etc. WindEase is "unspectacular, but straightforward and essential for anyone wanting to learn Windows," said Tim McGuiness of Bloc. For more information, write Bloc Publishing Corp., 800 Douglas Entrance, Executive Tower, Suite 765, Coral Gables, FL 33134 or call 305/445-0903. (David Needle & Computer Currents/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 NEW FOR PCS: Aristosoft Adds Sound to Windows 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00013) NEW FOR PCS: Aristosoft Adds Sound to Windows 08/29/91 PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Aristosoft, Inc., has announced Wired For Sound, a utility that adds sound capability to Windows software using the internal PC speaker. No add-on cards are required. Wired For Sound lets the user personalize the Windows desktop with more than 50 sound effects, musical cues and voices, including a barking dog, a cartoon bonk, a cat's meow, a doorbell and a foghorn. These can be assigned to dialog boxes, various types of alert boxes, application messages, system startup and exit. A talking clock lets users set alarms (one-time, daily or weekly) to alert a user to appointments, meetings, or weekly reports due, using a Big Ben sound, for example. It can also speak the time in 15-minute or hourly intervals, or sound a chime. All sounds still work while the user is in another application, when the alert message is buried, or in DOS. A Wired For Sound Dynamic Link Library is included for use with macros in such programs as Word, Excel, and Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows. Besides being fun, the company says, Wired For Sound "also increases productivity and responsiveness because you no longer have to watch the screen constantly," said Aristosoft President Ernest Priestly. "You can use sounds to immediately alert you to problems or various operating conditions." Customized sounds are available from the company. Aristosoft plans to offer the capability for user-created sounds in the future. Wired For Sound costs $49 and is available now from Aristosoft at 6920 Koll Center Pkwy, Suite 211, Pleasanton, CA 94566. Telephone 510/426-5355 or (outside Calif.) 800/338-2629. (Marguerite Zientara & Computer Currents/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 ****GATES INTROS C FOR WINDOWS, SAYS DATABASE COMING 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00014) ****GATES INTROS C FOR WINDOWS, SAYS DATABASE COMING 08/29/91 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- In another apparent step to back up its recent promise for better support for developers, Microsoft has announced Microsoft QuickC, a graphical development environment for Windows. Microsoft says it is the industry's first completely integrated Windows-hosted C development system. The product announcement was made at the Developers Tools Forum. During the introduction of QuickC, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates also told the assembled developers that Microsoft expects to unveil a database product for Windows during 1992. Gates said the front end database had been "long under development." Said Gates, "We have been doing some front-end or stand-alone database work for a long period of time. It's not a product that will be shipping this year, but it is a product we hope to have out some time next year." Designed for programmers who may be new to the Windows environment, tools included in the QuickC package are designed to make Windows applications development easier, according to Microsoft. Programmers can also convert DOS C code quickly into applications for the Windows environment using the Microsoft QuickWin library. Microsoft also provides QuickCASE:W which is designed to make building user interfaces easier. "Our driving goal is to provide tools for PC developers that make the most of their time and provide the best results; we feel that QuickC for Windows meets this goal," said Fred Gray, GM of Microsoft's languages business unit. Other programs announced this year by Microsoft to support developers are Visual Basic for Windows, Fortran 5.1 and COBOL 4.5. QuickC includes an interface drawing and code generator, a C compiler, an integrated debugger and an editor. Also includes are an image editor, a dialog editor and a resource compiler. All the tools in QuickC including the debugger run from within the Windows environment. Quickc for Windows also has a Toolbar similar to the one in Word for Windows and Excel. The Toolbar simplifies the selection of development tasks most frequently used. Microsoft maintains a toll free number (800-426-9400) for product information. (Jim Mallory/910828/Press contact: Liz Sidnam, Microsoft, 206-882-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 ****RECORD SEIZURE OF COUNTERFEIT SOFTWARE BY MS, FEDS 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00015) ****RECORD SEIZURE OF COUNTERFEIT SOFTWARE BY MS, FEDS 08/29/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Microsoft says that in conjunction with US marshals, it had made the largest seizure of counterfeit software in its history, swooping down on Los Angeles businesses to grab $1 million worth of allegedly counterfeit software. The raids were made against 10 businesses and six individuals, some of whom were owners of the businesses, in the greater Los Angeles area, culminating four months of investigations. According to Microsoft, the group may have been distributing illegal software throughout the United States for more than a year. The company says almost 20,000 illegal packages of Microsoft products, as well as separate look-alike copies of disks, packaging, manuals, warranty cards, and equipment used to manufacture them have been seized. Illegal copies included three versions of MS-DOS, including Version 5, which was just released, and Windows 3.0, Microsoft claimed, adding that the seized software represented more than $1 million at street prices. In a suit filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Microsoft is seeking treble damages, a permanent injunction against further counterfeiting, attorneys fees, and possible criminal charges. The company says it is involved in numerous ongoing investigations to identify and take legal action against counterfeiters. The company says collaborators such as printing companies, binderies, graphics shops, and distributors are also being targeted. Bill Neukom, Microsoft's VP of law and corporate affairs, said counterfeiting of MS-DOS is on the rise, but this was the first time the company had found counterfeit Windows 3.0 and MS-DOS 5.0. "Software counterfeiting is illegal and results in inferior products being sold to the public. In order to protect our original equipment manufacturer's licensees and end users, Microsoft will be relentless in pursuing counterfeiters and their collaborators," said Neukom. Defendants in this particular case include Xymox, Inc., Micro Griffin International, Micro Aid Distributing and Micro Aid International, owned by Soheyl and Abbas Moshtael; Williams Lithograph and Meap Communications and Graphics, Inc., owned by Amnon Peery; Ross Bindery; L.A. Perfect Binder; GIM Graphics, owned by George Chacon; and Payam Golestani and Frahad Zanich. In October of last year Microsoft and law enforcement agencies in Taiwan smashed a counterfeit ring in Taiwan which was accused of distributing $4.5 million worth of MS-DOS. In February of this year, Microsoft was granted a summary judgement against five companies and individuals who admitted they manufactured and sold 25,000 copies of DOS. Later this year the company was awarded what it described as "a substantial judgment" against those same five and an additional three defendants. Microsoft says users of its products who believe they may have a counterfeit copy of a Microsoft copy can call Microsoft toll free at 800-NO-COPYN (800-663-6796). (Jim Mallory/910829/Press contact: Cathy Licht, Microsoft, 206-882-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 GNP DROPS 0.1 PERCENT - U.S. STILL IN RECESSION 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00016) GNP DROPS 0.1 PERCENT - U.S. STILL IN RECESSION 08/29/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- While President Bush's spokespeople have spent the last month crowing over the first "up" quarter that supposedly marked the end of the recession here in the U.S., the Commerce Department was working to revise and correct its preliminary GNP or gross national product numbers as reported by Newsbytes on July 26. The revised figures are anything but good, going from a possible fairly strong increase to an actual noticeable decline. A recession is by definition a drop in the GNP for two consecutive business quarters and, as Newsbytes reported in July, while the 0.4 percent increase reported in the preliminary estimate would not have been a major sign of growth, it would technically have taken the U.S. economy out of a recession and would have been a strong indication of a turnaround. While some analysts were talking about a very weak recovery possibly followed by a "double-dip" recession, that is, an economy that just barely came out of recession followed by another recession a quarter or two later, the administration was busily saying that the economy was strong and the President even refused to declare an unemployment "emergency" which would have activated extended unemployment benefits for the jobless. At the time President Bush signed the recent extended unemployment bill and refused to activate its provisions, he said that unemployment had turned around with the rest of the economy. This third consecutive quarter of falling GNP confirms the recent analysis of trade balance figures which showed that, although the trade deficit was falling, all indications were that this was due to a weak economy. The best news in the figures just released by the U.S. Commerce Department was that the second quarter 1991 revised figures showed a relatively tiny $1.1 billion drop in the GNP. This one-tenth of one percent drop follows a 1.6 percent drop in the fourth-quarter of 1990 and a large 2.8 percent drop in the first quarter of this year, possibly showing that the economy is leveling out, if not actually reversing direction. One Washington insider pointed out that, while it is common knowledge that Commerce Department preliminary figures often suffer major revisions in the final figures which usually follow about a month later, most insiders know that the errors are almost always in the direction that would make the Executive Branch's policies appear to be working better than they actually are. The same analyst pointed out that the stock market had just rallied to hit historical highs because the business community knows that a combination of rapidly approaching Presidential election and massive foreign aid requirements of the fast- dissolving Soviet empire will almost certainly force the hand of the Federal Reserve Chairman, causing Mr. Greenspan to reduce interest rates in an attempt to get the economy moving. Added to the unemployment problem and need to help our former enemies to prevent their reversion to a possibly hostile military or other dictatorship, is the looming problem posed by the fact that so many banks are in danger of collapse that the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission fund which guarantees U.S. bank depositors' funds in the event of bank failure is reportedly approaching bankruptcy itself. Most observers outside the administration see little hope to solve these and other major problems without some sort of jump start to get the U.S. economy moving again. (John McCormick/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 EGGHEAD SOFTWARE HAS BEST QUARTER EVER 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00017) EGGHEAD SOFTWARE HAS BEST QUARTER EVER 08/29/91 ISSAQUAH, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Egghead Discount Software has reported its best quarter ever, with sales of $185.9 million, a 29 percent increase over the same period last year. Egghead said the first quarter was its seventh consecutive profitable quarter, with earnings of $2.5 million, or $.15 per share. The first quarter last year showed earnings of $2.1 million. DOS 5.0, released in June, was a big contributor. "We launched our largest product promotion ever for DOS 5 from Microsoft and IBM which substantially contributed to increased sales during the quarter," said Egghead President Matthew Griffin. Egghead's gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 17.8 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to 16.8 percent last year. According to CFO Carolyn Tobias, "The increase in gross margin resulted mainly from fixed costs, such as retail occupancy and distribution costs remaining relatively constant while sales increased." Tobias said improvement was partially offset by a decline in initial margins due to competition and the company's efforts to increase market share. The company's selling, general, and administrative expenses increased .5 percent for the quarter. During the reporting period Egghead had 11 fewer stores than last year. (Jim Mallory/910829/Press contact: Megan Mckenzie, Egghead Discount Software, 206-391-6266) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 CADAM ENHANCES MICRO CADAM PRODUCTS 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00018) CADAM ENHANCES MICRO CADAM PRODUCTS 08/29/91 BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Cadam, an IBM company, announced it has upgraded its entire product line of Micro Cadam computer-aided design (CAD) software, with a focus on compatibility. The enhanced software includes Micro Cadam Plus Version 1, Release 3 (V1R3), Micro Cadam Cornerstone V1R3, Micro Cadam 3D V1R3, Micro Cadam Data Transfer V1R3, Micro Cadam Geometry Interface V1R3, and Micro Cadam Data Exchange V1R1, the company said. A enhanced Data Manager utility allows CAD users to organize and manage thousands of designs or drawings, Cadam said. The Data Manager product also allows exchanges between the mainframe and Professional Cadam products, the company said. The Geometry Interface now allows programming access to the database product, the company said. The Plus product and the Cornerstone products, both 32-bit drafting tools for 386 or 486-based computers, now allow the user the ability to create operation macros, a production tool for the creation of similar or parametric parts, the company said. The goal is to compress repetitive operations and shorten the drawing time, Cadam said. Cadam says it has added features from its mainframe and workstation products to the Plus and Cornerstone products. New dimensioning capability has been added for compliance with national and international dimension standards, as well as variable text symbol ability for the creation of special symbols. Hardcopy plotting now can be done in batch mode, so users can schedule unattended plotting, Cadam said. The capability also adds the benefit of plot spooling or plotting on a network. Cadam says its 3D product is the first integrated desktop 3D package. The company points out the Micro Cadam 3D product now has new surface interaction features and the ability to generate solid objects from 3D wireframe data. The 3D product can also intersect 3D surfaces with cutting planes and other surfaces and the resulting curves can be used in parts manufacture and interference analysis. David Grazier, director of strategic marketing said, "These new functions for the Micro Cadam product family underscore Cadam's goal to provide productive, efficient design tools for real- world environments." Grazier said the Micro Cadam software enhancements "...raise the level of integration compatibility for those who use Cadam on other platforms." The enhanced products are priced as follows: Cornerstone $2995, Plus $3995, 3D $1200, Data Transfer $1500, Geometry Interface $500, and Data Exchange $1500, Cadam said. Cadam's corporate headquarters is at 1935 N. Buena Vista, Burbank, CA 91504, telephone (818) 841-9470. (Linda Rohrbough/199108029/Press Contact: Lisa Kelaita, Miller Communications, Tel: 415/962-9550, Fax: 415/962-0519) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 FUJITSU PARTNERS WITH HAL TO COMPETE WITH IBM 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00019) FUJITSU PARTNERS WITH HAL TO COMPETE WITH IBM 08/29/91 CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Hal, a company founded in 1990 by Andrew R. Heller who was an employee of IBM, has received a $40.2 million shot-in-the-arm from Fujitsu which hopes with Hal to move in on the IBM mainframe market. Heller, who started the company with an associate whose last name begins with "L" -- hence the name Hal -- was an IBM fellow and general manager of the unit that produced IBM workstations until a disagreement with IBM over the management structure reportedly caused him to leave the company. Now Hal says it produces a family of high performance open systems based on the Sun SPARC architecture and the Unix operating system. In a press conference, Hal and Fujitsu outlined plans to jointly attempt to build "transaction processing" systems, the type used by airlines, banks, and insurance companies. Transaction processing systems are designed for the heavy load of thousands of queries from users and are dominated by mainframe computers made provided mostly by IBM. Hal officials said the company plans to build a system based on the Sun Microsystems microprocessor design, but altering it to get the performance necessary for transaction processing. The company admits breaking into the transaction processing market could be difficult, but plans to deliver more power at lower prices. Heller said, "We expect to build things that are fast - and faster." The company also plans to attract customers by allowing users to use software written for other computers, especially the Unix operating system. Fujitsu said it plans to donate its resources in semiconductor processing, its patent portfolio, systems engineering and distribution channels to the effort, but to allow Hal's current management group to continue to run the company. Fujitsu plans to manufacture the designs Hal produces, and will have full distribution rights in Japan as well as limited rights to the designs produced by Hal, the company said. With the merger, Fujitsu now owns 44 percent of Hal's stock, with Hal employees controlling the rest. Hal employs 140 people in California and Texas. Hal Computer Systems headquarters is at 1315 Dell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008; and its software engineering is at 8920 Business Park Drive, Suite 300, Austin, Texas 78759. (Linda Rohrbough/199108029/Press Contact: Pam Sloane, Hal Computer Systems, Tel: 408/379-7000, Fax: 408/379-5022) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 CORPORATE SOFTWARE FIRST MULTI-NATIONAL NOTES RESELLER 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00020) CORPORATE SOFTWARE FIRST MULTI-NATIONAL NOTES RESELLER 08/29/91 CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Lotus Development has authorized Corporate Software to resell its Notes work-group software in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Corporate Software is the first company to receive such authorization in more than one country. Corporate Software also announced new systems integration services meant to help customers implement Notes and develop Notes applications. Integration Services for Notes are available to new and existing Notes customers, Corporate Software announced. While Corporate Software offers Notes in any quantity, the company has created "Notes Starter Kits" that bundle smaller quantities of Notes with evaluation support. "Starter kits, bundled with expert evaluation support, enable new Notes customers to pilot-test the product in their business environment," said Kevin Brown, corporate software director of services marketing, in a prepared statement. Lotus Notes lets users create and access shared information using networked PCs. It is meant for creating document-oriented applications such as customer tracking group discussions, project management, document libraries, and news wire services. Notes can handle compound documents made up of text, numbers, keywords, graphs, images and "rich text" (font support, color, mixed data types). Lotus Notes runs on IBM and compatible personal computers attached to local-area networks. Corporate Software took part in the beta testing of Notes and developed several applications, including a product evaluation application and tracking systems for service and sales management. Corporate Software sells personal computer products and related services in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. (Grant Buckler/19910829/Press Contact: Chris Ward, Corporate Software, 617-828-7727 ext. 1027) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 SPINNAKER SOFTWARE'S ANNUAL LOSS REDUCED 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00021) SPINNAKER SOFTWARE'S ANNUAL LOSS REDUCED 08/29/91 CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- With an increase in revenues to US$15.9 million from US$13.7 million, Spinnaker Software has reported a reduced net loss in the fiscal year ended June 30. The company lost US$759,200, compared to a net loss of US$2.1 million in the previous fiscal year. The company said it has completed a two-year corporate repositioning strategy and a year-long series of major product introductions, strategic partnerships, buy-outs, and joint technology agreements. Spinnaker reported a record 109-percent increase in revenue for its fourth quarter. Quarterly revenue was US$6.4 million, up from US$3.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1990. Net income was US$315,263, versus a net loss of US$694,120 for the same period in 1990. The fourth quarter was Spinnaker's second consecutive profitable quarter. The company lost money in five quarters running, ending with the second quarter of fiscal 1991, company spokesman Ron Goldfuss said. C. David Seuss, chairman and chief executive officer of Spinnaker Software, said in a press release that the results "support the strategy we adopted two years ago of repositioning Spinnaker away from the consumer categories of education and entertainment software; further expanding our already strong position in the high-growth home office and small business software market; and entering the emerging end-user data access and applications development software market." In January, as part of its repositioning strategy, Spinnaker acquired the PFS: line of simple applications programs from Software Publishing and organized into two major divisions. The PFS: division sells those applications, mainly to home office and small-business customers, while the Plus division sells Spinnaker's Plus hypermedia software in versions for the Apple Macintosh and IBM and compatible PCs. In May, Spinnaker set up an international business division to develop new markets and distribution networks in Europe and to form partnerships with prominent European software firms to develop and sell localized versions of Spinnaker Plus and PFS: software. Goldfuss said Spinnaker expects continued profits in the coming quarters, though he cautioned that the first quarter of the fiscal year is always a difficult one for the company because retail software sales tend to slow in the summer months. (Grant Buckler/19910829/Press Contact: Ron Goldfuss, Spinnaker, 617-494-1200 ext. 270; Douglas Campbell, Spinnaker Software, 617-494-1200 ext. 357) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 ****STRATFORD SOFTWARE -- SUZY -- FUTURE IN DOUBT 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00022) ****STRATFORD SOFTWARE -- SUZY -- FUTURE IN DOUBT 08/29/91 BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Officials of Stratford Software, operator of the national online network Suzy, say they will consider closing the company if alternate financing cannot be found. The Becker Group of Companies, of Edmonton, Alberta, has withdrawn its offer to provide C$500,000 in financing to the company in exchange for voting control. Discussions are under way with under investors, the company said in a terse press release, but "the Board recognizes the necessity for additional financing in order to continue operations." When the Becker Group deal was announced in May, Stratford President Thompson McKie told Newsbytes the company had been "on virtually cruise control shall we say since last year because we saw the bottom of the barrel coming up." Stratford cut back its staff late last year as its capital began to run out. McKie could not be reached for further comment by Newsbytes' deadline today. Formerly Bedford Software, the company sold its line of accounting software and its old name to Computer Associates in the summer of 1989, in order to raise capital to launch the Suzy service in April, 1990. (Grant Buckler/19910829/Press Contact: Thompson J. McKie, Stratford Software, 604-439-1311, fax 604-439-9407) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 UNIX INDIAN VERSION FROM AT&T USL 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(DEL)(00023) UNIX INDIAN VERSION FROM AT&T USL 08/29/91 BANGALORE, INDIA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- In its drive to make Unix a truly open system, AT&T Unix System Laboratories has divulged its plan to introduce an Indian version of Unix System V Release 4.0, in partnership with the Bangalore-based Wipro Information Technology Ltd. Indian System Messages in Devanagari script (Hindi) have been implemented under Unix SVR 4.0 and Multi-National Language Supplement (MNLS). The project is being carried out in close cooperation with other Indian government bodies like the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) and the Department for Electronics. This is the first multiuser operating system capable of working fully in Indian scripts. It uses the eight-bit ISCII code set in GIST technology, developed by C-DAC, Pune, and displays all Unix messages in Indian scripts. The system also does all data processing in 8-bit ISCII scripts. Many foreign languages like German, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and now Devangari, are implemented under Unix SVR 4.0. The phonetic nature of the Indian scripts makes it easy for all Devangari messages to be automatically translated into any other Indian script on the computer terminal. There is no limitation on the number of languages this system can support simultaneously. Under Unix SVR 4.0 MNLS and the Indian System Messages environment, Indian users can now develop a single program that is message- independent and does input/output in the native language of the user of his terminal. Various Indian users can work simultaneously on the computer system and interact in their desired languages as the Unix system now supports all Indian scripts. According to AT&Tm this new software product is due out by September 1. (J. Srihari Raju/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 ROSS ACQUIRES PIONEER GROUP OF U.K. 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00024) ROSS ACQUIRES PIONEER GROUP OF U.K. 08/29/91 REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Ross Systems, Inc., makers of DEC VAX application software, has acquired Pioneer Computer Group Ltd. of the UK. for approximately $9.3 million. Pioneer makes manufacturing systems and 4th generation languages for DEC machines, including Promix for processing manufacturers, Command for discrete manufacturing operations, and Gembase 4GL for relational database environments. "This acquisition provides Ross with a particularly powerful solution for the expanding process manufacturing market," said Dennis V. Vohs, Ross Systems chairman and chief executive officer. "Pioneer's powerful Promix series for process manufacturers meets market needs because it was developed by process experts." Ross Systems, Inc., was among the first companies to offer commercial accounting software for the Digital VAX computer. It's a $60 million company that develops and markets a broad range of application software and is located at 555 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City, CA 94065; telephone 415-593-2500. (Wendy Woods/19910829/Press Contact: Denise O'Connor, 404-851-1872, or Barbara Kline of BKMPR, 408-356-4264, for Ross Systems) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 BULL RAISES SHARE IN INDIAN AFFILIATE 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00025) BULL RAISES SHARE IN INDIAN AFFILIATE 08/29/91 BANGALORE, INDIA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Group Bull of France has raised its stock share in its Indian affiliate, PSI Data Systems, from 36 percent to 40 percent, while Tate Electric Co. (TEC) of the Tata group of companies -- the largest industrial group in India -- is picking up 10.47 percent. "A purely financial arrangement," is how the partners describe the deal. The alliance marks the end of a long search for a reliable partner, ever since the Indian promoters of PSI-Bull decided to liquidate their holdings in the company over a year ago. Bagalore-based PSI is one of the first strong R&D Indian computer companies. It came into the fold of Bull two years ago when the latter was looking for an Indian partner. PSI had, by then, losses mounting and was found wanting in marketing skills. Taking over the management, Bull decided to pull out of its PC business and concentrate on making and marketing its DRS range of mainframes. The move proved fruitful and the company was successful in making a dent in the mainframe market dominated by, apart from imports from IBM and Unisys, the other two Indian mainframe makers -- ICIM and ECIL. It soon introduced the DRX range of Unix-based superminicomputers too. For Tata heavyweights, it enables further inroads into the Indian computer industry that it already dominates in many segments. Tate Consultancy Services is the largest Indian software company with international operations in 22 countries. Tata Unisys Ltd. is a joint venture with Unisys and the second largest Indian software exporter, next only to TCS. Tata Elxsi is yet another mainframe venture based in the US and Singapore; it recently moved to Bangalore with reported plans to make IRIS workstations in collaboration with Silicon Graphics. Then there is Tata's Nelco which makes PCs and a Unix range of systems. Tata Honeywell, finally, makes process control equipment and Tata Telecom spans into office automation. (J. Srihari Raju/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 ORACLE STEPS UP INDIAN OPERATIONS 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00026) ORACLE STEPS UP INDIAN OPERATIONS 08/29/91 NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Oracle Corporation has opened its India liaison office in New Delhi. This office will act as "a gateway between the Indian user community and Oracle's worldwide capabilities," said Peter Liljegren, vice president, Oracle Corp., "The objective is to facilitate two-way transfer of technology between Indian users, Indian hardware and software suppliers, and the rest of Oracle's world," he added. Oracle's principal product, the relational database management system, was until now being distributed in India by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). While TCS will continue its distributorship, the liaison office will mainly concentrate on promotion of Oracle products in India. As several user groups expressed their dissatisfaction with the level of existing support facilities, Oracle decided to increase its direct presence. Hirendra Gupta, the newly appointed country manager for India of Oracle, promises faster customer support, as the office would soon have an electronic mail facility, among other assets. In line with the value added reseller agreements, the Indian office will identify Indian software houses that could be potential VARs of Oracle. Oracle is also considering several product localization projects for the Indian market, including Hindi language support. This will greatly facilitate usage of Oracle RDBMS in government and local bodies in India. In addition, Oracle is considering several training and promotion programs for Indian software developers. Oracle is not alone to have a free sweep in the RDBMS market that is heating up here. Sybase is represented by NIIT (National Institute of Information Technology), India's top computer training institute with strong wings for consultancy and software development services. NIIT has recently released, at CeBIT 91, an Oracle-to-Sybase converter package called Migrator. Ingres, Unify, and Informix have all been entrenched through their own representations in the Indian market. (J. Sirhari Raju/19910829) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 SUN IN OEM TELECOM DEAL WITH COMPUTER CONSOLES 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027) SUN IN OEM TELECOM DEAL WITH COMPUTER CONSOLES 08/29/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- In an effort to expand its stake in the telecommunications market, Sun Microsystems has signed a multi-year, OEM (original equipment manufacturing) agreement with Computer Consoles (CCI). Under the agreement, CCI will resell Sun SPARC computers as a platform for its telecommunications products. Sid Arora, market segment manager for Sun, told Newsbytes that the agreement was a "significant" one for the company in that, apart from being a "good business deal," it also "gets Sun into the area of advanced intelligent networks." According to CCI, the Sun systems will support the company's integration of database, call processing, and audio subsystems for applications such as directory assistance, toll, intercept and various voice processing services. Arora told Newsbytes that the agreement represents "the direction that the industry is taking" with regards telecommunications. Both CCI and Sun also see it as indicative of the market's move towards open systems architecture. "We see Sun a strong business partner and the SPARC/Unix platform as the right strategic choice to meet our customers' long-term needs," said David Jankowski CCI's manager of platform products. CCI believes that the Sun platform will meet both current and future needs of the telephone companies that it serves, including directory assistance, toll and assist, and intercept services. Arora told Newsbytes that "the importance for Sun....is that it shows the industry what Sun offers in terms of platforms and technology....and that these are what the industry needs." CCI maintains that future applications will allow callers to access a wide range of information databases as well as conduct voice, data and image transactions through automated attendants, direct access, and operators performing multiple tasks from a single workstation. Bruce Golden, director of commercial market development at Sun, said, "(CCI's) selection of the Sun platform clearly demonstrates how Sun's products are shaping telecommunications technology, particularly the consolidation of operator services onto the desktop." Arora told Newsbytes that Sun's strategic partnership agreements in May with AT&T Computer Systems and Anixter Brothers for networking services and components were going well. At that time, Sun also renewed a contract with Cabletron for similar products and services. Sun maintains that those agreements were part of a series based on its "open service" concept of leveraging the products and expertise of its partners to offer customers "one-stop shopping" for their service needs. The company maintains it has more than 90 service partnership agreements with companies worldwide. (Ian Stokell/19910829/Press Contact: Whitney Greer, Sun Microsystems Inc., 415-336-0598) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 SILICON VALLEY GROUP RESTRUCTURES 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028) SILICON VALLEY GROUP RESTRUCTURES 08/29/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- In an effort it claims will concentrate resources and better serve customers, Silicon Valley Group has consolidated its sales and service operations into a single corporate entity. Carol Durrant, spokesperson for SVG, told Newsbytes that the company was "finding that account management works better under a unified structure.....where a customer could call their sales representative and talk about any of our products." The company's Track Systems, Thermco Systems and SVG Lithography Systems had previously operated sales and service functions independently. Apart from pooling resources, Durrant also said that the company intends to expand its cross training and cross utilization programs to meet customer requirements. Charles R. Joseph will head the new organization, and has been promoted to corporate vice president of worldwide field operations. He will also guide all corporate communication activities. According to the company, the field operations organization will also serve as a link between the customer and SVG's three business units, conveying new process and product mandates to ensure that development efforts are in sync with the customers emerging requirements. (Ian Stokell/19910829/Press Contact: Carol Durrant, Silicon Valley Group Inc., 408-432-9300) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 CORRECTION: WORKSTATIONS SALES UP 40%, SAYS DATAQUEST 08/29/91 08/29/91 (CORRECTION)(UNIX)(LAX)(00029) CORRECTION: WORKSTATIONS SALES UP 40%, SAYS DATAQUEST 08/29/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Newsbytes wishes to correct a reference, in a story of this title which ran August 28, to the leading workstation makers as compiled by Dataquest. Digital Equipment Corporation, not Digital Research, showed significant gains, according to Dataquest. Digital Research is a maker of software, including DR-DOS, not workstations, as is Digital Equipment Corporation. (Linda Rohrbough/199108028/Press Contact: Mary Hand, Dataquest, Tel: 408/437-8312, Fax: 408/437-0292) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 MITSUBISHI'S LESS EXPENSIVE, SMALLER INFRARED CAMERA 08/29/91 08/29/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00030) MITSUBISHI'S LESS EXPENSIVE, SMALLER INFRARED CAMERA 08/29/91 CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Mitsubishi Electronics America announced a new, more compact and less expensive thermal imager, the IR-M500, also known in more popular terms as an "infrared camera." The new camera weighs 17.6 pounds without the lens and is about the size of a small video camera at 5.4 inches wide and six inches high, the company said. The thermal imager's capacity to convert heat patterns, not available visually, to visible images allows for detection of objects regardless of illumination or the presence of smoke or mist, Mitsubishi said. Applications for thermal imaging used to be exclusively military and defense related, but have now branched into security, surveillance, tracking, non-destructive evaluation, research and development, said Lori Rosenblatt, product manager for Mitsubishi's IR-M500. Rosenblatt gave a couple of examples of non-military uses of the camera like finding the center of a forest fire from the air or finding a bubble or a tear in a piece of aluminum, called non-destructive evaluation. Rosenblatt pointed out the major difference in this camera is the resolution of the images it produces. 260,000 pixels translates to about 512 by 512 dots per inch and is the difference between seeing a blob on another thermal imager, or seeing a person's face with the IR-M500. Also, a cryogenic Sterling cycle cooler eliminates the former need for a cooling gas cylinder or liquid nitrogen and insures continuous operation of the system, the company said. Since the camera is capable of both RS-170 analog and RS-422 digital output, its signals can be transmitted and it can be used for communication as well, Rosenblatt said. The camera comes with the camera head, a 50 millimeter lens, an AC adapter, cabling and a palm-sized wired remote controller, the company said. The price is lower too, at $75,000 as opposed to $90,000 to $130,000 for other thermal imaging cameras, Rosenblatt said. The new camera is even less expensive than its predecessor, the IR-5120C which was priced originally at $95,000 and recently lowered to $83,000, said Rosenblatt. The new camera is expected to be available in December of this year through Mitsubishi. (Linda Rohrbough/199108029/Press Contact: Lori Rosenblatt, Mitsubishi, Tel: 714/220-2500, Fax: 714/236-6180) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 PACIFIC BELL TO TEST FIBER-TO-THE-CURB 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00001) PACIFIC BELL TO TEST FIBER-TO-THE-CURB 08/28/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 28 (NB) -- Pacific Bell will launch small-scale trials of "fiber-to-the-curb" running phone services through fiber cables which extend all the way to neighborhood converters located on telephone poles or along streets. Telecommunication equipment suppliers have been pushing such systems this year, claiming they are now cost-competitive with copper wires. Besides, the suppliers claim, the fiber systems can be set-up to provide TV services once regulatory approval for that is granted. The seven regional Bell companies have been moving slowly toward embracing the technology, however, and Pacific Bell's approach is typical. The first test has just begun in La Crescenta and a second is scheduled for Hawthorne in the fall of 1992. PacBell emphasized that the tests are only testing regular voice service, hoping to get better signal quality without extra expense. Raynet, which has been among the most forthright in making cost comparisons with copper, will provide equipment for the La Crescenta test, running fiber along aerial wires in an existing subdivision to about 300 homes. At the Supercomm trade show early this year, Raynet officials demonstrated to Newsbytes how their Loop Optical Carrier-2 system and RIDES operations support system can be quickly converted - with the addition of a circuit card - from "plain old telephone service" to enhanced video services. The Hawthrone test will take place in a new high-density development, and an equipment supplier for it has not yet been chosen. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910828/Press Contact: Pacific Bell, Scott E. Smith, 415/542-0597) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 SW BELL MEXICO BET PAYING OFF 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002) SW BELL MEXICO BET PAYING OFF 08/28/91 MEXICO CITY, MEXICO, 1991 AUGUST 28 (NB) -- Southwestern Bell's decision to buy into, and take operational responsibility for, Mexico's TelMex phone monopoly, is paying off. Mexican stocks have been climbing to a succession of record highs, with the Bolsa Price Index closing August 27 at 1,249.67. The rise is being led by Telmex, whose price rose 4.67 percent on that day alone, based on reports of great third quarter results. The company's stock has also been active, and its price rising, on the New York Stock Exchange. Mexico's government has taken advantage by re-privitizing the nation's banks, which were privitized a decade ago. Optimism over a possible Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. and Canada, along with continuing investment in high-labor industries from the north, have fueled the rise. One Mexican business magazine, Expansion, reported recently the top 500 companies there recorded a sales increase of over 25 percent in the last year. TelMex still has big problems though, and billions will be needed to bring service anywhere near U.S. standards. SW Bell has tried new technologies like the Ultraphone, which uses cellular radio techniques to deliver landline phone service in rural areas, but it can still take months to get a new phone put into service, and TelMex's cellular competitors are doing big business. Many companies will not wait for TelMex. Banca Serfin, which is still owned by the government, announced it is buying a satellite data system from Scientific-Atlanta to link its Mexico City headquarters with 172 branch banks throughout the country, one of the largest such networks in Latin America. Scientific-Atlanta estimates the contract is worth $4 million. The branches will each get very small satellite dishes, while the main office will be served by a giant dish linked to the main office by wires. The system will be completed by the end of the year. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910828) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 NEW FOR PC: Electronic Coloring Books For Kids 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003) NEW FOR PC: Electronic Coloring Books For Kids 08/28/91 TOLEDO, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- If your children like to paint by the numbers, they should like two new programs just introduced by Craft House Corporation, who made "Paint-By-Numbers" a popular hobby with adults and children alike. Barbie PC Fashion Design & Color, which Craft House says is the first design and color software program developed exclusively for girls, allows the user to create a Barbie "scene" by selecting from a variety of outfits and changing the backgrounds. "She can send Barbie to a fashion show, on a vacation, or out on a shopping spree" says Dan Johns, Craft House VP of marketing. Johns says children want to become part of the activity they are playing, and Barbie PC Fashion Design & Color gives girls the opportunity to make decisions, experiment with colors and make changes quickly. Craft's second offering is Columbus Discovers America PC Coloring Program. Johns describes program as an "Edu-tainment" product, combining an educational introduction to Columbus' journey to the New World with the fun of coloring. The program displays ten authentic and detailed scenes depicting Columbus' adventures. Each scene also contains educational captions that tell the story of the historical voyage. The user can select from any one of the story panels and color it to create a personalized scene. Bill Giacci, software product manager for Craft, says Columbus has 16 colors to choose from, and you can mix them to create your own colors by using the "Paint-Mix" feature. According to Giacci: "Today's kids are very visually oriented. They like to create bold-colored graphics, experiment with different color combinations and change images." Giacci says the program will help a child become comfortable with a personal computer. Both programs require an IBM or compatible, 640 kilobytes of RAM, and an EGA or VGA color monitor. Johns told Newsbytes that there are no plans for a "Ken" program, nor for a Macintosh edition at present. Johns said both programs would probably find their market with the K-8 grades. Barbie has a suggested list price of 29.95, while Columbus sells for 14.95. Either program can be ordered on 5.25-inch or 3.5-inch disks, and Johns said a special dual edition is available (with both size disks) for slightly more. For more information Craft House can be reached at 800-537-0295. (Jim Mallory/19910828/Press contact: Dan Johns, Craft House, 419-536-8351) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 CODAR INTROS 28.5 MIPS RUGGEDIZED SPARCSTATION 8/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00004) CODAR INTROS 28.5 MIPS RUGGEDIZED SPARCSTATION 8/28/91 LONGMONT, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Codar Technology has introduced another entry in its line of ruggedized SPARC workstations, the 305M-S2. The new model, which is rated at 28.5 million-instructions-per-second (MIPS), is based on Sun Microsystems SPARCstation 2, and includes a ruggedized keyboard and trackball, and a ruggedized TEMPEST system chassis. TEMPEST is a program which specifies standards for computer hardware used to store classified material. The 305M-S2 was designed and tested for a variety of mission-critical military applications including ground-mobile, shipboard and airborne environments. The unit provides shock and vibration isolation for the CPU (central processor unit) and up to two full-height or four half-height 5.25-inch removable SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) peripherals, which allow a total of two gigibytes (GB) of disk storage. The system suypports up to 10 GBs of total on-line storage through the external SCSI port. Codar says the 305M-S2 is designed for a mean-time between failures of 21,500 hours. It uses hermetically-packaged integrated circuits, coated printed circuit assemblies, military grade components, and MIL-SPEC connectors. The company says the systems have been formally verified using accelerated vibration and environmental testing procedures designed to simulate a lifetime of field use. Built-in test capabilities include status of temperature, AC and DC voltages, power supply load, date, time and fault conditions on a 16-character front panel. An option allows fault reporting to the CPU or to the console through two RS-232 serial ports. Like other members of the 305M family, some components of the system can be replaced while the workstation is operational. Available options include a storage subsystem that supports up to four 5.25-inch SCSI disk or tape drives, a fiberoptic LAN (local area network), optical disk drives, a mouse and a 28 volt DV power supply. (Jim Mallory/19910828/Press contact: Barbara Evans, Codar, 303-776-0472, FAX 303-776-1806) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 AT&T ENHANCES MERLIN PHONE LINE, EXPANDS IN JAPAN 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005) AT&T ENHANCES MERLIN PHONE LINE, EXPANDS IN JAPAN 08/28/91 PARSIPPANY, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 28 (NB) -- AT&T is improving its Merlin cordless phone and PBX (private branch exchange) systems for small businesses, with a new unit called the Legend which delivers advanced applications to companies with as few as 10 phones. The products, due in October, will list for about $595 per worker, including installation. The older Partner II system will list for $490 per worker. Both systems provide the same features as corded phones, and the Legend is said to be easy to upgrade, handling up to 80 telephone lines and 144 extensions. It is also with compatible with digital services under ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) standards, which can handle voice, data or video images. The Legend also has large screen displays to guide users through features -- the displays are the latest move in merging phone features with computer functions. The Partner II can handle up to 16 telephone lines and 48 extensions, and can share extensions with fax machines, answering machines, modems, credit card readers and single-line phones -- eliminating the need for adapters and dedicated telephone lines. Chairman Robert E. Allen also said the company will expand its Japanese workforce by 1,200 people by 1995, bringing the total to 6,000. AT&T currently employs about 600 people in Japan, and plans to increase that to 1,600 by 1995, while NCR employs 4,200. Allen said the company is considering adding production facilities in the country, but nothing has been decided yet. Allen also took the opportunity of his trip to Tokyo to lecture the Japanese on the beauty of competition. Japan, like the U.S., has been trying to break up its "Bell System," in this case the NTT domestic and KDD international phone monopolies. KDD now has some competitors, while NTT has been privitized and had been due to be split-up until a sharp drop in its stock price forced a reevaluation. Allen claimed in a speech before the Federation of Economic Organizations that U.S. long distance competition has dropped prices over 40 percent since 1984, when the AT&T break-up into long distance and regional units was made final. More than 320 companies currently offer long distance services to American customers, but only three -- AT&T, MCI and Sprint -- have much market share and AT&T still holds an estimated 70 percent of the market. Allen does not want AT&T's step-children, the seven regional Bell companies, to make equipment, as proposed in a bill now making its way through Congress. That bill contains a stiff domestic- content provision and President Bush has threatened a veto. Allen claims that if the manufacturing ban were lifted, the regionals would buy only from themselves and re-create the monopolies of eight years ago. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910828/Press Contact: Walter Murphy, AT&T, 908-221-6900, Sue Fleming, 201/581-5619) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 MCI TO HANDLE NEW EQUIFAX CALL CENTER 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006) MCI TO HANDLE NEW EQUIFAX CALL CENTER 08/28/91 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 28 (NB) -- MCI will handle the toll-free line to Equifax' new Information Service Center, which will open in December. The new center will advertise a single number through which consumers can receive credit reporting information from Equifax. MCI will also provide call routing and emergency routing features for the center, which will be the national hub for Equifax consumer credit reporting. Specifically, Equifax will get Dialed Number Identification Service, or DNIC, allowing calls to be routed automatically to operators serving different parts of the country. The coutract is worth about $10 million. Equifax' revenues for 1990 were over $1 billion. Also, MCI extended its Call Pacific Plan to the Philippines. That means that for $3 per month, consumers can call the country for 77 cents per minute. The plan also extends to calls made to Australia, Guam, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, between 10 P.M. and 2 P.M. on weekdays and all weekend until 2 P.M Monday. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910828/Press Contact: Debra Shriver, MCI, 703-415-6904, Steve Fox, MCI, 404-668-6056) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 ALTOS ENCOURAGES X WINDOWS DEVELOPERS 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00007) ALTOS ENCOURAGES X WINDOWS DEVELOPERS 08/28/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Altos has announced it is attempting to draw developers into the workstation market with an eye to increasing the number of commercial software programs for the X Window system developed by Altos, a division of Acer. X Windows is a graphical user interface (GUI) and the base system to the Open System Foundation (OSF)/Motif GUI used in the Unix operating system on workstations. A study just released by Dataquest, a market research firm, showed a 40 percent increase in workstation sales in the last year. Tom Moore, senior consultant at International Data Corporation predicts GUI Unix applications could triple by the end of 1993 from 15,000 to 50,000 sites. Altos wants to take advantage of this predicted upswing. The company presented its AXAP program to over 500 software developers at the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) Forum '91, a Unix developers conference, the company said. Altos said it is offering incentives to developers such as co-marketing programs including participation on nationwide seminars for end users, value-added resellers and systems integrators, and demonstration tapes of the developer's software shipped with every Open Desktop system Altos sells. In addition, an AXAP software catalog is planned, and developers are being promised highlights at tradeshows with Altos. Altos is also offering X tool kits and training in X development. Altos, recently acquired by the Acer Group, says it designs, manufactures and markets networked multiuser software in 60 countries. The company reported it was ranked the number one computer manufacturer in VARBUSINESS magazine's 1990 Report Card Issue. (Linda Rohrbough/199108028/Press Contact: Debra Moses, Hi-Tech, Tel: 415/864-5600, Fax: 415/552-5738) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 INDIA EXPANDS ACCESS TO COMMERCIAL SATELLITE IMAGES 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008) INDIA EXPANDS ACCESS TO COMMERCIAL SATELLITE IMAGES 08/28/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 28 (NB) -- China's Xinhua news agency reports that India's Space Research Organization will soon go into the business of selling images of the Earth, following the August 29 launch of its second remote- sensing satellite. The new satellite, which will eventually be part of a network of four satellites, will be placed in polar orbit aboard a Soviet Vostok rocket leaving the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Once the new satellite goes up, ISRO proposes to offer ground stations presently able to take data from the French Spot or U.S. Landsat systems direct access to the Indian satellite imagery. India's space agency will supply the technology to upgrade the ground station. For the last three years, Indian ground stations have been acting as a clearinghouse for the images. The other two satellites in this series are scheduled for launch in 1993 and 1996. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910828) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 KEY TRONIC LOSES $7.7 MILLION FOR 1991 FY 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00009) KEY TRONIC LOSES $7.7 MILLION FOR 1991 FY 08/28/91 SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Key Tronic Corporation, manufacturer of various computer input devices including keyboards, says it had a net loss of $7.7 million on net sales of $141 million for the year ending June 30, 1991. The loss means a $1 per share loss for stockholders, compared to the $0.18 gain last year when Key Tronic reported a net income of $1.5 million on sales of $140.2 million. In the fourth quarter the company says it lost $7.6 million, or $0.98 per share on sales of $28.7 million. Last year the fourth quarter produced net income of $1.8 million, or $0.23 per share. Key Tronic maintains that the loss for the quarter was largely a result of continued weak demand for the company's products, as well as increased development costs. Included in the results for the fourth quarter were provisions of $4.2 million and another $545,000 for restructuring the company's notebook computer operations and a write-down in the realizable value of an equity investee. The company also recorded a gain of $597,000 on the sale during the quarter of an idle manufacturing facility. (Jim Mallory/910828/Press contact: Steven Benner, Key Tronic, 509-928-8000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 PC RENTAL FIRMS CAN NOW BUY IBM PCS 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00010) PC RENTAL FIRMS CAN NOW BUY IBM PCS 08/28/91 MIAMI, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Reversing their long-standing policy, IBM now says it will sell personal computers to approved computer rental firms. The first company to benefit from the change in policy is Miami- based Keystone Business Systems, a Florida franchisee of PCR Computer Rentals, as it announced IBM had agreed for it to become an authorized dealer. Paul Ewing, Keystone president with two PCR franchise stores in Miami and Orlando, expressed pleasure that the stores can now advertise themselves as IBM-authorized rental dealers. "This is brand new, and we think it's exciting and revolutionary," said Ewing. "The computer rental industry is fairly young. The fact that IBM has taken this step tells the world that we do indeed exist, and provide a valuable service." PCR Personal Computer Rentals says it is the nation's largest computer rental network, with 65 locations natioinwide. Keystone, maintains that it is the largest owner/operator of PCR franchises. Ewing said that IBM first approached him in June of this year, and after a review of the strength and stability of his operation, approved the renting of IBM PCs at two of his locations. Keystone says it can either buy IBM PCs directly from the manufacturer or from an IBM distributor. He said he chose to buy his systems from IBM distributor Caber Systems. Ewing also said that IBM representatives atttended a PCR meeting to let the franchisees know of its change in attitude about rentals. Approval for other PCR locations may be forthcoming. Ewing said that between IBM's change of heart about rentals, and Apple's recent announcement that they too would authorize rental dealers for the Macintosh line, it is a tremendous vote of confidence in the computer rental industry. Anthony Meduri, president of PCR told Newsbytes that he felt the association with the IBM brand name would be a tremendous boost for his organization. Meduri says his network of franchisees handle about 6,000 rental orders each month. Depending on the configuration of the system (such as RAM, display, hard drive size) rentals range from $63 to over $700 for a one week rental. PCR rents IBM and compatibles, laptops and Macintosh machines. Meduri said: "With the IBM authorization, just having that name as a business partner, makes PCR stronger and gives us a better identity." (Jim Mallory/910828/Press contact: Stephanie Perlmutter, S&S Public Relations, 708-291-1616) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 NYNEX TO AUTOMATE SOVINTEL 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011) NYNEX TO AUTOMATE SOVINTEL 08/28/91 SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 28 (NB) -- With the collapse of the Soviet coup, U.S. communications companies are doubly anxious to enter the market. Until now U.S. West has been the big winner, with its plan to run a communications line across the country. Reduced tensions could allow it to run the fiber lines that were vetoed by U.S. agencies last year. Now, as the late Jimmy Durante said: "Everybody wants to get into the act." NYNEX, the regional Bell covering the northeastern U.S. is the latest, announcing its DPI subsidiary will help automate Sovintel, a joint venture between the Soviet Ministry of Communications and GTE. NYNEX DPI will provide Sovintel with daily operations support software necessary to track long distance calls for billing and collections, computerize customer service order and billing correspondence, and maintain central office equipment information, inventory and accounting records. The system, to be installed in September, will receive technical support from the U.K. It is NYNEX DPI's first venture into Eastern Europe. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910828/Press Contact: Jan Cherry, NYNEX DPI, 713-240-9200) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 3M ANNOUNCES NEW LASER TECHNOLOGY 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00012) 3M ANNOUNCES NEW LASER TECHNOLOGY 08/28/91 ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- 3M has announced that it has achieved a major breakthrough in laser technology that could have great significance in such applications as optical recording, imaging, printing and communications. What 3M describes as the world's first "blue-green laser" could potentially increase the amount of data stored on optical discs and compact discs, as well as enhancing laser imaging in medical diagnostics. "Blue-green" laser technology may also speed the use of plastic, instead of glass, in fiber optics, said the company. 3M says it has spent more than five years of concerted research on lasers and the materials required to generate them. The "blue-green" laser initially operated at a temperature of about 320 degrees Farenheit, but has since been operated in pulsed mode at room temperature. Previous laser diodes were crated from III-V materials, so named for their position in the periodic table. The 3M research team says it used II-VI materials (zinc selenide) successfully for the first time to create the shortest wavelength ever generated by a semiconductor laser diode. The company described the prototype device as looking like a "small, dark blue crystal set on a microchip." The crystal has been patterned into six sections, each of which is capable of emitting a bright blue-green beam of pulsed laser light. The beam appears constant to the naked eye, but the diode is actually on less than one percent of the time. (Jim Mallory/19910828/Press contact: Mark Fenner, 3M, 612-733-9242) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 WORKSTATIONS SALES UP 40%, SAYS DATAQUEST 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00013) WORKSTATIONS SALES UP 40%, SAYS DATAQUEST 08/28/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Dataquest, a market research and consulting firm, reports a 40 percent increase in shipments of workstations based on its findings in its first "Workstation Quarterly Shipments Report." The report is a survey of the shipments and revenue of workstations from the top six vendors. The research firm says Sun, Hewlett-Packard and IBM are the leading vendors. Digital Research showed significant gains, though it was not one of the top three, and so did Intergraph and IBM, Dataquest said. Lisa Thorell, associate director for Dataquest's Computer Systems Service said: "The workstation market is highly competitive and poised for significant growth in the future." The top five workstation models shipped in the second quarter of 1991 were in order the Sun SPARCstation 2, the Sun SPARCstation IPC, the HP 9000-425, the Sun SPARCstation SLC and the IBM RS6000 model 320 H. The Dataquest report says Sun has the largest share with 97,000 units shipped in the first quarter of this year. However, the HP 9000 model 42 moved into the number three position, displacing the Sun SLC. (Linda Rohrbough/199108028/Press Contact: Mary Hand, Dataquest, Tel: 408/437-8312, Fax: 408/437-0292) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 JAPAN: NEW PAGER PLUS VOICE MAIL SERVICE DEBUTS 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00014) JAPAN: NEW PAGER PLUS VOICE MAIL SERVICE DEBUTS 08/28/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Orbit System Laboratory plans to begin a unique electronic mail service dubbed "Bell Point" in October, The new service will combine a paging system with voice mail. With this system, users will be able to communicate with each other through public pay phones via Orbit's host switching device. Under the Bell Point system, a user will dial the Bell Point's host switcher's number "7010" followed by the pager number. The dialer then holds the line for the call to go through. The paged party calls the host switching device of Orbit. Then, the switching device connects the both parties through its system. Orbit System Laboratory will also provide a voice-mailbox for the user who is too busy to respond immediately. The usage fee of this system will be 120 yen (90 cents) per three minute call, in addition to the regular phone charge to NTT. The voice-mailbox costs 210 yen ($1.5) per message. Orbit System Laboratory expects to gain 30 million yen ($222,000) per month. With around 1.5 million people currently using pocket pagers in the vicinity of Tokyo, Orbit System thinks that there is considerable potential in this system. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910828/Press Contact: Orbit System Laboratory, tel: +81-3-5379-0290) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 IBM JAPAN PLANS TO CREATE 20 SOFTWARE VENTURES 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00015) IBM JAPAN PLANS TO CREATE 20 SOFTWARE VENTURES 08/28/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- IBM Japan is planning to create 20 software ventues by the end of 1992. According to the Nikkei newspaper, IBM Japan wants to enter into joint ventures with Japanese software firms in Japan in order to develop more software for its computing products. Currently, IBM Japan has five joint venture software firms, and intends to set up five more in the vicinity of Tokyo by the end of the year. Then, IBM Japan wants to create another 10 firms in the Western and Northern parts of Japan. Each software venture will have a capitalization of around 500 million yen ($3.7 million). IBM Japan will pay about 35 percent of such capitalization, and will dispatch board directors, executive officers and engineers. This is part of IBM Japan's strategy to emphasize the sales of personal computers and office computers in order to address the downsizing of computers. Meanwhile, IBM Japan also wants to increase its hardware dealers. Currently, there are 233 hardware dealers including its affiliate firms. In cooperation with current affiliate firms, IBM Japan will increase the number of hardware dealers by 30 each year. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910828/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3586- 1111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 LTX SHIPS $2M MICROMASTER DIGITAL VLSI TEST SYSTEM 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00016) LTX SHIPS $2M MICROMASTER DIGITAL VLSI TEST SYSTEM 08/28/91 WESTWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 28 (NB) -- LTX has announced that the company has begun shipping a new 192-pin Micromaster digital VLSI test system to Taiwan-based Macronix International. Macronix is a designer and manufacturer of semi-custom ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) VLSI (very large scale integration) chips. VLSI chips are microchips with approximately 100,000 or more components on a single chip. LTX Corporation is a major designer and manufacturer of computer-controlled equipment for testing linear, digital, and mixed-signal devices which it markets worldwide from its Westwood, Massachusetts, headquarters. Electronic Engineering Times has reported that the outlook for companies building automatic chip testing devices was in general poor, but that LTX was actively hiring new staff. LTX and Boston-based Teradyne Inc. are the leaders in this field, both having market shares in the 30-40 percent range. Macronix also has a U.S. center located on Ridder Park Drive in San Jose, California, which employs 18 people. (John McCormick/19910828/Press Contact: R. Scott Higgins, LTX Corporation, 617-461-1000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 ****NEC TO RELEASE CD-ROM GAME MACHINE 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00017) ****NEC TO RELEASE CD-ROM GAME MACHINE 08/28/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- NEC Home Electronics says it will release a CD-ROM-based game machine on September 21, called the "PC Engine Due." The product is an upgraded version of the firm's PC Engine family, and will cost 59,800 yen ($440). With its proprietary 4.3-inch color LCD (liquid crystal display), it will cost 79,800 yen ($590). About the size of an A4 notebook, it can be also be connected to a regular TV set. The system comes with two megabytes RAM. NEC is encouraging development of game software for the new machine. Currently, 24 software makers are developing 45 kinds of games. According to the company, software developers can practically develop more complicated programs exploiting the machine's enhanced memory and CD-ROM. NEC hopes to sell one million units by the end of 1992. Although, that number is much less than Nintendo's Super Famicom or Sega's Mega Drive, NEC is eager to ride on the bandwagon created by those systems. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910828/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-3798-6511) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 NAT'L SEMI TO SPEND $149.3 MILLION RESTRUCTURING 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00018) NAT'L SEMI TO SPEND $149.3 MILLION RESTRUCTURING 08/28/91 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- National Semiconductor has announced plans to restructure its manufacturing operations worldwide to the tune of $149.3 million. The company said the charges would be against its first quarter earnings. It has also announed that the first quarter earnings are likely to be lower than previously predicted. Gilbert F. Amelio, president of National Semiconductor said the actions are designed to bring back profitability. "This activity is designed to allow National Semiconductor to reshape its manufacturing structure, consolidating underutilized fabrication plant capacity, while upgrading its continuing operations, and improving their utilization," Amelio said. The changes are expected to occur over several years and the company expects the restructuring to lower costs and improve gross margins. Amelio evidently is taking the advice that he gave to over 700 engineers and managers at an address at the Surface Mount International Conference. In the address which was entitled "No Smoke, No Mirrors: Global Competitiveness in the 90's," Amelio said: "We must learn to deal with continual change ... to get comfortable with it ... not just in the way we do ordinary things each day, but maybe even in the context in which we do those things." (Linda Rohrbough/199108028/Press Contact: Mary Coady, National Semiconductor, Tel: 408/721-2871) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 RADIO SHACK CANADA DROPS CARBON BATTERIES 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019) RADIO SHACK CANADA DROPS CARBON BATTERIES 08/28/91 BARRIE, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Radio Shack outlets in Canada will stop selling standard carbon batteries, and is discontinuing the Radio Shack Battery Club Card. The company cited the danger of environmental damage from used batteries as the reason for the decision. "We're trying to address an issue before it becomes an issue," said Bruce Mackenzie, a Radio Shack Canada spokesman. Radio Shack wants to encourage customers to buy long-life alkaline batteries and rechargeables, he said. To that end, the company will introduce a new battery program that will give customers 50 percent off the purchase of one battery of any type once a month. The old Battery Club Cards entitled holders to one free carbon battery per month. So far, Mackenzie said, the new program is limited to Canada. Radio Shack Canada is a unit of Intertan, also based in Barrie, Ontario, which controls Radio Shack outlets in Canada, Australia, and Europe. Texas-based Tandy Corp. licenses the right to the Radio Shack name to Intertan, but does not own the Canadian operation. Mackenzie said that if the new program is successful in Canada, it might be expanded to other countries where Intertan operates. Radio Shack Canada has also earmarked C$10,000 for research into battery recycling, Mackenzie said. (Grant Buckler/19910828/Press Contact: Bruce Mackenzie, Radio Shack Canada, 705-728-6242) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 ****IBM SUSPENDS 50-MHZ 486 UPGRADE CARD SHIPMENTS 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00020) ****IBM SUSPENDS 50-MHZ 486 UPGRADE CARD SHIPMENTS 08/28/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- IBM has suspended shipments of its 50-megahertz Intel 486 processor upgrade card for the PS/2 Model 90 and Model 95. The move followed the announcement that Intel has discovered a problem with the new chip. IBM has been shipping the upgrade card since August 12, company spokeswoman Tara Sexton told Newsbytes, and "a limited number" have reached customers. IBM has had no reports of problems with the new chips from its customers, but has stopped shipments as a "precautionary measure until Intel can determine the exact problem," a statement from IBM said. IBM also said it is working with Intel to help resolve the problem. Intel announced earlier that it is temporarily stopping production of the new chip because of what it said were minor bugs. The company expects production to resume shortly. (Grant Buckler/19910828/Press Contact: Tara Sexton, IBM, 914-642-4662, fax 914-642-5795) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 ****OKIDATA INTROS FAST POSTSCRIPT PRINTER UNDER $2,000 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00021) ****OKIDATA INTROS FAST POSTSCRIPT PRINTER UNDER $2,000 08/28/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Adobe, the company who developed the PostScript printer language, announced Okidata is offering an eight page-per-minute PostScript printer priced under $2,000. The Okidata OL830 liquid crystal display (LED) Page Printer automatically detects whether a document sent to it is described by the PostScript language or another language, and switches to handle the printing, Adobe said. According to Adobe, the technology behind this ability is from LaserTools Corporation and is provided via a Printer Control Panel. Dr. Charles Geschke, Adobe's president and chief operating officer placed emphasis on the printer's price and speed, saying: "The Okidata OL830 continues the trend toward ever-more-affordable PostScript language printing. This new printer allows users to access the highest quality output for all their office printing and business communication needs." The printer is intended for either single-user or network use, and comes with two megabytes (MB) of RAM, which is expandable to 4 MB. A Centronics parallel interface and an Appletalk or RS232 option is available for Macintosh connections. The PostScript software built into the printer incorporates Adobe Type Manager (ATM) 2.0, a font rasterizing technology that Adobe claims improves speed and quality in the generation of the type. Seventeen fonts come standard, with the ability to add more by adding PostScript font cards from Okidata, Adobe said. The font cards, available from Okidata, include the PostScript Essentials card which adds 18 more fonts, and the Futura & More, Garamond & More, and Optima & More cards, each adding 12 fonts. Adobe is attempting to make its ATM and PostScript the standard in the industry. Lotus, Aldus and Ventura Software in conjunction with Adobe, have bundled ATM with their Windows products: Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows, Pagemaker for Windows and Ventura Windows. One of the major complaints about PostScript is that although it produces visually appealing type, the printing performance can be very slow. Adobe is addressing that problem in this announcement of the printer, saying that 8-ppm is about as fast as Hewlett-Packard's LaserJet products. In fact, Adobe is touting the Okidata printer as being Hewlett- Packard LaserJet- and Diablo 630-compatible. Okidata, a division of Oki America is a supplier of peripheral equipment, including dot-matrix, LED printers and facsimile equipment. The new OL830 printers are shipping now. (Linda Rohrbough/199108028/Press Contact: Patricia Pane, Adobe, Tel: 415/962-3967, Vickie Glazar, Okidata, Tel: 609/235-2600, ext. 7313, Fax: 609/778-4184) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 ****ADOBE ACQUIRES SUPERMAC'S REELTIME FOR QUICKTIME 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00022) ****ADOBE ACQUIRES SUPERMAC'S REELTIME FOR QUICKTIME 08/28/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Adobe has announced that it has acquired ReelTime, a digital video-editing software product developed to take advantage of Apple's System 7's Quicktime for the Macintosh. Adobe has not released the specifics of the new deal with ReelTime's developers SuperMac Technology. It is known that SuperMac will continue, with Adobe, the development of the product and that the product will be renamed, the company said. The ReelTime software, which allows users to produce videos, was developed to make use of the VideoSpigot, SuperMac's digital-video capture hardware system. Dave Pratt, vice president and general manager of Adobe's Application Products Division, said Adobe expects the acquisition to complement its graphics product line. "ReelTime brings the power of Apple's QuickTime strategy to reality. This product validates one of the fastest growing markets -- digital video...," he said. Adobe expects the move to strengthen its relationship with Apple. "We will continue to work closely with Apple to take full advantage of future enhancements to QuickTime," Pratt said. SuperMac demonstrated ReelTime at the Sybold Show in May when Apple announced QuickTime. Representatives of SuperMac were using the VideoSpigot hardware on the Macintosh and a video camera to record passers-by on the Macintosh's hard disk, then replay the recorded video on the Macintosh screen. SuperMac representatives were suggesting the ReelTime and the VideoSpigot could be applied in recording video for training documents. For example, a document could be displayed on screen with an explanation of an operation, then the user could click on what appears as a photo in the document and the photo would turn into an action/sound demonstration of the operation explained in the document. Michael McConnell, president of SuperMac Technology said regarding the new agreement with Adobe: "Adobe is a tremendous partner to fulfill the promise this technology has to offer the desktop market. This agreement allows SuperMac to focus on our core business -- graphics and desktop video hardware, while partnering with a company that has a history of evangelizing new markets on the desktop." (Linda Rohrbough/199108028/Press Contact: LaVon Collins, Adobe, Tel: 415/961-4400, Fax: 415/961-3769, Lisa MacKenzie, SuperMac, Tel: 408/524-4702, Fax: 408/735-7250) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 ACM TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL DATA TO EASTERN EUROPE 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00023) ACM TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL DATA TO EASTERN EUROPE 08/28/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- In an effort to ensure that economic pressures in the formerly communist countries of Eastern and Central Europe do not cause the region to be left behind in computing research, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is making technical programs and publications available to the region. The ACM is setting up chapters in each of the Eastern and Central European countries. Each of these new chapters will maintain a library of the ACM's many publications, making them available to the local computing community. Jim Adams, director of membership and strategic services for the ACM, told Newsbytes the organization puts out 12 major periodicals. Additionally, its 34 special interest groups each publish a newsletters, the ACM Press publishes 12 to 20 books a year, and the proceedings of 50 ACM conferences are published each year. The ACM also plans a series of conferences on computing topics in Central and Eastern Europe. The first was a conference on computer graphics, held in Moscow last February. Adams said no other plans are ready to announce yet. "They're in the wings," Adams said. Adams said computer societies in the formerly communist countries are just getting organized. They were not necessarily forbidden under previous regimes, he said, but "there just wasn't money for them to do much." The ACM will work with other computing organizations in the region where they exist, Adams said. The Association for Computing Machinery is an 80,000-member scientific society, with 91 local chapters worldwide. (Grant Buckler/19910828/Press Contact: Fred Aronson, Association for Computing Machinery, 212-869-7440, fax 212-944-1318) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Chipcom Has Low-Cost 10Base-T Hub 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00024) NEW FOR NETWORKS: Chipcom Has Low-Cost 10Base-T Hub 08/28/91 SOUTHBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Chipcom has announced a low-cost 10Base-T intelligent workgroup hub aimed at the entry-level market. The 12-port 10Base-T Workgroup Hub is intended for small Ethernet local area networks using unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wiring, Chipcom said. The hub is a low-cost unit, without all the features of Chipcom's line of fault-tolerant hubs, and is aimed at a large market of small work groups and entry-level buyers, company spokesman John Ricciardone said. Chipcom expects the new hub to be a "high-volume" item. The new 12-user hub joins the six-slot and 17-slot Online System Concentrator products announced in late July. All the products are fully interoperable and manageable, Chipcom said. The 10Base-T Workgroup Hub has built-in network management capabilities using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) standard. Chipcom said it can be managed locally through a management port on the hub, or remotely via an SNMP management system. The hub is small enough to fit on a desktop, according to the company, and has a data rate of 10 megabits-per-second. It is fully compatible with the IEEE 802.3 10Base-T standard for running Ethernet over unshielded twisted-pair wiring. The unit will sell for US$2,295, Ricciardone said, and is due to be available late in October. (Grant Buckler/19910828/Press Contact: John Ricciardone, Chipcom, 508-460-8900 ext. 4455) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 NEW PREPRESS COLOR PRODUCTS FOR VENTURA WINDOWS 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025) NEW PREPRESS COLOR PRODUCTS FOR VENTURA WINDOWS 08/27/91 CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Ventura Software has announced four new color prepress products to be offered as additions to Ventura 4.0 for Windows and licensed in an agreement from Pre-Press Technologies of Carlsbad, Calif. The four products are Ventura Scan, Ventura Color, Ventura PhotoTouch, and Ventura ColorPro. Ventura is offering these products because the company says color publishing is fast becoming a requirement for business. Joe Mintz, president of Pre-Press Technologies said: " Ventura Publisher now offers a migration path from the end user directly to trade shops and service bureaus. The four products designed for Ventura Publisher take the functionality of high- end, traditionally costly, color scanning, correction, separation and retouching systems and implement these functions on a PC platform under Windows." Ventura Scan is a Windows Dynamic Link Library (DLL) whose function is to permit scanning from within Ventura Publisher, the company said. It comes with drivers for popular scanners, allows color correction in a preview mode before the actual scanning takes place and permits scanning directly into a Ventura Publisher picture frame while maintaining aspect ratios. Scheduled to ship in the fourth quarter of 1991, it will carry a retail price of $395. Ventura Separator is also a DLL, but color separates complete pages with color, text and graphics in place, Ventura said. Color correction is available with brightness, contrast, color saturation and sharpening controls. It also defines custom screen angles for PostScript Imagesetters. Expected to also ship in the fourth quarter of this year, the product is priced at $495. Ventura PhotoTouch is a retouching application for color and black-and-white images. According to the company, tools are available for outlining, air brushing, sharpening, blurring, blending, smearing, lightening or darkening, shift hues, shift saturation, as well as adding or subtracting color and adjusting gradation. This product can be operated as a stand-alone product or integrated with Ventura Publisher, Windows Edition. It is set for release in early 1992, and is retail priced at $795. According to the company, Ventura ColorPro provides the functionality and control of a drum scanner in a Windows environment. The product lets the user work independently with the four process colors and has tone curve correction, color correction for deficiencies in scanning and ink impurities, compensation for press gain, motor calibration, soft plate proofing, unsharp masking, undercolor removal and addition and gray component replacement, the company said. The product can also be operated as a stand-alone program or integrated into Ventura Publisher. Scheduled to ship in the fourth quarter of 1991, it will retail for $3,995. Jerry Fry, director of engineering at Pre-Press Technologies said, "These products create a whole new PC environment - they fulfill a need that was desperately in need of filling." Pre-Press Technologies describes itself as specializing in trade-quality color reproduction for desktop computing on Macintosh, PC and Unix hardware platforms. Ventura Software describes itself as a supplier of publishing and database software and is headquartered in San Diego, California. (Linda Rohrbough/199108027/Press Contact: Jan Hacket, Pre-Press Technologies, Tel: 619/485-0127, Fax: 619/931-2698, Katie Nosbisch, Hill and Knowlton, Tel: 408/496-6511, Fax: 408/496- 0504) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 28 APPLE OFFERS UP TO $800 INSTANT REBATES ON MACS 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00026) APPLE OFFERS UP TO $800 INSTANT REBATES ON MACS 08/28/91 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Apple is attempting to take advantage of the peak consumer buying season by announcing a "Right Now Rebate" program which is an instant rebate program offered to consumers at the time of purchase. Apple says it will run the program from September 1 of this year through January 5 of 1992. The rebates vary depending on the type and amount of Macintosh hardware purchased, said Apple. The rebates are offered after tax. Some of the rebates announced by Apple include: a Macintosh Classic with 2 megabytes (MB) of RAM and a 40 MB hard disk (2/40) with a StyleWriter or Personal LaserWriter LS printer carries a $125 rebate; a Macintosh LC (2/40 or 4/80) computer with a 12- or 13-inch Apple color monitor and a StyleWriter or Personal LaserWriter LS printer carries a $350 rebate; a Macintosh IIse (3/40) with a Personal LaserWriter LS or a Personal LaserWriter NT printer has a $600 rebate; and a Macintosh IIsi (5/80) computer with a Personal LaserWriter LS or a Personal LaserWriter NT printer carries an $800 rebate. The purchase of three or more Macintosh IIsi (3/40) computers comes with a $600 rebate, and three or more Macintosh IIsi (5/80) or Macintosh IIci computers, in all configurations, come with an $800 rebate, the company said. Apple stipulates the three or more computers must be purchased at the same location on the same day. The rebate program is only offered within the U.S. from Apple resellers. (Linda Rohrbough/199108028/Press Contact: Lisa Byrne, Apple, Tel: 408/862-5154, Fax: 408/252-8447) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 TEST DRIVE A CHEVY, GET AN APPLE 08/29/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00027) TEST DRIVE A CHEVY, GET AN APPLE 08/29/91 DETROIT,MICHIGAN,U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Chevrolet Motor Division and Apple Computer have entered into a partnership program called Driving For Education which allows participating schools to earn various computers and software from Apple Computer. Under the program, Chevrolet/Geo automobile dealers will be contacting schools in their areas to explain the details. Students from participating schools get their parents, friends and neighbors to go to the dealership and test drive a Chevrolet or Geo. Chevrolet spokesperson Arlene Reindel told Newsbytes that test drivers are in no way obligated, and there will be no sales pressure exerted. Test drivers will complete a simple form, and once a school has recorded 50 test drives, the school starts earning awards. Awards include Macintosh LC HD 40 color computer systems with monitor and MacWrite II, MacPaint software, Macintosh Classic 2/40 systems with MacWrite II and MacPaint, and Apple IIe 128K color systems with Appleworks software. Other awards include VHS camcorders, TV/VCR combinations and encyclopedias. Chevrolet says a pilot program in Atlanta recently resulted in a 90 percent participation rate among schools. Accordiing to Chevrolet General Manager Jim Perkins, Chevrolet expects to award at least one computer or audiovisiaul system to each participating school. Dealers and others interested in additional information can contact Chevrolet's Driving For Education hotline at 800-374-8464) (Jim Mallory/910828/Press contact:Arlene Reindel, Chevrolet, 313-492-8847) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 ****COMPAQ SIGNS TECH SUPPORT ALLIANCE WITH 15 FIRMS 08/29/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00028) ****COMPAQ SIGNS TECH SUPPORT ALLIANCE WITH 15 FIRMS 08/29/91 HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Compaq Computer Corporation says it has signed technical support alliances (TSAs) with 15 hardware, software and operating systems companies. The TSA pledges Compaq to provide technical support to its shared customers in multivendor environments based on Compaq systems. The companies included are 3COM, Banyan Systems, Digiboard, Digital Communications Associates, Emerald Systems, Interactive Systems, Liberty Electronics, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle Corporation, Proteon, Racal Interlan, The Santa Cruz Operation (SCO), Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMC), and Western Digital. Compaq says they have been building relationships with each of these companies for several years, and the TSAs were signed to formalize the relationships. Compaq says TSAs are part of its strategy to provide multivendor support, develop new products and progams, and address market opportunities in the growing networking environment. The company already has joint integration agreements with Banyan, Microsoft, Novell and SCO, which were signed last fall to address multivendor integration problems. According to Compaq, networks are becoming more complex with the emergence of multivendor platforms. A typical networked system might consist of a file server from one vendor, a network operating system from another, and interface cards, multiport options, PCs and terminals from still others. (Jim Mallory/910828/Press contact: John Sweney, Compaq, 713-374-0484) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 29 VOLKSWAGEN INSTALLS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 08/29/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00029) VOLKSWAGEN INSTALLS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 08/29/91 EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 29 (NB) -- Cray Research has announced that it has installed a supercomputer in Volkswagen's Research and Development Center in Wolfsburg, Germany. The Y-MP8, Cray's largest supercomputer, will replace a Cray X-MP, and has more than twice the processing capacity of its predecessor. Volkswagen is the fourth largest automotive producer worldwide, and the largest in Europe, producing more than three million vehicles in 1990. The company employes 270,000 people worldwide, with 174,000 of those in Germany. 1990 revenues totaled $41 billion. VW says it wants to shorten the development cycles for new car concepts and component designs, according to R&D board member Ulrich Seiffert. The new system will be applied to simultaneous engineering activities for product development, including structural analysis, crash simulation, engine design and aerodynamic computation. According to Hagen Hultzsch, WV's executive director for organization and information systems, the Cray system was selected for its high throughput and single-processor performance, as well as the broad range of application software available. Other deciding factors according to Hultzsch were the Cray's upward compatibility with future Cray products and its connectivity to existing equipment at Volkswagen. Cray Research says it has 23 systems installed at automotive supplier and motor vehicle companies worldwide. Five of those are installed at German automotive companies. (Jim Mallory/910828/Press contact; Kate Neessen, Cray Research, 612-683-7132, FAX 612-683-7199) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR MAC: 16/4MB Token Ring Cards 08/28/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030) NEW FOR MAC: 16/4MB Token Ring Cards 08/28/91 HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 28 (NB) -- Avatar Corporation has announced two new 16/4MB switchable Token Ring adaptor boards that allow Apple Macintosh SE/30 and II computers to use either 4MB or 16MB Token Ring networks to communicate with IBM mainframes. By providing the option of 4- or 16MB Token Network speeds, MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring Workstation or Gateway products are said to allow users to easily upgrade if the network is upgraded from 4- to 16MB communication speeds. MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring Workstation and Gateway products are software or hardware switchable from 4- to 16MB (via the control pad) for network configuration and management. For extra security, network administrators may opt to force a 4- or 16MB Token Ring hardware setting by changing a jumper on the board that overrides any settings done in software. The new MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring cards are available for both MacMainFrame Token Ring Workstation and MacMainFrame Token Ring Gateway products. Both MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring Workstation and MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring Gateway products support IBM 3278/3279 terminal emulation 3287 printer emulation and file transfer capabilities over a 4 MB or 16 MB Token Ring network. MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring Workstation provides individual Macintosh users with the ability to access up to eight IBM 3279 host sessions at one time. The Gateway product allows Macintosh users in an AppleTalk environment (LocalTalk, TokenTalk, EtherTalk) to run host applications on an IBM mainframe that is resident on the Token Ring network. Up to eight simultaneous host sessions per user and 64 sessions per Macintosh server are available. MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring Workstation (bundled) is priced at $1,395 and includes the MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring card and MacMainframe 3270 software. MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring Gateway (bundled) is priced according to the number of host sessions supported: eight host sessions: $2,495; 32 sessions: $4,495; 64 sessions: $6,495. MacMainFrame 16/4MB Token Ring Workstation is also available unbundled. For more information, call 800/AVA-3270. (Computer Currents/19910828) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SHIPS DEVELOPER STARTER KIT 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SHIPS DEVELOPER STARTER KIT 08/27/91 PLANO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Texas Instruments says it has started shipping its Rapid Developer Starter Kit (RD/SK). According to TI, users of RD/SK can learn how to develop software applications in TI's integrated computer-aided software engineering (CASE) environment quickly and easily. RD/SK reportedly includes the newest version of the Information Engineering Facility's analysis, design and construction toolsets as well as a field-tested tutorial. Suggested list price for TD/SK is $10,000. In a prepared statement TI quoted one user, Gary Idle, a senior computer scientist at Computer Sciences Corporation, as saying, "The tutorial gave me the information I need to use the analysis, design and construction portions of the IEF. An excellent tool." According to Mike Watters, VP and GM of TI's advanced information management division, TI wanted to introduce a wider spectrum of the business community to the advantages offered by TI's integrated CASE (I-CASE) technology. Watters said that with RD/SK, users get a sophisticated approach to full life cycle application development, field-tested tutorials and affordable price. RD/SK reportedly provides a full function workstation for multiple type projects, including business requirements analysis, design prototyping and rapid application development. TI says users can develop C or Cobol applications for IBM's OS/2 operating system, and by using additional toolsets, port those systems to MVS, Tandem, VMTM, VMSTM or Unix. "We are committed to providing easy-to-learn, lower-cost entry points to I-CASE and the IEF," said Watters. The company says it will offer a cross generation starter kit later this year which will enable an application developed on an OS/2 workstation to be ported to a different environment, such as MVS or VMS. RD/SK comes with 90 days of toll-free telephone support. Upgrade kits including a planning toolset, additional methodology guides and full documentation for the planning, design, analysis and construction toolsets are available. (Jim Mallory/910826/Press contact: Bob Bledsoe, TI, 214-997-3857) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 CERNER IN ELECTRONIC MED RECORDS PARTNERSHIP 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00002) CERNER IN ELECTRONIC MED RECORDS PARTNERSHIP 08/27/91 KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Cerner Corporation, a provider of clinical information systems for the health care industry, says it has entered into an agreement with the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center and The Emory Clinic of Atlanta to create an electronic medical record system. The system will be established at the Emory Clinic, and Cerner says Digital Equipment Corporation, also a partner, will provide the hardware for the system. Cerner will provide the clinical software applications, and Emory will become the working laboratory for testing and refining the system. According to Cerner, the project represents a $15 million commitment, and will take five years to complete. The company says its system will go beyond the simple computerization of patient charts. Using Cerner's Healthcare Network Architecture HNA) healthcare professionals at different locations can simultaneously view patient charts, speeding up consultations. Electronic access to a patient's charts would also speed up emergency care and make it easier for a patient to receive consultation and treatment from different doctors. Eventually the Cerner system will add advanced capabilities, such as simultaneous viewing from different locations of graphic images, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance images, and cardiac catheterization images. Clifford W. Illig, Cerner president, said, "We believe this product will revolutionize patient care by automating the patient's medical record and integrating the record within a full suite of clinical information." According to Garland Perdue, a doctor and director of the Emory Clinic, "This showcase system... will give us the capability to broaden and speed the services we offer our patients. For doctor and patient alike, such automation significantly expedites and streamlines patient care." (Jim Mallory/010827/Press contact: Clifford Illig, Cerner Corp, 816-221-1024) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ALDUS SAYS "TRADE YOUR GRAPHICS PACKAGE FOR PERSUASION" 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003) ALDUS SAYS "TRADE YOUR GRAPHICS PACKAGE FOR PERSUASION" 08/27/91 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Owners of certain graphics presentation programs can trade up to Aldus Persuasion 2.0 for Windows, under a program announced by Aldus. The company says owners of DOS-based programs such as Harvard Graphics, Lotus Freelance, Microsoft PowerPoint, Hollywood and Draw Applause or Applause II are eligible for the trade-up, which costs $99. Pam Miller of Aldus told Newsbytes that there are about 15 programs which qualify for the trade-up. If you take advantage of the offer, you will get the complete Persuasion for Windows package include Adobe Type Manager. The offer runs through the end of February 1992, and is valid in the US, Canada, and Australia. Larry Spelhaug, Aldus VP of marketing says, "From experience we believe that customers will switch to Persuasion 2.0 for Windows once they try it." To participate in the trade-up offer, you must provide proof of ownership of an eligible program. The original title page from the product reference manual or an original program disk will provide the necessary proof. Organizations with orders of 10 or more units can provide a single letter confirming ownership rather than submit multiple proofs of purchase. A 90-day money back guarantee accompanies the offer. The trade-up can be done by contacting a participating Aldus upgrade reseller or by contacting the Aldus "Fulfillment" Center at 800-638-7058 from US or Canadian locations. The Center can also provide a list of participating upgrade resellers as well as a complete list of eligible products. Aldus says it is taking orders now, with shipment to begin in mid-September. Aldus is also expected to announce a new support program for service bureaus this week. Aldus also markets PageMaker, Digital Darkroom, FreeHand, PrePrint, SuperCard, SuperPaint, Super 3D. (Jim Mallory/910826/Press contact: Pam Miller, Aldus Corp, 206-628-6594) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 MOTOROLA DEVELOPER ENV'T FOR NEW BOARDS 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00004) MOTOROLA DEVELOPER ENV'T FOR NEW BOARDS 08/27/91 TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Hard on the heels of its new RISC (reduced instruction set) and CISC (complex instruction set) single board computers, Motorola has announced a Unix-based real-time development environment for the boards. The company says VMEexec 2.0 includes a comprehensive set of multiprocessor support packages and provides developers a wide latitude in selecting the right real-time target for their application. According to Motorola, developers using VMEexec 2.0 can design real-time application code for a broad range of RISC and CISC single board computers from any single vendor. "VMEexec is the most complete package available in the market for supporting applications software development on an RT kernel," said Motorola's Thomas Beaver. VMEexec integrates third-party software products, including Software Components Group's pSOS+, the Interactive Systems Corporation Streams environment and Microtec Research Inc.'s XRAY Debugger. The VMEexec kernel is based on a "Real-Time Executive Interface Definition" kernel, which defines a core set of operating system services. Application source code that conforms to those interfaces will execute as defined in all compliant real-time executive environments. Motorola says software engineers, system integrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and value-added resellers (VARs) developing embedded real-time systems will benefit from VMEexec. Motorola will offer VMEexec training courses to help developers enhance their productivity, including support for the single board computers also announced this week. The company says VMEexec 2.0 will be available in November of this year, and carries a suggested price of $4500 for either the Mc68000 family based system or the M88000 family based system. A combined version is available for $5800. Customers with maintenance contracts will receive the update at no charge. (Jim Mallory/910826/Press contact: Barbara Patterson, Motorola, 602-438-3576, FAX 602-438-3534) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 MICROSOFT HOSTS DEVELOPERS TOOLS CONFERENCE 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00005) MICROSOFT HOSTS DEVELOPERS TOOLS CONFERENCE 08/27/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation is hosting a Developers Tools conference this week at the Washington State Convention Center which will focus on developers writing add-in products for Excel for Windows 3.0, Microsoft's spreadsheet program for Windows. Add-in programs are designed to start up automatically when Excel is loaded. These specially developed programs cover a variety of tasks, including forecasting, modeling, reporting, data connectivity, application development, and numerical analysis. Microsoft says Excel has about 30 percent of the spreadsheet market for the second quarter of calendar 1991, based on information collected by the Software Publishers Association as well as other trade sources. The company says it has shipped 1.5 million units worldwide. About one-third of those were shipped since Version 3.0 came out in January of this year. In other Microsoft news, the company is reportedly setting up a basic research center to study what might be the software of the future. A company spokesperson says Microsoft believes it is the only software publisher to set up a group dedicated to research that is not directly tied to developing products. (Jim Mallory/910826/Press contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206-882-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 MICROGRAFX SUED FOR ALLEGED SECURITIES LAWS VIOLATIONS 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00006) MICROGRAFX SUED FOR ALLEGED SECURITIES LAWS VIOLATIONS 08/27/91 RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Micrografx, a developer of business graphics applications, has revealed that a suit has been filed against the company in the federal district court for the Southern District of New York. The suit reportedly alleges securities law and other violations against the company and certain senior officers and directors. Contacted by Newsbytes for comment, David Henkel, Micrografx chief financial officer, said, "This is the mosst frivilous suit I have ever seen." Henkel said no specific damages had been requested. Reportedly the suit asserts liability based on alleged misleading press releases, communications with analysts, and interviews based on sals of Micrografx stock by certain senior officers and directors while, it is charged, they knew of the alleged misleading statements. The suit seeks class action status. Micrografx says it will vigorously defend the action. (Jim Mallory/Press contact: David Henkel, Micrografx, 214-497-6284) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR IBM: Unicorn MIDI Mixer Software For PCs 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00007) NEW FOR IBM: Unicorn MIDI Mixer Software For PCs 08/27/91 CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Mark of the Unicorn has introduced new MS-DOS software for the MIDI Mixer 7 which adds IBM-compatible software to the existing Macintosh and Atari control software for the MIDI hardware. On screen the software created an image of a standard mixer which helps traditional users make the transition from hardware controls to computer MIDI control systems. Automated mixdowns are possible by locking scene changes to standard SMPTE time codes. MIDI Mixer 7s has seven stereo inputs with bass, treble, pan, and two stereo effects for each channel, along with a stereo auxiliary input and eight stereo noise gates. Any MS-DOS system with VGA or EGA video, a Microsoft or Logitech compatible mouse, and an installed MIDI interface can run the software. MIDI Mixer 7 has a list price of $595 and is available now. MIDI or musical instrument digital interface is the world standard for connecting digital recording and control systems to instruments. For further information contact Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 222 Third St., Cambridge, MA 01242, phone 617-576-2760. Current owners of MIDI Mixer 7 software for Macintosh or Atari systems should contact the company for a free upgrade. (John McCormick/19910826/Press Contact: Susan Patalano, 617-576- 2760 or fax 617-576-3609) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 BOSTON MUSEUM EXHIBIT TRACES HISTORY OF COMPUTERS 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00008) BOSTON MUSEUM EXHIBIT TRACES HISTORY OF COMPUTERS 08/27/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- The Computer Museum is celebrating a year of anniversaries in the computer industry with the opening of a permanent exhibition that traces the history of computers. "People and Computers: Milestones of Revolution" opened at the museum June 29, and more than 30,000 people have visited it since then, museum spokeswoman Gail Jennes said. The US$1-million, 5,000-square-foot exhibition is made up of nine milestones linked by "time tunnels." Each of the nine displays features a life-size replica of the computer equipment typical of a major era. They also include video presentations showing how computers were used and the attitudes of the day toward them, including the way they were portrayed in movies and other media. Interactive displays let visitors do some of the things that people did with computers at various times, Jennes said. The first display shows a government office in the 1930s, where hundreds of clerks used punched-card machines. The second shows the Whirlwind computer, developed for the American military by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The third shows UNIVAC I, the first commercially available computer. The fourth display deals with the development of programming languages, while the fifth shows an IBM System/360 mainframe used at a large insurance company in the 1960s. The sixth deals with the first minicomputers, introduced early in the 1970s. The Cray 1 supercomputer appears in the seventh display, which deals with the use of high-powered computers for scientific work. In the eighth display the personal computer comes on the scene, and some of its popular applications are shown. The final display deals with the widespread use of microprocessors in machines other than computers -- toys, video cassette recorders, thermostats, and the like. "People are loving this exhibit, and that's not hype," Jennes said. The permanent exhibit was created with the help of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Digital Equipment, IBM, Apple Computer, Lotus Development, Matsushita Electric, The Mitre Corporation, The Travelers Companies, Unisys, and many individuals. The Computer Museum opened as an independent, non-profit museum in 1982. (Grant Buckler/19910826/Press Contact: Gail Jennes, The Computer Museum, 617-426-2800 ext. 341) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR IBM: Watcom Shipping 32-Bit C, FORTRAN 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00009) NEW FOR IBM: Watcom Shipping 32-Bit C, FORTRAN 08/27/91 WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Language developer Watcom is now shipping its 32-bit C and FORTRAN language optimizing compilers and tools. Sixteen-bit versions of both products are also now available. Both C and FORTRAN compilers provide a 32-bit DOS operating system extender and a true 32-bit Microsoft Windows graphical user interface (GUI) and dynamic link library (DLL) development kit, Watcom said. The compilers support Windows and 32-bit DOS extenders from Rational, Phar Lap, and Ergo. The DOS extender, DOS/4GW from Rational Systems, may be distributed with applications developed using either compiler without paying royalties to Watcom. Watcom said the new compilers' ability to develop true 32-bit Windows applications avoids the need to create separate 16-bit programs for user interface code. The compilers can be used on machines running DOS, extended DOS, OS/2 1.1 or later, or Windows. Programs can be developed for DOS, extended DOS, Windows, AutoCAD ADS, and embedded systems. Watcom announced recently that it is working with IBM to make both compilers support OS/2 2.0. That support is due by the end of 1991, said Dave Boswell, Watcom's vice-president of sales and marketing. The OS/2 2.0 compilers will offer two to three times the performance of existing compilers, he said, and the FORTRAN version will be the first 32-bit FORTRAN compiler for OS/2 2.0. Both C8.5/386 and FORTRAN 77/386 have a suggested retail price of US$995, with an introductory price of US$795. (Grant Buckler/19910826/Press Contact: Dave Boswell, Watcom, 519-886-3700, fax 519-747-4971) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 IBM VP TO KEYNOTE CD-ROM CONFERENCE 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00010) IBM VP TO KEYNOTE CD-ROM CONFERENCE 08/27/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- James E. Dezell, Jr., IBM vice president for educational systems, will deliver the keynote speech, titled, "IBM's New Multimedia Knowledge Systems," at next month's CD-ROM Exposition and Conference '91 in Washington, DC. Mr. Dezell will reportedly take the opportunity to discuss IBM's major educational incentives such as the interactive courseware now being shown in television ads. The CD-ROM Expo will be held again this year at the Washington Hilton and Towers in Washington, DC, in mid-October. CD-ROM Expo features talks about CD-ROM developments and is attended by most of the major CD-ROM hardware and software development companies. (John McCormick/19910826/Press Contact: Rachel Winett, World Expo Corp., 508-879-6700) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 CORRECTION: MOSCOW: PARAGRAPH'S FURTHER PEN PLANS 08/27/91 08/28/91 (CORRECTION)(TRENDS)(MOW)(00011) CORRECTION: MOSCOW: PARAGRAPH'S FURTHER PEN PLANS 08/27/91 MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Newsbytes wishes to correct a statement in a report with this title which was first published July 19. The story quoted Stepan Pachikov, chief of Moscow-based office Paragraph, a leading pen-based software house, as saying in a speech to a trade show in Moscow that his company's recognition kernel of its new cursive software technology had been licensed to Grid Systems for use in Grid's computer due to be commercially in late summer. This is incorrect, according to Paragraph's US representatives. Michael Riemer, director of product marketing, tells Newsbytes that no official announcement was made, but acknowledged that Paragraph is speaking with several of the large computer companies. Of these, "they have yet to announce any licensing of our recognition technology." A Grid spokesman had no comment on the situation, nor would he say whether Grid and Paragraph were in official talks about licensing the technology. (Wendy Woods/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR MAC: Publish It Easy 2.1 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00012) NEW FOR MAC: Publish It Easy 2.1 08/27/91 NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Timeworks has announced what it calls the "desktop publisher for the rest of us," Publish-It Easy version 2.1 for the Macintosh. The program is being reviewed by Newsbytes. Timeworks says Publish-It Easy is an all-in-one desktop publisher with the added capabilities of word processing, the ability to create graphics from scratch, a slide show for handouts or on-screen presentations, and spot color separation ability. The package has many features found in much more costly packages, Timeworks said. These features include multiple windows, thumbnail editing with the ability to move elements from one page to another, rulers and customized alignment grids are available for layout aids, a service bureau checklist such as a font list, document size and file statistics, multiple undo levels allowing the user to go back as many as five steps, and find and replace. The company claims the package is so easy to use, a new user can create their first document in less than an hour. However, Newsbytes has been unable to get its review copy to load and run on an SE and an SE/30, although version 2.1 works fine on Newsbytes' Macintosh II. Technical support has been unable to explain this. The package includes a 112,000-word spell checker, a 240,000- word thesaurus, a quick start manual and 72 professionally designed sample page layouts. Publish-It Easy is said to operate on all Macintosh computers except the Macintosh 128. It needs System version 4.2, Finder 5.0 (System 6.0 or higher is recommended), and any Chooser- selectable printer including the ImageWriter, DeskWriter, LaserWriter, Linotronic 300 or and QuickDraw, Color QuickDraw or PostScript compatible printer, Timeworks said. The company strongly recommends a hard disk drive, but the software can be operated without one. Free technical support (you pay for the long-distance call, however) is provided from during business hours (except lunch hour from 12:30 to 1:30) Monday through Friday Central Standard Time. However, callers must be prepared for a wait. It took Newsbytes three attempts to reach a technical support person, each time we were on "hold" for 6 to 15 minutes. Unlimited technical support is said to be offered via a 900 number at the rate of $120.00 per hour or $2.00 per minute, the company said. Suggested retail price for Publish-It Easy is $249.95. IBM versions of Publish-It Easy are also available. More information is available from Timeworks toll-free at telephone (800) 323-7744, or by writing Timeworks, 625 Academy Drive, Northbrook, Illinois, 60062. (Linda Rohrbough & Wendy Woods/199108023/Press Contact: Sean Essex, Timeworks, Tel: 708/559-1300, Fax: 708/948-9212) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW PCS: Wyse Lightweight Decision Notebook/Desktop 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00013) NEW PCS: Wyse Lightweight Decision Notebook/Desktop 08/27/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Wyse Technology has expanded its Decision line of personal computers with a 4.5-pound 20MHz Intel 80386SX-based notebook and a 33MHz 486-based desktop PC. Additionally, the company also announced a reduction in price of its line of personal computer and monitor products by about 20 percent, with some models reduced by 35 percent. The new lightweight DecisionMate notebook measures 8.6-inches by 11-inches by 1.5-inches. The product offers a quality paper-white display and a full-sized keyboard. In addition, three snap-in modules are offered as options, each weighing a few ounces, including a fax/modem and a second serial port. The company maintains that the internal battery provides for 1.5 hours of computing, with an optional snap-on battery available to expand computing time to four hours, which brings the total system weight to 6.2 pounds. The notebook comes with one, 2 or 4 megabytes (MB) of RAM, a 30MB, 40MB or 60MB hard disk drive, and MS-DOS 5. The base model comes with 1 MB of RAM, a 30MB hard disk drive. It carries a suggested list price of $2,999 and is available immediately. The ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)-based Wyse Decision 486/33 has 128 kilobytes of external memory cache, seven available expansion slots, four half-height mass storage bays and a Weitek coprocessor socket. Additionally, Wyse MS-DOS 5 is also included. (Ian Stokell/19910827/Press Contact: Kathryn Watson, Wyse Technology, 408-473-2066) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 PACIFIC TELESIS EXPLAINS POSITION ON PCN 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014) PACIFIC TELESIS EXPLAINS POSITION ON PCN 08/27/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Pacific Telesis holds to the view that microwave cellular phone services known as PCN can't share the broad microwave frequency band without harming licensed users of the spectrum. But, System Vice President for Technology Stagg Newman explained to Newsbytes, the company believes PCN service could emerge, either in a narrow frequency band or with limited service areas. "One way to use it is to have the spectrum dedicated to you. We're proceeding along those lines," he said. "Motorola said you'd need significant exclusion zones -- on the order of miles. Our tests confirmed Motorola's simulations. The potential for interference is there." Newman also criticized the methods used by Millicom's PCN America subsidiary in concluding that a technology from SCS Mobilecom will work. "There were many filings, including our own, which criticized PCN America's methodology. Their tests weren't extensive or exhaustive enough," he said. Millicom has said that notched filters, intelligent base stations which are aware of nearby microwave towers, and phones which only emit waves when someone is talking would allow PCN service to share the microwave frequencies with existing towers. Most microwave towers are used in private voice and data networks. They had once been used heavily by long distance companies, but that is being phased out in favor of fiber cables. Newman added, "Are there ways to avoid interference? Yes. How technically difficult are they, and will accomplishing that be economically feasible -- that's the critical question. What you'll see over the next year or two is continued testing to see what does and does not work. Millicom made many claims that were not justified. They did some testing, and leaped to a conclusion." Newman also downplayed the impact of Millicom's filing for a "pioneer preference," which the New York company claims would give it a leg-up in getting PCN licenses. "The FCC has signaled that, for PCN, as long as you have an experimental license you don't need to file for a pioneer preference," he said. "We met with FCC officials last week. Our understanding is if we've been active in this area we don't need a pioneer preference, and we've funded work in this area since 1984." (Dana Blankenhorn/19910827/Press Contact: Pacific Telesis, Lou Saviano, 415-394-3643) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR NETWORKS: ICC/Remote LAN Node 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00015) NEW FOR NETWORKS: ICC/Remote LAN Node 08/27/91 CINCINNATI, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Intercomputer Communications Corporation announced ICC/Remote LAN Node, which offers remote PC users actual LAN "node" status while maintaining performance and protocol independence from the LAN networking environment. A PC outside the office dials into the system through a modem, and becomes an extension of the LAN environment, operating as nodes on the network, with the same functions as any computer which is hard-wired to the network. Each remote user is configured with a unique Ethernet address, for instance. ICC said several aspects of its new system are unique. For one thing, the system is totally transparent to the network operating system, whether that's IPX, TCP/IP, OSI, or the Microsoft LAN Manager. The new product also offers three levels of security, while support for V.42 modem compression improves data throughput, the company said. