Newsbytes - Internationa…s 1983 May to 1991 August/Newsbytes - International Computing Industry News - May 1983-August 1991 (Wayzata Technology)(5041)(1991).bin/textvers/newsbyte.txt

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#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 [phone].

(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 [phone] 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 [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/199108029/Press Contact: Lisa Kelaita, Miller
Communications, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone].

(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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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 [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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: [phone])

#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, [phone])
#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: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone], Vickie Glazar, Okidata, Tel: [phone],
ext. 7313, Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone], Lisa MacKenzie, SuperMac,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone], Katie
Nosbisch, Hill and Knowlton, Tel: [phone], 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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone].

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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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
[phone], or by writing Timeworks, 625 Academy Drive,
Northbrook, Illinois, 60062.

(Linda Rohrbough & Wendy Woods/199108023/Press Contact: Sean Essex,
Timeworks, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone])

#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: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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, [phone])

#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 [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])

#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 [phone].

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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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
[phone], or by writing Timeworks, 625 Academy Drive,
Northbrook, Illinois, 60062.

(Linda Rohrbough & Wendy Woods/199108023/Press Contact: Sean Essex,
Timeworks, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone])
#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: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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, [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone]

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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])

#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone], Zee Zaballos, Santa Cruz
Operation, Tel: [phone])

#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: [phone], Karen Cook, American Airlines,
Tel: [phone])
#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: [phone],)

#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: [phone], Fax: [phone], Mike
Bernhardt, Intel, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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
[phone] 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: [phone], Fax: [phone], Doug Black, Miller
Communications, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone]

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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])

#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 [phone])
#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 [phone], fax [phone], 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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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
[phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910821/Press Contact: Mara Stefan, Tidemark,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone])

#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: [phone]; 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: [phone])

#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: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone], 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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])

#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 [phone]. 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
[phone])

#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 [phone])

#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;
[phone].

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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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 [phone] or type GO ADESK on CompuServe.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910820/Press Contact: Andrew Zarrillo, Autodesk,
Tel: [phone] Ext. 8704, Fax: [phone])

#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: [phone], 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: [phone], ext. 8704, Fax: [phone])

#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 [e-mail] 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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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
[phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/199108020/Press Contact: Robert Spivack, Castelle,
Tel: [phone], ext.24, Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], ext. 262, Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone])
#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, [phone])
#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, [phone])

#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,
 [phone])

#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. [phone] fax
[phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone])

#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: [phone]; Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone].
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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/199108016/Press Contact: Jane Middleton,
Thierman, Cook, Brown & Prager, Tel: [phone], 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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone].

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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone] ext. 568, Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone]; e-mail - [e-mail]

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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], 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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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 [phone]; fax [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Kathleen O'Donnell,
Micom, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone])
#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 [phone] 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 [phone].

(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 [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910814/Press Contact: Whitney Greer, Sun,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Kristin Vais, Frame, Tel:
408/954-3921, Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone])
#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 [phone] 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 [phone].

(John McCormick/19910813/Press Contact: Lyndon Holmes, 508-475-
7200 or fax [phone])
#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 [phone]; 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 [phone] 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 [phone] or (702) 831-
3100.

(Linda Rohrbough/199108013/Press Contact: Doug Hall, Go
Technology, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone] 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 [phone] 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 [phone] 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 [phone])

#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 [phone])

#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone])

#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 [phone]. 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: [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910812/Press Contact: Brad Whitlock, The
Software Company, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#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: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; email on Cix/Usenet:
[e-mail])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone])

#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])

#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 [phone], 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: [phone])


#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: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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: [phone], Fax: [phone], Rhonda Winfrey,
Indiana University, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#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 [phone])

#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 TELECOM ACQUIRES SELTEK 08/09/91
GREENFORD, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 9 (NB) -- RPL
Telecommunications has acquired Seltek Communications in a bid to
become the UK's top supplier of small to mid-range automatic call distribution
(ACD) systems.

Plans call for Seltek (Seltek Communications' holding company) to continue
as an independent development company while the deal, which was concluded
for an undisclosed sum, will give RPL 70 percent of the existing Seltek ACD
customer base.

Johnathan Fitchew,  RPL's managing director, said he sees the move as
representing a significant change of direction for the UKP 5 million
Northern Telecom and Toshiba reseller.

"We are looking to become more of a solutions provider with an emphasis on
ACD and derivative technology. This agreement will allow us to have a major
input into Seltek's research and development programs. In return, we will
provide both Seltek and Northern Telecom with a valuable route to market,"
he said.

RPL was founded in 1982 and is a national supplier, installer and
maintainer of business telephone systems. The company, which specialises in
the SDX and Toshiba Strata DK product ranges, has offices in London, Leeds
and Swindon in the U.K.

(Steve Gold/19910809/Press & Public Contact: RPL Telecommunications - Tel:
081-575-9999; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD





#CARD::1991 AUG 8 INJURY AND ILLNESS SOFTWARE FOR CALIFORNIA BUSINESSES 08/08/91

08/08/91



(NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00001)

INJURY AND ILLNESS SOFTWARE FOR CALIFORNIA BUSINESSES 08/08/91
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- In an effort to
help small businesses comply with the new California state law that
requires all companies to have a written Injury and Illness Prevention
Program, Berkeley-based GuildWorks has introduced a software
program that can generate the required documentation. There is a
version for the Macintosh and for the PC.

According to California state law SB 198, as of July 1, 1991, all
employers should have a plan to comply with the new CAL/OSHA
requirements, with substantial fines possible for companies that
do not.

GuildWorks' Injury & Illness Prevention Plan Workbook is a software
package, with accompanying manuals and forms, that uses a
question and answer process to generate the required written plan.

James Jonas, president of GuildWorks, told Newsbytes that the
product "assists the business by providing a structure to build a
written plan."

The company intends to follow up the product with software
designed for more specialized markets such as manufacturing.

"This is a general product focused on a broad base of businesses,"
said Jonas. "It is aimed at fulfilling the needs of 80 percent of
businesses out there."

Along with the software and manual, the product includes special
OSHA required employee postings, forms for documenting training,
injuries and inspections, a record keeping system, and a set of
notices for communicating the program to employees.

The Injury & Illness Prevention Plan Workbook is available for
an introductory price of $49 plus shipping and tax direct from
GuildWorks at P.O. Box 13591, Berkeley, CA 94701. The regular
price will be $79.

For more information telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

(Ian Stokell/19910808/Press Contact: James Jonas, GuildWorks,
415-540-8326)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 MACWORLD: SYMANTEC UPGRADES MAC LANGUAGES 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00002)

MACWORLD: SYMANTEC UPGRADES MAC LANGUAGES 08/08/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Symantec
announced a series of upgrades to their line of Macintosh development
languages this week.

Think Pascal Version 4.0 and Think C 5.0 are the company's latest
offerings and incorporate System 7 compatibility and a host of other
enhancements and improvements.

Think C's new features include a completely rewritten compiler and
code generator; a new global optimizer; ANSI C compliance; a new
class browser (similar to the one already present in Think Pascal);
and other enhancements complete the set of new
features. In addition, Symantec officials have stated that they are
moving in the direction of C++ and expect to be completely compatible
with version 1.0 of the standard within the next version. As to
version 2.0 compatibility, the company claimed that it will have a
product offering that will accomplish that but would not comment
any further.

Think Pascal offers an Instant Project feature that creates a new
project at the click of a mouse, support for larger projects
with Far Code, and additional class library support for object
oriented programming.

Upgrade pricing for Think C is $89.00 with a free upgrade to those
who purchased the product after June 1st. Think Pascal owners can
upgrade for a cost of $69.00. Symantec offers an incentive to early
upgrades in the form of reduced pricing on books that are relevant
to these products.

(Naor Wallach/19910807)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 MACWORLD: CASADY & GREENE RELEASE SIX NEW PRODUCTS 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00003)

MACWORLD: CASADY & GREENE RELEASE SIX NEW PRODUCTS 08/08/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Casady & Greene
have released six products during Macworld Expo held here this week.
The products include two games, three font libraries, and an upgrade
to the company's Quickdex product.

Quickdex II brings an automatic installer; scrolling windows; and
envelope printer DA; improved automatic dialing; Time and Date
stamping; and additional security features.

The Fluent Laser Font family has three new members: A TrueType Starter
set with 22 fonts; a Mac font library with 79 Postscript Type 1 fonts
and the same 79 fonts in TrueType format; and a PC compatible version
of the font library with 79 Postscript Type 1 fonts and a bundled copy
of Adobe's Adobe Type Manager (ATM).

The two games are Aqua Blooper Piper, a pipe fitting arcade game; and
Glider Version 4. Glider has been in circulation previously in the
shareware market and this much-expanded release is the first
time that it is being sold commercially.

Prices for the products are: Glider 4.0 - $49.95; Aqua Blooper Piper
- $49.95; QuickDEX II - $60.00 in packages of five; Fluent Laser
Fonts TrueType Starter Set - $99.95; Fluent Laser Fonts Library -
Mac Version - $179.95; Fluent Laser Fonts Library - PC Version -
$189.95.

(Naor Wallach/19910807/Press Contact: Judith Frey, Casady & Greene,
408-484-9228)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 MACWORLD TACTIC SHIPS TRAFFIC CONTROLLER 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00004)

MACWORLD TACTIC SHIPS TRAFFIC CONTROLLER 08/08/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Tactic Software
has begun shipping its System 7 InterApplication Communication (IAC)
monitoring utility "Traffic Controller"

"With Traffic Controller users can control, manage, and manipulate
AppleEvents to their liking," according to a statement made by
company officials at Macworld Expo today. Traffic Controller can be
set up so that it shows the user what AppleEvents are occurring via
its visible log. Traffic Controller will indicate graphically if
an Edition has been orphaned, updated, or is awaiting an update, for
example. It will also display graphically the name and characteristics
of Edition, the name and location of the Publisher's application,
and will date and time stamp each iteration of an Edition.

Once users understand what is happening, they can more easily debug
any problems that are occurring, or, at the very least, know who is
causing them. Traffic Controller also lets the user manipulate the
events by duplicating, rerouting, saving, or terminating any events
posted to any other application.

In the hands of a knowledgeable user, this "peek under the hood" is
invaluable in letting the user know what is going on. Since events
can be redirected, it is now possible for a user to take a very
active role in how his computer behaves.

Traffic Controller retails for $249 for the network version, and
$129 for the single user version.

(Naor Wallach/19910807/Press Contact: Jay Bartlett, Tactic Software,
305-378-4110)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 COLOR VGA LCD FOR LAPTOPS/NOTEBOOKS FROM WESTERN DIGITAL 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00005)

COLOR VGA LCD FOR LAPTOPS/NOTEBOOKS FROM WESTERN DIGITAL 08/08/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Western
Digital says it is introducing its next generation liquid
crystal display (LCD) color graphics card and monitor for
laptop or notebook computers.

The new video graphics adapter (VGA) controller, the WD90C22,
will directly work with regular computer monitors (CRTs) as
well as plasma, monochrome and color LCD panels, Western
Digital said. The new card can also simultaneously support
displays between CRTs and the display built into the laptop or
notebook computer.

The WD90C22 is completely compatible with the WD90C20, a VGA
controller card already on the market, the company said.
The WD90C22 uses Western Digital's proprietary TrueShade TM 64
grey scale in full 640x480 resolution, and can also take
advantage of zero wait states.

The WD90C22 card includes power management features and can
operate on as low as 4.1 volts.

The color LCD display, the WD90C55 directly interfaces with the
WD90C20 and the WD90C22 cards. It also has power management
features, including automatic power-off when the system is in a
suspended mode, Western Digital said.

Western Digital said the new LCD display has on-chip monitor
detection logic and can select vertical screen filling or
automatic centering of an image.

Samples of the new card, the WD90C22, are available at $60 each
with production volumes available in the fall of this year.
More information is available from Letty Ledbetter at Western
Digital, telephone [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910808/Press Contact: Letty Ledbetter,
Western Digital, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 ACER CUTS COMPUTER PRICES 15% TO 29% 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00006)

ACER CUTS COMPUTER PRICES 15% TO 29% 08/08/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Acer
announced it is reducing prices by as much as 29 percent and is
also making additions to its computer product line.

The Acer 1100/33, a desktop Intel-based 386DX 33 megahertz (MHz) PC,
experienced the largest drop with a $1000 reduction from $3,995
to $2,995, a 29 percent decrease. The Acer 386-based computers
have dropped an average of $300 to $400 in price, and AT computers
have dropped an average of $200 on each computer. For example an
Acer 915V (II), a 286 at 16 MHz with Lotus 1-2-3 release 2.2
was $1,195 and now is $995.

Acer said it has added two 386 computers, the Acer 1125E-120, a
386 25 MHz with 125 megabyte (MB) hard disk, and the Acer
1125E, with the same configuration, but without the 125 MB hard
disk.

Acer also recently announced it has agreed upon a joint venture
with Texas Instruments to begin manufacture of 4 MB DRAM chips
at a facility in Taiwan. The company said the move was so it
would not be as vulnerable to price fluctuations as its
competitors.

Acer computers are sold through Ingram Micro, TechAge,
TechData, Rovec, and MicroAge.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910808/Press Contact: Randall Yang, Acer,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 MAC SOFTWARE AVAILABLE ON INFOMASTER AT SOFTWARE ETC 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00007)

MAC SOFTWARE AVAILABLE ON INFOMASTER AT SOFTWARE ETC 08/08/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- SoftKat
has announced the InfoMaster Electronic Software Buyer's guide
will now contain titles from its Macintosh Catalog.

The new information on Macintosh software titles will be
available for viewing on all InfoMaster systems installed in
229 Software Etc. stores nationwide.

The InfoMaster buyer's guide is updated monthly by modem and is
used by major retailers to keep up to date with the multitude
of products they sell, and to provide sales personnel with the
information needed to serve customers and close sales, Sellectek,
the company who markets InfoMaster, said.

Stan Hirschman, vice president of Software Etc. said, "At the
retail level, the InfoMaster System has increased store sales
persons' knowledge, increased customer satisfaction, increased
sales, reduced returns, and now with this program, expanded
shelf space and inventory...electronically!"

Don Helfstein, SoftKat's vice president of marketing, remarked,
"The program will put a number of our Macintosh Catalog
products on InfoMaster and will enhance the ability to capture
customer mind-share at the crucial point of sale."

SoftKat is a division of W.R. Grace located in Chatsworth,
California. The company says it services more than 6,000 retail
educational dealers in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910808/Press Contact: Don Helfstein,
SoftKat, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 BORLAND ASSUMES 51% OWNERSHIP OF ITS JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00008)

BORLAND ASSUMES 51% OWNERSHIP OF ITS JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY 08/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Borland International has gained 51
percent of the equity in its Japanese subsidiary Borland Japan.

The 30 million yen ($222,000) share of Borland Japan was previously
owned by Tokyo-based software firm Microsoft Associates. Borland,
which bought the shares, now holds an estimated 147 million yen
investment ($1 million US dollars) with its 51 percent share.

Borland has also sent a company director, Fumito Hara, to the Japanese
subsidiary to assume management responsibilities. He is known
as a venture capitalist and has invested in Authorware and other firms,
according to the Nikkei Personal Computing magazine. He is expected to
combine both American and Japanese techniques of sales and the management
in Japan.

Borland International is seeking a larger share of the Japanese software
market. The first move will be to develop a Japanese version of Paradox
for Windows 3.0., with other products following suit.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910805/Press Contact: Microsoftware Associates,
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 MACWORLD: BRIGHT STAR TECHNOLOGIES SHIPS NEW ACTORS 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00009)

MACWORLD: BRIGHT STAR TECHNOLOGIES SHIPS NEW ACTORS 08/08/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Launching a brand
new line of software modules, Bright Star Technologies this week
released what it hopes will be the first in a line of modules that
add new faces to their "At Your Service" Desk Accessory.

With the release of Volume 1 of the Catalog Of Actors, Bright Star
Technologies added two more human faces called Laura and Gabrielle,
and four animated actors known as Jeeves, Mack, Madeline, and The
Boss. Each of the four bring their own unique personality to your
screen.

Laura is described as "Warm, Friendly, and on the job," Gabrielle
brings "...a touch of Europe to your Mac...With her French accent,"
Jeeves is "Cultured and courteous...with a decidedly British edge;"
Mack is "a Mac with an attitude," Madeline "is a star of the smallest
screen" while The Boss is definitely a character to avoid.

Priced at $19.95 each or $49.95 for any three, Bright Star allows
you to customize the personality of your Mac depending on your mood
and feelings of the day.

The company hopes to release many more volumes in this catalog. They
are making available a developer's version so that other companies and
individuals can design their own actors and add services that the actors
can provide. Bright Star's Chairman and CEO Elon Gasper says that the firm
has been working on ways to improve the communications between the
computer and the "Wetware" in our heads for nine years. At Your
Service is just the next link in the long chain that leads to better
computer to human connectivity, states.

When asked about the similarity to Apple's Knowledge Navigator, Mr.
Gasper stated that the firm was pleased that Apple is promoting this type
of technology but that they had no advance notice of its coming, nor
did they begin developing At Your Service as a result of that film.

(Naor Wallach/19910807/Press Contact: Barbara Chapple, Bright Star
Technologies, 206-451-3697)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 SOFTWARE PUBLISHING LAYS OFF 6% OF WORKFORCE 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00010)

SOFTWARE PUBLISHING LAYS OFF 6% OF WORKFORCE 08/08/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Forty-
five employees, or 6 percent of the total worldwide workforce
of Software Publishing, are getting layoff notices this week,
the company said.

Software Publishing, best known for its Harvard Graphics
software package, said the layoffs are due to a recent
reorganization and slower than expected growth.

Recently, Software Publishing purchased Precision Software, a
desktop publishing software company. Of its workforce worldwide,
735 employees remain, including the new employees gained
with the merger.

Fran Brooks of investor relations with Software Publishing said
most of the layoffs were at the Mountain View headquarters in
marketing or in research and development.

After the announcement, Brooks pointed out that Software
Publishing stock went up. Brooks thought this indicates the
stockholders see the directors as doing what they need to do
and making the tough decisions when necessary.

Software Publishing's fiscal year is coming to a close on
September 30, 1991 and the company says it's been profitable
with reported revenues on June 30, 1991 of $7.1 million, or 53
cents per share.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910808/Press Contact: Carolyn Karr, Software
Publishing, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  8 TITAN BUYS STONEHOUSE, MERGES WITH SWEDISH ERICSSON 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00011)

TITAN BUYS STONEHOUSE, MERGES WITH SWEDISH ERICSSON 08/08/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Titan has
announced it has purchased The Stonehouse Group headquartered
in Denver, Colorado. The company has also formed a joint
venture company with Ericsson Radar Electronics based in
Molndal, Sweden called The GBS Joint Venture.

Both moves are to forward Titan in the U.S. Army competition
for development and production of the Ground Based Sensor (GBS)
for the Forward Area Air Defense System (FAADS).

The Army is expected to reach a decision in October regarding
the worldwide competition from vendors to identify and provide
the most advanced state-of-the-art air defense radar, Titan
said. Specifically, the Army is looking for a central search
radar for division and corps air defense battalions over the
next 20 to 30 years.

The joint venture company will only go forward if the Titan
system is chosen. Titan's Chief Executive Officer Gene Ray
said, "If the Titan-Ericsson 'Giraffe' radar is chosen by the
Army, The GBS Joint Venture will assemble, test and support the
GBS radar with a joint Titan-Ericsson staff in the United
States.

"The majority U.S. owned joint venture will transfer Ericsson
technology to the United States, reducing risk and assuring
continuity of performance throughout the program."

Jack McDougall, Titan's executive vice president and general
manager of the Systems Group added, "This joint venture offers
the U.S. Army the 'Giraffe' radar as a non-developmental, low-
risk solution to our ground based sensor requirements. The
product is field proven and has evolved through four
generations of development, resulting in a state-of-the-art
radar that is internationally acknowledged for its consistent
and reliable performance. We expect it to prove to be the best
value to the Army in the current FAADS GBS international
competition with six other leading air defense radars."

However, the company's acquisition of Stonehouse has already
been completed. The Stonehouse Group has provided software
consulting and software tool development to the U.S.
government. Stonehouse employs approximately 20 full-time
employees in Denver and Vienna, Virginia. The transaction was
an exchange of common stock, Titan said.

Ray said, "Stonehouse will greatly expand our capabilities in
information and database systems for our Applications Group,
headquartered in Vienna, Virginia."

Stonehouse will continue to operate out of its Denver and
Vienna facilities as a wholly owned subsidiary of Titan.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910808/Press Contact: Steve Meyer, Titan,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 NEW FOR PCS: Poqet Bundles Connections With PC 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00012)

NEW FOR PCS: Poqet Bundles Connections With PC 08/08/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Poqet
Computer has announced effective immediately its retailers will
bundle the 512-kilobyte (KB) PC Card and the Poqet Link cable
with The Poqet PC, with no increase in the $1,450 suggested
retail price.

The computer uses cards rather than disks for both storage of
the user's information and for loading applications software,
such as WordPerfect or Lotus 1-2-3. The PC Card can be used
in a manner similar to that of a floppy disk on an IBM compatible
personal computer (PC).

The Poqet Link cable allows the transfer of data between The
Poqet PC and an IBM compatible PC.

Users who purchase The Poqet PC to use as a functional,
portable extension of a computer they already own need a way to
save their work and a way to transfer that work to their
regular personal computer (PC). Poqet Computer says the
addition of the PC Card and the Poqet Link cable make The Poqet
PC a complete, off-the-shelf system for end-users.

Also, users who have software licensed so they could use a copy
on the Poqet in addition to their other computers had to buy
additional cards and the Poqet Link cable, for connection to
another IBM compatible personal computer (PC) to transfer that
software to The Poqet PC for use.

The Poqet PC, a hand-held, 1-pound, XT-equivalent computer with
640 of random access memory (RAM), an 80 x 25 character screen
and an AT-style keyboard, has been dropping substantially in
price since its introduction last year. Although this
announcement is not a price reduction, the Poqet Link and the
512 KB PC Card retailed for $350 together.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910807/Press Contact: Robert Owens, Poqet
Computer, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  8  ****ASTRONAUTS USE WRISTMACS WHILE IN SPACE 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00013)

 ****ASTRONAUTS USE WRISTMACS WHILE IN SPACE 08/08/91
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) --
Atlantis Space Shuttle astronauts went into space wearing
WristMacs, digital wristwatches that store and display mission
information loaded from Macintosh computers.

The astronauts, who will return to earth on August 11th, use the
four WristMacs to alert them to scheduled photographic
opportunities at the time desired features on Earth come into
view from Atlantis. When the alarm sounds, the WristMac
displays two 12-character lines of text to indicate the specific
photo information. The WristMacs are updating during flight by
a radio link to a portable Macintosh on the shuttle.

"NASA chose to equip the astronauts with WristMacs because these
communicating wristwatches are the smallest, most efficient
means to display Macintosh text messages while sounding critical
alerts at predetermined times," said David Rose, president of Ex
Machina, Inc., the manufacturer of the WristMac.

WristMac is a Seiko quartz digital watch enhanced with memory,
that can download or optionally upload 80 two-line screen pages
of text or numeric information to and from a Macintosh. The
unit is used by earthbound wearers to manage phone numbers,
appointments, reminders, and calendar information. It comes in a
variety of styles and colors, and is available from Macintosh
hardware and software retailers. WristMac carries a suggested
retail price of $149 to $249 depending on the style chosen.

Ex Machina spokesperson Katie Cadigan told Newsbytes that the
company doesn't plan to produce a PC version at this time.
Cadigan didn't know the number of WristMacs that have been
sold, but said the unit has been on the market for about two
years.

Cadigan said no special software is required, as long as the
data is stored in ASCII format. WristMac comes with a cable
that attaches to the Mac's serial port for downloading.
According to Cadigan, the astronauts are also doing experiments
to determine what kind of cursor control devices, such as a
mouse, will work best in space.

Atlantis was launched to conduct scientific experiments and to
launch a tracking satellite.

(Jim Mallory/910807/Press contact: David Rose, Ex Machina Inc.,
212-831-3141)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 SOFTWARE THAT WRITES TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00014)

SOFTWARE THAT WRITES TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS 08/08/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Speak Out Software has
announced Speak Out, a program that facilitates letter writing
to government officials, and even provides the names and
addresses.

Speak Out, available for both PCs and Macintosh, is a word
processing program and a database that can perform mail merge,
address envelopes and print labels, and contains more than 3,000
names of top public officials, along with addresses and phone
numbers.

Speak Out users can select the public officials they want to
send a letter to, writing their own letter or using one of
the sample letters provided. The sample letters can be modified
if desired.

"Apathy is a democracy's biggest enemy," said Speak Out
President Ken Rosmarin. "A nation of sheep eventually begets a
government of wolves - which means politicians make bad
decisions when good people don't speak out." Rosmarin says
Speak Out software makes it easier for people to tell public
officials what's on their mind.

According to Rossmarin, months went into researching the
database, and it is continually updated. Updates are available,
and local officials can be added by the user. The data can be
searched by name, title, nation, state, office or agency.
Keyword search, such as environment, pollution, drugs, poverty,
aging, taxes, schools, or education can also be used to search
for the correct officials.

Rosmarin says that he has seen studies that indicate that as few
as 200 letters sent to a public official can affect
decision-making. It's an empowering experience, says Rosmarin.
Speak Out also includes nine tips on effective letter writing to
politicians.

Speak Out will have the political database information available
in book form in early 1992. The software package sells for
$49.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling, and the book will sell
for $14.95 plus shipping and handling. Dot matrix, laser, and
daisy wheel printers are supported.

On the market for about six months, Speak Out has already
sold over 1,000 copies. Some of them have been sold to former
Congressional aides, who undoubtedly know the efficacy of
writing to our leaders.

Rosmarin says the company is planning a syndicated column, which
will address a key issue each week, and list the names and
addresses of the particular officials you can write to about
that issue.

More information about Speak Out can be obtained by calling
800-437-7325.

(Jim Mallory/910807/Press contact: Ken Rosmarin, Speak Out
Software, 713-664-1005)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 ASBC, NKK OF TOKYO SIGN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT DEAL 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00015)

ASBC, NKK OF TOKYO SIGN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT DEAL 08/08/91
PRYOR, OKLAHOMA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- American Small
Business Computers Inc. (ASBC), has announced that it has signed a
software development contract with the Japanese firm NKK. The
announcement was made during the opening of ASBC's new corporate
headquarters in Pryor, Oklahoma.

ASBC owners Bruce Taylor and Bob Webster joined NKK's Ryouzou
Yoshikawa in putting their names on the contract which
authorizes ASBC to develop a prototype software product, the
nature of which was not revealed. However, a source close to
ASBC told Newsbytes that the product would be in the field of
animation for television. No other information was available.

The initial phase of the NKK project will include a marketing
study in which ASBC will gather data via a worldwide marketing
research firm. ASBC says the results and an announcement of
details concerning the product would be announced during fall
COMDEX in Las Vegas in October of this year.

ASBC developed and markets DesignCAD, a software graphics
package which allows users to create designs in two or three
dimensions. The program has been translated into eight
languages, and ASBC says it is the third largest selling package
of its kind in the world.

ASBC is presently in an expansion mode, as the company moves to
its new 38,000 square foot, two-story complex in the
MidAmerica Industrial Park. A spokesperson for the industrial
park told Newsbytes that the park is the nation's fifth largest
industrial park. The park was opened in 1960 and has its own
waste water and water treatment plant, as well as a 365-acre
airport with a 5,000-foot runway.

(Jim Mallory/910807/Press contact: Keith Campbell, ASBC,
918-825-4844)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 AUSTRALIA: CONVICTED PIRATE HAS PCS SEIZED 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00016)

AUSTRALIA: CONVICTED PIRATE HAS PCS SEIZED 08/08/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- In the first case of computer
software piracy to be held in the Australian Federal Court, a
convicted software pirate has had his computer equipment seized.

Alan Carson, 39, was also ordered to perform 120 hours of community
service after pleading, and being found guilty of six counts of
illegally possessing copies of computer programs which he knew were
protected under Australian copyright. Although the charges related to
100 programs, police seized around 2,200, all of which they believed
were illegally copied.

Carson swapped and sold computer disks with illegal copies to a
regular clientele of around 100 people. Over the past 12 months,
police estimate he made around AUS$4,000 from the deals. Under the
laws governing copyright, Carson faced a maximum fine of AUS$50,000.
Justice John Von Doussa ordered that Carson surrender his two
computers, that the illegal software be destroyed, and that Carson
should pay AUS$500 toward the prosecution's costs.

(Sean McNamara/19910808)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 AUSTRALIA: TWO PCB MANUFACTURERS CLOSE PLANTS 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00017)

AUSTRALIA: TWO PCB MANUFACTURERS CLOSE PLANTS 08/08/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Two of Australia's five largest
printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers have closed down.
Printronics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong Company Allied
Overseas Investment, and Nu-tech Circuits have both closed their
manufacturing facilities.

Printronics is still maintaining a skeleton staff, and Managing
Director Len Jones is believed to be making a trip to Hong Kong to
meet with representatives of the parent company. Although
Printronics is not in liquidation or receivership, the parent
company has already propped the manufacturer up with AUS$25M.
Currently, it is thought that management of Nu-Tech may proceed with
a buy-out of the company.

The Australian PCB makers, including Morris productions, Artronics
and East Coast, supplied around half of the PCB market at their
peak. The market is valued at between AUS$100M and AUS$120M.
Although the recession is generally blamed for the poor performance
of the major local producers of late, the Government's Partnerships
for Development Program and the lowering of tariffs on component is
also seen by some observers to have played a critical role.

(Sean McNamara/19910808)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 TRON-BASED BOOK-TYPE PC DEBUTS 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00018)

TRON-BASED BOOK-TYPE PC DEBUTS 08/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Tokyo-based personal computer
developer Personal Media has announced that it has developed the
first book-type personal computer, which is based on the TRON
operating system. The PC called "1B/note" will be released at
the end of September.

TRON is a real-time operating system and was originally developed
by Ken Sakamura of Tokyo University. TRON supports almost all
languages including English and Japanese and is generally perceived
as an operating system for novices. It was once envisioned as the future
standard operating system in Japan, but was criticized by U.S. trade
representatives (USTR) as discriminatory against US companies. So, the
Japanese Ministry of Education dropped TRON as the standard operating
system for public schools.

Personal Media's new book-type PC is equipped with BTRON (Business
TRON) and an 80386SX micro processor. The PC also has a 4MB memory,
20MB hard disk, a mouse and a modem. The basic business application
programs including word processor and telecommunication programs
are bundled with the machine. The actual production of the PC will
be done by Matsushita Electric and will be supplied to Personal
Media on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis. The
retail price will be 485,000 yen ($3,600).

Matsushita is currently selling a desktop version of the BTRON PC,
but sales are slow. So, Personal Media is planning
to ship only 3,000 units for the initial year to sound out the
market.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910807/Press Contact: Personal Media, +81-3-
3490-0410)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 NEW FOR PCS: Buttonware's PC-File 6.0 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00019)

NEW FOR PCS: Buttonware's PC-File 6.0 08/08/91
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- ButtonWare has
released PC-File version 6.0, its dBASE-compatible, flat file
database.

ButtonWare says the program is easier to use since
it offers a Windows-like interface with buttons, scroll bars,
pull-down menus and dialog boxes, but without the heavy RAM
(random access memory) and disk requirements that Windows
products require.

PC File 6.0's menu structure has been redesigned to add
pull-down menus, and has the option to run in character mode.
It can locate files on any drive or directory, and supports the
use of a mouse. Help screens have been expanded to allow users
to scroll through detailed information, and general navigation
help screens are available.

ButtonWare says it has improved the report writer and letter
writer, with commands for those features available through the
pull-down menus, and database definition has been reduced to one
step from the previous six. Macros are now modified in English,
rather than the previous ASCII codes, and a macro record mode
has been added, which can define up to 27 macros of 1,000
characters each.

Previously, users had to exit PC-File to access the labels
program, but that has been changed to access it and several
utilities programs, such as file packing, from the menu. You
can also designate a database "read-only" in order to prohibit
modification, and labels can be printed at the touch of a key,
says ButtonWare.

The company says it has added more printer support, including a
Postscript driver, an "Undo" key is now available, and the
documentation has been rewritten to supply two illustrated
manuals.

PC-File runs on IBM PC, XT, AT or PS/2 and compatibles, needs
DOS 3.0 or higher, and takes 450K of RAM. A one-step conversion
program and instructions are provided to convert files from
earlier versions of the program.

PC-File sells for $75-100 at retail outlets, and registered
owners of earlier versions can update for $49.95. A LAN version
is also available with a five workstation license for about
$250. The new program is not available as shareware, like
earlier versions were.

(Jim Mallory/910807/Press contact: Dee Dee Walsh, buttonWare,
206-454-0479, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 IBM SUPPLIES DISK DRIVES TO NEC 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00020)

IBM SUPPLIES DISK DRIVES TO NEC 08/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- IBM will supply Japan's NEC
with its 3390 hard disk drives in an OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) agreement just reached between the two firms.

IBM's 3390 has a maximum memory storage of 22.7 gigabytes. This is
not a new disk drive, having been released at the end of 1989.
Still, NEC is praising the drive for its reliability, capacity,
and fast access time.

NEC wants to sign a similar OEM agreement with IBM on a high-end
version of the 3390 disk drive in the near future.

This OEM agreement is yet another manifestation of the friendly
relationship between the Japanese and the American computer
giants. IBM Japan and NEC have already agreed on sales of
supercomputers in Japan -- IBM Japan will receive supercomputers
from NEC and sell them to IBM Japan's customers, since IBM makes
no supercomputers of its own.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910807/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3586-
1111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 LOGITECH BUNDLES DARKROOM WITH SCANMAN MAC 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00021)

LOGITECH BUNDLES DARKROOM WITH SCANMAN MAC 08/08/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- From mid-
August through December of this year, purchasers of ScanMan
Model 32 hand-held scanner for the Macintosh get an added
bonus, Logitech said, as Digital Darkroom comes with the
scanner now at no extra charge.

The ScanMan retails for $499, and Digital Darkroom alone is an
additional $395 retail. "In keeping with Logitech's commitment
to providing excellent products at reasonable prices, we felt
the combination of these two products would provide not only a
great value, but would also offer a powerful scanning and image
editing solution," stated Antoine Bovard, Macintosh product
marketing manager for Logitech.

Digital Darkroom, recently upgraded to version 2.0, is an image
editing software tool, Logitech said. The most unique feature
of the Darkroom product is the colorization capability that
allows users to accent gray-scale images with color overlays
that are defined by the user, Logitech said. The software also
allows the user to do real-time transformations, has custom 8-
bit brushes, can handle multiple documents, has rulers and an
enhanced auto-trace feature, the company said.

Bill Gordon, OEM accounts manager for Silicon Beach, developer
of Darkroom, said, "It's a fantastic opportunity for the
customer. The two products are a natural combination, and offer
people all the affordable scanning hardware and software tools
that they need to enhance and compose gray scale images."

Logitech also has included software necessary for the operation
of the ScanMan scanner. However, the ScanMan software can be
used from within the Darkroom software environment, so the two
software products can be seamlessly integrated, Logitech said.

The ScanMan software has also been upgraded to version 2.1 and
features integrated switching to merge multiple scans, pop-up
image exposure control, an information window displaying image
size, and resolution and calibration of the scanner so gray
values between pieces of a merged scan can be matched, the
company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910801/Press Contact: Betty Skov, Logitech,
Tel: [phone], ext. 1085, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 RASTEROPS INTROS SLIDE SCANNER, CD-QUALITY AUDIO/VIDEO 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00022)

RASTEROPS INTROS SLIDE SCANNER, CD-QUALITY AUDIO/VIDEO 08/08/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- RasterOps
has introduced a stand-alone slide scanner, called Expresso, that
the company maintains allows users instantaneous viewing of images
from slides and negatives on a computer monitor or television screen.
At the same time the company has also introduced Media Time, a
single NuBus adapter for the Macintosh that allows CD-quality
digital audio with 24-bit real-time video and graphics to be
recorded on a hard disk.

According to the company, Expresso works with any video monitor,
VCR, video camera or can be connected directly to a TV. Slides or
negatives are placed under the video zoom lens and the image is
displayed on screen.

Expresso is said to be compatible with any device that has NTSC
or PAL input capabilities such as the RasterOps Colorboard 364,
24STV, 24XLTV, and the new MediaTime.

With MediaTime, CD-quality stereo sound can be recorded directly
to the hard disk. The recording can then be edited and played
back at full 16-bit fidelity directly from the Macintosh. The company
says that MediaTime uses a dedicated digital signal processor
which provides high fidelity sound control and manipulation to
free the Mac CPU (central processing unit) for other applications.

The Expresso slide scanner works with RasterOps and Truevision
video products on the Macintosh, SUN or IBM platforms. Manual
adjustments are provided for brightness, zoom, focus, color and
positive/negative select.

According to RasterOps, MediaTime is completely QuickTime-
compatible, which allows creation of documents with stereo sound
and real time video.

Using any composite or S-Video source, the video is digitized
and scan converted in real-time for a higher quality on-screen
image. The video window is scalable up to 640 by 480 and can
be captured in real time sequentially to RAM or hard disk.

NTSC, PAL and SECAM formats are decoded on the fly for
automatic switching between sources and formats. MediaTime is
also compatible with the RasterOps TV Tuner, RasterOps Video
Expander, and the CorrectColor Calibrator.

Available now through authorized RasterOps resellers, Expresso
is priced at $999. MediaTime will be available this fall, priced
under $3,000.

(Ian Stokell/19910808/Press Contact: Pattie Walters, RasterOps
Corp., 408-562-4200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 ASK COMPUTER'S INGRES ACQUISITION CUTS INTO PROFITS 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00023)

ASK COMPUTER'S INGRES ACQUISITION CUTS INTO PROFITS 08/08/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- ASK
Computer Systems' October 1990 acquisition of Ingris Corp has
effected the company's profits, despite record revenue for the fourth
quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 1991.

In the press release the company said that "fiscal 1991 results reflect
the company's October 22, 1990 acquisition of Ingres Corp. and include
approximately eight months of Ingres operations."

The company's net revenue for the fourth quarter 1991 was a record
$127,891,000 compared with net revenue of $66,540,000 for the fourth
quarter ended June 30, 1990. Operating income before goodwill
amortization was $16,741,000, a 204 percent increase over the
$5,509,000 operating income before goodwill for the comparable
period last year.

Net income for fourth quarter 1991 was only $2,626,000, compared to
$2,602,000 for the same period last year. The company maintains
that the results reflect "increased goodwill and interest expenses,
and a higher effective tax rate of 69 percent versus 46 percent for
the like quarter last year."

Fourth quarter 1991 earnings per share were $0.13, compared
with $0.19 per share for the comparable period last year.

Net revenue for fiscal 1991 was a record $343,933,000 compared
with net revenue of $207,486,000 for fiscal year ended June 30,
1990.

The software company has over 2,000 employees worldwide.

(Ian Stokell/19910808/Press Contact: Les Wright, ASK Computer
Systems, 415-335-5469)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8  ****HP TO ACQUIRE AVANTEK 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00024)

 ****HP TO ACQUIRE AVANTEK 08/08/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Hoping to
expand into the communications market, Hewlett-Packard Company
has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Santa Clara, California-
based Avantek Inc., maker of microwave semiconductors, components,
and assemblies.

The deal seems to reaffirm the notion that the line between the
computer and communications industries is becoming increasingly
blurred, and that the connectivity between computers is looked upon
as a potentially lucrative area for major manufacturers.

The terms of the proposal, which is expected to be completed
by the fall, 1991, call for HP to pay $4.60 per share for each of
Avantek's approximately 18 million shares of common stock
outstanding for a total of about $82.8 million.

Avantek will be merged with HP's components group, which
generated revenue of $302 million in the company's 1990 fiscal year.

HP says that the resulting organization will be able to serve both
companies' customers around the world with a single focus for
radio-frequency (RF) and microwave-frequency (MF)
semiconductors and components.

Avantek employs 2,000 people and had sales of $155.5 million in
its 1990 fiscal year.

The combined organization expects to target such telecommunication
and data communication products as cellular radios, cordless
telephones, high-speed fiber-optic systems and direct-broadcast
satellite receivers.

The company said that the defense-microwave component markets
will continue to be served by the combined organization.

According to William F. Craven, HP vice president and general
manager of the Components Group: "This proposed merger will
speed products to market, streamline service to our mutual customer
base and allow us to offer more world-class components faster to
customers around the world."

HP has been hard at work acquiring companies in the past few years.
In May 1989 the company acquired workstation manufacturer Apollo
Computer Inc. In January 1991 Applied Optoelectronic Technology
Corp was acquired, and in May 1991 two subsidiaries of ABB Corp.
of Switzerland were consumed.

(Ian Stokell/19910808/Press Contact: Marlene Somsak, Hewlett-Packard,
415-857-6805)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 MICROSOFT CUTS PRICE OF MICROSOFT OFFICE FOR MAC 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00025)

MICROSOFT CUTS PRICE OF MICROSOFT OFFICE FOR MAC 08/08/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced a special, limited time cost cut for Microsoft Office
version 1.5 for the Macintosh and the CD-ROM version.

Microsoft says it has temporarily reduced the price from $849 to
$750 until December 31st of this year. Simultaneously, it has
reduced the price of the Microsoft License Pak version of Office
from $679 to $600.

Microsoft Office is a four-application program which includes
spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel version 3.0,; Microsoft
Mail, for AppleTalk Networks, an electronic mail (e-mail)
system; Microsoft Word 4.0, a word processing program; and
Microsoft PowerPoint presentation graphics.

According to Mike Maples, VP of applications at Microsoft, "This
new pricing makes The Microsoft Office even more affordable for
users, and because all four of the programs are among the most
popular in their categories, it's really a great value."

In July of this year Microsoft also cut the price of Microsoft
Works for the Macintosh from $295 to $249.

The Microsoft Office version 1.5 was announced in May of this
year, and included updates of Excel and Mail. According to
Microsoft, if purchased separately the four programs included in
Office would cost over $1000 at the suggested retail price.
Newsbytes was unable to learn if the $129 upgrade for owners of
earlier versions of Microsoft office, which was announced with
the release of version 1.5, was still applicable.

Microsoft Corporation maintains a toll free number for product
and sales information (800-426-9400)

(Jim Mallory/910808/press contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 SIEMENS ANNOUNCES 3,000 STAFF CUTS AS RECESSION BITES 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00026)

SIEMENS ANNOUNCES 3,000 STAFF CUTS AS RECESSION BITES 08/08/91
DUSSELDORF, WESTERN GERMANY, 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Siemens has
announced plans to shed 3,000 of its 51,000-strong workforce from
the payroll by the end of the year. The recession, resulting in a
projected loss of DM 400 million for the year to September 30,
has been blamed for the cuts.

According to Siemens, the job cuts are part of a move to reduce
costs by DM 600 by the end of next year. Around 1,000 of the job
cuts are already in progress, company officials said.

The cuts could have a hefty effect on Siemens' European
operations. Around 100 staff have been shaved from the U.K.
payroll already, and press reports suggest that the company's
Berlin finishing operations -- which employs 600 staff -- will
close shortly.

Analysts are blaming Siemens' strategy of maintaining sales on
the proprietary technology front as the main cause of the cuts.
Other companies, which have actively embraced open systems
technology, have managed to maintain sales momentum, even though
profits have been affected.

(Steve Gold/19910808)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 MITSUBISHI LAUNCHES LIGHTWEIGHT CELLULAR PHONE 08/08/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)

MITSUBISHI LAUNCHES LIGHTWEIGHT CELLULAR PHONE 08/08/91
HATFIELD, HERTS, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Mitsubishi has
announced it will launch a new hand portable cellular phone --
the MT-5 -- at the Comex telecom show in London next month. The
Japanese giant claims that the phone will be the lightest
available.

The phone measures 160 by 56 by 23.5 mm and tips the scales at just
297 grams or a bit more than half a pound, just a couple of ounces
heavier than the new Motorola cellular phone unveiled this week.
Despite its size and weight, the phone is a full ETACs (Extended
Total Access Communications) 1,320 channel unit working to Class
4 mobile specifications. A version is being readied for the U.S.
market conforming to the AMPS (American Mobile Phone System) standard.

The MT-5 will replace the original MT-3 portable phone which was
released three years ago and weighs twice that of the new unit.
The new phone features a 20-digit alphanumeric LCD display and
enough memory to store up to 99 names and phone numbers.

In use, Mitsubishi is claiming that the phone gives 40 minutes
talk time or 8 hours in standby mode on a single battery charge.
An extended battery is available that doubles these times.

The Comex telecommunications show will take place from September
10 to 12 at the Wembley exhibition centre in London.

(Steve Gold/19910808/Press & Public Contact: Mitsubishi Electric
UK - Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 PACIFIC BELL TO SELL COMPUTER SYSTEMS TO REALTORS 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)

PACIFIC BELL TO SELL COMPUTER SYSTEMS TO REALTORS 08/08/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Pacific
Bell announced a joint-marketing agreement with U. S. Recognition
for its Market Maker software so it can arrange a complete
system, including hardware, software and local network
services, for its Pacific Bell RealtyLink real estate telecom
system.

Market Maker provides functions needed by RealtyLink including
the a video version of a multiple listings database, financial
management and customer qualifications transactions, image
transmission and interface with digital lines under ISDN
standards. Under the 3-year agreement, U. S. Recognition also can
provide computer equipment, including AT&T computers compatible
with ISDN.

Thus, with RealtyLink, Pacific Bell provides the network services
within its service areas, U. S. Recognition provides the
equipment the customer uses on his premises and the application
software. All the customer need add is information from his own
databases. RealtyLink combines the voice and electronic mail
services, digital transmission, automated billing and call
management, and toll-free 800 lines. The service also lets
brokers set up simultaneous voice and data calls with lenders,
appraisers, title insurance companies, and others to discuss
transactions and complete paperwork via a computer.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910809/Press Contact: Pacific Bell, Scott E.
Smith, 415/542-0597)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 MOTOROLA INTROS LIGHTEST CELLULAR PHONE 08/08/91

08/08/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00029)

MOTOROLA INTROS LIGHTEST CELLULAR PHONE 08/08/91
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- Motorola
has introduced a lighter line-up of MicroTAC portable cellular
phones, the lightest of which weighs under 1/2 lb. or .2 kg.

Motorola had been stung by recent announcements by Japanese phone
makers, including NEC and Fujitsu, of systems which are lighter
than the original MicroTAC and match it in features. Many of the
innovations were created by a consortium put together by NTT.
"We're not a part of that. Our phones are completely separate,"
a Motorola spokesman told Newsbytes.

The market battle is taking place in both Japan and the U.S. at
once. Motorola has bitterly complained that Japanese regulators
and industrial groups slowed its move into the Tokyo market --
now due next year -- so they could match the MicroTAC features.
A deal was finally struck to let the Motorola AMPS cellular
system into the market, but not before the Japanese had matched
MicroTAC features. The new NTT consortium phones will be used on
an NTT system using different technology from AMPS. Motorola has
responded in Japan by offering lower calling charges on its
system, which is a hit in Western Japan.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., Fujitsu and NEC have begun exporting
those phones which match the old MicroTAC. Analysts say the
Fujitsu phones' gallium arsenide technology will keep them ahead.
Motorola is building a gallium arsenide chip plant in Phoenix to
power its future phones. Pocket phones like the MicroTAC are
expected to represent 60 percent of the U.S. cellular phone
market of 2.6 million units this year, even they cost up to
$1,000 at discount. The new Motorola models retail at $1,500 to
$2,000, but prices are expected to fall quickly.

The MicroTAC Lite doesn't have fewer calories and fat, but does
weigh just 7.7 ounces and measures 11.6 cubic inches. More
important, perhaps, the new phone boasts a talk time of up to 45
minutes or eight hours of standby time -- 150 minutes of talk or
24 hours of standby with a special battery called the Talk PAK
XT. The new phone is also capable of handling Motorola's own
NAMPS analog scheme, which promises to increase system capacity
without requiring cellular operators to create extensive digital
systems.

Motorola also introduced the MicroTAC Alpha Series of phones,
which build off the original MicroTAC with new features and a
streamlined design. The Alpha Series phones weigh in at 10.1
ounces and feature a color display of names and numbers, a
directory of frequently called numbers, a menu mode for
selecting a dozen other features off a list, a meter showing the
strength of a received signal, and an auto-answer mode which
picks up a call after two rings. The Alpha Series phones come
complete with two batteries affording up to 130 minutes of
continuous talk time.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910809/Press Contact: David Pinsky,
Motorola,708-632-2841)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 8 APC FIBER CABLE UNDERWAY 08/09/91

08/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)

APC FIBER CABLE UNDERWAY 08/09/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 8 (NB) -- AT&T will join a Fujitsu
consortium put together by C. Itoh to lay a new Pacific Rim
cable called the APC System. The cable will link Japan, Taiwan,
Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

The order was worth 43 billion yen -- $316 million -- NEC and
Ocean Cable of Japan will share in it. The 7,500-kilometer,
or 4,500-mile cable will handle 60,000 to 90,000 telephone calls
at one time, and will be connected to existing trans-Pacific
submarine cables, along with a cable network linking members
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and a France-Singapore
cable network now under construction. The cable is due for
completion in mid-1993.

A total of 37 telecommunications carriers are in on the deal,
which was started by US Sprint and AT&T of the U.S., Hong Kong
Telecom of Hong Kong, IDC and KDD of Japan, ITD of Taiwan,
Mercury of the UK, Telekom Malaysia Berhad and Singapore Telecom.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910809/Press Contact: Vince Hovanec, US
Sprint, 202-828-7423)


#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 AUG 7  ****ENTER THUMBELINA, A MOUSE THE SIZE OF A SUGAR CUBE 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00001)

 ****ENTER THUMBELINA, A MOUSE THE SIZE OF A SUGAR CUBE 08/07/91
PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Appoint, the
manufacturer of the MousePen family of ergonomically designed
pointing devices and peripherals, has introduced "Thumbelina," a
mouse so small the retail version of it is one and a half inches square
and three-fourths of an inch high.

According to Jon Frost, vice-president of marketing for Appoint, the
miniature mouse has been produced in response to consumer
demand. "Clearly a complete trackball mechanism the size of a sugar
cube is the right product at the right time. As the industry moves towards
notebooks and palmtops there is an immediate need to provide a full
function onboard pointing device that requires a minimum of real
estate," he said.

In the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) version, Thumbelina
was called the F13, because, incorporated into a keyboard, it is no
larger than a function key, company officials said.

Subsequently code-named "Sweatpea" during its stand-alone product
development, Thumbelina utilizes Appoint's proprietary, friction
operated technology used in the MousePen product line. The
mechanism has the ability to function on any surface, or at any angle
including down, the company said.

The design actually allows Thumbelina to function in harsher
environments than laptop or notebook computers are used to,
including in high contaminate levels, under extreme vibration or even
in weightlessness, Appoint officials added.

In use, Thumbelina is a full-featured mouse, with two input buttons
ergonomically located so they can be used simultaneously, and a
third button which functions as a drag lock key. The drag lock key is
specially designed for the difficulty in pressing a button and sliding
the mouse, associated with certain drag functions. A light indicates
the drag lock is on, and the function stays on until the drag lock key
is pressed again.

Unintentional input is not a problem either, even though a user can
easily lay their hand over it on a desktop or hold it in the palm
while performing keyboard input.

Thumbelina comes in four primary versions: the IBM PS/2 version in
IBM grey color and a nine foot cable; the IBM compatible personal
computer (PC) version, also IBM grey with a nine foot cable; the
portable version for IBM compatible portable or laptop computers in
IBM grey with a five foot cable; and the Macintosh version,
ThumbelinaMac, which comes in a platinum color, has a six foot cable
and is also Apple compatible. All four units carry a suggested retail
price of $99, and are distributed by Ingram Micro.

More information is available from Appoint at telephone [phone]
in the U.S. and [phone] everywhere else.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910807/Press Contact: Shawna Martinez, Appoint,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 TECHNOLOGY TO AID THE HANDICAPPED GETS 800 NUMBER 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00002)

TECHNOLOGY TO AID THE HANDICAPPED GETS 800 NUMBER 08/07/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- One of the major
corporate sponsors of the National Search for Computing to Assist
Persons with Disabilities, MCI Communications, has donated a toll-free
800 number for the use of the Johns Hopkins University search
committee.

Since the deadline for returning completed application is the end of
August, people can now call 800-593-2000 to have the information
mailed or faxed. The voice mail system on the 800 line requests name,
phone number, and mailing address, or fax number.

Paul Hazan, of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the
director of the search, told Newsbytes that thousands of people have
already written to request applications and that hundreds of completed
applications arrive in his office each week, but he emphasizes that
there will also be hundreds of winners in the contest, so it certainly
is not too late to apply.

The actual application need not be complex; you must clearly state
the description of your proposed project, design, or completed
product, and fill out a simple form identifying yourself or organization
so the submission can be judged in the correct category.

All U.S. residents except staff of Johns Hopkins University, and their
families, are eligible for the contest.

After regional winners are selected at various science museums
around the country, the top ten finalists will exhibit their products or
ideas at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, on February 1
and 2, 1991, and attend the awards banquet on Monday, February 3.

You can still write for an application to: CAPD, P.O. Box 1200,
Laurel, MD 20723, but the deadline for entries is August 23, 1991.

(John McCormick/19910807)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 DID ORACLE "STONE" ITS CUSTOMERS WITH VIRUS? 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00003)

DID ORACLE "STONE" ITS CUSTOMERS WITH VIRUS? 08/07/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Computerworld is
reporting that Oracle has sent out 800 demo discs for its Windows
DDE/Toolbox infected with the so-called "Stoned," virus program.
The program is also known as the Marijuana, or New Zealand virus.

The publication reports a frantic effort to contact recipients by
telephone but said they were unable to contact Oracle for comment.
Newsbytes reached one person in the Oracle PR department who
said: "I don't know much about it. There was some sort of
virus problem."

She was unable to provide any further information, taking a number
and promising that someone would call back with more information.

The story reportedly originated on the Virus-L electronic digest of
virus-related incidents.

The Stoned B virus infects a disk by replacing the boot record, but it
also stores the original record elsewhere on the disk, possibly as a
challenge to hackers to restore their own disks.

When activated the virus prints out the message: "Legalize Marijuana -
Your PC is now Stoned," or some similar variation of that text.

In March of last year, two Australian magazines inadvertently sent out
discs infected with the same virus of some portion of the code.

The University of Toronto was also hit by a variant of the virus last
year. In its "traditional" form, the Stoned virus can only be activated
by booting from an infected disk.

(John McCormick/19910807)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7 AT&T SIGNS NEW KUWAITI TELECOMS LINK-UP CONTRACT 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004))

AT&T SIGNS NEW KUWAITI TELECOMS LINK-UP CONTRACT 08/07/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Underscoring its
longterm commitment to doing business in Kuwait, AT&T has signed a
contract with Alghanim Industries - initially valued at more than $3
million - which gets it back into the telephone equipment business in
that country.

Among the many products AT&T plans to sell through Alghanim are
corded and cordless phones, digital PBX equipment, business
communications systems and telephone answering systems.

AT&T has also been working closely with the Ministry of
Communications in Kuwait to help rebuild the country's
telecommunications network. In May, AT&T Network Systems installed
two containerized 5ESS digital switches which can now handle
international and domestic calls.

Subsequently an $11 million contract was signed under which AT&T will
provide Definity Private Branch Exchange business switch systems as
well as the technical and engineering support needed to rebuild the
Kuwait Air Force communications system.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910807/Press Contact: Mike Miller, AT&T, 201-221-
8824)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 NORTON AND NOORDA TO KEYNOTE FED MICRO '91 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00005)

NORTON AND NOORDA TO KEYNOTE FED MICRO '91 08/07/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Fed Micro '91, to be
held August 20-21, will feature Peter Norton, creator of Norton Utilities
and member of Symantec's board of directors, along with Ray Noorda,
president and CEO of Novell, as keynote speakers.

Norton will speak on Tuesday at noon, followed Wednesday at noon
by Noorda.

Fed Micro is an annual summer event where federal employees and
other regional professionals attend a microcomputer conference and
exhibition. This year there will be more than 250 corporate
exhibitors, and 40 conference sessions and workshops will be held.

This year's attendees are eligible to win a Wang PC 321/16S computer,
and the first 500 attending both the morning and afternoon conference
sessions will receive a free disk with utility software.

A special Fed Micro Windows showcase will premier this year. This
event is held in downtown Washington at the Washington Convention
center. Last year's Fed Micro was a three-day event.

For further information contact: National Trade Productions at 800-
638-8510 or 703-683-8500.

(John McCormick/19910807)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7 U.S. AMBASSADOR REASSURES SOVIET DOLLAR HOLDERS 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00006)

U.S. AMBASSADOR REASSURES SOVIET DOLLAR HOLDERS 08/07/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- CNN has reported that the
Honorable John F. Matlock, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union,
has made a public statement intended to reassure Soviet citizens in
possession of U.S. money that the recent announcement of a new
$100 bill was not a Soviet-style recall but a gradual phase-out of the
older bills as they wear out in the normal course of business.

The black market especially was reportedly shaken by the U.S.
Treasury Department's recent announcement of a new, harder to
counterfeit, $100 bill because they feared it would lead to a recall of the
older greenbacks such as the recent Soviet government recall of all
50- and 100-ruble notes which bankrupted many elderly savers and
caused severe market disruptions for black marketers (what other
countries usually call free-enterprise).

There is still considerable pressure on the U.S. Government however,
to introduce an "external" version of the dollar - valid throughout
the world - which would enable the U.S. Government to declare
existing dollar bills illegal for use outside the U.S. and Canada.

The idea is to force non-U.S. holders of dollar bills to exchange
their notes with banks and other financial institutions, and so wiping
out the millions of dollars in drug money held by drug runners. Most
industry analysts have concluded that, while the idea is fine in
principle, the administration involved - coupled with the problems and
worries caused by such a move - make such a change unworkable.

(John McCormick/19910807)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 ADA SYMPOSIUM SET FOR SEPTEMBER 11-13 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00007)

ADA SYMPOSIUM SET FOR SEPTEMBER 11-13 08/07/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- The Ada Software
Engineering Education and Training (ASSET) team has announced
that its sixth annual symposium will be held on September 11 through
13, 1991, at the Institute for Defense Analyses in Alexandria, Virginia.

This year's Symposium will look at Ada from the perspective of
academia. Tutorials and referred paper presentations will be
featured at the Symposium.

Early registration - before August 16 - will cost $50 for tutorial
sessions, $30 for the symposium, or $75 for both. After that date,
prices will go up to $70 for the tutorial sessions, $50 for the
symposium section, and $100 for all three days.

For further information contact: Major Christopher Demery, Offutt Air
Force Base, Nebraska, phone [phone] or e-mail
[e-mail] on Usenet/Internet.

To register or for a copy of the Symposium announcement, call Ms.
Catherine McDonald at 703-845-6626.

(John McCormick/19910807)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 LEASETEK ANNOUNCES FALL CONFERENCE 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00008)

LEASETEK ANNOUNCES FALL CONFERENCE 08/07/91
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- LeaseTek,
a leading provider of software for management of lease management
and accounting running on PCs and networks, has announced that its
Fall 1991 conference will be held on October 7 at the Hyatt Pittsburgh in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The theme of this conference is "Tracking Your Lease Operations &
Accounting."

LeaseTek customers range from small companies with only 100
vehicles or equipment lease customers, to companies with over
25,000 accounts to track.

Contact: Michele P. Quinn, LeaseTek, 300 Pen Center Blvd., Suite 500,
Pittsburgh, PA 15235, phone [phone] or fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910807)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 MORE ON GTE VS AMERICAN SOFTWARE LAW SUIT 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00009)

MORE ON GTE VS AMERICAN SOFTWARE LAW SUIT 08/07/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- American Software
has responded to published reports of a lawsuit against it by GTE
Products Corp.

The firm said that it has not been served with a copy of this lawsuit,
which "apparently has been filed in federal court in Boston."

Wire service reports have stated that the suit was filed on Friday,
August 2nd in U.S. District Court in Boston. It seeks at least $17.3
million in damages relating to its claims that failed software from
American Software severely impacted a two year restructuring
program aimed at making GTE's Sylvania Lighting Division more
competitive.

GTE reportedly contends that American Software is to blame for the
"nearly total failure of a multi-million dollar computer software
system" that was a key part of the project. GTE attorney Roscoe
Trimmier Jr.  was quoted as saying: "It's put them substantially
beyond the time they expected to devote to the project."

In its statement, American Software said: "that it has known for
several months of GTE's inability to achieve certain business
objectives. The statements attributed to GTE in the newspaper article,
relating to the reported lawsuit, suggest that individuals at GTE wish
to avoid responsibility for their own failures by blaming American
Software. American Software products are performing well and up to
specifications at sites all over the world. American Software believes
that it has fulfilled all of its obligations under each of its
contracts with GTE and will vigorously oppose all allegations of the
nature described in the newspaper article."

American Software spokesperson Neal Miller told Newsbytes that,
although the firm has been told of the suit, it still has not received
formal notification and is not quite sure when and how it will be
delivered.

"This is all new to us. It hasn't happened before. Our clients have
always expressed satisfaction with our products and services," said
Miller.

"It is not as though this was a new system to be developed from
scratch. The system is running for a number of clients and had to be
modified for specific GTE requirements, a normal procedure in an
installation," he added.

Miller continued: "According to the article that I read in the Boston
Globe about the suit, the system is currently running at five of their nine
plant locations. According to my understanding, the problems GTE is
experiencing are due to hardware capacity rather than software error.
GTE down-sized from IBM mainframes to AS/400s to run the system
and it is apparently having capacity problems."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910807/Press Contact: Neal
L. Miller, American Software Inc.,, 404-261-4381)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 TI/ACER 4 MB DRAM CHIPS COMING IN 1992 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00010)

TI/ACER 4 MB DRAM CHIPS COMING IN 1992 08/07/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Texas Instruments
and Acer's joint dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chip plant
has started pilot production of 4 megabyte (MB) 80 nanosecond (ns)
DRAMs, the companies said.

Plans call for the chips, which will be manufactured at a plant in
Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, to be interchangeable with DRAMs currently used
for memory. They are expected to be in mass production in early 1992,
the company said.

The implications are that 4MB DRAM chips could replace 1MB DRAMs
and so quadruple the amount of memory available, a spokesperson
for Acer said.

The Taiwan-based plant includes a class 1 clean room and facilities to
produce sub-micron technology, the company said. Production from this
facility is estimated at one million chips a month, Acer said.

Leonard Liu, president of The Acer Group and chairman and chief
executive officer of Acer America said: "Acer's philosophy has been
to align ourselves with industry leaders."

"Texas Instrument's vast resources and technological innovations in
the production of DRAM chips combined with this state-of-the-art
wafer manufacturing facility will provide Acer with a constant supply
of cost-effective memory components which is essential for the
competitiveness of Acer's systems products," he added.

Liu went on to say that plans are underway to equip the plant so that
16MB DRAM chips can be produced. This equipping is targeted for
mid-1992, Liu said.

Acer said its investment in the project overall is estimated to exceed
$250 million. $140 million was paid in capital, the company said.
Further, of the $140 million, $114 million was issued in common stock,
Acer said.

Acer holds 58 percent of the common stock, Texas Instruments holds
26 percent, the China Development Corporation holds 16 percent, with
the rest dedicated to special stock planned for purchase by eight
financial institutions, the company said.

Acer added that it expects the ability to be able to produce memory
chips to make it less sensitive to market fluctuations of memory
components -- something it expects other vendors to be faced with.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910807/Press Contact: Randall Yang, Acer, Tel:
408/922-0333, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7 RADIUS INTROS NEW ERGONOMIC DISPLAY FILTER LINE 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00011)

RADIUS INTROS NEW ERGONOMIC DISPLAY FILTER LINE 08/07/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Radius has
added a new filter to its line of display filters to buffer the user from
electric field emissions, attempt to eliminate screen glare, to
enhance screen contrast, and reduce static build-up on the screen's
surface.

Although studies have shown that the highest magnetic emissions
come from the sides and back of a monitor, the filter is designed to
further reduce what comes from the front of the monitor, directly at
the user, the company said.

Radius officials added that, although controversy continues over
scientific findings and the effects of low-level electromagnetic
exposure, it has chosen to address the issue immediately.

The public is becoming more aware of the potential problems with
emissions and other ergonomics from computer displays and use.
Radius President and Chief Executive Officer Barry James Folsom
said: "Our industry is making the move towards reduced emissions,
and a clear standard is evolving."

"While there are still no conclusive findings about the effects of
emissions, Radius will comply with all major industry-accepted
standards for the numerous areas of ergonomics in our business,
and the Ergo:Shield filters are an important part of our overall
ergonomics program," he added.

Not only is the glare from the screen able to produce eye strain, but
the static electricity draws molecules from the air that bounce off
the screen and into the user's face and eyes, studies show. The new
screen is an attempt to increase user productivity, the company said.

Radius also wants users to know, that although the new display filters
are designed to reduce magnetic emissions from monitors, all Radius
color displays have been designed to comply with accepted
guidelines for magnetic emissions.

Specifically mentioned are the Radius 19-inch Color Display, Color
Display/21 and Color Pivot, products Radius says all comply with the
Swedish MPR (Sweden's National Board for Measurement and
Testing) 1990:8 guidelines, which are the most stringent guidelines in
the world.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910807/Press Contact: Jeneane Harter, Radius, Tel:
408/434-1010, Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 POWER INFO ANNOUNCES PUBLIC RELATIONS SOFTWARE 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00012)

POWER INFO ANNOUNCES PUBLIC RELATIONS SOFTWARE 08/07/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Power Information
Incorporated has announced the latest release of its public relations
productivity software package PRpower II, for both the Apple Macintosh
and IBM PCs.

The new version adds a new user interface and telecontacting and
deadline management, Power Information said. The software comes
with databases containing information about calendars, editors,
analysts and trade shows, the company added.

Automating the administrative tasks, such as tracking conversations or
commitments, and maintaining editorial mailing lists is a main part of
the focus of the product. The software integrates a relational database,
word processor, report writer and mail merge capabilities, company
officials said.

Power Information publishes NewsFaces in High Technology, a
reference guide of editor interviews, photographs and publication
profiles, as well as High Technology PR News, a newsletter for
high-tech public relations practitioners.

The new software package is to be demonstrated at Communications
Expo '91, sponsored by the Orange County chapter of the Public
Relations Society of America. More information is available from
Power Information at telephone [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910807/Press Contact: Kelley Murray, Power
Information, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7  ****MACWORLD: OUTBOUND INTROS NEW "MAC NOTEBOOK" 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00013)

 ****MACWORLD: OUTBOUND INTROS NEW "MAC NOTEBOOK" 08/07/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Outbound
Systems has unveiled a series of notebook sized Mac-compatible
computers. The new machines will replace the original Outbound Mac
portable clone, which the company has been shipping for the past
18 months.

At the MacWorld show, Outbound System's booth was packed four
deep as soon as the doors opened. Featured was the company's new
line of notebook-sized computers. All five machines in the line measure
approximately 8.5 inches deep by 11 inches wide by 2 inches tall. All of
them weigh about 6.25 pounds.

This makes them the lightest Mac-compatible portables on the market.
Prices start at $2,529 for the basic Motorola 68000-based machine with
two megabytes (MB) of RAM, a superdrive compatible floppy disk,
battery, and power adapter - to $4,299 for the top of the line model which
features a 68030 microprocessor, 4MB of RAM, the floppy drive, a 60MB
hard disk, battery and power adapter.

Bob Louthan, president of Outbound Systems, introduced the new
machines in a press conference, stating that the notebook series is
"smaller, faster, lighter, and expandable."

As to the latter claim, he explained that all five machines in the line
have standardized components and the process of upgrading is
simply one of swapping the new components in for the old.

Louthan gave a demonstration in which he removed the CPU card, that
also contains the RAM, and the hard disk as a way of showing the ease
of upgrading the machines. Aside from these removable components,
the machines are powered by standard video camera type batteries
which can be recharged in the computer or externally.

Projected operating life on a single battery charge is three hours.
The machines provide all of the standard Macintosh connectors
including a single SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) connector.
It is possible to dock a Notebook to a regular Macintosh via the SCSI
cable and then all of the Notebook devices become regular SCSI
devices on the base Macintosh.

Outbound Systems has solved the problem of providing a set of ROMs
for their machines by signing an agreement with Apple Computer.
Details of the agreement are being kept confidential, however, Louthan
did describe the process.

When a customer purchases an Outbound Notebook, he also
purchases a used Mac 512KE or SE. Outbound then repurchases the
"shell" of the used Macintosh (i.e. everything but the ROMs) back from
the customer and disposes of it. As a matter of fact, the customer never
sees the used Macintosh that he purchased. If the customer has a used
Macintosh, Outbound will sell the Notebook to him for $200 less.

Louthan was asked about the availability of Macintosh ROMs in case
of high demand for his product. He replied that there are well over
three million Macintoshes that sport the particular ROMs that his
machines need and that there should be no problem getting them.

The machine was demonstrated as System 7.0 compatible. Louthan
stated that shipments to the dealer channels began over two weeks
ago and that all 250-plus dealers should have received their machines
by now. Most of Outbound's dealers are also Apple dealers.

(Naor Wallach/19910807/Press Contact: Leigh Anne Sutton, Outbound
Systems, 303-786-9200)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7  ****MACWORLD: SONY DEMOS MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTS 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00014)

 ****MACWORLD: SONY DEMOS MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTS 08/07/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- The Computer
Peripherals Division of Sony Corporation of America has demonstrated
several new multimedia products at MacWorld.

The Sony VDECK Hi8 video drive is being billed as the first 8mm VCR
that was directly designed to be a computer peripheral. The Sony
multi disc player is being billed as the first peripheral product that
can play different types of media from audio CD through video laser-
discs in one box.

The Sony VDECK Hi8 allows you to control the playing of 8mm tapes from
your computer, the company claims. While Sony was demonstrating only
Macintosh control at this show, Sony representatives mentioned that
the PC products are not far behind. Sized in a box that is the same as
Apple's CD player, the Sony product is controlled via a serial
protocol labeled VISCA (VIdeo System Control Architecture). About 70
developers have announced their intentions to develop products that
use VISCA.

The multi disc player model MDP-1100 is a product that allows you to
control the playing of laserdisk and other media types from your
computer. The MDP-1100 has a unique tray that allows one to place
media from audio CD's through video laserdisks on it. The computer
controls the MDP via a serial link. There is still the need for a
separate video card is there is a desire for any editing features.

Both products were demonstrated at the show and are not yet
available for sale. Sony expects to begin shipping the MDP-1100 by
the end of this month while the VDECK may be shipping by the end of
1991. Pricing on the MDP-1100 is $795 while it has yet to be
established on the VDECK.

Both products are to be used in interactive training and educational
applications according to the company. One of the interesting features
that the MDP-1100 supports is its bar code control wand. With this
wand and a sheet of printed bar codes, a person can control the
machine and therefor the flow of the presentation.

(Naor Wallach/19910807/Press Contact: Will Chelak, Technology
Solutions, 212-505-9900
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7 MACWORLD: NEW VERSION OF GREAT PLAINS SOFTWARE 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00015)

MACWORLD: NEW VERSION OF GREAT PLAINS SOFTWARE 08/07/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Great Plains
Software announced the release of a new version -- Release 6 -- of its
integrated accounting software of the same name. The software
company has also announces several add-in new modules
for the package.

According to the company, the new version of Great Plains Software
has more than 100 new features, and comes in 12 modules for ease of
use by the business customer.

New additions to the Great Plains Software line include a system
manager with executive advisor which adds graphics capabilities,
printing capabilities, menu customization, and a macro keystroke
recorder. Expanded capabilities of the general ledger module include
improved report generation, unlimited budgeting history, and automatic
transaction allocation.

Great Plains has also announced the upcoming availability of its
newest module, a report writer. This software was developed for Great
Plains Software by a Florida company, Snow Software.

According to company officials, the extra module adds the capability
of going directly into the heart of the database that resides within
the package. It will then be possible to generate any custom report
that the user might desire.

The report writer module will be available by mid-September. Pricing
for the new module is $795 for a single user license while the multi-
user and client/server versions will sell for $995.

The new version of Great Plains Software supports the Apple Mac's
System 7,0 operating system software at the compatibility level.
Balloon help and Adobe's true type features are not yet supported, but
the company indicated that future releases will accommodate them as
well. One additional increase in capability is the increased speed of
the system with some users reporting as much as a 150 percent
improvement in their productivity.

Current users can upgrade to the new version of software for about
$65 per module. Contact the company directly for exact pricing as it
varies based on the exact service contract that exists.

(Naor Wallach/19910807/Press Contact: Terry Kalil,Great Plains
Software,701-281-3130)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7 MACWORLD: POSTCRAFT LAUNCHES MARKETING CAMPAIGN 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00016)

MACWORLD: POSTCRAFT LAUNCHES MARKETING CAMPAIGN 08/07/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Postcraft
International has launched on a widely expanded marketing campaign
to publicize its new "Effect Specialist" product.

Postcraft has recently announced the release of both Effects
Specialist and Printer's Apprentice Layout. The company sees its
mission as helping small printers and graphic artists in meeting the
demands of their smaller customers who would like to receive full
service benefits but cannot afford the price of such services.

With Effects Specialist the graphic designer or printer can apply
special effects to already existing text to create all kinds of
special looks. The company offers a brochure that explains the 120
effects that one can apply within PageMaker and other desktop
publishing programs prior to printing the product on a Postscript
equipped laser printer.

Printer's Apprentice Layout provides 219 pre-existing templates of
designs that have been put together by graphics artists and that can
be used for professional looking brochures, sales letters, and
newsletters.

Postcraft International has also announced the signing of an
agreement with American Speedy International to equip up to 1,860
European outlets with hardware and software. This will be the initial
establishment of speedy printing centers in Europe. This agreement
also include Sodimail a European based mass mail distributor who
will handle translation and distribution services.

(Naor Wallach/19910807/Press Contact:Debbie Lacy, Miller
Communications, 213-822-4669)]

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7 MACWORLD: IN-LINE DESIGN INTROS EDUCATIONAL GAME 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00017)

MACWORLD: IN-LINE DESIGN INTROS EDUCATIONAL GAME 08/07/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- In-line
Design has released a new educational game. Called "Swamp Gas
Visits the United States," the package teaches U.S. geography -- in
four levels of difficulty -- using a whimsical game format.

In the game, an extraterrestrial named Swamp Gas lands in the United
States for a visit. You must help him navigate around the country and
finally find his way back to his mother ship. If Swamp Gas makes it,
the player is given a choice of three humorous arcade games.

There are four levels of difficulty embedded in the game. Starting
with state identification only through capitals, major cities, and
landmarks. Four players are supported with each player choosing
his or her own quantity of places that the alien must visit.

Swamp Gas is compatible with System 7.0 and will run on any Apple
Macintosh, the company claims. On color machines, The $49.95
package will automatically adjust itself to the 16 color setting.

(Naor Wallach/19910807/Press Contact: Darryl Peck, In-line Design,
203-364-0063)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 PENTAX SHIPS CONTINUOUS-FORM LASER PRINTER 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00018)

PENTAX SHIPS CONTINUOUS-FORM LASER PRINTER 08/07/91
BROOMFIELD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Pentax
Technologies has announced that it it has started shipping its
Laserfold 240 continuous-form laser printer.

The Laserfold 240 prints at the rate of 16 pages-per-minute, or 1,056
lines. The print resolution is 240 dots-per-inch on continuous form
paper. The tractors are adjustable, and will handle fan-fold as narrow
as four inches and as wide as 9.5 inches pin to pin. It emulates the
Epson FX-80, and will handle single copy regular pinfeed computer
paper or pinfeed labels.

Pentax suggests 15 to 20 pound paper. The paper feeds from the
front and stacks at the rear. The unit is 18 by 20 by seven inches.

Pentax spokesperson Trish Wood told Newsbytes that the printer is
targeted primarily at users with high volume text printing
requirements such as banks, financial, legal and accounting firms.
The Laserfold 240 will not print graphics. The unit comes with two
toner cartridges, and Pentax sells a toner cartridge kit for $115 that
includes two additional cartridges.

The Laserfold 240 is Pentax' first printer being sold directly to the
reseller channel under the Pentax name. It carries a suggested list
price of $3,995, and will be distributed through the Pentax network of
distributors and dealers nation-wide. A one year warranty is included,
and optional on-site maintenance agreements are available through
Bull HN Information Systems of Billerica, Massachusetts.

Pentax Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Optical
Company Ltd of Japan. The Colorado-based company was founded
in 1985. Asahi Optical is a publicly held company with reported annual
revenues of nearly $1,000 million. Asahi produces Pentax cameras,
lenses, mirrors, scanner and FAX sub-assemblies and laser
scanning units.

(Jim Mallory/19910807/Press contact: Trish Wood, Pentax Technologies,
303-460-1600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7 VALCOM - INACOMP MERGER APPROVED 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00019)

VALCOM - INACOMP MERGER APPROVED 08/07/91
TROY, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Inacomp Computer
Centers has announced that the merger between itself and ValCom
of Omaha, Nebraska, which Newsbytes reported in April of this year,
has been finalized. The new company will be called InaCom
Corporation.

The shareholders of both companies, meeting simultaneously,
approved the merger, and ValCom shareholders approved the name
change. Under the terms of the merger, each share of Inacomp stock
will be worth slightly more than one-half share of Valcom plus $1.
The stock is divided about equally between each companies
stockholders.

The new company, which says it will have annual revenues near
$1,000 million, will be chaired by Rick Inatome, formerly chairman
and CEO of Inacomp. Bill Fairfield, former president and CEO of
ValCom, will become president and CEO of InaCom. Rick Inatome
and Joseph Inatome, co-founders of Inacomp, will join valCom's
current five director board.

InaCom says it will maintain executive offices in Omaha and Troy, with
Troy designated as headquarters for InaCom's direct operations
group for company-owned locations. Operational headquarters will
be in Omaha, with indirect channel operations and distribution.

InaCom says that the Inacomp and ValCom names will be maintained
for their respective channels, which combined have over 350 company
owned and franchised stores, as well as more than 750 affiliated VARs
(value-added resellers), systems integrators and other specialized
providers.

In a joint statement Inatome and Fairfield said: "As a new entity,
InaCom is a nation-wide force in computer reselling that can combine
leading products and services with professionalism and expertise
customers expect from a value-added reseller."

The two executives said that the new company will benefit from added
leverage with vendors, cost savings through economies of scale, and
wider geographic coverage.

(Jim Mallory/19910807/Press contact: Geri Michelic, InaCom, 402-392-
3923)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG  7 NEW FOR UNIX: SPARCstation Turbo Accelerator Card 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00020)

NEW FOR UNIX: SPARCstation Turbo Accelerator Card 08/07/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- CERAM
Incorporated has introduced TurboSwap, a Unix accelerator card for Sun
Microsystems SPARCstations, SPARCstation IPCs, Sun 4 and
compatibles.

The accelerator is designed to expand the system's fast access
memory and interfaces directly to the 25 megahertz (MHZ) SBus for
high data transfer rates.

CERAM says that TurboSwap boosts performance by replacing slower
fixed disk swap partitions with fast access memory that is approximately
10,000 times faster. TurboSwap accelerates Unix virtual memory paging
and swapping operations, in order to improve the performance of most
applications running under the SunOS operating system. CERAM says
that depending on the application, the TurboSwap can improve
performance by as much as 30 times.

According to CERAM VP Bill Miller: "The speed improvement is
dramatic." Miller claims that, instead of the 15-30 seconds it takes
to bring an idle application window to the foreground and swap other
applications out on a system using a fixed disk swap device,
TurboSwap can perform the same task in less than one second.

Miller says the applications that would benefit from TurboSwap include
scientific and engineering, business, and financial power users such
as banks, credit information providers, financial analysts, brokerage
houses, airlines and transportation companies.

According to a statement released by CERAM, Jeff Glickman,
president of consulting firm Glickman Associates said TurboSwap
may deliver a tenfold performance increase, while the typical range
for data-set intensive applications would be two to four times faster.

TurboSwap occupies a single SBus slot and is available in 40
megabyte (MB) and 80 MB paging and swap space versions. As
many as four cards can be installed in a single system, depending on
the number of free slots.

TurboSwap includes a proprietary software driver that communicates
directly with the operating system kernel, directing swap and paging
operations. The driver is compatible with SunOS 4.x and is transparent
to the user.

CERAM says TurboSwap also supports Sun's temporary file system
type, which allows files to be stored on the TurboSwap for fast access.
The unit is said to provide greater than twenty years mean time
between failures. It is user installable and can be used on workstations
equipped with disks, or diskless units.

TurboSwap has a suggested list price of $1,745 for the 40 MB unit and
$3,395 for the 80 MB card. CERAM provides a toll-free tech support
number on 1-800-237-8600.

(Jim Mallory/19910807/Press contact:Bill Biller, CERAM, 719-540-8500,
FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 CODAR INTROS RUGGEDIZED MILITARY SPARCSTATION 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00021)

CODAR INTROS RUGGEDIZED MILITARY SPARCSTATION 08/07/91
LONGMONT, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Codar
Technology, Inc (CTI) has introduced a ruggedized, rack mounted
SPARCstation, called the Model 305M-S2,  designed for a variety of
mission-critical military applications including ground-mobile,
shipboard and airborne environments.

CTI says that the 305M-S2 provides shock and vibration isolation for
the CPU (central processing unit) and up to two full-height or four
half-height 5.25-inch removable SCSI (Small Computer System
Interface) peripherals, allowing a total of two gigabytes (GB) of
internal disk storage. The system supports up to 10 GB of
total on-line storage through the use of an external SCSI port.

The unit was designed to have a mean time between failures of 21,500
hours. It also has a built-in test capability using CTIs proprietary
System Monitoring Board, which reports temperature, AC and DC
voltages, power supply load, date, time and fault conditions on a 16-
character front panel display. An option allows reporting to the CPU
or to the console through one of the two RS-232 serial ports.

Built for field service, the 305M-S2 can remain operational while one
of the three power supply elements, the system monitor board, CPU
tray, drive frame assembly, peripheral holders or rear panel are
changed. CTI says the mean time to repair is 30 minutes.

Other options include a TEMPEST chassis, a fiber optic LAN, optical
disk drives, a mouse and a 28 volt DC power supply for mobile
applications.

Earlier this year CTI announced a ruggedized MicroVAX computer
designed specifically for use onboard nuclear submarines. Some of
its systems were reported to be in use during Operation Desert Storm.
The company was formed in 1980 to develop oceanographic radar
systems for use in the oil industry, and currently employs
about 120 people.

(Jim Mallory/19910807/Press contact: Barbara Evans, Codar Technology,
303-776-0472, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 ALPHA MICRO TO USE MICRONICS BOARDS IN SERIES 90 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00022)

ALPHA MICRO TO USE MICRONICS BOARDS IN SERIES 90 08/07/91
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Alpha
Microsystems and Micronics Computers have announced that the
companies have signed an estimated $4 million three-year original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) contract.

Terms of the contract call for Micronics to supply its Intel-based
80386 and 80486 motherboards and other related products to Alpha
Microsystems' Series 90 family of IBM compatible personal computers
(PCs).

Alpha Microsystems President Douglas J. Tullio commented:
"Micronics has an excellent reputation as a rapid-response leader
in Intel 386- and 486-based system boards and products incorporating
the latest technological advances."

"This new agreement will assure our customers that we will continue
our history of delivering leading-edge systems that conform to the
changing characteristics of today's computer marketplace," he said.

Alpha Micronics says that the motherboards will include 386SX, 386,
486SX and 486 technology ranging in speed from 20 megahertz (MHz) to
33 MHz. The random access memory (RAM) available starts at one
megabyte (MB) and can be upgraded as high as a whopping 64MB.

Micronics says all of its products are made in America and since 1987
more than 220,000 386 or 486 system boards have been sold to U.S.,
Asian and European customers.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910807/Press Contact: Rene Caron, Alpha
Microsystems, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], David Khan,
Micronics, Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 NEW FOR PC: Remote Communications For Windows And DOS 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00023)

NEW FOR PC: Remote Communications For Windows And DOS 08/07/91
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Norton-
Lambert says that it is shipping Close-up 4.0 and claims the product is the
first modem remote communications software package for both Windows
and DOS users.

"This product is perfect for Support Experts who need to help their
customers install and run Windows at remote locations and for
Corporate Users who want to access Windows or DOS on their office PC
from home or on the road via modem," said Richard de Mornay, Norton-
Lambert's vice president of marketing.

The new product allows "support experts" to remotely install and
support Windows applications on a clients personal computer at any
location via the telephone line, the company said.

The product is said by Norton-Lambert to allow a technician to start a
long file transfer in a background window, and continue working in a
foreground Window. Since transfer of applications software can be
quite time consuming, this could be an important feature.

Other Norton-Lambert products include Close-up Lan and Link.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910807/Press Contact: Lisa Addis, Norton-Lambert,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 CITIZENS AND CENTURY DETAIL CELLULAR MERGER 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)

CITIZENS AND CENTURY DETAIL CELLULAR MERGER 08/07/91
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- The cellular
industry consolidation continues as two small "non-wireline" service
providers have agreed to a merger. Citizens Utilities and Century
Communications will merge the former's Citizens Cellular subsidiary
into the latter's indirectly-owned Century Cellular unit.

The merger, subject to regulatory approval, would give Centur 81.2
percent of the resulting entity, while Citizens will hold 18.8 percent
of the common as well as convertible preferred stock. Century will
manage the combined business. The resulting company will serve
about 3.7 million potential customers.

Citizens' main business is as a utility running telephone, gas,
electric, water and waste water treatment services to about 750,000
customers in 13 states. Century also owns 55 cable television
systems in 24 states and Puerto Rico serving about
890,000 subscribers.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910807/Press Contact: Century Communications,
Bernard P. Gallagher, 203/972-2000; Citizens Utilities, Daryl
Ferguson, 203/329-8800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 TELESPHERE FINANCIAL PRESSURE INTENSIFIES 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)

TELESPHERE FINANCIAL PRESSURE INTENSIFIES 08/07/91
OAKBROOK TERRACE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- The fourth
largest company offering caller-paid 900 number lines is under increasing
financial strain.

Telesphere, which last year went through a major financial
restructuring, announced it expects a loss in the second quarter of
approximately $9.9 million on revenues of $89 million, mainly based on
continued declines in its 900 revenue base. Delays in integrating
National Telephone Services operations and fees for obtaining new
financing were also blamed for the loss.

As a result, Telesphere is trying to get its customers to finance it,
offering to restructure the payment of some of the funds it owes in
the form of stock. As a carrot, it's offering to reduce service costs
over the next two years. The company has $1.7 million in interim
financing to keep it going through the end of August.

Telesphere owes the money to 900-number service providers like
Softguard Systems, and Softguard issued a press release stating it
faces "an imminent financial crisis" because Telesphere, which
provides it with billing and collection services, "has failed to remit
amounts now past due and has indicated that payment is unlikely to be
forthcoming in the foreseeable future. Softguard says unless it gets
financing to tide it over it will have to cease operations.

The result seems almost certain to add to Telesphere's problems. New
customers are unlikely to sign on when existing customers claim that
failure to pay up is driving them out of business, analysts feel.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910807/Press Contact: Softguard Systems, Jeffrey
C. Loker, 415/421-0900; Katherine Clifford, Telesphere Communications,
708-954-7700)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 SURVEY SAYS USERS CONCERNED ABOUT VDU RADIATION 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00026)

SURVEY SAYS USERS CONCERNED ABOUT VDU RADIATION 08/07/91
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Optical Coating
Laboratory Incorporated (OCLI) has released the results of a national
U.S. survey showing users are aware of possible harmful effects of
radiation from computers.

The results of the survey show that most were somewhat concerned
about computer radiation, but are confused about the real facts.
Ninety-eight percent of the population surveyed had heard of computer
radiation and seventy-five percent said they were aware health
problems may be linked with computer radiation. Further, only twenty-
three percent knew that the magnetic field created by the computer
monitor is considered to be the greatest potential health hazard, the
company said.

Thirty-five percent were confused in thinking X-ray was the type of
radiation scientists are most concerned about, OCLI said. Twenty-seven
percent of the answers on the type of radiation ranged from ultra
violet (UV) to gamma rays, and fifteen percent didn't answer the
question at all, the company reported.

When asked to rate their levels of concern about the electro-magnetic
radiation from computer monitors, fifteen percent were very concerned,
fifty percent were moderately concerned, and thirty-five percent were
not concerned at all, OCLI said. Twenty-one percent said they would
purchase a product that they thought would reduce the amount of
radiation from the computer monitor.

The questions were asked of 2,000 U.S. computer users who are either
business people using computer technology, a computer user for five
years or more, a user who has a higher than average interest in
computers and computer products, or among the group of trendsetters in
the computing industry, OCLI said.

OCLI, of course, has an interest in knowing what users think since the
company develops products for reducing the amount of glare, heat, and
radiation that can come through a clear surface, like the glass on the
space shuttle windows, or the window on a computer monitor.

Janet Stashak of OCLI said nothing short of a clear, 1-inch
thick, metallic plate between the user and a computer monitor would
truly eliminate the electro-magnetic radiation. However, she said, it
is possible to reduce the level of radiation.

Stashak also confirmed that radiation from the monitor is the heaviest
from the sides and back, as opposed to the front, and that the
exposure to the electro-magnetic field weakens rapidly the further
from the monitor the user gets.

The greatest concerns, Stashak said, were in the possible correlation
between magnetic fields and defects at a molecular level, in for
example, unborn children. Nothing has been proven, but there is
definite evidence of skin rashes in dry climates on the faces and
hands of users caused by the exposure to dust and dirt molecules the
electro-magnetic field from the monitor attracts.

OCLI is one of several companies which make glare guards to help improve
the visual qualities of the monitor -- the contrast ratio, and reduction of
glare -- and to cut down on the electro- magnetic field and the static
generated by computer monitors. Such products are available in most
major computer retail outlets, such as Egghead or CompUSA.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910807/Press Contact: Janet Stashak, Optical
Coating Laboratory, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 NEW FOR MAC: Caere Intros OmniPage 3.0 and Typist Scanner 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

NEW FOR MAC: Caere Intros OmniPage 3.0 and Typist Scanner 08/07/91
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Caere Corporation
has introduced version 3.0 of its OmniPage page recognition software,
and at the same time announced the Typist Plus Graphics hand-held
scanner for the Macintosh platform.

A Microsoft Windows 3.0 version of Typist for the DOS environment has
been available since March of 1991, and Typist 1.1 for the Macintosh
was released in June.

According to the company, OmniPage 3.0 is compatible with Apple's new
Macintosh System 7 operating system and includes built-in spell-
checking and draft dot matrix type-recognition programs. The new
version also includes expanded support for scanners.

Larry Miller, vice president of marketing for Caere, said: "No other
product offers so much power at such an affordable price. Individuals
and businesses doing any amount of word processing, desktop publishing
or general data entry will find this new version indispensable."

OmniSpell, an interactive spelling checker that was previously
available only as an add-on product, is now built into OmniPage.
According to Caere, the software is specially designed to detect and
correct errors that can occur during the recognition process.

OmniPage 3.0 also includes OmniDraft, which was also previously only
available as an add-on product. The software allows for the
recognition of text printed in draft mode on nine-pin dot matrix
printers.

The Apple Macintosh's System 7.0 "publish and subscribe" feature
is also supported, allowing for enhanced storage and retrieval
capabilities, said the company.

Caere maintains that OmniPage 3.0 can recognize nearly all non-
stylized fonts, in sizes ranging from six points to 72 points, at
speeds of up to 115 characters-per-second, depending on CPU (central
processor unit) speed. The software can also read 11 European
languages, and automatically separate graphics from text and numbers.

The Typist Plus Graphics is a hand-held Macintosh-compatible scanner
that combines optical character recognition (OCR) technology with
image scanning and editing software.

According to the company, it is the only hand-held scanner that
includes the ability to edit both text and gray-scale images. In
addition to OCR functions, Typist Plus Graphics also includes image
editing software called the Graphic Editor which creates black-and-
white line art or continuous-tone images with up to 256 shades of
gray.

Typist Plus Graphics requires an Apple Mac Classic or above, 4MB of
RAM and a hard-disk drive. It will operate under System 6.0 and above,
including System 7.0.

OmniPage 3.0 will run on any Motorola 68020- or 68030-based Mac with
at least 4MB of RAM, a hard disk with at least 4MB of available space,
and a compatible 300 dots-per-inch scanner. At least System 6.0 or
above is required.

Available immediately, the suggested retail price of OmniPage 3.0 is
$695. Typist Plus Graphics has a suggested retail price of $695 and
will be available in September.

The company is running an upgrade promotion for registered owners of
the Typist and Typist 1.1 for the Mac whereby they can receive a
software upgrade to Typist Plus Graphics for $75.

(Ian Stokell/19910807/Press Contact: Larry Miller, Caere Corp, 408-
395-7000)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 SOFTWARE PIRACY EXCEEDS $2 BILLION PER YEAR IN U.S. 08/07/91

08/07/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00028)

SOFTWARE PIRACY EXCEEDS $2 BILLION PER YEAR IN U.S. 08/07/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Dataquest and the Software
Publishers Association (SPA) have just issued figures that conclude
that piracy is costing the industry $2 billion a year.

The figures were completed by extrapolating hardware and software
sales, then comparing them with the average numbers of packages in use
in the U.S. The results showed a $2,000 million shortfall in software
sales.

Data excerpted directly from the SPA report shows that the amount of
revenue lost to software piracy in the U.S. in 1990 was $2,400
million, compared to $2,500 million for 1989, $2,900 million for 1988
and $2,300 million for 1987.

Although the loss to piracy exceeds previous estimates, there is a
bright spot in the study for software manufacturers. Over the last
four years, business software units sold per DOS machine have
increased from 1.31 in '87 to 1.78 by '90. For the same period,
business software units sold per Macintosh increased from 2.03 to
2.55.

Even these numbers are still extremely conservative because, while
many programs are obviously purchased for old machines, the SPA study
only compared software sales in a single year with the number of new
machines sold in that year.

The data only pertain to business systems because there is little hard
data on potential piracy in the entertainment and educational software
areas, but the SPA is planning a study of home computer usage for the
fall which should provide more information.

(John McCormick/19910807/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-452-
1600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 SIA SUPPORTS DEPRECIATION RULES FOR CHIP GEAR 08/07/91

08/07/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00029)

SIA SUPPORTS DEPRECIATION RULES FOR CHIP GEAR 08/07/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- The SIA or Semiconductor
Industry Association has come out in favor of H.R. 3273, a bill that
proposes to change the way semiconductor manufacturing equipment is
depreciated for tax purposes.

According to The National Advisory Committee on Semiconductors (NCAS),
a Congressional study group, the semiconductor industry invests over
15 percent of sales revenues in capital spending each year, compared
to only three percent for U.S. industry as a whole, but has still
fallen $12 billion behind Japanese semiconductor company investment in
capital equipment, buildings, and R&D since 1984.

H.R. 3273, The Semiconductor Investment Act of 1991, was introduced
last week in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. J.J. Pickle (D-
TX) and Rep. Raymond McGrath (R-NY), along with 27 cosponsors. The
bill, if enacted into law, would amend federal tax law to allow
semiconductor manufacturing equipment to be depreciated over a three-
year period instead of the current five years' depreciation.

Shortening the depreciation period for any equipment makes it easier
for an industry to upgrade and modernize its manufacturing
capabilities by effectively reducing the cost of the new equipment.

The NCAS, established four years ago by Congress to study
competitiveness issues in the semiconductor industry, reports that
shortening the depreciation period from five to three years would
increase the semiconductor industry's capital investment rate by 11
percent and would also "be a more realistic reflection of actual
equipment life spans."

(John McCormick/19910807/Press Contact: Tom Beermann, SIA, 408-246-
2711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 7 NEW FOR MAC: Global Village Ships TelePort/Fax [phone]

08/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)

NEW FOR MAC: Global Village Ships TelePort/Fax [phone]
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 7 (NB) -- Global
Village Communication has announced its third communications
product for the Macintosh: TelePort/Fax 9600. This is a
9,600-baud Macintosh SendFAX modem that connects directly
to the Apple DeskTop Bus.

Global Village uses proprietary two-dimensional data compression
techniques to sustain 9,600-baud fax transmission over Apple
DeskTop Bus, with no effect on mouse or keyboard responsiveness,
the company says. The Macintosh host compresses fax images and
sends the resulting data down the mouse cable (ADB)
where, in the TelePort, it is expanded to meet the fax Group
III standard.

TelePort/Fax 9600 includes an MNP/5 error-correcting modem
for error-free, enhanced-speed 2,400-baud data communication
(even over noisy telephone lines). Macintosh users can
fax documents directly from their computers.

The company claims a computer with a TelePort/Fax 9600 can send
faxes while the user continues with other applications. The
Macintosh automatically fills in the appropriate fields of the
specified cover sheets. And TelePort/Fax 9600 displays
fax status clearly on the menu bar.

To send a fax, the user can hold down the "option" key and
select Print from the File menu. By taking advantage of the
Apple DeskTop Bus and the Macintosh's connection to
the keyboard, mouse and other peripherals, the TelePort/Fax 9600
is small, portable and clutter-free. It draws its power from the
Macintosh, like the mouse does.

TelePort is the size of a stack of 3 x 5-inch index cards.
It lists for $295 and is protected by a five-year warranty. For
further information, call Mike Richman at 415/329-0700.

(Computer Currents/19910807)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW FOR MAC: Flight Simulator 4.0 Debuts 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00001)

NEW FOR MAC: Flight Simulator 4.0 Debuts 08/06/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced the release of Flight Simulator Version 4.0 for the
Macintosh. The package brings to the Mac many of the enhancements
seen in the latest editions for the IBM PC environment.

The latest release of the Mac flight simulation software will run in
color or monochrome on all Mac models later than the Mac Plus.
Desktop flyers will find three-dimensional graphics, whether using the
color or monochrome version.

Microsoft now offers a fleet of aircraft including a Cessna 182, a Lear Jet,
a Sopwith Camel, and a Schweizer 2-32 sailplane. You can even design
and fly your own plane, using the experimental aircraft designer feature.
If you design your own plane, you can modify the appearance and the
aerodynamics of the aircraft and test them against the physical laws
of flight.

"Flight Simulator users have eagerly anticipated this update - and
they won't be disappointed. We believe Flight Simulator will excite
and challenge Macintosh flight enthusiasts of any level," said Mike
Maples, vice president of Microsoft's applications division,

Maples added that Apple's success with its low-priced machines
demonstrates the opportunity for consumer Macintosh software.

When using the package, pilots will have multiple windows available to
provide an on-screen map of the selected flight route, a cockpit view,
a look from the tower, or a view from a spotter plane.

For neophyte pilots, on-screen flight instruction teaches everything
from the basics to aerobatics, according to Microsoft. The new release
is compatible with Apple's new operating system, System 7.0.

(Jim Mallory/19910806/Press contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206-882-
8080)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 MOTOROLA, ALPHA MICROSYSTEMS SIGN OEM AGREEMENT 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00002)

MOTOROLA, ALPHA MICROSYSTEMS SIGN OEM AGREEMENT 08/06/91
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Motorola and Alpha
Microsystems have announced the signing of a three-year OEM
(original equipment manufacturing) agreement for Motorola 88000
Unix-based reduced instruction set computing (RISC) multi-user
computer systems. The joint announcement sets the value of the
contract at $4.2 million.

The M88000 systems will be marketed under the Alpha Microsystems
name, and will be enhanced by Alpha for resale by its dealers as a
high-performance Unix alternative. The system will initially offer AT&T's
Unix SVR3, with SVR4 expected to be available in early 1992. It is
available in either single or multi-processor configurations.

Various word processing, spreadsheet, and office automation
packages are available, Motorola's Barbara Patterson told
Newsbytes.

According to Thomas Beaver, general manager of the Motorola
Computer Group: "MCG's computer systems and VMEbus modules
demonstrate our ability to achieve high performance levels while
maintaining a strong commitment to quality."

Alpha Microsystems president Douglas Tullio said that Motorola's
RISC-based systems provide a cost effective Unix option for Alpha's
dealers and an excellent platform to address large system needs of
PICK and Business BASIC markets. He said described the agreement
as: "a natural marriage of two completely compatible product
philosophies."

Alpha Microsystems designs, manufactures, markets and services
multi-user, client/server, and integrated network management hardware
and software products. The company provides their own proprietary
operating systems as well as Xenix, Unix, Pick, Thoroughbred Basic
and MS-DOS.

(Jim Mallory/19910806/Press contact: Barbara Patterson, Motorola, 602-
438-3576)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 CRAY, PROSYS DEVELOP CHEMICAL PROCESS SIMULATOR 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

CRAY, PROSYS DEVELOP CHEMICAL PROCESS SIMULATOR 08/06/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Supercomputer
manufacturer Cray Research says that it has signed a joint
development agreement with Prosys Technology of Cambridge,
England.

Terms of the agreement call for both companies to jointly research and
develop a high-performance version of Prosys Tech's SPEEDUP
software for use on their respective hardware/software platforms. The
company said it expects the package to be available by the first
quarter of 1992.

SPEEDUP is a software system used to calculate and solve problems
associated with chemical process engineering. The program is based
on original research work conducted at London's Imperial College, and
is described by Cray as a dynamic chemical process simulator that can
improve quality and yield, reduce operating costs, and enhance the
safety and environmental conditions of chemical processing plants.

According to Cray Research, using SPEEDUP on a Cray
Research supercomputer will benefit industries such as chemical
petrochemical, gas processing, oil refining, inorganics,
pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, electric power, minerals, pulp
and paper, food processing and waste and water treatment.

Cray Research and Prosys Tech will work jointly to optimize the
performance of SPEEDUP on the Cray platforms. Cray says that its
version of SPEEDUP will feature substantially enhanced abilities to
solve larger, more complex industrial problems for design and
chemical process operations.

Since chemical plants usually do not run at a steady state due to
changes in feedstocks, operational objectives and settings, as well
as being cyclic in nature, SPEEDUP provides a continuous view of a
process in action by calculating the transient behavior of a plant
over time.

As part of the joint agreement, Cray Research is sponsoring a limited
number of university licenses for the its SPEEDUP version. The
licensing program is designed to assist engineering students to gain
experience with equation-based, dynamic simulation methods for
chemical processing problems.

(Jim Mallory/19910806/Press contact: Mardi Schmeider, Cray Research,
612-683-3538)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 FORMER EDS EXEC MORTON MEYERSON JOINS DELL 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)

FORMER EDS EXEC MORTON MEYERSON JOINS DELL 08/06/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Dell Computer has
announced that Morton H. Meyerson, formerly vice chairman and
president of Electronic Data Systems Corp, has agreed to provide
what company officials describe as "substantial advisory services"
to Michael Dell and the executive group of Dell Computer.

Meyerson, 53, was president of EDS during the period when its annual
revenues grew from approximately $200 million to more than $4,000
million. Dell said that Meyerson will provide advice on a variety of
domestic and international strategies designed to allow the company
to continue its rapid growth in the near and long term.

Meyerson retired as vice chairman of EDS in 1986, after a 21 year
career with the company. His first assignment with EDS was as a
systems engineer trainee. He progressed through a series of
increasingly responsible technical, management and marketing
positions.

After his retirement, Meyerson has been involved in various civic
projects. He served as chairman of the Texas National Research
Laboratory Commission during the successful bid for the Super
Conducting Super Collider site process, and chaired the committee
responsible for conceiving and building the new symphony hall in
Dallas.

Speaking about Meyerson joining Dell, CEO Michael Dell said: "We
will benefit immensely from Mort's first hand experience and expertise
as we move ahead."

Dell reported a 64 percent increase in earnings for the quarter ending
May 5th of this year, on a 45 percent gain sales to $175 million. Dell
has also had its setbacks recently. Last month it was fined $420,000
by a British court for running adverts comparing Compaq and Dell
computers without using the Compaq trademark, and using retail
prices for Compaq computers that the court ruled were significantly
higher than the prices customers would actually have to pay. Dell
modified its ads once, but the changes were not enough to please
the court.

As reported by Newsbytes previously, Dell has recently introduced a
family of 486-based desktop and tower models, and has opened a
wholly owned operating subsidiary in Spain as well as a marketing
and service facility in Mexico.

(Jim Mallory/19910806/Press contact: Michele Moore, Dell Computer,
512-343-3535)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 SEQUENT, INFORMIX, SQL DEVELOP APPS ENVIRONMENT 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00005)

SEQUENT, INFORMIX, SQL DEVELOP APPS ENVIRONMENT 08/06/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Sequent
Computer Systems has announced it has entered into a joint
development project with Informix Software and SQL Solutions to
enhance the applications development environment of its Symmetry
2000 computer family.

In conjunction with Informix, Sequent will offer a graphic-based tool
integration platform which incorporates Informix' OpenCase/ToolBus,
based on Hewlett-Packard's Softbench software. The new product will
also integrate tools from a number of third party developers,
including SQL Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sybase, Inc.

Announcing the deal, Al Schallop, vice president and general manager
of Sequent's newly formed Relational Solutions Operation said:
"Working with partners such as Informix and SQL Solutions, we will
create a flexible, interactive development environment that lets users
build high-end database applications more productively."

Schallop added that the completed product, which will let users
develop and deploy large database applications on a single system,
should be especially attractive to organizations currently using
workstations for development and larger systems for testing and
production.

"They'll now be able to take advantage of the Symmetry 2000 parallel
development environment, which will enable them to compile and
construct applications in a fraction of the time previously required,"
he said.

Sequent says this is the first in a series of steps it will take to
evolve its CASE (computer-aided software engineering) strategy for
high-end, RDBMS (relational data base management system)
applications.

Sequent employs more than 1,700 people, and reported 1990
revenues of $248.8 million. The company's second quarter revenues
were $50.1 million. Informix supplies distributed database
management systems, application development tools and graphic
and character-based productivity software.

In July, Sequent announced that it would report a loss for the second
quarter, ending June 29th, 1991. The company cited the poor economy
and a significant decline in orders from its OEM customers. The
company also said it would cut seven to nine percent of its workforce.

SQL Solutions specializes in SQL (structured query language)
integration services and productivity tools for major RDBMSs.

(Jim Mallory/19910806/Press contact: Bill Trainer, Sequent Computer
Systems, 503-626-5700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 STORAGETEK, XL/DATACOMP WILL MERGE 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006)

STORAGETEK, XL/DATACOMP WILL MERGE 08/06/91
LOUISVILLE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Storage
Technology Corp has announced that it will merge with XL/Datacomp
of Hinsdale, Illinois. The merger has already been unanimously
approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Under terms of the merger, one share of StorageTek common stock will
be exchanged for just under four shares of XL/Datacomp common. The
companies say the transaction is intended as a pooling of interests,
and would be tax free to XL/Datacomp's stockholders. XL/Datacomp
has about 12 million shares of common stock outstanding.

Ryal Poppa, chairman and CEO of Storage Technology said: "The
combination of XL/Datacomp with StorageTek will provide us with an
immediate presence in the $20 billion IBM mid-range market."

Poppa added that he believes there will be a synergy between
XL/Datacomp's sales and support force, and StorageTek's
manufacturing and R&D capabilities.

StorageTek had previously announced plans to expand in the IBM
midrange market. XL/Datacomp chairman said he is confident that
XL/Datacomp's customers would find new value in their relationships
with the company, and said he is optimistic for growth opportunities.

StorageTek manufactures, markets and services automated tape
cartridge storage and retrieval subsystems, and reported revenue of
$1.14 billion in the fiscal year ending December 28, 1990.

XL/Datacomp is a distributor of midrange computer systems and
support services. It has offices in the US, United Kingdom, and Japan.
XL/Datacomp reported revenue of $450 million for the financial year
ending September 30, 1990.

The merger still has to be approved by XL/Datacomp's shareholders.
Principal stockholders of the company, who hold about 27 percent of
its outstanding shares, have granted StorageTek irrevocable proxies
to vote for the merger.

StorageTek also gets an option, exercisable if certain triggering
events occur, to purchase 2.4 million DL/Datacomp shares at $13-3/8
per share. The shares, if purchased, would be noted on the merger in
the same proportion of other shares.

(Jim Mallory/19910806/Press contact:Michael Klatman, StorageTek, 303-
673-5020)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6  ****POQET ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCT CONFIGURATION 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00007)

 ****POQET ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCT CONFIGURATION 08/06/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Poqet
Computer Corp., a member of the Fujitsu Limited group, has announced
the enhancement of its basic system to include, without price increase,
a 512 kilobyte PC Card for file and program storage and a Poqet Link
cable for connectivity to other personal computers.

According to Poqet, the packaging of the new peripherals with the 1.1
pound, 640 KB MS-DOS Poqet palmtop results in an increase of $350
of value within the suggested retail price of $1,495.

According to Poqet, with the addition of the PC Card and Poqet Link
cable, the retail version of The Poqet PC is a complete, off-the-shelf
product for end-users, with no need to buy special software, cables
or connectivity devices.

Tim Bajarin, executive vice president of Creative Strategies
International, agreed with Poqet's assessment of the palmtop, saying:
"Other AA-battery-powered 'palmtops' have limited applications; they
may be good for personal schedules or even financial applications,
but they don't provide easy and complete access to a wide range of
MS-DOS applications."

"The Poqet PC is an ideal second computer for business professionals
who need to work with all of the PC applications and data they use in
the office, and not just a subset of those tools," he added.

Poqet vice president Robert Owens explained some of the rationale for
the repackaging of the computer to Newsbytes, saying: "Our reasons for
repackaging the system were two-fold. Other firms such as Compaq and
IBM have been very aggressive recently in lowering their prices so
there has been competitive pressure."

"Rather than reduce our prices, it is our belief that our customers
are better served with an increase in value," he added.

Owens continued: "Additionally, the re-packaging provides a complete
off-the-shelf solution for purchasers who must communicate with a
desktop unit. This approach reduces the need for our dealers to
provide extensive support in choosing connectivity options. We think,
therefore, that the repackaging makes us more attractive both to
customer and dealer alike."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910806/Press Contact:
Matthew Schmidt, FS Communications (for Poqet Computer Corp.,), 415-
691-1488)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW FOR MAC: Claris Ships Resolve Spreadsheet 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00008)

NEW FOR MAC: Claris Ships Resolve Spreadsheet 08/06/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Following its
recent release of the ClarisWorks integrated spreadsheet to compete
directly with Microsoft Works, Claris has now announced shipments of
its new Resolve spreadsheet for the Macintosh, designed to take
market share from the popular Excel, and the edge out of the recently
announced Lotus 1-2-3 for the Mac.

According to the company, Resolve features an intuitive user interface
that combines ease of use and colorful graphics with powerful new
spreadsheet functionality. The spreadsheet also offers advanced
features, including a scripting language to enable sophisticated users
to automate repetitive tasks, said the company.

Robert Roblin, vice president of marketing at Claris said: "It is the
easiest-to-learn spreadsheet available on any computer platform, yet
it provides a host of powerful features -- including a scripting
language that is much more powerful than the macro-builder approach."

As with all new Macintosh releases these days, the company says that
Resolve takes full advantage of System 7.0.

Resolve is available now from authorized Claris dealers in the United
States at a suggested retail price of $399. The company is offering an
upgrade policy where current U.S. owners of Microsoft Excel, Lotus
1-2-3, Informix Wingz, Ashton-Tate Full Impact and Bravo Technology
MacCalc programs can purchase Resolve for $99.

(Ian Stokell/19910806/Press Contact: Steve Ruddock, Claris Corp., 408-
987-7202)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NAT'L SEMI'S NS32FX16 CHIP FOR GOLDSTAR'S FAX MACHINE 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00009)

NAT'L SEMI'S NS32FX16 CHIP FOR GOLDSTAR'S FAX MACHINE 08/06/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- National
Semiconductor's NS32FX16 imaging processor looks set to be used
by Korea-based Goldstar in two models of a new fax machine.

The new fax machine is available as the GF-250 for overseas markets
and the GF-550 for the Korean market.

According to Goldstar, both machines feature automatic switching
between voice and data, automatic redial and delayed transmission
capability, automatic feeding of up to five pages, high-speed
transmission using MR coding, one-touch abbreviated dialing and
automatic switching between fax and telephone.

S.H. Yeo, general manager of the Office Automation Research and
Development Center for Goldstar says that the NS32FX16 was
selected because of the processor's high performance, cost
effectiveness and design flexibility.

According to the company, the NS32FX16 imaging system processor
is a highly integrated device that can be used in all Group 3 fax
machines and page printers, as well as in a combination of multi-
functional imaging devices.

The processor includes advanced features such as a built-in digital
signal processing (DSP) module, that allow it to be software-
programmed to perform a variety of functions including digital voice
operations as well as conventional data handling.

The company maintains that, using software alone, a designer can add
features to adapt the NS32FX16 to a variety of imaging functions in
fax systems and other office automation applications.

National Semiconductor recently reported huge losses of $151.4 million
for fiscal 1991, despite earnings for the fourth quarter being $5.6
million. The company blamed ongoing restructuring for the losses, as
well as the sale of the company's Puyallup, Washington wafer
fabrication facility to Matsushita Electronics for an estimated $86
million in cash.

Following the losses, the company decided to decentralize its
organizational structure and form new a Communications and
Computing Group and a Standard Products Group, as reported
previously in Newsbytes.

The company's latest product is a single chip Ethernet controller,
called the DP83902, which the company maintains is suitable for
notebook and other battery-operated computers.

(Ian Stokell/19910806/Press Contact: Margaret Mehling, National
Semiconductor Corp., 408-721-2639)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 TELEPHONE CALLING CARD FRAUD ON UPSWING 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

TELEPHONE CALLING CARD FRAUD ON UPSWING 08/06/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- When you travel, or
even when you don't, guard your telephone calling card closely. Con
artists and thieves can use that number to make calls on your dime,
sticking you with thousands of dollars in charges.

A recent rash of scams, denounced in press releases from US West,
Ameritech, and others, is spreading nationwide. Elderly and
non-English speaking users are most vulnerable.

The most common scam is for thieves to eavesdrop near pay phones
in airports and write the numbers down as callers punch them in or
recite them to operators. Some thieves have even used binoculars for
this eavesdropping.

Other con artists pose as police or telephone company officials and
call victims seeking to "verify" company records -- this happened
recently in the Seattle area. Threats to cut off telephone service may
move the unwary to cough up the numbers, which are then abused.

The fact is, as telephone company officials have stated repeatedly,
you need not give out your private calling card number to anyone,
especially over the phone. Those who need the number have it.

Once thieves get the number, they may either pass it to a computer
hacker so he can call long-distance without being identified. Or they
may simply stand by a pay phone on a busy streetcorner, offering
service on your card for a set fee. The result of this could be a drug
dealer calling his overseas supplier on your dime, and suddenly long
lines in front of pay phones in poor neighborhoods. The cost of long
distance telephone fraud for this year is an estimated $1,000 million.

How can you protect yourself? Don't give your calling card number out
over the phone, especially to someone you don't know. And when
punching in the number in a public place, cover the keypad with your
other hand or your body.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910806)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 TRELLIS SHIPS EXPOSE 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00011)

TRELLIS SHIPS EXPOSE 08/06/91
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Trellis
has begun shipping the Microsoft Windows-based Trellis Expose
network manager for the Vines local area network environment.

Expose tracks and displays network performance in real-time,
showing  where problems are occurring and helping managers
speed performance.

Network topology is automatically graphed from routing information
gathered from Vines, showing even transient links. Problems can be
indicated through messages at the bottom of monitors, through Vines
e-mail, or by paging the network administrator.

Hypertext-like links and background maps or floor plans ease wide
area network management, and continuous performance statistics
collection provides both historical and current data.

A client software license allows users to display the topology and
statistics for an unlimited number of servers, and retails for $2,995.
Companion server licenses provide graphing and full alarm
capabilities and are available in various configurations. A single unit
costs $1,250 per server, while a five-server license is $5,950, a
10-server license is $11,250, and a 25-server license is $26,550.

Expose runs on an Intel 80386-based or faster Windows computer
with six megabytes of memory and supports versions 3.10, 4.0, and
4.10 of Vines.

The biggest problem facing most network administrators is
determining when and where problems are occurring so they can be
fixed before end-user performance is degraded to the point where
the network becomes almost useless.

(John McCormick/19910806/Press Contact: Chip deVillafranca, Trellis,
508-435-3066)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 AUSTRALIAN HORNET FIGHTER PILOTS "FLY" HIGHER 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00012)

AUSTRALIAN HORNET FIGHTER PILOTS "FLY" HIGHER 08/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Hornet fighter pilots in the
RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) will now be "flying" even more
advanced flight simulators than before with the installation of new
electronic warfare and target systems.

The systems are being added to the existing simulators, and will see
the pilots using state-of the-art simulator technology.

The installation is part of the RAAF's move to upgrade important
training hardware, and will involve both US and Australian companies.
Hughes Aircraft's subsidiary, Hughes Training Inc, is the prime
contractor for the job, and will be installing the hardware at two
RAAF bases. Computer Sciences of Australia will be designing,
developing and installing the software for the trainers.

The upgrade will see threat jammers, Harpoon missiles, enemy radar
warning systems, surface-to-air and air-to-air missile detection and
counter measure systems, aerial mines and forward-looking infrared
target systems added to the trainers' range of simulation features.

The operational trainers are situated at Williamtown, New South
Wales, and Tindal, Northern Territory. Each trainer is a full-size
replica of the Hornet cockpit, and features imaging equipment and
a computer library of scenarios divided up into four categories.

(Sean McNamara/19910806)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 WEST AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS UPGRADE LIBRARY COMPUTERS 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00013)

WEST AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS UPGRADE LIBRARY COMPUTERS 08/06/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- A West Australian company
has won an AUS$5M contract to upgrade the State's public school
libraries' computers. It is hoped that the upgrade will be completed
within the next five years, with 100 systems being installed each year.

Nimrod Computer Services will install the hardware for the upgrade,
while the software will be installed by Melbourne-based software
company Education Co. Australia.

One of the major pieces of the upgrade is Education Co.'s Microfusion
Automated Library Resources System (MALRS). The MALRS was
developed by Education Co.'s software specialists and librarians
over a five year period, and has aroused the interest of international
purchasers.

The primary aim of the new systems will be to increase students'
information skills through access to relevant and up-to-date
databases of a school's resources. The system will also cater to the
administration's need to manage those resources efficiently and
effectively.

(Sean McNamara/19910806)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 CONVEX COMPUTER INTROS NEW GRAPHICS PRODUCTS 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00014)

CONVEX COMPUTER INTROS NEW GRAPHICS PRODUCTS 08/06/91
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Convex Computer
Corporation has announced several new products and enhancements to
expand supercomputing-based visualization options, including PEX
Interoperability, Convex AVS3, and CXterminal-19C.

PEX as an extension to the X Windows System, which Convex describes
as an emerging standard protocol for communicating three-dimensional
graphics over networks of dissimilar systems. X Windows is a network
transparent windowing system supporting window management
operations, input, and simple two-dimensional graphics on dissimilar
systems in a network.

Convex AVS3 features new data analysis capabilities and improved
support for applications development. Convex AVS is a visualization
product that provides an interactive environment for scientists,
engineers and other professionals to use advanced graphics and
imaging techniques without graphics programming.

The CXterminal-19C is Convex's version of a high-resolution color X
terminal, and is supplied by Textronix, Inc., through an OEM
(original equipment manufacturing) contract. Convex says the
terminal provides the flexibility and windows interface of a
workstation with the low cost of a terminal and the computing power
of a Convex supercomputer.

Convex Computer Corp is a supplier of air-cooled supercomputers,
marketing its products to scientific, engineering and technical users
for applications such as geophysical research, computational
chemistry, computer-aided engineering, image processing,
aerospace simulations, and molecular biology.

(Jim Mallory/19910806/Press contact: Donna Burke, Convex Computer
Corp, 214-497-4230)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 ABRA CADABRA OFFERS FREE DATA CONVERSION 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00015)

ABRA CADABRA OFFERS FREE DATA CONVERSION 08/06/91
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Abra
Cadabra Software (ACS) has announced that it will convert Comshare
human resource management software data to its Abra 2000 system
at no cost to the user.

ACS says it is making the free data conversion offer since Comshare
users were "left in the lurch" by the recent sale of Comshare's human
resource (HR) software. Customers accepting ACS offer will be able to
move to the ACS system without interrupting operations or having to
re-enter data, the company claims.

"Management just won't allow you to close down the HR operation
and suspend key management and compliance reporting while you
convert to a new system" said ACS president Guy Bohner.

Bohner added that HR operations are especially vulnerable to
change, and conversion to a new system can be full of pitfalls.

"Nothing is touchier than the accuracy of an employee's personnel
records. One little mistake and you've lost your credibility forever,"
he said.

To take advantage of the offer, Comshare users should send a copy
of their program and data diskettes with their order for Abra 2000,
which has a suggested retail price of $1,295 for the single user
version, regardless of the number of employees.

A multi-user networking module is available for $995 and ACS also
offers an attendance tracking module for $495. ACS says it will
release a multi-company consolidation module, priced at $1.195,
this fall.

(Jim Mallory/19910806/Press contact: Dorothy Webb, Abra Cadabra
Software, 813-525-4400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW FOR PC: 119-Channel TV Add-on Board 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00016)

NEW FOR PC: 119-Channel TV Add-on Board 08/06/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- AView
Technology has announced DesktopTV, an IBM-compatible add-on
board that turns the computer into an enhanced television, the
company said.

The board is capable of receiving 119 channels, allowing VHF, UHF and
cable TV channel selection, as well as Videodisc, VCR and other RF
modulated NTSC inputs. Controls for the television are operated from
the keyboard, and the sound is delivered by an external speaker which
is included with the board.

"This is the first time a full-screen television option is being
offered for the PC for under $400," said Dan Marshall, the company's
president.

"I believe that we are opening a whole new world of desktop video
applications. There are a wide number of possible applications for the
board, from security and surveillance applications to distribution of
training programs within a corporation, or for entertainment," he
added.

The product has been developed in multifrequency and VGA versions.
It is available direct from the company for $395. For more information,
call 416/922-6555.

(Computer Currents/19910806)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW FOR MAC: MacTOPS 3.1 File Sharing System 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00017)

NEW FOR MAC: MacTOPS 3.1 File Sharing System 08/06/91
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Sitka has
announced MacTOPS 3.1, a System 7-compatible file sharing and
printer-sharing system that widens the spectrum of Macintosh, PC,
Unix and pen-based platforms users can integrate into a network, the
company says.

The new product, which the company says is the only networking
product crafted to support multiple platforms and operating systems,
is designed to bridge the gap between Macintosh 6.0 and 7.0
operating systems.

"Customers need to connect Macs to PCs and Sun workstations, and
System 7 does not solve that problem," said Marcia Kadanoff, vice
president of marketing.

"There is also a large base of machines that will continue to run
System 6.0. Sitka is the only one to bridge that System 6-to-7
connectivity gap," she added.

MacTOPS 3.1 allows any computer on the network to directly access
any other computer, and view or copy its files. Non-Mac platforms are
treated as full peers, the company says, so both Macs and PCs are
capable of true two-way file sharing.

The product is expected to ship at the end of August, the company
says. A free 3.1 upgrade will be given to anyone who purchased
MacTOPS 3.0 after May 1, 1991 and the third quarter ship date.
Version 3.0 currently lists for $289. For more information, call
415/769-9669 or 800-848-8677.

(Computer Currents/19910806)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW PRODUCT: Catalog Features "Real-Life" Networking 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00018)

NEW PRODUCT: Catalog Features "Real-Life" Networking 08/06/91
PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Black Box
Corporation, a catalog marketer of computer and data-communications
equipment, has announced that its May catalog includes a 38-page
section featuring a variety of networking situations and a range of
LAN (local area network) products designed to work within
these situations.

"Whether you're planning to expand into the neighboring office or to
wire every floor in your entire building, you can find the information
you need in this special section," said Dann Ellertson, Black Box
Catalog business unit manager.

For example, the section diagrams multi-story Ethernet LANs to show
how to combine a typical mix of equipment and all Ethernet media Q
fiberoptic, twisted-pair, thick and thin Q to connect a group of
approximately 50 users on three different floors.

The catalog is free. For more information, call 412/746-5500.

(Computer Currents/19910806)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW PRODUCT: Online Envelope Addressing for Workgroups 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00019)

NEW PRODUCT: Online Envelope Addressing for Workgroups 08/06/91
NEWARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Tidemark has
introduced Address Express, a hardware and software system
designed as a convenient workgroup way to address business
correspondence without interrupting normal work flow.

The system is the first online addressing system for personal computer
users that automatically prints professional-looking envelopes,
mailing labels and postcards from the user's software application, as
quickly and easily as printing a letter, the company said.

Address Express supports IBM PCs and compatibles, along with the
Macintosh platform, and all leading local area networks, the company
says. It includes an address printer, address management and layout
software, network support software for both PC and Macintosh users
and cables.

Scheduled to be available in the third quarter of 1991, the product
will retail for $1,195, and requires cartridges from Hewlett-Packard or
Kodak Diconix, which the company says are available in a variety of
colors at computer and office supply stores. For more information,
call 415/490-5583.

(Computer Currents/19910806)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW PRODUCT: All-In-One Home Office Computer 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00020)

NEW PRODUCT: All-In-One Home Office Computer 08/06/91
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- US Integrated
Technologies has introduced The Professional Home Office, an
"all-in-one" Intel 80386SX-based system designed for telecommuters
and after-hours workers who work at home.

The Professional Home Office includes a USIT 386SX 20MHz computer,
9600-baud fax capability, 2400-baud modem, answering machine,
100 megabyte (MB) hard disk, 1024 by 768 VGA and a  mouse. Two
MB of RAM are also included as standard, expandable to 16MB.
Additionally, the system comes with a 1.2 MB floppy disk drive,
one parallel and two serial ports, a 386 math coprocessor socket, and a
101-key keyboard. GeoWorks Ensemble, a graphical environment with
seven integrated business applications, is also bundled with the
system.

"The Professional Home Office is a powerful, space-saving PC with all
the business tools a telecommuter or someone who takes work home
needs to be productive. We designed a complete system to which
nothing needs to be added," said Gary Bachelor, USIT VP of sales and
marketing.

The Professional Home Office comes at the suggested retail price of
$2,995, or $3,395 with a 14-inch VGA color monitor. The Home Office,
which is a 286-based version retails for $2,395 with VGA color monitor.
Both are available through Inacomp Computer Centers' nationwide
dealer network. USIT can be reached at 800-628-8312 or 415-223-1001.

(Computer Currents/19910806)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW FOR PC: Invisible Software Intros NET/30 for Windows 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00021)

NEW FOR PC: Invisible Software Intros NET/30 for Windows 08/06/91
FOSTER CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Invisible
Software has unveiled NET/30 for Windows, a software package for
its DOS-based peer-to-peer network.

According to the company, NET/30 for Windows gives the Invisible
Network complete Windows compatibility.The product is set to
ship later this year.

The company maintains that it is not necessary for Windows users
to learn a new interface in order to use the network. Users can access
NET/30's networking capabilities through the Windows interface, but
they are not locked into the Windows interface. They can use either the
NET/30 utilities or the utilities available in Windows.

In addition to NetBIOS, the network offers a new high-speed
communications protocol called TransBIOS designed to increase
performance.

The Invisible Network uses a minimum amount of memory and
includes menu-driven or command-line installation and initialization,
online help, diagnostic software, file sharing, print spooling, and
automatic reconnection capabilities.

A spokesman says there is no definite shipping date since the final
date will be determined when the documentation is ready. No prices
have been established. For more information, call 415/570-5967.

(Computer Currents/19910806)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 NEW FOR NETWORKS: NetAlarm 2.0 Network Monitoring 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00022)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: NetAlarm 2.0 Network Monitoring 08/06/91
SAN RAMON, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Meyers
& Associates is shipping NetAlarm 2.0, an upgrade to its network
monitoring tool for Novell NetWare-based networks.

The product is designed to provide users with warnings on network
anomalies that present the potential for network degradation or a file
server crash.

Nicknamed the "Smoke Detector," NetAlarm is a TSR (terminate-and-
stay-resident) program that monitors NetWare networks by reporting
and logging critical errors or configuration thresholds. It runs as a
background task, the company says, until an anomaly occurs.
NetAlarm then broadcasts warnings to the file serve console, as well
as any specified users, and logs an entry in the network message file
for future review.

The product, which is sold directly from the company, is available on
a site licensed basis for $295. Registered user of version 1.0 can
upgrade for $15. For more information, call 415/277-1975.

(Computer Currents/19910806)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 AUSTRALIA: QANTAS DIVISION OFFERS DISASTER RECOVERY 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00023)

AUSTRALIA: QANTAS DIVISION OFFERS DISASTER RECOVERY 08/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, AUG 6 1991 (NB) -- Qantek, the computer
services arm of Qantas airlines is to form a disaster recovery service
provider. It will do this with a major PC dealer Ferntree, and the US
Comdisco.

Like most international airlines, Australia's Qantas is keen to trim
much of its running costs, and is constantly directing Qantek to
achieve better productivity. It will use its IBM 3090 recovery site to
form the Australian link in a chain of international recovery sites.

Customers will pay between $4,000 and $40,000 annually, and receive
a portfolio of services. They receive staff training, a survey of their
needs, help in creating a disaster plan, and access to the recovery
site when necessary. Although the service is only for mainframe users,
it is estimated around 70 customers have been identified already.

Comdisco, having the expertise, will train Qantek staff, and plan the
initial structure. Proponents say the advantage of being part of an
international network of these sites will enable multiple disasters in
one area to utilize backup sites in other countries - one more
example of the electronic village.

(Paul Zucker/19910806)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 AUSTRALIA: INFORMATION PROVIDER ADDS LEGAL DATABASE 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00024)

AUSTRALIA: INFORMATION PROVIDER ADDS LEGAL DATABASE 08/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Telesoft, a division of
Australia's phone company Telecom, has added a new service to its
list of dial-up information sources. SCALE (Statutes and Cases
Automated Legal Enquiry) supports 22 different legal databases.

The data is broadly divided into: Statutes, which covers federal and
Capital territory law; Cases, which covers decisions made in High,
Federal, Supreme and Family courts, plus the Administrative
Appeals Tribunal; and Other, which covers Federal legislation and
legal literature and information. State data is to be progressively
added to the service.

"Status" software is used on the host system, and is said to allow
flexible data searches by users not familiar with data retrieval.
Scale staff say they will almost always make new data available the
day after it becomes available, and in many cases, the same day.

Because it is available publicly through the Discovery service, and
not restricted to authorized users, staff will be keen to get feedback
on what the data is used for.

Another recent addition to Discovery is the Australian Securities
Commission database of company details.

(Paul Zucker/19910806/Contact:  James Harker-Mortlock , Discovery,
tel: [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 MORE ON US WEST PIONEER PREFERENCE REQUEST 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)

MORE ON US WEST PIONEER PREFERENCE REQUEST 08/06/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- US West asked for what is
known as "pioneer preference" on its personal communications network
(PCN) service in the U.S.

According to the company, the application for preference is based on
its experience in the UK, where US West is a part of a consortium
holding a license to provide microwave cellular phone service on a
clear frequency. There, its innovations include sharing the mobile
telecom infrastructure with another company and offering service in
the crowded streets of London. The request has been made on behalf of
US West NewVector, the company's cellular operation.

In fact, spokesman Bruce Admundson told Newsbytes, a major motivator
for the application was an FCC deadline of July 31 for such pioneer
preference requests. The designation is credited to FCC Chairman
Alfred Sikes, who wants to reward risk-takers in telecommunications
services with special consideration when ventures from the new
technologies are offered.

In response, Millicom Chairman Shelby Bryan has bet his company on a
"spread-spectrum" scheme which would eliminate the need to move
microwave relays off the needed frequencies. With US West's lawyers on
the case, however, granting Millicom what it wants will now grow much
more difficult, analysts note. Broadcasters and most phone companies
are adamantly opposed to such preferences -- they want the licenses
for themselves -- and they hope the three-man majority on the FCC might go
along with them.

"It is our position that our experience in London would justify a
pioneer preference when licenses are granted for similar areas like
New York," said Admunson.

In London, the company has had to maintain a PCN system on crowded
streets, he added. The consortium has also created a technology which
allows for the sharing of resources in creating a PCN network.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910806/Press Contact: Bruce Admundson, US West
NewVector, 206-562-5483)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 UK: TULIP BIDS FOR A SLICE OF THE NOTEBOOK MARKET 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00026)

UK: TULIP BIDS FOR A SLICE OF THE NOTEBOOK MARKET 08/06/91
CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Tulip has unveiled
its first 80386SX-based notebook PC. At the same time, the Dutch
computer giant has shaved pricing on its 80286-based portable by more
than 25 percent.

The new Tulip notebook comes with 2MB of RAM and a 40MB hard disk
fitted as standard. As with NB286 machine, the NB386SX features a
backlit VGA LCD screen. Pricing on the NB386SX starts at UKP 2,095,
while the NB286 falls from UKP 2,295 to UKP 1,695.

"This year, annual sales in the portable computer market are expected
to rise by more than 40 percent, with a predicted 150,000 portable
computers sold in the U.K. alone," said Steve McCall, managing
director of Tulip Computers U.K.

"With more companies entering the portable market, it's vital to keep
on the offensive with the competition. At present that competition
seems divided into two camps - manufacturers who supply cheap, low-
specification machines with little emphasis on support; and larger
companies providing high quality machines, with comprehensive customer
support but at a high cost," he added.

McCall reckons that the NB386SX fills the middle ground "that the vast
majority of users are looking for."

"High specification and attention to all aspects of design, such as
the superior screen clarity and quality build are provided at a
reasonable cost. The competition may well find that price cuts alone
are not enough to keep them in the running," he said.

(Steve Gold/19910806/Press & Public Contact: Tulip Computers - Tel:
0293-562323; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 MALTA PLACES SECOND CONTRACT FOR PAYPHONES 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)

MALTA PLACES SECOND CONTRACT FOR PAYPHONES 08/06/91
GOZO, MALTA, 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Telemalta, the Maltese phone
administration, has signed a second contract with Landis & Gyr for the
supply of the company's payphones.

Terms of the second contract call for the Landis & Gyr payphones,
which have a total worth of UKP 100,000, to be offered for rental to
all businesses on the island of Malta. The first contract was for
Landis & Gyr to supply Telemalta with a range of payphones for use at
Telemalta payphone sites around the island.

The deal effectively seals Landis & Gyr's position with Telemalta.
According to the U.K. telecom supplier, it means that all payphones
on the island will eventually be Landis & Gyr units.

Landis & Gyr is fast approaching the point where it is dominating the
European telecom marketplace. The company claims to have supplied
more than 900,000 payphones and over 210 million phone cards in 65
countries worldwide.

(Steve Gold/19910806/Press & Public Contact: Landis & Gyr - Tel: 0489-
880080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6  ****ADOBE RELOCATES TO EAST PALO ALTO 08/06/91

08/06/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00028)

 ****ADOBE RELOCATES TO EAST PALO ALTO 08/06/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- Adobe Systems
has decided to become a new tenant of the University Centre
redevelopment project in East Palo Alto, California. The computer
company has also announced it formed a limited partnership with the
developer, De Monet Industries, and plans to invest up to $6 million
in the project.

The 11.9 acre site is located west of the Ventura Highway, Highway
101, at University Avenue in East Palo Alto, California. The company
says it plans its world headquarters to be located at the site.

A representative from Adobe told Newsbytes the new site is only "five
or ten minutes away" from the present location.

Of the total 665,000 square feet planned for redevelopment for office,
retail and hotel use, Adobe said it plans to lease 325,000 square feet
in the first phase of the plan, and another 125,000 square feet upon
completion of the second phase. Phase one is expected to be completed
in 1993, phase two in 1994, the company said.

Adobe currently has seven offices worldwide, including offices in
Amsterdam, Tokyo, London, Munich, Stockholm, and its headquarters in
Mountain View, the company said. Adobe is best known for the
development of PostScript, a page description language specifically
used in electronic printing and publishing. The company said its 1990
revenues exceeded $168 million.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910806/Press Contact: Linda Prosser, Adobe Systems,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6  ****NCR TO CLOSE OHIO PLANT 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00029)

 ****NCR TO CLOSE OHIO PLANT 08/06/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- NCR has announced that it
will, within the next year, close its Cambridge, Ohio retail
peripheral development and manufacturing operations and consolidate
its functions with a facility in suburban Atlanta, Georgia.

NCR officials also said that the company will take a $25 million pre-
tax charge against its 1991 third quarter earnings as a result of the
planned closure

According to the computer giant, the shutdown will affect the jobs of
492 employees. Of these, transfers to Atlanta will be offered to 142
salaried employees and outplacement assistance and severance packages
will be provided to any of the remainder who do not find jobs at other
NCR plants.

The facility that NCR is leaving is a former RCA plant and 62-acre
site purchased by NCR in 1965. NCR said that plans for disposal of the
facility is still pending and that it will fund the services of an
economic developer for the next two years to work with the Cambridge
community.

Announcing the development plan, plant general manager, John Manchir,
was quoted as saying: "We are working with state agencies and private
parties to find a productive use for the plant which will help in
restoring jobs and tax receipts to the Cambridge area."

NCR said that it will also donate one year's property and payroll
taxes to the city of Cambridge and will continue supporting the
local United Way campaign for three years.

NCR spokesperson Robert Farkus, commenting on the NCR plans to
Newsbytes, said: "NCR has been part of the Cambridge community since
1965 and it feels a community responsibility to do whatever possible
to lessen the impact of the closing. These three actions are evidence
of this feeling of responsibility."

NCR said that the approximate $25 million in before-tax costs
associated with the closing will be charged against NCR's third-
quarter 1991 earnings.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910806/Press Contact: Mark
Feighery, NCR, 513-445-2033)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 6 IBM PC 10 YEARS OLD THIS MONTH 08/06/91

08/06/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00030)

IBM PC 10 YEARS OLD THIS MONTH 08/06/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 6 (NB) -- The IBM PC, based on the
Intel 8088 microchip, carrying a whopping 64 kilobytes of memory and a
low density, 5.25-inch floppy drive, was introduced to the world just
10 years ago this month.

The first system was unveiled to the press running a Microsoft
operating system, MS-DOS 1.0, and nothing else in the computer was
made by IBM except the nameplate, case, and the keyboard.

Many industry observers then and now say that nameplate was the most
important contribution IBM made to help legitimize the fledgling PC
industry.

IBM sources do not report any special plans to commemorate the event
which gave rise to a multi-billion dollar industry.

(John McCormick/19910806)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 HP CREATES RISC CONSORTIUM 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00001)

HP CREATES RISC CONSORTIUM 08/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard will set up a
consortium for its RISC (reduced instruction set computing) chip,
gaining support from major Japanese and Korean electronics makers,
says the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper.

Hewlett-Packard is preparing to create the consortium for its
PA-RISC chip. Major Japanese electronics makers
including Hitachi and Mitsubishi are expected to participate in
the group. Also, Korea's Samsung will back the group, according
to the Nikkan Kogyo.

Other RISC chip manufacturers such as Sun Microsystems and
MIPS have already formed similar groups to support their own
variety of RISC chip. Sun Microsystems has set up SPARC International,
MIPS has created ACE, Motorola has created 88 Open, and Intel has set
up MASS860. IBM is expected to set up the group around its POWER
chip.

HP's new consortium is expected to trigger a severe propaganda
war over RISC chips in the near future.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910805/Press Contact: Yokogawa-Hewlett-
Packard, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5  ****NEC AND OMRON TO MAKE FUZZY MICROCOMPUTER 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00002)

 ****NEC AND OMRON TO MAKE FUZZY MICROCOMPUTER 08/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- NEC and Omron have agreed to
jointly develop a microcomputer chip and operating system based on so-
called "fuzzy" logic, which is the logic of subtlety and is
widely applied in consumer electronics products. Both firms have
different fuzzy logic technology and are expected to integrate them.

The agreement calls for Omron to provide NEC with its fuzzy
inference system data development tool "FS-1000" as well as its
inference module technologies and patented information. NEC
will incorporate Omron's technologies into its microcomputer chips
such as the 4-bit 75K series and 8-bit 78K series. Both firms will
market the products under their own brand names throughout the
world. These chips will be used in consumer electronics products
such as vacuum cleaners, electric ovens, air-conditioners, and
washing machines.

Currently, the "fuzzy" boom is everywhere in Japan. Almost all
electronics products are based on fuzzy technology. It is said,
for instance, a fuzzy-based air-conditioner can better adjust
room temperature according to the number of the people, and
the washing machine can determine the best way to wash
clothes according to the amount of dirt and the type of clothes.

NEC and Omron, seeing a clear future for this technology, plan to
jointly develop a 16-bit version of a fuzzy logic chip.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910805/Press Contact: NEC, [phone]
Omron, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 NINTENDO LETS HYUNDAI MAKE FAMILY COMPUTERS 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00003)

NINTENDO LETS HYUNDAI MAKE FAMILY COMPUTERS 08/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Kyoto-based Family Computer maker
Nintendo will sign a manufacturing agreement with Hyundai in Korea,
allowing Hyundai to produce the Family Computer and to
market it in Korea.

Hyundai will actually manufacture the overseas version of the Family
Computer called "NES" (Nintendo Entertainment System) in Korea.
Output is expected to be around 200,000 to 300,000 units per year. So far,
Nintendo has shipped and sold about 200,000 units at department stores and
toy shops in Korea.

The Family Computer boom has lessened recently in Japan as the computer
has become saturated in the market. Nintendo has sold 16 million units in
Japan and 32 million units overseas.

Meanwhile, Nintendo is shifting its market strategy to a high-end
version of the game machine called "Super Famicom" in Japan. It
was released last November and has been well-accepted. Nintendo will
also soon ship Super Famicom units in the U.S. , where it has
been receiving volume purchase orders from major toy makers.
Sales of Super Famicoms in the Korean market and other Asian
regions will come later.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910805/Press Contact: Nintendo, +81-75-541-
6111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 IBM JAPAN LINKS WITH NEC FOR SUPERCOMPUTERS 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00004)

IBM JAPAN LINKS WITH NEC FOR SUPERCOMPUTERS 08/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- IBM Japan and NEC have agreed
to sell NEC's supercomputers through IBM's distribution channels.
IBM Japan has placed NEC's SX-3 supercomputer as the high-end
offering in its office computer line-up, according to the
Nikkei newspaper. It is the first time that IBM Japan has sold another
firm's computers.

NEC's supercomputer is now part of IBM Japan's System
Integration plan, which is aimed at various offices. The plan
provides advice, installation, maintenance and applications
development in computing.

IBM Japan used to provide a vector calculation device (VF) for
NEC's ES9000 large-scale general purpose computer. However, some
customers have complained that the VF is not powerful enough for
mathematical calculation. These customers have been purchasing
other firms' supercomputers since IBM Japan did not provide them.
IBM Japan's deal to sell NEC's supercomputer is expected to bring
customers back to the fold.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910805/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3586-
1111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 US WEST WANTS PIONEER PREFERENCE IN PCN TEST 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

US WEST WANTS PIONEER PREFERENCE IN PCN TEST 08/05/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- U S West wants a
"pioneer preference" for its PCN trials from the Federal
Communications Commission, which would give it an inside track on
new licenses using the technology. The FCC is presently
considering such a preference for Millicom, whose officers have
risked their company testing a new "spread-spectrum" technique
which would let PCN phones share frequencies with microwave
relays. FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes supports the granting of such
preferences to reward innovation.

U S West's NewVector unit based its request for a preference on
its work in adding radio technology to its existing services, and
linking PCN to wired phone enhancements like Caller ID and voice
messaging.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: Bruce Amundson, U S
WEST NewVector, 206-562-5483)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 BELLCORE SAYS VYVX SYSTEM WORKS 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

BELLCORE SAYS VYVX SYSTEM WORKS 08/05/91
LIVINGSTON, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- A 20-
month, 8-city trial has shown that TV network broadcasts can
indeed be distributed to affiliates using fiber trunk lines,
Bellcore announced. Vyvx, a unit of Williams Telecommunications
of Tulsa, has been in the business of offering this service for
over a year, but the Bellcore test could move other phone
companies into the market.

In the test, all seven of the regional Bells took feeds from ABC, NBC,
CBS and PBS and distributed them to affiliates over so-called T-
3 lines running at 45 million bits/second. These are standard
fiber trunk line speeds. Each broadcaster was given network
control software which let them configure a custom network using
an ordinary PC.

During the trial, ABC sent a Monday Night Football game from Los
Angeles to New York, CBS sent coverage of a U.S. Senate hearing
to affiliates in Minneapolis and New York, and NBC sent its
Gulf War feeds to and from Boston, Washington, Los Angeles,
Atlanta and New York. PBC used it for live interview feeds for
the Macneil/Lehrer News Hour, and for a teleconference among
teachers in four cities.

All this does not mean that the regional Bells are immediately
going into the TV distribution business. "It's up to them whether
they want to offer the service," said Bellcore spokesman Cynthia
Lucenius to Newsbytes, adding that the trial only shows that the
technology works, not whether it's a valid business opportunity.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: Bellcore, Cynthia A.
Lucenius, 201/740-6468)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 GTE AIRFONE GAINS FCC APPROVAL, BUT NO MONOPOLY 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

GTE AIRFONE GAINS FCC APPROVAL, BUT NO MONOPOLY 08/05/91
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- GTE Airfone
said the Federal Communications Commission granted it a
nationwide air-to- ground radio-telephone service license. Since
1980, GTE Airfone has been operating under experimental
authority. It now serves 14 domestic carriers and one foreign
airline, Air Canada.

"We are delighted with the Commission's decision," said GTE
President Bob Calafell. GTE reports that airline passengers
have made more than 11 million calls on the Airfone service
since its inception in 1984.

However, the commission prohibited the GTE unit from enforcing
terms of its current contracts with the airlines which would
prevent them from considering the service of competitors like In-
Flight Phone. In-Flight was started by Airfone founder Jack D.
Goeken, and is very close to launching an all-digital service. In-Flight
has contracts with USAir, American, and Northwest airlines. In-
Flight also has agreements with international authorities to
handle emergency traffic in conjunction with overseas satellite
systems.

In-Flight is expected to be online by late October. By that time, Airfone
and Comsat hope to begin using Comsat satellites to deliver their services
anywhere in the world.

Gregory Vogt of the FCC criticized Airfone even while giving it
authority to stay in business, saying the $2 per minute call
service has been spotty with delayed dial tones and poor
connections. He also demanded that GTE retune all its equipment
to the four megahertz of frequency spectrum the FCC has set aside
for air-ground phone services.

GTE Airfone is a part of GTE Telecommunications Products and
Service Group. The group also includes Contel Federal
Systems, GTE Government Systems, GTE Information Services, GTE
Mobile Communications (cellular service) and GTE Spacenet
(satellite communications).

GTE Railfone, a subsidiary of GTE Airfone, provides a similar
service on major Amtrak routes on the East and West coasts
through a joint venture with the National Railroad Passenger
Corporation. Seventy-eight rail cars are equipped for phone
service, and GTE says to date more than 935,000 calls have been
made from the trains.

(Dana Blankenhorn & Jim Mallory/19910802/Press Contact:
Kevin Petschow, Airfone, 708-575-1448; Dorea Akers, GTE,
203-965-3188)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 AUSTRALIAN CONSOLE ATTRACTS INT'L BUYERS AT OZTECH 08/05/91

08/05/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00008)

AUSTRALIAN CONSOLE ATTRACTS INT'L BUYERS AT OZTECH 08/05/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- An Australian-developed computer
console designed for fire brigades and emergency control authorities
has attracted interest from overseas buyers at the Oztech '91
exhibition in Canberra. Oztech '91 was a Federal Government
initiative to highlight Australian technological achievements.

The system, Alarmon, consists of an operator console and one or more
networked interface racks. The console consists of three color touch
screens, one each for alarms, communications, and operations. The
racks provide the connections between the alarm and communications
circuitry for the touch screens. Once an alarm is raised, the
operator can call on-screen information about the type of emergency
and specific details of the location. Previously this was done by
looking up the relevant information in manuals. These details can
then be transmitted to the vehicle bay.

The system was codeveloped by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
and Melbourne-based Redflex. After pilot installations were tested
at Melbourne airport, a production system was installed there in
February. Sixteen other Australian airports will have the system
installed. After being shown in the Southeast Asian region, Alarmon
has been very well received, and Redflex is expecting to gain some
international purchasers. Alarmon costs around AUS$270,000 per site.

(Sean McNamara/19910802)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 AUSTRALIAN UNIV 1 OF 4 CLIMATE LABS 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00009)

AUSTRALIAN UNIV 1 OF 4 CLIMATE LABS 08/05/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- A research project of Sydney's
Macquarie University is to form one of the four bases for
supercomputer modelling of climate changes due to greenhouse gas
emissions. MECCA (Model Evaluation Consortium for Climate
Assessment) is a consortium of US, Japanese, Italian and French
industry, government and academic groups.

The Macquaurie University project is one of the initial four to be
chosen for MECCA research. Dr Ann Henderson-Sellers of Macquarie is
developing models on sensitivity to land-surface deforestation. The
other three projects are grid resolution, carbon dioxide, and ocean
coupling.

MECCA has provided approximately US$10M for the first 15 months'
research. The supercomputer, located in the National Centre for
Atmospheric Research at Boulder, Colorado, will evaluate the
reliability of global climate simulation models by looking at
human activities and natural events, such as the
emissions of greenhouse gases, changing land use, deforestation, and
volcanic eruptions. According to MECCA officials, special attention
would be paid to regional-scale simulation models which reflect
certain aspects of a particular country's changing climate.

(Sean McNamara/19910802)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 NEW FOR UNIX: HP Offers CD-ROMs With Unix Training 08/05/91

08/05/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(WAS)(00010)

NEW FOR UNIX: HP Offers CD-ROMs With Unix Training 08/05/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard has announced three new CD-ROM-based computer training
courses aimed at teaching users and information systems managers
how to be productive in a Unix operating system environment.

The multi-media CD-ROM courses will run on IBM PC compatibles, HP
Vectra, and HP workstation computers.

Each of the self-paced training programs will ship in November at
a U.S. list price of $500 per course, or $950 for all three.

(John McCormick/19910802/Press Contact: Emily Cobb, Hewlett-
Packard, 415-691-5902)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 NEW PRODUCT PREVIEW - WINDOWS & OS/2 CONFERENCE 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00011)

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEW - WINDOWS & OS/2 CONFERENCE 08/05/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- August 14 through
16 will see the Windows & OS/2 conference in Boston and some
vendors are already providing a preview of what they will be
showing.

In Booth #741 Bell Atlantic will demonstrate Thinx, the
intelligent graphics program for the spreadsheet and database
user.

Ergon Technologies will be demonstrating the XLR8-IT accelerator
boards for Microsoft Windows and H-P LaserJet printers in Booth
#934.

Booth #819 will house Imara Research which will show a Windows-
compatible version of its image management groupware that permits
images to be captured and shared over large OS/2 networks.

Lotus will use Booth #942 to show off the new Ami Pro Version
2.0., a major upgrade to its word processor for Windows. Ami Pro
2.0 provides extensive new capabilities in word processing power,
ease of use, support for workgroups, and integration with the
Lotus family of Windows products, the company says. Lotus will also show
SmarText, the program that creates and reads electronic reference
materials.

MacroMind will be demonstrating a new Windows multimedia product
in Booth #455.

The Qualitas 386MAX 5.1 and BlueMAX 5.1 memory-management
products will be shown working with the new DOS 5.0 and Windows
in Booth #313. BlueMAX is designed specifically for the IBM PS/2
line of PCs.

XcelleNet will show the XcelleNet Remote Applications Management
System for low-cost, asynchronous communications between
hundreds of remote PCs and a central site, as well as X/MAIL and
X/FORMS, the new "applications that communicate" across
the X/RAM System. XcelleNet will be housed in IBM Booth #617.

Booth #243 will house ZSoft Corporation's demonstration of the
company's Publisher's Paintbrush, Version 2.0, a professional
image editing and paint program for the Microsoft Windows
environment.

(John McCormick/19910802)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 GAINSCO, SHARED RESOURCE MGT JOINT VENTURE 08/05/01

08/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00012)

GAINSCO, SHARED RESOURCE MGT JOINT VENTURE 08/05/01
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Gainsco, Inc., has
announced that its data processing subsidiary, Agents Processing
Systems Inc (APS), has signed an outsourcing agreement creating a
joint business venture with Shared Resource Management of MN,
Inc (SRM) of Shareview, Minnesota.

The two firms will collaborate to enhance sales, support and
technical development of APS software for general agents and
insurance companies. APS will handle sales and customer
support, while SRM will be responsible for technical support and
development. The two companies estimate increased revenues of
over $1 million during the next year, as a result of the joint
venture.

Joseph Macchia, CEO of Gainsco, said the formal agreement would
allow APS to be more responsive to existing customers, as well
as enhance its ability to serve future clients.

SRM says it has been providing consulting services to APS and
Gainsco since 1982. Gainsco is a vertically integrated property
and casualty insurance company specializing in underwriting and
marketing excess and surplus lines. A Gainsco subsidiary,
Agents Processing Systems, Inc., markets a computer software
policy management system to general agents.

(Jim Mallory/910804/Press Contact: Joseph Macchia, Gainsco,
817-336-2500)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 VISUAL APPLICATION "IRIS" RUNS DISTRIBUTIVELY 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00013)

VISUAL APPLICATION "IRIS" RUNS DISTRIBUTIVELY 08/05/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced that Silicon Graphics recently released visual
application building program IRIS Explorer can now run
distributively between Silicon Graphics workstations and Cray
Research supercomputers.

IRIS Explorer is designed to simplify program development in
areas such as computational chemistry, computational fluid
dynamics, geophysical and seismic analysis, medical imaging and
meteorological analysis. The Cray version of the program will
be marketed and distributed by Cray Research on Cray platforms
beginning early in 1992.

A Cray spokesperson says that using IRIS Explorer, end users and
software developers can build sophisticated applications for
visualizing complex scientific and engineering problems with
simple point-and-click selections. IRIS Explorer provides the
object-oriented environment necessary for delivering distributed
applications in networked supercomputing.

A demonstration of IRIS Explorer running distributively between
a Silicon Graphics workstation in Las Vegas, Nevada and a Cray
Research supercomputer in Eagan, Minnesota was held last week
at SIGGRAPH in Las Vegas. SIGGRAPH is a trade show for the
graphics industry.

(Jim Mallory/910805/Press contact: Mardi Schmeider, Cray
Research, 612-683-3538)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 PLASMON GETS GSA SCHEDULE CONTRACT AWARD 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00014)

PLASMON GETS GSA SCHEDULE CONTRACT AWARD 08/05/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Plasmon Data
Systems has received a General Services Administration (GSA)
computer contract schedule number which will make it easier for
federal purchasers to specify the company's optical storage
products.

The GSA schedule listing includes Plasmon's entire line of
Reflection Systems write-once (WORM) and multifunction write-
once and erasable optical drives.

Plasmon drives are already being used in the Department of
Defense, the IRS, the Department of the Interior, and other
agencies. The federal government is one of the world's largest
users of high-capacity optical drives.

David Kalstrom, Plasmon's vice president of marketing, says that
optical disc storage reduces the amount of paper used to store
government documents and can even save money by improving
productivity. "It has been estimated that finding a misplaced
document costs an average of $200," he points out.

Plasmon's multifunction drives accept either rewritable discs or
write-once media that can't be accidentally erased and are
guaranteed to hold their data for a minimum of 50 years.

For further information on Plasmon products, contact Plasmon
Data Systems, 99 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134 or phone
408-432-0570, fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910802/Press Contact: Brad Lee Brenner, Marken
Communications, 408-296-3600 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 DATAFLEX READYING POCKET ISDN ADAPTER 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00015)

DATAFLEX READYING POCKET ISDN ADAPTER 08/05/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Dataflex Design is working on a pocket
integrated services digital network (ISDN) adapter for launch this coming
September.

According to the growing modem company, the pocket ISDN adapter will be
unveiled at the Business Computing Show, which opens in London on September
17. The unit is V110-compatible and supports the standard Hayes extended
"AT" command set for call set-up and processing. This means hat the unit will
work with almost any PC communications package and can be used as a very
high speed modem, running at 19,200 bits per second (bps). When two
Dataflex ISDN pocket adapters are linked back to back over an ISDN link,
transmission speeds of up to 38,400 bps are possible.

Exact pricing on the ISDN adapter will be announced closer to the launch
date.

(Steve Gold/19910802/Press & Public Contact: Dataflex Design - Tel: 081-
543-6417; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 LINK TECHNOLOGIES EXPANDS EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION 08/05/91

08/05/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00016)

LINK TECHNOLOGIES EXPANDS EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION 08/05/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Hoping to
take advantage of the expanding European Unix market, Link
Technologies has signed United Kingdom-based Bannerbridge,
and France-based MIEL to distribute its brand name terminals in
Europe.

The company, which claims to have shipped more than 130,000
terminals in the United States in 1990, says that this is a new
strategy, as previous European distribution had been exclusively
through OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).

Tom Offutt, vice president of international sales for the company, told
Newsbytes that the company had, indeed, only "gone to Europe before
through OEM customers," as opposed to the United States, where the
company sold through "OEMs and distributors."

The company's "brand name has been very successful in the US"
said Offutt, and the company decided it was time to take that brand
name to Europe.

"The two companies are very important long term for Link," said Offutt,
"as they supply two of the largest markets for terminals. Additionally,
both companies have experienced eight to ten years in the industry."

"Both companies address value-added resellers (VARs) with
multiuser solutions. Unix on low-end personal computers is becoming
ever more popular today, and terminals are a key part of that
package," said Offutt. "Additionally, they service major corporations
with a need for extra terminals."

The company says that other distributors are to be named next
month for Italy and Germany.

The International Data Corporation market research firm estimates
that Link Technologies has about a 13 percent share of the $600
million market for ASCII display terminals in the United States.

(Ian Stokell/19910802/Press Contact: Tom Offutt, Link Technologies,
415-651-8000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 DEC CUTS 250 FROM CREATIVE SUPPORT 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00017)

DEC CUTS 250 FROM CREATIVE SUPPORT 08/05/91
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) --
Plagued by financial setbacks and layoffs in the past year, Digital
Equipment Corp. has restructured its marketing operations and has
terminated 250 creative support people.

Digital's in-house media communications group
(MCG) was disbanded and its personnel were dropped by the
company. The unit was made up of writers, photographers, TV
producers and directors who handled such projects as speech
writing, trade shows and in-house video production.

Don Elias, MCG's manager, has formed a new independent company
called Quantic, based in Andover, Mass, which will perform
many of the marketing and communications activities for DEC that would be
expected from an outside vendor.

(Electronic Marketing News/19910802)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 AUSTRALIAN COMPUTER CENSUS STARTS TOMORROW 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00018)

AUSTRALIAN COMPUTER CENSUS STARTS TOMORROW 08/05/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- August 6 is
census night in Australia -- both a general census and one
pertaining to the nation's computer use will be undertaken.

The Indigenous Information Technology Census is meant to assist the
Australian government foster Australian development of information
technology products, such as computer hardware and software, services,
training, and so on. The idea is to ensure that the local industry
is capable not only of satisfying a proportion of local demand, but
also feeding an export industry.

As an example of good faith, the census form was produced using a
local product FormsDesigner, which in turn was produced with the aid
of a federal grant.

Sections in the census include: organizational profile; indigenous
industry profile; experience dealing with government; difficulties
dealing with government; support services; outsourcing and joint
ventures; open systems; systems integration; offsets and local
industry development; people and skills; exports; and future plans. Each
section is preceded by an explanation of the data needed, and the
reason it will be useful.

(Paul Zucker/19910805/Contact: George Morrow ph. [phone] fax
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 AUSTRALIA: IBM & WANG FINALIZE BADGING AGREEMENT 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00019)

AUSTRALIA: IBM & WANG FINALIZE BADGING AGREEMENT 08/05/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Following the international
agreement by Wang and IBM in which Wang will start selling IBM computers
with Wang badges, Wang and IBM in Australia have almost finalized
local details.

The situation in Australia is slightly different because IBM has a
large manufacturing plant in the country town of Wangaratta (always a
source of humor for Wang people) so the badging will be done here,
rather than in the US. From October, the Wang-ized IBM machines will
start to ship, with around $36M in sales expected the first year.
This is only around 20 percent of Wang Australia sales since
the initial machines will be mainly the Unix-based RS6000
workstations. IBM PS/2 machines will slowly replace the Wang-sourced
PCs and low-end workstations.

The move is seen as a way to re-assure existing Wang customers that
they won't be abandoned if Wang should change direction or even fail.
In that case, IBM could pick up the product support and continue to
provide upgrades and new product. In some cases, Wang and IBM even
expect to cooperate on sales efforts, sharing sales credits.

(Paul Zucker/19910815)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 CHILEAN PHONE COMPANY EARNING PROFITS 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

CHILEAN PHONE COMPANY EARNING PROFITS 08/05/91
SANTIAGO, CHILE, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- In what its supporters
hope will be a harbinger of things to come throughout Latin
America, the privatized Compania de Telefonos de Chile said its
income before taxes rose 64.5 percent for the second quarter of
the year, ending June 30. Revenues were up 25.1 percent during
the quarter.

The Chilean phone firm trades its shares in the U.S., but
results are delayed by the need to report them based on both
Chilean and U.S. accounting rules. Official U.S. results are due
in September.

Chile's was one of the first Latin phone systems to
be privatized. EnTel of Argentina and TelMex of Mexico have since
followed suit. EnTel divided itself in two and cut its crippling
foreign debts by billions of dollars -- two groups headed by
European phone companies now run it. TelMex was privatized
earlier in 1991 and is now run by a group headed by Southwestern
Bell of the U.S. Peru, meanwhile, recently announced it will
privatize 70 percent of its phone system, and is requesting bids.

In unrelated action, the Chilean phone company terminated the
contract of general manager Gerson Echavarria, replacing him with
Nicholas Majluf on an interim basis, and named Ingacio Santillana
an alternate director, replacing Augusto Serrano. Three
additional alternate directors were also named.

Compania de Telefonos de Chile S.A., owning 95 percent of all
telephone lines in that country, offers local telephone
services to 92 percent of the country's residents, as well as
domestic long distance telephone services. Additionally, the
company operates a cellular network in Santiago and Valparaiso.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: Joseph N. Jaffoni, Dewe
Rogerson, 212-688-6840 Jaime Charles, Compania de Telefonos de
Chile, 011-562-696-1147)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 ASHTON-TATE STOCK ON PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE 08/05/91

08/05/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00021)

ASHTON-TATE STOCK ON PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE 08/05/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- The
Securities and Exchange Commission has given the Pacific Stock
Exchange approval to list the common stock of Ashton-Tate
Corporation, the Pacific Stock Exchange said. The stock will be
traded until the end of September, when the Borland-Ashton-Tate
merger goes into effect.

At that time, estimated to be 60-90 days from the July 10
announcement of the two firms' intent to merge, all Ashton-Tate
stock will become Borland stock.

Trading of the stock under the symbol TAT is expected to
start Tuesday, August 6, 1991, and Patrick C. Gayner of
Wedbush Morgan Securities has been appointed as specialist, the
Pacific Stock Exchange said.

Purchase of the company by Borland International, producers of
Paradox, Quattro Pro, ObjectVision, Borland C++, Turbo C++,
Turbo Pascal for Windows and Sidekick, is in progress and is
expected to be completed by the end of the year, Ashton-Tate
said. Borland is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California.

Ashton-Tate is best known for its dBASE line of products, the
most recent release being dBASE IV.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910731/Press Contact: Dale A. Carlson,
Pacific Stock Exchange, Tel: [phone], Linda Duttenhaver,
Ashton-Tate, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 SPRINT CUTS FTS2000 PRICES, LOSES NAVY TO AT&T 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00022)

SPRINT CUTS FTS2000 PRICES, LOSES NAVY TO AT&T 08/05/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- US Sprint, which
has been aggressively selling its services to U.S. government
agencies under the FTS2000 contract, had its wings clipped by the
General Services Administration, which oversees the contract.

Sprint said that, under an agreement with the GSA, it will cut
its prices by 15 percent, starting with a 10 percent reduction
effective October 1, and continuing with another cut in January.
Sprint promised to cut prices another 3.5 percent if its revenues
under the program for the year ending October 1 exceed estimates
of the General Services Administration, which oversees the award.
Sprint estimated total savings of $38 million from the moves.

Sprint has been under heavy pressure to cut prices from AT&T,
which holds what it thought was the larger share of the FTS
contract. In fact, AT&T complains, Sprint's aggressive
salesmanship has given it most of the revenues under the
contract. MCI has also been nibbling at the sides of the
contract, making deals with agencies outside it, like Congress,
and offering special deals to agencies which commit to going
outside it.

Administrator Richard G. Austin of the GSA said the Sprint rate-
cuts put its prices on a par with those charged the government
by AT&T, and allowed "the GSA to avoid the necessity of
reassigning agencies as a means of reaching the goal of a 60-40
percent split between the two vendors," with the split going in
favor of AT&T. GSA held out the possibility that almost 85
percent of the Sprint traffic would be reassigned unless the
price cuts were forthcoming.

In any case, GSA did reassign the Department of Navy to AT&T
from Sprint. The Marine Corps is officially a unit of the Navy
under the contract.

AT&T issued a statement welcoming all this. The company called
the decision "a significant start" toward correcting problems
with the contract.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910806/Press Contact: Herb Linnen, AT&T, 202-
457-3933,; Susan Kraus, Sprint, 202-828-7410 Bob Fisher, General
Services Administration, 202-501-1231)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 ASHTON-TATE LAYS OFF TO BOOST EMPLOYEE/REVENUE RATIO  08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00023)

ASHTON-TATE LAYS OFF TO BOOST EMPLOYEE/REVENUE RATIO  08/05/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate
has announced it is laying off 200 people, leaving its world-
wide workforce at about 1,300 employees.

Severance payments to the employees laid-off will equal the
salaries they would have earned during the remainder of the
current quarter, Ashton-Tate said.

The company, which is in the process of being purchased by
Borland International, has been struggling since it began
reporting losses in 1989. The company reported more than $46
million in losses until between 1989 and 1990, but this year
has been able to report gains of $5.6 million on revenues $123
million during the first six months of this year.

Bill Lyons, Ashton-Tate's chairman and chief executive officer,
said, "We believe these reductions will bring our net revenue
per employee more in line with other leading software companies
and will enable us to compete more effectively in today's
dynamic marketplace."

Although the company denies the layoffs have anything to do
with the merger with Borland, Ashton-Tate has historically had
one of the lowest net-revenue-per-employee ratios. Borland, on
the other hand, has a reputation of being lean and mean with
one of the highest-net-revenue-per-employee ratios in the
industry.

The merger of the two companies is expected to produce the
United States' fifth largest software company, and the world's
largest producer of personal computer (PC) database software.
The merger is still pending a vote from the stockholders and
the approval of the U.S. government Securities and Exchange
Commission, Ashton-Tate said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910805/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver,
Ashton-Tate, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Dick
O'Donnell, Borland, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 1ST COMPUTER SAFE FOR HAZARDOUS AREAS FROM FUJITSU   08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00024)

1ST COMPUTER SAFE FOR HAZARDOUS AREAS FROM FUJITSU   08/05/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG  5 (NB) -- Until now
there was no computer available for industries which needed data
collection and management in areas where people were working
with highly flammable, gaseous, or explosive substances such as
oil, gas and chemicals. Fujitsu says it has changed that with
the AcuTote 2916IS, the first computer to be intrinsically safe
and Underwriter's Laboratories UL913-compliant.

The AcuTote 2916IS meets the requirements for use in hazardous
areas by being incapable of causing ignition by arcing or
thermal effects, Fujitsu said. This is particularly important
in gaseous environments where a single spark could ignite,
causing catastrophic consequences, the company said.

Larry Farrell, director of handheld systems marketing and
development for Fujitsu, said, "We first had to develop an
intrinsically safe battery pack and reduce the overall
capacitance of the unit. Once these modifications were
complete, the AcuTote handheld computer was subjected to a
battery of tests, including spark, water injection, dust
injection and a drop test."

Ron Omohundro, Fujitsu Systems' vice president of handheld
systems sales, said, "We're particularly pleased to be able to
address the needs of this highly specialized industry segment.
Having offered ruggedized handheld systems since 1985, the move
to an intrinsically safe handheld computer was a logical step."

Fujitsu has received high honor for the Acutote hand-held
computer line. It has another version of the Acutote 2900 hand
held computer on permanent display at the Smithsonian
Institution.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910805/Press Contact: Donna Forbess,
Fujitsu, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 IBM REORGANIZES MANAGEMENT CHAIN 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00025)

IBM REORGANIZES MANAGEMENT CHAIN 08/05/91
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- International Business
Machines (IBM) has altered its corporate reporting channels to provide
higher corporate status for its personal computer and midrange systems
components.

Under the new organizational structure, James A. Cannavino, an IBM
vice president and general manager of personal systems, and Robert
J. LaBant, vice president and general manager of application business
systems, will report directly to IBM President Jack D. Kuehler. Until
the restructuring, Cannavino and LaBant reported to Terry R.
Lautenbach, an IBM senior vice president, who reports to
Lautenbach. The firm said that Kuehler will become the contact
executive for the company's personal systems and application
business systems lines of business.

The mainframe segment of the firm, under Carl Conti, will continue to
report to Lautenbach, who was named by IBM CEO John Akers to
become a member of the management committee, IBM's top
management planning group. Making the announcement, Akers was
quoted as saying, "These changes will allow increased focus on key
areas of our business, further reduce structure and speed our
response to the marketplace."

A senior IBM executive commented on the changes to Newsbytes,
saying, "The restructuring makes sense. Lautenbach has had more
responsibilities than any one person could handle and Kuehler had
been directly involved in some of these areas. He was extremely
active in directing our investments in the RS/6000 technology and he
really kept the project alive. His presence should insure that our
very top management is closed involved in our new venture with
Apple and in our continued drive to turn the newest technology
rapidly into product."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910805)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 HP SAYS 95LX DEMAND EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS 08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00026)

HP SAYS 95LX DEMAND EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS 08/05/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard Co chief executive officer John Young, in a wire service
interview, said that demand for its 95LX Palmtop Computer has
outstripped supply.

In the Reuters interview, Young also was quoted as saying that the
firm is on target to exceed last years profit levels due to increased
orders for workstations and other products. Young cited the 95LX as
one of the products and told Reuters "When you can't make enough
to meet the demand it's hard to judge what the sell through really is.
We're really hustling to open add on production lines."

Hewlett-Packard's Lucy Honig expanded to Newsbytes on Young's
statement, saying, "The demand for the unit has been greater than we
anticipated. The reason for this appears to be that, while we felt that
the 14 million Lotus 1-2-3 users would be our prime market, we
have had a great demand from non-1-2-3 people. We are ramping
up rapidly and we will insure that we are able to respond to
demand."

Newsbytes Australian correspondent Paul Zucker reports that
the supply problems in the US are also impacting sales "down under."
Zucker said, "I gave around ten US mail order companies
who mail to Australia a shopping list, and all had  all products, except
the HP 95 where only two thought they 'may be able to supply' - the
rest had no way of finding stock because it was so popular."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Lucy Honig,
Hewlett-Packard, 503-750-2038/19910805)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 WORDSTAR BUNDLED WITH  ALTIMA & FUJITSU LAPTOPS  08/05/91

08/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027)

WORDSTAR BUNDLED WITH  ALTIMA & FUJITSU LAPTOPS  08/05/91
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Attempting to cash
in on the expanding laptop computer market, WordStar International has
signed deals with Altima Systems Inc and Japan's Fujitsu.

In the two agreements, the WordStar Laptop Collection will immediately
be bundled with the Altima LSX notebook, and Fujitsu will use WordStar
in the ROM card product line for its Fujitsu FMRS laptop computer.

Kristin Keyes, spokeperson for WordStar, told Newsbytes that "the
alliances show a real acceptance of the WordStar laptop Collection
in the marketplace."

According to the company, both WordStar and Altima are planning
extensive cooperative advertising and promotions to support sales of
the LSX/Laptop Collection Bundle.

The deal with Altima, said Keyes, was "an excellent opportunity to
work within an OEM (original equipment manufacturing) environment."

The Altima LSX weighs only 6.3 pounds with the battery, and now
includes the WordStar Laptop Collection, an internal Hayes-compatible
2400 baud modem with send-fax capability, and a 40 megabyte internal
hard drive. The suggested retail price is $3,199.

WordStar Laptop Collection contains a special laptop edition of
WordStar 6.0, called WordStar Laptop Edition, Traveling Software's
LapLink Special Edition which allows file exchange between laptop and
desktop computers, and Campbell Services' OnTime, a calendar and
scheduling program.

If purchased separately, the suggested retail price of WordStar Laptop
Collection is $295.

Keyes told Newsbytes that "the laptop collection itself is a product sold
only in North America," and that the company was "not reselling the
collection in Japan." Instead, she said, Fujitsu had approached
WordStar with a view to developing a special version for the company
to use in Japan.

WordStar Notebook, developed by WordStar Japan, is a special ROM
card edition of WordStar to be installed on memory cards in Fujitsu
FMRS portable computers.

Additionally, the company has also introduced two new laptop versions
of WordStar  for NEC personal computers and Toshiba J-3100 laptop
machines.

Things are looking better for WordStar International these days. The
company posted a small profit for the third quarter ended May 31, 1991,
prior to a one-time write-off of purchased research and development.
Record sales in Asia and the UK helped the company to its best
revenue quarter in six quarters. Revenues were $10,675,000 for
the quarter, with a net profit of $20,000 before the one time write off of
$1,853,000 for the purchased research and development associated
with the Lifetree Software acquisition.

(Ian Stokell/19910805/Press Contact:  Kristin Keyes, WordStar
International, 415-382-4955)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 IBM & LOTUS WORK ON 1-2-3 FOR RS/6000 08/05/91

08/05/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00028)

IBM & LOTUS WORK ON 1-2-3 FOR RS/6000 08/05/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- IBM and
Lotus Development Corporation have announced an agreement under
which that they will deliver Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet application for
the IBM RISC System/6000 family of workstations and servers.

Under the agreement, IBM will provide equipment and support to
Lotus, which will develop the software at its Dublin, Ireland facility.
Although pricing, marketing, and availability information on Lotus 1-
2-3 for the RISC System/6000 will be announced at a later date, a
Lotus source told Newsbytes that availability is scheduled for 1992.

The new release will be based on Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3, which
contains 3-D spreadsheet capability with presentation-quality
graphics, relational database support, and the 1-2-3 interface. Lotus
spokesperson Lisa Landa told Newsbytes that the closest existing
version to the new product is the version for the Sun SPARC
Workstation which is "also based on the Release 3 core technology."

Announcing the agreement, Bill Filip, IBM vice president and
president, Advanced Workstations Division, said, "Lotus 1-2-3 on the
RISC System/6000 will provide our customers a leading office
application to help enhance their business productivity. IBM is
pleased to add Lotus 1-2-3 to our growing list of more than 3,100
key RISC System/6000 software packages for both technical and
commercial users."

Bob Weiler, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Lotus,
also commented on the agreement, saying, "Bringing 1-2-3 to the
RISC System/6000 reinforces our goal to provide versions of 1-2-3
for all major platforms requested by our customers. It's also further
evidence of our strong relationship with IBM, and our commitment to
deliver networked, multi-platform suites of applications that help
people work together."

When questioned by Newsbytes concerning the choice of Dublin for
the development, Lotus' Landa explained, "Dublin is the location from
which we provide the development support for our international
versions and there is a strong base of Unix knowledge at that
location. As you know, we always attempt to release our
international versions very close to our US releases and the Dublin
staff has great experience in building on the Release core
technology."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Judy
Radlinsky, IBM, 914-642-4634; Lisa Landa of Lotus, 617-693-
1263/19910805)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5 UK: RACAL TELECOM'S FAX MESSAGING/INFO SERVICE 08/05/91

08/05/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00029)

UK: RACAL TELECOM'S FAX MESSAGING/INFO SERVICE 08/05/91
NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 5 (NB) -- Racal Telecom has
two new services, a fax messaging service and a "dial and receive" fax
information service. Both the new services will be formally unveiled to the
public at Telecom '91, which takes place in Geneva this coming October.

The fax messaging service, pricing for which has yet to be decided, will
operate on the same basis as Vodafone's existing voice messaging facility.
Callers wishing to send a fax to a subscriber to the Vodafax service dial a
number that is unique to the subscriber. The computer system then answers
the call with a fax tone and accepts a digital (computerised) recording of
the fax transmission. Once the transmission is recorded, the computer
telephones the subscriber.

Once the subscriber is alerted to the fact that a fax message is waiting,
s/he then dials the mailbox, keys in a ID code and retrieves the fax images
as with any normal fax transmissions.

The Vodastream Fax information service, meanwhile, uses the same central
computer technology to allow callers to dial a series of central numbers,
each of which will contain one or more fax images for automatic
transmission by fax. It will also be possible to interactively search the
fax database using a touch tone phone.

(Steve Gold/19910805/Press & Public Contact: Racal Telecom - Tel: 0635-
33251; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 5  BoCoEx Index 08/05/91

08/05/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00030)

 BoCoEx Index 08/05/91
 Boston Computer Exchange
 for the week ending August 2, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 IBM PC 176               Floppy      200 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      350 -          500    350

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      600 -          675    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      625 -          725    600

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      775 -         1000    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      400 down 100   600    400

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1150 -         1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model L40SX     60 MgB     3400 -         3500   3400

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1000 down 100  1250   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1300 -         1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     1600 -         2200   1400

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1150 down 150  1500   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2300 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3400 -         3600   3200

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 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 up 100    2800   2600

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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 up 50     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     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2225 -         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 down 100  2800   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      325 down 25    400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      800 -          950    750

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 250 up 50      350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               1900 down 100  2500   1800

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                      1000 up 75     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     1300 -         1450   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 down 200  2600   1900

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1500 -         1800   1300

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2400 down 300  2600   2300

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     1800 -         2000   1700

 Toshiba T-5200          100 MgB     2900 -         3800   3100

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: [phone].
BCE's Fax Yourself Information is 617-542-2345 Ask for extension
300 for BoCoEx Index.

(BOCOEX/19910805)

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 AUG 2 NEC ADDS V.42BIS TO 2400 BAUD MODEMS 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00001)

NEC ADDS V.42BIS TO 2400 BAUD MODEMS 08/02/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- NEC America,
continuing a trend by Japanese laptop makers to capture the U.S.
modem market, enhanced its 2400 bit/second modem with V.42bis
error correction and data compression. The V.42bis scheme means
the modems can achieve an effective throughput of 9,600
bits/second on ordinary phone lines.

The new N2435E also offers remote operation, so network
administrators or ordinary users can configure their installation
options, passwords and phone numbers remotely. This makes the
modem more efficient for use in a "rack-mount" using the NEC 1
Chassis, meaning it can be made part of a company's central
data communications system easily. There are also switches on the
front-panel, so the modem can be tested, its speed set, and its
protocol, selected quickly. It has non-volatile memory with
complete diagnostics, and also complies with MNP error control
and data compression standards under MNP5. The list price,
however, is $575, extremely high today for a 2400 baud product.
The product is due to ship early in September.

The division of NEC America which is releasing the modem is
responsible for telephones, business switches, mobile phones,
pagers, faxes, and other phone equipment. The Japanese parent
recorded sales of $26 billion in the last year.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: Judy Diaz, NEC America,
408-433-1279)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 MCCAW CELLULAR PLANS TRIALS OF PORTABLE PHONES 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002)

MCCAW CELLULAR PLANS TRIALS OF PORTABLE PHONES 08/02/91
KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- McCaw
Cellular, the largest cellular phone company in the U.S. and
bidding to become one of the largeset non-Bell phone companies,
asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to
test wireless portable phones in offices, using Ericsson GE
wireless switches. Tests would be conducted in Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach and
Seattle, as well as New York City, where McCaw acquired its stake
through the multi-billion dollar purchase of LIN Broadcasting
last year.

The Ericsson switches operate in the same 940-952 megahertz band
now used by microwave relays, so McCaw must find out whether it
will cause interference with those microwave systems, for both
voice and data. The goal of the test is to determine whether
personal communication network phones can work inside buildings
without interference. Vice Chairman Wayne Perry thinks they can,
but sees PCNs as an adjunct to his existing cellular offerings,
not a replacement and not a competitor. "We are interested in
testing whether portable phones can work on separate frequencies
for in-building communications while utilizing cellular
frequencies outside," he said in a press release. "We are
committed to the development of a phone that will function
efficiently in as many of these environments as possible."

McCaw is also working with TCI, the nation's largest cable TV
company, in an Oregon test where cellular phones would be patched
through to cable TV systems for wired phone delivery. That trial
is projected to begin in late 1991 or early 1992.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: McCaw Cellular, Bob
Ratliffe, 206/828-8685)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 SIEMENS, HAYES ANNOUNCE ISDN AGREEMENT 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)

SIEMENS, HAYES ANNOUNCE ISDN AGREEMENT 08/02/91
NORCROSS, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Siemens' Private
Communication Systems Group and Hayes Microcomputer Products of
the U.S. signed a PBX and Computer Teaming agreement, under which
they'll work together to create an implement based on Hayes'
ISDNBIOS technology for integrating desktop data and voice
applications under ISDN.

The resulting Applications Programming Interface will allow users
of Siemens and ROLM Systems private branch exchanges, or PBXs, to
take advantage of ISDN applications written for personal
computers.

Software developers will also be able to develop
applications for intelligent call handling, putting data about
the caller on a PC screen as it's received, or forwarding it to
another extension or voice mail system without interrupting
another call in progress to the same extension.

Development under the agreement has already begun in the U.S.,
with initial efforts concentrating on linking PC applications
with ROLM ISDN telephones.

Siemens owns half of ROLM, with IBM owning the other
half.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: Siemens, Alice Andors,
407/994-7433; Hayes, Sharon O'Brien, 404/840-9200)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ****OEM PRODUCTION OF BOOK-TYPE MACINTOSH TO SONY 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00004)

 ****OEM PRODUCTION OF BOOK-TYPE MACINTOSH TO SONY 08/02/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Apple Computer will turn over to
Sony production of a book-type Macintosh, says the Nikkei newspaper.
According to the nation's most reliable economic paper, Sony will
manufacture Apple Computer's next generation book-type Macintosh
by the end of this year. A Sony spokesman has confirmed to various
media organizations that it will make the notebook machine for Apple.
Apple Computer, however, denies that any deal with Sony has been
struck.

The relationship between Apple and Sony is already close. Currently,
Sony is providing various Macintosh parts, such as floppy disk
drives, for Apple Computer.

Apple Computer has already publicly discussed plans for a lightweight,
notebook-style Macintosh.  The Nikkei says the unit will weigh between
2 and 3 kg (four to seven pounds), and the list price will be 200,000 to
300,000 yen (around $1,850).

Sony will produce the book-type Macintosh on an OEM (original
equipment manufacturer) basis, and it will not sell the machine
under the Sony brand name.

Sony has the technology as well as the production line for
small computers, so analysts say it will be easy  for Sony to adapt
the line to the manufacture of a book-type Macintosh.

Apple Computer's Portable has been on the market since1989, but its
popularity is limited due to the weight (7.2kg) and the price (998,000
yen or $7,400).

Sony also has advanced multimedia technology which observers suggest
Apple Computer might use in furthering multimedia development on the
Macintosh, and specifically a notebook Mac.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910802/Press Contact: Sony, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 NCR CREATES NEW TELECOM UNIT 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

NCR CREATES NEW TELECOM UNIT 08/02/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Continuing its
preparations to be acquired by and therefore take over AT&T
computer operations NCR announced the creation of a new
Telecommunications Division responsible for marketing to the
regional Bell operating companies and AT&T.

The new division will be headed by vice president, William J. Patchett,
previously a sales vice president for AT&T. Also Joe Stephan, an NCR
executive with experience in Kuwait and Latin America, was named vice
president, corporate marketing and strategic planning for the
company.

Separately, AT&T announced that over half its computer workers
will be gone by the time the NCR merger is completed this fall.
About 57% of the group's workers will either be cut or
reassigned, and all those who are kept will after to through an
interview process with NCR first. All operations will continue to
remain under the NCR name after the merger.

The NCR-AT&T merger will unify two of the great stories in
19th century American business. NCR, once known as "the Cash,"
was founded by John Patterson, who pioneered the tactic of
renting rather than selling equipment and dominated the market
for cash registers at the turn of the century. Until he became
jealous of his success with the sales staff, one of Patterson's
executives was Thomas J. Watson, who did not move to the company
which later became IBM until Patterson fired him. AT&T, of
course, was founded by Alexander Graham Bell, but grew to
prominence in the early 20th century under the theme of
"universal telephone service" propounded by Theodore Vail. While
Patterson built a great sales organization, Vail built a great
bureaucracy, which more than fulfilled his dream and had to be
broken up in order to enter the computer business in the 1980s.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: Mark Feighery, NCR,
513-445-2033)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 MINITEL TO SERVE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL GATEWAY 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

MINITEL TO SERVE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL GATEWAY 08/02/91
PURCHASE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Minitel -- the
protocol that would not die -- will be part of the second US West
Community Link gateway in Minneapolis and St. Paul starting this
fall.

The first US West gateway, in Omaha, was a technical success but
a market failure. Consumers tried the low-cost terminals, but
quickly dropped their use after running up sizable bills. The
resulting "churn" rate of up to 25% per month was considered
unacceptable by experts. Similar experiences were found in
Houston, Texas, where US Videotel ran a gateway trial called
"SourceLine" for Southwestern Bell. NYNEX also killed its Info-
Look gateway on 10,000 users in New York, Boston and Vermont
early this summer, citing sizable losses. Bell Atlantic and
BellSouth continue to have gateways, but have kept a low profile
on them and thus limited their losses.

Overseas, however, gateways have been highly successful. The
Minitel experiment in France, originally created to cut the costs
of printing phone books, has generated millions of users. In
Japan the Tympas gateway has enabled bulletin board users around
the country to link with each other at very low prices, spurring
nationwide use of such systems. Many Bell company executives have
cited those successes in their so-far successful efforts to get
restrictions on their ownership of information services lifted.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: Cece Drummond, Minitel
Services, 914-694-6266)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 GENIE UPGRADES ONLINE NEWSWIRE 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

GENIE UPGRADES ONLINE NEWSWIRE 08/02/91
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- GEnie has
upgraded its keyword-searchable newswire service from Comtex
Information. Instead of taking the basic Newsgrid service, the #2
consumer online service is now offering its subscribers an
enhanced service called ExecuGrid.

ExecuGrid includes all of Newsgrid's features, including the
ability to create a customized profile of keywords. But ExecuGrid
adds additional newswires, like TASS from the USSR, the IDG wire,
and the Federal News Service. Spokesman Pamela Ruskin told
Newsbytes that the new service also "has comprehensive corporate
coverage. This has news from both public and private companies."

Comtex now has three levels of service -- Newsgrid, ExecuGrid,
and OmniNews. The last includes a host of financial data,
including notices on filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. It is used by such small financial services as
Citibank's Global Report System, and Bridge Information Systems.

"ExecuGrid has been around for a year, and GEnie just decided to
upgrade their menus and take advantage of it," said Ruskin. The
only impact GEnie users may notice is the erasure of some keyword
profiles. But that hassle will be simple to overcome by re-inputting
old keywords.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: Pamela Ruskin, Comtex,
203-358-0007)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ****AT&T PARTLY DEREGULATED BY FCC 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00008)

 ****AT&T PARTLY DEREGULATED BY FCC 08/02/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission partly lifted its regulation on AT&T,
but didn't give the giant U.S. long distance company all the
price-setting freedom it sought. In a statement, MCI endorsed the
commission's moves.

Essentially, the commission streamlined its treatment of AT&T
when it comes to offering business services used by big
customers, based on increased competition from MCI, Sprint and
others. But it decided not to let AT&T bundle phones and switches
with basic services, and declined to streamline treatment of such
things as operator services, toll-free 800 lines, and
international messaging.

The commission was obviously divided on all this, with Sherrie
Marshall, Ervin Duggan and Andrew Barrett apparently outvoting
Chairman Alfred Sikes and James Quello on key points. Like a
group of Supreme Court justices on a hopelessly divided case,
each commissioner issued his own 3-page statement trying to
explain what it all means.

Sikes, who was also the apparent loser when the FCC only
slightly modified its TV program syndication rules early this
year, emphasized in his statement how hard this rule-making was.
But he claimed business customers are demanding "the fruits of
competition" indicating he'll push for further deregulation.

Quello called the rest of the commission too tentative, saying
the majority had decided only that anti-competitive activity
"might" or "could" occur. Marshall called the new action "a
significant, yet careful" step and insisted "AT&T is still the
dominant carrier." Barrett agreed with Marshall that the door
must be opened "slowly" -- his fear is that small long-distance
companies like Allnet may be unable to compete with the new
rules.

Finally Duggan, perhaps the most anti-AT&T of the lot,
emphasized that any deals to big companies by AT&T must be made
available to all.

Separately, the FCC rejected a "Tariff 15" plan, or a special
deal, filed by AT&T for Resort Condominiums International, saying
that its agreement to automatically meet competitors' prices
unfairly tells it how low those competitors can price their
services, and thus gives AT&T an unfair advantage.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: FCC Press Office, 202-
632-5050)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 FCC SAYS LOCAL ACCESS CHARGES TO CONTINUE 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00009)

FCC SAYS LOCAL ACCESS CHARGES TO CONTINUE 08/02/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) --  Access charges
paid by long distance companies to local phone companies for
carrying calls between phone customers and long-distance
switching systems should be maintained, the Federal
Communications Commission ruled. Those charges were due to expire
September 1 under the Bell break-up decree of 1982.

The commission also adopted some goals for future rules in this
area. It will require that the local companies -- regional
Bells and GTE -- must charge for access based only on the costs of
providing the service, demand that all carriers be given the same
access, and avoid any rules which would be a barrier to long-
distance competition.

The proposed rate structure would have three parts -- a flat-rate
transport charge, a usage-based transport charge, and a usage-
based inter-connection charge applied to every company which
links with the local networks. The commission, in a press
release, expressed the hope that this structure will "limit any
adverse effects" on small long distance companies "of changes in
transport rates."

The commission also asked for comment on the extent to which it's
justified to charge more for local access based on distance
between the local caller and the long-distance switch. A
statement by Commissioner Andrew Barrett emphasized that the
rules must not cause the "premature demise" of small long distance
companies.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: FCC Press Office, 202-
632-5050)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 FCC TAKES ACTION TO MAKE 800 NUMBERS PORTABLE  08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00010)

FCC TAKES ACTION TO MAKE 800 NUMBERS PORTABLE  08/02/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) --  When you change
carriers for your toll-free traffic, you ought to be able to take
your number with you. Or so the Federal Communications Commission
believes.

The FCC has thus adopted a new "call access time standard" to let
local phone companies create databases of 800 numbers, which will
make the numbers portable. It also required that the 7 regional
Bell companies and GTE meet these standards within 18 months, and
eliminated a requirement that long distance carriers supply the
locals with the regular phone number of each toll-free subscriber
who uses a local company for moving such calls between cities.

Currently, local companies handle toll-free access by identifying
the first three digits of an 800-number, formerly called the
exchange number, and assigning it to a particular long distance
carrier. Calls could be set up in 2-4 seconds after a number was
dialed by using this scheme, but it was impossible for customers
to take their numbers with them when they changed carriers, since
the exchange number and the carrier were linked.

In the new scheme, a database will use the entire number to
identify a toll-free carrier. When changing carriers, the
customer would simply have his listing in the database changed.
The FCC asked that plans for implementing this order be in its
offices by next March 1.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910802/Press Contact: FCC Press Office, 202-
632-5050)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 LOGITECH SHOWS PROTOTYPE 3D MOUSE FOR CAD 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00011)

LOGITECH SHOWS PROTOTYPE 3D MOUSE FOR CAD 08/02/91
LAS VEGAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- A new
breed of mouse, the Logitech 3-D Mouse, developed specifically
for the working in a three dimensional graphics or computer
aided design (CAD) environment that can also be used to give
the computer verbal commands, has been announced by Logitech at
the Siggraph multimedia show in Las Vegas.

According to Serge Timacheff of public relations for Logitech,
a problem in the industry has been if you wanted to move
from two dimensional work to three dimensional work you had to
change devices - a mouse was no longer a workable tool.
Timacheff said until now there were two solutions -- a
"Spaceball," that is more like a joystick, and a "flying" mouse
that uses magnetism and couldn't be used near anything metal.

Timacheff said Logitech is pushing for this mouse to become the
standard because it can be used like a regular mouse in two
dimensional work or it can be physically lifted off the
tabletop and used for three dimensional work.

Timacheff described the mouse as a five button mouse, three
normal buttons and two buttons that extend on each side of the
front of the mouse for the thumb of either right or left handed
users. A triangular unit has to be within 2 to 3 cubic feet of
the mouse and sends out ultrasonic sound waves which the mouse
speakers pick up and triangulate on to get the
relative position on the computer's monitor.

Both the mouse and the triangular ultrasound sending unit have
cords that connect to a "smart" box that then plugs into the
computer's standard serial port, Timacheff said. The new mouse
is 100% Microsoft and Logitech compatible, and can be used on
anything from workstations to personal computers (PCs) to
Macintosh computers, he added.

The two extra buttons on the sides are for the three
dimensional capabilities and can either act as a suspend button
or a press-to-speak button, Timacheff said. He explained the
suspend capability is useful so the mouse can be moved without
moving the users visual position on screen, so the user can
change positions.

The press-to-speak capability could make the mouse the receiver
for verbal instructions from the user, as it has the speakers
and is capable of being used for voice activated applications,
assuming the software is programmed to enable voice commands,
Timacheff said.

Right now, Logitech is looking for developers and offering a
limited quantity of Logitech 3-D Mouse Development Kits with a
prototype mouse. The applications for the new mouse include
animation, robotics, architectural walk-thus, medical and
scientific modeling. Timacheff said some U.S. government
agencies require contractors to provide a computer-based 3D
"walk-thru" before approving building plans.

Production models of the mouse are expected to be available in
the first quarter of 1992 and are estimated to have an end-user
cost of less than $1,000, more than one third less than other
three dimensional devices on the market now, Timacheff said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910802/Press Contact: Serge Timacheff, Logitech, Tel:
415/795-8500, ext. 1029, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 $1,000 TO UPGRADE ANY 386 TO A 486/33 SAYS LIGHTNING  08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00012)

$1,000 TO UPGRADE ANY 386 TO A 486/33 SAYS LIGHTNING  08/02/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) --
Lightning Computers announces an upgrade for a 386 computer to
a 33 megahertz (MHz) 80486 (486) for only $995 and an upgrade
on an AT or XT computer is $1,295. Lightning will do it for the
user if the user will pay the shipping, said Rick McCabe
president of Lightning.

The upgrade requires replacement of the motherboard, the main
circuit board of the computer that everything else plugs into,
McCabe said. Existing disk drives, monitor cards, power supply, and
case can all be used, as the technician can slow down the basic
input/output system (BIOS) so the slower disk drives, monitor
cards and peripherals can still talk to the faster 486 central
processing unit (CPU), McCabe said. However, if a change in the
case or power supply is necessary, an extra $125 is charged,
the company said.

The new motherboard comes with the 486 33 MHz central
processing unit (CPU), 128K of cache expandable to 256K, a
seven slot industry-standard architecture (ISA) bus, an AMI
BIOS and SIMM sockets that hold up to 32 megabytes (MB) of
random access memory (RAM) in the form of 1 MB SIMMs, Lightning
said. Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus
machines are also available, the company said.

Additional RAM is $65 per MB, if the existing RAM is not in the
form of SIMMS and cannot be reused, McCabe said.

Lightning also said it upgrades AT and XT class computers to
386 CPUs starting at $295.

The profit margin on the upgrade is small, "...but we expect to
win over a large number of long-term customers with top-notch
service," McCabe said. Lower prices on the 486 chips helped as
well, McCabe said.

Lightning says it was the first company to ship a 50 MHz 80486-
based system in May of 1991. Lightning can be reached toll-free
at [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910802/Press Contact: Rick McCabe,
Lightning, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ****INT'L CMOS FILES CHAPTER 11, LAYOFFS  08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00013)

 ****INT'L CMOS FILES CHAPTER 11, LAYOFFS  08/02/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) --
International CMOS Technology (ICT) is voluntarily filed a
bankruptcy petition and laid off 20 employees, including 2
vice-presidents and all temporary labor, the company said.

The bankruptcy was filed under Chapter 11 of Title 11 United
States Bankruptcy Code in San Jose, with the United States
Bankruptcy Court -- Northern District of California --  and ICT is
presently operating its business as a debtor-in-possession
pursuant to Section 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code, the
company said.

Lawrence A. Yaggi, ITC's new chief executive officer (CEO)
who follows former CEO Alidad Farmanfarma, who resigned a week ago,
said he believes the situation can be turned around. "I didn't
volunteer for this 'course,' but now that I'm taking it I'm
going to try to get an 'A' in it," Yaggi said.

ICT designs, manufactures and markets user-programmable
integrated circuits, including memory and logic devices.
complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chips are used
in everything from washing machines to high-end computers,
Yaggi said. In IBM personal computers (PCs) and compatibles the
CMOS stores specific information about the type and capacity of
the disk drives as well as the time and date.

The company also designs and markets the software and hardware
development tools used for the design of memory and logic
devices.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910802/Press Contact: Lawrence Yaggi,
International CMOS Technology, Tel: [phone], Fax: 408/434-
0688)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 SONY BUYS FORD'S LAND FOR SAN JOSE OFFICE/OPERATIONS  08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00014)

SONY BUYS FORD'S LAND FOR SAN JOSE OFFICE/OPERATIONS  08/02/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Sony
Corporation said it has purchased a 38-acre land parcel in San
Jose from Ford Motor Company and plans to build an office and
operations center on the site.

The planned structure on the site located on the southwest
corner of Zanker Road and River Oaks Parkway, will have a
maximum capacity of 1 million square feet and is planned for
completion in mid-1993, the company said. A modular design is
planned with an initial 500,000 square foot building, with
eventual expansion to 1 million square feet, the company said.
Sony currently has 500 employees in nine different facilities
at four sites in the region.

Ron Sommer, president of Sony Corporation of America, said, "We
are building this facility not only for today's employees, but
also with an eye towards our needs in the year 2000. Since we
continue to achieve double digit growth in our U.S. electronics
business, it is important that we have an infrastructure in
place for the needs of a company that will be much larger than
the Sony of today.

"As an operations center designed specifically for our
employees, it will encourage the communication of ideas and
strategies that contribute to Sony's excellence as a company.
By combining different aspects of our business under one roof,
all of our operating units can be more responsive to the needs
of our customers.

"Efficiencies will also result from moving into the facility,
which have a direct, favorable impact on our bottom line."

Sommer also said that the operations center will serve as a
site for Sony's continued research and development program in
the United States. "Some of the country's finest engineers are
found right here in the Valley," he said. "San Jose has an
outstanding pool of talented and educated people. We are
looking forward to a successful relationship with the community
in the years ahead."

State and local officials are welcoming Sony to the group of
over 1600 other companies in the area. Mayor Susan Hammer of
San Jose said, "Sony's decision to consolidate and expand its
operations in San Jose represents a major commitment to and
investment in the economic future of San Jose and Silicon
Valley. We are looking forward to a long-term, mutually
beneficial relationship with Sony as a corporate citizen of San
Jose."

Pete Wilson, Governor of California, said, "I want to commend
Sony Corporation of America for its renewed commitment to
California's Silicon Valley, and to pledge my administration's
support as this project moves forward. It's only fitting that
both a state and a corporation renowned for their hi-tech
excellence remain in close cooperation and proximity as they
each plan for the 21st century."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910802/Press Contact: Jonathan Hirshon,
Sony, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 SANTA CRUZ OPERATION PLANS 5TH OPEN DESKTOP FORUM  08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00015)

SANTA CRUZ OPERATION PLANS 5TH OPEN DESKTOP FORUM  08/02/91
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- The Santa
Cruz Operation (SCO) is holding SCO Forum91, its fifth annual
open system computing conference at the University of
California, Santa Cruz, August 19-23.

The SCO says more than 1,300 industry professionals are
expected to attend. SCO announced this year's keynote speakers
are Mike Lambert, chief technical officer of X/Open; David
House, senior vice president of the Architecture and
Applications Group for Intel; and Yoshi Takayama, associate
senior vice president of NEC.

Topics to be covered in either presentations or panel
discussions include future of SCO Open Desktop, the standard
UNIX System for both the Intel and MIPS platforms in the new
Advanced Computing Environment (ACE); the economics of
downsizing; the technology and marketing of multiprocessor
systems; object-oriented programming with C++; client-server
applications in Fortune 500 companies; and marketing to
European, Japanese, and U.S. government markets, the SCO said.

"iBCS-2: One Year Later" is the planned panel discussion will
to evaluate the progress over the past year in the development
of Edition 2 of the Intel 386 Architecture Binary Compatibility
Specification (iBCS-2). The iBSC-2 is important, the SCO said
because as an open system standard it could prepare the way for
a shrink-wrapped applications market for Unix systems. The
iBCS-2 was first announced by SCO, Intel, and AT&T at SCO
Forum90, the SCO said.

The contents of the iBCS-2 will be announced during the panel
discussion session, and the first 150 session attendees will
receive a published copy of the specification, the SCO said.

Other activities include the SCO Open Desktop Product of the
Year Awards, the SCO 3.2 Fun Run, golf tournaments, a barbecue
celebration with an appearance by the band Tower of Power and a
New Technologies Showcase featuring multimedia displays, the
SCO said.

Fees for the full-conference are $995, and one-day passes are
available at $300 each. Registration information is available
from SCO at [phone] inside the United States or Canada
and at [phone] elsewhere.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910802/Press Contact: Barbara LoFranco,
Santa Cruz Operation, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00016)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 08/02/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

Computer Monthly dated August 1991 carries a story by Newsbytes'
Moscow Bureau Chief Kirill Tchashchin on black market computer
parts in the Soviet Union.

The July 29 Computer Reseller News looks at how IBM and Compaq
are trying to stave off the attack of the clones.

This week's ComputerWorld looks at Digital Equipment's decision
to cut back by 2,000 employees, despite strong revenues.

Network World for the week of July 29 has a feature on high-speed
packet-switched nets, and looks at the recent ruling allowing
regional Bells to enter the information services market.

Communications Week also looks at the end of the Bell Ban and
reports that MCI Communications has recently signed up for AT&T's
Tariff 12 service.

This issue of InformationWeek carries a summary of IBM employee
staff responses to Chairman and CEO Acker's recent comments which
reportedly blamed lower-level management and employees for Big
Blue's loss of its competitive edge.

(John McCormick/19910802)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ****NEW RESELLER MAGAZINE TO DEBUT 08/02/91

08/02/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00017)

 ****NEW RESELLER MAGAZINE TO DEBUT 08/02/91
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Douglas
Kilarski, editor-in-chief of Computer Monthly and of the newly
announced Reseller World, has signed Newsbytes as a major source
of international news for the new reseller-oriented monthly
magazine scheduled to begin publication this fall.

Reseller World will, according to Mr. Kilarski, focus on the
needs of companies selling to federal and foreign markets as well
as on domestic sales channels both for U.S. and foreign
companies.

Former Newsbytes bureau chief, Janet Endrijonas, is slated to be
the West Coast editor, while other departments will be filled by
equally knowledgeable insiders.

Its emphasis on international and government sales, as well as
being a monthly glossy magazine, will differentiate Reseller
World from Computer Reseller News, a weekly tabloid publication.

Besides covering trends and technology news, Reseller World will
carry features on how to sell to the government as well as
keep a look at the U.S. and world economies through such
features as tracking foreign exchange rates, changes in tariff
laws, and international trade agreements.

As a special service, Reseller World will provide reports on both
economic and physical threats to U.S. and other foreign nationals
in world trouble spots.

(John McCormick/19910802/Press Contact: Douglas Kilarski, Vulcan
Publishing, 800-877-9748)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 WHAT THE GREENE DECISION MEANS, Editorial by Dana Blankenhorn 08/02/91

08/02/91

(EDITORIAL)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

WHAT THE GREENE DECISION MEANS, Editorial by Dana Blankenhorn 08/02/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- The reluctant decision
by Judge Harold Greene allowing the regional Bell companies into the
information business in effect overturns the original 1982 decree
which broke up AT&T.

The problem back then was that AT&T was accused of subsidizing
unregulated businesses with profits from local service. AT&T
badly wanted into the computer business, and so Chairman Charles
Brown -- good old Charlie Brown -- agreed to a simple deal. Break
up AT&T into local and long-distance units. Lift most regulation
on the latter enterprise, and let it into other businesses. Split
the remaining company 7 ways -- into regions -- and strictly
regulate what those firms could do on both national and state
levels.

The split became effective in 1984. It turned out to be gold for
AT&T shareholders. Their holdings -- in both AT&T and the
regionals -- are now worth far more than they were a decade ago.
The deal wasn't so good for AT&T, which is only now -- with the
expensive acquisition of NCR -- getting into computing in a big
way. And the deal has been pretty good for the regional Bells,
all of whom are economically healthy.

Unfortunately, the regionals could never accept this. From 1984
on, they've been pushing to lift the restrictions which created
them. Now, with the support of the Bush Administration, they're
on the verge of getting what they want. The appeals process of
Greene's order will end the information services ban. Congress is
working on a bill to lift the manufacturing ban.

I've used this analogy before, but have you seen the movie
"Fantasia?" One sequence in particular, the one starring Mickey
Mouse. As the Sorcerer's Apprentice, he tries to stop a magic
brook from over-filling a cistern by smashing it into pieces.
Within minutes, all the pieces have turned into full-blown
brooms, and his problem is worse than before.

Of course, none of the 7 RBOCs are as big as AT&T was. But
regulators face the same old problems with all 7. The word for it
is cross-subsidization, using profits from regulated operations
to fund unregulated operations. Cross-subsidization is, in the
end, impossible to police. State regulators may have a few dozen
people in their offices, the FCC perhaps a few hundred. Phone
companies, on the other hand, have thousands of employees who
will, on command, move money around to hide losses. For evidence
look no further than NYNEX, whose unregulated MECO supply group
tried to stick ratepayers with costs for wild parties by
inflating costs of supplies to the regulated New York and New
England Telephone companies to suit itself. NYNEX has closed
MECO, moving supply operations inside the two operating units,
and it has promised never to be bad again. But temptation is
always there. NYNEX lost millions of dollars running computer
stores -- then told regulators it needed a higher "rate of
return" on its regulated operations. Proving that cross-
subsidization didn't occur is an ongoing process, which can
quickly swallow hundreds of accountants whole in a welter of
invoices and other records.

The Bells have argued they need more freedom to bring "the
benefits of the information age" to consumers, that only their
capital can bring us all the online services, Electronic Yellow
Pages, and security they claim we need. But if these are real
business opportunities, and not ratholes for capital,
entrepreneurs can and will fill them. Regulated businessmen
aren't entrepreneurs. If they were, AT&T would have instantly
made money in computers and software. It wouldn't have had to
reinvent itself, then spend billions of dollars on NCR, to get a
foothold into the competitive computer industry. The RBOCs, left
to their own devices, won't fare any better.

It would be better, in my view, to avoid the problem and tell the
Bells this. Invest in your networks. Earn big profits. Stop
trying to do things you don't know how to do, like publish or
manufacture goods in a competitive market. Be rich and be happy
with it.

I predict the current deregulation effort won't end matters
between the government and the Bells. Within a few years they'll
all be back at it. And when the political winds shift -- as they
always do eventually -- the Bells can expect a new round of
regulation. And higher profits.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 AUSTRALIAN FIRM JUMPS INTO EASTERN EUROPE 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00019)

AUSTRALIAN FIRM JUMPS INTO EASTERN EUROPE 08/02/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Melbourne-based software
and PC manufacturer, Profound, has formalized plans for its expansion
in the Australian and Asian markets, as well as gaining a market share
in Europe. The European initiatives will be based around business
opportunities found by Profound in Germany, the Soviet Union, and
the Balkan States.

Formerly Eastern Micro Electronics, Profound has already opened a
Budapest, Hungary office, and plans to open a Paris office in
December to service the European Community. Joe Lazaar, founder and
managing director of Profound, sees the move to Europe as a logical
extension of the opening of the company's core purchasing and
warehousing facility in Taiwan. "We could not see any reason why the
opportunities for the opening up of Eastern Europe should be left to
the Americans and Europeans," Lazaar said.

The moves into the European market are just a part of recent
activities by Profound to increase sales and capacity. These
activities include the establishment of warehouse facilities in each
Australian State, allowing for a higher level of direct supply to
dealers and direct clients, as well as its own Blue Chip computer
stores. Profound ended the last financial year with a turnaround of
AUS$45M, which puts it in the top 50 Australian computer companies.
Growth is expected to top 35 percent for the next financial year,
partly due to moves such as the licensing of Profound as an OEM
manufacturer of MS-DOS and the AUS$250,000 investment to conform to
international quality control standard 9002 and Australian standard
3402.

(Sean McNamara/19910802)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 TEKTRONIX, HP RESOLVE DISPUTE OVER PRINTER NAME 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00020)

TEKTRONIX, HP RESOLVE DISPUTE OVER PRINTER NAME 08/02/91
WILSONVILLE, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Tektronix, Inc.,
possibly feeling the pressure of legal action by Hewlett-Packard, has
announced it will change the name of its ink-jet color printer.

Tektronix had named its phase-change ink-jet color printer
Phaser Jet PXi until Hewlett-Packard obtained a temporary
restraining order in the San Francisco U.S. District Court last
week. Tektronix has used the Phaser name for several years on
its color printers. Tektronix says it will change the name of
the printer to Phaser III PXi effective immediately.

"Even though our new color printer is not competitive with
Hewlett-Packard's LaserJet, H-P obviously felt the name we chose
was too close to its LaserJet line," said Rob Stewart, Tektronix
marketing manager.

Tektronix introduced the Phaser III PXi (formerly the Phaser Jet
PXi) on June 17th of this year, and says it expects to ship in
August. Stewart said interest in the product has been strong
and orders are running well ahead of projections.

The Phaser III PXi is a 300 dots-per-inch color printer that uses
Adobe Systems PostScript level 2 interpreter. The company says
it is based on Tektronix' proprietary phase-change ink-jet
technology, is priced under $10,000, and can print on any kind
of paper.

(Jim Mallory/910801/Press contact: Kathy Melcher, Tektronix,
503-685-3150)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 NEW PC: Radio Shack 386SX 16MHz Desktop 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00021)

NEW PC: Radio Shack 386SX 16MHz Desktop 08/02/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Radio Shack has introduced
the 2500 SX, a 16 megahertz, 386-based desktop system which it says
is priced competitively with many 286-based systems.

The 2500 SX ships with MS-DOS 5.0, Super-VGA graphics, and
Tandy's DeskMate 3.5, a graphical interface program with
applications for word processing, spreadsheet, database,
calendar, address book, communications, sound, music and draw
programs.

Standard equipment includes one megabyte (MB) of random access
ram (RAM), expandable to 16 MB; one 3.5-inch 1.44MB floppy
drive and two expansion bays for additional floppy drives. An
internal CD-ROM or tape backup drive can be installed in one of
the extra bays.

Tandy says they will also make the 2500 available in a
"multimedia version" which includes 2MB of RAM, 512K video RAM,
Super-VGA, an internal CD-ROM drive and a 40MB hard drive. The
standard unit carries a price tag of $1,299 while the multimedia
system is prices at $2,799.

(Jim Mallory/910802/Press contact: Ron Trumbla, Radio Shack,
817-878-4969)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 GERMAN AUTOMAKER BMW ORDERS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022)

GERMAN AUTOMAKER BMW ORDERS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 08/02/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced that German auto and motorcycle maker BMW has ordered
a Cray Y-MP, Crays largest supercomputer.

The new system is believed to be the largest Cray system
currently installed in a European automotive factory. The Y-MP
replaces a Cray X-MP. Installation has been completed at BMW's
Research and Development (R&D) Center in Munich, Germany.

BMW says it will use the new computer in engine design, in
order to design more fuel efficient products, as well as
conducting structural analysis and computational fluid dynamics.

A BMW spokesperson said the company is convinced that using the
Y-MP will help them to more quickly bring new products to
market and allow important customer-oriented decisions to be
made later in the design cycle. More design alternatives and
options can also be explored, he said. BMW quoted
price/performance, connectivity and input/output processing
capability as reasons for choosing the Y-MP.

Cray Research says it has 23 systems installed in major motor
vehicle companies in Asia, Europe, Japan and the US. Nineteen
of the company's 270 systems worldwide are installed at German
companies.

(Jim Mallory/910802/Press contact: Mardi, Schmeider, Cray
Research, 612-683-3538)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 DIGITAL MAY LAYOFF IN COLORADO SPRINGS 08/02/91

08/02/91



(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00023)

DIGITAL MAY LAYOFF IN COLORADO SPRINGS 08/02/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Officials at
Digital Equipment Corporation in Colorado Springs say they will
abandon what is describes as "the stagnating market for
high-capacity computer disk drives." Instead, the company will
enter the market for small (2-1/2 and 3-1/2 inch) disk drives,
such as are found in desktop and portable computers.

According to Digital's Jack Kellogg, the change to a high
volume, highly automated factory will take place during the next
11 months, and is expected to eliminate some of the 1,000 jobs
at Digital's Rockrimmon plant. The exact number of layoffs
won't be known until October.

Newsbytes spoke to an employee of Digital, who said that morale
is "at rock bottom" due to the uncertainty of their future.

Digital lost $617 million for the fiscal year ending June 30,
and the company has said it will trim 9,000 jobs worldwide.
Kellogg said none of the 2,000 Colorado Springs employees in
customer service, engineering and other fields will be affected.

Digital reportedly will consolidate production of its
high-capacity drives at the plant in Kaugbeuren, Germany, near
the Austrian border, by July 1992.

(Jim Mallory/19910802)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ****GRID 20 - 30% COMPUTER PRICE CUTS 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)

 ****GRID 20 - 30% COMPUTER PRICE CUTS 08/02/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Grid Systems,
responding to an industry trend, says it is reducing prices on all of
its laptop, notebook and desktop computer systems by 20 to 30 percent.

Bruce Walter, president of Grid, said, "The Grid name has long
represented rugged high-performance products backed by one of
the industry's best direct sales and support programs. These
price reductions will continue to give our customers those
durable, reliable products at competitive prices."

Affected are Grid's computers, hard disk drives, random access
memory (RAM) kits, central processing units (CPUs), coprocessors,
and monitors, the company said. Some examples include the Grid 1450
laptop computer (an 80386SX-based system), reduced from $5,295 (with
40 megabyte hard drive) to $3,995, the Grid 1720 notebook computer
(an 80286-based system) reduced from $3,495 (with modem and 20MB
hard drive) to $2,895 and the Grid 386isx-20 desktop computer, reduced
from $2,799 to $1,799. RAM kit prices were decreased more than 25
percent, Grid said.

Grid said it has also revised its corporate discount structures
as well.

Grid is a wholly owed subsidiary of Tandy Corporation
headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Grid's offices are located
at 47211 Lakeview Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538. The company also
has offices in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain,
Sweden, France, Belgium, and Denmark.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910802/Press Contact: Bob Goligoski, Grid,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 TOSHIBA CUTS NOTEBOOK PRICES 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025)

TOSHIBA CUTS NOTEBOOK PRICES 08/02/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUGUST 2 (NB) -- Toshiba
America Information Systems (TAIS) has announced a price
reduction on its T1200XE 20 megabyte (MB) and 40 MB hard disk
drive notebook computers effective August 1.

The new price on the T1200XE with a 20MB hard disk is $1,999
while the 40MB version will retail for $2,299, the company
said.

This notebook computer, the T1200XE, is the one for which BYTE
Magazine awarded the 1991 Readers' Choice Award, TAIS said.

The notebook computer features a 286 central processing unit
(CPU), a 1.44 MB 3.5-inch disk drive, 1 MB of random access
memory (RAM) expandable to 5 MB and a 640 by 480 pixel sidelit
display, the company said. The unit weighs 8.1 pounds and has
an 82-key keyboard, rechargable batteries and an Autoresume
feature to save battery life, the company added.

Toshiba is offering a toll-free number for information on this
and other products at [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910802/Press Contact: Megan Manning,
Toshiba, Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2 NEXT COMPUTERS POSTS HUGE SALES INCREASE FOR 2Q 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00026)

NEXT COMPUTERS POSTS HUGE SALES INCREASE FOR 2Q 08/02/91
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Next
Computers has surprised many in the computer industry by announcing
that revenues for the second quarter ended June 30, 1991, reached
$46 million, an 86 percent increase over the prior quarter.

Alison Thomas, spokesperson for the company, told Newsbytes that
the results showed that Next was a "growing company whose
technology is now more widely accepted."

According to the company, 70 percent of its workstation products
went to customers in business and government, while the remaining
30 percent went to colleges and universities. Additionally,
Europe and Asia accounted for more than 49 percent of sales.

Thomas told Newsbytes that she expected the third quarter to "be
about the same in revenues," although "it is traditionally a slow
quarter."

In terms of targeted markets, Thomas said that "starting late last
year" the company " targeted professional workstations" as an
area of potential revenue, such as "financial services, medical,
and legal services."

The company said that revenues for the quarter came from sales
of Nextstation and Nextcube, which began shipping in November,
1990. Additionally, the second quarter was the first full
quarter of shipments of the Nextstation Color, which began
shipping on March 12. The quarter also included initial
shipments of Nextdimension, the company's new 32-bit color
PostScript workstation, which began shipping May 28. All four
machines are powered by Motorola's 68040 microprocessor.

The company also began shipping 1.4 gigabyte hard drives on
May 28, and a Kanji version of its computers in Japan.

Thomas told Newsbytes that the company felt the Kanji version
would be "extremely successful in Japan, because of its display
PostScript capabilities."

One of the benefits of Next workstations, said the company, was
that "a wide assortment of breakthrough productivity applications
exist," including Lotus Development's Improv, a version of the
WordPerfect word processing software, and the newly shipped
Adobe Illustrator. These applications are all compatible with
versions on other platforms.

According to the company, its Nextstep object-oriented system
software allows for the development of custom applications up to
five times faster than normal.

Thomas said that the company "sees the Apple/IBM alliance as
an endorsement of our products and strategy" with regard to
object-oriented technology.

Steven P. Jobs, president and CEO of Next, said in the press
release, "Our customers are choosing to get object-oriented
system software now, rather than waiting for the rest of the
industry to catch up in three to five years time."

(Ian Stokell/19910802/Press Contact: Allison Thomas, Allison
Thomas Associates, 415-780-3786)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ****FOOTHILL COLLEGE EVICTS ELECTRONICS MUSEUM 08/02/91

08/02/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00027)

 ****FOOTHILL COLLEGE EVICTS ELECTRONICS MUSEUM 08/02/91
LOS ALTOS HILLS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- After
eighteen years of operation the Electronics Museum on the campus
of Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California, is having to close its
doors.

Jim Weldon, spokesman for the museum, told Newsbytes that
"the museum is closing because we have been evicted by Foothill
College."

The college, under the direction of Dr. Calvin Flint, "offered the
museum an indefinite home .....in the 1960s, " in the
form of five acres of grounds, said Weldon. Dr. Flint planned a
science and space center, as well as classrooms and laboratories.

"The death of Calvin Flint and the passing of Proposition 13,"
said Weldon, registered the beginning of problems for the museum.
Eventually, "the school lost interest in old technology" and
decided to no longer staff the museum. "The classrooms and
laboratories never materialized," said Weldon. The Perham
Foundation then "staffed the museum with volunteers and hired a
curator," he added.

Recently, Foothill told the museum to find an alternative home.
Years ago however, funds had been raised for the construction
of a building "designed as a museum" to house the artifacts. However,
despite the fact that funds for the museum building had been raised
independently of the college, the college had no intention of
compensating the museum for that investment at the time of the
eviction, Weldon explained.

The Perham Foundation then filed suit against the college in
Santa Clara County Supreme Court and received a cash
settlement of $775,000. Said Weldon to Newsbytes: "We
negotiated a settlement, they paid us a sum of money, and we
agreed to leave."

The museum must vacate the building by September 15 and is
holding an auction on August 3 to sell many of its artifacts
accumulated over the years. The auction will be held at 11 am,
at the museum on the Foothill College campus, directly following
a swap-meet by the California Historical Radio Society.

According to Weldon, who is also vice-president of the Perham
Foundation: "We are auctioning-off duplicates and non-display
quality radio components.....although they are all quite valuable
antiques. They are of non-museum quality....things that we don't
want to pack and store."

In the meantime, the museum still has not found another home
and the museum's remaining artifacts will have to be warehoused.

The soon-to-be-vacated building is "11,000 square feet and
overcrowded," said Weldon, who is seeking a site with at least
20,000 square feet. Any institutions interested in offering
the museum a site should contact Weldon directly.
The museum is also recruiting volunteers to help take inventory
and pack.

Foothill College President Dr. Thomas Clements, was unavailable
for comment on the closing.

For more information contact John Weldon at telephone: [phone].
Address: Electronics Museum, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road,
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.

(Ian Stokell/19910802)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ****NEW LAYOFFS AT SEAGATE TECHNOLOGIES 08/02/91

08/02/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)

 ****NEW LAYOFFS AT SEAGATE TECHNOLOGIES 08/02/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- There was
a new round of layoffs today at disk drive maker Seagate
Technologies in the Santa Cruz mountains, near Silicon Valley.
200 Scotts Valley workers and 250 more overseas and in other US
plants lost their jobs -- which translates to an additional 2%
of the firm's worldwide workforce. 1200 -- 200 from Scotts
Valley -- had preceded them on July 12. Those workers were
solely from Seagate's non-manufacturing US and European
operations.

Since the layoffs started, the firm's worldwide workforce has
been reduced by 4%, with US and European operations taking the
brunt of the layoff. The Asian operations have not been affected.

Seagate announced that the Portugal-based portion of its magnetic
head operations will be closed. The Portugal plant is said to
have been primarily responsible for the assembly and testing of
magnetic heads used in older technology disk drives. Demand
for these older generations of products, says Seagate, has been
affected by the transition to the company's higher technology
products which contain Seagate's thin-film heads currently in
volume production in Seagate's Far East and US locations.

Seagate is undergoing a massive restructuring of parts of the
company in a top management effort designed to reduce operating
expenses. Those layoffs are all among the "indirect" workforce --
people in human resources, sales, and other white-collar jobs,
not in manufacturing.

Seagate maintains plants in Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Fremont,
and other California locations, as well as in Oklahoma, Minnesota,
Ohio, Florida, and Nebraska. There are overseas locations in
Scotland, Ireland and Asia.

There are expected to be no other layoffs for the forseeable
future.

(Wendy Woods/19910802/Press Contact: Julie A. Still, Seagate
Technology, 408-438-6550)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ***IDT OFFERS DISCOUNT INTERNATIONAL CALLS 08/02/91

08/02/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(LON)(00029)

 ***IDT OFFERS DISCOUNT INTERNATIONAL CALLS 08/02/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Making international
phone calls varies in cost depending from and to where the call is made.
This fact has come to the notice of International Discount
Telecommunications (IDT) Corporation of New York, hence its
introduction of discounted phone service to all countries around the world.

According to Mark Knoller, vice president of sales with the telecom
company, calling from the US to some countries can be as much as 75
percent cheaper than a caller placing a call from the country to the US.

IDT's service works by allowing subscribers to the service to call a toll-
free number in their own country. This activates a special switch that
calls the subscriber back, offering the caller a US dial tone. Calls then
progress as normal on the US telephone network.

For a slightly higher charge, subscribers can save the callback element of
the call, switching over to a US dial tone on the toll free circuit. This
is useful, the company claims, where it is not possible to have the IDT
computer call the subscriber back directly.

IDT claims that call savings can even be obtained on international calls to
destinations other than the US. The call is routed into the US and then on
to the ultimate destination country.

A typical IDD (international dial direct) call from the U.K. to the U.S.
during off-peak hours costs $9.75 for 10 minutes. IDT's call charges are
$7.31 for the same call - a 25 percent cost saving. Calls between Israel,
Sweden and Italy achieve, respectively, 60, 70 and 75 percent savings.
Similar savings apply to all countries.

Sign-up to IDT's service costs $60 a month, after which the service is
available on a "pay as you go" basis. Bills are rendered monthly by the
company in a choice of currencies.

Knoller told Newsbytes that, although the service is freely available to a
subscriber located anywhere in the world with direct dial access to the US,
there is no specific need for toll free service from a country.

"We have equipment that can recognize what number the caller is calling
from without answering the phone. Our system then calls the subscriber back
and the call progresses as normal," he said.

Knoller added that the company is also working on technology that will
allow the subscriber to call a local number in his/her own country, and for
the local country system to bounce the callback request to the US in a
matter of seconds. "The introduction of that system is some time away," he
said.

So what about those areas of the world where touch tone dialing is not
available? Knoller said that the company has a technical solution to this
as well. He declined to give technical details to Newsbytes, however, as
the technology is subject to pending patents.

"We're flexible. We have subscribers in London, in Moscow, and in many
other places. We've spent three years developing the technology and are now
ready to offer it around the world," he said.

Knoller added that IDT is not a small scale reseller of telecom services.
The company is capitalized at $25 million and has ambitious plans for
expanding its services around the world.

(Steve Gold/19910802/Press & Public Contact: Marc Knoller, IDT - Tel:
212/409-1527; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 2  ****DIGITAL ANNOUNCES ANOTHER PATENT SUIT 08/02/91

08/02/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00030)

 ****DIGITAL ANNOUNCES ANOTHER PATENT SUIT 08/02/91
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 2 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment Corporation has announced that it filed a lawsuit in the
United States District Court in Boston against Lago Systems, Inc. for
alleged patent infringement. This is the third action taken to protect
the same patent in the past six weeks.

In the suit, Digital claims that the Los Gatos, California - based Lago is
willfully infringing on four United States patents relating to Digital's
proprietary Standard Disk Interconnect (SDI) and Standard Tape
Interconnect (STI) technologies. SDI and STI are
interconnect and control technologies which manage the storage and
retrieval of information on disk and tape systems respectively.

Digital seeks monetary damages and lost profits as well as an
injunction to stop Lago from making, using, or selling any products
that infringe Digital's patents. In addition, Digital is seeking treble
damages in view of what Digital calls Lago's intentional and willful
violation of Digital's patent rights.

In its release announcing the suit, Digital pointed out, "This is the
fourth legal action brought by Digital to enforce its rights in the
SDI/STI patents and the third such action in the past six weeks. A
prior action against System Industries, Inc. of Milpitas, Calif., was
settled. On June 18, 1991, Digital sued Micro Technology, Inc. (MTI)
of Anaheim, Calif., in federal court in Denver, and on July 9, 1991, it
sued MTI's German subsidiary, Micro Technology GmbH, in
Hamburg."

MTI has publicly reacted to the Digital suit by releasing letters from
clients objecting to Digital's actions. One of the letter authors, Robert
Irvin, information and control systems manager for the City of Los
Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, said, "DEC has publicly professed its
belief in open systems architecture and interoperability, a stand
we applaud. This action [the legal action against MTI] suggests that
DEC is not sincere in that stand and may not be committed to the same
goals as its customers. ... Any action designed to restrict the number
or quality of products or suppliers supporting our computing needs is a
disservice to the industry."

Speaking on August 1st to Newsbytes' Linda Rohrbough, Irvin
expounded of the letter, saying, "What is attractive to us about DEC is
the availability of third party products. I think DEC is the most
innovative computer company in the world .. an excellent company,
but I don't like to see it doing things like this. I think this hurts us
and DEC. We certainly spend a lot more money with DEC than we do
with Micro Technology. Last year we spent $2 million with DEC and
only $50,000 to $70,000 with Micro Tech."

At that time, Digital spokesperson Nikki Richardson told Newsbytes
the suit was not an issue of open systems, but of intellectual
property, saying, "The SDI/STI technology was developed at
considerable cost in research and development. MTI can connect
through the bus interface (BI) input/output (I/O) without using
SDI/STI technology. MTI is using technology that is not available to
them."

Commenting to Newsbytes on August 2nd concerning the filing of the
latest suit, Richardson said, "Long before the action against Lago, we
announced a standard voluntary phase-out program for firms that
are using our technology and firms have come forward to participate.
That route is certainly our preference but we are serious about our
intention to protect our rights. There are other firms utilizing this
technology and they must make a choice: either become part of the
phase out program or face litigation. It's their decision,"

When asked by Newsbytes about the customer complaints,
Richardson said that Digital was "handling these on a one-to-one
basis."

The voluntary program to which Richardson refers commits the
agreeing firm to a transition to "non- infringing products" by
December 31, 1992.

Two companies, Winchester Systems of Woburn, Massachusetts,
and Aviv Corporation of Burlington, Massachusetts, have announced
participation in the program with Joel Leider, president of Winchester
Systems.

Lago, when contacted by Newsbytes concerning the Digital suit, said
that it had not yet framed a response.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Nikki
Richardson, Digital Equipment, 508-493-6369/19910802)
#ENDCARD





#CARD::1991  AUG 1 NEW PC SYSTEM TRACKS CUSTOMS RULINGS 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00001)

NEW PC SYSTEM TRACKS CUSTOMS RULINGS 08/01/91
DETROIT, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Importers,
exporters, brokers, and their attorneys can now more easily keep
up to date on US customs rulings with a new PC system introduced
by two companies.

John V. Carr and Sons, a customs broker and freight forwarded in
Detroit, and World Library, Inc., a California software company,
have developed the Customs Library System (CLS). The system
stores the thousands of US Customs administrative rulings on
CD-ROM.

Carr spokesperson Chet Wilson, the company's in-house counsel,
says the US Customs Service is moving towards automation and
requires accuracy in the adherence to the rulings. CLS makes
this easier, says Wilson.

Wilson says that by typing a date, word, phrase, or tariff
number, a user can research the thousands of rulings in seconds.
The text of the ruling can be viewed or printed.

Carr says the system was originally developed for internal use,
then the company recognized the benefits to the international
trading community, and obtained rights to distribute CLS.

Wilson says using CLS can help reduce the likelihood of
penalties assessed by US Customs agents for inaccurate
classification, avoiding post-entry cost adjustments. "It has
worked well for us and we felt that others should have equal
access to the product," said Wilson.

Users receive monthly updates of information, which impacts
bonds, carriers, drawback, entry/liquidation, marking, quota,
restricted merchandise, trademark, copyright and patent,
valuation and the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Enhancements
to the program, which will include Customs regulations, tariff
schedules, court cases, and freight rates, are planned.

Ralph Kilp of Carr & Son told Newsbytes that CLS has an annual
subscription price of $1,195 per year, including the monthly
updates. Kilp said the company demonstrated the product at a
broker convention in Miami in March, and will market CLS through
a direct mail effort.

CLS runs on any IBM or compatible with 640K of RAM, monochrome
or color display and a CD-ROM drive. The company can also
provide a CD-ROM drive is necessary, at $500.

(Jim Mallory/910801/Press contact: Michael Maurer, Manufacturers
Bank, 313-222-4732)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 THREE COMPANIES TO BUILD GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00002)

THREE COMPANIES TO BUILD GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA 08/01/91
CHANDLER, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Motorola Satellite
Communications has announced that it has signed a letter of
mutual understanding with Lockheed and Raytheon to negotiate for
the development, design, and production of the main antennas for
the Iridium system.

Iridium is a global personal telecommunications system being designed
to provide worldwide, hand-held portable and mobile
telecommunications coverage using low earth orbiting satellites.
Current plans call for the launch the Iridium systems' 77
satellites beginning in 1994.

"Raytheon, with its extensive array antenna experience and
technology, will make an important contribution...on the Iridium
program," said Vance Coffman, president of LMSC Space Systems
Division. Walter Stowell, GM of the Raytheon Equipment Division,
said the company is particularly interested in Iridium as an
opportunity to apply the company's design and production
expertise developed while working in the defense industry.

(Jim Mallory/910801/Press contact: Motorola, Lawrence Moore,
602-441-3000)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1  ****IQ TECHNOLOGIES COUNTERSUES MICROSOFT 08/01/91

08/01/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00003)

 ****IQ TECHNOLOGIES COUNTERSUES MICROSOFT 08/01/91
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- IQ Technologies
has announced that it has filed suit against Microsoft
Corporation, charging patent infringement.

As reported by Newsbytes in mid-July of this year, Microsoft had
gone to the US District Court seeking a judicial declaration
that its serial mouse products do not infringe on an IQ patent
for a "smart cable" -- an interface device that is used to connect
otherwise incompatible computers and peripheral devices. IQ
claims that the patent covers the technique by which a Microsoft
mouse gets its power from the serial port of a computer.

IQ Technologies says it is seeking damages from Microsoft and
for infringement of other mouse manufacturers operating under
licenses with Microsoft. IQ is also seeking an injunction
against Microsoft and a declaration that Microsoft's patent for
the serial port mouse is invalid. IQ claims it is entitled to
treble damages, since Microsoft's actions were willful and
deliberate.

IQ Tech's President Peter Dean told Newsbytes that the company
expects to receive royalties for mouse sales by Microsoft. Dean
said that IQ had attempted to resolve the issue with Microsoft
prior to legal action being initiated, but was unsuccessful.
Dean characterized IQ's claimed damages as "extensive."

Microsoft developed and markets Windows, a highly popular
program for personal computers, which relies on the mouse, as do
other applications for the computer such as paint/draw and
computer-aided design (CAD) programs. IQ claims that Microsoft
has sold over six million mice worldwide. Newsbytes was unable
to confirm that figure.

Microsoft spokesperson Sarah Charf told Newsbytes that Microsoft
is confident it will not lose in the courts. "Their claim is
unfounded," says Charf. Charf says that its interesting that IQ
has asked that the Microsoft serial mouse patent be declared
invalid. According to Charf, IQ has no basis for that type of
claim, since a party cannot have standing in such a claim unless
that party has been alleged to having infringed that patent.
Charf says Microsoft has never asserted in any way that IQ has
infringed on its patent. Charf says there is no way of telling
what the amount of any judgement might be, if Microsoft should
lose the case. Asked why Microsoft chose to ask for a
declaration, Charf says it was in order to resolve the issue
more quickly than if the issue went to trial. Other computer
industry lawsuits in the past have dragged through the courts for
years.

(Jim Mallory/910801/Press contact: Peter Dean, IQ technologies,
206-483-3555 or Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 NEW PC: Zeos ZEOS 20MHz 386SX Notebook 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)

NEW PC: Zeos ZEOS 20MHz 386SX Notebook 08/01/91
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Zeos
International has announced a 20 megahertz version of its
80386SX notebook computer.

The new system weighs seven pounds, and has a suggested list
price of $2,295 with a 20 megabyte (MB) hard drive, floppy
drive, a megabyte of memory (RAM) and a monochrome
VGA-compatible monitor. The system can also be configured with
a 40 or 60 MB hard drive, a battery that will quick charge
in one hour and last for two or more hours, and an 82-key
keyboard. Available options include a 2400 baud MNP Class 5
modem, up to five megabytes of RAM, extra batteries, a battery
charging station, and a carrying case.

"This new 20 megahertz 80386SX-based notebook is a natural
addition to our growing notebook product line," said Zeos
President Greg Herrick. Herrick says the new computer offers
customers the opportunity to purchase increased processing
power provided by the higher speed 386SX processor.

ZEOS 286 and the 16MHZ 386SX notebook computers have received
several industry "editors choice" or "best buy" awards.

ZEOS markets its products direct to the consumer, and provides a
24-hour toll free number for ordering (800-423-5891), and 24-hour
toll free technical support.

(Jim Mallory/910801/Press contact: Rick Apple, ZEOS,
612-633-5877)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 NEW FOR MAC: Now Software Intros New Utilities 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00005)

NEW FOR MAC: Now Software Intros New Utilities 08/01/91
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Now software has
introduced version 3.0 of Now Utilities, which it describes as
an upgraded and expanded version of system enhancement utilities
for the Macintosh.

Now Utilities concentrates on programs that extend the Macintosh
operating system and is System 7 compatible. It consists of 10
separate utility programs: AlarmClock, DeskPicture,
MultiMaster, NowMenus, NowSave, Profiler, Screen Locker, StartUp
Manager, Super Boomerang, and WYSIWYG (what-you-see- is-what
-you-get) menus, as well as an installer program.

Now users who purchased version 2.0 after May 13th of this year
are eligible for a free upgrade. Now Software also is offering
a limited time exchange deal under which users of products that
compete with any component of Now Utilities can upgrade to Now
Utilities version 3.0 for $60. The suggested list price of Now
Utilities 3.0 is $129.

One Now Utilities beta tester, Bob Leviticus, said, "Now Utilities
represents one of the most awesome values in Macintosh computing
today." Leviticus is the author of "Dr. Macintosh" and "Stupid
Mac Tricks." Brian Chinn, Pacific Medical Center's network
administrator, said, "By buying competitive products you'd end up
spending hundred of dollars more, and end up with a less
powerful, less stable system."

(Jim Mallory/910801/Press contact: Lynn Halloran, Now Software,
503-274-2800)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 WORLD'S FASTEST DSP CHIP DOES MATH BACKWARDS 08/01/91

08/01/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00006)

WORLD'S FASTEST DSP CHIP DOES MATH BACKWARDS 08/01/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- A new
digital signal processing (DSP) chip capable of performing 250
million multiplications and additions per second -- up to 10
times faster than other commercially available programmable DSP
chips -- has been announced by the Industrial Development Board
of Northern Ireland.

Professor John V. McCanny of Queen's University, Belfast,
Ireland made the announcement on behalf of the IDB and was on
the team who developed the new chip. McCanny is chair of the
Microelectronics Engineering at Queen's University in Belfast,
where the chip was developed.

The new chip, a CMOS Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter, can
be used in applications such as communications systems, high
definition television (HDTV), aerospace, and radar, the IDB
said. The stated advantage of the chip is it can use digital
techniques for filtering, at much higher frequencies than
previously possible.

The way the chip processes faster is a result of a design it
took five and a half years of research to develop, the IDB
said. The patented technologies used in the chip are said to
overcome what was perceived as a fundamental limitation in high
speed numerical computation. The limitation was the how to
speed up recursive calculations, or calculations in which one
result is needed for the next calculation to begin. Recursive
calculations are widely used in general purpose computing as
well as digital signal processors.

The new concept came when the Queen's University research team
realized the limitation came from the conventional approach of
starting with the least significant bit and then moving to
higher order bits, the IDB said. The team decided to try a
method of arithmetic in which the calculations are performed in
the opposite of the conventional manner. So rather than waiting
for a complete result and feeding that back, the results of
interim calculations are fed back immediately, using the
"redundant number systems" technique, the IDB said.

The new chip as achieved the speed increases the Queen's team
envisioned, McCanny said, proving the assumed "barrier" did not
exist.

Ten of the new chips were fabricated on pieces of 0.25 cm2
silicon, by VLSI Technology Silicon Foundry in San Jose,
California, the IDB said. McCanny said the chip can be
interfaced directly with conventional digital interface chips
(ICs) and the internal circuitry is no more complex than
circuitry of chips based on conventional mathematics.

This new concept has been applied to other DSP systems and
applications and the resulting new circuits prove whole
families of these signal processing devices can be speed up
significantly, the IDB said. One of the new circuits includes
square root, multiplication and division, and can perform 100
million operations per second, said the IDB.

Queen's University plans to license the design of the new chip
to commercial manufacturers, the IDB said. In addition, Queen's
University and the researchers Dr. Roger Woods, Dr. Owen
McNally, Professor McCanny, and visiting Professor John
McWhirter have established a separate company, Integrated
Silicon Systems, Ltd. to sell the chips commercially. McCanny
said units could be in production in a few months.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910801/Press Contact: Dawn Murphy, Berkhemer
Kline Golin/Harris, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 NEW FOR PCS: Autodesk Animator Pro For Multimedia 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00007)

NEW FOR PCS: Autodesk Animator Pro For Multimedia 08/01/91
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Autodesk is
shipping its new Animator Pro software package, a two-dimensional
(2D) software package for the IBM personal computer (PC) 386 and
486 or compatible computers.

With screen-resolution independence, animated cells and advanced
tweening, text handling and paint features, Autodesk says
Animator Pro gives graphics and video professionals real-time
animation capabilities.

The company says Animator Pro is a mid-range product, a step up in
capabilities from the entry-level Autodesk Animator software, but
does not have three-dimensional (3D) capability Autodesk 3D Studio
software has.

The Autodesk Multimedia Division, the division producing Animator
Pro, was created last August and has introduced Autodesk 3D Studio.
The 3D Studio allows 3D modeling and animation and also requires
a 386 or 486 PC.

The company says the new multimedia division has expanded reseller
channels to over 300 Authorized Multimedia Dealers.

Autodesk is perhaps most well-known for its package AutoCAD,
available on PC's and workstations and used by engineering and
drafting professionals for computer-aided design (CAD).

Animator Pro retails for $795, the company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910801/Press Contact: Kathleen Doney, Autodesk,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 NEW FOR PCS: Norton Desktop For Windows 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00008)

NEW FOR PCS: Norton Desktop For Windows 08/01/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Symantec has
announced the Norton Desktop for Windows product has begun shipping.

Symantec claims the product allows users to copy, move, view, launch,
delete and print files. Files are printed by dragging the icon for the
file to the printer icon, viewing by dragging the file icon to the
viewing icon, and copying and other functions are accomplished in the
same manner, the company said.

File viewing supports all the major spreadsheet, word processing,
database and graphics file formats including, Excel, Lotus 1-2-3,
WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, AmiPro, dBASE, .PCX, .BMP, .GIF and .TIF,
the company said.

The company says the product also includes an automated data backup,
data recovery and network support. Background operation is offered so
backups can be run while the user is working, and a Norton scheduler
allows backups and other routine activities to be run unattended at
predesignated times, Symantec said.

The Norton Disk Doctor for Windows is included in the product and
allows users to diagnose and often solve common disk problems,
Symantec said. An Emergency Disk allows users to repair, unformat or
optimize disks and recover erased files even when Windows cannot be
accessed, the company claims.

SmartErase is also included and contains Unerase, a utility for
recovery of deleted files, the company said. Other utilities include
SuperFind for searching for files, Batch Builder for creating Windows
batch files, Icon Editor and Librarian for creating and modifying
icons, KeyFinder for pasting unusual characters or symbols for use in
documents, Sleeper for screen blanking with nine different screen
displays, and Launch Manager for starting any Windows or DOS program
from within any application currently in operation.

Norton Desktop for Windows does not alter the look or feel of Windows,
Symantec said, so users do not have to be concerned about another
"program layer" on top of Windows.

The Norton Desktop for Windows retails for $149 and includes The
Norton Backup which is a stand-alone product retailing for $129 if
purchased separately. The product requires an IBM personal computer
(PC) AT (286) or higher, DOS 3.1 or higher, Windows 3.0 and a minimum
of 1 megabyte (MB) of random access memory (RAM) although 2 MB of RAM
are recommended.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910801/Press Contact: Brian Fawkes, Symantec, Tel:
408/446-8886, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 MAJOR DIGITAL SEA CABLE NETWORK SCHEDULED 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00009)

MAJOR DIGITAL SEA CABLE NETWORK SCHEDULED 08/01/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Japan's former international
telecom monopoly KDD, International Digital Communication (IDC),
and International Telecom Japan (ITJ), will lay an undersea optical
telecom cable between Japan and Singapore. The cable has 7,600
circuits and is expected to play an important role for
telecommunications in the Asian regions.

The cable layout plan has been approved by the Japanese Ministry of
Posts and Telecommunication. The major-scale telecom cable will be
placed between Japan and Singapore via Taiwan, Hong Kong, and
Malaysia.

The total length of the cable will be about 7,500 kilometers.
The project will cost 46.4 billion yen ($340 million), which will
be shared by IDC, KDD, and ITJ. The cable will be called the
Asia Pacific Cable (APC) and it will be interconnected with
ASEAN's (Association of South East Asian Nations') optical telecom
cables, which are currently under construction.

The APC will have a European connection through optical cables
of Singapore and France. All the services are expected to start
around the summer of 1993.

The digital cables are expected to allow fast and varied
telecommunications including G4 fax, TV conferencing, and other
mass data transmission signals to be sent. AT&T is said to have
expressed interest in using the cables.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910801)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 UNISYS AND NISSAN CREATE JOINT VENTURE 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00010)

UNISYS AND NISSAN CREATE JOINT VENTURE 08/01/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Unisys Japan and Nissan
have set up a joint venture related to CAD (computer-aided design)
and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) for the auto industry.

The new firm, called "Nissan AR Technology," is 65 percent owned
by Nissan and 35 percent owned by Unisys Japan. It is located
at Nissan's head office building in Yokohama.

Business will start in September with 29 employees dispatched
from both firms. Nissan AR Technology will specialize in the
development of CAD/CAM systems for Nissan and its group firms will
plans to ultimately expand into business with other firms.
Consulting and software sales are expected later.

Nissan executive Hideo Yoshizu will be the chief officer.
The goal of Nissan AR Technology is to make 250 million yen
($1.85 million) in sales for the initial year. In 5 years,
it expects to earn 1.5 billion yen ($11 million) and expand staff
to 100 employees. The joint venture, it is hoped, will help
the financial situation of Unisys, which has suffered a sales decline.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910801/Press Contact: Nissan Motor, +81-3-3543-
5523)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1  ****3-D FACIAL GRAPHIC SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY MATSUSHITA 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00011)

 ****3-D FACIAL GRAPHIC SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY MATSUSHITA 08/01/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Matsushita Electric has developed a
3-dimensional computer graphic system which can flexibly process
pictorial data of human faces. With this system, for instance, the
face of an expected baby could be drawn by mixing photographs
of the parents.

The device basically consists of a personal computer, a scanner,
a VCR, and software. The countenance of faces can be aged, as
well, says Matsushita. The face of a 1-year-old baby can be
changed to a 70-year old man. An ordinary face can be depicted as
smiling or crying.

The device is expected to be useful in simulation for
hospitals and law enforcement, where photomontages are often used.

Matsushita says the system is still a prototype, but it can be
commercialized and sold at a relatively cheap price because it is
based on a personal computer.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910801/Press Contact: Matsushita Electric, +81-3-
3436-2691)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 HONGKONG: CSSL FIRST HALF AS/400 SALES HIGHEST IN ASIA 08/01/91

08/01/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00012)

HONGKONG: CSSL FIRST HALF AS/400 SALES HIGHEST IN ASIA 08/01/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Following IBM's
announcement of its enhanced AS/400 mid-range computer product line,
leading Hong Kong remarketer CSSL has achieved encouraging first half
sales for 1991. The company has sold 20 AS/400 systems this year, the
best performance in the Asian region.

"The demand for the AS/400 range is based on IBM's enhancements,
together with the wealth of new, advanced AS/400 software solutions,"
said John Clough, managing director of CSSL. "This has increased our
ability to offer a one-stop IBM shop, delivering hardware, software,
support and education."

CSSL recently won several awards from IBM including Top Systems
Remarketer of the Year 1990. "CSSL is a valued business partner with
an excellent track record," commented K.S. Ip, regional manager,
general and distribution marketing region.

According to Ip, customer perception of the enhanced AS/400 range has
been very positive. "The new AS/400 range offers highly competitive
price/performance and this has brought it within the price range of an
increasing number of customers," he said.

The fact that the majority of CSSL's sales have been to new customers
rather than upgrades, supports this view. "We have been especially
successful in the manufacturing, distribution, and banking sectors,"
said Clough. "The increased power of the AS/400 has given a lot of
companies and institutions confidence in using the AS/400 for the
future. For instance, an AS/400 can now handle the operations of a
medium-sized retail bank, a task that, until recently, needed a
mainframe. Yet, at the same time, an AS/400 is affordable even for
smaller and medium sized companies."

For Clough, the other factor behind CSSL's AS/400 success is the
company's one-stop shop philosophy. "What makes CSSL unique is the
range of solutions we can offer combined with an absolute commitment
to customer service and support," he said. "To this end we recruit top
people, often from IBM or from the vendors we represent; we have
extended our customer training programme, launched a business recovery
service, and installed a customer satisfaction hot line direct to our
most senior managers. Our success with the AS/400 range is part of
this bigger picture."

(Norman Wingrove/19910801/Press contact: Ally Ho, CSSL, Tel + 852 806
1622, Fax + 852 806 1622; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 SAS USED TO MONITOR ASIAN ELECTRONICS SALES 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00013)

SAS USED TO MONITOR ASIAN ELECTRONICS SALES 08/01/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- ADR Marketing Services has
installed software from SAS Institute to prepare its extensive
bimonthly reports on sales of consumer electronics products in Asia.

ADR is a subsidiary company of German-based GFK, which is the world's
fourth largest market research company, employing 2,800 people in 45
countries. ADR specializes in consumer electronics research, and
monitors retail sales in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Thailand,
Taiwan and Malaysia, with Indonesia soon to follow.

"The SAS System is ideally suited for market research and strategic
marketing functions, as the whole compendium of requirements is
covered," said Nigel Gasper, general manager of SAS Institute in Hong
Kong.

"These start with data entry, validation, verification,
questionnaires, project management, quality control, tabulation,
analyses, psychometrics and modelling - and move right through to the
eventual tables and graphics. All of this can be done within an easy-
to-use menu system. In addition, local language support is especially
helpful for multinational surveys," he added.

The SAS Information Delivery System 9000 will run on an Ethernet
local area network comprised of two HP Apollo 9000 model 433
workstations, 1.8 gigabytes of storage and three personal
computers. It will be used to input, access, analyse and
present the research data in hard copy and on disk.

The impetus for installing SAS came from EDP Manager Fred Bluemink,
who decided that remote processing from Germany had become a
logistical nightmare. The company produces separate reports, across
six countries, for every single electronics product. "Fridges, washing
machines, videos, stereo systems, air conditioners - the list is
almost endless," said Bluemink. "Each report contains many different
analyses such as market share, volume sales, trends and pricing
structure; and the task is complicated by the fact that many brands
have several variations which are labelled differently in each
country."

Even when Bluemink had collected and double-checked the raw data, his
task had only just begun. "The data was sent down a communications
link which involved eight modems, four lines, two multiplexers and two
front end processors," he said. "It was then received by programmers
who were eight hours behind Hong Kong and who spoke a foreign
language. The possibilities for error were enormous but we were
absolutely committed to specific deadlines which could not, under any
circumstances be broken."

To improve his control over this complex and time sensitive operation,
Bluemink decided to bring the processing to Hong Kong. He approached
several leading software and hardware companies and gave them raw data
to produce a trial report. "SAS and HP produced by far the best
results and offered the best price/performance combination," he said.

Under the new system the regional offices input data using PCs and
send it via modem links to Hong Kong. The information is then checked,
collated, analyzed and output in tabulations and graphs using SAS.
Four Hong Kong-based DP Assistants, who have no formal programming
experience, work from a menu-driven interface designed by Tritop
Consultants Ltd, a business partner of SAS Institute.

"The SAS system gives me direct control with help just minutes away if
I need it," said Bluemink. "Under the old system, if there was a
problem I was faced with calling Germany in the middle of the night
and trying to communicate with a half-awake DP person in a foreign
language.

"SAS is also quicker and more flexible than a mainframe system using
traditional programming. GFK has Germany's second biggest DP
installation, and using this was a bit like a sledgehammer cracking a
nut."

(Norman Wingrove/19910801/Press contact: Nigel Gasper, SAS, + 852 540
3160 Liz Aram; HK time is GMT +8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 DIGITAL ASIA STREAMLINES REGIONAL SERVICES 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00014)

DIGITAL ASIA STREAMLINES REGIONAL SERVICES 08/01/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Asia has
streamlined its regional services organization to more closely
reflect the company's role as one of the industry's leading
services and systems integration companies.

The new Digital Services Organization will merge the resources,
capabilities and personnel of the company's former Enterprise
Integration Services (EIS) and Customer Services (CS) groups,
comprising around 900 people region-wide.

Heading the new organization as Digital services manager, Asia
region, is J. Graham Long, former country manager of Digital
Equipment Hong Kong Ltd.

"Two market trends, already evident, will place increasing emphasis
on Digital's strengths in services during the 1990s," said Long.
"One is the increasing commoditisation of hardware. The other is
the greater reliance by customers on outside vendors to help
design, implement, and often run their information technology
operations.

The reorganization of Digital Equipment Asia mirrors similar moves in
other parts of the world. As part of the realignment, Digital has
regrouped its existing Customer Services and EIS Business Units
into three major clusters: Client Services, Product Services,
and Solution Services.

Al Frazer has been named manager of the Digital Client Services
cluster, which includes consultant services, training services and
consultant resources.

Tony Tong has been appointed manager of the Digital Product Services
cluster, which provides hardware services, software services and
desktop services.

Paul Turton is manager of the Digital Solution Services cluster, which
includes operation support services, network services and application
project services.

Rachel Pong has been appointed planning and programs manager,
Digital Services, while Dennis Maillet is the systems integration
business manager.

"This new structure will greatly simplify the customer's relationship
with Digital service teams and bring them much closer to the resources
and people they need," said Long. "Our aim is to provide customers
with a single point of responsibility to coordinate what I believe is
the most comprehensive set of service, support and systems integration
capabilities available anywhere in the industry."

(Norman Wingrove/19910801/Press contact: Walter Cheung, Digital, + 852
861 4850; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 CORRECTION: DRI, NOVELL MERGER: A THREAT TO MICROSOFT? 08/01/91

08/01/91


(CORRECTION)(IBM)(DEN)(00015)

CORRECTION: DRI, NOVELL MERGER: A THREAT TO MICROSOFT? 08/01/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- In our
July 19 story about the DRI/Novell merger possibly posing a threat to
Microsoft, Newsbytes stated that Digital Research's DR DOS is
not compatible with Microsoft Windows 3.0.  Our information was
not correct. Newsbytes has learned from a Digital Research
spokesperson that DR DOS is compatible with Windows 3.0.

(Jim Mallory/19910801)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 UK: MERCURY OPENS SCOTTISH EARTH STATION 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00016)

UK: MERCURY OPENS SCOTTISH EARTH STATION 08/01/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Mercury Communications has opened
its first direct satellite communications link between the Scottish mainland
and offshore oil platforms and rigs via a new earth station at Brechin,
near Aberdeen in Scotland.

The new earth station, which cost the telecom giant UKP 2 million, will
provide services via the Eutelsat satellite to North Sea oil platforms,
as well as to European destinations.

Previously, these services were provided via Mercury's two satellite
earth stations in London's docklands. The new site avoids the need for a long
overland link to London.

Customers already signed up to the new digital service include Shell and
BP, as well as Merathon and Enterprise Oil. The site also provides a
European gateway for the Scottish business community.

Brechin is located on Mercury's main microwave trunk route from
Edinburgh to Aberdeen, the capacity of which has been enhanced to carry the earth
station traffic.

(Steve Gold/19910801/Press & Public Contact: Mercury Communications -
Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1  ****UK: AST TO ANNOUNCE NEW EUROPEAN PROD'N PLANT 08/01/91

08/01/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(LON)(00017)

 ****UK: AST TO ANNOUNCE NEW EUROPEAN PROD'N PLANT 08/01/91
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- AST Research is
putting the finishing touches to plans for a European plant to supply the
company's European distribution channels. According to Willson Hau, marketing
manager with the Brentford-based company, a decision on where to site the new
production facility will be made before the end of the year.

"Ireland is near the top of our list. The country has excellent
facilities as well as a good supply of experienced staff," he said, adding that,
once a decision on where to locate the plant had been made, a schedule for
transferring the company's production from its three existing plants
will be announced.

Currently, AST's PCs are manufactured at company facilities in Irvine,
California, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The European facility will supply PCs
to the whole of Europe.

Ireland is fast becoming the technical centre as far as computer
technology is concerned. AST joins Apple, Verbatim and a number of
other computer companies in Ireland, where government grants to construct
production plants are freely available.

(Steve Gold/19910801/Press & Public Contact: AST Research - Tel:
081-568-4350)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 ADOBE AND CACTUS IN LICENSING AGREEMENT 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00018)

ADOBE AND CACTUS IN LICENSING AGREEMENT 08/01/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Adobe Systems
has granted Cactus licensing rights to Adobe's Configurable PostScript
Interpreter (CPSI).

Cactus says it will now incorporate Adobe CPSI into its wide-format
color digital printing Cactus System, which is designed to process
large color prints for presentation or display.

Tory Bruno, spokesman for Adobe, told Newsbytes that Cactus
is the company's "newest OEM (original equipment manufacturer)"
and that the agreement is important to Adobe in that "it takes us
into a new market which is wide-format color PostScript."

Cactus maintains that CPSI will enable users of any application
that creates PostScript language files to turn those files into
color posters, flip charts and billboard-size prints.

Bruno told Newsbytes that the "typical output" from the Cactus
product "is something up to 36-inches wide."

According to Adobe, CPSI is a fully functional PostScript interpreter
that operates on industry-standard computing platforms and drives
raster printing devices. It differs from traditional implementations
of the PostScript interpreter in that it resides in the host computer
rather than in an imaging device, such as a printer or typesetter.

Cactus claims that its Cactus System is capable of producing
closely matched and managed color prints up to billboard size
from a scanned slide, photograph, negative, and artwork.
PostScript images can also be added to the digitized images.

The system consists of scanners, processors, an electrostatic
printer and proprietary algorithms for halftoning, color
management, tiling and scaling. The ensuing prints maintain
original resolution and color saturation regardless of final size,
according to Cactus.

Harry Bowers, vice president of product development and
co-founder of Cactus said : "Adobe's CPSI will greatly reduce file
interpretation and processing times, and enable users of programs
for presentation graphics, illustrations, desktop publishing and
spreadsheets to print photographic and graphic arts color prints for
advertising displays, exhibits and other uses."

Early in 1992, Cactus expects to introduce software to merge
PostScript languages files with Cactus halftones. Currently,
PostScript language text and art can be overprinted on Cactus
images, but not vice versa.

The first Cactus systems with the Adobe CPSI is expected to be
available in August 1991. The system's list price is approximately
$300,000, with the exact price determined by the configuration
option selected.

Cactus corporate offices are located in Santa Fe Springs,
California, with distribution, training and demonstration facilities in
Fairfield, N.J. Cactus was founded in March 1990.

(Ian Stokell/19910801/Press Contact: Patricia J. Pane, Adobe
Systems Inc., 415-962-3967)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 RADIUS ROCKET ACCELERATOR BOARD SUPPORTS SYSTEM 7 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00019)

RADIUS ROCKET ACCELERATOR BOARD SUPPORTS SYSTEM 7 08/01/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- As with most
Macintosh products these days, the Radius Rocket Motorola 68040-
based CPU (central processor unit) accelerator for the Macintosh II is
compatible with System 7 software, Apple's new operating system,
says San Jose-based Radius.

The company maintains that the System 7 compatibility is provided
by a Radius software upgrade.

Additionally, Radius and Newer Technologies of Wichita, Kansas,
have announced that Radius will modify Rockets to accommodate
Newer Technology's high-density 16MB SIMMs (single in-line memory
modules).

The company maintains that the Rocket product, which is based on the
25 MHz Motorola 68040 processor, boosts Macintosh II performance
up to six times, far surpassing the performance of a Macintosh IIfx.

The company also claims that it works transparently with virtually all
software applications for the Macintosh and with all applications which
have been optimized for the 68040 processor.

The 32-Bit Addressing feature of System 7 is especially important to
Rocket users, claims the company. Rocket also supports up to 128
megabytes of system memory. Macintosh IIci, IIsi and IIfx computers
support 32-bit addressing for multi-megabyte access.

The company says that Macintosh IIci owners running System 7 can
access all 128 MB of Rocket's RAM, and that Macintosh IIci owners
running System 6.0.7 can access all 128 MB of Rocket's RAM by using
this new Rocket software upgrade and Optima from Connectix Corp.
of Menlo Park. Rocket is not however, IIfx or IIsi compatible.

The Macintosh II, IIx and IIcx do not support 32-bit addressing. These
Rocket owners can access up to 14 MB of Rocket's 128 MB capacity
with either System 7 or System 6.0.7 and version 2.0 of Maxima from
Connectix, says the company.

Interestingly, Radius says that Rocket does not support System 7's
virtual memory feature, because the feature has not been optimized
for the 68040. Instead, says the company, it is written for the 68030
Page Memory Management Unit (PMMU). Additionally, Radius
maintains that virtual memory slows overall system performance by
treating the hard disk as system RAM.

(Ian Stokell/19910801/Press Contact: Jeneane Harter, Radius Inc.,
408-434-1010)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 NEW FOR UNIX: RasterOps Intros Live Video 24-Bit Video Board 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00020)

NEW FOR UNIX: RasterOps Intros Live Video 24-Bit Video Board 08/01/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Hot on the
heels of RasterOps' 24-bit graphics upgrade promotion announcement,
the company has introduced the SPARC Card TV board. The company
claims it is the first display adapter for Sun Microsystems'
SPARCstation to provide integrated live video capability, in one SBus slot.

According to the company, the RasterOps SPARC Card TV can
co-exist with the SPARCstation's bundled 8-bit and 24-bit cards, and
utilize any standard Sun frame buffer to view live video.

"By providing integrated video at this price point, we want to
significantly broaden the number of users who take advantage of
the SPARCstation's potential multimedia and desktop graphics
applications," said Amanda North, vice president of marketing for
RasterOps.

RasterOps maintains that a variety of applications can be found for the
board, including use as a training tool to display a software training
video simultaneously with a software program to teach a user the basics
of a spreadsheet program. Additionally, the product can also be useful
as a security tool providing on-screen surveillance of high-security
areas, and as a desktop teleconferencing system.

The company claims that the display adapter also be used as a
frame capture board, saving images to memory or disk. The video
window can be re-sized and positioned anywhere on the screen.
Video signals can be used from a variety of sources such as cable
television, VCRs, cameras, and medical scanners.

Additionally, the board supports inputs of NTSC, PAL and SECAM,
taking in two composite or one S-Video signal. The company says
that it supports RasterOps' own 19-inch Trinitron monitors, as well as
Sun's 16- and 19-inch monitors.

The RasterOps SPARC Card TV will be available in September 1991,
and carry a suggested retail price under $2,000.

Just this week, as reported in Newsbytes, RasterOps lowered the
price of its SPARC Card TC ColorBoard and the SPARC Card TC PIP
products for the SPARCstation. Additionally, the company also
announced an upgrade program that the company hopes will make
it easier for Sun users to move up to RasterOps' 24-bit color graphics
and video capabilities.

(Ian Stokell/19910801/Press Contact: Pattie Walters, RasterOps
Corp., 408-562-4200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 NEW FOR MAC: SuperMac Intros Color Graphics Cards 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00021)

NEW FOR MAC: SuperMac Intros Color Graphics Cards 08/01/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- SuperMac
Technology has introduced a new family of 8- and 24-bit color
graphics cards for the Macintosh that are 4.5 times faster than its
Spectrum/24 PDQ.

According to SuperMac, the Thunder/8 and Thunder/24 are
single-slot graphics cards designed specifically for demanding
graphics professionals using high-end Macintosh IIci and IIfx systems
with 19- and 21-inch large-screen displays for color-publishing and
prepress applications.

The technology combines a new video controller and
custom-designed pixel accelerator with an advanced memory
architecture. The new pixel-accelerator microprocessor design
processes up to half a billion pixels per second.

The company also claims that the Thunder provides the fastest
QuickDraw acceleration available on the Macintosh by using
SuperMac's third-generation application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC) design.

Additionally, the company says that the Thunder/24 provides more
than 16.7 million colors on 12-inch to 21-inch displays from SuperMac
and other manufacturers, and that the Thunder/8 provides 256 colors
on displays up to 21 inches.

The cards are optimized for use with upcoming Motorola 68040
architectures, and are both compatible with Apple's new System 7
operating system. The suggested retail prices for Thunder/8 and
Thunder/24 are $1,899 and $4,999 respectively.

(Ian Stokell/19910801/Press Contact: Lisa MacKenzie, SuperMac
Technology, 408-524-4702)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 AT&T MOVES COMPUTER SYSTEMS PRESIDENT 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00022)

AT&T MOVES COMPUTER SYSTEMS PRESIDENT 08/01/91
MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- AT&T
has announced that Richard A. McGinn, president, AT&T
Computer Systems, has been named to the new position of
senior vice president-strategy, sales and customer operations
for AT&T Network Systems. McGinn will assume his new duties
immediately.

McGinn has been serving with Charles Exley, NCR board
chairman, as co-chairman of the AT&T / NCR transition team
responsible for the consolidation of the two firms. Under the
consolidation plans, AT&T Computer Systems will be
incorporated into NCR's existing organization. The movement of
McGinn to his new position insures that he will remain part of
the AT&T parent organization after the merger is completed.

McGinn's positions with both AT&T Computer Services and the
merger team will be filled by Richard C. Holder who will
assume the title of president, computer systems and transition
operations.

In McGinn's new position, he McGinn will be responsible for the
strategy to accelerate growth and globalization of AT&T
Network Systems, as well as the worldwide sales force, market
planning, customer operations, and engineering. He will report
to William B. Marx Jr., AT&T group executive and president,
AT&T Network Systems, and will assume management control
over certain functions which previously reported directly to
Marx.

Announcing McGinn's new position, Marx said, "Rich brings
unique credentials to this assignment. He has a deep
understanding of the end-user needs that are reshaping our
industry. And he's had significant experience in dealing with
customers in Europe and Asia, as well as the U.S.''

AT&T's John Skalko told Newsbytes that it is anticipated that
the Holder's transition duties will take him "well into the first
quarter of next year." Skalko also said that it has not been
announced what Holder's duties will be following the transition.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: John Skalko,
AT&T Computer Systems, 201-898-3764; Rich Meyer, AT&T Network
Systems, 201-606-2453/19910801)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 3COM DROPS PRICES TO COMPETE WITH HP, WESTERN DIGITAL 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00023)

3COM DROPS PRICES TO COMPETE WITH HP, WESTERN DIGITAL 08/01/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- In a
competitive pricing move, 3Com says it is reducing the price of
its Etherlink II twisted-pair (TP) 10BASE-T network adapter
more than 20 percent. The company says this pricing makes it
equal or less expensive than 8-bit 10BASE-T adapters from other
vendors and specifically names Hewlett-Packard and Western
Digital.

The 8-bit Ethernet II TP adapter is a card that fits into a
slot in the IBM personal computer (PC) family of computers and
compatibles including the IBM PC, XT, AT, and PS/2 models 25
and 30, the company said.

3Com is one of the leading companies in the Ethernet and
10BASE-T markets. Susan Frankle of International Data
Corporation (IDC) told Newsbytes 3Com is number two worldwide
on 10BASE-T and the largest producer worldwide of Ethernet
cards for coaxial connections.

3Com says not only is its price on the 10BASE-T competitive,
but in combination with its modular 10BASE-T hub -- the
MultiConn TP Starter Kit -- and Etherlink II TP it can support
greater length segments than the competition, up to 175 meters
(574 feet). The MultiConn TP Starter Kit was announced earlier
this month as a new product that gives users the option of
incrementally growing their networks, the company said.

The new pricing structure becomes effective August 1, 1991,
3Com said. Single adapters are list priced in the U.S. at $345
-- a 14% price reduction. Five-packs of adapters list at U.S.
prices for $1,375 or $275 per adapter -- a 21% reduction -- the
company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910801/Press Contact: Kerry Langstaff, 3Com,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Susan Frankle,
International Data Corporation, Tel: [phone], Fax:
508/935-4397)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 DEC CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT SUIT AGAINST MICRO TECH 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00024)

DEC CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT SUIT AGAINST MICRO TECH 08/01/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Micro
Technology Incorporated (MTI) has released statements from
customers of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and MTI who
have written letters of complaint to DEC -- and sent copies of
the letters to MTI -- complaining about DEC's suit against the
company for patent infringement.

MTI said it has received numerous letters of encouragement, and
copies of letters sent to Ken Olson, president of DEC. DEC
customers who've written the letters see the company's action
as a violation of its announced stance of open systems
architecture and interoperabiltiy.

Newsbytes talked with Robert Irvin, one of the authors of a
letter of complaint who is also information and control systems
manager for the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, the
largest DEC installation in the Los Angeles city government.

Irvin said in his letter to DEC, "DEC has publicly professed
its belief in open systems architecture and interoperability, a
stand we applaud. This action [the legal action against MTI]
suggests that DEC is not sincere in that stand and may not be
committed to the same goals as its customers. ... Any action
designed to restrict the number or quality of products or
suppliers supporting our computing needs is a disservice to the
industry."

Timothy Brown, information systems director at ANADAC, Inc.,
said in his letter to DEC, "My confidence in the selection of
DEC equipment was strengthened by the company's attitudes and
public pronouncements regarding open systems architecture and
industry standards. DEC's recent hostility toward third-party
vendors such as Micro Technology raises serious questions
concerning these assurances."

Terry Larson, manager of computer operations and productions at
CNN, Inc., said that his company has been able to increase its
capabilities and better service its clients because of
"...innovative technologies developed by both DEC and Micro
Technology." Larson went on to say, "Our decisions on whether
or not to acquire new hardware are increasingly dependent on
the compatibility of that equipment with the rest of our
enterprise network. When considering future purchases we will
be even more concerned with issues of openness. Companies like
ours only benefit from the presence of third party vendors such
as Micro Technology."

Irvin, upon hearing the quotes from the other two men, said he
agreed with them and went on with, "What is attractive to us
about DEC is the availability of third party products. I think
DEC is the most innovative computer company in the world ...an
excellent company, but I don't like to see it doing things like
this. I think this hurts us and DEC."

"We certainly spend a lot more money with DEC than we do with
Micro Technology. Last year we spent $2 million with DEC and
only $50,000 to $70,000 with Micro Tech," Irvine said.

DEC describes the technology in question as its proprietary
Standard Disk Interface (SDI) and Standard Tape Interface (STI)
technology which is patented worldwide and used on VAX/VMS and
Unix systems. The company says SDI/STI are interconnection and
control technologies that manage storage and retrieval of
information on disk and tape drives respectively. Irvin says
MTI has "reverse engineered what is required to connect to the
SDI/STI."

MTI said DEC is increasingly using legal tactics to pressure
third-party vendors supporting DEC equipment. MTI President
Steve Hammerslag said, "DEC has a pattern of doing this, and
this is the sixth time in as many years." Hammerslag says MTI
is going to fight however. "We believe we are in an extremely
defensible position." Hammerslag estimates the litigation could
cost upwards of $1 million a year, but feels MTI, at $100
million dollars a year, is financially strong enough to fight.

Hammerslag said, ironically, it is his belief that, "...the
life of the lawsuit is probably longer than the useful life of
the technology."

DEC, on the other hand says the suit is not an issue of open
systems, but of intellectual property. Nicky Richardson of
public relations for DEC said, "The SDI/STI technology was
developed at considerable cost in research and development. MTI
can connect through the bus interface (BI) input/output (I/O)
without using SDI/STI technology. MTI is using technology that
is not available to them."

Richardson also said DEC is now announcing a fourth suit over
this technology infringement against Lago Systems in Los Gatos,
California filed in U.S. District Court in Boston. The first
suit was against Systems Industries, of Milpitas, California
and was settled out of court. The second and third suits are
against MTI, one against MTI Germany and one against MTI in
Anaheim.

Of further concern is DEC's threat of suit of companies who are
selling products that DEC says infringe on its patents.
However, DEC has made an announcement of a voluntary phase-out
program for those companies very recently. Richardson said
Winchester Systems of Woburn, Massachusetts, and Aviv
Corporation of Burlington, Massachusetts have chosen to
participate in the program and the transition to "non-
infringing products" is to be made by December 31, 1991.

Joel Leider, president of Winchester Systems said, "Winchester
wanted to be among the first to sign the phase-out agreement to
set a standard for companies to be in compliance. Through the
phase-out agreement we can provide assurance and protection for
our customers, maintain our excellent working relationship with
Digital, and ensure that we are not providing the market with
products that infringe anyone's intellectual property rights.
SDI/STI is an important technology and we were anxious to
receive this exemption from Digital to sell these products, if
only for the phase-out period. That time frame will give us the
opportunity to move to another technology."

Haim Brill, president of Aviv Corporation said, "It was much
more economical to sign the phase-out than to litigate.
...Further, product support and maintenance will continue
beyond December of 1992."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910801/Press Contact: Steve Hammerslag,
Micro Technology, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Nicky
Richardson, DEC, Tel: [phone], Robert Irvin,
L.A. Bureau of Sanitation, Tel: [phone], ext. 5244)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 PRIMAVERA OPENS NH OFFICE FOR CONTRACT CONTROL PRODUCT 08/01/91

08/01/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00025)

PRIMAVERA OPENS NH OFFICE FOR CONTRACT CONTROL PRODUCT 08/01/91
BALA CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) --
Primavera Systems, well known for their high-end project
management software, has opened a new office in New Hampshire
dedicated to support and development of the company's Expedition
contract control software which is used in the construction and
engineering industries.

Expedition 3.0 creates, distributes, files, and cross-references
all documents associated with an engineering or construction
project and includes a cost worksheet that tracks proposals and
approved changes.

More than 100 predefined reports are available in Expedition and
custom reports can also be designed, or data can be imported or
exported to Lotus 1-2-3, dBASE, and in ASCII format.

Chip Kimball, creator of Expedition, will be general manager of
the new branch, which will also include two quality assurance
personnel and four additional programmers.

In the near future, technical support for Expedition will be
transferred to the New Hampshire location, but for the time being
the 215-688-3030 tech support number is still in effect. Sales of
all Primavera software will still be based in the Bala Cynwyd
headquarters.

Primavera, with sales over $15 million a year, is ranked in the
top 40 largest U.S. software companies.

(John McCormick/19910801/Press Contact: Nadina Henley, Primavera,
215-667-8600)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 NEW FOR PCS: Faster Prentice Hall Tax Software 08/01/91

08/01/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00026)

NEW FOR PCS: Faster Prentice Hall Tax Software 08/01/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Prentice Hall
Professional Software has introduced faster, more automatic
business tax software modules for 1991. Due to possible last-
minute changes in the laws, the new versions of 1120, 1120S, and
1065 business tax software will not be available until January
1992.

Aimed at CPA or other tax professionals, the Prentice Hall tax
software will now feature look-alike government forms on screen,
more automatically calculated fields, faster calculation, more
input flexibility, and greater detail in depreciation
calculations.

The new modules can accept data directly from more than 70
general ledger and spreadsheet programs using Prentice Hall's
link module.

For further information on these high-end, professional tax
programs, contact: Prentice Hall Professional Software, P.O. Box
723597, Atlanta, GA 30339. Phone [phone] or 404-432-1996.

(John McCormick/19910801/Press Contact: John Day, John Day & Co.,
404-621-0999)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 NEW FOR PCS: 2 New Versions of Mass Breakout 08/01/91

08/01/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)

NEW FOR PCS: 2 New Versions of Mass Breakout 08/01/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- PC Communications has launched
two new versions of its Mass Breakout communications package:
Mass breakout 2.0 and Mass Breakout Network.

Mass Breakout 2.0 allows up to four host sessions to be established
simultaneously via modems attached to an IBM PC, PS/2 or compatible.
Users who need to be linked to several computers at one time, such
as banks and dealing rooms, are able to hot key between each session
or display multiple sessions using the package's online windowing
system.

Mass Breakout 2.0 now supports all of the standard communications ports
on PCs and PS/2s. Running in the background, Mass Breakout 2.0 allows
a PC to communicate with up to four other PCs or host mainframes at any
one time, providing a more efficient method of transferring and retrieving
data across a large number of remote locations.

Another key feature of the new version of Mass Breakout is the inclusion
of the Z-Modem file transfer protocol, as well as a full implementation of
the VT220 terminal emulation. The package retails for UKP 250.

Mass Breakout Network, meanwhile, combines the features of Mass Breakout
2.0 with the facilities of PC Communications' Lan + Modem software to
provide a low-cost alternative to communications using shared modems on
local area networks (LANs).

Although the package is software only, it allows a modem to be connected
to any PC on a network using peer to peer technology. This, the company
claims, dispenses with the need for a dedicated communications server.
Pricing on the package varies depending on site licensing requirements.

According to Keith Marsden, managing director of PC Communications, the
new products enhance the company's range of communications software
solutions, enabling it to offer systems to customers ahead of the
competition.

"Our strategy is to develop products which meet the needs of both the
end user who is looking for an easy to use communications package and the
large corporate who needs the flexibility and reliability of a strategic
communications solution," he said.

Founded in 1984, PC Communications is a supplier of communications
software and modem hardware for PCs and PS/2s. The company's products
are sold under the Breakout name internationally.

(Steve Gold/19910801/Press & Public Contact: PC Communications - Tel:
0628-851111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 WHERE DO POWER PROBLEMS COME FROM? SURPRISES FROM STUDY 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00028)

WHERE DO POWER PROBLEMS COME FROM? SURPRISES FROM STUDY 08/01/91
NECADAH, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- The National
Power Laboratory, a division of Best Power Technology, is
conducting a five-year study of the origins and effects of power
line problems on computers and some results are surprising.
Utilities, sunspots, and lightning are commonly blamed, but NPL's
recent study shows that many problems occur within the user's
facility.

Using dual Dranetz monitors at both residential and commercial
sites, both entry point and use point measures of power
disturbances are made, and comparisons of the two readings help
pinpoint the origin of problems.

A recent three-month study showed 32 power disturbances at the
points of entry, and 130 at the end-user sites. Point of entry is
where power is supplied by the electric utility and user sites
are where the computers are located, so fewer than 25 percent of
the disturbances recorded were due to line problems outside those
created within the buildings.

Of four undervoltage incidents, all were created inside the
buildings. Almost exactly half the voltage sags were created
inside the building, the others being due to external line
conditions, while 69 of 74 voltage impulses were caused by
something inside the user's building.

Sags and undervoltages cause both system crashes and physical
damage, just as do overvoltages and surges.

The National Power Laboratory is conducting a five-year study of
power conditions and is attempting to set industry standards for
the UPS or uninterruptible power supply industry.

Best Power Technology, P.O. Box 280, Necedah, WI 54646 (800-356-
5794) designs, manufactures, and builds a sophisticated line of
intelligent UPS devices to protect small or large computer
installations.

(John McCormick/19910801/Press Contact: Ed Coudal, Best, 813-966-
1888 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 BEST'S FERRUPS UPS WINS BUYER'S CHOICE AWARD 08/01/91

08/01/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029)

BEST'S FERRUPS UPS WINS BUYER'S CHOICE AWARD 08/01/91
NECEDAH, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Best Power
Technology's 4.3 KVA FERRUPS uninterruptable power supply has won
the "Midrange Systems" magazine 1991 Buyers Choice Award.
Selected tops in both single- and three-phase UPS systems,
competitors for the award included American Power Conversion,
SOLA, Tripp Lite, Clary Corp., and Liebert.

Best has just introduced a new built-in communications option on
their $1,200 EnviroCom II UPS system. An internal modem allows
users to remotely contact the UPS system to monitor any problems.
The system will also automatically dial remote computers and
upload an ASCII file report.

EnviroCom II is a simple plug-in monitor device for Best UPS
systems. The unit will phone a predefined list of users under a
variety of conditions which include when there's an extended power
outage, when the UPS unit sounds an alarm, if the room becomes
too hot or too cold, when an external alarm is activated; or when
some other monitoring device signals an abnormal condition.

For further information, contact Best Power Technology, P.O. Box
280, Necedah, WI 54646. Phone [phone], or fax
608-565-2929.

(John McCormick/19910801/Press Contact: Ed Coudal, Best, 813-966-
1888 or fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 AUG 1 LAW CYPRESS TO DISTRIBUTE RICOH OPTICAL MEDIA 08/01/91

08/01/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00030)

LAW CYPRESS TO DISTRIBUTE RICOH OPTICAL MEDIA 08/01/91
LOS ALTOS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 1 (NB) -- Ricoh File
Products Division has announced that its removable-media optical
storage product line will be distributed by Law Cypress
Distributing Company starting August first. Law Cypress
specializes in image-related products for microcomputers and its
distribution range covers VARs and storefront resellers
throughout California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada.

Included in the distribution deal are Ricoh WORM (write once read
many), rewritable optical jukeboxes, and removable media hard
drives.

Ricoh has also announced that its RO-5030EII magneto-optical
rewritable optical drives are included in the recent Sun
Microsystems' contract with the Tactical Air Command division of
the U.S. Air Force. Ricoh estimates that the company will supply
about 500 drives over the next four years.

(John McCormick/19910801/Press Contact: Kim Rice, Ricoh, 415-962-
0443)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUL 31  ****ON TECHNOLOGY PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO FORBES 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00001)

 ****ON TECHNOLOGY PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO FORBES 07/31/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- On
Technology President Conall Ryan has commented strongly to
Newsbytes about a negative comment which appeared in the August
5th issue of Forbes Magazine.

In an article entitled "Second Time Too Rich" concerning the relative
lack of success of the second ventures of industry figures Paul Allen,
Steve Jobs, and Steve Wozniak, writer Julie Pitta said: "Mitch Kapor
scored a stunning success with his Lotus Development Corp. But his
new venture, On Technology, rates as scarcely better than a retirement
hobby."

Ryan, who had not been aware of the piece until questioned by
Newsbytes, said: "That quote is downright silly. We have three
products for the Macintosh that our customers have expressed
extreme satisfaction with and we are moving forward toward the
Windows platform."

"We have just announced version 2 of On Location and we are
extremely pleased with the development of the firm. I wonder whether
Ms. Pitta knows the names of our products or the extent of our
customer satisfaction," he added.

Ryan continued: "I wonder also whether she reads her own magazine.
Esther Dyson, in a recent Forbes column, devoted a good deal of
space to a favorable description of On. He comments were right on
target and showed an understanding of our firm and market segment."

"I know it's tough being Mitch Kapor. After the dramatic success with
Lotus, some people expect the same immediate success with a new
venture but firms are built on products, not personalities, and we have
a number of quality products," he added.

Esther Dyson, editor and publisher of Release 1.0 and Forbes
columnist, confirmed to Newsbytes that she had written favorably
about On and said: "On is doing some pretty neat things and there is
more going on under the covers than meets the eye."

"The firm has a different market segment than a spreadsheet company
and it is performing well in that segment. I'm impressed with it," she
added.

Dyson continued: "The market is much different now from the time in
which '1-2-3' was introduced and I doubt that we will see applications
products with its impact in the future. As Vern Raburn, CEO of Slate
who was with Lotus at the time likes to say 'the stars were right'."

Dyson also commented on Kapor's after-Lotus life, saying: "Mitch
had the smarts to walk away and not try to do it again. He is building
a firm in a different manner for a different market segment."

"I think that it is better to have a second career than trying to have
a warmed over version of a first career. Additionally, the work that
he's now doing with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) will
probably have more long term value than '1-2-3'," she added,

Forbes' Pitta, when contacted by Newsbytes, declined to comment
further on her statements about On Technology but did say, in response
to Ryan's question concerning her knowledge of the Dyson column: "I
read our magazine from cover-to-cover each week. It's part of my job."

On July 29, On announced version 2.0 of On Location, the Macintosh
product for providing the searching of files for words, phases or
combinations of words. Describing the new version, Ryan said: "We've
added System 7 compatibility which provides a floor for a lot of other
interesting things. We've added 'OR' conditions to searches and we
will include significant other enhancements."

The On statement announcing the upgrade also said that the firm is
also offering an On Location developer's kit. The kit allows
developers to incorporate the power of On Location's search
capabilities into their own applications.

It said further that "Apple Computer's Apple Integrated Systems group
is using the developer's kit in their Customer Support Network, a
distributed file and text search application."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910731)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31  ****COMPAQ PLEASED WITH DELL AD RULING 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00002)

 ****COMPAQ PLEASED WITH DELL AD RULING 07/31/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has announced that it is pleased with a recent ruling by a
British court that Austin,Texas-based Dell Computer had used the
Compaq name in advertisements in the United Kingdom.

Compaq had charged that Dell had used the Compaq name without a
proper trademark sign, and that the product comparisons made in the
advertisements were misleading. Dell has said that it would appeal
the ruling.

Following the initial ruling against Dell, the High Court of Justice
found Dell in contempt of court for running another ad in violation of
the earlier order, and ordered Dell to pay $420,000 (US) plus
Compaq's legal costs.

Mr. Justice Harman said that the Compaq suggested resale prices
used in the ads were substantially higher than the actual price a
customer was likely to pay. He also ruled that a May 1991 Dell ad was
substantially the same as the original ads. The ruling has no effect
in the US.

Compaq has reported that it had obtained an injunction from a
German Court restraining Dell from continuing to run advertisements
in Germany claiming Dell is: "No. 1 in customer satisfaction
Europe-wide."

Dell says it makes that claim based on a third party survey. Dell is
subject to a fine for each incident if the ad is eventually found to
be in violation of German law.

Compaq says it will continue to press the actions, as well as the
action is has commenced in the US, where it says Dell is running ads
similar to those used in the United Kingdom. Compaq says it will seek
"substantial" damages.

(Jim Mallory/19910731/Press Contact:Bob Beach, Compaq, 713-374-0484)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 BITWISE INTROS COMPUTER AND SWITCHES TO RESELLERS 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00003)

BITWISE INTROS COMPUTER AND SWITCHES TO RESELLERS 07/31/91
TROY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Bitwise Designs has
announced a change of distribution channels from direct selling to the
use of resellers or value-added resellers.

Formerly sold exclusively through direct marketing, Bitwise computers
will move into the reseller channel as quickly as the transition can
be made. Bitwise President John Botti has also announced a new
catalog covering its complete line of Intel-based desktop, notebook,
and portable computers.

Bitwise also announced the new $795 BitHub PC, a 12 Mhz 80286-based
PC with a built-in 2400 bits-per-second modem. The new computer is
intended to serve as an MHS hub on a local area network.

Bitwise Designs has stated that it has received FCC Class B clearance
and is now shipping its $2,195, 33 Mhz 80386-based computer to
customers. With SuperVGA graphics, 2MB of RAM, and a 100MB
capacity hard disk, the aggressively priced Model 333 had already
accumulated 100 orders but could not be shipped until the necessary
FCC approval is formally obtained.

For additional information contact Bitwise Designs Inc., 701 River
Street, Troy, NY 12180; 518/274-0755; fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Martin Winston, Consultech
Communications Inc., 216-338-8400)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 ENABLE OFFERS PROMOTIONAL VERSION FOR HOME USE 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00004)

ENABLE OFFERS PROMOTIONAL VERSION FOR HOME USE 07/31/91
BALLSTON LAKE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Enable
Software, which already has 400,000 copies of its integrated program
installed in federal agencies, has announced that it will offer a home
version of Enable 4.0 -- called Enable 4.0 FE -- for only $120.

This all sounds too good to be true. Perhaps it is -- the package is
only available to federal employees, which limits its appeal
considerably.

The object of the new promotion is to allow users to have access to
the same software at home that they use at work, but buyers must
provide both home and office addresses and telephone numbers,
along with their federal ID number. An added $20 discount is offered
to any user who places a second order for a friend at the same time.

Enable's Marketing VP, Tom Sinopoli, said that the company has
received many requests for a program of this sort and that the
requirement for both home and office addresses was included to
protect the company's commercial market distributors.

For more information contact Enable Software Inc., North Way 10
Executive Park, Ballston Lake, NY 12019; phone [phone]; fax
518/877-5225.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Martin Winston, APR Consultech
Communications Inc., 216-338-8400 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 GANDALF ADDS NEW HIGH-END SERVER PLATFORM 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00005)

GANDALF ADDS NEW HIGH-END SERVER PLATFORM 07/31/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Gandalf
Technologies has announced a new high-end addition to its modular
networking server platforms, the Access Server XL, a terminal server
which can handle from 64 to 192 workstations operating at rates up to
19.2 kilobits-per-second in asynchronous mode.

The Access Server XL terminal server provides DEC LAT protocol,
TCP/IP, X.25, SNA/SDLC (3270), and connectivity as well as fully
transparent bridging between different types of networks such as X.25
and TCP/IP.

The Access Server XL, with prices starting at $22,000, is now
available.

Also announced this week is Access Bridge-Remote, a high-
performance Ethernet bridge which allows the internetworking of
Gandalf Access Hub 48 and 132 10BASE-T LANs (local area
networks) with other Ethernet LANs regardless of LAN location.

Access Bridge-Remote also has a dual-stack architecture which
provides both SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and
OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) compatibility for full network
management capability.

With a price tag of $6,000, the Access Bridge-Remote is also
available immediately.

Gandalf Technologies Inc., an international designer, manufacturer,
and supplier of a broad range of computer and communications
systems, is a subsidiary of Gandalf Data Ltd.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Liz Cherry, Gandalf
Technologies, 613-723-6500 ext. 8742)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 COMMUNICATIONS WEEK NAMES BUERGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00006)

COMMUNICATIONS WEEK NAMES BUERGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 07/31/91
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- David J.
Buerger, former editor-in-chief of McGraw-Hill's Lan Times, has been
named the new editor-in-chief of Communications Week (CW).

CW has also announced that it will expand West Coast editorial
operations by naming Laurel Nelson-Rowe, formerly Communications
Week editor, as the magazine's executive editor based in
San Jose, Calif.

Another staff change took place when Edwin E. Mier recently joined
the CW staff as contributing editor, Product and Technology Analysis.

Communications Week is published by Manhasset, NY-based CMP
Publications. An international edition is also dispatched by airmail
every fortnight.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Colin Ungaro, CMP, 516/562-
5093)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 SEQUOIA SYSTEMS POSTS RECORD EARNINGS FOR FY91 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00007)

SEQUOIA SYSTEMS POSTS RECORD EARNINGS FOR FY91 07/31/91
MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) --
Sequoia Systems, designer of high-performance, fault-tolerant
computers for on-line transaction processing, has announced record
sales and earnings both for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year ending
June 30.

During the year, net income jumped to $7 million on sales of $63.1
million versus $4.5 million on gross revenues of $48.6 million the
previous year. Fourth quarter net jumped 29 percent on a 19 percent
increase in gross for the quarter.

Sequoia's chairman and chief executive officer, Gabriel P. Fusco,
said that the strong showing was due to several factors, including the
addition of a seventh strategic partner, Sumitomo Electric, release of
the new Series 400 product line, and the addition of a number of new
customers.

Although the Series 400 computer will not be formally announced until
next month, it is already available and thus could affect sales posted
for last year.

Other strategic partners include Hewlett-Packard Company, Samsung,
Computer Consoles, Inc., and The Ultimate Corp.

Sequoia has shipped over 245 systems to more than 145 customers.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Lisa Goldberg, Sequoia
Systems, Inc., 508-480-1535)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 RASTEROPS CUTS COLOR GRAPHICS VIDEO BOARD PRICES 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00008)

RASTEROPS CUTS COLOR GRAPHICS VIDEO BOARD PRICES 07/31/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- In an attempt
to entice Sun Microsystems SPARCstation users to upgrade to 24-bit
color graphics, RasterOps has lowered the price of its SPARC Card
TC ColorBoard and the SPARC Card TC PIP products.

Additionally, the company has also announced an upgrade program
that the company hopes will make it easier for Sun users to move up
to RasterOps' 24-bit color graphics and video capabilities.

The SPARC Card TC 24-bit color graphics product has been reduced
to $3,799 from $4,999. The SPARC Card TC PIP, a 24-bit color graphics
product with integrated video, has been reduced to $5,798 from $6,998.

The company claims that higher production volumes and advances
in functionality in its custom VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration)
designs have enabled the lower prices.

The upgrade program enables SPARCstation users to upgrade from
the 8-bit board bundled by Sun to the 24-bit True Color display adapter
from RasterOps. The company is offering users full value for the 8-bit
Sun boards - $800 for a Cg3 and $1,500 for the GX.

According to the company, the SPARC Card TC ColorBoard is designed
for use in scientific applications on a Sun SPARCstation where 24-bit
frame buffers are crucial. Together with the picture-in-picture video
option, the display adapter enables the user to work with a palette of
16.7 million colors that allows the capture, display and manipulation
of television and video signals. The company claims that simultaneous
emulation of 8-bit and monochrome frame buffers ensures compatibility
with most software applications.

(Ian Stokell/19910731/Press Contact: Pattie Walters, RasterOps Corp.,
408-562-4200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 AUSTRALIAN UNIV. INSTALLS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYS 07/31/91

07/31/91



(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00009)

AUSTRALIAN UNIV. INSTALLS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYS 07/31/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- A network of Sun workstations
running Unix has been installed as a Geographic Informations System
(GIS) at the University of New South Wales in Australia. The system
will be used by undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as
researchers.

The machines have high resolution color screens, 200MB hard disks
and digitizing tablets, while the network has a number of color printers.
One major use of the system will be an integration with other forms of
data such as transport, emergency services, defence and health.

Original plans called for the system to be DOS-based, but for various
reasons -- not the least of which was Sun's financial commitment to
the project -- the Sun Unix system was chosen. Sun expects to be able
to offset around $500,000 a year for the next three years by using the
laboratory for training purposes.

Plans call for various departments will use the center, including
Geography, Geology, Applied Science and Surveying. Projects
range from satellite imaging, soil conservation, vegetation distribution
and growth patterns to mineral exploration and prediction.

(Paul Zucker/19910731)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 MOSCOW EXCHANGE OPENS COMPUTER SECTION 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00010)

MOSCOW EXCHANGE OPENS COMPUTER SECTION 07/31/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- The Moscow commodity
exchange has announced the opening of a special division that deals
specifically with computers.

The new computer division, which is headed by Dimitry Mendrelyuk,
the director of Mendel Info Marketing, a private company, will buy and
sell computer kits, specializing in hardware that is normally too
expensive to deal with through the exchange's existing trade system.

According to Mendrelyuk, commission rates charged by exchange
dealers are normally too high for computer users. The new exchange
division cuts the number of staff dealing with transactions, so allowing
the exchange to cut its commission charged to clients.

The new exchange should be up and running by September 1991,
Mendrelyuk said.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910731/Press Contact: Dimitry Mendrelyuk, Mendel
Info Marketing, phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 INFORMATION WEEK PUBLISHES IBM BBS RESPONSE TO AKERS 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00011)

INFORMATION WEEK PUBLISHES IBM BBS RESPONSE TO AKERS 07/31/91
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Information
Week has published, in its July 29 issue, comments made by IBM
employees on an internal bulletin board concerning statements made
by IBM CEO John Akers about the state of the firm.

The discussion on the internal bulletin board began slightly after
Akers' comments concerning the need for each IBM employee to be
concerned with her/his role in producing a profit for the firm.

A senior IBM executive, speaking to Newsbytes, said that the bulletin
board discussions have: "been frank and very open."

"While many have supported Akers' comments, some have criticized his
management and some have found fault with the overall management
structure of IBM. I think that the conversations have been stimulating
and the participants have been extremely forthright in identifying
themselves. There is obviously no concern for recriminations for
criticism within the firm," he added.

The IBM source continued: "While I don't feel that it's any big deal
that the public knows about discussion of these issues within IBM, the
specific comments obviously weren't intended for those outside of IBM.
We, therefore, can't be happy about this violation of our employees'
and corporate privacy."

The Information Week announcement concerning its intention to publish
the comments in a feature entitled "Backlash" stated: "While a few of
the participants in the electronic meeting - ranging from veteran
executives to rookie programmers... believe IBM is making good
progress, a great many more are disappointed with their employer.
IBM, the employees say, is made up of employees who are frustrated,
middle managers who are too ambitious for the company's good, and
senior executives who are out of touch."

The statement continued: "They say IBM's products are high in price
and low in quality. Cooperation between divisions is rare, if not
non-existent, and management's attention drifts far from customer
concerns. More than a few employees believe the root of IBM's
problems is Akers himself."

Information Week's Peter Krass told Newsbytes that, when contacted,
IBM said that, while discussions of issues on internal bulletin boards
happen regularly, it could not comment on any particular discussions.
IBM also stated that Akers had responded to employee concern in a
piece that he wrote for IBM's in-house magazine "Think." Information
Week quoted Akers, as saying in that piece: "Many IBM employees
are executing perfectly, but I think there are some people who are still
working what they perceive as a 'business as usual' environment."

In his conversation with Newsbytes, Krass said that he could not
reveal the manner in which the employee comments were obtained
by Information Week.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910731/Press Contact: Laton
McCartney, Information Week, 516-562-5427)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 ZIFF PUTS 1100 MS-DOS DEMOS ON $99 CD-ROM DISC 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00012)

ZIFF PUTS 1100 MS-DOS DEMOS ON $99 CD-ROM DISC 07/31/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- During a limited
introductory period, Ziff Communications, publisher of the Computer
Select computer news CD-ROM which carries Newsbytes, will offer its
new Select Demos CD-ROM for only $99, a $50 savings off the list price
of $149.

Select Demos contains more than 1100 demonstration programs for
MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows-based computers, 450 of which are
actual working programs with some limitations.

Also included on the Select Demos disc are full working versions of
GeoWorks Ensemble (version 1.0), CheckFree, Smartcom EZ, and
four leading 1990 personal tax preparation programs: Andrew Tobias'
TaxCut (MECA Software), MacInTax for Windows (Softview), TurboTax
Personal (ChipSoft), and 1040 (G&G Software). The total price for these
packages, if purchased separately, would be $857.95.

Jonathan Pollard, Ziff Communications' marketing director, told
Newsbytes that the press release on this product was correct except
for a change made at the last second by the PR firm which said that
"1991" versions of the tax programs were included on the disc. Of
course, the '91 versions are not yet written so they could not be on
the discs.

In an exclusive interview with Newsbytes, Pollard said that he felt
this would be an explosive new product, especially overseas, because,
as hard as it is to obtain demonstration programs in this country, it
is almost impossible for many overseas stores and potential
customers.

One industry observer pointed out that this is the sort of product
that every large company, government agency, and retail computer
store should have in stock.

Some of the 600-plus companies supplying demo programs for Select
Demos are: Aldus, Ashton-Tate, Borland, Broderbund, ChipSoft,
Computer Associates, DacEasy, DataEase, IBM, Informix, Microsoft,
Lotus, Peachtree, Persoft, Symantec/Norton, Software Publishing Co,
WordPerfect, and Wordstar.

The $99 introductory price is in effect in the U.S. and Canada, with
an overseas introductory price of $139.

For further information or to order Select Demos, call Computer
Library at 212-503-4400, or, beginning August 12, 800-842-1472,
Extension 107.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Jonathan Pollard, Ziff
Communications, 212-503-4430)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 ASHTON-TATE MARKETS RIGHT-TO-COPY WITH LICENSE PAKS 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00013)

ASHTON-TATE MARKETS RIGHT-TO-COPY WITH LICENSE PAKS 07/31/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate
says it has begun shipping License Paks in a five copy version and a
20 copy version, so that users who already own or plan to purchase
dBASE IV, MultiMate version 4.0 or Applause II can obtain the rights to
make five or 20 copies, respectively.

Announcing the License Pak deal, Max Toy, vice president of Ashton-
Tate's U.S. sales and marketing said: "We're introducing License
Paks in response to customer requests for small site licenses for
workgroups and departments."

"License Paks will help them streamline their software distribution
and save money. In addition, License Paks save time for support
staffs, since they can configure the software just once and then
download it to multiple workstations," he added.

Each package contains five or 20 license agreements, a support
services guide and an order form for documentation. Users can
complete and mail the order form and get only the documentation they
need, said Ashton-Tate. There is a charge per copy for documentation,
the company added.

Pricing for the License  Paks is between $1,680 and $10,270 depending
on the product, the quantities purchased and the number of document
sets purchased. Ashton-Tate says the prices reflect savings of 17
percent and 43 percent off prices paid in retail stores for an equivalent
number of copies.

Upgrade pricing is also available, the company said. The License
Paks come with unlimited, free telephone technical support. Fee-based,
enhanced support programs are also available. More information is
available toll-free from Ashton-Tate Customer Service at 1-800-2-
ASHTON.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910731/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver, Ashton-
Tate, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 IBM TESTS OS/2 FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH AST COMPUTERS 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00014)

IBM TESTS OS/2 FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH AST COMPUTERS 07/31/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- AST has signed an
agreement with IBM for IBM's Operating System 2 (OS/2) extended
service products. The agreement includes compatibility testing by
AST of the OS/2 extended services products on AST personal
computers (PCs).

Big Blue, who has in the past set industry standards for compatibility,
has already been doing compatibility tests of OS/2 on PC's provided
by AST for that purpose. Gerry Baker of AST said: "IBM wants its
operating system product to run on the widest variety of computers
available."

Baker added that AST and IBM both make "Intel-based systems,"
rather than using the term IBM-compatible for the AST computer line.

AST said the agreement between the two companies provides for
technical support of both AST computers and IBM's OS/2 software
through each companies authorized support centers and direct
support lines. However, the mutual support is limited to the computers
the OS/2 products test successfully on, AST officials added.

AST manufacturers the Premium and Bravo lines of personal
computers, and the Premium Executive line of notebook computers.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910731/Press Contact: Gerry Lynne Baker, Tel:
714/727-7959, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 MYSOFTWARE OFFERS TWO-FOR-ONE PROMO, PRICE CUT 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00015)

MYSOFTWARE OFFERS TWO-FOR-ONE PROMO, PRICE CUT 07/31/91
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Mysoftware,
publishers of software designed for small businesses and home offices,
announced it is offering MyCheckbook free in special packages of the
company's MyAdvancedMailList program.

The company said that its MyAdvancedMailList program has been
Certified Gold by the Software Publishers Association with sales of
over 150,000 units, while the MyCheckbook program has been Certified
Silver with sales in excess of 50,000 copies.

Both packages together would retail for $49.90 each, but MySoftware is
offering the two packages in a single unit for $24.95 through resellers
Egghead, Babbages, Software Etc., Electronics Boutique and other
software resellers.

"This is a tremendous value for small businesses and home office
users," said Dave Mans, president of MySoftware. "We're so certain
users will be completely satisfied that we're offering a 30-day money
back guarantee with each unit sold."

Other products by MySoftware include MyMailList, MyPhonebook,
MyLabelMaker, MyInvoices and MyBackup.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910731/Press Contact: Bob Citelli, MySoftware, Tel:
408/688-8450, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31  ****FIRST POSTSCRIPT LEVEL 2 COLOR PRINTER DEBUTS 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00016)

 ****FIRST POSTSCRIPT LEVEL 2 COLOR PRINTER DEBUTS 07/31/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Tektronix
has announced that the Phaser II PXi, the first thermal wax color printer
to have a PostScript Level 2 interpreter, is now available through
Tektronix retailers in the U.S..

The printer takes advantage of Adobe's new PostScript language
capabilities in its incorporated PostScript Level 2 interpreter.

PostScript Level 2 is an attempt at a concept explained by John
Warnock, Adobe's founder and chairman, at Spring COMDEX in April
as "device independent color" or color that is the same no matter
what device it is displayed or printed on.

Tektronics has taken the Device Independent Color concept and
added its own TekColor PS color management capability so users
can adjust color output from screen to printer in the Phaser II PXi, the
company said.

A spokesperson for Tektronics said that the color correction
capability is available in a dialog box that appears before printing.
Users then have the opportunity to simulate the displayed colors on
the printer or show the color separation on screen the way it would
look after being printed on a four-color printing press.

Adjustments can also be made for the blue tint most monitors have in
the "white" color they display so the colors will appear on screen
more like they would on paper. Without the adjustment for blue, colors
often do not print the way they appear on screen, the spokesperson
said. For example, the spokesperson said indigo blue on screen will
often print purple on white paper.

The Phaser II PXi has a Reduced Instruction Set Chip (RISC)
processor that actually speeds up the printing process, a
spokesperson for Tektronix said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910731/Press Contact: Charles Humble, Hastings,
Humble, Giardini & Freeman, Tel: [phone], Kathy Melcher,
Tektronics, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 NEW FOR WINDOWS: Klotski - Ancient Polish Puzzles 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017)

NEW FOR WINDOWS: Klotski - Ancient Polish Puzzles 07/31/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- ZH-Computer,
a computer company with offices in both Minneapolis and Warsaw,
Poland, has introduced the ancient Polish block game of Klotski as a
computer game for the Microsoft Windows 3.0 environment.

Klotski -- Polish for block -- was played by the game's developer as a
child. The game, called Clocki in the United kingdom, consists of a
series of mathematical problems arrayed in the form of small wooden
blocks placed in a square with only one exit. One block is red, and is
the "master key" block the player is to attempt to free by moving to the
exit with limited space to do so.

Players can compete not only by freeing the master key block, but by
comparing the number of moves counted by the computer that it takes to
do so. Sound is available with the game, and a hand moves as though
actually manipulating the blocks in response the movements of the
mouse.

Players are even invited to design their own games, adding various
shaped blocks and even sound. Henry Neils, president of ZH Computer
said: "We want to create a global competition among Klotski players.
Users can compete on scoring with the Klotski puzzles, then begin to
create their own games to share and compete with other Klotski
players."

Klotski retails for $49.95. More information is available from ZH
Computer, P.O. Box 35764, Edina, Minnesota, 55435, telephone (612)432-
8461.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910731/Press Contact: Sandra Neils, ZH Computer,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 COMDISCO OPENS SINGAPORE SUBSIDIARY 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00018)

COMDISCO OPENS SINGAPORE SUBSIDIARY 07/31/91
ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Comdisco, Inc., has
announced that it has formed a new subsidiary in Singapore. The unit
will be known as Comdisco Asia PTY Ltd, and will serve the south-east
Asia market, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines,
Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Republic of China.

Comdisco's principal business is buying, selling and leasing new and
used IBM equipment, communications and other high tech equipment.
The company also provides disaster recovery services for computer
users.

IBM and IBM Leasing Corp are presently suing Comdisco, claiming that
it removed certain components from leased equipment and leased or
sold the equipment. Comdisco denies the charges, and says that IBM
Leasing Corporation's president has been guilty of exactly the same
practices of which it is now charged.

Michael Deeb will head Comdisco's operation in Singapore. Deeb
has been with Comdisco for four years, and has been assigned to
the company's European operations.

