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1993-03-11
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April 1993 Computer INFO
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TRADE CENTER DISASTER A GOOD LESSSON FOR PC USERS
-------------------------------------------------
On February 26, a blast shattered the World Trade Center and with
that blast came a near-crippling loss of data. Kemper Securities Inc., a
Chicago-based securities firm, moved in quickly with a hot-site set up to
restore copies of data stored by the three IBM AS/400 midrange computers to
one of two IBM ES/9000 mainframes in Milwaukee. By the following Monday the
mainframe and mini users were back online working - but what of the PC users?
Even those few who had made regular backups often didn't have access to
another PC to use their data. A recent study showed that while 30 percent of
the Fortune 500 companies have disaster-recovery plans - less than 5 percent
have plans that deal with PCs. It was a hard lesson to learn and one that
warrants remembering.
--Chris Doelle
MICROSOFT, INTEL TO ADD PLUG-AND-PLAY
-------------------------------------
PCs again crept toward the Mac's ease-of-use when Microsoft and Intel
announced plans to make it easier to plug boards into ISA-based PCs. The
plan is for users to be able to plug in a board and forget about it. Intel
expects some of the boards to ship as early as May, while Microsoft is being
more cautious (shades of Windows NT?) by promising plug-and-play boards by
the end of the year.
--Chris Doelle
CLARION FINALLY SHIPS
---------------------
Its not what everyone had hoped for, but Clarion Software Corp. began
shipping a prerelease version of Clarion Database Developer, Version 3.0.
This marks a major upgrade for the succesful DOS-based tool. The prerelease
is being distributed to all customers who have ordered the upgrade. Clarion
is hoping it will tide-over the angry customers who have been waiting for
version 3.0 through over a year of delays.
--Chris Doelle
MICROSOFT IS DENIED 'WINDOWS' TRADEMARK
---------------------------------------
In a case that mirrored earlier fights over such terms as "Light Beer"
and "The Pill", a court ruled that Microsoft does not have exclusive right
to the term "windows" in dealing with computer software. This comes as a
huge blow the mega-company Microsoft, which will now find it harder to fend
off imitations of it's popular Windows software.
---Albert Lewis
MICHAELANGELO ACTUALLY DID SOME DAMAGE
--------------------------------------
A year ago, everyone scampered to get the latest in virus protection
in order to prevent the dreaded Michaelangelo virus - it turned out to be
more hype than anything else. But recent surveys at major companies have
shown interesting findings. According to those surveyed - the overkill scare
of the Mike virus has actually caused the majority of companies to ignore
the threat of viruses. This confidence may leave the door open for future
virus strains.
---Chris Doelle
CLINTON PLANS ON UPGRADING WHITE HOUSE
--------------------------------------
With a switchboard originally installed in 1964 and no electronic
mail system to speak of, President Clinton has vowed to bring the White
House into the present. He stated that the White House, "is a yesterday
place and we need to make it a tomorrow place."
---Robert Blakely
COMPUTER NERDS EVERYWHERE ARE IN MOURNING
-----------------------------------------
Those of you who peruse the untold number of .GIF files on adult
boards, (We at DEN 'never' would) have undoubtedly seen a large number of
R and X-rated .GIFS with the "Rusty & Edie's" logo. Apparently, the FBI has
also seen those logos and reacted by raiding the offices of Rusty and Edie's,
one of the largest computer bulletin boards in the country. The BBS which
is headquartered in Boardman, Ohio has been under surveillance for months
by the feds and the SPA (Software Publisher's Association) for allegedly
making numerous copyrighted business and entertainment programs available
on line in exchange for a board membership fee. Rusty & Edie's reportedly
had 14,000-plus sibscribers throughout the United States and other countries.
--Chris Doelle
MAJOR UPGRADE TO CONTACT
------------------------
Prime Concepts has announced plans to release version 1.3 of its
popular contact-management program CONTACT! After several mostly cosmetic
changes in recent releases, CONTACT! 1.3 adds some new features. The ability
to print the user's contact database on form-feed rolodex cards is reported
to be a part of the new version. CONTACT! 1.3 will reportedly be released by
early summer.
--Chris Doelle
MICROSOFT MAKES BIG SALE
------------------------
In the "what else is new" department, Microsoft Corp. reported that
Northern Telecom has signed a license agreement - worth more that $10 million
to provide all of its PCs in 350 locations worldwide with Microsoft Office.