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910827/Press Contact: ICC, Ian Pennell, 513- 745-0500) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 EDS/STRATUS TO DEVELOP PERSONAL TELEPHONE NUMBER TECH 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016) EDS/STRATUS TO DEVELOP PERSONAL TELEPHONE NUMBER TECH 08/27/91 MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Stratus Computer and EDS' Personal Communications division announced an agreement to jointly develop a Home Location Register system for the cellular industry. This is a database which can control cellular phone switches for the purpose of delivering services. Services could include things like call waiting and three-way calling, now available from wired networks, the ability to identify a caller's location anywhere in the country, and a personal telephone number, which would follow a user wherever he or she goes. Cellular operators already use HLRs to perform validation and authentication of subscribers to control fraud. EDS says that by putting the new services into a computer, new services could be put online in a short period of time, and cellular service providers would be able to differentiate themselves from competitors. Stratus announced early this year that it is targeting the telecommunications industry for much of its future growth, and created a division specifically targeting phone service customers. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910827/Press Contact: EDS PCC, Kimberly Obremski, 617/890-1000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 MOTOROLA EXPECTED TO ENTER CORDLESS PHONE MARKET 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017) MOTOROLA EXPECTED TO ENTER CORDLESS PHONE MARKET 08/27/91 SCHAUMBERG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Motorola will reportedly enter the cordless telephone market with a U.S. made offering, perhaps within a month. James Caile, vice president of marketing at Motorola's Pan American Cellular Subscribers Group, told "The Wall Street Journal" his company has yet to make a final decision, but analysts feel it would be a good move, even though consumer phones are a low-margin, mass- market business. The move could also be a prelude to getting into the emerging CT- 2 cellular phone market, analysts speculate. The company has already requested licenses from the FCC for a cordless phone, which according to documents would look a lot like its Micro-Tac cellular phone. Such a stripped-down Micro-Tac would provide significant competition to AT&T, which holds nearly half the cordless phone market with a line of Far East imports. The Motorola cordless phone would likely be made in Arizona, where the firm has a plant making the Micro-Tac. The "Made in USA" label could have appeal, as could the unit's small size and a domestic plant's ability to turn-around orders quickly. Motorola also may be aiming at the CT-2 market. CT-2, originally envisioned as a competitor to cellular phones, are now seen as a second generation cordless technology, using small base stations which can place but not receive calls. Singapore has a CT-2 system, and Motorola is in that market there, and the UK also has a CT-2 market, which is going slowly because of a range of competitors. Motorola declined to comment on the press reports or analysts' comments. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 SECRET GROUP SAYS VA SOFTWARE PROBE WAS A SHAM 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00018) SECRET GROUP SAYS VA SOFTWARE PROBE WAS A SHAM 08/27/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- This week's Federal Computer Week continues to follow the story it broke some time ago about allegedly dangerously faulty Veterans' Administration hospital software. After its charges were dismissed by a VA inspector, the secret Froelich Trust Group has now threatened to disclose the names of two veterans who they claim died as a result of faulty data on the VA's Decentralized Hospital Computer Program record system. After initial charges of dangerously inaccurate hospital records made in a 30-page, anonymous letter sent in late April or early May of this year, the VA started an investigation which recently concluded that there were no data errors in the hospital system's computer records. Newsbytes' May 24 story on the Froelich Trust Group reported that the original charges were that out of 20 records scrutinized by the Group all contained errors -- some major -- such as failing to note that a particular patient was a diabetic or had cancer. A second anonymous letter has recently arrived at the VA and several news organizations which accuses the VA of a cover-up. FCW is reporting that a source close to the VA acknowledged that hospital administrators were warned that the investigators were coming. FCW again reports that its source of information is the secret group of current and former VA employees calling itself the Froelich Trust Group and is reporting that this response to the negative report findings came very quickly on the heels of the internal completion of the report, before it was widely distributed. The VA is saying only that it stopped the investigation after checking the hospitals closest to Washington because it found no problems there. Newsbytes could not obtain any further comment from the VA before deadline. (John McCormick/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ZILOG SINGLE CHIP 16-BIT DSP WITH 8-BIT MICROCONTROLLER 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019) ZILOG SINGLE CHIP 16-BIT DSP WITH 8-BIT MICROCONTROLLER 08/27/91 CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Zilog has announced the newest member of its disk controller chip family, the Z86C94, which combines the single chip 8-bit controller with a 16-bit digital signal processor or DSP. Zilog says that the chip will provide minimum cost but high performance for combined digital servo control and embedded control systems. Optimal suggested uses include controllers for 2.5-inch and 1.8- inch disk drives, tape drives, voice/data processing applications, and automotive or consumer electronics. The heart of the unit is the familiar Z8 (Zilog Z86C93) which is combined with a DSP capable of performing 16-by-16 bit multiplication and accumulation on a single clock cycle for systems using a 24-megahertz clock speed. Zilog is a major developer of microprocessors. (John McCormick/19910827/Press Contact: Deborah Chalmers, Zilog, 408-370-8092) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 COMARCO AND MANTECH GET $100 MILLION DOD CONTRACT 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020) COMARCO AND MANTECH GET $100 MILLION DOD CONTRACT 08/27/91 ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Comarco and Mantech International have received a 50/50 contract award to provide testing and system verification support to the Joint Interoperability Test Center at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. According to Comarco, the contract will be worth about $35 million to that company over the full five-year potential life of the initial three-year contract. Headquartered at Ft. Huachuca but with test facilities around the world, JITC is responsible for overall testing of system interoperability for both the Department of Defense and NATO. The contract was actually given to an Alexandria, Virginia-based Comarco/Mantech joint venture which will provide test, instrumentation, and test tool design services along with development support, implementation of designs, and data reduction services. (John McCormick/19910827/Press Contact: Don M. Bailey, Comarco, 714-282-3813) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ****CASOLARO SOURCE CHARGES GOV'T PROCUREMENT SCANDAL 08/27/91 08/28/91 (EXCLUSIVE)(GOVT)(NYC)(00021) ****CASOLARO SOURCE CHARGES GOV'T PROCUREMENT SCANDAL 08/27/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- "Bill," the mysterious Newsbytes source who met with investigative journalist James D. "Danny" Casolaro on the night before Casolaro's death in a Martinsburg, W. VA motel, has come forward on the August 26th "Inside Edition" television show and discussed his meeting with Casolaro. By coming forward, "Bill" identified himself as William Turner, a former quality assurance manager for Hughes Aircraft. In Turner's previous interviews with Newsbytes, he had requested anonymity because of both a commitment to Inside Edition and what he said was the advice of counsel. Turner has alleged that Hughes Aircraft, with the assistance of U.S. government personnel, has covered up the deliverance of systems for military use that were below the procurement specifications. While Turner's participation on the television broadcast dealt almost exclusively with his meeting with Casolaro, he told Newsbytes that he had over three hours of discussion with the show's interviewers on all aspects of his charges. Casolaro has told Newsbytes that his attempts to call public attention to what he calls a "procurement scandal" have resulted in his harassment by the government. He claims that "all of a sudden the Veteran's Administration found that it had been overpaying my pension. Even after I agreed with them on a schedule for me to make installment repayment of the overage, I was sued for the entire amount." Turner also told Newsbytes that threats have been made against him personally, resulting in his obtaining of police protection. He said that, prior to the police protection, his house had been under obvious surveillance from autos parked near his home. He said that his phone frequently rings and, when he picks it up, there is an audible "hang-up" from the other end. He also alleges that his telephone is "tapped" and that his conversations are often interrupted by clicks and that conversations are terminated. During his conversation with Newsbytes, at a point when he was discussing the details of the alleged procurement scandal, a click similar to that of an extension being picked up was clearly heard and our conversation was cut off. When Newsbytes called back, Turner said that the interruption had become an "on-going thing" and that he was "sure that it related to his phone being tapped." Turner said that he has had contact with ex-U.S. Attorney General Elliott Richardson's law firm, which is also representing Inslaw Inc., the firm whose charges against the Justice Dept. has been a major subject of Casolaro's investigation. According to Turner, the law firm has advised him to refuse to discuss the Casolaro death with the Martinsburg, W. VA police who have been trying to contact him. Turner, who criticized the police investigation of the death, said that he will discuss his meeting with Casolaro with the police when his attorneys are present. Turner told Newsbytes that on the day before Casolaro was found dead of an apparent suicide, he had met with him and turned over papers documenting his charges about the Hughes cover-up. He said that he was shown other material that Casolaro had received -- material that Casolaro felt would substantiate "Octopus" theory. (According to friends of Casolaro, "octopus" referred to his belief that there was a connection between the various cases, or "tentacles," that he was investigating: Inslaw, government procurement, IranContra, "October Surprise.") Reports from the Martinsburg death scene did not report the finding of papers mentioned by Turner and their absence has led to charges that Casolaro met with foul play. Richardson has called for a federal investigation of the death, as has Casolaro's brother, a Virginia physician. Turner also told Newsbytes that he has additional copies of the documentation supporting his charges secure in a safe place and that the "truth will come out even if something happens to me." The so-called "Inslaw Case" involves charges by Inslaw, Inc. that the Justice Department purposely drove it into bankruptcy so that it could steal Inslaw's Promis software. While bankruptcy counts on two decisions found the allegations to be factual and fined the Justice Dept., saying that the government agency had practiced "trickery, fraud and deceit," the U.S. Court of Appeals on May 7, 1991 overturned the award, saying that the courts had overstepped their jurisdiction. The appeals court said, at the time, that Inslaw CEO William Hamilton was free to pursue his claims in the proper federal court and that the Justice Department's "conduct, if it occurred, is inexcusable." During the appeal process, Inslaw broadened its charges to claim that Iran Contra figures Robert McFarlane and Richard Secord had played a role is disseminating the software to intelligence agencies of Israel, Libya, Iraq, South Korea, and Canada. These charges, substantiated by Ari Ben-Menashe, who claims to be a former Israeli intelligence officer, Iranian arms dealer Richard Babayan, and Michael Riconosciuto, who said that he was hired to modify the software for use in law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide, led to a investigation of the case by the House Judiciary Committee and a confrontation between committee chairman Jack Brooks and Attorney General Richard Thornburgh over the release to the committee of material relating to the case. The investigation continues at this time. Turner told Newsbytes that he has confidence in Casolaro's theory of a connection between Inslaw and his charges concerning Hughes. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 EVEREX SIGNS THREE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTORS 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00022) EVEREX SIGNS THREE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTORS 08/27/91 FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- In an attempt to expand its distribution base, Everex Systems has signed agreements with three value-added regional distributors. The three companies involved are: Berlin, NJ-based GBC; Mt. Prospect, Illinois-based PC Distributing Inc; and Vitek Systems Distribution headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Each will distribute Everex products in their respective territories throughout the United States. Under the terms of the agreements, the companies will distribute Everex's STEP and Tempo computer product lines, and the company's full line of peripheral products. Everex products will be immediately available. Jerry Graham, national sales manager of distribution for Everex said: "Combining STEP high-performance computers as the file servers, affordable Tempo systems as the mid-range workstations, and a variety of high-end PC peripherals, Everex offers the perfect networking business solution for the VAR market." All three distributors specialize in selling and supporting Novell network and multi-user systems to value-added resellers. "The agreements with GBC, PC Distributing, and Vitek allow us to partner with strategic, regional distributors that cover all major metropolitan areas," said Howard Crystal, vice president of domestic sales, Everex. Only this week Everex was in the news as having paid Hayes Microcomputer Products $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit in which Hayes charged Everex with willful infringement on its modem patent. In another case in June, Newsbytes reported that Everex and Microsoft Corp had won a substantial jury award in a lawsuit that had been filed against eight defendants responsible for counterfeiting the Microsoft MS-DOS operating system. The suit alleged that the defendants had counterfeited the version of MS-DOS marketed by Everex under Everex's trademark "ParCorp." (Ian Stokell/19910827/Press Contact: Jerry Graham, Everex Systems Inc., 415-683-2489) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 HYUNDAI SHIPS FAST NEW DRAM AND SRAM 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00023) HYUNDAI SHIPS FAST NEW DRAM AND SRAM 08/27/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- The Semiconductor Division of Hyundai Electronics America is now shipping five new CMOS or complimentary metal oxide semiconductor memory chips, a 60, 70, or 80 nanosecond, 1 megabyte (MB) DRAM (dynamic random access memory), a 4 MB DRAM, and a 70 nanosecond 256-kilobit CMOS SRAM or static RAM. SRAM chips do not require the regular refresh signal that DRAM chips need to maintain their data contents. CMOS or complimentary metal oxide semiconductor microchips are more expensive than the usual variety but require less power and are thus often in demand for battery-operated systems. The HY531000 is a 1 M by 1-bit CMOS DRAM available in 60, 70 and 80ns speeds and the HY534256 is a 256 K by 4-bit chip in the same speeds. The HY514100 is a very low-power 4 M by 1-bit CMOS DRAM. The 60ns HY531000 is one of the first high-speed 1MB DRAMs to hit the market. (John McCormick/19910827/Press Contact: Debra Bowman, Hyundai Electronics America, 408-473-9318) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR PCS: Sony Multimedia Ent't/Learning CD-ROM 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00024) NEW FOR PCS: Sony Multimedia Ent't/Learning CD-ROM 08/27/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- At a suggested retail price of only $699, the new "back-to-school" special package will include a Sony CD-ROM player and six CD-ROM based interactive programs for IBM-compatible computers. This software is included: Compton's Family Encyclopedia, Microsoft Bookshelf Reference Library 1991 Edition, National Geographic's Mammals - A Multimedia Encyclopedia, Mixed-Up Mother Goose - Languages of the World, and The Software Toolworks World Atlas. CD-ROMs are very inexpensive-to-manufacture data storage discs that come with information already encoded on them. A single CD- ROM (essentially the same product as the CD-Audio disc) can contain hundreds of books full of text or a combination of sound, text, and images; the latter is what is referred to as multimedia because you can not only read about something but also see an image of it and listen to appropriate sounds such as speech or music. Audio jacks to connect to an amplifier and Sony headphones are included with the package, as are a multimedia tutorial and step- by-step installation instructions. (John McCormick/19910827/Press Contact: Deborah Brown, Technology Solutions, 212-505-9900) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 POURNELLE COMMENTS ON NEWSBYTES BUREAU CHIEF'S BOOK 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00025) POURNELLE COMMENTS ON NEWSBYTES BUREAU CHIEF'S BOOK 08/27/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- This bureau has recently noticed that famous science fiction writer and well- known BYTE columnist Jerry Pournelle took note of a Newsbytes writer when he wrote in a recent BYTE column about the Washington bureau chief's book on optical storage. In a June Chaos Manor column where he was discussing WORM or write once, read many optical drives, Dr. Pournelle wrote: "Incidentally, if you want an introduction and exposition on the whole optical storage field, John A. McCormick, 'A Guide To Optical Storage Technology,' Dow Jones Irwin 1990, ISBN 1-55623- 320-5 is about as good as I've seen, a good balance of readability and technical information; reading this won't make you an expert, but you'll know as much as anyone who isn't an expert." Dow Jones-Irwin has recently changed its name to BusinessONE Irwin but it is still the same company. (Beth Goldie/19910827/Press Contact: Melanie Chionis, BusinessONE Irwin, 708-206-2773) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ACE INITIATIVE GAINS 24 NEW MEMBERS 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00026) ACE INITIATIVE GAINS 24 NEW MEMBERS 08/27/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- An additional 24 companies have joined the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) initiative, bringing total membership in the industry group to 85. The group was formed in April to promote a set of standards covering Intel-based personal computers and workstations using processors from MIPS Computer Systems Inc. The ACE group also backs two operating systems. One is Microsoft's New Technology (NT), which was seen as the next generation of OS/2 when ACE was announced but is now being billed as Windows NT. The other is The Santa Cruz Operation's Open Desktop version of Unix. Hardware vendors who have just joined ACE include American Megatrends, Inc., Cache Computers, Inc., Dansk Data Elektronik A/S, Emerald Computers, Inc., Everex Systems, Inc. HCL America, Inc., Interphase Corp., IRTV mbH, Micronics Computers, Myriad Solutions Ltd., Nokia Data Systems, Oakleigh Systems, Inc., Photon Machines, Inc., Seiko Epson Corp., Sigma Designs, Inc., and UltraStor Corp. Software vendors just added to the membership rolls include: Alcatel TITN Inc. Edinburgh Portable Compilers Ltd.,Insight Development Corp., Momentum Software, Prolific, Inc., Samsung Software America, Software Research Associates, and Translation Systems. Microsoft and The Santa Cruz Operation are scheduled to release developers' kits to independent software vendors by year-end, ACE officials said. ACE membership is open to all vendors who plan to build or design hardware or software that fits the group's standards. Interested vendors can contact James A. Billmaier of MIPS Computer Systems at 408-524-7028. (Grant Buckler/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR PCS: Digital Vision Unveils Frame Grabber 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00027) NEW FOR PCS: Digital Vision Unveils Frame Grabber 08/27/91 DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Digital Vision has announced ComputerEyes/RT, a real-time video frame grabber for the IBM PC and compatibles. Digital Vision said the frame grabber will complement its line of slow-scan video digitizers. The frame grabber can capture images from the real world in one thirtieth of a second, the company said. Images are captured in one-bit, eight-bit (256 colors), or 24-bit (16.7 million colors) color. Digital Vision is promoting the use of the new product, and of its existing products, in new commercial and multimedia applications. While the company has previously concentrated on selling to computer enthusiasts and desktop publishers, it now plans to work with third-party developers on a variety of other applications. Paul Terrio, national sales manager, told Newsbytes his company is already working with ACS Telecom, a developer that is incorporating the Digital Vision products into a system for capturing and transmitting images. The company is also working with a security systems developer, which Terrio would not name, that plans to use the technology in a criminal tracking system. Other possibilities include automated assembly line inspection, medical systems image capture, sports motion analysis, real estate database applications, and custom T-shirt manufacturing, the company said. Product Manager Steve Sarsfield said Digital Vision has sold some products through third parties before. For example, Canon sells some of Digital Vision's older products as part of a still video kit, he said. "This type of arrangement has always worked out pretty well for us." Digital Vision is offering a developer's tool kit for US$100.00. The tool kit includes an executable program that allows users to capture an image by issuing a DOS command. Microsoft C and assembler code are also included. ComputerEyes/RT sells for US$599, and works with an IBM PC, XT, AT, 286, 386, 486, PS/2 Models 25 or 30, or compatible computer with at least 512K bytes of memory, DOS 2.1 or higher, and VGA, Super-VGA, or MCGA graphics capabilities. A hard drive is recommended. (Grant Buckler/19910827/Press Contact: Steve Sarsfield, Digital Vision, 617-329-5400) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR IBM: Funk's Formula Editor is 1-2-3 Add-In 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00028) NEW FOR IBM: Funk's Formula Editor is 1-2-3 Add-In 08/27/91 CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Funk Software has introduced Formula Editor, an add-in for Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.x that it said will make it easier to create, edit, and debug formulas. Originally part of Funk's The Worksheet Utilities package of add-ins, Formula Editor is being offered for the first time as a stand-alone product. Formula Editor lets the user see all of a long formula in a window on the screen, rather than just the 80 characters visible in the one line allocated to displaying the contents of a cell in 1-2-3. It also provides a menu of all the available @ functions in 1-2-3, said Michael Blaber, a spokesman for the company. The add-in also prompts the user to fill in all of the parts of a formula, Blaber said, making it easier to write formulas correctly the first time. Its "continuous parsing" technology highlights syntax errors and unmatched parentheses as the user types in a formula. To aid in debugging formulas, Formula Editor can calculate a formula step by step and show the results at each stage, making it easier to spot errors, the company said. The software can also convert cell addresses to range names and vice versa, and lets the user create new range names while editing a formula. Formula Editor works with 1-2-3 Release 2, 2.01, 2.2, or 2.3. It requires an IBM or compatible computer running DOS Version 2.0 or later. The software uses 50K bytes of memory, Funk Software said. Suggested retail price is US$99.95, and the software is available now in the United States and Canada, Blaber said. (Grant Buckler/19910827/Press Contact: Nancy Fisher or Joe Ryan, Funk Software, 617-497-6339; Michael Blaber, The Marketing Partnership for Funk Software, 617-876-9511, fax 617-876-9233) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ****CANADIAN, SOVIET FIRMS WORKING TOGETHER 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00029) ****CANADIAN, SOVIET FIRMS WORKING TOGETHER 08/27/91 OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- When tanks rolled in the streets of Moscow recently, there were some anxious moments at FirstMark Technologies. But the coup attempt ended, and now the Ottawa software firm and its partners at OKB, a Moscow space research group, are celebrating. FirstMark, a software developer and management services firm, is helping OKB commercialize its space products and services. A special research bureau of the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, OKB has been involved with the Soviet Union's space program for more than 40 years. Political change in that country has freed it to operate as a commercial venture. Mike Faulkner, vice-president of management services at FirstMark, told Newsbytes his company got involved with the Soviet Union first through a program called Peace Train, which involved student exchanges and other joint activities between Canada and the Soviet Union. FirstMark's management services division helped manage cooperation between the Soviet and Canadian space efforts, and came into contact with OKB in the process. The companies started working together as a result. OKB has a strong software engineering group, Faulkner added, so it is working with FirstMark's software division, maker of a PC decision-making package called KnowledgeSeeker. The two companies have an agreement to cooperate in international sales and marketing of their respective products. Their objective, according to FirstMark, is to form a joint venture in the Soviet Union. (Grant Buckler/19910827/Press Contact: Mike Faulkner, FirstMark Technologies, 613-723-8020) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 A VIRTUAL THEATER FOR VIRTUAL REALITY 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00030) A VIRTUAL THEATER FOR VIRTUAL REALITY 08/27/91 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- The computer industry's favorite exotic technology is getting ready for a more mainstream showing. According to a report in Video Technology News (Phillips Publishing, Potomac, Md.), MCA/Universal is developing a "virtual theater" that will open at the Universal Studios Tour in Los Angeles next year. Virtual reality uses computing, imaging and sensory feedback to create interactive lifelike experiences. The theater project is a joint effort with Redwood City-based VPL Research, the leading supplier of virtual reality products, notably a computerized glove and headset get-up that gives the user the experience of seeing and touching "virtual" objects. (Dave Needle and Computer Currents/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 KNOWLEDGEWARE AND INTELLICORP TO MERGE 08/27/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00031) KNOWLEDGEWARE AND INTELLICORP TO MERGE 08/27/91 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- KnowledgeWare is set to acquire Mountain View, California-based IntelliCorp Inc., following the approval of both companies boards of directors to approve a definitive merger agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, KnowledgeWare will issue .13402 share of its common stock in a tax-free exchange for each outstanding share and option of IntelliCorp common stock, or approximately 1.3 million shares of KnowledgeWare common stock. The merger, which is subject to the approval of IntelliCorp's shareholders and other conditions, will be accounted for by KnowledgeWare as a pooling of interests, the accounting method that gained so much attention during AT&T's acquisition of NCR Corp recently. According to the companies, the merger is expected to be completed in late October or early November. KnowledgeWare recently acquired Language Technology Inc. , a developer of maintenance and re-engineering tools for existing COBOL systems. KnowledgeWare has posted fiscal 1991 revenues of more than $124 million, and is a vendor of computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools. Its two main product lines are the OS/2-based Application Development Workbench and the DOS- based Information Engineering Workbench. IntelliCorp develops and markets advanced application development and delivery software products that bring the benefits of object- and rule-based systems to business applications. Revenues for the totaled nearly $14 million in fiscal 1991. Both companies are members of the Object Management Group, an international organization that aims to promote the use of object management technology in software design. (Ian Stokell/19910827/Press Contact: Liz Simpson, KnowledgeWare, 404-231-8575) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 SW BELL ADDS NEW SYSTEMS IN MISSOURI, ILLINOIS 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00001) SW BELL ADDS NEW SYSTEMS IN MISSOURI, ILLINOIS 08/26/91 DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Southwestern Bell is expanding its rural cellular phone service in Missouri and Illinois. The 4 rural service areas have a total of 718,864 potential customers, and the deals are pending regulatory approvals. In Missouri, Southwestern Bell's Mobile Systems unit formed a limited partnership with Alltel Mobile Communications of Little Rock which will include both St. Louis and 3 surrounding rural regions. In Illinois, it signed contracts which will let it deploy cellular service along Interstates 55, 57, and 70. The company's Cellular One operations already serve Springfield; Decatur; Champaign-Urbana; Bloomington-Normal; Chicago/Gary, Ind.; and four small central Illinois markets. Finally, a partnership it holds with Comcast signed to acquire a non-wireline service area in Dover, Delaware, which Comcast will operate. In other news involving Southwestern Bell, the company began an internal trial of switched multimegabit data service, which can send millions of bits of data per second using cell relay technology. The service is designed to link local area networks (LANs) over the public telephone network, and the test will link the company's own LANs. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/ Press Contact: Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Walter F. Patterson, 214/733-2132; Scott Hilgeman, Southwestern Bell, 314-247-4613) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 TANZANIA INSTALLS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002) TANZANIA INSTALLS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE 08/26/91 DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- The Chinese Xinhua news agency reports that Tanzania installed its first international automatic telephone exchange system in the capital of Dar Es Salaam. The new system has the ability to handle 2,000 lines, and will link Dar Es Salaam, with Arush, Zanzibar and other major cities of the country. IT was purchased with a $5.2 million loan from the government of Belgium. Most of the country's telecommunications system dates from to 1940s or 1950s. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 STUDY SHOWS PHONE IMPORTANT SALES TOOL 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003) STUDY SHOWS PHONE IMPORTANT SALES TOOL 08/26/91 SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Inquiry Handling Service released results from a tracking study involving more than 300,000 sales leads from 200 companies. The on-going IHS Inquiry Performance Survey shows that phone-based leads continue to gain over paper-based systems. Results showed that the ratio of leads obtained from advertising and public relations reader service telephone numbers increased, while those from trade shows, post card decks and direct mail declined, compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the ratio of inquiries obtained from 800-number calls and toll calls continued to increase. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: Jim Obermayer, Inquiry Handling Service, 818-365-8131; John Dillon, 213-487-2363) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 SOFTWARE FOR KIDS - FOCUS OF NEW NEWSLETTER 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00004) SOFTWARE FOR KIDS - FOCUS OF NEW NEWSLETTER 08/26/91 ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Out of frustration caused by his inability to find software for his kids, Stewart Walton is introducing "Educational Software Review, The Parent's Guide to Computers," beginning in September of this year. The eight-page newsletter will contain no advertising, but instead focuses on reviews and articles geared toward parents of children of all ages, but especially school-age children using computers at home. Walton told Newsbytes, "I couldn't find good software for my kids, and I soon discovered that other parents were in the same boat. We didn't like taking advice on educational programs from a harried clerk at a retail store who only knows what people are buying that week." Walton, a computer engineer and consultant said he searched and could find very little on children's software and nothing on things like, "how to protect your hard disk from your seven- year-old." That's when "Educational Software Review" was born. Initial response has been tremendous. "Parents know exactly what I'm talking about when I describe it in one sentence," said Walton. The newsletter is designed for fast consumption, so parents can look it over to see what is of interest to them or their kids in less than 5 minutes, and read that material in less than half an hour. Each month it will rotate the focus on one of four academic subject areas in this order, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science. The first issue's focus on Language Arts will concentrate on creative writing, the second issue plans to zoom in on counting, arithmetic, and algebra, and so on. Walton says software for every grade level will be reviewed so parents will always find something appropriate for their children. The articles are planned to focus on specific issues of a child using a computer, such as what a minimum system should be, why kids like certain programs and not others, how to set up a hard disk, and where to buy software. The newsletter will be distributed by subscription only at a price of $42.50 for one year (12 issues). Charter subscriptions are being offered at the reduced rate of $33.75. Walton said he has a simple guarantee -- just cancel and get a full refund. Subscriptions can be secured toll-free at 800/972-3535, or by writing Educational Software Review, P.O. Box 1004, Encinitas, California 92023. (Linda Rohrbough/199108022/Press Contact: Stewart Walton, Growth Systems, Tel: 619/436-4837) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AGU 26 NEW PCS IN UK: AST Premium 11 386/33 & 486/33 Systems 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00005) NEW PCS IN UK: AST Premium 11 386/33 & 486/33 Systems 08/26/91 BRENTFORD, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- AST has souped up its family of high-performance PCs with the addition of the Premium II 386/33 and 486/33 machines to its range. The two new systems join the Premium II 386SX/20 486SX/20 series, which was launched earlier this year. According to AST, the new machines mean that the company has a complete range of PCs for all users in the marketplace. As the name implies, the Premium II 386/33 is driven by a 33MHz 80386 microprocessor. Supplied with 4MB of RAM, the PC comes with 16K of RAM cache, as well as the cache driving technology seen on the Premium II 486 series. The more powerful Premium II 486/33 desktop, meanwhile, is designed for computing-intensive applications, as well as more complex operating environments. Like the 386/33, the machine comes with 4MB of RAM and a 16K RAM caching system. Unusually for an Intel-based PC, the Premium II 486/33 is based on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design which AST claims requires less power, produces less heat and offers greater reliability. Both new machines can be expanded to 16MB on the motherboard, and up to 80MB total RAM. Super VGA graphics is integrated into the PC's motherboard, along with a PS/2 compatible mouse, single parallel, and dual serial ports. An IDE drive interface is included as standard. Three models of the Premium II 386/33 are offered. The basic Model 3V with a single floppy drive costs UKP 2,295, while the Model 83V with an 80MB hard drive costs UKP 2,695. The Model 213V with a 210MB hard drive costs UKP 3,295. Likewise with the Premium II 486/33. The basic Model 3V costs UKP 3,595, while the 80MB hard drive-equipped Model 83V costs UKP 3,995. The flagship Model 213V with 210MB hard drive costs UKP 4,595. According to Graham Hopper, director of AST's U.K. operations, all the new machines are available immediately. "Because they feature AST's Cupid-32 architecture, the Premium II family systems provide cost-effective processing power now, and deliver security of investment to users who need higher performance in future," he said. Hopper added that both systems complete the Premium II range in the U.K. "Together, they meet the new office standard for computing applications," he said. (Steve Gold/19910822/Press & Public Contact: AST Research - Tel: 081-568-4350) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NEW PCS IN UK: Bondwell "Secure" Portables 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00006) NEW PCS IN UK: Bondwell "Secure" Portables 08/26/91 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Bondwell Europe claims to have introduced the industry's most secure range of portables with the release of its new range of machines equipped with the company's portable alarm system. According to Bondwell, the PC alarm system provides a unique solution to what is seen as one of the biggest potential limitations of portable PCs -- security. Bondwell claims that its high security PCs are the first to offer protection on two levels. First, a motion detector alarm is incorporated to prevent anyone running off with the machine. Second, an optional security program prevents unauthorized access to the hard disk and confidential data. This combination ensures that access to sensitive data is prevented, while the alarm system acts as a powerful deterrent to theft. Once set, the 90 decibel alarm system is triggered if the laptop is moved or lifted. It can only be disarmed if a unique password code -- programmed by the user -- is entered. Richard Percy, Bondwell's European marketing manager, explained that recent Ministry of Defence case, in which a portable PC containing Gulf conflict war plans was stolen, brought the issue of portable security to national attention. "But, in fact, all sectors, not just the military, are looking for a solution to the continual problem of portable PC security. While portability is the very reason people choose these compact systems, it means that the data stored on these machines is far more vulnerable to loss and theft," he said. "While no system can provide a 100 percent guarantee against the theft of confidential data, the Bondwell PC alarm system, together with Stoplock, provide the highest level of laptop security the industry currently offers," he added. Available as an optional software-based access control system, Stoplock IS for PC Security, prevents access to the portable PC by unauthorized users. If the PC is stolen, access to data is prevented unless a password is entered. The PC alarm system is a standard feature of the Bondwell new B310V and B310SX laptop PCs. The 80286-based B310V and 80386SX- based B310SX systems offer up to 80MB of hard disk capacity, with prices starting from UKP 1,449. Based in London, Bondwell Europe markets portable and desktop PCs, video game joysticks and consumer electronics products. The company has been in the UK for more than ten years. (Steve Gold/19910822/Press & Public Contact: Bondwell Europe - Tel: 081-365-1993) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NEW FOR PCS: Eicon Offers Access For OS/2 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00007) NEW FOR PCS: Eicon Offers Access For OS/2 08/26/91 MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Eicon Technology has announces Access for OS/2, which joins its Access for Windows and Access for DOS terminal and printer emulation packages. The software allows a personal computer running OS/2 to appear to an IBM mainframe as if it were an IBM 3270 terminal or an IBM 3287 printer. A workstation running Access for OS/2 can connect to an IBM mainframe and establish as many as 32 display or printer sessions at the same time. The software works with Eicon's SNA Gateway connection, or through IBM's direct Token Ring connection, the company said. Access for OS/2 offers exactly the same functions as the Windows version, company spokeswoman Cynthia Yacowar said, except that it supports the OS/2 Presentation Manager graphical user interface instead of that of Windows. Both the OS/2 and Windows versions of Access support 32 simultaneous host sessions, versus nine with the DOS version. The software supports host-based graphics, and lets users program their own soft keys as well as record macros, Eicon said. It also provides cut and paste functions, file transfer, translation tables and keyboard layouts for 17 different countries. Mark Denny, SNA product manager at Eicon, told Newsbytes he does not expect sales of Access for OS/2 to match those of the Windows version initially. He admitted that the success of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft's recent turn away from OS/2 have hurt the demand for OS/2 products somewhat. However, he said, there is a real demand for OS/2 software, particularly in large companies that have already made a substantial investment in OS/2. For custom development of key applications, he said, OS/2 is widely believed to be better than Windows. (Grant Buckler/19910823/Press Contact: Cynthia Yacowar, Eicon Technology, 514-631-2592, fax 514-631-3092) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 ROBERTS FINDS PROBLEMS IN TELECOM FRONTIER 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008) ROBERTS FINDS PROBLEMS IN TELECOM FRONTIER 08/26/91 ON THE ROAD, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Steve Roberts and his Behemoth, a 350-pound test-bed for portable computer and communications gear, are back on the road again. And they're learning that, while some things are possible, they're also expensive. Cellular roaming, for instance, turns out to be a little like X.400, he writes from the road in Wisconsin. It's easy to call from outside your "home" service area to anywhere in the country, just as it's possible to write a letter from one electronic mail to another. It's just expensive. Roberts says a program called "Roam America" might make the financial burden less onerous, and sought information on it from Newsbytes. Roberts also wound up in trouble with an automatic break on the computer system used by US Sprint for its billings. Roberts seldom uses his Sprint card when he's stationary, but when he's mobile he uses it a lot. "For a couple of years, I used it very little, then hit the road last month and used about $350 up 'til now. With no warning, they shut down my account, thinking that the change in pattern was evidence of stolen-card fraud. It took about 12 hours to get it straightened out and switched back on -- this is the second time they've done this -- and it has nothing to do with credit . I think this is pretty tacky... yesterday it caused a real communication crisis since I was trying to synchronize with a film crew that flew in to meet me," he writes. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910826/Press Contact: Steve Roberts: GEnie: Wordy) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 LATIN PHONE FIRMS BEING PRIVATIZED IN HOT MARKET 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009) LATIN PHONE FIRMS BEING PRIVATIZED IN HOT MARKET 08/26/91 BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Argentina is selling its remaining stake in the EnTel phone monopoly to the public on the Buenos Aires stock market. That market has nearly doubled in value in just the last few weeks, as investors -- especially Japanese -- rush for bargains. A total of 60 percent of EnTel -- it stands for Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones -- was sold to two consortia of foreign telecommunications firms, both headed by European telephone companies, for $1.6 billion early this year. The government wants to give another 10 percent of the stock to employees and sell much of the rest in small chunks so Argentines will have a chance to buy it. Revenues from the Buenos Aires sale are expected to be $300-$500 million, and the government has also talked to U.S. investment bankers about making a private placement of shares on overseas stock markets, thereby increasing their liquidity. Mexico's Telmex phone company has become one of the most heavily-traded issues in New York. Meanwhile, on the booming Brazilian stock market, shares in that country's Telebras phone monopoly rose 6.4 percent in one day after the government said it would seek to amend the country's constitution and make it a totally private company. The country's constitution went into effect in 1988. Brazilian business executives have complained that foreign investors care only for Telebras and not for other issues on the exchange. Elsewhere, Peru and Venezuela have announced plans to privitize their phone companies, following the lead of Mexico and Argentina. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 SPRINT OPENS KOREAN SUBSIDIARY 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010) SPRINT OPENS KOREAN SUBSIDIARY 08/26/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- U S Sprint, which got into the Soviet market early this year, has now launched a Korean subsidiary called Sprint Korea to offer its voice and data services to businesses there. Among the deals already finished are packet networks for Korea Telecom and PosData, the latter a subsidiary of the Pohang Iron and Steel Company, and an expansion of 9 nodes for the Dacom network. The Korean market was recently deregulated and overseas firms are rushing into it. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 AUSTRALIA: SIGMA DATA INITIATES OWN RECEIVERSHIP 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00011) AUSTRALIA: SIGMA DATA INITIATES OWN RECEIVERSHIP 08/26/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Australian mid-range computer distributor Sigma Data has taken voluntary receivership, believing that at least some part of the business can be salvaged. About 60 percent of staff were dismissed on Friday, and the receiver says this may be the only cut needed. Many vendors are owed money - Unisys around $2M and Sequent around $500,000 - but most have said they will help the company trade out. Sigma recently signed a $15 deal to distribute AT&T product, and this may go ahead. A subsidiary, Distech, is installing warehousing control systems in Australia and the US, and is not expected to be affected by the parent's troubles. Sigma Data is 17 years old, and has weathered a number of downturns in the industry. It has recently moved out of the support sector, selling its engineering and maintenance division to Unisys in 1990. Founder Michael Faktor is expected to stay in an influential position in the company. He said his company had suffered both from market downturns and vendor problems. "Things have been changing. The move to open systems has hurt vendor-specific business. We have the right product mix and relationships so that will help us work through this. (Paul Zucker/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 SILICON GRAPHICS OPENS OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00012) SILICON GRAPHICS OPENS OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA 08/26/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Graphics workstation manufacturer Silicon Graphics is to establish a manufacturing base and regional headquarters in Sydney. Business is expected to reach $50M in two years. While it isn't clear how much componentry will be sourced locally, the company believes it will be able to generate sufficient manufacturing offsets to satisfy the government obligations for what it plans to sell in Australia. It also plans to establish a software manufacturing centre, using Australian programmers to develop packages for the local and international market. This is seen as easier to achieve than finding a large local hardware content. Graham Frost, Silicon Graphics Australian manager, said the region contained a vast untapped market for its products. Target countries include India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Singapore is another country in the region used by mid-range systems manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard and Compaq. IBM, however, manufactures for the region at its Australian factory. (Paul Zucker/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 AUSTRALIA: COMPUTER OPERATOR CONVICTED ON VIDEO EVIDENCE 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00013) AUSTRALIA: COMPUTER OPERATOR CONVICTED ON VIDEO EVIDENCE 08/26/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- An Australian computer operator has been convicted of sabotaging his employer's computer following the use of videotape evidence allegedly showing him causing a system failure. Computing Australia newspaper reports that George Henein was a shift leader at motor assembler JRA in November last year when the event occurred. He was found guilty of unlawfully interrupting the operation of JRA's AS/400 computer. Videotaped evidence, taken from a concealed camera, is said to show Henein pressing the "attention" button on the computer's disk drive, causing the system to fail. In his defence, he said he thought he was correcting the system as it had already failed, but this was dismissed by the court. He was fined $1500 and put on a two year good behaviour bond. He is unlikely to appeal since, if unsuccessful, the outcome may be a jail sentence. The surveillance cameras were installed with cooperation by the state fraud squad. This was due to abnormal problem levels in the installation since 1988. IBM testified that no other AS/400 installation had experienced the level of failures the JRA machine had. (Paul Zucker/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 AUSTRALIA: EX-COMPUTERLAND MD OPENS PC "BOUTIQUE" 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00014) AUSTRALIA: EX-COMPUTERLAND MD OPENS PC "BOUTIQUE" 08/26/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Mike Boulos, former managing director of Computerland in Australia, says he has found the way to make money in even a quiet market. His new store is doing over a million dollars a month in sales, he claims. Boulos says he is so successful in his new business, he is opening a second, "megastore" in inner suburban Sydney. Recently he has started advertising Compaq computers at what he claims is less than half price -- a move which has upset more than a few Compaq dealers wanting to know why they weren't offered such a good buy from Compaq. He says he is capitalizing on corporate customers who are installing their own support structures, and simply want to buy off the shelf at bottom prices. "They certainly don't want to pay for dealer support when they know they won't use it," he said. Boulos has had some brushes with computer publications during the past few months. He settled out of court on two defamation actions against two weekly papers. With one he was reportedly seeking a quarter of a million dollars damages, but settled for somewhat less, including editorial space. His new business name, Computer World Solutions, has annoyed IDG Australia, which says the name is too close to the Computerworld newspaper name. (Paul Zucker/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 MOTOROLA JAPAN JOINT VENTURE ON DIGITAL PHONES 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00015) MOTOROLA JAPAN JOINT VENTURE ON DIGITAL PHONES 08/26/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Motorola Japan has tied up with Tokyo-based Daimyo Telephone Industry in a joint venture to create connections for digital mobile phones, the Nikkei newspaper says. The official agreement is expected in October. The total capitalization of the new firm will be around 50 million yen ($370,000), which will be owned 60 percent by Motorola and 40 percent by Daimyo. The president will come from among Motorola Japan's executives, and the chairman will be chosen from a pool of Daimyo executives. The new firm will construct ground telecommunication bases that will serve as nodes for digital mobile phones. It will also supply telecommunications equipment and provide maintenance services for digital mobile phones. Digital mobile phone service is expected in Japan in 1992. There is also a possibility that Motorola will use this joint venture to aid its Iridium project in the future. The relation between Motorola and Daimyo goes back to 1988. Both firms signed a joint business agreement to build telecommunications systems ordered by NTT's rival telephone firm DDI. Digital mobile phone service is a fledgling business now, but is envisioned as a major force in the future in Japan. Two firms are vying for the largest share of the pie: Tokyo Digital Phone, which was created by NTT, IDO, and Telecom Japan, and Two Car Cellular Tokyo, which was set up by DDI and Nissan Motor. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910826/Press Contact: Motorola Japan, +81-3- 3440-3311) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 JAPANESE LOTUS 1-2-3 ON SUN WORKSTATION 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00016) JAPANESE LOTUS 1-2-3 ON SUN WORKSTATION 08/26/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- The Tokyo office of Lotus says it will ship the Japanese version of Lotus 1-2-3 for Sun Microsystems' workstation this October. It will the first Japanese spreadsheet program for the workstation and is expected to make it attractive not only to engineers but to businesses. The Japanese version of Lotus 1-2-3 will be called "1-2-3/SPARC Ver 1.1J" and is based on the latest version of the Lotus 1-2-3 program. The list price will be 198,000 yen ($1,470). Lotus expects to sell 6,000 units of the program for the initial year. Shipment will start at the end of October. Sun Microsystems is attempting to make the workstations more attractive to users in Japan with this, and the recent additions of Japanese fonts to its software offerings. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910826/Press Contact: Lotus, Tokyo, +81-3- 3436-4105) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 TI CREATES MAJOR R & D CENTER IN JAPAN 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00017) TI CREATES MAJOR R & D CENTER IN JAPAN 08/26/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Texas Instruments Japan will open its first overseas research and development center in Japan in October. It is located in the Tsukuba academic town in Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture. The research and development center is expected to play an important role not only in Japan but throughout TI's Asian operations. TI plans primarily to study customized ICs (integrated circuits), especially application specific ICs, for which there is a strong demand in Japan and other Asian regions. This represents a big shift in TI's policy, which was to place most of its energies into general purpose products such as dynamic random access memory. Currently, TI has three semiconductor chip manufacturing plants, ten sales offices, and five design centers in Japan. The new R & D center is expected to round out complete placement of a semiconductor business in Japan. TI Japan's President Yukiaki Nagae told the Nikkei newspaper that TI Japan may sign partnerships with other firms if necessary in the future. TI Japan has been selling ICs for high definition TVs, telecommunications, and cars. The firm is also selling more ICs for liquid crystal displays. TI Japan aims to gain 50 percent of the LCD IC share in Japan. Also, the firm will start emphasizing sales of ASIC, DSPs (digital signal processors) and ASMs (application specific memory). (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910826/Press Contact: Texas Instruments Japan, +81-3-3498-2111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 HITACHI BUILDS 16M DRAM CHIP PLANT IN GERMANY 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00018) HITACHI BUILDS 16M DRAM CHIP PLANT IN GERMANY 08/26/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Hitachi will install a 16-megabit dynamic random access memory plant at its semiconductor manufacturing plant, which is currently being under construction in Germany. Hitachi says it will spend 25 billion yen ($185 million) for this facility, which will be in operation in the spring of 1992. The plant will be equipped with facilities designed to produce semiconductor chips from scratch. Hitachi was initially planning to manufacture 1-megabit static RAM and 4-megabit DRAM at this new plant, but has apparently seen that the 16-megabit DRAM era will arrive earlier than expected. So, it has decided to install the 16-megabit DRAM facility now. Many Japanese electronics firms are currently shipping samples of their 16-megabit DRAM. Most of the major Japanese electronics firms will ship sample products within a couple of months, with the 16-megabit DRAM due in quantity shortly thereafter. The 16-megabit DRAM will mainly be sold for workstations. Hitachi is currently creating the 16-megabit DRAM production lines at its plants in Kofu and Naka in Japan. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910826/Press Contact: Hitachi, +81-3-3258- 2057) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 ****DRIVE MAKER PRAIRIETEK CALLS IT QUITS 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00019) ****DRIVE MAKER PRAIRIETEK CALLS IT QUITS 08/26/91 LONGMONT, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- PrairieTek Corporation, the company that pioneered the 2.5-inch disk drive, has closed its doors. With the exception of a skeleton staff who will work with creditors, the firm's 300 employees are out of work. The venture-capital-funded Colorado firm was expecting to finalize a $40 million funding deal this week, but changing product requirements, a volatile marketplace, and the loss of the funding was the death knell of the company. A Longmont investment firm, Innovation Group, had said last month that it would come to the financial rescue of PrairieTek, claiming that it would obtain funding in return for a 65 percent equity interest. Innovation Group's leader, Kelly Hickel, also led an unsuccessful effort to revive another Colorado firm, Miniscribe. PrairieTek's director of North American sales told a Colorado newspaper that "the market for venture capital is very soft right now, and is particularly tough for high-tech companies." Roger Leisy said it took Hickel's group longer than expected to come up with the funding needed, and, "We just didn't have as much time as needed." PrairieTek was founded in 1986, and a year later introduced the first 2.5-inch disk drive, designed for use in laptop and portable computers. The small drive was seen as revolutionary, providing more power in less space and with less weight. Last November the company's founders, perhaps seeing the handwriting on the wall, left to start another company. Unable to convince investors to commit more money, the company laid off 210 employees in May of this year, and in July, six of the company's directors resigned. Of the 300 employees now without jobs, about 100 were located in Longmont, with the remainder employed at the company's four month old Singapore facility. Although PrairieTek has closed its doors, no decision has been announced yet as to whether the company will file bankruptcy proceedings. (Jim Mallory/910823) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 RANDOM ACCESS TO ACQUIRE CW ELECTRONICS 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020) RANDOM ACCESS TO ACQUIRE CW ELECTRONICS 08/26/91 DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Random Access, Inc., has announced that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Denver-based computer retailer CW Electronics. Random Access, believed to be the Rocky Mountain area's largest microcomputer reseller, said the acquisition coincides with an agreement it signed Friday to acquire four Denver area BizMart "supercenter" franchises. Terms of the CW acquisition were not disclosed. Bruce Milliken, CEO of Random Access, said the two acquisitions will give Random Access instant entry into the computer retailing sector, and allow the company to diversify its account base. Random Access is also interested in reducing its reliance on large corporate customers, which until now has been the sales area in which it has specialized. The company projects $58 million in sales for fiscal year 1991. According to a statement released by Random Access, the CW Electronics management team will be responsible for operating the BizMart franchise stores as well as expanding Random Access' retail base. The four BizMart stores are part of the national 62-store BizMart chain acquired in June by Intelligent Electronics. That company says it intends to expand BizMart's traditional selection of office products to include major manufacturers computer such as IBM, Apple and Compaq. Random Access now becomes Intelligent Electronic's first BizMart "supercenter" franchisee. Intelligent Electronics is offering as new franchise opportunities to its more than 1,000 existing franchisees the enhanced, or "megacenter" store format. The four BizMart stores to be acquired by Random Access are located in Denver, Lakewood, Aurora and Westminster, Colorado. They will initially be operated as "Enhanced" stores, meaning the existing computer sections of the stores will be expanded. Random Access says the Denver location will become a "MegaCenter" by year end, meaning up to 10,000 square feet will be added. (Jim Mallory/910824/Press contact: Bruce Milliken, Random Access, 303-745-9600) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 ****MENTOR GRAPHICS TO CUT 435 JOBS 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00021) ****MENTOR GRAPHICS TO CUT 435 JOBS 08/26/91 WILSONVILLE, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) --- Employees of Mentor Graphics will report to work today wondering if they will have a job next Monday. The company says it will cut 435 jobs, or about 15 percent of its 2900 member workforce as part of a restructuring effort. Employees being laid off will be notified today, and Friday will be their last day of work. Mentor spokesperson Sharon VanSickle say the layoffs will take place across the board. The company says the cuts, which it says are the first in its 10-year history, will produce a significant one-time write-off against results for its third quarter. The company had previously announced a hiring freeze. Mentor Graphics specializes in electronic design automation by providing engineers with software and workstation hardware to design such items as computer chips. "While we have always considered our employees our most valuable asset, we believe a lean, focused Mentor Graphics ensures the company's market leadership and prosperity through the 1990s," said Mentor chairman and CEO, Thomas Bruggere. According to Bruggere the reshaping, augmented by a strengthening economy, should lead the company to stronger revenues and earnings for 1992. The company says it will also reduce internal development of computer-aided software engineering (CASE), mechanical design and documentation products. The company reported a loss of $14.5 million on sales of $198.4 million during the first six months of 1991, and blamed the losses on costs of product transition and on a weak economy. (Jim Mallory/910824/Press contact: Sharon VanSickle, Mentor Graphics, 503-685-7000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 MOTOROLA SHIPS SINGLE BOARD COMPUTERS 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022) MOTOROLA SHIPS SINGLE BOARD COMPUTERS 08/26/91 TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Motorola has announced shipment of two single board computers which the company says provide significant technical breakthroughs for the VME industry by incorporating the components of an entire high-performance computer on a single VME module. The new units are based on Motorola's M88000 reduced instruction set computer (RISC) and MC68040 complex instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessors. Potential markets include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), systems integrators, and end users of VMEbus architecture. According to Thomas Beaver, GM of the Motorola Computer Group, the new units are already outselling previous VME module single board computers. Says Beaver, "This example of even greater market acceptance is a result of optimized product design, which translates into improved price-performance, higher functionality, higher quality and increased capacity for real-time and Unix-based applications." The new units, like those they replace, utilize application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and very large scale integration (VLSI) technology. Developers can port software from the CISC-based board to the higher performance RISC-based unit and recompile the software. Both units are processor engines with integrated processor memory, Ethernet, and SCSI support, plus serial and parallel ports. A power supply and any desired peripherals are added to support the embedded applications. Both modules have a suggested retail price of $3995. Both units can be configured with from 4 to 32 megabytes (MB) of DRAM, 4-way interleaved; a 32-bit SCSI coprocessor with DMA; a 32-bit Ethernet controller; quad serial ports I/O controller; a single 8-bit bidirectional parallel port; 128 kilobytes (K) of SRAM; 4 sockets for up to 4 MB of ROM/EPROM; four timers for periodic interrupts; a watch-dog timer; a 7-level local VMEbus interrupt handler; debug monitor; and diagnostic software. (Jim Mallory/910824/Press contact: Barbara Patterson, Motorola, 602-438-3576, FAX 602-438-3534) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NEW PCS: AST's Advantage For Small Business/Home Market 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00023) NEW PCS: AST's Advantage For Small Business/Home Market 08/26/91 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Hot on the heels of its introduction of the Medallion workstation based on the Intel i486 33 MHz chipset, and the reduction in price of its Bravo and Premium product lines, AST Research has released details of its new Advantage! desktop and notebook computers. According to the company, the computers will be sold as complete systems and will feature new software packages developed by Microsoft for the home user and small business markets. The Advantage! product line is set to be introduced on Aug. 29 at the opening of five Circuit City superstores in the Houston area. AST says that the systems will be available in Circuit City's nationwide chain of 166 retail locations by the end of the year. The Advantage! computers will include Intel 80386SX, 486SX and 486-based desktop models as well as 386SX notebooks. Pricing for the new products will be established by Circuit City. The Advantage! desktop line will come pre-installed with MS-DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.0 as well as several new Microsoft software applications designed to run in the graphical user interface environment. The systems also include the Prodigy on-line information service. Some models will also feature WinFax, a Windows communications software package for facsimile transmission and reception. The Advantage! 386SX/20 features an 80 megabyte (MB) IDE hard disk drive, a 1.44 MB 3.5-inch diskette drive and 1.2 MB 5.25-inch disk drive. Other features include a 2,400 bits-per-second modem, an AST mouse, 2MB of RAM, an integrated Super VGA adapter, one internal drive bay, one serial port, one parallel port, one mouse port, and password security. The newly released Medallion workstation, designed for the computer-aided design (CAD) market, carries a retail price of $8,995 and is compatible with MS-DOS-based applications software, specifically AutoCAD. Included with the system is an AutoCAD drawing file preview and management utility designed to work with the graphics controller unique to the Medallion workstation. Operating speed is 23.5 million-instructions-per-second (MIPS), according to the Dhrystone version 1.1 Unix benchmarks. Last week, AST, having expanded its Bravo line in June with the addition of the Bravo 286/16, cut prices on its Bravo and Premium lines in an attempt to improve its market share. (Ian Stokell/19910826/Press Contact: Joel C. Don, AST Research, 714-727-7957) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 ****RADIUS ENTERS PC MARKET 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00024) ****RADIUS ENTERS PC MARKET 08/26/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- In an attempt to capture market share in the IBM PC and compatible market, Radius has introduced the new Full Page Pivot display along with the SVGA MultiView graphics card. According to the company, the Radius Full Page Pivot is the PC market's first full page color display featuring both portrait and landscape capabilities. It also features a .28mm dot pitch, 256 colors, high non-interlaced refresh rates, and magnetic shielding. The product will be available in two weeks for a suggested retail price of $1,249. The new Radius SVGA MultiView is a graphics card designed to drive multi-frequency displays like the NEC-4D and the Radius Full Page Pivot. It will also be available in two weeks priced at $449. Radius has long been a provider of Macintosh products. In an attempt to win market share in the PC environment, Radius has established separate PC and Macintosh Business Units. Frank Vaughn, formerly Radius director of engineering, is the general manager of the PC Business Unit, and Ed Colligan heads the Macintosh Business Unit. Radius has also named Tom Wilson director of engineering for PC products. Newsbytes recently reported that Radius had added a new filter to its line of display filters that buffer the user from electric field emissions. Additionally, the company also added System 7-compatibility to its Radius Rocket Motorola 68040-based CPU (central processor unit) accelerator for the Macintosh II, and announced that its RadiusTV and ImpressIt products were being updated to support the new features in QuickTime, the multimedia software extension to Apple's new operating system. (Ian Stokell/19910826/Press Contact: Maria Gagliardi, Angus and Rudin Inc., 415-363-0982) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 GEPHARDT TO PROPOSE NEW TRADE INITIATIVE 08/26/91 08/28/91 (EXCLUSIVE)(GOVT)(WAS)(00025) GEPHARDT TO PROPOSE NEW TRADE INITIATIVE 08/26/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Richard Gephardt, the Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, is now expected to propose sweeping changes to U.S. trade policy at a September 10 luncheon meeting of the Institute for International Economics here in Washington. The Majority Leader's new proposals were previously scheduled to be released on September 3 but now won't be made public until the 10th. Neither the Congressman's office nor the Institute is releasing any details of the new initiative, but Mr. Gephardt is in the forefront of politicians striving to keep U.S. companies competitive in the international arena and he is expected to make important proposals at the luncheon meeting. (John McCormick/19910826/Press Contact: C. Fred Bergsten, Director, Inst. for International Economics, 202-328-9000 or fax 202-328-5432) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NO IMMEDIATE ICL SALE, NORTHERN SAYS 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00026) NO IMMEDIATE ICL SALE, NORTHERN SAYS 08/26/91 MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Northern Telecom is in no hurry to sell its 20-percent stake in ICL, the British computer maker, the company's vice-president of investor relations has told Newsbytes. Guy Gill said a report on the Reuter news wire that Northern is planning to sell the stake is misleading in that it implies an immediate sale. Under an agreement with Fujitsu, the Japanese computer maker that owns the other 80 percent of ICL, Northern is obliged to make a public offering of at least part of its stake in the company within three years. However, Gill said, the company is not planning to do so right away. "We'll probably hold it for a while," he said. Northern Telecom got the stake in ICL when it bought STC plc, a British electronics firm, late in 1990. Since then Northern has sold three pieces of STC, using the money to help pay for the UKP1.3-billion (US$2.6 billion) acquisition. It sold STC Distributors to CDME, a French electrical distributor, in April. In May STC's cable products division went to Pirelli, an Italian firm. In early June, Farnell Electronics of the United Kingdom paid UKP61 million for the electronics distribution division of STC. (Grant Buckler/19910826/Press Contact: Guy Gill, Northern Telecom, 703-712-8516) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 CORRECT GRAMMER HEALTH CARE EDITION SLATED FOR FALL 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027) CORRECT GRAMMER HEALTH CARE EDITION SLATED FOR FALL 08/26/91 SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- The Writing Tools Group, producers of the English grammar correction software "Correct Grammar" announced it has formed a partnership with the producers of the Stedman's Medical Dictionary with the hopes of producing a "Correct Grammar" aimed at the medical profession. Williams & Wilkins, producers of Stedman's Medical Dictionary, have granted exclusive retail rights to Stedman's/25, the electronic version for DOS-based computers of Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 25th Edition meaning the Writing Tools Group will now market and support the product, the Writing Tools Group said. In addition, the Writing Tools Group plans to combine its Correct Grammar product and the Stedman's/25 into the Correct Grammar Health Care Edition, the company said. The new product will include the style guides from Stedman's/25, specifically the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) and Dr. Edward J. Huth's Medical Style & Format manual. Camilo Wilson, vice president of the Writing Tools Group said, "The health care field is one of the most vocabulary intensive industries, where incorrect wording can have serious negative consequences. The Health Care Edition of Correct Grammar will give professionals and businesses providing services for the health care field a tool that makes it easier to write clearly." Fred Fusting, vice president and publisher of Williams & Wilkins Electronic Media Division remarked, "By combining electronic forms of these classic reference works with the market's best grammar checker, we can provide the health care industry with exactly what they need to communicate effectively." The Correct Grammar Health Care Edition will be released this fall, the company said. Retail price for the new product has been set at $249. The Writing Tools Group, formerly Lifetree Software, was acquired by WordStar International in March of this year, and is now a subsidiary of WordStar. (Linda Rohrbough/199108026/Press Contact: Kristin Keyes, WordStar, Tel: 415/382-4955, Fax: 415/883-1617) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 TEKTRONIX INTROS $9,995 POSTSCRIPT COLOR PRINTER 08/26/91 08/28/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00028) TEKTRONIX INTROS $9,995 POSTSCRIPT COLOR PRINTER 08/26/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Less than a month after Tektronix introduced a thermal wax color printer with Adobe System's new PostScript Level 2 interpreter called the Phaser II PXi, the company is now shipping the Phaser III PXi, a PostScript Level 2 color printer that can print tabloid-size output and, according to the company, is the first color printer capable of producing brilliant color on virtually any paper. David Downing, spokesman for Adobe Systems, told Newsbytes that the Phaser III PXi "will create a new price/performance point for color printing." The different between the two Tektronix products, said Downing, is that while the Phaser II PXi is a thermal wax printer, the Phaser II PXi "uses solid ink technology." The Phaser III PXi, which will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $9,995, will utilize the enhanced color-imaging features of PostScript Level 2, the next generation of Adobe's PostScript language. Downing told Newsbytes that the product will "make color printing in the office more viable and cost-effective." The main barriers to effective color printing in an office environment before "have been cost and quality," he said. Both areas have been addressed by the new Phaser III PXi. According to Adobe's Dr. Charles Geschke, president and chief operating officer, the new Phaser "should participate in and contribute to significant growth in the market for desktop color printing because it offers users such important benefits as device-independent color and the capability to print very accurate, brilliant color on a variety of media." The 300 dots-per-inch Phaser III PXi color printer uses Advanced Micro Device's Am29000 RISC (reduced instruction-set computing) processor running at 24MHz. The company claims that, full-color pages are printed in as little as two minutes, while monochrome pages print in 40 to 60 seconds, depending on text density. The company is marketing the product as a multi-user, multiplatform product, because its multitasking interface automatically switches among parallel, serial and AppleTalk ports. The Phaser III PXi comes standard with 10 megabytes (MB) of memory, which is expandable up to 18MB with two 4MB upgrades priced at $995 each. According to the company, the first 4MB upgrade gives the user sufficient memory to print a full 11-inch by 17-inch bleed on 12-inch by 18-inch paper. The second 4MB upgrade provides additional memory for input buffers, fonts and pipelined imaged processing while printing, thus allowing for faster throughput in shared environments. Tektronix is a manufacturer of electronic products and systems in the areas of computer graphics, test and measurement and communications. (Ian Stokell/19910826/Press Contact: Patricia J. Paine, Adobe Systems Inc., 415-962-3967; Kathy Melcher, Tektronics, 503-685-3150; Charles Humble, Hastings, Humble, Giardini & Freeman Inc., 503-221-1063) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SHIPS DEVELOPER STARTER KIT 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SHIPS DEVELOPER STARTER KIT 08/27/91 PLANO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Texas Instruments says it has started shipping its Rapid Developer Starter Kit (RD/SK). According to TI, users of RD/SK can learn how to develop software applications in TI's integrated computer-aided software engineering (CASE) environment quickly and easily. RD/SK reportedly includes the newest version of the Information Engineering Facility's analysis, design and construction toolsets as well as a field-tested tutorial. Suggested list price for TD/SK is $10,000. In a prepared statement TI quoted one user, Gary Idle, a senior computer scientist at Computer Sciences Corporation, as saying, "The tutorial gave me the information I need to use the analysis, design and construction portions of the IEF. An excellent tool." According to Mike Watters, VP and GM of TI's advanced information management division, TI wanted to introduce a wider spectrum of the business community to the advantages offered by TI's integrated CASE (I-CASE) technology. Watters said that with RD/SK, users get a sophisticated approach to full life cycle application development, field-tested tutorials and affordable price. RD/SK reportedly provides a full function workstation for multiple type projects, including business requirements analysis, design prototyping and rapid application development. TI says users can develop C or Cobol applications for IBM's OS/2 operating system, and by using additional toolsets, port those systems to MVS, Tandem, VMTM, VMSTM or Unix. "We are committed to providing easy-to-learn, lower-cost entry points to I-CASE and the IEF," said Watters. The company says it will offer a cross generation starter kit later this year which will enable an application developed on an OS/2 workstation to be ported to a different environment, such as MVS or VMS. RD/SK comes with 90 days of toll-free telephone support. Upgrade kits including a planning toolset, additional methodology guides and full documentation for the planning, design, analysis and construction toolsets are available. (Jim Mallory/910826/Press contact: Bob Bledsoe, TI, 214-997-3857) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 CERNER IN ELECTRONIC MED RECORDS PARTNERSHIP 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00002) CERNER IN ELECTRONIC MED RECORDS PARTNERSHIP 08/27/91 KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Cerner Corporation, a provider of clinical information systems for the health care industry, says it has entered into an agreement with the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center and The Emory Clinic of Atlanta to create an electronic medical record system. The system will be established at the Emory Clinic, and Cerner says Digital Equipment Corporation, also a partner, will provide the hardware for the system. Cerner will provide the clinical software applications, and Emory will become the working laboratory for testing and refining the system. According to Cerner, the project represents a $15 million commitment, and will take five years to complete. The company says its system will go beyond the simple computerization of patient charts. Using Cerner's Healthcare Network Architecture HNA) healthcare professionals at different locations can simultaneously view patient charts, speeding up consultations. Electronic access to a patient's charts would also speed up emergency care and make it easier for a patient to receive consultation and treatment from different doctors. Eventually the Cerner system will add advanced capabilities, such as simultaneous viewing from different locations of graphic images, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance images, and cardiac catheterization images. Clifford W. Illig, Cerner president, said, "We believe this product will revolutionize patient care by automating the patient's medical record and integrating the record within a full suite of clinical information." According to Garland Perdue, a doctor and director of the Emory Clinic, "This showcase system... will give us the capability to broaden and speed the services we offer our patients. For doctor and patient alike, such automation significantly expedites and streamlines patient care." (Jim Mallory/010827/Press contact: Clifford Illig, Cerner Corp, 816-221-1024) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ALDUS SAYS "TRADE YOUR GRAPHICS PACKAGE FOR PERSUASION" 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003) ALDUS SAYS "TRADE YOUR GRAPHICS PACKAGE FOR PERSUASION" 08/27/91 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Owners of certain graphics presentation programs can trade up to Aldus Persuasion 2.0 for Windows, under a program announced by Aldus. The company says owners of DOS-based programs such as Harvard Graphics, Lotus Freelance, Microsoft PowerPoint, Hollywood and Draw Applause or Applause II are eligible for the trade-up, which costs $99. Pam Miller of Aldus told Newsbytes that there are about 15 programs which qualify for the trade-up. If you take advantage of the offer, you will get the complete Persuasion for Windows package include Adobe Type Manager. The offer runs through the end of February 1992, and is valid in the US, Canada, and Australia. Larry Spelhaug, Aldus VP of marketing says, "From experience we believe that customers will switch to Persuasion 2.0 for Windows once they try it." To participate in the trade-up offer, you must provide proof of ownership of an eligible program. The original title page from the product reference manual or an original program disk will provide the necessary proof. Organizations with orders of 10 or more units can provide a single letter confirming ownership rather than submit multiple proofs of purchase. A 90-day money back guarantee accompanies the offer. The trade-up can be done by contacting a participating Aldus upgrade reseller or by contacting the Aldus "Fulfillment" Center at 800-638-7058 from US or Canadian locations. The Center can also provide a list of participating upgrade resellers as well as a complete list of eligible products. Aldus says it is taking orders now, with shipment to begin in mid-September. Aldus is also expected to announce a new support program for service bureaus this week. Aldus also markets PageMaker, Digital Darkroom, FreeHand, PrePrint, SuperCard, SuperPaint, Super 3D. (Jim Mallory/910826/Press contact: Pam Miller, Aldus Corp, 206-628-6594) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 MOTOROLA DEVELOPER ENV'T FOR NEW BOARDS 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00004) MOTOROLA DEVELOPER ENV'T FOR NEW BOARDS 08/27/91 TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Hard on the heels of its new RISC (reduced instruction set) and CISC (complex instruction set) single board computers, Motorola has announced a Unix-based real-time development environment for the boards. The company says VMEexec 2.0 includes a comprehensive set of multiprocessor support packages and provides developers a wide latitude in selecting the right real-time target for their application. According to Motorola, developers using VMEexec 2.0 can design real-time application code for a broad range of RISC and CISC single board computers from any single vendor. "VMEexec is the most complete package available in the market for supporting applications software development on an RT kernel," said Motorola's Thomas Beaver. VMEexec integrates third-party software products, including Software Components Group's pSOS+, the Interactive Systems Corporation Streams environment and Microtec Research Inc.'s XRAY Debugger. The VMEexec kernel is based on a "Real-Time Executive Interface Definition" kernel, which defines a core set of operating system services. Application source code that conforms to those interfaces will execute as defined in all compliant real-time executive environments. Motorola says software engineers, system integrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and value-added resellers (VARs) developing embedded real-time systems will benefit from VMEexec. Motorola will offer VMEexec training courses to help developers enhance their productivity, including support for the single board computers also announced this week. The company says VMEexec 2.0 will be available in November of this year, and carries a suggested price of $4500 for either the Mc68000 family based system or the M88000 family based system. A combined version is available for $5800. Customers with maintenance contracts will receive the update at no charge. (Jim Mallory/910826/Press contact: Barbara Patterson, Motorola, 602-438-3576, FAX 602-438-3534) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 MICROSOFT HOSTS DEVELOPERS TOOLS CONFERENCE 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00005) MICROSOFT HOSTS DEVELOPERS TOOLS CONFERENCE 08/27/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation is hosting a Developers Tools conference this week at the Washington State Convention Center which will focus on developers writing add-in products for Excel for Windows 3.0, Microsoft's spreadsheet program for Windows. Add-in programs are designed to start up automatically when Excel is loaded. These specially developed programs cover a variety of tasks, including forecasting, modeling, reporting, data connectivity, application development, and numerical analysis. Microsoft says Excel has about 30 percent of the spreadsheet market for the second quarter of calendar 1991, based on information collected by the Software Publishers Association as well as other trade sources. The company says it has shipped 1.5 million units worldwide. About one-third of those were shipped since Version 3.0 came out in January of this year. In other Microsoft news, the company is reportedly setting up a basic research center to study what might be the software of the future. A company spokesperson says Microsoft believes it is the only software publisher to set up a group dedicated to research that is not directly tied to developing products. (Jim Mallory/910826/Press contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206-882-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 MICROGRAFX SUED FOR ALLEGED SECURITIES LAWS VIOLATIONS 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00006) MICROGRAFX SUED FOR ALLEGED SECURITIES LAWS VIOLATIONS 08/27/91 RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Micrografx, a developer of business graphics applications, has revealed that a suit has been filed against the company in the federal district court for the Southern District of New York. The suit reportedly alleges securities law and other violations against the company and certain senior officers and directors. Contacted by Newsbytes for comment, David Henkel, Micrografx chief financial officer, said, "This is the mosst frivilous suit I have ever seen." Henkel said no specific damages had been requested. Reportedly the suit asserts liability based on alleged misleading press releases, communications with analysts, and interviews based on sals of Micrografx stock by certain senior officers and directors while, it is charged, they knew of the alleged misleading statements. The suit seeks class action status. Micrografx says it will vigorously defend the action. (Jim Mallory/Press contact: David Henkel, Micrografx, 214-497-6284) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR IBM: Unicorn MIDI Mixer Software For PCs 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00007) NEW FOR IBM: Unicorn MIDI Mixer Software For PCs 08/27/91 CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Mark of the Unicorn has introduced new MS-DOS software for the MIDI Mixer 7 which adds IBM-compatible software to the existing Macintosh and Atari control software for the MIDI hardware. On screen the software created an image of a standard mixer which helps traditional users make the transition from hardware controls to computer MIDI control systems. Automated mixdowns are possible by locking scene changes to standard SMPTE time codes. MIDI Mixer 7s has seven stereo inputs with bass, treble, pan, and two stereo effects for each channel, along with a stereo auxiliary input and eight stereo noise gates. Any MS-DOS system with VGA or EGA video, a Microsoft or Logitech compatible mouse, and an installed MIDI interface can run the software. MIDI Mixer 7 has a list price of $595 and is available now. MIDI or musical instrument digital interface is the world standard for connecting digital recording and control systems to instruments. For further information contact Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 222 Third St., Cambridge, MA 01242, phone 617-576-2760. Current owners of MIDI Mixer 7 software for Macintosh or Atari systems should contact the company for a free upgrade. (John McCormick/19910826/Press Contact: Susan Patalano, 617-576- 2760 or fax 617-576-3609) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 BOSTON MUSEUM EXHIBIT TRACES HISTORY OF COMPUTERS 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00008) BOSTON MUSEUM EXHIBIT TRACES HISTORY OF COMPUTERS 08/27/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- The Computer Museum is celebrating a year of anniversaries in the computer industry with the opening of a permanent exhibition that traces the history of computers. "People and Computers: Milestones of Revolution" opened at the museum June 29, and more than 30,000 people have visited it since then, museum spokeswoman Gail Jennes said. The US$1-million, 5,000-square-foot exhibition is made up of nine milestones linked by "time tunnels." Each of the nine displays features a life-size replica of the computer equipment typical of a major era. They also include video presentations showing how computers were used and the attitudes of the day toward them, including the way they were portrayed in movies and other media. Interactive displays let visitors do some of the things that people did with computers at various times, Jennes said. The first display shows a government office in the 1930s, where hundreds of clerks used punched-card machines. The second shows the Whirlwind computer, developed for the American military by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The third shows UNIVAC I, the first commercially available computer. The fourth display deals with the development of programming languages, while the fifth shows an IBM System/360 mainframe used at a large insurance company in the 1960s. The sixth deals with the first minicomputers, introduced early in the 1970s. The Cray 1 supercomputer appears in the seventh display, which deals with the use of high-powered computers for scientific work. In the eighth display the personal computer comes on the scene, and some of its popular applications are shown. The final display deals with the widespread use of microprocessors in machines other than computers -- toys, video cassette recorders, thermostats, and the like. "People are loving this exhibit, and that's not hype," Jennes said. The permanent exhibit was created with the help of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Digital Equipment, IBM, Apple Computer, Lotus Development, Matsushita Electric, The Mitre Corporation, The Travelers Companies, Unisys, and many individuals. The Computer Museum opened as an independent, non-profit museum in 1982. (Grant Buckler/19910826/Press Contact: Gail Jennes, The Computer Museum, 617-426-2800 ext. 341) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR IBM: Watcom Shipping 32-Bit C, FORTRAN 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00009) NEW FOR IBM: Watcom Shipping 32-Bit C, FORTRAN 08/27/91 WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Language developer Watcom is now shipping its 32-bit C and FORTRAN language optimizing compilers and tools. Sixteen-bit versions of both products are also now available. Both C and FORTRAN compilers provide a 32-bit DOS operating system extender and a true 32-bit Microsoft Windows graphical user interface (GUI) and dynamic link library (DLL) development kit, Watcom said. The compilers support Windows and 32-bit DOS extenders from Rational, Phar Lap, and Ergo. The DOS extender, DOS/4GW from Rational Systems, may be distributed with applications developed using either compiler without paying royalties to Watcom. Watcom said the new compilers' ability to develop true 32-bit Windows applications avoids the need to create separate 16-bit programs for user interface code. The compilers can be used on machines running DOS, extended DOS, OS/2 1.1 or later, or Windows. Programs can be developed for DOS, extended DOS, Windows, AutoCAD ADS, and embedded systems. Watcom announced recently that it is working with IBM to make both compilers support OS/2 2.0. That support is due by the end of 1991, said Dave Boswell, Watcom's vice-president of sales and marketing. The OS/2 2.0 compilers will offer two to three times the performance of existing compilers, he said, and the FORTRAN version will be the first 32-bit FORTRAN compiler for OS/2 2.0. Both C8.5/386 and FORTRAN 77/386 have a suggested retail price of US$995, with an introductory price of US$795. (Grant Buckler/19910826/Press Contact: Dave Boswell, Watcom, 519-886-3700, fax 519-747-4971) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 IBM VP TO KEYNOTE CD-ROM CONFERENCE 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00010) IBM VP TO KEYNOTE CD-ROM CONFERENCE 08/27/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- James E. Dezell, Jr., IBM vice president for educational systems, will deliver the keynote speech, titled, "IBM's New Multimedia Knowledge Systems," at next month's CD-ROM Exposition and Conference '91 in Washington, DC. Mr. Dezell will reportedly take the opportunity to discuss IBM's major educational incentives such as the interactive courseware now being shown in television ads. The CD-ROM Expo will be held again this year at the Washington Hilton and Towers in Washington, DC, in mid-October. CD-ROM Expo features talks about CD-ROM developments and is attended by most of the major CD-ROM hardware and software development companies. (John McCormick/19910826/Press Contact: Rachel Winett, World Expo Corp., 508-879-6700) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 CORRECTION: MOSCOW: PARAGRAPH'S FURTHER PEN PLANS 08/27/91 08/27/91 (CORRECTION)(TRENDS)(MOW)(00011) CORRECTION: MOSCOW: PARAGRAPH'S FURTHER PEN PLANS 08/27/91 MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Newsbytes wishes to correct a statement in a report with this title which was first published July 19. The story quoted Stepan Pachikov, chief of Moscow-based office Paragraph, a leading pen-based software house, as saying in a speech to a trade show in Moscow that his company's recognition kernel of its new cursive software technology had been licensed to Grid Systems for use in Grid's computer due to be commercially in late summer. This is incorrect, according to Paragraph's US representatives. Michael Riemer, director of product marketing, tells Newsbytes that no official announcement was made, but acknowledged that Paragraph is speaking with several of the large computer companies. Of these, "they have yet to announce any licensing of our recognition technology." A Grid spokesman had no comment on the situation, nor would he say whether Grid and Paragraph were in official talks about licensing the technology. (Wendy Woods/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR MAC: Publish It Easy 2.1 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00012) NEW FOR MAC: Publish It Easy 2.1 08/27/91 NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Timeworks has announced what it calls the "desktop publisher for the rest of us," Publish-It Easy version 2.1 for the Macintosh. The program is being reviewed by Newsbytes. Timeworks says Publish-It Easy is an all-in-one desktop publisher with the added capabilities of word processing, the ability to create graphics from scratch, a slide show for handouts or on-screen presentations, and spot color separation ability. The package has many features found in much more costly packages, Timeworks said. These features include multiple windows, thumbnail editing with the ability to move elements from one page to another, rulers and customized alignment grids are available for layout aids, a service bureau checklist such as a font list, document size and file statistics, multiple undo levels allowing the user to go back as many as five steps, and find and replace. The company claims the package is so easy to use, a new user can create their first document in less than an hour. However, Newsbytes has been unable to get its review copy to load and run on an SE and an SE/30, although version 2.1 works fine on Newsbytes' Macintosh II. Technical support has been unable to explain this. The package includes a 112,000-word spell checker, a 240,000- word thesaurus, a quick start manual and 72 professionally designed sample page layouts. Publish-It Easy is said to operate on all Macintosh computers except the Macintosh 128. It needs System version 4.2, Finder 5.0 (System 6.0 or higher is recommended), and any Chooser- selectable printer including the ImageWriter, DeskWriter, LaserWriter, Linotronic 300 or and QuickDraw, Color QuickDraw or PostScript compatible printer, Timeworks said. The company strongly recommends a hard disk drive, but the software can be operated without one. Free technical support (you pay for the long-distance call, however) is provided from during business hours (except lunch hour from 12:30 to 1:30) Monday through Friday Central Standard Time. However, callers must be prepared for a wait. It took Newsbytes three attempts to reach a technical support person, each time we were on "hold" for 6 to 15 minutes. Unlimited technical support is said to be offered via a 900 number at the rate of $120.00 per hour or $2.00 per minute, the company said. Suggested retail price for Publish-It Easy is $249.95. IBM versions of Publish-It Easy are also available. More information is available from Timeworks toll-free at telephone (800) 323-7744, or by writing Timeworks, 625 Academy Drive, Northbrook, Illinois, 60062. (Linda Rohrbough & Wendy Woods/199108023/Press Contact: Sean Essex, Timeworks, Tel: 708/559-1300, Fax: 708/948-9212) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW PCS: Wyse Lightweight Decision Notebook/Desktop 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00013) NEW PCS: Wyse Lightweight Decision Notebook/Desktop 08/27/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Wyse Technology has expanded its Decision line of personal computers with a 4.5-pound 20MHz Intel 80386SX-based notebook and a 33MHz 486-based desktop PC. Additionally, the company also announced a reduction in price of its line of personal computer and monitor products by about 20 percent, with some models reduced by 35 percent. The new lightweight DecisionMate notebook measures 8.6-inches by 11-inches by 1.5-inches. The product offers a quality paper-white display and a full-sized keyboard. In addition, three snap-in modules are offered as options, each weighing a few ounces, including a fax/modem and a second serial port. The company maintains that the internal battery provides for 1.5 hours of computing, with an optional snap-on battery available to expand computing time to four hours, which brings the total system weight to 6.2 pounds. The notebook comes with one, 2 or 4 megabytes (MB) of RAM, a 30MB, 40MB or 60MB hard disk drive, and MS-DOS 5. The base model comes with 1 MB of RAM, a 30MB hard disk drive. It carries a suggested list price of $2,999 and is available immediately. The ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)-based Wyse Decision 486/33 has 128 kilobytes of external memory cache, seven available expansion slots, four half-height mass storage bays and a Weitek coprocessor socket. Additionally, Wyse MS-DOS 5 is also included. (Ian Stokell/19910827/Press Contact: Kathryn Watson, Wyse Technology, 408-473-2066) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 PACIFIC TELESIS EXPLAINS POSITION ON PCN 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014) PACIFIC TELESIS EXPLAINS POSITION ON PCN 08/27/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Pacific Telesis holds to the view that microwave cellular phone services known as PCN can't share the broad microwave frequency band without harming licensed users of the spectrum. But, System Vice President for Technology Stagg Newman explained to Newsbytes, the company believes PCN service could emerge, either in a narrow frequency band or with limited service areas. "One way to use it is to have the spectrum dedicated to you. We're proceeding along those lines," he said. "Motorola said you'd need significant exclusion zones -- on the order of miles. Our tests confirmed Motorola's simulations. The potential for interference is there." Newman also criticized the methods used by Millicom's PCN America subsidiary in concluding that a technology from SCS Mobilecom will work. "There were many filings, including our own, which criticized PCN America's methodology. Their tests weren't extensive or exhaustive enough," he said. Millicom has said that notched filters, intelligent base stations which are aware of nearby microwave towers, and phones which only emit waves when someone is talking would allow PCN service to share the microwave frequencies with existing towers. Most microwave towers are used in private voice and data networks. They had once been used heavily by long distance companies, but that is being phased out in favor of fiber cables. Newman added, "Are there ways to avoid interference? Yes. How technically difficult are they, and will accomplishing that be economically feasible -- that's the critical question. What you'll see over the next year or two is continued testing to see what does and does not work. Millicom made many claims that were not justified. They did some testing, and leaped to a conclusion." Newman also downplayed the impact of Millicom's filing for a "pioneer preference," which the New York company claims would give it a leg-up in getting PCN licenses. "The FCC has signaled that, for PCN, as long as you have an experimental license you don't need to file for a pioneer preference," he said. "We met with FCC officials last week. Our understanding is if we've been active in this area we don't need a pioneer preference, and we've funded work in this area since 1984." (Dana Blankenhorn/19910827/Press Contact: Pacific Telesis, Lou Saviano, 415-394-3643) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR NETWORKS: ICC/Remote LAN Node 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00015) NEW FOR NETWORKS: ICC/Remote LAN Node 08/27/91 CINCINNATI, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Intercomputer Communications Corporation announced ICC/Remote LAN Node, which offers remote PC users actual LAN "node" status while maintaining performance and protocol independence from the LAN networking environment. A PC outside the office dials into the system through a modem, and becomes an extension of the LAN environment, operating as nodes on the network, with the same functions as any computer which is hard-wired to the network. Each remote user is configured with a unique Ethernet address, for instance. ICC said several aspects of its new system are unique. For one thing, the system is totally transparent to the network operating system, whether that's IPX, TCP/IP, OSI, or the Microsoft LAN Manager. The new product also offers three levels of security, while support for V.42 modem compression improves data throughput, the company said. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910827/Press Contact: ICC, Ian Pennell, 513- 745-0500) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 EDS/STRATUS TO DEVELOP PERSONAL TELEPHONE NUMBER TECH 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016) EDS/STRATUS TO DEVELOP PERSONAL TELEPHONE NUMBER TECH 08/27/91 MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Stratus Computer and EDS' Personal Communications division announced an agreement to jointly develop a Home Location Register system for the cellular industry. This is a database which can control cellular phone switches for the purpose of delivering services. Services could include things like call waiting and three-way calling, now available from wired networks, the ability to identify a caller's location anywhere in the country, and a personal telephone number, which would follow a user wherever he or she goes. Cellular operators already use HLRs to perform validation and authentication of subscribers to control fraud. EDS says that by putting the new services into a computer, new services could be put online in a short period of time, and cellular service providers would be able to differentiate themselves from competitors. Stratus announced early this year that it is targeting the telecommunications industry for much of its future growth, and created a division specifically targeting phone service customers. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910827/Press Contact: EDS PCC, Kimberly Obremski, 617/890-1000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 MOTOROLA EXPECTED TO ENTER CORDLESS PHONE MARKET 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017) MOTOROLA EXPECTED TO ENTER CORDLESS PHONE MARKET 08/27/91 SCHAUMBERG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Motorola will reportedly enter the cordless telephone market with a U.S. made offering, perhaps within a month. James Caile, vice president of marketing at Motorola's Pan American Cellular Subscribers Group, told "The Wall Street Journal" his company has yet to make a final decision, but analysts feel it would be a good move, even though consumer phones are a low-margin, mass- market business. The move could also be a prelude to getting into the emerging CT- 2 cellular phone market, analysts speculate. The company has already requested licenses from the FCC for a cordless phone, which according to documents would look a lot like its Micro-Tac cellular phone. Such a stripped-down Micro-Tac would provide significant competition to AT&T, which holds nearly half the cordless phone market with a line of Far East imports. The Motorola cordless phone would likely be made in Arizona, where the firm has a plant making the Micro-Tac. The "Made in USA" label could have appeal, as could the unit's small size and a domestic plant's ability to turn-around orders quickly. Motorola also may be aiming at the CT-2 market. CT-2, originally envisioned as a competitor to cellular phones, are now seen as a second generation cordless technology, using small base stations which can place but not receive calls. Singapore has a CT-2 system, and Motorola is in that market there, and the UK also has a CT-2 market, which is going slowly because of a range of competitors. Motorola declined to comment on the press reports or analysts' comments. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 SECRET GROUP SAYS VA SOFTWARE PROBE WAS A SHAM 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00018) SECRET GROUP SAYS VA SOFTWARE PROBE WAS A SHAM 08/27/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- This week's Federal Computer Week continues to follow the story it broke some time ago about allegedly dangerously faulty Veterans' Administration hospital software. After its charges were dismissed by a VA inspector, the secret Froelich Trust Group has now threatened to disclose the names of two veterans who they claim died as a result of faulty data on the VA's Decentralized Hospital Computer Program record system. After initial charges of dangerously inaccurate hospital records made in a 30-page, anonymous letter sent in late April or early May of this year, the VA started an investigation which recently concluded that there were no data errors in the hospital system's computer records. Newsbytes' May 24 story on the Froelich Trust Group reported that the original charges were that out of 20 records scrutinized by the Group all contained errors -- some major -- such as failing to note that a particular patient was a diabetic or had cancer. A second anonymous letter has recently arrived at the VA and several news organizations which accuses the VA of a cover-up. FCW is reporting that a source close to the VA acknowledged that hospital administrators were warned that the investigators were coming. FCW again reports that its source of information is the secret group of current and former VA employees calling itself the Froelich Trust Group and is reporting that this response to the negative report findings came very quickly on the heels of the internal completion of the report, before it was widely distributed. The VA is saying only that it stopped the investigation after checking the hospitals closest to Washington because it found no problems there. Newsbytes could not obtain any further comment from the VA before deadline. (John McCormick/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ZILOG SINGLE CHIP 16-BIT DSP WITH 8-BIT MICROCONTROLLER 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019) ZILOG SINGLE CHIP 16-BIT DSP WITH 8-BIT MICROCONTROLLER 08/27/91 CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Zilog has announced the newest member of its disk controller chip family, the Z86C94, which combines the single chip 8-bit controller with a 16-bit digital signal processor or DSP. Zilog says that the chip will provide minimum cost but high performance for combined digital servo control and embedded control systems. Optimal suggested uses include controllers for 2.5-inch and 1.8- inch disk drives, tape drives, voice/data processing applications, and automotive or consumer electronics. The heart of the unit is the familiar Z8 (Zilog Z86C93) which is combined with a DSP capable of performing 16-by-16 bit multiplication and accumulation on a single clock cycle for systems using a 24-megahertz clock speed. Zilog is a major developer of microprocessors. (John McCormick/19910827/Press Contact: Deborah Chalmers, Zilog, 408-370-8092) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 COMARCO AND MANTECH GET $100 MILLION DOD CONTRACT 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020) COMARCO AND MANTECH GET $100 MILLION DOD CONTRACT 08/27/91 ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Comarco and Mantech International have received a 50/50 contract award to provide testing and system verification support to the Joint Interoperability Test Center at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. According to Comarco, the contract will be worth about $35 million to that company over the full five-year potential life of the initial three-year contract. Headquartered at Ft. Huachuca but with test facilities around the world, JITC is responsible for overall testing of system interoperability for both the Department of Defense and NATO. The contract was actually given to an Alexandria, Virginia-based Comarco/Mantech joint venture which will provide test, instrumentation, and test tool design services along with development support, implementation of designs, and data reduction services. (John McCormick/19910827/Press Contact: Don M. Bailey, Comarco, 714-282-3813) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ****CASOLARO SOURCE CHARGES GOV'T PROCUREMENT SCANDAL 08/27/91 08/27/91 (EXCLUSIVE)(GOVT)(NYC)(00021) ****CASOLARO SOURCE CHARGES GOV'T PROCUREMENT SCANDAL 08/27/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- "Bill," the mysterious Newsbytes source who met with investigative journalist James D. "Danny" Casolaro on the night before Casolaro's death in a Martinsburg, W. VA motel, has come forward on the August 26th "Inside Edition" television show and discussed his meeting with Casolaro. By coming forward, "Bill" identified himself as William Turner, a former quality assurance manager for Hughes Aircraft. In Turner's previous interviews with Newsbytes, he had requested anonymity because of both a commitment to Inside Edition and what he said was the advice of counsel. Turner has alleged that Hughes Aircraft, with the assistance of U.S. government personnel, has covered up the deliverance of systems for military use that were below the procurement specifications. While Turner's participation on the television broadcast dealt almost exclusively with his meeting with Casolaro, he told Newsbytes that he had over three hours of discussion with the show's interviewers on all aspects of his charges. Casolaro has told Newsbytes that his attempts to call public attention to what he calls a "procurement scandal" have resulted in his harassment by the government. He claims that "all of a sudden the Veteran's Administration found that it had been overpaying my pension. Even after I agreed with them on a schedule for me to make installment repayment of the overage, I was sued for the entire amount." Turner also told Newsbytes that threats have been made against him personally, resulting in his obtaining of police protection. He said that, prior to the police protection, his house had been under obvious surveillance from autos parked near his home. He said that his phone frequently rings and, when he picks it up, there is an audible "hang-up" from the other end. He also alleges that his telephone is "tapped" and that his conversations are often interrupted by clicks and that conversations are terminated. During his conversation with Newsbytes, at a point when he was discussing the details of the alleged procurement scandal, a click similar to that of an extension being picked up was clearly heard and our conversation was cut off. When Newsbytes called back, Turner said that the interruption had become an "on-going thing" and that he was "sure that it related to his phone being tapped." Turner said that he has had contact with ex-U.S. Attorney General Elliott Richardson's law firm, which is also representing Inslaw Inc., the firm whose charges against the Justice Dept. has been a major subject of Casolaro's investigation. According to Turner, the law firm has advised him to refuse to discuss the Casolaro death with the Martinsburg, W. VA police who have been trying to contact him. Turner, who criticized the police investigation of the death, said that he will discuss his meeting with Casolaro with the police when his attorneys are present. Turner told Newsbytes that on the day before Casolaro was found dead of an apparent suicide, he had met with him and turned over papers documenting his charges about the Hughes cover-up. He said that he was shown other material that Casolaro had received -- material that Casolaro felt would substantiate "Octopus" theory. (According to friends of Casolaro, "octopus" referred to his belief that there was a connection between the various cases, or "tentacles," that he was investigating: Inslaw, government procurement, IranContra, "October Surprise.") Reports from the Martinsburg death scene did not report the finding of papers mentioned by Turner and their absence has led to charges that Casolaro met with foul play. Richardson has called for a federal investigation of the death, as has Casolaro's brother, a Virginia physician. Turner also told Newsbytes that he has additional copies of the documentation supporting his charges secure in a safe place and that the "truth will come out even if something happens to me." The so-called "Inslaw Case" involves charges by Inslaw, Inc. that the Justice Department purposely drove it into bankruptcy so that it could steal Inslaw's Promis software. While bankruptcy counts on two decisions found the allegations to be factual and fined the Justice Dept., saying that the government agency had practiced "trickery, fraud and deceit," the U.S. Court of Appeals on May 7, 1991 overturned the award, saying that the courts had overstepped their jurisdiction. The appeals court said, at the time, that Inslaw CEO William Hamilton was free to pursue his claims in the proper federal court and that the Justice Department's "conduct, if it occurred, is inexcusable." During the appeal process, Inslaw broadened its charges to claim that Iran Contra figures Robert McFarlane and Richard Secord had played a role is disseminating the software to intelligence agencies of Israel, Libya, Iraq, South Korea, and Canada. These charges, substantiated by Ari Ben-Menashe, who claims to be a former Israeli intelligence officer, Iranian arms dealer Richard Babayan, and Michael Riconosciuto, who said that he was hired to modify the software for use in law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide, led to a investigation of the case by the House Judiciary Committee and a confrontation between committee chairman Jack Brooks and Attorney General Richard Thornburgh over the release to the committee of material relating to the case. The investigation continues at this time. Turner told Newsbytes that he has confidence in Casolaro's theory of a connection between Inslaw and his charges concerning Hughes. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 EVEREX SIGNS THREE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTORS 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00022) EVEREX SIGNS THREE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTORS 08/27/91 FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- In an attempt to expand its distribution base, Everex Systems has signed agreements with three value-added regional distributors. The three companies involved are: Berlin, NJ-based GBC; Mt. Prospect, Illinois-based PC Distributing Inc; and Vitek Systems Distribution headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Each will distribute Everex products in their respective territories throughout the United States. Under the terms of the agreements, the companies will distribute Everex's STEP and Tempo computer product lines, and the company's full line of peripheral products. Everex products will be immediately available. Jerry Graham, national sales manager of distribution for Everex said: "Combining STEP high-performance computers as the file servers, affordable Tempo systems as the mid-range workstations, and a variety of high-end PC peripherals, Everex offers the perfect networking business solution for the VAR market." All three distributors specialize in selling and supporting Novell network and multi-user systems to value-added resellers. "The agreements with GBC, PC Distributing, and Vitek allow us to partner with strategic, regional distributors that cover all major metropolitan areas," said Howard Crystal, vice president of domestic sales, Everex. Only this week Everex was in the news as having paid Hayes Microcomputer Products $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit in which Hayes charged Everex with willful infringement on its modem patent. In another case in June, Newsbytes reported that Everex and Microsoft Corp had won a substantial jury award in a lawsuit that had been filed against eight defendants responsible for counterfeiting the Microsoft MS-DOS operating system. The suit alleged that the defendants had counterfeited the version of MS-DOS marketed by Everex under Everex's trademark "ParCorp." (Ian Stokell/19910827/Press Contact: Jerry Graham, Everex Systems Inc., 415-683-2489) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 HYUNDAI SHIPS FAST NEW DRAM AND SRAM 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00023) HYUNDAI SHIPS FAST NEW DRAM AND SRAM 08/27/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- The Semiconductor Division of Hyundai Electronics America is now shipping five new CMOS or complimentary metal oxide semiconductor memory chips, a 60, 70, or 80 nanosecond, 1 megabyte (MB) DRAM (dynamic random access memory), a 4 MB DRAM, and a 70 nanosecond 256-kilobit CMOS SRAM or static RAM. SRAM chips do not require the regular refresh signal that DRAM chips need to maintain their data contents. CMOS or complimentary metal oxide semiconductor microchips are more expensive than the usual variety but require less power and are thus often in demand for battery-operated systems. The HY531000 is a 1 M by 1-bit CMOS DRAM available in 60, 70 and 80ns speeds and the HY534256 is a 256 K by 4-bit chip in the same speeds. The HY514100 is a very low-power 4 M by 1-bit CMOS DRAM. The 60ns HY531000 is one of the first high-speed 1MB DRAMs to hit the market. (John McCormick/19910827/Press Contact: Debra Bowman, Hyundai Electronics America, 408-473-9318) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR PCS: Sony Multimedia Ent't/Learning CD-ROM 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00024) NEW FOR PCS: Sony Multimedia Ent't/Learning CD-ROM 08/27/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- At a suggested retail price of only $699, the new "back-to-school" special package will include a Sony CD-ROM player and six CD-ROM based interactive programs for IBM-compatible computers. This software is included: Compton's Family Encyclopedia, Microsoft Bookshelf Reference Library 1991 Edition, National Geographic's Mammals - A Multimedia Encyclopedia, Mixed-Up Mother Goose - Languages of the World, and The Software Toolworks World Atlas. CD-ROMs are very inexpensive-to-manufacture data storage discs that come with information already encoded on them. A single CD- ROM (essentially the same product as the CD-Audio disc) can contain hundreds of books full of text or a combination of sound, text, and images; the latter is what is referred to as multimedia because you can not only read about something but also see an image of it and listen to appropriate sounds such as speech or music. Audio jacks to connect to an amplifier and Sony headphones are included with the package, as are a multimedia tutorial and step- by-step installation instructions. (John McCormick/19910827/Press Contact: Deborah Brown, Technology Solutions, 212-505-9900) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 POURNELLE COMMENTS ON NEWSBYTES BUREAU CHIEF'S BOOK 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00025) POURNELLE COMMENTS ON NEWSBYTES BUREAU CHIEF'S BOOK 08/27/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- This bureau has recently noticed that famous science fiction writer and well- known BYTE columnist Jerry Pournelle took note of a Newsbytes writer when he wrote in a recent BYTE column about the Washington bureau chief's book on optical storage. In a June Chaos Manor column where he was discussing WORM or write once, read many optical drives, Dr. Pournelle wrote: "Incidentally, if you want an introduction and exposition on the whole optical storage field, John A. McCormick, 'A Guide To Optical Storage Technology,' Dow Jones Irwin 1990, ISBN 1-55623- 320-5 is about as good as I've seen, a good balance of readability and technical information; reading this won't make you an expert, but you'll know as much as anyone who isn't an expert." Dow Jones-Irwin has recently changed its name to BusinessONE Irwin but it is still the same company. (Beth Goldie/19910827/Press Contact: Melanie Chionis, BusinessONE Irwin, 708-206-2773) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ACE INITIATIVE GAINS 24 NEW MEMBERS 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00026) ACE INITIATIVE GAINS 24 NEW MEMBERS 08/27/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- An additional 24 companies have joined the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) initiative, bringing total membership in the industry group to 85. The group was formed in April to promote a set of standards covering Intel-based personal computers and workstations using processors from MIPS Computer Systems Inc. The ACE group also backs two operating systems. One is Microsoft's New Technology (NT), which was seen as the next generation of OS/2 when ACE was announced but is now being billed as Windows NT. The other is The Santa Cruz Operation's Open Desktop version of Unix. Hardware vendors who have just joined ACE include American Megatrends, Inc., Cache Computers, Inc., Dansk Data Elektronik A/S, Emerald Computers, Inc., Everex Systems, Inc. HCL America, Inc., Interphase Corp., IRTV mbH, Micronics Computers, Myriad Solutions Ltd., Nokia Data Systems, Oakleigh Systems, Inc., Photon Machines, Inc., Seiko Epson Corp., Sigma Designs, Inc., and UltraStor Corp. Software vendors just added to the membership rolls include: Alcatel TITN Inc. Edinburgh Portable Compilers Ltd.,Insight Development Corp., Momentum Software, Prolific, Inc., Samsung Software America, Software Research Associates, and Translation Systems. Microsoft and The Santa Cruz Operation are scheduled to release developers' kits to independent software vendors by year-end, ACE officials said. ACE membership is open to all vendors who plan to build or design hardware or software that fits the group's standards. Interested vendors can contact James A. Billmaier of MIPS Computer Systems at 408-524-7028. (Grant Buckler/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR PCS: Digital Vision Unveils Frame Grabber 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00027) NEW FOR PCS: Digital Vision Unveils Frame Grabber 08/27/91 DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Digital Vision has announced ComputerEyes/RT, a real-time video frame grabber for the IBM PC and compatibles. Digital Vision said the frame grabber will complement its line of slow-scan video digitizers. The frame grabber can capture images from the real world in one thirtieth of a second, the company said. Images are captured in one-bit, eight-bit (256 colors), or 24-bit (16.7 million colors) color. Digital Vision is promoting the use of the new product, and of its existing products, in new commercial and multimedia applications. While the company has previously concentrated on selling to computer enthusiasts and desktop publishers, it now plans to work with third-party developers on a variety of other applications. Paul Terrio, national sales manager, told Newsbytes his company is already working with ACS Telecom, a developer that is incorporating the Digital Vision products into a system for capturing and transmitting images. The company is also working with a security systems developer, which Terrio would not name, that plans to use the technology in a criminal tracking system. Other possibilities include automated assembly line inspection, medical systems image capture, sports motion analysis, real estate database applications, and custom T-shirt manufacturing, the company said. Product Manager Steve Sarsfield said Digital Vision has sold some products through third parties before. For example, Canon sells some of Digital Vision's older products as part of a still video kit, he said. "This type of arrangement has always worked out pretty well for us." Digital Vision is offering a developer's tool kit for US$100.00. The tool kit includes an executable program that allows users to capture an image by issuing a DOS command. Microsoft C and assembler code are also included. ComputerEyes/RT sells for US$599, and works with an IBM PC, XT, AT, 286, 386, 486, PS/2 Models 25 or 30, or compatible computer with at least 512K bytes of memory, DOS 2.1 or higher, and VGA, Super-VGA, or MCGA graphics capabilities. A hard drive is recommended. (Grant Buckler/19910827/Press Contact: Steve Sarsfield, Digital Vision, 617-329-5400) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 NEW FOR IBM: Funk's Formula Editor is 1-2-3 Add-In 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00028) NEW FOR IBM: Funk's Formula Editor is 1-2-3 Add-In 08/27/91 CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- Funk Software has introduced Formula Editor, an add-in for Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.x that it said will make it easier to create, edit, and debug formulas. Originally part of Funk's The Worksheet Utilities package of add-ins, Formula Editor is being offered for the first time as a stand-alone product. Formula Editor lets the user see all of a long formula in a window on the screen, rather than just the 80 characters visible in the one line allocated to displaying the contents of a cell in 1-2-3. It also provides a menu of all the available @ functions in 1-2-3, said Michael Blaber, a spokesman for the company. The add-in also prompts the user to fill in all of the parts of a formula, Blaber said, making it easier to write formulas correctly the first time. Its "continuous parsing" technology highlights syntax errors and unmatched parentheses as the user types in a formula. To aid in debugging formulas, Formula Editor can calculate a formula step by step and show the results at each stage, making it easier to spot errors, the company said. The software can also convert cell addresses to range names and vice versa, and lets the user create new range names while editing a formula. Formula Editor works with 1-2-3 Release 2, 2.01, 2.2, or 2.3. It requires an IBM or compatible computer running DOS Version 2.0 or later. The software uses 50K bytes of memory, Funk Software said. Suggested retail price is US$99.95, and the software is available now in the United States and Canada, Blaber said. (Grant Buckler/19910827/Press Contact: Nancy Fisher or Joe Ryan, Funk Software, 617-497-6339; Michael Blaber, The Marketing Partnership for Funk Software, 617-876-9511, fax 617-876-9233) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 ****CANADIAN, SOVIET FIRMS WORKING TOGETHER 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00029) ****CANADIAN, SOVIET FIRMS WORKING TOGETHER 08/27/91 OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- When tanks rolled in the streets of Moscow recently, there were some anxious moments at FirstMark Technologies. But the coup attempt ended, and now the Ottawa software firm and its partners at OKB, a Moscow space research group, are celebrating. FirstMark, a software developer and management services firm, is helping OKB commercialize its space products and services. A special research bureau of the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, OKB has been involved with the Soviet Union's space program for more than 40 years. Political change in that country has freed it to operate as a commercial venture. Mike Faulkner, vice-president of management services at FirstMark, told Newsbytes his company got involved with the Soviet Union first through a program called Peace Train, which involved student exchanges and other joint activities between Canada and the Soviet Union. FirstMark's management services division helped manage cooperation between the Soviet and Canadian space efforts, and came into contact with OKB in the process. The companies started working together as a result. OKB has a strong software engineering group, Faulkner added, so it is working with FirstMark's software division, maker of a PC decision-making package called KnowledgeSeeker. The two companies have an agreement to cooperate in international sales and marketing of their respective products. Their objective, according to FirstMark, is to form a joint venture in the Soviet Union. (Grant Buckler/19910827/Press Contact: Mike Faulkner, FirstMark Technologies, 613-723-8020) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 A VIRTUAL THEATER FOR VIRTUAL REALITY 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00030) A VIRTUAL THEATER FOR VIRTUAL REALITY 08/27/91 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- The computer industry's favorite exotic technology is getting ready for a more mainstream showing. According to a report in Video Technology News (Phillips Publishing, Potomac, Md.), MCA/Universal is developing a "virtual theater" that will open at the Universal Studios Tour in Los Angeles next year. Virtual reality uses computing, imaging and sensory feedback to create interactive lifelike experiences. The theater project is a joint effort with Redwood City-based VPL Research, the leading supplier of virtual reality products, notably a computerized glove and headset get-up that gives the user the experience of seeing and touching "virtual" objects. (Dave Needle and Computer Currents/19910827) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 27 KNOWLEDGEWARE AND INTELLICORP TO MERGE 08/27/91 08/27/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00031) KNOWLEDGEWARE AND INTELLICORP TO MERGE 08/27/91 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 27 (NB) -- KnowledgeWare is set to acquire Mountain View, California-based IntelliCorp Inc., following the approval of both companies boards of directors to approve a definitive merger agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, KnowledgeWare will issue .13402 share of its common stock in a tax-free exchange for each outstanding share and option of IntelliCorp common stock, or approximately 1.3 million shares of KnowledgeWare common stock. The merger, which is subject to the approval of IntelliCorp's shareholders and other conditions, will be accounted for by KnowledgeWare as a pooling of interests, the accounting method that gained so much attention during AT&T's acquisition of NCR Corp recently. According to the companies, the merger is expected to be completed in late October or early November. KnowledgeWare recently acquired Language Technology Inc. , a developer of maintenance and re-engineering tools for existing COBOL systems. KnowledgeWare has posted fiscal 1991 revenues of more than $124 million, and is a vendor of computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools. Its two main product lines are the OS/2-based Application Development Workbench and the DOS- based Information Engineering Workbench. IntelliCorp develops and markets advanced application development and delivery software products that bring the benefits of object- and rule-based systems to business applications. Revenues for the totaled nearly $14 million in fiscal 1991. Both companies are members of the Object Management Group, an international organization that aims to promote the use of object management technology in software design. (Ian Stokell/19910827/Press Contact: Liz Simpson, KnowledgeWare, 404-231-8575) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 SW BELL ADDS NEW SYSTEMS IN MISSOURI, ILLINOIS 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00001) SW BELL ADDS NEW SYSTEMS IN MISSOURI, ILLINOIS 08/26/91 DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Southwestern Bell is expanding its rural cellular phone service in Missouri and Illinois. The 4 rural service areas have a total of 718,864 potential customers, and the deals are pending regulatory approvals. In Missouri, Southwestern Bell's Mobile Systems unit formed a limited partnership with Alltel Mobile Communications of Little Rock which will include both St. Louis and 3 surrounding rural regions. In Illinois, it signed contracts which will let it deploy cellular service along Interstates 55, 57, and 70. The company's Cellular One operations already serve Springfield; Decatur; Champaign-Urbana; Bloomington-Normal; Chicago/Gary, Ind.; and four small central Illinois markets. Finally, a partnership it holds with Comcast signed to acquire a non-wireline service area in Dover, Delaware, which Comcast will operate. In other news involving Southwestern Bell, the company began an internal trial of switched multimegabit data service, which can send millions of bits of data per second using cell relay technology. The service is designed to link local area networks (LANs) over the public telephone network, and the test will link the company's own LANs. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/ Press Contact: Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Walter F. Patterson, 214/733-2132; Scott Hilgeman, Southwestern Bell, 314-247-4613) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 TANZANIA INSTALLS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002) TANZANIA INSTALLS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE 08/26/91 DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- The Chinese Xinhua news agency reports that Tanzania installed its first international automatic telephone exchange system in the capital of Dar Es Salaam. The new system has the ability to handle 2,000 lines, and will link Dar Es Salaam, with Arush, Zanzibar and other major cities of the country. IT was purchased with a $5.2 million loan from the government of Belgium. Most of the country's telecommunications system dates from to 1940s or 1950s. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 STUDY SHOWS PHONE IMPORTANT SALES TOOL 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003) STUDY SHOWS PHONE IMPORTANT SALES TOOL 08/26/91 SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Inquiry Handling Service released results from a tracking study involving more than 300,000 sales leads from 200 companies. The on-going IHS Inquiry Performance Survey shows that phone-based leads continue to gain over paper-based systems. Results showed that the ratio of leads obtained from advertising and public relations reader service telephone numbers increased, while those from trade shows, post card decks and direct mail declined, compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the ratio of inquiries obtained from 800-number calls and toll calls continued to increase. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: Jim Obermayer, Inquiry Handling Service, 818-365-8131; John Dillon, 213-487-2363) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 SOFTWARE FOR KIDS - FOCUS OF NEW NEWSLETTER 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00004) SOFTWARE FOR KIDS - FOCUS OF NEW NEWSLETTER 08/26/91 ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Out of frustration caused by his inability to find software for his kids, Stewart Walton is introducing "Educational Software Review, The Parent's Guide to Computers," beginning in September of this year. The eight-page newsletter will contain no advertising, but instead focuses on reviews and articles geared toward parents of children of all ages, but especially school-age children using computers at home. Walton told Newsbytes, "I couldn't find good software for my kids, and I soon discovered that other parents were in the same boat. We didn't like taking advice on educational programs from a harried clerk at a retail store who only knows what people are buying that week." Walton, a computer engineer and consultant said he searched and could find very little on children's software and nothing on things like, "how to protect your hard disk from your seven- year-old." That's when "Educational Software Review" was born. Initial response has been tremendous. "Parents know exactly what I'm talking about when I describe it in one sentence," said Walton. The newsletter is designed for fast consumption, so parents can look it over to see what is of interest to them or their kids in less than 5 minutes, and read that material in less than half an hour. Each month it will rotate the focus on one of four academic subject areas in this order, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science. The first issue's focus on Language Arts will concentrate on creative writing, the second issue plans to zoom in on counting, arithmetic, and algebra, and so on. Walton says software for every grade level will be reviewed so parents will always find something appropriate for their children. The articles are planned to focus on specific issues of a child using a computer, such as what a minimum system should be, why kids like certain programs and not others, how to set up a hard disk, and where to buy software. The newsletter will be distributed by subscription only at a price of $42.50 for one year (12 issues). Charter subscriptions are being offered at the reduced rate of $33.75. Walton said he has a simple guarantee -- just cancel and get a full refund. Subscriptions can be secured toll-free at 800/972-3535, or by writing Educational Software Review, P.O. Box 1004, Encinitas, California 92023. (Linda Rohrbough/199108022/Press Contact: Stewart Walton, Growth Systems, Tel: 619/436-4837) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NEW PCS IN UK: AST Premium 11 386/33 & 486/33 Systems 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00005) NEW PCS IN UK: AST Premium 11 386/33 & 486/33 Systems 08/26/91 BRENTFORD, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- AST has souped up its family of high-performance PCs with the addition of the Premium II 386/33 and 486/33 machines to its range. The two new systems join the Premium II 386SX/20 486SX/20 series, which was launched earlier this year. According to AST, the new machines mean that the company has a complete range of PCs for all users in the marketplace. As the name implies, the Premium II 386/33 is driven by a 33MHz 80386 microprocessor. Supplied with 4MB of RAM, the PC comes with 16K of RAM cache, as well as the cache driving technology seen on the Premium II 486 series. The more powerful Premium II 486/33 desktop, meanwhile, is designed for computing-intensive applications, as well as more complex operating environments. Like the 386/33, the machine comes with 4MB of RAM and a 16K RAM caching system. Unusually for an Intel-based PC, the Premium II 486/33 is based on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design which AST claims requires less power, produces less heat and offers greater reliability. Both new machines can be expanded to 16MB on the motherboard, and up to 80MB total RAM. Super VGA graphics is integrated into the PC's motherboard, along with a PS/2 compatible mouse, single parallel, and dual serial ports. An IDE drive interface is included as standard. Three models of the Premium II 386/33 are offered. The basic Model 3V with a single floppy drive costs UKP 2,295, while the Model 83V with an 80MB hard drive costs UKP 2,695. The Model 213V with a 210MB hard drive costs UKP 3,295. Likewise with the Premium II 486/33. The basic Model 3V costs UKP 3,595, while the 80MB hard drive-equipped Model 83V costs UKP 3,995. The flagship Model 213V with 210MB hard drive costs UKP 4,595. According to Graham Hopper, director of AST's U.K. operations, all the new machines are available immediately. "Because they feature AST's Cupid-32 architecture, the Premium II family systems provide cost-effective processing power now, and deliver security of investment to users who need higher performance in future," he said. Hopper added that both systems complete the Premium II range in the U.K. "Together, they meet the new office standard for computing applications," he said. (Steve Gold/19910822/Press & Public Contact: AST Research - Tel: 081-568-4350) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NEW PCS IN UK: Bondwell "Secure" Portables 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00006) NEW PCS IN UK: Bondwell "Secure" Portables 08/26/91 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Bondwell Europe claims to have introduced the industry's most secure range of portables with the release of its new range of machines equipped with the company's portable alarm system. According to Bondwell, the PC alarm system provides a unique solution to what is seen as one of the biggest potential limitations of portable PCs -- security. Bondwell claims that its high security PCs are the first to offer protection on two levels. First, a motion detector alarm is incorporated to prevent anyone running off with the machine. Second, an optional security program prevents unauthorized access to the hard disk and confidential data. This combination ensures that access to sensitive data is prevented, while the alarm system acts as a powerful deterrent to theft. Once set, the 90 decibel alarm system is triggered if the laptop is moved or lifted. It can only be disarmed if a unique password code -- programmed by the user -- is entered. Richard Percy, Bondwell's European marketing manager, explained that recent Ministry of Defence case, in which a portable PC containing Gulf conflict war plans was stolen, brought the issue of portable security to national attention. "But, in fact, all sectors, not just the military, are looking for a solution to the continual problem of portable PC security. While portability is the very reason people choose these compact systems, it means that the data stored on these machines is far more vulnerable to loss and theft," he said. "While no system can provide a 100 percent guarantee against the theft of confidential data, the Bondwell PC alarm system, together with Stoplock, provide the highest level of laptop security the industry currently offers," he added. Available as an optional software-based access control system, Stoplock IS for PC Security, prevents access to the portable PC by unauthorized users. If the PC is stolen, access to data is prevented unless a password is entered. The PC alarm system is a standard feature of the Bondwell new B310V and B310SX laptop PCs. The 80286-based B310V and 80386SX- based B310SX systems offer up to 80MB of hard disk capacity, with prices starting from UKP 1,449. Based in London, Bondwell Europe markets portable and desktop PCs, video game joysticks and consumer electronics products. The company has been in the UK for more than ten years. (Steve Gold/19910822/Press & Public Contact: Bondwell Europe - Tel: 081-365-1993) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NEW FOR PCS: Eicon Offers Access For OS/2 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00007) NEW FOR PCS: Eicon Offers Access For OS/2 08/26/91 MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Eicon Technology has announces Access for OS/2, which joins its Access for Windows and Access for DOS terminal and printer emulation packages. The software allows a personal computer running OS/2 to appear to an IBM mainframe as if it were an IBM 3270 terminal or an IBM 3287 printer. A workstation running Access for OS/2 can connect to an IBM mainframe and establish as many as 32 display or printer sessions at the same time. The software works with Eicon's SNA Gateway connection, or through IBM's direct Token Ring connection, the company said. Access for OS/2 offers exactly the same functions as the Windows version, company spokeswoman Cynthia Yacowar said, except that it supports the OS/2 Presentation Manager graphical user interface instead of that of Windows. Both the OS/2 and Windows versions of Access support 32 simultaneous host sessions, versus nine with the DOS version. The software supports host-based graphics, and lets users program their own soft keys as well as record macros, Eicon said. It also provides cut and paste functions, file transfer, translation tables and keyboard layouts for 17 different countries. Mark Denny, SNA product manager at Eicon, told Newsbytes he does not expect sales of Access for OS/2 to match those of the Windows version initially. He admitted that the success of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft's recent turn away from OS/2 have hurt the demand for OS/2 products somewhat. However, he said, there is a real demand for OS/2 software, particularly in large companies that have already made a substantial investment in OS/2. For custom development of key applications, he said, OS/2 is widely believed to be better than Windows. (Grant Buckler/19910823/Press Contact: Cynthia Yacowar, Eicon Technology, 514-631-2592, fax 514-631-3092) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 ROBERTS FINDS PROBLEMS IN TELECOM FRONTIER 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008) ROBERTS FINDS PROBLEMS IN TELECOM FRONTIER 08/26/91 ON THE ROAD, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Steve Roberts and his Behemoth, a 350-pound test-bed for portable computer and communications gear, are back on the road again. And they're learning that, while some things are possible, they're also expensive. Cellular roaming, for instance, turns out to be a little like X.400, he writes from the road in Wisconsin. It's easy to call from outside your "home" service area to anywhere in the country, just as it's possible to write a letter from one electronic mail to another. It's just expensive. Roberts says a program called "Roam America" might make the financial burden less onerous, and sought information on it from Newsbytes. Roberts also wound up in trouble with an automatic break on the computer system used by US Sprint for its billings. Roberts seldom uses his Sprint card when he's stationary, but when he's mobile he uses it a lot. "For a couple of years, I used it very little, then hit the road last month and used about $350 up 'til now. With no warning, they shut down my account, thinking that the change in pattern was evidence of stolen-card fraud. It took about 12 hours to get it straightened out and switched back on -- this is the second time they've done this -- and it has nothing to do with credit . I think this is pretty tacky... yesterday it caused a real communication crisis since I was trying to synchronize with a film crew that flew in to meet me," he writes. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910826/Press Contact: Steve Roberts: GEnie: Wordy) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 LATIN PHONE FIRMS BEING PRIVATIZED IN HOT MARKET 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009) LATIN PHONE FIRMS BEING PRIVATIZED IN HOT MARKET 08/26/91 BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Argentina is selling its remaining stake in the EnTel phone monopoly to the public on the Buenos Aires stock market. That market has nearly doubled in value in just the last few weeks, as investors -- especially Japanese -- rush for bargains. A total of 60 percent of EnTel -- it stands for Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones -- was sold to two consortia of foreign telecommunications firms, both headed by European telephone companies, for $1.6 billion early this year. The government wants to give another 10 percent of the stock to employees and sell much of the rest in small chunks so Argentines will have a chance to buy it. Revenues from the Buenos Aires sale are expected to be $300-$500 million, and the government has also talked to U.S. investment bankers about making a private placement of shares on overseas stock markets, thereby increasing their liquidity. Mexico's Telmex phone company has become one of the most heavily-traded issues in New York. Meanwhile, on the booming Brazilian stock market, shares in that country's Telebras phone monopoly rose 6.4 percent in one day after the government said it would seek to amend the country's constitution and make it a totally private company. The country's constitution went into effect in 1988. Brazilian business executives have complained that foreign investors care only for Telebras and not for other issues on the exchange. Elsewhere, Peru and Venezuela have announced plans to privitize their phone companies, following the lead of Mexico and Argentina. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 SPRINT OPENS KOREAN SUBSIDIARY 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010) SPRINT OPENS KOREAN SUBSIDIARY 08/26/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- U S Sprint, which got into the Soviet market early this year, has now launched a Korean subsidiary called Sprint Korea to offer its voice and data services to businesses there. Among the deals already finished are packet networks for Korea Telecom and PosData, the latter a subsidiary of the Pohang Iron and Steel Company, and an expansion of 9 nodes for the Dacom network. The Korean market was recently deregulated and overseas firms are rushing into it. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 AUSTRALIA: SIGMA DATA INITIATES OWN RECEIVERSHIP 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00011) AUSTRALIA: SIGMA DATA INITIATES OWN RECEIVERSHIP 08/26/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Australian mid-range computer distributor Sigma Data has taken voluntary receivership, believing that at least some part of the business can be salvaged. About 60 percent of staff were dismissed on Friday, and the receiver says this may be the only cut needed. Many vendors are owed money - Unisys around $2M and Sequent around $500,000 - but most have said they will help the company trade out. Sigma recently signed a $15 deal to distribute AT&T product, and this may go ahead. A subsidiary, Distech, is installing warehousing control systems in Australia and the US, and is not expected to be affected by the parent's troubles. Sigma Data is 17 years old, and has weathered a number of downturns in the industry. It has recently moved out of the support sector, selling its engineering and maintenance division to Unisys in 1990. Founder Michael Faktor is expected to stay in an influential position in the company. He said his company had suffered both from market downturns and vendor problems. "Things have been changing. The move to open systems has hurt vendor-specific business. We have the right product mix and relationships so that will help us work through this. (Paul Zucker/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 SILICON GRAPHICS OPENS OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00012) SILICON GRAPHICS OPENS OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA 08/26/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Graphics workstation manufacturer Silicon Graphics is to establish a manufacturing base and regional headquarters in Sydney. Business is expected to reach $50M in two years. While it isn't clear how much componentry will be sourced locally, the company believes it will be able to generate sufficient manufacturing offsets to satisfy the government obligations for what it plans to sell in Australia. It also plans to establish a software manufacturing centre, using Australian programmers to develop packages for the local and international market. This is seen as easier to achieve than finding a large local hardware content. Graham Frost, Silicon Graphics Australian manager, said the region contained a vast untapped market for its products. Target countries include India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Singapore is another country in the region used by mid-range systems manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard and Compaq. IBM, however, manufactures for the region at its Australian factory. (Paul Zucker/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 AUSTRALIA: COMPUTER OPERATOR CONVICTED ON VIDEO EVIDENCE 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00013) AUSTRALIA: COMPUTER OPERATOR CONVICTED ON VIDEO EVIDENCE 08/26/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- An Australian computer operator has been convicted of sabotaging his employer's computer following the use of videotape evidence allegedly showing him causing a system failure. Computing Australia newspaper reports that George Henein was a shift leader at motor assembler JRA in November last year when the event occurred. He was found guilty of unlawfully interrupting the operation of JRA's AS/400 computer. Videotaped evidence, taken from a concealed camera, is said to show Henein pressing the "attention" button on the computer's disk drive, causing the system to fail. In his defence, he said he thought he was correcting the system as it had already failed, but this was dismissed by the court. He was fined $1500 and put on a two year good behaviour bond. He is unlikely to appeal since, if unsuccessful, the outcome may be a jail sentence. The surveillance cameras were installed with cooperation by the state fraud squad. This was due to abnormal problem levels in the installation since 1988. IBM testified that no other AS/400 installation had experienced the level of failures the JRA machine had. (Paul Zucker/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 AUSTRALIA: EX-COMPUTERLAND MD OPENS PC "BOUTIQUE" 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00014) AUSTRALIA: EX-COMPUTERLAND MD OPENS PC "BOUTIQUE" 08/26/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Mike Boulos, former managing director of Computerland in Australia, says he has found the way to make money in even a quiet market. His new store is doing over a million dollars a month in sales, he claims. Boulos says he is so successful in his new business, he is opening a second, "megastore" in inner suburban Sydney. Recently he has started advertising Compaq computers at what he claims is less than half price -- a move which has upset more than a few Compaq dealers wanting to know why they weren't offered such a good buy from Compaq. He says he is capitalizing on corporate customers who are installing their own support structures, and simply want to buy off the shelf at bottom prices. "They certainly don't want to pay for dealer support when they know they won't use it," he said. Boulos has had some brushes with computer publications during the past few months. He settled out of court on two defamation actions against two weekly papers. With one he was reportedly seeking a quarter of a million dollars damages, but settled for somewhat less, including editorial space. His new business name, Computer World Solutions, has annoyed IDG Australia, which says the name is too close to the Computerworld newspaper name. (Paul Zucker/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 MOTOROLA JAPAN JOINT VENTURE ON DIGITAL PHONES 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00015) MOTOROLA JAPAN JOINT VENTURE ON DIGITAL PHONES 08/26/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Motorola Japan has tied up with Tokyo-based Daimyo Telephone Industry in a joint venture to create connections for digital mobile phones, the Nikkei newspaper says. The official agreement is expected in October. The total capitalization of the new firm will be around 50 million yen ($370,000), which will be owned 60 percent by Motorola and 40 percent by Daimyo. The president will come from among Motorola Japan's executives, and the chairman will be chosen from a pool of Daimyo executives. The new firm will construct ground telecommunication bases that will serve as nodes for digital mobile phones. It will also supply telecommunications equipment and provide maintenance services for digital mobile phones. Digital mobile phone service is expected in Japan in 1992. There is also a possibility that Motorola will use this joint venture to aid its Iridium project in the future. The relation between Motorola and Daimyo goes back to 1988. Both firms signed a joint business agreement to build telecommunications systems ordered by NTT's rival telephone firm DDI. Digital mobile phone service is a fledgling business now, but is envisioned as a major force in the future in Japan. Two firms are vying for the largest share of the pie: Tokyo Digital Phone, which was created by NTT, IDO, and Telecom Japan, and Two Car Cellular Tokyo, which was set up by DDI and Nissan Motor. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910826/Press Contact: Motorola Japan, +81-3- 3440-3311) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 JAPANESE LOTUS 1-2-3 ON SUN WORKSTATION 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00016) JAPANESE LOTUS 1-2-3 ON SUN WORKSTATION 08/26/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- The Tokyo office of Lotus says it will ship the Japanese version of Lotus 1-2-3 for Sun Microsystems' workstation this October. It will the first Japanese spreadsheet program for the workstation and is expected to make it attractive not only to engineers but to businesses. The Japanese version of Lotus 1-2-3 will be called "1-2-3/SPARC Ver 1.1J" and is based on the latest version of the Lotus 1-2-3 program. The list price will be 198,000 yen ($1,470). Lotus expects to sell 6,000 units of the program for the initial year. Shipment will start at the end of October. Sun Microsystems is attempting to make the workstations more attractive to users in Japan with this, and the recent additions of Japanese fonts to its software offerings. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910826/Press Contact: Lotus, Tokyo, +81-3- 3436-4105) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 TI CREATES MAJOR R & D CENTER IN JAPAN 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00017) TI CREATES MAJOR R & D CENTER IN JAPAN 08/26/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Texas Instruments Japan will open its first overseas research and development center in Japan in October. It is located in the Tsukuba academic town in Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture. The research and development center is expected to play an important role not only in Japan but throughout TI's Asian operations. TI plans primarily to study customized ICs (integrated circuits), especially application specific ICs, for which there is a strong demand in Japan and other Asian regions. This represents a big shift in TI's policy, which was to place most of its energies into general purpose products such as dynamic random access memory. Currently, TI has three semiconductor chip manufacturing plants, ten sales offices, and five design centers in Japan. The new R & D center is expected to round out complete placement of a semiconductor business in Japan. TI Japan's President Yukiaki Nagae told the Nikkei newspaper that TI Japan may sign partnerships with other firms if necessary in the future. TI Japan has been selling ICs for high definition TVs, telecommunications, and cars. The firm is also selling more ICs for liquid crystal displays. TI Japan aims to gain 50 percent of the LCD IC share in Japan. Also, the firm will start emphasizing sales of ASIC, DSPs (digital signal processors) and ASMs (application specific memory). (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910826/Press Contact: Texas Instruments Japan, +81-3-3498-2111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 HITACHI BUILDS 16M DRAM CHIP PLANT IN GERMANY 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00018) HITACHI BUILDS 16M DRAM CHIP PLANT IN GERMANY 08/26/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Hitachi will install a 16-megabit dynamic random access memory plant at its semiconductor manufacturing plant, which is currently being under construction in Germany. Hitachi says it will spend 25 billion yen ($185 million) for this facility, which will be in operation in the spring of 1992. The plant will be equipped with facilities designed to produce semiconductor chips from scratch. Hitachi was initially planning to manufacture 1-megabit static RAM and 4-megabit DRAM at this new plant, but has apparently seen that the 16-megabit DRAM era will arrive earlier than expected. So, it has decided to install the 16-megabit DRAM facility now. Many Japanese electronics firms are currently shipping samples of their 16-megabit DRAM. Most of the major Japanese electronics firms will ship sample products within a couple of months, with the 16-megabit DRAM due in quantity shortly thereafter. The 16-megabit DRAM will mainly be sold for workstations. Hitachi is currently creating the 16-megabit DRAM production lines at its plants in Kofu and Naka in Japan. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910826/Press Contact: Hitachi, +81-3-3258- 2057) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 ****DRIVE MAKER PRAIRIETEK CALLS IT QUITS 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00019) ****DRIVE MAKER PRAIRIETEK CALLS IT QUITS 08/26/91 LONGMONT, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- PrairieTek Corporation, the company that pioneered the 2.5-inch disk drive, has closed its doors. With the exception of a skeleton staff who will work with creditors, the firm's 300 employees are out of work. The venture-capital-funded Colorado firm was expecting to finalize a $40 million funding deal this week, but changing product requirements, a volatile marketplace, and the loss of the funding was the death knell of the company. A Longmont investment firm, Innovation Group, had said last month that it would come to the financial rescue of PrairieTek, claiming that it would obtain funding in return for a 65 percent equity interest. Innovation Group's leader, Kelly Hickel, also led an unsuccessful effort to revive another Colorado firm, Miniscribe. PrairieTek's director of North American sales told a Colorado newspaper that "the market for venture capital is very soft right now, and is particularly tough for high-tech companies." Roger Leisy said it took Hickel's group longer than expected to come up with the funding needed, and, "We just didn't have as much time as needed." PrairieTek was founded in 1986, and a year later introduced the first 2.5-inch disk drive, designed for use in laptop and portable computers. The small drive was seen as revolutionary, providing more power in less space and with less weight. Last November the company's founders, perhaps seeing the handwriting on the wall, left to start another company. Unable to convince investors to commit more money, the company laid off 210 employees in May of this year, and in July, six of the company's directors resigned. Of the 300 employees now without jobs, about 100 were located in Longmont, with the remainder employed at the company's four month old Singapore facility. Although PrairieTek has closed its doors, no decision has been announced yet as to whether the company will file bankruptcy proceedings. (Jim Mallory/910823) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 RANDOM ACCESS TO ACQUIRE CW ELECTRONICS 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020) RANDOM ACCESS TO ACQUIRE CW ELECTRONICS 08/26/91 DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Random Access, Inc., has announced that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Denver-based computer retailer CW Electronics. Random Access, believed to be the Rocky Mountain area's largest microcomputer reseller, said the acquisition coincides with an agreement it signed Friday to acquire four Denver area BizMart "supercenter" franchises. Terms of the CW acquisition were not disclosed. Bruce Milliken, CEO of Random Access, said the two acquisitions will give Random Access instant entry into the computer retailing sector, and allow the company to diversify its account base. Random Access is also interested in reducing its reliance on large corporate customers, which until now has been the sales area in which it has specialized. The company projects $58 million in sales for fiscal year 1991. According to a statement released by Random Access, the CW Electronics management team will be responsible for operating the BizMart franchise stores as well as expanding Random Access' retail base. The four BizMart stores are part of the national 62-store BizMart chain acquired in June by Intelligent Electronics. That company says it intends to expand BizMart's traditional selection of office products to include major manufacturers computer such as IBM, Apple and Compaq. Random Access now becomes Intelligent Electronic's first BizMart "supercenter" franchisee. Intelligent Electronics is offering as new franchise opportunities to its more than 1,000 existing franchisees the enhanced, or "megacenter" store format. The four BizMart stores to be acquired by Random Access are located in Denver, Lakewood, Aurora and Westminster, Colorado. They will initially be operated as "Enhanced" stores, meaning the existing computer sections of the stores will be expanded. Random Access says the Denver location will become a "MegaCenter" by year end, meaning up to 10,000 square feet will be added. (Jim Mallory/910824/Press contact: Bruce Milliken, Random Access, 303-745-9600) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 ****MENTOR GRAPHICS TO CUT 435 JOBS 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00021) ****MENTOR GRAPHICS TO CUT 435 JOBS 08/26/91 WILSONVILLE, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) --- Employees of Mentor Graphics will report to work today wondering if they will have a job next Monday. The company says it will cut 435 jobs, or about 15 percent of its 2900 member workforce as part of a restructuring effort. Employees being laid off will be notified today, and Friday will be their last day of work. Mentor spokesperson Sharon VanSickle say the layoffs will take place across the board. The company says the cuts, which it says are the first in its 10-year history, will produce a significant one-time write-off against results for its third quarter. The company had previously announced a hiring freeze. Mentor Graphics specializes in electronic design automation by providing engineers with software and workstation hardware to design such items as computer chips. "While we have always considered our employees our most valuable asset, we believe a lean, focused Mentor Graphics ensures the company's market leadership and prosperity through the 1990s," said Mentor chairman and CEO, Thomas Bruggere. According to Bruggere the reshaping, augmented by a strengthening economy, should lead the company to stronger revenues and earnings for 1992. The company says it will also reduce internal development of computer-aided software engineering (CASE), mechanical design and documentation products. The company reported a loss of $14.5 million on sales of $198.4 million during the first six months of 1991, and blamed the losses on costs of product transition and on a weak economy. (Jim Mallory/910824/Press contact: Sharon VanSickle, Mentor Graphics, 503-685-7000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 MOTOROLA SHIPS SINGLE BOARD COMPUTERS 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022) MOTOROLA SHIPS SINGLE BOARD COMPUTERS 08/26/91 TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Motorola has announced shipment of two single board computers which the company says provide significant technical breakthroughs for the VME industry by incorporating the components of an entire high-performance computer on a single VME module. The new units are based on Motorola's M88000 reduced instruction set computer (RISC) and MC68040 complex instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessors. Potential markets include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), systems integrators, and end users of VMEbus architecture. According to Thomas Beaver, GM of the Motorola Computer Group, the new units are already outselling previous VME module single board computers. Says Beaver, "This example of even greater market acceptance is a result of optimized product design, which translates into improved price-performance, higher functionality, higher quality and increased capacity for real-time and Unix-based applications." The new units, like those they replace, utilize application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and very large scale integration (VLSI) technology. Developers can port software from the CISC-based board to the higher performance RISC-based unit and recompile the software. Both units are processor engines with integrated processor memory, Ethernet, and SCSI support, plus serial and parallel ports. A power supply and any desired peripherals are added to support the embedded applications. Both modules have a suggested retail price of $3995. Both units can be configured with from 4 to 32 megabytes (MB) of DRAM, 4-way interleaved; a 32-bit SCSI coprocessor with DMA; a 32-bit Ethernet controller; quad serial ports I/O controller; a single 8-bit bidirectional parallel port; 128 kilobytes (K) of SRAM; 4 sockets for up to 4 MB of ROM/EPROM; four timers for periodic interrupts; a watch-dog timer; a 7-level local VMEbus interrupt handler; debug monitor; and diagnostic software. (Jim Mallory/910824/Press contact: Barbara Patterson, Motorola, 602-438-3576, FAX 602-438-3534) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NEW PCS: AST's Advantage For Small Business/Home Market 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00023) NEW PCS: AST's Advantage For Small Business/Home Market 08/26/91 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Hot on the heels of its introduction of the Medallion workstation based on the Intel i486 33 MHz chipset, and the reduction in price of its Bravo and Premium product lines, AST Research has released details of its new Advantage! desktop and notebook computers. According to the company, the computers will be sold as complete systems and will feature new software packages developed by Microsoft for the home user and small business markets. The Advantage! product line is set to be introduced on Aug. 29 at the opening of five Circuit City superstores in the Houston area. AST says that the systems will be available in Circuit City's nationwide chain of 166 retail locations by the end of the year. The Advantage! computers will include Intel 80386SX, 486SX and 486-based desktop models as well as 386SX notebooks. Pricing for the new products will be established by Circuit City. The Advantage! desktop line will come pre-installed with MS-DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.0 as well as several new Microsoft software applications designed to run in the graphical user interface environment. The systems also include the Prodigy on-line information service. Some models will also feature WinFax, a Windows communications software package for facsimile transmission and reception. The Advantage! 386SX/20 features an 80 megabyte (MB) IDE hard disk drive, a 1.44 MB 3.5-inch diskette drive and 1.2 MB 5.25-inch disk drive. Other features include a 2,400 bits-per-second modem, an AST mouse, 2MB of RAM, an integrated Super VGA adapter, one internal drive bay, one serial port, one parallel port, one mouse port, and password security. The newly released Medallion workstation, designed for the computer-aided design (CAD) market, carries a retail price of $8,995 and is compatible with MS-DOS-based applications software, specifically AutoCAD. Included with the system is an AutoCAD drawing file preview and management utility designed to work with the graphics controller unique to the Medallion workstation. Operating speed is 23.5 million-instructions-per-second (MIPS), according to the Dhrystone version 1.1 Unix benchmarks. Last week, AST, having expanded its Bravo line in June with the addition of the Bravo 286/16, cut prices on its Bravo and Premium lines in an attempt to improve its market share. (Ian Stokell/19910826/Press Contact: Joel C. Don, AST Research, 714-727-7957) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 ****RADIUS ENTERS PC MARKET 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00024) ****RADIUS ENTERS PC MARKET 08/26/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- In an attempt to capture market share in the IBM PC and compatible market, Radius has introduced the new Full Page Pivot display along with the SVGA MultiView graphics card. According to the company, the Radius Full Page Pivot is the PC market's first full page color display featuring both portrait and landscape capabilities. It also features a .28mm dot pitch, 256 colors, high non-interlaced refresh rates, and magnetic shielding. The product will be available in two weeks for a suggested retail price of $1,249. The new Radius SVGA MultiView is a graphics card designed to drive multi-frequency displays like the NEC-4D and the Radius Full Page Pivot. It will also be available in two weeks priced at $449. Radius has long been a provider of Macintosh products. In an attempt to win market share in the PC environment, Radius has established separate PC and Macintosh Business Units. Frank Vaughn, formerly Radius director of engineering, is the general manager of the PC Business Unit, and Ed Colligan heads the Macintosh Business Unit. Radius has also named Tom Wilson director of engineering for PC products. Newsbytes recently reported that Radius had added a new filter to its line of display filters that buffer the user from electric field emissions. Additionally, the company also added System 7-compatibility to its Radius Rocket Motorola 68040-based CPU (central processor unit) accelerator for the Macintosh II, and announced that its RadiusTV and ImpressIt products were being updated to support the new features in QuickTime, the multimedia software extension to Apple's new operating system. (Ian Stokell/19910826/Press Contact: Maria Gagliardi, Angus and Rudin Inc., 415-363-0982) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 GEPHARDT TO PROPOSE NEW TRADE INITIATIVE 08/26/91 08/26/91 (EXCLUSIVE)(GOVT)(WAS)(00025) GEPHARDT TO PROPOSE NEW TRADE INITIATIVE 08/26/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Richard Gephardt, the Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, is now expected to propose sweeping changes to U.S. trade policy at a September 10 luncheon meeting of the Institute for International Economics here in Washington. The Majority Leader's new proposals were previously scheduled to be released on September 3 but now won't be made public until the 10th. Neither the Congressman's office nor the Institute is releasing any details of the new initiative, but Mr. Gephardt is in the forefront of politicians striving to keep U.S. companies competitive in the international arena and he is expected to make important proposals at the luncheon meeting. (John McCormick/19910826/Press Contact: C. Fred Bergsten, Director, Inst. for International Economics, 202-328-9000 or fax 202-328-5432) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 NO IMMEDIATE ICL SALE, NORTHERN SAYS 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00026) NO IMMEDIATE ICL SALE, NORTHERN SAYS 08/26/91 MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Northern Telecom is in no hurry to sell its 20-percent stake in ICL, the British computer maker, the company's vice-president of investor relations has told Newsbytes. Guy Gill said a report on the Reuter news wire that Northern is planning to sell the stake is misleading in that it implies an immediate sale. Under an agreement with Fujitsu, the Japanese computer maker that owns the other 80 percent of ICL, Northern is obliged to make a public offering of at least part of its stake in the company within three years. However, Gill said, the company is not planning to do so right away. "We'll probably hold it for a while," he said. Northern Telecom got the stake in ICL when it bought STC plc, a British electronics firm, late in 1990. Since then Northern has sold three pieces of STC, using the money to help pay for the UKP1.3-billion (US$2.6 billion) acquisition. It sold STC Distributors to CDME, a French electrical distributor, in April. In May STC's cable products division went to Pirelli, an Italian firm. In early June, Farnell Electronics of the United Kingdom paid UKP61 million for the electronics distribution division of STC. (Grant Buckler/19910826/Press Contact: Guy Gill, Northern Telecom, 703-712-8516) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 CORRECT GRAMMER HEALTH CARE EDITION SLATED FOR FALL 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027) CORRECT GRAMMER HEALTH CARE EDITION SLATED FOR FALL 08/26/91 SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- The Writing Tools Group, producers of the English grammar correction software "Correct Grammar" announced it has formed a partnership with the producers of the Stedman's Medical Dictionary with the hopes of producing a "Correct Grammar" aimed at the medical profession. Williams & Wilkins, producers of Stedman's Medical Dictionary, have granted exclusive retail rights to Stedman's/25, the electronic version for DOS-based computers of Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 25th Edition meaning the Writing Tools Group will now market and support the product, the Writing Tools Group said. In addition, the Writing Tools Group plans to combine its Correct Grammar product and the Stedman's/25 into the Correct Grammar Health Care Edition, the company said. The new product will include the style guides from Stedman's/25, specifically the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) and Dr. Edward J. Huth's Medical Style & Format manual. Camilo Wilson, vice president of the Writing Tools Group said, "The health care field is one of the most vocabulary intensive industries, where incorrect wording can have serious negative consequences. The Health Care Edition of Correct Grammar will give professionals and businesses providing services for the health care field a tool that makes it easier to write clearly." Fred Fusting, vice president and publisher of Williams & Wilkins Electronic Media Division remarked, "By combining electronic forms of these classic reference works with the market's best grammar checker, we can provide the health care industry with exactly what they need to communicate effectively." The Correct Grammar Health Care Edition will be released this fall, the company said. Retail price for the new product has been set at $249. The Writing Tools Group, formerly Lifetree Software, was acquired by WordStar International in March of this year, and is now a subsidiary of WordStar. (Linda Rohrbough/199108026/Press Contact: Kristin Keyes, WordStar, Tel: 415/382-4955, Fax: 415/883-1617) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 TEKTRONIX INTROS $9,995 POSTSCRIPT COLOR PRINTER 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00028) TEKTRONIX INTROS $9,995 POSTSCRIPT COLOR PRINTER 08/26/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Less than a month after Tektronix introduced a thermal wax color printer with Adobe System's new PostScript Level 2 interpreter called the Phaser II PXi, the company is now shipping the Phaser III PXi, a PostScript Level 2 color printer that can print tabloid-size output and, according to the company, is the first color printer capable of producing brilliant color on virtually any paper. David Downing, spokesman for Adobe Systems, told Newsbytes that the Phaser III PXi "will create a new price/performance point for color printing." The different between the two Tektronix products, said Downing, is that while the Phaser II PXi is a thermal wax printer, the Phaser II PXi "uses solid ink technology." The Phaser III PXi, which will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $9,995, will utilize the enhanced color-imaging features of PostScript Level 2, the next generation of Adobe's PostScript language. Downing told Newsbytes that the product will "make color printing in the office more viable and cost-effective." The main barriers to effective color printing in an office environment before "have been cost and quality," he said. Both areas have been addressed by the new Phaser III PXi. According to Adobe's Dr. Charles Geschke, president and chief operating officer, the new Phaser "should participate in and contribute to significant growth in the market for desktop color printing because it offers users such important benefits as device-independent color and the capability to print very accurate, brilliant color on a variety of media." The 300 dots-per-inch Phaser III PXi color printer uses Advanced Micro Device's Am29000 RISC (reduced instruction-set computing) processor running at 24MHz. The company claims that, full-color pages are printed in as little as two minutes, while monochrome pages print in 40 to 60 seconds, depending on text density. The company is marketing the product as a multi-user, multiplatform product, because its multitasking interface automatically switches among parallel, serial and AppleTalk ports. The Phaser III PXi comes standard with 10 megabytes (MB) of memory, which is expandable up to 18MB with two 4MB upgrades priced at $995 each. According to the company, the first 4MB upgrade gives the user sufficient memory to print a full 11-inch by 17-inch bleed on 12-inch by 18-inch paper. The second 4MB upgrade provides additional memory for input buffers, fonts and pipelined imaged processing while printing, thus allowing for faster throughput in shared environments. Tektronix is a manufacturer of electronic products and systems in the areas of computer graphics, test and measurement and communications. (Ian Stokell/19910826/Press Contact: Patricia J. Paine, Adobe Systems Inc., 415-962-3967; Kathy Melcher, Tektronics, 503-685-3150; Charles Humble, Hastings, Humble, Giardini & Freeman Inc., 503-221-1063) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 JOBS AND GATES TOGETHER AGAIN 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00029) JOBS AND GATES TOGETHER AGAIN 08/26/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- Well, it wasn't exactly the start of a new relationship, but Fortune magazine Associate Editor Brent Schlender was able to get Steve Jobs and Bill Gates to sit down at Jobs' Palo Alto house for a three-hour interview. Here are some highlights from the August 26 cover story: Gates: "I contend technology breakthroughs can happen by extending what we already have. Let's take handwriting computers. The hardware is coming from PC-compatible makers like Dell and NCR and some Japanese companies. The software will come either from Microsoft or from a U.S. competitor named Go Corp. [Foster City, CA]. That's going to be a major breakthrough, and who do you give credit to?" Jobs: "I think everybody gives credit to Go, but Go will be crushed." Gates: "That's one of the nastiest comments I've ever heard. I've been working on handwriting since before there ever was a Go Corp." Jobs: "Really? I didn't know that. Most would say Go is the company that first tried to commercialize the technology." Gates: "Well, Go hasn't shipped anything yet, and I'll ship my stuff before they ship theirs ...." Gates: "Smart people like Steve [Jobs] ought to try to build things from scratch. That's a worthy thing. But every time it should be a test ... I'm the one who has to prove the validity of the evolutionary approach." Jobs: "It's true, your evolutionary approach with Windows is bringing to PCs great new technologies that Apple and others pioneered. But in the meantime -- and it's been seven years since the Macintosh was introduced -- I still think that tens of millions of PC owners needlessly use a computer that is far less good than it should be." (Dave Needle & Computer Currents/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 26 LIFE IMITATES COMPUTER GAME "CRISIS IN THE KREMLIN" 08/26/91 08/26/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00030) LIFE IMITATES COMPUTER GAME "CRISIS IN THE KREMLIN" 08/26/91 ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 26 (NB) -- It sounds like a headline from Newsweek, but it's really a computer game. Crisis in the Kremlin is a PC game announced last June that Alameda-based Spectrum Holobyte plans to ship this October, and it's a case of life imitating art -- the game has an uncanny similarity to real-life events that have transpired. In the game, you play the role of President of the Soviet Union, with the ultimate goal of staying in power for 25 years, but you have to overcome threats from your own intelligence agency, the notorious KGB. At one point in the game, the KGB says to the president, "Your health is of great concern." "Isn't it weird?" says Gilman Louie, CEO of Spectrum Holobyte, of the game's similarity to recent events. The two programmers (one Russian, one American) who designed the game jokingly complain the real KGB stole the line from them. With Gorbachev's apparent resurrection, Spectrum Holobyte is trying to make one last minute change to Crisis in the Kremlin: the ability of the President to return to power after being deposed. Such a scenario would've seemed too far out were it not for Gorbachev's return. (Dave Needle & Computer Currents/19910826) #ENDCARD #CARD::19981 AUG 23 Review of: The System 7 Book 08/23/91 08/23/91 (REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030) Review of: The System 7 Book 08/23/91 From: Ventana Press, P.O.Box 2468, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 (919) 942-0220 Price: $22.95 PUMA Rating: 3.5 Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Naor Wallach 08/23/91 Summary: A book that purports to teach you the ins and outs of Apple's new operating system. Well done and with plenty of examples and illustrations. Most people would benefit from it with the exception of the Macintosh "power users." ====== REVIEW ====== With all of the hype surrounding Apple Computer's release of its latest System Software, it was inevitable that many book and software publishers would rush into the market touting a myriad of products that are either System 7 compatible or that attempt to explain all of the wonders of the new Apple operating system. In the book publishing race, the apparent speed winner is Ventana Press with Craig Danuloff's, "The System 7 Book." Some of you may be scratching your heads now and mumbling "Danuloff, Danuloff, where do I know that name from?" Well, Mr. Danuloff writes a column for MacWorld magazine in which he explains various features of the Macintosh. This 390+ page book is an attempt to explain to both current users of Macintosh and to new users what you can do with the Apple application known as Finder, and other aspects of the Apple Macintosh operating system. Since understanding of the new operating system is bound to grow over time, Ventana Press is offering two free issues of its System 7 magazine to purchasers of this book. The book is divided into 11 chapters and an appendix that covers installation of System 7 in the case that you get a Macintosh that is not already configured for it. There are also a foreword, glossary, and index. The list of chapter headings should give you a clearer idea of the breadth of this book. They are, in order: System Software Basics, Finder 7, Managing your Hard Drive, The System Folder, System 7 and your Software, Working with Multiple Applications, The Edition Manager and IAC, Fonts in System 7, Introduction to File Sharing, Working on a Network, and Memory Management. As you can see, most subjects of interest to a user are covered in one or more chapters of this book. The book is written in what has become common practice in the computer book publishing trade. There are wide margins on all sides of the page, plenty of figures illustrating the text, and a bright, breezy writing style that makes the book easy to absorb. If you are an experienced Macintosh user and have read the articles on what System 7 is bringing, then this book will provide a few hours of somewhat entertaining reading. If you're a brand new Macintosh user, or have managed to avoid all of the hoopla in the press recently, then this book will help you tremendously in quickly coming up to speed on your new system. Considering the fact that this book's publication coincided with the official release of System 7 and that it is not an officially sanctioned Apple Computer product, the publishers have managed to keep the typos and other editing errors to a minimum. This is not to say that there are no errors however. In some cases, text has been copied and not changed so that a discussion of Files refers to Folders. In other areas, the figures do not match the text that is directly below them. There are also a few typos strewn throughout the book. All in all though, this book is pretty clean. As to the content, the book is an attempt to explain things that are only briefly alluded to in the reference documentation that comes with System 7 or to show some practical usages for those features. In these goals, the book succeeds. I have seen Apple's documentation which I received with my copy of System 7 and there are many areas where Mr. Danuloff explains things more clearly and directly. Sprinkled through the text are neat tips for things that Apple has chosen to hide from its users. Apple products have traditionally has some hidden files that humanized the corporation. Things like the original Macintosh's case which had all of the engineer's signatures embedded in the plastic on the inside is a good example. In System 7, Apple's engineers nostalgically recreated the original Finder's icon which was a lunar-like mountain landscape. Of course, this tidbit is not immediately obvious but Mr. Danuloff publishes how to get at it. Macintosh enthusiasts are known for their almost religious devotion to the machine. At times this makes any conversation about the relative merits and usefulness of different machines in different tasks a very difficult chore. One would have hoped that Mr. Danuloff could have toned down the zeal with which he promotes the new software. And, indeed, he mostly succeeds. There are only a few instances where Mr. Danuloff's exuberance overcomes the reality that he is describing. Being a software engineer myself, I found only one area where I disagreed with Mr. Danuloff on a technical point. He describes Apple's implementation as a true multitasking system, though cooperative in nature. I totally disagree. Cooperative multitasking is just another way of saying that programs should be nice to others -- a fact which sadly does not really occur. There are many more benefits to a truly multitasking operating system and it is to be hoped that Apple will make the move toward that someday soon. =========== PUMA RATING =========== PERFORMANCE: 3 This book lives up to its premise. It does explain most of the features of Apple's new system. There are some minor technical points with which I disagree, and some other areas where the author's gung-ho approach is a bit overbearing. USEFULNESS: 4 If you are new to the Macintosh, or have managed to never hear of System 7 and all of its features, then this book will do a better job for you of understanding it. If you are aware of it and am an experienced user, you may be able to get along without it. MANUAL: 3 This book is professionally done. There are several technical problems that are probably due to the book's having been rushed into print. AVAILABILITY: 4 Book stores carry it. I even saw an ad for a mail order house that was giving this book away for free when you purchased the System software upgrade from them. Having a newsletter come out with two free issues is another feature that I really liked. (Naor Wallach/910802/Press Contact: Lee Weisbecker) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 BORLAND SHIPS TURBO C++ WITH TURBO VISION 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00001) BORLAND SHIPS TURBO C++ WITH TURBO VISION 08/23/91 SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Borland announced it is shipping a product it calls "Turbo C++ & Turbo Vision" for development of applications in the IBM personal computer (PC) disk operating system (DOS) environment. Turbo C++ & Turbo Vision is not to be confused with Borland C++ or ObjectVision, two other products from Borland. Borland C++ and ObjectVision are also for applications software development, but under the Microsoft Windows 3.0 platform, although Borland C++ can be used to build applications under either DOS or Windows, the company said. The new part of the Turbo C++ & Turbo Vision product is Turbo Vision. Turbo Vision is a "framework" or generic application developers can spring board from to get a head start on creating windows, pull-down menus, dialog boxes, and scroll bars with mouse support already built-in, the company said. Gene Wang, vice president and general manager of Borland's Languages Business Unit said, "Turbo C++ with Turbo Vision gives DOS programmers a productivity boost in writing professional-looking programs. We expect that this product will encourage programmers using the C language to start using the more advanced object-oriented C++." The product includes two compilers in one -- an ANSI C compiler conforming to the standards of the American National Standards Institute and a C++ compiler conforming to the AT&T C++ 2.0 specifications, Borland said. Borland says the Turbo C++ & Turbo Vision provide a solid, robust architecture on which DOS applications can be built, as well as accelerate the development of applications with a professional appearance. Streamable objects, or objects that can be made "persistent" by reading them from and writing them to files, is also supported, Borland said. An integrated development environment called the Programmer's Platform, is also provided so programmers can compile, debug, and run C and C++ applications, Borland said. The Programmer's Platform is capable of overlapping windows, mouse support, help, an editor, and a debugger, the company said. The help is context-sensitive with hypertext and copy-and-paste examples for every runtime library function, Borland said. Further, a visual MAKE utility, called the "smart project manager" helps reduce the complexity and gives the programmer access to an application's code. VROOM, Borland's overlay manager is included, the company said. VROOM allows developers to build applications that are larger than what would normally run in 640 kilobytes of memory with the use of overlays, Borland said. Borland develops software for developers and applications software. Other software titles from the company include Turbo Pascal and Paradox. Borland is in the process of purchasing Ashton-Tate, also a software development company best known for its dBASE business software. The transaction is projected for completion before the end of this year. (Linda Rohrbough/199108023/Press Contact: Dick O'Donnell, Borland, Tel: 408/439-4825, Fax: 408/439-9273) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 NEW FOR PCS: Tool To Create/Customize Windows Apps 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00002) NEW FOR PCS: Tool To Create/Customize Windows Apps 08/23/91 SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Borland International has announced a new developer's tool, the Resource Workshop, for creating user interfaces in Microsoft Windows, or customizing existing applications. Borland describes the product as a design tool for visually creating or customizing Windows resources such as icons, dialogs, fonts and bitmap graphics without writing code. The Resource Workshop was designed for the rapid creation of user interfaces so the programmer can concentrate more on the functionality of the software, Borland said. The product retails for $49.95 and comes with a set of 64 icons, the company said. Borland develops tools for software application development including Borland C++, Turbo C++, Turbo Pascal for Windows, and Object Vision. Although the Resource Workshop could conceivably be used to develop a stand alone application, the focus of the product is to develop a front-end, a user interface in Windows for an existing or new application, the company said. (Linda Rohrbough/199108023/Press Contact: Dick O'Donnell, Borland, Tel: 408/439-1631, Fax: 408/439-9273) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 ORACLE TO SUPPLY DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00003) ORACLE TO SUPPLY DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT 08/23/91 REDWOOD SHORES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Oracle announced it was awarded a $3 million contract for the software to run operations at the Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport. Oracle says it is to provide DFW with a financial management system based on Oracle's Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). The financial management system will also involve use of the company's computer-aided systems engineering (CASE) products, application development tools, office automation, and financial application software, Oracle said. Two MIServer Unix-based computers are the hardware on which the Oracle software will run and are being supplied by Pyramid Technology Corporation, Oracle said. Oracle says the significance of its gaining the contract is the flexibility and interoperability required in more than 2,000 specifications elaborated in the contract. A spokesperson for Oracle said DFW had a heterogeneous computing environment and was looking for software that fit what was already there, was flexible, and could be expanded. Mike Fields, president of Oracle said, "This contract is further evidence of Oracle's leadership in the open systems movement. ...Oracle's real benefit is what open systems is all about - investment protection." Oracle has a line of software products that are available on PCs, minicomputers and mainframes. The company says it is the first and only relational database to run on massively parallel supercomputers. (Linda Rohrbough/199108022/Press Contact: Steve Lai, Oracle, Tel: 415/506-3117, Fax: 415/506-7132) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 NEW FOR PCS: Micron UltraVRAM Super CGA Card 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004) NEW FOR PCS: Micron UltraVRAM Super CGA Card 08/23/91 BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Micron Technology, Inc has introduced its UltraVRAM Super VGA 8-bit graphics card for IBM PC/AT and compatibles. The new card uses 1 megabyte (MB) of high speed 80 nanosecond (ns) VRAM and a Chips and Technologies 82C453 VGA controller. The UltraVRAM SuperVGA supports 256 colors in resolutions including 640 by 480, 800 by 600 and 1024 by 768. It also supports interlaced and non-interlaced modes at 1024 by 768 pixels (picture elements). Micron says the card is VESA compliant and FCC Class B and VDE Class B approved, as well as feature ergonomic vertical refresh rates to eliminate screen flicker. Micron says this card is the first in a new family of PC enhancement products, which it calls Micron Media. The new product family will include hardware targeted toward multimedia in the graphics, video, audio, and acceleration areas, according to a statement by the company. Included with each card is a variety of application specific device drivers, including Windows 3.0, OS/2 PM (Presentation Manager) and AutoCAD. Also included is utility software for installation, mode-switching, and diagnostics. UltraVRAM comes with a five-year warranty for registered owners. Support is provided by Micron, which provides technical support in the US through its toll-free hot line 800-642-7661. UltraVRAM has a suggested list price of $499 and is available from a Micron dealer or various mail order houses. Micron will provide the name of the nearest dealer if you call 208-368-3900. This week Micron got some more good news when the US District Court in Boise granted its motion to set aside a jury-awarded $3.2 million. In June of this year a jury awarded that amount to STB Inc., of Dallas. STB had claimed a breach of contract by Micron for failure to deliver certain semiconductor products for STB to use in its printed circuit boards. (Jim Mallory/910822/Press contact: Julie Nash, Micron, 208-368-4400, FAX 208-368-4558) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Micron Tech SE/30 Color Card 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00005) NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Micron Tech SE/30 Color Card 08/23/91 BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Micron Technology has announced the Xceed Color 30 video card with an optional Xceed Gray-Scale 30 8-bit internal gray-scale adapter. The Color 30 is an external color or gray-scale video card for the Macintosh SE/30. The optional adapter provides 1-, 2-, 4-, or 8-bits per pixel (picture element) gray-scale on the SE/30's internal monitor when an external monitor is not attached. Color 30 is compatible with several 13 and 14-inch monitors, including the Apple RGB, and the Apple 15-inch portrait monitor at a resolution of 640 by 480 or 640 by 870. The card installs in the Mac SE/30-type Processor Direct slot. Micron says the Color 30 allows up to 256 simultaneous colors from a palette of more than 16 million colors. Micron provides a gamma color correction utility and MacroPaint 8/24-bit color paint program with each card. Also included is the Virtual Video utility software which provides desktop expansion beyond the standard 640 by 480 pixels. Micron says this feature will be especially valuable for CAD applications, as well as programs with large graphic files. The utility allows access to and use of a larger display area than the monitor is physically capable of providing by itself. Like other Micron products, Xceed cards come with a five-year warranty, and are supported by Micron's customer support department, which maintains a toll free hot line for support (800-642-7661). The suggested list price for the Xceed Color 30 is $399, and the gray-scale adapter is $89. (Jim Mallory/910823/Press contact: Julie Nash, Micron, 208-368-4400, FAX 208-368-4558) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 MS WORD FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS DOING WELL 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006) MS WORD FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS DOING WELL 08/23/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation has announced that several international organizations have standardized on Microsoft Word, a popular word processing program available in both Windows and non-Windows (DOS) versions. Companies selecting Word as their standard include the Dutch Ministry of Education, accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, French auto manufacturer Renault, the French Ministry of Education, auto maker Peugot, the Belgian Army, and Mercedes Benz, according to Microsoft. The company says Word is the top-selling word processing program in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Australia and Brazil. Microsoft estimates that Word and Word for Windows represent 65 percent of the word processing sales revenues for the PC, as well as 80 percent of sales revenues for Macintosh word processing programs. Chris Peters, GM of the Word Business Unit at Microsoft says Word's success is a result of three factors. Says Peters, "First, the international demand for the Windows environment is phenomenal - it is far and away the fastest growing platform. Second, we had a top quality Windows word processor in these markets early on. Third, Microsoft was one of the first companies to provide localized products internationally." The first DOS version of Word was released in 1984, with a Macintosh edition following in 1985. In all, Microsoft offers more than 50 localized versions of Word products, and says it distributes Word in over 120 countries worldwide. It expects to be distributing Word for DOS in 14 languages, Word for Windows in 13 languages, Word for the Macintosh in 14 languages and Word for OS/2 in 11 languages in the next few months. The National Software Testing Laboratories recently announced that Word for Windows got the highest scores when compared with five other word processing programs. NTSL is a subsidiary of McGraw-Hill, Inc., and was founded in 1984. (Jim Mallory/910822/Press contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206-882-8080, Fax 206-883-8101) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 SDRC GETS $1 MILLION LOCKHEED CONTRACT 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00007) SDRC GETS $1 MILLION LOCKHEED CONTRACT 08/23/91 MILFORD OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC) has announced that it has received several orders for SDRC's I-DEAS software, totalling $1 million, from Lockheed Corporation. SDRC says the software will be used by Lockheed's Space Systems, Missile Systems, and R&D division for the design and analysis of satellite and missile systems. SDRC says Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company will also use the software, in the development of the F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter, a major defense weapons system contract awarded to Lockheed by the Air Force. According to the Air Force the F-22 will be the next generation air superiority fighter. According to SDRC, I-DEAS addresses the product development activities of the design engineering organization by providing integrated systems for solid modeling, finite element modeling and analysis, computer-aided testing, drafting, and manufacturing. SDRC says it has over 37,500 I-DEAS licenses installed at more than 5,400 sites worldwide. SDRC Chairman Ronald Friedsam said Lockheed's Computer Integrated Engineering and Manufacturing group within the Missiles and Space Company selected I-DEAS software as its standard in 1990. Friedsam is pleased that other divisions of the company will also use the company's programs. SDRC employs more than 1,000 people in 45 offices located in 15 countries including the US. (Jim Mallory/910822/Press contact: Jere Brooks Hunter, SDRC, 513-576-2469) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 ****TANDY INCOME DROPS DRASTICALLY 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00008) ****TANDY INCOME DROPS DRASTICALLY 08/23/91 FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Tandy Corporation reported its financial status for the 1991 fiscal year, which ended June 30, 1991, and it wasn't good. The company says net income was only $206 million, or $2.58 per share. The previous year showed net income of $290.3 million, or $3.54 per share. The company said the per share figure was before a reduction of 14 cents per share for the cumulative effect of a changing in accounting principle. Earnings also included a charge for restructuring programs of $9.8 million, or 12 cents per share. Tandy showed sales and operating revenues for fiscal 1991 as $4.562 billion, compared to $4.499 billion for the previous year. John Roach, Tandy chairman and CEO, said the Persian Gulf war and ensuing economic recession slowed retail spending in the PC market. According to Roach, "In response, the company has taken decisive actions to strengthen its retailing and manufacturing operations while lowering our operating cost structure." In June, presumably in anticipation of the financial reports, Tandy took steps to reduce costs by $50 million. The company said it would open a new chain of computer superstores, called Computer City, in at least six markets before the end of 1991. It also said the Radio Shack Computer Center stores would be restructured to non-retail sales offices or Radio Shack stores, with the possibility of closing some computer stores. The company said Computer City outlets would sell IBM, Apple, Compaq and Tandy systems. The first Computer City was scheduled to open in Los Angeles, but declined to disclose other possible locations. (Jim Mallory/910822/Press contact: Ron Trumbla, Tandy, 817-878-4969) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 MOBILE PHONE FEE LOWERED IN JAPAN 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00009) MOBILE PHONE FEE LOWERED IN JAPAN 08/23/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Japan's domestic telephone firms IDO and Cellular have applied to lower their mobile phone charges from the Japanese Posts and Telecommunication Ministry. Both firms want to reduce their usage fees as much as 17 percent starting in September. This is to compete with NTT, which also lowered its phone charges in July. The request is expected to be approved by the Ministry. The mobile phone rate cut applies mainly to long distance calls. The average rate cut for IDO customers amounts to 8 percent. A three minute IDO call to a location more than 160 kilometers distant is expected to cost 300 yen ($2.20) -- a 60 yen cut which is also 30 yen cheaper than that of NTT. Also, within a 160km range, the call duration has been increased for the same amount of money -- the time will go from the current 7.5 seconds to 8 seconds per 10 yen. Meanwhile, the average rate cut for Cellular is 10 percent, which is slightly more expensive than that of IDO. However, it is cheaper than NTT. This will be the second rate cut for IDO and the first rate cut for Cellular since March 1990. Meanwhile, IDO will start marketing Motorola's latest mobile phones in October in Japan. These are the models T61, T62, and T63. The T62 is 140cc and weighs only 200g, which is lighter than NTT's "Mova." The T series will be manufactured by Motorola, Mitsubishi, and NEC. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910823) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 IBM JAPAN ACQUIRES COMPUTER LEASE FIRM 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00010) IBM JAPAN ACQUIRES COMPUTER LEASE FIRM 08/23/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- IBM Japan has purchased a Tokyo-based computer lease firm -- Computer System Lease (CSL) -- from Orix, a financial firm. CSL was jointly created by IBM Japan and Orix. CSL was capitalized with 3 billion yen ($2.2 million), which was owned 50.7 percent by IBM Japan and 49.3 percent by Orix. The firm had sales of 223 billion yen ($1.65 million) as of the April-June term. A member of the Orix board of directors, Kimura, remains president of the firm. There are 314 employees, only 8 of whom were originally from dispatched by Orix. Those 8 people will return to Orix soon. So far, CSL was dealing only with computer hardware, but IBM Japan is planning to have it deal with software too. Orix says it has gained know-how in the computer leasing business from IBM Japan. However, the sale of CSL means Orix is backing away from the computer leasing business, says an industry watcher. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910823/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3586- 1111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 DOS SOFTWARE NOW AVAILABLE UNDER SCO UNIX 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00011) DOS SOFTWARE NOW AVAILABLE UNDER SCO UNIX 08/23/91 INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Locus Computing Corporation and the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) announced the SCO plans to offer Locus' Merge so SCO Unix System V users can run IBM personal computer (PC) disk operating system (DOS) software. Merge from Locus allows users of Unix systems based on the Intel 80x86 processor family to run standard DOS applications in the Unix environment, said Locus. Several other Unix platform vendors have incorporated Merge as well including IBM AIX on the PS/2, Unisys, Bull and Prime, Locus said. Merge is already part of the SCO's Open Desktop systems and is known there as ODT-DOS. Bernard Hulme, general manager of SCO's Complementary Products Business Unit said, "In following SCO's Open Systems software strategy, we're pleased to offer Merge for SCO Unix. Merge offers an excellent facility in providing DOS under Unix solution." Locus says it is the largest independent developer of Unix- based connectivity and distributed computing software. SCO is a privately held company and it says it develops software for industry-standard hardware platforms, including a range of Unix System software and software development products. (Linda Rohrbough/199108022/Press Contact: Jim Novy, Locus, Tel: 213/337-5043, Fax: 213/670-2980, Zee Zaballos, Santa Cruz Operation, Tel: 408/425-7222) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 FCC MOVES TO CUT INTERNATIONAL TOLL CHARGES 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012) FCC MOVES TO CUT INTERNATIONAL TOLL CHARGES 08/23/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- The Federal Communications Commission will reject telephone tolls by foreign agencies if it can't negotiate lower fees by 1993. Chairman Alfred Sikes also said in a meeting with U.S. long distance executives the issue could trigger bilateral trade negotiations. International phone tolls has been one of chairman Sikes' chief bugaboos since he took office. The agency formally opened its campaign against them in July, 1990, and charges that U.S. firms still pay $1 billion per year in excessive fees. Many phone services in Europe and elsewhere are government-owned monopolies, and many of them use profits from their phone operations to subsidize things like mail service, or simply to line government coffers. Sikes' threat could, if put into practice, cut off phone service to some countries, in effect rejecting domestic phone companies' tariffs for placing the calls. But he thinks the pressure will force renegotiations and lower rates, claiming credit for lower rates already in place in some countries. But critics charge the lower rates were not the result of his pressure, but of domestic politics which either privatized the phone systems, split them from the mail services, or at least saw a cut in rates as a way to stimulate business calling. In other action, the FCC gave conditional approval to an application by Alpha Lyracom, doing business as Pan American Satellite, to put up the PAS-4 satellite over the Pacific Basin. The new satellite, to go up in June, 1994, would serve the U.S. West Coast and locations as far west as Thailand and Singapore. The approval is conditional on Pan American Satellite getting financing and of getting approval from the Intelsat, the western satellite consortium with 119 member nations. Intelsat, in turn, says approval is based on the new satellite "not inflicting economic harm on current satellites and not interfering technically with their operations." Pan American currently operates one satellite over the Atlantic, specializing in service to Latin America, and has conditional approval to launch a second. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: FCC Press Office, 202- 632-5050) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 MILLICOM TO SELL INTEREST IN HK CELLULAR COMPANY 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013) MILLICOM TO SELL INTEREST IN HK CELLULAR COMPANY 08/23/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Millicom continued its bold gambit of selling profitable overseas operations to gain cash for investment in U.S. PCN operations. This time, its Millicom International Cellular division signed a letter of intent to sell its 50 percent interest in Pacific Link Communications Limited, the holder of a cellular telephone license in Hong Kong. The sale will raise $150 million. It will close in October, and Chairman Shelby Bryan calls the price "fair market value." Earlier, the company sold its interest in a UK PCN license to Hutchinson Whampoa of Hong Kong. The UK license offered microwave cellular phone service on a set frequency, cleared of other traffic. Millicom has applied to the FCC for a "pioneer preference" which would let it offer so-called microwave cellular, or PCN, service using a spread-spectrum technique perfected by John Stroebele and his SCS Mobilecom company. FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes has expressed approval for awarding such preferences to companies which take big risks in the pursuit of new technologies. Millicom still holds cellular licenses in Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka; North, Central and South America: Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala Mexico and Paraguay; Africa: Ghana and Mauritius; and Europe: Lithuania, Moscow and Sweden. The last is a GSM digital cellular license. Separately, the company named John Egidio president of Metagram America, its U.S. paging division. Egidio was formerly president of Metromedia Paging Services, the largest paging company in the U.S. with over 800,000 subscribers. Metagram's claim to fame is that it combines a regular alphanumeric pager with an answering service. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: Millicom, J. Shelby Bryan, 212/355-3440) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 TELESPHERE TO RESTRUCTURE, OR BE BROKEN UP 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014) TELESPHERE TO RESTRUCTURE, OR BE BROKEN UP 08/23/91 ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Telesphere, which is fighting for its life after serious losses, announced a restructuring plan and named director Alan Rossi its new president. Soon after, a group of creditors sought to have it broken up under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Law. The calls for talks with International Telecharge to acquire its alternative operator business, in which it becomes the default long distance and operator service outfit on pay phones or other business-owned public phones in exchange for a split of the profits. International Telecharge said on July 24 that it has broken off merger talks with Telesphere. Telesphere also wants to keep its 1-plus direct long distance business, killing a proposed deal to sell that off to MCI. And it says it's negotiating with its information providers unit to settle outstanding obligations and carry out a new 900 services program. In a press release, chairman of the executive committee, Jones Yorke, was realistic. "This plan involves several parts, and there is no assurance that all parts of the plan, as contemplated, can be successfully concluded." Additional capital is needed, he admitted, to keep the company in business. A group of information providers whose 900 programs are carried on the company's network filed the Chapter 7 petition in the Northern District of Illinois. Telesphere immediately moved to dismiss it. President Alan Rossi said in a press release that the company is trying to negotiate its obligations with the group, but added, "In our view the current circumstances with the information providers reflect an overall industry problem with the collection of 900 charges from end users." (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/ Press Contact: Katherine Clifford, Telesphere, 301-468-0307) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 SIEMENS SETS UP IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015) SIEMENS SETS UP IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA 08/23/91 MUNICH, GERMANY, 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- In the middle of the Soviet coup, Siemens showed confidence in the future of Eastern Europe by announcing a joint venture with Tesla Karlin, Czechoslovakia's largest telecommunications firm. The two companies will invest M50 million in a new venture, Tescom, which will manufacture and sell telecommunication products starting this autumn, Reuters reported. The new firm will employ 250 people and expects sales of M30 million in its first year -- about $20 million. It will make connection units for digital switching systems. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 AT&T ADJUSTS PRICES TO BENEFIT REGULAR CUSTOMERS 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016) AT&T ADJUSTS PRICES TO BENEFIT REGULAR CUSTOMERS 08/23/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Partly to meet competition from MCI's popular "Friends and Family" calling circle, AT&T raised its prices for directory assistance and operator-assisted calls in order to lower prices on its Reach Out America plans. The evening discount on AT&T Reach Out America Evening Plan was increased from 15 to 20 percent, and the Reach Out Half- Hour Plan evening discount was increased from 10 to 20 percent. The discounts are available between 5 and 10 PM Sunday through Friday. Also, AT&T proposed the Reach Out America Card Discount Option apply exclusively to calls made with the new AT&T Calling Card. That means people could get the discounts while using their calling cards away from home. Meanwhile, directory assistance charges go up to 65 cents from 60, and charges for operator-assisted calls go up from $1.75 to $1.88. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: AT&T, Ray Child, 908/221-3571) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 MCI EXTENDS FRIENDS AND FAMILY TOLL-FREE DISCOUNTS 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017) MCI EXTENDS FRIENDS AND FAMILY TOLL-FREE DISCOUNTS 08/23/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- MCI launched a new toll-free service called Friends & Family 800. This provides a toll-free line on which people can receive calls from their calling circles at 20 cents per-minute, regardless of distance. Consumers call 800-395-4665 to get a toll-free number and a 4-digit security code. Customers in their calling circle can call the same number to get the number, which can be used from pay phones as well as regular telephones. As a special introductory offer, MCI will waive the $5 monthly fee and provide 30 minutes of free long distance usage for each of the first three months to those who sign up by Nov. 30, 1991. Despite criticism from some consumer groups, Friends and Family has proven enormously popular, and has been extended, after a fashion, to MCI Mail. Separately, MCI said it will offer 38 percent discounts off its regular rates on Labor Day, September 2. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: Debra Shriver, MCI, 703-415-6904) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 SPRINT EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018) SPRINT EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES 08/23/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Sprint made a number of announcements designed to extend the reach of its international services. First, the company announced eight new nodes for its SprintNet data network, formerly known as Telenet, extending it to a total of 108 countries. The new centers are in Australia, Belgium, Guam, Hong Kong, Italy and Norway. In addition, the company signed direct SprintNet X.75 contracts with local packet networks in Kenya and China, enabling SprintNet users to exchange data communications with those countries. In Kenya, the link is with KENPAC, operated by the Kenya Post & Telecommunications Corporation. In Australia, SprintNet will link with the data network of OTC, Australia's international telecom monopoly, which is in the process of merging with Telecomm, the nation's local phone network. A new Sydney-based subsidiary, Sprint International Pty Ltd., will provide Australian business customers with local service and support for SprintNet services. It will link via OTC to centers in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, and New Zealand access centers in Auckland and Wellington. Finally, Sprint said it will offer automated Japanese-language direct dial assistance for over 20 million holders of JCB International credit cards in Japan. This lets Japanese travelers to the United States use their JCB credit cards to directly dial long distance numbers in the United States, at a 50 percent discount over operator-assisted rates. The service uses a special toll-free number linked to a Japanese-language automated system or, through it, to a Japanese-speaking operator. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: Sprint, Janis Langley, 202-828-7427 ) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 PACIFIC TELESIS BACKS MOTOROLA PCN RESULTS 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019) PACIFIC TELESIS BACKS MOTOROLA PCN RESULTS 08/23/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Pacific Telesis reported to the FCC on its current trial of microwave cellular phone service, known as PCN, and asked for permission to conduct more tests. Most significantly, the company agreed with Motorola that spread- spectrum service would "likely cause significant interference with existing microwave users in the band." The company said the interference increases as a user ascends a high-rise building. The company did say, however, that sharing might be possible in a narrowband service, using just 5 megahertz of bandwidth, perhaps located in the underused "private" microwave band at 1,850-1,990 megahertz. The findings are significant, because Millicom of New York claims it has a technology which will allow for spread-spectrum PCN service across a wide frequency spectrum, without interference. It has asked for a "pioneer preference" to implement the technology, but existing telephony players are threatened by this. Separately, the company announced a new discount plan for big customers, in an attempt to keep them from using so-called "bypass" companies. The new plan offers a 35 percent discount to customers with bills of over $3,000 per month, lower discounts for smaller bills, at a monthly fee of $250 per month. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: Pacific Telesis, Lou Saviano, 415-394-3643) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 SABRE TRAVEL AGENTS TO GET "PC WORKFLOW" APP 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00020) SABRE TRAVEL AGENTS TO GET "PC WORKFLOW" APP 08/23/91 COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Filenet Corporation has announced American Airline's Sabre Travel Information Network (STIN) division purchased its Microsoft Windows IBM personal computer (PC) application, PC WorkFlo, to automate contract processing with travel agents using American's Sabre reservation system. Filenet said this is the second application it has installed in the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline. The first application is a document imaging system that supports American's AAdvantage frequent flyer program, Filenet said. The document imaging system won was named the top application of 1990 by BIS Strategic Decisions, a market research firm, Filenet said. PC WorkFlo has been installed in the financial division of STIN, and is known there as VISION (Visually Integrated Optical Network), Filenet said. The imaging application is to reduce operating costs by controlling paperwork and to help American manage anticipated expansion in customer contracts and personnel, said Calvin Evanoff, managing director of STIN finance. Evanoff said, "The system will enable us to conserve precious space now dedicated to document storage, automate the flow of work and give our customers immediate feedback. This kind of responsiveness is crucial to our ability to grow our business and serve our travel agent partners." Robert Castle, Filenet senior vice president, said, "As a service business, the travel industry depends on intangibles like quick response times and having absolutely accurate information at their fingertips. American is a leader in using WorkFlo to orchestrate document flow and better manage its business, making imaging a strategic tool to gain and retain customer loyalty." (Linda Rohrbough/199108022/Press Contact: Don Schnitter, FileNet, Tel: 714/966-3435, Karen Cook, American Airlines, Tel: 817/963-2009) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 AUTODESK ADDS 3D RASTER SOFTWARE FROM SCORPION 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00021) AUTODESK ADDS 3D RASTER SOFTWARE FROM SCORPION 08/23/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Scorpion Technologies announced it has signed an agreement so Autodesk can become a registered developer of Scorpion's computer software making Scorpion's raster-to-vector (SRV) conversion software is available to the Autodesk computer aided design (CAD) environment. Scorpion's president Terry Marsh said the raster-to-vector software automates the task of converting scanned images to compressed, object-oriented vector images. Marsh said conversion is desirable in many public as well as private situations. Fire fighting was one example. Marsh said currently fire fighters go to the fire, then wait for the fire chief to show up with the building's blueprints. However, if the blueprints could be scanned, then converted to a vector format, the blueprint could be displayed on a portable terminal in the firetruck, like the terminals police have in their vehicles. Scorpion also makes the conversion between a two dimensional vector image to a three dimensional image. Marsh placed emphasis on the raster-to-vector software as the meat of the operation and pointed to Intergraph, which also has a conversion package but decided to go with Scorpion's software instead. In reference to the Autodesk agreement Marsh said, "This development is in addition to our recently announced agreements with Sun Microsystems, Intergraph Corporation and Image Systems Technology Inc., that will add the leading raster/CAD environments to our SRV product line." "Scorpion's goal has been to provide SRV as a tool in the user environment and we have now succeeded in creating an interface to be used between the Scorpion SRV system and the AutoCAD, MicroSystem and Sun Unix operating system environments." The Scorpion software starts on the retail level on the IBM personal computer at $2000, jumps to $15,000 386 PC version, and moves to $25,000 for the workstation version. Marsh said a map from the military's Cheyenne Mountain facility took 5 to 6 weeks to hand convert to vector format, 8.5 hours on an IBM PC XT, 1 hour and 20 minutes on a 386, and 12 minutes on a Sun SPARC workstation. (Linda Rohrbough/199108023/Press Contact: Paul Brickman, Martin E. Janis & Co., Tel: 312/943-1100,) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 XEROX FORMS NEW SOFTWARE UNIT IN SILICON VALLEY 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00022) XEROX FORMS NEW SOFTWARE UNIT IN SILICON VALLEY 08/23/91 STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Xerox Corp. has combined its Xerox Systems Software and Xerox Integrated Systems Marketing units into a single organization called XSoft. The new business unit will have its headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. According to Xerox, the new unit was formed to expedite development of software products designed to create and manage documents, thereby making workgroup processes more effective. Dennis Andrews, 44, former head of Xerox Systems Software, has been named XSoft's president. Prior to joining Xerox in 1989, he was vice president of International Business Machines Corp.'s advanced workshop division. Andrews notes that in the last few years Xerox brought proprietary Xerox software onto industry-standard platforms by delivering its document management products on Unix and PCs. "Now, we are organizing to enable us to quickly respond to today's open systems market requirements and the crucial time-to-market factor," said Andrews. Direct sales of XSoft products and services will be handled by Xerox field operating units in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Pacific Rim. "In addition,'' Andrews said, ''we will expand alternative distribution channels and strategic partnership opportunities. As a software vendor, we will develop specific marketing and distribution strategies for each of our products.'' Central to XSoft product offerings are the Xerox GlobalView-based office applications that run on PCs, Unix workstations from Sun Microsystems, marketed by Xerox as the Xerox 6500 series, and Xerox 6085 workstations. Xerox maintains that the new XSoft unit will work closely with the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) to continue the development of products that improve the way information is structured, communicated, and distributed among office workers. It is intended for XSoft's primary location in Sunnyvale to move this fall into new facilities in Palo Alto, Calif., on a common "campus" with PARC. Newsbytes reported in June of this year that, in a move designed to safeguard Xerox's installed base of VMX equipment users, VMX Inc., of San Jose, Calif., another Silicon Valley location, had agreed acquire the voice processing business of Xerox. At that time, a source close to the company said that Xerox had stopped selling VMX systems, which left VMX with no choice but to pick up the slack and support its installed base. (Ian Stokell/19910823/Press Contact: Barbara Burke, Xerox Corp., 213-333-3613) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 RACAL-MILGO RELEASES FIRST V.32BIS MODEM IN U.K. 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023) RACAL-MILGO RELEASES FIRST V.32BIS MODEM IN U.K. 08/23/91 HOOK, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Racal-Milgo has unveiled the Maxam VII+, the company's first V.32Bis modem. The UKP 999 modem is available immediately in both PC card and desktop stand-alone versions. V.32Bis is the latest CCITT (the international telecommunications regulatory body) standard for dial-up modems. An extension of the V.32 standard, the system allows 14,400 data bits to be encoded onto a modem carrier that normally carries 9,600 bits per second (bps). The V.32Bis standard, therefore, can support data transmissions of up to 14,400 bps. The Maxam VII+ also features the V.42bis error-correction and data compression. Allied with the V.32Bis standard, the modem is capable of data transmission speeds of up to 35,000 bps, Racal claims. Standard features on the modem include dial-back and data encryption facilities for security. The modems are produced at Racal-Milgo's plant in Warrington, Cheshire, England. (Steve Gold/19910822/Press & Public Contact: Racal-Milgo - Tel: 0256-763911) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 NCR CREATES NEW BUSINESS UNITS, APPOINTS EXECUTIVES 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00024) NCR CREATES NEW BUSINESS UNITS, APPOINTS EXECUTIVES 08/23/91 DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- As the reorganization resulting from its sale to AT&T goes on, NCR has created two new business units and named three former AT&T executives as assistant vice-presidents. NCR created a new high performance and fault tolerant systems unit as part of its midrange computer products division. It also set up a multimedia business unit within the workstation products division of its general purpose products group. Both will be based in Naperville, Illinois. NCR appointed James E. Clark assistant vice-president and general manager of the high performance and fault tolerant systems unit. Clark was formerly vice-president, high performance and fault tolerant systems at AT&T Computer Systems. In this case a piece of the former AT&T Computer Systems is being brought more or less intact into NCR, said NCR spokesman Mark Feighery. Clark will continue to be responsible for the 3B2, System 7000, StarServer, and StarServer FT (fault tolerant) products. These are former AT&T products which NCR has said it will continue to produce. Howard Mitchell has been appointed assistant vice-president, high performance servers, reporting to Clark. He was director of product management and R&D for the High Performance and System 7000 product lines and the StarServer FT at AT&T Computer Systems. Neil Whittington has been named assistant vice-president of the new multimedia business unit. Whittington was director of server systems at AT&T Computer Systems. He will report to Alok Mohan, vice-president of NCR's workstation products division. The new business unit is to design workstations meant for desktop video and high performance graphics work. NCR said it will complement the existing workstation products division development organizations. The products it designs will be built at the division's Clemson, South Carolina, and Augsburg, Germany, plants. "AT&T had some capability in that area and it's being folded into an existing NCR organization," Feighery said. (Grant Buckler/19910823/Press Contact: Mark Feighery, NCR, 513-445-2033) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 ****INTEL TO PAY $500,000 FINE 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00025) ****INTEL TO PAY $500,000 FINE 08/23/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- In a settlement with the Justice Department over what has been characterized as a minor infraction of the rules governing how companies do business with the federal government, Intel has paid about $530,000 to settle charges that the microprocessor giant misled government purchasers over a several-year period. Intel itself made the problems known to the government when it reported back in 1988 that it believed one of its divisions had been supplying false sales data in claims for exemptions from certain military contract regulations. Intel's Howard High told Newsbytes that "during an internal audit Intel discovered possibly inconsistent procedures" and contacted the government under the voluntary disclosure program. "We told the department that 'We think we may not be following the regulations correctly,' submitted our report, and the government prepared its own report." Together Intel and the government auditors determined that there were a few instances in which Intel was not following the complex procedures precisely and a payment was negotiated to settle the problem. Out of the 43 claims Intel submitted, 11 contained false certifications, the government said. Mr. High emphasized that Intel itself first located the problem and, "consistent with our internal rules of conduct," immediately reported the possible trouble to the government. Under the settlement, payment is accepted as complete compensation and the finding is closed. Intel is under no bidding or other restrictions and is continuing to do business with the government on a completely normal basis. The news is now coming out because the Justice Department publicizes settlements after payments are made. Intel describes itself as an international manufacturer of components, modules and systems for computers. The company as a member of the Supercomputer Consortium helped design, supplied components for and helped build the world's fastest computer, the Touchstone Delta supercomputer housed at Cal Tech in Pasadena. The company also supplies the central processing unit (CPU) for most IBM compatible computers. (John McCormick & Linda Rohrbough/19910823/Press Contact: Howard High, Intel, 408-765-8080; Doug Black, Miller Communications, Tel: 617/536-0470, Fax: 617/536-2772, Mike Bernhardt, Intel, Tel: 503/629-7835, Fax: 503/629-9147) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00026) ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 08/23/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief look at some computer stories carried in other publications received here this past week. The August 19 InformationWeek says Credit Bureau Technology is a "Bad Risk." Communications Week dated August 19 looks at 3Com's new FDDI or Fiber Distributed Data Interface Standard product line plans. September's Workstation News headlines "Designing in Cyberspace," a look at 3D design techniques. Computer Language for September looks at "Building Usable Interfaces" and Turbo Vision for C++. Computer Reseller News for August 19 features a look at Apple's promotional plans for the fourth quarter and how Microsoft is trying to capture OS/2 developers. (John McCormick/19910823/) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 INTEL OFFERS OFF-THE-SHELF PARALLEL SUPERCOMPUTERS 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00027) INTEL OFFERS OFF-THE-SHELF PARALLEL SUPERCOMPUTERS 08/23/91 BEAVORTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- Intel Supercomputers has announced it has begun commercial shipments of the iWarp supercomputers, parallel computers for advanced real-time supercomputing, as opposed to scientific research. Les Furnanz, iWarp program manager for Intel, said until now, those needing real-time supercomputing have had to special order custom-built, specially-designed computers. "With shrinking defense budgets and increase emphasis on NDI (non- development items), iWarp systems are unique as "off-the-shelf" solutions for these real-time supercomputing requirements," Furnanz said. Intel said these early customers for the iWarp systems seem to agree with Furnanz and are already using the systems for real- time applications. One such customer, GTE, has announced it is doing advanced sonar and radar applications on an iWarp parallel computer. GTE said the sonar and radar detection methods, known as adaptive beamforming and adaptive beam interpolations, carried huge computational loads - billions of floating operations per second - that stood as obstacles to the next generation radar and sonar systems. GTE said Dr. James Wheeler, a scientist at GTE, has been able to demonstrate the iWarp system can handle the complexity involved in real-time applications, like processing sound sources hidden in conventional processing methods. One example given was a submarine, whose sound energy might have been hidden by the sound energy of the more noisy ships on the surface of the water. It could be detected using the iWarp computer to process the signals. Other companies have announced software products aimed at the iWarp supercomputer market. Parasoft announced it is moving its software package, Express, a programming environment, to the iWarp supercomputer. Network Systems says it has started development on a high performance parallel interface (HIPPI) to the Intel iWarp parallel computer with the goal of connecting the iWarp to IBM, Cray, and all other computing resources that follow standard data encapsulation protocols. Ken Drewlo, HIPPI program manager for Network Systems said, "The HIPPI link to iWarp moves us one step closer to our goal of allowing all major supercomputers in the world to talk together." Intel said it has already received orders for 30 iWarp systems to date. These systems retail for $39,950 at the low end to $494,950 at the high end, Intel said. Intel said the systems support Fortran, C and Unix programming tools. Intel said a one-day iWarp forum is planned for September 11 of this year at the Hyatt Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia and the focus is on real-time supercomputing. Those wishing more information may contact Mark Urrutia at Intel at telephone (503) 629-6355 or write to the Intel iWarp Program, MS CO4-O5, 5200 N.E. Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124. A $30 registration fee is required, Intel said. (Linda Rohrbough/199108023/Press Contact: Mike Bernhardt, Intel, Tel: 503/629-7835, Fax: 503/629-9147, Doug Black, Miller Communications, Tel: 617/536-0470, Fax: 617/536-2772) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 DETAILS OF X/OPEN'S WORLD CONGRESS XTRA '91 FOR NOV 08/23/91 08/23/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00028) DETAILS OF X/OPEN'S WORLD CONGRESS XTRA '91 FOR NOV 08/23/91 MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- X/Open's three-day World Congress, Xtra '91will be held November 13-15 in Reston, Va. The congress is set to begin with a keynote speech by United States Department of Defense Director of Information Paul Strassmann who will discuss the economic forces driving open standards. The event will also feature a presentation of a detailed analysis of a four-continent user study into open systems requirements conducted earlier this year by Toronto-based consulting firm DMR Group Inc. X/Open maintains that the congress has been structured to provide a forum for in-depth discussions of user priorities in open systems. A second keynote will be given by A. Frederick Fath, director of Integration Technologies for Boeing Computer Services. According to X/Open, the planned workshops are designed to brief users on progress in terms of open systems technology, standardization and products, and at the same time discuss and detail the nature and extent of user demands. Topics planned include "Mainframe Data Access in a Hybrid Environment," and "The User Interface Issue." The registration fee for the event is set at $695 and includes the results of the World Survey on Open Systems, the Congress Briefing Pack and attendance at all sessions. More details are available from any X/Open office or by calling the Xtra Congress hotline, 416-594-2035. Only this month, Newsbytes reported that X/Open's board of directors had formally approved a realignment of the company's structure, in an attempt to more closely involve computer users and software developers. At the same time the board also elected ICL's Andy Roberts to replace outgoing chairman Jim Bell of Hewlett-Packard, and elected Jerry Petersen of Unisys vice-chairman. Newsbytes reported in June that Philips, the Dutch electronics company, had used X/Open's Fast Track procedure to adapt Philips' CD-ROM technology to open systems. Fast Track is a program established by X/Open that lets outside companies or organizations develop specifications for submission to X/Open for possible adoption into X/Open's CAE. X/Open, which was founded in 1984, is a worldwide, independent, open systems, non-profit organization dedicated to developing an open, multi-vendor CAE based on de facto and international standards. X/Open currently has 21 member companies including Amdahl, AT&T, Bull, Digital Equipment Corp., Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM, ICL, NEC, NCR Corp., Nokia Data, Oki Electric, Olivetti, Open Software Foundation, Philips, Prime Computer Inc., Siemens Nixdorf (SNI), Sun Microsystems, Unisys, and Unix International. (Ian Stokell/19910823/Press Contact: Jeff Hansen, X/Open, 415-323-7992) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 BILL GATES FOR PRESIDENT? - Editorial by Dana Blankenhorn 08/23/91 08/23/91 (EDITORIAL)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00029) BILL GATES FOR PRESIDENT? - Editorial by Dana Blankenhorn 08/23/91 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 23 (NB) -- If he quit right now, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has already made his mark on history. Just 15 years after starting Microsoft as a nerdy teenager, he literally controls the direction of the multi-billion dollar PC industry. Gates worries today about a running feud with IBM over OS/2, about Apple's lawsuit over Microsoft Windows and the Apple Macintosh, and about an FTC inquiry accusing him of monopolizing PC software through his control of operating systems. That's the way he's always been. Bill Gates is always running scared. That gives his executives strategic direction, and motivates all his employees. But he also takes the long view, giving the industry real goals to shoot for -- "Windows Computing," "Information at your Fingertips." Today, when Microsoft is under attack, many people who wouldn't know Bill Gates from swiss chard rush to his defense. They know this industry has a good thing going. Who'd you rather see holding the whip hand, anyway -- Bill Gates or IBM's John Akers? 