Stephen Hamilton, Comdisco senior VP for international operations
said that the company opened the Singapore office because of the
volume of business, and to better serve Comdisco's clients who have
a presence in those areas.

(Jim Mallory/19910731/Press Contact:James Hyland, Comdisco, 708-698-
3000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31  ****NTT'S ISDN SERVICE BEGINS TO TAKE OFF 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00019)

 ****NTT'S ISDN SERVICE BEGINS TO TAKE OFF 07/31/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- NTT's ISDN (Integrated Services
Digital Network) service is becoming more and more popular. This is
despite the relatively slow take-up for similar services in the West.

So why is ISDN so popular in Japan? The reason seems to be that the
service has reached the "critical mass" point whereby sufficient
companies are "on" the service to make it worthwhile for other
companies to subscribe. In addition, NTT has recently expanded its
ISDN service area and introduced a digital packet switched
network known as INS-P.

NTT is not resting on its laurels -- already, plans are in hand to
expand the ISDN service area to the whole of Japan, a total of 1,933
areas in telecommunication terms. Of the existing user base, NTT
reports that 25 percent of subscribers are already using the INS-P
service as well.

As of June 30, 1991, NTT reported that its total ISDN subscriber
base stood at 48,055. In December 1989, there were just 5,000
subscribers to NTT's ISDN service, while, in March 1991 that figure
had risen to 30,000.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910731/Press Contact: NTT, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 31 UNIONS SEEK ANTI-REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY STANDARDS 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020)

31 UNIONS SEEK ANTI-REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY STANDARDS 07/31/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- The Washington Post has
reported that a coalition of 31 unions has asked the U.S. Department
of Labor's OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration to
issue an emergency six-month standard intended to combat repetitive
strain injuries (RSI) such as those leading to cases of carpal tunnel
syndrome, something often experienced by those who spend many hours
each day keying data into computers.

According to the Post report, the number of cumulative trauma disorder
cases (another name for the problem) has experienced a five-fold
increase during the period from 1981 to 1989. As a result, around one
in 500 U.S. workers now suffers from the injury, which affects both
blue-collar factory workers and white-collar clerical workers.

The injury, which can result in permanent disability, occurs when a
highly repetitive task involving limited wrist motion causes a
strengthening of the muscle at the base of the wrist. The situation is
made worse by inflammation at the site of the injury.

These two actions together cause a thickening and pinching of the
bundle of nerves which pass through the "tunnel" formed by the
structure, pinching the nerves, so resulting in pain and weakness of
the hand and wrist.

Some workers have had surgery to open up the restricting sheath, which
may provide a degree of permanent relief from the pain.

Unions, from the AFL-CIO to the United Food & Commercial Workers
International, are now requesting the emergency regulations which
would specify just how employers must adjust working conditions to
eliminate or reduce the stress that is thought to cause the problems.

(John McCormick/19910731)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES PHONE PRIVACY MEASURES 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00021)

HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES PHONE PRIVACY MEASURES 07/31/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- The U.S. House of
Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce has approved two
measures that would provide greater consumer protection from unwanted
telephone solicitation and place restrictions on caller ID services.

Both proposals were sponsored by Representative Edward Markey, (D-
Mass.). One would restrict computer-generated telemarketing, providing
a way to let customers block all such telephone calls, while the other
would permit people to prevent disclosure of their telephone numbers
through new caller ID systems which are available through the
telephone companies in 12 states.

The controversial proposed caller ID legislation would require
companies to allow users to block the caller ID signal from being
sent, maintaining the privacy which they thought they had
when they purchased private listings, but the bill would mean that
people receiving harassing or obscene calls from their number would
have no easy way to trace the source.

The other bill, which is opposed by virtually no one outside the
telemarketing business, would require the establishment of a national
data bank that lists the numbers of all those who do not want to get
solicitation calls.

Those database provisions would apply to all telemarketing, but there
would also be special restrictions on computer-generated calls which
would have to include a circuit which would automatically disconnect
when the receiver is hung up. There have been cases where emergency
telephone calls were blocked, resulting in critical life and death
events, when a computer-generated call remained connected to a
telephone even after an attempt was made to disconnect and phone and
dial emergency service such as 911.

Computer-generated calls would also have to be blocked from contacting
emergency service numbers such as hospitals and 911 or other
police/fire services.

A similar bill was dropped last year when the Bush Administration
threatened to veto it anyway, and in any case the protection would be
very limited because those companies which had previously done
business with someone could continue to solicit from them as could
charities and any political group.

A pending Senate bill would ban all commercial solicitations to non-
business telephones.

(John McCormick/19910731)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 FIRST LAN TO MAIN SYSTEM E-MAIL DIRECTORY DEBUTS 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00022)

FIRST LAN TO MAIN SYSTEM E-MAIL DIRECTORY DEBUTS 07/31/91
WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Directory
Synchronization/cc:Mail from Wayne, Pennsylvania-based Soft-Switch has
become, according to the company, the first product that can link
local area network mail system directories with other directories in
an enterprise network.

Directory Synchronization lets different e-mail system users locate
other users throughout the enterprise network, with changes in local
directories being automatically distributed to other linked
directories.

According to the company, the package is important because up until
now it has been difficult to locate the e-mail address of individuals
not on a person's local node, thus greatly reducing the efficiency of
e-mail.

The company says it is also working on a similar system for Banyan and
IBM Office Vision/MVS networks.

Among several other companies which have plans to build their own
directory synchronization capability using Soft-Switch's open protocol
are Lotus Development Corp. for Lotus Notes, Microsoft for Microsoft
Mail for PC Networks, H&W Systems for SYSM, and Enable Software for
Higgins.

Pricing for Directory Synchronization starts at $4,000 and is
dependent on the number of cc:Mail Post Offices on a system.

Soft-Switch already markets a family of synchronization software for
PROFS, DEC Distributed Data Services (DDS), and Wang Office in the
Soft-Switch directory product line.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Walt Wilson, Soft-Switch Inc.,
215-640-9600)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 NEW FOR TELECOM: BBN T/200 Internet Packet Router 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00023)

NEW FOR TELECOM: BBN T/200 Internet Packet Router 07/31/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- BBN
Communications, a division of Bolt Beranek and Newman, has
announced the release of a new version of the company's family of
high-performance, high-capacity internetworking products, the T/200
Internet Packet Router. The new release adds point-to-point
synchronous pass-through support for HDLC and SDLC Traffic.

Also included in the new release of T/200 is optional support for the
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) Protocol. RIP and EGP are already
supported by earlier versions of T/200.

Network Boot Support allows users to boot T/200 from a local or
remote wide area network BOOTP server and offers route filtering for TCP/IP
or Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol routers.

The new product release protects customers' current packet-switching
equipment investments and allows them to migrate from X.25 to
broadband.

The new T/200 features are available at no charge for all BBN
maintenance program customers.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Jeanne Bock, BBN
Communications, 617-873-6231)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 PROGRESS SOFTWARE RAISES $15 MILLION FROM SHARE SALE 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00024)

PROGRESS SOFTWARE RAISES $15 MILLION FROM SHARE SALE 07/31/91
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Progress Software
has announced that it has made an underwritten initial public
offering (IPO) of 600,000 shares of common stock at $25 per share, and
another 600,000 shares to be sold by current shareholders.

Progress Software, which develops and markets an integrated
application development environment based on a 4GL (fourth generation
language) and a relational database, says it will use the net proceeds
from the sale for general operating purposes, including working
capital and money for possible acquisitions.

Progress application development environment is reportedly used by
more than 1,000 value-added resellers (VARs) and another 1,000-plus
management information systems (MIS) departments of government
agencies and businesses.

IPOs are the vehicle by which a company goes public, selling stock to
anyone wishing to purchase it, while at the same time initial
investors can sell a portion of their original stock to recoup some of
their investment in the company.

Underwriters are Robertson, Stephens & Co., One Embarcadero Center,
Suite 3100, San Francisco, CA 94111; and Alex. Brown & Sons Inc., 135
East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. A prospectus on the stock
is available from either company.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Joseph Alsop, Progress
Software Corp., 617-275-4500)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 VOLT WINS NYNEX CONTRACT FOR OPERATOR SYSTEM 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(NYC)(00025)

VOLT WINS NYNEX CONTRACT FOR OPERATOR SYSTEM 07/31/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Volt Delta Resources,
the Information Systems Division of Volt Information Sciences, has
announced that it has received a contract from NYNEX to provide
products and services to support the next generation Operator Services
system for the two NYNEX telephone companies, New England Telephone
and New York Telephone.

Under the contract, Volt Delta Resources is responsible for developing
the software, integrating it with various hardware platforms and
implementing the product within both NYNEX operating companies. The
new Operator Services system is scheduled to be implemented over the
next three years throughout the NYNEX territory.

Volt stated that, as the prime contractor and Tandem Alliance member,
it intends to team with Tandem Computers, using Tandem NonStop Cyclone
computer systems, to develop the new system. The installed system will
digitally integrate all of NYNEX's Operator Services Functions and is
intended to provide a platform for enhancing the quality of Operator
Services while supporting various new services in the future. The new
generation system includes integrated Directory Assistance, Intercept,
Call Completion and the Operator Reference database from a single
Operator Services.

Announcing the contract, Joel Silverman, managing director of operating
services support for the NYNEX telephone companies, said: "The new
system will improve service by providing a flexible yet high
performance relational database environment which enables NYNEX to
tailor the access and delivery of information to its customers. In
addition, the system will be implemented in a manner which can easily
accommodate the provision of future 'enhanced services.'"

Joel Barber, vice president, Volt Delta Resources, commenting on the
award, stated that the contract is strategic for Volt as NYNEX will be
the first customer for the next generation.

The Volt statement said: "NYNEX's decision verifies Volt's vision for
the future of `listing service' systems with a solution which
integrates services from a common database to a combined operator
workstation within the existing public telephone network."

NYNEX spokesperson Joe Gagen told Newsbytes that, although "no value
has been announced for the contract, the value is substantial." Gagen
added that NYNEX personnel will be directly involved with Volt and
Tandem in the design and implementation of the actual system.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910731/Press Contacts: Joel
Barber, Volt Delta Resources Inc., 212-827-2608;. Joe Gagen, NYNEX
Telephone Companies, 914-287-5494; Judy Zimbelman, TandemComputers
Inc., 408-285-6849)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31  ****PHILIPS, DEC TO TRANSFER INFO SYSTEMS ACTIVITIES 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00026)

 ****PHILIPS, DEC TO TRANSFER INFO SYSTEMS ACTIVITIES 07/31/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Philips Electronics and
Digital Equipment Corporation have reached agreement in principle,
subject to consultations with the workers' representatives and the
necessary official approvals, on the sale of most of Philips'
Information Systems Division to Digital.

The final agreement will cover the Division's activities for financial
institutions, small and medium enterprises, image and document
management systems, and all related customer service activities. It
will not include Dictation Systems and Smart Card, nor the
manufacturing activities in Eiserfeld (Germany). The transfer is
expected to be completed by October 1.

Philips President Jan Timmer, commenting on the transaction, said:
"This move must be seen in the context of the ongoing rationalization
of the information systems industry."

"Although the restructuring program of our Information Systems
Division led to considerable improvements of its bottom line, we are
convinced that the longer term interests of our customers and
employees are better served with this transfer of activities to the
excellent Digital organization, with which we have had a close
relationship for many years," he added.

"This will allow us to focus our efforts on the personal computer
sector of the information technology market. The personal computer
business now forms part of the division for consumer electronics
products."

Jack Smith, senior vice president, operations for Digital, said:
"Today's announcement fits in perfectly with our strategy of improving
our position in the market for small and medium enterprises, and
financial institutions. Philips has a good market position, excellent
products and an in-depth knowledge in specific areas of interest to
us.

"Digital's outstanding range of products and the expertise of our
people, combined with the specific know-how of Philips, make a perfect
match. We are both committed to the world of open systems and
international standards, and together we will be able to provide new,
additional benefits to customers based on our combined strengths."

Both companies also announced that they had agreed to explore the
possibilities for cooperation in a wide range of areas including
personal computers, components, CD-I and other multimedia
applications that will increase the business potential for both
companies.

All employees involved in information systems activities covered in
the announcement, approximately 7,000 people, will transfer from
Philips to Digital.

Philips Electronics N.V., founded in 1891 and with headquarters in
Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is one of the world's largest electronics
companies, with sales of US$30.8 billion in 1990 and 262,900 employees
worldwide. Its products include lighting, consumer electronics,
components, semiconductors, personal computers, communication systems,
medical systems, industrial electronics and domestic appliances and
personal care products. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange, The Tokyo Stock Exchange, and 17 European stock exchanges.

(Norman Wingrove/19910731/Press contact: Walter Cheung, Digital, + 852
861 4850; HK time is GMT + 9)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 NEW PC: Microsource CAD Workstation 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00027)

NEW PC: Microsource CAD Workstation 07/31/91
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Extending its
line from the slower MCC 386/33 system introduced back in 1990,
Microsource has announced the MCC 486/33, a full 80486-based
computer specifically configured for use as a computer-aided
design (CAD) workstation or as a local area network server.

Microsource CAD/CAM, as the name implies, sells turnkey CAD/CAM
and CAE (computer-aided engineering) systems and support services
to mechanical, electrical, and architectural engineers at manufacturing
and engineering companies in the Northeastern United States.

A saleswoman for Microsource said that the just-announced system
was already shipping but was unable to give any prices for the
new system.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Drew Davis, Microsource
CAD/CAM Inc., 617-935-3320)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 MEAD DATA CENTRAL TO DEMO LEXIS/NEXIS TURBO SOFTWARE 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00028)

MEAD DATA CENTRAL TO DEMO LEXIS/NEXIS TURBO SOFTWARE 07/31/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- Mead Data Services
has announced that it will exhibit the latest in search
technology for its Lexis (legal) and Nexis (general information)
data services today at the Irvine, California, Public Relations
Society of America Comm/Expo '91 meeting.

The company said that this is the first version of its search
software which allows users to search Lexis/Nexis databases
online without any in-depth knowledge of computers. The presently
implemented software is complex enough that libraries, such as
that at The National Press Club of Washington, DC, hold regular
classes teaching patrons just how to use the software.

Insiders say that this difficulty of use, along with high costs,
is a major barrier that keeps more researchers from using the
databases.

Turbo software, which achieves its ease of use through the use of
predefined searches, is currently available in two packages: one
for company and business news and one for political and
legislative information.

PRSA Comm/Expo is open from 9 AM to 4 PM Wednesday at the
Airporter Inn, across from the John Wayne Airport.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: James M. Joseph, Mead
Data Central Inc., 513-865-6958)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 ROLM EXPANDS NORSTAN AND ATS TERRITORIES 07/31/91

07/31/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00029)

ROLM EXPANDS NORSTAN AND ATS TERRITORIES 07/31/91
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- The Rolm
Company has announced the expansion of Minneapolis, Minnesota-
based Norstan and Memphis, Tennessee-based ATS Telephone and Data
Services into the areas formerly served by Wiltel (Centel
Communications Systems). The stated reason for the expansion is
the fact that the Wiltel/Rolm contract expires next April.

Norstan's market coverage, which now covers Minnesota, Wisconsin,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky,
Arizona, and New Mexico, will expand into Oklahoma, Louisiana,
Nevada, west Texas, central and western Arkansas, the Mississippi
Gulf Coast, the Florida Panhandle, and areas including
Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile, Alabama.

ATS will now cover Huntsville, Anniston, and Gadsden, Alabama;
Jackson, Vicksburg, Meridian, and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and
eastern Arkansas. ATS presently represents Rolm in Tennessee.

After April 1992, Wiltel is expected to continue to provide
third-party support to existing Rolm customers.

Rolm, which is owned jointly by IBM and Siemens, has also just
announced that it will market IBM's new voice-processing
products, CallPath DirectTalk/2 and CallPath DirectTalk/6000.

(John McCormick/19910731/Press Contact: Ken Allen, Rolm, 203-
849-6060)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31 IBM ANNOUNCES NEW OUTSOURCING SERVICE 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00030)

IBM ANNOUNCES NEW OUTSOURCING SERVICE 07/31/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- IBM has announced
SoftwareXcel Installation Express, a new service that the computer
giant claims is intended to enable customers to quickly gain the
benefits of new technology by outsourcing many of the complex and
time-consuming tasks associated with large-systems upgrade.

According to IBM, the new service is designed for
customers wishing to migrate to Multiple Virtual Storage/System
Product, Version III (MVS/SP III), Multiple Virtual Storage/Enterprise
Systems Architecture System Product, Version IV (MVS/ESA SP IV).
Virtual Machine/Enterprise Systems Architecture, Version I (VM/ESA)
and Virtual Storage Extended/Enterprise Systems Architecture
(VSE/ESA).

The SoftwareXcel Installation Express service places an IBM
representative at the customer's site to accomplish migration tasks.
The tasks encompassed by the service include on-site planning
preparation outside the customer environment of a system package,
testing, implementation, identifying the source of problems, resolving
IBM software-related problems and creating a backup system for
recovery purposes.

Announcing the new service, Patricia K. Kearney, assistant general
manager, software services and support, IBM U.S, said: "This new
service illustrates IBM's determination to free customers of labor and
cost-intensive tasks so they can devote more resource to running their
core businesses."

"The offering is of particular value to customers whose time, budget
and skill-base constraints have kept them from installing enhanced
technology as a means of becoming more competitive," she added.

IBM also announced SoftwareXcel Custom Capacity Planning Service, a
service designed to provide customers with the ability to project
future processor and storage requirements by using an IBMLink
application.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910731/Press Contact: John
H. Clark, IBM Corporation, 914-642-5409)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 31  ****MIPS STAFF CUTS FOLLOW 2Q LOSSES 07/31/91

07/31/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00031)

 ****MIPS STAFF CUTS FOLLOW 2Q LOSSES 07/31/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 31 (NB) -- MIPS Computer
Systems is initiating a sweeping restructuring plan after posting losses
for the second quarter ended June 30, 1991. The plan involves extensive
work force reductions and pay cuts for all employees.

Carleen LeVasseur, spokesperson for the company, told Newsbytes
that the plan, termed by MIPS as a "voluntary separation incentive
program" was "focusing on reducing corporate overhead."

LeVasseur said the "incentive" being offered to US employees
varied according to employment and time with the company.

The reduction in workforce, LeVasseur told Newsbytes, was part
of a five-point plan to bring down costs. In addition to the "voluntary"
reductions, the company would also be reducing the number of
temporary and contract employees.

Pay cuts would also be initiated - 10 to 20 percent for top executives
in the company, and five percent for "all other levels." LeVasseur
told Newsbytes, however, that a new "profit-sharing plan" had been
instigated yesterday to provide for increased revenue for employees.
"As profits do impact" on corporate revenue, she said, "employees
will benefit."

Additionally, the company also intended to shut down for the week
of Thanksgiving - November 23 - with employees having to take the
extra three days that week as vacation. LeVasseur said that the
shut-down would result in "substantial savings" for the company.
The company had already instigated a shut-down for the
Independence Day week of July 4, which, according to LeVasseur,
was a success.

The final point of the plan, calls for the "reduction of discretionary
spending," which because of MIPS' international nature, said
LeVasseur, meant "limiting travel."

The drastic restructuring follows disappointing losses for the
second quarter, even though revenue for the quarter increased 13
percent to $44,544,000 from the $39,584,000 reported for the same
quarter of 1990, and increased slightly from the $43,958,000
reported for the first quarter ended March 31, 1991.

However, the company incurred a net loss for the second quarter of
1991 of $597,000, or a loss of $0.03 per share. This compares with
net income of $4,021,000, or $0.16 per share, reported for the
second quarter of 1990 and net income of $624,000, or $0.02 per
share, reported for the first quarter of 1991.

Product revenue for the second quarter of 1991 was $32,904,000,
an increase of 16 percent from the $28,263,000 reported for the
second quarter of 1990. Technology revenue for the second
quarter of 1991 was $11,640,000, essentially flat compared to
$11,321,000 for the second quarter of 1990, and a decrease of
28 percent from the $16,182,000 reported for the first quarter of 1991.

The company said that it expects to complete its restructuring in the
third fiscal quarter, which ends September 30, 1991, and that the
results of those actions will be recorded in that quarter.

The company is said to be focusing its future product releases
on the Advanced Computing Environment consortium standards.
ACE is made up of more than 60 hardware and software
companies that are vying with Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard,
and the new Apple Computer and IBM love-connection, for future
share of the lucrative workstation market based on RISC (reduced
instruction-set computing) technology. Each camp is trying to
force its own standards on the industry.

Much doubt has been cast lately about ACE's ability to produce
a coherent strategy with so many competing corporate interests.
MIPS is taking a big gamble in committing itself so vehemently
to the consortium. If ACE fails, the company could be left trying
to pick up the pieces.

(Ian Stokell/19910731/Press Contact: Steve Bennion, MIPS
Computer Systems Inc., 408-524-7111)

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUL 30 APPLIED VISUAL, SUMISHO SIGN DISTRIBUTION DEAL 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00001)

APPLIED VISUAL, SUMISHO SIGN DISTRIBUTION DEAL 07/30/91
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Applied Visual
Computing (AVC) has announced it has signed an exclusive
agreement with Japanese firm Sumisho Electronic Systems to
distribute AVCs RenderNET.

RenderNET is a software utility that dynamically distributes batch
processes to multiple CPUs (central processor units) within a Unix
workstation, or to multiple Unix workstations over Ethernet.

According to AVC, RenderNET will be a boon to animators working
with high-end three-dimensional graphics, since it transparently
manages the time consuming rendering process. RenderNET
executes individual animation frames in a manner which permits the
rendering process to be completed despite single frame failure. AVC
claims it will recover frames from machines, or CPUs, which
inadvertently go offline while a render job is actively running.

RenderNET also provides for reconnection to machines when they
come back online so frames can again be submitted. The program
logs all failed frames, or those that do not render completely for any
reason.

Sumisho Electronics has been offering image processing and
visualization systems to the Japanese market since 1984, and has over
500 installations. The company says it believes in the effectiveness
of animation and visualization techniques to enhance communications,
and is adding RenderNET to complement its capabilities in the graphics
field.

Commenting on the deal, Usamu Murata, general manager of Sumisho's
imaging and graphics division, said: "We feel that RenderNET will
provide users with greater efficiency in the batch rendering process,
and use of CPUs. It will also shorten the time required for production
work."

James Banister, general manager of AVC, said he is excited about
Sumisho's holistic approach to the visual computing market.

(Jim Mallory/19910730/Press contact: Sydney Stein, for AVC, 415-688-
6989)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 APPLIED VISUAL INTROS VIDEO PRODUCT FOR SUN/IBM 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)

APPLIED VISUAL INTROS VIDEO PRODUCT FOR SUN/IBM 07/30/91
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Applied Visual
Computing (AVC) has announced that it is adapting Tektronix' Avanzar
video system for implementation on Sun SPARCservers and
SPARCstations, as well as IBM RS6000 workstations. The product,
called Solazar for the Sun systems and Merazar for IBM, will provide
studio-quality video output, the company claims.

Solazar will be marketed as a software package and internal card for
Sun VMEbus workstations, and as an expansion system for Sun S-bus
workstations. Merazar will be available as an expansion system. Prices
range from $8,000 and $15,000, depending on system configutation.
AVC says both products will be available in the fourth quarter, 1991.

According to James Banister, general manager of AVC: "Studio quality
video output from computers has been a critical gap in the visual
computing environment." Banister said that the Avanzar-based
products will fill that gap at a comparatively low cost.

Both products use custom technology from Tektronix and the Grass
Valley Group to provide real-time filtering and encoding as well as
true studio quality video output, according to AVC. Supported formats
include digital component and digital composite in parallel and serial
formats, analog RGB, Betacam MII, S-Video, composite NTSC
and PAL.

Software tools included with the program include flipcard animation,
and ChromaMetrix, which analyzes images for color saturation and
luma transitions.

AVC has also announced that it has signed a letter of intent with
Folsom Research, of Folsom, California, to distribute the two products
in Europe, Canada, South America, and the Far East. Folsom designs,
builds and distributes scan converters and other visual systems.

(Jim Mallory/19910730/Press Contact: Gail King, Tektronix, 503-685-
2100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 FISERV BUILDS LARGE NEW HEADQUARTERS IN MILWAUKEE 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00003)

FISERV BUILDS LARGE NEW HEADQUARTERS IN MILWAUKEE 07/30/91
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Fiserve has
announced that it plans to build a 120,000 square foot office building
in the Brookfield Lakes Corporate Center, Milwaukee.

Fiserv is a provider of data processing and information management
products and services to banks and other financial institutions. The
company presently occupies approximately 82,000 square feet,
spread out over three facilities. The move will consolidate all functions
at the one location. The company's remote data processing center in
downtown Milwaukee will not be affected.

"Fiserv has grown tremendously in the past seven years, and with that
growth has come the need to expand our corporate as well as our
Milwaukee Center facilities" said Fiserv chairman and CEO George
Dalton.

Dalton added that the company was particularly interested in
continuing its relationship with the city of Milwaukee and the state
of Wisconsin, citing strong business ties there.

Fiserv president Leslie Muma praised local city officials, saying that
the cities of West Allis and Brookfield had worked closely and
exceptionally hard to meet the company's needs.

Since 1984, Fiserv claims to have doubled the number of employees
in Wisconsin, while revenues have gone from over $70 million in 1984
to over $183 million as of the close of 1990. Fiserv currently
employs more than 3,700 staff worldwide.

(Jim Mallory/19910730/Press contact: George Dalton, Fiserv, 414-546-
5000)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991  JUL 30 NEW FOR MAC: Law Office Manager 2.0 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00004)

NEW FOR MAC: Law Office Manager 2.0 07/30/91
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Avocat
Systems has announced the release of Law Office Manager (LOM)
2.0 for Apple Macintosh computers.

LOM is a client and case management package, tracking personal
data on clients, important dates, docket numbers, opposing parties and
their attorneys. It will also keep track of witnesses, addresses, phone
numbers, insurance companies and claims representatives. According
to the company, the package will also serve as a perpetual calendar
that tracks dates on which tasks are due.

In use, a daily mail log is available by clicking on the appropriate
icon, allowing the user to view the log. Information is cross-referenced
by client, deadline date, person responsible and one of three levels
of priority. Avocat Systems says that LOM will handle an unlimited
number of clients and witnesses, and provide automatic client
numbering, with various options. The program has a word processing
mode, a report editor, and a label editor.

Avocat Systems' Kathy Moore said: "The legal market has been in
need of a broad-based docket control tickler systems."

"Since all of our clients are attorneys their wealth of knowledge and
guidance was invaluable. They deserve the credit; we just wrote the
code," he added.

LOM is a multi-user program. The price is dependent on the number
of users, but starts at $1,295 for one user. A system with ten users
has a suggested list price of $2,495. Above ten users, add
$199.85 for each additional user.

Avocat Systems can be reached at 615-523-9270, or fax:
615-637-8810. The company maintains a toll free number for
technical support on 1-800-521-6588.

(Jim Mallory/19910730/Press contact: Kathy Moore,615-523-9270)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 MIRROR CD-ROM DRIVES TO INCLUDE ENCYCLOPAEDIA DISK 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00005)

MIRROR CD-ROM DRIVES TO INCLUDE ENCYCLOPAEDIA DISK 07/30/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Mirror has
announced that beginning on August 1, all Mirror CD-ROM drives will
be bundled free of charge with Software Toolkit's Illustrated
Encyclopaedia, a $395 value.

Mirror's CD-ROM is a 600 megabyte drive with a data access time of 350
milliseconds. The system features dual 50-pin SCSI (Small Computer
System Interface) connectors, front panel head phone jack, volume
control, external RCA jacks, utility software, a CD-ROM driver, and
MusicBox, an audio desk accessory which gives the user audio
capabilities. The drive is priced at $697, and has received a rating of
four and a half 'mice' out of a possible five from MacUser magazine.

Software Toolkit's 1990 Illustrated Encyclopaedia contains the
complete unabridged 21 volume set of Grolier's Academic American
Encyclopaedia, containing over nine million words in 33,000 articles
plus numerous photos and illustrations. The program has search
capabilities based on article titles, word or text strings. Users get
the disk, a 3.5-inch installation disk and instruction manual.

According to the company, the encyclopaedia is updated annually and
the 1991 version will be available in September of this year.
Purchasers of the combined package prior to September will receive
the upgrade at no cost. Mirror operates a toll-free number on 1-800-654-
5294 for information and ordering.

(Jim Mallory/19910730/Press contact: Kim Moffitt, Moffitt/Young, 619-
5223-1450)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 NEW FOR MAC: New Quickimage Video Frame Grabber Card 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00006)

NEW FOR MAC: New Quickimage Video Frame Grabber Card 07/30/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Mass
Microsystems has announced several enhancements to the
Quickimage 24, a color video frame grabber card for the Apple
Macintosh II computer.

The company says version 2.0 of the new card is "System 7 Savvy" and
can operate and take advantage of the new System 7.0 Mac operating
system introduced by Apple. It also adds JPEG image compression,
thumbnail views of captured images and improved performance for
sequential frame captures.

Mass Microsystems says that the new card is faster because it saves
to memory instead of to disk, allowing users to capture multiple
frames-per-second. The number of images that can be stored is
dependent on the amount of RAM available.

Up to 25 images can be previewed using the Quickstrip gallery. The
Quickstrip is an enhancement allowing a "thumbnail" sized view of
sequentially captured images -- presented in a similar manner to the
"page preview" option seen on Wordstar 5.0 and later -- so that users
can view a larger number of choices when selecting a still frame video
image, the company said.

The Quickimage 24 version 2.0 will be on display at Macworld Expo in
Boston, held August 6-9 in the World Trade Center, Mass Microsystems
said.

The card is expected to be available in September. Current Quickcard
24 users can simply update their software to get the new features by
calling Mass Microsystems at 408/522-1200.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910730/Press Contact: Benita Kenn, Mass
Microsystems, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30  ****AT&T SETS UP EMPLOYEE MERGER SUPPORT PROGRAM 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00007)

 ****AT&T SETS UP EMPLOYEE MERGER SUPPORT PROGRAM 07/30/91
MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- AT&T has
announced the formation of a support program to assist the employees
of AT&T Computer Systems employees affected by the expected merger
of that unit into NCR.

AT&T Computer Systems, which will be phased out when the merger
occurs, currently employs approximately 7,500 people worldwide.

The career support programs announced will include counseling
services, job retraining, up to eight months for managers to find new
jobs within the company and outplacement help for people who seek
employment outside AT&T.

AT&T said it expects that NCR will recruit a majority of AT&T Computer
Systems' 3,900 U.S. management employees. Of Computer Systems'
3,000 non-management employees, NCR plans to recruit about 600
people to meet increased customer needs when the two businesses
are combined, while AT&T will retain another 600 to service Computer
Systems equipment around the company.

The statement went on to say that, of the remaining 1,800 non-
management employees, the majority are in manufacturing,
distribution and repair operations in Little Rock, Ark., and Memphis,
Tenn. The company said that these are not affected at this time and
that the role of these locations is still under review.

AT&T will provide workshops on coping with change and using AT&T's
internal job transfer system. Workshops also will be offered on career
goal setting, resume development, interviewing, financial planning and
personal issues.

The firm further announced that: "if some employees cannot be placed
in other AT&T jobs, the company will offer severance packages to
those leaving the business. Depending on years of service, managers
can receive up to 32 weeks pay and occupational employees up
to 104 weeks pay."

AT&T spokesperson Burke Stinson told Newsbytes that experience
shows that the greatest difficulty in such mergers often occurs with the
non-management or blue-collar worker.

"The biggest stumbling block for non-management personnel is
mobility. Most do not have a frame of reference to their careers that
includes moving 100 or 1,000 miles to continue with their careers.
We've seen that, when factories or offices have closed, many
management people have not minded moving while non-
management personnel have often been reluctant to even explore
positions in other locations," he said.

Stinson told Newsbytes that the operational plan for marrying
people to positions should be complete in early August.

"Last month a plan for the combined NCR computer product line was
announced and this month we completed the development of the
analysis of the staffing required to support the new line. We must
now fit the existing, personnel, wherever possible into the staffing
needs," he said.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910730/Press Contact: Mike
Keady, AT&T, 201-898-6318)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER ORDERS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 07/30/91

07/30/91



(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00008)

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER ORDERS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 07/30/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced that the University of Rochester has ordered a Cray Y-MP2E
supercomputer, to be installed at the laboratory in the fall 1991.

The University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE)
will utilize the system to run in-house software codes that are based
on computational fluid dynamics applications to investigate
alternative energy sources produced by controlled thermonuclear
fusion.

LLE is one of only four United States laser facilities actively engaged
in inertial fusion studies. The university is a training ground for more
than 100 students and 150 faculty scientists whose work ranges from
x-ray microscopy and plasma physics to x-ray laser technology.

Dr. Charles Verdon, director of the lab's theory division, said that
the Cray supercomputer will allow the lab to examine increasingly
larger and more complex problems associated with inertial
confinement fusion.

"With the Cray Y-MP2E we will be able to further our work with
two-dimensional simulations and plan to begin attacking
three-dimensional problems as well", he said.

(Jim Mallory/19910730/Press Contact: Mardi Schnieder, Cray, 612-683-
3538)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 ELECTRONIC ARTS OFFERS 900 NUMBER HOTLINE SUPPORT 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00009)

ELECTRONIC ARTS OFFERS 900 NUMBER HOTLINE SUPPORT 07/30/91
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Following
Electronic Arts recent acquisition of Distinctive Software Inc, of
Vancouver, British Columbia, the company has expanded its customer
service support with a premium rate hotline on the U.S. 900 exchange.

According to the company, its new 900 area code service is designed
to assist customers with questions about its products. The telephone
number is 1-900-288-HINT.

Rob Sears, manager of product marketing with Electronic Arts, told
Newsbytes that: "Customer support is getting to be a difficulty for
the company" especially as the company now has a global base for
its products, with a "fair number of customers throughout Europe as
well as the United States."

Although the 900 premium rate service is available to phone users in
the U.S. and Canada, service is restricted in Europe. Some
telecommunication administrations allow unrestricted access to
premium rate numbers, while others actively block calls to 900 numbers.
Phone users without access to 900 numbers can call the number on
request through either their international operator or the local AT&T
operator service.

Additionally, Sears said that "giving support is now very time
consuming," and that "shifting to a 900 number gives virtually
immediate access" to help.

From a business standpoint though, Electronic Arts' focus is not
providing 900 numbers, as the "focus of the company remains
entertainment and multimedia products," said Sears.

According to the company, a series of push-button commands assist
the caller to obtain the required information.

Sears confirmed this to Newsbytes, saying the service is based on a
"tree system." The caller can stipulate whether they want hints for
either a "video game" or "computer" product. They can also request
passwords for use with video games to allow the player to leap-frog
out of the current problem in a game and into the next, more advanced
level.

The service is really an "audio hint book," said Sears, allowing for
players to solve the current problem within a game and move on.

"Extending product support services from 40 hours a week to 24 hours
a day, seven days a week, will allow Electronic Arts to broaden its
consumer support tremendously," said Bing Gordon, Electronic Arts'
senior vide president of marketing.

Sears confirmed this notion to Newsbytes saying that most users
"tend to play the games during off-hours" when normal support is
not available.

The fee for calling the 900 services from the U.S. and Canada is
$0.95 for the first minute and $0.75 for each additional minute. The
900 line is set to provide hints and passwords on the company's
products, such as The Immortal, James Pond, Might and Magic, John
Madden Football, Sword of Sodan, Defender of Rome, and King's
Bounty.

Sears observed to Newsbytes that it "seems a growing number of
companies are now beginning to offer 900 numbers."

(Ian Stokell/19910730/Press Contact: Holly Hartz, Electronic Arts,
415-571-7171, ext. 510)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 WORDTECH UPGRADES VP-EXPERT 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00010)

WORDTECH UPGRADES VP-EXPERT 07/30/91
ORINDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- WordTech Systems
has released version 3.0 of its newly acquired VP-Expert package. The
company recently aquired both VP-Expert and VP-Graphics from
Paperback Software.

According to the company, VP-Expert 3.0 includes such new features as
PCX graphics support for incorporating photos and drawings into expert
applications, new string handling functions, improved speed, and
better graphical trace facilities that include animation.

WordTech, which is a supplier of dBASE compatible database
management systems, maintains that VP-Expert is a rule-based
development tool that allows developers to either write the rules
through the built-in text editor, or to induce the rules from examples.

Just as databases are used for building applications, VP-Expert can
be used to encode the knowledge and judgement of an expert on any
subject, says the company.

VP-Expert 3.0 carries a list price of $349, while existing users can
upgrade for $129.

(Ian Stokell/19910730/Press Contact: Earle Speranza, WordTech Systems
Inc., 415-254-0900)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 AUSTRALIA: IT IMBALANCE AT $5 BILLION PER YEAR 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00011)

AUSTRALIA: IT IMBALANCE AT $5 BILLION PER YEAR 07/30/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Speakers at the recent
Oztech '91 conference in Canberra spoke about ways Australia could
reduce the extremely large information technology imbalance. At
almost AUS$5 billion dollars per year imports over exports, this
epresents an area where savings will aid the troubled Australian
economy.

Speaking at the conference, Geoff Hallinan from the government said
exports in information technology currently stand at just AUS$1.43
billion, so there is plenty of room for growth. Of this, just over a
third is software services. Another speaker, Brian Wilson said
exporters should concentrate on skill-intensive ventures rather than
manufacturing based. "This area will be expanding over the next
decade, reaching more than half of IT spending world-wide by
2000," he said.

Various impediments to exports were discussed, such as taxation in
both Australia and the country where the products are sold. One
suggestion was to license software in Holland (which has no
withholding tax) and on-ship it from there. On the positive side,
research and development expenditure is currently recoverable
as a 150 percent tax credit in Australia.

(Paul Zucker/19910730)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 ANDEST DESIGNS POCKET MODEM FOR ATARI PALMTOP PC 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(000012)

ANDEST DESIGNS POCKET MODEM FOR ATARI PALMTOP PC 07/30/91
MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Andest
Communications has designed and manufactured a pocket modem
for the Atari Portfolio palmtop PC.

The modem, which supports 300 and 1200 bits-per-second (bps), is
being bundled with the Atari Portfolio PC for UKP 399.95.

According to Andest, the pocket modem was specifically designed for
the Portfolio, drawing power from the Portfolio's battery pack -- this
saves on weight, as the modem does not require a battery, the
company claims.

Bundled with the hardware is a copy of Andest's telecommunications
package for the Portfolio, which supports VT52, VT100 and teletype
terminal emulations, as well as Kermit, X-Modem and ASCII file transfers.

"By working closely with a portable computer supplier such as DIP, we
can develop a modem to its exact specifications, which can help to
retain the portable nature of the product," explained Tony Sellers,
Andest's founder and managing director.

DIP, the developers of the Atari Portfolio, is pleased with the pocket
modem. Commenting on the modem, Peter Baldwin, DIP's co-founder,
said: "The ultimate challenge in portable computing is to provide the
travelling businessman with the capabilities of his office
counterpart, while retaining a portable product."

"The development of the Pocket modem means we can offer travelling
businessmen immediate access to office-based computer records and
provide a portable E-mail system with a product weighing less than two
pounds for under UKP 400," he added.

(Steve Gold/19910730/Press & Public Contact: Andest Communications -
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 UK: TOSHIBA OFFERS TRADE-IN DEAL ON DESKTOP PCS 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00013)

UK: TOSHIBA OFFERS TRADE-IN DEAL ON DESKTOP PCS 07/30/91
WEYBRIDGE, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Toshiba U.K.
has announced a trade-in deal on desktop PCs for buyers of its T5200/100
or 200 series, as well as the T3200SX/40 and 120 series.

Announcing the trade-in deal, Nick Hall, marketing manager of the
information processing systems division of Toshiba UK, said that
portability represents productivity in the PC marketplace.

"More than 50 percent of UK companies are now choosing portables for
their workforce because it gives them an added advantage over their
desk-bound competitors. We feel certain that, once business people
have experienced the benefits of portability for themselves, they'll
never go back to a desk-bound computer," he said.

Hall went on to say that the trade-in deal -- which offers buyers at
least UKP 200 on their desktop PCs -- "makes our top of the range PCs
even better value for money and reinforces our belief in the portable
PC replacing the desktop computer."

(Steve Gold/19910730)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 NEW FOR IBM: Eicon Intros Access For DOS Emulation Software 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00014)

NEW FOR IBM: Eicon Intros Access For DOS Emulation Software 07/30/91
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Eicon
Technology has launched a line of terminal emulation packages for
DOS PCs.  The Access for DOS product line consists of IBM 3270 and
5250 and Digital Equipment VT220 emulation packages.

The new products offer the features of Eicon's previous Access (DOS)
product line, consolidated into three packages. They work with stand-
alone PCs and with local area networks running Novell NetWare or any
NetBIOS operating system, Eicon said.

The packages support up to nine concurrent host sessions. Each one
requires Eicon's SNA or OSI Gateway software and EiconCard, the
company's intelligent communications card for IBM and compatible PCs.

The 3270 and 5950 versions are priced at US$195, and the VT220 version
costs US$95.

(Grant Buckler/19910730/Press Contact: Cynthia Yacowar, Eicon
Technology, 514-631-2592, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 BPX, RAMTEK IN GEOLOGICAL REMOTE SENSING SOFTWARE DEAL 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00015)

BPX, RAMTEK IN GEOLOGICAL REMOTE SENSING SOFTWARE DEAL 07/30/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Ramtek and the
Remote Sensing Group of BP Exploration Operating Company (BPX) have
announced the signing of an agreement to jointly develop a computer
software database package for geological remote sensing applications
for use in oil exploration and environmental modeling.

The new software is to be based on the package Terrain, by Ramtek,
but will be enhanced to meet specific image processing requirements.
Specifically, Terrain will be modified to integrate the world-wide
co-ordinate management system developed by BPX, the companies
said. The plan is to transfer co-ordinate data into a database
environment for easier projection and use with data collected from
other sources such as satellites, Ramtek said.

In making those modifications to Terrain, BPX hopes to integrate a
wide variety of data types from gravity, magnetic and seismic surveys
and translate that information into vector and image based information
(pictures) all within the same software package, Ramtek said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910730/Press Contact: Karen Smith, Ramtek, Tel:
408/954-2700, Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 CHECKUPS SOFTWARE TURNS UPS INTO POWER MONITOR 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00016)

CHECKUPS SOFTWARE TURNS UPS INTO POWER MONITOR 07/30/91
NECEDAH, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Best Power
Technology has introduced new software that turns its uninterruptible
power supplies, commonly called UPS units, into full-functioned power
monitors.

The new version of the company's CheckUPS program gathers power
quality data from all Best UPS units and displays them as graphs. It
can also perform an unattended shutdown of a PC during long blackouts.
The program runs on all MS-DOS machines.

Essentially, the program checks with each Best UPS on a network
regularly, logging seven types of power quality data at user-set
intervals. Graphs generated by the system can even help companies
spot problems that might be impacting equipment not protected
by the UPS.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730/Press Contact: Ed Goudal, Best Power
Technology, 813-966-1888)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 POLICE COMPUTER PHONES RESIDENTS WITH DISASTER INFO 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017)

POLICE COMPUTER PHONES RESIDENTS WITH DISASTER INFO 07/30/91
ATHERTON, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Whether it be
chemical spills, floods, earthquakes, water contaminations, or mass
evacuations, it seems that police need to inform residents about
happenings almost daily. Communication is the key, and sometimes
plays a life-saving role.

To get the word out quickly without hiring a force of workers,
Atherton, California police are using the Teleminder Community
Awareness, Rescue, and Emergency (C.A.R.E.) system. The system
consists of a computer, along with a database of residents and
businesses in the city, that can automatically telephone and deliver
a pre-recorded message.

During an emergency, the $12,500 Teleminder system, developed by
Decision Systems of Los Altos, California uses regular phone lines to
make over 2,000 calls per hour. Police can choose what residents are
called based on street names or "zip+4" codes. Teleminder calls back
later if it gets a busy signal or no one answers, and is smart enough
to wait for the beep and leave a message on an answering machine.

"We're really excited about the system," said Atherton Police Chief
Kip Rolle. "It allows us to provide a service that other wise would be
tremendously labor intensive."

A spokesman for Decision Systems said, "Teleminder saves
significant amount of police time and notifies residents faster than
humanly possible. Police can focus their efforts on other parts of the
disaster recover process."

The company says that Teleminder can also be used for notifying
residents of crime trends in their area, give disaster preparedness
tips and even check on the welfare of homebound senior citizens.

Teleminder has been in place in Atherton since January, and the
company says new installations are planned at both the city and
county level for later this summer.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910730/Press Contact: David Dowhan, Teleminder,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 MOSCOW: BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEM PREANNOUNCED 07/30/91

07/30/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00018)

MOSCOW: BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEM PREANNOUNCED 07/30/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Octopus Varioline, a German
company with offices in Moscow, has announced that a new
software-based database called SEDAB, short for Soviet Economy
Database.

According to Octopus Varioline, the online service will be available
to subscribers from January, 1992, onwards. Licenses to use the
package cost DM 25,000 ($13,890) initially, then an ongoing payment
of between 1,000 and 3,000 roubles ($33 to $100) depending on usage.

To use the service, subscribers must install an Oracle-based package
on their own PCs, linking to the a main server system in Moscow or
West Germany, using a modem and phone lines. Newsbytes has
learned that 40 phone lines will be installed in Moscow to cope with the
expected demand -- the main system in Moscow will be an Intel
80486-based PC with online storage facilities.

The information offered online by the service will include data from
Western sources, such as stock quotes and business offers, and
Soviet participants' information. All data will be user-searchable.

The idea behind the system comes from an unlikely source. Back in
1988, the Vnesheconombank, the largest state banking facility in the
Soviet Union, came up with the ideas for the project. After discussing
the ideas with various information providers (IPs) and data supply
companies, the bank went ahead with the project.

According to Igor Saakjan, SEDAB's representative, the companies
that started the ball rolling have long since disappeared. "While the
companies have gone, the idea still exists, as does our commitment
to the project," he said.

Octopus has 15 years worth of trading experience on the Soviet
market.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910730/Press contact: Igor Saakjan, Varioline,
phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 GAMMA MICROWAVE SELLS EARTH STATIONS TO CHINA 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

GAMMA MICROWAVE SELLS EARTH STATIONS TO CHINA 07/30/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Gamma
Microwave has signed a $7 million contract with the government of
China in Beijing to supply its G-7100 C-band satellite communications
transceivers over a three-year period.

Plans call for the earth stations to be used for both data and rural
voice applications. They will be sited in small cities and villages in
China and elsewhere. The agreement follows a six-month test and
evaluation phase in China of the Gamma equipment on Chinese
systems.

The earth stations are based on Gamma's proprietary frequency
synthesizer technology, and feature a Gamma-proprietary integrated
power supply, monitoring and control system.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730/Press Contact: Gamma Microwave, Michael E.
Kahn, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 MCI EXPANDS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

MCI EXPANDS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA 07/30/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- MCI has begun
direct routing of calls to the People's Republic of China.

A ceremony announcing the resumption of direct services was held at
the Chinese embassy in Washington. AT&T already serves the country.
Previously, China maintained voice agreements with only one carrier
per country.

As a result of the agreement, MCI also expects to begin MCI Call USA
and operator services with China in the fall. Introduction of
international toll-free service is planned in early 1992. In addition,
MCI says it wants to participate in a consortium to build and operate
a fiber cable between China and Japan, which would link to other
trans-Pacific routes and be scheduled for completion in 1993.

China's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has also agreed to
buy MCI microwave equipment to expand its domestic phone network.
Based on its acquisitions of RCA Global Communications and Western
Union International, MCI has a 63-year data relationship with China
going back to the inauguration of radio telegraph service in 1928.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730/Press Contact: John Houser, MCI, 1-202-887-
3000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 NEW FOR TELECOM: IDR Updates Via PC Fax-Modem Package 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

NEW FOR TELECOM: IDR Updates Via PC Fax-Modem Package 07/30/91
PLYMOUTH MEETING, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) --
IDR UniCom has announced version 5.30 of its Via PC program, which
sends and receives data through both modems and fax boards using
a single user interface.

"Businesspeople routinely fax computer-generated documents which
they don't need edited, modem others which they do need edited, and
telex still others overseas. Instead of wrestling with multiple
communication software packages they can now use one," said
president Gary Edling,

The new version adds the ability to transmit word-processing files
with print control codes like those generated by WordPerfect, as well
as spreadsheets and databases, without having to know any technical
details.

It also offers one-keystroke access to a variety of services through
script files to MCI Mail, Dow Jones and other services, and it adds
support for the Intel SatisFAXtion and Mactonix MaxFax boards to its
existing support of the Hayes JT Fax product.

In addition the new version supports Foreground Alert, which
automatically notifies the user when a message has been received in
the background by the modem. In effect, this turns the product into an
electronic mailbox.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730/Press Contact: Jennifer Moller, IDR UniCom,
215-825-8181)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 FUR TO FLY AT BROOKS' BELL BREAK-UP HEARING 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00022)

FUR TO FLY AT BROOKS' BELL BREAK-UP HEARING 07/30/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Rep. Jack Brooks'
Government Operations Committee will hold a hearing on August 1 to
discuss the Bell break-up decree, and Newsbytes understands that the
proceedings are likely to be lively.

This will be the first hearing on Capitol Hill following Judge Harold
Greene's order which could, if it is not overturned, allow the seven
regional Bell companies into the information services business.

Another panel will feature executives from both AT&T and MCI,
debating whether in fact AT&T remains a "dominant carrier" subject to
regulation. AT&T and the Bush Administration say there is effective
competition in the long-distance market, while MCI and some members
of Congress say AT&T remains, in effect, a dominant carrier subject to
regulation.

If those regulations are lifted, AT&T will be able to regain market
share by doing special deals with big customers. That is why MCI
and Sprint are fighting it.

After the Brooks hearing, the scene shifts to the Federal
Communications Commission, which is due to resolve proceedings
concerning the relaxed regulation of AT&T in August. This could allow
it to freely under-bid its competitors for big contracts without prior
notification of regulators.

All this is based on an FCC study showing AT&T's share of the long
distance market had fallen to 63 percent earlier this year. But US
Sprint is disputing those figures, and will likely plead its case for
continued regulation before Rep. Brooks. Sprint says that the FCC
may be deliberately understating AT&T's market power in order to
lift regulations.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30  ****EAST-WEST AIRLIFTING NEC PCS TO EASTERN EUROPE 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00023)

 ****EAST-WEST AIRLIFTING NEC PCS TO EASTERN EUROPE 07/30/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- NEC
laptop computers are currently being airlifted to Czechoslovakia
and the Soviet Union for use by journalists and political reformers.

The computers being sent are no longer onsale in the U.S., and are
the first result of a two-year long effort by Boston Computer Exchange
president Alex Randall to send old computer equipment eastward in
support of reform.

"Anyone with a PC becomes a walking advertisement for the First
Amendment," he told Newsbytes in an earlier interview, indicating that
as high technology becomes commonplace in the former Eastern Bloc,
the trend toward liberty becomes unstoppable.

Former Soviet foreign minister Edvard Shevardnadze, a Georgian who
has become a favorite in the West since he resigned last year while
President Gorbachev was siding with hard-liners in a leadership
struggle, expressed Randall's hopes well in a press release from the
East West Education Development Foundation, which Randall
co-founded with IDC chairman Patrick McGovern.

"We really appreciate the support as we try to create a democratic
forum in the Soviet Union," he said. Shevardnadze now works in
Moscow trying to create that country's first independent think tank on
policy issues.

In addition, the Foundation is sea-lifting word processors,
minicomputers and other heavy equipment throughout Eastern Europe.
Hardware has been donated by Gillette, AT&T Bell Labs, Kunkle Valve,
Cambex, Niles, Orion Capital and by individuals and small businesses,
as well as by NEC. Support was also donated by Swiss Air, which flew
the laptops in free, and several steamship companies, which are
handling the heavier cargo.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730/Press Contact: Alex Randall, East West
Development Foundation, 617-542-1234)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30  ****MOSCOW: SHARP INTROS NEW NOTEBOOKS 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00024)

 ****MOSCOW: SHARP INTROS NEW NOTEBOOKS 07/30/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Sharp has unveiled three new
portable PCs for sale in Russia. The three machines will sell
alongside the Japanese giant's PC 6220 portable which is already on
sale here. The three new machines are the PC 6240, PC 6521/41 and PC
8501 series.

The new PC 6240 features a 40MB hard drive with an access time of 23
milliseconds (ms). Other features of the 4.5 pound machine are similar
to the existing PC 6220 which comes with 20MB of hard disk capacity
and is based around a 12MHz 80286 microprocessor driving 1MB of RAM.

The company's newer PC-6500 notebook line is represented by the PC
6521 and PC 6541 which feature. respectively 20 and 40MB hard drives
alongside a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. Both machines are said to be
similar to the Travelmate 3000, their nearest competitor.

The third new machine range is the PC 8501 which features 10.4 inch
TFT high-resolution screen. According to Sharp, the TFT screen
technology gives a picture almost as clear as a photo. The PC 8501 is
available in several configurations, including a 100MB hard drive, 2MB
of RAM -- expandable to 10MB internally. The machine weighs a fairly
hefty 16 pounds. Newsbytes notes that this machine was launched in the
U.K. around two years ago and is widely regarded as being somewhat
long in the tooth.

Pricing details on the new machines was not available as this issue of
Newsbytes goes to press. Sharp U.S.S.R. representatives said, however,
that Soviet pricing will be similar to that charged to consumers in
Europe.

(Kirill Tchashchin & Igor Viazanitchev/19910730)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30 COMPARATOR ANNOUNCES FIRST SOVIET SMART CARD SCHEME 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00025)

COMPARATOR ANNOUNCES FIRST SOVIET SMART CARD SCHEME 07/30/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- California-based Comparator
Systems Corporation has signed a prestigious agreement with the
Central Bank of the Russian Federation and the Russian Export Co.
Ltd., for the installation of more than 2,000 debit card terminal-
based systems across Russia.

Terms of the deal call for the companies concerned to liase in the
installation of the debit card systems, which will be installed over
the next few years.

Unlike standard debit cards in use in the U.S. and U.K., the Russian
supermarket debit card will be a smart card -- so called because of
the innate intelligence of the card. Smart cards have facilities to
log all transactions, along with relevant banking data, in special
onboard memory.

The debit card project -- the first of its kind in the U.S.S.R. -- is
being operated by The Russian Export Co., the Savings Bank of the
Russian Federation and the Collection Service of the Russian
Federation. The project is also being supported by the Central Bank of
the Russian Federation.

The program is part of a high-priority master plan to develop a free
market system, to modernize production facilities and distribution
channels, and to increase worker productivity in Russia.

According to the group organizing the project, the decision to go with
smart card technology instead of existing plastic card systems was
taken to avoid the necessity of installing high-cost telecoms circuits
between the sites operating the debit terminal.

Security on the cards is tight. Instead of, or in addition to,
standard signature verification, the Comparator system uses a
computerised image of the holder's fingerprint, which is held in the
smart card's memory. The image is then compared when the cardholder
places his or her finger on to a special scanner.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910730/Press contact: Karen Kay Churchill,
Comparator Systems Corp., phone [phone]; George B. Choudnovsky,
Central Bank of the Russian Federation, phone [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30  ****US WEST REQUESTS OK FOR PIONEER WIRELESS TESTING 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00026)

 ****US WEST REQUESTS OK FOR PIONEER WIRELESS TESTING 07/30/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Denver based regional
communications provider US West has asked the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) for experimental licenses and `pioneer's preferences'
for the company's personal communications services.

Personal communications services, or PCS, is the generic term
referring to wireless communications technology, including such items
as cellular, paging and personal communications networks. A `pioneer's
preference' is granted for new and innovative services or information.
Granting of the request would assure US west of more meaningful
participation in future PCS services.

The request asks for permission to conduct technical experiments of
low power digital radio communications technology.

Announcing the request, Solomon Trujillo, WU West vice president, and
head of its small business division said: "We've been actively
investigating wireless technology and assessing market needs for
several months. Our primary focus so far has been on understanding the
emerging needs of consumers in terms of flexible low cost, mobile and
portable communications."

Trujillo added that US West has identified multiple wholesale and
retail applications for wireless access that it intends to pursue
through an integrated wired and wireless infrastructure. He said the
company would also explore the implications of adding radio technology
to the existing services, such as voice messaging and caller name and
number ID (CLASS) services.

CLASS service is a hotly debated subject presently, with strong
arguments being presented on both sides. CLASS allows the party
receiving a call to be aware of the party calling and the number from
which the call originates. US West offers call-identification to
customers in the Denver and Boulder, Colorado area, as well as a
procedure to block calls on a per-call and single-line basis. US West
said it is the first company to do so.

According to Trujillo the next step is to evaluate the technology,
products and radio spectrum usage alternatives to determine if there
is sufficient existing capability to proceed with further technical
and market tests.

(Jim Mallory/19910730/Press contact: Bruce Amundson, US West,206-562-
5483)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30  ****ZEOS INTRODUCES UPGRADABLE PCS 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00027)

 ****ZEOS INTRODUCES UPGRADABLE PCS 07/30/91
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Zeos International has
announced that it has begun shipping a new line of desktop personal
computers based on upgradable microprocessors. The new systems feature
microprocessor modules that are available with 80386, 80486SX or 80486
processors. Prices range from $1,395 to $1,795.

Greg Herrick, president of Zeos, said he sees the new systems as a way
for users to extend the life of their computers.

"By providing upgradable processors, a customer can buy the computer
that they need today and increase their computing power later without
having to buy an entirely new system," he said.

Herrick added that Zeos can offer the upgradable systems at lower
prices because the company designs and manufactures the motherboards,
as opposed to having the work done by a third party. "We are realizing
a significant cost savings. We are then able to pass this savings
along to our customers" he said.

(Jim Mallory/19910730/Press contact: Rick Apple, Zeos,612-633-5877)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30  ****TWO-YEAR COMPUTER SELECT ARCHIVES AVAILABLE 07/30/91

07/30/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00028)

 ****TWO-YEAR COMPUTER SELECT ARCHIVES AVAILABLE 07/30/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Jonathan Pollard,
marketing director for Ziff Communications' Computer Library, told
Newsbytes today that Computer Select discs with two years of computer
magazines on a single CD-ROM, which had up until now been only a `show
special' or demonstration program, would soon become a commercial
product.

Missing only the database of computer hardware and software, the new
product, as yet un-named, will cost far less than a yearly
subscription to Computer Select and is intended for several audiences,
including corporate libraries, schools, consultants, computer stores,
and individuals.

Pollard added that the removal of the hardware and software enables
the company to make extra room on the disc and that the data would be
out of date and out of place on what is essentially an archival disc.

The first disc, already in stock, contains only magazine articles but
has the entire Computer Select database of articles dated between
January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1990, two full years' worth of
historical information.

Computer Select carries articles and abstracts from more than 140
industry-leading publications, including, starting next month,
Computer Shopper, the world's largest computer magazine. The magazines
range from computer novice-oriented consumer publications to technical
publications from Microsoft, IBM, the Association for Computer
Machinery, and AT&T.

For further information about Ziff Communications' monthly Computer
Select, contact Toni Nevitt at 212-503-4423 or, for information on the
newly announced two-year archival disc, contact Jonathan Pollard at
212-503-4430.

(John McCormick/19910730/Press Contact: Jonathan Pollard, Ziff
Communications, 212-503-4430)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30  ****COMDISCO DENIES CHARGES MADE BY IBM 07/30/91

07/30/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00029)

 ****COMDISCO DENIES CHARGES MADE BY IBM 07/30/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- Kenneth N. Pontikes,
chairman of the board and president of Comidsco, has announced that
his company will continue to fight the recent charges brought against
his company by IBM on the grounds of fair competition and consistent
application of business practices. He pointed out that IBM Credit
Corp.'s president has engaged in the same practices which it and IBM
are now suing Comdisco over.

In response to the Delaware Chancery Court's recent ruling that it had
no jurisdiction over the complaint, IBM and ICC have transferred their
case against Comdisco to the Delaware Superior Court and filed an
amended complaint naming Computer Associates, an IBM customer, as an
additional defendant.

This new complaint alleges that Comdisco caused Computer Associates to
violate its lease agreement with ICC when Comdisco remarketed a 3090
mainframe computer which it has subleased from Computer Associates.

IBM's charges relate to the practice of leasing equipment from Big
Blue, then removing some portions of the hardware, such as memory, and
releasing it to other companies. IBM's complaint is that when the
equipment is returned at the end of the lease it often comes back to
the company with replacement parts instead of the original equipment
that was installed at the beginning of the lease.

IBM has made it clear that, unless the exact original parts are
returned at the end of the lease, the company in question faces legal
action by IBM and its credit subsidiary.

Comdisco buys, sells, and leases new and used IBM equipment.

(John McCormick/19910730/Press Contact: James J. Hyland, Comdisco,
708-698-3000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 30  ****JWP MODIFIES TENDER OFFER FOR BUSINESSLAND 07/30/91

07/30/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00030)

 ****JWP MODIFIES TENDER OFFER FOR BUSINESSLAND 07/30/91
PURCHASE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 30 (NB) -- JWP Acquisition, a
subsidiary of JWP Inc., has announced that it will waive the
requirement that a minimum of 75 percent of the outstanding
Businessland debentures be tendered in connected with its offer made
recently for the Businessland group.

The tender offer provides for the purchase of up to 17 million shares
of Businessland common stock at a price of $1.00 per share, and for
all of Businessland's 5.5 percent convertible subordinated debentures
due 2007 at $350 per $1,000 principal amount. In each case, the
payments would be made net to the seller in cash.

The time limit for the acquisition is also being extended from
midnight New York time last Friday to midnight, Friday, August 2.

The offer has not otherwise been amended and is still conditional upon
the requirement that 51 percent of the shares of Businessland common
stock be tendered pursuant to the offer.

As of midnight, July 26, a total of 24,225,287 shares of Businessland
common stock, 75 percent of those outstanding, had already been
tendered, but less than one percent of the outstanding debentures had
been tendered.

Andrew T. Dwyer, chairman of the board and president of JWP, has said
that, based on a net present value analysis of after-tax cash flow,
there is no significant difference to JWP in its cost of acquiring
Businessland, whether the debentures are acquired by JWP in the tender
offer or whether they remain outstanding as obligations of
Businessland.

With this change, the last obstacle to JWP's acquisition of
Businessland appears to have been removed.

JWP is a multi-national technical services company with revenues of
$2.94 billion.

(John McCormick/19910730/Press Contact: James R. Ryan, JWP Acquisition
Inc., 914-935-4039)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 29 "APPLE NEEDS IBM" SAYS APPLE EXECUTIVE VISITING AUSTRALIA 07/29/91

07/29/91



(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00001)

"APPLE NEEDS IBM" SAYS APPLE EXECUTIVE VISITING AUSTRALIA 07/29/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Apple's Pacific region vice
president, Ian Diery, was in Sydney last week, and is reported in the
Financial Review newspaper as saying IBM was crucial to the
future of Apple.

When asked about the consequences should the Apple-IBM deal fail, he
said "I don't like to think!" He said, however, that Apple wasn't the
poor relation in the agreement, "because we've got the volume - we're
selling more personal computers than IBM." He is reported as saying
Apple was bringing valuable expertise to the marriage, including
multimedia, education computing, and consumer-level technology. He
said he expected the IBM ties to add at least $1 billion per year to
Apple sales, though it would be two or three years before product
reached the marketplace.

Speaking about software for the new platform, he said, "We see Claris
being a major player, though we won't give any undue preference." He also
said he didn't expect Apple's relationship with Microsoft to cool following
the announcement.

Apple revenue is still 56 percent US-derived, though Australia
represents four percent of total. Apple Australia recently trimmed
some of the "old-guard" from staff but no further significant cuts are
expected this year. However, around 1800 positions are to go over the
next few months in other countries.

(Paul Zucker/19910719)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 NCR MERGES EUROPEAN CHIP AND BOARD OPERATIONS 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(OSL)(00002)

NCR MERGES EUROPEAN CHIP AND BOARD OPERATIONS 07/29/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- NCR has formed a new company,
NCR OEM Europe GmbH, by merging its European OEM Division with
NCR Microelectronics Europe. The new company is a subsidiary of
NCR Holding GmbH, in Augsburg, Germany.

The new company creates a "one-stop-shop" by offering products
ranging from chips through complete OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) systems. OEM systems are complete products on which
the customer only needs to put his or her own label before reselling
them.

NCR has appointed Ekkehard Fabel, 42, as managing director of
the new company. In his new position he will be responsible for
all European sales and marketing activities.

NCR OEM Europe GmbH is headquarted at Westendstrasse 193, D-8000
Munich 21, Germany (W).

(Jan-Frode Nordli/1991.07.26/NCR OEM Europe GmbH; Ekkehard
Fabel, Managing Director; tel: [phone] fax:
[phone]; Germany is GMT + 1 hour)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 FIBER OPTIC OCEAN CABLE BREAKS RECORDS 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(OSL)(00003)

FIBER OPTIC OCEAN CABLE BREAKS RECORDS 07/29/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- The world's longest fiber optic
ocean cable using hermetic fibers, has been ordered by
Televerket, the Norwegian telephone agency. The 140 KM (87 mile)
cable will connect Kristiansan, Norway and Thistedt, Denmark.

The $4.86 million order for Norway's Alcatel Kabel encompasses
the cable, transmission equipment capable of 565 megabit per
second speed, installation, and burial of the cable in the seabed.

"It is the ever increasing digital telecommunications traffic
between Norway and the European Continent via Denmark that
requires a new trunkline," says Gunnar Bye, chief engineer, in
explaining the order. "Also, there will be a need for the cable
in connection with the 1994 Winter Olympics," he continues.

Due to be installed by August 1992, the cable will have twice the
capacity of 565 megabits per second, or the equivalent of 15,000
bidirectional telephone calls at the same time. But Televerket
claims that by changing the optic line equipment at both ends, it
is possible to quadruple this capacity by the end of 1995.

The ocean cable will be put in place by the most advanced
cable installation vessel, C/S Skagerak, that Alcatel Kabel
operates on behalf of Statkraft, Norway's national electric
utility. Using a newly developed, remotely controlled underwater
vessel, Capjet-500, the cable will be buried by "flushing" it
into the seabed using water power.

Alcatel has delivered almost 500 miles of fiber optic cables to
the Norwegian Televerket in the last four years. This year it also has
orders for two such cables from New Zealand, and one for the Middle East.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910726)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 SALES TAX RULING SCARING OFF MACWORLD EXHIBITORS - TAKE 2 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00004)

SALES TAX RULING SCARING OFF MACWORLD EXHIBITORS - TAKE 2 07/29/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Mail order
companies are thinking twice about exhibiting at the upcoming
MacWorld show in Boston because of a decision by the state's
Department of Revenue. The department has decided that any company
that sells goods at MacWorld will be liable for collecting
Massachusetts sales tax for the rest of the year.

At least one exhibitor, the MacConnection division of PC Connection
in Marlow, New Hampshire, has pulled out of this spring's show
because of the tax problem. David Hall, executive vice-president of
MacConnection, told Newsbytes the show simply wasn't worth the risk
of being stuck with the sales tax liability. Besides making
Massachusetts customers pay more for the company's products, he
said, it would give the firm added administrative headaches.

Michelle Andrews, communications director for the Massachusetts
Department of Revenue, told Newsbytes there has been no change in
the law, but the issue "had not been explored" in the past. Up to
now the state has not collected sales tax year-round from out-of-
state companies that sold goods at trade shows in the state, she
said.

The key concept is "nexus," meaning that a company has a sufficient
connection with a state to be liable for sales tax. Massachusetts
is arguing that selling goods at a trade show establishes nexus.
Hall said various other states have tried to extent the concept of
nexus in similar ways. He said MacConnection might think twice
about attending trade shows in other states, such as California,
for similar reasons. However, he added, the Boston MacWorld is the
first show MacConnection has skipped because of a sales tax
concern.

Andrews added that an out-of-state company that exhibited at a
trade show but did not actually sell anything at the show would not
likely be liable for tax on other sales.

Massachusetts' move is part of ongoing attempts by many states to
collect sales tax on goods coming in from out of state. Chris
Armenante, a spokeswoman for the Direct Marketing Association in
New York, said the DMA has gone to court several times to fight
other states' moves to extend their tax-collection powers.

The association has no definite plans for court action on the
Massachusetts move as yet, she said. "Right now, I'm not sure how
we're going to proceed."

Mitch Hall Associates, organizers of MacWorld, declined to comment.

(Grant Buckler/19910726/Press Contacts: David Hall, MacConnection,
603-446-3383; Chris Armenante, DMA, 212-768-7277 ext. 436, fax 212-
768-4547; Michelle Andrews, Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue, 617-
727-4256; Mitch Hall Associates, 617-361-2001)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29  ****FIRST HAND LOOK AT NEW HYDRA CARD 07/29/91

07/29/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(LAX)(00005)

 ****FIRST HAND LOOK AT NEW HYDRA CARD 07/29/91
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) --
Newsbytes got an opportunity to see first hand an IBM personal
computer compatible (PC) with the new card that enables a PC to
look like and run Apple Macintosh software, the Andor One Card from
Hydra Systems, a small start-up firm based in San Jose.

Once the PC was powered on, the program had to be started to enable
the Macintosh capability. Once the executable file was started,
it took a couple of minutes, but the familiar Macintosh screen
began to draw and the smiling Mac appeared.

Very quickly then, the familiar Macintosh screen appeared, but
only in black and white, even though the monitor was color.
Melissa Davies of Davies Bosch Associates, distributors of the
Andor Card, explained that the Andor Card has not yet been able
to take advantage of the color capabilities of the IBM personal
computer.

Once the Mac screen was up, the mouse was used to start
Microsoft Word 4.0. Everything behaved the way one would expect
it to behave on a Macintosh. Newsbytes was able to load a
Macintosh software product on the PC as well, in the Macintosh
environment.

Amazingly, with Microsoft Word running, Davies pressed the two
outside mouse keys simultaneously and moving the mouse to the
right slid the Macintosh screen off to the right so only half
was showing. Underneath was the PC screen with the instruction
to press a key to go to the operating system prompt. Davies
removed the Macintosh screen completely, pressed the Enter key
and the DOS 5.0 shell appeared on screen.

Davies then gave the PC commands in the DOS 5.0 shell. After
executing a few commands in the DOS 5.0 shell, and the
Macintosh screen slid back, with Microsoft Word right where she
left it. Pressing both shift keys had the same effect, but did
not allow the user to control the rate at which the Macintosh
screen slid onto the monitor from the right to the left as the
mouse button control did. The key to start the DOS 5.0 shell in
the DOS environment had to be pressed the first time the switch
was made. After that the switches between the Macintosh
environment and the DOS environment were just a matter of using
the mouse or the shift keys and moving the screen over.

One note, to get the Macintosh operating system to look at the
PC 3.5-inch drive, the F1 key had to be pressed. Normally on a
Macintosh, once a disk is inserted in the drive the drive sends
a signal and lets the operating system know the disk is there.

The Macintosh operating system does not come with the Andor
Card and would have to be purchased separately. However, Word
for Word word processing software and Disk Manager Mac is
included with the card. The Andor Card also has a small,
portable speaker that comes with it and plugs into the card to
provide the sound capabilities of the Macintosh.

A minimum of 2 megabytes of RAM are required to be placed on
the Andor Card in the form of 1 megabyte SIMMS, with 4 MB
maximum possible.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912691/Press Contact: Melissa Davies, Davies
Bosch Associates, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29  ****COMPUTER GENERATED 3D HOLOGRAM VIDEO ARCADE GAME 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00006)

 ****COMPUTER GENERATED 3D HOLOGRAM VIDEO ARCADE GAME 07/29/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Time
Traveler, a new, three-dimensional holographic game, put out by
Sega, is now available in video arcades including West World
Electronic Entertainment Center in Marina Del Rey, California.

While the game is reportedly breaking all sales records, when
Newsbytes went to the West World Entertainment Center to have a
look, instead of finding a crowd gathered around the new game,
no one was playing the new holographic game.

At a cost of 75 cents per play, the game was mid-range priced
in the arcade where most games were 50 cents per play and some
were a dollar. But, despite the fascinating new technology,
interest wanes fast as the game is slow, and difficult on the
eyes.

The game is housed in a waist-high white fiberglass rounded box
that the player looks down into with three controls mounted on
the front top within easy reach. A black opening, the opening
where the hologram is displayed, is lined in back with
geometric block shapes painted in florescent colors lit by a
black light, as the background for the holographic images.

The images themselves are projected in the rounded black space
the player looks into. The images are quite real, but not quite
focused. In the game, the player is a gunman trying to get from
the Old West to the future, pretty much just shooting people
the whole way. A training portion is offered by a magical
blonde girl who tells the player when to turn left, turn right,
duck, jump or shoot. A joystick and a button allow the player
to control the movement and shooting. Another button is
available to turn back time.

When the player moves the joystick or presses the button, the
game responds slowly to "play back" the segment of the cowboy
shooting the Indian or jumping, represented by the movement of
the joystick. The segments are smooth, but the transitions
between them are jerky and slowly accomplished.

Newsbytes as the player died a lot. Once the cowboy is about to
get it, a gruesome skull with human eyes and a cowboy hat on
appears, and then the sequence of the cowboy getting it, either
getting stabbed or shot in great detail, is played. A jumpy,
dizzy Merlin the magician figure then twirls out and chides the
player with whatever was done incorrectly, perhaps shooting too
slow or needing to turn before shooting. If the time reverse
button is pressed, the video sequence goes backward, and the
cowboy can try again to kill without being killed.

The images are real enough and focused enough for the constant
killing scenes to be very real. Literally seconds pass after
killing one player, that another pops up from a different
direction and is quite graphically killed in miniature. The
scenes were real enough to bring to mind the question if they
would be objectionable to children or to parents.

Three companies in the Southern California area were involved
in the design. With Design In Mind, a Chatsworth firm invented
the technology that projects the objects into the three-
dimensional spherical mirror. The Allen Design Group conceived
of the game, and Imagitrek did the video production, shooting
footage of over 40 actors.

Rick Dyer, who is best known for his invention of the game
"Dragon's Lair," one of two video games on display at the
Smithsonian Institute, is the inventor of the game and made the
agreement with Sega to distribute the "Hologram Time Traveler"
in 1990.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912691/Press Contact: Nann Miller,
Miller/Geer & Associates, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 AUSTRALIA: CONVICTS ENTER THE INFORMATION AGE 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00007)

AUSTRALIA: CONVICTS ENTER THE INFORMATION AGE 07/29/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Details of over 8,000 convicts
processed by Sydney's Hyde Barracks during the last century have been
entered into a computer database. The database is aimed at academics and
family historians, and is expected to be a boon to their research.

The period covered by the database is 1819-1848, and includes the
convict's name, age, occupation, date of trial, crime, punishment,
place of origin, and religion. Beverly Earnshaw, of the Professional
Historians Association, compiled the database with the help of New
South Wales-based software company, Valley Soft Computing Services.

The barracks were opened in 1819, and continued to serve as
accommodation or as part of the convicts' final destination until
1848, when the last convicts departed. Records used to compile the
database include census, magistrates' bench books, and information
on convicts who were sentenced to iron gangs. Also included in the
database is information on convicts' criminal activities after they
arrived in Australia - whether they were free or not. "Some of them
were committing crimes all the time," Earnshaw pointed out.

(Sean McNamara/19910725)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 AUSTRALIAN HAS HIS OWN IDEAS ON VIRTUAL REALITY 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00008)

AUSTRALIAN HAS HIS OWN IDEAS ON VIRTUAL REALITY 07/29/91
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- An Australian virtual reality
developer, David Nebe, has established Australian Alternative
Computer Systems (AACS) to help raise capital for his version of
virtual reality. Nebe has developed techniques which can use
existing two-dimensional hardware to achieve virtual reality which he
claims is "more comfortable" than other methods.

Nebe's system works with available two-dimensional hardware, as instead
of cumbersome body suits, utilizes 16 transponders strategically placed
on the user's body. The transponders allow the user to interact with
the computer-generated environment without the need for body suits
or gloves and fiber optics. According to Nebe, this translates to a
much easier job for the central processing unit, and a more
comfortable experience for the user. Confirmation of Nebe's methods
has been gained from experts and hobbyists in the virtual reality
field already.

AACS will market a language translator developed by Nebe, as well as
offer software troubleshooting and custom design services. From
these activities, Nebe hopes to raise enough capital to manufacture
his virtual reality system, and market and export it as a completely
Australian-made product.

(Sean McNamara/19910725)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 REPORT FINDS HIGH AUSTRALIAN ACCEPTANCE OF EDI 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00009)

REPORT FINDS HIGH AUSTRALIAN ACCEPTANCE OF EDI 07/29/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- A study into the value-added
markets of Australia and New Zealand has found that electronic data
interchange (EDI) will play an important part in the
telecommunications industry in Australia. Dr Jeremy Green, who
prepared the study on behalf of BIS Shrapnel, found that EDI could
be worth AUS$100M a year by 1995.

The report also covered such electronic messaging systems as X.400,
fax, private networks, electronic funds transfer at point of sale,
and online information services. The study involved the interviewing
of representatives from 271 of Australia's 1,000 largest
organizations. It found that over two-thirds of the respondents
considered cost-reduction, rather than cost effectiveness, to be
their prime objective. Green also determined that, although there is
a high level of satisfaction in the two countries with the carriers,
there was a trend to consider telecommunications as a resource like
heating or lighting, rather than as an integral part of their
business operations.

As an example, only four organizations in Australia hold 97 percent of
the X.400 mailboxes being used. Despite this low level of acceptance
for some forms of electronic messaging, Green found a particularly
high level of acceptance for EDI and fax. EDI is expected to grow
by over 40% a year, and could reach the AUS$100M mark by 1995.

(Sean McNamara/19910725)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 NEW FOR PCS: Pilot Updates Lightship, Adds Lens 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00010)

NEW FOR PCS: Pilot Updates Lightship, Adds Lens 07/29/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Pilot Executive
Software has updated its executive information system (EIS)
software for Microsoft Windows 3.0 and introduced an add-on tool
providing access to data stored in popular database formats.
LightShip 3.0 is available now, while LightShip Lens will be
shipping by the end of August, a spokesman said.

Pilot launched LightShip 3.0, which adds support for Dynamic Data
Exchange (DDE), allowing data in LightShip to be updated
automatically when the source data changes. This feature will be
useful for tracking real-time data such as stock prices, the
company said.

For working with data sources that do not support DDE, Pilot added,
technically oriented LightShip authors can now create dynamic link
libraries.

The latest version also adds about 50 computational functions,
similar to those available in spreadsheet programs, for
manipulating data.

Pilot also announced LightShip Lens, which provides direct access
to popular PC and local area network (LAN) file types, including
text, dBASE, Paradox, SQL Server, and Oracle Server. By pointing
and clicking with a mouse, LightShip users can view, select, and
retrieve data without programming or using a data query language.
LightShip Lens also lets users sort and view data by different
criteria, such as region, time, and so forth.

LightShip 3.0 is priced at US$795, and LightShip Lens will cost
US$195.

(Grant Buckler/19910725/Press Contact: Doug McCartney or Michael
Dowding, Pilot Executive Software, 617-350-7035)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Enhanced Net Troubleshooting Etherpeek 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00011)

NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Enhanced Net Troubleshooting Etherpeek 07/29/91
WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Etherpeek
1.4, a Macintosh-based network monitoring and analysis package, now has
added features, said the developers, the AG Group.

"Packet Selection" is heralded as the most important new
feature, allowing users to highlight packets of interest and
sift out unnecessary packets so attention could be focused on a
specific packet or a thread of information could be traced
through a number of packets.

The selection of packets can be according to a number of
criteria, such as filters, errors, size of the packet or
patterns in the packet, the company said. Once packets are
chosen they can be deleted, retained or singled out for
observation based on the user's preference.

"We wanted to make the product more efficient for end users and
technical support specialists alike," said Mahboud Zabetian, AG
Group vice president of research and development. "Now, finding
and stepping through packets of interest among the thousands of
packets in a typical capture is simple."

In addition, AG said an additional window has been added to the
Etherpeek Statistics menu for providing network statistics in
real time. This is significant since the statistics such as
utilization and error counts can point out network problems
like faulty hardware, overloaded bandwidths and faulty software
applications, the company said.

The transmission capabilities have also been upgraded for
generating network traffic load tolerance tests, AG said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: David Burk, The AG
Group, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 NEW FOR PCS: Windows OCR Reads French, German 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00012)

NEW FOR PCS: Windows OCR Reads French, German 07/29/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Ocron has
announced that the new version of its optical character recognition
(OCR) software, Perceive 1.1, can now read French and German,
as well as English text.

"Perceive is differentiated from other OCR software by the wide
range of documents it can read. With version 1.1 we've extended
that lead with recognition of dot matrix printing and support
for two additional languages," said Larry Kubo, marketing vice
president at Ocron.

Ocron says Perceive is the first OCR software to combine
automatic (omnifont) and learning character recognition. Ocron
is claiming Perceive can learn new fonts, problem characters,
and special symbols on the fly.

"This double engine design makes OCR practical where it never
was before -- even for poor-quality copies and for documents
produced using some of the very unusual fonts now available to
desktop publishers," Kubo said.

Ocron said other enhancements include reading text set in
columns (automatic page decomposition), scanning and storing of
documents for batch processing and conversion into a variety of
data formats including WordPerfect and Microsoft Word.

The retail price of Perceive 1.1 is $595. The software is
available through the Programmer's Shop and regional
distributors, Orcon said.

The software requires a minimum of an 80286 IBM compatible
personal computer (PC) with at least 2 megabytes (MB) of random
access memory (RAM), the company said. The software supports
scanners from Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Panasonic, and other
companies, Ocron said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: Larry Kubo, Ocron,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 NEW PRODUCT HELPS DETECT TOLL-FRAUD 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00013)

NEW PRODUCT HELPS DETECT TOLL-FRAUD 07/29/91
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Monitoring
and reporting of questionable toll calls and early detection of
calling patterns that suggest hacking or potential toll fraud
is the focus of Account-A-Call's (AAC) new Toll Fraud
Monitoring Service.

The service is geared toward unauthorized use of a companies
outgoing telephone lines by an outside source. Ricardo G.
Brutocao, president of AAC said, "Telephone fraud is not a new
phenomenon, but until recently it has been directed toward
service providers. With telephone companies now employing
technology to prevent toll fraud, PBX users are the victims of
choice. Most PBXs offer little defense."

AAC said one customer who traced telephone records after
detecting massive toll fraud discovered numerous successive
incoming calls at odd hours, beginning five months before the
actual criminal activity. The calls represented the ultimately
successful effort to crack the company's access codes and gain
free use of the outgoing trunks.

The new service requires hardware, the Tadpoll-Net remote data
collection device and customized software. The Tadpoll-Net
device attaches to the port of the PBX and to the phone line,
and is programmed for call criteria, then monitored by AAC's
staff in monitoring centers on the East and West Coasts of the
U.S., the company said.

The Tadpoll reviews each call record as it is generated,
automatically forwarding those records indicating alarm
criteria violations to devices (printers, beepers, PCs, etc.)
at client facilities and/or to either of AAC's monitoring
centers.

Examples of alarm-generating criteria include outgoing calls to
international locations which are initiated on incoming trunks
and placed during evening, night and/or weekend hours; and
excessive short duration incoming calls at abnormal times -- an
indication of hacking in advance of toll fraud.

The cost of monitoring is $250 per month. Tadpoll-Nets can be
purchased at standard prices or rented for $250 per month. The
Tadpolls can also be used to collect call accounting
information as well, AAC said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: Susan Saldibar,
Account-A-Call, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 DUQUESNE GROUP SAYS U.S. BEHIND IN SOVIET INVESTMENTS 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00014)

DUQUESNE GROUP SAYS U.S. BEHIND IN SOVIET INVESTMENTS 07/29/91
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Dr. Kent
Moors, chair of political science at Duquesne University and
director of American affairs for the University's American-Soviet
Exchange Center, says, "Americans should start thinking about
investing within the next six months to a year. Americans are
about a year behind Western Europeans [in Soviet investments]."

According to the Duquesne Center, American investments in the
Soviet Union are down while some countries, such as Italy,
Germany, and France, are teaming up for a multinational approach
to investment.

Other recent University studies have shown that most U.S. joint
ventures in the Soviet Union are failures, while European efforts
seem to have better results.

(John McCormick/19910726/Press Contact: Mary Eriksson, Duquesne
University, 412-434-6050)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29  ****COMPANY TEACHES SCIENTISTS HOW TO SELL IDEAS 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00015)

 ****COMPANY TEACHES SCIENTISTS HOW TO SELL IDEAS 07/29/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- A
San Francisco-based company is offering two training courses
designed to teach scientists how to sell their ideas to others.
Scientists have traditionally worked in relative isolation with
little need to interact with others. With the realities of
today's corporate project teams and tight budgets, MOHR Development
maintains, technical professionals increasingly find interpersonal
communications skills invaluable.

Kelly Dozois, regional director of technology for MOHR Development,
told Newsbytes that the company has spent a lot of time "researching
the unique needs of technical persons," and has "developed two
programs as a result."

The two programs, "Selling Your Ideas" and "Technical
Leadership," are designed to improve the interpersonal skills of
scientists, engineers, data-processing personnel, and their
managers.

Dozois told Newsbytes that the "Selling Your Ideas" course was
designed to help scientists "sell their ideas internally within the
company" and "helps them become more focused." Subjects
covered in the course include developing a team approach, selling
your ideas to a group, obtaining management support, and how to
defend a proposal.

In the second course, the company "works with technical people
moving into leadership roles," said Dozois.

The company identifies five areas for achieving "innovation,
teamwork and sustained commitment from employees": expanding
individual productivity through teamwork, orchestrating professional
development, running organizational interference, facilitating
self-management, and coaching for peak performance.

Dozois added that MOHR, which stands for Management Of Human
Resources, "works independently with companies." Currently,
the company is working on programs with both Hewlett-Packard
and IBM.

The cost, said Dozois, is determined "on an individual
company-by-company basis, and is related to the number of people "being
trained" and the size of the program."

As a "very general figure" she said, they typically "range from
$15,000 to $20,000 up to as much as $500,000."

For more information contact Kelly Dozois at MOHR Development,
601 Gateway Blvd., Suite 290, South San Francisco, CA 94080.
Telephone: [phone].

(Ian Stokell/19910726/Press Contact: Kelly Dozois, MOHR
Development, 415-583-5150)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 NEW PC: Hard Disk, Dual Battery Options For Acer Notebook 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(HKG)(00016)

NEW PC: Hard Disk, Dual Battery Options For Acer Notebook 07/29/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Hong Kong Telecom CSL's
Telecoms and Systems Products Unit has launched a new series of
386SX-20MHz notebook computers from Taiwan manufacturer Acer.

Measuring 21cm by 28cm and weighing only 3.4Kg, the Acer 1120NX
Anywhere notebook computer has three hard disc options: 20, 40 and 60
megabyte (MB), to suit different users' needs. The 1MB RAM can be
expanded to 5MB by inserting memory cards into built-in slots.

Eight input/output slots provide connections for mobile computing,
the addition of an external keypad, connection to an external VGA
monitor, etc. CSL says the machine has more slots than competing
machines, making it easier to configure the computer to the owners
specific needs.

The new Acer computer also features a non-stop dual battery pack,
which makes it possible to change batteries without turning the
machine off. CSL claims this is the world's first non-interruptible
power supply for a notebook computer.

Other features include automatic slowdown and eventual shutdown of
the computer when there is no user activity, and an audible battery
change warning.

The Acer 1120NX comes with a 25cm triple supertwist backlit VGA
display and a handle that doubles as a tilting stand for optimum
typing angle. Hong Kong prices start at $17,000 (US$2,000).

(Norman Wingrove/19910726/Press contact: Ady Leung, CSL, Tel + 852
828 8207; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 SUNSOFT IN DEAL WITH RSA; INTROS UNIX SECURITY PRODUCTS 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00017)

SUNSOFT IN DEAL WITH RSA; INTROS UNIX SECURITY PRODUCTS 07/29/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- A little
over a month after Microsoft acquired a license to RSA Data Security's
technology, Sun Microsystems' systems software subsidiary Sunsoft
has signed an agreement to incorporate RSA's data encryption
technology into future security products. At the same time Sunsoft
introduced two new additions to its Sun Shield software security line,
called Account Resource Management (ARM) and Automated
Enhanced Security Tool (ASET).

According to the company, the new software products increase
security for Unix networks in commercial, technical and government
installations. Sunsoft says that both products enable corporate MIS
managers and network administrators to create customized security
for their networks.

These products are also important components of a comprehensive
software environment to be unveiled by SunSoft at its
early-September Developers Conference in San Jose, Calif.

"Security is a major concern in our large network environment,"
said Jerry Carlin, senior systems programmer for Pacific Bell.
"Automatic security features are really needed to help administrators
do their job, as well as help control costs. During testing, ARM and
ASET helped us meet Pacific Bell's strict security standards."

Sunsoft has also announced a joint agreement with RSA Data
Security Inc. of Redwood City, CA, to incorporate RSA's data
encryption technology into existing and future SunSoft security
products.

Sunsoft plans to use RSA's technology initially for network
authentication in the company's ONC/NFS distributed computing
technology. Network authentication helps users control access to
sensitive information stored on the network.

ONC/NFS is used in multi-vendor networks and has a reputed
installed base of more than 1.3 million nodes. The agreement allows
for the more than 300 licensees of the ONC/NFS networking
environment to obtain RSA technology for use in their own
implementations of ONC/NFS.

In the Microsoft deal, reported by Newsbytes in early June, the
software giant announced its intent to use RSA's technology to
provide privacy and authentication of sensitive user data, along
with the detection of viruses.

(Ian Stokell/19910726/Press Contact: Shernaz Daver, Sunsoft,
415-336-0678)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 BORLAND'S QUATTRO PRO/PARADOX WINDOWS UPGRADE PLAN 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00018)

BORLAND'S QUATTRO PRO/PARADOX WINDOWS UPGRADE PLAN 07/29/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Hoping
to insure a future share of the lucrative Windows market and
the database management system market at the same time, Borland
International has introduced a new upgrade plan, called the Passport
Program, which guarantees special upgrade pricing to the Windows
versions of its Quattro Pro 3.0 and Paradox 3.5 products.

The plan applies to anyone who purchases and registers their Quattro
Pro 3.0 or Paradox 3.5 products after July 1.

Anyone who purchase a full retail, upgrade, competitive upgrade or
LAN Pack version of Quattro Pro 3.0 after that date is eligible to
upgrade to Quattro Pro for Windows (or the next DOS version of
Quattro Pro) at the special Passport price of $49.95.

Additionally, the company says that anyone who purchases a full
retail, upgrade, competitive upgrade or LAN Pack version of
Paradox 3.5 after July 1 qualify to upgrade to the Windows version
(or the next DOS version) of Paradox at the special Passport price of
$139.95.

Doug Antone, senior vice president, worldwide sales at Borland
said: ''By investing in Borland's software today, (customers) are
guaranteed the next upgrade version at a significant savings.''

The company maintains that customers must register their Quattro Pro
3.0 or Paradox 3.5 products to qualify for the Passport Program
upgrade pricing. Registered users will then receive advance
notification when products become available, confirming the special
Passport upgrade price.

The promotion will be applicable only on Windows or DOS upgrades
available by March 31, 1992.

Borland recently announced another promotion concerning Quattro
Pro 3.0 and Paradox 3.5. In that promotion,
which runs until October 31, 1991, anyone buying the $495 retail
version of Quattro Pro 3.0 or the $795 version of Paradox 3.5 can
get a free copy of the company's Sidekick 2.0.

(Ian Stokell/19910726/Press Contact: Catherine Miller, Borland
International Inc., 408-439-1614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 ACER FORMS NEW BUSINESS UNIT, MARKETING DEAL, NEW PC 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00019)

ACER FORMS NEW BUSINESS UNIT, MARKETING DEAL, NEW PC 07/29/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- The Acer
Group has announced a new business unit called Acros, formed to
sell the company's line of PCs and monitors to the home and small
business markets. Additionally, the new unit has announced a
marketing deal with Best Buy and Circuit City, and has released a
new modular desktop computer.

The new unit intends to distribute its products through computer
superstores and consumer electronics chains.

Interestingly, Peter Janssen, vice president of sales and marketing
for Acros, said: "Based on our research, we identified a new generation
of sophisticated PC users more concerned with product quality and
pricing than value-added services."

Acros offers its Custom Configuration Program, where purchasers
stipulate their own choice of computer system components by
completing a form specifying their choice from among a wide range
of hardware options, such as the type of monitor, amount of memory,
size of hard disk, the inclusion of a modem or fax/modem card.
After receiving the faxed order, Acros ships the user's system
to a home or office address within seven working days.

The agreement with Best Buy calls for the consumer electronics
retailer to carry Acros' entire line of PCs and monitors. Details of
the Circuit City agreement have not been disclosed.

"Best Buy and Circuit City are ideally positioned to target the
exploding marketplace for PCs in homes, home offices and small
businesses, where today's sophisticated PC users are demanding
fully featured systems," said Janssen.

Acros has also introduced a modular-designed personal computer
called the System:100. The system features a 16MHz Intel 80386SX
microprocessor.

Acros says that the PC features a "snap together" design that
completely dispenses with screws, thus minimizing manufacturing
costs and facilities upgrades and services.

The company claims that it leverages its own highly integrated DRAMs
and ASICs (application specific integrated circuits) to create a single,
densely packed motherboard - unlike many other vendors that resort
to multiboard designs using commodity ICs (integrated circuits).

The System:100 also uses a lift-out cage containing the power supply
and fan, as well as the hard disk, which attaches to the motherboard
with four plug-on wires.

(Ian Stokell/19910726/Press Contact: Lee Cannon, Acer America Corp.,
408-922-0333)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 INTEL'S CEO TO KEYNOTE FALL COMDEX IN LAS VEGAS 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00020)

INTEL'S CEO TO KEYNOTE FALL COMDEX IN LAS VEGAS 07/29/91
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- The Interface
Group, which puts the computer industry's biggest trade shows, says that
at COMDEX/Fall '91 to be held October 21 through the 25 in Las
Vegas, Intel's President and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Andrew S.
Grove will deliver the keynote address.

Grove is expected to review how the personal computer (PC) has
become the world's favorite personal productivity tool and to
address future technology developments including
interconnection between users and the steps he feels the
industry must take to deliver the PC in its second decade.

Grove helped in the founding of Intel and was named president
and CEO in 1987. In addition to his work at Intel, Grove has
authored the books Physics and Technology of Semiconductor
Devices, High Output Management, One-on-One with Andy Grove,
and writes a weekly column on management carried by several
newspapers.

The address has been scheduled for Monday, October 21 at 9:30
a.m. in the Showroom of the Las Vegas Hilton.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912691/Press Contact: Cheryl Delgreco, The
Interface Group, Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 SEYBOLD PUB. SEMINAR SLATED FOR OCTOBER IN SAN JOSE 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00021)

SEYBOLD PUB. SEMINAR SLATED FOR OCTOBER IN SAN JOSE 07/29/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Seybold
Seminars of Malibu, California has announced its sixth
publishing conference, the 1991 Seybold Computer Publishing
Conference and Exposition is to be held in San Jose at the San
Jose Convention Center October 1 through 4.

The conference, expected to draw 250 exhibitors and 25,000
attendees has a demonstration area called "Gutenberg's Garage,"
the Seybold Gallery where designers show of their work and
individual minicourses on subjects such as system integration,
Postscript digital photography, desktop color production, and
desktop video editing, Seybold said.

Conference registration information can be obtained from
Seybold Seminars, 6922 Wildlife Road, P.O. Box 578, Malibu, CA
90265, telephone [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19912691/Press Contact: Kevin Howard, Seybold,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 NEW FOR PCS: Windows Debugging From Microsoft 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00022)

NEW FOR PCS: Windows Debugging From Microsoft 07/29/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced that the environment debugging version of Windows, a
special version for developers, will be available in September
of this year.

The Windows debugging version, which is being made available as
a separate product for the first time, is a standard component
of the Windows Software Development Kit. Microsoft says it has
shipped over 50,000 development kits.

The debugging version provides technical information about
Windows applications to developers for their own use or for use
with their tools. It can be used with any Microsoft or
third-party Windows development tool. The debugger version
costs less than the entire Windows development kit, and contains
tools ranging from code interface generators to object-oriented
development environments.

"The Windows debugging version is part of our ongoing effort to
provide a rich and flexible Windows development environment,"
said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft senior VP of systems software.
Microsoft says by making the product available it hopes to
encourage more developers, especially those who do not use
Microsoft tools, to use the Windows debugging version.

The debugging version of Windows displays information on a
second monitor or COM port, alerting programmers to problems
with the use or management of Windows resources during
application development. It validates parameters, checks
application programming interface calls, performs check/sums on
code segments, and tracks Windows handles such as menus and
graphics.

The Windows debugging version has a suggested list price of
$195, compared to the developers took kit at $495, and comes
with a manual covering installation and use.

(Jim Mallory/910728/Press contact: Lis Sidnam, Microsoft,
206-882-8080, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 CONNER GETS NEW TECHNOLOGY WITH PURCHASE OF VISQUS  07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00023)

CONNER GETS NEW TECHNOLOGY WITH PURCHASE OF VISQUS  07/29/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Conner
Peripherals, best know for its hard disk drives, announced it
has signed an agreement for a cash-for-stock purchase of Visqus
Corporation, a privately held company developing head-to-media
interface technology for disk drives.

Finis F. Conner, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Visqus
provides Conner with the potential to substantially increase
the areal density of future disk drives over current air-
bearing technology. At this point, the technology is in its
early development, but if it bears fruit it could have a major
impact on important segments of the drive industry.

"Our goal is to introduce the first product based on Visqus
technology as early as next year," Conner said, "although there
can be no assurance that this goal will be met or that the
technology will be successfully commercialized."

Visqus claims it has developed a new technology for writing and
reading the information off a disk. "We believe this interface
technology is one of the most innovative things to happen to
disk drives since the 1960s," said Dr. Jeffrey M. Nash,
president of Visqus. "We are developing the basic technology,
which is a technique for near-contact recording by supporting
the head on a thin liquid bearing, and we have applied for
extensive patent protection.

"Now we hope to accelerate introduction of the technology into
the marketplace by joining with Conner, a company well known
for its superb time-to-market execution. We are proud to be a
part of the Conner team, and we believe this acquisition can
strengthen Conner's position as an industry technology leader."

Visqus was started in 1989 in San Diego with the venture
capital backing of U.S. Venture Partners, Menlo Ventures, 3I
and Crosspoint. Dr. James U. Lemke and Dr. Nash founded the
company and it now has approximately 20 employees.

Conner showed revenues of $1.3 billion and profits of $130
million after four years of business, making it the fastest
growing manufacturing company in American business history,
Conner said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910724/Press Contact: Kevin Burr, Conner
Peripherals, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 COMTEL/VANCE MERGER GIVES CUSTOMERS TURN-KEY SERVICE  07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00024)

COMTEL/VANCE MERGER GIVES CUSTOMERS TURN-KEY SERVICE  07/29/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Utilitech
announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Comtel Industries, has
acquired Vance Communications, for cash and notes.

Vance Communications, formerly a privately-held company, has
been providing "outside plant services," short-term technical
personnel and equipment services, to telephone companies and
private companies generating approximately $2 million a year in
revenues, Utilitech said.

Comtel, on the other hand, has been providing inside plant
services along the same lines to the same type of customer,
Utilitech said.

The combination of Vance and Comtel's Telecommunication
Services Division will give the Comtel division full turn-key
service capabilities, the company said.

Nathan Hevrony, Utilitech chairman and chief executive officer,
said Comtel Industries, formerly Utility Marketing and
Development Incorporated, has grown significantly in the last 18
months. The subsidiary grew 50% for the fiscal year (FY) ending
March 31, and Hevrony said 80% growth is expected in the
current FY.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910729/Press Contact: Nathan Hevrony,
Utilitech, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 ELEC. ARTS/SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS RENEW AGRMNT 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00025)

ELEC. ARTS/SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS RENEW AGRMNT 07/29/91
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Electronic
Arts and Software Toolworks have announced the renewal of an
exclusive distribution agreement under which Electronic Arts
will continue to distribute The Software Toolworks floppy disk-
based games.

Included in the agreement are the well-known Mavis Beacon
Teaches Typing, Life and Death I & II and Chessmaster 2100,
which will continue to be distributed through the Electronic
Arts Distribution channels in the United States and Canada.

Larry Probst, president of Electronic Arts, said, "We are
looking forward to continued success with The Software
Toolworks line of products. Toolworks has been one of the
industry leaders in developing consistently strong sellers. We
have admired their marketing and product development skills,
and feel fortunate to continue our affiliation with them."

"The resources offered by Electronic Arts Distribution,
including extensive retail penetration and effective support
services, have given us long-standing retail success for our
product line," noted Robert Lloyd, president of The Software
Toolworks.

Toolworks has been reporting overall losses beginning in
October 1990 for the fiscal year (FY) to end on March 31, 1991
(Newsbytes, San Francisco Bureau, October 11, 1990). However
Leslie Crane, chairman and chief executive officer, said at that
time the company was pleased with the personal computer disk-
based and compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM) product lines.
Crane blamed the expected losses on the price competition and
slower moving Nintendo titles the company markets.

Most recently the company has cut 22% of its work force and
reported losses of $38.9 million for the FY ending March 31,
1991. Most of the layoffs have come from the Chatsworth-based
packaging and disk duplicating company, Priority Software
(Newsbytes, San Francisco Bureau, July 15, 1991).

(Linda Rohrbough/19910724/Press Contact: Holly Hartz,
Electronic Arts, Tel: [phone], Fax: area/number)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29  ****MICROSOFT UK REVEALS PLANS FOR OS/2 AND WINDOWS 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00026)

 ****MICROSOFT UK REVEALS PLANS FOR OS/2 AND WINDOWS 07/29/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Microsoft is actively encouraging
users of OS/2 to migrate to the Windows environment, despite the fact that
the software house is committed to developing OS/2 v3.0 for IBM.
At the same time, Microsoft has firmed up its plans for the next generation
of Windows, which it calls Windows New Technology, Windows NT for short.

Senior officials with Microsoft U.K. today outlined their plans for OS/2
and Windows, explaining that users are really after Windows. According to
David Svenson, Microsoft UK's managing director, "There is a lot of FUD
(fear, uncertainty and doubt) out there."

"Today we intend to clear this FUD. Steve Ballmer has been doing the rounds
in the US. We're going to do the same in the UK," he added.

Svenson said that U.K. sales of Microsoft software are riding high.
"They're better than the year before. This makes us the largest software
company in the world," he said.

Dave Smith, UK systems manager with Microsoft, said that the company's
strategy is now to sell and support Windows in a big way. "Microsoft
Windows is the strategy we are embarking on," he said.

Smith went on to say that Microsoft is also planning to actively
encourage OS/2 users to migrate to Microsoft Windows. This is despite the
fact that Microsoft is committed to developing OS/2 Release 3.0 for IBM.
"It's important to ensure OS/2 users migrate quickly to Windows," he said,
adding that Microsoft is working hard to migrate OS/2 users to the Windows
environment.

IBM, he said, has not made it clear what is happening with OS/2 version
3.0. This has resulted in a considerable amount of speculation as to the
future of the operating system.

Microsoft is hoping to lure OS/2 users over to the Windows environment with
the promise of Windows NT. Earlier and current editions of Windows (to
version 3.1) have been graphical user interfaces (GUIs) overlaying onto a
DOS base. Windows NT, said Microsoft, will be a bootable operating system
in its own right, without the need for the user having to boot from DOS or
OS/2.

Windows NT is now on target for a 1992 release. Version 3.1, meanwhile, is
being readied for release before the end of the year. Microsoft officials
refused to be more specific on these dates.

Features of Windows NT include support for multiple platforms, including
80386 and RISC microprocessors; Multiple DOS sessions; and the ability to
emulate a DOS session from within the Windows environment without loading a
copy of DOS into memory.

(Steve Gold/199910729/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK - Tel: 0734-
391123)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 REACTION PREDICTABLE TO GREENE'S FREE-THE-RBOCS ORDER 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)

REACTION PREDICTABLE TO GREENE'S FREE-THE-RBOCS ORDER 07/29/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Reaction
was predictable to Judge Harold Greene's order lifting the
regional Bell companies from their ban on providing information
services. The Bells loved it, competitors hated it.

Greene's order does not mean that the Bells are freed
immediately. There's a routine appeal to the Court of Appeals,
with Greene himself appending a request that the court reconsider
its earlier ruling narrowing the grounds on which he could refuse
to lift the ban. There are also bills before Congress to lift the
ban on manufacturing -- a re-imposition of the information
services ban could be placed on either one.

For now, however NYNEX Chairman William C. Ferguson said he was
happy. "Lifting the information services restriction is
good news for consumers, information providers and for the
communications industry," he said. Ferguson said NYNEX could
quickly offer a home security system in conjunction with Telecom
Eireann of Ireland, an online version of its Yellow Pages
listings, privacy enhancements for its Telecommunications Devices
for the Deaf, interactive multimedia for education, facilities
management for corporate networks, and other benefits. Notably
absent from the list was any direct mention of the InfoLook
gateway, closed earlier this year because it was losing money.
"We think InfoLook taught us lessons, but we still have to
determine whether the market is there," said NYNEX spokesman Bob
Jasinski. More flexibility would be necessary before NYNEX could think
of reopening the gateway, he added.

Publishers aren't the only firms at risk by the decision.
Companies which process credit card transactions could lose out
as the Bells maintain databases for banks and merchants. The way
could also be cleared for Bell companies to buy out large online
firms, like GEnie. Consumer groups also assailed the move, saying
it would lead to new Bell monopolies, endless anti-trust
litigation, and higher phone rates.

MCI issued a brief statement critical of the action, expressing
hope that the Court of Appeals will change its mind. "We agree
with the judge's thoughts on the matter, and we will appeal the
decision," said spokesman John Houser. "He stayed his order
hoping it would be appealed." Houser thinks the matter may take
a year to resolve. That's unlikely, and so is passage of a new
information services ban by Congress. The Bush Administration
supports efforts to deregulate the Bells, and would likely veto
any info services ban. The Administration is already threatening
to veto the manufacturing bill because of a strict domestic
content provision. No veto by President Bush has yet been
overturned.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730/Press Contact: NYNEX, Janine Mudge
914-644-7236; Bob Jasinski, 202- 416-0125)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 CORRECTION: THERE ARE SOME TOLL-FREE BULLETIN BOARDS 07/29/91

07/29/91

(CORRECTION)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)

CORRECTION: THERE ARE SOME TOLL-FREE BULLETIN BOARDS 07/29/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- The list of toll-
free modem numbers from "Computer Shopper" is still bogus, as
reported by Newsbytes July 19. But there are a few toll-free
bulletin board lines out there, mainly run by corporations to
serve their customers.

Michael A. Banks, a regular writer on telecom issues, said he'd
researched the subject, and found all the numbers on the
"Computer Shopper" list were voice customer service/ordering
numbers. "The 800 BBS is indeed something of an urban myth," he
added. "However, there is a much-publicized 800 BBS operated by
SprintNet in support of their PC Pursuit service. There are also
about two dozen other 800 BBS numbers in existence--most set up
for members of professional organizations or customers of a
certain vendor."

One of the most popular such numbers is run by Hayes
Microcomputer Products exclusively for users of its Hayes modems
and Smartcom software. It offers information on Hayes products,
software updates, technical tips, small parts ordering, and
direct e-mail contact with tech support and customer service
people. Randy Cooper is the system operator for the 16-line
board. A small number of online services, including NWI, have
also in the past offered online access via 800 numbers. But lists
of such numbers don't circulate in part because they're only
targeted toward specific audiences and because holders of the
number pay for each call received on them.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910730)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 NEW FOR MAC: Claris Intros ClarisWorks Integrated Software 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00029)

NEW FOR MAC: Claris Intros ClarisWorks Integrated Software 07/29/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Claris has
introduced an integrated software package for Macintosh computers
that will directly compete with Microsoft Works.

Like Microsoft Works, ClarisWorks features word processing, graphics,
spreadsheet, charting, database management, and communications
features.

Renee Risch, spokesperson for Claris, told Newsbytes that, unlike
Microsoft Works, ClarisWorks lets users access tools and features
from within a single document. This is also unlike other existing
integrated products, which all force the user to move among different
"modules."

The company maintains that this allows users to add text, graphics,
calculations and charts to their documents at any time.

Risch also told Newsbytes that there is a "tool pallet on the left hand
side" that allows for the specification of such applications as
graphics "without quitting" the document being worked on, so users
"can do all that on one page."

The company maintains that users can upgrade to the company's
MacWrite Pro for word processing, MacDraw Pro for graphics, and
FileMaker Pro for database management with relative ease.

"With traditional integrated packages, users have had to sacrifice
power and functionality as they switch back and forth between
cumbersome modules to add charts, graphics or other elements to
their documents," said Robert Roblin, Claris vice president of
marketing.

ClarisWorks is scheduled to ship in the United States during the fourth
quarter of 1991 at the suggested price of $299. Current owners of Claris
AppleWorks, Appleworks GS, Microsoft Works, Symantec GreatWorks,
and RagTime can upgrade to ClarisWorks for $99.

(Ian Stokell/19910729/Press Contact: Renee Risch, Claris Corp.,
408-987-7534)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 GALDALF TECH AND INFOTRON TO MERGE 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00030)

GALDALF TECH AND INFOTRON TO MERGE 07/29/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Shareholders of
Gandalf Technologies and Infotron Systems have met and approved a
merger previously agreed upon by the boards of directors of both
companies. Under the merger agreement, 50 Gandalf common shares
will go to holders of each 100 shares of Infotron common, while
100 Infotron preferred shares will be exchanged for 62 shares of
Gandalf common shares.

Infotron will become part of Gandalf's U.S. subsidiary, Gandalf
Data Inc., which will undergo a name change to become Gandalf
Systems Corp. It will be based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey,
Infotron's current head office location.

With 1,300 employees and gross annual sales approaching $170
million, Gandalf Technologies is an end-user provider of computer
communications systems. Gandalf stock is listed on NASDAQ as well
as the Toronto and London Stock Exchanges.

Founded in 1968, Infotron employs about 900 people and has a
gross annual income of approximately $100 million. Infotron
markets gateways, network software, and other data
communications-related products.

(John McCormick/19910729/Press Contact: Liz Cherry, Gandalf
Technologies Inc., 613-723-6500 ext. 8742)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 THE ULTIMATE PURCHASES COMPUTER SUPPORT OF N.A. 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00031)

THE ULTIMATE PURCHASES COMPUTER SUPPORT OF N.A. 07/29/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- East Hanover, New
Jersey-based The Ultimate Corp. has announced the acquisition of
Basking Ridge, New Jersey's Computer Support of North America
which provides local area networks and downsizing services to
companies such as CBS, The Family Channel, and Consolidated
Insurance.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1978, The Ultimate Corp. is an international marketer
of computers and financial software with gross annual sales of
$200,000,000. Ultimate, with about 500 employees, is listed on
the New York Stock Exchange.

(John McCormick/19910729)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 INTERLEAF TURNS AROUND AND BUYS GERMAN DISTRIBUTOR 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00032)

INTERLEAF TURNS AROUND AND BUYS GERMAN DISTRIBUTOR 07/29/91
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Interleaf
has reported a net profit of $88,000 for the first quarter of
fiscal year 1992 versus a $2.9 million loss for the same period
last year.

Interleaf has also just announced the acquisition of its German
distributor, Interleaf GmbH, for $8.4 million.

With gross annual sales of $84 million and 800 employees,
Interleaf produces high-end desktop publishing software. The
company was established in 1981 and is listed on the NASDAQ stock
exchange.

(John McCormick/19910729/Press Contact: David Collard, Interleaf,
617-290-0710 X. 7949 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 LARRY MAGID, COMPUTER CURRENTS ON CBS 07/29/91

07/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00033)

LARRY MAGID, COMPUTER CURRENTS ON CBS 07/29/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 29 (NB) -- Computer
Currents' Editor-at-Large, Larry Magid, is scheduled to appear on the
CBS Morning News Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30th and 31st. On
Tuesday Magid will talk about "Personal Finance Software." On Wednesday,
the subject will be "How to Buy a Personal Computer." The segments are
expected to be on the first half hour of the show.

The following week, ABC's Business World will mark the tenth anniversary
of the IBM PC's debut with a special half-hour program devoted to the
impact of the personal computer on business. Hosted by Sander Vanocur,
the show will include interviews with Microsoft's Bill Gates, Apple CEO
John Sculley, Steve Jobs of Next and Andrew Grove of Intel. Computer
Currents' Editor David Needle and Art Director Kris Warrenburg were
interviewed for a segment on how to avoid buying the wrong computer
products. Among other topics, they discussed the process Computer
Currents went through in deciding what products to buy in its
transition to desktop publishing the newspaper four years ago.

The show is scheduled to appear in the San Francisco Bay Area on Channel
7, Sunday, August 11th at 11:30 a.m.

(Wendy Woods/19910729)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29 BoCoEx Index 07/29/91

07/29/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00034)

BoCoEx Index 07/29/91
News and Closing Prices
from the Boston Computer Exchange

 Closing Prices Report
 for the week ending July 26, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 IBM PC 176               Floppy      200 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      350 down 100   500    350

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      600 -          675    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      625 -          725    600

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      775 -         1000    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      500 -          700    450

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1150 -         1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model L40SX     60 MgB     3400 -         3500   3400

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1100 -         1450   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1300 -         1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     1600 -         2200   1400

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1300 -         1700   1300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2300 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3400 -         3600   3200

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 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     2700 -         2800   2600

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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      850 -         1000    800

 Zenith TurboSport-386    40 MgB     1600 down 100  1900   1600

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Macintosh Plus           Floppy      500 -          750    500

 Macintosh Plus           20 MgB      750 -          975    700

 Macintosh Classic        40 MgB     1025 down 25   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     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2225 -         2500   2100

 Macintosh IIX            80 MgB     3550 -         3600   3500

 Macintosh IICX           80 MgB     3300 -         3600   3200

 Macintosh IICI           80 MgB     3750 down 100  4300   3750

 Macintosh IIFX           80 MgB     5300 -         5800   5200

 Macintosh IISI           40 MgB     2950 -         3400   2700

 Macintosh Portable       40 MgB     2600 -         3400   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      350 -          400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      800 -          950    750

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 225 -          350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               2000 -         2500   2000

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                       925 -         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     1300 -         1450   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     2200 -         2800   2200

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1500 -         1800   1300

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2700 -         2900   2600

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     1800 -         2000   1700

 Toshiba T-5200          100 MgB     2900 down 300  3800   3100

IBM PC  -  The End is Near

Boston, July 26, 1991 - The original IBM Personal Computer is
headed toward the end of the line.  After ten years of faithful
service to the computer community, the value of the original
personal computer is fast approaching the level that makes it a
donation item.  The PC, originally priced as high as $4,000 in
1981 at its introduction, has recently traded as low as $200 and
is frequently placed for donation rather than sold.  "We are
running out of people who want to buy these machines for cash,"
said Charles Thompson, Manager of the Boston Computer Exchange,
"and the remaining owners realize that they have driven the
machines for a rich and full lifetime."   BCE will be sponsoring
an official "Irish Wake" for the PC on August 12, 1991, at BCE
office in Boston to mark the machine's tenth birthday and its
transition from a salable commodity to a donation item.  All
BoCoEx Index readers are invited to attend.   As the PC is
slipped into the donation column, the XT showed it was headed in
the same direction.  With no more processing brains than the PC
and nary more than a tiny hard drive, the XT is losing its
value.  The most popular of the XT's closed the week off $100 at
$350 and buyers are expressing reluctance to buy into such old
technology.

Volume on Mac 2's Strong

While the IBM's may be losing their allure, the Macintosh market
is showing the strength of the whole Apple approach to personal
computers.  Volume was strong in all of the Mac 2 machines.
While the Mac 2's are trading at stable prices with strong
demand, there are exceptions to the stable prices.  The Mac 2 ci
took a spill in value this week, dropping $100 and closing this
weeks trading at $3750.   The Mac Classic has been a stable
performer at $1025 which is $25 less than last week's close.

Toshiba Favorite Takes a Plunge

Laptop users love the Toshiba models and their volume continues
to set the pace in the market.  Despite the Compaq price cuts in
the LTE models they are not trading with the steady flow of the
Toshiba computers.  The T-5200 did lose some value this week
dropping $300 to close the week at $2900.  Other laptop model
from Toshiba and Compaq traded at stable prices and buyers
continue to snap up laptops in preference over desktop
computers.  The time is nearing when average users have one
powerful computer sitting on their desk that they haul away when
traveling and never own a desktop at all.

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: [phone].
BCE's Fax Yourself Information is 617-542-2345 Ask for extension
300 for BoCoEx Index.

(BOCOEX/19910729)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 26 MOSCOW: ANOTHER SEQUOIA COMPUTER TO BE INSTALLED 07/26/91

07/26/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00001)

MOSCOW: ANOTHER SEQUOIA COMPUTER TO BE INSTALLED 07/26/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Ultimate Corp will ship and
install a large-scale Sequoia computer system at the Moscow-based
AlmazJuvelirExport, a major jewelry and precious metal exporter.

According to Ultimate, the system is Motorola 68030-based Sequoia
Model 300 2.2.2, similar to the one shipped to Gokhran jewelry
company. The machine will be shipped upon receival of appropriate
U.S.Department of Commerce's licenses.

The deal is valued at approximately US$500,000. Almazjuvelirexport is
the largest Soviet exporter of jewelry and precious metal with annual
sales reaching US$1 billion.

According to Vladimir Tchekalin, AlmazJuvelirexport computer division
manager, the company decided to change its computer system from a Pick-
based system manufactured by French Intertechnique. The reason, he says,
was the very high price for post-warranty service, and problems with hard
drives offered by this company, now owned by Siemens.

The high-powered system will be used for all in-house operations
including accounting and inventory. "We see that in the nearest future
all the Soviet precious metal industry will be operating using this
computer for intercompany communications. Newly formed ZolotoBank
(GoldBank) will be based on this computer system as well," Mr
Tchekalin told Newsbytes.

"We examined systems offered by French Bull and Ultimate and decided
to buy Sequoia as a machine with a great extension of possibilities. The
advantage also was the fact that all our existing Pick-based software
can be easily ported to the new system."

Service and support will be provided by Ultimate's French subsidiary,
according to Tchekalin.

Mr Chekalin commented that another Sequoia system shipped earlier
this year to a major precious metal company, Gokhran, only recently
was cleared by Soviet customs agents and was installed at the premises.
"One of the reasons we bought Sequoia was to be compatible with the
other big company operation here," he said.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910726/Press contact: Vladimir Chekalin,
Almazjuvelirexport, phone [phone] or 245-2952;  The Ultimate
Corp., Les Anderson, 201/887-9222)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 MATSUSHITA/SIGNETICS COOPERATING IN CHIP PRODUCTION 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00002)

MATSUSHITA/SIGNETICS COOPERATING IN CHIP PRODUCTION 07/26/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Matsushita Electronics is seeking
even closer ties with Signetics in California concerning their joint
production of semiconductor chips. Signetics is a subsidiary of
Dutch-based Philips.

Currently, Matsushita is producing MOS (metal oxide semiconductor)
ICs (integrated circuits) at Signetics' California and Albuquerque,
New Mexico planst. An agreement to produce chips at Signetics'
Orem, Utah plant is also expected shortly. Matsushita and
Signetics, seeking to further expand their production agreements, are
discussing IC production at Signetics plants in Korea and Thailand.
It is expected that the firms  will set up a joint venture in those regions.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910726/Press Contact: Matsushita Electronics,
 [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 "SPEAKING PHOTO FLAME" DEBUTS FOR ADS 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00003)

"SPEAKING PHOTO FLAME" DEBUTS FOR ADS 07/26/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Saiko-sha has developed a
unique advertising device which is a combination of pictures
and sounds. The "Voice Poppy Light" is in the form of a photo
"flame" and it emits sounds or voice when a human gets near to it.

An IC (integrated circuit) sensor and a speaker are installed on this
A4-size photo flame. Sounds or voice message can be recorded on an
IC chip for a maximum of 32 seconds of play. Changing the sounds and
messages is accomplished easily just by replacing the IC chips.

With  the combination of picture and sound, the device is said to be
ideal for public areas, such as exhibitions, or could be used for
informational purposes, such as at hospital reception desks.
The device is also equipped with a timer so that the sound can be
activated at a precise moment.

The device was jointly developed by System Promotion Van (Osaka)
and Saiko-sha. It costs 89,000 yen ($660). Saiko-sha plans to ship
10,000 units in the initial year of sales.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910726/Press Contact: Saiko-sha, +81-6-771-
2315)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 IBM JAPAN/FRENCH CREATE JOINT CAD VENTURE 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00004)

IBM JAPAN/FRENCH CREATE JOINT CAD VENTURE 07/26/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- IBM Japan has announced that
it will set up a joint venture with Dassault Systems in France.
The new firm will be called "Catia Service" and will support Dassault's
CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing)
software. The headquarters of Catia Service will be located in
IBM Japan's Tokyo office. The new firm officially starts business on
August 14.

Catia Service will provide technical support and consulting services
for Dassault's CAD/CAM software, which is currently sold exclusively
by IBM Japan. IBM Japan sold 1,400 units of the software for
general purpose computers and 3,600 units for workstations by the
end of 1990. The software is said to be ideal for drawing diagrams
since it supports 3-dimensional features.

The capitalization of the new firm is 300 million yen ($2 million),
which is equally split by IBM Japan and Dassault. The presidency of
the firm has been assumed by IBM Japan's Tsunehiro Wakatsuki. The
company's initial staff will be made up of 13 people from both
IBM Japan and Dassault.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910726/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3586-
1111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 EXECUTIVES DISCUSS STRATEGIC USE OF INFO TECH 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00005)

EXECUTIVES DISCUSS STRATEGIC USE OF INFO TECH 07/26/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- A vital question to
ask about any organization in the 1990s is "how well is your
organization positioned to achieve a real advantage through
technology," according to John Lacey, president of Scott's
Hospitality Inc., of Toronto. Lacey was one of a panel of senior
business and government executives discussing the use of
information technology at Software World, a three-day conference
here.

Lacey said cultural factors are more important than technical ones
in taking advantage of information technology in the 1990s. A key
question is whether the organization has a chief information
officer who reports directly to the president and is recognized as
a "technology navigator" in the company, he said.

Norman Seagram, executive vice-president of brewers Molson
Companies Ltd., and a self-described "technology illiterate,"
quoted the mission statement of the British news magazine The
Economist, which speaks of intelligence moving forward in a battle
with ignorance. "I need the intelligence to press forward," he told
the audience of computer systems professionals, "and I need you to
provide it."

Executives have little interest in technical debates, Seagram said.
They want information technology to help them predict future trends
rather than just telling them what is happening today, and they
want ways to blend qualitative with quantitative information.

Andrew Brandt is chairman and chief executive of the Liquor Control
Board of Ontario, a provincial agency which runs 625 liquor stores
across the province and has annual sales of C$2 billion. Brandt
said the LCBO is under increasing pressure from the deficit-ridden
provincial government to increase its profits, which help offset
government expenses and thus slow the rise of taxes. To do this, he
said, the LCBO is looking to innovations such as a point-of-sale
computer system that will help it track sales. This will improve
decisions about stocking, allocation of shelf space and, combined
with inventory tracking, reduce the amount of inventory the LCBO
must hold.

The LCBO is also using computer-aided design (CAD) systems to help
it redesign its stores and improve displays, Brandt said.

Monte Kwinter, Ontario government opposition critic for industry,
trade and technology, and former Minister of Consumer and
Commercial Relations, is using computers to make government more
efficient. An example, he said, is the Privately Owned Land
Registration and Information System (POLARIS), which uses
geographic information system (GIS) technology to speed up land
title searches through the province's land registry offices.

Hal Moran, president of the central division of Molson Companies
and moderator of the panel, said it is clear that "throughout the
new era that's unwinding, the customer is going to be the king,"
and that information technology will be a key to providing better
customer service.

Software World was presented by Digital Consulting Inc. of Andover,
Mass., and cosponsored by the Canadian Information Processing
Society (CIPS), Strategic Resources Inc. and the Canadian
publications Computing Canada, Computing Now! and Business Computer
News.

(Grant Buckler/19910725)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 NEW FOR IBM: Prime Brings Host Data Into Windows 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00006)

NEW FOR IBM: Prime Brings Host Data Into Windows 07/26/91
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) --Prime
Computer has introduced connectivity software to let PC users cut
and paste data from database management systems on its proprietary
and Unix-based host systems directly into applications running
under Microsoft Windows 3.0.

Prime's Hyper Session is meant for companies with large Prime
Information and Prime Information Plus databases, the firm said. It
will let employees download corporate data for processing at their
desks.

A Hyper Session client module runs under Windows and looks like any
other Windows application, Prime spokesman Paul LaBelle said. PC
users can use standard Windows functions to cut and paste data from
Hyper Session into other Windows applications.

The client module on the PC works with a server module that is
integrated with the Prime Information database management software
on multiuser host systems. The number of client modules that can
access a single server module at one time is limited only by the
number of connections the server hardware can support, LaBelle
said.

Prime said it plans to make Hyper Session support popular
relational database management systems in future releases.

Prime Information software runs on the company's 50 Series
superminicomputers. Prime Information Plus, runs under the Unix
operating system on Prime EXL Series multiuser systems.

Hyper Session is due to ship in August. The client module is priced
on an introductory basis in the United States at US$349. Server
modules start at US$1,050, depending on system configuration.

(Grant Buckler/19910725/Press Contact: Paul LaBelle, Prime,
508-620-2800 ext. 5730)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 NORWAY: SERVICE BUREAU INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATES 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(OSL)(00007)

NORWAY: SERVICE BUREAU INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATES 07/26/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Reorganization and mergers are
characterizing Norway's service bureau industry. After
being created by the merger of five service bureaus, the largest
in Norway, Norsk Informasjonsteknologi AS (NIT), has reduced its
operation centers from five to two in a period of 14 months.

Bringing a saving of US$2.9 million per year, the consolidation
concentrates 90% of NIT's computing power to its Hamar, Norway
base. With 250 MIPS and 650 gigabytes of storage, the Hamar computer
operation runs Norway's largest commercial network with 27,000 users.
With connections to international networks, it also supports customers
as far afield as Hong Kong and Houston, Texas.

In a separate development, two other service bureaus, Hydro Data
and Teamco AS, are discussing various forms of cooperation.
Hydro Data is a part of Norway's largest industrial group, Norsk
Hydro.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/1991.07.24/Norsk Informasjonsteknologi AS;
Roar Hansen - Information Officer, tel: + 47-33-15222; Hydro Data -
Jan Lokling; Tel: [phone]; Teamco AS; Morten Eldevik; Tel
[phone] - Norway is GMT + 1 hour)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 NEW FOR UNIX: Valid Logic's EDA For Silicon Graphics Workstation 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00008)

NEW FOR UNIX: Valid Logic's EDA For Silicon Graphics Workstation 07/26/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Valid Logic
Systems has announced it now has its Electronic Design
Automation (EDA) software available for Silicon Graphics Unix
workstations.

Valid's EDA software is used for complex system design and
includes design capture, digital simulation, analog simulation
and printed circuit board design tools, the company said.

Valid plans to become a member of Silicon Graphics Geometry
Partners program and also plans to participate in joint
marketing programs. The two companies have also announced plans
to explore the possibilities of parallel processing for large
EDA tasks.

Parallel processing is the placement of multiple central
processing units (CPUs) on a single motherboard and has
produced some of the fastest computers in the world. The
world's fastest computer, the Touchstone Delta system housed at
Cal Tech in Pasadena, is a parallel processing computer.

Silicon Graphics manufacturers computer systems for the
technical and scientific computing market. Valid supplies EDA
software for use on workstations for development of integrated
circuits and printed circuit boards and other related
electronic systems.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: Rich Dickerson, Valid,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 NEW PRODUCT: Epson's Enhanced LX-810 Dot Matrix Printer 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00009)

NEW PRODUCT: Epson's Enhanced LX-810 Dot Matrix Printer 07/26/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Epson
announced its new, enhanced version of the LX-810 features
print speeds between 30% and 60% faster.

The LX-810, a narrow-carriage, 9-pin printer now produces up to
240 characters per second (cps) in draft mode, a 30% increase
and up to 48 cps in letter quality mode, a 60% increase.

The printer comes with three built-in fonts, 240 by 216 dots-per-
inch resolution, a built-in push tractor, and a Selectype
control panel, the company said.

Epson says the printer has some new paper-handling capabilities
with continuous paper than include a tear-off feature, a micro-
adjustment feature for precise paper positioning, and paper
parking to switch between continuous and single sheet paper
without taking the printer apart or removing the continuous
paper.

The suggested retail price on the LX-810 is $269 and the printer is
warranteed for 2 years. Epson says the printer is an "economical
solution" for businesses, homes and students.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: Jan Marciano, Epson,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 CRAY RESEARCH, DUTCH FIRM DEVELOP OIL DISCOVERY SOFTWARE 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00010)

CRAY RESEARCH, DUTCH FIRM DEVELOP OIL DISCOVERY SOFTWARE 07/26/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced it has signed an agreement with a Dutch firm to jointly
develop a new generation of seismic applications software for the
petroleum industry.

Cray will provide a Cray XMS, an entry level system, to the
project, dubbed DELSI.  The system will be used to develop
seismic modeling to find likely areas for oil and gas
exploration.  DELPHI, a seismic data processing research project,
is headed by Dr. A.J. Berkkhout at the Delft University of
Technology in Delft, Holland.  Cray Research is one of 22
sponsoring corporations.  More than 5,000 researchers involved,
working in  seven institutes studying various disciplines.

Three portions of prototype software code have been identified
for commercialization.  The three portions are model-based
algorithmic approaches which focus on seismic energy to discern
detailed geological characteristics of the potential oil
deposits.  Using the XMS, the DELSI team will enhance the code
already developed by the project, write software documentation,
and execute case studies.

The XMS will be installed at TNO, a Dutch firm,  and will be
linked to a Cray Y-MP located at SARA, the Netherlands national
supercomputer center.  The DELSI consortium includes Dutch,
Norweigan, and United States organizations.  The project is also
funded by the European Community.

(Jim Mallory/19910724/Press Contact:Cray Research, Kate Neessen,
612-683-7132)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 DELL SUBSIDIARY TO APPEAL BRITISH AD RULING 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00011)

DELL SUBSIDIARY TO APPEAL BRITISH AD RULING 07/26/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, US.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Dell Computer
Corporation's British subsidiary Dell U.K. has announced that it will
appeal a ruling issued in London against advertisements comparing Dell's
computers with systems from Compaq Computer Corporation.

The ruling, issued by the High Court Of Justice, Chancery
Division, requires Dell U.K. to modify its advertisements
pending a full trial, and assesses a find of $250,000 pounds
sterling (about $420,000).

The judge acknowledged that Dell U.K. had made substantial
alternations to its earlier comparative advertisements, but said
the revised ads still violated a previous temporary injunction
which the court had issued in March of this year.  In April of
this year the British court handed down an order requiring Dell
to modify its advertising. British trademark laws  prevent the
use of a trade name without permission.

Dell said it will appeal of the judge's findings as well as the
amount of the fine.  The decision will not affect any Dell
advertising in the US.  Dell has consistently stated that it stands
behind the truth of its advertising.

The issue first came to light when Dell competitor and fellow
Texas company Compaq Computer Corporatin sued Dell over ads run
by Dell in England that used the Compaq name.  Compaq
claimed that the Compaq name was used without a proper trademark
sign, and that the product comparisons used in the ads were
"misleading."  Compaq did not specify what made the ads
misleading.  Also at issue was the comparison of Dell and Compaq
prices.  Compaq objected on the grounds that it is improper to
quote the list prices as the amount customers actually pay.
Compaq also claimed that the price comparisons were not for
comparable computer systems.

(Jim Mallory/19910724/Press Contact: Michele Moore, Dell
Computer, 512-343-3535)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26

07/26/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00012) NEW PC: ALR Notebook Compared To Compaq 07/26/91


NEW PC: ALR Notebook Compared To Compaq 07/26/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Advanced Logic
Research (ALR) has introduced its newest computer, the
Venture/20, a 7.5-pound, 20 megahertz (MHz) 386SX-based
notebook computer with 4 megabytes (MB) of random access memory
(RAM).

ALR said the notebook features a built in 3.5-inch floppy disk
drive, a choice of 40, 60 or 80 MB IDE hard disk drives, video
graphics adapter (VGA) display with 32-gray scales, and a 8.5-
inch paper-white, super twist LCD screen with a power-save
feature to prevent screen burn-out. Also included is a 3-hour
rechargeable NiCad battery.

The keyboard has 82 keys and ALR says it is ergonomically
designed. The computer has a "sleep and resume" mode to extend
battery life, and a ISA expansion adapter port, 2 serial ports,
1 parallel port, an external VGA port and an external
keyboard/keypad port, ALR said. Digital Research's DR DOS 5.0
and ALR's own set of utilities are also included, the company
said.

Venture/20 pricing for models 40, 60 and 80 is $3,195, $3,495
and $3,895, respectively. The model numbers are the sizes of
the hard disk drives in MB, so the Venture/20 40 is the
Venture/20 with a 40 MB hard disk drive.

ALR is comparing its new battery-powered Venture/20 to Compaq's
LTE 386s/20 notebook saying the Venture/20 is priced 35% lower
and has 2 MB more RAM.

Shipping date for the new notebook computer has been announced
by ALR as August, 1991.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: Dave Kirkey, Advanced
Logic Research, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 CANADA: QUARTERLY GUI BUYERS' GUIDE PLANNED  07/26/91

07/26/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)

CANADA: QUARTERLY GUI BUYERS' GUIDE PLANNED  07/26/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- A new quarterly
buyers' guide for users of graphical user interface products is
expected to debut this fall. Guide, published by public relations
and advertising agency Creative Marketing Network, will list
software for the Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, and Unix
graphical interfaces.

Jonathan Chevreau, editor in chief of Guide, told Newsbytes the
publication will be unlike any existing buyers' guide because
existing guides in the United States focus on one interface. In
addition to software, Guide will also list hardware products
related to graphical user interfaces.

Creative Marketing hopes to publish the first issue of Guide this
fall, in time for MacWorld Canada and the Canadian Computer Show.
Chevreau said the first issue is expected to be about 120 pages. In
addition to product listings, Guide will contain articles on GUIs
and related topics.

Guide's initial circulation will be built on the mailing lists of
major advertisers and GUI vendors, including Microsoft, Chevreau
said.

(Grant Buckler/19910725/Press Contact: Jonathan Chevreau, Creative
Marketing Network, 416-539-0694, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 HAYES TO KEYNOTE TORONTO'S LAN EXPO  07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00014)

HAYES TO KEYNOTE TORONTO'S LAN EXPO  07/26/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Dennis Hayes, founder
and president of Atlanta-based Hayes Microcomputer Products, will
deliver the keynote address at LAN Expo '91 August 14.

LAN Expo '91, sponsored by the Toronto chapter of the Local Area
Network Dealers' Association (LANDA) is a two-day show at which
some 40 networking vendors will show their wares. This year is the
second for LAN Expo.

A series of 20 seminars are scheduled in addition to the exhibits
and Hayes' speech.

(Grant Buckler/19910725/Press Contact: Emily Sawolak, LANDA,
416-440-1167)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 UK: GRID ANNOUNCES FIRST TRANSFLECTIVE DISPLAY FOR PCS 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00015)

UK: GRID ANNOUNCES FIRST TRANSFLECTIVE DISPLAY FOR PCS 07/26/91
WEST DRAYTON, MIDDLESEX, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Grid Computer Systems, which
lays claim to being the only company shipping pen-based computers in the
U.K. and Europe, has announced a new backlit display for its Gridpad
portable PC.

The Gridpad RC, as the updated machine is called, is the first  in
the world to use a blue transflective display. The machine is ideal for
user who work at night or in adverse lighting conditions, the company
claims.

According to Grid, the new transflective display can be used under almost
any lighting conditions and can be adjusted to reduce power demands on the
battery. The display's high contrast enables it to be read without the
backlight in low light situations, the company claims.

The Gridpad was first launched in 1989 and quickly became a market leader.
The company is claiming worldwide unit sales of more than 10,000 units for
the machine, which tips the scales at 4.5 pounds. As with all the Gridpad
series, the RC model has no recommended price, the exact price being set by
the company as part of a bundling deal with software.

(Steve Gold/19910725/Press & Public Contact: Grid Computer Systems - Tel:
081-897-6585; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 TRICOM SECURES UKP 2.5 MILLION EQUITY INVESTMENT 07/26/91

07/26/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00016)

TRICOM SECURES UKP 2.5 MILLION EQUITY INVESTMENT 07/26/91
HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- The Tricom Group, a U.K.
modem manufacturer, has announced that six venture capital companies have
taken a 50 percent stake in the company. The deal is the culmination of a
year's planning and will enable the firm to go for a stock market quotation
-- known as a flotation in London City terms -- in 1993.

The new syndicate investing in Tricom is led by Sumit Equity Ventures and
Cinven. The other members are Sharp Technology Venture Funds, Cin Venture
Managers, Schroder Ventures and Security Pacific Venture Capital. They,
together with Schroder Ventures existing investment and the Tricom
management team, now provide an equity base for the company that is in
excess of UKP 5 million, the company claims.

As part of the investment deal, Tricom has appointed Lindsay Bury as a non-
executive chairman. Bury is well-known in the U.K. computer industry,
having been chairman of ACT when it was known as Apricot Computers.
According to Tricom, Bury brings a wealth of experience, both in the high
technology marketplace and in the U.K. financial community.

Mike Hafferty, founder and chief executive officer of Tricom, said he
welcomed Bury's appointment.

"Over the past five years we have created a company that is now a leader in
the PC networking and communications markets, We have achieved this through
a commitment to sheer professionalism in all areas of our operations," he
said.

"Lindsay Bury will extend that professionalism to the function of our main
board and help to prepare the way for a wider ownership of Tricom via a
stock market flotation," he added.

Hafferty went on to say that plans call for the additional funding to be
applied to a strategy of establishing Tricom in the UKP 1,000 million-plus
European communications market.

"We have already launched our first `Europroduct' and its success has
encouraged us to expand further. There are a number of new products in the
pipeline that are already proven in the U.S. and that will help us to
achieve our ambition of being the number one connectivity company in
Europe," he said.

(Steve Gold/19910725/Press Contact: Tricom - Tel: [phone]; Fax: 0494-
485213)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26  ***NEW HYDRA BOARD LETS PCS RUN MAC PROGRAMS 07/26/91

07/26/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00017)

 ***NEW HYDRA BOARD LETS PCS RUN MAC PROGRAMS 07/26/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Although emulation
of PCs has been possible on Macintoshes for some time - using SoftPC,
a software program - it has been impossible for PCs to run Macintosh
programs - until now. Hydra Systems, a small start-up firm based in
San Jose, has been shipping since March a board and software emulator
for IBM PCs and compatibles called Andor One, that allows an IBM PC
to run Apple Macintosh software.

Gail Wardwell, spokesperson for Hydra, told Newsbytes that software
already tested includes Persuasion, MacWrite, Wingz, Fourth
Dimension, PhotoShop, Word, PageMaker, Illustrator, MacProject,
Works, and SuperPaint. Wardwell added that she uses Excell "a lot,"
and that basically "anything that would run on a Macintosh Classic,
Macintosh SE, or a Macintosh Plus" will work.

Wardwell explained to Newsbytes that a user working in the
DOS-mode wanting to access Macintosh software would just press
both "Shift" keys at the same time, and the Mac software would slide
onto the screen from right to left.

The company maintains that the Andor One card works with all IBM
PCs and compatibles from XTs through Intel 80486-based computers.

To make all this work, the PC must have a 3.5-inch drive (since Mac
software comes on 3.5-inch disks), the Andor card, a minimum of 2
megabytes of RAM and the Apple read-only memory (ROM) chip set
installed on the Andor One card, said Wardwell. The Apple ROM chip
set must be purchased separately, either from Hydra or from another
Apple dealer. Hydra director of engineering, Will Glaser, tells Newsbytes
that Hydra's ability to sell Apple ROMs is perfectly legal. "We buy
Apple Plusses on the open market, they have used ROMs, and then we
install them. "Once Apple has sold them, they lose control of them,"
he asserts.

Once the hardware is installed, it is necessary to install the software
that comes with the board. The Macintosh software may be installed
on the PC's hard disk drive and run from there without reformatting or
repartitioning.

Glaser says that the card has a disk controller which, when activated,
enables the normal PC drive to read and write to Macintosh 3.5-inch
diskettes. When not activated, the PC drive runs as it normally would.
The Andor One board also has an Appletalk-compatible RS-422
connector built-in so the PC can be directly connected to Apple
Laserwriters, Apple Localtalk networks, and Phonenet and networking
devices.

The Andor One board retails for $995, with the Apple ROM chip-set
selling for $500 from Hydra.

Wardwell, when asked by Newsbytes about the possibility of some
legal action from Apple concerning the emulator, replied that she
was unaware of any problems, and added that "there has been a
few talks" between the two companies. Apple spokesman Christopher
Escher told Newsbytes that Apple Computer had no comment on the
Hydra board because Apple is "still evaluating it."

Hydra said it believes it is helping to fulfill the recently stated desires
expressed by IBM and Apple in the forming of that new partnership.

Hydra "has a few other products in the pipeline," says Glaser, but he
declined to elaborate. He says the board was designed over a two year
period by himself and a small staff at Hydra Systems. There have been
no advertisements so far, he said, but an advertising campaign will
start within the next six months.

(Ian Stokell, Linda Rohrbough, and Wendy Woods/19912691/Press
Contact: Gail Wardwell, Hydra Systems, Tel: [phone], Fax:
408/253-1113)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26  ****FIRST HAND LOOK AT NEW HYDRA CARD 07/26/91

07/26/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00018)

 ****FIRST HAND LOOK AT NEW HYDRA CARD 07/26/91
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) --
Newsbytes got an opportunity to see first hand an IBM personal
computer compatible (PC) with the new card that enables a PC to
look like and run Apple Macintosh software, the Andor Card from
Hydra.

Once the PC was powered on, the program had to be started to enable
the Macintosh capability. Once the executable file was started,
it took a couple of minutes, but the familiar Macintosh screen
began to draw and the smiling Mac appeared.

Very quickly then, the familiar Macintosh screen appeared, but
only in black and white, even though the monitor was color.
Melissa Davies of Davies Bosch Associates, distributors of the
Andor Card, explained that the Andor Card has not yet been able
to take advantage of the color capabilities of the IBM personal
computer.

Once the Mac screen was up, the mouse was used to start
Microsoft Word 4.0. Everything behaved the way one would expect
it to behave on a Macintosh. Newsbytes was able to load a
Macintosh software product on the PC as well, in the Macintosh
environment.

Amazingly, with Microsoft Word running, Davies pressed the two
outside mouse keys simultaneously and, by moving the mouse to the
right, slid the Macintosh screen off to the right so only half
was showing. Underneath was the PC screen with the instruction
to press a key to go to the operating system prompt. Davies
removed the Macintosh screen completely, pressed the Enter key
and the DOS 5.0 shell appeared on screen.

Davies then gave the PC commands in the DOS 5.0 shell. After
executing a few commands in the DOS 5.0 shell, and the
Macintosh screen slid back, with Microsoft Word right where she
left it. Pressing both shift keys had the same effect, but, unlike
the mouse button, did not allow the user to control the rate at
which the Macintosh screen slid onto the monitor from the right
to the left. The key to start the DOS 5.0 shell in
the DOS environment had to be pressed the first time the switch
was made. After that, the switches between the Macintosh
environment and the DOS environment were just a matter of using
the mouse or the shift keys and moving the screen over.

One note, to get the Macintosh operating system to look at the
PC 3.5-inch drive, the F1 key had to be pressed. Normally on a
Macintosh, once a disk is inserted in the drive the drive sends
a signal and lets the operating system know the disk is there.

The Macintosh operating system does not come with the Andor
Card and would have to be purchased separately. However, Word
for Word word processing software and Disk Manager Mac is
included with the card. The Andor Card also has a small,
portable speaker that comes with it and plugs into the card to
provide the sound capabilities of the Macintosh.

A minimum of 2 megabytes of RAM are required to be placed on
the Andor Card in the form of 1 megabyte SIMMS, with 4 MB
maximum possible.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912691/Press Contact: Melissa Davies, Davies
Bosch Associates, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 FURTHER DIGITAL RESTRUCTURING WILL COST MORE JOBS 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00019)

FURTHER DIGITAL RESTRUCTURING WILL COST MORE JOBS 07/26/91
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment will cut more jobs over the next year as part of a
restructuring that has put it in the red for the fourth quarter and
for fiscal 1991. A US$1,100-million restructuring charge has left
DEC with its first-ever annual loss.

Digital spokesman Bradley Allen told Newsbytes the number of jobs
to be cut is not definite. He said the company has cut some 9,000
jobs over the past 18 months, and acknowledged that some industry
analysts have speculated that DEC is aiming to cut about that many
more in the coming year. The restructuring charge also provides for
closing facilities. Allen said that could include plants, but much
of it might involve moving out of leased space and into space the
company owns.

Digital reported earnings of US$13,911.00 million for fiscal 1991,
ended June 29, up seven percent from last year's figure of
US$12,942.52 million. For the fourth quarter, DEC had revenues of
US$3,944.86 million, up 17 percent over last year's fourth-quarter
revenues of US$3,365.28 million. But the special charge turned a
yearly profit of US$391.7 million into a loss of US$617.5 million.
For the fourth quarter, Digital had a profit of US$137.8 million
before the special charge and a loss of US$871.0 million after the
charge.

In a statement, Digital President Kenneth Olsen sought to put a
positive face on the restructuring plans, referring to
"improvements in efficiency" that he said outpaced the company's
revenue growth. DEC's growth "has not been large enough to absorb
the resulting extra people and space," Olsen said. "It always hurts
to downsize, but that is the cost of improvement and efficiency
from design to manufacture, to marketing, selling, and servicing."

(Grant Buckler/19910726/Press Contact: Mark Steinkrauss, Digital,
508-493-7182; Bradley Allen, Digital, 508-493-8009)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 DIGITAL SYSTEMS INT'L EARNS $2.3M IN 2Q 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00020)

DIGITAL SYSTEMS INT'L EARNS $2.3M IN 2Q 07/26/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Digital Systems
International, a supplier of outbound call management systems,
has announced record sales of $14.1 million, making it the
company's best quarter ever.

DSI reported net income of $2.3 million, a 16 percent increase
over the 1990 second quarter. Earnings per share remained the
same as this quarter last year, at 25 cents per share.

Michael L. Darland, DSI president, said the record sales
reflected consistent demand for the company's products across
all the vertical markets it serves. DSI supplies outbound call
management systems. The company's Voicelink system helps users
create telephone contacts with their customers in collection,
teleservicing, telemarketing, and other applications. DSI says
the markets they serve include financial institutions,
utilities, regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs), as well as
clients in the fields of consumer credit, collections,
communications, telemarketing, and health care.

Darland said the success of the second quarter will support
further expansion of DSI's sales and product development efforts.

(Jim Mallory/910725/Press Contact: Michael Osborn, DSI,
206-881-7544)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 CDC INTROS NEW WORKSTATION, CAD/CAM SOFTWARE 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00021)

CDC INTROS NEW WORKSTATION, CAD/CAM SOFTWARE 07/26/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Control Data
Corporation (CDC) has announced a new entry-level workstation,
and a new release of its ICEM CAD/CAM software. The company
says the cost of the products has been cut significantly.

The CYBER 910-200 workstation, based on Silicon Graphics'
recently announced RISC personal computer architecture, provides
3-D real-time graphics. ICEM 3.0 consists of 16 modules of the
basic ICEM design, drafting, and numerical control package.
Users select only the modules they require. ICEM 3.0 is the
first product to be released by ICEM Systems GmbH, a joint
venture formed last year between Control Data and Volkswagen.

An entry level drafting package consisting of a CYBER 910-200
and the ICEM software can be purchased for $16,200, compared
to the previous price of $28,000.

"Customers can now get workstation capabilities at PC prices.
This is really a dramatic breakthrough for an engineer who needs
sophisticated technology at his desktop," said Tapan
Bhattacharya, CDCs marketing director. A numerical control
lathe package is available for $17,800, compared to the previous
$40,000 cost.

(Jim Mallory/910725/Press Contact: Charlotte Fransen, CDC,
612-853-6137)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 PARACOMP "MAGIC" DUE TO DEBUT AT MACWORLD 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00022)

PARACOMP "MAGIC" DUE TO DEBUT AT MACWORLD 07/26/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Paracomp
has announced that it will debut Paracomp Magic at Macworld Expo
in Boston. Macworld opens August 7. Paracomp Magic is a
multimedia program which allows users to create interactive
presentations using animation, sound and text. The company says
it is extremely easy to use, and even novices can create
presentations after a few minutes with the tutorial.

Paracomp Magic comes with several templates and requires no
scripting. Additional templates, backgrounds, buttons and
sounds can be created, used, and stored for later use again.
Pointing to a button and clicking the mouse allows the user to
view any stage of the presentation, and they need not be viewed
in order.

Paracomp Magic runs under Apple's System 7, and works with
Apple's QuickTime. Paracomp's animation compression and
playback system QuickPICS will be bundled with Magic, allowing
users to incorporate QuickPICS documents and save Magic files as
compressed animations.

Paracomp is merging with Macromind, another company which specializes
in multimedia applications for the Macintosh. The merger should be
finalized in mid-August.

(Jim Mallory/910726/Press Contact: Phil Inje Chang, Paracomp,
415-956-4091. FAX: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 US WEST INSTALLS 2100 TEKTRONIX X TERMINALS 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00023)

US WEST INSTALLS 2100 TEKTRONIX X TERMINALS 07/26/91
WILSONVILLE, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Tektronix has
announced that it has completed installation of 2100 X
terminals for US West. The company says the US West job was the
largest X terminal order on record.

Originally a 1500-unit order expanded by an additional 600
terminals, the units will be used by US West in Denver for
customer service online transaction processing. US West
provides local and long distance communications service to 14
Western states.

The terminals consist primarily of 19-inch color TekXpress XP27
models with 1152 by 900 resolution as well as some 19-inch XP29
models with 1280 by 1024 resolution. The installation is part
of an on-going, five year systems integration project by US West
designed to shift the company from a proprietary to a
standards-based environment.

In addition to the units purchased by US West, the TekXpress
product line includes several smaller color terminals, and a
19-inch PEX terminal for 3D application development. Prices
range from $2,995 to $6,6995. Tektronix employees approximately
12,000 workers worldwide.

(Jim Mallory/Press contact: Donna Loveland, Tektronix,
503-685-2838)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 U.S. GNP INCHES UP 0.4 PERCENT 07/26/91

07/26/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00024)

U.S. GNP INCHES UP 0.4 PERCENT 07/26/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Confounding
"experts" who were predicting a weak but somewhat respectable one
percent increase in the U.S. Gross National Product (the value of
all goods and services produced in the U.S.) for the second
quarter, the Commerce Department today reported that GNP grew
less than half that much, coming in at only 0.4 percent. This is
only the preliminary estimate of the April - May - June GNP and
if past history is any indication, it will probably be adjusted
quite a bit at a later date.

The GNP was solidly down for the previous two quarters, 2.8
percent for the first three months of this year and 1.6 percent
for the period from October to December of 1990, meeting the
classical definition of a recession, and some experts are now
saying that the very anemic 0.4 percent climb does not bode well
for a continuing recovery.

The Commerce Department reported on Wednesday that new orders for
durable goods dropped a surprisingly large 1.6 percent in June
and the government also revised its previous May preliminary
report down drastically from an earlier increase of 3.4 percent
to an actual 2 percent increase. Orders for April were 3.6
percent higher than the previous month.

Durable goods are those expensive items designed to be used for
three years or more and mostly bought by industry and business.
Poor durable goods orders indicate that big business doesn't
anticipate a strong economic environment.

Sizable decreases were reported in electronic durable goods
equipment orders, down 10.1 percent to $15.21 billion.

White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater said of the poor
durable goods showing that the administration's view that we are
coming out of the recession is one shared by "most economists."

The latest unemployment reports show that there is a steady
increase in unemployment which has just reached 7 percent with
the report earlier this month that it had climbed another 0.1
percent.

(John McCormick/19910726)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26  ****COURT ALLOWS BABY BELLS TO SUPPLY INFORMATION 07/26/91

07/26/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00025)

 ****COURT ALLOWS BABY BELLS TO SUPPLY INFORMATION 07/26/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- In a reversal of
Federal Judge Harold Greene's 1987 ruling which prohibited the
Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) or "Baby Bells," also
referred to as Bell Regional Holding Companies (BRHCs), from
providing information services in addition to basic local telephone
services, the court supervising the companies' operations has
removed the restrictions that prevented the companies from
becoming involved in providing such services as cable television,
home shopping, and other data services.

Among the methods of legal attack used by the RBOCs to overturn
Judge Greene's restriction on their participation in the fast-
growing information services industry has been a complaint that
the government, in the form of the federal courts, has interfered
with the companies' freedom of speech, part of the First
Amendment protections enjoyed by all those in the U.S., by
preventing them from becoming involved in electronic publishing.

The companies have also been pushing for legislation permitting
them to come under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications
Commission.

In the wake of the court ruling that mandated the breakup of AT&T
in 1984, Judge Greene has prevented the resulting seven regional
Bell companies from operating in three areas, the manufacture of
telecommunications hardware, providing long distance services,
and anything to do with information services. In April of 1990 an
appeals court ruled that Judge Greene had ruled incorrectly when
he determined that they could not compete in the information
industry, opening up the whole argument again.

Ever since the Bell system was broken up, the seven Bell regional
holding companies - Nynex, Southwestern Bell, BellSouth, U.S.
West, Ameritech, Pacific Telesis, and Cincinnati Bell - have been
operating under the supervision of Judge Greene, and the recent
ruling is just what they wanted to relax restrictions the judge
imposed on them.

Many are expected to oppose the new ruling, but FCC Chairman
Alfred Sikes said of the ruling that "The nation will benefit
from the move."

But the liberalizing ruling doesn't take effect immediately and
there are certain to be further appeals and court challenges from
various industry and consumer groups who fear that the Baby Bells
would have an unfair advantage in both providing telephone and
data services on a local basis, leading to another monopoly
situation such as that which led to the original breakup of Ma
Bell.

At noon on Friday (the announcement was made after the markets
closed on Thursday), all seven of the Baby Bells had enjoyed a
stock price increase, despite a generally down morning on the New
York Stock Exchange.

(John McCormick/19910726)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 BUSH EXPECTED TO GRANT MFN STATUS TO USSR 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00026)

BUSH EXPECTED TO GRANT MFN STATUS TO USSR 07/26/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Washington insiders
report that it is very likely that U.S. President Bush will use
the occasion of his meeting with Soviet President
Gorbachev to announce that he is extending most favored nation
trading status to the Soviet Union, something already enjoyed by
China.

The recent easing of Soviet emigration policies is reportedly
responsible for the change of heart but, since the Soviet Union
is strapped for cash, received nothing but promises of technical
assistance at the recent London meeting of major industrial
powers, and will get no increased trade credits, it is doubtful
that the extension of MFN to that country will have much effect.

(John McCormick/19910726)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 AT&T URGES FCC TO PERMIT TEMPORARY LINKS TO MOSCOW 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00027)

AT&T URGES FCC TO PERMIT TEMPORARY LINKS TO MOSCOW 07/26/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- AT&T has once again
requested that the Federal Communications Commission grant
authority to expand service to the U.S.S.R. through the use of
the Intersputnik satellite system. This latest request is only
for contingent, temporary authority to use the 90 permitted
channels to improve U.S. - U.S.S.R. telecommunications.

AT&T's Director of Media Relations A.J. Linnen said, "We know
that the Commission faces a difficult judgement question as to
how to apportion the available channels among various U.S.
companies, but we are only requesting contingent authority to use
the channels until the FCC can make a final apportionment
decision. We pointed out in our request that we were first to
apply (December 13, 1989) and no other company has objected to
our providing the service."

Asked about a June 24, 1991 Newsbytes Moscow Bureau report
quoting Robert Bose, AT&T's market development director for
Eastern Europe, who said the FCC had approved Intersputnik use
and that "the new facilities will be put into commercial use
within two weeks," Mr. Linnen said that Mr. Bose was incorrect in
making that statement; "The FCC has never acted on our 1989
request."

There has been a long battle to improve telecommunications to the
Soviet Union; the latest skirmishes began with AT&T's December
13, 1989 request for permission to use Intersputnik satellite
channels.

The U.S. Departments of State and Commerce both objected to that
request because it wasn't consistent with the intended
utilization of Intelsat circuits. More recently, in January of
1991, both departments withdrew their objections and on June 13,
1991, the Intelsat Board of Governors, meeting in the Far East,
said that it doesn't now object to use of the Soviet satellite
systems.

With those objections out of the way, AT&T's Linnen points out
that 90 open channels are available for use and just waiting for
temporary or permanent authorization from the FCC. AT&T told the
FCC that from January to May 1991, 91 out of every 100 attempted
calls to the Soviet Union were blocked because the 67 existing
cable and Intelsat communications channels weren't sufficient to
meet the demand.

AT&T pointed out that this situation could be greatly improved if
the company were allowed to provide additional capacity for the
first time using the Soviet Union's own Intersputnik satellite
system, a move that would allow improved service without any use
of scarce Soviet hard currency.

"The public interest mandates quick and decisive action by the
Commission on the use of Intersputnik facilities," AT&T said.
"While these resources lay idle, U.S. calling demand is
unfulfilled, and the greatly enhanced level of business and
social activity since the warming of U.S.- Soviet relations has
heightened the need for additional facilities."

AT&T said it plans in the future to offer its USA Direct and
1-800 services from the U.S.S.R to meet the growing needs of U.S.
businesses and consumers in the Soviet Union.

(John McCormick/1991726/Press Contact: A.J. Linnen, AT&T, 202-
457-3933)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26  ****IBM PROTESTS AT&T $1 BILLION TREASURY CONTRACT 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00028)

 ****IBM PROTESTS AT&T $1 BILLION TREASURY CONTRACT 07/26/91
BETHESDA, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- IBM
Federal Sector Division has announced that it has filed a protest
with the General Services Administration Board of Contract
Appeals seeking to overturn the Treasury Department's award
of a $1.4 billion office automation contract to AT&T.

IBM, in its prepared statement, alleged that the Treasury
Department awarded AT&T the Treasury Multiuser Acquisition
Contract (TMAC) at a price more than a half-a-billion dollars
above IBM's bid. Gerald W. Ebker, IBM vice president and
president, Federal Sector Division, said "The Treasury
Department asked for a solution that would provide the best
value. The agency determined that our proposal exceeded their
technical requirements. The winning bid was over half-a-
billion dollars above ours. We are dismayed that Treasury
wants to pay such a high price when our solution will more
than meet their needs. We believe our bid offered the best
value to the government and the taxpayers."

In mid-July, when the award to AT&T was announced,
published reports indicated that AT&T, while not the low-
bidder, was chosen because the technical quality of its system
was judged the best of the bidders. Commenting to Newsbytes
as the time about these reports, AT&T spokesperson Jim
McGann said, "We weren't told where we stood in the bidding
but it would certainly not surprise me that we were judged the
best technically."

McGann also said "When we hear words like 'open systems' and
'Posix-compliant' in bid requests, alarms go off. It's this type of
system that AT&T with its commitment to Unix-based open
systems has built our business on. It seems that our approach
has been well recognized by the awarding of this contract."

IBM also pointed out in its statement that it had brought in
some 200 different hardware and software components from
43 different vendors and that 60% of IBM's subcontracts were
to go to small and disadvantaged firms. Ebker said, "We worked
really hard to bring together the right office system hardware
and software at a fair price."

AT&T has previously said that 43% of its subcontracts for
supplying hardware and software, manning Treasury's toll-free
helpline and other functions, will go to small and minority-
owned businesses. Its major subcontractors are Pyramid
Technology of Mountain View, California and Computer
Sciences of McLean, Virginia (in a statement released on the
day of the announcement, Computer Sciences estimated its
projected revenues from the contract to be approximately $140
million). The Washington area small and minority owned firms
in the AT&T group reportedly are Automation Research &
Systems of Alexandria, Centech of Silver Spring, General
Analytical of McLean, Information Systems & Networks of
Bethesda, Viatech Systems Inc. of Falls Church and PSI
International Inc. of Fairfax.

Ebker continued, "In the request for proposals, the government
said it did not want to overspend to achieve slightly superior
technical features. TMAC is a very large purchase of what are
fundamentally off-the-shelf commodity items. Given the
current federal budget deficit, there can be no justification for
spending an additional half-a-billion dollars for AT&T's similar
solution."

The Department of the Treasury has been considering the
award for over a year. It saw prototype systems from vendors
in the summer of 1990 and the competing groups submitted
their "Best and Final Offers" in April of this year.

The IBM protest also claimed that the technical evaluation used
by Treasury to award TMAC was inconsistent with the request
for proposals. According to IBM, the evaluators assigned
technical scores based only on the aspects of the proposals that
exceeded the requirements of the request for proposal, a
procedure that IBM says "distorted the relative differences
between the offerers' proposals."

IBM spokesperson Mark Root, commenting to Newsbytes on the
IBM protest, said, "We really don't understand the award. We
met and exceeded all requirements; yet the Treasury chose a
bid that was over 1/2 a billion dollars higher. That's really the
crux of the protest."

Root continued "The claim is particularly relevant when one
considers that we are not talking state-of-the-art 'send-a-man-
to-the-moon' software. These are off-the-shelf products --
WordPerfect, Oracle, etc. It is hard to see how such a cost
difference could be accepted." Root said that IBM's proposal is
based on IBM PS/2 personal computer systems operating
under Santa Cruz Operation's (SCO) Unix. Arix is a major
subcontractor in the IBM proposal as a supplier of multi-user
servers.

AT&T's McGann told Newsbytes, "We are going to intervene to
support Treasury in this appeal process. We have full
confidence in Treasury's evaluation of the procurement bid and
the superiority of AT&T's technical solution. We are certain
that the award will be upheld."

The protest procedure, as explained to Newsbytes by both Root
and McGann, involves the appointment by the three-member
GSA Board of Contract Appeals of a judge to rule on the protest.
The judge will review the protest and have the parties present
relevant evidence. He is required to rule on the protest within
45 days.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Mark Root,
IBM Federal Sector Division, 301-493-1321; A.J. (Herb) Linnen,
AT&T, 202-457-3933; C. Bruce Plowman, Computer Sciences Corp,
213-615-0311/19910716)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 07/26/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

The August 91 Workstation News focuses on Groupware and Silicon
Graphics big under $10,000 3-D workstation.

Network World for July 22 features a study of how to select the
best tools to manage local area networks.

ComputerWorld takes a look at IBM's sales slump and how the pace
of software company buy-outs is increasing.

August's Data Based Advisor looks at better applications program
development.

InformationWeek dated July 22 asks the question: is Anderson
Consulting really worth what they charge?

Computers in Healthcare for August looks into speed and power
increases in workstation computers.

The July 22 Communications Week puts the Novell/Digital Research
deal on the front page.

Federal Computer Week, July 22, looks at which firms may protest
the AT&T TMAC contract award (IBM announced that it would
protest).

The July 20 Science News discusses mathematician Peter R.
Turner's (U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland) proposed
replacement for the floating point math calculations now used in
most computers. The algorithm-based "symmetric level-index"
method would reportedly be slower but provide answers to
calculations out of the accuracy range of present floating point
algorithms.

(John McCormick/19910726/)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 ORACLE, NCR ANNOUNCE PACIFIC MARKETING AGR'T 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00030)

ORACLE, NCR ANNOUNCE PACIFIC MARKETING AGR'T 07/26/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Oracle Corporation and NCR
have announced a joint marketing agreement for Oracle Financials
software and NCR System 3000 computers in the Pacific region.

The two-year joint marketing program will initially be implemented
in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand,
with other countries being added as market demand dictates.

Oracle and NCR recently completed the port of Oracle Financials,
software for financial, accounting, and human resources management,
to NCR's new System 3000 family of computers. Oracle will
sell and support the NCR version of Oracle Financials, and the two
companies will cooperate to extend Oracle Financials to current and
future NCR systems in the Pacific region.

"This agreement represents a strong endorsement of Oracle's
technology and application products," said John Baun, managing
director of Oracle Systems Hong Kong Ltd. "It aligns us with a key
player in the open systems community, in a region which has the
fastest growing market for computer products in the world."

Michael J.I. Lee, managing director of NCR (Hong Kong) Ltd, said,
"Oracle brings its applications expertise to our powerful open
systems story to deliver a strong package to our customers - a
superior set of applications on a range of scalable Unix platforms.
This alliance continues to build on our existing technology
agreement, which provides world-class solutions for today's business
needs."

Oracle Financials is a family of cross-industry software packages
that run in conjunction with the SQL-based Oracle relational database
management system. It comprises general ledger, payables, purchasing,
assets, receivables, revenue accounting, inventory, order entry,
personnel, sales analysis, and alert modules.

NCR's System 3000 is a seven-level family of general purpose,
scalable, microprocessor-based computer systems that spans a
performance range of 7.5 MIPS to more than 100,000 MIPS.

The joint marketing programme will target major corporations which
need a comprehensive suite of financial applications, operating in an
open systems environment, on powerful scalable computer systems.

(Norman Wingrove/19910726/Press contact: Joseph Bauer, Oracle, Tel +
852 824 0118; Vivian Kung, NCR, [phone]; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 DIGITAL CLAIMS STRONG ASIAN PERFORMANCE 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00031)

DIGITAL CLAIMS STRONG ASIAN PERFORMANCE 07/26/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 26 (NB)-- Digital Equipment Corporation
has announced sales growth in Asia which outperforms the computer
industry average by 70 percent.

In the financial year ending June 30 1991, Asian revenues grew by 21
percent, compared to the computer industry average of 11-13 percent,
according to Joseph W. Ford, Digital's marketing and sales
manager for Asia.

"We aim to outperform the computer market by at least 50 percent
every year and have surpassed our own high targets in the last three
years," said Ford. "Asia is the world's most dynamic market and, by
setting aggressive targets, we will achieve both growth and increased
market share."

Asia continues to be the fastest growing region for Digital
worldwide. "Digital is very optimistic about potential in Asia which
has a predicted annual growth rate for the computer industry of more
than 10 percent over the next five years," said Ford. "This year the
region achieved between 11 and 13 percent growth, in spite of the
Gulf War slowdown. This compares very favourably with single figure
predictions for the OECD (Organization of Economic Cooperation and
Development) countries."

One of the sectors in which Digital performed most strongly was
telecommunications, with its biggest contract netting more than US$20
million. "We also achieved exceptional growth in workstations, which
grew by 70 percent, and in Unix-based systems and desktop
integration products, which each grew 100 percent," said Ford.

In the mainframe market Digital Asia sold six VAX 9000 systems,
bringing the total sold in the region to eleven with a combined value
of more than US$25 million. To date, around 300 VAX 9000 systems have
been shipped worldwide.

Digital Asia says in the coming year it will aggressively sell its
PC and desktop products, as well as its application DEC 433MP, a
system designed for small and medium sized businesses which supports
more than 20,000 software applications.

In April, Digital joined with 20 major companies, which account for
US$50 billion of worldwide computer and software sales, to announce
the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE), designed to establish
widely accepted industry standards that will assure the compatibility
of applications, networking and system management among systems from
all of the vendors in the initiative. The number of companies has
since grown to 60.

"Digital is playing a leading role in defining open computing
standards and this puts us in a strong position to deliver the choice
and flexibility that users want," said Ford. "With our leadership in
the open systems market, Network Application Support (NAS) software
which implements industry standards, broad range of applications and
commitment to the region, we predict a bright future for Digital in
Asia."

(Norman Wingrove/19910726/Press contact: Walter Cheung, Digital, Tel
+ 852 861 4850; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26 PREP FOR HONGKONG ITWEEK IN FULL GEAR 07/26/91

07/26/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00032)

PREP FOR HONGKONG ITWEEK IN FULL GEAR 07/26/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- With only nine weeks to go
before the official opening, preparations for the second annual Hong
Kong ITWeek are on course and final sponsorships are being lined up.

ITWeek will be held from 29th September to 12th October. It is
organized by Hong Kong Information Technology Week Ltd, a private,
limited, not-for-profit company whose members are non-commercial
bodies with an interest in information technology (IT). Its aim
is to promote a community-wide awareness of the importance of
IT in maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity, particularly in light
of the approach of China's resumption of sovereignty in 1997.

The ITWeek programme comprises groups of community events,
conferences and exhibitions, and special social attractions designed
to involve all sectors of the community.

ITWeek's AT&T-sponsored Grand Opening will take place at the Hong
Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29th September, with Senior
Member of the Legislative Council Allen Lee, himself an IT
industrialist, officiating.

Throughout the two weeks, there will be a series of conferences and
exhibitions, including EDI Asia '91; the Hong Kong Article Numbering
Association (HKANA) Conference; Hong Kong Open Systems Interconnect
Cooperative (HOSIC) demonstrations of OSI applications, involving
numerous competing but cooperating vendors, and workshops by the Hong
Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) and IEEE (Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers).

The weekend of 4th - 7th October will be taken up by CeNIT, the Asian
spin-off of CeBIT, the world's largest IT show held in Hannover every
spring, and three community events aimed specifically at the general
public.

An IT in Government exhibition, organized by Eliza Lee of the
Government's Information Technology Services Department (ITSD), to be
held simultaneously at the ITWeek pavilion in CeNIT and at the
popular City Plaza shopping centre, which has daily pedestrian
traffic of over 200,000 at weekends, will show ways in which the Hong
Kong Government is using IT to improves its efficiency and services.
It will include demonstrations of practical applications, static
displays and a video being specially produced by Radio Television
Hong Kong, the Government broadcasting station.

Concurrent with IT in Government at both locations will be IT for the
Deaf, an exhibition showing ways in which information technology is
already being used to overcome the communications problems faced by
people suffering from severe hearing disabilities, and suggesting new
ways in which it could come to their assistance.

"IT for the Deaf is this year's event under the continuing banner of
IT for the Handicapped," Norman Wingrove, general manager of ITWeek,
told Newsbytes. "Last year, we focussed on people with sight
problems. Out of that event came a daily Braille edition of the South
China Morning Post newspaper. This year, with more than two months to
go before ITWeek opens, we already have several long-term independent
projects arising from IT for the Deaf."

Members of the Hong Kong City Polytechnic Computer Science Department
are planning to set up a research and development project to produce
an inexpensive, commercially viable telephone device for the deaf
(TDD) which, unlike existing models, will not be restricted to Roman
characters, which are not used or understood by a large proportion of
the world's population.

Other projects now being worked on by the IT for the Deaf team, led
by Maryknoll Father Charles Dittmeier and Gus Ng, departmental
secretary of ITSD, are a pool of inexpensive fax machines to be made
available to deaf people on very easy deferred payment terms, and a
scheme to provide basic personal computers to enable people with
severe hearing problems to communicate over local computer bulletin
board systems (BBSs).

"ITWeek has no responsibility for the funding of these and other
projects that are being planned," said Wingrove. Our aim is to
provide the critical mass that will enable independent projects to
get started each year. The ultimate success will depend on funds
becoming available, but in Hong Kong that is usually no great problem
once people are aware of a need. Nevertheless, we have also received
an indication that an overseas educational institute will donate a
scholarship this year for a deaf Hong Kong student."

Another major event of ITWeek is the Micromouse '91 World
Championships. Featuring teams from around the world, this will show
the very latest development in micromice, miniature artificially
intelligent robots that have to learn the fastest way to the centre
of a complicated maze.

"Micromouse contests are always exciting," said Wingrove. "This is an
area in which children and teenagers can compete on equal terms with
seasoned professionals in leading edge technology. What matters is
not so much long-established principles as the fresh insights that
relative newcomers can have into the fascinating subject of robotics
and artificial intelligence. It is not always the most experienced
professionals who win."

This year's ITWeek special attractions include the second IT
Personality of the Year elections, a cocktail party, sponsored by
Intel, for IT industry participants in ITWeek, and a Gala Ball with a
high-tech theme, sponsored by Asia Computer Weekly.

"We still have many details to finalize, but everything is rapidly
coming together now," Wingrove said. "We are very encouraged by the
response we have had from the IT community in only our second year.
Our long-term aim is to make the event ITMonth, and present signs are
that this objective is not too far away."

(Keith Cameron/19910726/Press contact: Norman Wingrove, ITWeek, Tel +
852 591 1033, Fax + 852 836 3831)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 26  ****SALES TAX RULING SCARING OFF MACWORLD EXHIBITORS 07/26/91

07/26/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(TOR)(00033)

 ****SALES TAX RULING SCARING OFF MACWORLD EXHIBITORS 07/26/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 26 (NB) -- Mail order
companies are thinking twice about exhibiting at the upcoming
MacWorld show in Boston because of a decision by the state's
Department of Revenue. The department has decided that any company
that sells goods at MacWorld will be liable for collecting
Massachusetts sales tax for the rest of the year.

At least one exhibitor, the MacConnection division of PC Connection
in Marlow, New Hampshire, has pulled out of this spring's show
because of the tax problem. David Hall, executive vice-president of
MacConnection, told Newsbytes the show simply wasn't worth the risk
of being stuck with the sales tax liability. Besides making
Massachusetts customers pay more for the company's products, he
said, it would give the firm added administrative headaches.

Massachusetts' move is part of ongoing attempts by many states to
collect sales tax on goods coming in from out of state. Chris
Armenante, a spokeswoman for the Direct Marketing Association in
New York, said the DMA has gone to court several times to fight
other states' moves to extend their tax-collection powers.

The association has no definite plans for court action on the
Massachusetts move as yet, she said. "Right now, I'm not sure how
we're going to proceed."

The key concept is "nexus," meaning that a company has a sufficient
connection with a state to be liable for sales tax. Massachusetts
is arguing that selling goods at a trade show establishes nexus.
Hall said various other states have tried to extent the concept of
nexus in similar ways. He said MacConnection might think twice
about attending trade shows in other states, such as California,
for similar reasons. However, he added, the Boston MacWorld is the
first show MacConnection has skipped because of a sales tax
concern.

Mitch Hall Associates, organizers of MacWorld, declined to comment.

(Grant Buckler/19910726/Press Contacts: David Hall, MacConnection,
603-446-3383; Chris Armenante, DMA, 212-768-7277 ext. 436, fax 212-
768-4547; Michelle Andrews, Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue, 617-
727-4256; Mitch Hall Associates, 617-361-2001)

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUL 25 AUSTRALIA: UNIV SIGNS R&D AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN'S ICOT 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00001)

AUSTRALIA: UNIV SIGNS R&D AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN'S ICOT 07/25/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- The Australian National
University (ANU) has signed a research and development (R&D)
agreement with Japan's Institute for New Generation Computer
Technology (ICOT). The agreement is the first such agreement ICOT
has signed with an institution outside of the United States.

ICOT and the ANU will jointly research artificial intelligence
systems under the terms of the agreement. ANU staff will access
ICOT's PIM supercomputer (the world's first special purpose
artificial intelligence supercomputer) in Tokyo via two ICOT Psi-II
Fifth Generation workstations connected to the Australian Academic
Research Network (AARNET). These workstations, and the necessary
software, are due to be installed in September.

ANU will initially conduct research into automated reasoning, one of
the two areas also being researched by ICOT's US partners. The
second, computational molecular biology, will become part of
ANU's research within the next year. According to Professor
Michael McRobbie, executive director of ANU's Center for
Information Science Research, the decision by ICOT to include the
University in its list of partners was the first of many benefits
for Australia flowing from ICOT's holding of the 1991 International
Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Sydney.

(Sean McNamara/19910725)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 MOTOROLA, UNGERMANN-BASS JOINTLY PROMOTE LANS 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00002)

MOTOROLA, UNGERMANN-BASS JOINTLY PROMOTE LANS 07/25/91
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Motorola
and Ungermann-Bass have announced the signing of a cooperative
marketing agreement to promote Motorola's wireless Ethernet
products and Ungermann-Bass' Access/One smart hub and
connectivity products.

Under the terms of the agreement the two firms will exchange
engineering technology to further the development of integrated
wireless and wired networks based on standard and enhanced Simple
Network Management Protocol (SNMP). The two companies will
jointly market their products.

Motorola's Altair wireless Ethernet products allow network nodes
to be connected without wiring between the nodes. Access/One is
a wiring hub which uses standard telephone wiring to connect
nodes, such as PC, Macintosh computers, terminals, mini and
mainframe computers, integrating them into an Ethernet, Token
Ring, broadband or Fiber Distributed Data Interface network.

(Jim Mallory/19910725/Press Contact:Cheryl Beck, Motorola,
708-632-2853)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 DEFENSE FUNDS DEV'T OF SUPER-FAST COMPUTER 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00003)

DEFENSE FUNDS DEV'T OF SUPER-FAST COMPUTER 07/25/91
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Tera Computer
Company has announced that it has received a $7.5 million
contract from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency
(DARPA) to develop a general purpose high performance computer
system.

Tera says that using the DARPA funds, it expects to develop a
prototype of a system capable of performing up to 100 times
faster than today's supercomputers. The complete development if
the prototype system is expected to cost about $30 million.

Tera says the system will be a 64-bit, shared-memory parallel
computer with a family of models incorporating up to 256
processors. Each processor will have a peak performance in
excess of a billion instructions per second and one billion
floating point operations per second. Supercomputer development
is limited by the fact that electronic signals traveling through
the processors of a computer cannot travel faster than the speed
of light. Additional speed can be obtained by adding more
processors, but software is required to spread problem solving
(computing) across the processors. Tera says its shared memory
architecture makes the development of this software feasible.

Seven years ago Seymour Cray decided to develop a faster
supercomputer, and the first Cray 3 is expected to be delivered
next year. Cray Research spun off Cray Computer, with initial
funding of almost $100 million. This week Cray Computer
announced a public offering of 4.5 million shares of common stock
at $12.50 per share, in order to raise an additional $56 million.
The Cray 3 depends on gallium arsenide circuitry for its speed,
and will have 16 processors.

(Jim Mallory/19910725/Press Contact:James Rottsolk, Tera,
206-548-9405)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 LOS ALAMOS LAB USES COMPUTER TO MIMIC BRAIN CIRCUITRY 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00004)

LOS ALAMOS LAB USES COMPUTER TO MIMIC BRAIN CIRCUITRY 07/25/91
LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Scientists at
the Los Alamos National Laboratory say they are using computer
programs that mimic human senses such as vision and hearing to
understand how the brain processes information.

The brain function simulator, called NeuroBuilder, was developed
by Bryan Travis of the lab's Earth and Environment Sciences
Division, Maureen Gremillion, a graduate student, and Susan
Coughlan of the Los Alamos Center for Non-linear Studies.

"The goal of our work here is to provide new computational tools
that will let us explore how structure, the way neurons are
interconnected, controls what happens to sensory input," said
Travis. According to Travis the immediate application of
NeuroBuilder is to allow scientists to use the models to test
their hypotheses of neurobiology pathways and how structures in
the brain work.

The Los Alamos National Laboratory is a research organization
that applies science and technology to problems ranging from
defense to energy research, and is operated by the University of
California for the US Department of Energy.

(Jim Mallory/19910725/Press Contact:Catherine Baldwin, Los Alamos
National laboratory, 505-665-7777)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 NEW FOR NETWORKS: 3Com 10Base-T Modular Hub 07/25/91

07/25/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00005)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: 3Com 10Base-T Modular Hub 07/25/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- 3Com Corporation has
announced the MultiConnect TP Starter Kit, a low-priced 10Base-T
modular hub which gives end users the flexibility to incrementally
grow their networks.

The newest addition to 3Com's family of 10Base-T products,
the MultiConnect TP Starter Kit contains 3Com's MultiConnect repeater
bundled with four MultiConnect 10Base-T Modules. The kit represents a
saving of up to 46 percent on the list price of its individual
components.

"The modularity of the MultiConnect TP Starter Kit makes it an
economical and reliable solution for customers who are building
10Base-T networks and want to expand gradually," said William Messer,
3Com's general manager for Asian Operations. "Many administrators
need to add only a few ports at a time to their network and the
MultiConnect TP Starter Kit can save the considerable expense of
purchasing an additional hub," Messer added.

Because the MultiConnect TP Starter Kit allows users to add only the
number of ports required at the time, for many configurations 3Com's
price will be significantly less expensive than that of fixed 12-port
hubs offered by other vendors, the company claims.

Unlike fixed 12-port hubs, where an additional hub must be purchased
to expand the system to the 13th or 14th port, MultiConnect is
modular in design, allowing for incremental expansion of just three
ports at a time.

The MultiConnect TP Starter Kit can accommodate up to 15 modules,
enabling users to grow their networks from the 12 port Starter Kit up
to 45 ports, all in one compact, single repeater. The modular
architecture also allows the flexibility to support various
combinations of network media, including thick and thin Ethernet,
fiber, and twisted-pair cabling.

3Com says its MultiConnect repeater modules give users the basis for
connectivity to structured wiring systems and automatically supports
network maintenance and control. Modules can be added without
shutting down the network so the network can be reconfigured or
expanded without disrupting normal operations.

All MultiConnect Modules feature a full complement of LEDs, which can
be used during installation and normal operation to monitor segments
and identify faults.

MultiConnect 10Base-T modules provides three ports with RJ45
connectors providing a maximum of 45 10Base-T connections per
MultiConnect Repeater. 3Com's 10Base-T products support a wide
impedance range (70-160 ohms), permitting Ethernet operation over a
variety of twisted-pair wire, including unshielded twisted-pair as
well as IBM Type 1 shielded twisted-pair.

In combination with 3Com adapters, the modules allow segment lengths
of up to 150 m.

The MultiConnect TP Starter Kit is available now from 3Com and its
worldwide network of resellers and distributors.

(Norman Wingrove/19910725/Press contact: William Messer, 3Com, Tel +
852 848 9200; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 BSA KOREAN PIRACY CASE - MORE DETAILS 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(HKG)(00006)

BSA KOREAN PIRACY CASE - MORE DETAILS 07/25/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- The Business Software
Alliance (BSA) has filed a criminal complaint under the 1987 Korean
Computer Program Protection Law against Pacific Fashion Company Ltd
for alleged unauthorized copying of software.

At the same time, the BSA announced that the Seoul Prosecutor's
Office had conducted simultaneous raids on two retail operations,
Prime Computer in Songtan and Computer Tech in Itaewon, which netted
thousands of suspected copies of BSA members' software products.

The criminal complaint against Pacific Fashion resulted in a surprise
raid of the company's offices by the Seoul Prosecutor's Office on 12
July. The raid yielded suspected unauthorized copies of software
published by BSA members Ashton-Tate, Microsoft and Lotus
Development.

At the raids of Prime Computer and Computer Tech on 4 July, officials
of the Seoul Prosecutor's Office arrested two people and confiscated
approximately 10,000 floppy disks containing 4,600 suspected pirate
copies of software programs. Also confiscated were 4,200 suspected
pirate software manuals and 11 personal computers suspected of being
used for unauthorized software copying.

Two months ago, the BSA announced legal actions against Dae Lim
Motorcycle Marketing and Sales Company and Tae Young Industrial
Company for suspected software copyright infringement. Both cases are
pending in the Seoul Prosecutor's Office. Action has also been taken
against alleged users of pirate software in Taiwan.

To help inform the Korean public of the legal and business aspects of
software use, the BSA sponsored a booth at the recent Korean
technology trade show, SEK '91. It distributed a fact sheet about the
Korean Computer Program Protection Law and copies of the BSA Guide to
Software Management, which suggests policies for responsible
management of a company's software holdings.

In response to requests gathered at the BSA booth, the BSA will also
distribute Hangul versions of SPAudit 2.7, a self-auditing software
program developed by the Software Publishers Association that assists
users in conducting an internal inventory of their software to
determine whether they are using only original programs.

The BSA's announcement in Seoul follows action by the BSA in the
Netherlands, where litigation has been filed against Amafilter, a
Dutch company suspected of using unauthorized software copies in its
business operations.

(Norman Wingrove/19910725/Press contact: Jeff Siebach, BSA, Tel + 852
529 6331; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 NEW FOR MAC: Frame Technology Ships FrameMaker 3.0 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00007)

NEW FOR MAC: Frame Technology Ships FrameMaker 3.0 07/25/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Frame
Technology is shipping FrameMaker 3.0 for the Apple Macintosh.
Framemaker 3.0 is said to be 100% compatible with the new
System 7.0 operating system. FrameMaker 3.0 combines
word processing, tables, page layout, graphics, equations editing,
hypertext and structured document tools into one package.

Additionally, the program also offers a number of enhanced features
including conditional text, and support for the Desktop Color
Separation (DCS) standard.

The company maintains that the new version contains improved
support for importing Microsoft Word 3.0-4.0 files, including tables
and index markers, and new support for importing graphics in
24-bit color TIFF, XWD, PC Paintbrush, and GIF formats.

The company is offering FrameMaker 3.0 for the Macintosh at a new
price in North America of $795, which is reduced from the previous
price of $995. Special educational pricing has also been reduced
from $499 to $299.

(Ian Stokell/19910725/Press Contact: Kristin Vais, Frame
Technology Corp., 408-433-3311)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 NEW PRODUCTS: PrecisionColor Calibrator 2.0/Graphics Card 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00008)

NEW PRODUCTS: PrecisionColor Calibrator 2.0/Graphics Card 07/25/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Radius has
introduced PrecisionColor Calibrator 2.0, for color and gray scale
display calibration with the Macintosh, and at the same time
released the PrecisionColor 8, an 8-bit color graphics card for the
Macintosh II and PC platforms.

According to the company, the new version of Calibrator features
such enhancements as increased compatibility with third-party
displays, a new user interface, more color control, linked settings,
a faster calibration process, and Apple System 7.0 support.

PrecisionColor Calibrator 2.0 is available immediately and
carries the suggested retail price of $695.

Radius claims that PrecisionColor Calibrator 2.0 now supports all
of the company's color displays and interfaces. Additionally,
third-party support includes the Apple 13-inch RGB display and
8.24 and 8.24GC interface cards, and many color displays and
graphics cards from E-Machines, RasterOps and SuperMac.

Calibrator 2.0 also provides improved control over a number of color
characteristics including gamma, color temperature and white point.
Color temperature control allows a user to match the display color
temperature to the color temperature of the environment in which the
final output will be viewed.

The new PrecisionColor 8 color graphics card features multiple
resolutions, and compatibility with a wide range of Macintosh and
PC displays, according to the company.

The PrecisionColor 8, which is available immediately at the
suggested list price of $795, replaces the Radius GS/C interface
card which will no longer be available as of Aug. 1, 1991.

According to the company, the card displays up to 256 colors, and
offers support for resolutions ranging from 640 x 480 to 1152 x 882.
The card drives all Radius color and gray-scale displays, Apple
color displays, and PC VGA and SVGA displays.

(Ian Stokell/19910725/Press Contact: Jeneane Harter, Radius Inc.,
408-434-1010)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 AUSTRALIA: TELECOM DONATES AUS$1M TO UNIVERSITY 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00009)

AUSTRALIA: TELECOM DONATES AUS$1M TO UNIVERSITY 07/25/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Telecom, Australia's national
carrier, has donated AUS$1M to the University of Wollongong's Center
for Information Technology Research (CITR), so says Federal Minister for
Science and Technology, Ross Free.

The money will be used to establish the Telecommunications Software
Research Center (TSRC), and Telecom will also support the Center for
three years. The main part of the Center's research will be in the
field of intelligent networking, a field in which Telecom has
already participated in the international arena.

"We have high expectations for this research area," said
Professor Fergus O'Brien, foundation director of TSRC. "TSRC will
concentrate on three principal topics - Information Modelling,
Service Management and Information Networking Architectures. In each
case, we will be developing standards, design techniques, and network
environments that meet the total communications needs of individual
corporate customers."

(Sean McNamara/19910725/Press Contact: Phil Brown, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 CYPRESS CEO: CONGRESS OUT OF DATE ON COMPETITIVENESS 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00010)

CYPRESS CEO: CONGRESS OUT OF DATE ON COMPETITIVENESS 07/25/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Cypress Semiconductor
President and Chief Executive Officer T.J. Rodgers made several
proposals to increase competitiveness to a House Subcommittee on
Tuesday.

Saying, "You cannot win the competitive battles of the 1990s with
a strategic playbook written in the 1970s," Mr. Rodgers asserted
that the American competitiveness debate seems "frozen in time.
In many respects. The game has changed. Unfortunately, the giants
that dominate the debate in Washington are still calling plays
from yesterday's playbook."

"My point is to underscore the new realities of competition in
the semiconductor industry," he added. "Washington has been
conducting the same discussion about semiconductors for the last
five years -- even as some of the industry's most basic
technologies and economics have experienced profound
transformations."

"Corporate size is no longer an intrinsic asset in competing with
Japanese conglomerates. In many cases it is a liability," said
Rodgers. "Smaller, nimble companies focusing relentlessly on
innovation and quality can be far more effective.

"There is," he added, "a new strategic logic to success in the
semiconductor business: think small, think flexible, think
efficient," he said. "Competing head-on with the Japanese does
not require a few more government-subsidized 'battleship' labs
and a handful of giant companies. Rather, we need hundreds of
small, flexible, innovative companies to wage slashing raids at
Japan's weakest points."

Instead of forming industry consortia, Mr. Rodgers feels that the
best way to help the semiconductor industry in this country is to
repair the "damaging state of America's financial
infrastructure" by clearing up "the scarce supply of reasonably
priced capital that successful companies need to build their
manufacturing muscle."

Specifically, Dr. Rodgers proposed to modify HR 2523 in order to
overcome the "tax-breaks-for-the-rich" argument that it may
create. He proposes increasing the capital gains rate on assets
held for less than six months by imposing a 50 percent surcharge
over the nominal rate.

This surcharge would be a stiff disincentive to wasteful
speculation. Assets held between six months and three years would
be taxed at the current rate, and capital gains taxes on assets
held for more than three years would be totally eliminated.

Additionally, Rodgers proposed abolishing government restrictions
that prohibit U.S. banks from owning equity in industrial
companies and limit bank holding companies to no more than five
percent of an industrial company's total shares. The present
restrictions are based on the Glass-Stegall Act of 1933, enacted
to help prevent major bank collapses such as occurred during the
Great Depression, and Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.

Rodgers made his comments before the Subcommittee on Science,
Technology and Competitiveness of the House's Science, Space and
Technology Committee. He was testifying at the invitation of
Subcommittee Chairman Tim Valentine (D-NC).

In his second tax-related proposal, Rodgers called for Congress
to make the R&D tax credit permanent.

Dr. Rodgers also called on Congress to create disincentives for
"frivolous and harassing lawsuits filed under the guise of
protecting intellectual property."

(John McCormick/19910725/Press Contact: John Hamburger, Cypress
Semiconductor, 408-943-2902)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 SURVEY RATES 7 FIRMS TOPS WITH CUSTOMERS 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00011)

SURVEY RATES 7 FIRMS TOPS WITH CUSTOMERS 07/25/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Dataquest has
released its fourth quarter cumulative survey and says it found
for this period U.S. business personal computer (PC) users the
most satisfied with CompAdd, Dell, Everex, Apple, Epson, AST,
IBM, and Compaq.

The survey, entitled "The Score Report: Desktop Personal
Computer Customer Satisfaction Survey" questions end-users in
their levels of satisfaction in the categories of quality,
value/price, upgrade/compatibility, footprint/friendliness,
product delivery, technical documentation, and commitment to
customers, Dataquest said.

Glen Haney, chief executive officer and president of Dataquest,
said, "In the course of gathering information for our Personal
Computer industry service, we have witnessed the change in the
PC product as it moves from a technology product to a commodity
product."

Those surveyed include executives, engineers, technicians,
and secretaries.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912491/Press Contact: Mary Hand,
Dataquest, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 DAIMLER BENZ BUYS 34% OF SOGETI 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(OSL)(00012)

DAIMLER BENZ BUYS 34% OF SOGETI 07/25/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Germany's Daimler Benz group,
maker of Mercedes Benz cars, is buying 34 percent of Sogeti S.A.
of France. Sogeti S.A. controls Gemini Consulting Group, a major
management consulting group, and Cap Gemini Sogeti. Sogeti itself
is controlled (51%) by SKIP.

Gemini Consulting Group has 1,200 employees, about half based in
the U.S. Cap Gemini Sogeti has 30,000 employees and provides
information technology (IT) services in 13 European countries and in the
U.S. It is number four in the world, just behind EDS, IBM, and Computer
Sciences, ahead of Andersen Consulting in the IT services field.
Turnover for 1991 will be around $ 1.6 billion for Cap Gemini Sogeti.

Daimler Benz has organized its operations in four major units,
Mercedes Benz (car manufacturing), DASA (aerospace), AEG
(electronics), and Debis (services). Among the subsidiaries in
the Debis unit, Debis SystemHaus specializes in IT services.
Debis SystemHaus expects a 1991 turnover in the region of $550
million.

With 4,000 employees, Debis SystemHaus is the leading provider
of IT services in Germany, with an emphasis on network management and
applications development. About 75% of the turnover comes from
companies in the Daimler Benz group.

By buying 34%, Daimler Benz gets a blocking minority interest and
negative control. Daimler Benz is also getting an option to buy
a controlling share of Sogeti.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/1991.07.24/Sogeti S.A., Press Relations; tel:
+ 33-47545000; fax: + 33-42273210; France is GMT + 1 hour)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 APPLE EXPECTS TO TRIPLE MAC SALES THIS YEAR IN JAPAN 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00013)

APPLE EXPECTS TO TRIPLE MAC SALES THIS YEAR IN JAPAN 07/25/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Apple Computer Japan says it
expects to sell 150,000 units of the Macintosh for fiscal 1990, which
ends this September. This figure is three times more than
that of the previous term.

Apple Computer Japan was initially expecting to sell 100,000 units
for fiscal 1990, but the firm recently changed its estimate
to 150,000 due to the popularity of the Macintosh Classic.
According to Apple, the low-end versions including the Mac Classic,
the LC, and the IIsi have sold well since they were released
last fall. So, a pleased Apple Japan has not been able to meet demand
and until recently, supplies were short.

Apple Computer Japan has recorded 50 billion yen in sales ($370
million) for the most recent quarter, which was a 43 percent increase
over the previous term. In order to sell more units, Apple Computer
Japan says it will explore various distribution routes besides its
current distributor, Canon and other PC distributors. It is expected that
the firm will follow the footsteps of the parent firm Apple Computer and
will opt for mass-market outlets, such as Japan's Seiyu or Daiei stores.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910724/Press Contact: Apple Computer Japan,
 [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 NEC TO DOUBLE PRODUCTION OF LCD - 60 BILLION YEN INVEST 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00014)

NEC TO DOUBLE PRODUCTION OF LCD - 60 BILLION YEN INVEST 07/25/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- NEC will increase
production of liquid crystal displays, investing 60 billion yen
($450 million) over the next four years. The firm wants to double
production by 1993.

NEC is manufacturing the thin film transistor (TFT) type of
LCD, including color versions, at its Kagoshima plant in Kyushu.
The firm is currently producing 25,000 units of the LCD
per month, and it wants to raise increase that to 50,000 units
per month. NEC wants to have 60 percent of its sales from its
LCDs.

NEC expects that demand of the LCDs for use in computers, word
processors, and TVs will rapidly increase in the near future. In
fact, an industry survey says the LCD market is expected to grow
up to 1 trillion yen ($7.5 billion) within four years.

Specifically, the TFT-type LCD is seen as having great potential due to
its high resolution and high speed. The TFT LCD market is expected to
be worth 300 billion yen ($2 million) by 1995.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910724/Press Contact: NEC, [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 OPEN ARCH GROUP SETS STANDARD JAPANESE PC FEATURES 07/25/91

07/25/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00015)

OPEN ARCH GROUP SETS STANDARD JAPANESE PC FEATURES 07/25/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- The Open Architecture
Developers' Group (OADG), which was organized by IBM Japan to create
IBM-compatible PCs, has just announced standard features for
Japanese personal computers and peripherals.

IBM has announced that there will now be a standard printer, keyboard,
code page, and floppy disks based around the latest operating system,
DOS/V, for IBM PCs. The printer is IBM's ESC/P J84, and the keyboard is
the IBM5576 A101. Keyboards for the AX, Toshiba J-3100, and the
IBM101/102 are supported. The code page is IBM932 for 1-byte
letters and Shift-JIS (JISX0208). The floppy disk format is either 720 KB
or 1.4 MB, and the 2MB is optional. The actual features of the
machine itself are expected to be announced by the end of August.

Meanwhile, the OADG has welcomed 7 new member firms, which include
AST Research Japan, Intel Japan, Digital Equipment Japan, NBCC,
Microsystems, Mitac Japan, and Memorex Telex. There are 20 members
at present and it is said 10 more firms are applying for the
membership.

Five firms including AST Research, Mitsubishi, Mitac, NBCC, and
Sega Enterprises, have already released DOS/V-compatible machines.
More firms are expected to release the IBM-compatible machines in
the near future and will definitely vie with NEC and Apple in
Japan.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910724/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3586-
1111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 MOSCOW: COMPUTER FIRM PAYS METRO FARE FOR ALL 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00016)

MOSCOW: COMPUTER FIRM PAYS METRO FARE FOR ALL 07/25/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- An unusual advertising campaign
was announced today by the MMM company, biggest local computer
reseller. The company announced that it will make metro rides for all
Moscovites free of charge on July 31, September 1 (the day when
colleges open after summer vacations), and October 7, Constitution
Day.

An average of 5 million people use the Moscow metro daily. The
metro fare is .15 ruble. So the deal totals at least 750,000 rubles
per day ($23400 by the market rate).

MMM representatives refused further comment.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910725)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 FORD MOTORS INSTALLS SEQUENT COMPUTER SYSTEM 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00017)

FORD MOTORS INSTALLS SEQUENT COMPUTER SYSTEM 07/25/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Sequent Computer
Systems has announced that Ford Motor Company has purchased its
Symmetry 2000 systems for use in body engineering and product and
manufacturing.

Sequent says body engineering will use a S2000/700 to manage
its Oracle database and will develop internal applications for
product drawing, ordering and tracking, and a method to track
cost reduction ideas. The system will support more than 200
users via Ethernet and asynchronous networks.

Tom Wilson, a Ford computer application engineer, says Ford plans
to greatly expand the number of online users in 1992 and that
Ford was pleased with the hardware performance as well as the
sales and technical staffs of Sequent.

The Symmetry 2000 features symmetrical multiprocessing systems
that balance the processing load among one to 30 processors. The
hardware uses an Intel 486 central processing unit (CPU) and can
handle more than 350 transactions per second. The Symmetry
2000/200 uses two to six CPUs supporting up to 64 users. The
Symmetry 2000/400 can accommodate from two to 10 32-bit CPUs and
support more than 100 users. The Symmetry 2000/700 uses up to 30
CPUs and can support more than 1,000 users. The S2000 systems
range in price from $19,500 to over $2.5 million. Sequent says
they have more than 4,000 systems installed since it introduced
its multiprocessor family in 1984.

(Jim Mallory/19910724/Press Contact:Rick Gimbel, Sequent,
503-626-5700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 IN FOCUS GETS GSA CONTRACT FOR PRESENTATION PRODUCTS 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00018)

IN FOCUS GETS GSA CONTRACT FOR PRESENTATION PRODUCTS 07/25/91
TUALATIN, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- In Focus Systems
has announced the award of its first General Services
Administration (GSA) contract. In Focus will provide
presentation products to various federal agencies including
Congress and several federal government contractors.

In Focus produces the PC Viewer series and LiteShow II. PC
Viewers are LCD (liquid crystal) projection panels which display
computer-generated images directly from a personal computer onto
a wall or screen using a standard overhead projector. LiteShow
II is an electronic presentation management system which produces
slide shows prepared using computer-generated graphics.

"Our extensive research reveals that more presentations are made
by government employees than in any other organization," said
Andrew Leonard, In Focus marketing and sales VP. Leonard says
receiving the GSA contract will simplify the government sales
process as well as expanding the company's penetration of the
government market. The one year contract is renewable.

More information about In Focus products can be obtained by
calling 800-327-7231 or FAXing 503-692-4476.

(Jim Mallory/19910724/Press Contact: Scott Niesen, In Focus
Systems, 503-692-4968)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25  ****MICROSOFT REVENUE $1.8 BILLION IN FY 1991 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00019)

 ****MICROSOFT REVENUE $1.8 BILLION IN FY 1991 07/25/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- There appears to
be no stopping Microsoft Corporation which has just announced that
in FY 1991, which ended June 30th, it had revenue of $80 million,
earning shareholders $2.47 per share. Net income for the year was
$462.7 million.

The company says its 1991 revenues increased 55.8 percent over
last year's $1.2 billon, while net income was up 65.7 percent
over last year. Stockholders earned $1.56 per share last year.

Microsoft's fourth quarter was a good one, with revenues of
$526.6 million, up 56.3 percent over the previous year. Net
income for the quarter was $138.4 million.

Microsoft President Mike Hallman said the results reflect record
revenue from worldwide retail and OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) sales, as well as the continuing growth of Windows 3.0.

In June, Microsoft introduced MS-DOS 5.0, and says that so far
more than 130 PC manufacturers worldwide have licensed it. The
company has made the upgrade to DOS 5.0 available to the more
than 70 million MS-DOS users through various distribution
channels.

(Jim Mallory/910725/Press Contact: Ray Furguson, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25  ****COMPAQ REPORTS 81% 2Q EARNINGS DROP 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020)

 ****COMPAQ REPORTS 81% 2Q EARNINGS DROP 07/25/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has reported that it had an 81 percent drop in
second quarter earnings over the same period last year.

Earnings for the 1991 2Q were $20 million, earning shareholders
23 cents per share. Shareholders saw a $1.18 per share return
for the same period last year.

In a published report, Compaq President Rod Canion blamed the company's
problems on the poor US economy, saying the computer industry had
been down for a year and a half. Canion said the computer industry
is a leading indicator of economic conditions. Canion said the Persian Gulf
War hurt the economy in general and specifically the computer industry.

"This year the European market dropped due to a weak economy.
Asia's computer market is growing, but it's so small that it has
little effect," Canion told United Press International.

Canion is not hopeful for short term gains, saying that he
expects the third quarter would be a continuation of the
second, with the first improvement possible in the fourth
quarter.

In the past month, Compaq has reduced the suggested list price
of several of its Deskpro systems as well as its notebook PCs.

(Jim Mallory/910725/Press Contact: John Sweney, Compaq,
713-374-4616)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 UNISYS WINS CANADIAN NET SECURITY CONTRACT 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00021)

UNISYS WINS CANADIAN NET SECURITY CONTRACT 07/25/91
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Unisys Defense
Systems has been awarded a US$5.2 million contract to provide
network security products and services to the Canadian government.

The contract, awarded by Canada's Department of Supply and
Services, calls for Unisys to provide secure communications for the
Canadian Integrated Data Network (IDN). Unisys Defense Systems will
modify its Blacker system, currently used by several U.S.
government customers, for the Canadian network. Blacker provides
multilevel security on X.25 packet-switched networks.

It is the first time that Blacker technology has been exported from
the United States, Unisys said.

(Grant Buckler/19910725/Press Contact: Laura N. Overstreet, Unisys,
703-847-3375)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25  ****ON-LINE COFFEE BAR NETWORK FOR COFFEE-DWELLERS 07/25/91

07/25/91



(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00022)

 ****ON-LINE COFFEE BAR NETWORK FOR COFFEE-DWELLERS 07/25/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- In a
move designed to bring the "online communications experience"
out of the home and into the open, an online network called SF Net
has announced the placing of a number of its RJ11-Tables complete
with computers and modems, into coffee bars throughout the San
Francisco area.

The SF Net service features live roundtable communications,
electronic mail, and message boards, featuring such subjects as
business, sports, politics, and the environment. Inevitably, there is
also a "Love Connection" message area.

Wayne Gregori, SF Net's founder, told Newsbytes that the idea
was to "put computers in a place where people can use them."
He said that the service was geared towards a "Bohemian" set,
rather than the usual type normally associated with bulletin
board systems.

The RJ-11-Tables come with computer and modem to allow for
access to the network. Gregori told Newsbytes that the tops of the
tables measure 24-inch by 26-inches, and that the 14-inch monitor
rises out of the top when a lever is activated. The top of the
table is flush until the monitor is used, to allow for it to be used as
a normal coffee bar table.

The prospective user simply purchases a ticket in the bar
containing a special alphanumeric number. Once the number is
entered into the computer, the user is given 10 minutes of online
time. Although charges are waived initially, the 10-minute tickets
will actually cost $1 each. Callers using a computer from home
can connect for $3 per hour.

Gregori said that the initial menu displays three choices: "T" for
TimeCode, which allows for the entering of the special number;
"D" for Dial SF Net; and "I" for Information. At any time during the
session, a special function-key allows for the input of another
purchased number for uninterrupted communications.

Apart from communicating with other coffee-dwellers in the San
Francisco area, users will also connect to a proposed national
network that hopes to provide international links to similarly
equipped coffee bars in such far-flung places as Paris, France.

On the national level Gregori said that similar networks are
tentatively planned for the New York and Chicago areas.
Communications to all proposed networks outside of the San
Francisco area would "not be real-time" but consist of
messages in the form of "once-a-day packets."

Gregori told Newsbytes that three more locations are
planned for the San Francisco area. The company currently
has 12 tables built, and is looking to place the remaining
four in the Berkeley, and possibly, the Sausalito areas.
Initially, they would have to be within the 12 mile "local"
telephone company area for the service to remain financially
viable.

Gregori told Newsbytes that he was pleased with the first week's
business and reported 380 calls yesterday. He said that it
was evident that "every coffee bar has its own personality." What
surprised him was the "diversity of ideas" currently being
displayed on the boards.

The five locations currently in San Francisco are Ground Zero,
Horseshoe Cafe, La Boheme, Brain Wash, and South Beach
Billiards.

(Ian Stokell/19910725/Press Contact: Wayne Gregori, SF Net,
415-695-9824)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25  ****IBM LOWERS PS/2 L40 LAPTOP PRICE 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00023)

 ****IBM LOWERS PS/2 L40 LAPTOP PRICE 07/25/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- IBM says it
has reduced the price of its PS/2 L40 SX laptop computer, which
was launched March 22, by 12 percent to $5,245 from $5,995.

IBM has also cut the price of the 80 nanosecond
memory options for the system by up to 45 percent.

IBM's PS/2 L40 SX, its first 20MHz 80386SX-based laptop
computer, recently began shipping. The machine weighs 7
pounds and features a unique battery-saving technology created
by Western Digital. It has a full-size PS/2 keyboard and a
60MB hard drive. Maximum memory size is 18MB. There is also
a VGA backlit screen with a 10-inch diagonal measure. The screen
has the same "aspect ratio" as desktop units -- so a circle
drawn on the desk looks like a circle on your laptop, not an ellipse.

There is also a kind of "dashboard" above the keyboard which
tells a user when the power is running down or when
it's too hot or humid for the machine to operate, in which case
it turns itself off.

To conserve battery power, it has a suspend/resume facility that
shuts the PC down when not required, powering back up again to
the point where the user left off. Battery life is rated at
about three hours -- on a par with laptops like the Toshiba
3100 and Compaq LTE against which it is designed to compete.

(Wendy Woods & Newsbytes staff /19910725/Press Contact: IBM
Corporation, Tara Sexton, 914/642-4662)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 UK: COMPUSERVE UPGRADES TO 9600BPS 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00024)

UK: COMPUSERVE UPGRADES TO 9600BPS 07/25/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Compuserve has upgraded its London
access port from 2,400 to 9,600 bits per second (bps). The service upgrade,
which came into force this week, incorporates MNP Class 5 error correction
and data compression.

Although many of the online service's U.S. ports now support V.42Bis data
compression on the existing 9,600 bps access ports, a spokesman for
Compuserve UK's technical support line told Newsbytes that there are no
plans at present to offer V.42Bis on the London node.

Access via the London port continues to be available at $12.50 per hour for
all modem speeds to 2,400 bps. V.32 (9,600 bps) access costs $22.50 an
hour. Compuserve's normal communications surcharges -- currently 30 cents
an hour during off-peak times -- apply to subscribers accessing via the
London 071-490-8881 port.

(Steve Gold/19910725/Press & Public Contact: Compuserve - Tel:
0272-255111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 AST COMPUTERS TO BE AVAILABLE AT CIRCUIT CITY 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00025)

AST COMPUTERS TO BE AVAILABLE AT CIRCUIT CITY 07/25/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- AST has
announced it plans to distribute a new computer product line
through the electronics retailer Circuit City Stores
Incorporated.

Plans are for the new computers to appear in Dallas and Houston
Circuit City stores this fall, with the other of Circuit City's
remaining 166 superstores to receive the AST computers shortly
thereafter, the company said.

AST says the brand name for the new computer line is Advantage!
and the new line features a simplified "plug and play"
capability for quick setup and operation. The Advantage! line
is not a watered-down, low end computer, AST said, but features
80386 and 80486 central processing units (CPUs).

Tom Yuen, AST co-chairman and chief operating officer, said,
"While most computer manufacturers market their products for
novice users, we believe high-performance products are being
demanded by consumers who do work at home or have established
home offices."

The Advantage! line computers will come with software, modems
and mouse pointing devices in both desktop and portable
configurations. AST said it also plans to distribute a 386SX-
based Advantage! notebook computer as well. The Advantage!
systems are planned to be sold as complete packages with video
graphics adapter (VGA) monitors, hard disk drives and modems.

"AST can offer powerful systems at affordable prices to
consumers demanding a higher level of quality and support than
they have previously received from other manufacturers," Yuen
said.

AST already provides toll-free telephone support and offers a
24-hour electronic bulletin board system called the AST On-Line
Technical Information Network. Info-Fax from AST is also
available to provide technical support documents via a fax
machine to users.

J.D. Power & Associates, a company specializing in consumer
surveys, ranked AST third overall in its first customer
satisfaction survey of the personal computer industry.

AST Research corporate headquarters are located at 16215 Alton
Parkway, P.O. Box 19658, Irvine, California 92713-9658,
telephone [phone], fax [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: Joel Don, AST, Tel:
714/727-7957, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 SOFTWARE PUBLISHING'S BUY OF ENGLISH FIRM COMPLETE 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00026)

SOFTWARE PUBLISHING'S BUY OF ENGLISH FIRM COMPLETE 07/25/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- At a
purchase price of $25.4 million, Software Publishing has
completed its acquisition of Precision Software Limited of
Surrey, England.

Precision Software developed and marketed Superbase, and
relational database package for Microsoft Windows. Precision
reported revenues of $10 million for its fiscal year ending
March 31, 1991.

Software Publishing said the acquisition gives the company its
first development facility outside the United States. The
company plans to use its new U.K. position to tap further into
the international market.

Precision's office in Munich will merge with the existing
Software Publishing sales office also in Munich, the company
said. North American Superbase product marketing and support
will be handled out of the Irvine office, the company said.

Software Publishing's other products are the Harvard and
Professional series which include Harvard Graphics, Harvard
Project Manager, Professional Write, Professional File Plus,
and Infoalliance.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: Carolyn Karr, Software
Publishing, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 AUGUST 8 WEDDING SET FOR MACROMIND/PARACOMP 07/25/91

07/25/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

AUGUST 8 WEDDING SET FOR MACROMIND/PARACOMP 07/25/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- August
8 has tentatively been set as the date for the formal merger
between multimedia firms Macromind and Paracomp, both of
San Francisco. That will be one day after the unveiling of
"Magic," Paracomp's newest product designed for novice
multimedia users.

The new firm, tentatively titled Macromind/Paracomp, will
be headed by Bill Woodward, currently Paracomp president, who
will serve as chairman of the new firm. Tim Mott, current
president of Macromind, will serve as CEO. Bill Woodward will
handle sales and marketing and Tim Mott will handle finance,
operations, engineering, and international sales. Marc Canter
the founder of Macromind, is serving on the board of the
new firm. Young Harvill, a pioneer in the field of virtual
reality and a member of Paracomp's team, will be a major
contributor to the new entity.

Phil Chang, Paracomp's marketing communications manager, says
Macromind/Paracomp will move into a new headquarters location
"after the deal closes"

As to the product mix of the two firms, "There is almost no
overlap between the products," says Chang. Both develop products
for the Macintosh. MacroMind's main product is called Director
3.0, an authoring tool that creates interactive multimedia
presentations, applications, and animations. Other products
include MacroMind MediaMaker, MacroMind Three-D, MacroMind
Accelerator, and the MacroMind Windows Player. The company's
technology has also been licensed to Microsoft and Fujitsu.

Paracomp Inc., was founded in 1987. Its products include design and
visualization software targeted at such market niches as multimedia,
desktop publishing, industrial design, engineering, graphics design,
and film/video production.

The two privately-held companies now employ a total of 110
people between them. There were an undisclosed number of layoffs
at Macromind after the merger was announced.

(Ian Stokell & Wendy Woods/1910725/Press Contact: Terry Abendroth,
MacroMind, 415-442-0200, Phil Chang, Paracomp, 415-956-4091)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 IBM ACQUIRES MINORITY INTEREST IN INCODE 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00028)

IBM ACQUIRES MINORITY INTEREST IN INCODE 07/25/91
PURCHASE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- IBM
Corporation and Industrial Computing Designs Corp. have
announced that IBM has acquired a minority equity interest in
Incode. Details of the equity agreement were not disclosed.

Incode is a privately held company and Paul Neuman, IBM
spokesperson, told Newsbytes that "In equity agreements with
such firms, details are normally not announced." Neuman told
Newsbytes that IBM received an option to exercise
participation in Incode's board of directors.

Incode has worked closely with IBM and a consortium of
manufacturers to develop the Process Operations Management
System (POMS) product. IBM obtained the exclusive worldwide
marketing rights to POMS in October 1990 while Incode
retained responsibility for the continued development of the
product.

POMS is a PS/2 based system running under IBM's OS/2
Extended Edition. It is intended to addresses the major
requirements of manufacturers by integrating production
planning and scheduling, manufacturing operations, quality
analysis and process engineering. It distributes work orders,
monitors ongoing operations to ensure the use of correct
procedures, and creates comprehensive records to produce a
complete audit trail for regulatory compliance and quality
assurance.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Paul Neuman,
IBM Corporation, 914-697-6537; Curtis Grina, Incode, 703-264-
0660/19910725)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25  ****IBM ENHANCES RISC 6000; "VISUALIZATION" SYSTEM 07/25/91

07/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00029)

 ****IBM ENHANCES RISC 6000; "VISUALIZATION" SYSTEM 07/25/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JULY 25 (NB) -- IBM has
announced enhancements to its RISC System/6000 line of
workstation units and a high-end visualization system. It has
also announced price cuts of up to 42% on items in the RISC
6000 line of products.

The new RISC System/6000 graphics products -- the Power
Gt4x, Power Gt4 and Power Gt3 -- are internally attached
graphics subsystems that are connected to the workstation via
Micro Channel slots. The products range in price from $3,500 to
$17,000 and are said by IBM to "deliver a fivefold
improvement in 2-D graphics performance and an eightfold
increase in 3-D performance."

In addition to the graphic enhancements, IBM introduced a
new RISC System/6000 disk storage system, the 9333 High-
Performance Disk Drive Subsystem, which extends the capacity
of the 6000 system.

IBM further introduced the IBM Power Visualization System,
which incorporates technologies such as parallel processing,
disk arrays, high-speed communications and high-definition
television display support to provide a turnkey system for
scientific visualization. The system varies in cost from
$600,000 to $2 million as can support up to 32 parallel
processors.

IBM spokesperson Judi Radlinsky provided background to
Newsbytes on the visualization system, saying, "At the heart of
the Power Visualization System is a Visualization Server,
comprised of up to 32 Intel 8060 RISC processors. The system
also requires a dedicated RISC 6000 as a visualization server.
An option Disk Array unit with capacity of up to 170 gigabytes
is also available. The user of the system uses an RISC 6000
workstation for display and data manipulation."

Radlinsky continued, "The Power Visualization System is
intended for visualization of massive amounts of data such as
seismographic studies, detailed auto designs and scientific
analysis."

As a lower priced alternative to the Power Visualization
System, IBM also announced AIX Visualization software for the
RISC System 6000. The software, at a price of $5,900, provides
the ability to use visualization tools on a stand-alone RISC
6000. In Radlinsky's words, this system is intended for those
"doing animation, mechanical drawing and other CAD/CAM
applications."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Judy
Radlinsky, IBM, 914-642-4634/19910725)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 25 MASS MICROSYSTEMS BUYS MAC VIDEO DISPLAY COMPANY 07/25/91

07/25/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)

MASS MICROSYSTEMS BUYS MAC VIDEO DISPLAY COMPANY 07/25/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 25 (NB) -- Mass
Microsystems, makers of video cards, announced it has an
agreement with Megagraphics to acquire its entire Macintosh
display product line and the rights to the development
technologies of the line.

Megagraphics, a long time participant in the Macintosh market,
introduced the first 19-inch large screen monitor for the
Macintosh in June 1986, the company said. Megagraphics product
line now includes 16-inch and 19-inch color, gray scale and
monochrome monitors and interface cards for the Macintosh SE,
SE/30, LC, and II computers.

The Megagraphics monitors have a full-page and two-page views
and all are compatible with the new Apple operating system,
System 7.

Mass Microsystems, on the other hand, said it introduced the
first color video cards for integrating television-quality
video with Macintosh graphics, the Colorspace IIi/FX video
cards. Since then the company said it has developed the
Quickimage 24 card that captures still images from video.

The terms of the acquisition were not announced, but Mass
Microsystems said the merger adds 15 products with an installed
user base of over 30,000 to the Mass Microsystems' video
division. Mass Microsystems said it was already distributing
the interface cards and large screen monitors from Megagraphics
on an exclusive basis.

Mass Microsystems also announced at the same time it announced
the merger with Megagraphics, a new line of high-capacity hard
disk drives for the Macintosh.

(Linda Rohrbough/19912591/Press Contact: Benita Kenn, Mass
Microsystems, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 24 CYPRESS SEMI PRESIDENT TO TESTIFY TO HOUSE 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00001)

CYPRESS SEMI PRESIDENT TO TESTIFY TO HOUSE 07/24/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Cypress
Semiconductor's President and Chief Executive Officer, T.J. Rodgers,
began testifying before the House Subcommittee on Technology and
Competitiveness on July 23. The hearing aims to gather information
about how to improve the U.S. semiconductor industry's
competitiveness in the world market.

Rodgers will reportedly discuss the pros and cons of U.S.
semiconductor consortia and will unveil a new proposal to modify the
Capital Gains Act.

Insiders point out that any changes to the tax law are now extremely
difficult to make because Congress is required to make them revenue
neutral -- that is, if one source of revenue is reduced, it cannot be
put into effect unless an equal or greater amount of money is either
cut from the budget or found by increasing or adding new taxes to
offset the cuts.

More likely to succeed, say those insiders, is Rodgers' effort to make
it easier for U.S. banks to invest in high-tech development, something
now limited by the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, but with the present
problems in the banking industry others think this move is also
unlikely to succeed.

Rodgers said he is not a believer in government-sponsored
manufacturers' consortia.

(John McCormick/19910724/Press Contact: John Hamburger, Cypress
Semiconductor, 408-943-2902)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 TERA COMPUTER GETS DARPA DEFENSE FUNDING 07/24/91

07/24/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00002)

TERA COMPUTER GETS DARPA DEFENSE FUNDING 07/24/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Seattle, Washington-
based Tera Computer has been awarded a $7.5 million contract from
DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, for the
development of a general purpose supercomputer capable of operating
up to 100 times faster than today's most advanced systems.

The Advanced Shared Memory supercomputer features an advanced
scalable architecture and the total development cost is expected to
reach about $30 million, with the development target of showing the first
machine two years from now.

The new machines are expected to operate in the trillions of operations-
per-second range, compared to today's supercomputers which
operate near the one billion operations-per-second speed.

Tera's President, James Rottsolk, said that the new Tera system will
be a 64-bit, shared-memory parallel computer with a family of models
incorporating up to 256 processors. Each processor will have a peak
performance in excess of a billion instructions-per-second and a
billion floating point operations-per-second.

Since supercomputers are already reaching the physical calculating
speed limits imposed by the speed an electron can travel (less than
the 186,000 miles-per-second speed of light in space), new advances in
computing speed will require better memory management and software
that can take advantage of the memory and multiple processors.

Commenting on this problem James Rottsolk said: "The DARPA funds
will be the catalyst for the development of a unique scalable architecture
that provides shared memory which greatly simplifies the programmer's
job in parallel computing."

(John McCormick/19910724/Press Contact: James E. Rottsolk, Tera
Computer, 206-548-9405)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 IDENTIX GETS FBI APPROVAL FOR FINGERPRINT SCANNER 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00003)

IDENTIX GETS FBI APPROVAL FOR FINGERPRINT SCANNER 07/24/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- The Identix
TouchPrint system has received approval from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) for sale to agencies needing to submit live-scan
fingerprint cards to the FBI records bureau.

The FBI is currently working on a nearly $200 million modernization
program, a major portion of which involves the move to electronically
collected and transmitted fingerprint information which is rapidly
replacing the old ink and card systems.

With many state and local law enforcement agencies wanting to
access FBI identification, there is a large potential market for systems
like the Identix TouchPrint which captures, prints, and transmits 500
dots-per-inch images.

(John McCormick/19910724/Press Contact: Jim Scullion, Identix Inc.,
408-739-2000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 NEW HI-TECH RADIO STATION HITS HONG KONG AIRWAVES 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00004)

NEW HI-TECH RADIO STATION HITS HONG KONG AIRWAVES 07/24/91
KOWLOON, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Metro Broadcast, Hong
Kong's first new radio station since the 1959 debut of Hong Kong
Commercial Broadcasting Co, and Asia's first all-talk radio station,
began broadcasting in English on Monday this week from new studios
equipped with the latest hi-tech studio equipment.

The new station, which is opening its English and Chinese channels in
phases, is part of the government's revamping of telecommunications
and broadcasting services that began in the mid-1980's.

The existing stations, Radio Hong Kong -- run by the Government -- and
Commercial Radio, have been playing down the likely effects of the new
competition, but Commercial Radio has embarked on a plan to re-equip
its antiquated facilities with the latest digital equipment.

Meanwhile, Radio Hong Kong, known for its worthy but dull and stodgy
programming, is going through a protracted process of conversion from
the status of a civil service department to a quasi-independent body
no longer dependent on the taxpayer for its income. Repeated delays
and procrastination have led to a situation where there is no firm date
for the station to gain its independence and industry observers are
cynical that the the change will in fact be made in the foreseeable
future, if at all.

Metro Radio has got off to a competent, if somewhat faltering, start.
Within 24 hours of its official opening, it is coping admirably with
all the extra complications posed by the rapid approach of typhoon
Brendan, expected to make a direct hit within an hour or two.

Brendan is the second typhoon to affect Hong Kong in three days and
with a direct strike expected, the territory is battened down with all
ears tuned to the radio for up-to-the-minute emergency information.
Although the other stations go into full emergency operation on the
hoisting of Storm Signal 8, Metro is the only one providing non-stop
24-hour news and information.

Output so far is a sometimes uneasy mix of British and American
broadcasting styles, borne along by great enthusiasm, but interlarded
with quaint references to such obsolescent items as the Fahrenheit
temperature scale and feet and inches, units long since abandoned by
Hong Kong in favour of the world standard Celsius, metres and
centimetres. Indeed, it is unlikely that there are many people in Hong
Kong these days who have ever heard of Fahrenheit or understand it.

Nevertheless, Metro News is likely to have a large initial audience,
as long-awaited alternative to 70-year-old Radio Hong Kong and
32 year aging youngster, Commercial.

(Norman Wingrove/19910724)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 CSSL DONATION HELPS FIGHT CANCER 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00005)

CSSL DONATION HELPS FIGHT CANCER 07/24/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Hong Kong
computer vendor, CSSL, is helping doctors and researchers to monitor
the latest advances in cancer treatment through a hardware and
software donation to the Hong Kong Cancer Fund.

CSSL's managing director, John Clough, presented a computing
package worth $30,000 (US$3,800) to the Fund's chairman, Sally Lo.
The donation comprised an IBM PS/2 personal computer, a
Panasonic 24-pin printer and DOS operating software.

Mrs Lo said the PC would be beneficial in all aspects of the Cancer
Fund's work. "In view of the amount of information on cancer treatment
and research available world-wide, this new computer will be
invaluable in giving patients access to the appropriate facts and
ideas," she said.

"One in three people in Hong Kong die of cancer, making it the most
common cause of death," she added.

The computer will also play a vital role in administering an ambitious
medical fellowship program, English and Chinese speaking support
groups, and hotlines for cancer sufferers and their families.

This year, the new PC will also enable the fund to set up contribution
records so that mailings can be more targeted and cost-effective.

(Norman Wingrove/19910724/Press contact: Ally Ho, CSSL, Tel + 852 806
1622; Fax + 852 806 2645; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 ICL, NOVELL SIGN GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00006)

ICL, NOVELL SIGN GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT 07/24/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- ICL has signed a world-
wide agreement with Novell to distribute Netware versions 2.2 and
3.11. ICL will also provide upgrades for earlier versions of Netware.

ICL already markets Microsoft LAN Manager and says the addition of
Novell Netware will further strengthen its product offerings in the PC
networking market.

Commenting on the agreement, Garry Scarborough, ICL's marketing
manager in Hong Kong, said: "Networking is now the key to the PC
market, as users move to share information and resources, and
integrate their PCs into enterprise-wide computer systems."

The new Netware products include enhancements to previous versions
of ELS I, ELS II, Advanced Netware 286, SFT Netware and Netware 386.
Netware 2.2 is targetted at small workgroup environments, while
Netware 3.11 is suitable for development, departmental and corporate
environments.

Scarborough added: "While Novell has a dominant market share in
the LAN area, multi-vendor networks demand a range of systems
integration and support skills. This explains why we are delighted to be
working with Novell to deliver effective network solutions to the
customer."

(Norman Wingrove/19910724/Press contact: Mike Dunn, MDL, Tel + 852 838
3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 STRUCTURED NETWORKING FOR BUSINESS COMMS 07/24/91

07/24/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00007)

STRUCTURED NETWORKING FOR BUSINESS COMMS 07/24/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Jim Bristow,
general manager of BICC Data Networks (BDN) Far East, has
suggested a structured networking approach and the use of Fibre
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) to satisfy corporate LAN (local area
network) users' needs for high network efficiency and upgradeability.

Speaking at a joint seminar with Datacraft Asia, Bristow said that the
structured networking approach refers to an integration of structured
wiring system, wiring concentrators, managed repeater and bridge as
well as network management software.

"When people start planning a corporate LAN, the obvious
considerations are always the network operating system and server
platforms," Bristow said. "However, a series of significant factors
that can tremendously affect network performance includes cabling,
inter-networking products and network management tools."

Bristow added that structured networking is mostly needed for large
corporate LAN users, organizations which require a high level of
network efficiency and security, and those users who might require a
possible upgrade to a higher bandwidth backbone. He said that
FDDI technology has already developed to a mature stage that can
be practically implemented in commercial, industrial and academic
environments.

"It will be the dominant high-speed network standard for the 1990s.
Major IT vendors like IBM, DEC, ICL, Siemens and BDN have already
shown their support for this standard. One of the most compelling
reasons for implementing FDDI is that it can unite the IBM and DEC
worlds," he said.

(Norman Wingrove/19910724/Press contact: Ron Cattell, Datacraft, Tel +
852 807 2313, Fax + 852 807 2574; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24  ****GUILTY PLEA IN PITTSBURGH COMPUTER CRIME CASE 07/24/91

07/24/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00008)

 ****GUILTY PLEA IN PITTSBURGH COMPUTER CRIME CASE 07/24/91
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Milton
Nance, 32, of North Versailles, PA, has pleaded guilty in federal court in
Pittsburgh to a variety of computer-related crimes. Nance, scheduled
for sentencing on September 19th, faces up to a maximum of 70 years
in prison and fines of $3.45 million.

Nance was arrested on February 18, 1990, and charged with a variety of
Pennsylvania state offenses including probation violation. He has been
incarcerated since. He was released to federal custody to face the
federal charges and is now confined in the Allegheny County jail,
awaiting both sentencing on the federal counts and resolution of the
state charges.

Nance pleaded guilty to nine counts of 27 charges including wire fraud,
computer fraud and impersonating a federal officer in an attempt to
access the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer. United
States Assistant Attorney General Paul Hall told Newsbytes that Nance
had attempted to pass himself off as an FBI agent to obtain access to
the NCIC computer.

The major counts of the indictment involved Nance's obtaining access
to the account of Any Kind Check Cashing Co. of Philadelphia in the
Philadelphia Savings Bank and instructing the bank's computer to
make 10 payments to him totalling more than $82,000. According to
the presentation of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Gutzmer, Nance
obtained access codes to accounts such as that of Any Kind Check
Cashing and one belonging to CheckMart Inc. by masquerading as
employees of banks or check cashing services and convincing
employees to either give him the valid access codes or change the
access codes to ones he dictated.

Authorities also charged that Nance had fraudulently obtained credit
cards in the names of several corporate executives in the Pittsburgh
area, such as Edgar Woolard Jr., chairman of the DuPont Corp., and
Joseph Earley, a senior vice president for Equibank, and used one of
the illegal credit cards to purchase his computer system.

Nance, a business honors graduate from the University of Pittsburgh
described by federal prosecutors as a "con artist", utilized a tactic
known as "social engineering", the convincing of employees to
reveal access codes and confidential information.

Donn Parker, senior management consultant at SRI and a figure well-
known in the field of computer security, told Newsbytes: "Social
engineering is a real problem. I constantly advise my clients on this
problem, telling them to insure that their employees understand that
information that may seem innocuous is of vital importance to the firm
and must be protected."

Parker also told Newsbytes that Nance contacted him from prison
requesting a copy of some of Parker's writings in the field of
computer security. Parker is in the processing of preparing a report
on the case for clients of SRI.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910724)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 NEW PRODUCT: Sun Microsystems Intros Low-Priced Systems 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00009)

NEW PRODUCT: Sun Microsystems Intros Low-Priced Systems 07/24/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Sun
Microsystems has introduced two new desktop systems, added
features to existing products, and cut prices within its
SPARCstation line.

The new SPARCstation IPX is a mid-range color desktop computer
that the company says includes some of the capabilities of the
high-end SPARCstation 2, but in a smaller, less-expensive package.
The new entry-level SPARCstation ELC, meanwhile, offers twice the
processing power and four times the memory of its predecessor, the
SPARCstation SLC.

Sun also announced enhancements to its high-end SPARCstation 2
graphics workstation and its low-end SPARCserver 2. The company
is also offering a special promotion on its color SPARCstation IPC.

(Ian Stokell/19910724/Press Contact: Carrie Dillon, Sun Microsystems
Inc., 415-336-3564)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 HEWLETT-PACKARD IMPROVES APOLLO 9000 PERFORMANCE 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00010)

HEWLETT-PACKARD IMPROVES APOLLO 9000 PERFORMANCE 07/24/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard
has announced SPECmark performance increases to its HP Apollo
9000 Series 700 PA-RISC workstations and servers through new
compiler enhancements.

According to HP, SPECmark ratings for the model 720 have increased
to 59.5 from 55.5 while the models 730 and 750 have climbed to 76.8
from 72.2. The new compiler updates now are being shipped to new
and existing Series 700 customers, without charge.

"The impressive thing about these performance improvements is that
they have been achieved solely through compiler enhancements,"
said Mark E. Tolliver, marketing manager for HP's Workstation
Systems Division.

(Ian Stokell/19910724/Press Contact: Jim Barbagallo, Hewlett-Packard
Co., 508-256-6600, ext.7749)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 JCPENNEY CLARIFIES ITS ISDN STANCE 03/24/91

07/24/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

JCPENNEY CLARIFIES ITS ISDN STANCE 03/24/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- JCPenney has clarified
its stance regarding ISDN in an exclusive interview with Newsbytes.

Mike Wilson, director of product requirements with JCPenney Business
Services, a unit of the Dallas-based retailing giant which handles
telecommunications for credit card authorizations, confirmed that his
company has a plan to use ISDN Basic Rate service in the mid-Atlantic
states. But he insisted that, for his side of the company, ISDN will
only replace a mixture of leased lines and dial-up terminals which are
continuing to rise in cost.

"We've been looking for ways to reduce those costs," he explained.
"We've looked at by-pass technologies and worked with the telcos.
One offering we've worked on is data over voice, and for a long time we
thought it was the only practical solution. Since ISDN/1 was announced
in February," offering a single national standard for digital services
supported by both AT&T and Northern Telecom switches, along with all
the regional Bell companies, "that's appeared on the horizon as a
strong alternate candidate. Bell Atlantic has come to us with an all-
ISDN proposal for their region. So we're still pursuing data over
voice, and ISDN with Bell Atlantic."

Wilson's Business Services unit links retailers' point-of-sale
terminals to JC Penney stores, which carry the authorization traffic
over the company's JC Penney network.

The main Penney company wants to link its stores into a robust
network which can offer video services like videoconferencing,
lower-priced telephone calling, and data services on the same trunk
lines. For that, they're looking to Primary Rate ISDN, which divides
a T-1 trunk line into 23 64,000 bit/second data channels and a 64,000
bit-per-second (bps) signaling channel.

The services unit can handle credit card authorizations, data capture
and settlements through the JC Penney National Bank, or handle data
transmissions to other banks for settlements. The division also
creates private label cards for merchants, and handles all processing
on them.

"Our drive with ISDN is independent," Wilson continued. "Between
stores the phone companies want to offer ISDN Primary Rate" under
a confusing series of plans.

"For us they say Basic Rate," and Bell Atlantic may be able to save
JCPenney Business Services money with it. " All the phone
companies are proposing ISDN as a long term solution, but they're
proposing it in two different ways for two different areas."

In other words, Penney's criticism of telco ISDN plans still holds,
but some parts of the company are finding some good things about
some parts of the ISDN offerings.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910724)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 MCGRAW HILL INTROS THREE TELECOM CD-ROM DATABASES 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00012)

MCGRAW HILL INTROS THREE TELECOM CD-ROM DATABASES 07/24/91
DELRAN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- McGraw-Hill's
Datapro Division has just introduced three new CD-ROM distributed
databases covering the communications field.

The database are: 'The Competitive Edge in Voice Communications,'
'The Competitive Edge in Data Communications,' and 'The Competitive
Edge in LANs and Internetworking.' News, product, and vendor
information make up the bulk of the data included on the three CD-ROM
discs, which are geared to provide a resource of purchasing information
for buyers and users of communications systems.

The Voice Communications disc covers: PBXs, Telemanagement
Systems and Software, ACDs, Vendor Profiles, Key and Hybrid Systems,
Voice Messaging, Centrex Services, and Switched and Private-line
Facilities.

The Data Communications disc includes: Modems, Communications,
Processors, Value-added Networks (VANs), Multiplexers, Packet
Switches, Protocol Converters, and Network Management Vendor
Profiles.

LANs and Internetworking contains databases covering: Bridges,
Gateways, Routers, Vendor Profiles, Wiring Centers, Network Servers,
and Network Operating Systems.

Prices for the new databases are $2,000 each for an annual
subscription, with discounts for those ordering more than one set of
data.

For further information, call John Cole, Datapro Information Services
Group, Delran, 609-764-0100 X2420.

(John McCormick/19910724)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 RAD OFFERS TOP UNIX APPLICATIONS ON CD-ROM 07/24/91

07/24/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(WAS)(00013)

RAD OFFERS TOP UNIX APPLICATIONS ON CD-ROM 07/24/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- RAD
Technologies is offering 30 leading Unix-based applications programs
in test/evaluation versions on a CD-ROM Integrated Desktop (CDID)
disc which lets potential buyers fully evaluate the software, then
purchase any desired programs by calling RAD for a password which
unlocks the save and print features.

Desktop publishing, project management, data analysis, and office
automation software are all included in the CDID volume 1 disc and,
after unlimited testing, a user need only call the RAD toll-free line
to purchase the software without the need to wait for delivery.

This new CDID distribution system uses PostScript, X/Window, and
the RockRidge/ISO 9660 CD-ROM data format standards. RAD
recently announced a software distribution alliance with AVCOM
Systems Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif.

(John McCormick/19910724/Press Contact: Jeff Morgan, RAD Technologies
Inc., 415-903-4800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 FOX SOFTWARE'S DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE FOR OCT 6-9 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00014)

FOX SOFTWARE'S DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE FOR OCT 6-9 07/24/91
PERRYSBURG, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- The third annual Fox
Developer Conference has been announced for October 6 through 9 in
Toledo, Ohio, with optional "sneak preview" introductory sessions
planned for October 5 and 6, said Fox Software.

Over 1,000 developers are expected, Fox said. According to Fox, the
seminars are geared to serve interests of both IBM personal computer
(PC) software developers, and those who are doing development on
the Macintosh platform.

Fox's President and Chief Executive Officer, Dave Fulton said, "This
has been an eventful year for Fox Software. Since the introduction of
FoxPro, Fox has experienced tremendous growth. Our third Conference
will provide a forum for us to showcase the next generation of
enhancements to both our PC and Macintosh products and for us to
continue to learn what developers want and need."

Fox has announced it has work in progress on FoxPro/Windows,
FoxPro/Unix and FoxServer. The company has announced Fulton will
discuss those products and other plans for future software products
and platforms to be supported.

More than two dozen seminars are planned. Among the topics to be
covered are: interface design, interactive design tools, Relational-
Query-By-Example (RQBE), optimization/performance issues,
debugging, non-procedural methods, event driven programming,
multi-user programming techniques, and documentation, said Fox.

The "sneak preview" is intensive training for those new to FoxPro or
FoxPro/Mac, Fox said. The seminars are designed for those with a
knowledge of structured programming languages, but are new to Fox
products.

A trade show is planned in conjunction with the seminars, with third
party developers supplying commercial applications, productivity
tools and enhancements, the company said.

Registration for the seminar is $695 before August 23, 1991 and $795
after that date, the company said. The sneak preview session is $300
before August 23, and $350 afterward.

Fox Software may be contacted at 134 W. South Boundary,
Perrysburg, Ohio, 43551. Telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

The FoxPro product line is a series of tools for developing database
applications. Fox is in the midst of a roll-coaster lawsuit brought by
Ashton-Tate, the company who markets dBASE, charging alleged
copyright violations.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910724/Press Contact: Glenn Hart, Glenn A. Hart and
Associates, Tel: [phone], Dave Fulton, Fox Software, Tel:
419/874-0162, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 NEW ETHERNET CARD SUPPORTS THREE INDUSTRY MODES 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00015)

NEW ETHERNET CARD SUPPORTS THREE INDUSTRY MODES 07/24/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Compex says it
has made available the industry's first multimode Ethernet card with
support for three standard configurations on a single card, the
ENET/Universal.

The new adapters, available in 8- and 16-bit versions, provide "one-
stop shopping" for existing and planned local area networks (LANs).
Dwaine Robison, president and co-founder of Compex said, "With
a simple jumper change, an ENET/U card can be dropped into any
existing Ethernet network with Novell, Western Digital or Compex cards
and function just fine right out of the box."

Robison added that end users with a mix of different interface cards
in their network can now purchase one card from Compex and be
assured compatibility with their existing installation.

The company said advantages range from inventory reduction to
support of a range of network operating systems and protocols
including Unix, Xenix, NetBIOS and NetWare.

The ENET/U card can be configured to the Compex mode, a
Western Digital Ethercard Plus mode, or the NE1000/NE200 mode
from Novell, the company said.

Network Operating Systems (NOS) drivers written for any of the
supported modes with work with the ENET/U card, Compex said.

For more information contact Compex by telephone [phone] or by
fax at [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910724/Press Contact: Jamie Stack, Compex, Tel:
714/630-7302, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24  ****NVN AGGRESSIVELY COURTING BBS SYSOPS 07/24/91

07/24/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)

 ****NVN AGGRESSIVELY COURTING BBS SYSOPS 07/24/91
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- National
Videotex Network, which offers access to Minitel- and NAPLPS-based
online services, as well as ASCII text services, over the AT&T Accunet
network, is aggressively courting bulletin board operators to add
their services to its lists.

The company issued a press release stating that The Trademark
Register is the latest addition to its list of services, with 800,000
registered and reviewed trademarks and another 20,000 approved or
pending trademarks listed in two databases which are updated weekly.
Trademarks from overseas which are listed with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark office are included, and two additional databases from the
same source are in the process of being offered.

NVN President Roger Charland said that his company, which opened
for business just a few months ago, now has 15 information providers
with 60 services online. "More are coming all the time," he said. The
protocols used by the services run the gamut, with most Canadian
services coming in with NAPLPS, and most U.S. services coming in
on the Minitel format. NVN offers access to all its services for a single
low monthly fee.

Charland also told Newsbytes that his company will start advertising
its services to computer owners next month, with large ads in such
magazines as PC World, Byte, Home Office Computing and PC. "We'll
have full page ads with the AT&T logo" prominently displayed, he said,
giving the service added credibility.

Perhaps more important, Charland quizzed a Newsbytes reporter
closely for contacts among the nation's largest bulletin board operators.
"We want bulletin boards to take an X.25 connection and we'll bring them
the country," he explained.

"We offer bigger marketing dollars" than services like Connect USA,
AccuLink, StarLink and PC Pursuit, which now do the job of connecting
bulletin boards nation-wide over packet switch networks. Like NVN,
these services act as middlemen between large networks owned by
CompuServe, Tymnet and Sprintnet and individual computer users.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910724/Press Contact: Roger Charland, National
Videotex, 201-242-3119)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 2X MAINFRAME PROCESSING POWER AT PC COST 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017)

2X MAINFRAME PROCESSING POWER AT PC COST 07/24/91
CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Oracle, makers of
database software, and nCube announced the two companies have
more than doubled the record for transaction processing throughput with
1,073 transactions-per-second (tps) on a parallel computer, the nCube
2, at 1/20th cost of normal mainframe processing.

Oracle said the previous record was 425 tps based on the standard
Transaction Performance Council Benchmark B (TPC-B). The company
said the cost of $2,482 per transaction was a lower cost than could be
expected on a personal computer (PC). The per transaction cost of a
system is a way of comparing the cost of systems by dividing the total
cost of each system by the number of transactions it can process per
second.

Parallel processing, the new technology of the 90's for super fast
computers, is lining up a row of central processing units, and
dividing the processing work between them. In the past computers did
work by having one CPU that did all the work itself. The only way to
get more speed under the single CPU system is to build a faster CPU.
In parallel processing, each individual CPU does not have to be as
fast to get fast, overall performance. The world's fastest computer,
the recently announced Touchstone Delta system housed at Cal Tech
in Pasadena, is a parallel computer.

Oracle Database Management System (DBMS) is the first database
software designed specifically to run on computers with large numbers
of processors, such as the nCube 2, Meiko and Parsys systems, the
Oracle said.

The nCube 2 model 10 is a 64-processor supercomputer built by nCube
Corporation. The computer has a total number of 112 processors, with
48 processors used to control 205 disk drives.

The TPC-B benchmark simulated the transactions of a major bank with
more than 1,000 branches and over 100 million individual accounts. In
addition to performance measurements, the TPC-B Benchmark also
included validation tests for data integrity, consistency and failure
recovery -- critical elements in real-world transaction processing,
nCube said. nCube said the results of the test were audited by the
consulting firm of Codd & Date.

Rich Wyckoff of nCube told Newsbytes, "We're trying to show these
computers are not just for scientific or engineering applications, but
can be used effectively in commercial markets as well."

Wyckoff said companies such as large department stores, banks and
airlines are paying enormous prices for the processing power they need.
Wyckoff said he feels nCube has been able to prove it can more than
double the processing power of the most expensive mainframes, at a
cost per transaction that rivals the cost of a PC.

Oracle headquarters are at 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood City,
California, 94065, telephone, [phone]. nCube headquarters are at
20 Davis Drive, Belmont, California, 94002, telephone [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19912391/Press Contact: Rich Wyckoff, nCube, Tel:
415/593-9000, Fax: [phone], Gail Snider, Oracle, Tel: 415/506-
5128)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 MATSUSHITA DEVELOPS SUPER-PARALLEL PROCESSOR 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00018)

MATSUSHITA DEVELOPS SUPER-PARALLEL PROCESSOR 07/24/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Matsushita has announced it is
working on the development of a super-fast parallel processor-based
system known as Adenart. Plans call for the system to be unveiled in
the fall of 1992.

According to the Nikkan Kyogo newspaper, the Adenart system will
run at an incredible 20 gigaflops -- 20 million million floating point
operations-per-second).

Although the project is still in its early stages, it is though that
the Adenart processor will feature Matushita's original 64-bit RISC
(reduced instruction set computing) microprocessor known as the
Omegha. The Omegha chip has 256 discrete components and runs
up to eight times faster that the firm's existing low-end parallel
processor.

Matsushita's low-end parallel processor, which was developed jointly
with Kyoto University, runs at 2.6 gigaflops, and is already in active
use manufacturing semiconductor devices -- seven units have been
sold to research labs at various laboratories here in Japan.

The Japanese technology is not resting on its laurels either -- plans
call for Matsushita's R&D division to reduce the size of the 20
Gigaflops processor, while at the same time making it even faster.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910724/Press Contact: Matsushita Electric, +81-3-
3436-2691)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 DEC ENTERS JAPANESE PC MARKET FOR FIRST TIME 07/24/91

07/24/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00019)

DEC ENTERS JAPANESE PC MARKET FOR FIRST TIME 07/24/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corporation has
announced plans to launch its range of PCs on to the Japanese
marketplace. Leap-frogging ahead of the competition, DEC is launching
its PCs with support for the Japanese language as an integral feature.

DEC's new PC series will be based on the PC 433, which has been sold
in the U.S. since May of this year. Although the machine is sold as a
standalone machine in the U.S., the units will sold as part of a
networked system in Japan.

So why is DEC choosing to launch its range of PCs in Japan in the
middle of a recession? According to the company, there is a sales
slump in the large-scale computers in Japan at the moment -- users
are migrating down to PCs. So DEC is following user's demand.

According to the Nikkei personal computing magazine, the primary
reason that major corporates are not investing in mainframes is
because they worried about the recession -- buying a mainframe is
capital purchase decision, to be repaid over several years. PCs, in
contrast, are a minor item of expenditure, financed out of current
(revenue) monies.

DEC Japan's PCs will come in two configurations -- one is an XGA, the
other is a VGA system. Both are expected to incorporate technologies
that will span both the IBM and Japanese PC worlds.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910724/Press Contact: IBM Japan, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 USSR: ESTONIAN BBS LINKS TO X.25 FOR WORLDWIDE ACCESS 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00020)

USSR: ESTONIAN BBS LINKS TO X.25 FOR WORLDWIDE ACCESS 07/24/91
TALLINN, ESTONIA, U.S.S.R. 1991 JULY 24 (NB) -- Estonia BBS number
one, a small online system based in Tallinn, Estonia, has linked up to
the Soviet Estnet packet data network (PDN).

The PDN link conforms fully to the CCITT X.25 network standards -- as
seen on Sprintnet and Tymnet in the U.S. -- meaning that online users
with access to a PDN can gain access to the service using a network
user address (NUA) of 02056140001.

The online system, still in its first year of operation, features a
number of English language services, including the text of Baltic
Communications Systems' eight-page weekly newspaper on the events
in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The weekly edition of the paper is
available online before it hits the presses -- something that will
encourage modem users interested in Soviet affairs to log on more
frequently.

"Other publications are likely to be on our main menu soon," said
Lembit Pirn, the system's sysop. Pirn added that Newsbytes is also
available on the system.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910724/Press & Public contacts: Lembit Pirn,
Estonian BBS#1, phone [phone]; data [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24  ****MOSCOW: APPLE FINALLY ANNOUNCES SOVIET DEAL 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(MOW)(00021)

 ****MOSCOW: APPLE FINALLY ANNOUNCES SOVIET DEAL 07/24/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- After several years of seeing
its computer distributed in the Soviet Union through so-called grey
market import channels, Apple has signed its first local distribution
deal for the U.S.S.R.

The distribution deal has been signed with Intermicro of Moscow, a
joint venture company that has been in operation for three years. The
first deliveries of Apple Mac computers arising from the deal will
start to flow in September.

Plans call for Intermicro to carry out a great deal of localization on
the Mac range and rapidly build up a deal network throughout the
Soviet Union.

Unusually, the finance for Apple's distribution network expansion in
Russia will now come from Apple, as is the norm in such cases.
Instead, the Prosystem Group, an Austrian company, is financing the
operation in exchange for a 60 percent stake in Intermicro.

Intermicro's future looks assured -- the company's reported turnover
in 1990 was $15 million, although this years sales are expected to be
lower owing to the amount of red tape that Soviet government places in
the way of technology importers into the U.S.S.R.

Again, unusually for Russian computer systems, the price of the Apple
Mac supplied through Intermicro is expected to be at the same level as
those sold in Europe -- i.e. some 20-30 percent higher than U.S. sales
prices.

A Mac is no good without its software, however. Intermicro has tackled
this issue as well -- Anatoly Karachinsky, the company's technical
director said that plans are in hand to release local language
editions of several Mac packages by the end of the year.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910724/Press contact: Tamara Virkunen,
Intermicro, phone [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFERS CALLING CARD 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)

ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFERS CALLING CARD 07/24/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Advanced
Telecommunications, a small long distance company best known for its
business data services, has announced a calling card called OnLine
which has a voice messaging feature.

While voice messaging is nothing new, the number of each individual
mailbox is allocated to a card number rather than an exchange line. As
a result, users and mailbox holders will find it easier to use the
service, the company claims.

OnLine features of OnLine include: message storage and delivery, a
voice mailbox, and international calling from over 25 countries
without the use of an operator. The company said that the features
will allow the company to expand its presence with business
customers whose officers do a lot of overseas travel.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910724/Press Contact: Advanced Telecommunications,
Eileen Mullen, 404-261-5885)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24  ****NEW 900 NUMBER FOR PROBATION DEPARTMENTS 07/24/91

07/24/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)

 ****NEW 900 NUMBER FOR PROBATION DEPARTMENTS 07/24/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- If you're one of the
2.5 million Americans under court-supervised probation, you may soon
be forced by law to pay $2 per minute and report in to your probation
officer using a 900 premium rate phone number.

BI Profile is the name of a new automated caseload reporting service
from BI which will do the job. The service is designed to enable
supervising agencies to closely track more offenders while lowering
the costs of supervision. Most probation officers manage their
caseloads by direct contact with a probationer or by requiring that
the probationer periodically mail a card.

Instead, BI Profile requires the probationer to regularly call a 900
number and answer a series of computer-prompted questions. The
service then transcribes and reports the offender's status to the
supervising agency. The calls cost $2 per minute. It takes approximately
two minutes to answer the questions. The offender is required to pay for
each call. All voice responses are recorded should they be needed for
future court evidence. Additionally, offenders can choose computer
prompting in either English or Spanish.

BI Profile uses AT&T MultiQuest 900 service and is available in all 50
states. It is currently being tested by more than 50 supervising
officers and 400 offenders.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910724/Press Contact: Lexy Taylor, BI, 303-530-
2911)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24  ****UNISYS ANNOUNCES MARKETING CHANGES, LAYOFFS 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00024)

 ****UNISYS ANNOUNCES MARKETING CHANGES, LAYOFFS 07/24/91
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Unisys
Corporation has announced a number of fundamental changes which
Chairman James A. Unruh said are intended to pave the way for the
firm's return to profitability. Among the many changes announced today
is a reduction of the firm's work force by 10,000 our of a worldwide
workforce of 70,000.

The changes come as a result of what Unisys calls "a detailed review
of every product, market segment, organization and subsidiary" of
the company. Announcing the changes, Unruh said there would be no
change in strategic direction but, he said: "There will be fundamental
change in implementation to meet the economic reality produced by
continuing unprecedented structural change in the computer industry."

The programs under way, according to Unruh, include a streamlining of
the product line to focus on integration of proprietary and open
systems to operate together in multivendor environments under what
Unisys calls "Integrated Information Environment." Unisys will also
reduce the number of market segments in which the firm operates
to concentrate resources "only where the company can add value and
differentiation." The firm will also "aggressively seek technology
and marketing alliances to complement in-house strengths on the
most cost-efficient basis."

According to reports, the streamlining of the product line will result
in a de-emphasizing of the `V-series,' one of its three mainframe
lines. To serve customers utilizing this series, Unisys says that it
has developed a "software strategy to assist clients in moving to one
of the other lines."

Unisys said that, as a result of these fundamental changes and in
light of continued computer industry weakness, it will initiate
additional actions to significantly reduce its cost structure.

Unisys will take special charges of $1.2 billion in the quarter ended
June 30, 1991 in its commercial computer business. The charges
include $925 million for restructuring to cover a planned workforce
reduction of approximately 10,000 positions, product and market
segment pruning, and plant and excess facilities consolidation. The
charges also include $275 million to cover a write-down of goodwill
and a write-off of an investment in Memorex preferred stock.

Unruh commented on the charges, saying: "The substantial size of these
charges reflects the extent of our actions and the depth of our
commitment to return Unisys to financial health."

Unisys, in conjunction with the announcement of the changes, has
released its second quarter financial figures. In the quarter ending
June 30, 1991, the firm lost $100.2 million before the special charges
and a loss of $1.3 billion including charges. It stated that the
$100.2 million figure was "expected."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen & Grant Buckler/19910724/
Press Contact: J. P. Hynes, UNISYS, 215-986-6948)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24  ****APPLE CANADA SIGNS DEALERS FOR ENTRY-LEVEL MACS 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00025)

 ****APPLE CANADA SIGNS DEALERS FOR ENTRY-LEVEL MACS 07/24/91
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Apple Canada has signed
up two dealers to carry only its entry-level Macintosh products and
peripherals. The move acknowledges the fact that the new markets Apple
hopes to reach with its low-priced Macintoshes require a different sales
approach than most present dealers are taking.

Wayne Arcus, vice-president of marketing at Apple Canada, told
Newsbytes that a computer dealer cannot do well by mixing retail sales
and a value-added approach. A number of the customers Apple wants to
reach with the Macintosh Classic and LC machines, he said, are
"basically self-reliant."

They want low-priced hardware, and are not concerned about dealer
support. But another class of buyers want their dealers to have
expertise in things like networking. It is hard for one dealer to
serve both markets, Arcus said.

"There's a channel restructuring that's going on," he added.

Apple Canada has signed Aventure Electronique of Montreal and Future
Shop of Burnaby, British Columbia, to carry low-end Macs and
peripherals in a total of 33 locations across Canada. Existing Apple
Canada dealers will continue to carry the company's full range of
Macintosh products, Arcus said.

Arcus said the move is analogous to the use of computer superstores
such as CompUSA by major manufacturers in the United States. At
present there are no such superstores in Canada.

(Grant Buckler/19910724/Press Contact: John Elias, National Public
Relations for Apple Canada, 416-860-0180)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 COMPUTER FAILURE SCUTTLES ATLANTIS SHUTTLE LAUNCH 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00026)

COMPUTER FAILURE SCUTTLES ATLANTIS SHUTTLE LAUNCH 07/24/91
CAPE KENNEDY, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Failure of one of
two channels in a mission-critical main engine controller is being
blamed for today's cancellation of the launch of the Space Shuttle
Atlantis from Cape Kennedy in Florida.

The engine controllers transmit all control messages to the big launch
engines and all controllers must have both channels working properly
as a backup. If, as appears likely at this time, the affected
controller must be replaced, the launch will be delayed by a minimum
of seven to ten days.

(John McCormick/19910724)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 TCC ENCRYPTION GETS NIST KEY MG'T VALIDATION 07/24/91

07/24/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00027)

TCC ENCRYPTION GETS NIST KEY MG'T VALIDATION 07/24/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Concord, Massachusetts-
based Technical Communications Corp's Cipher X 5000 Network Encryption
System has received the NIST (National Institute of Standards and
Technology) validation as compliant with ANSI X9.17 Key Management
Standard.

The granting of the certification makes the software eligible for use
in secure and sensitive but unclassified (SBU) installations in
government agencies, departments, and businesses that must meet
federal standards because of contract requirements.

Compatible with both MILNET and FTS-2000 systems, Cipher X 5000
provides end-to-end encryption over X.25 networks. The encryption
software will work over TCP/IP or Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (INTERNET) or packet switched networks.

(John McCormick/19910724/Press Contact: Dale Peterson, TCC, 617-862-
6035)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24 NEW FOR PCS: Spectragraphics Hi-Res, Hi-Speed Graphics Bds 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00028)

NEW FOR PCS: Spectragraphics Hi-Res, Hi-Speed Graphics Bds 07/24/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Spectragraphics has
introduced a new family of high resolution PC graphics boards, which
it claims are up to 30 times faster than non-accelerated VGA boards.

The GA2000 family include drivers for Microsoft Windows 3.0,
Presentation Manager 1.2 and 1.3, AutoCAD Release 11, X Windows and
the Santa Cruz Open Desktop. The company says drivers for
Presentation Manager 2.0 will be available to coincide with IBM's
product introduction.

According to Eileen Stroud, sales and marketing VP for
Spectragraphics, the GA2000 has "the best performance of any graphics
board on the PC market today."

The GA2000 boards support AT and Micro Channel buses, and is
configured with a minimum of 512K VRAM. Equipment manufacturers can
choose 1024 X 768 pixel or 1280 X 1024 resolution, with refresh rates
of up to 72 hertz in non-interlaced mode. Sixteen or 256 colors can be
displayed.

Spectragraphics says they based the GA2000 family on the 82C480 Chips
& Technologies graphics processor, and that the board is capable of
future expansion for graphics options such as image processing or
additional coprocessor operations. The board has a mean time between
failure of over 100,000 hours and is FCC Class B and VDE Class B
approved. Suggested list price is$795 and can be purchased directly
from Spectragraphics.

(Jim Mallory/19910724/Press Contact:Eileen Stroud, Spectragraphics,
503-641-2200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24  ****DELL ORDERED TO MODIFY COMPAQ-COMPARING ADVERTS 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00029)

 ****DELL ORDERED TO MODIFY COMPAQ-COMPARING ADVERTS 07/24/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Dell Computer Corporation has
been ordered by a UK court that it must modify its advertising which
compares its own systems with those of Compaq Computer. Dell officials
said they intend to appeal the court ruling.

Pending a full trial on the case, the UK court decision requires Dell
to modify its advertisements and a provisional fine of UKP 250,000 has
been imposed on the company by the British High Court of Justice.

The moves in the case are being watched with interest by much of the
British computer industry, as Dell had modified its advertisements to
comply with Compaq's earlier request and the original law suit. It now
seems that the judge in the case is not satisfied with these
modifications.

The provisional court decision only affects UK advertising from Dell,
and not current adverts appearing from the company in the U.S.

(Steve Gold/19910724)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 24  ****DIGITAL TO BUY PHILIPS - SUBJECT TO EC AGREEMENT 07/24/91

07/24/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00030)

 ****DIGITAL TO BUY PHILIPS - SUBJECT TO EC AGREEMENT 07/24/91
EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS, 1991 JUL 24 (NB) -- Subject to final
approval by both companies' respective shareholders and the European
Commission's monopolies and mergers team, Digital Equipment
Corporation will take over the troubled N.V. Philips group.

Although final details of the deal have yet to be agreed by both
companies, DEC has agreed in principle to purchase several of the
leading edge technology divisions of Philips. DEC officials are said
to be particularly interested in the financial services division of
Philips, which supplies computerised equipment to banks and other
financial institutions throughout Europe.

Financial details of the take-over bid have not been announced.
Sources close to Philips suggest that the final price to be paid has
not been fixed and will be dependent on sales figures currently being
compiled by both companies' auditors. According to one Philips
source, the divisions of the company in which DEC is interested have a
combined turnover of around $1,200 million.

(Steve Gold/19910724)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NEW PRODUCT: Microtest Intros Handheld Cable Tester 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001)

NEW PRODUCT: Microtest Intros Handheld Cable Tester 07/23/91
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Microtest, Inc has
introduced a hand-held cable tester which the company claims is the
first to be developed using an expert system architecture.

The Next Scanner is intended to test local area network (LAN) cabling
and requires only that the user input details of the cable and network
type. The scanner then determines what tests are appropriate. Test
results are compared with a table of expected results. The user is then
told whether or not the cabling being used will support the application
and if the cable fails the test, the scanner indicates why.

Cable certification results can be printed, as can long-term network
monitor activity, in order to examine network traffic. Test results
can also be saved to memory and downloaded to the Next Scanner
cable management system, which is available as an option.

The cable management system keeps records of cable parameters
and test results to help network administrators when adds, moves, and
changes are required. It can also be used to assist in troubleshooting
the network. The unit carries a $3,495 price tag.

Next Scanner measures cable length, resistance, line noise and
distance to the faults, as well as mapping wiring connections, and can
activate 10Base-T hubs. It also measures near end crosstalk and
attenuation. These measurements are essential for twisted pair
network certification, according to IEEE Standard 802.31.

(Jim Mallory/19910723/Press Contact:Gina Kilker, Microtest, 602-971-
6464)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 DALLAS SEMI UNVEILS NON-VOLATILE MEMORY CHIP 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00002)

DALLAS SEMI UNVEILS NON-VOLATILE MEMORY CHIP 07/23/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Dallas Semiconductor (DS)
has introduced a non-volatile memory chip -- the DS199X Touch Memory -
equipped with adhesive backing so it can be attached to almost any
object. The new chip is a data carrier that is read by a computer just
by making momentary contact.

According to Rick Hall, DS product manager: "Until now, there was no
practical way to attach chips to objects other than printed circuit
boards."

Hall compared the Touch Memory to 3M Post-It notes, the little yellow
slips that can be stuck almost anywhere, but easily come off when
necessary. Hall calls the new DS product "a silicon self-stick note."

Touch Memories are available in densities up to 4,000 (4K) bits. DS
says one of the applications would be in place of bar codes. Bar
codes, once printed to paper, cannot be changed. The DS199X can
be, however, since they can be reprogrammed at any time.

"Unlike paper, silicon labels communicate directly with the other
chips in an information system without the power consumption -- and
expense -- of supplemental optical equipment," he said.

Probes to read or write Touch Memories can be constructed from
metal contacts costing as little as 25 cents, he added.

While bar codes store an identification number for a product, the
Touch Memory can also store other information, such as when and
where the product was made, who worked on it last, and what quality
checks were done. Calibration settings can also be stored.

In addition to replacing bar codes, DS says that applications also
exist for access control, hospital bedside testing and asset
management. The DS199X is packaged in a stainless steel 16
millimeter enclosure, with a sealed lid, called a MicroCan.

(Jim Mallory/19910723/Press Contact: Syd Coppersmith, Dallas
Semiconductor, 214-450-0448)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NEW PRODUCT: Tricord Intros Super File Server 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

NEW PRODUCT: Tricord Intros Super File Server 07/23/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Tricord
Systems has announced their PowerFrame model 301/25, which the
company describes as a low-cost, high performance extension of its
PowerFrame family of superservers.

The 301/25 "is an excellent entry-level system for users just entering
the super-server market," said James Edwards, Tricord's president .

According to Edwards, the 301/25 is targeted at corporations that want
to move their networks from a PC to a super-server platform, but do not
need a high-end system. The new unit is priced under $20,000, is
immediately available, and is upgradable to a more powerful
PowerFrame unit.

The 301/25 supports up to seven SCSI (Small Computer System
Interface) disk drives. Tricord says the intelligent input/output
processor provides significantly higher performance than PC servers
using an EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) bus. The
PowerFrame family supports a variety of operating systems, including
Novell Netware, Microsoft OS/2, LAN Manager, SCO Unix, and Banyan
Vines.

(Jim Mallory/19910723/Press Contact:Susan Leenerman, Tricord Systems,
612-557-9005)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 PAPER WHITE MONITORS BEST FOR THE EYES, SAYS STUDY 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00004)

PAPER WHITE MONITORS BEST FOR THE EYES, SAYS STUDY 07/23/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Blurred vision,
headache, back pain, slowness of eye focus, tired or sore eyes,
burning or itchy eyes, light sensitivity, and neck or shoulder pain
are common symptoms among clients of Associate Clinical Professor
James E. Sheedy of the University of California at Berkeley. Sheedy is
a professor in the School of Optometry and his clients are people who
work with computer video display terminals (VDTs).

Sheedy carries out studies to improve the well-being and productivity
of VDT workers by minimizing musculo-skeletal and visual distress
problems. Sheedy's latest study on monitors has just been released.
It compared a "paper-like" monochrome 19-inch monitor at 120
dots-per-inch (dpi) and 67 hertz (Hz) refresh rate to an IBM personal
computer (PC) video graphics adapter (VGA) 14-inch monitor at 640 x
480 pixels with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The results showed a 33 percent
increase in reading productivity for the "paper-like" monitor over the IBM
VGA monitor.

The study was carried out at the request of Cornerstone Technology
and the VDT "paper-like" monitor was provided for the study by
Cornerstone, the manufacturer of the unit. The Cornerstone VDT is
normally supplied with an IBM PC and retails for $2495 - more than
some IBM PC's.

The study comparing the Cornerstone Dualpage VDT to the IBM PC
monitor left out several points, Sheedy admitted. The Cornerstone
monitor was monochrome and the IBM PC monitor was color, but set to
display in black and white. The Cornerstone monitor displayed two
pages at once, while the IBM PC only displayed one page at a time.

Also, the study was geared to a long period of time reading the same
document. No conclusive evidence was gained that people who switch
documents often, or who are looking up at the screen then down, in a
data entry situation, would be more productive.

Sheedy said that the general evidence indicates that a light background
on a display is better than a dark one, a higher monitor refresh rate is
better than a lower one, and clearer images are easier to read. "If
you can improve the quality of what people are looking at, you can
reduce the problems," he said.

Sheedy has carried out studies comparing computer monitors to paper
in terms of productivity and found significantly higher performance on
paper than on a VDT. Sheedy would not directly address the statement
that it would be better to print a long document than read it on the
screen, but he did say: "If we can make VDT and hard copy displays
identical, then performance will be identical."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910723/Press Contact: Deborah Caldwell, Neale-May &
Partners, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Thomas van Overbeek,
Cornerstone Technology, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NCR AND PERSOFT IN MARKETING AGREEMENT 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00005)

NCR AND PERSOFT IN MARKETING AGREEMENT 07/23/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- NCR Corporation and
Persoft, Inc, have announced a marketing alliance to provide
communications software which connects NCR WaveLAN wireless
networks to existing Ethernet networks.

Under the agreement, NCR will market Persoft's Intersect Concentrator
software, scheduled to be available in August of this year. The
software, together with a standard Ethernet card and a WaveLAN
adapter, provides communications between the WaveLAN spread
spectrum radio frequency networking and standard Ethernet
wire-connected systems.

Announcing the agreement, Edward J. Clark, Sr., vice president of
NCR's Network Products Division, said: "This agreement is an
important marketing alliance, representing an opportunity for NCR's
WaveLAN to communicate with previously-wired networks,
regardless of protocol or operating system."

Clark also reviewed the importance of wireless connection in the total
networking picture. "Sometimes the only solution to a network
problem is to use wireless communication. For example, WaveLAN
can be used in situations such as older cable-resistant buildings
needing information connectivity, temporary staff relocations due to
construction/business expansion, or frequent floor plan changes within
an office. This is a natural use of wireless technology in these and
other applications," he said.

Persoft spokesperson Jacqueline Koepple told Newsbytes that she
feels that Intersect Concentrator will have a major impact.

"Wireless networks have been slow to catch on because of the
investment that firms have had in existing systems and equipment.
Now Intersect Concentrator opens the door to this new technology
while protecting existing systems," said Koepple.

The Intersect Concentrator has a suggested price of $4,995, which
includes the software and a standard Ethernet card to connect an
existing wired network.

The NCR WaveLAN product has a suggested price of $1,390 for the
network interface card including both Novell and Network Device
Interface Standard (NDIS) drivers with an omni-directional antenna.
There is a $90 optional fee for the data encryption standard (DES)
security feature.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910723/Press Contacts:
Patricia Dan, NCR, 513-445-5236; Jacqueline Koepple, Persoft Inc.,
608-273-6000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23  ****AT&T UNVEILS NEW SERIES OF COMPUTERS 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(NYC)(00006)

 ****AT&T UNVEILS NEW SERIES OF COMPUTERS 07/23/91
MORRISTOWN,, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- AT&T
has announced upgrades to two of its existing computer series and
heir consolidation into a new series which, in turn, will become part of
the merged product line recently announced by NCR.

The new 'R3 Series' incorporates the AT&T System 7000 and the 3B2
(which will now be called the System 7000 R3 and the 3B2/1000 R3) and
utilizes the Unix operating system and a microprocessor from MIPS.
Both systems are scheduled for shipment in September this year with
three models of the System 7000 R3, priced from $145,000 to $329,000,
and two models of the 3B2/1000 R3, priced from $49,000 to $79,000, to
be ready at that time.

AT&T spokesperson John Shalko provided background on the
introduction to Newsbytes, saying: "From the very beginnings of
AT&T's attempt to merge with NCR, we stated our plan to merge AT&T
Computer Systems into NCR and put all computer systems under the
combined firm."

"This is the direction that both firms have been proceeding along
since the merger announcement so that any action taken now by NCR
by itself, such as its agreement with Persoft today, or by AT&T
Computer Systems by itself is looking toward the final consolidation of
the firms," he said.

"While we see the final upward migration of the users of System 7000
and 3B2s into the NCR 3000 product line, we cannot strand our sizeable
existing client base until they might elect such migration. Today's
announcement provides improved performance to the existing client
base in a manner that is still consistent with our consolidation plans," he
added.

The announcement of the new products by James E. Clark, AT&T vice
president, mid-range, fault tolerant and high performance systems,
reflected Skako's statement that AT&T would continue to support these
systems and not force clients into a move to totally different equipment.

Clark said: "Our customers would not accept a 'fork-lift upgrade'. On
the contrary, customers expect any new system improvements to be
compatible with and easily adapted to their current installed equipment."

Thomas Mays, senior vice president, general purpose products, NCR
Corp., also participated in the announcement and said: "These
products are consistent with the kind of continued customer support
and commitment our newly merged business will provide."

"As promised, System 7000 customers and 3B2 customers can be
well assured that product improvements will continue and will be
designed with customers' needs and interests in mind. A concern for
protecting customer investments in their current systems has been of
primary importance in creating the merged product line," he added.

In addition to the R3 Series, AT&T also announced enhancements to
the current System 7000 R2 series including a "high availability" option
called System 7700. This system features duplicated equipment
intended to provide "nearly 100 percent protection from system failures
for critical operations such as financial management systems and hotel
reservation systems.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910723/Press Contact: John
J. Skalko, AT&T Computer Systems, 201-898-3764)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 INGRAM MICRO CANADA LAUNCHES MASS STORAGE DIVISION 07/23/91

07/23/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00007)

INGRAM MICRO CANADA LAUNCHES MASS STORAGE DIVISION 07/23/91
WOODBRIDGE, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Ingram Micro
(Canada) has formed a mass storage division and hopes to increase its
share of what it sees as a growth market in Canada over the next couple
of years.

The new division will handle hard drives, diskette drives, tape backup
systems and optical storage products for IBM and compatible, Apple
Macintosh and Unix systems. Among its services will be "disk kitting,"
which means outfitting disk drives with the appropriate cables,
attachments, and mounting bezels for a particular system and packing
them for shipment.

Ingram Micro also plans to add technical support specialists for mass
storage products to its staff, officials said.

Robert Armstrong, general manager of the new division, told Newsbytes
that it is a consolidation of existing business. Ingram Micro expects
rapid growth in mass storage products he added. From three percent of
the firm's business at the beginning of 1991 mass storage products
have already grown to 10 percent, and Armstrong said the division's
goal is to account for 25 percent of business in the next couple of
years.

Among the vendors whose products the new division will handle are
Chinon, Iomega, Irwin, NEC Technologies, Panasonic, Plus
Development, Micro, Seagate, Sysgen, Tecmar, Toshiba, Western
Digital and others. Ingram Micro has distributed most of these vendors'
products for some time, Armstrong said, and has added only two new
mass storage vendors since the beginning of this year.

The parent company in the United States has had a mass products
division for some time, Armstrong added.

(Grant Buckler/19910723/Press Contact: Andrew Kieran or Robert
Armstrong, Ingram Micro Canada, 416-850-8580)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NEW FOR IBM: Richmond Offers Maximizer Lite 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00008)

NEW FOR IBM: Richmond Offers Maximizer Lite 07/23/91
BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Hoping
to appeal to the owners of lightweight laptop and notebook computers,
Richmond Technologies & Software has launched a scaled-down
version of its contact management software, Maximizer.

The new Maximizer Lite package fits on a single 3.5-inch diskette
and sells for C$129.

Laptops and notebooks without hard drives will be "definitely a big
market for us," Earl van As, product manager for Maximizer Lite, told
Newsbytes. He added that the product may also appeal to price-
conscious and impulse buyers, as well as to those users with older
computer systems.

Maximizer Lite can maintain client lists and a to-do list and produce
letters and notes using built-in word processing capabilities complete
with spell checking. It lacks the support for multiple databases,
income and expense tracking, file combining and updating functions,
fancier list manipulation, and personal diary features found in the
full package, van As said. Also, the spelling checker uses an 80,000-
word rather than a 120,000-word dictionary.

The original Maximizer has been renamed Maximizer Advanced and
will continue to sell for C$395, with a network version priced at C$895.

Richmond is also expanding distribution channels for the Lite package.
The first result of that effort is that Egghead Discount Software will be
carrying the software in the United States.

(Grant Buckler/19910723/Press Contact: Earl van As, Richmond
Technologies & Software, 604-299-2121, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 GROCERY CART ANIMATED VIDEO ADS DEBUT IN OCTOBER 1991 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)

GROCERY CART ANIMATED VIDEO ADS DEBUT IN OCTOBER 1991 07/23/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Videocart, Inc. has
announced that it has entered into alliances with IBM and Information
Resources to get its shopping cart display screen advertising system
to market in October of this year.

The Videocart system will display animated messages on a
computerized display screen attached to an ordinary shopping cart.
As the shopper pushes the cart through the store, the screen displays
customer service, advertising and sales promotion messages. The
messages are keyed to the area of the store the shopper is in by
triggering devices located in that area.

Videocart says that IBM will assist its engineers in designing the
display unit, manufacture an initial 120,000 display units, and
develop software interfaces to its point-of-sale system for
applications such as electronic coupons.

A PS/2 will serve as the in-store computer gateway and the IBM
Information Network will deliver information to and from the store.
IBM will also be granted a warrant to purchase 175,000 shares of
Videocart common stock at fair market value.

Information Resources, Inc (IRI) will construct software and databases
to allow users of the Videocart network to do specialized "micro
marketing," targeting customized messages to individual stores, using
the characteristics and shopper profile information from that store.
IRI will receive royalties based on client use of the system. IRI will
also serve as the marketing agent for the company's electronic store
traffic data. IRI will pay royalties to Videocart on the sale of the
store demographics.

(Jim Mallory/19910723/Press Contact:Jim Hurley, Videocart, 312-466-
5000)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 CRAY RESEARCH UPDATES FORTRAN, C AND ADA COMPILERS 07/23/91

07/23/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00010)

CRAY RESEARCH UPDATES FORTRAN, C AND ADA COMPILERS 07/23/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced new releases of its three main compilers. The upgraded
systems include the CF77 5.0 Fortran Compiling System, the Cray
Standard C Compiler 3.0, and Cray Ada 2.0.

Compiler software translates a computer program written in a high-
level language into a program expressed in an intermediate language,
assembly language or machine language. Compiled programs run
faster than non-compiled programs.

Cray said that its CF77 Fortran Compiler recently placed first in tests
conducted at the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory.

Talking about visualization tools which display performance data in a
point and click environment, Bob Ewald, executive VP of Cray's
software division said: "These new visualization tools, based on the X
Window System, allow users to analyze and optimize programs easily
and quickly."

Ewald added that the visualization tools can analyze programs that
have been automatically distributed among multiple processors.
Ewald said this is an industry first.

(Jim Mallory/19910723/Press Contact:Frank Parisi, Cray Research,
612-683-7130)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 AT&T SHOWS NEW LINE OF ERBIUM-DOPED FIBER AMPLIFIERS 07/23/91

07/23/91



(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00011)

AT&T SHOWS NEW LINE OF ERBIUM-DOPED FIBER AMPLIFIERS 07/23/91
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) --
AT&T has announced that it will show a new line of erbium-doped fiber
amplifiers (EDFAs) at this Wednesday's meeting of the Optical Society
of America being held in Snowmass Village, Colorado.

The EDFA is used as a fiber-optic amplifier for data, voice, and cable
television transmission and is especially suitable for use as a
booster amplifier (repeater) for very long-haul telecommunications
systems. Superior quality allows EDFA-based repeaters to be spaced
further apart yet still maintain equal quality.

For cable TV installations the costs of distributing signals would be
lower using the EDFA.

Prices for the three-inch by six-inch by one half-inch thick M1701-Type
1.5 Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier Thinpack Module range from
$30,000 to $160,000.

For further information, call the AT&T Microelectronics Customer
Response Center at 1-800-372-2447, Ext. 806 (in Canada, 1-800-553-
2448, Ext. 806), or write to AT&T Microelectronics, Dept. 52AL040420,
555 Union Blvd., Allentown, PA 18103.

(John McCormick/19910723/Press Contact: Richard Larris, AT&T, 908-771-
2826)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 VERSUS TECHNOLOGY GRANTED CELLULAR ALARM PATENT 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00012)

VERSUS TECHNOLOGY GRANTED CELLULAR ALARM PATENT 07/23/91
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Versus
Technology has been granted a U.S. Concept Patent for its idea of
connecting cellular telephone networks and security alarm systems.
Using this technology, a burglar, fire, or other alarm signal could be
sent to a central alarm office directly over cellular telephone networks.

This eliminates any possibility of burglars, or an accident, cutting the
hard-wired linkage, and could greatly reduce the costs of tieing
central office monitor systems to individual installations using
physical wiring.

Since the linkage can be two-way, these systems can be supervised.
The central office can periodically check to make certain the
installation is still active and has not been interfered with, just as
hardwired systems can now do.

(John McCormick/19910722/Press Contact: John Mischak, Versus
Technology, 609-586-4091)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23  ****NETWORK PROS WANT STANDARDS, SURVEY REPORTS 07/23/91

07/23/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00013)

 ****NETWORK PROS WANT STANDARDS, SURVEY REPORTS 07/23/91
DELRAN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- People whose job
it is to keep networks running want network management standards, a
recent survey found. Almost all of them agree on that, but they do not
agree on which standards they want.

The survey -- carried out by Datapro Information Services Group --
found that 89 percent of network management professionals questioned
viewed adherence to standards by network management vendors as
extremely important (53 percent) or very important (36 percent).

However, the standards with which respondents say they will comply
vary a good deal. The top three are IBM's SystemView, with 37 percent
planning to comply, Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) management
protocols (36 percent), and the Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP) (31 percent).

Gerald Arcuri, product manager for communications at Datapro, told
Newsbytes that the fact that more respondents named OSI protocols
than SNMP was a bit of a surprise, as SNMP seems to be more widely
used at the moment. The response probably reflects that fact that more
people are talking about OSI than are doing anything about it so far, he
said.

Fourteen percent mentioned the Open Software Foundation's
Distributed Management Environment (DME), seven percent said they
plan to comply with the Government Network Management Profile (GNMP),
one percent named other standards, and 29 percent were undecided.
Some plan to support more than one standard, so the numbers add up
to more than 100 percent.

Datapro contacted 2,500 network management professionals
throughout the United States and got 458 validated responses. The
names were drawn from the subscriber list of CIO Magazine and were
senior information processing managers in companies with annual
revenues of US$500 million or more, Arcuri said.

Respondents were asked to identify functions and features that are
important in choosing enterprise and carrier-based network
management systems, and to say which carrier-provided network
management services their companies currently use and plan to use
within the next 24 months.

The survey found that one respondent in four has an enterprise network
management system currently installed, while 49 percent plan to
implement one. Performance management was cited as the most
important function in the selection of a network management system.

The survey was the first of what Datapro intends to make an annual
project, Arcuri said.

(Grant Buckler/19910723/Press Contact: Gerald J. Arcuri, Datapro
Information Services Group, 609-764-0100, ext. 2360)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NEW FOR IBM: Software Aids Decision-Making 07/23/91

07/23/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00014)

NEW FOR IBM: Software Aids Decision-Making 07/23/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Phil Paulson
could not decide which decision-making software to buy, so he
developed his own and called it Decisions/Decisions.

Paulson launched the package after deciding that all decision-
making software on the market was not so hard to use that it
interfered with the decision itself. Dalton Dialogic is scheduled to
begin shipping the package at the end of July.

Paulson, now a principal of Dalton Dialogic, told Newsbytes that, as
manager of product development for a major appliance manufacturer,
he evaluated several existing decision-making packages and found
all of them too complex. He said that the package is simple enough
that  "the beta sites that have been using it have been using it without
a manual at all."

The package uses a seven-step decision method distilled from
academic research on the decision-making process, Paulson said.
Its interface uses seven successive screens of different colors, working
from a small block of color in the center of the screen to larger and
larger rectangles to symbolize emerging from a tunnel. The interface
also uses the familiar concepts of pull-down menus.

Plans call for Dalton Dialogic to distribute the software initially
through direct mail. A scaled-down version, called Decisions/Light,
will be available on bulletin boards. So will decision templates with
relevant information for certain common types of decisions already
built in.

The software will sell for US$149 in the United States and C$169 in
Canada.

(Grant Buckler/19910723/Press Contact: Phil Paulson, Dalton Dialogic,
416-767-1291)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23  ****AUSTRALIA: REPORT SLAMS SOFTWARE OVERPRICING 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00015)

 ****AUSTRALIA: REPORT SLAMS SOFTWARE OVERPRICING 07/23/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- A report from the Australian
Prices Surveillance Authority (PSA) has severely criticized
distributors in Australia who sell US-manufactured software. The
report says that a basket of products examined by the authority were
an average of 71 percent more expensive in Australia than in the US.

The distributors named in the report were quick to respond, claiming
that, in some cases the figures were wrong. In addition they cited many
reasons for the differential. The PSA used magazine advertisements
to determine street prices, and their findings ranged from Microsoft
Windows Word (up 30 percent) to Aldus Pagemaker (up 112 percent).

Doug Ruttan, managing director of Wordperfect Australia told
Newsbytes that Wordperfect had a local street price only 40 percent
above the US - not the 80 percent claimed by the PSA.

"We add a lot of local value, such as a full Australian dictionary and
thesaurus," he said. Other distributors claimed extra costs including
freight, support, customs clearing, extra drivers and local utilities
and even localizing packages such as modifying the date to
international format.

Meanwhile, the law prevents parallel importing of these products, as
copyright holders only are allowed to issue import authorities. It is
widely speculated that copyright laws may be changed next year to
relax the import restrictions.

A recent change in the rules concerning books and music recordings
has already led to faster availability of overseas product in Australia,
and lower cost. The PSA believes this will also occur when software
is treated similarly. Software distributors say it will only lead to a
closing of local support centers and the end of localized versions.

(Paul Zucker/19910723)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23  ****SOLAR-POWERED PHONE BOOTH DEBUTS IN JAPAN 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00016)

 ****SOLAR-POWERED PHONE BOOTH DEBUTS IN JAPAN 07/23/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- NTT has unveiled the logical
extension of a mobile phone - a mobile phone booth.

The public payphone is unique in that it requires no direct power.
Instead, power is derived from a set of solar panels on the roof of
the booth.

The booth itself is 105 centimetres (cm) square and stands 220 cm tall.
The solar panel on the roof drives a battery, which is located under the
booth. Unusually, the battery power is not used during the day, as
normal solar power is sufficient to drive the phone -- the battery is
only used at night or when there is insufficient solar power available.

Plans call for the booth to be located at a camping site in Uryucho in
Hokkaido around the end of July. The booth will then be field tested
by members of the public until October.

Newsbytes notes that the cost of using the phone is very expensive
compared to land-line phones. Ten yen buys 6.5 seconds of time for
calls up to 160 km distant, and 4.5 seconds for distances over the 160
km mark. A normal payphone charges 10 yen for a full three minutes.

So why develop the phone? According to NTT, both the consumer
and the phone company gain from the unit. Users are able to make
payphone calls from locations where a payphone would not otherwise
be available, while the phone company saves on the cost of having to
hard-wire the phone and its power supply to remote sites.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910723/Press Contact: NTT, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 PLASMON ANNOUNCES SUPPORT 24 HOURS A DAY 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00017)

PLASMON ANNOUNCES SUPPORT 24 HOURS A DAY 07/23/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Plasmon Data
Systems, a marketer of advanced optical storage systems, has
announced that it will now offer service and support on a 24-hour,
seven-day basis for U.S.-based customers.

Plasmon's vice president for marketing pointed out that while other
companies are scaling back service to save money in hard times:
"We want to assure our VARs (value-added resellers), dealers, and
integrators that Plasmon products are backed by the highest level of
customer support available."

Technicians based at 50 locations in the U.S. will respond to customer
problems, with guaranteed response times ranging from two hours to
24 hours, supplying everything from site preparation to system
installation, maintenance, and support.

For further information on the program, contact: David Kalstrom,
Plasmon Data Systems, 99 West Tasman Drive, San Jose,
CA 95134. Phone: [phone] or fax: [phone].

(John McCormick/19910723/Press Contact: Brad Lee Brenner, Marken
Communications, 408-296-3600 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NATURAL LANGUAGE AVAILABLE IN NEW EXPERT SYSTEM 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00018)

NATURAL LANGUAGE AVAILABLE IN NEW EXPERT SYSTEM 07/23/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Expert systems is
an area of artificial intelligence (AI) that attempts to model expertise
in a subject area on one hand and previous experience on the other so
a computer can make a decision a human would normally have to
make, according to Steve Mott president of Cognitive Systems.

The company's newly announced, commercial version of its Remind
product, is a development shell used to create an expert system,
based on information from a database.

Mott said that the newly announced version of Remind marries Cognitive
Systems' case-based reasoning (CBR) with Aion's Ads rule-based
reasoning. Case-based reasoning is a shell that looks at a group of
data, packages the data, writes rules for how the data is interpreted
and formulates output. Rule-base reasoning is based on a decision
tree type of logic.

Remind's current case-based reasoning product has drawn high
praise. Marc Halley of TASC, a defense contracting firm in Reston,
Virginia, said: "Cognitive's CBR shell makes building knowledge-
based systems unbelievably efficient."

"We finished our project three months early. The big reason is that we
could eliminate most of the hard work that goes into writing rules. We
had tried rule-based and pattern recognition technologies for this
particular task, but neither could do the job as well as CBR," he
added.

John Barber at NCR Corporation said: "Cognitive's Systems' CBR
Shell has given us a flexible, full- featured environment within which to
develop and deliver useful CBR applications."

"Availability under DOS, Windows, OS/2-PM and Unix-Motif are
definite pluses for us, as well. The CBR Shell stands alone in its
class," he added.

Remind is a result of a three-year contract with the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to translate 10 years of academic
research into a commercial technology, the company said. Cognitive
says it has been used for systems that are in operation in major banks
around the world.

As an add-on to Remind when its released, Cognitive said it plans to
offer its product CBR/Text. CBR/Text adds natural language
processing ability to Remind. Mott said that some examples where
CBR/Text might be used could be military messaging or contractual
text programs.

The commercial release of Remind is planned for September of this
year for the IBM PC and compatibles under Windows and Presentation
Manager, and on the Macintosh II computer family. A Unix version for X
Windows is also planned, but has been scheduled for a November
release.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910723/Press Contact: Steve Mott, Cognitive
Systems, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 INTERLEAF: DOCUMENTS WILL SOON TALK FOR THEMSELVES 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00019)

INTERLEAF: DOCUMENTS WILL SOON TALK FOR THEMSELVES 07/23/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Writing in the July-
August 1991 issue of The Futurist, a publication of the World Future
Society, David D. Weinberger of Interleaf predicts that future
documents will not only provide information, they will customize their
own contents depending on who is reading them.

Computer documents will soon be, according to Weinberger, "adding
information, changing graphics, and even determining what readers
may or may not see." The intelligent document will be an active
publication, capable of changing itself depending on just who is
viewing it.

This is not exactly a new idea with Interleaf. The company
demonstrated such a system at Fall Comdex where in answer to
questions from the audience, Interleaf's spokesman Weinberger
said that the Interleaf smart document system will need a minimum of
four megabytes of RAM running in a fast Macintosh or Intel 80386-
based or faster MS-DOS personal computer.

(John McCormick/19910723/Press Contact: David Weinberger, Interleaf,
617-290-0710)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 TELESENSORY INTROS PORTABLE BRAILLE NOTETAKER 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00020)

TELESENSORY INTROS PORTABLE BRAILLE NOTETAKER 07/23/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- A one-
pound pocket organizer for the visually impaired has been introduced
by Mountain View, California-based Telesensory Systems.

Braillemate provides note-taking, phone directory, calendar, and other
features in a handheld unit that plays back recorded information via
either speech or use of an electronic Braille touch-pad.

Up to 128 pages of Braille text can be stored in the device, which can
also print out Grade 2 (shorthand) Braille as standard text on an
inkjet printer. Credit card-sized memory cards can be swapped to add
much more capacity to the $1,595 product.

Having both parallel and serial ports, Braillemate can either print
out its contents or transfer data to another computer. For further
information, contact: Telesensory Systems, 455 N. Bernardo Avenue,
Mountain View, CA 94043. Phone [phone].

(John McCormick/19910723/Press Contact: Kathy Guleff, TeleSensory
Systems, 415-960-0920)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 COMPANY CLAIMS THEFT OF MAC-TO-UNIX PROGRAM 07/23/91

07/23/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00021)

COMPANY CLAIMS THEFT OF MAC-TO-UNIX PROGRAM 07/23/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Xcelerated
Systems has announced it has obtained a restraining order against
RDI Computer that prohibits the company from marketing and
distributing Companion+, its Unix package that runs Mac software.

In addition, the court has ordered that RDI must hand over all copies
of Companion+ in its possession or control to Xcelerated Systems.

Dave McMillen, president of Xcelerated Systems, said that a copy of
his company's not-yet-released product, Liken, was shared in
prototype form with RDI during discussions about possible distribution
arrangements.

McMillen added that, although the distribution talks did not work out,
he discovered the technology created by his company was being
distributed by RDI in its product Companion+. Xcelerated subsequently
filed suit, charging RDI with copyright infringement, misappropriation
of trade secrets and unfair competition.

Xcelerated says that Liken allows off-the-shelf Macintosh applications
to be run on Sun SPARC stations.

The temporary restraining order was issued by the Federal District
Court of the Northern District of California, which ruled the company
is likely to prevail against RDI, Xcelerated said.

"We were pleased, but not surprised, by this result," commented Dave
McMillen, president of Xcelerated. "Liken is a powerful product with
an enormous market and we will continue to take all necessary action
to preserve and protect our work against anyone who attempts to
make unauthorized use of it."

When asked about a release date for Liken, McMillen said a date was
unavailable at this time. A hearing on the case has been scheduled.
RDI officials were unavailable for comment.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910723/Press Contact: Dave McMillen, Xcelerated,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 GATEWAY COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCES GATEWAY PRODUCT 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)

GATEWAY COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCES GATEWAY PRODUCT 07/23/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Gateway
Communications has added six enhancements to its G/SNA Gateway
product.

The enhancements include: support for up to 128 IBM 3270 terminals or
eight 3770 Sessions, or a combination of both; emulators for IBM
models 3, 4 and 5 3278 and 3279 terminals; the IBM-standard High
Level Application Programming Interface; and Write Structured Fields.

The new products make it easier for local area networks (LANs) to link
with IBM mainframe terminal emulators remotely.

The G/SNA Gateway is designed for LAN-to-SNA connectivity, and links
any NetWare or IBM NetBIOS based LAN to any IBM Systems Network
Architecture/Synchronous Data Link Control mainframe.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910723/Press Contact: Bradley Morse, Gateway
Communications, 714-553-1555)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NEW FOR UNIX: Innosoft Intros New Version Of VAX Mail System 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(ATL)(00023)

NEW FOR UNIX: Innosoft Intros New Version Of VAX Mail System 07/23/91
CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Innosoft
International has released PMDF 4.0, a new version of its electronic
mail distribution system for Digital Equipment VAX/VMS systems.

PMDF is a multi-protocol, store-and-forward electronic mail distribution
system that provides seamless electronic mail support over networks
with many different types of equipment.

The new release supports such things as user aliases, faster local
mail delivery, and binary file transfers. Mail can be routed through
the internet, BitNet, CSNet, Earn, UseNet, VMSNet, and TCP/IP
connections, while providing users a consistent interface so
connectivity is invisible.

Protocols supported include Simple Mail Transport Protocol for TCP/IP,
DECnet, IBM NJE for BitNet, X.25, and UUCP. Support agents are also
provided for such VAX mail packages as VMS Mail, TGV's MultiNet
MM, Data Processing Design's Gold-Mail, and DEC's All-in-1 Mail.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910723/Press Contact: Tom Woolf, for Inmosoft,
415-366-6231)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NEW PRODUCT: Sumo Intros CD-ROM Multimedia Subsystem 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00024)

NEW PRODUCT: Sumo Intros CD-ROM Multimedia Subsystem 07/23/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Sumo Systems
has announced the immediate availability of its SS700 CD-ROM
subsystem, which combines Sumo Systems' intelligent controller and
host adapter with a Sony CD-ROM drive.

Retailing for $695, the drive was originally designed for wide-scale
data and program distribution for government and military computers.

The SS700 is a SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) device
offering a data transfer rate of 700 kilobytes-per-second. CD-ROM is
a read-only media that is widely used to distribute software and very
large databases. It is identical in size to the widely popular audio
CD discs, and the new subsystem comes with a pop-up audio control
program that lets users play an audio or multimedia CD-ROM disc.

According to industry insiders, the release of this product to the
general market is another indication of how manufacturers and
retailers see the potential for growth in the multimedia market.

(John McCormick/19910723/Press Contact: Frank Krulc, Sumo Systems,
408-453-5744)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23  ****PHILIPPE KAHN SPEAKS ON LOTUS SUIT, AT/FOX SUIT 07/23/91

07/23/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00025)

 ****PHILIPPE KAHN SPEAKS ON LOTUS SUIT, AT/FOX SUIT 07/23/91
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Borland's President
Philippe Kahn has expressed his views on the litigation issues between
Borland and Lotus and between Ashton-Tate (the company Borland is in
the process of purchasing) and Fox Software, before a crowd of several
thousand at a special meeting of the Pasadena IBM Users Group at the
Pasadena Hilton.

Kahn's view is that the two cases are tied together quite closely. He
said that, in both suits the perpetrators, Lotus, and Ashton-Tate,
respectively were trying to copyright not a new invention but a
hierarchical command structure determined by functionality.

He added that, in both cases the companies should have sought patents,
but instead are trying to get exclusive rights to something that in
his opinion should not be copyrightable, no more than the placement of
the order of the gas and brake pedals in an automobile should be
copyrightable so no one else can use it.

Kahn said that, if this litigation succeeds, it could not only change
the computer industry, but the entire consumer market could change.
Suddenly, an airplane manufacturer could say it has a copyright on the
placement of the functional controls in an aircraft, and other
manufacturers would have to make aircraft with different controls.
Computer chips could be copyrightable because of the functional order
in which commands are executed. VCRs, microwave ovens, televisions,
all have a hierarchy of commands based on functionality, and could
then conceivably be copyrightable so each manufacturer would have to
make different controls, and consumers would have to relearn each
manufacturers set of controls, Kahn explained.

The conclusion, in Kahn's opinion, is that not only should a hierarchy
of commands based on functionality not be copyrightable, but it could be
disastrous if they became copyrightable. Kahn said that, in the Lotus
suit against Borland, Borland is using a hierarchical set of commands
from a Lotus menu based on functionality.

Kahn added that Borland would be willing to pay Lotus a royalty, but
Lotus wants to say it owns those commands and no one else can use
them. "We could easily just remove that part of the program from the
Quattro Pro product, and most of our users would not miss it. But it's
the principle of the thing to us now," he said.

When asked about Borland's intentions on the Ashton-Tate suit against
Fox Software, Kahn made a joke about lawyers, then said Borland is not
a litigious company and he was sure something could be worked out with
Fox, if the suit hadn't been already settled by the time Borland's
purchase of Ashton-Tate was finalized.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910723/Press Contact: Philippe Kahn, Borland, Tel:
408/438-5300, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23  ****BORLAND SHOWS OFF NEW FUNCTIONS IN WINDOWS PRODUCTS 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00026)

 ****BORLAND SHOWS OFF NEW FUNCTIONS IN WINDOWS PRODUCTS 07/23/91
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Newsbytes got a
sneak preview of Borland's new Windows products, including Paradox for
Windows, Object dBASE and Quattro Pro for Windows presented by
Philippe Kahn at a special meeting of the Pasadena IBM Users Group at
the Pasadena Hilton.

Kahn talked about the importance of object orientation, saying: "Object
orientation will be to the software industry what microprocessors were
to the computer." Borland sees object orientation as essential to the
industry and has made some logical, but new object-oriented
innovations in its Windows products.

Kahn said that part of the concept of object orientation to him was
user being unaware of the structure of the data behind the program.
Kahn said object orientation should be done in such a way that users
do not have to be concerned with data formats, but the user should
just be able to start a program and use data from any other program.
The data structure handling should be done internally, by the objects
themselves, he added.

In Borland's database products for Windows, Borland doesn't believe in
a "native" database, and has done what Kahn called "database
promiscuity."

Kahn added that Borland has already scrapped Ashton-Tate's proposed
plan of making dBASE V incompatible with dBASE IV, if the sale goes
through. Data from any database program can and should be available to
any other database program, he said. That connectivity is planned for
Borland's database products: "Users should be able to choose a product
based on the product, not the format of their data."

Not only was the data transportable between applications, but Kahn
said programers will be able to create applications that run under
Windows or DOS with the same source code, simultaneously. Kahn added
that Borland took an existing SBT database application, and with no
modification of the source code, turned it into a Windows application.

Kahn demonstrated a part of Object dBASE called the Resource Workshop,
in which a user could create Windows menus in a non-Windows
application and modify executable files without having the source
code.

Containership is another concept introduced in the new Borland Windows
products. Just as when a glass of water is moved and the water in the
glass moves with it, so when objects on the screen are moved, any
icons within icons in a Borland Windows product will move with all the
functionality attached, when the icon is moved. So a button inside a
box that executes a macro to tile the Windows in Quattro Pro, will be
in the same place relative to the box, with the same functionality,
when the box is moved, Kahn said.

Stream-oriented containership is a stretch of containership that
allows an object placed in a text box to move with the text as it
scrolls when new text is inserted, Kahn said. Of course, the object
could remain stationary, and the text could flow around it. But to
place the object, say a cell or a graphic, within text relating to it,
and have it move with the text as the text moves, is a new concept for
Borland, he added.

The Windows versions of all three Borland products, Object dBASE,
Paradox and Quattro Pro had full desktop publishing capability with
word processing and graphics. All three were demonstrated on industry
standard computers, either a 80386/20 or a Toshiba 1200 portable 80286
computer and performance appeared to be very good.

Kahn made much of Borland's new use of the right mouse button. Rather
than the right mouse button being used as a duplicate of the left, the
right mouse button in Borland Windows products, when clicked on an
object, brings up the set of choices available for that object. If the
object is a window full of text, the box opens with choices for text
color, fonts, justification, underlining, bold, italic, and the other
choices a user might expect to be able to perform on text. If the
object is a menu bar, a small window opens with color choices, line
width, the option of adding commands and other choices a user would
expect to be able to perform on a menu bar.

Kahn said that Borland's use of the right mouse button for allowing
the user to make changes to an object on-the-fly, in context, is
planned for all Borland Windows products.

Mention was made of the possibility that not everything being
demonstrated would end up in the next release of each product.
However, Borland's intention is eventually to make the features
available in every product, he said.

The three Windows products were not given a definite release date, but
Kahn said all would be released in less than nine months. Paradox for
Windows is expected to be released first, and Kahn said it was very
close to release.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910723/Press Contact: Philippe Kahn, Borland, Tel:
408/438-5300, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23  ****IBM & TANDON IN CROSS-LICENSING AGREEMENT 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00027)

 ****IBM & TANDON IN CROSS-LICENSING AGREEMENT 07/23/91
MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Tandon Corporation
and International Business Machines have announced that they have
entered into a patent cross-license agreement under which each company
has granted to the other a fully paid, worldwide, perpetual license
that covers patents having an effective filing date prior to July 1,
1996.

According to the Tandon announcement, the agreement grants Tandon
rights under a broad range of patents relating to personal computers,
including desktop workstation applications and IBM's Micro Channel
architecture.

"Because of the relative sizes of each company's patent portfolios,
Tandon has agreed to make a fixed balancing payment to IBM. This
payment will be made in instalments over a period of nine years," said
a Tandon company statement.

Tandon also stated that "Tandon believes that its cross license
adequately values Tandon's technology contribution and the payments
are within the range anticipated by Tandon management."

In addition to the licensing provisions of the agreement, it also
contains a standard mutual release of all past claims for patent
infringement by one party against the other.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910723/Press Contact: Ranjit Sitlani,
Tandon Corp., 805-523-0340)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 LOTUS EXTENDS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR 3COM 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00028)

LOTUS EXTENDS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR 3COM 07/23/91
CAMBRIDGE,, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corporation has announced that it is extending two
incentive programs enabling users of 3Com's 3+Mail and 3+Open Mail to
migrate to Lotus' cc:Mail, the company's LAN-based electronic mail
package. The incentive programs, originally scheduled to end in June,
will now continue through Dec. 31, 1991.

Lotus has also announced that a gateway from cc:Mail to 3Com's 3+ and
3+Open Mail is currently under development and will ship in September.
The cc:Mail gateway, being developed according to 3Com specifications,
will allow 3Com mail users to transparently exchange messages with
cc:Mail users as they migrate their mail system. The gateway will also
allow 3Com customers to gain access to cc:Mail's connectivity options
including X.400 and Novell's MHS (Message Handling System).

The incentive programs are dependent on the number of users on the
system being converted. For firms with more than 500 mail users to be
converted, Lotus will offer a three-for-one trade incentive. For every
three 3Com mailboxes which are converted to cc:Mail, the customer will
receive one cc:Mail mailbox free, regardless of the client platform
(cc:Mail supports MS-DOS, OS/2, Macintosh and Windows).

For those customers with less than 500 users, Lotus will provide one
free cc:Mail MS-DOS Platform Pack and an Eight User Pack for each
server version of 3Com mail converted.

Announcing the extension of the incentive programs, Philippe F.
Courtot, vice president of the cc:Mail division of Lotus Development
Corp., said: "Through these incentive programs 3Com mail users can
take advantage of the benefits of cc:Mail's multiplatform support and
expanded connectivity."

"We are extremely pleased with the success of the programs. The
addition of the 3Com gateway and the mail conversion tool will further
enhance communication between users of 3Com mail products and
cc:Mail," he added.

Lotus' announcement also quoted a cc:Mail user, Jack Tilbury, manager
of telecommunications for Rockwell International's Network
Transmission Systems Division in Dallas, as saying, "We are
particularly impressed with cc:Mail's intuitive user interface and the
connectivity benefits of the X.400 gateway."

"cc:Mail also works with our existing systems and is easy to use,
which makes the product very cost-effective. The incentive program
made the migration even more appealing," he added.

Lotus spokesperson Joanna Kelly told Newsbytes that the program was
extended until December because of the favorable that it has received
in the first half of the year.

"Although I don't have the actual figures at hand, I can say that the
warm response to the incentives is the reason that we have extended it
until December," she said.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910723/Press Contact: Martha
Isham, Lotus Development Corp., 617-693-1138)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23 NY TELEPHONE PROPOSES RESTRUCTURING 07/23/91

07/23/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(NYC)(00029)

NY TELEPHONE PROPOSES RESTRUCTURING 07/23/91
ALBANY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- The New York Telephone
Company, currently the subject of a New York State Public Service
Commission (PSC) mandate to prepare a restructuring plan, has proposed
a structuring that would isolate it from other subsidiaries of its
parent, NYNEX.

The restructuring study was by PSC in response to publicity
surrounding the discovery that another NYNEX subsidiary, MECO, has
thrown annual parties in Florida involving heavy alcohol consumption
and the use of prostitutes for NYNEX employees and potential vendors.
In October of 1990, PSC General Counsel William Cowan, in a report on
the "pervert conventions," suggested that the PSC examine the
possibility of breaking up NYNEX to ensure New York Telephone's
independence.

According to industry reports, the proposed restructuring would be
subject to "common sense exceptions" and would bar New York Telephone
from doing business with other subsidiaries of NYNEX. The "common
sense exceptions" would be for such dealings as the provision of
telephone service.

New York Telephone spokesperson Peter Davidson confirmed to Newsbytes
that the thrust of the proposal is to isolate NYTELCO from the rest of
NYNEX but clarified the isolation, saying, "We are aiming for 'zero
transactions' in the non-tariff area, subject to certain obvious
exceptions which are enumerated in the Appendix of the report."

"These exceptions are for such things as the provision by New York
Telephone of the phone lists to NYNEX Information Resources which
produce the white and yellow pages or the interaction with NYNEX
Mobile for cellular services," he added.

Additionally, under the plan, the New York Telephone board of
directors would be expanded from 11 to 13 by adding 2 non-company
directors, a move that would raise the number of non-company directors
to 10. The plan would also tie salaries of top officials solely to New
York Telephone performance rather than the current method which also
links NYNEX performance. The plan further calls for the creation of a
statewide consumer council to advise the board of directors.