Office is a collection of applications that includes a word processor, data-
base, spreadsheet and graphics. The availability of the applications in
different languages was one reason why NT chose Microsoft.
--Albert Williams
MORE PIRACY BUSTS
-----------------
The BSA (Business Software Alliance) - another in the growing number
of anti-piracy groups announced the "biggest simultaneous multinational
enforcement effort" against software piracy. To date 37 lawsuits against
firms suspected of copyright infringement in 10 European countries, including
13 electronic bulletin boards in Germany have been filed. BSA touts this as
just a "preview" of enforcement activities to come.
--Robert Blakely
VOICE PRINTS TO BECOME REALITY
------------------------------
NCR and AT&T are working on a new generation of ATM (automated teller
machine). The customer will speak into the machine and the ATM will match
the sound with the voice print stored on the card. Set to be installed some
time this year - this added security should greatly reduce theft related to
ATM machines.
--Chris Doelle
MOBILE COMPUTING ON THE GO
--------------------------
Motorola announced a joint venture with the National Dispatch Center
to enable mobile computers to communicate over paging systems. The Motorola
NewsStream wireless modem will connect with the NDC network, which will allow
users to talk over 500 different paging networks nationwide. The service
will be available this summer.
--Robert Blakely
WITCHCRAFT? VOODOO? - NOPE..SCIENCE!
-------------------------------------
Can computers read minds? That is the goal of Fujitsu Ltd. At the
New York State Department of Health researched have developed a computer that
allows the user to move the cursor with his/her mind. At the University of
Illinois, they have created a way for a computer user to type out a word by
simply thinking of the letters. And yes...its ALL science.
--Chris Doelle
INTEL GOING NEURAL WITH A LITTLE HELP
-------------------------------------
Intel began shipping samples of a new chip that incorporates neural
networking capabilities - artificial intelligence technology that imitates
the learning functions of the brain. The new chip was developed in partner-
ship with Nestor, a neural network software developer in Providence, R.I.,
and with $1.6 million from the Pentagon.
--Albert Lewis
OUTSIDE FIRM ADDS CELLULAR PHONE TO POWERBOOK
----------------------------------------------
Applied Engineering (that's Applied - not Apple) will soon offer an
internal cellular telephone package for the PowerBook line of Apple's note-
book computers. The device will be called AErport and will enable Powerbook
users to use the cellular phone as a standard phone or to link to other
computers remotely. The AErport will cost about $3,000 and requires Power-
book users to send their computers to Applied Engineering for installation.
--Scott Hendrix
VENTURA SHIPS LATEST RELEASE
----------------------------
Ventura Software Inc. began shipping a maintenance upgrade to its
Ventura Publisher 4.1 desktop-publishing package for Windows. Version 4.11
includes improved memory management and the ability to use TWAIN 1.0-compat-
ible scanners. The upgrade is available free on CompuServe or by calling
Ventura Software at (619) 673-0172
--Robert Blakely
UPGRADE DUE ON WORD FOR WINDOWS
-------------------------------
A new upgrade to Word for Windows by Microsoft, is in the beta test-
ing stages and expected to be shipped soon. Increased speed and LAN connec-
tivity are reported to be part of the upgrade.
--Chris Doelle
WINDOWS SOFTWARE ON UNIX?
-------------------------
Mainsoft is starting to ship a Win-to-Unix product called MainWin.
Users of MainWin will be able to port their Windows applications to a Unix
system using X Windows.
--Robert Blakely
SIM-EVERYTHING
--------------
Maxis, the company that brought the amazingly popular simulation game,
SimCity to the public has found their technology isn't just for games. First
geographic planning courses at colleges utilized SimCity as curriculum - now
Maxis is tailor-making applications. Chevron Corp. is using a simulation
created by Maxis specifically for them called SimRefinery. It allows Chevron
to simulation different refining techniques and find the most effect. A West
Coast utility company has been using another Maxis creation, SimPower, which
allows them to allocate their resources better. Maxis is also currently
finishing up SimEnvironment which is reported to be scheduled for release to
the gaming community as well as environmental organizations.
--Chris Doelle
DELL AVAILABLE AT SAM'S
-----------------------
Dell Computer Corp. launched a new round of price cuts on selected
personal-computer models, while announcing an enhance service program and a
new sales deal to market through Wal-Mart's Sam's Club. The company, a
pioneer in selling PCs through direct mail, lowered base prices on 14 PC
models - including desktops, floor-standing models and notebook computers -
by $50 to $500.
--Houston Chronicle