'Nuff said. Microsoft is already an institution, however. As much as he loves the hurly-burly of it, you wonder if Bill Gates has anything left to prove in computing. And you wonder if, at 36, he shouldn't consider doing something higher. To his credit, Bill Gates has kept his own counsel on the great issues of the day. We don't know whether he's a Democrat or Republican, a liberal or conservative. His business record indicates his beliefs are a mish-mash. He treats his workers very well, he's one of the few U.S. executives with a trade surplus -- even against Japan -- and he seems environmentally conscious. On the other hand, no one knows what he thought about the war with Iraq, what he thinks about the Civil Rights Act, or how he stands on tax and spending issues. Still, it might be fun to speculate. The Democrats are as bad off today as the Republicans were in 1951. Only a wildly popular, heroic figure offers them any chance at all in the next election. The year 1952, of course, produced Dwight D. Eisenhower. He could have had either party's nod for the asking. He, too, kept his own counsel -- few knew where he stood on issues until he announced a stand. His decision to run as a Republican rescued that party from 20 years of Presidential oblivion, brought the party professional managers who (on balance) didn't do half-bad, and changed the U.S. forevermore. If Bill Gates is a Democrat, he's in a similar position. The Presidential Democratic party is in deep, deep doo-doo. All its leaders are, in one way or another, discredited. Cuomo has budget troubles, Wilder and Robb are feuding, Paul Tsongas (the only announced candidate) is a Greek from Massachusetts, Jesse Jackson has never run anything bigger than he is. On the bench are a bunch of not-ready-for-prime-time players -- Robert Kerrey, Tom Harkin, Dick Gephardt. Someone recently even suggested (in all seriousness) Jimmy Carter. Gates could have that nomination with a few phone calls. But could he win? The record of businessmen in U.S. presidential politics is not good. Only two have won nominations in this century. Both were lawyers. Both were compromise choices. Both -- John W. Davis for the Democrats in 1924, Wendell Wilkie for the Republicans in 1940 -- lost badly. The businessmen we usually think of as Presidential timber -- like Lee Iacocca -- are usually salesmen with no interest in the job. No true business executive, however, has ever made the effort to become President. J.P. Morgan preferred to own President Cleveland, Robert Woodruff of Coca-Cola was happy to be Eisenhower's golf buddy. Besides, being President is a headache. The pay is pathetic, compared to running a firm like Microsoft. You can't fire people the way you can in private life. You have to work with your enemies in the Congress -- you can't bury them in the market. And your life becomes an open book. Still, Bill Gates offers a lot of things America is yearning for. For one thing, he knows how to meet a payroll. Contrast that with the 67-year old career politician we have in there now, and you've got to figure a 37-year old Bill Gates has a fighting chance. Which is more than we can say about anyone else. The issues are there for him. The long-term economic balance sheet of America against the short-term value of quick wars and quick fixes. The ability of our technology, properly directed, to make an impact on our problems in education and the environment. The youth and energy of a mid-30s businessman against the age and experiences of a World War II veteran. (Gates was too young to even volunteer for Vietnam.) A computer industry pioneer against a President who can't even run Windows. I've run it up the flag pole. Think anyone will salute it? (Dana Blankenhorn/19910821) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 23 Review of: The System 7 Book 08/23/91 08/23/91 (REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030) Review of: The System 7 Book 08/23/91 From: Ventana Press, P.O.Box 2468, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 (919) 942-0220 Price: $22.95 PUMA Rating: 3.5 Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Naor Wallach 08/23/91 Summary: A book that purports to teach you the ins and outs of Apple's new operating system. Well done and with plenty of examples and illustrations. Most people would benefit from it with the exception of the Macintosh "power users." ====== REVIEW ====== With all of the hype surrounding Apple Computer's release of its latest System Software, it was inevitable that many book and software publishers would rush into the market touting a myriad of products that are either System 7 compatible or that attempt to explain all of the wonders of the new Apple operating system. In the book publishing race, the apparent speed winner is Ventana Press with Craig Danuloff's, "The System 7 Book." Some of you may be scratching your heads now and mumbling "Danuloff, Danuloff, where do I know that name from?" Well, Mr. Danuloff writes a column for MacWorld magazine in which he explains various features of the Macintosh. This 390+ page book is an attempt to explain to both current users of Macintosh and to new users what you can do with the Apple application known as Finder, and other aspects of the Apple Macintosh operating system. Since understanding of the new operating system is bound to grow over time, Ventana Press is offering two free issues of its System 7 magazine to purchasers of this book. The book is divided into 11 chapters and an appendix that covers installation of System 7 in the case that you get a Macintosh that is not already configured for it. There are also a foreword, glossary, and index. The list of chapter headings should give you a clearer idea of the breadth of this book. They are, in order: System Software Basics, Finder 7, Managing your Hard Drive, The System Folder, System 7 and your Software, Working with Multiple Applications, The Edition Manager and IAC, Fonts in System 7, Introduction to File Sharing, Working on a Network, and Memory Management. As you can see, most subjects of interest to a user are covered in one or more chapters of this book. The book is written in what has become common practice in the computer book publishing trade. There are wide margins on all sides of the page, plenty of figures illustrating the text, and a bright, breezy writing style that makes the book easy to absorb. If you are an experienced Macintosh user and have read the articles on what System 7 is bringing, then this book will provide a few hours of somewhat entertaining reading. If you're a brand new Macintosh user, or have managed to avoid all of the hoopla in the press recently, then this book will help you tremendously in quickly coming up to speed on your new system. Considering the fact that this book's publication coincided with the official release of System 7 and that it is not an officially sanctioned Apple Computer product, the publishers have managed to keep the typos and other editing errors to a minimum. This is not to say that there are no errors however. In some cases, text has been copied and not changed so that a discussion of Files refers to Folders. In other areas, the figures do not match the text that is directly below them. There are also a few typos strewn throughout the book. All in all though, this book is pretty clean. As to the content, the book is an attempt to explain things that are only briefly alluded to in the reference documentation that comes with System 7 or to show some practical usages for those features. In these goals, the book succeeds. I have seen Apple's documentation which I received with my copy of System 7 and there are many areas where Mr. Danuloff explains things more clearly and directly. Sprinkled through the text are neat tips for things that Apple has chosen to hide from its users. Apple products have traditionally has some hidden files that humanized the corporation. Things like the original Macintosh's case which had all of the engineer's signatures embedded in the plastic on the inside is a good example. In System 7, Apple's engineers nostalgically recreated the original Finder's icon which was a lunar-like mountain landscape. Of course, this tidbit is not immediately obvious but Mr. Danuloff publishes how to get at it. Macintosh enthusiasts are known for their almost religious devotion to the machine. At times this makes any conversation about the relative merits and usefulness of different machines in different tasks a very difficult chore. One would have hoped that Mr. Danuloff could have toned down the zeal with which he promotes the new software. And, indeed, he mostly succeeds. There are only a few instances where Mr. Danuloff's exuberance overcomes the reality that he is describing. Being a software engineer myself, I found only one area where I disagreed with Mr. Danuloff on a technical point. He describes Apple's implementation as a true multitasking system, though cooperative in nature. I totally disagree. Cooperative multitasking is just another way of saying that programs should be nice to others -- a fact which sadly does not really occur. There are many more benefits to a truly multitasking operating system and it is to be hoped that Apple will make the move toward that someday soon. =========== PUMA RATING =========== PERFORMANCE: 3 This book lives up to its premise. It does explain most of the features of Apple's new system. There are some minor technical points with which I disagree, and some other areas where the author's gung-ho approach is a bit overbearing. USEFULNESS: 4 If you are new to the Macintosh, or have managed to never hear of System 7 and all of its features, then this book will do a better job for you of understanding it. If you are aware of it and am an experienced user, you may be able to get along without it. MANUAL: 3 This book is professionally done. There are several technical problems that are probably due to the book's having been rushed into print. AVAILABILITY: 4 Book stores carry it. I even saw an ad for a mail order house that was giving this book away for free when you purchased the System software upgrade from them. Having a newsletter come out with two free issues is another feature that I really liked. (Naor Wallach/910802/Press Contact: Lee Weisbecker) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 NEW SPA MEMBERS 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00001) NEW SPA MEMBERS 08/22/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- SPA, the Software Publishers Association, has announced that 16 new members have joined the international trade association based in Washington, DC. New full U.S. members: Economic Profiles, Torrance, California, a Western states database publisher. Contact Phil Sarazen, Owner, 213-377-2488. Educational Activities, Inc., Baldwin, New York, an educational software publisher. Contact Carol H. Stern, vice president, 516-223- 4666. MasterSoft, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona, a publisher of conversion technology software. Contact Lise M. Lambert, VP, marketing & sales, 203-264-9490. MicroBiz Corporation, Spring Valley, New York, a developer of retail point-of-sale hardware and software. Contact Craig Aberle, president, 800-637-8268. Pinpoint Publishing, Glen Ellen, California, a developer of recipe management software for the IBM PC. Contact Lorena Peer, marketing manager, 707-935-3217. South-Western Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a publisher of textbooks and educational software. Contact Dennis Kokoruda, director of electronic publishing, Education Division, 513-271-8811. New international full members: Computermate (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia, a distributor of Amiga software, presently increasing its line of MS-DOS titles. Contact Ray Firth, managing director, 61-2-457-8388. New associate U.S. members: The Corum Group Limited, Bellevue, Washington, a supplier of software firms with operational, strategic, and transaction assistance. Contact Bruce Milne, president, 206-455-8281. Fuji Photo Film USA, Inc., Elmsford, New York, a manufacturer and seller of computer disks, data cartridges, and computer accessories. Contact Steven Solomon, VP & GM, Computer Media Division, 914-789- 8350. Graham Marketing, Fremont, California, a professional marketing consulting team. Contact Maxine Graham, president, 415-226-0591. Infopak International, Belmont, California, a specialist translation firm developing international software versions. Contact George Ritter, president, 415-570-5214. International Documentation, Los Angeles, California, a localization and translation firm. Contact Tom Landstreet, marketing director, 213- 556-5666. Mayfield Fund, Menlo Park, California, a private venture capital partnership. Contact Michael J. Levinthal, general partner, 415-854- 5560. ZBR Publications, Inc., Wilmington, Massachusetts, a printing firm. Contact James J. Sullivan, vice president, national sales, 617-935- 9580. New international associate members: Entertainment Express Limited, Livingston, Scotland, an electronic distributor. Contact David Crosweller, European marketing director, 44-506-418-419. MacByte GmbH, Aachen, Germany, part of the MacByte Group, a provider of full manufacturing services to the computer industry. Contact Mike McMahon, 49-241-87-0055. (John McCormick/19910821/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-452- 1600) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 CACI INTERNATIONAL GETS JUSTICE CONTRACT 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00002) CACI INTERNATIONAL GETS JUSTICE CONTRACT 08/22/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- The Washington Post has reported that CACI International has received its largest contract award ever, a $130 million award to provide document imaging capabilities and litigation support services to the U.S. Justice Department. CACI, with its new five-year contract to supply software and hardware to the Civil Division's Office of Litigation Support, expects to add employees to support this major contract. CACI had recently suffered from cutbacks in a major contract with the U.S. Navy and has also reported sharply lower earnings. (John McCormick/19910821) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 ALR ANNOUNCES TWO CPUS - DUAL PROCESSING - FOR SPEED 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00003) ALR ANNOUNCES TWO CPUS - DUAL PROCESSING - FOR SPEED 08/22/91 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Advanced Logic Research announced it is building the ALR Powerpro Array Dual processor file-server that is capable of utilizing two 50 megahertz (MHz) Intel i486 central processing units (CPUs). The new system has been clocked at 40.7 to 81.4 million instructions per second (MIPS), ALR said. The new Powerpro Array motherboard comes with one 50 MHz i486 CPU, 512 kilobytes of read/write back cache random access memory (RAM), and a bit block transfer (BITBLT) video graphics array (VGA) controller, said ALR. The company claims with the optional addition of a second 50 MHz i486 CPU the extended industry standard architecture (EISA) system delivers the fastest personal computer (PC) performance on the market today. Adding CPUs to share the workload is not a brand new concept, but it is one that is being used to build the fastest computers in the world. The Touchstone Delta system built by the Super Computing Consortium and housed at Cal Tech in Pasadena, is the world's fastest computer and is designed with over 500 Intel CPUs that divide the processing work, called "parallel processing." Intel told Newsbytes multiple CPUs was the only way to get more speed. ALR says its focus for the Powerpro Array is as a platform for network serving and data intensive multitasking environments. The system is Compaq Systempro compatible, and can take advantage of off-the-shelf versions of DOS or OS/2, ALR said. The system is also to be certified for use with Novell Netware and other multiprocessing environments such as Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) Unix System V/386, SCO MPX and Banyan VINES SMP. The system supports disk mirroring, disk stripping, and disk spanning for data security, ALR said. A disk array of more than 1.3 gigabytes (GB) can be supported using 340 megabyte (MB) IDE hard disk drives. The controller for the disk drives is said to provide significant performance increases over Compaq's IDA due to the ALR write disk caching technique. Further, the BITBLT VGA graphics card provides faster screen displays, especially in Microsoft Windows, with the block of image transfers built into the graphics card itself, the company said. ALR says the block of image transfer provides a 35 percent again over the bit-by-bit transfers used by IBM XGA adapters. ALR is forecasting shipments of the Powerpro Array systems for the fourth quarter of 1991. The company says twelve-month optional on-site extended warranty options are available. The systems are to be displayed at the SCO Forum, August 19-23 at the University of California in Santa Cruz, California and at Comdex, the computer industry's biggest annual trade show October 21-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Linda Rohrbough/199108021/Press Contact: Dave Kirkey, Advanced Logic Research, Tel: 714/581-6770, Fax: 714/581-9240) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 AST CUTS UP TO 32% ON BRAVO, PREMIUM PRICES 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00004) AST CUTS UP TO 32% ON BRAVO, PREMIUM PRICES 08/22/91 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- AST Research says it is cutting prices on its Bravo and Premium computer lines to gain a larger market share. AST just expanded its Bravo line in June by adding the Bravo 286/16. However, the 386SX/20 is the most popular, according to AST. Tom Yuen, co-chairman and chief operating officer at AST, cited a recent survey by Storeboard/Computer Intelligence, an industry research firm. According to this survey, based on more than 1200 computer dealers asked in April and May 1991, AST's U.S. desktop market share for 386SX systems was 6.8 percent. Yuen said, "The SX/20 system has become today's business computing platform of choice. We have continually delivered significant value to end users in this area and set the standard for the industry in both value and performance. Our success is evidenced by the company's strong financial performance and significant increases in market share. We will continue to build on this success to capture even greater market share." In the June announcement AST said the 386SX/20 was priced at $1,895 and the computer was stripped down, meaning at that price the computer has no monitor or graphics card, no hard disk and only one 3.5-inch 1.44 megabyte (MB) floppy disk drive. At that time AST called the Bravo line its more "affordable" line of computers. Now the basic Bravo 386SX/20 3V is $1,295, a reduction of 32 percent over its former price. The system is still stripped down, includes 2 megabytes (MB) of random access memory and a super video graphics adapter (VGA) card. For another $400, or $1,695, the user can upgrade to the 386SX/20 43V whose only difference is the inclusion of a 40 MB hard disk drive, AST said. For $1,100 over the base price of the 3V, or $2,395, the user can go from the base system to the 43B which adds a 40 MB hard disk, Windows 3.0, Lotus 1-2-3 version 3.1, a Microsoft mouse and a super VGA monitor. The Premium II line of personal computers has been reduced from 13 to 20 percent, AST said. For example, the Premium II 386SX/20 Model 3V has been reduced in price from $1,995 to $1,595, a reduction of 20 percent over its former price. AST says it is able to cut prices because it is using surface- mount technology for more of the components of the computer, meaning the components are mounted into the motherboard. While this technology cuts prices, it makes repair more costly and difficult should one of the surface-mounted components fail. (Linda Rohrbough/199108022/Press Contact: Gerry Baker, AST Research, Tel: 714/727-7959, Fax: 714/727-9363) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 NEW PRODUCT: Legacy Offers High-Capacity DAT Subsystems 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00005) NEW PRODUCT: Legacy Offers High-Capacity DAT Subsystems 08/22/91 MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Hoping to capitalize on a need for backup systems for growing local-area networks, Legacy Storage Systems has announced an external digital audio tape (DAT) subsystem for IBM-compatible and Macintosh computers. The system stores data on DAT cartridges that hold up to two gigabytes. Irving Frydman, marketing manager at Legacy, told Newsbytes the major market for DAT systems will be local-area network backup. A trend toward downsizing applications that have traditionally run on mainframes and minicomputers, running them instead on LANs, is increasing the demand for such storage, he added. The Legacy 2200D DAT subsystem is compatible with Novell's Netware LAN operating system, with Unix and its variants, and with OS/2, the company said. It connects to a computer via a small computer systems interface (SCSI), and Legacy said the subsystem transfers data at 11 megabytes per minute. Access to any file takes an average of 45 seconds, the company said. Error correction and detection features include a third level of error correction code, read-after-write checking, and data randomizing. Scheduled to be available on September 1, the Legacy 2200D carries a suggested retail price of C$4,595. It will be sold through various dealers and resellers, Frydman said. (Grant Buckler/19910821/Press Contact: Irving Frydman, Legacy Storage Systems, 416-475-1077, fax 416-475-1088) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 NEW PRODUCT: Aquiline Unveils 33-MHz 386 Notebook 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00006) NEW PRODUCT: Aquiline Unveils 33-MHz 386 Notebook 08/22/91 BENNINGTON, VERMONT, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Not everybody needs a notebook computer with an Intel 80386 processor that runs at 33 megahertz. But Aquiline Inc., believes some people do -- software developers, engineers, software demonstrators, and possibly desktop publishers among them -- and is offering them one. Aquiline has announced the Aquiline 33, a 7.9-pound notebook computer with a 33-MHz 386 chip, four megabytes of random access memory, a 60- or 120-megabyte hard disk, serial port, parallel port, mouse port, and connection for an external VGA monitor. The Aquiline 33 is definitely not for the "mass-market SX notebook market," Tony DeMario, vice-president of marketing, told Newsbytes. But it will appeal to those who need plenty of computer power and speed in a light, portable package. For example, DeMario said, software developers "have to spend hours at the computer, so they end up at the office really late." A fast notebook computer will make it easier for them to take work home instead. Like Aquiline's earlier 386SX-based laptop, the Aquiline 33 will come bundled with Fastlynx software utilities, which include a file transfer program, a cursor control program, battery management, electronic address file, and hard disk locking software for security, DeMario said. The machine's nickel cadmium battery is good for up to three hours of use, Aquiline said, and an auto-resume feature will let users change batteries without exiting their applications. The 60-megabyte version is available now at US$3,695, while the 120-megabyte version is due for shipment in November at US$3,995. The machine will be available through dealers and mail-order houses and direct from Aquiline, DeMario said. (Grant Buckler/19910821/Press Contact: Tony DeMario, Aquiline, 802-442-1526, fax 802-442-8661) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 WINDOWS 3.1 HAS FEATURES FOR THE USER TOO 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007) WINDOWS 3.1 HAS FEATURES FOR THE USER TOO 08/22/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- A recent Newsbytes story reported on some of the features of Windows 3.1 that were designed to make the task of applications developer easier. Windows 3.1 also has features for the user. The new Windows release includes Install, a program that detects the hardware and software configuration and configures Windows optimally for that machine. Install can detect a wide variety of terminate-and-stay-resident (TSRs) programs, as well as any hardware devices known to cause problems when running Windows. The program in some cases can correct the problem automatically, or in other instances will tell the user what needs to be done. Express Install is designed to make Windows installation easier for the novice computer user, according to Microsoft. For advanced users groups of programs can be selected to install. The company says PC coordinators will find installation easier with the batch install option, as well as better network setup features. Microsoft says it has completely redesigned the file manager feature, which now supports multiple panes. Users can display the directory tree and a list of files side by side in a window. File Manager can also display more file attributes than before, and can even display file and folder names in a choice of fonts. Another new feature is a quick format capability, which allows the user to format floppy disks more quickly. And what Microsoft calls "drop-and-drag" has been added to manipulate files. For example, to print a file, the user drags the file icon with the mouse and drops it on the Print Manager. You can also drop a file icon on a running application and the application will automatically open that file. If you've had icon titles that were so long that they overlapped with an adjacent icon, you'll be happy to know that each icon title will now display in multiple lines. Users who have had long printing jobs stall because the printer runs out of paper will find that the print job will now resume at the place where it quit when the paper tray has been refilled. Microsoft says it has also improved printing with the addition of a universal printer driver (UNIDRV), from which specific printer drivers can quickly be built. The company says nearly 250 printers will be supported with 3.1, with most being supported with UNIDRV. The company also reports that printing is faster, with control returning to the application more quickly. Faster paging in the 386 enhanced mode is also provided. Error reporting and diagnostics should be better, with users receiving an error dialog box with more specific information about the type fault that occurred and which application generated the error, instead of the cryptic "Unrecoverable Application Error" message. A diagnostics tool called "Dr Watson" is now included with each Windows 3.1 version. Dr Watson records and stores application error information, allowing quicker diagnostics and repair by a support technician. Windows 3.1 now includes TrueType scalable font technology, providing outline fonts. Users can select fonts in any point size, and four font families are included: Arial, a Helvetica alternative, Times New Roman, Courier, and Symbol. Microsoft says it has improved support for DOS applications, with more program information files (PIF files), which tell DOS how to handle specific DOS applications. Microsoft Corporation maintains a toll free line (800-426-9400) for product information. (Jim Mallory/910821/Press contact: Liz Sidnam, Microsoft, 206-882-8080, FAX 206-883-8101) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 LASERMASTER IN LABOR WAGE/HOURS REVIEW 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00008) LASERMASTER IN LABOR WAGE/HOURS REVIEW 08/22/91 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- LaserMaster Technologies has announced that the company is cooperating with the United States Department Labor in a wage and hours compliance review. LaserMaster spokesperson Karen Neset told Newsbytes that the company has not been informed of the reason for the review, but believes it is compliance with all applicable wage and hour regulations. Neset said that the company is providing all required information for the review, which is covering the past two years. LaserMaster was formed in 1985. Gerald Hill of the Department of Labor told Newsbytes that DOL audits companies based either on specific complaints or on a randomly selected basis. Hill said DOL is required to investigate as many firms and industries and geographic areas as possible. "Every year when we go up for our appropriations, Congress wants to know how many industries, how many different geographic areas we have gotten into," said Hill. Hill said that normally DOL wants to look at payroll and time records. In addition to reviewing time and pay records, Hill said DOL may interview employees. The purpose of the audit is to determine if the company is paying their employees in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Hill said once the investigation is completed, DOL will inform the employer of the results of the investigation. "We will work with them to see if there are any changes that they need to make to come into compliance," said Hill. In a worst case scenario, not only would the back wages have to be paid, but a company could be subject to civil penalties, especially in the case of child labor law violations or violation of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. Neset said the company had not been told whether the review was a random audit or whether DOL was working from a specific complaint. DOL notifies the company by telephone of their requirements, after the initial visit. The majority of Lasermaster's employees are salaried. Neset said the company expects the audit should be completed in the next couple of months. (Jim Mallory/910821/Press contact: Karen Neset, LaserMaster, 612-941-8687) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 MICROSOFT SHIPS WINDOWS WITH MULTIMEDIA EXTENSIONS 1.0 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00009) MICROSOFT SHIPS WINDOWS WITH MULTIMEDIA EXTENSIONS 1.0 08/22/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation says it is now shipping Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions 1.0 to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Newsbytes reported in early July of this year that IBM would bundle several Microsoft applications, including Multimedia Extensions, with its personal computers sold into the higher education market. Multimedia Extensions add support for a wide range of multimedia devices and data types, including sound, animation, and motion video to Windows, and enable multimedia applications to run on multimedia PCs. Microsoft says it sees the shipment of Extensions as an important prelude to the rollout of the first commercially available multimedia PCs and multimedia upgrade kits. Several companies, including Tandy, CompuAdd, MediaVision, and Creative Labs are expected to roll out multimedia-specific PCs this fall. In all more than a dozen companies are promising multimedia hardware between now and early 1992. Features Microsoft is reporting for Extensions 1.0 include a media control interface, which provides a mechanism for supporting a range of time-based media and devices, including videodisc and videotape, audio, animation and digital motion video. The interface is designed to allow third parties to support other multimedia devices. Both Microsoft and IBM participated in specifying the interface core. Some new end-user accessories are also included. Users will have access to Sound Recorder, Music Box, and Media player, which let the user create and control multimedia elements. Hyperguide is a graphically based, online help facility which has more than 20,000 links and 3,000 topics, says Microsoft. Audio services provide a device-independent interface that developers can use to bring sound to PC applications. Joystick and Timer provide support for joysticks and high-res event timing. The company says a total of 144 new application program interfaces (APIs) are provided. (Jim Mallory/19910821/Press contact: Marty Taucher, Microsoft, 206-882-8080, fax 206-883-8101) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 ****MOST VOICE, DATA SERVICES NORMAL DURING COUP 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010) ****MOST VOICE, DATA SERVICES NORMAL DURING COUP 08/22/91 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Perhaps the most amazing fact during the attempted Soviet coup, and the first hint it would fail, is that voice and data services remained normal throughout the 60-hour event. One exception was in the Baltics, where Soviet troops took over telephone switching centers in Estonia. That's the home of the Eesti #1 BBS, the largest bulletin board in the country, and the online home of the breakaway republic's lawbooks. No report was available at press time concerning what may have happened to the board itself, and its equipment. Bob Clough reported on Compuserve's Journalism forum August 20, mid- afternoon Moscow time, that despite the tanks on the streets, life really was pretty normal there. "As you can imagine, sales are a little slow right now, but all of our employees are at work, carrying on as usual. No panic, lots of concern of course, but all seems well so far," he wrote. "Our general impression is that the guys who started this coup don't have the stomach to really make it stick." Meanwhile, phone traffic jumped during the crucial days. AT&T and IDB Communications, the latter an international calling specialist based in Rockville, Maryland, both got 24 extra satellite phone circuits each through the Federal Communications Commission, starting August 21. Those circuits used a Soviet satellite system, Intersputnik. AT&T also uses the western Intelsat consortium, but had an agreement with Soviet officials to use Intersputnik in hand when the coup hit, pending FCC approval. The company had been seeking permission to expand service to the Soviet Union since December, 1989. Still, spokesman Herb Linnen said, "Since Monday, it's been an absolute nightmare trying to complete calls." Even before the coup, 91 percent of calls failed to go through. In its filing, the company said its call volume to the USSR was 100 times normal. AT&T now has 67 circuits to the USSR, but John Berndt, president of AT&T International Communications Services, said 2,300 are needed. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: AT&T: Herb Linnen, 202/457-3933; CompuServe Debra Young, 614/457-8600; Mead Data Central, Judi Schultz, 513-865-7466) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 INSLAW "SOURCE" SPEAKS TO NEWSBYTES 08/22/91 08/22/91 (EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(NYC)(00011) INSLAW "SOURCE" SPEAKS TO NEWSBYTES 08/22/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- "Bill," the person who reportedly met with journalist James D. "Danny" Casolaro on the night before Casolaro's death in a Martinsburg, W. VA motel, has confirmed to Newsbytes that he provided Casolaro with evidence of U.S. government malfeasance in the procurement of technology. Bill, speaking to Newsbytes under the promise of anonymity, said that Casolaro found this information to be related to Casolaro's year- long investigation of accusations made by the Inslaw, Inc. against the United States Department of Justice. Casolaro had told friends shortly before his death that he had taken to calling the investigation the "Octopus" because of connections that he had allegedly found between the Inslaw case and such things as "IranContra," the "October Surprise," investigation and Bill's charges. Bill, who is now scheduled to "go public" with his charges in an appearance on the television show "Inside Edition" on Monday, August 26th, told Newsbytes that he had promised the producers of the show that he would make no statements to the media on these matters until Tuesday, August 27th. He additionally said that he had discussed this commitment with Inslaw, Inc. attorney Elliot Richardson who also advised him to make no public statements until that date. Bill further told Newsbytes that the Martinsburg police investigators are aware of his identity and have attempted to interrogate him concerning his conversations with Casolaro. He, to this date, has refused to meet with them and stated that this decision was also made in consultation with Richardson's firm. He also told Newsbytes that he has reason to believe that he is under surveillance, saying, "There are many more cars on my street than usual and I am sure that my phone is tapped. I'm getting calls at all hours of the night and, when I pick up the phone, the caller hangs up. They are not only watching me but are trying to scare me off. They won't succeed, however; I will get the truth out. I have copies of the documentation in a safe place and it will come out even if something happens to me." Another Inslaw-related allegation came to light when a Newsbytes source said that Casolaro had told her/him that a person that was about to furnish him with important documentation had been murdered last January 31st. According to the source, Casolaro had identified ex-National Security Agency (NSA) employee Alan David Standoff, found at Washington National Airport in a car, as a contact tied to the case. According to investigators, Standoff had been murdered by beating with a blunt instrument at some other location and then transported to the airport. He, according to the Newsbytes source, had resigned from the NSA on December 19th (effective 01/14/91) because of his call-up by his National Guard unit. Casolaro's death, initially ruled a suicide, has been referred to as possibly a murder by friends and relatives as well as by Richardson who has called for a federal inquiry. The so-called "Inslaw Case" involves charges by Inslaw, Inc., that the Justice Department purposely drove it into bankruptcy so that it could steal Inslaw's Promis software. While bankruptcy counts on two decisions found the allegations to be factual and fined the Justice Dept., saying that the government agency had practiced "trickery, fraud and deceit." The U.S. Court of Appeals on May 7, 1991 overturned the award, saying that the courts had overstepped their jurisdiction. The appeals court said, at the time, that Inslaw CEO William Hamilton was free to pursue his claims in the proper federal court and that the Justice Department's "conduct, if it occurred, is inexcusable." During the appeal process, Inslaw broadened its charges to claim that Iran Contra figures Robert McFarlane and Richard Secord had played a role is disseminating the software to intelligence agencies of Israel, Libya, Iraq, South Korea, and Canada. These charges, substantiated by Ari Ben-Menashe, who claims to be a former Israeli intelligence officer, Iranian arms dealer Richard Babayan, and Michael Riconosciuto, who said that he was hired to modify the software for use in law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide, led to a investigation of the case by the House Judiciary Committee and a confrontation between committee chairman Jack Brooks and Attorney General Richard Thornburgh over the release to the committee of material relating to the case. The investigation continues at this time. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/1991082) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 AUSTRALIA: APPLE GIVE-AWAY SUPERMARKET CHIDED BY SCHOOL 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00012) AUSTRALIA: APPLE GIVE-AWAY SUPERMARKET CHIDED BY SCHOOL 08/22/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- The Resurrection School, in Melbourne's suburbs, has returned an Apple Macintosh earned in the Coles Myer Supermarket chain's current computer give-away scheme. The school handed back the computer because the Coles Myer chain had traded illegally on a Sunday. The school principal, Tony Breen, sent a letter to Coles Myer detailing why the Sunday trading led to the computer's return. Breen stated that by continuing to be involved with the give-away scheme, the school would be implying to students that "society's laws were there to be broken." Breen went on to say in the letter, "If there is no respect for a specific ruling a judge of the Supreme Court, how can it be hoped that there will be respect for the law in general?" The unopened computer was returned, the school has no plans to redeem coupons for a second computer, and it has actively sought to have all references to its involvement erased. The move came about after a case before the Victorian Supreme Court, in which the judge found that a State Government direction to allow Sunday trading on July 21 was invalid, as the law stated such trading was illegal. Legislation is currently being debated by the Government which, if passed, will see Sunday trading allowed. However, once the chain indicated it would open its 80 stores statewide, Breen decided to pull out of the give-away scheme, in which special dockets from the chain can be redeemed towards Apple computers for schools. (Sean McNamara/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 AUST'N-NZ DESIGNED CD-ROM HELPS STUDENTS & TEACHERS 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00013) AUST'N-NZ DESIGNED CD-ROM HELPS STUDENTS & TEACHERS 08/22/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Australian and New Zealand educators and software developers have developed a CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory) tool which should see students and teachers learn more about CD-ROMS, while also providing a useful database of available disks and applications. Avalanche is a CD-ROM navigation tool, showing users 70 Hypercard products in the education market, and was developed with the aid of Apple Australia. The database not only includes samples of the CD ROM titles, but also availability and copyright information for each package. Also provided is information on the implementation of CD-ROM technology in the education market. Avalanche was fully developed in Australia and New Zealand after last year's World Computers in Education Conference held in Sydney. The project only succeeded, said Leon Guss, Apple Computer Australia's education support specialist for K-12, because of "enthusiastic support from developers, teachers, education specialists and university lecturers." Guss hopes the database will be widely distributed throughout the education community to help stimulate other educators into the field. (Sean McNamara/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 AUSTRALIA: MINING DATABASE TO "REVOLUTIONIZE" INDUSTRY 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00014) AUSTRALIA: MINING DATABASE TO "REVOLUTIONIZE" INDUSTRY 08/22/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- A database of mining industry information is expected to make players in the industry breath a sigh of relief. The Mining Monthly Database allows users to access the "three databases in one" (prospect, mine and company), which includes up-to-date information difficult to find through traditional means. The database has been under development for the last two years by Australian Mining Economics (AME), and will be updated monthly by a team of geologists and financial experts. Also incorporated in the database is future expected production rates, cash operating costs and exploration property categories. These fields are used to calculate other fields, such as mine life, estimated annual mill throughputs, net present values and market capitalization. The data then presented allows users to "look into the future" of the industry, or to analyze trends in different commodities. The information in the database will be collated every three months into the Australasian Minerals Quarterly. AME is one of the world's largest publishers of mineral commodity analysis. Although coal and oil are not included in the database as yet, they will be added soon. The main resources included are gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, chromium, platinum, bauxite, uranium, tin, iron ore, and mineral sands. (Sean McNamara/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 AUSTRALIA: CAMPS AIM TO ATTRACT GIRLS TO COMPUTERS 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00015) AUSTRALIA: CAMPS AIM TO ATTRACT GIRLS TO COMPUTERS 08/22/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Two week-long camps held by the Phillip Institute of Technology have aimed at attracting female students to the world of computing. The camps have been held successfully for the past three years, and this year's camps used the pop music industry as a way to demonstrate computer usage. More than one hundred year-12ers (the final year of school in Australia) were involved in the camps this year, with many coming from Victorian country areas. Using the pop music theme, students had to use synthesizers to develop a backing track, as well as sampling of sounds. A record jacket was designed on computer, a word processor was used for the lyrics, correspondence, and promotional material, while databases and spreadsheets took care of the mailing lists and financial forecasts and necessities. The pop music theme was chosen to help the students relate to the work they were doing. Also included in the camps were tours of local telecommunications and Kodak sites in order to show computers being used in real workplaces. Talks were given by local representatives of Ericsson and Hewlett-Packard, as well as by Kate Behan of the Australian Computer Society, on career opportunities in the computer industry. (Sean McNamara/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 EVEREX SETTLES MULTIMILLION SUIT WITH HAYES 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016) EVEREX SETTLES MULTIMILLION SUIT WITH HAYES 08/22/91 NORCROSS, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Everex Systems will pay Hayes Microcomputer Products $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit in which Hayes charged Everex with willful infringement on its modem patent. A San Francisco jury had ruled in January that willful infringement on the patent, for a modem escape sequence with guard time, had occurred. Damages of $3.5 million, $1.6 million against Everex, were later doubled by Judge Samuel Conti, who also tacked on Hayes' attorney fees. The patent covers the way in which a PC modem will go from online mode to a command mode, and is at the heart of the Hayes "AT" command set. Everex had appealed Conti's ruling, but decided to drop it in part because Conti had required bonds equal to the total value of the settlement as part of the appeal process. Everex had been the key member of a four-company group which also included MultiTech Systems, Omni-Tel and VenTel, who had challenged the validity of the Hayes patent. The case against MultiTech, and the appellate action against Omni-Tel and VenTel, are continuing. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822/Press Contact: Hayes, Peggy Ballard, 404-840-9200) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 DEC'S NEW PARALLEL PROCESSING COMPUTERS 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(NYC)(00017) DEC'S NEW PARALLEL PROCESSING COMPUTERS 08/22/91 MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corporation has announced the introduction of a family of computers based on massively parallel processing (MPP), a platform Digital describes as "an emerging, high performance technology targeted at very complex problems of technical, scientific and commercial users." Shipments of the new systems are expected to begin in Fall 1991. The new DECmpp 12000 system series features configurations ranging from 1,024 to 16,384 processors with performance up to 1.2 billions of floating point operations per second (GigaFLOPS), and 26,000 millions of instructions per second (MIPS). The new systems are supplied under a previously announced agreement with MasPar Computer Corporation of Sunnyvale, California and are priced from $240,500 to $1,502,500. The Digital statement concentrated on the MMP technology, saying, "Massively parallel processor architectures are considered by many industry experts to have the greatest potential for solving highly complex problems in technical, scientific and commercial computer applications such as scientific visualization, geographic database management, econometric modeling, and financial analysis. MPP computers are able to break down problems into smaller parts, then process these parts simultaneously, at very high speed. As a result, performance can be extremely fast for applications that lend themselves to this type of processing. Key to market acceptance, however, is software, ranging from application development and network integration tools to the applications themselves that can take advantage of this technique." The new DECmpp systems include Digital DECstation 5000 full color front-end workstations as well as ULTRIX and DECnet system software. Additionally, Digital also announced what it describes as a comprehensive line of software, a family of high speed disk storage arrays, and full service and support programs. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Joseph D. Codispoti, Digital Equipment Corporation, 508-493-6767/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 PC SOFTWARE SALES JUMP 15.2 PERCENT 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00018) PC SOFTWARE SALES JUMP 15.2 PERCENT 08/22/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- SPA, the Software Publishers Association, has just released sales figures for the second quarter of 1991 which show that total North American software sales reached an estimated $1.2 billion retail, a 15.2 percent increase over the second quarter of 1990. Further, international sales for U.S. companies jumped a strong 38.8 percent in the same period. Combined software sales growth for the first two quarters of 1991 was 15.9 percent. Broken down into specific categories, the results were as follows: Education software sales increased by 40.7 percent and spreadsheets increased by 33.9 percent, while Windows applications sales leaped 208.8 percent, but MS-DOS applications software sales were down 2.1 percent. (It should be noted that, because Windows runs under MS-DOS, those Windows applications run under MS-DOS also, so the drop in DOS sales could be misleading.) Despite the first-ever decline, MS-DOS software sales still account for nearly 65 percent of the applications market, with Windows only reaching 15.3 percent, only a few tenths of a percent below Macintosh software sales. SPA Executive Director Ken Wasch said of the results, "The software industry continues to register healthy year-to-year gains, despite weakness in the economy. The second quarter marked a significant transition in the relative strength of the three major PC platforms." SPA sales data is based on an analysis of monthly sales information submitted to the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co. by 150 of the nation's leading PC software publishers. The SPA is the personal computer software industry's major trade association. (John McCormick/19910822/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202- 452-1600) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 ****RODIME FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 PROTECTION 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00019) ****RODIME FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 PROTECTION 08/22/91 BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Rodime Inc., a subsidiary of Scotland-based Rodime PLC, and not connected with disk drive sub-system manufacturer Rodime Systems Inc. which is also based in Boca Raton, has filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of U.S. Bankruptcy Laws. According to the company, this action will result in the immediate layoffs of 300 employees around the world, with the staff in Florida being reduced from 72 to 42, and those remaining in Boca Raton just, according to company spokesperson Loretta Gasper, staying for four to six months to ensure an orderly shutdown of operations. The Boca Raton facilities, which haven't actually manufactured disk drives for about two years, have recently been on the market and the company says it will increase efforts to sell the property. Rodime's president, Peter G. Bailey, said Rodime PLC hopes to pay off all its secured and most of its unsecured creditors. The company had recently been holding discussions with Taiwanese and Korean companies in an effort to form a joint venture. Ms. Gasper, who, as she put it, is, "for the time being, the manager of marketing communications," declined to provide the names of the Far East companies which were holding discussions with Rodime PLC, telling Newsbytes that the company was not giving out that information. There are two Rodime companies in Boca Raton, and both are involved with hard disk drives, so it is important to note that the one which just declared bankruptcy is the one located at 901 Broken Sound Pkwy., NW, Boca Raton, FL. Rodime Systems, Inc. a subsidiary of Profit Technology, Inc., and located at 7700 W. Camino Real, 2nd Fl., Boca Raton, FL, was split off from Rodime Inc. in May of 1990 and is no longer connected in any way with the company which just filed for bankruptcy. "We aren't connected with that company and are doing very well, thank you," said a spokesperson for Profit Technology's Rodime System, a company which is a sub-system drive manufacturer that sells drives to resellers. (John McCormick/19910822/Press Contact: Loretta Gasper, Rodime Inc., 407-994-6200, fax 407-997-9390) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT APPROVES FINGERMATRIX 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020) TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT APPROVES FINGERMATRIX 08/22/91 NORTH WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Fingermatrix, whose live scan electronic fingerprinting systems have recently been approved by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to replace the old ink-and-roll-on-paper method of taking suspects' fingerprints, has announced that the Texas Department of Public Safety has just approved its system. Fingermatrix is also reporting that Los Angeles County, California has completed its testing of its product and is expected to begin procurement of 110 systems, a multi-million dollar contract. The Fingermatrix system prints out the scanned fingerprint on standard identification cards and also stores a digitized image in a computer. Latent prints (fingerprints taken from objects) can also be scanned and digitized, then matched with previously stored "live" fingerprints to speed comparison and identification. (John McCormick/19910822/Press Contact: Scott G. Schiller, Fingermatrix Inc., 914-428-5441) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 POST REPORTS UNISYS TO SELL DEFENSE DIVISION 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00021) POST REPORTS UNISYS TO SELL DEFENSE DIVISION 08/22/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- The Washington Post is reporting that troubled Unisys is negotiating to sell its McLean, Virginia-based defense division in a move to take the unit public, raising up to $1 billion. The Carlyle Group, a Washington, DC investment banking firm, is said by the Post to be the agent for the sale, but neither Unisys nor anyone from the Carlyle Group would comment to Newsbytes on the report. Hit by record fines, cost overruns, and other problems, Unisys had losses over $1 billion in the second quarter of this fiscal year. Washington insiders with contacts at Unisys declined to comment specifically on their knowledge of any pending sale but did tell Newsbytes that they "wouldn't be surprised" to see the defense division sold off. (John McCormick/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 IDENTIX TO BUY IMAGEERING 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00022) IDENTIX TO BUY IMAGEERING 08/22/91 SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Sunnyvale, California-based Identix has announced the signing of a letter of intent to purchase Imageering Optical Disk Systems, a Memphis, Tennessee-based company that builds electronic mug shot systems which are used in criminal identification. Identix builds electronic fingerprint scanning systems and with the acquisition the company could integrate the two systems into an Integrated Identification Information system for use by police departments. Founded in 1982, Identix Inc., 510 N. Pastoria Ave., Sunnyvale, CA, phone 408-739-2000, fax 408-739-3308, employs about 22 people and has annual sales of $2 million. (John McCormick/19910822/Press Contact: Jim Scullion, Identix, 408-739-2000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 COMPUTER ASSOCIATES WINS SUIT, TENDERS ON-LINE 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00023) COMPUTER ASSOCIATES WINS SUIT, TENDERS ON-LINE 08/22/91 GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Computer Associates International Inc. (CA) and On-Line Software International Inc. (On-Line) have jointly announced that they have entered into an agreement whereby CA's wholly owned subsidiary, LWB Merge Inc., will make a tender offer today for all of the approximately 5.7 million outstanding shares of On-Line common stock at a price of $15.75 per share in cash. The firms further said that the board of directors of On-Line Software International Inc. has unanimously approved the offer and the merger agreement and recommends that shareholders accept the offer. The offer is conditioned upon a minimum of 2,451,285 shares being tendered and not withdrawn. The 2,451,285 figure does not include additional On-Line shares CA already has the right to purchase from On-Line's chairman of the board, Jack M. Berdy. The information agent for the offer will be D.F. King & Co. Inc. On-Line Software International Inc., with headquarters in Ft. Lee, N.J., develops and acquires, markets and supports a broad range of standardized systems software products and services principally for users of intermediate and large-scale IBM and IBM plug-compatible mainframe computers. On-Line's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ''OSI.'' In another Computer Associates matter, the firm announced that a federal district court has awarded judgment in favor of Computer Associates International Inc. against Altai Inc. The judgment is in the amount of approximately $500,000 which includes interest. The court determined that Computer Associates' copyright in its CA-Scheduler program is valid and found that Altai was guilty of infringing CA's copyright by copying significant portions of CA's product. The court awarded a judgement to CA of approximately $500,000 including interest. The court, however, also ruled that, based on what the CA press release calls a "legal technicality," CA could not also maintain a claim for trade secret misappropriation. Computer Associates stated that it plans to appeal the court's ruling. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Bob Gordon, Computer Associates International Inc., 516/227-3300/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 NEW ATARI LYNX SHIPS 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00024) NEW ATARI LYNX SHIPS 08/22/91 LOMBARD, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Atari is now shipping a new compact version of the Lynx color portable video game system. According to Atari, the new version weighs less than the original, tipping the scales at under one pound, but still offers the same 3.5-inch screen. The product measures 9.5-inches by 4.25-inches by 2-inches deep and has separate on and off buttons to prevent game interruptions. Dana Plotkin, vice president of marketing, told Newsbytes that the original version "stopped shipping in the first week of July." The new Lynx retails for $99.99, the same as the original. A $149.99 package including an AC adapter, a California Games game cartridge, and a ComLynx cable for multi-player gaming. New features include a recessed screen cover for added protection and a wider viewing angle, rubber hand grips built into the back of the unit, and a back-light shut-off button that the company claims conserves battery power when the game is paused. Plotkin also told Newsbytes that everything else about the new version is the same as the original. The company claims the Lynx is the only portable game system with a "flip-screen" to accommodate left- and right-handed play. Lawrence Siegel, president of Atari's Entertainment Division, said: "This won't force anyone to upgrade, but will instead expand the appeal of the Lynx. The games we've produced are all compatible. We expect to sell everything we can manufacture." Plotkin declined to give any sales figures for the original Lynx game, which was introduced in December of 1989, claiming that giving out sales statistics was "against management policy." He did say however, that he sees "this segment of the market to continue to improve and increase over the years." Atari maintains there are currently 20 games available for the Lynx, with that number expected to rise to 45 by the end of 1991. The new Lynx is available at many electronics and retail outlets, including Toys 'R' Us, Electronics Boutique, Babbages, Sears, KayBee Toys, Software Etc, and Montgomery Ward. (Ian Stokell/19910822/Press Contact: Lawrence Siegel, Atari Entertainment Division, 708-629-6500) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 APPLE/PARAGON DESIGNING ARABIC WORD PROCESSOR 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00025) APPLE/PARAGON DESIGNING ARABIC WORD PROCESSOR 08/22/91 SOLANA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Nisus word processor-developer Paragon Concepts has signed a contract with Apple Computer BV, a subsidiary of Apple Computer, to produce a high-end Macintosh word processing package for the Middle Eastern market. The Arabic version of Nisus is expected to ship by October 1 and is being localized for both the Arabic and Farsi languages. According to the company, distribution in Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, People's Republic of Yemen, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abou Dabi) and Yemen will be managed by Apple Computer AMME (Africa, Mediterranean and Middle East) from its headquarters in Paris. Distribution in other locations will be managed by Paragon Concepts through its established distributors worldwide. According to Howard Sloan, Apple AMME product manager and Apple's coordinator for the project, the market for Apple Computer in the Middle East has grown steadily over the last five years. The company says that Nisus (Arabic) will handle Roman, Arabic and Farsi scripts in which the characters are context sensitive and stretch in width depending on justification. It allows menus in English, Arabic or Farsi, at the user's choice. The localized Nisus will be modeled on the current 3.06 United States version. The U.S. retail price of the intended product is set at $495. Nisus runs on the Macintosh Plus, SE, SE 30, Macintosh Portable, Classic, LC and all Macintosh IIs. Memory requirement depends on the system size although two megabytes is recommended. On the worldwide front, Apple Computer intends to introduce ten international language versions of System 7 in the early part of September 1991. International sales accounted for more than half of Apple's revenues in the January-March quarter of the 1991 financial year. Paragon Concepts Inc. is an independently held developer and publisher of computer software and is based in Solana Beach, California. The company was founded in 1984 by Jerzy Lewak, Ph.D., who continues as president. (Ian Stokell/19910822/Press Contact: Edwina Riblet, Paragon Concepts Inc., 619-481-1477) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 SIGMA DESIGNS LOSES $962,000 IN 2Q 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026) SIGMA DESIGNS LOSES $962,000 IN 2Q 08/22/91 FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Blaming the current recession in the computer industry, Sigma Designs has reported a loss of $962,000 for its second quarter ended July 31, 1991. The results compare to a gain of $531,000 for the like period last year. Net sales for the quarter were $6,276,000, significantly below the $9,143,000 reported a year ago. Earnings per share was a loss of $0.18, compared with a gain of $0.09 in the prior year. Net sales for the six months ended July 31, 1991 were $14,868,000, a 23 percent reduction from $19,316,000 a year ago. Net income was a loss of $954,000 compared with a gain of $1,252,000 last year. Earnings per share were a loss of $0.17 compared with a $0.21gain in the prior year. Sigma claims that, during the quarter, the company continued to fine tune its sales organization and devoted increased resources toward new product development efforts. The most significant new product being developed is identified by the company as a document imaging storage and retrieval system by Docupoint which accounted for $693,000 of the $954,000 total year-to-date loss. The company believes that these activities were important to rebuilding its revenue base in the long term. However, Thinh Tran, president, said: "There are signs that the economy is slowly turning around and the fact that Sigma is a participant in the Navy's Desktop Companion contract as a supplier of CPU boards and VGA cards, it is reasonable to expect that we will soon see some improvement in the demand for Sigma's product." Sigma also noted that, to date, it has repurchased 808,762 shares of its common stock pursuant to its stock-buy-back program announced in February and May 1990 and that it plans to continue this program in the near future. Newsbytes reported just this week that the company had introduced the Bullet 030, a 50 MHz 68030 microprocessor-based accelerator add-in board with lossless data and image compression for the Macintosh IIci and IIsi. In June the company introduced a tabloid-page gray scale display system for Macintosh NuBus computers, called the SilverView Portrait, and at the same time expanded its retail sales operation with several new programs designed to increase dealer profitability. Sigma Designs is a manufacturer and marketer of graphics products including boards, high-resolution display systems, and system enhancements products for IBM compatibles and Apple personal computers. (Ian Stokell/19910822/Press Contact: Binh Trinh, Sigma Design Inc., 415-770-0100) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 ****FIRST APPEAL FILED TO BLOCK BELLS 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027) ****FIRST APPEAL FILED TO BLOCK BELLS 08/22/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Responding to a request from Judge Harold Greene, the American Newspaper Publishers Association has appealed his decision lifting the information services restriction from the regional Bell companies. Greene had ruled July 25 he had no choice but to lift the restrictions, due to orders from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals precipitated by the U.S. Justice Department requests. Consumer groups and MCI are also expected to join the appeal, but the courts aren't their only avenue. Legislation to free the Bells is presently working its way through Congress, and language restricting their entry into information services could be made a part of it. But President Bush has threatened to veto that bill, and no Bush veto has yet been overridden. The Bush Administration argues that letting the Bells sell things like "electronic yellow pages" and other information services will lead to increased competition. Opponents counter that the Bells have a stranglehold on the U.S. telephone industry, and letting them into the online business would give them a stranglehold on that, too. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON SETTLES SOFTWARE SUIT 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00028) UNIVERSITY OF OREGON SETTLES SOFTWARE SUIT 08/22/91 EUGENE, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- The University of Oregon has announced that it will pay $130,000 to settle a lawsuit in which several computer software companies alleged that university employees violated software copyrights. Specifically the suit alleged that employees at a university microcomputer training laboratory made unauthorized copies of programs and training manuals. The companies involved are Aldus, Ashton-Tate, Lotus, Microsoft, Claris and WordPerfect. The suit was filed on behalf of the software publishers by the Software Publishers Association, and is reportedly the first such suit against a public university. Several major software companies, as well as the association itself, have taken a strong public stand on the issue of piracy and copyright violation, and have vowed to pursue violators in the courts. Apparently many users think it is O.K. to make copies of copyrighted software and manuals, however most copyright notices allow copies only for backup purposes. Each user is expected to have an original edition of single user software. The software industry estimates that it loses millions of dollars each year because of piracy. In addition to the monetary payment, the University of Oregon also agreed to organize and host a national conference on copyright law and software use. The state also agreed to conduct an education campaign on those topics for faculty, staff and computer students. "We are happy with the negotiated terms. Software producers have a right to be assured that every user is accessing a licensed version of the software," said Peter Swan, assistant for legal affairs to the university president. Ken Wasch, executive director of the software association, said his group is also pleased with the settlement. "We hope that our action will send a clear message to all public and private colleges and universities that our members intend to pursue improper use of their software products vigorously," said Wasch. The University of Oregon's microcomputer lab, located in Portland, has the largest computer program training center in Oregon, and says it trains between 300 and 500 people each month, many for local businesses. (Jim Mallory/910822/Press contact: Peter Swan, Univ of Oregon, 503-346-3111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 DELL COMPUTER INCOME UP 94% 08/22/91 08/22/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00029) DELL COMPUTER INCOME UP 94% 08/22/91 AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- The recession may still be on, but you can't prove it by looking at the financial statement for Dell Computer Corporation. Dell has reported that its net income for the second quarter, which ended August 4th, is up a whopping 94 percent. Dell says it had net income of $12.4 million for the quarter, up from $6.4 million for the same period last year. The income was realized on sales of $200 million for the quarter, which is up a respectable 64 percent over 1991's figure of $121.8 million. Shareholders will receive $.50 per share for the quarter, compared to the $.32 they got for the second quarter last year. The company says sales were up both domestically and internationally, and the increases spread across every customer segment. Dell has made several moves recently to continue its success. As reported this month by Newsbytes, the company is now selling its computers through Stapes, a office superstore. It introduced a low profile 386SX desktop unit in May of this year, and in June introduced their 486-based line using Intel's 486DX 50 megahertz chip. Dell is still in the midst of a legal battle with Compaq regarding advertisements that Dell ran comparing Dell systems to those of fellow Texan and competitor Compaq Corporation. Dell maintains a toll free number (800-289-3355) for company and product information. (Jim Mallory/910822/Press contact: Michael Moore, Dell, 512-343-3535) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 22 CORRECTION: ATM BUNDLED W/VENTURA 4.0 FOR WINDOWS 08/22/91 08/22/91 (CORRECTION)(IBM)(LAX)(00030) CORRECTION: ATM BUNDLED W/VENTURA 4.0 FOR WINDOWS 08/22/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 22 (NB) -- Newsbytes wishes to correct this story, dated August 15. We stated that Adobe's deal with Ventura Software to bundle Adobe Type Manager with Ventura Publisher for Windows 4.0 marked the second time that Adobe had struck such a deal, the first being with Lotus for its Windows products. In fact, Adobe has now struck three such deals. A previous bundling deal was with Aldus. Adobe Type Manager was bundled with Aldus Pagemaker 4.0 and Persuasion 2.0, but only with the Windows versions. Aldus tells Newsbytes that Pagemaker 4.0 for Windows was shipped in February and Persuasion 2.0 shipped in March. Aldus customer relations can be contacted at 206/628-6594. (Wendy Woods & Linda Rohrbough/19910822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 ASHTON-TATE OFFERS UNLICENSED SOFTWARE AMNESTY 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00001) ASHTON-TATE OFFERS UNLICENSED SOFTWARE AMNESTY 08/21/91 TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate has announced it is allowing users of unlicensed versions of Applause II, Multimate and dBASE IV to register their software at reduced prices. At the same time, AT officials said they are offering a free conversion from Harvard Graphics and Lotus Freelance to Applause II 1.5 presentation graphics format with a utility that is free to Applause users. In use, the utility package imports images and underlying data to Applause II, Ashton-Tate said. This adds to the files Applause can already import. Currently, Applause imports .CGM, .TIF, .GX2, .GIF, Diagram-Master and Sign-Master files, the company said. Applause can also import dBASE, Framework, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, Chart-Master, Sylk, DIF data files, and ASCII files. For unlicensed users the company said it is allowing corporations to schedule an amnesty day per location between now and September 30, 1991. On the day scheduled, any number of users can register unauthorized copies of dBASE IV, Multimate 4.0 and Applause II at amnesty prices of around 70 percent less than suggested retail prices. Registration entitles users to software license agreements, with manuals available but at an extra charge. Amnesty prices have been announced as $339 for dBASE IV, $110 for Multimate and Applause. (Linda Rohrbough/19910821/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver, Ashton- Tate, Tel: 213/538-7011, Fax: 213/538-7998) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 NEW FOR PC: Mailing List Software Cuts Costs By Barcoding 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00002) NEW FOR PC: Mailing List Software Cuts Costs By Barcoding 08/21/91 MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Mysoftware has announced that version 3.0 of its software package Myadvancedmaillist now makes it affordable for small businesses to get postage rates reduced by as much as 5.2 cents a piece, by barcoding the "zip plus four" data on the envelope. The company claims that, until now, small businesses have never taken advantage of the capability because the necessary software was too expensive. In version 3.0 of Myadvancedmaillist, the software can be instructed to send to the printer "zip + four" and/or the barcode along with the regular mailing information for labels, envelopes or postcards. Also included as standard with the new version of software is a word pricessor. Announcing the package, Dave Mans, president of Mysoftware said: "Small businesses can effectively compete in the exploding direct- mail arena with the new Myadvancedmaillist. We'll continue to provide quick, and easy-to-learn, software tools for small businesses that are priced to fit their budgets. Our new Myadvancedaillist is our latest step in that direction." Retail price on Myadvancedmaillist version 3.0 is $59.95. The package is available at Egghead Discount Software, Software Etc., Waldensoft, Babbages, and Electronics Boutique, CompUSA, Office Depot, Wal Mart, K Mart, Target and Sears (Linda Rohrbough/19910821/Press Contact: Kimberly Norris, MySoftware, Tel: 415/688-8450, Fax: 415/325-3106) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 NOVELL RECORDS $43 MILLION PROFIT IN THIRD QUARTER 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00003) NOVELL RECORDS $43 MILLION PROFIT IN THIRD QUARTER 08/21/91 PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Novell Corporation has reported that it had a net revenue of $168 million for its third quarter, which ended on July 27, 1991. The company added that it showed a net income increase for the period of 65 percent, up to $43 million from $26.1 million last year. Income per share was $0.58, up from $0.38 for the same period last year. Novell says that its international sales increased from $56.2 million to $77 million over the second quarter this year. During the period, it reported rapid sales growth in Europe, the Pacific Rim and Latin America. In July of this year Novell Japan, a subsidiary company, began shipping the first Japanese language version of Netware. Novell recently announced a two-for-one stock split payable in the form of a stock dividend to shareholders of record on August 12, 1991. Distribution for the additional shares will be made on August 30 of this year. In July Novell and Digital Research announced the signing of a merger agreement which would make DRI a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novell. Earlier this year IBM and Novell entered into a marketing agreement which allowed IBM to market, service and support Novell's Netware products. Some users and system integrators are reporting that the upgrade from Netware version 2.15 to version 3.11 has been having problems, according to an article in Infoworld this week. The article states that the problem occurs because the two versions are essentially different operating systems with incompatible bindery structures. The bindery is the network operating system's database for storing detailed information such as users, file servers and print queues. One system integrator reported that it took him 18 hours to upgrade a 600 megabyte file server, and other installers have reported having to do a lot of hand-checking after running the upgrade utility provided with version 3.11. Novell says it is working on a solution for customers with particularly complex upgrades. (Jim Mallory/19910821/Press contact: Peter Troop, Novell, 408-473- 8361) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 CONVEX COMPUTER GETS ORDER FOR SUPERCOMPUTERS 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004) CONVEX COMPUTER GETS ORDER FOR SUPERCOMPUTERS 08/21/91 RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Convex Computer Corporation has announced the receipt of an order from the Finnish government for two supercomputers. Convex says the Ministry of Education will receive a C3840, while the Ministry of Finance will get a C220. Both systems will be installed at the Center for Scientific Computing (SCS) in Otaniemi, Espoo, just outside Helsinki. CSC is a part of the Finnish National Supercomputer Center, which provides supercomputer and general computer services to Finland's technical, scientific and industrial communities. Reportedly, about 1,500 users from Finland's 17 universities, the national research labs, and various commercial companies use CSC's systems. Applications include work in physics, chemistry, molecular biology, compuatational fluid dynamics, mechanical computer-aided engineering (CAE), astrophysics, and visualization. According to Risto Nieminen, scientific director at CSC, the Convex system will be installed in early 1992 and will be used for academic research projects. He said that CSC looks forward to working with Convex. Olli Serimaa, system software manager at CSC, said that some of the factors in making the choice for Convex were power, large memory, extensive networking capabilities, high I/O capacity, advanced compilers, and the availability of software. Convex is a Unix-based system, and is compatible with VAX/VMS through COVUE, Convex to Vax User Environment software. The C3840 system to be installed in the Ministry of Education has eight processors, two gigaflops of peak performance, and four gigabytes of physical memory. It uses gallium arsenide semiconductor technology, and is air-cooled. (Jim Mallory/19910821/Press contact: Donna Burke, Convex, 214-497- 4230) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 NEW PRODUCT: Lexmark Intros New 24-Wire Printers 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00005) NEW PRODUCT: Lexmark Intros New 24-Wire Printers 08/21/91 LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Lexmark International has announced two new 24-wire models in its IMB Personal Printer Series II. Lexmark manufactures and markets printers which utilize a nearly straight line paper path, minimizing the possibility of paper jams, the company claims. Suggested list prices range from $499 for a narrow carriage to $699 for a wide carriage model. All models come with a two-year limited warranty. Lexmark printers can be used with IBM PCs and close compatibles. The 24-pin models allow higher quality graphics and print enhancements, including shadow and outlines, and come with eight built-in fonts. Both nine and 24 wire models will accept multi-part forms. Lexmark introduced its nine wire models in both 80- and 132-column models last month. Lexmark was founded in March of this year when Clayton and Dubilier, a New York-based private investment firm purchased IBM's information products subsidiary. The company also manufactures and markets typewriters, keyboards and related supplies. (Jim Mallory/19910821/Press contact: Joe Frazer, Lexmark, 606-232- 6906) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 PENTAX TO SUPPLY SCANNERS FOR TOUCHFAX 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006) PENTAX TO SUPPLY SCANNERS FOR TOUCHFAX 08/21/91 BROOMFIELD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Pentax Technologies has announced the signing of an agreement to supply Pentax flatbed scanners to TouchFax Information Systems of Lenexa, Kansas. TouchFax manufactures touchscreen facsimile and public communications terminals. Pentax says that its Model SB-L301 IQ Scan Desktop Scanner will be incorporated into the newly introduced TouchFax TF700 terminal. The TouchFax agreement is a significant opportunity for Pentax, according to Pentax vice president Robert Bender. "TouchFax has conservatively estimated that they will require 1,000 scanners within the next 12 months, and double that amount by the end of 1992." he said. TouchFax terminals include a 14-inch touchscreen color monitor, credit card reader to accept payment, a full sized keyboard, a 300 dots-per-inch (dpi) flatbed scanner, an Intel 80386 based CPU (central processor unit) with a 40 megabyte hard drive, proprietary software, an integrated fax and modem, as well as a 300 dpi laser printer. The entire unit is housed in a 24-inch by 28-inch by 50-inch steel kiosk providing fax service to the general public. Pentax Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Optical Co of Japan which was founded in 1985 to develop, sell and service computer peripherals. Ashai Optical is best known for its line of Pentax cameras, but also makes lenses, mirrors, scanner and fax sub-assemblies and laser scanning units. (Jim Mallory/19910821/Press contact: Courtney DeWinter, Wells Communications, 303-292-1011) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 NEW PRODUCT: Envelope Printing for Macs and PCs 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00007) NEW PRODUCT: Envelope Printing for Macs and PCs 08/21/91 NEWARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Tidemark has announced the Address Express, a complete system for addressing envelopes, designed to work with the IBM PC and close compatibles, as well as the Apple Macintosh range of computers. Tidemark claims that the system is smart enough to pick an address out of a letter or other correspondence, place it on an envelope and send it to the printer that comes with the system, without disturbing any of the normal workflow, especially in a networking environment. The software is available to the user from a "hot key" combination on the PC and as a INIT on the Macintosh, company officials said. Mara Stefan, of public relations for Tidemark, said the system eliminates all the hassle of digging up the envelope, changing the printer from portrait to landscape, moving the address from the letter to the envelope document and then printing the envelope. The system includes a printer made by Texas Instruments specifically for Tidemark, address management and layout software, network support software for both PC and Macintosh users, cabling and documentation, he said. Larry Plummer, chief executive officer of Tidemark said: "We've solved a major work place frustration. We've totally eliminated the time and hassle involved in using a typewriter, handwriting or manually feeding a printer to address an envelope. No additional steps are involved to recreate the address." According to Tidemark, the Address Express system can be configured to print bar coded zip codes on to the envelope. Envelopes with bar codes on them qualify for postal rate savings of between seven and 20 percent. As well as bar codes, the software can be set to print graphic images on the envelope alongside the address. A clip art library is included as standard with the package for this purpose. Joe Miller, vice-president of Tidemark said: "The heart of the addressing unit is an enhanced inkjet printing system that works with a wide range of paper types, textures and sizes." "With capacity for more than 100 envelopes or labels, the address printer features professional-quality resolution, quiet operation and low power consumption," he added. Enhanced networking services include background print spooling, and printer status reporting so a user can "look" at a particular printer and see if it is busy and the type of envelope it has loaded, Stefan said. The retail price on Address Express is $1,195. The system is expected to be available during the third quarter of this year. A toll-free 800 area code number for technical support is provided, and the system carries a one year parts and labor warranty. The minimum configuration on the IBM PC platform for Address Express DOS 2.11 or higher, 512 kilobytes of RAM, a hard disk, and a graphics display. On a networked PC the required is 640K and DOS 3.1 or higher. Apple Mac users need System 6.0.4 or higher, 1MB of RAM and a hard disk. The company said that Address Express is fully System 7.0-compatible. Further information is available from Tidewater, One Duffel Centre, 39899 Balentine Drive, Suite 320, Newark, CA 94560-5363, telephone (415) 498-4130. (Linda Rohrbough/19910821/Press Contact: Mara Stefan, Tidemark, Tel: 415/490-5050, Fax: 415/490-4047) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 SECOND-HAND SOFTWARE COMPANY FOR ATARI DEBUTS 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00008) SECOND-HAND SOFTWARE COMPANY FOR ATARI DEBUTS 08/21/91 LANSING, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Second-hand software used to be quite a money-spinner in the days before software piracy gave the industry a bad name. Now a new company, called The Computer Dungeon, aims to service the second-hand software market for Atari computer users, while at the same time staying legal on the copyright front. The Computer Dungeon is insisting that all software that passes through its hands is original, and comes complete with all documentation. Apart from these criteria, Atari computer users of all types are being encouraged to sell, exchange and buy their second-hand software through the company. The company, which is looking to handle software for the Atari ST, XL/XE and Lynx range of computers, claims to have several thousand titles always in stock, and will send out its catalogue of available software free on request. The primary aim of the company is to sell second-hand software, but trades are also allowed. The general rule of thumb is that a $5 fee is enough to exchange one package for another, especially on the Lynx games console. As always, negotiation is the art of the deal. Because company officials have such a tight rein on what software passes through their hands, The Computer Dungeon is guaranteeing that all software bought by mail order are the originals. (Steve Gold/19910821/Press & Public Contact: The Computer Dungeon, P.O. Box 25011, Lansing, MI 48909 - Tel: 517/887-8741) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 NEW FOR MAC: "On-The-Fly" Data Compression Package 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00009) NEW FOR MAC: "On-The-Fly" Data Compression Package 08/21/91 WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- While "on-the-fly" program and data compression programs for the PC are nothing new, the packages are still something to write home about on the Apple Mac. Aladdin Systems' Spacemaker, is one such package for the Mac. Pricing in at $60, the package carries out "on-the-fly" file compression and decompression without requiring the user to carry out any special operations. In use, the package sits in RAM and intercepts drive-relevant commands from the Mac's operating system, compressing and decompressing the files as required. Aladdin claims that its software has a similar performance to hardware-based compression boards, averaging a 50 percent compression rate on most files. This is roughly comparable to the Stuffit and LHARC programs currently being used by the Mac community to squeeze file sizes down -- the advantage with Spacemaker is that the package works transparently, as far as the user is concerned. According to the company. Spacemaker is currently undergoing beta testing, prior to shipment this October. (Steve Gold/19910821/Press & Public Contact: Aladdin Systems, 165 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076 - Tel: 408/761-6200; Fax: 408/761-6206) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 BI-MONTHLY ATARI LYNX NEWSLETTER TO DEBUT 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00010) BI-MONTHLY ATARI LYNX NEWSLETTER TO DEBUT 08/21/91 CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- E&M Publishing has announced a new magazine called "On Target" that is aimed exclusively at Atari Lynx games console owners. According to the publishers, the new bi-monthly magazine will cover the world of the Lynx from software to accessories right down to secret playing hints. The first issue is available by mail order now at a special offer price of $1. Subscriptions to On Target cost $4 in the U.S., which gets you six issues of the magazine. Unusually for a magazine of this type, E&M says it is pitching the publication at the international marketplace. As part of this idea, readers are encouraged to advertise for other Lynx users around the world, so that they can "Lynx up" for games playing. In the U.K., sales of the Lynx continue to power ahead. Initial shipments of the Lynx Mk II are now reaching the stores. The Lynx Mk II has a slightly smaller case and screen, and retails for around UKP 129. (Steve Gold/19910821/Press & Public Contact: On Target, 18C Boyle Avenue, Cumberland, RI 02864-2306 - Tel: 401/658-3917) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 NEW FOR PC: Infra-red PC Keypad Allows Remote Data Entry 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00011) NEW FOR PC: Infra-red PC Keypad Allows Remote Data Entry 08/21/91 RUISLIP, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Infrared keyboards for the PC are still quite popular, although a little bulky, having first been seen in the U.K. on the Apricot portable PC in the mid-1980s. Enter Electrone with its keyboard master, a keyboard substitute that the company claims allows remote data entry up to 50 feet away from the PC. Keyboard master is a UKP 295 unit that plugs into the keyboard socket on the PC. Alternatively, the unit can be plugged into the PC's serial port and suitable driver software loaded into memory. In return for their money, users get an an unusual 27-key keyboard which can be software mapped to emulate almost any key on the PC keypad, as well as special ASCII code keys. Up to three keybad configurations can be held in the PC's memory at any given time. Using all three configurations, plus a number of macro keys can, the company claims, allow data to be entered as if from a real PC keyboard. In the main, however, the keyboard master is designed to run simple applications remotely, with numeric-only data entry. This accounts for its low price as far as remote keyboards go. (Steve Gold/19910821/Press & Public Contact: Electrone UK - Tel: 081- 864-5559) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 U.K.: PC AUTO-DIALER NOW AVAILABLE 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00012) U.K.: PC AUTO-DIALER NOW AVAILABLE 08/21/91 HUDDERSFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Most auto-dialing software available for the PC relies upon a modem to carry out the necessary auto-dialing. Now a small U.K. company has come up with the logical successor -- a modemless autodialer. According to DSK, the suppliers, the Genie autodialer supports tone or pulse dialing from a TSR (terminate-and-stay-resident) package that loads into RAM each time the PC is booted up. To use the dialer, the TSR package is popped up and the number entered. This is more efficient, DSK claims, than a modem autodialer, which normally requires fairly complex communications software. The package is not cheap at UKP 59-95. Newsbytes notes that a copy of Borland's Sidekick can be purchased for around half this price, although the autodialing facility on Sidekick relies on a modem being present. The DSK Genie, meanwhile, is a complete "plug-in and go" package. The DSK Genie requires a PC equipped with at least 256 kilobytes of RAM and DOS 3.0. The package can be configured to run in extended memory. (Steve Gold/19910821/Press & PUblic Contact: Tel: 0484-606090) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 WIRELESS TELECOMS BEST CHOICE FOR UNDERGROUND USE 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00013) WIRELESS TELECOMS BEST CHOICE FOR UNDERGROUND USE 08/21/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Pocket pagers and portable phones may be convenient but they do not function well underground or on subways. The best choice for underground telecommunications work is a series of "leaky" cables that transmit fairly low-power, but highly penetrating signals for a short area around the cable itself. As a result of this, the Japanese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has started a project to lay out a number of wireless transmission cables in the subway systems of large cities here in Japan. The first to receive the benefits of the cabling projects are the Tokyo and Osaka subway systems. The Ministry has already begun a 50 day experiment with wireless radio communications using leaky cables in Osaka. The extra projects will involve the use of larger cables, which will carry a variety of radio signals. This poses something of a technical problem for the ministry -- how to ensure that the cable is able to carry different radio signals without one signal impairing another. Conventional radio theory suggests that different wavelengths should not be used on the same transmission element due to this transmission cancelling effect. The Japanese electrical engineers have said, however, that the difference between the various radio wavelengths used for transmission is so great that signal cancellation effects should be negligible. The transmissions used are 900MHz for radiopagers, 82.9 MHz for FM radio, and 666 KHz for AM radio. Another headache for the telecommunication administration is the sheer cost of the project. Best estimates suggest that the average cost of laying cables in the subway works out at around 100 million yen ($7,500) per kilometer. With several hundred miles of subway in the Tokyo area alone, the costs involved are astronomical. The ministry's solution is to ensure that the network goes live and attracts paying customers from as earlier a date as possible. For this reason, the pilot test period will end at the end of this month and the ministry plans to issue its report and recommendations before the end of the year. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910821) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 SEAGATE TO BUILD HARD DRIVE PLANT IN JAPAN 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00014) SEAGATE TO BUILD HARD DRIVE PLANT IN JAPAN 08/21/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- California-based Seagate Technologies has announced plans to build a hard disk drive plant in Japan. The firm is reported to have already purchased a suitable site for the facility in the Nagano Prefecture, according to the Nikkei newspaper. This is the first time that Seagate, until now a predominantly U.S. company, has built its drives in Japan. The move is thought to be part of a program to cut costs, something that all drive manufacturers are having to think about, now that sales of hard drives are maturing. Seagate plans to start construction of the plant on the new 32,000 square feet site from next month. The production lines are expected to start rolling by the early part of next year. At the new plant, Seagate plans to produce 2.5-inch hard disks for notebook-type computers, which are rapidly gaining in popularity in Japan. Seagate also plans to produce even smaller 1.8-inch hard disks at the plant, which has an estimated total production capacity of 3.6 million hard drives a year. Seagate is a major hard disk drive manufacturer. The company has a 40 percent share of the hard disk marketplace and is currently producing 8.4 million units a year. Seagate is already supplying its hard disk drives to Japanese PC and workstation firms on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis. Seagate is currently producing smaller-sized hard disk drives at its Thailand and Singapore plants, but the firm is expected to move the production of the 2.5-inch hard disk drives to its new plant in Japan early next year. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910821) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 JAPAN: PC SALES DECLINE ACCORDING TO JEIDA SURVEY 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00015) JAPAN: PC SALES DECLINE ACCORDING TO JEIDA SURVEY 08/21/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Sales of personal computers went down for the first time in Japan over the last year, according to a survey taken by the Japan Electronics Industry Development Association (JEIDA). The survey's findings show that sales of laptops are slowing up, and sales of other PCs have also slowed. The major reason for the decline in sales is not due to a shortfall in demand in Japan, however, it is due to a dramatic fall in the number of PCs exported from Japan for sale overseas. JEIDA's survey shows that sales of personal computers for the April- June period were 294.7 billion yen ($2.2 billion), and the total output was 613,000 units. Both the sales amount, and the output units, were two percent lower than at the same time last year. Domestic sales in Japan, meanwhile, were 229.1 billion yen ($1.7 billion), which is a rise of seven percent over last year. Sales of 32-bit machines were 108.7 billion yen ($0.8 billion), around twice the sales figure this time last year. Thirty-two-bit machines, in fact, accounted for a healthy 74 percent of total PC sales. At the other end of the scale, sales of laptop PCs were down 14 percent. All is not doom and gloom on the PC sales front, however. Sales of notebook PCs are reported to be two percent up on this time last year. The export situation does not look good. Export sales are 23 percent down in unit terms, and 35 percent in overall shipment terms. One of the reasons for this sales decline is that PCs are being produced in volume at overseas plants in a bid to beat anticipated local import barriers. The good news is that, while exports are down, overall income for the Japanese PC industry is staying level, a sure sign that overseas production of PCs is a good choice for the companies. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910821) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 UNISYS JAPAN LAUNCHES NETWORK INTEGRATION BUSINESS 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00016) UNISYS JAPAN LAUNCHES NETWORK INTEGRATION BUSINESS 08/21/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Unisys Japan has announced that, as of September, it intends to begin marketing network-based Unix computer systems. With this strategy, the firm aims to triple its sales in Japan alone. Plans also call for Unisys Japan to market FDDI (Fiber optic Data Distribution Interface)-compliant standard optical local area networks. Unisys Japan's network integrated system supports a remote online controlling service called Com Watch, a network management service provided by Timeplex. Com Watch monitors and controls the network 24 hours a day. According to Unisys, this feature ensures minimum down time for the network. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910821/Press Contact: Unisys Japan, +81-3-3585- 4111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 CYRIX PROVIDES MATH CHIPS FOR GSA SUPPLIERS 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00017) CYRIX PROVIDES MATH CHIPS FOR GSA SUPPLIERS 08/21/91 RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Cyrix has announced it is now supplying its FasMath coprocessors to several US government GSA schedule holders. GSA schedules are a means for the U.S. government to purchase a multitude of products from suppliers quickly, without having to go through a bid process, since prices have already been established. Companies such as Compucom, CompUSA, ELEK-TEK, Government Micro Resources and Softmart have requested the FasMath line of math processors to meet customer demand. Cyrix says that some of the US government agencies using their chips in computers include the US Postal Service, Social Security Administration, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Defense (DOD). "The government is one of the largest users of CAD (computer-aided design) products, a market we specifically target with our AutoMATH coprocessor" said Bob Derby, vice president of sales for Cyrix. Cyrix provides a family of math coprocessors designed to increase the speed of computers performing numerical calculations. Math chips are frequently used in systems running spreadsheets, such as Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro and Excel, as well as CAD packages. Cyrix claims that its products use an original design that executes floating-point operations as much as three times faster than systems not so equipped. The company reports that its chips have been verified as compatible by a number of vendors, including Lotus Development Corp, Borland International, and Microsoft. The company maintains its products also comply with the IEEE 754 standards established in 1985 by the Floating-Point Work Group. (Jim Mallory/19910821/Kathy Truesdell, Cyrix Corp, 214-234-8387) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 CHRYSLER SECURES LARGE CONTRACT WITH MOTOROLA 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00018) CHRYSLER SECURES LARGE CONTRACT WITH MOTOROLA 08/21/91 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Motorola has announced that it has completed negotiations on a multi-million dollar contract with the American automobile manufacturer Chrysler Corporation. Terms of the contract call for Motorola to supply reduced-instruction set computing (RISC) systems to control materials handling and inventory systems for 19 automobile parts manufacturing plants. Plans call for the proprietary Chrysler systems to be replaced with Motorola's Unix-based Delta Series 8000 systems, Motorola officials said. The new systems will run time-sensitive applications including inventory control, material handling, bar code recognition and printing, receiving and shipping, weighing and measuring, and production counts for the construction of transmission axles, engines and glass which will then be shipped to final assembly plants, the company said. In addition, plans call for the new systems to support Chrysler's Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory control system, which ensures that parts are ordered so they are available when needed without delays or overstocking. The inventory control system is so precise that parts are often used within six hours of being shipped to the assembly plant, Chrysler claims. Harry Lewis, chief information officer for Chrysler said: "We've had a long-standing relationship with Motorola as a vendor of other technologies, and the company will continue to work closely with us to integrate the new computers into our existing systems." The Motorola systems are expected to be installed by the Commercial Systems Division (CSD) in December 1991 at the 19 plants. The Motorola CSD is expected to move the Chrysler customized manufacturing software to the new systems and provide additional software including standard network architecture communications, a Cobol compiler and word processing, the company said. Motorola said it will provide training on the over 900 terminals and 300 printers to be installed. Completion of transition is expected to be in May of 1992. (Linda Rohrbough/19910821/Press Contact: Linda Hayes, Motorola, Tel: 408/366-4480, Fax: 408/366-4804, Kelly Lasecki, Chrysler, Tel: 313/956-5771) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 QUARTERDECK SIGNS WITH ADOBE/RATIONAL SYSTEMS 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00019) QUARTERDECK SIGNS WITH ADOBE/RATIONAL SYSTEMS 08/21/91 SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Quarterdeck Office Systems has signed a licensing agreement with Adobe Systems, and at the same time signed a joint development deal with Rational Systems of Natick, Mass. The licensing agreement with Adobe will make available to DESQview/X users and developers PostScript scalable fonts and extensive printer support, at the operating environment level, through Adobe Type Manager technology. The joint development deal with Rational will result in the addition of system-level 286 and 386 shared dynamic link libraries (DLLs), embedded 16- and 32-bit DOS extenders, and virtual memory capabilities to future Quarterdeck products. "The Adobe Type Manager software technology will be supplied with all DESQview/X systems," said Therese Myers, president and co-founder of Quarterdeck. "We have embedded this technology at the system level of DESQview/X so that all applications being displayed in DESQview/X windows, including remote X applications, will be able to take advantage of high-quality fonts -- regardless of size," she added. The company maintains that DESQview/X, is a graphical, multitasking and windowing operating environment that is a full client/server implementation of the X Window System under DOS. According to Quarterdeck, the agreement with Rational to will allow programs to share 16- and 32-bit DOS Extenders -- enabling users to run X Window clients and 16- and 32- bit DOS programs in any combination. For developers, the DESQview/X system provides a 32-bit environment with a large address space for porting from Unix and mainframe operating systems. It is intended for DESQview/X to use a derivative of Rational System's DOS 16/M, 16-bit DOS extender; and DOS/4G, the company's recently announced 32-bit DOS extender, to deliver these capabilities. Dynamic Link Libraries are shared libraries of routines, designed to manage an array of common, generalized tasks, stored separately from an application program's regular code. In the DESQview/X system, shared DLL services will be performed by the Rational Systems' technology embedded in the system. DESQview/X is expected to ship in the fall, and, according to the company, will allow users and developers a choice of window managers; the ability to run DOS extended applications up to four gigabytes in size; the ability to multitask DOS applications and X Clients either locally or remotely on DOS or non-DOS machines; and will provide a logical growth path from character-based DOS to industry standard graphical user interfaces. (Ian Stokell/19910821/Press Contact: Charles Henry, McHenry & Associates, 503-772-2382) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 SCO ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTION AND DEVELOPER PROGRAMS 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00020) SCO ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTION AND DEVELOPER PROGRAMS 08/21/91 SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- The Santa Cruz Operation will distribute its packaged products through leading North American distributors, and at the same time expand its developer program, called the SCO Developer Alliance program. The company says that the North American distributors will also offer training, services, support and complete SCO Open Desktop configurations, SCO maintains it has trained and authorized seven major distributors in the United States and Canada to sell and support SCO Open Desktop, its networked graphical operating system. These distributors are Infinite Solutions, Ingram Micro, Merisel, MicroSource, Tech Data, and Vitek in the United States, and Merisel in Canada. SCO now claims to have established an international and domestic distribution network for SCO Open Desktop that includes these seven distributors, 12 major OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), 80 specialized SCO Advanced Product Centers (APCs), a wide range of value-added resellers, and federal systems integrators. SCO Open Desktop integrates five open system services into a single package: Unix System V, a graphical user interface, networking, a SQL (structured query language) database, and MS-DOS. According to SCO, the multi-tiered SCO Developer Alliance program now includes new services designed to address the specific needs of consultants, independent hardware vendors (IHVs), independent software developers (ISVs), and research organizations. The Alliance Partners level is a full-service marketing and technical information program, while the Alliance Associates level is an information-only service targeted at non-commercial developers and major end-user accounts. The new services include expanded technical support for IHVs, including increased custom support at the system and device-driver levels, an expanded online information service and bulletin board, additional joint marketing programs, ongoing developer seminars, and software utilities that assist developers in providing shrink-wrapped products. The company maintains that the SCO Developer Alliance Program will also expand to include a special program for the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) initiative. Developer Forums are being planned for October at NetWorld and Unix Expo. An ACE Developer's Kit is expected to be available in January 1992. (Ian Stokell/19910821/Press Contact: Zee Zaballos, Santa Cruz Operation Inc., 408-425-7222) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 AT SAYS DBASE, RAPIDFILE, APPLAUSE NOW PEN DOS COMPATIBLE 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00021) AT SAYS DBASE, RAPIDFILE, APPLAUSE NOW PEN DOS COMPATIBLE 08/21/91 TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate has announced that its dBASE IV, Rapidfile 1.2, Applause II, and Framework IV packages are all compatible with the PenDOS operating system from Communication Intelligence Corporation. PenDOS is an operating system designed for handwriting recognition, so input is with a special `pen' on a hand-held computer the size of a notebook with a flat screen, that reflects the pen's movements on the screen. The operating system is not only capable of handwriting recognition, but of recognizing gestures as commands, so for example, the user can cross-out words and the computer would delete those words. Making the announcement, Dave Proctor, Ashton-Tate's president and chief operating officer said: "Ashton-Tate's strategy is to provide compatible software for a variety of computers and operating environments, giving customers access to new and emerging technologies." "PenDOS supports this strategy and immediately allows people to combine the power and functionality of our products with the advantages of pen-based computers," he added. Right now, dBASE IV and Rapidfile require a mouse driver (software for interpreting mouse movements to the computer) from Mostly Mice, Ashton-Tate said. The company said that its long-term plans are to make the software fully compatible without the mouse drivers. Ashton-Tate says that PenDOS takes maximum advantage of the pen by employing a graphical or character-based user interface, gesture commands and a writing window which allows handwritten entries on top of dBASE IV, RapidFile, APPLAUSE II and the Framework products. (Linda Rohrbough/19910821/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver, Ashton- Tate, Tel: 213/538-7011, Fax: 213/538-7998) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 APPLE AND ADOBE SYSTEMS SIGN CO-OPERATIVE FONT DEAL 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00022) APPLE AND ADOBE SYSTEMS SIGN CO-OPERATIVE FONT DEAL 08/21/91 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Apple Computer and Adobe Systems have signed a letter of intent that could lead to the inclusion of Adobe's Type 1 font technology in a future version of Apple's System 7.0 operating system. The agreement calls for the development of the software necessary to support the Type 1 rasterizer and Type 1 fonts within the Mac system software. It forms part of an interim strategy to deliver the capability to handle Type 1 fonts prior to the system software release. Plans call for Apple to continue to support the TrueType font format within system software as well as peripheral devices. Charles Geschke, president and chief operating officer, Adobe Systems said: "We are delighted to be working with Apple to provide Macintosh users the ability to use the font format that best suits their needs by having equal access to both Type 1 and True Type font formats in the future." Under the terms of the letter of intent, Apple will make the ATM rasterizer and some Type 1 fonts available to purchasers of Mac systems and printers through an interim offer. The offer will be available in the fall of 1991 and the companies said specific details will be available at that time. Roger Heinen, Apple's vice president and general manager of the Macintosh Software division said: "Our goal with Macintosh system software is twofold: first, to build in unique functionality that capitalizes on the close integration between hardware and software, and secondly, to provide a more open architecture in areas where other vendors can provide valuable tools and technologies for our customers." One of the new Macintosh System 7.0 operating system features is TrueType, Apple's outline font technology, that the company claims provides users with high quality-text on the screen and the printed page. The agreement with Adobe will eventually allow users to access both TrueType and Type 1 fonts. Currently Macintosh users can use Type 1 fonts in Adobe's Type Manager 2.0 program running under System 7, although Apple maintains that the inclusion of the Type 1 format into the Macintosh system software will greatly simplify the process for the user. Implementation of the letter of intent is contingent on the execution of a definitive contract. (Ian Stokell/19910821/Press Contact: Linda Prosser, Adobe Systems, 415-962-3840; Patty Tulloch, Apple Computer Inc., 408-974-5449) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 SYMANTEC ACQUIRES DYNAMIC MICROPROCESSOR ASSOCIATION 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00023) SYMANTEC ACQUIRES DYNAMIC MICROPROCESSOR ASSOCIATION 08/21/91 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Less than a week after Symantec Corporation acquired Woburn, Mass-based Zortech Inc, in an effort to increase its role as a provider of programming software, the company is now trying to move into the remote control communications software market with the acquisition of Dynamic Microprocessor Associates of Huntington, New York. DMA is the developer and marketer of the pcANYWHERE remote control software, which was introduced in 1985, and allows users to connect a remote computer to a host PC and create an interactive display of the host machine. The acquisition is to be accomplished as a `pooling of interest,' the accounting method that has gained so much attention in AT&T's acquisition of NCR Corp. Symantec will exchange 400,000 shares of its common outstanding stock for the current outstanding shares of DMA. The DMA staff will report to Rod Turner, executive vice president of Symantec's utilities group, located in Santa Monica, California. Newsbytes previously reported that the acquisition of Zortech Inc., a developer of cross-platform C++ compilers, was an attempt by Symantec to enter that market niche, and at the same time encompass the company's compiler technology into its own internal tools. Symantec develops, markets and supports a line of application and system software products for IBM personal computers and compatibles, and Apple Macintosh computers. Founded in 1982, the company has offices in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. (Ian Stokell/19910821/Press Contact: Terri Sammonds, Symantec Corp., 408-725-2752) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 IBM CANADA RECRUITS MERISEL FOR TOKEN-RING DISTRIBUTION 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00024) IBM CANADA RECRUITS MERISEL FOR TOKEN-RING DISTRIBUTION 08/21/91 MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Seeking to broaden distribution channels for its Token Ring network products, IBM Canada has signed a distribution deal with Merisel Canada. Merisel is to select new value-added resellers (VARs), who will obtain Token Ring products through the national distributor. Current IBM Canada authorized remarketers will keep on selling Token Ring products, said June Ziola, account manager for Merisel at IBM Canada. They will not be required to work through Merisel, she told Newsbytes, though in some cases they may want to do so. Ziola said the main purpose of the Merisel deal is to broaden distribution of the network products. Existing dealers for the Token Ring products "look a lot like IBM," Ziola said. They are good at reaching large accounts. IBM hopes Merisel will help it do better at reaching small to medium-sized buyers. The company is looking for new dealers with different expertise, who are aiming at different markets, she added. Ziola said that IBM chose Merisel because it had expertise in networking. Those skills came largely from Compuserve, one of the two Toronto-area distributors that merged to form Merisel Canada. Compuserve began to focus on LANs before being bought by Microamerica, the U.S. distributor which later merged with Softsel to form Merisel, Ziola noted, so the Canadian Merisel is stronger in networking than its U.S. parent. In the United States, IBM has signed four distributors to handle Token Ring products, for reasons similar to IBM Canada's. However, Ziola said, Merisel was not among those chosen. (Grant Buckler/19910821/Press Contact: Anne Hay, IBM Canada, 416-474- 3900; Ian Fraser, Merisel Canada, 416-660-2701) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 HYUNDAI SIGNS NEW CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00025) HYUNDAI SIGNS NEW CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR 08/21/91 TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Hyundai Electronics Canada, a subsidiary of the Korean manufacturer, has signed Computer Access Systems of Toronto as its third Canadian PC distributor. CAS will carry Hyundai's full line of desktop and portable computers, monitors, plus modems. O.H. Kim, Hyundai Canada's general manager, said that Hyundai chose CAS "because they know the market, they know the product, and they know the people." Because CAS carries only a few product lines, Kim added, Hyundai hopes it will be better able to focus on Hyundai's products than larger distributors. Sean Budnik, national sales manager for CAS, said that his company has not had a line of PCs since Mitsubishi stopped making systems last year. CAS will handle Hyundai products along with Mitsubishi monitors, Brother printers and a handful of other products. "With their new generation of products," Budnik said, "we thought it would be a good marriage." Hyundai, a diversified firm which also makes cars, has been selling its computer products in Canada since 1987. CAS is a 10-year-old national distributor. (Grant Buckler/19910821/Press Contact: O.H. Kim, Hyundai, 416-882- 5255; Sean Budnik, CAS, 416-477-8667, fax 416-477-6172) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 NEW FOR PC: Accelerator Kits For Windows, LaserJets 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00026) NEW FOR PC: Accelerator Kits For Windows, LaserJets 08/21/91 RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- The XLR8-IT (say `accelerate it') card will speed up Microsoft Windows, according to manufacturer Ergon Systems. When combined with the company's printer adapter it will also boost the speed of Hewlett-Packard LaserJet and compatible laser printers, the company claims. Ergon is now shipping the XLR8-IT card, which fits in a 16-bit, AT-bus slot in an IBM or compatible personal computer. The card uses Chips & Technologies' Programmable Universal Micro Accelerator (PUMA) chip set to speed up the redrawing of screens in Microsoft Windows by offloading much of the work from the PC's central processor. An additional circuit card, which fits an adapter slot in the HP LaserJet and many compatible laser printers, bypasses the printer's own electronics and provides faster printing of Windows documents, the company said. Barrie McArthur, vice-president of marketing at Ergon, told Newsbytes that the printer accelerator will work with any printer that uses the same Canon print engine as the HP LaserJet line and has a printer adapter slot. The XLR8-IT Windows accelerator card costs US$499. The printer adapter is an additional US$129. Both are available now. The company is also planning special accelerator software for Autodesk's AutoCAD computer- aided design software, to be released early in 1992. (Grant Buckler/19910821/Press Contact: Barrie McArthur, Ergon Technologies, 601-856-4968, fax 601-856-2888) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 ****CA ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TANDEM 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00027) ****CA ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TANDEM 08/21/91 GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Computer Associates will adapt its integrated systems management software to hardware from Cupertino, California-based Tandem Computers. The two companies have announced a joint development agreement. Terms of the agreement call for CA to develop software to run on Tandem NonStop systems. The software is part of the firm's CA90s, or Computing Architecture for the 90s, strategy. It will handle automated production control, storage and resource management, performance management and accounting, data center administration, and security control and auditing, CA said. The software will also let users manage Tandem systems along with those from other hardware makers. As part of the CA90s strategy, Computer Associates is setting up development deals of this sort with a number of hardware vendors. The company announced a deal with Hewlett-Packard in January, and one with Digital Equipment more than a year ago. There will be more, Kurt Siebert, CA's vice-president of strategic alliances, told Newsbytes, though he would not name companies with which CA is talking. "Where a hardware company has a viable solution that our clients are looking at and need our software tools," Siebert said, CA is interested in making its products available on that platform. But he added that CA has to be "rather particular," as it has limited development resources and cannot adapt its software to every available piece of hardware. Tandem's Non-stop systems are fault-tolerant computers meant mainly for online transaction processing systems and enterprise networks. The two firms said the new products will extend and complement existing operations management products from Tandem and its other strategic software partners. While Training America will cease to exist as a separate company, Goal plans to keep all of its employees and offices. Training America's consulting group in Boston will become part of Goal's development group, based in nearby Cambridge, Massachusetts, Goal spokesman Brent Greer told Newsbytes. Siebert said that products resulting from the deal will be on the market in a year to 18 months. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. (Grant Buckler/19910821/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer Associates, 516-227-3300 ext. 3515; Tom Waldrop, Tandem, 408-285-7277) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 GOAL SYSTEMS TO TAKE OVER TRAINING AMERICA 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00028) GOAL SYSTEMS TO TAKE OVER TRAINING AMERICA 08/21/91 COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- Goal Systems International has bought most of the assets of Training America Inc., of White Plains, New York, for about US$650,000. The deal gives Goal Training America's Explain line of online reference and help software. Explain runs on IBM and compatible mainframes, on PCs and local-area networks, and on Unix systems. A version for OS/2 Presentation Manager is being developed, Goal said. TAI had sales of about $2 million in the year ended June 30. It has four regional sales offices and a product development group in Minneapolis, which will become part of Goal. Goal also signed employment agreements with TAI's two principals. George Langan, TAI founder and president, has been named vice- president of marketing for Goal's information technology division. TAI's executive vice-president, Patricia Lapointe, will become a director in Goal's professional services group. In July, Goal bought Teaching By Computer Inc., maker of the Syllabus computer-based training system. Goal said the acquisitions give it PC tools to complement its Phoenix and Preference employee performance support systems for mainframes. "Our motivation in acquiring Training America is three-fold," said Robert A. Nero, president of Goal's information technology division. "We broaden our technical capability for online documentation and help on PCs, LANs, and workstations; we gain the advantage of a specialized mid-priced product; and we join forces with the excellent technical and sales team at TAI," he added. Goal also announced unaudited results for its second quarter and six months ended July 31, 1991. Revenue for the quarter was US$30.6 million, up 16 percent from $26.4 million in the same quarter last year. Net income for the quarter was US$2.6 million, up 21 percent from US$2.1 million in the second quarter last year. For the six months, revenue rose 16 percent to US$57.3 million from US$49.3 million one year ago. Net income was US$4.1 million, versus a US$100,000 loss a year ago. (Grant Buckler/19910821/Press Contact: Brent Greer, Goal Systems International, 614-785-2229) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 SPA ANNOUNCES THREE NEW PUBLICATIONS 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00029) SPA ANNOUNCES THREE NEW PUBLICATIONS 08/21/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 21 (NB) -- The Software Publishers Association has announced three new publications for its members and others involved in publishing and selling software: Salary surveys, a human resources guide, and a U.S. Software Channel Marketing guide make up the troika of industry publications. Most interesting of the new publications is Book I of the `US Software Channel Marketing Guide,' a definitive guide that helps both U.S. and international software dealers to understand how software is marketed and distributed in the U.S. Priced at $495 for SPA members and $995 for non-members, the new guide will ship this fall, with the second volume due out early next year. Free to SPA members who participated in gathering the data, $200 to non-participating SPA members, and $450 to non-participating, non-SPA members, `The SPA 1991 Software Industry Salary Survey' includes industry salary information for 38 key positions, including PR, customer support, and all levels of programmers, gathered from more than 200 SPA member companies. `The SPA Human Resources Audit Guide' is a $100 self-administered employer manual to help solve employer-employee relations. Non-SPA members will pay $180 for the Guide. To order, contact APA, Attn.: Membership Department, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036, or fax 202-337-5718. For further information, call 202-452-1600. (John McCormick/19910821/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-452- 1600) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 21 CYRIX GETS COPROCESSORS ON GSA SCHEDULE 08/21/91 08/21/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00030) CYRIX GETS COPROCESSORS ON GSA SCHEDULE 08/21/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- U.S.-built FasMath coprocessors from Richardson, Texas-based Cyrix are now available through several GSA contractors (GSA is the major U.S. government contracting agency). The Cyrix coprocessors are direct plug-compatible alternatives for Intel's family of math coprocessors. Compucom, CompUSA, ELEK-TEK, Government Micro Resources and Softmart are all adding the Cyrix microchips due to customer requests. In addition to the IEEE standard math coprocessors, which many observers feel are faster than true Intel coprocessors -especially for 80286-based systems, Cyrix has also introduced AutoMATH, a chip designed especially to speed the computations required by the popular AutoCAD computer aided design program. (John McCormick/19910821/Press Contact: Michelle Moody, Cyrix, 214- 234-8387) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 MOBILE CREDIT CARD VERIFIER AVAILABLE IN 4Q 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00001) MOBILE CREDIT CARD VERIFIER AVAILABLE IN 4Q 08/20/91 COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- If you take a cab, have a pizza delivered, or use some other mobile service, you will soon be able to get electronic approval of your credit card within seconds. US Wireless says it will introduce a mobile credit card verifier in the 4th quarter of 1991 which will allow merchants on the go to receive authorizations for credit card transactions using the POS 50 device. The POS 50 is a 12-inch by 8-inch by 4-inch device connected to a cellular phone. The operator slides the credit card through the scan device, and in less than 30 seconds the authorization number is returned. POS 50 also has the ability to verify checks, if the merchant has a service agreement with a local check verification service. The POS 50 incorporates two RJ11 telephone-type jacks in order that a portable fax machine and laptop computer can be connected. US Wireless told Newsbytes that it is negotiating with a national cellular carrier to provide preferred (lower) airtime rates for the data transmission device. Field tests are presently being conducted in both mobile and stationary situations. US Wireless says that simultaneously with shipping, it will launch an aggressive campaign to market the product to merchants, banks, taxi companies and the pizza delivery industry. (Jim Mallory/19910820/Press contact: Brent Phillips, US Wireless, 719-633-1318) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 ZEOS TO BUNDLE LOTUS FOR WINDOWS AND AMI PRO 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)()00002) ZEOS TO BUNDLE LOTUS FOR WINDOWS AND AMI PRO 08/20/91 ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Zeos International has announced plans to include the just-announced Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows, as well as Lotus word processing program Ami Pro 2.0 for Windows, with all of its Windows-configured systems. There will be no extra cost added to the price of the computer for the software, in effect lowering the price of the hardware. As reported by Newsbytes, Zeos has recently introduced a Intel 80386-based notebook computer as well as 386-, 486- and 486SX-based desktop machines. Commenting on the back-to-back announcements, Zeos president Greg Herrick said: "These new offers from Zeos were designed to provide our customers high performance, high value solutions to their computing needs." Herrick added that, by combining the hardware and software they are offering their customers an excellent value. Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows is the Windows version of the company's popular spreadsheet, and includes SmartIcons, a customizable set of icons that provide single-click access to both basic and advanced spreadsheet functions, and 1-2-3 Classic commands, which gives the user the option of accessing the familiar 1-2-3 menu by pressing the "/" (slash) key. Point-and-click file linking, a select-by-example graph gallery, and Adobe Type Manager scalable font technology are also included with 1-2-3 for Windows. Commenting on why Lotus was selected as Zeos' software partner, Herrick said: "Lotus is well known for its software expertise. We pride ourselves in offering customers the very best in hardware, so the selection made tremendous sense." The financial details of the agreement was not revealed. Herrick said that Lotus felt that this bundling agreement was one way to get Lotus for Windows into as many users' hands as possible quickly. The two software packages will be bundled with any Zeos system that has at least two megabytes of RAM, a 42 MB hard drive and Windows. Although Zeos said that the bundling was effective immediately, it acknowledged that Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows is not expected to ship until early September, nor has AMI Pro shipped. Therefore, customers ordering Zeos systems now will receive the software as soon as both packages become available. Additional information is available from Zeos by calling 800-423-5891. (Jim Mallory/19910820/Press contact: Justin Morris, ZEOS, 612-633-5877 or Lisa Landa, Lotus, 617-693-1263) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 EDS TO BUY MCDONNELL DOUGLAS SYSTEMS INTEGRATION 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00003) EDS TO BUY MCDONNELL DOUGLAS SYSTEMS INTEGRATION 08/20/91 DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS) has announced that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire McDonnell Douglas Systems Integration Company (MDSI). The purchase is subject to various conditions, as well as the negotiation of agreements. The proposed purchase would include the domestic operations of MDSI and certain computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and computer-aided engineering (CAE) international research and distribution activities. If the sale is completed, the two companies say it would create one of the largest concentrations of specialists in the world working on the development of mechanical CAD/CAM technologies serving the aerospace, automotive and other commercial markets. Last year, McDonnell Douglas selected MDSI's Unigraphics system as its standard mechanical CAD/CAM/CAE system for implementation throughout its aerospace operations. Herbert Lanese, senior VP of finance at McDonnel Douglas, said: "In addition to proceeding with this implementation, McDonnell Douglas intends to remain actively involved in promoting Unigraphics throughout the aerospace industry." Many customers names reside on both EDS and MDSI's customer lists, and the two companies believe this will furnish opportunities to leverage resources and relationships with the customers in vertical markets such as manufacturing, state and local government, energy and chemicals, communications and insurance. MDSI provides system integration and information technology, and reported 1990 worldwide revenue of $398 million, up from the previous year. EDS says it operates in 28 countries, employs 64,000 people worldwide, and had revenues of $6.1 billion in 1990. (Jim Mallory/19910820/Press contact: Ken Smalling, EDS, 214-661-6188, Ellen Ferrara, MDSI, 314-344-2654) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 ****AN EARLY LOOK THROUGH WINDOWS 3.1 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004) ****AN EARLY LOOK THROUGH WINDOWS 3.1 08/20/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Microsoft has given its Windows developers an early look at Windows 3.1, and they liked it. The developers also believe Microsoft listened to them when it crafted the new release. As reported by Newsbytes, Windows 3.1 was previewed for more than 2,000 software developers in Seattle last week. Attendees at the conference, which some analysts believe to be the largest gathering of developers ever, heard company officials talk about the new features of Windows and future plans for Microsoft products. The company used such terms as: "easy to use," "more powerful," and "versatile" when talking about Windows 3.1. From what they saw, many developers seem to agree. Stan Graham, a senior systems architect at Intel Corporation, reportedly said about Windows 3.1: "There is now much more momentum behind Windows. People who are not computer literate need to be educated about the computer and new types of applications need to be written for them. Windows 3.1 will help make that possible." Software designer Dan Baer of Canon Business Machines was quoted as saying: "For the everyday DOS user, the move to Windows is the right choice -- one I think many people will make. With the enhancements for MS-DOS 5.0 and now Windows 3.1 Microsoft is clearly concentrating on getting feedback and using it to improve their product." While Newsbytes has not yet had the opportunity to test Windows 3.1, most of the reported new features seem to be aimed at making the developers task easier. Some of the new features include: a parameter validation system, to help eliminate Unreasonable Application Errors (UAE); a system that will demand-page DOS applications which are running in the background on and off the hard drive in four kilobyte pages, allowing background applications to execute even while part of the application is stored on disk; the ability for developers to write programs which save printer settings with individual documents or programs; and Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) that support version 1.0 of the Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) protocol, allowing developers to write less code. Other new features include a DLL that will provide code that supports common user dialogs such as file saves and font choices. Also expected in 3.1 is the introduction of a new version of the Windows help system, and source code for a graphical installation which developers can include with the applications they develop, making user installation easier. The next (second) beta test version is expected to be available to beta testers in early September, with the final version ready by the end of 1991. However a Microsoft spokesperson said the product will not be released "until it's ready." Microsoft claims to have shipped more than four million copies of Windows 3.0, along with more than 70,000 developer kits. The company says it plans further upgrades in the future, including Windows NT (new technology), which is reportedly a Windows version for high-powered personal computers and computer workstations. Microsoft says it expects to release Windows NT early in 1992. (Jim Mallory/19910820) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 ****AUSTRALIA: SOFTWARE PIRACY CRACKDOWN CONTINUES 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00005) ****AUSTRALIA: SOFTWARE PIRACY CRACKDOWN CONTINUES 08/20/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- The Business Software Association of Australia (BSAA) has struck again, this time uncovering a dealer in the state of Victoria who was selling machines loaded with pirated software. After allegedly receiving complaints from nearby dealers who could not compete, BSAA set a trap for Rod Marks Computer Systems, and bought a system which was found to contain 18 megabytes of illegal software including Lotus 1-2-3, AutoSketch, dBase III plus, Microsoft Works, WordPerfect, DOS 5.0 and various games. These vendors have all instituted actions against the dealer, for injunctions, and recovery of damages. BSAA also claims recent raids in Malaysia and Singapore will reduce the flow of pirate copies of popular software ranging from DOD to AutoCad. "In many cases the pirate copies can unwittingly be bought as the real thing, so good is the reproduction of manuals and packaging" said Jim McNamara of BSAA. "That's a far cry from the blatant diskette copies with handwritten labels -- no-one could claim they didn't know they were illegally copied." McNamara added that when surveys were carried out two years ago, there were fewer business software packages being sold than PCs - this has now changed to the point where there are more than two packages being sold for every machine. (Paul Zucker/19910820/Contact: BSAA Jim McNamara ph. 61-2-4393655 +61-2-4364221) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEW PRODUCT: Advanced Logic's Duel 50 MHz i486DX Server 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00006) NEW PRODUCT: Advanced Logic's Duel 50 MHz i486DX Server 08/20/91 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Hoping to stake a claim on the high-end file server market, Advanced Logic Research (ALR) has introduced the Powerpro Array dual processor file-server utilizing Intel's new 50-MHz i486DX processor. According to ALR, each processor board in the new machine contains 512 kilobytes of high speed read/write back cache RAM. The company also claims that, combined with the ALR Advanced Disk Array (ADA) and BITBLT (bit block transfer) Super VGA controllers, the server's 50-MHz EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture)-based dual processor systems deliver the fastest PC performance in the computer industry today. The system is configured with one 50-MHz i486 processor and is upgradeable to dual 50-MHz i486 processing. The company says the product is compatible with Compaq's Systempro and can deliver processing performance from 40.7 to 81.4 VAX MIPS. ALR maintains that the system will be able to utilize off-the-shelf versions of DOS, OS/2 and will be certified for use with Novell Netware, along with SCO Unix System V/386 with SCO MPX, and Banyan Vines SMP. Data security is provided by the ALR 32-bit advanced disk array controller which supports disk mirroring, striping and spanning. Disk array capacity of more than 1.3 gigabytes can be supported using 340 MB IDE drives. Also standard with the system is the BITBLT Super VGA video adapter capable of supporting up to 1024 by 768 resolution in 256 colors. The Powerpro Array 50-MHz systems are scheduled to be shipped sometime in the fourth quarter of 1991. At the other end of the scale, Newsbytes recently reported that the company had released the Venture/20 notebook computer. Weighing-in at 7.5-pound, the 20 MHz Intel 80386SX-based system comes with 4MB of RAM and a built-in 3.5-inch floppy disk drive as standard, along with a choice of 40, 60 or 80MB IDE hard disk drive. (Ian Stokell/19910820/Press Contact: Dave Kirkey, Advanced Logic Research, 714-581-6770) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEC INTROS 4M DRAMS AND NEW CMOS-6 GATE ARRAYS 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00007) NEC INTROS 4M DRAMS AND NEW CMOS-6 GATE ARRAYS 08/20/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 19 (NB) -- NEC Electronics has announced that it is now shipping four megabyte versions of its DRAMs (dynamic random access memories), which are partially manufactured in the U.S. from Japanese designs. NEC claims this is a major milestone in the company's move toward building these and other memory chips entirely in the U.S. NEC's four megabyte DRAMs are packaged in Outline J-Lead (SOJ) package and are available this month. NEC recently announced the addition of a new one-micron, high- density gate array microchip to its CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) 6 family of gate arrays. The new CMOS-6V, designed specifically for use in U.S. microcomputers, meets the need for increased input/output (I/O) capabilities. Useful in bus interface units, graphics controllers, local area network adapters, as well as I/O controllers, the new CMSO-6V family of gate arrays is priced from 6 to 9 cents per usable gate. (John McCormick/19910820/Press Contact: Nikki Tanis, NEC, 415-965- 6620) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEW PRODUCT: Logitech FotoMan Digital Camera For PCs 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00008) NEW PRODUCT: Logitech FotoMan Digital Camera For PCs 08/20/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Logitech, best known for computer pointing and input devices, has announced FotoMan, a portable digital camera for use with IBM PCs and compatibles. FotoMan allows users to take photographs and download them directly into Logitech's FotoTouch, a Windows-based image editing software program. Using FotoTouch, images can be stored in a standard image file format and used for applications such as desktop publishing, image databases or presentation graphics. FotoMan can store up to 32 images on an internal RAM chip, and does not use any type of removable media, as do some other digital camera products. Once the images are stored, they can be transferred to a desktop, laptop, portable or notebook computer through the computer's serial port. No intermediate hardware is required. Since FotoMan is a digital camera, no special boards or frame grabbers are required, the company claims. The average image requires 90-100 kilobytes of disk storage space, once it has been transferred to the computer. FotoTouch stores images in PCX or TIFF format. The TIFF files can be compressed or uncompressed. Fotoman uses a camcorder screw-mount lens. Some typical examples of FotoMan's use are real estate agents capturing the image of properties for sale; law enforcement identification photos; pictures of catalog items, which could then be included in a desktop publishing-produced catalog; and photos for personnel records. Logitech says that FotoMan will be available in late October or early November of this year, and will carry a suggested list price of $799 including the FotoTouch image editing software. The user must provide a copy of Windows 3.0. The FotoTouch software is an improved version of a program originally called Ansel, which is included with Logitech's ScanMan 256 hand-held gray scale scanner. For use with FotoMan, an additional module has been added to support the specific features of the camera. FotoMan comes standard with a camera docking unit, built in flash, base unit with power supply, a six-foot serial cable to transfer images to a computer, a NiCad battery, and a neutral density filter and adaptor for use outdoors. When the user sends in the registration card, Logitech will send out a carrying case for the camera. Optional accessories such as additional lenses are available through local camera stores. (Jim Mallory/19910820/Press contact: Serge Timacheff, Logitech, 415-795-8500) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 PHOENIX ADDS TYPEFACES TO EMULATION SOFTWARE 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00009) PHOENIX ADDS TYPEFACES TO EMULATION SOFTWARE 08/20/91 NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Phoenix Technologies has integrated new compact intellifont scalable typefaces from the Compugraphic division of Agfa into PhoenixPage Five/PLI, its PCL 5 emulation software. PCL 5 is the page description language Hewlett-Packard introduced along with the LaserJet III laser printer. Phoenix said that the compact typefaces require 40 to 50 percent less read-only memory (ROM) than previous PCL 5 printer and cartridge fonts. The company said it is the first PCL 5 supplier to support the compact intellifont scalable typefaces. Phoenix sells its emulation software to printer manufacturers who build it into their products. The company said that the production version of PhoenixPage Five/PLI has been shipped to more than 15 manufacturers and several printers using it will appear this fall. Phoenix-Page Five/PLI is a complete emulation of the PCL 5 language as implemented in the HP LaserJet III printer, Phoenix said. It is a hardware-independent software module dedicated to processing PCL 5 page description commands from applications running on a host system. It supports all of the advanced imaging capabilities of the PCL 5 language and can be implemented in printer products that use any resolution supported by the print engine, including 300 by 300, 400 by 400, and 300 by 1,200 dots-per-inch. (Grant Buckler/19910820/Press Contact: Richard Levandov, Phoenix Technologies, 617-551-4005) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 ACCESS SEEKS NOVELL RESELLERS FOR GROUPWARE 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00010) ACCESS SEEKS NOVELL RESELLERS FOR GROUPWARE 08/20/91 NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Access Technology is looking for a few good Novell resellers. The company said it has launched a campaign to sign up new dealers for the software, which is designed to help groups of workers review and revise documents, and is particularly interested in resellers who already have Gold or Platinum designations from local area network software leader Novell. ForComment lets users circulate a document on a local area network, attaching comments and suggesting revisions. It keeps a record of all changes to the document. ForComment works on several types of local area networks. The Novell version began shipping last December. Access Technology said it has already signed up several resellers to market ForComment, and has received many inquiries about the product. Access is calling its campaign to attract new resellers the "ForComment solutions program," arguing that ForComment is well suited to being sold as part of a complete package including the network and possibly other applications. (Grant Buckler/19910820/Press Contact: Jessica Solodar, Rogers Communications for Access Technology, 617-849-6010; Access Technology, 508-655-9191, fax 508-651-3788) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 UNITERRUPTIBLE POWER FOR FAX MACHINES 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00011) UNITERRUPTIBLE POWER FOR FAX MACHINES 08/20/91 TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Upsonic is now offering the Magician, which it claims is the first power back-up system for facsimile machines. The company claims the Magician actually has three functions: power-line surge protection, phone-line surge protection, and a battery back-up for the ability to transmit even during a power failure. Paul Brugmann, marketing manager for Upsonic said: "Power disturbances disrupt the transmission of documents and usually garble or only send half of the transmission. Storms and power utility maintenance are the prime culprits to non-continuous power to fax machines." "Companies are now conducting millions of dollars of business through their fax machines. A majority of business is international with transmissions sent at night when power quality is at its worst. Our Magician is the solution to continuous operation and complete transmissions," he added. The Magician weighs six pounds, and is slightly longer and wider than a roll of fax paper. It supports all manufacturer's fax machines and can maintain power for up to 45 minutes during a power failure. Installation is simply a question of plugging the fax into the Magician, then plugging the Magician into the wall. Retail pricing on the Magician is $179 with the product expected to ship at the end of August, the company said. More information is available from Upsonic directly by calling 800-Upsonic; (800) 877-6642. Upsonic describes itself as a supplier of power protection and uninterruptible power supplies for mini- and microcomputer, telecommunications and sensitive electronic instrumentation. (Linda Rohrbough/19910820/Press Contact: Paul Brugmann, Upsonic, Tel: 714/258-0808, Fax: 714/258-0811) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 PRIVACY VICTORIES RESULT FROM PRIVATE ACTION 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012) PRIVACY VICTORIES RESULT FROM PRIVATE ACTION 08/20/91 PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Electronic privacy has won some big victories in 1991, but only where individual businesses responded to private pressure. That is the view of Robert Ellis Smith, editor of the Privacy Journal, who discussed the issue with Newsbytes recently. Many people have become highly skeptical, even cynical, about business attacks on their privacy, and some businesses are trying to respond in the face of the recession. Smith talked in the wake of a decision by Equifax to drop a mailing list business which would cut 20 jobs, according to the company. But he notes a recent article in "American Demographics" magazine claims that the company is already building another product, called "Buyer's Market," which will also use confidential credit data to create mailing lists. Smith had praised Equifax's original decision at a meeting of the National Conference of State Legislators, calling it "a progressive and bold step" he hoped competitors TRW and Trans Union would emulate. "There's more public awareness of electronic privacy, and more pressure on large information firms, which had been isolated from consumer pressure" in the past, he said. While the rhetoric of Equifax in particular has changed, he noted that the company still plays hardball when it is taken to court. Of the three major credit data collectors, he said: "TRW is a more accurate collector of information, and has been more technologically advanced. They're also more leaky -- hackers get in their system more than Equifax. And they've disregarded the Fair Credit Reporting Act in business-related ways." As a result, some states are interested in legislation, but nothing has been passed yet. On the federal level, recent action by Equifax is co-opting proposed actions by Congress, to its credit, Smith says. "The industry is powerful in Congress, but I'm not sure it has the clout, nor whether a bill would cramp their style enough to get a veto," he said. "I think since Jan. 1991 there have been significant victories" in the arena of electronic privacy, "and Equifax's actions fall into that," he added. "There was a turnaround on Fidelity Investments -- they started a service without privacy codes on their phone numbers," then backed off it. "Blockbuster backed down" from creating mailing lists based on what videos customers were renting, " and New England Telephone decided not to sell their mailing lists after complaints." But there have been no legislative or regulatory victories. Companies which choose to ignore complaints about a loss of privacy, in other words, can still get away with it. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910820/Press Contact: Privacy Journal, Robert Ellis Smith, 401-274-7861) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 BELL ATLANTIC JOINS VENEZUELAN PHONE CONSORTIUM 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013) BELL ATLANTIC JOINS VENEZUELAN PHONE CONSORTIUM 08/20/91 ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Bell Atlantic, which lost a bid to operate half of Argentina's privatized phone monopoly when its partners failed to come up with the capital, is now part of a consortium which wants to take on Venezuela's phone company. Other members of the group are the Canadian and Italian phone companies, Bell Canada and Italcable. Local interests are held by three Venezuelan industrial groups -- Organizacion Cisneros, Banco Provincial and Finalven. The group met and agreed they will make a joint bid for the privatization of Compania Anonima Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela, Venezuela's national telephone system, then work together on modernizing the system if they are successful. Organizacion Cisneros owns a variety of companies, distributing many popular consumer brand names and running Venevision, the country's leading television network. Banco Provincial is nation's largest commercial bank. Finalven's subsidiaries include the country's largest financing company. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910820/Press Contact: Mike Houghton, Bell Atlantic, 703-974-1677; Margaret Lemay, BCE, 514-499-7278) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 PACTEL WINS SECOND PORTUGUESE CELLULAR LICENSE 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014) PACTEL WINS SECOND PORTUGUESE CELLULAR LICENSE 08/20/91 WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- A consortium, of which PacTel owns 23 percent, has won the second national cellular license for Portugal. Plans call for the Telecel consortium will build a nationwide digital cellular system based on pan-European standards known as groupe speciale mobile (GSM) Other partners in the Telecel project include the Espirito Santo Group, the Amorim Group, CENTREL, EFACEC, and LCC, all of which come from Portugal. The group will compete with Telecom Portugal, a joint venture between two state-owned telephone companies, which operates an analog cellular system. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910820/Press Contact: PacTel, Kay Yarnevic, 415/210-3790) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 MCI CARRYING CALLS FROM IRAQ 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015) MCI CARRYING CALLS FROM IRAQ 08/20/91 WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 21 (NB) -- MCI is handling the U.S. leg of long-distance calls from Iraq, via its MCI International division, Newsbytes has learned. The Iraqi news agency INA recently announced that telephone service between Baghdad and the West were resumed with 48 telephone channels, and that tests are underway to increase that figure by a further 60 channels. Eventually, the country will have enough satellite calling capacity through the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, Intelsat, to handle 132 telephone calls and a single television channel. "It's MCI that has the Iraq business," MCI International spokesman Jane Levene said. AT&T and US Sprint spokesman had earlier denied that they were taking the calls. "We never had direct service to Iraq before the war," said Sprint's Vince Hovanec. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910820) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 MICROSOFT UPS DEVELOPER SUPPORT WITH COMMS PKG 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00015) MICROSOFT UPS DEVELOPER SUPPORT WITH COMMS PKG 08/20/91 READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Microsoft has announced Online for Windows, a graphics-based communications package that the company claims allows developers to communicate electronically with Microsoft's support operations. Based on Windows 3.0, Online for Windows allows access to the Microsoft Knowledge Base, an online database of technical product information that can be used by customers to resolve problems, claims Microsoft. The package can also be used to submit special queries direct to Microsoft to obtain specific answers to related questions. The package is not just engineered for use with Microsoft's online services. Unlike many specialized communications packages, Online for Windows allows normal access to most online services, as well as bulletin board systems (BBSs). The package supports background file transfers and parallel information processing. "User support is an issue high on Microsoft's agenda," commented Tony Ettlinger, Microsoft U.K.'s technical manager. "We are committed to improving the support offered to our customers and Online for Windows is a major element in that objective. To date, Online has been a great success, improving the productivity of MIS groups, development teams and support staff by providing direct access to technical information 24 hours a day." The Microsoft Knowledge Base consists of up-to-the-minute development and technical information relating to all Microsoft products. The service includes data from more than 20,000 articles relating to Microsoft products. In addition, it includes lists of known bugs and documentation error lists, all retrievable by product and version. Customers currently supported by the Microsoft Online service can obtain a free upgrade to Online for Windows. The package is available in a number of different versions, ranging from UKP 250 to UKP 3,000 a year. To access the service, subscribers must use a PC with Windows 3.0 and a Hayes-compatible modem. (Steve Gold/19910820/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK - Tel: 0734- 391123) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 UK: OPUS SIGNS ROYALTY DEAL WITH IBM 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00016) UK: OPUS SIGNS ROYALTY DEAL WITH IBM 08/20/91 REDHILL, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- The Industrial Marketing Group, the parent company to Opus Technology, has signed a five-year royalty-bearing patent licensing agreement with IBM. Terms of the agreement allows Opus to use all of IBM's patents in building and shipping information handling systems, including those that are compatible with IBM PC AT and Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) machines. According to the company, the deal is important, since it allows Opus to use virtually all of IBM's existing and future PC technology in Opus PCs. More immediately, the MCA license allows Opus to develop and quickly bring to market a range of MCA-compatible computers. Announcing the deal, Adam Harris, managing director of Opus, said: "Opus looks forward to continued growth at the forefront of technology." Founded in 1981, Opus is a U.K. computer manufacturer offering a wide range of Intel 8086- to 80486-based systems. The company claims that it has more than 160,000 installed machines in the U.K. (Steve Gold/19910820) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEW PRODUCT: AST Intros Medallion CAD Workstation 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017) NEW PRODUCT: AST Intros Medallion CAD Workstation 08/20/91 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- AST has announced the Medallion workstation, which is based on the Intel i486 33 MHz chipset, and designed specifically for the computer-aided design (CAD) market. The Medallion workstation carries a retail price of $8,995 and is compatible with MS-DOS-based applications software, specifically AutoCAD, the company said. In fact, included with the system is an AutoCAD drawing file preview and management utility designed to work with the graphics controller unique to the Medallion workstation. Operating speed is 23.5 million-instructions-per-second (MIPS) according to the Dhrystone version 1.1 Unix benchmarks. The system was developed in cooperation with CalComp, the company that makes the DrawingCard 20-inch monitor and high resolution (1,280 by 1,224 pixels) DrawingCard graphics controller card capable of displays in 256 colors. CalComp also produced a special set of software drivers to speed up screen-draw performance, specifically for the graphical icon interface and icon editors. The drivers developed by CalComp include special zooming and panning, high-speed regeneration, color palette editing and "anti-aliasing" to eliminate the "jaggies" or jagged line appearance. (Linda Rohrbough/199108020/Press Contact: Joel Don, AST, Tel: 714/727-7957, Fax: 714/727-9355) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 AUTODESK SHIPS ONE MILLIONTH SOFTWARE UNIT 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00018) AUTODESK SHIPS ONE MILLIONTH SOFTWARE UNIT 08/20/91 SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Autodesk has announced that it has reached the milestone of shipping its millionth software package. Of the million packages shipped, over 500,000 are AutoCAD, the company's CAD (Computer-aided design) package, 300,000 are generic CAD packages, and 200,000 are the AutoSketch. The totals were announced at CAD Camp, Autodesk's annual three day conference for authorized dealers and registered developers. Autodesk says it has a market evaluation of about $1.3 billion and the company posted revenues of $238 million for its most recently completed fiscal year. The company claims it was founded in 1982 with $59,000 in private capital. Autodesk now estimates the value of the economic activity directly linked to sale of Autodesk products as over $2 billion annually. Autodesk claims its software productsare used for a variety of applications including architecture, interior design, graphics, greeting cards, aerospace engineering, theatrical lighting design for Broadway shows, science experiments, yacht design, topographic maps, animations, interactive displays and video publishing. Autodesk describes itself as developing, marketing and supporting a family of computer-aided design, engineering and multimedia software products for desktop computers and workstations. More information on Autodesk products is available from the company at telephone 415-332-0344 or type GO ADESK on CompuServe. (Linda Rohrbough/19910820/Press Contact: Andrew Zarrillo, Autodesk, Tel: 415/332-2344 Ext. 8704, Fax: 415/491-8305) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEW FOR PC: SPI Unveils Windowbase 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00019) NEW FOR PC: SPI Unveils Windowbase 08/20/91 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Software Products International has introduced Windowbase, a stand-alone relational database management system for Microsoft Windows that supports structured query language (SQL). The company claims that a novice with little or no knowledge of SQL can execute simple or complex queries to get the information they want from the database via button selections, edit controls, scroll bars and check boxes and then perform operations on the results. The company claims WindowBase has an easy-to-use graphical user interface, customizable menus, uses Windows Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), has full support of SQl, and has a C Developers Kit. The DDE is pointed out by SPI as one of the most important features of the WindowBase product because it allows users data management tools like exchanging data with Windows spreadsheets, word processors and communications packages. Users have security over their data as well, SPI said, as they can remove access by simply opening a window and turning a check box on or off. WindowBase retails for $495, but SPI has announced it is making the product available for $149 until the end of the month. The C Developer's Kit is optional and priced at another $695 retail. WindowBase requires an IBM AT personal computer or compatible, PS/2, and two megabytes of RAM is recommended. (Linda Rohrbough/19910820/Press Contact: Connie J. Roloff, Software Products International, Tel: 619/450-1526, Fax: area/number) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 AUTODESK NETS $5 MILLION IN ANTI-PIRACY ACTIONS 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00020) AUTODESK NETS $5 MILLION IN ANTI-PIRACY ACTIONS 08/20/91 SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Autodesk claims it has been aggressive in protecting its software from theft since starting an anti-piracy program in 1988 that has netted the company more than $5 million from parties who illegally copy its products. Autodesk says that the success of the program is due to the public's increased awareness of the issues of intellectual property and copyrights, better legislation and increased assistance of law enforcement agencies. Sandra Boulton, director of Autodesk's Anti-Piracy department said: "Five million dollars is a milestone for our campaign. Copyright education is a cornerstone of the program but, as the recoveries from copyright violators indicate, we have aggressively pursued legal action as well," she said. Newbytes reported in May on a joint effort between Autodesk and Microsoft in getting Brazilian authorities to raid Westinghouse Brazil. The effort uncovered stolen software that could have cost the company as more than $2 million in fines under Brazilian law. In April, Newsbytes reported on a similar incident in India where New Delhi authorities raided SWK Enterprises and found nearly 6,000 illegal copies of software for retail sale. Eight companies were involved under the auspices of the Business Software Alliance: Aldus, Ashton-Tate, Autodesk, Lotus, Microsoft, Digital Research, and Xtree. Autodesk says that the illegal copying of software is a global problem and lost revenue to the software industry are estimated at $10 to $12 billion annually. In the U.S. the penalties are up to a $25,000 fine and up to a year in prison. Civil actions allow the recovery of actual damages based on the number of copies produced or liquidates damages of up to $100,000 for willful copyright infringement. "A number of companies have established employee guidelines for legal software use and have initiated periodic software audits to ensure compliance. These are not companies that are likely to be targets for legal action," said Catherine Valentine, associate counsel for Autodesk. To help companies understand the issues and take the necessary steps for legalizing their installations, Autodesk distributes sample corporate statements, audit materials and anti-piracy information at no charge to interested parties, the company said. (Linda Rohrbough/19910820/Press Contact: Andrew Zarrillo, Autodesk, Tel: 415/332-2344, ext. 8704, Fax: 415/491-8305) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 ****DYSON COMMENTS ON SOVIET COUP 08/20/91 08/20/91 (EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00021) ****DYSON COMMENTS ON SOVIET COUP 08/20/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Esther Dyson, editor and publisher of the influential Release 1.0 newsletter, commenting that she has spent "more time in Moscow than any city but New York in the last two years", told Newsbytes that she hopes that the United States' reaction to the Soviet presidential coup will not be directed toward on-going telecommunications projects. Dyson said: "I think that our government would be ill-advised to stop the involvement by U.S. companies in telecommunications projects. Such projects show the benefit of free market enterprise and aid the general public rather than the government. The ability of an individual to get a dial tone is a threat to the KGB rather than to United States security." Dyson, also publishes RelEAST, a publication concentrating on technological developments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. She described her activities in the Soviet Union during the last two years as: "spending time helping to kick-start computer-related businesses and preaching about the free market. I haven't been consulting really; rather it's just been trying to spread wisdom about the free market development of technology." Dyson commented further on the coup, telling Newsbytes: "Anyone who thinks he knows what's going on over there probably doesn't. It will take some time to sort everything out there. I don't know what we should do to 'punish' the Soviet government for its actions but I think that it would be rash and ill-conceived to halt US participation in telecommunications and personal computer projects. The Soviet people need computers. We probably should not aid the government by sending things like grain but improved communications can only aid the development of democracy." Dyson continued: "While it's the big projects like Cincinnati Bell's trans-Soviet telephone cabling that attracts attention here, computer development in the Soviet Union has been most important at the small entrepreneur level and this has been a great source of injection of the free market system into the Soviet economy." Dyson told Newsbytes that she hopes that the coup will not affect her plans to go to the Soviet Union on September 1st. She said: "I am scheduled to tour Siberia with a number of executives of telecommunications companies." "I received a fax this morning from our Soviet hosts that yesterday's developments should not impact our plans but I don't know if the telecommunications companies will still want their people to go. If not, I don't intend to go tramping around Siberia by myself," she said. "If the trip is called off, I will still probably go to Moscow. I'm concerned about a number of friends who are in Moscow now and hope that these developments have not threatened their safety," she added. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910820/Esther Dyson, Press Contact: RelEAST, 212-758-3434) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 PRIVACY CONFERENCE DEEMED A SUCCESS 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00022) PRIVACY CONFERENCE DEEMED A SUCCESS 08/20/91 NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- The first National Conference on Computing and Values concluded last week on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University and was proclaimed a big success by its organizers. The NCCV attracted a multi-disciplinary audience, with attendees and luminaries from the fields of philosophy, computer security, privacy, law, academia and general computing. Mitch Kapor and John Perry Barlow, founders of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, described the EFF and updated the audience on their recent efforts to educate lawmakers on how to apply the law to the new world of electronic networking. The EFF has been instrumental in curbing what its members see as serious civil rights violations perpetrated by law enforcement officials who over-react to the danger of alleged computer criminals. Gary Chapman, founding executive Director of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility spoke on "The 21st Century Project," CPSR's new venture to deal with the technology related social problems they expect us to encounter as we enter the next century. Joseph Wizenbaum received the first award for Leadership and Excellence in Human Values and Computing at the conference and addressed it regarding the necessity that technical professionals consider the consequences of their efforts. Richard Stallman, ideological leader of the Free Software Foundation (GNU Project) and League for Programming freedom spoke and contributed to a lively panel of the nature of intellectual property. Stallman believes that all software should be free of copying and use restrictions. Another panelist, Helen Nissenbaum of Princeton, suggested the less drastic step of changing copyright law to permit "casual copying" (the non-commercial copying of originals for family and friends). Discussions on privacy issues ranged over the spectrum. Those examining the impact of computers on privacy had to grapple with fundamental issues such as the very nature of privacy before coming to conclusions about it. Richard Wright of the U. of Omaha proposed that individuals be granted ownership and control over the data about them, allowing them to charge royalties on its use, or block undesired use. Others feared such complex legislative changes, decrying what they viewed as a growing trend to say "there ought to be a law" when there is no need for one. Speculation is that there will be a division between the two main "computers and values" societies, with CPSR pushing for privacy protection legislation and EFF objecting to excessive government regulation of how computers may be used. Other addresses and panels covered Computer Security and Crime, Academia, and equal access to computers for the handicapped and the disadvantaged. "Equity" advocates warned that software designers are unaware that they are designing software and computer systems to be of interest primarily to "young, white, able-bodied men." Computers need to be made more accessible not just through funding and special tools to aid the handicapped, but through changes in their fundamental design, panellists argued. Providing more computers for a school often does little more than provide those already keen on computers with more toys, according to one panellist. The conference consisted both of panels and papers and six special working groups. Each morning conference attendees gathered in their six groups to debate particular issues of interest. Each group prepared a report delivered at the close of the conference with recommendations for the center for research into computing and values at SCSU and for the National Science Foundation, which helped fund the conference. Other speakers and Panellists included former ACM President and CACM editor Peter Denning, and his wife, computer security expert Dorothy Denning, who spoke on the Hacker Ethic. Gene Spafford of Perdue University chaired the security panel and Peter Neumann, editor of the ACM RISKS forum gave the security address. Conference organizer Walter Maner of Bowling Green State University expressed great pleasure at the success of the conference and the large variety of material it addressed. Attendance was low, at around 200 participants, however this met Maner's expectations for an August conference. Plans are already under consideration for another conference in the future, though no date has been set. Maner can be contacted as maner@andy.bgsu.edu or at 419-372-2337. (Brad Templeton/19910820) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 UNITRONIX, EFFECTIVE MG'T SYSTEMS PLAN MERGER 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00023) UNITRONIX, EFFECTIVE MG'T SYSTEMS PLAN MERGER 08/20/91 PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Two resellers of Digital Equipment hardware, both with a focus on manufacturing and distribution systems, have announced plans to merge. A definitive agreement between Unitronix and Effective Management Systems of Milwaukee would create the United States' largest software and service provider focusing on manufacturing and distribution systems on DEC hardware, the firms said. The two companies' boards of directors have approved a definitive agreement that would give present EMS shareholders 75.9 percent and present Unitronix shareholders 19.8 percent of the merged company to merge Unitronix with EMS. Digital Equipment is to buy the remaining 4.3 percent. Digital said it does not plan to increase its equity interest in the company. Spokesman James Solakian of Unitronix told Newsbytes the two firms have complementary product lines. Unitronix sells its system to large companies, and has about 350 systems installed. EMS has about 1,000 systems installed in smaller firms. Solakian added that EMS has done better at generating after-sales revenue from areas such as service and support, and is strong in the Midwestern U.S. The deal will help Unitronix improve a "diminished" balance sheet, he said. The transaction would be a reverse merger of privately held EMS into Unitronix, which is publicly traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) system. The merger is still subject to shareholder approval and certain other requirements. Closing is expected by the end of November. Complete terms of the agreement were not disclosed. In a prepared statement, Mike Dunham, president and chief executive officer of EMS, said EMS would eliminate several administrative positions and close the Unitronix headquarters in Piscataway. (Grant Buckler/19910820/Press Contact: James Solakian, Unitronix, 908- 981-1600, fax 908-981-9580) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEW FOR UNIX: SPF/UX Will Be Familiar To Mainframers 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00024) NEW FOR UNIX: SPF/UX Will Be Familiar To Mainframers 08/20/91 SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Seeing a promising market among programmers whose employers are downsizing from IBM mainframes to Unix systems, Uneclipse Software Systems is offering a Unix version of the ISPF editor familiar in the mainframe world. "The vast majority of mainframe programmers use ISPF," said Michael Chard, vice-president of Uneclipse. Uneclipse's SPF/UX is "95 percent the same as the mainframe product," he told Newsbytes. He also argued that SPF/UX is easier to use than the most common Unix editor, Vi, which Chard described as "just absolutely awful." SPF/UX is available for IBM RISC System/600 machines running AIX, for Sun Microsystems SPARC workstations, and for Santa Cruz Operation's SCO Unix/386. The user interface and editing tools are similar to those in the mainframe ISPF editor, according to Uneclipse. Other features include hex mode editing, full-line command support, cutting and pasting between edit sessions, full find and change commands, split screen, edit lines as long as 4,096 characters, and the ability to assign commands to function keys. Single copies of SPF/UX sell for US$395, with quantity discounts available when six or more copies are purchased. (Grant Buckler/19910820/Press Contact: Michael Chard, Uneclipse, 604- 290-7005, fax 604-597-3516) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 JETPRESS SPEEDS LASER PRINTING ON A NETWORK 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025) JETPRESS SPEEDS LASER PRINTING ON A NETWORK 08/20/91 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- One of the most complained about problems on a local area network (LAN) is printing speed. Castelle Corporations says it has sped up the printing on a network up to 300 times with JetPress, a card for Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet printers that connects them to 10Base-T or the Ethernet of Novell NetWare LANs. JetPress is a card, or a board-level product, as Castelle calls it, that plugs into the optional I/O slot in the back of a supported printer. The unit is claimed to be compatible with HP LaserJet II, IID, III, and IIID printers, well as Canon LPB-811 model laser printers and requires no external power supply, the company said. Castelle claims that its unit has been benchmark tested, the tests for which show the JetPress card running up to 365 percent faster than the competition. JetPress allows the location of LAN printers at any node, anywhere the network can reach, free of ties from server or workstation locations, Castelle said. This eliminates the constraint of that has mandated a printer had to be within parallel or serial port "cable range" of a server or workstation. It also offers more NetWare printing support than competitors with peer-to-peer printer status monitoring and control, the company said. Castelle said it also includes both a basic network connector (BNC) thin Ethernet connection and a RJ-45 10Base-T so a printer can be freely reassigned or its segment rewired. The JetPress is consistent with NetWare queue and printer management standards, utilities and conventions, including full support for NetWare 386 encrypted passwords. It can also duplicate modern NetWare functions through a suite of Lanpress utilities on pre-2.15 NetWare versions of LANs, the company said. The utilities are included with JetPress and are PSHelp, PSConfig, PSQueues, PSNotify, PSFserv and LPConsol. JetPress is expected to be available in September for $595 retail through Castelle dealers. More information is available toll-free from Castelle at telephone (800)359-7654. (Linda Rohrbough/199108020/Press Contact: Robert Spivack, Castelle, Tel: 408/496-0474, ext.24, Fax: 408/496-0502) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEW FOR PCS: Gupta Database For Windows 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00026) NEW FOR PCS: Gupta Database For Windows 08/20/91 MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- With the emphasis on users knowing nothing to be able to access data, create queries and build what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) reports from structured query language (SQL) databases, Gupta Technologies announced Quest for local area networks (LANs). Quest is Gupta's workgroup database management system for personal computer networks and Microsoft Windows desktops, the company said. Users point and click on the desired icon, push button or menu item representing corporate data, Gupta said. Users can then access, browse and update SQL tables, create reports from SQL tables and move data to other popular applications via Windows Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). Quest for LANs has a five-user SQLBase Server to enable users to use Quest on a network in a graphical client-server and cooperative processing environment. The SQLBase Server can handle multi-user access to the data while maintaining data and user security, the company claims. Quest's data loading tools allow users move from other personal computer database management systems, such as dBASE IV into Quest, Gupta said. Each copy of Quest has a single-user SQLBase engine, so users can store and manipulate corporate data on their stand-alone personal computer also. Gupta said that access to other corporate SQL databases from Quest, like DB2, Oracle, SQL Server and OS/2 Extended Edition Database Manager, is available, but only with the purchase of the appropriate host, gateway or router software from Gupta. Gupta also said that it is pitching hard for the network database business with an eye to graphical end-user and application development tools. The company says that Novell, a leader in the networking industry, holds a 19 percent sales stake in Gupta. (Linda Rohrbough/199108020/Press Contact: Dan Berkowitz, Gupta Technologies, Tel: 415/321-9599, ext. 262, Fax: 415/321-5471) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 ATARI RELEASES NEW CONTROL PANEL FOR ST/TT 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00027) ATARI RELEASES NEW CONTROL PANEL FOR ST/TT 08/20/91 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- After several months of rumours in the user community, Atari U.S. has released the new control panel, a graphics front end, for the ST and TT machines. When the online rumours about the new control panel began late last year, many Atari users presumed that it would only work with the TT's and Mega STe's, but according to an Atari representative, "it will work on all ST, Mega, Stacy, STe, Mega STe and TT systems." Basically, the principle seems to be, if it's TOS (Tramiel Operating System) driven, the computer will run the new control panel. So what is the new control panel? Depending on where you first heard about it, the new control panel comes under several names - the "new" control panel, X-control, and the extended control panel. Despite these working names, its official title -- in Atari circles at least -- is the "extensible control panel" or ECP for short. The ECP is a replacement for the old control panel seen on the ST. Like the first control panel, the ECP allows users to configure the ST's systems: double-click rate, key repeat rate, colours, modems, and printers. What makes the ECP different, says Atari, is that it loads in individual CPX program modules as it needs them. This cuts down on the amount of memory required for each different function. This procedure is similar to that supported by Borland with its latest versions of Sidekick on the PC. While the program overlay technique cuts down on the amount of memory required for the program, it does mean a lot of disk reading and writing. According to Atari, the new ECP can easily be customized. Several versions of the ECP can be placed on disk, for use in different situations. For instance, where memory is tight, a bare bones ECP can be loaded. When running a simple program, the full ECP suite of software can be loaded. The new ECP is available for download on most U.S. online systems and BBSs. On Genie, type M512 for access to the Atari area. On Compuserve type GO ST for the Atari forums. (Steve Gold/19910820) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEW FOR ATARI: Z-Keys Lets Atari ST Use PC Keyboards 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00028) NEW FOR ATARI: Z-Keys Lets Atari ST Use PC Keyboards 08/20/91 LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Zubair Interfaces has announced a keyboard adapter for the Atari ST called Z-keys. The "plug in and go" unit allows almost any PC keyboard to be used with almost any Atari ST. The $99.95 adapter is claimed to be easy to fit, and plugs in under the 520 or 1040 ST's existing keyboard, leaving a trailing keyboard adapter port. The PC keyboard can then be plugged in as normal. On the Mega ST and STe series, a further extender cable is needed -- this adds $20 to the kit price. According to the company, this is first keyboard adapter for the Atari ST that allows the user to select which PC keyboard s/he uses with the ST. The 520 and 1040 ST series have been criticized by some users as having too "spongy" a keyboard. (Steve Gold/19910820/Press & Public Contact: Zubair - Tel: 213/408- 6715) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEWTEK SHOWS NEW DRIVER S/W FOR AMIGA VIDEO TOASTER 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00029) NEWTEK SHOWS NEW DRIVER S/W FOR AMIGA VIDEO TOASTER 08/20/91 TOPEKA, KANSAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Newtek, the developers of the Video Toaster for the Amiga, has begun previewing version 2.0 of the driver software for the add-on graphics unit. First reports suggest that the software greatly enhances the capabilities of the unit. Newtek's Video Toaster is actually a video controller board for the Amiga that allows the computer to simulate professional quality video effects. With version 2.0 of its software, Newtek has added several new transitional effects to its switcher, including animated effects such as turning gears and disco effects such as smoke and clouds. Newtek is shipping the Video Toaster workstation in two versions -- version one, at $3,995, comes with an Amiga 2000 equipped with 5MB of RAM and a 50MB hard drive. Version two, meanwhile, costs $8,995, and comes with an Amiga fitted with a 50-MHz 68030 microprocessor and math coprocessor, along with 9MB of RAM and a 105MB hard drive. (Steve Gold/19910820/Press & Public Contact: Newtek - Tel: 913/354- 1146) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 20 NEW ATARI MAGAZINE READY TO PRINT 08/20/91 08/20/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00030) NEW ATARI MAGAZINE READY TO PRINT 08/20/91 ARVADA, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 20 (NB) -- Computer Publications has announced that its ST Connection magazine is now close to launch. The magazine is free with 16 pages of editorial, and is distributed via Atari dealers throughout the US and Canada. According to Computer Publications, however, the magazine is financed by advertisers. Computer Publications has some ambitious plans for the monthly magazine. By the end of the year, editorial should have been boosted to 24 pages, with distribution being complete to virtually all Atari ST dealers in the U.S. While the magazine is free of charge at dealers, Computer Publications is also offering it by mail order. Precise costs have yet to be decided, but will, say the publishers, be offered on an "at cost" basis. (Steve Gold/19910820/Press & Public Contact: Computer Publications Unlimited- Tel: 303/423-6805) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 RASTEROPS AND TRUEVISION TERMINATE MERGER 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00001) RASTEROPS AND TRUEVISION TERMINATE MERGER 08/19/91 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Citing an inability to reach an agreement on the transaction, RasterOps and Truevision Inc., have mutually agreed to terminate the planned merger of the two companies. At the time of the original announcement in May, Keith Sorenson, told Newsbytes that he saw the merger as a benefit to both companies. He considered RasterOps as the market leader in Macintosh video products, while Truevision was the market leader in IBM products, "but the underlying technologies are basically the same," he said. "Both companies share the same vision for the future," Sorenson told Newsbytes. Additionally, of added benefit to RasterOps is that Truevision has a "loyal reseller network on the IBM side," of which the company hopes to take advantage. RasterOps, headquartered in Santa Clara, designs, manufactures and markets photorealistic color-imaging products for Apple Macintosh, IBM Micro Channel and Sun SPARCstation platforms. RasterOps' products are designed primarily for the graphic arts, printing, and publishing industries. Truevision Inc., a private company headquartered in Indianapolis, designs, manufactures and markets broadcast quality video products for PC AT, Apple Macintosh II and IBM Micro Channel platforms. Its primary focus is on desktop video production and high color resolution applications. Commenting about the failed merger, Keith Sorenson, president of RasterOps, said: "We continue to have the greatest respect for Truevision, but it unfortunately does not appear that we will be able to reach agreement on a transaction that would be satisfactory for both sides." Cathleen Asch, Truevision's president, agreed with Sorenson's assessment. "We have two fine companies," she said, "but I think it is better that they remain independent of each other." (Ian Stokell/19910816/Press Contact: Keith Sorenson, RasterOps, 408-562-4200) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 INTEGRATED SYSTEMS/ SOFTWARE COMPONENTS MERGE 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00002) INTEGRATED SYSTEMS/ SOFTWARE COMPONENTS MERGE 08/19/91 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Following an agreement in principle that was announced on July 12, 1991, Integrated Systems Inc. (ISI), and Software Components Group Inc., (SCG) have now signed a definitive agreement to merge. The companies anticipate the merger to be completed within the next month, with the merged company providing integrated tools to automate and accelerate real-time software development and related system design for a broad range of industries. Under the terms of the agreement, ISI says it will issue approximately 850,000 shares of its common stock in exchange for all shares of SCG stock currently outstanding, with the conversion ratio subject to adjustment based on changes in the market price of ISI's stock. Additionally, ISI will reserve approximately 400,000 shares of its common stock, subject to adjustment, for issuance upon exercise of options previously granted by SCG. A total of approximately 8.2 million shares of ISI stock currently is outstanding. A one-time write-off of between $10 million and $12 million is expected as a result of the transaction, which will be accounted for as a purchase. The write-off will occur during the current quarter from the allocation of a major portion of the purchase price to research and development in progress. Integrated Systems Inc. is a supplier of CAE (computer-aided engineering) and CASE (computer-aided software engineering) software that automates engineering system design. The company maintains that its products are used in the aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and computer peripherals industries for real-time control system and software development. Software Components Group Inc. is a supplier of real-time operating systems and integrated development environments for embedded applications. The company says that its pSOS+ collection of system software modules are used by the telecommunications, medical instrumentation, office and factory automation, and defense electronics industries. (Ian Stokell/19910814/Press Contact: Scott C. McDonald, Integrated Systems Inc., 408-980-1500) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 ****INSLAW DEATH INVESTIGATION CONTINUES 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00003) ****INSLAW DEATH INVESTIGATION CONTINUES 08/19/91 MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA, U.S.A., AUG 19 (NB) -- The Sheraton Inn in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the scene of the death of Washington, D.C. journalist Joseph D. "Danny" Casolaro, has received more press attention than ever before in its history as reporters from ABC-TV, Newsbytes News Network, and the Washington Post roamed the halls interrogating bell-hops, waitresses, and desk clerks for information regarding the death of Casolaro. Employees, supposedly under the cloak of Sheraton-forced silence, told Newsbytes that, while some prospective guests have specifically requested the room in which Casolaro died, their instructions have been to leave the room vacant for an unspecified time. Casolaro, 44, had been investigating the "Inslaw" case, a rather tangled web of allegations relating to the charges brought by Inslaw Inc., that the Justice Department had first stolen its software product, "Promis," and then driven the firm into bankruptcy. Casolaro had told friends and family that he was about to receive material that would provide him with documentation linking Inslaw to other alleged incidents of Reagan-Bush administration wrong-doing. Casolaro was said to have referred to the alleged conspiracy as the "Octopus" and stated that there were links between the Inslaw theft, the "October Surprise," and Iran- Contra allegations. The "October surprise" refers to allegations that representatives of the Reagan-Bush campaign team, through meetings with Iranian representatives, delayed the release of the hostages in Iran until after the 1980 elections. These charges are currently being investigated by Congressional committee. Casolaro was found dead, an apparent suicide, in Room 517 of the Sheraton on Saturday, August 10th, two days after his arrival in Martinsburg. He was found in the bathtub at approximately 1:00 pm with both wrists slashed. His body was released within three hours to a local funeral parlor for embalming, an action that Berkeley County Medical Examiner Sandra Brining was quoted as saying was normal in the case of a suicide. "Everything was consistent with a self-inflicted wound." When Casolaro's family became aware of his death on Monday, August 14th, it immediately called for an expanded investigation and his brother, Dr. Anthony Casolaro, an Arlington, Virginia physician, was quoted as saying, "In my heart I remember Danny telling us that in case of an accident, don't believe it." Dr. Casolaro also discounted statements made by his brother in a letter to a publisher in which he seemed financially strapped and despondent. Dr. Casolaro attributed Casolaro's remarks to a desire to convince the would-be publisher of the importance of extending a book contract to him. Casolaro had been immersed in the Inslaw case for over a year and had been unsuccessful in two proposals to the publishing firm of Little, Brown & Co. The clamor for a fuller investigation caused an autopsy to be subsequently performed on Casolaro, an action that Assistant Berkeley County prosecutor Cynthia Gaither said was not hindered by the previous embalming. Casolaro was buried on Friday, October 16th after a funeral service at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Arlington, Virginia attended by over 100 people. At a press conference held on Thursday, August 15th, Dr. James Frost, assistant West Virginia medical examiner, said that, while the results of the examination bore out the preliminary findings of suicide, the investigation would be continued. Brining and Gaither also participated in the hour-long press conference held in the meeting room of the Martinsburg City Council. Newsbytes has obtained conflicting reports on the state of Casolaro's mental condition. A California free-lance journalist, Virginia McCullough, with whom Casolaro had allegedly shared information, told Newsbytes, "It is ludicrous to think that Danny took his life. He was excited about his new contact and said that 'For the first time I really believe that the government was involved.'" McCullough, herself, claims to be the victim of a government action that drove her electronics firm into bankruptcy and she is presently writing a book on her case and other similar cases, including Inslaw. McCullough's comments on the unlikelihood of a Casolaro suicide were echoed in quotes from Pat Clawson, president of Washington- based Metrowest Broadcasting Co., and Richard O'Connell, editor of the Washington Crime News, a newsletter published in Arlington, VA. Nancy Hamilton, vice president of Inslaw, also took issue with the suicide finding telling the Martinsburg Morning Journal, "We don't accept that. They are saying that here is a man, totally sober, mutilating himself." Martinsburg residents interviewed by Newsbytes paint a slightly different picture and depict Casolaro as seemingly depressed and drinking pitchers of beer by himself in a local Pizza Hut on the Thursday evening before his death (although a wine bottle was found in his room, there was no evidence of alcohol found in the body by the autopsy). Additionally, a Washington Post piece of Saturday, August 17th by Gary Lee and Robert O'Harrow, Jr., shows Casolaro to be debt-ridden and despondent. According to the Post report, "Casolaro had no independent means of income and had invested heavily in the book project for at least eight months, financing several trips to the West Coast and long-distance telephone calls." The Post article also revealed that Casolaro's sister had committed suicide in California 20 years ago. While confirming the sister's suicide and his brother's financial difficulties, Dr. Casolaro said that these facts still did not support a conclusion of suicide for his brother. He told the Post, "Danny was the sort of guy who was always broke but he knew that he had a lot of resources for money in the family if he needed it." Dr. Casolaro also told the Post that he had received a call from a man who purported to have met with Casolaro in Martinsburg on the day before the death and turned over documents relating to computer hardware thefts. Dr. Casolaro said that the man was willing to meet with investigators under the cloak of anonymity. Newsbytes has confirmed, from multiple sources, the existence of the contact, a man called "Bill," but has not yet obtained information concerning the content or the validity of the purported documentation. The so-called "Inslaw Case" began in 1982 when Inslaw signed a $10 million contract to provide an enhanced version of its case tracking software to the U.S. Department of Justice. According to Inslaw, shortly after it rebuffed attempts by a company owned by Earl Brian, a close friend of former US. Attorney General Edwin Meese, to buy Inslaw, the government stopped its contract payments and eventually forced the firm into bankruptcy. In January 1988, a federal bankruptcy judge upheld the claims of Inslaw President William Hamilton and awarded Inslaw damages of $6.8 million, saying that the Justice Department has stolen the Promis software by "trickery, fraud and deceit." A second federal judge later upheld the ruling. The Justice Dept. continued to appeal the verdicts and, on May 7, 1991, was successful when the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the bankruptcy court had claimed extraordinary and improper jurisdiction in the case. The court said that Hamilton was free to pursue his claims in the proper federal court and that the Justice Department's "conduct, if it occurred, is inexcusable." During the appeal process, Inslaw broadened its charges to claim that Iran Contra figures Robert McFarlane and Richard Secord had played a role is disseminating the software to intelligence agencies of Israel, Libya, Iraq, South Korea, and Canada. These charges were substantiated by Ari Ben-Menashe, who claims to be a former Israeli intelligence officer, Iranian arms dealer Richard Babayan, and Michael Riconosciuto, who said that he was hired to modify the software for use in law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide. Riconosciuto, who was arrested in March of this year and is being held in the state of Washington, also claimed to be involved in a now-defunct joint venture between the Wachenhut Corp. of Coral Gables, FL and the Southern California Cabazon Indian tribe. According to Riconosciuto's affidavit, the joint venture developed sophisticated weapons for the Contras. McFarlane and Brian have denied all charges. There have also been reports that the software, allegedly used by the foreign intelligence services for maintaining dissidents, contained a "Trojan horse" that would allow U.S. security agencies to have undetected access to the computer system of the foreign agency. It was also revealed during this time that Inslaw President Hamilton is a former employee of the National Security Agency (NSA). As the long appeal process continued, the House Judiciary Committee under Chairman Jack Brooks (D-Tex.) began its own investigation of the case and became embroiled in a year-long battle with then Attorney General Richard Thornburgh who refused to turn over Justice Department documents to the committee. Shortly before Thornburgh's departure to run for the Senate from Pennsylvania, an agreement was reached between the committee and the Justice Department on the release of certain documents and the investigation is now continuing. During the controversy, another former U.S. Attorney General, Elliot Richardson, now serving as counsel for Inslaw, said, "Evidence of the widespread ramifications of the Inslaw case comes from many sources and keeps accumulating. It remains inexplicable why the Justice Department refuses to pursue this evidence and resists cooperation with the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives." On Wednesday, August 14th, Richardson called for a federal investigation of Casolaro's death and was quoted as suspecting murder in the case. In an interview with Newsbytes, an investigative reporter who has been tracking Inslaw and related cases for a few years said that he had met with Casolaro within the last six months and that Casolaro had no material at that time that the investigative reporter deemed as new. The reporter, speaking to Newsbytes under the promise of non-attribution, also said, "I believe that the Justice Department stole Inslaw's software. I have not seen, however, compelling evidence to support the charges that it was linked to the so-called 'October Surprise.'" (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910819) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 JAPAN: 5TH GENERATION COMPUTER PROJECT EXTENDED 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(TYO)(00004) JAPAN: 5TH GENERATION COMPUTER PROJECT EXTENDED 08/19/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- The Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) says it will extend the so-called fifth generation computer project. The newest phase of this quest to design the world's most advanced computer system starts in March, 1992, and is expected to go on for an additional 5 to 6 years. The fifth generation team will study applications for a prototype parallel processor. MITI's fifth generation computer project, started in 1982, has so far cost the Japanese government only about 5 million yen ($37,000). Led by an association called ICOT, the project will next study advanced expert systems including ones that analyze human genes and legal decisions. The parallel processor "PMI" will be equipped with 500 to 1,000 processors, and is expected to be developed by early 1992. This new project will be led by a new organization which MITI has begun to create. MITI wants to invite overseas firms and organizations to participate in the new project. Research institutions from the U.S., Sweden, Britain, and Australia have already expressed an interest in joining the project, says the Nikkei newspaper. MITI is planning to accept foreign participation in the project in the fall of 1992. Actual research and study using the PIM will be early 1993. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910819) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 JAPAN: ASCII LINKS WITH G-SEARCH ON PC NETWORK DATABASE 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00005) JAPAN: ASCII LINKS WITH G-SEARCH ON PC NETWORK DATABASE 08/19/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- ASCII has signed an agreement with G-Search Corporation concerning database services for its personal computer-based telecommunication network ASCII. The agreement calls for ASCII to provide some 25 new kinds of databases on the ASCII network. The new databases includes corporate information of Teikoku Databank and Tokyo Commerce Research, book lists with 130,000 titles, various music databases, and newspaper and magazine articles. Additional usage fees will be charged for access to these databases. Meanwhile, ASCII network has signed an agreement with General Videotex on its DELPHI network. ASCII has the gateway to DELPHI network. The firm has also been providing INFOLINK in its network. It is said ASCII network has recently been gaining business users. So, the firm has decided to link with many databases. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910819/Press Contact: ASCII, +81-3-3486-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 BUGS FOUND ON NEC VERSION OF WINDOWS 3.0 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00006) BUGS FOUND ON NEC VERSION OF WINDOWS 3.0 08/19/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- NEC says that a "bug" has been found in its version of Windows 3.0. The defect occurs when the user assigns printing functions. Under a license agreement with Microsoft, NEC modified Windows 3.0 for its best-selling personal computer the PC9801, and has been selling the modified version since spring. The bug occurs when a user instructs the machine to print. The printing will stop abruptly. Also, the bug causes reduction and magnification of spreadsheets in Excel 2.12 to not function properly, especially on NEC's PC PR201 printer. NEC has issued a revised version of Windows 3.0 and is mailing it to all registered users. The revision deals specifically with print managers, according to NEC. Windows 3.0 has been selling extremely well in Japan and as a result many personal computer makers have released their own versions. However, a dearth of application programs that will run with Windows 3.0 has frustrated users. The program's popularity is generally attributed to curiosity -- users want to get the feel of the program. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910819/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-3798-6511) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 EX-IBM MAN JOINS SEGA TO PUSH GAME MACHINES 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00007) EX-IBM MAN JOINS SEGA TO PUSH GAME MACHINES 08/19/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Japan's number-two game machine maker, Sega Enterprises, has welcomed a former IBM executive to its personal computer division. Former IBM employee Yuzo Narutomi has been given the general manager's post. Yuzo Narutomi used to play an important role at IBM Japan. He was involved in the development of Japanese versions of IBM computers including the best-selling IBM5550 in 1982. Sega has recently established closer ties with IBM Japan. The two just signed an agreement regarding Sega's IBM-compatible personal computer, released this past May. It is called the Tera Drive and it's equipped with both an 80286 processor and a 68000 processor. The PC supports IBM Japan's latest disk operating system "DOS/V." It is expected that Narutomi will work hand in hand with IBM Japan concerning the distribution of the Tera Drive. A new PC might also be developed by Sega under the leadership of Narutomi. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910819/Press Contact: Sega Enterprises, +81-3-3743-7447) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 SECURITY CHIEF CALLS HACKER-HUNTING "FUN" 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00008) SECURITY CHIEF CALLS HACKER-HUNTING "FUN" 08/19/91 NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- "Computer crime is fun," notes Kenneth Citarella, assistant district attorney in charge of computer crime for Westchester County in New York State. Citarella, however, is not referring to the practice of computer crime but rather the investigation of it. "Computer criminals are smart," and that makes them more challenging to track down, catch, and prosecute, says Citarella, with an attraction reminiscent of Holmes' thrill at chasing professor Moriarty. Citarella spoke on a panel on computer security at the National Conference on Computing and Values held last week at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. While other panelists covered other whys and wherefores of computer crime and the need for computer security, the prosecutor talked about what happens after the crime has taken place. The amount of prosecution done is small, and being a computer crime specialist is far from a full-time job. Many prosecutors shy away from it because they don't understand it, but for those who do, it can be more challenging than a typical assault case. However, many victims of computer crime simply never press charges, and so Citarella's caseload has numbered only about 20 with only six prosecutions (with convictions in all those cases) during his tenure. Citarella denies there is a "hacker hysteria" among local prosecutors. Most local prosecutors have more than enough work to keep them busy dealing with more serious crimes, and there is no requirement that they seek out those among the "hackers" who break into computers. Others have recently been highly critical of the Secret Service, which has engaged in nationwide seizures of computers and bulletin board systems allegedly involved in computer crime. Citarella declined to comment on what hysteria there might be at the national level. Citarella likes New York's computer crime statutes and contributed to the drafting of some. However, even when the statutes are broad, he prosecutes only in cases where damage was done and the intent was malicious. Kids who play around and do no damage are likely in the current system to receive primarily a stern warning. NCCV sessions dealt extensively with computer crime. A prime consensus was a desire for better education for youngsters regarding computer ethics. The conference concluded Friday. (Brad Templeton/19910819) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS SERVICE SELECTS UNISYS OVER IBM 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00009) AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS SERVICE SELECTS UNISYS OVER IBM 08/19/91 CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- For its $40M central computing upgrade, the Australian Customs Service has chosen Unisys as the systems integrator. Short listed companies missing out were BHP/Amdahl, CSA/Hitachi, and IBM. Computerworld newspaper reports the upgrade as giving the Customs a paperless trading system through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). The system will consist of a number of technologies and vendors, including Unisys U6000 Unix machines, running off-the-shelf applications, and new ones written in Linc Case/4GL software. An Australian package, QCOM or Corporate Retriever, will be used for file management and text retrieval. Customs spokespeople said the race was close and didn't indicate shortcomings with any of the tenders, but rather a one or two point difference in the final calculation. Unisys is naturally pleased with the win, and has hinted that it might have been made with no profit factor, but was more important because of its internal morale value. The Australian Customs has recently made changes to the way it selects incoming air passengers for "complete checking." While this has no bearing on the Unisys win, it sure raises a sweat on incoming computer journalists with a bag full of hard disk drives. (Paul Zucker/19910819) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 AUSTRALIA: AMERICAN AIRLINES BUYS OTC CALL PLAN 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00010) AUSTRALIA: AMERICAN AIRLINES BUYS OTC CALL PLAN 08/19/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- American Airlines is the first user of OTC Call Plan, an International Virtual Private Network (IVPN) offered by Australia's international carrier. It connects MCI Vnet in the US and BT Featurenet in the UK. The service is aimed at users with a minimum of 100 hours per month of international phone traffic, and offers lower rates, networking, a tailored dialling plan and fast-connect calling. A feature is detailed monthly logs and reports on diskette for customer analysis. Other Call Plan customers include DEC and Unisys. The technology was developed in Australia and is designed to be constantly upgradeable, protecting users against obsolescence. "We saw Call Plan as an ideal opportunity to bring ourselves closer to other offices and associated companies in the US and Europe," said Siva Subramanian, South Pacific reservations manager for American Airlines. (Paul Zucker/19910819/Contact: Paul Rea, OTC ph. +61-2-2875602 fax +61-2-2874324) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 AUSTRALIA: ESSO MOVES INFO CENTER, SEEKS NEW STAFF 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00011) AUSTRALIA: ESSO MOVES INFO CENTER, SEEKS NEW STAFF 08/19/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- ESSO Australia has consolidated its information systems (IS) centres, and moved the resulting group to Melbourne. Despite 20 staff deciding not to make the move, the company says it needs to hire an additional 80 staff, with salary packages ranging from AUS$35-$90,000 per year. The proximity of Bass Strait oil fields was given as one reason for the choice of Melbourne, though officially, the city hosts many of Esso's strategic partners. The system will consist of a number of IBM host computers and 1100 PCs as well as many scientific and graphics workstations. The budget is said to be in excess of $30M annually. Software ranges from Wizard business system to an in-house application to control off-shore helicopter flights servicing the oil platforms. An interesting aspect to the move is the way it was reported this week in the computer press. Computerworld and Computing emphasized the extra jobs in their headlines, while Pacific Computer Weekly says, "Esso move cuts 20 IS staff." (Paul Zucker/19910819) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 TWO GUYS USE PCS TO START NEW GREETING CARD FAD 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00012) TWO GUYS USE PCS TO START NEW GREETING CARD FAD 08/19/91 BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Matt Russell and Len Davidson are successfully bucking the $7 billion conservative greeting card industry using existing personal computer (PC) technology they first put together in a garage in Glendale. They call their new business venture the "CreateaCard" system. The CreateaCard system allows the consumer to use a 386 IBM compatible PC, a touch screen and a Hewlett-Packard 8-pen plotter to create and personalize their own greeting cards. The only parts the consumer sees are the plotter and the touch screen. The unit is entirely self-sufficient, and controls everything, including placing the card stock into the plotter once the card is selected and personalized, and delivering it to the consumer after it is printed, Len Davidson, director of marketing for Custom Expressions said. Russell and Davidson were told in the beginning that this wouldn't work, but since placing the first unit in the field a year ago, they've installed just over 150 CreateaCard units in 10 states and have moved out of the garage into their own warehouse/offices in Burbank. Davidson said the most surprising event since CreateaCard was started was when they went to Comdex Fall '90, invited to display the CreateaCard by Ellographics, maker of the touch screens, and crowds lined up to make cards. "Here were these technical people ooohing and ahhhing our simple project," Davidson said. "The most fascinating part is watching the card being drawn, even for us at Custom Expressions," Davidson said. "Matt Richardson and I will be standing there, watching the plotter draw another card, even though we've seen literally thousands of cards drawn, and catch each other's eyes and laugh." Over 900 cards are available to the user through a system of menus at the CreateaCard booth, and the cards for selection are constantly being updated and are even regionalized, Davidson said. The company is talking to international distributors about CreateaCard booths in other countries, and in other languages as well, Davidson said. Davidson says the CreateaCard system is attractive to the retailer because it is self-sufficient and reliable, it draws foot traffic into the store, it only takes 3 to 5 minutes total for a consumer to create a card, and another card can be started while the first card is printing. Davidson said the company plans to have 250 CreateaCard systems out on the market by the end of the year, and a thousand systems placed by the end of 1992. Other customized products, using the same CreateaCard systems are being planned such as invitations, announcements, party kits, award certificates, bumper stickers, banners and horoscopes, Davidson said. (Linda Rohrbough/199108019/Press Contact: Len Davidson, Custom Expressions, Tel: 818/972-1400, Fax: 818/972-9930) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 DATAPRODUCTS SHIPS 1ST POSTSCRIPT LEVEL 2 PRINTER 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00013) DATAPRODUCTS SHIPS 1ST POSTSCRIPT LEVEL 2 PRINTER 08/19/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Dataproducts Corp. is now shipping the LZR 960 desktop printer, which the company claims is the first monochrome laser printer to incorporate PostScript Level 2 software from Adobe Systems Inc. The LZR 960 is a nine-page-per-minute, 300 dots-per-inch (dpi), black-and-white laser printer with a Weitek 8200 RISC (reduced instruction-set computer)-based controller and Sharp printer engine. The company maintains that the printer comes equipped with AppleTalk/LocalTalk/RS-422, IBM-PC and conventional RS-232-C interface ports to enable it to work in mixed PC/Macintosh environments. The LZR 960 comes standard with two megabytes of memory, expandable to 10 megabytes, and 35 Type 1 fonts from the Adobe Type Library. Shipping now in the United States and internationally, it is priced at $2,995. Dr. Charles Geschke, Adobe's president and chief operating officer, said: "It is the first monochrome laser printer to incorporate PostScript Level 2 software, which is a significant advancement in imaging technology; it offers users the enhanced performance of a RISC-based controller; and its price of less than $3,000 makes it affordable to a wide range of users looking for a versatile, powerful, fast desktop printer." According to Adobe, the PostScript Level 2 software in the LZR 960 represents a major revision of the PostScript language and PostScript software, although it is compatible with existing application software and with other PostScript output devices. PostScript Level 2 incorporates previous extensions to the language and adds new language features. Adobe says it is easier for PostScript language programmers to use, can improve the performance of PostScript output devices for end-users, and offers better support for printer-specific features, such as multiple paper trays and duplex printing. The new LZR 960 offers such PostScript Level 2 features as form and pattern caching, which allow users to more quickly print pages containing text, graphics or patterns used multiple times. According to the company, new data compression and decompression features can reduce the time required to transmit files to the printer, and the PostScript Level 2 software in the LZR 960 enables it to handle the large character sets of such non-Roman languages as Japanese. (Ian Stokell/19910819/Press Contact: Patricia J. Pane, Adobe Systems Inc., 415-962-3967; or Chris Richter, Dataproducts Corp., 818-887-8344) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 NEW FOR PCS: French Version Of Grammatik 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00014) NEW FOR PCS: French Version Of Grammatik 08/19/91 BENTLEY, FARNHAM, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Riva, the U.K. distributors of the Grammatik grammar checker for IBM PCs and close compatibles, has unveiled a special French edition. According to the company, Grammatik French is ideal for U.K.- based translation agencies and anyone who regularly needs to check French documents. In use, the package searches for, highlights, and corrects errors of grammar, style, usage, punctuation, and spelling. The French version of the program is a more than a simple variant of the original English edition. The completely different grammar and phraseology of the French language meant that a complete rewrite of Grammatik was required, Riva officials said. As a result, Grammatik French contains a dictionary capable of checking more than 400,000 words. The rewrite of Grammatik in French does not come cheaply. Riva is charging UKP 150 for the package, which requires a PC equipped with a hard disk and at least 512K of RAM. (Steve Gold/19910819/Press & Public Contact: Riva - Tel: 0420- 22666; Fax: 0420-23700) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 SCHNEIDER UK CLOSES OFFICES 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00015) SCHNEIDER UK CLOSES OFFICES 08/19/91 NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- In a surprise move, Schneider U.K. has closed its U.K. computer operations, switching customer and reseller support to Greyhound Marketing, its U.K. distributor. The move, according to Monica Worlfe, head of sales for Schneider's Turkheim offices in Western Germany, has been in progress since April of this year, when company operations began winding down. Existing machines sold to U.K. users will be supported via Schneider U.K. offices in Northampton, which will continue to sell and support the company's electrical products. Phil Arlott, a director with Greyhound Marketing, told Newsbytes that his company is now sourcing its Schneider kit direct from West Germany rather than through the U.K. offices. This, he said, has enabled the distributor to shave prices by as much as 20 percent. "This is because we're passing on our savings to the U.K. reseller channel and end users by ordering direct from West Germany," he said. The price changes have a dramatic effect on some of Schneider's PC prices. The Euro PC 2, a 9.54 MHz PC-XT compatible with 768K of RAM, bundled with an MM12 monochrome monitor and a copy of Microsoft Works, now costs UKP 357.58 plus tax -- a highly competitive price. This price also includes one years' free on-site maintenance. Arlott suggested that the deal was virtually unbeatable. (Steve Gold/19910819/Press v& Public Contact: Greyhound Marketing - Tel: 0532-621111; Fax: 0532-374163) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 MORE U.S./ENGLAND ATM LINKS 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00016) MORE U.S./ENGLAND ATM LINKS 08/19/91 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- It's taken a long while to get the networks in place, but the U.K. and U.S. automated teller machine (ATM) networks are now almost completely interlinked. In the U.K. Midland, Natwest, and Lloyds banks have linked their ATMs into the Cirrus ATM network. Midland bank ATMs, along with all U.K. building societies, National Girobank, and The Co-operative Plus HFC banks' ATMs are now linked to the Plus network. The linkups are on top of the Visa and Mastercard ATM networks in the U.K. By the end of the year, almost any bank ATM, along with the majority of building society ATMs, will accept either a Visa or a Mastercard. In many cases, both credit cards are accepted by a single ATM. The link-up means that, if you have a Plus ATM card with Visa or Mastercard activities, you can use any ATM in the U.K. The exchange rates used are, almost invariably, several percentage points ahead of foreign exchange rates. So why the rush to link all the ATM networks together? According to one bank manager, the network infrastructure is already in place for EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer) transactions, so ATM withdrawals are an additional source of income. This contrasts with bureau de change offices, who have to shuffle a lot of paper to switch between currencies. Cashing foreign cheques is an expensive and time-consuming business. ATM withdrawals are fast and effective. The transaction is switched electronically and debited to the customer's account in their country of origin almost immediately. ATM and EFTPOS transactions are, in fact, the mainstay of the packet data networks (PDNs) around the world. Almost two thirds of all PDN traffic on the North Atlantic route is now due to financial transactions of one sort or another. Banks make a living, trading on the margins between the buy and sell rates for currency. All this is irrelevant if you need cash in a foreign currency. ATMs represent the fastest and cheapest method of obtaining cash, even if you have to pay a small amount of interest to your issuing financial institution for the cash borrowing facility. It's worth noting that many financial institutions are unaware of which ATMs accept their cards in foreign countries, such is the pace of change. Newsbytes has discovered that many ATMs will cheerfully accept plastic cards issued by foreign institutions when the ATM is not officially on that card's international network. (Steve Gold/19910819) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 CORRECTION: MAG LISTS EQUAL ACCESS PREFIXES 08/19/91 08/19/91 (CORRECTION)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00017) CORRECTION: MAG LISTS EQUAL ACCESS PREFIXES 08/19/91 LITTLETON, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Newsbytes wishes to correct a typo in this article, which first appeared August 16. The article was about Jack Rickard's Boardwatch magazine which has lists about 250 long distance carrier equal access prefix numbers. The article states that dialing 10022 before your number will place the call through MCI. This is in error. 10222 is the correct number one must dial to reach MCI. Newsbytes apologizes for the error. (Wendy Woods/19910819) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 NEW FOR PCS: Chinese Version Of Windows 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00018) NEW FOR PCS: Chinese Version Of Windows 08/19/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Microsoft has announced the release of a Chinese version of Windows 3.0, bringing to 13 the total number of foreign language versions of Windows now on the market. Windows 3.0 is currently available in Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Kanji (Japanese), Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish. The company says it will also release Windows in Arabic, Czech, Hebrew, Hungarian and Turkish. "Seeing so many localized versions of the Microsoft Windows environment in every corner of the globe is thrilling," said Joachim Kempin, Microsoft's VP of the international products group. Kempin says that Windows is becoming the international standard for graphical computing. The company says it has shipped four million copies worldwide, and over 1,500 Windows-based applications have been developed internationally. Microsoft has recently taken several steps to provide more support for independent software developers. The company says it has shipped more than 70,000 developer kits, which are used to write Windows-specific applications. The Chinese version of Windows was developed in cooperation with local contractors in the Far East, and will be introduced through a series of seminars sponsored by the Microsoft Taiwan subsidiary beginning this month. According to Shaw-Gang Yang, GM of Microsoft's Far East development, more people in Taiwan will use personal computers than ever before. Yang says Windows 3.0 should bring major growth to the PC market in Taiwan, which he says has an installed base of one million PCs. Windows has also done well in Europe, with more than one million copies shipped during the past 12 months. This year's United Kingdom Windows Show was reported to be the most well-attended PC show in UK history, with 110 exhibits and 22,000 visitors. In Italy, Windows received Italy's SMAU Industrial design Award. In Japan, Microsoft says it has delivered 100,000 copies in the first three months that the Kanji version was available. (Jim Mallory/910819/Press contact: Liz Sidnam, Microsoft, 206-882-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 COMPUADD OPENS 100TH RETAIL STORE 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00019) COMPUADD OPENS 100TH RETAIL STORE 08/19/91 AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- CompuAdd Corporation opened its 100th retail computer outlet this past weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas. CompuAdd markets a line of personal computers under the CompuAdd name, as well as distributing other brands of software, printers and other peripherals, such as modems. The company launched an aggressive retail expansion program in June of this year, opening stores in several markets at the rate of about two per week. CompuAdd says it plans to have a total of about 120 stores by the end of this year, and 200 by the end of 1992. The Corpus Christi store occupies about 2500 square feet of floor space. CompuAdd stores range from under 2000 square feet to over 17,000. The company says it selects markets for its retail stores based on a variety of market research data, including the installed base of PCs and the number of the company's mail order customers in the area. CompuAdd was founded in 1982 as a mail order company, and opened its first retail store in 1983 in Austin. The company reported $515.6 million in sales in 1990, and says about 60 percent of that was generated by the retail outlets. (Jim Mallory/910819/Press contact: Wendell Watson, CompuAdd, 512-250-2530) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 IRAQ REPORTEDLY RESUMES DIRECT TELEPHONE LINKS 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020) IRAQ REPORTEDLY RESUMES DIRECT TELEPHONE LINKS 08/19/91 BAGHDAD, IRAQ, 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Iraq resumed direct telephone communications with the world, according to the Iraqi news agency INA. Service started with 48 telephone channels, but tests are underway to increase that by another 60. Eventually, the country has enough satellite calling capacity through the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, Intelsat, to handle 132 telephone calls and one television channel. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910819) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 NEW PRODUCT: Trimble GPS Land Survey/Map System 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00021) NEW PRODUCT: Trimble GPS Land Survey/Map System 08/19/91 SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Following the company's recent release of its Pathfinder Professional geographic coordinate system, Trimble Navigation has now introduced the 4000SE Land Surveyor mapping and surveying system designed for a sole user to gather detailed and precise position data about a site. According to the company, the collected data is then used to create a three-dimensional computerized map of the information. The new Trimble Land Surveyor is the latest product in the company's line of satellite-based GPS (global positioning system) surveying and mapping systems. The company claims that the line of products make the planning of large-scale construction, civil engineering, government and research projects much more cost-effective and timely. Trimble claims that, using the new product, a single user can accomplish in several days what traditional survey and mapping methods took several people working weeks or months to complete. A static version of the product is used for gathering the geographic points needed in control and boundary surveys, and a kinematic version is used for mobile surveying to gather volumes of contouring data needed to create topographic maps. The company maintains that, each complete system includes three rugged and waterproof nine-channel 4000SE GPS receiver/dataloggers, which begin taking positions with centimeter accuracy. Both configurations feature the company's TRIMVEC Plus software package. In addition, with the optional TRIMMAP, the Land Surveyor system's new mapping software, users can automatically generate detailed contour maps. When used in conjunction with the its GPS Pathfinder data collection systems, the new Land Surveyor serves to create and maintain Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases. The company's recently released Pathfinder Professional is a commercial hand-held version of the "Slugger" unit used by U.S. troops in Operation Desert Storm. Newsbytes previously reported that 5,000 of the units were used by troop commanders to navigate the Allied forces through a desert to the north of Kuwait. The Trimble GPS Land Surveyors carry a U.S. suggested price of $44,850 for the static unit and $61,850 for the kinematic unit. Shipments are due to begin this fall. (Ian Stokell/19910819/Press Contact: Douglas Sherk, Trimble Navigation Ltd., 415-296-7383) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 BILL GATES DONATES $1 MILLION TO CANCER CENTER 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022) BILL GATES DONATES $1 MILLION TO CANCER CENTER 08/19/91 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has announced that it has received a $1 million gift from Bill Gates, Jr., chairman of Microsoft Corporation. The center said the donation will be used to help finance the construction of the center's new campus. Speaking about the donation, Gates said "My strong interest in the Hutch is based on its rigorous and creative use of science and medicine, and the leading roles that its scientists play in producing new knowledge and insight into the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer." The Hutchinson Center is building a new campus on a 10.2 acre site at Southeast Lake Union. The first phase of the project is now under construction and includes two laboratory buildings that will house the Basic Sciences division, as well as other laboratory programs. "As one of the most highly respected members of the local business community, Gates' gift is especially significant, not only in terms of its generosity, but also in terms of providing an important endorsement for the Center's expansion project" said Dr. Robert Day, president of the center. Gates is also active in other charitable causes, including the United Way of King County, Washington. Gates was named 'Businessperson of the Year' in 1990 by Seattle Business magazine. (Jim Mallory/910818/Press contact: Susan Edmonds, Hutchinson Center, 206-667-2896) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 ON-LINE SOFTWARE, COMPUTER ASSOCIATES TALKING MERGER 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00023) ON-LINE SOFTWARE, COMPUTER ASSOCIATES TALKING MERGER 08/19/91 FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- On-Line Software International has announced an agreement with Computer Associates, of Garden City, New York, that could lead to CA buying On-Line. In discussions on a CA buy-out the two firms have agreed on a purchase price of US$15.75 per share of On-Line Software. The deal still needs approval by both companies' boards of directors, and depends on negotiation of a definitive merger agreement and other agreements. Ilona Mohasci, a spokeswoman for On-Line Software, said she could not say yet when the companies might reach a final deal. Computer Associates, one of the world's largest software companies, has grown largely by acquiring other software firms, among them the mainframe software companies Applied Data Research (ADR) and Cullinet. On-Line Software, like ADR and Cullinet, sells database and applications development software for IBM mainframe computers. On-Line Software has about 700 employees worldwide, Mohasci told Newsbytes. Both companies are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. (Grant Buckler/19910819/Press Contact: Ilona Mohasci, On-Line Software International, 201-585-6582, fax 201-585-6598) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 IBM DEMONSTRATES SINGLE-ATOM SWITCH 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00024) IBM DEMONSTRATES SINGLE-ATOM SWITCH 08/19/91 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Applications are at least a decade away, but IBM has apparently set a record for miniaturization which will be difficult to break, demonstrating an electrical switch which relies on the motion of a single atom. Switches are the fundamental logic elements of computers or data storage. The news was broken by the British science journal "Nature," which featured an article by 3 IBM scientists working at the company's Almaden Research Center who said they repeatedly moved a single xenon atom back and forth across a gap between two electrodes just several atomic diameters apart. They found that "tunneling" current flowing between the electrodes changed according to the position of the atom -- the conceptual equivalent of turning a light on and off with a wall switch. A low-temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope was used to build and operate the atom switch, with one of its electrodes being the microscope's tungsten tip. The STM is an IBM invention, and its creation won two IBM scientists a 1987 Nobel Prize. The STM was originally created to view atoms, but it's now being used to manipulate them. In July two scientists at IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, NY used an STM at room temperature to pick up and replace single silicon atoms from a silicon surface, suggesting that room-temperature atom switches may be possible. "It's not yet clear if one could ever build commercially practical atom switches or devices that use them," Donald Eigler wrote for the group. "But my hope is that our fundamental research will lay the scientific foundation for future generations of very small electronic devices, including those that may someday be mass-produced on an atomic scale." The circuitry in today's high performance computer chips is at least 1,000 times coarser than that achieved by IBM. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910819/Press Contact: Kathleen Keeshen, IBM, 408-927-1282) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 IBM WINS OUTSOURCING DEAL WITH TENNESSEE BANK 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00025) IBM WINS OUTSOURCING DEAL WITH TENNESSEE BANK 08/19/91 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Integrated Systems Solutions, a subsidiary of IBM, says it has an agreement to run the computer systems of the First American National Bank of Tennessee. The bank is not related to the First American Bank group of Washington, D.C., which is embroiled in the BCCI scandal. First American of Tennessee has about 151 branches around Tennessee, and also owns a trust and community development operation. Its stock is traded on the NASDAQ over the counter market under the symbol FATN. Approximately 150 people will be transferred to the ISS payroll by the move. First American says it will save $40 million over the 10-year period covered by the agreement. The impact to 1991 earnings is expected to be minimal. Through the implementation of branch automation and other core banking applications, First American will realize other costs savings and service delivery outside the data processing area. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910819/Press Contact: First American, Marta Goodall, 615-748-2038) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 TELESPHERE POSTS SECOND-QUARTER LOSS OF $9.5 MILLION 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026) TELESPHERE POSTS SECOND-QUARTER LOSS OF $9.5 MILLION 08/19/91 ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Telesphere Communications does not have sufficient cash flow to meet its operating obligations on a timely basis after announcing a loss in the second quarter of $9.5 million on revenues of $89.5 million. Losses resulted from continued declines in the 900 revenues base, significant recourse adjustment and holdbacks from the local exchange carriers on the 900 traffic. The loss was wider than expected. Telesphere is the 4th largest provider of phone services and billing services for so-called caller-paid 900 lines. Its problems appeared to start when it acquired National Telephone Systems of Rockville, Maryland. NTS managers recently took control of Telesphere, and moved its offices from Illinois to Maryland. But the company's financial woes have continued, and earlier this month it attempted to get 900 number operators to take stock instead of cash for money it owes them. One operator responded to that with a press release saying it might have to cease operations as a result. Telesphere has retained an investment banker to assist it in the search for additional equity and alternative financing arrangements. The company is also discussing rescheduling of its loan payments with lenders. Along with its 900 lines, Telesphere provides so-called alternative operator services and it has a long-distance market. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910819/Press Contact: Katherine Clifford, Telesphere, 301-230-8370) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 NEW FOR PCS: Lotus Promises 1-2-3 For Windows Sept. 3 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00027) NEW FOR PCS: Lotus Promises 1-2-3 For Windows Sept. 3 08/19/91 CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Lotus plans to 1-2-3 for Windows on September 3. The company also said that French and German versions of the product will begin shipping on September 6. Zeos, meanwhile, is the first to announce that it will bundle 1-2-3 for Windows with all of its Windows-configured systems. Zeos will also bundle Lotus' word processing software AMI Pro 2.0 with its hardware, free of charge. Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows includes SmartIcons, a customizable set of icons that provide single-click access to basic and advanced spreadsheet functions; and 1-2-3 Classic commands, which give users the option of accessing the familiar 1-2-3 menu by pressing the "/" key. It also features point-and-click file linking, a select-by-example graph gallery, and Adobe Type Manager scalable font technology. Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows will be priced at $595. Network Server and Node Editions will be $895 and $595, respectively. All customers who purchased a version of 1-2-3 since January 8 of this year are eligible to upgrade to 1-2-3 for Windows for $49. Every other owner of a version of 1-2-3 can upgrade for $150. In order to entice other spreadsheet users and match the competition's ploy for defectors from 1-2-3, Lotus is offering the $150 upgrade to users of Microsoft Excel and Quattro Pro. Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows requires an IBM PC AT or compatible (286 and higher) including most IBM PS/2 and Compaq models; Windows compatible displays; a mouse (recommended); 2 MB system RAM; 5 MB hard disk space; Microsoft Windows 3.0 or higher installed; and DOS 3.0 or higher. (Wendy Woods/19910819/Press Contact: Lisa Landa, Lotus, 617/693-1263; Justin Morris of ZEOS, 612-633-5877) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 ****SOVIET COUP MAY ACTUALLY HELP FOREIGN INVESTORS 08/19/91 08/19/91 (EXCLUSIVE)(GOVT)(WAS)(00028) ****SOVIET COUP MAY ACTUALLY HELP FOREIGN INVESTORS 08/19/91 PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- While everyone is already reporting today's events in the Soviet Union as a hard-line military coup, anti-capitalist move, that characterization is not necessarily true -- this according to Dr. Kent Moors, chairman of the political science department of Duquesne University, a director of the American-Soviet Exchange Center at the school, and president of American-Soviet Investment and Development Associates. In an exclusive interview, Dr. Moors told Newsbytes that he has already received many strong high-level Soviet government assurances that all commercial agreements would be honored and that the political moves are being portrayed as a way to stabilize the economic and political situation and actually give foreign investors more confidence in the safety of their investments. Supporting this report, a former U.S. intelligence community employee told Newsbytes that although one would expect that the first thing in a coup would be an instant shutdown of all telecommunications networks, there has apparently been no interruption in regular phone service between Moscow and the U.S., other than that to be expected from a large increase in call volume. Dr. Moors reports no special problem in contacting his Moscow office. The Soviet military, according to Dr. Moors, is not oriented toward governing the country and his group has already received high-level communications from Moscow officials saying that all ongoing projects with foreign companies and negotiations for other projects are still in force, with no changes. Despite fears that the strong military presence in Moscow was an indication that the military intended to use force to implement the new political situation, Dr. Moors pointed out that the highly trained tank units which were brought in from Minsk and Byelorussia were used because they are among the most disciplined troops in the Red Army and could be relied upon to exercise the greatest restraint when facing possible civilian unrest. As for what is really happening, Dr. Moors told Newsbytes, "I think it is still far too early to tell, but it was very interesting to see comments from the hard liners who were at pains to point out that all economic concessions and joint ventures were still in force and that the entire move was directed internally." As for the timing of the coup, Dr. Moors pointed out that the New Union agreement which would have been signed tomorrow, would have ended any chance for the central government to control economic reforms in an emergency. Four factions are involved in this coup, according to Dr. Moors: the military high command, the KGB (Soviet Secret Police), the Moscow Police (MVD or Black Berets), and the "heir apparent," Boris Gromov, Deputy Interior Minister under the head of the MVD, a very charismatic leader popular with the military. Dr. Moors' group is currently involved in important recycling projects which gain the Soviet Union desperately needed foreign currency and help clean up the environment at the same time by recovering nickel metal from slag piles using the latest U.S. technology. Newsbytes' Moscow Bureau is not reporting on these events, but this has nothing to do with the present situation. The Bureau had long ago scheduled a vacation for this period and expected to be out of communication. Washington insiders point out that although Dr. Moors' comments certainly lend strong credence to the possibility that this presumed coup is almost benign in many aspects, intended mostly to impose necessary emergency economic reforms, and although nothing has yet occurred which would contradict his assertions, the situation is still very fluid and nothing can be taken for granted on either side. As this report was being written, an announcement out of Moscow further strengthened the appearance of a non-violent, almost routine change of government, by announcing that as of 5 p.m. Moscow time, no curfew had been imposed in Moscow, something which is almost automatic for all governments facing civil strife or strong domestic unrest. (John McCormick/19910819/Press Contact: Dr. Kent Moors, Duquesne University, 412-434-6050) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 ****RICOH CREATES FASTEST OPTICAL DRIVE 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00029) ****RICOH CREATES FASTEST OPTICAL DRIVE 08/19/91 LOS ALTOS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 19 (NB) -- Ricoh File Products Division has announced that by using the fastest rotation speed in the industry, 3600 rpm, its HyperSpace Drive magneto-optical erasable optical drive has achieved the highest sustained data transfer rate in the industry. With an average seek time of only 28 milliseconds, an average access time of 37 milliseconds, and a steady data transfer rate approaching one megabyte per second, the latest MO drive is faster than the early IBM-XT 10 MB hard disk drives. By way of comparison, the faster CD-ROM read-only data discs have average access times on the order of 300 milliseconds. The drive, which will be available in production quantities starting in September, will be sold at single-quantity prices just under $4,000 to computer manufacturers, value-added resellers, systems integrators, and distributors. (John McCormick/19910819/Press Contact: John Dean, Ricoh Corp., 415-962-0443) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 19 BoCoEx Index 08/19/91 08/19/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00030) BoCoEx Index 08/19/91 Closing Prices Report for the week ending August 16, 1991 Machine Closing Price Ask Bid -------------------------------------------------------------- IBM XT 089 20 MgB 300 - 500 275 IBM AT 099 20 MgB 600 - 675 500 IBM AT 239 20 MgB 550 - 650 500 IBM AT 339 30 MgB 775 - 1000 700 IBM PS/2 Model 25 30 MgB 400 - 600 400 IBM PS/2 Model 30 20 MgB 700 - 850 700 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286 20 MgB 1000 - 1200 900 IBM PS/2 Model L40SX 60 MgB 3400 - 3500 3400 IBM PS/2 Model 50 20 MgB 1000 - 1250 1000 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z 30 MgB 1100 - 1200 1000 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX 60 MgB 1600 - 2200 1400 IBM PS/2 Model 60 40 MgB 1150 - 1500 1000 IBM PS/2 Model 70 60 MgB 2300 - 2800 2300 IBM PS/2 Model 70P 120 MgB 3200 down 200 3600 3100 IBM PS/2 Model 80 70 MgB 2450 - 2700 2300 -------------------------------------------------------------- Compaq Portable Floppy 200 - 400 200 Compaq Portable Plus 10 MgB 400 - 500 300 Compaq Portable II 20 MgB 700 - 1050 700 Compaq Portable III 20 MgB 1060 - 1250 1000 Compaq Portable 286 20 MgB 1100 - 1350 1000 Compaq Portable 386 40 MgB 1900 - 2100 1500 Compaq SLT-286 40 MgB 1700 - 1900 1550 Compaq LTE 20 MgB 950 - 1100 900 Compaq LTE-286 20 MgB 1300 - 1600 1300 Compaq LTE-286 40 MgB 1800 - 1900 1600 Compaq LTE-386 40 MgB 2800 - 2800 2600 Compaq Deskpro 20 MgB 450 up 50 450 350 Compaq Deskpro 286 40 MgB 800 - 1000 700 Compaq Deskpro 386/16 60 MgB 1900 - 2100 1800 Compaq Deskpro 386SX/16 60 MgB 2000 - 2200 1900 Compaq Deskpro 386/20 60 MgB 2150 - 3000 2000 Compaq Deskpro 385/25e 120 MgB 3050 - 3100 3000 Compaq Deskpro 386/33 320 MgB 5000 - 5500 5000 Compaq SystemPro 386/33 240 MgB 6000 - 7000 4320 -------------------------------------------------------------- NEC PowerMate SX + 40 MgB 1200 - 1350 1100 NEC PowerMate SX + 80 MgB 1400 - 1400 1250 NEC ProSpeed 286 40 MgB 1800 - 2000 1600 NEC ProSpeed 386 100 MgB 1700 - 1900 1700 Zenith SupersPort-286 20 MgB 900 - 1000 800 Zenith TurbosPort-386 40 MgB 1600 - 1900 1600 -------------------------------------------------------------- Macintosh Plus Floppy 500 - 750 500 Macintosh Plus 20 MgB 750 - 975 700 Macintosh Classic 40 MgB 1025 - 1200 1000 Macintosh SE Floppy 700 - 1025 650 Macintosh SE 20 MgB 925 - 1050 900 Macintosh SE 40 MgB 1100 - 1250 1050 Macintosh SE-30 40 MgB 2000 up 25 2200 1900 Macintosh SE-30 80 MgB 2200 down 25 2500 2100 Macintosh IIX 80 MgB 3550 - 3600 3500 Macintosh IICX 80 MgB 3300 - 3600 3200 Macintosh IICI 80 MgB 3750 - 4300 3750 Macintosh IIFX 80 MgB 5300 - 5800 5200 Macintosh IISI 40 MgB 2950 - 3400 2700 Macintosh Portable 40 MgB 2500 - 2800 2300 Apple 2c Floppy 300 - 300 200 Apple 2e Floppy 325 - 400 300 Apple 2gs Floppy 800 - 950 750 -------------------------------------------------------------- Apple Imagewriter II 250 - 350 200 Apple Laserwriter 2NT 1900 - 2500 1800 HP Laserjet 425 - 500 400 HP Laserjet II 1000 - 1000 800 -------------------------------------------------------------- TI Travelmate 2000 20 MgB 1200 - 1700 1000 Toshiba T-1000 Floppy 300 - 575 300 Toshiba T-1200HB 20 MgB 750 - 900 690 Toshiba T-1200XE 20 MgB 1250 - 1350 1200 Toshiba T-1600 40 MgB 1500 - 1600 1400 Toshiba T-2000 SX 40 MgB 2400 - 2500 2200 Toshiba T-3100 10 MgB 800 - 1000 700 Toshiba T-3100 20 MgB 1000 - 1200 900 Toshiba T-3100 SX 40 MgB 2000 - 2600 1900 Toshiba T-3200 40 MgB 1500 - 1800 1300 Toshiba T-3200 SX 40 MgB 2400 - 2600 2300 Toshiba T-5100 40 MgB 1800 - 2000 1700 Toshiba T-5200 100 MgB 3100 up 200 3800 3100 BoCoEx Index News and Closing Prices from the Boston Computer Exchange Ah August! Long Sunny Days and Stable Markets Boston August 16, 1991 -- It was a pretty pokey market in the middle of August when the high flying clouds were the most active players in the market. Not that the brokers were bored but that there were few major movements in the market. With few new products introduced into the market this month and no shocking new developments that displace technology there is not much price activity. Volume is strong in the mid-summer market without the volatility that was overwhelming in the latter part of the spring. The IBM PS/2 Model 70P dropped $200 to $3200 and left buyers eager for more. The machine is not much of a laptop but as a desktop it is slight and sleek. The 386 is nearly fast enough for a power user, and buyers are snapping up units that are being displaced by real portable machines. This weeks declaration that the IBM PC would no longer be traded on the Big Board of the BCE didn't stop the last seller from sneaking through with a pile of fully loaded PC's. The machines had enough extras to make them worth trading but the base box was still handled at a price that was sub-threshold for cash deals. From now on the original PC is a donation item --- call the East West Foundation if you havn't sold your dust collector yet. It was a good machine..... Compaq 486/25: Piles up - Ready to Go At the other end of the technology spectrum, there are piles of Compaq 486 based 25 megaHertz machines up for grabs. Maybe it is the rumor that Compaq is going to repair its damaged image with a clone-beating price-bashing deal maker...maybe its the replacement of this "slow" 25 megaHertz model with zippier 33 and 50 Meg. boxes, but there are a lot of slower 486 Compaq's looking for homes. Sellers are willing to do low ball deals but realistic closing prices are $4800. "Watch Out" Compaq you're going through the same rude awakening that you put IBM through.... Apple's MacMarket No, MacWorld did not do anything to the MacMarket. The only thing that was newsworthy was the modest decline of the 80 MgB SE-30 down $25 to end the week trading at $2200 while the 40 MgB model was up $25 to $2000, showing the indecision of August traders. There were large volumes of MacPlus' changing hands at last week's price of $500 for the floppy model and $750 for the 20 Mg. drive model. Mac 2's and 2cx's traded at last week's prices in healthy volumes. Sigh, Maybe next week will be more exciting. Enjoy the sunshine. BoCoEx Index prices are based on complete systems with keyboard, monochrome monitor and adapter, less the value of any software or peripherals. BoCoEx Index appears in PC Week, ComputerWorld, UPI and IDG Wire Service, PC Satellite Network, Computer Currents, NewsBytes, Canadian ComputerWeek, CompuServe, Delphi, Boston Globe, and is heard weekly on Business Radio Network. Call BCE: 617-542-4414, Buyer's Hot Line: 1-800-262-6399, In Alaska and Canada 1-800-437-2470, FAX: 617-542-8849. BCE's Fax Yourself Information is 617-542-2345 Ask for extension 300 for BoCoEx Index. (Bocoex/1991816) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 CRAY JOINS CARNEGIE MELLON RESEARCH CENTER 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00001) CRAY JOINS CARNEGIE MELLON RESEARCH CENTER 08/16/91 EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Cray Research has announced that it has joined the engineering Design Research Center (EDRC) of Carnegie Mellon University as an industrial affiliate. The EDRC is a multi-disciplinary National Science Foundation (NSF) engineering research center that develops and integrates computer-based methodologies to support faster, more efficient, more cost effective design in US industry. The EDRC claims to cover all engineering disciplines, as well as architecture and computer science. The center operates on the premise that design practice can be dramatically improved at an early stage by applying formal methodology. Some of the goals are to anticipate life cycle concerns, convey thought processes that motivate design decisions, generate and select design alternatives automatically, and develop design systems that are easy to learn and use. So far, the EDRC's vision of improved design practices has attracted collaboration from 39 companies in the aerospace, electronics, computer, chemical, petroleum, automotive, medical equipment, construction and materials industries. According to Cray Research's chief executive officer John Rollwagen, collaborative projects with industry and academia are rapidly becoming the norm in the computer industry as a way of increasing the transfer of technologies. "Our involvement with the EDRC not only provides the participating researchers with the resources to readily step into the world of high performance computing, but also enables Cray Research to contribute to the advancement of engineering design," he said. The EDRC program is organized around three laboratories: design for manufacturing, synthesis, and design systems. Cray's involvement is in the synthesis lab and the design systems lab. The synthesis lab attempts to develop and integrate qualitative and quantitative methods for design optimization in layout design, separation system synthesis, preliminary design of engineering systems, and automated learning. In the design laboratory, architecture, chemical, civil and electrical engineering combine in attempting to create generic design tools and domain-independent systems to support the large-scale integration of dissimilar design tools. Mardi Schmeider of Cray Research told Newsbytes that part of Cray's participation will include CPU (central processor unit) time on a Cray Y-MP system at its company computer network center. EDRC spokesperson Georgette Demis told Newsbytes that the center also receives funding from some government agencies, such as DARPA and NASA. (Jim Mallory/19910816/Press contact: Mardi Schmeider, Cray Research, 612-683-3538; Georgette Demis, EDRC, 412-268-3372) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 UTMC GETS NSA APPROVAL FOR CMOS FOUNDRY PROCESS 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00002) UTMC GETS NSA APPROVAL FOR CMOS FOUNDRY PROCESS 08/16/91 COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- The United Technologies Microelectronics Center (UTMC) has announced that the National Security Agency (NSA) has approved its facility to process classified and unclassified material to NSA's design rules. According to UTMC, the approval will allow the company to deliver level B or S, rad-hard and non-rad-hard integrated circuits to government security agencies and system manufacturers. NSA approval for such technology is required before supply can take place. Chips such as those manufactured by UMTC are used in secure communications devices and computer systems in order to scramble data or voice to avoid interception by unfriendly parties. They are frequently found in government agencies and facilities, including the military services. Data is also encrypted for storage using the special circuits. UMTC's Foundry Marketing Manager Joe Tirado told Newsbytes that the requirements for NSA approval are extremely stringent, including high level security precautions for the foundry itself. UMTC claims that it has successfully delivered devices to NSA's MOSIS/RMOSIS (MOS Implementation Service) and to the INFOSEC (Information Security) community. The company says that it accepts both classified and unclassified designs in a standard GDS II tape format, and offers secure device fabrication, assembly and test methods. The company says it can deliver final product in the form of wafers to a wafer attribute specification, tested die, or finished, packaged devices. UTMC's devices are fabricated on the company's 3.0-, 1,5- and 1.2-micron single-poly, double metal twin-well CMOS processes. According to the company these processes are optimized for rad-hard, high-density logic devices operating in military and aerospace environments. UTMC is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, and is a manufacturer of semi-custom and military-standard VLSI (very large scale integration) circuits for the aerospace and defense market. The company maintains a toll free number to answer inquiries on 1-800-645-8862. (Jim Mallory/19910816/Press contact: Twila Gamble, UTMC, 719-594- 8362) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 HOTEL CHAIN PICKS SULCUS FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003) HOTEL CHAIN PICKS SULCUS FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 08/16/91 WICHITA, KANSAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Before long, if you check into a Harrah's Casino, or an Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn or Homewood Suites hotel, the check-in procedure will be handled by a new computer system. The Promus Companies has announced that it has selected a Sulcus Computer Corporation subsidiary, Lodgistix Hospitality Management Systems, to develop a special application for use in Promus' hotels, which include about 400 properties. Sulcus says it will create a special application of its LANmark property management system for use in the owned, managed and franchised hotels. The systems will run under both Unix and DOS. Promus says its properties employ 17,500 people, and generated gross revenues in excess of $1,000 million in 1990. Promus was formed as a spin-off from Holiday Corporation when Bass, PLC acquired the Holiday Inn hotel system. The new system will provide Promus with property management system and central reservation system integration. Development will be jointly owned by both parties under the terms of a development and license agreement. The two companies, citing proprietary rights, declined to reveal any other details of the agreement. According to Jeff Edwards, COO of the group, the project should be completed over the next nine months, and will generate substantial seven-figure revenues through the provision of first and second tier software support service for the properties worldwide. Edwards says that as a result of the alliance, the Lodgistix/HMS support charge of $5,000 per year for each property will be reduced. According to Edwards, during the interim development period, Lodgistix/HMS will install its current version of their property management system in selected sites. (Jim Mallory/19910816/Press contact: Paul Hammar, Lodgistix, 316- 685-2216) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 COURT WILL RECONSIDER EARLIER MS/APPLE DECISION 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00004) COURT WILL RECONSIDER EARLIER MS/APPLE DECISION 08/16/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation has announced that the Ninth US Circuit Court has granted Microsoft's motion for reconsideration of an earlier decision in the long-running law suit between Apple and Microsoft. At issue in the case, which Apple initiated about three years ago, is whether Microsoft Windows Release 2 is too much like the Macintosh user interface. Microsoft has argued that the features that remain in Apple's case are not original to Apple, and therefore cannot be protected under Apple's copyrights. In an unusual move, Judge Vaughn Walker has asked both parties to make available to the court the pertinent computer hardware and software in order for him to make his decision. "We are pleased with the order and that the judge is willing to take the time to become familiar with these interactive products" said William Neukom, Microsoft's VP of law and corporate affairs. Microsoft spokesperson Pam Edstrom of Waggener Edstrom told Newsbytes that the company thinks the judge is making every effort to render a fair decision, and said she believes the case will be a landmark for the computer industry. The three year long law suit, which most industry observers have watched with interest, has been characterized by some observers as a long running soap opera. After Apple accused Microsoft of fraud in obtaining a licensing agreement with Apple in 1985, Judge Walker called the fraud issue "a sideshow." Hewlett-Packard, who was also included in the suit because of the alleged similarity between the Macintosh interface and HP's New Wave software, charged Apple with fraud in obtaining the original copyright for the Mac interface technology. The original law suit included only Windows 2.03, but was later amended by Apple to include Windows 3.0, which has been one of the best software sellers of all time. Thousands of application programs have been written for Windows, and Microsoft says it has shipped more than 70,000 developer kits, which are used to write specific Windows applications. Despite the law suit, investors seemed to show confidence in Microsoft, as the company's stock hit an all time high this week, closing at $83 on Monday, up $2.25 per share. Microsoft earned $462.7 million for the fiscal year which ended June 30th of this year, up from $279.2 million the previous year. (Jim Mallory/19910816/Press contact: Pam Edstrom, Waggener Edstrom, 503-245-0905) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 ****SUIT AGAINST BORLAND COULD AFFECT A-T PURCHASE 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00005) ****SUIT AGAINST BORLAND COULD AFFECT A-T PURCHASE 08/16/91 SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Borland has announced that a class-action complaint against the company has been filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Industry analysts suggest that the class action suit, described as routine by many press sources, could cause problems in connection with Borland's purchase of Ashton-Tate. The complaint, naming Borland, its directors and certain officers, has three parts. It alleges that false and misleading statements were made in the company's April 1991 prospectus for public offering of common shares. The complaint also alleges that those named have committed violations of the federal securities and exchange commission laws in the sale of stock. The defendants are also alleged to have breached fiduciary duties by offering too much for Ashton-Tate stock. The complaint claims also to be, in part, a derivative action and asks for an order preventing the proposed purchase of Ashton-Tate by Borland, damages and attorney's fees. Borland has said the allegations are false and plans to vigorously defend against them. If the sale goes through, Ashton-Tate shareholders will receive Borland shares for their Ashton-Tate shares. The Borland shares have a market value of around $50.00, but no more than 0.398 or less than 0.346 Borland shares per Ashton-Tate share will be given. Generally speaking, Ashton-Tate shareholders will receive one Borland share for three of their Ashton-Tate shares, or about $17.50 in value for their shares valued somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 to $11 each at the time of the announcement of the sale. Until 20 days before the close of the purchase, no one really knows what the actual amount the Ashton-Tate shareholders will receive. It is at that time the determination will be made, based on the market value of the shares on that day. As previously announced on July 7, Ashton-Tate shareholder Edward Michael filed a class action suit against Ashton-Tate and Borland in Delaware Chancery court alleging the merger is a breach of fiduciary duties and the consideration provided for in the merger was inadequate. The suit also asks for an order inhibiting the merger. (Linda Rohrbough/199108016/Press Contact: Dick O'Donnell, Borland, Tel: 408/439-1631, Fax: 408/439-9273) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 SOVIET FIRM SAYS CANADIAN DEALER DID NOT DELIVER 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00006) SOVIET FIRM SAYS CANADIAN DEALER DID NOT DELIVER 08/16/91 TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Business Western-style has its risks, as one Soviet company learned when it ordered computers from a Toronto dealer. Interbyte, of Moscow, recently filed a complaint with the Toronto Better Business Bureau, claiming it received less than half of the goods for which it paid Toronto-based Quadram Systems Centre US$148,500 early last year. Paul Tuz, president of the Toronto BBB, said that a letter from Interbyte to his office included a long list of items that were paid for but not delivered, including 42 printers as well as math coprocessors and Cyrillic keyboards for IBM PC AT machines. Some parts of the order were also filled incorrectly -- power cords for the PCs were of a type that fit North American rather than European outlets, for instance. Tuz said the Better Business Bureau has investigated and found that Quadram's telephone was disconnected. An investigator discovered the company had never moved into the address printed on its letterhead, but did occupy another office for a short time two years ago before moving out without paying rent. The principal of the company, Eugene Foo, was found to be a 26 year old, Singapore-born Canadian citizen. Tuz said his office is turning the case over to the commercial crimes division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In the meantime, he urged foreign companies to check with local Better Business Bureau offices in Canada before signing contracts. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: Paul Tuz, Toronto Better Business Bureau, 416-766-5744) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 OBJECTSOFT TO EXPLOIT SOFT LINKS FOR WINDOWS 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00007) OBJECTSOFT TO EXPLOIT SOFT LINKS FOR WINDOWS 08/16/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- A new firm called ObjectSoft has said it will bring object-oriented applications to Microsoft Windows users using a concept its founders call "soft links." The company's first product, a "three-dimensional electronic rolodex" called Relate, is scheduled for release this fall. ObjectSoft's founders are David E.Y. Sarna and George J. Febish, who previously co-founded Image Business Systems. The company said that its linking technology augments the Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology which Microsoft recently added to Windows. Sarna told Newsbytes that soft links differ from OLE in much the same way as a dial-up telephone call differs from a permanent leased line. "It's not a hard, permanent link," he said. Also, soft links can be created to any file, not just to files created by application programs that support OLE. Relate forms multiple, dynamic soft links between cards in an electronic phone number and address file and other documents. Users can search the file, find documents that have been "electronically stapled" to an entry and bring up any document -- and its application -- with one keystroke. A document also can be stapled to any DOS or Windows program. For example, using a suitable terminal emulator, a user can staple correspondence stored on a PC to data in a mainframe application. According to ObjectSoft, Relate is the only program able to form a soft link that does not change the original document. And since the soft link itself is an object, multiple users can reference the same link, and links can be made by one or more users with the same original document. Now in the late stages of beta testing, Relate is scheduled to ship in November. Relate Professional, which includes support for developers who want to build hyper-object support into their applications, is available now to qualified programmers. Suggested retail prices will be US$249 for Relate, US$595 for Relate Professional, and US$795 for a network version, said company spokesman Mayer Resnick. Special introductory prices -- US$100 lower in each case -- will be in effect for the first 90 days after the product ships. Sarna said ObjectSoft plans other products based on the soft links technology, including software for work-flow management, but he would not comment on when such products might be announced. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: Mayer Resnick, ObjectSoft, 201-836-2968) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 CA EXTENDS SUPERPROJECT LINE ACROSS PLATFORMS 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00008) CA EXTENDS SUPERPROJECT LINE ACROSS PLATFORMS 08/16/91 GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- In line with its CA90s strategy of extending applications to multiple hardware types, Computer Associates has begun shipping the Digital Equipment VAX version of its SuperProject project management software. The company has also announced plans for a Microsoft Windows version of the software, which currently runs on MS-DOS PCs. SuperProject will be available for Windows 3.0 by September or October of this year, Christopher Frew, vice-president of development at CA, told Newsbytes. For the future, Frew said, CA is actively planning a Unix version of SuperProject and one for IBM mainframe computers running the MVS operating system. Asked about a version for the Apple Macintosh computer, he said CA is: "looking into it, but it's not close enough to even talk about." CA-SuperProject for VAX offers essentially the same functions as the DOS version, and project files are fully compatible between the versions, according to CA, making it easy to translate files between the different versions. Company spokeswoman Mary Keating said that the software is a reworked version of an earlier CA project management package for the VAX, Teleplan. Now available, CA-SuperProject for VAX will run on Digital VAX minicomputers running the VAX/VMS operating system, version 4.7 or later. Prices range from C$7,500 on a VAXstation to C$165,000 on the VAX 9000 mainframe. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: John Schoutsen or Mary Keating, Computer Associates Canada, 416-676-6700, fax 416-676- 6734) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 ****INGRAM MICRO SIGNS CLARIS IN CANADA, LAUNCHES BBS 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00009) ****INGRAM MICRO SIGNS CLARIS IN CANADA, LAUNCHES BBS 08/16/91 TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Ingram Micro (Canada) has announced a distribution agreement with the Canadian arm of Claris, Apple's software arm. The deal adds Canada to a list of countries and regions, including the United States, the Benelux countries, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, where Ingram is a Claris distributor. The Canadian agreement is not exclusive as a spokesman for Claris said that Merisel Canada will also continue to distribute the company's software. However, Ingram Micro will carry the full line of Claris software. The Claris products will be handled through Ingram's Macintosh Products Division, which also distributes Macintosh products from Adobe, Aldus, Farallon, Microsoft, Symantec, WordPerfect, and a number of other vendors. Ingram Micro also announced the creation of an electronic bulletin board system (BBS) and an interactive fax system to provide information to dealers. Dealers will be able to dial into the BBS to receive demonstration software, drivers, and patches. The fax system, called Factsline, will let dealers request brochures and technical notes from a touch-tone phone. Both will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, company officials said. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: Joan Fremes re Claris or Kevin Baggs re BBS, Ingram Micro, 416-850-8580) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 NEW PRODUCT: LSE Touts Disk Space In New Notebook 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00010) NEW PRODUCT: LSE Touts Disk Space In New Notebook 08/16/91 HICKSVILLE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- LSE Worldwide has announced an Intel 80386SX-based notebook computer called Future. The company said the machine is the first notebook to offer 120 megabytes (MB) of hard disk storage. The Future notebook contains a 60MB hard disk drive, but it uses data compression to cram more data into the same amount of physical disk space. According to LSE, this approach provides the equivalent of 120 megabytes of storage space. Experts on file compression note that the degree of compression possible varies with the type of file, ranging from as much as three or four to one in a few cases to almost no compression in others. Other features of the Future notebook include a 1.44 MB diskette drive, a backlit liquid-crystal display, a battery rated at three hours of use, DOS 4.01, and a carrying case. The processor is a 20 MB Intel 80386SX. LSE has signed an agreement with TRW to provide service at 150 locations across the United States. LSE, founded in 1975, builds monitors, power supplies, and sub- assembles for other computer manufacturers as well as selling its own line of desktop and notebook personal computers. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: Jim Dipelesi, LSE Electronics, 516-931-1670, fax 516-931-2565) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 DEALER'S ASSOC INTROS LAN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00011) DEALER'S ASSOC INTROS LAN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 08/16/91 TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- The Local Area Network Dealers' Association (LANDA) has announced a cross-platform certification program for LAN dealers, backed by major vendors. The program, to be run by LANDA, was announced at LAN Expo, a trade show sponsored by the Toronto chapter of LANDA. John van der Zalm, president of LANDA Toronto, told Newsbytes that rather than product-specific training and certification for dealers, the new program -- called Network Engineer Reliability Certification (NETWERC) -- will train dealers to handle products from a number of major vendors. Plans call for LANDA to provide both training programs and five examinations for certification, he said. There will be three levels of certification, indicating different levels of training and specialization. Novell is a founding member of the NETWERC program, LANDA said, and a number of other vendors, including 3Com, Compaq, IBM, and Intel, have expressed interest. LANDA Toronto also announced an agreement with trade show producer The Interface Group, which will produce future LAN Expo shows. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: Emily Sawolak, LANDA Toronto, 416-440-1167, fax 416-440-0800) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 SEGA LINKS WITH FALCOM FOR SOFTWARE PROJECT 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00012) SEGA LINKS WITH FALCOM FOR SOFTWARE PROJECT 08/16/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Sega Enterprises has teamed up with Falcom, a Japanese games software house, to form a new joint venture company. The aim of the new company -- to be known as Sega Falcom -- will be to develop CD-ROM-based games software for Sega's existing games machines. Sega Falcom's capitalization has been set at 30 million yen ($220,000), with 55 percent of the company being owned by Sega, the remainder by Falcom. Plans call for Falcom to develop new software, as well as enhanced versions of existing games software, for the Sega games console with a CD-ROM drive attached. Falcom is a major software developer in Japan. The company has developed several major hits, recording sales of more than 1,000 million yen ($7.5 million) during 1990 in the process. Sega, meanwhile, is hoping that putting Falcom's name on its new games will boost the popularity of its software, sales of which have been hit by the proliferation of alternative games systems in recent years. Sega's President Nakayama has assumed the role of chairman of the new company with Falcom's president Katoh taking on the role of president. Sega is facing increasing pressure from competing games console companies in Japan. Already on the horizon is a next-generation 16-bit games machine from Nintendo called the Super Famicom. Sega is reported to have fallen behind in sales of 8-bit games software, but is meeting the competition head-on in the 16-bit games arena. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910816/Press Contact: Sega Enterprises, +81- 3-3743-7438) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 APPLE TO MOVE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO COLORADO? 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00013) APPLE TO MOVE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO COLORADO? 08/16/91 COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Economic Development Council officials in Colorado Springs have reported that Apple officials visited the city recently to consider the area as a new site for Apple's 500-person customer support center. Moving the customer support center is one of several cost reduction moves Apple is said to be considering. Other cities reportedly under consideration are Phoenix, Arizona and Austin, Texas. As reported by Newsbytes in March of this year, Apple has already purchased the 322,000 square foot former Data General plant in nearby Fountain, Colorado. Apple says it plans to manufacture laptops at that facility. The Arizona Republic newspaper reported earlier this month that Apple will need 100,000 to 150,000 square feet for the customer service center. An Apple spokesperson said the center would probably move in the next 18 months, and about 150 California workers would move with it. EDC officials estimate that another 350 local residents would be hired to complete the center's staffing. Economic Development officials were unwilling to comment on whether Apple would lease, purchase or build a facility, nor would they comment on any incentives which the city might offer. Apple received various concessions from the city and the state when selecting Colorado for their manufacturing facility, including training funds for the local workforce and property and sales tax rebates. Final selection of the new site for the new customer service center is expected within 60-90 days. (Jim Mallory/19910816) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 NEW SOFTWARE BUILDS CALIFORNIA STATE SAFETY MANUAL 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00014) NEW SOFTWARE BUILDS CALIFORNIA STATE SAFETY MANUAL 08/16/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- The new California safety legislation, the California Injury and Illness Prevention Act (SB 198), is confusing and frustrating some businesses, but a California law firm has developed a software package to help employers comply with the state requirements and avoid stiff penalties. Jane Middleton, marketing director at the law firm which developed the new software said: "Our clients are angry about the added administrative burden imposed by the law, the lack of notice from the state, and because they can't get straight answers how to comply." As of July 1, SB 198 requires every employer to begin safety awareness by having a written safety manual for employees. The law firm of Thierman, Cook, Brown & Prager has developed a software package called: "Build Your Own California Employment Manual on Disk." The firm claims that the software is completely menu driven. The user has industry templates for safety available by indicating the appropriate industry from twelve choices, including Agriculture, Office Worker, Mining, and Transportation. More than 270 pages on safe work practices are available and a packet of SB 198 forms are included, the firm said. The user chooses paragraphs appropriate to the company's business, builds the manual and prints it customized to that particular operation. Announcing the package, Mark Thierman, a partner in the firm, said: "Our program differs from most products on the market because we give the user a complete, ready to use product rather than a process for self-evaluation. Business people need to have a final product, not just something else to think about," he added. The safety manual is a requirement and will be asked for upon an inspection of a company's facilities by the state's safety board. The software is for IBM and compatible personal computers and uses about 3.5 megabytes of disk space. The product retails for $400. The firm has said it is inviting inquiries from trade associations for member discounts and dealer inquiries. More information is available from Jane Middleton at (415) 391-9200. (Linda Rohrbough/199108016/Press Contact: Jane Middleton, Thierman, Cook, Brown & Prager, Tel: 415/391-9200, Fax: 415/434- 2867) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 HEWLETT-PACKARD POSTS $192 MILLION EARNINGS IN 3Q 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00015) HEWLETT-PACKARD POSTS $192 MILLION EARNINGS IN 3Q 08/16/91 PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Times are good for Hewlett-Packard, as the Palo Alto, California-based hardware manufacturer posted a nine percent increase in net revenue and eight percent growth in net earnings for its fiscal 1991 third quarter, which ended July 31. Net revenue totaled $3.5 billion, compared with $3.2 billion in the year-ago quarter. Net revenue from U.S. sales and service was $1.6 billion, up seven percent from the $1.5 billion reported in fiscal 1990's third quarter. Net revenue from outside the United States totaled $1.9 billion, an increase of 10 percent from a year ago. Net earnings for the quarter were $192 million, or $0.76 per share on approximately 252 million shares of common stock outstanding. This compares with net earnings of $178 million, or $0.73 per share on 242 million shares during 1990's third quarter. Additionally, earnings from operations grew 10 percent, and orders rose eight percent over the comparable 1990 period. Operating expenses increased four percent in the third quarter and totaled 37.2 percent of net revenue, compared with 38.8 percent of net revenue during the year-ago quarter. The company maintains that several factors contributed to the increase in revenue including competitive pricing pressures, the production ramp-up of new products, the start-up of the company's wafer-fabrication facility in Corvallis, Ore., and heavy shipments of higher-discount products during the quarter. (Ian Stokell/19910816/Press Contact: Steve Beitler, Hewlett- Packard Co., 415-857-2387) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 TI TEAMS UP WITH JAPANESE TRIO OVER HDTV DEV'T 08/12/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00016) TI TEAMS UP WITH JAPANESE TRIO OVER HDTV DEV'T 08/12/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Texas Instruments (U.S.) has agreed with three Japanese electronics manufacturers regarding the development of chips for a high definition television (HDTV). Terms of the agreement call for Texas Instruments to develop the HDTV pictorial data processing chips jointly with Fujitsu, Hitachi and Sony. Plans call for the technology to be used in the HDTV MUSE chipset that decompresses the pictorial data from an off-air signal and turns it into a normal TV picture in the set. First generation versions of these chips have already been developed. Already, the companies concerned are working on the second generation technology required. The second generation chipsets will run a lot cooler and be much more compact that the first generation offerings. It is expected that the four firms will sign the joint development agreement at the end of the this month. This will place in a head to head situation against Japanese firms including NHK (the Japanese national broadcasting corporation), Toshiba, NEC, Sharp and Matsushita. Interestingly, Fujitsu and TI are currently taking legal action against each other concerning the chip's licensing arrangements. Both companies want to be a senior party to the agreement and take a slice of the license fee. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910816) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 COMPAQ TO RELEASE DOS V-COMPATIBLE PCS IN JAPAN 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00017) COMPAQ TO RELEASE DOS V-COMPATIBLE PCS IN JAPAN 08/16/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Compaq Computer Japan has announced it will release a new range of PCs, based the company's DOS V operating system product, early next year. According to the Nikkei Personal Computing magazine, the new PCs will be modified versions of Compaq's SystemPro family. Currently, the systems available include the SystemPro 386, the 486 and a notebook-type 386LTE. Plans call for software to be developed by both the U.S. and the Japanese offices of Compaq. Compaq is already reported to be signing up extra staff to cope with the anticipated extra workload. Katsu Murai, an ex-senior executive with IBM Japan, has reportedly been invited to become Compaq Japan's new president. Many PC manufacturers, meanwhile, including Hitachi, Matsushita, Japan Digital Equipment and Intel Japan, are also planning to release DOS/V-based PCs in the near These manufacturers are getting technical information on the DOS V system from IBM Japan through the OADG (Open Architecture Developers' Group), which is advocated by IBM Japan. There are about 20 OADG members at present, with the number expected to to rise to more than 30 by the end of this year. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910816/Press Contact: Catena Group, +81-3- 3615-3211) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 TOSHIBA TO CREATES NEW MANUFACTURING BASE IN CHINA 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00018) TOSHIBA TO CREATES NEW MANUFACTURING BASE IN CHINA 08/16/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Toshiba has announced plans to set up a new manufacturing plant in Daireng, China, this coming September. This is the first time that Toshiba has opened a manufacturing facility in China. According to the Japanese computer giant, the Chinese move forms part of the company's worldwide strategy to expand its non-Japanese manufacturing base. The Chinese facility will cost the company just under 10 billion yen. Plans call for the new company to be called Toshiba-Daireng Corporation. The capitalization of the firm has been set at billion yen, which will be paid by Toshiba, Mitsuibussan Trading and Showa Densen. To start with, plans call for Toshiba-Daireng to manufacture color television parts, motors, circuit boards for VCRs and TVs. About 40 percent of the products will be shipped to Japan, with the rest being shipped to Singapore and Thailand. The plant will be built on a 128,000 square meter piece of land. The actual production is expected to start in April 1993. By the year 1994, the new firm wants to hire 1,000 employees and it is expected to grow larger in the future. The plant is expected to play an important role for the Toshiba group. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910816/Press Contact: Toshiba, +81-3-3457- 2100) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 NEW BORLAND C++ TRAINING VIDEOS FOR DEVELOPERS 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00019) NEW BORLAND C++ TRAINING VIDEOS FOR DEVELOPERS 08/16/91 SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Borland has announced the immediate availability of a training video on object-oriented programming aimed at C++ users. The video is entitled: `The World of C++.' The video consists of a set of two tapes containing 22 lessons and hosted by David Intersimone, Borland's director of developer relations. Also included is a 150-page workbook and a tutorial diskette with solutions to all the workbook exercises. The diskette requires C++. "'The World of C++' enables C programmers or beginning C++ programmers to master the fundamentals of object-oriented programming," Intersimone said. This is the second videotape the company has released in a series it calls the `Visions' series. The first was `The World of Objects,' an $19-95 introduction to the concepts behind object- oriented programming and hosted by Philippe Kahn, Borland's chairman and chief executive officer. `The World of C++' training video has a retail price of $199.95. Information is available on the `Visions' series tapes toll-free at 1-800-331-0877. Borland is a software development company located in Scotts Valley, California and offers other products such as Quattro Pro, Turbo C++, Turbo Pascal for Windows and Sidekick. (Linda Rohrbough/199108016/Press Contact: Judy Roberts, Borland, Tel: 408/439-4825, Fax: 408/439-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 BORLAND AIMS NEW PRODUCTS AT HOME & SMALL BUSINESS USERS 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00020) BORLAND AIMS NEW PRODUCTS AT HOME & SMALL BUSINESS USERS 08/16/91 SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Borland has announced it is offering reduced price and functionality versions of its Quattro Pro and Paradox products aimed at home and small business users of the IBM PC. The new versions are called Quattro Pro SE and Paradox SE. Quattro Pro SE is a fast, fully compatible low-end version of the Quattro Pro spreadsheet product. According to the company, the package competes functionally with Lotus 1-2-3 release 2.3. Borland is claiming that the SE version offers greater spreadsheet capacity on the varied range of hardware configurations than Lotus 1-2-3 release 2.3 offers. The new Quattro Pro SE carries a $69.95 price tag in comparison to Quattro Pro's retail price of $495. Paradox SE, meanwhile, is a low-end version of the Paradox database package from Borland. The product is aimed at first time database users and can be used to track customers and clients, print mailing labels and generate form letters, Borland officials said. The retail price on Paradox SE is $99.95 compared to the $795 price tag of Paradox 3.5 or the $349 price of Q&A, another relational database. Rob Dickerson, vice president and general manager of Borland's Database Business Unit said: "Many flat file database users find that they need a relational database to meet all their needs." "Paradox SE is a cost effective product that is both easy to learn and use, yet provides users with the power they need to manage important information," he added. Referring to Borland's new low-end versions, Stephen Kahn, vice president and general manager of Borland's spreadsheet business unit, said: "Borland has a heritage of providing software value to all its customers." Borland is a software development company of end-user and programming software products. Some of its offerings are C++, Sidekick, ObjectVision, Turbo Pascal for Windows, as well as Paradox and Quattro Pro. The company is in the process of purchasing Ashton-Tate, best known for its dBASE line of products, and has already announced a dBASE for Windows product. (Linda Rohrbough/199108016/Press Contact: James Strohecker, Borland, Tel: 408/439-4765, Fax: 408/439-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 COURT UPHOLDS WANG PATENTS - TELLS NEC & TOSHIBA TO PAY 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00021) COURT UPHOLDS WANG PATENTS - TELLS NEC & TOSHIBA TO PAY 08/16/91 LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- A United States Federal District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, has upheld two Wang Laboratories patents on single in-line memory modules (SIMMs). In parallel with the patent decision, the court has ordered two Japanese firms to pay royalties on 18 months' sales of single inline memory modules (SIMMs) deemed to infringe the patents, and granted an injunction against further sales. NEC and Toshiba were ordered to pay royalties of 2.75 to four percent on all sales of infringing products in the United States between the beginning of 1990 and the end of June this year. Edmund Pignone, a Wang spokesman, said that the jury in the patent case set the 2.75-to-four-percent range, and the judge will determine the exact amount. Wang estimates the two companies' infringing sales at US$120 million, he said, meaning the payment should be in the range of US$4 million. In the case of NEC, Pignone added, the trial judge has the option of tripling the award because NEC was found to have infringed the Wang patents wilfully. The court also granted a permanent injunction barring further sales of the infringing products. The injunction was stayed, however, pending post-trial proceedings. An appeal of the case is legally possible, Pignone said. The Wang patents cover the structure of a SIMM, a modular device containing several memory chips. SIMMs are widely used in personal computers and peripherals. The Wang patents are effective until the year 2004. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: Edmund Pignone, Wang, 508- 967-4912) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 NEW FOR PCS: VGA Bundle For AutoCAD, Windows Users 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022) NEW FOR PCS: VGA Bundle For AutoCAD, Windows Users 08/16/91 WINOOSKI, VERMONT, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Vermont Microsystems has launched a bundle that combines its software tools for AutoCAD and Windows users with a new high-resolution VGA display adapter board. Vermont Microsystems will show the Design Master VGA at CAD Camp '91 in San Rafael, California, August 17 to 20. The package features VMI's AutoMate/Pro Display List software for AutoCAD 386, Release 11, AutoShade 2.0 and Autodesk 3D Studio, as well as VMI True View, an image-viewing application for Microsoft Windows 3.0. The 16-bit Design Master VGA supports 256 on-screen colors at 1,024 x 768 pixel resolution, or 32,768 colors at 800 x 600 and 640 x 480 pixel resolutions. The Design Master has a 72-hertz refresh rate, the company said. Previously only available with Vermont Microsystems' family of co-processor controllers. AutoMate/Pro for AutoCAD provides an icon-based command menu, real-time anti-aliasing and pan and zoom features. VMI 2x for AutoShade 2.0 and 3D Studio can display rendered images at twice the normal resolution, which Vermont Microsystems said can cut rendering times by 75 percent. VMI True View allows the display of photo-realistic bit-mapped or Targa images under Windows 3.0, Vermont Microsystems said. Available immediately, the Design Master VGA with one megabyte of memory is priced at US$495. AutoMate/Pro and True View are included with every VGA board. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: Dotti Starkey, Vermont Microsystems, 802-655-2860) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 STARDENT SPIN-OFF TO SELL VISUALIZATION PACKAGE 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00023) STARDENT SPIN-OFF TO SELL VISUALIZATION PACKAGE 08/16/91 CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Stardent Computer has announced plans to set up a new corporation to develop, market, and support its Application Visualization System (AVS), the company claims. Stardent's directors have approved the creation of AVS Inc., and the company will begin operating as a separate entity right away, pending shareholder approval. Patricia LaVigne, vice-president of marketing communications for Stardent, said there were three reasons for the move. First, the AVS software is currently licensed to 11 hardware vendors other than Stardent, and the company felt those licensees would be more comfortable dealing with a separate company than with a hardware vendor and potential rival. Second, LaVigne said, Stardent sees potential new markets for AVS in personal computers and other areas, which are outside Stardent's focus on the workstation market. Separating the firms will also remove the costs of developing those new markets from Stardent's balance sheet, she said. Finally, AVS is expected to attract new investors who are interested in the software but not in Stardent's hardware business. Stardent said that it will continue to develop visualization products, which will optimized to AVS. A contractual arrangement will exist between AVS Inc. and Stardent, to ensure that new AVS developments and releases are made available at the earliest possible date to Stardent, as well as to Kubota Computer, Stardent's technology manufacturing and distribution partner. The new company will start with about 25 employees, all of whom will transfer from their current positions with Stardent. A search is under way for a president and CEO. The private company will be owned by the current investors in Stardent initially, LaVigne said, though new investors are likely to be added. Plans call for AVS to be based at Stardent's corporate headquarters here, and will initially draw upon Stardent for certain support services. AVS is an interactive visualization environment that allows users to apply advanced visualization, graphics, and imaging techniques without graphics programming. (Grant Buckler/19910816/Press Contact: Patricia A. LaVigne, Stardent Computer, 508-287-0100 ext. 510) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 U.S. TRADE DEFICIT DROPS BUT ECONOMY WEAKENS 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00024) U.S. TRADE DEFICIT DROPS BUT ECONOMY WEAKENS 08/16/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- The U.S. Commerce Department has reported a decrease in the U.S. balance of trade deficit with the rest of the world, but one Washington insider has pointed out that, because of the details which show just how the change in the trade balance occurred, the lowered trade deficit was actually bad news for the economy. The preliminary trade deficit numbers for June are down significantly, the lowest since 1983, with imports down more than exports, showing a weak U.S. consumer demand, even in the face of a climbing value of the U.S. dollar which tends to reduce exports because it increases the overseas price of US-produced goods while it also increases US buying power. The national trade deficit, the difference between the amount imported versus what the U.S. exports, dropped to only slightly more than $4 billion for June, leading to the projection of an annual trade deficit of only $60 billion, about one-third less than the figure for 1990. A drop in the deficit can be a very good thing if it is due to strong sales and strong imports, with the exports being larger than the imports. The June drop in the trade deficit is disturbing because the U.S. imported nearly $1.2 billion less from other countries, while American companies sold just over $400 million less to customers in other countries, showing not only weak domestic demand but a shrinking export base for U.S. manufacturers. The U.S. has a $1.7 billion trade surplus with Western Europe, while U.S.-Japan trade accounted for more than $3 billion of the deficit, up over $800 million from the May numbers. The biggest boosts to the trade numbers came from aircraft sales overseas and a small decrease in the cost of oil. These are only preliminary numbers which may go up or down, something emphasized by new numbers on the May deficit, which Commerce had pegged at a preliminary $4.6 billion but which were today revised upward to $4.8 billion. Other recent numbers show that industrial production was up by a more-than-expected 0.5 percent, the fourth consecutive advance, but the University of Michigan's Consumer Confidence Survey was, according to early figures obtained by Knight-Ridder, down about three points from July's 82.9 to 79.6 for August, showing a lack of confidence in the strength of the U.S. economy. The confidence number is very important because when consumers lack confidence they tend to save money rather than spend it on new goods and services. In other economic news, the Congressional Budget Office has reported that the U.S. budget deficit will continue to grow, consuming money that could be invested to increase productivity. (John McCormick/19910816) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 ****ITC IMPOSES LCD TARIFF 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00025) ****ITC IMPOSES LCD TARIFF 08/16/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- In a widely anticipated move, the International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to impose anti-dumping tariffs on active matrix liquid crystal displays (LCDs) produced by Japanese companies and imported into the U.S. The tariffs will increase the price of some screens by as much as 64 percent. Newport, Virginia-based nVIEW, a manufacturer of portable keyboards and overhead projection LCD screens, told Newsbytes that, because of the ruling they would move production of their color projection screens -- just announced at this month's Macworld -- offshore. Carol Butler-Suis, a spokesperson for nVIEW, said that the screens they use now are produced by Sharp in Japan and cost the U.S. company about $2,100. The 62.7-percent tariff would, she said, raise the cost by more than $1,300. Asked about whether nVIEW would now buy screens from an American company, she pointed out that the equivalent U.S.- built screen costs more than $20,000, a prohibitive price. Because there is no acceptable U.S.-made screen that nVIEW can use, the company will move manufacturing of its color LCD products offshore because the completed products can then be imported without paying the high tariffs which only apply to the individual screens when imported as components, not when they are part of completed products. Butler-Suis told Newsbytes that she thinks this move can be made without cost to American jobs by moving those people to other production areas in the growing company, but she emphasized that as sales and production increase there would be an inevitable loss of jobs in this country. nVIEW's black and white LCD projection screens will continue to be built in this country because those LCD components are not affected by any increased tariffs. The nVIEW spokeswoman said that she didn't know why the ITC imposed this tariff because, while the Japanese had been involved in the LCD market for 25 years, the small American companies had only recently entered the field. nVIEW had worked closely with IBM in efforts aimed at blocking the imposition of the tariff. As Newsbytes reported earlier, the Federal Trade Commission determined after one year of investigation that the Japanese had been dumping their flat screen computer displays below market value in the U.S., leaving the question of sanctions to the ITC. The flat panel displays covered by the determination include large area, matrix-addressed displays having more than 120,000 pixel resolution. These less-than-four-inches-thick displays are active-matrix liquid crystal, passive-matrix liquid crystal, gas plasma, and electro-luminescent technology-based computer displays. Dumping margins, which determine the duties which will be imposed by U.S. Customs Service on imported screens, are minimal for gas plasma screens but reach nearly 63 percent for the active-matrix liquid crystal screens built by Hosiden, Toshiba, Sharp, and other companies. Toshiba and Matsushita gas plasma screens were both given a dumping margin rating under 0.32 percent and thus are not required to pay any dumping duties. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration: "There is no U.S. maker of passive-matrix liquid crystal flat panel displays among those who petitioned for the ITA to investigate possible dumping activities." The ITC began its investigation on July 18 of 1990 when it received a petition from the Advanced Display Manufacturers of America and its members, Planar System, Plasmaco, OIS Optical Imaging Systems, The Cherry Corp., Electro-Plasma, Photonics Technology, and Magnascreen. Compaq Computer uses passive-matrix screens on its notebook and laptop computers; thus that company and others who use the same screens will be unaffected, no matter what actions are taken by the ITC, but Apple Computer could face cost increases of nearly 63 percent for the monochrome active-matrix screens it purchases from Hosiden Electronics. The electro-luminescent screens, which might be subject to import fees of about 7 percent, are mostly used in ruggedized military portable computers. Big Blue faces a major problem if the new tariffs are approved because it too uses active-matrix LCD screens, jointly built by IBM and Toshiba in Japan, and thus faces the whopping 63 percent penalty on imported screens. The problem is much worse for IBM because it is selling directly into the same notebook and laptop market where Compaq's and especially dozens of major clone builders' much lower prices already have Big Blue singing the blues. Apple has the advantage of having no competition for its Macintosh portable as well as a rock-solid reputation for high prices that makes IBM look like a discounter. (John McCormick/19910816/Press Contact: Carol Butler-Suis, nVIEW Corporation, 804-873-1354) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 DEADLINE ON `DISABLED TECHNOLOGY AID' SEARCH EXTENDED 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00026) DEADLINE ON `DISABLED TECHNOLOGY AID' SEARCH EXTENDED 08/16/91 LAUREL, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Because of the strong response, The John Hopkins `National Search for Computing to Assist Persons With Disabilities' has made plans to extend the deadline for entries from August 23 to September 16. The dates for preliminary and final judging are unchanged. Paul Hazan told Newsbytes that the change was made because: "We feel that we will gain an additional 300 entries by extending the deadline three weeks. We will have to work harder and add more judges, but we think it is worth the extra effort." The extension was made not because of a lack of entries but because the whole point of the search is to locate and encourage the latest in adaptive technology and with such a strong response it was decided that the extension would permit a significantly larger number of contestants to enter. Just last week The National Search announced that major corporate sponsor MCI Communications had donated a toll-free 800 number to speed response to requests for applications. Those interested in entering the contest can now call 800-593- 2000 to have the information packet and all paperwork mailed or faxed. The National Search is seeking the latest technology to aid the disabled and is offering cash and other prizes for the best ideas. Entries can be proposals, ongoing projects, or completed devices, and can range from very simple to highly complex. A number of categories of entries make certain that individuals are not competing directly with large companies or government agencies in the preliminary judging. There will be preliminary judging and awards given for each region as well as national finals to be held at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington the first week in February 1992, with the top prize winner receiving $10,000. You can still write for an application to: CAPD, P.O. Box 1200, Laurel, MD 20723, but the deadline for entries is September 16, 1991. (John McCormick/19910816) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 MAGAZINE LISTS HUNDREDS OF EQUAL ACCESS PREFIXS 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00027) MAGAZINE LISTS HUNDREDS OF EQUAL ACCESS PREFIXS 08/16/91 LITTLETON, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Jack Rickard's information-packed Boardwatch magazine, which is well-known for carrying the latest bulletin board news and system number listings, has performed a great service by listing about 250 long distance carrier equal access prefix numbers. As to why a BBS magazine would carry this information, the accompanying article explains that the only way to check whether line noise -- an increasing problem for BBS operators and users - - is causing problems rather than one of the modems involved, is to try a different routing by calling through an alternative carrier. What most people have been doing to check for line noise problems, according to Boardwatch, is phone a different BBS in another city. This does not, however, tell anything about line noise problems with a BBS in another area because the noise problems are specific to certain routes and carriers. The same applies to all carriers and each different route, so temporary noise problems can be overcome by attempting connections using different carriers. Because of all the advertising, everyone in the U.S. already knows that he or she has a choice of MCI, AT&T, and Sprint for his or her standard long distance carrier, but few people realize that, no matter which carrier they use, they can temporarily access the other two or, in some locations, dozens of others just by dialing a special access code. For instance, dialing 10022 before your number will place the call through MCI, while 10288 will route your call through AT&T, and Sprint uses the three-number code 777 (dial 10777). Hundreds of other options exist, although often only in limited geographic areas. Note that these aren't hacker-type no-pay numbers; the carriers are happy to have you use them - the billing just comes from a different company. Boardwatch Magazine subscriptions are $36 per year in the U.S., $69 in Canada and Mexico, and $99 overseas, but the non-U.S. rates include BBS access, which costs an additional $24 for the $36 U.S. subscriber. Boardwatch, 5970 South Vivian St., Littleton, CO 80127, phone (orders only) 800-933-6038. BBS (8N1) 303-973-4222 fax 303-973- 3731. (John McCormick/19910816/Press Contact: Jack Rickard, Boardwatch, GEnie Jack.Rickard, CS 7177,2310, MCI 418-7112.) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 NEW BOOKS: TAB Announces Four New Windcrest Titles 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00028) NEW BOOKS: TAB Announces Four New Windcrest Titles 08/16/91 BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) --TAB Books has just announced several new books available to PC users starting this month. `Microsoft Word for Windows Revealed,' $24.95, by Herbert L. Tyson, covers the WordBASIC macro language and other features. `DOS 5 Demystified,' $24.95, by James S. Forney, explores the strengths, weaknesses, and quirks of the new version of the world's most popular operating system. `QuickBASIC 4.5,' $22.95, by Gary Cornell, Ph.D. is a hands-on tutorial for the latest version of Microsoft's BASIC. `From FORTRAN to C,' $24.95, by James F. Kerrigan, shows how each Fortran compares to its counterpart in the C language and looks at the special features found only in C. (John McCormick/19910816/Press Contact: Kimberly Martin, TAB Books, 717-794-2191) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029) ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 08/16/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief look at some computer stories carried in other publications received here this past week. The cover story on the September 10 PC Magazine is a first look at the new, lower-priced AT bus PS/2s from IBM. Byte's September cover headlines Silicon Graphics' new IRIS Indigo, a hybrid 3-D graphics and business computer. InformationWeek for August 12 explores Transamerica's information technology advances. Network World dated August 12 has a front-page story on how Domino's Pizza is using a new AT&T system to automatically route order calls to the nearest store. `Compaq Hustles to Regain Lost Ground,' reads a front-page headline story in the August 12 Computer Reseller News. ComputerWorld for August 12 looks at the diversity available in special interest bulletin board systems. August 12's Federal Computer Week analyzes the FTS 2000 60/40 AT&T/Sprint split. Communications Week for August 12 says that, while others are downsizing, Johns Hopkins Medical Center is moving from a Unix application running on a local area network to a proprietary mini- and mainframe-based system. In the August Boardwatch Magazine, the editor trades some shots with readers who don't believe in advertising special interest BBS systems they don't like. As usual, Boardwatch also carries a lot of bulletin board news and listings of many systems, but this issue also has a massive listing of alternative long distance carrier access codes. The ACKnowledge Window Letter explores IBM's strategic options in trying to position OS/2 to sell despite the popularity of Microsoft's Windows 3. August's IEEE Spectrum has a good article explaining B-ISDN, Broadband - Integrated Services Digital Network. Also in this issue is a look at bridges, routers, and gateways used to link local area networks. The Office dated August looks at uses of e-mail and PC-based fax systems. September's PC World looks at 77 2400 baud modems and IBM's latest desktop system. Networking Management for August takes a rather lighthearted approach to a look at the problem of people using networks without authorization - `Tracking and Nailing Network Violators.' The August 10 Science News looks at `buckyball' ceramic superconductors which have now reached operating temperatures of at least 42 degrees kelvin. (John McCormick/19910816) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 ****APPLE PREPARING NEW MAC PORTABLE RANGE 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00030) ****APPLE PREPARING NEW MAC PORTABLE RANGE 08/16/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- After several months of snippets of information leaking to the press, The San Jose Mercury newspaper has told the Apple world what it wants to her -- Apple is readying a new range of portables for launch this October. Scheduled to be unveiled at Comdex Fall in Las Vegas, Apple is expected to unveil a blistering array of new products. These include a small Japanese-manufactured notebook, thought to be made by Sony, as well as a five pound portable plus two heavier laptops. Also being readied are two additions to the high end of the Mac range plus a new version of the budget Mac Classic. Both the new high-end machines are based around the Motorola 68040 microprocessor. The three lightweight portables are bound to capture the Mac market's attention. The Sony-produced notebook is the Powerbook 100, a 2MB RAM-equipped machine with a 20MB hard disk. Based around a 68000 CPU, the machine is said to be as powerful as the existing Mac Portable, which tips the scales at 16 pounds. The two lightweight portables are the Powerbook 140 and 170. The 68030-based Powerbook 140 comes with 2MB of RAM, a 20MB hard disk and tips the scales at 8.8 pounds. This is said to be a Mac IIcx in a portable case. The Powerbook 170 comes equipped with 4Mb of RAM, a 40MB hard disk and, like the 140, is based around a MOtorola 68030 CPU. So what about pricing? According to the Mercury, prices have not yet been fixed. Sources suggest that the Powerbook 100 will sell for under the magic $2,000 mark, while the 140 and 170 will price, respectively, for under the $3,000 and $4,000 price points. Apple is making no comment on the leaks, which have reported widely in the U.S. press. (Steve Gold/19910816) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 HELP WITH ACRONYMS - A PC GLOSSARY 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00031) HELP WITH ACRONYMS - A PC GLOSSARY 08/16/91 ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- Do you know what a CRC check is, or what the differences are between SIMMs, SIPs and DIPs? Doug Fickle owner of Disston Ridge Software said he had trouble with the ever-expanding number of acronyms in the IBM personal computer (PC) industry too, and in doing something about it, a new software product, the PC Glossary was born. PC Glossary is a friendly, fast way to look up that acronym using an IBM or compatible PC, according to Fickle. The software will search for the term, then provide a complete explanation of the term, its use and its implications offered, he said. The sources for the definitions come from many sources including the `The McGraw-Hill Computer Handbook,' `Inside the IBM PC' from Peter Norton, `Que's Computer User's Dictionary," and the `Dictionary of Computing' by IBM.' The software also offers reference tables. These tables include the with ASCII control codes, bytes to terabytes conversion, computer organizations, data bus facts, the extended ASCII character set, floppy disk specifications, hard disk specifications, IBM PS/2 models, disk data transfer rates, interrupt request lines, network transmission rates, a review of local area network cabling, microprocessor clock rates, a review of DOS versions, a list of the common meanings of DOS filename extensions, and video display standards. PC Glossary is offered on a subscription basis and is updated quarterly. Rates are $29 per year for up to two computers and go up from there. More information is available from Disston Ridge, 4915 22nd Avenue N., St. Petersburg, Florida, 33710, telephone (813)323-0961. By the way, a CRC is an abbreviation for a Cyclic Redundancy Check and is used to determine whether an error had occurred during the reading, writing or transmission of data. It is done by calculating the CRC character and comparing its value to the CRC character already present in the block of data transmitted. If they are equal, the data is assumed to be correct. SIMMs, SIPs and DIPs are memory chips and are available in a variety of styles. The Single In-Line Package (SIP) is a single package array of computer chip logic assembled so that all the connecting legs are in a straight line, like the teeth of a comb. The Dual In-Line Package (DIP) is the traditional computer chip with 8, 14, 24, or even 40 or more metal legs or prongs, evenly distributed on the left and right sides. The Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM) is a type of memory chip design whereby individual logic devices are installed on a printed circuit board, creating a component module that can be plugged into a larger device. A SIMM holds nine DRAM, (dynamic random access memory) chips, eight for data and one for parity or error checking. These explanations are courtesy of PC Glossary. (Linda Rohrbough/199108016/Press Contact: Doug Fickle, PC Glossary, Tel: 813/323-0961, Fax: 813/327-0822) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 16 ****SYMANTEC ACQUIRES ZORTECH 08/16/91 08/16/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00032) ****SYMANTEC ACQUIRES ZORTECH 08/16/91 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 16 (NB) -- In an effort to increase its role as a provider of programming software, Symantec has acquired Woburn, Mass-based Zortech Inc., a developer of cross-platform C++ compilers. Symantec is an independent developer of Macintosh languages with such products as `Think C' and `Think Pascal.' According to the company, Zortech has `industrial-strength' C++ compilers for DOS, Windows, OS/2, Unix and the Macintosh platforms. Brian Fawkes, spokesman for Symantec, told Newsbytes that the acquisition of Zortech has two main objectives. In the first place, he said, Symantec had spent: "the past two years developing its own internal tools" and that the company would now "use the Zortech technology in those tools." The second objective, said Fawkes, is that the acquisition "sits well" with Symantec's current products, and that it will expedite the company's entrance into the emerging market for cross- platform C++ development environments for the corporate developer. The acquisition is to be accomplished as a "pooling of interest," the accounting technique that has received so much interest due to its attempted use by AT&T in its acquisition of NCR Corp. Symantec will exchange 238,095 shares of its common outstanding stock for the current outstanding shares of Zortech stock. Zortech has offices in Massachusetts and London. Symantec develops, markets and supports a line of application and system software products for IBM personal computers and compatibles, and Apple Macintosh computers. Founded in 1982, the company has offices in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. (Ian Stokell/19910816/Press Contact: Brian Fawkes, Symantec Corp., 408-725-2752) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 IBM & SAPIENS IN SOFTWARE AGREEMENT 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00001) IBM & SAPIENS IN SOFTWARE AGREEMENT 08/15/91 WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- IBM and Sapiens International have announced a joint marketing agreement under which the companies will jointly market Sapiens. Sapiens is an application development and maintenance product that uses rule-based, object-oriented technology to build and execute data processing applications for business on IBM mainframe computers. Additionally, Sapiens has announced the relocation of its headquarters from London to the Cary, North Carolina in the United States. In the statement, it referred to the move as: "the launch of its North American operation." Sapiens is used to produce Systems Application Architecture (SAA)-compliant applications in the IBM AD/Cycle application development framework. According to the company, Sapiens business rules are attached to data definitions and stored as an object in a knowledge base. Enhancements to the object are easy to make and can be quickly implemented, increasing productivity while ensuring program quality. Sapiens runs in IBM mainframe environments, including Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS), Virtual Machine (VM), and Virtual Storage Extended (VSE), using the Customer Information Control System (CICS), Information Management System (IMS), Time Sharing Option (TSO) and Conversational Monitor System (CMS) transaction managers. The package supports IBM database technologies, including DATABASE2 (DB2), Information Management System (IMS), Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM), Structured Query Language/Decision Support (SQL/DS) and Data Language/1 (DL/1). Pricing ranges from $61,200 to $712,000 depending on the processing environment under which it is to run. It is available immediately. Commenting on the announcements, Dick Johnston, the newly named vice president, sales and marketing for Sapiens USA, said: "We are excited to be a part of the AD/Cycle (TM) Strategy as an IBM Business Partner." "The Sapiens product offers major reduction in the 'time to market' for new business applications and organizations using the package are able to maintain these applications... to keep them in sync with fast changing business needs, at dramatically reduced costs." Saul Shani, chairman of Sapiens International, added: "This partnership, both on customer relationship and development levels, confirms the commitment of IBM and Sapiens to the long term success of the Sapiens technology within SAA and AD/Cycle." "Customers in the U.S. can now take advantage of the high development productivity and ease of maintenance that more than 130 organizations around the world have found so beneficial," he added. To support Shanni's comments on productivity, Sapiens released the results of a recent benchmark run by Computing Futures Ltd in which the company's package delivered a complex application between 37.5 percent and 265 percent faster than the other major application development tools and showed significant maintenance productivity gains. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910815/Press Contacts: Steven Malkiewicz, IBM, 914-642-5449; Peter Barber, Sapiens USA, 919-677-8711) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 WANG INTRODUCES NEW LOW-END VS/6000 SERVER 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00002) WANG INTRODUCES NEW LOW-END VS/6000 SERVER 08/15/91 LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Wang Laboratories Incorporated has announced the introduction of the VS 6000/Server, a new series of VS systems targeted towards small businesses and departments in large organizations. Pricing for the line line ranges from $11,500 to more than $125,000. Wang said that the VS 6000/Server is designed for use as a traditional mid-range computer system and/or as an application server in a client/server environment. Announcing the new products, Joseph Tucci, Wang executive vice president and general manager of Wang Information Systems, said: "The enhancement of VS hardware and system software continues to be a major priority for Wang." "Wang will continue to strengthen the VS product line to protect our customers' investments and serve as a strategic platform for our vertical applications. As an example, we are currently developing a new high-end VS system for our customers' future growth." Tucci continued: "As client/server applications and environments continue to grow in importance customers with an investment in applications based on the traditional mid-range system environment will find the VS 6000/Server to be particularly attractive from a business perspective. In other words, the VS 6000/Server helps users bridge the gap between the computing world of the 80s and the 90s." Wang has also announced new VS 8000 SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) packages and two productivity enhancement products for VS systems. In its announcement, Wang stated: "Today's VS announcements are part of Wang's OFFICE 2000 business and product strategy to offer one-stop shopping for work organizations in need of a technology partner for re-engineering the work process." "The Office 2000 strategy includes services, products, and applications that help customers improve productivity, quality, and customer service. Wang's new VS 6000/Server allows customers to build an 'a la carte' VS system that suits their specific needs. More than 120 unique configurations are available. Customers can install one of two processor models in a choice of four standard cabinet models. Customers can also select one of 10 VS operating system licenses." (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910815/Press Contact: Albie Jarvis, Wang Laboratories Inc., 508-967-1523) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 DIGITAL SUES EMULEX FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00003) DIGITAL SUES EMULEX FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT 08/15/91 MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corporation has announced that it has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California for patent infringement against Emulex Corporation Incorporated of Costa Mesa, California. In the law suit, Digital claims that Emulex is wilfully infringing four United States patents relating to Digital's proprietary Standard Disk Interconnect (SDI) and Standard Tape Interconnect (STI) technologies. This is the fifth legal action brought by Digital relating to the SDI/STI patents and the fourth such action in the last eight weeks. In the prior actions, one firm, Systems Industries, Inc. of Milpitas, California, has reached settlement with Digital and three suits (against Micro Technology, Inc. (MTI) of Anaheim, California, Micro Technology GmbH, and Lago Systems, Inc.) remain open in various jurisdiction. Digital has also instituted an industry-wide phase-out program for companies that it says are infringing the SDI/STI technologies. The program allows agreeing companies until December 31, 1992 to phase out of products using the SDI/STI technologies and move to non-infringing product lines. To date, 11 companies have signed phase-out agreements. In its action against Emulex, Digital seeks monetary damages and lost profits as well an injunction to stop Emulex from making, using, or selling products that infringe Digital's patents. In addition, Digital is seeking treble damages in view of what it says is: "Emulex's intentional and wilful violation of Digital's patent rights." (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910815/Press Contact: Nikki Richardson, Digital Equipment Corp., 508-493-6369) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 STRUGGLING SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS REPORTS LOSSES 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00004) STRUGGLING SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS REPORTS LOSSES 08/15/91 NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- The Software Toolworks, developers and publishers of software for personal computers and the Nintendo Entertainment System, has reported nearly $1 million in losses ($0.04 per share) on revenue of $16.4 million for its first fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1991. Overall, the company said, revenue has increased eight percent from a year ago, and is up 62 percent from the levels reported in March. Gains are accounted for by 113 percent increase in software shipments and a 71 percent increase in Nintendo business. The company also points to gains in international sales, which have increased as much as 67 percent over the same quarter the previous year. The gains were offset by lower revenue and lower gross margins in the company's original equipment manufacture (OEM) business and by new product start-up costs, company officials said. The Software Toolworks has been reporting losses since October of last year. In April, the company reduced its total workforce by 22 percent, with more than half the cuts taking place at the Chatsworth, California, disk duplicating company, Priority Software. In July, $38.9 million in losses were reported for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1991. With the holiday season coming, the company is optimistic about prospective sales. Robert Lloyd, president and chief operating officer said: "New product development is on schedule and we will be introducing two 16-bit Super NES Nintendo cartridges and new releases of two key products, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing and The Chessmaster, before Christmas." "In addition, the company will launch several Windows and multi- media products later in the year. We feel we're on course to returning the company to a profitable level," he added. (Linda Rohrbough/19910815/Press Contact: Vincent Turzo, Software Toolworks, Tel: 415-883-3000 ext. 568, Fax: 415/883-3303) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 ****NEW QEMM-386 6.0, QRAM 2.0, DESQVIEW BOOSTS MEMORY 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00005) ****NEW QEMM-386 6.0, QRAM 2.0, DESQVIEW BOOSTS MEMORY 08/15/91 SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Quarterdeck has announced that the new version of QEMM-386 (Quarterdeck Expanded Memory Manager - 386) could give users as much as 211 kilobytes of extra RAM above what was previously possible. QEMM came with Optimize, a program to automatically configure memory for the user, so users could load drivers for mice, screens and other peripherals into memory above the 640 KB of RAM the DOS can use for running applications software. QEMM-386 has enhanced Optimize by adding new read-only memory (ROM) detection and utilization previously unavailable to users, which could add as much as 115 KB to the users available RAM, Quarterdeck said. "Stealth" is Quarterdeck's name for the technology methods that allow users to utilize ROM memory as high RAM. The Stealth technology hides the ROM code, but makes it available when needed, then allows the ROM memory addresses to be mapped as high RAM, or RAM above the 640 KB used addressable by DOS, the company said. The ROM, up to an extra 115 KB, is now available to the user as RAM for other purposes, Quarterdeck said. The design of the ROM could prohibit some or all of its use, but Quarterdeck said Optimize is programmed to look at the ROM and recommend to the user which Stealth methods will work, and only attempts to use Stealth if it cannot load all TSR (terminate-and-stay-resident) or drivers into high memory. Gary Pope, Quarterdeck's co-founder and executive vice-president of development said about Stealth: "This important new technology, unique to QEMM-386 version 6.0, is compatible with Microsoft's Windows environment." Other new features include support for the "suspend-resume" facility found on many battery-operated computers, that allows users to power up a system in an application right where they left off. Also, additional support for using Shadow RAM as extended memory is available in version 6.0, the company said. Quarterdeck said it is also releasing QEMM 50/60 version 6.0 for Intel 80286-based IBM PS/2s. The company claims, though QEMM works well with DOS 5.0, it is better and easier to use than DOS 5.0's Expanded Memory Manager (EMM). Quarterdeck said that DOS 5.0's EMM is very similar in functionality to its QEMM 4.1 released in 1988 in the way it functions -- in other words, EMM is based on old technology. Quarterdeck claims that running QEMM-386 and DOS 5.0 together will deliver more memory for DOS applications in less time and effort. The strength of Quarterdeck's argument here is in the Optimize part of QEMM. QEMM-386 version 6.0 is expected to ship in early September. Register users of any QEMM-386 or QEMM 50/60 version can upgrade for $30 until December 31, 1991. Retail price for the new product is $99.95. The company is also releasing Desqview and Desqview-386 versions 2.4. Desqview allows users to run multiple programs at the same in different windows on screen in the DOS environment. Desqview users can upgrade to Desqview version 2.4 for $25, Desqview-386 users can upgrade to Desqview-386 version 2.4 for $50. Qram version 2.0, the company's product for allocating memory resources on IBM PCs, XTs and ATs is also being released. The product has the Optimize feature and allows use of Chips and Technologies' Shadow RAM. Registered users will be able to upgrade for $25. (Linda Rohrbough/199108015/Press Contact: Charles McHenry, McHenry & Associates, Tel: 503/722-2382, Fax: 503/776-6909) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 NEW FOR PC: Multisoft Releases PC Kwik Packages 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006) NEW FOR PC: Multisoft Releases PC Kwik Packages 08/15/91 BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Multisoft Corporation has announced the release of new versions of Super PC-Kwik and PC-Kwik Power Pak. Super PC-Kwik Version 4.1 is a disk cache program which the company says now writes to a disk faster than before, which in turn speeds up the user's application. Multisoft claims that the program includes a new graphical display which shows measurements of cache activity while Windows 3.0 is running. "We recognize that disk writing is an integral and important function for many disk cache users, and Power Write is an exciting new feature that addresses the disk-write function using an efficient new approach," said Bruce Schafer, president of Multisoft Corp. PC-Kwik Power Pak is an integrated utility package designed to enhance the performance of a PC. Multisoft says it has added additional Windows documentation to Power Pak, and the program now supports removable disk drives such as SyQuest and Plus Passport drives with automatic sensing of disk changes. Registered owners will be contacted with update information. Users of Multisoft OEM versions can call Multisoft (800-759-5945) to find out about obtaining an upgrade. (Jim Mallory/19910815/Press contact: John Davis, Multisoft, 503- 644-5644, FAX 503-646-8267) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 AUTOMATION BEYOND MAINFRAME FROM GOAL SYSTEMS 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00007) AUTOMATION BEYOND MAINFRAME FROM GOAL SYSTEMS 08/15/91 COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Goal Systems Inc (GSI) has introduced OPS/Relay, a new component of Goal's OPS/MVS automated systems operation product for IBM and compatible mainframes. Relay extends the automation benefits of OPS/MVS beyond the MVS operating system into DEC, Tandem and AS/400 environments, according to the company. GSI said that OPS/Relay works by providing bi-directional communications between MVS and non-MVS hosts. The package receives messages and commands, then either relays them to OPS/MVS, responds directly to the commands, or discards them. Two components of Relay, the Policy Editor and the Message Manager, make this possible. The Policy Editor allows users to define policy using a fill-in-the- blanks approach through an online screen. Relay, like OPOS/MVS, supports the use of REXX for unique applications. Relay's Message Manager receives messages and commands from the non-MVS hosts and executes the policies defined through the Policy Editor. The Message Manager uses multi-tasking to handle messages from multiple hosts at the same time. In its first release, the product will process single-line messages using TTY, VT100 or IBM 3101 protocols. Pricing on OPS/Relay ranges from $7,500 to $25,000, and GSI expects to begin delivering in the fourth quarter of this year. GSI is an IBM Business Partner and a System View development partner. The company develops, markets and supports high-quality systems software and services. GSI says it has about 7,000 customers worldwide, and reported revenues of $117 million for the fiscal year ending January 31, 1991. (Jim Mallory/19910815/Press contact: Carrie Reber, GSI, 614-785- 2407) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 NORTECH SYSTEMS PURCHASES CPT SUBSIDIARY 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00008) NORTECH SYSTEMS PURCHASES CPT SUBSIDIARY 08/15/91 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Nortech Systems Incorporated (NSI) has announced the purchase of SMR Computer Services Incorporated from CPT Office Systems. Plans call for SMR to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Nortech Systems. Specific terms of the sale were not disclosed. SMR Computer Services, based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a provider of information management and maintenance for the health care industry. Speaking about the acquisition, Nortech president Quent Finkelson said: "We are very pleased about acquiring SMR. It is an established company and a good fit with our mission to increase our participation in the medical industry." Finkelson went on to praise SMR's reputation for service, comparing it to Nortech's commitment to quality. He said that the company did not anticipate laying off any of the SMR employees. SMR services include processing patient records, statements and insurance claims, as well as providing financial management for medical practices and clinics. Nortech is a contract manufacturer of wire harnesses, cable assemblies and electromechanical assemblies, and is headquartered in Wayzata, Minnesota, with manufacturing facilities in Bemidji. (Jim Mallory/19910815/Press contact: Quent Finkelson, Nortech Systems, 612-473-4102) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 STORAGETEK HOSTS ANSI MEETING THIS MONTH 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009) STORAGETEK HOSTS ANSI MEETING THIS MONTH 08/15/91 LOUISVILLE,COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Storage Technology has announced that it will host the next bi-monthly two-day plenary meeting of the X379 committee of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) beginning August 19, at the Clarion Harvest House in Boulder. Attendance is expected to include representatives of more than 300 computer industry leaders. According to Storagetek, the list will read like a "Who's Who" of the electronic data technology industry, from all over the US, Japan and the European Economic Community. Attendees will come from major computer vendors, peripherals suppliers, workstation manufacturers, PC manufacturers and software suppliers. Representatives from several semiconductor companies including Intel, Motorola and AMD are also expected to be present. Storagetek says credit card companies, large banks, and the US government laboratories at Livermore and Los Alamos will also attend. The agenda for the meeting will include interfaces with disk, tape and other computer peripherals, as well as high speed networking. Specifically addressed in the area of networking will be the interconnection of all sizes of computers from PCs to mainframes with performance levels exceeding that of Ethernet. The meeting will break into work groups which will discuss the detailed technicalities necessary for the creation and maintenance of computer standards. One area of discussion will center on the definition of the new Fiber Channel standards. ANSI has hundreds of committees whose overall function is to codify many thousands of specifications for everything from wire gauge to software programs. Once ANSI has adopted a standard, it usually becomes a national or international standard. The work done by the ANSI committees precludes a single, powerful company from forcing their standard upon the industry. According to ANSI, the clamor from users for open systems and solutions which allow them to choose the most desirable hardware and software has reached such a level that it can no longer be ignored. The organization says that the majority of computer systems to be installed in the future will not necessarily be procured from a single vendor, but will consist of an integration of items from multiple sources. For additional information about the meeting, contact the meeting host, Storagetek's Roger Cummings at 303-673-6357. (Jim Mallory/19910815/Press contact: Barbara Jameson, Storagetek, 303-673-4879) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 "SUICIDE" OF INSLAW REPORTER QUESTIONED 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00010) "SUICIDE" OF INSLAW REPORTER QUESTIONED 08/15/91 SUNOL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- The verdict of suicide in the death of reporter Joseph D. "Danny" Casolaro on Saturday, August 10th has been challenged by friends and relatives. Casolaro, 44, of Fairfax, Va., had been, according to reports, involved in an investigation of the allegations surrounding government activities in the Inslaw software case. Casolaro was, according to reports, found dead in the bathtub of his Martinsburg, West Virginia hotel room Saturday with his wrists cut. Dr. James Frost, an assistant state medical examiner was quoted as saying: "The wounds are consistent with being self- inflicted, but that doesn't mean that someone else couldn't have done this if he were not able to defend himself." Virginia McCullough, a freelance journalist and friend of Casolaro, told Newsbytes that Casolaro was working for over a year on a book concerning the allegations by Inslaw president William Hamilton that the Justice Department first broke a $10 million contract with his firm, then stole the firm's software and subsequently sold and donated it to foreign intelligence agencies. McCullough said: "It is ludicrous to think that Danny would kill himself. He had recently told me that he was looking forward to a trip that would give him the documentation to prove the Justice Department's involvement. He said: 'For the first time, I've become a real believer that the government was involved in these things.'" McCullough went on to say that Casolaro was never depressed in his conversations with her and that they often spoke, sharing information in relation to the case. McCullough, herself involved with a company that she says had very similar experiences to Inslaw, is currently writing a book detailing what she says have been questionable acts by government agencies in the use of bankruptcy proceedings to stifle the development of technology. Casolaro's brother, Dr. M. Anthony Casolaro, was quoted by news services as also doubting the suicide reports. He said that police told him a handwritten note saying: "I'm sorry, especially to my son," was found at the scene. The House Judiciary Committee is presently investigating the Inslaw charges and had announced in April of this year that the Justice Department, after long delays, has agreed to turn over documentation relating to the case. The case began in 1985 when Inslaw filed for bankruptcy claiming that the Justice Dept. had stopped payment on a 1982 contract for the installation of Inslaw's legal case management software, "Promis" into 97 U.S. Attorney's offices. Inslaw claimed that the government contract represented 70 percent of Inslaw's income and that the government action forced it into bankruptcy. Inslaw was successful and a bankruptcy judge found that the department "took, converted and stole" the company's property "by trickery, fraud and deceit" and further said that the government's conduct demonstrated "bad faith, vexatiousness, wantonness and oppressiveness." The Justice Department appealed the ruling and, in 1989, U.S. District Court Judge William Bryant upheld the decision and ordered the government to pay Inslaw $8 million plus attorney's fees. The Justice Department continued to appeal the case and, on May 7, 1991, was successful when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed the bankruptcy rulings saying that the bankruptcy court's rulings were too broad and inappropriate for a bankruptcy ruling. The court said that, while Inslaw is entitled to go to another court to press its claim,. the U.S. Bankruptcy Court lacked jurisdiction. Commenting on Inslaw's allegations of misbehavior, the court said: "Such conduct, if it occurred, is inexcusable." During the appeals, stories of illegal sales of the allegedly stolen software to foreign governments including Iraq, Libya, South Korea, Israel and Canada, and involvement of Reagan Washington and California appointees Earl Brian, Robert McFarlane and Richard Secord in the transactions have caused the House Judiciary Committee to seek involvement -- an involvement that the Justice Department has resisted. Elliot Richardson, former United States Attorney General who now represents Hamilton, was quoted during the appeal process as saying: "Evidence of the widespread ramifications of the Inslaw case comes from many sources and keeps accumulating." "It remains inexplicable why the Justice Department consistently refuses to pursue this evidence and resists co-operation with the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives," he added. The case took still another turn when witness Ari Ben-Menashe reportedly testified that the owner of Inslaw, William Hamilton, is a former employee of the National Security Agency (NSA) and that the software was modified into a "Trojan Horse" in order to allow the NSA and the Mossad to listen in on the transactions of other intelligence services. The attraction of the case management software to these intelligence agencies was, according to witnesses, that, rather than its intended use of tracking case witnesses and legal opinions, it lent itself to the tracking of dissidents and foreign agents. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910815) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 Review of: Intertek, 08/15/91 08/15/91 (REVIEW)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00011) Review of: Intertek, 08/15/91 From: Intertek; 325 Ellwood Beach #3, Goleta, CA 93117; Telephone: 805 685-6557; e-mail - steve@cs.uscb.edu Price: $3.00 per issue; $8.00 annual subscription (3 issues) PUMA Rating: 3.7 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest Reviewed by Newsbytes by Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen Summary: Intertek, though skimpy at 28 pages, is well worth the price. The issue we reviewed (#3) was well written and informative. ====== REVIEW ====== Intertek is a "fanzine" -- a term that science fiction devotees will be well familiar with -- concentrating on the culture of computers. Volume 3.2, the Summer 1991 issue on which this review is based, is hot off the presses and is centered on issues of morality and ethics in relating to computer activities. Editor Steve Steinberg sets the tone for the issue in his short editorial: "The cyberpunk genre, a genre Intertek fits into, is often accused of ignoring ethics. Of being too excited with new technology to see the potential dangers. This issue of Intertek shows that many of us are in fact concerned with the morality of high technology." "This is demonstrated not just in John Gilmore's article on how technology can help give us guaranteed privacy but in what Bruce Sterling says about sampling and what Brenda Laurel says about battle game simulators. The consensus seems to be that ethics are crucial but they must not simply serve as an excuse to stop progress." (Quoted in its entirety with permission) One of the words that comes to mind in describing the magazine is "literate." It is uniformly well-written and its writers do justice to the subjects they address -- there is not the type of simplistic treatment of technological issues often found in the popular press. Writers and interviewees such as science fiction author Bruce Sterling, Electronic Frontier Foundation director John Gilmore, computer scientist Dorothy Denning, Arizona prosecutor Gail Thackeray, computer theoretician Brenda Laurel and cryonics advocate Kevin Brown, discuss issues on which they have strong expertise and strongly held opinions. Their knowledge and interest properly comes through in their writings or interviews. Editor Steinberg makes use, in two instances, of the "point/counterpoint" method to explore an issue, and in both cases it works well. Gail Thackeray and Clifford Stoll of "Cuckoo's Egg" fame comment on John Gilmore's talk at the first Conference on Computers, Freedom & Privacy (CFP-1) on: "Preserving Privacy in America" and the result, in our judgement, raises more issues for reader thought than a simple article on the subject would have done. Similarly, the response by Dorothy Denning, chair of computer science at Georgetown University, to Stacy Steinberg's -- Stacy is a graduate student in plant biology at UC Berkeley and is the editor's sister -- piece on "Scientific Ethics: Rights and Responsibilities" provides a thoughtful, well-documented opposing view of the issue -- and the reader is the better for the presentation of both views. Intertek also contains three pages of "news" that will not be outdated by the time the issue reaches the reader. It is the type of news that will not have appeared in the mainstream or even trade press -- news of telecommunications, new technology, semi-conductor advances, developments in the space program and happenings in the computer underground. ============ PUMA RATINGS ============ PERFORMANCE/PRICE: 4. Intertek presents issues in a manner intended to stimulate the reader toward in-depth consideration of all sides. In our judgement, it fulfills this mission well. At $8, we feel that it is a bargain. USEFULNESS: 4. We think that Intertek is extremely useful because it presents issues of importance that have not been widely covered elsewhere. For example, we felt that John Gilmore's talk was one of the most important at CFP-1 yet it received little coverage or media discussion because it was delivered at the very end of the conference when the majority of press and many participants had gone home. Intertek has provided a forum to bring Gilmore's points to a greater audience and thus has provided a useful service. MANUAL: N/A AVAILABILITY: 3. Subscription is the only way to go for most of the country. In our judgement, it's well worth the bother. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910815) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 NEW FOR PC: Low-Cost Japanese Language Translator 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00012) NEW FOR PC: Low-Cost Japanese Language Translator 08/15/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Sanyo Electric has developed a PC-based language translation system which it claims provides high quality translation at a low cost. The system was developed and runs on Sanyo's 32-bit PC. It can translate from English to Japanese and vice versa. Top speed for the software is 5,000 words an hour from English to Japanese, and 4,000 words an hour in the opposite direction. The system has a Japanese-English dictionary of 57,000 words, and an English-Japanese dictionary of 50,000 words. Called the "Heaven JE/EJ," the system runs on most Intel 80386-based PCs, but requires a minimum configuration of eight megabytes of RAM and a 40MB hard drive, running OS/2, to operate effectively. The price of the whole system including the PC is expected to cost less than 1 million yen ($7,400), a price that is extremely cheap for this type of language translation system. Currently, most of the practical translation systems run on workstations and cost 5 to 6 million yen ($40,000). One of the major problems for language translation systems is the actual quality of the resultant translation. There has been a lot of wrangling in the computer industry in the past few years, which was not helped when Bravice International of Tokyo, one of the industry's main suppliers of language translation software, went bankrupt last year. The Heaven JE/EJ is set to be released at the end of 1991. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910815/Press Contact: Sanyo, +81-3-3835- 1111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 AUSTRALIA: THIRD PCB MANUFACTURER IN 2 WEEKS CLOSES 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00013) AUSTRALIA: THIRD PCB MANUFACTURER IN 2 WEEKS CLOSES 08/15/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- One week after the surprise closure of two of the leading PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturers in Australia, a third has announced the voluntary appointment of a liquidator. East Coast Printed Circuits appointed the liquidator as a "safeguard," because the market has slumped dramatically over the last twelve months. Changes in government policy, as well as a general down-turn in the industry has seen demand for locally produced printed circuits decline. The Australian PCB industry previously accounted for AUS$70-80 million of the AUS$120-130 million market. With the dropping of government tariffs, and increased international competition, imports of PCBs has remained relatively steady, while demand for the local product has suffered the bulk of the decline. Other factors in the downturn include government initiatives to promote the PCB industry which never succeeded to any great degree. Despite increased investment by PCB manufacturers, demand fell, and the recession and high interest rates also took their toll. There remains a flame of resistance, however. PCB manufacturer Technology Circuit Industry has placed several ads over the last two weeks proclaiming: "We are still in business". (Sean McNamara/19910815) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 AUSTRALIAN DATABASE PACKAGE SEEN AS EXPORT EARNER 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00014) AUSTRALIAN DATABASE PACKAGE SEEN AS EXPORT EARNER 08/15/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- A database of Australia's new building code incorporating an expert system, is seen by its developers as a potential export dollar earner for Australia. The CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) developed the software to tie in with the introduction of the national building code last April, which replaced the State codes. The software, BCAider, has already been sold to 118 sites in Australia, bringing the CSIRO AUS$100,000. Representatives from Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Africa had already expressed an interest in the package, and it would be adapted to the needs of each purchaser. The flexibility of the system is the "engine" which drives it. All that is needed for each site is the development of the appropriate knowledge base required, and the expert system will provide the interface to access the information. The software runs under Knowledge Pro for Microsoft Windows. The system was developed for Windows due to the ease of use of the graphical user interface. The expert system allows users to check building to see if they conform to the national building code. The printed code is 400 pages long, and BCAider replaces this and also provides interactive accesses to the code. (Sean McNamara/19910815) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 AUSTRALIA: CENSUS ENTERS COMPUTER AGE 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00015) AUSTRALIA: CENSUS ENTERS COMPUTER AGE 08/15/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- This year's Australian census, held on Tuesday, August 6, will be the first Australian census to be read directly into computers using optical mark readers (OMRs). Due to a large part of the Australian population being unfamiliar with computer-read forms, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) modelled the forms on the local Lotto forms, which most Australians are comfortable with. At the beginning of September, the forms will begin being processed through the 22 OMRs based in Sydney. The system has three main advantages over manual entry. Firstly, with the new system the ABS expects to save AUS$5 million -- enough to throw away the equipment after use and still be in front. Secondly, manual entry opens the way to repetitive strain injury (RSI), and lastly, early results are expected to be ready in six months, half the time it would take with manual entry. Once the data is read in by the OMRs, it is stored on Targon Unix computers, then transferred to the ABS' Fujitsu mainframes in Canberra. (Sean McNamara/19910815) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 AUSTRALIA: UNISYS AWARDED CUSTOMS CONTRACT 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00016) AUSTRALIA: UNISYS AWARDED CUSTOMS CONTRACT 08/15/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- The Australian Customs Service (ACS) has announced that Unisys has been awarded an AUS$40 million contract to upgrade ACS' central computing environment. Part of the upgrade will see the further implementation of EDI (electronic data interchange) in ACS' work. Funds for the upgrade were approved in the 1990-91 budget, and the upgrade is the major component of the Customs Electronic Initiatives Project. Unisys will install 2200-series mainframes running proprietary software, which will handle ACS' main operational systems. Additional software will be developed with the Unisys LINC CASE/4GL product. Unisys U6000-series Unix systems will be used to support EDI interfaces and some administrative systems. Unisys won the contract ahead of such bidders as BHP Information Technology (in conjunction with Amdahl), IBM, Computer Sciences of Australia, and Hitachi Data Systems. Part of the contract involves Unisys porting IBM-compatible applications to the 2200- Series platform. The software port is expected to take two years by Unisys subsidiary Cynercom, until which time a Hitachi Data Systems EX100 mainframe will be provided to allow existing IBM-compatible applications to run. (Sean McNamara/19910815) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 AUSTRALIA: QUEENSLAND GOVT EXAMINES IT STRATEGY 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00017) AUSTRALIA: QUEENSLAND GOVT EXAMINES IT STRATEGY 08/15/91 BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- The State Government of Queensland has announced it is working on a new information technology (IT) strategy which will see IT raised to a central position in the state's future planning. The formal plan is expected to be released in October, and will detail the state's needs into the 21st Century. The strategy will detail the development of the Queensland IT sector, which will include greater cooperation and collaboration between private industry and government. The four main areas the strategy will focus on are: computer and communications hardware; services; software; and telecommunications. Each of the four areas has a special task-force assigned to it. The State IT strategy formulation follows the Queensland government's IT review, which examined government use of IT, and last year's study of the Queensland information industries. (Sean McNamara/19910815) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 ****FUJITSU TO UNVEIL ADVANCED ISDN SYSTEM 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00018) ****FUJITSU TO UNVEIL ADVANCED ISDN SYSTEM 08/15/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Fujitsu has announced plans to unveil its state-of-the-art ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) technology at Telecom '91 this coming October. Telecom '91 is a leading edge telecommunications showcase exhibition that is held every four years. Held in Geneva, Switzerland, this year's show is expected to be the largest ever. Fujitsu's ISDN technology will form part of the Japanese giant's telecommunications stand at the show, the theme for which is: "a world beyond borders." The idea behind the theme is that technology can easily negate various barriers to free communication such as languages, human beings and computers. Products scheduled to be on show include Fujitsu's multi-media workstation terminal known as "The Monster" and the HVCT data terminal, which is based on a PC and can handle pictorial data on a high definition TV. Fujitsu also plans to show its international standard ISDN-based corporate local area network known as COINS at the show. Other displays will include a neurocomputer and a multi-language translation system. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910815/Press Contact: Fujitsu, +81-3-3215- 5236) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 NEW FOR MAC: Sigma Intros IIci/IIsi Accelerator 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00019) NEW FOR MAC: Sigma Intros IIci/IIsi Accelerator 08/15/91 FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Sigma Designs has introduced the Bullet 030, a 50 MHz 68030 microprocessor-based accelerator add-in board with, what the company describes as, lossless data and image compression for the Macintosh IIci and IIsi. According to the company, the board also features a high speed 32K static RAM cache, a 40 MHz compression coprocessor from Stac Electronics, and comes bundled with the lossless compression software interface, DiskDoubler 3.0 from Salient Software Inc. For the Mac IIsi, an optional 20 MHz Motorola 68882 floating point coprocessor can be added for an additional $195. The company maintains that, on the Mac IIci and IIsi, the Bullet 030 provides acceleration and compression capability without taking up a standard expansion slot. For use in the Mac IIsi, the Bullet 030 includes the SlotDoubler, an installation kit which features an additional expansion slot that accepts any add-in card that meets Apple's 68030 Processor Direct Slot (PDS) standard for the Macintosh SE/30 and IIsi. Used with the Macintosh IIci, the Bullet 030 plugs directly into the system's single cache slot, leaving the system's three standard NuBus slots available. The Sigma Bullet 030 carries a suggested retail price of $1,995 and is available through most computer retail and distribution channels. In June, Newsbytes reported that Sigma Designs had introduced a tabloid-page grayscale display system for Macintosh NuBus computers, called the SilverView Portrait. At the same time the company announced the expansion of its retail sales operation with several new programs focused on increasing dealer profitability. In addition, Sigma also signed up Radius' former manufacturer representative organizations in major markets throughout the United States including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Northern California, to market and sell its line of monochrome, grayscale and color display systems and system enhancement products to dealers distributors and value-added resellers. (Ian Stokell/19910815/Press Contact: Laura Olson, Sigma Designs Inc., 415-770-0100) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 IBM JAPAN CREATES CORPORATE EMPLOYEE DATABASE 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00020) IBM JAPAN CREATES CORPORATE EMPLOYEE DATABASE 08/15/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- IBM Japan has announced it is in the process of creating a major database on the skills of employees. According to representatives of "Big Blue", the idea behind the database is that, with it, IBM can better serve the needs of its customers. IBM is spending 150 million yen ($1 million) on the project. Plans call for the database to hold information on all 7,000 of its staff in Japan, ranging from the company's sales people through to system engineers. The database will detail the staff according to the category of their employment and list information on their skills, abilities, products and services manufactured or supplied, and leadership qualities. IBM Japan plans to use the database to provide services to its customers. For example, if IBM were to offer a particular service to a customer, then company officials can be sure of their resources. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910815/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3586- 1111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 Review of: Bicycle Solitaire 08/15/91 08/15/91 (REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00021) Review of: Bicycle Solitaire 08/15/91 Runs on: PC-XT, AT, PS-2, and 100 percent compatibles with 512K RAM using PC/MS-DOS, and a VGA, EGA, or CGA monitor. A mouse and hard drive are suggested but not required. By: SWFTE International Ltd., Price: $39.95 PUMA Rating: 3.625 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest ) Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378 Summary: Bicycle Solitaire by SWFTE International, Ltd. is beautiful in VGA and captivating to play. ====== REVIEW ====== SWFTE has gone to the trouble to obtain the permission of the U.S. Playing Card Company to use their original glass plates as templates for their VGA graphics. This gives a classic representation to their playing cards. They are quite beautiful in VGA. While they are less attractive in EGA and CGA the games are still captivating. Actually if you don't want to spend lots of time playing solitaire best leave it alone. Bicycle Solitaire comes with complete with 7 solitaire games. The games included are Klondike, Calculation, Auld Lang Syne, Golf, Little Spider, Canfield, and Four Seasons. The directions for each game are in the accompanying manual. There is no on screen HELP, where we have grown accustomed to looking for directions and rules. Once the games were installed on my computer's hard drive it was time to start playing. I only played Klondike, the classic solitaire game, and Golf. I found both to hold my attention for far longer than I want to admit to my editor. The only thing hard about these games is quitting. Winning isn't that easy either. The scoring system for Bicycle Solitaire saves on going information for each player in individual files based on the players name. The information includes the present games score, number of games played, number of games won, and average point per hand. Each type of solitaire games score is held separately in the file so that the progress different games can be followed. There is a choice to clear the score card if desired. For me there was one short coming in the scoring system. In order to change player the program has to be exited and re-entered giving a new score file name upon entry. Problems I found in the games I played mostly were centered around the UNDO feature. When a King based tabular of cards are moved from a playing stack to an empty stack then UNDOne all cards are returned to the original stack except the King. When a King is placed from the dealt cards to an empty stack and UNDOne the system crashes. Under some non-standard systems the cursor may leave tracks through the graphics which can be a nuisance, especially considering that fine graphics is a selling point. In Klondike solitaire you can cheat. You can shift between going through the deck as many times as needed 3-cards dealt at time and going through the deck once one card at a time. This shift can be made at any time during the game. Of course, we all know that cheating at solitaire is almost as traditional as solitaire itself. Bicycle Solitaire provides not only 7 solitaire games, but, also, a book with the directions for 150 solitaire games and a deck of Bicycle '808' cards. SWFTE International, Ltd. plans to release more card games in '91 including Cribbage and Poker. A MS-Windows version of Bicycle Solitaire is in the making; of course, it's 7 games and authentic graphics will be the strong suit. The above features along with scoring system will encourage us to change from our present windows solitaire game. ============ PUMA RATING ============ PERFORMANCE: (2.5) Bicycle Solitaire was easily installed on a hard disk and easily accessed. There are few problem when it is interacting with non-standard systems. There are a few problems around the UNDO feature. The shuffle, deal, and layout are speedy enough to never allow your interest to drift. Quit is a choice so rarely used. USEFULNESS: (4.0) Seven card games with great graphics and quick movements for less than $40.00 is hard to beat. MANUAL: (4.0) Bicycle Solitaire's manual is to the point and clearly written. The manual includes a brief history of U.S. Playing Card Company and its famous cards. If you know the rules, the actual playing is intuitive. AVAILABILITY: (4.0) SWFTE International, Ltd. stated that the game is marketed via major distribution channels internationally. CompUSA has it for $ and EggHead Software has it offered for $ . It can be found in the Selective Software catalogue. (tbass HNDYPRSN/19910815/Press Contact: Rebecca Knapp, 800\237- 9383 ext-214, FAX 302\234-1760 ) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 WILL U.S. TELECOMS CATCH THE NEW BRITISH DISEASE? 