The annual parties that prompted the outcry were said to be arranged
by Lawrence Friedman, a former MECO executive fired by NYNEX in 1988.
New York Telephone officials have repeatedly denied that there was any
correlation between business awarded and attendance at the parties.
Since the date of the parties, MECO has been combined with another
subsidiary, NYNEX Services Co., to form a new subsidiary called
Telesector Resources Group Inc. Telesector is presently involved in
purchasing for New York Telephone Company.

Davidson told Newsbytes that the next step is up to the PSC, "The
report has the approval of the PSC staff which provided input to its
preparation. It is now up to the PSC board itself to review the report
and, hopefully, approve it for implementation."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910723)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 23  ****INDUSTRY WATCHING FUJITSU CHALLENGE OF KILBY PATENT 07/23/91

07/23/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00030)

 ****INDUSTRY WATCHING FUJITSU CHALLENGE OF KILBY PATENT 07/23/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 23 (NB) -- Fujitsu's gamble that
Texas Instruments will not be able to force it to pay royalties for the
so-called "Kilby" patent has high stakes that could affect the entire
chipmaking industry.

Other foreign manufacturers have settled with TI on the value of the
Kilby patent rights owned by TI and in the last year, Toshiba, Oki
Electric Industry, Matsushita Electric, NEC, and Samsung have all
signed cross-licensing agreements with Texas Instruments that include
rights to the Kilby patent concept. But because Fujitsu and TI weren't
able to reach an arrangement on licensing the Kilby patent the Texas-
based company will seek an injunction against Fujitsu in Japan.

The Matsushita and NEC agreements alone, which reportedly replaced
less profitable agreements that expired last year, are expected to net
TI about $250 million in the next five years. Electronic News has
estimated that the Toshiba cross-licensing agreement could be worth $1
billion over the next ten years.

The "Kilby Patent" -- more formally known as the "Semiconductor
Device" Japanese Patent No. 320,275 -- was awarded on October 30, 1989
and expires on November 27, 2001.

This question of just who invented the microprocessor, especially the
single chip microcomputer, is quite complex and could be worth many
millions of dollars to the eventual winner.

Back in 1958 Texas Instruments' Jack St. Clair Kilby invented the
first integrated circuit, an MOS or metal oxide semiconductor, and
nine years later Kilby, Merryman, and Van Tassel at TI produced the
industry-changing pocket calculator based on that technology.

Much of the early work on this sort of microprocessor technology took
place at Texas Instruments, but a recent challenger caused a worldwide
stir last year when he was awarded a seemingly very basic patent on
the single chip microcomputer.

Gilbert P. Hyatt's very widely publicized patent on the microprocessor
may now be in doubt because it appears that his work may not predate
that of TI's Gary W. Boone in 1970.

Boone was one of the team who worked on shrinking the electronics
which go into the pocket calculator, and TI credits him with the
concept of putting all the separate elements that make up a computer
on a single silicon chip.

To complicate things even further, Intel's founder, Robert Noyce, made
extensive notes on a microchip concept back in January of 1959, but
Kilby built a germanium-based chip only a month later, with Intel's
silicon-based microchip coming that summer. Noyce and Kilby share
recognition as co-inventors of the microchip.

Other problems also cloud the picture - Kilby's first IC was actually
a phase-shift oscillator developed as part of research being done for
the Signal Corps (Pentagon) and while Intel's 4004 was the first
commercial single-chip microprocessor it was initially developed by
Intel for Busicom, a Japanese desktop calculator manufacturer. Intel
repurchased the rights to the 4004 in the early 70s.

(John McCormick/19910723/Press Contact: Terri West, Texas Instruments,
214-995-3481)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 22 GUPTA SHIPS SQLWINDOWS PACKAGE, ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE 07/22/91

07/22/91



(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00001)

GUPTA SHIPS SQLWINDOWS PACKAGE, ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE 07/22/91
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Gupta Technologies
is shipping its latest version of SQLWindows which now allows access to
OS/2 Extended Edition and Windows 3.0 databases. The product already
works with mainframe databases and is being extended to run on
mid-range computers and PCs.

Gupta also produces a database manager system for use on PC networks,
SQLBase Server for DOS. This five-user $995 product is claimed to be
the only SQL database available on PCs. SQL (Structured Query
Language) is a method of accessing database information by assembling
a query (or search instruction) from standard English-like commands.
IBM plans SQL as the standard way of accessing data across all
levels of machines, with users unaware of where the data is or
how it is stored. It is by nature a network product.

The second annual Gupta Developer's Conference will be held in San
Francisco on August 18-21. Sessions include case studies, panel
discussions, third-party product demonstrations, technical papers, and
a number of developer topics. Registration is $995. Certain Gupta
products will be available for attendees at special discounts.

(Paul Zucker/19910722/Contact: Gupta - 800-6722700 fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 AUSTRALIA: WORLD OF COMMODORE SHOW BREAKS RECORDS 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIA: WORLD OF COMMODORE SHOW BREAKS RECORDS 07/22/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- The World Of Commodore/Amiga
exhibition held in Sydney last weekend attracted a record 29,642
paying customers. By contrast, the last New York World of
Commodore/Amiga only had 19,000 visitors.

"The public response was simply unbelievable," said Commodore
Australia Manager Pat Byrne. He claimed CDTV -- Commodore's
interactive, CD-based multimedia system -- was one of the main factors.
"But it wasn't the only star - there were displays of the latest
computer applications, and every seminar was heavily over-attended."

As well as many local, Australian vendors, there were overseas
exhibitors, some with brand-new product to test on the marketplace.
Most software vendors had a number of CD-based applications for the
CDTV system. These ranged from new versions of old games, right up to
full encyclopedias complete with moving video and stereo sound. Look
up Kookaburra in the bird section of the encyclopedia, see it fly and
hear its call.

One "first" for the show, was a self-contained PC supermarket in the
middle of the show. Although it only occupied a small fraction of the
total floor space, it seemed to always hold half of the attendees.
Strangely, the idea of PC supermarkets is new to Australia and one
discount furniture and electrical chain has just discovered it. With
product ranging from IBM to the cheapest Taiwanese accessories, and
all at much lower prices than average computer stores, customers have
been flocking to the Harvey Norman stores.

The shows are organized around the world by The Hunter Group of
Canada.

(Paul Zucker/19910722/ Contact: The Others ph [phone] fax
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 AUSTRALIAN EARTH STATION HELPS RECOVER 'LOST' SATELLITE 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00003)

AUSTRALIAN EARTH STATION HELPS RECOVER 'LOST' SATELLITE 07/22/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Technicians at the Perth
Telecommunications Centre of Australia's OTC have stabilized a
disabled European telecommunications satellite which was tumbling out
of control in space. On May 29 the satellite became disoriented and
began tracking against the Sun instead of the Earth.

The satellite, Olympus, had been in a geostationary orbit (standing
still relative to a point on the Earth's surface) some 37,000km in
space. After locking onto the wrong object it began moving eastward
at the alarming rate of 5 degrees per day, and tumbling once every 90
seconds. It also sank to a lower orbit. Its operators wrote it off as
lost.

Because of the spin, the batteries were getting almost no power from
the solar cells, and it was unable to respond to radio commands.
Without power, the internal heaters had turned of and the propellant
had frozen, making a thruster firing also impossible. By this time it
had drifted out of sight of the European controllers and was within
range of the Perth station. Technicians developed a plan to use the
short bursts of power which came from the solar cells each 90 seconds.
"The first thing we did was bit-by-bit move the solar cells so that
they pointed at the sun more of the time."

Eventually, the batteries gained a full charge and all systems were
tested, and found to be functional. Now, as the satellite moves out of
Australian range, and into sight of South American stations, the
heaters are slowly working at the job of thawing the fuel. If it is
fully thawed by the time the satellite approaches it original
position, European controllers will fire the thrusters and place it
back into position. If the fuel is still partially frozen, the
satellite will be allowed to make another circuit.

(Paul Zucker/19910722/Contact: Bill Barret, OTC ph [phone] fax
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 BORLAND'S FREE SIDEKICK/VOLUME DISCOUNTS 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00004)

BORLAND'S FREE SIDEKICK/VOLUME DISCOUNTS 07/22/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Borland
International has announced that anyone buying the $495 retail
version of Quattro Pro 3.0 or the $795 version of Paradox 3.5 can
get a free copy of the company's Sidekick 2.0. At the same time the
company announced volume discounts for Quattro Pro and
Paradox.

The free promotion, called Borland Bonus Days, runs until October 31.
A coupon will be attached to the box of new Paradox and Quattro
Pro products. A free copy of Sidekick 2.0 can be obtained by
simply returning the coupon and a copy of the sales receipt direct
to the company. Borland says that the offer does not apply to
competitive upgrade versions of the two products.

Borland's Sidekick 2.0 is a personal organizer containing the Time
Planner, Address Book, and Communications, as well as a Notepad
and Calculators.

Volume Packs of Borland's Quattro Pro 3.0 spreadsheet, or the
Paradox 3.5 relational database are available in 10 and 100-user
counts through software resellers. The company maintains that this
promotion provides purchase and installation convenience and a
price reduction for companies which purchase the products in quantity.

Additionally, Borland's Volume Packs contain an extended license
allowing for multiple installations from a single disk set, multiple serial
numbers for each installation and a multiple user registration
card. One complete set of documentation is included in each Volume
Pack. Extra sets of documentation may be purchased separately.

Volume Packs feature such per-unit pricing for Paradox 3.5 as $694.50,
when purchased in a 10-user pack, and $624.95 when purchased in a
100-user pack. Quattro Pro, meanwhile, can be purchased for as
low as $395 in a 10-user pack, and $325 in a 100-user pack.

(Ian Stokell/19910722/Press Contact: Catherine Miller, Borland
International, 408-439-1614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 SUN SIGNS PRICE WATERHOUSE AS COM'L SYS INTEGRATOR 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00005)

SUN SIGNS PRICE WATERHOUSE AS COM'L SYS INTEGRATOR 07/22/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) - Sun
Microsystems has signed Price Waterhouse to act as a
commercial systems integrator. Sun expects $5 million in sales in the
first year selling Sun workstations, servers, and software to major
commercial customers.

Nancy Groves, spokesperson for Sun, told Newsbytes that the
agreement with Price Waterhouse is important as it makes Sun
"better able to get into new market areas."

The company maintains that the initial targeted markets include
banking, portfolio management, commercial lending, legal,
manufacturing, insurance, and property management.

Groves told Newsbytes that Sun is now able to take advantage
of Price's technical expertise in targeting "areas where Sun has
not traditionally sold into."

''Our customers are requesting open systems and Sun is the
leading player in that market,'' added David Birch, senior manager
of the Open and Relational Systems group at Price Waterhouse.

Sun also works with Andersen Consulting and EDS, along with
other large consulting firms.

Sun maintains that its system integrators receive sales and technical
support such as account referrals, training, discounts, and application
porting and prototype development assistance.

In addition, Price Waterhouse will have access to marketing support
from Sun, including trade show assistance, participation in joint
sales seminars, promotion programs and joint public relations
efforts.

(Ian Stokell/19910719/Press Contact: Nancy Groves, Sun
Microsystems Inc., 415-336-6411)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 MICROSOURCE TO DISTRIBUTE ACER PRODUCT LINE 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00006)

MICROSOURCE TO DISTRIBUTE ACER PRODUCT LINE 07/22/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Following
the recent signing of Ingram Micro, Acer has now added MicroSource
Technologies as a distributor of the company's full product line.

According to Acer, MicroSource will carry all of the company's
Intel processor-based products including personal computers,
servers and notebooks, as well as the company's full line of VGA
monitors.

The agreement is seen as further evidence of Acer's recent
change in distribution strategy, initiated by the Ingram Micro deal,
as reported by Newsbytes.

According to Acer, the company's distribution structure is
designed to minimize the channel conflict that many other vendors
have created when entering multiple distribution channels. Acer
maintains that conflict is reduced because the company does not
have a direct sales force competing with distributors and resellers.

"MicroSource is a leader as a value-added supplier of multiuser
Unix-based systems and services. Their focus is the perfect outlet
for our high-end multiuser host servers, the AcerFrame 3000 family,''
said SteveTsui, vice president of distribution sales for Acer.

MicroSource was formed by the merger of PGI Corp and ICT
Technologies, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of MicroAge Inc.

(Ian Stokell/19910719/Press Contact: Lee Cannon, Acer America
Corp., 408-922-0333)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 DDE ALLOWS SOFTWARE TEAMWORK, DELRINA SHOWS 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00007)

DDE ALLOWS SOFTWARE TEAMWORK, DELRINA SHOWS 07/22/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- With the latest
release of its Winfax Pro facsimile software for Microsoft Windows,
Delrina Technologies is taking advantage of Windows' Dynamic Data
Exchange (DDE) capabilities to make Winfax and other software work
together.

The first example is integration of Winfax Pro and Polaris
Software's Packrat personal information manager. Winfax Pro 2.0 has
a built-in ability to spot the presence of Packrat and work with
its phone book feature, company spokesman Josef Zancowicz
explained. For example, when a Winfax user enters a person's last
name, Packrat will look up the person's fax number and insert it
automatically in the Winfax send screen.

This capability required creation of special macros in both
packages, Zancowicz said. DDE opens a number of other possibilities
for packages to work together.

Mark Gavin, product manager for Winfax Pro, told Newsbytes Delrina
is exploring a number of possible ways of taking advantage of DDE.
For instance, he said, a database of names and addresses in
Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet software could be merged with a
letter created in Word for Windows and then sent out by fax using
Winfax.

All Microsoft's applications packages for Windows, and some from
other vendors, already support DDE, Gavin said.

Zancowicz added that Delrina is also working on integrating Winfax
with another of its Windows products, the forms management software
Perform Pro, using DDE.

(Grant Buckler/19910718/Press Contact: Josef Zancowicz, Delrina
Technologies, 416-441-3676, fax [phone]; Chad Kinzelberg,
Polaris Software, 619-743-7800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 MOSCOW: OFFICIAL FOXPRO DISTRIBUTOR NAMED 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00008)

MOSCOW: OFFICIAL FOXPRO DISTRIBUTOR NAMED 07/22/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- The Cooperative "Ampersand" has
become the first official distributor of Fox Sofware's FoxPro database
tool in the Soviet Union.

According to Ilya Vetrov, Ampersand executive, the agreement between
Ampersand and a Finnish Fox distributor was signed early this week.

FoxPro version 2.0 (British edition) will be sold for rubles. A single-user
license costs 12,500 rubles ($357), multiuser 17,800 ($508), and
runtime module 9850 rubles ($281). Upgrade prices for registered
users of Foxbase and FoxPro 1.0 are also available.

Public sale of the product is to begin in August. "We have seen great interest
in this product. As a database development tool, FoxPro was very popular
in this country for years. But only now we can sell legal copies of the
software," Mr Vetrov commented.

Russian-language documentation will be available at year-end.

Asked about known problems with incorrect handling of some of the
Cyrillics characters, Mr Vetrov said that the company is aware of
this and are trying to fix the bug in the version to be sold to Soviet
customers.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910719/Press contact: Ilya Vetrov, Ampersand,
phone [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 MOSCOW: NEW TELECOM SYSTEM STARTED 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00009)

MOSCOW: NEW TELECOM SYSTEM STARTED 07/22/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Yet another way to simplify
communications with the West is being offered by a small
Washington-based startup. Company officers of Flash Telecomm and
New-York based Sovamer Trading Company Inc. , which started the
service last month, claim that IBM Moscow is already one of their
customers.

The idea is fairly simple. End-users dial a number in Helsinki, Finland,
a task possible from any phone in Moscow and Leningrad. Then one touch-
tone dials a personal code and the international phone number they wish
to reach. The specially installed computer completes the call
in a few seconds.

The service fee is US$5,000 per initial connection to the system and then
per minute charges, which are substantially lower than those charged
by the Moscow phone company.

Customers are charged $0.90 per minute to call Northern Europe, $1.75 per
minute to elsewhere in Europe, $2.70 per minute to the USA, Canada, and
Australia. Non-prime time calls (10pm - 8am) receive a discounted fare.

The system was installed in Helsinki one and a half month ago.
The company claims to have nine regular customers right now.

According to Sovamer representative, the call to the States is charged
$9 per minute by the Moscow phone company, which has a monopoly on
the provision of international direct-dial service. He admitted that a similar
service offered by AT&T USA Direct is approximately two times less
expensive than theirs, but is restricted to one country only.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910719/Contact: Gregory Kulikov, Sovamer, phone
[phone]; U.S. office -- phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 NEW FOR TELECOM: Enhanced ACS 4800 Net Mg't Software 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

NEW FOR TELECOM: Enhanced ACS 4800 Net Mg't Software 07/22/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Advanced
Computer Communications used the Communication Networks West
forum to debut an enhanced version of its ACS 4800 Network
Management Software, and a major upgrade to its Series 4000
bridge/router line.

The new ACS 4800 software, Version 3.0, lets network managers
remotely configure of any device in an extended network which
uses the Simple Network Management Protocol, or SNMP. It
automatically logs in the company's new bridge/routers. The ACS
4800 lists for $12,500.

The new routers include support for the Open Shortest Path First
routing protocol; AppleTalk Phase I and Phase II routing; an
interface to Frame Relay networks; and additional Token Ring and
filtering capabilities.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719/Press Contact: Advanced Computer
Communications, Marianne McCarthy, 805-963-9431)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 MCI EXPANDS VPN SERVICE 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

MCI EXPANDS VPN SERVICE 07/22/91
RYE BROOK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- MCI announced
the expansion of its virtual network service, MCI Vnet, to
additional overseas destinations. Specifically, the service will
now connect to Italcable in Italy, to KDD in Japan, to Telefonica
in Spain, and to Mercury Communications in the United Kingdom.

MCI and Telecom Canada are also working toward early
interconnection of Telecom Canada's upcoming Virtual Corporate
Network service with Vnet. This will brings the total number of
operating or announced international connections to 12.

MCI's Vnet is a software-defined virtual private network service
that provides voice, facsimile, and data long distance service and
communications management functions to large, multilocation
companies. It has all the capabilities of private line networks
but is based on MCI's public switched network, eliminating the
high cost of private network management.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719/Press Contact: Alan Garratt, MCI
International, 914-934-6484)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 SOUTHWESTERN BELL PLANS PCN EXPERIMENT IN HOUSTON 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

SOUTHWESTERN BELL PLANS PCN EXPERIMENT IN HOUSTON 07/22/91
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Southwestern
Bell wants to test Personal Communications Network (PCN) service
in Houston. The test will involve a new technique for sharing the
microwave spectrum with existing microwave relays, which would
allow the service to be introduced under FCC license without
having to reallocate the spectrum. The approach is called
Intelligent Multiple Access Spectrum Sharing, and attempts to
avoid interference using sophisticated frequency monitoring and
dynamic channel assignment techniques.

The experiment will also test the ability to instantaneously re-
route calls across multiple networks -- land line, cellular,
paging and PCNs -- so that customers can be reached anywhere and
at any time, no matter which telecommunications network they may
be near. The experiment will use an intelligent database that
could re-route customers' calls instantaneously to a home phone,
an office phone, a car phone, a voice messaging service, or to a
paging service for a call alert. The database will maintain
customers' profiles so that calls can be handled according to
their individual instructions as they move from environment to
environment and from network to network.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719/Press Contact: Jerrell Ross,
Southwestern Bell, 314-235-7100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 PACIFIC BELL SAYS IT SEES BIG ISDN DEMAND 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)

PACIFIC BELL SAYS IT SEES BIG ISDN DEMAND 07/22/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Pacific
Bell said overwhelming numbers of its customers are hungry for
Integrated Services Digital Network services. As a result, it is
stepping up deployment of CENTREX Integrated Systems, which is
its ISDN offering. The company also said new applications it has
developed, like RealtyLink, are finding eager markets.

Specifically, Pacific Bell said the company will more than double
the number of central switching offices equipped with Centrex IS
before year's end. By the end of the year, it should be
available on 4.1 million lines, and by 1994 the number will grow
to 7.5 million lines, half its total.

Later this summer, the company also plans to ask the California
Public Utilities Commission for permission to offer enhanced
Centrex IS features., such as the capability to provide a
separate telephone number for each of the two data channels on a
single basic rate line. It will also ask permission to offer
basic-rate ISDN lines individually without Centrex. Presently,
basic-rate ISDN is available only as a Centrex enhancement in a
minimum of two lines.

The company also will follow up its RealtyLink offering with
applications aimed at other industries. RealtyLink can link
brokers, real estate boards, financial institutions, insurance
companies, appraisers, title companies for the exchange of voice,
data and images. The service also lets home buyers take
photographic "tours" of homes on a computer terminal or negotiate
a loan with a bank officer while filling out the application
electronically from a broker's office.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719/Press Contact: Pacific Bell, Scott E.
Smith, 415/542-0597)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 PERU TO PRIVATIZE TELECOMMUNICATIONS 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)

PERU TO PRIVATIZE TELECOMMUNICATIONS 07/22/91
LIMA, PERU, 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Peru's state-owned
telecommunications company, EntelPeru will be partially
privatized within the next few months, Transportation Minister
Jaime Yoshiyama Tanaka announced. Between 60-70 percent of
the business will be sold to private investors, with the rest
remaining in the hands of the state and company employees, Mr.
Yoshiyama said. He said the poor quality of the national
telephone system was largely due to the prohibition of private
foreign investment.

Peru's move follows the successful privatization of EnTel, the
Argentine phone system, and the privatization of TelMex, the
Mexican phone system. U.S. phone firms were among the bidders in
both deals, and a group including Southwestern Bell won in
Mexico. Peru has been under increasing financial strain despite
its democratization in the early 1980s, as cocaine traffickers
and a group of guerillas called "Shining Path" make life
increasingly difficult for the citizens.

The nation's airline company, Aeroperu, will also be 70 percent
privatized by next December.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGES BUY REALITY 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00015)

WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGES BUY REALITY 07/22/91
AVON, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Structured
Computer Systems has announced the signing of a contract with the
Washington Community College Computing Consortium (WCCCC) to
purchase Reality, SCS's purchasing software program. The system
will be installed in at least 40 sites, including the 27
Washington State community colleges and all five state technical
colleges.

WCCCC says it recognized the need for a purchasing system in
December of last year, and formed an ad hoc committee of
representatives from five of the schools. The evaluation
committee, recognizing the importance of not having to rekey all
of the existing data, required all bidders to demonstrate the
ability of their systems to import data from existing systems.
Committee coordinator Jerry Woodard says SCS exceeded all their
mandatory requirements and desirable options.

Purchase price for the entire system was $118,000. WCCC will
staff a hot line to handle information queries from the schools.
SCS will provide training and support to WCCC's headquarters
staff.

WCCC says they will use Reality's electronic requisitioning for
each end user, using fiber optic backbones planned for each
college. Woodard says this will speed up the procurement process
and eliminate significant amounts of paperwork.

(Jim Mallory/19910718/Press Contact:Wendy Scholman, SCS,
203-677-0222)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 NEW FOR PCS: Windows Image, Audio Compression S'w and Board 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00016)

NEW FOR PCS: Windows Image, Audio Compression S'w and Board 07/22/91
CANOGA PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Optibase
has announced new tools for image and audio compression:
Optitools for Windows 3.0 and the +Audio coprocessor board.

Optitools is a software developer's kit for programming a
Motorola digital signal processor (the 56001 DSP) that is on
the Optibase 100 and 500 compression/expansion add-in boards
for compression and expansion of images and audio, the company
said.

Optibase says its Optitools is better because it provides the
right compression/expansion tool for the right job. Compression
of images and audio is an important issue, as a minute of
uncompressed video can take a gigabyte of disk space. Ray
Harris, vice president of marketing for Optibase said, "The
main issues in compressing images and audio are file size and
integrity.

"As compression is increased, data is lost and integrity is
compromised. Images, voice and music do not share similar
qualities, and not all compression/expansion algorithms share
equal capabilities. Maintaining integrity depends upon choosing
the correct algorithm for a specific type of image."

Optibase says its Optitools product does just that with four
types of compression/expansion algorithms. The four are Joint
Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) for simple continuous tone
images, AADCT for continuous tone images mixed with text,
Lossless for absolute image integrity with compression up to
1:3, and Voice and Music that enables the addition of voice or
music to applications.

Adding voice or music to applications that already include
image storage and retrieval is where the +Audio coprocessor
board comes in. "+Audio for DOS- and Windows-based PCs
[personal computers] makes adding voice or music to an
application a simple matter of writing C-language calls in the
program. We are providing this enabling technology for a range
of customers, from PC vendors to telecommunications and media
companies," said Harris.

One of the biggest applications for the new technology is
desktop video conferencing. Harris said, "The 1990 market for
desktop video conferencing alone was $300 million, a figure we
project will zoom to $1 billion in the next four years."

Optibase says the board handles both digital and analog
conversion, software buffers help minimize distortion and can
compress in ratios as high as 1:8.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910718/Press Contact: Ray Harris, Optibase,
Tel: [phone], Fax:
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 NEW FOR UNIX: Kurzweil Scanworx Text/Image System 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00017)

NEW FOR UNIX: Kurzweil Scanworx Text/Image System 07/22/91
READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Kurzweil Computer
Products has unveiled what it claims is the industry's first Unix-based
text and image scanning system.

According to Kurzweil, the system is a double first -- not only is the
first Unix-based system, but it is also the first in the open systems
marketplace to run on the Sun workstation series. Running with Sun's
Sunview graphical user interface on the Sun 3X, 4, SLC and SPARC
workstations, the system is available immediately for UKP 15,000.

Announcing the system, Sharron Wilmer, general manager of Kurzweil, said
that it has been specifically built to cope with the demands of high volume
processing, scanning pages of up to 11 x 17 inches in under four seconds.

"As market demand has grown for systems capable of more efficient document
input, we have responded with Scanworx and preliminary market response has
been very enthusiastic," she said, adding that the system can work with all
major Sun systems, whether in stand-alone or in a networked environment.

Kurzweil has worked closely in the development of the system. A key
advantage of the Sun workstation series is that they have the option of
accessing Scanworx files from any workstation in the system and, by using
extra software seats, Scanworx files can be recognized and processed
without any difficulty, the company claims.

(Steve Gold/19910718/Press & Public Contact: Kurzweil Computer products -
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 EC MOVES TO SECOND STAGE IN DATABASE PROMOTION 07/22/91

07/22/91
\

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00018)

EC MOVES TO SECOND STAGE IN DATABASE PROMOTION 07/22/91
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- European Commission (EC) ministers
have approved funding for the promotion of online information services.
Called Impact 2, the program aims to encourage the rapid development of
online services which will be able to meet the threat of the US services
now launching throughout Europe.

The first phase of the Impact project established the European information
market observatory in Luxembourg. The observatory was established to
monitor the European market for online services with special significance
being placed on database services.

Despite Impact 2 being agreed upon in principle, precise details of the
funding for the project have still to be agreed. EC officials were looking
for a 100 million ECUs (European currency units) investment, but several
countries, notably France, the UK, and Western Germany, were looking for a
smaller investment of around 36 million ECUs, the same level as was
invested in the original Impact project.

EC officials are reported to be worried that current march of U.S. online
services will increase. The aim of the Impact 2 project is encourage the
development of multilingual database services that can be accessed in a
variety of languages.

(Steve Gold/19910722)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22  ****IBM READIES FOR WEDNESDAY LAUNCH OF 2 RS/6000s 07/22/91

07/22/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(LON)(00019)

 ****IBM READIES FOR WEDNESDAY LAUNCH OF 2 RS/6000s 07/22/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- IBM is readying for the launch of at
least two RS/6000 computers on Wednesday this week. One of the machines
will be high-end, while the other will lower the entry-level price for the
RISC (reduced instruction set cycle) computer system.

The product introductions, scheduled for New York City, will be made by
Bill Filip, president of IBM's advanced workstation division, and
other IBM executives.

Although the shutters remain firmly pulled down at IBM's headquarters on
both sides of the Atlantic until the launch show on Wednesday, Newsbytes
understands that the entry-level machine will be capable of full 2D and 3D
graphics, while the new high-end machine will be pitched at the scientific
workstation marketplace. An IBM executive, wishing anonymity told
Newsbytes that the addition of the new graphics capability was, in
actuality, just "providing what competitors already have. The RS/6000
will continue to be enhanced and will be competitive in a growing
market."

Although the IBM RISC computer is not the same as competing RISC (reduced
instruction set computing) systems, its pricing is broadly comparable with
alternative machines.

Sales of the RS/6000 are reported to be doing better than previously in the
UK. A year ago, sales were running at 1.6 percent of the market as a whole
and, while precise figures on current sales are not yet available, there is
every indication that sales are higher by a factor of two or three.

Simon Haigh, director with Debug, a High Wycombe-based IBM systems
center, told Newsbytes that sales of the RS/6000 are going well, despite
the current recession that is sweeping the industry, "It's a mid-range box.
It's selling well for the area that it's in. It's competitive for a mid-
range system," he said.

Haigh said that he has "tremendous confidence" in the RS/6000
and anticipates rising sales as the machine's reputation spreads. "It has a
long gestation period, but sales are now beginning to take off," he said.

Apple recently threw its hat into the workstation ring with IBM by signing
a letter of intent to develop future RISC technology based on IBM's
RS/6000 technology.

At IBM U.K., David McKenzie, manager of AIX systems for Europe and the UK,
told Newsbytes that an RS/6000 product launch would take place in the UK
some time this week. The IBM press office, meanwhile, explained the
vagueness of the company's "launch" in the UK.

"We shan't be having a launch as such in the UK. The product details will
be released to the press on Wednesday," said a spokeswoman for IBM United
Kingdom.

(Steve Gold, Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910722)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 SCANNERS, MACS TO NORTHWEST RURAL SCHOOLS 07/22/91

07/22/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00020)

SCANNERS, MACS TO NORTHWEST RURAL SCHOOLS 07/22/91
BROOMFIELD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Pentax
Technologies has announced that it will supply more than 300
Pentax IQ Scan desktop scanners to rural and remote schools in
the Northwest US. Apple Computer will supply Macintosh
workstations to complete the scanning systems.

The $55 million program, funded by the US Department of
Education, will be administered in the Northwest by Education
Service District 101, and provides satellite-transmitted courses
in math, science, and foreign languages to the remote locations
in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana.

The remote sites, called "Star Schools" receive sound and
pictures simultaneously on TV monitors. The students' work and
test answers will be scanned by a Pentax scanner at the site,
stored in the Macintosh workstation, then sent by modem to program
headquarters for grading.

Don Egge, director of the Star Schools program, says the data
transfer system will eliminate the need to mail assignments and
tests, and will improve response time. According to Egge, "After
receiving student work, we can provide overnight response to
students. Timely feedback is crucial - otherwise you miss
important instructional time." Egge also says the scanner is
crucial in applications such as language classes that involve
characters instead of letters, such as written Japanese.

Egge said Pentax scanners were selected because they met budget
requirements, and the company was willing to customize the
software, since much of the scanning process had to be automated.

Egge estimates that in addition to the initial 300+ sites, they
will add another 190 during 1992.

(Jim Mallory/19910721/Press Contact:Courtney DeWinter, Wells
Communications, 303-292-1011)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 ZENITH CUTS COSTS $13 MILLION; NOT ENOUGH 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00021)

ZENITH CUTS COSTS $13 MILLION; NOT ENOUGH 07/22/91
GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Zenith
Electronics Corporation has announced that while it has cut costs
$13 million in the second quarter, sales fell off even more. The
company has reported a quarterly loss of $26.9 million, about
$0.92 per share. Last year's second quarter results showed a
loss of slightly over $11 million, or 42 cents per share.

Zenith attributes its losses primarily to fewer sales of color
television sets, with shipments to dealers down about seven
percent from last year. Component sales, made up mostly of power
supplies and computer monitors, fell from $48 million for the second
quarter last year to $26 million for the same period this year.

Zenith Chairman Jerry Pearlman said results for the second
quarter were in line with previous company statements that the
first half of 1991 would be "difficult." Pearlman said the
second half of the year is normally stronger, and he expects to
find better results "if economic and industry conditions
improve."

The company reported that planned inventory reductions lowered
reported profits by $6 million during the 1991 2Q, compared with
an increase in inventory during the same period last year.

(Jim Mallory/19910721/Press Contact: John Taylor, Zenith
Electronics, 708-391-8181)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 COMPAQ CUTS LTE PRICES 22% 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00022)

COMPAQ CUTS LTE PRICES 22% 07/22/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Compaq Computer has
announced that it has reduced the suggested retail price of LTE
and LTE/286 notebook computers by as much as 22 percent in what
it describes as "a move to continue its aggressive pricing
strategy and increase market share" in the growing notebook
market.

The Compaq LTE line has won a number of reader and editor awards
from various trade and business publications. The LTE units
weigh six pounds and measure 8-1/2 inches X 11 inches, the size
of a standard sheet of typing paper. The LTE Model 20 runs on a
80C86 chip, has 640K of random access memory (RAM) expandable to
1M, and a 20-megabyte hard drive. The LTE/286 runs on a 12
megahertz 286 chip. The standard 640K of RAM is expandable to
4.6M and has a 1.44-megabyte disk drive. It's available with
either a 20 or 40 MB hard drive.

The LTE has been reduced $250, to $1,749. The LTE/286 with a 20M
hard drive has dropped from $2,499 to $1,949 while the 40M
version dropped $550 to $2,249.

In June of this year Newsbytes reported that Compaq had dropped
the suggested retail price of four of its Deskpro personal
computers and the Compaq intelligent Array Expansion System.
Those cuts ranged from four percent for a Deskpro 38s with a 40M
hard drive to 23 percent for the expansion system.

"We believe this new pricing will make them (the LTE) even more
attractive to these customers (Fortune 1000 companies) as well as
small businesses and individuals who want to step up to Compaq
quality."

(Jim Mallory/19910722/Press Contact:John Sweney, Compaq,
713-374-4616)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22  ****SILICON'S NEW IRIS INDIGO RISC MACHINE 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00023)

 ****SILICON'S NEW IRIS INDIGO RISC MACHINE 07/22/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Silicon Graphics
has unveiled its latest weapon in the exploding workstation
market -- a low-end machine complete with three-dimensional
capabilities, called the IRIS Indigo.

The Indigo includes a color monitor, high-quality CD-audio
and video features with microphones included and a base price of
$7,995 for 8 megabytes of RAM.

The distinction between the high-end personal computer and low-end
workstation markets is becoming more blurred every week. The
next large market boon is seen to be this niche market of low-priced
graphics-oriented machines.

Edward R. McCracken, president and chief executive officer of
Silicon Graphics, said: "The PC and workstation
worlds are converging. Out of this fusion, a new type of product will
emerge -- the RISC personal computer."

Reduced instruction-set computer (RISC) microprocessors reduce the
number of instructions performed by the processor, which speeds up
operations of the desktop computer. A MIPS RISC processor powers the
Indigo.

The release will be a shot in the arm for the ACE (Advanced Computing
Environment) consortium, which consists of major software and hardware
vendors all hoping to stake a claim on developing RISC technology.
Silicon Graphics is one of the members. Other members include Compaq
Computer Corporation and Digital Equipment Corp. ACE was formed to
compete head-to-head with workstation leader Sun Microsystems, and
the number two company, Hewlett-Packard, for future market share.

Apple recently threw its hat into the workstation ring with IBM by signing
a letter of intent to develop future RISC technology based on IBM's
RS/6000 technology.

One of the biggest advantages of the new product, apart from its
comparatively low price, is that it not only supports current software
designed for the Silicon Graphics' platforms, but will also be
compatible with future operating system software being developed
by ACE, should that consortium succeed in its intention of producing
future products.

Adobe Systems has already shown support for the new product by
announcing that a version its Adobe Illustrator will be available for the
IRIS Indigo personal computers sometime in 1992. Autodesk will
be releasing a version of AutoCAD for the Indigo. Other products announced
and under development for the workstation are from top companies:
Wordperfect, Spyglass, BioCAD, Time Arts, Interleaf, and Informix.

Silicon Graphics first licensed Adobe's Display PostScript system
in October of 1990 and the IRIS Indigo is the first Silicon Graphics
product to support the technology.

Adobe claims that with Display PostScript system, IRIS Indigo users
will have access to a true WYSIWYG computing environment, since
the images viewed on workstation displays will precisely match the
output from PostScript printers.

"Using an IRIS Indigo RISC personal computer with the Display
PostScript system gives users the truest possible WYSIWYG effect
between their display and a PostScript printer,'' said Dave Pratt, vice
president and general manager of Adobe's Application Products
Division. ''Now, by adding Adobe Illustrator to that combination, users
can create any illustration they can imagine, display it precisely, and
print exactly what they saw on screen - saving on time, effort and
test pages."

High-end workstations sell for as much as $80,000. The new
Indigo is certainly an attempt to cash-in on the prospective low-end
user. To date graphics workstations have been used by technical,
scientific, and creative professionals who could afford them, but,
says Silicon Graphics' Indigo public relations manager, Betsy Wahlquist,
"a whole group of new users will join them due to the price point. "

Wahlquist says the Indigo will be capable of performing the same
special effects that high-end Silicon Graphics workstations performed
for the film "Terminator 2" -- only at a slower pace. The Industrial
Light and Magic production company created scenes in which a
character was metamorphosized, for which the firm has won critical
acclaim, on the Silicon Graphics' $50,000 graphics workstation.

(Ian Stokell & Wendy Woods/19910722)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 SYBASE FILES FOR IPO STOCK SALE 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00024)

SYBASE FILES FOR IPO STOCK SALE 07/22/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Joining the growing
ranks of companies which think this is an attractive time to go
public, Sybase has announced that it has filed a registration
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed IPO or
initial public offering of 3.5 million shares of common stock,
1,250,000 of which will be sold by existing stockholders. The
sale is expected to take place sometime soon after the middle of
August.

An IPO is the first publicly listed sale of stock in a
corporation when existing private stockholders (company owners)
have an opportunity to cash in the increased value of their
company and the company gets working capital to use in operations
or to pay off debts.

Emeryville, California-based Sybase markets a number of SQL or
structured query language relational database products.

Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers, and Hambrecht & Quist Inc.,
are underwriters, and the price of the stock is expected to be between
$10 and $12 per share.

The sales prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained by
writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street, New York, NY
10004; Lehman Brothers, American Express Tower, World Financial
Center, New York, NY 10285-1700; or Hambrecht & Quist Inc., One
Bush Street, 18th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.

(John McCormick/19910722/Press Contact: Kathryn C. Nyrop, Sybase
Inc., 415-596-3500)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 NEC OFFERS SAMPLE 16MB DRAM 07/22/91

07/22/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00025)

NEC OFFERS SAMPLE 16MB DRAM 07/22/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- NEC
Electronics has announced that it is now making sample production
runs of its new 16-megabit (Mb) CMOS or complimentary metal oxide
semiconductor DRAM (dynamic random access memory) memory chips
in the U.S. at the company's 676,000-square-foot Roseville,
California plant. The plant is nearing completion of its
expansion from 220,000 square feet to the much larger size.

The high-capacity DRAM memory chips are intended for use in high-
end personal computers, workstations, and massively parallel
computers.

The new 70-, 80-, and 100-nanosecond uPD4216100 and uPD4216400
DRAMs use a 0.55-micron CMOS manufacturing process and
incorporate stacked capacitor storage cells.

The senior product marketing manager for 4Mb and 16Mb DRAMs,
Cecil Conkle, says that the technology used in making these 16-
megabit chips "will aid in the development of other advanced
memories, microprocessors and ASICs (application specific
integrated circuit)."

Available now in sample quantities at $300 each, the 16-megabit
DRAM will go into volume production by the end of this year.

The new uPD4216100 16 Mb x 1 DRAM and uPD4216400 4M x 4 DRAM
chips will be available in small outline J-lead (SOJ), zigzag
in-line packages (ZIP), and thin small outline (TSOP) Type II
packages.

For literature, call 1-800-632-3531 or fax [phone]. For
technical support call 1-800-366-9782 or a local NEC sales
office.

(John McCormick/19910722/Press Contact: Nikki Tanis, NEC
Electronics, 415-965-6620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 BSA CHARGES 3RD KOREAN FIRM WITH SOFTWARE PIRACY 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00026)

BSA CHARGES 3RD KOREAN FIRM WITH SOFTWARE PIRACY 07/22/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- The Business
Software Alliance (BSA) has announced the filing by the South
Korean government of criminal charges involving software piracy
against a South Korean garment firm, Pacific Fashion Co. Ltd.

BSA Director of Public Affairs Laurie Forte told Newsbytes that
this is the third instance of South Korean government action as
a result of complaints by BSA. In May of this year, Dae Lim
Motorcycling Marketing Ltd and Tae Young Industrial Co. Ltd
were charged with breaking the 1987 Korean Computer
Program Protection Law, which forbids unauthorized copying
for both own use and resale, the same charges filed against
Pacific Fashion Co. Ltd.

Forte told Newsbytes that Pacific Fashion Co. Ltd. was utilizing
stolen copies of Microsoft Windows, Lotus 1-2-3 and dBASE III+
throughout its organization. She said that she was unable to
reveal the source of the original information which led to the
investigation.

Forte also said that she felt that other countries were coming to
a greater realization of the importance of respecting
copyrighted material. She said "The BSA has recommended the
strengthening of Eastern European laws and at the last CEBIT
show there was great interest from these areas in copyright
protection as well as computer viruses. They have come to
understand that viruses are often spread with pirated software
and that this is a very practical reason to use only original
diskettes."

BSA Director Robert Holleyman was quoted as saying that the
crackdown on software piracy in South Korea is just beginning.
BSA is an organization set up to protect US software copyrights
throughout the world. It is an affiliate of Software Publishers
Association (SPA) which, among its functions, performs the
same protection role on a domestic basis. BSA's members are
Microsoft Corp., Ashton-Tate Corp., Aldus Corp, AutoDesk Inc .,
Digital Research, Lotus Development Corp , Novell Inc., and
WordPerfect.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Laurie Forte,
Business Software Alliance, 202-737-7060/19910722)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 IBM & BBN RECEIVE NAVAL CONTRACT 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00027)

IBM & BBN RECEIVE NAVAL CONTRACT 07/22/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Bolt Beranek
and Newman Inc. (BBN) has announced that the team of IBM
and BBN has been selected by the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval
Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) to provide full-scale
engineering development of the Fixed Distributed System Shore
Signal and Information Processing Segment (FDS SSIPS).

BBN and IBM's Federal Sector Division have been working
together on FDS since 1988 with BBN's role involving the
definition of the overall operational concept for FDS, major
software development and training. FDS SSIPS competition
began in 1988 with five teams bidding on the Design Definition
Phase. In 1989, teams of IBM-BBN and General Electric-
Computer Sciences-Raytheon were selected for the competitive
Design Phase. In late 1990, the IBM-BBN team successfully
completed the Preliminary Design Review and submitted
proposals for the Full-Scale Engineering Development Phase.

Announcing the award, Stephen R. Levy, chairman and CEO of
BBN, said, "The Navy's selection of the IBM-BBN team confirms
our belief that by working together we can more effectively
bring all the necessary resources and expertise to address the
Navy's needs. While we expect that the impact on BBN's results
in the current year will be modest, we are optimistic about the
long-term potential of the FDS program, and we look forward to
working with IBM on it."

Full-scale development of FDS calls for a five-year contract
with three follow-on one-year options for support. BBN
spokesperson Jeffrey Palmer told Newsbytes that no value for
the contract has been stated, as yet, because negotiations
between the team and the U.S. Navy have not been completed.

Palmer said, "Our team has been chosen over the team led by
GE. We are to finalize the actual contract and the value of the
contract will be announced when the contract work is
completed."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Jeffrey
Palmer, Bolt, Beranek and Newman Inc., 617-873-3953/19910722)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 IBM CHARGES COMPUTER ASSOCIATES IN COMDISCO SUIT 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00028)

IBM CHARGES COMPUTER ASSOCIATES IN COMDISCO SUIT 07/22/91
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- IBM
Credit Corp. has announced that it has modified its complaint against
Comdisco, Inc., for illegally reselling its equipment to add Computer
Associates, Inc. as an additional party.

IBM and its subsidiary, IBM Credit Corp., also transferred the suit,
originally filed on January 24th, from the Delaware Court of
Chancery to Superior Court of Delaware. Earlier this month, the
Chancery Court concluded that it did not have jurisdiction to
hear the case and gave IBM Credit Corp. 20 days in which to
transfer its case to the Superior Court. The Chancery Court did
not make any decision on the merits of the case.

The initial suit charged that Comdisco engaged in elaborate
schemes in which property belonging to IBM Credit was
illegally transferred, re-leased or sold. At the time of its filing,
IBM spokesperson Carol Moore told Newsbytes that Comdisco has
engaged in the removal of equipment or parts belonging to IBM
Credit from the offices of IBM Credit clients and has
then re-leased the computers or components to Comdisco clients.

Moore said that this practice came to IBM Credit's attention in
late 1989 when it found itself "bidding against Comdisco when
Comdisco was actually using IBM hardware as the basis for its bid."

Moore explained the alleged activities of Comdisco saying that "IBM
Credit Corp. clients have, on occasion, found that the equipment that
they had leased from us was at some point too powerful for their
present needs. Comdisco would lease a less powerful system to them
and would remove our entire computer or parts of the computer. It
would then repackage the computer or parts as part of a Comdisco
leasing system. We would continue to be paid as though the customer
still had the equipment so we were unaware that it was going on."

Announcing the filing of the amended complaint in Superior
Court, IBM Credit President Harry L. Kavetas said, "We are
continuing this litigation for the same reason we initiated it in
the first place. We are deadly serious about protecting our
assets. We continue to believe that when our assets are
protected, so are our customers' interests. While the refiled suit
has been simplified in the interest of obtaining a quick and
clear resolution, its basic premise remains unchanged. We are
seeking to enforce the most basic right afforded to all property
owners - the right to control and protect their property. Simply
put, you cannot take property that belongs to someone else."

The amended complaint filed by IBM contains the alleged
history of a transaction involving an IBM 3090 computer which
IBM holds to be indicative of Comdisco's allegedly illegal
behavior. In this specific situation, IBM alleges that parts of
IBM Credit's 3090 computer, including two thermal
conduction modules (TCMs), and 128 megabytes of expanded
storage and associated equipment were removed, then sold or
leased in violation of IBM Credit's lease and sublease
agreements. Some of these parts were eventually traced to
various locations in the United States and Europe.

IBM spokesperson Ray Gorman explained to Newsbytes the
addition of Computer Associates to the suit, saying, "The 3090
that we mention in the original complaint was leased to
Computer Associates by IBM Credit Corporation and it is our
understanding that Computer Associates had knowledge of the
removal of IBM parts from the system by Comdisco. It is not
clear at this time how much knowledge that Computer
Associates had of the subsequent actions of Comdisco."

Gorman continued, "At the end of the lease, when the system
was due to be returned to us, we found that components of the
3090 were not the original IBM parts. When we questioned
Computer Associates as to the whereabouts of our original
parts, they were unable to account for them."

At the time of the initial filing, analysts familiar with computer
leasing practices told Newsbytes that the transferral of leased
components to other computers has been going on for years
and that someone returning a machine at the end of a lease
may have swapped components as long as comparable value
was present in the returned system. IBM's leases, however,
require that leased systems continue to contain the same IBM
serialized components until the end of the lease and this suit
attempts to enforce its position.

Comdisco, which has denied any wrong-doing, has committed to
the Delaware Court, that if its conduct is found to be unlawful,
it will halt its taking and remarketing of IBM Credit equipment
without IBM Credit's consent.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Ray Gorman,
IBM Credit Corp., 203-352-5103/19910722)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 IBM TO INVEST $1 BILLION IN CHIP-MAKING SYSTEM 07/22/91

07/22/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00029)

IBM TO INVEST $1 BILLION IN CHIP-MAKING SYSTEM 07/22/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- IBM will,
over a 10-year period, invest approximately $1 billion in an
experimental system to produce memory chips more efficiently and
economically.

The project, first reported in the New York Times and confirmed to
Newsbytes by a senior IBM executive, involves the development of a
system by which on intense X-rays from the 27-ton machine,
called a superconducting synchrotron storage ring, will etch
circuits many times finer than those now made by light beams.

The Times report said that, while the IBM product is the only
one of its scale in the United States, Japan has more than 10
similar projects. The IBM executive told Newsbytes that,
although Japan may have that many projects under way, only 4
are at the state of the IBM one.

The IBM source also confirmed that Motorola, a partner with
IBM in the development of the improved RISC 6000 processor,
is also an investor in the superconducting synchrotron storage
ring. It is estimated that the machine itself will cost up to $20
million.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910722)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 ACCLAIM'S $6.8 MILLION 3RD QUARTER LOSS 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00030)

ACCLAIM'S $6.8 MILLION 3RD QUARTER LOSS 07/22/91
OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) -- Acclaim
Entertainment, Inc. has announced revenues of $16.4 million
for its third quarter ended May 31, 1991, and a net loss for the
period of $6.8 million. The company blames an economic depression
and a soft games industry largely for the loss.

For the same quarter in the previous fiscal year, Acclaim had
reported revenues of $26.1 million and net profit of $1.8
million. According to the firm's statement, "The financial results
for the period reflect significant increases in reserves for
customer allowances implemented during what is traditionally
the interactive entertainment industry's softest quarter."

Announcing the figures, Robert Holmes, president of Acclaim,
said, "While we are obviously not proud of the quarter's results,
we feel that taking a more aggressive approach with our
reserves is in the best interests of the company. We anticipate
a return to profitability in our fourth quarter and a strong
holiday selling season fueled, in part, by the launch of
Nintendo's new 16-bit system."

Holmes discussed the announcement with Newsbytes, saying,
"While I don't believe in mitigating circumstances for a loss and
I am not pleased at all with the figures, there are a number of
factors that should be understood. There is a continuing
depression no matter what Alan Greenspan says and that, of
course, affects the entertainment market. The market is
somewhat soft as retailers wait for the Nintendo 16-bit system.
The retailers are being very conservative in stocking their 8-
bit inventories."

Holmes continued, "On top of that, our cost increased due to a
number of start-up actions. We are both entering the personal
computer software market and working on products for the
new 16-bit game market. Additionally, we are beginning our
own manufacturing -- previously it was done in the Far East --
and we are, for the first time, marketing heavily in Europe. All
of these factors add to our costs and caused us to increase our
reserves."

Holmes concluded, "Once again, these items are mentioned as
explanations, not excuses. I believe that we should be
profitable in spite of these factors and expect to be so in the
fourth quarter."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Anthony
Williams, Acclaim Entertainment, 516-922-2400/19910722)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 22 DATA GENERAL INTRODUCES 386SX NOTEBOOK 07/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00031)

DATA GENERAL INTRODUCES 386SX NOTEBOOK 07/22/91
WESTBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 22 (NB) --
Data General Corp. has announced the introduction of the
Walkabout /320 Notebook Computer, a 80386SX-based
computer.

Pricing for the Walkabout/320 begins at $3,695 for the two
megabyte RAM, 40MB unit.

The Walkabout /320 is based on the 20 MHz Intel 80386SX
processor and, with battery pack, weighs less than 6 pounds
and has dimensions of 8.5" x 11" x 1.8". It contains 2-MB RAM
memory (expandable to 6-MB), a 40MB or 60MB hard disk,
an internal 1.44-MB, 3.5-inch floppy diskette drive, an RS-232
serial port, a parallel interface, and interfaces for an external
monitor, a numeric keypad and a PS/2-style mouse.

The battery is a removable, rechargeable NiCad battery which
Data General says provides a minimum of 3 hours of continuous
operation. A universal, autosensing AC adapter is also provided
as standard equipment.

Optional add-ons for the Walkabout /320 include an 80387SX
math coprocessor, back-up battery pack, soft carrying case,
external ''accounting-style'' numeric keypad, memory upgrade
kits, and internal 2400-bps modem with 4800-bps send-FAX
capability.

In conjunction with the notebook computer
announcement, Data General also announced price reductions
of up to 17% across the spectrum of its Dasher PC line of products.
Making the announcements, Dave Ruberg, vice president of Data
General's PC Business Unit, said, ''PCs continue to play an
important role in Data General's business strategy to its
installed base. Today's pricing actions and the notebook PC are
tactically important to this strategy. For example, the
Walkabout /320 is one of the smallest, lightest 80386SX
notebooks available today."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Chris
Sampson, Data General Corp., 508/898-4288/19910722)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 29  BoCoEx Index 7/22/91

07/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00032)

 BoCoEx Index 7/22/91
 Boston Computer Exchange
 for the week ending July 19, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 IBM PC 176               Floppy      200 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      450 -          500    350

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      600 -          675    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      625 -          725    600

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      775 -         1000    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      500 -          700    450

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1150 -         1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model L40SX     60 MgB     3400 -         3500   3400

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1100 -         1450   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1300 -         1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     1600 -         2200   1400

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1300 -         1700   1300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2300 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3400 -         3600   3200

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 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 up 100    1900   1600

 Compaq LTE-386           40 MgB     2700 -         2800   2600

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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      850 -         1000    800

 Zenith TurboSport-386    40 MgB     1700 -         1900   1600

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Macintosh Plus           Floppy      500 -          750    500

 Macintosh Plus           20 MgB      750 -          975    700

 Macintosh Classic        40 MgB     1050 down 50   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     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2225 -         2500   2100

 Macintosh IIX            80 MgB     3550 -         3600   3500

 Macintosh IICX           80 MgB     3300 -         3600   3200

 Macintosh IICI           80 MgB     3850 -         4300   3750

 Macintosh IIFX           80 MgB     5300 -         5800   5200

 Macintosh IISI           40 MgB     2950 -         3400   2700

 Macintosh Portable       40 MgB     2600 -         3400   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      350 -          400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      800 -          950    750

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 225 -          350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               2000 -         2500   2000

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                       925 -         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     1300 -         1450   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     2200 -         2800   2200

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1500 -         1800   1300

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2700 -         2900   2600

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     1800 down 100  2000   1700

 Toshiba T-5200          100 MgB     3200 -         3800   3100

BoCoEx Index
News and Closing Prices
from the Boston Computer Exchange

New System Puts Data Where you are, Right Now
Boston, July 19, 1991 -- The Boston Computer Exchange opened its new Fax
Yourself Information system today making a wide variety of reports and data
available to clients in their fax machines instantly.  The FYI system is a
voice-activated fax-response computerized system that stores hundreds of
documents and allows callers to request the data they want and have it sent
directly to their fax machine.  In a market where data changes by the hour
and clients need standard information about buying and selling, an instant
fax service is a key tool for conducting business.

Clients can place a call to the new service, request a specific extension,
and receive the information directly into their fax machine.  Among the
extensions are one for BoCoEx Index, allowing regular readers of BoCoEx Index
to send the report right to their fax machine, or to any other fax machine.
The new computerized service is available 24 hours a day from any fax machine
on the planet.

New Reports on FYI
Other reports available on the Fax Yourself Information system include: For
Sale - In Stock, Want to Buy List, BoCoEx Index 9 year price comparison,
MacMarket, news announcements and forms for posting listings.

To use the new system call 617-542-2345 and ask for one or more of the
following extensions.  When the system asks for a fax number, key in your fax
number and in a few minutes the report will come out of your fax machine.
Here are some of the extensions in use by Boston Computer Exchange:

300 Current BoCoEx Index

301 Information on BoCoEx Index

302 Listing Form: To offer equipment

310 How We Do Business

312 Background on Boston Computer Exchange

314 For Sale, In Stock, Available Now

315 We want to BUY

320 Research Analysis Forecasts and Trends

321 Nine Year BoCoEx Price Comparison

322 How to participate in TechTrade

324 ETA Form for TechTrade

333 Alex Randall's Used Computer Handbook, Contents and Order Form

344 MacMarket

Market News

The market was mellow for the middle of the summer.  Last weeks prices were
mostly stable.  The IBM volume leaders of the week were the IBM AT 339 at
$775 and the basic PS/2 Model 70 at $2300 with rich configurations ranging as
high as $3000.  Among the Compaq computers, all models were in trade
at stable prices with just the 40 Megabyte Compaq LTE-286 posting a gain of
$100 to $1800. The MacMarket was strong in volume and only the Classic
changes its value this week with a drop of $50 to $1050. The Apple 2 GS was
the volume leader among Apple products this week and the Mac Plus was a near
second in volume.

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: [phone]. BoCoEx
Database is on CompuServe: GO BCE, on Delphi: ME BO.

(Bocoex/1991718)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUL 17 Review of: Satisfaxtion PC fax/modem board, 07/19/91

07/19/91



(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00027)

Review of: Satisfaxtion PC fax/modem board, 07/19/91

Runs on: PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, AND 100% compatibles with 640K
RAM (with at least 350K of memory free) using PC/MS-DOS, and a
VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules compatible monochrome monitor. The
computer needs to have at least 10 megabytes of free disk space
and a mouse is recommended. The scanner capability can be used on
a fast PC-AT class or above.

From: Intel Personal Computer Enhancement Operation, CO3-7, 5200
N.E. Elam Young Pkwy, Hillsboro OR 97124-6497, 503-629-7354,
800-538-3373.

Price: $499.00

PUMA Rating: 3.3 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

SUMMARY: Satisfaxtion is a valued addition to your 386SX,
or better, computer.

======

REVIEW

======

"Look what they've done to my board, Mom."

It seemed that Intel had really botched the job on Satisfaxtion.
There had been two of them. The first once, sent to Newsbytes for
review, had numerous serious flaws. I found that the
memory-resident programs, especially Faxpop, were unruly. I
immediately eliminated Faxpop, from my AUTOEXEC.BAT. file
Faxpop, is the program used to redirect and send a fax out
directly from your word processor.

The problems with Faxpop, seem to persist with the second board
they've sent. If you must use this RAM-resident program for
whatever reason you must then remember that the command Faxpop, /U
will unload it if it was the last loaded RAM-resident program.

However, the memory-resident program called CASMGR had some
documented compatibility problems with other programs, including
DesqView. I repeat: CASMGR is required in order to make use of
the fax board segment of Satisfaxtion.

Fortunately there is a way to overcome the problems with
CASMGR thanks to Quarterdeck. Its DV-BBS has a program called
HOOKINT.ZIP which will allow Satisfaxtion to send and receive
a fax from DESQview. This and other programs are also obtainable
via Intel's BBS and there it is called DESQfax.COM. These
files were developed by Quarterdeck and must
be uncompressed in order to be used.

There are also problems with interrupts which may have to be changed
during the installation process. <WARNING>: Stay away from IRQ#5.
It mentions in the manual that there may be conflicts with the
hard disk controller on PC-XT class machines resulting in data
loss. I'm not sure it stops there and think that it might have
been better if Intel had not given this IRQ as an option. I
stayed away from IRQ#5 when installing the second board. No
problem.

The first Satisfaxtion board finally destroyed itself in the
process of connecting with MCI Mail. Somehow it tried to receive
a fax at the same time it was handshaking with the MCI Mail
modem. It fried and I yanked it out of my computer.

Whatever the problem was, it seems to have been worked out on the
second Satisfaxtion board I received. The modem and fax boards
seem to work fine. I've send a couple of group faxes out and, of
course, have used the modem now for much longer than I had the
first one. No problems.

All in all, the first fax/modem board Intel sent me was no fun
and I would not have recommended that a consumer use it; however,
Intel seems to have worked the bugs out and it is working pretty
much as advertised.

I might add at this time that I reviewed the Intel Connection
Co-Processor last year. It was a fine fax board with a quality Intel
2400 baud modem piggybacked on it. I have felt extremely good
about recommending it to consumers in the market for facsimile
services of a type best rendered by a fax card. I hope Intel does
not take the Connection Co-Processor off the market too soon.

Also, when the board first came out the purported scanner
capability did not appear to really exist. The drivers were not
provided with the board. And references to this capability found
in the index of the manual do not exist in the pages of the
manual. Information and drivers for the scanner are being shipped
with the scanner itself. Of course, you don't find out until you
get the scanner that a PC-XT class computer is too slow for the
scanner to utilize. This bit of information is cited in the
"Recent News about the Hand Scanner" sent with the scanner
separately from the Satisfaxtion board.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (3.8) I had some serious problems with the first one
shipped to me; however, with the second board, Intel
seems to have worked out the bugs. The board functions quite well
now but I still do not like some of the included software.

USEFULNESS: (3.4) The concepts are great, and now that they work
well it is quite useful. Don't expect to use the scanner
capability on a machine less than a speedy PC-AT class computer.
The scanner compatibility issues should be included on the
outside of the Satisfaxtion box.

MANUAL: (2) There are problems when the index of a manual refers
to pages of information which do not exist. This is a bigger
problem when those pages are important to the function of
advertised features of the product. Also, there should be more
attention drawn to information that is critical to the integrity
of the consumer's data. Flags, warnings, and bright colors, maybe
as attractive as those used in advertisements, should be
employed. There needs to be a rewrite.

AVAILABILITY: (4) It seems to be readily available. Satisfaxtion
facsimile/modem cards are sold through a network of value-added
resellers and retailers. CompUSA has it available for $389.93 and
it can had from EggHead Software for $439.99.

(tbass HNDYPRSN/19910515/Press Contact: Susan Breshears, Intel,
503-221-1063; fax [phone])

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUL 19 HP AWARDS AT&T 3-YEAR $42.6 MILLION DEAL 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SFO)(00001)

HP AWARDS AT&T 3-YEAR $42.6 MILLION DEAL 07/19/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- AT&T has
been awarded a 3-year, $42.6 million contract by Hewlett-Packard to
supply customized voice and data network services for the computer
company's offices nationwide.

According to HP, the agreement will also provide the company with
centralized service management to oversee network performance,
custom billing and network maintenance.

Henry D. Taylor, manager of Hewlett-Packard's Corporate Network
Services, said: "This contract will help us not only control our
telecommunications costs, but will help us evolve our network to
support changing business requirements."

HP also hopes that the deal will help provide for additional data
and voice service overseas.

(Ian Stokell/19910719/Press Contact: Jeffrey Price, Hewlett-Packard,
415-424-3657)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 CADENCE DESIGN EARNS $2.3 MILLION IN 2Q 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00002)

CADENCE DESIGN EARNS $2.3 MILLION IN 2Q 07/19/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- As anticipated,
Cadence Design Systems has posted a revenue increase of three
percent for the second quarter ended Jun 30, 1991, and announced
net income of $2.3 million, which was lower than originally expected.

The figure represents a decrease in income of 71 percent over the
same quarter in 1990, which had an income of $7.9 million. Revenue
for the quarter was $53.7 million, compared to $52.3 million for the
same period in 1990.

Net income per share for the quarter was $0.07 compared to $0.24 for
the same period last year.

Six month results showed a ten percent increase in revenue from
$102.5 million last year, to $113.1 million this year. Net income for
the six months was down 46 percent to $8.7 million compared with
$16.2 million for the first six months of 1990.

The company said that the decline in revenues was due to
"Unfavorable economic conditions that have affected the electronics
industry generally and have continued longer than anticipated."

The company recently signed a five-year joint technology exchange
and partnering agreement with AT&T Microelectronics.

Cadence recently formed a new Systems Division and Consulting
Services group to handle the company's entry into the printed
circuit board (PCB) design layout and services markets.

(Ian Stokell/19910719/Press Contact: Leonard J. LeBlanc, Cadence
Design Systems, 408-943-1234)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19  ****FUJITSU COUNTERATTACKS TI ON KILBY COPYRIGHT 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TYO)(00003)

 ****FUJITSU COUNTERATTACKS TI ON KILBY COPYRIGHT 07/19/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Fujitsu is countersuing Texas
Instruments, claiming that it has no obligation to pay a fee for
a fundamental chip copyright TI won in Japan after a 29-year
fight with the Japanese patent office. The countersuit comes
within a day of TI's filing a lawsuit against Fujitsu, claiming
Fujitsu has infringed the copyright in question -- called the
Kilby patent.

The Kilby patent is a basic patent covering the fundamental
concept of integrating the elements of an electronic circuit in a
single piece of semiconductor material, says TI, which claims
ownership of the patent in Japan until October 27, 2001.
Texas Instruments claims this copyright is applicable to any and
all ICs produced, used, or marketed in Japan. TI's arguments
have convinced major Japanese chipmakers such as Toshiba, NEC,
Matsushita, Samsung, and Oki Electric, which have paid TI
copyright fees for use of the Kilby patent.

Fujitsu, however, has chosen to challenge TI's rights, claiming
that it is producing ICs under a different technology that does
not apply to TI's Kilby method -- the circuit insulation method
and the transistor circuit connection method.

Despite their differences, Fujitsu and TI have just settled
on a new cross-licensing agreement pertaining to IC technologies
excluding the Kilby copyright. Fujitsu's director, Hikotaro
Masunaga, is quoted by the Nikkei newspaper as saying that
left unresolved was the matter of the Kilby copyright, and a
Tokyo District Court judge will decide the matter.

"We are confident that an impartial tribunal acting with full
knowledge of the facts and history surrounding the 'Kilby' patent
will uphold our claim and expeditiously resolve the litigation with
Fujitsu," said Richard J. Agnich, TI senior vice president and
general counsel.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910719/Press Contact: Fujitsu, +81-3-3215-
5236; Terri West, 214-995-3481, or Stan Victor, 214-995-2984,
both of Texas Instruments)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 SPRINT BUILDING DATA NETWORK IN POLAND 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)

SPRINT BUILDING DATA NETWORK IN POLAND 07/19/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Sprint will
build its first nationwide packet-switched data network and
electronic messaging system in Eastern Europe for Powszechna
Kasa Oszczednosci, b.p., the largest bank in Poland with over
600 offices.

The network, with a phase-one contract value of nearly
$7 million, will be one of the largest in the region.

PKO will use PKONet to expand its Automated Teller Machine service,
expedite its point-of-sale and credit card verification processes
and to support electronic messaging for internal communications.
The first phase of the network will link the bank's main branches in
each of 49 Polish municipalities as well as with some 50 additional
bank branches throughout Poland. Subsequent phases will expand the
network to all of the more than 600 branches.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719/Press Contact: Vince Hovanec, US Sprint,
202-828-7423)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19  ****BOGUS 800 MODEM LINE LIST PLAGUES VENDORS 07/19/91

07/19/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

 ****BOGUS 800 MODEM LINE LIST PLAGUES VENDORS 07/19/91
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- There
are no bulletin boards taking calls on toll-free 800 lines.
Lyle Tartak, whose I.D. Disk Co. has a toll-free line for customer's
voice calls, is tired of saying this, but he continues to get
modem calls into the line for which he must pay. I.D. distributes
computer disks and duplicates disks for software developers.

All this started, Mr. Tartak told Newsbytes, when the November, 1988
edition of "Computer Shopper" magazine published what purported to
be a list of toll-free bulletin board numbers from a man named Hal
Nieburg. The list, unfortunately, was bogus, and while the magazine,
he said, printed a small retraction of the story in subsequent
issues, that still hasn't stopped the calls.

A year after the story ran, Tartak wrote Ziff-Davis general counsel
Malcolm Morris. "I have waited almost a year to give you an idea of
the frequency of the calls," he wrote. "I have personally answered
5211." Since then, Tartak told Newsbytes, the calls have continued
to come in, spurred perhaps by republication of the list in TRS-80
and Procomm Plus literature.

Tartak is hoping that some full-page ads retracting the story from
"Computer Shopper" might do the trick, but unfortunately such
stories tend to take a life of their own -- like the Eskimos'
mythical 23 words for snow, the supposed devil-worship signs in
the Proctor & Gamble seal, and the continuing rumors that
McDonald's hamburgers have worms, all of which are and always
have been truly false.

So, once again, we'll repeat. If you see a list of toll-free numbers
which supposedly are attached to bulletin boards, get rid of it.
Tell your friends not to use it. It doesn't work. Calling them will
hurt innocent people.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719/Press Contact: Lyle Tartak, I.D. Disk,
818-882-6457, Computer Shopper, 212-503-3500)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19  ****SAN FRANCISCO TV STATION TO BROADCAST MAGAZINE 07/19/91

07/19/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(ATL)(00006)

 ****SAN FRANCISCO TV STATION TO BROADCAST MAGAZINE 07/19/91
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- KOFY-TV,
channel 20 in San Francisco, announced it will broadcast a
magazine around 2 AM on October 1. Not a magazine show.
A magazine, generated on a Macintosh.

The Future Media StillFrame Edition will go by in only one minute
sometime between 1:56 and 2:00 AM. The pictures will be still
frames -- computer-generated magazine pages which are filmed onto
tape. To most viewers, the minute will look like a garbled MTV
station break, but Publisher and Editor Taylor Barcroft told
Newsbytes that voice-overs before and during the broadcast will
explain what's going on.

The idea is that viewers will set up their VCRs to
record the magazine while they sleep, then play it back
frame-by-frame at their leisure and "read" it. A good TV and a
four-head VCR will both be required for proper viewing.

The StillFrame magazine is produced by scanning images
captured by cameras of H-8 video into a Macintosh II, then laying it
out with a publishing program, using type fonts no smaller than 24
points so they can be read from a distance. StillFrame will
publicize its showing with a variety of media buys. They include a
cross-promotional idea with VCR dealers who sell the monophonic VHS
VCRs with jog-dial remotes from JVC and Mitsubishi, which are
required to view the magazine. "They list for $450, and street
prices are about $400," Barcroft said.

There are three ways a StillFrame publisher can make money, he adds.
"A toll-free 800 number gets me leads," and those leads are sold
back to vendors as prospect mailing lists. "A 900 number lets people
listen to audio for each page, by punching in a page number, and I'm
subletting frames to vendors as a form of ad space" for much less
than a conventional ad would cost.

Channel 20 is an independent station showing mostly old prime-time
programs.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719/Press Contact: Future Media, Taylor
Barcroft, 415-548-0341; KOFY, Mike Friedman, 415-821-2020)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 TALX AND ARISTACOM SIGN MARKETING AGREEMENT 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

TALX AND ARISTACOM SIGN MARKETING AGREEMENT 07/19/91
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- TALX, which
makes interactive voice response systems, and Aristacom
International, which makes intelligent call processing systems,
signed a cooperative marketing agreement. The result will give
TALX users the ability to screen and transfer a call to operators
in one step.

This means callers can be transferred throughout a company's
voice response system and not have to constantly repeat who
and where they are. For businesses, it means operators can
quickly get to a caller's problem without preliminaries,
reducing costs and increasing caller satisfaction.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719/Press Contact: Aristacom International
Susan Mills, 415/748-1533; TALX, Mike Smith, 314/434-0046)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 AUSTRALIAN EARTH SCIENCES DATA ONLINE 07/19/91

07/19/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00008)

AUSTRALIAN EARTH SCIENCES DATA ONLINE 07/19/91
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Students around Australia
will be able to access the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organization's (CSIRO's) Sage database through the
South Australian Department of Education's Nexus bulletin board
system (BBS).

Sage is a CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory) database covering
the areas of the environment, biology, agriculture, astronomy, and
technology, with an emphasis in these areas on the Australian and
South Pacific regions. The database is now available on Nexus, and
access is especially aimed at secondary schools and TAFE (Technical
and Further Education) colleges.

Sage is just one of the services offered to Australian students on
Nexus. Also available are science activities organized by Victorian
teachers, articles relating to food and nutrition, information on
the trans-Antarctic expedition, farm chemical management, and census
data.

(Sean McNamara/19910718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 AUSTRALIA: ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY CONCERNED OVER DEREGULATION 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00009)

AUSTRALIA: ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY CONCERNED OVER DEREGULATION 07/19/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- The Australian Electronics
Industries Association (AEIA) has expressed concerns over the "level
playing field" policy which is part of the telecommunications
industry deregulation plans of the Australian government. The AEIA
would like to see a role for local electronics firms guaranteed, or
it warns many innovations and fields of research will suffer.

The issue revolves around the appointment of a second
telecommunications carrier, and the resulting shake-up in the
Australian telecommunications market. The government has announced
plans to allow a level playing field, whereby international
suppliers can compete with local electronics companies, but the
AIEA sees this as a threat to the well-being of the local firms.

The AEIA quoted a government statement which said, "It is envisaged
that the carriers would be free to choose and exploit technologies
from around the world." The Association went on to say, "The
challenge is to use the entry of the new competitor to build on the
industry's development and increasingly outward focus. We don't want
to throw it away on the altar of free trade. The Australian
telecommunications equipment industry has an annual turnover of
around AUS$3B, has increased its exports three-fold in the last four
years, and employs 12,000 people. It is these performance levels the
AEIA wishes to see protected.

(Sean McNamara/19910718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 MOSCOW: PARAGRAPH'S FURTHER PEN PLANS 07/19/91

07/19/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TRENDS)(MOW)(00010)

MOSCOW: PARAGRAPH'S FURTHER PEN PLANS 07/19/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Stepan Pachikov, chief of
Moscow-based Paragraph, a leading pen-based software house, shed
light on his company's future plans.

In his speech before the attendees of PC World Forum in Moscow,
Pachikov said Paragraph is the only company in the world currently
with a commercially available package for recognition of
handwritten words without blank spaces between letters.

"This is new technology and everyone has an equal position.
This could be an opportunity for the Soviet software industry
to develop the world market," Pachikov said.

He says Grid Systems has licensed the recognition kernel
from Paragraph for the use in its computer due to be commercially
available in late summer of this year.

Pachikov also told the audience that Paragraph is starting to work
on a pen-based desktop publishing package.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910718/Press & Public contacts: Stepan
Pachikov, Paragraph, phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 NEW FOR MACINTOSH: 24-Bit Color Video Card For Mac II 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00011)

NEW FOR MACINTOSH: 24-Bit Color Video Card For Mac II 07/19/91
BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Micron Technology
has announced Xceed MacroColor II, a 24-bit video card for the
Macintosh II family of computers. The company says the new
card is targeted at the desktop publishing, paint/imaging,
and other graphics applications market.

Micron says the MacroColor II displays up to 16.7 million
simultaneous colors on many standard 13 and 14-inch monitors,
including the Apple RGB monitor, at a resolution of 640 by 480
pixels. A pixel, short for picture element, is the smallest element
of a display surface that can be independently assigned color or
intensity.

The MacroColor II can be used in 1,2,4,8 or 24-bit modes, and can
function in multiple monitor environments. The card takes up only
one expansion slot. Included is MacroPaint, a paint program, and
Virtual Video, a utility software program which provides desktop
expansion beyond the standard 640 by 480 pixels.

Xceed comes with a five year warranty for registered owners, and is
supported through Micron's toll-free support line, 800-642-7661.
Suggested list price is $569.

(Jim Mallory/19910718/Press Contact:Julie Nash, Micron Technology,
208-368-4400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 CANADA: BULL TO MARKET MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING 07/19/91

07/19/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00012)

CANADA: BULL TO MARKET MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING 07/19/91
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Bull HN Information
Systems will market Concord Municipal Accounting and Information
System (MAIS) software across Canada. The software comes from
Concord Consultants of Richmond, British Columbia.

Concord, an eight-year old computer software company, develops and
sells software to municipal governments in British Columbia. Under a
joint marketing agreement, Bull will sell the MAIS software to
Canadian municipalities, a spokeswoman said.

The Unix-based MAIS software runs on Bull's DPX2 series systems.
Bull officials said it is the country's largest supplier of hardware
and software to municipal governments.

(Grant Buckler/19910718/Press Contact: Betty de Sousa, The
Communications Group for Bull, 416-696-9900, fax [phone]; Patti
Knight, Bull HN Information Systems, 416-499-2855)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00013)

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED 07/19/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) - Massachusetts
State Governor William Weld has issued a statewide proclamation
designating the week ending September 15, 1991 as Software
Development Week for the State of Massachusetts.

During the week, plans call for several state software companies to
meet up with developers and users of their software from Fortune 500
companies at a special conference and exhibition called Software
Development '91. The event, now in its fourth year, provides a forum
for software developers to evaluate new concepts and techniques for
developing software more quickly and easily than has been possible
in the past, the event organizers claim.

Software Development 91 is produced by the Software Development
Conference and Show division of Miller Freeman, which lays claim to
being the third largest conference and trade show organizer in the
U.S.

Several software companies, including Adobe, Bachman Information
Systems, Borland International, and Symantec, have been signed up to
exhibit at the event. The Boston Computer Society, one of the
world's largest individual computer user groups, will hold special
meetings for their programming special interest groups at the
conference.

For further information about Software Development Week, interested
parties are asked to contact Robin Shepherd at 408/354-3181. To
register for Software Development '91, contact Lisa Monson at the
Software Development & Show Group in San Francisco - Tel:
415/905-2414; Fax: [phone].

(Steve Gold/19910718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 MOTOROLA SUPPORTS SNMP WIRELESS ETHERNET PRODUCT 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00014)

MOTOROLA SUPPORTS SNMP WIRELESS ETHERNET PRODUCT 07/19/91
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Motorola
has announced its support of a Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP) Agent as an addition to its Altair wireless Ethernet
product. The company says it is the first wireless LAN vendor to
support this standard. The feature is expected to be available
by January of next year.

The SNMP Agent is a network management element which gathers
network statistics and generates alarm messages for critical
conditions. Marketing Manager Mil Ovan says Motorola anticipated
the need for network management early in the design of the
wireless LAN product, and put the necessary "hooks" in place.
Ovan said that with support of SNMP Altair wireless LAN customers
will have a better understanding of the product evolution.

A wireless LAN replaces or extends the range of cables which have
traditionally been used to connect workstations and peripherals
on a network, and can reduce wiring costs and make the system
more flexible should devices have to be moved.

Customers ordering the SNMP option with their purchase of Altair
control or user modules will pay $95 per module. Existing Altair
modules can be upgraded for $150 per module, including shipping,
handling and labor.

Earlier this month Motorola announced that it had selected
MicroAge Computer Centers as their first national reseller of the
Altair wireless Ethernet.

(Jim Mallory/19910718/Press Contact:Cheryl Beck, Motorola,
708-632-2853)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 IBM EXEC NAMED TO CORPORATE WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME 07/19/91

07/19/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00015)

IBM EXEC NAMED TO CORPORATE WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME 07/19/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- IBM executive
Catherine Lewis has been named to the Corporate Women's Hall of
Fame. Lewis, 44, is the director of publishing solutions for
IBM's Applications Solutions Division in Boulder, supervising a
staff of 170 employees that develop software for desktop
publishing and provide marketing and finance support.

Lewis was also named this month as one of the country's most
powerful female executives by Black Entrepreneur magazine. She
joined IBM in 1979 after working for an IBM customer. Black
Entrepreneur characterized her as "a top-notch development
manager."

Born in Louisiana, Lewis says she excelled in math as a child,
and considered a career either in law or math, but in the seventh
grade decided to follow the math path and go into computer
research. She received her bachelor's degree from Grambling
University.

Lewis says she doesn't use math every day, but uses the training
constantly. "Mathematics provides a systematic approach to
problem solving, skills that are used throughout your life," she
said.

(Jim Mallory/19910718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19  ****2 CANADIAN DEALERS CHARGED WITH PIRACY 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00016)

 ****2 CANADIAN DEALERS CHARGED WITH PIRACY 07/19/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Four major software
vendors have charged computer dealers in Toronto and Calgary,
Alberta, with illegally copying and distributing their software.
Ashton-Tate, Lotus Development, Microsoft, and WordPerfect laid
charges in the Federal Court of Canada against Cotech Computers of
Toronto and Alberta Computers & Supplies of Calgary.

The Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST), a vendor
group of which Ashton-Tate, Lotus, and Microsoft are members,
announced the action. Two other CAAST members, Novell and
Quarterdeck Office Systems, are not involved.

The software in question includes MS-DOS Versions 4.01 and 5.0,
Lotus 1-2-3 Releases 2.01 and 3.1, dBASE IV, and WordPerfect 5.1
for DOS.

The dealers are charged with installing unauthorized copies of the
software on computers they sold. The suit seeks C$25,000 in damages
from each dealer, plus an injunction against such copying, a CAAST
spokesman told Newsbytes.

An employee at Alberta Computers & Supplies of Calgary said staff
had been instructed not to comment on the suit. Susanna Wong,
manager of Cotech, said the company is "still having meetings with
our lawyers," and she could not comment.

(Grant Buckler/19910719/Press Contact: Allan Reynolds, Continental
PIR Communications for CAAST, 416-598-8988; Frank Clegg, Microsoft
Canada, 416-568-0434; Colin Wyatt, Lotus Canada, 416-979-8000;
Alberta Computers & Supplies, 403-287-3463; Susanna Wong, Cotech,
416-977-8778)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 EICON NAMES SIEMENS NIXDORF AS U.K VAR 07/19/91

07/19/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00017)

EICON NAMES SIEMENS NIXDORF AS U.K VAR 07/19/91
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Eicon Technology has
announced a value-added reseller (VAR) agreement with Siemens
Nixdorf Information Systems of Bracknell, Berkshire, United
Kingdom.

Siemens Nixdorf will offer in the U.K. a series of network gateway
products from Eicon. The line includes support for X.25 and IBM
Systems Network Architecture (SNA) standards, linking personal
computers to mainframes and minicomputers and interconnecting
local area networks.

(Grant Buckler/19910719/Press Contact: Cynthia Yacowar, Eicon
Technology, 514-631-2592, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 DRI, NOVELL MERGER: A THREAT TO MICROSOFT? 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00018)

DRI, NOVELL MERGER: A THREAT TO MICROSOFT? 07/19/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Industry
watchers are now speculating on whether the Digital
Research/Novell merger announced this week might be a threat
to Microsoft's dominance in the operating system market. Most
analysts say they don't think Microsoft will be hurt by the
merger, but it may pinch. Dean Witter analyst Tim McCollum was
quoted as saying that while the merger is an irritant for
Microsoft, he doesn't think it's a major negative. However,
McCollum does believe the merger will give Digital Research
(DRI) additional credibility.

Microsoft's DOS (disk operating system) is estimated to be
installed on 70-80 million PCs, while DRI claims 10-15 percent of
DOS sales. DRI released DOS version 5 prior to Microsoft.
DR-DOS is not compatible with Windows.

Analyst William Whitlow at Gallagher Capital Corporation said,
"DRI has struggled for years. It (the merger) makes it more
difficult for Microsoft to build market share in networking."

A Microsoft spokesperson told reporters that the company remains
very interested in working with Novell, and said DRI's DR-DOS
"has been a minuscule part of the industry." In a conference
call, Novell Chief Executive Ray Noorda told analysts and
reporters, "I don't think this would change our relationship with
Microsoft at all."

Analysts suggest several other forces at work in the industry
might be a larger threat to Microsoft's dominance of the operating
system arena: IBM and Apple Computer's agreement to
collaborate on developing new desktop systems which could compete
with DOS computers, and an agreement by Borland to purchase
Ashton-Tate, publisher of dBASE, with which Microsoft has said
it plans to compete. Additionally, Microsoft has recently been
the target of investigation by the Federal Trade Commission for
possible anti-competitive behavior. While it will undoubtedly be
a long time before that suit is settled, a finding against
Microsoft, analysts say, could seriously affect its market share.

To confuse the operating system picture even further, IBM is
promising OS/2 release 2.0 will be "a better Windows than Windows
and better DOS than DOS," presumably in an attempt to keep buyers
from going to Windows. And Microsoft has said that Windows NT (a
version of its New Technology operating system kernel) will be
released next year with DOS and Windows applications interfaces,
but without an interface to OS/2. Microsoft has said that OS/2
interface support will be available as an option later and
eventually in OS/2 release 3.0. Microsoft turned over further
development of OS/2, release 2.0 to IBM, who has said the product
would ship before the end of this year.

Observers suggest that if Microsoft faces a threat, it's from
all sides, not just one, and the DRI/Novell merger is just the
latest.

(Jim Mallory/19910719)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 TI LOSES $27 MILLION, WILL REDUCE STAFF 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00019)

TI LOSES $27 MILLION, WILL REDUCE STAFF 07/19/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Texas Instruments has
announced that it lost $27 million on net revenues of $1686
million, compared with second quarter revenues of $1592 million a
year ago. As a result, TI will reduce its staff by about 3,200
people worldwide. The cuts will be through domestic voluntary
retirement and selected involuntary reductions worldwide. TI
spokesman Stan Victor tells Newsbytes that the voluntary cutback
begins in August. If there aren't enough taking the offer to
leave voluntarily, a mandatory layoff will begin thereafter.

The company actually showed a profit of $19 million, but took a
special pretax charge of $130 million to reflect the estimated
cost of the employment reduction programs.

TI showed a $19 million profit from last year's second quarter
and had a net income of $11 million. Shareholders last year got
a $0.02 dividend compared with this year's 2Q $0.40 loss.

(Jim Mallory/19910719/Press Contact:Stan Victor, TI,
214-995-2984)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 3M, RUSSIANS FORM TELECOM JOINT VENTURE 07/19/91

07/19/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00020)

3M, RUSSIANS FORM TELECOM JOINT VENTURE 07/19/91
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- 3M has
formed a joint venture with a Russian telecommunications
organization and the Russian Ministry of Communications to
produce 3M products for use in the telecommunications network
of Russian.

3M says it will be the majority partner in the venture. In
addition to the Russian ministry, the third partner will be
Lentelefonstroy, an operating trust in Leningrad which
manufactures telecommunications products. The new venture will
be called 3M Lentelefonstroy, and will supply 3M's proprietary
copper telephone wire connectors, splicing modules, and related
products.

Gerald Pint, group vice president of 3M's Telecom Systems Group,
said 3M will contribute manufacturing equipment, engineering
expertise, product training and semi-finished goods and
components. Lentelefonstroy will provide working capital,
buildings and utilities.

3M says long range plans include expansion of 3M technology into
other telecommunications areas.

Lentelefonstroy is one of 11 telephone companies in the Russian
Republic, providing service to the greater Leningrad area, and
manufactures various telephone cable accessory products for the
Soviet market.

3M also recently announced a joint manufacturing agreement with
the Russian transportation ministry to produce reflective highway
signs using 3M's Scotchlite brand reflective sheeting. The
company says it has been selling its products through
distributors for more than 30 years.

3M spokesperson Lou Lundberg told Newsbytes that it would be
difficult at this time to estimate the volume of sales that might
result from the venture. 3M's John Marshall told Newsbytes that
the Russian phone system is far behind the rest of the world,
lacking digital switching and other technologies commonly used in
the US. Marshall said that unlike the US, the Russian
communications network does not handle data and facsimile
communications, and even telephone directories are nearly
non-existent.

Asked about the possibility of having difficulty in receiving
payment in light of the current economic difficulties in the
Soviet Union, Marshall said 3M is taking the long term
perspective. "The Soviet Union in some form is always going to
be there, and presumably we will develop and expand." Marshall
said 3M will export some of what it makes in the Soviet Union
and that foreign currency will be available to meet the
financial needs of the joint venture.

(Jim Mallory/19910719/Press Contact:Mark Fenner or John Marshall,
3M, 612-733-9242)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 UNISYS SHIPS COMPUTERS WITHOUT ORDERS FROM AIR FORCE 07/19/91

07/19/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00021)

UNISYS SHIPS COMPUTERS WITHOUT ORDERS FROM AIR FORCE 07/19/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Federal Computer
Week has reported that the U.S. Air Force accepted delivery of
between 70 and 80 Unisys mainframe computers despite the fact
that the hardware was shipped by Unisys without the usual
formality of being ordered by the government. The front-page
story in the July 15 issue also reports charges that the
computers were accepted despite the fact that the Air Force had
no funds allocated to pay for the machines.

Funding for the computers, which cost between $1- and $2 million
each, was reportedly obtained by back-awarding a $612 million
sole-source contract to Unisys after the computers were already
in place.

The reports, if true, suggest that Unisys possibly violated federal
contracting law by obligating the government to purchase
equipment by delivering it without a prior contract.

In other, possibly related Unisys news, a Congressional inquiry
may be pending on Unisys' involvement in the $700 million Desktop
III contract.

Back at the beginning of June, The New York Times reported that
Unisys agreed to settle another case involving alleged fraud and
bribery of Pentagon purchasing officials by admitting guilt and
paying a fine of nearly $200 million. This is the infamous Ill
Wind case which involved the Pentagon's top purchasing agent,
Melvyn Paisley.

Unisys has not responded to press questions about the latest
allegations printed in Federal Computer Week.

(John McCormick/19910719)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00022)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 07/19/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

July 15's Computer Reseller News looks at the Borland's bid for
Ashton-Tate, IBM/Apple plans, and Novell's priorities for 92.

This week's Federal Computer Week says Unisys shipped computers
to the U.S. Air Force without waiting for orders.

The July 15 ComputerWorld says that IBM is trying to calm fears
of some users that the Apple deal would mean the demise of OS/2.

InformationWeek for July 15 has a big story on how Fujitsu's
empire is quietly challenging IBM's world dominance.

(John McCormick/19910719)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 UK: BT EXPANDS GLOBAL NET SERVICE TO MEXICO 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023)

UK: BT EXPANDS GLOBAL NET SERVICE TO MEXICO 07/19/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- British Telecom (BT) has announced
that subscribers to its Global Network Service (GNS) can now access Grupo
SIT network hosts in Mexico. The link-up between the two countries'
respective packet data networks (PDNs) comes as a result of negotiations
between BT's office in San Jose and Telefonica Y Conmutacion in Mexico.

The service link-up between the two networks is much more than a mere
interconnection. According to BT, modem users throughout Mexico can now log
onto the BT GNS network from all over Mexico. Dial-up users can access at
local call rates from 70 percent of Mexico.

Announcing the Mexican linkup, Peter Cook, BT's GNS marketing manager,
said: "With the expansion of local GNS access into these new areas, BT has
moved further toward its objective of providing companies with a single
source for their international managed data networking requirements."

"With our presence in over 1,000 cities worldwide, we can provide and
support services in precisely those locations where customers want them,"
he added.

(Steve Gold/19910719/Press & Public Contact: BT GNS - Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 BT LINKS UK E-MAIL TO FRENCH NETWORK 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00024)

BT LINKS UK E-MAIL TO FRENCH NETWORK 07/19/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- British Telecom (BT) has announced
that subscribers to its Gold 400 electronic mail (e-mail) service can now
exchange text files with subscribers of the Transpac Atlas 400 service in
France. The link-up brings the number of Gold 400 interconnections to a
total of 15 worldwide, with a further 15 under test.

Gold 400 is a value-added option to BT's Telecom Gold e-mail service. In
return for an extra fee, Gold 400 subscribers can exchange messages with
a growing number of e-mail networks that support the CCITT X.400 message
handling system (MHS) standard.

Announcing the link-up, Steve Wood, BT GNS messaging group's manager,
said: "We are delighted to be linking up with ATLAS 400. This is a
significant step towards the goal of global X.400 interconnectivity."

"BT now has X.400 links with almost all European public X.400 services, and
we will be making further announcements in the next few months," he added.

The only slight snag with the Telecom Gold link-up to foreign
X.400-compliant e-mail networks is that only subscribers to the full Gold
400 service can use the link. When a subscriber to a non-UK network sends
an e-mail message to a standard UK Telecom Gold subscriber, the e-mail is
deliberately "bounced" by the Gold mail service, despite the fact that the
foreign network user has prepaid the e-mail item.

(Steve Gold/19910719/Press & Public Contact: BT GNS - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 PHILIPS CONSIDERING INFO SYSTEMS SELL-OFF? 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00025)

PHILIPS CONSIDERING INFO SYSTEMS SELL-OFF? 07/19/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Philips is reported to be considering
a sell-off its information systems division. According to the London
Financial Times, Digital is a possible buyer, although other parties are
also reported to be interested.

Philips officials have refused to comment on the press reports, but have
confirmed that the division -- which manufactures minis, computer networks
and bank ATMs (automated teller machines) -- is currently in the red.

Digital is currently cash-rich, meaning it has a lot of money in its
coffers that could be invested outside the company. Last December, the
company -- the second largest computer firm in the world -- took a two
thirds stake in Mannesman of Western Germany for an undisclosed sum.

Although the deal, if it comes off, would be beneficial to Philips, it is
not likely to be welcomed by employees of the company's information system
division as Digital is reported to be interested only in certain elements
of the company's operations. If a sell-off takes place, then staff cutbacks
are likely.

(Steve Gold/19910719)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19  ****SIEMENS MAY SELL STAKE IN AMD 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00026)

 ****SIEMENS MAY SELL STAKE IN AMD 07/19/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- Advanced
Micro Devices (AMD) has announced that it has been formally
advised by Siemens AG that company is considering sale of
the eight million plus shares of AMD that it now owns. Those shares
represent nearly 10 percent of total outstanding AMD common
stock.

The stock was originally acquired by Siemens in 1977 under an
agreement that gives AMD 30 days to negotiate exclusively for the
purchase of the stock if and when it is put on the market. That
30-day period started on July 16.

Siemens senior vice president, Dr. Jurgen Knorr, has resigned his
position as a member of AMD's board of directors in conjunction
with the announcement that Siemens no longer feels it necessary
to maintain a stock position in AMD to "facilitate" its
commercial relationship with AMD.

Insiders say that this stock sale reflects, as much as anything,
the growth and strength of AMD, which was only a small company
back in 1977 when the investment was made and indicates that
Siemens has little fear that AMD will not be able to continue its
full commercial operation without that investment.

AMD reported that its second quarter financial position shows a
10 percent jump in sales over the same period last year, with
revenues of $297 million and a net of $17.3 million for the
quarter ending June 30.

The company reports that sales were led by a big growth in demand
for the Am386 microprocessor family, especially the 40 MHz
version of the chip. Sales were reportedly strong in all
locations for the second quarter, with U.S., Asian, and European
markets all showing strength with 55 percent of sales being
overseas.

(John McCormick/1991719/Press Contact: John Greenagel, AMD, 408-
749-3310)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 Review of: Satisfaxtion PC fax/modem board, 07/19/91

07/19/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00027)

Review of: Satisfaxtion PC fax/modem board, 07/19/91

Runs on: PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, and 100% compatibles with 640K
RAM (with at least 350K of memory free) using PC/MS-DOS, and a
VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules compatible monochrome monitor. The
computer needs to have at least 10 megabytes of free disk space
and a mouse is recommended. The scanner capability can be used on
a fast PC-AT class or above.

From: Intel Personal Computer Enhancement Operation, CO3-7, 5200
N.E. Elam Young Pkwy, Hillsboro OR 97124-6497, 503-629-7354,
800-538-3373.

Price: $499.00

PUMA Rating: 3.3 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

SUMMARY: Satisfaxtion is a valued addition to your 386SX,
or better, computer.

======

REVIEW

======

"Look what they've done to my board, Mom."

It seemed that Intel had really botched the job on Satisfaxtion.
There had been two of them. The first once, sent to Newsbytes for
review, had numerous serious flaws. I found that the
memory-resident programs, especially Faxpop, were unruly. I
immediately eliminated Faxpop, from my AUTOEXEC.BAT. file
Faxpop, is the program used to redirect and send a fax out
directly from your word processor.

The problems with Faxpop, seem to persist with the second board
they've sent. If you must use this RAM-resident program for
whatever reason you must then remember that the command Faxpop, /U
will unload it if it was the last loaded RAM-resident program.

However, the memory-resident program called CASMGR had some
documented compatibility problems with other programs, including
DesqView. I repeat: CASMGR is required in order to make use of
the fax board segment of Satisfaxtion.

Fortunately there is a way to overcome the problems with
CASMGR thanks to Quarterdeck. Its DV-BBS has a program called
HOOKINT.ZIP which will allow Satisfaxtion to send and receive
a fax from DESQview. This and other programs are also obtainable
via Intel's BBS and there it is called DESQfax.COM. These
files were developed by Quarterdeck and must
be uncompressed in order to be used.

There are also problems with interrupts which may have to be changed
during the installation process. <WARNING>: Stay away from IRQ#5.
It mentions in the manual that there may be conflicts with the
hard disk controller on PC-XT class machines resulting in data
loss. I'm not sure it stops there and think that it might have
been better if Intel had not given this IRQ as an option. I
stayed away from IRQ#5 when installing the second board. No
problem.

The first Satisfaxtion board finally destroyed itself in the
process of connecting with MCI Mail. Somehow it tried to receive
a fax at the same time it was handshaking with the MCI Mail
modem. It fried and I yanked it out of my computer.

Whatever the problem was, it seems to have been worked out on the
second Satisfaxtion board I received. The modem and fax boards
seem to work fine. I've send a couple of group faxes out and, of
course, have used the modem now for much longer than I had the
first one. No problems.

All in all, the first fax/modem board Intel sent me was no fun
and I would not have recommended that a consumer use it; however,
Intel seems to have worked the bugs out and it is working pretty
much as advertised.

I might add at this time that I reviewed the Intel Connection
Co-Processor last year. It was a fine fax board with a quality Intel
2400 baud modem piggybacked on it. I have felt extremely good
about recommending it to consumers in the market for facsimile
services of a type best rendered by a fax card. I hope Intel does
not take the Connection Co-Processor off the market too soon.

Also, when the board first came out the purported scanner
capability did not appear to really exist. The drivers were not
provided with the board. And references to this capability found
in the index of the manual do not exist in the pages of the
manual. Information and drivers for the scanner are being shipped
with the scanner itself. Of course, you don't find out until you
get the scanner that a PC-XT class computer is too slow for the
scanner to utilize. This bit of information is cited in the
"Recent News about the Hand Scanner" sent with the scanner
separately from the Satisfaxtion board.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (3.8) I had some serious problems with the first one
shipped to me; however, with the second board, Intel
seems to have worked out the bugs. The board functions quite well
now but I still do not like some of the included software.

USEFULNESS: (3.4) The concepts are great, and now that they work
well it is quite useful. Don't expect to use the scanner
capability on a machine less than a speedy PC-AT class computer.
The scanner compatibility issues should be included on the
outside of the Satisfaxtion box.

MANUAL: (2) There are problems when the index of a manual refers
to pages of information which do not exist. This is a bigger
problem when those pages are important to the function of
advertised features of the product. Also, there should be more
attention drawn to information that is critical to the integrity
of the consumer's data. Flags, warnings, and bright colors, maybe
as attractive as those used in advertisements, should be
employed. There needs to be a rewrite.

AVAILABILITY: (4) It seems to be readily available. Satisfaxtion
facsimile/modem cards are sold through a network of value-added
resellers and retailers. CompUSA has it available for $389.93 and
it can had from EggHead Software for $439.99.

(tbass HNDYPRSN/19910515/Press Contact: Susan Breshears, Intel,
503-221-1063; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19  ****IBM 2ND QUARTER EARNINGS DROP 91%, 17,000 TO GO 07/19/91

07/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00028)

 ****IBM 2ND QUARTER EARNINGS DROP 91%, 17,000 TO GO 07/19/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 19 (NB) -- IBM is blaming
its quarterly figures on a worldwide economic slump.
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), the world's
largest computer maker, has announced that its second quarter
earnings were $114 million, or 20 cents a share. These figures
represent a 91%  decline from 1990's second-quarter figures of
$1.4 billion, or $2.45 a share.

In the period, IBM had revenue of 14.7 billion dollars, a decline
from its 16.4 billion earnings of a year ago. For the first six
months of the year, IBM had a net loss of $1.6 billion, in
comparison to net income gain of $2.4 billion, or $4.26 a share,
in the 1990 period. Revenue dropped to $28.2 billion from
$30.6 billion.

Announcing the figures, IBM Chairman John Akers attributed
the decline to "continued weakness in global economies,
competitive pressure and transitions within our product lines."

An IBM executive, commenting to Newsbytes on the decline,
agreed with Akers, saying, "The economy had much to do with
the problem. We saw a short-fall across our entire product line
-- from our best product areas to the worst -- so the decline is
a reflection of the economy."

"I think, however, that the decline would have been less if our
new high-end products had come out earlier. We have just
begun to ship our new 3090 processors and demand greatly
exceeds present supply. These high-end systems, of course,
provide the greatest revenue per sale and the demand for
them indicates a better third quarter. It is the transition to
these new processors to which Akers referred," he added.

The executive also told Newsbytes that the actual figures for
the second quarter should not be taken as a complete surprise,
saying, "When we saw that second-quarter earnings would be
substantially below earlier projections, we met with Wall Street
analysts and reported this fact. This meeting was
approximately two weeks ago and we announced that, although
actual figures were not yet available, earnings would be well
below their earlier estimates."

As part of the announcement, Akers also said that IBM plans to
reduce its workforce by at least 17,000 employees
this year from the 1990 year-end figure of approximately
373,000. While the projected reduction appears to be 3,000
higher than announced earlier, an IBM source told Newsbytes
that a wire service's use of the word "layoff" is erroneous. He
said, "We plan to continue our present methods of staff
reduction."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910719)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 LOWER -- BUT STILL HIGH -- PC PRICES AT TELEVIDEO  07/19/91

07/19/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)

LOWER -- BUT STILL HIGH -- PC PRICES AT TELEVIDEO  07/19/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JULY 19 (NB) -- Prices on
personal computers (PCs) are dropping, announced Televideo. The
company said it is dropping retail prices on 10 of its PC
systems, but Newsbytes found the new prices to be very
high compared to other, similar systems.

Effective immediately the retail prices are from 10% to 35%
lower than previous list prices, which Televideo did not
supply. However none of these systems come with a monitor,
video card, or a hard disk drive included.

The models effected are:

1) The Tele286SE, a desktop computer with 80286/12 megahertz
(MHz) central processing unit (CPU), 1 megabyte (MB) of random
access memory (RAM), a 3.5" floppy disk drive (FDD), a
keyboard, and DOS 3.3 has been lowered to $1,165.

2) The Tele286e a desktop computer with 80286/12MHz CPU, 1MB
RAM, 5.25-inch FDD and 3.5" FDD option, a keyboard, and DOS 3.3 has
a new price of $1,207.

3) The Tele386SX a desktop computer with a 80386SX/16 MHz CPU,
1MB RAM, 3.5" FDD, a keyboard and DOS 3.3 is now $1,415.

4) The TeleSX is another desktop with a 80386SX/16 MHz CPU, 1MB
RAM, 5.25-inch FDD, a keyboard and DOS 4.0 for $1,415.

5) The Tele386/25 is a desktop computer with a 80386/25 MHz
CPU, 32 kilobytes (K) cache, and comes with 1MB RAM, 5.25-inch FDD,
a keyboard and DOS 3.3 for $3,065.

6) The Tele386e is another desktop with a 80386/33 MHz CPU, 4MB
of RAM, a 64K cache a 5.25-inch FDD, a keyboard, DOS 4.0 for
$2,965.

7) The Tele386Te is in a tower configuration with 80386/33 MHz
CPU, 4MB RAM, a 64K cache, 5.25-inch FDD, a keyboard and DOS 4.0
for $3,332.

8) The TS5 is a diskless workstation with a 80386SX/16 MHz CPU
and a keyboard for $1,282.

9) The Tele486Te is in a tower configuration with a 80486/33
MHz CPU, Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA), 4MB
RAM, a 5.25-inch FDD, a keyboard and DOS 4.0 for $5,585.

10) The Tele486 is a desktop with a 80486/25 MHz CPU, EISA,
4MB, 5.25-inch FDD, a keyboard and DOS 4.0 for $5,035.

These new lower prices seemed ridiculously high so Newsbytes
picked up a June 1991 issue of PC Computing Magazine and page
139 found an add from Dell Computer Corporation. The Dell 325P
system advertised comes with the same configuration as the
Tele386/25, except the Dell system adds 2MB of RAM, a 40 MB
hard disk drive, a VGA monitor, a mouse, Microsoft (MS) DOS
4.01 or 3.3, and MS Windows 3.0, but does not have any cache.
The Dell system was $2499, the similar Televideo system $3065 -
the Televideo system was over $500 more, for less.

As a part of the announcement of lower prices, Richard A.
DuBridge, Televideo president, said, "These price reductions
reflect our continuing emphasis on reducing costs and sharing
the savings with our customers. We have made good progress in
increasing our margins through cost reductions, and this allows
us to be more aggressive in the market."

Michael Wee, product marketing manager for Televideo, when asked
about the differences in price between the Tele386/25 and the
Dell 325P said Televideo's costs were higher because it uses
more expensive motherboards that have a plug in CPU board and
plug in RAM. That makes Televideo's costs higher, but the
computers are industrial quality, Wee said.

Also, MS DOS 3.3 or 4.0 are all that is currently offered
because Televideo is renegotiating with Microsoft for either MS
DOS 4.01 or 5.0, Wee said.

Upon calling Dell computers at their 800 number, Newsbytes was
told that Dell does integrate its CPU on the motherboard, but
that all computer manufacturers with which Dell is familiar use plug
in memory (RAM), and no one manufacturer solders in the memory
(RAM).

Steve Sacco, owner of Amcom consulting services, was able to
verify Dell's assertions about the memory.

TeleVideo's computer system products are manufactured in the
United States in the company's headquarters manufacturing
facility in San Jose. The company also said it qualified as a
minority-owned small business and has received its General
Service Administration (GSA) U.S. government contract status.

Televideo has become well known because of the popularity of
its video display terminals. The company also makes local area
network file servers, workstations and disk controller
products. Televideo is located at 550 East Brokaw Road, P.O.
Box 49048, San Jose, CA 95161-9048, telephone, [phone].
Dell can be contacted by telephone at [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910719/Press Contact: Michael Wee,
Televideo, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Dell, 800/283-
6633, Steve Sacco, Amcom, Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19 Review of: Father, Son & Co: My Life at IBM and Beyond 07/19/91

07/19/91

(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00030)

Review of: Father, Son & Co: My Life at IBM and Beyond 07/19/91
A book by Thomas J. Watson Jr. and Peter Petre

From: Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10103

Price: $22.95

PUMA Rating: 3.7 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Dana Blankenhorn, 07/19/91

Summary: Tom Watson Jr.'s story can't help but be, in part, a
personal history of IBM. His father founded the company, and he
led it to the heights.

======

REVIEW

======

At its heart, this is the autobiography of a simple man who went
into the family business and finally grew up enough to get out.
But when the man is Thomas J. Watson Jr., and the business is
IBM, there's a lot more to it.

Like many people, I read this book looking for insight into IBM's
present troubles. In the 1980s it was terribly late into
workstations and laptops, lost control of the PC market, and saw
its mainframe and mini-computer share shrink in favor of chip-
based solutions. At this writing its chairman, John Akers, is
reading the Riot Act to employees, telling them they work for
shareholders, and launching unprecedented alliances with Apple.
Most galling of all, the FTC has launched two investigations into
computer industry monopolies, and neither involves IBM!

There are some telling anecdotes here explaining some of IBM's
more arresting quirks. For instance, the company's long-time
policies against alcohol. These resulted from Thomas Watson
Sr.'s first sales job at the turn of the century. Seems he went
on a bender, lost his wagon and samples, then wound up out of
work for a year and in hock for the wagon to boot. Facing that
trauma, his tea totaling -- and that of the company he founded --
becomes quite logical.

Another revelation -- to me anyway -- was what made IBM prominent
in the first place. It was the New Deal. The new bureaucracies
needed tons of IBM punch card machines to spin numbers for their
reports, and business needed them to keep up with government
demands. Watson Sr. also made IBM appear much larger than it was
with marketing coups like renting the 1939 World's Fair for a
day, filling it with his employees, putting on a radio program
and playing an IBM Symphony -- just like General Motors, long
before IBM was in its league.

But another incident from that IBM Day gets to the heart of what
made IBM great. A train carrying IBM employees to the event
derailed at Port Jervis. Watson personally attended to getting
the victims the best possible care, letting them know they were
part of his larger family. Thomas Watson Sr. was among the first
to offer good salaries and solid benefits to all employees, and
to train his sales force professionally. Everyone at his IBM knew
the corporate culture and what was expected of them. There were
IBM songs and cheers along with the symphony, and everyone had a
picture of Watson in their office. In many ways, the old IBM was
the first "Japanese" company in America -- the loyalty it gave
was a two-way street.

Yet, despite great modesty and admissions on every mistake he
ever made -- a misspent youth which included smoking a joint at
boarding school -- Watson Jr. actually outshone his father at
IBM. It was he who got IBM into computers, and it was he who gave
IBM an organizational chart. He transformed IBM from the
entrepreneurial effort of one man into a business colossus with
its own bureaucracy, modeled on the military, and a disciplined
management style. Thomas Watson Sr. stayed at work until he was
past 80, his son retired at 56.

What really stands out in this story is the humanity of IBM. The
Watsons, father and son, fought constantly about company
policies. Watson Jr. had to "bet the company" constantly, risking
all to build its first general purpose computer, the 702, and
doing it again in the 1960s to create the System/360. Along the
way some good people were crushed, including his own brother
Dick, Watson writes. It seems his desire to see the Watson legacy
continue moved him to bring the younger man in from IBM World
Trade, where he'd made a great success, to head the 360 project.
It was too much, and when another executive, Vin Learson, had to
finish the job, Dick Watson's rise was finished. Learson served
briefly at the top of IBM, Dick Watson died in the mid-70s and
never forgave his brother.

So what happened to IBM? After reading this book, I'd have to say
two things. The Watsons were ardent Democrats, the son a real
"limousine liberal" as Ronald Reagan would put it, and that was
never a popular stance. But that liberalism made IBM kind to its
employees and customers alike, and built that tradition of
service which the more conservative firm of John Akers has
forgotten. Second, the Watsons' IBM was progressive, meaning it
was open to change and lived on the frontier of technology. It
dumped a huge punch-card business for computing, junked entire
product lines for the 360, and did it all because its leaders saw
technology's future early-on and moved toward it -- regardless
of risks to themselves. Today's conservative IBM is a follower,
afraid of cannibalizing old products by releasing new gear its
customers want, thus crippling offerings like the PC jr. and
giving them no chance to succeed.

With annual sales of $50 billion, IBM remains one of America's
great corporations. But in forgetting the legacy of its founders
it has drifted too long. Thomas J. Watson Jr.'s last great gift
may be in reminding his people of those lessons. For their sake,
I hope they hear them.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910719)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 18 MATSUSHITA RISC LAPTOP THIS FALL 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00001)

MATSUSHITA RISC LAPTOP THIS FALL 07/18/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Matsushita Electric will release
a color laptop workstation, which has a RISC (reduced instruction
set computing) chip. According to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper, the
laptop workstation will be equipped with an extra clear color
liquid crystal display (LCD) that is comparable to a CRT monitor.

The central processing unit (CPU) chip of Matsushita's color
laptop workstation will be jointly developed with Solbourne Computer
in the U.S. It is a 64-bit chip, which is compatible with the
SPARC. It will have the operating speed of 30 MIPS (million
instructions per second). This is almost twice faster than
Toshiba's latest laptop workstation.

Matsushita's color laptop workstation will be equipped with a
thin-film-transistor (TFT) type of LCD. The only drawback of this
LCD is that it is expensive to manufacture. Apparently, Matsushita
has found a solution to this problem.

The list price of the color laptop workstation is expected to be
well-under 2 million yen ($15,000). The actual release of the
product will be made by the end of this year.

Other firms including Sony and Toshiba are also expected to develop
TFT-based color laptop workstation in the near future.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910718/Press Contact: Matsushita Electric,
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 NTT'S MULTI-MEDIA TV CONFERENCE SYSTEM, ATOMIC MICROSCOPE 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00002)

NTT'S MULTI-MEDIA TV CONFERENCE SYSTEM, ATOMIC MICROSCOPE 07/18/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Japan's former telecom monopoly
NTT has developed a TV conference system which supports up to
20 callers simultaneously. It has a multi-window feature that can
divide the screen into 11 windows.

NTT calls the set-up its Multi-Media Telecommunication Conference
System. It's based on NTT's Broad-ISDN (Integrated Services Digital
Network) and it allows up to 20 people in 20 different locations to
participate in a conference at once. NTT says it has applied the latest
technology, called "dispersed multi-locational telecommunications"
to facilitate such a large number of callers. NTT's Multi-Media
Telecommunication Conference System supports whopping 155 megabit
data transmission speed, and it can process various kinds of data
including motion pictures, voice, and textual data. It can also handle a
confidential talk between any two participants while the otherwise-public
conference is going on. There is also a memo pad and chart display
feature for use during a conference.

NTT will demonstrate this system at Telecom '97 in Switzerland this fall.
After making a few more improvements to the system, NTT plans to launch
it commercially in 1995 when B-ISDN service starts in Japan.

In another development, NTT says it has created a microscope capable
of viewing the surface of VLSI (very large scale integrated) chips,
according to a published report. Called the Atomic Force Microscope,
the device is said to be capable of displaying surfaces at the nanometer
level, the tiniest of measurements. One nanometer is a millionth of a
millimeter -- the thickness of several atoms. Kyodo news service filed
the report.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910718/Press Contact: NTT, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 AUSTRALIA: HP WINS AUS$3M CONTRACT WITH RETAILER 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00003)

AUSTRALIA: HP WINS AUS$3M CONTRACT WITH RETAILER 07/18/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 18 JUL 1991 -- Big W, part of the giant
Australian retail chain Woolworths, has contracted Hewlett-Packard
(HP) to supply Unix Systems for its stores. The contract will
initially see the installation of the equipment in test sites and
the implementation of pilot systems.

The systems will be used to provide the stores with in-store
processing capability and will be linked to existing IBM point-of-sale
controllers and Wang central systems in use, with applications
for the system provided over the next 2-3 years. Once the
initial phase is completed, the Unix systems will be installed in
all 57 Big W stores throughout Australia.

The move to HP Unix Systems is part of Woolworth's search for greater
efficiencies, which will be passed onto customers through lower
prices, the firm says. "We are expecting store automation to result in
significantly improved customer service and cost management," said
Ross Kerr, Big W general manager for systems, warehousing, and
logistics. Stephen Bradley, MIS controller at Big W, said, "Big W is,
and will continue to be, the lowest priced mass merchandiser in
Australia. Our business is growing very rapidly and in the next ten
years we plan to open forty new stores. Strict control of costs is
vital to us and the use of technology to generate greater efficiency
is a key aspect of the company's direction."

(Sean McNamara/19910718/Press Contact: Diane Cummins, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 18 AUST'N NATIONAL UNIV INSTALLS SUPERCOMPUTER 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00004)

AUST'N NATIONAL UNIV INSTALLS SUPERCOMPUTER 07/18/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 18 JUL 1991 -- The Australian National
University's computing faculty has received a boost with the
installation of a Fujitsu VP2200 supercomputer. The installation of
the machine makes the university's supercomputing facility one of
the most advanced in the world outside the US.

The VP2200 will be used by the university in a wide range of
projects, including design services to British Aerospace for
hypersonic aircraft. The supercomputer is capable of performing one
billion calculations a second, and is the most powerful production
supercomputer in Australia.

Research projects to be carried out on the supercomputer include
ecological modelling, molecular dynamics, plasma research, and
climatology. The VP2200 joins the University's two other
supercomputers: a Connection Machine and a Fujitsu AP1000, both of
which are capable of performing more than a million operations per
second.

(Sean McNamara/19910718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 IBM SOVIET SCHOOL PROGRAM UNDERWAY 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00005)

IBM SOVIET SCHOOL PROGRAM UNDERWAY 07/18/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- IBM says it almost completed its
huge Soviet education program. Robert Donwell, corporate communications
for IBM Europe, tells Newsbytes that up to 600 out of 1000 schools
targeted in the plan already have IBM PS/2 Model 25-equipped computer
classes. Also, 50 schools for hearing-impaired and blind children
have received computer equipment for assisting in education.

"We are working closely with Soviet Education authorities on the
second stage of that project," Mr Donwell told Newsbytes.

He dismissed rumours that IBM is supplying specially designed, not
fully compatible machines for the project.

"We are a local citizen now and we should do our best to build a very
positive corporate image," Donwell added.

A local optical character recognition software developer is reported as
having being asked by IBM to cooperate in the blind schools project.

On the business side, IBM Corporation's Moscow subsidiary now has
50 business partners in 10 cities around the country, all of which are
selling IBM machines for hard currency.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910717)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 MOSCOW: COMPUTER-HUMAN WORKSHOP DUE 07/18/91

07/18/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00006)

MOSCOW: COMPUTER-HUMAN WORKSHOP DUE 07/18/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- A three-day international
Computer-Human Interaction workshop will start in Moscow on August
5, 1991. The event, organized by the Moscow Centre of Scientific-Research
Information (MCNTI), ACM's (Association of Computing Machinery)
Computer-Human Interaction group, and the University of California, is to
include 20 Soviet and 20 Western speakers.

Representatives of Apple, DEC, MIT Media Lab, European and Japanese
institutions have agreed to attend, according to organizers.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910717)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 MOSCOW: COMPUTER SHOWS BATTLE FOR ENTHUSIASM 07/18/91

07/18/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00007)

MOSCOW: COMPUTER SHOWS BATTLE FOR ENTHUSIASM 07/18/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- A major software show, PC World
Forum, closed its doors in Moscow on Sunday just in time for the
vacation season in the U.S.S.R. Most of the people interviewed by
Newsbytes said they did not feel this year's show was a success.

"It is the fourth similar show in the same city during the last fourth months.
The same companies, same people, same products. Almost nothing new. It
is boring to come here," Alla Poligenkaya, Paragraph marketing manager,
told Newsbytes.

Companies also complain of poor management, high fees with few
services for exhibitors, and the hot weather. In the fees department,
show-goers must pay an entrance fee of 15 rubles, an amount
considered high, and which is three times higher than usual.
Additionally, they complain of a conference program without speaking
commitments from top Soviet computer executives, and numerous
changes in the programs.

Local experts are wondering which of all the competing shows will
succumb first. At least there will not be another PC World Forum in
Moscow, as IDG has decided to call it Computerworld Forum next
year.

As to the question of whether the industry gatherings should be held
in cities other than Moscow, there is divided opinion. However, ill
feelings about two shows in a row -- PC World and the recent
International Computer Forums -- signal a warning to the local show
industry.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 MICROSOFT RESTRUCTURES; CREATES INT'L DIVISIONS 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00008)

MICROSOFT RESTRUCTURES; CREATES INT'L DIVISIONS 07/18/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation has announced that it will reorganize its
international operations, creating four divisions outside Europe.
The company says the reorganization will allow it to better
manage its growth in overseas markets.

The new The Far East region, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong
Kong and the People's Republic of China, will be headed by Peter
Neupert, senior director of Far East operations.

The International region, under the guidance of Steven Wells,
will include Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia,
New Zealand, and Thailand. Wells was formerly director of
development for OS/2 at Microsoft.

Orlando Ayala will direct the fortunes of the Latin American
region, which is comprised of South and Central America, Mexico,
and the Caribbean. Ayala was formerly sales director for NCR
Mexico.

Africa, India, and the Middle East, dubbed the AIME region, will
be led by former director of sales and marketing for Microsoft UK
Bryan Nelson.

Microsoft took a similar action in Europe in late May of this
year. The European operations had been divided into a northern, central,
and southern division, each with its own director.

(Jim Mallory/19910718/Press Contact:Microsoft Public Relations,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 COMPAQ INTROS ONLINE AID FOR NEW SYSTEMS ENGINEERS 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00009)

COMPAQ INTROS ONLINE AID FOR NEW SYSTEMS ENGINEERS 07/18/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Compaq Corporation
has announced TechPAQ, an online reference and diagnostic tool
designed to assist the new graduates of its Accredited Systems
Engineer (ASE) program. One requirement to become a Compaq
dealer is to have an ASE.

TechPAQ is Windows-based, and uses Lotus Notes software. ASEs
access the system anytime, from any location, by modem. Up-to-date
technical information, patches, and configurations can be
downloaded by the ASE.

According to Ross Cooley, Compaq's VP, North America, "TechPAQ is
another key component of our service and support commitment to
our customers." Earlier this year Compaq announced a number of
customer support enhancements, including toll-free, direct
customer support.

TechPAQ also contains information about integrating Compaq
products with Banyan Vines, Microsoft LAN Manager, Novell Netware,
and SCO Unix operating system.

Compaq announced its ASE program earlier this year, and the first
graduates have just completed training. Compaq estimates that it
will have over 200 ASEs accredited by the third quarter of this
year.

(Jim Mallory/19910718/Press Contact:John Sweney, Compaq,
713-374-0484)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 HP INTELLIFONT-FOR-WINDOWS FREE 07/18/91

07/18/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00010)

HP INTELLIFONT-FOR-WINDOWS FREE 07/18/91
GREELEY, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard
(HP) is offering its HP III customers its HP Intellifont-for-
Windows 3.0 free, just for the asking.

HP says the Intellifont-for-Windows software comes with
matching screen fonts for the CG Times and Univers fonts that
come with the HP Laserjet III, IIID, IIIP or IIISi printers.
The new software also allows the user to create matching screen
fonts, without leaving Windows, for any HP accessory scalable
typefaces the user wants to add, the company said. Font scaling
on-screen allows the user to see exactly what is printed, not
just an approximation full of jagged edges, for what-you-see-
is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) viewing of documents.

HP said Intellifont-for-Windows allows background printing and
allows the user to change fonts on-the-fly, without planning
ahead and without leaving a Windows application.

Intellifont-for-Windows 3.0 requires an HP Laserjet III family
printer, at least an IBM AT or compatible personal computer (PC)
with a high density 5.25" or 3.5" floppy drive, 2 megabytes of
random access memory (RAM) and Windows 3.0, HP said. As a side
note, Windows must run in Standard or Enhanced mode, which
requires 1-2 MB of RAM -- real mode is not supported.

The company has set up several ways for HP users to respond to
the offer for Intellifont-for-Windows 3.0. Users are invited to
call [phone] or fax their request to [phone].
Users can also mail their request to Hewlett-Packard, P.O. Box
1754, Greeley, Colorado, 80632-9936. Some users are receiving
an invitation by mail to obtain the new screen font software.

Hewlett-Packard also said it is also entering users who respond
into a drawing for an HP scalable typeface product. But, of
course, it's for a limited time only.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910718/Press Contact: Cathy Lyons,
Hewlett-Packard, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18  ****BUGS DISCOVERED DOS 5.0 07/18/91

07/18/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(LAX)(00011)

 ****BUGS DISCOVERED DOS 5.0 07/18/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- All new
software seems to be plagued with problems and Microsoft (MS)
DOS 5.0 is no exception. Problems with accounting packages,
disk utilities and network software seem to be the major
sources of grief for some Los Angeles and San Francisco-based
consultants.

Steve Sacco of Amcom consulting services told Newsbytes he
likes DOS 5.0 and has upgraded to it on the systems of several
of his customers without mishap. However, with a client running
Autocontroller, an accounting package, the backup program would
no longer work, Sacco said. He tried the "Set Ver" command
recommended in the documentation -- a command which is essentially
a "lie" to the software so the software thinks it has the version of DOS
it is expecting and keeps running. Sacco said it didn't work,
and he had to give up and uninstall DOS 5.0.

Eric (who would not give Newsbytes his last name) at MS Tech
Support concurs with Sacco and says several accounting programs
have difficulty with DOS 5.0 including Peachtree and AMI.

Charlie Rider who does personal computer systems support at
Litton Data Systems said he upgraded to DOS 5.0 on a file
server running a Corvus Network to attempt to get better memory
management. When Rider ran into difficulties with the Network,
he said he tried the "Set Ver" command, but without success. So
he tried to "uninstall." That failed also, but Rider is not
sure if the disk he tried to uninstall from was bad, or if the
uninstall program itself was faulty. Rider said he ended up
reformatting the disk and reinstalling DOS 3.3.

Again, Eric at MS Tech Support says problems like this are
common, and it is the responsibility of the software developer
to get the user a fix that supports MS DOS 5.0.

Mark Florence and Fred Gault of the Canyon Company in San
Francisco found less serious problems. Florence said upon
installing DOS 5.0 on an IBM PS/2 Model 7 the DOS shell locked
up completely and the machine had to be completely powered off.
On another AT-class IBM compatible computer the shell had no
color at all on a color monitor. In both instances they gave up
and uninstalled the software. "We don't have time to mess
around with it," Florence said.

Users can also expect problems with hard disks low or high
level formatted, or partitioned with software that ". . .does
not follow MS standards," said Eric. Such software titles were
listed by specifically by Eric as SpeedStor and Ontrack's Disk
Manager, and well, practically anything but a version of DOS
itself.

Documentation about these and other glitches, potential
problems and fixes can be found in a README.TXT file on disk 5
of the original MS DOS 5.0 disks. MS Tech Support stressed
several times the importance of reading that file, a file whose
existence is documented in the "Getting Started Guide" on page
2.

Many people have computers whose hard disk drives have been
formatted and partitioned for them by the company they
purchased the computer from. They can tell if something other
than DOS was used to low level format, format or partition the
hard disk by watching during the sequence when the computer
starts (boots) for a copyright notice by the software used to
partition the drive. The copyright notice usually gives the
name and version of the software and the name of the company
who sells it, and should have the size of the partition and the
amount of space the device driver uses for the partition.

Users can also try calling MS Tech Support, but be prepared to
be persistent and to wait. It took Newsbytes 15 calls over a
1.5 hour period to get through, and 20 minutes of waiting once
the phone was answered.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910718/Press Contact: Steve Sacco, Amcom,
Tel: [phone], Charlie Rider, Litton Data Systems, Tel:
818/901-2826, Mark Florence or Fred Gault, Canyon Company, Tel:
415/398-9957, Eric, Microsoft Tech Support, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18  ****US WEST/MILLICOM BUILDING MOSCOW CELLULAR SYSTEM 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

 ****US WEST/MILLICOM BUILDING MOSCOW CELLULAR SYSTEM 07/18/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- US West, Millicom,
and the Soviet government have reached agreement to build a
cellular phone system in Moscow. But that system will use
the 450 megahertz frequency, rather than the 900 megahertz
frequencies used elsewhere in the world. The Soviet Military
controls the higher frequency.

A US West spokesman told Newsbytes the Moscow cellular system
could still serve 50,000 people in that lower frequency, once
it builds enough cell sites.

US West President Dick McCormick and Soviet Union Minister of
Communications G.G. Kudriavtsev both attended the news
conference in Washington, D.C. announcing the deal. The Soviet
Ministry will own half the new company, US West's
international unit will own 22 percent, Millicom will own 20
percent, and the USSR Eye Microsurgery Science and Technology
Complex, will own 8 percent. The system would go into service
late this year and cost $7 million.

US West is already building a cellular network in Leningrad
that should be operational in the third quarter, and it has an
operating system called Westel in Hungary and an agreement to
open in Czechoslovakia. Millicom, meanwhile, has a cellular
license in Lithuania and holds interests in Bolivia, Chile, Costa
Rica, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Mexico, Pakistan, the
Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Sweden. The Eye Microsurgery Science
and Technology Complex, headed by Dr. Stanislav Fyodorov, runs
several businesses both within and outside the Soviet Union.

Motorola of the U.S. and Alcatel of France, leaders in producing
cell sites and switches for cellular phone systems, both have
policies not to support 450 megahertz systems, calling it
old-fashioned technology, As a result, a US West spokesman told
Newsbytes, the Moscow system will use equipment from Nokia of
Finland and/or Ericsson of Sweden. The 900 MHz frequency band,
where cellular phones are operating worldwide, is currently
occupied by the Soviet military, which reportedly wants up to 40
million rubles to clear out of those channels.

(Kirill Tchashchin and Dana Blankenhorn/19910718/Press Contact:
Ed Mattix, US West, 303/649-4676)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 US WEST SIGNS FOR SOVIET GATEWAYS 07/18/91

07/18/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)

US WEST SIGNS FOR SOVIET GATEWAYS 07/18/91
WASHINGTON D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- US West has
signed an agreement with the Soviet Union Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunications calling for US West to help finance and
support three new international gateway telephone systems in
Moscow, Kiev, and Leningrad.

A US West spokesman told Newsbytes the result will link Soviet
telecommunications to the world for the first time. "Right now 90%
of all calls made to the Soviet Union are blocked. Under this
agreement it could drop to 2%, which is up to normal calling
standards. This will handle both present demand and future
anticipated demand."

There is currently one international gateway location using
analog switches to serve the entire Soviet Union. A call from
Washington D.C. to Leningrad goes first to the international
gateway in Moscow, then to Leningrad. With the new gateways, such
a call will go directly to Leningrad. The gateways will be
created using versions of the AXE 10 switch made in Yugoslavia
under a license from L.M. Ericsson of Sweden.

"The free exchange of information has been one of the driving
forces in the changes occurring around the globe and these new
switches will serve to enhance that process," US West President
and Chief Executive Officer Dick McCormick said in a press
statement. "These gateway switches are the cornerstone for
telecommunications modernization in the Soviet Union."

US West will invest about $18 million in the project over the
next two years, and receive a portion of the revenues generated
by calls switched through the system. All revenues will be in
hard currency. Installation of the switches will begin this year
with completion estimated by late 1992.

(Kirill Tchashchin and Dana Blankenhorn/19910718/Press Contact:
Ed Mattix, US West, 303/649-4676)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 US WEST NAMES STANLEY CRAMTON ITS MAN IN MOSCOW 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)

US WEST NAMES STANLEY CRAMTON ITS MAN IN MOSCOW 07/18/91
WASHINGTON D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- A man who helped
negotiate US West's failed attempt to build a fiber optic phone
line across the USSR was named the company's man in Moscow. The
work of Stanley C. Cramton, now vice president and managing
director of USSR Enterprises and European Networks within the
US West Diversified Group, was undone by objections from U.S.
and UK security agencies, who feared such lines would enable the
Soviet KGB a means of secured communications.

But US West spokesman Ed Mattix told Newsbytes that Cramton's
work was not for naught, and that in fact links are being built.
"That deal is not dead. We can't use fiber, but we can use
microwave and copper. The Korean Telephone Authority is part of
our project, and they're presently working on a fiber leg from
Korea to the East Coast of the Soviet Union. They're also working
on a link from Denmark to the western coast of the Soviet Union,
which is also fiber. Denmark and Korean Telecom are both parts of
our consortium. What's dead is the use of fiber within the Soviet
Union, for now. We'll use something different there until the
COCOM rules are changed." Exactly what hasn't been determined
yet.

Cramton has been working from offices in Washington on the Soviet
fiber project for three years. He's 52, married, his children are
grown. From his position in Moscow, Cramton will also be
responsible for US West's new switching and cellular operations
in that country. He will also oversee the company's network
system development activities in Europe and report to Steven
Andrews, president of US West International, in London.

Prior to joining US West in 1987, Cramton was involved in
projects in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, West Africa and
South America, including a two-year assignment with the
International Telecommunications Union

(Kirill Tchashchin and Dana Blankenhorn/19910718/Press Contact:
Ed Mattix, US West, 303/649-4676)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 US WEST/MERCURY PLAN FOR PCN IN THE UK 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)

US WEST/MERCURY PLAN FOR PCN IN THE UK 07/18/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Unitel and Mercury
PCN agreed to work together on a new technique called Parallel
Network Architecture which will let them share the transmission
networks for their competing Personal Communications Network (PCN)
systems in the United Kingdom.

PCN systems use microwave frequencies to transmit cellular calls
through small, lower-powered cells to tiny, low-cost telephones.
Unitel and Mercury are two of the three competitors in the UK's
PCN race. The third, Microtel, is owned by Hutchinson Telecom of
the UK, which itself is owned by Hutchinson Whampoa of Hong Kong
and British Aerospace. Millicom had sold its stake in Microtel to
the two just a week earlier.

A US West spokesman told Newsbytes that Microtel will not be
able to share the PNA architecture. "The technology does not
allow for more than two" companies to share lines, he said. US
West also owns 14 cable TV systems through seven franchises; all
are in the process of offering local phone service, in
competition with British Telecom. No decision has yet been made
on linking the PCN operations to the cable telephone systems,
although the spokesman said it's technically possible. "The focus
now is on development of PCN," he said.

PNA will allow for the design and construction of PCN systems
which physically co-exist, but are logically separate. The result
is that competitors can share costs while remaining competitors.
For example, Unitel and Mercury PCN will continue to maintain
complete different marketing and sales systems, customer and
service features, and billing and customer administration
systems. But they will still share transmission lines.

A new, so far unnamed, organization owned equally by Unitel and
Mercury PCN will be established to manage the design, planning,
construction, and ongoing maintenance of the physical networks on
behalf of each of the two operators. However, both Unitel and
Mercury PCN are free to invest in building their own additional
PCN infrastructure where they see commercial or competitive
advantage. Unitel expects to begin offering PCN service no later
than mid-1993. The other equal Unitel partners are STC Northern
Telcom and Thorn-EMI of the United Kingdom.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910718/Press Contact: Ed Mattix, US West,
303/649-4676)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 IBM'S NEW KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEM FOR AI 07/18/91

07/18/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00016)

IBM'S NEW KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEM FOR AI 07/18/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- For
development of applications requiring computers to make or help
make decisions, IBM has announced the newest release of The
Integrated Reasoning Shell (TIRS) at the 1991 National
Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Anaheim.

TIRS was originally released in December of 1989 for the
mainframe market, and a version was released in April of this
year for the workstation market, said Robin Fulco, a
spokesperson for IBM. This last release is for its Operating
System 2 (OS/2). Another new release is expected at the end of
July, 1991 for the RISC System/6000 and one for the System/370.

TIRS has been used for a number of applications involving
computerized decision-making, IBM said. A gate-scheduling
system for a Geneva and a Zurich airport has been developed
using TIRS. A petrochemical plant in Spain has used it to
monitor process control and help avoid chemical instabilities.
A banking application combines artificial intelligence and
image for a bird's eye view of retail bank branch activity. A
transportation company has used it for an application to
determine the best routes at the most competitive prices.

"The new faster compiler of TIRS 1.2, with the incremental
build facility, has greatly reduced our development time," said
Dave Weidner, president of Synapse, an IBM business partner.
"We've used the enhanced development environment to navigate
much more smoothly through the rule bases and object hierarchy,
greatly shortening the edit-compile-debug cycle. The added
functionality has significantly enhanced the TIRS product
making it an even more important tool in IBM's AD/Cycle."

The OS/2 release of TIRS began shipping on June 28.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910718/Press Contact: Alex Lily, IBM, Tel:
714/750-8000, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 ASHTON-TATE REVENUES UP IN 2Q REPORT 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00017)

ASHTON-TATE REVENUES UP IN 2Q REPORT 07/18/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate,
a database software development company in the news because of
its sudden purchase by Borland, a software compiler company, is
reporting $2.8 million (11 cents per share) in earnings on net
revenues of $60.1 million for its second quarter fiscal year
(FY) 1991.

Last year at this time the company reported losses of $12.6
million (47 cents per share) on revenues of $48.1 million.

The company says its second quarter revenues compared to its
first quarter revenues this year were adversely affected by
unfavorable foreign exchange fluctuations and a reduction in
international sales, particularly in Germany. It says its U.S.
revenues increased year-to-year and quarter-to-quarter due
mainly to a large shipment it made on credit to a distributor,
unnamed, which sells primarily to U.S. and state governments.

During the last quarter Ashton-Tate has shipped dBASE IV for
386 Unix, the dBASE IV Server Addition that allows personal
computer (PC) users to access Microsoft Structured Query
Language (SQL) Server data and Framework IV, a new version of
its seven-in-one business applications program.

Though revenues are up, and new products are being released,
Ashton-Tate still has not made up for losses it took last fiscal
year. For the six months ending June 30, 1991 the company reported
net income of $5.6 million (23 cents per share) on net revenues
of $123.1 million. For that similar six month period in 1990,
the company reported losses of $13.5 million (51 cents per
share) on net revenues of $105.1 million.

Borland is purchasing Ashton-Tate at $17.50 per share, or
approximately 55% more than the price at which the stock was
currently valued. The transaction is expected to take place
before the end of the year and is subject to approval by the
shareholders and government.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910718/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver,
Ashton-Tate, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 BORLAND EXPOUNDS ON DBASE PLANS, TOUTS RECORD PROFITS 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00018)

BORLAND EXPOUNDS ON DBASE PLANS, TOUTS RECORD PROFITS 07/18/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- In the
midst of a shocked and curious software industry and in the
wake of a lawsuit from an Ashton-Tate shareholder, Borland has
announced in more detail its plans for the future of dBASE IV
and Paradox after its Ashton-Tate purchase, and is out waving
around its record-breaking balance sheet.

Borland's President Philippe Kahn said, "Paradox and dBASE are
complementary products. . ." Many xBASE users might not see it
that way as Paradox is not compatible with xBASE industry
products, and only recently could even import dBASE files.

But Ray Kirk, an xBASE consultant in Los Angeles who has done
consulting work for Ashton-Tate agrees with Kahn, saying,
"Paradox has a good user interface and dBASE has a rich
programming language, so yes, they do compliment one another."

Kirk went on to say that Borland's Philippe Kahn sees an
opportunity to dominate the xBASE world in the purchase.
"Everybody knows the next major xBASE product is going to be
the compiler. Borland has done outstanding, if not the best
compilers in the business with Turbo Pascal, Turbo C, Turbo
C++, Turbo Basic, and others. Further, Borland has been able to
develop, market, and maintain leadership against heavy
competition in the compiler business," Kirk said.

Borland's balance sheet backs that up with profits for the
first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 1992 of over $77 million, an
increase of over 87.6% over the same period in 1991. Net income
was reported at over $9 million, a 94.5% increase over the same
period last year. The quarter just preceding this one, the last
quarter of FY 1991, showed growth almost as strong, with
profits of $70 million and net income of just under $8.5
million.

Borland reported increases per share were 32 cents per share in
first quarter FY 1991, 55 cents per share last quarter and 56
cents per share first quarter FY 1992.

Kahn said, "Our performance can be attributed to strong sales
across our database and programming language product lines,
plus record revenues for our Quattro Pro spreadsheet. "Our
product success is due in large measure to our early adoption
and widespread use of object-oriented software technology."

Borland said its plans are to continue to upgrade and develop
Borland's Paradox and Ashton-Tate's dBASE products for the DOS
operating system environment. It also plans to continue to
offer and support dBASE IV across multiple operating platforms
including 386 Unix, Sun, DEC, Vax VMS, and Macintosh.

As for future plans, Borland says it is publicly committing to
providing a dBASE language interpreter and a compiler to users
in the DOS and Windows environments as well as other future
environments.

The planned Windows products, tentatively named Paradox for
Windows and Object dBASE, will be compatible with their DOS
counterparts, Borland said. Hosted on Borland's engine
architecture, Borland's stated goal is to offer transparent
data interoperability between Paradox, dBASE products, Btrieve,
spreadsheet and structure query language (SQL) data.

"Ashton-Tate customers worldwide, including the large installed
base of dBASE users and application developers, should feel
confident that Borland, recently named the leader in customer
satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, will earn their
loyalty," Kahn said. "Borland's roots are in programming
environments and we are committed to have the entire dBASE
community benefit from our leading edge technology as can be
found in Borland C++ and Objectvision."

What does the dBASE community think? Larry Moore, president of
the Valley West dBASE Users Group said, "I think this will be
good for dBASE. It will inject vitality into the industry and
provide better products for developers and end users."

The completion of the transaction is still pending subject to
the approval of each company's shareholders and the receipt of
all government approvals. Borland said the transaction will be
accounted for as a pooling of interests and is expected to be
completed later this year.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910718/Press Contact: Dick O'Donnell,
Borland, Tel: [phone], Fax: Ray Kirk, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 LOTUS UPDATES 1-2-3, QUARTERLY INCOME DOWN 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00019)

LOTUS UPDATES 1-2-3, QUARTERLY INCOME DOWN 07/18/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Lotus
Development has updated its top DOS spreadsheet product. The new
1-2-3 for DOS Release 3.1+ is available immediately. Lotus also
reported a large drop in net income in the second quarter.

1-2-3 for DOS Release 3.1+ brings most of the same features to
Release 3.1 that Release 2.3 added to those of Release 2.2. Release
3.1+ includes a file-viewing feature based on the technology used
in Lotus' Magellan disk management software, as well as added
spreadsheet auditing capabilities, both of which were introduced in
Release 2.3, spokesman David Allen told Newsbytes.

The new release also includes Lotus' Solver technology, previously
available only in 1-2-3/G for OS/2, and the Lotus DataLens driver
for data exchange with Borland International's Paradox database
software.

Lotus' DOS spreadsheet line has been split since the introduction
of releases 3.0 and 2.2. Release 3.1+ handles three-dimensional
spreadsheets and larger files, but requires at least an Intel 80286
processor and more memory than Release 2.3, which can run on any
DOS machine with 640K bytes of memory.

Lotus said Release 3.1+ is compatible with all earlier versions and
allows users to share files, spreadsheet publishing information,
macros, and data with versions of 1-2-3 for other platforms,
including the recently announced 1-2-3 for Windows and 1-2-3 for
Macintosh spreadsheets. The product is available in English,
International English, and Government editions.

1-2-3 for DOS Release 3.1+ requires an IBM or compatible PC with an
80286 or higher microprocessor, a hard disk, one megabyte of
available system memory and DOS 3.0 or higher. For the
what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) display, 1.5 megabytes of
memory is recommended. Solver requires three megabytes of memory.

The suggested retail price of the 1-2-3 for DOS Release 3.1+
Standard Edition is US$595. The Network Server and Node Editions of
the product will be available within 30 days at suggested retail
prices of US$895 and US$595, respectively. Dutch, French, German,
Italian, Spanish and Swedish versions of Release 3.1+ will also be
available this quarter.

Anyone who bought or upgraded to any PC version of 1-2-3 since
March 1, 1991 can upgrade to Release 3.1+ for a suggested retail
price of US$49, Allen said. Anyone who bought or upgraded to
Release 3.1 since January 8 is eligible for the same offer. All
other 1-2-3 users can upgrade for US$150.

Lotus reported sales of US$186.4 million in its second quarter,
ended June 30, up five percent from US$177.5 million in the
year-ago period. However, net income plunged 61 percent to US$9.1
million from $23.5 million in the second quarter of last year. For
the first half, revenue increased five percent to US$360.8 million,
from US$340 million, while net income fell 66 percent to US$15.7
million from US$46.3 million.

In a prepared statement, Lotus President Jim Manzi blamed the drop
in income on "ongoing product-line transitions," adding that the
company expects better results in the second half of the year.

(Grant Buckler/19910718/Press Contact: Alexandra Trevelyan, Lotus,
617-693-1580; David Allen, Lotus, 617-693-8687)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 PROGRESS ON HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING BILL 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020)

PROGRESS ON HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING BILL 07/18/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- The past two weeks
have seen some progress on the NREN or National Research and
Education Network bill in both the U.S. House of Representatives
and the Senate. NREN would establish a nationwide gigabit-per-
second electronic network to link educational and government
groups to speed research and development efforts, much as
Internet has done (at a lower baud rate) for many years.

The present bills, the House version of which passed last week,
would also fund research into massively parallel supercomputers.

Principle sponsor Sen. Albert Gore, Jr. (D-TN) and J. Bennett
Johnston (D-LA), with rival proposals, have reportedly set their
differences aside to produce a similar Senate bill. The two
Senators mostly differed over who would build NREN.

The White House is also in favor of the NREN but only proposed
$150 million in funding for one year, the bills in Congress call
for spending nearly $3 billion over a five-year period. The Bush
Administration's objection to Senator Gore's proposal is based on
the worry that it will not provide enough transmission capability
for supercomputer projects.

Most observers feel that once operational, NREN would absorb the
present Internet government and academic network, but primary and
high school-level users would join this education network, where
Internet is mostly a university-level system.

The National Science Foundation's NSFNet would be the probable
basis of the new NREN network, which would move toward
privatizing funding.

Some government agencies, such as the U.S. Geological Survey say
that existing T1 (1.5 megabit per second) and T3 (45 megabit per
second) networks are sufficient for their present needs, although
they would like to add more imaging which would require the
vastly higher multi-gigabit speeds of the proposed NREN.

But despite the desire for the faster networks, agency
representatives have expressed major concerns over just how much
it would cost them to purchase time on the proposed privately
operated NREN and whether the cost would be worth it for their
needs.

State, federal, and local government funding have paved the way
in the past for schools to have the best in networking
capabilities, but with shrinking budgets the school networks are
looking for more business users to help defray costs.

(John McCormick/1991718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 COMPAQ OPENS JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00021)

COMPAQ OPENS JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY 07/18/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has announced the opening of its 20th subsidiary,
located in Toyko, Japan.

Compaq has operated a purchasing office in Japan since 1986 and a
technical office since 1989. The company says those facilities
were charged with supporting Compaq's work with its Japanese
vendors and suppliers to ensure quality and customer
satisfaction.

Compaq presently has three authorized dealers in Japan:
Computerland, Marubeni, and Businessland, all selling English
language products and servicing Compaq customers. Compaq says it
will expand the distribution channel over the coming month to add
more authorized dealers, value-added resellers (VARS), and systems
integrators.

According to a prepared statement released by Compaq, the company
will introduce "a range of products which fully responds to the
Japanese market" in the first half of 1992. Compaq says the
product line, while designed for the Japanese market, will
operate in any language around the world. Presently the Japanese
computer industry utilizes five incompatible operating systems,
and Compaq is expected to introduce a product line which will be
cross-system compatible, and will support Windows, API
(Applications Program Interface) and DOS 5. The new product line
will be built to incorporate both Industry Standard Architecture
(ISA) and the Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA).

Chosen to lead the new office is Masaru Murai, a 29-year veteran
of IBM. Prior to joining Compaq, Murai held positions with IBM
in systems engineering, product line management, marketing, and
communications, and sold and installed the first Japanese on-line
banking system. Murai holds a master's degree in business
administration from UCLA, as well as an undergraduate degree from
a Japanese university. Murai will report to Eckhard Preiffer,
Compaq executive vice president and COO.

(Jim Mallory/19910718/Press Contact:Yvonne Donaldson, Compaq,
713-374-0484)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 GTSI GOES PUBLIC 07/18/91

07/18/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00022)

GTSI GOES PUBLIC 07/18/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Government
Technology Services Inc. (GTSI), a major value-added retailer or
VAR to the federal government, has announced a public offering
with the intention of raising $14 million to retire debt. GTSI
has gone from $50 million in federal sales to $300 million in
just the past four years and plans to offer two million shares of
new stock, along with 450,000 shares already owned by
shareholders.

According to Computer Reseller News, the sale of stock is
expected to raise about $22 million at the projected per-share
price of $11 per share, and any funds remaining after debt is
paid down will be added to the current $19 million in working
capital.

(John McCormick/19910718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 UK: TELECOM ASS'N INTROS CODE OF PRACTICE 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023)

UK: TELECOM ASS'N INTROS CODE OF PRACTICE 07/18/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- The Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA) has launched a general code of business practice that is
designed to give all customers an assurance of quality and satisfaction
when they buy telecommunications kit from any one of the group's
600 members.

According to the TIA, the code of practice has been devised by
the TIA's board of directors following extensive consultation
with industry representatives. It has been strongly welcomed by
Sir Bryan Carsberg, director general of Oftel, and Vivienne
Peters, chief executive of the Telecommunications User
Association.

So why the need for a code of practice? The TUA reckons that the
industry needs a set of guidelines for use in situations that are
not encountered in normal day-to-day events. The code of practice
covers areas such as arbitration, installation, maintenance, and
BS5750 approval, and is designed to help ensure customers
receive professional service and quality products.

"The code of practice is the first step in a customer education programme
designed to show business and domestic users why TIA membership is
important and why it should be at the top of the list when choosing a
supplier for their communications equipment," explained
Tom Davis, chairman of the TIA.

"If customers receive the kind of professional service laid out in the
code, they will continue to use the same supplier and have no
reason to look elsewhere," he added.

Copies of the code of practice can be obtained free of charge
from the TIA by calling Angela Davey on 071-351-7115.

(Steve Gold/19910717/Press & PUblic Contact: TIA - Tel:
071-351-7115; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 VULCAN EDITORIAL ON ZIFF TAKEN AS "TONGUE-IN-CHEEK" 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00024)

VULCAN EDITORIAL ON ZIFF TAKEN AS "TONGUE-IN-CHEEK" 07/18/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Ziff-Davis
spokesperson Greg Jarbo, commenting to Newsbytes concerning
the editorial highly critical of Ziff-Davis in the July 1991
issue of Vulcan's Computer Monthly, said, "This looks to
be simply a tongue-in-cheek piece designed for humor and,
while there are quite a few factual errors, it's not worth getting
excited about."

The editorial, "Point/Counterpoint War Of The Words," written
by Charles Emerson and Jack Nimersheim, is critical of a number
of Ziff-Davis practices over the years including its purchasing
and closing of a number of publications. It also takes issue with
what it says is Ziff's policy of excluding freelancers who write
for Computer Monthly from writing for Ziff's Computer
Shopper. In the words of Nimersheim, "I still remember the
day I got a call from one of the Ziff installed editors, informing
me that my byline couldn't appear in Computer Shopper so
long as my columns also graced the pages of this magazine."

The piece refers to Ziff's acquisition of Computer Shopper,
saying, "when Shopper was published by Patch
Communications and edited by Stan Veit, back before the
corporate maws of Ziff-Davis devoured it ... Sure, the
pre-Ziff Shopper was ugly as sin, and Stan himself was an
amiable but autocratic curmudgeon. Still, manufacturers were
willing to deal with the devil himself, so to speak, to get their
products reviewed in it. Within a year of purchasing Shopper,
for an outrageous amount of money, I might add, Ziff
effectively muffled Stan's editorial voice, moved the offices to
New York and dropped most of the magazine's previous
writers, all in an effort to establish a more 'urbane' image for
its new acquisition."

Stan Veit, now Computer Shopper editor emeritus and
columnist, commented to Newsbytes on the characterization of
him, saying, "I don't mind being called 'an amiable but
autocratic curmudgeon' but I don't like being referred to as a
'devil.'" Veit also told Newsbytes that he has "the highest
regard for Bob Lindstrom and John Dickenson, his successors as
Computer Shopper's editor-in-chief."

Computer Monthly's Editor-in-Chief Douglas E. Kilarski, a
former editor at Computer Shopper, told Newsbytes, "We don't
bash anyone. The piece was a tongue-in-cheek one that had
basis in fact. We have received letters from readers and
comments from advertisers about magazines being "Ziffed" and
our editorial writers took a humorous approach to the subject.
The piece was not intended to be hurtful; it was a good natured
look at the subject and did not only refer to Ziff publications
but included a reference to IDG's folding of PC Resources last
August."

Ziff's Jarbo also said, "Anyone reading it (the editorial) would
realize that it is banter and say 'What the heck!'" Those
familiar with the industry would recognize the factual errors.
For example, Ziff-Davis did not acquire Personal Computing
Magazine from Cahners Publishing; it acquired Personal
Computing's subscription from VNU Publishing -- and we did
not use the subscription base to help launch PC Sources; we
rather incorporated the base with PC Computing as the PC
Computing masthead still states. All in all, it is a humorous
piece and should be taken as such."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910718)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 APPLE 3Q SALES UP, LOSES $53.1 MILLION 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00025)

APPLE 3Q SALES UP, LOSES $53.1 MILLION 07/18/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) - Apple
Computer has reported that net revenues for the third quarter
increased 12 percent over the same quarter last year.
Shipments of its Macintosh product line increased by 60
percent in the same period.

As a result of a one time charge of $224 million, or $138.9
million after tax, for "restructuring, cost reduction," and
other unspecified activities, the company reported a net loss
for the quarter of $53.1 million.

Christopher Escher, spokesman for Apple, told Newsbytes that
about a third of the charge-back is for "employee related" expenses,
such as layoffs and relocation expenses for employees having to
move from facilities that have been closed.

He said Apple was committed to reducing its head count by ten
percent, and following the recent layoffs, that leaves another 500
employee reductions in the near future.

Escher said another half of the charge-back is for "facilities and
equipment" expenses, such as "site downsizing" and "moving to
lower-cost environments." He said that the company was planning
the relocation of more operations but declined to elaborate, saying
Apple was still "working out the details."

The remainder of the charge-back, about 15 percent, was a "legal
reserve for litigation."

The company's net revenues for the quarter increased to $1.529
billion from $1.365 billion a year ago. International revenues
accounted for 44 percent of total revenues, compared with 42
percent during the third quarter of fiscal 1990.

The net loss per share for the quarter was $0.44, compared to
$0.96 in earnings for the third quarter a year ago.

Before taking the one-time charge for "restructuring," Apple profits
were considerable. In answer to a question by Newsbytes that
the layoffs were unnecessary for a company making so much profit,
and that the reduction in work force could have come from natural
attrition, Escher said that Apple faced a "significant decrease in
gross margins over time," and that the company's "earnings ratios
were decreasing significantly."

Escher said that the company "expects that to continue," and that
it "has to reduce the cost of doing business now," to remain
competitive in the future.

John Sculley, chairman and chief executive officer, said: "We are
taking important steps to lower our costs because success in
this industry in the future will depend on increasingly cost effective
operations in addition to technological and market leadership. Our
restructuring activities, and the costs associated with them, while
difficult in the short run, will provide important competitive benefits
as we move forward."

(Ian Stokell/19910718/Press Contact: Christopher Escher, Apple
Computer Inc., 408-974-2202)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 INTEL POSTS BIG BUCKS FOR SECOND QUARTER 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)

INTEL POSTS BIG BUCKS FOR SECOND QUARTER 07/18/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Intel's
domination of the microprocessor market has been emphasized
once again with its financial report for the second quarter ended
June 29, 1991. Revenue rose 20 percent and net income 35
percent over the similar period last year.

Revenue was $1.25 billion, compared with $968 million one year
ago, and net income totaled $231 million, against $171 million,
for the second quarter of 1990. Earnings per share were $1.10,
compared to $0.84 over last year.

For the first six months of 1991, revenue rose 28 percent to
$2.39 billion, compared with $1.86 billion for the first six months
of 1990. Net income climbed to $428 million from $314 million
last year.

The company recently introduced a 50MHz version of its 80486
microprocessor that Intel claims is capable of performing
41 million instructions-per-second.

The company also claims that the world's fastest supercomputer,
the Intel Touchstone Delta system, was recently installed at Caltech
for use by the Concurrent Computing Consortium. The system is
based on 528 i860 XR supercomputing microprocessors.

Intel has also began the production ramp for its new 0.8 micron chip
production line in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where both the new i860 XP
and Intel 80486 DX 50 MHz microprocessors are being produced.

As part of the company's profit sharing scheme, Intel employees
would receive a cash bonus equivalent to 6.8 days pay. The
company said that "the bonuses are paid semi-annually and are
based on a pretax income formula."

(Ian Stokell/19910718/Press Contact: Pam Pollace, Intel Corp.,
408-765-1435)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 Review of: GeoWorks, 07/17/91 - CORRECTED VERSION

07/18/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(DEN)(00027)

Review of: GeoWorks, 07/17/91 - CORRECTED VERSION

Runs on: IBM and compatibles

From: Geoworks, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704,
415-644-3456

Price: Suggested Retail $199.99

PUMA Rating: 3.7 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Jim Mallory, 07/22/91

Summary: GeoWorks is a graphical interface in the manner of
Windows, but runs on machines such as the XT. It includes
programs for drawing, word processing, index cards,
planning/scheduling, communications, and some utilities such as
calculator, address book and notepad. It also allows the user to
shell out to DOS, or call other programs from its DOS programs
screen. I like it, even if I didn't think it was perfect (what
program is?).

======

REVIEW

======

I strongly believe that the majority of software publishers
forgot that there are thousands of XT class machines still out
there plugging away. GeoWorks has a good start towards helping
these people come into the graphical interface world, just as
Windows has done for the 386 and 486 machine users. No more
remembering DOS commands, or the names of batch files. When
GeoWorks starts up, you just point at the icon for the program or
utility you want to launch and click twice. GeoWorks offers a
very good word processor, a drawing program, GeoDex, which
displays index cards on the screen, which you can fill out, flip
through, dial phone numbers from, etc. It also has a planner
program that allows you to set alarms, view a month or a year of
calendars, keep an appointment book, and print these useful
tools.

The Communications program lets you dial into services such as
GEnie, download information, send files and the other usual
things that telecom programs usually do. You can write scripts,
which allow you to automate the usual communications chores.
However, in my opinion, while useful, GeoComm is the weakest link
in GeoWorks

The desk tools (calculator, notepad and scrapbook) are useful and
easy-to-use tools. The calculator does what most calculators do,
but can also be used for Reverse Polish Notation calculations.
Polish notation is a method of calculation where you enter both
numbers, then the arithmetic function, such as add, multiply,
etc. You can cut or copy calculator results and paste them into
other applications from the clipboard.

The notepad is a very basic word processor in which you can save
notes and print them. Like GeoWrite, notes can be printed in
low, medium or high quality print. Since you can't pop up the
notepad while in another application such as GeoDraw, it didn't
seem very useful. You can cut and paste from the notepad to
other applications.

GeoWorks scrapbook has good potential for use. When you cut and
paste to the clipboard, the information only remains available
until the next cut and paste. But if you cut/copy to the
scrapbook, the information is saved, and can be used over and
over. For example, signature blocks for correspondence could be
kept in the scrap book and pasted into letters created with
GeoWrite. Graphics saved in the scrapbook, such as a fancy
letterhead, could be inserted at the top of letters, for example.

Other than being a graphical user interface (are you tired of
hearing the phrase goo-ey yet?), the strength of GeoWorks is its
word processor. GeoWorks has the usual word processing features
such as saving, printing, setting tabs, and paragraph spacing. It
has a ruler, just like MS Word and others, and you can either
select text after it is typed and change its style or size, or
specify style and size as you type. What I liked about GeoWorks
over some other similar programs is that it seems so easy to do
all these things.

GeoWorks also allows you to save a style (spacing, font,
indentation of paragraphs, etc.) so they can be easily recalled
and used -- nice feature for a less than $200 product. You can
add borders to paragraphs, including shadowing, with the user
selecting from which direction the light causing the shadow is
coming. Border width is selectable. And if you have VGA or EGA,
you can display GeoWrite in up to 16 colors, assigning colors to
text, paragraph background or borders. Custom colors can be
created. With a CGA monitor, or on monochrome screens, GeoWorks
appears in shades of gray.

GeoDraw provides the usual features of drawing programs, such as
copy and paste, lines, patterns, styles, boxes, circles, and
polygons. But you can also rotate both images and text, reshape
images, and draw connected lines (you can create strange,
multi-sided figures with this feature). Text can be flipped or
even wrapped in a circle.

When I draw two boxes in the low end desktop publishing program I
have been using, I have a terrible time if I want the two boxes
to be matched up perfectly. One always slightly out of line.
GeoDraw has a nice feature, Nudge, which nudges the object ever
so slightly until its right where you want it. Much more precise
than dragging the object.

GeoWorks features the famous WYSIWYG (by now you must know that
means What You See Is What You Get), meaning whatever the screen
looks like is what will (ideally) come out on the printer. A
nice feature I liked in GeoDraw is the ability to select a
portion of text, even one letter, and make it a dark, medium, or
light halftone. This allows some interesting effects.

If you haven't guessed already, GeoWorks does NOT support daisy
wheel printers -- only dot matrix, laser, and ink jet types. I
didn't find that anywhere in the literature, but when I called
the tech support people, they very politely told me so.

GeoWorks has a DOS screen on which you can elect to shell out to
DOS. But more importantly, it will allow you to very easily
create icons (little pictures) from which you can select your
other programs, such as your favorite spreadsheet.

What isn't GeoWorks? Well, its not a spreadsheet, although I
hear that Dimensions Research has licensed the code from GeoWorks
in order to design a 3D spreadsheet.

It's also not a database, flat or otherwise. The closest
GeoWorks comes is its GeoDex application mentioned above. And if
you run it on an XT class machine, it's not fast either. But I
still like it. For small businesses and other users whose main
need is a good word processor with useful extras such as the
calculator, the address book and scheduler, and a electronic file
card system, it's an economical program which is quite useful.

GeoWorks is expected to release an upgrade (Version 1.2) by
mid-July, plus 4-5 weeks for shipping, which will add a 100,000
word spell checker, Postscript printer support, screen savers,
and business templates such as invoices. We also understand that
Release 2.0 may be along by the end of the year. There is very little
information about Release 2.0, except that it is expected to be
faster, and network-capable. Some present users are running
GeoWorks on the hard drive of a networked XT or AT now, but
that's only single user.

Some users have reported some problems getting GeoWorks to run
under DOS 5.0, but those problems seem resolvable with a little
effort, and sometimes some outside help. GEnie has a GeoWorks
round table which seems to be fairly busy, and gives good
information. It also contains some nice clip art.

Several PC manufacturers are already bundling GeoWorks with their
product, including Samsung and Philips.

======

PUMA RATING

======

PERFORMANCE 3.5: It doesn't do everything, but what it does, it
does well. Very good word processor, good drawing program, and
good desktop utilities. Speed is acceptable. I'd like to be
able to pop up the notepad within an application, and maybe in
Release 2.0 we can.

USEFULNESS: 3.5: Good value for the money. I'd buy it for my
business, especially if I wanted to go "goo-ey." It's easy to
use and easy to learn, although you will need to use the manual.

MANUAL 3.8: Documentation is easy to understand, readable,
professional looking. There could be more on-screen help.

AVAILABILITY 3.8: Available through retail outlets. Does not
offer a toll free number, but the technicians seem knowledgeable.
They called back promptly when I sought assistance.

(Jim Mallory/19910712)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 SEAGATE POSTS SMALL INCOME GAIN 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)

SEAGATE POSTS SMALL INCOME GAIN 07/18/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Seagate
Technology, fresh from a layoff involving 18 percent of its staff,
reports net sales of $676 million and net income of $383 thousand
or 1 cent per share, for the three months ended June 30, 1991.
For the year ended June 30, 1991, net sales were $2.676 billion and
net income was $67.458 million or $1.02 per share.

The company says its restructuring and layoffs cost more than $6
million dollars and are included in the quarterly results.

On July 12, Seagate announced that 1200 employees from its US and
European operations would be let go as part of a massive restructuring
of parts of the company in a top management effort designs to reduce
operating expenses. The layoffs were among the firm's "indirect"
workforce -- people in human resources, sales, and
other white-collar jobs, not in manufacturing.

Results for the three months and year ended June 30, 1991 and 1990,
include the operations of Imprimis Technology, purchased in October,
1989, by Seagate, a disk storage product manufacturer.

Seagate maintains plants in Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Anaheim,
and other California locations, as well as in Oklahoma, Minnesota,
Ohio, Florida, and Nebraska. There are overseas locations in Scotland
and Ireland.

(Wendy Woods/19910718/Press Contact: Julie A. Still, Seagate Technology,
408-438-6550)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 BULL'S SECURE LAPTOP USES SMART CARD 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00029)

BULL'S SECURE LAPTOP USES SMART CARD 07/18/91
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Bull HN Information
Systems has introduced Subrosa, a laptop computer that provides
security through a built-in smart card reader. The unit was
developed by Bull Canada in response to Canadian government
security standards.

An otherwise ordinary SupersPort laptop computer from Bull's Zenith
Data Systems subsidiary is equipped with a built-in smart card
reader built by Bull. The unit also has a PC Assure access control
and encryption device from Cantel Federal Services. Each user must
have a smart card, which is used to unlock the machine before it
can be used. Each user's smart card contains a profile of his or
her rights or privileges, which in conjunction with the access
control device can allow a user access to some files but not to
others.

The system can also control software installation, Bull said,
providing protection against the spread of viruses.

The Subrosa is the same size as the unit on which it is based, a
company spokeswoman explained, because a special circuit board that
replaces the standard hard disk contains the smart card unit as
well as a replacement disk. The unit weighs 18.8 pounds.

The unit was developed partly in response to a report last year by
Canada's auditor general, Kenneth Dye, a company spokeswoman said.
Dye, whose job is to study and criticize government procedures,
warned that traditional data processing controls are becoming less
and less effective as computing grows less centralized.

The system is available in Canada now, and plans are being laid to
offer it in the United States this fall.

(Grant Buckler/19910717/Press Contact: Patricia Knight, Bull HN
Information Systems Canada, 416-479-2855; Betty de Sousa, The
Communications Group for Bull, 416-696-9900, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 18 NEW FOR PCS: Inset Updates Hijaak 07/18/91

07/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00030)

NEW FOR PCS: Inset Updates Hijaak 07/18/91
BROOKFIELD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 18 (NB) -- Inset Systems
has updated its Hijaak screen-capture software. Version 2.02, which
adds new screen capturing and file conversion capabilities, is
shipping now.

The new version can capture screens with resolution of up to 1.024
by 768 pixels and 256 colors, conforming to the Super VGA display
standard. The previous version supported only standard VGA, a
spokeswoman said. Super VGA is supported under DOS and under
Microsoft Windows. Hercules clone cards are also now recognized.

The new release adds options to clip captured images and to remap
colors in the images. The software will also let the user choose
from three fonts for captured screen text to get the best
resolution on the chosen output device.

Version 2.02 also adds support for a variety of additional graphics
formats, including added variants of the TIFF, Windows Metafile,
Macintosh PICT and AutoCAD DXF formats. Seven new facsimile formats
are supported. The new release also lets users create PostScript
files using the Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black (CMYK) color model as
well the Red-Green-Blue (RGB) model. According to Inset, the CMYK
model produces better blacks than RGB.

The suggested retail price for Hijaak remains at US$199, while
users of Version 2.0 can upgrade free and users of previous
versions can do so for US$50, the spokeswoman said. The software is
shipping now.

(Grant Buckler/19910718/Press Contact: Wendy Schulman, Inset
Systems, 203-678-0012, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUL 17 ALPHAREL IN EDS NAVY IMAGING SYSTEM SUBCONTRACT 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00001)

ALPHAREL IN EDS NAVY IMAGING SYSTEM SUBCONTRACT 07/17/91
CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Electronic Data
Systems, better known as EDS, has selected Camarillo, California-based
Alpharel to supply about $500,000 worth of imaging hardware and
software.

Terms of the contract call for Alpharel to supply document and
engineering drawing imaging systems for addition to existing U.S. Navy
personal computers and networks in use around the world.

Alpharel currently markets the FileFolder document storage and
retrieval system which provides facilities for scanning and converting
hard copy into compressed digital format and stores the images on
high-density optical discs.

Other Alpharel products include the Digital Documentation,
Transmission and Management System, which converts documents
into binary format, and AR1720 communications software.

Computergram International reported in March that Alpharel Inc.,
showed fourth-quarter 1990 net profits of $278,000, versus a loss of
more than $5 million for the same period the previous year, on 50
percent higher sales. The net profits for the year were $153,000, up
from a loss of more than $12 million for 1989.

(John McCormick/19910717/Press Contact: Kenneth S. Caldwell, Alpharel
Inc., 805-482-9815, ext. 241)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****NATSEMI SHRINKS ETHERNET CONTROLLER TO SINGLE CHIP 07/17/91

07/17/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00002)

 ****NATSEMI SHRINKS ETHERNET CONTROLLER TO SINGLE CHIP 07/17/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- National
Semiconductor (Natsemi) has introduced the DP83902, the first single
chip Ethernet controller which the company claims is suitable for
notebook and other battery-operated computers.

Replacing the previous three-chip set to provide network interface
controller, encoder/decoder, and a 10Base-T transceiver on one chip,
the new device uses only one-fourth of the electrical power of the
original set.

The new chip -- called the ST-NIC -- will replace the DP8390x Natsemi
three-chip set with no changes needed to existing hardware or software
designs. This, Natsemi officials claim, means that the new chipset can
be used by Ethernet users without any change in their operating
procedure.

The new chipset is claimed to support all IEEE 802.3 media options
including the newly approved 10Base-T section of the standard.
10Base-T is a 10-megabit-per-second Ethernet data transfer standard
using twisted pair cabling which is similar to that used in telephone
wiring and 10Base-T can occasionally be run over existing telephone
wiring.

Twisted pair cabling is less expensive than the usual coaxial cables
needed for Ethernet network installations. Natsemi says that about 80
percent of existing Ethernet systems are already based on National's
DP8390 chip architecture.

For further information, contact a local NS sales office, call the
company's national customer response center at 800-272-9959, or
contact LAN product marketing manager Tushar Kothari at 408-721-7020.

(John McCormick/19910717/Press Contact: Leslie Davis, National
Semiconductor, 408-721-2862)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 AUTOCAD FOR HP APOLLO 9000 SERIES 700 WORKSTATIONS 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00003)

AUTOCAD FOR HP APOLLO 9000 SERIES 700 WORKSTATIONS 07/17/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard
(HP) and Autodesk have announced that Autocad, a package for the
computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) marketplace, will be made
available on the HP Apollo 9000 Series 700 workstations.

Ruth Connolly, general manager of Autodesk's Autocad business unit
said: "HP has set impressive price/performance marks with its Series
700 workstation platforms."

"As we continue to extend Autocad's feature set, low-cost, high-
performance environments based on a Unix system will become
increasingly attractive to a growing number of our current and
potential customers," he added.

Autodesk claims that Autocad is currently being used by more than
500,000 design and drafting professionals world-wide for applications
such as electronic-design automation (EDA), mechanical computer-
aided design (MCAD), architecture, engineering and construction (AEC)
and geographic-information systems (GIS).

This new version of Autocad is expected to be available in early 1992
on the HP Apollo computers that run the HP-UX operating system.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: Andrew Zarrillo, Autodesk,
Tel: [phone], Paul Reese, Hewlett-Packard, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 NEW GM FOR 3COM IN TAIWAN AND KOREA 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00004)

NEW GM FOR 3COM IN TAIWAN AND KOREA 07/17/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- As part of a revamp of
its operations in Asia, 3Com has announced the appointment of Mike
Wen-Yuan Guo as its general manager for North Asia, with
responsibility for the company's operations in Taiwan and Korea.

Based in Taiwan, Guo will develop 3Com's presence in these markets
and support distributors with marketing and technical services across
the spectrum of the company's global data networking products.

"This appointment signals a new phase in our activities in North
Asia," said William Messer, general manager for 3Com's Asian
operations.

"Within the past 12 months, we have appointed a number of new
distributors in Taiwan and Korea, which are among the region's most
important markets for us. We are now strengthening our support
structure for these territories to demonstrate our commitment to
distributors and customers alike," he added.

Before joining 3Com, Guo was regional sales manager at ASK
Computer Systems.

(Norman Wingrove/19910717/Press contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com, Tel +
852 848 9200, Fax + 852 537 1149; HK time is GMT +8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 EIGHT MORE MANUFACTURERS SUPPORT PEN WINDOWS 07/17/91

07/17/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)

EIGHT MORE MANUFACTURERS SUPPORT PEN WINDOWS 07/17/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced that eight more hardware manufacturers have said they will
build pen computers or displays that will support Microsoft Windows
for pen computer systems.

The companies are Zenith Data Systems; Dell Computer Corp; AST
Research; Olivetti; Tusk Inc; Microslate Inc; SuperScript Inc; and
Wacom Inc. The individual companies say they will release the
specifics of their pen products at a later date.

The new players bring the total of hardware companies to support pen-
based computing to 29. All seem keen to stress their involvement in the
Pen Windows-based notebook marketplace.

Jeff Raikes of Microsoft said: "Availability of pen machines and
applications will be the driving forces in building momentum for this
industry." He added that Microsoft is very pleased with the broad
support it is receiving for Windows for Pens.

Zenith Data Systems president Enrico Pesatori revealed that the
company's pen-based systems will be available next year, and will
be optimized for the Windows environment.

Michael Dell, Dell Computer Corp president, said that he feels the
emergence of pen-based computing will bring significant changes
to personal computing.

Olivetti CEO Ettore Morezzi added that Olivetti will offer a full range
of pen computers, which will run Windows for Pens. Morezzi added
that Pen Windows is one of the best operating systems for such
technology.

(Jim Mallory/19910717/Press Contact:Marty Taucher, Microsoft, 206-882-
8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 NCAR BUYS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER FOR WEATHER RESEARCH 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00006)

NCAR BUYS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER FOR WEATHER RESEARCH 07/17/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced that the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR),
located in Boulder, Colorado, has ordered a Cray Y-MP supercomputer.

NCAR says that the supercomputer will be used solely for climate
research and will be one of the few systems world-wide dedicated to that
purpose.

NCAR says that plans call for the organization to establish a numerical
climate research laboratory, utilizing funds provided by the Model
Evaluation Consortium for Climate Assessment (MECCA). MECCA is a
newly developed partnership between industry, government and
academic groups from the US, Japan, Italy and France.

Installation of the Y-MP system, which will utilize two processors,
was completed on July 15, 1991. The numerical lab also provides
researchers with communications, data management and data
visualization capabilities.

NCAR researchers will use climate modeling to study future climate
variations caused by human activities as well as natural events. Such
events as the emission of greenhouse gases, changing land use,
deforestation and volcanic eruptions all effect climate.

The researchers say that with the new system they will be able to
simulate 100 years of climate in about five hours of the Y-MP.
Previously, three months or more have been required to perform the
simulation.

(Jim Mallory/19910717/Press Contact: Kate Neessen, Cray, 612-683-7132)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 NEW FOR PC: Procalc 3D Spreadsheet 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)

NEW FOR PC: Procalc 3D Spreadsheet 07/17/91
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Parsons
Technology has announced the release of ProCalc 3D, a three
dimensional spreadsheet package for IBM PCs and close
compatibles.

Procalc 3D offers the usual features of most spreadsheets, but also
allows the stacking of multiple pages of data, forming a 'work cube.'
While displaying information in the traditional two-dimensional format,
data is automatically calculated in three dimensions as data is
changed. To work with a cross section of data in depth, users issue a
single command to rotate the work cube.

Parsons Technology says that ProCalc 3Dbase supports more than
100 'at' functions, global search and replace, column hiding,
worksheet auditing, global seeking, password protection and
spreadsheet linking. Users can make entries to a spreadsheet in a
database format and perform such database functions as searching
and sorting.

ProCalc 3D can import from, and export to, other popular spreadsheet
formats such as Lotus .wk1, dBase .dbf, DIF and ASCII.

ProCalc 3D also links with MoneyCounts, a personal finance
management program also published by Parsons Technology. When
data changes are made, the spreadsheet and MoneyCounts files are
both updated automatically.

ProCalc 3D has a suggested price of $89. The package requires at least
512 kilobytes of RAM, but the company strongly recommends 640K. A
hard disk is also required.

(Jim Mallory/19910717/Press Contact:Anne Rawland, Parsons Technology,
319-377-5601)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****ROCKWELL SELLS DIVISION TO ALCATEL FOR $625 MILLION 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00008)

 ****ROCKWELL SELLS DIVISION TO ALCATEL FOR $625 MILLION 07/17/91
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Since its
April 5 announcement to sell its Network Transmission Systems
Division (NTSD), Rockwell has found a buyer. Alcatel, a Paris-based
telecommunications manufacturer, has agreed to purchase the NTSD
for $625 million with the agreement to also assume some of the
company's medical benefits and pension liabilities.

The NTSD, a single division of the Rockwell group, reported sales
of less than $500 million in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 last year.
That is reportedly less than three percent of Rockwell's annual sales.

NTSD has 3,600 employees and is headquartered in Richardson,
Texas. The company supplies telecommunication systems and
products for transport and management of voice, image and data
traffic. Some products include fiber-optic systems, microwave digital
systems and cross-connection equipment.

Part of Rockwell's manufacturing operations include building space
shuttles for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA).

Rockwell said it anticipates the transaction will be complete by the
end of the year.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: William Miller, Rockwell,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 ASHTON-TATE SHAREHOLDER FILES SUIT 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00009)

ASHTON-TATE SHAREHOLDER FILES SUIT 07/17/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- An
Ashton-Tate shareholder has filed a complaint against Ashton-Tate,
naming Borland, and alleging that the merger between the two
companies is a breach on the part of the directors of their fiduciary
duties, and that the consideration provided for in the merger is
inadequate.

The Ashton-Tate stockholder, Edward Michael, filed his class action
law suit in Delaware Chancery court. The complaint reportedly asks
for an order inhibiting the agreement between the two companies as
well as damages and attorney's fees.

Borland's announcement last week that it would purchase Ashton-Tate
was totally unexpected and surprised the software community. Larry
Moore, a Los Angeles-based xBASE consultant and president of the
Valley West dBASE Users Group said, "What shocked me was it
happened without anyone hearing about it ahead of time."

When asked about his opinion of the suit filed against AT Moore said:
"Ashton-Tate stock was going for $10 to $12 a share and Borland
came along and offered $17.50. Did they (the persons filing suit) really
think Ashton-Tate was worth more than that?"

The purchase agreement now hinges on the approval of the
shareholders and receipt of the required government approvals.

Ashton-Tate recently settled out of court another class action suit
filed in December of last year charging the company with racketeering
and claimed the settlement of the suit was at least in part the reason
for its $5.6 million fourth quarter losses.

Borland has released an announcement providing further information
about its plans after the merger. Philippe Kahn, Borland's chairman
president and chief executive officer said: "Paradox and dBASE are
complementary products and Ashton-Tate customers world-wide,
including the large installed base of dBASE users and application
developers, should feel confident that Borland, recently named the
leader in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, will
earn their loyalty."

Kahn went on to say: "We will protect customer investments in the
Paradox and dBASE products. Borland's roots are in programming
environments and we are committed to have the entire dBASE
community benefit from our leading edge technology as can be
found in Borland C++ and ObjectVision."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver, Ashton-
Tate, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Marguerite Padovani,
Borland, Tel: [phone], Larry Moore, Valley West dBASE Users
Group, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 ELECTRONIC 'HYPERTEXT' TRAVEL GUIDES AVAILABLE ON DISK 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00010)

ELECTRONIC 'HYPERTEXT' TRAVEL GUIDES AVAILABLE ON DISK 07/17/91
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Lee Foster, widely
published travel author, and the Boston Documentation Design, have
teamed up to develop the first travel guides on computer diskettes for
the IBM personal computer.

Five disks are currently available, and use a 'hypertext' program so
the user can cross-reference information of interest across the entire
document in seconds, Foster said. The electronic guides consist of the
same consumer travel reporting that Foster publishes widely in some
25 magazines and 20 newspapers each year.

"The beauty of this is how fast the disks can be updated... and how
compact the information is," Foster said. "I can get some new
information on China, as I did today, send it to Boston Documentation
Design, and the disks can be quickly updated."

"Diskettes are easier to update, reducing the long lead time in
producing travel print books, which often dates the information even
before the book is published. You can also make convenient printouts
from a diskette without ripping out a book, magazine or newspaper
sections or violating copyright protection by photocopying," he added.

Five disks are available: San Francisco and Northern California,
California Travel (includes all of California), Silicon Valley Guide,
Western U.S., and Travel Sampler U.S. and World-wide. The
information is particularly strong in U.S. travel, covering every major
destination in the Western United States, Foster said.

"The software technology to produce the electronic guides has
advanced dramatically in the last year," said Neil Duane of Boston
Documentation Design.

"Our partnership with Foster gives us an edge in this field. Our
hypertext program allows viewers to read Foster's travel guides in
new ways, choosing their own paths by moving from one topic to
another as their need for information dictates," he added.

Currently, all the information is text only, but Foster says ways to
handle photographic information are being explored. "I'm also a
photographer, and I have photos on everything I have written," he
said, adding that the technology for getting that photographic
information out in a cost-effective way will definitely be available
in the future.

Boston Documentation Design says it has developed expertise at
turning virtually any kind of book form into a computer diskette. Duane
said that he believes most manuals and reference books, as well as
purely literary books, will eventually be offered in electronic form.

The travel disks retail for $39.95 each. More information is available
from Boston Documentation Design, 125 Adams Street, Newton, MA,
02158; telephone - [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: Lee Foster, Foster Travel
Publishing, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Diane Hendrickson,
Boston Documentation Design, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 WESTERN DIGITAL ROBOTS MANUFACTURE DISK DRIVES 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00011)

WESTERN DIGITAL ROBOTS MANUFACTURE DISK DRIVES 07/17/91
SINGAPORE, 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Western Digital has opened a new,
fully-automated disk drive manufacturing assembly line at its 250,000-
square foot disk drive assembly plant in Singapore.

The plant is unusual in using robotics to automate the entire assembly
and test process without a single manual station.

At the opening ceremony of the plant, Western Digital's chairman,
president and chief executive officer Roger W. Johnson said: "This is
a strategic investment in one of our core businesses, placing Western
Digital at the forefront of disk drive manufacturing technology."

"It is also a key step in our plan to transition the mix of our disk
drive business to exclusively voice coil products before the end of
calendar year 1991. The automation of our voice coil disk drive
manufacturing will enable us to improve costs and yields while at the
same time maintain the high levels of quality and performance of our
expanding family of voice coil drives," he added.

Lynda Orban of Western Digital said that the new plant can produce
5,000 drives a day -- a new drive every 15 seconds -- with improved
quality and at a lower cost.

"This not only will improve our quality control by having a cleaner
environment for the manufacturing process, and reduce the number of
parts made inoperable by human error, but it will force our suppliers
to increase their quality standards. You see, a robot will not fiddle
with a screw to make it fit, like a person might. If the part is not
up to specifications, a robot can automatically tell and it just
rejects it," she said.

"Each individual disk drive is bar coded before it is assembled and
detailed records are kept on its manufacture and quality control tests
in an extensive database. If we should get the drive back for some
reason, we'll be able to go back and tell exactly what happened with
that individual drive," she added.

Initially, the new production line will be dedicated to the 3.5-inch
Caviar drives in 60, 80 and 120 megabyte (MB) capacities, but the
expansion to smaller 2.5-inch and even 1.8-inch disk drives are
part of the company's plans, Western Digital said. The company
added that all of its voice coil drives are covered by its own two-year
warranty.

Western Digital's recent history has been a financial struggle with
reported writedowns against earnings of $66 million, the closing of a
manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico in December, 1990 and the most
recently announced closure of its motherboard manufacturing facility
in Irvine, planned for August.

Western Digital, headquartered in Irvine, makes a variety of hardware
for personal computers.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: Lynda Orban, Western Digital,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Western Digital Singapore, Tel:
011-65-443-3443)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 RDI CUTS SPARC LAPTOP PRICING, INCREASES DISK CAPACITY 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00012)

RDI CUTS SPARC LAPTOP PRICING, INCREASES DISK CAPACITY 07/17/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- RDI Computer
has announced that it has lowered its price on the Britelite SPARC
workstation laptop more than $800, from $10,800 to $9,995. Additionally,
it has added a dual internal 120 megabyte (MB) hard disk drive option.

"More efficient manufacturing has allowed us to lower the Britelite's
price, making our product more competitive in the quickly growing
portable workstation market," explained Steve McAllister, director of
marketing for RDI.

The 240MB hard disk drive configuration option includes an increased
capacity power supply and other modifications so the second 120 MB
hard disk drive can replace the floppy disk drive that comes standard
on the unit, RDI said.

The company said that the modifications have been engineered in such
a way as to not increase the unit's previous weight of 13.5 pounds.

The purpose of the added disk capacity is to offer the user more
flexibility, as a broader range of software applications can be
utilized with the increased capacity, the company said. The increased
capacity laptop will be shown at the Sun Open Systems Exposition at
the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose in July.

Users who wish to upgrade an existing Britelite laptop to the second
120 MB hard disk drive can do so for $925, the company said. Tracy
Coughlin of RDI added that the modifications do have to be done
in-house, however.

The BriteLite is available through Unix resellers. More information is
available from RDI Computer, 6815 Flanders Drive, San Diego,
CA 92121; telephone - 619 558-6985.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: Tracy Coughlin, RDI, Tel:
619-558-6985, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 COMPAQ MOVES UP TO NUMBER 377 IN GLOBAL FORTUNE 500 07/17/91

07/17/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00013)

COMPAQ MOVES UP TO NUMBER 377 IN GLOBAL FORTUNE 500 07/17/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has announced that it has moved up to number 377 in
Fortune Magazine's Global 500 list.

The Global 500 list combines data from the US Fortune 500 and the
International 500 listings, and was first introduced in July of 1990. The
International 500 list, established in 1976, include companies outside
the United States.

Compaq held the 438th spot on last year's global list, jumping up 61
spots this year. Compaq claims that it ranks number 125 on the Global
500 list in terms of profits, up from number 182.

"Compaq's rise in Fortune's Global 500 is a result of the company's
early focus on building a competitive world-wide strategy", said
Eckhard Pfeiffer, Compaq's COO. Pfeiffer added that effective
international manufacturing, product marketing and distribution all
contributed to Compaq's success in the global market. The company
ranked number 136 in the Fortune 500 (US companies) for 1990.

Compaq has manufacturing facilities in Houston, Texas, Erskine,
England and Stirling, Scotland. The Erskine facility was the first
Compaq plant to receive certification under the International
Standardization Organization 9000 standards. The company says
the other facilities will be certified before the end of 1991.

(Jim Mallory/19910717/Press Contact:Catherine Macora, Compaq, 713-374-
4616)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 SOFTWARE PUBLISHING PLANS APPS FOR PEN COMPUTING 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00014)

SOFTWARE PUBLISHING PLANS APPS FOR PEN COMPUTING 07/17/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) --Software
Publishing announced at the Pen Computing 1991 conference in
Burlingame, California, that it has formed a development team and is
planning to develop applications for Go Computer's Penpoint operating
system.

The Penpoint operating system allows users to perform computing
functions by using a pen, much like a standard ink pen. The operating
system is specially designed to 'understand' and interpret the
handwriting of the user. The computer is all monitor, but looks very
much in size and weight like a thick, legal note pad someone might
pull out of a briefcase.

"Software Publishing believes that pen computing is ideally suited for
people who haven't been able to use computers in the past," said
Richard Frank, vice president and chief technical officer. "We're
excited because it broadens the computer market to include mobile
professionals by providing them the same presentation and document
processing capabilities as their desk-bound colleagues," he added.

SPC claims that it chose the object-oriented Penpoint operating system
because of its efficient use of memory, so business applications can
run in significant less memory than on a desktop personal computer.

The company said that its current version of Professional Writer Plus,
a Windows document processor, runs without modification, under
Windows for Pen.

"I'm pleased that Software Publishing -- a leader in desktop
applications -- is announcing its commitment to Penpoint," said Jerry
Kaplan, chairman and co-founder of Go Corporation. "Software
Publishing is developing innovative, pen-centric applications which
take advantage of Penpoint's simplicity and ease of use."

Software Publishing also said its project team is investigating
Windows for Pen enhancements to the company's existing products.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: Mary Jane Reiter, Software
Publishing, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 VISION TEN SUPPLIES FILM DIGITIZER TO APEX 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00015)

VISION TEN SUPPLIES FILM DIGITIZER TO APEX 07/17/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Vision Ten, a
manufacturer of film digitizing systems, has announced it has signed a
contracted with Apex Technologies for Apex to include its film
digitizer in its digital imaging division product line.

Announcing the contract, Ron Maynard, vice president and general
manager for Apex, said: "Apex found that the time required to develop
a digital scanner would not fit our time and cost schedule for
implementing the inspection program. This opened up opportunities
for outside suppliers, such as Vision Ten."

Apex is a design engineering and equipment manufacturing company
that provides services to the nuclear power industry.

With the addition of digital imaging of industrial radiographic films,
Apex will add to the performance of its visual inspection systems,
software design, record storage, retrieval and operations monitoring
and control.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: Caroline Clark, Vision Ten,
Tel: [phone], Fax: )
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 D&B SOFTWARE SECURES FIRST EAST EUROPEAN CONTRACT 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00016)

D&B SOFTWARE SECURES FIRST EAST EUROPEAN CONTRACT 07/17/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Dun & Bradstreet
Software (D&B Software) has announced the signing of its first
Eastern European customer. It has licensed its AMAPS/400
manufacturing system to Fabryka Samochodow Osobwych (FSO),
Poland's largest automobile manufacturer

FSO, founded in 1931 with the signing of a license agreement with
Fiat of Italy, employs 20,000 workers at 18 facilities across Poland.
AMAPS/400 is scheduled to go into live production in September in
support of final assembly operations at FSO's Warsaw plant. It will
run on a newly installed IBM AS/400 Model 50.

The September installation is considered to be phase 1 of the
implementation effort and will address the replacement of the
company's manual purchasing and receiving operations. Phase II,
tentatively scheduled to begin October, is intended to extend the
reach of AMAPS into conventional manufacturing and control areas
such as materials requirement planning (MRP) and bill of material
structures/

Announcing the contract, Joe Trino, president of D&B Software's
Advanced Manufacturing International (AMI) division, said: "FSO, like
many Eastern European concerns, is eager to implement
state-of-the-art technology to improve productivity, quality and
profitability of its operations."

"We're extremely pleased that it selected D&B Software to provide
software and services to bolster its competitive stance in the new
world market it must now compete in. Likewise, we're excited to become
a player in a major new market that has been opened to us. Our move
into this market underscores D&B Software's commitment to provide
world-class technology and services around the globe," he added.

According to the D&B statement, the contract agreement resulted from a
co-operative effort between D&B Software International and VimeX, its
local partner in Poland.

Andrzej Klewinski, FSO's materials resources and transport director,
commenting on the awarding of the contract, said: "We selected AMAPS
for its proven excellence and D&B Software's commitment to actively
assist us with the implementation. D&B Software's commitment to a
timely implementation, coupled with the company's good reputation, was
decisive in our choosing them as a partner."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910717/Press Contact: Frank
Smith, Dun & Bradstreet Software, 207-767-1060)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****NOVELL AND DIGITAL RESEARCH TO MERGE 07/17/91

07/17/91



(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00017)

 ****NOVELL AND DIGITAL RESEARCH TO MERGE 07/17/91
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- In an agreement signed
today, Digital Research has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Novell, Inc.

Both companies boards of directors have approved the deal, but still
requires approval of Digital Research stockholders. The company
says no difficulties are expected in obtaining that approval. The merger
is expected to be completed by October of this year.

Digital Research, headquartered in Monterey, California, originated
such industry standards as the CP/M operating system, DR DOS and
Concurrent DOS. Novell, Inc markets network operating systems, and
is the largest outside investor in Unix System Laboratories, the
developer of Unix System V Release 4.

Under the terms of the agreement, holders of DR common stock,
convertible securities and options will be exchanged for $1.5 million
worth of newly issued shares of Novell common stock.

In a prepared statement, Novell said it is responding to customer
demand for tightly coupling network operating system software with
desktop and host computer operating systems.

Dick Williams, president and CEO of DR, said that the merger gives the
company significant new market reach through Novell's relations with
leading computer vendors, its presence in the systems integration
market, and distribution, marketing, education and customer support
resources.

Digital operates an engineering center in Monterey where it develops
graphical user interface technology and FlexOS, a real-time,
multitasking, multi-user operating system for the Intel family of
microprocessors. FlexOS is targeted at the point-of-sale, industrial
and process control systems market. FANUC, IBM, ICL, TEC and
Siemens all deliver FlexOS with their systems.

In June of this year DR signed agreements with three OEMs: Premier
Innovations, Summit Systems, a joint US-Soviet venture, and Reddy
Information Systems. Premier and Summit will include DR DOS with
their PCs, while Reddy will use DR DOS for its CD ROM-based
multimedia system called RED.

DR DOS, DR Multi-user DOS and Concurrent DOS are produced in
Hungerford, Berks, the United Kingdom. DR DOS is believed to have
as much as 15 percent of the overall DOS market, and is available in
several foreign languages.

Should DR stockholders fail to approve the deal or DR's board of
directors decide to change their recommendation, DR has agreed to pay
a fee to Novell. The amount of the fee was not disclosed.

(Jim Mallory/19910717/Press Contact:Peter Troop, Novell, 408-473-8361)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 HIGH TURNOUT FOR HONG KONG ORACLE USER GROUP 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00018)

HIGH TURNOUT FOR HONG KONG ORACLE USER GROUP 07/17/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- More than 50 delegates
attended last week's inaugural meeting of the Hong Kong Oracle User
Group, the first Oracle user group in Asia.

"We were delighted to achieve such a positive start," said Chairman
Rene Heymans, operations and administration manager at Belgian
Bank. "The group will provide a forum for sharing ideas, experience
and expertise, as well as a vehicle for feedback to Oracle and
associated suppliers."

"Oracle strongly supports the user group," said John Baun, managing
director of Oracle Systems Hong Kong. "Good customer service is
about staying in close touch with user needs and views and HKOUG
will be invaluable in that respect. Together with our Customer Bulletin
Board, it will help to build a shared body of Oracle expertise in Hong
Kong," he added.

The group was conceived earlier this year following customer
satisfaction meetings initiated by Oracle. "The meetings brought key
users together for the first time, and the idea of a group emerged,"
said Heymans.

The next step was an open day in mid-April at which the proposed
aims, benefits and constitution of the group were presented to users,
and volunteers selected for a working committee. Feedback from the
presentation formed the basis of a detailed questionnaire which was
subsequently sent to all Hong Kong users.

"The questionnaire achieved an excellent return of 40 percent, and
gave us an in-depth picture of user installations, operating
environments, applications, technical concerns and interests in
industry topics," said Heymans. "It also enabled us to vote in the
committee, and to assess the level of involvement that users were
prepared to invest in the group. As a result we could determine the
right frequency, constitution and content for our meetings."

The group will meet once a quarter and membership will be free of
charge to all users with a valid Oracle licence. The meetings will
include exchanges of product and industry news, technical
presentations from users or suppliers, and question and answer
sessions with a technical panel.

"Relational database is a rapidly developing area and many Hong
Kong users are at the leading edge," said Heymans. "With the
shortage of skilled staff in Hong Kong, it is especially useful to be
able to share knowledge in this way."

In addition to its regular meetings, plans call for the HKOUG to
produce a quarterly newsletter and keep in close touch with other user
groups throughout the world. Although HKOUG is the only Asian group
at the moment, Heymans expects to offer advice to emerging groups
in other countries.

(Norman Wingrove/19910717/Press contact: Joseph Bauer, Oracle Tel +
852 824 0118; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****CLI CONVERTS ITS TERMINAL TO LOW RADIATION 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00019)

 ****CLI CONVERTS ITS TERMINAL TO LOW RADIATION 07/17/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Computer Lab
International (CLI) has converted its entire line of display terminals
designed for use with IBM mid-range computers to low radiation
terminals.

"The demand for low radiation terminals is escalating rapidly," said
CLI Executive Vice President T.C. Lin., "and it's not the government
or the manufacturers driving the market. It's a true case of consumer
preference -- companies wanting to take all precautions to protect
their employees, and employees wanting protection. While there have
been no conclusive studies indicating that VDT (video data terminal)
radiation is dangerous, our customers believe that, given the choice,
they would rather play it safe."

While all display terminals emit radiation, terminals can be designed
to minimize the amount of radiation emitted. Many terminal
manufacturers are becoming more aware of the possible ill effects of
the radiation emission.

The company said it has noticed a trend toward low radiation terminals
with a 60 percent increase in the sales of its low radiation terminal
line in the last two years.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910717/Press Contact: James Camilleri, Computer Lab
International, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****FUJITSU BEGINS WORK ON SUPER-PARALLEL PROCESSOR 07/17/91

07/17/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00020)

 ****FUJITSU BEGINS WORK ON SUPER-PARALLEL PROCESSOR 07/17/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Fujitsu has announced plans to become
a major developer of large scale parallel processor machines. To
this end, the Japanese company has opened a special research center
in Tokyo.

Fujitsu already has an experimental parallel processor available. The
chip has a capability of one million million (trillion) FLOPS
(floating point operations per second). Called the AP 1000, the
processor is a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) design.

Fujitsu wants to develop both hardware and the software for its
parallel processors. Commercial products arising from the project are
expected to be released in two years, according to the Nikkan Kogyo
newspaper.

The firm's eventual goal is to create what it calls a super parallel
computer which is equipped with a million units of microprocessors.
Such ambitious technology will take several years to develop, company
officials concede.

Undaunted, Fujitsu officials are drawing on resources from outside the
company. Plans call for the Japanese giant to begin exchanging
information with a variety of foreign institutions on the development
of parallel processing technology -- already Fujitsu is exchanging
data with the University of Manchester Institute of Science and
Technology (UMIST).

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910717/Press Contact: Fujitsu, [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 RASTEROPS REPORTS RECORD 4Q EARNINGS 07/17/91

07/17/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00021)

RASTEROPS REPORTS RECORD 4Q EARNINGS 07/17/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Following a
succession of business deals, RasterOps has reported record sales and
net income for the fiscal year and fourth quarter ended June 30, 1991.

Sales were up 56 percent for the year, to $72.4 million, from $46.4
million in 1990. Net income was up 167 percent for the year and
totalled $6.4 million, or $1.11 per share, from $2.4 million or $0.57
per share in 1990.

Fourth quarter sales were $20 million, up from $13.3 million for the
same period last year and up also from $18.1 million for the third
quarter ended March 31, 1991. Net income rose 135 percent to
$1,856,000 from $790,000 in the fourth quarter of 1990. Earnings per
share were $0.32 for the fourth quarter compared to $0.16 for the same
period a year ago.

During the past year the company has signed OEM (original equipment
manufacturing) deals with both Digital Equipment Corp and Sony. The
Sony deal is for RasterOps to produce a 24-bit color and video display
adapter for the Sony NEWS workstation.

Additionally, in May the company announced plans to acquire fellow
graphics board maker Truevision Inc, after the issuance of 2.8 million
shares of RasterOps common stock in exchange for all existing
Truevision capital stock.

IBM was also recently signed to market RasterOps products including
Micro Channel-based 24-bit color video systems for the IBM PS/2
microcomputer product line.

(Ian Stokell/19910717/Press Contact: Keith Sorenson, RasterOps, 408-
562-4200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 NORTHERN TELECOM OFFERS 3-YEAR CONTRACTS TO GRADUATES 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00022)

NORTHERN TELECOM OFFERS 3-YEAR CONTRACTS TO GRADUATES 07/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Hoping to attract top
graduates from North American universities, Northern Telecom has
announced that this fall it will offer three-year contracts to
recruits. Northern is looking for managers, engineers, and researchers
from universities in the United States and Canada.

In a prepared statement, Gary R. Donahee, Northern's senior vice-
president of human resources, said the program "guarantees new
university graduates an environment focused on professionalism and
personal growth and development."

Company spokesman Pete Settles told Newsbytes that Northern Telecom
has hired between 650 and 700 graduates annually from North American
universities in recent years. These come about equally from the U.S.
and Canada, he said.

While the program is limited to North America at present, Settles said
the company plans to extend it to other countries in the future.

Northern Telecom has 49,000 employees and reported 1990 revenues of
US$6.8 billion. Early this year the company acquired STC PLC, a United
Kingdom telecommunications firm with 14,000 employees and 1990
telecommunications revenues of approximately US$1.6 billion.

Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Northern was recently ranked the eighth
most profitable company in Canada. However, the company has not been
immune to competitive pressures -- it has laid off more than 300
workers at Canadian factories since the beginning of the year,
shifting some jobs to the Far East.

(Grant Buckler/19910717/Press Contact: Pete Settles, Northern Telecom,
919-992-2788)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 DATA GENERAL BEEFS UP AVIION COMMUNICATIONS 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00023)

DATA GENERAL BEEFS UP AVIION COMMUNICATIONS 07/17/91
WESTBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- If you need to
connect a Data General Aviion workstation to almost anything, the
company has just introduced the product you need. Data General has
announces a series of products providing links to popular personal
computer local-area networks (LANs) and to other systems.

On the PC LAN side, Data General announced:

[] LAN Manager for Aviion systems, based on AT&T LAN Manager/X and
Microsoft LAN Manager technology, to connects DOS and OS/2 PCs to
Aviion and Eclipse MV servers;

[] OpenMac for Aviion systems, which connects Aviion systems to Apple
Macintosh systems over Ethernet, Appletalk, or Token Ring networks;
and

[] a revision of its NetWare for Aviion Systems, adding support for
Token Ring networks.

LAN Manager for Aviion is available now, company spokesman Daniel
Williams said, while OpenMac and NetWare for Aviion are available in
90 days from receipt of order.

New links to other systems include:

[] DECnet Interface for Aviion systems, to connect to Digital
Equipment VAX servers over that company's DECnet networks;

[] SNA Token Ring for Aviion systems, to connect Aviion servers over
Token Ring LANs to IBM systems such as the midrange AS/400 and 9370;

[] X.400 for Aviion systems, allowing exchange of electronic mail with
other systems supporting the international X.400 standard; and

[] a revision of the TCP/IP offering for Aviion and Eclipse MV
systems, adding support for Token Ring.

All of these are currently available except the SNA Token Ring
products, which are available 60 days after receipt of order, Williams
said.

Data General also announced network management software that supports
the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) standard. This is
bundled with the company's TCP/IP offering. Finally, Data General
launched an 802.5 token ring controller board, the VME Token Ring
Controller (VTRC).

(Grant Buckler/19910717/Press Contact: Daniel Williams, Data General,
508-898-4083)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****NEW PRODUCT: Commodore  386SX Notebook In Canada 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00024)

 ****NEW PRODUCT: Commodore  386SX Notebook In Canada 07/17/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Commodore has added a
notebook computer using the Intel 386SX processor to the Intel 286-
based machine it already offered in the Canadian market. The C386SX-LT
weighs 3.2 kilograms (about seven pounds) and comes with a liquid-
crystal display supporting the VGA display standard.

The machine also has an 82-key keyboard, one megabyte of main memory,
a 40-megabyte hard disk drive, a 1.44-megabyte 3.5-inch diskette
drive, parallel and serial ports, and a slot for adding an optional
2,400-bit-per-second modem. Memory can be expanded to five megabytes.

Tom Shepherd, director of marketing for Commodore's Canadian
operations, said the new model differs from the existing 286 system in
three respects: the faster processor, the 40-megabyte hard drive
versus a 20-megabyte unit in the 286 model, and the inclusion of a
socket to hold an optional math coprocessor.

Commodore said the machine will run for two hours of continuous use on
its nickel-cadmium main battery, and can be recharged in an hour.
Power management features can extend the battery life, the company
said.

The suggested retail price for the C386SX-LT is C$4,599 and it is
available now. Shepherd said the unit has also been introduced in
Europe, but he was not aware of plans to sell it in the United States.

(Grant Buckler/19910717/Press Contact: Tom Shepherd, Commodore
Business Machines, 416-499-4292)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****BRITISH ORDER FOR JAPANESE PCN PHONES 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00025)

 ****BRITISH ORDER FOR JAPANESE PCN PHONES 07/17/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Microtel of England, one of the
several personal communication network (PCN) digital mobile phone
service operators licensed for the PCN service launch in 1992, has
placed a $70 million, 300,000-phone order with NEC Japan.

The order is a major feather in NEC's cap, coming in the wake of the
huge international success for the Japanese technology company's P3
analogue cellular phone, which is sold in both the U.S., and European
markets.

While the GSM digital phone network has already been inaugurated in
Europe, its major benefit being the ability to "roam" between
countries, the PCN services will not be launched until early 1992. The
PCN service uses a combination of micro (small) and macro (major)
reception areas -- known as cells -- to offer differential levels of
service.

The micro cells support static and slow-moving phones, while the macro
cells support highly mobile phones. Tariffs will vary, depending on
when and to where the call is made, as well as whether the user is
using macro or micro cell services.

Both the micro and macro cell base stations operate in the 1.8GHz
waveband, meaning that reception is very responsive to transmitter
power ratios. Lower-power base stations are used in cities to allow
for re-use of the same frequencies several times over across a city
area.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910717/Press Contact: NEC, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 INTERNATIONAL ISDN SERVICES GAINING IN POPULARITY 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00026)

INTERNATIONAL ISDN SERVICES GAINING IN POPULARITY 07/17/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Integrated service digital network
(ISDN) services are gaining in popularity in Japan. While the
bulk of ISDN subscribers tend to be single country-only users, many
users are starting to use international ISDN links as standards slowly
but surely mean that an ISDN network in, say, the U.S. is compatible
with a similar network in Japan.

Currently, KDD has around 460 subscribers to its international ISDN
service in Japan. That figure may seem low, but it is 3.5 times the
number of subscribers signed to the service last year.

Despite the low take-up to the service, the KDD ISDN service offers
the same facilities as the basic domestic ISDN service -- a 64 kbps
channel integrating at least two data channels with a voice channel.
To date, internetwork connection is possible with 11 countries,
including the U.S., U.K. and France.

While the KDD international ISDN service is capable of carrying
virtually any combination of digital signals, KDD officials report
that the service is primarily being used for TV conferencing and Group
IV fax transmissions.

According to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper, the magazine MacWorld
is exchanging articles and the graphic data for its editions
through the KDD ISDN service, linking offices in Tokyo and
San Francisco. The firm is currently testing transmission of
compressed color-picture data.

Another major user of international ISDN is the Bankers Trust, which
uses the links to carry video conferencing signals between Singapore
and Tokyo.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910717/Press Contact: KDD, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****SEGA BUYS INTO 5 EUROPEAN GAME FIRMS 07/17/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00027)

 ****SEGA BUYS INTO 5 EUROPEAN GAME FIRMS 07/17/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Sega, the growing Japanese games
manufacturer, has bought five computer games labels from the Virgin
Group in the U..K. The deal, which was reached with Virgin boss Richard
Branson, is reported to be worth 7,000 million yen (around $52
million).

The deal effectively gives Sega control of the Virgin Mastertronics
operations in Austria, France, Germany, Spain and the U.K. Total sales
of the European companies were $162 million in the year to July 1991.

Sega's move on Virgin is not as illogical as it might first appear.
Virgin Mastertronics is one of Sega's primary distribution channels in
Europe. Around 80 percent of the Mastertronics' group's turnover is
attributed to Sega products.

The Sega money will come as a boon to Virgin's operations in Europe
which have been hit by the recession. According to press sources,
Virgin is planning to acquire a motion picture company in the near
future -- the Sega cash will enable Virgin to do this.

The deal is not entirely in Virgin's favour of course. Sega's Game
Gear hand-held console is growing in popularity in Europe, and the
company wants its console to be as popular, of not more popular, than
the Nintendo games machine. Sega plans to boost sales of its game
machines from 16,000 million yen ($120 million) in fiscal 1990 to
50,000 million yen ($370 million) by fiscal 1993.

Sega had sold about 2 million units of its TV game machines in Europe
by the end of 1990. This is about the same sales level as Nintendo.
The real sales competition will start this year -- Nintendo set up its
subsidiary in Western Germany last year and expects to sell 2.5
million units in Europe this year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910717/Press Contact: Sega Enterprises, +81-3-3-
743-7447)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 RUSSIAN VERSION OF DBASE COMING 07/15/91

07/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00028)

RUSSIAN VERSION OF DBASE COMING 07/15/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- As the ink dries on Borland's
letter of intent to acquire Ashton-Tate, A-T's Soviet operation has
announced that a localised version of dBASE IV, its database package,
will be released in the U.S.S.R. by the end of the year.

The Russian version of the package is currently under active
development at the Russian Academy of Sciences, according to Bruce
Marquart, Ashton-Tate's U.S.S.R. and East European manager.

Plans call for the package to be sold through ATLAS, a joint venture
company financed by Ashton-Tate and the Academy of Sciences which is
based in Leningrad.

The Borland acquisition will, say company officials, not affect the
plans for the Russian version of dBASE IV. The release will go ahead
as planned.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910717/Press contact: Vyacheslav Shkirtil, phone
[phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17  ****SUNDEVIL DEFENDANT "DOC SAVAGE" SENTENCED 07/17/91

07/17/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GOVT)(NYC)(00029)

 ****SUNDEVIL DEFENDANT "DOC SAVAGE" SENTENCED 07/17/91
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- The Maricopa County
Arizona County Attorney's Office has announced the sentencing of Baron
Majette, 20 , also known as Doc Savage, for computer-related crimes
uncovered in the joint federal/state investigation known as
"Sundevil."

Majette was arrested on March 27 of this year and charged with a
number of felony charges relating to unauthorized use of telephone
facilities of Toys 'R Us to make calls worth approximately $8,000,
illegal access of TRW's credit database and use of information
obtained therein to obtain in excess of $50,000 in cash, goods, and
services, and stealing of credit cards from U.S. mail boxes and use of
the cards to obtain approximately $10,000 in cash, goods and services.

If convicted of the charges, Majette faced a possible jail sentence of
15 years and the requirement to make restitution for the full amount
of the alleged losses endured by the firms and individuals

In late May, Majette pleaded guilty to an amended charge of a single
count of computer fraud, felony third degree. The reduced charge was a
result of an agreement between Mark Berardoni, the public defender
assigned to Majette, Janet Black, Majette's probation officer, and the
Maricopa County Arizona County Attorney's Office. Under the reduced
charges, Majette's maximum term of incarceration was reduced from the
aforementioned 15 years to 5.

On July 16, when the actual sentence was to be imposed, a further
agreement between the prosecution, defense and parole service was
presented to the presiding judge, Justice Gottsfield, and, after
discussion, became the actual sentence. The court decision imposed the
following:

[] Majette will remain in jail for up to two months while he awaits
placement in a "shock incarceration" program (Majette has been in jail
since his March 27 arrest because of parole violation related to an
earlier crime). Assistant County Attorney Gail Thackeray told
Newsbytes that shock incarceration is a 120-day program which
"provides both intensive counseling and military-like discipline and
exercise."

[] Upon his release from Shock Incarceration, Majette will enter a 5
year period of "intensive probation." Under Arizona procedures, the
subject must provide the probation officer, on a weekly basis, a
schedule for the next week's activities. In the event that the
schedule has to be modified in any way, the probation office must be
called before the new schedule is enacted.

[] During the time of intensive probation, the probation officer may
visit or call the subject at any time of day or night to insure
compliance with the schedule.

[] If, at some point after a year of intensive probation, the
probation officer feels that the subject has followed the rules and
shown that intensive procedure is no longer warranted, the subject and
probation officer may recommend to the sentencing judge that the
subject be transferred to normal probation. In normal probation, the
subject advises the officer weekly of progress and problems. There is
not the hovering presence felt in intensive probation, according to
Thackeray.

Additionally, the subject may be released from any form of probation
at the petition of the probation office and subject and approval,
after hearing, of the sentencing judge.

[] If, on the other hand, Majette violates the terms of his probation,
he is liable for incarceration in prison for the remainder of his
probationary period.

[] Majette was also ordered to make restitution to the parties
victimized by his activities by paying a sum of $19,774.03 to those
involved. The sum is to be paid on a monthly basis over the course of
his sentence. Additionally, he was ordered to make payments to help
defray the cost of his probationary supervision.

Under the terms of his probation, Majette is subject to the following
conditions said by Thackeray to be unique to his type of offense:

[] He may not use any computer connected to a modem or communications
network without the prior permission of his probation officer. In
the event that he takes a job that brings him into contact with
computer activities, he must notify someone in the employer's office
of the restrictions on his computer use and must discuss the planned
activities with his probation officer.

[] He is not to communicate or associate with "members of the computer
underground" (defined as persons such as those known to have or
reasonably believed to have been involved in theft of communications
services, computer fraud or related activities). In the event that any
such individuals contact him, he must report the contact to his
probation officer. According to Thackeray, this stipulation is
intended for Majette' s protection.

[] "In the event that the contacting party is investigated or arrested
and phone records show a call to Majette, his notification to his
probation officer of the call will stand as proof that he was not
involved in any conspiracy with the other individual. His notification
responsibility in no way requires him to co-operate with authorities
in the location or apprehension of another individual and such
co-operation is neither expected nor desired."

Transcripts of the sentencing hearing reportedly show that it was the
intention of Judge Gottsfield to sentence Majette to a straight five
years in prison but was dissuaded by the combined recommendations of
the prosecution, defense and probation office. Thackeray explained to
Newsbytes the rationale of the prosecution in recommending a lighter
sentence

"Usually computer hackers who get into trouble for activities of this
nature are kids or young adults who are not the type to be in trouble
for any other criminal activities. The point of sentencing in these
cases should be rehabilitation. If we can break the pattern of illegal
behavior, society will benefit from Majette's participation. If we
simply locked him up for 5 years, neither he nor society would
benefit," she said.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910717)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 17 SPRINT STUDIES SIBERIAN EXTENSION TO NETWORK 07/17/91

07/17/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00030)

SPRINT STUDIES SIBERIAN EXTENSION TO NETWORK 07/17/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 17 (NB) -- Sprint Networks U.S.S.R. is
reported to be experimenting with Siberian connections to its network.

As with the planned extensions to the Sprint network in the U.K. and
Europe, the Siberian network extension uses an existing data network
to hop over to the nearest Sprintnet access node, in this case Moscow,

The network undergoing pilot tests is the Academynet X.25 network.
According to to a spokesman for the Novosibirsk scientific community,
the link will be opened up for subscriber use, assuming all goes well
with the pilot trials.

"Should current tests will prove successful," says Dimitry Verkhowod,
information systems director of Siberian Academy's biggest holding
company Kassi, "Sprint will be able to get a bunch of institutions
already on the packet switching network, to join Sprintnet."

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910717)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 16 MICROSOFT PROGRAM FOR VERTICAL MARKET DEVELOPERS 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001)

MICROSOFT PROGRAM FOR VERTICAL MARKET DEVELOPERS 07/16/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced a new program to help independent software
developers who create applications for vertical markets.

According to the company, the program is specifically aimed at
developers of client-server applications which use Microsoft network
products.

Dubbed the Microsoft Industry Specialist (MIS) program, developers
build complete client-server applications using Microsoft LAN Manager
or a runtime version of Microsoft SQL Server. The application is then
sold to vertical markets that require strong networks.

Five specific industries are presently supported: health care, human
resources, broadcasting, legal/consulting, and newspaper publishing.

"This program will help vertical ISVs (independent software vendors)
and systems integrators to build industrial-strength applications
using Microsoft client-server network platforms" said Mike Murray,
general manager of Microsoft's network business unit.

Murray added that Microsoft's customers need applications built on
core technologies in LAN Manager, SQL Server and Windows. He
said that by working with vertical market specialists, the customer
receives the best of both worlds.

Microsoft claims more than 75 SQL Server front-end tools and
applications for LAN Manager, Novell and Banyan networks are
currently shipping.

(Jim Mallory/19910716/Press Contact: Marty Taucher, MS, 206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 IOMEGA SHIPS 90MB BERNOULLI DRIVE FOR APPLE, IBM, UNIX 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)

IOMEGA SHIPS 90MB BERNOULLI DRIVE FOR APPLE, IBM, UNIX 07/16/91
ROY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Iomega Corporation has
announced the availability of a new 90 megabyte (MB) Bernoulli drive.
The new drive doubles the capacity of previous models and is priced
at about two-thirds the cost.

Bernoulli drives store data on removable cartridges which can be
locked away for additional security, or taken to another location and
used with a PC equipped with a similar drive.

The new unit is available for the IBM PC and close compatibles, Apple
Macintosh, and Unix workstations. This is the first Bernoulli drive
released that works with Unix workstations. A 90 MB drive stores the
equivalent of about 40,000 pages of information.

A significant advantage of a drive using removable media for mass
storage is that when the first cartridge is full, a second cartridge can be
inserted allowing the user to start with essentially an empty drive.
Removable storage units are also more secure, since they can be
locked up or even removed from the site.

Iomega claims that the new drive has an estimated life of 60,000
hours, or 20 years of use eight hours each work day. Bernoulli drives
are considered more reliable than conventional hard disks since the
technology used reduces the possibility of a hard disk crash, which is
the major threat to the data on a hard drive.

The new Bernoulli drives are SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)
devices allowing for two or more drives to be chained together.

The internally mounted unit lists for $1,099, while the external single unit
carries a $1,149 price tag. A dual unit, which uses two cartridges
mounted side-by-side and doubles the drive capacity, lists for $2,249.

All drives carry a five-year warranty, and come bundled with Central
Point backup and disc caching software. The cartridges only come
in a tri-pack, which sells for $687.

(Jim Mallory/19910716/Press Contact:Linda Casey, Iomega, 801-778-3345)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 REVERSE ENGINEERING OF FORTRAN PROGRAMS NOW POSSIBLE 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)

REVERSE ENGINEERING OF FORTRAN PROGRAMS NOW POSSIBLE 07/16/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Cadre
Technologies (CT) has announced the release of Teamwork/Fortran
Rev, a tool for reverse engineering of Fortran programs.

The company claims that the package also offers an easy migration
path to CASE (computer-aided software engineering).

CT says Teamwork/Fortran Rev graphically reveals the structure of
existing Fortran software, enabling engineers to understand
undocumented code, create accurate documentation, identify major
components and data structure, and assess the impact of software
changes.

CT specializes in software products which manage and automate the
analysis, design, reverse engineering and testing of high-performance
software and systems. The company claims it has more than 15,000
installations on its client list world-wide, including companies such as
Boeing, General Electric, Nippon Telephone and Telegraph, and
Lloyds Bank. CT products work on most workstations running Unix or
OS/2 operating systems.

(Jim Mallory/19910716/Press Contact: Carolyn Beaudry, CT, 401-351-
5950)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 AUSTRALIAN CITY INSTALLS VIDEO TO WATCH ITS CITIZENS 07/16/91

07/16/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00005)

AUSTRALIAN CITY INSTALLS VIDEO TO WATCH ITS CITIZENS 07/16/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Perth, the capital of Western
Australia, has astounded civil libertarians by installing a pilot video
system to observe public areas. The 25-camera 'big brother' system
is monitored 24 hours a day, and police are alerted whenever potential
problems are spotted.

While most Australian cities have had traffic surveillance systems
since the 1960's, these were all specifically barred from use against
pedestrians. Now, an entire shopping district in Perth can be viewed
from one central location.

Although it is operated by private contractors, the police have agreed
to answer calls alerting them to trouble. Proponents say that the
system will reduce petty theft, break-ins, assaults, car thefts and
anti-social activities such as graffiti writing.

In a survey of people in the shopping area, nine out of ten said they
approved of the system.

(Paul Zucker/19910716)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 16 AUSTRALIA: SOFTWARE MAKERS HAVE LIMITED ASIAN SUCCESS 07/16/91

07/16/91



(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00006)

AUSTRALIA: SOFTWARE MAKERS HAVE LIMITED ASIAN SUCCESS 07/16/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- A survey of 90 Australian
software developers has revealed that only around half of those
questioned had tried to sell into the Asia-Pacific region.

Although two-thirds of these have had some degree of success, only
one third regard the exercise as worthwhile.

The most-targeted areas were Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore,
Thailand, Malaysia and New Zealand. The consensus among the
most successful exporters was that the product must already be
successful in Australia, that there must be a satisfied multi-national
user, and that the product be mature and bug-free.

Most of those who succeeded had also invested time and effort into
customizing their products for new markets, while the unsuccessful
companies normally had not. Another success factor was seen to be
a willingness to send key personnel to target countries.

(Paul Zucker/19910716)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 AUSTRALIA: HP SECURES MARITIME COMPUTER CONTRACT 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00007)

AUSTRALIA: HP SECURES MARITIME COMPUTER CONTRACT 07/16/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Hewlett Packard has been
awarded a major contract to replace the computer system in the NSW
State Maritime Services Board (the port authority).

The board has decentralized and given much more control to regional
ports, hence the need for a distributed computer system.

From initial tender applications, only HP and IBM were invited to
demonstrate systems, but later, DEC and Pyramid were also invited to
participate in a real application test.

The four manufacturers were given 72 hours to construct a Unix-based
system to integrate with the existing Pick system. These were then
evaluated over a week, with consideration given to networking,
database, user interface and overall system design.

The two-year project will replace a Prime system with HP 9000/8000
computers, networks, PC terminals and new custom-written software.

(Paul Zucker/19910716)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 AUSTRALIAN BANK GETS 'DISASTER PROOF' COMPUTER BACKUP 07/16/91

07/16/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00008)

AUSTRALIAN BANK GETS 'DISASTER PROOF' COMPUTER BACKUP 07/16/91
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- The State Bank of South
Australia has installed a backup computer system, which it claims has
been designed to keep the network running even after a disaster at the
main computer site.

The main and stand-by systems are installed in identical installations,
18km (11 miles) apart. The more than 800,000 daily transactions are
available at both sites, and an almost instant change-over occurs if the
main computer or its communications links fail.

In addition, each site has a storage silo which contains data stores
for that site, plus backup for the other site. Communications between the
sites are capable of handling the entire system transactions
simultaneously.

(Paul Zucker/19910716)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16  ****AUSTRALIAN PC DEVELOPER CREATES DBASE FOR CLIPPER 07/16/91

07/16/91



(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00009)

 ****AUSTRALIAN PC DEVELOPER CREATES DBASE FOR CLIPPER 07/16/91
CLOVELLY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- An Australian PC
developer who has been on the development panels of both Ashton
Tate and Nantucket, has developed a program to link the dBase and
Clipper products of both companies.

 He is Matt Whelan, editor of PC Database Analyst journal.

dBase is the most popular database application generator, but still
has no official compiler to produce its .exe files. Clipper can
compile these files, but requires the dBase code to be at least
partially re-written.

Whelan's dProIV is capable of taking dBase applications and
directly producing an executable file for PC, using Clipper as the
primary compiler. His demonstration was one of the high points at
the recent Clipper developer's conference in Palm Springs.

Whelan has warned that not all dBase commands and constructs can
be converted, but the package points these out and allows small
sections to be re-written.

The product is expected to be ready for production later this year.
Whelan is currently seeking international distributors.

(Paul Zucker/19910716/Contact: Matt Whelan, phone [phone] fax
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 NEW FOR PC: Pacific Micro's Mac-In-DOS 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00010)

NEW FOR PC: Pacific Micro's Mac-In-DOS 07/16/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Pacific
Micro has released a new version of Mac-In-DOS, its data transfer
software program between the Macintosh and IBM and compatible PCs.

The new software runs under Microsoft Windows 3.0, and, according to
the company, has the capability to format Macintosh disks in an IBM or
compatible disk drive. Text, binary, and graphics files can be
exchanged between the two formats.

The software lists two directories side-by-side on the screen. One
list contains all the Macintosh files on a Mac diskette in the disk drive,
and the other contains all the files from a selected DOS directory. Files
can be copied from one side to the other, with conversion taking place
immediately, according to the company.

Mac files consist of three parts, as opposed to just one for DOS files.
During Mac to DOS transfers, tutorial notes pop up with prompts,
allowing for the selection of different levels of conversion,
depending on whether the files will be re-converted at a later date.

Mac-In-DOS is priced at $199 and comes on a single DOS 1.44
megabyte, 3.5-inch floppy disk, which is simply loaded into the DOS
computer. No additional hardware or software is required for either the
DOS or Mac machines.

(Ian Stokell/19910716/Press Contact: Pacific Micro, 415-948-6200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 NEW PERSONAL COMPUTER INSURANCE FROM SAFEWARE 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00011)

NEW PERSONAL COMPUTER INSURANCE FROM SAFEWARE 07/16/91
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Insurance company
Safeware has introduced a new form of insurance that combines a service
contract with basic insurance for personal computers. The package is
called Fix:It.

Dave Johnson, Safeware CEO told Newsbytes that "mechanical
breakdown of a PC can be just as significant" which is why "we're cutting
through high-priced service contracts and combining insurance and
service" in one policy.

The policy covers "all insurance coverage, including lightening
damage, fire, and theft."

According to the company, the policy also covers full power surge
insurance, covers all software used at no extra cost, and offers many
repair facility options.

Interestingly, the cost of coverage is sharply reduced if a surge
protector is used with the personal computer. "The rate varies
depending on the deductible," said Johnson," and whether a surge
protector is present."

"A $5,000 machine would be $400 a year, if there was a $50 deductible
and a surge protector is used," said Johnson. "It could be as low as
$200 if a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is used and there was a
$250 deductible."

Because new machines usually come with some sort of service warranty,
the company also has a plan whereby the customer stipulates the date
when the manufacturers warranty runs out, and the policy automatically
includes the service contract in with the basic insurance from that
date.

Johnson told Newsbytes that Safeware is working with Bankers
Insurance Company Ltd. in the United Kingdom, for possible entrance
into that market in early 1992.

For more information call Safeware toll-free on: 1-800-848-3469.
Additional information is also available from: Safeware, 2929 N. High
Street, P.O.Box 02211, Columbus, OH 43202.

(Ian Stokell/19910716/Press Contract: Safeware, 800-848-3469)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 UK: MICROSOFT PRESS UNVEILS FIVE NEW TITLES 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00003)

UK: MICROSOFT PRESS UNVEILS FIVE NEW TITLES 07/16/91
READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Microsoft
Press has announced the publication of five new titles, which the
company claims, show how to get the most out of MS-DOS 5.0.

The books are: Running MS-DOS (5th edition) by Van Wolverton
(UKP 21.95); Running MS-DOS QBasic by Mike Halvorson and David
Rygmyr (UKP 19.95); MS-DOS QBasic Programmers Reference by
The Waite Group (UKP 22.95); MS-DOS, Fifth edition, Microsoft quick
reference by Van Wolverton (UKP 6.95); and MS-DOS batch files,
second edition, Microsoft quick reference by Kris Jamsa (UKP 5.95).

So why five titles all at once? According to Microsoft, the success of
MS-DOS 5.0 in the US so far has meant that the company is laying the
groundwork for the release of the operating system in the U.K.

The U.K. release of MS-DOS 5.0 is expected within the next few months,
as soon as the UK-specific keyboard drivers have been written.

(Steve Gold/19910716/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK - Tel: 0734-
391123)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 TIMESLIPS TO RELAUNCH IN THE UK 07/16/91

07/16/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00013)

TIMESLIPS TO RELAUNCH IN THE UK 07/16/91
WEMBLEY, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Deepak
Sareen Associates (DSA), best-known in the U.K. for its Instaplan
project management software, has been appointed the exclusive U.K.
distributor for the Timeslips range of software from the company of the
same name, which is based in Essex, Ma., in the United States.

Timeslips III, the main product in the Timeslips range of software, is
a time and expenditure recording, monitoring and analysis package
with reporting and invoicing facilities. The package has now been
localized to take account of U.K. accounting procedures, including full
VAT (value added tax) analysis and audit trails.

Timeslips III 4.0 will ship in the U.K. from the end of this month in both
network and standalone versions. The standalone version will sell for
UKP 299 until November, when it will rise to UKP 345. An eight-user
network version will retail for UKP 895.

Existing users of Timeslips Plus, as the package was called when it
was distributed by Mirrorsoft, will be allowed to upgrade for UKP 75.

DSA has also secured the exclusive U.K. distribution rights for
Timesheet professional, a time management package from Software
Partners, another U.S. company that was recently acquired by
Timeslips. According to Deepak Sareen, both packages complement
each other.

"Cost control is a management issue of vital importance to every type
of organization, small or large, public or private. These products will
help companies to identify which parts of their organisation are paying
their way and, more importantly, which are not," he said.

(Steve Gold/19910716/Press & Public Contact: Deepak Sareen
Associates, Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 USSR: FIRST SIBERIAN ROAD SHOW ANNOUNCED 07/16/91

07/16/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00014)

USSR: FIRST SIBERIAN ROAD SHOW ANNOUNCED 07/16/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Ashton Tate's Soviet
operation has teamed up with Kassi of Novosibirsk to hold the first
Siberian technology road show.

The road show theme is "telecommunications and information
technologies in the 21st century." In attendance at the event will be
Esther Dyson, the reknowned U.S. computer industry figure.

Plans call for the road show to visit Leningrad, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk,
Krasnoyarsk and Tyumen between August 31 and September 16
this year. The roadshow will use a chartered plane to ferry staff and
exhibits between the various sites.

Novosibirsk has several large scientific institutions. The regional
host of AcademyNet is based in the city. Irkutsk, meanwhile, is the
largest city on the edge of the Baikal lake. Krasnoyarsk is the center
of the aerospace and defence industry in Siberia while Tyumen is a
Soviet oil industry capital.

Tyunen would, at first glance, appear to be an unusual destination for
a road show of this type. According to Ashton-Tate, however, the
Tyumen commodity exchange is the biggest buyer of legal dBase
software in the U.S.S.R.

For more information about the show contact Cassi in Novosibirsk,
phone [phone]; fax [phone]; or Bruce Marquart,
Ashton-Tate UK, phone [phone]; fax [phone].

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910716)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 SEARS CATALOG TO CARRY COLORADO CONVERTERS 07/16/91

07/16/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00015)

SEARS CATALOG TO CARRY COLORADO CONVERTERS 07/16/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) --
International Converter Corporation has announced that Sears
Roebuck's catalog division will have a full page devoted to its
Eliminator Program in Sears 1991 Christmas catalog. Plans call for the
catalog to be mailed out sometime in August of this year.

International Converter designs and manufactures power adapters for
the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) market. Its product
applications include medical devices, learning aids, toys and
computers.

Internal Converter Corporation markets the trademarked name "the
eliminator" to various merchants and distributors, including K Mart,
Sears, Target, Bradlees, and Montgomery Ward.

ICC also announced that Fingerhut will be purchasing the Eliminator
for distribution through its own catalog, which is due out in September
of this year. Fingerhut will have a quarter page devoted to the
Eliminator in the electronics section of its catalog.

(Jim Mallory/19910716/Press Contact: Tom Kaufmann, Cohig and
Associates, 303-388-5531 or 800-333-5385)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 DATAPRO REPORTS FRACTIONAL TELECOM CIRCUIT PLANS 07/16/91

07/16/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)

DATAPRO REPORTS FRACTIONAL TELECOM CIRCUIT PLANS 07/16/91
DELRAN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Fractional T1
services, which are digital lines in units of 56,000 or 64,000
bits-per-second (bps) -- sold as a 'fraction' of T1 trunk line speeds of
1.544 million bps -- have been a hot topic among telecommunications
managers for a few years. Such lines are supposed to replace the old
'leased line' technology circuits with which large companies designed
their data communications networks in the 70's and 80's.

But, according to Datapro, the market research organization, there has
been no rush to use the technology. Only six percent of those surveyed
said they plan to implement fractional T1 in the next 12 months, and
another six percent said they would buy lease T1 trunk lines.

The results surprised Gerald Arcuri, Datapro's communications
product manager: "Given the rapid growth of the T1 market,
specifically Fractional T1 circuits, I would have expected the buying
plans of these industry professionals to be much higher," he said.

Other results were also disquieting to the industry. Only 23 percent
of users plan to increase telecom budgets over the next year; only
28 percent plan to increase their use of data circuits; and only 22
percent plan to increase their use of voice circuits. The percentage
planning to increase their data and voice budgets were 16 and 14
percent, respectively. The survey was conducted with over 300
respondents in April.

Datapro has also announced that its On-Call Consulting service is
now available to the general public. On-Call Consulting gives
customers the ability to research Datapro's complete library of
industry databases, press releases, product specifications, literature,
and documentation, dating back to 1970. It is updated daily.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910716/Press Contact: Datapro, Gerald J. Arcuri,
609-764-0100x2360)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 KENYA JOINS SWIFT BANKING NETWORK 07/16/91

07/16/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

KENYA JOINS SWIFT BANKING NETWORK 07/16/91
NAIROBI, KENYA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- About 15 Kenyan banks will join
the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, or
SWIFT, which is an online network for financial transactions.

Other African countries linked to the online banking network are South
Africa, the Ivory Coast, Morocco and Tunisia. Algeria will reportedly
become a SWIFT member before the end of this year while Namibia
and Botswana are expected to join in 1992.

The report on Kenyan plans was made in the Nairobi Daily Nation, and
first reported worldwide by China's Xinhua news agency. The links are
expected to be in place by October. SWIFT is based in Belgium and
has about 3,000 members.

SWIFT's progress to date has been marred by problems with the
commissioning of the SWIFT II network, a high-speed version of the
original SWIFT network, which was inaugurated on the 1970s. Plans for
SWIFT II are still at the prototyping stage, while the original SWIFT
network has been expanded to prolong its active life.

The SWIFT network is used for the rapid transfer of data and other
relevant information about financial transactions around the world.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910716)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 JC PENNEY TO USE BELL ATLANTIC ISDN CIRCUITS 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

JC PENNEY TO USE BELL ATLANTIC ISDN CIRCUITS 07/16/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Proving once again
that the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease, JC Penney has
announced it will use Bell Atlantic's ISDN (Integrated Services Digital
Network) service for point-of-sale applications.

JC Penney had complained recently that the regional Bells have been
slow to offer meaningful ISDN pricing, and that the plans sometimes
differed widely. The acceptance of Bell Atlantic could show the rest
of the industry what large customers really want from the technology,
and move it ahead.

JC Penney Business Services provides transaction processing for major
point-of-sale merchants who accept credit cards and other payment
vehicles, as well as the Dallas-based department store chain. The Bell
Atlantic plan covers ISDN access to the Bell Atlantic Public Data
Network, and could cover 4,000 JC Penney locations that generate
4.5 million transactions a month in the mid-Atlantic region.

An executive with JC Penney said the ISDN lines will cut the
processing time for transactions to 3-5 seconds, from an average of
about 15 seconds currently. That will save enormous amounts of
money over the large number of transactions involved. It will also cut
down on the number of disgruntled retailers and customers who have
to wait on transaction authorization at peak times.

The point-of-sale data will travel across high-speed ISDN links to
Bell Atlantic's PDN, which uses the X.25 protocol standard and which
can link with other networks under the X.75 standard, as well as JC
Penney's backbone network.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910716/Press Contact: Larry Plumb, Bell Atlantic,
703-974-5446, Cindy Preston, JC Penney Business Services, 214-960-
5341)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 ATC ACQUIRES HF COMMUNICATIONS 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

ATC ACQUIRES HF COMMUNICATIONS 07/16/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Continuing the
consolidation of the alternative-operator business, ATC has announced
it has completed negotiations to acquire HF Communications of Miami,
which specializes in offering such services to the hotel industry.

Announcing the deal, ATC officials said that the privately-held HF has
over 100 customers, mainly in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and New York. It
has operations in Miami and Atlanta, which will be absorbed into ATC's
center at Richardson, Texas.

The alternative operator business emerged shortly after the Bell
break-up, as property owners were given the right to control phones
on their property. Alternative operator companies emerged to pay for
those rights, then sell operator services to callers, buying long
distance services from major suppliers like MCI and AT&T, and using
either computers or live operators.

Many people felt robbed, as the companies billed by credit card, often
months after calls were made, and increased fees to pay for the
payments to property owners, their own costs, and what were, at first,
high profits.

Eventually, consumers complained and the companies were reined in
a bit. More important, long distance companies like AT&T began
advertising to consumers how they could dial a few extra digits and
make their long distance pay phone calls through their lower-priced
networks.

With the HF acquisition, ATC will serve over 1,000 hotels and 10,000
pay phones nation-wide. The company expects net sales of $25
million for its year which began July 1.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910716/Press Contact: ATC, Kerry R. Fox, 214/690-
9200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 MCI OFFERS MESSENGER SERVICE TO PRISM PLUS CUSTOMERS 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

MCI OFFERS MESSENGER SERVICE TO PRISM PLUS CUSTOMERS 07/16/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- MCI is offering its MCI
Messenger service free to its Prism Plus customers during July and
August. The messenger service lets callers leave messages for later
delivery when they get a busy signal or no answer.

Prism Plus is the company's small business calling plan. Callers on
those plan can make up to 10 free messenger calls during the billing
periods which end in August.

To use MCI Messenger, MCI customers must dial 700-200-0000, then
press the pound symbol on their keypads, the star symbol, and 44 when
using their MCI card. Messages can be up to one minute in length. The
700 exchange works like the 900 exchange, except it is linked to specific
networks, so AT&T customers can not call an MCI 700 number or vice
versa. The 900 exchange can be called by anyone with a phone, unless
they have requested that it be blocked.

MCI has established a Messenger Information Line, 800-456-9988, for
callers who wish to receive more information on the Messenger service.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910716/Press Contact: Paul Sims, MCI, 404-668-
6927)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 ROCKWELL SELLS NETWORK TRANSMISSION UNIT TO ALCATEL 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

ROCKWELL SELLS NETWORK TRANSMISSION UNIT TO ALCATEL 07/16/91
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Rockwell will
sell its Network Transmission Systems Division to Alcatel of France for
$625 million plus the assumption of some liabilities.

Rockwell originally announced plans to sell the unit, with sales of
$439 million per year, back in April. The deal is due to close by the
end of September.

The liabilities assumed by Alcatel reportedly include some medical
benefits and pension funds. The unit is based in Richardson, Texas.
It has about 3,600 employees.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910716)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 UNISYS U6000/65 FOR CHINA AIRLINE TICKETING SYSTEM 07/16/91

07/16/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00021)

UNISYS U6000/65 FOR CHINA AIRLINE TICKETING SYSTEM 07/16/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- The China National Aviation
Corporation (CNAC), a subsidiary of CAAC and the Hong Kong ticketing
agent for all airlines in China, has ordered Unisys' new U6000/65
computer system.

The U6000/65 was introduced to Hong Kong in June and is based on
between one to five tightly-coupled 33 megahertz (MHz) Intel 80486
processors, giving a performance span of from 27 MIPS to 119 MIPS
(million instructions per second).

CNAC has ordered an entry-level single processor system, which
allows on-site upgrades as system use grows. The supplier, Insight
Computer Consultants, is providing applications software for airline
ticket management and general accounting, which will cost $1.5 million
(US$195,000).

"CNAC manages the ticket stock which is issued to ticketing travel
agents for use with all the international and regional airlines
operated by CAAC and regional authorities in China," said Sherman
Chan, senior consultant with Insight.

"The system will provide inventory control and tracking of these
tickets as they are issued to travel agents and travellers. CNAC
anticipates that its use of the system will grow, which is why we
recommended the U6000/65, which offers dramatic on-site upgradability
with no disruption to the running of the system," he added.

The U6000/65 supports Unix V Release 4.0 with extensions to support
multiple processors. Each CPU supports 8 KB (kilobytes) of internal
cache memory and 256KB of external cache providing enhanced
performance during intensive processing.

Henry Chan, sales director at Unisys (Hong Kong) Ltd., said the new
system was ordered by CNAC before it was officially launched in Hong
Kong.

"CNAC has recognized that this new system offers a major leap in
price/performance and scalability in commercial Unix systems. I feel
this augurs well for the sales potential for this latest generation of
U6000 computers," he said.

(Norman Wingrove/19910716/Press contact: Victor Lai, Unisys, Tel + 852
831 3800; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 NCR WINS CHINESE BANK'S FIRST ATM ORDER 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00022)

NCR WINS CHINESE BANK'S FIRST ATM ORDER 07/16/91
GUANZHOU, GUANDONG, CHINA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- One of China's leading
banks, the People's Construction Bank of China (PCBC), has ordered its
first automated teller machines (ATMs) in a pilot project valued at
$7.75 million (US$1 million).

The first of the 16 NCR terminals was installed at the bank's
Guangzhou branch last week at a ceremony attended by Zhou Daojing,
president of the bank's head office in Beijing, and the Mayor of
Guangzhou, Li Ziliu. The remaining 13 NCR 5085 through-the-wall and
two NCR 5070 in-lobby terminals will be installed at the PCBC branches
in coastal cities and Special Economic Zones.

"The installation of ATMs marks a further step in our modernization
program, which began three years ago," said Guo Zhongjian, vice
president of PCBC's Guangzhou Branch.

PCBC's decision to use ATMs from NCR, in the face of competition from
two other vendors, means that four out of the five main banks in China
are now NCR customers.

Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China also use
NCR's ATMs, while People's Bank of China uses NCR Tower multi-user
computers and item processing equipment for cheque clearing purposes.

"This is a breakthrough order which we expect to lead to significant
business in the future," said Daniel Lam, marketing manager of NCR
(China) Ltd. "People's Construction Bank has more than 10,000 branches
and sub-branches nation-wide, many of which could benefit from
adopting ATMs to speed customer withdrawals."

(Norman Wingrove/19910716/Press contact: Vivian Kung, NCR (HK), Tel +
852 859 6021; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 ICL INTRODUCES GIM TO ASIA 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00023)

ICL INTRODUCES GIM TO ASIA 07/16/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- As part of its development
strategy in the land and property information management market, ICL
has introduced its GIM (geographical information management) system to
Asia.

At a seminar held in cooperation with GIS (geographical information
system) supplier Genasys II and GIS consultant Modulo 4 international,
ICL demonstrated its GIM systems to over 350 representatives from a
wide spectrum of industries, including property management,
engineering consultancy, transportation, government departments and
public utilities.

Dennis Haines, president of ICL Asia, said, "There are emerging
opportunities for GIM since most Asian countries are experiencing
rapid population and GDP growth and massive infrastructural
development is creating demand for efficient geographical information
systems integration."

At the core of GIM is the PLANES software tool which is specially
designed to provide organizations with access to, and analysis of,
vast amounts of land, property and network data. It enables digitized
maps, text, card indexes and computer data, generated by different
computer systems, to be incorporated into a GIM environment for
processing.

According to Yau Kan, sales manager of ICL (HK), ICL's GIM system and
data integration capability is unique in that computer systems of
different makes can be connected together through the ICL system hub
so that the end user can regard the entire network as one entity. "The
ICL approach adds value to a customer's existing computer system,
regardless of brand," he said.

(Norman Wingrove/19910716/Press contact: Dickie Luk, Tel + 852 838
3889, Fax + 852 383 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 COMPUTER SCIENCES GETS $140 MILLION SUBCONTRACT 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00024)

COMPUTER SCIENCES GETS $140 MILLION SUBCONTRACT 07/16/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- As another of the
subcontractors in the AT&T Treasury Department contract award for the
Treasury Multi-user Acquisition Contract, Computer Sciences expects to
provide about $140 million in support services for the new IRS Unix
system, but other Treasury divisions can also purchase services under
TMAC so the total value of the subcontract can't yet be determined.

CSC will provide consulting services in the areas of project
management, systems analysis, database software, hardware, and
communications for the one-year contract, but there are six one-year
renewal options which should provide for a total of a seven-year
contract duration.

The Treasury Department's requirements will be supported out of
Computer Sciences Corp.'s Falls Church, Virginia office. CSC has
annual revenues exceeding $1.7 billion and is headquartered in El
Segundo, California.

(John McCormick/19910716/Press Contact: Mary Rhodes, CSC, 213-615-
0311)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16  ****EX-DEC EMPLOYEE CHARGED IN THEFT OF BOARDS 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00025)

 ****EX-DEC EMPLOYEE CHARGED IN THEFT OF BOARDS 07/16/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- A former employee
of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) has been charged with the theft
of circuit boards from the company. Kris David Wise of Phillipston,
Massachusetts, was arrested during a FBI undercover operation July 13
and charged in U.S. District Court in Boston July 15.

According to a prepared statement from the office of U.S. Attorney
Wayne A. Budd, FBI agents and Massachusetts State Police arrested Wise
as he tried to arrange the sale of stolen computer boards to another
former Digital colleague on Saturday, July 13.

Wise, also known on the street as "Space" and "The Carpenter," was
charged with an ongoing conspiracy to transport the boards and other
stolen property out of Massachusetts since January.

The value of the computer equipment stolen from Digital between March
and July alone was estimated at more than US$500,000. According to the
U.S. Attorney's office, Wise arranged with current Digital employees
to have the computer boards stolen, then gave them to his colleague to
sell in Maryland.

Following his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert
B. Collings, Wise was released on US$150,000 bail.

The U.S. Attorney's office said that the investigation is ongoing, and
Newsbytes was told the FBI had scheduled a press conference in Boston
to discuss the case.

(Grant Buckler/19910716/Press Contact: Susan Hicks Spurlock, U.S.
Attorney's Office in Boston, 617-223-9445)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 NEW FOR UNIX: Gandalf OSI Net Management 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00026)

NEW FOR UNIX: Gandalf OSI Net Management 07/16/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Gandalf Data has
introduced what company officials claim is the first management system
for computer communications networks that conforms both to existing
industry standards and to the emerging Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI) standards.

Gandalf's Access Manager provides network management functions that
conform to the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) in widespread
use today. It also supports Common Management Information Protocol
over Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (CMoP), part of
the International Standards Organization's OSI protocol suite.

Access Manager also makes it easy to manage communications networks
composed of equipment from a variety of vendors, the company said.

Company spokeswoman Janice Drummond agreed that relatively few
customers are using the OSI standards today, but she said many are
concerned about planning for them. This is particularly true in
Europe, an important market for Gandalf, Drummond added.

Drummond said one customer in the United Kingdom, which does not want
to be named, has already ordered Access Manager.

Based on the Unix operating system, Access Manager runs on Sun IPC
workstations. Prices range from US$5,000 to US$18,000, depending on
functions and options. The product is available now.

(Grant Buckler/19910716/Press Contact: Janice R. Drummond, Gandalf
Data, 613-564-0183)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 DEAL WOULD GIVE CLEARPOINT CONTROL OF DILOG 07/16/91

07/16/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00027)

DEAL WOULD GIVE CLEARPOINT CONTROL OF DILOG 07/16/91
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- A deal being
worked out by Clearpoint Research here and Distributed Logic Corp. of
Irvine, Calif. (Dilog) would give Clearpoint control of Dilog in
exchange for Clearpoint's memory business becoming part of the other
firm. The two companies have signed a letter of intent.

Under the agreement, Dilog would issue shares to Clearpoint making up
87 percent of its common stock, as well as preferred stock convertible
to another 2.5 percent of outstanding common shares. Dilog
stockholders would be asked to approve changing the company's name to
Clearpoint Technologies, a reverse split of its shares, and election
of a new slate of directors.

Clearpoint Technologies, combining the former Dilog and Clearpoint's
memory business, would be one of three subsidiaries a Clearpoint
holding company which also controls a networking arm, Clearpoint
Constellation, and a small research and development subsidiary,
Clearpoint President Vincent P. Bono told Newsbytes.

Clearpoint will also provide Dilog interim financing until the
transaction closes.

The letter of intent calls for a definitive agreement and plan of
exchange to be signed by July 31, with Oct. 31 the target date for
closing the deal. The deal must be approved by both firms' directors
and stockholders.

Bono said that Clearpoint was attracted to Dilog because of its strong
presence in Europe and its "significant presence in the DEC-compatible
subsystem market."

Dilog sells storage systems and communications controllers,
particularly for Digital Equipment minicomputers. Clearpoint, a
privately held company, develops of memory and networking products and
subsystems products for workstations.

(Grant Buckler/19910716/Press Contact: Vincent P. Bono or Leonard J.
Guida, Clearpoint, 508-435-2000; Glenn C. Salley or Thomas R.
Anderson, Dilog, 714-476-0303)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16 SHARP NAMES SECOND CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00028)

SHARP NAMES SECOND CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR 07/16/91
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Sharp Electronics of
Canada has named J.B. Marketing, a Cornwall, Ontario, distributor, as
its second distributor.

J.B. Marketing will distribute Sharp's laptop and notebook computers
and its laser printers to about 4,500 dealers and value-added
resellers (VARs) across Canada. It is Sharp Canada's second
distributor, a spokeswoman told Newsbytes, joining the smaller Ottawa-
based firm ADI.

Nine-year-old J.B. Marketing is a fully Canadian owned company with
more than 100 employees.

(Grant Buckler/19910716/Press Contact: Betty de Sousa, The
Communications Group for Sharp Electronics of Canada, 416-696-9900,
fax [phone]; Sharp Electronics of Canada, 416-890-2100, fax 416-
890-7453)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16  ****LSI AND SANYO TO CREATE HDTV CHIPSET 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00029)

 ****LSI AND SANYO TO CREATE HDTV CHIPSET 07/16/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- With its announcement
that it is entering a codevelopment agreement with Japan-based Sanyo
Electric, LSI Logic becomes the first U.S. company to state that it is
developing a high definition television or HDTV chipset.

An important aspect of this announcement is that U.S.-based LSI Logic
will retain co-ownership of the intellectual property involved in the
development of the HDTV chips and will also have world-wide sales
rights to the technology.

The recent announcement of a world-wide standard being set by Japanese
firms further emphasizes the importance of American companies becoming
involved with Japanese partners in this field.

LSI Logic specializes in rapid prototyping and development of new ASIC
or application specific integrated circuit chipsets using its library
of more than 1,000 building blocks, which provide easy addition of
video compression, and other signal processing functions to new
microchip designs. As part of this co-development project, LSI will
also have the right to add the new HDTV building blocks to its library
of standard designs for incorporation in any new projects.

This particular development project involves the HDTV standard set by
Japan's NHK public broadcasting corporation and will take compressed
HDTV signals received from satellite broadcasts and process them for
viewing on HDTV sets.

The NHK MUSE or Multiple Sub-Band Encoding system is unique in that,
as opposed to the several digital systems being considered for
adoption in this country, it is an analog signal system.

Electronic Engineering Times (April 8, 1991) says that the NHK system,
already in use in Japan, is compatible with most of already existing
HDTV cameras, recorders, and video production systems. EET also
reports that the NHK system has good enough resolution to make it
possible to read characters as small as 0.1-inch high on the screen.

The Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Government's
regulatory body for all radio frequency communications, is now
considering several HDTV systems, including the NHK system, and is
expected to select a U.S. standard by next summer.

High definition television is actually a term covering several new TV
standards which are all competing for adoption in the U.S. and
elsewhere. HDTV provides much higher image quality than traditional
color or black-and-white television and an HDTV system would not
necessarily be compatible with current TV standards, requiring people
to move up to the sets to view some programs.

HDTV is viewed by many as the next major revolution in consumer
electronics - the equivalent of the adoption of a color television
standard - and there is a great fear in the U.S. that this important
new technology, which has many applications for the military and the
computer industry, will leave the U.S. shut out of production and
vital technical advances, just as this country's manufacturers are now
out of the standard television manufacturing business.

Established in 1981, and employing about 4,400 people, Milpitas,
California-based LSI Logic is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
and has annual sales approaching $700 million.

Sanyo Electric is an $8,000 million company which employs more than
27,000 people.

(John McCormick/19910716/Press Contact: Bruce Entin, LSI Logic, 408-
433-4067 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 16  ****AT&T SECURES $1,400 MILLION TREASURY CONTRACT 07/16/91

07/16/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00030)

 ****AT&T SECURES $1,400 MILLION TREASURY CONTRACT 07/16/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- AT&T has announced it
has been awarded a Treasury Department contract potentially worth more
than $1.400 million over the next seven years to supply some 3,200
high-performance computers, 50,000 workstations, and networking
products to link the equipment for use by the Department of Treasury.

The AT&T statement announcing the award said that the contract is one
of the largest for computers that the federal government has ever
awarded and "is the largest computer contract awarded the company
since 1984 when it forged a strategy to serve the growing needs of
business and government for integrating communications and computers
to improve their operations, service and profits."

The contract is part of an $8,000 million Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) project to enhance efficiency in dealing with tax collections
and refunds by putting millions of taxpayer records online for access
to offices and agents throughout the country. AT&T said that under the
contract, called, Treasury Multi-user Acquisition contract (TMAC).,
other Treasury Department bureaus such as the U.S. customs service may
also choose to buy computers.

AT&T's main subcontractor on the project, Pyramid Technology of
Mountain View, California, will supply about 3,200 data storage units
as part of the AT&T contract which will be based on the AT&T-invented
Unix operating system environment.

AT&T said that 43 percent of the subcontracting work for supplying
hardware and software, manning Treasury's toll-free help line and other
functions will go to small and minority-owned businesses. Among the
small and minority owned firms in the Washington area reported to be
involved are Automation Research & Systems of Alexandria, Centech of
Silver Spring, General Analytical of McLean, Information Systems &
Networks of Bethesda, Viatech Systems Inc. of Falls Church and PSI
International Inc. of Fairfax.

AT&T reportedly spent $1 million building a mock-up with 250
personal computers in the basement of a former AT&T factory on South
Hayes Street in Arlington to demonstrate how the system would run. The
11-day demonstration was carried out in June 1990 and the government
received the various vendors' "best and final offers" in April of this
year.

AT&T spokesperson Jim McGann commented on the award to Newsbytes,
saying: "When we hear words like 'open systems' and 'Posix-compliant'
in bid requests, alarms go off. It's this type of system that AT&T
with its commitment to Unix-based open systems has built our business
on. It seems that our approach has been well recognized by the
awarding of this contract."

Published reports have said that AT&T, while not the low bidder, was
chosen because the technical quality of its system was judged the
best. McGann further commented to Newsbytes: "We weren't told where we
stood in the bidding but it would certainly not surprise me that we
were judged the best technically."

Robert M. Kavner, an AT&T group executive, said about the contract
award: "We won because we showed that when a bid calls for integrating
Unix system applications and communications, AT&T has superior
solutions."

Challenges are also likely because AT&T now holds contracts for three
giant federal computer contracts. In addition to the Treasury Multi-
user Acquisition Contract just awarded, the Air Force's Standard
Multi-user Small Computer Requirements Contract, worth more than $1
billion, was awarded in the fall of 1988 and the Department of
Transportation's Office Automation Technology and Services Contract,
worth an estimated $850 million, was also given to AT&T in December
1989.

(Barbara E. McMullen, John F. McMullen & John McCormick/Press
Contacts: A.J. (Herb) Linnen, AT&T, 202-457-3933; C. Bruce Plowman,
Computer Sciences Corp, 213/615-0311/19910716)

#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 15 SAFEWAY INTROS AUTOMATED CHECK SYSTEM 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00001)

SAFEWAY INTROS AUTOMATED CHECK SYSTEM 07/15/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Customers
shopping in Colorado Safeway stores will no longer have to write
out a check and get it approved before buying their groceries,
under a new system instituted last week.

The system is designed to replace paper checks and reduce the
time a checkout counters. To use the system, customers will run
a credit-card sized card through a machine and enter their four
digit personal identification number (PIN), much as automated
bank teller machines. The transaction takes about five seconds.

A system operated by Chicago-based Concord Computing Corporation
will process and approve purchases, based on customers credit
records. Chase Manhattan Bank will then get a record of all
transactions and arrange deposits into Safeway's account.

Funds will be withdrawn from the customers checking account in
about the same time it takes a paper check to clear. Initially,
the system is available in about a dozen Denver stores to Safeway
customers participating in the store's Preferred Customer
Program. That program rewards frequent shoppers who purchase a
certain amount each month with free products, discounts and other
incentives.

Safeway says the system will be installed in more than 70 stores
east of the Rocky Mountains. Safeway rival King Soopers says it
may install a similar system. Russ Dispense, King Soopers VP of
marketing, says the chain is evaluating the system.

The system has the potential to create a huge electronic database
containing customer information, including their buying habits.
However, Safeway spokesperson Jeff Stroh says Safeway has no
immediate plans to create such a system.

(Jim Mallory/19910714)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 SYMPOSIUM ON HACKERS & COMPUTER CRIME 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00002)

SYMPOSIUM ON HACKERS & COMPUTER CRIME 07/15/91
PURCHASE, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- "Hackers, Computer
Crime & First Amendment Concerns" will be the topic of a July
monthly meeting of the New York IBM Users Group (NYPC) and a
distinguished authorities on this subject have agreed to
attend.

The meeting, to be held at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, July 17th at the High
School of Graphics Arts (West 49th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues),
will feature a symposium on the subject by Donald Delaney, New York
State Police Senior Investigator; "Phiber Optik," well-known "hacker,"
Mike Godwin, in-house counsel of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
(EFF); Emmanuel Goldstein, editor & publisher of 2600: The Hacker
Quarterly; Katie Hafner, co-author of the recently published "Cyberpunk:
Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier." Newsbytes New
York Bureau Chief John McMullen will host the panel discussion.

McMullen told Newsbytes, "The evening promises to have a lot of
electricity. Each of the participants is well versed in the issues under
discussion and has a unique point of view. Additionally, there are threads
that tie may of these gifted individuals together. The book that Katie has
co-authored with John Markoff of the New York Times is just beginning to
hit the bookstores. One of the cases with which it deals, the Robert Morris
'Internet Worm,' has recently been the subject of a filing of a brief with
the United States Supreme Court by Mike Godwin and EFF."

McMullen continued, "In addition by their expertise in aspects of these
issues, Delaney and Phiber are linked by the fact that Don arrested Phiber
early this year for alleged computer-related crimes. Delaney has
aggressively thrown himself into the issues surrounding criminal activities
involving technology while Phiber is both extremely technically
knowledgeable and articulate in explanation of the "hacker" outlook.
Emmanuel Goldstein has long spoken for an understanding of hacker
positions and tolerance of non-destructive acts of exploration. I think that
we have a great group and an opportunity to provide the audience with an
in-depth understanding of these complex issues."

Delaney added, "I think that meetings like this provide important
information to those interested in these issues. The discussion should
provide an insight into both the position of law enforcement and the views
held by the hacker and cracker communities."

NYPC, with a membership of over 3,000, is New York's largest computer
user group and has, in the past, attracted such speakers as Bill Gates, Rod
Canion, Guy Kawasaki, Ben Rosen, Stewart Alsop, Peter Norton, Esther
Dyson, Dan Bricklin, and Bill Machrone. Joseph Rigo, NYPC's founder and
first president, told Newsbytes, "I am really looking forward to this
meeting. I think that our members will find it enlightening, interesting and
informative."

(Wendy Woods/Press Contact: NYPC Hotline, 212-533-NYPC/19910715)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 INTERACTIVE MEDIA SHIPS MORE MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

INTERACTIVE MEDIA SHIPS MORE MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS 07/15/91
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Interactive
Media Technologies says it has shipped an additional 25 units of
its IMTX 8000 multimedia integration system. Companies receiving
the combined hardware/software system include Macromind, Claris,
The Post Group, Electronic Data Systems, McGraw Hill, the
American Film Institute, and the University of Southern
California.

IMT shipped the first 25 units to its partner company, Canon
Sales Co, for its major clients. IMT CEO R. Glenn Williamson
said IMT is receiving 30 units weekly from Varian Tempe
Electronics Center.

The IMTX 8000 is a multimedia integration system, using a
combination of hardware and software that the company says enables
desktop users to produce studio-quality videos and presentations in
less time and with less cost.

(Jim Mallory/19910715/Press Contact:Ron Bianchi, IMT,
602-443-3093)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 COMPUCOM COMPLETES PURCHASE OF PHOTO & SOUND 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00004)

COMPUCOM COMPLETES PURCHASE OF PHOTO & SOUND 07/15/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- CompuCom says
it has completed its purchase of Photo & Sound Company's
microcomputer business and certain unnamed related assets. In
addition to convertible preferred stock, the deal included an
undisclosed amount of cash.

CompuCom announced its intent to purchase Photo & Sound's
microcomputer business in late June of this year. "We were
pleased to be able to close this transaction within three weeks
of our initial announcement," said Avery More, president of
CompuCom. More said the quick agreement will ensure a smooth
transition as CompuCom integrates Photo & Sound's business into
CompuCom.

Jim Dixon, CompuCom chairman, said, "It's exciting when such a
transaction can result in a win-win situation for both parties."
Dixon said the deal gives CompuCom a greater presence in the
Western US for its corporate microcomputer sales. The deal also
gives CompuCom a West Coast distribution facility to better serve
its customers in a more timely, cost-effective manner.

In April of this year, CompuCom acquired The Computer Factory,
described as the nation's fifth largest microcomputer dealer,
with 37 offices nationwide.

(Jim Mallory/19910715/Press Contact:Avery More, CompuCom,
214-783-1252)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 HDTV VIDEO STANDARD ESTABLISHED BY JAPANESE FIRMS 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00005)

HDTV VIDEO STANDARD ESTABLISHED BY JAPANESE FIRMS 07/15/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Three Japanese electronics firms,
Hitachi, Sony and Matsushita, have announced a fledgling
standard for home-use VCR display of high definition TV (HDTV).
The standard is based on the Japanese "Muse" HDTV standard

The design calls for audio sound to be recorded and replayed via
digital signal, while video data is recorded as an analog signal.
The specially created VCR would use 2-channels and a 2-segment
recording method to maintain the quality of the picture and the
sound. When the picture is recorded on tape for these home-use VCRs,
each frame of the picture would be divided up for placement on a
multiple number of tracks. This is because high definition TV programs
have about 5 to 6 times more data compared with regular TV signals.

The tape is 1/2 inch wide, which is same as a VHS tape. However, it
is much thinner than the VHS tape -- only 13 micron thick. The
tape provides three hours of recording and replaying time. The tape size
is about twice that of a current VHS tape.

The three firms expect to commercialize the video player and the
tape in about two years but the final product won't come cheaply. The
current price estimated for the product is a whopping two million yen.

The three firms say that they will share the design of the HDTV VCR
with other electronics firms.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910713)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 JAPANESE MINITEL BEING ESTABLISHED 07/15/91

07/15/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00006)

JAPANESE MINITEL BEING ESTABLISHED 07/15/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- French Telecom and 10 Japanese
firms have set up the Minitel Association in Tokyo. The association
aims to develop a Japanese version of Minitel and to start the service
in Japan.

The Minitel Association will research the implementation of Minitel,
the french teletext system, until the end of this year. Then, the
participating firms are expected to launch a service firm for Minitel
in Japan next year. The association has already started designing
various databases for a Japanese version of Minitel.

The association will choose an electronics firm to develop and
manufacture the Minitel terminal. Interestingly, the Japanese
Minitel is expected to be interconnected with NTT's Captain
videotex network. This interconnection of the network is designed to
benefit both firms. Minitel will get the credibility of the NTT name
while NTT might get the chance to revive its ailing Captain network.
NTT will provide technical support for this interconnection.

Minitel is one of the most popular videotex networks in France.
It is said about 6 million terminals are used at French homes.
The network provides 16,000 kinds of services including telephone
directory, news, and home shopping. About one every four homes has the
terminal in France.

The participating Japanese firms include Mitsui Jyoho-Kaihatsu,
Recruit, Daiei, ASCII and Kinki Nippon Tourist.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910715/Press Contact: French Telecom Japan,
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 LOW-COST 32-BIT COLOR LAPTOP PC DEBUTS FROM NEC 07/15/91

07/15/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00007)

LOW-COST 32-BIT COLOR LAPTOP PC DEBUTS FROM NEC 07/15/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- NEC has released a the lowest-cost
32-bit color laptop personal computer in Japan. Called the NEC PC9801T,
the machine is equipped with a thin film transistor (TFT) color
liquid crystal display.

NEC's color PC displays 16 colors at one time out of a pallette of
4,096 colors on a 9.8-inch TFT color display. According to
NEC, the display's images are as clear as those seen on a cathode
ray tube (CRT) monitor. The PC has a 20 megahertz 80386SX processor
and a 40-megabyte hard disk. There is also a 100-megabyte hard disk
version. The PC supports Windows 3.0 and the OS/2 operating system.
The keyboard can be detached from the computer itself.

The base price of the low-end model is 850,000 yen ($6,300). There
are a number of peripherals offered including a dot matrix printer and an
external 100-megabyte hard disk. NEC expects to sell 25,000 PCs during
the first year of sales.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910715/Press Contact: NEC, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 UK: FUTITSU UNVEILS PLAIN PAPER FAX FOR UKP 800 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00008)

UK: FUTITSU UNVEILS PLAIN PAPER FAX FOR UKP 800 07/15/91
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Fujitsu Europe has
unveiled the Faxjet, a device that, when plugged into a laser printer,
turns the printer into a plain paper fax. The laser printing capabilities
of the printer can be used at any time as normal.

"By providing affordable plain paper fax, Faxjet is responding to market
demands," said George Zervos, Fujitsu's fax product manager. "Even low
volume users are able to justify the cost of integrating plain paper fax
reception."

"According to a recent US survey, over half of all thermal fax users would
like to make the move to plain paper, but are deterred from doing so by the
high price of equipment. Faxjet removes that deterrent," he suggested.

The Faxjet unit costs UKP 795, a price that Zervos claims is way below the
cost of a true plain paper fax.

"By using Faxjet at UKP 795 for reception and their existing thermal
machine for transmission, both the printer and fax machine can be run at
maximum productivity. This can be compared with buying just one traditional
plain paper laser fax machine with an average price of UKP 2,700," said
Zervos.

(Steve Gold/19910712/Press & Public Contact: Fujitsu Europe - Tel:081-575-
4444)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NEW PRODUCT: Datacraft Faxbox For Asia 07/15/91

07/15/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00009)

NEW PRODUCT: Datacraft Faxbox For Asia 07/15/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Datacraft Asia has
announced a new version of the Faxbox facsimile gateway aimed at
Asia's value-added resellers (VARs).

Manufactured by DCE of the UK, Faxbox-30 is designed to allow
software houses to develop their own software in order to tailor the
Faxbox to individual requirements and local environments.

Because the new new version is not bundled with the standard DCE
software, it is offered at a substantially lower price than the full-
capacity Faxbox, said Ron Cattell, Datacraft's regional director of
marketing.

Faxbox had its Asian launch last year and is aimed at large
multi-user applications, such as direct installation to minicomputers,
mainframes, message switches and data networks. It can also act as a
fax delivery interface for public and private electronic mail and
message handling systems.

(Norman Wingrove/19910712/Press contact: Ron Cattell, Datacraft, Tel
+ 852 807 2313, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 BELGIAN BANK CHOOSES ALL-IN-1 FROM DIGITAL 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00010)

BELGIAN BANK CHOOSES ALL-IN-1 FROM DIGITAL 07/15/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- The Belgian Bank has started
using the All-In-1 integrated office system from Digital Equipment
Corporation (DEC) to access word processing, electronic mail,
spreadsheet, and time management applications.

The installation is part of a general migration from multivendor
systems to a single system based on DEC hardware and software,
together with development tools from Oracle.

Staff from the bank's top executives down have direct access to All-
In-1 through Digital VT 420 terminals. Some senior managers use the
system's e-mail facilities to exchange reports and other documents
with colleagues in Hong Kong.

The software runs on a VAX 6410 system with more than two gigabytes
of disc storage, giving each user five megabytes for personal files.

All-In-1 is interfaced both with the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet running on
the VAX and with the Swift interbank funds transfer and messaging
system.

The bank plans to extend the system to its 120 PC users, who until
now have been served by stand-alone applications. The PCs will be
linked to local area networks (LANs) at the bank's two main offices
using Pathworks, and converted into diskless workstations.

(Norman Wingrove/19910712/Press contact: Venus Chan, DEC, Tel + 852
864 3029; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 SOFTWARE DEV'T CONFERENCE SET FOR BOSTON 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00011)

SOFTWARE DEV'T CONFERENCE SET FOR BOSTON 07/15/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- About 2,500
software developers are expected to gather September 8-13 for
the Software Development '91 show and conference in Boston.
Massachusetts Governor William Weld has proclaimed Software
Development Week in honor of the event.

Robin Shepherd, a spokeswoman for show organizers Miller Freeman,
Inc., told Newsbytes that about 60 exhibitors are expected to be on
hand. Speakers will include Brian Kernighan of AT&T Bell
Laboratories, developer of the C programming language, and Al
Pietrasanta former head of software development at IBM and director
of the Research Systems Institute and Software Engineering
Institute.

Now in its fourth year, the Software Development show and
conference will be held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. More
information is available from Miller Freeman at 415-905-2414, fax
415-905-2630.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: Robin Shepherd, Shepherd
Communications for Miller Freeman, 408-354-2441; Miller Freeman,
415-905-2514, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NEW PRODUCT: Wrist Support With A New Twist 07/15/91

07/15/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00012)

NEW PRODUCT: Wrist Support With A New Twist 07/15/91
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Chesterfield
Financial has introduced a new foam pad which can be used as a
stand-alone wrist support in a computer drawer or as an accessory
for the Wrist Pro wrist support device.

The cushioned pad installs on top of Wrist Pro and maintains the
proper wrist position to reduce the risk of Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome (CTS) or Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). CTS and RSI
are common among users of computer keyboards, and frequently
result in a worker compensation claim. A photo of the product
furnished to Newsbytes depicts the product as attractive and
comfortable.

Used alone, the pad functions as a wrist support to be used in
computer drawers with a two-inch wide lip. The company says that
putting the wrist in a neutral position eases arm, shoulder and
back strain associated with keyboarding. The pad is made of
cross-linked polyethylene foam, and is said to be non-allergenic,
non-staining and easy to clean. It is made of the same material
found in football packing, gym mats and flotation devices.

(Jim Mallory/19910710/Press Contact:Amy Dunn, Shoss & Assoc,
314-961-7620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 AUSTRALIA: GOVERNMENT 1990 SPENDING FIGURES TALLIED 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00013)

AUSTRALIA: GOVERNMENT 1990 SPENDING FIGURES TALLIED 07/15/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Government spending figures
from the Commonwealth Gazette have been collated, and the resulting
figures show telecommunications and IT (information technology) to
be major players in the government market. The figures were collated
and reported by Tendernews, which is a watch-dog research group
specializing in tendered contracts.

Every Australian government department is required by law to detail its
spending in the Gazette, and the 1990 total came to AUS$5.9 billion. Of
this, almost AUS$2.9 billion was spent on telecommunications, computers,
and consultancies, with telecommunications companies benefiting the
most. Computer Power Group (CPG) topped the list with AUS$736 million,
AUS$650 million of which is from the Australian Tax Office Project.
CPG is a systems integrator for the project, and the AUS$650 million
is not the amount of sales CPG will get from the contract. But the remaining
AUS$86 million still puts CPG ahead of IBM, with sales of AUS$69 million,
most of which is from the Department of Defense Desine Contract for
which IBM is prime supplier until 1994.

Telecommunications company Alcatel topped the sales list, with
AUS$292M in contracts. Ericsson Australia came a close second with
AUS$283M, mostly in telecommunications. Rockwell Electronics
achieved AUS$211M in sales in defense work, and Australia's national
carrier Telecom achieved AUS$191M in sales.

(Sean McNamara/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 AUSTRALIA: TELECOM OFFERS AUS$5,000 FOR BEST AI PROJECT 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00014)

AUSTRALIA: TELECOM OFFERS AUS$5,000 FOR BEST AI PROJECT 07/15/91
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Telecom, Australia's
national carrier, is aiming at fostering artificial intelligence
(AI) in the tertiary sector by offering an AUS$5,000 prize to
tertiary students. The prize will be awarded to the most innovative
proposal for innovative use of AI for use in the telecommunications
industry.

Entries must be experimentally demonstrated within two months of
their description by the students. Prizes for the top three entries
will be AUS$5,000, AUS$3,000 and AUS$2,000, and the top ten entries
will be given free registration and travel expenses to attend the
International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, which
will be held in Sydney in late August. The winner will also be
offered vacation employment in the Telecom Research Laboratories to
help further develop their idea.

(Sean McNamara/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 AUSTRALIAN MESSAGING SYSTEM FOR UN CONFERENCE 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00015)

AUSTRALIAN MESSAGING SYSTEM FOR UN CONFERENCE 07/15/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- The Earth Summit, the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development, will utilize
Pegasus, an international messaging system based in Byron Bay, a
northern New South Wales coastal town.

Pegasus will be the gateway for Asian Pacific participants in the
Summit, which will be held in Brazil next year. Pegasus was
established in 1987 by Ian Peter and is part of the Association of
Progressive Communications. The APC is a network of seven main
communications hubs which are located in North and South America,
Eastern and Western Europe, the USSR, and Australia. The Brazilian
member of the APC will provide the host computer services for the
conference.

Access to Pegasus for local users means that the APC's services are
available, and these services include access to the Library of
Congress, the British Library, and 60 international and local
databases. Although initially established to meet the needs of
environmentalists, Pegasus now caters to humans rights groups, the
development aid community, the environmental and peace movements,
the arts, small business, and community worker fields.

(Sean McNamara/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 MOSCOW: BORLAND OFFICE REGISTERED 07/15/91

07/15/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00016)

MOSCOW: BORLAND OFFICE REGISTERED 07/15/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Borland International has
received official accreditation from the U.S.S.R. Ministry of
Foreign Economic Relations. This means Borland can open a
legal office in Moscow, which will considerably ease the red
tape required of US firms dealing in the Soviet Union.

According to Borland's Moscow spokeswoman, the official registration
took place late last month and now the company actively seeking a
suitable office space in Moscow. "Several options exist in this
matter. We will officially open our Moscow office in early fall," she
added.

At the moment, Interquadro, one of the oldest computer joint ventures
in Moscow, works as exclusive distributor for all Borland software.
Companies have recently been started to sell the complete range
of Borland software products at reasonable prices in local
currency -- non-convertible rubles.

All further inquiries may be addressed to Yuri Sobolev of Interquadro,
phone [phone]; fax [phone].

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910712)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 TWO COMPANIES OFFER RUSSIAN PARADOX 07/15/91

07/15/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00017)

TWO COMPANIES OFFER RUSSIAN PARADOX 07/15/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- A localized version of Paradox
3.5, database management software from Borland International, was
recently announced at the PC World Forum. Users of DataEase,
R:base, and dBASE are being lured to buy Paradox with a huge
discount Borland is offering them to "trade up."

The product was localized in a non-traditional manner. A Moscow-
based software house called Paragraph, with the authorization of
Borland, did the localizing of the existing package. Paragraph's
technology's main advantage is that it doesn't use secret
source codes for programs. A special add-on program has been
developed which changes all menus, sorting and browsing options,
on-screen help and even date representation for a non-English
alphabet.

Soviet buyers are being offered the U.S.-made, latest version of
the package, along with localization software and Russian
documentation, for 9900 rubles ($283). Owners of other Borland
and non-Borland database software packages are being enticed with
an up to 50% discount.

The software is available immediately from Paragraph as well as the
Borland/Interquadro Soviet software distribution network, which
includes more than 50 dealers countrywide.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910712/Press contact: Leonid Malkov, Paragraph,
phone [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NIST SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR ONLINE TECH DATA PROGRAM 07/15/91

07/15/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00018)

NIST SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR ONLINE TECH DATA PROGRAM 07/15/91
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JULY 15 (NB) -- NIST
(National Institute of Standards and Technology) and the Small
Business Administration is seeking proposals for pilot programs
which will develop ways to help small businesses gain faster
access to on-line databases which contain new technology information.

SBA will provide $200,000 in matching funds for each of five
state Small Business Development Centers. Applications can only
be made by the state SBDC directors, not private companies, but
those wishing to participate can contact their state SBA
headquarters. Applications must be received by August 12, 1991.

(John McCormick/19910712)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NEW PRODUCT: Low Cost VGA Monitor From KRIS Technologies 07/15/91

07/15/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00019)

NEW PRODUCT: Low Cost VGA Monitor From KRIS Technologies 07/15/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- KRIS
Technologies has a new 14-inch color monitor, called the KRIS
14BV, that can be used with IBM PC and compatibles, IBM PS/2s,
and Apple Macintosh II microcomputers.

The company maintains that, when combined with the KRIS Premier
VGA adapter, the monitor guarantees total VGA compatibility.

The non-glare, dark-tinted KRIS 14BV features 640 by 480 VGA
non-interlaced resolution with 0.31mm dot pitch. The color monitor
autosyncs to a vertical scan range of 58-73KHz and a horizontal
refresh rate of 31.5KHz, with a bandwidth range from 50-30MHz.

The KRIS 14BV is listed at $395 and comes with a one-year
warranty.

(Ian Stokell/19910712/Press Contact: Betty Chin, KRIS Technologies,
415-875-6729, ext. 57)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NEW FOR MAC: Pocket Sized Fax/Data Modem From EMAC 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00020)

NEW FOR MAC: Pocket Sized Fax/Data Modem From EMAC 07/15/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- EMAC, a
division of Everex Systems, has introduced a pocket-sized fax/data
modem for the Macintosh called the EMAC 24/96.

The EMAC 24/96 offers a 2,400-bps modem combined with
9,600-bps Group III-compatible fax capabilities. The product weighs
just four ounces and offers both MNP level 5 data compression and
MNP level 4 error correction. Also featured is an acoustic coupler
port and adapter cable to allow for the connection to a pay telephone
or hotel telephone that does not have an accessible modular jack.

Using Finder or MultiFinder, fax transmissions can be sent or
received in background using Abaton's InterFax communications
software. Unattended scheduled transmission capabilities are
also included, along with custom fax directories of up to 800
numbers.

The EMAC 24/96 features sound cues and LED indicators and can
operate on either a nine-volt battery or using the standard AC
convertor, which is also included.

For fax transmissions it can automatically generate a cover page
and will convert received faxes into PICT, TIFF, or PNTG file
formats.

Compatible with any Macintosh Plus or later system, the EMAC
24/96 retails for $495.

(Ian Stokell/19910712/Press Contact: Stacy Wueste, EMAC,
415-683-2145)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NEW FOR MAC: 8-Bit Color Graphics Card From SuperMac 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00021)

NEW FOR MAC: 8-Bit Color Graphics Card From SuperMac 07/15/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- SuperMac
Technology claims to have released the fastest 8-bit color graphics
cards for the Macintosh II series of microcomputers on the market.

The Spectrum/8-24 PDQ and PDQ si cards are said to achieve an up
to half a billion pixel-per-second graphics throughput.

The company claims the cards offer twice the price/performance
of the Apple Display card 8-24 GC, but cost 30 percent less. The
cards retail for $1,399 and will be available from July 15. Both
support the new System 7.0 Macintosh operating system.

The cards support displays from many vendors including Apple,
RasterOps, and Radius. On displays of up to 21 inches, 256
colors are provided. A total of 16.7 million colors are possible
on Apple's 12-inch and 13-inch RGB displays.

A PDS direct adapter comes with the PDQ si card, and an
optional floating-point coprocessor for the adapter costs $189.
The SuperMatch color matching software comes with the NuBus
version of Spectrum/8-24 PDQ, and is free to si purchasers if they
buy the floating-point coprocessor. SuperMatch ensures that
onscreen colors match the colors printed.

SuperMac is offering a 35 percent discount to anyone trading
in a older Macintosh color card, whether it comes from SuperMac
or some other manufacturer.

(Ian Stokell/19910715)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NEW FOR PC: Carmen Sandiego Takes A Trip Into America's Past 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00022)

NEW FOR PC: Carmen Sandiego Takes A Trip Into America's Past 07/15/91
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Riding the crest
of a popularity wave for its Carmen Sandiego series of games,
Broderbund Software has now released "Where in America's Past
is Carmen Sandiego?"

The game is the fifth in the series of best-selling
adventure/educational games and requires players to track the
criminal Carmen Sandiego and her gang through 400 years of
American history.

The company claims that the new software offers more than the
previous games as it includes scanned VGA location graphics of
American art.

The game also comes with a 1,300-page encyclopedia of
American history and culture, called "What Happened When."

Marketing is everything these days, and to prove the point, a PBS
television game show based on "Where in the World is Carmen
Sandiego?" is coming this fall. Additionally, Western publishing is
releasing a series of books about Carmen in its Golden Books
series.

The games comes with VGA/MCGA, EGA, CGA, Tandy and
Hercules graphic support. Sound Blaster, AdLib, Roland MT-32,
Tandy 3-Voice, and Tandy digital sound support is also offered.

"Where in America's Past is Carmen Sandiego?" retails for $59.95
and is available now.

(Ian Stokell/19910712/Press Contact: Jessica Switzer, Broderbund
Software, 415-492-3137)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NEW BENCHMARKS ALLIANCE FORMED 07/15/91

07/15/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00023)

NEW BENCHMARKS ALLIANCE FORMED 07/15/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- Benchmarks
are nothing new in the computer industry, but, to date, none
have been published that take account of real life workload
situations. That's where the Business Applications Performance
Corporation (BAPC) comes into the picture.

Formed on May 9 of this year, the BAPC has just announced the
signing of Dell, IBM, Intel, and NCR to its ranks alongside
existing members which include Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and
Novell.

According to Nusra Lodhi, BAPC's president, three different
operating environments have been targeted for the release of the
first set of benchmarks by the not-for-profit group: stand-alone,
stand-alone multitasking, and PC networking.

Lodhi told Newsbytes that work on the stand-alone benchmarks was
almost complete and that the other two sets would be formally
unveiled at Comdex Fall this October.

Membership dues for the BAPC have been set at $10,000 sign-up
and $5,000 a year ongoing. Lodhi said that the fees are fixed,
regardless of the size of the member company.

"The fees entitle the member company to participate in the
development of the benchmarks and, when they become available,
to use and publicize them," she told Newsbytes.

(Steve Gold/19910712/Press & Public Contact: BAPC - Tel:
408/988-7654)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 NEW FOR PCS IN UK: Improved Miniature PC 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00024)

NEW FOR PCS IN UK: Improved Miniature PC 07/15/91
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- PC House has upgraded
its range of Micro Q miniature PCs to include an expansion slot
and VGA colour facilities. The new version of the PC now measures
just 28 x 22 x 5-cm and tips the scales at 3.5 kilos.

According to the company, the Micro Q is unlike competing
miniature PCs in that it features an internal power supply and
fan. Other features include a 16MHz 80286 microprocessor and 1MB
of RAM (expandable to 8MB) fitted as standard. Optional extras
include a hard disk of up to 80MB and a math coprocessor.

"Despite its small size, the Micro Q will run all the software
applications that much larger and more expensive machines can.
We are aiming the Micro Q at the serious user in the corporate
local government and educational sectors," said Kirit Wadhar,
managing director with the company.

Pricing on the Micro Q starts at UKP 665 for an entry-level
machine, rising to UKP 995 for a VGA colour machine.

(Steve Gold/19910712)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 CORRECTION: ADOBE ACCUSES U-LEAD OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT 07/15/91

07/15/91


(CORRECTION)(GOVT)(WAS)(00025)

CORRECTION: ADOBE ACCUSES U-LEAD OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT 07/15/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Newsbytes
wishes to correct two errors which appeared in a story with this
headline on 7/12. Newsbytes had claimed in error that Photostyler
was Adobe's product, when it is in fact U-Lead's. Newsbytes
had also claimed that Photoshop was the name of the earlier
version of Photostyler. Both statements were in error and we
apologize for the confusion.

Here is the corrected version of the story.

Adobe Systems has filed a lawsuit against U-Lead Systems which
charges unfair competition and copyright infringement but seeks
unspecified damages for, among other things, promoting and
offering for review in trade publications, versions of U-Lead's
PhotoStyler software and documentation which were materially
different from the version sold to the public.

Besides the copyright violation claims, Adobe is suing for
violations of the Lanham Act and the California Statutory and
Common Law for unfair trade practices.

An Adobe spokeswoman tells Newsbytes that Adobe believes its
copyright on Photoshop, its Macintosh program, is in violation
by U-Lead. "There was word-for-word copying of the manual, and
aspects of the software that were copied [in U-Lead's Photostyler]
from Adobe Photoshop."

PhotoStyler is not a Macintosh program, but is an $800
Windows 3.0-compatible image processing package which offers
photo-realistic image enhancement capabilities. The program
began shipping in May. Even though this is a PC program and
Adobe's is a Macintosh program, there is still a charge of
copyright infringement based on the functions of the program
and the documentation, Adobe spokeswoman Linda Prosser said.

Torrance, California-based U-Lead is a software applications
company specializing in graphics and graphical user interface
programs. The company could not be reached for comment at
deadline.

(John McCormick/19910712/Press Contact: Linda Prosser, Adobe
Systems Inc., 415-962-3840)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 DSC ISSUES ANOTHER RELEASE ON ITS STP PROBLEMS 07/15/91

07/15/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)

DSC ISSUES ANOTHER RELEASE ON ITS STP PROBLEMS 07/15/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- DSC Communications,
still trying to put the best face on a bad situation, claimed
its vice president, technology and product development, Frank
Perpiglia, was misquoted.

After DSC's Signal Transfer Points were implicated in a string of
phone outages on the East and West Coasts, Perpiglia gave
interviews about the problems to some major newspapers, while
other officials of the company refused comment. Perpiglia
confirmed that the STPs were at fault, indicated the problem
occurred during power surges, and said a software fix would give
the STPs the equivalent of "fuses," cutting off the problems.

Now DSC claims the changes were not made as a result of a
specific request by any Bell company, but were part of a routine
DSC sponsored software upgrade. DSC also denied a report that it
knew of potential problems with the software in its STP gear a
year ago. It said that in fact, some of its customers wanted
software that did not conform to Bellcore standards, which DSC
supplied, but that it supports the standards.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910716/Press Contact: DSC Communications,
Terry Adams, 214-519-4358)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 BOSTON TECHNOLOGY ISSUED U.S. PATENT FOR VOICE MESSAGING 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)

BOSTON TECHNOLOGY ISSUED U.S. PATENT FOR VOICE MESSAGING 07/15/91
WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- The U.S.
Patent Office issued Patent 5,029,199 to Boston Technology,
providing architectural, system, and process protection for its
Co-Access voice messaging platform. System features described in
the patent include a digital switch and a central computer for
controlling the switching of telephone messages among processing
computers which store and retrieve the messages.

Scott Jones, chairman of Boston Technology, and one of the
co-inventors of the Co-Access system, said, "Typical voice mail
systems include one or more separate call processing computers
dedicated to serving a predetermined set of telephone lines and
subscribers. Each call processor acts independently. If the
lines dedicated to the subscriber are busy or if the call
processing computer is unavailable for any reason, the caller may
not be allowed to leave a message. The Co-Access system is unique
in that it is designed for large capacity and can handle any
incoming line from any subscriber, allowing calls to be processed
as long as any message processing unit is available."

The systems are sold mainly to the regional Bell companies,
large cellular service providers, and other phone companies.
The company hasn't decided whether to license the patent.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910716/Press Contact: John T. Smith, Boston
Technology, 617-246-9000, x3543)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS CONTINUES TO LOSE MONEY 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)

SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS CONTINUES TO LOSE MONEY 07/15/91
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- These are tough
times for Novato-based Software Toolworks Inc. Having recently
decided to cut as much as 22 percent of its workforce in an effort to
contain costs, the company has now reported a loss for the fiscal year
ending March 31, 1991, of $38.9 million, or $1.78 per share.

The total includes a $9.5 million provision for the settlement of a
shareholder class action lawsuit and certain related liabilities.

Revenues in fiscal 1991 were $66.8 million, net income was $2.4
million, or $0.13 per share.

The company blames a number of factors for the bad results, including
an oversupply in the retail market of Nintendo cartridges which resulted
in substantial price reductions and price protection and inventory
allowances, substantial increases in selling and administrative
expenses, write-downs of personal computer software inventory and
royalty advances, and significant expenditures associated with the
introduction of its Miracle Piano Teaching System.

Additionally, Software Toolworks reported that, as of March 31, 1991,
the company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments
of $14.3 million, borrowings under the company's revolving line of
credit of $9.3 million, working capital of $34 million, and stockholders'
equity of $37.5 million.

In April, the company cut 22 percent of its workforce, with half of the
layoffs coming from its Chatsworth-based packaging and disk
duplicating company, Priority Software.

The company recently signed a CD-ROM licensing agreement
with Sony Corporation of America to include its World Atlas product
in Sony's new multimedia product, Laser Library.

(Ian Stokell/19910715/Press Contact: Vincent Turzo, Software
Toolworks, 415-883-3000, ext. 568)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15  ****FIRST GSM MOBILE PHONE UNVEILED 07/15/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00029)

 ****FIRST GSM MOBILE PHONE UNVEILED 07/15/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 15 (NB) -- The first Groupe Speciale
Mobile (GSM) digital mobile phone has been unveiled by Nokia Mobile
Phones. The unveiling comes just in time for the introduction of the
pilot GSM service this month across Europe.

The GSM phone network is different from other mobile phone technologies in
that it uses digital call technology for maximum efficiency and usage of
available bandwidth. At the same time, the service is designed to operate
on a Europe-wide basis, rather than being restricted to single countries.

The GSM technology means, for example, that a GSM subscriber can be
contacted anywhere in Europe there is a GSM base station within range, and
using the same phone number.

The GSM network is location-intelligent, meaning that if, for example, a
London office were to call an Italian subscriber who was also in London
with his or her phone, the network would switch the call locally within the
UK, without processing the call on to Italy and back. The result, the GSM
industry claims, is that diverted (follow me) calls are much cheaper to
handle.

The first three country GSM networks are now live on a pilot basis in
Finland, Sweden, and Western Germany. Coverage is currently restricted to
the capital cities of these three countries, but a rapid roll-out to city
areas and other countries is planned before the end of the year.

Hundreds of phone calls using the GSM system were made at the opening
ceremony for the networks last week. The first call was made by Mr Holkeri,
former Prime Minister of Finland, who, along with several others, commented
on the call quality.

"This achievement has given us a leading position in the development of
digital cellular telephones and further strengthens our position as the
biggest European manufacturer of mobile phones," said Jorma Olliloa,
president of Nokia Mobile Phones.

Nokia's first GSM phone is a transportable, measuring 1.5 x 5.5 x 10
inches. The handset is rounded rather than square, in line with GSM phone
recommendations. A hand portable will be released shortly.

The GSM network allows the subscriber to change phones quickly and easily,
as the ID and phone number is contained on an IC (integrated circuit) smart
card which can be slotted in and out of various phones as required. Cards
can then be moved between phones at will.

(Steve Gold/19910715/Press & Public Contact: Nokia Mobile Phones - Tel:
0480-434343; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 15 ****MICROSOFT SEEKS COURT DECISION ON PATENT INFRINGEMENT 07/16/91

07/15/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00030)

 ****MICROSOFT SEEKS COURT DECISION ON PATENT INFRINGEMENT 07/16/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 16 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation has asked the US District Court to rule that its
serial mouse products don't infringe on a patent owned by IQ
Technologies (IQT), and that the patent be declared invalid.

IQT received a patent in December of 1986 for an "interface
apparatus" which IQT calls Smart Cable. Smart Cable is a device
to connect otherwise incompatible computers without the need for
custom cables.

At issue is the use of the serial port on a microcomputer for
power to the mouse device. Other devices such as external modems
and joysticks also derive their power from the serial port.

IQT says it notified Microsoft that it was infringing on the
patent, and over the past months had been attempting to work out
a solution with Microsoft. IQT President W. Peter Dean said, "We
were disappointed by Microsoft's action. We have held a number
of meetings with Microsoft attempting to resolve their
infringement in a businesslike fashion." Dean said at the
request of Microsoft, IQT presented a business proposal, but
rather than respond Microsoft chose to file the lawsuit.

Microsoft VP for law and corporate affairs, William Neukom, said
the company believes that IQT's claims are unfounded, and that
Microsoft has "gone to considerable lengths to understand IQT's
concerns." Neukom said they felt judicial resolution was the
only recourse.

Dean, interviewed by Newsbytes, said that the business proposal
submitted to Microsoft asked for payment of royalties on past and
future mouse sales. Dean also said that IQT will file a
counter-claim, but declined to be more specific. Asked about the
possibility of taking action against other serial device
manufacturers, Dean said IQT has no present plans for such
action, but expected to prevail in the action, and would then
"play it by ear." Asked specifically about modems which get
their power from the serial port, Dean said, "That's possible."

Dean told Newsbytes that the issue came to light when an attorney
for a mouse manufacturer who had licensed Microsoft technology
contacted IQT to determine if the mouse technology was not
already protected.

IQT sales totaled approximately $5M last year.

(Jim Mallory/19910715/Press Contact:Peter Dean, IQT,
206-483-3555)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 12 Review of: GeoWorks, 07/12/91

07/12/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(DEN)(00029)

Review of: GeoWorks, 07/12/91

Runs on: IBM and compatibles

From: Geoworks, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704,
415-644-3456

Price: Suggested Retail $199.99

PUMA Rating: 3.7 on a scale of 1=highest to 4=lowest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Jim Mallory, 07/22/91

Summary: GeoWorks is a graphical interface in the manner of
Windows, but runs on machines such as the XT. It includes
programs for drawing, word processing, index cards,
planning/scheduling, communications, and some utilities such as
calculator, address book and notepad. It also allows the user to
shell out to DOS, or call other programs from its DOS programs
screen. I like it, even if I didn't think it was perfect (what
program is?).

======

REVIEW

======

I strongly believe that the majority of software publishers
forgot that there are thousands of XT class machines still out
there plugging away. GeoWorks has a good start towards helping
these people come into the graphical interface world, just as
Windows has done for the 386 and 486 machine users. No more
remembering DOS commands, or the names of batch files. When
GeoWorks starts up, you just point at the icon for the program or
utility you want to launch and click twice. GeoWorks offers a
very good word processor, a drawing program, GeoDex, which
displays index cards on the screen, which you can fill out, flip
through, dial phone numbers from, etc. It also has a planner
program that allows you to set alarms, view a month or a year of
calendars, keep an appointment book, and print these useful
tools.

The Communications program lets you dial into services such as
GEnie, download information, send files and the other usual
things that telecom programs usually do. You can write scripts,
which allow you to automate the usual communications chores.
However, in my opinion, while useful, GeoComm is the weakest link
in GeoWorks

The desk tools (calculator, notepad and scrapbook) are useful and
easy-to-use tools. The calculator does what most calculators do,
but can also be used for Reverse Polish Notation calculations.
Polish notation is a method of calculation where you enter both
numbers, then the arithmetic function, such as add, multiply,
etc. You can cut or copy calculator results and paste them into
other applications from the clipboard.

The notepad is a very basic word processor in which you can save
notes and print them. Like GeoWrite, notes can be printed in
low, medium or high quality print. Since you can't pop up the
notepad while in another application such as GeoDraw, it didn't
seem very useful. You can cut and paste from the notepad to
other applications.

GeoWorks scrapbook has good potential for use. When you cut and
paste to the clipboard, the information only remains available
until the next cut and paste. But if you cut/copy to the
scrapbook, the information is saved, and can be used over and
over. For example, signature blocks for correspondence could be
kept in the scrap book and pasted into letters created with
GeoWrite. Graphics saved in the scrapbook, such as a fancy
letterhead, could be inserted at the top of letters, for example.

Other than being a graphical user interface (are you tired of
hearing the phrase goo-ey yet?), the strength of GeoWorks is its
word processor. GeoWorks has the usual word processing features
such as saving, printing, setting tabs, and paragraph spacing. It
has a ruler, just like MS Word and others, and you can either
select text after it is typed and change its style or size, or
specify style and size as you type. What I liked about GeoWorks
over some other similar programs is that it seems so easy to do
all these things.

GeoWorks also allows you to save a style (spacing, font,
indentation of paragraphs, etc.) so they can be easily recalled
and used -- nice feature for a less than $200 product. You can
add borders to paragraphs, including shadowing, with the user
selecting from which direction the light causing the shadow is
coming. Border width is selectable. And if you have VGA or EGA,
you can display GeoWrite in up to 16 colors, assigning colors to
text, paragraph background or borders. Custom colors can be
created. With a CGA monitor, or on monochrome screens, GeoWorks
appears in shades of gray.

GeoDraw provides the usual features of drawing programs, such as
copy and paste, lines, patterns, styles, boxes, circles, and
polygons. But you can also rotate both images and text, reshape
images, and draw connected lines (you can create strange,
multi-sided figures with this feature). Text can be flipped or
even wrapped in a circle.

When I draw two boxes in the low end desktop publishing program I
have been using, I have a terrible time if I want the two boxes
to be matched up perfectly. One always slightly out of line.
GeoDraw has a nice feature, Nudge, which nudges the object ever
so slightly until its right where you want it. Much more precise
than dragging the object.

GeoWorks features the famous WYSIWYG (by now you must know that
means What You See Is What You Get), meaning whatever the screen
looks like is what will (ideally) come out on the printer. A
nice feature I liked in GeoDraw is the ability to select a
portion of text, even one letter, and make it a dark, medium, or
light halftone. This allows some interesting effects.

If you haven't guessed already, GeoWorks does NOT support daisy
wheel printers -- only dot matrix, laser, and ink jet types. I
didn't find that anywhere in the literature, but when I called
the tech support people, they very politely told me so.

GeoWorks has a DOS screen on which you can elect to shell out to
DOS. But more importantly, it will allow you to very easily
create icons (little pictures) from which you can select your
other programs, such as your favorite spreadsheet.

What isn't GeoWorks? Well, its not a spreadsheet, although I
hear that Dimensions Research has licensed the code from GeoWorks
in order to design a 3D spreadsheet.

It's also not a database, flat or otherwise. The closest
GeoWorks comes is its GeoDex application mentioned above. And if
you run it on an XT class machine, it's not fast either. But I
still like it. For small businesses and other users whose main
need is a good word processor with useful extras such as the
calculator, the address book and scheduler, and a electronic file
card system, it's an economical program which is quite useful.

GeoWorks is expected to release an upgrade (Version 1.2) by
mid-July, plus 4-5 weeks for shipping, which will add a 100,000
word spell checker, Postscript printer support, screen savers,
and business templates such as invoices. We also understand that
Release 2.0 may be along by the end of the year. There is very little
information about Release 2.0, except that it is expected to be
faster, and network-capable. Some present users are running
GeoWorks on the hard drive of a networked XT or AT now, but
that's only single user.

Some users have reported some problems getting GeoWorks to run
under DOS 5.0, but those problems seem resolvable with a little
effort, and sometimes some outside help. GEnie has a GeoWorks
round table which seems to be fairly busy, and gives good
information. It also contains some nice clip art.

Several PC manufacturers are already bundling GeoWorks with their
product, including Samsung and Philips.

======

PUMA RATING

======

PERFORMANCE 3.5: It doesn't do everything, but what it does, it
does well. Very good word processor, good drawing program, and
good desktop utilities. Speed is acceptable. I'd like to be
able to pop up the notepad within an application, and maybe in
Release 2.0 we can.

USEFULNESS: 3.5: Good value for the money. I'd buy it for my
business, especially if I wanted to go "goo-ey." It's easy to
use and easy to learn, although you will need to use the manual.

MANUAL 3.8: Documentation is easy to understand, readable,
professional looking. There could be more on-screen help.

AVAILABILITY 3.8: Available through retail outlets. Does not
offer a toll free number, but the technicians seem knowledgeable.
They called back promptly when I sought assistance.

(Jim Mallory/19910712)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 12 HONG KONG TELECOM CSL ENTERS SMATV MARKET 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00001)

HONG KONG TELECOM CSL ENTERS SMATV MARKET 07/12/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Hong Kong Telecom CSL, has
announced that it has won a government licence for the installation
and operation of Satellite Master Antenna Television (SMATV) systems.

After extended procrastination by the Hong Kong Government, and the
collapse of a local cable television network earlier this year
before a single centimetre of cable had been laid, legislation was
introduced to licence SMATV systems serving multiple receivers in
multi-unit premises, such as blocks of residential flats. The
legislation clarified the position regarding existing relay
franchises and operators' right to provide private distribution
networks similar to conventional community-aerial installations for
terrestrial television reception.

Long before the legislation was passed, it had been more honored in
the breach than in the observance, large reception dishes appearing
on the high-rise rooftops of residential, commercial, and hotel
buildings.

Telecom CSL is one of several companies applying for, or in
possession of, SMATV licences. Recently there have been calls for
strict monitoring of SMATV installations to ensure the dishes are
properly secured to withstand typhoons, preventing the likelihood of
damage, injury, or deaths from falling hardware.

A number of satellite television transmissions are accessible from
Hong Kong, and test programs from Hong Kong's own satellite,
Asiasat, are in progress pending the launch of a full service in
the near future.

(Norman Wingrove/19910712)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 UPGRADE FOR ASIA'S ABACUS FLIGHT RESERVATION SYSTEM 07/12/91

07/12/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00002)

UPGRADE FOR ASIA'S ABACUS FLIGHT RESERVATION SYSTEM 07/12/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Users of Asia's largest
airline computer reservation system, Abacus, will no longer be
subject to interruptions or system crashes when new or upgraded
services are added to the network, claims Datacraft Asia.

Enhancements made to the system by Datacraft will effectively double
the capacity of telecommunications lines linking the six countries
involved in the Pan-Asian network, allowing operators to thoroughly
test new programs in a real-world situation before running them live
on the network.

"Abacus, as part of the Kansas-based PARS network, must adhere to
very strict standards, including offering the latest services and
system add-ons available," said Datacraft's director of sales, Bill
Brindle. "Before the services are offered to the user, however, they
must be thoroughly tested on an actual international network."

Brindle added this meant Abacus had a choice of duplicating the
network throughout Asia at enormous cost in additional leased line
charges, or of running the test programs on the existing network, in
which case a sample software bug could bring part or all of the
system down. To address this issue, Datacraft proposed the
installation of Symplex Datamizers at each international and local
link in the network which allow Abacus to transfer twice the
amount of data down existing lines.

"The Symplex Datamizers double the bandwidth and the throughput on
the 64kbps (kilobits per second) international leased lines linking
Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore, Taipei, and Kansas so that they can
effectively handle 128 kbps of data traffic," Brindle said.

In addition, the Datamizers provide an automatic recovery feature so
that if any link fails, the system automatically activates a modem
back-up system and changes the data transfer from private leased line
to the public telecommunications network until the fault is
corrected.

(Norman Wingrove/19910712/Press contact: Ron Cattell, Datacraft, Tel
+ 852 807 2312, Fax + 852 807 2574; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 GEAC REVENUES UP, BUT YEAR ENDS IN LOSS 07/12/91

07/12/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00003)

GEAC REVENUES UP, BUT YEAR ENDS IN LOSS 07/12/91
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Geac Computer, a
company still struggling back from a near collapse in 1987, has
reported record revenues for fiscal 1991 but chalked up an annual
loss due to extraordinary items.

In the year ended April 30, Geac lost C$5.5 million on revenues of
C$82.2 million. That compares with net income of C$8.2 million on
revenues of C$72.7 million last year. Despite the 12-percent
increase in revenues, Geac reported a loss because of special
charges for restructuring and acquisition of software. Before
special items and income taxes, the company said, income from
operations was C$5.0 million in fiscal 1991 versus C$5.2 million
last year.

In the fourth quarter, Geac reported a C$1.6-million profit on
revenues of C$24.2 million. That compares with a C$400,000 profit
on revenues of C$20.9 million last year.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: Harrison Cheung, Geac,
416-475-0525, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 TI TO DEVELOP ADA CODE GENERATOR FOR CASE 07/12/91

07/12/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00004)

TI TO DEVELOP ADA CODE GENERATOR FOR CASE 07/12/91
PLANO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Texas Instruments says
it will develop an Ada code generator capability for its
Information Engineering Facility by June of 1992. IEF is TI's
integrated computer-aided software engineering CASE) product.

Public Law 101-511 mandates that Department of Defense utilize
the Ada programming language, and DOD has expressed an interest
in using IEF throughout the Systems Integration and Management
Activity in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mike Watters, TI VP and general manager of Advanced Information
Management Division, says, "We expect SIMA to be one of our beta
test sites and help us assess the Ada generator's functionality,
quality and performance."

According to Focused Ada Research (FAR) Corp of Falls Church, VA,
the Ada software market is projected to grow by 20 percent in
1992, primarily in the military sector. FAR says it surveyed
more than 5,000 Ada users from more than 3,000 development units,
as well as DOD officials and congressional staffers. David
Dikel, FAR president, told the Electronic Engineering Times (June
10, 1991 issue), "We project the Ada market, software and
hardware, to reach $2.4 billion by 1995, with about $328 million
in Ada tools and compilers." Dikel says that's about twice what
the 1989 total was, with about 87% destined for software
development.

(Jim Mallory/19910712/Press Contact:Bob Bledsoe, TI,
214-997-3857)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 COMPAQ'S SCOTLAND PLANT GETS STAMP OF APPROVAL 07/12/91

07/12/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)

COMPAQ'S SCOTLAND PLANT GETS STAMP OF APPROVAL 07/12/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has announced that its manufacturing facility in
Erskine, Scotland has been awarded quality assurance
certification to International Standardization Organization (ISO)
9000 standards.

The Erskine facility was opened in November of 1986. Compaq
spokesperson Yvonne Donaldson told Newsbytes that the Scotland
facility was selected to pursue certification first because the
ISO 9000 program has more recognition in Europe than in the US.
Compaq anticipates certification on its newest plant, in
Singapore, in September, and Houston by year's end.

Approximately 90 countries recognize the ISO 9000 series of
quality assurance standards, which set out requirements for a
formal quality policy, clear allocation of quality
responsibilities, and document quality assurance systems and
processes.

John Dolan, managing director of Compaq Computer Manufacturing,
Ltd., said that while the Erskine plant was the first to complete
the certification procedures, the same process is underway at the
Compaq plants in Houston, Singapore, and its service operation in
Stirling, Scotland. Dolan said the company anticipates all of
its facilities will be certified before the end of 1991.

Robert E. Vieau, Compaq senior VP of manufacturing, says Compaq
makes quality assurance a global effort, "because its customers
expect technical and quality specifications to be harmonized by
their suppliers worldwide." Vieau said the concept of quality
teamwork is central to their manufacturing approach. "All our
employees are empowered to deliver excellence at every stage of
the manufacturing process." Vieau says the company has
established cross-functional teams linking all departments and
facilities worldwide to maintain quality standards.

(Jim Mallory/19910712/Press Contact: Yvonne Donaldson, Compaq,
713-374-4463)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 MICRON TECH ANNOUNCES 4,8 MB DRAM CARDS FOR LAPTOPS 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00006)

MICRON TECH ANNOUNCES 4,8 MB DRAM CARDS FOR LAPTOPS 07/12/91
BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Micron Technology
is selling to computer manufacturers new 88-pin, 4 and 8
megabyte IC DRAM (dynamic random access memory) cards that
allow external memory upgrades for portable computers and
can be used in 16, 18, 32 and 36-bit systems.

The company says it developed the cards to allow installation of
memory upgrades without opening, and possibly damaging, the
system unit. The card uses low power DRAMs surface-mounted on
both sides of an ultra thin printed circuit board about the width
and length of a credit card and 3.3 mm thick.

The cards also include buffered input to ensure compatibility
across platforms; individual memory bank selection for lower
power consumption; parity to correct data errors; and stainless
steel panels to provide better protection and heat dispersal
than plastic does.

Micron Technology says it expects to make engineering samples
available in the third quarter of 1991, with production
quantities expected in the fourth quarter. The company says all
its products receive burn-in and test prior to final test and
shipment.

Additional information is available from Micron Technology at
208-368-3950.

(Jim Mallory/19910711/Press Contact:Sharron Bittick, Micron,
208-368-4400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 BELLSOUTH TO RUN SMDS TRIALS 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

BELLSOUTH TO RUN SMDS TRIALS 07/12/91
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Without the
recent problem in DSC signal transfer points this would not be
news, but BellSouth is going ahead with a test of Switched Multi-
Megabit Data Service using routers from a small company called
Wellfleet.

The routers will be tested in BellSouth's laboratories and then
live tests will be conducted linking local area networks. The
results will influence how quickly BellSouth implements SMDS
throughout its network, which covers nine Southern states.

SMDS is a new class of switched data service that operates at
speeds ranging from 1.5 million bits/second, so-called T-1
speeds, to 45 million bits/second, so-called T-3 speeds, and
faster. A T-3 line can handle a regular TV broadcast without the
need for compression. SMDS is regarded as an important new
service for functions such as linking LANs and passing pictures.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910712/Press Contact: Wellfleet
Communications, Sheryl Schultz, 617-275-2400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 LITEL COMMUNICATIONS NAMES BRIAN THOMPSON CHAIRMAN 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

LITEL COMMUNICATIONS NAMES BRIAN THOMPSON CHAIRMAN 07/12/91
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- The recent
agreement between former MCI executive vice president, Brian
Thompson, and the venture bankers Warburg, Pincus & Co., has
drawn its first fruit as LiTel Communications named Thompson
its new chairman, replacing Lawrence A. McLernon.
Warburg, Pincus, along with Primus Venture Partners, are now
the majority shareholders of LiTel Communications.

Thompson was responsible for guiding MCI into international long
distance, for establishing MCI Mail as one of the world's leading
electronic mail services, and for the establishment of MCI's
ventures in the Soviet Union and New Zealand. LiTel has a 1,400
fiber optic phone network in the Midwest, serving businesses. The
company had a small video conferencing operation which is being
disbanded, a spokesman said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910712/Press Contact: Gisela Rosenbaum,
LiTel, 614-433-9245)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 MILLICOM LEAVING UK MARKET 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)

MILLICOM LEAVING UK MARKET 07/12/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Millicom,
apparently convinced that it will be able to run spread-spectrum
PCN service in the U.S. within a few years, announced its
withdrawal from Microtel, one of three United Kingdom Personal
Communications Network licensees. Microtel, like the other UK
licensees, runs microwave-based cellular services on a clear
frequency. Millicom, however, has been investing heavily in
technologies from SCS Mobilecom which will let such services
share frequencies with other users, like microwave relay towers.

I hate to use the word confident, but we're optimistic," Bryan
told Newsbytes. "Everything about our tests has gone the right
way."

Bryan said that despite the fact PCN spread-spectrum would share
frequencies with microwave towers, it still must be licensed by
the FCC. "We can't just use frequency willy-nilly. We still need
a license from the FCC to use spread-spectrum. We must prove we
won't interfere with current users." Garage-door openers and
cordless phones work on specific frequencies where sharing is
allowed, he explained. The FCC must grant Millicom or others the
right to share these higher frequencies before service can begin.

Motorola, on the other hand, has a study before the FCC claiming
the spread-spectrum technique won't work, Newsbytes pointed out.
"I don't want to get in a fight with Motorola, but there seems to
be an inconsistency," Bryan said, since Motorola's Iridium
satellite phones would have to share frequencies, too. "Their
tests were on a narrow band, ours were on a wide band," he
pointed out, so the technical dispute may not be as great as it
appears.

What happens next? "The FCC has had the test results 2 1/2 weeks.
They've said they'd need 30-60 days. What we hope is they'll move
to develop rules for granting a license. I'm going to visit the
FCC next week," said Bryan, and find out what's happening.

Finally, on Microtel, Bryan said, "I think Microtel will be
successful. We just had to focus our energy. Had our PCN test not
gone well we would have stayed in Microtel." Microtel will be
sold to Hutchinson Telecom of the UK, part of the Hong Kong based
Hutchinson Whampoa Group. British Aerospace, one of Millicom's
joint venture partners in Microtel and its largest shareholder,
will take a stake in Hutchinson Telecom. Millicom will earn about
$7.4 million from the disposal of the stake.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910712/Press Contact: Millicom, J. Shelby
Bryan, 212/355-3440)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 TELERATE SIGNS JAPANESE PARTNER FOR TRADING SYSTEM 07/12/91

07/12/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

TELERATE SIGNS JAPANESE PARTNER FOR TRADING SYSTEM 07/12/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Dow Jones' Telerate
subsidiary heated up the race to create a global online currency
trading system by signing a letter of intent with Minex of Japan
on an exclusive international sales and distributorship
agreement. Reuters and Citicorp's Quotron service are also
fighting to reach market with a currency trading service.
Currencies have become the largest trading pit at all, and
Reuters currently leads with an online information service. The
new services would actually match buyers and sellers.

Minex represents the interests of a group of banks and brokers
and the international telecommunications company Kokusai Denshin
Denwa, or KDD. Participants include Tokyo Forex, Japan's largest
foreign exchange brokerage; Industrial Bank of Japan; Bank of
Tokyo; Sanwa Bank; Dai-ichi Kangyo Bank; Mitsubishi Bank;
Mitsubishi Trust Bank; Sumitomo Bank; Fuji Bank; Mitsui Taiyo
Kobe, Kobayashi; and Tullet & Tokyo International.

The agreement holds that Minex and Telerate would introduce and
market the service in New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and
Singapore by March 1993. Prototypes have already been
demonstrated. Funds committed to the project currently total U.S.
$70 million and, approximately 200 programmers and engineers are
working on it.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910712/Press Contact: Telerate, Michelle
Roberge, 201/309-4601)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12  ****SUPERTABLET WITH PEN/KEYBOARD INPUT UNDER DEV'T 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00011)

 ****SUPERTABLET WITH PEN/KEYBOARD INPUT UNDER DEV'T 07/12/91
FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Florida-based Tusk, a start-up
company, has spent a year developing what the company calls
the All-Terrain SuperTablet with dual pen and keyboard capability.
Competing directly with the NCR 3125, a pen-based unit recently
announced, the machine is due out in the fourth quarter.

Tusk says its pen-based unit is different from NCR's in several
ways. It is expected to be one of the first products to ship which
offers both pen and keyboard capability; it will offer a super VGA
display made by Hitachi -- so new they're only trickling to the US
in tiny quantities; and it's what's called "ultra ruggedized" so
that it can withstand anything from a bullet to a bump.

The SuperTablet display will be a 11.5-inch super VGA and the
unit will have 8 megabytes of RAM, an extra high-capacity
shockproof drive, and a long-life battery.

The unit is heavier than the NCR unit -- 6 pounds compared to 3.9,
however, like the NCR machine, this one is to run all major
operating systems except Macintosh -- MS-DOS, OS/2, PenApps,
Penpoint, Windows 3.0, and Unix.

Priced between $5,500 and $6,500 for a complete system with a
pen-based roving unit and 101-style keyboard, the SuperTablet
is planned for release in the fourth quarter, 1991. That price is
roughly $1,000 - $2,000 higher than what NCR plans to charge.
Tusk intends to market the system direct to corporations and
system integrators.

(Ian Stokell/19910711/Press Contact: Laurie Thornton, Neale-May
& Partners, 415-328-5555)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12  ****SOVIET FOXBASE PROGRAMMERS PRODUCTS IGNORED 07/12/91

07/12/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(MOW)(00012)

 ****SOVIET FOXBASE PROGRAMMERS PRODUCTS IGNORED 07/12/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Everyone entering the PC
World Forum computer exhibition in Moscow is receiving a sheet
of paper printed boldly with "FoxProR." The flyers are being
circulated by a team of Soviet programmers who are advertising
add-on products for the Foxpro database management package.
Fox Software, they say, has no interest in the product but Soviet
buyers do.

The 2,000 ruble ($50) program changes the run-time FoxPro
residing in memory, allowing it to correctly use Cyrillic
characters in programming and alphabetical sorting of database
records -- a task the original product cannot handle.
A developer's version of FoxPro costs 2500 rubles (US$62.50).

The company, still to be named and registered, is offering one
year of free support for this product, documentation in Russian,
and free updates to the newer versions when available.
The current version is the second for this program, a
representative of the company said.

The joke is: along with their paid program you can get, absolutely
free, a translated copy of documentation on the disc and the pirated
distribution package of FoxPro version 1.02.

According to the Andrey Bogachev, team manager circulating
the leaflets, Soviet buyers want the package while both European
and U.S. divisions of the big software company have shown
no interest in selling the product in the Soviet Union.

Bogachev told Newsbytes that they started a "protest campaign" at
the March, 1991 Comtek show. "Our letters attracted almost no
attention from the company, our faxes and phone calls were
unanswered, so we decided to undertake an unusual step -- we
started to offer our product at the show where Fox Software
participated as an exhibitor. The result was that they looked
at our product. Nothing more happened."

"We already earned enough to provide the members of our 7-person
team, who are still employed by the different state
organizations, with their own personal computers to work
independently," Mr Bogachev added.

According to Bogachev, in addition to the product itself, Fox
Software was offered services to localize and support FoxPro
on the Soviet market as well as low-cost, refurbished office
space in downtown Moscow.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910710/Press & Public contact: Andrey
Bogachev, FoxProR, phones [phone]; [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 RUSSIAN DR DOS COMPETES WITH MS-DOS 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00013)

RUSSIAN DR DOS COMPETES WITH MS-DOS 07/12/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Digital Research is taking
a new tactic to usurp Microsoft's lead in the Russian DOS
market. While Microsoft sells Russian MS-DOS for hard currency
and to original equipment manufacturers only, DR DOS is being
sold for rubles to everybody.

The version 3.21, in Russian, with full Cyrillic support,
documentation, and discs produced locally, is being sold for 400
rubles ($10 by the market rate).

Creation of the Cyrillic version of DR DOS was done by the
Moscow-based Raster cooperative under license from Digital
Research. An almost full line of DR products is available for
Soviet customers at very affordable prices in rubles,
according to Raster's chief, Alexey Bobkov.

Several local computer manufacturers, including Summit Systems,
a venture of America-based Chips and Technologies, opted for
DR DOS instead of Microsoft due to cost.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910710/Press contact: Alexey Bobkov, Raster,
phone [phone]; fax [phone] ref RASTR)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 GTE SIGNS WITH SOVIET JOINT VENTURE 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)

GTE SIGNS WITH SOVIET JOINT VENTURE 07/12/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- GTE confirmed
it has signed a joint venture to build a telephone service
connecting Moscow with the worldwide telephone network through
microwave and satellite links. GTE will join with U.S.-based San
Francisco-Moscow Teleport and a branch of the Soviet Ministry of
Communications in a venture dubbed Sovintel.

Sovintel will begin providing digital phone and fax service in
November, GTE said. The direct-dial service will link hotels and
business centers in Moscow with the international phone network.
The new service will add the equivalent of 240 international
lines. Currently, callers from Soviet hotels may face a several-
hour wait for an international phone line, GTE said.

To date, four hotels -- The Savoy, Hotel Metropol Moscow, Sofitel
Sovietskaya, and The Academy II -- and The Expocenter have signed
for Sovintel services. The first two hotels use Sovintel as
an exclusive telecommunication service provider.

Mikhail Smirnov, director of the Main Truck Lines Control Centre
of the Soviet Ministry of Communications, is serving as the first
managing director of Sovintel. He called the network's direct-
dial service a "quantum leap" over the Soviet Union's existing
phone system, which presently provides only 550 international
circuits to the West.

The joint venture is located at the Main Truck Lines Control
Centre premises in Moscow.

The U.S. portion of the joint venture is a partnership called
Sovinet is comprised of a GTE subsidiary and the Teleport. Sovintel
has contracted with GTE Spacenet for the equipment and services
used for the installation and operation of the network. Northern
Telecom will provide the international gateway switch and the
digital private branch exchanges at each hotel and business
complex. Financing arrangements in support of the Sovintel
enterprise have been made with Barclays Bank of London and the
International Moscow Bank, Moscow.

San Francisco Moscow Teleport has extensive experience in microwave
communications in Moscow. The oldest local computer communications
venture maintains its link with the West using that technology.

Mr Gennady Kudriavtsev, U.S.S.R. Minister of Communications,
highly praised the new joint venture in his speech before the
attendees of PC World Forum in Moscow early this week.

The company will offers its services, with costs to be determined,
for hard currency only, according to the Minister. Sovintel will
not use the existing phone network in Moscow. It is likely that
even local calls will be charged in hard currency, according to
local sources.

Local Moscow industry experts says that the new venture is unlikely to
break the monopoly of another Ministry of Communications joint
venture called Comstar, which is an exclusive provider of
international direct-dial phone service for local businesses.

The Ministry of Communications has approved more than 150 joint
communications ventures to date.

(Dana Blankenhorn & Kirill Tchashchin/19910712/Press Contact: GTE,
Barbara Foelber, 703-848-1110)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 AST JOINS GROUP TO PROMOTE STANDARD OS IN JAPAN 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00015)

AST JOINS GROUP TO PROMOTE STANDARD OS IN JAPAN 07/12/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- AST Research
announced it has been accepted for membership in the Open
Architecture Development Group (OADG), a group created to
promote a standard personal computer (PC) operating system in
the Japanese market based on a new version of MS-DOS called
JDOS/V.

The OADG was formed to address the problem Japanese software
developers face of creating multiple versions of their software
products for the popular NEC standard as well as for the other
operating systems available.

AST says it was the first U.S. computer manufacturer to ship a
dual-compatible PC designed to be compatible with both the IBM
PC AT and the NEC 9801 - the Dualstation 386WX/16. The computer
is manufactured in Irvine and exported to Japan.

In attempting to promote a single standard for the Japanese
market, AST hopes to help solve the problems of limited types
and number of software for Japanese users. The company, along
with the OADG, also said it thinks the number of personal
computers in Japan is limited by the lack of a standard, and
hopes the creation of one will increase the marketability of
PCs in the Japanese marketplace.

AST said it will be represented to the OADG by its wholly owned
subsidiary, AST Research Japan K.K. Other members of the group
include IBM, Canon, Intel, Memorex, Japan Digital Equipment,
Olivetti, Sharp Electronics, Toshiba, and Sony.

AST manufacturers IBM PC compatible computers and computer
equipment. The company says it is represented in 89 countries
and has 33 subsidiaries and sales offices worldwide.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910712/Press Contact: Joel Don, AST, Tel:
714/727-7957, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 ALIAS ACQUISITION OF SONATA SOFTWARE SET 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00016)

ALIAS ACQUISITION OF SONATA SOFTWARE SET 07/12/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Alias Research has
completed definitive agreements to acquire the Sonata product line
from t2 Solutions of Berkhamsted, England. Resulting from a letter
of intent announced in March, the agreements give Alias worldwide
distribution rights to the Sonata line immediately.

Alias will pay t2 a total of US$5.5 million in cash and common
shares. It has also acquired certain rights to the Sonata products
retained by the products' original inventor for UKP900,000. Closing
of the deal is expected in January, 1992.

In addition to Sonata, software for architects and builders that
combines two- and three-dimensional modelling, Alias is acquiring
most of t2's assets. Alias spokeswoman Pat Hunter said a number of
employees of t2 will be hired by Alias.

Sonata runs on Silicon Graphics and IBM RISC System/6000
workstations, as do Alias 3D design systems Alias Studio and Alias
Designer. The products are complementary, Hunter said -- Alias has
more sophisticated presentation facilities while "they have more
power I would say in the architectural design and planning mode."

(Grant Buckler/19910712/Press Contact: Pat Hunter, Alias,
416-362-9181, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 NEW FOR MAC: Integrated Software From Symantec 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00017)

NEW FOR MAC: Integrated Software From Symantec 07/12/91
CUPERTINO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Integrated software
packages are extremely useful as entry-level tools for new
computer uses and those who want a specific application but
do not want to pay top prices for a specialized high-end or
market-leading product. Symantec's new GreatWorks is one
such integrated package for the Macintosh.

GreatWorks contains a word processor, a spreadsheet, a
database, chart, draw, and paint graphics features, an outliner,
and communications feature, all in one package.

The software offers such features as multiple column
documents in the word processor, over 60 chart combination
types in the chart feature, and a forms generator in the data
base. Also included is a 100,000 word spell checker with
custom dictionaries, and a 660,000 synonym thesaurus.

GreatWorks supports the new System 7.0 operating system,
and requires a minimum of one megabyte of RAM and a
hard disk. The product works with System 6.0.2. or later,
and at least a Macintosh Plus. GreatWorks retails for $299.

(Ian Stokell/19910712/Press Contact: Terri Sammonds,
Symantec Corp., 408-725-2752)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS POSTS FIRST LOSS SINCE 1979 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00018)

FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS POSTS FIRST LOSS SINCE 1979 07/12/91
MITCHELL FIELD, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Frequency
Electronics, listed on the American Stock exchange using the
symbol FEI, has just reported that it has suffered its first
annual fiscal loss since 1979. The company reports that its core
of Department of Defense business is being maintained but that it
is in transition to a position where it will rely on profit and a
growth in sales from the commercial satellite hardware and
ground-based telecommunications systems.

Frequency Electronics attributes the loss to increased spending
on these new areas and announces that it expects to show some
initial success in the commercial field before the end of this
year.

Results for the quarter ending April 30 show a loss of $5.2
million on sales volume of $17.4 million and a total loss of $9.6
million for all of 1991, on a combined net sales of $56.5
million.

(John McCormick/19910712)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 07/12/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

Networking Management for July 91 looks at keeping your network
up, while others are losing theirs, through the use of power
protection devices.

The July 8 Network World says that the IBM/Apple deal will be a
boon to network users and looks at the many options making life
difficult for those choosing multiplexers.

Federal Computer Week dated July 8 says that the Air Force
Standard Systems Center set bid specifications to favor a Unisys
bid on a $612 million sole source Air Force Base Level Data
Automation Program (Phase IV) Follow-on Project mainframe
contract.

Workstation News for July shows how Avon (the cosmetics people)
use imaging to streamline order processing. Sharing the front
page is a story on the Tektronic TekXpress XP29P, the first X
terminal based on a new PEX 3-D graphics standard.

(John McCormick/19910712)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 NIST OFFERS $20 MILLION IN TECHNOLOGY GRANTS 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020)

NIST OFFERS $20 MILLION IN TECHNOLOGY GRANTS 07/12/91
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- NIST
(National Institute of Standards and Technology) has recently
announced that it is now seeking proposals from companies wishing
to participate in a $20 million program to help U.S. industry
develop promising generic technologies under the Advanced
Technology Program.

This program and the grants are not tied to any specific
technology, rather it is open to all advanced concepts with
significant commercial promise. Deadline for proposals is 3 p.m.
EDT, Sept 25, 1991. A non-mandatory informational meeting will be
held in Gaithersburg on July 29 which will provide useful
information to potential bidders.

For further information and an application package, contact:
Advanced Technology Program, A430 Administration Bldg, NIST,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

(John McCormick/19910712/Press Contact: Michael Baum, NIST, 301-
975-2762)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 N.E.T. GETS $13 MILLION AFNET CONTRACT 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00021)

N.E.T. GETS $13 MILLION AFNET CONTRACT 07/12/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Network Equipment
Technology's N.E.T. Federal subsidiary has received a letter of
contract to begin building the $100 million AFNET or Air Force
Integrated Digital Telecommunications Network wide-area network
designed to link all U.S. Air Force installations around the
world.

The initial Defense Commercial Communications Office or
DECCO contract will authorize purchase of up to $13 million in
goods and services, but the value of the contract over its entire
ten year lifetime is expected to be about $100 million according
to Daniel J. Warmenhoven, N.E.T.'s chairman and chief executive
officer.

The system is expected to use N.E.T. Integrated Digital Network
Exchange resource managers, SPX statistical multiplexers, network
management products, and Access Digital Network Exchange channel
banks.

(John McCormick/19910712/Press Contact: Drusie Demopoulos,
Network Equipment Technologies Inc., 415-780-5313)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 ADOBE ACCUSES U-LEAD OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00022)

ADOBE ACCUSES U-LEAD OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT 07/12/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems filed a lawsuit against U-Lead Systems which
charges unfair competition and copyright infringement but seeks
unspecified damages for, among other things, promoting and
offering for review in trade publications, versions of Adobe's
PhotoStyler software and documentation which were materially
different from the version sold to the public.

Besides the copyright violation claims, Adobe is suing for
violations of the Lanham Act and the California Statutory and
Common Law for unfair trade practices.

Torrance, California-based U-Lead is a software applications
company specializing in graphics and graphical user interface
programs.

PhotoStyler is U-Lead's $800 Windows 3.0-compatible image
processing package which offers photo-realistic image enhancement
capabilities. The program began shipping in May.

PhotoShop is the name of the earlier Adobe version of the
program.

(John McCormick/19910712/Press Contact: Linda Prosser, Adobe
Systems Inc., 415-962-3840)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 AST RESEARCH FORMS FEDERAL MARKETING ARM 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00023)

AST RESEARCH FORMS FEDERAL MARKETING ARM 07/12/91
ROSSLYN, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Saying that, "The
government needs a manufacturer with high-performance products, a
sound financial structure and the ability to deliver and provide
service worldwide," AST Research's co-chairman and chief
operating officer, Tom Yuen, announced the creation of a new
Federal Systems Division which will initially focus on landing
contracts under the new Desktop IV. Desktop IV, which opened on
July 8, is a massive federal purchasing program which will put up
to 300,000 new desktop systems in Navy and Air Force offices.

AST Vice President Bob Becker will head the new Federal Systems
Division which will be headquartered in Irvine, California (the
location of AST Research's present corporate headquarters) but
will conduct sales and federal agency support out of a sales
office in Rosslyn, Virginia, a Washington suburb close to the
Pentagon, and across the Potomac from Washington, DC.

Mr. Becker points out that AST is actively pursuing Desktop IV
because the request for proposal or RFP designates five worldwide
regions for the delivery and support of computer systems and AST
has subsidiaries located in each of these regions.

The size of the federal market that AST will be attempting to
garner a larger portion of is reported to be about $1.7 billion
per year.

With manufacturing facilities located in Fountain Valley, Calif.,
Hong Kong, and Taiwan, AST Research was reported the
top-performing company on the NASDAQ Stock Market in 1990, with a
total return of 259 percent.

AST resellers have already secured contracts with government
agencies outside the new Desktop IV procurement, such as the
Department of Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug
Administration, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Air Force, the
Defense Logistics Agency, and the Federal Aviation
Administration.

(John McCormick/19910712/Press Contact: Deborah Paquin, AST
Research, 714-727-7960 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 MCI OFFERS DISCOUNTED DOW JONES SERVICE 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00024)

MCI OFFERS DISCOUNTED DOW JONES SERVICE 07/12/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- In an aggressive
marketing move, MCI Communications is offering a discounted flat-
fee account for those wishing unlimited after-hours access to Dow
Jones News/Retrieval databases via MCI Mail.

Under the new plan, subscribers who opt to pay a set $25-per-
month fee will, during special nighttime hours, have unlimited
access to //DJNEWS (Dow Jones News service); //CQE, //CQ, and
//HQ (current and historical stock value quotes); //FUTURES
(futures and options quotes); //DJA (Dow Jones Averages); and
//SYMBOL, the database which provides the necessary stock symbol
information.

For subscribers, no connect-time fees (MCI Mail provides toll-
free 800 service), or information unit charges will apply to the
listed databases during the hours of 9:01 P.M. to 6 A.M. local
time.

This offer is only good for U.S. users with personal accounts and
one active password.

For further information, contact MCI Mail Customer Support at
800-444-6245 or 202-833-8484.

(John McCormick/19910712)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 BRAZIL EASES COMPUTER IMPORT RESTRICTIONS 07/12/91

07/12/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00025)

BRAZIL EASES COMPUTER IMPORT RESTRICTIONS 07/12/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Several news
services are reporting that the government of Brazil has relaxed
its restrictions on imports of computers and computer parts. This
move coincides with approval of two joint ventures between U.S.
and Brazilian companies.

IBM will import computer boards for Sid Informatica to build
computers and Digital Equipment has a similar agreement with
Elebra.

Under the new policy, foreign companies joining Brazilian joint
ventures can now hold up to 30 of the capital involved in the
joint venture.

Brazil has previously tried to encourage the development of
domestic computer technology by restricting the technology which
could be imported.

Brazilian companies will also now be allowed to purchase complete
systems for resale in Brazil, subject only to restrictions based
on their previous sales volume of domestically produced
computers.

The major remaining restriction on foreign joint venture
investors is the requirement that they invest five percent of
total sales in Brazilian-based research and development projects.

Brazil had restricted computer imports for the past ten years and
has in that period developed nearly a $6 billion domestic
computer industry.

Sources in the Brazilian Embassy in Washington could not be
reached for comment before deadline, but in the past they have
told Newsbytes that they expected a general atmosphere of easing
in the trade situation between the two countries.

(John McCormick/19910712)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12  ****IBM PURCHASES METAPHOR COMPUTER SYSTEMS 07/12/91

07/12/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00026)

 ****IBM PURCHASES METAPHOR COMPUTER SYSTEMS 07/12/91
PURCHASE, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- IBM and
Metaphor Computer Systems have agreed to merge, resulting in
Metaphor as a wholly owned subsidiary of IBM. The acquisition
is directly related to IBM's and Apple's recent decision to collaborate on
object-oriented programming.

IBM and Metaphor have had a business relationship since March
1988 when the two companies entered into a technology
exchange and joint product development agreement. At that
time, IBM invested $10 million in the firm in exchange for an
8% interest. In September 1990, the companies established
Patriot Partners, a joint venture to develop object-oriented
application system software technology, designed to work with
multiple operating systems and networks.

According to the statement released by the firms, "The object-
oriented programming work under development by Patriot
Partners fits into the framework of the software technology
understanding announced by IBM and Apple Computer
last week. The intent is to integrate this complementary effort
into the new systems software company Apple and IBM plan to
form. The new IBM subsidiary will focus on integrating
Metaphor's Data Interpretation Systems (DIS) capabilities with
complementary IBM capabilities. DIS combines a graphical user
interface with relational database technology, allowing non-
technical business professionals to access multiple databases
and to construct their own applications."

Announcing the acquisition, James A. Cannavino, IBM vice
president and general manager, Personal Systems, said, "IBM is
delighted to make this announcement. It will enable us to bring
into the new company we are forming with Apple both the
vision we have long shared with Metaphor regarding the future
for object-oriented application software systems and the
productive relationship that grew out of this vision. At the
same time, it will strengthen our ability to develop and support
DIS applications."

David E. Liddle, president of Patriot Partners and
CEO of Metaphor, also commented on both the acquisition and
the IBM/Apple agreement, saying, "In order to succeed, a
systems software initiative requires both a dramatic
improvement in technology and the commitment of systems
vendors in the industry. The technology and skills contributed
by Apple and IBM give great momentum to this new initiative,
which will provide the basis for exciting new applications for
customers. At Metaphor, we have had a long and positive
relationship with IBM and have much history and philosophy
in common with Apple."

Liddle has been rumored, since the announcement of the joint
Apple/IBM software firm, to be in line for the CEO position with
the new firm. When contacted by Newsbytes upon the Metaphor
acquisition and asked whether the Liddle rumor could now be
confirmed, an IBM source said "Not yet."

When the Liddle rumors first began to surface, Esther Dyson, editor
and publisher of EDventure, commented to Newsbytes, "He is both
well respected and, as far as I know, liked by everyone in the
industry. He seems to be a very good choice."

The final agreement between Metaphor and IBM is, according to the
release, "subject to the approval of Metaphor's shareholders and
required government review." The release also said (as did the
IBM/Apple announcement) that "further details about the
acquisition will not be available until the transaction is
completed."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Carol G.
Moran, Metaphor Computer Systems, 415-961-3600; Paul
Neuman, IBM Corporation, 914-697-6537/19910712)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 FRANCE: GOUPIL BITES THE BULLET - GOES INTO LIQUIDATION 07/12/91

07/12/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00027)

FRANCE: GOUPIL BITES THE BULLET - GOES INTO LIQUIDATION 07/12/91
PARIS, FRANCE, 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Goupil, the troubled French computer
manufacturer, has finally bitten the dust -- a French court has instructed
the liquidators to move into the company's offices and wind the
company up.

The decision, taken by the French Government in close liaison with a court
hearing as required under French law, means that Groupe Bull is the last
remaining French computer producer, all others having fallen by the
wayside.

Many in the European PC industry are not surprised by the French decision.
The writing seemed to be on the wall from the company when, ten days ago,
Olivetti announced it was no longer interested in acquiring Goupil.

The bad news comes as a double blow to Goupil's workforce, who have a two-
thirds equity stake in their company. Losses in the last financial year
amounted to FF 400 million on sales of FF 830 million, leaving little in
the company coffers to cover any future shortfalls. The decision to
liquidate the company means that Goupil cannot continue to trade
profitably. This equates to little or no money for the worker-owners.

Fortunately for the worker-owners, the lack of profitability of the company
has been known about for several weeks, meaning that no extra resources
have been pumped into the ailing giant.

Representatives of Goupil were not returning calls as this issue of
Newsbytes went to press.

(Steve Gold/19910712)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12  ****SEAGATE TO LAY OFF TODAY 07/12/91

07/12/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)

 ****SEAGATE TO LAY OFF TODAY 07/12/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- Seagate has
announced an 18% layoff -- 1200 employees -- from its US and European
operations as part of a massive restructuring of parts of the
company in a top management effort designs to reduce operating
expenses.

A Seagate spokeswoman tells Newsbytes that the layoffs will be
among "indirect" workforce -- people in human resources, sales, and
other white-collar jobs, not in manufacturing.

"Seagate is still seeing very good demand for its product but with
a severe price erosion, profits are down, and current revenues
and profits do not support the level of staffing that we currently
have," said spokeswoman Julie Still. "Therefore we will
put in place a number of cost reduction efforts including cutting
advertising, travel expenses, and consolidating employees in
locations" to reduce overhead.

Still emphasized the company's Asian operations, including a
new plant in Malaysia, are not being affected by the cutback.
The decision to not touch the company's Asian operations continues
Seagate's foreign manufacturing strategy.

As part of the layoff, the company ordered that no log-ins be
allowed on the company's corporate computer system
until after the announcement, for security reasons, according
to a Newsbytes source. Guards were ordered not to escort any
employees to their cars. "It's Friday the 13th on the 12th,"
one employee told Newsbytes.

Seagate maintains plants in Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Anaheim,
and other California locations, as well as in Oklahoma, Minnesota,
Ohio, Florida, and Nebraska. There are overseas locations in Scotland
and Ireland.

(Wendy Woods/19910712/Press Contact: Julie A. Still, Seagate Technology,
408-438-6550)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 Review of: GeoWorks, 07/12/91

07/12/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(DEN)(00029)

Review of: GeoWorks, 07/12/91

Runs on: IBM and compatibles

From: Geoworks, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704,
415-644-3456

Price: Suggested Retail $199.99

PUMA Rating: 3.7 on a scale of 1=highest to 4=lowest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Jim Mallory, 07/22/91

Summary: GeoWorks is a graphical interface in the manner of
Windows, but runs on machines such as the XT. It includes
programs for drawing, word processing, index cards,
planning/scheduling, communications, and some utilities such as
calculator, address book and notepad. It also allows the user to
shell out to DOS, or call other programs from its DOS programs
screen. I like it, even if I didn't think it was perfect (what
program is?).

======

REVIEW

======

I strongly believe that the majority of software publishers
forgot that there are thousands of XT class machines still out
there plugging away. GeoWorks has a good start towards helping
these people come into the graphical interface world, just as
Windows has done for the 386 and 486 machine users. No more
remembering DOS commands, or the names of batch files. When
GeoWorks starts up, you just point at the icon for the program or
utility you want to launch and click twice. GeoWorks offers a
very good word processor, a drawing program, GeoDex, which
displays index cards on the screen, which you can fill out, flip
through, dial phone numbers from, etc. It also has a planner
program that allows you to set alarms, view a month or a year of
calendars, keep an appointment book, and print these useful
tools.

The Communications program lets you dial into services such as
GEnie, download information, send files and the other usual
things that telecom programs usually do. You can write scripts,
which allow you to automate the usual communications chores.
However, in my opinion, while useful, GeoComm is the weakest link
in GeoWorks

The desk tools (calculator, notepad and scrapbook) are useful and
easy-to-use tools. The calculator does what most calculators do,
but can also be used for Reverse Polish Notation calculations.
Polish notation is a method of calculation where you enter both
numbers, then the arithmetic function, such as add, multiply,
etc. You can cut or copy calculator results and paste them into
other applications from the clipboard.

The notepad is a very basic word processor in which you can save
notes and print them. Like GeoWrite, notes can be printed in
low, medium or high quality print. Since you can't pop up the
notepad while in another application such as GeoDraw, it didn't
seem very useful. You can cut and paste from the notepad to
other applications.

GeoWorks scrapbook has good potential for use. When you cut and
paste to the clipboard, the information only remains available
until the next cut and paste. But if you cut/copy to the
scrapbook, the information is saved, and can be used over and
over. For example, signature blocks for correspondence could be
kept in the scrap book and pasted into letters created with
GeoWrite. Graphics saved in the scrapbook, such as a fancy
letterhead, could be inserted at the top of letters, for example.

Other than being a graphical user interface (are you tired of
hearing the phrase goo-ey yet?), the strength of GeoWorks is its
word processor. GeoWorks has the usual word processing features
such as saving, printing, setting tabs, and paragraph spacing. It
has a ruler, just like MS Word and others, and you can either
select text after it is typed and change its style or size, or
specify style and size as you type. What I liked about GeoWorks
over some other similar programs is that it seems so easy to do
all these things.

GeoWorks also allows you to save a style (spacing, font,
indentation of paragraphs, etc.) so they can be easily recalled
and used -- nice feature for a less than $200 product. You can
add borders to paragraphs, including shadowing, with the user
selecting from which direction the light causing the shadow is
coming. Border width is selectable. And if you have VGA or EGA,
you can display GeoWrite in up to 16 colors, assigning colors to
text, paragraph background or borders. Custom colors can be
created. With a CGA monitor, or on monochrome screens, GeoWorks
appears in shades of gray.

GeoDraw provides the usual features of drawing programs, such as
copy and paste, lines, patterns, styles, boxes, circles, and
polygons. But you can also rotate both images and text, reshape
images, and draw connected lines (you can create strange,
multi-sided figures with this feature). Text can be flipped or
even wrapped in a circle.

When I draw two boxes in the low end desktop publishing program I
have been using, I have a terrible time if I want the two boxes
to be matched up perfectly. One always slightly out of line.
GeoDraw has a nice feature, Nudge, which nudges the object ever
so slightly until its right where you want it. Much more precise
than dragging the object.

GeoWorks features the famous WYSIWYG (by now you must know that
means What You See Is What You Get), meaning whatever the screen
looks like is what will (ideally) come out on the printer. A
nice feature I liked in GeoDraw is the ability to select a
portion of text, even one letter, and make it a dark, medium, or
light halftone. This allows some interesting effects.

If you haven't guessed already, GeoWorks does NOT support daisy
wheel printers -- only dot matrix, laser, and ink jet types. I
didn't find that anywhere in the literature, but when I called
the tech support people, they very politely told me so.

GeoWorks has a DOS screen on which you can elect to shell out to
DOS. But more importantly, it will allow you to very easily
create icons (little pictures) from which you can select your
other programs, such as your favorite spreadsheet.

What isn't GeoWorks? Well, its not a spreadsheet, although I
hear that Dimensions Research has licensed the code from GeoWorks
in order to design a 3D spreadsheet.

It's also not a database, flat or otherwise. The closest
GeoWorks comes is its GeoDex application mentioned above. And if
you run it on an XT class machine, it's not fast either. But I
still like it. For small businesses and other users whose main
need is a good word processor with useful extras such as the
calculator, the address book and scheduler, and a electronic file
card system, it's an economical program which is quite useful.

GeoWorks is expected to release an upgrade (Version 1.2) by
mid-July, plus 4-5 weeks for shipping, which will add a 100,000
word spell checker, Postscript printer support, screen savers,
and business templates such as invoices. We also understand that
Release 2.0 may be along by the end of the year. There is very little
information about Release 2.0, except that it is expected to be
faster, and network-capable. Some present users are running
GeoWorks on the hard drive of a networked XT or AT now, but
that's only single user.

Some users have reported some problems getting GeoWorks to run
under DOS 5.0, but those problems seem resolvable with a little
effort, and sometimes some outside help. GEnie has a GeoWorks
round table which seems to be fairly busy, and gives good
information. It also contains some nice clip art.

Several PC manufacturers are already bundling GeoWorks with their
product, including Samsung and Philips.

======

PUMA RATING

======

PERFORMANCE 3.5: It doesn't do everything, but what it does, it
does well. Very good word processor, good drawing program, and
good desktop utilities. Speed is acceptable. I'd like to be
able to pop up the notepad within an application, and maybe in
Release 2.0 we can.

USEFULNESS: 3.5: Good value for the money. I'd buy it for my
business, especially if I wanted to go "goo-ey." It's easy to
use and easy to learn, although you will need to use the manual.

MANUAL 3.8: Documentation is easy to understand, readable,
professional looking. There could be more on-screen help.

AVAILABILITY 3.8: Available through retail outlets. Does not
offer a toll free number, but the technicians seem knowledgeable.
They called back promptly when I sought assistance.

(Jim Mallory/19910712)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 12 THE DSC BUG 07/12/91 - Editorial by D. Blankenhorn

07/12/91


(EDITORIAL)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)

THE DSC BUG 07/12/91 - Editorial by D. Blankenhorn
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 12 (NB) -- There is a quote
by Dennis Hayes, founder of Hayes: "There's a difference between
computer time-frames and telephone time-frames."

Modem maker Dennis Hayes was replying to this question from a BBS
sysop about ISDN. We've been hearing about this digitizing of the
telephone network for 15 years, and it's only now starting to
happen. At the same time, PC modems have gone from 300 baud to
14,400 baud, capable of running at 57,600 with compression over
ordinary phone lines.

Why the slow pace? One word. Bugs. To make a digital network
work, all the hard-wired connections which we once depended on to
hear one another during a phone call must be replaced by
software. And it's in the nature of software that there will be
bugs.

Such bugs can get awfully expensive. DSC Communications of Plano,
Texas is finding that out right now. As best as can be determined
-- the company's stories have been contradictory and they've
refused to return repeated phone calls by Newsbytes -- the April
software update for their Signal Transfer Points didn't get quite
enough testing. The software failed, and the STPs went down, when
there was a power surge in Baltimore a few weeks ago. Then again
in Los Angeles, and again in Pittsburgh. In each case, millions
were without phone service for hours. Businesses which depend on
their phone service were out of business for hours.

STPs are key components in a digital network. Under ISDN all the
signaling which routes calls is separated from the calls
themselves and run through STPs. When the STPs go down, you get a
lot of lost calls. And the STPs run on software.

The immediate problem with DSC's equipment will apparently be
fixed by a patch which acts as a fuse. Power surges will no
longer knock out entire devices, just parts of them. And those
failures won't cascade to take down switches, then switching
stations, then whole cities.

But now the question becomes one of liability, and here's the bit
President Bush and his deregulation crowd won't want to hear.

Finger-pointing has already begun. FCC official Richard Firestone
told a House sub-committee this week just what we've told you --
the outages are a result of changing technology. John McDonald,
who heads the MBX research firm, said those outages will cause
great economic destruction, and people need back-up systems. Sub-
committee chairman, Robert Wise, said only big companies can afford
the back-ups, which is unacceptable. DSC vice president, Frank
Perpiglia, said the bug which caused the problem has already been
fixed, but Bell Atlantic was told by Judge Harold Greene it can
still work on the problem without violating the Bell break-up ban
on manufacturing.

DSC has been quiet and contradictory for good reason. If these
failures are its fault, its potential liability is huge. The
stock market knows this. DSC's stock price was cut in half within
days of word leaking out. That means its equity was cut in half,
its ability to grow crippled. The whole company is now at risk
over this one bug.

If such a bug occurred in a Northern Telecom, AT&T, or Ericsson
switch the situation would be quite different. The bug would not
threaten the company. The phone companies which depend on the
equipment wouldn't have this risk hanging over them -- as they
do now -- that they might be "orphaned" like so many PC owners
were in years past. And Bell companies can't just make their own
hardware and software. For now, at least, they're prohibited from
doing so.

As our phone networks go digital, things like this are going to
happen again and again. Software has, and acquires, bugs. The
question is how are we going to deal with the risk. It may be
that this is a game which "small companies" like DSC can't afford
to play. It may be that only firms which are too big to fail can
be allowed to supply crucial gear for these networks. And if
that's true, if the universe of suppliers is strictly limited by
the potential liability, governments are going to have to watch
them all very closely.

The lesson of this DSC bug may be that the digital network must
be regulated for the public good.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910712)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUL 11 COPIA INTERNATIONAL DEBUTS FAX BY CHARGE CARD 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00001)

COPIA INTERNATIONAL DEBUTS FAX BY CHARGE CARD 07/11/91
WHEATON, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Copia International
has announced a Credit Card Per Fax program, which allows the
company to electronically accept a credit card number, register the
purchase with the banking institution, and send the document.

The company says the entire procedure is usually accomplished
within one minute.

For example, suppose you want a copy of a back issue of a
newsletter about computer software.  Using a touch tone phone,
dial Copia's number.  You will be prompted to enter the credit
card number, the document number, and the fax number to which the
document should be sent.  Hang up, and shortly you will have your
document.  A copy of the charge card slip is included on the fax
cover sheet. The system is available on a 24-hour basis.

The publisher of Soft-Letter said they have received more than 1,000
requests for samples and back issues.  By letting Copia handle
those  requests, they have completely automated the process of
filling these requests.

"Charge-Per-Fax will help us provide better customer service without
all the adminis-trivia and time we currently spend processing credit
card payments for fax orders." said Jeffrey Tarter, Soft-letter
editor/publisher.

Charge-Per-Fax has provided a free demonstration for interested
parties.  Phone [phone] and request document 8898.  That
number simulates a valid  credit card charge (no actual charge
will be made to your card).

For further information, call Charge-Per-Fax at 708-682-8898.

(Jim Mallory/19910711/Press Contact:Dorothy Gaden, Copia Int'l,
708-682-8898)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 NEW FOR MAC: Disk Manager From Ontrack 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00002)

NEW FOR MAC: Disk Manager From Ontrack 07/11/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Ontrack
Computer Systems has released version 2.3 of Disk Manager for the
Macintosh.

The new version of Disk Manager Mac is fully compatible with the
new System 7.0 operating system.

Disk Manager is a disk installation and maintenance program for
Macintosh and IBM-compatible microcomputers which allows users
to install and diagnose hard drives, including partitioning.  Disk
Manager Mac allows the user to choose between boot partitions.
Partition size also accommodates more than one gigabyte per
partition, if needed.

Disk Manager Mac lists for $69.95 and supports most embedded
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) hard disks, optical disks
and removable storage systems. Disk Manager Mac supports the
Mac Plus, Mac SE, Mac SE/30, Mac II series, LC and Classic models.
It is also available in a French language version.

(Jim Mallory/19910711/Press Contact:Anne Vershel, 800-752-1333 or
612-937-1107)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 COMPAQ WINS BEST AUTOCAD CPU READERS POLL 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

COMPAQ WINS BEST AUTOCAD CPU READERS POLL 07/11/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation's personal computers have been chosen as the top
choice for AutoCAD application for the second consecutive year by
readers of Cadence Magazine.

AutoCAD is a desktop PC program used by architects,  engineers,
and designers for computer-aided design (CAD) work.  Cadence
Magazine is published for professional AutoCAD users, and lists its
circulation at 60,000 worldwide. Compaq says it was chosen
two-to-one over its competitors in the readership survey.

Market research firm Dataquest reported that in 1990 Compaq
shipped more personal computers worldwide into the CAD
marketplace than any other computer vendor, according to a
statement released by Compaq.

In June of this year Newsbytes reported that Compaq had introduced
its Deskpro 486/50L, a 50 megahertz computer targeted mainly at the
engineering and scientific community, frequent users of CAD programs.
The 486/50L is reported to run 50 percent faster than the 486 using a
33 megahertz Intel microprocessor.

(Jim Mallory/19910711/Press Contact:Nora Rice, Compaq,
713-374-0484)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 NORWAY: COMPUTERS SOLD FOR ATOMIC WEAPONS RESEARCH 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(OSL)(00004)

NORWAY: COMPUTERS SOLD FOR ATOMIC WEAPONS RESEARCH 07/11/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- An executive of Norsk Data and
a self-employed businessman have been arrested for suspected
computer smuggling.

The police suspect two Norsk ND-5400 computers sold to Turner
Whyte Energy Services Ltd., a Pakistani-owned company based in
London, United Kingdom, were intended for the Pakistan Ordnance
Factory in Wah near Islamabad. Citing Western intelligence reports,
the Norwegian newspaper VG says that this facility might be involved
in developing nuclear weapons.

There is evidence that one computer was repacked in England and
already shipped out to Pakistan, with the police chosing to take action
before the second machine went. According to VG, British or
American intelligence services tipped off Norway's
Overvlkingspolitiet, the police's counter-intelligence unit.

Norsk Data sold between ten and fifteen similar computers to
Pakistan in 1987 and 1988, and these transactions are not under
suspicion. More than half this shipment went to Government
institutions, including five computers that went directly to the
Pakistani Ordnance Factory in Wah for administrative use.

The Norwegian authorities had, in connection with the export license,
reserved the right to inspect the use of these computers.  According to
the newspaper Dagbladet, the Pakistani Ordnance Factory did not
allow this in 1989. Coupled with stricter export regulations that were
passed in 1989, they were put on a watch-list.

The price Turner Whyte paid for the computers was about twice the
going rate in the market today, which was highly suspicious, according
to the police. The ND-5400 is an old computer by todays standards,
and both the German, British and Norwegian markets have many
second-hand machines for sale. For some applications it is still a
useful tool as machines can be clustered together to provide more
power than a single machine.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 SIEMENS-NIXDORF IN NORWEGIAN DEFENCE CONTRACT 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(OSL)(00005)

SIEMENS-NIXDORF IN NORWEGIAN DEFENCE CONTRACT 07/11/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- The Norwegian Government
has awarded a contract worth NOK 180 million ($26 million) to
Siemens-Nixdorf of Germany.

Additionally, a similar amount in future purchases will also likely
go to Siemens-Nixdorf.

The purchase includes a minimum of 2.000 terminals, LANs (local
area networks) and Unix-servers for use at the Army Materials
Command, the army's procurement unit.

The contract award divided the government and was the source of
bitter disagreement between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry
of Industry. Originally put before the government some weeks ago,
the decision was postponed so that an agreement could be made.

The choice stood between Norsk Data, the Norwegian computer
company, and Siemens-Nixdorf, the computer subsidiary of
Germany's Siemens group. Although bad news for Norsk Data, the
order is good news for Norway's Tandberg Data, as they will supply
the terminals.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 NORWAY: BELL ATLANTIC MOBILE TELEPHONE BID FAILS 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(OSL)(00006)

NORWAY: BELL ATLANTIC MOBILE TELEPHONE BID FAILS 07/11/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- The Norwegian Ministry of
Transport and Communication has narrowed the field to two
companies in the race for the second GSM mobile telephone
franchise. The two companies are NetCom and Det norske
mobiltelefonkompani.

This puts paid to Bell Atlantic's entry NorMobil, in which it would own
35 percent if it won the franchise.

The first GSM franchise has already been granted to a government
agency responsible for telecommunications. This franchise will be
operated by Tele Mobil, a division of Televerket, the govenment
agency. Tele Mobil is currently responsible for running the
Norwegian franchise of the Nordic Mobile Telephone system.

GSM or Goupe Special Mobile, is the new standard for digital
cellular telephones in Europe. With operations starting this year in
some countries, it will eventually allow subscribers to use their mobile
telephones all over Europe. Being a subscriber in one country, you
can be reached on that number no matter where you are in Europe.

The Ministry also announced that it would need some more time to
declare a winner. It has already used nine months to narrow the
field from four entries to two. The two finalists must supply additional
information by August 1, with the ministry's decision expected by the
end of August. In Denmark it took only three months to declare a winner.

For one entry, NetCom, it will mean a three month delay if a decision
is not made until the end of August. The company's original plan
called for operations to begin in March 1992.  That has now been
re-scheduled for mid-year. At that point Tele Mobil will have a six
months advantage in the market as they will start trials in October 1991
and begin full commercial operations in the first quarter of 1992.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 DEC WINS CONTRACT WITH NORWEGIAN TAX AGENCY 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(OSL)(00007)

DEC WINS CONTRACT WITH NORWEGIAN TAX AGENCY 07/11/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corporation
has won a US$ 4.5 million order from Skattedirektoratet, the
Norwegian tax agency.

Although not large, the order is important as it gives DEC an edge
in the competition for a US$ 64 million investment program that the
agency is planning.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 ALDUS APPOINTS AUSTRALIAN GENERAL MANAGER 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00008)

ALDUS APPOINTS AUSTRALIAN GENERAL MANAGER 07/11/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Aldus Corporation has
appointed Graham Freeman as Aldus Australia's General Manager.

Freeman is highly respected in the computer industry, and his move
from Compaq came as a surprise to some industry observers.

The appointment comes after a nationwide search by executive
search firm Heidrick and Struggles. Freeman will be responsible for
developing Aldus' Australian operations.

John O'Halloran, director of Aldus Pacific Rim, said, "This is a critical
hire for us as Graham will establish the culture of the new Australian
organization. We are fortunate to have him on board."

(Sean McNamara/19910711/Press contact: Karen Howe, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 IBM, K-C COMPUTER SIGN AGREEMENT 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00009)

IBM, K-C COMPUTER SIGN AGREEMENT 07/11/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- IBM has signed
an agreement with K-C Computer Services, a subsidiary of
Kimberly-Clark, for joint marketing of an application development
tool. K-C's CSP/Application Development Enabler (CSP/ADE) works
with IBM's Cross System Product (CSP) on large IBM computer
systems.

"Using these two products in conjunction greatly increases
productivity for programmers," IBM spokesman Steven Malkiewicz told
Newsbytes.

The products work under IBM's AD/Cycle application development
framework. However, K-C is not part of the small group of AD/Cycle
business partners, made up of one British and six American firms
that played key roles in the design of AD/Cycle.

Three major features of CSP/ADE are said to increase programmer
productivity. Application Models are precoded, re-usable CSP
applications. The Enabling Toolset enhances project and system
management, leading to potential savings in development costs.
Development Functions is a set of 23 new features designed to make
it easier to manipulate numbers, data strings, and dates.

CSP/ADE is available immediately. Price depends on processing power
and operating systems and range from US$7,130 to US$130,000.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: Steven Malkiewicz, IBM,
914-642-5449)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 WESTERN CANADIAN RESELLER CHAIN COMPUTERCORP FAILS 07/11/91

07/11/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00010)

WESTERN CANADIAN RESELLER CHAIN COMPUTERCORP FAILS 07/11/91
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Computercorp,
operator of a chain of Professional Computer Centres across Western
Canada, has gone into receivership. Toronto-based reseller Crowntek
has acquired most of the company's assets and employees.

Robert Lloyd, formerly president of Computercorp and now executive
vice-president of Crowntek, told Newsbytes his company invested
heavily in acquisitions to expand into Eastern Canada over the past
year. "Those acquisitions did not turn out profitably, particularly
in light of the economic downturn in Ontario and Quebec," he said.
About 120 former Computercorp employees have jointed Crowntek,
Lloyd said.

Lloyd said Computercorp "had a strong history of focus in Western
Canada and has achieved a significant amount of customer loyalty
through a very skilled staff." He was optimistic that the
combination of Computercorp's position in the West with Crowntek's
deeper pockets would be a winner.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: Robert Lloyd, Crowntek,
403-294-1777)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11  ****LOTUS' MARKETPLACE TEAM'S NEW BUSINESS, NEW PRODUCT 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00011)

 ****LOTUS' MARKETPLACE TEAM'S NEW BUSINESS, NEW PRODUCT 07/11/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- MarketPlace
Information Corp., a new company set up by former Lotus Development
employees, has begun shipping MarketPlace Business, Version 1.1.
The Apple Macintosh software uses the technology Lotus developed
for its Marketplace products, which were abandoned after public
outcry over plans for a version containing data on individuals.

Company spokeswoman Catherine Engelke said former members of the
Lotus MarketPlace team are the principals of the new firm,
incorporated June 1 and currently employing fewer than 20 people.
They licensed the technology from Lotus.

While the technology is the same, the new Marketplace product uses
data from Dun & Bradstreet rather than from Trinet, the company
Lotus worked with. Dun & Bradstreet's reputation was the key to
this move, Engelke said. "In terms of direct marketing the most
imperative issue is data quality."

Marketing information on more than seven million U.S. businesses is
drawn from Dun's Market Identifiers, a product of Dun's Marketing
Services. MarketPlace Business users can navigate through the
information using maps, bar charts, and other graphical tools.

These tools allow users to select businesses based on such criteria
as location (to the five-digit ZIP code level), type of business by
SIC code (a government classification system that groups
establishments by their primary product or service), annual sales
(in ranges), number of employees (in ranges), and telephone area
code.

The product uses the Apple Macintosh personal computer and a
compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive. The computer must
have at least four megabytes of memory, Engelke said.

MarketPlace Business will sell for US$695. The company also offers
a CD-ROM drive, normally priced at US$895, for US$495 when bought
with the software. There are also discounts for current users of
Lotus' MarketPlace Business product.

MarketPlace has no plans for a version of the product listing
information about private homes or individuals, Engelke said.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: Catherine Engelke,
MarketPlace, 617-225-7853)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 TOSHIBA T24D/X MODEM FOR PORTABLES HANDLES CELLULAR 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00012)

TOSHIBA T24D/X MODEM FOR PORTABLES HANDLES CELLULAR 07/11/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Toshiba's computer
systems division has announced it is shipping the T24D/X modem, the
latest 9600 baud modem for notebook and laptop computers designed for
cellular as well as regular transmissions.

"The T24D/X advanced protocol modem is ideal for those business
professionals needing data communications," said Tom Martin, vice
president for Toshiba's Computer Systems Division. "This modem
offers state-of-the-art technology in error correction and data
compression providing error-free transmission at up to 9600 bps
throughput over land-line and cellular connections."

Toshiba said the T24D/X is Hayes compatible at 2400 bits-per-second
(bps), includes MNP5, V.42 and V.42bis error correction and data
compression, automatic selection of best data compression ratio,
can work at up to 9600 bps throughput, and is ready for an
intelligent cellular interface.

The T24D/X is designed for new Toshiba portable computers, but
also works in the installed base of the T1200, T1200H, T1200B,
T1200HB and T1600 Toshiba personal computers (PCs), Toshiba said.

Toshiba has provided a toll-free number for inquiries about any of
its products - [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910711/Press Contact: Megan Manning, Toshiba,
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 CALIFORNIA HERTZ RENTAL CARS TO HAVE CELLULAR PHONES 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00013)

CALIFORNIA HERTZ RENTAL CARS TO HAVE CELLULAR PHONES 07/11/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Hertz
rental car company and GTE Mobile Communications announced
Hertz has begun equipping its fleet with GTE's cellular credit
card telephones.

"The new GTE CCP 2000 unit will be the first credit card phone
to be installed in our California vehicles," said Ray LaFrance,
director, business programs, for Hertz.

"The Hertz GTE credit card program has been successful in other
markets," LaFrance added. "We're expanding deployment to
California because we've found that our business customers want
the convenience of being able to stay in touch with the office
while traveling. They also enjoy having immediate access to a
total communications network with just the swipe of a credit
card." Hertz has had a portable, cellular phone program in
California since 1989, the company said.

Some 50,000 in-car credit card phones are expected to be
installed in California rental cars, Hertz said. Customers
renting cars equipped with cellular credit card phones are able
to place and receive calls by activating the phone using a
major credit card.

The customer has to daily activate the phone by sliding a
Mastercard, VISA, American Express, Diners Club or AT&T card
through the phone's card reader. Detailed listings of cellular
call charges can be expected on the customer's monthly credit-
card statements, the company said.

For the first time, customers will also have "plug-in" access
for facsimile and laptop computer transmission, GTE said. On-
hook dialing and hands free operation are also features of the
in-car phones, the company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910711/Press Contact: Dorea Akers, GTE, Tel:
203/965-3188, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 TOSHIBA CLAIMS WORLD'S FASTEST LAPTOP WORKSTATION 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00014)

TOSHIBA CLAIMS WORLD'S FASTEST LAPTOP WORKSTATION 07/11/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Toshiba has released a laptop
workstation, said to have the world's fastest processing speed.
Toshiba's SPARC LT/AS1000 is an upgraded version of the firm's
laptop workstation which was released about a year ago.

The latest version, equipped with Sun Microsystems' RISC
processor, runs at 17.5 million instructions per
second (MIPS), which is even faster than the previous model that
runs at 13.4 MIPS. The AS1000 has a built-in 329-megabyte hard
disk. It can be expandable to a maximum three gigabytes.

Toshiba has released two models. One is equipped with a 12-inch
backlit active matrix LCD, and the other is equipped with a 11.5-inch
EL display which has a faster response speed.

The workstation supports Ethernet and has two RS-232C ports and
a SCSI adapter, making it ideal for local area networks, Toshiba
says.

Interestingly, Toshiba has also announced that the firm has signed
an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) agreement with Sun
Microsystems Japan. Under this agreement, Toshiba will supply
this latest laptop workstation to Sun for sale under Sun's brand name.
Then, Sun will also sell this OEM product to other firms such
as Fujitsu, Oki, Unisys Japan, and Fuji Xerox. These firms are
supporting Sun's RISC processor in their products.

Toshiba's SPARC LT/AS1000 costs 1.78 million yen ($13,000).

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910712/Press Contact: Toshiba, +81-3-3-457-
2100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 TI INVESTS MORE IN TOKYO SUBSIDIARY 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00015)

TI INVESTS MORE IN TOKYO SUBSIDIARY 07/11/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- U.S.-based Texas
Instruments has paid additional 25 billion yen ($190 million) for
more equity in its Tokyo subsidiary Texas Instruments Japan. This
increase in the subsidiary's capitalization is design to help
the firm expand business in Japan.

TI Japan says it will use the money to build a research and
development center and to modernize and expand facilities at its
memory chip plants. To start, TI Japan will use funds to beef up
its Tsukuba research and development center, and its chip
plant in Oita, Kyushu. The firm will also spend money on
ASIC (application specific chip) and dynamic random access memory
(DRAM) lines at its Miura plant. TI Japan is in a joint venture for
such chips with Kobe-Seikosho, which is a major steel firm.

TI Japan has also been preparing to build a one-megabit DRAM plant
in Singapore in cooperation with Japan's Canon.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910712/Press Contact: Texas Instruments Japan,
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 SPA RELEASES TOP SELLING GAMES LIST 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00016)

SPA RELEASES TOP SELLING GAMES LIST 07/11/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- SPA, the Software
Publishers Association, has released the results of MS-DOS game
software sales figures from Babagges, CompUSA, Electronics
Boutique, and Waldensoftware for the month of May. King's Quest V
has moved up one spot from number two to first place, but the big
mover is Velocity's Jetfighter II; not in the top 25 last month,
Jetfighter II has already jumped to number 2 position this month.

(John McCormick/19910711/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-
452-1600)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 COMPUTER MESSAGES USED IN LA POLICE CHIEF PROBE 07/11/91

07/11/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00017)

COMPUTER MESSAGES USED IN LA POLICE CHIEF PROBE 07/11/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Records
of comments typed by officers in squad cars over the Los
Angeles Police Department's (LAPD's) Mobile Digital Terminal
system have exposed racist, sexist, and violent comments and are
a major portion of the Christopher Commission's recently
revealed report recommending reforms in the LAPD.

The 10-member commission, 7 appointed by the mayor and 3
appointed by LA Police Chief Daryl Gates, spent 100 days
studying the LAPD after a videotape of 4 white officers' beating
black motorist Rodney King on March 3 sent shock waves rippling
through Los Angeles, and raised serious questions regarding
police department practices.

The Commission's report on some officers' behavior was
reminiscent of descriptions of a "Dirty Harry" type character
from a Clint Eastwood movie, with citizen complaints and
violent conduct abounding. As part of the report, the
Commission reviewed the MDT system records for a 16-month
period from November, 1989 through February, 1991. The Los
Angeles Times reported page after page of remarks that clearly
violate police department policies were included in the
Commission's report. The following were some of the comments:

"Sounds like monkey slapping time."

". . .This hole is picking up, I almost got me a Mexican last
nite but he dropped the dam gun to quick, lots of wit."

"Capture him, beat him and treat him like dirt. . ."

"Go get him my-man, and shoot him twice for me."

"Houston PD has new chief, Elizabeth Watson 40 yrs old."
"I bet that's going over reeeeeaaaalll good with the troops
dude. . .they have some dyke bleding heart for mayor."

"U won't believe this. . .that female call again said susp
returned. . .I'll check it out then I'm going to stick my baton
in her."

"Your getting a new boot from Academy. . .a breathtakin blonde
with huge kazoopers."

The Commission's recommendations concluded Gates, 64 years old,
should begin "transitioning" to retirement, the Los Angeles
Times reported. Other recommendations, such as monitoring of
MDT messages, have already begun, police department officials
say. The Commission also recommended the possibility of placing
automatic videotaping equipment in patrol cars to record police
contacts with the public.

Lt. Thomas Maeweather, referred to by the Los Angeles Times as
an African-American detective, was reported as saying he didn't
think Chief Gates supported racism. However, he did say some of
Gates' comments have offended him over the years, including one
remark that implied some African-Americans were more sensitive
to chokeholds than "normal" people.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910711)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 NTT BREAKS UP MOBILE PHONE TELECOM BUSINESS THIS FALL 07/11/91

07/11/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00018)

NTT BREAKS UP MOBILE PHONE TELECOM BUSINESS THIS FALL 07/11/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- NTT will create a new firm
to offer telecommunication service through car phones,
mobile phones, and pagers this fall, earlier than was
previously anticipated.

Due to the pressure from the Japanese Posts & Telecommunication
Ministry, NTT is fragmenting its businesses. According to
the plan, NTT will set up a parent firm for the mobile phone
business this fall. However, this will be just paperwork --
the actual business of the new firm will start
in July 1992. In 1993, NTT will break up this mobile phone firm
into 8 firms, which will operate in each region of Japan.

The major reason for this early break up is the enactment of
a new tax law in Japan next year. NTT wants to divide the firm
before the new tax law is executed. The firm will be able to
save 7 billion yen ($52 million) if it creates the firm this year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910709/Press Contact: NTT, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 AT&T'S KAVNER GETS NEW RESPONSIBILITIES 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019)

AT&T'S KAVNER GETS NEW RESPONSIBILITIES 07/11/91
BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- AT&T
computer systems boss Robert M. Kavner has been given new
responsibilities. While continuing to oversee the integration of
AT&T computer systems into newly acquired NCR and to head the
company's Federal Systems and Unix System Laboratories business
units, Kavner will also take charge of AT&T's communications
products group.

Kavner succeeds W. Frank Blount as the group executive in charge of
Business Communications Systems, General Business Systems, AT&T
Consumer Products, AT&T Paradyne, Communications Products Sourcing
and Manufacturing, and Material Management Services.

Kavner also will establish a new business unit, AT&T Development
Corporation. AT&T said the new unit is an "internal venture capital
business" that will take advantage of AT&T technologies in markets
not addressed by existing business units.

Kavner has headed the AT&T data systems group since 1988. In
acquiring NCR, AT&T said it would keep current NCR management in
place, and AT&T's computer systems business is expected to be
folded into NCR. AT&T spokeswoman Paula Horii confirmed that once
the transition is complete, Kavner is expected to concentrate on
his new duties as well as the Federal Systems and Unix System
Laboratories functions. The transition is expected to take until
some time this fall, she said.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: Paula Horii, AT&T,
908-221-8422; Burke Stinson, AT&T, 908-221-2062)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 COMPAQ ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL SWAVELY 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00020)

COMPAQ ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF MICHAEL SWAVELY 07/11/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has announced that Michael S. Swavely has decided to
retire. Compaq president and CEO, Rod Canion, described Swavely as
having played a key role in developing the product, distribution,
and communications strategies that have fueled the company's
growth. "Mike made a significant contribution to Compaq's growth
from a start-up to a Fortune 200 company," said Canion.

Swavely joined Compaq just a few months after its start-up in
February of 1982, and helped lead it from a start-up company to
its Global Fortune 500 status, achieved last year. He has held
the positions of director of product marketing, vice president of
marketing vice president of sales and marketing. In May 1989 he
was named president, North America. Fortune Magazine listed
Compaq as number 438 in their 1990 list of the world's largest
companies. Compaq reported worldwide sales of $3.6 billion in
1990.

Swavely has been on sabbatical leave since January of this year.
He said he is retiring in order to "pursue a better mix of
personal and professional goals" but did not announce any
specific plans.

Canion said, "Compaq certainly wishes Mike the best as he pursues
new endeavors."

(Jim Mallory/19910711/Press Contact:Bob Beach, Compaq,
713-374-0484)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11  ****BORLAND/ASHTON-TATE TAKEOVER EUROPEAN EFFECTS 07/11/91

07/11/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00021)

 ****BORLAND/ASHTON-TATE TAKEOVER EUROPEAN EFFECTS 07/11/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Borland and Ashton-Tate held a special
press conference in London today to announce what most of the computer
industry knew already -- Borland has signed a letter of intent to acquire
Ashton-Tate.

Judging from what chiefs of both companies, assembled at London's Hilton
Hotel on Thursday said, most of the action with respect to the takeover
seems to be taking place in the US. Plans for the U.K. have yet to be
finalized. Indeed, both Borland and Ashton-Tate's U.K. operations are
continuing as normal until notified otherwise. "It's business as usual,"
said a spokesman for Ashton-Tate U.K. to Newsbytes.

According to Borland U.K., when the worldwide sales from both companies are
joined together, they account for just under 75 percent of database
software sales for PCs.

While it is obvious that senior executives of both Borland and Ashton-Tate
have much groundwork to cover before they can come up with definitive plans
for what to do with the competing aspects of both companies, one thing
seems certain -- Borland remains committed to supplying and maintaining the
dBASE range of software.

"Ashton-Tate is still number one in the market when it comes to database
software. Borland would never axe a successful product just like that,"
commented one industry analyst to Newsbytes.

Borland reckons that it can save money by combining the operations of both
companies. Currently, Borland has 1,000 staff worldwide, while Ashton-Tate
has around 1,750 employees. Plans call for the combined company to reduce
its overall payroll to 2,000 staff, suggesting that 750 employees will be
shaved from the payroll by one means or another.

(Steve Gold/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11  ****BORLAND/ASHTON-TATE MERGER: DBASE WINDOWS? 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00022)

 ****BORLAND/ASHTON-TATE MERGER: DBASE WINDOWS? 07/11/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- In an
announcement that rocked the database world and the software
industry in general, Borland announced it plans to buy Ashton-
Tate (AT). The boards of directors of both companies approved
the purchase, and now it hinges on approval of the shareholders
and receipt of the required government approvals.

The move was a totally unexpected as the companies seemed
totally unrelated for four reasons. The first is Borland has
been thought of as a company that develops software for
programmers, with its successful releases of its C compilers
and its development of Object Windows. The second was the fact
that Borland's database product Paradox is in a market by
itself since it is incompatible with dBASE language products.
Third was Borland's announcement to develop its own dBASE
compiler for Windows and compatible with Paradox it calls Turbo
Xbase (Infoworld, p.1, May 6, 1991). Fourth was AT's
announcement over two years ago at the dBASE developers
conference that it would release the dBASE Professional
Compiler. Tim Lebel, product manager on the Professional
Compiler for AT, was reported as saying in June that the
product was not expected to be even in beta test stages for 4
to 6 months.

Third party dBASE compilers have been rapidly growing in market
share over the last several years, including Nantucket's
Clipper and Fox Software's Foxpro, among others. A dBASE
compiler is a product that allows a programmer to write an
application in dBASE, then compile it so it no longer needs
dBASE to be executed, but can be copied on a disk and
distributed like any other program.

With Windows 3.0 gaining popularity, a race has started for one
of the major players in the database market to introduce a
Windows version.

Although discussion has taken place with companies who are
marketing dBASE compilers about Borland's possible entry into
the dBASE compiler market, the prospect has not been taken
seriously. Larry Heimendinger, president of Nantucket, said at
the Clipper Developer's Conference in Palm Springs in June that
the Borland dBASE compiler announcement was just another
company announcing another vaporware product.

However, this acquisition may change all that. Philippe Kahn,
Borland's president, said, "Borland and Ashton-Tate are an
excellent strategic fit and will have an exceptional
organization, with the technology and product breadth to meet
customer needs in the 90s. This transaction will allow us to
provide a full range of software products -- from databases and
spreadsheets to graphics and programming languages -- all
designed for client-server computing architectures on a
variety of platforms."

Regarding whether Borland will combined its database product
Paradox with dBASE language products, Miriam Liskin, an xBASE
consultant and writer, commented, "My guess is they will keep supporting
both Paradox and dBASE IV which are each great programs, and move to
distinguish them over time. For end users it'll be a matter of which
interface style they like.

"The crucial thing with dBASE IV is whether Borland can take its
design and do a better implementation, like Fox Software did.
Fox didn't make everything better, but they really improved the
performance. I'm sure Borland is going to do things to make it
easier to share data between dBASE and Paradox and other Borland
products," Liskin added.

Speaking of Fox, Borland inherits the roller-coaster court suit
AT started against Fox Software charging Fox had violated dBASE
copyrights. The suit was thought to be ended when the Judge
ruled in preliminary hearings in December, 1990 that Ashton-
Tate "tricked" the copyright office by not disclosing that
dBASE was based on JPLDIS, a language developed by Jet
Propulsion Labs and in the public domain. This left dBASE II
and III products without any copyright. However, the judge
reversed his decision in April of this year and now the case
has to be tried.

Kahn said, regarding the acquisition, "We intend to protect
customer investments in each company's products, including
Paradox and dBASE products, and provide a smooth migration path
to future technologies."

AT has also had some profitability problems. The company
reported in February of this year that $5.6 million losses were
posted for its fiscal fourth quarter.

William P. Lyons, chairman of Ashton-Tate, said, "This
transaction provides outstanding value for our shareholders and
expands our ability to meet customer's current and evolving
computing needs. Customers will benefit from our complementary
product lines, distribution channels, Ashton-Tate's extensive
global operations and Borland's object-oriented technology."

Borland officials said they expect to achieve economies of
scale and significant operational efficiencies as a result of
the merger.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910711/Press Contact: Sandra Hawker,
Borland, Tel: [phone], Tim Lebel, Ashton-Tate, 213/329-
8000, Larry Heimendinger, Nantucket, Tel: [phone], Fax:
213/397-5469)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 LCD DEMAND SKYROCKETS: ROHM TRIPLES PRODUCTION 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00023)

LCD DEMAND SKYROCKETS: ROHM TRIPLES PRODUCTION 07/11/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Kyoto-based hardware maker Rohm says it
will triple the production of its supertwist liquid crystal displays
due to their increasing popularity for laptop computers, notebook-type
computers and portable word processors.

Rohm's LCD RCV6003 is based on what's called supertwist nematic (STN)
technology. Due to the thin panel and the backlit tube, it is
only 5.8-mm thick, and it weighs only 390g. The LCD has a
resolution of 640 x 400 pixels.

Rohm is also producing LCDs for cars. It is expected that the demand for the
LCDs on auto satellite navigation systems will increase in the near future.

Rohm started producing LCDs 4 years ago and is currently producing only
2,000 units per month, but it will output 6,000 units per month early next
year.

The LCD was a 200 billion yen ($1.5 million) business
in 1990, and it will be 275 billion yen ($2 million) this year. It is
expected to grow to 1 trillion yen by 1995.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910710/Press Contact: Rohm, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 INTERNATIONAL SALES BOOSTS WORDSTAR 3Q EARNINGS 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00024)

INTERNATIONAL SALES BOOSTS WORDSTAR 3Q EARNINGS 07/11/91
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- WordStar
International has posted a small profit for the third quarter ended
May 31, 1991, prior to a one-time write-off of purchased research
and development.

Record sales in Asia and the UK helped the company to its best
revenue quarter in six quarters. The company also announced
that its fiscal year end is changing to June 30, effective immediately.

WordStar reported revenues of $10,675,000 for the quarter, with a
net profit of $20,000 before a one time write off of $1,853,000 for the
purchased research and development associated with the Lifetree
Software acquisition.

Lifetree Software is the developer of Correct Grammar, a grammar
checking application for MS-DOS and Macintosh computers.
The acquisition of Lifetree in February
marked WordStar's entrance into the Macintosh market. It also
gave the company immediate market share in the writing tools
segment of the software market.

The company reported revenues of $9,040,000 and a net loss of
$677,000 for the second quarter of 1991.

For the nine months ending May 31, 1991, WordStar reported
revenues of $27,141,000 and a net loss of $2,148,000, or 15 cents
per share, prior to the one time write off. For the first nine months of
fiscal 1990, WordStar reported revenues of $27,447,000 and a net
loss of $4,127,000.

Including the write-off, WordStar reported a net loss of $1,833,000,
or 13 cents per share for the third quarter ending May 31, 1991,
and a net loss of $4,001,000, or 29 cents per share, for the nine
months.

Ronald Posner, president, chief executive officer and chairman of
the board, said: "We're particularly happy with our third quarter results,
which occurred while we added significant resources to sales,
marketing and Windows research and development to ramp up for
the successful launch of our new word processor WordStar for
Windows, this fall."

International sales in the third quarter of fiscal 1991 continued to
increase over the like time period last year and accounted for 63
percent of WordStar's total revenue for the quarter.

The company has recently open a French subsidiary, launched
three French products along with Spanish, Italian and German
versions of its flagship product WordStar 6.0.

(Ian Stokell/19910711/Press Contact: Ronald Posner, WordStar
International, 415-382-4800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 CADENCE DESIGN RESULTS LOWER THAN EXPECTED FOR 2Q 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00025)

CADENCE DESIGN RESULTS LOWER THAN EXPECTED FOR 2Q 07/11/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Cadence Design
Systems has announced preliminary results for the quarter ended June
30, 1991, which are lower than expected.

Revenues for the quarter are expected to be approximately $53 million,
which is below its revenues of $59.4 million for its first quarter ended
March 31, 1991. The company estimates earnings per share for the
quarter to be between $0.05 to $0.10 as compared with $0.20 for the first
quarter of 1991.

The company blames the decline in revenues on the "unfavorable
economic conditions that have affected the electronics industry
generally and have continued longer than anticipated." Final results
for the second quarter are expected on July 18.

Newsbytes recently reported that Cadence had formed a new
Systems Division and Consulting Services group to handle the
company's entry into the printed circuit board (PCB) design layout
and services markets.

At the same time the company signed a five-year joint technology
exchange and partnering agreement with AT&T Microelectronics.

(Ian Stokell/19910711/Press Contact: Leonard J. LeBlanc, Cadence
Design Systems., 408-944-1234)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 DIP SYSTEMS UNVEILS NEW RAM/ROM CARD STANDARD 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00026)

DIP SYSTEMS UNVEILS NEW RAM/ROM CARD STANDARD 07/11/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- DIP Systems, the company that
developed the Atari Portfolio pocket PC, has unveiled the Pico range of ROM
and RAM cards, along with a RAM card drive for desktop PCs.

The Pico cards are not just another set of ROM and RAM cards for the
Portfolio. They also fit the Hewlett-Packard 95LX notebook PC, plus, it is
claimed, any other Personal Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA)
standard notebook PC.

The PCMCIA standard is a new standard, formulated by the PCMCIA group of
notebook PC producers, of which DIP and Hewellet-Packard are both members,
under which ROM and RAM cards are designed to work in any notebook PC.
According to Peter Baldwin, marketing manager with DIP Systems, several
other PC manufacturers are poised to release notebook PCs which accept the
Pico range of cards.

"PCMCIA cards will become the 3.5-inch diskette of the pocket computing
market," said Peter Baldwin, DIP Systems' marketing director.

Interestingly, Hewlett-Packard, which also produces its own set of ROM and
RAM cards for the HP 95LX notebook PC, is actively encouraging DIP Systems
in its production of Pico cards, despite the fact that they are cheaper
than the official HP product.

Commenting on the release of the Pico range of cards, Hewlett-Packard's UK
product manager, said that nobody had a better understanding of the pocket
PC marketplace than DIP: "They virtually invented this market, and both HP
and DIP share a similar long-term view of the market in the hand held
arena," he said.

Pricing on the Pico series of RAM cards starts at UKP 70 for a 128K card,
rising to UKP 450 for a 2Mb card. A card drive which plugs into a PC's
parallel port, retails for UKP 150.

(Steve Gold/19910711/Press & Public Contact: DIP Systems - Tel: 0483-
301555)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 UK: NEW PC COMPANY DEBUTS - MAJOR PRODUCT PUSH 07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00027)

UK: NEW PC COMPANY DEBUTS - MAJOR PRODUCT PUSH 07/11/91
WINCHESTER, HANTS, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- The computer market
may be in a recession, but that doesn't mean that the time isn't
ripe to launch a new computer company. That's the philosophy of Sean
O'Leary, managing director of Taran Technology, a company new to the U.K.
computer marketplace.

Taran Technology was originally set up in January of this year as a
subsidiary of United Welsh Services, a technology holding company
capitalized at UKP 75 million. The company is headed by O'Leary, Richard
Gammage (technical director) and Andy Miles (sales manager).

The Winchester-based company is buying in components for its PCs from
around the world, and assembling them at its U.K. headquarters. Unusually,
the company has no set price list as such, but instead offers its PCs on a
highly customised basis -- the company will assemble a batch of PCs to
order for dealers.

Pricing starts at #929 for a 12MHz 286-based PC with 1MB of RAM and a 40MB
hard disk. The range then extends through six other basic machines
including a faster 286-based PC, a 386-based system with or without RAM
cahing, a 386SX and two 486-based machines running at 25 and 33MHz.

Backing up the new machines is a no-quibble on-site warranty and unlimited
telephone hotline technical support.

So why is Taran launching itself in a big way on the U.K. market in the
middle of a recession? According to O'Leary, there is a considerable need
for a quality PC supplied through good dealers. "We have good products and
intend to supply them at good prices," O'Leary told Newsbytes.

(Steve Gold/19910711)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 MITEL TOPS IN PBX SURVEY  07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00028)

MITEL TOPS IN PBX SURVEY  07/11/91
KANATA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Mitel has taken the
top spot in a customer satisfaction survey of private branch
exchange (PBX) users. The study, by San Jose, California-based
Dataquest, was the first of a series to be conducted every six
months.

Mitel spokeswoman Bonnie Perrigard said the results were "great
news for Mitel." She noted that another research organization,
Datapro, also gave Mitel a top rating last year.

The Dataquest study was based on a survey of customers, in which
users were asked about service, quality, sales representatives'
performance, commitment to the customer, value for the price, and
documentation and training.

The five PBX systems vendors scoring highest over all were Mitel,
AT&T, ROLM, Toshiba, and Northern Telecom. Mitel scored highest for
service and value for price, AT&T for quality and documentation and
training, ROLM for performance of sales representatives, and
Northern Telecom for commitment to the customer.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: Mary Hand, Dataquest,
408-437-8312; Bonnie Perrigard, Mitel, 613-592-2122)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 CANADIAN SMART CARD SYMPOSIUM SET  07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00029)

CANADIAN SMART CARD SYMPOSIUM SET  07/11/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- The Advanced Card
Technology Association of Canada will hold its annual conference
here November 20 and 21. Roland Moreno, the inventor of the smart
card, will be the keynote speaker.

Moreno came up with the idea of embedding integrated circuits in a
plastic card in the early 1970s. He obtained a patent for the idea
in 1975. Smart cards are now being used for security, medical
records, financial services, and other applications.

The Advanced Card Technology Association of Canada is a non-profit
group concerned with smart cards, magnetic-stripe cards and other
advanced card technologies. Further information on the conference
is available from ACT Canada at 416-345-8428.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: ACT Canada, 416-345-8428,
fax [phone]; Bill Robertson, for ACT Canada, 416-444-0321)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 11 NEW FOR PCS: Worksheet Optimizer for Quattro Pro  07/11/91

07/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00030)

NEW FOR PCS: Worksheet Optimizer for Quattro Pro  07/11/91
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 11 (NB) -- Brubaker
Software has begun shipping a version of Worksheet Optimizer for
Borland International's Quattro Pro spreadsheet software. Worksheet
Optimizer compresses spreadsheet data files.

Dale Brubaker, president of Brubaker Software, explained that the
software looks for inefficiencies in worksheet construction. For
instance, cells that have been formatted but contain no data waste
storage space, as do those containing "null strings" -- a label
prefix and nothing else. Worksheet Optimizer can reduce the disk
space a typical worksheet uses by 10 to 12 percent, Brubaker said.

The software also speeds worksheet recalculation by methods such as
eliminating repetitive calculations. Rather than have the same
calculation performed in 100 different cells, an optimized
worksheet will do it once in a separate cell and then refer to the
result.

The suggested retail price for Worksheet Optimizer is US$99.95.
Versions for Lotus Development's 1-2-3 and Symphony are also
available.

(Grant Buckler/19910711/Press Contact: Dale Brubaker, Brubaker
Software, 317-497-2928, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 10 PC OFFICE SHIPS TWISTED PAIR LAN WITH FIBER PERFORMANCE 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00001)

PC OFFICE SHIPS TWISTED PAIR LAN WITH FIBER PERFORMANCE 07/10/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- PC Office
Incorporated (PCOI) has announced it is shipping its T100A Network
Adapter. The T100A is the first twisted pair local area network (LAN)
adapter with Fiber Distribution Data Interface (FDDI) performance of
100 megabits-per-second (Mbps), the company claims.

The T100A Network Adapter is a 16-bit ISA-bus compatible half card,
that supports direct desk-to-desk connections without the need for a
hub, although star hubs are available, company officials said.

"We're excited about this because we can now get fiber optic
performance at the cost of copper," John Ford sales manager for CPOI
said. The T100A is priced at $595 retail, which is less than half of
other fiber optic and proprietary adapters that range in price from
$1,500 to $7,000 per adapter, the company claimed. Other fast adapters
also require the more expensive fiber optic cable, but Ford said the
T100A adapters could be connected with, "twisted pair lines most
companies probably already have in their offices right now."

The technology has patents pending, and is available through PCOI
for license to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other
manufacturers, Ford said.

The T100A Network Adapter is designed for the Novell network
standard, and comes with the card, the software drivers and diagnostic
test software for troubleshooting the network, he added.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910710/Press Contact: John Ford, PC Office, Tel:
619/273-1442, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 TANDEM, STERLING SOFTWARE IN JOINT MARKETING DEAL 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00002)

TANDEM, STERLING SOFTWARE IN JOINT MARKETING DEAL 07/10/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Tandem and
Sterling Software have announced a joint marketing strategy.

Plans call for Sterling Software to modify its Answer API mainframe
database access product to enable it to run on Tandem's Nonstop
systems. Both companies will then jointly market the ported version
worldwide.

Sterling maintains that Answer API is designed to allow users to access
and extract database information from a variety of database products,
including DB2, IMS/DB, DL/1, ADABAS, SQL/DS, IDMS and VSAM files.

Announcing the strategy, John Sims, vice president of the Tandem
Alliance Group, said: "Tandem is pleased to welcome Sterling and its
advanced interconnectivity tools to the online transaction processing
business environment.

"Sterling Software has focused on application development tools for
almost 30 years and is a leading provider of software products and
services. Together, the team of Tandem and Sterling Software offer a
powerful solution to the requirements of enterprise computing," he
added.

David K. Weir, president of Answer Systems Division, Sterling
Software, echoed Sims' obvious enthusiasm. "Tandem has
demonstrated its strategy to help software vendors and end users
develop innovative applications cost-effectively and quickly. We are
pleased to be working with a company who understands the need of
large enterprises to manage application solutions across multiple
databases," he said.

The Answer Systems division of Sterling Software is focused on
client/server applications and is headquartered at 5900 Canoga Ave.,
Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367, telephone [phone].

Tandem's company headquarters are located at 19333 Vallco
Parkway, Cupertino, Calif. 95014, telephone [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910710/Press Contact: Marti Coldwell, Sterling
Software, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 WINDOWBASE NOW DISTRIBUTED BY MERISEL 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00003)

WINDOWBASE NOW DISTRIBUTED BY MERISEL 07/10/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Software
Products International (SPI) has announced that Merisel, formerly
Softsel/Microamerica, will carry its new product, Windowbase, a
stand-alone relational database management system for Microsoft
Windows 3.0 that supports Structured Query Language (SQL).

Although several database products for the Windows environment
have been announced, Windowbase is one of the first to make it to
market. "WindowBase fills a huge gap in the Windows database
market," said Sam Hassabo, SPI's vice president of sales and
marketing.

SPI said that WindowBase allows users to input, view and update data
through forms, reports and tables. With WindowBase's form design
feature, users can easily develop forms that resemble their current
paper forms, the company said.

SPI said default forms and reports are also available so design work
is sped up, and reports can be previewed on-screen prior to printing.
Database tables can be viewed, designed or modified using table design
feature, the company added.

WindowBase also provides full support of SQL, the company said.
SPI claims that users with little or no knowledge of SQL can execute
queries via button selections, edit controls, scroll bars and check boxes.

Windowbase takes advantage of Windows' Dynamic Data Exchange
(DDE), facility, allowing users to exchange data with other popular
Windows applications such as spreadsheets, word processors,
communications and presentation graphics programs, SPI said.
Gateways to Dbase, B-trieve and SPI's Open Access data files are
also included.

WindowBase ships with both 5.25-inch and 3.5-inch formats and works
on any IBM PC AT, PS/2 or 100 percent compatible computer running
DOS version 3.1 or higher and Windows 3.0. The retail price is $495. A
dealer evaluation copy of WindowBase is available for $49 until August
31 by calling 800/MER-ISEL.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910710/Press Contact: Connie Roloff, Software
Products International, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]; Cathy
Quattrocchi, Merisel, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 RECORD SALES FOR VIDEOTECH 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00004)

RECORD SALES FOR VIDEOTECH 07/10/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Video Technology
Group has reported a record year with total sales increased by 53.5
percent to US$443 million. Profits before extraordinary items for the year
ended 31st March amounted to US$15.6 million, equivalent to 5.2 cents
per share, an increase of 79 percent over last year.

Videotech is a leading Hong Kong manufacturer of personal computers,
consumer electronics, telecommunications, audio and video products.
Its sales network encompasses North and South America, Europe and
Australia as well as Hong Kong.

Chairman Allan Wong said the group's overall sales in the U.S. rose
46.2 percent to US$280 million while sales in other markets grew by 68
percent to US$163.4 million, reflecting the expansion of the group's
marketing and distribution capability outside the U.S.

On the subject of the group's operations in China, Wong said that
Videotech moved further production facilities into the recently
completed second-phase manufacturing facilities in Dongguan last year.
"This has reduced the group's manufacturing costs considerably and
improved efficiency," he added. "We have been delighted by the quality
of production and the productivity of the workforce of Dongguan."

Wong said he considered that prospects for the group's business this
year are favourable and expected that sales for the coming year will
be higher.

(Norman Wingrove/19910710/Press contact: William Ho, Videotech, Tel +
852 665 5266, Fax + 852 510 8199; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 NEW FOR PC: Everex Unveils WYSIWYG Fax Modem 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(HKG)(00005)

NEW FOR PC: Everex Unveils WYSIWYG Fax Modem 07/10/91
KWUN TONG, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Everex Systems has
introduced an Everfax 24/96 data/fax modem with new software
capable of supporting WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) fax
transmissions.

The modem operates as either a 2400bps (bits-per-second) unit with
MNP Class 5 error correction and data compression, or as a Group III
fax modem. Everex claims that the Everfax 24/96 is capable of adding
dramatic formatting effects and graphics to fax images.

According to Everex, it Efax3 software sends and receives faxes in the
background, allowing the computer to run other applications
simultaneously. Memory requirements are 61 kilobytes (KB) on a
standard 640KB DOS machine, decreasing to 45KB if expanded
memory is used.

Other features include on-screen notification of fax transmission, the
ability to export received faxes to a PCX file format for graphics
editing, and an improved fax viewer with rotate and magnify functions.
Upgrades are available for owners of previous version of the Everfax
24/96 and Efax 2 software.

(Norman Wingrove/19910710/Press contact: Donough Foley, MDL, Tel + 852
838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 TAIWAN PRODUCTIVITY CENTER INSTALLS NOVELL LAN 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00006)

TAIWAN PRODUCTIVITY CENTER INSTALLS NOVELL LAN 07/10/91
TAIPEI, TAIWAN, 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Taiwan's China Productivity
Centre (TCPC) has installed 21 copies of Novell's Netware local area
network (LAN) operating system.

The TCPC is a quasi-government body, founded in 1955, to help train
staff and improve office performance and increase productivity.

The LANs will be used mainly as an office automation tool running
accounting, database and electronic mail applications. They have been
installed in TCPC's offices in Kaoshung, Taichung, Tainan and Taipei,
to allow for cost-effective sharing of resources. They are configured
around six AST 386C and 20 NS 386-A file servers, linking a total of
300 IBM PC compatible computers.

Future plans envisage connecting the individual LANs located at five
different sites to form a wide area network (WAN). The Novell LANs
were supplied by Novell's Taiwan distributor, Mikotek International
Corporation.

(Norman Wingrove/19910710/Press contact: Clara Shek, Tel + 852 838
3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 FBI APPROVES FINGERMATRIX ELECTRONIC FINGERPRINTING 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00007)

FBI APPROVES FINGERMATRIX ELECTRONIC FINGERPRINTING 07/10/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- North White Plains,
New York-based Fingermatrix Inc. has announced that the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has approved its live scan electronic
fingerprinting system. The agency will now accept fingerprint cards
remotely generated using this system rather than requiring hard copy
images for retention in the files of the Bureau's identification division.

The Fingermatrix Z1050R Veridex Fingerprinter has recently
completed months of testing by the Bureau and Underwriters'
Laboratories. Last July the FBI approved the general concept of
replacing the old ink-and-paper fingerprinting methods with electronic
means.

Saying in the approval letter that "the identification division
believes that live-scan fingerprinting will be (a) major contributor
to the law enforcement community," the FBI's Bruce J. Brotman said
that Fingermatrix's device "represents specific progress in the ID's
move toward a paperless identification process."

(John McCormick/19910710/Press Contact: Scott Schiller, Fingermatrix,
914-428-5441)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10  ****CHIPS AND TECHNOLOGIES CUTS STAFFING BY 5 % 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00008)

 ****CHIPS AND TECHNOLOGIES CUTS STAFFING BY 5 % 07/10/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- San Jose, California-
based Chips and Technologies has announced that it has recently
reduced its workforce by about five percent.

The reduction in the number of employees was reportedly undertaken
as part of a corporation-wide expense reduction program due to the
ongoing price competition in the PC chip set market.

Despite strong software sales, the hardware portion of the computer
industry has been suffering through a slowdown brought about partially
by the U.S. economy in general, and this slower growth has resulted in
price wars among both computer manufacturers and their suppliers.

(John McCormick/19910710/Press Contact: Gavin Bourne, Chips and
Technologies, 408-434-0600)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 ALPHA INDUSTRIES AND ITALIAN SMA IN JOINT VENTURE 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00009)

ALPHA INDUSTRIES AND ITALIAN SMA IN JOINT VENTURE 07/10/91
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Florence,
Italy's Segnalamento Marittimo ed Aereo (SMA), and Massachusetts-
based Alpha Industries, have entered into a long-term joint venture
agreement to design and manufacture Gallium Arsenide Millimeter
Wave Monolithic Integrated Circuits (GaAs MMICs) and modules for
smart sensor applications.

Under the terms of the agreement, SMA will now represent Alpha's
products in Italy and will invest $3 million in the joint venture. Plans call
for the new company to design and build components for the European
Community's telecommunications and space markets.

Alpha builds radio frequency and microwave semiconductors for
commercial and military applications, and SMA is one of the leading
European manufacturers of all kinds of radar systems.

(John McCormick/19910710/Press Contact: Liza Beth Hayman, Alpha
Industries, 617-935-5150)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 MICROSOFT TO OPEN DALLAS SUPPORT SITE 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00010)

MICROSOFT TO OPEN DALLAS SUPPORT SITE 07/10/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced plans to open its third product support services (PSS)
site in October of this year. The new site will be located in Dallas,
Texas.

The two existing PSS sites, located in Bellevue, Washington and
Charlotte, North Carolina, employ about 900 staff, who handle more
than 9,000 calls a day from end users who need assistance using
Microsoft products.

Initially the Dallas PSS site will handle inquiries about Windows,
DOS 5, and LAN Manager, expanding their support to other Microsoft
products at a later time.

Microsoft said it expects to recruit the bulk of its staff from the
student and office worker population in Dallas. Staffing is expected
to reach 100 within the first year, with additional growth in later years.

Patty Stonsifer, general manager of Product Support Services for
Microsoft said: "Microsoft is committed to its customers, and our
support services help make sure customers benefit fully from our
products." The new facility will operate from 8AM to 6PM, Monday
through Friday, Central Time.

(Jim Mallory/19910710/Press Contact:Erin Holland, Waggener Edstrom,
503-245-0905)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10  ****APPLE'S NEW COLORADO PLANT TO MAKE LAPTOPS/MAC IISI 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00011)

 ****APPLE'S NEW COLORADO PLANT TO MAKE LAPTOPS/MAC IISI 07/10/91
FOUNTAIN, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Apple Computer
has announced that its new Fountain, Colorado plant will be used to
manufacture its forthcoming portable computer.

Apple has said it hopes to introduce the new laptop model before the
end of the year. Apple's present portable has not sold well.

Portables will not be the initial units to be produced at the plant, which
Apple purchased from Data General in March of this year. Debbie
Rau, Human Resources manager for the facility said that the plant will
start out making the Macintosh IIsi, Apple's entry-level machine in
the Mac II family.

Currently, Apple makes all of its IIsi's for domestic sale in Fremont,
California. The Fountain plant will test its production capabilities
with the IIsi, which will not be sold to the public until the bugs
have been worked out of the manufacturing procedures and
equipment.

It is not known how much of the IIsi production will eventually
be moved from Fremont to Fountain.

(Jim Mallory/19910710)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 IBM TO BUNDLE MICROSOFT APPS WITH PCS FOR SCHOOLS 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012)

IBM TO BUNDLE MICROSOFT APPS WITH PCS FOR SCHOOLS 07/10/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- IBM has
announced plans to bundle Microsoft Windows 3.0 with Multimedia
Extensions, as well as Word For Windows and Excel, with PCs sold to
higher education institutions.

Called Selected Academic Solutions (SAS), various combinations of
hardware and software will be marketed to colleges and universities
for prices ranging from $1,099 to $2,549.

Said Rob Glaser, Microsoft's GM for the multimedia systems group:
"We are very excited that IBM has chosen Windows with Multimedia to
be a standard part of its Selected Academic Solutions."

Glaser added that Microsoft expects the bundled systems to expose
hundred of thousands of users to its applications and system software.

Ken Lilienfeld, manager of student and personal systems marketing at
IBM, said that the hardware/software combination are designed to meet
the needs of the academic environment, and said the strategic alliance
with Microsoft would help make that possible.

All the SAS are based on Microsoft Windows 3.0, and many also include
Windows with multimedia extensions, version 1.0, the Windows
entertainment pack, and academic versions of Word for Windows and
Microsoft Excel for Windows.

Multimedia extensions provide standard programming interfaces and
end-user support for multimedia hardware, such as compact disc
players, video disc players, and video cassette recorders. It also
enables the display, editing and storage of digital audio, animation
and motion video.

(Jim Mallory/19910710/Press Contact:Ray Bernardinelli, Waggener
Edstrom, 503-245-0905)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 MICROSOFT SHIPS MS PROJECT 1.1 FOR THE MAC 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00013)

MICROSOFT SHIPS MS PROJECT 1.1 FOR THE MAC 07/10/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Microsoft is
now shipping Version 1.1 of Microsoft Project for the Mac. The revised
package retails for $695.

Using Project, managers can schedule chart and summarize all
aspects of a project, including multiple projects. Using the task view
allows users to view project steps in a spreadsheet-like column and
row display.

A project can be initiated by creating a simple 'to-do' list or outline
the major phases of the project, then fill in the details as the project
advances. New activities can be added or deleted at any time. The
program also features a built-in outlining capability.

A Group Link feature allows the user to highlight a series of related
activities, then link them sequentially in a single icon click. Group
Edit lets the user click on the group edit icon to enter data for a
selected group of tasks or resources.

Project steps can be viewed using Gantt or PERT charts, task and
resource spreadsheets, resources histograms and resource usage
tables. Any change to data is automatically updated in all views.

(Jim Mallory/19910710/Press Contact:Sandra Pace, Waggener Edstrom,
503-245-0905)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 MULTI-USER GRAPHICS FOR SCO UNIX WITH MAXSTATION 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00014)

MULTI-USER GRAPHICS FOR SCO UNIX WITH MAXSTATION 07/10/91
FOSTER CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Maxspeed
Corporation has announced it has improved its Maxstation graphic
workstation with the addition of software drivers to support Santa
Cruz Operation's (SCO) Unix operating system, including support for
the SCO Open Desktop.

The Maxstation is an intelligent workstation, physically sized and
shaped like a small pizza box with dimensions of one-inch high by 12-
inches square, that can be connected to a host computer by adding a
network interface card to the bus of the host, said Tom Woolf, public
relations for Maxspeed. Each Maxstation unit can support a Hercules
monitor, an 103 keyboard, a serial mouse and a parallel printer, the
company said.

The new software drivers allow up to 16 users to be linked via RJ-45
telephone cable to run applications from a single Intel 80386- or 486-
based central processing unit (CPU), Maxspeed said.

The users can be linked at a fraction of the cost of integrating personal
computer (PC) workstations, as the Maxstation base unit costs $199.
Even with adding the Hercules monitor, the keyboard, a mouse and the
controller card for the host, four Maxstation units can be added for the
same cost as one and a half PC workstations, Woolf claimed.

According to the company, the graphics capabilities of the Maxstation
have attracted software developers. One group are developing an
application for the Jiffy-Lube automobile oil change chain so
mechanics can pick the type of automobile off a list, and have the
location of the oil filter graphically displayed on a Maxstation,
Woolf said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910710/Press Contact: Tom Woolf, Thomas M. Woolf
Public Relations, Tel:[phone], Fax: [phone], Wei Chang,
Maxspeed, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 LONDON'S TV WTN USES ODETRIC AUTOMATED VIDEO CART 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00015)

LONDON'S TV WTN USES ODETRIC AUTOMATED VIDEO CART 07/10/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- World-wide
Television News (WTN), the London-based international news agency,
depends heavily on the automation provided by an Odetric Broadcast
TCS2000 cart machine and traffic interface, along with an Odetics
news control terminal to allow one person, if necessary, to handle the
station's broadcasting.

Theoretically, the video cart machine could handle a full day of
broadcasting all by itself, said Pamela Rigdon manager of corporate
communications for Odetics. The cart is loaded with the tapes of what
is to be played. Then it runs through a play-list. If a tape is missing,
the cart lets the operator know well in advance, Rigdon said.

WTN says it uses the TCS2000 in play-list mode for general service
programming and on-line satellite feeds. It switches to the news
control terminal for late-breaking news.

"With the Odetics equipment, one person can sit in master control and
switch from regular programming to a late-breaking story with ease.
We couldn't do this with another system," explained Bob Howes,
WTN's manager of technical facilities.

In talking about the criteria WTN went through before making the
decision to use Odetics equipment, Howes said: "We looked at the
competition, and no other company offered the software expertise that
Odetics does. The company's reputation for reliable hardware
combined with the flexibility of their software made the selection of the
TCS2000 a straightforward one."

Odetics, headquartered in Anaheim, California, said it was the first
company to develop a robotic large library management system for
the television broadcast industry, beginning in 1985.

Odetics received an Emmy Award from the National Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences in 1990 for the library management
system. More than 120 Odetics cart machines play directly to air
throughout the world.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910710/Press Contact: Holly Barnett, Odetics, Tel:
714/774-5000, Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 NEW HANDHELD PATHFINDER MAPS WORLDWIDE LOCATION 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00016)

NEW HANDHELD PATHFINDER MAPS WORLDWIDE LOCATION 07/10/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Trimble
Navigation has announced the Pathfinder Professional, a geographic
coordinate system consisting of a handheld device that works with the
satellite Global Positioning System (GPS). The device can then be
used with any one of 68 different DOS-based mapping systems to
track the position of the user of the device anywhere in the world.

A hand-held version of this system, called Slugger by the U.S.
military, was used to outflank the Iraq troops during Operation Desert
Storm, according to Roger Betts, marketing communications manager
of the survey and mapping division of Trimble.

Betts said that 5,000 of the units were used by troop commanders to
navigate the Allied forces through a desert to the north of Kuwait. Iraqi
generals were quoted as saying they never expected anyone to use
that route because even natives get lost there.

The U.S. Forest Service has also been interested in the units for
surveying forest fire locations and for making sure logging companies
who contract with the forest service for areas of timber take the
allotted amount of timber, Betts said. Until now line-of-sight surveys
were the only way to map how much timber a contractor took, and
those surveys could take as long as two weeks. Now a forest ranger
with a Pathfinder unit can walk the area in a day and know exactly how
much timber was taken, Betts said.

Other applications include mapping wetlands for endangered species,
mapping the location of equipment -- such as telephone poles and
stations for utility companies -- and tracking vehicles such as ships
on the ocean or trucks in transport, Betts said.

The newest unit, the Pathfinder Professional, has a six-channel
receiver for as much as a 300 percent improvement in signal
reception, the company said. For work in jungles, forests and other
difficult environments, the use of six channels mean less satellite
signal interruption as opposed to the current three or four channel
systems.

The Pathfinder Professional also provides a manner of digitizing
geographic features through the customary Omnidata Polycorder or
through a Corvallis Micro Technology (CMT) device that is essentially
a bar code reader.

Betts said that one application for the bar code reader could be a
utility company service person who was tracking telephone pole
locations. The worker could move a wand over the bar code that
represents the description of the telephone pole in question, rather
than attempting to input the information each time. Both location and
description could be quickly recorded. With over 100 different types
and configurations of telephone poles, this would be a significant
convenience.

Trimble has developed a software package, Pfinder, just for the
predefinition and printing of bar codes of objects slated for location
collection.

The new handheld Pathfinder Professional retails for $15,000, and is
claimed to be accurate to within two meters, the company said. The
handheld Pathfinder Basic has a retail price of $5,500. Larger and
more accurate units that track locations within two centimeters are also
available. Shipment of the new Pathfinder Professional is planned for
this fall.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910710/Press Contact: Robert Betts, Trimble, Tel:
408/737-6915, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 'SHRINK WRAPPED' UNIX SOFTWARE BEGINS IN FALL '91 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00017)

'SHRINK WRAPPED' UNIX SOFTWARE BEGINS IN FALL '91 07/10/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Until now
software and peripherals for the Unix operating system have not
enjoyed the nationwide sales and marketing channels for reaching
end users that practically all other operating system-based software
has enjoyed. Unix Connection plans to change all that.

Unix Connection has announced it is launching a nationwide sales and
marketing strategy focused on software and peripherals for the Unix
personal computer (PC) and workstation markets.

"Most Unix customers don't know the true extent of the software
available to them," said Bill Shott, president of Unix Connection.
"Our breadth of product line means end-users will be learning about
many products which up until now have never been widely available."

"We've created an entirely new distribution channel for Unix
software," said Shott. "The response to date confirms our belief that
Unix software companies lack an effective vehicle to reach
end-users."

Unix Connection says it has agreements pending with over 50
software and hardware vendors to market and sell products, including
Framemaker, Island Graphics, Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect and Dbase IV.

The company claims that Unix PCs and workstations represent the
two largest and fastest growing segments of the Unix market and have
a U.S. installed base of nearly 1.5 million systems.

Unix Connection said the products will be marketed through a 32-page
four-color catalog containing photos and descriptions of the products
offered. The company plans to mail the catalog to 10,000 Unix
end-users later this year.

Additional product literature, demos and technical support are
available via telephone. The company will also provide next day
delivery.

Unix Connection can be reached at 474 Potrero Avenue, Sunnyvale,
California, 94086, telephone (800) 553-UNIX.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910710/Press Contact: Bill Shott, Unix Connection,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 NEW FOR IBM: Gateway Intros LAN Operating System 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00018)

NEW FOR IBM: Gateway Intros LAN Operating System 07/10/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Dubbed the
'Great OS,' by its creators, a new operating system that connects
DOS-based computers into a peer-to-peer or client/server-based
local area network (LAN) has been announced by Gateway
Communications.

Gateway maintains that the new LAN is aimed at the small- to medium-
sized business and provides distributed file sharing, electronic mail,
system management, security, backup and access to remote
communications products.

The company claims that Great OS will increase the efficiency of
personal computers (PCs) and allow workgroups to better utilize
resources, such as PC disk drives, application software, printers and
other peripherals. This is accomplished, Gateway said, because
every user on the LAN has access to every resource.

Bert Ott, vice president of Sales & Marketing at Gateway, said: "Great
OS is the ideal LAN solution for the workgroup and small company
LAN market segment because it provides complete connectivity for
information and resource access, without the need for a dedicated file
server, or network administrator. This means that a typical business
can stretch their dollars and lower their overall computing investment."

Gateway officials said that Great OS is based on DOS and written to
comply with the Open Systems Interface (OSI) seven-layer model.
According to the company, Great OS supports Microsoft Net
applications programming interfaces for multi-user programs hooks,
disk and device redirection and node naming, and all the Ethernet
Standards as well.

Gateway provides the hardware to go with the new LAN software for the
IBM personal computer and compatible market. These hardware
products include G/Ethernet and G/Ethertwist adapters, and hub
adapters that can be connected by coaxial cable, unshielded
twisted-pair or fiber optic cable, the company said.

Gateway can be contacted for further information at 2941 Alton Ave.,
Irvine, California, 92714, telephone [phone] and fax (714)553-
1616.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910710/Press Contact: Jean Taber, Gateway
Communications, Tel:[phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 IBM OPENS FIRST LENINGRAD SHOWROOM 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00019)

IBM OPENS FIRST LENINGRAD SHOWROOM 07/10/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- IBM USSR has announced it
has opened a permanent showroom in Leningrad, Russia. At the same
time, the recently-formed company has converted its existing offices in
Moscow into a learning center.

According to IBM, the changes have been carried out in cooperation
with Astryal of Leningrad, which has been IBM's business partner in
the area for some time. Robert Dunwell, IBM's director of
communications, told Newsbytes that the Leningrad move is IBM
USSR's first expansion outside of Moscow.

IBM is not resting on its laurels either. In addition to the 50-odd
employees located at its Moscow offices, plans are in hand to site
several more staff at the new Leningrad offices, and sign up more than
50 business partners, who will act as local agents across the Soviet
Union.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910710/Press contact: Robert Donwell, IBM Trade
Development, phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 PRICE CUTTING WAR STARTS IN JAPAN 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00020)

PRICE CUTTING WAR STARTS IN JAPAN 07/10/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- It is a sign of the times when PC
suppliers start getting embroiled in a price-cutting war in Japan. The
market appears to have become so saturated with machines that
several industry majors, including Apple, AST Research and IBM, have
begun lowering the cost of their PCs in a bid to boost, and in some
cases, simply maintain, their current market share.

The price cuts are considerable. Apple, for example, has slashed
pricing on its Macintosh products and laser printers by as much as 30
percent in some cases. This is despite the relative strength of the yen
against the dollar.

The Catena Group, a Japanese Compaq dealer, has cut pricing on its
PCs by between 12 and 24.4 percent. The Deskpro 486/33L, for
example, has been cut from 2.6 million to 1.98 million yen. AST Research,
meanwhile, has cut its Japanese pricing by an average of 25.2 percent.

Although the price cuts are good for the consumer in the short term,
industry analysts are worried that the price wars could escalate,
forcing some suppliers out of the Japanese market. In the longer term,
this could actually force prices up, as competition dwindles.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910710)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10  ****IBM JAPAN LINKS WITH SRA FOR UNIX WORKSTATION 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00021)

 ****IBM JAPAN LINKS WITH SRA FOR UNIX WORKSTATION 07/10/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- IBM has teamed up with SRA to
form a new company to market IBM Japan's RS/6000 workstation
series, known as the Powerstation in Japan.

Plans call for the new company to be called AIT, which will officially
come into being on September 2. The firm's capitalization has been
set at 200 million yen (around $1.5 million) with 65 percent of the
company owned by SRA, and the remainder by IBM.

SRA's executive director Nori Abe is widely expected to assume the
position of president of the new company. A senior IBM Japan
executive is expected to take on the role of vice president with AIT.

This is the first time that IBM Japan has entered into a joint venture
on Unix workstations in Japan. The company aims to generate sales
of 5,000 million yen in its first year of operation, rising quickly to
12,000 million yen by 1996. The firm's initial payroll has been set at
50 staff.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910710/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3-586-
1111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 ACC SPLITS INTO TWO FOR GOVT/COMMERCIAL MARKETS 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00022)

ACC SPLITS INTO TWO FOR GOVT/COMMERCIAL MARKETS 07/10/91
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Advanced
Computer Communications (ACC) has separated its commercial and
government business operations into two companies, with the
internetworking enterprise keeping the ACC name and continuing to
focus on development of bridge, router, and network management
products.

ACC Systems, the parent company, will concentrate on producing
military network products along with Digital Equipment and American
Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) communications products.

The separation of the two divisions began nearly two years ago with
the creation of a Government Systems Division in Columbia, Maryland.
ACC Systems, located in Columbia, provides communication front-ends
for both DEC and AT&T processors and implements specialized
network access systems and secure gateways.

A number of aerospace and other government contractors are finding it
necessary to devote more time on marketing to the government with the
reduction in U.S. military budgets, with some major contractors moving
their headquarters to the Washington area to provide for better access
of executives to government users.

(John McCormick/19910710/Press Contact: Kenneth C. Bryan, ACC Systems,
301-290-8100)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10  ****HOUSE PASSES BILL TO RELEASE FREQUENCIES 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)

 ****HOUSE PASSES BILL TO RELEASE FREQUENCIES 07/10/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- The U.S. House
unanimously passed a bill which would re-allocate 200 megahertz of
electromagnetic spectrum from military to civilian use. The bill was
passed without debate after a brief discussion of its merits by Rep.
Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who heads the House
Subcommittee on Telecommunications.

The result, if the bill becomes law, could be new services in areas of
the spectrum now left empty by military fears they might be needed in
case of war. But the bill's future remains cloudy because of a dispute
with the White House over how those new civilian frequencies will be
allocated.

A similar frequency re-allocation bill was passed by the House last
year but died in the Senate. This year, controversy exists between the
White House, which is demanding that new frequencies be auctioned to
the highest bidders, and Congress, which wants to pass them out free
after hearings are held to determine which proposals best meet the
public interest. President Bush has threatened to veto any bill
without auction authority in it, but Sen. Daniel Inouye, the bill's
Senate sponsor, has not yet budged from the position that such
auctions would discriminate against smaller companies. A veto, if
sustained by either House or Senate failing to override it with a two-
thirds majority, would kill the bill despite the support it now
enjoys.

The stakes are enormous. Cellular radio licenses were given away in
the 1980s and speculators reaped an estimated $40 to 80 billion by
winning lotteries for them, then selling the licenses to cellular
phone company operators. The Administration hopes to gain $200 billion
from auctioning the new frequencies, which amount to four times the
amount of spectrum used in cellular radio systems. The actual
frequencies to be re-allocated would be determined by the U.S.
Department of Commerce, which must negotiate with the Armed Services
on them. It's estimated that actual allocations may take 15 years in
all.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910710)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 UK TRAINERS, ACADEMY OF LEARNING, TO ENTER U.S. MARKET 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00024)

UK TRAINERS, ACADEMY OF LEARNING, TO ENTER U.S. MARKET 07/10/91
THORNHILL, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- The Academy of
Learning, a chain of computer training centers, announced plans to
invade the U.S. market later this year. Partner Ben Shtang told
Newsbytes the roll-out will be slow with methodical, with all
franchises controlled directly by the Academy, and no unlimited
`master franchises' granted.

Shtang told Newsbytes that the chain now has 50 centers throughout
Canada. Each drop-in center is an office of 1,000-1,200 square feet,
with identical appointments to save money. Courses on popular hardware
and software combine audio cassettes and workbooks, which students can
take home with them. Courses range from a $125 typing course to an
administrative assistant diploma costing $3,200.

Shtang said that, when students learn with specially modified
software, they quickly gain use of what they've learned. "When you
train on that, you get the original software at the office and wait
for the beep. Our system is based on the original software. It's
integrated with our own manual and tapes. But you run `Lotus 1-2-3'
just as you learn at the Academy."

Shtang said that, as in Canada, the Academy's centers in the U.S. will
be clustered -- there are 20 in Toronto, for instance. "We're strong
believers in giving technical support to our centers. We won't scatter
them around the U.S.," he said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910710/Press Contact: Ben Shtang, The Academy of
Learning, 416-866-8973)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 COMPUTERIZED IN-CAR MAPS - DIRECTION FOR FUTURE? 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00025)

COMPUTERIZED IN-CAR MAPS - DIRECTION FOR FUTURE? 07/10/91
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Some Chicagoans will
soon be finding their way through the city's congested traffic using a
computerized map system mounted in their vehicles.

The US Department of Transportation has announced that it will pick up
half of the $35 to $40 million cost of the "smart car" project. The
remainder will be borne by the state of Illinois, a group of Illinois
universities, and Motorola, Inc. Motorola is developing the technology
for the system.

During the five-year test program, approximately 5,000 vehicles will
be equipped with the computer, radio transmitter, CD-ROM disk player,
and dashboard display. Fay Bergemann, a spokesperson for Motorola,
told Newsbytes that the company is already getting calls from would-be
volunteers for the project. Drivers of the specially equipped cars
will receive training in the use of the system.

Once the driver tells the computer where he wants to go, an arrow
appears on the display, pointing in the direction of travel. As a turn
is approached, the arrow points in the direction of the course change,
and the system counts down visually and audibly, using a digitized
voice.

Many states have laws which prohibit the installation of television
screens in autos which can be seen by the driver. Bergemann was
uncertain how those laws might affect use of the system.

Similar systems are being testing in Orlando, Florida, Los Angeles,
California, Japan, London and Berlin.

(Jim Mallory/19910710/Press Contact:Fay Bergemann, Motorola, 708-480-
6845)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10 ****SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATES JULY 4 'LOGIC BOMBS' 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00026)

****SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATES JULY 4 'LOGIC BOMBS' 07/10/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- According to a
Pennsylvania self-confessed teenage 'hacker' known as Wing, agents
of the United States Secret Service have visited his home and that of
his friends asking questions about rumors they had allegedly received
about the planting of "July 4th logic bombs."

Wing told Newsbytes that the agents arrived at his home and requested
to talk to him about "rumors that he had planted logic bombs or
viruses to go off on the 4th of July." Wing said that, on the advise
of his father, he refused to discuss the matter with the agents.

"The last time that the Secret Service was here my father told them
not to come back again without a warrant so, when they did, I didn't
talk to them. The whole thing is ridiculous anyhow. There was
obviously no July 4th bombs and I certainly didn't plant any."

Wing also said that agents visited friends of his and "made one who is
new to computers feel that he was doing something wrong by trying to
log onto bulletin boards."

A Secret Service official, speaking to Newsbytes, confirmed that
agents had attempted to interview Wing in relation to rumors of a July
4th attack on computer systems. The official also said that, because
of Wing's juvenile status, his parents have the right to deny the
agents' request for an interview. The agent further said that, to his
knowledge, there were no cases of computer attack on the 4th of July.

Other law enforcement officials had told Newsbytes, previous to the
July 4th holiday, that they had received rumors of such a planned
attack but that they had little substantive material upon which to
base an investigation. There have also been recent reports to
Newsbytes from sysops of university and foundation computer systems in
the Boston, MA area of attempted unauthorized access by an individual
purporting to be Wing.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910710)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10  ****ACCUSATIONS FLY AS NIST SECURITY STANDARD CHALLENGED 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00027)

 ****ACCUSATIONS FLY AS NIST SECURITY STANDARD CHALLENGED 07/10/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Unconfirmed rumors abound
that a recent NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
decision to adopt a variant of what is designated the ElGamal
encryption algorithm for use by federal agencies to verify electronic
signatures on e-mail messages was pushed forward by the top-secret NSA
or National Security Agency, to ensure that the NSA could always
`break' or decrypt the messages sent using the standard system.

The NSA and NIST had been charged with developing a security system
nearly four years ago. The recently announced ElGamal algorithm was
previously due to be released last fall, and in the meantime the RSA
encryption scheme has become quite popular.

Last month the NIST announced that it was adopting a completely
different sort of public key signature verification system. This one was
evaluated and approved by the NSA, which is tasked with the creation
or selection of secure systems for federal users. Because the
federal government is such a massive software and hardware market, by
extension the NSA is essentially creating the standard for the
industry, a standard which could leave small RSA, and those who have
licensed the technology, out in the cold.

RSA President James Bidzos is quoted in Federal Computer Week as
saying: "I predict that NIST is going to catch hell from every company
that has licensed RSA."

But NIST deputy director, Raymond G. Kammer, recently told the
Technology and Competitiveness Subcommittee of the House (U.S. House
of Representatives) Science, Space and Technology Committee that
ElGamal, patented by the federal government, was chosen because it
would save federal agencies money over the private RSA encryption and
signature verification scheme.

The super-secret NSA doesn't comment on much of anything so no comment
was forthcoming from that agency, and apparently NSA has no obligation
to explain to NIST officials just why one scheme might be chosen over
another. This may seem like bureaucratic nonsense, but according to
security experts, nearly any comment made about details of a secure
system tends to compromise that system to some extent.

If made, this decision could be a major blow to RSA Data Security,
although others in the private sector may benefit,
particularly a company called Information Security Corp., 1141 Lake
Cook Rd., Ste. D, Deerfield, IL 60015. ISC appears to have the only
commercial ElGamal-based encryption software now available on the
market.

ISC's Secret Agent, which uses the ElGamal algorithm, was released at
the last FOSE or Federal Office Systems Expo in Washington. ElGamal is
also a public key system that can be used just like the RSA system but
differs from it in significant theoretical ways.

Thomas J. Venn, ISC's CEO and president, told Newsbytes that the
adoption of a slight variant of the ElGamal algorithm by the NIST as a
standard for the government is a major plus for his company.

"We feel that we will be able to implement any variation of our own
ElGamal into our present software very quickly and within a week or
two of the algorithm's release, we will be able to offer a NIST
compliant ElGamal encryption system," he said.

Although disclaiming an in-depth knowledge of the mathematics, Mr.
Venn was able to explain that the basis of the ElGamal algorithm is
quite different from that of the RSA system, deriving its security
from the difficulty of computing discrete logarithms, in finite field,
instead of using RSA's very different method of factoring the products
of two prime numbers.

Secret Agent has a list price of $249.95 for single user copies but
can go as low as $67 per user in commercial applications when site
licenses are used.

When asked how he feels the market could react to this NIST adoption
of a non-RSA standard, Venn pointed out that Microsoft had only just
begun to integrate the licensed RSA system into its products but that
Lotus Development had fully integrated the now non-NIST compliant
system into its software. Those interested in seeing how difficult it
would be to break the RSA encryption scheme can obtain a list of RSA
numbers to try cracking them. A growing prize amount is offered to
those who can crack the RSA scheme.

Send a self-addressed stamped envelope to RSA Data Security, Inc., 10
Twin Dolphin Dr.,Redwood City, CA 94065, for the RSA list and the
rules, or those with access to Internet e-mail can send a request to
[e-mail].

For further information on technologies described above, see: R. L.
Rivest, A. Shamir, and L. Adleman, `A Method for Obtaining Digital
Signatures and Public-Key Cryptosystems,' Communications of the ACM,
February 1978, and T. ElGamal, `A Public Key Cryptosystem and a
Signature Scheme Based on Discrete Logarithms,' IEEE Transactions on
Information Theory, July 1985.

(John McCormick/19910709/Press Contact: Thomas J. Venn, Information
Security Corporation, phone [phone] or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 19  ****APPLE/MICROSOFT/HP TRIAL TO START AFTER JAN, 1992 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00028)

 ****APPLE/MICROSOFT/HP TRIAL TO START AFTER JAN, 1992 07/10/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- A federal judge
has not ruled on two counter-claims filed against Apple Computer by
Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft, but has instead put the wheels in
motion for a full-blown jury trial some time after January, 1992.

At the hearing on July 8, Judge Vaughn Walker declared that January
1992 would be the end of the "discovery" period in the case -- at
which time a jury trial can begin. Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard had
argued for more time, seeking an April, 1993 end to discovery,
according to Apple spokesman Christopher Escher.

The copyright infringement case heard for three years now and brought
by Apple, argues that Microsoft's Windows and HP's NewWave graphical
user interfaces infringe upon the company's Macintosh user interface.

Two other recent motions were recently blocked by Judge Vaughn Walker,
who is hearing the case. In one, Hewlett-Packard charged that Apple
actually used fraud to obtain the original copyright. In the other,
Apple had attempted to end a licensing contract between itself and
Microsoft, under which Microsoft could legally use some of the
Macintosh software technology in its Windows software.

(Wendy Woods & Ian Stokell/19910710)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10  ****BORLAND TO ACQUIRE ASHTON-TATE 07/10/91

07/10/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00029)

 ****BORLAND TO ACQUIRE ASHTON-TATE 07/10/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- In a move
that has shocked the software publishing world, Borland International
has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ashton-Tate Corp.

Under terms of the agreement, Ashton-Tate shareholders are set to
receive a fraction of a share of Borland common stock having a market
value of $17.50 for each of their shares, provided that no less than
0.346 shares and no more than 0.398 shares will be issued for each
Ashton-Tate share.

Ashton-Tate has approximately 25.1 million shares outstanding, while
Borland has around 15 million shares outstanding.

Although the agreement 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.

It is anticipated that the transaction will be tax-free to Ashton-
Tate's shareholders and accounted for as a pooling of interests, the
accounting method that has gained so much attention through AT&T's
recent acquisition of NCR Corp. The transaction is expected to be
completed later this year.

Borland maintains that, as part of the transaction, Ashton-Tate has
granted to Borland an irrevocable option, exercisable under certain
circumstances, to acquire five million authorized but unissued Ashton-
Tate shares, or approximately 19.9 percent of Ashton-Tate's presently
outstanding shares, at a price of $17.50 per share.

The merger agreement also says that, if the transaction is not
completed, under certain circumstances, Ashton-Tate or Borland may be
required to pay a fee of $13.5 million to the other.

Commenting on the proposed transaction, Philippe Kahn, Borland's
chairman, president and CEO, said: "This transaction will allow us to
provide a full range of software products - from databases and
spreadsheets to graphics and programming languages - all designed for
client-server computing architectures on a variety of platforms. We
intend to protect customer investments in each company's products,
including Paradox and dBASE products, and provide a smooth migration
path to future technologies."

Ashton-Tate was not available to comment on Borland's announcement. It
was not clear as Newsbytes went to press what plans, if any, Borland
has for Ashton Tate's U.K. and European operations. Sources close to
Borland U.K. suggest that the European and U.K. operations will remain
as they are, separate companies to the U.S. parent operation.

(Ian Stokell/19910710/Press Contact: Dick O'Donnell, Borland
International Inc., 408-439-1624; Jill Kramer, Ashton-tate Corp., 408-
927-5070)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 10  ****DEC AXES STAFF IN U.S. & CANADA 07/10/91

07/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00030)

 ****DEC AXES STAFF IN U.S. & CANADA 07/10/91
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 10 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
has announced layoffs in its United States sales force and at its
Canadian manufacturing plant in Kanata, Ontario. Both the U.S. sales
force and the Kanata plant had seen staffing increases in recent
months.

Nikki Richardson, a spokeswoman for Digital in Maynard, said that 800
sales and sales support people will be let go as part of an ongoing
effort to reduce staff by 6,000. This is part of a total of 3,450
layoffs the company said would be necessary in January. That layoff
marked the end of Digital's long-standing tradition of not laying off
staff.

Digital's head count in sales and support had increased by about 2,500
over the past 18 months, Richardson said. The increase came through
transfers from other parts of the company, not new hiring, she added.
"We had overestimated relative to market size," Richardson admitted.
The 800 sales jobs to be lost are all in the United States, she added.
Digital has about 65,000 employees in the U.S., out of a total of
121,700 world-wide as of the end of the last fiscal quarter.

Meanwhile, Digital Equipment of Canada gave pink slips to 77 workers
at its manufacturing plant in Kanata. Ironically, the company has
hired 76 new employees at that plant since January. Spokesman David
Paolini told Newsbytes that those hired were more highly trained
employees with skills suited to producing the company's newer
products, while those now being let go worked on production of older
products such as the ageing PDP minicomputers.

In January, when the hiring began, the company expected to have enough
work for all of its staff, Paolini said. But since then, sales have
slowed.

(Grant Buckler/19910710/Press Contact: Nikki Richardson, Digital
Equipment, 508-493-6369; David Paolini, Digital Equipment of Canada,
416-597-3529)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 9  ****MICROSOFT DROPS PRICE FOR WORKS FOR THE MAC 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00001)

 ****MICROSOFT DROPS PRICE FOR WORKS FOR THE MAC 07/09/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced it has reduced the suggested price of Microsoft Works
Version 2.0 for the Macintosh in the US from $295 to $249.

The Mac program is reported to be the best selling Mac application
of all time, but a Microsoft spokesperson declined to release actual
sales figures to Newsbytes.

According to Melinda French, group product manager for Microsoft's
entry business unit, the price has been cut in order to make Works
affordable and accessible for buyers of the Mac Classic, LC and IIsi.

Another Microsoft manager told Newsbytes that the product was
getting along in years, and the retail channel is going towards
superstores and software only dealers. He said that buyers are more
price conscious and sophisticated now, and Microsoft priced the
product to get the US street price below $200. With Apple going to
lengths to lower its street prices, Microsoft wanted Works to be
commensurately lower.

French buyers are not so lucky. Works currently sells in France for the
equivalent of about $450, but in Germany it can be purchased for about
the same as the new US price. U.K. pricing is around the $500 mark,
but this relative price is rising, owing to the weakness of the pound
versus the dollar.

MS Works for the Mac is an integrated package containing a word
processor, spreadsheet, database, draw, and communications
program. Several DOS-based machines are bundled with MS Works.

(Jim Mallory/19910709/Press Contact:Laura Loftis, Waggener Edstrom,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 EXABYTE GETS $10 MILLION IN TAPE STORAGE CONTRACTS 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)

EXABYTE GETS $10 MILLION IN TAPE STORAGE CONTRACTS 07/09/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Exabyte Corp has
announced that it has signed new contracts for its 8mm cartridge tape
subsystems with four companies, with an approximate combined value
of $10 million.

The three contracts were inked with Legacy Storage Systems, a
company specializing in fault tolerance for mission critical applications
in network and multi-user environments; Lockheed Sander, a diversified
defense electronics company selling to the federal government;
Memorybank, Inc, a VAR (value-added reseller) who will sell Exabyte's
EXB-8200 and 8500 8mm tape systems with companion server disk
drives and proprietary software developed specifically for the Apple
Macintosh network environment; and Unique Digital Technology, a
VAR that sells unattended backup storage devices to the oil and gas
exploration industry.

Exabyte, slightly over five years old, had an income of $40.5 million
on sales of $170 million for the fiscal year ending December 29, 1990.
The company was selected as a finalist for the Computerworld
Smithsonian Award in the business category in May of this year.

Effective June 3, 1991 the company's stock became available for
trading on the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Pacific
Stock Exchange.

(Jim Mallory/19910709/Press Contact:Susan Solomonson, Exabyte, 303-
447-7434)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 COMPUTER SYSTEM STANDARDIZES RARE COIN GRADING 07/09/91

07/09/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

COMPUTER SYSTEM STANDARDIZES RARE COIN GRADING 07/09/91
METARIE, LOUISIANA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Rare coin collectors
and dealers no longer have to depend on a grading specialist to grade
their coins.

Compugrade, an independent coin grading service, uses a patented
computer system to determine the grade, and consequently the value,
of the coins. Compugrade says it is the first firm to offer such a service.

To grade the coin, the system scans the coin using a high definition
television camera. The location and severity of each detracting mark,
such as scratches, the luster, brightness and sharpness of detail, are
all evaluated by the computer program. Compugrade says the program
then performs millions of calculations to determine the effect of all
the data on the grade of the coin. A perfect coin receives a grade of
MS-70, with MS-60 being the lowest grade.

CompuGrade is currently grading Min-State Morgan dollars.  A coin
owner can have a Morgan dollar rated for $15. Grading standards for
additional coins are being added to the program, with the next coin type
being the St. Gaudens $20 gold coin.

Asked by Newsbytes if there were still coin experts who thought a
human could do a better job of grading, Bob Estremera of
CompuGrade replied: "there always will be." However, Estremera said
that Compugrade has an extremely high degree of acceptance within the
coin industry.

Estremera added that about four people spend the majority of their
time working to add new coins as needed. He added that the system
would not be franchised to other areas. Estremera said that grading is
only half the process required to determine the value of a coin, the other
half being authenticity. Estremera said that this one thing only a human
can do - so far.

CompuGrade can be contacted toll free at 800-748-6070.

(Jim Mallory/19910709/Press Contact: Bob Estremera, CompuGrade, 800-
748-6070)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 NO INJUNCTION AGAINST COMDISCO, COURT TELLS IBM 07/09/91

07/09/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00004)

NO INJUNCTION AGAINST COMDISCO, COURT TELLS IBM 07/09/91
ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- The Delaware
Chancery Court has ruled it has no jurisdiction over the lawsuit filed by
IBM and its subsidiary, IBM Credit Corporation, against Comdisco on
January 24, 1991.

At issue was Comdisco's subleasing and reconfiguration of IBM Credit
Corporation (ICC)-owned equipment. IBM's suit alleged
"misappropriation of computers and parts owned by IBM Credit."
ICC said the computers were illegally transferred, re-leased or sold.

IBM claimed that if a client who had leased IBM equipment through ICC
found their system was too powerful for their needs, Comdisco would
lease them a less powerful system and remove the ICC-owned system,
repackage it and re-lease it. ICC claimed in some cases they would
find they were bidding against their own equipment in a competitive
lease situation.

A few days after the initial suit was filed by ICC, Comdisco president
Kenneth Pontikes sent a letter to Comdisco's customers. In the letter,
Pontikes said: "We believe that, if successful in its ultimate objective,
IBM will restrict the free movement and remarketing of used computers.
Reconfiguring equipment is part of the normal process of subleasing
used equipment. all vendors and lessors of computer equipment,
including IBM, ICC and Comdisco, must occasionally reconfigure
equipment to meet specific users."

Industry analysts, interviewed by Newsbytes when the original suit was
filed, acknowledged that it is fairly common practice for leased
components to be transferred between machines, and the practice has
been going on for years. They said that, as long as a machine was
returned with comparable value, leasing companies have not
complained. IBM has long had a policy of only serialized IBM
components being used in an IBM system, and remaining in the same
system in which they were first installed.

Since the Chancery Court has ruled it lacks jurisdiction in this case,
the only recourse remaining to IBM is to file the suit in Delaware
Superior court within 20 days. Asked by Newsbytes if he thought that
would happen, James Hyland of Comdisco said he did not know, but he
had been told by a reporter today that an IBM spokesperson said they
would seek relief by the higher court. The Chancery Court indicated in
their ruling that rather than injunctive relief, the allegations made could
be compensable by a monetary award. "We will just wait and see what
happens", he said.

(Jim Mallory/19910709/Press Contact:James Hyland, Comdisco, 708-698-
3000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 COURT FINDS FOR AMTECH IN PATENT INFRINGEMENT SUIT 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00005)

COURT FINDS FOR AMTECH IN PATENT INFRINGEMENT SUIT 07/09/91
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Amtech Systems has
announced that it has received a favorable judgement in its three year
patent infringement lawsuit against Berkeley Classlabs.

The US District Court in San Francisco decided that Amtech is the lawful
owner of the AtmoScan program, an automated environmentally
controlled process system which improves the yields of semiconductor
manufacturers. The judgement prohibits Berkeley and its associates
from making, using or selling the infringed product for the remaining
term of the patent.

An Amtech spokesperson said that the company is satisfied with the
result of the litigation, and is investigating the possibility of recovering
damages from other parties who have used or sold Berkeley's
product.

(Jim Mallory/19910709/Press Contact:Tim Allen, Amtech, 602-967-5146)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 AUSTRALIA: GOVERNMENT IT SPENDING DOWN 25 PERCENT 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00006)

AUSTRALIA: GOVERNMENT IT SPENDING DOWN 25 PERCENT 07/09/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 9 (NB) - Preliminary figures show
that information technology (IT) spending in Australian government areas
is down 25 percent over last year. Projections show no improvement this
current year.

The Australian Financial Review newspaper reports that spending for the
year will total around US$750 million on some 14,382 contracts. The drop
is attributed to large, new contracts being started during the year, despite
the continuance of the US$500M Desine project. Large suppliers include
Ericsson and STC with communications products.

Another factor in the drop is the general industry price drop, and
lower margins due to increased competition in the recession.

(Paul Zucker/19910709)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 AUSTRALIA: PC VENDORS RATED IN MAGAZINE SURVEY 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00007)

AUSTRALIA: PC VENDORS RATED IN MAGAZINE SURVEY 07/09/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- A survey in Australian
Personal Computer magazine shows low user ratings for product
support and repairs from a number of well-known manufacturers
including Compaq, Nec, IBM and Toshiba.

High on the list were Apple, Unisys and Epson who all had satisfied
users. Ninety-five percent of Apple users said they would buy Apple
again. Despite a low rating in the survey (near the bottom), Compaq
countered with its own survey showing 96 percent satisfaction.

As shown in other polls of recent years, brand name and purchase
price usually have no bearing on overall reliability after the initial
'burn-in' period of a few weeks, during which most faults occur.

(Paul Zucker/19910709)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 NEW FOR UNIX: Cadence IntrosToolkit For Verilog HDL 07/09/91

07/09/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00008)

NEW FOR UNIX: Cadence IntrosToolkit For Verilog HDL 07/09/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Cadence
Design Systems Inc., has introduced the Open HDL Toolkit for its
Verilog hardware description language (HDL).

Bob Sullivan, vice president of marketing for Cadence's CAE division
said the toolkit makes it easier for developers to write applications
based on Verilog HDL.

"It will spur the development of more third-party tools but will also
allow developers to adapt their existing tools to work with other
Verilog HDL-based tools," he said.

The company maintains that the toolkit reads Verilog HDL source
description, verifies semantic and syntactic correctness of the
description, generates an intermediate representation and provides
a suite of access routines for manipulating this data.

Additionally, the toolkit converts the intermediate representation
back into a Verilog HDL source file to allow a design description
exported from these tools to be run on Verilog-XL and other
Verilog-based tools.

Open Verilog International (OVI) is a consortium of companies
concerned with the establishing of Verilog HDL as a public domain
language. The consortium now has 20 vendors' tools supporting the
language.

Bruce Bourbon, OVI chairman and president and CEO of Vertex
Semiconductor Corp., a subsidiary of Toshiba America said: "The
toolkit will help EDA vendors develop design automation tools based
on Verilog HDL. This will accelerate the development of new HDL
tools, a key objective of the OVI user community."

The Open HDL Toolkit is listed at $10,000, with discounts available to
OEMs (original equipment manufacturers. The company maintains that
it will be available in the third quarter of 1991 on leading Unix-based
workstations.

Cadence was recently reported in Newsbytes as forming a new
Systems Division and Consulting Services group for dealing with the
company's printed circuit board design technology and consulting
service activities.

Additionally, the company also announced a joint technology
exchange and partnering agreement with AT&T Microelectronics.

(Ian Stokell/19910709/Press Contact: Nanette Collins, Cadence Design
Systems Inc., 408-987-5206 or 415-974-1625

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Novell Intros LANalyzer Version 3.11 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00009)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Novell Intros LANalyzer Version 3.11 07/09/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Novell has
introduced version 3.11 of its LANalyzer network analyzer.

The product includes full decodes for 12 additional protocol suites,
in addition to the company's own NetWare 3.11 network operating
system. With LANalyzer, network traffic is monitored for potential
problems, acting as a sort of diagnostic network management system.

"Networks have become more heterogeneous and complex, and
customers have asked us for an analysis tool that can diagnose and
trouble-shoot all the diverse components of their information systems,"
said Duane Murray, vice president and general manager of Novell's
Network Analysis Products Division.

According to Murray, LANalyzer's built-in expertise, called the
Application Test Suite, is the result of continuing interaction with
Novell's customer base.

(Ian Stokell/19910709/Press Contact: Steve Genova, Novell Inc., 408-
473-8381)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 MULTIMEDIA HELPS SELL INSURANCE IN TORONTO 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00010)

MULTIMEDIA HELPS SELL INSURANCE IN TORONTO 07/09/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Computers are
selling insurance in a handful of Toronto stores. A local firm, O'Hara
Systems, has installed computer-based kiosks in several department
stores and food stores that can quote insurance rates and in some
cases sell policies.

The kiosks use multimedia -- interactive audio and video driven by a
computer -- to answer questions and give price quotes. Each kiosk
includes an IBM-compatible personal computer with a touch-sensitive
screen, a videodisk player, and a laser printer that produces written
price quotes. Some of the kiosks include credit-card readers so that
they can actually sell policies. Each one also includes a modem, so
rate changes can be fed to the systems remotely.

Frank O'Hara, president of O'Hara Systems, said multimedia makes
the systems easier to use than they would be if they relied on
keyboard input and text-only displays.

The kiosks have been installed in selected Sears department stores
and Food City grocery stores in greater Toronto. They have been in
place for about four months, O'Hara said. Three insurance firms are
involved with O'Hara in the project.

(Grant Buckler/19910707/Press Contact: Frank O'Hara, O'Hara Systems,
416-425-5550)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Shiva's Hublet Shares 10BaseT Ports 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00011)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Shiva's Hublet Shares 10BaseT Ports 07/09/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- A small
device from Shiva allows one 10BaseT local area network connection
support four devices.

The Hublet, smaller than an external modem, is intended as an
alternative to installing new cabling.

Charles Kronauer, product manager for the Hublet, said that the device
measures 1.2 by 3.6 by 5.7 inches and weighs seven ounces. It has a
connector at one end to attach to the existing port, and four 10BaseT
jacks at the other end. The Hublet uses a five-volt DC power adapter.
Shiva is thinking of supplying Velcro tabs so the device can be stuck
on the side of a desk, Kronauer told Newsbytes.

More PCs, Macintoshes, NeXT, or other 10BaseT workstations can be
added by daisy-chaining Hublets together -- that is, plugging one
Hublet into another. However, Kronauer said, 10BaseT standards say
there should be no more than four repeaters between any two nodes on
a network. Each Hublet counts as a repeater, and assuming one
repeater within the existing network, more than three Hublets between
any two nodes would be too much.

Kronauer said that the Hublet is meant for people who have more than
one network device in an office and for cases where users want to
expand a network quickly. It does away with the need to break open
walls to install new cabling, and is cheaper than adding a larger
repeater, he said. The device does not affect network or workstation
performance, he added.

The Shiva Hublet will be available in late July for a suggested list
price of US$399.

(Grant Buckler/19910709/Press Contact: Jennifer Curry, Shiva, 617-252-
4765)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 CUMULUS BUNDLES 386SX UPGRADE CARD WITH WINDOWS 07/09/91

07/09/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012)

CUMULUS BUNDLES 386SX UPGRADE CARD WITH WINDOWS 07/09/91
CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Cumulus Corporation
has released an Intel 80386SX upgrade card for 286 systems, and
bundled it with Microsoft Windows 3.0.

Priced at $299, the 1.5 inch square module equipped with a 16
megahertz 386SX processor, allows users of 286 systems to upgrade.
Cumulus maintains that upgraded systems will run 386-based
software without any compatibility problems. The card also provides
support for a 387SX math coprocessor. The suggested list price for
Windows 3.0 alone is $149, with the street price below $100.

Martin Alpert, Cumulus chairman said that with 386SX computer prices
rapidly declining: "It doesn't make sense to spend a great deal of
money for a 286 upgrade. We felt that in order to provide the latest
software capabilities to users of 286 computers, a 386SX processor
and Windows bundle was needed," he said.

Although the card is not being marketed as an accelerator card, the
company says it will give users a processor speed increase of up to
15 percent. Cumulus says a 286 based computer with their 386SX card
and a 387SX coprocessor will run CAD (computer-aided design)
programs up to five times faster than a system with a 286/287
combination.

Since the Cumulus card plugs into the empty 286 processor socket,
no expansion slot is needed. The unit is available in five models to
insure full compatibility with most PCs. A $25 cable kit is required
for installation of a 387SX coprocessor.

The Cumulus 386SX card is available from Sears Business Centers,
ComputerLand, MicroAge, Basic Computer, BusinessLand, JWP, Entre,
TCBC and Connecting Point.

Cumulus distributes a privately labeled line of PCs including 386SX-
and 386DX-based systems, with prices ranging from $1195 to $2095
depending on configuration. Cumulus PCs can be upgraded to 486-
based systems and are bundled with Windows, DOS and Microsoft
Works.

Jim Baxter of Cumulus told Newsbytes that the company will introduce
a 486-based system in the near future.

(Jim Mallory/19910709/Press Contact:Jim Baxter, Cumulus, 216-464-2211)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 EDS BUYS PHONE BILLING UNIT 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)

EDS BUYS PHONE BILLING UNIT 07/09/91
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- EDS,
which must expand rapidly in order to grow faster than inflation and stay
relatively independent of its parent, General Motors, has announced
another acquisition.

This time Com Systems has sold its billing and collection unit, Operator
Assistance Network (OAN), to EDS. OAN is one of the nation's largest
billing clearinghouses and financial services companies in the
telecommunications industry, with an annual transaction volume of
about $250 million. Com Systems will use cash from the transaction to
stay in the long distance business, where it has 35,000 customers in
the Western U.S.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910709)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 QUME PAYS USERS TO RECYCLE LASER PRINTER CARTRIDGES 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00014)

QUME PAYS USERS TO RECYCLE LASER PRINTER CARTRIDGES 07/09/91
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Qume has announced
it is beginning the retrieval and recycling of its Canon SX laser printer
cartridges and it is paying users $5 as well as prepaying the shipping
to get the cartridges back.

Qume officials said it is providing a pre-paid United Parcel Service
(UPS) shipping label in each SX toner cartridge box sold, so that
customers are provided a convenient means of returning the used
cartridges. For each cartridge recycled in this manner, Qume said it
will send the customer $5.

The cartridges will be checked, and the ones that are reusable will be
remanufactured, then be offered for sale by Qume as the
Environmentally Correct Cartridge (ECC). The retail price for ECCs has
been set at $89.95, but Qume said end-user pricing may be as much as
30 percent less.

Jack Marks, vice president of the supplies division for Qume said: "It
was psychologically difficult for us to begin the recycling program
because we didn't want to hurt our reputation and remanufacture can be
associated with a product being 'second-hand.' But laser printer
cartridges can be re-used between 10 and 15 times."

The Canon engine SX cartridge is the most popular cartridge on the
market, holding 70 percent of the market share, thanks mostly to the
sales of Hewlett-Packard Laserjet II series printers, Qume said.

BIS Strategic Decisions, a Massachusetts based market research firm
estimates that 2.47 million SX-type laser printers are currently in
use, consuming 8.29 million SX toner cartridges. BIS predicts these
numbers will increase to total 3.88 million laser printers consuming
13.96 million cartridges in the next three years.

Laser printer cartridge recycling is not new, and ads for the service
can be found in the back of almost any computer magazine. In fact,
entire small businesses have grown up around the laser refill
business. But reported problems with lower print yield, splattering
and greying abound, Marks said.

Marks said that Qume has gone to a great deal of effort to be sure the
ECC product is "better than new." Qume has been working with laser
printer engines since the mid 1980's and has developed an expertise
with toner, according to Marks. Qume replaces the Canon drum in the
used cartridges with a high-charge drum and then fills the drum with
'super-charge' toner.

The combination of the new drum and toner solve the problems usually
associated with the re-use of toner cartridges, Marks said. The ECC is
better than new because it produces around 5,300 copies instead of the
4,000 produced by new Canon cartridges, the blacks are blacker
because the toner is laid down more evenly and there's better
definition because the new toner stays where it's put and doesn't
splatter, said Marks.

"We're especially proud of this product because we know this thing is
better than new," he said. Even the box the toner comes in is
environmentally conscious, with light-sensitized black paper box that
fits into a brown kraft shipping box and the whole thing is completely
biodegradable, the company said.

Users and dealers are invited to call Qume for more information at
(800) 421-4ECO.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910709/Press Contact: Charles Sommerhauser, Walt &
Sommerhauser Communications, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone],
Jack Marks, Qume, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9  ****EFF TO FILE SUPREME COURT BRIEF IN MORRIS CASE 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00015)

 ****EFF TO FILE SUPREME COURT BRIEF IN MORRIS CASE 07/09/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- The Electronic Frontier
Foundation (EFF) has announced that it plans to file a 'friend of the
court' brief with the United States Supreme Court asking it to grant
certiorari to the appeal of Robert Morris, Jr., convicted in January
1990 for the 1988 release of the "Internet Worm."

Thomas Viles, attorney with Silverglate & Good representing EFF in the
case, told Newsbytes: "We will file a brief supporting Morris'
contention that the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act under which
Morris was charged is much too broad a statue. We believe that the
legislative history surrounding this act shows that the application of
it to the Morris case what was not was was intended by the lawmakers."

Morris' attorney, Thomas Guidoboni, partner with the Washington, DC
law firm Bonner & O'Connell, told Newsbytes: "We are happy with EFF's
support. The effort at this time is to get the Supreme Court
interested in the case and EFF's filing shows that there is interest
in the issues raised by the case by persons other than Robert Morris.
The people involved with the Electronic Foundation, Mitch Kapor and
his associates, are fine people and Robert and I welcome their
participation."

Morris was convicted on January 22, 1990 for his activities on
November 8, 1988, when he released a computer worm, a self-replicating
program, into computer networks that service university and military
research facilities. The worm infected and shut down an estimated
6,000 Unix-based systems attached to the Internet, Arpanet and Milnet
networks. Among those installations reporting infection were the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration facility at Moffett
Field, Calif., and the U.S. Air Force Logistics Command at Wright-
Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

Morris was sentenced May 4th to three years probation, a $10,000 fine
and 400 hours of community service. Under the ruling by U.S. District
Judge Howard Munson, Morris also has to pay costs related to the
administration of his probation. The sentencing was almost immediately
criticized from all sides with many from the law enforcement side
saying that Morris should have received a prison sentence while others
felt that, since Morris had convinced most that the damage was caused
by error rather than a malicious act, no penalty should have been
imposed.

At the time of the sentencing, Clifford Stoll, author of The Cuckoo's
Egg which depicts his lengthy tracking down of a hacker accessing
these same networks for espionage purposes, told Newsbytes "It
seems to me that it is a well-balanced good sentence. It says 'Look, if
you screw up people's work, you must pay!'. It's not a light sentence.
It'll cost him big bucks, both in the fine and his large legal fees.
Additionally, he's paying back something to the community by his
service. I think it's fair. A prison sentence would have satisfied
none but the vindictive."

The negative reaction to the decision on the part of law enforcement
officials found its way into the sentencing memorandum prepared by
Joe D. Whitney, United States Attorney for the Northern District of
Georgia and Assistant United States Attorney Kent B. Alexander for
United States District Court Judge J. Owen Forrester's consideration
in the sentencing of Robert J. Riggs, Adam E. Grant and Franklin E.
Darden, Jr. for activities involving illegal access to computer
systems of BellSouth.

The memorandum points out that the "last federally prosecuted adult
criminal hacker", Robert Morris, Jr. received probation and that that
sentence was followed very closely by "hackers" throughout the nation.
The memorandum then states: "Any sentence that does not include
incarceration would send the wrong message to the hacking community;
that is, that breaking into computer systems is not really a crime."
Riggs, Darden and Grant subsequently received prison sentences and
fines.

Katie Hafner, co-author of 'Cyberpunk: Outlaws and Hackers on the
Computer Frontier' which deals, in part, with the Morris case,
commented on the EFF announcement to Newsbytes, saying: "I think
that, if the Supreme Court agrees to review the case, Robert stands a
good chance of success.

There always seemed to be a problem with the use of this law to charge
Robert. He committed the act in November and, although it was soon
known that he was the person responsible, he was not indicted until
the following July. Additionally, he was the first person tried under
the act. It seems to me that this is an opportunity for the Supreme
Court to provide guidance in the area of computer intrusion and I hope
that it sees fit to take it."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910709/Press Contact: Gerard
van der Leun, Electronic Frontier Foundation, 617-664-0665)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 OPCOM EAST CONFERENCE SET FOR SEPTEMBER 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00016)

OPCOM EAST CONFERENCE SET FOR SEPTEMBER 07/09/91
WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- The
SoftLetter Operations Conference, dedicated to the operational
aspects of running a computer software company, has been scheduled
for this September 30 through October 4 at the Sage Howard Johnson in
Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Registration is limited to only 125 per day, but both audio and video
conference notes will be available. Conference tracks include
manufacturing, direct marketing, public relations, fulfilment, and quality
issues.

Jeffrey Tarter, editor and publisher of SoftLetter, bills this
conference as "an event designed to deliver lots of hard-to-find
technical information and graduate school-level discussions of
practical, bottom-line issues. We didn't plan to produce another
shrimp-and-schmooze celebrity festival."

Each one-day session is priced at $395. Audio or video cassettes of
sessions are $340 for all five, or $80 each.

For further information, contact SoftLetter, 17 Main Street,
Watertown, MA 02272-9154. Phone [phone] or fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910709)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 MICROSOFT JOINS TECHNOLOGY SEARCH AS SPONSOR 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00017)

MICROSOFT JOINS TECHNOLOGY SEARCH AS SPONSOR 07/09/91
LAUREL, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Paul Hazan, Johns
Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the director of the National Search
for Computing to Assist Persons with Disabilities, has announced that
Microsoft has joined the National Search as an associate sponsor.

The National Search is being conducted by Johns Hopkins, as it was
back in 1981 when it focused industry and academic developers and
researchers on the need for developing inexpensive technology to aid
the handicapped.

Hazan told Newsbytes that on a recent day the search committee had
received 68 applications and that the creativity of many of the ideas
is "superb."

The top prize of $10,000 in cash will be awarded to the winner of the
search for innovative computer-based products designed to aid the
physically or mentally disadvantaged, but there are also other prizes,
ranging from computers to certificates of achievement.

Entries will be judged by how useful they are, not how technically
sophisticated, so a simple idea will stand just as good a chance of
winning as a sophisticated computer system.

For an entry blank, write to: CAPD, P.O. Box 1200, Laurel, MD 20723.
The contest is restricted to residents of the U.S., and deadline for
submission is August 23, 1991.

The top ten finalists will go to Washington in January for final
judging and to have their entries displayed at the Smithsonian Museum.

(John McCormick/19910709)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 UNIV OF MISSOURI TELECOM CONFERENCE SET FOR FALL 07/09/91

07/09/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00018)

UNIV OF MISSOURI TELECOM CONFERENCE SET FOR FALL 07/09/91
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- The University of
Missouri-Kansas City has scheduled a conference entitled 'Competitive
Strategies for the Local Network Exchange Marketplace' for this coming
September 30 through October 2 at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas
City, Missouri.

The conference, operated by the University of MO School of Business
and Public Administration, will focus on issues like Central Office
Interconnection, Personal Communications Services, CATV, Metropolitan
Area Networks, Shared Tenant Services, and Open Network Architecture.

William T. Esrey, Chairman of United Telecommunications and US Sprint,
and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the
Honorable Alfred C. Sikes, will be the featured speakers at the
conference.

The cost of the conference is $795 for a single person, with discounts
for groups from the same company.

For further information, contact Sandra Colyer, University of
Missouri-Kansas City, Bloch School of Business & Public
Administration, 5100 Rockhill, Kansas City, MO 64110-2249. Phone 816-
235-2208 or fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910709)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 SHARP LINKS WITH OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN UK FOR RESEARCH 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00019)

SHARP LINKS WITH OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN UK FOR RESEARCH 07/09/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Sharp has announced it is entering
into a special research project with Oxford University in the U.K. The
project will concentrate on parallel processing.

According to Charles Bradley, manager of Sharp's European research and
development laboratories, official approval for the project has yet to
be granted by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in London, but it is
expected soon.

Terms of the agreement call for Sharp's European R&D division --
established in the U.K. in February, 1990 -- to offer reciprocal
services to Oxford University. The study, which will be undertaken by
staff from both the university and Sharp, will concentrate on
fundamental technologies involved in artificial intelligence (AI).

Sharp's research operations in Europe are not all as intangible as the
AI project. The Japanese giant is acknowledged as being at the
forefront of technological innovation in the areas of color liquid
crystal display (LCD) screens and colour fax/copier technology.

Not that Oxford University gets all the attention either -- Sharp has
said that it is in active discussions with 10 other British
universities concerning the possibilities of joint research. Sharp has
also begun a special study on artificial intelligence with Cardiff
University and is reported to be thinking of taking part in the
European Community's Espirit high technology project in the near
future.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910709/Press Contact: Sharp, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 NEW FOR MAC: WatchTower SNMP Network Management 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00020)

NEW FOR MAC: WatchTower SNMP Network Management 07/09/91
HERNDON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- InterCon Systems has
introduced a new network management package for the Apple Macintosh
called WatchTower.

According to the company, WatchTower gives any Macintosh computer the
capability to manage several TCP/IP-connected subnetworks. The package
can detect and isolate network failures, monitor network traffic, and
gauge network performance.

InterCon intends to display WatchTower at the Mactivity '91
Conference, July 23-25, in Santa Clara, California.

The package is based on SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and
runs on any Macintosh with 2 megabytes (MB) of RAM, System 6.0.5 or
later, and MacTCP, which is included with WatchTower.

According to the company, the MIS manager can gather information about
network performance from SNMP Agent software installed throughout a
TCP/IP-connected network. WatchTower supports a number of SNMP
management information bases (MIBs) including MIB-1 and MIB-2 agents.

WatchTower creates a map of the network topology, monitoring the
status of each device equipped with SNMP agent software displayed on
the map. Double-clicking on any map icon accesses a range of
information about that device.

WatchTower is priced at $2,495.

(Ian Stokell/19910709/Press Contact: Tom Woolf, Tom Woolf Public
Relations, Redwood City, 415-366-6231)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9  ****FTC FINDS JAPANESE GUILTY OF DUMPING SCREENS IN U.S. 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00021)

 ****FTC FINDS JAPANESE GUILTY OF DUMPING SCREENS IN U.S. 07/09/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- After nearly a year of
investigation into allegations of unfair trade practices, the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) has determined that some foreign companies
are 'dumping,' or selling their flat screen computer displays, at prices
as much as 60 percent below foreign market value. These screens are
those used on notebook and laptop computers.

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
electroluminescent technology-based computer displays.

Dumping margins, which determine the duties which could 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 and all other companies, and seven
percent for Sharp and other makers' electroluminescent screens.

Toshiba and Matsushita gas plasma screens were both given a dumping
margin rating under 0.32 percent and thus will not be 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 ITA has 45 days to determine whether the imports materially injure
or threaten injury to U.S. industry and if this determination is found
to be damaging to U.S. companies the Commerce Department will issue
orders for the Customs Service to begin collecting up to 63 percent
cash or bond anti-dumping duties.

If, however, the dumping isn't found to have injured U.S. companies,
the duties will not be imposed.

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.
Some insiders point out that, since there are no significant domestic
sources of these screens and the computer industry is relying on
notebook sales for the next big PC market, any trade sanctions imposed
against foreign producers would hurt the U.S. industry as a whole as
well as buyers.

This is essentially the same situation that occurred when memory chip
prices skyrocketed several years ago after trade sanctions were
imposed and there was insufficient U.S. manufacturing capacity to meet
domestic demand.

(John McCormick/19910709/Press Contact: Cydney Louth, ITA, 202-377-
3808)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 TSENG LABS ENHANCES ET4000 VGA PRODUCT LINE 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00022)

TSENG LABS ENHANCES ET4000 VGA PRODUCT LINE 07/09/91
NEWTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Tseng Labs
has announced that it will soon deliver the ET4000AX Revision F
microchip, a VGA graphics controller chip that adds higher performance
for graphical user interfaces such as Microsoft Windows, simplifies the
local bus interface, and supports a 16-color 1280 by 1024 pixel
display mode which produces more than one-million-pixel resolution.

Expected out in August of this year, the ET4000AX Revision F moves
the video interface from the computer's main bus to the bus between
the CPU or central processor unit and the video chipset on the
motherboard, allowing much faster video processing.

Scheduled for sampling quantity production by this fall is the
ET4000XX, a VGA chip designed specifically to address the needs of
graphical user interface users and incorporating an 'XGA-like' Windows
coprocessor. This new chip is pin-compatible with present ET4000AX
chips, which means the new chip can quickly be incorporated into
existing board designs.

Special drivers will also accelerate CAD or computer-assisted drafting
work, but the new local bus video processing means that all software
will run faster, not just the ones with special drivers.

What this all means for end users is that, on systems using the Tseng
Labs chips, Microsoft Windows will operate much faster. But users
do not have to wait for systems incorporating the new hardware for
better Windows performance because a new set of drivers for the
present ET4000AX Tseng chips will provide a three- to five-times
improvement in Windows performance. The new drivers will be out in
August.

Tseng Labs chips are used in systems built by Genoa, Orchid, Willow,
and others.

(John McCormick/19910709/Press Contact: Tseng Labs, 215-968-0502 or
fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 BLACKHAWK SEEKS SUPERVGA BETA TESTERS FOR DGT V2.21 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00023)

BLACKHAWK SEEKS SUPERVGA BETA TESTERS FOR DGT V2.21 07/09/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Blackhawk Data has
released dGT v 2.20 and is now looking for a few beta test sites for
version 2.2.

The new version will add support for Ahead Systems' Ahead 5000A;
C&T's 82c451-56 (including Boca and Cardinal OEM units); Cirrus CL-GD
500/600; Genoa 6400/6600; Oak Technologies' OTI-067; Trident
Microsystems' TVGA 8800C; Tseng Lab's ET 3000; Vision Technologies'
Everex EV; and VESA BIOS v1.1 or later, those systems which support
SuperVGA in BIOS.

Those having systems using one of the above VGA adapters and wishing
to participate in a Blackhawk Data beta test program should contact
the company at 307 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1008, Chicago, IL 60601.
The company's phone number is 312-236-8473.

Beta tests are unpaid opportunities to evaluate new products for a
company and should only be attempted by advanced computer users
associated either with companies or the press. Generally, home users
are not capable of performing proper beta testing and will normally
not be considered as beta test sites.

(John McCormick/19910709/Press Contact: Blackhawk, 312-236-8473 or fax
708-366-6809)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 INNOVATIVE ENTERPRISE NET PRODUCTS DUE AT COMNET WEST 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00024)

INNOVATIVE ENTERPRISE NET PRODUCTS DUE AT COMNET WEST 07/09/91
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- World Expo
Corporation, a division of IDG, has announced that an array of new
enterprise networking products will be introduced at this month's
first annual Communications Networks West Conference and Exposition or
ComNet West.

Scheduled to be held at San Francisco's Moscone Center on July 15 to
18, ComNet will feature Network Design and Analysis
Corp.'s new Windows-based AUTONET products for multinetwork design;
Bell Atlantic Test System's remote monitoring network analyzer, and
Cylink's FT1 Network Integrator which merges DSU, CSU, multiplexor,
cross-connect, diagnostic, and security functions into a single unit.

Other companies which have said that they will be announcing new
products include: Barr Systems, Communications Devices, Hadax
Electronics, Henderson Communications, Integrated Workstations, Net
Expert, North Hills, Nova USA, Opcom, Progressive Computing, The
Siemon Company, and TranSwitch.

More than 170 exhibitors are expected to display leading edge
networking and communications products at this first ComNet West.

For further information about ComNet West, contact World Expo Corp.,
P.O. Box 9107, Framingham, MA 01701-9107. Phone [phone] or fax
508-872-8237.

(John McCormick/19910709/Press Contact: Anne Marie Clark, Rourke &
Co., 508-777-6006)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 NEW FOR PCS: Improved Compton Encyclopedia On CD-ROM 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00025)

NEW FOR PCS: Improved Compton Encyclopedia On CD-ROM 07/09/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Britannica
Software has begun shipping an improved version of its Compton's
Multimedia Encyclopaedia for MS-DOS systems.

The new version 1.2D has one quarter more information than the
previous release, including information on the invasion of Kuwait and
post-Cold War Era negotiations between the superpowers. Improved
graphics, better search capabilities, and faster animation are some of
the improvements included in the latest version of the $795
encyclopaedia, which can be upgraded from the 1990 edition for $150.

Compton's Multimedia Encyclopaedia contains the complete text of the
26-volume print version, 15,000 illustrations, 45 animated sequences,
60 minutes of sound which includes music and excerpts from famous
speeches, the Webster Intermediate Dictionary (Merriam-Webster), the
World Atlas, and the U.S. History Timeline.

System requirements are a CD-ROM player, an IBM AT or faster system
running MS-DOS 4.01 or higher, 604 megabytes of RAM memory, VGA
graphics capability, mouse, and a minimum 20 MB hard drive.

(John McCormick/19910709/Press Contact: Roald H. Haase, Britannica
Software, 312-347-7155)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9  ****TELECOM CANADA OFFERS FAST DATA ON PHONE LINES 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00026)

 ****TELECOM CANADA OFFERS FAST DATA ON PHONE LINES 07/09/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Canadians in many areas
can now send digital data over the public telephone network at speeds
up to 56 kilobits per second, the Telecom Canada consortium has
announced. The nationwide consortium of phone companies will be
boosting that speed to 64 kilobits per second by the end of the year.

Telecom Canada's Tom Schwarzkopf told Newsbytes that the network can now
recognize a digital data signal and ensure that it is switched over
digital connections. In the past, he said, Telecom Canada could only
promise that digital data could be transferred using a modem at speeds
up to 4,800 bits per second without trouble.

The new capability will be useful for applications such as high-speed
facsimile transmission, desktop video conferencing, and Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN) calling services, Telecom Canada said.

The service is provided at regular telephone rates.

(Grant Buckler/19910709/Press Contact: Tom Schwarzkopf, Telecom
Canada, 613-560-3009 or 800-461-7800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 NEW FOR UNIX: 1-2-3 For HP Workstations 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00027)

NEW FOR UNIX: 1-2-3 For HP Workstations 07/09/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Lotus 1-2-3 for Unix
System V has been adapted to run on Hewlett-Packard Apollo 9000 Series
300 and 400 workstations, the two companies have announced. They also
plan to adapt the popular spreadsheet to HP's Series 700 workstations
and Series 800 business systems.

Lotus has produced what it calls "an optimized port" of the existing
Unix version to the HP systems, said Lotus spokeswoman Lisa Landa. The
new version can exchange data files with versions on other hardware.

"That really is the essence of our whole cross-platform strategy,"
said Mark Tolliver, marketing manager of HP's workstation systems
division.

"Lotus 1-2-3 is a de facto standard in many Fortune 100 companies.
With power PC packages like 1-2-3, HP can sell its Unix-system-based
workstations into accounts where the benefits of multitasking,
windowing and open systems are the key considerations for corporate
MIS directors," he added.

Both Lotus and HP will sell the software, HP spokesman Mark Lederhos
told Newsbytes. The price is US$695 and the software is available now.

Lederhos said HP hopes to see 1-2-3 for the Series 700 and 800
machines on the market "some time this quarter."

(Grant Buckler/19910709/Press Contact: Mark Lederhos, Hewlett-Packard,
508-256-6600 ext. 7744; Lisa Landa, Lotus Development, 617-693-1263)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9  ****NEC CUTS PRICES ON PCS, MONITORS 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00028)

 ****NEC CUTS PRICES ON PCS, MONITORS 07/09/91
BOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- NEC Technologies
has cut suggested retail prices on its monitors and its desktop and
laptop PCs. Buyers probably won't see all of the reductions, though,
because NEC's goal is to bring the official prices closer to the
street prices at which the products actually sell.

The company also announced changes in its reseller pricing program. In
effect, NEC brought suggested retail prices closer to street prices
and reduced resellers' discounts to help keep dealer pricing in line.

Suggested retail prices for about 100 products were reduced, with the
cuts averaging 28 percent, a company representative said.

"The new suggested retail prices will more closely approximate actual
street prices, giving customers a more accurate picture of NEC's
product price/performance ratios and improving NEC's competitive
position in the marketplace," said Jerry Benson, vice-president of
NEC's Graphics Business Unit.

(Grant Buckler/19910709/Press Contact: Denise Anderson, Golin/Harris
Communications for NEC, 312-836-7358
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 GOAL SYSTEMS ACQUIRES PC-BASED TRAINING PACKAGE 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00029)

GOAL SYSTEMS ACQUIRES PC-BASED TRAINING PACKAGE 07/09/91
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Goal Systems International
has acquired Teaching By Computer Inc., a Boston startup company with
a computer-based training package for Microsoft Windows and other
graphical user interfaces.

The move gives Goal, well establishing in mainframe computer-based
training, a stronger presence in the PC market. The Columbus-based
company released Phoenix Micro, a PC-based version of its Phoenix
computer-based training software, in 1986. That product is mainly
intended as a complement to the mainframe software, said Robert Nero,
president of Goal's information technology division. The Teaching By
Computer package "incorporates much more of the latest technology," he
said.

A Windows version of the package is due to be available later this
year, Nero said. Versions for OS/2, Unix, and the Apple Macintosh are
also planned. Pricing has not been set.

Goal paid about US$1 million, including cash and assumption of
liabilities, for TBC, whose handful of employees will join Goal.

(Grant Buckler/19910709/Press Contact: Brent Greer, Goal Systems
International, 614-785-2229)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 9 PROGRAMMERS, ANALYSTS STILL IN DEMAND, SURVEY FINDS 07/09/91

07/09/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00030)

PROGRAMMERS, ANALYSTS STILL IN DEMAND, SURVEY FINDS 07/09/91
CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 9 (NB) -- Programming is not dead,
according to a recent survey by the Association for Systems
Management. A survey of recent graduates from college information
systems programs found about a quarter working as programmers and some
15 percent as systems analysts.

The survey covered 1,092 alumni of college undergraduate information
systems programs in the United States. Most of those now working as
programmers had graduated in the past three years, while those working
as systems analysts, managers, or consultants had mainly been out of
school five years or more.

Though the survey found plenty of programming jobs, it also showed
that problem solving and working with end users are more and more
important skills for programmers and analysts.

Programmers listed as their five major duties, in order of importance,
programming, problem solving, analyzing systems, working with users,
and documenting systems. Systems analysts listed analyzing systems,
working with users, problem solving, documenting systems, and
programming. End-user support staff named working with users,
assisting customers, problem solving, analyzing systems, and analyzing
hardware and software.

The survey was conducted by Catharine M. Beise, Thomas C. Padgett, and
Fred J. Ganoe, of West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia, for the
ASM.

(Grant Buckler/19910709/Press Contact: Bernie Thiel, Association for
Systems Management, 216-243-6900, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUL 8 U OF WATERLOO, DIGITAL CANADA ANNOUNCE RESEARCH PROJECTS 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00001)

U OF WATERLOO, DIGITAL CANADA ANNOUNCE RESEARCH PROJECTS 07/08/91
WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- The University of
Waterloo is putting Digital Equipment workstations to work in two
new cooperative research projects. The systems will be used in
engineering education and environmental research.

Beacon II is the second phase of an engineering education project
launched in 1988. Waterloo's Engineering Education Research Centre
is acquiring 15 DECstation 5000 systems with full color graphics to
use for a variety of projects, said Evan Graham, research projects
manager. The workstations are scheduled to be installed by the end
of the first week of September.

Graham said Digital helps the university to buy the hardware,
though he would not give details. In return, Digital gets access to
the results of work done at the university, such as software
developed for the systems.

Waterloo's Faculty of Environmental Studies is using Digital
graphics workstations, of which more will be added this fall, for
work in architectural design, building modelling and rendering,
geographic information systems, and remote sensing.

(Grant Buckler/19910704/Press Contact: Jayne Guild, University of
Waterloo News Bureau, 519-888-4444)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 NEW FOR ATARI: Style And Grammar Checker Enhanced 07/08/91

07/08/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00002)

NEW FOR ATARI: Style And Grammar Checker Enhanced 07/08/91
NEPEAN, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Phil Comeau Software
has released Version 3.20 of The GramSlam Grammar and Style Checker
for Atari 16- and 32-bit computers. Company President Phil Comeau
said this is the first major upgrade of the product, which first
appeared in January.

GramSlam checks for more than 1,200 common grammar and style
errors, the company said, and suggests corrections.

Version 3.20 of GramSlam can run as a desk accessory as well as
from the desktop. This makes it easy to correct documents on the
fly, switching between GramSlam and a word processor. When GramSlam
points out an error, the user can suspend GramSlam, return to the
word processor to correct the problem, then reopen GramSlam.
GramSlam will resume checking the document from the point where it
was suspended.

GramSlam now highlights problem words and phrases with bold or red
letters. Users can select which grammar or writing-style problem
reports are printed or saved to disk. The latest release also works
with the new screen resolutions available on Atari's TT computer.
Other improvements include faster problem-file loading, more
accurate readability grade, fewer "noise" problems, and improved
compatibility with word processors, the company said.

GramSlam 3.20 is available now. The price remains at $39.95 US.
GramSlam can be purchased from Atari dealers or directly from Phil
Comeau Software at 613-825-6271. The software is available in
Canada, the United States, and Australia, Comeau said.

Until August 31, registered users can upgrade to Version 3.20 by
sending their original GramSlam diskettes and a check or money
order for US$5.00 to Phil Comeau Software.

(Grant Buckler/19910704/Press Contact: Phil Comeau, Phil Comeau
Software, 613-825-6271)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 NOVELL NET INSTALLED IN THAILAND CAR PLANT 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00003)

NOVELL NET INSTALLED IN THAILAND CAR PLANT 07/08/91
BANGKOK, THAILAND, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Thonburi Automotive Assembly
Plant Co. Ltd. (TAAP), has installed Novell's Netware 386 v3.1
from the software company's reseller, Computation Co Ltd, in a
move to enhance its service capabilities.

The Netware operating systems, installed in TAAP's head office and
assembly plant, are configured around a 33 MHz (megahertz) 80386
server, initially linking 22 80286-based workstations supporting
50 users. TAAP previously relied on an IBM/36 minicomputer to
carry out the company's sales and financial accounting tasks.

According to TAAP accounts manager, Surapee Kraitwithaya, the
company opted for Netware for its features, functionality, and
reliability. "Netware is capable of tackling tasks that used to
be handled by minicomputers," Mrs. Surapee said.

Plans are underway to expand the LAN (local-area network) by
increasing the number of nodes connected to the TAAP's server, with
the long-term objective of establishing a wide-area network (WAN).

(Norman Wingrove/19910705/Press contact: Novell, Tel + 852 601 2123,
Fax + 852 694 0818; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 NEW FOR PCS: Remote Communications Pkg For Consultants 07/08/91

07/08/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00004)

NEW FOR PCS: Remote Communications Pkg For Consultants 07/08/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- To take
advantage of the convenience of telecommuting, Sophco has
announced Offsite, a new product to allow communication,
management, troubleshooting, and diagnostics of a remote
computer. Several packages exist on the personal computer market
that allow a user to operate another computer via telephone
connections using modems, like PC Remote and Carbon Copy, but
Offsite has added features that set it apart, Sophco said.

Offsite allows the "commander side" to view the system
configuration of the remote computer through a window
on-screen. David Lowrey, part of the development team of Offsite,
said a consultant, for example, does not have to ask a novice
user at the site of the computer in question if there is
graphics available and what kind, the types of drives the
computer has, nor the type of central processing unit -- often
questions the novice user has no idea how to answer. The
consultant on the commander side simply opens a window and
types a command to get the system configuration information
needed, Lowrey said.

Over 40 commands to get specific information about the remote
system are available and a list of the commands can be accessed
by pressing the F1 key.

Offsite also provides the unique feature of storing client
system configuration records in a database on the consultant's
computer, Sophco said. Then if a problem arises, like the
battery on the client's computer goes down and the settings
that tell the computer it has a hard disk are lost, the
consultant has the old CMOS saved in a database, and can
restore the information. The database has copies of client
autoexec.bat and config.sys files, and the CMOS for each client
so the original configuration can be quickly restored, the
company said.

The program also has a script language very similar to dBASE
for writing instructions to automate routine operations, Lowrey
said.

Lowery said Offsite comes in two parts, the commander side,
also called the host, and the receiver. The commander side of
Offsite takes up around 384 kilobytes (KB) of system memory to
operate and its list cost is $295. The receiver side takes only
35 KB and costs $75.

More information is available from Sophco at P.O. Box 7430,
Boulder, CO 80306, [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910704/Press Contact: David Lowery, Sophco,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 NEW PRODUCT: Disk Integrity Checker From Australia 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00005)

NEW PRODUCT: Disk Integrity Checker From Australia 07/08/91
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- A South Australian
company has finally come to market with a 5.25" diskette tester
which verifies all aspect of a diskette's performance. The tester
is especially aimed at software houses, wholesalers, and
corporations where faulty diskettes can mean lost business.

The system was first conceived 5 years ago, when an associated
company to Specialist Magnetics (SM) began purchasing large
quantities of 5.25" diskettes from Japan and Asia. The company
was unhappy with the quality of the diskettes it was receiving
and worked with SM to develop the batch-tester. SM's MT-100
Certifier will test the entire data area of a diskette, as well
as the magnetic strength of each stored bit of information.

It will also quantify the demagnetizing and shifting effects of
adjacent bits and will check the entire surface to ensure the
diskette can be completely erased.

Other tests include the Missing Bit Test, Extra Bit Test, Bit
Shift Test, Bit Placement Test, and modulation, resolution and
relative bit amplitude tests.

Although the AUS$25,000 MT-100 Certifier faces competition from
a product made by US firm Media Logic, Maureen Bell, sales
consultant for the system, is confident the MT-100 has the
edge in ease of use and printed report formats.

(Sean McNamara/19910704/Press contact: Maureen Bell, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 AUSTRALIA: PAXUS IN TROUBLE DUE TO US WOES 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00006)

AUSTRALIA: PAXUS IN TROUBLE DUE TO US WOES 07/08/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Paxus, Australia's largest
developer of software products, has reported a loss of AUS$420,000
for the year ending March 31st. This loss was despite an increase
in earnings, from AUS$205M to AUS$240M.

Despite being one of the three largest providers to the global
insurance market, and a strengthening in the European market,
Paxus has been experiencing some trouble in Australia due to the
recession, and in the US due to the writing off of a AUS$3.15M
project with San Francisco-based Syntelligence. Paxus has now
refocused its Australian operations by consolidating its Sydney
and Canberra data centers, streamlining its MIS into a single
operation, and combining its four Sydney premises into one.

(Sean McNamara/19910704)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Comtel Datacom LAN Update 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00007)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Comtel Datacom LAN Update 07/08/91
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Comtel Datacom says
Network OS Plus, the latest version of its peer to peer local
area network (LAN) operating system is shipping. According to
Comtel, the package is NetBIOS compatible and supports more than
50 LAN network interface cards.

Unlike most of the competition, Network OS Plus does not require a
dedicated file server. Each station on the network can be a
network server, allowing any or all of the devices on the network
to be shared. Because of its devolved structure, the operating
system does not require much memory - 32K of RAM is required on
a workstation and 56K on a network server station.

The package can also be configured to load into DOS memory above
the 640K limit on suitably equipped PCs. This means that the
network operating system requires zero RAM below the DOS limit.

Comtel claims that Network OS Plus is very easy to install and is
highly secure thanks to the use of passwords and encryption system
technology. A three-user network system, including three PC
Ethernet network cards and a package of three user licences,
costs UKP 699. The cost per node is UKP 120 for the software alone.

(Steve Gold/19910704/Press & Public Contact: Comtel Datacom - Tel: 0223-
460263; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 NEW FOR PCS: Asset, Marketing Database For Windows 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00008)

NEW FOR PCS: Asset, Marketing Database For Windows 07/08/91
IPSWICH, SUFFOLK, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- MIS Developments has
unveiled Asset, a marketing database package that the company
claims has been specifically designed for the Microsoft Windows
3 GUI (graphical user interface) operating system front end. There
is also a version for the Apple Macintosh.

Announcing the immediate availability of the package Niroo Rad,
MIS Developments' managing director, said that the package offers
full multi-user capabilities supporting all major networks. Data
can be imported or exported in a variety of ways.

"The recession has greatly amplified the serious implications of
failure to effectively manage time and resources, use targeted
marketing and maintain a high level of client care - these are
just a few of the most important issues that come up again and
again," said Rad, adding: "Asset provides a very powerful weapon
in the development of effective and practical advantages and gains
against the competition."

According to Rad, Asset is already in use by more than 30 active
users. Pricing starts at UKP 1,995 and ranges up to UKP 29,000.
All versions of the software can be customized to meet customer
needs.

MIS Developments is a developer of mission critical applications.
Asset is designed for use on Windows 3 with 80286, 386 and
386SX-based hardware and the Apple Macintosh range of computers.

(Steve Gold/19910704/Press & Public Contact: MIS Developments - Tel: 0473-
280540; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 NEW BOOK: Supertech, Released in UK 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00009)

NEW BOOK: Supertech, Released in UK 07/08/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Charles Letts has secured the
U.K. and European distribution rights to "Supertech," a book
already published in the U.S. Letts is gushing in its enthusiasm,
calling the book "provocative, informative and entertaining," and
shows "the role government plays in the success of failure of the
US electronic industry and how the US can be a leader in the
future worldwide information network."

"In an easy to follow style, Donlan, a Washington editor of
Barron's National Business and Finance Weekly, offers readers and
insight into tomorrow's critical technologies and helps them
understand how laws, regulations and economic structures can
foster or abort new technologies." The 342-page book will retail
for UKP 17.99 and goes on sale immediately.

(Steve Gold/19910704/Press & Public Contact: Charles Letts - Tel: 071-407-
8891; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 SOFTWARE TO AID EUROPEAN RACE DRIVER 07/08/91

07/08/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00010)

SOFTWARE TO AID EUROPEAN RACE DRIVER 07/08/91
HALESOWEN, WEST MIDLANDS, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Navigator,
the route-planning software for the IBM PC and close compatibles,
looks like it may go into the Guinness Book of Records. Paul
Palmer, the managing director of Distribution Planning Software,
has announced plans to drive a Mercedes 300 SE car with his
company's package, Navigator, running on a laptop,
planning the route.

Palmer is entering his car, donated by Mercedes, which is also
paying for the fuel used on the trip, in the Euro Auto Challenge,
a new competition that has been accepted as a new category in the
Guinness Book of Records. Media interest in the event includes a
live TV broadcast planned for the New Years Day section of the race.

The object of the event is to visit all 12 European
Community (EC) countries in the shortest time using a car and a
team of drivers. A tachograph in the car will monitor the speed
of the car to ensure that relevant speed limits are respected.

Palmer is supremely confident that Navigator will enable him to
win, even if his own driving talents are not above the
competition: "The other entrants in the race are using manual
navigation processes, but by using Navigator, a system that has
been tried and tested very successfully by numerous distribution
companies," he said, "I believe my chances of
winning are greatly enhanced."

(Steve Gold/19910704/Press Contact: Distribution Planning
Software - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8  ****HDTV GRAPHIC EDITOR FOR MACINTOSH DEBUTS 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00011)

 ****HDTV GRAPHIC EDITOR FOR MACINTOSH DEBUTS 07/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JULY 8 (NB) -- Tokyo-based software firm
Nack has developed a graphic editing system which supports
video images created for high definition TV. This system called
Hyper-graphy operates on Apple's Macintosh.

Hyper-graphy consists of the software, a memory board, and
a control board. With this system, extremely crisp pictures
can be taken into the Macintosh and edited. The software
includes a technical editing feature that enables the cutting
and painting of 3-dimension pictures.

The system is for the Muse type of high definition TV broadcasting,
which is already broadcasted by NHK in Japan on an experimental
basis. The Nack spokesman says there is no plan to release a
version for the American or European HDTV standards at present,
however, the Hyper-graphy system can easily be adapted to such
different systems. The firm may release systems for the other
standards when broadcasting starts in those areas, he said.

The Hyper-graphy system costs a whopping 3.8 million yen ($2,800).
Nack aims to sells the system to public libraries, museums, or
laboratories.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910701/Press Contact: Nack, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 AUSTRALIA: ERICSSON STRIKE OVER, 1100 RETURN TO WORK 07/08/91

07/08/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00012)

AUSTRALIA: ERICSSON STRIKE OVER, 1100 RETURN TO WORK 07/08/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- The strike at Ericsson's
Australian factory is over, with employees gaining a small package
of improvements. The Swedish telecommunications company
manufactures PABXs and other telephone equipment in Australia for
local consumption and export.

After weeks of stoppages, and 12 working days of complete shutdown,
the employees have accepted company offers of 2.5 percent wage, 4.5
percent productivity-based and 1 percent superannuation increases.
Total cost to the company is believed to exceed US$20M.

(Paul Zucker/19910708)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 AUSTRALIAN TELECOM SUPPLIER TO ASSIST SOVIET REPUBLIC 07/08/91

07/08/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00013)

AUSTRALIAN TELECOM SUPPLIER TO ASSIST SOVIET REPUBLIC 07/08/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- OTC, Australia's international
carrier, has signed a deal to provide international communications
assistance to the Soviet republic of Kazakhstan.

Kaztelecom (the Kazakh telecommunications carrier) will receive a
number of installations and programs from OTC, including an
Australian-designed satellite earth station which will connect
Kazakhstan to the rest of the world via Intelsat satellites. There
will also be an international digital exchange and training for the
local support staff.

Kazakhstan is in central Asia (bordering China) and has a population
of 17 million people. Products include sheep, cattle, wheat, and
minerals. The main Soviet space centre is in the republic.

(Paul Zucker/19910708)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 AUSTRALIA: VAMPIRE LESBIANS PROVOKE TELECOM OUTRAGE 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00014)

AUSTRALIA: VAMPIRE LESBIANS PROVOKE TELECOM OUTRAGE 07/08/91
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Australia's phone company,
Telecom, has been severely criticized after saying it can't police the
standards of messages on 0055 pay-for-message services. These are
essentially Australian versions of "900" services in the US, in
which callers pay by the minute with both the called firm, and the
phone company, receiving a cut.

The incident which has prompted public outcry is a thinly disguised
recreation of a recent, bizarre murder case. It the real incident, a
three lesbian lovers were jailed after picking up a man at a nightclub
and taking him to a deserted place where they ceremonially killed him
and drank his blood in self-confessed "vampire" fashion.

The mimic phone service is called Lesbian Vampires, and is a recorded
story with almost identical facts, including names. The wife of the
victim, Elaine Baldock, says she can't believe Telecom could be so
callous, forcing her to relive the horror of her husband's death. The
message is produced by the Acetal company in Melbourne.

(Paul Zucker/19910708)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 SEQUENT TO LAY OFF UP TO 9% OF WORKERS 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00015)

SEQUENT TO LAY OFF UP TO 9% OF WORKERS 07/08/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Sequent Computers
has confirmed that it will lay off as many as nine percent of its
workforce by July 15. Sequent employs about 1700 people
worldwide. The company also said it is getting out of the OEM
(original equipment manufacturing) business.

Sequent said the combined impact of the recession and a
significant decline in orders from its OEM customers has caused
it to restructure and implement significant cost cutting
measures, including the workforce reduction.

Sequent said it expects revenues in the $49 to $51 million range
for the second quarter. That's an increase from the $47.9
million reported for the first quarter, but a significant
reduction over the second quarter one year ago when the company
had revenues of $58.2 million. The company also had no
significant tax-loss carryback benefit.

Scott Gibson, Sequent president, characterized the second quarter
as "particularly frustrating." Said Gibson, "While our primary
business of selling computers directly to end-user commercial
customers continues to grow significantly, the recession gripping
this industry is not allowing us to grow fast enough to offset
the decline in our sale to OEM customers."

Gibson said sales to end-users are up approximately 20% over the
first quarter of 1991, but OEM sales were only about 50 percent
of the previous quarter. Sequent said its largest OEM customer,
Unisys Corporation, has been experiencing financial problems from
the recession, hampering its ability to resell Sequent systems.

Casey Powell, Sequent chairman, said the company sees little
evidence of the recession industry. According to Powell, "We
don't believe it will soon improve.

Powell said other moves by Sequent to control costs will include
severely restricting capital purchases, reducing travel costs,
and instituting a salary freeze.

(Jim Mallory/19910707/Press Contact:Bill Trainer, Sequent,
503-626-5700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8  ****MOSCOW: LOCALS TAKE CONTROL OF PHONE PRICES 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00016)

 ****MOSCOW: LOCALS TAKE CONTROL OF PHONE PRICES 07/08/91
SMOLENSK, RUSSIA, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Local communications
authorities in Smolensk have decided to raise phone tariffs in the
region. The move, supported by the local Soviet (council), is the
first such move in Soviet telecommunications history. Previously,
the job of setting up a phone tariffs was the business of the
central Ministry of Communications and other organizations.

According to a Radio Russia report, installation of a phone in
the Smolensk region has risen in price 50 percent while fixed
monthly fees have doubled. Companies and other organizations have
been hit the hardest -- the same services for local companies
are 10 times more expensive than for the general public.

Radio Russia criticized the move saying it is yet another price
rise which will hit local residents.

Representatives of the Soviet Ministry of Communications were
unavailable for comment.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910705)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 MOSCOW: FIRST WIRE FRAUD CASE REPORTED 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00017)

MOSCOW: FIRST WIRE FRAUD CASE REPORTED 07/08/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- The Komsomolskaya Pravda Daily
newspaper reports what may be the first case of wire fraud in the
Soviet Union. The paper says a team of four people may have
conspired to steal more than 500,000 rubles (US$17,000) by means
of a hundred illegal telegraph money transfers.

One of the gang, code-named Kisa, a technician at the telegraph
station, had acquired technical details about the code which is
used countrywide to send telegraph transfers between post offices.
Telegraph transfer via the post office is the most popular way
to wire funds.

The gang was said to be intercepted by a cautious postal worker
in a small town in the Vladimir region of Russia.

The accused are awaiting court action in prison, according to the
newspaper.

Two investigators from the Russian Interior ministry, involved in
the case, were unavailable for comment at deadline.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910705)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 MOSCOW: PRAVDA APOLOGIZES TO ASCII CORP. 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00018)

MOSCOW: PRAVDA APOLOGIZES TO ASCII CORP. 07/08/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Pravda, the Communist Party
newspaper has publicly apologized to ASCII Corporation, a
Japanese firm which it lambasted in a February 14 article. The
paper had accused ASCII Corp. of illegally obtaining programs that
were submitted to a contest held in the Soviet Union in December
1990.

Pravda said it falsely accused ASCII Corp, Shinjidai-Sha
Corporation, and Mr Hajime Kato of Shinjidai-Sha. The newspaper
says the incorrect report was based on information from U.S.S.R.
Education Committee sources. The main speculation that "cooperative
organizations" allegedly exported some 800 games to Japan appeared
to be incorrect.

According to Alexander Giglavy, scientific director of Computer
Lycee, one of contest organizers, the Pravda February 14
article was designed to denigrate key persons in the Soviet
Education Committee. "It was only an 'apparatchik's' game to drop
Jagodin, the committee chief, from his post during one of
the bureaucratic reorganizations early this year," Giglavy told
Newsbytes.

The article covering one third of the newspaper's last page, was
signed by Pravda's editor.

ASCII Corporation is a Japanese company which supplied more
than 50,000 Yamaha MSX computers to schools in the U.S.S.R.
last years.

"Thank God I'm no longer the crook-'cooperator' who stole 800 disks
with programs and sold them abroad, as Pravda tried to
prove. Everything is OK now," Giglavy stressed, "Our computer school
is running. The story and the contest coverage is finally over,"
he concluded.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910705)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8  ****WORLD-SMALLEST MOBILE PHONE DEVELOPED BY NEC 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00019)

 ****WORLD-SMALLEST MOBILE PHONE DEVELOPED BY NEC 07/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- NEC has developed a 195 gram
(.42 pound) digital mobile phone. It is slightly larger than NTT's
analog mobile phone "Mova" but is smaller than Motorola's Microtac.
The firm claims it is the smallest digital mobile phone in the world.

NEC's latest digital mobile phone was developed with a
technology created by NTT. According to an industry watcher,
Japan's former telecom monopoly NTT successfully reduced the size of
the cordic circuit, which is the voice coding part of the digital
phone. The size of the cordic circuit has been considered the
stumbling block in front of the task of miniaturizing digital mobile
phones. Consequently this accomplishment is being eyed as a
breakthrough in phone construction.

NTT and NEC, are in fact partners, codeveloping mobile
phones. Other partners include Fujitsu, Matsushita, Mitsubishi
and Motorola. NTT has given technical information on the cordic
circuit technology to all the partners including NEC. So, the
other partners are also expected to develop lightweight mobile
phones in the near future.

Mobile digital phone service is expected to start in Tokyo
in the fall of 1992. The service area will be limited at first.
Digital phones are not compatible with current analog phones so
the rise in popularity of the phones is expected to take a few
years.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910708/Press Contact: NEC, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 MATSUSHITA LICENSES DIGITAL TAPE TO THIRD PARTIES 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00020)

MATSUSHITA LICENSES DIGITAL TAPE TO THIRD PARTIES 07/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Matsushita Electric says it will
share its digital compact cassette tape (DCC) technology,
jointly developed with Philips in the Netherlands, with third
parties. The aim is to make the digital tape format, which
competes against digital audio tape or DAT format, a standard
in the industry.

DCC looks similar to digital audio tape (DAT) but the major
difference is its compatibility to current analog audio tapes.
The lower half of the tape is allocated for analog data, making
it readable by existing analog cassette tape recorders.

DAT is not yet popular mainly due to concerns raised about music
copyright infringement. So, Matsushita and Philips have developed
this new format. Both firms want the format to be accepted by the
industry as well as consumers and have decided to license
the technology to third parties.

Meanwhile, Sony has developed another digital disk format dubbed
the "Mini-disk" which is based on a 2.5-inch optical disk. It has
a digital recording and playback feature. Many industry watchers
say the Mini-disk has more potential than DCC and DAT.
Interestingly, the Nikkei says Sony will propose that Matsushita and
Philips next support technologies to make DCC compatible with the
Mini-disk. Both formats record data in 4-bit chunks. So, it should
not be technically difficult to be compatible.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910708/Press Contact: Matsushita, +81-3-
3436-2691, Sony, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 RASTEROPS CUTS PRICE OF MAC 24-BIT COLOR VIDEO 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00021)

RASTEROPS CUTS PRICE OF MAC 24-BIT COLOR VIDEO 07/08/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Following the
company's recent deal with Sony to produce a 24-bit color and video
display adapter for Sony's NEWS workstation, RasterOps has now
reduced the price of its popular Video ColorBoard 364 to $999 from
$1,295 for Apple Macintosh systems.

The company claims that the RasterOps Video ColorBoard 364 was
the industry's first 24-bit color graphics product with real-time video
capabilities for Macintosh 13-inch systems when it was introduced in
1990.

"By lowering the entry point to 24-bit color and integrated video,"
said Amanda North, vice president of marketing for RasterOps, "we
hope to make it possible for everyone who wants these features at
their fingertips to have them. At this aggressive pricing, we expect to
see the use of desktop video grow rapidly."

According to RasterOps, the 364 is a single NuBus slot board which
integrates full-motion video in 24-bit color from any NTSC source,
such as a laser disk, and displays it in real-time on any Apple 13-inch
or compatible monitor.

Under the terms of the recent OEM (original equipment manufacturing)
agreement with Sony, RasterOps will supply a single-slot display card
that combines 24-bit True Color graphics and full-motion television/video
input at resolutions up to 1280 by 1024 pixels, called the Sony MS24
color display adapter.

The company has a U.S. patent application pending relating to live
video capture without overlay memory. Recently, the Patent Office
indicated the allowability of several important claims, directed at
a scan conversion method and apparatus.

RasterOps is also in the process of acquiring Truevision Inc.,
a similar company that manufactures video products for the IBM
and compatible market. RasterOps produces products mainly
for the Macintosh platform. The deal should be completed
sometime in August following the issuance of 2.8 million
shares of RasterOps common stock in exchange for all existing
Truevision capital stock.

(Ian Stokell/19910708/Press Contact: Pattie Walters, RasterOps Corp.,
408-562-4200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 AUTODESK RENEWS AUTOCAD AEC LICENSE WITH ASG 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00022)

AUTODESK RENEWS AUTOCAD AEC LICENSE WITH ASG 07/08/91
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Following the
recent major restructuring of its business operations, Autodesk
Inc., its United Kingdom subsidiary Autodesk Ltd., and ASG, a
privately held computer-aided design (CAD) software applications
developer, have agreed to renew Autodesk Ltd.'s exclusive
license for AutoCAD AEC.

The license encompasses the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland,
Luxembourg, and The Netherlands.

AutoCAD AEC is a construction application that was developed in
the United States by ASG and modified by Autodesk Ltd. for the UK
market. According to the company, the license agreement protects
Autodesk's investment in the UK version of the software.

ASG maintains that the extended license provides the company
with more funds to invest in research and development.

In 1989, Autodesk left the applications market to focus on its
AutoCAD product, and intensified its work with third-party
developers like ASG to build market-specific applications for
AutoCAD. Autodesk returned the licenses of AutoCAD AEC's US
versions to ASG, its original developer.

Autodesk's recent restructuring split the company into three entities:
business units, which generate revenues; service centers, which supply
services and bill costs to the business units; and corporate functions,
which provide such corporate needs as legal and financial services.

Newsbytes recently reported that the Moscow-based Soviet-British
joint-venture, Parallel, will become Autodesk U.S.S.R.'s 100%-owned
subsidiary in early fall. Parallel is currently the only AutoCAD
distributor in the Soviet Union.

(Ian Stokell/19910708/Press Contact: Eveline A. Kowtko, ASG,
415-332-2123)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 MICRO LINEAR PLANT TO SUPPLY CHIPS FOR MULTIMEDIA, LAPTOPS 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00023)

MICRO LINEAR PLANT TO SUPPLY CHIPS FOR MULTIMEDIA, LAPTOPS 07/08/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Micro Linear
announced it has started to build a facility to manufacture
mixed-signal and analog integrated circuits, chips designed
for emerging new applications in laptops and multimedia
networks.

The company said when the plant is scheduled to be ready for
production in the Spring of 1992. At that time, the plant is
expected to supplement the company's growing needs for chips.

The mixed-signal chips are critical to the production of the
2.5-inch disk drives used in palm-sized computers and small
laptops, the company said. The chips are also planned for use
in up-and-coming multimedia networks, such as fiber optic data
distribution interface (FDDI), envisioned to allow computer
users to share pictures, video, and sound, Micro Linear said.

Art Stabenow, Micro Linear's president and chief executive
officer, said, "The new 14,000 square-foot facility is very
important to our company's future. Today our mixed-signal
devices are produced by outside companies, known as foundries,
that do contract wafer manufacturing.

"Although these companies have done an excellent job of
manufacturing our current products, they simply don't have the
technology to make the new chips that we expect to be
introducing next year.

"Also, by having our own facility, we can shorten delivery time
to our customers and significantly cut development time on our
next generation of chips."

The mixed-signal chips are semiconductors, but with a new
twist. They contain both digital and analog elements, which
allows them to "think" like a computer on the digital side, but
do sensor reading, control motors and produce sound on the
analog side, Micro Linear said. Because of the special
capabilities of these chips, one of them can replace several
conventional chips, so the physical size requirements of
products can be cut, while performance is boosted, the company
said.

The new facility is being designed so six-inch wafers will be
built instead of the conventional four-inch wafers. The
company says this will allow more chips to be built each
production run, and thereby reduce production costs.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910708/Press Contact: Charles Gopen, San
Jose, Tel: [phone], Fax:[phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 NEW PCS: Toshiba T2000 Notebook Models 07/08/91

07/08/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)

NEW PCS: Toshiba T2000 Notebook Models 07/08/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Toshiba has
announced it is adding three new notebook models, the T2000,
T2000SXe, and the T2000SX.

The new T2000 is a 286, 12 megahertz (MHZ) computer with a 40
megabyte (MB) hard disk, weighing in a 6.9 pounds and is only
1.9 inches thick, the company said. Like all T2000 series
notebook computers, this one has a sidelit VGA display, Toshiba
said.

The T2000SXe is a 386SX, 20 MHZ machine that comes with 2 MB of
random access memory (expandable to 10 MB) and a hard disk, the
company said.

Add a 60 MB hard disk to the T2000SXe and it is the T2000SX,
Toshiba said.

Toshiba said it has designed the new notebook computers for the
traveling professional. Additional product information is
available toll-free at [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910708/Press Contact: Megan Manning,
Toshiba, Tel: [phone], Fax:[phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 TEXAS MICRO COMPUTERIZES CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE 07/08/91

07/08/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00025)

TEXAS MICRO COMPUTERIZES CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE 07/08/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- The Chicago Board of Trade
(CBOT) has awarded Texas Microsystems Inc. (TMI), a multimillion
dollar contract to supply computers for use on the futures and
options trading floor.

TMI will provide a system which uses two complete PCs inside a
single chassis. A small footprint, dual CPU system, with two
monitors and keyboards, is essential, since the space occupied by
two brokers is extremely cramped. The TMI units footprint is
12.5 inches wide by seven inches high by 14 inches deep.

Currently, paper trading slips recording each sale are collected
and entered into CBOT's computer system at the end of the trading
day, often requiring all night to complete.

As reported earlier this year, CBOT is also testing a system of
hand-held computers, weighing less than one pound, for use by
traders. Mark Prout of CBOT told Newsbytes that system is
expected to be tested in live trading by the end
of the year. CBOT expects to have the paper slips eliminated
entirely within the next few years. Asked about the frequency
that errors in transaction recording occur, Prout said that error
correction was a significant cost of doing business. CBOT
committed $2.5 million to installing the hand-held system for
traders.

(Jim Mallory/19910708/Press Contact: Beth Miller, TMI,
713-933-8050)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 IBM & ENCORE TO RE-BID NASA CONTRACT 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00026)

IBM & ENCORE TO RE-BID NASA CONTRACT 07/08/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Encore
Computer Corp. has announced that it has received notification
from NASA that the agency is withdrawing its initial selection
of International Business Machines for award of the Operations
Automatic Data Processing (OADP) computer requirements
contract. Encore had, in June, publicly asked NASA to
reconsider the award to IBM.

According to Encore's release, Encore and IBM will refile best and
final offers (BAFOs) for the award and that the re-BAFO will be
limited solely to price. The reason for the price-only consideration,
according to Encore, is that both IBM and Encore "were found to be
compliant with all aspects of the solicitation including the
demanding technical and performance requirements."

Announcing the decision by NASA, Kenneth G. Fisher, Encore
chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Our company's strategy
and our NASA bid is in line with the industry trend of
Unix and microprocessor-based systems to replace traditional
mainframes. It is to NASA's credit that the agency is
requesting a re-BAFO to assure their selection provides leading
edge technology at a substantial savings to the American
taxpayers."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Charles S.
Anderson, Encore Computer Corp., 305-797-5605/19910708)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8  ****HEARING DUE IN APPLE/MICROSOFT/HP SUIT 07/08/91

07/08/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

 ****HEARING DUE IN APPLE/MICROSOFT/HP SUIT 07/08/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- A hearing
is due today in the computer industry's ongoing soap opera
between Apple Computer, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard.

The copyright infringement case, brought by Apple, argues
that Microsoft's Windows and HP's NewWave graphical user
interfaces infringe upon the company's Macintosh user interface.

The case, which has been going on for three years, could now
be close to either a dismissal or a jury trial. The hearing today
could help put an end to the speculation.

A motion by HP was recently blocked by a federal judge, in
which the company charged that Apple actually used fraud to
obtain the original copyright.

Another motion was recently blocked by Judge Vaughn Walker,
in which Apple had attempted to end a licensing contract
between itself and Microsoft, under which Microsoft could legally
use some of the Macintosh software technology in its Windows
software.

(Ian Stokell/19910708)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 PHONE SYSTEM PROBLEMS: BLAME IS ASSESSED 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)

PHONE SYSTEM PROBLEMS: BLAME IS ASSESSED 07/08/91
PLANO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- The stock of DSC
Communications lost half its value after its Signal Transfer
Points were blamed for phone service outages in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Maryland, and Los Angeles, California
which impacted millions of people. DSC worked on patches to its
software while spokesman Terry Adams denied full blame. DSC is a
$500 million company founded in 1978 which supplies e-mail,
networking, multiplexer, and other communications-related
hardware and software.

But some observers are wondering if there isn't more blame to go
around. At issue is Common Channel Signaling 7 technology,
sometimes called Signaling System 7. CCS7, or SS7, is a key point
in turning today's analog network digital under Integrated
Services Digital Network, or ISDN standards. CCS7 depends on
complex software housed in STPs like those made by DSC. In the
last 18 months CCS7 problems have been linked to all three local
problems, and a national outage at AT&T in January, 1990.

Analysts have been quoted as saying the local companies must make
their STPs redundant -- that is, double the number of routes a
call can pass through -- before they can risk linking their
networks using the technology.

CCS7 or SS7 provides what's called network surveillance. With the
separation of signaling from the voice network, thousands of
subscribers are carried on each link, making any downtime for a
switch node extremely expensive.

Two movements are resulting from all this. Experts are advising
large companies to make sure they have alternate means of sending
messages, giving a boost to secondary long-distance carriers like
MCI and bypass companies like Teleport and Metropolitan Fiber
Systems. Both those companies want the FCC to give them final
approval for a link between their networks and the regular phone
networks, and the recent outages will strengthen their case.

Second, the delivery of national ISDN services may be delayed as
companies beef up their networks. New York's Public Service
Commission is presently holding hearings on New York Telephone's
plans to upgrade its network, and the recent outages may cause
more demands for increased spending.

Meanwhile, DSC sent out a press release late on July 5, co-signed
by Pacific Bell, Bell Atlantic, and Bellcore, the research arm of
the Bell operating companies, saying that it is working on a permanent
patch for the STPs which it denied were solely at fault when
power surges disrupted service. The company did report that its
lab technicians were able to recreate a "trigger event" in the
form of a power surge, which could have caused network
congestion, resulting in a backup of traffic in the STPs. The fix
works a little like a fuse on a power line, keeping surges from
affecting other elements of the line. Attempts by Newsbytes to
interview DSC directly about the problems were unsuccessful.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910705)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 COMPUTER SCIENCES BUYS COMPUSOURCE 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00029)

COMPUTER SCIENCES BUYS COMPUSOURCE 07/08/91
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Compusource,
a Raleigh, North Carolina-based firm specializing in data
and disaster recovery services for information systems and
data processing operations, has been purchased by Computer
Sciences Corporation for an undisclosed sum.

The privately held Compusource, with annual revenues of over $20
million, is made up of two companies: Research Triangle Time
Sharing Corp. and Provident Recovery Systems Inc. CompuSource
maintains data centers in North Carolina, Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and says it provides services to over
300 clients. Computer Sciences says the firm will operate as a
business unit of its Industry Services Group which provides
services for the New York State Department of Social Services,
the National Flood Insurance Program, the Department of
Labor's black-lung disease health-benefits program, the New Jersey
Department of Insurance and a wide range of commercial businesses.

"CompuSource greatly enhances our ability to expand our
outsourcing services in the commercial insurance market, and also
to gain valuable access to additional opportunities in the
financial services marketplace," said Van B. Honeycutt, president
of CSC's Industry Services Group in a prepared statement.

CSC says it will make the acquisition through CSC Enterprises, a
partnership in which it owns 97.1 percent, formed with Equifax
Inc., to carry out investments and CSC's credit services
operations.

With annual revenues of more than $1.7 billion, Computer Sciences
Corp. is the largest independent professional-services company
in the computer industry.

(Wendy Woods/19910708/Press Contact: Bruce Plowman, Bill
Lackey, Computer Sciences Corp., 213/615-0311)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8  ****EC PROBES FLOPPY DISK "DUMPING" 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00030)

 ****EC PROBES FLOPPY DISK "DUMPING" 07/08/91
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- While most of the non-European
Community (EC) technology companies have been worried that the EC might
introduce a tariff on memory chips, the EC has announced a major
investigation into floppy disk pricing amid allegations that Far Eastern
suppliers have been dumping 3.5-inch disks at or below production costs.

The unexpected probe centres on allegations from
several European disk manufacturers that Japan, China, and Taiwan
are supplying low-grade 3.5-inch floppy disks for sale in Europe.

According to an EC spokesman, sufficient evidence supporting the
allegations, made by Rhone-Poulenc of France, Balteadisk, and
Computer Support of Italy, as well as Sentinel of Belgium,
is on hand to warrant an investigation. If the allegations are
substantiated, then an anti-dumping levy will be applied.

According to the EC, Far Eastern exports of 3.5-inch floppy disks into
Europe rose by almost 300 percent between 1988 and 1990. At the
same time, supply pricing almost halved.

Disk production within the EC has fallen as a result. The only major disk
producer in the U.K., for example, is Verbatim, which has a large plant in
Ireland, with packaging facilities on the English mainland.

(Steve Gold/19910708)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8 COMPAQ CLAIMS TO HAVE BEATEN IBM IN THE UK 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00031)

COMPAQ CLAIMS TO HAVE BEATEN IBM IN THE UK 07/08/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 8 (NB) -- Compaq UK looks like it has
regained its old position when it comes to competing with IBM --
the high-end clone producer has announced that its UK micro
sales have surpassed those of IBM's in recent months.

Unusually, Compaq is quoting not one but two market research
companies to back up its figures. The companies are Romtec in the
U.K. and Dataquest in France.

Romtec's latest set of month sales figures show that Compaq is
outflanking IBM in terms of sales and volume when it comes to
indirect sales. In April, Compaq claimed 19.7 percent sales
against IBM's 17.2 percent in unit sales terms. Compaq's volume
sales during April were 26.2 percent, compared to 22.5 percent.

Joe McNally, Compaq's vice president and managing director, is
quoted as being upbeat about the results. "This is the first time
that Compaq has pulled ahead of IBM in any market around the
world," he said.

Compaq's sales surge may be short-lived, however. Compaq is
renowned in the U.K. computer industry as offering very large
discounts to buyers of its hardware. IBM, until recently, did not
normally offer such discounts, though reports from the U.K.
computer channel suggest that Big Blue's dealers are now
offering discounts as a matter of course.

Compaq is also finding itself under pressure from the lower end of the
marketplace. An explosion of budget PC releases has taken place in
the U.K. since the beginning of the year, a situation that is
bound to place increasing price pressure on Compaq's dealers to
offer even greater discounts to their customers.

(Steve Gold/19910708/Press & Public Contact: Compaq Computer U.K. - Tel:
081-332-3000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 8  BoCoEx Index 07/08/91

07/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00031)

 BoCoEx Index 07/08/91

 Closing Prices Report  for the week ending July 5, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 IBM PC 176               Floppy      200 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      400 down 50    500    350

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      600 -          675    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      625 -          725    600

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      725 down 25   1000    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      500 down 100   700    450

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1150 -         1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model L40SX     60 MgB     3400 -         3500   3400

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1100 -         1450   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1300 up 100    1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     1600 -         2200   1400

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1300 -         1700   1300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2300 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3400 -         3600   3200

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Compaq Portable          Floppy      200 down 100   400    200

 Compaq Portable Plus     10 MgB      400 -          500    300

 Compaq Portable II       20 MgB      700 down 50   1050    700

 Compaq Portable III      20 MgB     1060 up 10     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 down 200  1600   1300

 Compaq LTE-286           40 MgB     1700 down 100  1900   1600

 Compaq LTE-386           40 MgB     2700 -         2800   2600

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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      850 down 150  1000    800

 Zenith TurboSport-386    40 MgB     1700 -         1900   1600

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Macintosh Plus           Floppy      500 -          750    500

 Macintosh Plus           20 MgB      750 -          975    700

 Macintosh Classic        40 MgB     1100 -         1200   1000

 Macintosh SE             Floppy      700 -         1025    650

 Macintosh SE             20 MgB      925 down 25   1050    900

 Macintosh SE             40 MgB     1100 -         1250   1050

 Macintosh SE-30          40 MgB     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2350 -         2500   2100

 Macintosh IIX            80 MgB     3550 -         3600   3500

 Macintosh IICX           80 MgB     3300 -         3600   3200

 Macintosh IICI           80 MgB     3950 -         4300   3750

 Macintosh IIFX           80 MgB     5400 -         5800   5200

 Macintosh IISI           40 MgB     2950 -         3400   2700

 Macintosh Portable       40 MgB     2600 -         3400   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      350 -          400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      850 -         1100    850

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 225 -          350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               2000 -         2500   2000

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                       800 -          950    800

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 TI Travelmate 2000       20 MgB     1200 up 100    1700   1000

 Toshiba T-1000           Floppy      300 down 150   575    300

 Toshiba T-1200HB         20 MgB      800 -          950    725

 Toshiba T-1200XE         20 MgB     1300 -         1450   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     1100 -         1300    900

 Toshiba T-3100 SX        40 MgB     2200 down 200  2800   2200

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1500 -         1800   1300

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2700 -         2900   2600

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     1900 down 100  2200   1800

 Toshiba T-5200          100 MgB     3200 -         3800   3100

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: [phone]. BoCoEx
Database is on CompuServe: GO BCE, on Delphi: ME BO.

(BOCOEX/19910708)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 5 Review of: Derive, Version 2.0, mathematical PC software, 07/05/91

07/05/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(WAS)(00024)

Review of: Derive, Version 2.0, mathematical PC software, 07/05/91

Runs on: MS-DOS, XT, AT, 386, or 486 with 512K RAM (640K RAM
recommended), DOS 2.1 or higher.

From: Soft Warehouse Inc., 3615 Harding Ave., #505, Honolulu, HI
96816. 808-734-5801

Price: $250

PUMA Rating: 3.95 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick, 07/05/91

Summary: Derive is a very inexpensive but surprisingly
sophisticated program for serious mathematicians, engineers, or
students.

======

REVIEW

======

Math programs always fascinate me because I remember the many
long nights in college debugging FORTRAN programs until I gave up
and started doing my homework by hand. I even have a real
collection of slide rules - you see, I started out as a
math/physics major but gave it up because it was just too much
like work.

I didn't mind the theoretical aspects, but doing all that boring
equation-solving after I came up with the equation drove me to
pursue other interests.

If a program like Derive had been around then (along with the
computers needed to run it, of course), I would probably be
happily teaching physics or differential equations on some
campus, but such is life.

One of the most remarkable things about Derive is the low price.
I have more powerful math programs for both the Macintosh and MS-
DOS systems, but they all cost in the thousands of dollars, while
this program goes for a relatively paltry $250, well within the
reach of any serious math student and certainly a low price for a
professional user.

For that money you get exact integer calculations (all numbers of
things like factorials are displayed), factoring, matrix and
symbolic calculus manipulation, as well as excellent basic trig
function support.

What you don't get is support for such exotic items as Bessel
functions and hypergeometric functions.

All by itself, the ability to calculate numeric solutions to any
arbitrary number of digits (want to see PI to 350 places?) makes
this a valuable program. Add the fact that it handles 3-D graphics
(although slowly because of lack of coprocessor support) and fits
comfortably on a single floppy drive system.

Derive doesn't stop with mere calculations; it also offers
powerful 2- and 3-D graphics capability and the ability to
display up to four graphs on screen simultaneously.

Its lack of printer support isn't good; you would need to add a
good screen-capture and graphics file manipulation program like
Hijaak from Brookfield, Connecticut's Inset System if you want to
print out those great graphs, or use a word processor or desktop
publishing program that already includes screen-capture features.

Equation entry is rather primitive also by modern standards, not
much better than the old FORTRAN days, but let's remember that
this program is in many ways the equal of others that are easier
to use and have more printer support but cost ten times more and
that some people just don't need those features anyway.

In Derive's defense, you won't have to wait for a stack of punch
cards to come back from batch processing to find any errors in
those equations because, although you enter them in the old
parenthetical manner, Derive does display them graphically so you
can spot errors easily.

Version 2.0 of Derive adds a lot of new functions, programmable
recursive and iterative capability, and a new manual with 500
examples.

Certainly if you are running on an older machine or a laptop then
Derive has a strong selling point in its speed and the ability to
run on 512 kilobyte systems, even from a floppy disk.

Derive is programmed in Soft Warehouse's own muLISP programming
language which accounts both for its compactness and its speed.

Besides solving simple algebraic equations, Derive offers vector
and matrix analysis, calculus, and the new version 2.0 includes
first- and second-order ordinary differential equations, Bessel
and Airy functions, Fresnel integrals, probability, elliptic
integrals, orthogonal polynomials, and other new functions.

I haven't explained what all those things are because, if you
don't already know, you don't need this program, but rest assured
that this is a powerful and highly useful program offering
sophisticated capabilities in a remarkably low-priced package.

I see that I have almost left out a very important feature of
Derive, its ability to output results in BASIC, Pascal, and
FORTRAN code. Given this ability, any major tasks can easily be
tested in Derive, and extensive graphics or number crunching can
be done in one of those languages, preferably using math
coprocessor support.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 4.0 There are drawbacks such as poor printer support
and an awkward way of entering equations, but in my opinion these
are overcome by the very low price and the fact that the program
doesn't claim to offer much in those areas anyway. It is very
fast considering that it runs without a coprocessor.

USEFULNESS: 3.8 Here is where I will give it the penalty for
difficulty of use, but again the low price covers many sins. I
would have scored it lower but the fact that it runs on so many
older machines boosts its usefulness rating.

MANUAL: 4.0 It isn't a text on mathematics, but if you already
know what a Bessel function is the documentation will certainly
tell you how to use it in the program.

AVAILABILITY: 4.0 Support is good, possibly because there's not
much to go wrong with Derive and because of the nature of the
usual buyer.

(John McCormick/19910705/Press Contact: Karen L. Stoutemyer, Soft
Warehouse, 808-734-5801 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 JUL 5 Review of: Quattro Pro 3.0, PC spreadsheet 07/05/91

07/05/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(WAS)(00022)

Review of: Quattro Pro 3.0, PC spreadsheet 07/05/91

Runs on: MS-DOS computers

From: Borland International, 18M, Green Hills Rd., Scotts Valley,
CA 95067. 408-438-8400.

Price: $495, upgrade from 1.0 $99.95, from 2.0 $49.95.

PUMA Rating: 3.8 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick, 07/05/91

Summary: A sophisticated spreadsheet program with improved
graphics and printing features, 3-D effects, and WYSIWYG (what
you see is what you get) graphics screen.

======

REVIEW

======

In the battle of the spreadsheets, everyone is a minor player
compared to Lotus Development, but that doesn't mean that Lotus
1-2-3 is the only fine product on the market and once again
Borland has demonstrated its ability to bring an innovative,
powerful program to market.

Quattro Pro does what all other spreadsheets do; it lets users
arrange numeric relationships between rows and columns of numbers
and print out the results but, while many spreadsheets suffer
from rather primitive graphics, Version 3.0 of Quattro Pro is
filled with enough gadgets and tricks to liven up a presentation
or produce nice graphs.

For those needing to produce slideshow presentations, Borland has
included nearly 30 video effects like wipes, dissolves, fades,
and so forth, so many in fact that, as with desktop publishing,
users must remember to keep their presentation from overpowering
their message.

As a spreadsheet, Quattro Pro is generally very fast and has a
better macro feature than Lotus 1-2-3. You can see multiple
spreadsheets simultaneously and share information with Paradox.

If you need to generate high-powered presentation graphics from
your spreadsheet data and want everything in one package, Version
3.0 is a fine choice. If you mainly do number-crunching
with Version 2.0, there have been no noticeable changes in that
area.

In a sense, this latest release is merely cosmetic in that its
changes are all visual, but they are very important changes for
many users.

A minimum of 512K RAM is required and MS-DOS 2.0 or higher.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 3.5 Powerful and fast, but the new graphics screens
are slowed by the constant redrawing of the entire screen after
any changes.

USEFULNESS: 4.0 Eminently suitable for any spreadsheet task that
can be done on a microcomputer.

MANUAL: 4.0 Borland is known for its excellent documentation.

AVAILABILITY: 4.0 Sold nearly everywhere, Borland products are
also well supported by the company and many third-party authors.

(John McCormick/19910705/Press Contact: Robin Tygh, Borland, 408-
438-8400)
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 JUL 5 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00001)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 07/05/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

The July 91 IEEE Spectrum is mostly devoted to "concurrent
engineering," that is, the process of designing a product right
alongside the process of determining modeling, testing, and
maintainability, all to speed the design cycle. Also included is
an extensive test of different brands of math coprocessors for
PCs with detailed benchmarks of various functions.

Network World for July 1 looks at video conferencing, SNMP or
simple network management protocol, and at the growing battle
between frame relay and SMDS or switched multimegabit data
service standards for wide area networks.

The July 1 Computerworld looks at Aetna's IS group, IBM's
progress in delivering Officevision, and has the second of a
three-part story on not very open systems.

Computer ResellerNews dated July 1 carries a front page story on
12 new Intel microprocessors which are intended to round out that
company's line, effectively blocking competitors.

June's MIS Quarterly, from The Society for Information
Management, looks at whether the lack of office productivity
improvement after MIS upgrades is real or a myth. Another paper
looks at the career orientation of MIS employees and specifically
at their goals and motivations.

DEC Professional for July 91 is mostly devoted to multimedia and
imaging.

(John McCormick/19910705)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 TOSHIBA PREPARES TO MASS PRODUCE 64M DRAM 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00002)

TOSHIBA PREPARES TO MASS PRODUCE 64M DRAM 07/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Toshiba is finalizing plans to
manufacture next-generation 64-megabyte dynamic random access
memory (DRAM). The firm recently decided to apply the "trench-
stack" method to mass produce the chip.

Toshiba developed the basic technology to produce 64M DRAMs early
this year and announced this at the International Solid State Circuit
Conference or ISSCC in February. Toshiba's latest task has
been to speed up the chip, but it races against time, knowing that
other Japanese chip firms, also preparing 64 Mb DRAMs, are nipping
at its heels. Those firms include Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Fujitsu,
and Matsushita.

Meanwhile, the chip market is now entering a 4Mb DRAM and a 16Mb
DRAM era. It is said that it will take 3 to 4 years for
market demand for the 64M DRAM to make production worthwhile.

Chipmakers usually decide a mass production method based on the
structure of the chip cell between one and two years before the
market matures. This makes Toshiba's decision to use the trench
stack method extremely early. Industry watchers suggest that
Toshiba is seeking to take the lead in production of these chips.
Another analyst suggests Toshiba may be prepared in case the market
for these chips comes sooner than expected.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910701/Press Contact: Toshiba, +81-3-
3457-4511)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 NO CHANGE TO 88000 RISC CHIPS, SAYS MOTOROLA 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

NO CHANGE TO 88000 RISC CHIPS, SAYS MOTOROLA 07/05/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Motorola has released a
statement which apparently squelches rumors about a possible
change in focus for the Motorola 88000 RISC (reduced instruction
set computer) chip family.

Murray Coldman, GM of Motorola's microprocessor and memory
technologies group, said that Motorola and IBM have agreed to
develop and produce the next-generation single chip
implementation of IBM's Power PC microprocessor architecture.
But Coldman said, "I want to underscore Motorola's commitment to
supporting the system vendors and their customers who have chosen
the 88000 RISC MPU family." Coldman said the company has several
support chips in development which will enhance the 88110's
performance in high-end multiprocessor workstations and servers.
The 88110 is the next-generation chip Motorola expects to
introduce later this year.

Coldman also said that Motorola will continue to extend the 68000
chip family, citing strong market demand. He said the company
will support the current 68030 and 68040 chips, as well as the
upcoming 68050.

(Jim Mallory/19910705/Press Contact:Dan Rogers, Motorola,
512-322-8820)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 SANYO TO MANUFACTURE MICRON TECH CHIPS 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00004)

SANYO TO MANUFACTURE MICRON TECH CHIPS 07/05/91
BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Sanyo Electric Company
Limited, of Osaka, Japan will manufacture 64K X 16 one megabyte
DRAM chips for Micron Technology under a licensing agreement just
announced.

The chips are used primarily in high resolution VGA graphics
applications and as the main memory in many laptop
computers.

Under the agreement Micron receives royalties, while Sanyo gets
the design and process technology needed to produce the
component. Micron and Sanyo signed an exclusive distributorship
agreement for sales in Japan by Sanyo. According to Steve
Appleton, Micron president, "We have been very pleased with their
representation and our growing relationship. We are looking
forward to this next phase of cooperation."

(Jim Mallory/19910705/Press Contact:Kipp Bedard, Micron,
208-368-4400)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 NEW PRODUCT: NCR 229 Page-Per-Minute Laser Printer 07/05/91

07/05/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00005)

NEW PRODUCT: NCR 229 Page-Per-Minute Laser Printer 07/05/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- NCR has announced its fastest
laser printer yet, the NCR 6482. Delivering 229 pages per minute, it
is designed for use in data centres that have high-volume printing
needs.

The NCR 6482 is a continuous form laser printing system that uses
industry standard AFP (Advanced Function Printing) software and IPDS
(Intelligent Printer Data Stream) technology to combine alphanumeric
characters, OCR characters, special characters, symbols and graphics
on a single page.

The new printer comes with a standard eight megabytes of RAM,
sufficient to handle most customers' graphics, special font and forms
requirements. For special requirements, it can be upgraded to 16 MB.

"As part of NCR's continuing efforts to protect customer investments,
the new printer includes industry standards such as channel
interface, AFP and IDPS to allow for easy connection to a mainframe,"
said Greg Sewell, manager of the Commercial, Industrial,
Manufacturing, Education and Government Division at NCR (Hong Kong)
Ltd.

The NCR 6482 prints at 240 x 240 dots per inch resolution. It
features a two-channel switch, and industry standard Type One pre-
and post-printing interface for easy mainframe connection. It boasts
a pendulum stacker and splicing station to ease paper handling,
reduce paper jams, save paper, and increase operator productivity.

"The 6482, which joins our line of high-volume printers, is a cost-
effective solution for large organizations such as credit card
centres, utilities, insurance companies, banks and government
departments, which produce hundreds of thousands of forms or bills a
month," said Sewell.

(Norman Wingrove/19910704/Press contact: Vivian Kung, NCR, Tel + 852
859 6021; HK time is GMt + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 HONGKONG: PACIFIC INSURANCE SPEEDS UP WITH SYNON 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00006)

HONGKONG: PACIFIC INSURANCE SPEEDS UP WITH SYNON 07/05/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Pacific Insurance has
completely redeveloped its motor insurance system using advanced
system development tools from US-based Synon Inc.

The company used Synon 2, a computer-aided software engineering
(CASE) tool, to create a complete, online customer record system.
This is used for filing policies, quoting renewal and new business
premiums, assessing no claims bonus status and administrative tasks.

The online application, running on an IBM AS/400 B60 mid-range
computer from Synon distributor CSSL, replaces an earlier batch
system. Faced with converting more than one million records, Pacific
Insurance decided to rewrite its entire software from scratch.

"It was a major decision to turn our backs completely on our
installed systems and to opt for CASE methods rather than traditional
programming," said Jackie Ng, EDP manager for the Pacific Group. "But
within one year our investment in IBM and Synon has paid off."

Ng and a team of programmers rewrote every program except
accounting, where he bought the Insight suite from CSSL. "Insight
delivered all we needed ready-made and in fact I used it to set
standards for our in-house programmers," he said.

According to Ng, Synon 2 cut development time literally in half. "We
have achieved a complete redesign, incorporating 1,500 functions,
within one year," he said. "Traditional programming would have taken
at least two years.

"We were so confident in the Synon system that we switched overnight
with absolutely no parallel controls. The online system has
completely transformed our operations in terms of speed, efficiency,
staffing and costs."

Although Pacific Insurance offers a complete range of insurance
services, the company concentrates on motor insurance. It was the
complexity of the motor insurance field that convinced the company to
go online.

The new system keeps a complete electronic record of every policy. It
is easy to update and can instantly calculate a renewal or a new
policy premium, check a no claims bonus record, track the progress of
a claim, and produce any one of 60 standard letters. It can also
monitor credit outstanding to the company's agents.

Following the success of the motor insurance system, Pacific
Insurance will use it next to redevelop fire and marine insurance
applications. Ng also plans to install imaging software to dispense
with the last remaining paperwork -- the application form containing
the customer's signature.

CSSL (Commercial Software Services Ltd) is one of Asia's leading
suppliers of IBM midrange computers, software and consultancy. It is
headquartered in Hong Kong, has offices in Macau, Malaysia, Singapore
and Thailand, and operates through distributors in seven other
countries. CSSL saw 1990 revenues rise 48 per cent to HK$155 million.
iT is part-owned by IBM.

(Norman Wingrove/19910704/Press contact: Ally Ho, CSSL, Tel + 852 806
1622,Fax + 852 806 2645; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 NEW FOR UNIX: Digital X-Based Net Mg't Tools 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00007)

NEW FOR UNIX: Digital X-Based Net Mg't Tools 07/05/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corporation
(DEC) has announced new X-based tools and services including
DECathena Services, a set of software and support services claimed to
dramatically reduce the cost of managing large networks of Unix-based
workstations.

DECathena Services is the first commercially available application of
Project Athena, an open systems distributed model developed at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

While most large, workstation-based networks require one support
person for every 25-50 workstations, DECathena Services is said to
improve that ratio up to one person for every 200 workstations. It
also provides location independence, allowing users to access their
files, software and electronic mail from any workstation on the
network.

DECathena Services supports not only Digital's VAX and RISC-based
workstations, but also the SPARCstation from Sun Microsystems.

"Today's announcement strengthens our leadership in developing and
marketing X technologies," said Navin Mehta, Digital's networking
services manager for Asia. "Digital actively participates in
furthering major industry standards such as X, to which we add
significant value. Our practice of offering products like DECathena
Services on non-Digital platforms is central to our software business
strategy."

Digital also announced new Network Application Support (NAS) tools
for software developers. VMS DECwindows Motif V1 is now offered as a
layered product, independent of the VMS operating system, thus
shortening the time it takes to deliver enhancements to users. New
features include DECwindows Motif Help and a computer-based
instruction module. Expanding the NAS environment, Digital also
offers DECwindows Motif for Sun Microsystems' SPARCstations.

Three NAS software development tools, based on OSF/Motif, are
available separately or as the DECwindows Motif Tools Package V1.

DEC says its VUIT V2 Visual User Interface Tool, is now portable from
one Motif environment to another and also runs on the Sun
SPARCstation.

(Norman Wingrove/ 19910704/Press contact: Walter Cheung, Digital, Tel
+ 852 861 4850; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 IDC CANADA STUDY SEES 9% GROWTH IN SINGLE-USER SYSTEMS 07/05/91

07/05/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00008)

IDC CANADA STUDY SEES 9% GROWTH IN SINGLE-USER SYSTEMS 07/05/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Shipments of
single-user computers in Canada rose nine percent in 1990,
according to a study by International Data Corp. Canada. The
strongest growth came in scientific and technical workstations,
with unit shipments up 23.9 percent.

Overall shipments of single-user systems, including personal
computers and workstations, reached 771,400 units in 1990, IDC
said. Revenues rose faster than unit shipments, climbing 10.5
percent to C$2.033 billion.

The hottest area was portable computers, researcher Mark Pellettier
told Newsbytes. Major vendors such as Apple and IBM suffered from
their failure to put attractive portable offerings on the market in
1990, while companies with top-selling portables, such as Toshiba,
did well. IDC said portable shipments rose 35.3 percent to 61,000
units in 1990.

Overall, sales of business and professional systems -- in other words
office PCs -- grew 10.4 percent to 474,200 units in 1990,
but revenue grew only 8.4 percent, to C$1,394 million. Pellettier
said the arrival of Windows 3.0 has helped to spur sales of more
powerful PCs to replace those lacking the horsepower to run Windows
well.

Revenues from scientific and technical systems grew 19.6 percent to
C$425.2 million, with 54,500 units shipped. In education, shipments
grew 8.8 percent to 81,900 units, while revenues lagged a bit with
7.8-percent growth to C$108.2 million.

The home and hobby segment showed the slowest growth in shipments
in 1990, up only 1.1 percent at 160,800 units. However, it was the
only segment where revenues grew faster than units -- up 8.2
percent to C$105.1 million -- reflecting the fact that more home
buyers are choosing PCs with the power of office machines.

(Grant Buckler/19910704/Press Contact: Mark Pellettier, IDC Canada,
416-369-0033)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 MERISEL CANADA SIGNS WORKSTATION SOFTWARE VENDORS 07/05/91

07/05/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00009)

MERISEL CANADA SIGNS WORKSTATION SOFTWARE VENDORS 07/05/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Expanding its foray
into the workstation market, distributor Merisel Canada has signed
up three vendors of Unix software for Sun workstations. Merisel's
four-month-old Workstation Group now handles products from about 10
vendors for Sun workstations, Product Manager Lynda Tobin told
Newsbytes.

Merisel will distribute FrameMaker desktop publishing software from
Frame Technology, HCL-eXceed/W X-terminal emulation software from
Hummingbird Communications, and office and graphic arts software
from Island Graphics.

Tobin said Merisel Canada is handling only workstation products
that work with Sun workstations, which the company also
distributes, but some of the products work with other vendors'
hardware as well.

"What we are trying to do is provide a one-stop shopping
environment for Unix resellers," she said.

Sun Canada signed Merisel as a distributor in February. At the
time, Sun spokeswoman Carol Smith told Newsbytes the move reflected
the Canadian operation's growing emphasis on indirect sales through
distributors. Sun Canada also has a distribution agreement with
Computerland Canada.

(Grant Buckler/19910704/Press Contact: David Terry, Merisel Canada,
416-660-2684, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 HP CHOOSES SOVIET UNION AGAIN FOR MANUFACTURING 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00010)

HP CHOOSES SOVIET UNION AGAIN FOR MANUFACTURING 07/05/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) - Once again
Hewlett-Packard has entered into an agreement to manufacture
another product in the Soviet Union. The move follows one recently
to manufacture hard drives at the WEM factory in Perm.

The new agreement is with the Almaz Scientific Industrial Corp in
Moscow to create and invest in a joint venture called Almed that will
manufacture medical products. According to HP, the joint venture will
be based in Moscow and is expected to begin operations this summer.

Under the terms of the agreement, Almed will assemble and market
a cardiac ultrasound system called the HP SONOS 100 which is used
by physicians to evaluate noninvasively the condition of a patient's
heart.

According to HP, it began selling the SONOS 100 in the Soviet Union in
1989, complete with a Cyrillic-character screen and Cyrillic training
manuals.

Benjamin L. Holmes, HP vice president and general manager of the
HP Medical Products Group said, "The success we've had in the past
encouraged us to pursue this opportunity with Almaz. Our decision to
manufacture medical products there is based on our long-term
commitment to the Soviet medical market and HP's philosophy of
manufacturing internationally."

Newsbytes reported that 130- and 200-megabyte hard drive production
at the Perm factory should begin later this year. HP is to provide
technology and equipment to the venture while manufacturing, assembly
and testing will be conducted by WEM. Newsbytes in Moscow reports
that it is actually a military plant so secret that the factory phone number
is not available from the city directory assistance.

HP has certainly been busy internationally recently. Earlier this year
the company bought into HCL Limited, India's largest computer company,
and formed a joint venture called Hewlett-Packard Ltd, headquartered
near New Delhi. The new company combined the computer businesses
of HP's two-year old subsidiary, HP India Ltd, with that of HCL Ltd.

Also, towards the end of 1990, HP announced that it would be making
workstations in China. That agreement was with the Ministry of Machinery
and Electronics Industry and called for the creation and joint investment
in Huapu Information Technology Company, which would assemble and
market HP's Apollo 9000 series 400 workstations for the Chinese domestic
market and also develop CAE (computer-aided engineering) software.

HP opened its sales office in Moscow in 1973 and has been selling
medical equipment in the Soviet Union through that office since 1975.

The Almaz Scientific Industrial Corporation is one of the largest
designers and manufacturers of complex radioelectronic systems in
the Soviet Union, employing more than 55,000 people.

(Ian Stokell/19910704/Press Contact: Bill Durling, Hewlett-Packard,
508-681-2120)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 WESTERN DIGITAL ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF IRVINE FACILITY 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00011)

WESTERN DIGITAL ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF IRVINE FACILITY 07/05/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Western
Digital says it is closing its Irvine manufacturing facility effective
August 30, 1991 and laying off 110 people.

Western Digital has been struggling for a while. The company
announced at the end of April a net loss of $10.8 million on
revenue of $247.1 million. Total fiscal year (FY) costs at that
time were reported to be $107.6 million on revenue of $732.9
million.

However, the company says the Irvine plant closing is part of a
previously announced restructuring program. The costs
associated with the closing have been planned since last year
and figured into the expenses of the second fiscal quarter that
ended December 29, 1990, the company said. At that time,
Newsbytes reported Western Digital said it had taken writedowns
of $66 million against second quarter earnings.

The company said the good news for stockholders is no
additional charges against the company will be associated with
this plant closing announcement.

Western Digital has also announced IBM Japan is taking volume
shipments of the boards produced by the Irvine plant,
originally opened in 1985 specifically for the purpose of
producing motherboards for the Japanese computer market. The
company has announced IBM is in the process of taking on the
production of the boards, but Western Digital is estimating it
will ship more than three times the number of boards IBM
originally requested before the plant closes at the end of
August.

This is the second plant closing in this fiscal year for
Western Digital. The first was a motherboard manufacturing
plant in Puerto Rico closed last December with 600 layoffs. At
that time, 60 middle and upper management people were laid of
at the Irvine plant.

Western Digital reported all 110 to be laid off in the Irvine
closing have been offered severance packages and outplacement
counseling services.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910704/Press Contact: Lynda Orban, Western
Digital, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 TANDY PCS RUN SOVIET SPACE EXHIBIT 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00012)

TANDY PCS RUN SOVIET SPACE EXHIBIT 07/05/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- In Fort Worth,
Texas during the next six months, visitors will watch as Tandy
PCs emulate a Soviet mission control center. It's part of a
travelling show called Soviet Space, an array of Soviet space
equipment ranging from a full scale model of Sputnik 1 to a four
ton space telescope.

There are also rockets, interplanetary probes, a space
motorcycle and a lunar rover. In conjunction with the exhibit,
Radio Shack has set up its own Mission Control Center, modeled
after the one NASA has in Houston. As visitors leave the Soviet
exhibit, they can take a position at one of 20 Tandy
PC-compatible personal computers set up in front of a large map
of the world, with four large screen monitors showing scenes
from space. The map wraps around the workstations. Ron
Trumbla of Radio Shack told Newsbytes that while it isn't really
Mission Control, he thinks the would-be controllers will get some
feel of the NASA operation.

Visitors sitting at the PCs don headsets and receive instructions
to enter their name on the keyboard. They then complete a short
trivia quiz based on the exhibits they saw in Soviet Space.
Questions are displayed and heard through the headsets
simultaneously. Each visitor will receive a printed Radio Shack
Soviet Space certificate, personalized with their name.

The 20 "controller stations" run on a Tandy 4025 LX file server
on a Novell network, with the custom software developed jointly
by Tandy and Jostens Learning Corporation.

Tandy has also installed a business accounting POS (point of
sale) system in the Red Square Gift Shop, running RealWorld POS
accounting software. The system includes accounts payable and
receivable, mailing lists, and inventory control. Radio Shack
markets the same system to small businesses.

A traveling exhibit, Soviet Space is appearing in Fort Worth
under the sponsorship of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and
History Association. It is set up in the Amon G. Carter
Exhibition Hall in Fort Worth's cultural district. Soviet Space
has appeared in Boston and Seattle, and is scheduled for other US
cities still to be named.

(Jim Mallory/19910704/Press Contact:Ron Trumbla, Radio Shack,
817-878-4969)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 RADIUS REORGANIZES; FORMS NEW GROUP FOR PC MARKET 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00013)

RADIUS REORGANIZES; FORMS NEW GROUP FOR PC MARKET 07/05/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Macintosh
display maker Radius Inc., has formed a new business group and in
the process shuffled a number of executives in order to focus its
marketing efforts for the PC market,

The new Advanced Products Group business unit will be headed
by Greg Millar. A number of executive changes have also been
announced in the process.

Ed Colligan has been promoted to general manager of the Macintosh
Business Unit, and Frank Vaughn, director of engineering, has been
promoted to general manager of the PC Business Unit. In addition,
Tom Wilson, an industry expert in IBM PC VGA/XGA graphics
technology, has been hired as director of PC Products.

Additionally, Dr. Andrew Singer has resigned as vice president of
engineering to become a Radius Fellow. Also, Steve Holtzman,
former vice president of marketing, and Ralph Burgess, former vice
president customer service, have tendered their resignations.

Radius laid off about six percent of its employees at the beginning
of the year and posted disappointing earnings at the time. Apple's
new low-end Macintosh line took the company by surprise. The
company had early designs for the Classic, LC, and IIsi products,
but only the Pivot display for the IIsi shipped initially. Consequently,
sales were lower for that time than the previous year.

Only recently though, Eastman Kodak Printing Systems chose Radius
as the supplier of Macintosh color display systems for its new Prophecy
Color Publishing System.

(Ian Stokell/19910705/Press Contact: Richard Heddleson,
Radius Inc., 408-434-1010)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS AGREES TO STOCK LAWSUIT DEAL 07/05/91

07/05/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00014)

SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS AGREES TO STOCK LAWSUIT DEAL 07/05/91
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Software
Toolworks has provisionally accepted a proposed settlement
with the plaintiffs in class action lawsuits arising out of its
July 1990 stock offering and certain public statements.

The company says that the settlement agreement is subject to approval by the U.S.
District Court for the Northern District of California and the
company's bank lender.

As a result, the company has asked the Securities and Exchange
Commission to extend the filing date for its Form 10-K as it wants
additional time to evaluate the settlement agreement and determine its
effect on the company's financial statements for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1991. The company already expects the net loss for the
fiscal year to be approximately $29.5 million.

These are hard times for Software Toolworks. Along with the heavy
financial losses, the company reduced its workforce by an
estimated 22 percent in April in an attempt to contain soaring
costs. Half of the cuts came from the company's
Chatsworth-based packaging and disk duplicating company,
Priority Software.

Software Toolworks recently signed a CD-ROM licensing agreement
with Sony Corporation of America to include its World Atlas
product in Sony's new multimedia product, Laser Library.

(Ian Stokell/19910705/Press Contact: Vincent Turzo, Software
Toolworks, 415-883-3000, ext. 568)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 FUJITSU HANDHELD COMPUTER MAKES SMITHSONIAN 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00015)

FUJITSU HANDHELD COMPUTER MAKES SMITHSONIAN 07/05/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Fujitsu
Systems of America announced its Acutote handheld computer
system will be included in a permanent "The Information Age:
People, Information and Technology" exhibit at the Smithsonian
Institute in Washington, D.C.

Fujitsu says its computer was elected because Frito-Lay, best
known for snack foods, was awarded the Computerworld
Smithsonian Award out of a field of 270 entrants in 10
categories, and Frito-Lay uses 10,000 of the Fujitsu handheld
computers in handling the distribution and inventory of its
snack chips.

The Computerworld Smithsonian Awards were created by the
Smithsonian to recognize leaders in technological innovation,
quiet the public's fears of technology brought on through
misunderstanding, and clearly point out the benefits technology
brings to the lives of the general public.

Frito-Lay won the award, claiming it saves an estimated
40,000 man-hours per week and maintains more accurate inventory
information to insure product freshness, by equipping each of
its 10,000-member sales force with a Fujitsu handheld computer,
the company said.

The Smithsonian Exhibit will include an Acutote handheld
computer, mobile printer, and communications interface unit.
Fujitsu says these are the typical components of systems sold
to Frito-Lay since 1985.

Fujitsu claims it has sold over 70,000 of the Acutote units
worldwide and says the unit is especially popular for
inventory management and route accounting applications, like
the one used by Frito-Lay.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910705/Press Contact: Donna Forbes, Fujitsu,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 KOYWA WINS UNISYS RESELLER DEAL 07/05/91

07/05/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00016)

KOYWA WINS UNISYS RESELLER DEAL 07/05/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Unisys (Hong Kong) Ltd. has
appointed Koywa Engineering Ltd., the technology arm of the
Farspeed Group of companies, as a value-added reseller (VAR)
for the Unisys U6000 family of Unix computers.

Koywa Engineering will concentrate its marketing efforts with the
U6000 family on the hotel industry, matching the Unisys Unix platform
with Computerized Lodging Systems (CLS) hotel automation software.

CLS is an integrated front and back office system for a hotel,
providing reservations, folio management, room status, guest history
and the range of other computerized features required of a hotel.

Hugh Sutherland, channel marketing manager for Unisys Asia Group,
said that Koywa already had an admirable track record in supplying
its range of systems to hotels.

(Norman Wingrove/19910705/Press contact: Shorty Weston, Unisys, + 852
831 3800; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 SPECTRUM MAKES INTERFACE FOR SONY CELLULAR PHONE 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

SPECTRUM MAKES INTERFACE FOR SONY CELLULAR PHONE 07/05/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Spectrum Cellular,
which developed the first system for sending data over cellular
phone links, announced it will develop and make a data interface
for Sony's CM-P11 cellular phone. Spectrum president John Rule
said the interface will let any product with a standard U.S.
phone plug, called an RJ-11, link to the new Sony phone.

The connection is about the size of a deck of cards and is
powered by an internal 9 volt battery. Combined with the CM-P11,
and a standard portable fax or modem, the system provides remote
data communications at a low price. Spectrum originally had its
own proprietary error-correction scheme, but it has since
endorsed the V.42 standard of the CCITT, which combines error
correction with data compression.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910702/Press Contact: Spectrum Information
Technologies, John Rule, 214/630-9825)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 AT&T AND OKI ANNOUNCE CELLULAR PARTNERSHIP 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

AT&T AND OKI ANNOUNCE CELLULAR PARTNERSHIP 07/05/91
PARSIPPANY, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- AT&T and Oki
Telecom signed a joint development deal which could put AT&T
into the cellular phone business by the end of the year. AT&T
currently sells switches and cell sites to cellular phone
companies, but does not sell the phones themselves.

Under the deal, AT&T will offer Bell Labs technology and design
help to the venture, while Oki will actually make the products,
and provide engineering expertise. Phones created under the
venture will not be sold at AT&T Phone Centers until at least the
end of the year, an AT&T spokesman told Newsbytes.

Oki has its U.S. base in Suwanee, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.
Terms and conditions of the new pact were not disclosed.

The AT&T-Oki relationship began in the mid-1970s when the two
companies developed the first mobile telephones used in a 1978
trial of cellular service in Chicago. The concept of "small
cell" systems was developed by AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1947.
More recently, AT&T agreed to provide OKI with prototype
speech/signal processing technology developed at Bell
Laboratories for coding and compressing conversations. And
earlier this year, OKI and AT&T worked together in Dallas to test
and evaluate prototype equipment that will increase the calling
capacity of cellular systems.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910705/Press Contact: AT&T, Mike Zeaman, 201-
581-3938)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 MCI CUTS SOUTHERN PHONE RATES 07/05/91

07/05/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

MCI CUTS SOUTHERN PHONE RATES 07/05/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- MCI announced day-
time phone rate cuts throughout the southern U.S. under its
Prism Plus plan for business.

In Georgia, the cut came to 21 percent, which a spokesman said
was 10 percent below AT&T's rate. In Florida, the cut came to 14
percent, 10 percent under AT&T's rate. In Kentucky the cut was 22
percent, to 14 percent below AT&T's rate. In North Carolina and
Alabama the cut was 5 percent, 8 percent under AT&T's rate. In
Mississippi the cut was 30 percent, and the resulting rates are
14 percent under AT&T's. In South Carolina and Tennessee the cut
was 4 percent, with resulting rates 8 percent below AT&T's.

"The intent of all those reductions was to get our pricing in
line with what it usually is, below AT&T's prices for comparable
services," an MCI spokesman told Newsbytes.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910705/Press Contact: Steve Fox, MCI, 404-
668-6056)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 SPRINTNET SPEEDS UP INT'L SERVICE 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

SPRINTNET SPEEDS UP INT'L SERVICE 07/05/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Sprint announced
Fast Start service for data circuit installation and higher
speeds for dedicated access to SprintNet data service customers
in France, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United
Kingdom.

The "Fast Start" program lets customers have almost immediate
access to SprintNet while they are waiting for dedicated access
lines to be installed. Many European customers wait months for
local authorities to install permanent lines, the company said.

Fast Start can provide the services within seven days by
delivering a 9,600 bit/second modem which can dial the nearest
SprintNet node.

After a one-time charge for installing the modem, costs are equal
to those of a dedicated SprintNet connection.

Sprint also announced new 14,400 bit/second access centers in the
same five countries for customers with dedicated access lines.
This upgrade is the first in a series of service upgrades Sprint
plans to implement this year.

SprintNet is the world's largest publicly available X.25 data
network.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910705/Press Contact: US Sprint, Robin
Carlson, 202-828-7426)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 GENERAL DATACOMM DEMOS ISDN CIRCUIT FOR AT&T 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

GENERAL DATACOMM DEMOS ISDN CIRCUIT FOR AT&T 07/05/91
MIDDLEBURY, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- General
DataComm completed a pilot test in which a single digital circuit
transmitting at 384,000 bits/second was established between two
sites at NCR headquarters in Dayton, Ohio. The demonstration was
the third phase of a test organized to compare the cost and
capabilities of a privately leased high-speed digital line
against the cost of similar circuits on the public network under
Integrated Services Digital Network, or ISDN, standards.

The equipment involved in the pilot included several GDC and AT&T
products, in addition to existing LAN and terminal equipment
operated by NCR. The principal equipment used in the ISDN test
consisted of GDC's networking multiplexor, the Megamux TMS, and
AT&T's 4ESS central office switch. ISDN capabilities confirmed by
the demonstration included "bandwidth on demand" and automatic
restoration of failed leased line circuits. The pilot program was
conducted under the framework of AT&T's Software Defined Data
Network, in which 384,000 bps service is one of several ISDN
features to be offered.

The circuits carried local area network and videoconferencing
traffic, with "on demand" calls made by MEGAMUX TMS multiplexors.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910705/Press Contact: Theresa A. Carpentieri,
General DataComm, 203-574-1118x6122)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 SPRINT ADDS 1000TH VIDEOCONFERENCING ROOM 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)

SPRINT ADDS 1000TH VIDEOCONFERENCING ROOM 07/05/91
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Sprint
reached a milestone by installing its 1000th videoconferencing
room for the Meeting Channel, its worldwide videoconferencing
network.

The network started service in 1981, and was a pioneer
in videoconferencing, charging $2,000 per hour with rooms costing
$500,000. Today, users can have a 112,000 bit/second
videoconference for $60 an hour and may purchase modular units
priced at about $50,000. Transmission options include dedicated
T-1 circuits working at 1,544,000 bits/second, Virtual Private
Networks or the Meeting Channel's own switched private line
service.

In 1991, Sprint said, the Meeting Channel added an average of 20
new rooms per month, including sites in 7 new foreign countries.
By the end of this year the Meeting Channel plans to add 4
more countries and another 6 rooms to its global network.

The 1000th Meeting Channel room, by the way, was installed at
Video Storyboard Tests, a New York-based advertising research
firm, which will use it to conduct focus groups which test the
public's reaction to advertisements.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910705/Press Contact: Janis Langley, US
Sprint, 202-828-7427)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 Review of: Quattro Pro 3.0, PC spreadsheet 07/05/91

07/05/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(WAS)(00023)

Review of: Quattro Pro 3.0, PC spreadsheet 07/05/91

Runs on: MS-DOS computers

From: Borland International, 18M, Green Hills Rd., Scotts Valley,
CA 95067. 408-438-8400.

Price: $495, upgrade from 1.0 $99.95, from 2.0 $49.95.

PUMA Rating: 3.8 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick, 07/05/91

Summary: A sophisticated spreadsheet program with improved
graphics and printing features, 3-D effects, and WYSIWYG (what
you see is what you get) graphics screen.

======

REVIEW

======

In the battle of the spreadsheets, everyone is a minor player
compared to Lotus Development, but that doesn't mean that Lotus
1-2-3 is the only fine product on the market and once again
Borland has demonstrated its ability to bring an innovative,
powerful program to market.

Quattro Pro does what all other spreadsheets do; it lets users
arrange numeric relationships between rows and columns of numbers
and print out the results but, while many spreadsheets suffer
from rather primitive graphics, Version 3.0 of Quattro Pro is
filled with enough gadgets and tricks to liven up a presentation
or produce nice graphs.

For those needing to produce slideshow presentations, Borland has
included nearly 30 video effects like wipes, dissolves, fades,
and so forth, so many in fact that, as with desktop publishing,
users must remember to keep their presentation from overpowering
their message.

As a spreadsheet, Quattro Pro is generally very fast and has a
better macro feature than Lotus 1-2-3. You can see multiple
spreadsheets simultaneously and share information with Paradox.

If you need to generate high-powered presentation graphics from
your spreadsheet data and want everything in one package, Version
3.0 is a fine choice. If you mainly do number-crunching
with Version 2.0, there have been no noticeable changes in that
area.

In a sense, this latest release is merely cosmetic in that its
changes are all visual, but they are very important changes for
many users.

A minimum of 512K RAM is required and MS-DOS 2.0 or higher.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 3.5 Powerful and fast, but the new graphics screens
are slowed by the constant redrawing of the entire screen after
any changes.

USEFULNESS: 4.0 Eminently suitable for any spreadsheet task that
can be done on a microcomputer.

MANUAL: 4.0 Borland is known for its excellent documentation.

AVAILABILITY: 4.0 Sold nearly everywhere, Borland products are
also well supported by the company and many third-party authors.

(John McCormick/19910705/Press Contact: Robin Tygh, Borland, 408-
438-8400)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 Review of: Derive, Version 2.0, mathematical PC software, 07/05/91

07/05/91

(REVIEW)(IBM)(WAS)(00024)

Review of: Derive, Version 2.0, mathematical PC software, 07/05/91

Runs on: MS-DOS, XT, AT, 386, or 486 with 512K RAM (640K RAM
recommended), DOS 2.1 or higher.

From: Soft Warehouse Inc., 3615 Harding Ave., #505, Honolulu, HI
96816. 808-734-5801

Price: $250

PUMA Rating: 3.95 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick, 07/05/91

Summary: Derive is a very inexpensive but surprisingly
sophisticated program for serious mathematicians, engineers, or
students.

======

REVIEW

======

Math programs always fascinate me because I remember the many
long nights in college debugging FORTRAN programs until I gave up
and started doing my homework by hand. I even have a real
collection of slide rules - you see, I started out as a
math/physics major but gave it up because it was just too much
like work.

I didn't mind the theoretical aspects, but doing all that boring
equation-solving after I came up with the equation drove me to
pursue other interests.

If a program like Derive had been around then (along with the
computers needed to run it, of course), I would probably be
happily teaching physics or differential equations on some
campus, but such is life.

One of the most remarkable things about Derive is the low price.
I have more powerful math programs for both the Macintosh and MS-
DOS systems, but they all cost in the thousands of dollars, while
this program goes for a relatively paltry $250, well within the
reach of any serious math student and certainly a low price for a
professional user.

For that money you get exact integer calculations (all numbers of
things like factorials are displayed), factoring, matrix and
symbolic calculus manipulation, as well as excellent basic trig
function support.

What you don't get is support for such exotic items as Bessel
functions and hypergeometric functions.

All by itself, the ability to calculate numeric solutions to any
arbitrary number of digits (want to see PI to 350 places?) makes
this a valuable program. Add the fact that it handles 3-D graphics
(although slowly because of lack of coprocessor support) and fits
comfortably on a single floppy drive system.

Derive doesn't stop with mere calculations; it also offers
powerful 2- and 3-D graphics capability and the ability to
display up to four graphs on screen simultaneously.

Its lack of printer support isn't good; you would need to add a
good screen-capture and graphics file manipulation program like
Hijaak from Brookfield, Connecticut's Inset System if you want to
print out those great graphs, or use a word processor or desktop
publishing program that already includes screen-capture features.

Equation entry is rather primitive also by modern standards, not
much better than the old FORTRAN days, but let's remember that
this program is in many ways the equal of others that are easier
to use and have more printer support but cost ten times more and
that some people just don't need those features anyway.

In Derive's defense, you won't have to wait for a stack of punch
cards to come back from batch processing to find any errors in
those equations because, although you enter them in the old
parenthetical manner, Derive does display them graphically so you
can spot errors easily.

Version 2.0 of Derive adds a lot of new functions, programmable
recursive and iterative capability, and a new manual with 500
examples.

Certainly if you are running on an older machine or a laptop then
Derive has a strong selling point in its speed and the ability to
run on 512 kilobyte systems, even from a floppy disk.

Derive is programmed in Soft Warehouse's own muLISP programming
language which accounts both for its compactness and its speed.

Besides solving simple algebraic equations, Derive offers vector
and matrix analysis, calculus, and the new version 2.0 includes
first- and second-order ordinary differential equations, Bessel
and Airy functions, Fresnel integrals, probability, elliptic
integrals, orthogonal polynomials, and other new functions.

I haven't explained what all those things are because, if you
don't already know, you don't need this program, but rest assured
that this is a powerful and highly useful program offering
sophisticated capabilities in a remarkably low-priced package.

I see that I have almost left out a very important feature of
Derive, its ability to output results in BASIC, Pascal, and
FORTRAN code. Given this ability, any major tasks can easily be
tested in Derive, and extensive graphics or number crunching can
be done in one of those languages, preferably using math
coprocessor support.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 4.0 There are drawbacks such as poor printer support
and an awkward way of entering equations, but in my opinion these
are overcome by the very low price and the fact that the program
doesn't claim to offer much in those areas anyway. It is very
fast considering that it runs without a coprocessor.

USEFULNESS: 3.8 Here is where I will give it the penalty for
difficulty of use, but again the low price covers many sins. I
would have scored it lower but the fact that it runs on so many
older machines boosts its usefulness rating.

MANUAL: 4.0 It isn't a text on mathematics, but if you already
know what a Bessel function is the documentation will certainly
tell you how to use it in the program.

AVAILABILITY: 4.0 Support is good, possibly because there's not
much to go wrong with Derive and because of the nature of the
usual buyer.

(John McCormick/19910705/Press Contact: Karen L. Stoutemyer, Soft
Warehouse, 808-734-5801 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 THE BIG BLUE APPLE - Editorial by J.McCormick 07/05/91

07/05/91


(EDITORIAL)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00025)

THE BIG BLUE APPLE - Editorial by J.McCormick 07/05/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Well, I can retire
now; I have seen everything in this industry.

IBM and Microsoft, not content with just making scads of money,
have had a falling out big enough to cause shocks mistakenly
reported as minor earthquakes by some people as far south as Los
Angeles.

So what does IBM do? Of course, those fun-loving guys in Armonk
decided it was time to cozy up to Microsoft's biggest foe at the
moment; I guess it was a case of the enemy of my enemy is my
friend.

But, wait, just who is this that Big Blue is being so friendly
with? Oh, m'God, it's the hated Macintosh people!

You say that you had always been under the impression that MS-DOS
and Mac were separated by a gap as big as the San Andreas Fault
is long? Well, in these days of Glasnost, let's remember that
Japan and Germany were the U.S.'s enemies in the last really big
war, yet for many years our ally in WWII, the Soviet Union, was
considered our greatest enemy, despite never having exchanged any
real shots - also, Syria was our sworn enemy until recently when
we sided together against our recent friend Iraq.

Confused by all this? To paraphrase one-time actress, now
commercial spokeswoman, Sally Struthers' words, "Sure, we all
are!" And who could blame us?

Apple and IBM have been at each other's throats for years while
Microsoft and IBM strove to create graphical interfaces to rival
the one that runs on the Macintosh, then, just when Microsoft
gets a popular version of Windows off the ground in a big way,
there is a falling out over Microsoft's reported lack of interest
in pursuing IBM's vision of OS/2.

IBM was understandably miffed at this conduct, having staked more
than one executive's career on OS/2 (which, by the way, I like
better than Windows) and the battle for GUI dominance was on,
with IBM running a very poor third to Windows and System 7.0. In
fact, the only company I can think of with less chance of
becoming dominant in the GUI field is Hewlett-Packard with its
New Wave which has apparently sunk without a trace.

(By the way, I tried to get a review copy of New Wave for months
but never got a response, while copies of OS/2 and Windows are
piled up high enough to make decent stools in my office - perhaps
there is a reason why HP is running a distant, very distant,
fourth.)

Or perhaps it is just that New Wave runs on top of Windows, so HP
would have to convince people that Windows is enough better than
OS/2 or MS-DOS to invest in it and the required hardware but not
good enough to run without the additional investment in learning
New Wave. Apparently that idea is a tough sell.)

But, back to my original question, why if IBM was so upset at
Microsoft's apparent readiness to abandon OS/2 is Big Blue
jumping at the chance to gain Apple's GUI expertise? Granted,
Apple seems to hold some strong legal cards in its battle with
Microsoft, but IBM didn't want Windows anyway, did it?

If you are waiting for me to tie all this up in a neat package, I
am afraid I have led you astray; I don't know what is going on
here, outside the fact that everyone is looking very carefully at
the bottom lines.

Perhaps that is all it is; maybe the battles of the past were all
joined not because the Big Bluers thought the Macintosh was a
crazy idea but just because it was a good stand to take when they
didn't have anything similar to bring to market.

Certainly Apple is happy to gain easy access to IBM systems;
connectivity has been a major stumbling block to wide business
acceptance of the Mac all along - in an IBM business world, a
non-compatible system has a mighty tough row to hoe. But don't I
remember a commercial that ran once during Super Bowl where the
Macintosh was portrayed as a giant killer, out to smash Big
Brother, a very minimally disguised IBM?

Come to think of it, there just might be some economic factors
involved in that earlier comment I made about WWII allies, cold
war opponents, and Desert Storm winners and loser.

Could it be that everything is related much more to money than to
high ideological ideals?

Nah. If that were true we would have Congressmen accepting money
from companies which want to influence their votes, the last
administration would have dropped so many controls on the banking
industry that tax payers would be paying for it for the next 50
years, and Japanese brokerage houses would reimburse their
biggest customers when they lose money.

The only thing crazier than those far fetched ideas would be if
the Federal Trade Commission were to notice that 90 percent of
the world's PCs ran on microprocessors manufactured by one
company, used an operating system published by one other company,
and then the FTC decided that there might be some sort of
monopoly situation here.

Fortunately none of those things could ever happen.

Is it any wonder that so many people prefer to immerse themselves
in playing video or computer games rather than read newspapers?

(John McCormick/19910705)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5  ****IBM/MICROSOFT: THE GULF BECOMES A CHASM 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00026)

 ****IBM/MICROSOFT: THE GULF BECOMES A CHASM 07/05/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- The coincidental
announcements by IBM and Microsoft on July 3rd brought
to light, once again, the disagreements between the firms over the
futures of OS/2 and MS-DOS/Microsoft Windows. These
disagreements have, in the eyes of many industry analysts, caused
the deterioration and possible rupturing of the relationship
between the firms.

The announcement by IBM and Apple Computer that they are
forming a jointly owned, independently operated subsidiary to
develop object-oriented software to service the computer
industry, specifically named "AIX, OS/2 and Macintosh" as the
"current operating systems" which it will support. When
Newsbytes contacted IBM spokesperson Mac Jeffrey to inquire
whether the omission of MS-DOS as a supported system was an
oversight or by design, Jeffrey said, "If a user needs to run an
MS-DOS application, it can be run under OS/2. This facility
protects those with important MS-DOS applications while
allowing them to move to a powerful multitasking operating
system."

Microsoft's announcement, made on the same day, that it will
ship OS/2 version 2.0 to its OEMs (original equipment manufacturers)
"sometime around the end of the year" contained faint praise
for OS/2 and reaffirmed Microsoft's commitment to MS-DOS and
Windows.

In announcing the shipment schedule, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft
senior vice president, of systems software, said, "IBM,
recognizing the speed with which customers are moving to
Windows applications, is promising that this first release of 2.0
will provide 'better Windows than Windows,' and has defined
running Windows 3.0 applications as a requirement for OS/2 to
succeed. We are pleased that IBM has taken to heart the need
to do a great job of supporting Windows users in the first
release of OS/2 2.0, but we believe IBM's commitment is very
aggressive."

Ballmer continued, "Microsoft is the only vendor to supply OEMs
with a full line of Intel-based operating systems -- DOS,
Windows, and OS/2. Microsoft will enable OEM customers to
easily offer all these systems, and market forces can determine
their respective success. Microsoft strategy and focus for the
desktop remains centered on Windows."

Esther Dyson, editor and publisher of Release 1.0, commented
to Newsbytes on the Apple/IBM announcement, saying,
"Products coming from the new software firm won't be
available for a few years and it makes sense to support current
systems. Let's face it, DOS is a single-tasking limited operating
system. I doubt that the new firm will be supporting CP/M
either. Firms make a mistake when they try to protect the past.
Windows is protecting DOS and that's why it's less robust than
OS/2."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Esther Dyson,
EDventure, Inc., 212-758-3434/19910705)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5  ****SIEMENS & IBM IN ACCORD 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00027)

 ****SIEMENS & IBM IN ACCORD 07/05/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Within days of its
agreement to co-develop products with Apple Computer, IBM has
signed a new agreement with Siemens AG, Berlin/Munich
to manufacture 16-million- bit dynamic random
access memory (DRAM) chips at IBM's Corbeil-Essonnes, France,
facility. Production is to start at the end of 1991 with output
set for the second half of 1992.

According to the announcement, a "several hundred million
dollar capital investment" to ramp-up production facility at
Corbeil-Essonnes will be shared by both firms. The initial
production level is expected to be 600 wafer starts per day -- a
level which will be expanded at a later date.

IBM said that it intends to use the chips primarily for internal
applications while Siemens said that it "will use them to expand
its product offerings in state-of- the-art integrated circuits."
The firms said that "the agreement is open to additional
participation, to the extent that capacity is available."

Announcing the agreement, Karlheinz Kaske, president and CEO
of Siemens, said, "Through this agreement, IBM and Siemens
will implement the latest semiconductor manufacturing
technology in Europe. Siemens can guarantee its customers the
availability of key semiconductor technology on a long term
basis. This is a further step to strengthen an independent
European electronics industry, and is consistent with the
objectives stated in the JESSI (Joint European Submicron Silicon
Initiative) program."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Mike King,
IBM, 914-765-6666; Klaus H. Knapp, Siemens, 011-4989-4144-
8480/19910705)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5  ****MICROSOFT TO SHIP OS/2 VERSION 2 BY YEAR END 07/05/91

07/05/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00028)

 ****MICROSOFT TO SHIP OS/2 VERSION 2 BY YEAR END 07/05/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation is extending the contracts of OEMs (original equipment
manufacturers) who are currently licensed to sell OS/2 version
1.3. The contract extensions will allow the OEMs to sell
version 2.0 of OS/2 when it is shipped near the end of 1991.
Microsoft said it extended the contracts in order that OEMs can
stay competitive with IBM in terms of pricing and availability.

Under the terms of a joint development agreement between
Microsoft and IBM, IBM took over development of version 2.0 while
Microsoft jumped ahead to start work on version 3.0. Microsoft's
Steve Ballmer said that the majority of the version 2.0 code was
already written before IBM took over the project.

IBM has said it would ship version 2.0 before the end of the
year. The contract extensions will allow Microsoft's OEMs to
ship at the same time. Microsoft presently licenses about 50
OEMs to sell OS/2 version 1.x, and Microsoft said it expects
those OEMs would also offer version 2.0.

Ballmer said, "Version 1.3 and LAN Manager form a foundation for
server applications, and OS/2 version 2.0 needs to continue that
tradition." According to Ballmer, IBM recognized the speed with
which customers are moving to Windows applications, and is
promising that version 2.0 will provide "better Windows than
Windows." Ballmer said Microsoft is pleased that IBM has taken
to heart the need to do a great job of supporting Windows users
in the first release of OS/2 version 2.0. A statement released
by Microsoft stated that Microsoft strategy remains centered on
Windows.

(Jim Mallory/19910704/Press Contact:Waggoner Group, Erin Holland,
503-245-0905)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 AUTOMATIC LANGUAGE TRANSLATION MACHINE DEVELOPED 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00029)

AUTOMATIC LANGUAGE TRANSLATION MACHINE DEVELOPED 07/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- Major Japanese translation
firm Toin has developed a computer-based automatic translation
system which translates 10,000 pages of an A4-size document per
month. According to the Nikkei newspaper, the quality of the
translation is quite satisfactory.

Toin has been developing the automatic translation system for a
long time, and it seems the firm has finally come up with a
practical system. Toin's system runs on Hitachi's general purpose
computer, and it translates English sentences into Japanese. The
system is said to handle only technical documents such as computer
and machinery manuals. The new system requires some editing of
the document after translation. Nevertheless, it can process the
job much faster than human translators -- a one-month workload
in 4 hours.

Many firms have been developing automatic language translation
systems, but the process still requires pre-editing and
post-editing. In these systems, human translators must
rewrite the original sentences into simple sentences so
that the machine can process them efficiently. Also, after the
translation, the sentences must be carefully checked by human
translators.

Toin wants to further improve the system with a faster
translation speed of up to 30,000 pages of documents per month,
within about three years. The firm also wants to develop a
system for more economical workstations in the near future.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910701/Press Contact: Toin, +81-3-5476-
8567)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 5 JAPANESE MINISTRY EXPECTED TO CREATE TECH INFO CENTER 07/05/91

07/05/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TYO)(00030)

JAPANESE MINISTRY EXPECTED TO CREATE TECH INFO CENTER 07/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 5 (NB) -- The Japanese Ministry of
International Trade and Industry (MITI) is reportedly planning
to set up a technical exchange center where information
on next generation computers can be disseminated.

The center is expected to take over research on a 5th
generation computer, which is being developed by the governmental
organization "ICOT." ICOT was created 1n 1982 as the nation's
10-year project to develop a 5th generation computer. Over 100
employees from 18 different computer firms and governmental
organizations participated in this project. A total of
50 billion yen was spent to study and produce various
products including parallel processors, a next generation
operating system, and a programming language. So far, the
organization has come up with prototype products.

The 5th generation project will end next June. So, MITI wants
to continue the study at the new center. An actual decision will
be made by the end of August, when the budget is submitted
to the national Diet. MITI wants to invite foreign researchers to
the new center, and is willing to share the outcome of the
research.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910701)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 4 JAPAN: 2 ASCII DIRECTORS LEAVE 07/04/91

07/04/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00001)

JAPAN: 2 ASCII DIRECTORS LEAVE 07/04/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Two members of the board of
directors of ASCII say they will quit the firm, leaving President
Kazuhiko Nishi. They are the Chairman Shiro Gunji and Vice
President Keiichiro Tsukamoto.

Nishi, Gunji, and Tsukamoto together created major computer
firm ASCII, which started at a small apartment house in Tokyo in
May 1977. Now, the firm has grown to a huge enterprise and has
its stocks listed at the over-the-counter market of the Tokyo
Stock Exchange. They have diversified into the publishing of
computer magazines and into the operation of a personal computer
network. Recently, they have also begun to produce and market
semiconductor chips. The firm has even launched into the motion picture
business, purchasing the Vestron movie firm last year and a 33
percent stake in Edward Pressman film. ASCII also bought a
560,000 square meter parcel of land in Northern Japan in
order to create a high-tech city.

Apparently, Gunji and Tsukamoto could not keep up with Nishi's
latest strategy to rapidly expand the business. Each executive
possesses 11.3 percent equity, which amounts to around 6 billion
yen ($45 million). Both executives say they have no intention to
sell their stocks at present.

At the press conference, Nishi was in an apologetic mood. He said
he went too far concerning the businesses and promised that in the
future, he would restrain his impulses to carry things too far.
Apparently, the two executives who resigned had tried to rein Nishi
in, but failed.

Nishi is 35 years old and is widely regarded to be Japan's answer
to Steve Jobs, US founder of Apple Computer. His career
started at Kohgakusha, publisher of the pioneering Japanese
personal computer magazine "I/O." He went on to create his own
computer publishing house "ASCII" and signed a business
partnership agreement with Microsoft's Bill Gates which was
ultimately terminated in 1986.

The two executives will leave the firm on July 20. An industry
watcher says the incident will not affect the firm because there
were always disagreements between the two executives and Nishi
since the firm was founded. The nation's largest economic
daily newspaper reported this incident, calling Nishi a
"solitary manager." The industry is carefully watching the youthful
founder as the firm's fate rests squarely on his shoulders now.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910704/Press Contact: ASCII [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 IBM JAPAN RELEASES DOS 5.0 07/04/91

07/04/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00002)

IBM JAPAN RELEASES DOS 5.0 07/04/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- IBM Japan has released the latest
version of Microsoft's operating system DOS 5.0 for its personal
computers. The operating system costs 28,100 yen ($210). The
upgrade service from the current version costs 14,500 yen ($105).

DOS 5.0 uses RAM (random access memory) more efficiently than its
predecessor. So, applications which require large amounts of
memory can run using this operating system. The operating system occupies
only about 15 kilobytes, which is much smaller than the 100K bytes
of the previous version.

The new operating system also has the multitasking-like feature
enabling it to run many applications simultaneously, although it is
not multitasking.

IBM Japan says the upgrade is compatible with popular programs
such as Lotus 1-2-3, Freelance and WordStar. IBM Japan has also been
advertising DOS/V and OS/2, as well as its own application programs.

The Tokyo office of Microsoft has been shipping DOS 5.0 to other
major personal computer firms including NEC.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910704/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-
3586-1111)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 AUSTRALIA: PRIME NUMBER RECORD BROKEN 07/04/91

07/04/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00003)

AUSTRALIA: PRIME NUMBER RECORD BROKEN 07/04/91
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Two Queensland scientists have
broken the record for the longest arithmetic progression of prime
numbers by utilizing network workstation "free" time. The series
breaks a record set in 1987, which used a Cray-2 for nearly a month
(and many thousands of dollars) of computing time.

The scientists, Professor Paul Pritchard of Griffith University
and Andrew Moran of the University of Queensland, developed a program
which utilized any unused processing time (no matter how small)
of the 40 workstations in the University of Queensland's Sun network.
Even while workstations were being used for word processing or
programming (the main uses), much of the internal processing time
was free, allowing the necessary calculations to be conducted in
under 2 months. According to the scientists' estimations, this power
equates to a mini-supercomputer running at more than 100 MIPS
(million instructions per second) 24 hours a day.

Each workstation would be assigned a packet of numbers in the range
which was to be searched. Once the workstation had completed processing
each packet, it would update the main file on the network server and
receive the next packet of numbers to be processed. The system will be
extended when the scientists introduce another level of software which
will allow the Sun SPARCstation network to contribute to the next
search. The assigning of packets and returning of results will be
handled by automatic electronic mail between the two networks. When
other networks in Australia and overseas are also linked into the
search, the computing power is expected to be in the order of 1,000
MIPS, approximately equal to the most powerful supercomputers at
the moment.

An arithmetic progression is one in which an initial number is
increased by the same amount at each step of the progression.
The record breaking progression of 21 prime numbers begins at
142,072,321,123, and increases by 1,419,763,024,680 at each step,
ending at 28,537,332,814,723. A prime number is one which can only
be evenly divided (no remainders) by itself and one (4 is not a
prime, as it equals 1x4 and 2x2, while 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and 13 are
prime numbers).

(Sean McNamara/19910704)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 FUJITSU'S 1ST AUSTRALIAN PRODUCT READY FOR INT'L MARKETS 07/04/91

07/04/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00004)

FUJITSU'S 1ST AUSTRALIAN PRODUCT READY FOR INT'L MARKETS 07/04/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Fujitsu Australia Software
Technology (FAST), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Australia,
has launched AIM/BRIDGE which gives Fujitsu users functional
compatibility with IBM mainframe systems. AIM/BRIDGE is the first
Australian-developed Fujitsu product to be released for the
international market.

AIM/BRIDGE allows users of IBM CICS (customer information control system)
applications to run under Fujitsu's AIM (advanced information manager)
system. This is achieved, not through conversion, but through an
automated translation process. AIM/BRIDGE will give AIM users access
to over 5,000 application packages from independent suppliers, and
these packages can be fully functional on the Fujitsu system within
weeks. 50 leading application vendors have been approached by
Fujitsu, and the company has established support centers for the
automated translation of their products.

Geoff Ward, general manager for information systems at Fujitsu Australia,
said, "Fujitsu's success in the future depends on providing systems
which best meet customers' needs. Our product provides access to a
major source of applications systems." Fujitsu claims AIM/BRIDGE
will offer equal or higher performance levels than CICS. The
AIM/BRIDGE system is also claimed to offer cost savings in the
order of 30-50 percent. "This is significant in the face of
increased competition in the mainframe applications marketplace,"
Ward said.

(Sean McNamara/19910704)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 AUSTRALIA: NZ DEFENSE WIDE AREA NETWORK 07/04/91

07/04/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00005)

AUSTRALIA: NZ DEFENSE WIDE AREA NETWORK 07/04/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Local network specialist
Network Automation has completed a wide area network (WAN) for
the New Zealand (NZ) Defence Force. The contract for the network
was originally worth AUS$5.7M, but the size of the network has more
than doubled since the tender was let.

Modnet, as the WAN is called, is a high speed packet switch network,
and was developed and manufactured by Network Automation to link
bases and camps scattered around NZ. The network connects all
computers carrying out administrative tasks for the three armed
forces, regardless of operating system. "It's as open system as
possible, and we like to think of it as leading-edge," said Bruce
Flack, assistant director of Modnet. The system currently supports
around 4,800 users on 1,500 terminals.

"The major philosophical basis on which the network was designed
was the ability to retain our existing equipment while not being
contained in the type or location of future computer systems,"
Flack said. It is because of the open-systems basis of the WAN
which will allow the Defence Force to source the most cost-effective
computers and software. Modnet is both OSI and GOSIP compliant.

(Sean McNamara/19910704)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 WORDPERFECT U.K. LAUNCHES MAC CAMPAIGN; TRADE-UP OFFER 07/04/91

07/04/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00006)

WORDPERFECT U.K. LAUNCHES MAC CAMPAIGN; TRADE-UP OFFER 07/04/91
WEYBRIDGE, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Wordperfect U.K. has
announced three special offers for Apple Macintosh users. From
the beginning of July until the end of September, users of Microsoft
for the Mac can upgrade to WP 2.0 for the Mac for UKP 71 through
their local dealer.

Earlier users can upgrade to WP 2.0 for the Mac for UKP 61 plus
postage and packing. The third offer enables member of Mac user
groups to purchase the package for UKP 50 plus postage and packing.

According to Wendy Berry, marketing manager with
Wordperfect U.K., the idea is to encourage Mac users to look at the new
version of Wordperfect on their machines, which -- the company claims --
has a large number of enhancements over earlier versions.

"The three special offers mark the beginning of a Wordperfect marketing
campaign for Mac users. The campaign will include mailshots and adverts
targeted at Mac users, as well as joint marketing activity with our
distributors," explained Berry.

(Steve Gold/19910704/Press & Public Contact: Wordperfect U.K. - Tel: 0932-
850500; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 UK: ALDUS LAUNCHES GRAPHICS ARTS CAMPAIGN 07/04/91

07/04/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00007)

UK: ALDUS LAUNCHES GRAPHICS ARTS CAMPAIGN 07/04/91
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Aldus U.K. has launched its
Graphics Arts Campaign with the introduction at Appleworld (Apple UK's
headquarters) of a new software package called Aldus Creative, aimed
directly at the needs of the graphics marketplace.

According to Aldus, the new package brings together in one box the powerful
page assembly facilities of Aldus Pagemaker and the creative flexibility of
Aldus Freehand. The UKP 995 package also includes a voucher for "an
introduction to creativity with Aldus," a one-day, hands-on workshop
designed to familiarize the user with the techniques and potential of the
technology.

"Aldus Creative will benefit people working at all levels of the design and
production process," explained Kevin Miller, product marketing manager for
the program. "Creative types will be able to experiment and express their
ideas more freely, while those on the production side will benefit from
increased efficiency and control," he added.

Aldus Creative is available in the U.K. with immediate effect. The
recommended configuration is an Apple Mac machine with 4MB of RAM and a
hard disk. Other primary requirements include System version 6.0.5 or
higher and Finder version 6.1 or higher.

(Steve Gold/19910704/Press & Public Contact: Aldus UK - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 HDS BEATS IBM TO FIRST SUMMIT INSTALLATION 07/04/91

07/04/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00008)

HDS BEATS IBM TO FIRST SUMMIT INSTALLATION 07/04/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Hitachi Data Systems
(HDS) has stolen a march on IBM by delivering the world's first
Summit-class mainframe, an HDS EX 420, to Delta Airlines.

Compatible with the IBM Enterprise Systems (ES) 9000 series, Delta's
EX 420 is the most powerful installed computer system based on IBM
architecture.

The HDS mainframe was delivered on 8 June, several months before IBM
is expected to begin general delivery of its own Summit-class
machines.

"This installation marks a new era for HDS in the large systems
computing market," said Geoff Kennedy, manager of HDS in Hong Kong.
"For the first time, we have brought the newest high-end technology
to the market ahead of our competitors."

The EX 420 system is installed at Delta's main data centre at
Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport. Running the MVS operating
system, it will be used to process a variety of applications
including crew scheduling and flight operations.

Delta Air Lines is one of the world's largest carriers, operating
more than 2,500 flights daily to 187 cities in 16 countries. Its
fleet of 469 aircraft is the youngest of its size in the world, with
an average age of just 8.7 years.

Hitachi Data Systems Corporation, a joint venture between Hitachi and
Electronic Data Systems, is a worldwide distributor of IBM compatible
large and medium-size computers, disk and tape drives, and solid-
state storage subsystems.

(Norman Wingrove/19910704/ Press contact: Geoff Kennedy, HDS, Tel +
852 521 6275, Fax + 852 868 4023; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 LOTUS CANADA NAMES FIRST NOTES ALLIANCE PARTNER 07/04/91

07/04/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00009)

LOTUS CANADA NAMES FIRST NOTES ALLIANCE PARTNER 07/04/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Lotus Development
Canada has named Soma Inc., a Toronto software firm, its first
Lotus Notes Alliance Partner in this country. Soma will provide
services to organizations planning and implementing Notes networks,
and later will offer products to tie Notes to Digital Equipment
networks.

Soma started in the Digital Equipment market working with DEC's
All-in-1 office automation software, said Julie Wells,
vice-president, and has expanded into work-group software
development. She said the seven-year-old company sees
opportunities in linking Notes to All-in-1 Mail, DEC's electronic
mail offering. Some All-in-1 sites have as many as 2,000 or more
mail users, she said.

The company is working on software to link Notes to DEC networks
and hopes to have the first products on the market within a year,
Wells said.

She noted that while Soma will provide Notes-related services and
software, it will not sell Notes itself. "We are not a VAR
(value-added reseller)," she said, although she added that Soma
would not rule out becoming one.

(Grant Buckler/19910704/Press Contact: Julie Wells, Soma,
416-365-7117, fax [phone]; Karl Meema, Lotus Development
Canada, 416-879-8000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 4 NEW FOR MAC: Logitech Intros Two New Pointing Devices 07/04/91

07/04/91



(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00010)

NEW FOR MAC: Logitech Intros Two New Pointing Devices 07/04/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 4 (NB) -- Logitech has
introduced the TrackMan High-Resolution Stationary Mouse and
MouseMan High-Resolution Ergonomic Mouse for the Macintosh
market.

Both devices include the company's MouseKey control panel
software, which allows users to program their most frequently used
key-strokes or menu shortcuts in every application.

According to the company, both products are compatible with
Macintosh, A/UX, and X-Windows operating environments, interfacing
through the ADB bus.

"Currently there is an installed base of about four-and-a-half million
Macintosh systems but with the explosive sales of the Mac Classic,
the market is predicted to grow to six million Macs in 1992. We felt it
was important to broaden the range of peripherals to enhance these
systems," stated Bruce Pocock, product marketing manager for
Logitech.

TrackMan features an ergonomically designed hand-conforming
shape and a thumb-operated ball for controlling cursor motion, as well
as three buttons that can be programmed for key commands or menu
shortcuts.

According to Logitech, the MouseKey software included with
the products offers integrated cursor sensitivity and tracking speed
control, and adjustable resolution of 150 to 300 dots per inch (dpi).

The company recently released a low-priced three-button serial mouse
called 'First Mouse' in an attempt to take advantage of the enormous
popularity of the Microsoft Windows 3.0 environment.

Newsbytes also reported that Logitech recently purchased four million
shares of Canadian joystick maker Advanced Gravis at C$0.25 per
share, which gave the mouse company a 44 percent stake.

(Ian Stokell/19910704/Press Contact: Amy Samborn, Logitech,
415-795-8500, ext 1041)


#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUL 3 PROGRESS SOFTWARE FILES FOR INITIAL OFFERING 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00001)

PROGRESS SOFTWARE FILES FOR INITIAL OFFERING 07/03/91
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Progress
Software has filed a registration statement with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of
one million shares of common stock.

The company plans to sell 500,000 shares, while existing stockholders
are to sell the balance. The stock will be listed on the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ)
system, said Chad Carpenter, senior vice-president of Progress.

The proceeds are to be used for general corporate purposes, Progress
said, including working capital and possible acquisitions. Last year,
Progress Software took 38th place on Inc. magazine's list of the
fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The offering
will help the company continue that growth, Carpenter told Newsbytes.

Progress said it expects the initial share price be between US$20 and
US$22. Robertson, Stephens & Co. of San Francisco and Alex Brown &
Sons of Baltimore will manage the offering. Copies of the preliminary
prospectus are available from either firm.

Progress sells software development tools.

(Grant Buckler/19910703/Press Contact: Chad Carpenter, Progress
Software, 617-275-4500)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 CD-ROM EXPO SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00002)

CD-ROM EXPO SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 07/03/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Boston-based World
Expo Corp. has announced plans for its 1991 CD-ROM (compact disk -
read only memory) Expo. The show and conference will be held in
Washington October 15 through 17.

World Expo spokeswoman Mary DeCristoforo said that the conference
program will focus on CD-ROM and multimedia, dealing with topics such
as world market trends, networking, and use of the Compact Disc-
Interactive (CD-I) standard in homes.

IBM will be displaying new multimedia products at the show, she added.
Jim Dezell, IBM's vice-president and general manager for educational
systems, will give a keynote speech on October 15. A series of
seminars in four stream will occupy the first two days of the
conference, while the final day will offer a selection of all-day, in-
depth tutorials.

(Grant Buckler/19910701/Press Contact: Mary DeCristoforo, World Expo,
508-820-8248, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 CANADA'S TOP TELECOM CONFERENCE SET FOR ALBERTA 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00003)

CANADA'S TOP TELECOM CONFERENCE SET FOR ALBERTA 07/03/91
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- The Canadian
Business Telecommunications Alliance (CBTA) will hold its 1991 annual
conference at the Edmonton Convention Centre September 8 through 12.
The group expects more than 1,000 telecommunications users to attend.

The theme of this year's conference is Globalization: The New Reality.
The first-day keynote speaker is Ricardo Frank Semler, author of
Turning The Tables and an authority on alternative management styles.
Semler is president of Semco, a Brazilian machinery manufacturer.

On the second day of the conference William G. Davis, honorary
chairman of the Communications Competition Coalition, a telecom
industry lobby group, will speak. Davis was premier of the province of
Ontario from 1971 to 1985.

The third-day keynoter is Dr. Kerry Crofton, a psychologist and
developer of The Challenges Program -- Reducing Stress in the
Workplace. Also co-author of The Healthy Type A, Crofton will discuss
her theories on the Type A personality.

More than 100 vendors are also to exhibit their wares on the
conference's show floor. More information is available from the CBTA's
headquarters in Toronto at 416-865-9993 (fax [phone]).

(Grant Buckler/19910703/Press Contact: CBTA, 416-865-9993, fax 416-
865-0869; Corinne James, Reid Burry Young for CBTA, 416-367-3155 ext.
227)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 NEW FOR IBM: Group 1 Offers First Desktop Product 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00004)

NEW FOR IBM: Group 1 Offers First Desktop Product 07/03/91
GREENBELT, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Group 1 Software,
which sells mail management and marketing software for IBM mainframes
and mid-range systems, is moving into the personal computer market. A
new series of products called Desktop Group 1 will work with the
company's IBM mainframe software.

The first product, Desktop Code-1, corrects and standardizes address
records and appends Zip+4 and Carrier Route Codes. Group 1 said these
functions will speed processing, cut down on "undeliverable as
addressed" mail, and qualify mail for postage discounts.

Desktop Code-1 and future products in the series will work with
Microsoft Windows, company spokeswoman Dana Peta said. The
company is considering whether to bundle Windows with the software,
she added, but has not done so yet because of support issues.

Desktop Group 1 products will generate mainframe Job Control
Language (JCL) and submit jobs to the mainframe automatically, the
company said. Extensive graphic reporting capabilities are provided
as well.

Planned Desktop Group 1 products include: Desktop MailStream Plus,
a pre-sorting and reporting system; Desktop Consumer and Business
Merge and Purge, systems that identify duplicates across consumer
and business lists; Desktop List Conversion, a product that converts
mailing lists from one format to another; Desktop Generalized
Selection, a utility tool that allows a user to query or select
records based on specific criteria; and Desktop Label Printing, a
customized mailing label program.

Desktop Code-1 is available now. Peta said each of the products is
expected to sell for about US$7,500, with a package price for the
complete Desktop Group 1 line.

(Grant Buckler/19910703/Press Contact: Dana Peta, Group 1 Software,
301-982-2000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 DATAPOINT TO MARKET WYSE UNIX PRODUCTS 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00005)

DATAPOINT TO MARKET WYSE UNIX PRODUCTS 07/03/91
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Datapoint Corporation
has announced it has entered into an agreement to market Unix systems
from Wyse Technology, beginning in September of this year.
Demonstration units will ship this month.

Under the agreement Wyse will supply Datapoint with Intel 80386- and
486-based systems running Unix System V Release 4. Datapoint
president John Harrison predicted that Wyse' ability to engineer high
performance Unix platforms, coupled with Datapoint's networking and
interconnectivity skills would result in success for both parties.
Wyse president Daniel Wu said he expects the relationship to be long
and successful.

(Jim Mallory/19910703/Press Contact:Patricia Coble, Datapoint, 512-
593-7910)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 MICROSOFT PREANNOUNCES NEW CYRILLICS PACKAGES 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00006)

MICROSOFT PREANNOUNCES NEW CYRILLICS PACKAGES 07/03/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Microsoft announced plans to
release several new localised packages for the Soviet market. The
packages -- Windows 3.1, Excel and Word for Windows -- have been
scheduled to ship later this year.

The Russian edition of Windows 3.1 is said to almost bug-free and
ready for release, according to Microsoft. Plans call for the package
to be released in the U.S.S.R. a few months after it is released in
the United States.

Work on the other two packages, meanwhile, is now under way.
According to Dale Christiansen, Microsoft's Soviet operations chief,
work is now progressing on the program's documentation.

On the subject of localising its software for Soviet use, Christiansen
said that Microsoft is ready to produce a Cyrillic version of its
Excel spreadsheet and graphics package, and Word, a text processor,
as soon as Apple will provide them with a beta version of the Cyrillics
Mac operating system.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910703/Press contact: Dale Christiansen,
Microsoft GmbH, phone [phone]; fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 Review of: EZ-FAX 07/03/91

07/03/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)

Review of: EZ-FAX 07/03/91

From: Calculus, 522 Mercury Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086-4018 (408)733-
7800

Price: $199 to $899 depending on platform and modem speed

PUMA Rating: 3.875

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Jim Mallory 07/03/91

Summary: This internal FAX board for IBM's and compatibles is easy to
install, easy to use, and an inexpensive alternative to a dedicated
FAX machine.

======
REVIEW
======

If you're interested in having FAX capability, but don't want to spend
the money for a dedicated FAX machine, EZ-FAX is worth considering.
You need a single expansion slot and a phone line. For the review, we
installed EZ-FAX in an XT class machine with 640K of random access
memory (RAM). EZ-FAX uses only 149K of memory. The program files
require about 3 megabytes of hard disk space (EZ-FAX doesn't run from
a floppy), and each received FAX takes about 50K of disk space, since
the program handles FAX files as graphics. If your machine has
expanded memory, EZ-FAX will make use of it.

Following the instructions for installation had us set up and running
without any problems in about 30 minutes. EZ-FAX runs in the
background (you can continue to use your word processor or other
software while a FAX is being received or sent), but can be unloaded
from memory with a simple command line command. EZ-FAX will send text
(created with a word processor and stored in ASCII format), scanned
documents if you have a scanner, or graphics created with programs
such as PC Paintbrush, Dr. Halo, or AutoCad.

EZ-FAX will also handle documents created with Word Perfect, WordStar,
MultiMate, DisplayWrite, Microsoft Word, PFS Professional Write and
Windows. Specific instructions for use of each of these programs with
EZ-FAX are included in the easy to understand users manual. EZ-FAX
also works on a network, and a separate manual for network users is
included.

The setup menu allows the user to specify the printer port, whether or
not you want the FAX to automatically print, the number of retries for
transmitted FAX's, how many times the phone should ring before EZ-FAX
answers, how many days to save files before automatically erasing them
(this saves disk space), the header to print on each outgoing FAX, and
various other options. The onscreen help, available by pressing F1, is
clear and concise. In addition to the ability to print incoming FAx's,
you can view them on the screen.

EZ-FAX also has the capability to send a FAX at a scheduled time, such
as late at night when phone rates are lower.

EZ-FAX comes in various versions, depending on whether you want 4800
or 9600 bps transmittal speed, and whether you need single user,
single user Windows or DOS LAN software. We tested the single user
4800 version. The LAN version is Artisoft and Novell certified,
meaning it has been tested by those network vendors and is certified
to run successfully on their networks.

======
PUMA rating
======

PERFORMANCE: 4. EZ-FAX does exactly what it is designed to do. It runs
in background, takes little memory, prints or displays incoming FAX's,
and allows scheduled events. it is a little slow in converting the FAX
to a printable or viewable format, but that's the price a user pays
for this type product, versus a dedicated FAX machine. If your
incoming FAX volume is low to medium, we don't think you will find
this a drawback.

USEFULNESS: 4. A good value for the money. We found it ideal for our
purposes, easy to install, easy to use. While we haven't done hands-on
reviews of other FAX boards, the ones we have seen advertised have
been more expensive than EZ-FAX for the features.

MANUAL: 4. One of the best computer manuals we have used in many years
of working in the industry. Readability is good, we found no omitted
steps to cause problems, it looks professional with its attractive red
and white cover, and it has lots of pictures of the screens. The on-
line help is very good.

AVAILABILITY: 3.5 EZ-FAX provides technical support during normal
business hours, and defective products can be returned for repair
after getting a return authorization number. The user pays to ship it
to EZ-FAX, but they pay for the return unless you select a particular
carrier other than the one they use.

The company also maintains a 24 hour FAX line (408-733-8594), as well
as a bulletin board service, which is online 24 hours a day. None of
the calls are toll free, however. The lack of a toll free support
numbers is why this product didn't receive a 4 in this category. EZ-
FAX carries a one year warranty. Potential purchasers can call 408-
733-7800, and they will be directed to a retail outlet in their area.
EZ-FAX says they are still setting up their retail distribution
channel.

(Jim Mallory/19910703/Press Contact: Allison Niday, Closed Loop
Marketing, 3310 Margie's Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95062)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 YAMAHA BUYS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER FOR JAPANESE HQ 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00008)

YAMAHA BUYS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER FOR JAPANESE HQ 07/03/91
EAGAN, MINNEAPOLIS, U.S.A, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced that the Yamaha Motor Company has purchased a Cray
Y-MP2E for its headquarters in Shizuoka-ken, Japan.

Yamaha manufactures motorcycles, boats, yachts, snowmobiles and
automobile engines. The CRAY Y-MP2E system will be applied to
engine design in an attempt to develop more fuel efficient products
and for structural analysis and computational fluid dynamics.

According to Yamaha, it expects to make use of the CRAY Y-MP2E
system's performance to more quickly bring new products to market.
The company said it chose the CRAY Y-MP2E system because of its
excellent price/performance,connectivity, input/output processing capacity,
space efficiency, low electricity consumption, and shortened
installation time. This is the fourth CRAY Y-MP2E system order
received from a Japanese organization. for the development of high-
performance products.

(Jim Mallory/19910703/Press Contact: Kate Neessen, 612-683-7132),
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 DISKS NOT HARMED BY AIRPORT SECURITY 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)

DISKS NOT HARMED BY AIRPORT SECURITY 07/03/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Airport security
systems do not adversely affect diskettes, according to tests conducted
by Colorado TravelBank and the Denver/Colorado System Operators
Association at the United Express airline terminal at Denver's
Stapleton International Airport. The tests were conducted on June 11,
1991.

According to Jay Melnick of the Colorado TravelBank, the tests were
conducted as a service to traveling computer users. Melnick operates
the Colorado TravelBank, an on-line service which Newsbytes reported
on recently. Colorado TravelBank offers travel and recreation
information via computer and modem.

Melnick said that the two organizations had received conflicting
reports about possible disk damage by airport security systems.
"We decided to find out first hand what the effects of airport security
measures would be," he said.

The tests were conducted using 5.25 inch 360 kilobyte, 5.25 inch 1.2
megabyte, 3.5 inch 720KB and 3.5 inch 1.4MB Dysan and 3M disks, each
containing identical data files. Each box of disks was placed in a typical
traveler's carry-on bag to simulate actual traveling conditions. Each
box was then passed through the security screening device from one to
24 times.

Melnick said that, after the testing, bit level file comparisons were
made to determine any adverse effects on the disks. "We concluded the
diskettes used in the test suffered no adverse effect from repeated
exposure to the security scanners", he said.

He added that not one bit on any diskette was damaged, and concluded
that a traveler need not be concerned with damage from these scanners.

Reports surface from time to time from travelers carrying portable
computers and disks that there data has been corrupted. Newsbytes
recommends that floppy disks be hand inspected whenever possible.

(Jim Mallory/19910703/Press Contact:Jay Melnick, Colorado TravelBank,
303-320-8550)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 MICROAGE TO DISTRIBUTE MOTOROLA WIRELESS NETWORK 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00010)

MICROAGE TO DISTRIBUTE MOTOROLA WIRELESS NETWORK 07/03/91
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Motorola has
announced that it has selected Microage Computer Centers of Tempe,
Arizona as the first national reseller network for Altair wireless
Ethernet. The product is based on Motorola's recently introduced high
speed wireless in-building network technology.

Altair wireless Ethernet are intended to replace or extend the reach
of hardwired systems that connect computers in a Ethernet local area
network (LAN). Wireless LAN technology can reduce costs and provide
flexibility should portions of the LAN be moved.

According to Alan Zabarsky, general manager for Altair products said
Microage was selected because of Microage's experience and success in
selling complex network solutions. Zabarsky said that constituted "the
perfect reseller profile for the Altair product."

Motorola is building the Altair field sales and technical support
organization out of regional offices in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles
and New York. Its wireless LAN systems are sold through distributors,
resellers, computer systems integrators and value-added resellers
(VARs).

(Jim Mallory/19910703/Press Contact:Cheryl Beck, Motorola, 708-632-
2853)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 MICROAGE SUBSIDIARY CHANGES NAME, DIRECTION 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00011)

MICROAGE SUBSIDIARY CHANGES NAME, DIRECTION 07/03/91
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Microage PGI/ICT, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Microage Inc, has changed its name to Microsource
Technologies Inc (MTI).

According to MTI president Harman Cadis: "The name change more
accurately reflects the direction of the organization."

Cadis said MTI will focus on graphics systems, multiuser Unix
microcomputer systems and software products. He added that MTI's
nationwide base of resellers will enjoy increased service and support
from the company.

MTIs VARs (value-added resellers) will receive telemarketing support,
outside sales support and extensive dealer marketing programs,
according to Cadis. MTI supports operating systems from SCO, Altos,
Intel and Interactive.

(Jim Mallory/19910703/Press Contact:David Lucas, Microage, 602-968-
3168)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3  ****SOME RETAILERS REFUSE TO CARRY CMS' PRODUCTS 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00012)

 ****SOME RETAILERS REFUSE TO CARRY CMS' PRODUCTS 07/03/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- CMS
Enhancements, a long time disk drive manufacturer has announced a
whole range of new products for the IBM personal computer (PC) market,
but some Los Angeles retailers say they won't carry them.

Newsbytes was first tipped off about the hard feelings toward CMS by a
Los Angeles-based consultant who, in doing some work on a Macintosh
CMS hard disk drive, was directed by CMS to contact authorized Apple
resellers for an update to the CMS hard disk formatting software. The
consultant said retailer after retailer refused to even talk about the
CMS products, and one reseller, Sun Computers in Tarzana, California,
went as far as to say all CMS materials had been thrown in the trash.

CMS has been carrying enhancement products, specifically hard disk
drives for both IBM and Apple computers since 1977, said David
Henning at HW Computers, a fast growing retail computer sales and
service store in Van Nuys, California.

"We still carry some CMS hard disk drives, but we've reduced it to a
minimum and plan to drop relations with them entirely as we direct our
sales people to other products," Henning said. "CMS asked us to
consider carrying new products for them, but I said, 'I don't want to
carry your junk PCs.'"

Henning went on to explain the reason for HW's distaste is the way the
retailer was treated as a CMS customer. Henning outlined HW's last
struggle with CMS: "We did millions a year with them, needed to clear
up some old inventory. We couldn't get an answer for months and months
on whether or not they would give us a $10,000 credit on some old
merchandise. The only way we got an answer was to stop ordering and
withhold payment on what we had ordered," Henning said.

Eduardo Gonzaga, a technical support representative of Pacific Data
Systems in Arleta, California had similar comments. "We found we had
an extremely long time for turn around with CMS," said Gonzaga.

Gonzaga also said Pacific Data Systems found the Pro Line CMS drives
would consistently fail after one year of use. "When CMS came out with
the Platinum line, we just decided not to carry it," Gonzaga said.
Paul Miller, a sales associate at Pacific Data Systems told Newsbytes
all CMS products have been taken off their pricing database.

Jim Martin at SOS Computers in Calabasas, California said CMS products
are made to lower specifications. "The consumer is going to buy the
cheapest drive they can find, and even though a Quantum drive is going
to hold up, if the CMS drive is much cheaper, it will eventually
sell." Martin said SOS does carry CMS products, "but in limited
quantities."

Newsbytes did call CMS for comment on the issues of quality, service
and support, but no one was available who could comment.

CMS has announced a new line of hard disk drives, the Presidential
Series, that start at an 80 Megabyte (MB) capacity up to a 400MB
capacity, and are advertised as fast, with access times as low as 11.5
milliseconds. The company has also announced its own line of
computers that include desktop, laptop, and even a Sparc workstation.

CMS has also announced a new `All Media Floppy,' a 5 1/4-inch disk
drive that will support both 360 Kilobyte and 1.2 Megabyte 5 1/4-inch
floppy disks.

CMS says it is offering custom ordering and says it even offers its
own financing, though its dealers -- if you can find one.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910703/Press Contact: David Henning, HW Computers,
Tel: [phone], Fax:[phone]; Paul Miller, Pacific Data
Systems, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Jim Martin, SOS
Computers, Tel: [phone]; Robert Wagner, CMS, Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 NEW FOR MAC: Dedicated X.400 Gateway For Appletalk 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00013)

NEW FOR MAC: Dedicated X.400 Gateway For Appletalk 07/03/91
READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Integralis has
released Worldtalk 400 Microsoft Mail Edition, a dedicated X.400
gateway for Microsoft Mail for Appletalk networks.

According to Integralis, the new package allows users of Microsft Mail
on Appletalk or compatible networks to exchange e-mail messages with
users on X.400 systems. X.400 is the international standard for e-mail
networks -- an e-mail service with X.400 compatibility has, in theory,
the ability to exchange messages with users of all other X.400-
compatible services. In practice, politics and financial problems
restrict the use of X.400 facilities.

According to Dan Collins, open systems product manager for Integralis,
the package opens up the world of Microsoft Mail services to Appletalk
users.

"The original Worldtalk 400 mail centre product offers connectivity
between multiple proprietary LAN-based e-mail packages and X.400
simultaneously. By integrating several e-mail systems, the mail centre
product provides a corporate message switch capability," he said.

Collins went on to say that, in recent times, demand from smaller
users and workgroups in large organisations looking for X.400 gateways
to a single e-mail package has risen. One area where demand has
soared is in the supply of users looking for X.400 gateways to a single
e-mail package, yet do not need the full switching capability.

"This new version of Worldtalk is aimed at those users and offers a
lower cost solution with no loss of functionality," he said, adding:
"Worldtalk Microsoft Mail Edition is the only X.400 gateway for
Microsoft Mail available today and is the first of several dedicated
gateway products being released in the next two months."

In the U.K., Worldtalk Microsoft Mail Edition is claimed to be
compatible with Microsoft Mail v2.0a and above, including the
recently-released v3.0 package. The package is priced from UKP 7,900,
with exact pricing dependent on site licensing requirements.

(Steve Gold/19910703/Press Contact: Text 100 - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 EPSON UK PLANS SEPT LAUNCH FOR PC EXPO PRINTERS 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00014)

EPSON UK PLANS SEPT LAUNCH FOR PC EXPO PRINTERS 07/03/91
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HERTS, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Epson
unveiled three new printers and a new printer control language (PCL) to
go with them at PC Expo in New York late last month.

The new printers will  be launched in the UK this coming September,
according to Epson UK. All three of the 24-pin printers feature the new PCL
which is called ESC/P 2, a second-generation PCL that Epson hopes will
persuade potential printer buyers to buy its unit rather than the cheaper
competition.

Unlike the original Epson PCL, which virtually all dot matrix printers
now incorporate as standard, ESC/P 2 will only be found on Epson
units. There are no plans to license the technology to third party
companies, according to Ed Huggins, corporate communications
manager with Epson UK.

In a nutshell, ESC/P 2 is the dot matrix equivalent of a page
description language such as Postscript, as seen on laser printers.
According to Epson, the PCL allows the more complex features of dot
matrix printers to be easily used.

The PCL also boosts print speed by as much as 30 per cent, compared to
older Epson models, the company claims. ESC/P 2 also allows the new
printers to produce shadows, outlines, double-height and double-width
characters.

The LQ-570, LQ-1170 and LQ-870 printers will retail for $499, $749 and
$1,049 in the US, where they will ship from the end of this month
onwards. The 570 is a home unit, while the other two are heavy duty
units, the 1170 being a wide carriage printer. U.K. prices on the new
printers have yet been decided, said Huggins.

(Steve Gold/19910703/Press Contact: Epson U.K. - Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3  ****WEST GERMAN FIRM INTROS HARD DISK LIFE EXTENDER 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00015)

 ****WEST GERMAN FIRM INTROS HARD DISK LIFE EXTENDER 07/03/91
SEELANDSTRASSE, WESTERN GERMANY, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) --
Generally speaking, hard disks fail completely after three to four years of
regular use. Now a West German company called Eurocomp has come
up with a method of spinning the drive life out still further -- turn it
off while not in use.

Eurocomp's Diskwatcher hardware unit plugs into a PC's expansion slot
and controls all hard disk accesses. If there are no accesses made
during a given period of time, then the disk is switched off. When the
hard disk needs to be accessed again, the hardware buffers the
request and spins the drive back up to speed.

One useful side-effect of stopping the hard disk when not in use is,
the company claims, the fact that the PC has a chance to verify that
data to be written to disk does not have any virus programs hidden
inside. To use this facility, a special package is run in TSR
(terminate and stay resident) mode on the PC -- it's even possible to
stop the hard disk for all accesses to give the anti-virus package a
chance to check what's happening.

Diskwatcher requires DOS 3.0 or later and can be used with most
networks, the company claims. The hardware/software combination
costs from $120, depending on what system is being used.

(Steve Gold/19910703/Press & Public Contact: Eurocomp - Tel: 01049-
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 ZILOG, KALOK SIGN IC MASS STORAGE DEV'T DEAL 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00016)

ZILOG, KALOK SIGN IC MASS STORAGE DEV'T DEAL 07/03/91
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Hot on the heals of
the introduction of a new 12.5-megahertz version of its Z180 chipset,
Zilog has announced an agreement with Kalok Corp. to jointly develop
new high performance mass storage integrated circuits.

Under the agreement, Kalok will provide design technology to Zilog,
who will develop ASSP (Application Specific Standard Parts) for
incorporation into Kalok's hard disk drives.

"Zilog has a well-defined mass storage strategy that fits with Kalok's
long-term product plans. In this dynamic market, partnerships with key
technology vendors are essential to maintain a competitive edge," said
John Hagermann, Kalok's vice president of product engineering.

According to Kalok, its Octagon I and II family of 3.5-inch drives are
directed to VARs (value-added resellers) and OEMs (original equipment
manufacturers), as well as to end-users via aftermarket distribution
channels. The units range in capacity from 20 megabyte (MB)  to 105
MB.

Newsbytes also recently reported the introduction of a 12.5-MHz
version of Zilog's Z84C90 CMOS (complimentary metal oxide
semiconductor) peripheral microprocessor.

Zilog recently signed a second-source supply agreement with Japan's
ASCII Corporation under which ASCII would supply R800 microprocessors
to Zilog on a non-exclusive basis.

Sunnyvale, California-based Kalok, with about 50 employees, has annual
sales of $50 million and was founded in 1987. Its manufacturing
facilities are in Korea and the Philippines.

Zilog, founded in 1975, designs and manufacturers special purpose
microprocessors for manufacturers and has about 1,200 employees. Zilog
was owned by Exxon until June 1989 when it was bought out by Zilog
executives.

(Ian Stokell & John McCormick/19910703/Press Contact: Deborah
Chalmers, Zilog, 408-370-8092)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 COMMODORE ANNOUNCES NEW CDTV FEATURES 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00017)

COMMODORE ANNOUNCES NEW CDTV FEATURES 07/03/91
MAIDENHEAD, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- In what
many view as an attempt to breath fresh life into the Amiga CDTV project,
Commodore has announced several new features for its new multimedia
computer. All of the new features enhance the unit's video capabilities.

One new feature, CDXL, lets developers display video images from a
CD-ROM disk on screen. CDXL can display about 12 frames per second,
or half the number of frames normally used for full-motion video films.
The effect is reported by observers to be satisfactory until objects
move at high speed across the screen.