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022) WILL U.S. TELECOMS CATCH THE NEW BRITISH DISEASE? 08/15/91 -- editorial by Dana Blankenhorn Newsbytes' UK bureau chief, Steve Gold, has often described unintended consequences of the UK's rush to telecoms deregulation. Millions of pounds were wasted giving phones to customers who couldn't afford to use them. Now millions more are being wasted on new, incompatible wireless technologies before investments in the old stuff are paid off. The UK has even deregulated the wired telephone business, allowing cable companies and others in on an equal-access basis. All they need do is spend millions duplicating the existing BT phone net. Today money to fund GSM digital cellular is scarce -- much has been lost on analog cellular and CT-2. GSM, for those who don't know, is a Europe-wide digital cellular standard now being implemented in, among other places, Germany and Scandinavia. GSM phones will be pocket-sized, and users will be able to roam throughout the continent with them. Analog cellular services are just like present cellular services in the U.S., while CT-2 would offer low-weight phones which are limited in their application. Another scheme, called PCN, would run cellular calls on microwave frequencies, with more closely- spaced base stations and lighter, low-powered phones. It too is coming on-stream in the UK. Money there is so tight that two of the PCN consortia will share wires to cut costs -- they promise to compete fiercely, but you have to wonder. The result, Steve feels, is that Britons may never reach the GSM `promised land' where they can roam across Europe with cheap, digital cellular phones. Under FCC chairman Al Sikes, this policy is coming to America. Sikes doesn't want cable re-regulation -- he wants to let phone companies into the cable business. He wants the cable companies into the phone business, through PCN microwave cellular, and he wants both to compete with cellular companies. The result, he says, will be competition, lower prices, and better service. All this is done in the name of high principle. Adam Smith's `invisible hand' is invoked the way Lenin invoked Marx. But, just as Marxist ideologies learned in the 1980s, so I feel Capitalist ideologies will learn in this decade. Ideology and the real world are two different things. In the U.S., deregulation has already given us scandals in the S&L industry now due to cost taxpayers $500 billion, and an airline industry consolidating around a few major carriers who dominate major airports and keep prices high. Unregulated cable TV monopolies rip-off the public, while cellular companies charge the equivalent of 35 cents per minute, split between caller and callee. Instead of ideology, practicality is called for. Regulation is a firm middle ground between anarchy on the one hand and state ownership on the other. Government can decide which technologies to be pursued -- MITI does a good job of it in Japan. Where it's most efficient for one company to build one infrastructure, as on the wired phone network, government bureaucrats can provide competition for phone company bureaucrats and add something the market lacks -- a concept called the Public Interest. Even where the market is allowed to work, anti-trust laws remain necessary to make sure competition is never-ending. Competition is an ideal, and will remain so. But free, fair, and even competition must exist not only among companies and technologies, but between business and government. That's the lesson the UK is now learning. It's a lesson the U.S. will also learn, in time. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910815) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 EX-IBMER MAKES GOOD IN CREDIT REPORTING BUSINESS 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023) EX-IBMER MAKES GOOD IN CREDIT REPORTING BUSINESS 08/15/91 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- New Equifax president Jack Rogers, a former executive with IBM, has vowed to make his new company: "the IBM of the credit reporting industry." Recent moves to enhance consumer privacy by his company show he means it, but could help arch-rival TRW by heading-off regulation of the industry. Equifax has made a number of pro-privacy announcements in recent months, capped in August by a decision to get out of the mailing- list business. The company had annual revenues of $11.6 million, spokesman John Ford told Newsbytes, selling lists of credit seekers or credit users at a nickel a name, often broken down by age, gender, marital status, and the type of goods they most- often bought. All these lists were compiled from Equifax credit reports, and 20 employees could now lose their jobs because Rogers decided the whole thing was unseemly and smacked of an invasion of privacy. "Part of being socially responsible is making tough decisions," said Ford. It's not the first surprise from Equifax. In recent months the company has appointed a top officer to oversee privacy issues, cancelled a CD-ROM database called Marketplace which was to have been sold by Lotus Development, and built a $9 million center to answer consumer questions about credit reports. It has also said it's going to try to make its credit reports easier for consumers to understand. But what impact will that have on Equifax' bottom line, especially since arch-rival TRW is defending its right to compile and such lists in a number of state courts? Dr. Allen Westin, a Columbia University scholar who has audited Equifax' practices for the company, admits the short-run bottom- line won't be helped. But it could help the bottom line "in the long run," Westin told Newsbytes, if bulk buyers of credit reports see Equifax as having more credibility than TRW or Trans- Union, the other major player in this heavily-computerized business. "I think it was the right thing for Equifax to do, given its major business and its need to protect the integrity of its reporting. Its bottom line in credit reports will be enhanced by public confidence. If you're a smart company you don't do things for just next Tuesday." Another audience is the U.S. Congress, which held hearings in July on a host of new laws to stiffen regulation of credit bureaus. "This will probably help shape the legislation, suggesting there are some areas the industry should pioneer in," said Westin. But tough laws may still come down if TRW sticks to its guns, as it now appears they intend to do. "This action will be taken seriously by policy makers if they see change from leading companies. Equifax took the lead, while TRW defended its practices in state lawsuits." (Dana Blankenhorn/19910815/Press Contact: Equifax, John Ford, 404-885-8000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 NEW FOR NETWORKS: VISINET 2.0, A NETWORK MANAGEMENT TOOL 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024) NEW FOR NETWORKS: VISINET 2.0, A NETWORK MANAGEMENT TOOL 08/15/91 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Technology Dynamics has begun shipping VisiNet 2.0, a network management tool based on Microsoft Windows 3.0. The product supports the Microsoft LAN MAnager, NetBIOS and IBM LAN Servers, Novell NetWare, Banyan Vines, and the Simple Network Management Protocol. The company said support for the OS/2 Presentation Manager is being added. The idea of the program is to give people who run Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks a graphic view of their system which they can change with the click of a mouse button. The program has an automatic configuration and discovery capability, which updates its database on command, showing what new workstations have been added, and retrieving data on each node of the network linked in user-definable fields. The program has a script-writing capability, so managers can define alarm and state conditions easily. Past network events and trouble ticketing can be examined at any time through a log review function, and the program has extensive search and reporting functions. The price of the program is $1,995. Upgrades will cost $1,500, the difference in price between Version 1.0 under MS-DOS and the new version. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910815/Press Contact: Technology Dynamics, John Balsam, 404-874-0428) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 NEW FOR APPLE: STUFFIT SPACEMAKER COMPRESSION 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(ATL)(00025) NEW FOR APPLE: STUFFIT SPACEMAKER COMPRESSION 08/15/91 WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Aladdin Systems has announced StuffIt SpaceMaker, a compression program designed to save space on hard drives in a high speed, transparent fashion. The program, retailing at $59.95, will be bundled with its StuffIt Deluxe 3.0 package. The compression speeds of SpaceMaker are comparable to those of hardware-based compression boards, the company said. Most files can be cut in size by 50 percent, but some picture files may be cut in size by 98 percent. Each time a user attaches a preset keyword to a file or folder, SpaceMaker will quickly compress it. It works with all Macintosh applications, so the keyword can be set in the Finder or any program as a document is saved. Document and application icons never change. SpaceMaker also introduces Idle-Time Compression, a compression system which works in the background while the Mac is idle. This means any file not modified in a specified period of time will be automatically compressed. The company compares this to a `screen saver' function on a computer screen. Users may also define specific disks, files or folders that will never be compressed in this manner. The program also works with disk utilities like On Technology's OnLocation, virus programs like SAM or Virex, and backup software packages. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910815/Press Contact: Aladdin Systems, David Schargel, 408-761-6200) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 VYVX WINS CONTRACT WITH PRIME NETWORK 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026) VYVX WINS CONTRACT WITH PRIME NETWORK 08/15/91 TULSA, OKLAHOMA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Just a week after Bellcore announced that the regional Bell company networks could get into the business of handling TV transmissions, Vyvx NTN has announced a major backhaul deal with Prime Network. Prime will distribute NBA basketball games using Vyvx backhauls starting this fall, so that owners of satellite dishes will not be able to see them. When satellites are used to transmit events from a Stadium to a network, anyone with a satellite dish and a descrambler can pick them up without commercials. Prime's affiliates will be the first regional sports networks to replace satellite transmission with fiber for the backhaul of sports events. Prime provides sports programming to more than 24 million cable subscribers through 7 affiliates -- Home Sports Entertainment in Texas, the Sunshine Network in Florida, Prime Sports Network- Rocky Mountain, PSN-Intermountain West, PSN-Midwest, PSN-Upper Midwest and SportsSouth. Vyvx has also been used by all the major networks. It's a division of Williams Telecommunications of Tulsa. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910815/Press Contact: Kevin Inda, Vyvx, 713- 547-1000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 ****SOVIETS GETTING PCN PHONE SERVICE 08/15/91 08/15/91 (EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027) ****SOVIETS GETTING PCN PHONE SERVICE 08/15/91 ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Cellular Inc., a small U.S. cellular phone operator, has made a deal with a Soviet agency which could bring the USSR a so-called PCN microwave cellular service by the end of this year. The deal with the Central Scientific and Industrial Corporation Vympel in the Ministry of Radio Industry of the USSR is only a preliminary agreement. But the result could be that Vympel works within the Soviet bureaucracy to win operating licenses in the 1.7-2.1 gigahertz frequency bands, while in exchange Cellular brings Vympel technology it needs to convert its plants from military to civilian use. So far, only a few licenses for cellular phone service have been signed in the USSR. In Moscow and Leningrad, US West is leading a group which hopes to launch cellular phone services in the 450 Mhz frequency band. That low-capacity frequency -- considered obsolete by most U.S. equipment makers -- was chosen because the military controls the more desirable 900 Mhz band. Arnold Pohs of Cellular told Newsbytes that the military is not expected to leave the 900 Mhz frequency, which is the standard for most analog services in the U.S. "We'll modify the higher band to offer the service," he said. "We feel that, all things being nominal, we'll have the first system in that band by the end of calendar 1991." While the deal talks about building analog and digital cellular phone equipment in the USSR, the United States, Eastern Europe and Third World countries, Vympel's plants in the USSR are at the heart of the deal from their side. Vympel is a conglomerate of 20 scientific institutes and manufacturing plants specializing in radio electronics with annual turnover of of 2.2. billion roubles -- about $300 million by the unofficial rate of 8 rouble to the dollar. It employs more than 80,000 people, of whom 40,000 are professionals. Cellular called the deal a major step forward toward developing the Soviet industrial infrastructure. What comes next? Early in September, a 5-man technical team from Cellular will go to the Soviet Union, and later in the month a team from Vympel will come to Englewood. "These are the finest radio communication minds in the Soviet Union, so all we have to do is bring them information on equipment used in the U.S." said Pohs. Vympel can take over design and manufacturing from there. "Their team will see how cellular is deployed in the U.S., and we're sending a team there to see their factories and meet their people," he added. Pohs said he doesn't anticipate any problem with the U.S. military, especially since cellular services can be easily intercepted. "We believe it's not a problem," he said. After the September meetings "we'll be in a position to verify what we believe is an unbelievable opportunity." Cellular currently runs 44 rural and 5 urban cellular phone operations in the U.S. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910815/Press Contact: Cellular, Arnold C. Pohs, 303-694-3234) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 INFONET EXTENDS NETWORK TO BRAZIL 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028) INFONET EXTENDS NETWORK TO BRAZIL 08/15/91 EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- With Brazil prepared to finally scrap an informatics `domestic content' law, which since 1987 has killed-off that nation's high technology industries, the rush is on by U.S. companies to get into the market. Infonet, owned by MCI and a collection of European and Asian phone authorities, is part of the bandwagon, announcing it is extending its packet network to Brazil, with a new facility in San Paulo already in operation. The Sao Paulo center will link to Brazil's RENPAC public data network, giving people in 50 cities local access to Infonet's global network for worldwide data, E-mail, store fax and telex transmissions. Brazil's EMBRATEL long-distance phone monopoly will maintain the Infonet facility on its premises in Sao Paulo. With support from INTERPAC, a private Brazilian partner, Infonet Brazil will then connect local businesses to Infonet's network and NOTICE 400 global messaging service and install NOTICE 400 PC E-mail software. Infonet Brazil will also make the necessary arrangements for users to access the Infonet network via RENPAC. Infonet Brazil will also hold on-site education and training classes introducing users to the technology and provide ongoing service and support, complete with a telephone hotline. Infonet's Brazilian office also plans to hold on-site training and education classes to introduce users to the technology and to provide service and support, Infonet said. Telephone hotlines will also be available for Brazilian users and will be staffed by senior technicians, Infonet said. (Dana Blankenhorn & Linda Rohrbough/199108015/Press Contact: Pat Gale, Infonet, Tel: 213/335-2877, Fax: 213/335-2876) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 15 ATM BUNDLED WITH VENTURA PUBLISHER 4.0 FOR WINDOWS 08/15/91 08/15/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00030) ATM BUNDLED WITH VENTURA PUBLISHER 4.0 FOR WINDOWS 08/15/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 15 (NB) -- Adobe Systems has announced Ventura Software is bundling the Adobe Type Manager (ATM) with the newly announced 4.0 version release of Ventura Publisher for Windows. This marks the second major software company that has bundled ATM with it's applications. Lotus announced with Adobe in May at Spring Comdex that it would bundle ATM with all its Microsoft Windows products. Software companies are attempting to give users `What You See Is What You Get' (WYSIWYG) and Adobe says ATM delivers WYSIWYG to users transparently in Windows applications. ATM displays on screen are smooth representations of what prints, not jagged approximations, Adobe claims. Adobe says that, despite the fact ATM is PostScript, a printer control language, the fonts will print to a PostScript or non- PostScript printer. The only drawback is PostScript can be very slow to print. Ventura Publisher, Windows Edition 4.0 is slated for shipment in the fourth quarter of 1991, Ventura said. Retail on the product is $795, but previous users under IBM personal computer (PC) DOS can upgrade for $129, and the upgrade is $195 to owners of the Macintosh or OS/2 Ventura Publisher editions. (Linda Rohrbough/199108015/Press Contact: Patricia Pane, Mountain View, Tel: 415/962-3967, Fax: 415/961-3769) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 COMPUTER INDUSTRY VOLATILE FOR WESTERN DIGITAL 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00001) COMPUTER INDUSTRY VOLATILE FOR WESTERN DIGITAL 08/14/91 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Western Digital believes that the computer industry is in a volatile period, and for the company at least, that seems to be true. The company has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with its banks, but has had a class action lawsuit filed against it and its chief executive officer, Roger W. Johnson, in a Santa Ana federal district court. The agreement in principle concerns a restructuring of $206 million in debt and is planned for completion within the next sixty days, according to Johnson. "Reaching this agreement in principle with our banks is a significant step forward for Western Digital. We appreciate the continuing support by our financial institutions during this period of volatility in the personal computer industry," he said. The refinancing is to renew the company's working capital and accounts receivable financing facilities. Western Digital said it expects to record a pre-tax restructuring charge of about $16 million for its fourth fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1991. The company added that it will enter into a two-year, collateralized credit agreement to consolidate approximately $164 million of outstanding bank loans. The agreement also calls for a two-year extension of the company's existing accounts receivable facility. Under the accounts receivable facility, plans call for the company to continue to sell interests in accounts receivable on an ongoing basis to a financial institution as a revolving source of $42.5 million in available capital. Terms of the deal call for participating banks will receive five year warrants priced at market to purchase about 1.7 million Western Digital common shares when the debt restructuring closes. The lawsuit, on the other hand, alleges that the company and Johnson made false and misleading statements about Western Digital in violation of the federal securities law. Western Digital has said the lawsuit is without merit and it intends to defend against it "vigorously." (Linda Rohrbough/199108014/Press Contact: Robert Blair, Western Digital, Tel: 714/932-7834, Fax: area/number) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 GILLETTE COMMITS TO PEN-BASED COMPUTING 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00002) GILLETTE COMMITS TO PEN-BASED COMPUTING 08/14/91 FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Grid Systems has announced The Gillette Company is making a commitment to pen-based computing with the purchase of 300 of its pen-based computers. Pen-based computing centers on a computer operating system programmed to read a user's handwriting. The computer is usually almost all screen and flat like a notebook. Input to the computer is carried out on the screen with a special pen, and the computer picks up, displays, then translates a user's writing. The Grid computers are handheld and weigh about four pounds. Plans call for Gillette field representatives around the country to use the Grid computers to spot sales and market trends quickly in an attempt to boost sales of shaving and personal care products. Gillette said that it hopes the computers will speed the process of getting field sales data to decision makers in the company and avoid long delays processing paper forms. The Gridpad has 20 megabytes of storage and is adequate to meet the needs of field representatives who handle as many as 300 accounts and need to track large volumes of information. The Gillette company is a $4,000 million a year business marketing shaving blades and razors in North America, Western Europe and other areas of the world. The company is also known for its line of personal care products such as Right Guard deodorants, Dri Idea and Soft & Dry products. Grid is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tandy Corporation and designs, markets, manufacturers and supports pen-based and desktop computers and pen-based software tools. The company is located at 47211 Lakeview Blvd., Fremont, California 94538. Grid also has offices in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Sweden, France, Belgium and Denmark. (Linda Rohrbough/199108014/Press Contact: Mike McGuire, Grid, Tel: 415/656-4700, Fax: 415/683-0903) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 ****NCR SETS DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTE ON MERGER 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00003) ****NCR SETS DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTE ON MERGER 08/14/91 DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- NCR has announced that its board of directors has set September 13, 1991, as the date for a special meeting of NCR shareholders to vote on the proposed NCR-AT&T merger. The special meeting will be held in Dayton, Ohio, at 11:30 a.m. in the auditorium of NCR World Headquarters. NCR will begin mailing proxy materials for its shareholders to vote on the merger proposal which calls for each share of NCR stock to be converted into AT&T common stock according to an exchange ratio. The choosing of September 13 means that the closing price of AT&T stock from August 9 to September 6 will be used to determine the average share price. NCR stated that it and AT&T "expect that the merger will be completed by the end of September." Both firms recently announced the appointment of the investment banking firms of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., and Goldman Sachs & Co. as co-managers of the United States and Canadian portion of the offering. The US and Canadian portion of the offering will consist of 5.4 million NCR shares. The international portion of the offering, which will consist of the remaining 900,000 shares, will be handled by Morgan Stanley International, Dillon, Read Securities Limited, and Goldman Sachs International Limited. Concurrent with the announcement of the investment banking selection, both companies announced that they had filed registration statements for the issue of AT&T common stock in connection with the proposed merger and for a public offering of 6.3 million shares of NCR common stock. The joint statement issued by the firms at that time explained the transaction and said: "The NCR shares sold under the stock offering will be converted automatically into shares of AT&T common stock as a consequence of the merger, so that investors will receive AT&T shares in the public offering." "Based on an assumed exchange ratio of 2.986 AT&T shares for each NCR share, the NCR shares would be converted into 18,811,800 shares of AT&T common stock. The actual exchange ratio for the NCR shares in the offering will be fixed prior to the special meeting of NCR shareholders to vote on the merger proposal," the company statement. AT&T spokesperson Jane Biba told Newsbytes that the setting of the NCR meeting date and the establishment of the pricing period "shows that everything is moving on schedule and proceeding very smoothly." (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910814/Press Contact: Robert Farkas, NCR Corporation, 513-445-2078) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 AT&T FINES USED TO SUPPORT NY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00004) AT&T FINES USED TO SUPPORT NY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 08/14/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- New York City Mayor David Dinkins is reported to have ear-marked $14.5 million owed by AT&T in fines as funds to continue degree programs at John Jay and New York City Technical colleges. Until the allocation of these funds, the programs faced the chip due to a $19 million reduction in state funding for projects of this nature. In announcing the use of the AT&T funds, Dinkins said that the City University system will have to find the necessary funds to make up the difference between the budget requirements and the AT&T money. The programs that faced the axe were the associate degree programs at the two colleges for electrical technology, nursing, police science, hotel management, radiology, dental hygiene, architectural and automotive technology, computer-aided drafting and design, pre-pharmacy training and dental and medical lab technology. CUNY Chancellor Ann Reynolds is quoted as complimenting Dinkins' action, saying: "Mayor David Dinkins has proved truly to be an 'education mayor' by pulling CUNY back from an educational abyss." AT&T spokesperson Paula Horii explained the fines to Newsbytes, saying: "It's really not a fine. It is rather a refund of a tax abatement." "We signed an agreement with the city in May 1987 under which we received a tax abatement on our New York City building subject to the stipulation that we maintain a staff of at least 1,000 people in the building through June 30, 1994," she said "When we entered into the agreement with Sony to lease the entire building on next January 1st, we lost the right to the abatement and, therefore, refunded it to the city. The $14.5 million represents the abatement that we received from the tax years 1986-87 through 1991-92," she added. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910814/Press Contacts: Robert Farkas, NCR Corporation, 513-445-2078; Jane Biba, AT&T, 908-221-4011) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 NEW FOR UNIX: Chips Boot DOS Stations On Unix Networks 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00005) NEW FOR UNIX: Chips Boot DOS Stations On Unix Networks 08/14/91 ANCASTER, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Beame & Whiteside Software has begun shipping BW-BOOTP and BW-BOOTR, read-only memory (ROM) chips that can boot any network workstation across a Unix TCP/IP network. The chips load DOS and the network operating system into workstation memory across the network. Company President Carl Beame told Newsbytes that the chips are intended primarily for use on diskless workstations, as well as for situations where network administrators want to maintain control of what users do with the machines. BW-BOOTP and BW-BOOTR have been tested with a variety of network operating systems, including Sun Microsystems' PC-NFS, Novell's NetWare, and Beame & Whiteside's BW-NFS, the company claims. Beame & Whiteside is initially offering BW-BOOT in four configurations to support Western Digital WD80x3 Ethernet interface cards and 3Com's 3C501 cards for both BOOTP and RARP. All versions retail for US$50 and are available now. (Grant Buckler/19910814/Press Contact: Carl Beame, Beame & Whiteside Software, phone or fax 416-648-6556) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 ****COMMODORE EARNINGS SOAR 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00006) ****COMMODORE EARNINGS SOAR 08/14/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Bucking the recent computer industry trend to gloomy financial results, Commodore International has reported a more than 30-fold increase in net income for fiscal 1991. Commodore earned net income before extraordinary items of US$57.4 million in the year ended June 30, up from US$1.5 million last year. An extraordinary charge of US$9.2 million having to do with settlement of a court case brought the final 1991 net income figure down to US$48.2 million. Commodore's annual sales rose 18 percent, from US$887.3 million to US$1.047.2 million. For the fourth quarter, Commodore reported net income of US$3.3 million on sales of US$216.5 million. The quarterly figure included a reduction in income tax accruals no longer required. Before that reduction, Commodore had a pre-tax quarterly loss of US$4.3 million -- less than the previous year's pre-tax fourth-quarter loss of US$14 million. Announcing the results, Irving Gould, Commodore's chairman and chief executive, said the results reflect the company's strength in Europe, which accounted for more than 85 percent of the company's total sales. Commodore said sales of all its products grew in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1991. Sales of the IBM-compatible line of PCs rose 35 percent, sales of the venerable Commodore 64 increased 30 percent and those of the Amiga line grew by 20 percent, the company said. (Grant Buckler/19910814/Press Contact: Tom Shepherd, Commodore Canada, 416-499-4292, fax 416-494-9755) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 WATCOM COMPILERS FOR OS/2 2.0 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00007) WATCOM COMPILERS FOR OS/2 2.0 08/14/91 WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- With development assistance from IBM, language developer Watcom is working on 32-bit optimizing C and FORTRAN 77 compilers for version 2.0 of the OS/2 operating system. Dave Boswell, vice-president of sales and marketing at Watcom, told Newsbytes his company's Fortran compiler is the first for OS/2 2.0. Boswell said that while existing Watcom C and Fortran compilers work with early versions of OS/2, they cannot match the performance of the new compilers running under the 32-bit OS/2 2.0. The new compilers will offer two to three times the performance, he said, allowing "creation of high-performance software." Boswell said the Fortran compiler is also significant because it will allow Fortran programs written for larger systems, such as Digital Equipment VAX minicomputers, to be moved to personal computers running OS/2 2.0 without reprogramming. The two companies said they are working together to integrate the new compilers with IBM's OS/2 2.0 Programmer's Workbench. All system functions of OS/2 2.0 will be accessible from both compilers, officials said. Both compilers are due to be available before the end of 1991, and pricing and upgrade policies will be announced then. (Grant Buckler/19910814/Press Contact: Dave Boswell, Watcom, 519- 886-3700, fax 519-747-4971) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 VANCOUVER EXCHANGE SELLS SYSTEM TO MEXICO 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00008) VANCOUVER EXCHANGE SELLS SYSTEM TO MEXICO 08/14/91 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- The Vancouver Stock Exchange (VSE) has announced the sale of its computerized stock trading system to the Mexican Stock Exchange. The deal follows closely in the wake of the VSE's first sale to the Venezuelan exchange in April. The Vancouver Stock Exchange, Canada's third-largest, expects to make about C$750,000 on the sale. The exchange will be involved in follow-up consulting on implementation and training. The system, developed by the Vancouver exchange and New York software developer TCAM Systems to run on IBM hardware, has been running in Vancouver since May of last year. Spokesman David Laundy said that the exchange has bid for sales to other exchanges as well. Like the Venezuelan sale, the Mexican deal involves the VSE, TCAM, and IBM. These parties and the Mexican Stock Exchange were scheduled to sign agreements August 13 covering hardware and software sales as well as telecommunications and consulting contracts. (Grant Buckler/19910814/Press Contact: David Laundy, Vancouver Stock Exchange, 604-689-3334, fax 604-688-6051) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 ERICSSON INSTALLS CELLULAR SS7 NETWORK 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009) ERICSSON INSTALLS CELLULAR SS7 NETWORK 08/14/91 RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Ericsson has put into service its first Signaling System 7 (SS7) network application between two cellular systems in the United States. SS7 is the national standard for inter-system hand-off and call delivery between cellular systems, approved by the cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). It is also the signaling system that will be the interface between wired telephone systems and the cellular network. SS7 technology, however, has become controversial in recent months, since exchanges using the technology depend on software which can break down. Failures of millions of phones in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and California early this summer were tied to the break-down of a key link in an SS7 network called a Signal Transfer Point. Critics charge that, in order to be dependable, such networks need more redundancy to ensure reliability. Creating extra, redundant networks however is very costly, and both wired and non-wired phone companies have been reluctant to make the move. The Ericsson SS7 link was made between cellular systems owned by McCaw Cellular Communications and operated under the name Cellular One in Tampa and Orlando, Florida. It will transport the calls of subscribers roaming between Tampa and Orlando, providing for inter-system hand-off and automatic call delivery of calls. The SS7 network is also the platform on which McCaw will create its grand scheme, the national seamless network. McCaw is depending on SS7 to make its multi-billion dollar purchase of Lin Broadcasting pay off. Lin was bought after a long proxy fight with BellSouth. SS7 will allow McCaw cellular subscribers to roam about the entire U.S. at will, talking all the time. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910814/Press Contact: Ericsson, Angel Sims, 214/238-3222) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 MOTOROLA TO MAKE CELLULAR EQUIPMENT IN CHINA 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010) MOTOROLA TO MAKE CELLULAR EQUIPMENT IN CHINA 08/14/91 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- In a move to cut costs and fight growing Japanese competition, Motorola's Radio-Telephone Systems Group has signed a manufacturing license agreement with the Posts and Telecommunications Industry Corporation of China, a government entity. China's factory in Hangzhou, in the Zhejiang region, will make Total Access Communication System (TACS) network equipment from material and modules supplied by Motorola. TACS is an enhanced version of the American Mobile Phone System (AMPS) cellular technology found in cellular phones in the U.S. TACS phone systems are very popular in Europe and the Far East. Motorola has been awarded cellular systems supply contracts for the cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Harbin, Shandong, Shanghai, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Xiamen and Zhengzhou. Motorola's current flagship portable cellular phone is called the MicroTAC. Enhanced versions of the unit have just been announced in the U.S. and Europe. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910814/Press Contact: Mario Salvadori, Motorola 708-632-2844) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 PACTEL TO MERGE MID-WESTERN CELLULAR OPERATIONS 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011) PACTEL TO MERGE MID-WESTERN CELLULAR OPERATIONS 08/14/91 COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- In an attempt to create critical mass for call roaming, PacTel has announced plans to merge its Ohio and Michigan cellular operations with those of Cellular Communications through a joint venture. Among the 15 million potential customers of the new system are citizens of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Detroit, Michigan. Under the agreement, PacTel purchased roughly five percent of CCI's stock for $87 million. PacTel also has an option to buy 22.5 percent more of the company by October 1995. It could also buy all of CCI over five years, and if it does not, it could be liable to a "make-whole" payment to CCI. Both companies have used the name Cellular One in their markets. The trademark emerged from the beginning of the industry, and represented the "non-wireline" competition to the Bell companies. The name is owned by many different companies in different cities, and has become nearly meaningless as Bell companies have been allowed to buy "non-wireline" cellular operations outside their regions. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910814) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 CUMULUS INTROS $999 386SX PC WITH 40MB DRIVE 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012) CUMULUS INTROS $999 386SX PC WITH 40MB DRIVE 08/14/91 CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Cumulus Corporation has announced the introduction of its WorkBox family of computers. WorkBox systems are plug-and-play systems with a suggested retail price of $999. The WorkBox SX/40 is a 16MHz Intel 80386SX-based machine which comes equipped with a 40 megabyte hard drive, and can serve as a network workstation. The WorkBox is distributed through authorized dealers ComputerLand, MicroAge, Entre, TCBC and Connecting Point stores. Besides the hard drive, Jim Baxter of Cumulus told Newsbytes that the WorkBox has one 3.5-inch 1.44MB floppy drive, 1MB of RAM, a 16-bit VGA color video card capable of an 800 by 600 pixel display resolution with 256 kilobytes of RAM, six available expansion slots, two serial and one parallel port, clock/calendar with battery backup, a 150 watt power supply, a keyboard and a two-button mouse. A monitor is not included, but Baxter said a color monitor made for Cumulus by Samsung, with a 0.41 pitch, is available at $350. The RAM is expandable to 16MB. Cumulus says the WorkBox SX/40 comes with a one year limited warranty, and support is provided by the selling dealer. The WorkBox measures a little under 14-inches wide by just over 15-inches deep by six-inches high, and comes in off-white. Bundled with the machine, and already loaded on the hard drive, is Windows 3.0 and DOS 4.01. Baxter said the company will begin installing MS-DOS 5.0 in the near future. "The WorkBox represents a tremendous value for the end-user" said Marty Alpert, Cumulus' chairman . "We wanted to produce a 386SX system that sells for about the same price as a typical 286-based system, and yet offers high performance and a full range of standard features. The WorkBox does all of this, setting industry standards for features and pricing," he added. Asked what Cumulus saw as its market niche for the WorkBox SX/40, Baxter told Newsbytes that the unit should appeal both to home users and small businesses. He added that the WorkBox is an economical alternative to diskless workstations on a network. Cumulus is headquartered in Cleveland, and designs and markets PC systems, custom memory products, and mass storage devices. The company maintains R&D facilities in San Jose and San Diego, California, and in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Jim Mallory/19910814/Press contact: Jim Baxter, Cumulus Corp, 216-464-2211) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 NOVADYNE SIGNS $5 MILLION MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00013) NOVADYNE SIGNS $5 MILLION MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS 08/14/91 SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Novadyne, the fourth largest independent vendor of third- and fourth-party hardware maintenance services in the U.S., has signed contracts with Artecon and Advanced Computer Communications (ACC) valued at $5 million over the next three years, Novadyne officials said. Artecon is also a systems integrator to U.S. government agencies and contractors such as the U.S. Department of Labor, General Dynamics and the Naval Weapons Center. Plans call for the company to provide installation, on-site service and warranty repair for all Artecon U.S. customer sites. Plans call for Novadyne to install and service ACC products at all U.S. customer locations, and ACC reseller and system integrators will be able to offer Novadyne maintenance and support to ACC customers with ACC and non-ACC equipment. Novadyne says it has 1,000 professionals in more than 125 locations. The company says it reported revenue of over $104 million in 1990. Novadyne's standing as the U.S.'s fourth largest independent vendor of third- and fourth-party hardware maintenance services was determined by the market research firm of Frost & Sullivan. Artecon, based in San Diego, manufactures and markets integrated systems, add-on peripherals and accessories to Sun Microsystems workstation installations. ACC designs, manufacturers and markets internetworking products for local area network (LAN) to LAN communications as well as wide area network (WAN) to WAN communications and management. (Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Pat Dwight, Novadyne, Tel: 714/566-2000, Fax: 714/259-1164) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 MICOM INTROS ANALOGUE/DIGITAL NETWORK PRODUCT 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00014) MICOM INTROS ANALOGUE/DIGITAL NETWORK PRODUCT 08/14/91 SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Micom communications has announced the release of Marathon 1K, a networking product that it claims does more than just reduce communications costs, but could actually do away with the data- only network. Micom claims the Marathon 1K is the first product to send data, voice, Group 3 fax and local-area network (LAN) traffic to remote sites at a lower price than other products that only transmit data. The product was released earlier this year by Tricom Communications in the U.K. Because the Micom can add voice and fax traffic to leased data lines, it can eliminate toll or long distance charges on interoffice phone calls and faxes, the company claims. Ken Guy, vice president of corporate strategy and business development for Micom said: "The Marathon 1K has every data handling capability a statistical multiplexor has and more." "By incorporating voice and fax handling into the product, it pays for itself with toll call savings. There's really no reason to buy ordinary data communications equipment for wide-area connections any more," he added. The company also said that the base price of $1,750 for the Marathon 1K compares favorably with other data-only equipment. Data expansion modules, also available, provide 40 asynchronous data channels and voice/fax modules allow the 1K to handle up to four channels of voice or fax traffic LAN bridges, Systems Network Architecture (SNA) cluster controllers from IBM and X.25 equipment are also supported by the Marathon 1K. "This signals the beginning of the end of the data-only network as we know it," said Guy. The first public unveiling of the Marathon 1K in the U.S. is planned by Micom for the TCA '91, a telecommunications trade show in September in San Diego. More information is available from Micom at 4100 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93063. Telephone (805) 583-8600; fax (805) 583-1997. (Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Kathleen O'Donnell, Micom, Tel: 805/583-8600, Fax: 805/583-1997) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 INGRAM MICRO FORMS NEW DIV AIMED AT SUPERSTORES 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00015) INGRAM MICRO FORMS NEW DIV AIMED AT SUPERSTORES 08/14/91 SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Ingram Micro has formed a new Consumer Markets Division (CMD) to consolidate service to the growing needs of mass-market merchants in the area of microcomputer sales. "After so many years of false starts," said Chip Lacy, Ingram Micro chairman and chief executive officer, "we are finally seeing the emergence of a strong consumer marketplace for microcomputer products." Lacy said that he expects there to be between 50 and 70 computer superstores by the end of the year, up from 35 of the same type of stores last year. Sales estimates exceed $3,500 million, he added. "We view the consumer and small business sales channel as one of the most important growth areas in the 1990s," he added. "The creation of the Consumer Markets Division signals our commitment to continue working with these merchants in ways that accommodate the specific needs of their businesses and stays in step with the level of service necessary for them to sustain their growth," said David Dukes, Ingram Micro's president. The new division will serve mass merchants, consumer electronics stores, warehouse clubs, office superstores, and computer superstores. Chuck Bagwell, former head of the Ingram's Macintosh Products Division, takes up a new position of head the new Consumer Markets Division on September 1. His new office will be based in Santa Ana, the company's headquarters. (Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Wayne Stewart, Ingram Micro, Tel: 714/540-4781, Fax: 714/966-1851) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 3COM PC COMPATIBILITY TESTING OFFERED TO OEMS 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00016) 3COM PC COMPATIBILITY TESTING OFFERED TO OEMS 08/14/91 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- 3Com and Lanquest Labs have announced a program to test the compatibility of personal computer (PC) manufacturer's hardware with 3Com's network adapters for local area networks (LANs). The program, called the 3-compatible adapter certification program, is the only certification program currently testing in a LAN Manager 2.0 environment. The three major LAN operating systems used in the program are Novell Netware 286, Novell Netware 386 and Microsoft LAN Manager, company officials said. Computers passing the tests are awarded the 3-compatible logo and the manufacturer of the PC may use the logo in advertising, promotions and product packaging. The idea behind the scheme, according to 3Com, is that potential customers who see the new seal can be assured that the PC will be compatible when mixing it with the hardware of other manufacturers on a network. The tests, however, do not come without a price. Lanquest said it charges $7,000 for server/workstation testing and $4,500 for workstation only testing. Epson has already submitted its PCs for testing, 3Com said. Larry Holsopple, product assurance group manager for Epson confirmed this, saying: "The 3Compatible network certification program helps us ensure that Epson computers are fully compatible with 3Com's leading network products. We consider this program a valuable element in our sales and marketing strategy." Bob Buchanan, general manager of Lanquest Labs said: "We feel this is a valuable program for personal computer manufacturers to help ensure quality products and to gain a marketing edge in an increasingly competitive global market where networking has become more and more important." (Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Kerry Langstaff, 3Com, Tel: 408/764-5562, Fax: 408/764-5001) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 BYTEL INTROS GENIFER 3.0 SOFTWARE TEMPLATE 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017) BYTEL INTROS GENIFER 3.0 SOFTWARE TEMPLATE 08/14/91 BERKLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Bytel has announced the availability of version 3.0 of Genifer, its template-driven application generator for software developers. The company said that Genifer 3.0 now supports Clipper 5.01, Foxpro 2.0 as well as Arago. It also works with dBASE III and IV, Foxbase+, Foxpro 1.02, Clipper Summer '87, dBXL and Quicksilver. It has a new user interface with windowing and pull-down menus and a built-in screen editor, Bytel said. "For the developer, version 3.0 opens the door to the whole spectrum of dBASE dialects," said Dan Pines, president of Bytel. Genifer, a tool for developers who write database applications, provides pull-down menus, pop-up windows for data screens, browse lists and dialog boxes. Data screens may have many windows corresponding to different databases, or corresponding to additional information from a single database. A new screen and report generator allows design of menu text layout, light bars and program selection, all in a single step, Bytel said. One-step creation of reports including printlines, control breaks and database or field assignment are available. Genifer is available through dealers world-wide and retails for $395. Optional templates are available from Bytel for $69 per set. Registered Genifer users may upgrade for a limited time to Version 3.0 for $89. More information is available from Bytel Corporation, 1029 Solano Avenue, Berkley, California, 94706. (Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Dan Pines, Bytel, Tel: 800-777-0126, Fax: 415-527-6957) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 NEW FOR TELECOM: Microdyne Intros Ethernet Concentrator 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018) NEW FOR TELECOM: Microdyne Intros Ethernet Concentrator 08/14/91 ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Microdyne has introduced the Exos 5318, an Ethernet concentrator that connects up to 18 10-Base-T Ethernet ports at a cost of less than $50 per port. The product has a list price of $895, and comes with 16 RJ45 twisted-paid connections on its front panel, along with AUI and BNC connectors on its rear panel. The 5318 is designed for use linking local area networks in small offices and independent work groups. It requires no special tools to install and is self-configuring. It can monitor its ports continuously to ensure optimum signal quality, and can disconnect any device which is inducing line noise and causing excessive transmission collisions. According to Microdyne, the system is fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3 standards for 10-Base-T concentrators, and can automatically detect and correct incorrect polarity of incoming signals, simplifying the use of existing telephone wiring in computer networks. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910814/Press Contact: C.F. Rockwell, Microdyne, 703-739-0500) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 NEW FOR PC: Bicycle Solitaire Game Pack Debuts 8/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00019) NEW FOR PC: Bicycle Solitaire Game Pack Debuts 8/14/91 HOCKESSIN, DELAWARE, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- SWFTE International has released Bicycle Solitaire, a collection of seven solitaire card games. The games featured are Klondike, Calculation, Auld Lang Syne, Golf, Little Spider, Canfield, and Four Seasons. The games come with the endorsement of the U.S. Playing Card Co., whose Bicycle brand is among the best-known card labels in the industry and which has been in business since 1881. Bicycle Solitaire operates intuitively with a graphical format. Cards are played with either a keyboard or mouse, and snap into place as they're moved towards a pile. EGA and VGA graphics rival the look of real cards, and the computer handles the shuffling and laying-out of hands -- the company notes that some Klondike hands can take as long to layout as to play. The system also keeps score and tracks a player's improvement, something no deck of cards can do. The pack costs $39.95., and requires 512 kilobytes of RAM. The company adds that the product is already available at CompUSA stores and in the Selective Software catalogue. A Windows version is under development, and future releases under the same label for later in the year include Cribbage and Poker. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910814/Press Contact: Rebecca Knapp, SWFTE, 302-234-1740) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 LAW STUDENTS GET WINDOWS AND WORD FOR WINDOWS 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00020) LAW STUDENTS GET WINDOWS AND WORD FOR WINDOWS 08/14/91 DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Law students all over the country will soon be using Microsoft Windows and Word for Windows. Mead Data Central (MDC) has announced that it has entered into a deal with Microsoft to put Microsoft Windows and Word for Windows word processing software in every law school accredited by the American Bar Association. MDC is the provider of LEXIS, the computer-assisted legal research service. MDC has been installing LEXIS 2000 personal computer workstations at law schools for the past year. "The need for a highly productive, integrated research environment prompted our development of LEXIS 2000 research software for Windows" said David Berger, general manager of legal information services at Mead. The agreement also calls for the companies to provide joint training, demonstrations and promotion of the LEXIS service and the two Microsoft products within the educational and legal communities. Using LEXIS an attorney or law student can do computer-assisted legal research to find pertinent case law and statutes much more rapidly than by using a legal library and searching through law books. MDC also provides a sister service, NEXIS, a full-text article retrieval service from most of the world's top news and business sources. (Jim Mallory/19910814/Press Contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206- 882-8080, FAX 206-883-8101 or James Joseph, MDC, 512-865-6958) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 MAJOR COMPANIES COLLABORATE ON PAYROLL PROCESSING 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00021) MAJOR COMPANIES COLLABORATE ON PAYROLL PROCESSING 08/14/91 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- In an unusual collaboration, line managers from three major companies have joined forces to automate laser payroll check and W-2 finishing processes. First line managers from Control Data Corporation's business management services division got together with front line supervisors at Xerox Corporation, Standard Register and GBR Systems Corporation to streamline CDC's Signature computerized payroll processing service. Mike Ritonia, CDC product manager said: "By eliminating most of the manual steps involved, we have reduced potential errors, and cut printing and distribution time by an estimated 52 percent." Managers at the participating companies hailed the collaboration as an example of employee empowerment. According to Douglas Daniel, national account manager for Xerox Corporation, other companies that empower employees with greater authority to take such initiatives will be the most likely to develop such mutually beneficial cross industry agreements in the future. "Front-line managers and employees are more likely than senior management to recognize the synergies other industries can lend for addressing specific customer issues," he said. Supervisors from the four companies said they have worked closely with customers and suppliers during the design phases of the system, capitalizing on cross-industry expertise. Ritonia estimated that the partnership cut development time from concept to production by 50 percent. According to Daniel, the federal government and Japanese companies have long used suppliers to achieve advantages in quality, cost and development time, but similar relationships in the US private sector are relatively new. Xerox Corporation provides the laser printers and custom software that controls paper output for the Signature system. GBR, a Chester, Connecticut-based firm, supplies the check finishing equipment, and Standard Register, a Dayton, Ohio-based company provides check stock as well as helping define the features of the final product. CDCs business management services division provides payroll processing, tax filing services and human resources management systems, employee assistance programs, and medical, dental and vision health claims processing, as well as benefits cost containment services. (Jim Mallory/19910814/Press contact: Maureen McDonough, CDC, 612- 853-4303) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 NOVELL MHS, 3COM 3+MAIL BRIDGE NOW AVAILABLE 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00022) NOVELL MHS, 3COM 3+MAIL BRIDGE NOW AVAILABLE 08/14/91 SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- If you want your Novell MHS and your 3Com 3+Mail to talk with each other, help is here. Computer Mail Services (CMS) has announced new gateway software which removes the barriers between the two mail environments, providing a transparent bridge between users on both systems. The new software, dubbed M3-Bridge, will be shown at NetWorld in mid-October and will then be available for immediate shipment. A M3-Bridge primary license covers one MHS host and one 3+Mail domain/org, and has a suggested retail price of $995. Additional fees cover MHS hosts or 3+Mail domain/orgs for $100 each, or $395 for any combination of five additional hosts or domain/orgs. A license for 10 in any combination costs $695, and an unlimited site license costs $4,995. CMS says that M3-Bridge comes complete with MHS version 1.5M, which installs and runs on the 3+Mail network. M3-Bridge operates as a gateway on the MHS host, making the 3+Mail system a mail peer to MHS mail systems on-site and worldwide. The package automatically translates between MHS and 3+Mail address headers, automates return receipts, and adds full nickname and alias support at the gateway level. M3-Bridge is said to provide full support for attached files, automatically spawning additional messages if an incoming MHS message has more files attached to it than a 3+Mail message can support. Each MHS message normally can support up to 64 attached files, while the limit for a 3+Mail message is 26. Additional information about M3-Bridge is available from CMS at 313-352-6700 or FAX 313-352-8387. (Jim Mallory/19910814/Press contact: Lih-Tah Wong, CMS, 313-352- 6700) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 CD-ROM DISK LISTS MAC BUSINESS PROGRAMS 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00023) CD-ROM DISK LISTS MAC BUSINESS PROGRAMS 08/14/91 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- If you want to find out what business programs are available for your Mac, and be able to sample some of them from your home or office, talk to International Computer Programs (ICP). ICP publishes a $29.95 compact digital disk that lists about 1,700 business programs for the Macintosh, from 700 suppliers. The disk even includes samples of 200 programs that you can test-drive to see how they work. Some listings include animated slide shows. ICP says they will publish an updated disk at least three times each year. The company says the next release will add educational, scientific and engineering programs, with later editions including home-entertainment software. The company estimates that its on-disk catalog will eventually include as many as 10,000 programs from about 3,000 suppliers. Listed information includes the name of the product, description, hardware and memory requirements, the name and contact information of the vendor, and the suggested retail price. ICP vice president Richard Teller told Newsbytes that the press run for its CD-ROM is believed to be one of the largest non-audio ever done. ICP said that Apple Computer worked on the disk with them, and will distribute 12,000 copies internally and to its dealers. The company says that if it has success with the Mac disk, they will create a similar version for the IBM and compatible market. Interested software publishers can get their Macintosh products listed at no charge for the basic listing. Space for additional information or demos of their programs is available for $1 per kilobyte of data. According to ICP it has published information about computer software products for 25 years. Teller told Newsbytes that the company publishes software directories in print format and on CD-ROM, as well as a series of magazines for software buyers. (Jim Mallory/19910814/Press contact: Richard Teller, ICP, 317- 844-7461) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 FRAME, SUN APPROACH SMALL PUBLISHERS 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00024) FRAME, SUN APPROACH SMALL PUBLISHERS 08/14/91 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Small publishers are receiving an offer from Frame and Sun Microsytems for a Unix-based Sun SPARC station desktop publishing system that costs the same or less than a comparable IBM personal computer (PC) or Macintosh computer system. The companies claim that several publications are switching from their current equipment and moving to the Sun/Frame combination for everything from in-house newsletters to magazines. Frame points to Bear Stearns, a Wall Street firm who purchased its desktop publishing product FrameMaker and is now using it for all the company's manuals, as an example. Programmer Raj Punderika of Bear Stearns estimates that his manuals now take less than one-third the time to prepare -- a single man-week as opposed to three man-weeks. Frame said that its customer profile is starting to include administrative assistants, secretaries and word processing operators, because the Unix operating environment has pull-down menus and self-help, so even unfamiliar users get up to speed quickly. Sun claims that sales of Unix-based workstations and servers for electronic publishing are 13.4 percent of the present total market representing $762 million in revenue. The company estimates that the Sun workstation accounts for nearly half of all the workstations used for electronic publishing. Sun also touts the variety among software vendors and commercial publishing vendors who support the Sun SPARC station. Lotus Development, WordPerfect, Xerox, Kodak, Ashton-Tate, Frame, Agfa/Compugraphic, Dupont, Pre-Press Technologies, Linotype, and Raster Ops are just a few of the vendors Sun mentions. Sun is claiming that standard PCs and Apple Macintoshes are underpowered for editing large color images, and points out the Sun workstation can be interconnected to the PC or Mac. Sun if offering a free video tape -- "Meeting Today's Document Publishing Challenges" - that explains the benefits of the technology to potential customers. The tape is being issued free of charge until August 31, 1991. Information on how to obtain the tape is available by writing in care of the Publishing Manager, Sun Microsystems, Inc., PO Box 5164, Denver, Colorado 80217-9343, or by calling (800) 695-1601. (Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Whitney Greer, Sun, Tel: 415/336-0598, Fax: 415/336-3880, Kristin Vais, Frame, Tel: 408/954-3921, Fax: 408/433-1928) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 ****X/OPEN RESTRUCTURES; ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00025) ****X/OPEN RESTRUCTURES; ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN 08/14/91 MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- In an attempt to more closely involve computer users and software developers, X/Open's board of directors have formally approved a realignment of the company's structure, and at the same time elected a new chairman. "The increased emphasis on software coupled with the growth of non- vendor aligned user organizations within the information technology industry requires X/Open to look to a new structure that will give these groups more influence than they currently have," said Geoff Morris, X/Open president and chief executive officer, announcing the changes. "As the market expands, so does the need to integrate the interests of all sectors of the market," he added. According to X/Open, the restructuring is an attempt to align those with an interest in specific open systems issues closer to the point where they can influence and more directly control the decisions that are made. In order to accomplish this, the company plans to expand its role as an integrator to enable much broader input to the company's Common Applications Environment (CAE). The development of a full implementation plan will be done in parallel with an advisory group which will involve representation beyond the X/Open membership. X/Open said that the development of the plan will begin immediately. Additionally, at the meeting of the board in the United Kingdom, a new chairman was elected to replace Hewlett-Packard's Jim Bell, who has reached the end end of his term of office. ICL's Andy Roberts assumes the role of chairman of the board, with Jerry Petersen of Unisys becoming vice-chairman. X/Open, which was founded in 1984, is a worldwide, independent, open systems, non-profit organization dedicated to developing an open, multi-vendor CAE based on de facto and international standards. X/Open currently has 21 member companies including Amdahl, AT&T, Bull, Digital Equipment Corp., Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM, ICL, NEC, NCR Corp., Nokia Data, Oki Electric, Olivetti, Open Software Foundation, Philips, Prime Computer Inc., Siemens Nixdorf (SNI), Sun Microsystems, Unisys, and Unix International. Newsbytes reported in June that Philips, the Dutch electronics company, had used X/Open's Fast Track procedure to adapt Philips' CD-ROM technology to open systems. Fast Track is a program established by X/Open that lets outside companies or organizations develop specifications for submission to X/Open for possible adoption into X/Open's CAE. (Ian Stokell/19910814/Press Contact: Jeff Hansen, X/Open Co. Ltd., 415-323-7992) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 NEW FOR UNIX: dBASE IV For OpenWindows Debuts 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00026) NEW FOR UNIX: dBASE IV For OpenWindows Debuts 08/14/91 TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate has announced a new release of dBASE IV for the Sun SPARC station that now includes support for OpenWindows, a graphical user interface (GUI) designed by Sun Microsystems. Announcing the package, David Proctor, Ashton-Tate's president and chief operating officer said: "Since the January 1991 release of dBASE IV for Sun, which supported Sun View the Sun user community has rapidly embraced OpenWindows. We have responded today by updating dBASE IV for Sun to run in OpenWindows." Users can now run dBASE IV in the OpenWindows multitasking environment, which means users can run dBASE and other applications at the same time. The new release also supports the eight-bit international character set. In another related move, Ashton-Tate has announced the company's first dBASE IV for Sun original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement in which GNP Computers will bundle dBASE IV for Sun with Sun SPARC stations and DEL-1, a multiport serial hardware peripheral to connect personal computers (PCs) to SPARC stations. Runtime versions of dBASE IV for Sun are available, which means developers can build stand-alone dBASE IV applications for the Sun, the company claims. Ashton-Tate is a software development company best known for its dBASE product line. The company is currently in the process of being purchased by Borland International, and the merger is expected to be competed by the end of the year. (Linda Rohrbough/199108014/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver, Ashton-Tate, Tel: 213/538-7011, Fax: 213/538-7998) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 ****BORLAND BEGINS TRADING ON PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027) ****BORLAND BEGINS TRADING ON PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE 08/14/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Borland International's common stock is set to begin trading on the Pacific Stock Exchange today (Wednesday). Although it will continue to trade over-the-counter, the exchange says that Borland is exclusively exchange-listed at the PSE, and is not listed on any other U.S. exchange. Borland raised eyebrows recently when it announced its intended acquisition of Aston-Tate Corporation, a major publisher of database software for the microcomputer market. Although the deal has been approved by both boards of directors, it still needs approval from each company's shareholders and the receipt of all required governmental approvals. Scotts Valley, California-based Borland International is a leading developer of object-oriented business software and programming languages. Borland products include Paradox, Quattro Pro, ObjectVision, Borland C++, Turbo C++, Turbo Pascal for Windows, and Sidekick. (Ian Stokell/19910814/Press Contact: Dale A. Carlson, Pacific Stock Exchange, 415-393-4198) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 NEW FOR IBM: Windows-Based Optical Storage Software 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00028) NEW FOR IBM: Windows-Based Optical Storage Software 08/14/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Microbank Software is promoting optical storage as an alternative to microfiche and to mainframe disk space with new optical storage software that runs on a personal computer operating under Microsoft Windows. Microbank is currently offering two versions of its optical storage management software. StoreTrans is designed for storing structured transaction records. The software can search for the contents of a specific field, explained Ernie Fiore, product manager. StoreFiche is an alternative to microfiche for storing unstructured data. The software makes stored data accessible to multiple users on Novell, OS/2 or Digital Equipment Pathworks local-area networks. Microbank sells the software bundled with personal computer hardware and optical disks in a turnkey system. Peter Roberts, a Microbank developer, told Newsbytes that configurations could range from a PC with a single optical disk installed to a system controlling several dozen platters in optical jukeboxes. The system can handle as much as 75GB of storage, the company claims. The cost of the software starts at US$16,900 for a stand-alone version. For a system supported in the range of 100 users, Fiore said, the cost would reach about US$85,000. A third software module, designed for image processing applications, is due for release in the first quarter of next year. StoreFiche currently runs under Microsoft Windows, while StoreTrans will be modified to do so by early next year, company spokeswoman Laura Auerbach said. (Grant Buckler/19910814/Press Contact: Laura Auerbach, Microbank Software, 212-363-5600) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 NEW RESTAURANT INVENTORY TERMINAL REDUCES LABOR 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029) NEW RESTAURANT INVENTORY TERMINAL REDUCES LABOR 08/14/91 REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- Remacs has introduced the `Handy' inventory microcomputer terminal, a hand- held computer to reduce labor by recording inventory transactions and then transferring (uploading) the information to Remacs' Inventory Manager system. The company said that the Handy terminal will accommodate universal product code (UPC) bar codes, prompt the user for items in a storage location or perform an item search to help with a transaction entry. Announcing the availability of the terminal, Remacs president, David Douglas said: "The Handy inventory terminal will allow our users to eliminate the practice of printing worksheets, writing down counts, and then manually inputting them into the Inventory Manager." "We estimate the use of the Handy will reduce the time required for handling physical inventories by a minimum of 50 percent," he added. The Handy terminal is designed by Telxon, is IBM personal computer (PC) DOS based and uses less than 20K of RAM. It has a 4-line by 16-character backlit liquid crystal display (LCD), a 35 key keyboard, and a detachable bar code scanner. The Handy terminal compliments the new version 5.0 release of Remacs Inventory and Menu Manager. Remacs states that the new version features pull-down menus, function level security, special data import and export utilities, more reports and a new function for analyzing banquet and/or buffet style serving. Upgrades to version 5.0 for current Inventory and Menu Manager users are available, the company said. Remacs said that its name is an acronym for Restaurant Management and Control Systems. The company was founded in 1983 and has more than 4,000 installations and specializes in automated office systems for the food and beverage industry. While its headquarters are in Redwood City, California, the company also has 10 regional offices across the United States and Canada. (Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Janet Freeman, Remacs, Tel: 415/591-8600, Fax: 415/637-9207) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 ****IBM ANNOUNCES PCRADIO 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00030) ****IBM ANNOUNCES PCRADIO 08/14/91 WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- IBM has announced the introduction of the 9075 PCradio, a notebook-size, ruggedized, battery-operated computer containing the necessary components to connect to remote computers via radio or cellular- based communications, or through conventional telephone lines by using integrated modems. The PCradio is scheduled for 4th quarter 1991 availability. The system is presently awaiting FCC approval and its actual shipping date will be contingent on the FCC review process. IBM Product Manager Gary Cannva told Newsbytes that the system has passed all of the FCC Class B tests and is now awaiting certification. The system will be offered in three models with the choice dependent on communications requirements -- radio, cellular or telephone. The model for radio communications operates with the ARDIS data radio network, a partnership of IBM and Motorola. The system is based on a 80C186 microprocessor and operates at either five or 10 MegaHertz (MHz). IBM spokesperson Colleen Brathwaite told Newsbytes that the 80C186 was chosen because of its low power consumption. The system includes a 79-key keyboard, an adjustable liquid crystal display and a `drive' to read and write data and programs to and from removable, compact integrated circuit memory cards. Cannva told Newsbytes that the memory cards used conform to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) "PC Card Standard" adapted in 1990 and utilized by other manufacturers such as Poqet and Hewlett Packard. Serial, parallel, telephone and battery-charger ports are built in and an integrated thermal printer that uses a 3-1/8-inch wide paper roll is optional. According to the IBM, the PC radio sends and receives facsimile copies via cellular communications networks and can receive facsimiles via telephone lines. On cellular communication networks it can be used as a telephone with an optional handset. IBM's Cannva expanded on the system design for Newsbytes, saying: "The 9075 is totally integrated. Nothing is external to the box. The optional printer even becomes part of the unit when installed. We have ruggedized the unit and proved that it could withstand all sorts of 'drop tests." "We expect the 9075 to be used by construction workers, police in car chases and systems engineers as well as business executives and we had to make it rugged to withstand the conditions of such varied environments. It weighs around 6.4 pounds and has a very high quality display and a full Qwerty keyboard. It is a well- designed product," he said. "I see the 9075 as being extremely useful to a wide range of persons. For instance, IBM itself has 20,000 customer engineers and this system is made to order for them. I know that I use it every day to interact with our PROFS mail system and it is invaluable," he added. Announcing the product, Ralph W. Clark, IBM vice president and president of IBM's General and Public Sector Division said: "PCradio gives mobile workers the electronic link they need to be efficient and responsive to their customers. It's designed for use by a broad range of industries, from transportation to public safety to utility companies." Glen Brownlee, general manager of the Motorola Mobile Data Division, which developed the wireless modem, also commented on the introduction and speaking specifically of the units with Motorola radio packet modems installed "This is the first time a radio packed modem will be integrated into a portable computer specially designed for mobile environment," he said. "The combination of wireless computing and shared data networks is going to have a profound impact on the way we work and the way companies conduct business in the future. Wireless data communications for the mobile workforce will be to the 90's what cellular phone was to the 80's," he added. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910814/Press Contacts: Colleen Brathwaite, IBM, 914-642-5464; John Mitchell, Motorola,, 604-241-6126) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 14 CORRECTION: NEW CD ROM DISKS STORY CLARIFICATION 08/14/91 08/14/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00031) CORRECTION: NEW CD ROM DISKS STORY CLARIFICATION 08/14/91 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 14 (NB) -- In an item issued on August 13, entitled `New CD ROM Disks Make The Top Ten,' Newsbytes reported Magazine Rack and Reference Library as reaching the CD ROM charts. While the story was correct, Newsbytes incorrectly attributed Magazine Rack and Reference Library to, respectively, Software Toolworks and Information Access Co (IAC). The product attributions should, in fact, have been the other way around Magazine Rack is produced by IAC, while Reference Library is produced by Software Toolworks. Our apologies for any confusion caused by the error. (Steve Gold/19910814) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 WHITE HOUSE BUYS FAULT-TOLERANT PARALLAN COMPUTERS 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00001) WHITE HOUSE BUYS FAULT-TOLERANT PARALLAN COMPUTERS 08/13/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- The White House has purchased four multiprocessing Server 290 hypersaver computers from Mountain View, California-based Parallan Computer for use with text retrieval and other tasks. Just introduced this year, the 33 megahertz, Intel 80486-based 290 fault tolerant series of computers is based on the Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) found originally in the IBM PS/2 series, and runs OS/2 or MS-DOS. While the actual price and configuration of the systems sold to the White House have not been disclosed, Newsbytes notes that the Server 290 series starts from just under $50,000 for an 8MB system with 128 kilobytes of cache memory, rising to $250,000 for a top of the line Model 290 system. Although the Server 290 is optimized to run the OS/2 operating system, it also runs MS-DOS and Windows. A maximum of two RISC (reduced instruction-set computing)-based SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) drive controllers can be installed in the Model 290, giving a maximum of 19 gigabytes of data storage. (John McCormick/19910813/Press Contact: Dana Sutherland, Parallan Computer, 415-960-0288) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 NEW CD-ROM DISCS MAKE THE TOP TEN 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00002) NEW CD-ROM DISCS MAKE THE TOP TEN 08/13/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Many old favorites are on the second quarter's list of best selling CD-ROM titles compiled by the Bureau of Electronic Publishing, a leading marketer and publisher of CD-ROM hardware and software, but there are also three new titles that have reached the top ten. "Reference Library" from Information Access, "Magazine Rack" from The Software Toolworks, and "Multimedia World Fact Book" from Bureau Development have also hit the top ten, with placings of respectively, seventh, ninth, and tenth position. Other top ten titles for the second quarter of 1991 were -- in order from number one down: "Grolier's Electronic Encyclopaedia," "Microsoft Bookshelf,""U.S. History on CD-ROM,""World Atlas," "Compton's Encyclopaedia, Mammals" (sixth), and "McGraw-Hill Science and Technical Reference" (eighth). For further information about any of these titles or to receive a catalog, contact: Bureau of Electronic Publishing, 141 New Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054 or phone toll-free on 1-800-828-4766. (John McCormick/19910813/Press Contact: Larry Shiller, Bureau of Electronic Publishing, 201-808-2700 or fax 201-808-2676) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 MONARCH NOTES NOW ON CD-ROM 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00003) MONARCH NOTES NOW ON CD-ROM 08/13/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- The Bureau of Electronic Publishing and Simon & Schuster have gotten together to put more than 200 Monarch Notes (summaries of great works of literature) on a single $99 CD-ROM. Single copies of Monarch Notes usually sell for about $5 on floppy disk. Every word of every Monarch Note published is reportedly included in this new CD-ROM, which will be available soon for both Apple Mac and MS-DOS systems. In addition to the standard program data, the CD-ROM disk contains information about the authors, including biographies, notes on his or her literary style, and useful additions to the print versions, such as illustrations. According to the company, since the notes are fully indexed, this makes it easy to search for specific information as well as to read individual books as in the print version. For further information on the CD-ROM disk, contact: The Bureau of Electronic Publishing, 141 New Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054, or phone toll-free on 1-800-828-4766. (John McCormick/19910813/Press Contact: Larry Shiller, Bureau of Electronic Publishing, 201-808-2700 or fax 201-808-2676) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 BROOKTROUT'S OS-INDEPENDENT API PROGRAMMING TOOL 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00004) BROOKTROUT'S OS-INDEPENDENT API PROGRAMMING TOOL 08/13/91 NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Brooktrout Technology has announced a new application programming interface (API) package. According to the company, the C language toolkit is intended to allow developers to create fax and voice processing applications programs for MS-DOS, Unix, OS/2, Xenix, or QNX. The major advantage of this set of programming tools, the company claims, is that they are operating system-independent, allowing for the API applications can be created on an MS-DOS machine but easily converted to run under the other operating systems. An API is a programming tool that lets one program communicate with another. The Brooktrout API has a list price of $300 and includes the library of fax and voice functions in C, utility programs, as well as the source code for several example fax and voice programs. For further information, contact: Brooktrout Technology, Inc., 144 Gould St., Needham, MA 02192. Phone 617-449-4100 or fax 617- 449-9009. (John McCormick/19910813/Press Contact: Anne Marie Clark, Rourke & Company, 508-777-6006) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 ELECTRONIC MRI MANUAL PUBLISHED ON CD-ROM 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(WAS)(00005) ELECTRONIC MRI MANUAL PUBLISHED ON CD-ROM 08/13/91 ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Aries Systems has released "The Electronic MRI Manual," on a Macintosh- compatible CD-ROM disc. Previously, and despite its name, the book was available only in hard copy format. The book, a major reference work for those involved in medical applications of MRI or magnetic resonance imaging, a non-invasive imaging technique that provides soft tissue images of such areas as the brain without the danger of X-rays, includes text, tables, and all graphs, charts, and images from the print version. Since this is a CD-ROM using the "Knowledge Finder" search software, users gain a powerful "fuzzy logic" search engine that makes it much easier to locate all the information pertaining to a particular topic, the company claims. According to Aries, unlike other search software, Knowledge Finder supports the use of entire sentences describing the information desired, not just a key word or two. For further information or to obtain a copy of the $195 disc, contact: Aries Systems Corp., One Dundee Park, Andover, MA 01810. Phone 508-475-7200. (John McCormick/19910813/Press Contact: Lyndon Holmes, 508-475- 7200 or fax 508-474-8860) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 CANADIAN JV TACKLES SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT IN B.C. 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00006) CANADIAN JV TACKLES SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT IN B.C. 08/13/91 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- The B.C. Tel Group, parent of British Columbia Telephone, has announced plans to form a joint venture with Canada's largest computer service bureau to provide systems management services in British Columbia. The deal is an agreement in principle so far, as B.C. Tel is still negotiating details of the deal with Regina, Saskatchewan-based Westbridge Computer Corporation. Plans call for IBM Canada to provide marketing services to the new company. Built around B.C. Tel's existing computer operations organization, the new company is aimed at grabbing a share of the growing market for outsourcing, in which companies turn over the operation of their computer centers to a third party. Maureen Kirkbride, a spokeswoman for B.C. Tel, said the still- unnamed new company will operate only in the province of British Columbia and will not overlap with Westbridge's operations in the rest of Canada. IBM Canada has a 27 percent stake in Westbridge, acquired in March in a deal that saw Westbridge take over STM Systems Corporation, the service-bureau subsidiary of Markham, Ontario- based International Semi-Tech Microelectronics, to become Canada's largest service bureau. International Semi-Tech and Westbridge's former parent company, Saskatchewan Telephone, also hold 27 percent each. Commenting on IBM's role in Westbridge previously, IBM Canada spokesman Stan Didzbalis told Newsbytes that the Canadian operation is using a joint-venture approach to go after the same outsourcing market its U.S. parent chose to pursue by forming Integrated Systems Solutions Corporation in May. The new company will begin operations in the fourth quarter of this year, B.C. Tel officials said. Further details are to be released once formal agreements are signed, which Kirkbride said is likely to happen by the end of August. (Grant Buckler/19910813/Press Contact: Maureen Kirkbride, B.C. Tel, 604-432-2661, fax 604-433-1241; Peter Ross, Westbridge, 416- 542-5240; Stan Didzbalis, IBM Canada, 416-474-3036) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 FRIENDS AND FAMILY SCHEME ANNOUNCED FOR MCI MAIL 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007) FRIENDS AND FAMILY SCHEME ANNOUNCED FOR MCI MAIL 08/13/91 RYE BROOK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- MCI has announced a version of its successful "Friends and Family" calling circle plan for its MCI Mail product. The "Friends and Family" scheme works by encouraging subscribers to create circles of other callers, all of whom switch their calls to MCI in order to enjoy 20 percent savings while calling each other. The plan has proven successful in getting some people to switch over from AT&T. Now a version of the plan is available for MCI Mail, the company's flagship electronic mail product. Subscribers provide MCI with up to 12 businesses or friends with whom they communicate regularly. MCI then solicits the business of these 12 contacts, and when they join the person who starts the chain gets a $10 usage bonus which can be used until December 31. All people who join MCI Mail as part of a Personal Network will also get a $20 discount off their registration fee if they sign on by September 30. While MCI's plan has proven a market success, it has come under criticism from at least one consumer magazine. "Consumer Reports" called the whole thing an "electronic chain letter" in a back-of-the-book column called "selling it." (Dana Blankenhorn/19910813/Press Contact: MCI Mail, Jane Levene, 914-934-6480) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 XTREE ENTERS THE SECURITY BUSINESS 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00008) XTREE ENTERS THE SECURITY BUSINESS 08/13/91 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- XTree, makers of the XTree line of file management utilities, is getting into the security software game in a big way by acquiring the publication and distribution rights in the Western Hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand to ViruSafe and ViruSafe/LAN, anti-viral products from EliaShim Microcomputers of Israel. The company has also secured the worldwide rights to EliaShim's AllSafe, which will be released in October and adds a number of security features to the anti-viral features of the other products. Just as important, XTree wants to be seen as taking the lead in "cleaning up" the anti-viral software industry, which has been rife with hype, counter-claims, and misinformation. The company is a founder member of the Anti-Virus Product Developers Consortium, which hopes to create industry standards for classifying standards, a code of ethics for the industry, and to act as an industry association. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910813/Press Contact: Tracy Immel, XTree, 805-541-0604) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 FIRST PACIFIC TO DEVELOP ELECTRIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009) FIRST PACIFIC TO DEVELOP ELECTRIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 08/13/91 SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- First Pacific Networks has signed a $14 million agreement with Entergy, an electric utility company, to use its Personal Xchange System in the development of PowerView, a customer-controlled utility management system. Entergy, which runs electrical systems for 1.7 million people in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, will take a 10 percent equity stake in FPN and have rights to market the resulting applications to utilities. The first field trial for the system will begin in September. With electricity demand getting increasingly close to available supplies in many areas, brown-outs -- reductions in voltage and/or available current -- are threatened without some way to control the load. Load management techniques attempt to encourage conservation of generating resources by charging customers more at peak load periods, and less at other times. The Personal Xchange system, developed for transmission of telephone, cable television, and computer services through fiber cables, will be adapted to let customers link with utilities and control their costs directly. The companies noted the resulting system will cost much less than building new power plants to meet peak demands. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910813/Press Contact: First Pacific Networks, Michael Fineman, 415-391-4744) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 NEW FOR PC: Macromind's Action! Multimedia Windows Package 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00010) NEW FOR PC: Macromind's Action! Multimedia Windows Package 08/13/91 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Macromind, which is merging with Paracomp, another multimedia software house, has announced a Microsoft Windows multimedia application called Action! According to the company, the package lets users quickly incorporate sound, motion and animation with text and graphics for presentations. The program comes with dozens of templates and features a Clip Media Library with special sounds, stills, and animated graphics. The product is scheduled to ship in September and carries a suggested retail price of $495. Macromind has made its reputation in the Apple Macintosh market, with products like Macromind Director. Its growth has been slow because the Mac represents a small overall part of the computer market. Microsoft Windows is seen by Macintosh software developers as a potentially larger market, where their expertise in graphics gives them a leg-up over MS-DOS-based competition. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910813/Press Contact: Bruce Cummings, Macromind, 415-442-0200) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 MINITEL SERVICES ANNOUNCES PC CONNECT 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011) MINITEL SERVICES ANNOUNCES PC CONNECT 08/13/91 PURCHASE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Minitel Services has announced PC Connect, a networking service which will compete most closely with NVN. Unlike NVN, a U.S. service on AT&T Accunet's system which covers NAPLPS, Minitel, and ASCII text applications, PC Connect offers local phone connections in 23 countries, credit- card billing in local currency, and connections via the Infonet system. Minitel Services is a joint venture between France Telecom, which runs the Minitel network in France, and Infonet Services, which runs a worldwide packet network and is owned by a number of phone companies headed by MCI. "PC Connect companies can charge distributors, franchisees, customers or departments for connecting with in-house systems," said Minitel Services president Joe Mazzeo. "By adding royalties to the PC users' price, companies can generate revenues and even earn profits from corporate information, online transactions, and 24-hour customer support." Perhaps most important, the new venture will support async communications as well as the Teletel protocol, which is popular in Europe but has had a great deal of difficulty finding a foothold in the U.S. market, where ASCII text is used on mainframe services like GEnie and CompuServe, and 8-bit PC ANSI is used to add rudimentary graphics to bulletin board systems. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910813/Press Contact: Terry Ribb, Minitel Services, 914-694-6266) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 AUSTRALIA: PRIME TELECOM CARRIER TO MOVE TO SYDNEY 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00012) AUSTRALIA: PRIME TELECOM CARRIER TO MOVE TO SYDNEY 08/13/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- When Australia's telecommunications carrier Telecom absorbs the overseas carrier OTC, the resulting AOTC (Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation) will move to Sydney, according to industry insiders. The resultant downsizing will result in a leaner organization, better able to compete in the deregulated Australian marketplace, say staffers. There will be five divisions: International; Corporate; Commercial; Product; and Services. "Corporate" will concentrate on value-added services such as data handling for large customers (like banking, electronic funds transfer and Electronic Data Interchange). Plans call for "International" to continue to control Australian telecommunications links with the rest of the World. "Commercial" - the largest division - will handle all general consumer services such as local and toll circuits. "Product" will control the existing and planned infrastructure which will also be used by Australia's second carrier when it is appointed. "Services" consists of accounting, maintenance, buildings and all services that are not part of the telephone "wires." OTC, meanwhile, has launched a two-way satellite communications system for the stock exchange in Thailand (SET). Samart Stocklink connects SET with brokers throughout Thailand to accept and confirm buying and selling orders. According to OTC. it uses the Indonesian Palapa B2P satellite in the first Asia-Pacific use of interactive satellite communications for a nationwide financial system. Unlike many Western countries, most of Asia does not have an extensive ground communications network. (Paul Zucker/19910813/Contact: Paul Rea +61-2-2875602 fax: +61-2- 2874324) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 NEW FOR MAC: Hot Keys Turns F-keys Into Macros For System 7 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00013) NEW FOR MAC: Hot Keys Turns F-keys Into Macros For System 7 08/13/91 INCLINE VILLAGE, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Hot Keys, a new package that turns the function keys on the Apple Mac's keyboard into macros is now available to make System 7.0 easier, according to Go Technology. "System 7.0 is much more complex than its predecessors," said Go Technology's president Doug Hall. "Hot Keys makes System 7.0 much easier to learn and operate -- whether or not you're an experienced Mac user or a beginner." Hot Keys has a set up pre-defined macros designed to allow the user simple access to the System 7.0 Finder. The product comes with a keyboard overlay so that users can find the proper F-key to get the macro they are looking for, the company claims. Pre-defined macros include Open Files or Folders, Print the Directory, Make Aliases, Publish, Subscribe, Change Folder Views, Find Files, said Go. Eighteen "global" macros, developed by a group of experienced Mac users and developers, are also included to form a standard set of F-key definitions that can be applied to virtually any Mac application. Users can also come up with their own macros with MacroMaker and write them in on space provided on the keyboard overlay included with the product. Super 7 is an on-line help/tutorial designed for System 7.0 that comes with Hot Keys. It is a desk accessory with 23 screens explaining balloon help, installing and using DAs and fonts and using "publish & subscribe." Go emphasizes that Hot Keys is not intended to replace the mouse, but is designed to help users who are accustomed to working more with the keyboard. Retail price for the product is $59.95, but for a limited time Go Technology is offering the System 7.0 Finder version for $29.95. For more information about the product or for dealer information contact Doug Hall at Go Technology, P.O. Box 7667, Incline Village, Nevada 89450, telephone (800) 468-5391 or (702) 831- 3100. (Linda Rohrbough/199108013/Press Contact: Doug Hall, Go Technology, Tel: 702/831-3100, Fax: 702/831-3118) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 COMPUSERVE MAGAZINE VICTIM OF AUTHOR SCAM 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00014) COMPUSERVE MAGAZINE VICTIM OF AUTHOR SCAM 08/13/91 COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- CompuServe Magazine Editor Douglas G. Branstetter, in an interview with Newsbytes, has confirmed that the article "Adrift in the Amazon" by Pat Pugh, which appears in the August 1991 issue of the magazine, is a hoax. Bransletter stated that he had no reason to doubt Ms. Pugh's veracity and was not aware of the duplicity until it was called to his attention by a Compuserve Information Service (CIS) subscriber who posted a message on the CIS Travel Forum bulletin board. Bransletter said that he will publish a comment on the hoax in the next issue of the magazine and that Ms. Pugh will never write for the magazine again. "She's written for us for the last two years on travel and we have never had a reason to doubt her veracity. This, however, was an obvious attempt to deceive and we cannot accept such actions," he said. In the article, Ms. Pugh writes: "We were cruising the Caribbean and the coast of South America, visiting nine exotic destinations in 16 days. No endless moving from hotel to hotel, no need to unpack or repack. The newly commissioned expeditionary ship M/S Society Adventurer was our hotel, and the advantage it afforded was a chance to turn our drams into reality: Natural history - up close - via a series of memorable shore explorations." In actuality, according to a story by Nick Ravo in the New York Times of Saturday, August 10th, the completion of the M/S Society Adventurer was delayed by construction delays and contractual delays and the ship has not yet left dock. The Ravo piece further stated that Pugh has never sailed on any vessel in the Society Expeditions fleet. Bransletter confirmed the facts in the Ravo piece, telling Newsbytes: "I think it was a fair presentation of the facts although I was surprised that the New York Times took an interest in the matter." "We are looking at setting up procedures to insure that things like this don't happen again. We can normally catch errors in pieces related to communications or technology but we have generally accepted travel pieces without critical review," he added. Responding to the statement in the Times story that "Ms. Pugh defended the article as 'a composite of cruises that are available'," Bransletter told Newsbytes: "It was unmistakenly written as though she was on the cruise." (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910813) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 ****TOP AUSTRALIAN MODEM MANUFACTURER HITS EUROPE 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00015) ****TOP AUSTRALIAN MODEM MANUFACTURER HITS EUROPE 08/13/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Netcomm, Australia's leading manufacturer of modems and other telecommunications products, has announced an exclusive distribution agreement which will give it local product status in Europe. Through Commlink of Reading, UK, Netcomm will supply its state- of-the-art range of modems first to the UK, then throughout Europe. Despite successful export experience with New Zealand, Japan and the US, Netcomm has had bad luck in the European market, with a number of failed UK distributors. The Netcomm products will be sold as CommLink, though fully manufactured in Australia. "Their market parallels what has happened here in Australia - it is rapidly growing towards the V32 end of the market where we have high quality, responsive support and competitive price levels" said Netcomm marketing director Bruce Reid. Reid told Newsbytes that his company had reached the point where it had to expand into new markets or be swamped by the other international modem manufacturers. Money for the new distributor, CommLink had come from UK and US sources. (Paul Zucker/19910813/Contact: Bruce Reid +61-2-8885533 fax +61- 2-8872839) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 AUSTRALIAN DIAL-UP SERVICE OFFERS "FRIEND FINDER" 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00016) AUSTRALIAN DIAL-UP SERVICE OFFERS "FRIEND FINDER" 08/13/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Discovery, the largest dial-up information service in Australia, has introduced a service called TeleMate for those less interested in the money markets or corporate affairs searches. TeleMate is described by the company as a "powerful matching and searching computer system designed to introduce people with similar interests and pastimes." Pam Testa, leisure business manager for Discovery said that TeleMate is an ideal way for people to find friends from the comfort of their own home -- whether a new flatmate, or just someone to spend Saturday afternoon with. A real-time data processing system makes each new person's profile available for immediate searches. In addition to searches and matching, TeleMate offers "chat" areas for people of like-mind who have found each other through the search system. True identities and phone numbers are mandatory, but are suppressed during searches, only being revealed when contact between parties is made. Communication with "matches" can be via electronic mail messages or faxes sent by the Discovery system. Personal details can include a photo, available to be electronically sent or faxed to likely contacts. (Paul Zucker/19910813/Contact: Pam Testa +61-3-4121624 fax +61- 2-9569999) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 AUSTRALIA: WINDOWS WORLD PLEASES EXHIBITORS/VISITORS 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00017) AUSTRALIA: WINDOWS WORLD PLEASES EXHIBITORS/VISITORS 08/13/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Last week's Windows World exhibition and conference in Sydney was well received by exhibitors, delegates and press, according to organizer Alan Tayt of IDG. The three day show was sponsored by computer publisher IDG and Microsoft. The 50 companies showing off their products and services at the exhibition ranged from a giant Microsoft stand, down to local product providers with two-man displays. "And over half next year's show is already booked - how's that for satisfied customers?" said Tayt. He said that the 6,600 attendees were "quality rather than quantity" and this had been reinforced by vendor reaction. A feature of the show was the second annual Windows World Class awards. Readers of Australian Windows World magazine voted for what they considered the best products in six categories. The winners were: Word processing or Publishing software - Microsoft Word for Windows; Graphics or Visual presentation - Corel Draw; Business Productivity - Microsoft Excel; Utility, programming or technical software - Borland ObjectVision; Best Windows implementation of a DOS product - Word for Windows. The Grand Prize for the Best Windows product went to Microsoft Excel. (Paul Zucker/19910813/Contact: Alan Tayt +61-2-4395133 fax +61-2- 4395512) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 AUSTRALIA: COMPUTER COMPANY PLANS TO "BOND" STAFF 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00018) AUSTRALIA: COMPUTER COMPANY PLANS TO "BOND" STAFF 08/13/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Australian computer company Datamatic is considering a drastic step to protect its investment in training technical staff. The company may bond company-trained staff so they have to compensate the company if they leave before a designated period. Managing director Brian Killen said that the flow of trained staff is hurting the company. He is still discussing the plan with all staff, but initial reaction is favorable and the system will probably be introduced within three months. "We expect a bonded period of 12 months after training, with a pro- rata pay-back of training expenses if staff leave during that period," he said. Most staff who leave are being poached by competitors, according to Killen, and as training programs often include an overseas visit, the expense-per-employee (around US$11,000 each) has a detrimental effect on the company's profits. "They add a bit to the salary they offer our people, but it's nowhere near the cost to us," he said. (Paul Zucker/19910813) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 MICROSOFT UNIVERSITY ADDS NEW COURSE TO CURRICULUM 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00019) MICROSOFT UNIVERSITY ADDS NEW COURSE TO CURRICULUM 08/13/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation says that it has added the first management education course to Microsoft University's curriculum of training and education. Microsoft University offers courses designed to help corporate managers understand and implement changes in technology to gain a competitive edge, said a Microsoft spokesperson. The two day course, titled "New Architectures for Enterprise Computing," will start August 19 in Los Angeles, and is designed to provide managers of business and information systems a comprehensive overview of client-server systems, graphical environment, PC networks and industry hardware and software standards. "Microsoft recognises the complexities customer face when trying to develop a systems architecture for their organizations" said Bob McDowell, Microsoft vice president of education and consulting services. McDowell added that Microsoft has developed the courses to help corporate decision makers understand the rapid evolution of todays technology. The new course has four major components: evolving business computer architectures; operating systems and environments; local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs); and client- server applications. After its debut in Los Angeles, the course will move on to other cities in the US and Canada, ending up in March of 1992 in Chicago. Corporations with sufficient attendees can host the course in their own facility. For more information about Microsoft University courses, contact Microsoft at 206-828-1507 Code 1003. (Jim Mallory/19910813/Press Contact: Tanya van Dam, Microsoft, 206-882-8080, FAX 206-883-8101) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 ATRIX INTERNATIONAL TO BUY AMES SUPPLY COMPANY 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020) ATRIX INTERNATIONAL TO BUY AMES SUPPLY COMPANY 08/13/91 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Atrix International and Ames Supply Company of Chicago have executed a purchase agreement under which the business and assets of Ames Supply Company will be acquired by Atrix. Ames will get about $4.4 million through a combination of cash and convertible debentures in exchange for nearly all of Ames assets. The transaction is still subject to the approval of the Atrix shareholders. Closing is expected to take place in October. Speaking about the acquisition, Atrix president Clifford Meachan said: "This combination enhances the ability of both companies to better serve their customers as well as expand into new areas of the field service market, both domestically and internationally." Meachan added that the company expects to increase sales through broader product coverage and competitive pricing on OEM (original equipment manufacturing) products. It also predicts increased profits due to greater purchasing power and a reduction in combined operating expenses. Ames Supply is a distributor of office machine supplies and replacement parts, related tools and testing equipment, and a remanufacturer of office machine rollers and platens. The company has distribution centers and sales offices in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and Kansas City. It reported sales of $15 million for the year ending last December 31st. Atrix International is a supplier of printed circuit board transport cases, vacuums for copier and laser printer service, static protection products, and copier monitoring systems. It also distributes electronic hand tools, customized tool kits, instrumentation and diagnostic products. In December of 1990 Newsbytes reported that Atrix had signed an agreement in principle with Versa-Link to acquire its assets, including the rights to patented technology which reads, records and transmits information via telephone lines. The technology is used to monitor and collect metering information from devices such as copiers. The purchase price was reported to be about $1 million in cash, liabilities, common stock and warrants. (Jim Mallory/19910813/Press contact: Tim Hanson, Atrix Int'l, 612-894-6154, FAX 612-894-6256) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 BERLIN FIRM ORDERS SECOND CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00021) BERLIN FIRM ORDERS SECOND CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 08/13/91 EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Cray Research has announced the sale of a Cray Y-MP2E to the Konrad-Zuse Center for Information Technology Berlin (ZIB). The new system will be networked with the Cray X-MP ZIB purchased in 1987, and is scheduled for installation this quarter. ZIB researches numerical algorithms and mixed symbolic/numerical problems, as well as providing supercomputer services to various German research institutes and universities. Prior to the unification of Germany, ZIB serviced only institutions in West Germany. However, once the new system is installed, researchers at the East Berlin Humboldt University will be able to access the system. Theoretical chemistry and structural analysis are some of the intended uses, as well as general academic research. According to Juergen Gottschewski, ZIB's computer center director: "With the power and performance of the Cray Y-MP2E we take a first step in addressing the growing needs of the researchers and scientists of united Germany." Gottschewski added that the new system will allow ZIB to offer new services, including high-speed graphics and visualization. ZIB said it chose the Y-MP2E because of its application software, connectivity, input/output processing capacity, space efficiency, low power consumption and quick installation time. The unit will operate using Cray''s UNICOS software. Cray said it has received 26 orders for the Y-MP2E since it was introduced last fall. (Jim Mallory/19910813/Press contact: Mardi Schmieder, Cray Research, 612-683-3538) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 MOTOROLA DELIVERS DYNAMIC DATAFLOW COMPUTER 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022) MOTOROLA DELIVERS DYNAMIC DATAFLOW COMPUTER 08/13/91 PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Motorola has delivered what it claims is the first US-made general-purpose, dynamic dataflow computer system. The customer is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dubbed "Monsoon," the prototype was constructed to demonstrate that a program should be able to run on one to hundreds, or even thousands, of processors without any modification and with improved performance. Monsoon is a joint research effort between MIT and Motorola's Cambridge Research Center. Motorola claims that a major feature of the Monsoon programming environment is an implicitly parallel programming language they call Id. According to Professor Arvind, project leader at MITs Laboratory for Computer Science: "Difficulty of programming is the only thing holding back the widespread use of parallel computers." Arvind added that Id on a Monsoon will show that that barrier can be overcome. James Richey, director of the Monsoon project, said: "We believe that architectures that combine the best attributes of traditional parallel architectures and dataflow are required to achieve a high performance scalable system." Richey added that the Monsoon system is the first made-in-the-USA general purpose, dynamic dataflow computer system with support for high-level languages. According to Richey, while other researchers can deliver an array of processors, the Monsoon project is researching methods to achieve scalability and programmability simultaneously. Funding, which comes to $10 million, is shared by Motorola, MIT and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agencies). The project is expected to continue through 1994. Monsoon consists of eight 64-bit processing elements and eight 32 million-byte memory elements interconnected by a high speed packet network. Each processing element is capable of processing up to ten million dataflow tokens-per-second. The memory elements can process 4.17 million split-phase transactions-per-second. The system has four Unix-based Delta Series computers as front-end computers. Jim Mallory/19910813/Press contact: Barbara Patterson, Motorola, 602-438-3576) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 ****MICROWORLD TO INTRO 386SL NOTEBOOK AT FALL COMDEX 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00023) ****MICROWORLD TO INTRO 386SL NOTEBOOK AT FALL COMDEX 08/13/91 PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Microworld Corporation says it will introduce a notebook computer based on Intel's low power-demand 80386 SL chip at Comdex in Las Vegas this October. Best known as a reseller of hard drives and floppy disks, Microworld expects its 386SL notebook will come to market ahead of its competitors, especially Zenith. Code named the Eclipse-SL, the unit will be manufactured in the US, and is the first complete unit offered by Microworld under its own name. Eclipse-SL measures 8.5-inches by 11-inches by 2.1-inches, and Don Biogoni of MicroWorld told Newsbytes that users can reasonably expect a battery life of four hours under constant use. The unit comes standard with two megabytes (MB) of RAM, a 20 MB Connor or Western Digital hard drive, an 84-key keyboard and a keymouse. RAM is expandable to 8 MB, and users can upgrade the hard drive to either 40 MB or 60 MB. Eclipse-SL will have one 3.5-inch 1.44 MB floppy drive, and an 8.5-inch (diagonal) video display. The suggested list price is under $2,800, which the company describes as "quite aggressive" pricing. Bundled with the Eclipse-SL will be Digital Research's DR-DOS 5.0. MicroWorld's Paul Daniels said the company was actively solicited by both Digital Research and Microsoft for DOS to be bundled with the machine. Daniels said that when the company saw that DR-DOS had a cleaner implementation, contained less bugs and runs Windows cleaner "there was no mistaking we were making a wrong decision if we went with Microsoft." "The pricing is right, the features are there, and it is just an outstanding and clean implementation of DOS," he added. Also included is an integrated software package developed jointly by Benchmark and Panasonic which includes a spreadsheet, calendar, calculator, Rolodex, notepad, and alarm/reminder. An interesting feature included on the Eclipse-SL is the keymouse. Developed by Keytronics, the keymouse is a rocker key located to the right of the space bar which can be rocked in any direction and moves the cursor just as a mouse does. Daniels said that the keymouse is intended primarily for users in confined spaces such as airplanes, but could be used on the desktop as well. The Eclipse-SL also has a mouse port at the rear of the machine for desktop mouse use. MicroWorld said it will be displaying the Eclipse-SL in the Digital Research and Keytronics booths at Comdex in Las Vegas. Comdex starts its five day run October 21st. Although not finalized yet, Daniels said they may also be in the Phoenix Technologies booth. The Eclipse-SL will also come with a user interface which Daniels described as "Mac-like but not mouse driven." The interface lists the available programs in the left hand column, and the applications that are suspended in the center column. The filing system is done in the cabinet, folder, file metaphor. Asked about the ability to suspend a program and return to it without having to reload, Daniels said in addition to working with the integrated software included with Eclipse-SL, MicroWorld had tested the feature with MS Word and WordPerfect without any problems. He believes other programs that are well behaved under DOS should also work well. Daniels said that MicroWorld wanted to get away from the typical grey or tan case look, consequently Eclipse-SL will have a jet- black case with gold trim. MicroWorld currently employs eight people in their Phoenix corporate offices and has a 15,000 square foot assembly, distribution and service center in Tucson, Arizona. The privately- held company reports sales of almost $12 million to date in 1991. (Jim Mallory/19910813/Press contact: Paul Daniels, MicroWorld, 602-381-8433) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 MICROSOFT ACQUIRES X86 SOFTWARE EMULATION RIGHTS 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00024) MICROSOFT ACQUIRES X86 SOFTWARE EMULATION RIGHTS 08/13/91 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Microsoft has announced that it is has acquired a non-exclusive license to Insignia Solutions Inc's software emulation of Intel x86 based PCs. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Insignia Solutions markets SoftPC which allows DOS-based applications software to run on non-DOS based machines. Macintosh, Unix, and SPARCstation versions are available. Insignia also markets AccessPC, which reads DOS disks and displays the files as icons on a Macintosh. Insignia's technology recreates the IBM AT environment using proprietary software, and the license gives Microsoft the right to incorporate that technology in future product offerings. Asked about the specific intent of Microsoft's acquisition of the emulation technology, a spokesperson for Microsoft told Newsbytes that the company had acquired the rights for future use, not for a specific purpose at the present time. Announcing the deal, Ivor Share, Insignia Solutions VP of sales, said: "We believe Microsoft's implementation of software emulation will be the most innovative in the marketplace." Steve Ballmer, Microsoft senior VP of systems software said: "With the help of Insignia's technology we can preserve customer investment in MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows environment applications in our future system software products, on both advanced Intel-based systems and on other platforms." Insignia, headquartered in High Wycombe, England, employs 110 staff and has US marketing, sales and support offices in Sunnyvale, California, and Andover, Massachusetts. The company, which was founded in 1986, was initially funded by a consortium of British and Dutch venture capital firms. In 1990 Insignia Solutions reported revenues of $8 million. (Jim Mallory/19910813/Press contact: Liz Sidnam, Microsoft, 206- 882-8080 or Doug Reid, Insignia Solutions, 415-694-7600) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 ****ASHTON-TATE CUTS PRICES, DOUBLES AVAILABILITY 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025) ****ASHTON-TATE CUTS PRICES, DOUBLES AVAILABILITY 08/13/91 TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate has announced it has signed a distribution contract with Merisel Incorporated Consumer Products Group. According to AT's officials, the deal should double the number of retail distribution outlets for the company's products over the coming months. Max Toy, Ashton-Tate's vice president, U.S. sales and marketing said: "Before today's announcement, Ashton-Tate consumer products were available in more than 600 storefronts nation-wide." "Our collaboration with Merisel doubles that number, making it easier and more convenient for our customers to purchase Ashton- Tate software," he added. Ashton-Tate said that Merisel is aggressive and good at reading the "pulse of the retail market." Casey Hughes, vice president of Merisel's Consumer Products Division said: "Ashton-Tate is one of the first major software developers to recognize the unique requirements of mass merchant retailers. We are pleased to work with them in meeting the needs of this emerging market." Merisel said that nationwide promotions with in-store displays and advertisements are already planned for August and September of this year. After seeing some of the new retail prices on Ashton-Tate products, questions arise as to whether or not the new distributors are feeling a slow pulse on the retail market and are telling the company to drop prices. Several Ashton-Tate products have dropped considerably in price. Newsbytes found Ashton-Tate's MasterGraphics reduced from $495 to $49.98 and Control Room slashed from $129 to $49.95 in a Northridge, California Software Etc. store. The store's manager told Newsbytes that these were the new retail prices, not price cuts Software Etc., had made on the products. Ashton-Tate representatives were not available for comment. (Linda Rohrbough/199108013/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver, Ashton-Tate, Tel: 213/538-7011, Fax: 213/538-7998) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 NEW GRAPHICS BOARD MAKES WINDOWS TWICE AS FAST 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00026) NEW GRAPHICS BOARD MAKES WINDOWS TWICE AS FAST 08/13/91 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Actix has announced its new Tiger 10 video graphics adapter (VGA) boards for corporate users of DOS and Windows. The company claims that the new boards double the speed of running Microsoft Windows while increasing the quality of the video image displayed. The Tiger 10 displays up to 256 colors simultaneously creating photo realistic images, company officials said. The speed comes from a graphics co-processor that makes screen displays twice as fast. Reduction of flicker also occurs with a screen refresh rate of up to 90 megahertz (MHZ), the company claims. Actix officials added that the 100 percent acceleration is carried out using a proprietary Windows driver in combination with technology from Texas Instruments. The new card offers resolutions from 640 x 480 dots per inch (DPI) to 1,280 x 1,024 DPI. For higher quality images Actix said that the Tiger 10 can generate resolution of 1,280 x 96 non- interlaced images. Interlacing is simultaneously projecting two screen images over one another to get an effect. Non-interlaced images are sharper and have truer color, producing a crisper, more realistic image. Actix said that the Tiger 10 card is available immediately and comes with the board, a software diskette, terminator plug, ribbon cable and manual. The Tiger 10V is shipped without the terminator plug and ribbon cable. Retail pricing ranges from $599 to $830 depending on the capabilities of the card. More information is available from an Actix distributor or from Actix at 408-986-1625. (Linda Rohrbough/199108013/Press Contact: Phil Grasso, Actix, Tel: 408/986-1625, Fax: 408/986-1646) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 IBM SUBSIDIARY TO OUTSOURCE FOR CAPITAL BANK 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00027) IBM SUBSIDIARY TO OUTSOURCE FOR CAPITAL BANK 08/13/91 MIAMI, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- Capital Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Bancorp, has announced that it has signed a contract with the Integrated Systems Solutions Corporation (ISSC), a subsidiary of IBM Corporation, under which ISSC will take over the bank's day-to-day data processing operations, and software development and modification. Announcing the decision to move from in-house processing to what has become known as `outsourcing,' Abel Holtz, chairman and president of Capital Bank, said: "There were several factors in our decision to convert to outsourcing." "This new state-of-the-art branch automation system will allow us to reduce operating costs significantly, while securing the latest technology available in banking computer systems. It also allows management to concentrate on the banking business so we can provide more products and superior service to our customers," he added. Holtz said that all customer accounts and transactions will be converted to the new ISSC system, except for those of Capital Factors and the International Letters of Credit Department, which have their own customized data processing systems. He added that the conversion is expected to be completed in November and will be preceded by five weeks of on-site staff training and support by an ISSC team. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910813/Press Contact: Joann Makris, Capital Bank, 305-536-1560) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 ****IBM INTRODUCES 50MHZ UPGRADE OPTION FOR PS/2 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00028) ****IBM INTRODUCES 50MHZ UPGRADE OPTION FOR PS/2 08/13/91 WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- IBM has announced the availability of a 50 MHz PS/2 processor upgrade option for its Personal System/2 Model 90 and 95 XP 486 computers. The price of the Option, which includes an Intel 50 MHz microprocessor, which includes an internal memory cache controller, an 8K memory cache and an integrated floating-point processor, varies based on the processor which is to be upgraded. Its suggested price is $3,695 where a 33MHz system is to be upgraded, $5,345 for 25 MHz systems and $7,245 for 486 SX 20 MHz systems. In its announcement of the upgrade option, IBM related the new system to the fact that it is the 10th anniversary of its introduction of its original PC. The statement said: "With the 50 MHz upgrade option, the new systems perform at more than 50 times the speed of the original IBM PC." (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910813/Press Contact: W. Dean Kline, IBM, 914-642-5408) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 NYC ATTACKS DIAL-A-PORN FIRMS AS LITTER BUGS 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00029) NYC ATTACKS DIAL-A-PORN FIRMS AS LITTER BUGS 08/13/91 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- New York City Mayor David Dinkins has announced the filing of law suit in the State Supreme Court against two firms allegedly littering the streets with hundreds of thousands of promotional leaflets that look like U.S. currency to promote `dial-a-porn' telephone numbers. The law suit, filed against Peak Communications. Inc., and Espic Communications Inc., both of Rockaway Township, N.J, charges the firms with violation of city litter laws and seeks a minimum of $10,000 in fines and an injunction to stop them from continuing the practice known as `trashvertising.' Dinkins called the bogus bills, sometimes offered in $69 denominations "an offensive form of littering." Sanitation Commissioner Steven Polan was quoted as stressing that the suit was not over their content, which could be protected by the Constitutional right to free speech, but over the way they were distributed. "We don't believe that this is a First Amendment issue, but a littering issue," he said. The bills in question reportedly say `Hot Phone Fantasies' on one side and `The United Sex Academy' on the other and urge urge readers to `Call Now!!.' The bills list a `970' telephone number for calling -- 970 numbers are numbers which have a higher charge than ordinary numbers in the US -- $2.00 per minute -- and may have a minimum charge for each call. Providers of the `service,' in this case The United Sex Academy, share in the revenue from the calls made to the number. In smaller print they state that the charge is a minimum of $20 per call and is for adults only. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910813) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 13 ****IBM CELEBRATES PC'S 10TH BIRTHDAY 08/13/91 08/13/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00030) ****IBM CELEBRATES PC'S 10TH BIRTHDAY 08/13/91 WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 13 (NB) -- IBM has celebrated the 10th anniversary of its introduction of the IBM Personal Computer by issuing a statement containing a retrospective look at the development of the original product. The statement said: `IBM began development of the PC in August 1980 in a small building at its Boca Raton, Fla. site. The original team of a dozen developers, led by Philip D. (Don) Estridge, was given 12 months to complete the project.' `The development team needed to break the rules, to go outside the traditional boundaries of product development within IBM, and they did. They went to outside vendors for most of the parts, went to outside software developers for the operating system and application software, and acted as an independent business unit.' `These changes enabled them to develop and announce the IBM PC in 12 months -- at that time faster than any other hardware product in IBM's history.' `The IBM PC was introduced to the world at a press conference in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria ballroom, as well as several other locations around the country. The IBM PC used the Intel (A) 4.77 megahertz (MHz) 8088 microprocessor -- advanced for the time, but slow by today's standards.' `The diskette drives offered 160 kilobytes (KB) of storage, the equivalent of about 50 single-spaced, typewritten pages. Users could plug the PC into their home television set or choose from an optional monochrome or color display. A typical configuration of 64 KB of memory, a single diskette drive, a color display adapter and IBM Disk Operating System (DOS) was priced at $2,665 (about $3,950 in 1991 dollars.)' The statement concluded by describing the decision to market the new systems not only through the establishment of IBM Product Centers but also through Computerland and Sears, Roebuck and Co. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910813/Press Contact: W. Dean Kline, IBM, 914-642-5408) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ****MACWORLD: WRAPPING UP THE SHOW 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00001) ****MACWORLD: WRAPPING UP THE SHOW 08/12/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- The Boston version of the MacWorld Expo has always been noted as one of the highlights of the year for Macintosh fans. This year was no exception with hundreds of companies using this week as their preferred time to announce new products or upgrades. In addition to the product introductions published over the past week in Newsbytes, several other products were seen for the first time or technologies demonstrated for the first time to the avid Apple Mac users who came to the show. This article is a distillation of some of the more prominent of these. SOFTWARE THAT BEGAN SHIPPING: Claris has announced that it has begun to ship Resolve, its new spreadsheet program. Resolve is based on the Wingz kernel that Claris purchased several years ago that has been enhanced and improved and had the familiar Claris "look and feel" put on it. The package is completely System 7.0 compatible and takes advantage of all of System 7.0's features. Resolve will retail for $399 and Claris is offering current users of Excel, Wingz, Full Impact, and MacCalc the option of switching to Resolve for a fee of $99. Stingray Entertainment has begun shipments of its new arcade game for the Mac called "Frankie's Dungeon." This is a graphical action game that takes place in a big dungeon with lots of killer monsters and a single hero who must conquer all or die trying. Available immediately, Frankie's Dungeon will retail for $35. SOFTWARE UPGRADES: Insignia Solutions has announced a sweeping upgrade program and realignment of their line of MS-DOS software emulators. All three of the company's products -- Entry Level SoftPC, Universal SoftPC, and SoftAT -- have now been upgraded to Version 2.5. The new versions feature support for the Microsoft CD-ROM (compact disk, read only memory) extensions, Novell networking capability, more printer emulations, new user interface, System 7.0 compatibility, and a quicker installation procedure. Apple Computer announced upgrades to two of its printer drivers. The Personal LaserWriter LS and the StyleWriter will now be shipped with a new version of the printer driver. These new drivers enhance the printer's speeds, allows for background printing, supports larger paper tray capacities, and include four more TrueType fonts. Current users wishing to upgrade should be able to get the new versions from their dealers or user groups. Apple is not charging the dealers or user groups for the new software. SuperMac will begin shipping Version 2.7 of its backup software DiskFit in late August. DiskFit 2.7 incorporates all of the features of Network DiskFit which in turn is being discontinued by the company. Version 2.7 also brings an additional new benefit in complete support of Apple's System 7. Upgrades to current owners will be available for $24.95 while Network DiskFit owners will be offered a kit containing 32 copies of DiskFit for $15 per unit. InLine Design has released 3 in Three, a non-violent logic game that is intended to be educational but still retail an element of fun. This game has been released previously under the CinemaWare label. Unfortunately, CinemaWare filed for bankruptcy prior to being able to distribute a large number of copies leading Inline Design to pick up the distribution rights. MapInfo demonstrated MapInfo for Macintosh 1.1. This new version which is shipping now, incorporates increased performance for drawing and redrawing maps on the screen, Dynamic statistics functions, dot density maps, and the ability to locate an intersection by entering the names of the streets involved. The price of the package has been set at $995 and an international version is due out soon. Reference Software has announced that Grammatik Mac is compatible with Apple's System 7.0 and takes advantage of certain features of the new operating system. Features like Balloon help are being utilized to make it easier for users to make use of the capabilities of Grammatik Mac according to the company. NEW SOFTWARE DEMONSTRATIONS: Insignia Solutions was demonstrating their upcoming product SoftNode. SoftNode will allow Macintosh users running SoftPC access to Novell networks. SoftNode will be compatible with Novell ELS II Netware Version 2.15, Advanced Netware Version 2.15, 2.2 and Netware 386 in the Ethernet environment. All other software products that work within those environments will work with SoftNode. SoftNode is supposed to begin shipping in September and will retail for $175 for a single user and $1,150 for a ten machine license. Broderbund was demonstrating a new line of animated stories on CD-ROM. Called the "living books" series, Broderbund announced plans to have at least four books released soon. These books contain an interactive environments with animations, sound tracks, special effects, and a hyper text like search facility to encourage children to explore the story and all of its ramifications. Titles will include "Just Grandma and Me," "Arthur Teacher Troubles," "New Kid on the Block," and the Aesop fables starting with "The Tortoise and the Hare." The first in the series -- "Just Grandma and Me" -- is slated for shipment in January. Lotus was demonstrating its upcoming spreadsheet, Lotus 1-2-3 for the Macintosh. This new spreadsheet is now in beta testing and is expected to begin shipments in the fall. Lotus 1-2-3 for Macintosh is a System 7.0 compatible product that has been designed from the ground up to be a Macintosh application while maintaining compatibility with Lotus 1-2-3 on other platforms. Included in the package will be Adobe's Type Manager with 13 TrueType fonts, and BackSolver which is a single-variable mathematical equation solver. Davidson was demonstrating its upcoming release of Earthquest Explores Ecology. This is a new software package that uses Earthquest's encyclopaedia as a base for sixteen different interactive games. Six of the games are biosphere simulations that concentrate on demonstrating the inter-relationships between all of the biospheres on this earth. Particular attention is placed on the Amazonian rain forest. The program will begin shipping in September. SOFTWARE UPGRADE DEMONSTRATIONS: Broderbund was showing an upgrade to TypeStyler. TypeStyler 2.0 is System 7.0 savvy and offers complete support for TrueType. Additional enhancements include support for 24 bit color and better screen rendering time. TypeStyler 2.0 also features Letter Fusion which allows a user to select a range of letter on which to apply the effects. In addition, TypeStyler will come have Adobe Type Manager bundled in its package and a package of 13 typefaces will be included as well. TypeStyler 2.0 will begin shipping this fall. Aldus introduced version 3 of Aldus SuperPaint. New features of the product include support for up to 32 bit color; new image enhancement capabilities; texture fills; and HotKeys. Upgrades will cost $65 while new copies can be purchased for $199. Availability is expected to be mid-September. SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS: Frame Technology and Acius were showing a method in which database data stored in 4th Dimension can be extracted and translated into a form that can be used by FrameMaker for publication. The method, which ACIUS used to publish several of their directories, has always been present within 4th Dimension but has not really been used to date. Frame Technology and Acius chose to advertise its existence more broadly to encourage its use and to show its usefulness as a result of several customer requests. Both companies would be happy to show this method to all current users who have a need to understand it. NEW HARDWARE: QMS will begin shipping a pair of printers at the end of this month. The QMS 815 and 825 MR printers are the first desktop sized printers that feature a resolution of 600 by 600 DPI. The two models differ in the amount of paper trays that they support. The 815MR has a single paper tray while the 825MR supports two paper trays. Both printers are based on the print engines, support Postscript, and come with 45 built-in fonts. The MR in the model name stands for multi-res which is a feature that allows the user to tailor the printing resolution from 600 by 600 down to 300 by 300 dots-per-inch (DPI). Caere will begin shipping in September a new hand-held scanner that is capable of working with both character and graphics data. Called "Typist Plus Graphics," the new scanner can perform optical character recognition (OCR) on the text parts of a scanned document while Caere's The Graphic Editor allows the user to manipulate any associated graphics that were also scanned in. Typist Plus Graphics is billed as the first hand-held scanner that can do both functions. Shipments to dealers are expected to begin in September. Radius has begun shipments of its new line of filters designed to reduce the quantity of low frequency field emissions emanating from their monitors. The new Ergo:Shield line has been specifically designed to be custom fit to the Radius line of monitors of all sizes that are currently being shipped. All of the filters in the line can be installed on the monitor by the owner, there is no need for a technically trained person. Mitsubishi has begun shipping its new high-res 37-inch color monitor that is compatible with the Macintosh and most PC's and compatibles. Intended primarily for demonstration purposes, the new monitor can display in resolutions of 640 by 480, 1152 by 882, and 1,280 by 1,024 dpi. One notable feature is its built-in video converter that takes care of NTSC, PAL, SECAM, Composite Video, and S-VHS signals very easily. Xante announced the release of its new Accel-a-Writer IV. This is a printer controller that upgrades the performance of your Hewlett-Packard LaserJet Series II laser printers. The upgrade allows the printer to increase its resolution to 600 by 600 dpi while allowing for simultaneous printing from more than one source (serial Appletalk, and centronics). There is also an advanced memory management feature that allows one page to be composed while the previous page is being printed. The board comes with six megabytes of memory and includes 35 PostScript fonts. BOOKS: Peachpit Press announced a broad line of books to be published over the remainder of this year. There are fourteen book in the line in all. Some of the books are new, others are revised editions. The titles are: "Database 101: A Database Primer for the Rest of Us" by Guy Kawasaki; "Real World FreeHand 3" by Olav Kvern; "Canvas 3.0: The Book" by Deke McClelland; "PageMaker 4: Visual Quickstart Guide" by Webster & Associates; 2nd edition of "Canned Art: Clip Art for the Macintosh"; "The QuarkXPress Book" by David Blatner and Keith Stimely; "The Little Mac Book" by Robin Williams; "The Publish Book of Tips" by Robert Eckhardt, Bob Weibel, and Ted Nace; "The Little QuicKeys Book" by Steve Roth and Don Sellers; "The Desktop Publisher's Survival Kit" by David Blatner; "Zen and the Art of Resource Editing" by Derrick Schneider; "The Macintosh Font Book" by Erfert Fenton; "The Little System 7 Book" by Kay Nelson; and "PageMaker 4: An Easy Desk" reference by Robin Williams. Addison-Wesley announced the immediate availability of seven new books that cover the Macintosh. Starting with Sharon Aker's "Macintosh Companion: The Basics and Beyond"; Addison-Welsey' new line-up digs into the technical guts of the Macintosh with "Son of Stupid Mac Tricks" by Bob LeVitus; "Planning and Managing AppleTalk Networks" by Apple Computer; "Learn C On the Macintosh" by Dave Mark; "A/UX 2.0 Handbook" by Jan Harrington; "Extending the Macintosh Toolbox" by John May and Judy Whittle; and "Inside Macintosh Volume VI" by Apple Computer. (Naor Wallach/19910812) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 UK: MERCURY WELCOMES NEW TELECOM LICENSE CONDITIONS 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00002) UK: MERCURY WELCOMES NEW TELECOM LICENSE CONDITIONS 08/12/91 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Mercury Communications has announced that it welcomes the announcement by the British government of new license conditions for telecommunications operators in the United Kingdom. The new license conditions, announced last month by Oftel, the U.K. telecommunications regulatory authority, have been made in the light of changes in the marketplace for telecommunications services in the past few years. Many in the industry now recognize that the liberalization of the telecommunications marketplace, which occurred five years ago in the U.K., was flawed and that some minor changes have become necessary. Peter van Cuylenburg, Mercury's chief executive, commenting on the new license conditions, said that the Oftel announcement is an excellent outcome of the duopoly review for Mercury and all telecommunications customers. "It encourages Mercury and our partners in cable television and PCN to continue and expand the major capital investment programs needed to reach millions of new customers," he said. "This puts into place the last of a number of pieces which together will assure continued rapid growth and success for Mercury and the continued development of the UK telecoms industry," he added. A key feature of the Oftel announcement frees Mercury -- and other newcomers to the U.K. telecommunications industry -- from having to contribute towards the local network costs of British Telecom. The fees -- known as access deficit contributions -- have meant that Mercury has been unable to compete on a local call basis with BT, Mercury officials have claimed. (Steve Gold/19910812/Press & Public Contact: Mercury Communications - Tel: 071-528-2106) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 VALIDATED PROCESSORS LIST NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH NTIS 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00003) VALIDATED PROCESSORS LIST NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH NTIS 08/12/91 GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Available from the National Technical Information Service, the VPL or Validated Processor List identifies COBOL, ADA, Pascal, and FORTRAN compilers which have been validated to conform with the FIPS or Federal Information Processing Standard. For the first time, the list will include GOSIP (government open systems interconnection profile) conformance testing registers and a list of conformance testing laboratories that perform validation for POSIX, the Portable Operating System Interface for Unix standard set by the IEEE, as well as a list of validated POSIX products. The VPL is available as a standing order item at an annual price of $68 from U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. Phone 703-487-4650. Specify PB #91-937301/AS (John McCormick/19910812/Press Contact: John Makulowich, NIST, 301-975-2762) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 U.S. SECURITY CONFERENCE CONVENES OCTOBER 1 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00004) U.S. SECURITY CONFERENCE CONVENES OCTOBER 1 08/12/91 GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- The 14th annual national computer security conference will be held from October 1 through 4 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The theme of this year's conference will be "Information Systems Security: Requirements and Practices." The conference highlights new approaches and future trends in information security and will include tutorials on security practices and instruction on how to build an effective computer security education program. The conference is sponsored by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and the National Security Agency. To register, contact Tammie Grice at NIST, 301-975-2775. (John McCormick/19910812/Press Contact: John Makulowich, NIST, 301-975-2762) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 GATES PROFILE IN SEPTEMBER PLAYBOY 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00005) GATES PROFILE IN SEPTEMBER PLAYBOY 08/12/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- David Rensin writes in his September Playboy Magazine profile of Bill Gates, "Soft Icon," that on a recent vacation to the beaches of Brazil, Bill Gates -- the founder of Microsoft -- was found reading James D. Satson's book "Molecular Biology of the Gene" rather than ogling the bathing beauties Brazil is famous for. Although not one of the famous Playboy interviews, the profile does include quotes from a former girlfriend and Gates himself as well as other acquaintances. The article describes Gates as an "eccentric" although, in one example seemingly cited as showing how eccentric he is, his propensity for watching Oscar Winning Movies in preference to regular TV fare, seems to be less eccentric than just a sign of intelligence. (John McCormick/19910812) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 UNIFI GETS CALL ROUTING PATENT 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006) UNIFI GETS CALL ROUTING PATENT 08/12/91 BILLERICA, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Patent number 5,036,535 has gone to Unifi Communications for its PhoneServer software technology. The patent covers both a concept and its implementation in software. PhoneServer lets telecommunications managers use Unix or Windows 3.0 based computers on their own premises to program and control call routing in the public network. Before PhoneServer, all call routing was handled within the public network and was not programmable from a customer site. Products embracing the patented technology are due out in October, but it will be shown first at two trade shows -- the Call Center Technologies show in Toronto this month and the TCA show in San Diego in September. "The patent covers both the concept of what we have done as well as the implementation, and the concept is a big part of the patent," Bob Pokress of the company told Newsbytes. Pokress added that Unifi is willing to license the patent, in conjunction with its software technology, and said that the company knows of no firms infringing on its technology at this time. Unifi's initial implementation of PhoneServer technology enables users to create software-based call processing programs for automatic call distribution, Centrex key systems and PBX systems. PhoneServer software captures a call while it comes in, queries databases for information on the call, and directs the public phone network to switch it to the best-suited destination as programmed by the user. All that is required is PhoneServer and a standard ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) interface to the phone network, the company claims. Companies can place people and equipment anywhere on the public network and still maintain control and management. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910812/Press Contact: Unifi, Bob Pokress, 508/663-7570) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 EZ-INSTALL FOR DEVELOPERS TO CREATE WINDOWS INSTALLS 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00007) EZ-INSTALL FOR DEVELOPERS TO CREATE WINDOWS INSTALLS 08/12/91 DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- The Software Factory says that Ez-install, its product for creating a "bullet-proof" installation program for software developers, is now available for creating software installation routines for Microsoft Windows 3.0. The Software Factory says that Ez-install version 4.0 has several advantages over a software developer writing an installation. The product gives a friendly introduction to the software to users who install with an installation created by the package, the installation routines are comprehensive, thorough and can be created in less time, the company claims. Although Ez-install has always been able to control the modification of a user's AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files, version 4.0 now has the ability to automate the modification and updating of Windows initialization (.INI) files, the company added. Brad Whitlock, president of the Software Factory said the program can control the computer's environment settings, the number of files that can be open, and the number of buffers that can be used, loading drives for screens or peripheral devices into computer memory. Whitlock added that the difference lies in the fact that the .INI files are divided into subgroups for each program and allow the developer to control things like keyboard speed, cursor blink rate, desktop patterns, printer settings, ports, fonts, colors and other settings for each individual program. Rather than the developer trying to write a program to handle the modification of the .INI files, or facing the prospect of attempting to tell the user how to do the modification with a word processor or text editor, the developer can tell Ez-install what to look for and what changes are needed, he added. Ez-install also handles all the regular installation procedures, like checking for the necessary amount of disk space, creates batch start-up files if necessary, checks to see if directories or sub-directories exist, checks for duplicate filenames, and has automatic network detection, the company said. Developers also have the option of changing the appearance of the install program, if they wish, Whitlock said. The program also includes a file compression utility to save distribution disk space that automatically decompresses upon installation, and can even split large data files between disks, the company said. Ez-install 4.0 is being offered until September 30, 1991 for a retail price of $199. An OS/2 version is available for $349 and a Combo Pak with DOS and OS/2 versions is $449. More information is available from the Software Factory at 17610 Midway Road, Suite 134-222, Dallas, Texas, 75287. Telephone: 214-490-0835; fax: 214-306-4552. (Linda Rohrbough/19910812/Press Contact: Brad Whitlock, The Software Company, Tel: 214/490-0835, Fax: 214/306-4552) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 FIRST OBJECT-ORIENTED LIBRARY FOR WINDOWS RELEASED 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00008) FIRST OBJECT-ORIENTED LIBRARY FOR WINDOWS RELEASED 08/12/91 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Data Techniques Incorporated (DTI) says it is marketing Imageman, which it claims is the first and only object-oriented library for developers to add display of images and print capabilities to Microsoft Windows 3.0 applications. John Davis, vice president of DTI, said that companies have used ImageMan for applications such as associating graphic images with text, displaying employee pictures with the employee's record in a database, processing/archiving documents and displaying the source document a database entry came from. A developer has several advantages using ImageMan to display and print graphics images beside the fact that the library works under Windows, Davis added. DTI is constantly supporting new graphic image file formats, he said, but a developer who gets an upgrade from DTI with new file formats does not have to rewrite his code to update the application. All that has to be done is to copy the new file with the new formats over the old description file, and the application now can talk to those new graphics images formats. No writing of code or compilation is necessary, he added. Users of the applications can be upgraded in the same manner as well, said Davis. ImageMan currently supports TIFF, PCX, Encapsulated Postscript, Windows Metafile and Bitmap image formats. The package is supplied as a Windows Dynamic Link Library (DLL), meaning it can be used with any language that supports DLL calls, including C, C++, Turbo Pascal for Windows, Visual Basic, Smalltalk/V, and Actor. According to DTI, the package supports any Windows display or any Windows printer, and is coded in C so that executes quickly. The source code of the program is available and the product is royalty free. ImageMan retails for $395 and $995 with the source code. More information is available toll free from DTI at 800-868-8003 or by fax at 912-651-8021. DTI is located at 1000 Business Center Drive, Suite 120, Savannah, Georgia, 31405. (Linda Rohrbough/19910812/Press Contact: John Davis, Data Techniques, Tel: 912/651-8003, Fax: 912/651-8021) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 NEW FOR MAC: Mobius Display Boosts Classic To IIci Speed 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00009) NEW FOR MAC: Mobius Display Boosts Classic To IIci Speed 08/12/91 EMERYVILLE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- The new "030" display system from Mobius Technologies increases the performance of the Apple Macintosh Classic by up to six times, and gives it the operating speed of a Mac IIci, claims the company. The display gives the Mac Classic a large screen and 25 MHz speed for the suggested price of $1,145. A two page system is set to list for $1,345. Both will be available by September 1991. "Classic owners will have the speed and display area that are necessary to run System 7.0's features productively," said Kamran Mohsenin, president of Mobius. The company said that it will also offer virtual memory for either the SE or the Classic. System 7.0 does not support virtual memory on the low-end Macs. But if Connectix Corporation's Virtual 3.0 software is used the Mobius accelerated Mac can access up to 16 megabytes of application memory, four times the memory normally associated with the SE and Classic, said the company. Mobius is including Connectix's Virtual 3.0 through December 1, 1991, with its $295 PMMU option (as an upgrade for the basic 68030 Display System, which does not include that processor) and its complete "PV" 030 display systems (which include the PMMU). A one page 030 Display for the Classic with virtual memory is available for $1,295 direct from Mobius. The $199 Connectix software is available at no extra cost to the customer. Previous customers who purchased the PMMU option can upgrade to Virtual 3.0 for $50. Both the Mobius large external display and the Mac's built-in monitor can be used at the same time using the company's dual screen software. Mobius' monochrome displays meet Swedish standards for low emissions. Both monitors offer a 75 Hz refresh rate, and the one page display has a 78 dots-per-inch (dpi) resolution, while the two page display offers 75 dpi. (Ian Stokell/19910812/Press Contact: Paul Worthington, Mobius Technologies Inc., 415-654-0556) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 THE EARTH WILL TALK TO YOU FOR $2 PER MINUTE 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010) THE EARTH WILL TALK TO YOU FOR $2 PER MINUTE 08/12/91 FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- It sounds at first a return to the old days of the caller-paid 900 industry, where sexy female voices spilled their fears and fantasies for high fees. But this voice is that of Mother Earth, and for $2 per minute she'll tell you all about what you can do for her. Environmation Group has created the service, which mixes humor and simple hints to help the Earth recover from man's predation of her. The number is 1-900-988-0023, ext. 409, and a portion of the charges go to un-named national non-profit organizations involved in conservation. Sample topics from the line include motor oil recycling, diaper selection, cleaning products, water conservation and efficient lighting. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910812/Press Contact: Environmation Group, Karen E. Fritz, 303/484-6725) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 NEW FOR MAC: Great Plains Intros Accounting Series Version 6 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00011) NEW FOR MAC: Great Plains Intros Accounting Series Version 6 08/12/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Great Plains Software (GPS) has introduced version 6 of its Great Plains Accounting series at MacWorld, and says it will release a Apple Macintosh standalone report writer. The Great Plains accounting programs, as well as a client/server module released earlier this summer, are claimed to be fully compatible with Apple System 7.0. There are 12 separate modules in the series. A new module is System Manager with Executive Advisor, which includes graphics reporting and analysis functions, enhanced printing capabilities, a macro keystroke recorder, and the ability to customize menus. The company said that the client/server module provides more powerful Macintosh networks "by improving performance speed by as much as 150 percent and reducing network traffic up to 75 percent." According to GPS, the general ledger with financial report generator now has expanded capabilities including unlimited budgeting and history, financial report generation, and automatic transaction allocation. All modules are said to have more extensive reporting capabilities now. Great Plains said that it has given the packaging a new look and has enhanced the documentation to include more detailed and intuitive information, as well as adding graphics and more examples. The suggested retail price for version 6 has not changed, with most modules priced at $795. System Manager with Executive Advisor is required, and is priced at $295 for a single user, and $1,295 for multi-user systems up to four workstations. (Jim Mallory/19910812/Press contact: Jody Braatan, Great Plains, 701-281-3333) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 UK: FRONTIER SOFTWARE ENDS 2-DAY DISPATCH GUARANTEE 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00012) UK: FRONTIER SOFTWARE ENDS 2-DAY DISPATCH GUARANTEE 08/12/91 HARROGATE, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Frontier Software, the manufacturer of peripherals for PCs, has ended its "two days or 25 percent discount" offer after a three month period. The company claims that it has not had to offer a 25 percent discount to anyone during the offer period. Martin Walsh, Frontier's marketing manager, said that the two-day dispatch guarantee was introduced to assure customers that they would receive products shortly after they were ordered. "We started to offer the two-day dispatch after we realized that many of our competitors which don't manufacture their own ST products were not giving a good dispatch service. They were often cashing or processing credit cards and then dispatching products after days, weeks or even months," he said. "We felt that, by offering a 25 percent discount we would attract ST users to the fact that our dispatch times and service are some of the best in the industry. If we had failed to dispatch an order within two working days, we would have given the customer an extra 25 percent discount," he added. Walsh went on to say that the offer appears to have been a great success. "Not only have we not had to give anyone a 25 percent discount, but we have almost always been able to dispatch orders on the same day," he said. "Even though the offer has now ended, we have streamlined our dispatch and production departments. We believe that we will be able to maintain the same speed of dispatch and quality of customer service," he added. Frontier is throwing down the gauntlet on the subject of dispatch delivery guarantees. Walsh said he doubts that any of the competition would or could offer such a guarantee. (Steve Gold/19910812/Press & Public Contact: Frontier Software - Tel: 0423-567140; Fax: 0423-522874; email on Cix/Usenet: Frontier@cix.uucp.uk) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOY SECOND IN INT'L COMPUTER COMP 08/08/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00013) AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOY SECOND IN INT'L COMPUTER COMP 08/08/91 MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- A sixteen year old schoolboy from Melbourne's suburbs has been awarded second place in the 1991 International Computer Problem Solving Competition senior division. Entries can consist of groups of up to five students, but Peter Yandell, a year 12 (the final school year in Australia) student entered by himself and beat teams from the US, Canada, Ireland, and South Africa. Yandell said he plans to attend either Melbourne or Monash University to study computer science or digital technology. A total of 2,000 teams participated this year in one of three categories - elementary, junior and senior. The Australian division of the competition is held at Melbourne High School, and is sponsored by the Australian Computer Society. (Sean McNamara/19910812) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OPENS CAD AND MODELLING FACILITY 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00014) AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OPENS CAD AND MODELLING FACILITY 08/12/91 BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- The Mount Gravatt College of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) has opened a computer design and modelling facility. According to the college, the AUS$1.4 million facility will be a boon to the Queensland plastics industry, as it features the laser technology which is used to model objects designed in CAD (computer-aided design) software. An AUS$650,000 grant from the Queensland State Government was the main impetus behind the facility, along with significant discounts or waived fees from the commercial sector. The companies involved in supplying the equipment were Silicon Graphics and Melbourne-based VIPAC Engineers and Scientists. Silicon Graphics has also devoted an engineer to the project for 12 months. The main advantage for local industry will not only come from students trained at the facility, but also directly through the use of the facilities to hasten the development and testing of products. These products are expected to include medical prosthetic devices, jewelry and automotive components. (Sean McNamara/19910812) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 AUSTRALIA: ACADEMICS USE OF E-MAIL AT UNIV. TOO HIGH 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00015) AUSTRALIA: ACADEMICS USE OF E-MAIL AT UNIV. TOO HIGH 08/12/91 WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Computer support staff at Wollongong University have warned academics to temper their enthusiasm for a newly installed electronic mail system, believing that high usage levels may be in danger of affecting performance. One area of caution centers on the use of e-mail in an internal debate about the management of the University -- where support staff see possible action over defamatory and abusive messages. Another area of concern for the staff relates to over usage and abuse of the system. Despite a previous request, staff are still circulating trivial messages detailing social events and raffle sales. As a response to the main problem of overloading the system with unimportant messages, support staff are considering disallowing messages to be sent to all users, as well as rescinding the accounts of users who frequently flout the "no trivia" rules. Support staff consider warnings about the possible legal implications of abusive messages to be sufficient for the time being. (Sean McNamara/19910812) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 OCTEL SIGNS AGREEMENT TO MOVE IVR SOFTWARE TO UNIX 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00016) OCTEL SIGNS AGREEMENT TO MOVE IVR SOFTWARE TO UNIX 08/12/91 MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Octel Communications has signed the company's first co-marketing agreement with Wesson, Taylor, Wells and Associates, for custom software development services to move its Transact interactive voice response (IVR) software to Unix-based Hewlett-Packard computers. The software allows a computer to become a voice information processing system. With the system a user can call in using a telephone keypad and get information from a database, check their voice mail, or have a fax sent to them or someone else, said a spokesperson for Octel. According to Octel, one of the advantages to having information retrievable using a telephone is that users already know how to use a telephone keypad, thus eliminating a major training hurdle. Octel identifies multi-vendor and multi-platform areas, open systems, and connectivity as issues that previously were not considered a high priority in telecommunications, but are now receiving attention as telecommunications and management information systems, begin to merge, a spokesperson for Octel said. The company's intention is to address those issues, and the beginning of that is to move Transact to other hardware platforms, he added. Wesson, Taylor, Wells & Associates is a software consulting firm which provides project management, system integration, customized application development, software conversion and software migrations, the company said. (Linda Rohrbough/19910812/Press Contact: Barbara Burdick, Octel, Tel: 408/945-3245, Fax: 408/946-7591) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ENVIRONMATION GROUP ANNOUNCES DONATION PLANS 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017) ENVIRONMATION GROUP ANNOUNCES DONATION PLANS 08/12/91 FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- The Environmation Group, which is sponsoring a $2 per minute 900-number devoted to environmental tips using a voice of Mother Earth, told Newsbytes of its plans for the money. Karen Fritz said: "The Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club are getting the donations. They asked me to prove myself before I put them in my press materials." "I'm starting at 10 percent of profits, and hope to get it up to 25 percent," after her own costs are fully satisfied, she added. Environmation Group's service says it mixes humor and simple hints to help the Earth recover from man's predation of her. The number is 1-900-988-0023, ext. 409. Sample topics from the line include motor oil recycling, diaper selection, cleaning products, water conservation and efficient lighting. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910812/Press Contact: Environmation Group, Karen E. Fritz, 303/484-6725) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 BELLSOUTH TO RESELL NCR ISDN TECHNOLOGY 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018) BELLSOUTH TO RESELL NCR ISDN TECHNOLOGY 08/12/91 DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- NCR, which only recently formed a new telecommunications group to sell computers to AT&T and the regional Bell companies, is already getting its first orders. The 100 year old company, which is in the process of being acquired by AT&T, and taking over its computer business, said that BellSouth Information Systems will use its ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) terminal adapters with its ORIGIN software. The software and adapters will let customers in the South East conduct voice and data communications over a single ISDN line. BellSouth will also re-sell the company's NCR Voice/Data Manager software application in conjunction with the ISDN terminal adapter card and voice response chip. VDM can record incoming messages from callers, leave pre-recorded messages, transfer or receive files and screens or process multiple telephone calls over a single line. BellSouth will also use the system in its own customer response centers to track and transfer calls to service agents. The system runs under Unix, and versions are also available under MS-DOS and OS/2. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910812/Press Contact: NCR, Patricia Dan, 513/445-5236; BellSouth, Atlanta Judy Shaw, 404/621-5464) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 GENERAL DATACOMM BUYS BELL ATLANTIC FRENCH UNIT 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019) GENERAL DATACOMM BUYS BELL ATLANTIC FRENCH UNIT 08/12/91 MIDDLEBURY, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- General DataComm (GD) has completed the purchase of Eurotech France, a Paris-based systems integrator which was previously owned by Bell Atlantic. Purchase terms were not disclosed. Eurotech had been GD's distributor in France, and its products comprised about 60 percent of the French company's sales. Under the agreement, service, installation, maintenance and customer support on all products and for all Eurotech customers will be continue to be provided by SORBUS, the computer service unit of Bell Atlantic. GD said it bought the company because the French telecommunications market has been "virtually deregulated," and because it helped it bring in three large contracts. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910812/Press Contact: Theresa A. Carpentieri, General DataComm, 203-574-1118x6122) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ACG TO ACQUIRE CANADIAN FIBER OPTIC FIRM 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020) ACG TO ACQUIRE CANADIAN FIBER OPTIC FIRM 08/12/91 ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- With the conversion of most major trunk lines to fiber cable complete, a shake-out is continuing in the industry. The shake-up continued when American Consolidated Growth said its fiber subsidiary, Advance Display Technologies, agreed to buy Strahl Technologies, a small Canadian fiber optic development, manufacturing and marketing company based in Vancouver. Strahl has a patented piezo-electric "light gate" currently used for billboards scoreboards, public information and other visual display panels. It also sells its products to the medical and military markets. The Vancouver-based fiber optic company has developed various display products for industrial, consumer, educational, medical and military applications. Its president, J. Rodney Gage, will become president of ADTI. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910812/Press Contact: Robert Wetzel, ACGC, 303-793-0500) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 STP BUG HAS GIVEN DSC FINANCIAL PNEUMONIA 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021) STP BUG HAS GIVEN DSC FINANCIAL PNEUMONIA 08/12/91 PLANO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- The notorious bug in its Signal Transfer Points (STPs), which caused a series of phone service outages on both coasts earlier in the summer, has apparently given DSC Communications financial pneumonia. The telecommunications equipment company confirmed it cut 500 workers, 12 percent of its total staff, to cut costs, and reported a $25.7 million loss for its most recent quarter. Sales for the quarter were down 4.6 percent, that DSC admitted was partly due to the mishaps in its Signal Transfer Points, which pass call records in digital telecommunications systems. A bug in the STPs caused them to overload during power surges in Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles after a spring software upgrade, and the failure cascaded to take down the service of several million customers. A weak economy was also cited by DSC in its financial statement. DSC also makes switches and other equipment used by telephone companies. Separately, Moody's lowered its rating on DSC's subordinated debt to Caa from B-2. DSC has said it cannot meet interest payments on $71.5 million of debentures because it does not have the approval of its senior lenders. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910812/Press Contact: DSC, Terry Adams, 214- 519-4358) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 NEW FOR TELECOM: Galacticomm Intros Major BBS Version 5.3 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022) NEW FOR TELECOM: Galacticomm Intros Major BBS Version 5.3 08/12/91 FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Galacticomm has released Version 5.3 of its Major BBS bulletin board system software. The new release includes electronic mail distribution lists and local area network (LAN) access, allowing it to support log-ons to the BBS through a Novell NetWare system. The Standard Edition of the project will also support connections through direct hardwired connections to a network. "If a company has a 32 line Major BBS, and 20 employees are connected to a LAN, all 20 can log-on to the BBS at the same time and the system will still have 12 channels remaining for incoming, modem-based calls," explained president Bob Stein. The LAN support is important, and is part of a growing trend in the BBS industry. Many large commercial boards have found they need LANs in order to have the power to run dozens of modems. Many business BBS customers have found they need LAN support so they can integrate the boards into their regular computer systems. The Galacticomm release is the second of three major BBS software upgrades due during the summer. Mustang Software had previously announced completion of version 3.0 of its Wildcat program and eSoft plans a late-summer release of version 3.0 of its TBBS program. All three companies are adding LAN support and support for more nodes in order to catch up with market-leader Clark Development, which makes PC Board. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910812/Press Contact: Galacticomm, Bob Stein, 305-583-5990) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ****1,800 TO ATTEND MICROSOFT DEVELOPER'S CONFERENCE 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00023) ****1,800 TO ATTEND MICROSOFT DEVELOPER'S CONFERENCE 08/12/91 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation says that more than 1,800 software developers from all over the world will attend a software developers conference which starts today. Attendees are expecting to get an early look at the next version of Windows. Microsoft says that extraordinary interest on the part of developers has jumped the attendance to three times what the company originally estimated, and hotels and motels in the downtown Seattle area are filled. City officials say that because of the large number of attendees moving between the various conference locations, Microsoft was required to obtain a parade permit. Getting into the spirit of the conference, Seattle Mayor Norman Rice will proclaim the week of August 11th "Software Developers Week" in recognition of the contribution software development makes to the Seattle area economy. In addition to Microsoft, other software companies also make their home in the area. Microsoft says that conference attendees, who come from the corporate as well as the commercial software development community, will learn technical details and software tools that they will later use to develop applications for the next version of Microsoft Windows release 3.1. As part of the festivities, conference attendees will parade from the Fifth Avenue Theater to the Westin Hotel along a balloon decorated Fifth Avenue. The marchers will step off to the beat of a Dixieland marching band. Some of the additional interest may be due to Windows Discovery Days, a 24-city tour that Microsoft launched in June. Discovery Days toured the country introducing general business users to the use of Windows in a corporate environment. Attendees at Discovery Days had the opportunity to win a PC and Windows-based software. Discovery Days began in Los Angeles and will wind up in November of this year. (Jim Mallory/19910812/Press contact: Liz Sidnam, Microsoft, 206- 882-8080) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ****HEWLETT-PACKARD TO CUT DEEPLY IN COLORADO 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00024) ****HEWLETT-PACKARD TO CUT DEEPLY IN COLORADO 08/12/91 COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard, which like many other computer companies has been looking for ways to reduce expenses, has ordered most of its 1,900 employees in Colorado Springs and the 1,500 in Loveland to stay at home for three days without pay before October 31st. The other 7,600 employees in HP's Test and Measurement organization, consisting of 21 divisions in four states and Europe got the same message. Apparently none of the more than 80,000 employees in HP's two other major groups is required to take the enforced vacation, however, most of the company will take paid vacation from December 23 through December 27. HP was quick to note that the unpaid vacation does not mean the test and measurement group is weak. In an interview with a local newspaper, HP spokesperson Mike Gospe said that the unpaid vacation is: "a response both to economic conditions as well as the overall corporate strategy to try to restructure itself to meet increased competition." In July HP initiated its "voluntary severance incentive," a program which paid bonuses to employees who quit, and is trying to entice older workers to retire. However, the company was not optimistic about the number that would accept the early retirement offer. Employees opting to quit and receive a bonus will receive from six to 12 months salary, depending on tenure. HP operates two facilities in Colorado Springs. One makes oscilloscopes and logic analyzers used for designing electronic circuits. The Telecommunications Division makes tools that troubleshoot problems in computer networks. (Jim Mallory/19910812) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ****PC 10TH ANNVERSARY - BORLAND'S KAHN EXPOUNDS 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025) ****PC 10TH ANNVERSARY - BORLAND'S KAHN EXPOUNDS 08/12/91 SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Philippe Kahn, chief executive officer of Borland International, one of the largest computer software companies in the world, said on this 10th anniversary of the introduction of the IBM personal computer (PC) that the technological changes in the next 10 years will make the decade look like slow motion. Kahn, whose company is a leader in object-oriented software technology said: "In particular, object-orientation will revolutionize computer software just like microprocessors changed the face of the hardware industry in the '70s." "The software business is going to undergo a revolution akin to the one that has happened in hardware. The move from transistors to integrated circuits introduced multi-application, compact components that were proven and extremely high performance. Object-oriented technology offers these advantages to the software industry," he added. Kahn said he sees his company's focus on esstentials -- substance over form -- as Borland's greatest strength: "Impatience is a rare virtue. ...Usability is key. With software, we figure that we have about five minutes. If the user can't operate the program without a manual in this amount of time he gets frustrated." "In the decade ahead, customers will demand software products that interoperate and share information. The success of client/server architecture is dependent upon interoperable software applications," he added. Kahn also thinks that this tendency in the software industry to think being the first to market with a product is what counts is fiction. He cites Quattro Pro as an example. "...We entered the spreadsheet market years after our top competitor [Lotus 1-2-3], and doubled our market share last year on the technical strength of our product." "The same has been true for database management software and development tools. Being first buys you a short term advantage. Being best establishes a very special relationship with your customers," he said. Kahn termed Borland's approach as developing `Best of Breed' products. That strategy seems to have worked. Borland reported profits for the first quarter of fiscal year 1992 as $77 million, an increase of over 87.6 percent on the same period of 1991. Last quarter of 1991, the company showed profits of $70 million and a net income of just under $8.5 million. Borland's product line currently includes Paradox, Quattro Pro, ObjectVision, Borland C++, Turbo C++, Turbo Pascal for Windows and Sidekick. (Linda Rohrbough/19910812/Press Contact: Sandra Hawker, Borland, Tel: 408/439-1659) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ARCHIVE LOSES $50.3 MILLION IN THIRD QUARTER 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00026) ARCHIVE LOSES $50.3 MILLION IN THIRD QUARTER 08/12/91 COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Archive Corporation has reported losses of more than of $50.3 million or $3.83 per share, for its third quarter of fiscal year 1991. The company said that it anticipated the losses in a June 1991 press release. Reported net revenue of $84.3 million was down 15 percent from the $99.2 million from a year earlier. Archive itemizes the loss as $5.3 million in losses including $4.3 million in interest expense prior to restructuring costs, and restructuring charges of $45 million. Of the $45 million in restructuring charges, $30.5 million was goodwill write-downs related to the acquisition of Cipher Data Products and $14.5 million was to close down or relocate facilities and severance for terminated employees. The $30.5 million is a one-time accounting adjustment with no case flow impact. Archive says that the restructuring charges were 90 percent of the reported losses, and were predicted in a press release on June 24, 1991. Due to the decreases in revenue, the company says it is taking steps to restore profitability including reduction of the workforce, spending cutbacks, and "strong asset management." Blame falls on the recession, the company said, but it has been able to decrease outstanding sales from 60 days to 52 days on the average, and increase inventory turns from four to five times in comparison to the same period a year ago. Archive has also sought revisions to its credit agreement with its senior lender, so reductions in principal payments have been arranged for fiscal year 1992 and 1993 from $37 million and $25 million to $15 million and $19 million respectively. The senior lender will receive warrants for 700,000 shares of Archive common stock, but the warrants are not exercisable for three years and the company can buy the warrants back under certain circumstances. Archive makes removable data storage products for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and resellers. Archive products are available for minicomputers, workstations, multi-user systems and personal computers (PCs). (Linda Rohrbough/19910812/Press Contact: Terri Douglas, Archive, Tel: 714/641-4483, Fax: 714/966-4743) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ****IBM SELLS HELICOPTER TO ROYAL NAVY 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00027) ****IBM SELLS HELICOPTER TO ROYAL NAVY 08/12/91 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- London papers have reported that the British Ministry of Defence has decided to award the contract for the Royal Navy's new Merlin helicopter to a consortium composed of IBM and the British company Westland Group Plc. This award, if made, comes in the face of criticism of awarding the contract to a United States firm. The Sunday Times, quoting unnamed industry sources, said THAT Defence Secretary Tom King had overruled a recommendation from his own officials that rival bidders British Aerospace Plc and General Electric Co Plc should be chosen. The report also said that the government will say the IBM- Westland bid was lower, although the sources were quoted as saying BAe-GEC subsequently lowered their price almost to their rivals' level. The Sunday Telegraph newspaper said the chief executive of British Aerospace made a personal appeal to Prime Minister John Major to stop the contract for the EH101 Merlin going to the U.S. Attempts by the Reuters News Service to obtain comments from from IBM or the British Ministry of Defence were unsuccessful. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910812) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 AT&T & NCR FILE MERGER PAPERS WITH SEC 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00028) AT&T & NCR FILE MERGER PAPERS WITH SEC 08/12/91 DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- AT&T and NCR have announced that they have jointly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration statements for the issuance of AT&T common stock in connection with the proposed merger and for a public offering of 6.3 million shares of NCR common stock Also filed with the SEC was NCR's proxy statement relating to shareholder approval of the $7,400 million merger announced in May of this year. NCR said that it "expects to mail the proxy statement to its shareholders by the end of next week". According to the joint statement from both companies, the NCR shares sold under the stock offering will be converted automatically into shares of AT&T common stock as a consequence of the merger, so that investors will receive AT&T shares in the public offering. Based on an assumed exchange ratio of 2.986 AT&T shares for each NCR share, plans call for the NCR shares to be converted into 18,811,800 shares of AT&T common stock. The actual exchange ratio for the NCR shares in the offering will be fixed prior to the special meeting of NCR shareholders to vote on the merger proposal. The exchange ratio will be based on the average closing price of AT&T stock during the 20 consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading day prior to the special meeting of NCR shareholders. NCR expects to announce the date of the special meeting early next week. Both firms also announced the appointment of the investment banking firms of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., and Goldman Sachs & Co. as co-managers of the United States and Canadian portion of the offering. The US and Canadian portion of the offering will consist of 5.4 million NCR shares and international portion of the offering, which will consist of the remaining 900,000 shares, will be managed by Morgan Stanley International, Dillon, Read Securities Limited, and Goldman Sachs International Limited. NCR spokesperson Robert Farkas told Newsbytes that: "Although we don't know exactly how long SEC review will take, we are working toward the completion of the merger by September month end." (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910812/Press Contacts: Robert Farkas, NCR Corporation, 513-445-2078; Jane Biba, AT&T, 908-221-4011) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 TORONTO FIRM PUTS CHILDREN'S BOOKS IN MULTIMEDIA FORM 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00029) TORONTO FIRM PUTS CHILDREN'S BOOKS IN MULTIMEDIA FORM 08/12/91 TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Discis Knowledge Research is offering a series of children's books in the form of multi-media software for the Apple Macintosh. The three-year-old company uses multimedia to add features such as speech, music, and sound effects. The metaphor of a book is preserved on the computer screen, said Richard Wah Kan, vice-president of market development. Each screen looks like a page. To turn the page, the user clicks with the mouse on the corner. The Mac's built-in audio capabilities provide a reading of the text while it is displayed on the screen, with music and sound effects added. Another feature is the ability to click on a word and hear it pronounced, and see a definition. Similar explanations are available for pictures. Discis currently has 11 of the multimedia books available, at prices from US$75 to US$90. But future possibilities go beyond children's books. "What we have developed here is a technology for putting a printed book on a screen," Wah Kan said. "It just so happens we started out with kids' books." Rana Mainee, a consultant with Waltham, Massachusetts-based research firm Inteco Corporation, said training and education are currently the most active areas of multimedia applications development, though the business market will ultimately be larger. (Grant Buckler/19910812/Press Contact: Fiona Ferguson or Richard Wah Kan, Discis Knowledge Research, 416-250-6537, fax 416-250- 6540) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 12 ****MANZI TO KEYNOTE CANADA'S NETCON CONFERENCE 08/12/91 08/12/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00030) ****MANZI TO KEYNOTE CANADA'S NETCON CONFERENCE 08/12/91 TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 12 (NB) -- Jim Manzi, president and chief executive officer of Lotus Development, will be the keynote speaker at NetCon, a networking and connectivity conference scheduled for September 26 and 27. Ed McMahon, marketing manager for show organizers Plesman Publications, told Newsbytes that this will be Manzi's first major address in Canada. NetCon will be held in the Automotive Building at the Canadian National Exhibition Grounds. About 100 exhibitors, including Apple Computer and networking heavyweights Novell and Banyan, have signed up, McMahon said. (Grant Buckler/19910812/Press Contact: Ed McMahon, Plesman Publications, 416-497-9562, fax 416-497-9427) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 HOUSE BILL WOULD LIMIT WORKER MONITORING 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00001) HOUSE BILL WOULD LIMIT WORKER MONITORING 08/09/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Responding to the many complaints of workers who report increased strain because they feel that their bosses are using computer networks to monitor their work, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill, "The Privacy for Consumers and Workers Act," H.R. 1218, that would strictly limit employers' right to monitor employee production and also require that workers be warned when they are being watched. The advent of computer software that can easily monitor the efficiency of word processor, key input, and other computer workers has had a major impact on the workplace, with some unions and employees charging that the days of the sweatshop and constant supervision have returned. Bills introduced in the House by Representative Pat Williams, Democrat from Montana, and in the Senate by Senator Paul Simon, Democrat from Illinois, require that data collection be limited to that which is specifically relevant to work performance, and further that those being monitored be notified by some sort of electronic or other indication. Not surprisingly, representatives from Pacific Bell and the National Association of Manufacturers have testified against the bill before the House Subcommittee on Labor-Management Relations. Individual employees from companies that perform routine work- performance monitoring testified in favor of the bill, which has garnered more than 100 cosponsors in the House. (John McCormick/19910809) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00002) ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 08/09/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief look at some computer stories carried in other publications received here this past week. September's UnixWorld looks at the growth of commercial interest in Internet and how this will affect the mostly academic network. The August 5 Communications Week investigates whether MS-DOS 5.0 delivers on its promises to network users. This week's issue of InformationWeek focuses on the growth of the PC on the 10th anniversary of its introduction by IBM. Computer Reseller News Dated August 5 publishes a Gallup Organization poll showing that small businesses are not increasing their spending on microcomputers. Network World for August 5 says that "The Biggest Little City in the World," Reno, Nevada, plans to lay fiber optic networks to improve city and county services through the use of a high-speed local area network. August 5th's ComputerWorld starts a two-part series on recent advances in computer security. The August 5 issue of Government Computer News contains a profile of how the U.S. Air Force uses computers and the lessons learned during Operation Desert Storm. MacWorld for September reviews nine word processors for the Mac, tests 73 external hard drives, and takes a long look at Apple Computer. The August Communications of the ACM focuses on real-time knowledge-based control systems. (John McCormick/19910809) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 AUSTRALIA: MORE FIRMS CONSCIOUS OF SOFTWARE PIRACY 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00003) AUSTRALIA: MORE FIRMS CONSCIOUS OF SOFTWARE PIRACY 08/09/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Despite wide publicity about software piracy within corporations, many companies are only just thinking about their own responsibility. Some have recently issued press releases showing their anti-piracy actions. Nissan (the car manufacturer) says it has around 600 PCs in Australia and these have all been audited to determine the legitimacy of loaded software. Nissan wouldn't say how much of the software found on its machines couldn't be reconciled with purchase documentation, but admitted it was a worrying amount. "Department managers removed all illegal copies, replacing some with legitimate product," said Nissan. The company now has a software register, and will install most software on networked machines, better enabling it to log software as it is installed and removed from machines. It is approaching software vendors to purchase multi-copy licences wherever possible - some companies like Ashton-Tate have only just introduced the "license pak" concept of buying the right to make multiple copies of software. The Business Software Association of Australia has launched another campaign to catch pirates, this time targeting guilty dealers. 1500 dealers have been contacted and asked to report other dealers they believe to be installing pirated software on PCs to "add to their [PC's] value." (Paul Zucker/19910809) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 COMPUSERVE IN AUSTRALIA - THANKS TO FUJITSU 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00004) COMPUSERVE IN AUSTRALIA - THANKS TO FUJITSU 08/09/91 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Although there have been some 700 Compuserve users in Australia, high costs imposed by the international data connections have precluded the service from attracting more subscribers. Now, Fujitsu Australia has brought the service into Australia and although still much more expensive than in the US, it has already attracted more than 1000 new members. Compuserve, with its estimate of 750,000 users worldwide, is the largest dial-up information service in the world, and provides over 1500 databases and more than 500 electronic magazines, as well as electronic shopping, entertainment and much more. Most Australian users have been corporates, paying around US$65 per hour for electronic mail and to access vendor support areas. Now, the service is available in Australian and New Zealand capital cities, with a local call. The basic option (for private users) is around US$28 per hour, with a US$3 monthly minimum. Business users are obliged to use a minimum number of hours per month, depending on their level. To encourage tire-kickers, Fujitsu is distributing free kits which give all information necessary to log onto the system, plus about US$15 in access credit. Since you need to join the system to get this freebie (giving credit card details, or alternative) industry observers feel most lookers will want to spend longer online than they can for nothing, thus incurring their first bill. (Paul Zucker/19910809) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 FREE VIRUS CHECKS FOR FED MICRO GOERS 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00005) FREE VIRUS CHECKS FOR FED MICRO GOERS 08/09/91 SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Ray Glath, founder of RG Software and creator of VI-Spy anti virus software, has recognized that company demo disks could be carrying virus infections and is offering free virus checks to those Fed Micro attendees who stop by his booth (#970) during the August 20-21 exhibition and conference held in Washington, DC. Ray points out that as recently as last month over 500 Oracle Corporation demo diskettes were mailed out with an unintended copy of the Stoned Virus on the disks. An Oracle representative told Newsbytes this week that all recipients had been reached and new, clean copies of the demo had been sent to replace the infected disks, but there is no report of how many users' computers might have been infected before they were notified of the problem. (John McCormick/199189/Press Contact: Beverly Ann Glath, RG Software, 602-423-8000) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 PRODIGY "NO PEEKING" PRIVACY DISK OFFERED TO MEMBERS 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00006) PRODIGY "NO PEEKING" PRIVACY DISK OFFERED TO MEMBERS 08/09/91 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- The Prodigy Interactive Personal Service, an electronic, interactive computer service, is offering a free software disk to fix member concerns more than anything else. Prodigy is offering the disk to "...alay concerns that it was invading the privacy of people who use its electronic information and shopping service," reported the Wall Street Journal. Prodigy users had discovered files created and accessed by Prodigy, specifically STAGE.DAT and CACHE.DAT on their hard disks contained information they had never offered Prodigy. Though the information was in pieces, users became alarmed. The Wall Street Journal reported these "snippets" of information could theoretically be peered at by Prodigy. Prodigy says the problem is an unintentional one, and occurred because of a fluke in the operating system IBM and compatible computers use, and was not anything Prodigy had caused. The company vehemently denies it did or ever had any intention of invading the privacy of users. The free software disk is a program to erase any old personal information that might be in Prodigy files and to prevent new information from accumulating there, the company said. The Wall Street Journal reported Prodigy as saying the accounting firm of Coopers and Lybrand had audited the service, confirmed its privacy safeguards and has provided a letter to that effect. Prodigy said members can get information by calling Prodigy Membership Services at (800) 284-5933, or while on Prodigy, jump to TECHTALK. Prodigy is a joint partnership between Sears and International Business Machines (IBM), and reportedly has over 1 million members. (Linda Rohrbough/19910809/Press Contact: Prodigy Customer Service, Tel: 800/776-3449) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 WORDPERFECT TOUTS UNFINISHED WP WINDOWS, TRADE-UP OFFER 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00007) WORDPERFECT TOUTS UNFINISHED WP WINDOWS, TRADE-UP OFFER 08/09/91 OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- WordPerfect Corporation says although WordPerfect for Windows has not yet entered the beta II test stage, the product is in the "final stretch." Although the product is behind schedule, the company is making some ambitious predictions. WordPerfect says it expects to have the product available in four languages after a few weeks of shipping the English version, and another six languages a few weeks after that. WordPerfect emphasized the optimization of the product for speed and maintenance of the complete feature set and file format of the DOS version is part of the hold-up on the Windows version. Users waiting to purchase WordPerfect for Windows are being encouraged to go ahead and buy WordPerfect 5.1. As incentive the company is offering to give WordPerfect 5.1 owners a copy of the Windows product for just $5. The $5 upgrade applies for WordPerfect 5.1 purchased from April 1, 1991 to within 30 days of the release of the Windows version, WordPerfect said. WordPerfect says it is also encouraging users of certain other word processing software to purchase WordPerfect 5.1 Trade Up. Owners who can provide to a Wordperfect dealer their proof of ownership of another word processing program -- such as a receipt, master diskettes, title page of a manual -- get the opportunity to purchase the Trade Up for $150. The Trade Up package then has a coupon good for the new Windows version for $59, the company says. Only users of IBM Displaywrite, Manuscript, Microsoft Word, Multimate, Officewriter, Samna Word, Wordstar or Xywrite are eligible, said WordPerfect. As added incentive WordPerfect says it will license the WordPerfect 5.1 Trade Up and WordPerfect for Windows so the user retains both licenses, meaning users can legally keep and use both products on the same computers at the same time. No release dates were announced, but the company did say it expected the final release of the Windows version approximately one month after the beta II release takes place. (Linda Rohrbough/19910809/Press Contact: Paul Skousen, WordPerfect, Tel: 801/225-5000, Fax: 801/222-5077) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 INTERNATIONAL VERSIONS OF SYSTEM 7 TO BE RELEASED 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00008) INTERNATIONAL VERSIONS OF SYSTEM 7 TO BE RELEASED 08/09/91 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- System 7.0 in September is going to become worldwide. Apple Computer intends to introduce ten international language versions of System 7 in the early part of September 1991. The company maintains that the local language versions, several of which are already shipping, include: Italian; Dutch; Swedish; Finnish; German, including a version for German-speaking Switzerland; Danish, Norwegian, Spanish and British English. French speakers get a French version, a French-Canadian version, and versions for the French-speaking markets in Belgium and Switzerland. Chinese, Japanese, and Korean localized versions are also under development. International sales accounted for more than half of Apple's revenues in the January-March quarter of the 1991 financial year. Apple says that, in addition to translating the system software, localized versions include a translation of all accompanying documentation and in-box information. Soren Olsson, president, Apple Computer Europe, said: "Based on the fact that most systems sold in Europe since 1989 have been 2 megabyte systems (which is the minimum configuration necessary to run System 7), Apple Computer Europe is confident that it will be experiencing heavy demand from its installed base of over 1.2 million Macintosh users." The company says that there are currently over 38 language versions of the Macintosh operating system available. Although Apple resellers worldwide will offer local language versions for their markets as they become available, and the product price will vary from country by country, the European guideline price for the personal upgrade kit is $75. Meanwhile, Roger Heinen, Apple's vice president and general manager for Macintosh software architecture, told Reuters that about 20 percent of the installed base of Macintoshes have been upgraded to System 7, and that Apple was "well on track" to meet its goal of three million System 7 users within 12 months of the new operating system's release. "This month will probably go by one million users of System 7," he said. (Ian Stokell/19910809/Press Contact: Jennifer O'Mahoney, Apple Computer Europe, 408-974-0643) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 RASTEROPS WINS $2.5M FALCON ORDER, SIGNS WITH COMPUSA 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00009) RASTEROPS WINS $2.5M FALCON ORDER, SIGNS WITH COMPUSA 08/09/91 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- RasterOps has had successes on both the federal and commercial fronts with the receipt of a $2.5 million order from Falcon Microsystems, the exclusive Apple Computer reseller to the federal government, and an agreement with national superstore chain CompUSA to provide the 24-bit color display systems for the Macintosh platforms. According to the company, the deal with Falcon encompasses RasterOps' entire line of 24-bit color, full-motion video, gray-scale and monochrome graphics products for Macintosh systems. "This partnership with CompUSA adds a new dimension to our channel strategy, and provides us significant opportunities to put our color-imaging capabilities on the desktops of a broad base of new customers," said Frank Leonardi, senior vice president of sales at RasterOps. RasterOps has been busy in past year, signing distribution agreements with ComputerLand, Connecting Point of America, JWP Information Services and MicroAge Computer Centers. RasterOps reported record earnings of $6.4 million on record revenues of $72.4 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1991. The company says that the agreement with Falcon has capped a fiscal year of marketing, distribution and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) successes by RasterOps with such industry heavyweights as IBM, Sony, DEC, Kodak, and MicroAge and JWP Information Services. (Ian Stokell/19910809/Press Contact: Pattie Walters, RasterOps Corp., 408-562-4200) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 APPLE UPGRADES STYLE/LASERWRITER PRINTERS 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00010) APPLE UPGRADES STYLE/LASERWRITER PRINTERS 08/09/91 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Apple has offered enhancements to two of its printers in the form of new software that provides background printing capabilities for the StyleWriter, and new printer software that reportedly doubles the performance of the LaserWriter LS. According to the company, the software for the StyleWriter allows users to continue working while a document is being printed. Four new TrueType fonts have also been added to the printer: Chicago, Geneva, Monaco, and New York. These join the current set of TrueType fonts which are automatically installed in the user's system during the normal printer installation procedure, and include Times, Courier, Helvetica and Symbol. The new LaserWriter LS, in addition to getting its performance doubled, also lucks out by getting approximately 30 percent more paper capacity, up to 70 sheets from 50. For paper-hungry users and memo-fanatics, an optional 250 sheet paper tray continues to be available. The LaserWriter LS also gets the four additional TrueType fonts. Apple says that enhanced models of the Personal LaserWriter LS will be available in late August through all authorized Apple resellers at the unchanged suggested price of $1,299. The new software will be available with the StyleWriter in late August, with pricing for the printer remaining unchanged at $599. Existing users of both printers can obtain the new printer software and TrueType fonts (new installation disks) at the same time through authorized Apple resellers, Apple user groups and online services. Apple says that, although it does not make a charge to these organizations, they "may charge customers a nominal handling fee." (Ian Stokell/19910809/Press Contact: Kate Paisley, Apple Computer, 408-974-5453) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 UNIV TO OFFER 1ST DORM LAN TO ATTRACT STUDENTS 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00011) UNIV TO OFFER 1ST DORM LAN TO ATTRACT STUDENTS 08/09/91 SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Indiana University will be the first university in America to implement a local area network (LAN) using 10BASE-T connectivity to provide electronic mail (e-mail), among other services, to dormitory residents, announced David Systems, Incorporated (DSI), the company from which the LAN equipment is being purchased. "DSI believes Indiana University's approach to campus networking is both leading edge and pragmatic," said Henry R. Nothhalf, president of DSI. "Our relationship with them continues to provide us with an important perspective on the needs of the higher education market." The implication is that the dormitory LAN is designed to attract students. "The University sees this as an opportunity to provide service to the student residents in terms of a computing environment and to more closely integrate them into the academic community," said Rhonda Winfrey, assistant director of finance and technology for the Halls of Residence. "We believe they will find the service attractive." Indiana University has an enrollment of 85,000 students. It has a computing environment stretching across eight campuses with 23 general access mainframes in computer centers, 49 mainframes in various departments, and microcomputers numbering more than 6,000. In an initial phase, the University installed DSI equipment and ExpressView from DSI, a network management system. (Linda Rohrbough/19910809/Press Contact: Steve Hester, David Systems, Tel: 408/720-6809, Fax: 408/720-1337, Rhonda Winfrey, Indiana University, Tel: 812/855-8500, Fax: 812/855-3287) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 SEQUOIA'S MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEM USES MOTOROLA 68040 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00012) SEQUOIA'S MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEM USES MOTOROLA 68040 08/09/91 AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Motorola has announced that its 68040 microprocessor will be used for the Series 400 fault-tolerant multiprocessor system introduced this week by Sequoia Systems. The Series 400 is a Unix-based, fault-tolerant multiprocessor system. Motorola says it is the first system to use the 68040. Sequoia says the Series 400 can be expanded to deliver up to 640 million instructions per second (MIPS) of computing power. The system supports up to 32 processor elements, and is designed as a continuously available system for on-line transaction processing applications. Jim Reinhart of Motrola says the 68040 brings 68000 family compatibility and RISC-level performance to the multiprocessing environment. Reinhart says that by using the chip, Sequoia will more than double system throughput. Sequoia says that its testing shows that the Series 400 delivers two and one-half to three times the performance of the Series 300, which is powered by Motorola's 68030. The transaction per second ratings on the Series 400 approach 400 to 500, depending on the application. Sequoia says this is the first time such high performance has been possible on a continuously available platform in a Unix environment. Sequoia says it will release audited TPC-A benchmark test results by the end of the year. Two of Sequoia's Model 300s have been sold to firms in the USSR in the last five months. The two sales were worth about $1 million. The shipments required approval from the US Department of Commerce. Sequoia reported a record year for the fiscal year ending June 30th, with net income of $7 million on sales of $63.1 million. Sequoia has several strategic partners, including Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, The Ultimate Corporation, Sumitomo Electrio, and Computer Consoles, Inc. Sequoia says it has shipped over 245 systems. (Jim Mallory/910808/Press contact: Dean Mosley, Motorola, 512-891-2839; John Murzycki, Sequoia, 508-480-0800, X1522) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 PORTABLES ONLY, IN OFFICE OR IN THE FIELD, SAYS STUDY 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00013) PORTABLES ONLY, IN OFFICE OR IN THE FIELD, SAYS STUDY 08/09/91 LAKE PARK, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Tusk, Inc., hopes that a study that says major corporations want portable computers to serve as both desktop and traveling systems is right. Tusk is expected to release what it describes as a "super-rugged three-in-one" computer this fall. Tusk says it commissioned a study by consumer preference research firm ROI to find out what major corporations considered the ideal computer. Among other things, the ROI study found that major corporations will spend up to $7,000 for their ideal multi-purpose computer. The study surveyed 800 portable computer users and purchasers at Fortune 1000 companies. ROI says that corporate users want a one computer "solution" in an attractively styled package that weighs less than 10 pounds and has the power of a 386. Other desirable features included complete compatibility with existing hardware and software, 20 megahertz speed, black on paper-white displays that are bigger and brighter than those available today, 9600 baud modems, fax, full size keyboards with sculpted keys, and a battery that will last all day. Other desirable features were rugged housing, shock protection, a high capacity hard drive, plug and play network compatibility, Unix-based systems, and shielding to keep competitors from stealing sensitive information out of the airwaves. Tusk thinks the ideal computer may be here sooner than we think. It will soon release their All Terrain Supertablet. The unit will have both pen and keyboard operating capabilities. Newsbytes was unable to obtain any more specific information about the Supertablet, but Tusk CEO and founder Chuck Krallman says that the first beta unit delivery will coincide with the 10th anniversary of IBM's first shipment of the personal computer on August 12th. "We fully expect that multi-modal personal computers will become the newest standard in the next decade," said Krallman. (Jim Mallory/910808/Press contact: Dawn Bliss, Tusk, 415-328-5555, FAX 415-328-5016) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 MACWORLD: ALDUS TECH SUPPORT BULLETIN BOARD 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00014) MACWORLD: ALDUS TECH SUPPORT BULLETIN BOARD 08/09/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Aldus Corporation, developer of PageMaker and other graphics programs, announced at MacWorld in Boston that it will offer registered users of several of its programs 24-hour technical support via an interactive bulletin board system. Dubbed CustomerFirst Online (CFO), the service will offer support from product specialists, downloadable trouble-shooting tips, quick-reference guides, layout templates, macros, desk accessories, clip art, and other productivity and design aids. CFO is available to registered owners of Aldus FreeHand, PageMaker, Persuasion and PrePrint. CFO is a subscriber service, and allows subscribers access to the Aldus Online Database, Online conferencing forums and public forums on CompuServe. Online Database is the resource used by Aldus technical support experts, and supports keywork searches. Subscribers can also request product information, register Aldus products, subscribe to "Aldus Magazine," and find out how to become an Aldus Trainer. John Archdeacon, Aldus director of customer service, said, "Aldus is breaking new ground in the software industry by offering an electronic bulletin board designed for all users of Aldus products." Archdeacon said Online will be continually supplemented in order to give subscribers access to the most current information. Subscribers will access Online through the CompuServe network using the Aldus Information Manager, a derivative of CompuServe's Information Manager. AIM uses pull-down menus, dialog boxes, movable windows, buttons, and a mouse. Aldus says AIM is available for both Apple Macintosh and DOS-based systems. Subscriptions to Online can be purchased individually or acquired automatically as a part of the purchase of a CustomereFirstPremierOnline or Corporate Library service plan. With each plan, users get access to CompuServe public forums, and are credited with 12 hours of connect time for 1200 or 2400 baud use. Computers equipped with 9600 baud modems have a proportionally reduced number of hours. Use beyond the 12 hours will be charged by CompuServe at its regular connect rates. Premier Online is another subscriber service offered by Aldus; it costs $179 per year for each copy of the Aldus software, and gets the customer a discount on the price of any major new releases, automatic delivery of updates, free filter/driver packs sent automatically and other benefits. The Corporate Library subscription offers more than $6,000 worth of free software, toll free access to your own account executive, the Discovery training series, a free enrollment in an Aldus Technical Seminar and other services. The cost of the Corporate Library service was not available. Brad Stevens of Aldus told Newsbytes that the Aldus forum presently on CompuServe will continue. However Stevens described the forum as reactive, and said the Online service will be more proactive. Stevens also indicated that there would be information on Online that would not be available on the CompuServe forum, which he said is an informal service. "Online will be a vehicle for us to go out and actively put information on that bulletin board that we know people are going to want to use." The subscription rate for Online is $249 annually. To subscribe to Online, call Aldus customer relations at 206-628-2320. (Jim Mallory/910808/Press contact:Brad Stevens, Aldus, 206-233-7315) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 MACWORLD: ALDUS DEBUTS SUPERPAINT 3.0 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00015) MACWORLD: ALDUS DEBUTS SUPERPAINT 3.0 08/09/91 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) --Aldus Corporation introduced what it describes as a major new release of Aldus SuperPaint at MacWorld in Boston this week. SuperPaint 3.0 is an integrated painting, drawing, and image enhancement program for the Macintosh computer. New features include support for 1, 8, 16, and 32-bit documents, and includes both monochrome and color support. "Customers working with 8-bit systems, for example, will be able to have quick access to nearly 16.8 million colors without requiring a 24-bit board," said Cindy Taylor, SuperPaint product manager. The image enhancement feature of SuperPaint is a new addition. Features include brightness, contract, color balance, masking, smudge diffuse, lighten, darken, and invert. Another new feature is texture fills. Several fill patterns are provided, and others can be created by the user and then applied in paint or draw. EPS textures can be used from another program, such as Aldus FreeHand, and used within SuperPaint. Gradients have also been added. Gradients are gradual transitions from one color to another. They can be created in paint or draw, and up to 256 colors can be used in a single gradient. PostScript language gradients can be created in the draw mode. Also new is hot keys, allowing the user to more easily access tools and palettes. Taylor said the simplified interface makes the program easier to learn and use. SuperPaint will be available in the third quarter of this year at a suggested retail price of $199. Registered owners will receive upgrade information in the mail. Upgrades cost $65 plus shipping and tax. More information about upgrades can be had by calling 619-695-6956. A Macintosh plus, Classic, SE, Portable, SE/30, LC or II series, with 2MB of RAM, System 6.0.5 or later, a hard disk and one 800K drive is required for black-and-white use. For color, you'll need a Macintosh SE/30, LC or II series, 2MB of RAM, 32-bit QuickDraw, System 6.0.5 or later, a hard drive and one 800K floppy drive. (Jim Mallory/910808/press contact: Joanne Rush, Silicon Beach Software, 619-695-6956) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 DELL PCS TO BE SOLD BY STAPLES CHAIN 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00016) DELL PCS TO BE SOLD BY STAPLES CHAIN 08/09/91 AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Dell Computer Corporation has announced that it will soon begin shipping a line of low-profile desktop and notebook computers to 100 of the Staples, Inc., office superstores nationwide. The company says the Staples deal will be Dell's first attempt to market through office supply superstores. Dell also has a sales agreement with computer superstore operator Comp USA. By selling through these superstores Dell says it hopes to expand its market among home users and smaller businesses. Under the agreement Dell provides customer support directly to the customers who buy through the superstores. Support includes toll-free technical support and next-day, on-site service provided through a service vendor. Staples sales personnel will receive sales training from Dell, and must pass a sales certification program being implemented nationwide by Staples. Says Dell CEO Michael Dell, "Office superstores are quickly emerging as a high-growth segment of the market for office equipment." Dell says Staples has a customer base of more than two million, and says it is a highly efficient organization with a very low-cost distribution strategy. According to Joel Kocher, Dell VP of sales, the Staples agreement is the latest in a series of actions Dell has undertaken over the past two years to tailor its marketing methods to reflect increasing customer segmentation in the PC market. Dell reported a 64 percent increase in earnings for the quarter ending May 5, 1991, reporting earnings per share of 46 cents on sales of $175 million. Staples, founded in May 1986, operates 104 stores and says it will open an additional 20 by February of 1992. Dell Computer maintains a toll free number for product information at 800-289-3355. (Jim Mallory/910808/Press contact:Michele Moore, Dell Computer, 512-343-3535) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 MACWORLD: LASERMASTER DEMOS HI-RES KANJI 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00017) MACWORLD: LASERMASTER DEMOS HI-RES KANJI 08/09/91 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Printer manufacturer Lasermaster Technologies demonstrated its new Kanji products at Macworld in Boston this week. Kanji are characters used in the Japanese written language. Lasermaster says its new TrueImage-based Kanji printers will deliver resolution up to 1200 dots-per-inch (dpi), at speeds up to 20 pages-per-minute. The first two models will be Kanji versions of the Lasermaster 1000 and 1200 for the Macintosh. Two Kanji fonts are standard on each printer, Minch and Gothic, as well as the standard 135 Lasermaster Typeface Classics with Roman characters. The Kanji products also include additional printer controller RAM to speed font caching and to improve output performance. Lasermaster says the fonts can enhance the Kanji quality needed for plain-paper typesetting and still maintain full compatibility with applications software utilizing the PostScript page description language from Adobe. They say this is done by adapting specialized hardware designs and modifying TrueImage source code licensed from Microsoft. "The complexities and subtleties of many Kanji characters require a much more precise image than traditional 300 dpi printers are able to produce," said Larry Lukis of Lasermaster. Lukis says Lasermasters technology, combined with TrueImage page description language software, allows the Lasermaster units to reproduce Kanji outlines with the brush stroke integrity intended by the artist. According to Lukis, because Kanji can be printed on plain paper, it's a very cost effective process. The company says it will target the Asian market as well as US- based Japanese companies. It predicts that it will be shipping both PC and Macintosh products not later than December of this year, as soon as distributors are signed. (Jim Mallory/910808/Press contact:Karen Neset, Lasermaster, 612-941-8687) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 BIRTHPLACE OF IC BECOMES PROTECTED SITE 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00018) BIRTHPLACE OF IC BECOMES PROTECTED SITE 08/09/91 PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Who says California has no history? It just so happens that the birthplace of the first commercial integrated circuit has been designated a "registered historical landmark," by the Office of Historical Preservation for the State of California. The site now joins the garage in which Bill Hewlett and David Packard began their famous company as the second such landmark. The registered landmark designation is the 1000th for the state and the second for Silicon Valley. The designation recognizes the significance of the integrated circuit developed in 1959 by the late Dr. Robert N. Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor. In developing the integrated circuit, Noyce used a method of linking the different components of an electronic circuit together by evaporating a conductive aluminum layer over "windows" in the silicon oxide, instead of interconnecting the elements with wires. The "metal-over-oxide" process allowed the integrated circuit to be built efficiently in large volume which in turn made ICs and their descendants affordable to the throngs. The placement of the plaque honoring Noyce's integrated circuit will be at 844 East Charleston Road in Palo Alto, where Fairchild Semiconductor began its operations in 1957. (Ian Stokell/19910809/Press Contact: Howard High, Intel Corp., 408-765-1488) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 CONYERS SHOCKS FEDERAL ADP COMMUNITY 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00019) CONYERS SHOCKS FEDERAL ADP COMMUNITY 08/09/91 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- In what has been describes as a complete surprise, Representative John Conyers Jr., Democrat from Michigan, has introduced three major procurement reform bills in Congress. H.R. 3161 (Congressional bills are identified by H.R. or S. for House of Representatives or Senate, along with a sequential number based on when the bill is submitted), co-sponsored by Rep. Frank Horton (R-NY), "The Federal Property and Administrative Services Authorization Act," would replace the General Service Administration's permanent authorization and cost charge-back procedures with a yearly appropriation cycle that would give Congress better control over the massive agency's purse strings. Another of the bills, H.R. 3163, "The Commercial Activities Contracting Procedures Act," would set clear standards for which programs would be completed by federal employees and which would be outsourced to the private sector under the OMB's Circular A-76 (Office of Management and Budget). Probably the most shocking change would be caused by the adoption by the third bill, H.R. 3162, "The Multiple Award Schedule Procurement Improvement Act of 1991." This bill would if enacted into law, according to the August 5 issue of Federal Computer Week, revise the GSA multiple award contract award procedures by requiring that all purchases over $1,000 be negotiated by contracting officers between appropriate schedule vendors. Newsbytes was unable to obtain comments on the bills' potential effect on the industry from the IIA (Information Industries Association) or CBEMA, the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturing Association, and the Software Publisher's Association's Karen Casser, director of public policies and legal affairs, told Newsbytes that she could not comment yet because she had only seen portions of the bills. But she emphasized that this "no comment" was not to be interpreted as a negative comment, it was just that she had not had any opportunity to study the bills in their entirety. (John McCormick/19910809) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 APPLE WAIVES ANNUAL APDA FEE, INTROS CATALOG 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00020) APPLE WAIVES ANNUAL APDA FEE, INTROS CATALOG 08/09/91 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- To make it easier to access development tools from Apple and third parties, Apple Computer is no longer requiring an annual subscription fee to purchase development products through APDA. Additionally, the company also announced a new product catalog, called the APDA Tools Catalog. According to Apple, APDA serves more than 25,000 customers, and offers worldwide access to over 300 development tools and resources, including prerelease versions of software and documentation, for anyone interested in development on Apple platforms. Kirk Loevner, director of the Apple Developer Group, said: "By eliminating the subscription fee, developers can now gain access to those tools at no additional cost. In addition, the new APDA Tools Catalog helps developers find the products best suited to their needs." The annual subscription fee was $20 to $35 depending on location. To purchase prerelease products through APDA, the company says that customers are required to sign an APDA Terms and Conditions form found in the APDA Tools Catalog, which is then kept on file and covers all future prerelease product purchases. APDA products can also be licensed through Apple Software Licensing. The APDA Tools Catalog replaces the APDAlog. Apple says it was responding to customer feedback by redesigning the catalog's format to make it easier to use. It features over 300 Apple and third-party development products including technical resources, training products, languages and environments, debuggers, programming libraries, networking and communications tools, and reference books. The 144-page APDA Tools Catalog contains four-color product photographs, screen shots, and detailed product descriptions including system requirements, and licensing notes where applicable. Customers receive a complete catalog sourcebook twice a year, and quarterly updates between sourcebooks will highlight both new and key products. (Ian Stokell/19910809/Press Contact: Jackie Promes, Apple Computer Inc., 408-974-3609) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 US WEST TO TRY OUT INTELLIGENT NET IN OCTOBER 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021) US WEST TO TRY OUT INTELLIGENT NET IN OCTOBER 08/09/91 BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- US West will begin a technical trial of new software designed to reduce the time it takes to deploy new services in Boulder starting this October. The trials will take place on 4 AT&T 5ESS digital switches, and run through 1992. The switches were modified by AT&T for the test. It's the first trial by a regional Bell company of the Advanced Intelligent Network specifications issued by Bellcore, the Bells' research arm, last May. The trial will include use of an outside computer to deliver new services, instead of relying only on the switch. Services to be set up and tested include Cancel Call Waiting; Transfer to Voice Messaging; Automatic Call Back; Improved 3-Way Calling; and Customer Usage Information. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910809/Press Contact: AT&T, Jeanne Snell, 303/290-5652; U S West, Stephen Holder, 303/541-4066) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 ALLNET COMPLAINS FCC CAN'T HANDLE PHONE COMPLAINTS 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022) ALLNET COMPLAINS FCC CAN'T HANDLE PHONE COMPLAINTS 08/09/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Allnet, a small U.S. long distance company based in Michigan, says the Federal Communications Commission is so far behind in handling complaints against local telephone companies that cases begun now will likely still be pending in 1995. Severe understaffing and an alleged bias favoring AT&T resulted in 72% of cases failing to meet the congressionally required 15-month time limit for resolving complaints, the study said. The study was based on FCC data on 1,419 complaints filed between 1984 and 1991. The complaints, mainly against local Bell telephone companies, range from unreasonable rates to an array of anti-competitive activities. In 1988, Congress required a 15-month time limit for FCC to complete deliberations on formal complaints against telephone carriers. The complaint about AT&T bias is based on the fact that while the phone giant has filed the most complaints since 1985, it has the highest percentage of resolved complaints, with only seven percent unresolved. Allnet's study is sure to get a hearing from the U.S. Congress, where Rep. Bill Richardson of New Mexico has called the FCC on the carpet over similar data. Chairman Alfred Sikes blamed understaffing in his testimony on the subject in July, adding most AT&T complaints are resolved only because it is willing to accept settlements. But the study may also get a hearing from FCC Commissioners Ervin Duggan, Sherrie Marshall and Andrew Barrett, who overruled Sikes' recent attempts to lift most regulation from AT&T, citing concerns it might abuse its dominant position in the long-distance market. The commissioners, however, only get a chance to vote on specific subjects, while the chairman is in charge of day-to-day operations of the agency. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910809/Press Contact: Roy Morris, Allnet, 202-293-0593) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 PACTEL ACQUIRES TWO RURAL GEORGIA CELLULAR SYSTEMS 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023) PACTEL ACQUIRES TWO RURAL GEORGIA CELLULAR SYSTEMS 08/09/91 ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- PacTel, which is BellSouth's competitor in the Atlanta cellular market, acquired two Georgia Rural Service Areas so it can expand its coverage area north of the city. The Chattooga and Jasper areas cover over 300,000 potential customers in 14 counties north of the city, but they're also key tourist sites for many of PacTel's Atlanta-area customers. Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed. Specifically, the Chattooga RSA borders the northwest side of Atlanta, connecting Atlanta to Chattanooga via Interstate 75. The Jasper RSA borders the eastern side of Atlanta and Athens and is contiguous to the Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Augusta and Anderson, South Carolina. It includes Interstate 20, which connects Atlanta to Augusta. (Dana Blankenhorn/19910809/Press Contact: PacTel Cellular, Carol Kilgore, 404/368-7227) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 NINTENDO LAUNCHES MASSIVE EUROPEAN MARKET STRATEGY 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00024) NINTENDO LAUNCHES MASSIVE EUROPEAN MARKET STRATEGY 08/09/91 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Nintendo, the creator of the blockbuster Family Computer, has launched a campaign to sell its overseas version of Family Computer called NES in the European market. The move is part of Nintendo's strategy to shake out rival Sega Enterprises. Nintendo has created its 100-percent owned subsidiary in Germany. The German subsidiary has already signed an agreement with a local department store and has opened a special sales area for NES at the department store. The area is called "World of Nintendo." Nintendo is planning to create this kind of special sales display at other department stores and major toy shops in Italy, France, England, and Spain. Nintendo wants to sell 10 million units of the game machine in Europe by the end of 1992. Nintendo will also push the sales of a pocket version of NES -- "Game Boy" -- in the European market. Eight million units are expected to be sold in Europe by the end of 1992. The 16-bit version, Super Famicom, will be introduced in Europe in early 1993. It is already a big seller in Japan. Nintendo is well ahead of Sega's sales in Japan, but not in Europe where the two rivals are neck-in-neck. Sega Enterprises has been selling a similar game machine in Europe. Both firms have sold 2.5 million game machines there, respectively. Sega has purchased the game machine division of Virgin group and is trying to beef up sales in Europe. So, the game machine sales is expected to come to a climax this Christmas season in Europe. (Masayuki Miyazawa/19910809/Press Contact: Nintendo, +81-75-541- 6111) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 CRYSTAL DEFECTS = HIGH-POWER SUPERCONDUCTORS 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00025) CRYSTAL DEFECTS = HIGH-POWER SUPERCONDUCTORS 08/09/91 YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Researchers at IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, The Argonne National Lab, and the Iowa State University's Ames Laboratory, have jointly developed a method that allows the creation of a high-temperature superconductor made of yttrium, barium, and copper oxide (YBCO) to carry higher currents than ever before. By bombarding the superconductor crystals with a high-energy beam (580 million electron volts) of tin ions (atoms of the metal tin with some of the electrons stripped away), scientists have created deliberate defects in the crystal structure. The defects consist of tiny columns of non-superconducting materials within the crystals which constrict the motion of external magnetic fields that would otherwise increase electrical resistance. The 1 Tesla (a standard measure of magnetic fields) magnetic fields imposed on crystals in the tests are about 20,000 times the strength of the Earth's field and are typical of those found in permanent magnets, thus similar to those found in electric motors. A maximum current density of 450,000 amps per square centimeter was achieved before the superconducting properties broke down. This is comparable to the current carrying capacity of crystals modified by the earlier proton (hydrogen ion) bombardment technique, but for the larger magnetic fields encountered in many critical applications the tin-bombarded crystals were able to carry high currents where the proton-bombarded crystals failed. Although the YBCO superconducting crystals are referred to as "high-temperature," that is only a relative term since they operate at minus-190 degrees C and must be cooled with liquid nitrogen which boils at 77 Kelvin (-196 degrees C, or -320 degrees F) when held at sea-level pressure. Earlier low- temperature superconductors lost their superconducting properties (the ability to carry current without resistance and resulting power loss) at about 1 to 3 degrees Kelvin, just above absolute zero where all molecular motion stops. Temperatures near 0 degrees K are very difficult to achieve, but liquid nitrogen is readily available and inexpensive. Superconductive materials are important in closely packed components of supercomputers as well as high-energy research particle accelerators which must use massive amounts of electricity to power large magnets. Many other applications, including the creation of extremely sensitive instruments such as magnetometers to measure tiny changes in magnetic fields (useful in locating oil and mineral deposits), require the low-noise features of superconductivity, as do such commercial applications as Mag-Lev or magnetic levitation trains. These are only laboratory experiments but confirm present superconductor theory and could lead to significant advances. But superconducting computers may not be all that far in the future. The October 22, 1990, Electronic Engineering Times reported that TRW's Redondo Beach, California-based Space & Technology Group had created the first YBCO integrated circuit. Details of the research results are carried in a paper published in the July 29 issue of Physical Review Letters. Authors of the paper are Leonardo Civale, Alan D. Marwick, Thomas K. Worthington, Lia Krusin-Elbaum, and Frederic H. Holtzberg (IBM); James R. Thompson and Yangren Sun (ORNL); Mark Kirk (ANL); and John R. Clem (Ames). The first high-temperature semiconductors were developed at an IBM research facility in Zurich, Switzerland. (John McCormick/19910809/Press Contact: Dr. Gerald Present, IBM, 914-945-3884) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 UNISYS WINS FAA CONTRACT 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00026) UNISYS WINS FAA CONTRACT 08/09/91 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded financially troubled Unisys a $274 million contract to upgrade air traffic control systems in the U.S. Unisys reported a debt of $3.3 billion at the end of the first quarter of 1991 with a $1.3 billion second quarter loss. Last month Unisys said that it intended to lay off 12 percent, or 10,000 of its 80,000 staff. The company cut its workforce by about 5,000 last year. $185 million of this much-needed federal windfall is an extension of the 1989 automated radar terminal system contract which Unisys is completing for the FAA, but there was also a separate $87.7 million deal to upgrade control systems at 130 smaller airports. Unisys recently agreed to plead guilty to fraud and bribery in a case involving Pentagon contracts and is expected to pay a $190 million fine. On September 15, Unisys is obligated to repay $300 million in public debt. Unisys is the company formed when Burroughs Corp. bought Sperry Corp. back in 1986. (John McCormick/19910809/Press Contact: Mark Lipscomb, Unisys, 215-986-6948) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 SUN MICROSYSTEMS EARNINGS GO THROUGH THE ROOF 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027) SUN MICROSYSTEMS EARNINGS GO THROUGH THE ROOF 08/09/91 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- The latest results from Sun Microsystems suggest one reason why Apple and IBM have become strange bedfellows and a few dozen manufacturers formed the ACE (Advanced Computing Environment) consortium. Sun Microsystems' workstation market share continues to increase as does its revenue -- a massive 31 percent increase in revenue for the fiscal year 1991 over 1990. For fiscal year 1991, revenues were $3.221 billion, up 31 percent from the $2.466 billion reported in fiscal year 1990. Net income for fiscal year 1991 increased more than 70 percent to $190.3 million, or $1.85 per share, from the $111.2 million, or $1.21 per share, of fiscal year 1990. Revenues for the fourth quarter were $942.5 million, a 35 percent increase over the $700.1 million reported in the like period a year ago. Net income for the quarter also increased 35 percent to $66.4 million, or 63 cents per share, from the $49.1 million, or 51 cents per share, for the corresponding period a year ago. Kevin C. Melia, Sun's chief financial officer, said, not surprisingly: "It was an excellent quarter for us in all material respects. We reported record revenues, bookings and earnings, and we ended the year with $834 million in our cash portfolio and a balance sheet that has never been stronger." The company says that it shipped 49,000 units in the quarter, with the SPARCstation 2 accounting for the most sales. "We enjoyed considerable success in all three major geographies -- the United States, Europe and the Pacific Rim," said Melia. (Ian Stokell/19910809/Press Contact: Thomas J. Meredith, Sun Microsystems Inc., 415-336-0245) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 JUDGE UPHOLDS IBM'S PIRACY VICTORY OVER AMI 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00028) JUDGE UPHOLDS IBM'S PIRACY VICTORY OVER AMI 08/09/91 SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- IBM has announced that U.S. District Judge Thomas N. O'Neill, Jr. has reaffirmed an earlier ruling that Allen-Myland, Inc. (AMI), a computer servicing company, copied and distributed IBM software in violation of U.S. copyright laws. Judge O'Neill also found that AMI owes IBM several million dollars in contractual fees, and he asked a special master to recommend both injunctive relief and the amount of additional monetary damages for copyright infringement and breach of contract. The ruling, made on August second in Philadelphia, upholds the judge's ruling in September 1990 that AMI had pirated IBM software known as "3090 microcode." At the time, Judge O'Neill also found that AMI distributed modified versions of 3090 microcode with labels that misled customers into believing the software was created and distributed by IBM. IBM spokesperson Brian Doyle, in a conversation with Newsbytes, reviewed the chronology of the case, saying, "The case began in 1985 when AMI, a suburban Philadelphia firm, sued IBM charging various anti-trust violations. In 1988 Judge O'Neill found in favor of IBM on most of the allegations and reserved decision on the remaining charges. In 1990, IBM entered counterclaims against AMI and, in September 1990, the judge both dismissed the remaining anti-trust charges and found for IBM on the piracy issue. AMI subsequently contested the ruling which the judge reaffirmed on August second." Doyle continued, "We now must wait for the special master's recommendation on the injunctive and damages issues and the judge's subsequent ruling on these matters." (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Brian D. Doyle, IBM, 914-765-6432/19910809) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 MICROSOFT READIES NEW WINDOWS SOFTWARE 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00029) MICROSOFT READIES NEW WINDOWS SOFTWARE 08/09/91 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- Although Microsoft officials aren't talking openly about it, sources in the industry are talking about plans the company has to launch a swathe of new products, all of which have been specifically designed for the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface (GUI) environment. The first product on the near horizon is a new version of Word for Windows. Called Word 2.0, the package will retail for $495 and ship before the end of the year in the U.S. According to Microsoft, the package integrates the ruler and ribbon features of earlier versions, as well as introducing a new internal icon facility. The icon facility allows small programs and macros to be run from within the Word environment. Another feature is a new drag and drop facility for text blocks within the package. This avoids the need to cut and paste data as is required with current packages. The second product on the Windows horizon is a new accounting package -- as yet untitled -- that is being developed by Great Plains Software. The new MS-Windows 3.0 accountancy package will feature much of the modularity of Accounting version 6.0 software. Shipment of the Accountancy for Windows package has been scheduled for early next year, say sources close to Microsoft. Officially, the company is making no comment. (Steve Gold/19910809) #ENDCARD #CARD::1991 AUG 9 UK: RPL TELECOM ACQUIRES SELTEK 08/09/91 08/09/91 (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00030) UK: RPL T