According to Commodore, no additional hardware or software is needed
to use the CDXL features - software developers simply need the
specifications from Commodore to know how it all works. According
sources close to Commodore, very early users of older models of the
CDTV will be able to upgrade their operating system software by
slotting in new chips.

(Steve Gold/19910703)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 FIRM INTEREST IN CHUBB PAKNET'S CELLULAR RADIO ALARMS 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00018)

FIRM INTEREST IN CHUBB PAKNET'S CELLULAR RADIO ALARMS 07/03/91
WALTON-ON-THAMES, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) --
Chubb Paknet, the producers of what is claimed to be the world's first
radio-based alarm reporting system using cellular telephone networks,
has announced a considerable volume of interest in its new technology
since being unveiled in April.

Since the system was launched in April, the alarm company reports that
several systems are now installed and that interest in the technology
has exceeded all expectations.

Martin Halliday, senior security surveyor for General Accident, one of
the first companies to use the Paknet service, said: "Chubb Paknet
appears to offer the real breakthrough in alarm signalling for the
digital communicator market that the insurance industry has been
waiting for. With its competitive price, speed of reporting and lack
of telephone line to attack, I will be happy to specify it for
appropriate customers."

So what is Paknet? The system uses cellular radio techniques, but with
different base stations from the existing analogue cellular networks
in the U.K., to rapidly switch alarm calls from mobile alarms to
specified control centers. These centers can also interactively check
the status of the mobile alarms at pre-determined intervals.

Richard Fernie, Chubb Alarms' managing director, said: "I am delighted
that Chubb Alarms has been the first security company to use the
Paknet system, and that it has made a flying start."

"Other companies are interested in Paknet, and are preparing to enter
the market. But we believe that we have already established a well-
proven system that sets the standards others will have to follow," he
added.

(Steve Gold/19910703/Press & Public Contact: Julia Davies - Tel: 0932-
785588)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3  ****TEN X INTROS FASTER CD INPUT/OUTPUT 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00019)

 ****TEN X INTROS FASTER CD INPUT/OUTPUT 07/03/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 03 (NB) -- When Apple announced
Quicktime, problems with the amounts of storage space required to
hold the vast amounts of video data -- and problems with the
speed with which that data is accessed -- loomed
large on the horizon.

Considering that one minute of video can take up to one gigabyte
(GB) of storage space, compact discs (CDs) were large enough,
but too slow, while hard disks were fast enough, but too small,
and not portable so that the video output can be distributed easily.

Ten claims to have solved the problem with the announcement of its
Optical Conversion Unit (OCU), the OCU-300, for speeding up the
reading and writing to compact disc (CD) write-once-read-many (WORM)
and rewritable drives.

The company claims that the unit has many new features including
hardware drivers that work with a SCSI hardware interface, so software
drivers are unnecessary. This makes CD drives totally interchangeable
on any computer platform. The unit also provides data compression
on the fly, and double caching of data to speed up performance.

Ten X claims the OCU unit interfaces with a stand-alone CD drive, and
because of the hardware interface, any computer with a SCSI disk drive
controller card can "talk" to the CD drive. This is possible, the
company says, because the interface makes the CD drive "look and
behave" to the controller card just as though it were a standard
Winchester hard disk drive.

This interface removes all the problems associated with operating
systems that could not "talk" to the CD drives. As special software
drivers have become unnecessary, so do updates for operating system
changes, the company said.

Also, a hardware interface is always much faster than a software
interface, so the performance of any CD drive with the OCU-300 is
automatically enhanced, Ten X said.

The OCU-300 also does hardware-based data compression/decompression,
at ratios from 2:1 to 5:1, with 20:1 possible, on the fly as data
passes through the unit, said Elizabeth Davis, public relations
representative for Ten X. This speeds up performance as well, Davis
said, as compressed data is smaller and takes less time to read or
write.

The OCU-300 has 512 kilobytes (KB) of random access memory (RAM) and
is able to double cache data, meaning it can store data that will be
written until it can be, and read data off the disk while it is
writing to the disk, Davis said.

The OCU-300 supports any CD drive, and can be added separately to any
system with a SCSI controller card, Davis said. The unit can be placed
in a 1 1/2-height chassis, with the OCU-300 in the top 1/2 and the CD
drive underneath. Ten X does provide entire subsystems with the OCU-
300 and a Panasonic CD drive, as well, Davis said. The OCU-300 by
itself lists for $1,895, and the subsystems, meaning CD drive, OCU-
300, housing, and power supply range from $4,495 for a 940 megabyte
(MB) CD drive to $29,500 for a 6,400 MB drive.

More information is available by contacting Ten X, 4807 Spicewood
Springs Road, Bldg. 3, Suite 3200, Austin, Texas, 78759, (800)922-
9050.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910703/Press Contact: Elizabeth Davis, Ten X, Tel:
800/922-9050, 512/346-8360, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3  ****APPLE & IBM IN ACCORD 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00020)

 ****APPLE & IBM IN ACCORD 07/03/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- This was a day in
computing history. Arch-rivals Apple Computer and IBM Corporation
have announced that they will form a joint subsidiary to
develop object-oriented software to run on a variety of operating
systems -- a project that had been hinted in the press for weeks.

The IBM-Apple agreement, which comes in the form of a letter of intent
contingent on the execution of definitive contracts later in 1991, is
also seen by industry analysts as a counteraction to the announced
Microsoft/Compaq/Digital alliance former earlier.

Under the announced agreement, Apple and IBM will create a "jointly
owned and independently managed" system software company. The software
produced by this firm will be offered for sale for systems
manufactured by IBM, Apple and other vendors.

The announcement specifically mentions the "Intel's x86, Motorola's
680X0, and IBM's RISC System/6000 POWER architecture" as target
platforms and states that Apple and IBM will "use object-oriented
technology in future product offerings, as well as in current
operating systems, assuring that applications written for current
operating systems, including AIX, OS/2, and Macintosh, will run in
these new environments."

IBM and Apple also stated plans to further integrate the Macintosh
into the IBM world by jointly developing and marketing networking and
communications products to extend the Macintosh into the IBM
"enterprise environment." Additionally, IBM and Apple will develop an
enhanced version of AIX, IBM's version of Unix, which will support
both Macintosh and OSF/Motif user interfaces.

Apple spokesperson Barbara Krause told Newsbytes that the AIX-related
plans will not impact Apple's plans to release an enhanced version of
A/UX, Apple's Unix version, early next year.

Apple and IBM further announced that Apple will adopt future single-
chip implementations of IBM's RS/6000 architecture into future
Macintosh computers. Motorola, Apple's present supplier of chips for
the 680x0 Macintosh family, will work with IBM to develop a new family
of the chips (which IBM calls its "Power PC" chips). Motorola will
serve as a source to Apple, IBM and other vendors for these chips.

As the final element of agreement, the firms announced that they "plan
to work together to create and license platform-independent software
environments that will stimulate widespread industry development" of
new multimedia technology.

The announcement concluded by saying that: "Products resulting from
these agreements are expected to reach the marketplace over the next
two to three years."

Apple's Krause, commenting to Newsbytes on the agreement, said that,
while Apple and IBM have agreed that they would release no further
details until a definitive contract is announced, "Apple is
extremely enthusiastic about the agreement. We have been
talking to IBM for months and find many complimentary skills to be
drawn on through this cooperation."

Krause went on to say: "From Apple's standpoint, the agreement will
allow us to move toward three previously stated goals. First, it helps
us to expand our core Macintosh technology upward through the adoption
of the RISC platform. Secondly, the adoption of this platform should
make the newer Macintoshes even more attractive to large corporations,
a market in which Apple has always wished to expand its presence.
Third, the agreement will provide for even tighter integration with
larger systems and that has been another of our goals."

Krause also told Newsbytes that she could not comment on industry
rumors that David Liddle of Metaphor Systems will be the top person in
the new common subsidiary. Krause said that no further details under
the agreement are to be made available.

Esther Dyson, publisher of EDventure, told Newsbytes that she felt
that the agreement is an indication of the industry reacting to the
perception that one or two companies have too dominant a role.

"It was commonly felt that Microsoft and Intel were in command of the
direction of the industry. This perception was so prevalent that the
Federal Trade Commission began investigation of both firms. We now
have two of the major firms in the industry joining together to
redress the balance," she said.

"I think that this is good for the industry as it points out that no
firm is a powerful as everyone begins to believe. It may be confusing
to users as it indicates that we may never have only one standard but
I think that it also protects the user by encouraging diversity and
innovation," she added.

Dyson said that she also felt that the projected alliance is good for
both firms, "The most important thing for IBM is that, probably
due in large to John Akers' comments, it seems to regard itself as an
underdog and is responding aggressively. It also, by action, is
agreeing with the marketplace that another firm has something
important of value which IBM can benefit from," she told Newsbytes.

"Its agreement with GO, while important, was really a 'blessing'
rather than an agreement among equals as this is. As for Apple, the
agreement takes it out of the position of being isolated in a specific
niche. It now, without giving up its strengths, becomes more of a
mainstream alternative. The separate subsidiary approach both protects
Apple's individuality and provides it the ability to be a main player
in developing a strong industry standard," she added.

Commenting on the rumored choice of Liddle as the person to run the
new firm, Dyson said, "He is both well respected and, as far as I
know, liked by everyone in the industry. He seems to be a very good
choice."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910703/Press Contacts: Paul
Bergevin, IBM, 914-765-6630; Barbara Krause, Apple Computer, 408-974-
3719; Ken Phillips, Motorola, 602-952-3637)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 NEW FOR PCS: Helix NetRoom Offers More Memory 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00021)

NEW FOR PCS: Helix NetRoom Offers More Memory 07/03/91
LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Helix Software
has upgraded NetRoom, its memory management utility, to provide access
to more memory in Microsoft Windows 3.0 enhanced mode. The company has
found a way to share expanded memory, so that network drivers and
other memory-resident software can be swapped out of conventional
memory when not running, leaving more room for applications.

Company spokesman James Pancamo said that while NetRoom has supported
Windows in the past, its newest trick is the ability to move certain
software into expanded memory even though Windows is also using
expanded memory.

The software needed to make a PC work with a local-area network is a
prime candidate. Other memory-resident software utilities and device
drivers can also be swapped, but Pancamo said Helix does not recommend
swapping major memory-resident utilities such as Sidekick. NetRoom is
meant to work with memory-resident software that doesn't require input
from the user, he said.

The drivers are stored in expanded memory when not in use. When a
driver is needed -- if there is a call for network access, for
instance -- the running application is swapped out to expanded memory
and the driver brought into conventional memory.

This has no effect on the speed of applications except when the
swapped utilities are actually being used, Pancamo said. In heavy
network access, operation is about 10 percent slower, he admitted.

The trick works on all IBM and compatible PCs, but those with Intel
8088 and 8086 processors and most that use 80286 processors require
expanded memory specification (EMS) hardware and software, according
to Helix.

Due to ship within days, NetRoom Release 2.0 costs US$79 for a single-
user license. Multi-user licenses are available at US$149 for four,
US$249 for 10, and US$595 for 50 users, Pancamo said.

(Grant Buckler/19910703/Press Contact: James Pancamo, Helix Software,
718-392-3100)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 ATI CUTS MODEM PRICES, ADDS SENDFAX 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00022)

ATI CUTS MODEM PRICES, ADDS SENDFAX 07/03/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- ATI Technologies has cut
prices on its 2,400- and 9,600-bit-per-second (bps) modems. The
company also gave its internal 2,400-bps model, the 2400etc/i, the
ability to send facsimile messages.

The 2400etc/i can now send faxes at speeds up to 9,600 bits per second
using the international Group III fax standard. At present it cannot
receive faxes, company spokeswoman Susan Verrechia said, but that
feature will be added in the future.

The 2400etc/i now carries a list price of US$199 or C$239, down from
C$319. The external version, the 2400etc/e, has been reduced in price
from C$349 to C$279, or US$239 in the United States. The external,
9,600-bit-per-second 9600etc/e has been marked down from C$849 to
C$599, or US$499.

(Grant Buckler/19910703/Press Contact: Susan Verrechia, ATI
Technologies, 416-756-0718 ext. 228, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 OBJECT MANAGEMENT GROUP ANNOUNCES 17 NEW MEMBERS 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00023)

OBJECT MANAGEMENT GROUP ANNOUNCES 17 NEW MEMBERS 07/03/91
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- The Object
Management Group has announced the addition of 17 new member
companies, bringing its total membership to 146. That's four times as
many as a year ago, the OMG said.

The international organization aims to promote the use of object
management technology in software design. It has four categories of
membership, said Elizabeth Jewett, member relations officer. Corporate
members can submit technology to be considered for OMG standards.
Associate members cannot submit technology but have voting privileges.

End-user members have a voice that amounts to a single vote among
them. Subscribing members simply receive OMG publications but have no
voting privileges. About 45 of the current 146 members are in the
corporate category, Jewett said.

The new members include: Alcatel Network Systems; Authorware; the
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Dansk Data Electronics; Fujitsu
America; Kendall Square Research; Knowledgeware; McDonnell Douglas;
Micro Focus; Nissho Electronics; Objective Computer Systems;
Rogalandsforskning; South-western Bell Technology Resources; Sumitomo
Electric USA; Transarc Corp.; Unix International; and A.S. Veritas
Research.

In a prepared statement, John Slitz, OMG vice-president of marketing,
said recent growth in OMG membership "demonstrates object technology
in gaining in importance among leading edge companies."

(Grant Buckler/19910703/Press Contact: John Slitz, Object Management
Group, 303-444-8129)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3  ****BELL SAYS CAUSE OF PHONE TROUBLES NOT YET DETERMINED 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00024)

 ****BELL SAYS CAUSE OF PHONE TROUBLES NOT YET DETERMINED 07/03/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Despite reports on Cable
News Network (CNN) that Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania has said that
the company now suspects that a software bug, rather than equipment
failure or a deliberate virus attack, is the culprit in this week's
telephone outages in Western Pennsylvania, Newsbytes has learned in an
interview with a Bell of PA spokesperson that the search for the cause
of the outages is still under strenuous investigation and that nothing
had been ruled out yet.

Several times this week Western Pennsylvania subscribers experienced
great difficulty either in making connections or with the call-waiting
features of their service, and at first this was thought to be due to
a virus program attack on the telephone company's computer systems.

Similar problems plagued the Washington, DC area and parts of
California last week. In all cases, customers were able to call long
distance; it was mostly local service that was fouled up, although
some companies experienced troubles with incoming calls.

At present the problems are being reported by CNN as being due to a
recent upgrade of the software used to control the SS7 (signaling
system 7) network software. According to CNN, a telephone company
representative in Pittsburgh said that the new software was reporting
a number of false problems which keep causing the system to shut down
local access.

A patch for the software was reportedly sent last week, but it
apparently didn't solve all problems in the Pittsburgh region.

Last week Bell Atlantic's C&P (Chesapeake & Potomac) system had
service outages affecting seven million phones for an entire eight
hours and also on the same Wednesday three million phones were down in
Los Angeles when Pac Bell lines were down for about three hours.

CNN is reporting that the software involved is from DSC Communications
Corp, Richardson, Texas. Newsbytes tried unsuccessfully to contact
seven different people at that company for comment. No one was
forthcoming.

DSC is a $500 million company founded in 1978 which supplies e-mail,
networking, multiplexer, and other communications-related hardware and
software.

David Sewall, of the Bell of PA press office in Philadelphia, said on
Wednesday afternoon that at the moment nothing is being ruled out and
they are investigating all possible problems including hardware and
software. About the only area he indicated had low priority in their
search for a problem was a possible overload of the circuits by many
callers.

Sewall told Newsbytes today, "Some triggering event, we don't
know what it is yet, is causing the CCSN common channel signaling
networks to overload themselves with error reports."

He went on to say that, although CNN was reporting that there was a
problem with DSC software, a cause had not been determined as yet and
that, "Basically at the moment we are ruling nothing out."

Mr Sewall did confirm that DSC hardware and software is in use at Bell
of PA, but he emphasized that at the moment he knew of no reason to
blame any of the problems on DSC hardware or software.

When specifically asked about the possibility of a virus attack, he
indicated that security and possible hacker interference was one of
the areas being investigated, but that it was only one of many
possible explanations of the problem.

He also pointed out that, in addition to last week's problems on both
coasts, a brief similar outage was experienced by Pac Tel in the San
Francisco Bay area on Monday.

One industry insider pointed out that there had been complaints that
Bell Atlantic had failed to upgrade hardware to keep up with customer
demands, but since the problems have also occurred in Pac Tel systems
on the other coast it appears that any such slowness to upgrade
hardware [if any] probably isn't the cause of the present trouble.

AT&T's EDGE publication reported on April 8 that a recent test of
integrating SS7 systems to implement ISDN or Integrated Services
Digital Network, a telecommunications network standard that allows
voice and data transmissions on the same line, was successful in New
York and it may be significant that that system hasn't yet reported
experiencing any similar problems.

"New York Telephone, ALLTEL New York and MCI successfully linked their
SS7 networks, using Northern Telecom digital switches in Manhattan and
Jamestown. Similar tests are now proceeding to connect the SS7
networks of New York Telephone, Rochester Telephone and AT&T
Communications, using AT&T Network Systems digital switches in
Manhattan and Rochester. TC Systems will provide ISDN access to
Merrill Lynch and Citibank in New York City."

SS7 is a critical part of ISDN links, which many observers predict
will be in widespread business and government use in the U.S. in the
near future.

SS7 provides the network surveillance and plays a crucial role
because, with the separation of signaling from the voice network,
thousands of subscribers are carried on each link, making any downtime
for a switch node extremely expensive.

(John McCormick/19910703/Press Contact: David Sewall, Bell of PA, 215-
466-4549)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 TECHNOLOGY FOR DISABLED CONFERENCE BIG SUCCESS 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00025)

TECHNOLOGY FOR DISABLED CONFERENCE BIG SUCCESS 07/03/91
NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Dr. Harry Murphy
of California State University at Northridge has stated that the
recently concluded 1991 International Conference on Technology and
Persons with Disabilities was the most successful ever, with more than
2,000 participants from 42 states and 19 foreign countries.

The conference featured more than 200 speakers and 100 exhibitors, but
next year's is expected to be even bigger.

The Seventh Annual (1992) Conference on Technology and Persons with
Disabilities has been scheduled for March 18-21, 1992, at the Los
Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel. A sub-conference, Virtual Reality and
Persons with Disabilities, will be keynoted by Jaron Lanier, CEO of
Redwood City, California-based VPL Inc., the creator of the term
virtual reality.

For further information about the next conference, contact: Dr. Harry
Murphy, Conference Director, Cal. State University, Northridge, 18111
Nordhoff Street - DVSS, Northridge, CA 91330

(John McCormick/19910703/Press Contact: Dr. Harry Murphy, CSUN, 818-
885-2578 or fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3  ****JVC AND SEGA DEVELOP CD-ROM GAME MACHINE 07/03/91

07/03/91



(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00026)

 ****JVC AND SEGA DEVELOP CD-ROM GAME MACHINE 07/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Japan Victor Corporation (JVC) and
Sega Enterprises have announced plans to jointly develop a powerful
game machine based on CD-ROM (compact disk, read only memory)
technology. The new games machine will be equipped with
sophisticated audio-visual features.

The new games machine will be a combination of Sega's upgraded game
machine and a CD-ROM drive. It will be mostly produced
by Sega, incorporating the firm's existing games machine technology.
To date, Sega's track record is impressive in the games machines
stakes, the company having developed various game machines including
the Mega Drive and the Terra Drive. The Mega Drive is a 16-bit machine
and the Terra Drive is equipped with two microprocessors -- a 68000
and an 80286 microprocessor. Interestingly, the Terra Drive was jointly
developed with IBM Japan and runs IBM Japan's latest operating system --
DOS/V. The new machine is widely expected to incorporate Mega Drive
technology and will also be capable of feeding a audio/video signal to a
TV set.

Plans call for the CD-ROM to be developed by JVC. It is widely
reported that JVC will incorporate its latest audio-visual technology
in the unit, which will create extra clear pictures and quality sound.

The new CD-ROM game machine is scheduled to be released next spring at
around 100,000 yen ($740). Over 200,000 units are expected to be sold
in Japan. Sega also plans to release the system in the U.S. and
Europe.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910703/Press Contact: Sega Enterprise, +81-3-
3743-7438)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 AUTOMATIC CHART MAKER ON PHOTOCOPIER DEBUTS 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00027)

AUTOMATIC CHART MAKER ON PHOTOCOPIER DEBUTS 07/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Ricoh, the major Japanese office
equipment manufacturer, has developed a photocopier that incorporates
AI (artificial intelligence) technology. The AI element in the copier
is a unit that can output eight types of graphic charts, including bar and pie
charts, on the output copy.

Ricoh's latest copier is called the `Imagio MF530' and also includes a
feature that allows hand-drawn characters to be incorporated into the
graphic charts. The user simply writes the figures in a special
tabular format and the copier does the rest.

Don't expect this type of technology to come cheaply - Ricoh has
indicated that the copier will retail for 980,000 yen (around $7,250)
later this month. That price is only for the basic machine -- if you
want the AI module, you'll have to pay an extra 100,000 yen ($740).

Ricoh has even developed an add-on fax unit for the copier. When
plugged in, the fax unit allows the image to be transmitted while the
copier is copying the page.

Combination fax-copiers are fast becoming a new trend here in Japan. Sharp
and Xerox have already developed their own units and several other
manufacturers have announced plans to develop their own.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910703/Press Contact: Ricoh, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3  ****CHAOS JOINS FUZZY LOGIC AS JAPAN PROGRAMMING TREND 07/03/91

07/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00028)

 ****CHAOS JOINS FUZZY LOGIC AS JAPAN PROGRAMMING TREND 07/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- First came fuzzy logic, now welcome
chaos. The new concept is being applied to all manner of electronic
gadgets here in Japan.

Fuzzy logic is a vague concept. The software required to drive such a
system is complex. Chaos technology builds upon the fuzzy logic
concept by applying "chaotic" principles to data. As the word implies, chaos
is a state where no rules apply. Yet the theory of probability dictates that,
if enough situations are created, then an order of logic will apply.

Toshiba wants to apply the chaos concept for pictorial data processing
and computer chips. Nomura Research Institute wants to use it for
predicting financial market.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910703)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3 NEC WILL RELEASE 16M DRAM IN SEPTEMBER 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00029)

NEC WILL RELEASE 16M DRAM IN SEPTEMBER 07/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- NEC will release a commercial sample
of a 16-megabit (Mb) dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chip this
September, reports the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper. This is much earlier
than was originally expected.

NEC will produce the 16 Mb chip at its Hiroshima plant in September
at the rate of 10,000 units per month. The firm is currently producing
a 4 Mb chip at the plant.

NEC is currently shipping about 2.5 million units of the 4Mb chip per
month. However, this figure is lower than expected, and some computer
companies are already asking for the 16M chip. This has prompted NEC
to speed up progress with its 16 Mb chip.

NEC is not the only company to develop a 16 Mb chip -- Fujitsu,
Hitachi and Mitsubishi are reported to be following NEC's lead, so we
could see a 16 Mb war in Japan later this year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910703/Press Contact: NEC, [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 3  ****PLINK'S MAJOR SYSOP SIGNS WITH PORTAL 07/03/91

07/03/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00030)

 ****PLINK'S MAJOR SYSOP SIGNS WITH PORTAL 07/03/91
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 3 (NB) -- Following on
from the sudden disappearance of American Peoplelink (Plink) from the
online service arena, as reported by Newsbytes on Monday, one of the
service's most popular SIGs (special interest groups) has signed with
Portal, another online service.

According to Portal, CBM*Harv, the popular sysop (system operator) who
ran the Amiga Zone area on Plink until its demise last Friday, has
agreed with Portal to reinstall the SIG on the Portal computers.

"Harve has come to Portal. We're very pleased about the change," said
spokesman Brian of Portal. Brian also confirmed the mysterious
disappearance of Plink last Friday, but could offer no explanation of
the withdrawal of service.

Portal is one of the lower cost online services. Accessible via
Sprintnet, the service costs $19-95 to sign up and $2-50 an hour to
use, subject to a monthly minimum of $13-95. Access is via the
Sprintnet network on a host-paid basis.

(Steve Gold/19910703/Press & Public Contact: Portal - Tel: 408-973-
9111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 UTAH SCHOOLS BUY LEARNING PROGRAMS WORTH $1.1 MILLION 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00001)

UTAH SCHOOLS BUY LEARNING PROGRAMS WORTH $1.1 MILLION 07/02/91
OGDEN, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Wicat Systems has
announced that several Utah school districts have purchased over
$1 million worth of integrated learning systems software for use in the
K-12 programs.

A state spokesperson said that the increased focus on educational
technology is a result of Utah's recently implemented Educational
Technology Initiative (ETI). The states goal of ETI is: "to enhance
the state's teaching/learning process, and to empower students to
become literate, self-directed learners, problem solvers and
productive members of a technology-oriented society."

Much of the software was purchased under the Chapter One program,
a federally funded program to aid in the instruction of economically
disadvantaged students.

School districts purchasing the programs include Davis, Emery,
Granite, Jordan, Ogden, Provo and Washington Counties.
The software will run on existing hardware within the districts.

(Jim Mallory/19910702/Press Contact:Garrett Lyman, Wicat, 801-224-
6400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 NEW FOR PC: It's Legal 2.0 Doubles Number Of Documents 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)

NEW FOR PC: It's Legal 2.0 Doubles Number Of Documents 07/02/91
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Parsons
Technology has released It's Legal Release 2.0, which doubles the
number of legal documents included in the program.

It's Legal includes such documents as durable health care power of
attorney, which allows the user to create a legal document which can
specify who should decide the extent of life sustaining measures in
the event of a debilitating illness or accident. The documents can be
customized for your state.

Other documents include a bill of sale, board of directors minutes,
consulting or independent contractor agreements, various consumer
letters, requests for credit reports, letters to challenge your credit
rating or a denial of credit, leases, various powers of attorney, and
wills.

It's Legal Release 2.0 has expanded its on-line help and also
includes extensive printed documentation. It also provides resizable
windows, allowing the user to open and work with multiple documents
simultaneously, and multiple versions of a form can be saved.

It's Legal Release 2.0 retails for $69, and requires an IBM or
compatible with 512 kilobytes of RAM and either two floppy drives or
a hard disk. The program supports a Microsoft compatible mouse, but
can be used without one. The company cautions that the forms may
not be legal in Louisiana.

Its legal 2.0 can be purchased direct from Parsons Technology by
calling 800-223-6925, and is also sold through various retail outlets.

(Jim Mallory/19910702/Press Contact: Anne Rawland, Parsons Technology,
319-377-5601, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE NOW ON CD-ROM 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE NOW ON CD-ROM 07/02/91
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Medical professionals
who use the New England Journal of Medicine to keep current can now
get the 130 most recent issues on a CD-ROM (compact disk, read-only
memory).

Released by CMC Research Inc, the disk contains more than 6,500
pages of articles spanning the period from January 1989 through June
1991, and also includes DiskPassage, CMC's search and retrieval
software.

The Journal was established in 1812, and is the oldest continually
published medical journal in the world. Many significant advancements
and new findings in the medical world are first announced in its pages.
Distributed in nearly 100 countries, the Journal has a circulation of
over 225,000.

Information is stored on a CD-ROM by writing to the disk with a laser
beam, then the information can be read repeatedly, but cannot be
written to again. A special CD-ROM disk drive computer peripheral is
required.

In order to introduce the CD-ROM Journal, CMC has priced the disk at
$295. After an introductory period, the price will go up an additional
$100. Purchasers at the special price will also receive a free update
disk which will include all 1991 articles, as well as tables and images.

(Jim Mallory/19910702/Press Contact: Chris Kitze, CMC, 503-639-3395)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 AUSTRALIAN CONTAINER-TRACKING SYSTEM FOR GUAM 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00004)

AUSTRALIAN CONTAINER-TRACKING SYSTEM FOR GUAM 07/02/91
GUAM, MICRONESIA, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Competing against Dec and
Hewlett Packard, Australian company C-Track has won an order to
provide a computerized shipping container system to Guam.

The tracking software includes planning, security, shipping, invoicing
and customs requirements. The system uses two Dec MicroVax 3900
computers and 48 terminals. In addition, a link is provided to
external DOS networks.

Transport and dock crews have radio-operated data capture units
for real-time connection to the database. The system is designed to
maximize port effectiveness, ensuring that containers are kept
moving, utilizing facilities to the maximum and avoiding log-jams.

(Paul Zucker/19910702)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2  ****AUSTRALIA: NOVELL SUPPORTS 'GREY PRODUCTS' 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00005)

 ****AUSTRALIA: NOVELL SUPPORTS 'GREY PRODUCTS' 07/02/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Novell in Australia has
authorized a new third-party support center, operated by Starcom
Systems. The center is for all legitimate users, regardless of source
of product, or the existence of a service contract.

Novell estimates around 15 percent of products sold in Australia have
come via unauthorized or 'grey' channels -- generally from mail-order
outlets in the US. These products will now be fully supported, as well
as products sold by companies now no longer operating.

Four levels of support will be offered: business-hours phone support;
24-hour phone support; dial-in support and on-site. Starcom will in turn
be supported by Novell as a 'Gold Level' dealer.

(Paul Zucker/19910702)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 TELECOM AUSTRALIA BOOSTS AI SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00006)

TELECOM AUSTRALIA BOOSTS AI SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 07/02/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Australia's major phone
carrier Telecom has increased its development programs for Artificial
Intelligence (AI) systems to stay ahead of the competition.

The system will be used for various tasks such as traffic prediction,
fault analysis and repair expediting. One system, Express, has already
cut faults in one network to less than ten percent of the performance
before it was installed. AI systems will be able to apply 'human'
logic to problems, rather than the inflexible logic normally associated
with computers.

For instance, knowing that a fault lies somewhere between the
exchange and the customer does little to get it fixed. Artificial
intelligence can draw on rules taken from past experience to
perform appropriate tests and determine the exact fault and
location.

(Paul Zucker/19910702)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 CONTINUUM ANNOUNCES INSURANCE MARKET PACKAGE 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00007)

CONTINUUM ANNOUNCES INSURANCE MARKET PACKAGE 07/02/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- The Continuum Company
has announced Enterprise Solutions by Continuum (ES/C), a software
family for the insurance industry.

The company says ES/C gives insurance companies providing life,
property and casualty financial services an easy and affordable way
to implement open and integrated systems architectures and
environments.

Peter Keen, executive director of the International Center for
Information Technologies likened EC/S to a lego block approach to
computing. Keen says new capabilities can be added to the platform
"without having to throw old components away, rewrite applications, or
suffer the problems of system disintegration that plague most firms."

The Continuum company says ES/C extends their line of administration
systems, including Client/Contract Administration, Life/70, Life/Comm,
CLOAS and CoGen products.

David Fisher of The Continuum Company says the building block
concept is especially useful for a company who wants to buy a general
ledger program now, and accounts payable and receivable several
months later.

Fisher told Newsbytes that ES/C starts at $64,000 and tops out
at $490,000.

(Jim Mallory/19910702/Press Contact:David Fisher, The Continuum
Company, 512-345-5700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 FCC AGREES TO LOW-COST WIRELESS MOBILE PHONE TESTS 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00008)

FCC AGREES TO LOW-COST WIRELESS MOBILE PHONE TESTS 07/02/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Comcast, a
cellular telephone and cable television company, has announced that
its applications to the Federal Communications Commission for
permission to experiment with a new, lower cost wireless telephone
system it calls personal communications services (PCS), have been
granted.

Comcast said it believes it can interconnect PCS signals with both a
cellular telephone network and existing cable television distribution
systems to provide wireless, portable communications at lower cost.

The experiments will focus on using existing cable television networks
to route calls from PCS 'microcells,' and help determine the type of
interconnection role that can be expected from the television cable
systems, the company said.

Comcast said a typical scenario may take the form of a consumer,
using a small, portable handset, placing or receiving a call just as if
using an ordinary telephone or cellular phone. The handset would
communicate with a 'microcell' (a small transmitter/receiver) station
serving a single office building or neighborhood block, as compared
with the much larger 'cells' currently served by cellular telephone
systems.

The signals would then, in turn, travel through existing networks --
for example, the existing terrestrial and satellite telephone networks
-- to connect the end-users together.

"We are enthusiastic about our participation in the development of
this new, innovative telecommunications service," said Mark A.
Coblitz, Comcast's vice-president of strategic planning. "While still
years away, PCS holds the promise of dramatically increasing the
communications options for the consumer at home, at work and
at play."

Comcast said it has been granted experimental authorization in five
communities: Los Angeles, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Trenton in New
Jersey, West Palm Beach in Florida, and Indianapolis. The
cellular/cable interconnection experiments are planned for Trenton,
New Jersey where Comcast operates both a cellular service and a
cable television system, the company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910702/Press Contact: Marolyn Bailey, Comcast, Tel:
215/981-7550, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 UK: MULTIMEDIA GETS A SHOT IN THE ARM 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00009)

UK: MULTIMEDIA GETS A SHOT IN THE ARM 07/02/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Multimedia and CD-ROM
(compact disk, read-only memory) technology is to be the subject of
two 'open days' at the European Multimedia Centre (EMC) in London
later this month.

At the same time, the EMC has announced plans to form a series of
user groups -- building on the success of the CD-ROM user group --
with the aim of educating users and sharing information via meetings
and quarterly newsletters.

According to Paul Fletcher, new business manager with EMC, the user
groups will cost UKP 95 for individuals and UKP 195 for organizations.
The open days will take place at EMC's Stephenson Way, London,
headquarters, on 23 and 24 July.

Plans call for the open days to feature displays from several industry
majors -- Apple and Commodore have already been signed up -- for
both end users and resellers to view.

"Basically, the open days will give users an idea of what multimedia
and CD-Rom technology is about. The days will also give users an
idea of the complexity -- or ease of use -- of the technology involved,"
Fletcher told Newsbytes.

The user groups will kick off with the Mac and reseller user groups,
which will be formally announced on the 23 July. Plans call for a
further seven user groups, covering a variety of multimedia-related
special interest groups (SIGs).

(Steve Gold/19910702/Press & Public Contact: European Multimedia
Centre -Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 STRADFORD OFFERS FINANCIAL ADVICE OVER 900 NUMBER 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

STRADFORD OFFERS FINANCIAL ADVICE OVER 900 NUMBER 07/02/91
CINCINNATI, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2  (NB) -- Viewers of Fox's
'Married with Children' television show may remember an episode
where father Al Bundy decided to cash in on his knowledge of shoes
with 'Dial a Shoe,' a 900-number offering live advice on shoes. With the
proliferation of companies offering entrepreneurs low rates for 900 lines,
even no-money-down offerings with shared revenue, that fantasy is
becoming a reality.

Keith Stradford, a Cincinnati man, will answer questions about personal
finances for $2 per minute. Stradford's Stradford Enterprise, based in
Cincinnati, is offering its Investing and Personal Financial Management
Program, covering every facet of money management from real estate
investments to mutual funds, and from finding new sources of money to
legal ways to cut taxes.

Stradford admitted to Newsbytes that he is a sole proprietor, with
nothing but his own research abilities to back up his market calls.
The number for accessing The Investing and Personal Financial
Management Program is 1-900-988-9808x184.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910702/Press Contact: Stradford Enterprise, Keith
E. Stradford, 513-825-7682)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 N.E.T. OFFERS WIDE AREA NETWORKING PRODUCTS 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

N.E.T. OFFERS WIDE AREA NETWORKING PRODUCTS 07/02/91
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Network
Equipment Technologies Inc., has introduced a range of new
wide-area network products that combine packet-switching technology
and support for international network management industry standards.

The N.E.T. ADNX/60 is an access product for remote company sites,
while the N.E.T. fax digitizer optimizes world-wide fax transmissions.
In addition, N.E.T. announced the N.E.T. expert fault management
system software application and after-hours fault management
support service, previously bundled in N.E.T.'s leading expert fault
management service. The expert fault management system is the first
of a series of applications that take advantage of N.E.T.'s new network
management platform.

By entering into the network management and fax arenas, N.E.T.
hopes to build on its leading position in the market for multi-point T-1
multiplexers, which can dynamically link several lines together on to a
single line moving data at speeds of up to 1.544 million bits-per-second.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910702/Press Contact: Network Equipment
Technologies Laura Stiff, 415-780-5753)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 EXCLUSIVE MIDEAST DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT FOR IMM 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

EXCLUSIVE MIDEAST DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT FOR IMM 07/02/91
KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) --
International Mobile Machines, which cracked the Kuwaiti market
following the Persian Gulf war, has announced an exclusive joint
Middle East distributorship agreement with Olayan Development
and A.H. Alsagar & Brothers.

Plans call for the two companies to jointly market the Ultraphone, a
telephone system using digital cellular technology, not only in Kuwait
but in other Middle East countries such as Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain,
Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Iran and Turkey.

Olayan Development is a subsidiary of the Olayan Group of Saudi
Arabia, founded in 1947 by Suliman S. Olayan. The group is now one
of the leading businesses in that country, and a major U.S. real estate
investor. A.H. Alsagar & Brothers is a Kuwaiti business group which is
close to the country's ruling family.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910702/Press Contact: John A. Goetz, IMM, 215-278-
7800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2  ****PRODIGY MAY HAVE TO CUT WORKFORCE TO SURVIVE 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)

 ****PRODIGY MAY HAVE TO CUT WORKFORCE TO SURVIVE 07/02/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Joshua Harris of
Jupiter Communications, a leading analyst of the online market, says
that Prodigy may have to cut its 900-person workforce by at least half
if it is to be a long-term survivor in the online marketplace.

The online marketplace is presently undergoing a shake-out in which
small firms like Peoplelink are hitting problems. But even large firms
like Prodigy are under pressure to earn profits, Harris says.

"I don't think they'll go away in the next year or two," Harris told
Newsbytes, but "if they don't make money they may get to a point by
1995 that they're losing their momentum. If you divide what they're
losing by 2, it's cigarette money" for IBM and Sears, the two partners
in the Prodigy joint-venture.

"They've put the capital in already. The real fear is the competitors
may start taking pot-shots at Prodigy's applications, which aren't
great," he added.

"They've got to make some major news. You can't lose money every
year based on potential." Much will depend on Prodigy's renewal rate,
Harris added, since the company has added over 300,000 subscribers
in the last year with heavy advertising. "With a bad economy it won't
help -- people don't have much discretionary income, and this requires
that."

In contrast, Harris said, GEnie is making money, relative to the
industry, with only about 250,000 subscribers. Prodigy recently
claimed to have 1 million subscribers, based on the number of valid
IDs on the system. About 600,000 Prodigy kits have been sold. The
kits cost about $50, and the service costs about $13 per month per kit,
plus transaction charges, and 25 cents per electronic-mail message
over 30.

Jupiter is now planning its annual directory conference, scheduled for
July 15-16 at the 4 Seasons Hotel Washington. This year's highlight
will be the announcement by Telecomm Australia of an online white
pages service for the U.S., going head-to-head with AT&T. "The
electronic white pages are going to be the real telco gateway
products," he says, predicting that screen-based telephones could
become the big consumer hit of 1992.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910702/Press Contact: Joshua Harris, Jupiter
Communications, 212-941-9252)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 ISDN FACING TARIFF BATTLES 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)

ISDN FACING TARIFF BATTLES 07/02/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- J.C. Penney has taken the
largest local phone companies in the U.S. to task for failing to announce
realistic pricing on its Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
service lines. But the phone companies continue to disagree over how
to sell the system, with US West and Ameritech having filed no tariff
at all for the crucial Common Channel Signaling System 7 (CCS7)
feature.

CCS7 is a new method for out-of-band signaling, useful for passing
things like callers' phone numbers and names along with their calls.
In contrast to today's Automatic Number Identification systems, CCS7
uses a 16,000 bits-per-second digital data channel alongside the two
64,000 bps information channels carried by a single ISDN line.

BellSouth has proposed to the FCC that the cost of CCS7 be passed
on to all rate-payers as a network upgrade, but the FCC is expecting
other proposals to be made.

The problem is that, unless ISDN is compatible throughout the country,
both in terms of technology and pricing, many companies will be
reluctant to use it, despite its benefits.

Bellcore, the research arm of the seven regional Bell companies,
recently made a move toward technological compatibility with a
document specifying how ISDN terminal equipment must be designed
to operate with central office switches. Earlier this year Bellcore had
issued a standard called National ISDN-1, which will result over the
next few years in AT&T and NT making their digital switches
compatible.

But the technology will not be adopted unless the pricing issues are
settled, and that is what J.C. Penney is reportedly complaining about,
according to 'Network World' magazine. Penney wants to use ISDN
lines to link its 1,000 stores, but the local phone companies have been
slow to offer compatible pricing plans. Currently only Ameritech and
Pacific Bell offer ISDN lines as part of their regular phone line
offerings.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910702)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 GEORGIA TECH'S NEW MICROMACHINE PRODUCTION METHOD 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00015)

GEORGIA TECH'S NEW MICROMACHINE PRODUCTION METHOD 07/02/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- The development of
micromachines, tiny motors, gears and other machine components which
are small enough to operate inside the human body or fit on a computer
chip, took a giant step forward as scientists at Georgia Tech announced
a new technique for producing them.

Georgia Tech's technique uses tiny plastic molds and conventional
electroplating, available in most microchip factories with 'clean
room' facilities, to produce machines, using a variety of materials.
The group has already made motors which are 300 microns across
and 50 microns thick using copper and nickel.

The process relies on photosensitive polyimide, a polymer plastic
commonly used in computer chip packaging. Using the same
lithographic techniques used to make other chips, the Georgia Tech
group placed patterns of motors, gears, and other components onto
the plastic, then chemically etched them out. These then serve as
molds which were filled with metal using standard electroplating
techniques.

Early micromachines were made with silicon, and were just a few
microns thick. Unfortunately, these 'pancake' micromachines were
barely able to generate enough power to overcome friction. X-ray
techniques were then used to produce thicker micromachines which
were thick enough, but very expensive.

Dr. Mark Allen, an electrical engineer who headed the Georgia Tech
team, says the devices he created could be used as positioners on
the surface of a microchip which could be used for in electron
microscopes or for positioning lasers to fiber optic cables.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910702/Georgia Tech, John Toon, 404-894-3444)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 MT XINU SPINS OFF XINET UNIX-TO-MAC PRODUCTS DIVISION 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00016)

MT XINU SPINS OFF XINET UNIX-TO-MAC PRODUCTS DIVISION 07/02/91
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Mt Xinu Inc., has
decided to spin off its Xinet division into a separate corporation.

According to the company, Xinet will focus on providing Unix-to-
Macintosh connectivity products while Mt Xinu will focus on Unix and
Mach operating system products such as Mach 386.

Dick Wrenn, spokesman for Xinet, told Newsbytes that Xinet has been
spun-off because the company is geared more towards " a broader
market" than Mt Xinu, and that it is more interested in "the
commercial aspects of Unix."

Mt Xinu was itself spun off by Berkeley nine years ago to provide Unix
to a predominantly research-oriented market. The company, said Wrenn,
is "more interested in the research market" with "customers that are
typically source-code modifiers."

Robert Kridle, former Mt Xinu president, is now president of Xinet.
Deborah Scherrer, one of Mt Xinu's early members, is now president
of Mt Xinu.

The new company claims that its Unix-to-Macintosh connectivity
products are both Macintosh System 7.0 and AppleTalk Phase II
compatible.

Wrenn also told Newsbytes that Xinet is "more interested in large
commercial organizations," and may even "decide to take on venture
capital," which is something Mt Xinu would not do.

(Ian Stokell/19910702/Press Contact: Dick Wrenn, Xinet, 415-845-0555)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2  ****ASHTON-TATE GOES MASS-MARKET 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017)

 ****ASHTON-TATE GOES MASS-MARKET 07/02/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate
(AT) has announced mass-market distribution through electronic stores,
office supply houses, warehouse clubs, software-only chain stores and
department stores nation-wide is the goal of its new consumer sales
division.

AT says this is the first time it has used 'non-traditional' channels
to distribute its products, but says it is responding to a growing
trend of consumers who are purchasing personal computer
products through mass merchandisers.

Kim Motika, the newly appointed manager of the Consumer Sales
Division said: "International Data Corp. (IDC) estimates that one in
every six PCs will be purchased through mass merchants, consumer
stores, and other 'low-value-added' channels by 1994. Software will be
part of that purchase."

Max Toy, Ashton-Tate's vice president, U.S. sales and marketing, said:
"We are excited to be one of the first major software vendors to use
these non-traditional distribution channels. We believe offering our
products through these channels will allow Ashton-Tate to address a
new market while continuing to fully support our current resellers and
distributors."

AT says it is beginning with Rapidfile, Control Room and Framework
XE, and has redesigned the packaging and lowered the price of each.
Rapidfile is a flat file database with word processing designed for
label, report and mailing list creation and management, and is
expected to cost $149.

Control Room is a utility package for maintenance, virus protection,
customization, and information about an individual personal computer's
components and is priced at $129, AT said.

Framework XE combines word processing, spreadsheet, data
management, graphics, outlining, telecommunications and electronic
mail in one package, and is priced at $149, the company said.

AT says this pricing structure will allow retailers to sell each product
for less than AT's advertised prices, and estimates retailers will sell
the packages for under $100 each.

Newsbytes did call a mail order software distributor -- Dustin Discount
Software -- for a comparison of what the software has been selling for
before this AT announcement, and found Control Room was $79,
Framework XE was not available, and Rapidfile was $109.

AT products have been available already to consumers through the
distribution channels AT names in the announcement. When
Newsbytes asked what was new to consumers about the marketing
strategy announcement, no-one was available at AT who could
comment.

Jeff Abrams, merchandise manager for Best Buy, a chain of electronics
stores in the South-western and Midwestern U.S. said: "Ashton-Tate is
the Cadillac of manufacturers for business and productivity software.
We are delighted that the company has decided to address the
consumer market, and we are confident that the Ashton-Tate name will
be a key selling point."

Glenn Ochsenreiter, senior director for Waldensoftware, said: "The
small business and home office market is the fastest-growing category
in our business. Ashton-Tate's new consumer packages are
well-suited to this market because they offer users productivity,
affordable prices and strong brand name recognition."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910702/Press Contact: Lisa Messenger, Ashton-Tate,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Dustin Discount Software, Tel:
800/274-6611, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2  ****MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES WINDOWS 3.1 DETAILS IN U.S.S.R. 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00018)

 ****MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES WINDOWS 3.1 DETAILS IN U.S.S.R. 07/02/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Microsoft executives have
demonstrated features that will appear in Version 3.1 of the company's
popular Windows graphical user interface (GUI) front-end to DOS.

According to Geraint Davis, product marketing manager for Microsoft
Paris, Release 3.1 of Windows will have shell and file manager
improvements, along with network and DOS applications support, Object
Linking and Embedding (OLE), Truetype fonts, the ability to run from
ROM (read-only memory), and support for audio, pen and multimedia
applications as a standard feature.

Windows 3.1's shell and file manager modules will have better file
browsing capabilities, multiple directory trees, and introduce a new
type of drag/drop files to the PC user.

Networking support on Windows 3.1, meanwhile, will include task
switching application program interfaces (APIs), better error
checking, faster printing speed and the ability to reconfigure network
connection in the event of the equipment failure.

Plans call for Windows 3.1 to be rolled out in the Soviet Union by the
end of the year. Microsoft representatives attending the development
meeting in Moscow refused to comment on recent speculation that the
package's development is falling behind schedule.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910702/Press contact: Dale Christiansen,
Microsoft GmbH, phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 MICRON LICENSES SANYO TO MAKE DRAM IN JAPAN 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019)

MICRON LICENSES SANYO TO MAKE DRAM IN JAPAN 07/02/91
BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1991 JULY 2 (NB) -- Micron Technology has
licensed Sanyo to manufacture Micron-designed DRAM (dynamic
random access memory) microprocessors in Japan. Sanyo has been
Micron's exclusive distributor in Japan since 1989.

Micron manufactures military and civilian memory chips as well as
board-level products and the DRAM memory covered in this
agreement is used in VGA controllers as well as memory in laptop
and notebook computers.

With gross annual sales of about $333 million and nearly 4,000
employees, Micron Technology is a New York Stock Exchange
listed corporation founded in 1978.

(John McCormick/19910702/Press Contact: Kipp Bedard, Micron Technology
Inc., 208-368-4400 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2  ****TIARA ACQUIRES DCA'S 10NET COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00020)

 ****TIARA ACQUIRES DCA'S 10NET COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS 07/02/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Digital
Communications Associates (DCA) has sold its 10NET Communications
business to Tiara Computer Systems for $2.5 million, and at the same
time taken a ten percent equity investment in the company.

According to Tiara, terms of the agreement call for the company to
acquire all of 10NET's local area network (LAN) hardware and software
products, along with the DCA employees and facilities in Dayton, Ohio,
that are associated with 10NET.

Linda Longley, spokesperson for Tiara, told Newsbytes that "the 10Net
business is a very good fit for" the company, and is "an extension of
where we want to be in the market-place."

According to Tiara, the company still plans to continue to operate the
10NET business out of Dayton, Ohio.

Longley confirmed this to Newsbytes, saying that the Dayton facility
will remain, and that it would be mainly engineering at the site. The
administration and marketing, she said, would move to Mountain View,
California. These two areas had not existed at the Dayton facility
anyway she said, as they were handled by DCA elsewhere.

Both companies have strong European sales for some products. Longley
said there would be no discontinuation of any products from 10Net
Communication's line.

Tiara intends to integrate the marketing and support of 10Net's
product line into its already distribution channels in the United
States and abroad as soon as possible.

Asked if there would be any reduction in personnel at the Dayton
facility, Longley replied, "Not at all." In fact, she said, there
"may be some hirings."

The 10NET product line includes 10NET Plus, a peer-to-peer LAN
operating system for DOS and Microsoft Windows users, and Ethernet LAN
adapters.

Tiara Computer Systems designs and manufactures a line of network
products including hardware adapters and concentrators for Ethernet,
ARCNET and Token-Ring architectures; software drivers for all major
network operating systems; and all cabling options.

(Ian Stokell/19910702/Press Contact: Linda Longley, Tiara Computer
Systems Inc., 415-965-1700)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2  ****SUN GETS $100 MILLION FINANCING, SHUFFLES EXECUTIVES 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00021)

 ****SUN GETS $100 MILLION FINANCING, SHUFFLES EXECUTIVES 07/02/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) - Sun Microsystems
has entered into an arrangement with J.P. Morgan Delaware and Morgan
Guaranty Trust Co., of New York, which involves the sale of certain
accounts receivable.

According to the company, the agreement will reduce Sun's accounts
receivable by $100 million and increase cash by a corresponding
amount, without adding to Sun's balance sheet indebtedness.

The three-year revolving facility will be reflected on Sun's balance
sheet for the fiscal year which ended June 30, 1991, because Sun
usually reports its year-end results during the first half of August.

"This arrangement diversifies our funding sources and adds cash to the
balance sheet at an attractive price," said Thomas J. Meredith, vice
president and treasurer. "In addition, it improves our asset
efficiency and strengthens our credit position while preserving our
debt capacity under existing lines."

Sun has also moved three executives to different positions within the
company. William J. Raduchel, who has been the chief financial officer
of the company since June 1989, becomes vice president for corporate
planning and development and chief information officer. Kevin C.
Melia, formerly vice president of operations since October 1989,
succeeds him as chief financial officer.

Additionally, Richard W. McQuillen, vice president of human resources,
becomes vice president responsible for manufacturing, procurement and
product delivery in Japan, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and
Latin America.

(Ian Stokell/19910702/Press Contact: Austin Wing Mayer, Sun
Microsystems Inc., 415-336-0699)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 LAW PANEL RECOMMENDS COMPUTER SEARCH PROCEDURES 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00022)

LAW PANEL RECOMMENDS COMPUTER SEARCH PROCEDURES 07/02/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- A panel of lawyers and
civil libertarians, meeting at the Computer Professionals for Social
Responsibility (CPSR) Washington roundtable, "Civilizing Cyberspace,"
has proposed procedures for police searches and seizures which the panel
feels will both allow adequate investigations and protect the
constitutional rights of the subject of the investigation.

The panel, composed of Mike Godwin, staff counsel of Electronic
Frontier Foundation; Sharon Beckman attorney with Silverglate & Good;
David Sobel of CPSR, Jane Macht, attorney with Catterton, Kemp and
Mason; and Anne Branscomb of Harvard University, based its proposals
on the assumption that a person, in his use of computer equipment, has
protection under both the Fourth Amendment and the free speech and
association provisions of the first amendment.

The panel first addressed the requirements for a specific warrant
authorizing the search and recommended that the following guidelines
be observed:

[1] The warrant must contain facts establishing probable cause to
believe that evidence of a particular crime or crimes will be found in
the computers or disks sought to be searched.

[2] The warrant must describe with particularity both the data to be
seized and the place where it is to be found ("with particularity" is
underlined).

[3] The search warrant must be executed so as to minimize the
intrusion of privacy, speech and association.

[4] Officers may search for and seize only the data, software, and
equipment specified in the warrant.

[5] The search should be conducted on-site. 6. Officers must employ
available technology to minimize the intrusive of data searches.

The panel then recommended limitations on the ability of officials to
actually seize equipment by recommending that "Officers may not seize
hardware unless there is probable cause to believe that the computer
is used primarily as an instrumentality of a crime or is the fruit of
a crime; or the hardware is unique and required to read the data; or
examination of hardware is otherwise required."

The panel further recommended that, in the event hardware or an
original and only copy of data has been seized, an adversary post-
seizure hearing be held before a judge within 72 hours of the seizure.

Panel member Sharon Beckman commented to Newsbytes on the
recommendations, saying: "It is important that we move now to the
implementation of these guidelines. They may be implemented either by
the agencies themselves through self-regulation or through case law or
legislation. It would be a good thing for the agencies to take the
initiative."

The panel's recommendations come at a time in which procedures used in
computer investigations have come under criticism from computer and
civil liberties groups. The seizure of equipment by the United Secret
Service from Steve Jackson Games has become the subject of litigation
while the holding of equipment belonging to New York hacker "Phiber
Optic" for more than a year before his indictment has prompted calls
from law enforcement personnel as well as civil liberties for better
procedures and technologies.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910702/Press Contact:
Richard Civille, CPSR, 202-544-9240)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 HITACHI UNVEILS MAINFRAMES 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00023)

HITACHI UNVEILS MAINFRAMES 07/02/91
ADMIRALTY, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Hitachi Data Systems (HDS)
has introduced two new computers at the top end of its HDS EX Series
mainframe family. The EX 520 and EX 620 are general-purpose mainframe
systems based on the same technology as the EX 420, launched last
month.

The EX 520 is a five-way multiprocessor claimed to provide
approximately 18 percent better performance than the EX 420, while the
EX 620 is a six-way multiprocessor, said to offer an performance
improvement over the EX 420 of 40 percent.

"Even thought we have just begun shipping our EX 310s and EX 420s,
some of our customers have already told us they will be looking for
larger systems to support their expected future growth," said HDS'
Hong Kong manager, Geoff Kennedy. "Last autumn we committed ourselves
to continued enhancements and additions to the EX Series."

Central and expanded storage for the new models will be implemented in
four-megabit DRAM (dynamic random access memory) semiconductor
devices. Central storage can be configured up to a maximum of 2
gigabytes (GB). Expanded storage on models 520 and 620 can be
configured to a maximum of 8 GB.

(Norman Wingrove/19910702/Press Contact: Geoff Kennedy, Tel + 852 521
6275, Fax + 852 868 4023; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 HONGKONG: AST DOS 5.0 INTRO PROMPTS MEDIA INQUISITION 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(HKG)(00024)

HONGKONG: AST DOS 5.0 INTRO PROMPTS MEDIA INQUISITION 07/02/91
CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- AST Research has announced
its own licensed version of Microsoft MS-DOS version 5.

The AST version of DOS 5 requires less memory and includes custom
enhancements for foreign language support and support for additional
disc drives and types. It is claimed to have special benefits for
AST's product lines, especially AST's Bravo turnkey packages.

The list price of AST's version of DOS 5 is $1162 (US$149). An upgrade
version for owners of AST computers who also own previous MS-DOS
versions from AST is available at $772 (US$99).

MS-DOS version 5 was officially launched in Hong Kong on Friday with
an elaborate presentation at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre. Regional marketing manager, Ricky Tsang, told Newsbytes
afterwards that development of DOS version 6 is already under way.
Pressed on the question of why, despite repeated promises, Microsoft
has still not set up a Hong Kong office to deal with customers'
problems and general need of support, he said an announcement could be
expected "within ninety days."

Microsoft recently appointed a second distributor in Hong Kong, ACA
Pacific, in addition to its long-standing representative, Gilman
Business Systems. Both distributors were intimately involved in the
Hong Kong launch of DOS 5.

American software and hardware companies have long been the subject of
serious criticism for their lack of support facilities for customers.
The press conference following the launch quickly developed into an
inquisition, pressing Tsang for firm answers on what his company
intended to do to rectify the long-standing unsatisfactory situation.

One prominent computing professional remarked that Microsoft set a
shining example to most US information technology companies operating
in Asia, yet still left much to be desired. He also pointed to
Microsoft's membership of BSA (Business Software Alliance), asking why
Microsoft chose to ally itself with an organization "whose methods of
operation have shown a complete lack of understanding of the market
outside the USA and are regarded with repugnance by the IT industry
itself in this region."

Tsang and his colleagues from Microsoft's local distributors
eventually left the conference thanking their inquisitors for bringing
problems and criticisms to their attention, and promising that they
would be given full consideration, but not before distributing
complimentary evaluation copies of MS-DOS 5.

Judging from the grilling given to a very receptive Tsang by only four
media representatives, other US IT companies planning Hong Kong
launches would do well to prepare themselves for more than a bland
acceptance by the press of promotional platitudes.

(Norman Wingrove/19910702/Press Contact: Cania Wong, MDL, Tel + 852
838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 NEW FOR NETWORKS: 3Com Graphic Network Software 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00025)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: 3Com Graphic Network Software 07/02/91
ADMIRALTY, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- 3Com Corporation has
announced 3Com Viewbuilder, graphics-based network management software
that enables network problems to be promptly identified and resolved.

Viewbuilder provides network administrators with integrated management
of 3Com adapters, intelligent hubs, bridges, routers and terminal
servers. A graphics interface portrays network components as icons,
providing users with visual access to the entire network for at-a-
glance diagnosis of network problems.

Using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) standard,
Viewbuilder provides management of 3Com's Linkbuilder intelligent
wiring hubs, Netbuilder bridges and routers, and the CS 2000 and CS
2100 terminal servers.

Network administrators interface with Viewbuilder through an OS/2
workstation, which functions as a network management station,
providing a graphical overview of network status and control of
network devices. Users can adjust the network view by zooming-in to
see a smaller part of the network in greater detail.

(Norman Wingrove/19910702/Press Contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com, Tel +
852 848 9200, Fax + 852 537 1149; HK time is GMt + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 EGGHEAD TO OFFER IN-STORE HIGH-TECH SOFTWARE INFO SYSTEMS 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00026)

EGGHEAD TO OFFER IN-STORE HIGH-TECH SOFTWARE INFO SYSTEMS 07/02/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Egghead Software
stores have agreed with Sellectek to install Infomaster electronic buyers
guide and merchandising system in more than 160 Egghead stores
beginning in early September, 1991.

The Infomaster is already in place in over 60 percent of software-only
stores in the U.S., Sellectek said. Infomaster is updated each month
via modem and provides information, product comparisons and summaries
on software products to the consumer via color menus, Sellectek said.
Each software package listed has information on minimum system
requirements, buyer profile, package contents, product description,
specifications and network support information.

Manufacturers of software purchase advertising (enhanced listings) on
Infomaster and can have video graphics adapter (VGA) demonstrations,
product feature explanations, reviews and endorsements available for
customer viewing.

Sellectek said Infomaster has included promotional offers to consumers
such as rebates, free product offers, free merchandise, upgrade
programs and even specially priced "trade-in" offers. Even store
employees can get into the act with free products, t-shirts, free
merchandise, training programs and electronic mail, Sellectek said.

Egghead said it gave Infomaster a 6-month test in eight of its Boston
stores. Rod Brooks, Egghead's senior vice president of marketing and
merchandising, said, "We were impressed with InfoMaster's performance
during the test period, and we feel it will be a valuable source for
point-of-sale information and promotions in our stores."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910702/Press Contact: Diane LaMountaine, Sellectek,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2  ****WORDTECH BUYS AI, GRAPHICS FROM PAPERBACK SOFTWARE 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027)

 ****WORDTECH BUYS AI, GRAPHICS FROM PAPERBACK SOFTWARE 07/02/91
ORINDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Wordtech, a developer
and distributor of dBASE language compatible application and
development products Dbxl and Quicksilver, announced it has acquired
an artificial intelligence (AI) product and an object-based graphics
product from Paperback Software, with the intention of not only
distributing the existing products, but incorporating the technology
into its dBASE language products.

The two products, VP-Expert and VP-Graphics, have over 100,000 users
worldwide, according to Wordtech. Wordtech said its immediate plan is
to begin its own distribution of the two products, and provide
technical support to current and new users. At deadline, Newsbytes was
unable to ascertain the fate of Paperback Software, the company which
was founded by Adam Osborne, creator of the Osborne computers.
Paperback has barely stayed afloat recently, devastated by losing a
lengthy and costly "look and feel" legal battle with Lotus Development
over its spreadsheet product.

Surinder Brar, vice president of marketing and sales, said, "The VP-
Expert product has the largest share of the expert system education
market. Numerous Fortune 100 companies and government agencies also
use this software. We expect to greatly expand the distribution of
this product." VP-Expert retails for $249.

Brar added, "WordTech has always included graphics capability in our
database products, but until now, our emphasis has been on graphs for
analyzing data. VP-Graphics brings the additional capability of
presentation quality graphics to our product line," Brar added. VP-
Graphics lists for $124.95.

Expert systems is a branch of AI designed to approximate the complex
reasoning processes of the human mind. VP-Expert, according to
Wordtech, is a rule-based development tool that allows developers to
either write the rules through the built-in text editor, or to induce
these rules from a matrix of examples.

A new, but logical concept, is to build AI into a database language
product, Wordtech said. Just as databases are used for building
applications, VP-Expert can be used to encode the knowledge and
judgement of an expert on any subject. These subjects can range from
medical diagnostic work to complex organizational issues in
businesses. The application can then be made available to non-experts,
Wordtech said.

VP-Expert does currently have the capability of working with database
or spreadsheet files, said Earle Speranza, of public relations for
Wordtech. Incorporating the AI capability into the database products
is still a while off, however. "We do know there will be a wedding of
these two products somewhere down the road," said Speranza.

Wordtech said it will demonstrate VP-Expert at the American
Association of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) National Conference at
the Anaheim Convention Center, July 16 to 18.

(Linda Rohrbough & Wendy Woods/19910702/Press Contact: Earle
Speranza, Wordtech, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 LDI CORP OPENS CLEVELAND SUPERSTORE 07/02/91

07/02/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00028)

LDI CORP OPENS CLEVELAND SUPERSTORE 07/02/91
CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- LDI Corporation will open
a 40,000 square foot computer superstore in south-east Cleveland's
Hawthorne Valley Shopping Center during the fourth quarter.

LDI already operates two Entre Computer Store locations in Solon and
Westlake. The new store has not yet been named. Company officials say
the store will be designed to serve both the small business and home-
office market, and is believed to be the first superstore in north-
east Ohio.

Michael Kennedy, president of LDI said the company has been studying
the superstore concept for some time. According to Kennedy, LDI's
existing stores cater primarily to corporate business, while the new
store will be oriented toward walk-in business.

(Jim Mallory/19910702/Press Contact:Tom Abel, LDI, 216-349-4500)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 3COM ORDERS UP 10 PERCENT IN 4Q 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00029)

3COM ORDERS UP 10 PERCENT IN 4Q 07/02/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- 3Com Corporation recorded
sales of US$92.8 million and net income of US$3.3 million in its
fourth quarter, which ended on 31st May. Orders for the quarter were
US$96.5 million, a 10 per cent increase from the prior quarter, and
exceeded sales for the first time in the 1990/91 fiscal year.

"These results reflect strengthening orders for products that enhance
our Netbuilder internetworking platform, such as Bridge/Router 2.0 and
Bridge/Router 3.0, increased sales of our Linkbuilder manageable hubs
and twisted-pair network adapters, and customer confidence in our
strategic direction," said Eric Benhamou, 3Com's president and chief
executive officer.

"Our corporate restructuring coupled with a sharper focus on four key
global data networking product lines -- adapters, terminal servers,
hubs and internetworking products -- is on track, and this quarter's
results have reconfirmed our confidence in 3Com's long-term success."

Sales and orders for the 1991 fiscal year were US$398.6 million and
US$386.6 million, respectively. For the year, the company reported a
net loss of US$27.7 million, which included a one-time restructuring
charge of US$67.0 million to operating income. Without the charge, net
income would have been US$15.4 million.

At fiscal year end, 3Com posted cash, cash equivalents and temporary
cash investments totaling US$97.5 million, a US$5 million increase
from the February position, despite the company's repurchase of
615,000 shares of common stock for US$5.4 million during the quarter.
3Com's asset management continued strong, with outstanding performance
in both accounts receivable and inventory balances, which declined
US$4.7 million and US$3.0 million, respectively, from the February
quarter.

(Norman Wingrove/19910702/Press Contact: Marshall Gabin (3Com): Tel +
852 848 9200; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 2 HONGKONG: FREE CASE TRAINING FROM CSSL 07/02/91

07/02/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00030)

HONGKONG: FREE CASE TRAINING FROM CSSL 07/02/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 2 (NB) -- Commercial Software
Services Ltd (CSSL) has introduced a program of free evening classes
in computer aided software engineering (CASE) techniques, using the
Synon CASE tool family.

The courses are being offered on a first come, first served basis to
up to 80 computer programmers in Hong Kong. Lasting five weeks, the
courses will be led by Synon specialists from CSSL with contributions
from external experts.

"Cynics always say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but this
time they're wrong," said Peter Knight, manager of CSSL's Business
Services Division. "The individuals who attend will receive valuable
theoretical and hands-on experience with no strings attached."

Knight told Newsbytes, "The classes are part of a long term investment
in user education. We believe that CASE technology has a great future
in Hong Kong, and the first step is to make sure people understand
what it is, and what it can do for their business."

Knight said that many users do not really understand CASE and do not
appreciate the difference between traditional programming, fourth
generation languages, and CASE tools.

CSSL distributes the Synon tool family and also develops applications
using Synon methodology.

Saying CSSL chose to start the program with programmers, the people
who actually use CASE tools in their everyday work, Knight said: "Many
programmers are bogged down in long development projects, using old
generation software and under great pressure from deadlines that have
overrun."

He said the evening classes will be a revelation to them. "Once they
have seen the potential of CASE tools, they will inspire their company
to invest in CASE."

CSSL is now considering evening classes for business managers. "CASE
is about developing company-wide systems," Knight added, "So it's
vital that management understands what is possible."

(Norman Wingrove/19910702/Press Contact: Peter Knight, CSSL, Tel + 852
806 1622, Fax + 852 806 2645; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUL 1 NEW FOR UNIX: Illustrator 3.0, Typeface For Next 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00001)

NEW FOR UNIX: Illustrator 3.0, Typeface For Next 07/01/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems is shipping Adobe Illustrator 3.0 software for Next
computers, along with several popular Adobe Type Set
packages.

Illustrator carries a suggested retail price of $695 and is designed
to take advantage of Adobe's Display PostScript software technology
already resident on Next computers. Adobe Illustrator software
allows users to see colors and placement on screen exactly as
they will appear in finished, printed format.

Adobe maintains that the Illustrator software offers all of the drawing,
tracing, blending, and other tools found in the Macintosh version of
the product.

The Adobe Type Set 1 includes Bodoni Poster, Cottonwood, Freestyle
Script, Hobo, Linotext, Trajan, and VAG Rounded Bold typefaces.
The Adobe Type Set 2 features Cooper Black, Copperplate Gothic 31AB,
Franklin Gothic No. 2 Roman, Juniper, Lithos Bold, Peignot Demi,
and Present Script. Finally, the Adobe Type Set 3 includes Adobe
Garamond Regular and Italic, Adobe Garamond Semibold and
Semibold Italic, Helvetica Light and Light Oblique, Helvetica Black
and Black Oblique, Helvetica Compressed, Tekton and Tekton
Oblique typefaces.

From July 1 through Sept. 30, the Century Old Style, Gill Sans 2 or
News Gothic font packages will be available to new Next computer
owners for $49 each, or all three for $129.

Otherwise, the suggested retail price of Adobe Type Set 1 and 2
is $99, while the suggested price of Adobe Type Set 3 and the
Adobe Plus Pack is $198. All Next fonts are offered in 1.44 MB
floppy disk format.

(Ian Stokell/19910701/Press Contact: LeVon Collins, Adobe
Systems Inc., 415-961-4400)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 MULTISOFT'S SUPER-PC-KWIK DISK CACHING IN OEM DEALS 07/01/91\

07/01/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)

MULTISOFT'S SUPER-PC-KWIK DISK CACHING IN OEM DEALS 07/01/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Multisoft
Corporation has announced that three computer product vendors
plan to include Multisoft's Super PC-Kwik disk caching with their
products, under the terms of recently concluded OEM (original
equipment manufacturer) agreements.

AST Research will include Super PC-Kwik with all of its DOS
products. AST markets personal computers under its own label.
InfoChip Systems will also include Super PC-Kwik with their
Expanz! Plus Card at no extra charge to its customers. InfoChip
says the Expanz! card increases hard and floppy disk capacity by
as much as two or three times with 100% data integrity.

Also bundling Super PC-Kwik is Sage PC Business Software, which
will include the cache program with its MainLAN Ethernet Starter
Pack and MainLAN network software. The company says Super
PC-Kwik increases disk input/output performance of MainLAN
software dramatically in both disk writing and disk reading
speed.

Multisoft Corporation says that Everex, Dell, Hewlett-Packard,
Intel, Iomega, Mitsubishi and Plus Development also bundle Super
PC-Kwik with their products.

(Jim Mallory/19910630/Press Contact:John Davis, Multisoft,
503-644-5644,FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 NEW FOR PCS: Graphics Board For AutoCAD Draws 10 Times Faster 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

NEW FOR PCS: Graphics Board For AutoCAD Draws 10 Times Faster 07/01/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Spectragraphics has
announced the availability of its new SqueegeeCAD graphics
adapter board for AutoCAD Release 11. The company says that the
new board increases the redraw performance of a typical VGA card
as much as 10 times. Prices start at $795.

AutoCad is a popular computer-aided design (CAD) program used for
mechanical and architectural designers, as well as drafting work.
New features include on on-screen icon menu for command
shortcuts; a birds-eye view, which gives the user an overview of
the drawing on screen. It also allows the user to interactively
select and enlarge specific points of interest.

"Feedback from our beta site users [Editor's note: beta testers are
users who test new programs prior to general release] has been
terrific," said Eileen Stroud, VP of sales and marketing for the
board. Stroud says the board provides real-time pan and zoom
with flicker-free drawing, and users can interactively use the
mouse to obtain feedback. Stroud predicts the board will be a
"big winner" with AutoCAD users.

SqueegeeCAD is available in AT and MCA versions, and supports up
to 1024 by 768 resolution in non-interlaced mode. SqueegeeCAD is
based in a TI 34010 graphics processor. SqueegeeCAD comes in 16
color and 256 color versions. The top of the line 256 color
configuration with an additional 512K of VRAM is $995.
SqueegeeCAD comes with a 30-day, no-risk guarantee, a three-year
warranty and free technical support.

(Jim Mallory/19910630/Press Contact:Eileen Stroud,
Spectragraphics, 503-641-2200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1  ****AMD'S 25MHZ 386SX GETS AGGRESSIVE PRICING 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)

 ****AMD'S 25MHZ 386SX GETS AGGRESSIVE PRICING 07/01/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Advanced Micro Devices
(AMD) is out to get Intel's goat by cutting prices on its newly
introduced Am386SX microprocessors more than 20 percent each year
over the next five years. The company says it will cut prices 30
percent this year.

The Am386SX microprocessor family, directly in competition with
Intel's 80386 microprocessors, is a plug-in compatible version
of the industry standard 386SX used in IBM compatible PCs. The
company estimates that two-thirds of the 12 million 386-based
systems expected to be shipped this will be powered by a 386SX
class processor.

Mark Sanders III, chairman and CEO of AMD, said in a prepared
release, "The Am386SX microprocessor family introduction marks the
end of PC manufacturers unnatural dependence on a competitor for a
sole-source technology."

AMD says the 25 megahertz version of its 386SX chip, dubbed the
Am386SXL-25, offers systems designers a 25 percent increase in
performance over the fastest currently available speed. The same
chip is reported to draw 35 percent less power than Intel
offerings at the same clock speed, and has a standby mode under
which it draws less than one milliamp of current.

(Jim Mallory/19910701/Press Contact:Michael Kubiak,
AMD,408-982-6056)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 AUSTRALIAN HARDWARE LINKS TACO BELL UNIX SYSTEM 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00005)

AUSTRALIAN HARDWARE LINKS TACO BELL UNIX SYSTEM 07/01/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Australian hardware
company Stallion Technology has won a deal to supply Taco Bell
restaurants in the US with hardware to enable each restaurant to
connect with the head office in Irvine, California, via the
Hewlett-Packard PCs in each outlet. Taco Bell is a Mexican-style
fast food chain.

Stallion Technology will supply 2000 of its Brumby-4 multiport boards
for the Unix-based Vectra machines. They will be used to transmit
sales and order information to the central point from company
stores; franchise stores are expected to be offered the service
later.

Company spokesperson John Foy said, "We needed a cost-effective
solution that offered security, data integrity and flexibility."

(Paul Zucker/19910701)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 NEW PRODUCT: Silicon Graphics Intros Audio/Video Encoder 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00006)

NEW PRODUCT: Silicon Graphics Intros Audio/Video Encoder 07/01/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Silicon
Graphics has introduced an audio/video encoder box called
StudioVision that will allow users to capture on videotape designs
developed on the company's Irisvision real-time, three-dimensional
graphics board.

According to the company, StudioVision enables users to record
visualization scenes, walk-through models and voice narrations
onto videotape.

Additionally, Silicon Graphics has also announced a series of
application drivers to broaden the range of support for the
Irisvision boards. New drivers are available for AutoCAD, CADkey,
MicroStation, SCO Open Desktop and the new Irisview 2.0 3D DXF
File Viewer. Silicon maintains that the new drivers support a range of
applications and give users of the Irisvision board set compatibility
as well as increased speed and ease of use for each application.

The new drivers include such features as anti-aliasing to eliminate
jagged lines, continuous color rendering, and a variety of fonts.

The StudioVision encoder box is immediately available for $795.
While the first driver ordered with an Irisvision board is free,
each additional application driver is priced at $95.

Other recent Silicon Graphics products include a line of
mid-range visual systems for real-time simulation, called
SkyWriter; the Irisvision DOS Software developer's kit for Intel-based
personal computers; and a real-time visual network monitoring and
diagnostic software package, called NetVisualyzer 1.1.

Only this month Silicon Graphics announced a strategic alliance with
Cabletron Systems to provide the first integrated Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP) visual network management product
to run on Silicon Graphics' binary compatible IRIS 4D workstations.

The company has also been involved in recent deals with Microsoft
and Oracle, and another in which Compaq Computer paid $135 million
for a 13 percent stake in the company,

(Ian Stokell/19910628/Press Contact: Betsy Wahlquist, Silicon
Graphics, 415-962-3529)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 ALIAS PUTS SHARE OFFERING ON HOLD 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00007)

ALIAS PUTS SHARE OFFERING ON HOLD 07/01/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Discouraged by a drop
in its share price, Alias Research has postponed indefinitely a
stock offering announced early in June.

Alias stock, which was selling for US$26 a share at the beginning
of June, has slipped to US$19. Company spokeswoman Susan Spencer
told Newsbytes Alias knew of no operational reasons for the slide.
"Certainly we got hit with the rest of the technology stocks," she
said, but Alias has suffered more than most.

Alias had intended to sell 1.5 million common shares. The company
made an initial public offering of 2.2 million shares in summer,
1990, at US$13 per share.

(Grant Buckler/19910628/Press Contact: Susan Spencer, Alias
Research, 416-362-9181 ext. 398, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 UNITEL, FORTIS TO BUILD NEWFOUNDLAND NETWORK 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00008)

UNITEL, FORTIS TO BUILD NEWFOUNDLAND NETWORK 07/01/91
ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- National
telecommunications carrier Unitel, of Toronto, has signed a deal
with Fortis, the holding company that controls the province's
electrical utility, to build a C$30 million telecommunications
network in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Provided the regulators at the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) give their okay, Unitel will
operate it as part of its national telecommunications
network. Already under construction, the net is expected to be up
and running by the spring of 1992.

Bruce A. Fulcher, a spokesman for Unitel in Newfoundland, told
Newsbytes the company has not had its own network in Newfoundland
since it sold Terra Nova Telephone to rival Newfoundland Telephone
in 1988. Unitel will use the network to offer its national data
communications services. The company has an application before the
CRTC to offer competitive long-distance telephone service across
Canada, and Fulcher said the new network would be used for that
purpose as well if the application is approved.

Fortis owns Newfoundland Power & Light, which provides electricity
to 85 percent of the province's population. It also has real estate
and financial subsidiaries.

(Grant Buckler/19910628/Press Contact: Bruce A. Fulcher, Unitel
Communications, 709-579-1400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 CONTROL DATA GETS $16.4 MILLION CONTRACT 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(OSL)(00009)

CONTROL DATA GETS $16.4 MILLION CONTRACT 07/01/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Control Data has been awarded
a contract from Norsk Tipping estimated at $16.4 million. Norsk
Tipping is a Norwegian lottery company.

This is the largest contract Norsk Tipping has awarded any
supplier of computer equipment, according to NRK Dagsnytt, a
radio news program.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910628)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 NEW PRODUCT: Tiny Data Receiver For Sharp Wizard 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00010)

NEW PRODUCT: Tiny Data Receiver For Sharp Wizard 07/01/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Cue has
unveiled a new Lapcom data receiver designed to work
in conjunction with the Sharp Wizard business organizer for
mobile communications. The Sharp Wizard is a hand-sized, full
keyboard computer, with a display, that folds in half when not in
use and is also available with a tiny printer.

Cue said the Lapcom receiver is designed to be mounted on a
vehicle to receive messages and transmit them to the Sharp Wizard
via a standard RS232 (serial) port on the Wizard. When a message
is received, a green light is activated on the Lapcom. The user
touches a message receive indicator on the Wizard and the message
appears on the screen, the company said.

The Lapcom can store up to eight messages, Cue said. Further, the
messages can be received and stored even if the user is not in
the vehicle.

Cue said this national communication is made possible by the Cue
satellite radio network, currently in use by pagers. The network
covers 1 million square miles and reaches over 2 hundred million
people. The message travels by satellite to over 290 radio
stations and is immediately broadcast over the FM signal of each
station, who itself covers 8,000 square miles, the company said.

Trucktrack, a new software program introduced by Cue for
dispatcher requirements of the trucking industry, also works with
the Wizard. When equipped with the Trucktrack software, the
Wizard receives up to 100 standard messages, with up to 100
customer records. The message can be sent from any telephone in
the U.S. or Canada.

One example, given by Kristin Donaldson of Cue, is the over-the-
load transporters in the trucking industry. Often a trucker will
be carrying half load but could be reached in this manner by a
dispatcher who could inform the trucker another half load is
available only 50 miles away from his current location that could
also be delivered to a location near the destination of the
current load.

Gordon Kaiser, chairman and chief executive officer of Cue said,
"Trucktrack software is an important development for service
organizations. The new service harnesses the power of a multi-
nation satellite radio network with the computing power of the
Sharp Wizard. It will dramatically increase the productivity of
those depending on mobile communications."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910627/Press Contact: Kristin Donaldson, Cue,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 CANADIAN STUDY FINDS COMPETITIVE NETWORK MARKET 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00011)

CANADIAN STUDY FINDS COMPETITIVE NETWORK MARKET 07/01/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Growing use of
local-area networks (LANs) is spurring demand for the interface
cards used to connect personal computers to LANs, a study by
International Data Corp. (Canada) reports. But this doesn't mean
long-term revenue growth in the LAN interface market, because
competition is driving down the prices of the devices.

IDC Canada predicts that by 1995 revenues from the sale of network
interface cards will flatten. That will squeeze some vendors out of
the market, IDC researcher Ana Lam told Newsbytes. According to
IDC's study, those most likely to survive will be those that can
withstand shrinking profit margins, leverage one-stop LAN hardware
sales, and maintain established distribution networks.

Unit shipments, however, will grow 14.5 percent compounded annually
over the next five years, IDC said. From 215,760 cards shipped in
1990, the market will swell to 425,000 in 1995.

Ethernet and Token Ring networks will gain market share. By 1995,
IDC expects them to account between them for 92.3 percent of
Canadian shipments and 89.3 percent of the installed base. Lam said
IDC expects about 207,600 Ethernet cards and 185,000 Token Ring
cards to be shipped in Canada in 1995.

Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), the emerging standard for
high-speed networks using optical fiber, will also grow, but
because of its cost IDC expects FDDI to account for only about 2.6
percent of total shipments and 11.2 percent of total revenues in
1995.

More information on the study is available from IDC Canada at
416-369-0033.

(Grant Buckler/19910626/Press Contact: Ana Lam, IDC Canada,
416-369-0033)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 NEW FOR PCS: ATI Multimedia Boards 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00012)

NEW FOR PCS: ATI Multimedia Boards 07/01/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- ATI Technologies has
announced two multimedia video and audio boards. The Audio FX is a
stereo sound expansion board for IBM and compatible PCs, while the
VGAudio FX combines that function with a VGA graphics adapter.

The Audio FX board provides stereo sound recording and playback. It
comes with a stereo microphone jack, amplifier, and software to
control recording and playback. The board also compresses recorded
sound to use less disk space, ATI said.

The board is hardware- and software-compatible with Microsoft's
Multimedia Windows specification, and can record and play digital
audio files within Windows, the company said.

The VGAudio FX board combines on a single board the functions of
the Audio FX offering and ATI's VGAWonder XL display adapter.

Both boards are due to be available in the third quarter of 1991.
The Audio FX will be priced at less than C$400, and the VGAudio FX
at less than C$600, ATI said.

(Grant Buckler/19910627/Press Contact: Susan Verrechia, ATI
Technologies, 416-756-0718 ext. 228, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 AUSTRALIAN "SILICON BRAIN" COMPANY BEGINS US ASSAULT 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00013)

AUSTRALIAN "SILICON BRAIN" COMPANY BEGINS US ASSAULT 07/01/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Formulab International, an
Australian company which claims it has the closest thing to a human
brain in a machine, has signed agreements in the last few weeks
which could see the company earns millions of dollars in exports.

The company's Neuronic Reasoning Machine (NRM) will be included in
such applications as home security, communications, "smart" building
management, voice recognition system, nuclear power plant
management, and medical monitoring systems. Agreements have been
signed with SRI International, California, Security Associates,
Illinois, and Johnson Controls, Milwaukee. These contracts are
expected to be worth more than AUS$100M to the company over a two-
year period.

The NRM uses the human brain as a model for the interconnection of
standard silicon chips. Each unit is about the size of a shoe-box,
and is capable of receiving a large number of input signals, make
the decisions, and carry out the appropriate actions within
milliseconds. SRI will assist in the design of development tools
which will allows custom applications to be developed for the NRM.

(Sean McNamara/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 AUSTRALIA: MELBOURNE STUDENTS OFFERED UNIQUE PHONE SCHEME 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00014)

AUSTRALIA: MELBOURNE STUDENTS OFFERED UNIQUE PHONE SCHEME 07/01/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Resident students at
Melbourne University's Queens College have left the era of one pay
phone in the hall for all to use to being able to make phone calls
through a PABX system and handsets in their rooms. The service is a
non-compulsory part of Queens College, and it is hoped the system
will be able to pay for itself.

For AUS$100, a student receives a handset in their room. They also
pay AUS$50 as a credit account for phone calls, and are warned when
their account goes below $10. Once the account is empty, internal
and incoming calls are still allowed, but outgoing calls are barred.
Deposits can be made into their account at any time. Students pay an
8 cent levy per phone call, and the college estimates that if 90
percent of the students make 5 phone calls in the 30 weeks of the
year the college is occupied, the system will be self-sufficient.

The system uses an Ericcson digital MD110 PABX, which allows 249
extension and 24 exchange lines. Part of the system is voice-mail,
which allows students to leave messages for tutors, or to inform
callers of when they will be back in their room or where they are.
Karl Johnson, the college bursar, said, "As well as convenience,
there is the all-important security angle on campus where, if
students need help, it is only as far away as the telephone on their
desk."

(Sean McNamara/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 SOVIET COMPUTER JOURNALIST SHORTAGE 07/01/91

07/01/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00015)

SOVIET COMPUTER JOURNALIST SHORTAGE 07/01/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Recent problems with
staffing and circulation point up to an impending crisis in the
crowded computer magazine field in the Soviet Union.

The latest magazine to appear, PC Magazine USSR, dubbed a
"newer, better publication" by its publishers, has been compiled
by three former PC World USSR editors and three existing
Computerpress editors -- Computerpress is a competing magazine.
While such a situation would be intolerable in the US or other
Western computer journalism markets, it's accepted here, since there
are so few qualified computer journalists on the scene.

ComputerPress, meanwhile, is one of the more successful magazines,
but not in terms of location. The organization has been forced to
change its editorial location four times in two years.

The not so fortunate include File magazine, whose editor
has started a new business weekly newspaper and speculation has it
that he will not continue with File. File is already selling
the U.S. Byte magazine for a high price to wealthy Soviet
organizations.

Staff at Computer Magazine, another publication, struggle to
find enough paper on which to print the publication, and
the production cycle of this quarterly has risen to 6 months.
"We will probably either become independent very soon, or die --
also soon," the magazine editor told Newsbytes.

Intercomputer, which is said to be the "Dr. Dobb's Journal of
the USSR" is already past its own publication deadline due to
the lack of editorial and publishing experienced personnel.

That lack of Soviet editorial is clear in another publication,
called SoftMarket, a weekly newspaper which claims to cover more
Soviet issues than anyone. One third of the editorial is
translated Western material and a half is advertisements.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 HONGKONG: COL/ DUN & BRAD PARTNERSHIP 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00016)

HONGKONG: COL/ DUN & BRAD PARTNERSHIP 07/01/91
KWUN TONG, KOWLOON, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Hong Kong services
bureau, COL Ltd, has formed a business partnership with Dun &
Bradstreet Software under which COL will market and support a broad
range of Dun's software and services.

COL will distribute Dun's range of mainframe applications software
for users in the financial, human resources and manufacturing
sectors. Products include general ledger, accounts payable, purchase
ordering, payroll and personnel management packages. It will also
assume responsibility for supporting current Dun customers in Hong
Kong, which include the Government's Housing Authority, Dairy Farm,
Hong Kong Telecom and the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation.

"Our first priority will be to review support strategy for the
existing customer base in Hong Kong, and to assure them of our full
commitment," said COL's general manager, Calvin Fung. "A core
management team is already in place, and we will be recruiting
additional consultants with experience of Dun & Bradstreet Software
products."

Dun's David Orren said his company chose COL after an intensive
evaluation of several strong contenders. Fung added that COL would
seek new business from Hong Kong's IBM mainframe and Digital Vax
customers. "Many of these large users are running applications that
are nearing the end of their useful life."

Orren said Dun would work closely with COL to develop joint marketing
and support programmes. He said the partnership would make a very
important contribution to Dun's growth in the Asian region.

(Norman Wingrove/19910628/Press Contact: Calvin Fung, COL, Tel + 852
798 4798, Fax + 852 754 8917; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 HONGKONG: CSSL TO DISTRIBUTE MINXWARE, RISC S/6000 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00017)

HONGKONG: CSSL TO DISTRIBUTE MINXWARE, RISC S/6000 07/01/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Commercial Software
Services Ltd (CSSL) has been named Hong Kong distributor for
Minxware, a manufacturing system based on Unix. Minxware runs on the
IBM RISC System/6000 family of workstations and servers, which also
be sold by CSSL.

According to Datapro, Minxware was the first Unix application to
support the Manufacturing Resource Planning II (MRP II) standard, and
has rapidly become one of the most popular manufacturing packages in
the US.

Written entirely in C, Minxware supports major Unix platforms,
including the RS/6000 family. It was developed by Minx Software USA.

"CSSL already has a strong presence in the manufacturing sector with
products for IBM mid-range computer users," said Frank hung, division
manager at CSSL. "Minxware running on the RS/6000 family extends the
range of solutions we can offer to the industry. It will also reach a
new customer base by offering an affordable, workstation-based
solution that takes advantage of an open systems environment."

Minxware has 20 integrated modules covering core functions in
manufacturing, engineering, finance, sales and service.

(Norman Wingrove/19910628/Press Contact: Ally Ho, CSSL, Tel + 852 806
1622, Fax + 852 806 2645; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 HONGKONG: TOP OF RANGE ISA BOARD LAUNCHED BY INFORMTECH 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(HKG)(00018)

HONGKONG: TOP OF RANGE ISA BOARD LAUNCHED BY INFORMTECH 07/01/91
SHATIN, NEW TERRITORIES, HONG KONG, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Leading Hong
Kong system board manufacturer Informtech says it has produced its
fastest system board yet with the release of the IT486SL.

The board is available in two versions: the 80486DX model, at a
33 or 40 megaherz (MHz) clock rate, and the 80486SX at 20 or 25 MHz.

Informtech has published performance results for each board against
three benchmarks: Power Meter MIPS, Land Mark V1.14 and Norton SI
V4.50. The 40 MHz board is said to have achieved ratings of 17.636,
183.0 and 62.2 respectively.

"The IT486SL pushes out the boundaries of the desktop computer,"
claimed Mak Man Fai, Informtech's marketing manager. "It's taking
the 'personal' out of personal computing, allowing businesses to
move cautiously towards advanced, client/server computing without
losing the familiarity of their PC-based applications."

The new Informtech range uses the Opti-486WB PC/AT chip set, coupled
with an optional Weitek 4167 co-processor. The Phoenix BIOS comes
with password security, and shadow RAM is supported for both systems
and video BIOS. There are six 16-bit input/output bus slots and two
8-bit slots, to accommodate a variety of industry standard peripheral
devices.

(Norman Wingrove/19910628/Press Contact: Jacqueline Sun, Informtech,
Tel + 852 686 1188, Fax + 852 635 1636; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 TANDY CLOSES OUT COMPLETE PC, MINUS MONITOR, FOR $199 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00019)

TANDY CLOSES OUT COMPLETE PC, MINUS MONITOR, FOR $199 07/01/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Tandy, while
initiating their new Super Store concept where they will market
true-blue IBM and crunchy Apple systems next to their own Radio
Shack and Grid Systems computers, is also offering the most
remarkable bargain in entry-level computing - a complete MS-DOS
computer for little more than the cost of a keyboard and MS-
DOS.

The Tandy 1000HX, a 256K, unified computer/keyboard a la the now
departed Radio Shack CoCo, provides entry-level MS-DOS computing
in an eminently affordable package, complete with MS-DOS,
keyboard, CPU or central processing unit, and, in short, a
complete computer, minus only a monitor, for $200, while they
last.

In addition to being a training machine, the 1000HX has better
sound capabilities and a better built-in productivity package
(Deskmate 2) than many systems costing 10 times more.

Quantities are limited, as they say, but for many users this is a
remarkable bargain, especially if you add an inexpensive monitor
instead of the one recommended by Tandy.

(John McCormick/19910628/Press Contact: Cindy Mabrey, Tandy, 817-
390-2842)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 FBI OPENS BIDDING ON CRIME CENTER ACQUISITION 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020)

FBI OPENS BIDDING ON CRIME CENTER ACQUISITION 07/01/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Federal Computer
Week has reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation plans
to release an FRP (request for proposals) for a $77 million
upgrade of the NCIC or National Crime Information Center, with
the upgrade designated as the NCIC 2000.

NCIC is the criminal records database and computer system used by
most state police agencies to quickly check on possible wants-
and-warrants or other criminal records of those apprehended or
questioned in the course of police activities.

The original NCIC is a 23-year-old computer system completely
swamped by the 343 million annual transactions it must deal with
regarding queries from local law enforcement about car and boat
titles, fingerprints, and similar items.

The new system would comply with GOSIP or Government Open Systems
Interconnection Profile and replace the aging IBM mainframe
computers with new systems capable of dealing with the flood of
user requests utilizing the latest X.25 communications protocol.

One of the most important aspects of the NCIC 2000 would be its
ability to actually predict crime trends or analyze data, as
opposed to just presenting answers to specific queries.

(John McCormick/19910628/Press Contact: Milt Aldrich, FBI, 202-
324-5352)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 MORE THAN 75,000 VISIT PC EXPO 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00021)

MORE THAN 75,000 VISIT PC EXPO 07/01/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Over 75,000
visitors attended this year's 560 thousand square feet of
exhibitions at PC Expo, according to show organizers, up over
5,000 from last year's attendance.

Notable entries in this year's exhibits were 50 megahertz 80486
systems and a number of new pen-based systems.

PC Expo is produced by Bruno Blenheim Inc., a trade show
management firm and U.S. subsidiary of Blenheim Group PLC, the
world's leading independent producer of conferences and
exhibitions.

(John McCormick/19910628)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 POWER SPECTRA AND BOEING TO EXTEND RESEARCH DEAL 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00022)

POWER SPECTRA AND BOEING TO EXTEND RESEARCH DEAL 07/01/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Power Spectra
has received a letter of intent from The Boeing Co., for an extension
of the two companies' research agreement covering the development
of Power's BASS (Bulk Avalanche Semiconductor Switch) technology.

The letter calls for the research agreement to be extended for a
30-month period through the end of calendar 1993 and provides for
total funding in 1991 of $4.2 million. Under the new agreement payment
of funds will begin in July 1991, bringing payments to Power Spectra
current with amounts spent to date in 1991 for Boeing development work.

Power Spectra is engaged in the development of semiconductor
switching devices and high-voltage pulse generators for use in
commercial and military radar as well as electronic warfare
systems applications.

(Ian Stokell/19910628/Press Contact: Michael I. Gamble, Power
Spectra, 415-490-6961)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 MAKE OR BREAK TIME FOR GOUPIL 07/01/91

07/01/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00023)

MAKE OR BREAK TIME FOR GOUPIL 07/01/91
PARIS, FRANCE, 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- As talks regarding a possible
takeover continue with Olivetti, SMT Goupil teeters on the edge
unless an actual buyer steps into the frame. Goupil, which filed
for administrative receivership in French law on June 18, is now
in deep discussions with its bankers, Credit Lyonnais, regarding
its financial problems.

The French Government, meanwhile, is said to be considering a
possible bail-out, although reports in the French press
suggest that this possibility is now fading.

Another possibility for a last-minute bail-out could come from
France Telecom, if talks with Olivetti fail. France Telecom has a
10 percent stake in Goupil, although the telecommunications
giant has gone on record recently as stating it has no current
plans to increase its stake in the company.

Goupil officials, meanwhile, are making no comment on a possible
takeover of the company. All press calls are being handled by the
French receivers, the company said.

(Steve Gold/19910701)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1  ****WANG REORGANIZES, WILL LAY OFF 3,000 TO 4,000 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00024)

 ****WANG REORGANIZES, WILL LAY OFF 3,000 TO 4,000 07/01/91
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Close on the
heels of an announcement that it will resell personal computers,
workstations, and minicomputers from IBM, Wang Laboratories has
announced a reorganization that will mean pink slips for 20 to 25
percent of its employees.

Wang will lay off 3,000 to 4,000 of its 17,500 workers worldwide,
Frank Ryan, vice-president of communications, told Newsbytes. About
half the cuts will come in Massachusetts, at Wang headquarters and
other facilities in the state. The rest will be "across the board
on a global basis," Ryan said.

Ryan stressed that Wang does not expect the cuts to affect its
dealings with customers. The jobs that disappear will be in
internal functions, not in customer support and sales, he said.

Thomas Willmott, a vice-president at industry watcher The Aberdeen
Group in Boston, said the layoffs followed from the agreement to
resell IBM hardware. "Given that Wang has made a strategic decision
to remarket and add value to IBM hardware ... there was no question
in my mind that the company no longer needed to make such
substantial investments" in engineering and product development, he
said.

Willmott said the move is likely to work out well in the long term,
since IBM's RISC System/6000 workstation in particular looks like
a hot seller in the 1990s. The RS/6000 is one of the systems Wang
has agreed to resell.

Wang is restructuring into three business units. The first, Wang
Information Systems, will carry on sales of Wang's older
minicomputers running the proprietary VS operating system. It will
also resell IBM minicomputers. The Office 2000 division will handle
RS/6000 workstations and IBM PS/2 personal computers, and areas
such as Wang's imaging systems business. The third division,
Personal Computer Systems, will sell Wang's existing personal
computers.

Ryan said the layoffs are expected to be completed within a few
months. Some of the cuts may be able to be made through attrition
and early retirement, he said, but most will have to be
involuntary.

No further layoffs are planned, Ryan said.

(Grant Buckler/19910701/Press Contact: Frank Ryan, Wang
Laboratories, 508-967-7038; Thomas Willmott, The Aberdeen Group,
617-723-7890)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 AUTODESK RESTRUCTURES 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00025)

AUTODESK RESTRUCTURES 07/01/91
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Autodesk has
chosen the same time as Wang to announce a major restructuring
of its operations.

There will now be three entities within Autodesk: business units,
service centers, and corporate functions. Business units
generate the revenues, service centers supply services and bill
costs to the business units, and corporate functions would provide
the services needed by the corporation itself (i.e. legal,
financial, MIS).

The Business Units now consist of five product families: AutoCAD,
multimedia, retail software, molecular modeling, and information.
In information, the Amix online service is a current project. Each
business unit will have its own general manager and each product
within the family will have its own product manager, says Autodesk.

Autodesk says the restructuring will make the company more
responsive to market opportunities, better able to plan strategically,
and better able to support its current diversification efforts. The
changes are effective immediately.

(Wendy Woods/19910701/Press Contact: Andrew Zarrillo, Autodesk)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1  ****INTEL JOINS MICROSOFT IN FACING FTC INVESTIGATION 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00026)

 ****INTEL JOINS MICROSOFT IN FACING FTC INVESTIGATION 07/01/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- The Federal Trade
Commission has sent a letter to microprocessor maker Intel
Corporation, notifying the firm that the federal agency
was investigating allegations of unfair trading practices.
Microsoft was recently hit with another FTC investigation and
Intel holds a position in the microchip world that is roughly
equivalent to the dominating position Microsoft holds in the
operating system field.

Other chip makers, and computer builders in general, have long
complained that Intel, which until recently was the sole source
of the basic microprocessor essential to nearly all current MS-
DOS compatible computers, was treating the market as a monopoly,
sometimes failing to promptly deliver supplies of new chips to
some companies and often not having a large enough stock of
microchips.

Intel designed and manufactures the 8086, 8088, 80186, 80286,
80386, 80386SX, and 80486 families of microprocessors and
floating point math coprocessors, chips essential to most desktop
and notebook or laptop business computers. Recently a small
company, AMD, Advanced Micro Devices, started marketing 80386-
compatible chips under what it claims is authority granted it by
Intel in 1976 and 1982 shared technology arrangements between the
two companies.

Intel denies that AMD has any right to build the 386 clone and
has sued the company for patent infringement.

Dallas, Texas-based Cyrix Corp., a maker of what that small
company says is a faster, but fully compatible version of the
famous Intel math co-processors, has complained to the Federal
Trade Commission, according to that company's lawyer, Allan Van
Fleet of Houston, probably triggering the present FTC action. The
Cyrix coprocessor came on the market selling at a considerably
lower price than the equivalent Intel chips and was the recipient
of a number of good reviews in the trade press. Soon thereafter,
Intel released an upgraded version of its math coprocessors.

Intel's Pam Pollace told Newsbytes that so far the Federal Trade
Commission has asked for documents relating to a competitor's
lawsuit against Intel, but she indicated that that was the only
information the government has asked to see.

NEC, with its V20 and faster V series chips, has long marketed a
fully 8088-compatible chip which the company claims runs even
faster than Intel's, while other companies are able to supply
80286-compatible chips. But the i486 and, until very recently,
the i386 chips, needed for the latest 32-bit programs and
operating systems, are available only through Intel.

Intel's Vice President and General Counsel F. Thomas Dunlap
responded to the investigation in writing as follows:

"Given Intel's position as a key supplier of components to the
computer industry, we've had an aggressive program in place to
make sure that our business practices deal fairly and equitably
with our customers and are in compliance with antitrust laws. We
are confident this investigation will result in a clean bill of
health from the staff for the FTC."

The one-page Intel press release also stated that Intel intends
to fully and immediately cooperate with the investigation.

As a matter of policy, the FTC does not comment on any
investigations it is conducting.

(John McCormick/19910701/Press Contact: Nancy Pressel, Intel,
408-765-8080 FAX: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1 COMPUTER EATS COLOMBIAN CONSTITUTION 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00027)

COMPUTER EATS COLOMBIAN CONSTITUTION 07/01/91
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- Sunday's Washington
Post reports that, after destroying all (or what is thought to
have been all) preliminary copies of the new Colombian
constitution, someone accidentally erased the only remaining
computer copy.

Changes to the political, economic, and judicial structure of the
country were all contained in more than 400 articles of the
proposed new constitution, and all of them were stored on a
computer, ready to be presented to the country's constitutional
convention for a vote before it loses its legal standing at
midnight on July 4.

The Post report does not explain just how the files were deleted
from the computer but does point out that the person in charge
was the nephew of a member of the committee which drew up the new
constitution.

Some Washington insiders point out that, although they have no
evidence to support the idea that any U.S. agency had anything to
do with the problem, it is interesting that this occurred so
quickly after the major drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar, was
installed in his palatial prison when he surrendered after the
government added a non-extradition clause to the now missing
constitution.

(John McCormick/19910701)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1  ****INTERACTIVE TV SLATED FOR LOS ANGELES IN 1992 07/01/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00028)

 ****INTERACTIVE TV SLATED FOR LOS ANGELES IN 1992 07/01/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- In a
business suite near Beverly Hills, California, a small group of
fascinated people were gathered around a rather ordinary looking
television (TV) screen, looking at what TV Answer Incorporated
says will turn modern families in to the "Jetsons," the family in
the space age cartoon who had everything done for them
electronically.

The device resting on top of the TV, and operated
by a remote control that looks like at small toy gun, digitally
connects the user to the outside world so daily tasks like
transferring money at the bank, ordering pizza, grocery shopping,
programming the VCR, taking a test in a home study course,
voicing an opinion, or just changing the channel on the TV are all
available by moving a joystick with the thumb to select the
choice, and "shooting."

The TV Answer "box" is really a computer based on technology very
similar to that of the Macintosh, Jim Griffiss a representative
of TV Answer said. The ability of the box to perform various
tasks depends on cards, similar to the software cards used in the
Poquet Computer, to be purchased and plugged slots lining the
front of the TV Answer box. Like a computer, random access memory
(RAM) cards are also available to speed up the system, or
increase its capacity for tasks, Griffiss said.

The box is not tied to a particular type of broadcast technology,
but operates in much the same way a cellular phone does, with the
planned cell sites interspersed to pick up the digital signal from
the box and transmit the information to the appropriate receiver.
The boxes are also uniquely programmed with the sender's
information such as name and address, the company said. This
makes the box impractical to steal, since it could be traced and
received using the same technology now used in automobile security
systems for tracking and retrieval by police in case of theft.

The company says TV Answer also functions as a remote control for
the TV, video cassette recorder (VCR), or satellite dish. Giffiss
demonstrated how a user can have TV Answer record, then imitate
the signals from the remote controls, to control those other
devices.

Griffiss also said TV Answer will be programmed to know that if
the user chooses NBC off the menu, what channel that is in the
local area. The box will be updated with the programming
information for the local area, sent digitally to the
boxes from the cell sites, so it "knows" when the broadcasts will
be aired.

Griffiss showed Newsbytes how a user can look at a list by type
of broadcast, time, or date and have TV Answer program the VCR to
record the broadcast, including automatically making the
adjustments necessary to an outside satellite dish for
directional control to pick up the broadcast. TV Answer also
divides the vast choices of channel selections, as many as 120 in
some areas, into menus by categories including networks, news and
information, sports, premium channels, music, education,
religion, and home shopping.

For shopping, the user can have his bank account debited or his
major credit card charged, then have the purchase delivered, the
company said. All banking services except cash withdrawal, which
is not physically possible, are expected to be available as part
of TV Answer services. For security, passwords and lock out
protection for any part of the service is available to the user,
the company said.

What is all this going to cost the user? TV Answer has set the
proposed pricing at a subscription price of $12.95 per month, and
a connection charge may apply. The subscription provides the user
with the box and the equipment to connect it, the company said.
The cards for various additional functions are expected to be
available for purchase beginning at $50 each, the company said.

TV Answer is ready to go, the company says it is merely waiting
for an Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling on the hows
and whys. Service is expected to begin in Fairfax, Virginia, the
company headquarters, then immediately afterward in Los Angeles
and is tentatively slated for mid to end 1992.

Much of the success of TV Answer depends on the participation of
investors and service industries. Susan Wysoki, account
executive for TV Answer, doesn't see any problem getting the
necessary third party involvement. "We'd love for other parties
to get involved, including software developers who would like to
write games for the plug in cards, service industries, potential
affiliates who would like to apply for TV Answer FCC Interactive
Video Data Service (IVDS) operating licenses and anyone else who
might be interested," said Wysoki.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910701/Press Contact: Susan Wysoki or Jim
Griffiss, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], or 202/333-1638)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1  ****AMERICAN PEOPLELINK GOES OFFLINE 01/07/91

07/01/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00029)

 ****AMERICAN PEOPLELINK GOES OFFLINE 01/07/91
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL, U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- American
Peoplelink (Plink) has quietly and mysteriously gone offline. At
the same time, its direct-dial voice and data, as well as toll-free
telephone lines, have been disconnected.

Attempts by Newsbytes to contact the system operators have failed.
Sources close to the online system -- system operators (sysops)
of the various special interest groups (SIGs) on the service --
have reported on the public chatlines of BIX, the Byte Information
eXchange, that they are owed money for services rendered.

The evidence suggests that Plink's financial problems have caused
the service to go offline, both by voice and by data. CBM*HARV,
the system operator of the Commodore Amiga area on Plink, is
reported to have gone to Portal, another online system.

Plink was set up in the early 1980s as a direct alternative to
Compuserve. Its two original founders left Compuserve, where they
were SIG sysops. At the time, Plink said that its low-cost
operation would offer hourly access charges significantly less
than Compuserve's.

In 1983 Plink's rates were $3-95 an hour - $2-05 an hour less than
Compuserve's 300 bits per second (bps) rates. Since then, the rates
have hovered around the $2-95 to $4-95 an hour level.

(Steve Gold/19910701)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1  ****ARRESTS IN "MULTI-MILLION" CELLULAR PHONE FRAUD 07/01/91

07/01/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00030)

 ****ARRESTS IN "MULTI-MILLION" CELLULAR PHONE FRAUD 07/01/91
ALBANY, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUL 1 (NB) -- The New York
State Attorney General's office has announced the arrest and
arraignment of four individuals for allegedly illegally utilizing
Metro One's cellular service for calls totalling in excess of $1
million per month.

According to the charges, the arrested individuals duplicated a
Metro One customer's electronic serial number (ESN) -- the serial
number that facilitates customer billing -- and installed the
chip in a number of cellular phones. The defendants then
allegedly installed the phones in cars which they parked in a
location near a Metro One cell site in the Elmhurst section of
Queens in New York City.

From these cars, the defendants allegedly sold long distance service
to individuals, typically charging $10 for a 20 minute call. Metro
One told investigators that many of the calls were made to South
American locations and that its records indicate that more than $1
million worth of calls were made in this manner in May 1991.

The arrests were made by a joint law enforcement force composed
of investigators from The New York State Police, New York City
Police Special Frauds Squad, United States Service, and New York
State Attorney General's office. The arrests were made after
undercover officers, posing as customers, made phone calls from the
cellular phones to out-of-state locations. The arrests were, according
to a release from the Attorney General's office, the culmination of
an investigation begun in September 1990 as the result of complaints
from Metro One.

The defendants, Carlos Portilla, 29, of Woodside, NY; Wilson
Villfane, 33, of Jackson Heights, NY; Jaime Renjio-Alvarez, 29, of
Jackson Heights, NY and Carlos Cardona, 40, of Jackson Heights,
NY, were charged with computer tampering in the first degree and
falsifying business records in the first degree, both Class E felonies,-
and theft of services, a Class A misdemeanor. Additionally, Portilla
and Villfane were charged were possession of burglar tools, also a
Class A misdemeanor. At the arraignment, Portilla and Renjio-
Alvarez pleaded guilty to computer tampering and the additional
charges against those individuals were dropped.

New York State Police Senior Investigator Donald Delaney,
commenting on the case to Newsbytes, said "This arrest is but the
tip of the iceberg. There is an on-going investigation in the
area of cellular phone fraud and we are looking for those that
are organizing this type of criminal activity."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Edward
Barbini, NYS Department of Law, 518-473-5525/19910701)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUL 1  BoCoEx Index 07/01/91

07/01/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00031)

 BoCoEx Index 07/01/91

 Closing Prices Report  for the week ending June 28, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid
 --------------------------------------------------------------
 IBM PC 176               Floppy      200 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      450 -          500    350

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      600 up 25      675    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      625 -          725    600

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      750 -         1000    700

 IBM PS/1 Model 30        30 MgB     1150 -         1200   1100

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      600 -          700    450

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1150 -         1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model L40SX     60 MgB     3400 -         new to market

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1100 -         1450   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1200 -         1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     1600 -         2200   1400

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1300 -         1700   1300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2300 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3400 -         3600   3200

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Compaq Portable Plus     10 MgB      400 -          500    300

 Compaq Portable II       20 MgB      750 -         1050    700

 Compaq Portable III      20 MgB     1050 down 150  1250   1000

 Compaq Portable 286      20 MgB     1100 -         1350   1000

 Compaq Portable 386      40 MgB     1900 down 100  2100   1500

 Compaq SLT-286           40 MgB     1700 -         1900   1550

 Compaq LTE               20 MgB      950 -         1100    900

 Compaq LTE-286           20 MgB     1500 down 150  1600   1400

 Compaq LTE-286           40 MgB     1800 -         1900   1600

 Compaq LTE-386           40 MgB     2700 -         2800   2600

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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 up 100    1400   1250

 Zenith SuperSport-286    20 MgB     1000 -         1200    900

 Zenith TurboSport-386    40 MgB     1700 -         1900   1600

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Macintosh Plus           Floppy      500 -          750    500

 Macintosh Plus           20 MgB      750 -          975    700

 Macintosh Classic        40 MgB     1100 -         1200   1000

 Macintosh SE             Floppy      700 -         1025    650

 Macintosh SE             20 MgB      950 -         1050    900

 Macintosh SE             40 MgB     1100 -         1250   1050

 Macintosh SE-30          40 MgB     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2350 -         2500   2100

 Macintosh IIX            80 MgB     3550 -         3600   3500

 Macintosh IICX           80 MgB     3300 -         3600   3200

 Macintosh IICI           80 MgB     3950 -         4300   3750

 Macintosh IIFX           80 MgB     5400 -         5800   5200

 Macintosh IISI           40 MgB     2950 -         3400   2700

 Macintosh Portable       40 MgB     2600 -         3400   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      350 -          400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      850 -         1100    850

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 225 -          350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               2000 -         2500   2000

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                       800 -          950    800

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 TI Travelmate 2000       20 MgB     1100 -         1200   1000

 Toshiba T-1000           Floppy      450 -          575    325

 Toshiba T-1200HB         20 MgB      800 -          950    725

 Toshiba T-1200XE         20 MgB     1300 -         1450   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     1100 -         1300    900

 Toshiba T-3100 SX        40 MgB     2400 -         2800   2200

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1500 down 300  1800   1300

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2700 -         2900   2600

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     2000 -         2300   1900

 Toshiba T-5200          100 MgB     3200 down 600  3800   3100

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: [phone]. BoCoEx
Database is on CompuServe: GO BCE, on Delphi: ME BO.

IBM Laptop in Used Market - Already!

Boston, June 28, 1991 -- The rush to trade-in has had its impact
as volume on the BoCoEx Big Board reached a volume landmark.  The
hottest news was the appearance of the IBM PS/2 L40SX on the
used computer market selling in single units at $3400 while
retail is between $3900 and $4400.  The PS/2 computer "for people
with a windows office" has been chided as too little too late,
but the used market is ready to snap up those machines that
disgruntled owners want to sell.

The rest of IBM's products were heavily traded at relatively
stable prices.  The AT models were volume leaders with the older
20 Megabyte drive model up $25 at $600. In contrast, the Compaq
"lunchbox" models took a cash beating with the Portable 3
dropping $150 to trade at $1050, the Portable 386 lost $100 to
close at $1900 and the LTE 286 dropped $150 to $1500. The NEC
desktop PowerMate was up $100 at $1400 showing the strength of
386 compatibles and the strong demand for the computer that the
average guy is seeking.

Fortune 100 Now Buying Used Computers

It has been almost an axiomatic in the used market that bigger
corporations are the sellers of used equipment and smaller
companies buy - no more.  At PC Expo in New York City, this week,
the overwhelming news was the appearance of the Fortune 100 as
significant buyers of used equipment.  Perhaps it is an indicator
of the tight financial times, or the flow through of budget
cutting among the corporate elite but many brand name
corporations were out in force seeking bargains in used
equipment.

The IBM trade-in program alerted the big corporate buyers that
there was a significant supply of used computers and many
companies sobered up this quarter realizing that the average word
worker does not need powerful MCA architecture and can operate
perfectly well on an AT era machine.  Rather than have the typing
pool drive 386 computers with Windows, the savvy corporate buyers
are turning to the secondary market to stretch their buying
dollars in buying used equipment.  The brand names are their
darlings.

Early Apple Models Surge and Mac's Move

The market in the earlier Apple models was up sharply in volume
as the Apple 2 era machines traded in significant volumes at last
week's prices.  The pattern over the past decade is that machines
fall in value as they are displaced by newer technology until
they reach a base trading price.  The stars of the market can
hold that value and trade there for years.  Like the proverbial
"$500 Volkswagen" the same chassis is passed from owner to owner
at the same price.  It really can't depreciate any more because
the owner is reluctant to sell for less than a psychological
minimum value.  The result is a stable market for computers like
the Apple 2e, the Apple 2c and the Macintosh Plus.  These
venerable standards of the 1980's are in such constant demand and
have such rich supply that there is a continuous market at
homogenous prices.  All of those models traded this week in
volume at last week's prices.  This is one of the few islands of
stability in a turbulent market where "survival of the fastest"
governs value.

(Bocoex/1991628)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 28 Review of: SBT Database Mac Acc'ting Library: Gen'l Ledger 06/28/91

06/28/91



(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00031)

Review of: SBT Database Mac Acc'ting Library: Gen'l Ledger 06/28/91

Runs on: Macintoshes, should have 10 megs free memory, tested
 with System 6.07, but SBT says works fine with System 7

From: SBT Corporation, One Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965,
ph: 415-331-9900

PRice: $695/module (Macintosh, multiuser)

PUMA Rating: 3.5 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Michael Amara, 06/28/91

Summary: The SBT Accounting Library is accounting software
written in the dBASE language that runs in the Macintosh
environment on Foxbase/Mac relational database. It's a good program
for serious accountants, and not beginners.

======

REVIEW

======

A CPA's special function in the financial world is to attest to
the accuracy of the figures in a financial statement. So he or she
is most interested in the integrity or "in-accessibility" of the
data. Accordingly, most accounting software is designed with this
in mind. In a small business environment these barriers are
usually more of a burden than a help. SBT has taken the opposite
approach. The data is completely available - if you screw it up,
you'll have to straighten it out. As a consultant to small
businesses for their accounting software, I'd much rather
deal with the latter than the former.

Not only is the data available, the source code is provided. What
most companies consider trade secrets, SBT gives freely. Thus
if your business is in some way unique, the product can be
modified. I have a client, for instance, in the freight forwarding
business who requires the tracking of three separate sets of
identifying numbers per invoice rather than the customary single
invoice number. SBT fills the bill.

On many occasions I've seen other packages of accounting
software and inevitably I keep coming back to SBT -- the
compelling feature being its database foundation.

Although not very Macintosh-like for a true Mac-head, the
software has to be respected, at least for the burn-in time it's
endured on the DOS platform. When I worked at Radio Shack many
years ago my manager used to say, "Recommend new hardware and
old software." It's exceedingly frustrating to be an involuntary
beta site. Much of the true Macintosh-based accounting software
is rather poor accounting; some products won't even allow posting
to prior periods, some require printing hard copy as the only way
to store historical data!

The General Ledger part of the SBT Accounting Library is what
we're reviewing. Journal entries are straightforward, allowing
a 35-character description, a 15-character reference, setting
of an auto-reverse flag, and the date. Dates in General Ledger
are mostly literals; the posting to one period or another is
controlled by a period identifier. Posting to prior periods
is allowed by a separate menu selection and up to 26 periods are
available. Accounts are not only numbered, but typed (Assets,
Liabilities, Equities, Cost of Sales, Expenses, Other).

Account numbers are 5 characters (the first can be an 0)
followed by an optional 3-character department identifier. In
addition to the standard Income Statement and Balance Sheet,
the FASB required Cash Flow Statement and the old Statement of
Changes in Financial Position are available.

Financial statement formatting/designing is somewhat limited.
The output is in tiny Courier font, with limited options of what
fields can be placed and where. One basically needs a form that
fits the output, or must design a form around the program's
output limitations.

Additionally on the Mac an export data to spreadsheet function is
available at no extra charge. In DOS, this requires a special
module. This really facilitates specialized reporting.

The linking between modules is a two-step process. From the
operating module, one chooses "Release to General Ledger."
From the General Ledger, one chooses "Update from Linked Modules."
This allows for variable closing of modules; typically A/R
at the end of the month; A/P between the 5th and 10th, after
all current period invoices have arrived; and G/L around the
15th after the bank statement has arrived and a bank
reconciliation can be done.

============

PUMA RATINGS

============

Performance: 3.25 The product is fast enough with current
hardware. It segments data files to current and history; when
a period close is performed, the current data is moved to a history
file. In this way, very large data files are avoided during
day-to-day operations.

Usefulness: 3.75 The SBT Accounting Library does everything
you might expect of an accounting software product plus it gives
you the tools to customize or simply design unique reports for
your specific situation. At $695 per module it may seem too
expensive for many small businesses; however it does the job.
I know of several instances where the smaller dollar investment in
accounting software led to a large time investment only to be
ultimately discontinued in favor of SBT.

Manual: 3.75 The manuals (now) are well-designed and well-written.
Some accounting software manuals are clearly Xeroxes and give you
the feeling of doubt as to whether the company will be there
tomorrow when you need help. SBT's manuals are well laid-out
with two-color covers and the information conveniently organized
and indexed. Their telephone support (no charge for 24-48
hour call-back, $3 per minute for immediate service on a 900
number) is usually excellent.

Availability: 3.25 SBT is sold through independent resellers
throughout the country. This may be a mixed bag; some resellers
are highly qualified and committed to the user's success and others
are more committed to just making the sale. It strikes me as better
than simply distributing over-the-counter however, and indicates
SBT's understanding that the successful placement of
accounting software requires more than effective packaging;
it needs good one-on-one support.

(Michael Amara/19910628)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 28 LARGE NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT ORDER FOR OLIVETTI 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(BRU)(00001)

LARGE NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT ORDER FOR OLIVETTI 06/28/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Scanvest-Olivetti wins "Order
of the decade" despite heavy lobbying from Norsk Data. Norsk
Data's last hope was that the Norwegian Parliament would not
approve financing for what is reckoned to be the largest
purchase of computers, software and services in the public
sector this decade.

Rikstrygdeverket, the government agency responsible for
administrating Norway's national health and social security
insurance scheme, wanted to buy more than 4.600 workstations,
467 servers and related software and services.

Based on PCs, the order is also a boost for Microsoft in
Norway. Windows was the chosen environment, and the order is
also for MS Mail, MS Excel and MS Word for Windows, probably
making it their largest Windows-installation in Norway.

The main contract itself is valued at $30 million, and was
especially important for the Norsk Data subsidiary Dolphin
Server Technology, who was to manufacture the servers. Their
orderbooks are now close to empty.

After loosing out in the Ministry of Social Affairs, Norsk
Data's hope was that the government would overturn the
Ministry's decision. This did not happen, and when most of the
Representatives in the Parliament approved the financing, the
race was run.

For Norsk Data the order was important since it has lost out on
most large government purchases in the last couple of years. It
needs to show that it has regained confidence. Most of the time
they have come in as second or third choice. As one ND employee
put it: "You don't get fat being second..."

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910621)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUN 28 MINISTRIES DISAGREE OVER NORWEGIAN DEFENSE PURCHASE 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(BRU)(00002)

MINISTRIES DISAGREE OVER NORWEGIAN DEFENSE PURCHASE 06/28/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Norsk Data, the Norwegian
computer company, get's a second chance on a major defense
order. Opposing views in the Norwegian Government has resulted
in a second chance for the contract.

The Ministry of Defense wanted to give the contract, estimated
at NOK 180 million ($26 million) for the first phase, and a
similar amount in future purchases to Siemens-Nixdorf of
Germany. The planned purchase is for at least 2.000
terminals/PCs, lans and Unix-servers. The equipment, with
appropriate software, is to be used at the Army Materials
Command, the army's procurement unit.

The contract was already negotiated with Siemens-Nixdorf and
ready for approval, but met opposition from the Ministry of
Industry. As a result both Siemens-Nixdorf and Norsk Data were
given the opportunity to revise their bids. After this revision
there is still a difference between the bids, estimated to be up
to 30 per cent in Norsk Data's disfavor.

The difference of opinion between the Ministry of Defence and
the Ministry of Industry, whose role it is to be champion of
Norwegian industry's interest, is still very strong. Originally
the government should have made a decision some weeks back, but
it was postponed so that the climate could ripen.

It seems that this has not helped, the two parties is just as
far apart as when the discussions started. So it's back to
square one for the government, and a decision is awaited
sometime during the summer.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910624)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 ELECTRONIC MAIL SERVICE CREATES INTERNATIONAL INTEREST 06/28/91

06/28/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(BRU)(00003)

ELECTRONIC MAIL SERVICE CREATES INTERNATIONAL INTEREST 06/28/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Televerket and Postverket, the
two government agencies responsible for the national telephone
and mail services in Norway, have joined forces to provide
electronic mail and physical delivery system.

TelePost Communication, a company owned by Postverket and
Televerket, is to provide this service. Previously, Postverket
was one of the shareholders in Norvans, another company that is
establishing a competing electronic mail service, NorPost, but
this shareholding has now been sold.

The Norwegian mail service has already a trial project with
Canada's Royal Mail on MHS. Postverket's vision is to get the
mail services of the other countries to cooperate in developing
electronic mail services. And it is happening. By September 1st
the Nordic mail service agencies will have a inter-nordic
service in operation - and they hope that mail services in other
countries will join this network.

Norway's Postverket is a leader in this field, and have received
requests for information or assistance from many countries.
Among those who have shown interest is Deutshe Bundespost, the
German telecommunications and mail agency.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910625)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 STEVE ROBERTS' ONE-MAN PRESS CONFERENCE 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)

STEVE ROBERTS' ONE-MAN PRESS CONFERENCE 06/28/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- In what
may be a first, "Winnebiko" creator Steve Roberts has staged a
one-man, online news conference, answering the 20 most-asked
questions about his new Behemoth electronic bicycle and
distributing the results to a select mailing list.

Behemoth is now a 400 pound recumbent bicycle loaded with
computers and communication gear designed as a "rolling office"
and testbed for portable communications. Roberts plans to start
the bike rolling for-real from near Council Bluffs, Iowa at the
end of July as part of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride
Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, a 430-mile bicycle ride-festival with
10,000 people. From there, he plans to go where his whims take
him. To keep the monster moving, Roberts reports he now has a
105-speed drivetrain which can move him forward just 22 inches
per pedal revolution in his lowest gear, or 30 feet per
revolution in his highest.

In his Q&A, Roberts says that he's no longer looking for people
to make a commitment to joining him for weeks at a time. "The new
plan is much more realistic.... wanna go for a bike ride and
sample high-tech nomadness?  Fine, let's do it.  Hams are
particularly welcome since on-the-road communication without
radio is a real pain.  I move at a leisurely pace by most
cyclists' standards, so don't worry too much about your physical
condition.  You're probably not hauling 400 pounds, and should
have no trouble keeping up.  If you're fast, then you can zip
ahead, take side trips, or otherwise pass the time while waiting
for the recumbersome bikeasaurus to trundle into camp.  Any
takers?"

Roberts says that Sun Microsystems, his main sponsor, is an
"unusual company" in that its top executives "pend most of their
time thinking about the long-term future and exploring areas
outside today's specific product development issues.  The net
effect is a symbiosis between generalists and specialists -- and
a very lively corporate culture."  There are now a total of about
150 sponsors for Roberts' travels.

As to Roberts' immediate plans, if you're looking forward to
meeting him, he writes this. "The general plan right now is to
leave Silicon Valley via rental truck on July 15 and drive to
Omaha, there to start RAGBRAI. From there I'll head to Chicago to
visit a few sponsors, then to Milwaukee. From there, presumably,
I'll pass through Oshkosh and head up to Door County, then cross
to Michigan on the ferry, and head down through Lansing, Ann
Arbor, and Adrian. After that, I'll zoom down through Ohio and
stop by Columbus and Cincinnati, then probably wander through
Lexington enroute to my parents' house in Louisville, Kentucky."
The vague plan then is to truck the bike back to California,
spend 3 months working on enhancements, then leave for real, with
an open-ended agenda. "I should mention that I've already done
16,000 miles on previous versions, and every time I ever made
predictions like this they turned out to be wrong," he warns.

While the computers all run on solar power, Roberts says that
wouldn't work to power the bike. "That would be pleasant.  But
the numbers don't work:  I have 82 watts of panels, and the 45
amp-hour battery is pretty much reserved for computers,
communciations, and lighting.  A variable-reluctance motor-
generator from Semifusion is being developed for the regenerative
braking system, and calculations suggest that if we dump the raw
solar bus into it the boost is roughly equivalent to a 2 kilogram
push.  Of course, I could always load up on batteries for a
serious assist, but that's more weight... and I've already blown
the load budget on other equipment."

Meanwhile, if you know about the roads along Roberts' route, he
wants to hear from you. "Most parts of the country have a rich
variety of back roads, county roads, farm roads... the only
problem is finding documentation.  They don't show up on the
atlases or gas station maps, which only show cyclists where NOT
to go.  The solution involves research:  acquiring county maps
and DeLorme atlases, asking cyclists, trying to make sense of
often-distorted local advice, and very soon, using CDROM map
databases.  You are right about dirt roads; they're a drag.  Sand
and gravel are even worse."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: Steven K. Robert,
[e-mail]; GEnie, wordy)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 SCS' STROEBELE SAYS MOTOROLA BIASED AGAINST HIM 06/28/91

06/28/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

SCS' STROEBELE SAYS MOTOROLA BIASED AGAINST HIM 06/28/91
EATONTON, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- If spread
spectrum microwave phones are impossible, why is Motorola's
Iridium satellite-fed phone system proposing to use the same
frequencies? That's the question John Stroebele, head of SCS
Mobilecom, wants the FCC to answer as it considers conflicting
test results from his firm and Motorola concerning spread-
spectrum microwave telephone service.

Last month, Motorola reported that its tests, conducted in
Chicago, confirmed that Personal Communications Networks, or PCN,
phones cannot share microwave frqeuencies with existing
transmitters. SCS, which is working with Millicom, reported the
opposite from its tests in Orlando and Houston. U.S. regulators
must now sort through the conflicting claims and decide whether
microwave cellular phone services can be offered to the public
without licensed frequencies. If the answer is yes, shirt-pocket
phones could be offering low-cost, low-power phone service as
early as 1994, Stroebele told Newsbytes.

Motorola spokesmen had said they detected measurable interference
with microwave towers at a power level of milliwatts per hertz.
But Stroebele says he's working with megahertz, that is, millions
of hertz. A thousandth of a watt of interference against millions
of hertz of frequency won't have much impact. "Iridium is in the
same frequency band. How do they justify this?" he asked.

"Our tests in Orlando and Houston were verified in midtown
Manhattan," he said. "We can operate at over 100 microwatts per
user and get, in Houston and Orlando, about 100 users per cell,
and in New York about 250 per cell." Each cell is 1,200 feet
across. Stroebele says that, with spread-spectrum PCN, he can get
2,000 users talking at once per square mile. Conventional
cellular systems have 9 users per square mile.

One secret to the SCS system is a notched filter, to eliminate
any power transmitted from the handset that's in the frequency
range of a nearby microwave receiver. "The way we know what
frequencies are there is that the base stations are fixed, and
they know what microwave systems are around, because they too are
fixed," says Stroebele. Also, SCS handsets will use power only
when people are talking on them, further reducing their power
output and their impact on licensed users.

The test system, he said, was put together over 6 months with
off the shelf parts. By next year, he said, he'll have smaller
equipment. Not just shirt-pocket phones, but tiny base stations.
"The base station itself is the size of a manhattan yellow pages.
That's one plan. The second plan, which we'll work on with cable
companies, uses base stations the size of an ashtray."

Stroebele expects the FCC to verify his results, and let SCS and
Millicom continue their tests, expanding it to 100 cells with
between 20-40,000 users. "That will take place in 1993. They want
to give people a shirt-pocket handset. They'll be other tests in
the meantime." That test could be verified in 1993, at which
point Millicom -- which has backed SCS to the hilt -- expects to
be given a "pioneer preference" from the FCC, giving them first
call on licensing the technology.

Stroebele says that phones aren't the limit of the spread-
spectrum technology he's been developing since 1956. Much of his
past work involved the military, which can now transmit,
scramble, and jam spread-spectrum signals. "We've also come up
with a spread spectrum microwave system which will share more
spectrum efficiently with PCN.  Using the system we've developed,
phones and towers could be right on top of one another, and
transmit together."

I've been worng a lot. This has moved faster than I dreamed.
We've been working with Millicom for a year, and I've worked in
spread spectrum since 1956. We've built sp-sp for 10 years, and
we have another company doing military work 10 eyars. We build
them and jam them.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: SCS Mobilecom, John
Stroebele, 908/542-6458)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 AT&T WANTS TO SERVE VIETNAM 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

AT&T WANTS TO SERVE VIETNAM 06/28/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- 16 years after
the end of the Vietnam War, AT&T wants the U.S. to allow it to
do what it already does for refugees from Communist Cuba -- let
them call home at a reasonable price. Phone service between the
U.S. and Vietnam has been prohibited since 1975 under the U.S.
economic embargo against that country. There are about 700,000
Vietnamese Americans, and an AT&T executive told a U.S. House
hearing that those people are calling anyway, going through
unlicensed operators and third countries. But they're paying
exorbitant prices.

David Jasmann president and managing director of AT&T
Communications Pacific, Hong Kong, told  a hearing of joint House
Foreign Affairs subcommittees said unlicensed operators are
circumventing the government's ban, that these black-market
operators are charging as much as $80 for a 10-minute call, more
than double the cost of calling to other countries in the region.
Among the countries through which calls pass are Canada, Japan,
France, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia. Jasmann said
lifting the ban could be accomplished immediately, under current
government regulations.

Jasmann said that AT&T has discussed with Vietnamese telephone
authorities an arrangement whereby money due Vietnam from
reopening direct phone links "would be deposited by AT&T into a
blocked account under U.S. jurisdiction, in accordance with U.S.
law."  He said the account would remain blocked "until the United
States government institutes policy changes toward more normal
relations with Vietnam, and decides to allow such funds to be
released." It would be similar to arrangements in place since
1968 with Cuba. Vietnam is only one of three countries in the
world that United States residents cannot call.  The others are
Cambodia and North Korea.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: Herb Linnen, AT&T,
202-457-3933)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 HUTCHISON TELECOMM JOINS IRIDIUM PROJECT 06/28/91

06/28/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

HUTCHISON TELECOMM JOINS IRIDIUM PROJECT 06/28/91
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Motorola
announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
Hutchison Telecommunications of Hong Kong for the development,
procurement and operation of some of the 77 satellites Motorola's
Iridium system needs to become a worldwide telecomm entity. Plans
call for HTL to become a member of the international consortium
which will fund and operate the Iridium System.

Using Low Earth Orbiting satellites, Iridium is intended to
provide worldwide, hand-held portable and mobile
telecommunications coverage. Current plans estimate the launching
of the Iridium System's constellation of 77 satellites to begin
in 1994.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: Motorola Lawrence E.
Moore, 602-441-3000; Hutchison Telecom, Betsy Chang, 011-852-828-
3222)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 BELLCORE SAYS TV, VOICE CAN SHARE A PHONE LINE 06/28/91

06/28/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

BELLCORE SAYS TV, VOICE CAN SHARE A PHONE LINE 06/28/91
MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- VCR-quality
television, voice and data can be sent simultaneously over a
single copper telephone line with a new experimental Bellcore
technology, the company announced, Bellcore, the research arm of
the 7 regional Bell companies, said its asymmetrical digital
subscriber line technology can expand the transmission capacity
of current copper-based telephone networks.  using a few high-
speed microchips. The technology would be put in what's called
the "local loop" -- between your local telephone switch and your
home. To transmit a TV picture, ADSL also requires real-time
compression of video signals to 1.5 million bits/second from the
current 45 million bits/second.

Ray Lane, Bellcore's division manager for transport capabilities
and requirements, called ADSL an interim technology which will
let the nation's phone companies offer access to library data
bases, shop-at-home services, and long-distance video learning.
Bellcore will nex perform technical feasibility studies on ADSL
and issue a technical advisory on the technology in mid-1992.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: Mike Giovia, Bellcore,
201-740-4762)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 CORRECTION: MTEL AND NTT DON'T HAVE A DEAL 06/28/91

06/28/91


(CORRECTION)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)

CORRECTION: MTEL AND NTT DON'T HAVE A DEAL 06/28/91
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- MTel is
negotiating with NTT of Japan to bring its Skypager paging
service to that country, but no general agency agreement has been
signed yet, as Kyoto and the Newsbytes News Network reported
previously.

Spokesman David Allen of MTel read a corrective statement from
the company which says in part "While MTel and NTT International,
the NTT subsidiary alluded to in the news reports, have been in
detailed discussions which could provide for "Skypager" services
in Japan, at this point they have not executed a definitive
agreement. Mtel and NTTI are continuing discussions and
optimistic about the opportunities."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: David Allen, MTel, 601-
944-1300)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 PENMAGIC DEVELOPING FOR NCR NOTEPAD 06/28/91

06/28/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00010)

PENMAGIC DEVELOPING FOR NCR NOTEPAD 06/28/91
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- PenMagic
Software, launched last fall to develop software for computers that
use a light pen for input, has announced it is working on software
for NCR's new 3125 notepad machine.

The NCR 3125 uses PenPoint, Foster City, California-based Go
Corp.'s pen-based operating system. PenMagic picked PenPoint as its
first software development platform.

Though the NCR announcement gives no details of the applications
PenMagic is working on, President Norm Francis told Newsbytes
earlier that the company's first two applications will be a
spreadsheet-like financial package and a professional organizer.
PenMagic hopes to be ready to release its first products by the end
of this year.

Carl Fink, a senior manager in the management consulting practice
of Deloitte & Touche in Boston, recently pointed to pen-based
computing as one of the most significant recent developments in
personal computing, and praised PenPoint as a strong operating
system.

(Grant Buckler/19910626/Press Contact: Pam Glancy, PenMagic
Software, 604-988-9982, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 BYTEX, CROSSCOMM PLAN INTERNETWORKING HUB 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00011)

BYTEX, CROSSCOMM PLAN INTERNETWORKING HUB 06/28/91
SOUTHBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Bytex has
announced a deal with CrossComm of Marlborough, Mass., to
incorporate CrossComm's new internetworking technology in Bytex's
Maestro Intelligent Switching Hub.

The Maestro hub, announced in May, works with IBM Token Ring
local-area networks. It is designed for large LAN (local area
network) installations spread over wide areas, Bytex spokeswoman
Jackie Lustig said.

The will result in the development of an advanced integrated hub
and internetworking system aimed at mission-critical LANs, the
companies said. Commercial availability is planned for the first
half of 1992.

CrossComm's Fast Packet Switching technology uses a scalable,
fault-tolerant, reduced instruction set computing (RISC)
architecture.

Gregory W. Koss, CrossComm's vice-president of product marketing,
told Newsbytes the company does not plan to market the technology
separately at present. Other deals like the one with Bytex are a
possibility, he added.

Koss said CrossComm chose to work with Bytex because of the
company's background in providing highly reliable equipment for
purposes such as airline reservation systems. "They have the proper
heritage now to bring those skills into the LAN arena," he said.

The Maestro hub is a system of hardware and software that allows
network administrators to control and manage the physical layer of
their LANs from a central management console. The hubs can handle
as many as 144 ports each, and cost from US$250 to US$300 per port.
Versions for use with Ethernet, 10BaseT, and Fiber Distributed Data
interface (FDDI) networks are planned, Lustig said.

(Grant Buckler/19910627/Press Contact: Jackie Lustig, Bytex,
507-480-0840 ext. 409; Nancy Baptiste, CrossComm, 508-481-4060)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 NEW EPSON PRINTERS TRY TO COMPETE WITH LASER PRINTERS 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00012)

NEW EPSON PRINTERS TRY TO COMPETE WITH LASER PRINTERS 06/28/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Epson America
is introducing the ESC/P 2, a printer control language for
dot matrix printers that offers enhanced graphics
capability, and for the first time, scalable fonts. The new
language is an extension of ESC/P, the Epson standard for 24-pin
printers more commonly known as Epson LQ.

Fonts have been offered on Epson printers before, but not
scalable fonts, Epson said. The new fonts are available in point
sizes ranging from 8 to 32 points, to give the user greater
control over the look of the final document, Epson said. The
enhanced graphics capability places the dots more accurately for
a sharper 360 x 360 dots per inch output.

Also, the new language makes printing from Windows or other
graphical environments faster. A raster graphics mode allows the
printer to print 360 x 180 dots-per-inch resolution in a single
pass as opposed to the two passes required previously, Epson
said.

Epson believes the new ESC/P 2 language will make 24-pin dot
matrix printers more attractive and competitive compared to "page
printers" (laser printers), as output will look better than what
was available with 24-pin printers in the past, at a lower cost
to the user. "These printers bring new life to the dot matrix
market by providing features that have traditionally been
available only to users of page printers," said Angele Boyd,
industry analyst and manager of printer research for IDC.

Epson said it is working with major software manufacturers for
the development of drivers that capitalize on the capabilities of
ESC/P 2. Several major vendors have already agreed to support the
new control language by updating their drivers. Further, the new
LQ-570, LQ-870 and LQ-1170 printers include ESC/P 2 drivers for
WordPerfect 5.1, PlanPerfect 5.1, DrawPerfect 1.1, Letter-Perfect
1.0, Microsoft Windows 3.0, Microsoft Word 5.5 and WordStar 6,
the company said. Additional drivers are anticipated.

The ESC/P 2 will be incorporated into all future LQ printers from
Epson starting in July 1991 in Epson's new models, the LQ-570,
LQ-870, LQ-1170 and Actionprinter 5000. Users who want to
purchase the new printers, but have software that talks to the
old ESC/P language printers will be relieved to know that the new
printers are backward compatible, meaning they'll still
understand the old ESC/P language, Epson said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910627/Press Contact: Jan Marciano, Epson,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 EPSON OFFERS POSTSCRIPT FOR EPL-7000 LASER PRINTER 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00013)

EPSON OFFERS POSTSCRIPT FOR EPL-7000 LASER PRINTER 06/28/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Seiko Epson
announced it has entered into a licensing agreement with Adobe
Systems so users of the EPL-7000 laser printer can add Postscript
software from Adobe to their printers.

Epson will offer an IC card that added to the EPL-7000 allows the
printer to produce Adobe's Postscript language output. The option
requires the user to add 1 megabyte (MB) of memory to the
printer's .5 MB of memory for a total of 1.5 MB of memory. The
maximum amount of memory that can be added in this manner is 2
MB, however combinations of boards and chips can produce as much
as 6 MB of printer memory.

The additional memory is added through the use of random access
memory (RAM) chips that can be purchased from third-party vendors
for less than $100, Epson said. As convoluted as this may sound,
adding memory is common practice among laser printers, as the
printer "formats" an entire page in its memory at once, then
prints the page. Without enough memory to store the whole image,
especially a complex image, the printer is unable to print the
image properly or at all.

Epson says the solution allows EPL-7000 users an "affordable" way
to get the benefits of Postscript software. "The agreement
extends our relationship with Adobe and demonstrates a commitment
to laser printer customers at every level," said Peter Bergman,
managing director of Epson America's printer business unit.

The IC card is only one way to upgrade the EPL-7000 for
Postscript output, Epson said. Users can change the EPL-7000
controller for an Epson EPL-7500 controller, which will provide
Postscript language output faster, as reduced instruction set
computer (RISC) chips are doing the processing, according to
Epson.

Epson said the IC card is scheduled for availability in November
1991 at a retail price of less than $700. The EPL-7000 has a
retail price of $1,399.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910627/Press Contact: Jan Marciano, Epson,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28  ****SPINNAKER BETA-TESTING "PERSONAL ACCESS" DATABASE TOOL 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00014)

 ****SPINNAKER BETA-TESTING "PERSONAL ACCESS" DATABASE TOOL 06/28/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Spinnaker
Software announced at PC Expo it is in the beta text stages with
a new database application development tool aimed at the non-
power user it calls "Personal Access."

The new software has a point-and-click access to corporate data
across multiple databases and servers without the need for
programming, the company said. Initially, the product is said to
support Dbase (Ashton-Tate), Paradox (Borland), Btrieve (Novell),
Oracle, SQL Server (Microsoft), OS/2 Database Manager (IBM)
and DB2 (IBM).

At the same time, Spinnaker announced a beta test program called
Fortune 1000 "Access Partners" to begin evaluation and
performance studies of Personal Access.

Spinnaker says Personal Access differs from other "Front-Ending"
tools in that it is designed for the non-professional. The
company says the other front-end tools available are designed for
professional developers and sophisticated power users who want to
create standard queries and reports that are run frequently and
repeatedly. Personal Access is designed for the non-professional
database user to get ad-hoc access to information without
management information systems (MIS) support.

The product is geared toward corporate, government and
educational organizations who want to put database access into
the hands of a large number of end-users, Spinnaker said. The
Access Partners test program, to begin in July, is designed to
get input on behalf of those users on the development of Personal
Access, the company said.

The ship date for the product has been scheduled for October
1991, Spinnaker said. No price has yet been announced.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910627/Press Contact: Douglas Campbell,
Spinnaker, Tel: [phone], ext. 357, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN  28 LEXMARK TO RECYCLE IBM LASER PRINTER CARTRIDGES 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00015)

LEXMARK TO RECYCLE IBM LASER PRINTER CARTRIDGES 06/28/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Lexmark
International, the company that manufacturers laser printers for
IBM, announced it has started Operation Resource, a recycling
program for used toner cartridges without cost to users in the
United States.

Lexmark estimates approximately 11.5 million laser printer
cartridges will be used industry-wide in the United States this
year. However, the Lexmark/IBM cartridge is proprietary, and only
used in the IBM laser printer.

Laser printer cartridge recycling has been a for-profit operation
for some time, with old cartridges either being refilled directly
or traded-in on another recycled cartridge at about half the cost
of a new cartridge. Laser printer cartridge refilling has been
advertised for in major cities, and in the back of computer
magazines, with entire small businesses focused on the effort.

Lexmark's program is different, however, in that it offers
customers the opportunity to return used cartridges in special
prepaid postage mailers and upon receipt the cartridges will be
sent to various recycling centers. No payment on the part of
Lexmark is offered to the user for the cartridges, just
prepayment of the shipping costs.

Jim Gleason of Lexmark says this is because no part of the
cartridge is reused or refilled. "We don't believe we can get the
quality of printing we expect with reused or refilled
cartridges," Gleason said. Gleason said the cartridges are broken
apart and the various components are melted down and reused in
the same manner that plastic bottles for soft drinks are reused.

William T. Vennes, director of Lexmark's printer and typewriter
supplies business, said, "Lexmark and its customers have an
excellent opportunity to work together toward the goal of
reducing waste in already over-utilized landfills. Operation
Resource is a significant initiative by a major U.S. manufacturer
to make the most of its resources and keep waste to a minimum."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910627/Press Contact: Jim Gleason, Lexmark,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN  28 MOSCOW: CUSTOMS DUTIES TO RISE AGAIN 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(MOW)(00016)

MOSCOW: CUSTOMS DUTIES TO RISE AGAIN 06/28/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- In an effort "to protect the
local market from greedy businessmen," Soviet authorities announced
that import customs taxes will significantly rise effective July 1st.
Computers and telecommunications equipment are among the high-taxed
items on the list.

According to the information leaked to the press, a person or
company importing the plain old AT computer, which now costs 45
thousand rubles, will have to pay up to 13 thousand rubles in taxes.
The current tax is about 5 thousand rubles.

Faxes and other electronic equipment will also be subject to
punitive taxation.

According to the information released by Commersant weekly, the
possible goal of this customs taxation might be to raise rates high
enough to pay for the state's 60 million ruble deficit.

Customs authorities in a numerous interviews last week stated that
the raise will affect only illegal smugglers and black marketers.
Local analyst predict everybody will feel the impact.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 AUSTRALIA: COURT REPORTING ON COMPAQ PCS 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00017)

AUSTRALIA: COURT REPORTING ON COMPAQ PCS 06/28/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- The Commonwealth Reporting
Service (CRS) replaced its minicomputer-controlled network with one
controlled by 19 Compaq SystemPros. The SystemPros will be used to
network the 350 PCs (personal computers) throughout Australia which
are operated by the CRS.

The CRS is responsible for the preparation and distribution of
transcripts of all court and tribunal proceedings in Australia. CRS
staff attend and monitor all such proceedings, and they are recorded
on audio tape, which is then sent to the CRS for transcription. The
tapes are entered into PCs running Wordperfect 5.1 in five-minute
segments. This segmentation allows the distribution of the entry to
many typists. The segments are then merged on the file server. The
entering of the data was previously handled by a Hewlett-Packard
minicomputer and a network of dumb terminals.

One of the advantages for the CRS in the new system is the cutting
of delays for its customers - judges, lawyers, journalists and other
interested parties. CRS's National Computer Systems Manager John
Stapleton said of this improvement, "Because of the nature of court
proceedings, we often have a customer waiting at the counter while a
document is being merged. In the past, this process might have taken
over half an hour, but on the new system, a similar job will take
less than a minute. We'll be able to significantly improve our
ability to service our customers and will be in a position to expand
our services and our customer base."

The system will also play an integral part of the CRS's move to be
self sufficient. As from July 1st, the service will be known as
Auscript, and will be offering its transcription services to the
wider business community. The CRS has a LAN (local area network) in
each state, each with two or three SystemPros installed. The 19
SystemPros are linked via a WAN (wide area network) to the others
interstate. The system was supplied by the Co-Cam group.

(Sean McNamara/19910627/Press contact: Peter Boylan, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 AUST'N $2.1M GRANTS FOR RESEARCH 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00018)

AUST'N $2.1M GRANTS FOR RESEARCH 06/28/91
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- The Australian Government
has awarded 13 grants totalling AUS$2.1M for researchers to use in
collaborative research projects with overseas researchers. There
were 117 applicants for the grants, with collaborative partners
situated in 25 countries.

Most of the projects will be carried out over the next three fiscal
years (Australia's fiscal year is July 1st to June 30th). Areas
which won grants include advanced manufacturing, biotechnology,
information technology/communications, energy, mining, and
agricultural engineering. The grants were awarded by the Department
of Industry, Technology and Commerce as part of its Major Grants
Scheme.

(Sean McNamara/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 CONTROL DATA CORP REPLACES IBM DRIVES 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00019)

CONTROL DATA CORP REPLACES IBM DRIVES 06/28/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Control Data
Corporation has announced that it is installing 11 Symmetrix,
Integrated Cached Disk Array (ICDA) storage devices at various
sites for the Business Management Services Division, and will
install at least nine more in the next 12 months. The Symmetrix
units are manufactured by EMC Corporation of Hopkington, MA.

The Symmetrix drives will replace IBM drives. CDC said the
change was made because the present drives couldn't deliver the
data to the computer at the speed that the computer could process
it, according to Donald Kahlich of CDC. Kahlich said another
reason was that the Symmetrix drives "gives us the ability to get
more work out of our systems which means that we have been able
to delay upgrading some of our computers."

Symmetrix drives also offer a mirroring option which allows all
of the data in the system to be backed up or simultaneously
copied onto an additional drive. In the event that a drive does
fail, the back up (mirror) drive comes on line to keep the system
up and running. PC network operating systems such as Novell
offer a similar mirroring capability.

Reliability is extremely important when critical data such as
payrolls are processed. Richard Egan, EMC Corporation chairman,
said, "We are extremely pleased with CDCs order, not only because
of the size of it but because CDCs application of the ICDA
technology demonstrates the business benefits of the product."

The total value of the deal was not disclosed, but John Ryan of
EMC told Newsbytes that the list price of their drives starts at
$390,000, depending on the amount of cache. Minimum cache on an
Symmetrix drive is 256 megabytes. The CDC drives were configured
with either 384 or 512 megabytes of cache. All but one of the
drives has a capacity of 24 gigabytes.

(Jim Mallory/19910628/Press Contact:John Ryan, EMC Corp,
508-435-1000)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 ULTIMAP EMERGES FROM BANKRUPTCY 06/28/91

06/28/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020)

ULTIMAP EMERGES FROM BANKRUPTCY 06/28/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Ultimap
Corporation has announced that its reorganization plan has been
confirmed by the US Bankruptcy Court, allowing the company to
emerge from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy status. The plan was
developed with the assistance of the Marshall Financial Group,
and has been formally accepted by the company's creditors.

The company has received a number of new orders recently,
including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the city of
Yarmouth, Mass; the city of West Palm Beach, Florida; the city of
Mememonee Falls, Wisconsin; Kaufman County appraisal District,
Kaufman, Texas; Finley Engineering of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and
the Uvalde County Appraisal District, Uvalde, Texas.

Ultimap's GIS system was originally developed by Hennepin County,
Minnesota. A dispute between the county and Ultimap over
ownership of the rights to the software were settled in May of
this year. One cause of Ultimap's chapter 11 action was the
inability to raise the equity needed to close the purchase of
software licensing rights from Hennepin County.

Ultimap President Bob Bro said the company feels it has become a
team, with the resources and the focus needed to become a
stronger force within the GIS industry.

(Jim Mallory/19910628/Press Contact:Robert Bro, Ultimap,
612-854-2382)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28  ****AUTODESK USSR TO BE OPENED 06/28/91

06/28/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00021)

 ****AUTODESK USSR TO BE OPENED 06/28/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- The general manager of the
Moscow-based Parallel joint venture says that Parallel will become
Autodesk U.S.S.R.'s 100%-owned subsidiary in early fall.
Parallel is a joint Soviet-British venture which evolved from a
programmers' cooperative. It is the only AutoCAD distributor in the
U.S.S.R.

Parallel has developed a large customers base. By Parallel estimates,
20 to 50 thousand copies of this leading computer-aided design
package are in use in the Soviet Union, 10 percent of which are
legal copies.

Parallel has a network of 20 dealers and 19 authorized learning
centres countrywide.

The Ukrainian republic's architectural authorities have approved
the use of AutoCAD as their developers' main working tool,
according to Parallel.

Autodesk will roll out newer version of AutoCAD and accompanying
programs for the Soviet market in September, according to the
company.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910627/Press contact: Nil Nilov, Parallel,
phone [phone];fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN  28 NKK AND CONVEX DEVELOP SUPERCOMPUTERS 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00022)

NKK AND CONVEX DEVELOP SUPERCOMPUTERS 06/28/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Tokyo-based NKK and Convex
Computer (Texas) have jointly developed supercomputers dubbed the
Preemptor 5000 Series.

There are two versions in this series. Both are equipped with
Unix operating system. The new machines are based on Convex
Computer's C-series supercomputers. The low-end version, the
5300, costs 50 million yen ($370,000) and the upper version, the
5500, costs 100 million yen ($0.7 million). Both machines do
real-time data processing.

The new supercomputers will be sold by NKK in Japan, and by
Convex Computer outside Japan. Shipment is slated for
January 1992.

NKK is a newcomer in the computer field, so far establishing a
reputation as Convex Computer's Japanese dealer. NKK sells
Convex machines on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910628/Press Contact: NKK, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 JAPANESE POSTSCRIPT ON NEXT COMPUTER 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00023)

JAPANESE POSTSCRIPT ON NEXT COMPUTER 06/28/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Canon has started marketing
a version of the Next Computer equipped with Japanese Display
Postscript from Adobe Systems.

There are two kinds of fonts in this new software -- "Ryumin"
and "Middle Gothic." These fonts were licensed by Japan's
Morisawa. The Next workstation supports these fonts on the
display as well as the printer. So, the users can get a WYSIWYG
(what you see is what you get) operating environment.

Meanwhile, Canon has developed a Japanese version of the Mach
operating system, which is compatible with Unix 4.3
BSD. Also on-board is Canon's proprietary Japanese language,
front-end processor. High-quality Japanese application programs
can be produced with the interface builder using a mouse, Canon
says.

The Next workstation is equipped with Motorola's 25MHz 68040
microprocessor and multimedia electronic mail system.
The machine also supports a 1,120 by 832 pixel display and a 400
dots-per-inch laser printer.

Canon has been the exclusive dealer of the Next workstation in Japan
and Southeast Asia since September, 1989. The firm has equity in
Next Computer. About 100 units of the machines are sold to
universities and laboratories per month, Canon says.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910628/Press Contact: Canon Sales, +81-3-
5232-8011, Fax, [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 JAPAN/FRANCE AGREE TO DEVELOP HDTV CONVERTER 06/28/91

06/28/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(TYO)(00024)

JAPAN/FRANCE AGREE TO DEVELOP HDTV CONVERTER 06/28/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- The Posts and Telecommunication
Ministries of Japan and France have agreed to jointly develop
an HDTV converter for their own HDTV systems. Japan and many
European countries have developed their own HDTV
systems, which are not compatible with each other. So, the
Ministers of both countries have agreed to develop an adapter to
show each other's programs on their different systems.

Both countries will first set up a Japan-French HDTV working
committee which will begin research on the subject. On the
Japanese side, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.) is expected
to participate in the committee.

Currently, Japanese HDTV is based on a "Muse" method, which
supports 1,125 lines under 60Hz. The European HDTV is based
on a "Mac" method, which supports 1,250 lines under 50Hz.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has yet another HDTV systems. If the
Japan-French system is successful, it is expected that Japan and
European countries may sign the same kind of agreement with the
U.S. in the future.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910628)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 MORE DETAILS ON NOVELL NETWARE 386 FOR JAPANESE PCs 06/28/91

06/28/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00025)

MORE DETAILS ON NOVELL NETWARE 386 FOR JAPANESE PCs 06/28/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- The Tokyo office of Novell has
released a Japanese language version of Netware386. It is called
Netware386 version 3.1J, which connects maximum of 250 terminal
systems under the main computer system.

The latest version of this local area network operating system
supports upgraded features including Windows 3.0 driver and net
basic input/output system. The program operates on various
Japanese computers such as Canon, Sony, Toshiba, NEC and Fujitsu.

Novell plans to create a Netware engineering course soon for
Japanese customers.

Meanwhile, Tokyo-based software firm Networld has developed an
Ethernet-based local area network system which runs on the
Netware386J. The system consists of the local area network board
and software. It is dubbed the "EC-98X." The system is based on
the local area network standard "10BASE-5" and "10BASE-2." The
system costs between 49,800 yen ($370) and 59,800 yen ($440).
The system will be released on July 1. Networld expects to sell
40,000 units for the initial year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910628/Press Contact: Novell, [phone]-
1141, Networld, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 BULL TO ENHANCE CHINA TELECOM ADMINISTRATION 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(HKG)(00026)

BULL TO ENHANCE CHINA TELECOM ADMINISTRATION 06/28/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- The Telecommunications
Administration of China's Hunan Province has signed a contract worth
US$1.8 million with Groupe Bull for the supply of computers and
software applications.

Bull will provide five of its DPS 7000 mainframes with Bull Mathilde
high-speed non-impact printers, technical support, and services
including the software development of a billing system. The systems
will be used for the administration of more than 250,000 new
telephone lines being added by Alcatel, one of Bull's key
telecommunications partners.

The systems will be installed in the cities of Changsha, Hengyang,
Yueyang, Zhuzhou and Xingtang. The Bull mainframes will be connected
through a wide area network enabling the province's administration to
monitor and tune the systems located in five different cities.

The Bull Mathilde printer is claimed to be the fastest Chinese
character printer on the market at a speed of 90 pages per minute.

(Norman Wingrove/19910628/Press Contact: Mike Dunn, MDL/BULL, Tel +
852 838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 ACER SERTEK LANDS 3COM DISTRIBUTORSHIP IN TAIWAN 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00027)

ACER SERTEK LANDS 3COM DISTRIBUTORSHIP IN TAIWAN 06/28/91
TAIPEI, TAIWAN, 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- 3Com Corporation has appointed
Acer Sertek Inc., as a distributor for its computer networking and
internetworking products in Taiwan.

"We will be offering the full range of 3Com adaptors and other
products through our reseller outlets, and we will bundle them with
Convex supercomputers, Sun Microsystems workstations, and Acer
personal computers," said Benjamin Chen, associate vice president for
Sertek's engineering and science division. "Direct sales will be
primarily to customers in the education, military, telecommunication,
government and manufacturing sectors," he added.

Bill Messer, 3Com's general manager for Asian operations, commented,
"The appointment of Acer Sertek is a further reflection of our
strategy of developing relationships with Novell distributors and
OEMs in the Asian region."

Sertek, which achieved sales of US$190 million in 1989, employs 950
people and maintains six offices in Taiwan and also has subsidiaries
in Hong Kong, Japan and the US.

(Norman Wingrove/19910628/Press Contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com, Tel +
852 529 0356, Fax + 852 537 1149)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 SYMANTEC IN TWO-FOR-ONE SPLIT OF COMMON STOCK 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)

SYMANTEC IN TWO-FOR-ONE SPLIT OF COMMON STOCK 06/28/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Riding high
on the Microsoft Windows 3.0 wave with recent new releases of
The Norton Backup for Windows, On Target, and JustWrite for use
with the graphical user interface, the company has now announced
that its board of directors has requested stockholder approval for a
two-for-one split of its common stock.

Bob Dykes, vice president of finance for Symantec, told Newsbytes
that the stock was split "to increase availability to the general
public."

According to the company, approval of the stock split will be voted
upon at the annual meeting of stockholders scheduled for Oct. 3. If
approved, stockholders will receive one additional share for
every share held of record on Oct. 4, 1991. The board has
designated Aug. 5, 1991 as the date of record for determining
stockholders eligible to vote at the annual meeting.

As of June 24, 1991, Symantec said it had approximately 9.8 million
shares outstanding. The proposed stock split would increase that
number to approximately 19.6 million shares outstanding. Should
the additional shares be approved, they will be mailed on or
about Oct. 14, 1991.

Dykes also told Newsbytes that the move "reflects substantial
growth since the company went public." Asked whether the
company was experiencing an increase in sales for the current
quarter, Dykes declined to comment saying that "we don't
usually comment on things like that." He did say however that
"most analysts have us displaying substantial growth."

(Ian Stokell/19910628/Press Contact: Terri Sammonds, Symantec
Corp., 408-725-2752)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 INT'L TOTALIZATOR AND HK JOCKEY CLUB TALK TERMINALS 06/28/91

06/28/91



(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00029)

INT'L TOTALIZATOR AND HK JOCKEY CLUB TALK TERMINALS 06/28/91
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- International
Totalizator Systems is discussing a wagering terminal contract
with the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club that could lead to sales in
excess of U.S. $16 million.

Karen Patchen, spokesperson for the company, told Newsbytes
that "a contract of this size would be very significant" for
International Totalizator. She emphasized though that "this is
not yet an agreement."

According to the Carlsbad company, stewards of the HK club have
authorized its management to proceed with the research and
development, and subsequent purchase, of Datamark 2000
wagering terminals. The order is subject to the successful
completion of negotiations this summer.

The HK Jockey Club is reported to be considering the terminals
for use in a variety of environments, including self-vending,
operator, and electronic funds transfer.

Patchen told Newsbytes that the terminals themselves are a "new
product" currently "under development."

International Totalizator claims to have been a supplier of wagering
terminals and related equipment to the club for over nine years. The
Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club generated over U.S. $6 billion
turnover in 67 race days during the 1990-1991 season.

International Totalizator Systems also provides ticket processing
systems and equipment and data management systems.

(Ian Stokell/19910628/Press Contact: Karen Patchen, International
Totalizator Systems Inc., 619-931-4027)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 06/28/91

06/28/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00030)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 06/28/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 28 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

Federal Computer Week for the week of June 24 carries a look at
Sen. Patrick Leahy's (D-Vt.) proposal to address freedom of
electronic information issues in a bill which would define how
much access the public has a right to have to federal computer
records.

July's UnixWorld looks at CD-ROM standards and the next version
of Jobs' Next computer.

August's MacWorld is devoted to the top 80 Reader's Choice
products and looks at the use of the Macintosh computer for
scientific work.

Science News, dated June 22, describes a "Virtual Notebook
System" developed at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The
system lets users gather, organize, and annotate information
gathered from diverse sources.

June's Communications of the ACM looks at the state of Soviet
computing.

The July '91 IEEE Software explores how Hughes Aircraft is
improving the way the company develops software.

June's Boardwatch Magazine, a publication devoted to BBS
operations, looks at "ANSI Terminal Emulation" and "Cyberspace
and the Legal Matrix: Laws or Confusion?" along with the usual
BBS news and listings.

PC World dated July has a cover piece on MS-DOS 5.0 which calls
it the best DOS ever!

(John McCormick/19910628)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 Review of: SBT Database Mac Acc'ting Library: Gen'l Ledger 06/28/91

06/28/91


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00031)

Review of: SBT Database Mac Acc'ting Library: Gen'l Ledger 06/28/91

Runs on: Macintoshes, should have 10 megs free memory, tested
 with System 6.07, but SBT says works fine with System 7

From: SBT Corporation, One Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965,
ph: 415-331-9900

PRice: $695/module (Macintosh, multiuser)

PUMA Rating: 3.5 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Michael Amara, 06/28/91

Summary: The SBT Accounting Library is accounting software
written in the dBASE language that runs in the Macintosh
environment on Foxbase/Mac relational database. It's a good program
for serious accountants, and not beginners.

======

REVIEW

======

A CPA's special function in the financial world is to attest to
the accuracy of the figures in a financial statement. So he or she
is most interested in the integrity or "in-accessibility" of the
data. Accordingly, most accounting software is designed with this
in mind. In a small business environment these barriers are
usually more of a burden than a help. SBT has taken the opposite
approach. The data is completely available - if you screw it up,
you'll have to straighten it out. As a consultant to small
businesses for their accounting software, I'd much rather
deal with the latter than the former.

Not only is the data available, the source code is provided. What
most companies consider trade secrets, SBT gives freely. Thus
if your business is in some way unique, the product can be
modified. I have a client, for instance, in the freight forwarding
business who requires the tracking of three separate sets of
identifying numbers per invoice rather than the customary single
invoice number. SBT fills the bill.

On many occasions I've seen other packages of accounting
software and inevitably I keep coming back to SBT -- the
compelling feature being its database foundation.

Although not very Macintosh-like for a true Mac-head, the
software has to be respected, at least for the burn-in time it's
endured on the DOS platform. When I worked at Radio Shack many
years ago my manager used to say, "Recommend new hardware and
old software." It's exceedingly frustrating to be an involuntary
beta site. Much of the true Macintosh-based accounting software
is rather poor accounting; some products won't even allow posting
to prior periods, some require printing hard copy as the only way
to store historical data!

The General Ledger part of the SBT Accounting Library is what
we're reviewing. Journal entries are straightforward, allowing
a 35-character description, a 15-character reference, setting
of an auto-reverse flag, and the date. Dates in General Ledger
are mostly literals; the posting to one period or another is
controlled by a period identifier. Posting to prior periods
is allowed by a separate menu selection and up to 26 periods are
available. Accounts are not only numbered, but typed (Assets,
Liabilities, Equities, Cost of Sales, Expenses, Other).

Account numbers are 5 characters (the first can be an 0)
followed by an optional 3-character department identifier. In
addition to the standard Income Statement and Balance Sheet,
the FASB required Cash Flow Statement and the old Statement of
Changes in Financial Position are available.

Financial statement formatting/designing is somewhat limited.
The output is in tiny Courier font, with limited options of what
fields can be placed and where. One basically needs a form that
fits the output, or must design a form around the program's
output limitations.

Additionally on the Mac an export data to spreadsheet function is
available at no extra charge. In DOS, this requires a special
module. This really facilitates specialized reporting.

The linking between modules is a two-step process. From the
operating module, one chooses "Release to General Ledger."
From the General Ledger, one chooses "Update from Linked Modules."
This allows for variable closing of modules; typically A/R
at the end of the month; A/P between the 5th and 10th, after
all current period invoices have arrived; and G/L around the
15th after the bank statement has arrived and a bank
reconciliation can be done.

============

PUMA RATINGS

============

Performance: 3.25 The product is fast enough with current
hardware. It segments data files to current and history; when
a period close is performed, the current data is moved to a history
file. In this way, very large data files are avoided during
day-to-day operations.

Usefulness: 3.75 The SBT Accounting Library does everything
you might expect of an accounting software product plus it gives
you the tools to customize or simply design unique reports for
your specific situation. At $695 per module it may seem too
expensive for many small businesses; however it does the job.
I know of several instances where the smaller dollar investment in
accounting software led to a large time investment only to be
ultimately discontinued in favor of SBT.

Manual: 3.75 The manuals (now) are well-designed and well-written.
Some accounting software manuals are clearly Xeroxes and give you
the feeling of doubt as to whether the company will be there
tomorrow when you need help. SBT's manuals are well laid-out
with two-color covers and the information conveniently organized
and indexed. Their telephone support (no charge for 24-48
hour call-back, $3 per minute for immediate service on a 900
number) is usually excellent.

Availability: 3.25 SBT is sold through independent resellers
throughout the country. This may be a mixed bag; some resellers
are highly qualified and committed to the user's success and others
are more committed to just making the sale. It strikes me as better
than simply distributing over-the-counter however, and indicates
SBT's understanding that the successful placement of
accounting software requires more than effective packaging;
it needs good one-on-one support.

(Michael Amara/19910628)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 28 Review of: Automap the for PC 06/27/91

06/28/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(DEN)(00032)

Review of: Automap the for PC 06/27/91

Runs on: IBM and compatibles. Needs at least 512K of RAM, a
hard drive for the 4MB of disk space required to store the
program, and a Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA or SuperVGA video display.
A mouse is optional.

From: Automap Incorporated, 9831 S. 51st Street, Building C-113,
Phoenix, AZ 85044, 602-893-2400, FAX [phone].

Price: $99.95

PUMA Rating: 4.0 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Jim Mallory, 06/28/91


Summary: For users who need to determine routes and driving times between
cities in the US, Automap provides a detailed print-out of routes,
selection of fastest, shortest or most interesting routes, and a
displayed or printed map. I think this is a useful program.

======

REVIEW

======

If you need to plan the fastest or shortest way to get
to one of more than 50,000 cities in the US, Automap is an
economical way to plan the trip. You enter the starting point,
the ending point, any stops along the way, what areas to avoid,
and how fast you drive on certain types of roads. Automap does
the rest.

The program will print a step by step list of how far
to drive and what road to turn on, and the approximate time you
will do it (07:00 West on Hwy 9 for 10 miles, headed toward Los
Angles; 08:00 At Central City turn North on I14 towards Podunk,
etc). It will also print a map, with the route and cities along
the road clearly marked.

Before you print the directions and the map, you can play
"what-if" with Automap, and display the results. What if I went
through Des Moines instead of Chicago? The changes are easy to
make, and the new directions and map are immediately available
for viewing and/or printing.

When you are displaying a map, you can select an area of the map
and zoom in or out on that area. With the tests I ran, I didn't
find that to be a big advantage, but I can see if you were
looking at a highly congested area, it could be. The maps are
displayed in color except on machines with Hercules or CGA video,
and the selected route flashes so its easy to see.

Automap also includes useful information, such as state and city
population, and hot line numbers for weather and road conditions,
hotels and car rentals. Included on the overlays are state
capitals, counties, national and state parks, lakes, rivers and
lots of other information. Sometimes, all of that, graphically
displayed, can be overwhelming, but Automap allows you to show
less detail if you want it.

Automap also has a game mode, to sharpen your geography skills (I
didn't do very well). For example, it asks you to point on the
displayed map to a certain city. If you miss it, the program
tells you by how far. You can also point at a city, then point
at another city, and Automap will tell you how far apart they
are.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 4.0 Automap is designed for a very specific
purpose, and does it well. The program speed is acceptable, and
the table and graphic information is presented in a clear, easy
to use manner.

USEFULNESS: 4.0. For sales people, truckers, or others
traveling in new territory, a useful program. If I were in one
of those categories, I'd buy it. I found it easy to use, and the
price is right.

MANUAL: 4.0 The 32-page manual, which includes pictures of
various screens, is well written and easy to understand, unlike
many computer manuals. The installation instructions are easy to
follow, and are correct. While Automap works best with a mouse,
the instructions for cursor key control in place of the mouse are
clear and easy to understand. The program also uses the fairly
standard F1 for help convention for on-line help. You will have
to read the manual once to use this program, but it's easy to
learn.

AVAILABILITY: 4.0 Automap provides a technical support phone
number, but it's a toll call. Automap is distributed via Egghead
Software, Software City, Software Resources, Soft Kat, Kenfil,
Avco Distributing, and Tiger Software. Automap can also be
purchased direct from Automap by calling 602-893-2400. Automap
can be reached by FAX at 602-893-2042.

(Jim Mallory/19910623/Press Contact:Michael Bates, Automap,
Inc,602-893-2400, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 JUN 27 Review of: Automap the for PC 06/27/91

06/27/91

(REVIEW)(IBM)(DEN)(00032)

Review of: Automap the for PC 06/27/91

Runs on: IBM and compatibles. Needs at least 512K of RAM, a
hard drive for the 4MB of disk space required to store the
program, and a Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA or SuperVGA video display.
A mouse is optional.

From: Automap Incorporated, 9831 S. 51st Street, Building C-113,
Phoenix, AZ 85044, 602-893-2400, FAX [phone].

Price: $99.95

PUMA Rating: 4.0 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Jim Mallory, 06/28/91


Summary: For users who need to determine routes and driving times between
cities in the US, Automap provides a detailed print-out of routes,
selection of fastest, shortest or most interesting routes, and a
displayed or printed map. I think this is a useful program.

======

REVIEW

======

If you need to plan the fastest or shortest way to get
to one of more than 50,000 cities in the US, Automap is an
economical way to plan the trip. You enter the starting point,
the ending point, any stops along the way, what areas to avoid,
and how fast you drive on certain types of roads. Automap does
the rest.

The program will print a step by step list of how far
to drive and what road to turn on, and the approximate time you
will do it (07:00 West on Hwy 9 for 10 miles, headed toward Los
Angles; 08:00 At Central City turn North on I14 towards Podunk,
etc). It will also print a map, with the route and cities along
the road clearly marked.

Before you print the directions and the map, you can play
"what-if" with Automap, and display the results. What if I went
through Des Moines instead of Chicago? The changes are easy to
make, and the new directions and map are immediately available
for viewing and/or printing.

When you are displaying a map, you can select an area of the map
and zoom in or out on that area. With the tests I ran, I didn't
find that to be a big advantage, but I can see if you were
looking at a highly congested area, it could be. The maps are
displayed in color except on machines with Hercules or CGA video,
and the selected route flashes so its easy to see.

Automap also includes useful information, such as state and city
population, and hot line numbers for weather and road conditions,
hotels and car rentals. Included on the overlays are state
capitals, counties, national and state parks, lakes, rivers and
lots of other information. Sometimes, all of that, graphically
displayed, can be overwhelming, but Automap allows you to show
less detail if you want it.

Automap also has a game mode, to sharpen your geography skills (I
didn't do very well). For example, it asks you to point on the
displayed map to a certain city. If you miss it, the program
tells you by how far. You can also point at a city, then point
at another city, and Automap will tell you how far apart they
are.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 4.0 Automap is designed for a very specific
purpose, and does it well. The program speed is acceptable, and
the table and graphic information is presented in a clear, easy
to use manner.

USEFULNESS: 4.0. For sales people, truckers, or others
traveling in new territory, a useful program. If I were in one
of those categories, I'd buy it. I found it easy to use, and the
price is right.

MANUAL: 4.0 The 32-page manual, which includes pictures of
various screens, is well written and easy to understand, unlike
many computer manuals. The installation instructions are easy to
follow, and are correct. While Automap works best with a mouse,
the instructions for cursor key control in place of the mouse are
clear and easy to understand. The program also uses the fairly
standard F1 for help convention for on-line help. You will have
to read the manual once to use this program, but it's easy to
learn.

AVAILABILITY: 4.0 Automap provides a technical support phone
number, but it's a toll call. Automap is distributed via Egghead
Software, Software City, Software Resources, Soft Kat, Kenfil,
Avco Distributing, and Tiger Software. Automap can also be
purchased direct from Automap by calling 602-893-2400. Automap
can be reached by FAX at 602-893-2042.

(Jim Mallory/19910623/Press Contact:Michael Bates, Automap,
Inc,602-893-2400, FAX [phone])

#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 JUN 27  ****MOSCOW: APPLE TO SIGN FIRST DISTRIBUTOR 06/27/91

06/27/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(MOW)(00001)

 ****MOSCOW: APPLE TO SIGN FIRST DISTRIBUTOR 06/27/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Intermicro, one of oldest and
largest computer-oriented joint ventures in Moscow, will soon be
first Apple authorized distributor in the U.S.S.R.

This announcement was made at a joint presentation of Intermicro and
Autodesk in Moscow by a high-ranking Intermicro executive. Industry
sources told Newsbytes that Anatoly Karachinsky, Intermicro
technical director, is now in Paris, France in the Apple Europe
headquarters to complete and sign the agreement.

Apple sources recently confirmed that "an agreement with a big
Soviet company is due soon," but refused to name the company or
provide other details of the deal.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910627)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27  ****IBM USSR BLAZES TRAIL IN SOVIET MARKET 06/27/91

06/27/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00002)

 ****IBM USSR BLAZES TRAIL IN SOVIET MARKET 06/27/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Formation of IBM USSR, an
100%-owned subsidiary of IBM Corporation, has paved the way for
other companies to develop subsidiaries in the Soviet
market. According to information obtained by Newsbytes, at least
10 other leading computer industry giants are to follow suit soon.

DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) has already purchased a modern
office in Moscow. DEC executives have frequently been travelling
to Moscow to study local conditions.

Apple Computer, whose products are almost unknown in the USSR,
is also eager to set up a local marketing company for its products
but efforts have been hampered due to logistical problems.

Microsoft's 13-person Moscow staff are studying the best ways to
become a 100%-owned subsidiary, build the company's own distribution
network and support independent developers.

Intel is signing distribution agreements with a number of local
companies for its "box and board level products," and has
established a Moscow office.

Hewlett-Packard representatives told Newsbytes that they are one
year away from forming HP USSR, but said it is one of their
main goals.

WordPerfect, which is showing beta versions of a Soviet Wordperfect
word processing program, has announced plans to have a huge
Soviet presence.

Motorola and Alcatel also plan to expand into the Soviet Union.

Autodesk, the manufacturer of the AutoCAD design package, announced
plans to have a 100%-owned subsidiary in early fall. The Parallel
joint venture, Autodesk's distributor, will change its status soon.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 MOSCOW: AUTODESK UNVEILS V.11, DROPS HINTS ON V.13 AUTOCAD 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00003)

MOSCOW: AUTODESK UNVEILS V.11, DROPS HINTS ON V.13 AUTOCAD 06/27/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Autodesk has announced in
Moscow version 11 of its AutoCAD computer-aided design package
and has announced plans for future enhancement of the product.

AutoCAD version 13, still two years down the road, and destined
to be renamed, is said to be different from the currently
available version 11 as it is an object-oriented package
with a module structure. Every user will get the same small
kernel and the number of additional routines -- exactly what
a user needs, according to Moscow Autodesk representatives.

A full Russian version of AutoCAD v11 will be available in early
fall. It will include an SQL-based interface to databases such as
Oracle, Paradox, dBASE and Foxbase. According to Autodesk
representatives, special enhancements to the mentioned packages were
made to work with AutoCAD. Those links are to be completed June 20th,
1991. The SQL interface will be included into Russian version 11 and
international version 12 of this popular CAD software.

The pricing policy in the USSR will be "more flexible" with up
to 40% discounts on large orders, according to Autodesk Moscow
representatives.

The company will release a catalog with up to 70 AutoCAD
applications developed by Soviet programmers in September.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910627/Press contact: Nil Nilov, Parallel, phone
[phone];fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 MOSCOW: PROGRAMMER IN COURT 06/27/91

06/27/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GOVT)(MOW)(00004)

MOSCOW: PROGRAMMER IN COURT 06/27/91
PEREYUASLAVL-ZALESSKY, RUSSIA, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- The
Institute of Programming Systems has successfully sued a former
programmer who was accused of destroying a software project,
leading to losses of 2970 rubles (US$100). The court ordered the
accused to pay a fine of 800 rubles (US$27). It is the first
court case in the country where a programmer, claiming to be
unhappy with contracts and payments he received from State
authorities, has admittedly taken matters into his own hands.
He, however, denies that he destroyed data.

Mr Vorobyev, an employee of the Institute, had reportedly
destroyed part of software project Starset, developed together
with the Bremen, Germany-based Institute of System Analysis.
The Yuaroslavl regional court at its hearings in mid-May ruled
that the works were completely destroyed by Mr Vorobyev and
ordered him to pay 800 rubles to the Institute to compensate
for the damage he caused.

Mr Vorobyev, who has proclaimed himself innocent in the whole
matter, has appealed the charges to Russian Republic
court. In his appeal he states that the software was never
destroyed -- only archived with a secret password. Therefore all
claims against him are invalid.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 NEW FOR MAC: Quickkeys Updated 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00005)

NEW FOR MAC: Quickkeys Updated 06/27/91
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- CE Software
has announced that Quickeys 2 Version 2.1 will be available in
August, right in time for Macworld Expo, for Macintosh users.
The company describes the $149 macro product as being "32-bit
clean, System 7 savvy, and IAC (Inter-Application Communication)
aware."

According to Richard Skeie, CE president, "The multitude of
Quickeys extensions, for both System 6 and 7, has almost made it
a new product." Some of the features of version 2.1 are the
ability to add comments of up to 250 characters, as well as the
ability to print out their sequences. The program also supports
System 7's Balloon help.

CE says the Apple Events Extension allows Quickeys to send Apple
Events to applications, even if they are on other machines on the
network. The program supports Show Clipboard, Print, Open, Sleep
and Get Info events. IAC is used by Quickeys 2 to send and
receive IAC events. Independent developers can access Quickeys
from their programs through Apple Events, Userland IAC or
Userland's Frontier.

In addition to single copies, a 10-pack is available for $1,199,
while the 50-pack lists at $4,499. Free updates are available to
users who purchased Quickeys 2 after April 1, 1991, while
earlier purchasers can update for $15. Owners of any version of
Quickeys Release 1 can upgrade for $19.95. Upgrade kits include
program disks, a manual addendum and a new extensions booklet.

The company says it will have a demo version available in July.

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact:Sue Nail, CE Software,
515-224-1995)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 NEW FOR MAC: Aldus Preprint V1.5, Supercard 1.6 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00006)

NEW FOR MAC: Aldus Preprint V1.5, Supercard 1.6 06/27/91
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Aldus
Corporation has announced US availability of PrePrint Version
1.5, its Macintosh program that produces color separations of
entire publications, including text, graphics and photographs.
Also shipping is a System 7 version of Aldus SuperCard, version 1.6,
from Aldus's subsidiary, Silicon Beach Software.

SuperCard 1.6, $299, due out in the third quarter of this year,
is said to provide several frequently requested
features, such as the ability to convert HyperCard 2.0
stacks to SuperCard format. The Hypercard-like product is used
for multimedia presentations, front-ends to databases, and
computer-based education and training applications. Its features
include multiple windows of any type, full-color graphics
objects with scripts attached, and a wide variety of other
standard Macintosh interface elements. The update costs $50 to
owners of earlier versions.

Aldus' other new release, PrePrint 1.5, can separate any Postscript
file that conforms to industry-standard document structuring and
color separation conventions. Steve Hayward, Aldus product
marketing manager, says, "while PrePrint 1.5 works with Aldus Pagemaker
4.01 and Aldus Freehand 3.0, it is also a powerful stand-alone
color separation application that enhances images and separate
files created in other page layout and design programs." Hayward
points to recent upgrades to Pagemaker and Freehand as evidence
of Aldus' commitment to the graphic arts profession.

Changes include the ability to print any range of pages in a
Pagemaker separation file or Postscript file that conforms to
Adobe Systems color separation and document structuring
conventions. Preprint can now recognize and print DCS (Desktop
Color Separation) files, allowing a user to separate an image at
the desktop before it is incorporated into a page layout.
Preprint outputs the pre-separated data in a DCS file to the
appropriate separation layers of a publication. It can also save
other image formats as DCS files.

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact:Brad Stevens, Aldus,
206-628-2361)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 COMPAQ OPENS SUBSIDIARY IN MEXICO 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00007)

COMPAQ OPENS SUBSIDIARY IN MEXICO 06/27/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation, third largest seller of PCs in North America, has
opened a wholly owned subsidiary in Mexico City, Mexico. The new
facility is Compaq's 19th wholly owned subsidiary worldwide.

Compaq has eight authorized Compaq dealers in Mexico. Peggy
Brewer of Compaq told Newsbytes that the new office will serve as
a sales and marketing support activity for the Mexican dealers.
Oscar Lopez Alatorre will serve as director general of the new
subsidiary. Prior to joining Compaq, Lopez spent 16 years with
IBM Mexico, and most recently served as Digital Equipment
Corporation's sales manager for Mexico.

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact:Peggy Brewer, Compaq,
713-374-0484)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 WINDOWS DISCOVERY DAYS TOURS THE COUNTRY 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00008)

WINDOWS DISCOVERY DAYS TOURS THE COUNTRY 06/27/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Just in case
you weren't able to make it to one of the big Windows shows
recently, Microsoft has a way for you to visit a little one.
Microsoft takes its Windows show on the road this week when
Windows Discovery Days visits 24 cities around the country.

Eighteen vendors companies, including Microsoft, will exhibit at
the two-day small business show, which is sponsored by IBM, AT&T,
Tandy, and Microsoft. The show, which opens in Los Angeles at the
Stouffer Concourse Hotel June 28th and 29th, will be held at a
different location each Friday and Saturday through November 9.
There is no admission charge, and no pre-registration is
required.

Howard Elias, VP of computer merchandising for Radio Shack, one
of the co-sponsoring companies, said, "We encourage company
representatives to attend these fairs for a personal look at
software applications and hardware systems that can increase
business productivity."

Discovery Days will feature presentations, product exhibitions
and demonstrations highlighting the easy of use and productivity
benefits of Windows. Attendees will also have the opportunity to
win a PC and Windows-based software. According to Windows group
product manager, Rich Abel, "Windows Discovery Days gives people a
chance to explore Windows computing and to see the immediate
benefits the graphical environment provides."

Participants include Adobe, Aldus, Asymetrix, Borland, Computer
Support Group, Corel, Future Soft, Lotus, Micrografx, NBI,
Hewlett-Packard, NewQuest Technologies, Feith Systems and
Software, Symantec, Ventura, Word Perfect, Z-Soft and Microsoft.

Attendees will be able to use several self-running, hands on
demonstration stations to evaluate products first-hand. Video
presentations will be offered twice every hour, showing the
productivity benefits a small company would gain by using
Windows. Show hours are 9AM to 7PM. Microsoft said they are
running the shows on the weekend in order to accommodate people
who can not attend exhibitions during the week.

Windows has become popular with users because of its graphical
user interface (GUI). Instead of having to learn command words,
users employ a mouse to point at a symbol, called an icon, to
start an application. Microsoft says it has shipped more than 4
million Windows 3.0 packages around the world. There are
presently more than 1200 Windows applications on the market.

To find out when Windows Discovery Days will be in a particular city
call Microsoft at 800-426-9400.

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact:Erin Holland, Waggener
Edstrom, 503-245-0905)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 NOVELL SUPPORTS NETWORK GROUP, INTROS JAPANESE NETWARE 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)

NOVELL SUPPORTS NETWORK GROUP, INTROS JAPANESE NETWARE 06/27/91
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Novell Corporation has
announced it will support the newly formed Open User Recommended
Systems (OURS) group. OURS is a worldwide multivendor users
group, formed by corporate level network computing users to
communicate their needs to vendors.

According to Raymond Noorda, Novell president and CEO, "OURS will
allow users to speak with a unified voice that provides vendors
clear direction for product development and integration, system
design, training and support." OURS has formed a steering
committee, which was announced at PC Expo in New York this week.
The steering committee is made up of representatives from
Lockheed; Shell International Petroleum; Chemical Waste
Management; Texaco Chemical Co; Telecom Australia; the Center for
Disease Control; Rogers Cablesystems, and Morga, Lewis and
Bockius.

"OURS is pleased to have the support of leading industry vendors
as we define our charter and determine the goals of our newly
formed organization," said Mike Bailey, systems integrator for
Lockheed and a member of the steering committee. Bailey said the
group hopes to leverage Novell's strategic relationships with
hardware and software vendors, system integrators, resellers,
educators and manufacturers in order to focus the network
computing industry on interoperability issues.

Carl Sease of Rogers Cablesystems, Ltd said the group feels it
can accelerate change in the computing industry by working
together as users with a common goal.

In a related announcement, Novell KK, the joint venture between
Novell, Softbank, Canon, Fujitsu, NEC, Sony and Toshiba, has begun
shipping a Japanese version of Netware - Netware v3.1J. The software
and documentation are in the Japanese language, there is local
(Japanese) service and support, and compatibility with all hardware
made by the Novell KK alliance members, mentioned above.

(Jim Mallory & Wendy Woods/19910626/Press Contact:Michael Adams,
Novell, 801-420-5800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27  ****LITHUANIA: COMMUNICATIONS TEMPORARILY SEIZED 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00010)

 ****LITHUANIA: COMMUNICATIONS TEMPORARILY SEIZED 06/27/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Soviet Interior Ministry
troops have seized the central telephone exchange in Vilnius,
Lithuania. Phone communications were broken for three hours.
The formal reason for the clash was "a search for arms" under the
decree of President Gorbachev. The order was approved by
the Lithuanian S.S.R. procurator's office. Central authorities
denied any involvement in the conflict.

All phone communications and radio broadcasting, which uses the same
facilities, were discontinued when "black berets" entered the
building and disconnected the power supplies.

Although shots were fired during the incident, no injuries were
reported. Normal communications resumed at 8pm local time.

Representatives of the phone exchange say no equipment was broken
in the raid.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27  ****MOSCOW: SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT LAW ESTABLISHED 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(MOW)(00011)

 ****MOSCOW: SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT LAW ESTABLISHED 06/27/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- The Supreme Soviet has
finally approved a Basic Civil Code, the first in the country's
history, which declares protection of computer software.
Articles 134 to 139 of the Code, which is scheduled to take
effect January 1, 1992, provides a basis for the protection of
authors' rights.

According to local copyright experts, one additional legal act
should be approved to clear some problems which exist in the
document but are too small for inclusion on the Basic Code.

"But even now the move toward recognition of legal rights of
software developers is a great step to the software market,"
analysts said.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 AUSTRALIA: DEC PLEDGES AUS$8M TO RESEARCHERS 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00012)

AUSTRALIA: DEC PLEDGES AUS$8M TO RESEARCHERS 06/27/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- As a finale to Australia's
first year of involvement in DEC's External Research Program (ERP),
the company has announced AUS$8M in funding for local research
projects.

The ERP is a world-wide program by DEC which offers support through
equipment allowances and technical and business expertise to
individual researchers and institutions. Local institutions to have
benefited include the information technology division of the
CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organization), the Electronic Research Laboratories of the Defence
Science and Technology Organization, the universities of Melbourne,
Queensland, New South Wales and Sydney, and the Australian
Management College at Mt Eliza in Victoria.

The program allows DEC to become partners with the researchers and
to benefit from the projects. Commenting on Australia's involvement,
Fred King, the DEC officer responsible for ERP agreements, said,
"When we started looking at conducting external research here about
one year ago, we realized that the research infrastructure in many
institutions was relatively immature when compared with similar
institutions we were working with in the US and Europe. We decided
to focus on helping to rectify this." King went on to say, "This
makes our investment fairly speculative and long term, but it really
is the only way we will get substantial world-class research in
Australia."

(Sean McNamara/19910627)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27  ****APPLE/IBM TALKS SAID TO HIT SNAG 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00013)

 ****APPLE/IBM TALKS SAID TO HIT SNAG 06/27/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Apple
Computer and IBM are said to have stopped talking over a technology-
sharing concept they'd been entertaining for over a week. A published
report in the San Francisco Chronicle says the two rivals were talking
about sharing IBM'S RISC, reduced instruction set computing, technology
and Apple's object-oriented and code-named Pink operating system technology.

The report says the talks collapsed over Apple concerns that its engineers
and managers would lose their competitive edge if they shared their
know-how with IBM, which would have been part of the agreement.

The report says that the talks are not dead, just that they will proceed
at a slower pace and at a lower level. The New York Times, meanwhile,
says no timetable has been reached for the next phase of discussions.
The news comes just before Apple had planned to make a major press
announcement on Thursday, June 27.

The Chronicle says that there are 100 engineers working on the Apple
Pink project at a site in Mountain View. The software is designed to
be compatible with various microprocessors, according to
the report, but the project is overdue and overbudget.

(Wendy Woods/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 AST PRODUCTS, FASTBOARD UPGRADES, AIMED AT CORPORATES 06/27/91

06/27/91



(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00014)

AST PRODUCTS, FASTBOARD UPGRADES, AIMED AT CORPORATES 06/27/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- AST announced at
PC Expo it is aiming straight at the corporate market with its
two additions to the Premium II family of desktop computers, and
additional peripheral options to the Premium Exec notebook
computers. Also, its Fastboard upgrades are now cheaper in price.

AST says the new Premium II computers provide the architecture
and performance necessary to business applications, like desktop
publishing, business graphics, spreadsheets and databases. The
Premium II 386/33 and 486/33 operate at a speeds of 33 megahertz
(MHz) and have Intel's Smart Cache design with 16K of cache
memory built in. The systems will also support an Intel or Weitek
math coprocessors and come with 4 megabytes of random access
memory (RAM).

The company said the additional options on the AST Premium Exec
notebook, newly announced at Fall Comdex in November, are aimed
at the mobile professional. The options include a data/fax send-
and-receive modem priced at $499 and a second serial port adapter
retailing for $99. The data/fax modem can transmit faxes at 9600
bits per second (bps) and the modem operates at 2400 baud.

Meanwhile, changes to the AST program Fastboard, for upgrading AST
Completely Universal Processor, I/O Design 32-bit architecture
(Cupid-32) systems, are estimated by AST to save users 10% to 59%.

"Since its original introduction, we have found these to be the
most popular platform upgrades, and we expect the new 486SX/20 to
be another favorite with our corporate users," said Larry
Fortmuller, director of high-performance systems. "The program
offers the end user a growth path for the future in a cost-
effective, convenient package."

The new upgrade prices are as follows: Fastboard 486/33 with 8MB
of RAM - $3,045; Fastboard 486/33 with 4MB of RAM - $2,595;
Fastboard 486SX/20 with 4MB of RAM - $1,595; Fastboard 386/33
with 4MB of RAM - $1,545.

The Fastboards can be upgraded since they contain on a single
card the components likely to change, such as the microprocessor
and the memory, as opposed to components that (normally) remain
unchanged, such as BIOS and input/output functions that are
located on the motherboard.

However, the new 3.5-inch floppy drives with a formatted 2.88
megabyte (MB) capacity, as anticipated to be the new standard, cannot be
added to the upgraded computers as they require a change to the
BIOS, one of the parts untouched by an upgrade. All computers
with a standard BIOS are in the same boat on upgrading to the
2.88 MB drives, so AST is not alone. However, the fact that these
upgrades are aimed at the corporate market, and the fact that the
2.88 MB drives are also aimed at that corporate target, left
Newsbytes wondering how successful an upgrade program like this
would be.

Upon contacting AST to see what their plans were in connection to
allowing users to upgrade their AST computers to the new drives,
Wendy Lee of AST public relations said no plans are in the works
to add any upgrade to a 2.88 capacity 3.5-inch drive. As for
whether AST plans to make the 2.88 3.5-inch drives available at
all, Lee said those plans were part of AST's unannounced product
list, and plans for the drives could not be announced.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910627/Press Contact: Wendy Lee, AST, Tel:
714/727-7960, Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 APPLE GIVES MACS TO AIDS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00015)

APPLE GIVES MACS TO AIDS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS 06/27/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Paul Sathrum,
executive director of the National Association of People with
AIDS (NAPWA), released the names of 24 community-based AIDS
service organizations selected by Apple to receive complementary
Macintosh computer systems through the Macintosh Computer System
Partnership Grants Project.

In its second year, the Macintosh Computer System Partnership
Grants Project was instituted from a grant by Apple Computer
Community Affairs Department, NAPWA said. "The first cycle of
computer grants to 46 community-based organizations, showed us
the impact that technology has in delivering AIDS services," said
Beverly Long of Apple Computer Community Affairs Department. "We
were pleased to enter the second cycle of the project with NAPWA
and the National Minority AIDS Council and know they will
continue providing the outstanding support they have given in the
past."

NAPWA said that part of the grant requirements include the
awardees participation in regional training covering such topics
as system components, Macintosh basics word processing,
spreadsheets, databases, electronic communication, charting and
integration, and connectivity issues. Additionally, NAPWA said
grantees will be required to communicate to other participating
agencies through NAPWA Link, the electronic information and
communications system of NAPWA.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910627/Press Contact: Paul Sathrum, National
Association of People with AIDS, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 ATARI FINALLY SELLS TAIWAN FACILITY 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00016)

ATARI FINALLY SELLS TAIWAN FACILITY 06/27/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- In an attempt
to cut manufacturing costs in the light of poor 1990 earnings, Atari has
finally closed the sale of its assembly property in Taiwan for $60
million.

The company reports that part of the proceeds will go to reduce bank
debts totalling $27 million. The company has now changed its
manufacturing strategy in the region. August J. Liguori, in early
June, told Newsbytes that a "series of subcontractors throughout Hong
Kong and Taiwan" are "now doing the assembly."

Atari posted a 3 percent decrease in sales for 1990, down to
$411.5 million, from $423.6 million during 1989. In light of increased
competition and a shrinking market share, Atari is seeking alternative
ways to cut costs.

Atari is continuing to look at all its operations with a view to further
cost-cutting moves. European operations may be next in line for
restructuring as a company source previously described the
market there as being "sluggish."

This is especially true in the light of a new announcement by the
company that, due to adverse market conditions, it expects sales
for the current quarter ending June 30, 1991 to be substantially
below what it experienced during the second quarter of 1990.

(Ian Stokell/19910627/Press Contact: August J. Liguori, Atari Corp.,
408-745-2069)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 ALPHA MICROSYSTEMS FINALLY CHALKS UP INCOME 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00017)

ALPHA MICROSYSTEMS FINALLY CHALKS UP INCOME 06/27/91
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Following
a pretty dismal year that saw a six percent decline in sales, losses
totalling $7.5 million, and a takeover attempt by the Aril Group, Alpha
Microsystems has finally posted net income for a quarter. The first
quarter ended May 26, 1991 saw an income of $171,000, or $.06 per
share, on net sales of $12,648,000.

The income compares to a net loss of $2,472,000, or $0.87 per
share, on net sales of $13,510,000, for the same period last year.
The net income figures represent a $2.7 million increase.

Previously, sales for the 12 months ended Feb. 24, 1991 showed a
six percent decline to $52.8 million compared to the prior year of
$55.9 million. Disappointing results had been blamed on recent
economic events and a soft computer market.

Douglas J. Tullio, company president and chief operating officer,
said, "We are pleased to report such a significant improvement in
profits over the first quarter last year, despite difficult market
conditions, competitive price pressures and a decrease in first
quarter sales."

David A. Young, chief financial officer added: "While product sales
decreased on a quarter-to-quarter basis, we have continued to
experience growth in service revenues and improvement in our
overall margins in sales and service through increased
efficiencies."

(Ian Stokell/19910627/Press Contact: David A. Young, Alpha
Microsystems, 714-641-6225)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 NEW FOR TELECOM: N.E.T. Voice/Data WAN Products 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BRU)(00018)

NEW FOR TELECOM: N.E.T. Voice/Data WAN Products 06/27/91
OSLO, NORWAY, 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Network Equipment Technologies
has introduced the ADNX/60 and announced N.E.T. Fax Digitizer
and N.E.T. Expert Fault Management System.

The ADNX/60 Integrated Access Multiplexer, is designed to give
access to local- and wide-area networks from remote sites. By
using the ADNX/60 in connection with N.E.T.'s IDNX enterprise
network products, organizations can create a single enterprise
system to voice and data communications using both public and
private transmission facilities. The unit is designed to use
low-to-medium speed trunk circuits.

Transmission costs is reduced by optimizing communications
bandwidth using voice compression and an efficient trunking
protocol. In addition the unit has the capability to reroute
communications over public switched networks if the demand for
capacity is higher than what is available from private
transmission facilities. This also provides for backup if a
private transmission circuit goes down.

The ADNX/60 is slated for introduction in the U.S.A. in a week's
time. Prices for the ADNX/60 start at $6,000 and availability is
in the fall. With hot swappable redundant power supplies, the
multiplexer can be configured with up to two trunk lines, from 4
to 20 dataports with speeds between 1.2 an 64 Kbps and from 0 to
6 voice ports.

At the same time N.E.T also announced the N.E.T. Fax Digitizer, a
stand-alone product that can be connected to N.E.T.'s IDNX or
ADNX communications resource managers and to a fax machine or a
private branch exchange. The fax signals are digitized, and this
allows transmission over private or public data circuits.

Also announced was the Expert Fault Management System
application. Using the N.E.T. Series 5000 platform, it provides
automated fault management. Using an expert system, it provides
detection, correlation, prioritization and diagnosis on N.E.T.
products and U.S. carrier services. In 1992 B.E.T. will add
international carrier services.

N.E.T. also divulged that product sales into Europe is expanding
fast. During the last fiscal year, Europe represented 22 percent
of the sales. In the last quarter 28 percent of product
sales went to Europe.

(Jan-Frode Nordli/19910626/Francoise Thomas, Manager - European
Marcom, Network Equipment Technologies, + 33-1-48.63.76.84)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 RECRUITING OF UNIV GRADS STARTS IN JAPAN 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00019)

RECRUITING OF UNIV GRADS STARTS IN JAPAN 06/27/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- The annual recruiting campaign
to hire new university graduates, who will graduate in March 1992,
starts soon in Japan. Interestingly, nine out of the top 10 recruitment
firms are in electronics.

In the following, 1991 hiring will be in parenthesis ().
In fiscal 1992, NTT plans to hire 1900 (1950), Hitachi 1400 (1365),
Toshiba 1400 (1400), Matsushita 1400 (1400), Mitsubishi 1350
(1350), NEC 1350 (1350), Fujitsu 1300 (1300), Sony 10000 (1000),
and CSK 1000 (1005).

Most of the firms say they will hire about the same number of
university graduates as they did this year. However, some
foreign firms are hiring far fewer people for the coming
fiscal term in the wake of slow business in the financial
market. IBM Japan, for instance, plans to hire 500 people, which
is 336 people less than this fiscal year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910627)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 MITSUBISHI HACKING WOES GETS LITTLE SYMPATHY FROM AT&T 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

MITSUBISHI HACKING WOES GETS LITTLE SYMPATHY FROM AT&T 06/27/91
BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) --
Mitsubishi will draw little sympathy from either AT&T or
regulatory precedent in its legal attempt to win back money lost
through its PBX to hackers.

Mitsubishi has sued AT&T for $430,000 in actual damages, $10
million in punitive damages, plus court costs, over calls made by
computer criminals out of its System 85 private branch exchange (PBX)
starting in 1988. A PBX is like a phone switch, except it's owned
and run by a single company with lots of phone lines, mainly for
internal purposes like routing calls. But sophisticated PBXs,
like the System 85, can be used to link all a company's employees
with the worldwide long distance phone network, giving them the
capability to call one another -- even from thousands of miles
away -- by entering a simple, 6-digit extension code.

Unfortunately, this capability also makes such PBXs vulnerable to
penetration by computer criminals. The criminals call into the
PBX using a toll-free number linked to it for internal
communications, then call around the world -- with the PBX owner
picking up the tab. Mitsubishi, however, doesn't want to pick up
the tab, noting as do many other victims of this scam that AT&T
made the PBX and runs the long distance network, and should thus
shoulder responsibility for abuse.

However, that's not the way AT&T or the FCC seem to see it. A
recent FCC complaint from a company called Chartways sought to
pin AT&T with long-distance charges made by criminals, in a
similar scam to that which victimized Mitsubishi. AT&T legal
affairs spokesman Andrew Meyers told Newsbytes a decision in May
by the FCC not only rejected the complaint, but held that the
"owner of the PBX is in the best position to maintain the
security of the system, and they're responsible" when security
is breached. "We were very interested in the outcome of that
case, and the fact that the owner of the PBX has had a precedent
set against him is obviously related to what happened with
Mitsubishi. There are several customers of AT&T in similar
situations whose PBXs were compromised. We're working with some
for settlements, in others we're trying to collect. Mitsubishi
went on the offensive," he explained.

Meyers hastened to add, however, that AT&T is aware of security
problems with its PBXs, and has been working with customers on
procedures to correct them. "AT&T in January announced security
enhancements for the System 85 which solves the problem. One is a
software package that senses large number of short bursts of
calls, coming into the Remote Access 800 number, and flags the
system administrator." More important, "Our position is the best
defense is good system administration. You can ask the system to
give a read out of calling activity and quickly detect when this
type of behavior is going on. One symptom is a burst of calls
calling a foreign country. Salesmen don't call Pakistan over and
over again." He noted that AT&T has a team of a half-dozen
security experts conducting seminars around the country and
training PBX owners on the procedures to follow. "This is all PBX
owners, not just AT&T customers," he said.

Meyers concluded, "AT&T is more active than any other company I
know of in working with user groups, made up of owners of PBXs,
coming up with standards and agreements and procedures for
dealing with criminal activity."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910627/Press Contact: Andrew Meyers, AT&T,
08-221-2737)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 PHONES DISRUPTED ON U.S. EAST AND WEST COASTS 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

PHONES DISRUPTED ON U.S. EAST AND WEST COASTS 06/27/91
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Computer
failures in Baltimore and Los Angeles resulted in extensive
service disruptions on the east and west coasts of the U.S. on
June 26.

The outage apparently started during modifications by
Bell Atlantic's C&P Telephone subsidiary to its signal control
system, at around 11:40 a.m. In Baltimore, the outage did not
hurt inbound long distance, but did impact outbound long-
distance, emergency 911 calls, and some cellular services.

During the emergency, MCI offered use of its long distance network for
the placement of local calls in the impacted areas. A total of
5.4 million customers in Virginia, Maryland, Washington and West
Virginia lost phone service for a time.

About 2 hours later, 3 million phones in southern California
went dead after computer software troubles. The incidents were
not related.

In the southern California case, Pacific Bell says emergency 911
lines took operator-assisted calls and calls made to the
departments' regular numbers, but they could not call out to
adjacent fire and police agencies. Pacific Bell said there was a
"domino effect" as people became aware of the problems and got
on their phones to talk about it. Generally, they could call
within their neighborhoods, but not outside.

Service on both coasts was restored by the end of the day.
"We don't know whether it was a software failure or a power
failure," a Bell Atlantic spokesmen told Newsbytes. "We're trying
to get some updates on that."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: Cynthia M. Ciangio Bell
Atlantic, 215-963-6306)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27  ****PRODIGY CLAIMS 1 MILLION MEMBERS 06/28/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)

 ****PRODIGY CLAIMS 1 MILLION MEMBERS 06/28/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 28 (NB) -- Prodigy, the
IBM-Sears joint venture into videotex, claims it reached the one
million membership mark. Although it actually has 600,000
households, each household has 1.8 members, hence the one
million mark. The service charges $12.95 per month,
and the company said it is accessed over 8 million times per
month, or about twice a week for each member.

The company said over 40% of all members are women and children,
and nearly 10% are over 55. The company claims, in a chart from
the "New York Times" first developed by Simba Information of
Connecticut, that it now has 41.4% of the consumer online market,
against 33.1% for CompuServe and 10.8% for GEnie. The Simba data,
however, does not take bulletin board services into account.

The system now offers stock trading, airline ticketing, bill paying
and shopping services, as well as daily editorial features and
some communications services.

Despite the high membership figure, Prodigy is not making a profit
yet, according to Steve Hein, Prodigy spokesman. The combined
households bring in about $7.8 million in minimum access fees
per month, however, and if one adds in transaction charges --
fees from merchants run about 12%, against 5% for American
Express charges -- the company does have considerable monthly
funds. Whether that equals or exceeds the huge amounts of
marketing expense the company has generated, not to
mention the costs of providing the service, remains an open
question.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: Brian Ek, Prodigy, 914-
993-8843)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 AT&T PLANS TO MOVE INTO MICROWAVE CELLULAR 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)

AT&T PLANS TO MOVE INTO MICROWAVE CELLULAR 06/27/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- AT&T is confirming
plans to move into microwave cellular service, akin to the PCNs
(personal communication networks) being tested by Motorola,
Millicom, and others. But while the other companies are looking
at "spread-spectrum" techniques which would allow them to share
frequencies with licensed users of microwave frequencies, AT&T
is already a licensed user of microwave frequencies and would
have an easy time getting into the market.

But that doesn't mean it's in a hurry. All it wants from the FCC
for now is permission to test the technology over the next three
years, and spokesmen say it's in the "very early stages" of
development. According to the application, assuming initial tests
are promising, AT&T will test PCN service in Boston, Atlanta, and
Los Angeles, using radio channels for which it already holds
licenses and now uses for maintenance tests on its microwave
transmitters.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: Jim McGann, AT&T, 202-
457-3942)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 BRITISH TELECOM AIMS AT U.S. VIDEOCONFERENCE MARKET 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)

BRITISH TELECOM AIMS AT U.S. VIDEOCONFERENCE MARKET 06/27/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- British Telecom
signed an agreement with Peirce-Phelps, a Philadelphia-based
videoconferencing systems integrator with over 400
installations, to provide systems maintenance and integration for
its videoconferencing products in the U.S.

Peirce-Phelps will sell BT's videocodec products with cabinetry
and other related video and audio equipment, like TV monitors,
control units, cameras and audio systems, to produce "rollabout"
videoconferencing products, offering installation and service on
a 24-hour basis.

BT has formally entered the U.S. videoconferencing market through
its BT North America subsidiary. The company hopes to capture 30%
of the U.S. marketplace, principally held now by PictureTel and
Compression Labs of the U.S. BT said it has invested over $17
million in the research and development of visual services
products including videocodecs and launched an intensive campaign
to capture U.S. market share.

BT has been providing videoconferencing services since the early
1970s and currently holds over 80 percent of the United Kingdom
videoconferencing market, with over 200 private conferencing
rooms. BT also says it maintains significant market share in the
fixed network/high bandwidth sector and leads the world in the
development of low-cost codecs.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: BT North America, David
Callisch, 408/922-7583)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27  ****FLORIDA APPROVES CALLER ID WITH BLOCKING, CALIFORNIA NEXT 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)

 ****FLORIDA APPROVES CALLER ID WITH BLOCKING, CALIFORNIA NEXT 06/27/91
MIAMI, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- After more than a
year of hearings and administrative proceedings, the Florida
Public Service Commission approved Caller ID service within
Southern Bell's calling area beginning July 1.

Unlike Georgia, which earlier this year approved the service
without any hope of callers blocking their numbers from going
out, Florida made its approval contingent on free per-call
blocking.

Caller ID enables the receiver of a call to see the number of the
calling party on a display box attached to the phone. Caller ID
service will cost $7.50 for residential customers and $10 for
business customers. Caller ID display boxes are available
wherever telephones from Southern Bell. To activate per-call
blocking, callers will need to dial *67 with their touch tone
phones, or 1167 with rotary phones, before beginning to call a
number. The party receiving the call will see a "P" on its number
display box.

Southern Bell spokesman Spero Canton made the best of the half-a-
loaf. "Caller ID can still be used as an effective tool to
discourage those who abuse the phone by making harassing,
threatening or obscene calls," he said. "Customers have to be
more selective and aware. If you see a "P" in you Caller ID
display box, it's an indication that the number may be blocked.
This is significant for those who are continuously plagued by
unwanted calls." Law enforcement offices and crisis intervention
shelters can also receive permanent line blocking for requested
lines.

Meanwhile, hearings began June 26 on Pacific Bell's attempt to
introduce Caller ID, with blocking, in the nation's largest
state. Pacific Bell also wants the California Public Utilities
Commission to approve Repeat Dialing, Call Return, Call Block,
Call Trace, Priority Ringing and Select Call Forwarding, which
like Caller ID depend on a technology called Automatic Number
Identification, which carries a caller's number along with the
call. The California blocking plan uses the same digits as
Florida's.

In California, the battle will likely erupt over per-line
blocking, which is offered in Nevada by Centel but not in many
other states which, like Florida, have approved per-call
blocking. A Pacific Bell spokesman claimed 9 of 10 consumers
don't want per-line blocking, in a survey done by Field Research.

Both houses of the U.S. Congress are presently working on
legislation which would mandate per-call blocking with Caller ID.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910628/Press Contact: Pacific Bell, Scott E.
Smith, 415/542-0597; Spero C. Canton, Southern Bell, 305-530-
5405)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 QUME REPORTS FURTHER LOSSES 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)

QUME REPORTS FURTHER LOSSES 06/27/91
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Qume Corp.
blamed a softness in the computer peripherals market in announcing
further losses, this time for the first quarter of 1991 ended
May 31. The company posted a net loss of $3,987,000 or $0.38 per
share, and a further decrease in sales.

Jeff Hilber, spokesman for the company, told Newsbytes that
company was "trying to contain costs" and the discontinuation
of some development projects was one of the consequences.

According to the company, the losses include a pre-tax charge of
$577,000 relating to the termination of certain product development
projects.

Additionally, Hilber told Newsbytes that the company was in the
process of combining its two Taiwan subsidiaries into a single
unit, and "expected cost reductions" from that strategy.

The company reported a net loss of $1,831,000, or $0.16 per share,
for the same quarter last year.

Revenues for the current quarter were approximately $53.7 million,
a represented a decrease from revenues of $57 million reported
in the first quarter, 1991.

Hilber said that Qume was "refocusing efforts into key products."
Qume had experienced "declining sales in our established
products" and the company now had to "turn that around."

Qume Corp. manufactures and markets page and daisywheel printers,
display products and computer supplies and accessories.

(Ian Stokell/19910627/Press Contact: Robert C. Hood, Qume Corp.,
408-942-4245)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 APPLE OFFERS CORPORATE SUPPORT 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

APPLE OFFERS CORPORATE SUPPORT 06/27/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Highlighting
the increasing importance that Apple Computer is placing on its
corporate installed base, the company has expanded its direct
assistance, fee-based support programs and tools for support staff
and in-house developers of large corporations and institutions, and
has made them available on a nationwide basis.

Two subscriptions are offered: unlimited toll-free telephone access for
an annual subscription fee of $1,995; and a program that offers technical
back-up assistance for six incidents during a twelve month period for a
subscription fee of $495.

The Apple USA division first offered the Technical Coordinator
Answerline and In-House Developer Support programs on a limited
basis in selected regions of the United States in April.

Technical Coordinator Answerline (TCA) is a fee-based hotline that
provides direct technical assistance from Apple support engineers
to support staff and workgroup coordinators who support Apple
Macintosh product users in multivendor networked environments.
Coverage includes all Macintosh operating systems including the
new System 7.0, System 6.0, and A/UX (Apple's version of Unix).
The program also provides support for Apple networking connectivity
problems associated with DEC, IBM, Novell, Ethernet and Token Ring
environments.

The company maintains that the Technical Coordinator Answerline is
staffed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., customer's local time, and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. in
Hawaii. All subscribers are provided with quarterly call activity
reports.

"On various levels, direct vendor support has become a necessity
for today' s large business customer," said Morris Taradalsky, vice
president of Apple USA's customer support products and services.
"These new programs provide a natural extension to Apple authorized
dealer and third party support provider services," he added.

(Ian Stokell/19910627/Press Contact: Betty Taylor, Apple Computer,
408-974-3983)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 NEW FOR MAC: CD SC Plus Drive 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00028)

NEW FOR MAC: CD SC Plus Drive 06/27/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Apple
Computer has announced the AppleCD SC Plus Drive for Macintosh
and Apple II systems.

Carrying a suggested retail price of $799, the AppleCD SC Plus offers
a ten percent price decrease, and a 25 percent increase in access
time, from the current AppleCD SC drive. Apple claims that the new
drive also offers improved reliability.

The AppleCD SC Plus comes with a built-in door for front loading of
compact disks (CDs) and an automatic lens cleaning mechanism for
better protection from dust.

The company claims that version 3.2 of the AppleCD SC software
now offers an additional audio volume control driver which allows
users to control the volume directly from their CD-ROM drive or from
the software-based CD Remote desk accessory.

The drive can store more than 650 megabytes of information on a
single CD-ROM disc. The drive also supports both the ISO and
the High Sierra industry standard file formats.

Audio capabilities are also featured because the AppleCD SC Plus
also comes with a headphone and RCA jack to allow users to listen
to an audio CD when they are not working with a CD-ROM disc.

As is the case with any new Macintosh product these days, the new
3.2 version of the software is compatible with Apple's newly released
System 7.0 operating system.

(Ian Stokell/19910627/Press Contact: Jackie Promes, Apple
Computer, 408-974-3609)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 NORTHERN TELECOM CONTINUES LAYOFFS 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00029)

NORTHERN TELECOM CONTINUES LAYOFFS 06/27/91
KINGSTON, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- In the latest of
several cuts at Canadian plants, Northern Telecom has handed layoff
notices to 43 workers at a telephone cable plant here. This move
follows the elimination of more than 340 jobs at plants in
Belleville, Bramalea, and London, all in Ontario.

Most of those let go in Kingston are production workers. Northern
has been cutting jobs due to slack demand and to move some
production overseas where it can take advantage of lower labor
costs. "It doesn't make sense" to do some labor-intensive
manufacturing work in Canada where labor costs are high, company
spokesman John Lawlor told Newsbytes.

With 1990 net income of C$460.2 million, Northern Telecom was
recently ranked as Canada's eighth most profitable company by The
Globe and Mail Report on Business.

(Grant Buckler/19910626/Press Contact: John Lawlor, Northern
Telecom, 416-238-7000)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 XEROX OPENS COLOR RESEARCH LAB 06/27/91

06/27/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00030)

XEROX OPENS COLOR RESEARCH LAB 06/27/91
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Xerox has opened
a US$3.5-million color systems research facility here. The lab will
do a broad range of research on color and its use in business
communications.

The research will include work on how people perceive and measure
color quality, new tools for color imaging systems, and new ways of
creating and reproducing color documents. Copying, printing, and
scanning technologies will be among the areas covered, Xerox
spokesman Arthur J. Zuckerman told Newsbytes.

"We've been involved with color for many years," Zuckerman said,
"and there's been some color research." Xerox is intensifying its
work in this area, he added, because of growing interest in the use
of color in business documents. "We see this as a very important
area."

The new 40,000-square-foot facility, part of Xerox's Webster
Research Center, is located in the Joseph C. Wilson Center for
Technology, the company's research, engineering, and manufacturing
complex in the Rochester suburb of Webster. It employs more than 50
research scientists as well as support staff.

(Grant Buckler/19910627/Press Contact: Arthur J. Zuckerman, Xerox,
716-423-4205)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 UNISYS, PEAT MARWICK ALLIANCE FOR CASE TOOLS 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00031)

UNISYS, PEAT MARWICK ALLIANCE FOR CASE TOOLS 06/27/91
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Unisys and
professional services firm KPMG Peat Marwick have unveiled a
software development, systems integration, and marketing alliance.
Affecting only the United States initially, the alliance will begin
by developing a handful of software products.

The first project will be developing a financial management system
using computer-aided software engineering (CASE) and
fourth-generation language (4GL) tools. Other early plans include
a human resources management system and manufacturing management
systems. "The first product should be delivered about a year from
now," Unisys spokesman Michael Stugrin told Newsbytes. After that,
products will follow in a "continuing stream," he said.

The companies will build their software using Unisys' CASE and 4GL
systems and other Unisys technologies such as imaging and
electronic data interchange. The software will run on Unisys
hardware, including the company's U Series of Unix-based systems.

A Technology Resource Center is being set up near Atlanta. Already
staffed by about 20 KPMG personnel, the center will handle all
alliance development, integration, and demonstration work, the
companies said. It staff will work closely with Unisys technology
and marketing specialists throughout the United States. More KPMG
employees will be assigned as projects are added to the scope of
the alliance.

(Grant Buckler/19910627/Press Contact: Michael Stugrin, Unisys,
215-986-2867; John Higgins, KPMG Peat Marwick, 212-907-5576)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 27 NEW FOR PCS: Ashton-Tate's dBASE IV SQL Server 06/27/91

06/27/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00032)

NEW FOR PCS: Ashton-Tate's dBASE IV SQL Server 06/27/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 27 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate
(AT) has announced its new dBASE IV Server Edition, a database
management system geared toward accessing Microsoft's Structured
Query Language (SQL) server data on personal computer (PC)
networks.

AT quoted Michael Irwin, a systems analyst/programmer with the
Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., as saying,
"Ashton-Tate's new Server Edition lets me access the large
databases we have on SQL Server from the familiar dBASE
environment on my desktop. The data access speed is very
impressive, and I feel comfortable knowing that the data is more
secure than it would be on a stand-alone PC."

This is the first of several versions of dBASE IV Server, AT
said. The company said its intention is to support other popular
database servers running on multiple platforms. AT has already
announced a cross-platform strategy, and in this announcement the
company mentioned that Dbase IV already is available on DOS,
Macintosh, Sun systems, 386 Unix and VAX/VMS.

Dave Proctor, AT's president and chief operating officer said,
"Ashton-Tate's strategy is to provide users access to corporate
data, wherever it resides, from most popular computers. . . we're
delivering on our strategy to provide access from dBASE IV to
popular database servers."

"The combination of dBASE IV and SQL Server sets a new industry
standard for client/server computing," said Steve Ballmer,
Microsoft's senior vice president, Systems Division. "dBASE IV
Server Edition is a significant addition to the Microsoft SQL
Server marketplace."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910627/Press Contact: Lisa Messenger, Ashton-
Tate, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 26 JARDINE GETS FOURGEN HK AND MACAU DISTRIBUTORSHIP 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00001)

JARDINE GETS FOURGEN HK AND MACAU DISTRIBUTORSHIP 06/26/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Jardine Information
Systems Ltd (JIS), a subsidiary of Jardine Pacific, has secured the
distribution rights in Hong Kong and neighbouring Portuguese colony
Macau for the entire range of Fourgen-Accounting and Fourgen-CASE
applications software.

Terms of the agreement, which marks Fourgen's entry into the market,
call for JIS to provide a full range of services for the software,
including training and technical support and maintenance.

Fourgen-Accounting comprises eight different modules, including
General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Order Entry,
Inventory Control, Payroll, Purchasing and Fixed Assets. Fourgen-CASE
is claimed to allow users to create Informix-4GL applications in a
fraction of the normal development time with limited programming
knowledge.

JIS chief executive, Irving Koo, said that his company plans to
penetrate major segments of the commercial Unix market-place with
Fourgen's accounting modules and application development tools
through an extensive value-added reseller recruitment campaign and
a highly-focused promotional program.

(Norman Wingrove/19910626/Press Contact: Clara Shek, MDL/JIS, Tel +
852 838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 DIGITAL AND SWEDA LINK UP FOR RETAIL VENTURE 06/26/91

06/26/91
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00002)

DIGITAL AND SWEDA LINK UP FOR RETAIL VENTURE 06/26/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Hong
Kong Ltd., has signed a Complementary Software House agreement
with retail specialist Sweda that will team Sweda's point-of-sale (POS)
products with Digital's VAX computers for back-office processing.

With more than 50 years experience in retail automation, Sweda offers
one of the most extensive POS product families on the market, built
around open architecture and industry standards.

"Digital's VAX computers and networking capabilities are ideal for
back-office processing of information collected through Sweda POS
systems," said Roy Chan, general manager of Sweda Retail Systems
Asia Pacific Ltd. "The integration of our product lines will provide a
complete retail information system to cater for retail customers from
the smallest boutique to the largest supermarket chain."

The Sweda product families include the PC-based Aurora 6000
scanning POS system for supermarkets and the Renaissance 6000
retail information system designed for speciality stores. The company
also offers the Sweda 5400 and 4000 systems, with mass price-lookup,
scanning and item-level data collection options. Designed mainly for
restaurant use, these standalone terminals can be linked to a personal
computer.

"Hong Kong retailers are moving rapidly towards integrated POS
information management systems," said Connie Wong, country
marketing manager at DEC. With this agreement, we will now be able to
offer Sweda POS systems to complement our proven strengths in the
back office."

Digital is one of Hong Kong's leading suppliers of customized retail
management systems. Customers include major local retailers
Park 'N Shop, A.S. Watson, Sincere and Millie's.

(Norman Wingrove/19910626/Press Contact: Venus Chan, DEC, Tel + 852
861 4811; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 TRICOM WINS BIG CONTRACT WITH FIRST PACIFIC BANK 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00003)

TRICOM WINS BIG CONTRACT WITH FIRST PACIFIC BANK 06/26/91
CHAIWAN, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- The Tricom group of
companies has completed the installation of a voice-data system worth
HK$5 million (US$676,000) at the new First Pacific Bank headquarters in
Hong Kong.

The project was managed by Tricom Engineering Company and
involved the installation of telephone system and local area network
(LAN) equipment by Tricom Technologies Ltd and Tricom
Microsystems.

At the heart of the telephone system is a Fujitsu FETEX-9600 private
automatic branch exchange (PABX) with a capacity of up to 10,000
lines. To cater for the bank's rapidly growing business needs, the
telephone system also incorporates specific functions such as
automatic call distribution and voice mailing. The functions can be
extended to include data communications and tele-banking in the
future.

Tricom Microsystems has installed Hewlett-Packard's Ethertwist family
of hubs, adaptors, transceivers and bridges and HP Open View Network
Management System throughout the 10 floors which make up the bank's
headquarters. The backbone wiring system forms the hub for LAN
traffic, eventually inter-linking scores of PCs and other equipment.

The LAN was designed using a structured wiring scheme, whereby
each floor has its own departmental LAN. These in turn are cross
connected to a backbone sub-system using filtering bridges.

Configured around AST Premium 386 servers, the LAN brings together
a total of 150 AST personal computers distributed throughout the 10
floors, providing full support for the bank's back-office operations.

(Norman Wingrove/19910626/Press Contact: Dickie Luk, MDL, Tel + 852
838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 PROPOSED FCC RULE FAVORS BYPASS COMPANIES 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)

PROPOSED FCC RULE FAVORS BYPASS COMPANIES 06/26/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a rule which would
let so-called 'bypass' companies locate their equipment on local
telephone company property.

NYNEX announced a few weeks ago it would voluntarily allow
companies like Teleport to link directly with its network, but most of the
Bells are totally against the movement, claiming the bypass
companies only want to "cherry pick" their best customers with the
result of higher rates for ordinary residential customers.

While the companies which rate phone company bonds, like Fitch & Co.,
said in response that they plan no moves to downgrade bonds as a
result -- raising the cost of borrowing -- they could do so later if
the phone firms' fears are realized. The FCC decision would not be
implemented until after a comment period which ends in September.

Specifically, the new rules would require local telephone companies to
offer better connection arrangements to the bypass companies, either
by physically having competitors equipment in their central offices or
by linking that equipment to the offices directly.

The decision favors companies like Teleport Communications Group,
mainly owned by Merrill Lynch, which just won a major investment from
Cox Enterprises, onetime backers of video rental giant Blockbuster
Entertainment. Cox spokesmen say the moves to sell Blockbuster stock
recently and invest in Teleport are not related, but the fact is the
Cox folks are smart investors who may know that video rental growth is
slowing and bypass growth is about to take off.

The bypass companies have ringed major cities like New York, Boston,
Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, and
Philadelphia with fiber cable, and are pitching their systems to the
largest corporate customers, who could easily connect with the cable. In
response, some companies like Michigan Bell, a division of Ameritech,
have taken to ringing major cities like Detroit with similar cables,
hoping to prevent the competition before it starts by giving big
companies the same service.

But that may not be good enough, Fitz' Timothy Cain told Newsbytes.
"The problem is the large users want an alternate source of phone
service, in order to assure their networks will remain intact in the
event of a natural disaster," he said.

Cain cited examples like a fire in Hinsdale, Illinois which knocked
out some Illinois Bell customers for months a few years ago and a fire
at a New York power station which shut down much of the New York
Stock Exchange for most of a day a year ago, as examples of what the
big customers fear.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910626/Press Contact: Timothy Cain, Fitch, 212-
908-0587)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 COMPRESSION LABS ANNOUNCES REMBRANDT CODEC 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

COMPRESSION LABS ANNOUNCES REMBRANDT CODEC 06/26/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Compression
Labs, which is best-known for high-end videoconferencing equipment, has
announced a system called Rembrandt II/VP, which it says addresses the
entire spectrum of market needs in a single system.

Rembrandt features a programmable video processor chip which can
handle conferencing in data channels as slow as 56,000 bits-per-second,
or can deliver near-broadcast quality in channels as fast as 2,048,000 bps.

"Eliminating the distinction between high and low bandwidth codecs
simplifies the customer's purchase decision and provides the basis for
universal connectivity between videoconferencing users around the
world," said president John Tyson.

A competitor, PictureTel, has been benefiting from the fact that its
system offers economical videoconferencing on phone lines which
usually handle only voice, while CLI has the reputation for offering
only TV-quality conferencing on faster lines which must be reserved in
advance from phone companies. CLI says the Rembrandt II/VP will link
with all codecs which offer the CCITT videoconferencing standard known
as Px64 Quarter Common Intermediate Format, or QCIF.

CLI also announced an agreement with Ascend Communications to
integrate its Multiband Bandwidth-On-Demand Controllers into its own
products. The Multiband system allows ISDN (Integrated Services
Digital Networks) and trunk line access at 1,544,000 bps for use in
videoconferencing. It can combine individual switched 56,000,
64,000 and 384,000 bps circuits, offering bandwidths up to 2,048,000
bps. Multiband for CLI's new Rembrandt II/VP codec will be available
in the third quarter at prices ranging from $7,000 - $10,000 depending
on model and configuration options.

Finally, CLI has announced CTX Plus, a new video compression mode
that provides near-broadcast-quality for group videoconferencing
applications. The company claims CTX provides near broadcast
resolution and 30 frame/second refresh rates -- the same as with TV
broadcasts -- in a product which can handle data speeds as slow as
384,000 bps. To broadcast a regular TV show over digital phone
lines, a T-3 trunk line running at 45 million bps is usually required.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910626/Press Contact: Compression Labs, Tracy
Beaufort, 408/922-4610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 NTT SECURES DEAL WITH MTEL 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

NTT SECURES DEAL WITH MTEL 06/26/91
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Mobile
Telecommunication Technologies, which has been trying to make its
Sky Pager satellite-based paging system a world-wide standard, may
have won its biggest victory in that battle as NTT announced that one
of its subsidiaries had signed a general agency contract to rent its
pagers and use its system.

NTT, which is the Japanese equivalent of a pre-divestiture AT&T, and
the largest telephone company in the world, said the agreement was
reached between its NTT International subsidiary and Mobile
Telecommunication Technologies to use the Sky Pager system
starting in September.

NTT said that customers visiting the U.S. will be able to use Sky
Pager and get all kinds of information, including data on financial
markets, and voice mail, for a monthly rental of 8,000 yen.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910626/Press Contact: MTel, Alex Good,
601-944-1300)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26  TELXON GETS APPROVED FOR SPREAD SPECTRUM SYSTEM 06/26/91

06/26/91



(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

TELXON GETS APPROVED FOR SPREAD SPECTRUM SYSTEM 06/26/91
AKRON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Telxon said is has received
certification from both the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and
Canada's Department of Communications on its Dataspan 2000 wireless
cellular spread spectrum data system.

Telxon PTCs gather, process and store on-site real-time data which is
communicated to a host computer. These systems incorporate
proprietary systems and applications software, peripheral equipment
and communications devices.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910626/Press Contact: Julie L. Ganim, Telxon
Corporation, 216-867-3700)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 VIDEOWAY WINS 1991 VIDEOTEX INNOVATION AWARD 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

VIDEOWAY WINS 1991 VIDEOTEX INNOVATION AWARD 06/26/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- The Videotex Industry
Association has given a French Canadian firm, Les Enterprises
Videoway Ltee De Montreal, a subsidiary of Le Groupe Videtron Ltee,
its highest honor, the Videotex Innovation Award.

Videoway uses a technology linking a TV set to both videotex, data
services and cable television, so the same device can be used for data
services or to order pay-per-view TV shows. The system is currently
being used by about 80,000 customers in Quebec, Canada, and 50,000
subscribers in London, England, should have access to it in the coming
year.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910626/Press Contact: Videoway, Jean-Paul
Galarneau, 514/281-1232)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 GEORGIA HIGH-TECH CRIME BILL SET TO BECOME LAW 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00009)

GEORGIA HIGH-TECH CRIME BILL SET TO BECOME LAW 06/26/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- A new Computer
Systems Protection Act backed by the state's high-tech companies
goes into effect Sunday, July 1. House Bill 822 was signed into law
June 10 by governor Zell Miller.

The bill, backed by the Georgia High Tech Alliance headed by
Hayes founder Dennis Hayes, is relatively straightforward. It mandates
prison terms of up to 15 years for computer-assisted theft, trespass,
invasion of privacy and forgery, in line with terms given to convicted
felons for the same crimes when they are committed without benefit of a
computer.

Computer password disclosure is now punishable under the new act
by a $5,000 fine or a one-year prison term. Hayes likened that crime to
stealing someone's house keys with the intention of entering the house
at a later stage. The act also expands the definitions of computer
terms used in the original 1981 computer crime statute.

Under Hayes, the High Tech Alliance has been transformed into an
activist organization with solid connections to the state's government.
A year earlier, the alliance won trade secrets protection legislation.
"More encouraging and important than our past accomplishments,"
Hayes wrote recently, "is our potential for the future." Hayes said the
group would now work to develop and shape the support systems
necessary for Georgia technology to be globally competitive.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910626/Press Contact: Peggy Ballard, Hayes, 404-
840-9200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 ARDIS WINS FIRST REMARKETING AGREEMENT 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

ARDIS WINS FIRST REMARKETING AGREEMENT 06/26/91
LINCOLNSHIRE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- The IBM-
Motorola Ardis joint-venture in mobile data communications won a
victory when it announced an agreement with ADP Automotive Claims
Services to jointly develop and market an integrated estimating
system using the ARDIS radio data network.

ADP becomes the first authorized remarketer of the ARDIS radio data
service, which has been moving slowly since its announcement a year
ago. ADP has an exclusive remarketing agreement for the automotive
claims industry, and will handle billing transactions on its Audatex
estimating system in conjunction with ARDIS. The result should be that
inspections for insurance claims can be made anywhere, even at an
accident site, and the claim can be adjusted and paid practically
on-the-spot.

ARDIS also announced an agreement to equip Guaranteed Overnight
Delivery with its wireless data modems. ARDIS supplies only Motorola
modems for use on its radio data system. G.O.D. ships overnight to 14
states in the north-east.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910626/Press Contact: Barbara Wagner, ARDIS, 708-
913-4229)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 CAREER DESIGN CUTS PLANNING SOFTWARE PRICE TO $99 06/26/91

06/26/91



(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00011)

CAREER DESIGN CUTS PLANNING SOFTWARE PRICE TO $99 06/26/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Career Design
Software has reduced the price of its Career Design software package
to $99. The software uses the proprietary methods of John C. Crystal,
who contributed to the 'What Color is Your Parachute' text of Richard
N. Bolles.

The software is divided into three sections -- 'Who Am I,' 'What Do I
Want,' and 'How Do I Get There,' to take people through the process of
deciding how and when to change careers.

It is a minor irony that this package originates from Georgia, because the
state has been a notorious haven for so-called 'career counseling' scams,
where crooks charge people thousands for so-called 'job-hunting help'
which can be gleaned from the $20 Bolles book.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910626/Press Contact: Eric Sandburg, Career Design
Software, 404-321-6100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 NCR TO MARKET SLATE PENAPPS ON NCR 3125 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012)

NCR TO MARKET SLATE PENAPPS ON NCR 3125 06/26/91
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Slate Corp.
has announced that it has entered into an agreement with NCR to sell
its Penapps software. Under the agreement the NCR outbound sales
force will promote the operating system front-end to run on the NCR
3125.

Penapps is an application development environment designed to
enable the rapid development of software applications for pen
computing. Slate says the developers release of Penapps is presently
available for the GO Penpoint operating system, which runs on the
NCR 3125.

Vern Raburn, CEO of Slate Corporation, said: "We have many
customers already developing with Penapps; now with NCR's 3125
they can release those applications to a first rate platform more quickly
than we have originally anticipated."

Applications developed with Penapps allow automation of information
capture and dissemination by computer users who can not be tied to a
desktop system. The NCR 3125 was designed specifically to meet the
needs of such users.

Alek Mohan, VP of NCR's workstation division, characterized Penapps
as a powerful tool for creating vertical applications. According to
Mohan: "The NCR 3125, combined with Penapps, gives companies
everything they need to begin reshaping the benefits of pen-based
computing."

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact:Dottie Hall, Slate Corp, 602-443-
7322)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26  ****BILL GATES TOUTS WINDOWS IN NEW VIDEO 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00013)

 ****BILL GATES TOUTS WINDOWS IN NEW VIDEO 06/26/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Microsoft
president Bill Gates is the star of a new video just released that touts the
advantages of Windows to corporate users and developers. Microsoft
says the video explains the features, benefits and future direction of
the Windows program.

Entitled 'Windows At Work,' the 60-minute video features Gates
explaining how major corporations have used custom programs as
well as off-the-shelf applications to implement Windows 3.0. Also
included is a preview demonstration of Windows 3.1 which includes a
look at object linking and embedding, as well as Truetype font
technology. Microsoft has said that in addition to Truetype, Windows 3.1
will also include improvements to file management routines, but
decline to comment about other features.

Windows 3.1 is presently in the hands of compatibility
testers, but beta testing has not begun. Microsoft predicts that
Windows 3.1 will come to market by the end of 1991. However, a
Newsbytes query about them meeting that date was met with a "no
comment" by a spokesperson for the company.

Microsoft reports that it has sold almost one million copies of
Windows 3.0 in the past 12 months. There are reportedly over 700
independent software developers marketing about 1200 Windows-
based applications. The Software Publishers Association says that
Windows revenue is higher than any other graphical environment.

'Windows At Work' is available for $7.50 plus $2.50 for shipping and
handling. State and local sales taxes will also be added. For your
copy, call Microsoft's Sales & Support Division at 800-426-9400.

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact:Erin Holland, Waggener Edstrom,
503-245-0905)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 SPECIALTY DEV'T CUTS MATH COPROCESSOR PRICES 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00014)

SPECIALTY DEV'T CUTS MATH COPROCESSOR PRICES 06/26/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Specialty Development
Corporation has announced the reduction by as much as 67 percent of
the retail price on its high speed math coprocessors.

The reductions are effective immediately, and include the company's
entire line of plug compatible alternatives to the Intel 80387 and
80387SX chips. Also included is the SDC chip compatible with the
40 megahertz AMD386.

According to Robert Willson, SDC's director of integrated circuit
products: "The lower prices maintain the formula of higher
performance at the best price, which helped force Intel to cut its
coprocessor pricing in mid-June."

CDC math chips include such features as a "sleep mode", which
shuts off the chip when it is not in use, extending the battery life of
notebook and laptop units.

SDC covers their products with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day
money-back guarantee, which Willson said makes their chips the
best buy on the market. He also added that SDC customers include
CompuAdd and Comp USA.

Math coprocessors speed numeric operations in such applications
as spreadsheets, graphics, font generation, desktop publishing,
databases, image processing and statistics. SDC says in benchmark
tests, SDC chips required significantly fewer clock cycles to perform
standard math instructions than those of competitors.

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact:Mike Shultz, 512-327-8608)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 ARTISOFT TO RELEASE NEW LANTASTIC IN AUGUST 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00015)

ARTISOFT TO RELEASE NEW LANTASTIC IN AUGUST 06/26/91
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Artisoft will release
Lantastic for Netware in August of this year. The new version of the
increasingly popular networking program will provide Novell netware
users with Lantastic's peer-to-peer features.

Selling for $400 per network, Lantastic for Netware will run on top of
Novell's Netware software and requires Novell's NetBIOS to operate.
It will allow programs, data, and peripherals such as printers, hard
drives, tape backup subsystems and CD ROMs to be shared among
nodes on a Novell network.

Jack Schoof, Artisoft president, said that Lantastic for Netware is a
low cost, easy-to-use solution if Novell users want the features of a
peer-to-peer network. According to Schoof: "It's an especially great
value when compared to the simple hardware and software print
server solutions (presently) on the market."

Novell users will be able to add up to five printers to any computer
on the network, and share them with others while simultaneously
working at that computer and maintaining connection to the dedicated
server.

Lantastic for Netware includes electronic mail which allows Netware
users to have voice mail capability across the network if they
purchase Artisoft's Sounding Board adapters.

The Sounding Board is an IBM compatible expansion card with a
telephone handset that converts between audio/voice signals and a
digital data stream. It sells for $99 for the ISA (Industry Standard
Architecture) bus and $199 for MCA (Micro Channel Architecture)
platforms. Artisoft can be reached by fax at: 602-293-8065.

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact: Artisoft, 602-293-6363)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26  ****DELL COMPUTER FASTEST GROWING PC FIRM IN U.S. 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00016)

 ****DELL COMPUTER FASTEST GROWING PC FIRM IN U.S. 06/26/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Dell Computer
is the fastest growing personal computer company, and the 10th
largest North American supplier of PCs, according to information
released by Datamation.

Dell went from a $307 million revenue base in calendar year 1989 to
$546 million in 1990, a 77.85 percent increase in year-on-year terms.

Second place in the growth race was captured by Compaq at 25.1
percent, while Tandy turned in a respectable 23.39 percent advance.

The top three in revenues for the year were, in descending order, IBM
with $9.6 billion, Apple with $3.8 billion and Compaq with almost $3.4
billion. Hewlett-Packard had the poorest growth rate, falling off
26.47 percent over the previous year, according to Datamation.

IBM holds about 38 percent of the market, with Apple far behind at
slightly over 15 percent market share. Compaq comes in third with
14.05 percent of the market.

(Jim Mallory/19910626/Press Contact:Michael Moore, Dell, 512-343-3535)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 NEW SHAREWARE INTRODUCED BY CD-ROM USER GROUP 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017)

NEW SHAREWARE INTRODUCED BY CD-ROM USER GROUP 06/26/91
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 25 (NB) -- The
CD-ROM Users Group has announced a collection of over a gigabyte
(GB) of recent user group software on a single CD-ROM. The group claims
that the CD-ROM contains only virus-free software and is called the
'Gigabyte Shareware' disc.

The disk has something for everyone, with over 25 subject categories
each with its own set of sub-directories, the user group said. Windows
users will find 900 windows offerings, and graphics users have 29
megabytes (MB) of PCX, GIF, and MAC images. The user group claims
there is 44MB of games and entertainment, 58MB of bulletin board system
(BBS) related software, 22MB of communications software, language
related software totaling 16MB, 29MB of business software, 16MB of
graphics software, and 50MB of various utilities.

The user group says although the Gigabyte Shareware disc is not a new
idea, but this one distinguishes itself on several fronts. First, only
software dated 1989 or later was included. Second, the disk has a user
interface designed to make it easy for the user to find and extract
individual software packages. Further, it includes comprehensive file
listings for of the more popular CD-ROM shareware disks, in response
to members' questions about the amount of overlap among the currently
available shareware disks.

The Gigabyte Shareware disc retails for $159, and more information is
available directly from the Santa Barbara Users Group, P.O. Box 2400,
Santa Barbara, CA 93120, [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910626/Press Contact: Fred Bellomy, The CD-ROM
Users Group, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 COMPUTERVISION UNVEILS SOFTWARE, BUSINESS STRATEGY 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00018)

COMPUTERVISION UNVEILS SOFTWARE, BUSINESS STRATEGY 06/26/91
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) --
Computervision has announced new computer-aided design and
computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software, called CADDS 5.
The company has also unveiled a new business strategy.

As part of its new strategy, Computervision is unbundling its CAD/CAM
software from the hardware and repackaging its premium-priced software
into a series of interoperable 'personal productivity' CAD/CAM tools.
These will be competitively priced and offered on a network-licensed
basis, Computervision said. The company will also selling its products
through value-added resellers (VARs).

"We consider ourselves a software vendor," said company spokesman
Peter Cohen. Computervision will still sell workstations to customers
who want to buy them through the company, but the company's emphasis
is on the software. Use of VARs is meant "to reach parts of the market
that we couldn't do profitably with a direct sales force," Cohen said.

The CADDS 5 software links advanced CAD/CAM technologies --
parametric modelling, variational geometry, a sketcher, a constraint
modeller, feature-based modelling, a PC-like graphical user interface,
and X-Windows access -- with an open database architecture and existing
CAD/CAM software applications. The software runs on Sun Microsystems
workstations.

A new View and Mark-Up capability lets non-engineers view and comment
on designs in progress using any machine that can support the X Window
standard, including IBM or compatible personal computers, Apple
Macintoshes, and workstations. This eliminates the need to pass around
paper drawings, the vendor said, and does so with no additional
investment in special CAD/CAM hardware.

The full CADDS 5 package costs US$24,500 per license, Cohen said.
Four subsets are available separately: parametric modelling for
US$12,500; solid modelling for US$6,000; design and drafting for
US$5,500; and View and Mark-Up for US$3,500.

(Grant Buckler/19910626/Press Contact: Peter Cohen, Computervision,
617-275-1800 ext. 5603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 NEW FOR MAC: Instant Update Ships 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00019)

NEW FOR MAC: Instant Update Ships 06/26/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- On
Technology has begun shipping Instant Update, its work-group
software for Macintosh networks. The software lets co-workers
exchange information using what On terms a "live" document.

"Managing group work is like a puzzle, where you're constantly trying
to assemble the whole picture with information that's outdated
immediately after it's printed, copied and distributed," said Zyg
Furmaniuk, product manager for Instant Update.

"Instant Update lets everybody work on their pieces when it's
convenient for them, and allows you to bring in their pieces any time
you want," he added.

Instant Update can turn any text file into a live document. Copies of
the document are sent to selected recipients. Whenever one person
updates the document, the changes are sent to the other users, who
can see what has been changed before updating their copies. An
object-oriented database stores pictures and tables as well as text.

On Technology said Instant Update is suited to managing group task
lists, proposals, design specifications, ad copy, or any activity that
calls for exchanging ongoing information with other members of a team.

Instant Update is fully compatible with System 7.0. It supports basic
Apple events, TrueType fonts, and System 7.0's fast find capability.
The product also includes Balloon Help.

Instant Update's suggested retail price is US$495 per two-user pack
and US$995 per five-user pack. Volume discounts are available. It
supports server-to-server configurations, and does not require a
dedicated server.

Companies that have bought Instant Update or said they plan to do so
include Polaroid, Boston College, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and the
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.

(Grant Buckler/19910626/Press Contact: Marianne Rigo, On Technology,
617-876-0900)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 X.400 LINK FOR IBM E-MAIL TO TELECOM CANADA'S ENVOY 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00020)

X.400 LINK FOR IBM E-MAIL TO TELECOM CANADA'S ENVOY 06/26/91
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- IIS
Technologies has announced PCF 400, software that will link IBM's
PROFS and OfficeVision electronic mail systems to Telecom Canada's
Envoy 100 e-mail service. The software will let any PROFS or
OfficeVision user exchange messages with subscribers to Envoy 100,
using Telecom Canada's EnvoyMHS message handling service.

Telecom Canada spokesman Tom Schwarzkopf said the carrier has
tested the software for reliability, performance, and delivery. It is one of
a number of packages certified for X.400 access to Envoy, including
other packages for large IBM systems, he said.

X.400 is an international standard for exchanging messages among
electronic mail systems.

Envoy 100 is linked to various other e-mail service around the world,
including AT&T Mail, Sprint Mail, and MCI Mail in the United States,
iNet Hong Kong, Teledelta in Sweden, Keylink in Australia,, ATI in
Japan and DACOMMHS in Korea.

(Grant Buckler/19910626/Press Contact: Tom Schwarzkopf, Telecom
Canada, 800-461-7800; Eric Allen, IIS Technologies, 416-890-2773)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 DIGITAL RESEARCH AGREEMENTS PROLIFERATE 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00021)

DIGITAL RESEARCH AGREEMENTS PROLIFERATE 06/26/91
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN26 (NB) -- Following
Digital Research's recent agreement with Multisoft Corp to develop
advanced technology for its DR DOS operating system for IBM PC
and compatible computers, the company has now signed three new
original equipment manufacturing (OEM) agreements with Premier
Innovations Inc., the Soviet-US joint venture Summit Systems, and
with Reddy Information Systems.

The agreement with Premier Innovations calls for the delivery of some
250,000 copies of DR DOS 5.0 for inclusion in the company's new Intel
80286- and 386SX-based systems which are designed for the home
computer market and sold under the KLH Computer brand name.
The operating system will also be used for the company's high-end
386-based Premier brand desktop machines.

The Summit Systems Soviet-US joint venture, which consists of
the U.S.-based CHIPS and Technologies and Management
Partnerships International, and the Soviet-based JV Dialogue and the
Minsk-2 Airport, will use DR DOS on its 286- and 386-based desktops,
which are assembled and distributed in the Soviet Union. A cyrillic
version of DR DOS 3.41 is bundled with the company's 12 megahertz
286-based system, while a copy-protected English version of DR DOS
5.0 comes with the 386DX-based system.

Reddy Information Systems, based in New York, will use DR DOS for
its CD ROM-based multimedia system called RED. According to the
company, the product is the first wearable, hands-free CD ROM
delivery system with a heads-up display for users who need mobility
while accessing large amounts of information.

As a result of the joint development deal with Multisoft, Digital hopes
that the next release of DR DOS will include features to enable users
to maximize the performance of the disc system provided with their
PCs.

(Ian Stokell/19910626/Press Contact: Roberta Atkinson, Digital
Research, 408-646-6016)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 MOSCOW: FIRST SOVIET COMPUTER INSURANCE 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(MOW)(00022)

MOSCOW: FIRST SOVIET COMPUTER INSURANCE 06/26/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- A Moscow-based insurance
company called Asko has become the first Soviet firm to offer
computer insurance.

The company is offering a fairly sophisticated insurance policy that
covers, among other things, fire, theft and emergency damage, as well
as indirect damage to hard disks and other hardware as a result of
staff actions and virus programs.

According to Yury Zhukov, a spokesman for Asko, computer owners can
obtain comprehensive insurance with 24 hours of making a payment
to the company. Payment for insurance is up to 12 percent of the
computer hardware and software's value.

Zhukov told Newsbytes that a large number of computer owners are
contacting the company with a view to obtaining insurance, despite
the fact that such insurance is a brand new phenomenon as far as
most Muscovites are concerned.

According to local industry analysts, Asko is the first independent
insurance company in the U.S.S.R. which offers computer insurance
to customers. This is despite the fact that theft of computers
is a growing problem in the Soviet high technology marketplace.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910626/Press contact: Yury Zhukov, Asko,
phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 MOSCOW: COMMODITY EXCHANGE NETWORK PLANNED 06/26/91

06/26/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00023)

MOSCOW: COMMODITY EXCHANGE NETWORK PLANNED 06/26/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Commodity Exchanges are the
latest aspect of Soviet commerce to be linked via computer. Plans
have been unveiled to interconnect them via Exnet, a
proprietary network of host computers installed across the U.S.S.R.
using leased line circuits.

As with most of the latest high-technology services, the Exnet network
will be operated by a private company. The network, which goes live
this coming fall, is capitalized at 20 million rubles ($US$670,000).

Linking commodity exchanges by computer network is the next major
development in communications. The idea is to capitalize on pricing
differences between exchanges around Russia -- exchanges
are normally in communication with each other due to poor regional
communication links.

Exnet is not the only linked commodity exchange, however. One
already linked-up network known as Relcom allows 7,000 users to
communicate using electronic mail. The Exnet network, however,
is a real-time system.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910626/Press contact: Evgeny Prikhodko, ExNet,
phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 NEW FOR PCS: Ventura Database Publisher Announced 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)

NEW FOR PCS: Ventura Database Publisher Announced 06/26/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- It's been a problem
for a long time - how to get data out of a database and into a great
looking format without having to hand-format everything. Ventura
Software has announced its solution -- Ventura Database Publisher
-- a package that is scheduled to ship later this year.

Unlike many Ventura packages, Database Publisher has been designed to
work with more than one type of software. As well as offering
the expected support for Ventura, the package also supports
Pagemaker and Interleaf data formats as well.

"Ventura Database Publisher provides an essential link between
databases and desktop publishing software," said Larry Gerhard,
president of Ventura Software. "Now businesses can automate the
publishing of updated database information using an easy 8-step
process, and deliver professional, high-quality documents."

Ventura Database Publisher extracts, sorts, and tags information from
database (.DBF) files or text (ASCII) format files such as dBASE,
Formbase, Paradox and Foxbase, Ventura said, then passes the file
created to a desktop publishing package, such as Ventura Publisher,
Pagemaker or Interleaf, which then reads the information, and places
and formats the data.

The product has been heralded as the ideal product for corporations
with major publishing tasks, such as catalogs, price lists,
directories, and other documents based on database information, Ventura
said. Small to medium sized businesses and service bureaus who provide
database publishing services are also listed as profiting from Ventura
Database Publisher, the company said.

"You don't have to be a dBASE programmer to produce elegant documents.
People who never thought that they could publish their database
material themselves -- because it was too complex, too time consuming
or too expensive -- will now be able to with Ventura Database
Publisher," said Lydia Chaverin, director of product marketing for
Ventura.

The product was originally sold in the United Kingdom by The Graphics
Technology Group Software Limited (GTG). "The product has been on the
market since 1989 in England as Database Publisher and has an
excellent track record with companies like Texaco, British Telecom,
Volvo, and the International Stock Exchange," said Graham Sadd,
president of GTG. "We are very pleased that Ventura Software will now
be marketing this product to desktop publishers and database
administrators world-wide."

Ventura said that the package is expected to be available in the
DOS/GEM and Windows editions in the third quarter of this year. An
OS/2 edition has been announced for the first half of 1992.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910626/Press Contact: Elizabeth Kennedy, Hill and
Knowlton, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 VENTURA OFFERS SPECIAL DEALS ON BUNDLES 06/26/91

06/26/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00025)

VENTURA OFFERS SPECIAL DEALS ON BUNDLES 06/26/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Ventura Software has
announced it is bundling free productivity software -- "the gold
mine of value" package -- with each purchase of Ventura Publisher
for both the IBM and Macintosh platforms.

"Ventura Software is teaming up with several leading software
companies to dramatically increase the value of each Ventura Publisher
purchase," said Larry Jordan, senior director of product marketing for
Ventura.

The DOS/GEM 3.0 edition of Ventura Publisher is includes DR DOS 5.0
from Digital Research, the Publisher's Powerpak and Superfont Pak from
Atech Software, Picturepak -- which is a library of 80 clip art images
-- from Marketing Graphics, Biz-pak Style Sheets from Training
Specialists, Ventutor from Webster & Associates, and Mastering Ventura
3.0 - GEM edition from Sybex. These packages retail for a total of
$722, according to Ventura Software.

Ventura Publisher for Windows purchasers receive Adobe Type Manager
and Adobe Typeset I Fonts from Adobe, Picturepak, Biz-pak, Mastering
Ventura for Windows by Sybex, Ventura by Example, by Webster &
Associates and a Ventura Mouse Pad. The Windows gold mine is valued at
$509, Ventura officials said.

The OS/2 version of Ventura Publisher comes with a Ventura Network
Node, Adobe Typeset I Fonts, Picturepak, Biz-pak Style Sheets, The
Ventura Design Companion from Serif Publishing and Ventura by Example.
This package of extras is valued at $787 by Ventura.

Ventura Publisher for Macintosh includes Apple System 7.0, Adobe Type
Manager and Adobe Typeset I Fonts, Picturepak, American English
Writing Guide and Instant Library of Quotations by NOVA Development,
and Wordbridge from Ventura Software. This package is retail valued at
$585, said Ventura.

Users who purchased Ventura Publisher on or after June 15, 1991 will
qualify to receive the package free, if they return the special Gold
Mine of Value sticker from the outside of the Ventura Publisher
package, along with a completed registration card and a proof of
purchase receipt, the company said.

Additional information is available from Ventura Software directly at
[phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910626/Press Contact: Elizabeth Kennedy, Hill and
Knowlton, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26  ****PAGING SERVICE BETWEEN JAPAN-U.S. STARTS 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00026)

 ****PAGING SERVICE BETWEEN JAPAN-U.S. STARTS 06/26/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- NTT International, a subsidiary of
Japan's major telecom firm NTT, will start providing radio paging
services between Japan and the U.S. this September. The new service
is a link-up between NTTI of Japan and Mobile Telecommunication
Technology of Mississippi in the U.S.

Initially, the service will be offered as an optional extra to MTT's
radio paging subscribers in the U.S. These same pagers will also be
available to Japanese subscribers of NTTI's service while they
are in the U.S.

Despite the international aspect of the service, the radio paging links
will only be available initially on a one-way basis between Japan
and the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Monthly subscription start at
8,000 yen ($60) with a connection/usage charge of 200 yen ($1.50) per
minute.

To use the service, subscribers must dial a four digit number in
Japan followed by 003. The pager service supports the entry of the
paging person's phone number, with voice mail links available as an
optional extra.

NTT International is planning to expand its international service area
to include Mexico, Canada, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, and
Thailand in the near future.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910626/Press Contact: NTT International, +81-3-
5562-7740)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 SUPER-FAMICON SET FOR LAUNCH INTO THE U.S. SOON 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00027)

SUPER-FAMICON SET FOR LAUNCH INTO THE U.S. SOON 06/26/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- It's official -- Nintendo's Super-
Famicon home computer system is being readied for launch in the U.S.
this coming September. Nintendo reports that mail orders for the
machine are already into the high hundreds.

The U.S. name for the Super-Famicon will be the Super NES.
The machine has become a best-seller on the domestic Japanese market
since it was released last November, despite the fact that it is
incompatible with the original Famicon computer system.

In Japan, Nintendo reports that sales of the $200 unit have topped the
two million mark, a figure it hopes to easily double by the end of the
year, thanks to pent-up demand in the U.S.

So far, Nintendo has sold about 30 million units of the eight-bit
version of the Famicon computer system in the U.S. The machine has
almost saturated the market, as witnessed by a 29 percent sales slump
of the machine during the first quarter of this year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910626/Press Contact: Nintendo, [phone],
Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 NEW FOR PCS: EZ-FAXit For Windows 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00028)

NEW FOR PCS: EZ-FAXit For Windows 06/26/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Calculus, Inc.
has announced EZ-FAXit for Windows 3.0, a PC-compatible fax card
with Windows 3.0 fax software.

The product features optimized RAM configurations requiring as
little as 4K of conventional memory, send/receive in the "true"
background from any Windows 3.0 application and easy installation,
the company says.

Once installed under Windows 3.0, EZ-FAXit provides all Windows
applications with faxing capability, the company says. The user
selects EZ-FAXit from the Windows printer dialog box and "prints."
There is no restriction as to what can be faxed, the company says,
and fonts and graphics can be faxed from any application.

Using a dual processor design to allow "true" background
operation, the fax card can concurrently send/receive faxes,
convert a document to fax format, scan pages and print received
faxes while a foreground Windows application is running, the
company says.

Both a 4,800-bps version and a 9,600-bps version are available for
$299 and $499 respectively. For more information, call 408/733-7800.

(Computer Currents/19910625)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26 JAPANESE SOFTWARE HOUSES FORM UNIX ASSOCIATION 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00029)

JAPANESE SOFTWARE HOUSES FORM UNIX ASSOCIATION 06/26/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Several Japanese software houses
have banded together to firm the Unix Business Association. The
primary aim of the not-for-profit consortium is to produce integrated
application software for the Unix operating system.

The consortium is spearheaded by the Japanese PC software technical
laboratory, which is in turn supported by some 50 software houses.
Sign-ups to the consortium will be accepted from July 1 onwards.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910626)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 26  ****SUPER-FAST G3-FAX MACHINE BREAKTHROUGH ANNOUNCED 06/26/91

06/26/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00030)

 ****SUPER-FAST G3-FAX MACHINE BREAKTHROUGH ANNOUNCED 06/26/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 26 (NB) -- Mitsubishi Electric has developed a
prototype version of a new fax machine that supports an ultra-fast
transmission speed. Because it is based on the existing Group III
standard, the unit will have a production price significantly less
than existing Group IV fax machines.

The Mitsubishi prototype transmits a standard A4-sized document in
under five seconds - almost as fast as a Group IV unit. Plans call for
production versions of the machine to be put on retail sale this
fall.

According to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper, Mitsubishi has developed the
new fax machine by equipping its existing chassis with a faster modem
and incorporating the very latest graphic data compression technology.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910626/Press Contact: Mitsubishi Electric, +81-3-
3218-2332, Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUN 25  ****NCR OFFERS WINDOWS FOR PEN ON NEW NOTEPAD 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001)

 ****NCR OFFERS WINDOWS FOR PEN ON NEW NOTEPAD 06/25/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced that NCR will offer Microsoft Windows for Pen Computing
on its new pen-based notepad computer, the NCR 3125. At the same
time Microsoft announced that the second beta test release of the
Windows for Pens development kit is now available.

According to Alok Mohan, NCR's vice president of workstations
products: "NCR believes the 3125 combined with Windows for Pens
will catalyze the rapid adoption of pen computers." Mohan added that
he feels that customers and developers will create new applications
or leverage existing applications, development tools, training and
experience.

Windows for Pen Computing is a graphical operating system that
makes available to users of existing retail Windows-based applications
the ability to point, tap, drag, and write. The NCR 3125 is a pen-based
computer notepad designed specifically to work with pen computing. It
is expected to ship by the end of the year.

More than 100 independent software vendors have committed to
produce applications that take advantage of specific pen features in
the Windows environment for pen computing. Some of the companies
writing for pen computing are Aldus Corporation, Borland International,
Formworx, KPMG Peat Marwick, Micrografx, Power Up! Software
Corporation, Software Publishing Corp, Ventura Software, and
Wordstar International.

Several companies, including Microsoft Corporation, are developing
handwriting recognition engines that will make Windows for Pens
available in foreign languages.

(Jim Mallory/19910625/Press Contact: Connie Ballmer, Waggener Edstrom,
206-637-9097)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 ALIAS ANNOUNCES UPGRADES, PRICE CUTS 06/25/91

06/25/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00002)

ALIAS ANNOUNCES UPGRADES, PRICE CUTS 06/25/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Alias Research
has announced upgrades of its PowerAnimator and AliasStudio
software packages. The company also cut prices on its Designer
and Animator products, as well as on PowerAnimator.

The new PowerAnimator 3.1 simplifies character animation by allowing
users to animate groups of points on a surface. "Details like facial
expressions suddenly become a lot easier to do," said Pat
Anderson, an Alias spokeswoman.

A new camera model makes the point of view on a scene easier to
control, a local parameter control window gives individual control of
objects, and a set editor lets users add objects to a set or remove
them after the set is created, Alias said.

New and enhanced visualization features also make it easier to
create and use textures and to control lighting. Anti-aliased lines are
also available and modeling features have also been enhanced, the
company said.

Alias Studio 3.1, the latest release of the company's industrial
design software, incorporates some of the same new modeling and
visualization features as the new PowerAnimator release, along with
some additional modeling features of its own.

Alias has cut the price of PowerAnimator from US$20,000 to
US$15,000, and its Alias Animator package from US$22,000 to
US$14,000. Alias Designer, a lower-priced industrial design package,
has been reduced from US$12,000 to US$10,000. Alias Studio 3.1 is
priced at US$25,000.

The software runs on Silicon Graphics' Personal Iris workstations and
on IBM RISC System/6000 machines.

(Grant Buckler/19910625/Press Contact: Pat Anderson, Alias Research,
416-362-9181, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25  ****DELL ANNOUNCES UPGRADEABLE 486 FAMILY 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

 ****DELL ANNOUNCES UPGRADEABLE 486 FAMILY 06/25/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A. 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Dell Computer has
announced a family of Intel 80486-based systems, two of which will
use the i486 50 megahertz microprocessor.

Other new Dell systems include six processor-upgradable
workstations and floor standing computers. According to Joel Kocher,
Dell's VP of US sales: "Our product strategy for the Powerline series is
based on providing solutions that meet both present and future
requirements for the growing base of workstation and workgroup
applications for sophisticated PC users."

Three models, the 420DE, the 433DE and the 450DE workstations are
packaged in Dell's mid-size chassis. The 420DE will use the Intel
486SX 20 megahertz chip. The 433DE is a 33 megahertz unit,
while the 450DE will run on the 50 megahertz chip. Each unit contains
a dedicated microprocessor slot for plug in processor upgrade cards.

With more manufacturers introducing 486-based machines, delivery
may be uncertain. Intel has said it could not promise delivery of the 486
chips until the third quarter of this year.

Additional information on the new Dell units can be obtained by
calling the company at 800-937-1470.

(Jim Mallory/19910625/Press Contact: Lisa Rohlf, Dell, 512-338-8626)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25  ****NO MORE RADIO SHACK RETAIL OUTLETS? 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)

 ****NO MORE RADIO SHACK RETAIL OUTLETS? 06/25/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- In a move which
could eventually eliminate the Radio Shack Computer Center retail
stores, Tandy Corporation has announced the restructuring of the
centers to a non-retail sales format.

Tandy claims that this will lead to the conversion of some locations
to either sales offices or Radio Shack stores, the opening of new sales
offices, and the closing of sites unsuitable for the new format. Tandy
says that the de-emphasizing of retail business through the Computer
Centers will result in significant overhead savings. The company also
says it will continue to sell the Tandy line of computers in over
1,600 stores plus participating dealers, and expects very little
impact on its computer sales as a result of the restructuring.

Newsbytes previously reported that Tandy would begin operation of
Computer City Supercenters, which will open in at least six markets
during 1991. Tandy says it has reduced overheads significantly at its
Grid subsidiary by the transfer of manufacturing operations from
Fremont, California to the Fort Worth facility. Tandy will also open
its first manufacturing and repair facility in Scotland in September
to produce the Victor PC line. Victor machines are presently being
manufactured by outside vendors.

Tandy estimates it will reduce annual costs by $50 million by
implementing these moves. When queried by Newsbytes about his
future with Radio Shack, a sales person in one Colorado store said
that while employees had been asked not to comment to the press,
he felt "confident."

(Jim Mallory/19910625/Press Contact:Philip Bradtmiller, Tandy, 817-
390-3730)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25  ****TANDY ANNOUNCES NEW 386SX NOTEBOOK 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)

 ****TANDY ANNOUNCES NEW 386SX NOTEBOOK 06/25/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Radio Shack has
introduced the Tandy 3810 HD, its first Intel 80386SX-based notebook
PC. The new unit will ship with Microsoft DOS version 5.0.

Weighing slightly under seven pounds including the battery, the 20
megahertz system comes with one megabyte (MB) of RAM, one 3.5 inch
1.44 MB floppy drive, an internal 60 MB hard drive, a VGA display, an
84-key keyboard with 101-key emulation, and a real-time clock with
battery backup. The RAM is expandable to 5MB, and the hard drive has
an average access time of 19 milliseconds.

In addition to DOS 5.0, the 3810 HD will be bundled with Tandy's
DeskMate 3.5. The unit runs on a rechargeable Nicad battery, which
can be recharged with the computer turned off in two hours. The charger
is included. Utilizing Tandy's Power Management system, the backlit
display, hard drive and modem automatically shut down after a user-
designated time. Battery status monitoring is also included, and the
user receives a visual alert when the case is closed with the unit
still turned on.

A slot for an internal modem is provided, as is a socket for an
80387SX-20 coprocessor. The unit comes with one parallel port, one
serial port and connections for an external keyboard, monitor and disk
drive.

(Jim Mallory/19910625/Press Contact:Fran McGehee, Radio Shack, 817-
390-3487)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 AUSTRALIA: ELECTRONIC TAX RETURN FOR TAXPAYERS 06/25/91

06/25/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00006)

AUSTRALIA: ELECTRONIC TAX RETURN FOR TAXPAYERS 06/25/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Following two years of
successful tax return lodgements by tax agents, the Australian Tax
department is extending the service to individual tax payers. The
Electronic Lodgement Service (ELS) will extend to terminals in post
offices, tax agents and some larger accounting firms.

These service providers will be allowed to charge $20 for the service,
though the fee is fully deductible. Self-preparers will be able to
lodge their forms without having used any preparation services which
might be available from the service provider. The Tax Department
predicts that returns will be processed in two weeks - not the eight
to ten weeks it currently takes for mailed returns.

The ELS network is based on Prime computers, and it is expected to
handle 70 percent of individual returns, although most of these will
still be tax-agent prepared.

(Paul Zucker/19910625)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25  ****AUSTRALIA: IBM APPOINTS PS/2 DISTRIBUTOR 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00007)

 ****AUSTRALIA: IBM APPOINTS PS/2 DISTRIBUTOR 06/25/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- IBM has signalled its
recognition that times have changed in the microcomputer marketplace
by appointing a master distributor for its PC products in Australia.

The new PS/2 distributor is MicroAustralia, probably the largest PC
software distributor in the country. It already offers Epson and Wyse
products in its line-up.

It is uncertain as yet how the IBMs will be positioned. IBM's David
Thodey says MicroAustralia will be able to penetrate markets yet
untapped, and thereby increase IBM's market share. The partnership
will be launched in July with a roadshow.

In another move, IBM is reported to be putting much of its PS/2 sales
and marketing group into dealerships over the next months "to let
them see the real world." It is unsure whether the reps will close sales
for the dealers, or just assist. Compaq in Australia says this move
will not clear the situation where IBM reps have been competing with
existing dealers for declining markets.

(Paul Zucker/19910625/Contact IBM - Louise Roberts [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 NEW FOR MAC: Connectivite Intros Mac/IBM Mainframe Link 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00008)

NEW FOR MAC: Connectivite Intros Mac/IBM Mainframe Link 06/25/91
TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Connectivite
Corporation has announced Both, a package that interfaces Macintosh
computers with IBM mainframes.

According to Connectivite: "This next generation product represents
the only application development software on the market which can
link a Macintosh workstation to an IBM mainframe without a need for
modifications to the host application."

Bill Brown, networking & communications product manager of Apple
Computer, commenting on the new offering from Connective, said:
"This product is targeted at corporate America. It addresses the needs
of today's PC user by providing easy access to mainframe-based
information systems from within the familiar context of a Macintosh
application."

"This allows users to focus on their job, rather than struggle with
the technology. Both is a significant advance in Macintosh-to-
mainframe integration because it enables the rapid creation of
Macintosh front-ends for existing host applications without the need
for traditional programming skills," he added.

Connectivite President Omar Azmy, portraying Both as a logical
extension of its earlier product, Masquerade, said: "With Masquerade,
we demonstrated to the market that building GUI (graphical user
interface) front-ends to mainframe applications doesn't have to be an
arduous, programming intensive undertaking. Now, with Both, we have
combined ease-of-use with power, creating a product that can handle
the most complex host applications."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910625/Press Contact: Fred
Schlaffer, Connectivite Corporation, 914-631-5365)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 ARTIST SHOWS COMPUTER DESIGNED OLYMPIC STAMPS 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00009)

ARTIST SHOWS COMPUTER DESIGNED OLYMPIC STAMPS 06/25/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Joni Carter,
computer painter, has unveiled an Olympic Game stamp series at PC
Expo in New York.

The series of stamps are unusual in that they were designed and painted
on desktop computers. The five-stamp series will be officially issued on
July 12th at the Los Angeles Olympic Sports Festival.

Carter was commissioned by the United States Postal Service (USPS)
and developed the series using off-the-shelf PC hardware, software and
multimedia products which she has joined together to form a travelling
art studio. The studio presently contains two IBM PS/2 computers,
painting software with more than 16 million colors and a special
stylus and pad that serve as the artist's brush.

Mike Braun, vice president of IBM's Multimedia Division, commented on
Carter's work, saying: "Joni Carter has been instrumental in
establishing the computer as a fine art medium. She is an outstanding
example of how the PC can be used as a tool to extend an individual's
creative potential."

The commemorative mint edition series, from which 190 million stamps
will be distributed, contains paintings by Carter of five different
track and field sports. The Los Angeles official issuing of the stamps
will be done at Drake Stadium on the UCLA campus during the opening
day ceremonies of the festival.

The selection of Carter for the production of the stamps was explained
by Joe Brockert, USPS Stamp Marketing Division manager for stamp
design, who said: "The U.S. Postal Service selected Joni first for the
bold sports imagery she creates. The fact that she paints on the
computer helped because it gave her the flexibility to present
different images, color combinations -- all in various sizes --
throughout the approval process. That meant the selection committee
could envision all the design options, right from the start."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910625/Press Contact: Kate
Richardson, Joni Carter, Ltd., 213-859-2357)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 NEW FOR PC: Postsaver For Mail Management 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00010)

NEW FOR PC: Postsaver For Mail Management 06/25/91
TROY, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Postsaver Systems has
announced Postsaver, a mail list management program which the
company says is designed to provide maximum price reduction on
postage for business mailers.

Postsaver uses standard office equipment to print US Postal Service
defined postal codes, including bar codes and Zip plus 4 for lists
of up to 64,000 addresses. The company says that later this year
businesses using Postsaver will be able to experience additional cost
savings by using postal service wide area equipment, which was
announced this week.

Wide area equipment includes automated bar coding, and according to
Postsaver president Ted Kruse: "Using Postsaver on a personal
computer and an inexpensive printer, business mailers can save up to
27 percent in postal rates through wide area bar coding."

The USPS announced that businesses can save money with the wide
area bar coding format, which allows placement of the bar code in other
areas of the envelope, including name and address blocks on invoices
mailed in window envelopes. Use of the wide area equipment provides
savings on mailings of larger envelopes, called flats.

Postsaver features a data import/export feature which takes advantage
of the USPS free address validation service. The program generates
USPS Postnet bar codes and provides interfaces for simplifying the
import and export of data to the USPS database program.

Companies can take advantage of the postal service Coding Accuracy
Support System (CASS), a service which provides validation of
addresses while providing Zip plus 4 numbers and categories, such as
apartment, post office boxes and street addresses. The returned list can
then be imported to Postsaver.

(Jim Mallory/19910625/Press Contact:Sally Smith,Smith & Associates for
Postsaver, 513-438-1133)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 IBM UNVEILS FIRST MULTICHIP PACKAGE FOR DESKTOPS 06/25/91

06/25/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(NYC)(00011)

IBM UNVEILS FIRST MULTICHIP PACKAGE FOR DESKTOPS 06/25/91
YASU, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- IBM has introduced the industry's
first 'thin film' multichip module for workstations and personal computers.

The announcement, made in Yasu, Japan, was the result of a joint
project among scientists and engineers at IBM's T.J. Watson Research
Center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., the Advanced Workstations Division
in Austin, Texas, and the Yasu Technology Applications Laboratory in
Yasu, Japan.

The announcement concerning the new product said that the:
"developers expect that the new package will eventually allow
processing speeds in small computers to reach 100 MegaHertz (MHz)
and beyond - that's more than double the speed of IBM's RISC
System/6000 Model 550. They believe the new package, based on
relatively inexpensive and well-understood semiconductor technology,
will bring the benefits of multichip packages - once reserved for
mainframes - to smaller computers."

The prototype module holds nine computer chips - and 100 feet of
connecting wire - in a two-inch-square package that promises dramatic
increases in speed and power for desktop computers. To demonstrate
the new module, IBM developers incorporated it in prototype versions
of the IBM RISC System/6000 Model 540 and Model 320 series.

IBM's release on the new product concluded by saying that the
development team: "has 'qualified' the new multichip module, which
means, it has passed the reliability tests required by IBM for
production."

IBM spokesperson Linda Post, however, cautioned Newsbytes about
expecting to see a new desktop use this technology in the immediate
future. "Although the team has qualified the chip module as being
protection ready, design decisions remain," she said.

"We must choose the computer in which to install this system and then
make the engineering modifications necessary for its installation.
Once that is done, we'll be ready for production and it's hard to say
how long the process will take," she added.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910625/Press Contact: Linda
Currey Post, IBM, 914-945-2885)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 COMING SOON: BBS MILLIONAIRES 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

COMING SOON: BBS MILLIONAIRES 06/25/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- If an ordinary
bulletin board operator predicted someone might make $1 million from
running a board, he would be laughed out of the room. When Jack
Rickard says it, however, you take it seriously.

Rickard edits 'Boardwatch,' a $36-a-year monthly which, he claims,
takes an unbiased look at the industry. He also says that top
executives at Fortune 500 companies read Boardwatch to learn where
the hobbyist bulletin board system (BBS) movement is headed. Now
Rickard says it is headed straight-up.

"I'm enormously optimistic, just from what I've seen in the last year
or two," he told Newsbytes. "A few years ago I would be laughed at
when I said people could make money at this. Now we have a few who
are making money, 50-60 boards doing $3,000 a month in cash flow."

Right now, "the opportunities as a business are enormous. Most
operators have no business acumen yet they're still drawing a crowd.
I would be safe in saying that in 3 years they'll be 20 people walking
around -- clear cut millionaires running bulletin board systems," he
said.

"Several hundred will be making a good living at it." He added that
while file uploads and downloads remain the forte of today's boards,
he expects to see more special-topic boards devoted to hobbies and
professions in the next few years. He also says that the common
conception of a BBS operator, that of a nerdy, unsocialized gent with
thick glasses, a gut to match, and a megalamaniacal streak, is now
way off base.

"I'm uncomfortable with any characterizations of sysops. Once I get
it fixed in my mind I'll sit down with some others who are completely
different from my conception," he told Newsbytes.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910625/Press Contact: Boardwatch, Jack Rickard,
303-973-6038)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25  ****NEW EVEREX SYSTEMS PRODUCTS PLANNED FOR PC EXPO 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00013)

 ****NEW EVEREX SYSTEMS PRODUCTS PLANNED FOR PC EXPO 06/25/91
FREMONT, CA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Everex Systems is planning
to announce an assortment of new products at PC Expo, in New York.
Everex's new product offerings include modems and communications
software, tape backup systems, and scanners.

The new Evercom 96+ internal 9600 bits-per-second (bps) and the
Evercom 96E+ external 9600 bps modems both support the V.32
international communications standard, V.42 and MNP Class 2, 3 and 4
error correction, along with V.42bis and MNP 5 data compression. Both
modems are available immediately and are priced at $649 for the 96+
and $699 for the 96E+.

The EverFax 24/96 with EFax software now supports background faxing,
WYSIWYG (What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get) capabilities, and lower
memory requirements. The EverFax 24/96 is now shipping at the retail
price of $399.

The Excel 120F is a 120 megabyte (MB) floppy tape backup system that
will be available the first week of July for the suggested price of $359 in
an internal configuration. According to the company, the system can
double its storage capacity to 240 MB by using Everex's FTAPE
software. The Excel 120F and 60F include Everex's FTAPE software
which handles all backup functions and allows for background
formatting.

Abaton, a subsidiary of Everex, also plans to announce a 300 dots-per-
inch color scanner designed for both IBM PCs and compatibles and Apple
Macintosh computers, called the Scan 300/Color. The 24-bit product can
scans color, grayscale, halftone and line art images, and offers an
optional 20 page document feeder. The Scan 300/Color is bundled with
Adobe Photoshop for Macintosh systems and Color Lab for PC systems,
and is now available for $1,995.

(Ian Stokell/19910625/Press Contact: Jeff Bruce, Everex Systems Inc.,
415-683-2276)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 NEW CD-ROM MARKETING GROUP FORMED 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00014)

NEW CD-ROM MARKETING GROUP FORMED 06/25/91
GREAT NEC, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Harry Fox,
president of Advanced Strategies, a New York-based consulting firm,
has spear-headed the creation of the MultiMedia Publishers Group, an
association of CD-ROM publishers who are banding together to
promote the sales of low-priced CD-ROM discs selling mostly in the
$30-to-$150 range.

Membership is free to those publishers who wish to participate and
while several charter members are already signed up, the only well-
known one being Grolier Electronic Publishing, Fox told Newsbytes
that the response had already been terrific, with more than 40
vendors' products submitted for MultiMedia Publishers Group
approval.

MPG, according to Fox, who was the force behind development of the
Headstart CD-ROM computer, has to evaluate and approve prospective
members' products and will be issuing an MPG Seal-of-Approval. The
new association will not endorse any specific operating environment,
instead being prepared to supply software for any installed base.

Those wishing to join should contact Fox at 516-482-0088. Fox
indicates that he expects to have about 20 member companies
involved in MultiMedia Publishers Group by the end of this year.

(John McCormick/19910625/Press Contact: Harry Fox, MPG, 516-482-0088)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 NEW FOR PC: Arkenstone Portable Hand Scanner for Disabled 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00015)

NEW FOR PC: Arkenstone Portable Hand Scanner for Disabled 06/25/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Visually impaired
computer users often make use of an optical scanner linked to optical
character recognition software to let them read printed documents, but
these are normally desktop systems unsuitable for moving between home
and office as needed. Arkenstone's new 8.5-inch wide, two-pound
scanner meets the needs of those who need scanner capability in more
than one location.

Priced at only $895, this 400 dots-per-inch scanner comes with
software, cables, and one interface card for IBM AT or MicroChannel
computers. Being a handheld scanner, the user just passes the device
down a page and it starts reading the text, but, unlike other handheld
scanners, such as the Logitech Scanman which is only about four inches
wide, the Arkenstone Hand Scanner will copy a full typed page in one
pass and requires no careful alignment to combine text or capture
columns.

The new product uses Calera Recognition System's TrueScan
recognition board, provided at a significant discount to visually
impaired users. The system does not include speech synthesis
software or hardware or the necessary 16-bit computer. The
recognition software is available in English, German, and French
language versions.

Arkenstone is a non-profit high technology company located at:
1185-D Bordeaux Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089; telephone
800-444-4443, or 408-752-2200; or fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910625/Press Contact: Jim Fruchterman,
Arkenstone, 800-444-4443 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 AUSTRALIA: LAWYERS TO TAP INTO AI SYSTEM 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00016)

AUSTRALIA: LAWYERS TO TAP INTO AI SYSTEM 06/25/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- An artificial
intelligence (AI) system has been established to cut litigation rates in
marginal cases. The first model by La Trobe University's Database
Research Laboratory covers the Victorian Accidents Compensation
Act (also known as WorkCare)

The Intelligent Knowledge-based Legal System was initiated in 1989,
and work was initially carried out on an IBM-PC compatible system
running Goldworks. However, due to limitations in this system, the
development moved to the Macintosh, utilizing HyperCard. The
advantages of HyperCard for the development team were its freeform
basis and the general ease of use of the Macintosh system, which
had to be taken into account due to lawyer's lack of enthusiasm for
computers.

WorkCare was used for the first model as it was recently introduced,
and was fairly clear, which meant a limited number of litigations had
been initiated. It also meant lawyers in the field had to be regularly
updated on movements in the area. The system works by using both
rule-based and case-based reasoning techniques. Once rules are
used, and a ruling is still unclear, the cases are taken into consideration.
It is hoped the system can be commercialized over the next few years.

(Sean McNamara/19910625)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 MCDONNELL INTROS CAD GEOGRAPHIC SYSTEM TO ASIA 06/25/91

06/25/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00017)

MCDONNELL INTROS CAD GEOGRAPHIC SYSTEM TO ASIA 06/25/91
TSIMSHATSUI, KOWLOON, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- McDonnell
Douglas Information Systems (MDIS) has introduced its Graphics Design
System (GDS) to the Asian marketplace, targeting users in the architectural,
engineering and construction (AEC) and geographic information systems
(GIS) sectors.

GDS is a computer-aided design and management system that runs on
technical workstations and can be built up in modules as the user's
needs develop. In Europe, Japan and the USA, GDS is already widely
used for managing large multidisciplinary design and construction
projects.

The drawing process is accelerated by GDS' ability to construct
standard geometric shapes with a single command, automatically
adapting the shape to its context. An extensive library of line styles
and character sets helps to give drawings contrast and clarity.

GDS can be used for colour three-dimensional modelling, external and
internal space planning, terrain modelling, structural analysis and design,
detail design of building services and reinforced concrete, and digital
mapping. It supports the IGES standard, enabling it to exchange data
with other CAD (computer-assisted design) systems. Typical users are
government agencies, utilities, property developers, transport
authorities and retailers.

(Norman Wingrove/19910625/Press Contact: Jim Ho, MDIS, Tel + 852 735
3886, Fax + 852 735 3502; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 SAS EXTENDS SUPPORT FOR UNIX 06/25/91

06/25/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00018)

SAS EXTENDS SUPPORT FOR UNIX 06/25/91
WESTERN, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- The SAS Institute has
reinforced its presence in the Unix market by extending support to
four additional Unix platforms.

Release 6.07 of the SAS Applications System, integrated software for
accessing managing, analysing and presenting data, supports Silicon
Graphics' workstations, Sun Microsystems' Sun-3 and Sun-4
workstations, and Hewlett-Packard's HP 9000 Series 700 and 800. It is
also Open Look compliant for SunOS users.

"SAS is committed to becoming the leading supplier of applications
software in the Unix market," said Nigel Gasper, general manager of
SAS Institute in Hong Kong. "With this latest announcement, the SAS
Applications System is available on all the leading Unix platforms,"
he added.

"This is one more demonstration of the company's overall commitment
to open systems - a commitment which has cost us HK$1000 million,
1,000 man-years, 3.5 million lines of code, and six years of time."

The highlight of Release 6.07 is enhanced interactivity, provided
through an X Windows-based graphical user interface, a new graphics
editor in the SAS/Graph module, and SAS/Insight, a new interactive
statistical graphics product.

(Norman Wingrove/19910625/Press Contact: Nigel Gasper, SAS, Tel + 852
540 3160, Fax + 852 858 2658; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 ECONOMIC PRESSURES PROMOTING IN-HOUSE TRAINING 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019)

ECONOMIC PRESSURES PROMOTING IN-HOUSE TRAINING 06/25/91
READING, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- In tough
economic times such as these, companies watch every dollar they spend.
Training budgets are not exempt, but one training firm contends the news is
not all bad.

Technology Exchange Company, a two-year-old subsidiary of publisher
Addison-Wesley, has expanded its list of computer-related courses this
year. Vivien Sudhalter, director of marketing, told Newsbytes that
economic pressures mean employee productivity is more important than
ever, which means training is vital. Though companies are trying to
cut costs, many are doing so by arranging for on-site training
sessions rather than sending employees to remote classes. "They can
save a good deal of money," she said.

Founded in 1990, Technology Exchange Company offers four-day
courses on subjects such as database design, Unix system
administration, object-oriented design and X Window System
programming. Briefer overview classes are also available. The
company has added 11 new courses to its catalog this year. Sudhalter
would not say how many students the company trains annually.

(Grant Buckler/19910625/Press Contact: Kim Dawley, Technology Exchange
Company, 617-944-3700, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER FOR CANADIAN BANKS 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00020)

ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER FOR CANADIAN BANKS 06/25/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- The Canadian
Payments Association and Canada's large banks are well on the way
to arriving at a set of rules for electronic funds transfer. A logical
companion to electronic data interchange (EDI), an EFT standard
would let companies pay their bills electronically rather than by check.

The CPA set up an EDI Support Group earlier this year to work on EDI
payments standards and consider related issues. Wendy Hope,
manager of communications for the CPA, told Newsbytes the goal is to
arrive at a set of standards by this December.

Some member banks of the Canadian Payments Association have
been involved in funds transfer pilots with corporate customers for
some time.

The standards effort could make Canada the first country to have an
intercorporate electronic funds transfer system embracing all its
major financial institutions. This is easier to achieve for Canada,
which has fewer than a dozen large, nationwide banks, than for
countries such as the United States where banks are smaller and
more numerous.

(Grant Buckler/19910625/Press Contact: Wendy Hope, Canadian Payments
Association, 613-238-4173, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 NEW FOR TELECOM: Hayes Ultra 14,400 BPS Modems 06/25/91

06/25/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

NEW FOR TELECOM: Hayes Ultra 14,400 BPS Modems 06/25/91
NORCROSS, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- One week after
celebrating the 10th birthday of its original Smartmodem, Hayes
has announced the V-series Ultra Smartmodem 14400, a V.32bis
compatible product running at 14,400 bits/second. With V.42bis error
correction, the new modem will be able to move data at up to 38,400
bits/second, company officials claim.

Hayes said the Ultra 144 also delivers connectivity to SNA, X.25 and
ISDN networks and supports nearly every modem application in
mainframe, workstation, and PC environments. The modem's built-in X.25
Packet Assembler-Disassembler, or PAD, will let users support up to 4
simultaneous communication sessions over packet networks like
SprintNet and provides the analog-to-digital conversions necessary for
digital ISDN connections through packet nets.

Announcing the new modem, President Dennis Hayes noted that change
isn't as fast in his business as some folks lead on. "CCITT V.32 has
been around for seven years, and it's just now replacing 2400
bit/second as the business standard for high speed modems." The new
modem also supports the Hayes AutoSync technology for synchronous
communications, MI/MIC for support of PBX systems, and V.25bis for
synchronous autodialing. The retail price will be $1,199 and
deliveries start in August.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910625/Press Contact: Peggy Ballard, Hayes, 404-
840-9200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 ARIX WINS GSA TOPS CONTRACT 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00022)

ARIX WINS GSA TOPS CONTRACT 06/25/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- ARIX, builder of high-
performance, symmetric multiprocessor Unix systems, has been awarded
a $1 million contract to provide the U.S. General Services
Administration with a Telecommunications Ordering and Pricing
System for a pilot program.

Under the contract, ARIX will install five of its System90/45 and
System90/25 systems as the base hardware platform for the TOPS test
and will also provide software and other associated hardware for the
system.

TOPS is designed to provide the GSA with extensive detailed reporting
of telephone equipment inventories as well as telecommunications lines
leased and owned by the government.

The GSA, the U.S. government's housekeeping department, is in charge
of purchasing and selling most goods used by federal agencies.

(John McCormick/19910625/Press Contact: Joe Holden, ARIX Corp., 703-
578-6920)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 NEW FOR NETWORKS: 3Com's Graphical Network Troubleshooting 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00023)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: 3Com's Graphical Network Troubleshooting 06/25/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- 3Com has
announced Viewbuilder, graphics-based network management software for
3Com networking software to help troubleshoot network problems.

3Com says the new software portrays the network components as icons,
so the network administrator has "at-a-glance" visual representation
of the network, and can visually diagnoses problems. The administrator
can "zoom in" to see a smaller portion of the network, or "zoom out"
to view the entire network. The company says the primary use of the
product is to manage detection and correction of wiring problems, and
to performance management and configuration management of the network.

Viewbuilder adheres to the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Standard and provides management of 3Com's Linkbuilder intelligent
wiring hubs, Netbuilder bridges and routers, and the Com Systems
CS/2000 and CS/2100 terminal servers, 3Com said.

An OS/2-based optional graphical hub management application is
available with the product to work with 3Com's Linkbuilder intelligent
wiring hubs, the company said. The graphical Linkbuilder application
for Viewbuilder provides a graphical image of the Linkbuilder front-
panel so the administrator can see the configuration of the hub.

Pop-up menus are also provided so the administrator can get hub,
segment and port-level information and control, and hubs on the
network can be remotely `booted' by the network administrator from the
network management station, said 3Com. Further, optional desktop
management application is also available to provide statistical and
fault information at the adapter level, and desktop hardware and
software configuration information, the company said.

The Desktop Management for Viewbuilder uses the Adapter Management
Protocol (AMP) for 3Com Adapters. The company claims the AMP software
is particularly suited for managing memory constrained devices because
it only takes 10K, so it takes a minimal loss of workstation
performance or of memory needed to run other applications.

3Com quotes user Claude King, senior systems analyst, University of
Florida as saying: "ViewBuilder gives me what I need -- end station
monitoring where I choose, SNMP agents on any segment, control of my
brouters, graphic net mapping, and most importantly the ability to
preprogram tasks and alerts that act automatically when thresholds and
conditions are met. My boss rests easier when I'm away because the
system is self configuring."

3Com says that, although AMP is its proprietary protocol, the company
actively supports industry standard protocols for network management.
It points to a recent submission to the Institute of Electronic and
Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.1B standards committee a proposed
protocol for managing adapters in Ethernet or Token Ring local area
networks (LANs) based on the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI)/Common
Management Internetworking Protocol (CMIP) standard known as
Heterogeneous LAN Management (HLM). After the IEEE's decision on and
announcement of a 802.1B standard, 3Com is making a commitment to make
available instruments based on the standard for future releases of
Viewbuilder.

3Com has announced Viewbuilder Basic Network Management is now
available from 3Com directly, and through its distribution channels,
for $3,995. Desktop Management and the Graphical Linkbuilder
Application for Viewbuilder are also available now for $2,495 each.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910625/Press Contact: Megan Humpal, Franson,
Hagerty & Associates, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 IBM'S MOVE TO JOIN XGA STANDARD COMMITTEE UNPRECEDENTED 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)

IBM'S MOVE TO JOIN XGA STANDARD COMMITTEE UNPRECEDENTED 06/25/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- The Video
Electronics Standards Association (VESA), the standards organization
for personal computer display graphics, has announced that IBM has
begun to play an active part on the VESA XGA (eXtended Graphics Array)
technical committee.

VESA says this is the first time IBM and VESA have worked together to
establish a unified graphics platform to meet the needs of PC end-
users. The VESA calls this move on IBM's part "unprecedented," as it
has been IBM who in the past set the standards for the personal
computer industry.

This is specially significant since the XGA was developed at IBM's
Hursley Labs in the United Kingdom and introduced on October 30, 1990
as one of the standard features of IBM's PS/2 Model 90 XP 486 and
Model 95 XP 486.

"XGA was developed to meet the increasing needs of users for a
powerful, high-resolution PC graphics platform," said Jon Vitello,
manager of graphics product management at IBM's Entry Systems
Division.

"Today's announcement is good news for PC users who have had
incompatibility problems with their graphics hardware and software,"
said Jim Anderson, chairman of VESA, "With IBM's unprecedented
participation on VESA's XGA technical committee, we will establish a
single XGA standard that will allow all XGA hardware and software,
regardless of vendor, to work together seamlessly."

The move to develop a unified PC graphics standard is consistent with
the trend in the computing industry toward open systems and vendor-
independent computing environments, VESA said. "Our cooperation with
the VESA XGA technical committee is to help establish XGA as a
pervasive component in the industry, while ensuring that it is
compatible with users' existing hardware and software investment,"
Vitello, of IBM, said.

A single XGA standard will also help software developers such as
Microsoft and Autodesk better meet the needs of PC users, VESA said.
Traditionally, graphics board manufacturers have had to write and
supply numerous software drivers with their products to enable their
graphics boards to work with each software package.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910625/Press Contact: Jim Anderson, Headland
Technology, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], IBM, Jon Vitello,
Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 NEW PRODUCT: Memory Boards For HP Printers 06/25/91

06/25/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00025)

NEW PRODUCT: Memory Boards For HP Printers 06/25/91
NEWBURY PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Computer
Peripherals (CPI) has announced three products to provide memory
upgrades for Hewlett-Packard (HP) Laserjet and Deskjet
printers.

Additional memory in HP printers improves the performance of the
printers so the printer can perform functions not possible without
additional random access memory (RAM). These functions are downloading
soft fonts, forms, scanned images, 300 dpi (dots per inch) graphics,
printer sharing, and Postscript language emulation.

"Laserprinters perform a critical function in modern offices," said
Darius Antia, director, sales and marketing, for Computer Peripherals.
"They are so popular that users now seek to perform applications that
often exceed the standard memory capability. Jetmemory boards enable
users to stretch the laserprinter's capacity by increasing the
available memory, while the Ex-pander adds additional capacity to the
Jetmemory boards."

With Jetmemory, users can upgrade laserprinter memory in 1, 2 or 4MB
increments, up to the total memory capacity of the printer. Jetmemory
comes with 1MB of RAM, and the Ex-pander boards can then be purchased
and added to the Jetmemory board in 1MB increments. The Jetmemory
board is fully socketed to support the full memory capability of any
specified laserprinter. Also available is Deskram, a single 256
kilobyte (KB) memory upgrade cartridge for HP Deskjet printers.

The Jetmemory board is competitively priced, Mark Richardson of
Capital Relations for CPI said, while the Ex-pander 1MB memory
additions retail for $124.95 each. The Deskram board is $125.95 for
256K of RAM. Newsbytes did some checking to find out how competitive
the pricing was.

Newsbytes called PC Warehouse, a chain of computer stores in the L.A.
area who carry HP products. While pricing was unavailable for the
Jetmemory board, if the assumption is made that the Jetmemory board
costs the same as 1MB of the Ex-pander memory, that places the cost
of 4MB of additional memory at $599.80. That makes CPI 4MB expansion
for the HP IIP printer lower priced than HP's 4MB, which quoted to
Newsbytes at $695, but much higher than a Pacific Data 4MB board,
which was priced at $335, according to Ray, a salesperson at the
Encino, California PC Warehouse store.

For more information contact Computer Peripherals, Newbury Park at
800-854-7600.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910625/Press Contact: Mark Richardson, Capitol
Relations, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], J.C. Simmons,
Computer Peripherals, Tel: [phone], Ray, PC Warehouse, 818/907-
6476)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 CPSR HOSTS `CIVILIZING CYBERSPACE' ROUNDTABLE 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00026)

CPSR HOSTS `CIVILIZING CYBERSPACE' ROUNDTABLE 06/25/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- The Washington office
of Computers Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) has
announced that it, in conjunction with the Electronic Frontier
Foundation (EFF) is hosting a two-day roundtable discussion entitled
"Civilizing Cyberspace: Minding the Matrix."

The roundtable, to be held June 26th and 27th at the Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace in Washington, will bring together
journalists, academics, civil libertarians, and other interested
parties to discuss such topics as "Boundary Conditions - The
Convergence of Culture," "Developing Cyberspace Privacy Policy,"
"Meetings, Access and Advocacy in Cyberspace," "The Informational Bill
of Rights," and "The Coming of Cyberspace - Educating Society."

Among the participants in the two-day conference are John Markoff,
technology writer of the New York Times, Esther Dyson, editor and
publisher of Release 1.0; Steve Wolff, National Science Foundation;
Jerry Berman of the ACLU Information Technology Project; Mitchell
Kapor, co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and John S.
Quarterman, author of "The Matrix."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910625/Press Contact:
Richard Civille, CPSR, 202-544-9240)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 CHIPS & TECHNOLOGIES FILES NEW LAWSUIT 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00027)

CHIPS & TECHNOLOGIES FILES NEW LAWSUIT 06/25/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Chips and Technologies
has filed a second patent infringement complaint, this time against
Milpitas, California-based ETEQ Microsystems for alleged violation of
U.S. Patent Numbers 4,924,375 and 4,899,272. The patents deal with basic
multiple memory addressing and interleaved page memory management
techniques.

C&T was granted the patent office on Feb. 6, 1990, and May 8, 1990.

As with the previous suit, the complaint filed on Monday this week
asks the court for both preliminary and final injunctions against the
defendant from infringing on the two patents cited, treble damages,
and court costs.

Newsbytes reported on June 18 that C&T filed a similar suit against
OPTi Computers, Santa Clara, California, charging that company's
violation of U.S. Patent No.'s 4,899,272 and 4,924,375 held by Chips
and Technologies.

(John McCormick/19910625/Press Contact: Gavin Bourne, Chips and
Technologies, 408-434-0600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 CHIPS & TECHNOLOGIES AND OPTI TRADE PATENT CHARGES 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00028)

CHIPS & TECHNOLOGIES AND OPTI TRADE PATENT CHARGES 06/25/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- OPTi Computers' president
and chief executive officer, Kenny Liu, says: "The products being
offered and sold by OPTi do not infringe the patents claimed by Chips
and Technologies as charged in a recent suit filed in U.S. District
Court for Northern California." Further, he said that, "There are very
serious questions about the validity of these patents."

Claiming, "There is a significant likelihood that both these patents
are invalid and unenforceable," Liu assured customers that OPTi will
indemnify those customers who use OPTi chipsets against claims by
CHIPS with regards to these patents. OPTi will stand by any
international customers who are sued by CHIPS before the International
Trade Commission.

"We believe that this suit is principally motivated by the fact that
OPTi has established a leadership position with its products and that
its products have achieved strong price performance advantages over
competitive offerings. We will not let this suit interfere with our
success or our customers' introduction of leading products.

"OPTi will fight efforts by CHIPS to use this litigation as a
marketing weapon, as well as efforts to intimidate OPTi customers with
the threat of legal action."

As reported at the time by Newsbytes, on June 17, C&T filed suit
against OPTi Computers, Santa Clara, California, charging violation of
U.S. Patent Numbers 4,899,272 and 4,924,375 held by Chips and
Technologies. The patents deal with basic multiple memory addressing
and interleaved page memory management techniques.

Counsel representing OPTi in the suit will be Wilson, Sonsini,
Goodrich and Rosati in Palo Alto, California, and Cooley Godward
Castro Huddleson & Tatum in Palo Alto.

(John McCormick/19910625/Press Contact: Raj Jaswa, OPTi Inc., 408/980-
8178)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25  ****ZILOG RELEASES HIGH-SPEED CHIPS 06/25/91

06/25/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00029)

 ****ZILOG RELEASES HIGH-SPEED CHIPS 06/25/91
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 (NB) -- Zilog has announced
that it is now shipping a 12.5-megahertz (MHz.) version of its Z180
chipset to compliment the existing line of 6-, 8-, and 10-megahertz
Z180 microprocessors. Also announced was a 12.5-MHz. version of
the Z84C90 CMOS or complimentary metal oxide semiconductor general
purpose peripheral chip (also known as the Killer I/O or KIO chip)
which puts serial and parallel input/output functions on a single chip
along with a clock.

A Z180 chip combines a microprocessor with other functions such as
direct memory access, a UART, timer channels, dynamic random access
memory, refresh control, wait state generators, and a clock
oscillator.

The new Z180 comes in 64-pin DIP, 68-pin PLCC, and 80-pin QFP
packages, while the KIO is offered in an 84-pin PLCC package.

The 25-percent-faster chips were required by customers who need to
meet V.23bis and V.42bis standards in modem applications based on the
Zilog chips.

(John McCormick/19910625/Press Contact: Deborah Chalmers, ZILOG, 408-
370-8092)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 25 BOCOEX Index 06/25/91

06/25/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00030)

BOCOEX Index 06/25/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 25 -- Boston Computer
Exchange has a new Department of Research, Analysis, Forecasts
and Trends (RAFT).  The new department will draw upon  nearly a
decade of data gathered through trading  computer equipment in
the secondary market.  RAFT will offer corporations and research
firms reports and custom analyses of prices and values for PC
systems.  It will be able to report specific prices of popular
micro computers as far back as 1982 and project future values
based upon the trends observed over the last decade.

"We have more data and more experience with the market prices of
microcomputers than any other company in the world," said
Alexander Randall, Founder and President of Boston Computer
Exchange. "When we created the microcomputer secondary market we
began collecting data in a consistent manner. We've been doing it
continuously since the introduction of the IBM PC."

The RAFT Department will draw upon this vast resource of BoCoEx
Index data to analyze, project and specify the values of
computers in the past, as well as project the future.  No one
else has the base of information upon which to conduct this
analysis or make these projections.

"The response to our analysis of price trends in Alex Randall's
Used Computer Handbook, (Microsoft Press, 1990) was overwhelming.
Companies like IBM, Apple, Dell, and NEC wanted us to analyze the
future values of their competitors' machines and we are the only
company with that kind of data," said Randall. "It's part of the
celebration of coming to the end of our first decade in this
business that we formally create the RAFT to produce these
specialized reports for corporations, accounting firms and legal
firms... like a RAFT of concise insight in a stormy sea of raw
data"

Among the research products that will be available are: Future
prices of specific microcomputer models, residual asset value
analysis, value changes following technology changes and
competitive analysis.

Due to the sensitive nature of these reports, each one will be
customized for each individual client.  The research products of
Research, Analysis, Forecasts and Trends will not be published
publicly.  Inquiries should be directed to Breda O'Sullivan at
the RAFT desk.

Trade-In Mania Sweeps Computer Industry --  Again!

The computer industry is once again in the throes of trade-in
mania.  IBM's recent announcement that it will offer trade-in
credit toward the purchase of new PS/2 computers brought
dealers,  distributors and retail store owners flocking to the
Boston Computer Exchange to check prices, check deals and
negotiate for their own trade-in program.

This is not the first time that BCE has been involved with a
major trade-in program.  Back in 1988 there was an IBM trade-in
program. That program failed due to IBM's internal cost of
processing the transactions.  This new program is destined to be
a success due to the elimination of IBM in the direct handling of
the equipment.

According to IBM's program, when an owner is ready to move to a
new computer,  they select their machine from IBM's current
offerings.  A table of values tells the owner what their old
computer is worth in trade toward the decided model.  IBM passes
the owner to a broker who handles the gear for IBM and resells it
to a new owner.  The old owner is free and clear with no hassles.

"We've been working on these trade-in programs for years", said
Charles Thompson, General Manager of Boston Computer Exchange.
We did it  back in 1988 with IBM, and for NYNEX in 1989.  We put
together TechTrade for the ValCom channel in 1990.  The personal
computer industry is nearly a decade old and it finally looks
like the trade-in idea is here to stay."

 BoCoEx Index /  Closing Prices Report / for the week ending
 June 21, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 IBM PC 176               Floppy      200 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      450 -          450    400

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      575 -          675    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      625 -          725    600

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      750 -         1000    700

 IBM PS/1 Model 30        30 MgB     1150 -         1200   1100

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      600 -          700    450

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1150 -         1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1100 -         1450   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1200 -         1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     1600 -         2200   1400

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1300 -         1700   1300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2300 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3400 -         3600   3200

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Compaq Portable Plus     10 MgB      400 -          500    300

 Compaq Portable II       20 MgB      750 -         1050    700

 Compaq Portable III      20 MgB     1200 -         1250   1100

 Compaq Portable 286      20 MgB     1100 -         1350   1000

 Compaq Portable 386      40 MgB     2000 -         2100   1500

 Compaq SLT-286           40 MgB     1700 -         1900   1550

 Compaq LTE               20 MgB      950 -         1100    900

 Compaq LTE-286           20 MgB     1650 down 50   1900   1400

 Compaq LTE-286           40 MgB     1800 up 50     1900   1600

 Compaq LTE-386           40 MgB     2700 -         2800   2600

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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     1300 -         1400   1250

 Zenith SuperSport-286    20 MgB     1000 -         1200    900

 Zenith TurboSport-386    40 MgB     1700 -         1900   1600

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Macintosh Plus           Floppy      500 -          750    500

 Macintosh Plus           20 MgB      750 -          975    700

 Macintosh Classic        40 MgB     1100 -         1200   1000

 Macintosh SE             Floppy      700 -         1025    650

 Macintosh SE             20 MgB      950 -         1050    900

 Macintosh SE             40 MgB     1100 -         1250   1050

 Macintosh SE-30          40 MgB     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2350 -         2500   2100

 Macintosh IIX            80 MgB     3550 -         3600   3500

 Macintosh IICX           80 MgB     3300 -         3600   3200

 Macintosh IICI           80 MgB     3950 -         4300   3750

 Macintosh IIFX           80 MgB     5400 -         5800   5200

 Macintosh IISI           40 MgB     2950 -         3400   2700

 Macintosh Portable       40 MgB     2600 up 150    3400   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      350 -          400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      850 -         1100    850

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 225 -          350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               2000 -         2500   2000

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                       800 -          950    800

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 TI Travelmate 2000       20 MgB     1100 -         1200   1000

 Toshiba T-1000           Floppy      450 -          575    325

 Toshiba T-1200HB         20 MgB      800 -          950    725

 Toshiba T-1200XE         20 MgB     1300 -         1450   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     1100 -         1300    900

 Toshiba T-3100 SX        40 MgB     2400 -         2800   2200

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1800 -         2150   1700

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2700 -         2900   2600

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     2000 -         2300   1900

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: [phone]. BoCoEx
Database is on CompuServe: GO BCE, on Delphi: ME BO.

(BOCOEX/19910625)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 24 PUBLICATIONS TO SPONSOR WINDOWS SHOW 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00001)

PUBLICATIONS TO SPONSOR WINDOWS SHOW 06/24/91
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- PC World
magazine and the weekly Computer Reseller News will co-sponsor the
PC Windows Exposition and Conference to be held for the first time
in San Francisco December 9-11.

Chris DeSalvo, show director for World Expo Corp., told Newsbytes
that while there are other Windows shows, they aim primarily at
volume buyers and resellers. PC Windows, he said, includes small
business people, home-office users, and hobbyists in its intended
audience. Unlike other Windows shows, he said, PC Windows will
allow exhibitors, whether vendors or resellers, to sell their wares
on the show floor.

The show isn't entirely for the little guy, though. In fact, on the
first day only invited "MIS decision makers, independent software
vendors and software developers, resellers, consultants and other
VIPs" will be admitted, World Expo said. Conference sessions on the
first day will be aimed at the large buyers, DeSalvo said, while
those on the second and third days will be designed for smaller
buyers.

Other shows managed by World Expo include Macworld Expo and
Communication Networks.

(Grant Buckler/19910621/Press Contact: Anne Marie Clark, Rourke &
Co. for World Expo, 508-777-6006)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 MICROAGE CALLS 2Q "DISAPPOINTING" 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00002)

MICROAGE CALLS 2Q "DISAPPOINTING" 06/24/91
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Writing to Microage
stockholders, President Jeff McKeever and Chairman Alan Hald
said the company experienced "disappointing results" for the
second fiscal quarter of 1991. The company reported net income
for the quarter of $226,000, compared to $1.7 million for the
same period last year.

The company attributes the drop in net income to a softening in
product demand, and a shift in revenue mix toward lower margin
business. These factors occurred at a time when the company had
increased inventory levels and expenses, in anticipation of
higher revenue growth.

Although net income dropped dramatically, Microage experienced
increased revenues for the quarter, which ended March 31, 1991.
Microage experienced a 29% increase in revenue for the period to
$189.1 million.

Company officials said the increased revenue was due to product
sales to new Network locations, increased sales through the
National Accounts Division, and increased product purchases by
existing Network locations. Network locations include 419 US
franchises, 77 international franchises, 7 company owned stores
and 319 affiliated resellers.

At the annual stockholder meeting, stockholders approved an
amendment to the company's certificate of incorporation giving
the board of directors the authority to amend the by-laws of the
company to change the number of directors. An employee stock
purchase plan was also approved.

Mckeever and Hald said they believe the recession and the Persian
Gulf conflict slowed the company's growth rate, and said they are
exploring ways to enhance gross margins while lowering expenses.

(Jim Mallory/19910622)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 NEW FOR UNIX: Control Data Backup System 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00003)

NEW FOR UNIX: Control Data Backup System 06/24/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Control Data
Corporation has introduced an entry level version of its
Automated Workstation Backup System (AWBUS). Using EL-AWBUS,
backup procedures can be initiated by the user, eliminating the
need for any intervention by the system administrator.

EL-AWBUS, designed to automate backup and restoration of files
for groups of workstation users with 1-15 workstations, carries a
base price of $8500 for the server and client software.

EL-AWBUS runs on a Unix-based server, such as the CYBER 910/920,
Sun 3/4 workstations, Silicon Graphics workstations, MIPS
workstations, or CDC 4000 series. Data storage is on an Exabyte
drive, providing up to 5 gigabytes of data on a single 8 mm tape.

Says Nancy Lynch Harrower, product marketing manager,
"Entry-level AWBUS was developed in response to users requests to
backup critical data residing on small groups of workstations."
Using EL-AWBUS, users can list the contents of their backup and
archive database on command, and load the appropriate tape in the
Exabyte drive.

(Jim Mallory/19910622/Press Contact: Charlotte Fransen, CDC,
612-853-6137)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 WISCONSIN FIRM: "PROPOSED TAX TOO HIGH, WE WILL MOVE" 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00004)

WISCONSIN FIRM: "PROPOSED TAX TOO HIGH, WE WILL MOVE" 06/24/91
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, U.S.A. 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Saying proposed
sales taxes will take them out of competition in the market, M&I
Data Services has started planning the move of its 1,100 jobs out
of Wisconsin.

M&I President Dennis Kuester said that the proposed additional
one percent sales tax on services which is included in the state
budget plan would put the company at a competitive disadvantage
with major competitors in states such as Texas, Arkansas, and
Pennsylvania. Those states do not tax data processing services.

M&I provides data processing services to well over 400 financial
institutions throughout the United States, and has recorded a 25
percent growth rate since it was founded ten years ago. The firm
has added 600 new jobs since 1982.

"We hope and pray this planning is a waste of time and effort,
but if the proposed sales tax approved by the Legislature's Joint
Committee on Finance goes through, the decision to move our data
processing operations out of Wisconsin will be our only
alternative," said Kuester. He said if the tax is adopted and
the company did not move he would "preside over the withering
away of our business." Kuester says he supports the budget plan
proposed by Governor Tommy Thompson, which was scrapped by the
Finance Committee.

(Jim Mallory/19910622/Press Contact: Dennis Kuester, M&I,
414-357-2300)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 NORTON 6.0 SUPPORTS DOS 5.0 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00005)

NORTON 6.0 SUPPORTS DOS 5.0 06/24/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, USA, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Symantec has
released version 6 of Norton Utilities. Continuing the leapfrog
with PC Tools from Central Point, the new version has extra
features, power, and functionality. Norton 6.0 will also support
DOS 5.0 and its new features.

Norton Utilities have long been considered an essential tool for
all PC support people, and the new version adds even more reasons.
For instance, the disk enhancement features such as Speed Disk now
work with even very large disks, and 300 percent faster too.

While DOS 5.0 incorporates a number of PC Tools-derived components
for erased file tracking and recovery and the like, the new Norton
Utilities are said to work well with these (despite NU having its own
recovery utilities).

Features include: TSR utilities that automatically load into high
memory; NDOS - an enhancer for DOS; extended batch programming
language; file descriptions of up to 40 characters; command line
history; a new disk caching system (claimed to be better than all
others); Windows and DOS 5.0 Task Manager support; and a better Disk
Doctor.

(Paul Zucker/19910624)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****COMPAQ INTROS 486 BASED 50MHz DESKTOP 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)

 ****COMPAQ INTROS 486 BASED 50MHz DESKTOP 06/24/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has joined Wang in taking the lead in announcements of
new computers based on Intel's fastest microprocessor. Compaq
has announced the Deskpro 486/50L, a 50 megahertz, 486-based
desktop PC -- primarily intended for engineers, scientists, and
other technical fields.

Compaq says the 486/50L provides 50 percent greater performance
than the fastest 33 megahertz 486-based machines. The system is
also expected to appeal to users as a high speed network server
or multi-user host. The 486/50L includes an Extended Industry
Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, and will be available during
the third quarter this year.

Compaq's John Sweney told Newsbytes that the 486/50L will be
available in three models. The Model 120 will come with a 120M
hard drive, and is priced at $11,299. Model 340 comes with a
340M hard drive, priced at $12,999, while the Model 510 comes
with a whopping 510M of hard disk storage, and costs $13,999.
All three models come with the Advanced VGA video system
and 8 megabytes of RAM (random access memory). RAM can be
expanded to 104 megabytes. The system footprint is 17.7 inches
long, 19.2 inches wide, and 6.5 inches high.

Sweney said the system is aimed primarily at single users, doing
CAD (computer-aided design), CAE (computer-aided engineering),
and graphics work.

Sweney said the exact release date has not been determined since
"we aren't going to put it out the door until we put it through
its paces here. We're pretty rigorous in our testing, and that's
fairly time consuming." Sweney says Compaq would prefer to find
any problems, rather than the end user discovering them.

(Jim Mallory/19910624/Press Contact:John Sweney, Compaq,
713-374-0484)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 IBM TO SPONSOR AMERICA'S CUP CHALLENGE 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00007)

IBM TO SPONSOR AMERICA'S CUP CHALLENGE 06/24/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- The next America's Cup
challenge will be against the San Diego yacht club in May 1992, and
Australia will be represented by the "Spirit of Australia" under
the leadership of Iain Murray. As one of the major sponsors, IBM
hopes it will have made a significant contribution.

Part of IBM's sponsorship will be what it calls a "complete
technology solution" consisting of CATIA, a computer design system
running on IBM System/6000 RISC computers. The three-dimensional
software includes all the normal design functions plus the ability
to electronically test the design under known and speculated
conditions. In addition, tank testing in the Australian Maritime
College in Launceston will incorporate IBM PS/2 PCs for data
capture and analysis on the new design.

When the trials start next January, "Spirit" will have IBM laptop
PCs onboard to help monitor performance and conditions, plus make
calculations based on actual and historical data. Other IBM
computers, including AS400 mainframes, will be used in San Diego
and Sydney during the races to log all data and perform further
analysis.

(Paul Zucker/19910624/Contact: IBM - Michelle Greer [phone]
or fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 NORMAN & THACKERAY FORM SECURITY FIRM 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00008)

NORMAN & THACKERAY FORM SECURITY FIRM 06/24/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Neal Norman, a
veteran of 34 years with AT&T, has announced the formation of
GateKeeper Telecommunications Systems. The new firm will
introduce a product which it says "provides an airtight defense
against unauthorized computer access." Gail Thackeray, ex-Arizona
assistant attorney general known for her activities in the
investigation of computer crime, will be a vice president of the
new firm.

Norman told Newsbytes "we think we have a product that will
revolutionize telecommunications by stopping unauthorized access to
computer systems." Norman said that the system, which is scheduled
to become available in the early fall, will provide protection for
terminals, mainframes, and PBXs.

Norman said of Thackeray, "I am extremely happy to have someone of
Gail's ability and presence involved in this endeavor right from
the beginning. Additionally," Norman said, "we have enlisted
some of the industry's most well-known persons to serve on a board
of advisors to our new company. These respected individuals will
provide guidance for us as we bring our system to market. Among
those who have agreed to serve in this group are Donn Parker of
SRI; Bill Murray, formerly of IBM; and Bob Snyder, chief computer
crime investigator for the Columbus, Ohio police.

Synder told Newsbytes, "I am excited about working with such bright
people on something of real importance and I hope to contribute to
an improvement in computer security."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910621)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 3COM PUTS PRODUCT NEWS ON CD-ROM 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00009)

3COM PUTS PRODUCT NEWS ON CD-ROM 06/24/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- 3Com Corporation is offering
documentation, full color data sheets, engineering technical notes,
and software patches for its products on a single compact disc (CD-
ROM) similar to a conventional digital music disc.

The current disc can access more than 60 product manuals and 1,400
technical articles. Direct access to this wide range of information
is expected to help 3Com's customers get faster answers to technical
questions.

The company says no training is required to access the 3Com Laser
Library, which it says features an intuitive user-friendly interface.
Information is obtained by entering simple keywords related to the
topic of interest. The laser library will provide the text and
images, drawn from all sources in the library, related to the key
words.

"Successful networking is a product of information and information
access," said Bill Messer, general manager for 3Com's Asian
Operations. "The 3Com Laser Library dramatically simplifies the
process of obtaining product and technical information, which in turn
increases the value of our customers' networks."

The library is accessed through a CD drive, similar to a floppy disk
drive, that is linked to a personal computer. It is currently DOS-
based and contains approximately 200 megabytes (MB) of data, though
it has a capacity of up 640 MB.

(Norman Wingrove/19910621/Press Contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com,
Tel + 852 848 9200, Fax + 852 537 1149; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 JAPANESE BANK DEVELOPS ORACLE-BASED ENQUIRY SYSTEM 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00010)

JAPANESE BANK DEVELOPS ORACLE-BASED ENQUIRY SYSTEM 06/24/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Industrial Bank of Japan
(IBJ) is using Oracle software to develop applications that will
help managers to analyse and control activities at the bank's
Hong Kong branch.

The applications, running on a Digital Equipment microVAX 3900,
will download customer files and transaction data from the bank's
Hitachi M220 mainframe and produce reports tailored to the
individual needs of managers in the branch. "We will provide
one-touch access to relevant information," said System Manager
Eric Yu Wai Keung. "The mainframe runs our basic applications,
using software developed at the head office, but it is not
user-friendly and managers find it hard to make online enquiries."
Yu said the new applications can extract data from the mainframe
applications, analyse it to suit local requirements, and formulate
the Hong Kong branch's own reports, breaking through the
restrictions of data formats laid down by head office.

The microVAX system acts as a server, supporting enquiries from
client PCs. Initially, all processing will take place at the server,
but Yu said the bank may later allow users to download data to their
PCs for further analysis using programs such as Lotus 123.

The first applications will be implemented this month. The next
project, which will be completed by the end of the year, will be an
online enquiry and reporting system for IBJ's dealing room, which
uses a dealing system based on networked PCs.

(Norman Wingrove/19910621/Press Contact: Joseph Bauer, Oracle,
Tel + 852 824 0118, Fax + 852 824 0915; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 CANADIAN CELLULAR SHARES: TAKE YOUR PICK 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00011)

CANADIAN CELLULAR SHARES: TAKE YOUR PICK 06/24/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- If you'd like to own
a piece of a Canadian cellular telephone operator, now is your
chance. The two largest, Cantel and BCE Mobile Communications, have
both announced share offerings.

Rogers Communications, which for the last two years has owned all
of the national cellular carrier Cantel Mobile Communications, has
announced plans to sell 20 percent of the company to help pay
Rogers' debts. At least 16.3 million Class B subordinated shares
are to be sold in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The price
is not final, but is expected to be between C$22 and C$25 (US$19-
US$22).

BCE Mobile, which provides cellular service in the provinces of
Ontario and Quebec through its Bell Cellular subsidiary, has
floated four million treasury shares at C$25.50. BCE Mobile stock
is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Like Rogers, BCE is
selling the shares to pay debts.

Neither company is profitable. Cantel lost C$88 million on revenues
of C$296.7 million in 1990, while BCE Mobile lost C$19.8 million on
revenues of C$238.5 million.

Some analysts said the BCE Mobile offering might overshadow that of
Cantel. However, Bruce Day, vice-president, corporate, at Rogers
Communications, said he expected the BCE Mobile offering to be "in
and out of the market" before Cantel's initial offering is ready to
sell, so it will have little impact.

Cantel originally had four owners: Rogers, First City Financial of
Toronto, Telemedia of Montreal, and Ameritech Mobile
Communications. Rogers has been sole owner since 1989, Day said.

(Grant Buckler/19910620/Press Contact: Graham Savage, Rogers
Communications 416-864-2368, fax [phone]; Pierre Lessard, BCE
Mobile, 514-748-3230)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 WIRELESS CREDIT CARD VERIFICATION STARTED BY CELLULAR DATA 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00012)

WIRELESS CREDIT CARD VERIFICATION STARTED BY CELLULAR DATA 06/24/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Cellular
Data (CDI) announced it has begun point-of-sale application
tests in Houston this summer for wireless credit card
verification and authorization.

The application for the technology is focused on the ability
to verify credit cards in mobile situations, such as home
delivery. Mike Korodi, president of CDI said, "By combining
fast response and low cost, as well as portable and mobile
access, the credit card industry can now anticipate expanded
use as home delivery services begin taking advantage of
credit card payments at the point of delivery. Existing
fixed site users who have not been able to obtain both low
cost and fast response will also benefit from CDI's wireless
solution."

"CDI's cellular packet technology promises to provide a
cost-effective solution to the point-of-sale applications
that have been prevented from credit card access by being
dependent on telephone lines," Korodi said. "The coverage
made available by today's cellular service areas makes this
wireless point-of-sale technology appealing to a wide range
of retail merchants."

CDI has joined forces with GTE Mobilnet, Verifone, and BT
Tymnet to develop the new technology.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910620/Press Contact: Lee Horsman,
Cellular Data, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 NEW TELEPHONE "HANDSET" SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT IN HUMAN EAR 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00013)

NEW TELEPHONE "HANDSET" SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT IN HUMAN EAR 06/24/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Norris
Communications has announced 100% bone-conductive, wireless
voice transmission (a telephone handset) small enough to fit
within the human ear.

The new, proprietary technology places both the microphone
and the receiver on a button-size unit about the size of a
hearing aid that fits inside the ear, Norris said. The unit
weighs only half an ounce. The technology uses vibration to
conducted physically through the ear bone structure, to
transmit sound, or bone-conductive technology, the company
said.

Two new versions of the wireless product, one a cellular
version, are being prototyped, a representative from Norris
said. The products are a hybrid of the bone-conductive
technology developed for the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration by the inventor, Elwood Norris, who is also
president of Norris Communications, the company said.

Bell Atlantic, which is the parent company of seven local
operating telephone companies in Mid-Atlantic states, has
paid $228,000 for a field trial of the "bone phones," Norris
said. The agreement calls for more proprietary products for
Bell Atlantic extended from the wireless products.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910620/Press Contact: Elwood Norris,
Norris Communications, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 TRICOM/MICOM IN UK DISTRIB PACT 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00014)

TRICOM/MICOM IN UK DISTRIB PACT 06/24/91
HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- The Tricom Group
has secured the U.K. distribution rights to Micom's Marathon voice,
data, LAN (local area network) and fax integration family of systems.
Pricing starts at under the UKP 3,000 mark.

The Marathon 5K system allows multiple voice and data channels to be
integrated onto one or more leased line digital circuits. Unlike the
competition, which only runs on Kilostream or Megastream data links, the
Marathon system will run over low-speed leased lines, which typically cost
10 percent of high-speed data links.

According to Peter Gardner, this means that small to medium-sized companies
for the first time can use integration products without the need to
commit themselves to high-cost, high-volume data links.

"Integration over expensive high speed lines for large corporates is not
all that new, but the integration of voice, data, LAN and fax over low-
speed leased lines with a product that costs less than UKP 3,000 means that
even low volume users have a payback period of less than a year," Gardner
told Newsbytes.

Typical payback periods for the Marathon 5K system start at 18 months and
go down to below 12 months. The reason for the fast payback of the system
is that, in the U.K. all-digital links are relatively highly priced until
really high volume data links are rented.

This, says Gardner, is because there is a vacuum in the mid-range of data
network links. Marathon allows users in this data volume range to use data
links at the lower end of the scale, so saving on line rental costs using
data compression techniques.

The Marathon system is claimed to be highly flexible. Data from all
channels is sorted and compressed, before being transmitted at high speed
over the network link. Normally, these transactions introduce a delay of a
second or so on the data transmitted, a delay which is intolerable where
voice transmissions are concerned.

To counter this, Gardner said that the Marathon 5K includes fast packet
switching technology. When a voice transmission is encountered by the
Marathon unit, the relevant data is given immediate priority over the
network link. This ensures that any delays due to the network transmission
are reduced to an absolute minimum. As far as the user is concerned, there
is no appreciable delay.

(Steve Gold/19910620/Press & Public Contact: Tricom Communications - Tel:
0494-483951; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 AUSTRALIA: PRIME TO NETWORK QUEENSLAND TECHNICAL COLLEGES 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00015)

AUSTRALIA: PRIME TO NETWORK QUEENSLAND TECHNICAL COLLEGES 06/24/91
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Prime Computer has been
awarded an AUS$8.4M contract to network 32 Queensland Technical and
Further Education (TAFE) colleges.

The Colleges' Administrative Computing Project will involve the
installation of 32 Prime computers running Unix and applications
developed under the Ingres relational database management system.
Prime will support the project with 24 staff, and these will also be
involved in application development, training and hardware
integration. The computers will be networked to the TAFE
headquarters, and this will allow communications to be carried out
between colleges and from college to the headquarters. The network
is expected to be completed by 3rd quarter, 1992.

(Sean McNamara/19910620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 HITACHI ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR ESA/390 SUPPORT 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00016)

HITACHI ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR ESA/390 SUPPORT 06/24/91
CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Hitachi Data Systems
(HDS) has announced its schedule for supporting Enterprise Systems
Architecture/390 (ESA/390) features and facilities on its HDS EX
Series mainframe computers. ESA/390 is the latest evolution of IBM's
mainframe architecture.

Since 1988, HDS EX Series mainframes have had proprietary serial
fibre optic channels available as an option. The capabilities of HDS'
fibre optic channels will be enhanced in the third quarter of 1992 to
include the additional functions of Enterprise Systems Connection
(ESCON).

The current channels and ESCON support permit data to be transmitted
over greater distances, reduce under-floor space requirements and
have the potential to significantly increase input/output speed and
throughput by allowing the implementation of high-speed, fibre optic
serial channels and conventional copper parallel channels on EX
Series processors.

"These enhancements are strategic to the future of our customers. We
believe they will provide real benefits to mainframe users," said
Geoff Kennedy, Manager-Hong Kong at HDS. "Historically, it has
taken HDS 12-15 months to deliver compatibility for new functions
after they become generally available, and we expect to maintain this
track record in the future."

Support for the Systems Complex (Sysplex) and Sysplex Timer is
scheduled for the fourth quarter of 1992 on EX Series models. These
elements of ESA/390 allow customers to link and coordinate multiple
mainframes.

(Norman Wingrove/19910624/Press Contact: Geoff Kennedy, HDS, Tel +
852 521 6275, Fax + 852 868 4023; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****COMPAQ CUTS PRICES 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00017)

 ****COMPAQ CUTS PRICES 06/24/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Concurrent with its
announcement of a 486-based, 50 megahertz desktop system, Compaq
Computer Corporation has reduced prices on four of its desktop
PCs, as well as the Intelligent Array Expansion system.

Prices on 386-based systems were reduced from $100 to $300,
depending on the particular model, while prices on 486 based 33
megahertz systems went down about ten percent, a cut of about
$1100. Since manufacturers set a suggested retail price, and
dealer prices may vary, prospective buyers will have to check
with their retailers to determine actual reductions.

Queried by Newsbytes as to why suggested retail prices are being
reduced, John Sweney of Compaq said the 486 prices were cut to
"better reflect the new breadth of the product line." With
regard to the 386 adjustments, Sweney said those cuts were to
better reflect "ongoing pricing in the marketplace." A prepared
statement released by Compaq said price cuts were taken "to
continue its (Compaq's) leadership in the desktop market
segment."

The Intelligent Array Expansion system was reduced a whopping
$5200, a reduction of 24.5 percent. The expansion system is an
external device which allows users to expand Systempro units data
storage capacity by adding up to 9.1 gigabytes of storage per
device to a Systempro. Each Systempro can accommodate two
expansion system devices. Two expansion boxes, combined with the
Systempro storage already available, would provide up to nearly
20 gigabytes of data storage.

According to information released today by Datamation magazine,
Compaq is the third largest North American supplier of PCs, with
slightly more than 14 percent of the market. The report says that
IBM holds 37.66 percent of the market, with Apple holding 15.02%.

(Jim Mallory/19910624/Press Contact:John Sweney, Compaq,
713-374-4616)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****UNISYS CUTS STAFF IN NEW JERSEY 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00018)

 ****UNISYS CUTS STAFF IN NEW JERSEY 06/24/91
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Nearing the
completion of a 5,000-head staff reduction announced last fall,
Unisys has laid off 120 employees and 10 contract workers at a
plant in Flemington, New Jersey. Of the 120 employees, 25 accepted
a voluntary layoff package.

Michael Stugrin, corporate director of public relations for Unisys,
told Newsbytes the company is, "generally speaking, on target" with
a staff reduction plan announced in October. That plan was to cut
Unisys staff by 5,000, to about 70,000 worldwide, by the end of
June.

Stugrin said no production workers were let go at the Flemington
plant, which makes personal computers. Those who lost their jobs
were support staff and engineers.

There have been rumors that the money-losing computer maker will
make further cuts beyond the announced 5,000-person reduction. At
the annual meeting in April, shareholders were told the company was
watching economic conditions and would take whatever actions became
necessary.

(Grant Buckler/19910624/Press Contact: Michael Stugrin, Unisys,
215-986-6948)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 INSIGHTS FOR CANADIAN FIRMS SEEN IN STUDY 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00019)

INSIGHTS FOR CANADIAN FIRMS SEEN IN STUDY 06/24/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- A recent study of the
electronics industry in the United States offers some ideas that
should be valuable to Canadian firms as well, according to the firm
that prepared the study. Ernst & Young released the survey,
Electronics 91: Framework for the Future, in Canada recently.

Allan Wilson, a principal with Ernst & Young in Toronto, said the
U.S. study shows that the focus has shifted from technology to
customer service and "designing solutions."

He said the information processing portion of the Canadian
electronics industry is worth C$16 billion a year. Large
established companies account for most of this, though, and the
Canadian market is too small to support new, growing companies. So,
Canada must compete in world markets. It has assets that will help
it do so, Wilson said: people with technical training and product
development experience, and experience with export markets.

Wilson applauded efforts to provide financing for start-up
technology companies. "We have the raw material to be successful,"
he said, "but what else do we need? We need capital formation
mechanisms, partnering and alliances, and best-quality products."

(Grant Buckler/19910624/Press Contact: Allan Wilson, Ernst & Young,
416-361-4753)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****NCR ANNOUNCES PEN-BASED COMPUTER - RUNS 3 OS'S 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00020)

 ****NCR ANNOUNCES PEN-BASED COMPUTER - RUNS 3 OS'S 06/24/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- NCR has
announced the introduction of a pen-based computer capable of
running all these three operating systems: MS-DOS, Microsoft
Corp.'s Windows Pen Computing, and Go Corp.'s Penpoint system.
Delivery is expected in August. According to the company, the 20MHz
machines pack the power of an 80386SX-based desktop into a
notepad unit.

The new computer, called the 3125, weighs 3.9 pounds and is a little
lighter than Grid's GridPad, the present leader in pen-based sales.
The system is based on an Intel 80386 microprocessor and is
contained in a keyboard-less 9" by 12" by 1" package. The computer
will be available in two models, one with a 20-megabyte (MB) fixed
disk and 2 megabytes of random access memory, $4795, and the other
with a 2 MB storage device called a FEPROM and 2 megabytes of RAM,
$4765. Both models also include power supply with charger, carrying
case, external connection adapter, and stylus. Memory is expandable
using single inline memory modules (SIMMs) and non-volatile flash
erasable programmable ROM (FEPROM) memory for protection against
data loss.

Pen-based computers are intended to provide computational power to
users who presently cannot, because of their job functions, utilize
standard computers with keyboards. This market includes delivery
truck drivers, utility meter readers, police officers, poll takers, and
others who presently use a clipboard in their normal business
functions.

NCR President Gilbert Williamson, describing the product to
reporters, referred to it as "revolutionary" and said that NCR's
testing has shown that firms can experience tremendous cost
sayings through the introduction of pen-based systems into
paper-intensive areas.

In a related announcement, Slate Corporation, developer of pen-based
computer software, announced a co-marketing relationship with
NCR. Slate's PenApps Developer's Release is available for the
developer's release of Go's Penpoint operating system for the
NCR 3125.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen & Steve Gold/19910624)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****NCR UNVEILS NOTEPAD IN UK; SHIP PLANS REVEALED 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00021)

 ****NCR UNVEILS NOTEPAD IN UK; SHIP PLANS REVEALED 06/24/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- English users will have to
wait some time before getting their hands on the new NCR 3125
notepad computers. U.K. shipment is scheduled for October --
2 months after the U.S. shipment is due -- at a price to be
determined. Initially, the 3125 will be sold through NCR's direct
sales force and selected value added resellers.

The notepad is unique in that it runs three operating systems,
DOS, Penpoint, and Windows Pen Computing, and, "Secondly, the 3125
offers true handwritten character recognition in addition to
simple pen-based icons," said Alisdair Macgregor, UK marketing
manager for NCR's workstations systems division.

"We view pen-based computing as technology reset point that will
result in a new way in which computers will be used."

Macgregor added that he sees a vast potential in terms of sales.
"There are approximately 20 millions sales and service mobile
workers, demonstrating the large-scale growth predicted for
pen-based computing," he said. Of these, "some 95 percent of the
data used by businesses today are not computerized and could be
captured using the NCR 3125," he added.

(Steve Gold/19910624/Press & Public Contact: NCR United Kingdom - Tel:
071-725-8248)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 COMPAQ ANNOUNCES UK SHIP PLANS FOR 486 SYSTEM 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00022)

COMPAQ ANNOUNCES UK SHIP PLANS FOR 486 SYSTEM 06/24/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Compaq has announced that
it will begin shipping a 50MHz 80486-based Deskpro system during
the third quarter of this year -- more than it has said in the
US where Compaq will not commit to a ship date. Precise U.K.
availability has been scheduled for August of this year,
according to company officials.

The Deskpro 486/50L will ensure that Compaq maintains its lead
in the market, the company claims. According to figures released
by Dataquest, the market research company, during 1990, Compaq
shipped more units on a worldwide basis than any other computer
vendor.

"Customers with single-user computer-intensive applications who
have a real need for speed will find the Compaq Deskpro 486/50L
their PC of choice," said David Clarke, marketing director of
Compaq UK.

"We also used our expertise in 32-bit EISA technology, high-performance
storage expansion, and drive array support to design the 486/50L as a
flexible solution for both stand-alone and networked environments," he
added.

In the UK, plans call for the Deskpro 486/50L to be available in
three versions: the Model 120 at UKP 10,095, the Model 340 at
UKP 11,695 and the Model 510 at UKP 12,645. The Model numbers
denote the size of each machine's hard disk in megabytes.

All configurations of the desktop PCs will come with 8MB of RAM
(expandable to 104MB) and VGA graphics as standard. Optional
extras include a 1.02GB disk drive pair which is available for
all the machines, as well as the Systempro range as a whole.

(Steve Gold/19910624/Press & Public Contact: Compaq UK - Tel:
0753-686655)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****IBM AND LOTUS PASS NOTES 06/24/91

06/24/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00023)

 ****IBM AND LOTUS PASS NOTES 06/24/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Lotus has teamed
up with IBM to pool resources regarding, respectively, Lotus'
Notes and CC:Mail software technology and IBM's OS/2 and
Officevision products. The aim of the technology linkup, according
to Paul Bailey, Lotus UK's managing director, is to roll the Notes
and CC:Mail technology out to desktop and laptop users from the
current networked system environment.

Notes allows users to perform collaborative work across a network
on a document. It thus performs an activity presently lacking in
OfficeVision. The implementation of the product under OfficeVision
is, also according to many industry observers, a reflection of the
growing split between IBM and Microsoft Corporation, its long-time
partner in the implementation of operating systems.

Bailey told Newsbytes that there are two key features of the
link-up between the two companies. The first is that Notes and
CC:Mail become a strategic part of Officevision, IBM's suite
of business software. The second is that all users of the software
now have access to the Notes and CC:Mail environment.

"Previously, Notes was aimed at medium-sized business and up.
Today, the package can be supplied to a variety of users, down
to as few as two or three users," he said.

Both Lotus and IBM remain coy on precise product availability for the
packages under OS/2 and Officevision. According to sources close
to Lotus, however, the third quarter has been pencilled in for an
actual product launch in the U.K.

In a teleconference, James Cannavino, head of IBM, said that
the link-up between the two companies is "one of most significant
announcements to date" in the computer industry and "in response
to customer demand for groupware."

"IBM has most powerful operating system - OS/2. Lotus has the most
important software technology. Together they make an unbeatable
combination," he said.

Alongside Cannavino on the podium was Jim Manzi, president and CEO of
Lotus, who said that "all of us at Lotus are thrilled about our
announcement," and that the software will appeal to end-users,
programmers, and all users of Notes and CC:Mail.

"Software developers will like it because it means just one set of
APIs," he said. APIs, or application program interfaces, are a
set of programming tools that are used by programmers to develop
software for a computing environment.

The addition of Notes also, according to an IBM source, allows IBM
to provide functionality to presently dissatisfied OfficeVision
customers. The IBM executive explained to Newsbytes that "The new
arrangement with Lotus is a result of our concern for clients who
have committed to an OfficeVision solution but have had to wait an
inordinate amount of time for us to deliver a product such as Notes.
To further show our appreciation and commitment to those who
have chosen office vision, we are lowering the price of an
OfficeVision terminal and exploring the return of some funds to
those persons."

The executive also pointed out "This version of Notes will also run
under OS/2 Extended Edition and is, therefore, not limited solely to
running in conjunction with OfficeVision."

(Steve Gold & Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen//19910624)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 AUSTRALIA: ELEC BUG CHIEF WITNESS IN MURDER TRIAL 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00024)

AUSTRALIA: ELEC BUG CHIEF WITNESS IN MURDER TRIAL 06/24/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- In an unusual murder trial
which started today, the chief witness will be an electronic bug
planted by ASIO, Australia's secret intelligence organization.

The bug had been placed in the headquarters of an activist, right-wing
organization, and had been constantly monitored for some weeks until
the event occurred. Over a period of about two hours, intelligence
officers heard one member of the organization confront and then
shoot-dead another member, then spend a long period talking variously
to himself and the dead body, before planting a knife in the victim's
hand and calling police to report that he had shot him in self
defence.

(Paul Zucker/19910624)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****INTEL INTROS 50 MHZ 486 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00025)

 ****INTEL INTROS 50 MHZ 486 06/24/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Intel's 50 MHz
80486 is finally out of the bag, and with it declarations by two
computer companies that they'll have the speedy new device at the
heart of their newest computers. The new device will operate 51.5
percent faster than the standard 33 MHz version.

Compaq and Wang have announced systems based on the Intel 80486
at PC Expo in New York. The Intel 50 MHz 80486 is now in limited
production and will go into mass production sometime in the fourth
quarter, selling at $665 in quantities of 1,000. Its first use will be
limited to very high-end, very-expensive file servers or workstations
competing with RISC-based computers like the IBM RS/6000 series or
Sun Microsystems's machines.

(John McCormick/19910624)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 ICECAP RUNS 486 AT 50MHz - INTEL NOT PHASED 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00000)

ICECAP RUNS 486 AT 50MHz - INTEL NOT PHASED 06/24/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Everex may have
beaten Compaq and Wang to the punch with its much earlier demonstration
system running the standard 33 MHz Intel microprocessor at 50 MHz
using a device called the IceCap from Santa Clara, California-based Velox
Computer Technology Inc. Icecap uses a solid-state cooling
technique to refrigerate the 33 MHz chip so it can run reliably
at the faster clock speed.

There was also a precedent for a 50MHz chip from San Francisco,
California-based Lightning Computers, which recently claimed to have
50 MHz "pushed" 486 systems priced at from $9,755 to $30,000.

Velox itself is going into the motherboard business by marketing the
$3,400 IceJet-486 which features the cooled, speeded up
microprocessor. Industry insiders say this might catch on much
more quickly than the IceCap itself because by pushing the Intel
chips to faster clock speeds, developers are also entering a
Twilight Zone of unknown timing and an operating motherboard
would eliminate all the development costs involved it getting the
faster chip to work.

An even faster 100 MHz version of the Intel 80486 is also in the
strong rumor stage, and it is an open question whether the Velox
IceCap could be used to boost the speed of those chips.
According to one insider, it certain seems possible and a logical
move if fast enough memory schemes can be developed to feed the
monster.

Asked about the clones running the IceCap, Intel's spokesperson,
Mr. High said, "Intel's position is that when you push a chip out
of spec it no longer meets Intel's warranty requirements and that
companies using these systems are taking a risk." He also said
that, "Intel has no intention of pursuing any legal block of the
use of the IceCap or pushed Intel chips," saying that most
customers buying these high-end systems are probably looking for
Intel quality and guarantees which are not provided by
microprocessors being run out of spec.

With the Velox motherboard operating at only 36.6 MIPS or million
instructions per second, slower than the true Intel 50 MHz chip,
and the relatively low price of the Intel 50 MHz 486, more than
one industry observer has pointed out that the window of
opportunity for the IceCap is probably closing rapidly, if it was
ever really open.

The only real market for the pushed chips is expected to be if something
happens to keep Intel production well below demand, a situation
not really expected, especially with the sluggish sales of some
other high-end microprocessors.

(John McCormick/19910624/Press Contact: Nancy Pressel, Intel,
408-765-8080 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****NEW HARDWARE DEVICE BLOCKS VIRUSES 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00026)

 ****NEW HARDWARE DEVICE BLOCKS VIRUSES 06/24/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Portable
computer marketer Fora Corporation of San Jose, California, has
entered the already crowded anti-virus software field with two
innovative programs which provide new anti-virus features.

SafeGuard protects hard disks from data loss even when they
are the target of boot sector virus attacks through the use of
a parallel port hardware device which automatically stores boot
sector and partition table information that can be used to restore a
damaged disk's directories.

The SafeGuard software also keeps watch for new strains of virus
infections, as well as all known existing infectious agents.

SafeLink is a virus-watching file transfer program capable of
catching infected files on-the-fly as it moves data at up to 500
kilobaud.

The SafeGuard program is much more than just another anti-virus
program because it adds automatic hardware protection to hard
disks. The hardware device doesn't block the virus, rather it
allows users to disinfect damaged disks even if they haven't
performed regular backups.

(John McCormick/19910624/Press Contact: Sarah Chang, Fora, 408-
944-0393)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****WANG INTROS 50 MHZ 80486 SYSTEM 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00027)

 ****WANG INTROS 50 MHZ 80486 SYSTEM 06/24/91
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Showing that
it is far from out of the PC and workstation game, Wang
Laboratories is one of the very first computer makers to introduce a
full 50 MHz 486-based system, the EC 460/50C.

Wang has hit financial hard times, along with its home state, but
a recent infusion of funds from IBM, which gets access to Wang's
office imaging technology, shows that the company still functioning
and market savvy.

James J. Hogan, president, Personal Computer Systems at Wang,
said today, "This further enhances Wang's role as systems
integrator, providing one-stop shopping for the full range of our
customers' PC needs from entry-level to high-end systems."

The new computer runs at 41 MIPS or million instructions per
second, compared to a 25 MHz 80486 which will top out around 10
MIPS. The EC 460/50C is an EISA or Extended Industry Standard
Architecture bus system

A Wang spokeswoman told Newsbytes that the price of a base system
would be $12,995 and that the EC 460/50C is expected to be
available worldwide by this September.

Just as the other members of Intel's 8XX86 microprocessor family,
the new system will run Unix, OS/2, MS-DOS, and Windows.

(John McCormick/19910624/Press Contact: Albie Jarvis, Wang,
508-967-1523)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24  ****DATA GENERAL WINS BIG EPA CONTRACT 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00028)

 ****DATA GENERAL WINS BIG EPA CONTRACT 06/24/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- Data General has
announced that it has received a contract to supply the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency with more than 600 of its AViiON
family of workstations and file servers. The eight-year contract
will be worth in the vicinity of $100 million.

Data General said that installation of the first systems would
begin almost immediately and that most would be installed in the
early part of the contract.

In addition to selling the computers to the government, the
contract calls for Data General to maintenance and consulting
services as well as being responsible for training and software
support of the installations.

In other news, Data General's DG/UX 5.4 operating system has just
received POSIX certifications from NIST. The software is also
GOSIP compliant and provides support for OSI, NetWare, and
TCP/IP.

(John McCormick/19910624/Press Contact: Jim Dunlap, Data General,
508-870-8162)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 MICROSOFT RELEASES JAPANESE MS-DOS 5.0 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00029)

MICROSOFT RELEASES JAPANESE MS-DOS 5.0 06/24/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- The Japanese office of
Microsoft has started supplying a Japanese language version of
MS-DOS version 5.0. This is sooner than the industry had expected such
a product to be released.

According to the Nikkei Personal Computing magazine, Microsoft
has started providing this latest version of the popular
operating system to major personal computer firms including
NEC on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis.

The latest version runs on the 80286 microprocessor and the above.
It uses only 18 kilobytes of main memory instead of 100 kilobytes
for the earlier version. The operating system has file and application
program management features. Various powerful utility programs
including "SafeFormat" and "Undelete" are attractive to computer makers.

Meanwhile, the AX Association will start modifying MS-DOS 5.0 for
its AX computer, a Japanese IBM-compatible machine. The
Association wants to support VGA first. The AX version is
expected to be released around this fall.

Currently, the release of this Japanese version is not a big
subject in Japan since PC users are making Windows 3.0 the main
topic of discussion.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910624/Press Contact: Microsoft, +81-3-
3363-3419)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 24 USR ANNOUNCES LOWER PRICED V.32 PRODUCTS 06/24/91

06/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)

USR ANNOUNCES LOWER PRICED V.32 PRODUCTS 06/24/91
SKOKIE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 24 (NB) -- U.S. Robotics
announced two new CCITT V.32 modems to its Sportster line. The
Sportster V.32/PC full card internal modem is shipping now, at
$595, while an external version will be available in September
for $649.

Modem prices are falling rapidly as standard chip sets and
modulation standards like V.32 take hold in the market. This was
acknowledged in a press release by Jonathan Zakin, the company's
executive vice president of sales and marketing. "We have seen
V.32 technology become a commodity," he said. The new modem also
supports the V.42bis error control standard for a maximum speed
of 38,400 bits/second, when the data compression techniques are
used. The modem is bundled with "Communications by Crosstalk"
software.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910625/Press Contact: Karen Novak, USR, 708-
982-5244)

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUN 21 Review of: Charisma 2.0, business graphics presentation for PCs, 06/21/91

06/21/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(SFO)(00032)

Review of: Charisma 2.0, business graphics presentation for PCs, 06/21/91

Runs on: 80286 or 80386 based system with 1MB RAM, 20MB free disk
space, mouse or digitizing pad, DOS 3.1 or higher, and Microsoft
Windows 2.1 or 3.0

From: Micrografx Inc., 1303 Arapaho , Richardson, TX, 75081
Phone [phone]

Price: $595.00

PUMA Rating: 3.25 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Steve McIlwain [phone] & George
Slade [phone]

Summary: This is a program for marketing professionals who wish to
create multi-media presentations, corporate executives who need to
present ideas and concepts to large groups, and entrepreneurs who wish
to use their own computer for their marketing and presentations.

======

REVIEW

======

Charisma is a complete graphic solution for the business user using
Windows. With Charisma you can create your own worksheets or
import your raw data from most spread sheets or data bases and
create graphs or charts from this data. Once your information is
presented graphically, you can jazz up the presentation with 2200
different ClipArt pictures and top of the line drawing tools. Text
can also be added to the presentation with 41 different font types
available. A slide show can be created with a slide show editor
and shown on other computers or the images can be printed, or sent
to a slide service through a built in communication utility.

Set Up and Ease of Use:

The set up and installation of Charisma is not a difficult process,
but it is very time consuming. There is also no warning before you
begin as to just how long it will take. Budget at least two hours
just to copy all the files to your disk. If you are going to use
all the ClipArt and samples, then budget 3 - 4 hours. To conserve
disk space you have the option to install only the fonts and
ClipArt you want. The installation is not a standard windows
installation. The installation program is run from DOS and the
files are unarchived from the floppies.

Charisma has a standard windows interface. Surprisingly, it is
slow in its operation. This in itself makes the operation of the
program more difficult and frustrating. One reason which could
account for the lack of speed is the size of the package due to the
abundance of options and functions. To illustrate the lack of
speed, it took 3 seconds per letter to type a line with a 9 point
font. (Yes... 3 seconds a letter - this is not a typo.) We must
at this point note the computer we were using to review Charisma
was a 16Mhz 386 with 2MB of RAM and a 20ms access drive.
Micrografx states that this could be used on a 286. If you choose
this option, I hope you like to drink a lot of coffee. It would be
interesting to compare a non-Windows version of Charisma to see if
the performance improves without the sluggish overhead of Windows.

Charisma is packed with options. It is so packed with options and
functions that if it did not have a graphical user interface the
package would be almost impossible to use.

Reports, Output and Documentation:

The documentation is very well done. It is nice to see that the
documentation is not overbearing, considering the package is so
large. The documentation included a handy quick reference chart,
learning guide and reference manual. There are also many very
useful tips in the manual on how to create effective presentations,
such as the proper background design to suite certain types of
screens.

Presentations created with Charisma can not be beat. The number of
options available to you with this package allows you to create
some pretty slick presentations.

Error handling and Limitations:

Charisma traps errors effectively and did not crash during any of
our tests.

There are few limitations to what Charisma can produce. However we
feel the package's main limitation is in its speed (or lack of it).
Every limitation that is documented is far beyond the needs of any
one we know - 16 million colours, 4.2 million data points, 41 type
fonts (who needs all this).

Charisma has all the functions one expects from a professional
presentations package and more. The limits of Charisma are so
broad that few users will reach the barriers of the capabilities of
this package.

One word of caution. Most people who are inexperienced with
marketing or presentations tend to try to pack as many options as
possible in one presentation. This same problem came about when
desktop publishing first arose. If you don't have the skills to
create a good presentation this will not help. If you already have
good marketing skills this is a very powerful tool.

If you are in the business of making presentations 8 hours a day,
5 days a week and you can afford to have the best and fastest
hardware and peripherals (we recommend that this package not be
considered for anything less than a 33Mhz 386), Charisma is what
you should invest in.

============

PUMA Ratings

============

PERFORMANCE: 2. Sluggish at best even on a 386. Should not be
run on a 286 based machine.

USEFULNESS: 4 . Has every function you can think of.

MANUAL: 3.5. Not overbearing for the size of the package and is
laid out nicely.

AVAILABILITY: 3.5. Not in all stores, but major dealers will have
it.

This review prepared by ISR Software Review Corp. [phone].
This review is protected by copyright any reproduction or
duplication without express written consent of ISR Software Review
Corp. is strictly prohibited.

(George Slade/19910621)
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 JUN 21 Review of:  Dan Bricklin's Demo II, PC software prototyping 06/21/91

06/21/91



(REVIEW)(IBM)(SFO)(00000)

Review of:  Dan Bricklin's Demo II, PC software prototyping 06/21/91

From: Sage Software, Inc., 3200 Tower Oaks Boulevard, Rockville,
Maryland 20852

Runs on:  IBM PC, XT, AT or compatible, monochrome monitor,
DOS 2.1 or greater

PUMA Rating: 2.5 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: George Slade [phone]

Summary: This program is useful for systems analyst wishing to
communicate a new software concept either to end users or programmers
or to anyone interested in demonstrating, marketing or teaching software
programs to others through a PC.

======

REVIEW

======

Demo II allows the user to capture screens from a pre-existing
software application and then program them together into an
interactive or self-running demonstration of the application.  This
would be the most common use of Demo II, yet it could also be used
to create screens and key events for an application yet to be
produced.  A third use for Demo II would be to create screens which
demonstrate to or inform users of a non-software product.  For the
purposes of this review, we focused on the software related
application of this product - demonstrating an existing product or
the prototype of a new product.

Set Up and Ease of Use

Demo II is installed simply by copying the distribution disks to
your hard disk.  Demo II is not a program intended for a novice
user and, in fact, the primary users of Demo II would be software
developers.  Perhaps this is why it is not the most user friendly
product we have seen.

Once Demo II is installed, you go through the task of creating your
screens and setting run-time functions for those screens.  If you
are creating a demonstration of a pre existing product, you can
save a little time in capturing the screens from the application
and importing them into Demo II.  If you are prototyping, you are
able to create the screens with an editor in Demo II.  In both
situations, the most difficult and time consuming task is setting
up all the appropriate run time actions for each screen.  An
effective demonstration takes several hours to plan before starting
to use Demo II.  Each screen of the demo takes up to 15 minutes to
program the run time actions.  An effective demonstration will
contain upwards of 200 different screens or more.  Thus 50 to 60
hours of solid work is required to complete an effective
demonstration.

Documentation

The Documentation for Demo II is complete and concise, yet it is
not written in a manner that a simple user could understand.
Simple users will not be using this product, thus the writing
format is not a concern.  Given the intended user, a programmer or
analyst, the documentation is adequate.

Error Handling and Limitations

Demo II is a very solid product from an error handling point of
view.  It was impossible for us to set up a situation which would
crash the product.  The only weakness to the product from an error
handling point of view is that you can create an error and the
system will trap the error.  There were rarely error messages to
explain the error, thus you would have to rely on your experience
with the package to identify the error.  Again, considering the
sophisticated user this package is intended for, this is not a
major limitation.

There are a few limitations with Demo II.  The capture buffer is
limited to the available RAM left after the application is running.
Captured screens are saved in RAM one after the other and the
capture buffer is not cleared until you run Demo II again.  Try to
get more than 3 screens out of Ventura running on a network.  The
next limitation we ran up against are the transition options
between the screens of your presentation - there are only three.
The list of limitations grows when comparing this to other
presentation and demonstration products.  However, when you look at
the intended use as a prototyping system, the limitations seem
insignificant.

Demo II functions most successfully as a prototyping product, and
is not as successful as a presentation or demonstration product.
If used as a prototyping tool, Demo II is very effective.  For use
by a systems analyst to present a prototype system to a programmer,
Demo II is a very effective product.  Take Demo II into any other
area where it could be used, and you will find it somewhat
limiting.  Considering its limitations, if designing systems as a
consultant, either internally in an organisation or on contract,
one tool we recommend is Demo II.

============

PUMA RATINGS

============

PERFORMANCE: 2.5.  It becomes cumbersome as the presentation gets
larger.

USEFULNESS: 2.5. Limited to a small vertical market (systems
analysts and software consultants).

MANUAL: 3. Highly technical and not easy to read, but it is
complete.

AVAILABILITY: 2. Must be ordered through specialty programming
stores or direct from Sage Software.

This review prepared by ISR Software Review Corp. [phone].
This review is protected by copyright any reproduction or
duplication without express written consent of ISR Software Review
Corp. is strictly prohibited.

(George Slade/062191)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUN 21 COMPUCOM SYSTEMS TO ACQUIRE PHOTO & SOUND PC BUSINESS 06/21/91\

06/21/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00001)

COMPUCOM SYSTEMS TO ACQUIRE PHOTO & SOUND PC BUSINESS 06/21/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- In its second
acquisition this year, CompuCom Systems has announced that it
has signed a letter of intent with Photo & Sound Company of
San Francisco to purchase Photo & Sound's microcomputer
business, as well as some related assets. Specifics of a purchase
agreement are still being worked out.

Photo & Sound is an employee-owned company which distributes
audio-visual, video, and microcomputer products. The company has
14 locations in the Western United States. Founded more than 50
years ago, Photo & Sound employees 650 people. No information
was available regarding the fate of those employees.

Commenting on the agreement, Avery More, CompuCom president, said,
"Combined with our existing business, Photo & Sound will give
CompuCom a major presence in the West." More says the computer
reseller industry is in a consolidation phase, and CompuCom
intends to take advantage of that opportunity to grow. More's
statement that the company intends to grow through acquisitions
"of solid, strategically located companies like Photo & Sound"
could be an indication of other acquisitions.

Doug Michael, president of Photo & Sound said, "The purchase of
our microcomputer business will allow Photo & Sound to refocus
its efforts on its core business, with particular emphasis on the
development of the meeting and convention business."

In April of this year CompuCom acquired The Computer Factory.
The company has 35 offices nationwide.

(Jim Mallory/19910620/Press Contact:Avery More, CompuCom,
214-783-1252)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 NEW PRODUCT: In Focus' PC Screen Projection Device 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)

NEW PRODUCT: In Focus' PC Screen Projection Device 06/21/91
TULATIN, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- In Focus Systems has
announced a new PC viewer, the 1600LC, as well as price
reductions on two other models.

The 1600LC displays screen images generated on IBM, compatible
and Apple computers on a wall or screen using a standard overhead
projector. The company says the 1600LC has a resolution of 640 X
480 pixels, with a contrast ratio of 15 to 1, and is priced
at $2,695. The 1600LC projects the 16 standard VGA colors most
frequently used in business and education software.

"With its VGA color palette and affordable price, we believe the
1600LC provides tremendous impetus for market growth in business
and education," said Andy Leonard, In Focus VP of marketing and
sales. Leonard predicts that in the first year, the 1600LC will
capture a significant market share. Leonard says that non-color
panels account for 74 percent of the worldwide projection panel
market.

The 1600LC uses proprietary technology called Sabre (Subtractive
Birefringement Effect). Leonard says that while early display
panels tried to eliminating most birefringence, Sabre optimizes
it to obtain a full spectrum fixed palette of the 16 standard VGA
colors.

Sabre uses two LCD panel layers, with each panel designed so the
greyscale controls several colors in the spectrum. The panels
are tuned by defining a precise combination of liquid crystal
characteristics and the proper distance through the liquid
crystal layer. A CGA, VGA or EGA display is required.

In Focus maintains a toll free phone number (800-327-7231 for
product information) or can be faxed at 503-692-4476.

(Jim Mallory/19910620/Press Contact:Scott Niesen, In Focus,
503-692-4968)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****WORST NIGHTMARE IS A REALITY, SAYS GATES 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00003)

 ****WORST NIGHTMARE IS A REALITY, SAYS GATES 06/21/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Microsoft
chairman Bill Gates, in an internal "state of the company" memo
sent to Microsoft senior managers, said the company is being
attacked by rivals and one-time allies. Gates included both IBM
and Novell on his list of attackers.

According to the eight page, single spaced April memo, which was
obtained by the San Jose Mercury News, Gates said, "Our nightmare -
IBM attacking us in systems software, Novell defeating us in
networking and more agile customer-oriented applications
competitors getting their Windows act together - is a reality."

When Gates spoke at COMDEX in November 1990, Gates promised that
Microsoft will work closely with independent software developers,
as he said it did in developing Windows and OS/2. His final
words were a call for cooperation from the PC industry and
information providers to deliver systems which make "information
at your fingertips" a working reality by the end of the decade.

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft vice president for system software,
defended the memo during an investment conference. Ballmer said
it was a "prudent business practice" to outline "worst case
scenarios." Ballmer acknowledged that there is tension in the
relationship between IBM and Microsoft.

While some industry watchers said Gates was just rallying the
troops and warning them not to be complacent, stockholders appear
not to be sure. Microsoft closed at $100.75 June 20, down $2.625
on over-the-counter trading, with the 2.3 million shares traded
leading volume trading. The stock dropped $8.125 on Wednesday,
closing at $103.375.

Gates also expressed concern over the lawsuit filed against
Microsoft by Apple Computer, as well as an ongoing Federal Trade
Commission investigation, which is trying to determine whether
Microsoft has monopolized the software industry. Gates said it
would be "disastrous" if the Microsoft loses the Apple lawsuit.

Gates also instructed his staff to avoid publicly criticizing
IBM, saying that they should "not attack IBM as a company."
Gates did say it was OK to attack IBM's OS/2 operating system, as
long as the attacks are "very professional." IBM DOS-based PCs
are shipped with a copy of Microsoft's Disk Operating System
(MS-DOS).

In the memo, Gates wrote "Our strategy for the 90s is Windows -
one evolving architecture, a couple of implementations.
Everything we do should focus on making Windows more successful.
While IBM is not happy with Windows, hoping to make their OS/2
the operating system of choice, Gates said in the memo that the
split has benefited Microsoft. "Eventually we need to have at
least a neutral relationship with IBM. For the next 24 months,
it (the relationship with IBM) may be fairly cold."

Gates was not the only CEO with problems. John Akers, head of
IBM, sent his employees an electronic message, saying that some
employees were not working hard enough. Akers had also
criticized his employees in April.

Microsoft's record recently has been mixed. As reported by
Newsbytes this week, Microsoft withdrew from the printer language
field, leaving it to Adobe. It also released DOS 5.0, which
was immediately accepted by nearly all of the major hardware
manufacturers, and announced a new version of the venerable Basic
Interpreter.

Microsoft's Ballpoint Mouse was awarded a Bronze Industrial
Design Excellence Award by the Industrial Designers Society of
America, and Microsoft Visual Basic was named overall "Best of
Show at COMDEX.

(Jim Mallory/19910621)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 RDM OFFERS "900 NUMBERS" TO SMALL BUSINESSES 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)

RDM OFFERS "900 NUMBERS" TO SMALL BUSINESSES 06/21/91
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- A few years ago
the Fox TV program "Married with Children" ran a show where the main
character tried to run a "900" number, answering questions about
shoes. Well, now Al Bundy's dream can become a reality, thanks to
Daniel M. Brule, owner/operator of RDM Information System, who is
now offering to lease small businesses caller-paid "900" numbers.

"Clients can lease a phone line by the day, week, month or
year," Brule said in a press release. "A joint venture option is
also available, whereby RDM and the client will share service
revenues in exchange for no up-front rental fees."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/Press Contact: RDM Information System,
Daniel M. Brule, 716/251-2345)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 NEW FOR TELECOM: Innosoft Fax Gateway For PMDF E-Mail 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

NEW FOR TELECOM: Innosoft Fax Gateway For PMDF E-Mail 06/21/91
CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Innosoft
International began shipping PMDF-fax, a mail-to-fax gateway
system linked to its PMDF Electronic Mail Distribution System,
which works under the DEC VMS operating system.

The PMDF-fax gateway can handle messages from e-mail sources such
as DECNET, TCP/IP, Bitnet, PC-based LANS, UUCP and All-in-1,
among others, and can be accessed by any e-mail user from VMS,
Ultrix, Unix, DOS, 0S/2 or Macintosh workstations.

Messages can be sent as plain text, Postscript files, or a
combination. Fax transmissions can be created using any
electronic mail system or text editor and then routed to the
PMDF-fax gateway just like any other e-mail message. Fax messages
can be addressed to be received as either mail messages or as a
fax with a customizable cover sheet. The only requirement is that
there be at least one VAX/VMS machine running on the network to
support PMDF and the PMDF-fax gateway software.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/Press Contact: Innosoft, 714/624-7907;
Thomas Woolf Media Relations, Tom Woolf, 415/366-6231)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 SOLUTION CLAIMED TO PCN SPREAD-SPECTRUM PROBLEMS 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

SOLUTION CLAIMED TO PCN SPREAD-SPECTRUM PROBLEMS 06/21/91
EATONTON, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Recently,
Motorola released the results of a study claiming
that microwave-based personal communication networks, a high-
frequency cellular phone system, cannot share frequencies with
microwave relay systems. Now a small New Jersey company, working
with Millicom of New York, claims that not only can the frequency
be shared, but it has a high-capacity system to do the job.

SCS Mobilecom says its system was recently tested successfully
by Millicom, in Orlando and Houston. It claims its system, using
Code Division Multiple Access, or CDMA, digital techniques, can
share the microwave frequencies with relay systems. Millicom will
produce a report on its study of the SCS system for the Federal
Communications Commission by the end of June.

If the claims are proven, spread-spectrum PCN could have a huge
impact on telecommunications. Such systems would let
entrepreneurs offer mobile phone services without the need for an
FCC license under the same rules which apply to cordless phones
and garage-door openers. If CDMA is proven to work in allowing
for spread-spectrum service, it would also be a big boost for
Qualcomm of San Diego, which last year saw a rival digital
cellular scheme, TDMA, accepted by the Cellular Telecommunications
Industry Association.

SCS President Donald L. Schilling seemed sure of his ground in a
press release. "We can demonstrate that spread spectrum
technology can transmit data and voice emissions so efficiently
that existing users will not be affected by our transmissions,"
he said. When Newsbytes contacted Millicom Chairman Shelby Bryan
about the Motorola findings, he expressed mild surprise, but told
us to "wait and see."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/Press Contact: SCS Mobilecom, John
Stroebele, 908/542-6458)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 SPRINT MAKES NEW SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

SPRINT MAKES NEW SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS 06/21/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- U.S. Sprint, the
#3 U.S. long distance company, made a number of announcements
aimed at increasing its market share.

First, Sprint announced that its Sprint Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI) Service customers now can transport EDI information
via the X.400 universal electronic messaging standard. This will
let them move invoices among electronic mail systems as they now
move ordinary messages. Besides linking conventional e-mail
vendors, the announcement will also link public EDI services such
as OrderNet, Harbinger and BT Tymnet. X.400 access eliminates
the need for Sprint EDI customers to have separate access methods
for X.400 and EDI communications.

Sprint also announced Sprint Message Xchange for LANs, which
lets local area network mail users link to the SprintMail
messaging service. The service will be first made available to
users of cc:Mail, the most widely used LAN mail service in the
U.S., but Sprint expects to certify other LAN vendors later this
year. Sprint Message Xchange also offers features like the option
of automatically adding address information directories from
other e-mail services to the cc:Mail user's directory, and
address mapping, an advanced service that allows the cc:Mail user
to address messages to other Sprint Message Xchange users the
same way they would a standard cc:Mail message.

Finally, Sprint announced a new Answer Detect program for hotels,
which gives hotel managers the ability to eliminate the problem
of having uncompleted calls posted on guests' bills. Answer
Detect hardware also enables hotels to track billing from the
moment the call is answered, ensuring they collect the correct
revenues from each call. The new product requires no capital
investment, and is available for a 2-3 year lease, after which
ownership is transferred to the property.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/ Press Contact: Steve Dykes, US
Sprint, 703-242-1769; Robin Carlson, U.S. Sprint, 202-828-7426)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 KUWAIT INCREASES ORDER FOR IMM ULTRAPHONES 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

KUWAIT INCREASES ORDER FOR IMM ULTRAPHONES 06/21/91
KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- The
government of Kuwait expanded its order for International Mobile
Machine Ultraphones by 75 subscriber units and a 24-line Cluster.

IMM was one of the first companies to receive a contract from the
government of Kuwait to assist in the restoration of local
telephone service in Kuwait City. The initial contract was for
250 transportable subscriber units, of which half were used for
mobile service. Because of the Ultraphone's digital technology,
the Kuwaiti government has been able to conduct business with the
same degree of privacy whether in a mobile or non-mobile mode.

The order also includes the first shipment to the Middle East of
IMM's Cluster, which connects up to 24 subscribers into a single
radio-based loop carrier system sharing a common housing, power
and antenna. This reduces the telephone company's cost to install
the subscriber units. IMM expects that 60% of its future
subscriber orders will be clustered.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/ Press Contact: John A. Goetz, IMM,
215-278-7800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 COX BUYS INTO MERRILL LYNCH TELEPORT 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)

COX BUYS INTO MERRILL LYNCH TELEPORT 06/21/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- The telephone
bypass business got a big boost as Cox Enterprises, which
recently sold its stake in the Blockbuster chain of video
stores, announced it is buying 12.5% of Merrill Lynch's Teleport
Communications Group. As part of the transaction, Merrill Lynch
and Cox will provide $80 million of additional funding to
Teleport for future expansion. Closing of the transaction is
pending regulatory approvals, and terms were not disclosed.

Teleport owns and operates fiber optic Metropolitan Area Network
communications systems in 17 U.S. metropolitan areas, including
New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston
and Dallas. The MAN systems are used by large companies to
bypass local phone firms for local calls. Regional phone firms
have opposed creation the MAN systems, saying they "cherry-pick"
their best customers leaving only small customers to pay for
their huge expenditures in capital equipment.

However, that attitude is slowly changing. NYNEX recently
announced it would let MAN outfits interconnect with its phone
network for the first time, and some bypass companies are
actually turning a profit. Teleport builds underground fiber
optic rings around each of its market cities that are used by
businesses and long distance carriers for point to point
communications lines. Other phone companies, like Michigan Bell,
have built their own rings around cities like Detroit in order to
keep the bypass outfits out.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/ Press Contact: William Clark, Merrill
Lynch, 212-449-7284; William L. Killen Jr. Cox Enterprises,
404-843-5190; Robert Atkinson, Teleport, 718-983-2160)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****APPLE'S EUROPEAN OPERATIONS SUFFER CUTBACKS TOO 06/21/91

06/21/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(LON)(00010)

 ****APPLE'S EUROPEAN OPERATIONS SUFFER CUTBACKS TOO 06/21/91
STOCKLEY PARK, UXBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Apple U.K. has
confirmed that the company's operations in Europe are not immune from
the cutbacks announced this week in the U.S. Mike Newton, Apple's U.K.
managing director, has taken a 15 percent pay cut and a major reshuffle
in Europe is underway. According the company, its U.K. operations are also
shaving ten percent from the payroll in all departments.

"One of the driving forces behind the restructuring here in Europe is the
move to change Apple Europe's centre of gravity. That means a significant
relocation of our Paris headquarters functions to major country
subsidiaries and a reduction in size of the Paris office," Newton said,

Newton said that the company plans to move a number of its
functions from the Paris office to the U.K. headquarters which, despite the
10 percent layoffs, means the U.K. operations must expand to a second
building at Apple's Stockley Park offices.

"This is a recognition of the quality of the work which is currently being
done by the current U.K organization in this area. The European briefing
centre, a key element of our marketing to major organizations and strategic
partners, will also be located at Apple UK's headquarters," he said.

"The restructure that we are announcing today in Apple UK brings our
financial and expense model in line with the corporation's expectations.
Further restructuring within Apple may involve consolidations, relocations
and so on - I do not anticipate these actions impacting the UK operation,"
he added.

(Steve Gold/19910621/Press & Public Contact: Apple UK - Tel: [phone];
Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 SOLUTION CLAIMED TO PCN SPREAD-SPECTRUM PROBLEMS -TAKE 2 - 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

SOLUTION CLAIMED TO PCN SPREAD-SPECTRUM PROBLEMS -TAKE 2 - 06/21/91
EATONTON, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Motorola recently
released the results of a study claiming that microwave-based
personal communication networks (PCNs), a high-frequency cellular phone
system, cannot share frequencies with microwave relay systems. Now
a small New Jersey company, working with Millicom of New York, claims
that not only can the frequency be shared, but it has a high-capacity
system to do the job.

"We spread the signal, and lower the power. Therefore, we're able to
offer the service without interference," a spokesman for SCS
Mobilecom told Newsbytes.

The small equipment company has been working with Millicom, in
its tests of PCN service in Orlando and Houston. The company
claims its system, using Code Division Multiple Access, or CDMA,
digital techniques, can share the microwave frequencies with
relay systems. Millicom will produce a report on its study of the
SCS system for the Federal Communications Commission by the end
of June. SCS has already produced its report.

If the claims hold up before the FCC, spread-spectrum PCN could
have a huge impact on telecommunications. Such systems would let
entrepreneurs offer mobile phone services without an FCC license,
under the same rules which apply to cordless phones and garage-
door openers. If CDMA is proven to work in allowing for spread-
spectrum service, it would also be a big boost for Qualcomm of
San Diego, which last year saw a rival digital cellular scheme,
TDMA, accepted by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry
Association for digital cellular service.

SCS spokesman John Stroebele did not want to pick a fight with
Motorola in talking to Newsbytes, but he said his company's
results on its tests so far have been clear. "We went ahead and
completed the tests, proving the non-interfering nature of our
technology with private microwave. We simulated a significant
volume of traffic, and validated the handset-to-microcell
technology" in the field. "Last Friday, as part of our compliance
process for the experimental license, we sent to the FCC a
report, with external corroboration, showing what we can
accomplish with our technology."

For now, the test will continue, Stroebele added. "We will
proceed now to further develop the architecture, and each quarter
or half-year we'll submit more evidence. This test validated
the handset-to-cell architecture. Next we'll validate a cell-to-
cell handoff."

"We spread the signal, and lower the power. Therefore, we're able
to offer the service without interference."

SCS President Donald L. Schilling also seemed sure of his ground
in a press release. "We can demonstrate that spread spectrum
technology can transmit data and voice emissions so efficiently
that existing users will not be affected by our transmissions,"
he said. When Newsbytes contacted Millicom Chairman Shelby Bryan
about the Motorola findings, he expressed mild surprise, but told
us to "wait and see."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/Press Contact: SCS Mobilecom, John
Stroebele, 908/542-6458)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****101 ONLINE IS VAPOR UNTIL DECEMBER 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

 ****101 ONLINE IS VAPOR UNTIL DECEMBER 06/21/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- The much-hyped 101
Online service in San Francisco will remain vaporware through
December, its president told Newsbytes. 101 OnLine, announced at the
Videotex Industry Association conference, plans to offer Minitel-based
services in the San Francisco Bay Area.

President Pascal Lenoir, in an interview with Newsbytes, said,
"The roll-out is in December. We expect then to have a bank, a
grocery, and other important local services. Some of the
information providers have already signed up but want to control
their own advertising," and he would not name them for that
reason. "We'll have the same services you have on other services
-- games, shopping, mail, etc. -- but we want to help small
associations, too," by providing user group services.

Lenoir said the French teletel standard was chosen because it's
easier to use, graphic, and fast. "We plan to aim first at the
non-PC households. There's no extra cost to have a Minitel
terminal" under the 101 Online business plan. "We won't
distribute software from the first unless we have requests, but
we know from previous experience in the U.S., as in Omaha, that
85-95% of our potential users want the Minitel, not the PC. They
just don't want to pay extra for the Minitel."

Since Lenoir brought it up, we asked him about the failures of
Minitel-based gateway trials in Omaha and Houston, as well as the
closing of NYNEX' Info-Look gateway in New York and Boston.
"We'll control our costs," he said. "We know how much
things will cost us. We have been in France more than 10 years,
and we know the business. The second point is we're service-
oriented. There is no way videotex will succeed unless you bring
value-added services to the end-user. In December we'll make new
press announcements, showing exactly who's doing what."

Lenoir said he could not identify the company's French parent.
"We can't tell what the name is we're known under in France. Not
yet." But he was explicit in describing what it does. "In France
we have a financial and technical back-up. We have the hardware
and staff. We have IPs [information providers] for professional services
and mass market services, like games, home shopping, home banking."

We asked Lenoir about the recent announcement by NVN of a
service which will let any PC in the U.S. access Minitel-based
services for a low rate. "We want to be open to the outside
world," he said. "Connectivity is key to us. All the services
available on a PC will be available on the Minitel. Also, we want
to focus on local services. We'll have services from San
Francisco. It's difficult to find the appeal in that from NY or
Houston. We're negotiating nationwide access, but we don't have
direct contact with the NVN gateway, it's brand-new and there's
nothing concrete. Right now there's a lot of networks that are
proposing this kind of service, national coverage for videotex
services. We haven't talked to NVN We'll wait and see."

101 OnLine caused much excitement at the VIA show by saying it
would charge U.S. subscribers $9.95 per month, a price which
includes the Minitel terminal and unlimited access to basic on-
line services.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/Press Contact: 101 Online, John
Queffelec, 415/705-0500)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 AST SIGNS $100 MIL AGR'T WITH DIGITAL 06/21/91

06/21/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00013)

AST SIGNS $100 MIL AGR'T WITH DIGITAL 06/21/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- AST
Research announced it has signed a basic ordering agreement
(BOA) with Digital Equipment that allows Digital to purchase
AST IBM compatible computers. AST estimates the agreement to
have a potential of $100 million in sales.

Under the agreement, Digital has the option of selecting any
of the range of AST products including new products as they
become available. Digital has a personal computer local area
network (PC LAN) contract with the U.S. Navy totaling $140
million, and has chosen AST's Premium 486 servers as part of
the network.

AST feels this agreement with Digital will further establish
its products in U.S. government use. "While AST has its own
GSA schedule, agreements with large-scale system integrators
like Digital represent another avenue for penetration into
the governmental market," according to Bob Becker, AST vice
president of OEM sales. Becker said AST also expects to make
further inroads into the corporate market through the
agreement with Digital.

AST Research corporate headquarters are located at 16215
Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 19658, Irvine, CA 92613-9658; Tel
714-727-4141; Fax [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910621/Press Contact: Gerry Lynne Baker,
AST, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone].
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 NEW FOR MAC: Hand-Held OCR Scanner for System 7 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00014)

NEW FOR MAC: Hand-Held OCR Scanner for System 7 06/21/91
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Caere
has announced it has begun shipping the System 7.0-compatible Typist 1.1
hand-held scanner and optical character recognition software (OCR) for
the Macintosh. The software uses Caere's Anyfont technology - the same
technology used in the company's leading Omnipage OCR
software, the company said.

The concept is to be able to scan any document, whether in
typeface or column format, and have the text "read" into a
word processing program, spreadsheet or database program,
according to Caere. The scanner software works as a
Macintosh desk accessory, and may be left permanently
connected so it is available to scan short blocks of text
quickly. Users can then leave their productivity software
applications running while the Typist converts printed text
into computerized text and inserts it into a file selected
by the user, the company said.

The software allows scanning to be done either horizontally
or vertically, and any overlapping text that has already
been scanned is automatically discarded, Caere said.

The 1.1 version incorporates the feature of scanning at
different resolutions -- 75 dots per inch (dpi), 150 dpi, or
300 dpi. The company also said version 1.1 includes new
image editing functions such as selecting a partial area,
cut, copy, and paste. A dither pattern switch on the scanner
allows the user to chose from four different settings for
working with photos or line art, the company added.

A video is included to instruct users on how to quickly
install and use the Typist 1.1, the company said. A new
manual is also shipping with a tutorial for familiarizing
new users with text scanning.

The Typist 1.1 for Macintosh is retail priced at $695, Caere
said. Upgrades from Typist version 1.0 are free of charge,
and include the Typist 1.1 software and the new manual, the
company said.

The Typist requires a Macintosh SE or any Macintosh II
family computer, 4 megabytes of random access memory (RAM)
and a hard disk drive. It will operate in System 6.0 and
above, the company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910621/Press Contact: Larry Miller,
Caere, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 US GOVT ECONOMIC STUDIES BLAMED FOR DEFICIT 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00015)

US GOVT ECONOMIC STUDIES BLAMED FOR DEFICIT 06/21/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Each week U.S.
business people and investors around the world carefully watch
the U.S. government's release of economic statistics to judge how
well or poorly the U.S., and, by implication, the world's,
economy is doing, but recent reports show that those same reports
are often wildly inaccurate.

Besides the obvious fact that federal CPI or Consumer Price Index
numbers, a major gauge of inflation, don't take federal tax
increases into account when calculating inflation, this despite
the fact that most wage earners lose about one-quarter to one-
third of their paychecks to federal taxes of one sort or another,
there are other persistent sources of error in the government's
economic figures, according to a recent study.

Most aware government watchers also know that the preliminary
data released by the government are often drastically modified in
later assessments, but a recent study, "Playing Politics with
Government Forecasts," provides the shocking conclusion that
nearly $1 trillion of recent U.S. Government debt increases are
due not to the Gulf War or the savings and loan crisis but can be
attributed entirely to bad economic forecasts.

The study, released this week by the Dallas, Texas-based
Institute for Policy Innovation, makes the following points:

 [] The five-year deficit ballooned from $62.5 billion to $865.5
billion, despite a purported $500 billion in deficit reduction
from last October's budget agreement.

 [] Since February, the five-year deficit has increased by at least
another $200 billion because of the failure to correct past
mistakes coupled with new forecasting errors.

"Because government forecasting practices are cloaked in secrecy
and lack appropriate checks and balances, taxpayers will have
little clue why their indebtedness has grown by $1 trillion above
February 1990 projections and by $500 billion above the level
projected at the conclusion of last October's budget agreement,"
said Aldona Robbins, a former Treasury Department economist
and co-author of the study.

"Many people incorrectly believe that unforeseen emergencies such
as the S&L debacle and the Persian Gulf war are responsible for
the rapid and unexpected increase in deficit levels," Robbins
continued.

"In fact, only a small percentage of the growth in the five-year
deficit since February 1990 is attributable to these occurrences.
The overwhelming majority, over $1 trillion, results from
inaccurate economic and budget forecasts."

According to the study, government forecasts are flawed in two
fundamental ways, the first being poor growth assumptions and the
second being inaccurate assessments of how tax policy will affect
both business and the federal budget.

Industry experts point out that of course the computer industry
is as vitally affected by the inaccuracy of these poor economic
forecasts as any other business in this country, and the effects
can spread even farther than U.S. borders.

Because the economic forecasts, as well as the later disastrous
debt levels created when those forecasts are relied upon, affect
both U.S. and world interest rates and the value of the dollar,
they in turn affect trade balances and competitiveness.

(John McCormick/19910621/Press Contact: David Hobbs, Institute
for Policy Innovation, 214-219-0811)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****SPA 1Q SOFTWARE SALES UP 18 PERCENT 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00016)

 ****SPA 1Q SOFTWARE SALES UP 18 PERCENT 06/21/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- SPA, the Software
Publishers' Association, first quarter personal computer software
sales figures show that North American software sales for the
first quarter of 1991 reached an estimated $1.2 billion, up 18
percent over the same period last year, with U.S. software firms'
exports growing a surprising 48 percent.

Among the big winners this past quarter were Macintosh programs,
up nearly 17 percent, but the tremendous 221.6 percent increase
in Windows application software sales was the obvious front-
runner. Education and desktop publishing software sales were both
up by just over 50 percent for the quarter, while MS-DOS sales
grew only 5.8 percent.

These numbers can be somewhat misleading unless viewed in the
light of the fact that MS-DOS software sales total about eight
times more than Macintosh sales so even relatively small
increases in sales percentages can mean a much larger cash value,
as was the case in the first quarter, with MS-DOS sales totalling
nearly $1 billion and total Macintosh sales only reaching $162
million.

Including all operating systems, word processor software still
accounts for the largest share of the market at $232.9 million
versus $192.6 million for spreadsheets and $144.6 for graphics
programs, but in the Macintosh world, taken alone, word processor
software, at $28.7 million, is a poor second to graphics software
which accounts for a whopping 27 percent or $43.4 million in
sales.

Looking at the above results, Ann Stephens, SPA's director of
research, said, "For nearly a year, the software industry has
braced itself for a recession that has never materialized. We
were far too pessimistic. First quarter numbers indicate that
end-users will not hesitate to purchase products to improve
productivity."

Apparently the industry itself didn't share the gloomy forecasts
because employment has increased by nearly 22 percent in the
first quarter, something which insiders say points not only to
present strong sales but a general feeling that the economic
climate for software sales looks good into the foreseeable
future.

(John McCormick/19910621/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-
452-1600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 SHARP FULL-COLOR FAX NOW SHIPPING IN U.S. 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00017)

SHARP FULL-COLOR FAX NOW SHIPPING IN U.S. 06/21/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 21 (NB) -- Sharp is now marketing
in the US the world's first full-color desktop fax system which operates
over regular telephone lines. Sharp Electronics has announced the new
fax, designated the FO-9000, along with other products new to this
country such as the CA-7000, a fax system which also captures and
sends sound stored on cassettes, and the plain paper FO-4900 laser fax.

The FO-9000 is based on a sublimating-dye printer which heats
dyes in a heat-sensitive ribbon which then reacts with the
special polyester-based glossy paper to produce high-quality full
8-by-10-inch glossy photographs in three minutes.

Priced at $31,995, the new color fax is now shipping, according
to Nancy Payne, a designated Sharp spokeswoman. Ms. Payne told
Newsbytes that, in addition to the full color capability, the FO-9000,
which has been shipping in Japan for about one year, can also send and
receive standard Group III fax transmissions.

(John McCormick/19910621/Press Contact: Nancy Payne, Dorf &
Stanton Communications Inc., 212-420-8100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00018)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 06/21/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

The Business Section of Newsweek magazine for June 24 features a
two-page article on Microsoft's chairman, Bill Gates, who, the
article says, is "under attack from every major computer company
and the federal government besides."

On Sunday, June 16, the "Executive Computer" column in The New
York Times' Business Section concentrated on IBM's return to its
original AT bus, used in three of the four new PS/2s introduced
last week - Models 35LS (listed at $1,995), 35SX ($2,525), and
40SX ($2,925) - all of which use Intel's 20 MHz i386SX chip. The
NYT story says that IBM reinstated the AT after consumers ignored
its Micro Channel Architecture.

The June 17 Computer Reseller News carries a front-page story on
features to be included in Windows 3.1, which include more speed,
support for more memory, and load-high support for QEMM, 386Max,
and EMM386 memory managers.

The June 15 Science News carries a piece on the latest
developments in gallium arsenide semiconductors. It seems that
the material also displays superconductivity properties.

(John McCormick/19910621)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 JAPAN'S MITSUBISHI SUES AT&T OVER HACKER INFILTRATION OF PBX 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

JAPAN'S MITSUBISHI SUES AT&T OVER HACKER INFILTRATION OF PBX 06/21/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Mitsubishi has
tired of waiting for the Federal Communications Commission to
decide on liability for hackers dialing into business phone
switches, or PBXs, in order to call out on the victim's dome. So
it's filed suit against AT&T, seeking to recover $430,000 in
phone charges incurred by hackers dialing into its System 85 PBX.

The PBX was installed in 1988, and allowed Mitsubishi employees
throughout the company to call one another using a 6-digit code.
Mitsubishi says AT&T failed to secure the system, or warn it of
the hacker threat. Besides wanting the $430,000 in phone charges
dismissed, the Japanese company wants AT&T fined $10 million and
charged another $270,000 in Mitsubishi costs incurred after
discovery of the problem.

The FCC has been trying for months to come up with a rule on
liability over hacker infiltration of PBXs. Some say the
liability falls with the long distance services, others with the
owners of the PBXs. Since AT&T is in both businesses, it's become
a natural whipping boy in the controversy. No proposed
rulemaking has yet emerged from the FCC on this issue, a
spokesman told Newsbytes.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/Press Contact: Jim McGann, AT&T, 202-
457-3942; FCC, press office, 202-632-5050)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 MOSCOW: BANKS AND BROKERS JOINING RELCOM NET 06/21/91

06/21/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00020)

MOSCOW: BANKS AND BROKERS JOINING RELCOM NET 06/21/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Every day more and more bankers,
brokers, and their clients are joining Relcom, a Unix-based Soviet
national electronic mail network. This system is expected to facilitate
electronic dealing in the Soviet Union.

"Up to 10 brokers' offices, each with some 150 customers, are now
using electronic mail services to distribute exchange quotations and
conclude deals. The likely course of events may be that exchanges as
big places where dealers gather to buy and sell, will be obsolete
even they are created," Mr. Bardin, a Relcom executive, told Newsbytes.
"Several companies are trying to set up an inter-exchange dealing
system to be able to really utilize existing regional pricing
differences."

Relcom is a public electronic mail network which relies heavily upon
existing telephone channels nationwide for information exchange. The
electronic messages sent overseas can be delivered within one hour
via the service, according to Relcom customers.

Relcom is owned and operated as a network of independent nodes across
the country. It was started one year ago by the Demos cooperative and
the computers center connected with the Kurtchatov nuclear research
institute. Relcom currently has some 7000 subscribers countrywide.

The next move for Relcom is to organize a formal network consortium.
According to Mr. Bardin, plans to set up a Relcom Institute as a
non-profit consulting center are in the process of being approved by
Russian and Soviet authorities.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910621/Press & Public contact: Valery Bardin,
Relcom, phone [phone]; fax [phone]; e-mail
[e-mail])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****SEAGATE SAYS SOVIET PERSPECTIVES BRIGHT 06/21/91

06/21/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00021)

 ****SEAGATE SAYS SOVIET PERSPECTIVES BRIGHT 06/21/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Seagate executives said their
company's Soviet performance is best compared to other Eastern
European efforts. The firm plans to expand into the USSR with the
help of liberalized export rules.

Christopher Hanson, Seagate's manager for Soviet and Eastern European
operations, told Newsbytes that with the lifting of CoCom export
restrictions, almost all Seagate drives can be legally brought to the
Soviet Union. That will provide more opportunities to the four existing
authorized distributors in the U.S.S.R., Hanson added.

To further expand in the U.S.S.R., the company will soon open an
authorized repair center for its drives in Moscow based in existing
distributors' premises. Local experts say this will substantially
broaden the market share for Seagate.

Seagate is also actively seeking more distributors for its products.
The company is engaged in hard currency sales only although their
brand-name drives are frequently available for budget customers as
well.

Seagate estimates that 70 percent of the installed computers in the
Soviet Union, or up to 600 thousand, are equipped with Seagate disk
drives.

Seagate, following Intel's example, hired the Young & Rubicam/Sovero
joint venture to conduct public relations activities in the U.S.S.R.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910621/Press contact: Christopher Hanson,
Seagate, phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Network Adapters From NCR 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Network Adapters From NCR 06/21/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- NCR has announced new
Token Ring and multi-protocol network interface adapters for its
System 3000 computers. The adapters are available in Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) and Micro Channel Architecture (MCA)
versions.

The Token-Ring adapters, based on the TMS380C16 Texas Instruments
chip set, can switch between 16-megabit-per-second and 4-Mbps
speeds and conform to IEEE 802.5 specifications. Both ISA and MCA
versions provide bus-master interfaces and support 128K bytes of
on-board memory for data buffering, 16-bit on-board memory
addressing, and configuration of data packet sizes. They can be
used with either shielded or unshielded twisted pair cabling.

The boards are packaged with drivers for NCR LAN Manager, PC LAN,
and Novell Netware for NCR System 3000. The Token Ring adapters are
priced at about US$900, with a one year service warranty. The MCA
adapter is currently available, and the ISA version will be
available in September.

The multi-protocol communication adapters are meant to connect PCs
or workstations to an enterprise network using asynchronous,
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC)
bisynchronous, and Synchronous Data Link Control/High-level Data
Link Control (SDLC/HDLC) protocols. They are tentatively priced at
US$595, a spokeswoman said, and are currently available with a one-
year service warranty.

(Grant Buckler/19910620/Press Contact: Patricia Dan, NCR, 513-
445-5236)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 WELLFLEET OFFERS NEW SERVICE OPTION WITH AID FROM PRIME 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00023)

WELLFLEET OFFERS NEW SERVICE OPTION WITH AID FROM PRIME 06/21/91
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Wellfleet
Communications has announced a new service plan providing on-site
customer support within four hours from more than 330 locations
worldwide. The company has contracted Prime Computer's Primeservice
unit, of Framingham, Massachusetts, to provide the service.

Wellfleet sells multi-protocol routers and bridges for use in
building large, multi-vendor enterprise internetworks.

Wellfleet said the new option recognizes the growing maintenance
and support needs of network users whose networks are becoming
larger and expanding across international boundaries. Company
spokeswoman Sheryl Schultz said that in some areas, another option
will provide service within two hours.

Prime engineers will provide round-the-clock service under a three-
year contract. Wellfleet's support organization will continue to be
the first point of contact for problem resolution.

Upon receiving a call, Wellfleet service engineers will perform
necessary diagnostics to determine the nature of the network
problem, calling Primeservice if it appears to be an equipment
problem.

(Grant Buckler/19910620/Press Contact: Sheryl Schultz, Wellfleet
Communications, 617-275-2400 ext. 277; Carolyn Lisle, Primeservice,
508-620-2800, ext. 5019)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 NOVELL LICENSES IPX.SPX TRANSPORT PROTOCOLS 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00024)

NOVELL LICENSES IPX.SPX TRANSPORT PROTOCOLS 06/21/91
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Novell, Incorporated has
announced that it has added the Netware Transports Licensing
programs (NTLP) to its Professional Developers Program.

NTLP is designed to help developers provide enhanced networking
 by licensing the Novell Internet Packet Exchange (IPX)
and Sequenced Packet Exchange (SPX) transport protocol stacks, as
well as several other software modules.

According to John Edwards, Netware director of marketing, the
licensing program will make it easier for developers to provide
new systems to the installed base of Novell customers. Says
Edwards, "The response we have received from developers has been
very encouraging, and we expect to see some very exciting
products coming to market in the next few months."

Two options are available. The first allows developers to
redistribute native Netware client software, such as IPX and SPX,
with their network applications and hardware products. The result
is a product that is easier to install and integrate, the firm says,
into a Netware network, since the task of installing the protocols is
already done by the developer.

The second option allows developers to obtain source code modules
including IPX, SPX, NetBIOS, Service Advertising Protocol and
Netware Virtual Terminal. This option is for third parties
developing new networking solutions that use Novell's protocol
stacks.

Using the second option could lead to intelligent plug-and-play
peripherals, such as laser printers, fax machines, scanners,
network hubs, bridges and modems attached directly to a Netware
network to improve access speed and accessibility. Previously
these peripherals had to be attached to a PC on the network.

NTLP participants receive, at no cost, any updates Novell makes
to the Netware IPX, SPX or NetBIOS emulator specifications. A
developer can have his or her product certified as to network
interoperability by Novell Labs. Certification assures the
customer that approved products will perform on the network as
advertised, and won't cause damage or interrupt network
operation.

(Jim Mallory/19910619/Press Contact:Michael Adams, Novell,
801-429-5833)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****TOSHIBA LAUNCHES MASS PRODUCTION OF 16M DRAM 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00025)

 ****TOSHIBA LAUNCHES MASS PRODUCTION OF 16M DRAM 06/21/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Toshiba will start producing
a 16 megabit dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips in quantity
this fall. This is the second firm, following IBM, to have
started mass production of a 16M DRAM.

According to the Nikkei newspaper, Toshiba was initially planning
to start mass production of the chip around April of 1992.
However, due to increasing demand for the chip, the firm has
decided to do it earlier. A Toshiba spokesman was quoted by the
Nikkei saying that several computer makers are already showing great
interest in purchasing the chips.

Toshiba will produce 50,000 to 60,000 units of the chip per month
as early as in this October. The firm aims to supply the chips
mainly for workstations. Toshiba will shift part of the 1Mb and
4Mb chips' production lines to the 16M chip. Apparently, demand
of the 4Mb chip is slow. The main reason is that workstation makers
want to leapfrog production to the 16M chip rather than use the
existing 4Mb chip in their workstations.

Other major chip makers such as NEC and Hitachi are also following
suit. Both firms are expected to produce commercial samples by
the end of this year, and they may start mass production early
next year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910621/Press Contact: Toshiba, +81-3-
3457-2100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 HONGKONG: AT&T/HUTCHISON FORM TELECOM FIRM 06/21/91

06/21/91



(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00026)

HONGKONG: AT&T/HUTCHISON FORM TELECOM FIRM 06/21/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- AT&T and Hutchison Telecom
have formed a joint venture company in Hong Kong to provide data,
e-mail and facsimile services on international circuits, in
competition with Hong Kong Telecom.

Hutchison is the major partner, with 51 percent ownership in the new
company, Hutchison AT&T Network Services.

There is speculation that the move may be intended to exert pressure
on the Hong Kong Government to change the terms of Hong Kong
Telecom's exclusive franchise for the provision of international
voice services, which still has 15 years to run.
Hong Kong Telecom, widely recognized as one of the world's most
efficient and up-to-date telecommunications operators, has long been
the envy of potential competitors for its consistently high profits,
largely derived from its international services.

In the middle 1970s, Hong Kong Telephone was virtually bankrupt
after years of poor management and suspected widespread corruption.
The Government imposed a one-off mandatory charge on all customers to
rescue the company. The move was the subject of great resentment at
the time from subscribers who felt they were being penalized to
support a private concern that had consistently failed to give them
adequate service for decades.

The mandatory charge and a complete restructuring of management
produced a virtually new company which quickly began to modernize.
Deregulation in the early eighties freed the company to concentrate
on upgrading its network and providing carrier services, while
customers became free to buy and connect independently-supplied
equipment of their choice.

The progressive merging of local carrier Hong Kong Telephone and
Cable & Wireless Hong Kong with its monopoly on international
telecommunications, ultimately led to the giant Hong Kong Telecom that
now provides all types of telecommunications services and facilities
at the highest level of technological development.

(Norman Wingrove/19910621)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 NOVELL/HONG KONG TO OFFER LAN SEMINARS 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00027)

NOVELL/HONG KONG TO OFFER LAN SEMINARS 06/21/91
SHATIN, NEW TERRITORIES, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Novell
and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries have joined forces to
organize a network computing seminar for Hong Kong manufacturers.
"LAN Connectivity: The Key to Productivity" is designed to introduce
local manufacturers to the concept of networking and familiarize them
with the potential benefits of local area networks (LANs).

Novell territory manager, Kelvin Lam, said that although many people
use PCs to help their day-to-day operations, few fully utilize their
systems. "We hope to teach manufacturers how connecting their
computers through LANs can help them boost their productivity and how
LANs can make their business run efficiently, without compromising
the way they work and their freedom to expand.

(Norman Wingrove/19910621/Press Contact: Cania Wong, Tel + 852 838
3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****APPLE CUTS 900 JOBS: TOP EXECUTIVE PAY 15% 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00028)

 ****APPLE CUTS 900 JOBS: TOP EXECUTIVE PAY 15% 06/21/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- The axe has
finally fallen at Apple Computer. Following a week of employee
protests and speculation, the company has not only cut 900 jobs,
but also reduced top executive pay by 15 percent.

Cindy McCaffrey, spokesperson for Apple, told Newsbytes that
the 900 layoffs are part of "1,200 that are scheduled over
the next three weeks." The remaining 300 would come from "a
combination of factors." She declined to give specifics, but said
more cuts were unlikely before the end of the current fiscal quarter
on June 28.

McCaffrey told Newsbytes that Apple has attempted to cushion the
blow with a series of "generous" severance packages for cut
employees that are based on years of service and corporate pay
grade. Additionally, laid off workers would remain on the payroll
for 60 days during which time they would be able to use the
company's "transition center" to locate new employment, she added.

According to McCaffrey, the "transition center" which is located on the
Cupertino campus where Apple is headquartered, is staffed by job
counsellors and contains 250 cubicles with telephones and computers for
use in job hunting. As of yesterday when it opened, she said the
center had "2,000 jobs listing from outside of the company."
Additionally, the center would provide training, if needed, on
such topics as "how to write resumes."

Apple was expected to cut ten percent, or 1560 jobs, of its
worldwide workforce in response to what Wall Street saw as
disappointing last quarter earnings. The company actually posted
earnings of $131 million in the quarter, but that was below expectations
because of the lower profit margins on Apple's new low-end
Macintosh Classic and color Macintosh LC models.

Apple traditionally concentrated on large profits from its high-end
desktop models. But the company changed its strategy in the face of
falling market share. Consequently, it introduced the low-end Macs
and the move has showed signs of success with sales up 85 percent.

Apple Chairman John Sculley also took a pay cut of 15 percent and other
top executives took cuts ranging from five to 15 percent. It's
unlikely that Apple's top management will be heading for the
poor-farm though, as its five highest paid executives received
a total of $9.9 million in salaries and bonuses in 1990. Sculley
himself was paid $2.2 million, in addition to the $14 million he
received from various stock deals.

MaCaffrey told Newsbytes that the executive pay cuts were not in
response to worker dissatisfaction because, although they were only
announced yesterday, they "had been in the works for a long time."

(Ian Stokell/19910621)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 IBM'S MULTIMEDIA GURU JOINS STARTUP MEDIA VISION 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00029)

IBM'S MULTIMEDIA GURU JOINS STARTUP MEDIA VISION 06/21/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- After 23 years
with corporate giant IBM, multimedia pioneer Satish K. Gupta has
left to join Silicon Valley startup company Media Vision, a
developer of multimedia hardware products.

Gupta had been product manager for digital video interactive
(DVI) products, and is credited with bringing IBM and Intel into
the multimedia age. He was instrumental in producing one of the
industry's first products that facilitates full-motion video on
personal computers: the ActionMedia 750 board set, which was
developed jointly by IBM and Intel.

Gupta will join the company as vice president of strategic product
marketing and development, and lend his expertise in developing an
advanced line of multimedia products and chip sets, according to Media
Vision.

"Media Vision has the leadership, funding and technology, and is one
of the best-positioned companies to offer standards-based multimedia
products," said Gupta. "I am challenged by the prospect of turning
exciting ideas into great products."

Media Vision is part of an alliance that backs Microsoft's
Multimedia PC trademark specification, which is an attempt to
establish Windows 3.0-based products as an industry standard in
multimedia technology.

The specification is based on the multimedia extension to Windows 3.0
and apart from Media Vision, other hardware manufacturers that support
the specification include AT&T Computer Systems, CompuAdd,
Creative Labs, Fujitsu, Headland Technology, NEC Technologies,
Olivetti, Philips Consumer Electronics, Tandy, and Zenith Data
Systems.

A competing "standard" being sought comes from an alliance between
Apple Computer, International Business Machines (IBM), Lotus
Development, and NCR, who back the non-profit Interactive Multimedia
Association, which sets standards for personal computers using sound
and video.

(Ian Stokell/19910621/Press Contact: Kimberly Fox, Hi-Tech Public
Relations, 415-864-5600)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****IBM EARNINGS BELOW EXPECTATIONS 06/21/91

06/21/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00030)

 ****IBM EARNINGS BELOW EXPECTATIONS 06/21/91
ARMONK, NEW YORK U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- IBM's earnings
both for the second quarter and the entire year will be below
most industry analysts' published projections. The computer
giant declined to say what the earnings will actually be for
the quarter ending June 30th.

In a prepared statement, IBM said that its second-quarter
performance had been "adversely affected by weaknesses in
global economies, competitive pressures, and product
transitions. It is difficult to determine how long the adverse
economic conditions will continue. While IBM expects the pace
of business to improve in the second half of 1991, it is unlikely
the company will achieve revenue growth for the full year."

An IBM executive told Newsbytes that the announcement was
made "out of a sense of responsibility to alert analysts to
factors that may affect their judgement. We did not want the
June 30th data to come as a surprise."

The announcement came shortly after press reports of an
electronic message from IBM CEO John Akers to employees
admonishing some for not understanding "that they have a deeply
personal stake in declining market share, revenue and profits."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910621)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 APPLE'S LOWLY LOW-END STRATEGY - Editorial by I.Stokell 06/21/91

06/21/91


(EDITORIAL)(APPLE)(SFO)(00031)

APPLE'S LOWLY LOW-END STRATEGY - Editorial by I.Stokell 06/21/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Apple's
change of distributing strategy to make low-end Macs available
through CompUSA discount superstores does little to redeem its
dubious low-end reputation.

First, the company whipped the rug out from under its installed
base of Macintosh Plus users, and to a lesser extent, Macintosh
SE users, by discontinuing the models.

Then the company brought out the low-end Macintosh Classic to
replace them, minus an expansion slot, and so underestimated the
demand that prospective users had to wait three months for a
machine, and then they had to pay list price because demand so
outweighed supply that dealers could charge whatever they liked.
Nine months later the company finally signs a deal with a
supermarket that may or may not improve distribution. But the best
is yet to come.

Then they bring out System 7.0.

In the first place many low-end users will have to buy more memory
just to run it, at least those that are willing to pay for it in
the first place. Then we find out that some of the advanced
features that were touted as being so great, such as virtual
memory, don't even work on the low-end Macs at all.

But to cap it all, in many cases one needs the newest versions of
popular applications to work with System 7.0. That means Joe
Public has to fork out hundreds of dollars more of hard-earned
money to upgrade to the newest versions, just to have them work
with the new operating system.

Who needs the newest versions of popular software anyway?
Sure, corporate users do, but they're not picking up the tab. For
the normal Mac user/hobbyist Pagemaker 3.0 is just as good as
PageMaker 4.0, and it's not going to cost a week's wages either.
Why should someone have to upgrade to the newest version of
a popular package just to use some of the features of a machine's
basic operating system that you don't need anyway?

If IBM comes out with some hardware strategy that you don't like,
what are you going to do? Well, pick up the phone book and start
dialing - there seems to be hundreds of clone-makers out there
that can offer you a great deal.

Apple comes out with a hardware strategy you don't like and
who you gonna call?

The problem is that Apple has always suffered from a superiority
complex. The company has always looked down on its low-end
users as a vulgar nephew that has to be tolerated.

The fact is that this is 1991 and Apple still expects you to pay
a grand for an 8MHz Mac that comes with a nine-inch black-and-white
screen and no expansion slots and that doesn't even work properly
with the new proprietary operating system.

For barely a few dollars more you can get a 16MHz Intel
80386SX-based DOS machine with a 14-inch VGA color monitor,
three or four expansion slots, and Microsoft Windows 3.0 thrown in.

When all the System 7.0 histrionics have died down, how DOES
Apple really think it's going to compete in the low-end market?

(Ian Stokell/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 Review of: Charisma 2.0, business graphics presentation for PCs, 06/21/91

06/21/91

(REVIEW)(IBM)(SFO)(00032)

Review of: Charisma 2.0, business graphics presentation for PCs, 06/21/91

Runs on: 80286 or 80386 based system with 1MB RAM, 20MB free disk
space, mouse or digitizing pad, DOS 3.1 or higher, and Microsoft
Windows 2.1 or 3.0

From: Micrografx Inc., 1303 Arapaho , Richardson, TX, 75081
Phone [phone]

Price: $595.00

PUMA Rating: 3.25 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Steve McIlwain [phone] & George
Slade [phone]

Summary: This is a program for marketing professionals who wish to
create multi-media presentations, corporate executives who need to
present ideas and concepts to large groups, and entrepreneurs who wish
to use their own computer for their marketing and presentations.

======

REVIEW

======

Charisma is a complete graphic solution for the business user using
Windows. With Charisma you can create your own worksheets or
import your raw data from most spread sheets or data bases and
create graphs or charts from this data. Once your information is
presented graphically, you can jazz up the presentation with 2200
different ClipArt pictures and top of the line drawing tools. Text
can also be added to the presentation with 41 different font types
available. A slide show can be created with a slide show editor
and shown on other computers or the images can be printed, or sent
to a slide service through a built in communication utility.

Set Up and Ease of Use:

The set up and installation of Charisma is not a difficult process,
but it is very time consuming. There is also no warning before you
begin as to just how long it will take. Budget at least two hours
just to copy all the files to your disk. If you are going to use
all the ClipArt and samples, then budget 3 - 4 hours. To conserve
disk space you have the option to install only the fonts and
ClipArt you want. The installation is not a standard windows
installation. The installation program is run from DOS and the
files are unarchived from the floppies.

Charisma has a standard windows interface. Surprisingly, it is
slow in its operation. This in itself makes the operation of the
program more difficult and frustrating. One reason which could
account for the lack of speed is the size of the package due to the
abundance of options and functions. To illustrate the lack of
speed, it took 3 seconds per letter to type a line with a 9 point
font. (Yes... 3 seconds a letter - this is not a typo.) We must
at this point note the computer we were using to review Charisma
was a 16Mhz 386 with 2MB of RAM and a 20ms access drive.
Micrografx states that this could be used on a 286. If you choose
this option, I hope you like to drink a lot of coffee. It would be
interesting to compare a non-Windows version of Charisma to see if
the performance improves without the sluggish overhead of Windows.

Charisma is packed with options. It is so packed with options and
functions that if it did not have a graphical user interface the
package would be almost impossible to use.

Reports, Output and Documentation:

The documentation is very well done. It is nice to see that the
documentation is not overbearing, considering the package is so
large. The documentation included a handy quick reference chart,
learning guide and reference manual. There are also many very
useful tips in the manual on how to create effective presentations,
such as the proper background design to suite certain types of
screens.

Presentations created with Charisma can not be beat. The number of
options available to you with this package allows you to create
some pretty slick presentations.

Error handling and Limitations:

Charisma traps errors effectively and did not crash during any of
our tests.

There are few limitations to what Charisma can produce. However we
feel the package's main limitation is in its speed (or lack of it).
Every limitation that is documented is far beyond the needs of any
one we know - 16 million colours, 4.2 million data points, 41 type
fonts (who needs all this).

Charisma has all the functions one expects from a professional
presentations package and more. The limits of Charisma are so
broad that few users will reach the barriers of the capabilities of
this package.

One word of caution. Most people who are inexperienced with
marketing or presentations tend to try to pack as many options as
possible in one presentation. This same problem came about when
desktop publishing first arose. If you don't have the skills to
create a good presentation this will not help. If you already have
good marketing skills this is a very powerful tool.

If you are in the business of making presentations 8 hours a day,
5 days a week and you can afford to have the best and fastest
hardware and peripherals (we recommend that this package not be
considered for anything less than a 33Mhz 386), Charisma is what
you should invest in.

============

PUMA Ratings

============

PERFORMANCE: 2. Sluggish at best even on a 386. Should not be
run on a 286 based machine.

USEFULNESS: 4 . Has every function you can think of.

MANUAL: 3.5. Not overbearing for the size of the package and is
laid out nicely.

AVAILABILITY: 3.5. Not in all stores, but major dealers will have
it.

This review prepared by ISR Software Review Corp. [phone].
This review is protected by copyright any reproduction or
duplication without express written consent of ISR Software Review
Corp. is strictly prohibited.

(George Slade/19910621)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21 Review of:  Dan Bricklin's Demo II, PC software prototyping 06/21/91

06/21/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(SFO)(00033)

Review of:  Dan Bricklin's Demo II, PC software prototyping 06/21/91

From: Sage Software, Inc., 3200 Tower Oaks Boulevard, Rockville,
Maryland 20852

Runs on:  IBM PC, XT, AT or compatible, monochrome monitor,
DOS 2.1 or greater

PUMA Rating: 2.5 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: George Slade [phone]

Summary: This program is useful for systems analyst wishing to
communicate a new software concept either to end users or programmers
or to anyone interested in demonstrating, marketing or teaching software
programs to others through a PC.

======

REVIEW

======

Demo II allows the user to capture screens from a pre-existing
software application and then program them together into an
interactive or self-running demonstration of the application.  This
would be the most common use of Demo II, yet it could also be used
to create screens and key events for an application yet to be
produced.  A third use for Demo II would be to create screens which
demonstrate to or inform users of a non-software product.  For the
purposes of this review, we focused on the software related
application of this product - demonstrating an existing product or
the prototype of a new product.

Set Up and Ease of Use

Demo II is installed simply by copying the distribution disks to
your hard disk.  Demo II is not a program intended for a novice
user and, in fact, the primary users of Demo II would be software
developers.  Perhaps this is why it is not the most user friendly
product we have seen.

Once Demo II is installed, you go through the task of creating your
screens and setting run-time functions for those screens.  If you
are creating a demonstration of a pre existing product, you can
save a little time in capturing the screens from the application
and importing them into Demo II.  If you are prototyping, you are
able to create the screens with an editor in Demo II.  In both
situations, the most difficult and time consuming task is setting
up all the appropriate run time actions for each screen.  An
effective demonstration takes several hours to plan before starting
to use Demo II.  Each screen of the demo takes up to 15 minutes to
program the run time actions.  An effective demonstration will
contain upwards of 200 different screens or more.  Thus 50 to 60
hours of solid work is required to complete an effective
demonstration.

Documentation

The Documentation for Demo II is complete and concise, yet it is
not written in a manner that a simple user could understand.
Simple users will not be using this product, thus the writing
format is not a concern.  Given the intended user, a programmer or
analyst, the documentation is adequate.

Error Handling and Limitations

Demo II is a very solid product from an error handling point of
view.  It was impossible for us to set up a situation which would
crash the product.  The only weakness to the product from an error
handling point of view is that you can create an error and the
system will trap the error.  There were rarely error messages to
explain the error, thus you would have to rely on your experience
with the package to identify the error.  Again, considering the
sophisticated user this package is intended for, this is not a
major limitation.

There are a few limitations with Demo II.  The capture buffer is
limited to the available RAM left after the application is running.
Captured screens are saved in RAM one after the other and the
capture buffer is not cleared until you run Demo II again.  Try to
get more than 3 screens out of Ventura running on a network.  The
next limitation we ran up against are the transition options
between the screens of your presentation - there are only three.
The list of limitations grows when comparing this to other
presentation and demonstration products.  However, when you look at
the intended use as a prototyping system, the limitations seem
insignificant.

Demo II functions most successfully as a prototyping product, and
is not as successful as a presentation or demonstration product.
If used as a prototyping tool, Demo II is very effective.  For use
by a systems analyst to present a prototype system to a programmer,
Demo II is a very effective product.  Take Demo II into any other
area where it could be used, and you will find it somewhat
limiting.  Considering its limitations, if designing systems as a
consultant, either internally in an organisation or on contract,
one tool we recommend is Demo II.

============

PUMA RATINGS

============

PERFORMANCE: 2.5.  It becomes cumbersome as the presentation gets
larger.

USEFULNESS: 2.5. Limited to a small vertical market (systems
analysts and software consultants).

MANUAL: 3. Highly technical and not easy to read, but it is
complete.

AVAILABILITY: 2. Must be ordered through specialty programming
stores or direct from Sage Software.

This review prepared by ISR Software Review Corp. [phone].
This review is protected by copyright any reproduction or
duplication without express written consent of ISR Software Review
Corp. is strictly prohibited.

(George Slade/062191)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 21  ****TANDON ANNOUNCES MODULAR, USER UPGRADEABLE COMPUTER 06/21/91

06/21/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00034)

 ****TANDON ANNOUNCES MODULAR, USER UPGRADEABLE COMPUTER 06/21/91
MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 21 (NB) -- Tandon
has announced the first modular computer system using
"cartridges" that can be changed by the user to upgrade the
speed or the disk drives of the computer.

The Option, Tandon's series of user upgradeable personal
computers (PCs), is the first slimline computer to allow the
user to upgrade the central processing unit (CPU), the
random access memory (RAM), the disk drives including the
hard disk, and add other peripheral devices like a modem, by
simply lifting the front panel and inserting a cartridge
into a slot, in much the same way a video tape is inserted
into a VCR.

The base unit comes with 2 megabytes (MB) of RAM, a 1.44MB
floppy disk drive, a keyboard, a VGA monochrome monitor,
DOS, Microsoft Windows, 7 input/output slots and a mouse for
a base retail price of $895. No CPU comes with the base
unit, and no hard disk is included.

Rick Fleury of Bloom FCA public relations for Tandon
explained that the CPUs are purchased separately. They
retail at $795 for a 286/16 megahertz (MHz), $1165 for a
386SX/20MHz, $1395 for 386SX/20 MHz with disk cache, $1795
for 486SX/20MHz, and $2495 for 486/33MHz. The 486/50MHz CPU
is not currently available, but is expected to be available
soon, Tandon said. Hard disk drives are also extra with a
40MB, 80MB, 100Mb, 200MB and 400MB hard disks, Tandon said.
The 40MB is retail priced at $315, the 200MB drive retails
for $725. Four of half-height drives may be added to The
Option, Tandon said, and the standard 2MB of RAM can be
expanded to 32MB.

Tandon's vice president and general manager, Graham Beachum,
told Newsbytes with the Option, the more power, speed and
storage you buy, the less you spend relative to other,
non-cartridge computers. The total retail price on the low-end
Option with 286/16MHz CPU and a 40MB hard disk is $2005 which is
quite high compared to Tandon's 286/12MHz 40MB hard disk non-
cartridge computer that Newsbytes discovered retails for
$1459, after a call to Tandon sales in Moorpark. However, an
Option with a 486/33MHz CPU and a 200MB hard disk retails
for just over $4100, and is more than $3000 less than
Tandon's standard, non-cartridge 486/33MHz computer also
with a 200MB hard disk that retails for $7299. The Tandon
non-cartridge 486/33MHz computer may have further
enhancements as standard that would be extra on The Option,
such as a color monitor and additional RAM, but the
comparison is still a favorable one, said Fleury.

Beachum thinks this could revolutionize the whole personal
computer marketplace. Beachum said, "This brings us much
closer to the true meaning of personal computer. The Option
marks a major breakthrough for Tandon, and may change the
way consumers purchase and use personal computers."

The Option will be shown at PC Expo and shipment
of the new computer is expected the 2nd week of July.
Beachum said the announcement of The Option is for the North
American market only right now. "We need to get production
ramped up before we make an international announcement,"
Beachum said. Beachum was unwilling to estimate how long
that would take.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910621/Press Contact: Rick Fleury, Bloom
FCA!, Tel: [phone], x403, Graham Beachum, Tandon, Tel:
805/529-8227)
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 JUN 20 BORLAND RELEASES INTERIM COURT RULINGS 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00001)

BORLAND RELEASES INTERIM COURT RULINGS 06/20/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) --
Borland International has released a statement reporting on court
rulings made at the June 18th status conference relating to the
copyright suit against it by Lotus Development Corp.

According to the Borland statement, the court granted Borland's
motion to defer response to Lotus' motion for summary
judgement and gave Borland until Sept. 30, 1991, to file its
response -- a Lotus response is due by Oct. 15, 1991.
The court did not set a date when it would make a decision on
the summary judgement motion.

Borland also stated that the court denied Borland's motion to
compel discovery of certain patent and development
documents, indicating that Borland could make its arguments
without having the documents. The court also took under
advisement the arguments of the parties regarding the phasing
of the trial and asked that further details be filed by Sept. 30,
1991, as to which factual matters Borland proposes to submit
to a jury.

Borland spokesperson Dick O'Donnell commented on the rulings
to Newsbytes, saying, "We are pleased that the court granted
our request to allow a reasonable time for response to the
Lotus motion for a summary judgement. Other than that, there
is little to say other than to restate our position that Quattro
Pro is a leading-edge product that stands on its own merits and
does not infringe on any rights of Lotus."

Borland also announced that The Software Entrepreneurs'
Forum (S.E.F.), is a non-profit organization of more than 700
independent software developers, consultants and software
service providers, has filed a "friend of the Court" brief
supporting Borland's position in the lawsuit.

S.E.F. was quoted as saying the outcome of the Lotus vs.
Borland case will have far-reaching implications for the
software industry and the future development of innovative
and beneficial software. It stated that it was significant that
Borland provides the 1-2-3-compatible menus only as an
option for the user, because it showed that the intent was to
provide the customers with something new, different and
better, while maintaining compatibility.

Announcing the filing, the S.E.F. said it had never before felt
strongly enough about a case to file such a brief, but said it was
important to make known its views in this case. It pointed out
neither Lotus nor Borland is represented on S.E.F.'s 20-member
board of directors nor on its 15-member advisory board.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Dick
O'Donnell, Borland International Inc., 408-439-1621/19910619)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 MORE DETAILS IN IBM/WANG "STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP" 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00002)

MORE DETAILS IN IBM/WANG "STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP" 06/20/91
CAMBRIDGE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- More details
in the strategic business relationship announced by Wang
Laboratories and IBM have been released.

Under the agreement, Wang will market, under its own logo,
IBM's RISC System/6000 and Personal System/2 product
platforms and, under the IBM logo, IBM's Application
System/400 lines of midrange systems. As part of the
agreement, IBM will provide initial financing of $25 million to
Wang, in the form of Wang debt instruments convertible into
Wang Class B common shares. Additional funding of up to $75
million could be provided based on fulfillment of other terms
of the agreement.

IBM and Wang spokespersons explained to Newsbytes that the
availability of the additional funding is contingent on Wang's
attaining of marketing goals specified in the agreement.
Newsbytes was also told that the option of converting the debt
instruments into equity shares of Wang would be solely IBM's.
At today's market prices a conversion of the $25 million
investment would result in IBM's holding of approximately a
4% position in Wang while full financing and conversion would
result in a 15-20% ownership.

The agreement additionally provides for the firms to make
"joint efforts to bridge the hardware platforms of the two
companies and Wang will work with IBM to define application
architecture for future Unix-based office and office-related
image products, which will include several Wang software
components."

Announcing the agreement, IBM Chairman John F. Akers said,
"IBM is very pleased that Wang has selected our leading-edge
AS/400, PS/2 and RISC System/6000 technologies to serve the
needs of its customers. We believe this will result in long-range
business benefits for both companies and will offer expanded
options for Wang's customers."

Richard W. Miller, chairman and chief executive office of Wang,
said, "This is good news for Wang customers. IBM is the
premier company in our industry. Our ability to offer their
products with ours on a worldwide basis will strengthen our
competitive position significantly. The relationship will enable
us to focus our resources on our new Office 2000 strategy."

Miller added, "This alliance should assure our customers that
their investment in Wang products and services is a wise
decision. Wang will remain an independent company, and we
will continue to support, service, and invest in our VS midrange
systems. At the same time, our ability to offer IBM's products
together with our own provides a clear and certain path for
Wang's past, present and future customers."

IBM spokesperson Jim Ruderman explained to Newsbytes that
the hardware marketing arrangement is really two-fold, "The
PS/2 and RS/6000 systems will be marketed by Wang under
their label. This is a traditional OEM relationship and IBM has
been building this aspect of our business steadily. The
announcement with Wang is our most significant OEM
agreement to date but, if we continue down this path, you will
probably see further major announcements. The AS/400
arrangement is different as it will be marketed under our label
and this arrangement brings together various methods of
selling.

Richard Shaffer, principal of Technologic Partners, commented on the
arrangement to Newsbytes, saying, "It's not yet clear to me how
Wang makes money on an on-going basis out of this. It seems to me
that Wang, by reselling IBM's systems while selling its own, will
confuse its clients. I also don't see what advantages a Wang salesman
brings to the table in selling IBM systems that an IBM salesman
would not have."

An IBM executive, told of Shaffer's reservations, responded by
saying, "Our experience has been that the limiting factor on sales of
AS/400s and the Systems 36 & 38 before them has been lack of
salespersons. When we began to enter into reseller arrangements in
Europe to expand our ability to sell product, sales increased rapidly.
We expect the same result here and this result will benefit both IBM
and Wang."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Jim
Ruderman, IBM, 914-697-6629; Frank Ryan, Wang Laboratories,
508-967-7038/19910619)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 AKERS REPORTEDLY SENDS ANOTHER MESSAGE 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00003)

AKERS REPORTEDLY SENDS ANOTHER MESSAGE 06/20/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- IBM
CEO John Akers has issued another message to employees taking
many to task for their commitment to profitability and their
understanding of their role in contributing to IBM's success.

As reported by John Markoff in the New York Times' story, Akers
sent an electronic message on employees on Friday, June 14th,
saying, "While I know many IBMers have never worked as hard as
they are working today, I am convinced that some of our people do
not understand that they have a deeply personal stake in declining
market share, revenue and profits."

The message from Akers reemphasizes comments he made in an April
talk to managers -- a talk that become public knowledge after a
manager sent a transcription of his notes through the firm's e-mail
system. At that time, some employees privately criticized Akers
for what they saw as a shifting of all blame for IBM's decline
away from his leadership.

In the new statement, Akers responded to the criticism by saying,
"Some want to know if I hold myself accountable. The answer is yes.
I certainly do. And I expect our management team to whom we have
delegated a great deal of decision-making will be just as
responsible and accountable -- there should be no doubt about that."

An IBM executive to whom Newsbytes spoke said that he felt the
internal response to Akers' comments have been favorable. He said,
"The negative press that IBM has been getting over the past few
years has sapped some of our corporate confidence and left some
slightly confused. These comments, restating the need for a high
commitment and work ethic, point out how each employee's
decision-making has an over-all effect on the company. It is
important for us each to realize how important we are to the
company's success and, conversely, how important the success of the
company is to us."

The executive went on to read a part of Akers' message that quoted
comments by company founder Thomas J. Watson, Sr. made over 45
years ago, "It becomes increasingly apparent in my small sphere of
observation, and I conclude the company as a whole, that the
average IBMer has lost sight of the reasons for his company's
existence. IBM exists to provide a return on invested capital to the
stockholders." Akers commented on the passage "The more things
change, the more they stay the same."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910619)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 DELL SHAREHOLDERS TIGHTEN RULES, CHANGE BYLAWS 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00004)

DELL SHAREHOLDERS TIGHTEN RULES, CHANGE BYLAWS 06/20/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Dell Computer
Corporation shareholders, holding their annual meeting at the
Stouffer Austin Hotel, voted to tighten certain provisions of the
company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws.
The company says the changes are not the result of any specific
effort by anyone to seize control of change direction, but only a
prudent move in view of Dell's recently increased public profile.

Changes include requiring advance notice of shareholder proposals
and other actions, as well as changing the terms of board members
to provide continuity as new members are elected to the board.
The changes are designed to reduce the possibility of surprise
efforts to shift board control or corporate policies, and would
allow shareholders and the board additional time to consider and
respond to any proposed changes.

In other shareholder action:

Paul Hirschbiel, Michael S. Dell, Bobby Inman, and George
Kozmetsky were reelected to the board of directors. Hirschbiel
was elected for a one-year term, Dell and Inman for two-year
terms, and Kozmetsky for a three-year term.

Amendments were approved to increase the number of options an
employee may hold, provide for the reservation of additional
shares, and enable the company to grant options to directors who
are not employees.

Cash compensation was approved for independent directors.

Addressing the shareholders, President Michael Dell said Dell's
business is "healthier than it has ever been" and added that
demand for the company's products is strong. He emphasized the
strength of the company's domestic operations, which had a $28
million revenue increase in the first quarter of fiscal 1992 over
the previous year. The quarter ended May 5, 1991.

Dell says it will begin television advertising for the first
time in the company's history. The commercial, which will
initially be aired in several metropolitan markets, will stress
the fact that a J.D. Powers & Associates survey ranked Dell's
computer as the best when it comes to end-user satisfaction
in small to medium-sized businesses. The survey queried users at
1,784 sites, with survey company size ranging from 1 to 499
employees.

Dell has opened five wholly owned operating subsidiaries in less
than a year, and says it will continue its international
expansion. Michele Moore of Dell declined to name specific
countries when interviewed by Newsbytes, but said the company is
considering at least two locations in Western Europe, which will
probably open later this year. Moore said the company is also
evaluating the best way to enter markets in Latin America,
Eastern Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

Dell also told shareholders that it will follow up the 13 new
systems introduced during the past year with six additional new
systems. The company demonstrated several new systems based on
the Intel i486 chip in late April of this year, and is expected
to release an i486 based mid-sized, entry-level system shortly.
Dell says the right integration of R&D, manufacturing and
technical support has been instrumental in improving the
company's gross profit margins.

(Jim Mallory/19910619/Press Contact:Michelle Moore, Dell,
512-343-3535))
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 DELL OPENS IN SPAIN, MEXICO 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00005)

DELL OPENS IN SPAIN, MEXICO 06/20/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Following up on
President Michael Dell's statement to shareholders in its
annual meeting, Dell Computer Corporation has announced that the
company has opened a wholly owned operating subsidiary in Spain,
and established a direct marketing and on-site service program for
customers in Mexico. Dell has also formally dedicated a
manufacturing facility in Ireland, and opened a sales office
there.

Dell Spain, based in Madrid, will provide a complete range of
services, including custom configuration of PCs, manufacturer
direct technical support and next-day, on-site service. Dell says
sales to international customers have more than doubled for
each of the last three consecutive years, and accounted for 40
percent of the company's revenues in the first quarter of fiscal
1992, which ended May 5, 1991.

The formal dedication ceremonies in Ireland were attended by Dell
Chairman Michael Dell, as well Irish dignitaries from country,
city, and county government, customers, and key contractors. The
136,000 square-foot facility, which began production in April, is
now in volume production.

The Mexican facility, which operates from the Austin
headquarters, includes bilingual specialists in sales and
technical support. Toll free lines are available to customers
throughout Mexico, and Dell promises next-day, on-site service,
which is provided through an agreement with PC Electronica, a
Mexico-based company.

(Jim Mallory/19910619/Press Contact:Michelle Moore, Dell,
512-338-8626)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 TDC ACQUIRES TWO TEXAS COMPUTERLAND FRANCHISES 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006)

TDC ACQUIRES TWO TEXAS COMPUTERLAND FRANCHISES 06/20/91
ARLINGTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) --- Technology
Development Corporation has acquired Computerland franchises
in Houston and San Antonio. TDC has also begun operating five
former NYNEX locations in Texas as part of its Computerland
reseller operations.

Company officials say acquisition of the two new stores is valued
at about $4 million, with the purchase price being a combination
of cash and TDC preferred stock. TDC preferred stock is
presently paying a six percent dividend. Holders of the new
stock can exchange their shares for common stock at $4 per share.

The exercise of all exchange rights and options tied to the deal
would result in the issuance of approximately 630,000 new shares
of TDC common stock. There are slightly more than two million
shares of TDC common stock currently outstanding.

TDC arranged financing in the amount of up to $3.4 million to
make the purchase, with about $900,000 of that used to refinance
existing debt and equity previously financed by Computerland
Corp. One million dollars was provided as additional working
capital. Computerland Corporation was granted an option to
purchase all of the TDC-owned Texas franchises in the future for
a purchase price based on the financial performance of the
combined operations.

TDC will operate the former NYNEX operations in Dallas, Houston,
San Antonio and Fort Worth as Computerland franchises.
Computerland acquired the NYNEX Business Centers throughout the
country in June of this year. The combined Computerland
franchises and NYNEX centers in Texas recorded sales and service
revenues of about $150 million in 1990.

(Jim Mallory/19910620/Press Contact:T.M. Cracraft, TDC,
817-649-4423)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 WINNERS IN SOVIET BORLAND CONTEST SHOW WARES 06/20/91

06/20/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00007)

WINNERS IN SOVIET BORLAND CONTEST SHOW WARES 06/20/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- The Soviet Borland User's
Group (BorAG in Russian), after examining some 300
programs, have announced the results of a Soviet programming
contest.

The judges gave top honors to "Detective," a linguistic game
designed for the study of the Russian language, written by a
programmer team from Moscow. "Black and White," a numerical
methods application from Mikhail Kuzemtchenko, and Views PC music
synthesizer for the PC, written by Rustam Abdrakhimov,
were named runner-ups. The winners received Borland software
packages and BorAG diplomas.

39 other prizes were awarded to individual programmers and small
teams during the presentation held at the International Computer
forum in the Moscow International Trade Centre.

Only 10 out of 70 winners were women, and most of the winners
were less than 25 years of age.

The Borland User's group, formed by the Interquadro joint
venture, Borland International's Soviet distributor, is dedicated
to promotion of legal use of software -- not by punitive
measures -- but by showing users numerous advantages to being
a legal user.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20  ****KDD, SOVIETS, TO BUILD PHONE INFRASTRUCTURE 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00008)

 ****KDD, SOVIETS, TO BUILD PHONE INFRASTRUCTURE 06/20/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Kokusai Denshin Denwa (KDD)
has agreed to build an Intelsat communications center in the
Soviet far east city of Vladivostok. The chief executive of the
Vladivostok telecommunications authority released to Newsbytes
detailed information about the project.

The Russian republic's Parliament recently approved a plan to
build a free trade zone in Nakhodka, a big port 30 kilometers
north of Vladivostok. "This will obviously lead to an enormous
increase in communications in and out the city," Alexander
Maltsev, chief engineer of the Primorsky region's ministry of
communications subsidiary, told Newsbytes.

There are currently only three direct phone circuits between
Vladivostok and Tokyo. Delays in getting connected to Tokyo
are as long as three days, according to Mr Maltsev. The Russian
republic's communications ministry plan calls for the
building of a newer, enhanced international phone exchange
starting in 1994, but, says Maltseve, that's too long to wait.

The KDD project, developed by the region's communications authorities in
cooperation with KDD and other Japanese companies, calls for the
installation of an Intelsat ground station, an international phone
exchange, and additional local and international circuits.
At the moment the project is managed by the small enterprise IDT, in
which state authorities have a majority of shares. Both telecomm
authorities and the business itself are in a process of establishing a
a joint venture to make the $8.5 million project a reality.

In the proposed joint venture, state authorities will hold 51% of
the shares while the Japanese own 31% and a local private company
will hold the rest.

"The technical side poses very few questions for us. Equipment is
already available," Maltsev told Newsbytes. "The main problem is
to find the right solution to financing the project. Talks are
underway now."

The service, scheduled to begin in the summer 1992, will be provided
"mostly for the hard currency."

"We hope this will be a good solution to start expanding our
telecommunication infrastructure into the Soviet Far East region,"
the executive concluded.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910620/Press contact: Alexander Maltsev,
Vladivostok Communications Authorities, phone [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 NEW FOR PC: SuperVGA Board With 1280 by 1024 Resolution 06/20/91

06/20/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00009)

NEW FOR PC: SuperVGA Board With 1280 by 1024 Resolution 06/20/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- As a further
indication that standard VGA is destined eventually for obsolescence,
Helio Computers has commenced shipment of a video graphics adapter
that provides resolutions of up to 1280 by 1024, for the price of
$695, which includes 2 megabytes of RAM.

The HiRes 1280 is designed for Intel 80286-, 386-, and 486-based
systems and, according to a sweeping claim made by the company,
accommodates every type of VGA monitor ever produced. The
product also features screen-sensitive font sizing.

Among its standard features are seven font sizes, which permit
the user to select the type size most appropriate to the size
of the monitor screen and personal preference.

According to the company, a unique pixel doubling/row doubling
feature permits programs written for 640 by 480 monitors to run in
full page display on fixed frequency or multifrequency 1280 by 1024
monitors without special drivers.

The board also supports VGA interlaced or noninterlaced at 1280
by 1024 by 16 colors, 1280 by 960 by 256 colors, and 1024 by 1024
by 256 colors as well as conventional extended VGA at 1024 by
768 by 256 colors and all VGA at lower resolutions. The company
claims it is flicker-free in noninterlaced modes.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Helionetics Inc., Helio Computers
can be contacted at 17312 Eastman St., Irvine, CA 92714.
Tel: [phone] or 800-253-7223; FAX [phone].

(Ian Stokell/19910619/Press Contact: Charles Collins, Helio
Computers Inc., 714-261-8313)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 HITACHI/NMB SEMI TO PRODUCE 4M DRAM 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00010)

HITACHI/NMB SEMI TO PRODUCE 4M DRAM 06/20/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Hitachi has signed an agreement
with Tokyo-based NMB Semiconductor which calls for NMBS
to manufacture a 4-megabit dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for
Hitachi on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis.

The agreement with Hitachi comes at an important time for
NMBS, which terminated a one-megabit DRAM chip supply agreement
with Intel this past April. At that time, NMBS could not continue
manufacturing the DRAMs due to the nose-diving market price of
the chip. NMBS has a debt of approximately 5.1 billion yen ($36
million).

Hitachi will contribute 4Mb DRAM production technology to
NMBS which will then start production of the chip as early as year's
end. It is expected that NMBS will manufacture 700,000 to
one million unit per month.

Hitachi has already signed a similar agreement on the 1Mb and the
4M chip with Korea's Goldstar.

It is nearly impossible for small firms to produce highly
integrated chips due to the costly investment in facilities and
equipment. It is said nearly 80 billion yen ($570 million) is
required to build a production line for 16Mb DRAM chips. Moreover,
200 billion yen ($1.5 billion) will be needed to build a
facility to produce a 64Mb DRAMs. So, chip manufacturers are
expected to form partnerships with other firms in the near
future just as Hitachi has done.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910620/Press Contact: Hitachi, +81-3-3258-
2057)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 5TH GENERATION COMPUTER PROJECT UPDATE 06/20/91

06/20/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00011)

5TH GENERATION COMPUTER PROJECT UPDATE 06/20/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- ICOT, an association to develop
5th generation computers, has announced its latest development in
the creation of advanced software for parallel processors and
software.

ICOT says it has developed various systems to solve problems on
highly complicated matters and scientific questions.
The three major systems include one to design large-scale
integrated chips at a faster speed. Another system makes legal
decisions by searching laws and ordinances and comparing judgments
in the past. There is also a system to analyze the content of
proteins.

These systems run on ICOT's first version of its parallel processor
the "Multi-PSI," which interconnects 64 computers to
a main computer. ICOT is developing an advanced parallel
processor which processes data with 512 computers simultaneously.

ICOT, Japan's 10-year project, is backed up by the
Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Foreign
firms are also participating in this project. ICOT is expected to
escalate developments in Japan's so-called 5th generation computer
since this is the last year for the project.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910620/Press Contact: ICOT, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 JAPANESE UNIX STANDARD PROPOSED BY UNIX INTERNATIONAL 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00012)

JAPANESE UNIX STANDARD PROPOSED BY UNIX INTERNATIONAL 06/20/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Unix International
has come up with a proposed standard for Japanese Unix, which is
based on Unix System V Release 4.0. To date, many Japanese makers
have added their own Japanese language features to the original
Unix, and as a result, there are many disparate versions of
Japanese Unix -- none of them compatible.

The proposed standard covers Japanese code sets, the main system,
the window system, graphic user interface, and some vital points for
development of application programs. Three recommendations are
made: common points that each vendor should implement, common points
to support, and common explanations for software designers and
users.

The proposed standard was actually created by the Japanese
Localization Special Interest Group of Unix International. The
group consists of 16 Japanese computer makers. Unix International
will slightly modify the proposal and wants to release the
official version this September.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910620)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 ERICSSON AUSTRALIA LAYS OFF 450 06/20/91

06/20/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00013)

ERICSSON AUSTRALIA LAYS OFF 450 06/20/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- As a result of an industrial
dispute which started in May, Ericsson Australia has laid off 450 of
its plant staff. The decision was based on "lack of work and
personnel not being gainfully employed as a result of an industrial
dispute."

The dispute is over pay and productivity issues and started on May
31st when the members of the National Union of Workers went on
strike. According to Ericsson, "The dispute has seriously
interrupted production of telecommunications equipment and has
stopped deliveries to and from the plant, resulting in the drying up
of supplies."

The company was prepared to offer the pay raise and productivity
provisions set by a Industrial Relations Commission ruling. The
dispute has reached a stage where production has ground to a halt,
supplies have dried up, and Ericsson could not justify maintenance
of the previous staff levels.

(Sean McNamara/19910620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 AUSTRALIA: NORTEL/EXICOM IN 5-YEAR ALLIANCE 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00014)

AUSTRALIA: NORTEL/EXICOM IN 5-YEAR ALLIANCE 06/20/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- The Australian subsidiary of
Canada's Northern Telecom, Nortel, and Sydney-based Exicom, have
entered into a five-year strategic alliance which will see the
companies target the Australian and Pacific markets.

The basis of the agreement is the manufacture of Nortel's
telecommunications products at Exicom's Villawood plant. The two
companies will also establish the Australian Development Center,
which will adapt Nortel products to Australian and Pacific market
requirements. Exicom will be able to use Nortel's international
marketing and distribution network to help expand its export
activities. Nortel and Exicom expect the agreement to generate
AUS$10M in exports in its first year.

Both companies already supply telecommunications products to both
Telecom and OTC, Australia's national and international carriers
respectively. They are hoping to exploit the Australian
telecommunications market after July 1st, when OTC and Telecom will
merge, and a second carrier will be appointed. Although the
companies will be looking at increasing their market share in the
Pacific region, the move will also rationalize some of their present
operations in the region. For example, telecommunications equipment
supplied to Clear Communications, New Zealand's second carrier, will
be able to manufactured in and shipped from Australia, rather than
North America.

(Sean McNamara/19910620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 CANADIAN ACCOUNTANTS GIVES NOD TO 1-2-3 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00015)

CANADIAN ACCOUNTANTS GIVES NOD TO 1-2-3 06/20/91
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- The
Certified General Accountants' Association of Canada, a national
association of 40,000 accountants and students, has certified Lotus
1-2-3 as its official spreadsheet for training accountants.

By 1993, all accounting students in CGA training programs will be
using a special version of 1-2-3, based on Release 2.3 and created
especially for use with the CGA's computer-based training
courseware.

The association said the availability of keystroke-compatible
versions of 1-2-3 across a number of personal computer systems was
a key factor in the choice. Besides, said CGA President J. Glen
Whaley in a press release, "Lotus is recognized as the market
leader in financial applications software.... Because 1-2-3 is so
widely used in industry, government, and business, it was a logical
decision."

(Grant Buckler/19910619/Press Contact: S. Anthony Toth, CGA Canada,
604-669-3555; Karl Meema, Lotus Development Canada, 416-979-8000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 CLIPPER EDP AI APPLICATION WINS CHAMPION AWARD 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00016)

CLIPPER EDP AI APPLICATION WINS CHAMPION AWARD 06/20/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Ken Blackstein
of Electronic Data Publishing (EDP) is the first recipient of the
first Nantucket Clipper Champion Award. He made an application of
Clipper which led to the publication of The Physican's Personal
Library (PPL), a set of reference materials for doctors.

Blackstein, a programmer who knows nothing about medicine, put
together the technology to scan, get a personal computer to "read,"
categorize (using Clipper) and desktop publish the PPL. The PPL
will be published quarterly on paper and is a bibliographic
reference library with an index and abstracts of current medical
books, journal articles, audio-visual material and computer
software available on 22 medical subjects.

"I don't even understand the medical terms I see, but the system is
programmed to gather basic clinical information," Blackstein said.
Blackstein has developed an artificial intelligence system for using
the computer to do the work involved in putting together the PPL.
The entire process is automated, with over 4000 medical journals,
400,000 medical books, publishers catalogs, and other medical
reference materials scanned, categorized, organized, then desktop
published by the computer.

The reference materials are scanned using Omnipage in Windows on a
386 into the Clipper database (a non-Windows application) using
Windows' Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). After the data is scanned it
is spell-checked against two dictionaries, then "read" using a
modified version of Brain Maker and a $5000 Intel accelerator
board. The software "tags" the document with the appropriate
database fields for title, author, table of contents, category,
etc., based on Brain Maker's reading of the article. The data is
then placed in the database.

The modified Brain Maker software then reads through the database
looking for duplicates. Once that is complete, Clipper sends the
data to Ventura which formats the data properly with placement and
type fonts based on the "tags." A Clipper add-on to Ventura was
necessary and was developed by Blackstein to perform the
formatting.

Blackstein said the project was 3.5 years in development and currently
employs over 60 people. The PPL is expected to be published for the
first time at the end of 1991, and journals for other disciplines are
planned.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910619/Press Contact: Ken Blackstein, Electronic
Data Publishing, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 SUPREME COURT DECIDES MAIL-ORDER SALES TAX QUESTION 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00017)

SUPREME COURT DECIDES MAIL-ORDER SALES TAX QUESTION 06/20/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- In a decision of
major importance to many U.S. computer companies and their
customers, the United States Supreme Court has refused to
overturn a 24-year-old ruling which says that mail-order firms
which do not physically have a location in a certain state are
not required to collect sales taxes for that state.

In many cases involving high-priced, low-weight items, such as
software or computers, buyers in some high-tax states can save a
considerable amount of money by ordering from out-of-state
companies and paying shipping charges instead of sales taxes.

About the only losers in this decision, outside the state's tax
coffers, are the software companies which were beginning to
advertise special tax-accounting software that would make it
possible for companies to collect and pay the correct amount of
state taxes.

(John McCormick/19910619)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20  ****U.S. MAY EASE TRADE RESTRICTIONS WITH BRAZIL 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00018)

 ****U.S. MAY EASE TRADE RESTRICTIONS WITH BRAZIL 06/20/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- In a meeting with
Brazilian President Fernando Collor de Mello, President George
Bush has said that improved relations between the two countries
could lead to enhanced cooperation in the entire hemisphere.
Brazil has been trying to buy high-tech equipment from the U.S.,
including supercomputers, but has been blocked because of that
South American country's close ties with Iraq.

A reporter for a major Brazilian newspaper pointed out that the
Brazilian president would not be coming to the U.S. with hat in
hand looking for handouts but for cooperation. He suggested that
with recent changes in Eastern Europe, there was only one
superpower left in the world and that third world or unaligned
countries could no longer expect to play Moscow off against
Washington and thus practically demand economic support without
any special concessions.

Brazil owes nearly $3 billion to the U.S. government and over $50
billion to North American banks, but Washington insiders point out
that although Egypt and Mexico have received recent economic aid
in the form of debt forgiveness, Brazil doesn't pose the same
sort of strategically important problem for the U.S.

Brazil is expected to point out that it would be in the U.S.'s
interest to aid that giant country because it can't afford to
stop cutting down the vast Brazilian rain forests unless it can
acquire high technology to build its economy.

(John McCormick/19910619)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 NTN RE-ORGANIZES ITS FINANCES 06/20/91

06/20/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

NTN RE-ORGANIZES ITS FINANCES 06/20/91
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- NTN
Communications, which runs interactive games in bars alongside
TV shows like "Monday Night Football," got its financial house
in order with a $6 million private equity placement, and the
conversion of $8 million in debt into stock. Also, the stock was
split, in reverse, with 20 old shares getting one new share,
meaning NTN now has just 7 million shares outstanding, said
President Patrick J. Downs.

The bottom line is that a U.S. video game company is in good
financial health. NTN operates a 24-hour-per-day interactive
television broadcast network featuring interactive sports such as
QB1, which is exclusively licensed by the NFL, and trivia game
programming, which permits viewers to respond to and participate
in such programming. There are 450 spots in the U.S. and Canada
to play the games, mostly in bars and restaurants, military
bases or country clubs. It also has licensed its technology and
software to the TWIN Network in the United Kingdom, which is
jointly owned by Whitbread Breweries and the BBC. Whitbread owns
or operates 6,000 pubs in the United Kingdom.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910620/Press Contact: NTN Communications,
Ronald Hogan, 619/438-7400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 101 ONLINE TEAMS WITH PAC BELL TO OFFER INFO SERVICE 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

101 ONLINE TEAMS WITH PAC BELL TO OFFER INFO SERVICE 06/20/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Minitel, the
French videotex service standard which has struggled to
penetrate the US market, will make another stab at America
later this year. A new company, 101 OnLine, announced at the
Videotex Industry Association conference it is now offering
Minitel-based services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Most
significant is the fact that the billing will be done by
the region's phone company, Pacific Bell.

101 OnLine is a French operation which has worked in that nation
for 10 years. The company notes that the French Minitel system,
which was heavily backed by the state as an alternative to
printing phone books, now has 6 million users who give it 8
million hours of monthly usage. 101 OnLine provides its services
to U.S. subscribers at $9.95 per month, which includes the
Minitel terminal and unlimited access to basic on-line services.

In a press release, 101 OnLine chief executive officer, Pascal
Lenoir, spoke, "By offering a service that does not require
a computer, modem or PC skills, we are eliminating many of the
barriers that have limited the growth and popularity of
videotex in this country."

101 OnLine is already recruiting information
providers, mainly associations and corporations who want the
advantage of unlimited local e-mail at a fixed monthly rate.
101 OnLine also said it will work with bulletin boards and PC-
based on-line services to expand their offerings to the general
public through its system.

101 OnLine said is planning a major market roll-out in the San
Francisco Bay Area by the end of the year, and is funded to make
a long-term commitment to the California market.

What may be more significant is the backing of Pacific Bell in
the new venture. The phone company announced that 101 OnLine is
the first customer for its new billing service, the first such
service by a Bell company offered to companies offering videotex,
voice mail, electronic mail, paging and telephone answering.
Pacific Bell has billed for long distance carriers like MCI,
AT&T and Sprint since l984. Both monthly subscription charges and
usage fees can be billed, and each service provider will have its
own bill page bearing its company logo.

Pacific Bell said it will charge no more to small videotex
providers like 101 OnLine than it charges the big boys. The rate
will vary depending on how many billing elements are ordered. For
example, a company wishing to bill only a monthly subscription
fee and provide its own customer inquiry representatives would be
charged approximately 25 cents per account per month. That's
what 101 OnLine is offering right now. The monthly charge for
billing three line items and having Pacific Bell service
representatives answer inquiries would be approximately 30 cents
per account.

Pacific Bell's new billing product is available only for
subscription services which will ensure that consumers are aware
of the charges in advance of being billed. The billing service
was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in
January l991.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/Press Contact: Pacific Bell, Paul
Hirsch, 415/542-9468; 101 Online, John Queffelec, 415/705-0500)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20  ****APPLE EMPLOYEES PROTEST LAYOFF DECISION 06/20/91

06/20/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00021)

 ****APPLE EMPLOYEES PROTEST LAYOFF DECISION 06/20/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Concerned
that over 1500 employees should not be facing unemployment from a
company that posted profits of $131.1 million for the last quarter, some
150 Apple Computer workers staged a lunch-time demonstration
in front of the company's Cupertino offices on Wednesday, June 19.

The assembled employees read excerpts from Apple Chairman
John Sculley's book 'Odyssey' that states companies owe it their
employees to make 'work' a rewarding experience, and that corporate
strategy should not be driven by the need to improve quarterly
earnings.

Cindy McCaffrey, spokesperson for Apple, told Newsbytes that
it was a "tension-filled time" at the company and that the demonstration
was seen by Apple as a simply way for the employees to voice their
views. "Employees are actively encouraged to express ideas and
opinions," she said.

In response to a question from Newsbytes that there is some concern
that Apple is paying more attention to the demands of Wall Street and
not enough on the welfare of its employees, McCaffrey said that that
was "pure speculation" and declined further comment.

As many as 800 workers are facing redundancy this week in what is
expected to be the first of several layoffs this year. The decision was
postponed for 24 hours by the company, until today, which probably
explains the 'lower-than-expected' turnout at the demonstration. Those
in attendance expressed concern that, because all employees had
not yet been notified of termination of employment, they were
reluctant to be seen as publicly critical of Apple.

McCaffrey told Newsbytes that the "majority" of the reductions
would be accomplished by the end of the fiscal quarter on June 28.
The reduction in work force would be achieved through a combination
of layoffs, "attrition" and the "expiration of some employment
contracts" such as contractors and temporaries.

Profits were lower than expected for the last quarter, even though
market sales increased by almost 85 percent. The problem is that
Apple's low-end computers such as the Macintosh Classic and the
color Macintosh LC carry with them lower profit margins that erode
the company's net earnings. The company has built its fortunes in
the past on high-end desktop machines that provide large profits.

The company has changed its strategy in the past year in an attempt
to capture a larger share of the market. This culminated recently in
the signing of a distribution agreement with the CompUSA discount
computer superstore chain. Traditionally, Apple had always sold its
products through specialty computer retailers and not high volume
outlets.

(Ian Stokell/19910620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20  ****FOLLOWING HEAVY LOSSES, NATIONAL SEMI REGROUPS 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00022)

 ****FOLLOWING HEAVY LOSSES, NATIONAL SEMI REGROUPS 06/20/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 -- Following huge
losses of $154.4 million for fiscal 1991, National Semiconductor has
decided to decentralize its organizational structure and form new a
Communications and Computing Group and a Standard Products
Group.

Additionally, the company has also formed a new division called the
Innovative Products Division within the Communications and Computing
Group. According to the company, the new division is designed to
nurture and develop emerging businesses.

According to the company, the two new groups will have direct and
total responsibility for every aspect of its business, including
manufacturing, marketing, quality, finance and human resources.

Ann Wilkinson, spokeperson for the company, told Newsbytes that
the changes will have "no financial impact in the short term, but
ultimately should improve performance."

The decision to decentralize the corporate organization was
intended "to give authority and autonomy to the two businesses,"
said Wilkinson, and allow them to be more "entrepreneurial." It would
also allow them "to respond quicker to customer demands," as they
would have individual control over "everything except sales" which
would remain controlled on a corporate-wide level," she added.

The company maintains that the Communications and Computing
Group is structured around applications-focused product lines which
use the company's VLSI (very large scale integration) technology
to serve selected vertical markets. Other businesses within the group
include local area networks, mass storage, embedded control, office
automation, and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

Raymond J. Farnham will serves as group president, and Charles P.
Carinalli will be group executive vice-president.

Newsbytes reported only this week that the company had added
seven new products to its line of very large scale dynamic memory
controller chips, intended for 32-bit and high-performance RISC
(reduced instruction-set computer) systems.

The Standard Products Group will encompass large, high-volume
product lines, including linear, logic, memory and programmable
products. The group will also coordinate manufacturing activity in the
Asia-Pacific region. Kirk P. Pond and R. Thomas Odell will share the
office of the presidency.

Wilkinson also told Newsbytes that there were "no other structural
changes planned at this time," although this could change as if the
need arose.

The company blamed its on-going restructuring activity for the large
losses incurred in fiscal 1991, which included a restructuring charge
of $143.6 million. The company also recently sold its Puyallup,
Washington wafer fabrication facility to Matsushita Electronics for an
estimated $86 million in cash. In the deal Matsushita acquired two
manufacturing buildings and 92 acres of land.

Sales for fiscal year 1991 were actually up to $1,701.8 million,
compared with $1,675 million for the fiscal year 1990. But the reported
net loss of $151.4 million compared to just $25 million in fiscal 1990.

(Ian Stokell/19910620/Press Contact: Mary Coady, National
Semiconductor, 408-721-2871)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 IBM TO EXTEND NET MGT PRODUCTS 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00023)

IBM TO EXTEND NET MGT PRODUCTS 06/20/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- IBM is adding
new capabilities to Netview Performance Monitor, its network
performance management software, in two new releases within a
month. IBM also announced it will extend Netview's capabilities to
systems running AIX, its variant of Unix, this summer.

NetView Performance Monitor Release 4.1, to be available at the end
of June, adds support for networks using the international X.25
packet-switching standard. Release 5.0, to be available in
February, 1992, will add a handful of additional features.

Release 5.0 will accept operator commands directly from NetView, to
make it easier to respond to network problems. It will allow users
to update configuration information, adding or deleting devices
from the network without stopping Netview Performance Monitor. It
will also collect traffic and error statistics from LAN bridges,
and installation will be simplified, IBM said.

IBM spokeswoman Amy Arutt told Newsbytes both new releases will be
sent to current users without charge. The two releases in quick
succession are meant to get the new features out as quickly as
possible, she said. "It's not unusual for IBM to come out with
several versions of a product."

AIX Netview Service Point, due to be available July 26, will allow
AIX and Unix devices to exchange data with Netview. Its function
will be like that of Netview/PC for personal computers, Arutt said.

IBM also announced that five IBM Business Partners, or independent
companies working with IBM, will provide applications to let
specific devices work with Netview through the AIX Service Point.

The AIX Netview Service Point will cost US$3,150 for IBM RS/6000 or
Sun-compatible SPARC workstations, Arutt said. A distributed
applications support feature will be available for an additional
US$3,150 per workstation.

IBM also announced a Netview Graphics and Automation Offering. For
US$49,800, customers will get automation and graphics software,
installation services, and training needed to implement or enhance
their network management systems. The package includes Netview if
not already installed, IBM's Automation Network Operations
mainframe software, and its Netcenter graphics administrator
workstation software. A year of toll-free telephone support is also
part of the deal.

Finally, IBM enhanced Netview Call Accounting, a Netview component
that runs on a mainframe computer and helps manage telephone
network use. The company added a database of the tariffs of major
U.S. and Canadian carriers.

(Grant Buckler/19910620/Press Contact: Amy Arett, IBM, 914-642-
4628, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 NEW PRODUCTS: 3.5-Inch Optical Drives From Sony 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00024)

NEW PRODUCTS: 3.5-Inch Optical Drives From Sony 06/20/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Sony has announced
a pair of 3.5-inch optical disk drives for original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) to package and resell. The company also
announced a two-gigabyte digital audio tape (DAT) drive designed
for data backup.

The new SMO-300 series of rewritable optical drives store up to 128
megabytes of information on a 3.5-inch magneto-optical disk.
Designed for removable storage on a broad range of IBM and
compatible, Apple Macintosh, and Unix-based personal computers and
workstations, the drives comply with ANSI/ISO standards, so they
can exchange disks with other drives that meet the standard, Sony
said.

One version is an internal unit, which OEMs can adapt to fit a
variety of hardware, said Sony spokesman Jonathan Hirshon. The
other is an external subsystem using a small computer systems
interface (SCSI-2) interface. Sony said both units boast a 40-
millisecond average seek time and four-megabyte burst transfer
rate. The drives spin the disk at 3,000 revolutions per minute,
rather than the more common 1,800-2000 rpm.

The drives will be available this summer at quantity OEM prices of
less than US$1,000, Hirshon said. Sony hopes to see retail prices
of less than US$2,000, he added. Applications might include desktop
publishing, computer-aided design, and "any discipline that needs
a high-capacity, small-format, removable media."

Sony also announced the SDT-2000 digital audio tape drive, intended
for backup. The drive has a capacity of two gigabytes per
cartridge. It will be available later this year, at a price yet to
be determined. Sony is also working on a four-gigabyte version, the
SDT-4000, Hirshon said.

(Grant Buckler/19910620/Press Contact: Jonathan Hirshon, Sony, 201-
930-7812)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 ADOBE REPORTS 2Q INCOME OF OVER $13 MILLION 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00025)

ADOBE REPORTS 2Q INCOME OF OVER $13 MILLION 06/20/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems, Inc, apparently not effected by competition in the page
description language wars, has reported second quarter revenues
of $13.26 million. The quarter ended May 31, 1991.

An Apple-Microsoft consortium had been attempting to develop a
separate set of typefaces to rival Adobe's Postscript.
Microsoft withdrew from the fray, settling for developing
printer capabilities for the popular Windows program. When
that story broke, Steve McDonald, Adobe's systems division
general manager, said, "We are encouraged by the story regarding
Microsoft ending its intentions to be a major player in the
printer-software business. We think this is a significant
advancement for Adobe's Postscript and Type 1 font standards
in the PC market."

Concurrently with Microsoft's withdrawal from the competition,
Newsbytes reported that Lasermaster Technologies announced
release of Multipage, a page description software package, which
the company described as a lower cost, higher performance
alternative to Postscript. Multipage combines proprietary
software with Microsoft's TrueImage, and is fully Postscript
language compatible.

The Adobe second quarter revenue is up 61 percent over the second
quarter of fiscal 1990, at slightly over $57 million. Net income
was $13.2 million, or 58 cents per share, an increase of 61
percent in earnings. Royalties from Apple Computer were 11
percent of total revenue for the quarter.

During the quarter, Adobe announced a licensing agreement with
Lotus Development which grants Lotus the rights to include Adobe
Type Manager software in all Lotus applications, beginning with
1-2-3 for Windows and 1-2-2 for Apple's Macintosh. A set of 13
typefaces from the Adobe Type Library will be included with each
application.

Adobe has also signed an agreement with Tektronix, allowing
Tektronix to use Postscript, and granting Adobe a license for
Tektronix patents related to desktop color printing. Adobe has
also released Version 2.0 of Photoshop, an image processing
package for artists and desktop publishers, and a Japanese
version of Photoshop.

Adobe's board of directors has declared a cash dividend for the
second quarter of eight cents per common share, payable on July
16, 1991.

(Jim Mallory/19910620/Press Contact:Linda Prosser, Adobe Systems,
415-962-3840)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 GTE AWARDS $600K IN ED. GRANTS TO U.S. TEACHERS 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00026)

GTE AWARDS $600K IN ED. GRANTS TO U.S. TEACHERS 06/20/91
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- GTE
has awarded educational grants totaling $600,000 to fifty U.S.
mathematics and science teachers in 19 states for the 1991-92
school year. Eight of those teachers are in the state of
California.

The grants are part of the GTE "Growth Initiatives for
Teachers" or GIFT program to encourage excellence in math
and science education by providing $5000 for the personal,
professional development of two-member teams of teachers who
teach in grades 6 through 12. The grant also includes $7000
for an educational enrichment project in each team's school,
the company said.

Teachers submitted detailed proposals for their local school
enrichment projects and for their professional development
programs. Winners are chosen by a panel of math and science
educators under the guidance of the Educational Testing
Service of Princeton, New Jersey, and the GTE Foundation.

The GTE Foundation said it is among the top 20 foundations
in the U.S. in annual contributions to charitable and
scientific organizations. GTE says its three areas of
business strength are telecommunications, lighting and
precision materials. It claims its combined revenues and
sales in 1990 were $21.4 billion with net income of $1.7
billion.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910620/Press Contact: Ilona Smith, GTE,
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20  ****NANTUCKET SAYS CLIPPER FOR WINDOWS COMING 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027)

 ****NANTUCKET SAYS CLIPPER FOR WINDOWS COMING 06/20/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) --
Nantucket President Larry Heimendinger announced at the
closing session of the Nantucket Developers Conference in
Palm Springs that the next Clipper product will be a Windows
product. No release dates were mentioned, and Heimendinger
said that was because he did not want to be hounded at next
year's Developer's Conference about why it was "two weeks
late."

Nantucket had been very secretive during the conference
about whether or not a Windows product was planned. In a
meeting between the Clipper developers and the press, Brian
Russell had said the company was pursing two lines of
development, a "gentle, stable upgrade path" and a "radical"
object-oriented approach. When asked if this meant two
different products, Heimendinger said, "It could be two or
it could be eleven products."

However, in the closing session of the conference, one of
the last questions was by a developer who wanted to know
what she was going to tell the people back at the office
about a Windows version of Clipper. At that point
Heimendinger officially announced that the next Clipper
product would be a Windows product.

Heimendinger also said the next Clipper product would also
support other graphical user interfaces (GUIs) like
Presentation Manager, as well. Heimendinger said development
of the GUI product has been code named "Project Aspen," but
no other specific information was disclosed.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910620/Press Contact: Larry Heimendinger,
Nantucket, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 OLIVETTI CONSIDERS MOVING PRODUCTION TO FAR EAST 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00028)

OLIVETTI CONSIDERS MOVING PRODUCTION TO FAR EAST 06/20/91
IVREA, ITALY, 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- The high cost of labour in
Europe looks like it has forced another computer manufacturer
to consider shifting its production overseas. Latest reports
from Olivetti suggest that the Italian giant is considering
moving its production facilities from Italy to Asia.

Carlo De Benedetti, speaking at the company's annual
shareholder's meeting, said that Olivetti is looking at opening
new facilities in Asia, although the company has no specifics
in mind at this stage.

As part of the consideration process, Olivetti's managing
director Vittorio Cassoni will shortly visit Singapore, where the
company already operates a production facility, with a view to
expanding the production facility there.

De Benedetti, however, said that Olivetti is not necessarily
looking at expanding its Singaporean facility. He said that
alternative countries for siting new facilities include Thailand
or Indonesia.

Ironically, the Far East is not the financial nirvana that
many in the computer industry suggest when it comes to production
costs. Several computer companies, notably Atari and Amstrad,
have moved their Far Eastern production facilities back to the
West, as the cost savings are not as great as were originally
forecast. By locating production facilities in their respective
home countries, the companies have found that the benefits
outweigh the extra costs involved.

(Steve Gold/19910620)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 IN-FLIGHT PHONE SIGNS SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SITA 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00029)

IN-FLIGHT PHONE SIGNS SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SITA 06/20/91
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- In-Flight
Phone, headed by former Airfone founder John Goeken, signed an
agreement with SITA under which international airlines can get
the services of SITA AIRCOM while over the U.S. through In-
Flight. The deal was negotiated by John's daughter, Sandra, who
ran the company while he was in court overturning GTE's non-
compete clause in the Airfone sales contract.

The deal is important for In-Flight, because it links
international safety calls to its airplane telephony system,
which needs customers since Airfone has tied up most major U.S.
airlines. Airfone, however, offers only an analog service, while
In-Flight is building an all-digital phone service from the
ground-up which can also handle fax and data calls.

SITA AIRCOM is used for in-flight safety, operational, and
administrative communications. It integrates worldwide VHF and
satellite communications links into a single cohesive service.
The connection of the In-Flight services over North America
provides an efficient alternative to current enroute air-ground
communications services in the United States and expands the
coverage of the SITA VHF data service, now provided in Europe,
Asia, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, Japan and the Middle
East, the two companies said in a press release.

Moreover, in conjunction with the global SITA/IFPC operating
agreement for Satellite AIRCOM communications, the new agreement
offers the worldwide airline community a comprehensive aircraft
communications package which includes worldwide digital
telephone transmission, data communications and value added
information services such as fax messaging, airline flight
information, current news updates and stock quote retrieval.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910620/Press Contact: In-Flight Phone
International, Sandra Goeken 708/573-2660; SITA, Edouard Graham,
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 20 TELEBIT OFFERS SUPPORT OF V.32BIS STANDARD 06/20/91

06/20/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)

TELEBIT OFFERS SUPPORT OF V.32BIS STANDARD 06/20/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 20 (NB) -- Telebit,
which previously announced support for the V.32 modulation
standard at 9,600 baud, announced an upgrade path from its T1600
V.32 modem to the CCITT V.32bis standard, which will run at up to
14,400 baud. This policy will allow any new or existing T1600
customer to upgrade for $249.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910621/Press Contact: Telebit, Mary Hopkins,
408/745-3061)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 19 NEW SYSTEMHOUSE CHAIRMAN NAMED 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00001)

NEW SYSTEMHOUSE CHAIRMAN NAMED 06/19/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Systems
integrator SHL Systemhouse has tapped the consulting arm of Arthur
Andersen & Co. to find a new chairman and chief executive. John
Oltman, formerly worldwide managing partner of computer integration
for the Andersen division, is the successor to Roderick Bryden, who
resigned in January from the company he co-founded in 1974.

Bryden's departure is reported to have stemmed from financial
troubles at Kinburn Capital, an investment firm he started after
launching Systemhouse, and which formerly had a controlling interest
in Systemhouse. Unable to repay loans, the company has lost control
of its stakes in Systemhouse and in Computer Innovations Distribution,
which controls Canada's Computerland franchises.

Donald Paterson, a spokesman for the Systemhouse board of directors,
said that the board believed Bryden had to go to restore investor
confidence in the company. "No matter how you want to separate Kinburn
from Systemhouse, and they are separate," he said, "the commonality of
Rod being the chief executive of both I think has had a negative
impression."

Systemhouse will keep Bryden on for two years as a consultant to the
chief executive, paying him a fee for that period equivalent to one
year's salary, bonus, and benefits.

(Grant Buckler/19910619/Press Contact: John Owens, Systemhouse, 613-
238-6648)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19  ****IBM CREATES USSR SUBSIDIARY 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00002)

 ****IBM CREATES USSR SUBSIDIARY 06/19/91
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- IBM has announced
that it has established a 100 percent-owned subsidiary -- IBM USSR Ltd --
to conduct its operations in the Soviet Union.

Making the announcement at the company's new Moscow offices, Renato
Riverso, chairman of IBM World Trade Europe/Middle East/Africa
Corporation, said: "IBM is delighted to enhance its local presence in
this way and reinforce its active participation in the development of
Soviet society."

"We are looking forward to fully contributing towards the overall
progress of the country's economy. The creation of this company
demonstrates the continuation of IBM's long-term strategy in this
country. We are grateful to the large number of Soviet partners who
have assisted us in this achievement. Particular thanks must go to the
President and Prime Minister who initiated and provided the right
direction," he added.

IBM spokesperson Mac Jeffery provided background to Newsbytes on
the decision to establish a subsidiary, saying: "We have had a presence
in the Soviet Union since we opened an office there in 1974. Due to trade
restrictions imposed by the U.S.S.R and the USA's restrictions on the
export of hi-tech devices, our business there until 1989 was quite
modest. It has, however, grown rapidly since the economic atmosphere
changed in 1989 to the point that it now makes sense to have a legal
entity in place in the USSR."

Jeffery added: "The establishment of IBM USSR Ltd removes a few
restrictions that previously existed, both in our ability to provide
on-going maintenance services and our being able to hire local
nationals. More importantly, though, it demonstrates a long term
commitment to growing our business in the Soviet Union."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910619/Press Contact: Mac
Jeffery, IBM, 914-765-6443)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 LITTON CUTS IMAGING DIVISION; TAKES $120 MILLION LOSS 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00003)

LITTON CUTS IMAGING DIVISION; TAKES $120 MILLION LOSS 06/19/91
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Litton
Industries has announced it will take a $100 to $120 million loss this
quarter against 1991 fiscal year revenues in cutting back its
Integrated Automated division that concentrates on software-based
systems for document imaging, inspection and process control.

The Integrated Automated division is part of the Industrial Automation
Systems and Products segment of Litton. The company said that $70
million of the loss is estimated to be intangible assets.

Alton J. Brann, president and chief executive officer of Litton said:
"The outlook for the products and services of the Integrated Automated
division has changed dramatically." Brann blamed it on the recession,
but said he did not think it would change if the recession ends.

"We are closing down the inspection and process control lines, whose
performance has turned out to be disappointing. The remaining
document imaging business has a much smaller market with limited
growth potential," he told Newsbytes.

On a more hopeful vein, Brann said: "Our cost cutting measures are
showing initial results, our margins are increasing and both bookings
and backlog are running higher than a year ago at this time."

Newsbytes has talked with Litton employees, who prefer not to be
named, who said layoffs have been occuring for some time. More
layoffs are rumored, but Newsbytes sources are optimistic about the
company's future, despite the layoffs.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910619/Press Contact: Robert Knapp, Litton, Tel:
213/ 859-5907)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 NEW SUPERPRINT 2.0 BEATS ADOBE TYPE MANAGER 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00004)

NEW SUPERPRINT 2.0 BEATS ADOBE TYPE MANAGER 06/19/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Zenographics has
announced Superprint version 2.0, a what-you-see-is-what-you-get
(WYSIWYG) type system that the company claims beats Adobe Type
Manager in both printing speed and printing time.

Benchmark tests on an Hewlett-Packard Laserjet IIP, conducted by
Zenographics, show Superprint 2.0 as printing from 2 to 7 times faster
than Adobe Type Manager and many more times faster than Facelift, a
competing software product.

Steve Puntolillo of Zenographics said that Superprint 2.0 accomplishes
the speed through the use of Soft Rip, an algorithm developed by
Zenographics for raster information printing. The algorithm is used in
superdrivers the software uses for printing, Puntolillo said.

Puntolillo also said that, not only does Superprint generate screen
fonts in Microsoft Windows on demand, as does Adobe Type Manager,
but it does so with any type foundry available, including Adobe fonts,
Bitstream fonts, and even fonts from graphics packages such as Corell
Draw. The software then allows the user to utilize whatever type fonts are
already available instead of requiring the purchase of additional
fonts to work with the software, as Adobe does, he added.

An additional advantage is the Superqueue portion of the software that
allows the user the print spooler-like operation, with the creation of a
metafile that handles the printing and returns control of the computer to
the user, he noted.

In a price comparison, Superprint at $195 retail, costs more than Adobe
Type Manager, until the cost of purchasing additional type faces is
added in. If the cost of extra type faces and the fact that ATM does not
access color devices and Superprint 2.0 does, the Superprint product
is a better value to the consumer, Puntolillo said.

Superprint is distributed in different ways for different printers, the
company said. The best way to find out how to acquire Superprint 2.0
for a user is to contact Zenographics first, at 4 Executive Circle, Irvine,
CA 92714, [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910619/Press Contact: Steve Puntolillo,
Zenographics, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19  ****PERSONAL CD PLAYER LOWERS CD PUBLISHING COSTS 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00005)

 ****PERSONAL CD PLAYER LOWERS CD PUBLISHING COSTS 06/19/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Meridan
Data announced its new Personal Compact Disc (CD) Publisher as a
software only solution of the company's desktop publishing system,
designed to allow the storage of DOS-based files on CD ROM media.

The company said that the software accomplishes a conversion from the
DOS format to the standard CD ROM ISO 9660 industry standard format.
Once the data is formatted, it can be written to a CD disk using the Sony
CDW-1 write-once recorder, or it can be stored to an image file on a
tape cartridge or DOS disk, Meridan said.

The software is designed for IBM or compatible Intel 80386-based
systems, and retails at $2,795.

One example the company gives is to use the greater storage capacity
of CD ROM for hard disk or local area network (LAN) backup, using
Personal CD Publisher to format the DOS files for storage on the
CD ROM disk. Meridan also said that data could be archived in this
manner, then accessed via Meridan's turn-key CD ROM networking
system, CD Net, for multi-user access to the archived data on a LAN.

Meridan plans to market the software via direct sales and through
resellers, and the software is shipping now. For more information
contact Meridan Data, 5615 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley,
CA 95066, [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910619/Press Contact: Sheri Elpern, Tel: 408/438-
3100, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 MICROSOFT SHIPS EXCEL RELEASE 3 FOR OS/2 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)

MICROSOFT SHIPS EXCEL RELEASE 3 FOR OS/2 06/19/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Microsoft
has begun shipping Microsoft Excel version 3.0 with business graphics
and database for OS/2 Presentation Manager.

Version 3.0 is already available for the Windows environment as well
as the Apple Macintosh running under System 7.0. Excel worksheets
created on any of the three platforms (Windows, OS/2 or System 7.0)
are interchangeable with any other platform. Microsoft said that this
feature will especially appeal to companies who have not
standardized on a single platform.

Microsoft said that the training and documentation for use of Excel is
so similar that students for all three platforms attend the same
class.

The new OS/2 version makes use of such OS/2 features as enhanced
memory management, allowing users to create large or multiple
worksheets, while using the OS/2 features to handle host
communications or large database queries, downloads or uploads.

The OS/2 file system also supports long file names (up to 256
characters), and users can open or link to a file that includes a
reference to a particular server in the actual file's name.

The new program allows users to have a menu item in the File menu
allowing them to send and receive mail from IBM Officevision. And
since OS/2 supports multitasking, work on other tasks, such as word
processing in Microsoft Word for OS/2, can be done while their Excel
spreadsheets calculate in the background.

Pete Higgins, VP of the analysis business unit at Microsoft said:
"With the shipment of Microsoft Excel version 3.0 for OS/2, we have
fulfilled our intent to deliver it to the three most widely used PC
graphical platforms." Higgins added that this is exciting because
users can use Excel on whatever platform meets their business
needs.

(Jim Mallory/19910619/Press Contact:Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206-882-
8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 LASERMASTER OFFERS PAGE DESCRIPTION SOFTWARE 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)

LASERMASTER OFFERS PAGE DESCRIPTION SOFTWARE 06/19/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Lasermaster
Technologies has announced the release of Multipage, its alternative
to the Adobe Postscript page description language.

The announcement follows hard on the heels of the apparent
withdrawal of Microsoft from competition with Adobe, as reported by
Newsbytes earlier this week.

Lasermaster describes Multipage as a lower cost, higher performance
alternative to Adobe Postscript. Multipage combines proprietary
software with Microsoft's TrueImage. Lasermaster also announced that
Microsoft had granted the company licensing rights to TrueImage.

Lasermaster says Multipage incorporates direct software drivers
providing faster printing from Windows, and supports Lasermaster's
Turbores resolution enhancement technology. Multipage provides font
management which allows for the use of large font libraries in the
Truetype and/or Adobe Type 1 formats. It will also support Hewlett
Packard's PCL and HPGL, Apple's Quickdraw, Microsoft Windows
Graphic Device Interface, and the OS/2 system graphic programming
interface.

Larry Lukis, chief technical officer for Lasermaster, says that
Multipage will be very attractive to printer manufacturers. According
to Lukis: "By coupling Turbores with Multipage font management, we
have absolutely the best approach to printing Kanji and Asian
characters - critical for manufacturers selling printers in the Asian
market."

"Multipage provides a competitive edge to printer manufacturers by
allowing them to distinguish their printers in a highly competitive
market where (Adobe) Postscript alone has come to mean 'me too!'"
he added.

Lasermaster said that they will be licensing the software in
manufacturer selected modules, based on a pricing model with no
minimum commitments and royalties, which they expect will challenge
current pricing for stand-alone Postscript interpreters.

(Jim Mallory/19910619/Press Contact:Karen Nesset, Lasermaster, 612-
941-8687)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19  ****MACINTOSH 68040 ACCELERATOR NOW SHIPPING 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00008)

 ****MACINTOSH 68040 ACCELERATOR NOW SHIPPING 06/19/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Owners of two low cost
Macintoshes, the SE/30 and the IIsi, can now increase the performance
of their machines with the TokaMac SX from Fusion Data Systems. The
company claims that the accelerator will increase the performance well
beyond the levels of the IIfx, Apple's fastest Macintosh, as well as
the i486 based PCs and Sun's SPARCstation IPC.

Fusion has targeted scientific engineering, financial and CAD
(computer-aided design) application users, whom they say are primary
users of the Macintosh.

According to Fusion, applications which are floating point intensive
will obtain workstation-type processing times up to 300 percent faster
than those of the Macintosh IIfx. Users of graphics and desktop
publishing applications are also expected to benefit from processing
speeds up to 185 percent over the IIfx. Both these type applications
are input/output intensive.

According to Jeff Westerfield, director of product strategy for Apple
dealer Computerware, the TokaMac has generated a great deal of
enthusiasm in the Macintosh community. "There is a great deal of
enthusiasm - we are very excited about it," he said.

Andrew Donoho, Fusion president said that the company listened to
Macintosh users in developing the accelerator. Says Donoho: "We
produced a blazing fast and reliable upgrade solution which puts
those users at the front of today's Macintosh performance curve."

TokaMac is System 7.0 compatible, has a low power consumption
(5 watts) and is compatible with most Mac applications.

Fusion Data Systems says the TokaMac SX is the only Motorola 68040
accelerator available for the Macintosh SE/30 and the IIsi, and the only
accelerator compatible with Apple's new System 7.0. The TokaMac
has a suggested list price of $2,995 plus $50 for an 030 PDS adaptor
card. The unit will be available in July.

(Jim Mallory/19910619/Press Contact:Andrew Donoho, Fusion Data
Systems, 512-338-5326)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 FIRST ALL ELECTRONIC LIBRARY OPENS 06/19/91

06/19/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)

FIRST ALL ELECTRONIC LIBRARY OPENS 06/19/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- What is described as
the world's first electronic library is now on line, and officials said it will
revolutionize the exchange of information on a global basis.

The Library of International Relations stores more than 100,000
volumes and over 750,000 documents, most pertaining to economic,
political, business, and trade. The documents and volumes are
scanned onto WORM (Write-Once, Read-Many) optical disks, and can
then be retrieved and transmitted either electronically or via fax to
requesters.

The library serves as an official repository for several international
organizations, including the European Community, the League of
Nations, the World Health Organization, Central Bank Reports from
over 80 nations, and the United Nations. Says Mickie Voges, LIR
director "Eventually, the imaging system will give our students as well
as our corporate subscribers access to nearly every government or
statistical document in all major libraries.

Users of the system will include, businesses, economist, and
academicians who should find access to materials that will be
invaluable in advancing trans-national business ventures, as well as
studying global diplomacy. As an example, a corporation might access
the system to identify overseas markets, or a manufacturer might
review export-import statistics published by the European Communities
to determine the quantity and value of industrial produced imported by
a common market country.

Other information which businesses might use include currency
restrictions, tariff and trade agreements, and regulations of various
countries governing trade transactions.

Speaking to Newsbytes, LIR director Mickie Voges, who holds a
masters degree in Library Science as well as a JD degree, said that
LIR had chosen to store the documents in a graphics format rather
than an ASCII format in order to allow the service to retain the visual
character of the documents.

Voges feels that it is important to see how the document actually
appears in its original form to give the reader the 'feel' of the
document. Changes made in the documents would also be seen by the
viewer. LIR can produce a document in most of the popular graphics
files formats, such as GIF, TIFF, etc.

In response to a Newsbytes question, Voges said that she believes
some day all libraries will be linked electronically, although both
economic and political considerations may slow this process.

Voges added that one of their heaviest use periods is during the
model United Nations high school program, and says she looks
forward to the students having access to the material. She said that,
during Operation Desert Storm, LIR had every copy of the Geneva
Convention, anything dealing with prisoners of war, and documents
dealing with the UN resolutions on Kuwait constantly in use.

While its not common now, Voges predicts that one day library card
catalogs will not only provide the name of the document and its
catalog number, but who has the document. Documents then can be
requested through an inter-library loan. There is already access to
over 80 card catalogs through the Internet system.

(Jim Mallory/19910619/Press Contact:Mickie Voges, LIR, 312-368-1500)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19  ****PC MAGAZINE FINALLY RELEASED IN SOVIET UNION 06/19/91

06/19/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00010)

 ****PC MAGAZINE FINALLY RELEASED IN SOVIET UNION 06/19/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- The first issue of a local
language edition of PC Magazine has been formally launched in the
Soviet Union. The Russian language magazine was distributed this
week at the International Computer Forum in Moscow.

Quality paper and printing, along with broad smiles and smooth
talking cannot disguise the fact, however, there are spelling mistakes
and other general errors on almost every page.

The magazine is being published by the Moscow State University
publishing house in close co-operation with SK Verlag, a Western
Germany-based publisher. It is printed on imported paper at a
Kaliningrad, Russia-based printing plant.

The magazine is being edited by a pool team of editors. One of the
pool team admitted to Newsbytes that most of the errors were due to
the haste with which the magazine was prepared in order to launch it
this week.

Costing 4.8 roubles per copy, a total of 98,000 copies were to have
been printed in the first production run. According to informed
sources, however, only half of this figure was actually achieved, due
to a limit on the amount of paper available to the publishing house.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910619)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 GRID INTROS TWO MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS & UPGRADE KIT 06/19/91

06/19/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00011)

GRID INTROS TWO MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS & UPGRADE KIT 06/19/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Continuing the
trend towards multimedia technology, GRiD Systems has introduced two
multimedia systems that will carry the MPC (Multimedia PC) trademark.

The GRiD MMP433e uses a 33MHz, Intel 80486 microprocessor, an
Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus and is intended as
a high-end multimedia development platform.

The GRiD MMP 320s is based on a 20MHz 386SX microprocessor and,
according to the company, is designed for users looking for a
delivery platform that will allow them to more effectively communicate
information in presentation, training and education applications.

Additionally, the company has released a multimedia authoring kit
called Authorware Professional for Windows that will be fully
supported on the GRiD MPCs, and whose object authoring
environment will enable subject-matter experts to build applications
without scripting.

GRiD has announced that it will concentrate on four main areas of
multimedia applications through partnerships with authoring systems
and tool development companies: interactive publishing,
computer-based training, computer-based presentation and
executive information systems.

Newsbytes previously reported that the company released its first
CD-ROM-based laptop computer only last week, called the 1550CD.
The machine uses a 20MHz 386SX  microprocessor, weighs 17
pounds including CD-ROM drive, and includes a 60 megabyte hard
drive plus Microsoft Windows 2.0 as standard features.

GRiD designs, manufactures, markets and services laptop, pen-based
and desktop computers, pen-based software development tools,
electronic mail and networking systems. GRiD is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Tandy Corp., Fort Worth,Texas.

(Ian Stokell/19910619/Press Contact: Mike McGuire, GRiD Systems, 415-
656-4700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 NEW FOR PC: Symantec Intros Norton Desktop For Windows 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00012)

NEW FOR PC: Symantec Intros Norton Desktop For Windows 06/19/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Following
Symantec's recent offerings of Windows products that included The
Norton Backup for Windows, On Target, and JustWrite, the company has
now introduced Norton Desktop for Windows, a file management and
utilities package.

According to the company, The Norton Desktop combines file
management tools for Windows with Symantec's own data protection
technology. The Norton Desktop's enhanced Windows file manager
allows users to copy, move, view, launch, delete and print files by
simply dragging and dropping icons directly on the Windows desktop.

The Norton Desktop also includes automated data backup, superior
data recovery and network support, as well as a collection of Windows
specific tools designed for daily use to safeguard data.

Windows documents can be printed by dragging files to printer icons.
According to Symantec, Quick Access, an enhancement to the Windows'
Program Manager, is a menuing program which works transparently with
the file manager on the Windows desktop.

Also included in the package is The Norton Viewer which lets the user
view files from over 30 Windows and DOS applications by dragging the
file icon to the Viewer icon, or clicking the view button. Also,
Norton Scheduler lets users run unattended backups to floppy disks,
network servers or any other DOS device at a pre-designated time.

The Norton Desktop also includes Norton Backup for Windows that
Newsbytes reported was released in April, which offers automated
backup and operates in the background so backups can be run without
interrupting the user. Backup operations can be started by dragging a
disk icon, directory, or file to the backup icon.

Apart from Symantec's data protection technology the package also
offers The Norton Disk Doctor for Windows which automatically
diagnoses common disk problems and recommends solutions and
Emergency Disk lets the user repair, unformat or optimize disks and
recover erased files, even when Windows cannot be accessed.

The Norton Desktop also offers SmartErase which protects erased files.
According to the company, with four mouse clicks, SmartErase recovers
erased files with 100 percent accuracy months after the files have
been erased, even on network drives.

(Ian Stokell/19910619/Press Contact: Ana Shannon, Symantec Corp., 213-
319-2080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 COMPUSERVE INFORMATION MANAGER DEBUTS IN JAPAN 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00013)

COMPUSERVE INFORMATION MANAGER DEBUTS IN JAPAN 06/19/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUNE 19 (NB) -- Niftyserve, the Japanese arm of
the Compuserve online system, has released a localized version of the
Compuserve Information Manager (CIM) software here in the Japan.

The package, which retails for 9,000 yen ($65) allow interactive real-
time access to Compuserve, but with the advantage of using a GUI
(graphical user interface) command interface to make the user feel
more at home. Virtually all commands -- bridging the local PC and the
Compuserve network -- are just a few keystrokes away, the company
claims, when CIM is used.

As with standard GUI systems for the PC, notably Windows and
Desqview, CIM comes with a mouse input system as well as a
graphics image transmission system as standard.

As supplied, CIM runs on most IBM PC-ATs and compatibles, the IBM
PS/2 Model 55, the AX and Toshiba's J-3100 computer. A Mac version,
based on the U.S. edition, is also in the pipeline, company officials said.

Niftyserve is actually a joint venture of Fujitsu and Nissho-Iwai
Trading. The firm has an agreement with CompuServe concerning the
exclusive dealership of the CompuServe online system in Japan.
Currently, the company is enjoying membership levels of around the
200,000 mark.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910619/Press Contact: Nifty, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 4 MEGABYTE DRAM CHIPSET UNPOPULAR; SALES ARE SLOW 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00014)

4 MEGABYTE DRAM CHIPSET UNPOPULAR; SALES ARE SLOW 06/19/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUNE 19 (NB) -- Sales of 4 megabit (MB) dynamic
random access memory (DRAM) chips are reported to be slumping,
according to the Nikkei, a Japanese daily newspaper. The reason for the
slump is simple - U.S. computer companies are cutting purchases of the
chips as the recession begins to bite.

NEC is atypical of companies experiencing problems with the phased
slowdown in sales of the chips. The Japanese giant recently finished
work on its new chip manufacturing plant with facilities for up to
five million chips a month. However, because of the sales shortfall
for the 4MB chips, the company is discussing the possibility of
switching the bulk of production over to 1 MB chips.

Another Japanese company hitting similar problems is Mitsubishi.
Mitsubishi officials were planning to increase production of 4MB DRAM
chips by the end of the year but have now shelved these plans in the
face of falling sales. The company is now reported to be working on
plans to shift one third of its manufacturing facilities over to 16MB
chipsets.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910619)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 NOTEBOOK PC WITH RADIO-BASED TELECOM FEATURE  06/19/91

06/19/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00015)

NOTEBOOK PC WITH RADIO-BASED TELECOM FEATURE  06/19/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUNE 19 (NB) -- Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled
a notebook PC with access to the MCA Service Information System, a
radio-based network that functions in the same way the modems do
over telephone networks.

The notebook PC is actually an enhanced version of the Maxy Note,
Mitsubishi's current notebook PC, to which is added and MCA
transceiver, a radio modem, an acoustic coupler and an A4-sized
printer. The whole set, fitting neatly into a box measuring 47 by 34
centimeters (cm), with a height of 13 cm. is intended for business use
and has a retail price of 1.2 million yen (about $8,800). A host system
version of the system costs three million yen (about $21,500).

The overall cost of the system may be on the high side, but the data
transmission costs are a lot less than conventional mobile phones.
Also, existing mobile phones only work within city areas of Japan,
whereas the MCA modem works over most of Japan.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910619/Press Contact: Mitsubishi Electric,
 [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 BULL SCORES MAJOR CONTRACT WITH FRENCH GOVERNMENT 06/19/91

06/19/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00016)

BULL SCORES MAJOR CONTRACT WITH FRENCH GOVERNMENT 06/19/91
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Cie des Machines Bull, better-
known as Bull of France, has secured a major contract with the French
Government. Terms of the contract call for the troubled computer giant
to build a new computer headquarters for NATO (The North Atlantic
Treaty Organization) in Brussels.

Precise financial details of the contract have not been announced,
although press sources have said the deal is worth several hundred
million Belgian Francs, a figure that should go a long way towards
pulling the French computer company back into the black.

Bull beat three other companies on the contract, which will run for
between two and three years. NATO currently does not have a fully-
integrated computer system at its headquarters.

(Steve Gold/19910619)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19  ****OLIVETTI POISED TO TAKE A STAKE IN GOUPIL 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00017)

 ****OLIVETTI POISED TO TAKE A STAKE IN GOUPIL 06/19/91
MILAN, ITALY, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Olivetti, the Italian computer
company, is reported to be eyeing Goupil of France regarding a
possible take-over bid. Goupil is a state-owned computer company that
has seen better times.

Olivetti's chairman Carlo De Benedetti is reported to have met with
Edith Cresson, the French Prime Minister, earlier this week. No
details of the meeting, other than the fact that it was in connection
with the possible acquisition of Goupil, have been released.

This has not stopped the Italian press from reporting on the meetings.
La Republica, the Italian daily, has said that Olivetti is offering a
major restructuring plan for the French computer company. The paper
also claims that De Benedetti's offer calls for a 30 percent stake in
Goupil, in return for a return to profitability with two years.

Goupil may be in no position to bargain. The French computer company
has major debts and a red ink-stained balance sheet.

(Steve Gold/19910619)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 CONVEX RELEASES VISUAL DEBUGGER 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00018)

CONVEX RELEASES VISUAL DEBUGGER 06/19/91
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Convex Computer
Corporation has released what it claims is the first commercially
available visual debugger capable of analyzing highly optimized code
at source programming levels.

The new product, CXdb, can debug highly optimized code in both Fortran
and C, and uses a window interface instead of the more traditional
command line. The window interface is available on graphics terminals
running CXwindows, as well as ASCII terminals running Maryland
Windows.

Using the windowing feature, users can look at the disassembly code,
the source code, and the program output all at the same time. CXdb
debugs at the system instruction level, with full access to the system
state including scalar, vector, and the system's communications
registers.

Bob Peloso, a technical staff member at Panasonic Advanced TV-Video
Laboratories, likes CXdb. Talking about the difficulty of locating a
third party software code problem that had puzzled Panasonic
researchers for weeks, Peloso said: "We fired up CXdb and within a
half an hour we had the answer. it turned out to be quite a
sophisticated, subtle problem, too."

CXdb will be available in July, with prices starting at $9,500. Convex
markets air-cooled supercomputers, primarily to scientific,
engineering and technical users throughout the world.

(Jim Mallory/19910619/Press Contact:Donna Burke, Convex Computer Corp,
214-497-4230)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19  ****OLIVETTI: THE RECESSION BITES - GLOOMY PREDICTIONS 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00019)

 ****OLIVETTI: THE RECESSION BITES - GLOOMY PREDICTIONS 06/19/91
IVREA, ITALY, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- While some parts of the European
computer industry report that the current market recession is
`bottoming out,' Olivetti's chairman, Carlo De Benedetti, thinks
otherwise -- he reckons that the company's first half sales and
revenue figures will be down on the same period the previous year.

All is not doom and gloom, however, as Olivetti has a few tricks up
its corporate sleeve to cut costs. The first trick is to move
production to the Far East, away from Italy and soaring wages and
other primary production cost factors.

The second area that Olivetti is working on to boost profits is on the
acquisitions front. According to De Benedetti, money is available for
investment in new projects and companies -- an undoubted reference to
recent reports that Olivetti is eyeing Goupil of France as a possible
acquisition.

De Benedetti, speaking at a press conference after the annual Olivetti
shareholders meeting, predicted that first half-year revenue will
fall by as much as six percent from the 4,167 billion lire ($3,100
million) reported in the first half of 1990.

Despite the changes, De Benedetti is not confident that any recovery
will affect the company's fortunes this year: "I will say that 1991
won't be an easy year," he said.

(Steve Gold/19910619)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19  ****BRITISH GOVT COMPLAINS OVER ICL EXPULSION FROM JESSI 06/19/91

06/19/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00020)

 ****BRITISH GOVT COMPLAINS OVER ICL EXPULSION FROM JESSI 06/19/91
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- The British Government has
announced its intention to complain about ICL's expulsion from key
projects financed by the European Community (EC).

ICL was expelled by JESSI, the Joint European Sub-micron Silicon)
computer chip program earlier this year when the company was bought by
a Japanese consortium. The British Government is not pleased with the
expulsion.

British Trade and Industry Minister Lord Reay is quoted by the Reuters
news wire as saying he has taken up the matter at a ministerial
conference in The Hague.

"When a company has its manufacturing, design and production in
Europe, it should be allowed to take part in European projects," he
said. "There is no reason to exclude a country on the basis of foreign
ownership."

EC ministers have not issued a formal statement on the outburst.
Sources within the EC are reported to be less than happy with the
situation.

(Steve Gold/19910619)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 MCI SIGNS DEAL WITH NASD 06/19/91

06/19/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

MCI SIGNS DEAL WITH NASD 06/19/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- MCI has signed an
affiliation agreement with the National Association of Securities
Dealers, which runs the NASDAQ over-the-counter market in stocks, and
made another play for government telecommunications work through a
deal with PictureTel.

The NASD agreement includes a new customized calling card linked to an
array of MCI services designed for use by the securities industry. MCI
is also offering services through NASD to its 5,500 member firms and
their 400,000 registered brokers. Included are its PRISM and Vision
calling plans, its Vnet virtual network services, its toll-free 800
lines and its data services. The calling card combines long distance
services with a new 24-hour real-time stock quote and market
information service, developed by the NASD, working alongside MCI's
existing Voice News Network.

The calling card includes a toll-free 800 number that can be used for
directory assistance, voice mail, conference calling, and message
deliveries as well as domestic and international calling. NASD had
already contracted with MCI in February to design a new nation-wide
data network for its NASDAQ stock market, which is the second largest
in the U.S. and the 4th largest in the world, after Tokyo, New York,
and Osaka exchanges.

The deal with PictureTel takes advantage of an early weakness of
Sprint, which won half the FTS-2000 phone services contract with the
U.S. government before it had a sophisticated teleconferencing system
in place, only a system of full-fledge video conferencing rooms. Such
specialized rooms offer a wide array of services but may cost as much
as $300 per hour to rent. The new videoconferencing tariff, created
through an alliance with PictureTel of Massachusetts, lets agencies
install simpler video codecs in their offices and handle voice
conferences in data channels running at speeds of 112-384,000
bits/second.

The channels are slower, the pictures are grainier, there are no fancy
additional services -- except at additional prices -- but the result
is a simple videoconference at a low price. MCI has been trying to
`cherry-pick' -- in its competitors' words -- profitable pieces off
the massive FTS-2000 contract with prices 40 percent below those
listed in the contract. Sprint and AT&T reply that FTS-2000 prices are
usage-sensitive, and that if agencies did all their business through
it they'd all save money in the long run. They also dispute MCI's
claimed cost savings.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910619/Press Contact: John Houser, MCI, 1-800-289-
0073)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 DCA ANNOUNCES NEW VERSION OF MAC IRMALAN 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(ATL)(00022)

DCA ANNOUNCES NEW VERSION OF MAC IRMALAN 06/19/91
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Digital
Communications Associates (DCA) has announced a new version of its
Local Area Network (LAN) software for Macintosh-to-IBM mainframe
communications, called MacIRMALAN. The software combines Distributed
Functional Terminal, commonly called DFT, 802.2 and Synchronous Data
Link Control, or SDLC, connectivity in a single piece of software.

The company has also announced a new pricing and packaging structure
for the product which replaces DCA's existing MacIRMALAN Server family
of products and increases the number of concurrent user versions.
Previously, the 802.2 and SDLC versions of the product were offered
separately.

MacIRMALAN now provides mainframe access for up to 128 concurrent
users on AppleTalk LANs using LocalTalk, Token-Ring, or Ethernet
media, the company said. The DFT gateway distributes up to 20 host
sessions across the LAN, allowing a PC gateway to perform some
functions normally handled by a cluster controller.

The 802.2 gateway provides users in the same building local access to
the mainframe over a Token-Ring backbone LAN with support for up to
128 host communications sessions, while the SDLC gateway supports a
remote link to the mainframe and up to 128 host sessions.

Macintosh client software is also bundled with MacIRMALAN, providing
for 5 simultaneous 3270 host sessions, along with 3287 printer
emulation and support for Apple System 7.0, the MacBinary file format
and file translation. Prices start at $1,495 for 8 concurrent users,
$3,495 for 32 users, $5,495 for 64 users and $7,495 for the 128 user
version. Deliveries start in July.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910619/Press Contact: Bill Marks, DCA, 404-442-
4520)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 WAVELAN CAPABILITY EXTENDED BY NCR 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00023)

WAVELAN CAPABILITY EXTENDED BY NCR 06/19/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- NCR has introduced a Micro
Channel Architecture (MCA) version of its Wavelan wireless local area
network (LAN) and also says that Wavelan is now compatible with
TCP/IP, LAN Manager and Netware v3.

Wavelan comprises a LAN network interface card with an integrated
radio transceiver and accompanying software for MCA and IBM AT-
compatible personal computers.

"With the addition of MCA support, Wavelan is firmly positioned within
our open, co-operative computing strategy," said Michael J.I. Lee,
managing director of NCR (Hong Kong) Ltd. "It provides wireless LAN
communications for both the System 3000 family and all IBM-compatible
PCs."

NCR says that Wavelan can be used with most networking operating
systems now being shipped. It uses spread spectrum radio technology,
providing transmission at speeds up to a claimed two megabits per
second. Any number of PCs may be part of a Wavelan installation, with
a typical coverage of 50,000 square feet in an open office setting.
Transmission is not blocked by partitions or normal office
construction, the company says.

The MCA version of Wavelan, together with the Netware v3 and LAN
Manager drivers, will be available in the third quarter of 1991.

(Norman Wingrove/19910619/Press Contact: Vivian Kung, NCR, Tel + 852
859 6021; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 DATACRAFT MAKES A TERMINAL HIT WITH HIT 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00024)

DATACRAFT MAKES A TERMINAL HIT WITH HIT 06/19/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG. 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- In a deal worth $730,000
(US$100,000), Datacraft Asia has sold Hong Kong International
Terminals, the world's largest privately owned container terminal, a
range of equipment from BICC Data Networks.

The equipment is intended to provide better links between HIT's
computers, terminals and ancillary equipment spread throughout the
organisation. "HIT is one of the most technologically advanced
terminals in the world, and the key to our operation is that we
provide a completely fail-safe computer environment," said HIT
computer operations manager, Richard Wilson.

HIT maintains four tightly-coupled ICL mainframes, two HP9000 systems,
two HP8000s and other specialist equipment in two identical but
separate computer rooms. The optical-fibre linked duplicate processor
sites provide disaster recovery capabilities that HIT claims near
total resilience.

Wilson said, "We were effectively running two separate networks. With
the new equipment, we are able to change the network from a bus to a
star topology. Basically, this means we can now have the entire system
on one big network with two fibre-optic lines linking both computer
rooms to all seven of our buildings as well as the yard sites."

(Norman Wingrove/19910619/Press Contact: Ron Cattell, Datacraft, Tel +
852 807 2313, Fax + 852 807 2574; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 ANOTHER NEW AWARD FOR AST'S TOM YUEN 06/19/91

06/19/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00025)

ANOTHER NEW AWARD FOR AST'S TOM YUEN 06/19/91
BEIJING, CHINA, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Shanghai-born Tom Yuen, co-founder
and chief operating officer of AST, has been awarded an Honorary
Professorship by China's Central Institute of Nationalities.

Director of China's Central Institute of Nationalities, Ren Shi-qi,
said that the award was in recognition of Yuen's promotion of personal
computer education in China, and his contribution to the international
microcomputer industry.

Yuen was educated in Hong Kong after emigrating to Hong Kong as a
child and went on to university in the USA, where with two friends he
started AST as a small consultancy and PC peripherals board
manufacturer. The company later switched to designing and building
personal computers and in 1990 had revenues of more than US$500
million.

During a recent swing through Asia, Tom Yuen was made an Honorary
Fellow of the Hong Kong Association for the Advancement of Science and
Technology.

(Norman Wingrove/19910619/Press Contact: Clara Shek, MDL/AST, Tel +
852 838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 FURTHER ASIAN EXPANSION MOVES BY MEDIA DYNAMICS 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00026)

FURTHER ASIAN EXPANSION MOVES BY MEDIA DYNAMICS 06/19/91
SINGAPORE, SEA, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- In a further move to strengthen
its position in South-east Asia, the region's largest marketing and
public relations consultancy, Media Dynamics has moved Hong Kong-based
senior consultant Dannie Francis to its Singapore subsidiary as
manager for South-east Asia Operations.

MDL says the move is a reflection of the company following the
restructuring of its Singapore operation last year.

Francis will be responsible for further developing the company's
portfolio of client services and leading the consultancy's expansion
throughout the region, primarily in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Media Dynamics currently has six office in Hong Kong, Singapore and
Taiwan, covering services to the information technology, financial,
travel, tourism, property and engineering sectors.

(Norman Wingrove/19910619/Press Contact: Bill Kraitzer, MDL, Tel + 852
838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)_
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 NEW CHINA COPYRIGHT LAW PROMPTS INTRO OF DBASE IN CHINESE 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027)

NEW CHINA COPYRIGHT LAW PROMPTS INTRO OF DBASE IN CHINESE 06/19/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate (AT) has
introduced Dbase IV 1.1 in the Chinese language at a ceremony attended
by U.S. and Chinese officials in Beijing, China. The company said it
has been waiting for Chinese legal changes before introducing the
product.

The legal changes involve a new Chinese copyright law, that was
adopted in September, 1990, and took effect on June 1, 1991 that
protects the moral and economic rights of authors, said Richard Neff,
International Legal Counsel for Ashton-Tate. The new law is what
prompted AT to release the product, Neff said.

Chinese officials say Dbase IV 1.1 is the first product to qualify for
protection under the new law. "China's recently adopted copyright laws
open the door for this product as well as future localization of AT
products," said Peter Booth, vice president of the AT Inter-
continental Division.

The Chinese Dbase version is fully localized and was developed in the
new AT Asian Development Center in Singapore. This version is the 15th
language Dbase IV 1.1 is available in, the company said. The product
is available in American English, United Kingdom English, German,
French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Finnish,
Norwegian, Hungarian, Czech and now Chinese, according to AT.

Dbase IV 1.1 Chinese is being distributed through the China Computer
System Engineering Co-operation and Computing Center, Academia Sinica,
the company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910619/Press Contact: Steve Grady, Ashton-Tate,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 XEROX AND NCR FORM CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING STRATEGY FOR MRP 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00028)

XEROX AND NCR FORM CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING STRATEGY FOR MRP 06/19/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- Xerox (XCS) and
NCR announced the two companies have formed a joint marketing
agreement under which XCS will market CHESS Material Requirements
Planning (MRP)-11 with NCR's 3000 series of computers under Unix
version 4.0.

Ray Chagnon, manufacturing industry marketing director for NCR said:
"NCR established this relationship with XCS to create an alliance that
could offer U.S. manufacturers a much-needed competitive edge."
MRP software is a way for manufacturers to plan for acquiring
materials needed so ordering is done efficiently and cost-effectively,
and to the parts of an object being manufactured are completed so
assembly can take place without delays. NCR said that CHESS MRP-11 by
XCS is the "first-to-market" of a new generation of applications
software for manufacturers that combines a "powerful range of advanced
features."

Joel Nagelmann, president of XCS said the NCR 3000 series of computers
are "well positioned for the future, and gives NCR 3000 users a means
of fully exploiting current and emerging technologies."

The two companies have said the co-operative marketing strategy is
aimed at U.S. Fortune 500 manufacturers.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910619/Press Contact: Joel Nagelmann, Xerox, Tel:
213/ 306-4000 ext. 2202, Fax: [phone], NCR, Ray Chagnon, Tel:
513/445-4492)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19 ZACHARY, NOT JUST ANOTHER CODE GENERATOR FOR CLIPPER 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)

ZACHARY, NOT JUST ANOTHER CODE GENERATOR FOR CLIPPER 06/19/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- At the Palm
Springs Nantucket Developers Conference, Zachary, a new code generator
for Clipper 5.0 and Summer '87 developed by Zachary Software, put on
an impressive performance. A user explained a problem that took a him
a month to develop in Clipper to the Zachary demonstrators, and the
user said the demonstrators produced the same, finished software
application in just 45 minutes.

Zachary is described by the developer, Len White, as not a code
generator, but a software machine. Zachary is a data dictionary driven
application generator, the company said. White said the product is
unusual in the fact that a programmer does not have to know Clipper to
generate an application with Zachary.

"It helps to know Clipper, but it is not necessary," White said. White
claims that Zachary frees the programmer to concentrate on what the
application will do, not how it does it.

The application is generated by explaining the application to Zachary
using the data dictionary, defining the databases, painting the
screens, then Zachary generates the code, and the developer "...goes
to the bank," White said.

Zachary will automatically generate all of the following, according to
the company: Look-up tables, arrays, field security, help screens,
mouse control, record and file locking, browse windows, pop-up and
pull-down menus, third party library support, parent/child
relationships, exploding windows, and memo fields.

Zachary retails for $495, but before July 1, 1991 the product is
reduced to $395. An added incentive for referals is a $50 payment to
anyone who refers someone who orders Zachary. Technical support is
free, but there is not a run-time agreement -- each application
carries an additional one-time charge, the company said. More
information is available from Zachary Software, 388 Ocean Avenue,
Suite 2C, North Long Beach, NJ 07740, [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910619/Press Contact: Len White, Zachary Software,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 19  ****GOUPIL CALLS IN THE RECEIVERS; STILL LOOKING FOR BUYER 06/19/91

06/19/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00030)

 ****GOUPIL CALLS IN THE RECEIVERS; STILL LOOKING FOR BUYER 06/19/91
PARIS, FRANCE, 1991 JUN 19 (NB) -- SMT Goupil, the French computer
manufacturer, has called in the receivers, but is reported to be
continuing talks with various companies -- notably Olivetti --
regarding a possible buyout of the troubled company.

Calling in the receivers in Europe is a procedure analogous to the
early stages of filing for Chapter 11 in the U.S. As with Chapter 11,
calling in the receivers does not mean the company is likely to be
closed down and its assets sold off. In many cases, after suitable
restructuring and agreements with creditors, the firm can continue
trading.

According to an official statement issued by Goupil: "the company is
actively pursuing negotiations with various industrial groups,
envisaging re-starting its activities in the next few days with a
European perspective."

Goupil, France's only computer manufacturer, is partly-owned (56
percent) by its workforce, and is listed on the French stock exchange.
The company posted heavy losses of FF 450 million in 1990, and has an
overall debt liability of FF 750 million.

(Steve Gold/19910619)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 JUN 18 NEW FOR PC: Seamless Integration Of Database Graphics 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00001)

NEW FOR PC: Seamless Integration Of Database Graphics 06/18/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Blackhawk
Data has announced version 2.20 of the Database Graphics Toolkit,
a package that it claims is the only one capable of seamlessly
integrating graphics images into database programs.

According to the company, Database Graphics Toolkit moves into the
realm of multimedia by allowing the database application developer to
include, or allow the user to include, images in database files. The
image can be displayed in any way the developer chooses, and
manipulative features include the ability to resize and display one
image over another.

The package consists of three modules: Photo, Exhibit and Lasertrax,
according to John Brink. Photo converts the text screen into a
compatible graphics mode, and then superimposes a copy of the
image onto a selected portion of the screen. A gray-scaling algorithm
produces what the company termed as a photographic image on a
VGA screen.

Exhibit is a color image viewer that resizes the image to fit on the
screen. Additionally, the module can provide hardware panning for
viewing oversize images, Brink said. An application of this is that a
full page of typewritten text can be displayed on a standard monitor.

Lasertrax is a memory-resident screen print routine designed for laser
printers, Brink added. It reproduces text or graphics mode screens in
17 to 65 gray levels, without distortion.

A working demonstration of the package is available in the public
domain as the file DBGRFX.ZIP and can be downloaded from the
Ashton-Tate bulletin board service, and from other public domain
software sources, Brink said.

The package is priced at $295, and can be used from any data
based management system, including Clipper, Dbase III+ and IV,
DBXL, Foxbase and Foxpro, Clarion, Clipper, Paradox, Rbase, and
Revelation, according to the company. It can also be linked to
Microsoft C, Quick C, Basic, Quickbasic, Fortran, Pascal and is also
compatible with local area networks, print spoolers, Desqview and
Windows.

For more information contact Blackhawk Data Corp., 307 N. Michigan
Avenue, Suite 1008, Chicago, Illinois, 60601, [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910618/Press Contact: John Brink, Blackhawk, Tel:
312/236-8473, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 MAXCOM IMPLEMENTS X.400 GATEWAY FOR E-MAIL 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002)

MAXCOM IMPLEMENTS X.400 GATEWAY FOR E-MAIL 06/18/91
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- MaxCom
is implementing an X.400 gateway for its electronic mail service,
Maxlink International, and its proprietary COMET/11 e-mail system.

According to the company, the gateway is based on the Retix
OpenServer platform and is scheduled for release in September.
The MaxLink system has a few thousand customers, mainly
multi-nationals overseas, heavily in Europe.

The X.400 gateway will also be made available to in-house users of the
COMET/11 system, and to public service operators who run COMET/11-
based services under different names in several countries. In this
configuration, the gateway will be offered as a DOS-based or Unix-
based local area network turnkey system.

MaxCom develops and markets electronic mail systems, including the
Maxlink International Public Service for e-mail, telex, and facsimile
applications, and the COMET family of software products for DEC
environments.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910618/Press Contact: Russ Treadwell, MaxCom,
617-890-8822)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18  ****ELECTRONIC WHITE PAGES FROM NEW YORK TELEPHONE 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)

 ****ELECTRONIC WHITE PAGES FROM NEW YORK TELEPHONE 06/18/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- New York
Telephone has begun offering an online edition of the 15 million
NYNEX listings in New York and New England.

Previously the company offered listings on CD-ROMs. Southwestern
Bell and US West also offer online listings.

The online white pages system is the third to receive regulatory
approvals, and claims to offer cost savings and ease of use to
businesses that intensively use white pages listings. The listings are
accessed through the company's Infopath packet switch service.

In releasing the system, product manager Gerald Lenaghan admitted it
could intrude on privacy rights. He said that the New York State
Public Service Commission sought assurances that unlisted numbers
would remain unlisted.

The service also does not enhance 'auto-dialing' systems where numbers
are dialed at random by computers in a junk call blitz. Lenaghan said
there are 60,000 daily changes in the listings, an annual turnover
rate of 15 percent, and they are accessible to anyone with a PC, modem,
and communications software. It costs $75 to install an account, $55
per month, a 30 cent per minute usage charge, and a charge of 13 cents
per screen, with up to 12 listings on a screen.

He said banks could use the service for credit verification and skip
tracing, investment houses could use it for proxy solicitation and
abandoned property cases, fundraisers could use it in targeting
appeals, delivery services could use it in finding customers,
telemarketing houses could use it to add phone numbers to mailing
lists, and the U.S. government could use it for tax collection, voter
registration, and law enforcement.

In other news from NYNEX, the company has suspended talks with the
Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers aimed at an extension of union contracts due to
expire in August 1992. Before those three-year deals were signed, the
company suffered a four-month work stoppage, the longest strike to
date against a regional Bell company.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910618/Press Contact: New York Telephone, Gerald
Lenaghan, 212-395-5518; Steve Marcus, 212/395-0500; Communications
Workers of America Jan Pierce, 212/344-2515; International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers, Myles Calvey, 617/328-9600; New England
Telephone Peter Cronin, 617/743-3677)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 DATAPRO PREDICTS VOICE-DATA MERGER; FRAME RELAY 06/18/91

06/18/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)

DATAPRO PREDICTS VOICE-DATA MERGER; FRAME RELAY 06/18/91
DELRAN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- In separate
surveys, the Datapro market research firm has found that network
managers expect that voice and data applications will merge in the
next few years, and just over half plan to implement frame relay
standards as part of their X.25 networks.

The idea that 46 percent do not plan to implement frame relay,
however, did not impress Jerry Arcuri, Communications Product
Marketing Manager at Datapro. "We thought more people would be
jumping to frame relay, and were surprised," he told Newsbytes.
Currently, seven percent have the technology incorporated in their
X.25 network, and 20 percent plan to implement it within the next 12
months.

The word on mergers between voice and data emerged from a
roundtable discussion with network managers, who said their functions
will become separate from data center management as the importance
of networks continues to increase.

Most indicated that the communications department is not actively
involved in setting business plans -- instead they react to problems
and have to provide solutions. The managers added that say
standards will become critical and that vendors need to become more
involved in this issue over the next few years.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910618/Press Contact: Datapro, Gerald Arcuri,
609/764-0100, ext. 2360, Debra Keeney, 609/764-0100, ext. 2724)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 IN-FLIGHT PHONE ANNOUNCES DELIVERY OF DIGITAL RADIOS 06/18/91

06/18/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

IN-FLIGHT PHONE ANNOUNCES DELIVERY OF DIGITAL RADIOS 06/18/91
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- In-Flight Phone
Corporation has taken delivery of the world's first fully-digital
commercial airborne radios. The phones will be used by airline
passengers to provide not only telephone services, but data services
including stock quote retrieval, laptop computer/fax transmission,
ground-to-air passenger paging, news headlines, airline reservations,
flight schedules and more.

The radios are a major component in In-Flight's attempt to secure
control of the airline phone market from GTE Airfone, and are built by
Digital Microwave of San Jose, California. They incorporate an
advanced digital vocoder and modem developed by Pacific
Communication Sciences of San Diego.

The In-Flight System incorporates a computer with a back-lit LCD
view screen mounted on the back of each airline seat, and a
telephone handset-control unit that retracts into the armrest.

In-Flight was started in 1989 by telecommunications pioneer Jack
Goeken, who also founded MCI, FTD Mercury Network, CML Satellite,
and Airfone. After selling his company to GTE in 1985, he started
In-Flight as competition. Since a settlement with GTE over a
non-compete agreement in Goeken's sales contract of Airfone, on
March 15, Goeken has rejoined In-Flight as CEO. Before that, his
daughter Sandra ran the company. A spokesman said she is now
working to extend In-Flight's market share in the overseas market-
place.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910618/Press Contact: In-Flight Phone, Darren
Leno, 708/573-2660)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 AUSTRALIA: GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES SCIENCE FESTIVAL 06/18/91

06/18/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00006)

AUSTRALIA: GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES SCIENCE FESTIVAL 06/18/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Although the full details
of the project have yet to be planned, Australia is to have a national
science festival each year from 1993 onwards. On Sunday the federal
minister for science and technology announced the event which he said
would increase public awareness of the importance of science for
Australia's economy, as well as in everyday life.

The festival was inspired by the many arts festivals held annually in
Australia, and is intended to be both educational and fun. Proposed
events include science in art, science in music, a fuel efficient boat race
and a science fiction film festival. One of the originators, Dr. Paul
Waring, said: "We want to show the public that scientists are real
people, not just strange men in white coats."

He added that he hoped one event would involve 'science in the park'
where visitors could be entertained by demonstrations of science
rather than jugglers and singers. Organizations such as Prime
Computer have already pledged money to finance the festival,
though more corporate sponsors are being sought.

(Paul Zucker/19910618)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 BELL OF PENNSYLVANIA TO PAY $1.7 MILLION IN SETTLEMENT 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

BELL OF PENNSYLVANIA TO PAY $1.7 MILLION IN SETTLEMENT 06/18/91
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Bell of
Pennsylvania, a unit of Bell Atlantic, has settled a long-running
regulatory dispute with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's
Bureau of Consumer Services by agreeing to pay $1.7 million, mostly
for consumer education. The dispute involved the way in which Bell was
handling customers who were delinquent in their payments.

In the agreement, Bell admitted some of the 367 violations alleged in
a PUC enforcement complaint against the company. The company will
pay a fine of $170,000 to settle the enforcement complaint. In addition,
some 3,700 other alleged violations not yet identified in formal
complaints would also be settled. A sum of $1,530,000 will be
contributed to the Telecommunications Education Fund, established
to educate consumers about telecommunications issues.

Under other parts of the agreement, procedures for handling customer
disputes with the company have been streamlined. Requirements for
record keeping and for verbal communication with customers have been
simplified, thus saving customers time when interacting with company
employees.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910618/Press Contact: Saul Kohler, Bell of
Pennsylvania, 717-255-4181)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 MODEM MEDIA MOVING TO PHONES 06/18/91

06/18/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

MODEM MEDIA MOVING TO PHONES 06/18/91
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Modem
Media, which runs the GEnie Online Mall, is getting an increasing
percentage of its business from interactive voice and fax services, a
situation which does not thrill Jerry O'Connell of the company.

"Our name might be a little misleading, but it's where our roots are,"
he told Newsbytes. Recently the ad agency, which specializes in
interactive media, has been getting increasing proportions of its work
from voice response systems running on toll-free 800 numbers, caller-
paid 900 numbers, or on talking yellow pages operations run by local
newspapers, or through interactive fax databases and some of the new
compact disk technologies.

"We're soup to nuts," O'Connell explained. "Costs of direct marketing
are getting out of hand. We're trying to replace in some way, or
modify, the reliance on conventional costs. We educate clients on the
new media, then implement campaigns." Mainly that involves modifying
existing campaigns to fit the new media. "We don't try to change
images, we create the same selling messages for the different media."

O'Connell also discussed the interactive advertising business with
Newsbytes. "All interactive medium today relies on print
reinforcement. Once you get into environment, however, there's an
artistry involved in creating a presentation to the user that's going
to hold their attention. It's that artistry we specialize in."

Modem Media does not run its own systems, preferring to make 'media
buys' with service bureaus like Automated Call Processing in San
Francisco. "ACT is a big information provider as well as a service
bureau," he explained. "They have the Jeanne Dixon horoscope. They
cut a deal with TCI, the big cable operator, to take remnant space,"
advertising availabilities on local cable operations that do not get
sold, or where sales are cancelled.

O'Connell said that PCs are not right for voice response systems
because they are not yet fast enough to digitize voices. "Most PC
systems don't have the sampling rate to get a high quality of sound
for voice response users. We're doing one now under Unix, and we'll
have to change it to an IBM mainframe platform. If you want to do a
big application in voice response, like our recent sweepstakes
campaign for Coors using a toll-free 800 number, you have to go to a
large system."

He added, however, that 800-numbers are becoming the past of the
business, and "we've steered clients away from 900" although it is a
hot area right now. "Unless you're driven by heavy TV, it doesn't
work. Most successful 900 numbers are driven by TV programming
like 'Wheel of Fortune' or the networks like MTV."

What is really driving people away from the 900 exchange, he said,
are costs. "If the cost of the call is low it's better to take a 5 percent
hit from Visa or Master Card for processing than a 50-60 cent hit from
the phone companies."

In terms of online systems, O'Connell said that he has done most of his
work with GEnie: "Prodigy is really big in this. We've set up some
back-end things. Prodigy has seen us as competition for them. To this
point we've been offline there. We haven't made any media buys."

Of most interest to O'Connell is facsimile, an area where he has four
systems under development. "The system we're looking at now is
based on a network of Sun workstations. They can handle lots of
instructions. The boards are in a rack-mounted system of PC fax
boards."

As to which company is most adept at handling the new technologies,
O'Connell did not hesitate. "Fidelity Brokerage is doing a lot in terms
of integration of fax, voice and computer," he said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910618/Press Contact: G.M. O'Connell, Modem Media,
203-853-2600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18  ****TANDY GROUP TO OPEN PLANT IN SCOTLAND 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00009)

 ****TANDY GROUP TO OPEN PLANT IN SCOTLAND 06/18/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Tandy has
announced the opening of its first European manufacturing and repair
facility. The plant, located in East Kilbride, Scotland, is scheduled
to begin production of Victor personal computers before the end of
1991.

Located in Silicon Glen, Scotland's equivalent of California's Silicon
Valley, the plant will occupy a 85,000 square foot refurbished
factory. Tandy estimates that the facility will employ up to 250
people when the operation is up to full production.

The Scotland plant will be Tandy's 30th facility world-wide. Victor
Technologies markets personal computers and peripherals under the
Tandy, Victor and Grid brand names, and has a sales network in 11
European countries. Tandy acquired Victor Technologies in 1989.

"Our new manufacturing facility in Scotland is an integral part of our
strategy to manufacture and service our products in Europe", said
Victor president Ulf Ericsson. Victor Technologies says it will be
able to deliver products, configured and ready to run, to most
European countries within 48 hours after receiving the order.

The new facility drew praise from Robert Crawford, director of Locate
In Scotland, North America, a Scottish economic development group.
Crawford says Europe represents one-third of the global information
technology market. Victor Technologies says opening of the new plant
will have increasing significance in Europe after 1992, when existing
trade barriers come down.

(Jim Mallory/19910618/Press Contact:Ron Trumble, Tandy, 817-878-4969)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 STORAGETEK INTROS MAINFRAME MEMORY PRODUCTS 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00010)

STORAGETEK INTROS MAINFRAME MEMORY PRODUCTS 06/18/91
LOUISVILLE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Storagetek has
announced that it will soon offer central and expanded storage
facilities that are compatible with the current IBM ES/9000 water-cooled
mainframe family. The new products will be available in July 1991.

Storagetek says that the new products provide a fully populated basic
storage module, which gives the company complete control over
maintenance, resulting in greater reliability. Storagetek maintains
its own remote support facility to service memory installations and
assure systems availability on a 24 hour basis.

Carl Smarling, VP of program management for Storagetek said: "Our
customers, operating in a tight economic environment, can meet their
budgetary objectives with Storagetek supplied memory. The company
also says customers can easily migrate from 3090 technology to the
new ES/9000 mainframes.

Storagetek also produces the 4400 Automated Cartridge System, and
recently filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission a
statement relating to the proposed public offering of 2,750,000 shares
of common stock. The company said proceeds of the stock sale would
be used for working capital, capital expenditures and other general
corporate purposes.

(Jim Mallory/19910618/Press Contact: David Reid, Storagetek, 303-673-
4815)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 INFORMIX CREATES NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT POSITION 06/18/91

06/18/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00011)

INFORMIX CREATES NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT POSITION 06/18/91
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Following
disappointing first quarter financial results, in which the company
posted losses of $2,197,000 on revenues of $37,845,000, Informix has
appointed Charles House to the newly-created position of senior vice
president, product management and development. The move is billed as
an attempt to better develop and focus the company's product
strategies.

House joins Informix from Hewlett-Packard Co., where he was employed
for the past 29 years, most recently as the general manager of the
company's software engineering systems division.

In April, Newsbytes reported that Hewlett-Packard would acquire up to
10 percent of Informix's common stock. The two companies also signed a
five-year agreement for joint development, marketing and sales.

Most recently, Control Data signed an agreement to sell and distribute
the Informix database products directly to its RISC (reduced
instruction set computing) based 4000 series customers.

(Ian Stokell/19910618/Press Contact: Cathy Donohue, Informix Software
Inc., 415-926-6651)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 AMERITRUST BANKING SYSTEM FEATURED IN NATIONAL AD 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00012)

AMERITRUST BANKING SYSTEM FEATURED IN NATIONAL AD 06/18/91
CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Ameritrust Corporation
has announced that its customized hardware and software system has
been chosen by Digital Equipment Corporation as the focus of a
national print advertising campaign.

The ad, scheduled to appear in such publications as Business Week,
The Harvard Business Review, Forbes and Fortune, discusses the
competitive advantage Ameritrust has gained by using Digital's
DECbank platform automation system.

The DECbank system helps banks address key consumer and
operational issues, with emphasis on system flexibility and
manageability. Ameritrust currently has more than 100 branches in
northern Ohio using the DECbank system.

Robert Salipante, Ameritrust's executive VP said: "Our goal was to
make the banking process more comfortable for our customers while
turning the traditional retail delivery system into a better sales and
service tool."

Ameritrust claims, by using DECbank, it has created an environment
where its easy to explore various 'what-if' scenarios to help
determine the right products and services for their customers.

(Jim Mallory/19910618)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 NEW FOR UNIX: Silicon Graphics Intros NetVisualyzer 1.1 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00013)

NEW FOR UNIX: Silicon Graphics Intros NetVisualyzer 1.1 06/18/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Silicon
Graphics has announced a new version of its real-time visual network
monitoring and diagnostic tool.

According to the company, the NetVisualyzer 1.1 software features a
new suite of distributed diagnostic tools which provide additional
network protocol support, the first visualization of DECNet subnets,
report generation, traffic utilization analysis and alarms.

With NetVisualyzer, network traffic is passively polled by data
collection tools either from centrally located NetVisualyzer Display
Stations or remotely from NetVisualyzer DataStations.

According to the company, any Silicon Graphics IRIS 4D workstation
can serve as a NetVisualyzer Display or Data Station. Communications
between NetVisualyzer Data Stations and centrally located
NetVisualyzer Display Stations use the Internet Protocol through
either local area network media or any wide area link such as serial-
line modem, X.25, T-1 or microwave and fiber optics.

A NetVisualyzer 1.1 Display Station license is priced at $8,000 and is
available immediately. NetVisualyzer 1.1 Data Station software is
priced at $1,200 for the initial license and $1,000 for additional
right-to-use licenses. Customers who have licensed the NetVisualyzer
1.0 software and Silicon Graphics' software support service will be
upgraded at no cost. The 4DDN DECNet Phase IV emulator product is
available at an additional cost of $3,500.

(Ian Stokell/19910618/Press Contact: Renee Wildman, Silicon Graphics,
415-335-1026)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 NEW FOR MAC: Symantec's On-line Reference Tool 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00014)

NEW FOR MAC: Symantec's On-line Reference Tool 06/18/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- For any
programmer getting tired of having to plough through volumes I to V
of Inside Macintosh, trying to locate a specific piece of Macintosh
system information, Symantec 'thinks' it has the answer. Symantec's
new THINK Reference is an on-line reference tool for the Macintosh.

THINK Reference includes the information from volumes I to V of Inside
Macintosh including descriptions of the Toolbox routines, along with
technotes, programming tips and code examples. Sections are also
included on fonts and resource types.

According to Gordon E. Eubanks, Jr, president and CEO of Symantec:
"Macintosh programmers need technical information fast, and they
spend a lot of time searching through reference manuals. THINK
Reference saves significant time by putting the information they need
right at their fingertips."

Symantec maintains that THINK Reference works with the company's
own THINK C and THINK Pascal, along with other development
environments including Apple's Macintosh Programmer's Workshop.

The database includes hypertext cross-referencing capabilities to
make it easier for beginners to locate the information they need.
Additionally, the database includes multiple tables of contents, and
can be searched using trap names, keywords, managers, data
interfaces, and structures.

The suggested retail price of THINK Reference is $99. It requires at
least a Macintosh Plus or higher with a minimum of 1 megabyte (MB) of
RAM, although 2 MB is recommended, and System 6.0 or later. It also
requires 3.5 MB of hard disk space.

(Ian Stokell/19910618/Press Contact: Terri Sammonds, Symantec, 408-
725-2752)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 NANTUCKET ANNOUNCES TECH SUPPORT PROGRAM 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00015)

NANTUCKET ANNOUNCES TECH SUPPORT PROGRAM 06/18/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Nantucket
announced at its Spring Developer Conference (Devcon) that it has
started a tiered technical support program -- Nantucket Extended
Support Services (NESS) -- for registered users of Clipper 5.0, a
business database language applications compiler.

NESS is divided into four levels of service for technical support
after the 30 day free support period ends, or pay on a per-inquiry
basis. Four levels of NESS service exist, Bronze, Silver, Gold and
Corporate Gold.

Bronze includes unlimited phone or fax inquiries, and a subscription
to Nantucket's technical journal, the 'Nantucket News.' Silver level
includes the benefits of bronze level but adds access to Tech Forum
on Compuserve, Expressline phone service, and a 15 percent
discount on any Clipper updates or upgrades introduced during the
year.

Gold service has all the mentioned benefits of Bronze and Silver, but
adds PC-to-PC service, where Nantucket support technicians
remotely view the user's screen, Expressline 800 service and 25
percent discounts on upgrades and updates. Corporate Gold
provides Gold level service at a 'group' rate.

Bronze, Silver and Gold NESS are $149, $295 and $595 per year
respectively, with Corporate Gold priced at $4,950 for 10 users and
$250 per additional user. Support per-inquiry is $25 each contact,
whether by phone, fax or letter.

Started in 1984, Nantucket said that it originally developed a Dbase
language compiler that provided software developers a way to make
Ashton-Tate Dbase III language applications able to run on
computers independently, without the need or added expense of
purchasing Dbase.

Nantucket claims that it has moved beyond its Dbase origins, into a
world of its own, and points to the 200,000 copies of Clipper sold,
its Fortune 500 clients, and the third party vendors for Clipper
exhibiting in Palm Springs at the Devcon as proof of that claim.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910618/Press Contact: David Selib, Nantucket, Tel:
203/ 37-8018, Fax: [phone], Debbie Lacy, Miller Communications,
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991  JUN 18 PENPOINT OS ANNOUNCED FOR MOBILE COMPUTERS 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00016)

PENPOINT OS ANNOUNCED FOR MOBILE COMPUTERS 06/18/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Go
Corporation has presented Penpoint, a pen-based operating system
for mobile computers, at the Nantucket Developer Conference and is
encouraging developers to applications development for the
Penpoint system.

The Penpoint operating system applications were demonstrated on an
Intel 80286-based computer, slightly larger and thicker than a spiral
bound 8.5 by 11-inch notebook, one side of which was almost entirely
made up of a LCD (liquid crystal display) screen.

Input on the device was carried out using a naturally sized and shaped
pen specially designed to communicate with the computer. Users
merely used the pen to point at command choices on the screen and
requested new 'pages' by pointing at tabs aligned on the side of the
displayed page, or wrote the requested information which was then
displayed in much the same way as a pen would be on paper. The
information was then translated by the operating system automatically
into text. Commands were given in intuitive ways, like words or items
that were 'x-ed' by the user were deleted.

The company said no 'training' of the system to recognize a user's
handwriting was required. That was evident as Newsbytes watched
various users with varying handwriting styles, and who were not
particularly neat, had their handwriting correctly translated into
text. The text was then input into a form, or input as response in a
geographical game.

Go said that, because of their form factor and lack of keyboard,
mobile, pen-based computers can be used in settings where desktop
or portable computers have been inappropriate or impractical. The
company claims the pen-based computer, operating system and
application should fade into the background so the user can
concentrate on the task that demands his attention. One of the
applications used in the demonstration was an insurance sales
person application designed, Go said, so the salesperson can
concentrate on the client, not on the application.

While the operating system is object-oriented, it is not Windows-
based, but Newsbytes noticed the form looks very much like familiar
paper forms, with boxes to check and blanks to be filled in, called a
form-based entry system. The computer has ports concealed in the top
for interface to other IBM or compatible personal computers, as well as
a secure storage location for the pen, whose replacement cost was
estimated at $60 by Josh Axelrod, manager of technical services for Go.

Axelrod explained that Go does not market the computer demonstrated
except to developers, who need an IBM or compatible PC, a pen-based,
mobile computer, and knowledge of C programming to develop
applications for the new operating system. Axelrod said IBM, NCR and
Grid have designed mobile pen-based systems, and have announced
support for the Penpoint operating system.

Go also has several different options for training and support
available to certified developers, as well as programs to introduce
developers to Penpoint, for those who are considering the operating
system for possible development. The most expensive program is
$2,000 for a four-day hands on workshop and a copy of the Software
Development Kit. More information is available from Go Developer
Relations, 950 Tower Lane, 14th Floor, Foster City, CA, 94404,
415/345-7400.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910618/Press Contact: Josh Axelrod, Go, Tel:
415/345-7400)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 BELLSOUTH COMPLETES ATHENS WIRELESS TRIAL 06/18/91

06/18/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

BELLSOUTH COMPLETES ATHENS WIRELESS TRIAL 06/18/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Wireless
telecommunications customers want the same things wired phone
customers want, according to BellSouth Enterprises, which just finished
a market study in Athens. They want universal coverage, ease of use,
and reasonable prices.

The test, at the University of Georgia, did not study the effects of
interference between handheld phones running on microwave
frequencies and microwave relay towers. The tests ran on regular
cellular frequencies, said spokesman Tim Klein. The main purpose was
to test consumer reaction to handheld phones.

There were 38 participants who used the phones over three months.
The digital handsets could place outgoing calls through eight public
base stations, or through private base stations in homes or offices.
Sony provided the hardware and software.

Eric Ensor, assistant vice president of worldwide wireless strategy
for BellSouth Enterprises, said that the handsets did not have a way
of notifying the user they were leaving the transmission area. And
their design needs to be modified to make them easier and more
comfortable to use.

"Users also told us that widespread and uninterrupted service coverage
is a primary concern, and many wanted to be able to receive as well as
transmit calls when in a public environment. However, some users
preferred not receiving calls. This may indicate a niche market for
this type of service," he said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910618/Press Contact: Tim Klein, BellSouth
Enterprises, 404-249-4135)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 DELL APPOINTS FIRST DELL FELLOW 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00018)

DELL APPOINTS FIRST DELL FELLOW 06/18/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Dell Computer
has announced that Dr. David S. Register has been appointed as
the first Dell Fellow. Dr. Register will be responsible for identifying,
evaluating and prototyping new technologies and product directions
for future personal computing products.

Dr. Register will continue to be the technical patent co-ordinator for
Dell's patent program, which has produced four patents and an
additional 44 filings in the past two years.

G. Glenn Henry, products group senior VP said the appointment of the
first Dell Fellow reflects the growing complexity of technology issues
facing the personal computer industry. Dell has more than tripled its
research and development spending over the past three years, with
$22.4 million being earmarked for R&D during the fiscal year which
ended recently.

During the year, Dell has introduced 14 new systems, which includes
three laptop and notebook computers, eight Intel 386DX- and i486-
based systems, and two i486 based floorstanding systems, as well
as a high performance drive array disk subsystem.

Dr. Register holds a master's degree in naval architecture as well as
a doctorate in mechanical engineering. Prior to joining Dell in 1986
he was R&D vice president for Titan Technologies.

(Jim Mallory/19910618/Press Contact:Michele Moore, Dell, 512-343-3535)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 SILICON GRAPHICS AND CABLETRON IN DEVELOPMENT DEAL 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00019)

SILICON GRAPHICS AND CABLETRON IN DEVELOPMENT DEAL 06/18/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.,, 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Following
recent deals with Microsoft and Oracle, and another in which Compaq
Computer paid $135 million for a 13 percent stake in the company,
Silicon Graphics has announced a further strategic alliance, this time
with Cabletron Systems Inc.

The agreement will provide the first integrated Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP) visual network management product to
run on Silicon Graphics' binary compatible IRIS 4D workstations, and
marks the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement for
Cabletron System's Spectrum product.

Initially, the agreement calls for Cabletron's Spectrum, the SNMP-
based network device and system management platform, to be ported
to the Silicon Graphics IRIS 4D workstations. Using a jointly developed
management module, Spectrum will operate with NetVisualyzer,
Silicon's passive network traffic monitor that displays data in
real-time graphical images.

Along with jointly marketing and distributing the integrated network
management products, Cabletron will resell IRIS 4D workstations with
the NetVisualyzer software, and Silicon Graphics will resell Spectrum.
Additionally, both companies will sell the management module.

The new agreement with Cabletron is one of a series of business
arrangements for Silicon. In April, Newsbytes reported that the
company had licensed its IRIS Graphics Library to Microsoft for
possible inclusion in Microsoft's future operating systems.

Additionally, Silicon Graphics also became a member of the Oracle
Strategic Alliance Charter Program, under which all new and upgraded
Oracle products are to be made available for Silicon's IRIS 4D product
line during the second half of 1991.

Also in April, Compaq Computer paid $135 million for a 13 percent
ownership of Silicon Graphics, and provided a further $50 million in
research and development funds.

Headquartered in Rochester, N.H., Cabletron Systems Inc. develops
and manufactures networking products based on its Integrated
Network Architecture.

Silicon Graphics is a leading manufacturer of visual processing
computer systems, delivering three-dimensional graphics, color and
real-time motion technologies to the technical and scientific
computing markets.

(Ian Stokell/19910618/Press Contact: Renee Wildman, Silicon Graphics,
415-335-1026)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18  ****TECMAR INTROS 1 GIGABYTE TAPE DRIVE FOR PCS 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00020)

 ****TECMAR INTROS 1 GIGABYTE TAPE DRIVE FOR PCS 06/18/91
SOLON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Tecmar has introduced two
models of a one gigabyte (GB) quarter-inch tape system, the Proline
1000 and QT-1000. The company will demonstrate both systems at PC
Expo, which opens in New York next week.

The new units are believed to be the first gigabyte capacity systems,
and offer a data transfer rate of 14.4 megabytes-per-minute. The
company claims that, in some instances data transfer rates faster than
those of the non-compressed drive can be attained.

Both units provide for unattended network and workstation backups,
and are read-compatible with tapes produced on earlier Tecmar
quarter-inch tape systems. Tecmar also offers DataDoubler, which
provides two to four times the storage capacity.

The new units are compatible with IBM AT, 286, 386 and compatible
systems, PS/2 systems and the Macintosh. Tecmar provides a SCSI
(Small Computer System Interface) kit which includes a SCSI interface
board, cabling, a user manual and software.

The Proline 1000 supports Tecmar's Proserve software for Novell
Netware 2.2 and 3.11 networks, while the QT 1000 supports IBM
PC-LAN, Artisoft LANtastic, US Sage MainLan, Microsoft LAN Manager
and other NetBIOS LANS. QTBackup 3.0 software is also available for
Macintosh TOPS, Apple Share and Apple Talk networks.

The Proline 1000 with Proserve software carries a suggested retail
price of $4,999 for VAP and $5,295 for NLM systems. The QT 1000 is
priced at $3,995 with software. Both units are immediately available.

(Jim Mallory/19910618/Press Contact:Kathleen Botz, Tecmar, 216-349-
0600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18  ****CHIPS AND TECHNOLOGIES GOES TO COURT 06/18/91

06/18/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00021)

 ****CHIPS AND TECHNOLOGIES GOES TO COURT 06/18/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- San Jose, California-based
Chips and Technologies (C&T) has filed a patent infringement suit
against Opti Computers, Santa Clara, California, charging that Opti
has infringed upon U.S. Patent No.'s 4,899,272 and 4,924,375 held by
Chips and Technologies.

The two patents, awarded to C&T in 1990, are considered key
instruments because they deal with multiple memory addressing and
interleaved page memory management.

Announcing the law suit Gordon A. Campbell, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Chips and Technology, said: "Intellectual
property is one of our most important assets and Chips' success is
directly attributable to its investment in research and development.
We are acting to assert our intellectual property rights and to
protect the investment we have made in innovative products and
technologies."

The law suit, filed in U.S. District Court, asks for triple damages,
costs, and a permanent injunction against Opti Computers.

(John McCormick/19910618/Press Contact: Gavin Bourne, Chips and
Technologies Inc., 408-434-0600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 NATIONAL BRINGS 7 DRAM CONTROLLER CHIPS TO MARKET 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00022)

NATIONAL BRINGS 7 DRAM CONTROLLER CHIPS TO MARKET 06/18/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Santa Clara,
California-based National Semiconductor has just announced seven
entries in its family of very large scale dynamic memory controller
chips, offering speeds up to 33 megahertz. Intended for 32-bit and
high-performance RISC systems, the new chips will be used in
mainframes as well as workstations, peripherals, imaging systems, and
communications applications.

The new controller chips are all faster versions of existing
microchips such as the DP8420V-33/21V-33/22V-33 which is a faster
version of the 20- and 25-MHz. DP8420AV/21AV/22AV DRAM controller.

The new DP8422V, in 84-pin PLCCs with 100-piece pricing starting at
$25.20, can drive 64-megabit DRAM arrays using 4-megabit chips.

The new DP8421V and DP8431V for 1-Mbit DRAMs are available in 68-pin
PLCCs in 100-unit pricing at $17.90 each. The DP8420V and DP8430V for
256-Kbit DRAMs are packaged in a 68-pin PLCC and begin at $13 each in
100-piece quantities.

So why the need for the new chips? As the industry moves toward much
faster 80386 and 80486-based systems (Intel is talking about 50- and
100-MHz. 486 chips), there is a great need for faster memory access
and the chips that can control faster memory, such as these just
announced by National Semiconductor.

(John McCormick/19910618/Press Contact: Margaret Mehling, National
Semiconductor Corp., 408-721-2639)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 GREENSPAN SEES NO SIGN OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY 06/18/91

06/18/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00023)

GREENSPAN SEES NO SIGN OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY 06/18/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Alan Greenspan, chairman
of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, said today that, despite the recent
improved economic reports, including today's slight improvement in
housing starts and the large 7.8 percent increase in building permits,
he sees no indication of a general upturn in the U.S. economy.

Greenspan added that he feels confident that the recession has
bottomed out but that doesn't mean that we are now in an economic
upsurge.

Industry insiders point out that this recession has damaged, perhaps
permanently, companies such as Compaq, which had been pricing their
computers at a premium level. Unlike other periods of economic
decline, this time Fortune 1000 companies started purchasing
inexpensive clone computers and many report finding them just as
capable as the much more expensive systems sold by the high-line
vendors.

(John McCormick/19910618)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 HOUSE CALLS VIA CD-ROM 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00024)

HOUSE CALLS VIA CD-ROM 06/18/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Written and edited by Dr.
Allan H. Bruckheim, The Family Doctor CD-ROM contains a complete
medical reference for the lay person. Everything from basic anatomy to
definitions of those archaic Latin terms used by doctors to keep
patients from understanding them is included on this PC-compatible
single disc.

The 1,000-page `Consumer Guide to Prescription Drugs' is also
included, as is a listing of national support groups for people and
families of those suffering from certain diseases.

Chris Kitze, a spokesperson for CMC, told Newsbytes that the $179 CD-
ROM is shipping now in both PC and Macintosh compatible formats and
conforms to the ISO 9660 standard.

For further information contact CMC ReSearch, 7150 S.W. Hampton, Suite
120, Portland, OR 97223. Telephone [phone] or fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910618/Press Contact: Chris Kitze, CMC ReSearch,
503-639-3395 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 BUSINESS NEWS BY FAX FOR CANADIAN TRAVELLERS 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00025)

BUSINESS NEWS BY FAX FOR CANADIAN TRAVELLERS 06/18/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- The Globe and Mail, a
national newspaper, has introduced a four-page facsimile version of
its business section, Report on Business. The Report on Business PM
Faxsummary will be distributed initially to passengers on selected Air
Canada flights.

The Globe and Mail already publishes a morning fax summary of Canadian
news aimed mainly at Canadians outside Canada. Phil Faughnan,
marketing manager for the newspaper's electronic publishing division
Info Globe, told Newsbytes that the new package is aimed at travellers
who want to catch up on business news that has broken since the
morning paper came out.

Info Globe is talking with hotels and other travel firms about further
distribution options for the PM Faxsummary, Faughnan said.

(Grant Buckler/19910618/Press Contact: Phil Faughnan, Info Globe, 416-
585-5299)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 CANADIAN TELECOM FIRMS MOVE UP IN PROFITABILITY RANKS 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00026)

CANADIAN TELECOM FIRMS MOVE UP IN PROFITABILITY RANKS 06/18/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- The Report on Business
1000, an annual ranking of Canada's most profitable companies, brought
good news this year for Northern Telecom and parent BCE Inc. Northern
climbed from 12th to eighth place with net income of C$460.2 million,
and BCE went to the head of the list with profit of C$1,147 million.

BCE's other major subsidiary, telephone operating company Bell Canada,
moved from third to second spot. As proponents of the shift to an
information society will be quick to note, the two edged out a pair of
resources companies -- nickel producer Inco and Alcan Aluminium -- to
take over the top spots.

Computer companies, however, are scarce in the Top 1000 listings. IBM
Canada and Digital Equipment of Canada appeared in a supplemental
listing of private companies, since both are wholly owned by their
American parent companies. Within that list, IBM ranked sixth by
revenue and 24th by return on capital. Digital ranked 78th by revenue
and 169th by return on capital.

(Grant Buckler/19910618)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 CANADIANS WANT TELECOM COMPETITION, SURVEY SAYS 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00027)

CANADIANS WANT TELECOM COMPETITION, SURVEY SAYS 06/18/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Most Canadians want
competition in the provision of long-distance telephone services,
according to a survey commissioned by a major would-be competitor.

A public opinion poll by Decima Research, just released by Unitel
Communications, said that 80 percent of Canadians support the idea of
allowing competitive long-distance services. The Canadian Radio-
television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is currently
holding hearings on applications by Unitel and by a pair of smaller
companies to compete with established phone companies in the long-
distance market.

According to the poll, support for long-distance competition is
highest in the province of Ontario, at 85 percent. Alberta is next at
84 percent, while support in most other provinces is from 75 to 80
percent. Support is lowest in Saskatchewan, which has a provincially
owned telephone carrier and the country's most tightly regulated
telephone market, at 67 percent.

Unitel spokesman Peter Janecek told Newsbytes that Decima conducts the
surveys for Unitel every six months, and the latest figures show
increasing support for competition.

(Grant Buckler/19910618/Press Contact: Peter Janecek, Unitel
Communications, 416-232-6365; Catherine Murray, Decima Research, 416-
483-1724)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 NEW FOR IBM: Software Now Has Recipes For Charity 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00028)

NEW FOR IBM: Software Now Has Recipes For Charity 06/18/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- At-Your-Service
Software has spiced up its recipe management software, The Recipe
Writer, by supplying actual recipes and giving part of the proceeds to
feed the hungry.

Through a deal with Share Our Strength, a charitable organization that
holds Taste of the Nation fundraising events to support hunger-relief
organizations, At-Your-Service is now supplying more than 60 recipes
with the software.

Taste of the Nation is an annual event at which chefs from restaurants
across the United States prepare regional dishes, explained Scott
Vigil, sales director for At-Your-Service Software. Participating
chefs have donated recipes to be included with the software. In
return, part of the proceeds from software sales will go to Share Our
Strength.

The Recipe Writer organizes recipes into a database. It can be used
for menu planning and to help in preparing shopping lists, the vendor
said. Vigil said the market for such software is strong as more
upscale households are buying home computers while also becoming more
concerned about diet.

Release 3.0 of The Recipe Writer costs US$49.95. The recipe disk is
US$25, or the two can be bought together for US$69.95.

(Grant Buckler/19910618/Press Contact: Matthew Starobin, At-Your-
Service Software, 914-337-9030, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18  ****LOTUS AND SCO SETTLE; BORLAND SAYS: "NO IMPACT" 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00029)

 ****LOTUS AND SCO SETTLE; BORLAND SAYS: "NO IMPACT" 06/18/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corp. and The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc., (SCO) have
announced that the companies have reached an out-of-court settlement
in Lotus' copyright infringement suit against SCO. Under terms of the
settlement, Lotus will drop its law suit against SCO, while SCO will
stop manufacturing, distributing and licensing all versions of SCO
Professional by August 15, 1991.

SCO also will recommend that users of SCO Professional, the company's
spreadsheet software, migrate to Lotus 1-2-3 for UNIX System V, which
supports SCO UNIX System V/386, SCO Open Desktop, and SCO XENIX 386.
To support this recommendation, Lotus simultaneously announced an
upgrade program under which users of SCO Professional can migrate to a
multi-user version of 1-2-3 for UNIX System V for a suggested retail
price of $395.

Additionally, Lotus and SCO committed to work together to promote
Lotus 1-2-3 to SCO's world-wide customer base and to substitute Lotus
1-2-3 for SCO Professional in pending channel commitments to end
users. SCO will provide maintenance support to current SCO
Professional users, although no further product enhancements will be
provided.

Borland International, whose Quattro Pro spreadsheet was also named by
Lotus in the suit, responded to the announcement by issuing a
statement saying that: "the settlement between The Santa Cruz
Operation (SCO) and Lotus Development Corp. will have no affect on the
conduct of its case with Lotus. While Borland is unable to predict the
outcome of the litigation, the company continues to maintain that its
Quattro Pro spreadsheet software is a unique product that does not
infringe any copyrights of Lotus 1-2-3."

A Borland spokesman further said that SCO has kept Borland informed of
the status of its settlement negotiations with Lotus since the outset
of the case and that "The settlement comes as no surprise, and quite
frankly, we are glad to have the litigation simplified."

Richard Shaffer, principal of Technologic Partners, commented to
Newsbytes on the developments, saying: "I don't think that SCO cares
much about the defense of its spreadsheet. Its prime concern is that
there are quality applications that run under its operating system
and, if Lotus makes good on its commitment to its UNIX product, the
settlement is good for both firms. While the agreement leaves Borland
as the only player against Lotus, it does not seem to have any bearing
on Borland's legal position."

Daniel Bricklin, vice president of Slate Corp. and co-developer of the
first electronic spreadsheet, VisiCalc, speaking to Newsbytes, agreed
with Shaffer's assessment, saying: "Settlements like these are
normally made for business reasons and not legal ones. I don't see any
impact on Borland's position."

A Wall Street financial analyst who closely follows Lotus told
Newsbytes: "I think the settlement was a natural development. I don't
think anyone expected SCO to spend a lot of money and energy defending
a product which represents only a small part of its revenue."

He added that he expects further developments in the case shortly as a
result of Borland's filing contending that Lotus has no right to
copyright the menu structure by itself. The analyst said "By
separating the menu structure from the rest of the product, Lotus adds
another level of abstraction that may verge on patent rather than
copyright consideration."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Bryan Simmons,
Lotus Development Corporation, 617-693-1697 ; Zee Zaballos, The Santa
Cruz Operation, Inc., 408-425-7222; Dick O'Donnell, Borland
International Inc., 408-439-1621/19910618)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 18 SIGMA UNVEILS MAC PORTRAIT DISPLAY; DEALER PROMOTION 06/18/91

06/18/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)

SIGMA UNVEILS MAC PORTRAIT DISPLAY; DEALER PROMOTION 06/18/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 18 (NB) -- Sigma Designs has
introduced a tabloid-page grayscale display system for Macintosh NuBus
computers, called the SilverView Portrait, and at the same time
announced the expansion of its retail sales operation with several new
programs focused on increasing dealer profitability.

The company maintains that the new display is designed for
professional publishers and graphic designers who need to view a
tabloid page in its entirety.

The 21-inch flat screen monitor displays up to 256 shades of gray.
Additionally, the SilverView Portrait, which carries a suggested price
of $3,695, features a 72 dots-per-inch (870 by 1,152 pixels)
resolution and 72 Hz refresh rate for flicker-free display, that the
company claims reduces user eyestrain.

The company claims that the SilverView Portrait has a flat screen to
minimize glare, and can be ordered with an optional bonded OCLI anti-
glare and anti-static panel.

In addition to the new dealer programs, Sigma announced that it has
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.

One of the major profit programs for resellers is the new unbundled
ordering system which the company expects will decrease inventory
carrying costs for dealers because monitors and display controllers
will now be sold separately.

The company claims that these benefits increase significantly for
dealers carrying multiple CPU (central processor unit) platforms since
a single Sigma monitor can accept Sigma display controllers designed
for IBM PC, PS/2 and compatibles, Macintosh and Unix-based systems.

Sigma also intends to offer preferred dealers 24-hour shipping
turnaround to reduce dealers inventory burdens.

(Ian Stokell/19910618/Press Contact: Laura Olsen, Sigma Designs, 415-
770-0100)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 WANG GETS ECONOMIC PARTNER STATUS IN QUEBEC 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00001)

WANG GETS ECONOMIC PARTNER STATUS IN QUEBEC 06/17/91
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- The Quebec
provincial government has given Wang Canada of Toronto Economic
Partner status, a designation the company needs to sell to the
province. Quebec, Canada's largest province, is the second-largest
buyer of computer services in Canada, Wang's Eastern Region sales
manager, Gilles Boudreau, told Newsbytes.

Boudreau said Wang obtained the status on the basis of plan to work
with a handful of Quebec software developers. Wang will help the
companies expand sales of their software designed for Wang
hardware, he said.

Boudreau said Wang plans to work with up to five Quebec companies.
Two have already been signed up. They are Cogebec, which has had a
relationship with Wang for some time, and Omnitech. Both are based
in Montreal. Wang will be providing the software firms with
hardware and development aid, Boudreau said.

(Grant Buckler/19910616/Press Contact: Gay-Lynne Potts, Wang
Canada, 416-764-2397; Gilles Boudreau, Wang Canada, 514-861-9571)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 AUSTRALIA: DEFENSE DEPT INTEGRATED CONTRACT AWARDED 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIA: DEFENSE DEPT INTEGRATED CONTRACT AWARDED 06/17/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- The Australian Department of
defense integrated supply system contract has been awarded to an
Australian company, the Computer Power Group. The $50 contract runs
for seven years.

Although consortia including the big computer suppliers also bid,
Computer Power CEO Roger Allen said he believed the decision had been
made on the ability to perform a task. "It's the most exacting and
demanding type of contract ... the customer wants the best
possible."

The company will have to link existing defense computer applications
with new ones, and integrate other systems such finances and supply.
Another large player in the defense computer supply infrastructure is
IBM.

(Paul Zucker/19910617)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 AUSTRALIA: TELECOM TO LOSE MANY FIRST-PHONE RENTERS 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00003)

AUSTRALIA: TELECOM TO LOSE MANY FIRST-PHONE RENTERS 06/17/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Telecom, Australia's
communications carrier, is to offer alternate deals to phone users
following the next step in phone demonopolization. Starting July 1,
Telecom's monopoly will cease, and with it will go the mandatory
user rental of a supplied telephone set.

Telecom hopes it can hold 100 percent of first-phone renters, but
observers say users will soon realize the economies of third-party
phones. To counter this, Telecom will offer three alternatives: a
continuation of the full rental system, a 'return to base' system
where the phone set won't be serviced on site, and a third option is
for the customer to buy a phone from Telecom - outright. These phones
will have a warranty period, after which users must pay for service.

As most business users now use third party phones, it is hard to see
how Telecom will hold onto its 'sure money' situation. Annual fees for
a full phone are $30, with $15 for the back-to-base rental.

(Paul Zucker/19910617)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 HONGKONG: CONNECTIVITY SEMINAR SHOWCASES NETWORK TECH 06/17/91

06/17/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00004)

HONGKONG: CONNECTIVITY SEMINAR SHOWCASES NETWORK TECH 06/17/91
QUARRY BAY, HONG KONG, JUN 17 (NB) -- Dramatic growth in the local
area networking (LAN) market has prompted Hong Kong's Jardine Network
Systems (JNS) to stage Connectivity Seminar '91, a three-day
convention devoted to networking technology June 26-28.

Cosponsored by Novell and 3Com, the seminar is dedicated to LAN
strategies and products and will be held at the Convention and
Exhibition Centre.

Local area networking is predicted by JNS to grow by 35 percent in
Hong Kong this year, and by 25 percent worldwide. "Part of this
growth comes from the fact that LANs are moving beyond
the office," said JNS Director Steve Lo. "Executives can now use
notebook and laptop computers to dial into a LAN at any time, and
from any place.

At Connectivity Seminar '91, experts from the US and Asia will
present a comprehensive program of seminars, divided into business
and technical streams. These will address strategic issues such as
connectivity across different operating systems, security of
information, power protection and advanced storage technology,
together with practical advice on network installation and
management. There will also be introductory seminars for novice
users, explaining LAN technology and principles and covering the
concept of internetworking.

JNS is a division of Jardine Matheson Company, one of Hong Kong's
original hong's, or great companies, that was behind the founding of
Hong Kong in the early 1840s to thwart China's attempts to outlaw
the opium trade, in which it was the leader. Scottish Jardines was
the "Princely Hong" of the novel and film, Taipan. Although it
eventually gained a measure of respectability after its early
buccaneering days, Jardines has come in for considerable criticism
recently for moving its corporate base out of Hong Kong with the
approach of China's takeover of the British Colony in 1997. Critics
say the Hong is pulling the confidence rug out from under Hong
Kong's feet at its hour of greatest need.

(Norman Wingrove/19910614/Press Contact: Thomas Wan, Jardine Network
Systems, Tel + 852 565 2801, Fax + 852 565 5465; HK time is GMT + 8;
15th - 18th June is a public holiday in Hong Kong)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 NOVELL APPOINTS CHINA DISTRIBUTOR 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00005)

NOVELL APPOINTS CHINA DISTRIBUTOR 06/17/91
SHATIN, NEW TERRITORIES, HONG KONG, JUN 17 (NB) -- In a move to
strengthen its presence in China, Novell has appointed Computers &
Peripherals (C&P) as its authorized distributor for its full
range of networking products in China.

Established in 1984, C&P specializes in the distribution of
add-on products for personal computers in Southeast Asia.
Kevin Lam, Novell's territory manager, says the appointment
represents a strategic move to expand his company's penetration in
the China market.

"We believe C&P's established reputation and expertise will complement
Novell's product quality and enhance our presence in the PRC market,"
Lam said. "With the introduction of copyright law in China, the
software business looks promising. Market awareness of Novell products
is at a high level."

(Norman Wingrove/19910614/Press Contact: Clara Shek, MDL, Tel + 852
838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8; 15th - 18th June is
a public holiday in Hong Kong)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17  ****IRS PLANS TO MODERNIZE COMPUTER SYSTEM 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00006)

 ****IRS PLANS TO MODERNIZE COMPUTER SYSTEM 06/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- For the third or
fourth time in the past two decades, the Internal Revenue Service
has announced plans to completely upgrade the agency's computer
system, speeding response to taxpayer complaints and generally
streamlining Uncle Sam's receivables operations. All the other
upgrades turned out to be non-events, and some think that in the
current climate of budgetary restraints the more than $8 billion
needed for this changeover may not be forthcoming.

Mr. Henry Holmes, spokesperson for the IRS, told Newsbytes that,
while major RFPs (requests for proposals) would continue to be
issued for several years, some had already been issued and that
although this overall master plan had just been released, it was
finalized last fall and the press information is essentially the
entire master plan, minus only those items which are sensitive
either because of the bidding process or because of system
security considerations.

Mr. Holmes pointed out that the beginning of the plan actually
started several years ago with the test of electronic filing and
the year-old on-line database. The database holds all basic
taxpayer information such as names, addresses, and social security
numbers, and is an example of where the new master plan would be
implemented -- with an eye to first installing the portions which
would most directly affect how fast U.S. taxpayers would have
their returns processed and problems resolved.

Hardware, software, and other contracts are expected to be
pouring out for about the next two to three years if everything
stays on schedule, and this time it looks more likely than ever
that something might actually happen, because this announcement
coincides with the expected addition of transaction processing
standards to the GOSIP or Government Open Systems Interconnection
Profile.

Since transaction processing would be a vital part of any IRS
system and GOSIP (mandatory for such systems unless granted a
waiver) did not contain any standard for that function in
previous versions, any IRS system would have resulted in a non-
standard system.

Jerry Mulvenna, manager of the Network Applications Group in the
Systems and Network Architecture Division, NIST, the agency
responsible for choosing GOSIP standards, told Newsbytes that
GOSIP version 3.0, which he will begin working on this fall, will
include transaction processing as well as other vital features
such as directory services.

GOSIP 3.0 is expected to be released as a draft standard by next
April or May and although it won't become mandatory for about a
year agencies will be immediately encouraged to start
implementing it.

The system currently being used by the IRS is several computer
generations behind present technology, and is based on hardware
installed in the 1960s.

(John McCormick/19910614/Press Contact: Henry Holmes, IRS, 202-
566-4024)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 APRIL'S SPA GAME HIT LIST 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00007)

APRIL'S SPA GAME HIT LIST 06/17/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- The Software
Publishers Association has just released its list of top-selling
MS-DOS game and entertainment software for the month of April.
Noteworthy is the drop of Microsoft's Flight Simulator from
number 8 in March to tenth spot in the latest reported month.

Reaching 24th place, Microsoft's Flight Simulator Aircraft &
Scenery jumped into the top 25 for the first time, while Bill
Elliot's NASCAR from Konami made a big jump from 20th to number
14 on the list.

In order of placement starting at number one, here are the top
10: Strategic Simulations' Eye of the Beholder, Sierra On-Line's
King's Quest V followed by their Space Quest IV, Origin's Wing
Commander, Maxis' Sim Earth, Origin's Wing Commander Secret
Missions Disk 2, Maxis's SimCity, Sierra On-Line's Red Baron and
A-10 Tank Killer are in eighth and ninth place, with Flight
Simulator rounding out the top 10.

The SPA's list of top 10 video games sees some shuffling around
in position, but no new entries into the big 10 from last month's
list.

The sales figures used to determine game ranking come from
Babagges, CompUSA, Electronics Boutique, and Waldensoftware.

(John McCormick/19910614/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-
452-1600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 FASTRACK DESKTOP IV PROCUREMENT HITS BBS POTHOLE 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00008)

FASTRACK DESKTOP IV PROCUREMENT HITS BBS POTHOLE 06/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Federal Computer Week
carries a report that potential bidders tried to access the
request for proposals for the new Desktop IV procurement contract
via a bulletin board system installed at Gunter Air Force Base's
Air Force Standard Systems Center in Alabama, but the Standard
Systems Center reportedly couldn't get the software to do anything
beyond answering the telephone.

Potential bidders frustrated by this hardware problem and trouble
with a 4GL relational database system will be happy to know that
another BBS was scheduled to be up and running by June 7, but
Newsbytes kept getting a busy signal and was unable to confirm
that it was working properly.

To add insult to injury, the RFP was in Word for Windows format
instead of the universal ASCII format one would expect, which led
one industry observer to question jokingly whether Bill Gates
already had an inside track on the contract.

(John McCormick/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 KIEV, U.S.S.R.: VIRUS ENCYCLOPEDIA PUBLISHED 06/17/91

06/17/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00009)

KIEV, U.S.S.R.: VIRUS ENCYCLOPEDIA PUBLISHED 06/17/91
KIEV, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Computer Virusology, a 300-page
book describing the current status and a history of this indefinite
struggle, has been published by Ukrainian Encyclopaedia publishers.

The book, written by Nikolay Bezrukov, one of country's leading
computer virus experts, contains detailed descriptions of almost
all viruses ever detected in the Soviet Union, with explanations
of how they work and a psychological essay on the kind of people
who write them.

The author was careful to not publish virus source code nor the
names of virus developers. He says it is better to bring to
light issues related to how viruses work and how they can damage
computers. "It is the only one way to have more people joining
the battle," he says. The book also reviews locally available
antiviral programs.

The book, which reflects February data, states that the "Soviet
virus explosion" began when more new viruses began to appear and
fewer experts were available to fight them.

This affordably priced (5 roubles or $.17 by the market rate) and
easy-to-read book is expected to be hard to find in shops due to
unanticipated problems with the publishing of newer updated versions.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910613)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 EDS WARNS SD-SCICON OF POSSIBLE BUY-OUT 06/17/91

06/17/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00010)

EDS WARNS SD-SCICON OF POSSIBLE BUY-OUT 06/17/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- SD-Scicon, the U.K.-based
software house, has received notice from Electronic Data Systems
(EDS) in the U.S of its intention to bid $193 million for the
company.

According to a statement issued by SD-Scicon, however, the bid from
EDS is too low. The Associated Press, meanwhile, quotes SD-Scicon
as valuing its French operations on their own at $166 million.

The EDS offer for SD-Scicon is higher than a $184 million bid made
by Cray in May, which is still technically under consideration. As
with Cray, EDS is after the market experience and European presence
that SD-Scicon has.

EDS is primarily a U.S.-specific company, and SD-Scicon would
enable the company to expand its operations in Europe.

(Steve Gold/19910617)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 FUJITSU PURCHASED 85-PERCENT OF POQUET COMPUTER 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00011)

FUJITSU PURCHASED 85-PERCENT OF POQUET COMPUTER 06/17/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Fujitsu has acquired almost
all of Poquet Computer in California, according to the Dempa
newspaper. Poquet has financially suffered recently so the
Fujitsu's takeover is expected to help.

Fujitsu has acquired 85 percent of the equity of Poquet
Computer, spending whopping 5 billion yen ($37 million).
Industry people have not reacted with much surprise to the news
since Fujitsu purchased a 28 percent equity stake in the firm
in October, 1988.

Since the purchase of the stock in 1988, Fujitsu has been
cooperating with Poquet Computer to develop Japanese versions
of pocket computers. Fujitsu has already developed two
versions. One is a notebook-type PC, the "FMR-Card," and the
other is the "OASYS Pocket," which weighs only 530g (1.16 pounds).
So far, the OASYS pocket has been accepted well by the Japanese
market. The gadget has a full-sized keyboard and advanced business
organizing programs including word processing features.

Interestingly, it is reported that Fujitsu and Poquet Computer
will jointly develop 32-bit pocket computers in the near future.
Fujitsu says it will keep current executives at Poquet
Computer for the time being.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910617/Press Contact: Fujitsu, +81-3-3215-
5236)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17  ****TOSHIBA LAYS OFF 200 US EMPLOYEES & CUTS PCs PRICES 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00012)

 ****TOSHIBA LAYS OFF 200 US EMPLOYEES & CUTS PCs PRICES 06/17/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Toshiba says it will lay off
about 10 percent of its employees in the U.S. by the end of June.
This is a major cut of personnel in the region, mainly due to the
slump in the U.S. PC market.

According to the Nikkei newspaper, about 200 out of 2,000 employees
will be slashed at Toshiba America in Irvine, California. They
include almost all departments of employees ranging from
manufacturing, to sales, to management.

Toshiba will also reduce production of its best-selling
T3100 laptop computer by 20 percent from 25,000 to 20,000 units
per month. Toshiba has just recently beefed up the same production
lines at its Irvine plant in California, but the firm had to cut
production in light of slow sales.

The firm has lowered the prices of PCs from 19 to 33 percent.
Currently, Toshiba has about a 2 percent share of the U.S. PC
market.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910617/Press Contact: Toshiba, +81-3-
3457-2100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 JAPAN: NEC PLANS DOUBLING OF PC-VAN MEMBERSHIP 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00013)

JAPAN: NEC PLANS DOUBLING OF PC-VAN MEMBERSHIP 06/17/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- NEC has unveiled an ambitious
plan to double the membership of its personal computer network
PC-VAN. NEC is preparing to add various features including
radiowave access to the network, in order to lure on more
people for a total membership of 500,000 by this fall.

Radiowave access will a major new feature of PC-VAN. NEC
is setting up a system to interconnect the radiowave
network and its host computer system. Interestingly, NEC has
equity in a teleterminal firm, which is already providing
radiowave telecom service in Tokyo area.

Another new feature is access to the service via car phones
and mobile phones. NEC wants to use adaptors made by Data
East in Tokyo. The car phone version will cost 98,000 yen ($730)
and the mobile phone version costs 59,000 yen ($440). With these
features, the users will be able to access PC-VAN regardless of
time and place.

NEC has also beefed up other unique services such as
automatic machine translation and home trading services. Also, just
like its rival firm NIFTY-Serve, PC-VAN will soon start a service
which vocally reads out electronic mail to subscribers.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910617/Press Contact: NEC, PC-VAN, +81-3-
3454-6909)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17  ****ITA TO DETERMINE IF JAPANESE LCD SCREENS BEING DUMPED 06/17/91

06/17/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00014)

 ****ITA TO DETERMINE IF JAPANESE LCD SCREENS BEING DUMPED 06/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Cydney Louth,
spokesperson for the International Trade Administration of the
Department of Commerce, told Newsbytes that, despite the new
microprocessor trade agreement just signed between the U.S. and
Japan, the ITA is continuing its process of determining whether
Japanese firms have been dumping flat panel liquid crystal or LCD
computer displays in this country at below market price.

The final decision will be made on July 8 and announced on the
ninth. Flat panel displays are important components of laptop,
notebook, and most portable computers, and any determination by
the Department of Commerce that they have been sold in this
country at artificially low prices in an attempt to corner the
market could result in fines or tariffs which could raise the
prices of nearly all portable computers.

(John McCormick/19910617/Press Contact: Cydney Louth,
International Trade Administration, 202-377-3808)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 JOINT ASIC VENTURE FROM YAMAHA AND RASTEK 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00015)

JOINT ASIC VENTURE FROM YAMAHA AND RASTEK 06/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- San Jose,
California-based Systems Technology Division of Yamaha and Rastek
Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, have announced a joint agreement to
develop ASIC or application-specific integrated circuit chips for
use in laser printer controller and other scanning devices.

Yamaha will take over the engineering and production of the
integrated circuits, while Rastek will contribute basic design
features. The ASICs would go to hardware manufacturers for
inclusion in their systems, giving them an easy way to add such
things as HP LaserJet III emulation.

Other applications would be in multimedia systems such as CD-ROM
XA drives.

(John McCormick/19910617/Press Contact: Robert Starr, Yamaha
Systems Technology Division, 408-437-3133)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 NEW FOR MAC: Adobe's Photoshop 2 Ships 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00016)

NEW FOR MAC: Adobe's Photoshop 2 Ships 06/17/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems has announced the availability of Adobe Photoshop 2.0
from all Authorized Adobe Dealers. The program includes new and
enhanced features for color and black-and-white image editing,
prepress color separation work, editing of selected areas of images,
and importing of Adobe Illustrator compatible files.

The company maintains that the minimum hardware required for
Adobe Photoshop 2.0 software is a Macintosh SE or II-series computer
with 2 megabytes (MB) of RAM, a hard disk drive and System 6.0.4 or
later. A Motorola 68020-based system, 4MB or more RAM and color
monitor are recommended.

Like virtually all new versions of popular software these days, Adobe
Photoshop 2.0 software is designed to be compatible with the Apple
Macintosh 7.0 operating system software.

Adobe Photoshop 2.0 is $895, although registered users can ugprade
to the new version for $149 until Aug. 31. After that date all
registered users can upgrade for $199. Customers who have
purchased Adobe Photoshop between April 15, 1991, and June 17, 1991
will receive a free upgrade.

(Ian Stokell/19910617/Press Contact: LaVon Collins, Adobe Systems
Inc., 415-961-4400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 NEW FOR PCS: Low-Priced 9600 BPS Fax/Modem 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00017)

NEW FOR PCS: Low-Priced 9600 BPS Fax/Modem 06/17/91
NEWBURY PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- The cost of
combining a modem and facsimile seems to be getting cheaper every
day. For example, Computer Peripherals has introduced the
ViVa 2496if modem, an internal 9600bps fax board and 2400bps modem
with a suggested retail price of just $349.

According to the company, the fax board allows users to automatically
send and receive faxes from any Group III fax device while continuing to
work in other applications. The ViVa 2496if also functions as a Hayes
compatible modem that supports 2400 bits-per-second (bps), 1200bps,
and 300bps data transmissions.

Intended destinations, along with data and time for transmission can be
preprogrammed into the fax/modem, which will then send the document
in background mode, without interrupting the current application. The
company claims that the ViVa 2496if also automatically identifies and
negotiates incoming fax or data files, and emulates a fax machine by
printing hard copy documents.

The modem supports high-resolution documents containing text
and graphics, and is equipped with both unlimited phone and fax
number directories. It also supports multiple fonts and a
variety of dot matrix and laser printers.

Quick Link II fax software comes with every modem and allows the
user to pull down menus and create a fax from a word processor
or DOS application. The modem can also send files directly from
the DOS command line.

Other features include a smart dialer, auto baud negotiation, and
auto fax broadcasting and NiteFax function.

The ViVa 2496if is immediately available from computer dealers
and distributors and comes with a five-year limited warranty. For
more information on this or other CPI modems, call 800/854-7600.

(Ian Stokell/19910617/Press Contact: Brian Colvin, Computer
Peripherals Inc., 800-854-7600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 NEW FOR UNIX: ToolTalk Communications Software 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00018)

NEW FOR UNIX: ToolTalk Communications Software 06/17/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Sun
Microsystems' subsidiary SunSoft has introduced its first product,
ToolTalk, a Unix communications software package.

According to the company, with ToolTalk, developers are assured of
application interoperability with other vendors' software. As a result,
users can increase productivity by having access to multiple
applications that cooperate with each other across the network.

ToolTalk will be used by the CAD Framework Initiative (CFI), an
industry consortium that defines standards in the CAD (computer-
aided design) market. In its first demonstration of the Inter-Tool
Communication interface at the Design Automation Conference in
San Francisco, ToolTalk ran on five different hardware
platforms from DEC, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intergraph and Sun.

According to the company ToolTalk works by using either multicast
messaging or object-oriented messaging. With multicast
messaging, developers first decide what types of information their
applications need to receive, then they 'register' their requirements
with ToolTalk. The SunSoft product acts as the go-between,
tracking down data and delivering it to those applications that have
requested it.

Object-oriented messaging allows developers to take advantage
of object orientation and distributed messaging across a network.
ToolTalk manages relationships between objects, storing
information about them.

The company maintains that this mode of object messaging is a
step toward the distributed object management specification being
jointly developed by Sun and Hewlett-Packard.

SunSoft intends to ship ToolTalk in the fourth quarter of 1991,
although developer copies are available today. The company
intends to make ToolTalk available for SPARC computers and
other platforms by the end of the year.

(Ian Stokell/19910617/Press Contact: Shernaz Daver, SunSoft,
415-336-0678)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 UK: WORDPERFECT OFFERS EDUCATION NEW DEAL 06/17/91

06/17/91



(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00019)

UK: WORDPERFECT OFFERS EDUCATION NEW DEAL 06/17/91
WEYBRIDGE, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Wordperfect U.K.
has revamped its educational software scheme for all its
software packages. The changes dispense with educational
discounts and introduces an `eight for the price of one' site
license deal for all bona fide educational establishments.

The new scheme has been endorse by CHEST (the Combined Higher
Education Software Team) and commences immediately. According to
Wordperfect, the scheme will work with the educational
establishment buying a copy (or multipack) of software from any
dealer who then fills in a special form -- known as the
educational software program (ESP) licence -- that entitles
the institution to produce seven copies of the package.

So why the change? According to Wordperfect, it reduces the
overall cost of Wordperfect software to educational users for
all but the smallest user.

David Godwin, director of marketing at Wordperfect U.K., said that
the deal emphasizes the company's commitment to maintain
attractive pricing to the U.K educational education sector.
"All elements of the distribution channel will also benefit under
the new scheme," he said.

The slightly bad news is that, while educational establishments
are free to copy the disks -- provided they have an ESP licence --
they cannot copy the documentation. Additional copies of the
documentation must be ordered -- at normal prices -- direct from
Wordperfect U.K.

(Steve Gold/19910617/Press & Public Contact: Wordperfect UK - Tel: 0932-
850500; Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 MICROSOFT PERSUADES ISVS TO SUPPORT WORD FOR WINDOWS 06/17/91

06/17/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00020)

MICROSOFT PERSUADES ISVS TO SUPPORT WORD FOR WINDOWS 06/17/91
READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Microsoft says
several independent software vendors (ISVs) are shipping
macros with their packages that enable them to be integrated within
Microsoft Word for Windows.

As a result, Microsoft claims, users can create customized programs
which allow office tasks, such as faxing, scanning, and e-mailing,
to be conducted within the Word for Windows environment.

"Today, most office workers gave to learn how to run a fax machine and how
to navigate among different software programs and interfaces,"
said Alan Dowzall, Microsoft's Word product manager. "As a result,
companies want a word processor that can be tailored for specific
tasks, such as electronic mailing, faxing, scanning or creating
legal documents. The integration of third-party products with Word
for Windows increases end-user productivity by making these
everyday functions more accessible," he added.

According to Microsoft, the customization is made possible by
WordBasic, the programming language built into Word for Windows.
Using WordBasic, users can modify any built-in command and add
new ones, including commands to integrate Word for Windows with
other applications.

(Steve Gold/19910617/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK - Tel: 0734-
391123)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 NEW ANSI COMPUTER TERM DICTIONARY ADOPTED 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00021)

NEW ANSI COMPUTER TERM DICTIONARY ADOPTED 06/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- The July 19, 1990
ANSI, or American National Standards Institute, American National
Dictionary for Information Systems (ANSI X3.172-1990, copyrighted
1991) has been adopted as the FIPS or Federal Information
Processing Standard dictionary of official computer terminology.
This is important because the last update was published in 1982
and many new computer terms have come into common usage since
that time.

FIPS standards must be used not only by government agencies but
by anyone working with or selling to the government as well as
anyone wanting to understand federal publications. Since this is
also the new ANSI standard, the publication becomes very
important for any company working in the computer field.

Although not really intended for computer novices, most
definitions do not include complex technical explanations.
Typical definitions include the following from page 27:

"Cross-assembler. An assembler that can run symbolic language
input on one type of computer and produce machine language output
for another type of computer.

"Convex programming. (ISO) in operations research, a particular
case of nonlinear programming in which the function to be
maximized or minimized and the constraints are approximately
convex or concave functions of the controllable variables.

"CPU. Central processing unit.

Order FIPSPUB11-3 at $45 each, from National Technical
Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161. 703-487-4650.

(John McCormick/19910614/Press Contact:
John Makulowich, NIST, 301-975-2762 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 NEW FOR PCS: French Language Privavera Project Planner 4.1 06/17/91

06/17/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00022)

NEW FOR PCS: French Language Privavera Project Planner 4.1 06/17/91
BALA CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Primavera
Systems is now shipping a French language version of its Primavera
Project Planner 4.1. The software was unveiled in Paris by
Primavera President Joel Koppelman.

P3, as the software is known, is a high-end but relatively easy-
to-use and networkable project management program with the
capability of scheduling round-the-clock work for critical
projects.

A Spanish language version is due out by the end of this year,
completing Primavera's push to position itself in all major
European and North American markets.

The French language version is available now for 63,000 French
francs or 12,000 Canadian dollars.

Italian, German, and Hebrew versions are already available, and
Korean and Japanese translations are both underway.

For further information, contact Primavera Systems, Inc., Two
Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, phone [phone], or Claude
Esparseil, Mustang Informatique, 17 rue d'Orleans, 92210 St.
Cloud, France, phone [phone].

(John McCormick/19910614/Press Contact: Nadina Chapman, Primavera
Systems, 215-660-5830 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 BBS OFFERS FREE COLORADO TRAVEL & REC INFO 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00023)

BBS OFFERS FREE COLORADO TRAVEL & REC INFO 06/17/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- If you're planning a
recreational trip to Colorado, there is a free computer service
that will provide information for you. Colorado TravelBank
offers information about cultural activities, fishing, tours,
travel, and in the winter season, lots of information about snow
conditions, weather, road conditions, and more.

Dialing into the Colorado TravelBank at 303-671-7669 presents
callers with a menu driven system which allows them to select
their area of interest, then more specific information choices
until they reach the area they want.

The service contains a wide variety of information. Included are
listings of performing arts, concert schedules, Shakespearean
festivals, fishing and stocking reports, and even what lures are
attracting the fish.

Also included are discount rates on dining and lodging throughout
the state, white water rafting, camping, hiking, golf,
campgrounds, dude ranches and water slides.

The TravelBank is now in its seventh year, and according to Jay
Melnick, its users have grown by 15 percent. Melnick attributes
the system's growth to the increased use of home computers. Says
Melnick, "One of the great things about the TravelBank is that it
is accessible via modem with virtually any type of computer.
Too, TravelBank is free, easy to use, menu driver, and accessible
24 hours." Although the service itself is free, users will pay
for a long distance call if calling outside the 303 area code.

To reach TravelBank, users can call 303-671-7669, using
communications parameters of 8 bits, no parity and 1 stop bit.
Any communication program will work. The system handles
communications at baud rates from 300 to 2400.

(Jim Mallory/19910616/Press Contact: Jay Melnick, 303-320-8550)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 BONDHOLDERS AGREE TO CPT REORGANIZATION PLAN 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00024)

BONDHOLDERS AGREE TO CPT REORGANIZATION PLAN 06/17/91
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- PC
manufacturer CPT says it has reached an agreement with its
bondholders committee on the terms and conditions of a plan of
reorganization.

The amended plan, designed to allow CPT to emerge from Chapter
11, provides for the issuance of new stock to creditors, who will
receive a majority of outstanding shares. Current shareholders
will retain approximately 20 percent of the total shares
outstanding after emergency from Chapter 11.

As reported previously by Newsbytes, the company and the
bondholders each had a different reorganization plan. The
company plan called for new common stock to be issued, allowing
creditors and debenture holders to receive a majority of
outstanding shares. Current shareholders would retain their
shares.

The bondholders plan would have canceled all currently
outstanding common shares and issue all new shares to the
creditors, including debenture holders. The shares of current
shareholders would have been canceled and they would not have
received new shares.

At the time the two plans were revealed, CPT President Arun Dube
said the company's plan provided a reasonable opportunity to the
common shareholders to realize value from their holdings. Now
that the plan has been approved, Dube said the company expects to
emerge from Chapter 11 in early July, and the company expects
improvement in revenues and overall performance soon after that.
Dube also said that the company expects to attract new equity
investments.

(Jim Mallory/19910616/Press Contact:David Priebe, CPT,
612-949-1728)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, SUPERTEX WILL EXCHANGE TECHNOLOGY 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00025)

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, SUPERTEX WILL EXCHANGE TECHNOLOGY 06/17/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Texas Instruments and
Supertex have entered into an agreement in which TI will
use two of Supertex's manufacturing processes, while Supertex
will receive license fees and royalties as well as access to
TI's foundry and assembly services.

Supertex will use the foundry service for their HVCMOS products,
and the assembly services primarily for high pin count 3 and 4
sided flat packs.

TI will have use of the Supertex high voltage metal oxide
semiconductor processes, which combine high speed CMOS logic
circuits of 5 to 12 volts with high voltage DMOS circuits into
one chip. The Supertex technology is used in the flat panel
displays used in laptop and notebook computers, as well as HDTV
(high definition television) and non-impact color printers.

(Jim Mallory/19910616/Press Contact: Martha Brounoff, TI,
214-997-5469)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 DELL INTROS ITS VERSION OF DOS 5 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00026)

DELL INTROS ITS VERSION OF DOS 5 06/17/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Dell Computer has
joined other major PC manufacturers in offering its own version of
DOS 5. Dell Microsoft MS-DOS version 5, priced at $119, is
immediately available.

The company says it has been adapted to take advantage of
Dell-specific hardware enhancements. Owners of Dell's current
DOS can purchase an upgrade kit for $69. Dell will factory
install the new version of DOS when the system is built, if the
customer requests it. If Dell installs DOS at the factory, the
customer will receive the DOS 5 documentation, but no DOS
diskettes. Dell markets its products directly to consumers.
Dell Computer offers manufacturer direct support for their
systems, providing a toll free number (800-937-1470) for support
and information.

(Jim Mallory/19910616/Press Contact: Lisa Rohlf, Dell,
512-343-3782).

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17  ****MICROSOFT RETREATS IN PRINTER SOFTWARE WAR 06/17/81

06/17/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00027)

 ****MICROSOFT RETREATS IN PRINTER SOFTWARE WAR 06/17/81
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation has reportedly backed off in its competition with
Adobe Systems to develop printer software. According to a story
in the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft will concentrate on
enhancing the printer capabilities of Windows 3.0, rather than
the general printer market.

Steve Shaiman, Microsoft's GM of system peripherals and
accessories said, "Windows is our flagship - that's what I want
people focusing on. I would much rather win with Windows and
lose in general printing than the other way around."

About two years ago Microsoft and Apple Computer initiated a
direct confrontation with Adobe when they set out to develop a
separate set of typefaces to compete with Adobe's Postscript.
Since that time, Adobe has lowered prices and supplied equipment
makers with more information about Postscript. Adobe officials
said Microsoft's shift in emphasis erases any possible doubts
about the strength of its franchise. "We're ecstatic," said an
Adobe spokesperson. However, Adobe CFO Bruce Nakao said the
decision by Microsoft would not likely have any immediate
material effect on Adobe's earnings. Nakao said he did not
believe Adobe had lost any customers, despite very aggressive
prices offers by Microsoft.

According to the WSJ story, Microsoft said that the pressure from
Microsoft and Apple forced Adobe to respond to industry
complaints that its software was too costly and that the company
was not sharing enough technical information.

Newsbytes spoke with a spokesperson for Microsoft, Cheryl Coupe
of The Waggoner Group. According to Coupe, "The Wall Street
Journal article seems to think it was a much bigger issue than
Microsoft does."

According to Coupe, the report in the WSJ that the printer
business unit has been dissolved and folded into the Windows
group "is absolutely not true." Coupe said the printer group has
been renamed to the Windows printing group but is still intact.
Coupe confirmed that Cal Bauer, chief of the printer business
group had resigned, quoting personal reasons. Coupe said that
Bauer's resignation was not based on any conflict between Bauer
and Microsoft.

(Jim Mallory/19910617)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 LOTUS, SCO BURY HATCHET OVER COPYRIGHT, BORLAND NOT PHASED 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00028)

LOTUS, SCO BURY HATCHET OVER COPYRIGHT, BORLAND NOT PHASED 06/17/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Lotus
Development has dropped its lawsuit against one of two firms it
has accused of copyright infringement. While its suit against
Borland, for Quattro Pro, still stands, Lotus has settled out of
court with Santa Cruz Operation, which it had charged with
copyright infringement in connection with SCO Professional,
the company's spreadsheet product. SCO, in turn, has agreed to
stop making, distributing, and licensing the product by August
15, and will recommend that all its customers turn to Lotus
for their spreadsheet needs.

Lotus filed suit against SCO and Borland International in July
1990, charging the defendants deliberately copied the user
interface, in particular the command menus and menu structure
of Lotus 1-2-3.

"This out-of-court settlement is in the best interests of SCO,
Lotus and our shared customers," said Doug Michels, executive
vice president at SCO in a prepared statement. "We are
happy to have resolved this dispute by reaching a mutually
satisfactory compromise with Lotus, one of our most important
business partners."

Not only has SCO agreed to stop making its spreadsheet, but has
chosen to work together with Lotus to promote Lotus 1-2-3 to
SCO's worldwide customer base and to substitute Lotus 1-2-3 for
SCO Professional in pending channel commitments to end users.
SCO will provide maintenance support to current SCO Professional
users, although no further product enhancements
will be provided.

"We are very pleased to have resolved this matter to our
satisfaction without the burden of further litigation," said
Thomas Lemberg, vice president and general counsel at Lotus.

Vowing to fight on, however, is Borland International which has
issued a statement saying the settlement will have no affect on
the conduct of its case with Lotus. "The settlement [with SCO]
comes as no surprise, and quite frankly, we are glad to have the
litigation simplified," said a Borland spokesman.

Borland characterizes SCO's interest in settling the matter as
due to economic factors. "SCO's spreadsheet product has been
adversely affected by increased competition." Borland denies that
Quattro Pro, its own spreadsheet product, has similar character
to the SCO, or Paperback Software's VP-Planner or Mosaic's Twin.
The latter two products were also the basis of recent Lotus
copyright infringement suits, which Lotus won.

(Wendy Woods/19910617/Press Contact: Borland's Cindy McDowell
or Dick O'Donnell, 408-439-1621; Bryan Simmons, Lotus,
617-693-1697 or Zee Zaballos, The Santa Cruz Operation,
408- 425-7222)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 ELECTRONIC ARTS TO ACQUIRE DISTINCTIVE SOFTWARE 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00029)

ELECTRONIC ARTS TO ACQUIRE DISTINCTIVE SOFTWARE 06/17/91
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 (NB) -- Electronic Arts
has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Distinctive Software
Inc. (DSI) of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Bing Gordon, head of marketing for Electronic Arts, told Newsbytes
that the acquisition is important to the company because it "allows us
to increase product development capacity by maybe 25-30 products a
year." Additionally Gordon said that the "marketplace is changing so
quickly," especially with regards to 16-bit video games and CD-based
architectures.

"DSI has expertise in these areas," said Gordon. Additionally, DSI
"has strategic alliances that Electronic Arts does not have."

The company maintains that the acquisition, which will be accounted
for as a pooling of interests, will involve Electronic Arts paying $782,900
and issuing 488,157 shares of new common stock in exchange for all the
outstanding capital stock of DSI.

Distinctive Software was founded in 1982 and is a 77-person software
development company. Gordon told Newsbytes that there are no
plans for any reduction in work force for either company. He did say
however, that "some research and development activities in both
companies do overlap," but that the two companies should be able
to make "more efficient use of combined R and D" because DSI was
better at some things than Electronic Arts," and vice versa.

According to Electronic Arts, DSI will be operated as a wholly owned
subsidiary. Tarrnie Williams, 50, will continue as president and chief
executive officer of the new subsidiary. Don Mattrick, 27, founder,
chairman, and vice president of marketing and design for DSI,
will become vice president of strategic planning for Electronic
Arts. Mattrick founded Distinctive Software in 1982 at the age
of 18, based on the publication of his first game design --
Evolution. DSI is an authorized developer for the 16-bit Super
Nintendo Entertainment System, 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System,
Nintendo Gameboy, and the NEC TurboGrafx. According to the
company, almost all of DSI's 77 employees are actively involved
in product development, including 42 programmers, 15 graphic
artists and musicians, and three game designers.

(Ian Stokell/19910617/Press Contact: Holly Hartz, Electronic Arts,
415-571-7171)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 17 BOCOEX Index 06/17/91

06/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00030)

BOCOEX Index 06/17/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 17 -- The news of the week
was DOS 5. Microsoft shot off no fireworks at their introduction of the
latest incarnation of DOS, but the fireworks were all in DOS.
DOS 5 is a smash hit!  It seems as though Microsoft has heard all
the complaints, suggestions and pleas for help and rolled all the
answers into DOS 5. The wizards of Microsoft have made available
to every computer user the kind of operating environment that we
all wanted back in the DOS 3 era and didn't get in DOS 4.

DOS 5 is a major boost to the computer industry's secondary
market. It will breathe new life into the sagging power of the AT
era of computers. DOS 5's upgrade package will reach all the way
back to machines running DOS 2 and give them the latest level of
power.  It is a major rejuvenator of older computers.  Go out and
buy DOS 5 right now and install it.

Trade-In - IBM sets off an Avalanche

IBM's announcement of their PS/2 Trade-in program set off a
flurry of activity.  The idea of Big Blue formalizing the
displacement of its own hardware was long overdue.  IBM lost
market share to clones and they countered by putting good used
IBM hardware back on the street.  It remains to be seen how much
of IBM's trade-in hardware will be available and how much
disappears off-shore.

In 1988 when IBM ran its last trade-in scheme it failed due to
the internal costs of operating the program.  This time, the plan
is different.  Brokers are doing all the leg work from the used
machines site through refurbishment into the hands of a new
owner.

IBM Spurs other Trade-In Activity

IBM taking trade-in has set off a maelstrom of activity with
large dealer  channels, retailers, and manufacturers scrambling
to use it, match it or lose out. In the last months of the tenth
year of the original PC, the market has finally realized that
computer owners have to sell before they can buy. BCE's generic
trade-in program has been overloaded with new activity from
others trying to emulate IBM.

The uncertainty of IBM's new models and the trade-in program was
actually supportive of the market this week.  IBM product was
mostly stable at last weeks prices.  The volume leader was the
AT-339 model trading at a stable $750. The PS/2 Model 70P was up
$400 at $3400 showing renewed interest in that model.

Compaq hardware was mostly stable at last week's prices.  The
LTE's show diminished interest as the wide range of new little
laptops elbow their way into the market.  The Travelmate 2000
from Texas Instruments made its first appearance in the used
market this week, trading at $1100.

Apple's Slide

The ample supply of Apple hardware at the retail level depressed
values of used Mac's.  This was most apparent with the general
availability of the Classic in stores which took used SE's down.
Meanwhile the Mac II's took a drubbing on renewed supply at
discount prices.

 BoCoEx Index /  Closing Prices Report  for the week ending June 14, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 IBM PC 176               Floppy      200 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      450 -          450    400

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      575 -          675    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      625 -          725    600

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      750 -         1000    700

 IBM PS/1 Model 30        30 MgB     1150 -         1200   1100

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      600 -          700    450

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1150 -         1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1100 -         1450   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1200 -         1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     1600 -         2200   1400

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1300 -         1700   1300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2300 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3400 up 400    3600   3200

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Compaq Portable Plus     10 MgB      400 -          500    300

 Compaq Portable II       20 MgB      750 -         1050    700

 Compaq Portable III      20 MgB     1200 -         1250   1100

 Compaq Portable 286      20 MgB     1100 -         1350   1000

 Compaq Portable 386      40 MgB     2000 -         2100   1500

 Compaq SLT-286           40 MgB     1700 down 200  1900   1550

 Compaq LTE               20 MgB      950 -         1100    900

 Compaq LTE-286           20 MgB     1600 -         1900   1400

 Compaq LTE-286           40 MgB     1750 -         1900   1600

 Compaq LTE-386           40 MgB     2700 -         2800   2600

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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 down 100  1350   1100

 NEC PowerMate SX +       80 MgB     1300 down 100  1400   1250

 Zenith SuperSport-286    20 MgB     1000 -         1200    900

 Zenith TurboSport-386    40 MgB     1700 -         1900   1600

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Macintosh Plus           Floppy      500 -          750    500

 Macintosh Plus           20 MgB      750 -          975    700

 Macintosh Classic        40 MgB     1100 down 100  1200   1000

 Macintosh SE             Floppy      700 down 50   1025    650

 Macintosh SE             20 MgB     1000 -         1050    900

 Macintosh SE             40 MgB     1100 down 25   1250   1050

 Macintosh SE-30          40 MgB     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2350 -         2500   2100

 Macintosh IIX            80 MgB     3550 -         3600   3500

 Macintosh IICX           80 MgB     3300 -         3600   3200

 Macintosh IICI           80 MgB     3950 down 100  4300   3750

 Macintosh IIFX           80 MgB     5400 down 100  5800   5200

 Macintosh IISI           40 MgB     2950 -         3400   2700

 Macintosh Portable       40 MgB     2450 -         3400   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      350 -          400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      850 -         1100    850

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 225 -          350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               2000 -         2500   2000

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                       800 -          950    800

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 TI Travelmate 2000       20 MgB     1100 -         1200   1000

 Toshiba T-1000           Floppy      450 -          575    325

 Toshiba T-1200HB         20 MgB      800 down 100   950    725

 Toshiba T-1200XE         20 MgB     1300 -         1450   1200

 Toshiba T-1600           40 MgB     1500 -         1600   1400

 Toshiba T-2000 SX        40 MgB     2400 down 200  2500   2200

 Toshiba T-3100           10 MgB      800 -         1000    700

 Toshiba T-3100           20 MgB     1100 -         1300    900

 Toshiba T-3100 SX        40 MgB     2400 -         2800   2200

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1800 -         2150   1700

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2700 -         2900   2600

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     2000 -         2300   1900

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: [phone]. BoCoEx
Database is on CompuServe: GO BCE, on Delphi: ME BO.

(BOCOEX/19910617)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NEW PRODUCT: Novell Ships Netware For SAA 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001)

NEW PRODUCT: Novell Ships Netware For SAA 06/14/91
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Novell has announced
that is has begun shipping Netware for SAA Version 1.0.

Netware for SAA is a network operating system which allows Novell
networks to communicate with IBM mainframes or AS/400 host
computers. Users can also utilize host-based network management,
database and office automation applications.

According to Novell, Netware for SAA is implemented as a set of
netware loadable modules. A typical application might be for users
in remote locations to run Netware for SAA along with file, print
database or other network loadable modules on the same server.
Users of Netware for SAA will enjoy reduced costs by eliminating the
need for a dedicated gateway computer, Novell officials said.

Novell claims to have received "very positive feedback" from its beta
sites during testing of the product. Novell quotes Victor Pigoga, data
communications project leader for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode
Island as saying: "By running Netware for SAA as a dedicated
communications server, it enabled us to save money that would
have normally been spent on additional hardware expenditures."

Security features of Netware allow managers to restrict access to
specific users or groups using standard Netware tools. For example,
a user could be limited to a specific period of time they can spend on
the system by setting up user IDs with expiration dates. Additional
controls can be set to allow user access from a specific workstation
only or denying access to a user after normal business hours.
Access can also be limited to specific hosts.

Netware for SAA has many of the same features as Netware V3.11,
such as disk duplexing, read-after-write verification, duplicate directory
structures and file allocation tables, disk mirroring, and transaction
tracking. There is also an interface to NetView, which allows network
administrators to monitor Netware services from the host computer.

(Jim Mallory/19910614/Press Contact: Novell, Michael Adams, 801-429-
5833)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NOVELL PURCHASES SILICON VALLEY BUSINESS PARK SITE 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)

NOVELL PURCHASES SILICON VALLEY BUSINESS PARK SITE 06/14/91
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Novell has announced that it
has purchased a 47.8 acres site in northern San Jose, California, for
$45.8 million, in what Newsbytes has learned is a cash deal. The
property was purchased from joint owners Orchard Properties, a San
Jose real estate developer, and New England Mutual Life Insurance
Company, of Boston.

The company says that the site was purchased as an investment and,
in the future, could be the site for consolidation of the company's
Silicon Valley product development, manufacturing and administrative
operations. However, a Novell spokesperson told Newsbytes that the
company has no present plans to consolidate their other area
facilities at the new location.

In 1987 Novell acquired CXI, a Sunnyvale developer of LAN-to-host
gateway software. In June 1989 it acquired Excelan, Inc, a San Jose
developer of networking products for Unix, Digital Equipment and Apple
Macintosh computers. In response to a Newsbytes query, Novell
acknowledged that CXI was the seed for development of Novell's
Netware for SAA.

The new acquisition is located in the area known as the Golden
Triangle, one-half mile from San Jose International Airport, and
adjacent to Highway 101. The parcel is zoned for research and
development, and was one of the few remaining large blocks of
undeveloped land in the Valley. Streets and primary utilities have
already been developed at the site, but no buildings have been
erected. The property is along the Santa Clara County Transit
Authority's North First Street light rail line.

San Jose Major Susan Hammer released a prepared statement
welcoming Novell. Hammer said: "Novell's move shows the increasing
importance software companies will have in shaping the growth of San
Jose and the Valley." Mayor Hammer also commented on the
significance of ready access to rail and air carriers and Highways
101 and 880.

Novell is also expanding its facilities in Austin Texas and Walnut
Creek, California. The company reported net sales of nearly $500
million for the fiscal ending October 27, 1990.

(Jim Mallory/19910614/Press Contact:Susan Lider, Novell, 408-473-8665)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NBI SETTLES WITH IRS 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00003)

NBI SETTLES WITH IRS 06/14/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- NBI Inc. has
announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) regarding their tax liabilities for the fiscal
years ending June 30, 1980 through 1988.

The total amount of the settlement for all years is slightly less than
$12.8 million, approximately half of which is for taxes and the
balance for interest. Included in this figure is approximately $2.6
million which relates to a computer industry-wide issue being
litigated by other taxpayers and for which NBI will have no liability
if there is a court decision in favor of those other taxpayers in the
test case presently in litigation.

As part of the agreement, NBI and the IRS have agreed on a payment
schedule which requires NBI to pay $2 million no later than January 3,
1992, and interest only payments of approximately $830,000 each year
through the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994. The remaining
principal and interest will be amortized through October 1, 1997.

As reported previously by Newsbytes, NBI is presently in Chapter 11,
with the case filed in the US Bankruptcy Court in Denver, Colorado.
NBI filed for bankruptcy partially because of the IRS claims. The
settlement is subject to approval by the Joint Committee on Taxation
of Congress.

In a prepared statement, Stephen Jerritts, NBI president said: "NBI is
pleased with this settlement with the IRS, resolving significant
longstanding tax claims." Jerritts said the company feels they can
deal with the payment terms when they emerge from Chapter 11.

NBI developed and marketed Legacy, a Windows style word
processor. In January 1991 NBI sold non-exclusive rights to Legacy
to Wordstar, and said they would continue to develop and market
Legacy worldwide. Wordstar said they would market the product as
Wordstar Legacy.

NBI staffed several key management positions in February, but told
Newsbytes at that time that there was no connection between that move
and their financial losses. Last December NBI reduced their staff by
73 people, 27 of which were employed at the company's Boulder
headquarters.

(Jim Mallory/19910614/Press Contact: Nancy Hamilton, NBI, 303-938-
2808)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 CRAY FOUNDER RECEIVES ENGINEERING HONOR 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)

CRAY FOUNDER RECEIVES ENGINEERING HONOR 06/14/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) --
Seymour Cray, founder and chairman of Cray Computer Corporation,
has been awarded the Engineering Leadership Recognition award by
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The 65 year old
engineer is the ninth engineer to earn the Leadership Recognition.

The honor will be bestowed June 16 by the 300,000 member institute.
In Cray's typical retiring style, he will not attend the San Francisco
event to pick up the award, citing previous commitments. Cray also
declined to comment publicly on the award, however a company
official quoted Cray as saying he was "honored to receive the award."

Cray built the world's most powerful computer (at that time) at Control
Data Corporation in 1960. In 1972 he founded Cray Research in
Minnesota, where he introduced the Cray-1 supercomputer in 1976,
and the Cray-2 in 1985. Each machine was faster than the previous one.

Cray began working on the Cray-3 in Minnesota. He envisioned
fabricating its circuits from gallium arsenide, which was contrary to
Cray Research plans to use the traditional silicon chips.

In 1988, development of the Cray-3 was moved to Colorado Springs,
Colorado, and in late 1989 Cray Research spun off and funded the
project, creating Cray Computer Corporation. The first Cray-3 has been
ordered by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California
for about $29 million. Delivery is expected by the end of 1991.

(Jim Mallory/19910614)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NO NEW LAYOFFS, UNISYS SAYS 06/14/91

06/14/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00005)

NO NEW LAYOFFS, UNISYS SAYS 06/14/91
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Recent
reports of further job cuts at Unisys arose from a misunderstanding of
an existing program, according to the company. Company spokesman
Mark Lipscomb told Newsbytes that Unisys has initiated no new staff
reductions since announcing a 5,000-head reduction late last year.

Notices were posted at some Unisys sites telling employees about a
voluntary layoff plan that has been in place for some time, Lipscomb
said. The plan allows employees to volunteer for severance packages,
as part of an ongoing 'downsizing' of Unisys, he said. Apparently, he
added, someone saw one of the notices and notified The Wall Street
Journal, which reported the 'new layoffs' at Unisys.

At the same time, Lipscomb did not rule out further job cuts. At the
company's annual meeting in April, he said, shareholders were told
Unisys was watching economic conditions and would re-evaluate its
plans if necessary.

The 5,000-job reduction announced last year is due to be completed
by the end of June and is on target, he said.

(Grant Buckler/19910614/Press Contact: Mark Lipscomb, Unisys, 215-986-
6948)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 SOUTH AUSTRALIA PLANS FOR INFORMATION UTILITY 06/14/91

06/14/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00006)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA PLANS FOR INFORMATION UTILITY 06/14/91
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- The South Australian
government has announced plans for the establishment of an
'information utility,' similar in many ways to power utilities. The utility will
provide government departments, businesses, and private users with
access to information services and networks available from several
sources.

The utility will be sponsored by two consortiums: the first made up
of DEC, OTC (Australia's international carrier), and Andersen
Consulting; and the second made up of IBM's Australian subsidiary,
Telecom, and NTTI/Lane Telecommunications. The initial phase will
see the first consortium supplying a telephone, data and radio
communications network for the government, and the second
consortium supplying major computing facilities to the government.

The services offered will include telephone, cable television,
teleconferencing, and will be paid for according to usage. The system
will provide part of the State's preparation for the multi-function polis, a
high tech city which is being planned for the State. The State
government is expecting to save AUS$90M over the next year. Its
current spending on telecommunications is AUS$130M per year.
Work is expected to begin on the project by the end of 1991.

(Sean McNamara/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NEW UNIV OF CANBERRA INFORMATION SCIENCES BUILDING 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00007)

NEW UNIV OF CANBERRA INFORMATION SCIENCES BUILDING 06/14/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- The University of
Canberra has opened a new Information Sciences and Engineering
building as part of its move to upgrade facilities in these areas.

The new building will cater for 670 students and 92 staff, as well as
housing some of the University's research facilities. The construction
of the building was as a direct result of a report into the tertiary
education 'market', particularly universities.

An Australian Government report, called The Williams Review,
recommended wide-ranging reforms in the computer and engineering
fields to increase enrolments and graduates. Courses to be offered
through the new center include computer, electronics, and
communications engineering.

(Sean McNamara/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 AUSTRALIA: AARNET DOUBLES NETWORK CAPACITY TO U.S. 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00008)

AUSTRALIA: AARNET DOUBLES NETWORK CAPACITY TO U.S. 06/14/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- The Australian Academic
and Research Network (AARNet) has had to double its network capacity
to the US due to increased demand in recent months. The bandwidth of
AARNet's connection to US-based Internet has been increased from 56
kilobits-per-second (Kbps) to 128 Kbps.

The network has only been operational since May 1990, and its primary
aim is to provide Australian academics with communication links with
their interstate and American counterparts. Many academics have used
the network to continue their work in Australia while accessing
information sources and supercomputing facilities in the United States.
The network allows the transfer of pictures and text, with other users
able to annotate, view and discuss the transferred information in real
time.

Two local users of the network in Australia are Peter Quinn, an
astronomer at the Mount Stromlo Observatory, and Dr Bernard
Pailthorpe. Quinn uses the network to access supercomputer facilities
at CalTech.

When he returned to Australia after nine years in the US, he was
concerned that his ability to continue his research into the
formation and evolution of galaxies would suffer.

"A lot of the machines I was using were overseas and I needed
access to my overseas colleagues. What has happened is that the
research network has allowed me to keep both types of contacts
going very successfully," he said.

Traffic on the system has increased almost three-fold in the last 12
months (approximately 70 gigabytes (GBs) a week within Australia,
compared to 25 GBs 12 months ago). Monthly international traffic
runs at just over 8 GBs a week. File transfers account for the bulk of
this traffic, some 60 percent.

Response times should improve in the near future with fiber optic
cables being laid between Australia and Hawaii. These cables will
cut the amount of time it takes a signal to reach North America from
Australia by a factor of 6-7.

(Sean McNamara/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 CURTIN UNIVERSITY INTROS ELECTRONIC LIBRARY 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00009)

CURTIN UNIVERSITY INTROS ELECTRONIC LIBRARY 06/14/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- The library of Curtin University
has introduced CD-ROM equipment and data to facilitate information
retrieval. The installation of the equipment is part of a move by many
libraries towards 'electronic' libraries, where information retrieval
is much easier and efficient than traditional methods.

The network is based on 21 CD-ROM players, which are accessed via
12 workstations. Information provided includes basic library information
and an on-line full-text periodical databases.

The databases cover the business management, engineering,
education, health sciences, psychology, library and information science,
and Australian social science and education. The databases are
networked to allow users to access all the databases from each of the
12 workstations.

"It is also possible for more than one person to use the same CD-ROM
at the same time, so duplicate copies of popular databases do not have
to be bought," said John Frylinck, Curtin's public services librarian.

According to Frylinck, the CD-ROMs allow searches to be completed
much faster than the previously used printed indexes, and are a more
space-efficient method. The library has increased its holding of
business and management periodicals by 74 percent due to the
introduction of the CD-ROM facilities.

(Sean McNamara/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 SPRINT WAIVES X.400 CHARGES FOR DIGITAL USERS 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

SPRINT WAIVES X.400 CHARGES FOR DIGITAL USERS 06/14/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Sprint has announced
it will waive X.400 charges for three months when companies buy Digital
Equipment X.400 products.

X.400 is a message handling standard for sending electronic mail
between systems, but its acceptance has been held up in part because
carriers have agreed to charge 15 cents per kilocharacter as a
handling fee when passing mail between U.S. online systems.

The deal is only valid when Digital's customers receive X.400 service
via SprintMail, Sprint's electronic messaging service. The program
applies to customers who purchase Digital's Message Router X.400
Gateway, ALL-IN-1 MAIL and DEC X.400 Mail for ULTRIX electronic
messaging products. The program waives regular Sprint X.400
destination charges for electronic messages and will extend through
calendar year 1991.

Charges are only half the battle for X.400, however. Addressing the
'electronic envelope' is a problem which is being addressed by a
standards-setting committee under the banner of X.500. The goal is to
create a common directory for electronic mail systems.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910614/Press Contact: Vince Hovanec, Sprint, 202-
828-7423; Dave Farmer Digital Equipment, 603-884-4467)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 TRANSACTION PROCESSING: ORACLE MOST EXPENSIVE 06/14/91

06/14/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00011)

TRANSACTION PROCESSING: ORACLE MOST EXPENSIVE 06/14/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Digital and Oracle both
have very fast transaction processing systems (for jobs such as airline
ticket purchases), but recently published benchmark tests show that
Sequent offers a much less expensive high capacity system. Unlike
many computer applications, the more transactions performed per unit
time, the more expensive it gets to record each transaction.

TPC-B (Transaction Processing B) benchmark tests conducted by the
Transaction Processing Council and published in the June 3 issue of
InformationWeek, show that Digital Equipment (4xVAX 6000-540
VAXcluster running VAX Rdb/VMS V4.0) and Oracle (4xVAX 6000-560
VAXcluster running Oracle V6.2) are both very powerful, with the
Digital system handling 300 transactions-per-second (tps).

The Oracle system, meanwhile, rates at a whopping 425 tps, but the
two are also by far the most expensive in cost per tps, averaging five
times the cost per transaction of IBM RS/6000 systems using Informix-
Online software operating at up to 64 tps, the magazine concludes.

Accordding to the magazine, while Digital and Oracle systems cost,
respectively, $15 per thousand transactions and Oracle goes well over
$18 per thousand, speed does not require higher per transaction costs
as shown by Sequent Computer System's Symmetry 2000/700 system
running Oracle V6.0.32. The Sequent system clocked in at nearly 320
tps but only costs $7.67 per thousand transactions.

Benchmark results of transaction processing systems are hard to
come by because the 42 members of the council have always
released their own results as and when they deemed it useful. This
time 65 different TPC-A and TPC-B systems were benchmarked and
the results released by the council.

(John McCormick/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NEW FOR PC: Microcom Upgrades Carbon Copy 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00012)

NEW FOR PC: Microcom Upgrades Carbon Copy 06/14/91
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- The
latest release of Microcom's Carbon Copy remote control and file
transfer software supports any number of users on a local area
network (LAN) at no extra cost. Carbon Copy 6.0 is also packaged
in a new way with one box containing the software for two stand-alone
PCs connected over modems.

Not surprisingly, Microcom has also jumped on the Windows 3.0
bandwagon, adding support for the latest version of Microsoft's
windowing system.

Company spokeswoman Sally Winship said that the LAN support
means any number of users on a LAN can use one copy of the
software, and only one modem is needed for the whole network. A
PC on the network can control another PC, either on the network or
connected to it via modem.

The software can also give a remote PC access to the network,
though this requires that the remote PC take over control of an idle
PC on the network, Winship said.

Password and call-back protection, automatic rebooting of the host PC,
keyboard and screen disabling, and controlled access to configuration
settings provide security, the company explained.

Carbon Copy 6.0 works with the Desqview 386 multitasking software and
with the QEMM-386 and 386Max memory managers, Microcom said.

The software is available immediately for US$199. A host-only or
guest-only version can be had for US$119. Users of versions 5.1 and
5.2 can upgrade for US$49 plus shipping and handling.

(Grant Buckler/19910614/Press Contact: Christine Washburn, Microcom,
617-551-1956; Sally Winship, Microcom, 617-551-1958, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Internetwork Monitor For Ethernet 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Internetwork Monitor For Ethernet 06/14/91
MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Concord
Communications has introduced Trakker, a monitoring device for large
Ethernet internetworks. Concord said the device overcomes the
limitations of network monitors and protocol analyzers.

Trakker can monitor an entire internetwork in real time from a central
console. At present it works with Ethernet networks using the TCP/IP,
NFS, DECnet, and LAT protocols, said Robert Massad, manager of
business development. Support for other networks is planned, he
added.

According to Concord Communications, network monitors can show
how much the network is used, but they ca not diagnose higher level
software problems. Protocol analyzers only capture data that
identifies a particular network problem, but not always in real
time, and they require trained analysts to interpret the information.
Trakker analyzes and records all activity on an entire internet all
the time.

The system uses microcomputers built on reduced instruction-set
computing (RISC) technology. These segment monitors are installed
on each LAN segment of the internet. They observe protocol behavior
and report alarms to a central operator console, which is a Sun
Microsystems or compatible SPARC workstation.

The operator console offers an overview of the entire internet,
including color displays highlighting the sources of alarms. From the
console, an operator can access data stored on any single, or
several, monitors to pinpoint malfunctions.

Available immediately, Trakker costs US$18,000 for the console
software, not including the workstation, and US$5,200 for each
segment monitor.

Until August 1, Concord is offering an introductory offer called
Trak/Star. All hardware, software, and service to monitor two
segments of an internet is available for US$19,725.

(Grant Buckler/19910614/Press Contact: Michael Zak, Concord
Communications, 508-460-4646 ext. 111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NEW PRODUCT: Ergo Updates Brick With 486 Chip 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00014)

NEW PRODUCT: Ergo Updates Brick With 486 Chip 06/14/91
PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Aiming
at those who use their computers in two or three places, Ergo
Computing has launched the Moby Brick, a portable computer using
Intel's 80486 microprocessor. The machine uses the same design as
Ergo's earlier Brick PC, which has an 80386SX microprocessor.

About the size of a ream of paper, the Moby Brick core module
contains the processor, disk drives, and VGA graphics adapter. It is
meant to be used with a separate keyboard and monitor kept at each
location where the machine will be used.

The machine is available with either a 20-megahertz 486SX processor
or a 33-megahertz 486DX chip. It weighs 8.7 pounds, and comes with
four megabytes of memory, a 120 MB hard disk drive, and a 3.5-inch
diskette drive. A 2,400-bits-per-second modem is also supplied as
standard. The core module contains one 16-bit, half-length expansion
slot.

Prices for the 486SX model start at US$3,995, without keyboard or
monitor. Prices for the 33-megahertz 486DX model start at US$4,995.

(Grant Buckler/19910612/Press Contact: Tom Spalding, Ergo Computing,
508-535-7510, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 AT&T DEFENDS ACCESS RIGHTS FOR CREDIT CARD USERS 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)

AT&T DEFENDS ACCESS RIGHTS FOR CREDIT CARD USERS 06/14/91
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- AT&T is
pressing the three major U.S. credit report agencies to offer toll-free lines
to consumers who want to dispute what is in their reports. The move
comes just as the three launch a public campaign to discredit attempts
in the U.S. Congress to regulate the industry.

AT&T acted on behalf of its Universal Card division, which has become
a major buyer of credit reports. The combined credit card-calling
card, launched last year with a floating interest rate of 9.8 percent
over the prime rate, now has 6 million customers.

Many of the credit card customers are also AT&T customers for long
distance services and calling cards, and false data in credit reports
could hurt their relationship with the telephone giant. Add in the
additional revenue AT&T could generate from running toll-free lines
for the reporting agencies, and you have a bunch of good reasons for
altruism.

Still, consumer groups who have been ignored or beaten by industry
lobbying over the last few years welcomed AT&T's move.

Equifax is one of the three companies targeted -- the others are TRW
and Trans-Union -- and it has been the most aggressive in trying to
blunt attempts at regulation. Among its recent moves were the
sponsoring of a Harris survey claiming Americans accept the industry's
assault on their privacy, the naming of a vice president for consumer
affairs, Larry Clemente, and the commitment to spend $5 million for
improvements to customer service.

But Equifax was also the company which sought to sell a CD-ROM
database on consumers, Lotus Marketplace, derived from its credit
report files. Spokesman Tina Buckholtz told Newsbytes that decision
will be made soon on offering a toll-free 800 number consumers can
use across the country to request copies of their credit reports.

But its major recent commitment, to take calls questioning reports at
a central location, applies only to those turned down for the AT&T
Universal Card.

"If you've been denied credit from anyone they'll send you a letter of
denial, and you'd call your local office. With AT&T they're giving you
a central office. If you call AT&T instead, they'll go ahead and send
us an electronic message, which will activate the sending of the
report. Any consumer can ask for a copy of their credit report by
calling their local office," said Buckholtz.

L.G. Holstein, who heads the Bankcard Holders of America, a
consumer group dedicated to credit card issues in Herndon, Virginia,
told Newsbytes: "The AT&T situation represents a rebellion by a
major client."

"It's supplemented by intense interest from Congress in passing
legislation to regulate credit practices," he added.

A White House official, Ann Wallace, testified in favor of changes in
the law recently. "They don't go as far as we do, but from our
standpoint they're on the right track," Holstein told Newsbytes.
"They agree that consumers need to look at their credit reports, that
they need to be easier to obtain, and that consumers should have
more say over who is looking at their report and why," he added.

The real problem, Holstein added, is that "the line between credit
bureaus, which are regarded as repositories of highly sensitive
personal information, and marketers has become very blurred. In the
last few years the credit bureaus have become aggressive marketers
of information derived from their credit files. Most people think that as
a minimum consumers ought to have more say over who's looking at
their credit reports and what's being done with that information. And
they shouldn't have to pay increasing fees to get those answers."

Holstein added that while he has talked to AT&T about its recent
moves, those talks do not represent an endorsement or special
favor, as indicated by a 'Wall Street Journal' story on the controversy.

"That story derived from my testimony before the House Banking
Committee, and was based on information that we had been
discussing with AT&T over a period of time. We've been meeting
with them regularly, by phone and in person, for over a year, but it's not
unusual for us to have these conversations." Holstein has also met
recently with representatives of Master Card and Citibank.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910614/Press Contact: L.G. Holstein, Bankcard
Holders of America, 704-481-1110; Equifax, Tina Buckholtz, 404-885-
8000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 QUOTRON, BANKS TO CREATE CURRENCY TRADING SYSTEM 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)

QUOTRON, BANKS TO CREATE CURRENCY TRADING SYSTEM 06/14/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Major U.S. banks
are trying to get more control over the $700,000 million daily market in
currency trading, which is presently dominated by Reuters. Quotron, a
unit of Citicorp, and 12 banks announced plans to develop an
automated currency trading system by the end of 1992.

Reuters' current system offers information on 'bid' and 'asked' prices for
major currencies and is constantly updated, but the system does not
actually trade the currencies. Reuters is working on a system called
Dealing 2000-2, which would offer trading, but its introduction has been
delayed by software problems. Telerate, owned by Dow Jones, is also
developing The Trading System, which would do much the same thing.

Both the Reuters and Telerate systems, however, will identify traders
to one another. Quotron is promising anonymity, which may make it
more attractive to large traders who try to move the market.

Quotron said that prototypes of its system are already being tested by
its 12 bank partners, and that its group will charge by the transaction for
the service rather than per month, as with present information systems.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910614/Press Contact: Roxanne Taylor, Quotron,
213-827-4600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 VU/TEXT ADDS NEW NEWSPAPERS 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

VU/TEXT ADDS NEW NEWSPAPERS 06/14/91
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) --
Exclusivity is slowly becoming a thing of the past as major online data
services add new services which are also offered elsewhere.

Vu/Text, for instance, recenty added 'The Christian Science Monitor'
and 'The Baltimore Sun,' both previously offered only by Data-Times
of Oklahoma City, to its line-up of 71 papers. Vu/Text also added a
full-text database for all its national papers, including the Monitor,
Washington Post, and USA Today, making them all easier to search.

Observers said that the move to non-exclusivity is driven both by
database providers and database owners, and that companies like
Vu/Text will now have to compete more on features like the national
database.

Data-Star, a service of Radio Suisse, also added a non-exclusive
agreement to support Dun's Market Identifiers, which offers data on
companies with revenues of $1 million or more. Previously Data-Star
added 14 European databases from Dun's and the Who Owns Whom
database. Dun's databases are also online with Dialog, which
coincidentally, like Vu/Text, is owned by Knight-Ridder.

Orbit, owned by Maxwell Online, has added Bowker's Supertech
database and the Remote Sensing database from the Canada Centre
for Remote Sensing to its records. And it made some additional search
commands available, including a 'sort' command to search any field in
an Orbit database, and a 'stop hold' command which lets a search
session be retained from up to 45 minutes after disconnecting from Orbit.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910614/Press Contact: Maxwell Online, Wayne
Jackson, 703-442-0900; Data-Star, Patricia Craumer, 215-687-6777;
Vu/Text, Tonia Kimbrough, 800-323-2940x4469)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NEW PRODUCT: Emmasoft Intros New Shareware System 06/14/91

06/14/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00018)

NEW PRODUCT: Emmasoft Intros New Shareware System 06/14/91
LANSING, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Emmasoft has
released Version 2.0 of its Programmer's Super-Maint, a shareware
progrram which creates utilities to keep track of program updates.

Priced at $55, registered users get a printed manual, the latest version
of the software, unlimited tech support, a discount on Shareware
Magazine, and other benefits.

The programs created by Super-Maint are known as 'make utilities.'
They call a compiler to reconstruct only those files that change, saving
development time. Super-Maint lets a program author 'point-and-shoot'
at files wanted in a program. It also builds 'indirect' files for Gimpel's
PC-lint, and 'list files' for Clear Software's Clear+ program.

Improvements to the new version include a new set-up facility, the
addition of Nantucket's Clipper and Aztec's Manx C to the list of
languages the program builds files for, and an improved installation
program. Evaluation copies of the program have been loaded on
online services and the company's own bulletin board. The firm also
is distributing it via shareware disk vendors.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910614/Press Contact: Daniel Veaner, Emmasoft,
607-533-4685)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 OVERSEAS CELLULAR SYSTEMS EXPAND 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

OVERSEAS CELLULAR SYSTEMS EXPAND 06/14/91
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Just nine months
after opening, Hungary's Westel joint-venture cellular system is
expanding.

Westel is owned by the state-owned PTT and US West of the U.S. It
presently has 5,000 customers and will be expanded to serve 20,000
subscribers in the capital of Budapest, as well as other urban areas
and along major highways.

Many countries like Hungary have underdeveloped wireline phone
systems, and cellular systems allow businessmen to get their
messages out quickly. Westel uses Ericsson switches and cell sites.
Ericsson is a Swedish company but makes much of its cellular
equipment in Texas.

Motorola, meanwhile, has been selected by Telcel Celular of Venezuela
as the hardware supplier to that nation's new cellular phone network.
Telcel Celular has a 20 year license to operate a single national
network, and its owners include BellSouth of the U.S., Comtel, Bancor,
and BBS of Venezuela, and Racal of the UK.

The Venezuelan system is an analog system under the AMPS standard,
running at a frequency of 800 MHz, and will begin operation later this year
in Caracas, Marcaibo, Maracay and Valencia.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910614/Press Contact: Harley R. Gleckman, for MTC,
213/552-1555; Kathy Egan, Ericsson 212/685-4030; Mario Salvadori,
Motorola, 708-632-2844)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 OCTEL VOICE MAIL: SE HABLA ESPANOL 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

OCTEL VOICE MAIL: SE HABLA ESPANOL 06/14/91
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Octel has
introduced bilingual Spanish-English voice prompts for its Octel Voice
Information Processing Server and installed base of more than 5,000
systems.

According to the company, the new prompts allow an organization's
employees or outside callers to choose either a Spanish or an English
voice to guide them through the process of leaving a message, sending,
retrieving, or distributing voice mail, and using other applications
such as database transactions and the accessing of information via
fax.

Octel also provides French and bilingual English-French user
interfaces, as well as customized English prompts for British and
Australian dialects. Spanish prompts are priced at $2,000. Spanish-
English bilingual prompts are priced at $3,000.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910614/Press Contact: Octel, John Whitinger,
408/945-3291)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 MCI EXTENDS CALLING PLAN TO CREDIT CARD USERS 06/14/91

06/14/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

MCI EXTENDS CALLING PLAN TO CREDIT CARD USERS 06/14/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- MCI has extended its
Call USA calling plan to customers using credit cards under its
MasterPhone and VisaPhone programs. The move means that card holders
can now use their credit cards to charge calls from 45 countries to
the U.S.

To place a call using MasterPhone or VisaPhone from a foreign country
back to the United States, cardholders simply dial the MCI CALL USA
toll-free access number for the country where they are placing the
call.

Callers are automatically connected to an MCI English-speaking
operator in the United States, to whom they provide the area code and
telephone number they are calling, plus their MasterCard or Visa
account number and a four-digit personal code. About 200 banks are
enrolled in the program, which was started after AT&T began offering
its own Universal Card credit card. Cardholders receive a separate
detailed monthly call report from MCI. There are no enrolment or
monthly service fees.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910614/Press Contact: Debra Shriver, MCI, 703-415-
6904)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 Review of: New Print Shop Companion for PCs 06/14/91

06/14/91

(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00022)

Review of: New Print Shop Companion for PCs 06/14/91

Runs on: IBM-PC, XT, AT,PS-2 or 100 percent compatibles with 512K of
RAM, and a graphics card compatible with its monitor. A hard disk and
640K RAM are required for use with a color printer.

From: Broderbund, 17 Paul Dr., San Raphael, CA 94903-2101,
415-492-3589.

Price: $49.95

PUMA Rating: 4.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378 06/14/91

Summary: If you enjoyed The New Print Shop you will find The New
Print Shop Companion a meaningful extension of services and
companion features.

======

REVIEW

======

The New Print Shop Companion brings us more things to do with The
New Print Shop, NPS. If you don't like the envelopes for which
your present NPS created cards, create your own designer
envelopes. You don't like the choice of graphic, fonts, or
borders offered with NPS? Then create your own with The New Print
Shop Companion. You're tired of your NPS graphics? Create your
own using a popular paint program, then import them to NPS with
The New PrintShop Companions Graphic Importer.

With this companion product small newsletters, flyers, and
reports can be created easily. There are many templates offered,
adding efficiency and versatility to the development process.

However, this is not a fully featured desktop publishing
application. It will allow the importation of ASCII text and
graphics for these documents.

There is a utility called Cataloger which will allow The New
Printshop Companion to catalog graphics, font, borders, and other
designs used with NPS and itself. You can then print this catalog
for easy reference. This means that you don't have to go slowly
through your compatible graphic files looking for the one you
want to use when creating a document.

If you have access to a color printer then all of this can be
done in color.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (4) Well-behaved and as intuitive as is reasonable.
I found the graphics editor a little disappointing, but
considering that the importation from Z-Soft's PC-PaintBrush is
allowed, it was acceptable.

USEFULNESS: (4) If you own The New PrintShop it's well worth the
price and quite useful. If you don't have The New PrintShop, why
bother? This is a fun program to be used in conjunction with The
New PrintShop.

MANUAL: (4) As usual with Broderbund, it is short, well laid out,
and to the point.

AVAILABILITY: (4) It can be ordered from 800-521-6263 or for
UPGRADE information call 800-999-4939. SoftWarehouse has it for
$30.99, and EggHead Software will sell it for $39.99.

(tbass, HNDYPRSN/19910614/Contact: Melissa Peterson 415\492-
3589)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 Review of: Borland's SideKick 2.0 06/14/91

06/14/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00023)

Review of: Borland's SideKick 2.0 06/14/91

Runs on: PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, and 100 percent compatibles with
512K RAM using PC-MS-DOS 2.0 or later, a hard disk with 3 megs
for installation, and a VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules compatible
monochrome monitor. Communication and Address Book take advantage
of 100% Hayes-compatible modems. Network access compatible with
Novell, 3Com, IBM Token Ring-Extended Edition, AT&T Starlan,
Banyan, and any network 100% compatible with DOS 3.1 or later.

From: Borland, 4585 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley CA 95066,
800-331-0877

Price: $99.95

PUMA Rating: 3.75 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary: SideKick 2.0 is a vastly improved network compatible
revision of SideKick which for the price is a must for any
serious computer user.

======

REVIEW

======

SideKick 2.0 is a revision of SideKick combining the best of
SideKick and SideKick Plus with new features and a graphical
presentation. It is also Network-capable. I was a little
surprised that the Outliner and File Manager from SideKick Plus
were not included in this new version. I might add that I was not
particularly disappointed over their exclusion.

When in the background, SK2 takes up a small 40K conventional
memory. This is much smaller than the 75K used by SideKick Plus.
SK2 will, like SideKick Plus, access up to 1008K of LIM 3.2 or
4.0 EMS for improved performance.

The really new features include the network capability, the use
of password security with several features, and the ability to
reconcile appointment calendars. With SK2 installed on the file
server of a network, each terminal can have its own SK2 desktop
configuration file. This is when the passwords become useful for
privacy and security. Appointment Calendars and To-Do List can be
reconciled with like files from a laptop, an outside computer,
or another terminal which means less repetitive typing while
updating appointment calendars.

The appointment calendars can be printed out in several popular
planner formats for inclusion in your hard copy book.

Utilities are provided to allow Appointment Book features from
both SideKick Plus, and SideKick 'classic' to be converted for
use with SideKick 2.0.

Use of Paradox file format by SK2 encourages group sharing and
cross-application compatibility on networks. Multi-user access to
files is accomplished via Borland's proprietary Paradox Engine
technology.

The Address Book and Communication interface has a Rolodex
appearance. It looks like you are actually removing and adding
cards to a loose leaf file book. Both of these features are
easily accessible, and searchable. The Address Book will dial the
phone for your voice calling if your computer has a modem. The
Communication feature will connect your computer with BBSes and
telecomputing services, i.e. GENie, using your modem. SK2 allows
for file upload-download by the popular X-modem, CRC or SUM
style, protocols.

The Notepad feature has been revamped and has become a capable
word-processor. From the "live" ruler at the top, which allows
margin and tab adjustments by either keyboard or mouse to the spell
checker and thesaurus. There is an ASCII table accessible from
within the notepad for including special characters in your text.

The text reformats as you type. Also, there is an UNDO feature to
recapture blocks of data accidentally deleted. Search-and-replace
is easily accessed for the notepad.

There can be up to seven notepad files opened at one time.

SK2's Calculator feature includes the four styles of calculator.
The four calculators are simple, business, scientific, and
programmer's. The simple calculator is -- well -- for simple
mathematical computation. The business calculator performs fairly
complicated financial computing.

Many  of the financial formulas are preprogrammed for use.  For  scientific
computing   numerous  formulas  are  preprogrammed  into   the   scientific
calculator.  And, of course, for the programmers 'in the crowd' there is  a
special calculator set up to give HEX and other types figures. All of these
calculators  have a functional electronic tape read-out which can be  saved
to a file for later use. Of course, numbers from other on-screen files  can
be placed into the calculators as well.

SideKick 2 has a non-resident mode for use with the multitasking
environments such as DESQview 386 and MS-Windows 3. When
initiating the program within one of these environments, you add
the parameter "-G" to the command. For DESQview 386 the SideKick
Plus preset up needs to be modified to look like the Big DOS
window preset up.

I had conflicts arising mostly from interaction between the
resident, Terminate Stay Resident, mode and graphical programs. I
noticed this when an alarm message from my appointment calendar
came up while I was working with Xerox's Ventura Professional. I
also tried out Z-Soft's PC-PaintBrush IV Plus and had the same
reaction.

When SK2 was activated over the graphical-based programs it
corrupted the screen for the original program into an unusable
mess. This can kill a lot time if it happens while performing
meaningful work.

I understand that there are and will be more international
versions.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (3) SideKick 2 has been well behaved under most
circumstances, except for the conflicts with graphical packages.
It is definitely feature-packed.

USEFULNESS: (4) This program, like its predecessor, is extremely
useful when pulling up tools for quick notes, moving around data
from application to application, quick fixes, quick number
crunching on the fly, dialing numbers, or connecting to BBSes.
Sidekick Plus's price is reasonable for the convenience.

MANUAL: (4) The manual for SideKick 2 is smaller than the manual
for SideKick Plus, but more than ample and clear.

AVAILABILITY: (4) It can be located easily at retailers. In fact,
SoftWarehouse carries it for $64.99 and EggHead Software $62.99.
The Borland order number is 800-331-0877 and they accept VISA,
MasterCharge, and AmericanExpress charge cards. The technical
assistance number is 408-438-5300.

(tbassHNDYPRSN/19910614/Press Contact: Sandra Hawker 408-438-
8400, or MCI mail)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 MOSCOW: FALL UNIX EVENTS ANNOUNCED 06/14/91

06/14/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(MOW)(00024)

MOSCOW: FALL UNIX EVENTS ANNOUNCED 06/14/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- The Soviet Unix User's Group has
announced it will host its annual convention from September 23 to 28
in the Hotel Klyazma in Vladimir, Russia.

A parallel Unix applications workshop is scheduled to take place at
the Moscow-based MCNTI institute from November 25 to 28, 1991.

According to the show organizers, both events will feature a number of
specially-invited Western speakers, as well as Soviet speakers, all of
whom will concentrate on speaking about networking and applications
software development in the Unix environment.

Further information on admission details for both events can be
obtained from Mr Brusilovsky of MCNTI, phone [phone].

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14  ****TOSHIBA; MOTOROLA POSTPONE CHIP PLANT IN EUROPE 06/14/91

06/14/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00025)

 ****TOSHIBA; MOTOROLA POSTPONE CHIP PLANT IN EUROPE 06/14/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUNE 14 (NB) -- Toshiba and Motorola have shelved
indefinitely their joint plans to build a semiconductor manufacturing
facility in Europe due to the costs of the project.

According to Japanese press sources, the facility's production costs
have risen sharply since the project was first announced. As a result,
the overall production cost of chips would be around 20 per cent
higher than locally-produced chips in Japan.

Both Toshiba and Motorola have been jointly producing dynamic random
access memory (DRAM) chips at their joint venture facility known as
the Tohoku Semiconductor plant in Northern Japan. Products produced at
the plant include versions of Motorola's 68000 microprocessor.

Until the project was shelved, both companies were planning to locate
their new facility in either England or Germany. The primary reason
for locating the new plant in either of the two countries was to
counter alleged trade imbalances between Japan and England or Germany.

According to Japanese press sources, both companies would have had to
import most of the facilities and materials from Japan, hence the
higher than projected costs.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14  ****JUDGE "INCLINED" TO DISALLOW APPLE FRAUD CLAIM 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00026)

 ****JUDGE "INCLINED" TO DISALLOW APPLE FRAUD CLAIM 06/14/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 14 (NB) -- The judge
hearing the Apple Computer, Inc. copyright suit against Microsoft
Corporation and Hewlett-Packard, has been quoted as saying that he was
"inclined not to allow Apple Computer Inc. to accuse Microsoft Corp.
of fraud" in its obtaining of a licensing agreement from Apple in
1985.

Although U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker was quoted as calling the
fraud issue a "sideshow" and saying that it was "pretty outlandish
that Apple discovered this fraud (claim) at this late date," three
years after filing a lawsuit against the software company, he deferred
a decision on this claim and others by Apple to enlarge the suit. The
judge is expected to issue a written decision on these issues prior to
the next hearing which is scheduled for July 8.

The judges comment of "this late date" refers to Apple's filing of
papers in May 1991 - so attempting to expand the suit to include
claims that Microsoft had used fraud and coercion in connection with
the licensing agreement, and that the agreement should be cancelled.
Apple claims under the initial 1988 filing had held that Microsoft had
exceeded its rights under the licensing agreement; they did not claim
that the agreement itself was invalid.

Vaughn rejected a counter-claim from Hewlett-Packard that Apple is
using the copyright infringement case as a method of intimidation of
competitors and should therefore be dismissed. Hewlett-Packard had
previously entered this claim and was now asking the judge to
reconsider his previous ruling rejecting the claim.

The judge also put off a ruling on an Apple move to expand the case to
include Microsoft's Windows 3.0 and Hewlett-Packard's NewWave 3 as
products also said to violate Apple's copyright rights related to the
"look and feel" of the Macintosh.

Apple spokesperson Christopher Escher told Newsbytes that: "we are
pleased with the judge's ruling on the Hewlett-Packard claim and we
await his ruling on our two motions."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910614)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14  ****TANDY CORP TO OPEN COMPUTER SUPERCENTERS 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00027)

 ****TANDY CORP TO OPEN COMPUTER SUPERCENTERS 06/14/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- Tandy Corporation has
announced that it will open a new nationwide chain of computer
supercenters, selling IBM, Apple, Compaq and Tandy brand machines at
what the company described as `low' prices.

The chain will be called Computer City, and will also provide repair
service and training, according to Tandy chairman John Roach. Roach
said that the brands the stores will sell are those which "until now
have been under-represented in existing Supercenters." Each facility
will have about 20,000 square feet of selling area, a service facility
and warehouse space.

The company said it will open as many as six supercenters in 1991,
with the first one located in Garden Grove, California, about 40 miles
south-east of Los Angeles. Other possible locations were not disclosed
but Tandy marketing VP Lowell Duncan told Newsbytes that negotiations
are in progress to acquire the other sites.

In addition to the supercenters, Tandy said it will open satellite
stores in each market. The satellites will carry most of the products
sold in a supercenter, and will use a `just-in-time' delivery system,
receiving product from the area supercenter. The stores will also
carry software, peripherals, accessories and supplies, as well as
personal office equipment, and will provide training.

The Los Angeles supercenter will be acquired from an affiliate of
Inacomp Computer Centers. Tandy and Inacomp will enter into a
consulting agreement, with Inacomp having the option to acquire a
minority interest in the Tandy subsidiary operating the supercenters.

Responding to a Newsbytes query about possible conflict between the
Radio Shack Computer Centers and the Supercenters, Duncan said that
each serves a different type customer. Duncan says the Radio Shack
Centers focus is to reach the business community with their outbound
sales force, while the supercenters will be selling to the walk-in
market.

Duncan said he feels that the buyer profile is changing, with buyers
now being more knowledgeable about computers. "People have changed
their buying habits", he said. "Computers will be very commonplace,
and people will buy them like VCR's."

Duncan added that the warehouse superstore concept has been
phenomenally successful. "We have seen that it is coming to the
computer sales area as well, and we are very well positioned, and want
to be the leader in that marketplace."

Asked about how the supercenters might affect the future of the Radio
Shack Computer Centers, Duncan said that the company will continue to
sell and support Tandy computers through the Radio Shack stores.
However, he said the market place would dictate what happened. Duncan,
saying one of Tandy's strengths was their ability to adapt to the
market place, declined to categorically state that the Radio Shack
stores function wouldn't eventually be replaced by the supercenters.

(Jim Mallory/19910614/Press Contact:Lowell Duncan, Tandy marketing VP,
817-390-3937)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 3COM AND NOVELL TEAM UP FOR ASIAN ROADSHOW 06/14/91

06/14/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00028)

3COM AND NOVELL TEAM UP FOR ASIAN ROADSHOW 06/14/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 14 (NB) -- 3Com and Novell are joining
forces to stage six seminars this month in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and
Hong Kong.

Regional chiefs William Messer of 3Com and Andrew Lai of Novell will
lead the seminar teams, with help from country managers and
distributors in each location. Also taking part in Singapore and Kuala
Lumpur will be Ron Sege, 3Com's vice president for customer support.

"We want to demonstrate to customers that 3Com and Novell are active
business partners, not competitors," said Messer. "3Com has an
extensive line of networking and internetworking hardware components
that are certified to be compatible with the Netware operating
system."

In Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, 3Com and Novell will stage morning
seminars for dealers that will introduce the two companies and their
complementary product lines, as well as discuss sales and marketing
strategies for networks, they said.

The afternoons are for end-users and will include case studies of
successful network installations in the region. Users will also have a
chance to try out a sample network, with Netware running over a 3Com
3Server/500 dedicated file server, a Multiconnect multiport repeater
and several 3Com network interface cards.

In Hong Kong, each session will address both dealer and end-users as
part of Connectivity Seminar '91, a network event being organised by
Jardine Network Systems, which distributes products from both vendors.

"Despite the fact that we have been growing at a year-on-year rate of
more than 50 percent, it is clear that there is still a vast untapped
market for networks in the Asian region," said Lai.

(Norman Wingrove/19910614/Press Contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com, Tel +
852 529 0356, Fax + 852 537 1149; HK time is GMT + 8; 15th -18th June
is a public holiday in Hong Kong)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 NANTUCKET CLIPPER DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE IN PALM SPRINGS 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)

NANTUCKET CLIPPER DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE IN PALM SPRINGS 06/14/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 14 (NB) -- Nantucket,
developers of Clipper, a Dbase compiler, has announced its annual
developers conference will be held at the Marriott Desert Springs
Resort in Palm Desert, California beginning Sunday, June 16 through
Wednesday, June 18..

This year's event is expected to feature new announcements on the part
of Nantucket and other vendors in attendance, Nantucket said. Sunday
features a conference exhibition from 11 am to 7 pm, with over 35
vendors exhibiting over 40 technical seminars focused on software
development. Admission to the exhibition on Sunday only is $10.00 per
person, and no pre-registration is required.

The conference features technical seminars on software development,
and Clipper 5.0 is expected to be the point of focus, said the
company. Admission to the conference is $795, and information is
available from Miller Communications at [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910614/Press Contact: Erica Olson, Miller
Communications, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 14 WELLMARK OBTAINS NY STATE HEALTHCARE CONTRACT 06/14/91

06/14/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00030)

WELLMARK OBTAINS NY STATE HEALTHCARE CONTRACT 06/14/91
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 14 (NB) -- Primark Corporation has
announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Wellmark Incorporated of
Westlake Village, Calif., has been informed by the Department of
Health, State of New York, that it has been chosen as a vendor of
healthcare claims clearing services in the new New York State Single
Payer Demonstration Project.

The Single Payer Demonstration Project is a New York Department of
Health program aimed at increasing administrative efficiency in the
processing of third-party insurance claims for New York healthcare
providers.

Wellmark, working with AT&T, will be required to initially install its
electronic healthcare claim clearing system, Well-Net, in at least 10
New York hospitals comprising over 3,000 beds and in other healthcare
facilities in the state. The Department of Health plans to award
contracts to Wellmark and to one other vendor, subject to the
successful negotiation of appropriate contracts.

The Well-Net system, to be installed in the New York State facilities
participating in the Demonstration Project, is a two-way interactive,
real time information network which allows the electronic exchange of
financial and clinical information among medical care providers,
insurance carriers, major employers and the government.

Catherine Savage, Primark spokesperson told Newsbytes that this
contract, which should be worth in excess of $1.5 million per year, is
Wellmark's first major contract outside of the state of California.
She added that Wellmark was acquired by Primark in 1989.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910614/Press Contact:
Catherine L. Savage, Primark Corporation, 703-790-7608/19910614)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 13 Review of: SideKick 2.0, 06/13/91

06/13/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00001)

Review of: SideKick 2.0, 06/13/91

Runs on: PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, AND 100% compatibles with 512K RAM
using PC-MS-DOS 2.0 or later, a hard disk with 3 megs for
installation, and a VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules compatible
monochrome monitor. Communication and Address Book take advantage
of 100% Hayes-compatible modems. Network access compatible with
Novell, 3Com, IBM Token Ring-Extended Edition, AT&T Starlan,
Banyan, and any network 100% compatible with DOS 3.1 or later.

From: Borland, 4585 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley  CA 95066,
800-331-0877

Price: $99.95

PUMA Rating: 3.75 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass  HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary:  SideKick 2.0 is a vastly improved network compatible
revision of SideKick which for the price is a must for any
serious computer user.

======

REVIEW

======

SideKick 2.0 is a revision of SideKick combining the best of
SideKick and SideKick Plus with new features and a graphical
presentation. It is also Network-capable. I was a little
surprised that the Outliner and File Manager from SideKick Plus
were not included in this new version. I might add that I was not
particularly disappointed over their exclusion.

When in the background, SK2 takes up a small 40K conventional
memory. This is much smaller than the 75K used by SideKick Plus.
SK2 will, like SideKick Plus, access up to 1008K of LIM 3.2 or
4.0 EMS for improved performance.

The really new features include the network capability, the use
of password security with several features, and the ability to
reconcile appointment calendars. With SK2 installed on the file
server of a network, each terminal can have its own SK2 desktop
configuration file. This is when the passwords become useful for
privacy and security. Appointment Calendars and To-Do List can be
reconciled with like files from a laptop, an outside computer,
or another terminal which means less repetitive typing while
updating appointment calendars.

The appointment calendars can be printed out in several popular
planner formats for inclusion in your hard copy book.

Utilities are provided to allow Appointment Book features from
both SideKick Plus, and SideKick 'classic' to be converted for
use with SideKick 2.0.

Use of Paradox file format by SK2 encourages group sharing and
cross-application compatibility on networks. Multiuser access to
files is accomplished via Borland's proprietary Paradox Engine
technology.

The Address Book and Communication interface has a Rolodex
appearance. It looks like you are actually removing and adding
cards to a loose leaf file book. Both of these features are
easily accessible, and searchable. The Address Book will dial the
phone for your voice calling if your computer has a modem. The
Communication feature will connect your computer with BBSes and
telecomputing services, i.e. GENie, using your modem. SK2 allows
for file upload-download by the popular X-modem, CRC or SUM
style, protocols.

The Notepad feature has been revamped and has become a capable
word-processor. From the "live" ruler at the top, which allows
margin and tab adjustments by either keyboard or mouse to the spell
checker and thesaurus. There is an ASCII table accessible from
within the notepad for including special characters in your text.
The text reformats as you type. Also, there is an UNDO feature to
recapture blocks of data accidentally deleted. Search-and-replace
is easily accessed for the notepad.

There can be up to seven notepad files opened at one time.

SK2's Calculator feature includes the four styles of calculator.
The four calculators are simple, business, scientific, and
programmer's. The simple calculator is -- well -- for simple
mathematical computation. The business calculator performs fairly
complicated financial computing. Many of the financial formulas
are preprogramed for use. For scientific computing numerous
formulas are preprogramed into the scientific calculator. And, of
course, for the programmers 'in the crowd' there is a special
calculator set up to give HEX and other types figures. All of
these calculators have a functional electronic tape read-out which
can be saved to a file for later use. Of course, numbers from
other on-screen files can be placed into the calculators as well.

SideKick 2 has a non-resident mode for use with the multitasking
environments such as DESQview 386 and MS-Windows 3. When
initiating the program within one of these environments, you add
the parameter "-G" to the command. For DESQview 386 the SideKick
Plus preset up needs to be modified to look like the Big DOS
window preset up.

I had conflicts arising mostly from interaction between the
resident, Terminate Stay Resident, mode and graphical programs. I
noticed this when an alarm message from my appointment calendar
came up while I was working with Xerox's Ventura Professional. I
also tried out Z-Soft's PC-PaintBrush IV Plus and had the same
reaction. When SK2 was activated over the graphical-based
programs it corrupted the screen for the original program into an
unusable mess. This can kill a lot time if it happens while
performing meaningful work.

I understand that there are and will be more international
versions.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (3) SideKick 2 has been well behaved under most
circumstances, except for the conflicts with graphical packages.
It is definitely feature-packed.

USEFULNESS: (4) This program, like its predecessor, is extremely
useful when pulling up tools for quick notes, moving around data
from application to application, quick fixes, quick number
crunching on the fly, dialing numbers, or connecting to BBSes.
Sidekick Plus's price is reasonable for the convenience.

MANUAL: (4) The manual for SideKick 2 is smaller than the manual
for SideKick Plus, but more than ample and clear.

AVAILABILITY: (4) It can be located easily at retailers. In fact,
SoftWarehouse carries it for $64.99 and EggHead Software $62.99.
The Borland order number is 800-331-0877 and they accept VISA,
MasterCharge, and AmericanExpress charge cards. The technical
assistance number is 408-438-5300.

(tbass, HNDYPRSN-19910327-Press Contact:Sandra Hawker 408-438-
8400, or MCI mail)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUN 13 Review of: New Print Shop Companion, 06/13/91, for PCs

06/13/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00001)

Review of: New Print Shop Companion, 06/13/91, for PCs

Runs on: IBM-PC, XT, AT,PS-2 or 100% compatibles with 512K RAM,
and a graphics card compatible with its monitor. A hard disk and
640K RAM are required for use with a color printer.

From: Broderbund, 17 Paul Dr., San Raphael, CA 94903-2101,
415-492-3589.

Price: $49.95

PUMA Rating: 4.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378 06/13/91

Summary: If you enjoyed The New Print Shop you will find The New
Print Shop Companion a meaningful extension of services and
companion features.

======

REVIEW

======

The New Print Shop Companion brings us more things to do with The
New Print Shop, NPS. If you don't like the envelopes for which
your present NPS created cards, create your own designer
envelopes. You don't like the choice of graphic, fonts, or
borders offered with NPS? Then create your own with The New Print
Shop Companion. You're tired of your NPS graphics? Create your
own using a popular paint program, then import them to NPS with
The New PrintShop Companions Graphic Importer.

With this companion product small newsletters, flyers, and
reports can be created easily. There are many templates offered,
adding efficiency and versatility to the development process.
However, this is not a fully featured desktop publishing
application. It will allow the importation of ASCII text and
graphics for these documents.

There is a utility called Cataloger which will allow The New
Printshop Companion to catalog graphics, font, borders, and other
designs used with NPS and itself. You can then print this catalog
for easy reference. This mean that you don't have to go slowly
through your compatible graphic files looking for the one you
want to use when creating a document.

If you have access to a color printer then all of this can be
done in color.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (4) Well-behaved and as intuitive as is reasonable.
I found the graphics editor a little disappointing, but
considering that the importation from Z-Soft's PC-PaintBrush is
allowed, it was acceptable.

USEFULNESS: (4) If you own The New PrintShop it's well worth the
price and quite useful. If you don't have The New PrintShop,
why bother? This is a fun program to be used in
conjunction with The New PrintShop.

MANUAL: (4) As usual with Broderbund, it is short, well laid out,
and to the point.

AVAILABILITY: (4) It can be ordered from 800-521-6263 or for
UPGRADE information call 800-999-4939. SoftWarehouse has it for
$30.99, and EggHead Software will sell it for $39.99.

(tbass, HNDYPRSN/19910323/Contact: Melissa Peterson 415\492-
3589)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 13 NEW FOR UNIX: Lotus 1-2-3 For Sun SPARC Systems 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(NYC)(00001)

NEW FOR UNIX: Lotus 1-2-3 For Sun SPARC Systems 06/13/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) --
Lotus will ship in 30 days Lotus 1-2-3 for Sun SPARC Systems
version 1.1, $695, an upgrade which the company says integrates
Lotus' C Add-in Toolkit directly into the product.

This new version also supports X Windows and Lotus Realtime, a
sophisticated technology that feeds real-time financial data
directly into 1-2-3. Lotus Realtime is intended to enable
financial traders, portfolio managers and analysts in
investment and commercial banks, brokerage houses, and
money management firms to use real-time data in a
spreadsheet environment when making investment decisions.

Lotus Realtime, also available in 30 days for a price of
$1,600, can be purchased from Lotus Realtime Business
Partner Resellers. The resellers include EJV Partners,
L.P., ERI, FD Consulting, Inc., Fusion Systems Group, Ltd.,
FXD/Telerate Systems Incorporated, Market Vision Corporation,
Micrognosis, Quotron Systems, Inc., Reuters Information
Services, Inc., Spreadsheet Solutions, Co. and Teknekron
Software Systems, Inc. Realtime Toolkits which allow the
developing of feed servers are available directly from Lotus for
$25,000 and can be used to write an unlimited number of feed
servers.

Commenting on its use of Lotus Realtime, Dennis Rohan, the
chief executive officer of FXD/Telerate, said, "Lotus Realtime
will be a fully integrated part of FXD/Telerate's trading room
product line. This will be a high-performance, real-time
spreadsheet that displays quotes immediately without any
recalculation or other user interaction. Lotus will also allow the
addition of FXD/Telerate proprietary functions and other third-
party, add-in functions covering various financial markets."

Another Lotus Realtime Business Partner, Teknekron Software
Systems Inc., as part of the Lotus introduction, demonstrated
Realtime on its Teknekron Trader Workstation system. The
firm's president, Vivek Ranadive, was quoted as saying, "This is
not just an enhancement to a spreadsheet. This is a powerful
generic tool." Teknekron will funnel the "river of
information, carrying live data to update portfolios," he added
"Lotus is the first company to embrace event-driven
computing." Ranadive predicted that Lotus could sell a few
hundred thousand of the systems in three years

Gerald Mintz, senior sales and marketing executive for EJV
Partners, a joint venture among affiliates of Citibank, First
Boston Corp., Goldman Sachs & Co., Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc.,
Salomon Brothers Inc. and Shearson Lehman Brothers,
enthusiastically endorsed the Lotus combination, saying,
"Lotus did what we needed, real-time spreadsheet control in
the hands of people who make the decisions on making money
and handling portfolios. The Lotus product will provide EJV
users with significant advantages including speed, flexibility
and creative capabilities."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Patty Conley,
The Weber Group (for Lotus), 617-661-7900; Whitney Greer, Sun
Microsystems, Inc., 415-336-0598; Amelia Ross, Telerate Inc., 201-
309-4603; Kathleen Farmer, Teknekron Software Systems Inc., 415-
325-1025 /19910613)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 MS-DOS 5.0 DISCOUNTS FOR LARGE SITES 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)

MS-DOS 5.0 DISCOUNTS FOR LARGE SITES 06/13/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced that it will offer significant discounts for large
sites that want to upgrade all of their DOS based PCs to Version
5.

Titled the MS-DOS 5 upgrade 100% Program, companies will be able
to upgrade to Version 5 for as low as $37 per PC. The suggested
list price for single user upgrades is $99.95, or $79.95 for the
Microsoft License Pak.

An additional benefit of the new program is that the customer
will not have to have multiple licenses on hand, or multiple
copies the documentation which would come with single copy
upgrade packages.

To qualify for the program, user companies must have at least 100
DOS based PCs at one or more locations, and must upgrade all of
their DOS-based PCs. Once the company signs the 100% Program
agreement, they receive a single license to install the upgrades
on any number of machines.

The per-machine price for the 100% program is determined by the
number of DOS-based machines in the company. For less than 1000
PCs, the cost is $59 per machine. Users with 100 but less than
5000 machines can upgrade for $44 each, while companies with 5000
or more PCs will pay the $37 fee.

For smaller companies which can't meet the 100 minimum, or who for
some reason don't want to upgrade all of their machines, an
optional discount plan is available. Microsoft offers the
License Pak, which provides an upgrade package for $79.95 per
machine. Additional copies of documentation are available for
$20 each if the customer upgrades via the 100% program or the
License Pak.

DOS users can obtain the name of the nearest 100% program
reseller by calling 800-992-3675(DOS5).

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact: Microsoft, Liz Sidnam,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 COMPAQ JOINS CLEAN AIR EFFORT 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

COMPAQ JOINS CLEAN AIR EFFORT 06/13/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has joined other major manufacturers such as Kodak,
Fuji, Intel, IBM, Sun and Apple in helping to save the
environment. Compaq has announced that it will eliminate the use
of chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs) in the manufacture of the personal
computer products.

Like many other circuit board manufacturers, Compaq has used CFC
solvents to clean residues from the printed circuit board
assemblies after electronic components have been soldered on.
Companies say that if the residue is not removed, it could
eventually degrade performance and reliability of the boards.

The new process uses materials which are non-corrosive and do not
have to be removed from the boards. A Compaq spokesperson says
the company has conducted extensive testing of the new
procedures. He said Compaq is willing to share information on
their "no-clean" process with other companies.

CFCs are used by many industries in a wide range of processes,
from refrigeration and air conditioning to cleaning solvents.
They have been popular because they are non-toxic to humans,
non-flammable and extremely stable. However, in recent years
CFSs have come under attack by many scientists, who believe they
contribute to depletion of the ozone depletion in the upper
atmosphere.

The computer industry is also concerned about toxic waste
products in software packaging. They recently founded the
Software Manufacturers Association (SMA) to focus on the need for
more environmentally conscious software packaging. Dave Kinser,
Claris Corporation VP of operations and finance, heads SMA.
Kinser recently told reporters, "We want to work with vendors that
supply environmentally safe raw materials - alternatives to foam
and plastics - and to make that list available to software
developers."

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact: John Sweney, Compaq,
713-374-0484)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 WALL STREET USES WINDOWS WITH REAL TIME DATA 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)

WALL STREET USES WINDOWS WITH REAL TIME DATA 06/13/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Microsoft says
that Wall street equities traders, investment bankers and
portfolio managers are using the Microsoft Windows graphical
environment to work interactively with the real time data that
is the basis of financial decision making.

According to Microsoft, the financiers are discovering that the
Windows platform and spreadsheets such as Excel will allow them
to integrate disparate data onto a single PC. The traders use
live market feeds from Dow Jones or Reuters to prepare customized
reports for decision analysis.

Wall Street firms receive a mass of financial data from many
different sources, often in raw data form. Using the Windows
environment and a powerful desktop PC, the data can be
integrated, compiled and manipulated, then presented in an easy
to understand and accessible form. Using Excel, for example
would allow the trader to prepare graphs comparing various issues
and the changes in price to quickly analyze trends.

Similar analysis can be done by individuals who have access to
such electronic news and stock quote delivery services as GEnie.
Once the data is captured, a spreadsheet can be used to
manipulate it and display trends.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact:Microsoft, Cathy Licht,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 DATAMAP FINALIZES GEOGRAPHIC INSURANCE UNDERWRITING DEAL 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00005)

DATAMAP FINALIZES GEOGRAPHIC INSURANCE UNDERWRITING DEAL 06/13/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- DataMap,Inc.,
has announced that it has executed an agreement with two other
companies implementing a pilot program in Florida to provide
property and casualty insurance carriers with geographic
information on which insurance rates could be based.

The other two firms signing the agreement are ISO Commercial Risk
Services (CRS) and ISO Telecommunications (ISOTEL). Each company
is responsible for its own expenses during the pilot project.
DataMap will receive 50 percent of revenues from the Geographic
Underwriting System (GUS). The agreement defines the scope of
the pilot program, identifies a management committee to oversee
GUS, and includes provisions for program evaluation and
territorial expansion of the test market area.

GUS is a computer-based insurance underwriting information system
which will initially provide property and casualty insurance
companies with information about crime, wind, auto and public
protection, and up to 30 different data variables on-line for a
selected address location. The program is designed to increase
underwriting productivity and accuracy through improved
information, lower processing cost, and improved service to
property and casualty companies by providing near instantaneous
data.

CRS will provide insurance underwriting information, updates,
quality control and field acceptance testing. ISOTEL will
distribute GUS services to insurance services offices (ISOs)
participating members over its communications network, as well as
develop, maintain and upgrade the GUS user interface and
establish and maintain network operations and facilities. ISOTEL
is also responsible for billing and customer service.

In response to a Newsbytes query, Gary Mertz of DataMap said that
it was too early yet to determine whether any cost savings would
be available to pass along to policy holders. Mertz said that
they the amount of savings, if any, had yet to be determined.
The program is still in its initial testing period.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact:DataMap, Gary Mertz or Allen
Witters, 6112-934-0900)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 BANYAN USER GROUP LAUNCHED IN JAPAN 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00006)

BANYAN USER GROUP LAUNCHED IN JAPAN 06/13/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- The first Japanese Banyan
user group has just been formed. U.S.-based Banyan's
Vines is one of the major network operating systems and a
large-scale local area network can be created with the Vines.
The user group formation means Banyan could be getting a foot
into the door of Japan, a lucrative market for local area networks.

The Banyan user group in Japan expects to advise Banyan on
improvements needed to the software. The group's representative
Bryce Hendrickson says they will also urge Banyan to make a
Japanese version of Vines. Currently, most group members are
using IBM PCs or the AX machines -- Japanese IBM PC-compatibles.
The group is expected to recommend that an NEC version of
the system be created.

Some 45 people from 20 firms have gathered for the first meeting.
Most of them are working for affiliates of U.S. and European firms.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910610/Press Contact: Bryce Hendrickson, c/o
Warner Music Japan, [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 NEW FOR IBM: Picture Packer Image Compression 06/13/91

06/13/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00007)

NEW FOR IBM: Picture Packer Image Compression 06/13/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Video and Image
Compression Corporation (VIC) has announced Picture Packer, the image
compression software and accelerator card for the IBM personal
computer (PC) market.

Storage space is at a premium with color image files, as storing a
one-page color image requires 2,400 times more disk space than
storing a one-page letter, according to VIC. The uncompressed
one-page color image, at 300 dots-per-inch (dpi) with 24-bit
color could take up to 5 megabytes (MB) of storage space, but
Picture Packer would reduce this same image down to 170 kilobytes
(KB) with its 30-to-1 compression ratio, the company said.

Picture Packer compresses full color and gray-scale images using the
JPEG implementation standards with 30-to-1 lossy compression rates,
and 5-to-1 no loss compression, the company said. It works with Targa,
TIFF, PCX and GIF file formats, so it is compatible with existing
desktop publishing, word processing, presentation, and animation
programs, VIC said. It is also memory resident, and can be activated
from an application to read a compressed file.

Picture Packer is either software, or a half-size accelerator board
that fits into the PC and produces compression at up to five times the
speed of the software, VIC said. The software is $79, the board is
$595. Decompression software is also available through shareware
channels and on Compuserve, so other users can decompress images files
compressed with Picture Packer.

Picture Packer is available through VIC, 21311 Hawthorne Blvd,
Torrance, CA, 90503-5602, [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910610/Press Contact: Video Image Compression, Tel:
800/472-1888, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 MOSCOW: FINANCIAL REFORMS HURT COMPUTER BUSINESS 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00008)

MOSCOW: FINANCIAL REFORMS HURT COMPUTER BUSINESS 06/13/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Last week's changes in
the financial policy of the Soviet government brought computer
prices up and slowed sales. Newly enacted legislation calls for
companies to stop engaging in any business which leads to real
conversion from local roubles to hard currency.

According to several computer resellers, the market promptly
reacted by raising the prices of Western-imported computers
and peripherals by 20-25 percent. Dealers worry they will be
forced out of business should new methods of currency
conversion not be found.

Representatives of Hewlett-Packard Moscow told Newsbytes that
they were forced to stop most of their sales due to this money
ruling.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910610)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 COMPUTER SHOPPER AVAILABLE IN SOVIET UNION 06/13/91

06/13/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00009)

COMPUTER SHOPPER AVAILABLE IN SOVIET UNION 06/13/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Computer Shopper monthly
news magazine is available to Soviet subscribers. Subscriptions
are being handled and copies distributed by the Tver, Russia-based
Centrprogrammsystem company.

Unlike in the United States, where the magazine is both big
and cheap, the Soviets will pay a small fortune for it. Half a year's
subscription costs 1800 roubles ($50 by the market rate) while
the magazine's articles translated into Russian mailed on a
floppy along with the copy costs an additional 600 roubles ($17).

According to CentrProgrammsystem representatives, the work will be
done according to an agreement signed between the company and the
magazine's publisher.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910610/Press contact: CentrProgrammsystem,
phone [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 FIRST SOVIET MICROSOFT DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE 06/13/91

06/13/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00010)

FIRST SOVIET MICROSOFT DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE 06/13/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Microsoft announced its first
Soviet Developers conference will be held on June 29th and 30th
in the Central Tourist House in Moscow.

Speakers will include three software experts from Microsoft's
French and German offices as well as local Windows programmers.
According to the company, the conference is aimed at independent
software developers and software vendors in the U.S.S.R.

A new character set for Eastern Europe and the U.S.S.R., known as
ANSI Cyrillics, will be presented at the show.

The registration deadline is June 17th. For more details call Mr
Dimitry Kartsev in Moscow, phone [phone]; fax +7 095
388-5981.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 TOKYO WINDOWS EXPO SLATED 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00011)

TOKYO WINDOWS EXPO SLATED 06/13/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- International Data Group
(IDG) will hold its first exposition on Windows 3.0 in Japan in
December. It is expected to be well-attended due to the huge
popularity of this graphical environment in Japan.

The exposition is called "PC Windows World Expo/ Tokyo" and it
will be held at Makuhari-Messe between December 19 and 21.
Hundreds of Window-related products will be shown at this
modern and huge convention center. About 200 firms are expected
to exhibit at the show. The products will include personal
computers, Japanese and English-language application programs, and
books and magazines. High-resolution displays and handwriting
input systems will also be shown.

The exposition is cosponsored by World-Expo Corporation, Nippon
Kogyo newspaper, and Fuji TV network.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910612/Press Contact: Expo committee,
c/o Nippon Kogyo newspaper, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 JAPAN: NTT LAYING PHONE CABLE CAPABLE OF TV TRANSMISSION 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00012)

JAPAN: NTT LAYING PHONE CABLE CAPABLE OF TV TRANSMISSION 06/13/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- NTT says it will lay out
powerful optical fiber cables which can be shared for telephone
lines and cable televisions (CATV). The cable can also be used for
high definition TVs.

NTT's new fiber cable has an amazingly large circuit capacity.
A single optical fiber cable can transmit the broadcast programs
from a maximum of 5,000 to 6,000 TV channels simultaneously. It
will take at several years for NTT to complete the installation of
these optical fiber cables. But the new fiber cables are
expected to encourage CATV broadcasting, which is just getting
started in Japan.

NTT wants to use these optical fiber cables primarily for TV
phones. NTT has already developed low-cost TV phones for the
consumer market. The firm has linked with Mitsubishi Electric
-- Mitsubishi is manufacturing the TV phones and both firms
are selling the TV phones. NTT has also developed a three-
dimensional liquid crystal display for TV phones.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910612/Press Contact: NTT, [phone]
Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 3-D COMPUTER GRAPHICS SOFTWARE DEBUT FROM SONY 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00013)

3-D COMPUTER GRAPHICS SOFTWARE DEBUT FROM SONY 06/13/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Sony has signed an agreement
with California-based Wave Front Technologies, Ricoh,
and CSK, concerning three-dimensional computer graphics software.

In the agreement, Wave Front Technologies will supply Sony with
computer graphics software called "Personal Visualizer (TPV)."
Ricoh will provide Sony with a 3-dimensional CAD (computer-
aided design) program dubbed "Design Base Jr." Ricoh and CSK
hold equity positions in Wave Front Technologies.

Sony will bundle these programs with the company's latest
three-dimensional computer graphics board "NWB-256" which
runs on Sony's RISC (reduced instruction set computing)-based
workstation "NEWS-3870." With this board, 29,000 polygons
can be drawn per minute. Inotherwords, three-dimensional
graphics can be processed real-time. The graphics board will be
released at 2.75 million yen ($20,000) at the end of this
month.

Sony will also release software which enables the graphic
drawings done with TPV software to be animated.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910000/Press Contact: Sony, [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13  ****ERASABLE INK DEVELOPED FOR COPIERS & PRINTER RIBBONS 06/13/91

06/13/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00014)

 ****ERASABLE INK DEVELOPED FOR COPIERS & PRINTER RIBBONS 06/13/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Tokyo-based major chemical
firm Showa Denko has developed an ink which disappears under
the light of halogen lamp. The ink is expected to revolutionize
the idea of recycling and to contribute to the preservation of
natural resources. It could also reduce tons of waste paper at
many corporate offices.

This unique ink can be used in copying machines and on computer
printer ribbons. A document which is copied or printed with
this special ink is reusable once the ink is erased with a
device equipped with a halogen lamp.

The ink is made from cyanine-type coloring element, which is
combined with boron ammonium kalium. The ink disappears under the
light of a shortwave infrared ray with a wavelength of 820
nanometers. Showa Denko says a halogen lamp is the best candidate
for the light.

A carbon-black toner for copiers will jointly be developed with
Bando Chemical, and it will be sold for 10,000 yen ($75)
per cartridge early next year. Showa Denko is also developing the
ink-erasing device using a halogen lamp. The erasing speed will
be about the same as that of a copier.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910000/Press Contact: Showa Denko, +81-3-
3432-5111)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 AUSTRALIA: QANTAS INFO FIRM TO CUT STAFF 50% 06/13/91

06/13/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00015)

AUSTRALIA: QANTAS INFO FIRM TO CUT STAFF 50% 06/13/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Qantek, the information
technology subsidiary of Australia's airline Qantas will have cut
staff by almost 50 after the anticipated 'chop' day of June 24.

Already more than 100 staff have been cut this year, and a further
318 are believed to be going on the one day - June 28. This will
leave around 520 people to provide computer services for the
company. The entire company has been warned of a massive cost-
cutting program, and Qantek is expected to reduce its annual costs
by more than $20M.

A memo obtained by Computing Australia shows that not only will all
staff be cut one the one day, but waves of taxis will be arranged to
whisk people away once they have collected their belongings into
boxes. Managers have been told 'under no circumstances ask staff
into your office on the day,' presumably so as not to unnecessarily
worry staff expecting "their call."

John Sterlicchi of Computing reports an insider as predicting
"people crying ... getting hysterical." It is believed Qantek has
tried for many months to entice staff to accept voluntary departure
packages, but they will now mandate a package reached with the
unions. This includes four week's pay plus three weeks for each year
up to five of service, and four weeks for each year above five
years, as well as holiday, superannuation and long service payments.
The cut is referred to within Qantek management memos (subject
'gloom and doom') as 'rightsizing' and 'the chop.'

(Paul Zucker/19910613/Contact: Qantek [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 NATIONAL SEMI 4Q EARNINGS UP; HUGE 1991 LOSSES 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00016)

NATIONAL SEMI 4Q EARNINGS UP; HUGE 1991 LOSSES 06/13/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Although
National Semiconductor reported earnings for the fourth quarter at
$5.6 million, the company reported a whopping $151.4 million in net
losses for fiscal 1991.

The company blames its ongoing restructuring activity for the huge
losses, which included a restructuring charge of $143.6 million, as well
as the sale of the company's Puyallup, Washington wafer fabrication
facility that was sold to Matsushita Electronics for an estimated $86
million in cash. In the deal Matsushita acquired two manufacturing
buildings and 92 acres of land.

Sales for the fourth quarter ended May 26, 1991, were $444.9 million,
compared to $456.3 million for the comparable quarter a year ago.
Net earnings totalled $5.6 million, or 3 cents per share, compared
to earnings of $4.7 million, or 2 cents per share, in the fourth quarter a
year ago.

Sales for fiscal year 1991 were up to $1,701.8 million, compared with
$1,675 million for the fiscal year 1990. But the reported net loss of
$151.4 million, or $1.56 per share, compares to just $25 million, or
34 cents per share, in fiscal 1990.

Even in the light of such financial losses, Gilbert F. Amelio, National's
president and chief executive officer, remained optimistic. "Early in
the fourth quarter, the company" indicated that it "expected to
experience improved operating performance for the quarter, and that
it would report a profitable fourth quarter. I am pleased to be able to
report that the company indeed met those expectations," he said.

"During the quarter," he added, "the company continued to
strengthen its already healthy balance sheet, increasing its cash
position, while reducing debt.''

In February National Semiconductor entered into a 10-year broad
patent cross-licensing agreement with Hitachi regarding all
semiconductor products designed by either company. In April National Semi
had introduced the new DP8491 Integrated Read Channel analog/digital
microchip, designed to improve the data storage capacity of some hard
disks by as much as 45 percent.

(Ian Stokell/19910613/Press Contact: Mary Coady, National
Semiconductor Corp., 408-721-2871)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 HEWLETT-PACKARD STUMBLES IN THE SOVIET UNION 06/13/91

06/13/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00017)

HEWLETT-PACKARD STUMBLES IN THE SOVIET UNION 06/13/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- An Hewlett-Packard (HP)
representative in Moscow has told Newsbytes that the most recent
Soviet economic moves restricting conversion of currencies has badly
hit its computer and peripheral sales, making it likely that HP will
scale back its Moscow operation.

According to the local representative, who asked that his name not be
published, the Moscow office has a huge backlog of orders for Laserjet
laser printers which cannot be filled in the near future due to
problems with conversion from rubles to dollars. Those problems are a
result of a decree just issued by the Soviet government.

"Sales of computers and workstations, which have never been too active,
are slowing down even more. The only product which can be sold are
different kinds of computer peripherals," Newsbytes was told.

"The Soviet market is too wild now. People simply don't understand that a
brand of computer they will buy for less will cost them much more in
repair and maintenance costs. High volume sales of Asian-made cheap
machines are breaking the market."

Hewlett-Packard will continue to support "one medical and two
measurement devices" in the Soviet Union, he said. However, a previously
announced project to start production of high capacity hard
drives in Perm has also been slowed due to business problems.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910610)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 INFORMATION SECURITY CONFERENCE CONCLUDED 06/13/91

06/13/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00018)

INFORMATION SECURITY CONFERENCE CONCLUDED 06/13/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- A three-days information security
workshop wrapped up today in Moscow with the revelation that
Soviet authorities have approved a cryptography standard.

The new GOST 28147-89, publicly announced for the first time at the
conference, is based on DES principles with a bigger key sequence
and iteration number for more secure encoding. Two software products
which support the new method were shown at the accompanying technical
exhibition.

Also announced was the formation, by President Gorbachev's
decree, of a state technical commission on information protection. The
commission will license technologies used to keep military and state
secrets.

Several companies engaged in producing items ranging from antivirus
software to sophisticated security systems, also announced formation
of a new "Informzaschita" (Information protection) society, which will
act as a lobby to protect their interests.

A representative of Russian Republic government, Mr Vladimir Rubanov,
told an audience of 200 industry experts and end-users that the
government is supporting several projects on information protection,
convinced they are an important part of the country's security system.

Although organizers claimed to have attracted users interested in
protection of information, they have, both speakers and show managers
admitted, attracted mostly industry experts and some people interested
in ways to steal other's secrets. This is because the technology behind
protection of both commercial and military secrets for years was the
domain of the military and the KGB.

According to one industry insider, "no conferences of this kind will help
until a major crash or crime breaks the air."

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910610/Press contact: Informzaschita, Youri
Sokolov, phone [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 UK: IBM LINKS WITH NOVELL TO MARKET NETWARE 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00019)

UK: IBM LINKS WITH NOVELL TO MARKET NETWARE 06/13/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- In the wake of IBM's swathe
of new desktop and notebook PC announcements this week, IBM United
Kingdom has announced a marketing link-up between itself and Novell.

According to Big Blue officials, plans call for IBM to become a
remarketer and distributor of Novell Netware products alongside
IBM's current OS/2 LAN server products and the IBM PC LAN
systems.

In reply, Novell U.K. has promised to develop an enhanced version
of Netware for IBM's 32-bit version of OS/2, as well as for the
IBM RISC System/6000 AIX and native Netware platforms.

The technology link-up between the two companies is not without its
critics, however. Sources in the U.K. dealer channel expressed
concern that IBM may put a `price squeeze' on Novell Netware, so
forcing pricing downwards and squeezing smaller players out of the
Netware marketplace.

"It all depends on what price IBM is buying (Netware) in at," said
Rob Johnson, managing director with Mirai Data Networks, a
distributor which handles networking products.

Johnson told Newsbytes that its current best seller in the mainstream
networking operating system (NOS) market is Novell Netware, closely
followed by LANtastic.

U.K. pricing on Netware from IBM sources starts at UKP 636 for a
1 to 5 user pack of Netware V2.2. Version 3.11, meanwhile, starts
at UKP 2,449 for up to five users, ranging up to UKP 8,759 for up
to 250 users. Netware for the Macintosh costs UKP 636 for up to 20
users, and UKP 1,401 for up to 100 users. All products are
scheduled to ship in the UK in July.

(Steve Gold/19910613/Press & Press Contact: IBM United Kingdom - Tel: 0705-
321212)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 UK: LOTUS PRICES 1-2-3 WINDOWS, DUE THIS SUMMER 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00020)

UK: LOTUS PRICES 1-2-3 WINDOWS, DUE THIS SUMMER 06/13/91
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Joining its
counterparts in the states, Lotus United Kingdom has promised
summer shipment of 1-2-3 for Windows and says it will cost
UKP 475. Pricing on the network server and node editions --
for use on a network -- has yet to be confirmed. French, German
and International English editions of the packages will be
launched in the third quarter of this year.

Users of Release 3.1 of 1-2-3 are promised an upgrade for UKP
35 until the end of the year, while other users can upgrade for
UKP 99.

1-2-3 for Windows is expected to offer two new capabilities: a
fully customized suite of `Smarticons' and a command interface
that uses the `classic \' 1-2-3 system.

Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows runs any 80286-based PC or better with
at least 2MB of RAM, 5MB of hard disk space and Microsoft
Windows 3.0/DOS 3.0 or later.

(Steve Gold/19910613/Press & Public Contact: Lotus UK - Tel:
0784-455445)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 RASTEROPS AND SONY IN 24-BIT VIDEO ADAPTER OEM DEAL 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00021)

RASTEROPS AND SONY IN 24-BIT VIDEO ADAPTER OEM DEAL 06/13/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) --RasterOps
has signed an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) deal with Sony
Microsystems to produce a 24-bit color and video display adapter for
the Sony NEWS workstation.

Under the terms of the agreement, RasterOps will supply the Sony
MS24 color display adapter, which is a single-slot display card
combining 24-bit True Color graphics and full-motion television/video
input at resolutions up to 1280 by 1024 pixels.

Frank Panaigua, director of OEM sales for RasterOps, told
Newsbytes that "RasterOps' long-term strategy is to position itself
with graphics leaders" and Sony is perceived by the market as
such a leader in the field. RasterOps "is interested in Sony products
both in the short-term and long-term," he added.

Panaigua, also added that RasterOps is already producing two
products for DEC on an OEM basis, and also two elements for
Kodak's PhotoCD product.

According to RasterOps, the company is continuing to expand its
24-bit color technology, video technology and custom VLSI (very
large scale integration) design, developed initially for the Apple
Macintosh, to other leading industry platforms, including the IBM
Micro Channel, Sun SPARCstation and Digital Equipment's RISC
(reduced instruction-set computer)-based workstations.

"We are bringing True Color graphics and integrated video
capabilities to the Sony NEWS users worldwide," said Kieth
Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of RasterOps.
"The strong relationship between our two companies and
technologies that this agreement represents will make these
systems formidable offerings in the multimedia arena."

RasterOps will begin delivering the Sony MS24 in the fourth
quarter of 1991.

(Ian Stokell/19910613/Press Contact: Pattie Walters, RasterOps
408-562-4200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 NEW FOR PC: DesktopTV Turns PCs Into TVs 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00022)

NEW FOR PC: DesktopTV Turns PCs Into TVs 06/13/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- AView
Technology is now shipping a VGA version of its DesktopTV
add-in board for IBM PC and compatible microcomputers.
According to the company, the $395 VG1 model provides a
full-screen video image and uses an ITT chip set designed for
high-end TVs. The chip set provides double scanning with
advanced interpolation technology and comb filters to minimize
signal noise.

"Customers see DesktopTV as a cost-effective way to add a
high-quality television monitor to their workplace for viewing
videotapes, accessing closed circuit broadcasts or providing
interactive training," said Dan Marshall, president of AView.

According to the company, DesktopTV is capable of receiving
119 channels, allowing VHF, UHF and cable TV channel selection
as well as videodisk, VCR and other RF modulated NTSC inputs.
Controls for the television are operated from the keyboard and
sound is delivered by an external speaker, which is included.

(Ian Stokell/19910613/Press Contact: Dan Marshall, AView
Technology, 800-263-7288)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 IBM ANNOUNCES TRADE-IN PROGRAM 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00023)

IBM ANNOUNCES TRADE-IN PROGRAM 06/13/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- IBM has
announced a trade-in program to encourage customers to replace
their older PCs with new PS/2 models. The program applies to older
IBM PS/2 and PC models and to some models from Compaq and Apple.

IBM spokeswoman Tara Sexton told Newsbytes IBM will accept original
IBM PC, XT, AT, and 3270 PC machines as trade-ins. It will also
accept PS/2 Models 25, 30, 30/286, 50, and 60, and some machines
from Apple and Compaq. From now until the end of the year,
customers will be able to take the old computers to a participating
dealer and receive rebates toward the purchase of a new PS/2.

The amount of the rebate will depend on both the model traded in
and the new machine the customer buys, Sexton said. "IBM has
contracted an outside firm to determine the fair market value of
the trade-in and then we'll pay the customer that price as well as
an additional incentive," Sexton said.

The incentive will vary with the price of the new PC purchased --
in other words, your old XT will bring you a larger rebate if you
trade it in on a more powerful new machine.

IBM Canada has no plans to implement the trade-in program, said
Anne Hay, a spokeswoman for the subsidiary in Markham, Ontario.

Newsbytes has also obtained prices for the new PS/2 models
announced June 11. United States prices are US$1,995 for the Model
35 SX-040, with diskette drive only, and US$2,525 for the Model 35
SX-043, which has a 40-megabyte hard disk. The Model 35 LS, a
diskless workstation with built-in Token Ring local-area network
adapter, is priced at US$2,695. The diskette-only Model 40 SX-040
is priced at US$2,395, the 40-megabyte Model 40 SX-043 at US$2,925,
and the 80-megabyte Model 40 SX-045 at US$3,195. The Model 57
SX-045, with a 40-megabyte hard drive, is priced at US$3,625, while
the 80-megabyte Model 57 SX-049 costs US$4,195.

Canadian prices are C$2,295 for the diskette only Model 35 SX-040
and C$2,905 for the Model 35 SX-043, with a 40-megabyte hard drive.
The Model 35 LS is C$3,100. The Model 40 SX-040 is C$2,755, the
Model 40 SX-043 is C$3,365, and the Model 40 SX-045 is C$3,675. The
Model 57 SX-045 is priced at C$4,165 and the Model 57 SX-049 at
C$4,825.

The Model 57 units are due to be available in August, while the
other models are available now.

(Grant Buckler/19910613/Press Contact: Tara Sexton, IBM,
914-642-4662, fax [phone]; Karen Grant or Anne Hay, IBM
Canada, 416-474-3900)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 CAMBRIDGE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS FORMED 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00024)

CAMBRIDGE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS FORMED 06/13/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Education
firm Cambridge Technology Group has spun off its systems
integration business as Cambridge Technology Partners, which it
describes as one of a new generation of information integrators.
The new firm also has financial backing from Safeguard Scientifics
and Radnor Ventures.

The new firm will specialize in applications that focus on a client
organization's long-term goals and objectives such as competitive
advantage, improved customer service, and globalization. It will
use client/server architecture and open systems standards to
surround and augment existing systems. The company also claimed it
can define and implement applications in one-third of the time
traditional methods require.

The new company's headquarters is in Cambridge. Company spokeswoman
Stephanie Kingston said CTP is to open an office in Australia
shortly, where it has signed a contract with Telecom Australia. A
Los Angeles office is also planned by the end of this year, she
said, and CTP hopes to open in Europe, probably in the United
Kingdom, soon.

(Grant Buckler/19910613/Press Contact: Stephanie Kingston,
Cambridge Technology Partners, 617-349-1180)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 NEW FOR IBM: Voice Integration For Lotus Notes 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00025)

NEW FOR IBM: Voice Integration For Lotus Notes 06/13/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Simpact
Associates said its Remark! hardware-software combination will let
users of Lotus Development's Notes work-group software edit and
play back voice messages within Notes documents. Remark! will work
with existing PBX, local-area network, workstations, and telephone
handsets, the company said.

Remark! combines off-the-shelf hardware and Simpact software to
develop voice-enabled applications. The Remark! software on the
user's workstation works with a Simpact STS 2000 voice and
telephony server that controls telephone operations such as
dialing, recording, and playing back voice messages.

The STS 2000 includes Intel 386-based computer, a multiport voice
processor, a local-area network interface card, and server
application software. A single, four-port server can accommodate up
to 40 infrequent users or a smaller number of frequent users,
Simpact said.

Additional ports can be added to handle a larger number of users,
or multiple voice servers can be used. Remark! is also compatible
with Centrex and most private branch exchanges (PBXs), according to
the vendor.

Remark! works with Notes running under Microsoft Windows 3.0.
A system that can handle four users at a time is priced at
US$25,000. The product is now available in limited quantities.

(Grant Buckler/19910612/Press Contact: Julie Cunningham, Simpact
Associates, 619-565-1865 ext. 1289)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13 MOTOROLA REPLACES INTEL AS FORD CHIP SUPPLIER 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00026)

MOTOROLA REPLACES INTEL AS FORD CHIP SUPPLIER 06/13/91
DETROIT, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Ford Motor Company
has announced that it selected Motorola as the supplier for
computer chips that control car engines and transmissions. Intel
Corp. has previously been Ford's supplier.

Intel has been supplying the custom designed chips since 1983,
and Ford is the company's largest automotive customer. The
change will be on a phaseout basis, with Motorola chips replacing
Intel's by the year 2000. Ford and Motorola will jointly design
a RISC (reduced instruction set computer) based microcontroller.

Industry analysts estimate the deal could be worth more than $80
million to Motorola. Ford, the nations's number two auto maker,
produces more than six million autos each year, and each will
contain at least one Motorola chip. Samuel Cole, manager of Ford's
advanced power train electronic products group, said the Motorola
chip has the power to meet government exhaust and fuel economy
standards, and is expected to produce smoother shifting
transmissions.

According to Brian Wilie, GM of Ford's Advanced Microcontroller
Division in Austin, Texas, Motorola cannot use the newly
developed technology for other auto makers, but it can be used
for non-automotive applications. The first powertrain controller
should appear on some Ford models in the mid-1990s.

The Power Train Electronics Controller (PTEC) is said to be more
than two generations ahead of the present Intel electronic engine
controller, which has been in use since mid-1983. PTEC is
designed to handle more vehicle functions on future cars, such as
traction control, and because of its open architecture will allow
Ford to lower development costs.

Ford's Sam Cole said that the company's overall strategy is to
develop third party software tools. Until now, Ford has carried
the more costly burden of in-house development. In addition to
Motorola, controllers from several other chip manufacturers were
considered before the final selection was made.

(Jim Mallory/19910613/Press Contact: Motorola, 708-576-5000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13  ****NCR/AT&T TO MERGE PRODUCT LINES 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027)

 ****NCR/AT&T TO MERGE PRODUCT LINES 06/13/91
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- AT&T and
NCR, with a merger pending, have announced their product line
plans. Basically, the companies say a converged product line will
be based around the NCR System 3000 platform, and that most
AT&T computers will be phased out over time. The announcement was
made during a sales force transition meeting in New Orleans.

NCR President Gilbert P. Williamson's press statement indicated
that the new product plan positions all products within NCR's
Open, Cooperative Computing Architecture technology.

The specifics of the plan are as follows: NCR will release the
NCR 3120 Notebook computer to all NCR channels and AT&T
Computer Systems dealers. The AT&T notebook-sized computer,
the Safari, will continue to be sold through existing AT&T dealers.
AT&T will continue to sell the System 7000 but customers
will have the option to migrate to the NCR System 3000 but will not
be required to do so as long as the 7000 architecture and packaging
are adequate to their needs.

The two firms say the CS 3B2 will continue to be offered
to AT&T dealers and through the AT&T direct sales force to end
customers in order to fulfill existing commitments. A technology
extension of the 3B2 will be released within a few weeks, and a
migration path to the NCR System 3000 will be offered by the combined
company.

At deadline, there was no definitive word on what the merged product
lines would mean for employment. The companies' statement says
that although initially AT&T Computer Systems' marketing forces
will be intact, eventually they will be combined with NCR's United
States marketing group.

(Wendy Woods/19910613/Press Contact: Robert Farkas, NCR,
513-445-2078; John Skalko, AT&T 201-898-3764)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13  ****LARGEST SUPERCOLLIDER DESIGNED WITH SUPERCOMPUTER 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00028)

 ****LARGEST SUPERCOLLIDER DESIGNED WITH SUPERCOMPUTER 06/13/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- The Superconducting
Super Collider (SSC) Laboratory has selected the Intel iPSC/860
parallel supercomputer to help design and build what it terms the
world's largest particle collider for the purpose of
investigating the building blocks of the universe.

The collider will be an underground circular tunnel
containing two rings, each containing protons turning
opposite of one another, and will measure 54 miles in
circumference, or nearly twice the length of the Washington,
D.C. Beltway, SSC Laboratory engineers said. More than
10,500 magnets will guide and focus the proton beams
rotating in opposite directions at nearly light speed.

The idea is to make protons collide, then track the debris of
the collided particles produced in the collision, to reveal
the internal structure of protons, and thereby discover the
building blocks and fundamental forces of the universe, the
engineers explained.

To make this happen the proton beams must be precision
guided by the magnets to within .1 or .2 millimeters or
1/250th of an inch, said George Bourianoff, Diagnostics
Section Leader at the (SSC). That's where the Intel
supercomputer comes in.

Bourianoff said the Intel system can perform greater numbers
of design simulations of the collider. "We consider the
Intel supercomputer an instrumental design tool in the
engineering process," said Bourianoff. "Because of its
power . . processing power equivalent to seven mainframes
or four conventional supercomputers. . the machine is able
to perform greater numbers of design simulations of the
collider, which will enable us to make intelligent design
trade-offs much faster and more accurately." Bourianoff also
said the Intel supercomputer is a "fraction of the cost" of
the other alternative computers for the task.

The Intel parallel supercomputers are designed with multiple
central processing units (CPUs) which share the calculation
work, rather than one CPU processing all the calculations.
The speed at which the calculations can be performed in this
manner has made the parallel processing computers the
fastest computers in the world to date, the fastest being
the Touchstone Delta system recently installed at the
California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech). Designed by
Intel with the Supercomputing Consortium, the Touchstone
Delta system is currently performing at a rate of 8.6
billion instructions per second (GFlops), and is estimated
to be capable of 32 GFlops. The iPSC/860 system the SSC
plans to use for the collider simulation is rated at 3.2
GFlops.

The Intel iPSC is parallel supercomputers are sold in
configurations from 8 to 128 CPUs with typical prices
ranging from $250,000 to $3 million.

The collider is a multi-billion dollar U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE)-funded effort, and is expected to be designed
and built over the next decade. Considering the length of
time involved in building the project, Bourianoff said, "This
is an eight- to 10-year project. We wanted a vendor with an
upgrade path that we believed in."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910613/Press Contact: Susan Curtin,
Miller Communications, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone],
Mike Bernhardt, Intel, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone],
Russ Wylie, Superconducting Super Collider Labs, Tel:
214/708-1045)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13  ****TOSHIBA PREDICTS IBM TO SPUR 4MB DRIVE DEMAND 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)

 ****TOSHIBA PREDICTS IBM TO SPUR 4MB DRIVE DEMAND 06/13/91
DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- The disk
manufacturing division of Toshiba, Toshiba America
Electronic Components (TAEC) is predicting that sales of four
megabyte (MB) "superfloppy" disks will increase from $20 million
to $300 million in the next four years. The statement, according
to Toshiba, is based on IBM's inclusion of the 4MB (2.88 MB after
formatting) 3.5-inch floppy disk drives in its new Personal
System/2 (PS/2) systems.

How far fetched is this announcement? In the ballpark,
Jim Porter of Disk Trend, a marketing research firm, tells
Newsbytes. "IBM's announcement of the inclusion of the 4MB drive
in the PS/2 line is something that has been expected for at
least 2 years. It took them a long time to get their act
together," said Porter.

"IBM sets the industry standards. With the availability of
an operating system that can recognize the 4MB drive [DOS
5.0], and the expectation that IBM will use that drive on
additional models, various compatible makers are expected to
follow and increase the rate of acceptance of the drive as
the new standard," Porter said.

The new 4MB 3.5-inch drive is downwardly compatible, meaning
the drive can read and format 2MB disks (1.44 MB formatted)
and 1MB disks (720MB after formatting), said Porter. It also
"senses" the type of disk and formats or reads accordingly,
without the parameter passing in the formatting commands
that is required now, Porter said.

According to Gene Dougherty, director of sales and marketing
for TAEC, the costs of the new drives are not much more than
the 2MB drives in terms of manufacturing. "In quantity, one
OEM, who is planning a new IBM compatible computer for
release, is buying the 4MB drives for $5 each above the
current cost of a 2MB drive," Dougherty said.

"The 4MB [superfloppy] disks are expected to decelerate in
cost rapidly as the drives gain acceptance. They are
expected to cost somewhat more than twice as much at the 2MB
disks, then as they begin to enjoy the 30% to 40% of the
consumer market that the 2MB floppy disks enjoy now (and we
anticipate that will be somewhere in 1993 to 1994), they're
expected to drop in price to less than twice as much as 2MB
floppy disk prices," said Dougherty.

Toshiba expects the superdisks to be attractive to
consumers. "With 2.88 megabytes of formatted capacity, users
can not only store more files on a single disk, but they can
now -- for the first time -- store on one disk the very
large individual files created by such applications as
desktop publishing and presentation graphics, multi-level
spreadsheets and relational databases, CAD/CAM, medical
imaging, scanned images and other graphics-intensive
applications," Dougherty said.

The new drive does require a new controller card, a newer
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) and DOS 5.0, so the
expectation is consumers will purchase new, more powerful
computers, rather than add the drive to an older computer,
Nanci Hoffman, representing Toshiba with Kalman
Communications, said. Dougherty said Phoenix and IBM both
have developed a BIOS that supports the new drive, and ". .
anyone who hasn't will be scrambling to do so soon."

Porter said a snowball effect is expected - as the drives
gain acceptance, the superfloppy disks will be in demand,
and the more superfloppy disks used, the more demand there
will be for the drives and so on. And Toshiba says it has
recently signed over a dozen agreements with leading North
American distributors including Merisel, Azerty and
Daisytek. An agreement was also recently reached with the
ASCII Group, one of the nation's leading reseller groups.

Toshiba says, as a creator of barium ferrite technology
which made 4MB floppy disks a reality, it recognized the
potential of the technology in the late 1970s. Toshiba says
it made an even stronger commitment to the technology last
fall when it introduced its own branded 4MB floppy disk
product. That step, which marked Toshiba's entry into the
media market, was supported by the creation of a U.S.
division, TAEC, designed to identify and market a full range
of barium ferrite-based disk and tape products, the company
said.

Toshiba's own branded disk was well-positioned even before
the IBM announcement, Dougherty said. In January Toshiba
and Next Computer, began bundling Toshiba's 4MB extra high
density floppy disks with all the new Next products. A
Toshiba disk is included with each Next system and
application software for Next is distributed on the Toshiba
superfloppy disk.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910613/Press Contact: Gene Dougherty,
Toshiba, Tel: [phone], Jim Porter,
Disk/Trend, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Nanci
Hoffman, Kalman Communications, Tel: [phone], Fax:
213/829-0074)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 13  ****VERBATIM SHIPS 3.5-INCH OPTICAL DISCS 06/13/91

06/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00030)

 ****VERBATIM SHIPS 3.5-INCH OPTICAL DISCS 06/13/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 13 (NB) -- Verbatim is
the first company to announce that it is shipping both read-only
and rewritable versions of the new ISO 3.5-inch optical media.

The installed base for these new drives is almost non-
existent at the moment, but industry insiders see them becoming
important in portable applications where small size is more
important than the massive data capacity of standard magneto-
optical, WORM, or CD-ROM drives.

Whether the low capacity optical discs can be a viable competitor
for much larger capacity CD-ROM drives in a desktop setting is a
much bigger question because CD-ROM discs are already being
pushed to their limits by the present size of databases,
especially those containing any images or multimedia
applications.

Verbatim began shipping sample quantities of the discs in
November of 1990 but only recently went into volume production in
Japan. Discs under the Verbatim label will soon be available, but
the present run is earmarked for resale under other labels.

The new IBM 3.5-inch drive discs are designated O-ROM to
distinguish them from the larger CD-ROM read-only discs because
the CD-ROM standard includes a specific size.

Newsbytes was unable to obtain any estimate of current
manufacturing capacity, orders shipped, orders on hand, or the
expected rate of production of the discs, nor could a
spokesperson for Verbatim's PR company offer any information
about the installed base for the drives or the number of drives
expected to be sold by year's end.

Verbatim's PR firm did confirm, however, that no discs were
actually shipping under the Verbatim label as yet because the
sole factory, located in Japan, was already committed to
fulfilling an order from a manufacturer of the drives.

(John McCormick/19910613/Press Contact: Martha Byers, Loeffler
Ketchum Mountjoy PR, 704-542-8131)

#ENDCARD





#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR PC: Perform Tracer Automates Form Creation 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00001)

NEW FOR PC: Perform Tracer Automates Form Creation 06/12/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Delrina
Technologies has announced Perform Tracer, software for Microsoft
Windows 3.0 that automates the creation of forms for the company's
Perform and Perform Pro forms processing software. Perform Tracer
converts paper forms, scanned using a graphics scanner, into an
electronic format that the Perform software package can use.

Developed jointly with Andromeda Software of Thousand Oaks,
California, Perform Tracer converts the original bit map (a method of
representing a computer image in computer binary format) with
vectored straight lines and eliminates any gaps in lines and other
scanning imperfections, the company claims.

The package is expected to ship within 60 days and will have a
suggested retail price of US$495 or C$594.

The company also denied it is on the verge of selling or licensing the
Perform technology to database software vendor Ashton-Tate, as
reported recently. Spokesman Josef Zancowicz admitted that both
companies have been talking, adding that: "It's no secret that Delrina
has been promoting Perform Pro as an excellent Windows front end to
dBase IV." But, he said, "we don't expect a deal, nor is a deal
pending."

Delrina has also updated its Winfax software with a version that
receives as well as sends faxes. The new Winfax Pro 2.0 runs under
Microsoft Windows 3.0 and supports the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
facility. DDE allows data to be moved in real time between application
software running under MS-Windows, without the need for 'clipboards'
and other non-interactive applications.

The software works with CAS boards such as Intel SatisFAXtion, Class 2
implementations from Rockwell International, Sierra Semiconductor,
Exar, and Xecom, and Sendfax, Delrina said. It can receive faxes in
the background without interrupting other Windows applications, the
company added.

A version for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and a demo
version are also available.

Winfax Pro 2.0 will sell for US$119 or C$139, and is due to be
available by the end of June.

(Grant Buckler/19910612/Press Contact: Josef Zancowicz, Delrina, 416-
441-3676, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12  ****COMPUTER COMPANIES JUMP ON DOS 5.0 BANDWAGON 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)

 ****COMPUTER COMPANIES JUMP ON DOS 5.0 BANDWAGON 06/12/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Novell, Banyan
and Central Point Software have all jumped on the DOS 5.0 bandwagon,
quickly following the Microsoft roll-out of DOS 5.0 with announcements
that their products support Version 5.0.

Novell, which markets local area network products, says that its
Netware DOS Shell is compatible with Version 5.0 and will be included
with the new version of the MS-DOS 5.0 upgrade. Netware customers will
be able to take advantages of the new features of DOS 5 without
incurring any extra costs for the networking client software.

One benefit of using Novell Netware with version 5.0 of DOS is the
ability to load the Netware client software into the upper memory area
of the system, leaving more memory available for applications. One of
the features of DOS 5.0 being touted by Microsoft is the availability of
more memory than the DOS versions that preceded version 4.0.

Netware users will also be able to take advantage of the task swapping
-- not to be confused with multi-tasking -- features of version 5.0,
allowing them to go back and forth from one software package to
another.

Banyan Systems also announced that its Vines 4.1 networking software
supports DOS 5.0. Banyan marketing Vice President James D'Arezzo
said: "Microsoft's focus on memory management enhancements and
task swapping makes the use of Vines client workstations easier and
more productive." Vines 4.1 also supports the Microsoft Windows
graphical environment and the OS/2 operating system.

Central Point Software, which recently released PC Tools 7.0, said that
its software package was designed to be the companion utilities
package for version 5.0 of DOS. Microsoft has included a subset of
Central Point Software's data-recovery utilities in DOS 5.0. The company
said that Microsoft has granted it a license to use the "look-and-feel" of
the DOS 5.0 File Manager.

According to Brad Silverberg, Microsoft vice president: "One of our
objectives with MS-DOS 5.0 was to increase the level of system security.
Adding Undelete and Unformat does that. We chose PC Tools because
it is the best technology on the market."

PC Tools memory resident programs automatically load into extended
memory on DOS 5.0-equipped machines, giving users access to
Central Point functions while preserving conventional RAM for large
applications, the company claims.

Central Point Software maintains that PC Tools 7.0 and DOS 5.0 work
well together. For example, files deleted are stored in a hidden,
protected location so users can use the Undelete feature to recover files,
even after the original file space has been reused.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact:Central Point: Deanne Berry, 503-
690-2650; Banyan: Jennifer Jester, 508-898-1000; Novell: Nancy
Morrison, 801-429-5833)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 DOS 5.0 INCLUDES QBASIC INTERPRETER 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

DOS 5.0 INCLUDES QBASIC INTERPRETER 06/12/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Following
quickly on the heels of the release of MS-DOS Version 5.0, Microsoft
has announced the familiar GW-Basic interpreter found in previous DOS
releases has been replaced by a module called the QBasic Interpreter.

QBasic Interpreter is an interpreter-only (not a compiler) subset of
Microsoft's Quickbasic compiler Version 4.5. QBasic Interpreter will
load and run most GW-Basic programs without modification, Microsoft
claims. The Interpreter is upwardly compatible with Microsoft's
QuickBasic compiler version 1.5.

Basic is probably the most popular programming language in use today
and is the language which most programmers learn initially. It has
been included with MS-DOS since 1981, when MS-DOS was first
introduced to the computer industry.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206-882-
8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12  ****COMPAQ TO EXHIBIT NEW SYSTEMS AT PC EXPO 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)

 ****COMPAQ TO EXHIBIT NEW SYSTEMS AT PC EXPO 06/12/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
has announced that it will exhibit a variety of personal computers and
system configurations at the opening of PC Expo in New York on
June 25, 1991.

Included in Compaq's exhibits will be a new high performance desktop
PC, as well as systems management technology for monitoring system
status and performance.

Compaq says it will conduct a compatibility demonstration featuring
several Intel 80386- and 486-based machines running with a Digital
Equipment Corporation Microvax 3100. Also to be demonstrated will be
the entire line of Compaq laptop and notebook computers, including the
Compaq LTE 386s/20 notebook PC. The LTE, introduced eight months
ago, was awarded Byte Magazine's Editorial Award of Distinction, was
selected as Product of The Year in the portables category by
Infoworld, and was named PC Magazine's Editors Choice Award.

Other products scheduled to be demonstrated are Systempro machines
running networking products from SCO, Microsoft, Banyan and Novell.
Banyan and Microsoft have announced that their network operating
systems are compatible with the newly released MS-DOS 5.0.

Compaq says technical support engineers specializing in Compaq's
joint integration agreements will be on hand to discuss customer
support and service programs. Quickfind, a database of Compaq
product information on CD-ROM will be displayed, along with a graphic
demonstration of Compaq's field support operations.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact:Nora Rice, Compaq, 713-374-0484)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12  ****PHOENIX TECHNOLOGY TO PUBLISH MS-DOS VERSION 5.0 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)

 ****PHOENIX TECHNOLOGY TO PUBLISH MS-DOS VERSION 5.0 06/12/91
NORWOOD, MAINE, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Phoenix Technologies,
provider of the popular Phoenix BIOS for many personal computer
manufacturers, has announced the signing of an agreement with
Microsoft Corporation to publish MS-DOS 5.0, Windows 3.0 and other
Microsoft products for licensed PC-compatible manufacturers on a
worldwide basis.

According to Phoenix, the agreement formalizes its role as a Microsoft
authorized source for OEM (original equipment manufacturer) licensees
requiring turnkey publishing services for Microsoft products. Phoenix has
been providing these services to more than 50 PC manufacturers
since 1988.

Prior to Phoenix entering the OEM publishing business, PC
manufacturers licensed by Microsoft had limited sources for the
diskettes, manuals and packaging that make up a typical DOS
package.

"Offering our OEM customers low cost, time-to-market publishing
solutions for standard software components has proven to be greatly
beneficial for everyone," said Steve Kalman, Phoenix vice president.

Phoenix uses its purchasing power derived from its large customer
base to produce and stock the standard components of Microsoft
products in large volume. Phoenix then customizes the manuals,
diskette labels and product boxes for the OEMs, delivering a software
package on a just-in-time basis.

Phoenix employs staff technical writers to develop reduced page
count manuals based on Microsoft's standard documentation.
Phoenix's 'slim' manuals are roughly half the number of pages. The
company estimates that over one million DOS users have their
products. Foreign language versions are also available.

Phoenix also has a hypertext version of the DOS package, called
Notebook Tutorial and Reference program, that can be shipped
on-line by notebook and laptop manufacturers.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact:Richard Levandov, Phoenix
Technologies, 617-551-4005)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12  ****COMPAQ TO OFFER 'OWN VERSION' OF DOS 5.0 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)

 ****COMPAQ TO OFFER 'OWN VERSION' OF DOS 5.0 06/12/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
has announced that it will release its own version of DOS 5.0 in
July, 1991.

Hedy Baker of Compaq told Newsbytes that the Compaq version will
have several enhancements over the Microsoft edition. Differences
between the Microsoft and Compaq versions include the program
being customized for Compaq machines, and the memory management
features will work on a Compaq 286 machine, while Microsoft's version
requires a 386 machine. Baker also praised the FASTART utility, which
Compaq says will make the installation and upgrading of DOS, as well
as system configuration, extremely easy.

When asked by Newsbytes about the advantages of using DOS  5.0
on the thousands of IBM XT-class machines still in use, Baker said: "It's
really geared for 286 and higher personal computers. You only need
512k to run DOS 5.0, but it's really taking full advantage with 1megabyte.
With a combination of different factors, I really think you need a 286 or
above to take advantage of the memory manager and a lot of these
functions."

Baker said that Compaq has also enhanced the help feature in their
version, providing extensive on screen explanation and a graphic
orientation. Compaq's DOS Release 5.0 also provides support for 132
column video. Baker added that installation is much faster with Compaq
DOS, and setup can be accomplished more quickly.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact: Hedy Baker, Compaq, 713-374-0484)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 ELECTRONIC REPOSSESSION: FACT OR FICTION? 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00007)

ELECTRONIC REPOSSESSION: FACT OR FICTION? 06/12/91
RADNOR, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Chilton Co. of
Radnor Pennsylvania said in it's Distribution magazine: "You could be
the next victim of electronic repossession." "Although it sounds like
something from a tabloid headline, it is true," said Adam Green of Adam
Green Seminars, training seminars for consultants and software
developers and publisher of The Green Letter, Adam Green's Inside
View of the X-Base World.

Computer software can be written with traps, so that on a certain
date, or after a certain number of uses, it just stops, Green said. "I
was at a conference in Los Angeles where developers were discussing
the various ways they program the applications software to shut down
in the case of non-payment."

Distribution Magazine said, "This isn't fantasy, it's fact. It has
happened time and again, and the results are disastrous for the user.
The cloaked computer routines can be activated simply, usually by a
phone call. A program with an annual licensing fee, for example, could
easily be designed to spew unintelligible garble the day after a
payment grace period expires. Similar devices can be activated by a
quick call in the dead of night, via modem, to an unsuspecting
computer system."

What Chilton seems to imply is that the software developer would
somehow damage or destroy the user's data if not paid. Adam Green
said: "Trashing a user's data is not only wrong, it's criminal." Green
added that he could not say that it never has happened, but if it did,
the developer has opened him or herself up for criminal prosecution.
"But it's not in the developer's interest to trash the user's data.
All I've heard discussed, and all the developer does, is stop the
application program from running."

When asked why this distressing sort of thing might occur, Green
replied: "It's usually over completion disputes, meaning whether or
not the user is satisfied with the software. You ask the client why
payment hasn't been made, and they'll say it's because the software
isn't complete yet. You ask the developer why the software isn't
complete yet, and he/she will say it's because they haven't been
paid."

Newsbytes asked Green if he condoned the practice. "This is usually
done by people who've been burnt before. The software developer is
at the mercy of the user/client, because most software developers work
way in advance of payment. It's reasonable to expect to be paid, and
paid on time, if the software is working and the client has agreed to
the payment," he said.

Chilton's Distribution magazine recommends some ways to avoid the
repossession of software, like security levels and password entry, but
says the creator of the software usually knows a way around those
types of blocks. Distribution magazine also said watch for
repossession clauses in a contract, and an escrow arrangement for
payment is also advisable. Green suggests tight, well-defined
stipulations over what should be done before payment is made is the
best way to avoid confusion.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Press Contact: Linda Freeman, Chilton, Tel:
215/964-4494, Adam Green, Adam Green Seminars, Tel: [phone], Fax:
617/742-3431)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 KOREAN UNIVERSITY BUILDS ETHERNET NETWORK 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00008)

KOREAN UNIVERSITY BUILDS ETHERNET NETWORK 06/12/91
SEOUL, KOREA, 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- A campus-wide computer network
is being developed by Inha University, Korea's leading science and
technology institution, using Ethernet technology from 3Com
Corporation.

Plans call for the university to interconnect its computer center and
seven other buildings using a thick Ethernet backbone. The campus
buildings will have a thin Ethernet local area network (LAN) on each
floor, linked to a 3Com Multiconnect multi-port repeater. Each
Multiconnect will in turn link to the backbone through a 3Com IB/2000
Netbuilder bridge.

One of the primary applications, said 3Com, will be an electronic mail
system extending to all teaching departments and to the university
administration. The e-mail system will be implemented in the computer
centre, using a 3Com 3Server/521 file server to support the
university's 1,300 PCs and terminals.

The first phase, completed in April, comprised installation of the LAN
and electronic mail system in the computer center. Phase two involves
extension of the network to the seven other buildings and is due for
completion this month.

The university's 17,000 students and researchers will use the network
to connect to IBM, Data General and Hewlett-Packard computers and
technical workstations, as well as to communicate with other academics
worldwide via Bitnet.

(Norman Wingrove/19910612/Press Contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com Hong
Kong, Tel + 852 848 9200, Fax + 852 537 1149; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 HONG KONG SHIPPING GIANT GOES NEARLINE WITH COL 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00009)

HONG KONG SHIPPING GIANT GOES NEARLINE WITH COL 06/12/91
KWUN TONG, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- One of Hong Kong's
largest IBM mainframe users has turned to 'nearline' technology from
COL to speed access to information stored on cartridge tapes at its
worldwide data center.

Orient-Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has bought two robot-controlled
tape libraries to eliminate delays and errors when cartridges are
loaded by hand onto tape drives. The Storage Technology units were
supplied by Hong Kong Distributor, COL.

OOCL said it is concerned to ensure the stability and reliability of
its 24-hour operations. In bypassing manual tape handling, the
company hopes to make information access as error-free as
possible.

OOCL already has 6,000 tape cartridges -- the maximum capacity of
one Storagetek 4400 Automated Cartridge System (ACS). By installing
two units, it aims to cater for growth and to establish a non-disruptive
upgrade path.

The Storagetek units will be linked to OOCL's 82 Mips IBM ES/9021-620
mainframe, supplementing 160 gigabytes of disc storage. "We call this
'nearline' storage because it's not as fast as online discs, but many
times faster than locating and mounting tapes by hand," said Dennis
Persson, marketing manager for Storagetek at COL.

(Norman Wingrove/19910612/Press Contact: Dennis Persson, COL, Tel +
852 798 4798, Fax + 852 754 8917; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 CSSL BUSINESS RECOVERY SERVICE SIGNS ANZ BANK & SBCI 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00010)

CSSL BUSINESS RECOVERY SERVICE SIGNS ANZ BANK & SBCI 06/12/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Within days of
launching its new Business Recovery Service, CSSL signed up two
major accounts: ANZ Bank and SBCI Securities (Asia) Ltd. The CSSL
service is designed to protect users of IBM AS/400 mid-range computers
from the effects of a disaster that temporarily puts their computer centers
out of action.

Both customers are reported to have signed three-year contracts that
will give them guaranteed round-the-clock access to a dedicated IBM
AS/400 at CSSL. Rehearsals have been run, and smooth recovery from
a simulated disaster has been achieved.

Division manager, Peter Knight, said that the service had been
launched in response to customer demand. "Our customers were keen
for us to launch the service, and within a few days of announcing it we
had several potential subscribers," he said.

Knight said that research had shown that relying on informal backup
agreements with other users is inadequate and dangerous. "The backup
system may be unable to cope with the sudden extra workload, and
informal agreements almost never involve regular trial-runs. This
means that no-one really knows how well the arrangement would work if
it were needed, especially as each site's hardware configurations are
likely to change over time," he said.

Business Recovery Service clients pay a monthly fee which entitles
them to use CSSL's AS/400 if a disaster such as fire, flooding or
malicious damage puts their own system out of use. Once their
applications have been proved operational on the CSSL system,
they pay only for rehearsals or disaster usage.

(Norman Wingrove/19910612/Press Contact: Ally Ho, CSSL,
Tel + 852 806 1622, Fax + 852 806 2645; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NASA IADP CONTRACT GOES TO PACIFICORP CAPITAL 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00011)

NASA IADP CONTRACT GOES TO PACIFICORP CAPITAL 06/12/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 12 (NB) -- IADP, the 10-year
Institutional Automatic Data Processing contract which calls for
delivery of an unspecified number of large-scale computing systems for
NASA's Johnson Space Center, has been awarded to PacifiCorp Capital.
The contract calls for up to 20 Amdahl mainframe computers and
associated peripherals to be supplied to JSC in Houston, Texas, and
the White Sands, New Mexico, NASA installation.

The winning bid proposes the use of up to five different models of
Amdahl 5995 mainframes ranging in performance from 20 MIPS (million
instructions-per-second) to more than 120 MIPS, but the contract is
for an indefinite number of systems to be delivered at times to be
specified later, so its actual value to Amdahl and the contractor is
difficult to assess.

Gene Easley, NASA contract administrator, told Newsbytes that, while
the $130 million figure mentioned in the press release represented the
highest value of the contract if all high-end systems were bought, a
specific model system that was in the RFP (request for proposals)
calls for about $54 million worth of systems. He also pointed out that
neither all high-end nor all low-end systems would be purchased.

The actual value of the contract could vary widely, with the
contractual minimum set at only $2.4 million, the cost of one system.

While the announcement was made by the company today, the actual
contract award and signing will take place later this week, and NASA
says that the first computer will probably be ordered in July for
delivery 30 days after order, per the contract.

According to the NASA representative, the new computer contract is
for institutional uses, such as accounting, and other basic office
services, not flight-critical operations or development. Mr. Easley
also pointed out that, since this contract is for normal office
operations, the eventual size of the contract is not affected by
whether the Space Station Freedom is eventually funded.

Washington insiders point out, however, that without the large number
of flights and other activities associated with the space station
there might well be less work for JSC to perform and thus much less
need for technical and office staff, resulting in lighter computing
demand.

Reston, Virginia-based PacifiCorp Capital, a division of an Oregon
company, is a leading systems integration and leasing firm
specializing in government contracts.

The Johnson Space Center is the central organizing facility for
training astronauts and controlling space flights such as the present
shuttle mission.

(John McCormick/19910612/Press Contact: Gene Easley, NASA, 713-483-
5473)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991  JUN 12 NCR AD AGENCIES SAVED BY AT&T 06/12/91

06/12/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00013)

NCR AD AGENCIES SAVED BY AT&T 06/12/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- The marriage of AT&T and
NCR via the proposed merger is expected to continue the relationship
with some 36 advertising agencies, making everyone happy on both
sides, according to informed sources.

AT&T has indicated that NCR will continue to be based in Dayton, Ohio,
with the same name and management. An AT&T spokesman said: "We
won't mess with success, and we trust NCR with their advertising. If it
means taking on 10 or 14 agencies, we can do that."

"They don't forsee any major agency shifts as a result of the merger,"
said John McCoy, NCR's director of advertising and marketing services.
NCR, which specializes in computers and cash registers, spends $70
million a year on advertising.

Each of NCR's geographic marketing regions employs its own
advertising agencies, which usually work with subsidiaries or affiliates
in 120 countries around the world where it does business. "We have
quite a few ad agencies around the world," said McCoy.

As an example, Saatchi & Saatchi in London handles European
advertising for NCR. Deacon, Day, Massey in Toronto handles NCR's
Pacific marketing region. NCR's leading U.S. ad agency, San Jose-
based Pagliaro/Kuhlman, is expected to continue to handle NCR's
corporate and product advertising. Corporate PR and NCR's
workstation division PR is expected to continue to be handled by
Manning, Salvage & Lee, which has handled the account since 1985.

Sources say that AT&T uses 12 different ad agencies from Young &
Rubicam to Uniworld, and spends more than $1 million a day on
advertising, marketing and promotions.

In addition to McCoy, Bill Saylor, manager of U.S. advertising, and
Bob Farkas, public relations manager, are expected to continue in
their posts at NCR.

(Electronic Marketing News/19910612)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 BURNETT SNAGS $40 MILLION SONY AD CONTRACT 06/12/91

06/12/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00014)

BURNETT SNAGS $40 MILLION SONY AD CONTRACT 06/12/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- The Leo Burnett Co.,
has been tapped to receive an estimated $40 million worth of billings
by the Sony Corporation of America following a four month review of
five ad agencies. Burnett, already doing $2 billion in billings, won
out over Slater Hanft Martin Inc., Geer, DuBois Inc., D'Arcy Masius
Benton & Bowles, and Della Femina, McNamee, as a result of the
review.

Insiders say that Burnett was personally picked by Sony's new
president, Ron Sommer, who sought a worldwide consolidation of ad
work for its consumer products group under a single agency. Under
the contract, Burnett will be responsible for ads for products ranging
from Sony's Trinitron TV to its Walkman stereos.

The biggest loser in the deal is Slater Hanft Martin, which counted
Sony as its largest client from among its $85.2 million in annual
billings. The future of some 25 Slater staffers who worked on the
Sony account, from among 85 workers, is in doubt.

(Electronic Marketing News/19910612)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR PC: Screen Design Kit For Programmers 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00015)

NEW FOR PC: Screen Design Kit For Programmers 06/12/91
WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 -- Butler Computer
Systems has announced Screen Design Kit for programmers to analyze
and design text screens.

Butler says Screen Design Kit is memory resident (although it does not
have to be), so it can be brought up inside any application and
shows the row/column screen co-ordinates, and the foreground and
background colors of any position on the screen.

The color codes, called the attribute bytes, are described in decimal,
binary, programming codes, dbase color codes, and English, the
company said. A color palate is available and displays and describes
every color combination for both color and monochrome monitors at the
same time. Height and width of any area on the screen can also be
quickly measured.

This package is more than twice as much as other, similar packages.
Say What?! version 3.2 from Software Science, a stand-alone screen
generation tool, that also creates slide shows, lists in the
Programmer's Paradise catalog for a retail price of $50, and is
offered by Programmer's Paradise for $39.

When asked about the price, Barry Butler, of Butler Computer Systems
said the software is very intuitive and very easy to use. Butler also
said the kit comes with the following accessories: a pad of 50 screen
design forms for sketching a screen with the co-ordinates immediately
available on the sketch, a row/column ruler designed for use with the
screen forms, a laminated ASCII-decimal-hex-octal-binary
conversion/reference chart showing all available characters, symbols
and box-drawing combinations, and a binder designed for storage of the
screen design forms and accessories.

The Screen Design Kit is available for $99, but if the caller mentions
Newsbytes, Butler Computer Systems will offer a discounted price of
$79. More information is available from Butler Computer Systems, P.O.
Box 5306, Walnut Creek, California, 94596, [phone].
Programmer's Paradise can be contacted at 800/445-7899.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Press Contact: Barry Butler, Butler Computer
Systems, Tel: [phone], Programmer's Paradise, Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 ITALIAN OLIVETTI TO MARKET SPI SOFTWARE 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00016)

ITALIAN OLIVETTI TO MARKET SPI SOFTWARE 06/12/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Software
Products International (SPI), developers of business software for
personal computers, announced it has signed a joint marketing
agreement in Milan, Italy, with Olivetti to market SPI products
worldwide.

"Our strategic alliance with Olivetti opens up a whole new customer
base for our business products," said Sam Hassabo, SPI's vice
president of sales and marketing.

Terms of the agreement call for Olivetti to purchase SPI products from
SPI's offices in Europe and market them through Olivetti distribution
channels, SPI maintains.

Olivetti will have the option of bundling SPI products with Olivetti's
existing hardware, SPI said. The company also said that the agreement
includes joint marketing efforts such as announcements, exhibitions,
seminars, news releases, dealer training, promotion, literature and
sales collaterals.

SPI's product line includes: Open Access III an integrated database,
spreadsheet, graphics, word processing, communications and desk
accessories product; Superbase, a database product that will run under
Microsoft Windows; and Windowbase, a database product designed
specifically for Windows that is expected to ship in June 1991.

SPI describes C. Olivetti spa as a European-based information
technology group and ranked among the top 10 worldwide. It is active
in the computer and office automation industries with products ranging
from personal and minicomputers to workstations and office equipment.

Connie Roloff of SPI products said that Open Access III Superbase
already has a position in the European markets. The relationship
with Olivetti, meanwhile, is expected to strengthen that position, as
well as open more world wide opportunities.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Press Contact: Connie Roloff, SPI, Tel:
619/450-1526 Fax: [phone], Fabrizio Rei Rosa, Olivetti, Tel: 39-
125-522518)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR MAC: Development Tools for A/UX 06/12/91

06/12/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00017)

NEW FOR MAC: Development Tools for A/UX 06/12/91
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Apple Computer
announced at the USENIX Technical Conference and Exhibition a new
set of software development tools for A/UX, Apple's version of the Unix
operating system for the Mac. The new A/UX Developer's Tools allow
developers to create Macintosh, Unix and X Window system software,
as well as 'hybrid' applications that incorporate Macintosh and Unix
functionality in one environment.

A/UX Development Tools use the same development tools available
now for Macintosh, with Unix tools. A/UX users can run Macintosh, Unix
and X Window System applications simultaneously within windows on
the Macintosh desktop, Apple said. Third party products also allow
users to run Motif and MS-DOS applications as well.

The tools available in the new kit are the Macintosh Programmers
Workshop (MPW) and the MPW shell, C compiler, C++ compiler, Object
Pascal compiler, assembler, resource editor, source debugger and
assembly language debugger and an MPW tool that runs Unix
commands from within the MPW shell, Apple said. The MPW availability
in A/UX lets programmers create Macintosh applications while taking
advantage of the Unix software development environment, the company
said.

The new C compiler allows the developer to call the Macintosh toolbox
from Unix applications, and use the toolbox to display Macintosh menus
and windows. This allows the developer to create the appearance of a
Macintosh application from a Unix object file, Apple said.

The dbx debugger, popular in the Unix community and, included in the
Developer's Tools, supports hybrid applications and allows
programmers to analyze their Unix and Unix hybrid applications that
access the Macintosh toolbox. This simplifies the development of Unix
applications and applications that incorporate the Macintosh user
interface, Apple said.

The company also said the A/UX Developer's Tools includes a library
of A/UX system calls which allow Macintosh applications to take
advantage of Unix services such as Unix interprocess communications,
input/output and process control.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Press Contact: Jackit Promes, Apple, Tel:
408/974-3609, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 ADOBE INTROS SOFTWARE FOR UNIX POSTSCRIPT PRINTING 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00018)

ADOBE INTROS SOFTWARE FOR UNIX POSTSCRIPT PRINTING 06/12/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems has announced Transcript 3.0 software for  Unix. The package
consists of a group of programs that enable applications to communicate
with and print to Postscript printers, film recorders and imagesetters.

Transcript 3.0 is an upgrade from version 2.1, and can convert
standard Unix file formats into Postscript language files, so they can
be formatted and printed on Postscript output devices. It includes
communications software for serial (RS232) communication with a
Postscript printer, can handle print job banner pages, page accounting
and other functions, and it is fully integrated into both the Unix and
System V line printer spooling architectures, Adobe said.

Transcript 3.0 is expected to be available from June 15 onwards.
Upgrade pricing and availability information is available from
the workstation manufacturer directly, with the exception of users who
purchased Transcript 2.1 from Sun who should call Adobe directly at
415/961-4400.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Press Contact: Patricia Pane, Adobe, Tel:
415/962-3967, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12  ****AUSTRALIA: IBM STATES DIRECTIONS AT PRODUCT LAUNCH 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00019)

 ****AUSTRALIA: IBM STATES DIRECTIONS AT PRODUCT LAUNCH 06/12/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- IBM Australia took
advantage of its new product introduction in Sydney today, and spent
most of the time telling press where the company was heading with its
small systems.

Breaking with tradition, IBM held its introduction in Australia hours
ahead of the US launch. New products include a number of mid and low-
end PS/2 computers, operating system PC-DOS 5.0 and some OS/2 bundles.
Model 57 SX and model 40 SX have a new case design, with emphasis on
expansion, having five expansion slots and four disk bays. Models 35
SX and LS are 386sx machines, but with the more common AT bus. The
Model 70 386 has a 20 or 25MHz 80386 processor.

The intention of the briefing appeared to be that IBM has the vision
firmly in its grasp, that customers will not be abandoned, and that IBM
has the operating system dilemma under control. The Australian
briefing was capably led by US-based Lucy Baney, director of software
market development in PCs. Baney said that we were still in the early
phase of revolution, and while some users were experiencing
productivity gains, we could expect a staggering ten-fold increase in
efficiency as we learnt to shape our businesses around the computer,
not force the computer into the business.

"Computing in a few years will be totally transparent. It won't matter
what the system, the resources, the connections are... users just
won't need to know, and they won't care. That's Intel, Risc, Apple,
whatever." she told Newsbytes. She also said that while even the PS/2
range wasn't perfect, "it's the best out there."

IBM is moving forward in some areas: the new 2.88 Mbyte 3.5" diskette
drive is now shipping and will become a standard item; some PS/2
machines will be offered with a choice of keyboards - 86, 101 or 3270
compatible 122-key versions; SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)
controllers are now being offered on some machines, and will eventually
become the standard, offering a far greater range of storage devices,
such as tape and optical disks; the 3.5" rewritable optical drive will allow
up to 30 minutes of multimedia; the new tape backup unit has a capacity
of 2.3 gigabytes; a new 400 megabytes SCSI hard disk with fast 11.5ms
access times.

While not shipping until fourth quarter, IBM predicts that most
existing PC users will be able to use OS/2 version 2.0 as it not only has
much more modest requirements than existing versions of OS/2, but will
also run all OS/2, Windows 3.0 and DOS applications. Baney predicted
that there would be more than a million copies of the operating system
in use by the end of the year - though still less than one percent of the
DOS installed base.

When questioned about the rumored, strained relationship between IBM
and Microsoft, Baney said that the most sensible course for both
companies was to work together, and that users should not pay too much
attention to rumours. "Microsoft is our vendor for OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) versions of OS/2, but if they don't perform, we're going to
make sure the customer doesn't miss out."

She also said that it was conceivable IBM would start bundling OS/2 with
PS/2 models. When asked why IBM seemed to be snubbing Microsoft by
signing deals with companies such as Novell and Borland, she said:
"Borland makes its own development products, while Microsoft tends to
buy its from outside sources" - a comment which surprised some of the
press.

(Paul Zucker/19910612)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR PC: Out Of Your Mind Business Planning 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00020)

NEW FOR PC: Out Of Your Mind Business Planning 06/12/91
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Out of Your
Mind...and Into the Marketplace has announced Automate Your Business
Plan, a new software package based on the book Anatomy of a Business
Plan. Unlike any other business plan software, this software package
comes with a text editor and a spreadsheet built-in, and requires no
other software to prepare a business plan, according to Linda Pinson
of Out of Your Mind...and Into the Marketplace.

Pinson said Automate Your Business Plan is completely menu driven
and interactive. The package includes predefined planning outlines,
spreadsheets, templates, and instructions so even novice users can
develop a personalized business plan, said Pinson.

Also, the company has licensed Borland's Microstore word processing
and Microcalc spreadsheet for use in the product, both of which are
available to the user outside of the program for use on other business
applications, Pinson said.

The software is divided into three parts, Logistics, Marketing and
Financial, the three parts of any good business plan, Pinson said.
And, like any business plan, the user has to research their own
business, said Pinson.

The software was developed in a partnership Pinson formed with, and
Analytical Software Partners in Huntington Beach. The software is
distributed by Quality Books and Publisher's Marketing Services.

The minimum hardware requirements are an IBM personal computer or
compatible with 640 kilobytes of RAM, two 360K floppy disk drives or
one 720K 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. A printer is recommended, and the
product does support laser printers, and condensed printing as well,
Pinson said.

More information is available from Out of Your Mind...and Into the
Marketplace, 13381 White Sand Drive, Tustin, CA 92680, [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Linda Pinson, Out of Your Mind...and Into
the Marketplace, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 MERGEMASTER PRODUCES MERGE FILES FROM DATABASES 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00021)

MERGEMASTER PRODUCES MERGE FILES FROM DATABASES 06/12/91
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA , USA, JUN 12 (NB) -- Most word processors will
merge form letters with data lists, but preparing the data daunts many
users. Mergemaster takes users through the steps necessary to create a
merge file from the database.

Paradox and dBase files can not only be read by Mergemaster, but,
using a menu system the fields can be displayed and the data extracted
after selection. Where the whole list is not needed, the user can
apply conditions such as "All customers who haven't bought for more
than a year" providing this is contained within the database in a
testable form. Logical operators and string tests can be used.

Other database programs that produce usable files include all Xbase
products, FoxBase, Clipper and so on. Word processor data files
produced include WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Wordstar, Xywrite,
Displaywrite, Professional Write, Volkswriter, as well as several
Ascii formats. Mergemaster from Stairway Software retails for $79.95.

(Paul Zucker/19910612/Contact: Jim O'Connell [phone] fax +1-
804-9793749)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR PC: Wordperfect Font Scaling For Old Laserjets 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00022)

NEW FOR PC: Wordperfect Font Scaling For Old Laserjets 06/12/91
EMERYVILLE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Fonts-On-The-Fly
is a font-scaling package with 19 typefaces for Wordperfect users.
Shipping this month, the package uses popular Laserjet printers (and
compatibles) to produce a range of fonts normally only available in
the newer Laserjet III or through expensive or complicated means.

The new product from LaserTools is claimed to provide these fonts even
on dot matrix and inkjet printers. The fonts include the Times,
Univers, Garamond families, as well as Futura Bold, Univers Condensed,
Courier and Coronet. The font scaling technology used is Intellifont,
licensed from Compugraphics - the same system the Laserjet III uses.

Type sizes available are from 1/4 to 200 points. Fonts-On-The-Fly
loads within WordPerfect, so users do not need to preprocess or
postprocess their work - just use WordPerfect as normal, but with a
full range of fonts now available. It retails for $149.

(Paul Zucker/19910612/Contact: Michelle Martin ph [phone] fax
[phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 AUSTRALIA: MAC DATABASE AIDS THEATRE COMPANY 06/12/91

06/12/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00023)

AUSTRALIA: MAC DATABASE AIDS THEATRE COMPANY 06/12/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- The Marian Street Theatre
in Sydney now uses Claris FileMaker Pro and Macintosh computers
to log and process data on the theatre's operations.

Administrator Kathleen Low uses the systems to control tasks such as
subscriber database, theatre props and the lighting system. She said:
"It addresses the task well, and the LC also suits the graphical needs
of a theatre. We have computer illiterate users who have no trouble
with the systems."

The Macintoshes were originally acquired for the accounts department,
but soon were 'adopted' by other departments. The database used -
FileMaker Pro - is a new version of the Macintosh product, and theatre
staff use it's programming facilities for their particular applications.

(Paul Zucker/19910612)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 FLIPTRACK RELEASES AUDIOCASSETTE WINDOWS TRAINING 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00024)

FLIPTRACK RELEASES AUDIOCASSETTE WINDOWS TRAINING 06/12/91
GLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Fliptrack Learning
Systems has released 'How To Use Microsoft Windows 3', a Windows 3.0
training course on audiocasette. The program consists of four audio
lessons, each about two hours in length. Also included is an indexed
quick reference guide and a disk containing practice files.

Lee McFadden, Fliptrack president, feels the audio approach is
especially effective in learning Windows, since it eliminates the
distraction of a second video screen or having to follow a tutorial in
a manual. Says McFadden: "With so much happening onscreen in
Windows, the learner needs total visual concentration. There's no
easier way to learn."

'How to Use Microsoft Windows 3' teaches procedures for navigating
the desktop, opening and sizing windows, viewing the directory tree,
and moving and copying files and directories. Other material covered
includes customizing the desktop, multitasking, and moving data
between applications.

Students also learn the basics of Windows Write, Paintbrush, Notepad,
the calculator and calendar, using the clipboard, and adding icons.
The product has a suggested retail price of $119, and can be purchased
directly from Fliptrack. Additional information is available by
calling Fliptrack at 800-222-FLIP (3547); from outside the continental
US, call 708-790-1117.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact: Nancy Hazlett, Fliptrack, 708-790-
1117)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR PC: Contact Manager For Laptops/Notebooks 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00025)

NEW FOR PC: Contact Manager For Laptops/Notebooks 06/12/91
ELM GROVE, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- If you are a
laptop user who spends a lot of time on the road making sales calls,
there is a new product called Diamond Prospector which will allow you
to keep track of all your customer contacts, generate letters and mailing
labels, and generally keep track of your customer contacts.

Diamond Prospector, recently released by Diamond Data Management
(DDM) is designed for sales organizations with either outbound sales
forces or an in-house sales department. The program includes search
and sort capabilities, subset generation, seven different lookups of
prospect and to do lists,pull down menus, hotkeys and macros. The
program can be run using the keyboard or a mouse.

DDM says Diamond Prospector can store and retrieve letters, has a
built-in word processor which will produce mailing labels, and
provides one key access to prospect notes. For laptops and notebooks
equipped with a modem, Prospector provides automatic dialing, and it
has a special video mode for laptops with harder to read screens.

Prospector requires MS-DOS 3.1 or higher, 640 kilobytes of RAM
and a hard drive, and is LAN (local area network) compatible. Its fields
are of variable length, reducing the amount of space required to store
data. According to DDM president Andy Kurz: "Prospector can turn an
unfocused sales department into a proficient marketing machine."
Diamond Prospector has a suggested retail price of $195.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact: Andrew Kurz, DDM, 414-786-9000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 AMERICA ONLINE TO BE USED BY PHOENIX OEMS 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00026)

AMERICA ONLINE TO BE USED BY PHOENIX OEMS 06/12/91
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Phoenix
Technologies has just reached an agreement with its
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide them with
sections of Quantum Computer Services' America Online, a personal
computer (PC) online service for Macintosh and IBM-compatible
PCs. The purpose of the agreement is to
allow OEMs the opportunity to support users online, with portions
of America Online dedicated to each OEM, says Phoenix.

The agreement was in response to a growing demand from OEMs, said
Michael Deutsch of Phoenix, and allows OEMs and PC manufacturers to
create customized sections of America Online dedicated to the support
of OEM-specific products and services for users. OEMs and
manufacturers have the opportunity to create a two-way real-time
communications center between their company and their users who
subscribe to America Online, he added.

The OEMs, manufacturers and Phoenix are working on designs that are
targeted toward the home markets -- PS/1 competition -- Deutsch said,
and online services make it possible to distribute software, provide
services to users and reduce costs.

Phoenix produces low-level system software for the IBM-compatible
personal computers (PCs) and is expanding into providing higher level
software and support to its OEM market, Deutsch said. For example,
Phoenix has signed an agreement with Microsoft to provide DOS 5.0 to
its OEMs, Deutsch said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Press Contact: Michael Deutsch, Phoenix,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12  ****UNIX SYSTEM V RELEASE 4 SHIPPING FROM INTERACTIVE 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00027)

 ****UNIX SYSTEM V RELEASE 4 SHIPPING FROM INTERACTIVE 06/12/91
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Interactive
Systems announced at its developers conference held in Universal City,
California (the location of Universal Studios), that it has begun
shipping Unix System V Release 4 for the Intel i386/i486 platforms.

The i386/i486 are the chips used in the top-of-the-line IBM personal
computers and compatibles.

The company says that this is its first shipment since its appointment
as Principal Publisher of SVR4 by Unix System Laboratories (USL) and
Intel earlier this year. Interactive also announced shipment to and
support of the Intel SVR4 customer base as well as delivery for its
future SVR4 releases and extensions, and a new developer program to
support its Unix System V environments.

Interactive Systems is a Kodak company and describes itself as the a
supplier of Unix software products, licensed software technologies and
consulting and development services to the Unix industry and open
systems market. The company is headquartered at 2401 Colorado Ave.,
Santa Monica, California, 90404. [phone]. Outside the U.S. call
[phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Press Contact: Regina Freeman, Interactive,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 7 ACCUSED OF NINTENDO SOFTWARE COUNTERFEITING 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00028)

7 ACCUSED OF NINTENDO SOFTWARE COUNTERFEITING 06/12/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Nintendo, with the
United States Customs authorities, has announced the arrests
throughout the United States of individuals associated with several
prominent Taiwanese companies who are alleged to have collaborated to
manufacture and export counterfeit Nintendo video games. The recent
arrests in Chicago, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Miami culminated the
sweep against the counterfeiters, Nintendo said.

Howard Lincoln, senior vice president of Nintendo, said: "These latest
arrests speak to the skill and dedication of the U.S. Customs service
to combat illegal operations which ultimately impact intellectual
property rights. The efforts of Customs to assist Nintendo in
combating a severe counterfeiting problem during the past few years
have been untiring."

Nintendo said that those arrested include Patrick P. Yu and George Yeh
of United Microelectronics, a multimillion dollar Taiwanese
manufacturer of integrated circuits; Uen Fu Wong and Jimmy Yao of
NTDEC, a substantial worldwide exporter of allegedly counterfeit
games; King K. Huan and Alice Chang of King Hwa Industrial; and Joseph
Benmeleh of Galaxia Overseas. Earlier related criminal actions against
Danny Chu of Aeropower of Taiwan, and Tina Huang of Rainco Man
International of Taiwan, are also being pursued, the company said.

The arrests were the latest in a series of civil and criminal actions
directed at the manufacture, importation and sale of counterfeit video
games for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo said. The
majority of the indictments arise in connection with the sale of
`multigame' video game cartridges which incorporate identical or
virtually identical copies of popular Nintendo video games. The most
recent actions have focused on arrests of Taiwanese nationals whose
illegally copied products are secretly brought into the United States.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Press Contact: Lynne Gray, Hill & Knowlton,
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR PCS: Metz Lock, Security For Windows 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00029)

NEW FOR PCS: Metz Lock, Security For Windows 06/12/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Metz Software has
begun shipping Metz Lock, a Windows workstation security package
designed primarily for corporate and government use. Lock is designed
to protect against unauthorized access to information stored on a PC
by requiring that a verifiable password be entered before the
keyboard, mouse or pen can be used.

Features of Metz Lock include both automatic and manual lock-setting
options, a user-customizable screen saver and the ability to disable
the Ctl-Alt-Del reboot. Metz Lock 3.0 is being distributed as
commercial software, but earlier versions were available as shareware.
Shareware products are distributed at no cost, then the user sends in
a registration fee if they like the product and continue to use it.

Metz Lock comes bundled with PC Watchman ACS (Access Control Software)
by Harcom Security Systems Corporation. PC Watchman is a PC-based
security program for use under both DOS and Windows. Metz Lock runs on
stand-alone PCs or on a network, and requires Windows 3.0. It has a
suggested retail price of $49.95 for a single user, with site
licensing available, and comes with a 60 day money-back guarantee. The
company provides free technical support for 90 days from the date the
first support call is made.

Owners of previous versions of Metz Lock can upgrade to Release 3.0
for $15, plus shipping and handling, through July 31, 1991. Owners of
other Metz products, such as File F/X or Task Manager, can purchase
Lock for $24.95 plus shipping and handling.

(Jim Mallory/19910612/Press Contact:Ann Revell-Pechar, Metz, 206-869-
6292, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12  ****MASSIVE SOLAR FLARE THREATENS COMPUTER SYSTEMS 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00030)

 ****MASSIVE SOLAR FLARE THREATENS COMPUTER SYSTEMS 06/12/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- One of the largest solar
flares ever recorded in modern history is sending a flood of subatomic
particles and atomic nuclei toward earth in the solar wind. When such
particles strike earth's geomagnetic field they generate
electromagnetic waves similar to those experienced with an atomic
explosion and these waves, though not dangerous to human beings, can
cause unpredictable power surges which could affect communications and
computers.

The earliest effects will be felt around the world beginning about
10:30 a.m. Eastern U.S. time on Wednesday and there is no way to
predict in advance whether the surges will be of a magnitude that will
cause major disruptions or only minor variations in voltages that
won't be noticed.

Forrest Mims, noted science writer and editor of Science Probe
Magazine, told Newsbytes that there have been a number of what are
called X-class solar flares, the largest category, and that while they
do pose some threat to computer users, the major threat is a repeat of
exactly what happened in Canada last year when similar conditions
caused massive power outages as power company circuit breakers cut
power during surges.

Mr. Mims said that while cosmic rays, detectable by geiger counters at
the earth's surface, reach the earth only 20-40 minutes after the
beginning of a new flare, the particles which interact with the
earth's magnetic field travel much more slowly, reaching earth about
three to four days after the flare begins.

The sun is extremely active right now, producing conditions that often
result in spectacular auroral displays in the far northern and far
southern night skies, and Forrest told Newsbytes that those wanting
further information and having access to short wave radios should
listen in to WWV (the U.S. Government time station) at 18 minutes past
any hour. WWV broadcasts on 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-Megahertz in the AM
waveband.

The duty forecaster at Boulder, Colorado's NOAA (The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration) reports that, since June 1, they have
recorded no less than six class X-12 or larger solar flares. There may
have been even larger flares but the instruments were already pegged
at their maximum readings.

Mims expressed the hope that the Space Shuttle was equipped to observe
this magnetic anomaly because of the historic significance of the
sun's activity; he also expressed some concern over the health effects
on the astronauts.

(John McCormick/19910612)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Etherstat LAN Troubleshooter 06/12/91

06/12/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00031)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Etherstat LAN Troubleshooter 06/12/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Gateway Communications
has introduced Etherstat, a new network software utility that displays
on a monitor the status and topology of Ethernet local area networks
(LANs).

EtherStat monitors statistical Ethernet information and LAN activity
in real time, and captures and displays the data contents of Ethernet
packets, according to Gateway. Ed Fudurich, vice president of research
and development at Gateway said: "EtherStat helps the network manager
isolate and solve LAN performance problems quickly. As a preventive
tool, EtherStat is very valuable because it makes it possible for the
network manager to not only adjust a LAN so that overall performance
is improved, but to even initially detect potential concerns long
before a failure occurs."

Etherstat can be configured to capture and display all types of
Ethernet LAN activity, or filter criteria to get just the activity in
question, Gateway said. Etherstat captures all or part of the actual
data on the Ethernet cable and displays activity for up to 250 PC LAN
nodes. The product also monitors its own performance to indicate if
the host PC is not powerful enough to keep up with the capture of data
or statistics at high, sustained rates, the company said.

The gathered information can be saved and viewed or printed later as
well, the company added.

Etherstat is currently available for $250, and installs on a network
PC workstation with a minimum of 256K RAM and either a G/Ethernet AT
LAN adaptor or G/Ethertwist AT LAN adaptor, Gateway said. The other
LAN nodes or terminals can utilize any Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.3-compatible Ethernet adapter
and can function with any LAN operating system, the company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910612/Jean Taber, Gateway, Tel: [phone], Fax:
714/553-1616)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR PCS: Windows Bundle For $200 From Egghead 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00032)

NEW FOR PCS: Windows Bundle For $200 From Egghead 06/12/91
BOTHELL, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- A new bundling
arrangement serves as an entry to the world of Microsoft Windows,
adding almost everything a Windows uninitiated needs to add a
graphical user interface for just under than $200.

Egghead Discount Software is packaging Spinnaker's
PFS:WindowWorks integrated package, a Logitech MouseMan
serial mouse and the Windows system itself for $199.95 ($10
more gets you a bus mouse). A user with a Windows capable
PC--an 80286 or better with 1 MB of RAM and a hard disk--can
now gain firsthand Windows experience without making a
prohibitive investment.

"We wanted to give users a strong incentive to move to
Windows," said Spinnaker's director of marketing, Bob Reed.
"We've lowered the barrier to migration." Reed pointed out
that most machines sold today are capable of running
Windows, and would benefit from this package. However, he
added, most older machines will need some upgrading to run
Windows efficiently.

Purchasing this bundle with a new machine may cause some
overlap, as Windows is included with many PCs sold today.
However, the $199 price undercuts the regular Egghead price
of just the MouseMan and PFS: WindowWorks by about $50.

The bundling agreement will continue throughout the summer,
but may at some point be expanded to include other retail
outlets. "We are exclusive at Egghead for now," said Reed.
"But we've gotten requests from other parts of the country
that aren't serviced by Egghead, and other chains are
interested in carrying this package."

(Charles Bermant/19910612)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 NEW FOR PCS: PenApps Development Tools For Windows 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00033)

NEW FOR PCS: PenApps Development Tools For Windows 06/12/91
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- Slate Corp.
has announced PenApps, an application development environment for
pen-based computers to run under Windows for Pens. This increases
the potential market strength of Windows for Pens, an
extension for Microsoft's graphical operating environment.

PenApps is currently available in a developer's release
version for GO Corp.'s PenPoint operating system, which is
expected to compete with Windows for Pens. This is not an
IBM/Apple style rivalry, as applications created in PenApps for
PenPoint can be migrated to PenApps for Windows for Pens and
vice versa. Though transferrable, the applications take full
advantage of the strengths of each platform and, therefore, are
not hindered by a least common denominator look and feel,
according to Slate executives.

No release date for the Windows product was announced. The
product cannot be released until after Microsoft's own pen
extensions, which also have no announced release date. Slate
shipped PenApps for the GO system in March.

(Charles Bermant/19910612)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12 MICROSOFT & EVEREX WIN MS-DOS COUNTERFEITING CASE 06/12/91

06/12/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00034)

MICROSOFT & EVEREX WIN MS-DOS COUNTERFEITING CASE 06/12/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) --
Microsoft Corp. and Everex Systems Inc. have announced a
substantial jury award in their lawsuit against eight defendants
responsible for counterfeiting the Microsoft MS-DOS operating
system.

According to the joint announcement, the jury "awarded
Microsoft and Everex damages that will exceed $4.3 million
after the anticipated trebling provided by statute." The suit,
filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
in May 1990, alleged that the defendants had counterfeited the
version of MS-DOS marketed by Everex under Everex's
trademark "ParCorp." Everex is licensed by Microsoft to
produce its MS-DOS product. The defendants in the case are
J&S International, JIP Design and Joe Fok, all of San Jose, Calif.,
and American MultiSource Inc. (AMS), Manufacturing Service
Inc. (MSI), Benny S. Lee, Norman Chan and Susan Chan, all of
Fremont, Calif.

Microsoft, on April 6, 1990, filed the first of a series of lawsuits
in this matter under seal, a procedure which allowed them to
obtain seizure orders and have them executed at six locations
between April 10 and May 8, 1990. US Marshalls participated in the
raids which were said to net more than 1,000 units of the alleged
counterfeit product. These seizures led to the lawsuit under which
the award was made.

Making the announcement, William H. Neukom, Microsoft's vice
president of law and corporate affairs, said, "We are extremely
pleased with the jury's verdict....End users of MS-DOS should not
be victimized by counterfeiters, and we will take the strongest
possible action to protect our customers from that threat."

Now that the trial of this case has concluded, Microsoft and
Everex plan to refer the matter to the U.S. Attorney and the
FBI for possible criminal prosecution."

Chris Leslie, Everex's general counsel, added, "This is a great
victory for both Microsoft and Everex, and should serve as a
severe warning to any other would-be counterfeiters that this
sort of conduct will not be tolerated."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Marty
Taucher, Microsoft Corp., 206-882-8080;; Kimball Brown, Everex
Systems Inc., 415-683-2421,/19910612)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 12  ****IBM INTROS NEW PS/2 SX MODELS, TOUCH SCREEN 06/12/91

06/12/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00035)

 ****IBM INTROS NEW PS/2 SX MODELS, TOUCH SCREEN 06/12/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 12 (NB) -- IBM
has introduced a family of 386SX PS/2 personal computers,
including two systems that utilize the AT or "industry
standard" bus rather that the Micro Channel one which IBM has put
forth as the architecture of the future. Additionally, IBM
announced  a trade-in program for owners of earlier systems.

The high-end system introduced the 57SX utilizes Micro Channel
Architecture while the 40SX and 35SX utilize the AT bus. All utilize
the Intel 20 megahertz (MHz) 386SX microprocessor. The 57SX
contains as standard the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
found on the IBM's top-of-the-line PS/2 Model 90 and Model
95 XP 486.

Also introduced was the PS/2 8516 Touch Display, a 14-inch
color display that provides touch-sensitive response directly
on the screen with the touch of a finger, the point of a pencil or
any other touch medium. IBM's announcement positioned this
device as an "ideal tool for product merchandising, interactive
training and business transactions."

No prices were available at deadline.

The trade-in program, announced as running through the end of the
year, will allow customers with older IBM personal computers as
well as certain models of computers from Apple
Computer Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp to receive rebates
toward purchases of IBM PS/2 systems.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Michael
Reiter, IBM, 914-642-5368/19910612)

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUN 11 COMMODORE ANNOUNCES NEW CDTV FEATURES 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00001)

COMMODORE ANNOUNCES NEW CDTV FEATURES 06/11/91
WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Commodore
International has announced new features for its CDTV multimedia
computer that improve the device's video capabilities. The company
also said it would extend CDTV's availability.

One new feature, CDXL, will let developers display video images
from a CD-ROM disk on screen. Limited to images covering about one
third of the screen because of the amount of data that must be
transferred, CDXL is an interim solution until the Motion Picture
Expert Group (MPEG) standard is completed.

Commodore spokesman David Rosen told Newsbytes no additional
hardware or software is needed to use CDXL. Software developers
simply need specifications from Commodore to know how it works, he
said.

CDXL can display about 12 frames per second, or half what is
normally used for full-motion video.

CDTV-PIP allows a standard video image from an outside source, such
as a television feed or video cassette recorder, to be displayed
simultaneously with a running CDTV application. CDTV-PIP will
require a plug-in video card that replaces the current video card
but requires no software upgrade. It is expected to be available
early next year, Rosen said.

Commodore announced plans to make CDTV compatible with Kodak's new
Photo CD system. Photo CDs, planned for June 1992 introduction, can
store up to 100 35-millimeter photographic images on writable CD-
ROM discs. Consumers will be able to insert the Photo CD discs into
the CDTV player and view their high-resolution photographs on
standard TV sets, Commodore said.

Commodore also said it would make CDTV available in a number of
additional U.S. centers and in France, Germany, and Italy during
June. CDTV was launched in five U.S. cities and in the United
Kingdom and Canada in May.

(Grant Buckler/19910610/Press Contact: David Rosen, Commodore, 215-
344-3040)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 BATTERED VESTRONIX TO SHUT DOWN 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00002)

BATTERED VESTRONIX TO SHUT DOWN 06/11/91
WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Software maker
Vestronix, plagued by scandal and out of money, has announced it
will shut down. The fate of the company's Pro-C language compiler
remains undecided.

John McDonald, a lawyer and former secretary of Vestronix, said the
company was in default on C$5.4-million worth of debentures issues
by its 79 percent-owned operating subsidiary, Pro-C Corp. There is
also more than C$1.2 million in other debts, he said. The debenture
holders are now deciding what to do, he said, and "there are all
sorts of legal and technical requirements," but there appears to be
no prospect of the company continuing operations.

At present, McDonald said, the company's office is still open and
its support lines are staffed. Some provision may be made for
ongoing support of Pro-C, he said, but nothing has been decided.

The Ontario Securities Commission launched an investigation of
Vestronix last year after the company had to restate the previous
year's annual results and then its first-quarter results. After the
OSC questioned Vestronix's accounting practices, the company's
first quarter profit was more than halved from C$107,199 to
C$39,479.

Last October, former Vestronix President Grant Gee resigned. In
September, Robert Kelly, a stock promoter and a major shareholder,
cut his ties with Vestronix after the OSC ordered him and three
other individuals, and the companies they controlled, to cease
trading Vestronix stock. Publicity concerning Kelly's previous role
in two Alberta resource companies which went broke contributed to
Vestronix's problems.

Last December, Vestronix had to retract a press release announcing
two major contracts it previously announced never existed. The
company also said it had submitted revised financial statements to
its shareholders for the nine months ended July 31.

Jim Reid, a former vice-president of Vestronix, was charged in
January with using forged documents.

Chairman and President Frank Casillas and others who ran the
company since last year have now resigned as well, McDonald said.

(Grant Buckler/19910610/Press Contact: John McDonald, Vestronix,
519-745-2700, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11  ****PC PURCHASES TO RISE, DATAPRO POLL SAYS 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00003)

 ****PC PURCHASES TO RISE, DATAPRO POLL SAYS 06/11/91
DELRAN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Datapro Information
Services surveyed nearly 500 attendees at the recent Comdex/Spring
show and found most expect to buy more personal computers,
software, and local-area networks (LANs) in the next year than they
did in the past 12 months.

Seventy-two percent of those polled said their microcomputer
purchases would increase in the next 12 months. Seventy-eight
percent indicated their software expenditures would be greater and
65 percent said they plan to spend more on LANs.

Asked what technology would have the most impact on their business
this year, 39 percent of respondents picked LANs. Twenty-eight
percent named Microsoft Windows, and eight percent cited the Unix
operating system. The respondents chose those items from a list of
10 possibilities, said Datapro spokeswoman Judy Watson. No other
questions were asked.

Watson noted that since the poll did not ask whether purchases in
the past year were down from the year before, it is not certain
whether plans to buy more in the coming year represent an over-all
upturn, or simply a rebound from a slow year.

(Grant Buckler/19910610/Press Contact: Judy Watson, Datapro, 609-
764-0100, ext. 2296)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 EDMONTON FIRM TO BUY MYRIAS RESEARCH 06/11/91

06/11/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00004)

EDMONTON FIRM TO BUY MYRIAS RESEARCH 06/11/91
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Myrias Research, the
supercomputer maker into which Alberta's provincial government and
the government of Canada sank some C$25 million, has been sold to
a small Edmonton technology company for C$1.5 million. Myrias went
into receivership last October.

Dallas Hauge, director of business development and marketing at
Datek, an 80-employee developer of control and measurement systems,
said his company has agreed to pay the Alberta government C$1.5
million for Myrias. Datek will seek promising niche markets for the
parallel processing systems Myrias was developing, he said. Twelve
of Myrias's technical staff have joined Datek, Hauge added.

"We feel that the company is probably more stable now than ever
before," Hauge said, adding that Datek intends to take a "more
focused" approach to selling Myrias's products. Hauge contended
that much of Myrias's problem was that it was "ahead of its time,"
and current interest in parallel-processing systems shows the
company has a good chance of success.

Myrias had 80 employees when it closed last fall. The company said
at the time that its capital requirements had become too large too
handle, and blamed its failure partly on a general downturn in the
computer industry.

(Grant Buckler/19910610/Press Contact: Dallas Hauge, Datek
Industries, 403-465-1530)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 MERIDIEN MAIL HELPS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 06/11/91

06/11/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

MERIDIEN MAIL HELPS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 06/11/91
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- BellSouth has
modified Northern Telecom's Meridien Mail system to create a
"voice mail for the deaf" system at the Community College of
Philadelphia's Center on Disability.

Roseana Yoder, a systems designer for BellSouth Communication
Systems, modified the voice mail system so that
Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf, or TDDs, could interact
with it. Meridian Mail is part of a 1,400-line Northern Telecom
Meridian One telephone system installed at the college by
BellSouth.

Hearing impaired callers routinely access the Center during
normal working hours using a TDD device, by keying in their
message through the telephone line. The person at the other end
of the line -- using a similar device -- types back a response
which is readable on the one-line video display of the terminal.
During off-hours, the hearing impaired can interact, through
their TDDs, with a special message "written" in touch tone. About
12 students and 5 faculty members make regular use of the
service.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910611/Press Contact: Jeff Nichols BellSouth
Communication Systems, 703-983-6071; Noel Weyrich, Community
College of Philadelphia, 215-751-8044)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 NEW FOR TELECOM: Rolm's Security For Phonemail 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

NEW FOR TELECOM: Rolm's Security For Phonemail 06/11/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- When Rolm
announced PhoneMail SP, a unit in its voice messaging family for
small businesses and larger firms with small branch offices, the
company also announced device to prevent the growing problem of
hackers using business phone switches to dial-out to other
phones. Rolm is a joint-venture between Siemens and IBM.

The enhanced security will help customers prevent unauthorized
access to Rolm 9750 systems. The software release, 9005,
also provides international call route optimization and back-up
power options. The security limits the number of valid Forced
Authorization Codes available and disconnects callers after one
failure to input the correct code. The route optimization chooses
the lowest cost carrier and switches to another trunk if the
first line is busy.

The new E911 capabilities improve response time to emergency
calls because the emergency dispatcher answering a call
automatically receives the caller's specific Direct Inward Dial
telephone number -- including an extension number. This allows the
dispatcher's computer to access its database to provide the
address within a building where the call originated and the
caller's location within it. As a result, emergency personnel
can respond more quickly to calls from offices and other
locations with multiple extensions.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910611/Press Contact: ROLM, Ken Allen,
203/849-6060)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 AMERITECH, FRANCE TELECOM WIN POLISH CELLULAR AWARD 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

AMERITECH, FRANCE TELECOM WIN POLISH CELLULAR AWARD 06/11/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- France Telecom
and Ameritech will each pay $50 million to win the Polish
government's first analog cellular communications concession.

The concession wins the two firms 49% of a joint venture with Polish
Postal, Telegraph and Telephone, a state-owned system. Beaten
were a British-backed consortium consisting of Crowley-Cellular,
British Telecom, Swedish Telecom and Bell Atlantic of the U.S.,
and an American-based consortium consisting of NYNEX of the U.S.,
Telecom Denmark and Telefonica of Spain. The award was made after
intensive negotiations with the three finalists.

As the proposed joint venture partner, Ameritech and France
Telecom now will finalize issues related to the cellular system
design, operation, license and partnership with PPTT. Poland is
also planning to treble its number of telephone lines by the year
2000, which should provide some competition for the cellular
system.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910611/Press Contact: Ameritech, Mike Brand,
Ameritech, 312/750-5219; France Telecom, Bruno Janet, 011-33-1-
44-44-9393)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 BELL ATLANTIC DISPLAYS MOBILE EMERGENCY UNIT 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

BELL ATLANTIC DISPLAYS MOBILE EMERGENCY UNIT 06/11/91
BEDMINISTER, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Bell
Atlantic's Mobile Systems unit announced a completely
transportable cellular telephone system designed to quickly
restore communication to areas struck by natural disaster or
other emergencies.

The system, designed by Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems and built
by COMSAT, was created for the National Communications System,
an emergency preparedness office reporting directly to President
Bush. It is totally self-contained and, with local cellular
carrier coordination, can be flown or trucked to a disaster site,
then assembled and put into action in about two and a half hours.

The unit, known as the National Transportable Telecommunications
Capability, is maintained at Clarksburg, Maryland. The unit is
also expected to have applications to oil companies, public and
private disaster relief agencies, law enforcement, and other
emergency preparedness organizations.

The NTTC includes a transportable cellular mobile telephone
switching office with co-located portable cell site, a 100-foot
telescoping antenna mast and a satellite earth station. It has
its own diesel power supplies, and even portable and
transportable cellular telephones. The entire NTTC was designed
to be transported in a single C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.

Bell Atlantic and the U.S. Coast Guard also launched a new
cellular service for boaters in trouble. By dialing "*CG" on
their cellular phones, boaters will be able to directly reach a
Coast Guard rescue coordination center within the available
coverage areas. This pilot/testbed system will be available this
summer. The initial coverage will be from Ocean County, New
Jersey to Chincoteague, Virginia and in the upper Chesapeake Bay.
The service is not a replacement for VHF-FM radio channel 16, the
international distress frequency. It could be expanded to other
cellular companies' operations in the future.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910611/Press Contact: Karen Ann Kurlander,
Bell Atlantic, 908-306-7552)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 900 NUMBER REACHES CONGRESS 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)

900 NUMBER REACHES CONGRESS 06/11/91
BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- While the U.S.
Congress considers a bill to restrict the caller-paid 900 number
industry, one vendor has announced a new service aimed at
Congress. 900-VOICE AMERICA's new 900 number, 1-900-U.S.-2-
CONGRESS, will let any citizen leave a voice mail message for
their congressperson with a live operator.

Voice America picks three topics each week, and callers can
respond to one or all three. Names and addresses of callers are
put into Fax-A-Grams and then sorted by zip code for delivery.
Letters, which are the most effective way to reach Congress,
cost 29 cents to mail.

The voice mail messages over the 900 number will reach Congress
faster than regular mail, and constituents can avoid the problem
of busy signals at their congressman's office. However, callers
are restricted to topics initiated by the service provider. Voice
America called the result "electronic lobbying" and it costs
$5.95 per call.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910611/Press Contact: Richard Minard, 900-
Voice America, 800-825-7215)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 IMM BUYS SMALL KANSAS PHONE SYSTEM 06/11/91

06/11/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

IMM BUYS SMALL KANSAS PHONE SYSTEM 06/11/91
IRVING, TEXAS, U.S.A,. 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Universal Service
Telephone, a unit of International Mobile Machines, signed a
letter of intent to purchase the Haviland Telephone Company of
Haviland, Kansas, which runs 12 exchanges between Wichita and
Dodge City and serves approximately 3,500 customers.

The rural system could become a customer for IMM's Ultraphone
system, a cellular-like system which takes the place of wired
phones.

As with the purchase of all telephone companies, the state Public
Utility Commission and the Federal Communications Commission will
have to approve the final sale.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910611/Press Contact: John A. Goetz,
International Mobile Machines 215-278-7800; Robert Ellis,
Haviland Telephone, 316-862-5211)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 FASTER CREDIT CARD APPROVAL FOR MERCHANTS INTRO'D 06/11/91

06/11/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

FASTER CREDIT CARD APPROVAL FOR MERCHANTS INTRO'D 06/11/91
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) --
Northern Telecom announced DPN TransAct, a new data service
for stores. Sales clerks which now get credit card authorizations
by swiping credit cards through terminals and receiving
authorization numbers will now be able to get answers back in 7
seconds instead of 30, the company said.

The system sends the buyer's credit card number, the merchant
number, and the purchase amount as a single burst onto a packet
network rather than directly over the phone lines. The system is
based on Northern Telecom's DPN-100 packet switch, and software
developed by the company.

Another advantage of the system, especially for businesses with
just a few phone lines, is that data traffic is able to share the
line. This means a single phone line, dedicated to data traffic,
can be shared by a large number of terminals throughout the
store, and the possibility of a busy line due to someone else
using the phone at the store is minimized. The company is
developing applications for lottery networks, travel and
reservations, automatic ticket machines, and medical claims
processing.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910611/Press Contact: Mark Dill, Northern
Telecom, 919-992-3200)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 AUSTRALIA: ONLINE SERVICE DISCOVERY GETS CORPORATE DATA 06/11/91

06/11/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00012)

AUSTRALIA: ONLINE SERVICE DISCOVERY GETS CORPORATE DATA 06/11/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Telecom Australia's public
information service Discovery now offers the Australian Securities
Commission database which offers data on almost 900,000 companies
registered in Australia.

From January this year, the ASC became the sole national regulator
of companies, and the securities and futures markets in Australia.
While it still provides information over the counter, ASC believes
the dial-up access will be very popular with members of the public
and commercial users.

Information is available in a number of forms: Historical
organization search; companies' charges; directors' and secretaries'
details; disqualified principals. The pricing is exactly the same as
over the counter, but frequent users can purchase bulk connection
blocks at a discount.

(Paul Zucker/19910610/Contact: James Harker-Mortlock [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 NEW FOR PCS: Utility Creates Merge Files From Database 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00013)

NEW FOR PCS: Utility Creates Merge Files From Database 06/11/91
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Stairway
Software has introduced MergeMaster, a utility that creates merge
files for popular word processors from database files in dBase and
Paradox formats. The MS-DOS software costs US$79.95

MergeMaster lets the user select a dBASE or Paradox file and choose
the fields to be included in a word processor merge file. It can
also execute a query on a database file, eliminating the need to
use the database software itself to create a temporary file
containing the desired records. For example, a user who wants to
send a letter to all the customers with addresses in the state of
New York could select records where the "state" field contained the
text "New York". However, noted Dave Hall, head of product
development at Stairway, MergeMaster cannot handle queries that
join two database files.

MergeMaster works with all versions of Ashton-Tate's dBASE and
Borland's Paradox database software, and with dBASE-compatible
packages such as Foxbase+ and Clipper, Stairway said. It can create
merge files for WordPerfect versions 4.2, 5.0 and 5.1; Microsoft
Word (comma and tab formats); Wordstar 3.0 and up; Xywrite III;
Volkswriter 3; IBM Displaywrite 3/4; PFS:Professional Write; and
several common ASCII formats, the company said.

Stairway also updated ScreenExtender, its screen utility for
WordPerfect. ScreenExtender lets WordPerfect display wider lines of
text, to avoid scrolling when using small or proportional fonts.
Version 2.0 is faster and more readable than the previous release
and takes less memory, the vendor said. It also adds a choice of
screen fonts and color palettes and context-sensitive help.
ScreenExtender 2.0 costs US$99.95.

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Jim O'Connell, Stairway
Software, 804-977-7770, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 CANADIAN LAN SHOW SCHEDULED 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00014)

CANADIAN LAN SHOW SCHEDULED 06/11/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- The Local-Area Network
Dealers' Association of Toronto (LANDA Toronto) has announced plans
for its second annual LAN Expo.

LAN Expo '91 will be held at the St. Lawrence Market in downtown
Toronto on August 14 and 15. The show is devoted to local-area and
wide-area networking products. A portion of the show proceeds will
be donated to the Ronald MacDonald House charity.

LANDA is a non-profit organization set up to promote education and
information exchange for the networking industry.

(Grant Buckler/19910531/Press Contact: Emily Sawolak, LANDA
Toronto, 416-440-1167, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 NEW FOR IBM: Fax Utility For Networks 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00015)

NEW FOR IBM: Fax Utility For Networks 06/11/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Cobalt (Granville)
Technologies, a new company, is preparing to release software that
will let every personal computer on a LAN send facsimile messages.
The program, called FaxLAN, is due for release in about a month,
company President Barrie Robinson told Newsbytes.

Robinson said the software will run on any MS-DOS local-area
network. It will route faxes from PCs on the network through a
server connected to a telephone line. Users will be able to
broadcast faxes to multiple recipients, maintain their own
directories, and attach files stored on the server as enclosures.

FaxLAN users will also be able to receive faxes, but these will
have to be screened at the server to route them to the addressees,
Robinson said. Cobalt is looking at ways of improving on this, he
said, but believes the product will be used mostly for sending
rather than receiving.

The software will cost from C$1,500 to about C$10,000 depending on
the size of the LAN it runs on, Robinson said.

Cobalt (Granville) Technologies is a new spinoff of Granville
Technologies, a Toronto-based systems integrator.

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Barrie Robinson, Cobalt
Granville, 416-444-4433)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 MONTREAL OPEN SYSTEMS SHOW SCHEDULED 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00016)

MONTREAL OPEN SYSTEMS SHOW SCHEDULED 06/11/91
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Uniforum Montreal, the
Unix users' group, has announced plans for a Montreal Open Systems
Show, in collaboration with the Francophone Business Forum and
Toronto-based Exhibition and Conference Management. Uniforum
Montreal also announced that the conference, set for October 10 and
11, will include sessions on Microsoft Windows and on networking.

At a press conference during the Montreal International Computer
and Office Exhibition, also run by ECM, Uniforum Montreal President
Jocelyn Cayer said the group wanted to provide a forum for vendors,
developers, and users to discuss not only Unix but open systems and
related topics in general.

Guy Martin-Laval, show manager, said there is a need both for
broad-based shows such as the Montreal International Computer and
Office Exhibition and for more narrowly focused shows such as the
open systems event. Among the vendors already committed to the open
systems show are Data General, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Informix,
NCR, and SCO Canada, he said.

(Grant Buckler/19910606/Press Contact: Uniforum Montreal,
514-336-8564; ECM, 514-288-8811, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 NEW FOR PCS: 20/20 For MS-DOS Spreadsheet Updated 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00017)

NEW FOR PCS: 20/20 For MS-DOS Spreadsheet Updated 06/11/91
NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Access Technology
has announced Release 2.5 of its 20/20 for MS-DOS spreadsheet
product. The new release supports major personal computer networks,
including Novell Netware and Digital Equipment Pathworks,
permitting users to share files across the network and use network
print and file services, the company said.

Other new features included an integrated spreadsheet auditor, file
locking to prevent one user overwriting another's work when sharing
files, and support for additional printers and plotters.

The MS-DOS version can exchange files with other versions of 20/20
that run on Digital Equipment VAX minicomputers and a variety of
Unix-based systems include Sun Microsystems SPARCstations and IBM
RISC System/6000 machines. The MS-DOS version can also read, write,
and consolidate Lotus 1-2-3 files, the vendor said.

Available now, 20/20 Release 2.5 for MS-DOS costs US$500 per user.
Network, quantity, educational, and government discounts are
available.

(Grant Buckler/19910606/Press Contact: Geoff Spillane, Access
Technology, 508-655-9191, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 BEHEMOTH TO ROLL IN JULY WITH 18 ANTENNAE 06/11/91

06/11/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00018)

BEHEMOTH TO ROLL IN JULY WITH 18 ANTENNAE 06/11/91
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- With just
six weeks separating "Winnebiko" creator Steve Roberts and his
new rolling technology creation, Behemoth, from the roads of
Iowa, PFD has set in. Roberts defines PFD as Procrastination
Followed by Despair.

The 350-pound recumbent bike now carries 18 separate antennae, he
reports, running at frequencies ranging from 150 kilohertz to 14
gigahertz. There's a shortwave receiver, two ham radio antennae,
a CB/pager antenna, a mobile radio antenna, two intercom
antennae for security, four units receiving the VHF and UHF
frequencies used by TV stations, one of which handles data radio
tasks, and one of which does let him watch TV, as well as
cellular radio, an antenna for satellite coverage, a microwave
unit, and more. "The only thing that scares me about all this
is the effect on certain non-technical functionaries who hold
accept-reject power (and worse) at national borders," he writes,
noting that "Bernard Magnouloux, who has been riding around the
world on a bicycle, was harrassed at some obscure African
border for being a spy because he had a pocket shortwave radio
costing maybe $60. Considering that I was harrassed for over an
hour when bringing the bike into Port Angeles, WA from its
display at Expo in Vancouver, this is not at all farfetched.
Next version... the stealth model.."

Roberts can understand the problem. "Arthur C. Clarke observed
quite accurately that "any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from magic." Where governments are involved,
replace "magic" with "national security risk." In a
philosophical sense, of course, that's quite true... is there
anything that shows less respect for artificial national borders
than radio waves?"

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: Steven K. Roberts,
[e-mail]; GEnie: wordy)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 WICAT COURSEWARE TRAINS TRAIN ENGINEERS 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00019)

WICAT COURSEWARE TRAINS TRAIN ENGINEERS 06/11/91
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Wicat has announced that
it has received an order worth more than $500,000 to provide
custom computer-based training for locomotive engineers for
Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Wicat President Robert Mendenhall says the courseware is being
designed in such a manner that it can be easily modified for use
by other railroads. Mendenhall says, "This agreement is
especially significant considering that the contract allows for
Wicat's exclusive marketing rights to the courseware."

Also included in the deal is more than $250,000 worth of
hardware. Norfolk Southern says that while waiting for the
courseware to be developed, it will use the hardware to operate
an adult basic education lab using Wicat's reading, writing,
social studies, and science courseware.

(Jim Mallory/19910607/Press Contact:Garrett Lyman, Wicat,
801-224-6400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 GRID INTROS CD-ROM LAPTOP AND 386SX NOTEBOOK 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00020)

GRID INTROS CD-ROM LAPTOP AND 386SX NOTEBOOK 06/11/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- The trend
toward CD-ROM portable computing has continued with the release
of Grid Systems' 20MHz 386SX-based Gridcase 1550cd laptop
computer. Additionally, Grid has also introduced the Grid 1750, a
20MHz 386SX-based notebook computer.

Although the company claims the 1550cd as the industry's first
CD-ROM laptop, Scenario also announced its DynaVision III
MS-DOS-compatible CD-ROM-equipped portable in April, as
reported by Newsbytes.

The Gridcase 1550cd includes an integrated CD-ROM drive with
a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) interface, and 635MB
of read-only storage. The systems weighs 17-pounds, which
includes CD-ROM drive, and comes with either the standard VGA
LCD display, or an optional gas plasma display designed for
graphics applications and group presentations.

The 1550cd also includes 2 megabytes of RAM as standard, which
is expandable to 8MB, a 60MB hard drive, an internal 1.44MB 3.25-inch
floppy disk drive, Microsoft Windows 3.0 graphical user interface, and
a built-in pointing device, called Isopoint.

The $6,995 20 MHz 386SX-based 32-bit DynaVision III weighs in at
10.3 pounds complete with internal battery, and featurs a 20MB hard
drive.

The new 6.7-pound Grid 1750 notebook, meanwhile, offers a 60MB
hard disk, an optional send-and-receive data-fax modem, which
delivers 2400 bits-per-second (bps) data transmission and 9600
bps facsimile transmission, and 1MB of RAM, which is expandable
up to 5MB. The system also includes an internal 1.44MB 3.25-inch
floppy disk drive and a VGA backlit LCD display.

According to the company, the 1750's key features are the built-in
'resume' and 'suspend' functions. The 'resume' feature allows the user
to turn off the system and then return to where they left off
without going through a time consuming boot-up sequence when they
turn on the 1750's power. The 'suspend' function allows users to
program the notebook to shut itself down after a specified period
of inactivity. Also featured is a five-minute bridge battery,
which allows the user to switch batteries without losing data.

The Gridcase 1550cd is priced at $6,590 in its standard
configuration, while the Grid 1750 is priced at $3,795. Both systems
are already shipping.

(Ian Stokell/19910611/Press Contact: Mike McGuire, Grid Systems
Corp., 415-656-4700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 DEC JAPAN JOINS IBM COMPATIBLE GROUP: AX ASSOCIATION 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00021)

DEC JAPAN JOINS IBM COMPATIBLE GROUP: AX ASSOCIATION 06/11/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corporation
Japan, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based computer firm, has joined
the AX Association, a group allied to produce IBM-compatible
Japanese language personal computers.

In the U.S., DEC has already developed an English version of
the IBM-compatible PC, the "DECpc433," which supports both VGA and
XGA graphic mode. So, DEC Japan is expected to create a Japanese
version after acquiring technical information from the Association.

DEC Japan sales as well as IBM Japan sales are suffering from a
slump in the financial market. Due to this slump, sales of
large-scale computers have slowed. So, IBM Japan has started
to shift more sales efforts to its personal computers. Apparently,
DEC Japan is following suit.

So far, many Japanese computer makers including Sharp, Hitachi,
Sony, Mitsubishi, and Sanyo, are the member firms of the AX
Association. Many of them have already released IBM-compatible
personal computers with a Japanese language feature.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910610/Press Contact: Digital Equipment
Japan, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 NEW PC: 80486-Based Laptop For Japan From Proside 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00022)

NEW PC: 80486-Based Laptop For Japan From Proside 06/11/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Proside, a subsidiary of
Toshiba, has developed an 80486-based laptop personal computer.
The "PS-L410" is compatible with the IBM PC/AT and performs
functions in the Japanese language.

The new PC, still unpriced, will be released at the end of June. The
firm wants to sell the product on an OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) basis.

Proside is most famous for its software -- a programming language
dubbed "PIPS." The firm was acquired by Toshiba a few years ago,
PIPS is still be used by many firms in Japan.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910000/Press Contact: Proside, +81-3-
3254-6131)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11  ****MOSCOW: MODEM CRACKDOWN SEEN AS IMMINENT 06/11/91

06/11/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00023)

 ****MOSCOW: MODEM CRACKDOWN SEEN AS IMMINENT 06/11/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- The Soviet Ministry of
Communications is likely to start a countrywide campaign against
non-registered users of modems, faxes, and caller ID devices.
Almost all of them are unregistered. The move appears to be in
response to technical problems with some devices.

There are two main reasons for the situation, according to local
telecommunications experts. First, there has been a rapidly
growing number of homemade caller identification devices in use.
They are said to be destroying facilities on the old phone
exchanges, widely used across the country. The second is a modem --
the Lexand 2400 -- manufactured by the Menatep company, a small
subsidiary of this country's big financial group. The modem
uses the non-standard Manchester coding for transmitting data
over the telephone, a mode which is prohibited for use on public
circuits.

According to informed sources, the USSR Minister of Communications
issued in late March a document called "Letter 3-46" which
recommended that local telecommunication authorities "strengthen
control over the use of equipment connected to telephone network."

Industry insiders says that campaign is likely to start in early
fall. Local exchange operators are expected to use some semi-legal
ways to find out which users have faxes, modems, or caller ID
devices connected.

Registration of "data lines" is restricted to certified equipment
only, but consequently leads to a doubling of both local and
long distance phone rates for the registrant.

Very few local manufacturers are said to have their non-standard
equipment licensed and almost no Western-made faxes and modems
have the required license.

The "war" will conducted by local authorities, who will collect all
the fines and impose the price hikes on those lines determined to
be "data lines," according to local telecommunications experts.

Newsbytes was told that there are existing cases of a
"telephone racket," in which the phone company demands a
customer pay high bribes to get a phone either connected or
operational following some legal violation. These incidents are
widely expected to increase should a crackdown take place.

Industry experts, meanwhile, believe that Menatep will
discontinue manufacturing their modems very soon. "They already
made some 15 millions rubles on sales of their modems, which are
very simple and cheap, and now will withdraw the model and start
selling Western brands," an informed telecommunications company
executive told Newsbytes.

Most bulletin boards operators countrywide are still not aware
of the situation.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 ASHTON-TATE'S FRAMEWORK IV TO SHIP 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)

ASHTON-TATE'S FRAMEWORK IV TO SHIP 06/11/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Ashton-
Tate (AT) says Framework IV, an integrated decision support
software product, is expected to ship.

Framework IV offers connections to AT's dBASE product
family, with access to larger databases and allows users to
create and modify dBASE .DBF files, Ashton-Tate said. The
product also provides proportional fonts and business
graphics the user can change for use in business documents.

Framework IV will run on a network, and provides record
locking, just as dBASE IV. It automatically updates dBASE
IV, dBASE III Plus and dBASE III index files to insure data
integrity, AT said. FRED, the built-in programming language
for creating macros and custom applications, is still
available in the new package, with 40 additional functions
for writing applications, the company said.

Framework IV supports up to 60 internal and cartridge fonts
per document, and supports LaserJet and DeskJet series,
Canon LBP series, and compatible printers, the company said.
It also supports downloadable fonts on HP LaserJets. In
fact, it is bundled with 12 Bitstream typefaces, AT said.
A What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) page preview lets
users view documents in final form before printing.

Graphics are now available with Framework, included built-in
graphs, new area and 3D perspective graphs, selection of 16
colors, and the ability to import and export in .CGM format
to Applause II, AT's presentation graphics package.

The electronic mail application in Framework IV has also
been improved over previous versions the company said,
allowing users to send any file to any Framework IV,
Framework XE, Framework III or Multimate 4.0 user without
leaving Framework IV. A Message Handling Service (MHS) is
available to Framework IV customers free of charge, AT said.

Framework is expected to be available at all major software
distribution outlets.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910611/Press Contact: Jayme Kelly,
Ashton-Tate, Tel: [phone], Fax:)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 KAYPRO FILES REORG. PLAN WITH BANKRUPTCY COURT 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00025)

KAYPRO FILES REORG. PLAN WITH BANKRUPTCY COURT 06/11/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Kaypro
announced that Tuesday, May 28, 1991 it filed a plan of
reorganization with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The company
petitioned the court under Chapter 11 of the Federal
Bankruptcy Code on March 1, 1990, it said.

Though details on the reorganization plan will not be
available until after the court announces its decision on
June 27, the plan was mutually ratified by Kaypro's
executive management and board of directors. The mutual
ratification is a good sign, said Cynthia Dealy a public
relations representative of Kaypro.

Kaypro did announce in the plan details of how it will
"satisfy its creditors, shareholders and pay administrative
expenses as well as continue as a viable business entity."

"We view this move as an important step in emerging from
Chapter 11 status," noted Geoffrey W. Soule, president and
chief executive officer. "We feel that the plan on file is
fair to all parties involved and will allow Kaypro to
regain its rightful position in today's competitive data
processing industry."

Kaypro produces and distributes microcomputers for business
and individuals and got it's major start in the infancy of
the personal computer market producing IBM compatibles when
personal computers were CP/M operating system based, before
the transition to DOS.

Margot Wood, president of the Kaypro User Group in the
South Bay area of Orange County California says everyone in
her group has a CP/M-based Kaypro, but, to her knowledge,
the people who did purchase IBM-compatible DOS-based
computers did not buy Kaypros. "They went to DOS because of
the compatibility problems, but I don't know of anyone who
bought a DOS-based Kaypro. And Kaypro hasn't made CP/M-based
computers in years."

Two Kaypro User Groups exist in the Los Angeles area and
Kaypro users are quite loyal and pleased with the quality of
the CP/M computers. "My Kaypros are still running. I have
three and if you're not playing games, or doing graphics,
they work just fine," Wood said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910611/Press Contact: Cynthia Dealy,
Kaypro, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], Margot Wood,
Kayos Kaypro User Group, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11  ****U.S. AND JAPAN SIGN CHIP PACT 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00026)

 ****U.S. AND JAPAN SIGN CHIP PACT 06/11/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Ambassador Carla
A. Hills, U.S. Trade Representative, will sign the 1991
semiconductor trade agreement with Japan in a ceremony scheduled
for 4:15 P.M. today. The agreement was only initialed last week.

The latest U.S.-Japan arrangement on semiconductors is the direct
descendant of the September 2, 1986 agreement between the two
countries, whereby Japan agreed to stop the practice of dumping
(selling at or below cost to capture a market) EPROM (erasable
programmable read-only memory) chips and 256 kilobyte and larger
dynamic memory chips (DRAMs) in the U.S. and Third World
countries.

Japan was found to be in violation of the 1986 agreement only
nine months later and the U.S. imposed $300 million in sanctions
against specific Japanese high-tech imports such as laptop
computers. The dumping was deemed to have ceased by the end of
1987 and the sanctions were dropped, but $164 million in
sanctions under Section 301 (restriction of market access) have
continued because of allegations that the Japanese restrict
foreign competition at home.

Since 1986 the foreign market share of semiconductor sales in
Japan has increased from 9.1 percent to 13.2 percent in 1990,
while the U.S. share of the Japanese home market had climbed to
$2.2 billion by 1990, a steady yearly increase since the $646
million figure before the agreement.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative admits that Japanese
markets have not yet been fully opened according to the
objectives of the 1986 agreement but points out that there have
been no allegations of dumping by Japanese producers and that
there have been significant gains in U.S. and foreign market
share in Japan.

The new agreement, a government-to-government trade pact,
violations of which are actionable under U.S. trade laws, will
run for a five-year period but can also be terminated by mutual
agreement after three years.

One major change in the new agreement is the lack of government
oversight of possible dumping violations. Now, instead of the
U.S. and Japanese governments monitoring fair market values, cost
and price data will be collected by Japanese companies, something
one observer compared to having the cat watch the bird cage, but
the Trade Representative's office says that such data is to be
turned over to the U.S. government "on an expedited basis" if an
investigation is undertaken.

Both governments also agree to cooperate in any GATT or General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade action involving third-country
semiconductor dumping.

The new agreement suspends the limitations on 256K and larger
DRAM chips and the EPROM trade restrictions will be revised, with
Japanese companies saying that they won't dump these chips in the
U.S.

The SIA, Semiconductor Industry Association, and the Computer
Systems Policy Project presented the plan for altering the anti-
dumping regulations to the Bush Administration last October. The
SIA is a chip manufacturer association and the CSPP is a
coalition of 11 major U.S. computer manufacturers.

The expiring 1986 agreement had required Japan to open up its
markets so that by now 20 percent of the microchips sold in that
country were from U.S. companies, but, as of 1990, U.S. companies
only held a 12.3 percent share according to World Semiconductor
Trade Statistics and the administration itself has admitted that
sanctions against the Japanese have been lifted despite the
failure "to reach the market share goal they had promised under
the 1986 agreement."

The Japanese government promises in the new agreement to
encourage its companies to allow more competition in the Japanese
home market, but there are no provisions for penalties if it
fails to do so.

Computerworld reports that House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt
(D-Mo.) said, "The agreement contains no specific commitments by
Japan," and he criticized the agreement, further saying, "I don't
see why we should reward Japan for failing to live up to an
agreement they have already signed."

(John McCormick/19910611/Press Contact: Torie Clarke, Office of
U.S. Trade Representative, 202-395-3230)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 VLSI ANNOUNCES NEW SONET CHIP SET 06/11/91

06/11/91



(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00027)

VLSI ANNOUNCES NEW SONET CHIP SET 06/11/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- A three-chip
set for high-performance synchronous optical network or SONET
communications has been announced by VLSI Technologies. The chip
set will ease the problems involved in implementing broadband
communications systems on fiber optic cable installations.

Broadband transmission systems use the same techniques used by
cable television companies to send massive amounts of data in
different data streams, simultaneously over the same cable or
fiber optic system.

One use for the SONET chips would be in implementing the new B-
ISDN voice/data network standard which should start appearing in
about two years.

B-ISDN, or broadband - integrated services digital network -
expands the 64-kilobytes-per-second ISDN, a telecommunications
network standard that allows voice and data transmissions on the
same line, to a standard that accepts data in chunks as large as
150 megabytes per second.

Dubbed SONET Vision for VLSI Integrated Synchronous International
Optical Networking, the new chip set was the result of a joint
development agreement between the Pacific Microelectronics Centre
division of MPR Teltech Ltd., of Burnaby, British Columbia,
Canada, and VLSI.

Since standards are in a state of flux for this communication
technique, the ability of VLSI to make rapid changes to chip
design using ASIC or Application Specific Integrated Circuit
technology, which allows designers to build specific chips using
standard building blocks, is seen by industry observers as
important to the success of the new product.

Potentially this first SONET chip set has the potential of being
a breakthrough product that can vastly increase the capacity of
the already high capacity fiber optic cable.

(John McCormick/19910611/Press Contact: Jim Lipman, VLSI, 408-
434-7673)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11 TECHNOLOGY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY RECOGNIZED 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00028)

TECHNOLOGY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY RECOGNIZED 06/11/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- At a black-tie
dinner held last night in Washington, the top 10 winners selected
from nearly 300 entries to the Computerworld Smithsonian Awards
were honored.

Sponsored by Computerworld magazine, the winners were recognized
for the positive impact of technology on modern society.

Some of the winners were as follows:

For Business and Related Services: Frito-Lay, Dallas, Texas, for
a hand-held computer system and a decision support system.

In Education and Academia: The Lab School of Washington, DC, for
a system designed to encourage creativity of learning disabled
students.

In the Non-Profit Organization Category, De Anza College of
Cupertino, California, won for a computerized job placement
system accessed by 2,000 disabled job workers.

For Science Achievements: Next Computer, of Redwood City,
California, for a community supercomputer that allows people to
access unused time on a sophisticated computer system.

(John McCormick/19910611/Press Contact: Ian Chesseman, Cudaback
Strategic Communications, 617-661-6330)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11  ****MICROSOFT INTROS DOS 5.0 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00029)

 ****MICROSOFT INTROS DOS 5.0 06/11/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Microsoft has
rolled out the latest version of its MS-DOS operating system.
MS-DOS 5 makes more memory available for DOS applications and
data files, including those running under the Microsoft Windows
environment, offers a new shell, online help, a task swapper
that is similar in appearance to multitasking, and an
undelete utility.

The product is already in some 7,000 stores, and is available
through the retail channel for the first time. Both Compaq and
IBM have announced their own versions of the product, and are
among 130 PC manufacturers who Microsoft says have licensed DOS 5.

DOS 5 is an upgrade and will install on machines that have DOS
2.11 or higher. The cost is $100.

There is tremendous demand for the product, the first upgrade on
this widely used operating system since 1988. Bill Gates, Microsoft
chairman, said at the unveiling aboard a yacht in New York,
"With the overwhelming commitment of PC manufacturers and the
record numbers of orders placed for the MS-DOS 5 upgrade, we
believe this is the largest initial demand in history we've seen
for a PC software product."

A Microsoft spokesman tells Newsbytes that due to the extensive
testing, MS-DOS 5 is compatible with applications written for
all previous versions of DOS above 2.11.

The chief claim to fame of the new operating system is its ability
to use at least 45 kilobytes more memory for their DOS
applications and will have as much as 621K of free conventional
memory. This also means users can load more TSRs (terminate and
stay resident) programs alongside main applications.

The new shell provides a simpler interface to manage programs,
data, and tasks. It looks similar to Windows and includes a file
manager, task swapper, utilities and program manager, as well
as online help.

MS-DOS 5 also breaks several mass storage limits of earlier
versions -- users no longer need to load SHARE to access partitions
larger than 32 megabytes and can establish disk partitions of up
to 2 gigabytes. There is also support for 2.88 megabyte floppy
disks.

For more information, call Microsoft at 800-992-DOSS in the US.

(Wendy Woods/19910611)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 11  ***APPLE-ONLY STORES, MASS MERCHANTS APPLE'S NEW STRATEGY 06/11/91

06/11/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)

 ***APPLE-ONLY STORES, MASS MERCHANTS APPLE'S NEW STRATEGY 06/11/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 11 (NB) -- Apple
Computer has changed tack on its distribution strategy and signed
up with discount superstore CompUSA and Dallas-based reseller
CompuCom Systems. Additionally, the company has allowed its
Apple-only distributors to open stores in Europe in an attempt to
boost sales there, particularly of its low-end Macintosh Classic.

The low-end Macintosh Classic and color Macintosh LC were
introduced late in 1991 in an effort to increase market share in the
face of heavier competition from IBM and compatible DOS-based
microcomputers. The current agreements are seen as an extension
of the policy and a further attempt to penetrate the low-end market.

The CompUSA agreement signals a move away from the small
computer specialty stores, such as those favored by Apple in the past,
for the distribution of its low-end products. These sorts of stores
usually charge higher prices than large discount chains but offer
better service and support.

Lisa Burns, spokesperson for Apple, told Newsbytes that the company
would continue to use its established resellers in conjunction with chain
store outlets,

Burns said that Apple's "pricing structure is the same across the
board" for both specialty stores and the new outlets. That does not
rule out the possibility of the discount chains being able to undercut
smaller competitor's prices and making up the difference in other
areas.

Asked by Newsbytes if Apple intended to offer incentives to its
loyal distributors to compensate for the undercutting of their prices by
superstores, she declined to comment saying she could offer "no
detail on pricing." She said that any incentives, should they be given,
were a matter pf privacy between the dealer and Apple.

Burns said that shipments of products have already begun to both
CompUSA and CompuCom, although she could not comment as to
when the two companies would be offering them to the public.

Although other portions of the media are reporting Apple's decision
to allow its Apple-only distributors to open retail outlets in Europe
as a new strategy, Jennifer O'Mahoney, spokesperson for Apple's
European operations, told Newsbytes that the strategy has already
been in place since March, 1991.

O'Mahoney said that there are currently 38 outlets, called
'CenterPoints' that are actually satellite stores connected to the
company's Apple Center distribution outlets. The CenterPoints
handle the high-volume products such as the Macintosh Classic
and LC. Although Apple Centers can also sell direct to the public,
they generally concentrate on business customers and value-added
resellers, she said.

O'Mahoney emphasized to Newsbytes that the strategy was not new
and was seen simply as "a way Apple saw of extending the expertise
of its established Apple Centers."

Asked whether Apple would ever consider direct Apple retail outlets
in the United States, O'Mahoney said she "couldn't comment." She
did however say that, as she understood it, "the legal considerations
are different in the United States from Europe."

The change of strategy has given way to troubled times at Apple.
The new low-end computers carry with them lower profit margins and as
a result, the company's last financial quarter was deemed disappointing
because of lower-than-expected profits, even though unit sales had
increased considerably. Consequently, the company recently
announced it would be reducing its worldwide staffing by 1560
employees.

(Ian Stokell/19910611)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUN 10  ****UNISYS REPORTED ACCEPTING FINE FOR BRIBING DOD 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00001)

 ****UNISYS REPORTED ACCEPTING FINE FOR BRIBING DOD 06/10/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Both CNN and The
Wall Street Journal are reporting that Unisys (the company
formed when Burroughs and Univac merged) has agreed to plead
guilty to fraud and other improprieties for the way it
allegedly solicited business from the Department of Defense
during the 1980s.

Operation Ill Wind prosecutors, the government's name for the
investigation into the use of slush funds for bribery as well as
kickbacks paid to government workers to help obtain lucrative
government contracts, has reportedly agreed to accept Unisys's
guilty plea and a record fine of $190 million.

Unisys has confirmed that an agreement has been reached but
declined to offer details. Washington sources indicate that the
final resolution should take place in the next few weeks.

At one time, Ill Wind prosecutor Henry Hudson said that 99.5
percent of federal employees are honest. Of course, with about
2.2 million such workers, that still leaves more than 10,000
targets for potential palm-greasers looking for federal
contracts.

Much of the trouble arises from the sheer complexity of the
federal acquisition regulations, according to William N. Hunter,
Ph.D., a 10-year veteran of the Office of Management and Budget,
where he was director of the Federal Acquisition Institute.

In the June 25, 1990 issue of Government Computer News, Dr.
Hunter said, "The current procurement integrity regulations
depend on complicated certification processes to ensure
compliance. The Ill Wind investigations and subsequent cases
clearly demonstrate that such processes are ineffective in
deterring the real criminal element.

"The investigations found that the activities of the contractors
in question were deliberate, well-planned, and even highly
sophisticated on a technical level. The penalties for non-
compliance with certifications procedures is unlikely to deter
anyone intent on illegal activity," he emphasized.

Referring to proposed changes in the procurement regulations, Dr.
Hunter concluded that, "The net result of overly complex
procedures is that only the law abiding contractors will be
burdened by the new regulations. The procedures then overshadow
the real goal of efficient procurement."

William N. Hunter, Ph.D., is the founder of W N Hunter &
Associates, a Vienna, VA management consulting firm specializing
in federal procurement policy.

Federal Acquisition Requirements, or FARs, are so massive and
complex that several companies publish them on CD-ROMs.

(John McCormick/19910610)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 AUSTRALIA: MICROSOFT MOVES TO NEW HQ 06/10/91

06/10/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIA: MICROSOFT MOVES TO NEW HQ 06/10/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Microsoft Australia has moved
to its new premises, Microsoft Park, in Australia's Silicon Valley,
North Ryde.

The complex will house Microsoft's head office, training, regional
sales centre and warehousing. In addition, the centre will house the
Microsoft Institute of Advanced Software Technology, run in
conjunction with the nearby Macquarie University. This campus is
meant to aid local software developers.

Microsoft's managing director, Daniel Petre, said, "Our Australian
operation is no longer primarily involved in software distribution.
It handles all the service, support and training needs of customers
as well as an expanded role in the region. Our new location is
more accessible to both customers and dealers and will help us
streamline our operations."

(Paul Zucker/19910610/Contact: Daniel Petre ph. [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 FUZZY SYSTEMS CONFERENCE OPENS JUN 27 IN AUSTIN 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

FUZZY SYSTEMS CONFERENCE OPENS JUN 27 IN AUSTIN 06/10/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- The first annual
International Industrial Conference on Fuzzy Systems will open
June 27 in Austin, Texas for a two-day run. The event is
sponsored by the Microelectronics and Computer Technology
Corporation (MCC), the Fuzzy Logic Systems Institute (FLSI), and
the Laboratory for International Fuzzy Engineering (LIFE). FLSI
and LIFE are Japanese firms.

According to Steven O'Hara, senior technical advisor at MCC, this
conference will differ from previous events on fuzzy logic, in
that the MCC conference will focus on industrial applications of
the technology. O'Hara says previous fuzzy logic conferences
have had an academic orientation.

"Our purpose in hosting this conference is to bring together the
leading practitioners of fuzzy control with the world's foremost
theoreticians to explore the role of these emerging tools in
comparison to traditional control techniques." O'Hara says they
hope to education American industry about fuzzy logic, which he
says has "really taken off" in Japan.

Dr. Lofti Zadeh, a professor at the University of California at
Berkeley and recognized as the originator of fuzzy logic, will be
the keynote speaker at the dinner on June 27. Other activities
will include a two-hour fuzzy systems tutorial, a session
describing the history of fuzzy activity in Japan, and a panel
comparing fuzzy logic to other approaches for control
applications. A panel discussing where fuzzy logic might be
applicable outside the control domain will conclude the event.

Registration deadline for the conference is June 14. For
additional information, O'Hara can be contacted at 512-338-3776.

(Jim Mallory/19910609/Press Contact: Cynthia Williams, MCC,
512-338-3512)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 MICROSOFT BALLPOINT MOUSE WINS DESIGN AWARD 06/10/91

06/10/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)

MICROSOFT BALLPOINT MOUSE WINS DESIGN AWARD 06/10/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation has announced that the Industrial Designers Society
of America (IDSA) has selected the Microsoft Ballpoint mouse to
receive a Bronze Industrial Design Excellence Award.

"Microsoft is very pleased to be recognized by IDSA for our
Ballpoint mouse design," said Steve Shaiman of Microsoft. "We
have committed to the highest level of design excellence since we
began development of the Ballpoint mouse nearly three years ago."

The Microsoft Ballpoint mouse was selected from 690 applicants, a
30 percent increase over last year. Entries are judged on
positive social impact; innovation; benefits to the user;
benefits to the client or manufacturer; appropriate use of
materials and processes; and appearance.

"Excellence is design is a critical factor in any company's
effort to remain competitive," said Stephen Shepard, Editor-in-
chief of Business Week, which co-sponsors the event. The Microsoft
design team was led by Stuart Asmun of Microsoft, and included
Mike Nelson and Mike Pauli of Strates Product Development, and
Paul Bradley of Matrix product design.

The Ballpoint Mouse attaches to the keyboard of a laptop or
notebook computer, and comes with a universal bracket and clamp
arms of varying lengths. The user can adjust the angle of the
mouse relative to the keyboard.

The Ballpoint mouse can be set to a 0, 30, 60 or 90 degree angle
while attached to the keyboard. It can also be removed from the
clamp and used at any angle or orientation. Four
user-programmable buttons (two on each side of the ball) allow
the user to specify through the set-up procedure which two of the
buttons will be active. Clicking is done with the index or
middle finger, while aiming is done with the thumb. The device
has a 400 points-per-inch resolution. Microsoft maintains a toll
free number (800-426-9400) for inquiries.

(Jim Mallory/19910610/Press Contact:Brenda Hansen, 206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10  ****SEIKOSHA CUTS STAFF IN HALF, DROPS SOME PRINTERS 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00005)

 ****SEIKOSHA CUTS STAFF IN HALF, DROPS SOME PRINTERS 06/10/91
MAHWAH, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- In a quest for
profitability, Seikosha America has cut its staff almost by half.
The company will also be dropping some less successful products as
it tries to focus on promising niches, a spokesman said.

Wayne George, Seikosha's director of marketing and communications,
told Newsbytes the company has already cut its staff by 40 to 50
percent. He added that Seikosha plans to shy away from mass-market
nine- and 24-pin dot-matrix printers to focus instead on more
unusual products that have done well.

"What we're doing is looking at profitability in the 90s," George
said.

Among the products on which Seikosha will focus are its LT-20
laptop printer, wide-carriage business printers that handle multi-
part forms, printers for Apple computers, and a thermal video
printer with applications in areas such as scanning electron
microscopy where it replaces Polaroid film.

Seikosha also plans to introduce its first laser printer, the OP-
104, in August. The machine will be previewed at the upcoming PC
Expo show in New York.

These products will be "more than enough for us to handle," George
predicted. "If we do that and keep our nose to the grindstone for
about 12 months we'll start to see black numbers (profits), and
that's what Tokyo is looking for.

Seikosha is part of the Japanese Seiko group of companies.

(Grant Buckler/19910608/Press Contact: Wayne George, Seikosha, 201-
327-7227 ext. 235, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 THINKING MACHINES CLAIMS SPEED RECORD 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00006)

THINKING MACHINES CLAIMS SPEED RECORD 06/10/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Thinking
Machines has introduced the CM-200, a 100-user supercomputer that
has captured the title of world's fastest in benchmark tests. The
parallel processing system can be set up with as many as 64,000
processors.

Benchmark tests rated the CM-200 at 9.03 gigaflops (billion
floating-point operations per second). That beats Intel's recently
introduced Touchstone Delta supercomputer, which clocks in at about
8.6 gigaflops. However, Tim Browne, a spokesman for Thinking
Machines, downplayed the importance of benchmarks as opposed to the
applications the machine actually makes possible.

Several CM-200 machines are already on order, Browne said. Among
them are one that will be used for a variety of academic research
and one that will be used in industrial work. Over its lifetime,
Browne said, this sort of supercomputer line might sell 100 or so
units. Full 64,000-processor version of the CM-200 cost US$8
million to US$10 million.

Browne said a smaller version, with fewer processors and selling
for about US$300,000, is about to be announced.

(Grant Buckler/19910608/Press Contact: Tim Browne, Thinking
Machines, 617-234-5525)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 BCE MOBILE, B.C. TEL PLAN JOINT VENTURE 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00007)

BCE MOBILE, B.C. TEL PLAN JOINT VENTURE 06/10/91
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- BCE Mobile
Communications and Vancouver-based British Columbia Telephone Group
have announced plans for a mobile communications joint venture.

The first projects for the new group, which will have a broad
mandate to go after the personal communications market, will focus
on paging and digital cordless telephone services. The companies
said more details will be released over the next few months.

BCE Mobile also announced that it has agreed to sell the British
Columbia paging and telephone answering operations of its National
Pagette subsidiary to the B.C. Tel Group. Due to close August 31,
the sale is subject to regulatory and licensing approvals.

(Grant Buckler/19910608/Press Contact: Pierre Lessard, BCE Mobile
Communications, 514-748-3230)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 UK: HAYES' UK PRICING ON LANSTEP NOS TECHNOLOGY 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00008)

UK: HAYES' UK PRICING ON LANSTEP NOS TECHNOLOGY 06/10/91
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Fresh from announcing the
shipment of its LANstep network operating system (NOS) technology
at Comdex Spring in the U.S. late last month, Hayes has announced
U.K. pricing on the software packages. Pricing, along with
details of U.K. plans for the networking technology, were
announced at the Networks '91 show in Birmingham.

UK pricing on LANstep products in the UK has been confirmed as UKP
429 for LANstep's basic system which supports up to five users,
with the same price payable for the developer kit. Add-on packages
for blocks of five users, or to add in the mail gateway function,
cost UKP 279.

Plans for developing LANstep technology have now been firmed up
since Comdex Spring. During the second quarter, Hayes plans to
enhance LANstep's networking and communications capabilities with
a variety of add-in products that integrate new features into the
network.

The first of these products, LANstep mail gateway, expands the
capabilities of LANstep mail by enabling users to send electronic
mail to other LANstep users using modems.

(Steve Gold/19910607/Press & Public Contact: Hayes - Tel:
081-848-1858; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 NEW FOR TELECOM IN UK: Paxdata Modem Security Enhancements 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00009)

NEW FOR TELECOM IN UK: Paxdata Modem Security Enhancements 06/10/91
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HERTS. ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Paxdata
has two new features offering security and triangulation facilities
on its Elan 2020 remote Ethernet bridge networking hardware. The
new features were announced at the Networks '91 show in Birmingham,
England.

The idea behind the introduction of the security features is to
restrict remote LAN (local area network) user access to devices
holding sensitive information, according to Jim Fitzpatrick, the
company's managing director.

"By using either closed user groups or an 'open and closed world,'
managers can ensure that each user only has access to the
information needed for that job function, thus minimizing the risk
of unauthorized employees accessing sensitive data," he said.

The triangulation feature offers network managers the ability to
bypass the IEEE's spanning tree proposal. According to Paxdata,
the new feature offers cost and efficiency advantages by enabling
full usage of leased lines at all times.

The new version of the Elan 2020 costs UKP 2,995 and is available
immediately.

(Steve Gold/19910607/Press & Public Contact: Paxdata - Tel:
0442-236336)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 NEW FOR TELECOM IN UK: Remote PC Access 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00010)

NEW FOR TELECOM IN UK: Remote PC Access 06/10/91
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- PC Communications
launched three new products at the Networks '91 show this week:
In+Touch, PC Management System and LAN+Modem.

In+Touch is software that enables remote PC users to dial into
and take control of any LAN (local area network)-based PC. The
package allows users to dial into a network through a modem
attached to any workstation and, following password authorization,
to route through to and take control of any PC or series of PCs.

According to the London-based company, any workstation with a modem
attached is not tied up during a modem session and its user will
not notice any degradation of performance. The system supports up
to two simultaneous modem sessions on any PC.

In+Touch is available in 1, 5 and 20-modem versions which include
licenses for 5, 20 and 50 users, respectively. Additional remote
licenses can be purchased as an option. The single modem version
costs UKP 395, while the 5 and 20 user versions cost UKP 695 and
UKP 995, respectively.

According to Keith Marsden, managing director of PC Communications,
In+Touch revolutionizes in-bound communications providing remote
LAN access at a fraction of the cost of server-based systems.

PC Management System is billed as a new, innovative communications
system for automatic polling, maintenance and support of
geographically separated sites. According to Marsden, it provides
a low-cost, yet highly efficient and secure means by which it
automatically distributes and collects data to and from multiple
remote sites.

"Effective wide area networking is increasingly important if
companies are to remain competitive. They must make maximum use
of the data they possess. The PC Management System changes the
balance of the equation, making it much more economical
for companies to link remote sites together," he said.

Pricing on the PC Management System varies according to user
requirements. The package is available on a full "design and
implementation" consultantancy basis.

LAN+Modem, meanwhile, is a telecommunications package that the
company claims eliminates the need for an expensive, dedicated
communications server on PC networks. The software-only package
enables any modem attached to any workstation on the network to be
used as a network resource without any degradation of
performance of the workstation on which the modem is installed.

The package is both Novell Netware (IPX) and NetBIOS compatible
and will support up to 20 installed modems on a network and up
to 16 modems on a PC server with the use of multi-port boards.
It requires less than 10K of RAM on each workstation and runs in
the background.

When used with Breakout Plus, PC Communications' existing
telecommunications package, access to modems on the network can be
controlled both in terms of access permission and search criteria.
Where a particular modem specified by a user is busy, the package
will automatically search the network for an alternative modem of
comparable speed.

(Steve Gold/19910607/Press & Public Contact: PC Communications - Tel: 0628-
851111)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Pocket Fax/Modem from Ven-tel 06/10/91

06/10/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00011)

NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Pocket Fax/Modem from Ven-tel 06/10/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Ven-tel
has added a Macintosh version of its new Pocket Modem with fax,
the Fax Modem 24/96S MAC.

The new fax/modem is small enough to fit in a standard shirt
pocket, yet offers all the features of its regular-sized
counterparts, Ven-tel said. The company describes the modem
as 1-inch high by 4.5-inch diameter by 2.75-inch wide, and
says it weighs only 6 ounces (including the 9 volt battery for
portable power). The company also said it supports full duplex
asynchronous communication at 2400, 1200 and 300 bits per second
(bps) as a modem, and 9600 bps in fax mode with Group III standard
fax support.

The modem comes with an external AC power supply, 3 light
emitting diode (LED) status indicators, a speaker to monitor
the progress of calls, a Macintosh-to-modem cable, and a
communications/fax software package, Quick Link II Fax, Ven-
tel said.

Quick Link II Fax is a stand-alone communications software
package for faxing, and is compatible with the Hayes
standard AT command set for regular modem transfer
operations, the company said. The fax portion of the
software handles background operation, multiple fax
transmissions, scheduling, cover sheet generation,
converting graphics files to fax format, and the ability to
view faxes before sending.

Kim Tackwell, from Ven-Tel, said the modem is targeted at
the Macintosh portable market, as well as the desktop Macintosh
market. Tackwell also said a similar featured IBM compatible
modem had been released in April. Price for the Fax Modem
24/96S Mac is $189. For more information contact Ven-tel at
800-538-5121.

(Linda Rohrbough,19910607/Press Contact: Kim Tackwell,
800/538-5121, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 NEW FOR TELECOM: British Telecom Modem Family 06/10/91

06/10/91



(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00012)

NEW FOR TELECOM: British Telecom Modem Family 06/10/91
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- British Telecom (BT) has
unveiled a range of new communications products at the Networks
'91 show in Birmingham. The new products aim to enhance BT's
position as a products supplier in the U.K. telecommunications
marketplace.

Spearheading the new products are a range of new modems known as the
Network Solutions (NS) series. These consist of a series of PC
cards and dial-up modems pitched at small to medium-sized
companies, along with rack modems for large businesses.

According to David Wills, BT's data communications marketing
manager, the launch of the modems marks a significant move by BT
to satisfy customers' growing needs for efficient and cost-efficient
data communications. "We are confident that the high-performance,
low-power consumption and compact size of the NS modem range will
greatly appeal to customers," he said.

The NS family of modems, which were designed by BT and manufactured
solely in the U.K., aim to significantly reduce networking costs
thanks to features such as V.42Bis and MNP Class 5 error-correction
and data compression.

Pricing on the NS range of modems start at UKP 495 for the NS2500,
a desktop modem capable of all speeds to 2,400 bits per second
(bps). The NS2600 is a PC card version of the Hayes-compatible
unit that sells from UKP 450 upwards.

(Steve Gold/19910607/Press & Public Contact: British Telecom -
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 1,000 APPLY FOR COMPUTING DISABILITIES AWARD 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00013)

1,000 APPLY FOR COMPUTING DISABILITIES AWARD 06/10/91
LAUREL, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- With nearly 10
weeks left before the end-of-August deadline, The Johns Hopkins
National Search for Computing to Assist Persons With Disabilities
has received nearly 1,000 applications. Open to all U.S.
residents other than Johns Hopkins staff and families, The
National Search will award $10,000 to the best product and list
the top 100 entries in a reference book which will have worldwide
distribution.

Another book, tentatively to be published by Vulcan Publishing,
will list many more entries and summarize the entire contest,
following selected entrants through the contest process while
taking a look at how the new technologies are affecting the lives
of the disabled as well as businesses. This book, being written
by John McCormick, Newsbytes' Washington bureau chief and The
Enabled Computer columnist for Computer Monthly Magazine, will be
available in print form, as a searchable ASCII computer file, and
on audio tape.

Computer Monthly will also carry excerpts from the book.

For an entry blank for the contest, write to: CAPD, P.O. Box
1200, Laurel, MD 20723. The contest is restricted to
residents of the U.S. and, as the saying goes, "Faculty,
students, or employees of JHU and the JH Hospital aren't eligible
for prizes, although they may enter the competition."

(Beth Goldie/19910607/Press Contact: Paul Hazan, Johns Hopkins
University, 301-953-5364)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 HANDY-SIZE GLOBAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM DEBUTS FROM SONY 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00014)

HANDY-SIZE GLOBAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM DEBUTS FROM SONY 06/10/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Sony has developed a portable
device to locate one's position on the globe. Called the
Portable GPS Receiver Pixcess, it weighs only 590 grams (1.3
pounds) and is small enough to carried around. It measures
10 x 17.5 x 3.9 cm. It will be sold at 158,000 yen on July 1.

The gadget locates its current position using two or three space
satellites called Navstar, which were launched by the
U.S. Defense Department. The device can locate one's latitude, the
altitude, and the navigational speed. This device can be used for
sailing, fishing, diving, gliders, mountaineering, and hiking. It
can also be installed in a car as a navigator.

Sony will also release the GPS core unit, which it says can
be hooked into a personal computer through an RS-232C port. This
system is expected to appeal to transportation firms.
Japanese car makers Mazda and Honda, meanwhile, have developed
their own GPS system and have installed it in their cars for
low-end consumer use. Pioneer has developed a GPS system with a
4-inch LCD and CD-ROM-based area maps. Consequently, GPS systems are
seen as the next technology wave in Japan.

Currently, there are 15 satellites floating in orbit. Nine more
satellites are expected to be launched and will go into operation
by 1993. With these satellites, one's position should be locatable
practically anywhere on the earth.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910610/Press Contact: Sony, [phone]
Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 AST RESEARCH RELEASES IBM'S DOS/V-COMPATIBLE PC 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00015)

AST RESEARCH RELEASES IBM'S DOS/V-COMPATIBLE PC 06/10/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- AST Research Japan has
released a 32-bit personal computer which supports IBM Japan's
latest operating system DOS/V. The new PC, called the AST
Premium II 486SX, is equipped with an 80486 microprocessor.

The AST Premium supports advanced Japanese language features.
The list price is 628,000 yen ($4,650). AST Research joined
IBM Japan's Open Architecture Developers' Group (OADG) in
May and has gained the information on DOS/V directly from IBM Japan.
This means AST Research has been able to get DOS/V information
while others have not. IBM Japan has reportedly been unwilling to
provide technical information on DOS/V, according to the Nikkei
Personal Computing magazine. The major reason for this unwillingness
could be the uncertainty of future graphic standards for IBM PCs,
the magazine suggests. Currently, IBM has two graphics modes --
VGA and XGA. Industry watchers say both VGA and XGA will not be
the future standard, but rather, another mode, called Super VGA,
a beefed-up version of VGA, will be the standard.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910610/Press Contact: AST Research,
 [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 MOSCOW: MOTOROLA ANNOUNCES SOVIET PLANS 06/10/91

06/10/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00016)

MOSCOW: MOTOROLA ANNOUNCES SOVIET PLANS 06/10/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Motorola, eager to expand
its communications business into Eastern Europe, is making itself
visible to the press, is signing up distributors for its products,
and plans to open office in Moscow.

After a road show in five Eastern European countries, which was
"very successful," the Motorola team landed the biggest booth at
the recent Expocomm exhibition in Moscow. Motorola showcased
products ranging from cellular and satellite communications
systems to microprocessors.

According to Parvitz Mokhtari, corporate VP and director for
Eastern Europe, Motorola will set up a Moscow office in early
fall and is likely to expand to other major cities in the
Soviet Union in the future.

The company will pay for two years education in the West for 20-25
students from all over Eastern Europe. They will also be working at
the Motorola research centers part of this time. "The final selection
of participants is due in August-September," Gunter Schonborn, project
director, told Newsbytes. "Those persons who will learn Motorola
corporate culture should become our bridge to local market," he
added.

Motorola products are not completely new on the Soviet market. Soviet
police for years have used hand-held radios made by Stormo,
currently a subsidiary of Motorola. The company also has a joint
venture called Soninfo which distributes its chips in the Soviet
Union.

The main headache for Motorola executives now is the lobbying
of Soviet authorities to free the 900 MHz (megahertz) radio
spectrum, now occupied with military radio communications,
for a cellular phone service.

Industry experts told Newsbytes that Motorola is trying to jump
into East Europe very quickly. The company has never been actively
involved in Eastern European communications issues and would not
like to lose a place in this huge telecommunications
market.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910610/Press Contact: Julian Long, PR Manager,
Motorola Europe, phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 MOSCOW: KOREAN TELECOM PLANS 06/10/91

06/10/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00017)

MOSCOW: KOREAN TELECOM PLANS 06/10/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Korean Telecommunication
Authorities International (KTAI) will soon double the number of
available phone circuits between the Moscow and Seoul. In
cooperation with Samsung and GoldStar, KTAI has initiated
a number of telecommunications projects in the Soviet Union.

According to Hi-Chang Roh, KTAI public relations director, the
demand for direct communications between Moscow and Seoul is rapidly
increasing and to cope, the company will double the number of
existing circuits between Moscow and Seoul from 12 to 25 in
the next two months. "All our communications projects are made
in a close cooperation with our major companies," he told Newsbytes.
Major companies Samsung and Lucky Goldstar also shared their plans
with Newsbytes.

Mr H.M.Kim, Samsung manager in charge of Soviet developments,
said that a fully digital 2000-line TDX phone exchange will be
installed by the company in the Suzdalsky region of Leningrad.
The company expect to use this first installation for testing and
certification purposes. Official approval of the Soviet Ministry
of Communications is due in November, according to Mr Kim.

Samsung also has a joint communications venture in Pskov, Northwest
Russia, and is also building an international phone gateway in
Khabarovsk, Siberia.

Lucky Goldstar representatives told Newsbytes they are conducting
negotiations with different Soviet authorities to provide "modern
fully ISDN-compatible telecommunication equipment." No additional
details were available at deadline.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910609/Contact: Hi-Chang Roh, KTAI, phone +82 2
750-3071; Hong Mok Kim, Samsung Electronics, phone [phone];
fax [phone]; S.H. Kang, Lucky-GoldStar, phone [phone];
fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10  ****NEC TO BALE OUT BULL WITH TAKEOVER 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00018)

 ****NEC TO BALE OUT BULL WITH TAKEOVER 06/10/91
PARIS, FRANCE, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Reports from Paris suggest
that the French government is preparing to cut its losses and
sell off a stake in Cie des Machines Bull -- known as Bull in the
worldwide computer marketplace -- to NEC of Japan.

According to the Reuters news wire, nothing has been signed as
Newsbytes goes to press, but French officials are seriously
considering an equity exchange between the two companies. An
equity exchange would involve NEC exchanging a nominated number
of its share in return for a majority stake in Bull and one or
more seats on the French state-owned company's board of directors.

French officials, as well as representatives of Bull and NEC
refused to comment on the reports. According to Le Figaro, a
French daily newspaper, however, discussions between both
companies have been under way form some time.

(Steve Gold/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 SCHNEIDER SLASHES SHARE DIVIDEND AS PROFITS SLUMP 06/10/91

06/10/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00019)

SCHNEIDER SLASHES SHARE DIVIDEND AS PROFITS SLUMP 06/10/91
MUNICH, WESTERN GERMANY, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Schneider, the
European technology company, has announced a cut in its
1990 share dividend after disappointing final results for the
year.

In a company statement, Schneider officials said that the share
dividend had been cut from DM 12 to DM 10.10. The dividend cut
was despite a sales surge of 8.9 per cent to DM 978 million for
the full year to 31 December, 1991.

Schneider officials are trying to paint over the disappointment
that the share dividend will cause. According to company
officials, a range of new machines are scheduled for introduction
this summer, and a new company strategy is being formulated.

(Steve Gold/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 TOSHIBA HIT BY ECU 2M EURO FINE 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00020)

TOSHIBA HIT BY ECU 2M EURO FINE 06/10/91
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- The European Commission
(EC) has handed down an ECU (european currency unit) 2 million
fine to Toshiba's European operations after allegations of price
fixing were made.

EC officials said that Toshiba Europe had broken EC anti-
competition rules. Initial reaction from company officials was
one of dismay.

"We are surprised and dismayed by the high level of this fine,"
the company said in a prepared statement, adding that a full
statement was not possible as a copy of the decision, which
includes the legal arguments etc., had not been received.

Toshiba officials said that EC competition laws were fair,
and that Toshiba Europe wanted to stay clearly within the
relevant legislation.

There are no plans to revise pricing on photocopiers -- the
initial cause of the EC complaint -- as a direct result of the EC
ruling, Toshiba officials said.

(Steve Gold/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10  ****IBM ROLLS OUT MULTIMEDIA/OTHER PRODUCTS IN LONDON, U.S. 06/10/91

06/10/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(LON)(00021)

 ****IBM ROLLS OUT MULTIMEDIA/OTHER PRODUCTS IN LONDON, U.S. 06/10/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- IBM will launch a swathe of
new products tomorrow (Tuesday) in London and on Wednesday in the
U.S. The launches will consist of three main segments: new PS/2
machines, multimedia packages, and a high-density disk drive for
the whole PS/2 range.

Three new PS/2 machines will be launched, all based around an
Intel 20MHz 80386SX microprocessor: the Model 35, 40 and 57SX.

The Models 35 and 40, which are based around the same chassis,
are expected to cost, respectively, $2,500 and $3,000, with the
Model 40 featuring extra expansion slots. Unusually, both
machines are based around old-style AT architecture rather than
the newer MCA (Micro Channel Architecture) technology.

The Model 57SX is essentially an upgrade to the existing PS/2
Model 55, and will cost around the $4,000 mark. There are no
immediate plans to phase out any PS/2 machines in favour of the
new models, however.

On the multimedia front, IBM has two multimedia kits available.
These are based around a rewritable CD-ROM (compact disk, read
only memory) drive bundled with all the software and hardware
necessary to plug in the drive to a PS/2 and `play' CD-ROM-based
data.

Of most interest to the industry, however, is the introduction of
a new 2.88MB 3.5-inch disk drive format to the IBM world.
Newsbytes' sources suggest that the new drive will be
offered as standard on the PS/2 Model 57SX, as well as existing
high-end PS/2 machines, and as an optional extra on low-end
machines such as the Model 35 and 40 series.

Industry reaction to prelaunch news of the new machines was
favourable, with many resellers welcoming the launches. According
to Jeremey Davies, co-director with Context, the London-based
market research company, the launches show that IBM has entered a
new age of realism.

"IBM is acknowledging what the market wants with the AT-style bus
machines. They're also going full steam ahead with the 386SX
chipset," he told Newsbytes.

IBM officials refused to comment on the new product launches.
Sources in the U.K. reseller community report that all the new
products have been shown to dealers, and that tomorrow's launch
is the final stage in Big Blue's plans for the next stage in the
development of the PS/2 range.

(Steve Gold/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 INACOMP SUFFERS $2.37 MILLION 3Q LOSS 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00022)

INACOMP SUFFERS $2.37 MILLION 3Q LOSS 06/10/91
TROY, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Inacomp Computer
Centers is blaming the economy for the actions it has had to
take, leading to a third quarter loss of $2,365,000 on
revenues of $123,302,000. This figure compares to net income of
$1,827,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 1990.

According to the press releases Inacomp would have been
profitable had it not increased its reserves by $4 million, an
action it says was "taken in recognition of the economic
downturn, increasing inventory levels, and declining sales
growth."

Commenting on the announcement, Rick Inatome, Inacomp
chairman and chief executive officer, said, "These are turbulent
economic times and Inacomp has responded with strong action.
Even though we were operating profitably, we have increased
our reserves by $4 million, and in the past few weeks, we have
reduced our work force by ten percent and reduced our
inventory since quarter-end by over $35 million. We also
aggressively signed up 95 affiliates under our TeamWorks
dealer program during the third quarter. Inacomp is confident
our decisive measures place us in a position of strength as we
continue with the pending merger, and that the newly created
InaComp entity will have the necessary ingredients for ongoing
success."

Inacomp and ValCom, Inc. jointly announced on April 10th that
they have entered into a definitive merger agreement.
Inacomp spokesperson Joan Brancheau told Newsbytes that
"the firms have filed a joint proxy with the SEC for approval
and, upon approval, will send it to our shareholders who will
then have 20 days to vote. We will then have a shareholders
meeting to take action on the results of the vote. I expect the
merger to be completed around the end of July."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Rick Inatome,
Inacomp Computer Centers, 313-649-5580,/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 PHOENIX TECHNOLOGIES SETTLES CLASS ACTION SUIT 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00023)

PHOENIX TECHNOLOGIES SETTLES CLASS ACTION SUIT 06/10/91
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) --
Phoenix Technologies has reached an agreement with its suing
shareholders to settle class action lawsuits brought against
it and certain of its officers and others in July
and September 1989. The settlement is subject to completion of
a definitive settlement agreement and court approval.

The agreement in principle calls for the establishment of a
settlement fund of $775,000 to satisfy all claims during the
class period which extends from June 14, 1988 through Nov.
13, 1990, and to pay the litigation expenses of the class.

The class action had claimed that the company had made materially
misleading public disclosures in violation of federal securities
laws.

Commenting on the settlement, Ron Fisher, Phoenix president
and chief executive officer, said, "Neither Phoenix nor any of the
other defendants believe there is merit to the case; however,
we are entering into this settlement agreement to remove the
burden upon and interference with Phoenix's ordinary business
operations that would be caused by continuing such litigation,
and the uncertainty of the outcome inherent in any litigation.
We are pleased to have this matter behind us so that we may
focus our attention and resources on the future growth and
development of the business."

Phoenix spokesperson Robert Langer told Newsbytes that the
definitive settlement agreement should be completed within a
week and that the time required for court approval will be
"strictly a function of the court calendar and is hard to predict."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Robert
Langer, Phoenix Technologies Ltd., 617-551-4161/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10  ****NY TIMES REPORTS APPLE-IBM CHIP DISCUSSIONS 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00024)

 ****NY TIMES REPORTS APPLE-IBM CHIP DISCUSSIONS 06/10/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Apple and
IBM are, according to a New York Times report of June 10th by
Andrew Pollack, engaged in talks concerning "a far-ranging
technology alliance that could have a major impact on the computer
industry." The article states that Apple executives are meeting with
IBM counterparts at IBM's Armonk headquarters.

The New York Times article comes three days after a Wall Street
Journal story which said that Apple was considering licensing IBM's
RISC-based processor for use in a new line of microcomputers.

While neither company has any official comment, an IBM executive
who preferred to remain anonymous has told Newsbytes, "Such
an arrangement would make sense. The licensing
of our RISC technology is part of our overall strategy to better
utilize our production capability. The recent agreement with Hitachi
that allows them to put their label on our 3090 mainframes is
another indication of this strategy."

Speaking to the part of the story that has IBM interested in
Apple software technology, he said, "It is no secret that our
relationship with Microsoft is a marriage of convenience and
that we are interested in lessening our dependance
on Microsoft." He added that he has not been a party to any
discussions with Apple that "may or may not be going on" but that
such discussions routinely go on within the industry.

The report in the Times broadens the supposed scope of the
discussions, saying that IBM may "even help develop basic software
for a new line of Apple computers that will be a successor to its
Macintosh family."

One rationale given for the talks is the firms' supposed common
desire to reduce the role of Microsoft as the dominant firm in
determining the industry's direction. Microsoft is the leading
provider of word processing and spreadsheet software
for the Macintosh and is the sole source for the MS & PC-DOS, OS/2
and Windows operating systems and environments for IBM personal
computers.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910610)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 WORDSTAR SPEAKS FRENCH 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00025)

WORDSTAR SPEAKS FRENCH 06/10/91
CANNES, FRANCE, 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- Wordstar International has
announced it has further extended by opening Wordstar
International S.A., a new subsidiary in Velizy, France, and by
announcing new products in French: Wordstar 6.0 French, Wordstar
2000 French, Correct Grammer and Wordstar Legacy French for
Windows.

The new subsidiary is located 10 kilometers from Paris. The
announcement was closely proceeded by Wordstar's other
announcements of expansion in Asia. The three new Asian
operations are located in Malaysia, Hong Kong and the
Philippines.

The new software products, Wordstar 6.0 French, Wordstar 2000
French, Correct Grammer, and Wordstar Legacy French for Windows
have all been "fully localized" according to Wordstar, meaning
all menus, messages, dictionaries, and documentation have been
translated into French. And Wordstar has already signed on
distributors, Edisoft and Feeder, which Wordstar says are
planning vigorous sales promotions to launch the new French
version of Wordstar 2000, and Wordstar Legacy for Windows.
Softissimo is distributing Correct Grammer, a product from
Wordstar's Writing Tools Group.

Wordstar said Wordstar 6.0 French is a word processing
package that allows customability, pull-down menus, support
for scalable-font printers, desktop publishing features, and
will run on a local area network (LAN).

Wordstar 2000 French, release 3.5 offers graphics and
advanced printing capabilities to create documents with
text, charts and images, Wordstar said.

Correct Grammer is a package from Wordstar's Writing Tools Group,
and is a grammer and style checker for the IBM personal computer
(PC), Windows and Macintosh platforms, Wordstar said.

Wordstar Legacy French is designed to be used in the
Microsoft Windows environment, and offers desktop publishing
and page layout features, the company said.

WordStar International S.A. is located at Immeuble
Nungesser, 13, avenue Morane-Saulnier, 78140 Velizy, France.
The telephone number is 33.1.34.65.90.81, and the facsimile
number is 33.1.30.70.63.67.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910610/Press Contact: David Patrick,
Wordstar, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 SILICON GRAPHICS AND ORACLE TEAM UP 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00026)

SILICON GRAPHICS AND ORACLE TEAM UP 06/10/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) --
Silicon Graphics and Oracle announced Silicon Graphics has
become a member of the Oracle Strategic Alliance Charter
Program, a group formed to work on technical and marketing
issues to define, implement and deliver enhanced hardware
and software products.

Under the terms of the Program, all new and upgraded Oracle
products will be made available for the Silicon Graphics
IRIS 4D product line during the second half of 1991. Oracle
will also provide sales, service and support for Oracle
products on Silicon Graphics workstations.

Julie Edwards of Silicon Graphics said Oracle products were
already available for Silicon Graphics computers, but the
big changes are a closer alliance, working together on joint
marketing strategies, and Silicon Graphics' provision to
Oracle of the MIPS Reduced Instruction Set Chip (RISC)-based
workstations and servers for applications development.

"Oracle's choice of the IRIS 4D product family as a
strategic MIPS RISC platform reinforces the industry's shift
to MIPS RISC as the important architecture for the '90s,"
said Rob Burgess, vice president, applications at Silicon
Graphics. "Oracle's established position in the information
management marketplace combined with Silicon Graphics'
industry leadership in providing powerful MIPS RISC-based
workstations and servers will give users the scope of
capabilities and performance they require."

Oracle says it develops and markets an integrated line of
products for database management, computer-aided systems
engineering (CASE) applications development, decision
support, office automation, financial applications, and
human resource applications. Silicon Graphics says it is a
manufacturer of visual computer systems, delivering three-
dimensional graphics, color and real-time motion
technologies to the scientific and technical computing
marketplace.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910610/Press Contact: Julie Edwards,
Silicon Graphics, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10  ****MAN CATCHES COMPUTER VIRUS? 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00027)

 ****MAN CATCHES COMPUTER VIRUS? 06/10/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 10 (NB) -- The
Weekly World News has reported in its June 18th edition that John
Stevens, a Philadelphia-area computer programmer, has contracted a
virus from his computer.

According to the story, Stevens's doctor, Mark Fordland, agrees
that the 32 year-old's symptoms are identical to that of a
software virus' attack on a computer. Fordland is quoted as
saying "Stevens has become forgetful, like something is eating
up his memory, his data. He has less and less energy. He can't
hold on to thoughts. Even an EEG (electroencephalogram) of his
brain waves keep changing. It's becoming more and more erratic.
The virus could eat him up until his mind is a blank and he's
like a vegetable."

Stevens was quoted as saying he became sick about a week after
his computer began to show signs of a virus, a virus he attributes
to his own behavior, saying, "I was careless about borrowing
software programs from other people, people I didn't know well."

Dr. Fordland, whose medical specialty was not specified by the
Weekly World News, was quoted as agreeing with the analysis,
saying, "Borrowing software programs from friends and strangers is
like having sex with someone you don't know well. When you sleep
with someone, you sleep with everyone they've ever slept with.
When you borrow someone else's program, you're connected to
everyone who's ever used that program."

Dr. William A. Merlino, a Mays Landing, NJ physician and founder
of one of the East Coast's first computer stores, commenting to
Newsbytes, said, "The story is, of course, absurd. A virus is a
small sub-bacterial agent which infiltrates live cells causing
them to modify priorities to reproduce the virus. A computer
'virus' on the other hand is man-made computer code intended to
spread through computer systems and cause particular actions."

"Hac," a New York-area hacker, told Newsbytes that he had recently
spent two days eliminating a virus from a network in a major bank
and "I didn't even realize I could be getting sick."

Peter Denning, ex-president of the Association of Computer
Machinery (ACM) and a speaker at the March 1991 Virus
Conference in New York, told Newsbytes, "I've heard this story
come up before and it seems to be joining the other urban legends
such as the pet alligator flushed down the New York City toilet
that spawned a major infestation of New York sewers by giant
alligators or the woman, who upon washing her poodle, put it in
the microwave to dry. On the serious side, there is a recent book,
Bionomics by Michael Rothchild, that draws an analogy between the
biological processes and information processing."

Other stories in the June 18th Weekly World News include "Alien
Corpse Found," "3rd Prophecy of Fatima Revealed," "World's
Skinniest Is Pregnant" and "Disease Makes Woman's Own Hand Beat
Her Senseless."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910610)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10  ****DOS 5 ALREADY IN STORES, OFFICIAL INTRO TOMORROW 06/10/91

06/10/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00028)

 ****DOS 5 ALREADY IN STORES, OFFICIAL INTRO TOMORROW 06/10/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 10 (NB) -- Microsoft's long
awaited DOS 5.0 is scheduled for a lavish rollout Tuesday in New York
City, but by that time it could be old news to some users. Last Friday,
Microsoft met with its resellers -- among them Egghead Discount
Software, Merisel and Softmart -- and authorized them to begin selling
the software on Monday.

"Stories about DOS 5.0 were in the daily papers and the computer
weeklies," said a Microsoft spokesperson. "We  didn't see the point of
making them wait another day."

Demand for the upgrade has been considerable.  "People have
been calling about this for a couple of weeks," said a salesman at Fry's
electronics in Sunnyvale, CA. "And they are aware that today is the day."

Paul Somerson, author of DOS Power Tools and a self confessed "big fan of
DOS," said that this version offers users a compelling reason to upgrade
their systems.  "For people coming from version 3.0.this will seem like a
miracle," he said. "My hat is off  to Microsoft. It did a great job of jamming
in a lot of features and slimming the system down at the same time. "

Microsoft will officially launch MS-DOS version 5 from a rented yacht
on New York City's Hudson River tomorrow. The new version of
the venerable operating system is said to feature task swapping --
not multitasking -- a new shell, improved memory management,
and an undelete utility.

The new version of the system will be offered as an upgrade for
present MS-DOS owners. This is the first time for a new release of
DOS that such a procedure has been followed. MS-DOS was originally
introduced in 1981 when the IBM-PC made its first appearance and a
new version has not been introduced since 1988. While initial version 4.0
bugs were fixed with 4.1, many customers and resellers
have preferred the previous version 3.3.

Microsoft says more than 130 PC manufacturers have licensed DOS
5, and that MS-DOS is currently in use by 60 million computer
users worldwide.

The introduction comes at a time that IBM and Apple are said to be
engaged in technology-licensing talks, talks said to be partially
motivated by a joint resolve to reduce Microsoft's leadership role in
the industry. Microsoft is the leading provider of word processing
and spreadsheet software for the Macintosh and is the sole source for
the MS & PC-DOS, OS/2 and Windows operating systems and
environments for IBM personal computers. Additionally, Microsoft
has recently joined with Compaq and Digital to form a consortium to
develop a new RISC platform centered around a chip from Mips
Computer Systems, Inc; a platform that will provide direct new
competition for Apple and IBM.

The tension between IBM and Microsoft has revolved around
Microsoft's continued development of MS-DOS at what IBM sees as
at the expense of OS/2, the Microsoft developed operating system to
which IBM has committed much of its future personal computer
plans. Analysts feel that the expected Version 5 introduction will
further widen the gulf.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen & Charles Bermant/19910610/
Press Contact: Randy Unsbee, Wagonner Group, 1-503-245-0905)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 10 INTEL SELECTS SYSTEMSOFT FOR SL BOARDS 06/10/91

06/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00029)

INTEL SELECTS SYSTEMSOFT FOR SL BOARDS 06/10/91
NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 10 (NB) -- SystemSoft
has been selected by Intel to provide the power management and BIOS
software for Intel386 SL evaluation boards. SystemSoft's flagship product
is Maximizer, power management software for Intel386 SL based PCs.

Intel will add the company's System Management Mode, a power
conservation system, to the evaluation boards it provides to
laptop computer manufacturers. Newsbytes previously reported on
the SystemSoft software during the Spring Comdex trade show. The
SL is Intel's latest chip for laptop computers, offering faster
processor speeds and better power management than the current
favorite, the 80386SX.

Intel said the company's product was selected  based on features
and the speed with which the company responded to Intel's
requirements.

SystemSoft also announced the availability of its complete family
of system software products for the SL chip. The new products,
have already been adopted by a number of manufacturers in Asia,
the United States and in Europe. SystemSoft is licensing its
power management software along with a basic input-output
system, or BIOS, made by Quadtel.

SystemSoft also announced availability of its firmware for
Intel's new 80C5lSL Low Power Keyboard Controller and Scanner.
Intel selected SystemSoft last year to develop the firmware for
its laptop PC keyboard. Intel is currently distributing the
firmware on its Demo/Evaluation board for the 80C5lSL.

SystemSoft's firmware provides direct scanning support for the
battery operated computer's local keyboard, while simultaneously
supporting a full size, external keyboard, numeric keypad or PS/2
style mouse. Further, the firmware is designed to operate the
80C5lSL in its low power, idle mode as the typical state.

(tbass/19910611/Press Contact: Mike Segroves, SystemSoft, 508-
651-0088)

#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 JUN 7 Review of: 3 in Three, Macintosh game 06/07/91

06/07/91


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

Review of: 3 in Three, Macintosh game 06/07/91

Runs on: Macintosh computers

From: Cinemaware Corp., 4165 Thousand Oaks Blvd.,
Westlake Village, CA 91362 1-805-495-6515

PUMA rating: 3.25 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach

Summary: A collection of logic and mind puzzles hiding under
the rubric of an adventure game. Good for those with a liking
for these types of games. Very frustrating for those who do not.

=======

REVIEW

=======

3 in Three is an interesting collection of logic puzzles and
games. The program bills itself as an adventure game. But, it
is very different than the normal run of the mill adventure
games.

The program's story is that while some people were working on
a spreadsheet. Somewhere in the city a power failure occurs.
It is quickly - within a split second - isolated, but not before
it causes a brief power loss followed by a power surge. During
this, the numeral 3 gets lost. It falls out of the spreadsheet.
It falls into the depths of the computer and is trying to find
its way back to the spreadsheet. Your goal is to help the number
three on its way back.

To do this you must solve about 60 logical puzzles and games.
You do not have to solve them in any particular order although
to solve some games you must have figured out some earlier
puzzles. If you succeed in solving all 60 puzzles, then the
number three is restored to its original home and all is
happiness again.

The games are spread out into 5 levels. In each level there are
12 games to be solved. Some of these games are simple anagrams.
Some are simple word puzzles and some are graphical in nature.
In all games you must apply logic to achieve a satisfactory
solution. The number 3 is mostly there to help you. You may
even get a clue from it. Not that it will always help you
though.

The game comes on two floppies and with it comes a six page
manual. The manual is rather skimpy but that's ok. It does cover
all of the information that you would need to go through the
program. The only area where the manual is really lacking is
in the clues area. The clues that are given are very general
and not always as helpful as they should or could be.

Also in the package comes a Cinemaware Treasure Ticket which
acts like a frequent buyer program. When you accumulate enough
of these, you can get games worth up to a certain value from
Cinemaware. There are also warranty and registration cards
enclosed. As usual it is good policy to fill out and return
the registration card.

The manual states that this game is intended to be nonviolent and
indeed it does succeed in that regard. There is no way in which
you can get killed. Nor are there any particularly violent
games or actions. Because of this, this game is suitable for
almost all ages and all kinds of players. The only constraint
is that the application of the logic that this game requires
is certainly beyond the ken of most elementary school students.
There is a lot of wry humor interspersed throughout the different
scenes that most young children would not understand either.

I did not find any bugs or other problems with the game during
play. If you are of that mind bend, then this is a very
entertaining game for you. If you get frustrated by the logic
puzzles published in the newspaper, then this game will have you
climbing walls. My wife and I enjoyed solving most of the puzzles
together and that is certainly not discouraged by the program.

=============

PUMA RATINGS

=============

PERFORMANCE: 4 The program ran well. It had no bugs that I ran
across. On my Mac II it ran quickly and with no untoward delays.

USEFULNESS: 3 If you're a logic problem fanatic. Get it
immediately. If not, this might be an awfully frustrating way to
find out.

MANUAL: 3 All of the information that you really need is there.
The manual is too short for any mistakes to have crept in.
It could use some more clues for some of the more frustrating
puzzles.

AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from mail order and software stores.
No technical support number (or any phone number for that matter)
is listed on the packaging.

(Naor Wallach/19910603)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 7 Review of: Monologue, text speaking for PCs, 06/07/91

06/07/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(SFO)(00029)

Review of: Monologue, text speaking for PCs, 06/07/91

Runs on: IBM PCs and compatibles

Price: $149.95

PUMA Rating: 3.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by Ian Stokell

Summary: Text-to-speech software for speaking files. Although
useful as an aid when reading the text, I found it difficult
to understand when not looking at the screen at the same time.

======

REVIEW

======

Did you ever wonder what happened to the Swedish chef from 'The
Muppet Show'? Well, I don't know what he's doing now, but one of his
last jobs was as the voice model for First Byte's Monologue!

I've always wanted my computer to sound like Hal from '2001: A
Space Odyssey' so I thought I would give this program a whirl!

Installation itself is pretty straight-forward. All you do is place
a copy of the diskette in an available drive and follow the
instructions. After installation, typing 'Mono' loads it into
RAM because it is memory resident. The program is then activated
by using a Hot-Key combination such as the suggested ALT-T.
You can reconfigure such things as pitch, speed, and volume by
typing 'Monocfg' and then Enter. To deactivate Monologue just
press the ESC key.

Once Monologue is activated, text is marked using various key
sequences. The marked text is then spoken through the internal
speaker of the microcomputer.

My first real complaint concerns the use of the microcomputer's
internal speaker. The company maintains that the software can be
used with the internal speaker of any PC. I tried it with my Olivetti
PCS 386SX and, although it did work, it was so low it was almost
impossible to hear, even at full volume. When I tried it on a
basic 286 clone it worked fine.

One of the package's biggest selling points did not even get a
mention in the manual: its ability to read an entire text file from
beginning to end. I would have thought this was one of the biggest
selling points for handicapped and blind computer users who are
unable, or find it difficult, to mark text as they go along. The F9 key
allows for the speaking of the entire screen, but I would have
thought speaking an entire text file deserved better billing.

The first mention I found of it was in the 'Read Me' file. This then
referred me to the SayFile.Doc file for further information. To
use the SayFile feature you have to first install Monologue. Then
you have to put the line Device=C:\Monolog\TalkDrvr.sys in the
Config.sys file. Then reboot the computer. Last, you have to load
the speech engine again by typing 'Mono.' This isn't for a
beginner unused to dealing with the Config.sys file.

Once you've got through all this you can just type 'SayFile' and
then name the text file to be read. Once you have that line in the
Config.sys file you only have to type 'SayFile' and the file name
each time you want to read a file, providing Monologue is still active.

On the whole I did not find the documentation very comprehensive,
and the index was not very useful, often just mimicking the contents
page. In all there was only 31 pages of information, excluding the
index and contents pages.

To be honest, even when it was working correctly, I had trouble
understanding the speech unless I was looking at the text on the
screen at the same time. When I did look at the screen it was
quite interesting and even beneficial to have the text read at the
same time as you were reading it.

On any of the machines I tried it on, I would not have been able to
understand the speech completely without seeing the text. You can
customize the voice to pronounce the words better, but there were a
lot of occasions when it did not pronounce things properly, so that
could turn into a time-consuming exercise.

Is Monologue an aid to proofreading when you are reading the
text at the same time? The answer is generally yes. Can Monologue
be used to speak a text file or electronic mail without you having to
read the text at the same time? In my case no. But with heavy
customization I don't see why not, once you get used to the voice
and the weird way it pronounces many words.

So did I ever get the thing to sound like Hal? Well, not exactly,
unless Hal's had a Swedish transplant and now answers to the
name of Sven!

============

PUMA RATINGS

============

PERFORMANCE: 3. Monolgue does speak text reasonably well.
It can be configured to suit the user which is why I gave it a
three even though I found it difficult to understand at times.

USEFULNESS: 3. If I needed something like this and was prepared
to put some time in to customize it to my needs, I think this would be
a useful package. But be prepared to buy extra hardware if it
doesn't work properly with the internal speaker.

MANUAL: 2.5. I found the manual a little limited. The index could
have been an extra couple of pages and it could have gone into
more detail.

AVAILABILITY: 3.5. It does have a technical support number, although
this is not toll-free. When I called for availability I was given a
toll-free sales number (800-545-7677) that was answered by a helpful,
friendly salesperson. He told me Monologue could be purchased
mail-order through Microwarehouse at up to 20 percent discount, or
from CompUSA stores, also discounted. He then found the address
of the closest CompUSA to my house, without me requesting it,
which I thought deserved a 3.5.

(Ian Stokell/1991060791)

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 JUN 7 NEW FOR MAC: Mac II Graphic Accelerators 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00001)

NEW FOR MAC: Mac II Graphic Accelerators 06/07/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Generation
Systems has announced it has begun shipping its 24-bit display
board designed to accelerate graphics applications. The board is
specifically designed for the Macintosh II line, including the
IIsi.

The company says the new board, RACE (Redundant Access Cycle
Eliminator), increases on screen performance by reducing the
number of access cycles needed to draw a screen image. According
to Mike Evangelist, Generation Systems marketing manager,
"Initial tests confirm that the Designer 24 is faster than other
non-accelerated 24-bit boards, and in some benchmarks it
outperformed a few of the accelerated boards."
The board is priced at $1995.

Generation Systems says the board has low power requirements,
which allow it to be used with the Macintosh IIsi, and is
compatible with Apple's QuickDraw accelerator card. The unit
comes with a one year warranty and free unlimited technical
support.

(Jim Mallory/19910605/Press Contact:Mike Evangelist, Generation
Systems, 800-325-5811 or 408-734-2100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 BORLAND RATED TOPS IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00002)

BORLAND RATED TOPS IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION 06/07/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- J.D. Powers
and Associates has ranked software publisher Borland International
best in overall customer satisfaction based on a computer study of
consumers. Borland ranked best in the personal computer application
software category of the J.D. Power and Associates 1991 Computer
End User Satisfaction Study for small and medium-sized businesses.

Dick O'Donnell, spokesman for Borland International, told Newsbytes
that this survey was extremely important for the company as it "is an
indication that our customers are very satisfied with our products,
both from a technological, and from a customer service and
support standpoint."

The study was based on a national random sample of 1,784 small
and medium-sized businesses at sites of less than 500 employees.
The main factors contributing to customer satisfaction among end
users included software capability, ease of use and customer support.

Borland was also placed top in customer satisfaction by microcomputer
software developers.

O'DonnelL told Newsbytes that the award means "more to the company
than technological and industry awards, even though they are
appreciated as well, because this was a scientific survey of end users."

The top six companies listed Borland International first, WordPerfect
second, Claris third, Aldus fourth, Microsoft fifth, and Lotus Development
sixth.

"Everyone at Borland is very proud of these results," said Philippe
Kahn, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "While our
products consistently win top honors within our industry, there is no
greater reward than knowing that our users rate us tops in customer
satisfaction."

"Our software products are designed to easily share and move data
from one program to another," he added. "As an industry, we need to
exploit the revolutionary power of object orientation and of true
32-bit computing."

J.D. Power and Associates is a California-based international
marketing information company specializing in consumer opinion and
customer satisfaction studies. Probably the company's highest
visibility customer satisfaction survey is one done each year
for the motor industry.

(Ian Stokell/19910606/Press Contact: Dick O'Donnell, Borland
International, 408-439-1631)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS/SONY IN CD-ROM LICENSING DEAL 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00003)

SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS/SONY IN CD-ROM LICENSING DEAL 06/07/91
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- In an attempt
to further expose its World Atlas product in the marketplace,
Software Toolworks has signed a CD-ROM licensing agreement with
Sony Corporation of America.

Under the agreement, Sony will use special versions of Software
Toolworks' proprietary CD-install, CD-menu and CD-audio player
software along with its World Atlas CD-ROM program, in its recently
unveiled Laser Library, a multimedia product that combines a
Sony CD-ROM optical disc player with six interactive information,
learning and entertainment programs.

Bob Goldberg, spokesman for Software Toolworks, told Newsbytes
that the agreement was very important for the company as "Sony
is an important manufacturer in this area, and the agreement provides
good exposure for our 'World Atlas' product."

Sony's Laser Library is designed for family use and is intended to
expand the capabilities of older IBM-PC/XT/AT and compatible
microcomputers.

The Software Toolworks World Atlas is a combination almanac,
geographical fact book and atlas. The product's features include
detailed graphics and data for every country in the world including
population, telephone codes, latitude and longitude, temperature,
and local time.

Goldberg told Newsbytes that the agreement was as a result of
"ongoing discussions in other areas." He said that the company
is always looking for different distribution outlets and "spends
lots of time talking to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers)."

Sony Computer Peripheral Products Co., based in San Jose,
Calif., is marketing the Laser Library, which uses compact disc
technology to bring together images sounds, text and data.
All the software programs, including Software Toolworks World
Atlas, are pre-installed, allowing the consumer to instantly
tap into the six interactive programs. It will be sold in retail outlets
this summer and has a suggested retail price of $699.

(Ian Stokell/19910606/Press Contact: Bob Goldberg, Software
Toolworks, 415-883-3000, ext. 545)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 VA PROBES POSSIBLE SOFTWARE FAILURES IN HOSPITAL SYSTEM 06/07/91

06/07/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00004)

VA PROBES POSSIBLE SOFTWARE FAILURES IN HOSPITAL SYSTEM 06/07/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Following the recent
anonymous letter to the Veterans Administration which charged
that computerized patient records were dangerously inaccurate, VA
Secretary Edward Derwinski has asked the agency's information
resources management office to investigate the technical concerns
raised in the letter.

Federal Computer Week reports that the VA expects to complete an
action plan in three to four months which will address all 40 of
the issues raised in the letter sent to officials, members of
Congress, and others by the Froelich Trust Group, which has an
anonymous membership that is thought to include former and
possibly current Veterans Administration officials.

Among other things, the letter reported such vital omissions from
patient records as one person's diabetes.

(John McCormick/19910606)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 NEW SPA BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED AND TWO MORE APPOINTED 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00005)

NEW SPA BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED AND TWO MORE APPOINTED 06/07/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- The Software
Publishers Association, an industry association of nearly 800
companies, has announced the election of two new members, Brian
Dougherty, CEO, GeoWorks, and John Kernan, chairman and CEO,
Jostens Learning Corp., to its board of directors.

Re-elected for an additional two-year term were Jan Davidson,
president, Davidson and Associates, and Scott Cook, president,
Intuit.

Ken Wasch, executive director of the SPA, Doug Carlston of
Broderbund Software, Phil Adam, Interplay Productions, Dan
Bricklin, Slate Corp., Bruce Davis, Mediagenic, Gordon Eubanks,
Symantec, Pierre Lingheim, IDE'-DATA AB, and Heidi Roizen of
T/Maker round out the elected board members.

One of the first actions of the new board was to appoint two
additional members, Jeff Raikes, VP of Office Systems, Microsoft,
and R. Duff Thompson, VP and general counsel, WordPerfect. SPA
Spokesperson Jodi Pollock told Newsbytes that, as a result of
recent amendments to the bylaws aimed at adding members with
diverse backgrounds, this was the first time any board members
were appointed rather than elected.

Mr, Raikes was also elected chairman of the board after being
appointed, and Gordon Eubanks is the president of the new board
of directors.

(John McCormick/19910606/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-
452-1600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7  ****NIPPON STEEL EXCLUSIVE ORACLE DISTRIB IN JAPAN 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00006)

 ****NIPPON STEEL EXCLUSIVE ORACLE DISTRIB IN JAPAN 06/07/91
REDWOOD SHORES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Under
the terms of the proposed Oracle Japan joint venture, Nippon Steel
will get exclusive distribution rights to Oracle products in
Japan. The agreement calls for Nippon Steel to purchase an
initial 49 percent of Oracle Japan, with Oracle Systems
Corporation of California holding 51 percent.

Oracle Japan is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oracle Systems.
As part of the proposed transaction, Nippon Steel will also extend $200
million in long-term financing to Oracle.

Mike Musson, spokesman for Oracle Systems, told Newsbytes that the
exclusive distribution and marketing agreement covered "just
Japan." Oracle has "been trying to get into the Japanese market
for five years," he said, but "has not had much success."

Oracle's economic interest could increase to as much as 75 percent
over time based on cumulative cash distributions from Oracle Japan.
According to Musson, a "small undisclosed cash payment " was made.

The two companies expect to finalize the deal within the next two
to three months. According to Oracle, the closing of the
transaction is subject to the negotiation of definitive
documentation, receipt of certain regulatory approvals,
negotiation of amendments and extensions of Oracle's existing
bank arrangements and approval of final agreements
by the board of directors of each company.

"It's been the feeling at Oracle for some time that we needed to find
a partner," Musson told Newsbytes. What was needed was a "large
company that's had experience" and Nippon Steel, being an
"independent company" as Musson put it, is a "very good fit for
Oracle's strategy in Japan."

Of particular interest to Oracle, said Musson, was Nippon Steel's
3,000 person systems integration division. Nippon's organization
"dramatically enlarges the market for Oracle," he said, especially
as it is "pushing open systems."

According to Musson, the long term finance will "bring down Oracle's
bank debt" and be used "for general corporate operations" and to
increase "operating flexibility."

Oracle Systems Corporation, headquartered in Redwood Shores,
California, is a major independent supplier of database
management systems software. The company also develops and
markets an integrated line of software products including
computer-aided systems engineering (CASE), applications
development, decision support and office automation, for
microcomputers, minicomputers and mainframes. The company
offers its products, along with related consulting, education and
support services, in 92 countries around the world.

Nippon Steel is one of the largest independent industrial companies
in Japan, with total revenues of approximately US $19.3 billion. The
company has developed a wide range of computer related
businesses from large scale systems integration to the manufacturing
of microprocessor-based computer systems.

(Ian Stokell/19910607/Press Contact: Gail Snider, Oracle Corp.,
415-506-5128)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 X/OPEN SPEC ADAPTS PHILIPS' CD-ROM TO OPEN SYSTEMS 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00007)

X/OPEN SPEC ADAPTS PHILIPS' CD-ROM TO OPEN SYSTEMS 06/07/91
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Philips, the
Dutch electronics company, has used X/Open's Fast Track
procedure to adapt Philips' CD-ROM technology to open systems.
Larry Lettieri, spokesman for X/Open, told Newsbytes that it is
"customers that will benefit" from Philip's specification" because
of the ability to utilize CD-ROM technology.

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 Common Application
Environment (CAE).

Lettieri told Newsbytes that Philips simply took their existing technology
and submitted it to X/Open for inclusion in CAE. It was accepted and is
now part of the specification, he said.

The new specification developed by Philips for CD-ROMs allows
applications in open systems to have access to information stored on
ISO 9660-compliant CD-ROMs.

According to Philips, the new specifications offers several advantages
to users. Application developers can now write portable applications
for open systems that can use CD-ROM-specific information. Without
the X/Open CD-ROM Support Component (XCDR), obtaining such
information would be different for all implementations of CD-ROM file
systems. Additionally, system administrators can give users access
to CD-ROMs in a uniform way, and information publishers can produce
CD-ROMs that will be usable on open systems from different publishers.

The addition of Philip's technology does not benefit X/Open directly
because it is a non-profit organization, Lettieri told Newsbytes. What it
does do however is become part of the overall environment of open
systems, and "addresses the whole issue of software portability."

"Access to information increases its value to an organization," said
Mike Lambert, X/Open's chief technical officer. "CD-ROM is growing
in importance as a storage medium and it was imperative that an
interface to open systems be defined. Philips' efforts have made
this specification available quickly."

X/Open, founded in 1984, is a worldwide, independent, open
systems organization dedicated to developing an open, multi-
vendor Common Applications Environment (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/19910607/Press Contact: Jeff Hansen, X/Open,
415-323-7992)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 XEROX SELLS VOICE PROCESSING BUSINESS TO VMX 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00008)

XEROX SELLS VOICE PROCESSING BUSINESS TO VMX 06/07/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- In a move
designed to safeguard Xerox's installed base of VMX equipment
users, VMX has agreed in principle to acquire the voice processing
business of Xerox Corp.

A source close to the company, who wished not to be identified, told
Newsbytes that, quite simply, Xerox was no longer selling VMX systems.
That left VMX with no choice but to pick up the slack and support its
installed base. "VMX wants to make sure that its customers continue to
be supported," said the source.

The Xerox voice processing business consists primarily of the sales
and support of VMX voice processing products. Over the past few
years, Xerox has established a substantial base of voice processing
customers who use VMX systems including a number of major,
multinational corporations.

VMX will assume responsibility for providing service and support to
the Xerox customer base in a transition period that is likely to take
three to four months.

Ellen Pensky, spokesperson for VMX, told Newsbytes that the deal
is a good one for Xerox's VMX equipment users as the company
can now "directly support its VMX customers."

VMX Inc, headquartered in San Jose, manufactures and markets
voice processing systems and has sales offices in San Jose,
Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City,
Boston, Toronto and London.

(Ian Stokell/19910607/Press Contact: Ellen Pensky, VMX Inc.,
408-441-1166, ext. 4366)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 NEW PRODUCTS: 1-Inch Hard Disk Drives From Western Digital 06/07/91

06/07/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00009)

NEW PRODUCTS: 1-Inch Hard Disk Drives From Western Digital 06/07/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Western
Digital has announced two new Caviar family, high-
performance 1-inch height, 3.5-inch AT-compatible hard disk
drives, the Caviar 160 62.5 megabyte (MB) drive, and the
Caviar 2120, a 125 MB drive.

The drives are designed for use in space-conscious desktop
and portable personal computers, and both feature a fast
sub-15 millisecond average seek time, Western Digital said.
The drives are performance-oriented, but also meet today's
standards for power conservation in 386-, 386SX- and 486-
based personal computers, the company said.

"Our Caviar II Series plays an integral role in Western
Digital's strategy to shift its disk drive product mix to
higher capacities, higher performance voice-coil drives to
meet the needs of leading worldwide personal computer
manufacturers," said Arif Shakeel, vice president of storage
products. "The Caviar Series has achieved greater levels of
performance based on our ability to improve overall system
throughput."

Shakeel continued: "Addition of these higher capacity
drives to this product series allows us to provide a full
range of capacities from 40-megabytes to 200 megabytes. In
early customer qualification, original equipment
manufacturers [OEMs] have told us that the performance of
these drives has exceeded their expectations for system
throughput."

The new drives utilize Western Digital's Cacheflow disk
cache, the new technique that optimizes the disk cache to
either sequential for repetitive mode, whichever is most
efficient for the current demand on the drive,
automatically, the company said.

These intelligent drives allow the computer to reduce the
power consumption of the drive when the drive is operating
in an idle or standby mode, Western Digital said. The drives
also employ power saving features, Multiplex and Doze. These
new features are implemented while the drive is spinning at
its rated speed and produce a power savings of up to 34
percent.

Western Digital said both drives are available in sample
quantities now, with volume shipments scheduled for the end
of June, 1991.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910606/Press Contact: Lynda Orban,
Western Digital, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 IMM ULTRAPHONES GOING TO INDONESIA, THE PHILIPPINES 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

IMM ULTRAPHONES GOING TO INDONESIA, THE PHILIPPINES 06/07/91
KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) --
International Mobile Machines received initial orders for its
Ultraphone digital radiotelephone system from Indonesia and the
Philippines.

In the former case, the equipment will be installed in the
heavily populated cities of Jakarta and Surabaya on the island of
Java by the nation's phone company, Perushaan Umum
Telekommunikasi, or PERUMTEL. The nation now has 880,000 phone
lines, paltry for over 100 million people, and is trying to bring
low-cost phone service out as rapidly as possible with $750
million in contracts granted already this year.

In the Philippines PhilCom, an international carrier, will use
both IMM Ultraphone and Ultradata gear to upgrade its domestic
facilities for customers in metropolitan Manila and the
surrounding countryside. Ultradata is a digital radio with a
range of 30 miles or more, with data rates of 128,000
bits/second which can replace conventional wire data networks and
work with wireline, fiber optic, DDS services and their
associated modem equipment.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: John A. Goetz, IMM,
215-278-7800)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 SOFTWARE VENTURE PARTNERS OPEN IN PARIS 06/07/91

06/07/91



(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00011)

SOFTWARE VENTURE PARTNERS OPEN IN PARIS 06/07/91
ZEPHYR COVE, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Software Venture
Partners, a venture capital fund specializing in start-up
microcomputer software companies, has announced it has opened
an office in Paris, France. The Paris office is the firm's
fourth location outside the US.

Heading up the Paris office will be Yann Houdent, who is also
president of ISE/CEGOS, France's largest software distributor.
The company says Houdent's role will be to watch for investments
the fund can make in French technologies which could sell
successfully in world markets.

William Lohse, lead partner of Software Venture Partners, says,
"The approach of 1993 and the reduction of trade barriers in
Europe make it more vital, not less to understand the importance
of localizing software products and tailoring them and their
market campaigns to specific customer sets in each country. Mr.
Houdent's expertise will be invaluable for both SVP's investment
and marketing activities in France."

Established in 1990, Venture Partners stated goal is to help
build successful companies who have world class product ideas.
Lohse says having superior technology is the most important
element of success. He also believes each company must have a
strategy for capitalizing on its competitive strengths to win
market share from the dominant market leader. Lohse says part of
the strategy is attracting the best people, which is a major
challenge, since top talent is scarce and sometimes are reluctant
to take a change of a startup company.

Before joining SVP, Lohse was president of Ziff Davis Publishing
for five years. Prior to that he was with MicroPro, Inside
Europe, Information Unlimited and Breakthrough Software, the
developer of Time Line, which has been purchased by Symantec.
SVP says it plans to limit its investments to five or six
companies, so Lohse can devote significant amounts of time to
each, and become actively involved in the company's tactics and
operations, as well as its strategies.

(Jim Mallory/19910606/Press Contact:Victoria Lohse, SVP,
702-588-3171 or FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 CRAY RESEARCH CEO DENIES WALL STREET JOURNAL STORY 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00012)

CRAY RESEARCH CEO DENIES WALL STREET JOURNAL STORY 06/07/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- In an unusual move,
Cray Research CEO John Rollwagen has reacted publicly to a news
story appearing in the Wall Street Journal of June 6, 1991.
Rollwagen sent a letter to all Cray Research employees denying
the story, which quoted anonymous sources as saying that Cray
Research might acquire Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc (BBN).

Newsbytes has acquired a copy of the letter, which stated flatly
that the story "is not true." Cray's corporate communications
director, Kate Neessen, told Newsbytes Rollwagen took the unusual
action of responding because the report was "wrong, wrong, wrong."

Rollwagen does acknowledge that Cray might acquire one or more
BBN TC2000 systems, and continues "we are also considering the
use of some of BBN's software, but we are not now considering an
acquisition of any part of BBN." Rollwagen points out that it is
not unusual for Cray to purchase another company's system or
share their software technology.

Rollwagen mildly chides Cray employees, when he says "While we do
not know who the source for the article was, this experience
serves as an excellent example of the risks of discussing ongoing
business conversations before they conclude. Premature
discussion can inadvertently mislead our customers, employees,
and shareholders. While we can't control the behavior of others,
we must always be sensitive to these considerations within Cray
Research." Rollwagen concludes his memo "As always, I will keep
you informed."

In related news, the NASD announced at 12:35PM today that trading
in BBN had been halted "because of the dissemination of news."
Trading was resumed without further comment by the NASD at 12:56
PM. BBN is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

(Jim Mallory/19910606/Press Contact:Kate Neessen, Cray Research,
612-683-7132)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN  7  ****ATARI CHANGES TAIWAN MFT'G STRATEGY/SELLS PLANT 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00013)

 ****ATARI CHANGES TAIWAN MFT'G STRATEGY/SELLS PLANT 06/07/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- In an attempt
to cut manufacturing costs following a disappointing 1990, Atari Corp.
is planning to sell its main assembly plant in Taiwan for a reported
$60 million.

August J. Liguori, spokesman for Atari, told Newsbytes that the
company has "lined up a series of subcontractors throughout
Taiwan and Hong Kong" and that "they are now doing the assembly."

According to the company, a contract has been signed for the sale
of the plant and closing is scheduled for late June 1991. The sale is
contingent upon certain conditions of closing being met.

Atari posted a 3 percent decrease in sales for 1990, down to
$411.5 million, from $423.6 million during 1989. Atari, like many
hardware manufacturers, is having to find ways to cut costs in the
face of increasing competition and shrinking market share.

Liguori, in answer to a question concerning worldwide layoffs and
cost-cutting moves, told Newsbytes that "we continue to look at all
operations each month," and that the company "is clearly in a
program to improve operations." Atari, he said, evaluates
operations on a "country-to-country" basis. He particularly identified
the European market as being "sluggish."

He said that Atari would continue to pursue the U.S. market,
but slowly, as it currently only accounts for 10 percent of the
company's revenue.

(Ian Stokell/19910607/Press Contact: August J. Liguori, Atari,
408-745-2069)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 SOFTWARE CUTS SOME JAIL COSTS BY 50% 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00014)

SOFTWARE CUTS SOME JAIL COSTS BY 50% 06/07/91
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- JALAN has
announced it has sold its JAIL system to Pricor, a private jail
company headquartered in Tennessee. JALAN says this will be the
first purchase of a computerized jail management system by
Pricor. The system will be installed at the Angelina County
Corrections Facility in Diboll, Texas, with five other Texas
facilities to be installed in the future.

According to Jan Robinson, president of JALAN, the system
documents an offender's activity from the minute he is taken into
the jail. It tracks court appearances, medical visits, personal
belongings, funds, and other details. Robinson says the system
"practically makes paperwork obsolete and decreases booking time
by 50 percent or more."

JALAN's prosecutors system was recently recognized by the Western
Region Government Technology Conference with its "Featured
Solution" award. JALAN says it has installations of its
specialized software for the criminal justice field in 21 states
and the Virgin Islands.

(Jim Mallory/19910607/Press Contact:Maria Ranniger, Robideaux &
Assoc, 509-838-1036)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 COMPUTERS MAY HELP REDUCE FIRE RISK 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00015)

COMPUTERS MAY HELP REDUCE FIRE RISK 06/07/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Mark Dietenberger, a
researcher at the University of Dayton (Ohio) may save your life.

Dietenberger has developed a computer model that he says can
predict the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases on different
furniture materials and designs. According to Dietenberger, most
people who die in fires in their homes or aboard aircraft die
from smoke inhalation - that is breathing in carbon monoxide or
other toxic gases that are released when furniture burns.

Says Dietenberger, "Using my furniture fire model, manufacturers
may be able to evaluated materials that are developed to be safer
or more fire retardant or to burn without the fire getting too
big." Dietenberger's research is sponsored by the Building and
Fire Research laboratory of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology.

To test a material, researchers burn a small sample and measure
its fire byproducts using a cone calorimeter, a device which
measures heat. The computer model takes these measurements and
predicts how a fire spreads on the furniture, how much heat is
released and how much of the byproducts, such as soot and carbon
monoxide, rise into the room's upper gas layer. It is in that
area that fires can get out of control if enough heat is
released. Dietenberger says the predictions from his program
compare favorably with expensive, full scale burns.

(Jim Mallory/19910607/Press Contact: Mark Dietenberger, Univ of
Dayton, 513-229-1000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 AIR FORCE WANTS NEWER COMPUTERS 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00016)

AIR FORCE WANTS NEWER COMPUTERS 06/07/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- In a move that would
allow the military to choose from the latest in microcomputer
technology rather than buying systems that were procured on long-
term contracts, the U.S. Air Force is expected to release a
request for proposals at the end of this month for up to 300,000
new personal computers. The contract, valued around $700 million,
is expected to include everything from entry-level office systems
to the most powerful 80486 systems.

The new procurement, designated Desktop IV, will be managed by
the Air Force but will be used by all services and, according to
Air Force sources, is in addition to the quarter-million system
desktop computer contract awarded to Unisys in 1989 (Desktop
III). The Unisys contract requires that the company supply 6,000
units each month, which sounds like a massive number of new
computers, but for the Pentagon this is a drop in the bucket, and
Desktop IV is being added because the demand for new systems is
reportedly far outstripping the supply under Desktop III.

The new contract is expected to be very liberal in its definition
of required systems so the latest technology can be supplied as
it becomes available. This would contrast greatly with most
Department of Defense contracts which minutely specify everything
from weight and strength to the color of products sold to the
U.S. military.

Also new for the DoD is the opportunity for small clone
manufacturers to bid, and the Air Force might even make awards to
more than one company under the same procurement.

Some Washington insiders point out that the Air Force may have
gone overboard in simplifying this request for proposals by
leaving out specific requirements for ongoing support after
delivery, but they generally applaud the way the RFP specifies
system capabilities and functionality rather than specific
hardware.

(John McCormick/19910607)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 DOE IMPLEMENTS GOSIP TEST TODAY 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00017)

DOE IMPLEMENTS GOSIP TEST TODAY 06/07/91
GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- The Department
of Energy, second only to the entire Department of Defense in its
use of computers in the federal government, is implementing a
test of GOSIP or Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile
version 1.0 protocols including X.400 and the file transfer
access and management protocols. X.400 as an international
standard for electronic mail transmission.

When the test project is up and running, Steven P. Hackmann,
Electronics Engineer, Manager of DOE's GOSIP compliance program,
told Newsbytes that they will be working with an ongoing DOE
GOSIP test program being run at the Kansas City facility.

Addressing the work involved in implementing GOSIP, Mr. Hackmann
said, "I don't know if it will be easy, but we here at DoE
believe GOSIP is both necessary and beneficial and are committed
to implementing it department-wide."

Although it is not a problem at the moment, Mr. Hackmann did
express concerns over the lack of sufficient file security
because the DoE is charged with operating or supervising nuclear
research and weapons production for the United States.

DoE is looking forward to version 3.0 of GOSIP which will include
directory services and network management protocols and,
according to Mr. Hackmann, a graphics standard.

Jerry Mulvenna, manager of the Network Applications Group in the
Systems and Network Architecture Division, NIST, didn't mention
any graphics standard for version 3.0, which his department won't
start work on until this fall but did point out that GOSIP
development is an ongoing project.

Mr. Mulvenna said that it was very important to remember that
GOSIP 3.0 will be released in conjunction with industry and is
not a government-only standard.

GOSIP is the mandated standard for large-scale computer networks
to be implemented by all federal agencies and some contractors
(DoE requires that facilities such as the Texas-based PANTAX
weapon's facility conform to GOSIP). Agencies can obtain a waiver
to install non-GOSIP systems if they have special requirements
(such as high-security demands) which are not yet implemented in
GOSIP.

GOSIP does not develop or set standards; rather, it is a
government and industry program which adopts existing
international standards and integrates them into a set of
protocols that will promote interoperability among systems.

(John McCormick/19910607)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7  ****WSJ REPORTS APPLE-IBM CHIP DISCUSSIONS 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00018)

 ****WSJ REPORTS APPLE-IBM CHIP DISCUSSIONS 06/07/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Apple Computer and IBM
are discussing "an exchange of technologies that could change the
balance of power in both the semiconductor industry and the
workstation market," according to an article in the Wall Street
Journal.

The article by G. Pascal Zackary and Stephen Kreider Yodel states
that is Apple considering licensing the IBM RISC (reduced
instruction set computing) microprocessor that is used in IBM's
RISC 6000 line of workstations. It also indicates that IBM has
interest in Apple's software technology which it sees as both a shot-
in-the-arm for the OS/2 platform and as a help in lessening its
dependance on Microsoft Corporation, the sole provider of MS &
PC-DOS, Windows and OS/2.

Apple's entire line of Macintosh computers is based on Motorola
processors and it appeared to analysts earlier this year that Apple had
decided on the Motorola 88000 family of processors as the base for
its entry into the high-end workstation market. Now, according to
the article, Apple has become dissatisfied with Motorola's ability to
deliver products such as the 68040 and 88000 chips in a timely
fashion and is looking elsewhere. The report says that Apple is
considering chips from both Hewlett-Packard and IBM.

An Apple use of IBM chips would also provide a strengthening of
IBM's position in the RISC chip market. The announcement earlier
this year of a Compaq-Microsoft-Digital consortium to develop a
new RISC platform, centered around a chip from Mips Computer
Systems, has led to speculation that IBM's RISC processor will
be doomed to settle for a very small portion of a market already
crowded with industry leader Sun and March 1991 entrant Hewlett-
Packard.

An IBM executive contacted by Newsbytes, while not able to
comment directly on the Wall Street Journal statements, did say,
"Such an arrangement would make sense. The licensing of our RISC
technology is part of our overall strategy to better utilize our
production capability. The recent agreement with Hitachi that allows
them to put their label on our 3090 mainframes is another indication
of this strategy."

Speaking to the part of the story that has IBM interested in Apple
software technology, he said, "It is no secret that our relationship with
Microsoft is a marriage of convenience and that we are interested in
lessening our dependance on Microsoft." He added that he has not been
a party to any discussions with Apple that "may or may not be going on"
but that such discussions routinely go on within the industry.

Apple spokesperson Barbara Krause told Newsbytes, "We talk to
a lot of companies about a lot of things but, as policy, do not
comment on them unless there is reason for a formal
announcement."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910607)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 06/07/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

The June 3 ComputerWorld says that Lotus 1-2-3 faces an "uphill
climb" in the world of Macintosh users who see no reason to jump
from Excel to the long-delayed Lotus spreadsheet which is finally
in beta testing 43 months after the initial announcement. The
front page also carries a look at the question of whether 50
megahertz 486 systems really have a set of potential users lined
up to buy.

Computer ResellerNews dated June 3 says that IBM's big OS/2 push
is attracting value added retailers who are moving from
minicomputers to micros using the powerful operating system.

Computer Retail Week reports in this issue that Microsoft will
release two or three new under-$200 programs aimed at the
consumer market this fall.

June 3rd's Federal Computer Week reports that GSA officials are
looking at the Air Force Computer Acquisition Center with an eye
to taking over and making the facility a government-wide test
facility.

Network World for this week predicts that later this month IBM
will "announce major enhancements for the 3745 Communication
Controller, including Ethernet support and a frame relay
interface."

Release 1.0 dated 31 May, 1991, looks at the trend of using
libraries of application components instead of applications.

June's DEC Professional magazine looks at efficient memory use in
the VAX/VMS environment.

June's Personal Workstation looks at the GO pen-based computer.

(John McCormick/19910607)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 MOSCOW: CELLULAR PHONE OBSTACLES 06/07/91

06/07/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00020)

MOSCOW: CELLULAR PHONE OBSTACLES 06/07/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Motorola and Alcatel are willing
to help to build a cellular phone infrastructure in the Soviet Union.
The only problem is that the frequency spectre to be used by those
services is used by the Soviet military.

The companies say they would prefer not to use outdated 450 MHz
(megaherz) frequency band standard and prefer to install the equipment
working in the 900 MHz range. With the higher frequency, cutomers would
be able to use smaller, lighter equipment with more advanced service, they
say.

Representatives of Alcatel during the Communications'91 show last week
and Motorola executives at the ExpoComm trade show this week told
Newsbytes that getting the military to reallocate its services into other
bands is a their main concern now. According to Jorma Kopras, marketing
director of Motorola Cellular Infrastructure Division, the Soviet
military says it will need 35 millions roubles to reallocate its
services from disputed frequencies. "And nobody expects that use
of those high tech cellular systems can generate much more money," he
added.

The only commercially available communications system working in
Moscow is a Finnish Nokia-made 450 MHz mobile phone. It is priced so
high that only a few very wealthy businesses can afford it.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910607)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN  7 HONGKONG: SEAFARING SHIPPERS GET COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00021)

HONGKONG: SEAFARING SHIPPERS GET COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM 06/07/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Australian Computing Services
Ltd (ACS) has signed its first commercial user for Danaos' ship
management information system.

In a deal worth $250,000 (US$34,000) with Orient Ship Management Ltd
(OSM), ACS has supplied and installed the Danaos Spare Parts and
Planned Maintenance modules in the shipping company's technical
department and the Crewing module in the crew management department.

The three modules have been installed on an IBM PS/2 Model 70 server,
operating under the Netware v2.15 based local area network
environment and supporting 18 terminals.

According to OSM's fleet personnel officer, Y.M. Shum, the company
began computerising in 1985 when it bought an IBM S/36 minicomputer
and eight personal computers to automate its accounting operations.
The process was later extended to the crewing department, and by the
end of 1989, a local area network was in place.

Before installation of the Danaos software, Orient relied on in-house
programming to develop custom-designed shipping software which proved
ineffectice in meeting the rapidly changing requirements of the
company.

The Danaos software comprises more than 20 modules handling a wide
range of applications, including accounting, technical, operations,
cargo and communications management.

(Norman Wingrove/19910607/Press Contact: Clara Shek, MDL, Tel + 852
838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 FIFTH GENERATION NETWORKING FROM DIGITAL 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00022)

FIFTH GENERATION NETWORKING FROM DIGITAL 06/07/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corporation
has announced the introduction of services and products that form the
cornerstone of its "fifth generation" of networking. Digital says they result
from "one of the largest research and development projects in the
company's 34-year history."

"Digital's Advantage-Networks family draws on our more than 16 years'
experience in standards-based computing and highlights the company's
unique capability to integrate its open networking products and
services with the broadest range of multivendor platforms," said
Gordon Toole, Digital's telecommunications and networks manager for
Asia.

The DECconcentrator 500 Copper Port Cards and DEC FDDIcontroller 700-
C provide FDDI signalling over shielded twisted pair and Thinwire
cabling, allowing users to protect their investment in existing
cables while providing 100 megabit per second (Mbps) FDDI speeds to
the desktop.

Other new products to strengthen Digital's open networking strategy
include DECnet/OSI for Ultrix V5.0, which implements OSI (open
systems interconnect) and DECnet protocols for the Ultrix operating
system, extensions for DECnet-VAX v5.4, which provide OSI end node
capabilities and DECnet capabilities for the VMS operating system.
OSI Application Developer's Toolkit enables users to write OSI
standards-based networked applications for Ultrix and VMS
environments, while DEC WANrouter 100 and DEC WANrouter 500
multiprotocol and frame relay routers support frame relay
capabilities based on joint developments by Digital, Stratacom and
Northern Telecom.

"Over the next four years, Digital expects to double its installed
base of open networks to more than 1.5 million," said Toole.

(Norman Wingrove/19910607/Press Contact: Walter Cheung, Digital
Equipment Corp, Tel + 852 861 4850; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 TANDON ANNOUNCES NETWORKING STRATEGY 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00023)

TANDON ANNOUNCES NETWORKING STRATEGY 06/07/91
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Tandon has announced its multi-
vendor, multi-operating system networking strategy at the Networks '91
show, held in Birmingham, England. The idea behind the announcement is to
persuade the computer industry that Tandon hardware will work with most,
if not all, networking systems.

At the show, Tandon officials were demonstrating four networking
environments -- Banyan Vines, Microsoft Lan Manager, Novell Netware and
Unix/PC Lan -- running DOS, OS/2 and Unix over Ethernet and Token Ring
topologies. According to Tom Cairns, managing director of the company, the
multi-platform configurations illustrate Tandon's commitment to the
networking environment.

"As a major hardware manufacturer, we have the expertise and experience to
offer tailored networking solutions. Our approach is to offer a wide range
of solutions provided by key systems software vendors on hardware which is
technically advanced yet competitively priced," he said.

"This allows us to meet customers' needs while addressing the connectivity
issues both of today and of the future," he added.

Tandon's ideas are not new. Compaq announced a similar set of networking
liaisons late last year in the US, following a similar networking
strategy link-up in the UK in April of this year.

The Tandon approach, company officials stressed at the show, is to provide
customers with the widest possible choice of network operating systems, so
encouraging them to widen their horizons and "think Tandon" regardless of
whatever networking topology in which they are interested.

(Steve Gold/19910607/Press & Public Contact: Tandon - Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 UK: TORUS TEAMS UP WITH OLD RIVAL 3COM 06/07/91

06/07/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00024)

UK: TORUS TEAMS UP WITH OLD RIVAL 3COM 06/07/91
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Torus, a division of Trend
Datalink, is joining forces with 3Com to promote the Torus Enterprise 3
networking system to the 3+Open customer base, arguing that it is only
viable upgrade for the product. The announcement is being viewed as
ironic by the U.K. networking industry, which, until Torus was acquired
by the Trend group late last year, viewed Torus products as head-to-head
rivals to those from 3Com.

The inter-company agreement will, said both companies, reassure those
customers who may have been concerned by 3Com's decision not to develop
that product further, due to Torus' commitment to LAN Manager, and its
reputation for providing 3+Open users with value-added software.

The announcement, made at Networks '91 last week, means that Torus will
become a value-added reseller of 3Com's internetworking product range.
According to Martin Kendrick, Torus' marketing manager, the deal is good
for both companies: "Torus has always respected 3Com's position in the
market and now looks forward to partnering 3Com in joint sales to corporate
customers," he said.

Paul Trowbridge, 3Com's marketing manager, echoed Kendrick's enthusiasm:
"3Com's internetworking platforms are complementary to Torus' LAN products,
enabling Torus to offer an integrated data communication based on industry
standards to its customers," he said, adding,  "3Com's stance of network
operating system independence makes its products accessible to a wide range
of resellers."

(Steve Gold/19910607/Press & Public Contact: Torus - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 SAMSUNG SUBSIDIARY READIES NOTEBOOK LAUNCH IN UK 06/07/91

06/07/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(LON)(00025)

SAMSUNG SUBSIDIARY READIES NOTEBOOK LAUNCH IN UK 06/07/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- A new company in the notebook arena
looks set to burst on to the U.K. marketplace at the Portable Computer
Show, which opens in London on June 16. Vortec, a subsidiary of Samsung,
is aiming for a major slice of the lucrative notebook marketplace with its
386 and 386SX-based machines.

"Vortec is the new name in computers concentrating on notebooks which many
see as the top growth area in portable computing. Our aim is to be
recognised quickly as a market leader in offering notebook solutions and
the most comprehensive level of dealer support and user service available,'
said Dr. Rahman Haleem, the company's UK senior manager.

Haleem told Newsbytes that exact pricing on the new machines had yet to be
decided, owing to the volatility of the dollar. "Pricing will be announced
at the show," he said, adding that the general pricing levels will be at
slightly less than those of Compaq's, but for a superior specification.

(Steve Gold/19910607/Press & Public Contact: Vortec Computer Systems - Tel:
081-862-9311; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7  ****3 MORE EXECS RESIGN FROM APPLE'S CLARIS  06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00026)

 ****3 MORE EXECS RESIGN FROM APPLE'S CLARIS  06/07/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Claris
says three more founding chief executive officers of the Apple
subsidiary have tendered their resignations. Rene Risch, a public
relations representative for Claris, said the three, Yogen Dalal, vice
president of product development, John Zeisler, vice
president of marketing and Beth Richardson, director of
Human resources have all announced their resignations.

Risch said the three were long-time employees of Apple
before they came on as part of the executive founding group.
Risch also said Claris was founded with the agreement by
Apple that 20 percent of the new company would be owned by
Claris employees, but a year ago Apple changed that decision
and bought back all of the 20 percent it did not own, and
took total control of the software development company.
This is apparently the reason for the discontent among top
executives there.

Of the original charter group of executives that started
Claris only two remain, Dan McCammon, vice president of
Finance, and Dave Kinser, vice president of operations. Former
Claris President William Campbell resigned in January and went to Go
Corporation in Foster City, and three other executives
resigned last year.

Richard Matthews is joining the company on Monday from Aldus
where he was vice president of engineering, Risch said.
Although his position was planned to be the chief technology
officer, he is now targeted to take over at least part of
the vice president of development responsibilities held by
Zeisler, Risch added.

"No one is just jumping ship. Yogen is expected to be around
until the fall, and Zeisler will be here at least through
the summer. We expect a smooth transition," Risch said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910607/Press Contact: Rene Risch, Claris,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 CHIPCOM COMES TO EUROPE; OPENS UK OFFICES 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00027)

CHIPCOM COMES TO EUROPE; OPENS UK OFFICES 06/07/91
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 7 (NB) -- Chipcom Corporation, the US
LAN (local area network) vendor, has come to the U.K. The company has
opened its European headquarters in Chesham, and signed up former
BICC Data Networks manager Peter Hammond to act as head of
European operations.

Spearheading Chipcom's UK product range is a new Ethernet router
module from Cisco that enables network managers to change the layout
from their workstation. According to Hammond , the product is a "first"
in the world of networking.

"Chipcom's tri-channel architecture, when combined with Cisco's router
technology, allows network managers to flexibly create routed
sub-networks within the online concentrator," he said.

"This allows certain users to be reconfigured on their own sub-network,
while others can remain directly connected to the main network. This
capability is important when combining central server-based PC networks
with high-performance Unix workstations in today's large facility
networks," he added.

According to Bruce Cohen, Chipcom's vice president of sales, the company's
decision to set up a European operation is based on the sales success it
has already achieved working from the USA.

"40 percent of our installed user base is in international markets. There
is a great deal of new business potential in Europe, which we are confident
we can win," he said.

Founded in 1983, Chipcom designs, manufactures and markets fault-tolerant
LAN products for the facility network marketplace. The company claims that
its sales have increased dramatically over the last two years from $9.8
million in 1988 to $28.4 million in 1990.

(Steve Gold/19910607/Press & Public Contact: Chipcom Europe - Tel: 0494-
764476; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 Review of: 3 in Three, Macintosh game 06/07/91

06/07/91


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00028)

Review of: 3 in Three, Macintosh game 06/07/91

Runs on: Macintosh computers

From: Cinemaware Corp., 4165 Thousand Oaks Blvd.,
Westlake Village, CA 91362

PUMA rating: 3.25 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach

Summary: A collection of logic and mind puzzles hiding under
the rubric of an adventure game. Good for those with a liking
for these types of games. Very frustrating for those who do not.

=======

REVIEW

=======

3 in Three is an interesting collection of logic puzzles and
games. The program bills itself as an adventure game. But, it
is very different than the normal run of the mill adventure
games.

The program's story is that while some people were working on
a spreadsheet. Somewhere in the city a power failure occurs.
It is quickly - within a split second - isolated, but not before
it causes a brief power loss followed by a power surge. During
this, the numeral 3 gets lost. It falls out of the spreadsheet.
It falls into the depths of the computer and is trying to find
its way back to the spreadsheet. Your goal is to help the number
three on its way back.

To do this you must solve about 60 logical puzzles and games.
You do not have to solve them in any particular order although
to solve some games you must have figured out some earlier
puzzles. If you succeed in solving all 60 puzzles, then the
number three is restored to its original home and all is
happiness again.

The games are spread out into 5 levels. In each level there are
12 games to be solved. Some of these games are simple anagrams.
Some are simple word puzzles and some are graphical in nature.
In all games you must apply logic to achieve a satisfactory
solution. The number 3 is mostly there to help you. You may
even get a clue from it. Not that it will always help you
though.

The game comes on two floppies and with it comes a six page
manual. The manual is rather skimpy but that's ok. It does cover
all of the information that you would need to go through the
program. The only area where the manual is really lacking is
in the clues area. The clues that are given are very general
and not always as helpful as they should or could be.

Also in the package comes a Cinemaware Treasure Ticket which
acts like a frequent buyer program. When you accumulate enough
of these, you can get games worth up to a certain value from
Cinemaware. There are also warranty and registration cards
enclosed. As usual it is good policy to fill out and return
the registration card.

The manual states that this game is intended to be nonviolent and
indeed it does succeed in that regard. There is no way in which
you can get killed. Nor are there any particularly violent
games or actions. Because of this, this game is suitable for
almost all ages and all kinds of players. The only constraint
is that the application of the logic that this game requires
is certainly beyond the ken of most elementary school students.
There is a lot of wry humor interspersed throughout the different
scenes that most young children would not understand either.

I did not find any bugs or other problems with the game during
play. If you are of that mind bend, then this is a very
entertaining game for you. If you get frustrated by the logic
puzzles published in the newspaper, then this game will have you
climbing walls. My wife and I enjoyed solving most of the puzzles
together and that is certainly not discouraged by the program.

=============

PUMA RATINGS

=============

PERFORMANCE: 4 The program ran well. It had no bugs that I ran
across. On my Mac II it ran quickly and with no untoward delays.

USEFULNESS: 3 If you're a logic problem fanatic. Get it
immediately. If not, this might be an awfully frustrating way to
find out.

MANUAL: 3 All of the information that you really need is there.
The manual is too short for any mistakes to have crept in.
It could use some more clues for some of the more frustrating
puzzles.

AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from mail order and software stores.
No technical support number (or any phone number for that matter)
is listed on the packaging.

(Naor Wallach/19910603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 Review of: Monologue, text speaking for PCs, 06/07/91

06/07/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(SFO)(00029)

Review of: Monologue, text speaking for PCs, 06/07/91

Runs on: IBM PCs and compatibles

Price: $149.95

PUMA Rating: 3.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by Ian Stokell

Summary: Text-to-speech software for speaking files. Although
useful as an aid when reading the text, I found it difficult
to understand when not looking at the screen at the same time.

======

REVIEW

======

Did you ever wonder what happened to the Swedish chef from 'The
Muppet Show'? Well, I don't know what he's doing now, but one of his
last jobs was as the voice model for First Byte's Monologue!

I've always wanted my computer to sound like Hal from '2001: A
Space Odyssey' so I thought I would give this program a whirl!

Installation itself is pretty straight-forward. All you do is place
a copy of the diskette in an available drive and follow the
instructions. After installation, typing 'Mono' loads it into
RAM because it is memory resident. The program is then activated
by using a Hot-Key combination such as the suggested ALT-T.
You can reconfigure such things as pitch, speed, and volume by
typing 'Monocfg' and then Enter. To deactivate Monologue just
press the ESC key.

Once Monologue is activated, text is marked using various key
sequences. The marked text is then spoken through the internal
speaker of the microcomputer.

My first real complaint concerns the use of the microcomputer's
internal speaker. The company maintains that the software can be
used with the internal speaker of any PC. I tried it with my Olivetti
PCS 386SX and, although it did work, it was so low it was almost
impossible to hear, even at full volume. When I tried it on a
basic 286 clone it worked fine.

One of the package's biggest selling points did not even get a
mention in the manual: its ability to read an entire text file from
beginning to end. I would have thought this was one of the biggest
selling points for handicapped and blind computer users who are
unable, or find it difficult, to mark text as they go along. The F9 key
allows for the speaking of the entire screen, but I would have
thought speaking an entire text file deserved better billing.

The first mention I found of it was in the 'Read Me' file. This then
referred me to the SayFile.Doc file for further information. To
use the SayFile feature you have to first install Monologue. Then
you have to put the line Device=C:\Monolog\TalkDrvr.sys in the
Config.sys file. Then reboot the computer. Last, you have to load
the speech engine again by typing 'Mono.' This isn't for a
beginner unused to dealing with the Config.sys file.

Once you've got through all this you can just type 'SayFile' and
then name the text file to be read. Once you have that line in the
Config.sys file you only have to type 'SayFile' and the file name
each time you want to read a file, providing Monologue is still active.

On the whole I did not find the documentation very comprehensive,
and the index was not very useful, often just mimicking the contents
page. In all there was only 31 pages of information, excluding the
index and contents pages.

To be honest, even when it was working correctly, I had trouble
understanding the speech unless I was looking at the text on the
screen at the same time. When I did look at the screen it was
quite interesting and even beneficial to have the text read at the
same time as you were reading it.

On any of the machines I tried it on, I would not have been able to
understand the speech completely without seeing the text. You can
customize the voice to pronounce the words better, but there were a
lot of occasions when it did not pronounce things properly, so that
could turn into a time-consuming exercise.

Is Monologue an aid to proofreading when you are reading the
text at the same time? The answer is generally yes. Can Monologue
be used to speak a text file or electronic mail without you having to
read the text at the same time? In my case no. But with heavy
customization I don't see why not, once you get used to the voice
and the weird way it pronounces many words.

So did I ever get the thing to sound like Hal? Well, not exactly,
unless Hal's had a Swedish transplant and now answers to the
name of Sven!

============

PUMA RATINGS

============

PERFORMANCE: 3. Monolgue does speak text reasonably well.
It can be configured to suit the user which is why I gave it a
three even though I found it difficult to understand at times.

USEFULNESS: 3. If I needed something like this and was prepared
to put some time in to customize it to my needs, I think this would be
a useful package. But be prepared to buy extra hardware if it
doesn't work properly with the internal speaker.

MANUAL: 2.5. I found the manual a little limited. The index could
have been an extra couple of pages and it could have gone into
more detail.

AVAILABILITY: 3.5. It does have a technical support number, although
this is not toll-free. When I called for availability I was given a
toll-free sales number (800-545-7677) that was answered by a helpful,
friendly salesperson. He told me Monologue could be purchased
mail-order through Microwarehouse at up to 20 percent discount, or
from CompUSA stores, also discounted. He then found the address
of the closest CompUSA to my house, without me requesting it,
which I thought deserved a 3.5.

(Ian Stokell/1991060791)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 7 CLARIFICATION ON GTE STANCE REGARDING BULLETIN BOARDS 06/07/91

06/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)

CLARIFICATION ON GTE STANCE REGARDING BULLETIN BOARDS 06/07/91
TAMPA, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 7 (NB) -- GTE Florida has
clarified its stance regarding rates that should be paid by
computer bulletin boards. The bottom line is, if a hobbyist keeps
his head down, he can probably grow that hobby board under low
residential rates.

Newsbytes had inquired into the Florida situation after being
told some Tampa-area sysops were ordered to pay the difference
between residential and business rates -- about $18 per month per
line -- going back as much as 10 years, until an official of the
Florida Public Service Commission intervened. While GTE has since
backed off the attempt to raise BBS phone rates, statements by both
the company and the commission will be of concern to BBS operators.

GTE spokesman Jan Morris told Newsbytes that in the Tampa area
served by her company residential service costs $11.63 per month,
business lines $29.72. "I believe what's in the tariff is that if
you have a number and advertise and receive fees then it's a
business line," she said, meaning any board whose operator even
asked for donations might be required to pay business rates.

But the stance was qualified by Mike Scobie, a GTE official who
works with the Florida PSC. "The break point in our application
of the rule has been the requirement of a business listing, the
purchase of advertising for the telephone number, and the
accepting of monies for the service, leading our service reps to
the conclusion" that a BBS operator is running a business, not a
hobby.

But how would the service rep find out if a BBS operator started
asking for donations online? They wouldn't, Scobie admitted.
"We're not the phone police," he said. "What would probably
trigger activity is if someone decides he needs more lines. Then
he calls the service rep, who will query the person and try to
determine the use of the lines. If no money changes hands, more
than likely it's still residence."

As to a recent Newsbytes editorial suggesting a "sysop rate" be
established between business and residential rates, both Florida
PSC spokesman Jill Butler and Scobie disagreed, but for different
reasons. Butler noted there are already many different rates in
Florida -- for long distance carriers, for PBX owners, and for
other groups. A new "sysop rate" would mean further complication.
Scobie emphasized that business rates are higher because
businesses keep the lines open a lot, which costs money.
"Implicit in the rate differential between business and
residential is the different usage," he said. Butler called that
argument nonsense, saying that open lines by themselves don't
cost the phone company anything. But Scobie insisted that even if
it doesn't cost money to just keep a local trunk open, the
heavier load does put pressure on a phone company to make new
investments in higher-capacity switches, and that costs money.

Still Scobie said, since most BBS traffic takes place at nights
and on weekends, that argument is undercut somewhat. "Telephone
networks are sized based on peak traffic periods. As long as I
don't use the network at peak periods, incremental costs are
low."

Finally, Butler and Scobie both said that state regulators have
not yet tackled the issue of rates which should be paid by BBS
operators. And the break between business and residential rates
may come where money changes hands -- even in a donation -- when
the issue does come up.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: Jan Morris, GTE Tampa,
813-224-4433)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 JUN 6 MOSCOW: SUN DEVELOPERS HEADHUNTING NEW STAFF 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00001)

MOSCOW: SUN DEVELOPERS HEADHUNTING NEW STAFF 06/06/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Two Sun Microsystems
SPARC developers have arrived in Moscow on a rare mission --
the Westerners are seeking to cooperate with Soviet developers
in high-tech projects.

David Didzel, "perspective developments" director, and George
Tailor, "experimental architecture" director, both of Sun
Microsystems, gave a lecture at Moscow University yesterday
describing the Mountain View, California-based firm's
corporate strategy to several hundred Moscow-based
electronics experts.

Sun has selected as its only distributor in the Soviet Union a
company called Prosystems. Local experts believe this company
is not adequately prepared to market high-tech equipment, so
the market position of Sun in the Soviet Union is not seen as
stable at the moment.

According to Mr Didzel, Sun has found several ideas similar to
those implemented in the company's SPARC line were independently
developed into commercial hardware products by a team from the
Institute of Precise Mechanics and Computer Technics (ITMiWT)
in Moscow. Sun is likely to start a cooperative venture with
ITMiWT to develop newer products.

"Sun wants to add fresh ideas to its products, ones that the
Soviets already have," Mr Didzel added.

ITMiWT, lead by professor Boris Babayan, has developed a Soviet
supercomputer called Elbrus. The institute offers a highly
experienced developer team, according to local experts.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910605)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 ESTONIA: FIRST SOFTWARE SHOP OPENED 06/06/91

06/06/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(TRENDS)(MOW)(00002)

ESTONIA: FIRST SOFTWARE SHOP OPENED 06/06/91
TALLINN, ESTONIA, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Kinex Ltd., a
private company, has opened the first software and hardware shop in
Estonia. The project is backed by the Estonian Software Society.

Kinex is offering to local PC users products ranging from floppy
disks and computer paper to i486-based computers.

According to Avo Aasma, Kinex director, the shop, which was
opened two weeks ago, is the first step toward creation of
market for software products. Those efforts are supported by the
Software Society, which actively promoted that shop. "Most local
developers, which are members of the Society, have something to
offer on Kinex shelves," Mr Aasma said. However, he adds, the
company is selling both licensed Western software and local
programs.

"We are now establishing newer ties with suppliers across the
country to provide our customers the best available service," Mr
Aasma told Newsbytes.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910605/Press Contact: Tiit Valm, Kinex,
phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 MOSCOW UNIVERSITY INVITES ADA EXPERT 06/06/91

06/06/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00003)

MOSCOW UNIVERSITY INVITES ADA EXPERT 06/06/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Mr Bjorner, leading ADA
expert, will teach a course in CASE (computer-aided software
engineering) at Moscow University. The lectures given by the
Danish expert will be for graduate and postgraduate students of
the University's Applied Mathematics faculty.

University officials say they often invite leading
professionals as visiting professors to improve the quality of
education.

Mr Bjorner told Newsbytes that upon completion of the course
he will travel to Makao, where he has been appointed a research
center director.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910605)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 ACCLAIM ANNOUNCES FIRST COMPUTER GAMES 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00004)

ACCLAIM ANNOUNCES FIRST COMPUTER GAMES 06/06/91
OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Acclaim
Entertainment has announced that will introduce later this
year its first MS-DOS based games. The announcement, made at
the Summer Consumer Electronics Show, represents an
expansion of market for Acclaim which has, until now,
concentrated on software for the Nintendo.

The first three games to be introduced, Narc, Smash TV and
Trog, will be based on existing arcade successful titles. Acclaim
spokesperson Allyne Mills told Newsbytes that pricing has not
yet been determined for the games which will begin to appear
in 3-4 months. Mills said that the games are presently in active
development,

Mills also told Newsbytes that "The expansion to the IBM and
compatible platform is a natural extension of our product line.
We have always been looking to diversify within the
interactive entertainment market."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Allyne Mills,
Acclaim Entertainment Inc, 516-922-2400/19910606)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 AUSTRALIA: MORE OTC CUTS OF INT'L PHONE RATES 06/06/91

06/06/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00005)

AUSTRALIA: MORE OTC CUTS OF INT'L PHONE RATES 06/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Australia's international
communications carrier OTC has announced more price cuts in its
services. Services to be affected include standard direct dial,
Faxlink, international toll-free and calling card.

Already this year OTC has made cuts to a number of services, including
cuts of up to 17 percent on international digital leased lines. Now,
it has announced cuts from August 1 of 6.9 percent to major
destinations.

For instance, standard rates to USA, UK, Canada, Hong
Kong Ireland and Singapore will drop from AUS$1.60 to AUS$1.49
(US$1.13) per minute. Off peak rates remain at AUS$1.19 (US 90c) per
minute.

Some other rates will drop by even greater amounts, such as Tonga,
where the rate will drop by 24.3 percent. In addition, the service
charge for international reverse charge calls back to Australia will
drop from AUS$8 to AUS$6 (US$4.56).

Moving against this trend is the operator-connected call, where the
surcharge will rise from AUS 50c to AUS 80c per minute, reflecting the
increasing expense of manual methods compared to the economies of
automatic systems.

(Paul Zucker/19910606/ Contact: OTC - John Stanton [phone]
fax[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 IBM DROPS PS/2 PRICES IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00006)

IBM DROPS PS/2 PRICES IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND 06/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- IBM has announced lower prices
for many of the PS/3 models, plus a new model 30 with increased
storage.

The PS/2 model 30-F41 has a 45 megabyte hard disk as standard, up
50 percent from the earlier model. It is aimed at the entry-level
workstation, or LAN terminal marketplace. It has a retail price of
AUS$3390 (US$2570).

The PS/2 price reductions range from 4 to 24 percent, and follow
similar overseas cuts. Observers believe the US trend to cutting
margins on top-level PCs such as IBM and Compaq is to be repeated in
other markets, including Australia. "The days of safe, 40 percent
mark-ups are over," one analysts told Newsbytes.

The model 55 sx F61 has dropped 10 percent to AUS$4530 (US$3440), the
model 80 386 161 has dropped 16 percent to AUS$7840 (US$5950) and the
Model 80 386 A31 has been cut by 24 percent to AUS$13380 (US$10160).
16 models in total have been reduced.

(Paul Zucker/1991/Contact: Michelle Greer [phone] fax +61-2-
6349111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 AUSTRALIA'S 1ST DIGITAL EXCHANGE CLOSED AFTER 30 YEARS 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00007)

AUSTRALIA'S 1ST DIGITAL EXCHANGE CLOSED AFTER 30 YEARS 06/06/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Australia's first digital
telephone exchange, which was installed in the early 1960s, was
officially closed down last week. Harry Wragge, who, as a junior
engineer with the Department of the Postmaster General urged the
installation of the exchange, pushed the button which shut the
exchange down.

The exchange, an Integrated Switching and Transmission (IST) model
exchange), was primarily used to test the performance of digitally
switched exchanges under various conditions. To do this, a small
proportion of the traffic through the St Kilda exchange was siphoned
through the IST to test its performance. The IST was still being
used until quite recently to study ways of reducing electromagnetic
radiation interfering with voice signals in work by Ian MacFarlane,
a world leader in this field.

The IST was the direct result of the vision of Wragge, who foresaw
that not only would the data carried on telephone lines be digital
(a fairly common concept in those days), but also that the lines
would be connected by digital computers. The IST became a world
leader in the field of digital switching exchanges, but the momentum
was never carried on to the manufacturing industry, and no major
communications companies were born as a result of the IST work. The
work was used in the AXE line of exchanges manufactured by Ericsson
which are being used in many Australian exchanges today. "It's quite
remarkable how much of our own technology we have bought back over
the years," Wragge said.

(Sean McNamara/19910606)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 AUSTRALIA: NEW TRADE SHOWS ON HORIZON 06/06/91

06/06/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00008)

AUSTRALIA: NEW TRADE SHOWS ON HORIZON 06/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Conferences and shows over the
next couple of months in Australia include World of Commodore, Pan-
Pacific Telemarketing and Direct Mail and PC91 Melbourne. The latter
includes Communications and Office Technology 91.

World Of Commodore is being held in Sydney on July 12, 13 and 14 at
the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre. Attractions will include
distributors, seminars, product sales and the latest Amiga products,
including the Video Toaster and CDTV (Commodore Dynamic Total Vision).
International exhibitors are welcome. Call Andrew Farrell on +61-2-398
5111

The Pan Pacific Direct Mail and Telemarketing seminar is being held
over two days - 25 and 26 June 1991 - also at the Darling Harbour
Centre in Sydney. It has attracted speakers from all over the world,
and will feature an exhibition. Topics include "What's new,"
"customer loyalty" and "setting-up a telemarketing centre."
Contact: [phone], or fax [phone].

PC91 in Melbourne, is the second of the two big PC shows in Australia
each year. This one is held in Melbourne, and runs from 11-14
August. Communications and Office Technology 91 shows are run at
the same time. A special Apple Mac show will be run within the
show, featuring System 7 and Mac connectivity.

Paul Zucker/19910606/Press Contact: [phone] or fax +61-3-
8677981)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 AUSTRALIA: APPLE DONATES MAC IIFX'S TO BUSINESS SCHOOL 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00009)

AUSTRALIA: APPLE DONATES MAC IIFX'S TO BUSINESS SCHOOL 06/06/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- One of Australia's largest
business schools, the School of Business at the Edith Cowan
University of Perth, has received a boost in its computing
facilities following a donation by Apple Computer.

The donation included two Mac IIfx's, high resolution color
monitors, an software packages worth around AUS$30,000. "The final
year students will be using the IIfx to work on two main interactive
information presentations which we hope will assist both the school
and the university in the long term," said Roger Debreceny, acting
associate head of the School of Business.

One of the project involves the development of an information system
for the School's library, which will utilize CD-ROMs and online
information. The other project will see the development of an
information system for prospective students which includes details
about the School and its courses.

The computers will join the 60 or so installed base of Macintosh
computers in the School. These Macintoshes cater to the 4,500
students of the School. The addition of the IIfx's should see demand
for the computers decrease as the time-intensive projects are
handled on the new machines.

(Sean McNamara/19910606)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 AUSTRALIA: IBM RENEWS EDUCATION CONTRACT 06/06/91

06/06/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00010)

AUSTRALIA: IBM RENEWS EDUCATION CONTRACT 06/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- IBM has renewed a contract
with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) which will see the
University's Institute of Information Technology (IIT) expand its
educational operations. The contract is totally commercial, and the
only concession the Institute gets from IBM is the standard
educational discount on equipment.

The contract was first signed in 1987, and the renewal will see an
extension of 3 years. The contract is mainly aimed at offering IBM
training courses, which they in turn market. According to Ann
Moffat, director of the IIT, academics are in no way compromised by
the contract with IBM. "If the academics ever feel compromised they
don't take the assignment." The IIT's profits are redirected into
the University's research and development projects.

Established with an AUS$500,000 grant from the University's
commercial arm, Unisearch, the IIT earned AUS$2.9M revenues last
year. Due to its success, it recently installed an AUS$250,000 IBM
RISC (reduced instruction set computing) based System/6000 system.
The Institute has successfully entered into ventures with DEC, Sun,
Hewlett-Packard and Silicon Graphics, among others.

(Sean McNamara/19910606)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 COMPAQ ENHANCES DESKPRO VIDEO PERFORMANCE 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00011)

COMPAQ ENHANCES DESKPRO VIDEO PERFORMANCE 06/06/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Compaq Computer has
announced that its Deskpro 386/25e and 386/20e personal computers
will now come with an integrated Advanced VGA display as standard
equipment. The machines will also include a ROM (read only
memory) resident set-up, which the company says will allow the
user to easily configure the system.

The Advanced VGA supports 256 colors, from an palette of more
than 16 million colors and 64 shades of gray, at 640 X 480
resolution. There will be no price increase for the machines
with the new features.

Compaq says they will provide software drivers with each system
equipped with the new video capability that supports Advanced VGA
under Microsoft Windows, 3.0, the Compaq version of OS/2 Release
1.2and Autodesk, AutoCAD and Autoshade environments. Advanced
VGA is also compatible with existing video standards, and
supports 132 column displays. The wider displays are helpful to
users with large spreadsheets, since more columns of information
are visible at one time.

The new ROM resident set-up program will allow users to change
such features as system access passwords, or change interface
controls without having to relocate and reload the programs from
the original diskettes.

(Jim Mallory/19910605/Press Contact:Mike Berman, Compaq,
713-374-0484)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 YET ANOTHER PC WINDOWS EXPO/CONFERENCE DEBUTS IN DECEMBER 06/06/91

06/06/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012)

YET ANOTHER PC WINDOWS EXPO/CONFERENCE DEBUTS IN DECEMBER 06/06/91
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- PC Windows
Exposition and Conference, which the organizers say was created
due to rapid acceptance of Windows, will premiere at the Moscone
Center in San Francisco on December 9, 1991.

The show is co-sponsored by World Expo Corporation and computer
industry magazine PC World. On December 10 and 11, the show will
be open to the public.

Show director Chris DeSalvo says PC Windows Expo will provide,
"innovative Windows-based solutions for anyone who uses a PC."
Referring to the show's proximity to the Christmas holidays,
DeSalvo said "Windows marketers can team up with their resellers
to give a boost to year-end sales, while buyers can take
advantage of show discounts to pick up bargains for personal use
or do some holiday shopping."

According to research firm International Data Corporation, by
1992 nearly 50 percent of the 51 million PCs in the US will be
located in home offices and households. IDC also predicts that
the installed base of PCs on which Windows can run will increase
substantially.

Show organizers say other PC Windows shows are scheduled in
Australia, Canada, Sweden, Germany and Japan through this year
and next.

(Jim Mallory/19910605/Press Contact: Ann Marie Clark, Rourke & Co,
508-777-6006)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6  ****GENERAL SOFTWARE OFFERS MS-DOS COMPETITOR 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00013)

 ****GENERAL SOFTWARE OFFERS MS-DOS COMPETITOR 06/06/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- General Software
has announced Embedded DOS, an operating system designed to
compete with Microsoft DOS. General Software says embedded DOS
has the same functionality as MS-DOS 3.31, with better
reliability and performance for embedded applications.

Originally developed as a multitasking DOS, the company says
unexpected demand by developers of embedded systems caused it
to repackage the program in a form more suited to the real-time
world. Developers kits are available for $495, and royalties are
based on volume commitments, between $2 and $6 per copy.

Source code is provided for all the base device drivers,
COMMAND.COM, and utility programs in order that the designer can
customize the program to run on special or unique hardware. If
an adaptor kit is purchased separately, a special version of the
DOS kernel is provided that supports symbolic debugging during
system development. The adaptor kit also allows the developer
to combine and customize the components of the DOS to exactly
meet the requirements of the embedded environment.

(Jim Mallory/19910605/Press Contact:Stephen Jones, General
Software, 206-391-4285 or FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 JOINT US-JAPANESE WINDOWS SUMMIT IN AUGUST 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00014)

JOINT US-JAPANESE WINDOWS SUMMIT IN AUGUST 06/06/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Directed to US
firms interested in doing business in Japan, CM Ventures, Japan
Entry and Business Computer News (Japan) will present the
Japan-US Marketing Partnership Summit (JUMPS) For Windows 1991 on
August 12 this year at the Marriott Hotel Copley Plaza in Boston.

Japanese firms participating will be JISC Software, ASCII,
Dynaware, NEC, Fujitsu, and Fuji Software. US participants will
include Micrografx, Software Publishing Corporation, Lotus,
Borland, Authorware and Paracomp.

Chris Payne-Taylor, director of marketing for Japan Entry, says
feature presentations will include "Identifying and Negotiating a
Japanese Distribution Partnership" and "Issues in Localizing Windows
Software" and "Protecting Intellectual Property."

Further information about the conference is available by calling
Payne-Taylor at 508-352-7788 (FAX [phone]).

(Jim Mallory/19910605/Press Contact:Chris Payne-Taylor, Japan
Entry, 508-352-7788)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 CISCO AND ANS SIGN TELECOM DEV'T DEAL 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SFO)(00015)

CISCO AND ANS SIGN TELECOM DEV'T DEAL 06/06/91
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- In an
attempt to improve the effectiveness of current network technology
through the tighter integration of Cisco routers within the Advanced
Network and Services national network, the two organizations
have announced a joint development agreement.

Douglas Tsui, marketing manager for Cisco, told Newsbytes that
the development is very important for the company, as ANS
operates the premier national network, and by teaming up with the
company, Cisco "will be tracking and working with the people using
the network."

Under the agreement, Cisco will provide source code from its
multiprotocol internetworking routers to ANS for use in joint
development projects among Cisco, ANS and its development
partners, and the ANS-managed national data network.

The network includes the National Science Foundation Network
Backbone (NSFNET), which ANS manages under contract to Merit.

Tsui also told Newsbytes that Cisco was quite happy providing the
source code to ANS as this would allow the company to
"keep up with new technologies" being developed.

The company maintains that the agreement will allow the two
companies to co-develop and enhance key internetworking
technologies, including routing protocols, network security,
ISO/OSI network interoperability, and the management of large,
complex networks.

Another Cisco source told Newsbytes that the agreement was
extremely important for the company as this would make Cisco
routers the routers of choice on the network.

Advanced Network & Services Inc. (ANS), is a non-profit
organization dedicated to the advancement of research and
education. It provides computer networking and related
services connecting research, education, industry and
government.

Cisco Systems Inc. is a supplier of multimedia and multiprotocol
internetworking products, including routers, bridges, terminal
servers and network management software.

(Ian Stokell/19910606/Press Contact: Jeff Paine, Cisco Systems Inc.,
415-326-1941)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 RICOH LINKS WITH BRITISH TELECOM ON PORTABLE FAX 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00016)

RICOH LINKS WITH BRITISH TELECOM ON PORTABLE FAX 06/06/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Tokyo-based major office
equipment maker Ricoh has signed a sales agreement with British
Telecom in the U.K. which calls for British Telecom to
market Ricoh's portable fax machine under the Ricoh AT brand.

Ricoh's fax machine is small and easy to carry, measuring
27.7 x 18 x 5.7 cm and weighing only 2.5 kg. Ricoh claims it is the
world's smallest fax machine. It can be hooked into portable phones
and car phones with a modular jack or an acoustic coupler. Ricoh's
fax machine is sold at around $1,700.

Ricoh released this fax machine in November 1990 both in Europe
and the U.S. So far, it has been selling well. Ricoh hopes to
sell more in this agreement with British Telecom.

Ricoh is planning to release the portable fax in Japan this
summer.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910606/Press Contact: Ricoh, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6  ****3-D LCD DEVELOPED BY NTT 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00017)

 ****3-D LCD DEVELOPED BY NTT 06/06/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Japan's former telecom monopoly
NTT has developed a unique color display for computers and TVs.
It is a liquid crystal display (LCD) capable of showing an
image in three dimensions.

NTT has incorporated a technology called a lenticular lens, which
is curved on both sides. The lens has an LCD on the
back. It projects an image which looks three-dimensional from all
viewing angles. The display is 15-inches large, which is quite
sizable for an LCD.

The basic technology of this display was developed a year
ago, but has been improved. The previous version required a
person to move their head slowly in order to perceive the 3-D
effect. The new display is said to be more flexible and easily
viewed.

NTT's three-dimensional display is designed to be used in computers,
TVs, and TV phones. NTT has already developed a beta version of
a three-dimensional TV phone. With this color display technology,
3-D viewing does not require the use of special 3-D glasses, as has
been traditional since the 50s.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910606/Press Contact: NTT, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 1ST STEP IN CROSS-PLATFORM SOFTWARE BY OSF 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00018)

1ST STEP IN CROSS-PLATFORM SOFTWARE BY OSF 06/06/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- The Open
Software Foundation (OSF) announced it has selected TDF, a
compiler intermediate language, as the first step in
developing the Architecture-Neutral Distribution Format
(ANDF). Today, users must purchase and install a different
version of each application for each computer architecture
they own, but the OSF wants to change all that.

The idea here is to develop standards for software so
developers can develop and distribute applications that will
work on a variety of different computers, the (OSF) said.

OSF issued a request for technology (RFT) in April to
explore the possibilities of efficiently developing and
distributing software that is independent of the hardware
architecture. 15 qualifying technologies responded to the
RFT, and commercial feasibility tests were conducted at the
same time the technologies were looked at technically, OSF
said.

"ANDF addresses one of the industry's oldest problems;
application portability on multiple hardware architectures,"
said Pat Riemitis, OSF business area manager. "ANDF will
help drive the growth of the open systems market and provide
software developers with a cost effective means to develop
and distribute their applications for a wide variety of
architectures."

TDF, from the Electronics Division of the Defense Research
Agency, was designed for working on a variety of hardware
platforms from its inception, OSF said. TDF supports ANSI C,
and has been designed to support a wide range of programming
languages, such as C++, COBOL and FORTRAN, said the OSF.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910606/Press Contact: Donna Ruane, Open
Software Foundation, Tel: [phone], Fax:)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 MONTREAL COMPUTER SHOW BRINGS HANDFUL OF NEW PRODUCTS 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019)

MONTREAL COMPUTER SHOW BRINGS HANDFUL OF NEW PRODUCTS 06/06/91
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- About 200 exhibitors
showed their wares at the Montreal International Computer and
Office Exhibition. Products on a display included a smattering of
new hardware and software from Wordperfect, Eicon, Legacy, and
Fujitsu.

The Montreal show was a logical location for WordPerfect to
announce shipment of a French Canadian version of DrawPerfect 1.1,
its presentation graphics package. Available now, it retails for
C$645. WordPerfect also announced a trade-in offer: anyone who
sends in the registration cover sheet from a copy of Harvard
Graphics, Lotus Freelance, or Ashton-Tate's Applause II can get
DrawPerfect for US$125 or C$165. The offer holds until August 31.

WordPerfect also announced that WordPerfect 5.0 for SCO Xenix and
Unix System V 386 is now shipping in French. Finally, a
French-Canadian version of the company's PlanPerfect 5.1
spreadsheet software has just become available. This retails for
C$515.

Local manufacturer Eicon Technology announced three additions to
its SNA Gateway line. The SNA LAN Gateway connects a local-area
network, locally or remotely, to an IBM mainframe host system. The
SNA PC Gateway for DOS and SNA PC Gateway for OS/2 are meant for
connecting remote PCs to a host. The LAN version sells for C$1,035;
the PC versions for C$255. Both work with as many as four of
Eicon's EiconCard interface cards.

Eicon has enhanced the EiconCard and EiconCard High Speed Interface
(HSI) by increasing on-board memory to one megabyte and increasing
throughput. The EiconCard HSI now handles 200 packets per second at
line speeds of as much as 384 kilobits per second (Kbps), while the
basic EiconCard handles 80 packets per second at 64 Kbps.

Eicon also enhanced its Access for Windows software, which works
with the hardware products. Access for Windows now works with IBM
coaxial cabling and direct Token Ring host connection.

Legacy Storage Systems of Markham, Ontario, introduced its Legacy
M.A.S.S. HFD, which it called a "hot fix device" because each of
its eight storage devices can be pulled out and replaced while the
unit is running. The Legacy HFD uses Redundant Array of Inexpensive
Disks (RAID) Level 5 technology, which stores each bit of data on
at least two disks. It accepts 5.25-inch and 3.5-inch magnetic
disk, optical disk, and tape drives from a range of manufacturers.

Steven Cheung, a Legacy employee at the booth, said certain drives
may cause problems with the unit because of their power
requirements. Legacy has tested a number of drives with the server,
he said. The Legacy HFD will be used mainly for client-server
applications that might previously have run on mainframes, Cheung
said. The unit is compatible with Novell Netware, Unix, Xenix, and
OS/2, Legacy said. Pricing depends on configuration.

Legacy also showed a two-gigabyte digital audio tape (DAT)
subsystem. The external unit can be used with IBM-compatible and
with Apple Macintosh computers, the company said. It will be
available September 1 for C$4,595.

Fujitsu came to praise the dot matrix printer, not to bury it. The
company showed four new 24-pin dot matrix printers, two with color
capability. The DL900, which does not print in color, is aimed at
the education, home office and small business markets, with a C$479
list price. The DL1200 is a compact 136-column unit meant for color
and spreadsheet printing. The DL3600, which also has an optional
color printing kit, is aimed at mid-range business applications,
Fujitsu said, while the DL5800 prints 504 characters per second in
draft mode and is aimed at high-volume printing jobs.

Laser printers were not ignored, though. Sharp showed its new
JX-9700, a 16-page-per-minute that is Sharp's entry in the
currently hot work-group printer market, and two models of the
JX-9500, a six-page-per-minute personal laser printer.

(Grant Buckler/19910606/Press Contact: Cynthia Yacowar, Eicon
Technology, 514-631-2592, fax [phone]; Gwen Lannaman, Fujitsu
Canada, 416-673-8666, fax [phone]; Irving Frydman, Legacy
Storage Systems, 416-475-1077, fax [phone]; Carrie Carter,
WordPerfect, 801-228-5014, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 NEW FOR PCS: Multidimensional Analysis From CA 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00020)

NEW FOR PCS: Multidimensional Analysis From CA 06/06/91
GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Computer
Associates has teamed up several of its software products to let
users take data from mainframe databases and view it in as many as
12 dimensions on a desktop PC. The desktop software runs under
Microsoft Windows 3.0.

Mary Keating, a spokeswoman for CA in Toronto, said the software
involved existed before. CA has simply made the Windows-based
CA-Compete!, a spreadsheet-like analysis package, work with its
CA-Dataquery/PC and CA-Infogate packages. These can issue queries
using Structured Query Language (SQL) to CA's mainframe database
packages, CA-Datacom and CA-IDMS, respectively.

Computer Associates acquired Compete! from ManageWare as a
stand-alone product, Keating said. It displays data in a form that
looks much like a spreadsheet, but can organize data internally in
as many as 12 dimensions. Users can "rotate" the data to any of a
number of different views to see what they want. For example, sales
might be broken down by country, by product, and by quarter, with
a fourth dimension showing budget versus actual figures. A user
could view the data by country and product, by country and quarter,
or in any other combination.

The CA-Compete! software sells for US$995. CA-Dataquery sells for
US$695, and works with a run-time server on the mainframe which
costs US$4,200. CA-Infogate costs US$300, and also works with a
mainframe run-time server priced at US$4,200.

(Grant Buckler/19910606/Press Contact: Mary Keating, Computer
Associates, 416-676-6700, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 NEW PRODUCTS: Two Electronic Encyclopedias Ship 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00021)

NEW PRODUCTS: Two Electronic Encyclopedias Ship 06/06/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Two companies have
begun shipping hand-held electronic encyclopedias. Franklin
Electronic Publishers announced availability of its Columbia
Electronic Encyclopedia at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show
here, closely followed by Selectronics with its Random House
Electronic Encyclopedia.

Both units store about 20,000 entries in random access memory
chips, and use text searching to locate every entry that contains
a particular word or phrase. "It does things no printed
encyclopedia could do," Selectronics Chairman and Chief Executive
Mike Weiner told Newsbytes. Weiner enthusiastically described his
company's device as "Nintendo for the mind" and "the most
significant development in learning and fun."

Franklin's Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia measures 5-1/2 by 5-7/8
by one inch and weighs 12 ounces. It has a small QWERTY keyboard
and an eight-line liquid crystal display, said company spokeswoman
Mindy Savar, and will sell for US$399.95.

Selectronics' unit also has an eight-line LCD display, and weighs
10 ounces. It folds into a six by three by 3/4-inch package. The
list price is US$350, and Weiner said it will be sold through
direct-mail catalogues and through a large direct sales network to
be announced shortly.

The Random House Encyclopedia has a feature called Time Chart that
lets users navigate forward and backward through time from 4,000 BC
to the present. History can be viewed in categories such as music,
religion, science, art, literature, and philosophy.

Franklin drew attention to its phonetic spelling technology, which
allows the encyclopedia to help a user find unfamiliar or
hard-to-spell subjects easily. Typing "Tchekoff," "Checkov," or
"Checkof" will lead to the correct article.

(Grant Buckler/19910606/Press Contact: Mike Weiner, Selectronics,
716-248-3875 ext. 100; Mindy Savar, Franklin, 609-261-4800, ext.
266)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 EDS TARGETS PCN MARKET 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)

EDS TARGETS PCN MARKET 06/06/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- General Motors' EDS
subsidiary renamed Appex Corporation, its cellular information
services subsidiary, to EDS Personal Communications Corporation,
at least in part because the company plans to expand its focus
into services for Personal Communications Network and satellite-
based services.

Appex presently serves cellular carriers in over 300 U.S. and
international markets with software for customer management and
billing, call delivery, intercarrier settlement and fraud
prevention.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: EDS, Melissa Ayala,
214/661-6188)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 DENMARK CHOOSES 2ND CELLULAR OPERATOR 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)

DENMARK CHOOSES 2ND CELLULAR OPERATOR 06/06/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A, 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Dansk MobilTelefon
was given a license by the country of Denmark to operate its
second cellular telephone network, the first under the GSM
digital standard. GN Great Nordic of Denmark owns 51% of the
group, BellSouth of the U.S. owns 29%, while NordicTel, a
Scandinavian cellular telecommunications company, owns 20%.

Denmark is presently served by an analog system called Tele
Danmark. The GSM system will eventually be able to link with
other systems throughout Europe, giving subscribers continent-
wide roaming capabilities. The system is expected to cost $120
million. Outside the U.S., BellSouth has interests in mobile
systems in Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela, New Zealand,
France, the United Kingdom and Australia.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: Maria Schnabel,
BellSouth, 404-249-4877)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 JAPAN-US CELLULAR PHONE SERVICE STARTING 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)

JAPAN-US CELLULAR PHONE SERVICE STARTING 06/06/91
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- US West, Rogers
Cantel of Canada, and Daini-Denden of Japan will work together on
creating a roaming service for cellular telephone customers
traveling to Japan and the United States.

Cellular telephones in the U.S. and Japan are, at present,
technologically incompatible. Under the agreement, DDI customers
visiting the U.S. would pick up a US West telephone at a DDI
office before departing, then return it after their stay and pay
air-time charges, which DDI will then pay to US West. The same
process will work in reverse, and in Canada through Rogers.
Daini-Denden said it plans to inaugurate the service by October.
Daini-Denden said it will also promote exchanges of personnel
and know-how with U.S. West.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: U S West, Ed Mattix,
303/649-4676)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 AT&T EXPANDS SERVICE TO CANADA, SINGAPORE 06/06/91

06/06/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)

AT&T EXPANDS SERVICE TO CANADA, SINGAPORE 06/06/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- AT&T says
it will introduce Switched Digital International Service
to Canada in July. Switched Digital International Service
will then be offered to 12 countries. It involves dialing-up
digital lines at up to 56,000 bits/second each for fast
transmission of data or for video conferencing.

AT&T wants to expand the service to 64,000 bit/second lines over
the next year. The whole thing is subject to FCC approval, and
all calls must start in the U.S. Two lines are necessary for two-
way video calling, but only one line would be needed for digital
radio broadcast feeds, AT&T said in a press release. The service
could also be used for "burst" data traffic like that used in
credit card authorizations. Compression could also put up to 8
conversations on a single digital line, making it an attractive
adjunct to leased lines.

AT&T also added features to its international virtual networking
service and extended the service to Singapore. The service lets
companies with over 2 hours of calls per day between specific
locations to cut their costs by controlling the AT&T network with
their own software. The service is now linked to 12 virtual
private networks in 11 countries. Enhancements include the
ability to place a call from any phone, or remotely using a toll-
free number. Also, AT&T software will not be able to determine
whether a number being called is part of a private network and
reroute it, making the creation of corporate international "7-
digit" private phone networks easier.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: AT&T, Richard
Wallerstein, 201/644-7066)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6  ****SENATE VOTES OUT BELL MANUFACTURING BAN 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)

 ****SENATE VOTES OUT BELL MANUFACTURING BAN 06/06/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- The U.S. Senate
voted to lift the court-imposed ban on regional Bell companies
making phone equipment. But it may all be a chimera, because the
bill, S. 173, faces a Presidential veto over a domestic content
provision, and the Congress has yet to override any Bush veto.

The final Senate vote was 71-24 to free the 7 regional Bells --
BellSouth, NYNEX, Bell Atlantic, Ameritech, US West, Southwestern
Bell, and Pacific Telesis -- from restrictions imposed by the
1982 Bell break-up decree which prohibit them from making
telephony gear. Since that decree was signed, however, GTE has
become a larger local phone company than any of the regional
Bells, and not being a party to the decree, it is a leader in
phone equipment manufacturing. Even under the Senate bill,
manufacturing would have to be handled by a separate phone
company subsidiary, and could not be subsidized by profits from
operating the phone network.

An attempt by Republican Senator Phil Gramm of Texas to kill the
domestic content section was beaten 64-32. Gramm called the
provision, which requires that products made by the Bells be
assembled in the U.S. and have at least 60% U.S.-made part. Gramm
called that provision "protectionism" and a "deal cut by business
and labor" that ignores the consumer. But Democratic Senator
Ernest Hollings of South Carolina, who first proposed the bill,
said that without the content section the bill was worthless.
"Manufacture here, that's what we want," he said. Under current
law telecommunication jobs are fleeing overseas and "we are
having our clocks cleaned every day."

The bill now goes to the U.S. House, where it is expected to face
a sterner test. House Democrats are less anxious to toss out the
Bell break-up decree, and House Republicans are more likely to
oppose the bill unless the domestic content requirement is tossed
out of it.

Reaction was swift, and mixed. NYNEX Chairman William Ferguson
applauded the bill, calling it "a clear victory for all American
consumers and a major step in framing a competitive, national
telecommunications policy the U.S. so urgently needs." The FCC
and the Bells' unions also favor the bill. AT&T issued a
statement opposing the bill, and most consumer organizations also
oppose the bill.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: NYNEX, Bob Jasinski,
202/416-0125)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 MCI SIGNS VIDEO CONFERENCING ALLIANCE WITH PICTURETEL 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)

MCI SIGNS VIDEO CONFERENCING ALLIANCE WITH PICTURETEL 06/06/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- MCI and PictureTel
announced a marketing alliance designed to speed the growth of
video conferencing in the commercial and federal markets. Under
terms of the agreement, MCI and PictureTel salespeople will offer
end-to-end video conferencing products in conjunction with MCI
Switched 56 and other MCI data services.

MCI and PictureTel will begin marketing immediately. PictureTel
video conferencing service can be used with either MCI Switched 56
or private line services. The fruits of the alliance were
demonstrated at the International Communications Association
convention in Anaheim. Video conferencing revenues have continued
to increase since the end of the Gulf War, which caused a rush
toward the technology.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: John Houser, MCI
1-800-289-0073, John Coulbourn, for PictureTel, 508-777-6006)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 SPRINT LAUNCHES INT'L FAX SERVICE 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)

SPRINT LAUNCHES INT'L FAX SERVICE 06/06/91
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- At the
International Communications Show in Anaheim, Sprint announced
Global SprintFAX, a dedicated Group 3 fax network offering rates
10-30% lower than competing fax-to-fax services, and enhancements
to its bandwidth-on-demand service.

Global SprintFAX operates by having users dial a local telephone
number, enter their service selection, and transmit. Local
access centers will be available initially only in the U.S., UK
and Japan, but expansion is planned. Both point-to-point and
broadcast services are available, and pricing is by the page, not
the minute of transmission. Commercial availability is scheduled
for July 15, and the offering will compete with AT&T Enhanced Fax
and MCI Fax, both of which are already operating. At least two
dedicated fax networks are also planned by other companies.

The Sprint Bandwidth-On-Demand Controller, also announced at the
show, will allow customers to dynamically monitor their data
service needs and drop 56,000 bit/second circuits in real-time as
needed. Dial-up Bandwidth-On-Demand is designed for customers who
have periodic needs for high-speed data links but cannot justify
a full-time, high speed connection. Ascend Communications of San
Francisco, will make the gear.

Finally, Sprint announced it will begin its frame relay
certification program in July. Manufacturers of frame relay
equipment will be able to certify their equipment then for use
with Sprint's frame relay service, which is not due to begin
service until around September. Sprint is the only service
provider with an announced public certification program but
WilTel, which provides private network services, is already
operating a Frame Relay service at up to 1 million bits/second.
Frame Relay allows for fast data transmission by dropping most of
the error correction used in conventional X.25 data networks.
Sprint's offering will be based on its own TP4900 switch, which
was originally designed as an X.25 packet switch and was modified
for use with frame relay traffic in a public network.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: Robin Carlson, US
Sprint, 202-828-7426)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 AMERITECH SUPPORTS ENTRY INTO CABLE TV BUSINESS 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00029)

AMERITECH SUPPORTS ENTRY INTO CABLE TV BUSINESS 06/06/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Ameritech, a phone
company, is supporting an FCC proposal to allow it into the
cable TV business. Legislation to that effect was introduced in
the U.S. Senate by Republican Conrad Burns of Montana and
Democrat Albert Gore Jr. of Tennessee, and in the U.S. House by
Democrat Rick Boucher of Virginia and Republican Michael G. Oxley
of Ohio. The bill, called the Communications Competitiveness and
Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1991 would lift the 1984
Cable Act ban on telephone companies' provision of video
programming in their service territories.

Since the 1984 Cable Act was passed, most cable TV firms have
become, in effect, unregulated monopolies. The bill lifted most
local control over cable rates, and attempts have been made in
the Congress -- led by Gore -- to re-impose some form of rate
regulation. The Bush Administration opposes such a plan, with FCC
Chairman Alfred Sikes having told a Congressional subcommittee
that viewers who don't like cable rates should "read a book."
Instead, Sikes has been pushing for some form of technological
competition, either from the phone companies or via satellite.

The latter idea was knocked for a loop when the Sky Cable venture
among NBC, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. and GM-Hughes was called
off.

Under the bills, telephone companies would be permitted to
provide video programming only after they prepare and win both
state utility commission and Federal Communications Commission
approval of detailed plans for deploying a broadband fiber-optic
network. Ameritech said entry into cable TV would help justify
the expensive conversion of its network from copper to fiber
cables, although fiber systems capable of handling TV signals are
already cost-competitive with copper.

Even when legislation permitting telephone companies to provide
video programming is enacted, the 7 regional Bell operating
companies still must win relief from the information services
restriction of the AT&T divestiture decree before they may
compete fully in the cable TV business, Ameritech's statement
said. That restriction permits the regional companies to provide
the conduit for -- but not the content of -- electronic
information services.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910607/Press Contact: Ameritech, Mike Brand,
312-750-5219)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 SOFTWARE FAILURE DOOMED PERSONNEL IN SAUDI SCUD ATTACK 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00030)

SOFTWARE FAILURE DOOMED PERSONNEL IN SAUDI SCUD ATTACK 06/06/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- CNN is reporting that
the U.S. Army has disclosed that the Scud attack which killed a
number of U.S. military personnel in Saudi Arabia succeeded
because of faulty software. Had the replacement software arrived
in time (it was reportedly delivered the next day), the Scud
missile would, in all probability, not have made it through the
otherwise near-perfect defenses presented by the Patriot missile
system.

On February 25, the worst loss of allied lives occurred when a
Scud missile got through anti-missile defenses and struck a U.S.
Army barracks in Dhahran, killing 28 soldiers.

(John McCormick/19910606)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 6 CONGRESS MUST APPROVE NEW US/JAPAN CHIP PACT 06/06/91

06/06/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00031)

CONGRESS MUST APPROVE NEW US/JAPAN CHIP PACT 06/06/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 6 (NB) -- Congress must
now approve a new semiconductor agreement between the US and
Japan, signed this week by U.S. Ambassador Linn Williams and
Japanese Vice Minister Suzuki, a process which could take
weeks.

The semiconductor agreement calls for Japan to keep its
markets open to U.S. products. In turn, the U.S. agrees to drop
certain tariff penalties which most industry insiders say didn't
have much effect anyway because the Japanese companies routinely
import parts and assemble the final computers in this country,
avoiding the tariff on ready-to-sell goods.

L.W. Koengeter, spokesperson for the office of the U.S. Trade
Representative, told Newsbytes that while high-level officials of
each government had initialed the plan on Tuesday, Ambassador
Carla Hills, who is currently in Europe, would have to sign the
agreement and, since it involves changes in tariffs Congress
would also have to approve the agreement before it could go into
effect, a process that Ms. Koengeter said would probably take a
minimum of several weeks.

If final approval is reached in time, the new agreement will go
into effect on August 1, just one day after the old agreement
expires.

The administration sees the agreement as a victory for consumers
as well as the industry because the new five-year pact would end
$164 million in tariffs imposed back in 1987 when it was
determined that the Japanese had violated certain trading rules
on laptop and high-performance computers agreed to in the 1986
semiconductor agreement between the two large trading partners.

Before becoming a top US trade negotiator, Ambassador Hill
was registered as a foreign agent for Korean firm Daewoo, and had
worked for Matsushita.

(John McCormick/19910606/Press Contact: L.W. Koengeter, U.S.
Trade Representative, 202-395-3204, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD





#CARD::1991 JUN 5 NEW FOR PC: Objectstore For Windows 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00001)

NEW FOR PC: Objectstore For Windows 06/05/91
BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Object
Design will soon offer a Microsoft Windows 3.0 version of its
object-oriented database management system to software developers.
The company announced a Software developers' pre-release program
for Objectstore for Windows, which it claims is the first object-oriented
database system for Windows 3.0.

Objectstore, which is based on, and works with, the C++ programming
language, began shipping last year for Sun 3 and Sparcstation
workstations running under Unix. The Windows version was developed
in Borland C++.

Steve Parker, Object Design's director of marketing, said that the
Windows version is essentially the same as the Unix version of
Objectstore, though it lacks a few data manipulation commands found
in the Unix version.

Object Design said it plans to begin shipping its pre-release software
developers' kit for Objectstore for Windows in August. The company is
now accepting applications from commercial independent software
developers who want to port and benchmark existing applications,
prototype new ones, or evaluate Objectstore for Windows. General
availability is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 1991.

Object Design plans a series of software developers conferences in
the United States starting in August. Participants will receive the
product and training. Priced at US$4,995, the pre-release kit includes
the product, documentation, one year of technical support, three days
of Object Design training, and the developers' conference.

The company said that Objectstore is suited to application developers
who want to manage complex objects among workgroup-style
applications in a networked, client/server environment. Parker said
the software is meant for both commercial and in-house software
development.

(Grant Buckler/19910605/Press Contact: Steve Parker, Object Design,
617-270-9797)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 BOLD POINT SIGNS WITH MERISEL CANADA, UPDATES TMAN 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00002)

BOLD POINT SIGNS WITH MERISEL CANADA, UPDATES TMAN 06/05/91
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Bold
Point Software has signed Merisel Canada as its third major distributor for
Tman, the company's point-of-sale and inventory control software. Bold
Point has also announced a new release of the software, making it
easier to adapt to various businesses' needs.

Toronto-based Merisel Canada joins Ingram Micro Canada, also of
Toronto, and JB Marketing of Cornwall, Ontario, as nationwide
distributors of Tman. Kerry Johnston, president of Bold Point, told
Newsbytes the deal only covers Canada at the moment, but Bold Point
is working on a version of Tman for the United States market.

Tman works with Computer Associates' Accpac Bedford accounting
software on IBM and compatible PCs. It can also be integrated with
other accounting software, the company said.

Johnston said that a key feature of the new Version 2.03 of Tman is
the ability to change the text in menus to suit a given business. A
hair salon, for instance, might substitute 'stylist' for
'salesperson.''

The new release also allows users to call up a customer's accounts
receivable summary, stored in the Accpac Bedford accounting software,
without leaving Tman. The company claims that this new release is part
of a Bold Point policy of promising customers at least two updates per
year.

(Grant Buckler/19910605/Press Contact: Kerry Johnston, Bold Point
Software, 604-687-2000, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 NEW HONG KONG POLICE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00003)

NEW HONG KONG POLICE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM 06/05/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- The Hong Kong Island
Regional Command and Control Centre of the Royal Hong Kong Police
Force has inaugurated the second phase of its new integrated
communications system.

Patrol officers on Hong Kong Island are being equipped with the latest
hand-held portable radios in a massive program to update the Force's
already impressive, but ageing, communications system.

The total system, which looks set to cost $242 million (US$33 million)
under a contract awarded to Motorola, includes microcomputer
controlled Saber portable radios and a microwave relay network.

Apart from voice communications, in an emergency, an officer simply
pushes a button on the radio to send his identity and location to the
control center. The message is broadcast to other police in the area.

The system, which will complete the total integration of all the Force's
communications, is supported by repeaters and remote receivers
on 23 hilltop sites, plus a microwave relay network. When installation
is finished, newly developed areas in the New Territories will also be
covered. The first phase went into operation in Kowloon last September
and the police say there has been a marked improvement in the audio
quality, with reduced interference.

(Norman Wingrove/19910605/Press Contact: Police PR Bureau, Tel + 852
528 4163; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 HONG KONG LAUNCH FOR RETAIL INTERACT 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00004)

HONG KONG LAUNCH FOR RETAIL INTERACT 06/05/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- CSSL, one of the
leading Asian vendors of IBM kits, has announced its Retail Interact
software package is for sale in Hong Kong. The package is designed
for use in the booming retail back office management marketplace.

The software was developed by Retail Interact, a US-based company
specializing in retail solutions. The package has recently been
enhanced with international features for worldwide distribution, and
the launch in Hong Kong is part of a global expansion program
currently under way in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia,
South Korea and Japan.

Retail Interact is a fully integrated merchandise control and
financial management applications which runs on IBM AS/400
mid-range computers. The publishers claim it is suitable for
department stores or retail chains.

Retail Interact consists of 10 interactive modules that mirror a
complete retailing cycle. They cover planning, buying, receiving,
pricing, ticketing, selling, inter-store transfers and performance
monitoring.

"Many retailers are automated at the point of sale, but few have an
integrated system that links merchandising and accounting in the
back office," said Frank Hung, division manager at CSSL.

(Norman Wingrove/19910605/Press Contact: Ally Ho, CSSL, Tel + 852 806
1622, Fax + 852 806 2645; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5  ****MAJOR IBM SHOW OPENS IN HONG KONG 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00005)

 ****MAJOR IBM SHOW OPENS IN HONG KONG 06/05/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- The Hong Kong
government's Director of Information Technology Services, Dr Colin
Greenfield, opened the three-day Big IBM Show -- that runs from June
4 to 6 -- at Hong Kong's Convention and Exhibition Center. The show is
jointly presented by IBM China/Hong Kong and 20 IBM dealers and
systems remarketeers, and five software developers.

Visitors have the opportunity to try out IBM's latest systems from its
new laptop computer to the AS/400 and RISC System/6000. Also
featured is a broad range of applications tailored for specific needs of
different industries, such as construction, import and export,
manufacturing, wholesale and retail.

Noting that small-to-medium sized companies make up the vast majority
of businesses in Hong Kong, Greenfield commented that their operators
"need to know how information technology can help them do their jobs
better, faster, cheaper, and also differently."

"This need is urgent, because they form the backbone of our economy,
and their competitiveness is crucial to how well Hong Kong competes in
the global arena," he said, adding that he was glad that IBM and its
business partners were responding and filling the void.

Concurrent with the exhibition are 70 seminars led by industry
consultants, product specialists and information technology
professionals.

IBM's managing director, Bob Savage, said: "our customers have been
telling us they need more solutions and better value for money. This
show is a testimony of our commitment to meeting those needs."

(Norman Wingrove/19910605/Press Contact: May Chow, IBM, Tel + 852 825
6907, Fax + 852 810 0210; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 ENDING THE PHONE COMPANY-SYSOP WAR 06/05/91

06/05/91


(EDITORIAL)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

ENDING THE PHONE COMPANY-SYSOP WAR 06/05/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Bulletin board
operators and telephone companies are at war -- An editorial by Dana
Blankenhorn.

The phone companies want to charge BBS (bulletin board system)
sysops business rates on their phone lines. The sysops resist, and
when the new rates are imposed, as in Indiana last year, they simply
close down. It's a public relations nightmare for the phone companies,
which the press paints as nasty Goliaths tackling the hobbyist Davids.

The battleground is often a state public utility commission which is
as confused as anyone. On the one hand, such public servants recognize
the great service bulletin boards offer, and they know that the great
majority of sysops are volunteers, pursuing an expensive hobby. On the
other hand, they also recognize that bulletin boards keep lines busy
for many hours each day, and phone companies have a right to get some
return for their lines and switches.

The result, especially in the case of GTE, has been nasty and
unproductive. The Indiana rules, which impose business rates on any
line "used in conjunction or association with any technology for which
a fee, charge and/or contribution is requested or implied," were
passed without public debate, in the political equivalent of the "dead
of night." An attempt by GTE in Florida to do much the same thing was
stopped by a phone call from that state's regulators to the company.
But the issue is sure to come up again, we were told.

When Texas regulators faced a similar request from Southwestern
Bell a few years ago, they came up with a solution pleasing no one.
Essentially, you can now run a board with up to 3 lines in Houston,
paying residential rates, but when you add a 4th line all of them go
to business rates.

The stakes are enormous. Residential phone lines usually cost about
$20 per month for unlimited local service. Business lines cost $60 per
month on the same basis. Even in areas where all calls cost money,
however, businesses pay more than homeowners for their lines. The
difference is justified by the fact that business lines are busier,
especially during the day.

Sysops have been debating the problem on many 'echo conferences'
for years. Their problem is that the journey from hobby to business is a
long, gradual one. It's hard to find a point, which can be defined in
law, where they cross the line. Is it when you add that 2nd line, or
the 4th? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Is it when you start asking for
contributions? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Is it when you start
demanding money? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Or is it when you
quit your job to devote yourself full-time to the board?

Running a board is incredibly expensive for sysops as it is, and
lucrative to the phone companies. If a board is devoted to software
files, a sysop may spend hundreds of dollars each month calling other
boards in search of new material. If the board is devoted to echo
conferencing, the sysop will spend the same money late each night,
calling other boards to upload new notes and add echoes from
elsewhere. These calls represent big bucks to phone companies,
money which is lost when they force sysops to close down with
business rates.

We'd like to offer a compromise. 'Sysop rates' would be pegged
between residential and business rates, probably at about $30 per
month per line on unrestricted local service, less with measured service.
The charge would be imposed from the first line, but the sysop would call
the phone company to get that rate -- phone company spies wouldn't be
needed to ferret out boards and impose the higher rates, as they do
now.

Why? Because in exchange for paying the higher rates, sysops would get
two things. First, they'd get a separate set of listings in the phone
directory, under the board's name. Perhaps the publishers could add
some advice in these pages for users and sysops both, explaining what
modems and boards are, and how they work. Essentially, the phone
company becomes the keeper of the local BBS list, which is available
to everyone who has a phone.

Second, the phone companies would name special reps in each major
city to deal with the sysops. These reps would understand the problems
a board has when callers can't use their 9,600 baud modems due to line
noise, for instance.

Sysop rates would not be available to businesses, of course, nor to
for-profit bulletin boards. But these groups would still benefit from
the new service reps and the special listing.

It would be a win-win situation. The phone companies would make a
bigger profit with the new rates. The sysops would switch over for the
added listings and new services. It's important that these groups
become allies as the phone firms move to ISDN (Integrated Services
Digital Network), which offers great benefits to anyone passing data,
and huge new profits for the phone companies.

'Sysop rates' in exchange for new services and respect is a
compromise whose time has come.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910605)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5  ****MICROSOFT OBTAINS LICENSE FOR JPEG SOFTWARE 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)

 ****MICROSOFT OBTAINS LICENSE FOR JPEG SOFTWARE 06/05/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced that it has licensed rights to the JPEG (Joint Photographic
Experts Group) imagine compression and decompression software from
Xing Technology. The company says it plans to use the JPEG file
compression system in future Microsoft applications, languages and
system software products.

JPEG is an international standard agreed by the International
Standards Organization (ISO) and the Consultative Committee For
International Telephone and Telegraph (CCITT) standards committee,
for compressing and transmitting digitized monochrome and color
photographic images.

The JPEG system is, in fact, one of the technologies used by major
wire services to transmit compressed photo files to their subscribers
from such events as the Super Bowl. Image files can be compressed
by factors of up to 30 to 1 with no loss of image quality, allowing for
much faster effective data transmissions via modem.

A Microsoft spokesperson said that Xing's compression technology
was selected because it was the fastest software-only solution (to
compression) that the company had seen, and also because it is
compatible with a wide variety of hardware. Many magazines and
newspapers -- typical users of JPEG technology -- are starting to use
Macintosh computers for graphic image manipulation.

(Jim Mallory/19910605/Press Contact: Microsoft, Tanya van Dam, 206-
882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 MICROSOFT TO HOST DEVELOPERS TOOLS FORUM 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00008)

MICROSOFT TO HOST DEVELOPERS TOOLS FORUM 06/05/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced that it will host the Microsoft Developers Tools Forum,
an open forum for developers who use Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Basic
products, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft C as development tools. The
conference will be held August 25-29, 1991 at the Washington State
Convention Center in Seattle.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates will present one of the keynote
addresses. Other keynote speakers will be Mike Maples and Steve
Ballmer. The cost of the forum is $795, with a $100 discount if
registration is completed prior to August 1st. For $495, attendees can
attend single emphasis meetings on Excels, Word, C or Basic, rather
than participating in the entire agenda.

Other activities will include a dinner with the developers of the
various products being discussed, and sessions where attendees can
meet with their peers to discuss topics of mutual interest. There will
also be open computer labs where Microsoft service representatives
will be available to help with specific programming questions, and
vendor exhibitions featuring add-in products and tools. Other sessions
will discuss the Microsoft Windows graphical environment, Macintosh,
DOS and OS/2.

Registration information is available by calling 800-874-7748, or
outside the US 408-287-5907.

(Jim Mallory/19910605/Press Contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft, 206-882-
8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 NETWISE EXTENDS REMOTE PROCEDURE CALL TO DOS 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)

NETWISE EXTENDS REMOTE PROCEDURE CALL TO DOS 06/05/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Netwise has
announced that it has extended its remote procedure call (RPC) product
for IBM mainframes to support DOS and local area networks (LANs).

RPC allows developers to build client/server applications that link
mainframes to PCs, workstations, and mini-computers. The company
said that the product performance and ease of use has been enhanced.
Netwise has offered DOS and LAN support for environments other than
mainframes since the product was originally introduced.

RPC for DOS and LANs will be available June 30. Pricing will vary
depending on the platform supported. The company says that, in the
next quarter, its focus will be on providing the same PC to mainframe
connectivity for Windows 3.0 through various LU6.2 gateways. Windows
for Netware SPX and TCP/IP is already supported.

Netwise says they have added COD templates, generators, and
examples, as well as enhancing performance and security support.

(Jim Mallory/19910605)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 AST EXTENDS LOWER-PRICED BRAVO COMPUTER LINE 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00010)

AST EXTENDS LOWER-PRICED BRAVO COMPUTER LINE 06/05/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 5 (NB) -- AST Research has
announced it is extending its 'affordable' range of Bravo computers by
adding the Bravo 286/16, and the Bravo 386SX/20.

AST says a new design and surface-mount manufacturing account for
the smaller footprint and low cost. Industry insiders have said AST has
had some difficulty in the recent past producing reliable computers,
but AST is claiming that the Bravo designs are more reliable.

The AST Bravo units announced come stripped down at the announced
base prices with no monitor. They do however include an 800 by 600 VGA
card, a keyboard, one 3.5-inch floppy drive, an IDE (Integrated Drive
Electronics) hard disk controller card, twin serial ports and single
parallel and bus mouse ports.

The base price of the 286/16 with 1megabyte of RAM is $1,195, and the
unit operates at a zero-wait state, meaning the RAM in the unit is as fast
as the central processing unit (CPU), so the CPU does not have to wait.
AST says the Bravo 286/16 unit can be upgraded to a 386SX/20 for $700,
which is the cost of the single plug-in processor card that upgrades the
microprocessor. The Bravo 386SX/20 base retail price is $1,895. The
system includes 2MB of RAM and is bundled with Microsoft Windows
and Lotus 1-2-3 version 3.1.

The AST Bravo family of computers is the lowest priced line at AST,
followed by the Premium and Premium II families at higher prices. The
biggest change in the Bravo family, according to a spokesman in the
product information department at the company, is the upgrade ability
that was previously only offered in the Premium units.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910605/Press Contact: AST Product Information, Tel:
714/727-4141, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 IBM JOINS OBJECT MANAGEMENT GROUP 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00011)

IBM JOINS OBJECT MANAGEMENT GROUP 06/05/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 5 (NB) -- IBM has
announced it has joined the Object Management Group (OMG), an
international organization whose primary aim is to promote the use and
standardization of object-oriented technology in software development,
the type of technology necessary for the Microsoft Windows
programming environment.

Unlike traditional software programming 'languages,' where
programmers manipulate data through written, object-oriented
programming (often called OOPS) presents data through a graphical
user interface as a single 'object' that is essentially a miniature picture
on-screen, a 'drawing' the programmer can move to and select that
represents the function the programmer wants the computer to perform.
Users who use the software developed in this manner, also select
pictures that represent the functions they want the computer to perform,
but at a much higher level.

IBM had already developed Presentation Manager, a graphical user
interface for its line of computers running the OS/2 operating system,
but the continued proliferation of Microsoft Windows applications and
development tools has evidently forced IBM to admit Windows is here
to stay. An industry insider said to Newsbytes: "Do you see any
development tools for Presentation Manager? No. Nobody is
interested in it."

Donna Van Fleet, director of IBM's Personal System Programming
Center in Austin, Texas said: "IBM's customers are clearly interested
in exploring the value of object-oriented technology in their business.
Our decision to join OMG reflects our continued commitment to the
development of the open systems our customers want."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910605/Press Contact: Andy Kendzie, IBM, Tel:
914/642-5448, Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5  ****SUPER LIGHT 3.5 INCH DRIVE UNVEILED BY MITSUBISHI 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00012)

 ****SUPER LIGHT 3.5 INCH DRIVE UNVEILED BY MITSUBISHI 06/05/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 5 (NB) -- Mitsubishi
Electronics America has announced the availability of its lightest 3.5-inch
floppy drive, which has been designed for the portable computer market.

The MF355E is a 2 megabyte unformatted (1.44 formatted), floppy disk
drive that is 15mm in height, and weighs less than half a pound. The
drive features downward read/write operation and power-saving options
when the drive is in standby mode. The units are designed for use in
laptop and notebook computers, where space and overall weight are
crucial factors, the company said.

The company is also introducing the MF355S, a belt-driven 3.5-inch
drive that has the same performance features as the MF355E, but is
larger at 17 millimeters high, and heavier at 0.53 pounds.

Mitsubishi says it is currently seeking original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) agreements and has evaluation units available by contacting
Mike Randall, product line manager of the Information Systems
Division in Torrance at 213/515-3993.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910605/Press Contact: Mike Randall, Mitsubishi,
Tel: [phone], ext. 385, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 NEW PRODUCT: HP's New Plain-paper Fax 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00013)

NEW PRODUCT: HP's New Plain-paper Fax 06/05/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 04 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard (HP), already a leader in the laser and ink-jet printing markets,
has entered the fax market with its first stand-alone plain-paper fax, the
HP Fax-300.

This is the second plain-paper fax device HP has developed, the first
being the HP Laserjet Fax accessory, a device that sits between the
phone and the Laserjet, and allows plain-paper printing of fax
documents on HP Laserjet printers.

HP says the new stand-alone plain-paper fax retails for $2,095. It is
said to hold 100 sheets of letter-size (8.5 x 11 inch) paper, and
eliminates problems associated with thermal faxes, such as curling,
fading and the need to photocopy documents before they can be
archived.

The HP Fax-300 allows front-loading paper and has an out-of-paper
sensor. It also prints at laser quality 300 dots-per-inch, provides 16
grayscale levels, and transmits at 9,600 bits per second. The fax can
automatically redial a busy number up to 15 times at three-minute
intervals as well.

HP has said that the new fax also allows storage of 100 numbers that
can then be speed-dialed, allows delayed dialing, sequential
broadcasting for sending transmissions to as many 100 preset
locations, and sequential polling, which allows the unit to call as
many as 100 locations to pick up waiting transmissions.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910605/Press Contact: Lysa Wyner-Schulte, Tel:
619/673-5836)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5  ****APPLE PREVIEWS QUICKTIME,  NEW SYSTEM 7.0 ADDITION 06-05-91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00014)

 ****APPLE PREVIEWS QUICKTIME,  NEW SYSTEM 7.0 ADDITION 06-05-91
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 5 (NB) -- In a flurry
of excitement, Apple Computer has announced Quicktime, a multimedia
extension to the new System 7 operating system for the Macintosh at
the Digital World Conference at the Beverly Hills Hilton. The Quicktime
release will be made available to developers and customers by the end
of 1991, Apple said.

One of the most revealing demonstrations of the new capabilities of
Quicktime was at the WordPerfect booth, where WordPerfect had
created a document about a new film called 'Only the Lonely' that
contained what at first appeared to be color photos of scenes from
the movie within columns of text.

But when the demonstrator clicked on one of the color photos, the
image came to life in full action and sound video and displayed nearly
three minutes of scenes from the movie. What was even more
impressive was that the video in the WordPerfect document could be
moved to another Macintosh with System 7.0 Quicktime, and viewed
there, without the software that was necessary to create it.

Apple claims Quicktime will spur third-party developers into creating
a whole range of new software including videoconferencing, store-and-
forward video mail, low-cost video editing and dynamic magazines.
From what Newsbytes saw at the conference, that assessment seems
correct. The third party software for application development was
already proliferating, and at reasonable prices of between $500
to $1000.

Quicktime will be installed by the developers and customers by
dragging the Quicktime extension into the system folder. According to
Apple, Quicktime system software is composed of three parts that
enable software developers to incorporate dynamic data in a
consistent and seamless fashion across applications: the Movie
Toolbox; the Image Compression Manager; and the Component
Manager.

Apple describes the Movie Toolbox as a set of system software
services for developers to incorporate support for 'movies' in their
applications. 'Movies' are any dynamic data such as sound, video
and animation.

The Image Compression Manager allows developers to take advantage
of the many data compression schemes necessary when working with the
large volume of data created when video is digitized for storage on a
computer hard disk, Apple said. One minute of uncompressed video data
can take as much as 1 gigabyte of disk space, so to make the use of
hard disk storage or CD-ROM disk storage practical, compression has to
be used to reduce the size of the data.

Apple describes Component Manager as allowing digitizer cards, VCRs,
system software extensions and other external system sources, to
register their capabilities with the Macintosh system so any application
can access these capabilities. This solves the past problem of software
developers having to write custom software for a piece of hardware, like a
digitizer card, in order to use all the features of the card, and update the
software each time the hardware was updated, Apple said. Quicktime
allows the developer transparent use of all the features of the hardware.

Apple has also announced file formats they wish to standardize for the
System 7.0 Quicktime - Movie and PICT. Movie is the new term Apple is
using for any dynamic data, and they refer to the Movie file format as
the container for this time-based data. PICT is the file format Apple
is attempting to standardize for image compression. Apple said it is
publishing the specifications for the Movie and PICT file formats, to
provide cross-platform application developers with a standard for the
dynamic data exchange from one computing environment to another.
Apple has also set some Human Interface guidelines as well.

Three compression/decompression schemes are provided with the first
release of Quicktime, Photo Compressor, Animation Compressor, and
Video Compressor, Apple said. These vary from 10:1 to 25:1 on-the-fly
file decompression schemes.

Upon release, Apple has stated developers will be offered Quicktime
CD-ROM, including the Quicktime extension, documentation, picture and
movie utilities, Hypercard, XCMDs, sample code, sample drivers, and
sample content. Apple has stated it will also provide customers with a
Quicktime Sampler floppy disk set, including the Quicktime extension,
picture, movie and conversion utilities and sample content.

Apple claims the Quicktime Developer will be available from Apple,
a Quicktime sampler will be available through Apple resellers, and
a Quicktime extension will be available through user groups and bulletin
boards. Pricing will be determined at time of shipping, Apple said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910605/Press Contact: Patty Tulloch, Apple, Tel:
408/974-5449)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5  ****JWP LAUNCHES MERGER OFFER FOR BUSINESSLAND 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00015)

 ****JWP LAUNCHES MERGER OFFER FOR BUSINESSLAND 06/05/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Businessland
says JWP Incorporated, a New York-based multinational engineering
and consulting firm, will offer, starting June 6, to buy all
shares of Businessland for $1.30 a share. The deal is seen as
the financial savior of the computer retail chain --
remaining officers have been struggling to hold off bankruptcy
by seeking a merger or sale following four consecutive quarters
of losses.

Businessland's shareholders will have 20 days to accept the
offer, and bondholders to accept $250 per $1,000 for the
firm's bonds, before being required to vote on it. Those
shareholders who hold out on the offer will receive JWP common
stock for each Businessland common share, according to the two
companies. The entire deal is estimated to be worth about $50
million.

Businessland's board of directors approved the merger at their
meeting June 3. If consummated, the merger is expected to propel
JWP and Businessland to the forefront of the non-franchised
computer retail business. (Computerland, the world's largest
retail computer store chain, is an affiliation of franchises.)
The two firms are expected to have 237 combined retail
establishments nationwide. The firms' combined 1990 revenues
amounted to $4.3 billion.

A statement issued by Businessland founder and CEO, David
Norman, called the merger, "in the best interests of
Businessland's shareholders, customers and employees. The
compatibility of our operating philosophies, stressing complex
solutions and quality service to the corporate marketplace
will ease the integration process and enhance our ability to
meet customers' needs."

(Wendy Woods/19910506/Press Contact: Thomas Pelandini,
Businessland, 408-437-4076)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 LOTUS 1-2-3 FOR MAC TO INCLUDE ADOBE TYPE MANAGER 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00016)

LOTUS 1-2-3 FOR MAC TO INCLUDE ADOBE TYPE MANAGER 06/05/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Following Lotus
Development's announcement that it will be shipping Lotus 1-2-3 for
Mac later this fall, Adobe Systems has announced that
the spreadsheet package will include Adobe Type Manager (ATM)
software and a core set of 13 typefaces from the Adobe Type Library.

ATM is the PostScript scalable font technology that supports Adobe
Type 1 font software programs that can print text to either a
PostScript or non-PostScript printer.

Lotus claims that Lotus 1-2-3 for the Mac will support Apple's System
7.0 operating system and will be compatible with all existing Lotus 1-
2-3 files and macros.

According to Adobe, Mac users of Lotus 1-2-3 will be able to take
advantage of Adobe's multiple master typefaces when they become
available. Multiple master technology allows users to control the
weight, width, size and style of typefaces designed with the
technology. This capability, maintains the company, will allow
spreadsheet users greater control over presentation of data on printed
or displayed pages.

Adobe Systems, founded in 1982, is the developer of PostScript, the
industry standard page description language for electronic printing
and publishing. Revenue for 1990 exceeded $168 million.

(Ian Stokell/19910605/Press Contact: Patricia J. Pane, Adobe Systems
Inc., 415-962-3967)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 SANTA CRUZ OPERATION TO FORM PRODUCT-LINE UNITS 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00017)

SANTA CRUZ OPERATION TO FORM PRODUCT-LINE UNITS 06/05/91
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) - The Santa Cruz
Operation has continued its corporate reorganization with the
formation of four product-line business units, a move is intended to
streamline operations and improve productivity across its worldwide
organization. It follows the recent creation of three new geographical
divisions.

The Distributed Corporate Computing Unit will focus on the new
Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) initiative and the distributed
systems market for large organizations. The General Business Systems
Unit will concentrate on multiuser systems for small and medium-sized
businesses. The Complementary Products Unit will concentrate on
networking, business applications, languages, and other similar
products that complement SCO's distributed and multiuser computing
platforms. The SCO Services Unit will provide customer training and
technical support, along with contract consulting services to the
company's distributors, retailers, value-added resellers (VARs),
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and corporate end-users.

SCO recently announced the formation of three new geographical
divisions: the North America and Japan Division; the Europe, Middle
East, and Africa Division; and the Pacific, Asia, and Latin America
Division.

The Santa Cruz Operation is a privately held company based in Santa
Cruz, California, that offers a range of Unix system software.

(Ian Stokell/19910605/Press Contact: Zee Zaballos, Santa Cruz
Operation, 408-425-7222)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5  ****14 COMPANIES SUPPORT APPLE QUICKTIME 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00018)

 ****14 COMPANIES SUPPORT APPLE QUICKTIME 06/05/91
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- On the first day
of the Seybold Digital World conference at the Beverly Hills Hilton,
14 companies have announced support for Apple's Quicktime, and most
are doing demos at the show of Quicktime applications.

Quicktime is Apple's newly announced multimedia standard in
the Macintosh operating system, System 7, and it is
expected to be available to the public at the end of 1991.

WordPerfect has announced its full support in WordPerfect for the
Mac, and was demonstrating video in a desktop-publishing type
document with still screens, called `Posters' -- imported
graphics that came to life in full-motion and sound video when
clicked on with the mouse. A WordPerfect representative said the
2.1 version should be available this summer.

Claris announced Filemaker Pro, a Mac database manager, supports
Quicktime in the current version, 1.2v2.

Supermac was demonstrating its Videospigot and Videospigot Pro for the
Mac LC and si. Supermac said the boards allow digitized video capture
and playback from a video camera or other source, and do compression
of the images on the fly in 3:1 to 20:1, based on the board.

Videospigot Pro had accelerated 8- and 24-bit graphics support on
large screen displays on the Mac si, the company said. Reeltime is
digital movie editing software, that allows editing of the video
captured by the Videospigot boards, Supermac said. Supermac has
announced that each Videospigot board will be bundled with Reeltime,
for a total price of $499, and are expected to be available mid-summer
1991.

Linker announced its product, The Animation Stand version 2.0, is
compatible now with Quicktime, giving The Animation Stand the ability
to read and write animation files that can be shown on any Mac
monitor.

Vividus announced support for Quicktime is built into Cinemation, its
upcoming presentation and authoring application, whose uses include
copying and pasting video clips into multimedia presentations and
training, the company said. One of the suggested applications was to
create a self-paced training document, with video clips within the
document of someone actually doing what the document is trying to
describe, an Apple representative said. The product is expected to be
formally announced and shipped later this year, the company said.

Rasterops announced its video graphic boards and all future products
would be compatible with Quicktime. Several Rasterops monitors could
be seen at the show displaying the Quicktime applications.

Opcode announced Quicktime support for Max, an object oriented
programming environment for music and multimedia, and said Max is
expected to ship in the third quarter of 1991.
Diva and Multi-ad announced video cataloging software, Videoshop and
Multi-ad search, respectively.

National Instruments announced Labview and National Instruments data
acquisition hardware can be used now to acquire sound waveform through
a microphone using Quicktime. Support is already available for
managing an external window through the use of Quicktime's standard
movie controller, the company said. An example from the company was a
sound waveform acquired through a microphone using Quicktime, can be
divided into movie segments that can be played back at the discretion
of the user.

Other companies made similar announcements, at the show, and more
announcements are expected by industry experts.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910605/Press Contact: Patty Tulloch, Apple, Tel:
408/974-5449; Kathryn Pond-Sargent, WordPerfect, Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone]; Steve Ruddock, Claris, Tel: [phone]; Lisa
MacKenzie, Supermac, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]; Toni Poper,
Linker, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]; Ames Cornish, Vidius,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]; Rasterops, Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone]; Marsha Vdovin, Opcode, Tel: [phone] ext. 221,
Fax: [phone]; Diva, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]; Linda
Hawkins, Multi-ad, Tel: [phone] ext. 300)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5  ****APPLE QUICKTIME ACCELERATOR FROM STORM 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00019)

 ****APPLE QUICKTIME ACCELERATOR FROM STORM 06/05/91
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Storm Technology
has announced the development of the Quicktime Joint Photographic
Expert Group (JPEG) accelerator card that accelerates up to 15 times
Apple Computer's new Quicktime operating System 7.0 addition for
dynamic multimedia.

In a demonstration by Storm, Newsbytes saw a large, complex graphic
image that was being compressed and decompressed from the hard disk on
the fly, moved on the screen by Quicktime alone, with the screen
obviously being redrawn, then with the acceleration of Storm's Nubus
accelerator card, where the changes were almost instantaneous. A
spokesman for Storm said research was done to determine what functions
of Quicktime were used the most, and those functions are the ones
accelerated in the card and software.

Certified Apple Developers can purchase the QuickTime Developer
Toolkit, which includes Storm's Nubus accelerator card, documentation
and a Quicktime JPEG image compressor called Quickpress, that runs on
the card, the company said. The kit is available for now for a retail
price of $1500, through Storm Technology.

Picturepress code resources that allows developers to program using
Storm's accelerator card now, before Quicktime is available, with a
free upgrade once Quicktime is released. The Picturepress code
resources may be purchased for $2,000, of bundled with the Quicktime
Developer Toolkit for a total of $3,000.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910605/Press Contact: Robert Tillman, Storm, Tel:
415/691-1111, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 ENCORE COMPUTER PROTESTS NASA AWARD 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00020)

ENCORE COMPUTER PROTESTS NASA AWARD 06/05/91
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Encore Computer
has filed with NASA a formal protest of NASA's decision to select
IBM as the successful bidder for the space agency's Operation
Automatic Data Processing (OADP) computer requirements contract.
The contract is reportedly valued at $191 million.

The Encore announcement said that the decision to protest resulted
from information received by Encore from NASA officials at a
debriefing held at NASA Johnson Space Flight Center. A spokesperson
for Encore stated that "Encore believes it has solid grounds for this
protest and looks forward to its resolution."

Encore spokesperson Charles Anderson told Newsbytes: "We consciously
have not gone into detail about the specifics of our complaint because
we've been doing business with NASA for almost 30 years and are
attempting to go through this on a friendly basis. We are meeting with
NASA and discussing the problem and hope to resolve it in our favor."

The contract in question involves the installation of approximately 48
mainframe computers to support space station and shuttle operations at
the Johnson Space Center in Houston and other locations.

IBM spokesperson Scott Wyman was quoted as saying that as a practice,
the company does not comment on contract awards under protest.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910605/Press Contact:
Charles S. Anderson, Encore Computer Corp., 305-797-5605)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 NEW PRODUCT: Pocket 14-Language Translator 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(NYC)(00021)

NEW PRODUCT: Pocket 14-Language Translator 06/05/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- UFO Systems Inc. has
announced the introduction of its pocket-size TR-14 14 language
translator. At the Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago,
the firm called the TR-14 "the first translator to offer
both Russian and Greek in their native alphabets."

The basic model, with a suggested retail price of $89.95, contains
words and phrases in English, French, German, Spanish Turkish, Serbo-
Croatian, Dutch, Italian, Finnish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish,
Danish and Greek.

As an option, Czech, Polish and Russian can be substituted for Dutch,
Finnish and Norwegian. The TR-14 has a typewriter style (`QWERTY')
keyboard and a 2 line, 12 character dot matrix display screen. It also
contains a world time clock with 24 major cities/time zones, date and
alarm; four settable currency exchanges and a full function
calculator.

Announcing the introduction of the TR-14, Ken Henderson, president and
CEO of UFO, boldly claimed that the pocket machine "is the most
advanced handheld translator in the world, enabling users to
access more than 120,000 words from the Cambridge Dictionary word
list with the simplest interface of any device in its class."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910605/Press Contact: UFO
Systems Inc., 716-248-3372; fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 NEW FOR PCS: Xerox Windows Document Input System 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00022)

NEW FOR PCS: Xerox Windows Document Input System 06/05/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Xerox Imaging
Systems (XIS) has announced the introduction of K6200, its new high
speed document input system for the PC. The system will be available
for shipment in late June and will have a suggested retail price
of $25,950.

The K6200 document input system is composed of a RISC-based processor,
a high speed, heavy duty scanner with an automatic document feeder
(ADF), and XIS' proprietary intelligent character recognition (ICR)
software. The processor unit contains Advanced Micro Devices' Am29000
RISC microprocessor and six megabytes of RAM while the scanner
features 400 dots-per-inch (DPI) at a scan rate of 3.7 seconds-per-
page, an 11 x 17 inch platen, a 50 page ADF, and 4 MB of internal RAM.

The system's Graphical User Interface (GUI) runs under Windows 3.0
and, according to XIS, the software supports more than 50 word
processing formats, spreadsheet, database electronic publishing and
graphics editing program.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910605/Press Contact: Janet
Knudsen, Xerox Imaging Systems, 617-864-4700)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 IBM SUBSIDIARY TO OUTSOURCE FOR ZALE 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00023)

IBM SUBSIDIARY TO OUTSOURCE FOR ZALE 06/05/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- The Integrated Systems
Solutions Corp. (ISSC) a wholly owned IBM subsidiary, has announced
the signing of an outsourcing and business services agreement with
Zale Corp. of Irving, Texas, the nation's largest retail jeweler.

Under the agreement, ISSC will provide outsourcing support for Zale's
data center, point-of-sale, order entry, credit administration and
distribution operations and will also administer the company's
disaster recovery operations and provide end-user support for its
approximately 1,500 desktop systems and approximately 2,000 Zale
stores. In addition, ISSC will provide Zale with industry-specific and
general business consulting services.

The consulting services to be furnished will address such areas as
business strategy development, feasibility studies, and Zale's
business processes. Additionally, ISSC will provide professional
services to implement what it refers to as "new and advanced business
applications and activities."

According to the announcement, members of the present Zale information
processing organization will become part of the Zale, ISSC and IBM
partnership. IBM spokesperson John Clark told Newsbytes that "offers
have been made to all of the Zale employees displaced by the
contract." He also explained that the IBM corporate involvement is as
a subcontractor to ISSC.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910605/Press Contacts: John
H. Clark, ISSC, 914-642-5409; Margaret Jarvis, Zale Corp., 214-580-
4796)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 NASA INSTALLS CONVEX SUPERCOMPUTER 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00024)

NASA INSTALLS CONVEX SUPERCOMPUTER 06/05/91
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Convex Computer
Corporation has announced that NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) in
Hampton, Va., has installed a Convex realtime system to support flight
simulation research programs using the LaRC realtime simulation
facility.

LaRC's research studies include simulation of aerodynamics, flight
control systems, human factors, air traffic control, maneuverability
of high performance jet aircraft flight management of large transport
aircraft, space vehicles, and general aviation aircraft. Its programs
cover a broad range of advanced aerospace research ranging from next
generation fighter and transport aircraft to new space vehicles.

Among applications listed by Convex as those which the new
supercomputer will support is the development of new control laws
(computerized automatic flight parameters programmed into the
aircraft's control unit) for NASA's High Alpha Research Vehicle
(HARV). The HARV is a highly modified F-18 aircraft with multi-axis
thrusting capability. Control laws for this unique aircraft are to be
developed utilizing the realtime simulation capabilities of Convex
supercomputers. The primary software which supports these simulations
is the realtime operating system developed by Convex in response to
the stated requirements of the LaRC realtime user community.

At LaRC, the new Convex realtime system connects to the Central
Scientific Computing Complex via a local area network. The LaRC
simulation system supports approximately 50 researchers and their
staff in several directorates including Flight Systems, Aeronautics,
Electronics, and Space. These researchers in turn are supported by a
40-person simulation staff that provides software development and
maintenance of flight simulation applications and simulator equipment.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910605/Press Contact: Alison
Peoples, Convex Computer Corporation, 214-497-4226)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 LOTUS TO OFFER ACADEMIC VERSION OF 1-2-3 MAC 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00025)

LOTUS TO OFFER ACADEMIC VERSION OF 1-2-3 MAC 06/05/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Lotus Development
Corporation has announced that it will make academic versions of Lotus
1-2-3 for Macintosh available to the education market. The academic
edition of 1-2-3 for the Mac is expected to be available in the fall
at a suggested educational list price of $99.

Lotus also announced that it is currently working with two educational
publishers, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company and Course Technology,
Inc., to develop special textbook editions of 1-2-3 for the Mac.
Textbook editions combine a student version of 1-2-3 for the Mac with
the publisher's textbook targeted at different segments of the
educational market.

Announcing the new product, Alan Minard, Lotus' education market
manager, said: "Our goal is to make Lotus spreadsheet technology
accessible to students in a compact and affordable manner. Integrating
1-2-3 with course materials helps students learn the product by
actually applying it to the course subject."

Minard told Newsbytes that the academic version of 1-2-3 for Macintosh
is the full commercial product. "It's the full 9 yards. The only
difference is the absence of the toll-free telephone support. In an
academic setting, support is generally provided by a university
support center," he said.

Lotus spokesperson Pamela Cey added that 1-2-3 for the Mac is moving
smoothly through the beta testing cycle and is on target for fall
release.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910605/Press Contact: Pamela
Cay, Lotus Development Corp., 617-693-1305)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Low-Cost Mac Ethernet Adapter 06/05/91

06/05/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00026)

NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Low-Cost Mac Ethernet Adapter 06/05/91
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Dayna Communications
has announced a $399 Ethernet adapter for the Apple Macintosh
which will allow owners of Macs that do not have
expansion slots, including the Classic, Plus and Portable models,
to connect to Ethernet networks.

The adapter consists of an external box that plugs into the Mac's
printer port, through which it communicates with the machine's main
processor, while communicating with the network. Called Daynaport E/Z,
the adapter works with Appleshare, Netware, TOPS and A/UX operating
systems.

Two models of Daynaport E/Z are available. Daynaport E/Z has a BNC
connector for thin Ethernet, as well as an AUI port that allows
connection to an external transceiver for thick Ethernet and other
cable systems. Daynaport E/Z-T has an RJ45 connector for 10Base-T
twisted pair wiring systems.

According to Boyd Jones, Dayna's president: "We have found that our
high speed serial connection performs as well as SCSI (Small Computer
Systems Interface) Ethernet adapters on computers that use the 68000
processor."

The new adapters are immediately available, and carry a lifetime
warranty for registered owners.

(Jim Mallory/19910605/Press Contact:David Pascoe, Dayna, 801-531-0600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5  ****EVEREX, ON HEELS OF LOSS, CUTS PRICES 35% 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027)

 ****EVEREX, ON HEELS OF LOSS, CUTS PRICES 35% 06/05/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Emerging from
a disappointing third quarter, in which the company posted
a net loss of $1.53 million, Everex has cut prices on its
STEP and Tempo desktop computer systems by as much as 33%.

The STEP 486/33 was lowered by 33 percent due to "advancements
in VLSI technology," according to Mark Marlow, vice president
of marketing. The unit was $7,499. It is now $4,999. The cost of
the Tempo line of microcomputers fell by up to 25%. For example,
the Tempo 286c is $899 compared to $1,999. But the
move isn't a short-term response to the economy, but a long-
term strategy, he says. "We intend to use our technology and
pricing advantages to capture more of the high-end
486 market."

Everex revenues for the quarter ended April 30, 1991 were $109,
485,000, a decrease of 4.5 percent from the $114,353,000 for the
like quarter of the previous year. Net loss for the third
quarter was $1,537,000, or 6 cents per share, compared with net
income of $6,868,000, or 29 cents per share, for the like
quarter last year. Revenues for the first nine months of
fiscal 1991 were $306,400,000, a 4.3 percent decrease from the
$320,150,000 for the corresponding period last year.
Year-to-date net loss was $16,664,000, or 70 cents per share,
versus net income of $17,009,000, or 71 cents per share, for the
corresponding period last year.

The company says that the future looks brighter. Steve Hui,
chairman and chief executive officer of Everex, said: "Our
R&D efforts are beginning to pay off.
Cost-reduced systems have been and will continue to be
introduced. New high-end notebook and peripheral products such
as plain paper fax will be introduced at PC Expo next month."

Still, given the recessionary U.S. economy and the firm's cash
position and cash flow, officers say they remain cautious about
prospects for "short-term success."

(Wendy Woods/19910605/Press Contact: Kimball Brown, Everex,
415-683-2421)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 JAPAN: SEGA CHALLENGES FAMICOM IN ONLINE SECURITIES 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00028)

JAPAN: SEGA CHALLENGES FAMICOM IN ONLINE SECURITIES 06/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- Sega, the Tokyo-based games machine
manufacturer, has signed an agreement with Daiwa Securities, terms of
which allow Sega to begin providing securities and other stock market
information using the Sega Megadrive system.

The Megadrive games system, which is enjoying great popularity in the
U.S. and Europe, is a 68000-based 16-bit games machine that has
similar graphics to the Nintendo Superfamicom. When fitted with a
network adapter -- essentially a customized modem -- the Megadrive can
link into Daiwa's online computer and access stock information live
from the Tokyo stock exchange. Up to 20 pages of data can be
downloaded at a time, and scrolled forward and backward as required.

Stock market information is not the only data that the two companies
are thinking of providing. Sega is said to be considering supplying
sports information, notably baseball scores.

The Megadrive supplied with a network adapter retails for 40,000 yen
($295). Online services start towards the middle of June.

Sega Enterprises is reported to be working out a similar deal with a
couple of other securities firms, with provisional plans to start the
extra online services by the end of this year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910605/Press Contact: Sega Enterprises,
 [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 JAPANESE WINDOWS 3.0 A RUNAWAY SUCCESS 06/05/91

06/05/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00029)

JAPANESE WINDOWS 3.0 A RUNAWAY SUCCESS 06/05/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- The Japanese version of Microsoft
Windows 3.0 looks as if it will become every bit as successful as
its counterpart in the West. Only a couple of months after the
package was released onto the Japanese market, Microsoft has
reported soaring sales of the package.

To date, several Japanese majors have stepped onto the Microsoft
Windows bandwagon, all releasing own-company versions of the operating
system GUI (graphics user interface) environment. These companies
include Fujitsu, IBM, NEC, and Toshiba.

Several Japanese software houses have contributed some 50
Windows 3.0 applications in Japan, a figure
that is expected to double by the fall of this year.

Best-selling application programs including Japanese Lotus 1-2-3
and Ichitaro (Japanese word processor) will soon be ready for
Windows 3.0.

Meanwhile, the Windows group -- calling itself the `Windows
Consortium' -- has been adding about 10 new members every month. There
are now 200 registered members in the group.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910605)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 5 EUROSOFT UNVEILS NEW SOVIET SALES STRATEGY 06/05/1991

06/05/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00030)

EUROSOFT UNVEILS NEW SOVIET SALES STRATEGY 06/05/1991
TALLINN, ESTONIA, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 5 (NB) -- By selling its
database management product, Dataflex, in return for local currency,
Eurosoft is trying to win a bigger market share in the Soviet Union.
The strategy contrasts starkly with other software companies, many of
which charge for their products almost exclusively in Western (hard)
currency.

Paul Leis, director of E-Soft, Dataflex distributor in the Baltics,
told Newsbytes that the policy is not now to push sales purely for
sales sake, but rather to provide people with training, service,
support, updates, and company news.

"As Dataflex is a tool aimed at high-end developers of applications
software, it is very difficult to persuade people to change their
working habits," he said, adding that this was the primary reason
for adopting a slow but steady attitude toward sales expansion.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910605/Press Contact: Paul Leis, E-Soft,
phone [phone])
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 JUN 4 NEW PARALLEL COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE HONORED 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00001)

NEW PARALLEL COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE HONORED 06/04/91
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Burton Smith,
chairman and chief scientist at Tera Computer, has received the 1991
Eckert-Mauchly Award for Computer Architecture for his design and
implementation of scalable shared-memory multiprocessors in parallel
processing, Tera has announced.

The Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the
Association for Computing Machinery present the Eckert-Mauchly Award
annually. The award has been presented in the recent past to Seymour
Cray in 1989 and Kenneth Batcher in 1990.

The significance of the shared-memory multiprocessors in parallel
computing, according to James Rottsolk, president of Tera, are the
shared memory design and implementation features. Put simply, they
mean programmers do not have to worry about the location of things in
memory. Rottsolk claims that Tera's computers are designed for
compilers, and having a compiler resident on a computer means the
computer can run programs written in the language of the compiler.

The current parallel processing approach, implemented on the new
Touchstone Delta computer in Pasadena, is difficult to program,
because memory locations have to be tracked, Rottsolk said.

Parallel computing involves the placement of multiple central processing
units (CPUs) that divide the processing of information in the computer, as
opposed to the traditional approach of allowing a single CPU to do all
the work.

Both Tera parallel supercomputer designs and the world's fastest
computer, the Touchstone Delta system newly unveiled in Pasadena, are
funded in part by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA), a member of the Concurrent Supercomputing Consortium.
Rottsolk said the public can expect to hear a lot about parallel
processing because "it's the only way to get more speed."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910604/Press Contact: James Rottsolk, Tera, Tel:
206/548-9405, Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 CALIFORNIA STATE AWARD TO TOUCHSTONE SOFTWARE 06/04/91

06/04/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00002)

CALIFORNIA STATE AWARD TO TOUCHSTONE SOFTWARE 06/04/91
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Pete
Wilson, the governor of California, has personally presented the
California state achievement award for best use of a small business
loan to Touchstone Software, a company listed in the 1989-1990 top
ten fastest-growing software companies.

Touchstone was selected among the ten fastest-growing United States
software companies by Soft Letter, an industry publication which ranks
personal computer software companies in the U.S. based on revenue
increase in a calendar year. Touchstone displayed a revenue increase
of 106 percent, compared to the national average of 40 percent, the
company said. Touchstone was also ranked 93 in the Top 100 U.S.
Software Companies, it said.

Touchstone designs and develops IBM personal computer and
compatible diagnostic software such as Checkit, PC Test, Floppy Drive
Test, and the Basic PC Maintenance Video.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910604/Press Contact: Shelly Frey, Touchstone, Tel:
741/969-7746, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 NEW FOR MAC: Adobe Photoshop 2.0 Debuts 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00003)

NEW FOR MAC: Adobe Photoshop 2.0 Debuts 06/04/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems has announced a new release of its Photoshop image
processing software, Photoshop 2.0.

Photoshop is used to manipulate scanned or computer-generated
images on Apple Macintosh computers. Adobe claims that the new
release of the software includes new and enhanced features for
black-and-white image editing, prepress color separation work, editing
of selected areas of images, and the importing of Adobe
Illustrator-compatible files. The new features in Release 2.0 emphasize
enhanced prepress capabilities with direct editing, device matching for
separations, and editing of duotones, tritones and quadtones.

Other new features include importing of Adobe Illustrator-compatible
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) files, a new Bezier selection tool for
defining portions of images for editing or placement, color dithering
and special effects filters.

The new version of Photoshop is expected to be available from Adobe
Authorized Dealers in June 1991, the company said. Adobe says
registered users can upgrade for $149 until August 31. After August
31, all registered users can upgrade for $199. Any registered user who
has purchased Photoshop between April 1991 until the product ships
will receive a free upgrade, the company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910604/Press Contact: LaVon Collins, Adobe, Tel:
415/961-4400, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 ADOBE & TEKTRONIX TRADE POSTSCRIPT/COLOR TECHNOLOGY 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00004)

ADOBE & TEKTRONIX TRADE POSTSCRIPT/COLOR TECHNOLOGY 06/04/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Adobe has
announced it signed an agreement with Tektronix, a color printer
manufacturer, licensing Adobe's Postscript interpreter, while
Tektronix has licensed to Adobe several of its technology patents
involving desktop color imaging.

Adobe says that the impact of the agreement will be to place Tektronix
among the first manufacturers to develop a desktop color printer that
uses the color capabilities of Postscript Level 2, the first major
revision of the postscript language.

Adobe, the inventor of the Postscript language, says that Postscript
Level 2 is a system of specifying color in a standard manner,
independent of factors that can cause variations, such as ink color
and screen phosphors. Adobe refers to the technology as "device-
independent color," and promises the standardization will make it
easier for computer users to create, view, transfer and print color
documents with more predictable results.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910604/Press Contact: David Downing, Adobe, Tel:
415/962-6055, Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 IRWIN MAGNETICS REDUCES WORKFORCE 06/04/91

06/04/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00005)

IRWIN MAGNETICS REDUCES WORKFORCE 06/04/91
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Tape drive
manufacturer Irwin Magnetic Systems has announced it has reduced its
work force by 58 employees effective immediately. The company says
all areas of the firm are affected - technology, sales and marketing,
operations, and administration.

Irwin president John Jones cited the need to respond quickly to
reduced demand on the part of personal computer manufacturers,
who form Irwin's customer base. Jones also said that the reseller
distribution channel is experiencing lower sales as a result of the
recession.

Jones said the reduction force is regrettable, but the company must
cut their expenses to meet lowered revenues. "1991 will be Irwin's
eighth consecutive year of revenue growth since its founding," he
said.

"However our sales, like those of our customers, are less than our
earlier expectations." Jones said that with more focused expenses,
Irwin will be better positioned to participate in the economic
recovery which may be just around the corner, according to
increasingly optimistic analysts. Just a short time ago, economic
experts were predicting the recession would last until late
1991," he added.

(Jim Mallory/19910604/Press Contact:Douglas White, Irwin Magnetics,
313-930-9229)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 MICROAGE, PEAT MARWICK TO JOINTLY PURSUE ACCOUNTS 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006)

MICROAGE, PEAT MARWICK TO JOINTLY PURSUE ACCOUNTS 06/04/91
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Microage has announced
it has entered into an agreement with accounting firm KPMG Peat
Marwick to jointly pursue large business accounts: corporate accounts
who pursue a procurement strategy of buying hardware, software and
high-end professional services.

Peter Blatman, Peat Marwick coordinator for the joint relationship,
said: "We carefully evaluated potential partners whom we felt had a
compatible view of the market demand for integrated delivery of
equipment and services."

KPMG's information technology (IT) practice provides the firm's
clients with consulting and computer system integration services in a
broad spectrum of industries, including manufacturing, finance, health
care, insurance, government services and utilities. Microage markets
through an international sales network of more than 800 franchised
resellers and company owned stores.

(Jim Mallory/19910604/Press Contact:Karen Geiger, Microage, 602-968-
3168)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 HAND-HELD COMPUTERS FOR FOOT SOLDIERS STUDIED 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00007)

HAND-HELD COMPUTERS FOR FOOT SOLDIERS STUDIED 06/04/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Texas Microsystems Inc.,
(TMI) has announced it has received a contract from the U.S. Army's
Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) to study the feasibility
of pocket-sized computers for foot soldiers. TMI described the device as
something that "could help revolutionize conventional ground warfare."

The pocket-sized unit slated for possible deployment in 1995 would weigh
one pound and include some of the advanced communications and
graphics capabilities found in fighter aircraft, tanks and other sophisticated
weapons systems. The unit would be about the size of a cigarette pack
and would probably use Intel's 80386 microprocessor.

Although details have not been finalized yet, one possible
configuration of the unit would include a battery powered processor; a
radio capable of transmitting both voice and data; a 'heads-up'
display, which would project an image on a helmet visor or glasses; a
microphone; a hand-held joystick-like device; and a global positioning
system, which would allow the user to pinpoint their exact position at
any time.

According to Michael Stewart, TMI president: "the superiority of high-
tech systems was demonstrated vividly by the overwhelming success
of US forces in the Persian Gulf war, but the average foot soldier still
goes into battle with relatively low-tech weaponry."

Stewart added that other possible applications for the miniature unit
might be for use by auto mechanics, police officers, or emergency
medical technicians.

TMI maintains a toll free number (800-627-8700), and can be contacted
by FAX at 713-933-1029.

(Jim Mallory/19910604/Press Contact: Bruce Rogers, Rogers
Communications, 617-849-6010).
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 TERRANO GETS MORE ORDERS FOR ILS-5 LAB INFO SYSTEM 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00008)

TERRANO GETS MORE ORDERS FOR ILS-5 LAB INFO SYSTEM 06/04/91
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Terrano Corporation
has announced that two additional hospitals have purchased its
IBM AS/400-based ILS-5 Laboratory Information System.

The ILS-5 for Taylor Hospital, a 203-bed general medical/surgical
hospital in Ridley Park, PA, will include Terrano's Laboratory
Management, Query and Advanced Microbiology modules, Reference
Laboratory Information system Transfusion Services Manager system,
multiple instrument interfaces and a complete hospital information
system interface.

Mary Greeley Medical Center, a 220-bed general medical/surgical
hospital in Ames, Iowa will include the lab management, query and
advanced microbiology modules, as well as the transfusion
management system, instrument interfaces, the hospital information
system interface and a distributed laboratory information system
interface.

(Jim Mallory/19910604/Press Contact:James Terrano, Terrano Corp, 402-
483-7831)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4  ****PRODIGY DROPS ITS ELECTRONIC GROCERY SHOPPING 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)

 ****PRODIGY DROPS ITS ELECTRONIC GROCERY SHOPPING 06/04/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Prodigy is quietly
dropping its home grocery shopping service, once heavily touted as one
of its main advantages. Earlier, the service had been dropped on a
market-by-market basis, as in Atlanta.

In Atlanta, while few people used the grocery shopping, those who did
loved it, and were greatly disappointed when the deal with Kroger ended.
The last grocery shopping services will close in the fall, a spokesman said.

Prodigy spokesman Brian Ek admitted in an interview that grocery
shopping just never caught on, with only 15 percent of subscribers able
to participate. Ek also said that Prodigy now has about one million
users, one-third of whom use the system at least once a day.

Prodigy's news, banking and brokerage services generate the
most traffic, Ek said. "Half of our members have Easy-Sabre accounts,"
Ek added, "because 35-40 percent are involved in small businesses in
some way."

In the end, only eight areas were served by the grocery service, including
St. Louis where there was a sign-up fee of $10, plus service charges of
$5-10 for each trip. Also, all the markets were served exclusively by one
grocer, which disappointed many users hoping for bargains.

"It was something we really wanted to work," Ek told Newsbytes. "We
found the number of grocery contracts was small -- 7 grocers in 8
markets. Take that across the entire membership base, and it was only
offered to 15 percent of our members. Part of the problem was the
grocers had to invest in delivery trucks and people to bag them. We
found that while people would try it, the number who'd stick with it
was very small, and each grocery had a different database so it was
expensive for us, too."

The Prodigy experience mirrors almost exactly the experiences of Club
403, an information provider on the British Telecom Prestel online
service in the U.K., which closed five years ago. Then, the home
shopping option -- offered to Prestel subscribers in the Birmingham
area of England -- proved too expensive and inflexible for most of the
subscribers.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910604/Press Contact: Prodigy, Brian Ek, 914-993-
8843)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 GTE CEASES CHARGING BBS BUSINESS RATES IN FLORIDA 06/04/91

06/04/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

GTE CEASES CHARGING BBS BUSINESS RATES IN FLORIDA 06/04/91
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- General Telephone
in Florida has stopped trying to charge bulletin board systems (BBSs)
business line rates, after a discussion with state regulators on the subject.

Earlier this year, BBS operators in GTE's Tampa service area began
closing their boards after the company presented them with bills covering
the difference between the cost of business service and residential service,
back-dated to the date each of their nodes went into operation. In some
cases, this meant bills of up to $10,000, with immediate payment
demanded and a cut-off of basic service threatened.

"This was two months ago," said Bill Blomgren of Pasadena, Florida,
who says his own board was not cited. "Four boards went down
dramatically, after trying fund raising picnics. But Gentel gave up
abruptly." Blomgren credits the vice mayor of Pasadena, Cliff
Donnelly, with contacting the Florida Public Service Commission about
the matter, and Jill Butler of the Florida PSC with having it stopped.

According to Butler, all it took was one phone call to GTE offices in
Tampa. "My understanding is GTE's policy in Florida is that bulletin
boards, unless they're charging a fee, are charged residential rates"
if they're located in someone's home. "I called General to find what
was going on, they were in the middle of whatever, and their answer
was this was how we do it," she said. Butler added that vice mayor
Donnelly had told her GTE tried the same tactic in another state, and
GTE promised to get her information on the case, but when Newsbytes
called it had not arrived.

"Florida has a history in this area with what we do with amateur
radios," Butler added. "We decided that if it was a residence it was
tariffed at residential rates. We went the same way here."

But the case has not formally come up with the Florida PSC, and if it
does Butler's views on the matter may distress some system
operators. "If someone starts collecting money, then from my
perspective it's difficult to see if it's not for profit. Since we can't audit
books, the issue is money collected. That hasn't happened here, but
if it comes to a head that's probably the way we'll decide."

A year ago, GTE's subsidiary in Indiana quietly got a tariff passed in
that state defining any bulletin board as a business, and charging it
business rates. The tariff was passed without public comment, and was
written in such a way as to be confusing to non-lawyers. At the time,
GTE spokesmen in Irving, Texas denied to Newsbytes that this would
become a general policy of the company, although this might now be
open to question.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910604/Press Contact: Florida PSC, 904-488-1280)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4  ****BRITISH AEROSPACE JOINS IRIDIUM CONSORTIUM 06/04/91

06/04/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

 ****BRITISH AEROSPACE JOINS IRIDIUM CONSORTIUM 06/04/91
CHANDLER, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Motorola Satellite
Communications has announced that British Aerospace will join the team
supporting the proposed Iridium system. Iridium is a proposed network
of 77 satellites in low earth orbit which will deliver telephone service
worldwide starting in 1994.

Motorola Satellite Communications, Lockheed Commercial Space and
British Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding under
which the companies will collaborate in undertaking the planning phase
of the Iridium system. British Aerospace personnel will join the
Motorola/Lockheed team currently at work on the system in Chandler.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910604/Press Contact: Motorola, Lawrence E. Moore,
602/441-3000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 SPRINT ANNOUNCES NEW DIAL 1 PLAN 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

SPRINT ANNOUNCES NEW DIAL 1 PLAN 06/04/91
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Sprint has
announced a new outbound service called Dial 1 Wats Advantage that
is targeted at businesses billing between $100 to $15,000 per month in
long distance services. The service combines all intrastate, interstate
and international calling for retroactive volume discounts using six
second billing increments.

The new product features a business travel card -- Foncard Advantage -
- with lower rates than Sprint's base Foncard rates. Also, all charges
on the cards apply toward the volume discounts. The new card can be
used to charge calls made with Sprint Express, which provides
overseas callers the capability to call a toll-free number from many
different countries and reach an operator in the United States.
Conferencing calls are also available with the card.

Optional telemanagement reports are also available, and information
can be 'custom selected' by customers for easier handling and
analysis.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910604/Press Contact: Robin Pence, US Sprint, 202-
828-7454)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 MICROSOFT ACQUIRES TOOLS FOR SOFTWARE SECURITY 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00013)

MICROSOFT ACQUIRES TOOLS FOR SOFTWARE SECURITY 06/04/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced that it has acquired a license to RSA Data Security's
technology. The license gives Microsoft the capability to incorporate
advanced security features into its products.

Commenting on the license, Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman, said:
"RSA's technology will allow us to incorporate advanced security
features in our products and create a secure computing environment for
our customers."

Microsoft will use the technology to provide privacy and authentication
of sensitive user data, as well as to detect viruses and secure software
distribution.

Microsoft said it will also participate in, as well as endorse, RSA's
effort to establish interoperability. In a program sponsored by
Novell, Lotus, Sun Microsystems and Digital, RSA has completed
development of an interoperable standard for the use of the
company's technology.

Gates praised RSA's program, noting that "interoperability between
products incorporating RSA, including products from different vendors,
is important if users are to realize the true value of this technology."
He also encouraged other vendors to adopt and support RSA's
program.

RSA was founded in 1982 by three professors at Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT), who invented the RSA security algorithm. The RSA
algorithm has been proposed as a standard in the CCITT, the Consultive
Committee for International Telephony and Telegraphy, as well as the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and Standards
Australia.

RSA's products include a software toolkit for developers, as well as
implementation of the Internet Privacy Enhanced Mail Standard.

(Jim Mallory/19910604/Press Contact: Brenda Hansen, Microsoft, 206-882-
8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4  ***EUROPE: DATASTORM NIXES EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTOR 06/04/91

06/04/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(LON)(00014)

 ***EUROPE: DATASTORM NIXES EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTOR 06/04/91
SEATON, DEVON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Datastorm
Technologies, the copyright holder of Procomm Plus, has ceased its
European distribution contract with Dortec, the Danish software house.

The reason given for termination by Datastorm was dissatisfaction with
level of sales made. But, according to Steve Lee, managing director of
Shareware Marketing in the U.K., sales of Procomm Plus have hit the
top level in more than one European country.

Datastorm's contract termination with Dortec appears to have been met
with a vociferous backlash on the part of Shareware Marketing. The
software importer and distributor has put its U.K. commercial
distributors -- Frontline and Softsel -- on 30 days notice that supplies
of Procomm Plus will no longer be available.

According to Lee, plans are now well in hand to find a replacement for
Procomm Plus. A meeting with Don Milne, author of Odyssey, an
increasingly popular PC communications package in the U.K., has been
scheduled, and Lee is confident that an agreement between Milne and
Shareware will be forthcoming.

"Odyssey is an excellent communications package. It can become the
next Procomm Plus. I'm amazed at Datastorm's attitude over the
European distributorship," he told Newsbytes.

Unlike Procomm Plus, Odyssey includes support for the Microcom
Networking Protocol (MNP) within software, meaning that users do not
need to upgrade to a new modem to take advantage of MNP Class 5
error-correction and data compression.

Dortec's most public claim to fame on the Procomm Plus front to date
has been that the Danish company developed an add-in module for the
package that emulates a viewdata terminal. Lee revealed that a version
of Dortec's viewdata module has been developed that will work with any
communications package. Plans call for the release of the viewdata
emulator as a standalone package within the next month, he told
Newsbytes.

"We're happy with the way things are working out, he added, pointing
out that Datastorm Technologies has no distribution channel, no
European support, nor any work done to provide the various
enhancements to version 2.0 to make it work properly on European
systems.

Shareware Marketing has plans to stay in the communications
marketplace other than with the planned linkup with Odyssey. The
company has committed to joining a syndicate of the existing
Procomm Plus distributors in creating a pan-European
communications software engine. So far, the engine has been sold
as a low-cost ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) card driver
package in France and Germany.

"Ultimately, we see Rencomm as becoming a specialist
communications package for complex use, as well as for licensing on
an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis. The Odyssey deal
will be for mainstream comms users," said Lee.

(Steve Gold/19910604/Press & Public Contact: Shareware Marketing -
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 NEW FOR TELECOM: On The GoFax 06/04/91

06/04/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)

NEW FOR TELECOM: On The GoFax 06/04/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Ibis
Software has released 'On The GoFax,' a program which sends faxes
through any Hayes-compatible modem. Designed primarily for laptop
computers, On The GoFax works by tagging or capturing a word
processing, spreadsheet or graphics file, taking up only 48,000 bytes
of memory.

To transmit a fax, the user selects a name from a file log and sends
it. Once the file is sent, the computer disconnects. The company says
fewer than 10 keystrokes are required for the entire operation.

Actually, GoFax acts as a fax service bureau. All messages are sent
as computer files to a service bureau supported by AT&T, which then
takes over and retries each outgoing fax call up to four times.

On The GoFax can be used from any location with a telephone, including
hotel rooms, pay phones or in a car with a cellular phone. The speed
dialer can handle up to 99 frequently-called numbers, and there is a
broadcast feature, so one fax can be sent to several locations at
once. The program also comes with a simple word processor, and
offers a log of outgoing faxes. Password protection is also offered, as
is billing to credit cards.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910604/Press Contact: Conni Ringstrom, Ibis
Software, 415-546-1917)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 OPTEX CLAIMS OPTICAL MEMORY BREAKTHROUGH 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00016)

OPTEX CLAIMS OPTICAL MEMORY BREAKTHROUGH 06/04/91
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 4 (NB) -- Optex has
improved its Electron Trapping Optical Memory technology, and says
it now offers eight times the capacity of present optical disks, along
with faster read-write speeds and a simpler optical head design.

ETOM is a photonic optical memory technology which uses the
movement of electrons between energy states to store data.
Conventional optical disks use tiny bumps in a foil substrate, which
are read by laser beams. With Optex technology, information is written
with a blue light and read with infrared. Thus, the disk is never heated,
making it faster to read and making the disk capable of storing more
data.

The technology's new 'multi-level capability' basically involves
storing data using amplitude symbols for 0, 1, 2, and 3 instead of the
on-off states used by conventional disks. This 'quarternary' coding
leads to a four-fold increase in storage capacity, in the same space.

The technology's other new feature is a change in the wavelength of
light used for reading the data. Normally, an infra red laser beam is
used. With a new formulation of the ETOM material, an even shorter
wavelength can be used, resulting in a further two-fold increase in
capacity. This capacity increase, combined with the four-fold increase
from using multiple levels, results in a total eight-fold capacity
increase. Also, the new scheme means the read-write head can be
less complex, and simpler to manufacture.

Based on these and other breakthroughs, Optex president M.H. Chaffin
predicted his company's products will be able to transfer 120
megabytes of data each second and store 14 gigabytes on a single
5 1/4-inch disk. The results were exciting enough to bring a follow-on
investment from the company's current backers.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910604/Press Contact: Lori Beres, Optex 301-840-
0011)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 DECUS BYLAW CHANGES REJECTED 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(ATL)(00017)

DECUS BYLAW CHANGES REJECTED 06/04/91
SHREWSBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A. 1991 JUNE 4 (NB) -- The
U.S. chapter of the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society, popularly
known as DECUS, has announced that its members rejected a
restructuring of the organization which had been drawn up by Arthur
D. Little and recommended by its board of directors.

The result of the proposed changes would have been to tighten up the
organization chart, creating a new board which combined the powers of
an existing Board of Directors and Management Council. Supporters of
the change said it would have meant fewer layers of bureaucracy and a
tighter focus on the group's mission. Opponents said it would have
meant iron control by the board which commissioned the study.

DECUS said the 45,000 members failed to pass the bylaw changes
because a required two-thirds majority of members voting failed to
support it. "Now we just go back to the existing bylaws," said
spokesman Paul Murphy.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910604/Press Contact: Paul Murphy, DECUS, 508-841-
3346)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 ADS-ON-CALL GIVES ANY NEWSPAPER AN AUDIO SIDELINE 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

ADS-ON-CALL GIVES ANY NEWSPAPER AN AUDIO SIDELINE 06/04/91
MADISON, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 4 (NB) -- The Computer
Group is targeting newspapers with a new product called Ads-On-Call,
which can give any paper an audiotext system if it has an IBM PC to
devote to the promotion.

Ads-on-Call is essentially a voice board with software that plugs into
any IBM PC. Prices start at $1,995, and multi-line versions with
voice-mail capabilities are available, said spokesman Linda Lins. From
there, it's programmed by the newspaper, but there are some standard
routines included for such things as classified ads and information
services. "There are different ways it can work. It has different
routines which can be turned on and off as you like."

The result is something like an audio version of a bulletin board
system. The idea is that newspapers would advertise the service, along
with the additional numbers which subscribers would press on their
touchtone keypads in order to reach specific services loaded onto the
board. Ads-On-Call would then supplement the power of display ads,
bring new power to classified ads, and, perhaps, bring in money
directly if information services are linked to a caller-paid 900
number.

"Very little promotion has been done. We've done some direct mail and
telemarketing. We don't run a lot of ads," Lins told Newsbytes.
"Newspapers are beginning to realize the potential and it's been
expanding the last 6-8 months."

Many newspapers have been sending representatives to conferences
on audiotext over the last year, looking for some way to fight the direct
mail industry's encroachment on their market by using some of the
same tricks.

Lins says Ads-On-Call isn't the only application her company offers.
"We have a few other products, one targeting medical markets called
Doctor-On-Call. Another product, not yet released, deals with
attorneys and will be called Lawyer-On-Call." Both use the same
boards, but different software, concentrating more on the voice mail
and information applications.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910604/Press Contact: The Computer Group, 608-273-
1803)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 RADIUS MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT SYSTEM 7.0 06/04/91

06/04/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00019)

RADIUS MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT SYSTEM 7.0 06/04/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Continuing the rush
of software vendors to support the System 7.0 , Radius has announced
that RadiusTV and ImpressIt are being updated to support the new
features in QuickTime, the multimedia software extension to Apple's
new operating system.

The company maintains that QuickTime is intended to provide a
standard architecture and interface for multimedia hardware and software
applications on the Macintosh. Quicktime compatibility allows Radius
multimedia products to be integrated with QuickTime-compatible
hardware and software products from other vendors.

Some of the features that RadiusTV and ImpressIt have been re-written
to take advantage of include a time-management control system for
synchronizing data, interface guidelines for hardware products,
drivers for multimedia peripherals such as CD ROM drives, and built-in
video editing.

One of the main advantages to supporting QuickTime is that RadiusTV
will now be compatible with all other QuickTime-compatible multimedia
software applications. According to the company, software applications
had previously required a special driver for compatibility with
RadiusTV. Now, an application software developer can write a single
QuickTime-compatible driver for a program to obtain compatibility with
all QuickTime compatible multimedia hardware products like RadiusTV.

With ImpressIt, Radius' still-image compression software, users can
have the software automatically compress images when they are saved
to a hard disk, rendering the entire compression process transparent to
the user, says the company.

"Radius is committed to supporting industry standards," said Ed
Colligan, Radius director of customer marketing. "QuickTime
compatibility guarantees our customers the widest range of options in
the Macintosh multimedia environment. It also provides greater
flexibility and productivity for each customer's specific application."

"The one dimensional text-based computing environment that we grew up
with is quickly becoming obsolete," Colligan continued. "Interactive
multimedia incorporating live video and sound is the future of computing."

Radius QuickTime-compatible products will be made available soon after
the release of QuickTime. Software upgrades for RadiusTV will be
available free of charge through the CompuServe and AppleLink
networks. The company says that the RadiusTV upgrades obtained through
Radius authorized dealers or Radius technical support and ImpressIt
upgrades may carry a small fee.

More than 100 System 7.0-compatible applications were announced at
Apple's introduction of the new operating system in May, 1991.
Although not all were said to be available at the time, they are
expected by the time MacWorld comes around in August.

(Ian Stokell/19910604/Press Contact: Jeneane Harter, Radius Inc., 408-
434-1010)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4  ****HEWLETT-PACKARD CUTS VECTRA PC PRICES 06/04/91

06/04/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)SFO)(00020)

 ****HEWLETT-PACKARD CUTS VECTRA PC PRICES 06/04/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Following recent
price cuts on IBM and Compaq microcomputers, Hewlett-Packard (HP)
has reduced U.S. list prices on its high-end HP Vectra personal
computers by up to 10 percent and on its mass-storage products by
up to 33 percent. Additionally, HP has also reduced the list price of the
HP ScanJet Plus scanner from $1,595 to $995.

As the microcomputer price war continues to heat up, HP has decided to
enter the price-cutting game in an attempt to maintain competitiveness
in the market.

The Intel486 33-MHz microprocessor-based HP Vectra 486/33T PC Model
1000 has been reduced 10 percent from $17,799 to $15,999. The Model
170 and Model 440 have been reduced 8 percent, from $11,249 to
$10,299, and from $14,499 to $13,299, respectively.

According to the company, the HP Vectra 486/25T PC line is priced up
to 40 percent lower than its price at introduction nearly two years
ago. The 25-MHz Intel 486-based HP Vectra 486/25T PC Model 670 has
been reduced 7 percent to $12,799 from $13,799.

(Ian Stokell/19910604/Press Contact: Irene Economou, Hewlett-Packard,
408-720-3824)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4  ****HEWLETT-PACKARD CUTS VECTRA PC PRICES 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)SFO)(00020)

 ****HEWLETT-PACKARD CUTS VECTRA PC PRICES 06/04/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 04 (NB) -- Following recent
price cuts on IBM and Compaq microcomputers, Hewlett-Packard (HP) has
reduced U.S. list prices on its high-end HP Vectra personal computers
by up to 10 percent and on its mass-storage products by up to 33
percent. Additionally, HP has also reduced the list price of the HP
ScanJet Plus scanner from $1,595 to $995.

As the microcomputer price war continues to heat up, HP has decided to
enter the price-cutting game in an attempt to maintain competitiveness
in the market.

The Intel486 33-MHz microprocessor-based HP Vectra 486/33T PC Model
1000 has been reduced 10 percent from $17,799 to $15,999. The Model
170 and Model 440 have been reduced 8 percent, from $11,249 to
$10,299, and from $14,499 to $13,299, respectively.

According to the company, the HP Vectra 486/25T PC line is priced up
to 40 percent lower than its price at introduction nearly two years
ago. The 25-MHz Intel 486-based HP Vectra 486/25T PC Model 670 has
been reduced 7 percent to $12,799 from $13,799.

(Ian Stokell/19910604/Press Contact: Irene Economou, Hewlett-Packard,
408-720-3824)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4  ****HEWLETT-PACKARD CUTS VECTRA PC PRICES 06/04/91

06/04/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00020)

 ****HEWLETT-PACKARD CUTS VECTRA PC PRICES 06/04/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 04 (NB) -- Following recent
price cuts on IBM and Compaq microcomputers, Hewlett-Packard (HP) has
reduced U.S. list prices on its high-end HP Vectra personal computers
by up to 10 percent and on its mass-storage products by up to 33
percent. Additionally, HP has also reduced the list price of the HP
ScanJet Plus scanner from $1,595 to $995.

As the microcomputer price war continues to heat up, HP has decided to
enter the price-cutting game in an attempt to maintain competitiveness
in the market.

The Intel486 33-MHz microprocessor-based HP Vectra 486/33T PC Model
1000 has been reduced 10 percent from $17,799 to $15,999. The Model
170 and Model 440 have been reduced 8 percent, from $11,249 to
$10,299, and from $14,499 to $13,299, respectively.

According to the company, the HP Vectra 486/25T PC line is priced up
to 40 percent lower than its price at introduction nearly two years
ago. The 25-MHz Intel 486-based HP Vectra 486/25T PC Model 670 has
been reduced 7 percent to $12,799 from $13,799.

(Ian Stokell/19910604/Press Contact: Irene Economou, Hewlett-Packard,
408-720-3824)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 PLAY STATION ADDS CD SOUND CD-ROM GRAPHICS TO NINTENDO 06/04/91

06/04/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00021)

PLAY STATION ADDS CD SOUND CD-ROM GRAPHICS TO NINTENDO 06/04/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 4 (NB) -- Sony, in conjunction
with last year's licensing agreement with Nintendo, has introduced
Play Station, a CD-ROM and Nintendo game cartridge game machine which
combines up to 680MB of data or slightly less data and CD-quality
sound with high-end Nintendo video games.

Sony is the sole worldwide supplier of the new Super Disc format used
by the Play Station, but the company did not respond by deadline with
either any further details or an explanation of whether this was an
application of CD-I or a joining of CD-ROM and the game world.

Adding CD-ROM capabilities to a game machine could provide an almost
unlimited number of high-quality visual effects to games as well as
providing up to 16 hours of voice-quality speech or up to one hour of
CD-quality sound effects to a game.

The amount of text that could be included would be many times the size
of a full set of encyclopaedias and, even when combining some sounds
with text and graphics, a CD-ROM is capable of holding an incredible
amount of information that could result in terrific interactive games
no longer limited by the capacity of a game cartridge's programmable
memory chips.

In related news, Sony will be showing the Data Diskman at the June 13
meeting of SIGCAT - special interest group, CD-ROM applications
technology, in Reston, Virginia, at the headquarters of the U.S.
Geologic Survey.

The new Data Diskman, a handheld electronic book similar in concept to
Sony's Watchman/Walkman series, uses an LCD screen to display text
from 8-cm optical discs which hold up to 200MB of text or CD-quality
sound and a lesser amount of text. The product is already on the
market in Japan.

(John McCormick/19910604/Press Contact: Robert Zito, Sony Electronic
Publishing, 212-418-9479)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 CONSUMER STATISTICS AVAILABLE ON CD-ROM 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00022)

CONSUMER STATISTICS AVAILABLE ON CD-ROM 06/04/91
HOPKINS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 4 (NB) -- The Consumer
Expenditure Study, a continuing study of spending habits of 5,000 U.S.
households, is at the heart of a new CD-ROM data base compiled by the
U.S. Department of Labor and published by Hopkins Technology, Hopkins,
Minnesota.

The new disc, Consu/Stats 1989, contains 1989 and first quarter 1991
data, which was just released by the government in April of this year.
The data is collected on a regular basis through interviews and
personal diaries kept by the target consumers who are from a variety
of socio-economic strata.

Interview data include average annual expenditures for housing and
major appliances, apparel and services, health care, transportation
(vehicle purchases/disposal trips/vacations), reading, education,
food, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cash contributions, and personal
insurance/pensions. Diary data include average weekly expenditures on
items such as food, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, personal care
products and services, non-prescription drugs, and housekeeping
supplies.

Other information included on the disc is international statistical
data including tables of stock indices, interest rates, exchange
rates, and other economic data compiled by the Board of Governors of
the US Federal Reserve Bank.

The IBM-compatible Consu/Stats 1989 costs $199 and is available
directly from: Hopkins Technology, 421 Hazel Lane, Suite 400, Hopkins,
MN 55343-7117. Phone [phone] or 612-931-9376; fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910604/Press Contact: Carol Dunn, Hopkins
Technology, 612-931-9376, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 SEMI APPLAUDS EASED EXPORT RESTRICTIONS TO EASTERN EUROPE 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00023)

SEMI APPLAUDS EASED EXPORT RESTRICTIONS TO EASTERN EUROPE 06/04/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 JUNE 4 (NB) -- SEMI -- short for
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International -- has commended
COCOM, the Co-ordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls,
for easing restrictions on exports of semiconductor manufacturing
technology to former Communist Bloc states in Eastern Europe by
reducing the number of products on the prohibited list.

Among the semiconductor manufacturing equipment and materials
decontrolled because they are no longer considered `vital'
technologies are diffusion and oxidation systems, sputtering
equipment, most etching, ion implant, and chemical vapor deposition
equipment, integrated circuit (IC) assembly equipment, all test
equipment operating at rates below 40MHz (which is the limit of
equipment now readily available in the U.S. to regular home buyers),
and IC inspection equipment.

The tools needed to polish and prepare silicon wafers for the creation
of ICs along with all older gallium arsenide materials have been
decontrolled.

Among those items still controlled are cluster tools, those pieces of
machinery which can perform more than one operation on the chips being
produced, thus improving efficiency of production.

SEMI, an international organization comprising 1,380 companies
involved in semiconductor tool production, is based in Mountain View,
California, but has offices located in Brussels; Seoul, Korea; Tokyo;
and Washington.

COCOM is a multinational organization consisting of the United States
and 16 Western allies that regulates exports of critical technologies
to other countries.

(John McCormick/19910604/Press Contact: Eric Winkler, SEMI, 415-940-
6908)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 NEW FOR IBM: Board Turns Fax Machine Into Scanner 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00024)

NEW FOR IBM: Board Turns Fax Machine Into Scanner 06/04/91
COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Inside every
fax machine, says Kalman Communications, is a full-page scanner. The
company has introduced a PC expansion card that takes advantage of
that fact.

Kalman's Scanfax card fits a standard AT bus (Industry Standard
Architecture or ISA) half-length expansion slot. It connects to an
ordinary fax machine, between the fax machine and the telephone jack.
While the fax machine can still send and receive faxes as before, it
can also be used to scan documents into the PC in the compressed TIFF
graphics file format.

Stephen Swift, president of Kalman Communications, said the company
plans a second version, called Scanfax Plus, that will also operate as
a PC fax card, sending faxes directly from the computer and storing
incoming faxes on disk. And the ScanFax plus card will act as a
telephone answering machine. It will work with telephone companies'
distinctive ring features, in which different phone numbers ring on
the same line, picking up as a fax card or an answering machine
depending on the number called.

The Scanfax Plus card will also be equipped with additional software
for image compression and other functions.

Available now, Scanfax has a suggested list price of C$199. The
company is seeking distributors in the United States and has not set a
U.S. price, Swift said, but it will likely be in the US$175 range. The
Scanfax Plus card is due to be available in about two and a half
months, with the price expected to be between C$250 and C$300.

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Stephen Swift, Kalman
Communications, 604-944-0960, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Hypertext Tool For Writers 06/04/91

06/04/91



(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00025)

NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Hypertext Tool For Writers 06/04/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Storyspace, a
hypertext tool that grew out of research at the University of North
Carolina and a Michigan community college, has uses in everything from
technical manuals to interactive fiction, according to the company now
selling the program.

Eastgate Systems has begun shipping Storyspace, mostly to
educational institutions to begin with. Mark Bernstein, chief
scientist at Eastgate, said that the package follows the model of
`constructive hypertext,' in which the idea is that the reader has as
much to do with creating and recreating the document as does the
writer. "It breaks down the boundary between reading and writing," he
said.

Storyspace has been used to write an interactive novel, Michael
Joyce's Afternoon, A Story. It is also well suited to technical
documentation, Bernstein said. Another use is in research, for
instance, he added, is where field researchers might use it for
recording notes, which they could then explore in different ways
later.

Storyspace is also being used to help teach writing, Bernstein said,
and Eastgate has been shipping it to a number of educational
institutions since March. The company has made little effort to
publicize the software so far, he said. When it does, Storyspace will
be sold mainly direct at first, since Eastgate doesn't believe the
market understands hypertext well enough yet that it can be sold
effectively through dealer channels.

Storyspace will run on any Apple Macintosh Plus or Classic or more
powerful model, Bernstein said. A single copy costs US$160, with 10-
packs priced at US$395 and educational discounts available.

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Mark Bernstein, Eastgate
Systems, 617-924-9044)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 NORTHERN SELLS ANOTHER PIECE OF STC 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00026)

NORTHERN SELLS ANOTHER PIECE OF STC 06/04/91
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Northern Telecxom has
sold the electronics distribution division of STC to Farnell
Distribution, a unit of Farnell Electronics. It is the third unit of
STC to be sold since Northern bought the British telecommunications
equipment maker in February.

Farnell, also a British company, will pay UKP61 million in cash and
assume an undisclosed amount of liabilities of STC's electronics
distribution division, the companies said.

Northern sold the cable products division of STC to Pirelli of Italy
in May. In April, it sold STC Distributors to CDME, a French
electrical distributor. Ken Mulders, manager of investor relations at
Northern Telecom, said Northern is selling certain parts of STC that
do not fit with its business to help defray the US$2.6 billion cost of
the acquisition.

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Ken Mulders, Northern Telecom,
416-897-9000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 UNIX INTERNATIONAL OFFERS EARLY ACCESS TO MULTIPROCESSING 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00027)

UNIX INTERNATIONAL OFFERS EARLY ACCESS TO MULTIPROCESSING 06/04/91
SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- An initial release of
the upcoming multiprocessing version of Unix System V Release 4 is now
available to members of Unix International through the consortium's
Early Access program.

Steve Payne, a spokesman for Unix International, said that only
members of Unix International can get the pre-release version. The
program is intended to help developers get their products to market
faster by giving them access to the new release while it is still
under development.

The key feature of the new release, being developed by Unix System
Laboratories, is support for fully symmetric multiprocessing. The
software will be able to take advantage of multiple microprocessors in
one computer to speed up computation and communications.

Based largely on technology from NCR, Unix System V Release 4 Multi-
Processor (SVR4 MP) is being developed by USL and a consortium
including Intel, NCR, Oki Electric, Olivetti, and Unisys. The early
access version will run on systems based on the Intel 386 and 486
microprocessors. Motorola and Unisys are porting it to the Motorola
88000 microprocessor.

Dick Muldoon, a spokesman for Unix Systems Laboratories, said that the
release is expected to be generally available in late summer.

SVR4 MP is the first step toward multiprocessing support called for in
Unix International's Unix System V Roadmap, a public document that
describes what the computer industry wants to see in Unix System V
over the next five years. The roadmap calls for a phased approach to
multiprocessing, beginning with support in 1991 for standard symmetric
multiprocessing systems with as many as 10 microprocessors and
extending into support for larger-scale, secure multiprocessing
systems and new applications designed for parallel processing systems.

NCR and Unisys have already announced Intel 486-based multiprocessor
systems that will run SVR4 MP.

SVR4 MP conforms to X/Open's Portability Guide Issue 3, the Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' POSIX standard, and the
System V Interface Definition, its backers said. Applications written
for Unix System V Release 3.2 and Release 4 will run without change on
SVR4 MP and applications written for SVR4 MP will be compatible with
future SVR4 multiprocessing enhancements, they added

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Steve Payne, Unix
International, 201-263-8400; Dick Muldoon, Unix Systems Laboratories,
908-522-6274)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 UNITEL, MCI ANNOUNCE VIRTUAL NETWORK PACT 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00028)

UNITEL, MCI ANNOUNCE VIRTUAL NETWORK PACT 06/04/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Unitel Communications has
announced its third private virtual network link with the United
States. Unitel and MCI Communications said they have agreed to
interconnect their private virtual network services, and have begun
testing the service.

Private virtual networks allow customers to operate what appear to be
private telecommunications links, but in fact used shared facilities.
They can provide data, voice, and facsimile links between locations of
large organizations.

Robert Provost, product manager for Unitel's VRoute private virtual
network service, told Newsbytes that the connection to MCI's Vnet
service will be his company's third such deal with a U.S. carrier. A
similar link with U.S. Sprint's VPN service has been in use for about
a year, he said, and connection with AT&T's SDN service was announced
last fall.

Working with satellite carrier Teleglobe Canada, Unitel has also
announced links with European private virtual networks services,
though these are not yet in operation, Provost said.

The link with MCI's Vnet service should be commercially available this
fall, Provost added.

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Jan Innes, Unitel
Communications, 416-232-6365, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 KODAK PICKS RADIUS FOR PUBLISHING, OFFERS DIGITAL CAMERA 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00029)

KODAK PICKS RADIUS FOR PUBLISHING, OFFERS DIGITAL CAMERA 06/04/91
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Eastman Kodak Printing
Systems has chosen San Jose, California-based Radius as the standard
supplier of Macintosh color display systems for its Prophecy Color
Publishing System. Kodak also introduced the Kodak Professional
Digital Camera System, which captures photos as digital images.

The Prophecy Color Publishing System is a color pre-press system that
uses a custom-designed central processor with Apple Macintosh
computers as intelligent terminals, said Paul Lonsdorf, a spokesman
for Kodak Printing Systems. Kodak usually sells the system as a
complete package, and has equipped it with monitors from various
manufacturers in the past.

An important part of the Prophecy system is what Kodak calls the
Monitor-Proof Agreement. A Monitor-Proof Agreement means that the
color monitor displays images that very closely match the system
output. Kodak said the Radius displays let it control and calibrate
the display and adjust it to the viewing environment.

Kodak will use Radius color displays and display interfaces, the
Radius QuickColor Graphics Engine for accelerating color management
functions and the Radius PrecisionColor Calibrator, a device that
characterizes and calibrates displays and increases software and
hardware color management accuracy.

Kodak's Professional Digital Camera System uses a Nikon F3 camera
body, with the back replaced by a Kodak digital imaging unit. The unit
captures photos as digital images which can then be transferred to an
Apple Macintosh computer, or to any PC with a Small Computer Systems
Interface (SCSI) connector. The digital files can also be sent over
telephone lines using a modem.

Joseph Runde, a spokesman for Kodak, said that the digital images
don't match the quality of photographs on film, though they are better
than those produced by analog still video systems. The DCS will be
useful where the ability to transmit and process photos quickly is
more important than getting the best possible quality, he said. Kodak
expects the system to be popular in photojournalism and in some
security applications.

The Professional Digital Camera System is due to be available in the
United States in August for about US$20,000. Kodak plans to launch it
in Europe early in 1992, and later in Japan.

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Paul Lonsdorf, Kodak Electronic
Printing Systems, 508-670-6766; Joseph Runde, Kodak, 716-724-2364, fax
714-724-9829)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 4 IBM REPORTS FASTER TRANSISTOR 06/04/91

06/04/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00030)

IBM REPORTS FASTER TRANSISTOR 06/04/91
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 4 (NB) -- Researchers at
IBM have boosted the performance for a widely used type of transistor,
in what they hope is a step toward faster chips. The researchers used
an alloy of silicon and germanium in an experimental p-channel metal
oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) that carries
current twice as fast of previous p-channel MOSFETs at very low
temperatures.

Emmanuel Crabbe, a researcher at IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center,
told Newsbytes that the performance advantage of the chip would be
less at room temperature.

P-channel transistors carry currents of positively charged electrons.
They are generally slower than n-channel transistors, which carry
negatively charged electrons. Faster p-channel transistors can be used
with n-channel transistors in complementary metal oxide semiconductor
(CMOS) circuits, which combine the positive and negative channels.
CMOS circuits save power, allowing for more circuits on a chip, which
improves computer performance.

"Although this is only a first step," Crabbe said, "the first results
are significant."

The researchers put a very thin layer of silicon germanium under the
silicon surface of the MOSFET to confine the charged particles that
carry current through the transistor. The channel contains no dopants,
or impurities, which are usually used to control the flow of current.
Instead there is a layer of doped silicon directly under the channel
to control the voltage at which the transistor turns off and on.
Because the channel contains no dopants, charged particles don't
collide with impurity atoms as they pass through it.

Researchers at IBM have been working with silicon germanium for
several years, Crabbe said. Most work in the past has concentrated on
bipolar transistors. Last year, IBM announced it had developed
experimental heterojunction bipolar transistors, using silicon
germanium, that nearly doubled the performance of previous such
devices.

(Grant Buckler/19910604/Press Contact: Linda Currey Post, IBM, 914-
945-2885)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 NEW ADVANCES IN MATERIAL SCIENCES ANNOUNCED 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00001)

NEW ADVANCES IN MATERIAL SCIENCES ANNOUNCED 06/03/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Science News for May
25 reports several advances in materials technology related to
computer research. The Baltimore Conference on Lasers and
Electro-Optics and the Quantum Electronics and Laser Science
Conference are the sources of the reports, the first of which
examines the use of a series of low-power laser pulses to
selectively melt connecting "wires" on integrated-circuit chips.

The research, conducted by MIT Lincoln Lab scientists, shows that
lower-powered pulses cause less damage to adjacent areas on the
chips but still do the job previously done with higher-powered
laser systems.

A report from Vanderbilt U. shows a possible way to produce thin
films of lithium niobate, a photo-refractive crystal that could
be used in optical computer circuits.

IBM researchers have developed the first polymer which shows a
photo-refractive effect similar to that of lithium niobate and
may lead to much less expensive optical computer components such
as holographic data storage.

All of this is at the research stage, with no products on the
horizon, but the ongoing developments indicate that American
companies are still striving to maintain a technological lead.

(John McCormick/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 LAUREATE PORTS 10 SPEECH PROGRAMS FROM APPLE TO IBM 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00002)

LAUREATE PORTS 10 SPEECH PROGRAMS FROM APPLE TO IBM 06/03/91
WINOOSKI, VERMONT, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Laureate Learning
Systems, a leading publisher of special education software which
features speech synthesis, has announced the release of 10 new
programs for IBM-compatible systems. Previous programs from
Laureate were only compatible with Apple II and IIGS systems.

Laureate's president, Dr. Mary Sweig Wilson, explained the move
to IBM software production as follows, "We realize that a number
of special educators and speech-language pathologists don't have
access to Apple II computers. Many schools, facilities, and
parents have IBMs [therefore] we are pleased to offer a solution
to this community by converting our existing software programs to
the IBM platform."

Programs now available for IBM as well as Apple II formats
include: First Words, First Words II, First Verbs, Talking Nouns,
Talking Nouns II, Talking Verbs, First Categories, Words &
Concepts, Words & Concepts II, and Words & Concepts III.

Laureate programs require a Digispeech sound synthesizer, also
available through the company, and VGA or MCGA graphics-equipped
MS-DOS 3.3 or higher systems having 640 kilobytes of memory.

Laureate software has won many awards since the company was
founded in 1982, with some of the most recent being an award for
excellence by Technology and Learning Magazine, 1990, and Best
Special Needs Program of 1990 from the Software Publishers
Association.

According to a spokesperson for the company, Laureate speech
programs work only with the DigiSpeech synthesizer hardware, not
the less expensive Covox systems.

For further information, contact: Laureate Learning Systems, 110
East Spring St., Winooski, VT 05404, phone [phone] or 802-
655-4755.

(John McCormick/19910531/Press Contact: Terry Wright, Laureate
Learning Systems, 802-655-4755, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 HP TOP CHOICE OF ENGINEERS SAYS DESIGN NEWS SURVEY 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00003)

HP TOP CHOICE OF ENGINEERS SAYS DESIGN NEWS SURVEY 06/03/91
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Design News'
June 3 issue carries results of a survey of professional design
engineers which puts Hewlett-Packard at the top of the heap when
it comes to offering the most exciting and professionally
rewarding work. General Electric comes in second, while IBM, with
its long-time stuffy image, is ranked third, whereas Apple, with
a reputation for innovation, ranked number 11, just after Xerox,
trailing Disney, General Motors, and even Ford Motor Company.

As for the best location to work in, Los Angeles came out on top,
San Francisco and the Bay Area came in second, with Texas,
Seattle, Chicago, and Boston finishing in that order.

Those looking for a career might want to know that the survey
showed design engineers are generally a happy group of campers,
with nearly 70 percent saying their choice of career has been
satisfying or very satisfying and more than 90 percent reporting
job satisfaction.

Just who are these happy people? Well, first of all, only three
percent of the three-quarters-of-a-million design engineers are
women, most have a bachelor's degree, and thirteen years of
experience is average, with an annual income just a bit under
$50,000.

The results were taken from 1,000 replies to a December Design
News survey.

Design News is a twice monthly-publication of Cahners Publishing
Co.

(John McCormick/19910531/Press Contact: David Salyers, Salyers
Carman & Associates, 312-939-5599)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 NEW PRODUCT: SDC Intros Inexpensive Caching Controllers 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00004)

NEW PRODUCT: SDC Intros Inexpensive Caching Controllers 06/03/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Specialty Development
Corp. has announced that it has begun shipping Series 400 16-bit
caching disk controllers for IBM XT and AT compatible systems.
The new line of controllers, which provide much faster disk
access times than conventional hard disks without the software
problems associated with software cache programs, is priced
substantially below many other caching controllers.

Disk access times as low as 0.27 milliseconds are reported for
the new controllers, as opposed to times of 15-30ms for even
relatively fast hard disks without caching controllers. All
models of the Series 400 begin at prices below $900, including
controllers for IDE, ESDI, and SCSI drives. Other caching
controllers usually list for $1,200 to $1,600 for similar
capacity boards.

Series 400 boards come with 512 kilobytes to four megabytes of
cache RAM memory and can be installed in older systems to replace
the original disk controller without changing the hard disk
itself. The company claims easy installation because of an
automatic identification scheme whereby the controller detects
the type of hard disk being connected to it.

The new controllers also support two 5.25-inch or two 3.5-inch
floppy drives and forthcoming drivers will support up to seven
SCSI drives with capacities of 1.8 gigabytes each when operating
under Zenix or Unix.

MS-DOS systems with IDE drives can have a maximum of one gigabyte
of drive capacity connected using the current maximum 504-
megabyte IDE drives now available.

For further information, contact: Specialty Development, 1001
Capital of Texas Hwy. S., Austin, TX 78716-4017, phone 512-327-
8608, fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910531/Press Contact: Steven Leon, Technopolis
Communications, 213-670-5606, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 ORACLE SIGNS CASE EXCHANGE DEAL WITH SOFTWARE/1 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00005)

ORACLE SIGNS CASE EXCHANGE DEAL WITH SOFTWARE/1 06/03/91
REDWOOD SHORES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) --
Oracle Corporation is combining with United Kingdom-based
Software/1 to develop a CASE (computer-aided software engineering)
product called CASE Exchange.

According to the company, CASE Exchange will allow Oracle's
CASE development tools to work together with those from third party
vendors and provide an open CASE development environment.

Lisa Gillespie, spokesperson with Oracle, told Newsbytes that
the agreement is very important for the company as it "offers
more choices to CASE customers," and "will allow users to
utilize CASE tools from different vendors."

Oracle says that it is working with Software/1 to provide a family
of repository-exchange products which allow bi-directional data
transfer between Oracle CASE and other CASE products, such as
IEF, IEW, ADW, Excelerator, and Telon. With CASE Exchange,
customers will be able to tie together the disparate CASE tools
within their organizations.

Gillespie told Newsbytes that she expects CASE Exchange to be
available by the beginning of the next calendar year.

(Ian Stokell/19910531/Press Contact: Renee Taylor, Oracle Corp.
415-506-3114)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3  ****APPLE LAWSUIT WOES CONTINUE 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00006)

 ****APPLE LAWSUIT WOES CONTINUE 06/03/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- In a
suit filed against two former executives for allegedly misleading
statements they made about the company's ability to build its
own hard drive for Apple's failed Lisa microcomputer in the
early '80s, damages were awarded that could total as much as
$40 million, according to a report in the San Jose Mercury news.

Christopher Escher, spokesman for Apple, told Newsbytes that
the company "clearly disagrees with the verdict and will contest
it."

The damages were awarded against A.C. Markkula, a co-founder
of Apple, and John Vennard, the then-vice-president and general
manager of the company's peripheral systems division. The five-
week trial in the U.S. District Court of San Jose concluded with
the jury finding that the two executives' failure to disclose the
technical problems in the development of the drive led to losses
for shareholders totalling ten of millions of dollars.

After Apple's Lisa computer died a death, shares fell 70 percent
in value, and the company abandoned work on the drive before it
reached market.

In reply to a question asking if Apple should bear any responsibility
for not informing shareholders of the problems, Escher replied that
the "suit is totally without merit."

As a matter of interest, the Lisa is still being sold by at least one
company, Sun Remarketing Inc., of Logan, Utah. The company
now sells it complete with Macintosh Plus emulation software,
1 megabyte of RAM, and a hard drive.

(Ian Stokell/19910531/)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 FUJITSU/MCDONNELL DOUGLAS IN 4GL DEAL FOR ASIA 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00007)

FUJITSU/MCDONNELL DOUGLAS IN 4GL DEAL FOR ASIA 06/03/91
TSIMSHATSUI, KOWLOON, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- McDonnell
Douglas Information Systems is to port its PRO-IV fourth
generation computer language (4GL) to the Fujitsu K series of
mid-range computers.

"Initially Fujitsu will market PRO-IV with an English language
interface as part of its K series in Southeast Asia, the USA and
Europe," said Steve Wallace, McDonnell Douglas' director of
international marketing for information systems engineering. He said
the company also plans to release a local language version for
the Spanish market.

"In addition," he said, "Fujitsu will market a PC
version of PRO-IV in conjunction with the K series, as PCs are
often used as front end."

Wallace said the two companies are also working on other cooperative
agreements, and it is possible that Fujitsu will market PRO-IV on a
non-exclusive basis worldwide.

This is the second announcement this year of a joint marketing and
technology partnership between the two companies. In January, they
signed an agreement on Unigraphics CAD/CAM software.

McDonnell Douglas acquired worldwide rights for PRO-IV in 1988. The
latest version incorporates and interface to the company's CASE
Prokit Workbench.

(Norman Wingrove/19910531/Press Contact: James Tay, McDonnell
Douglas, Tel + 852 735 3886, Fax + 852 735 3502; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 ON-LINE CONSULTING LAUNCHES PC-BASED SYSTEMS IN ASIA 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(HKG)(00008)

ON-LINE CONSULTING LAUNCHES PC-BASED SYSTEMS IN ASIA 06/03/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- On-Line Group subsidiary On-
Line Consulting Ltd has launched a series of PC-based products in
Asia aimed at a growing industry trend of moving IBM mainframe
COBOL/CICS program development off mainframes to more productive and
cost-effective PC systems.

On-Line's Colin Moore said, "Turn round on compiles on a PC take
about one minute compared to about 20 minutes on a mainframe, and
table changes can be made in a matter of minutes, rather than lasting
at least a day on a mainframe."

On-Line is sourcing the systems from Realia Inc., of Chicago, USA.
"Realia allows you to use your existing PC workstation, regardless of
its size, to do all your COBOL/CICS development, modification and
testing and then upload the finished product to a mainframe for live
running," said Moore.

On-Line Consulting has so far made sales of the Realia systems in
Malaysia and Hong Kong.

(Norman Wingrove/19910531/Press Contact: Mike Dunn, MDL, Tel + 852
838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT +8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 SAS INSTITUTE CLAIMS STRENGTHENED POSITION IN EIS MARKET 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00009)

SAS INSTITUTE CLAIMS STRENGTHENED POSITION IN EIS MARKET 06/03/91
WESTERN DISTRICT, HONG KONG, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- SAS Institute says
it will strengthen its position in the Executive Information Systems
(EIS) market this year with the release of a new EIS software
development tool.

SAS' general manager in Hong Kong, Nigel Gasper, said "Software
developers now need more powerful EIS creation tools to build these
systems. We have decided to address this market with SAS/EIS."

Scheduled for production later this year, SAS/EIS is an applications
developer's interface to the SAS system.

SAS/EIS is an object-orientated approach to EIS development such that
the various processes that perform data access, management, analysis
and presentation functions are already defined for the user. The
applications developer can make any object a part of any application
simply by clicking on the appropriate objects.

Also included in SAS/EIS is a dynamic data dictionary for defining
attributes of EIS datasets and variables. Other capabilities include
an object-orientated front end for developing and displaying critical
success factor applications and extended graphics applications.

(Norman Wingrove/19910531/Press Contact: Nigel Gasper, SAS, Tel + 852
540 3160, Fax + 852 858 2658; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3  ****NEXT GENERATION COLOR FAX DEVELOPED BY NTT 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00010)

 ****NEXT GENERATION COLOR FAX DEVELOPED BY NTT 06/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Japan's former telecom monopoly
NTT has developed a beta version of a fax machine that can
handle color documents. It is said NTT's color fax machine
can transmit and receive the document with greater definition
and faster than current fax machines.

NTT's color fax machine uses a digital data transfer system through
an integrated services digital network (ISDN). The color fax
machine will be shown at Telecom '91 in Switzerland this
October.

NTT has also developed a color image data transfer system which
operates through telephone lines. This system uses a
digital still camera and a special digital telephone with a
small display and a color image data compression LSI chip.
Under this system, the digital image taken by the digital
still camera can be recorded on an IC memory card of the
telephone. Then, it is transmitted through the telephone
simultaneously with voice. This phone system is called
the "Telephotograph Terminal" and it is expected to be released
as early as this fall. It is based on the international still
color phone standard called the "JPEG."

Meanwhile, other Japanese electronics makers are also preparing
to be involved in the color digital transfer market. Sony will
market a digital still color-image transmission device in
August. Canon has also developed a prototype color fax machine.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910603/Press Contact: NTT, [phone],
Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 IBM JAPAN SHIFTS PEOPLE TO CUT COSTS 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00011)

IBM JAPAN SHIFTS PEOPLE TO CUT COSTS 06/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- IBM Japan has begun a
personnel reorganization in the wake of slumping sales of
its large-scale general purpose computers. No layoffs are
planned for the firm's 25,000 employees, but the company is
planning a major relocation of the employees. The firm will
dispatch twice as many of its employees to customer sites and
next spring will hire only half the number of university
graduates that it hired this year.

IBM Japan says it will dispatch as many as 800 employees to
customer firms or affiliated firms this fall. The dispatched
employees are mainly sales people and system engineers, says
the Nikkei newspaper. IBM Japan will also hire only 500 new
university graduates next spring. The firm has also lowered
the voluntary retirement age from 55 to 50.

Meanwhile, 1,000 clerical workers will be reassigned
to the sales department.

IBM Japan suffered a 21 percent decline in sales in fiscal 1990.
This is mainly due to the slump in the financial market. In
response, IBM Japan has apparently shifted the sales
strategy from large-scale computers to economical personal
computers.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910603/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-
3586-1111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3  ****FACSIMILE BROADCASTING TEST STARTS IN JAPAN 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00012)

 ****FACSIMILE BROADCASTING TEST STARTS IN JAPAN 06/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- The Japanese association of
Facsimile Broadcasting Promotion has started the experimental
broadcasting of fax messages through television.

Under this system, fax messages either in text or graphics are
transmitted to the users via TV stations synchronously with
television programs. The user needs to have a proprietary TV
set or current TV set with a fax adapter.

The association is making use of an unused part of the TV
radio wave transmission spectrum. So, extra data can be sent to
TV viewers at the same time.

This method is quite practical and, in fact, a similar service
is already provided in Japan. It is text broadcasting. The
service enables printed data taken from a broadcast program to
be transmitted to TV viewers who have the proprietary text
adapters. The information includes updated news, weather and
stock market prices.

Fax broadcasting uses the same method as text broadcasting.
It is expected that a fax broadcasting adapter for a TV set will be
sold for between 50,000 yen ($370) and 60,000 yen ($450) within
a couple of years. Currently there are four million
fax machines in use in Japan.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 OPTICAL LASER DISK BREAKTHROUGH: USING "GREEN" LASER 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00013)

OPTICAL LASER DISK BREAKTHROUGH: USING "GREEN" LASER 06/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Hitachi has developed a
device which emits a laser capable of producing an optical disk
with three times more memory storage than conventional optical
disks. It is called a green laser, based on its color.

The wave length of Hitachi's latest green laser is half that of
the current infrared semiconductor laser. With this short wave,
more detailed lines can be drawn on the disk.

The disk is made of a combination of yttrium, vanadium and
oxygen. On the surface of the disk, a combination of
tellurium, iron and cobalt is applied. Hitachi has placed an
additional layer of platinum and cobalt, making two
layers. This two-layer system enables the user to write and
erase the data indefinitely.

The 5-inch disk can hold whopping 1,500 megabytes of data. Hitachi
admits, however, that it needs more time to develop the product
before it reaches the market.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910603/Press Contact: Hitachi, +81-3-3258-
2057)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 MACLAND REPORTS RECORD SINGLE-MONTH SALES VOLUME 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00014)

MACLAND REPORTS RECORD SINGLE-MONTH SALES VOLUME 06/03/91
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Macland has reported
sales volume of over $1.8 million for the month of April 1991.
The company said it was the single largest sales volume month in
the company's history.

Macland, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a direct channel marketer of
hardware and accessories for Apple, IBM and compatible computers.
Direct channel marketers sell their products directly to end
users, usually through magazine ads. The company reported the
record sales month was a 75% increase over the same month last
year.

Michael Rather, Macland president, attributed the surge in sales
to continued growth of the company's Macintosh peripheral business
as well as increased IBM and compatibles hardware and
peripherals. Rather said higher margin PC sales are expected to
help Macland deal with continuing pressure on margins, which have
plagued PC dealers since the third quarter of 1990. "We've had
pressure on margins like everyone else in our industry group,"
said Rather, "but we rebounded strongly in the first quarter and
anticipate continued improvement as the year goes on."

Macland nearly doubled its staff during 1990, and reported
$13.3 million in sales for the year, up 57% over the previous
year. Macland estimates there are 5 million Macintosh machines
in use today, with 10 times that many IBM and compatibles.

(Jim Mallory/19910603/Press Contact:Jay Pfeiffer, Pfeiffer Public
Relations, 303-623-1169)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 AUSTRALIA: COMPUTERLAND NOT WORTH ENOUGH TO COVER DEBTS 06/03/91

06/03/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00015)

AUSTRALIA: COMPUTERLAND NOT WORTH ENOUGH TO COVER DEBTS 06/03/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- A report obtained by Computing
Australia newspaper reveals that Computerland in Australia was unable
to meet it debts internally, late last year. While the group was
worth $10M, commitments more than accounted for this figure.

The Ernst and Young report was commissioned by Computerland US in
order to demonstrate to US tax authorities why the parent company
was handing ownership to the Australian management team. The report
showed that bank debts, employee entitlements, taxation and other
obligations would have exceeded the company's worth, so the only
option was to continue trading. Computing says it believes,
however, that the company is still losing money each month, so the
situation is still uncorrected.

Nonetheless, management believe the group will show a small profit for
the current year, with sales of more than $100M.

(Paul Zucker/19910603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 AUSTRALIA: DATABASE AIMS TO CUT CAR LICENSE FRAUD 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00016)

AUSTRALIA: DATABASE AIMS TO CUT CAR LICENSE FRAUD 06/03/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- A new computer database system
in Canberra, Australia's capital, is aimed at preventing drivers from
obtaining licenses there after cancellation in their own state. While
seemingly an obvious step, up till now, there has been no cross check
of applicants.

When a driver lost his/her license, or had it endorsed, it was a
relatively simple matter to go to Canberra and obtain a license there.
Now, drivers licences will be cross-related to vehicle registration,
and then to other licenses, making it much more difficult to
defraud the system.

The database will operate on a Hewlett-Packard 9000 with 100
workstations on local and wide-area networks. The Unix system includes
equipment from Unisys, Novell, and Information Technology
International. The software is DBQ "similar to Oracle but much
cheaper. It's also Australian written and supported," said the
systems redevelopment manager, John Turner.

(Paul Zucker/19910603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 AUSTRALIA: DEFENCE DEPT UNIX MOVE UPSETS LOCAL UNIX GROUPS 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00017)

AUSTRALIA: DEFENCE DEPT UNIX MOVE UPSETS LOCAL UNIX GROUPS 06/03/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- The recent announcement of
the inclusion of Unix in the Australian Defence Department's Desine
computer contract has not pleased all of the local Unix pundits.
Representatives are claiming IBM's "preferred supplier" status will
effectively shut them out of the contract until 1994.

The Department has included Unix systems complying with X/Open's
XPG3 standard and Posix's IEEE 1003.1 standard. Although IBM
implementation of Unix, AIX, gained X/Open XPG3 accreditation in the
second half of last year, Unix International feels the companies it
represents should have more of a chance to tender for Unix system
supply.

Gary Jackson, chairman of the Australian chapter of Unix
International, said the companies it represents will be meeting on
the 5th June to decide what action should be taken in response to
the decision.

The contract will not "shut out" existing systems which can be
implemented on the stated standards. Currently, there are many
applications which the Department is hoping to port to the new
systems purchased under the contract. Due to the nature of IBM's
contract, its subcontractors (Techway and Terran) will also be
expected to supply compliant Unix hardware, which the Department
uses as proof that the contract will not shut out other Unix
companies.

Leon Webcke, assistant secretary of the information
systems branch of the Department, said, however, that the move to
open systems would not see a proliferation of suppliers and
brand names. This, he claims, would entail higher costs in terms of
multiplicity of service, support, and maintenance contracts.

(Sean McNamara/19910603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 AUSTRALIA: COMPUTING AREA TO SUFFER IN AMP BID TO CUT COSTS 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00018)

AUSTRALIA: COMPUTING AREA TO SUFFER IN AMP BID TO CUT COSTS 06/03/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- AMP, Australia's largest
insurance and superannuation company, is looking to cut its
AUS$1.26B Australian expenses by cutting its computing budget.

Initial savings are planned which should see an AUS$20M per year
drop in information technology (IT) spending by the end of the year.
Long term action, as recommended by AMP's management consultancy,
McKinsey and Co. should see the company saving another AUS$100M over
the next 10 years.

Although AMP is currently outsourcing parts of its IT services,
this will not play a major role in cutting costs for the company.
AMP has held off purchasing new equipment, despite being near the
limit of its computing resources, to see if the major
mainframe suppliers would offer good deals on the systems they
introduced last year.

Details of the cuts and changes have not been released, but sources
say that implementation of on-the-road systems would be increased to
improve efficiency in the sale of policies. The sources also said it
was likely that the number of processing sites around Australia
would be cut, and those which remained would be decentralized where
possible.

(Sean McNamara/19910603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 IBM TOP OF THE AUSTRALIAN COMPUTER HARDWARE HEAP 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00019)

IBM TOP OF THE AUSTRALIAN COMPUTER HARDWARE HEAP 06/03/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- IBM topped the list of
computer hardware suppliers in 1990 at all levels (by value) for the
first time in Australia, a report by IDC has found. Despite IBM's
strong local showing, it is not expected to retain the position as
prices slide and the number of systems offered in Australia
increases.

Overall, the market shrank by 11.9 percent to a value of AUS$1.6B
(excluding personal computers). Unit sales for the same period fell
by 26 percent. One of the strong growth areas in the Australian
market is Unix - the value of the Unix systems in the market rose by
29.4 percent in 1991, with the volume of sales rising by 70 percent.
By 1994 IDC expects that 20 percent of computer spending in the
Australian market will be on Unix systems.

(Sean McNamara/19910603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 MOSCOW: AI TOOLS REVIEW PUBLISHED 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00020)

MOSCOW: AI TOOLS REVIEW PUBLISHED 06/03/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- ComputerPress magazine, in its
fourth issue, has published a review of Soviet artificial
intelligence (AI) systems. 57 projects from 1980 until present are
documented.

The article by A. Stebunov, based on books and online
information available from the USSR State Scientific and Technical
Library, lists products in following categories: real language
processing, computer translation systems, speech recognition and
synthesis, image processing systems, application software for
developing expert systems, and examples of those systems.

The article states that most of those projects were made on
outdated IBM/360 clones.

Stebunov writes that TASS has had its own "AI" press clipping
service since 1983. The Soviet Union's biggest patent library
uses an AI computer system for automated translation of worldwide
patent abstracts, medicine and geology applications. Also, several
"special" or classified speech recognition systems are listed with
some technical data.

The article says that lack of support for existing products,
unavailability of high speed machines, and shortages of
knowledge engineering specialists in the country are responsible
for the slow progress in AI research.

Although some newer developments, such as Paragraph's handwriting
recognition and expert systems, missed the issue, the review
presents one of first comprehensive views on Soviet AI
developments.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 NINTENDO TIES UP WITH PHILIPS ON SUPER-FAMICOM'S CD-ROM 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00021)

NINTENDO TIES UP WITH PHILIPS ON SUPER-FAMICOM'S CD-ROM 06/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Kyoto-based game machine maker
Nintendo has signed with Dutch-based electronics maker Philips.
The agreement calls for Philips to develop a CD-ROM system for
Nintendo's best-selling game machine, dubbed "Super-Famicom."

Nintendo and Philips have announced that both firms will jointly
develop the CD-ROM drive unit. They will decide the format
of the CD by the end of this year. Philips will manufacture the
CD-ROM drive unit, and Nintendo will market the product in Japan
and the U.S. next summer.

With the new CD-ROM drive system, the quality of game software
for the Super-Famicom is expected to increase. However,
game software makers who wish to develop CD products will have to
go through the usual notorious red tape -- license agreements with
Nintendo concerning the development of CD-ROM software.
This is because Nintendo wants to retain all rights to the
products, -- a strategy designed to control the
quality of software.

Nintendo's deal with Philips is a bit of a surprise for the
industry, which was expecting Nintendo to agree with Sony on the
CD-ROM system since Sony is already close with Nintendo. Sony
developed the sound system for Super-Famicom, and there
was talk between the two firms concerning the development of
peripherals for Super-Famicom.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910604/Press Contact: Nintendo, +81-75-
541-6111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 UK: WORDPERFECT FOR WINDOWS RELEASE SCHEDULE REVISED 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00022)

UK: WORDPERFECT FOR WINDOWS RELEASE SCHEDULE REVISED 06/03/91
WEYBRIDGE, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Wordperfect U.K.
has confirmed that it has began alpha testing Wordperfect for
Windows. The company says it expects actual shipment of the
package to take place during the third, rather than the second,
quarter of the year.

The failure to stick to a previously announced release schedule
is unusual enough for Wordperfect, but even more unusual is the
announcement that the company has promised that the package will
be released on both sides of the Atlantic at the same time.
Normally, packages released in the U.S. take a few months to find
their way to the U.K.

"Our last official announcement of the expected release date for
Wordperfect for Windows was for the second quarter of 1991," said
Pete Peterson, executive vice president of Wordperfect. "This
prediction is turning out to be a little too optimistic but we
are making good progress towards release of the product."

The actual code completion date for Wordperfect for Windows was
April 26. "If all goes well, we should release the product in
August," said Peterson, adding, "Unexpected problems could push
the release date into September, however, given the fact that we
are this far along in the release cycle, we would not expect the
release date to slip into October."

According to David Godwin, director of marketing at Wordperfect
U.K., as the package undergoes the various stages of testing, the
company will issue further statements on its progress.

"We aim to be as forthcoming as possible with information on the
new product. Our customer's patience will be well rewarded by a
good product," he said.

(Steve Gold/19910603/Press & Public Contact: Wordperfect U.K. -
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 FIFTH GENERATION SYSTEMS OPENS IN U.K. 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00023)

FIFTH GENERATION SYSTEMS OPENS IN U.K. 06/03/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Fifth Generation Systems has
announced plans to set up its European headquarters in the U.K..
The company, which lays claim to being one of the fastest growing
computer utilities companies in the world, plans to appoint
distributors in 14 countries throughout Europe and initially
translate its products into French, German, Spanish, and Italian.

As part of the European push, Mike Tait, former vice president of
Unisys for Europe and Asia, has been brought on board as managing
director and will run the company's European and African
operations from new offices in High Wycombe.

Barry Nellue, president of Fifth Generation Systems, was in
Europe recently to sign up distributors in Italy, Switzerland, and
the U.K.

He commented: "We have succeeded because we make every effort
to understand the computer market and the needs of our customers.
We take the complexity out of our products to provide simple,
easy to use, load and forget utilities."

Tait, meanwhile, said that the company will be looking at a wide
variety of marketing and product support activities to get the
message across that Fifth Generation Systems is in Europe "and
that we mean business."

"Fastback Plus 3.0, the latest release of the company's flagship
product, provides the most complete and advanced features of any
MS-DOS Backup utility currently available. Later this year we
plan to launch network and Windows versions," he said.

(Steve Gold/19910603/Press & Public Contact: Fifth Generation
Systems - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3  ****INTEL PLANS TOUCHSTONE SIGMA, FASTER SUPERCOMPUTER 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00024)

 ****INTEL PLANS TOUCHSTONE SIGMA, FASTER SUPERCOMPUTER 06/03/91
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Intel
announced at the unveiling of Touchstone Delta at California
Institute of Technology, its plans to release the fourth and
final supercomputer prototype, Touchstone Sigma, by the end
of the year.

Touchstone Sigma is planned by Intel to surpass Touchstone
Delta in several respects, the company said. 2,048 parallel
processing units are planned in the parallel architecture
supercomputer, as opposed to Touchstone Delta's 528 central
processing units (CPUs). Parallel architecture is dividing
computing tasks into little chunks among a group of CPUs, as
opposed to the traditional approach of one CPU doing all the
processing.

Touchstone Sigma is predicted to perform at a peak of 150
billion instructions per second (GFlops). Touchstone Delta,
the supercomputer unveiled in Pasadena, performs currently
at the world record benchmark of 8.6 GFlops, with an
expected capacity of 32 GFlops when it reaches top speed.

Intel said, "While conventional supercomputers have slowed
in their rate of progress, the performance horizon for
microprocessor-based systems seems virtually unlimited."
Intel says the microprocessing supercomputing technology has
brought the question of TeraFlops computing - trillions of
instructions per second - from a "will we" to a "when"
proposition. TeraFlops computing is what is needed to solve
problems scientists have labeled as the "Grand Challenge"
problems. It is the Grand Challenge problems that require
the TeraFlops computing power, and whose solutions, Intel
says, are coming within reach.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910603/Press Contact: Mike Bernhardt,
Intel, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 NEW FOR PCS: Seiko Smart Label Printer 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025)

NEW FOR PCS: Seiko Smart Label Printer 06/03/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Seiko
Instruments has announced the Smart Label Printer Plus (SPL
Plus) for IBM compatible personal computers, and this one
has fonts.

The Smart Label Plus is said by Seiko to have a selection of
47 fonts, (11 type styles in a variety of sizes), at a
resolution of 150 dots per inch (dpi). The print quality is
said to be enhanced by overlapping the dots at the edges
(called microstepping) so the print quality is enhanced,
reducing "the jaggies" further than a normal 150 dpi would
allow.

The original SLP printer was introduced to solve the
problems associated with normal label printing problems on
regular printers, Seiko said.

The SLP and SLP plus both are dedicated label printers,
slightly larger on a desktop than a stapler, and print
exclusively 3.5 by 1.17 inch labels with even within another
application with just a couple of keystrokes and with
complete background operation, Seiko says. Both SLPs handle
labels for envelopes, file folders, diskettes, name labels
and bar-coded labels, the company said.

If a user already has a SLP, they can upgrade, but the type
of upgrade depends on how old the printer is. The older
printers need a hardware (firmware) as well as software
upgrade to print fonts, said Nichole Middleton, customer
service representative for Seiko. Information on upgrading
is available toll-free at 800-444-3120. Software only
upgrades are around $30, software and firmware upgrades are
around $40.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910603/Press Contact: Cheryle, Landman,
Nichole Middleton, Seiko, Tel: [phone], Fax: 408/922-
5835)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 EXABYTE NOW TRADED ON PACIFIC, CHICAGO EXCHANGES 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00026)

EXABYTE NOW TRADED ON PACIFIC, CHICAGO EXCHANGES 06/03/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- The Pacific Stock
Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange have both
announced the effective immediately Exabyte Corporation will be
traded on their respective exchanges.

Exabyte, located in Boulder, Colorado, manufactures high capacity
8 mm cartridge tape subsystems, suitable for mass storage and
backup.

Exabyte recently announced two new products. They were the
8mm data cartridge holder, a stackable container designed to
conveniently load, unload, index and store 8 mm data
cartridges; and Exapak, a data cartridge holder factory loaded
with nine Exabyte 8mm data cartridges and one cleaning cartridge.

In January 1991 the Exabyte board of directors had adopted a
preferred share purchase rights plan under which stockholders
received one right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of a
new series of preferred stock for each outstanding common stock
share.

Exabyte received its first format standard from ECMA (European
Computer Manufacturers Association). The standardization on the
8mm tape format was especially important to Exabyte in light if
its desire to market its product line in the post-1992 European
community. Exabyte reported that in 1990 more than 15 percent of
their products were shipped to Europe.

Exabyte was recently selected as a finalist for the Computerworld
Smithsonian Award in the business category. The award winner
will be announced in Washington, DC on June 10, 1991.

(Jim Mallory/19910602/Press Contact:Susan Solomonson, Exabyte,
303-447-7434)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 BoCoEx Index  06/03/91  Closing Prices Report

06/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)

BoCoEx Index  06/03/91  Closing Prices Report
for the week ending May 31, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 IBM PC 176               Floppy      200 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      450 -          450    400

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      575 -          675    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      625 -          725    600

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      750 -         1000    700

 IBM PS/1 Model 30        30 MgB     1150 -         1200   1100

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      550 -          600    450

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1150 up 100    1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1100 -         1450   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1200 -         1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     1600 -         2200   1400

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1300 -         1700   1300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2300 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3000 -         3500   3000

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Compaq Portable Plus     10 MgB      400 -          500    300

 Compaq Portable II       20 MgB      750 -         1050    700

 Compaq Portable III      20 MgB     1200 -         1250   1100

 Compaq Portable 286      20 MgB     1100 -         1350   1000

 Compaq Portable 386      40 MgB     2000 -         2100   1500

 Compaq SLT-286           40 MgB     1900 -         2200   1700

 Compaq LTE               20 MgB      950 down 100  1100    900

 Compaq LTE-286           20 MgB     1700 -         2000   1600

 Compaq LTE-286           40 MgB     1950 -         2200   1800

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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 386/33   320 MgB     5000 -         5500   5000

 Compaq SystemPro 386/33 240 MgB     6000 -         7000   4320

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 NEC PowerMate SX +       40 MgB     1300 -         1500   1200

 NEC PowerMate SX +       80 MgB     1400 down 100  1450   1325

 Zenith SuperSport-286    20 MgB     1000 down 200  1200    900

 Zenith TurboSport-386    40 MgB     1700 -         1900   1600

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Macintosh 512E           Floppy      350 up 100     400    300

 Macintosh Plus           Floppy      500 -          750    500

 Macintosh Plus           20 MgB      750 -          975    700

 Macintosh Classic        40 MgB     1200 -         1350   1050

 Macintosh SE             Floppy      840 -         1025    700

 Macintosh SE             20 MgB     1000 -         1150    900

 Macintosh SE             40 MgB     1125 -         1250   1100

 Macintosh SE-30          40 MgB     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2350 -         2500   2100

 Macintosh II             40 MgB     2600 -         2800   2400

 Macintosh IIX            80 MgB     3550 -         3600   3500

 Macintosh IICX           40 MgB     3100 -         3400   3000

 Macintosh IICX           80 MgB     3300 -         3600   3200

 Macintosh IICI           80 MgB     4050 -         4875   4000

 Macintosh IIFX           80 MgB     5500 -         6000   5000

 Macintosh IISI           40 MgB     2950 -         3400   2700

 Macintosh Portable       40 MgB     2450 -         3400   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      350 -          400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      850 -         1100    850

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 225 -          350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               2000 -         2500   2000

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                       800 -          950    800

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Toshiba T-1000           Floppy      400 -          575    325

 Toshiba T-1200HB         20 MgB      900 -         1130    750

 Toshiba T-1200XE         20 MgB     1300 -         1450   1200

 Toshiba T-1600           40 MgB     1500 -         1600   1400

 Toshiba T-3100           10 MgB      800 -         1000    700

 Toshiba T-3100           20 MgB     1100 -         1300    900

 Toshiba T-3100 SX        40 MgB     2400 -         2800   2200

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1800 -         2150   1700

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2700 -         2900   2600

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     2000 -         2300   1900

 Toshiba T-5200           100MgB     3500 -         3500   3200

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: [phone]. BoCoEx
Database is on CompuServe: GO BCE, on Delphi: ME BO.

Mellow Memorial Day Week

Boston, May 31, 1991 -- The spate of price cuts in recent weeks
took its toll this week as the holiday made a slow trading week.
Buyers reported that they are doing more price and comparison
shopping before they buy and they see attractive prices from the
new equipment vendors.  IBM, Compaq and Apple dropped their base
prices over the last month and the new gear deals of the decade
are putting pressure on computer owners to sell now.

It was not so much that prices dropped this week; three out of
five price changes were down, but traffic was slow with more
buyers shopping rather than making a fast deal at these prices.

In recent weeks the brand name clones have been market leaders,
and this week the volume leaders were NEC and Toshiba rather than
IBM, Compaq or Apple.  Buyers of the market leaders are
monitoring price declines and the ripples through the market.

IBM Products Strong Demand Light

Volume was modest this week on the most popular IBM models.  PS/2
Models 30 and 25 were popular with the Model 30-286 actually up
$100 to close at $1150.  The Model 25 was stable at $550.  XT and
AT technology continues to be in demand with stable prices
trading for $450 and $750 respectively.  In the face of cheep
clones, those are respectable prices of that age technology.  The
quality of the product is still evident.

Compaq Lags as Clone Wars Rage

The loser of the week was Compaq who saw volume decline on all
early portable models.  The 25 MgHz 386 models were in demand and
there was some modest trading, but buyers are waiting with Compaq
to see if there is any more price reaction to the clone battles.

The LTE with 20 Megabyte drive was off $100 trading at $950 after
months and months over the $1000 mark.

It remains to be seen whether Compaq can continue to be a leader
in the face of really solid clones from AST, NEC, Dell and
others. In the old days there was a distinct quality and size
difference that set Compaq apart from the clones, but as the
technology has homogenized, Compaq is left looking like one of
the mob.

Toshiba Soars

The Toshiba Laptops commanded the lead in the market this week,
with solid trading at stable prices.  The Toshiba machines are in
steady demand and have no close  competitor in their domain. No
Toshiba models showed price changes while demand was generally
strong.

NEC Machines Next

In an unusual spurt of trading NEC machines were the volume
leaders this week with the PowerMate SX Plus leading the way.
Buyers pressed sellers and the closing sale was at $1400 down
$200 from last week.

(Bocoex/1991531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3  ****AT&T TO DIVEST SUN HOLDINGS 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(NYC)(00028)

 ****AT&T TO DIVEST SUN HOLDINGS 06/03/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- AT&T and Sun
Microsystems have reached an agreement under which Sun will
repurchase a portion of AT&T's approximately 19 percent equity
interest in Sun. The remainder of its holdings in the
California-based computer company will be placed with
institutional investors. The move comes as AT&T prepares for a
final wedding with NCR, a Sun competitor.

Under the agreement, Sun will repurchase approximately five
million of AT&T's 19.1 million shares of Sun common stock at a
price of $36.25 per share. Sun said that the repurchase method
is part of its ongoing program to manage its share dilution by
funding its employee stock benefit programs through stock
repurchases. Most of the remaining shares are being purchased
by Salomon Brothers and will be resold to institutional
buyers.

AT&T stated that the transactions will result in a pretax
gain to AT&T of about $137 million. AT&T also said that it
expects to sell the balance of the shares at a later date

AT&T spokesperson John Skalko told Newsbytes that a reason
for the divestiture was its recent agreement to acquire NCR. He
said, "A rationale for the sale was to avoid any appearance of
conflict of interest as NCR sells its Unix products into the same
market as Sun."

Under an agreement reached in January 1988, AT&T had
purchased about 19 percent of Sun's common stock over the
past three years. Commenting on the relationship with AT&T,
Scott McNealy, chairman, president, and CEO of Sun
Microsystems, Inc., said, "We are pleased with this outcome.
Our relationships with AT&T in many areas remain strong as a
customer, supplier and technology partner, but with the
acquisition of NCR by AT&T, we both believe the equity
relationship is no longer appropriate. We were able to take
this opportunity to accelerate our dilution control efforts by
acquiring a portion of these shares to fund future issuances
under our existing employee stock benefit plans."

Robert M. Kavner, AT&T Group Executive for Data Systems and
Federal Systems, announcing the sale of the Sun stock,
emphasized that the action in no way reflects AT&T's view of
Sun's future prospects and said that the companies will
continue to buy and sell from one another and to have
important business connections, such as Sun's recent
investment in AT&T's Unix System Laboratories, Inc. He said,
"Given the interest both companies have in Unix System V
Release 4, we see many opportunities for us to cooperate in the
future."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Jane Biba,
AT&T, 908-221-4011; Kim Miller, Sun Microsystems, Inc., 415-336-
7583/19910603)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3  ****LOTUS PROMISES FALL SHIPPING OF 1-2-3 MAC 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00029)

 ****LOTUS PROMISES FALL SHIPPING OF 1-2-3 MAC 06/03/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corporation has announced that it will ship the
long-awaited Macintosh version of its DOS-based 1-2-3 spreadsheet,
which has sold 14 million copies, this fall, nearly four years
after it was first announced.

The Lotus announcement stated that the Macintosh version will be
fully compatibility with version 7.0 of the Macintosh operating
system and will make use of Apple's Data Access Language for
accessing data stored in corporate mainframes, minicomputers, and
departmental servers. Lotus had also added 3-D graphics and new
capabilities to the Macintosh version.

Lotus stated that it has adopted a feature called "1-2-3 Classic"
in both the Macintosh and Windows version which allows the
user to depress the slash (/) key and access the 1-2-3 menu, a
command that is familiar to users of the DOS and Unix versions. The
Windows version, scheduled to ship in the summer, also
features "SmartIcons," a customizable graphical palette
intended to enable users to automate spreadsheet
functionality and fine-tune their work environment. Frank
King, senior vice president of Lotus' Software Business Group,
said, "SmartIcons will appear in other Lotus products and are an
example of how our applications will work intelligently
together. User interface consistency beyond the conventions
defined by the operating environment will be vital as users
switch between information types in creating and exploring
compound documents."

King also commented on Lotus' direction with its spreadsheet
versions, saying, "The potential for making our software better
and easier to use isn't over with the delivery of new
applications for graphical platforms -- it's just beginning.
We're building new graphical tools into our applications on all
the major platforms, from DOS, Windows and OS/2 to Unix,
Macintosh and Next."

The Macintosh announcement was made at Lotus annual
meeting at which the company's focus on a strategy it calls
"Working Together" was discussed. Jim Manzi, Lotus chairman
and CEO, explained the strategy, saying, "Working Together is an
evolution of our strategy based on the concept of enabling
people to work together by linking disparate information
systems and environments, connecting people to information,
products with products, and people with people. It's becoming
increasingly clear that what personal productivity software did
for the PC in the 1980s, groupware -- software specifically
designed for groups -- will do for the network in the 1990s.
With cc:Mail and Lotus Notes for LAN-based mail and
communications and networked versions of our graphical
desktop applications, we are ideally positioned to drive this
transformation in personal computer usage."

Lotus also said that Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows will be available
this summer.

1-2-3 for Macintosh will cost $495. The Network Server and Node
Editions of the product will also be available in the fall.
International English, French and German versions of the product
are expected to ship simultaneously with the U.S. version.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910603/Press Contact:
Pamela Cay, 617-693-1305)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 JUN 3 IBM GIVES ELECTRONIC AID TO DOWNUNDER DEVELOPERS 06/03/91

06/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00030)

IBM GIVES ELECTRONIC AID TO DOWNUNDER DEVELOPERS 06/03/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 JUN 3 (NB) -- IBM in Australia has developed a
new service for Australian and New Zealand software developers and
computer services companies. IBM Software Services Organization, or
SSO club provides electronic access to the worldwide IBM Electronic
Services network.

Intended users of the new service are software developers, system
integrators, computer consultants, bureaus and other computer service
organisations. The service isn't free, but will include a number of
other components such as IBM publications, training courses and
electronic mail.

The system incorporates IBM's Questions and Answers database on many
IBM product streams. This is an open ended technical aid system, with
subscribers adding to the knowledgebase, and being accredited with the
information. Products covered include PS/2, RS6000, AS400 and all
software and operating systems.

For further information, contact: IBM SSO Club. [phone] or in
New Zealand, 0800-801800.

(Paul Zucker/19910603)


#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 MAY 31 Review of: Ventura Publisher Windows Edition 3.0, 05/31/91

05/31/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(SAT)(00001)

Review of: Ventura Publisher Windows Edition 3.0, 05/31/91

Runs on: 80286, 80386 or 80486 PCs with DOS 3.1 or higher and
Windows 3.0, 2 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM), a
graphics display and a mouse.

From: Ventura Software Inc. ("A Xerox Company"), 15175
Innovation Drive, San Diego, CA 92128, 800-822-8221.

Price: $795

PUMA Rating: 1 to 4, 4 being highest -- 3.75

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Lamont Wood

Summary: The Windows version of Ventura embodies all the power
of previous version, with the advantages -- and drawbacks -- of
Windows.

======

REVIEW

======

If there is a software package on the market that sums up the
power -- and problems -- of desktop publishing, it's Xerox
Ventura Publisher. If there's anything on the market that will
turn your laser printer into a low-resolution typesetting
machine, this $795 package is it. And now, there's a Windows
version.

Ventura is powerful because you have pretty much complete
typographic control of your document. And that's a problem
because it gives you more control than you want or need. If you
have any typographic background, things like being asked to
specify "kerning," the inter-line spacing of text or the widths
of inter-column rules in terms of points won't bother you. If
you want to finish a letter to the sales force by noon, it may
bother you a great deal, and rightly so.

But then, Ventura isn't intended for word processing -- you're
supposed to produce your text with word processing software, and
then import it into Ventura for formatting. (Ventura lacks basic
word processing features like search-replace.)

For formatting, Ventura pretty much pioneered the concept of
frames and paragraph tags. A frame is a rectangle you position
on the page as if it were a piece of paper you pasted down -- it
can contain artwork or text. (The basic "underlying page" is
also a frame.) Paragraph tags allow you to format text a
paragraph at a time -- you develop a list of tags, each one with
selected attributes, such as for the masthead, the staff box,
footnotes, sidebars, lift-outs, and anything other layout device
you want to use. If no tag is assigned to a paragraph, it's
"body text," and you can control the attributes of body text,
too.

Attributes like font size and style, indents, spacing and
justification are assigned to tags. Attributes like margins,
columns and background shading are assigned to frames. Once all
the frames are laid out and the tags are assigned, you can stand
back and watch the text snake through the columns and see how
the layout looks -- and make adjustments accordingly.

Previous versions of Ventura had run under GEM, the graphical
environment promoted by Digital Research. It was fairly fast,
but did not allow the kinds of things you can do in Windows --
switch between programs, or cut and paste between programs, and
use a print spooler so you can work in the foreground and print
in the background. Also, fonts installed for any Windows program
can be used by another other, saving hard disk space -- this
writer had about 10 megabytes of font files for his GEM version
of Ventura, which no other program could use.

All the features of the GEM version were present in the Windows
version (although the menus were slightly re-arranged) plus a
facility for creating math or chemical formulas, and network
support. The main difference was that the "toolboxes" could be
moved around the screen, instead of being lined up on the left
side of the screen. Since this meant they often seemed to be
lying atop the document and had to be moved aside, the new
toolboxes did not seem like an improvement. (Also, the Windows
dialogue boxes are much starker than GEM version, which display
some artistry.)

The Windows version has also added a few touches like
pre-selected line widths, so a newcomer needn't be in the dark
over whether to select two points or two picas for an
inter-column rule.

But the Achilles heel of Windows is speed. Running on a 16
megahertz 386 machine, watching graphics being redrawn on a
Windows Ventura screen after doing any horizontal or vertical
scrolling is reminiscent of the speed of the GEM version running
on a first-general 8088 PC. Fortunately, there is a command that
lets you "hide" artwork on the screen -- replacing them with
shaded blocks -- to speed things up. (Screen redrawing is not
exactly instantaneous on the GEM version, either, but at least
you don't get the feeling you're watching a learn-to-draw demo.)

Print speed is an even bigger problem. A fairly complicated
document that the GEM version printed in 3 minutes 40 seconds
took 15 minutes 30 seconds to emerge from the Windows version.
The print spooler was of no advantage since it retained control
of the foreground for most of that quarter hour. (With simpler
documents, where you are just sending text to the printer, the
printer spooler is of more benefit, letting you work in the
foreground while printing in the background.)

Another problem is the little extras printers look for -- like
the Em dash, the long dash used for punctuation, such as the one
in this sentence. Plus "smart quotes," which curl in or out at
the end of a sentence to enclose it. Ventura will automatically
convert typewriter quote marks to the correct smart quote, and
double typewriter dashes to an Em dash. But while the GEM
interface includes these characters automatically, most Windows
character sets omit them.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 3. All the power you except is there, but it's
chained to the slow speed of Windows.

USEFULNESS: 4. Probably not the last word in PC-based desktop
publishing power (that palm may go to IBM Interleaf) but it's
more than you may probably ever imagined you needed, at a price
comparable to other DTP systems.

MANUAL: 4. The manual is quite professional, and there is a
training workbook. Hand-holding is available through a $15 call
to a 900 number, or for $150 a year through an 800 number, or
through an ordinary phone number for "un-expedited support."

AVAILABILITY: 4. The product has the widest distribution of
any desktop publishing product, next to Pagemaker.

(Lamont Wood/19901228/Press Contact: Maria Trafficanda, Hill and
Knowlton, 408-496-6511.)
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 MAY 31 Review of: Practical Pocket Modem, 2400 baud, 05/31/91

05/31/91


(REVIEW)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00001)

Review of: Practical Pocket Modem, 2400 baud, 05/31/91

Runs on: Any computer with a standard RS232 serial port,
either 9 or 24 pin. Will not work properly on any port that
provides direct power supply voltage on the serial
connector, such as a Macintosh 128, or a Macintosh 512. The
manual explains that damage to the modem and the computer
may be the result of this sort of connection, and will not
be covered under the warranty.

From: Practical Peripherals, 31245 La Baya Drive, Westlake
Village, CA 91362, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone].

PUMA Rating: 3.5 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Linda Rohrbough, 05/31/91

Summary: This modem, that will fit in a man's shirt pocket,
is very suitable and a good value for use where portability
is a must.

======

Review

======

I was first attracted to this external modem by its very
portable size (3.5 x 2.25 inches and less than 1 inch
thick). I have occasions where I need to take a modem along
because the computer I'm carrying doesn't have a modem, or
I'll be using someone else's computer. I don't like
external modems because I'm jealous of the space they
consume. Internal modems have been my favorites because
they're usually lower priced, have dip switches that can be
adjusted (usually from the back of the computer), most have
speakers, and they don't require any more cabling, or a
separate power supply, or space on my desk. Of course, you
have to take the cover off the computer to install them,
which you don't have to do with an external, and they are on
whenever the computer is, so they can add to the heat inside
the computer.

This Pocket Modem 2400 Practical Peripherals Modem
(PM2400PPM) seems to be a good compromise. It gets its
power supply from the serial port of the computer it's
attached to, yet doesn't add heat to the inside. It
shouldn't require more desk space as no computer should be
jammed so close to a wall so this modem couldn't be
attached, as it would prevent the circulation of air out the
back of the computer. It doesn't have a speaker and I
missed it, but it has a command AT&W that can be sent to the
modem to turn on the "Visual Speaker," which gives you
feedback on the screen. The "Visual Speaker" took a little
getting used to, but I found it to be more than
satisfactory. It also had screws to secure it that had
knobs that could easily be fastened by hand. I appreciated
that.

I did see a couple of problems. One is I had to use the 25-
to 9-pin adaptor (included, thank goodness!) to attach the
modem to my 9-pin serial port. At that point the whole
thing is a little less than 6 inches long, and that could
potentially be a problem, though it wasn't one for me.
Another thing was some of the communications limitations,
listed as places where the modem is not compatible with the
Hayes Smartmodem 2400. For example, there is no synchronous
mode, only asynchronous communications are supported. I
understand synchronous communications are done mostly with
mainframes, and I have run across folks who have had a Hayes
modem get into synchronous mode under an unusual set of
circumstances, and start sending an extra 3 or 4 digits at
the start of each transmission every time it called anywhere.
(The modem, in synchronous mode actually stores characters
in an internal buffer.) And chances are if you don't know
what synchronous mode is, you don't need it anyway. Also,
there are no status lights on the PM2400PPM, but who could
see them in back of the computer anyway? There's also no
self-test. I didn't like that much, but the manual claims
the modem self-tests each time it is connected to a port
(where it receives its power supply.)

The manual was well written, but I felt tricked when I went
through the steps in it. It emphasizes going carefully
through chapter two first, then installing the modem.
Having installed many a modem, I just decided to whip
through it. I found it quite clear and easy to follow, but
you would need to know something about your
telecommunications software and about modems to go through
the exercises, although, if you were sharp, you could figure
it out. Where I felt tricked was when, after I had called
my own number and got a busy signal on the "Visual Speaker,"
I followed the instructions to redial my number, then
blindly went on led along by these successes to just have
the modem dial the next sequence, which turned out to be the
Practical Peripherals Bulletin Board Service, a local call
for me. I stayed online, as I thought I should have a look
at the BBS, but there's no command in the manual at that
point for how to hang up, so as a new user, someone could
potentially get "trapped" into having to go through all the
questions on the BBS, or have to reboot their computer.

Actually, though, in a way it turned out to be a rather
clever move on their part. When I tried to call other BBS
services later, I was much more confident in the modem, and
didn't feel as concerned without the sound to help guide me,
as I might have done had I not already successfully
connected to Practical Peripherals BBS.

I also had to change the command string my software sent to
the modem, as the Hayes commands for volume control seemed
to disagree with it, probably because it doesn't support
volume control.

The modem can also be set to auto-answer, and it can be set
to handle the various make/break ratios for pulse dialing
both within the U.S. and in the United Kingdom/Hong Kong.
The modem can also be set to acknowledge the "bong" tone
used in credit card calling, which is something I've been
looking for.

===========

PUMA RATING

===========

PERFORMANCE: 3 Once online, it performed flawlessly, however
the lack of a speaker was distracting.

USEFULNESS: 3 This modem is designed to be easily portable, and
that it does very well. As for cost, it is actually a little
less than other modems in its same class, and less than other
modems not designed for mobility. It only gets a 3 here
because of the 9 to 25 pin adapter, which almost everyone
with a newer computer will have to use, I think.

MANUAL: 4 The manual was well-done, educational where it should
have been, and professional in appearance.

AVAILABILITY: 4 I've started seeing these modems in stores all
over, but then Practical Peripherals is here in Los Angeles.
However, the Los Angeles market is very competitive in terms
of price, often 10 - 15% below mail order, so that still
speaks well of this company. The retail for the IBM
personal computer (PC) version lists at $159, and the
Macintosh version lists at $199, but I've seen the PC
version PM2400PPMs for less than $100.

There is only a toll-free number for sales, but the support
number is not hidden way down in the back of the manual
either. And a five year warranty on a product that has such
a potential for receiving abuse is nothing to sneeze at.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910506/Press Contact: Jim Clark or Lauren
Rauschenberg, Lloyd & Clark for Practical Peripherals, Tel:
818/990-1235, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW FOR PCS: Supermake Adds Networking To Force Language 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00001)

NEW FOR PCS: Supermake Adds Networking To Force Language 05/31/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Sophco, makers of
the database application generator Force, has released a tool
for simplifying the creation and maintenance of network-
based applications. SuperMAKE lets the programmer keep
control of a development project based on one or more
network nodes.

Force is one of many extensions of the popular dBASE
industry, and has become popular with high-end developers.
When a project develops beyond a simple two or three module
program, and involves many modules, often being developed
by different workgroups or programmers. SuperMake allows
the administrator to produce Makefiles which are text files
showing how the modules are linked and compiled together.

The end result is native machine code, obviating the need
for a runtime interpreter. In addition, Force is also
claimed to be able to compile many dBASE applications into .Exe
files. Force now includes the SupeMAKE utility, and
the whole package costs US$199, directly from Sophco. PO
Box 7430 Boulder CO 80306.

(Paul Zucker/19910530/Press Contact: Sophco ph [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 AST SETS UP TWO EDUCATIONAL COMPUTER LABS IN CHINA 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00002)

AST SETS UP TWO EDUCATIONAL COMPUTER LABS IN CHINA 05/31/91
BEIJING, CHINA, 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- AST has donated more than
US$300,000 worth of microcomputer equipment to Tsinghua University
and the Central Institute of Nationalities in China.

The donation was made at a ceremony in the Great Hall of the
People. It was organized through AST dealer Data Prospect
and comprises a mixture of AST Premium 286, Premium 386/25, and
Premium 486/25 Tower EISA microcomputers which will be linked
together to form local area networks in the two institutions.

The machines form the basis of microcomputer laboratories designed to
provide students with hands-on experience on leading edge
microcomputing equipment.

AST co-founder Tom Yuen, who was born in Shanghai and raised in Hong
Kong before attending university in the USA, said the donation
was in line with the company's commitment to supporting
technological development in various parts of the world through
the availability of innovative microcomputer products.

"As one of the major PC suppliers to the China market, AST is
honoured to be able to contribute to the mainland's computer
education by setting up these microcomputer laboratories," he
said. "With the wider popularity and acceptance of PC
technology in China, I am sure the new generation of Chinese
will continue to participate in the Four Modernisations process
through an effective utilization of leading edge technology."

Founded in 1911, Tsinghua University is one of the most prestigious
universities in China, renowned for its contributions to the
national research and development, high technology programs,
and its achievements with overseas institutions and industries
in joint research projects.

The Central Institute of Nationalities in China was established in
1951 and has recorded more than 30,000 graduates from various ethnic
groups in China. It currently comprises 21 faculties, offering
courses ranging from computer science and economics to law and
philosophy.

(Norman Wingrove/Press Contact: Clara Shek, MDL, Tel + 852 838
3889, Fax + 852 838 0886;HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW FOR PCS: Color Image Editing Under Windows 3.0 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00003)

NEW FOR PCS: Color Image Editing Under Windows 3.0 05/31/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Rix says its new
WinRIX package is the first fully featured tool for color
image editing under Windows 3 on VGA graphics. "It moves
the user away from the 256 color palette restraint and
allows 32,000 or even 16.8 million colors," says President
Richard Brownback.

WinRIX combines bit-mapped and vector graphics and is said
to be optimized not only for Windows 3, but the soon-to-be-
announced version 3.1. It incorporates multiple document
editing to allow the one graphic to be worked-on at a
number of positions simultaneously. In addition, it
supports full dynamic exchange with other Windows products
being run simultaneously.

Among the many tools are those for image sharpening,
softening, blending, and tinting. Global or spot
adjustments can be made to contrast, color or lightness,
either manually or automatically. Area selection is via
hand-drawn shapes, or predefined areas, with edge-fitting
algorithms.

Price is US$495. Support is provided for most color
scanners, graphics systems and (via Windows) most output
devices.

(Paul Zucker/19910530/Contact: Rix [phone] or in
Europe, ph [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 ATEX OFFERS AUTOMATED AD SYSTEM FOR SMALL NEWSPAPERS 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00004)

ATEX OFFERS AUTOMATED AD SYSTEM FOR SMALL NEWSPAPERS 05/31/91
BILLERICA, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Publishing
systems vendor Atex has agreed to distribute PC-based advertising
software from Systepo SyPress Oy of Oulu, Finland. The deal allows
Atex to offer medium-sized newspapers an alternative to its
larger systems, company spokesman Mike Akillian told Newsbytes.

The software, which runs on IBM PCs and compatibles, handles
order-taking, design, and management of sales and customer
information. Atex will market these IBM PC-based software products
to medium-sized newspapers as the Atex Advertising System 3000.
Atex said it plans to add other products to the System 3000 line in
future.

The agreement allows Atex to distribute the SyPress products
worldwide except in Finland. Atex will provide support. SyPress
will continue to develop the software based on Atex's
specifications.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Mike Akillian, Atex
Communications, 508-670-3099)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW FOR NETWORKS: SMC Marries Physical, LAN OS Management 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00005)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: SMC Marries Physical, LAN OS Management 05/31/91
HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Standard
Microsystems has combined its own Intelligent Hub physical network
management product with Cheyenne Software's Monitrix LAN management
software. The company said the result is the first product to
combine physical and network operating system management in one
package.

SMC Monitrix is the result of an agreement between Standard
Microsystems and Cheyenne announced last July. It works with ARCnet
networks running the popular Novell NetWare operating system, and
does not require a dedicated workstation.

Geof Karlin, director of marketing for Standard Microsystems'
systems division, called Monitrix "the best package out there to
complement what we've done."

Standard Microsystems said the new package has features not found
in Monitrix or other SMC Intelligent Hub products. These include
event alarms for hubs and ports, port-level security, and hardware
event logging, the company said.

The package is available now for US$895.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Standard Microsystems,
516-273-3100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 AGREEM'T WILL LET SIMWARE SUPPORT TOKEN RING 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00006)

AGREEM'T WILL LET SIMWARE SUPPORT TOKEN RING 05/31/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Simware has signed an
agreement with Network Software Associates of Laguna Beach,
California, that will let it extend its PC-to-mainframe
connectivity software to support IBM Token Ring networks.

Simware's SimPC line of software already supports connection to
mainframes over several kinds of media, including Ethernet
local-area networks, coaxial cable, and asynchronous and
bisynchronous connections, company spokesman Keith Travis told
Newsbytes. Later this year, he said, SimWare will announce software
based on Network Software Associates' technology to provide the
same capabilities over Token Ring LANs.

Simware will use software from Network Software's AdaptSNA product
line.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Keith Travis or Alison
Overtveld, Simware, 613-727-1779, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31  ****WORLD'S FASTEST COMPUTER UNVEILED AT CALTECH 05/31/91

05/31/91



(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00007)

 ****WORLD'S FASTEST COMPUTER UNVEILED AT CALTECH 05/31/91
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- The one-
of-a-kind Intel Touchstone Delta System, faster and more
powerful than any existing computer, was unveiled today by
the Concurrent Supercomputing Consortium at the California
Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena.

This parallel processing supercomputer, has already
surpassed the Linpack benchmark for super computing
performance established this March when the Thinking
Machines Corporation supercomputer beat the Cray benchmark,
said Dr. Jack Dongarra, author of the Linpack benchmark.
"It is surprising that Intel's machine, which was installed
only two weeks ago, would set the new world record so
quickly," Dongarra said.

The Touchstone Delta System, to be housed permanently at
Caltech, is composed of 528 i860 Intel processors, each of
which works on a piece of a problem, called parallel
processing, rather than the traditional approach of one
central processing unit (CPU) that does all the processing
work. The i860 numeric processors are on a custom mesh
routing chip in a rectangular array, as opposed to a hyper
cube arrangement.

The supercomputer is housed in the basement of the Booth
Computing Center at Caltech, and Newsbytes was able to get a
sneak peek. The flashes of light in a variety of colors and
changing configurations, across the approximately 4 x 10
foot front of the computer is not just a light show, but a
display of the network operations inside Touchstone Delta,
said Mike Berhardt, a representative of the supercomputer
marketing division for Intel.

Touchstone Delta, using so many CPUs working together, is
able to perform at the rate 8.6 billion floating point
operations per second (GFlops). Top speed is estimated to be
32 GFlops by Intel. The previous Linpack benchmark was 5.6
GFlops, set by Thinking Machines. Intel said a group of its
i386 CPUs are handling the input/output operations in the
new supercomputer.

The Concurrent Supercomputing Consortium is a group of 14 of
the most prominent research institutions who address the
most demanding computational and scientific problems.
Consortium members include Intel, Jet Propulsion Labs in
Pasadena, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA),
Purdue University, Los Alamos National Library, the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory. It is the members of the Consortium who
have financed the $27.5 million cost and plan to use the
Touchstone Delta System.

Paul Messina, director of the Consortium, said, "The types
of computational problems being tackled by the consortium
members led us to a unanimous decision. We needed more
computing power than anyone ever harnessed. . . The
Touchstone Delta is allowing researchers to conceive of
projects so large that they will take many hours of
dedicated processing time, even with the machine's enormous
speed."

The Consortium's list of problems to tackle include
modelling and simulations of global climate change,
visualization of scientific data returned from the Magellan
and Galileo spacecraft, aerospace vehicle simulations,
pattern recognition of DNA sequences within human genes,
modelling the human brain, searching through large volumes
of radiotelescope data for faint and complex signatures of
binary pulsars, and modelling of molecular processes in
natural and in contaminated systems to better understand the
behavior of contaminants in the environment. Gil Wiegand,
program manager of the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency said, ". . .quite frankly, as a consortium member, we
are very eager to get our hands on it."

The Touchstone Delta System is being developed by Intel as
part of its effort to produce a faster supercomputer to
bring to market hopefully before the end of the year, said
Bernhardt. "When we release the new supercomputer we're
working on, it won't be a paper tiger -- we'll have this one
[Touchstone Delta] to point to as the working prototype the
technology was proven on."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910531/Press Contact: Bob Fin, Caltech,
Tel: [phone], Mike Bernhardt, Intel, Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31  ****COMING CHIP WILL BE FASTER THAN NEW SUPERCOMPUTER 05/31/91

05/31/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00008)

 ****COMING CHIP WILL BE FASTER THAN NEW SUPERCOMPUTER 05/31/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Newsbytes has
learned from Mike Bernhardt vice president of supercomputer
marketing for Intel, that a chip 2.5 times faster than the
current i860 chip used in parallel processing in Touchstone
Delta, the world's newest and fastest supercomputer, is to
be announced in less than a week.

The next generation chip, rumored to be called the i860XP,
will be a 2.5 million transistor chip, as opposed to Intel's
current i860, a 1 million transistor chip, said Bernhardt.

Both chips are based on the reduced instruction set computing
(RISC) architecture. When asked if the new chip could be
placed in the new Touchstone Delta supercomputer, Bernhardt
said no, but new supercomputers planned by Intel are based
on the new chip.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910531/Press Contact: Mike Berhardt,
Intel, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 WAL-MART INSTALLS NCR 3000 COMPUTERS IN SC STORES 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(NYC)(00009)

WAL-MART INSTALLS NCR 3000 COMPUTERS IN SC STORES 05/31/91
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Wal-
Mart Stores has begun installation of NCR Corp.'s new System
3000 computers into its 10 Columbia-area stores.

It also announced that it will continue to update its in-store
technological operations in Columbia as well as 800 other stores
in South Carolina and across the country. According to Wal-
Mart, the installation of systems in all of its South Carolina
stores will be complete by the end of August.

The point-of-service (POS) machines of the Columbia stores
will be connected to Wal-Mart's headquarters in Bentonville,
Arkansas through NCR's System 3445 computers using the Unix V.4
operating system. The System 3445 was designed at NCR's
Liberty, S.C. engineering facility and is manufactured
exclusively in NCR's West Columbia plant. It is based on a 33
MHz Intel 486 processor and will replace Wal-Mart's current
IBM Series 1 computers as applications servers and external
gateways to Wal-Mart's satellite network.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Patricia
Dan, NCR, 513-445-5236/19910530)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31  ****RUMORS OF MACINTOSH 1-2-3 VERSION 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00010)

 ****RUMORS OF MACINTOSH 1-2-3 VERSION 05/31/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corp. is reportedly about to introduce a Macintosh
version of its 1-2-3 spreadsheet. Associated Press writer
Francis Hopkins said that the program may be introduced at the
Monday Lotus shareholders meeting.

The inability of Lotus to develop a successful Macintosh spreadsheet
has long been a subject of discussion within the computer industry.
Lotus had promised, early in the history of the Macintosh, to provide
a spreadsheet for the platform once Apple produced a 512K RAM
version of the system and, shortly after the release of the
"Fat Mac," Lotus introduced "Jazz."

Although there was much fanfare surrounded the Jazz introduction,
the product was considered disappointing by analysts and users
because it did not contain the full functionality of the MS-DOS
version of 1-2-3.

When Microsoft entered the Macintosh spreadsheet
market shortly thereafter with its more powerful "Excel" product,
it rapidly came to dominate the market and dried up Jazz sales.
Lotus withdrew Jazz from the market and promised to replace it
with a more powerful version to be named "Modern Jazz." While
Modern Jazz was developed tested and shown at trade shows, it
was never released for sale and Lotus eventually abandoned the
product, saying that it planned to developed a full-featured
version of 1-2-3 for the Macintosh.

Lotus has versions of 1-2-3 for MS-DOS, OS/2, Unix, Digital, and
Sun systems and has introduced a more powerful system for the
Next. It recently announced the abandonment of another Macintosh
product, "Marketplace," a CD-ROM -based collection of marketing
information. The project was dropped after over 30,000 persons
complained that such a product was an invasion of privacy.

The Associated Press story quoted Hambrecht & Quist Inc. financial
analyst Bruce Lupatkin as being cautious concerning Lotus'
ability to launch a successful challenge to Microsoft's Excel.
Lupatkin was quoted as saying, "Anytime a software company
has been delayed or has had as many problems as Lotus has
had with the Macintosh, it hurts. Whenever you're late in a
market that's dominated by a company as powerful as
Microsoft, you can't go in and tickle it to get sales. They have
to be very, very aggressive."

The Macintosh version of 1-2-3 has the dubious distinction of
being the longest -- over 40 months -- on well-known analyst
Stewart Alsop's list of "vaporware" (products announced but
which have not reached the market), a list published monthly
in his PC Letter newsletter.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910530)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW FOR UNIX: C++/C Language Compiler, V 2.1 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00011)

NEW FOR UNIX: C++/C Language Compiler, V 2.1 05/31/91
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Oregon Software
has introduced version 2.1 of its Oregon C++/C for the Sun-4
SPARCstation. The move signifies the first time the company has
ported any of its products for the SPARC-based processor family.

The company maintains that Oregon C++/C is compatible with 2.1
of AT&T and will track the emerging standards of the X3J16
committee of ANSI.

According to the company, the package includes a true
optimizing compiler that generates fast, compact object code
from C++ source. This allows for faster compilation, direct
debugging, and faster program development. The Oregon C++/C
compiler also includes an interactive source-level
debugger, a suite of libraries plus documentation.

Oregon C++/C offers three compilers in one and is switch
selectable for ANSI C, K&R C and C++.

A single user license fee is priced at $1800. Quantity discounts
and OEM (original equipment manufacturing) contract pricing are
also available. The company offers an optional annual technical
support contract.

(Ian Stokell/19910531/Press Contact: Nels Paine, Oregon Software,
503-624-6883)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW PC: 486SX From Acer 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00012)

NEW PC: 486SX From Acer 05/31/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Acer Corp.
is shipping the AcerPower 486SX, a system based on the newly
announced Intel 486SX CPU chipset.

The new machine includes features such as Cache BIOS, flexible
memory expansion, UltraVGA graphics and 15 different security
features, the company says, designed to safeguard users against
unauthorized use of the system and transfer of sensitive data.

The base configuration, running at 20MHz, comes with 2MB memory
on-board, an integrated UltraVGA graphics chipset offering
resolutions of up to 1024 x 768 (backward compatible with all
standard graphics modes) and a 1.44MB 3 1/2-inch diskette drive.
It includes MS-DOS, MS Windows, Acer Disk Cache Utility and a
PS/2-compatible mouse.

The machine offers a memory upgrade path with three SIMMs sockets
on board, offering a total of 26MB. The system is also designed
to utilize 16MB RAM chips once they become readily available,
the company says, for a future upgrade path of up to 98MB.

The suggested retail price for the base configuration is $2,745.
For more information, call 408/922-0333.

(Computer Currents/19910510)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW PC: Micronics 25MHz 386DX Portable Computer 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00013)

NEW PC: Micronics 25MHz 386DX Portable Computer 05/31/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Micronics is
shipping the Mport 325, a 25MHz, Intel 386DX-based portable
computer weighing 14.8 pounds. The AC-only system is the
industry's lightest and fastest 386DX portable, according to
the company.

In standard configuration, it features a paper white VGA
display, 4MB of system RAM, a 40MB or 120MB hard drive and
half-sized AT-bus expansion slot.

"We've designed the Mport 325 for computer users who need the
power, full-size keyboard and VGA quality of a desktop system
in a portable design," says Micronics President Frank Lin.
"For these users, battery-operated notebooks and
laptops are not a viable alternative."

The computer comes with a 1.44MB floppy drive and an 82-key
keyboard, measures 4 x 12 1/4 x 16 inches, and a built-in
international AC power supply. DOS 4.01 and Microsoft Windows
3.0 are bundled with the system. There are two serial ports,
one parallel port, one game port and a VGA CRT port.

The systems are available with suggested list prices of
$6,299 for a 40MB hard drive model and $7,499 for the 120MB
version. For more information, call 415/651-2300.

(Computer Currents/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 PLUS LOWERS HARDCARD PRICES 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00014)

PLUS LOWERS HARDCARD PRICES 05/31/91
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Plus
Development Corp. has announced a price reduction for
its best-selling disk drive, the Hardcard II XL 105.
Although the company hasn't released an official suggested
retail price, the previous suggested retail price of $999 has
been cut 13 percent, which works out to a new price of
approximately $869. Instead of a new suggested retail price,
the company has released a predicted street price, based on
dealer projections, of $599.

"By reducing the price of Hardcard II XL 105, we continue to
provide the most competitively priced, highest-performance
drives available through reseller channels," said Plus Vice
President of Marketing Karen Janowski. "The drive now
offers 9 millisecond performance at 28 millisecond prices."

"The product's explosive growth has been fueled by PC users
who need a bigger, faster drive when using disk-intensive
applications such as Microsoft Windows 3.0," said Bobby Lent,
Hardcard Product Manager.

For more information, call Plus at 408/434-6900.

(Computer Currents/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 RADIUS INTROS LOWER-COST FULL-PAGE MAC DISPLAY 05/31/91

05/31/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00015)

RADIUS INTROS LOWER-COST FULL-PAGE MAC DISPLAY 05/31/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Radius
has announced the Radius FPD, a full-page portrait monochrome
display for the Mac. Available immediately, the 15-inch, $895
list price display is ideally suited for use with the Mac
Classic and LC in environments where the ability to display
documents in portrait or vertical format is required, the
company says.

The new monitor is capable of displaying gray-scale images on
Macs with built-in video or equipped with a suitable interface.
It includes a non-glare screen and RadiusWare display utility
software. Also available is an optional tilt and swivel base.

The majority of software applications and desktop printers for
the Mac provide for the organization of document in standard
8 1/2 x 11-inch pages. For maximum productivity, users also
need to be able to view a full page on their display, the
company says. Full-page displays reduce or eliminate scrolling
and provide for easier proofing of page drafts, saving time,
effort and eyestrain for users, the company says.

RadiusWare display utility software provides utilities
including tear-off menus, enlarged menu fonts, a screen-
capture utility and user-settable screen-savers. On the
Classic and SE, RadiusWare software allows and integral Mac
display to be used with the Radius display to provide an
additional general purpose display area.

The suggested list prices for the display, Classic/SE
interface, 2-bit monochrome interface for the LC, and 8-bit
gray-scale interfaces for the LC, SE/30 and all Mac IIs are
$895, $295, $395, and $795 respectively. The optional
tilt and swivel base is $39.95. For more information, call
408/434-1010.

(Computer Currents/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW FOR MAC: Diagnostic INIT Monitors Mac's Performance 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00016)

NEW FOR MAC: Diagnostic INIT Monitors Mac's Performance 05/31/91
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- MicroMat
Computer Systems has announced the release of MacEKG,
a diagnostic INIT that administers a regimen of logic-
intensive diagnostic performance tests each time users boot
their machine, alerting users to changes caused by
alterations to their system.

The program logs previous test results, which are user
accessible through a control panel device, and uses this
information to track performance history and warn of possible
future failure. By learning and displaying the individual
system's performance characteristics and alerting the user of
any deviation, the software provides users with virtual
"gauges" to analyze how alterations such as the installation
of INITs, cdevs, and other modifications affect their system.
The product can also warn of possible corruption within
these items, the company says.

MacEKG performs 35 benchmark tests that fall into three
categories: Logic, SCSI and QuickDraw. System parameters such
as processor type, RAM, ROM revision, heap and boot block
information are recorded, displayed and assessed against the
parameter table. A digital voice announces diagnostics and
results when tests are complete.

The program is primarily aimed at the service technician to
perform "burn-testing" for pre- and post-machine repair.
It retails for $99 and is available direct from MicroMat
Computer Systems. Call 415/898-6227.

(Computer Currents/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW FOR PCS: PC With Windows Turns Into Color X-Terminal 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00017)

NEW FOR PCS: PC With Windows Turns Into Color X-Terminal 05/31/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- NetManage
Inc. has announced the availability of Hummingbird's HCL
eXceed/W XServer on NetManage's NEWT TCP/IP communications
stack for Microsoft WIndows 3.0.

Hummingbird Communications Ltd. HCL eXceed/W turns a PC
running Windows 3.0 into a color X terminal, the company says,
so that corporations and institutions that have embraced the
Windows 3.0 environment will be able to provide seamless
access to the Unix world.

NetManage's Newt for Windows 3.0 allows corporate developers
fast development of TCP/IP-based applications, the company
says, and relieves them of the 640K memory consideration.
It also allows independent upgrade of the application and
the transport package.

NEWT supports any network interface card that is based on the
industry standard NDIS and 4.3 BSD socket interface.

The list prices for NEWT and HCL eXceed/w are $200 and $545
respectively. For more information, call NetManage at
408/257-6404.

(Computer Currents/19910531)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW PRODUCT: External Laptop/PC-to-LAN Adapter 05/31/91

05/31/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00018)

NEW PRODUCT: External Laptop/PC-to-LAN Adapter 05/31/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Solectek
Corp. has introduced a new series of external LAN
adapters that link a PC or laptop to three types of LAN
cabling systems Q Thin Ethernet, 10Base-T, and Arcnet.

The adapters are designed to be "plug-and-play devices for
providing quick network access to all PC compatibles by
connecting to standard parallel ports.

Model LAN-10BT connects to 10Base-T systems using twisted-pair
wires and standard RJ45 phone jacks. Model LAN-CX connects to
Thin Ethernet and 10Base-2 systems with a BNC coax connector.
Model LAN-ARC connects to Arcnet RG-62 networks with a BNC
connector.

The company says inherent driver software supports Novell
Advanced Netware 286 and Netware 386, 3Com 3+Share, NetBios,
TCP/IP, IBM PC LAN and PC-NFS. The unit weighs 3 1/2 ounces
and measures 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches. A separate power
adapter is included. The suggested retail price for the
LAN-10BT and LAN-CX models is $499.95. Model LAN-ARC retails
at $399.95.

For more information, call 800/437-1518.

(Computer Currents/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW FOR PCS: ACT! Network Version 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00019)

NEW FOR PCS: ACT! Network Version 05/31/91
CARROLLTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Contact
Software International has announced the release of a
network version of its ACT! contact management software.
ACT! automates the contact and calendar information of people,
and incorporates record-locking so that users can have access
to up-to-date contact information by sharing common databases.

The software maintains a public or private schedule
for contacts in a shared database. Network users can also
create private databases, using a password option to limit
database access to authorized users.

Users can share standard documents like letters, memos,
reports and forms, while still having the ability to define
their own database defaults, including customized field labels
and pop-up menu selections.

ACT! Server Plus One sells for $595, and the ACT! 5-user
Network version sells for $1,295. Current ACT! 2.0 stand-alone
users can upgrade to the Server Plus One for $445, or to the
5-user version for $995. For more information, call
214/418-1866.

(Computer Currents/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 MICROSOFT CREATES SEPARATE EUROPEAN DIVISIONS 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020)

MICROSOFT CREATES SEPARATE EUROPEAN DIVISIONS 05/31/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation has announced a reorganization of its European
operations, which the company says is designed to enable it to
better respond to "the challenges presented by our sustained
growth and to the opportunities offered by Europe in 1993."

Microsoft says they will divide Europe into three regions, each
with its own director, with the directors reporting to Bernard
Vergnes, Microsoft's European VP. Vergnes is headquartered in
Paris.

The northern region, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland
and the UK, will be headed up by Rolf Skoglund. Skoglund is the
former general manager of Microsoft Sweden.

The central region will cover Germany, Switzerland, Austria and
all eastern European countries including the USSR, will be led by
Christian Wedell, previously general manager of Microsoft
Germany.

Michel Lacombe, former GM for Microsoft France will oversee
activities in the southern region, which covers France, Italy,
Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Holland.

Microsoft says it has more than 1,200 employees in the three
regions, which last year accounted for $546 million, or slightly
over 46 percent of the company's total retail sales worldwide.

(Jim Mallory/19910530/Press Contact:Tanya van Dam, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 MICROSOFT VISUAL BASIC FOR WINDOWS COMDEX "BEST OF SHOW" 05/31/91

05/31/91



(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00021)

MICROSOFT VISUAL BASIC FOR WINDOWS COMDEX "BEST OF SHOW" 05/31/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Byte Magazine has
named Microsoft's Visual Basic as the best new product introduced
at this year's COMDEX show in Atlanta. Byte editor in chief, Fred
Langa, characterized the software as the "best of the best"
selected from a field of hundreds of new products introduced at
COMDEX and Windows World.

Visual Basic also received the "Best of Spring" award for the
best Windows utility. Visual Basic is a graphical application
development system for Microsoft Windows 3.0, and combines visual
design tools with a general purpose programming language, as well
as a compiler to run executable (.EXE) files under Windows.

Microsoft President Bill Gates says he believes "many more
thousands" of Windows applications will be written in Visual
Basic. Forty-five independent software developers have already
announced and demonstrated more than 60 products ranging from
custom controls to add-on DLLs for data access and multimedia
applications.

Visual Basic will be available in June 1991, and carries a
suggested retail price of $199. Microsoft says German and French
editions are scheduled to ship in August, with other language
versions to follow.

(Jim Mallory/19910530/Press Contact:Sarah Charf, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31  ****PRAIRIETEK LAYS OFF ANOTHER 210 WORKERS 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00022)

 ****PRAIRIETEK LAYS OFF ANOTHER 210 WORKERS 05/31/91
LONGMONT, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Disk drive
manufacturer Prairietek has laid off 210 production workers,
citing increased competition in the market, their failure to
respond to necessary changes, and the loss of expected venture
capital.

This is the second major layoff at Prairietek. In February the
company reduced its workforce by 150 employees. According to
Prairietek's Carle Churgin, "One of the factors is the changing
requirements of computer manufacturers and the need to react
quickly. We missed some of those market windows."

The reduction will leave slightly over 100 employees at the
Longmont facility, and about 200 in the Singapore plant, which
opened in March. The company did not comment on the possibility
of cuts at the Singapore plant. Prairietek introduced the 2.5-
inch hard disk drive for use in laptop computers.

The company declined to identify the source they had been
pursuing for venture capital or the amount involved. Churgin did
say that other funding sources were being pursued.

(Jim Mallory/19910531/Press Contact:Carle Churgin, Prairietek,
303-772-4011)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31   ****OPUS SHIPS EUROPE'S FIRST 40MHZ 386-BASED PC 05/31/91

05/31/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00023)

 ****OPUS SHIPS EUROPE'S FIRST 40MHZ 386-BASED PC 05/31/91
REDHILL, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Opus Technology has
unveiled what it claims is Europe's first 40MHz 80386-based
microcomputer. Based around the AMD 40MHz 386 chipset, the PC VII
386/40 is billed as a system with power and performance of an 80486-
based PC at 386-based pricing.

"Opus has launched a leading technological product that offers
customers a combination of substantial performance benefits and the
proven reliability of the 386 microprocessor, which we believe will
continue to sustain its market dominance," said Martin Breffit, Opus'
sales director.

Over at AMD, managing director, Dave Brand, echoed Breffit's enthusiasm
for the system: "We are delighted that Opus is introducing this
40MHz 486 machine, the first from a European manufacturer," he
said.

"The new chip clearly illustrates AMD's strategy of providing products
with enhanced performance which enable its customers to differentiate
their products in this fiercely competitive market," he added.

The PC VII 386/40, which is available immediately, retails for UKP
2,699 for a twin floppy-equipped, 135MB monochrome system. According
to Opus, it is the first of a number of new product announcements
scheduled for the next few months.

(Steve Gold/19910531/Press & Public Contact: Opus Technology - Tel:
0293-821444; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 TELECOM GOLD OFFERS NEW BUSINESS INFORMATION SERVICES 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00024)

TELECOM GOLD OFFERS NEW BUSINESS INFORMATION SERVICES 05/31/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- British Telecom has enhanced its
range of online business information services accessible via the
Telecom Gold electronic mail service on a gateway basis. Recent
additions and improvements to the system include FT Profile, ICC
Company Information and CCN Business Information.

Telecom Gold claims to be the only online service supporting gateway
access to the new and faster version of the ICC Information database
which offers full text retrieval of company information such as
stockbroker reports, annual reports and accounts, as well as key note
market research reports covering 230 UK market and industry sectors.

Two additional options -- the latest Financial Times and market
research files -- are now available on the FT Profile gateway on
Telecom Gold. According to Dave Rosenbaum, marketing manager of BT's
premium services, BT's aim is to provide a comprehensive one-stop shop
if business information services.

"Our aim us to offer the merchandise of the industry's leading
suppliers, and catering for today's business needs, with services
ranging from credit checking to market analysis," he said. "Our
customers have asked for these new services and we're delighted to be
able to deliver them, thus enhancing Telecom Gold's position as a
leading online information source."

Further information on the new services can be obtained online on
Telecom Gold by keying INFO BUSINESS at the `>' prompt. Non-Telecom
Gold subscribers can obtain more information by calling
0800-200-700 (toll-free in the U.K.)

(Steve Gold/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 NEW PC IN UK: Trigem Low-Cost Notebook 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00025)

NEW PC IN UK: Trigem Low-Cost Notebook 05/31/91
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Trigem Computers
has launched its first notebook product -- the Trigem 286NP --
a low-cost, full function 80C286-based system running at 16MHz.

Pricing starts at UKP 1,099 for a complete system, tipping the scales
at seven pounds with battery, and measuring 1.8 x 11.8 x 9.8
inches. The machine comes standard with 1MB of RAM, expandable
to 5MB onboard, a 20MB hard disk and single 3.5-inch 1.44MB
floppy drive. Also bundled within this price tag is a copy
of DOS v4.01.

Announcing the availability of the notebook PC, Sarah Alexander,
Trigem's marketing manager, said that the unit is the first of a
series of machine launches in the U.K.

"Low-cost Korean manufacturing is allowing us to price our first
notebook very aggressively, a factor that will be attractive to cost-
conscious corporate PC buyers who are increasingly prepared to look
beyond the brand leaders when sourcing high quality PC products," she
said.

The screen on the 286NP is a 640 x 480 pixel VGA double supertwist
sidelit liquid crystal display (LCD) to eliminate backlight glare, the
company claims. It hinges open to reveal an 82-key keyboard. Suspend,
resume and contrast controls are fitted as standard on the machine.

Also supplied as standard on the 286NP is free lifetime use of
Trigem's technical support hotline, 12 months parts and labour
warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee. On-site maintenance is
available for UKP 95 a year.

(Steve Gold/19910531/Press & Public Contact: Trigem Computers - Tel:
0753-810808)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 UK: TRIGEM UNVEILS SUB-UKP 4000 EISA TOWER SYSTEM 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00026)

UK: TRIGEM UNVEILS SUB-UKP 4000 EISA TOWER SYSTEM 05/31/91
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Trigem Computers has
halved the cost and uprated the specification of its 486XE tower-
based EISA (extended industry system architecture) system. The 33MHz
80486-based EISA system -- configured with 8MB of RAM, colour VGA and
a 337MB hard disk -- now costs UKP 3,799.

This pricing level, the company claims, is far less than the
competition such as the Dell 433TE (UKP 6,549), Compaq's Systempro 486
(UKP 14,910), AST's Premium 486 33TE (UKP 6,655) and the Tandon Tower
486/33 (UKP 7,199).

"Manufacturers have been chasing an outrageous premium for 486-based
systems by pretending they are still rate and exotic, when in fact the
486 has become a commodity component of high-performance PCs," said
Sarah Alexander, Trigem UK's marketing manager.

Other features of the 486XE, which is shipping now, include an 8K RAM
disk caching system (expandable to 256K) and support for up to 64MB of
onboard RAM. Hard disk capacity on the machine, which supports
multiple operating systems - MS-DOS 4.01, OS/2, Xenix or Unix -- can
be boosted to 2,600MB.

(Steve Gold/19910531/Press & Public Contact: Trigem Computers - Tel:
0753-810808)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/31/91

05/31/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00027)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/31/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

May's DEC Professional looks at PSSIX in the VMS environment,
FDDI, and whether OSI and TCP/IP can coexist.

UnixWorld for June reviews SPARCstation2 and carries an interview
with Walter DeBacker, director of informatics for the European
Commission - reportedly the most powerful Open Systems user in
Europe.

May's IEEE Spectrum looks at the birth of CMOS technology, global
positioning for automobiles near London, and how notebook
computers are designed.

The May 25th Science News carries three stories on the basic
physics of microchips and other computer-related technologies on
page 335.

May 27th's Network World tests network routers.

This week's ComputerWorld carries a front-page story saying that
IBM plans a stronger push to have customers upgrade from ATs to
386-based platforms. Also on the front page is a look at the
revamping of the American Red Cross's information services, while
a product spotlight feature looks at Simple Network Management
Protocol LAN systems.

July's ComputerCraft, formerly Modern Electronics, looks at how
to upgrade your 286 to a 386, circuit design software for printed
circuit boards, and how to use nonvolatile memory ICs like
EPROMS.

Computer Language for June looks at 24 source code editors and
The Iliad Group's PI Edit gets high marks. Other interesting
articles include one on reverse engineering of code and another
on how to prevent others from reverse engineering your own code.

May 27's InformationWeek asks the burning question, "Is Big Blue
Going Soft?" but is only asking if IBM is downplaying the nearly
saturated hardware market and starting to emphasize software.

June's Data Based Advisor looks at Clipper 5.0 and FoxPro version
2.0.

The Seybold Report on Publishing Systems dated May 29 looks at
the need for still speedier PostScript controllers and previews
the '91 ANPA newspaper equipment show which will run from June 8
through 12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

(John McCormick/19910531)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 IBM'S AKERS SHOULD RESIGN - Editorial by D.Blankenhorn 05/31/91

05/31/91


(EDITORIAL)(IBM)(ATL)(00028)

IBM'S AKERS SHOULD RESIGN - Editorial by D.Blankenhorn 05/31/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 31 (NB) -- IBM Chairman
John Akers made big news this week when word leaked
that he has taken to criticizing employees en masse for
complacency. "The tension level is not high enough in the
business," he was quoted as saying. Akers indicated that if sales
reps lose sales, or if engineers miss deadlines, they should be
fired.

He should take his own advice, and quit.

Let's admit from the outset that the chairman of IBM, like the
head of any large organization, is not your average entrepreneur.
Making it to the top of a chain of command requires different
stuff than it takes to build a business -- you must learn to
master bureaucracy. And any large organization requires a
bureaucracy in order to function.

But that doesn't mean the top man must be a loser who blames the
troops for his own failures. Bureaucrats can be national heroes.
For examples, look no further than Norman Schwartzkopf and Colin
Powell. The genius of the Gulf War was their ability to get a
giant bureaucracy to move in furtherance of a clearly defined
goal.

That's the job of any top bureaucrat. Given that yardstick, John
Akers' 9-year run at the helm of IBM has been a complete and
utter failure. For which he's now blaming others.

It's true that the world has changed on IBM, and most
bureaucracies don't have to deal with the kinds of changes which
have roiled the computer industry the last 9 years. But IBM has
been behind the curve consistently -- on laptops, on Unix, on
lower-priced PCs, on workstations, and on and on. The company's
acquisition of Rolm, the PBX maker, was a colossal flop. The only
moves which IBM has made in the last 10 years which worked --
creating the PC and the R6000 -- were forced on it, and done by
small groups working outside normal channels.

Under John Akers, IBM's hardware market share has slipped from
35% to under 25%, its earnings have declined, its employment
level has slipped, and its stock price has gone nowhere. If an
IBM middle-manager had the same things happen within their group,
they would be fired.

To survive as a giant company, IBM must change. It must reduce
the number of levels of management between the shop floor and the
top. It must use the technology it builds to manage itself more
efficiently. It has to come up with leading edge products faster,
and at more attractive prices, while keeping the labs humming.
IBM salesmen must listen to their customers first, and their
bosses second.

But John Akers won't be able to handle that transition. When a
general starts blaming the troops for losing the war, it's time
he got out of the battle. And if John Akers won't quit, IBM's
board should do its duty to stockholders and fire him.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910531)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 Review of: Practical Pocket Modem, 2400 baud, 05/31/91

05/31/91

(REVIEW)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00029)

Review of: Practical Pocket Modem, 2400 baud, 05/31/91

Runs on: Any computer with a standard RS232 serial port,
either 9 or 24 pin. Will not work properly on any port that
provides direct power supply voltage on the serial
connector, such as a Macintosh 128, or a Macintosh 512. The
manual explains that damage to the modem and the computer
may be the result of this sort of connection, and will not
be covered under the warranty.

From: Practical Peripherals, 31245 La Baya Drive, Westlake
Village, CA 91362, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone].

PUMA Rating: 3.5 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Linda Rohrbough, 05/31/91

Summary: This modem, that will fit in a man's shirt pocket,
is very suitable and a good value for use where portability
is a must.

======

Review

======

I was first attracted to this external modem by its very
portable size (3.5 x 2.25 inches and less than 1 inch
thick). I have occasions where I need to take a modem along
because the computer I'm carrying doesn't have a modem, or
I'll be using someone else's computer. I don't like
external modems because I'm jealous of the space they
consume. Internal modems have been my favorites because
they're usually lower priced, have dip switches that can be
adjusted (usually from the back of the computer), most have
speakers, and they don't require any more cabling, or a
separate power supply, or space on my desk. Of course, you
have to take the cover off the computer to install them,
which you don't have to do with an external, and they are on
whenever the computer is, so they can add to the heat inside
the computer.

This Pocket Modem 2400 Practical Peripherals Modem
(PM2400PPM) seems to be a good compromise. It gets its
power supply from the serial port of the computer it's
attached to, yet doesn't add heat to the inside. It
shouldn't require more desk space as no computer should be
jammed so close to a wall so this modem couldn't be
attached, as it would prevent the circulation of air out the
back of the computer. It doesn't have a speaker and I
missed it, but it has a command AT&W that can be sent to the
modem to turn on the "Visual Speaker," which gives you
feedback on the screen. The "Visual Speaker" took a little
getting used to, but I found it to be more than
satisfactory. It also had screws to secure it that had
knobs that could easily be fastened by hand. I appreciated
that.

I did see a couple of problems. One is I had to use the 25-
to 9-pin adaptor (included, thank goodness!) to attach the
modem to my 9-pin serial port. At that point the whole
thing is a little less than 6 inches long, and that could
potentially be a problem, though it wasn't one for me.
Another thing was some of the communications limitations,
listed as places where the modem is not compatible with the
Hayes Smartmodem 2400. For example, there is no synchronous
mode, only asynchronous communications are supported. I
understand synchronous communications are done mostly with
mainframes, and I have run across folks who have had a Hayes
modem get into synchronous mode under an unusual set of
circumstances, and start sending an extra 3 or 4 digits at
the start of each transmission every time it called anywhere.
(The modem, in synchronous mode actually stores characters
in an internal buffer.) And chances are if you don't know
what synchronous mode is, you don't need it anyway. Also,
there are no status lights on the PM2400PPM, but who could
see them in back of the computer anyway? There's also no
self-test. I didn't like that much, but the manual claims
the modem self-tests each time it is connected to a port
(where it receives its power supply.)

The manual was well written, but I felt tricked when I went
through the steps in it. It emphasizes going carefully
through chapter two first, then installing the modem.
Having installed many a modem, I just decided to whip
through it. I found it quite clear and easy to follow, but
you would need to know something about your
telecommunications software and about modems to go through
the exercises, although, if you were sharp, you could figure
it out. Where I felt tricked was when, after I had called
my own number and got a busy signal on the "Visual Speaker,"
I followed the instructions to redial my number, then
blindly went on led along by these successes to just have
the modem dial the next sequence, which turned out to be the
Practical Peripherals Bulletin Board Service, a local call
for me. I stayed online, as I thought I should have a look
at the BBS, but there's no command in the manual at that
point for how to hang up, so as a new user, someone could
potentially get "trapped" into having to go through all the
questions on the BBS, or have to reboot their computer.

Actually, though, in a way it turned out to be a rather
clever move on their part. When I tried to call other BBS
services later, I was much more confident in the modem, and
didn't feel as concerned without the sound to help guide me,
as I might have done had I not already successfully
connected to Practical Peripherals BBS.

I also had to change the command string my software sent to
the modem, as the Hayes commands for volume control seemed
to disagree with it, probably because it doesn't support
volume control.

The modem can also be set to auto-answer, and it can be set
to handle the various make/break ratios for pulse dialing
both within the U.S. and in the United Kingdom/Hong Kong.
The modem can also be set to acknowledge the "bong" tone
used in credit card calling, which is something I've been
looking for.

===========

PUMA RATING

===========

PERFORMANCE: 3 Once online, it performed flawlessly, however
the lack of a speaker was distracting.

USEFULNESS: 3 This modem is designed to be easily portable, and
that it does very well. As for cost, it is actually a little
less than other modems in its same class, and less than other
modems not designed for mobility. It only gets a 3 here
because of the 9 to 25 pin adapter, which almost everyone
with a newer computer will have to use, I think.

MANUAL: 4 The manual was well-done, educational where it should
have been, and professional in appearance.

AVAILABILITY: 4 I've started seeing these modems in stores all
over, but then Practical Peripherals is here in Los Angeles.
However, the Los Angeles market is very competitive in terms
of price, often 10 - 15% below mail order, so that still
speaks well of this company. The retail for the IBM
personal computer (PC) version lists at $159, and the
Macintosh version lists at $199, but I've seen the PC
version PM2400PPMs for less than $100.

There is only a toll-free number for sales, but the support
number is not hidden way down in the back of the manual
either. And a five year warranty on a product that has such
a potential for receiving abuse is nothing to sneeze at.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910506/Press Contact: Jim Clark or Lauren
Rauschenberg, Lloyd & Clark for Practical Peripherals, Tel:
818/990-1235, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 31 Review of: Ventura Publisher Windows Edition 3.0, 05/31/91

05/31/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(SAT)(00030)

Review of: Ventura Publisher Windows Edition 3.0, 05/31/91

Runs on: 80286, 80386 or 80486 PCs with DOS 3.1 or higher and
Windows 3.0, 2 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM), a
graphics display and a mouse.

From: Ventura Software Inc. ("A Xerox Company"), 15175
Innovation Drive, San Diego, CA 92128, 800-822-8221.

Price: $795

PUMA Rating: 1 to 4, 4 being highest -- 3.75

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Lamont Wood

Summary: The Windows version of Ventura embodies all the power
of previous version, with the advantages -- and drawbacks -- of
Windows.

======

REVIEW

======

If there is a software package on the market that sums up the
power -- and problems -- of desktop publishing, it's Xerox
Ventura Publisher. If there's anything on the market that will
turn your laser printer into a low-resolution typesetting
machine, this $795 package is it. And now, there's a Windows
version.

Ventura is powerful because you have pretty much complete
typographic control of your document. And that's a problem
because it gives you more control than you want or need. If you
have any typographic background, things like being asked to
specify "kerning," the inter-line spacing of text or the widths
of inter-column rules in terms of points won't bother you. If
you want to finish a letter to the sales force by noon, it may
bother you a great deal, and rightly so.

But then, Ventura isn't intended for word processing -- you're
supposed to produce your text with word processing software, and
then import it into Ventura for formatting. (Ventura lacks basic
word processing features like search-replace.)

For formatting, Ventura pretty much pioneered the concept of
frames and paragraph tags. A frame is a rectangle you position
on the page as if it were a piece of paper you pasted down -- it
can contain artwork or text. (The basic "underlying page" is
also a frame.) Paragraph tags allow you to format text a
paragraph at a time -- you develop a list of tags, each one with
selected attributes, such as for the masthead, the staff box,
footnotes, sidebars, lift-outs, and anything other layout device
you want to use. If no tag is assigned to a paragraph, it's
"body text," and you can control the attributes of body text,
too.

Attributes like font size and style, indents, spacing and
justification are assigned to tags. Attributes like margins,
columns and background shading are assigned to frames. Once all
the frames are laid out and the tags are assigned, you can stand
back and watch the text snake through the columns and see how
the layout looks -- and make adjustments accordingly.

Previous versions of Ventura had run under GEM, the graphical
environment promoted by Digital Research. It was fairly fast,
but did not allow the kinds of things you can do in Windows --
switch between programs, or cut and paste between programs, and
use a print spooler so you can work in the foreground and print
in the background. Also, fonts installed for any Windows program
can be used by another other, saving hard disk space -- this
writer had about 10 megabytes of font files for his GEM version
of Ventura, which no other program could use.

All the features of the GEM version were present in the Windows
version (although the menus were slightly re-arranged) plus a
facility for creating math or chemical formulas, and network
support. The main difference was that the "toolboxes" could be
moved around the screen, instead of being lined up on the left
side of the screen. Since this meant they often seemed to be
lying atop the document and had to be moved aside, the new
toolboxes did not seem like an improvement. (Also, the Windows
dialogue boxes are much starker than GEM version, which display
some artistry.)

The Windows version has also added a few touches like
pre-selected line widths, so a newcomer needn't be in the dark
over whether to select two points or two picas for an
inter-column rule.

But the Achilles heel of Windows is speed. Running on a 16
megahertz 386 machine, watching graphics being redrawn on a
Windows Ventura screen after doing any horizontal or vertical
scrolling is reminiscent of the speed of the GEM version running
on a first-general 8088 PC. Fortunately, there is a command that
lets you "hide" artwork on the screen -- replacing them with
shaded blocks -- to speed things up. (Screen redrawing is not
exactly instantaneous on the GEM version, either, but at least
you don't get the feeling you're watching a learn-to-draw demo.)

Print speed is an even bigger problem. A fairly complicated
document that the GEM version printed in 3 minutes 40 seconds
took 15 minutes 30 seconds to emerge from the Windows version.
The print spooler was of no advantage since it retained control
of the foreground for most of that quarter hour. (With simpler
documents, where you are just sending text to the printer, the
printer spooler is of more benefit, letting you work in the
foreground while printing in the background.)

Another problem is the little extras printers look for -- like
the Em dash, the long dash used for punctuation, such as the one
in this sentence. Plus "smart quotes," which curl in or out at
the end of a sentence to enclose it. Ventura will automatically
convert typewriter quote marks to the correct smart quote, and
double typewriter dashes to an Em dash. But while the GEM
interface includes these characters automatically, most Windows
character sets omit them.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 3. All the power you except is there, but it's
chained to the slow speed of Windows.

USEFULNESS: 4. Probably not the last word in PC-based desktop
publishing power (that palm may go to IBM Interleaf) but it's
more than you may probably ever imagined you needed, at a price
comparable to other DTP systems.

MANUAL: 4. The manual is quite professional, and there is a
training workbook. Hand-holding is available through a $15 call
to a 900 number, or for $150 a year through an 800 number, or
through an ordinary phone number for "un-expedited support."

AVAILABILITY: 4. The product has the widest distribution of
any desktop publishing product, next to Pagemaker.

(Lamont Wood/19901228/Press Contact: Maria Trafficanda, Hill and
Knowlton, 408-496-6511.)

#ENDCARD





#CARD::1991 MAY 30 AUSTRALIA: APPLE OFFERS READY-TO-RUN BUSINESS SYSTEM 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00001)

AUSTRALIA: APPLE OFFERS READY-TO-RUN BUSINESS SYSTEM 05/30/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Apple Computer Australia is
offering small businesses a complete accounting system. For
AUS$4,995 (including tax), buyers will receive a Macintosh SE/30, M.Y.O.B.
(Mind Your Own Business) software and a Seikosha printer.

The SE/30 comes equipped with 2 megabytes of memory and a 40
megabyte hard disk drive. Apple has aimed the package directly at
small businesses with the inclusion of M.Y.O.B., as the program is
suited to small to medium-sized businesses and home use. The offer is
valid until July 31.

(Sean McNamara/19910530/Press contact: Belinda Robinson, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 AUSTRALIA: PHOTO LABS LINK UP VIA MODEM 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIA: PHOTO LABS LINK UP VIA MODEM 05/30/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- To help facilitate service
and quality control, a one-hour photo processing chain has installed
modems linked to Kodak's main office in Sydney. The chain is run by
Melbourne firm Copal which entered into an agreement with Kodak two
years ago after Kodak representatives sought to beef up quality control
and to eliminate equipment problems around Australia.

The main problem with quality control was the vast distances in
Australia, between which there were no Kodak representatives.
After examining the problem, Kodak equipped the stores with new
densitometers and NetComm SmartModem 1234s. When store operators
experience problems, they dial up Kodak, and the SmartModem connects
to Kodak's mainframe. Once hooked up to the mainframe, the modem can
send information direct from the densitometer to help determine where
the problem may be.

The system can also be used for random polling of sites, allowing
for general quality control to become much more effective and
efficient. "The minicomputer interfaces directly with the
densitometer and the modem send the information detailing chemical
status directly to head office. We can therefore recommend changes
to the chemical process automatically from a remote site," said Mr
Wightman, Copal's National Service Manager. "With over 150 minilabs
throughout Australia all connected up to the mainframe, this is the
largest system of its kind in the world. Copal in Japan has used
this Australian site as a testing ground for their world-wide
operations. Having seen how successful the improvements in
productivity have been, Copal is now in the process of establishing
similar networks in both the US and in Japan," Wightman went on to
say.

(Sean McNamara/19910530/Press contact: Paul Heath, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 CHINESE SPACE ACADEMY AND OTC SIGN SATELLITE AGREEMENT 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00003)

CHINESE SPACE ACADEMY AND OTC SIGN SATELLITE AGREEMENT 05/30/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- OTC, Australia's national
carrier, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST) in preparation for future
cooperative ventures between the two bodies.

The MOU is mainly based on developments in the field of satellite-
based systems. This will involve bidding for satellite
communications contracts within China and internationally, and the
procurement of components and sub-systems for use in CAST
manufacturing projects. Another part of the MOU involves the staging
of an industry exhibition in Sydney in 1992 to give Australian
companies the opportunity to understand the requirements and
direction of the satellite technology industry and of the joint
venture.

CAST is a part of the Chinese Ministry of Aerospace Industry, and is
engaged in scientific research, development and manufacture of space
technology. The Academy has 20 years experience in the development
and deployment of space technology, particularly in the field of
satellites. OTC will form a joint venture with CAST to determine
further projects the bodies can work on together in the future.

(Sean McNamara/19910530/Press contact: Paul Rea, phone in Australia
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 USSR: ELECTRONICS FACTORY DESTROYED BY FIRE 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00004)

USSR: ELECTRONICS FACTORY DESTROYED BY FIRE 05/30/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- A factory known as Ainur in Bishkek,
Kirgiz Republic, has been incinerated in an explosion and fire. It was a
high-tech factory operated by the U.S.S.R. electronics ministry, where
military gear, video recorders and audio recorders had been produced.

After a twelve hour battle with the blaze, firefighters were able to
save only one small building, according to the Komsomolskaya Pravda daily
newspaper. The Ainur factory was believed to be the most modern-equipped
electronics production facility in Kazakh Republic.

No deaths or injuries were reported.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910529)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 INFONET EXPANDS TO MOSCOW 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00005)

INFONET EXPANDS TO MOSCOW 05/30/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Infonet, a global network for
worldwide data, electronic mail, electronic data interchange, fax and
telex transmissions, announced that Moscow-based businesses can access
its online system with a local phone call.

Services for Infonet customers will be provided through Infocom, a
three-year-old Soviet-Finnish joint venture, which already
commercially offers x.25 digital connections over dial-up lines.

Michael J. Timmins, Infonet's vice president for Europe, Africa, and
the Middle East, told reporters that the company will soon extend its
global network to Moscow to accommodate increased data communications
traffic in coming months. "Every month, we receive new requests for
service as more and more foreign companies receive Soviet
accreditation, allowing them to open offices in Moscow," explained
Timmins. "Most of our requests come from West European and American
firms who have recently formed joint ventures with the Soviets."

This means Infonet is likely to install its own packet switching
equipment in Moscow, entering the competitive computer communications
market.

According to Oleg L. Smirnov, Infocom's chairman of the board, Infonet
users will be able to exchange electronic mail with users of existing
Relcom network, which has now up to seven thousand subscribers
countrywide.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910529/Press Contact: Pat Gale, INFONET, phone
213-335-2877; Matti Lehto, Infocom, phone [phone]; fax +7 095
200-3219)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 NAUTILUS WILL NOT SELL SYSTEM 7 CD-ROM DISKS SEPARATELY 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00006)

NAUTILUS WILL NOT SELL SYSTEM 7 CD-ROM DISKS SEPARATELY 05/30/91
DUBLIN, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Subscribers to the monthly
Nautilus CD-ROM disk for the Macintosh will be presented with Apple's
System 7 software on the disk this month. However, the company is
indefinitely suspending its single-disk purchasing policy because it doesn't
want to undercut sales of Apple's own CD-ROM of System 7.

Marsh Williams, vice president of business development for Nautilus,
tells Newsbytes that the company previously had sold individual CD-ROM
disks as part of a marketing effort to expand the subscriber base for the
publication. The disks were $20. However, the firm is suspending this
policy in deference to Apple, which sells its CD-ROM disk package for
$100. The Apple package, however, includes full documentation, while
the Nautilus version, available on the May 27th issue, is just the system
software without documentation.

"Our policy has always been to sell individual disks to people who may be
thinking of subscribing. But we do not want to undercut Apple's own
marketing efforts, nor those of user groups," he said, referring to
user groups' dependence upon interest in System 7 to increase their
memberships. He said that single-disk sales are suspended "for the
present," but that the company has yet to come up with a policy for
the future.

Nautilus is a multimedia CD-ROM-based information service
published every four weeks (at a cost of $9.95 per disc for
a twelve issue subscription). Currently available only for the Macintosh,
a PC compatible version of Nautilus is slated to be released in September.
Newsbytes News Network reports are also found on the Nautilus
CD-ROM.

(Wendy Woods/19910530/Press Contact: Mary Vaughn, Metatec,
614/761-2000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 JAPAN TELECOM CREATES DIGITAL MOBILE PHONE SERVICE FIRM 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00007)

JAPAN TELECOM CREATES DIGITAL MOBILE PHONE SERVICE FIRM 05/30/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Japan Telecom says it will
set up a new company to provide digital telecommunication
service for mobile phones in early July. It is a multinational
firm and the competition for the mobile phone business is
expected to become intense.

The new firm will be called "Tokyo Digital Phone," which will
be funded by a total of 37 firms including Japan Telecom (26
percent), Pacific Telesys International (15 percent), Japan
Railway East (12 percent), British C & W (8 percent), Toyota
Motor (4 percent), CSK (4 percent) and KDD (2.5 percent), with
the rest shared by telecom equipment firms and trade firms.

KDD, which formerly monopolized Japan's international telecom
business, will also participate in this project; KDD may
contribute its telephone technology. Toyota is also
participating in this new firm despite the fact that it is a
major investor in the rival telecom firm called "IDO."

The service is expected to start as early as in 1994 in Tokyo,
Yokohama, and Kawasaki. By 1996, the service will be expanded to
mid-Japan. By that time, the firm is expected to have spent
70 billion yen ($520 million) to create facilities including
about 300 units of ground transmission bases.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: Japan Telecom,
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 JAPAN ADVOCATES WORLD STANDARD MOBILE PHONES 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00008)

JAPAN ADVOCATES WORLD STANDARD MOBILE PHONES 05/30/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- The Japanese Ministry of Posts
and Telecommunication has proposed the idea of creating a
standard mobile phone system, and will take the idea public
at an international conference to be held in Tokyo in early
July. The Ministry wants the support of the U.S. and EC
countries in order to create the world standard with which
mobile phones could theoretically be operated anywhere on the
planet.

The Ministry's proposal is formally titled "Future Public Land
Mobile Telecommunication System." The scheme calls for
each country to use the same wavelength (band range) and
standardized mobile phone equipment. Under this standard,
mobile phones could be used in any countries regardless of
the country where the mobile phone is produced.

Later, the Japanese Ministry wants to incorporate its
proposed standard with the telecommunication committee of the
United Nations. If all goes well, the standard will be effective
in 1993, according to the Ministry. The first actual
world-compatible mobile phone is expected to debut in 1998.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 NEW FOR UNIX: SCO Xenix 386 Release 2.3.4 Ships 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00009)

NEW FOR UNIX: SCO Xenix 386 Release 2.3.4 Ships 05/30/91
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Santa
Cruz Operation is shipping SCO Xenix 386 Release 2.3.4.,
a new, enhanced version of SCO Xenix 386 that the company says
combines all the capabilities and applications compatibility
of Release 2.3.2 with a number of new features designed to
improve reliability and take advantage of the power of 386
and 486 computers and peripherals.

David Bernstein, SCO's director of systems product marketing,
said in a press release, "To date, SCO Xenix is the most
popular Unix System of all time. Today, we're starting a new
chapter in the SCO Xenix success story by releasing our most
powerful Xenix yet."

Among the new features are selected online documentation, the
Korn Shell, improved SCSI performance for AT-bus and EISA
systems, more compact packaging that takes up less shelf
space, a completely rewritten System Administrator's Guide
for maintenance, fewer floppies for faster installation,
reworked 8-bit international utilities, an updated games
supplement, and all Support Level Supplements (SLSs)
designed for Release 2.3.2. There are also new device drivers.

SCO Xenix 386 Release 2.3.4 for 386 and 486 ISA and EISA
computers is available now on 5.25" and 3.5" diskettes
through SCO's North American and PAL distribution channels
at a list price of U.S. $595 for a two-user license and $795
for an unlimited-user license. A 386 Micro Channel version
of Release 2.3.4 is expected to be available on 3.5" media
at the same price and through the same channels in the fall
of 1991. Direct updates from previous versions of SCO Xenix
are also available.

In related news, SCO says its SCO Forum91 will be held
on the campus of the University of California, Santa Cruz,
August 19 - 23. Conference events include panel discussions,
vendor exhibitions, workshops, birds-of-feather sessions,
and various social events. Conference fees are $795 USD, if
paid on or before July 1, l991 and $995 if paid after July 1,
l991. One-day passes are being offered for $250 each if paid
before July 1, l991, and $300 after July 1.

For complete information, call 800-553-9939 in the US or
Canada, or 408 425-7222 if calling from abroad.

(Wendy Woods/19910530/Press Contact: Zee Zaballos,
The Santa Cruz Operation, Tel: [phone]; Fax: 408
427-5448)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 NEW FOR UNIX: 1st Optical Archival System 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00010)

NEW FOR UNIX: 1st Optical Archival System 05/30/91
AYLESBURY, BUCKS, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Computer
International Limited (CIL), the open systems specialist, has
announced the availability of an optical archival system called
the CIL Optical Archiver.

According to the company, the UKP 50,000 automated system
replaces previously manual archiving systems which normally link
to a mainframe computer. The archiver is designed for use with
Unix environments.

The CIL Archiver uses magneto optical disk drives as the main
storage medium, providing -- the company claims -- dramatically
faster response times and improved price/performance compared to
other optical systems. The Optical Archiver supports up to six
Sony magneto optical disk drives with SCSI interfaces, providing
a maximum capacity of 150GB per jukebox.

Magneto optical drives were selected in preference to WORM (Write
Once, Read Many) technology because the technology is an ISO,
non-proprietary standard, ensuring compatability between drives
and host systems for media exchange purposes.

"The CIL Optical Archiver is the first automated systems for
large scale optical data archiving in Unix environments," said
Robin Harker, Computer International's marketing director.

"The jukebox configuration also provides relief for computer room
operations staff who previously were required to constantly load
and unload magnetic tapes onto tape drives by hand. Now archiving
can be done automatically overnight or over a weekend," he added.

The Archiver features a magnetic staging disk which is used as a
cache for data and as storage for the working archive database,
and includes an automated library unit or jukebox which allows
access to a large number of optical platters via the magneto
optical drives. By employing dual gripper jukebox assemblies, CIL
maximizes reliability since the gripper cannot be a single point
of failure.

The CIL Optical Archiver is initially available for use with Sun
Microsystems workstations, but will be ported to other Unix
platforms, including the IBM RS/6000, DEC and other units
according to customer demand.

(Steve Gold/19910530/Press & Public Contact: Robin Harker,
Computer International - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30  ****ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING MOVES INTO EUROPE 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00011)

 ****ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING MOVES INTO EUROPE 05/30/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Ziff-Davis Publishing has
announced it is moving into European publishing in a big way.
Speaking in London, the publishing giant's president, Eric
Hippeau, said that a worldwide network of publications is
planned, all aimed at the end-user of PCs and peripherals.

"The accelerated success of some European direct sellers, who
promote their companies and product brands aggressively indicates
that direct buyers are also concerned about finding sources who
can be reliable business partners," he said.

Hippeau added that US direct sellers will have an advantage in
the European market owing to their experience and price
advantages.

Plans call for three new publications -- as yet un-named -- to be
printed in France, the U.K., and Western Germany. Further direct
channel publications are planned for Asia, as well as a U.S.-
produced worldwide edition.

The idea behind the new publications, said Ziff officials, is to
enable U.S. computer companies to pitch for the international
marketplace. Apart from Byte magazine, there is currently
little opportunity for direct-sell companies to market
their products into the international arena.

Ziff-Davis is the largest U.S. publisher of computer magazines
and newspapers. The company also produces PC Professionell in
Western Germany, as well as several international editions of its
U.S. computer magazines.

(Steve Gold/19910530)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 INGRAM MICRO AND ACER EXPAND DISTRIB AGREE'T 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00012)

INGRAM MICRO AND ACER EXPAND DISTRIB AGREE'T 05/30/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Ingram Micro
will expand distribution of Acer America's product line from
portable computers and monitors to the entire product family of
Intel 80286-, 386-, 386SX-, 486-, and 486SX-based systems.

The original agreement, signed in February 1991, called for
Ingram to distribute Acer's AcerView line of VGA monitors and
the AcerAnyWare laptop computers.

Describing the expanded agreement as "very important," Carolyn
Clyborne, spokesperson for the company, told Newsbytes that the
the deal showed a different approach for Acer as "typically we have
gone through regional distributors."

"Ingram is a leader in distribution to computer dealers. Their
experience and national relationship with dealers complements
Acer's strategy to distribute systems and monitors into this
market," added Lee Cannon, director of marketing for Acer.

"Regional distributors are still important," Clyborne told
Newsbytes, "but Ingram gives us a broader reseller base as they
sell to value-added resellers (VARs)."

Acer maintains that its distribution structure is designed to
allow the company to minimize the channel conflict that many
other vendors have created when entering multiple distribution
channels. Because Acer does not have a direct sales force
competing with distributors and resellers, in-fighting for
accounts is reduced, the company believes. Channel conflict is
further reduced by Acer's plans to select and qualify specific
dealers to handle certain Acer systems.

Ingram Micro is a major distributor of microcomputer products
to over 40,000 reseller customers in the United States, Canada and
Europe. The company operates three international subsidiaries:
Ingram Micro Inc. in Canada; Ingram Micro in the United Kingdom;
and Ingram Softeurop in Belgium, serving western Europe.

(Ian Stokell/19910530/Press Contact: Lee Cannon, Acer America,
408-922-0333)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 SEAGATE EXPANDS MANUF'ING IN MALAYSIA 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00013)

SEAGATE EXPANDS MANUF'ING IN MALAYSIA 05/30/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- In a
move obviously designed to take advantage of cheaper overseas
labor costs, Seagate Technology is continuing its foreign
manufacturing strategy by planning to spend $7.8 million on a
new hard disk drive component manufacturing plant in Penang,
Malaysia, for the precision machining of thin-film recording
heads.

The plant is planned to be completed in the first quarter of
1992 and will be the company's second manufacturing site in
Malaysia. Although the plant will initially only employ 100
people, the company expects that number to increase to as
many as 2,000 within a year. The existing manufacturing
facility, also in Penang, employs 1,500 and has been
engaged in the assembly and testing of thin-film recording
heads since its establishment in 1988.

The move continues the company's foreign manufacturing strategy.
In December 1990, Newsbytes reported that the company had
decided to establish a $50 million disk drive factory in Dublin,
Ireland. That was Seagate's first facility in Europe and was
intended to take advantage of the tax breaks on locally
manufactured products offered by the European Community (EC).

The new Penang plant is intended to increase Seagate's component
production capacity, as its Minnesota-based operation is already
involved in the precision machining of thin-film recording heads.

According to the company, the new plant will be located adjacent to
the Penang free trade zone and near Seagate's existing operation.
The location will allow Seagate to easily transport recording heads
from one site to another, and to ship finished goods to the company's
disk drive assembly locations worldwide.

(Ian Stokell/19910530/Press Contact: Julie A. Still, Seagate Technology,
408-438-6550)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 STRATACOM INTROS STANDARD BROADBAND INTERFACES 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SFO)(00014)

STRATACOM INTROS STANDARD BROADBAND INTERFACES 05/30/91
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- StrataCom has
introduced standard broadband interfaces for its fast packet
switch, the IPX. According to the company, the new features will
allow users throughout the world to build one compatible cell
switching network at narrow band and broadband speeds using both
public and private switching services.

Stratacom was one of four companies that Newsbytes reported had
agreed on a common specification for frame relay connections
linking customer and networking equipment back in September 1990.
The other companies were Northern Telecom, Digital Equipment,
and Cisco Systems.

US carrier WilTel, based in Tulsa, Okla., and data network company
CompuServe Inc., based in Columbus, Ohio, are said to be
planning to install StrataCom's new broadband interfaces.

WilTel has introduced a new public frame relay service, WilPAK,
and CompuServe has also announced plans to introduce a public
frame relay service, FRAME-NET, later this year. According to
Stratacom, both networks will be based on the StrataCom IPX.

The WilTel service, reported by Newsbytes in March, was seen
by the company as a way to enter the packet net race, which at
that time was dominated by Sprintnet, Tymnet, and CompuServe.

(Ian Stokell/19910530/Press Contact: Maggie Parkinson, Stratacom,
408-370-2333, ext 270)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 STENOGRAPH WINS $2.4M VERDICT AGAINST MICROCAT 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00015)

STENOGRAPH WINS $2.4M VERDICT AGAINST MICROCAT 05/30/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A.,1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Quixote Corporation
has announced that its subsidiary, Stenograph Corporation, has
been awarded a $2,424,441 judgment in its spat against Microcat
over courtroom computer systems.

The suit was filed after Stenograph felt that Microcat's RTS
special purpose computer system used by court reporters was not
performing as warranted. According to Philip Rollhaus, chairman
of Stenograph, "We immediately recalled all of the RTS systems and
offered our customers the choice of having their money refunded
or receiving one of Stenograph's more powerful and more expensive
systems instead."

Rollhaus said that although the litigation was expensive, the
jury's verdict vindicates Stenograph's decision to discontinue
the RTS system and pursue recovery of costs and damages. He
added that although Stenograph may not be able to recover much
due to Microcat's financial condition, Stenograph will
vigorously pursue collection. Ironically, one of the products
Stenograph markets is litigation support software for the legal
profession.

(Jim Mallory/19910530/Press Contact:James DeVries, Quixote,
312-467-6755)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 EXABYTE SELECTED AS FINALIST IN SMITHSONIAN AWARDS 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00016)

EXABYTE SELECTED AS FINALIST IN SMITHSONIAN AWARDS 05/30/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Exabyte
Corporation, manufacturer of high capacity 8mm cartridge tape
subsystems, has been selected as one of five finalists for the
Computerworld Smithsonian Award. Exabyte is a candidate in the
Business category. The awards recognize outstanding achievements
of individuals and companies who use information technology for
the benefit of mankind.

Winners in the 10 categories will be revealed at a
dinner June 10 at the National Building Museum in Washington,
D.C. Ed Bradley, co-host of "60 Minutes" will host the event.

If Exabyte emerges a winner, the company will be included in the
Smithsonian Institution's permanent exhibit, "The Information
Age: People, Information, Technology."

Exabyte President Peter Behrendt says the recognition is a
tribute to the quality, innovativeness, and broad applicability of
Exabyte's products. Exabyte was nominated by accounting firm
Price Waterhouse. Exabyte's Susan Solomonson told Newsbytes that
company officials are ecstatic. Solomonson said, "We are
thrilled. This is a real, real honor. Exabyte has received
several other awards, but this one is really something."

The awards program was established in 1989 to spotlight heroes of
technological innovation who demystify technology to the public
and identify the benefits technology brings to our lives.

Previous winners in Exabyte's category include Berkeley Systems,
developer of Outspoken, a talkback program for visually impaired
computer users which responds audibly to mouse or keyboard
commands.

(Jim Mallory/19910530/Press Contact:Susan Solomonson, Exabyte,
303-893-8100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY ORDERS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00017)

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY ORDERS CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 05/30/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Cray Research has
received an order for a Cray Y-MP2E supercomputer from Marion
Merrell Dow, Inc (MMD). The company manufactures and markets
prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals in North
America, Europe and the Pacific Basin.

According to Cray spokesperson Kate Neessen, this is the fifth
Y-MP system sold to the chemical/pharmaceuticals market in the
past six months. Neessen said Cray has eight systems installed in
the chemical marketplace, with another three systems under
contract to be installed later this year.

Supercomputers are used by companies such as MMD to solve
computational problems such as macromolecular modeling of enzymes
and protein receptors in the design of pharmaceutical products.

Fred Lyons Jr., MMD president, said, "This high-powered tool
will allow us to work faster and in much greater detail than
we could have in the past, and ultimately assist in discovering
new compounds." Lyons said tests showed that MMD could run one
of their typical chemistry problems in one day on the Cray
system, compared to what took 100 days in the past.

The Cray at MMD, installed in Cincinnati, will be shared with
company researchers at labs in France, Italy, and Kansas City,
Missouri. Workstations in Cincinnati will be linked to the new
system via FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), a system
which can transfer data at the rate of 100 megabits (a megabit
is one million bits) per second.

(Jim Mallory/19910530/Press Contact:Kate Neessen, Cray Research,
612-683-7132)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 NEW FOR MAC: Database/Images Combine For 4th Dimension 05/30/91

05/30/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00018)

NEW FOR MAC: Database/Images Combine For 4th Dimension 05/30/91
FOSTER CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) --
Medialab Technologies has announced shipment of Picturelink,
software that works with Acius' 4th Dimension and File Force
Mac database products to link color images with database
files.

Medialab has suggested Picturelink could be used for
work site security so guards could compare live video with
the portraits of personnel in the database, so better
identification can be made before access is allowed.

Semiconductor fabrication applications were suggested,
placing images of electron microscope output with each
semiconductor in a database to help reduce line rejection
rates, and for verification of the quality of the shipment
to customers. Manufacturing was another suggestion, so
users could see pictures of individual parts in inventory
systems.

Medialab says Picturelink can capture color images from live
video and scanners, and the captured images can be modified
using the color painting program option, then stored
directly into database fields. Picturelink also crops and
fits images into picture fields defined in the database, and
supports the Macintosh Communications Toolbox so images can
be sent and received from remote systems and scanners,
Medialab said. "Combined with 4th Dimension, Picturelink
turns Macintosh computers into database imaging
workstations," said David Gewirtz, CEO of Medialab.

Picturelink seamlessly integrates with 4th Dimension and
File Force. "It's cleaner than asking a user to pop in and
out of two completely different applications," said James
Conner, vice president of development for Medialab. "I've
had several customers comment on the increased ease of use
and quicker training for non-technical users tasked with
scanning in hundreds of images."

"Digital Equipment, Polaroid, and Kodak each market special-
purpose imaging workstations where the cost of the software
alone can be more than $60,000. Using Picturelink, the
Macintosh can now compete head-to-head, offering a complete
hardware/software solution for far less cost," Gerwirtz
said. The Picturelink software alone retails for $395, runs
on all Macintosh computer from Mac Plus, to Mac IIfx, to the
Mac Classic, LC and SI, and is available from
Merisel/Macamerica, Macconnection and other dealers
nationwide, Medialab said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910530/Press Contact: David Gewirtz,
Medialab, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 MICHIGAN BELL WARNS OF TWO SCAMS 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

MICHIGAN BELL WARNS OF TWO SCAMS 05/30/91
DETROIT, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Taking a cue from
US West, which warned Seattle customers of a scam last year,
Michigan Bell has issued a warning of two similar scams
in which con artists pose as Michigan Bell employees in order to
get customers' 4-digit personal identification numbers and run up
big bills on their accounts. The 4-digit numbers, or PIN codes,
are used as a password by phone cards, and similar numbers are
used by bank cards and credit cards to authorize cash
withdrawals.

Darryl Miller, manager of corporate security for Michigan Bell,
said at least two dozen customers had been hit in the scams.

In one scenario, the con artist represents himself as a Michigan
Bell employee -- sometimes a member of Bell's security staff --
who claims he needs the customer's PIN to track calls that have
been fraudulently billed to the customer's calling card. Miller
noted that Michigan Bell already has all its customers' PIN
numbers, so the request should be a tip-off. The company's
calling card numbers consist of the caller's area code, phone
number, and the 4-digit PIN.

A variation has con artists -- again misrepresenting themselves
as Michigan Bell security -- contacting customers to say that
they are tracking fraudulent use of the customer's calling card.
In this case, the con artist already has the PIN number, and
wants only to lull the customer into a false sense of security,
so that he or she won't alert authorities. Miller said customers
who are contacted by persons claiming to be Michigan Bell
employees should always ask for the person's name and telephone
number. "Then call our business office to verify the caller
really is an employee," said Miller. Customers who've revealed
their PIN numbers also should contact the business office, at
313-221-4900.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910531/Press Contact: Dean Hovey, Michigan
Bell, 313-223-7197)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 AMERITECH BUYS ST. LOUIS CELLULAR SYSTEM 05/30/91

05/30/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

AMERITECH BUYS ST. LOUIS CELLULAR SYSTEM 05/30/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Continuing the
trend of regional Bells buying the "non-wireline" cellular
license in major markets, Ameritech agreed to buy CyberTel
Financial, which holds a St. Louis franchise, for about $512
million cash. Southwestern Bell holds the wireline franchise in
St. Louis.

When cellular franchises were granted a decade ago, two awards
were made. One was to the local phone company, the second to a
"non-wireline" company, an outfit not in the telephone business.
Later, the law was changed to allow phone companies to buy these
"non-wireline" outfits, with the result that in many major
markets today, cellular customers have a choice only between two
Bell companies for their service.

In addition to serving St. Louis, CyberTel and its affiliates
provide cellular service in rural portions of Illinois, and
Missouri. CyberTel's cellular operating areas include a total
population of approximately 3 million. Also included are other
rural cellular franchises and paging operations in St. Louis,
Minneapolis and southern and central Illinois. CyberTel is the
largest paging outfit in St. Louis and the Minneapolis/St. Paul
area.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910531/Press Contact: Ameritech, Mike Brand,
312/750-5219; CyberTel, Mary Louise Helbig, 314/253-4987)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 MOTOROLA WINS INJUNCTION AGAINST BATTERY MAKER 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00021)

MOTOROLA WINS INJUNCTION AGAINST BATTERY MAKER 05/30/91
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Motorola
won the first round in its court battle to prevent a competitor
from supplying batteries for its Micro-Tac cellular phone.
Motorola had patented the battery design on the tiny phone, but
Alexander Manufacturing of Mason City, Iowa had started making
two types of batteries for it anyway.

John Jarvey, the Chief Magistrate Judge in Cedar Rapids,
concluded that Alexander should be enjoined from manufacturing,
using and selling the batteries, based on a patent called the
Soren patent covering the battery design.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910531/Press Contact: David Pinsky,
Motorola, 708-632-2841)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 US WEST TO TRY FIBER CABLE IN PORTLAND 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)

US WEST TO TRY FIBER CABLE IN PORTLAND 05/30/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- US West announced
a trial of fiber-to-the-curb technology from Broadband
Technologies in Milwaukee, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. The
trial of BBT's Fiber Loop Access System will serve 295 homes in
one subdivision. US West will use the 1-year test to study
consumer benefits and technical features of replacing copper with
fiber in what's called the "local loop" -- the wires of a phone
system running from a central office switch to boxes near
subscriber homes.

A number of companies, including Broadband, now claim they can
offer fiber-to-the-home at a price equivalent to that of
providing copper cables, and that the fiber systems can
eventually handle TV signals which copper can't handle. That
would allow phone companies to let subscribers pass multimedia
around by wire, or would let them into the cable television
business. The FCC and the Bush Administration are holding out
against cable re-regulation, urging that the phone companies be
allowed into cable, an area they're now prohibited from entering.

US West currently has four technical trials of fiber-in-the-
local-loop technology. Two run fiber directly to customers'
homes in St. Paul, Minnesota and Scottsdale, Arizona. Two others
run it to the cub in Scottsdale and Los Alamos, N.M.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910531/Press Contact: US West, Terri Howell,
402/422-3587; BroadBand Technologies, Mel Webster, 617/252-0606)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 PACIFIC BELL EXPANDS LOCAL CALLING AREAS 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)

PACIFIC BELL EXPANDS LOCAL CALLING AREAS 05/30/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Pacific
Bell is enlarging local calling areas, the regions within which
no long distance charges are imposed for a telephone call. The
areas will now include a radius of 12 miles from each central
office switch, instead of the 8 miles previously offered.

For example, customers in the southeastern part of San Francisco
now have a local calling area that includes all of San Francisco,
South San Francisco and Pacifica. When the calling area is
expanded, they also will be able to call Belvedere, Sausalito,
Millbrae, San Mateo and parts of the East Bay as local calls.
Customers who already have local calls metered will have their
charges reduced within the larger calling area. Coin phone users
will also be able to make calls for 20 cents to a wider area than
before.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910531/Press Contact: Pacific Bell, Irene
Margelos, 415/542-5891)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 CANADA REMOTE EXPANDS SERVICE 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)

CANADA REMOTE EXPANDS SERVICE 05/30/91
TORONTO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- At a recent open house at
his offices in western Toronto, Canada Remote President Neil
Fleming announced major enhancements to the bulletin board
service, which is the largest in the country.

First, the board expanded its file capacity, to 19 billion bytes.
Second, it's adding phone lines to bring the total to 140, from
111. Third, "We have negotiated an agreement to remarket the
news feed from Canadian Press, and we'll remarket a live feed from
UPI. The UPI feed is delayed for 2 hours." Canada Remote already
offers the daily feed of the Newsbytes News Network.

Also, Fleming said, "We're putting in a CD-ROM server so we can
offer other services, like the Grolier Encyclopedia," he said.

Finally, but not least, Fleming said Canada Remote is expanding
its service to the U.S., through a leased line running to
Buffalo, New York. The leased line will make the Canadian system
available to callers using such packet switch services as
AccuLink, Starlink and PC Pursuit. The new Buffalo service will
shuffle on in September, with 8 phone lines.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910531/Press Contact: Neil Fleming, Canada
Remote, 416-620-1439)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 CHINA'S FIRST COOP OPEN NETWORK LAUNCHED BY NCR 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00025)

CHINA'S FIRST COOP OPEN NETWORK LAUNCHED BY NCR 05/30/91
QINGHUA, CHINA, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- A Unix-based open system
cooperative computer network has been established at China's
Qinghua University by NCR. The network, the first of its kind
in China, uses two NCR Tower 32/600 computers utilizing NCR's
OCCA (Open Cooperative Computing Network).

Jim Khoo, NCR's area product manager for cooperative computing
in the Asia Pacific region, said, "We are very pleased to put
OCCA to work at Qinghua, which is the most highly reputed
technology university in China. We expect to see all
universities in China linked up eventually by taking advantage
of the cooperative computing framework that OCCA provides."

The Towers use the TCP/IP protocol to link to campus computers from
Digital Equipment, Sun Microsystems, Elxsi, AT&T and Honeywell, as
well as to around 70 personal computers. The Tower systems act as
both servers for the PCs and as clients of large minicomputers
in the network.

In addition to supporting the OCCA Network at Qinghua, the two NCR
Tower systems are used for student courses in the Unix operating
system and the C programming language. The university also offers
software training courses on the Towers for NCR customers in China,
and uses the computers an NCR Tower demonstration Centre.

(Norman Wingrove/19910528/Press Contact: Vivian Kung, NCR Hong Kong,
Tel + 852 859 6021; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30  ****DEMOCRACY VIRUS HITS CHINA PCs 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00026)

 ****DEMOCRACY VIRUS HITS CHINA PCs 05/30/91
BEIJING, CHINA, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- With the approach of the second
anniversary of the Beijing massacre in which democracy campaigners
were brutally attacked by army tanks on 4th June 1989, there are
reports of widespread contamination of personal computers with a
virus that displays a pro-democracy message on the PC's screens.

The virus is believed to have infected computers in government
offices as well as in businesses and educational establishments.

The Hong Kong Standard newspaper quotes sources as saying that many
official establishments have been ordered to switch off their
computers and not use them again until after the anniversary has
passed. It is believed the virus will cause little if any damage
beyond disrupting screen displays.

There have already been numerous reports of student protests at
universities in the lead-up to 4th June.

In the aftermath of the 1989 massacre, during which Chinese army
tanks crushed people in their tents and soldiers opened fire on the
crowds, many supporters of the democracy movement in Hong Kong and
elsewhere sent thousands of fax messages to contacts in China to
express their solidarity and disseminate news of what was going on
throughout the vast country as government forces clamped down on
normal news channels. There are indications that a similar campaign
is likely to take place to mark the second anniversary of the
atrocity.

In 1989, Chinese authorities quickly acted to place People's
Liberation Army soldiers in charge of every known fax installation.
Senders eventually abandoned the campaign for fear of compromising
the recipients. With the mushrooming use of fax, computer
communications, and ordinary international telephone circuits,
especially between Hong Kong and the southern provinces of China, it
is seems unlikely that the authorities could suppress all unwelcome
transmissions, short of completely cutting all telecommunications
links.

(Norman Wingrove/19910529)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 EDMONTON GROUP BUYS CONTROL OF STRATFORD SOFTWARE 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00027)

EDMONTON GROUP BUYS CONTROL OF STRATFORD SOFTWARE 05/30/91
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- The two
major shareholders of Stratford Software, operator of the Suzy
online information service, have sold control of the company to the
Becker Group of Edmonton, Alberta.

Thompson McKie, president of Stratford, told Newsbytes that he and
Adrian Robson, founder and chairman of the company, have sold a
controlling interest to Becker Group. He said the details of the
sale are not being released, but McKie and Robson own about 60
percent of Stratford between them.

McKie said the deal was done to get additional financing for
Stratford, which cut back its staff late last year as its capital
began to run out. Formerly Bedford Software, the company sold its
line of accounting software and its old name to Computer Associates
to raise capital to set up the Suzy service.

"We were on virtually cruise control shall we say since last year
because we saw the bottom of the barrel coming up," McKie said. He
added that Becker Group has "some very grand plans" for enlarging
the Suzy service.

McKie said new management will be appointed, though he and Robson
will remain on the board of directors.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Thompson McKie, Stratford
Software, 604-439-1311, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 MITEL TO RESCUE DISTRIBUTOR 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00028)

MITEL TO RESCUE DISTRIBUTOR 05/30/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Mitel has signed a
letter of intent to buy Telenova, a Mt. Laurel, New Jersey,
telecommunications equipment distributor whose business is about 60
percent Mitel equipment sales. Telenova recently sought protection
under Chapter 11 of United States bankruptcy law.

Bonnie Perrigard, director of public and investor relations at
Mitel, told Newsbytes the purchase is largely intended to protect
Mitel's distribution through Telenova. She said the company wants
to make it clear to its dealers and distributors that the move does
not signal a move away from Mitel's traditional distribution
channels.

However, she added, Mitel probably will keep Telenova rather than
reselling it. "As it stands right now our intention is to keep
them, probably operating as a separate business unit."

No financial details of the deal have been released, nor have any
organizational changes been announced. Perrigard said further
information will be available if and when the sale closes.

(Grant Buckler/19910530/Press Contact: Bonnie Perrigard, Mitel,
613-592-2122)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 BUSINESSVISION CUTS PRICE ON ACCOUNTING PACKAGE 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00029)

BUSINESSVISION CUTS PRICE ON ACCOUNTING PACKAGE 05/30/91
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Dressing up
the move as a "relaunch," Toronto-based BusinessVision Management
Systems is cutting the price on its entry-level accounting software
in the U.S. market. BusinessVision II has been marked down from
US$369 to US$225.

Edward Dietrich, vice-president of U.S. business development at
BusinessVision's Chicago office, said the move brings the
software's price into line with its major competitors, DacEasy and
Peachtree.

BusinessVision II has been available in the United States for two
years. A company press release said BusinessVision had been
"exploring" the market.

Dietrich said there are no plans to reduce the Canadian price.
BusinessVision has strong distribution in Canada, including a deal
with InterTan, which operates Radio Shack stores in Canada.
Dietrich said the U.S. market is more price-sensitive than the
Canadian market, and his company found the approach it had taken in
Canada since launching BusinessVision II in 1987 did not work in
the United States.

BusinessVision II is an integrated system that operates in a
real-time mode, permitting instant financial reporting, the vendor
said. The company is building a network of manufacturers' sales
representatives to provide personal service to retailers and
value-added resellers.

(Grant Buckler/19910530/Press Contact: Edward Dietrich,
BusinessVision, 312-380-1221; Joy Anthony, Hilary Kaye & Associates
for BusinessVision, 714-851-5150)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 30 ALLAIRE REPLACES KEARNS AS XEROX CHAIRMAN 05/30/91

05/30/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00030)

ALLAIRE REPLACES KEARNS AS XEROX CHAIRMAN 05/30/91
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 30 (NB) -- Paul A. Allaire
is the new chairman of Xerox, replacing David T. Kearns, who has
become deputy secretary of the United States Department of
Education.

Allaire has been chief executive officer of Xerox since last
August, and will continue in that post. The post of president was
eliminated.

Allaire, 52, has been with Xerox since 1966, holding various jobs
in financial planning and general management. In 1975, he was
named chief staff officer and executive director of Rank Xerox
Limited, London. He became managing director of Rank Xerox in 1980
and returned to the United States in 1983 as senior vice-president
and chief staff officer. He was elected to the board of directors
in 1986.

(Grant Buckler/19910530/Press Contact: Thomas C. Abbott, Xerox,
203-968-3378)
#ENDCARD








#CARD::1991 MAY 29  ****MICROSOFT SHIPS V1.5 OF MICROSOFT OFFICE FOR MAC 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00001)

 ****MICROSOFT SHIPS V1.5 OF MICROSOFT OFFICE FOR MAC 05/29/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced the release of Version 1.5 of Microsoft Office for the
Apple Macintosh.

Microsoft Office Release 1.5 contains four business applications, two
of which are updates to Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Mail. Excel is a
spreadsheet program, while Mail is a network mail program, which
can now have a file attached to send across the net. The other
programs contained in office are Microsoft Word, a word processor,
and Powerpoint, a presentation graphics program for the Mac.

Announcing the package, Microsoft said that the upgrade to Excel
includes improvements such as the ability to format cells or format
rows as well as columns with a single mouse click. The package also
supports System 7.0, with its Balloon Help, Apple Events and virtual
memory facilities, as well as TrueType scalable fonts.

Microsoft Word Release 4.0 has optional automatic repagination,
editable WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get, meaning the screen
display is what the printed output will look like), and the ability to
flow text around graphics. Word still only requires 512 kilobytes of
memory, allowing it to run on older Macs. The Word module also links
with Excel or Mail.

Microsoft's Karen Meredith told Newsbytes that the suggested price of
Microsoft office is $849, compared to over $1,000 if the four products
were purchased separately. Current owners of Office can purchase an
Excel upgrade for $129.

(Jim Mallory/19910529/Press Contact:Karen Meredith, Microsoft, 206-
882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 NEW FOR PC: Caddsoft Intros New Truck Loading Software 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00002)

NEW FOR PC: Caddsoft Intros New Truck Loading Software 05/29/91
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Caddsoft
has announced Truck-load, a shipping software package that calculates
the number of boxes that can be loaded into any container (truck, train,
etc.), calculates the total weight, and then graphically displays
different ways to load the container on-screen.

In use, the package is similar in concept to the mainframe software
that clothing manufacturers use to calculate the optimum positioning
of cutout shapes on a roll of material. Truck-load is more complex,
however, since it operates in three dimensions. Despite the
complexity, it has been designed to run on a PC.

According to the software company, the package requires the user to
input the dimensions of the container, the dimensions and weight of a
representative box or boxes, and the number of each type of box. From
there the software calculates the weight, graphically displays
different ways to load the container, and gives the top and side
clearance. Caddsoft says if the user changes any box dimension, the
new results are displayed instantly.

Truck-load requires DOS 2.01 or higher, EGA or VGA with color display,
and a printer. The product retails for $49.95 and more information is
available from Caddsoft, P.O. Box 197, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910529/Press Contact: Steven Campbell, Caddsoft,
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29  ****DELL INTROS NEW 386SX LOW PROFILE DESKTOP 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

 ****DELL INTROS NEW 386SX LOW PROFILE DESKTOP 05/29/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Dell Computer
has announced a new low-profile Intel 80386SX-based desktop unit
running at 20MHz and carrying a suggested list price of $1,999, which
the company claims is about 20 percent less than similar competing
units equipped with a 286 microprocessor.

The new 320SX includes 1megabyte of RAM, a 40MB hard drive, one
floppy drive (5.25 inch 1.2MB or 3.5 inch 1.44MB) and a VGA color
monitor. Configured with 2MB of RAM, an 80MB hard drive, and 16
kilobytes of cache memory, the unit sells for $2,597. A similar Compaq
unit with 2MB of RAM, a 60MB hard drive and 1K of cache memory is
priced at $3,598. The 320SX has a footprint of 15.1 inches wide by 15.6
inches deep and four inches high.

Lisa Rohlf of Dell told Newsbytes that sales of 386DX and 386SX based
machines are about equal presently, while 486 based machines are
about 10 percent of sales. Rohlf said that the 320SX is an updated model
adding the cache memory, which allows a computer to retrieve files
more quickly, and taking up less space on the user's desk, due to the
smaller footprint.

386SX machines are popular with users who do not need the additional
computing power of a math co-processor. Math co-processors speed up
calculations of applications such as spreadsheets, but add no speed to
word processing.

International Data Corporation, an independent market research firm,
reports that shipments of 386SX based units are expected to grow 59
percent in 1991 over 1990 figures. Dell Computer maintains a toll free
line -- 800-937-1470 -- for additional information. Dell also provides
direct technical support for its products.

(Jim Mallory/19910529/Press Contact: Lisa Rohlf, Dell, 512-343-3782)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29  ****EFF RELEASES AMICUS BRIEF IN RIGGS CASE 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00004)

 ****EFF RELEASES AMICUS BRIEF IN RIGGS CASE 05/29/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- The
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has released to the press a copy
of the Amicus Curiae Brief that it has filled with the Eleventh Circuit of
the United States Court of Appeals to appeal elements of the November
1990 sentencing of Robert J. Riggs for computer-related crimes.

Riggs, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud (18
U.S.C. 371) of an eight count indictment returned in the Northern
District of Georgia. He also pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud
(18 U.S.C. 1343) of an eleven count indictment returned in the
Northern District of Illinois. He was sentenced by United States District
Judge J. Owen Forrester, Northern District of Georgia, to 21 months
imprisonment

Judge Forrester also ordered Riggs to pay restitution for damages to
BellSouth for $233,000 and to serve a supervised release term of 2
years.

The specific element to which EFF takes issue with is the condition
imposed on Riggs that he may not "own personally or directly have
control over a computer of any type for [his] own personal use during
the period of supervised release."

The statement of the court to Riggs and his two co-defendants, Adam E.
Grant and Franklin Darden, was "none of the three of you may own
personally or directly have control over a computer of any type for
your own personal use during the period of supervised release. You
may operate computers under your community service situation and in
employment situations where you are employed by a third person and
are being supervised by a third person. I'm simply saying that during the
period of your supervised release, you may not personally use or own a
PC or any other kind of computer; is that clear?"

The EFF, in the brief, argues that "the district court, in imposing
the ban on computer ownership and personal use, exceeded its
authority under the supervised release statute."

It further states: "even if imposition of the condition were not
beyond statutory authority, where, as here, a condition of supervised
release (or probation) restricts constitutional rights, the condition
must be subjected to 'special scrutiny.'"

The brief calls attention to the fact that the prohibition restricts
Riggs from utilizing electronic services such as Prodigy and
CompuServe as well as "approximately 32,000 bulletin board
systems in operation in the United States today."

The EFF said that this restriction limits freedom of speech and
association and that denial of access to computers may close off the
sole or at least the primary means of associating with those who share
one's interests. Electronic bulletin boards may be the only place in
which issues one is interested in are being addressed, audiences one
wishes to reach can be found, or information one needs is being
offered.

The prohibition against computer use or ownership was not part of the
suggested sentence recommended in the 21-page 'Government's
Sentencing Memorandum And S.G. & 5K1.1 Motion' prepared by
Joe D. Whitney, United States Attorney for the Northern District of
Georgia and Assistant United States Attorney Kent B. Alexander, but
was rather imposed by Judge Forrester at the actual sentencing.
Alexander told Newsbytes that he could not comment on the EFF brief
as "he was in the process of reviewing it for response."

Mike Godwin, EFF Staff Counsel, commented to Newsbytes on the public
release of the brief, saying: "We plan to publish relevant documents
continually in the next few years to publicize the issues that we are
involved in."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910529/Press Contact: Mike
Godwin, Electronic Frontier Foundation, 617-864-0665)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29  ****DOUBTS GROW CONCERNING FDDI OVER TWISTED PAIR 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00005)

 ****DOUBTS GROW CONCERNING FDDI OVER TWISTED PAIR 05/29/91
LITTLETON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Analysts
with leading research firms are skeptical about a new specification for
running Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) local-area networks on
shielded twisted-pair cabling. They question the demand for FDDI's
speed, and say lack of support for unshielded twisted pair cable could
be a problem.

Advanced Micro Devices, Chipcom, Digital Equipment, Motorola, and
SynOptics Communications recently published a common specification
for running the FDDI network standard over shielded twisted pair cabling.
The vendors said networks using the specification will move data as
fast as 100 megabits-per-second, 10 times the speed of an Ethernet
network.

But Doug Gold, director of communications research at International
Data Corp., called the move "a cruel joke on the end user."

He said that there is little demand for the 100-mps speed of FDDI, and
in cases where that sort of speed is needed, the cost of installing fiber
is not a problem. "It's not a price issue today," Gold said. "It's an
application issue."

"There is a need in some areas for 100 megabits to the desktop,"
countered Joyce Radnor, a spokeswoman for Digital Equipment. She
named video transmission and image processing as examples.

Bill Redman, vice-president and director of local-area communications
at the Gartner Group, told Newsbytes that 100-megabit speeds are
needed only in a few market niches. "Do users automatically require
100 megabits-per-second on the desktop? I think the answer
emphatically is no," he said.

Redman said that the initiative might allow some users to extend the
use of their current wiring as they move into FDDI. But he noted that
more users are installing unshielded than shielded twisted pair, and
the new specification does not cover the unshielded cabling.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Bill Redman, Gartner Group,
203-967-6849; Doug Gold, International Data Corp., 508-872-8200; Joyce
Radnor, Digital Equipment, 508-486-5096)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 NEW PRODUCT: Develcon Has Ethernet Bridges 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00006)

NEW PRODUCT: Develcon Has Ethernet Bridges 05/29/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Develcon
Electronics has introduced a pair of bridges for Ethernet local-area
networks. The announcement continues Develcon's shift from its
original focus on data switching equipment to internetworking.

Develcon introduced two small Ethernet bridges, one designed for
joining LANs locally and one meant for remote connections. Both
measure two by eight by 12 inches, which Develcon said makes them
ideal for installation in wiring closets and offices.

The Model 120 Local Bridge is intended to connect local LAN segments
to form a single network, so overcoming the distance limitations of
Ethernet cable. This model can also be used to segment large LANs
into logical work groups, thus reducing traffic between the work groups,
Develcon said.

The Model 100 Remote Bridge has a single LAN port and a choice of
wide-area connection at speeds to 512 kilobits-per-second or at speeds
up to two megabits per second. It allows remote networks to act like a
single LAN, the company said.

Both bridges can operate with standard or 10Base5 cabling, thin
Ethernet or 10Base2 cabling, or twisted-pair (10BaseT). Prices
for both products begin at less than C$2,100.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Melanie McIntosh, Develcon,
416-495-8666, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 RESEARCHERS FORESEE MODERATE CAD/CAM, CAE GROWTH 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00007)

RESEARCHERS FORESEE MODERATE CAD/CAM, CAE GROWTH 05/29/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Growth
in the computer-aided design and manufacturing and computer-assisted
engineering markets will be healthy in 1991, though slower than in
1990. That's the conclusion of a new report from market research firm
Daratech.

In its new report -- 'CAD/CAM, CAE: Survey, Review and Buyer's Guide'
-- Daratech predicts overall revenue growth of 12.2 percent this
year, down from 14.9 percent in 1990. This will bring CAD/CAM and CAE
revenues to about US$7,700 million, the company said.

Though slower than in 1990, the growth rate will exceed the nine-
percent growth rate of the computer industry as a whole over the past
three years, Daratech added.

Daratech expects IBM to lead the growth among the top tier of CAD/CAM
and CAE system vendors. IBM's revenues in this area will grow about 12
percent this year to US$2.3 billion, according to the report. Next
come Intergraph and Computervision, both with growth of about 10
percent in 1991.

Daratech also predicts that sales of AutoCAD, the world's most-used
computer-aided design software, will grow 25 percent in 1991 to
US$292 million. Referring to AutoCAD vendor Autodesk, of Sausalito,
California, as a 'juggernaut,' the company said it sees a lot of
potential for sales of the software on Unix systems in the coming
year.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Charles M. Foundyller or Bruce
L. Jenkins, Daratech, 617-354-2339, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 NEW FOR PC: IBM Offers Speech Recognition Software 05/29/91

05/29/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00008)

NEW FOR PC: IBM Offers Speech Recognition Software 05/29/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- IBM has
added VoiceType to its Independence Series of products for disabled
computer users. Based on technology from Dragon Systems, of Newton,
Massachusetts, VoiceType is a speech recognition system meant to let
users avoid the keyboard.

John Roberts, special needs systems planning manager for IBM's Entry
Systems Division in Boca Raton, Florida, told Newsbytes that VoiceType
is meant mainly for people with disabilities that keep them from
typing. However, he said, "there is a whole host of people out there
who may be able to use the keyboard but choose not to." VoiceType
may interest some of them as well, he added.

The VoiceType software should work with "any well-behaved application
software" that runs on IBM personal computers, Roberts said. He added,
though, that IBM has not tested it with all the software on the
market. Ashton-Tate's dBase IV database software, the Lotus 1-2-3
spreadsheet program and several word processors have been tested,
he said.

VoiceType requires IBM's Multimedia Attachment Playback Adapter,
which is available in both AT-bus (Industry Standard Architecture or ISA)
and Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) versions. The software also needs
a computer with at least an Intel 80386SX microprocessor, 6 megabytes
 of RAM and a hard disk.

The software keeps a vocabulary of about 7,000 words in memory,
Roberts said, 2,000 of which the user can choose. When it cannot match
spoken input to one of those words, it asks the user to spell the word
and turns to an 80,000-word dictionary on disk. When a new word is
recognized, it replaces the least-used word in the memory-resident
dictionary.

IBM said the software can adjust to each user's accent and
pronunciation. It also has on-line documentation which is accessible
through voice commands.

Due to be available at the end of August, the software will sell for
US$3,185. The multimedia card costs US$370.

The software, developed by IBM and Dragon Systems, is based on
technology used in Dragon's DragonDictate family of speech
recognition products.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Regina Lewis, IBM, 914-642-
5469)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 NEW PRODUCT: DynaCADD Now Available For DOS, Amiga 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00009)

NEW PRODUCT: DynaCADD Now Available For DOS, Amiga 05/29/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Ditek International
has begun shipping versions of its DynaCADD computer-aided design
software for IBM PCs and compatibles, as well as for the Commodore
Amiga. DynaCADD was previously only available on the Atari ST line of
computers.

Nathan Potechin, vice-president of Ditek, told Newsbytes that the
software was first released for the Atari systems in 1988, and has
little competition in that market. "We've owned the Atari market for
years." DynaCADD will be similarly unopposed in the Amiga market,
he added. But, Potechin said, the DOS market for professional CAD
software is far larger than either of these.

DynaCADD is a general purpose design and drafting program for
electrical, mechanical, architectural, and civil applications, Ditek
said. It handles both two- and three-dimensional drawings. The Amiga,
Atari, and DOS versions are able to exchange files, the company said.
All three versions retail for US$995.

A Windows version of DynaCADD and one for the Apple Macintosh
are also being developed, Potechin added.

Based in Toronto, Ditek has representatives in Europe and Asia.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Nathan Potechin, Ditek
International, 416-479-1990, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 IBM CANADA MOVES UP IN CORPORATE RANKINGS 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00010)

IBM CANADA MOVES UP IN CORPORATE RANKINGS 05/29/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Canada's two
annual corporate revenue score-cards are out, and they both show
IBM Canada moving up in the rankings. Both the Canadian Business
500 and the Financial Post 500 also show Digital Equipment of Canada
as slipping down the list.

IBM Canada took the number 22 spot on the Financial Post ranking for
1990, while Canadian Business put it 23rd. The two rankings sometimes
differ because of different rules about the revenue that is counted.
Both listings ranked IBM Canada 28th last year.

IBM Canada's 1990 revenue was C$4,578 million in 1990.
Digital Equipment of Canada, which reported C$721.19 million in 1990
revenues, slipped from 127th to 141st on the Canadian Business 500
and from 133rd to 144th in the Financial Post 500.

The top-ranked company with a significant interest in high technology
is BCE Inc., the holding company that controls Northern Telecom and
Bell Canada, Canada's largest regional phone company. BCE, with
1990 revenues of C$18,373 million, is number two on both 500 listings.
General Motors Canada is number one.

(Grant Buckler/19910529/Press Contact: Canadian Business Magazine,
416-364-4266, fax [phone]; The Financial Post, 416-350-6000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29  ****APPLE INTROS NEW OPEN SCRIPTING ARCHITECTURE 05/29/91

05/29/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00011)

 ****APPLE INTROS NEW OPEN SCRIPTING ARCHITECTURE 05/29/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Citing a need
for a standard scripting platform for all Macintosh third-party
applications, Apple Computer has announced an open scripting
architecture that enables users to customize applications and automate
repetitive tasks. According to the company, the new scripting
architecture builds upon Apple's recently released System 7.0
operating system.

Scripting allows for the customization of applications for those users
who are not necessarily computer programmers. Macro languages,
batch files, and the HyperTalk language are common approaches
to user scripting.

Apple maintains that its Open Scripting Architecture provides a
standard way for mainstream applications to interact with any
scripting application, and is based on the Apple events messaging
language of System 7's IAC (InterApplication Communication)
technology.

According to the company, IAC is a feature of System 7 allowing
applications to share data and functions.

"The open scripting architecture takes advantage of the flexibility
and power IAC offers by providing developers with a standard way to
make their mainstream applications scriptable," said Roger Heinen,
Apple's vice president of Macintosh Software Architecture. "This open
architecture brings the consistency that Macintosh users expect to
scripting, and opens up new opportunities for developer innovation on
the Macintosh."

According to the company, the Open Scripting Architecture includes a
set of standard Apple events and a mechanism for announcing support
of those standards. Standard Apple events form a common vocabulary
for application communication, and have been published in the Apple
events Registry. Through the Apple events User Terminology
mechanism, applications announce the Apple events which they can
receive from scripting systems. Together, the Apple events Registry
and User Terminology form a standard application architecture for user
scripting.

The Macintosh Open Scripting Architecture includes the Apple Events
Registry and Apple events User Terminology definition. Both were
distributed to developers recently at Apple's WorldWide Developers
Conference, as part of the Apple events Developers Toolkit. The
Developers Toolkit also includes the Apple events Object Support
Library and a number of testing tools, and will be available from
Apple this summer.

(Ian Stokell/19910529/Press Contact: Patty Tulloch, Apple Computer,
408-974-5449)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 CADENCE DESIGN FORMS NEW SYSTEMS DIV; SIGNS AT&T 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00012)

CADENCE DESIGN FORMS NEW SYSTEMS DIV; SIGNS AT&T 05/29/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Cadence Design
Systems has formed a new Systems Division and Consulting Services
group to handle the company's printed circuit board design technology
and consulting service functions.

At the same time the company has announced a joint technology
exchange and partnering agreement with AT&T Microelectronics,
designed to integrate and market AT&T's design-for-manufacturability
(DFM) and design-for-test (DFT) technology as part of Cadence's
Design Framework II(TM)-based Amadeus (TM) Systems Design
Series.

The company said it sees the formation of the new group as important
to its entry into the printed circuit board (PCB) design layout and
services business. The new business group will report to Jeffrey A.
Miller, newly appointed divisional president.

According to the company, the five-year agreement marks the first
commercial availability of systems-level design tools from AT&T. The
design technology developed by AT&T Bell Laboratories includes a
comprehensive set of manufacturing and test audits for PCB design
and layout.

Also as part of the technology partnering, AT&T will integrate Prance,
Cadence's high performance PCB place and route software, with its
internal design environments.

According to Cadence, plans call for the company to market the AT&T
technology in a phased approach, beginning in the fourth quarter of
1991 with the availability of certain DFM capabilities, such as design
audits and rules specifications, integrated with the Design Framework II
architecture from Cadence. Design Framework II, forms the foundation
for Cadence's complete suite of electronic design automation tools.

The AT&T software, also available from Cadence as standalone
technology, will initially be available on workstation platforms from
Sun Microsystems. The technology will be enhanced to fit the
Cadence portability model and will be available on additional
platforms in subsequent releases.

(Ian Stokell/19910529/Press Contact: Nanette Collins, Cadence Design
Systems Inc., 408-987-5206)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 LANDMARK GRAPHICS AND JEBCO SEISMIC FOR THE U.S.S.R. 05/29/91

05/29/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00013)

LANDMARK GRAPHICS AND JEBCO SEISMIC FOR THE U.S.S.R. 05/29/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Two U.S. companies --
Landmark Graphics and Jebco Seismic -- have signed an agreement
which they hope will lead to computer workstation and software sales
in the Soviet Union. The agreement allows each company to jointly sell
the other's products throughout the Soviet Union.

Landmark, the hardware side of the venture, must still secure U.S.
governmental approval to sell in the Soviet Union. As part of the
agreement, the two companies will open a service center in Moscow to
offer services such as transferring analog seismic data to a digital
format, a necessary step for scientists to use computers to search for
oil and gas deposits.

According to Jebco president Grant Lichtman: "Our goal is to establish
a library type center where companies can access large volumes of
data." Lichtman said there are huge reserves of gas and oil still to
be tapped in the Soviet Union. The Soviets have accumulated large
amounts of data, and Landmark believes they will play a major role in
the conversion of that data to computer where mapping, modeling, and
seismic and geologic interpretation will be done.

Jebco has been selling oil and gas packages in the Soviet Union for
about four years, and specializes in supplying exploration data to the
international oil and gas industry..

(Jim Mallory/19910529/Press Contact:Jacek Gawron, Landmark Graphics,
713-579-4700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 SYNTELLECT, ROCKWELL INT'L IN LICENSING AGREEMENT 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00014)

SYNTELLECT, ROCKWELL INT'L IN LICENSING AGREEMENT 05/29/91
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- If you're tired of
calling a company and having the voice mail system lead you through
an apparently endless list of "press 1 for..." messages, help is on the
way. Syntellect Inc., has signed a licensing agreement with Rockwell
International that will enable Syntellect's Infobot IVR system to work
with Rockwell's Galaxy ACD system and so provide intelligent transfers
of incoming calls.

Syntellect's Infobot takes advantage of the automatic number
identification (ANI) and dial number identification service (DNIS)
features of the ACD system to recognize the caller before answering
the call. The IVR system then either handles the call or transfers it
to a human operator. If the call is transferred to an operator,
relevant information about the caller is passed along with the voice
call.

DNIS allows Infobot to recognize the number the caller would like to
reach. The IVR system can identify why a customer is calling, so
eliminating the need to route the caller through the time-consuming
menu options.

Suppose you call the bank to check your savings account balance.
With the IVR system you would call a specific number designated for
savings account inquiries and be connected directly to the IVR
application that handles those questions.

Syntellect claims that it has more than 5,000 Infobot systems
installed worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies, banks,
insurance companies, government agencies and educational
institutions.

(Jim Mallory/19910529/Press Contact:Tim Mikol, Rockwell Int'l, 708-
960-8047)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 IOMEGA OPTICAL STORAGE FOR DOS AND WINDOWS 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00015)

IOMEGA OPTICAL STORAGE FOR DOS AND WINDOWS 05/29/91
ROY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Iomega Corporation has
announced that its erasable optical mass storage system, Lasersafe,
is now available for DOS and Microsoft Windows.

The Lasersafe system stores up to 650 megabytes of data on a single,
removable optical disk. Lasersafe support is now available for the Apple
Macintosh, OS/2, Unix, SCO Xenix and Netware 286 environments as well
as DOS and Windows. The high capacity, removable media storage
system would be ideal for users who store graphic images, which require
a large amount of disk space or where high security is a factor.

Lasersafe for DOS is a 5.25-inch optical disk system that provides
high density, erasable, reusable storage. Lasersafe uses a SCSI
(Small Computer Systems Interface) to connect the optical disk drive to
a variety of computers. The drive includes an external power supply and
dual SCSI connectors, allowing the use of more than one Iomega drive
on the same adapter.

The Lasersafe system is immediately available, and carries a
list price of $4,999, with disks priced at $299. PC, MCA and Macintosh
interfaces are priced at $265, $399 and $49 respectively. The
Macintosh interface is priced lower since only software is required to
interface with the Mac. Existing owners of a Lasersafe system can add
DOS capability by ordering a $29 upgrade kit. The company has a toll
free number -- 800-456-5522 -- for ordering or information.

(Jim Mallory/19910529/Press Contact: Linda Casey, Iomega, 801-778-
3345)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 NEW FOR MAC: Go Technology Intros Hot Keys 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00016)

NEW FOR MAC: Go Technology Intros Hot Keys 05/29/91
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Go Technology
has announced two new versions of Hot Keys -- a pre-defined function
key macro system for the Apple Macintosh -- that replaces dragging
and clicking the mouse through a series of steps with pressing an
F-key on the keyboard.

Announcing the availability of the new software, company officials
said that basic functions, such as cut-and-paste, copy, undo, close,
shutdown, font size/type are all available by pressing a single key
with the Hot Keys software.

Go Technology said that the new versions add Aldus Pagemaker 4.0
and Personal Press 1.0 to the applications supported. Other versions
available include Microsoft Word 4.0, Microsoft Works 2.0, Aldus
Pagemaker 3.0 to 3.02, and Claris Macwrite II. A Universal version of Hot
Keys includes Word 4.0, Write, Works, Writenow, Mindwrite, Nisus and
Fullwrite Professional.

The company said that Hot Keys is installed by copying two files into
the system folder, laying the plastic template over the keyboard, then
restarting the computer. Hot Keys products are guaranteed by Go to be
reliable and compatible, as they are based on Apple's Macromaker.
Hot Keys also allows the user to create and record macros, according
to the company.

Hot Keys retails for $59.95, and with the purchase of Personal Press a
coupon reduces the price to $39.95. Go Technology claims that Hot Keys
is less expensive than other, similar software, with published prices
for competing products Quickeys II and Tempo II listed at $149.95.

However, a quick call to Dustin Discount Software, a mail-order house
by Newsbytes revealed Quickeys II was going for $99, Tempo was
being sold for $69, and Dustin had not heard of Hot Keys. Go
Technology said that Hot Keys is available from Mac America.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910529/Press Contact: Susan Wells, Irwin Ink, Tel:
619/450-1960, Fax: [phone], Douglas Hall, Go Technology, Tel:
800/hotkey1 [468-5391]; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 SONY APPOINTS FORMER US TRADE REP AS DIRECTOR 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00017)

SONY APPOINTS FORMER US TRADE REP AS DIRECTOR 05/29/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Sony Corporation has appointed
Peter Peterson to its new board of directors. According to the Japanese
technology giant, Peterson has extensive experience in mergers and
acquisitions, and is a former U.S. trade representative.

The appointment is an unusual one for Sony, which normally does not
appoint foreigners to board level. The appointment is explained,
however, by the fact that Peterson is a close friend of Sony's
chairman, Akio Morita.

Morita is quoted in the Asahi newspaper as saying that "Petersen has
been experienced in dealing with Japan-U.S. problems, and we expect
he could give us valuable advice in the future."

Petersen is currently working as chairman of New York-based investment
bank Blackstone Group. He also assisted Japan's tire manufacturer, the
Bridge Group, in acquiring a U.S. tire company in 1988. The Sony
appointment will be part-time, and starts on June 27.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: Sony, [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 MATSUSHITA DEVELOPS 64-BIT RISC PROCESSOR 05/29/91

05/29/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00018)

MATSUSHITA DEVELOPS 64-BIT RISC PROCESSOR 05/29/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Matsushita Electric has
developed a 64-bit microprocessor, based on RISC
(reduced instruction set computing) technology.

The new chip -- called the Ohmega -- runs at 40MHz and is capable
of performing up to 80 million floating-point-operations-per-second
(flops), some four times faster than the company's previous chipset in
this category.

The microprocessor's speed is attributable to the inclusion of 0.8-
micron CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology
in the chip architecture. This has allowed the company to lay the chip
out on a surface area of just 14.7 by 15.3mm.

According to the company, a non-von Neuman-type computer can be
easily produced. Plans call for the company to link multiple Ohmega
processors together and connect them to the Adernet, Matsushita's
parallel processing computer system. The resultant computer should
be capable of speeds of up to 20 gigaflops.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: Matsushita Electric, +81-6-
908-1121)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTER PROGRAM TO SHARE PC DATA 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00019)

GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTER PROGRAM TO SHARE PC DATA 05/29/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Fujitsu has developed what it
claims is a versatile program for its large-scale general purpose
and office computers. The program provides a major degree of
compatibility with PC technology, so saving on software development
costs, the company claims.

Fujitsu's program is called `Message 90s' and is compatible with
popular PC packages such as Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, Ichitaro (the
Japanese word processing package) and Microsoft Windows.

Due to the difference in basic concept of designing and operating
systems, most of general purpose computers and office computers have
difficulty in exchanging data with personal computers. So, the general
purpose computer users and the office computer users usually develop
their own programs for their personal computers in order to exchange
data between them. With Fujitsu's new program, users of both
office computers and personal computers do not have to develop any
special programs.

Licensing costs for Fujitsu's new software work out at between $75
and $1,100 a month -- around ten times cheaper than developing
programs in-house, the company claims.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: Fujitsu, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29  ****MITAC JUMPS ON OPEN ARCHITECTURE BANDWAGON 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00020)

 ****MITAC JUMPS ON OPEN ARCHITECTURE BANDWAGON 05/29/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- In a surprise turn of events, Mitac
of Taiwan has joined the open architecture development group (OADG) of
Japan. At the same time, the Taiwanese giant has announced plans to
launch an IBM PC compatible microcomputer for sale on the Japanese
domestic market.

The new PC will be based around the Intel 80386SX microprocessor and
runs DOS/V, the latest local language edition of the PC's operating
system. Pricing is expected to start at around the 200,000 yen ($1,500)
mark and shipment is expected in July. The PC will be the first
DOS/V-compatible machine to be released by a member of the OADG.

Mitac is not the only Taiwanese company that is active in the Japanese
marketplace. Several other companies are becoming more aggressive.
Acer, for example, has announced a major advertising campaign to grab
up to ten percent of the Japanese PC marketplace.

Spearheading Acer's push in Japan is the Frame 3000SP, a LAN server
system. Plans call for Acer to launch an 80486SX-based computer in
June of 1991 which employs what the company calls 'frame map
technology.' Using the technology, the system can be upgraded when
future chips are developed, simply by slotting in the new
microprocessor.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: Mitac Japan, +81-3-5420-
2822)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 HEWLETT PACKARD IN $30 MILLION DEAL WITH SCHLUMBERGER 05/29/91

05/29/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00021)

HEWLETT PACKARD IN $30 MILLION DEAL WITH SCHLUMBERGER 05/29/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard and
Schlumberger Technologies have announced a $30 million agreement
whereby Schlumberger will resell HP Apollo 9000 Series 400 and Series
700 workstations bundled with its own Desktop BRAVO! family of
computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software.

Mark Lederhos, a spokesman for Hewlett-Packard, told Newsbytes that
the agreement was important for the company as it "demonstrates HP is
making in roads in the CAD/CAM business." He added that Schlumberger
is eager to take advantage of the new Series 700's potentials.

"We want to offer customers our software on the platforms that best
meet their needs," said Paul Grady, marketing manager at Schlumberger
CAD/CAM. "HP's workstations meet all the criteria that we have
established for defining a suitable platform for our products, and in
the process, have helped us to enhance the performance of our own
products."

"Today's CAD/CAM customers are more sophisticated than ever before,"
added Mark E. Tolliver, marketing manager of HP's Workstation Systems
Division. "These customers require software applications that deliver
the complete suite of drafting, design and manufacturing solutions -
such as Desktop BRAVO! -- and the workstation platforms that provide
the highest levels of performance at the right price, like our Series
700 and 400 families."

Lederhos told Newsbytes that HP had "several other similar agreements
in the works", although he declined to specify with which companies.
"We will be announcing more deals in the near future," he added.

Schlumberger Technologies is a business unit of the $5 billion,
multinational corporation Schlumberger Ltd. Schlumberger CAD/CAM is a
major supplier of mechanical design-automation software and services.

(Ian Stokell/19910529/Press Contact: Mark Lederhos, Hewlett-Packard,
508-256-6600, ext. 7744)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 PRIMA ACQUIRES PRIAM SYSTEMS' DISK STORAGE LINE 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00022)

PRIMA ACQUIRES PRIAM SYSTEMS' DISK STORAGE LINE 05/29/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Prima
International has signed an agreement to acquire Priam Systems
Corporation's line of name brand IBM-compatible disk storage products.

The agreement also establishes a relationship for manufacturing and
sales representation of the line, and will bring the Priam product
line of hard disk drives together with Prima's Identica backup tape
system product line, into a new Prima subsidiary.

Ken Vanosky, a spokesman for Prima International, told Newsbytes that
the new subsidiary is, at the moment, unnamed. He said that as a
result of the agreement "we have acquired a well-known name and broad
product line." Additionally he said that the agreement meant the
company would be "combining the Priam product line with Prima's
existing products."

The agreement provides for Priam Systems to function under contract as
Prima's North American master manufacturer's representative. Under a
separate agreement Priam Systems will build the product line for
Prima.

Vanosky told Newsbytes that, far from considering the discontinuation
of some of Priam's products, Prima actually intended to expand the
line and was planning new product announcements as early as next week.

The company said that Priam Systems will continue to honor existing
customer warranty agreements made prior to the agreement. Prima will
market Priam-branded and Identica products overseas through its own
sales network and has been Priam Systems international distributor
since Priam System's founding last year.

Priam Systems Corp. was established in 1990 to design and distribute a
line of disk drive storage products for IBM PC-compatible, Novell,
Unix and Pick markets through a worldwide distribution network.

Prima International, founded in 1978 and based in Santa Clara, has
sales outlets worldwide. Prima concentrates on channel development for
the distribution of IBM-compatible microcomputers, subsystems and
peripheral products.

(Ian Stokell/19910529/Press Contact: Ken Vanosky, Prima, 408-727-2600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29  ****HAYES PREDICTS ISDN WILL PAY OFF AND CHANGE SOCIETY 05/29/91

05/29/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)

 ****HAYES PREDICTS ISDN WILL PAY OFF AND CHANGE SOCIETY 05/29/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- During the recent Comdex
trade show in Atlanta, Hayes Microcomputer Products founder-president
Dennis Hayes held a pow-wow with about 50 bulletin board system
operators, and in a fascinating briefing, he told them their boards
are about to be transformed by ISDN. ISDN, which stands for Integrated
Services Digital Network, is a set of standards which will turn
today's analog phone lines into digital networks, with extra signaling
channels capable of providing new types of services.

"The computer industry is blind to what's about to happen with ISDN,"
he said. Thanks to recent negotiations, the seven regional Bells which
serve the U.S. expect to have half their lines `ISDN-capable' by the
end of 1992. Those deployment plans will be published within a few
months, he said, telling businesses where and when they can expect the
service, and best of all the digital switches used to provide the
service will soon become compatible.

In contrast, modem companies are now reaching technical limits on the
volume of data they can push through analog phone lines, Hayes noted.
Today's 9,600 bit/second modems frequently slow down because of line
noise, and the problem will only get worse as the load increases.

But digital service is a whole new ballgame. "Best of all, the phone
companies will create a standard form for ISDN parameters, making it
easier to order. You'll be able to order standard packages of service
and find out right away what it will cost." Generally, he said, basic
rate ISDN lines are being tariffed at between 1.3 and 1.7 times the
price of regular business phone lines. That's a bargain, because a
single ISDN phone line can handle 2 channels of 64,000 bits/second
service and a 16,000 bit/second signalling channel, meaning voice,
data, and fax calls can all share the same line.

Hayes has been investing heavily in ISDN for years, so far with little
return. Competition in the basic modem business has forced Hayes to
lay off hundreds of workers and reduce executive staff over the last
few years, as local newspapers reported. Had Hayes been a public
instead of a private company, shareholder pressure may have forced a
change in direction by now. But in fact Dennis Hayes seems happier
than he has in years, with a smaller, more research-oriented data
communications company which may be about to get its big pay-off.

"I can smell it," he said of ISDN. "In the next year every large phone
company in North America will be funding ISDN within their networks.
That's why we've been building packet assembler-disassemblers, or
PADs, into our Ultra 9600 modems, so that when ISDN is installed we'll
have a natural connection between today's analog service and digital.
We want the analog-digital conversion to go through packet switchers
in your computer, not through a telephone company central office. And
it's on the verge of happening. That means your boards will be capable
of providing 64,000 bit/second data channels, and voice-data
applications we haven't thought of how to use yet. ISDN will turn
today's bulletin boards into multimedia boards," with audio, text, and
compressed pictures all sent in the time it now takes to send program
files.

With current levels of compression, a 64,000 bit/second data channel
can squeeze 256,000 bytes down the line per second -- the equivalent
of a digitized movie frame every 6 seconds. The bottleneck here will
be on the serial ports of older PCs, which Hayes has addressed with
the Enhanced Serial Port, or ESP, found on its newer modems. ESP has
been offered to the competition.

"You in the bbs community will prove whether we've done well or not,"
Hayes continued, warming to his subject. "You can totally re-do the
way bulletin board systems work, so multimedia can use that basic rate
service in ways we never thought about before.

"Something's going on in the world. Our consciousness is changing
about using paper. But one thing that is not finite is the implosion
of technology. We can continually integrate more functions onto
semiconductor devices and continue to make interesting application
software. The only limit is the ability of institutions -- computer
companies, phone companies, businesses -- to handle this, and our own
minds."

Later, during a question and answer period, Hayes was asked whether he
had any regrets about putting so much into ISDN. He laughed.
"Telephony timeframes and computer timeframes are completely
different. To the phone companies, all this change has been very
sudden." He was also asked to suggest some applications for multimedia
bulletin boards. "It could be an interactive talk show. Don't fall in
love with your keyboards guys," he replied.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910529/Press Contact: Peggy Ballard, Hayes, 404-
840-9200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 PSI OFFERS LOWER-COST INTERNET SERVICE 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)

PSI OFFERS LOWER-COST INTERNET SERVICE 05/29/91
RESTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Performance Systems
International (PSI), a company which offers the PSINet gateway to the
Internet conferencing system used by Unix computers, has announced a
new service called After Dark Service (ADS). ADS provides a simple way
for individuals to access accounts on Internet hosts on evenings or
weekends, using an ordinary PC and modem, the company claims.

PSI's After Dark Service is available from 6 PM to 6 AM Eastern Time
Monday through Friday, and all day on the weekends. It costs $35 per
month, plus a one-time registration fee of $35.

But that doesn't mean you can now dial into the Internet from your PC,
explained director of sales John Eldredge. "ADS and host-dial data
connections are two current products and two different animals," he
told Newsbytes. "ADS assumes you already have an account on the
Internet -- it's just a dial up mechanism. If you don't have an
account, then it would require a dial-up capability, meaning
additional software."

The target of ADS, in other words, would be someone who already has an
Internet account. "If you are a staffer at the University of Illinois,
going on sabbatical in Syracuse, New York, ADS would let you dial up
and open a window to your machine in Illinois. The host service would
require additional software." ADS offers service at up to 9,600
bits/second.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910529/Press Contact: PSI, John Eldredge, 703-620-
6651)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 AT&T BACKING NEW GATEWAY SERVICE 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)

AT&T BACKING NEW GATEWAY SERVICE 05/29/91
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- AT&T is backing a new
gateway service from National Videotex Network (NVN). The gateway
automatically converts common protocols like the Minitel's Teletel
standard, Bell Canada's Alex NAPLPS standard and the Digital Equipment
VT100 terminal standard used by many large online services. By going
through the new National Videotex service, this protocol conversion
can be done automatically.

But NVN is not a protocol conversion service, as president Roger
Charland explained to Newsbytes: "We handle the protocols, but we
don't convert them. We switch the terminal to the proper protocol and
link the information provider in the proper mode. But we don't make
any kind of conversion," he said.

While NVN and Prodigy both offer the NAPLPS protocol, Charland
emphasized that his system would not allow users a new link to
Prodigy. "That's a proprietary network. The possibility to link is
there, but Prodigy owns their own network. That makes them
proprietary. Their philosophy seems to be do everything themselves,"
he said.

From a technical viewpoint, Charland said, "everyone on our network
will have emulator software -- NVTel. It's a multi-protocol emulator.
The software includes VT100, ASCII 3.62, Minitel Teletel, and NAPLPS
Alex SRM. So the protocols are well defined. From the gateway we
switch to the proper protocol, send that data to the IP, and link to
the end user in the same language."

AT&T's packet service provides the backbone connecting information
users and providers to National Videotex. This makes it available
through over 600 cities nationwide, more than are now accessible by
local BT Tymnet, Sprintnet, or Infonet nodes. And, a single connection
affords information providers with universal access to all points on
AT&T's Worldwide Intelligent Network.

AT&T spokesman Gary Morgenstern said that NVN is only a customer of
AT&T, and his firm has no equity in it. "We're just providing the
transport," he said. "We do, under a separate agreement, share in lead
referrals, and there's additional advertising to attract users. But we
have no equity interest -- they're a customer." Also, "the purpose
isn't for us to host" services. NVN will only be a gateway.

NVN president Roger Charland described his venture as a clearing house
for information providers. "Users are no longer handcuffed to a
specific protocol limiting the type of information they may access,
and information providers don't need to concern themselves with the
laborious task of protocol conversion. NVN combines the effectiveness
of text and the beauty of graphics."

Charland basically agreed, but clarified a few points. "We will host a
service which will be an electronic mail system, so all the users will
have a mail box. And we have everything a gateway needs to function --
directories of services, ways to change passwords, ways to send
messages to the gateway. But we won't compete with the IPs for any
database."

Charland currently has no links to major players in the U.S. online
market like CompuServe, GEnie and Dow Jones News Retrieval, although
"all are under negotiation." One of his primary targets initially will
be large bulletin boards like Canada Remote and Exec-PC.

"Bulletin boards are a target. They could be linked very easily. The
only thing those people need is an X.25 PAD," which is included in
many of the new fast modems like the Hayes Ultra 9600. The ANSI
terminal emulators used by many bulletin board operators to give their
users color menus are already supported. "ANSI is there. It's the TTY
of most IPs, or ANSI 3.62. It's a subset of VT 100. When you support
one, you support the others," he said.

For a flat fee of $4.95 per month, users obtain unlimited access to
National Videotex's user-friendly information exchange. This includes
free access to six services provided by USA Today Decisionline,
"write-your-own" classified services, and unlimited usage of the
gateway function.

National Videotex Network users may also access an expanding number of
pay-as-you-go interactive and transactional services, such as stock
exchanges, environmental services, directories, chat and games.
Service is available immediately by calling NVN at 1-800-348-0069.
Users will be required to purchase the necessary software and user
documentation for $14.95. The price is still lower than that of
Prodigy.

NVN is launching the service with over 50 services on-line and is
presently holding discussions to add over 200 more services. AT&T and
NVN may share resources to recruit information providers to the
videotex industry and to stimulate the usage of videotex services.
Information about becoming an information provider is available from
NVN at 1-201-242-3119.

The current NVN speed limit is 2,400 bits per second (bps), but
Charland said that the network itself can handle the faster 9,600 bps
speed: "The backbone of the system will enable us to add 9600 very
soon. The network supports it. The only place where we have a little
problem now is the local exchange carriers. Most of their PADS are
still on 1200 and 2400, so as soon as the PADs can handle 9600 --
which is the case for a few cities -- we'll handle it."

Charland also expects that digital services under ISDN standards won't
impact his service soon. "The ISDN feature gives to any kind of
network more power. That's the big difference. It will be easier when
ISDN is there for everybody. We are using, in a lot of cases, digital
lines already. It's not a big difference," he said.

"Of course the number of applications will grow faster with ISDN.
There's a lot of possibilities to combine graphics with text, to do a
lot of different things with every file, increasing the speed of
transmission. But I would be surprised if the market is ready for that
for a couple of years -- changing the backbone doesn't change the
modem" in anyone's PC.

Generally, however, NVN is hoping for a low-key rollout, quite unlike
the big publicity which launched the Bell Gateways or the Prodigy
system. "Our philosophy is to do the thing step by step, to start
slowly but do it right, and make sure the technical backbone behind
the service is there," Charland concluded.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910529/Press Contact: Roger Charland, NVN, 201-
242-3119; AT&T, Gary Morgenstern, 908-221-6153)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 WORD WRAPPER - WORD PROCESSING FOR DATABASE APPS 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00026)

WORD WRAPPER - WORD PROCESSING FOR DATABASE APPS 05/29/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Strategic Edge
has announced Word Wrapper version 2.3, a source code-based
programming tool that allows a programmer to give the user word
processing ability within custom database applications. Word Wrapper
can be used within Dbase IV, Clipper, Fox and Quicksilver
applications, and can be used instead of memo fields, the company
said.

Strategic Edge says that, when Word Wrapper is used instead of memo
fields, users type text into a scrollable window that automatically
reformats as text is entered or deleted. Word Wrapper gives the
programmer complete control over the number of lines that can be
entered, and is more reliable than memo edit, since text is stored in
DBF fields instead of memo fields, the company said.

New features in version 2.30 include a global search and replace
feature, searching for phrases by typing as few as one character from
the phrase, cut and paste for copying and moving text, and support for
Dbase IV, Clipper 5.0, Foxbase+, Foxpro, Clipper Summer '87 and
Quicksilver, said the company.

An addition to Word Wrapper, the Word Wrapper Toolbox adds additional
functions such as allowing users to create mail-merge form letters
with fields chosen from a pop-up list, specify headers, footers, page
numbers and margins, import and export memos from generic text files,
and reformat memos to any desired width, the company said. Toolbox
also includes a 60,000 word dictionary and with spell checking that
suggests alternative spellings, finds consecutive duplicates, and lets
the user add new words. It also allows users to boldface or underline
text, the company said.

Word Wrapper is priced at $99, with all source code included, and the
Toolbox is an additional $99. Both are available directly from
Strategic Edge Software, 3255 Laguna, Suite 8, San Francisco, CA
94123, Tel: [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910529/Press Contact: David Lewis, Strategic Edge,
Tel:[phone], Fax:[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 IBM JAPAN SLASHES WORKSTATION PRICING 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00027)

IBM JAPAN SLASHES WORKSTATION PRICING 05/29/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- IBM Japan has slashed pricing on its
workstation family by as much as 48 percent -- an unprecedented event
in Big Blue's Far Eastern history.

The move has been interpreted as due to sluggish sales against
Japanese home-produced workstations from the likes of Fujitsu and NEC.
Sales of NEC's workstations have, in fact, overtaken those of IBM
Japan in both company's 1990 fiscal years, while Fujitsu has also
leap-frogged ahead in sales terms against Big Blue.

The price cuts -- the largest in IBM Japan's history -- are swingeing.
On the company's Power Station series, for example, the top of the
range 550 is down from 25 million yen ($180,000) to 13 million yen
($70,000).

So how are IBM Japan's sales actually doing? The company's Japanese
operation recorded a modest 1.1 percent increase in sales for fiscal
1990, an increase that is much smaller than in previous years. In
contrast, Fujitsu recorded a 12.2 percent increase, while NEC's sales
surged ahead by 9.1 percent.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: IBM Japan, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 ZILOG SIGNS SECOND SOURCE AGREEMENT WITH ASCII 05/29/91

05/29/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00028)

ZILOG SIGNS SECOND SOURCE AGREEMENT WITH ASCII 05/29/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Japan's ASCII Corporation has signed
a second source supply agreement with Zilog. Terms of the agreement
call for ASCII to supply R800 chips to Zilog on a non-exclusive basis.

The R800 is a 16-bit microprocessor and backwards-compatible with
Zilog's Z80 chipset. The 10 year agreement calls for ASCII to
manufacture and market the R800. ASCII plans to sell the chip through
its own sales network, as well as to supply it to Zilog. The chip will
be sold worldwide from this fall onwards, with a provisional sales
target of 100,000 units a month.

The R800 chipset is, in fact, fully compatible with the 8-bit Z80
chipsets, which has enjoyed record sales throughout the world. The Z80
was first shipped in 1976 and has reached 400 million sales, with a
further 60 million expected to ship this year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: ASCII, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 MITSUBISHI 256M DRAM CHIP DEVELOPMENT 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00029)

MITSUBISHI 256M DRAM CHIP DEVELOPMENT 05/29/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Mitsubishi has announced plans to
build a plant that will research and develop 64 and 256 megabit
dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chipsets. The technology giant
plans to spend around 60,000 million yen ($440 million) on the
project, which will begin production in September, 1992.

Mitsubishi's researchers have already developed the technology to
produce a 64M DRAM chip -- the company announced this fact last
February. According to Mitsubishi, plans call for the company to
develop a 256M DRAM chipset -- this will necessitate the use of highly
sophisticated technology to draw a 0.2 micron circuit.

Mitsubishi will not have the high-capacity chipset all to itself
however -- several other Japanese technology giants have been
following suit. Toshiba has built a new research and development
center in Kyushu, which is the southernmost island of Japan. NEC and
Hitachi, meanwhile, are also preparing new facilities to manufacture
256M DRAM chips.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: Mitsubishi Electric, +81-3-
3218-2332, Fax, 81-3-3218-2431)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 29 MATSUSHITA SIGNS AGREEMENT ON PCs WITH SIEMENS 05/29/91

05/29/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00030)

MATSUSHITA SIGNS AGREEMENT ON PCs WITH SIEMENS 05/29/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 29 (NB) -- Matsushita Electric and German-based
Siemens have entered a joint development agreement concerning
peripheral equipment for personal computers. Terms of the agreement
call for both companies to develop extensions to their laptop and
notebook technology.

Under the agreement, the equipment will be jointly developed by both
companies' R&D operations in their respective countries. Matsushita
will manufacture the products and supply them to Siemens on an
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis. Plans call for the
products to range from memory boards to network equipment for PCs.

The link-up between the two companies is not as new as it seems. Both
are already selling each other's products in the European marketplace.
The European agreement dates from October last year, terms of which
call for Matsushita to supply IBM-compatible laptops to Siemens.
Siemens also supplies desktop PCs to Matsushita for sale under the
Panasonic brand name.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910529/Press Contact: Matsushita Electric, +81-3-
3436-2691)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 MAY 28  ****TELIX AUTHOR APPOINTS AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR 05/28/91

05/28/91



(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00001)

 ****TELIX AUTHOR APPOINTS AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR 05/28/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) - Telix, one of the most popular
shareware telecommunications programs, now has an official Australian
distributor. Peter Deegan's company -- My Computer Company -- has
been appointed by Telix's Canadian author, Colin Samplaleanu.

Telix is widely regarded by the online community as a pretender to the
shareware communications throne currently occupied by Datastorm's
Procomm. Datastorm has been channeling its resources this last few
years into Procomm Plus, a commercial version of Procomm. As a result,
many in the online community have felt that development of Procomm
has stagnated. Development of Telix, which floundered a few years ago,
has now been taken up again, with the result that the package is rated
almost as highly as Procomm Plus -- an interesting situation
considering Procomm Plus is a commercial package.

The Australian appointment is aimed at offering local users of the
program better support, as well as allowing potential Australian
licensees of the shareware package the facility to register their
usage without having to contact the Canadian author.

In Australia, Deegan is offering Telix 3.15 for AUS$65. This registers
the package with the Canadian author. For a further AUS$25, Deegan
will supply a printed manual. In return for these monies, Deegan is
offering local support and upgrades for the package.

(Sean McNamara & Steve Gold/19910528/Press contact: Peter Deegan,
phone in Australia [phone], fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 HONG KONG: IT WEEK SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00002)

HONG KONG: IT WEEK SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 05/28/91
CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- IT Week, the
major information technology event that was an outstanding success
last year, looks like being even more successful this year. In fact, so
many technology conferences, exhibitions, demonstrations,
competitions and functions have been included in the program that
the show organizers have extended the one week event to span a two
week period from September 29 to October 12, 1991.

Speaking at the unveiling of the final plans for the show, Dr Colin
Greenfield, director of the Hong Kong Government's Information
Technology Services Department (ITSD) and executive vice chairman
of IT Week, told Newsbytes that the major objective of IT Week was to
create a greater awareness of IT (information technology) throughout
the community, and this would be achieved not only by exhibitions and
seminars, but also by participatory events. Leading the exhibitions this
year once again will be CeNIT, the Asian version of CeBIT, the world's
largest IT show held annually in Hanover, Germany.

"One of the most frequent criticisms we had about last year's IT Week
was that the exhibition closed too early each day for many business
people to attend, and also that students were precluded from
attending," he said.

"This year we are straddling a weekend with the CeNIT exhibition and,
indeed many other events. We are arranging conducted tours for
students and focused participation for non-industry visitors," he
added.

Other major conferences and exhibitions scheduled by IT Week
include EDI Asia '91, the Hong Kong Article Numbering Association
(HKANA) Pavilion and Conference, and another Open Systems
Interconnect (OSI) demonstration by the Hong Kong OSI Cooperative,
HOSIC. Community events will include IT for the Deaf, IT in
Government, the IT Week Roadshow and the Micromouse World
Championships, 1991.

"We believe that, with the resources we have available, it is
preferable that we focus attention on one single area of IT for the
handicapped each year. Last year we focused on IT for the visually
disabled, this year our concentration will be on IT aids for the
deaf," said Jeffrey Evans, executive director of IT Week. Evans is
credited as being the founding father of IT Week, his brainchild of
three years ago.

The IT Roadshow will be, as the name suggests, a travelling
hands-on exhibition in a converted bus that will several areas of the
territory, with particular emphasis on attracting young visitors. It
will become mobile early in the autumn school semester and continue
to operate after IT Week.

The second annual Micromouse World Championship will involve
entries from about fifteen countries and will take place over a period
of two days.

Last year, HOSIC staged the first OSI demonstration held in Hong Kong
involving nine individual vendors and an experimental public access
administrative management domain (ADMD) from HK Telecoms. As a
direct result of the success of that event, HK Telecoms has announced
that it will have a fully implemented, permanent public access ADMD in
place by the time of this year's demonstration.

This will be Asia's first permanent public access OSI ADMD, and it
places Hong Kong ahead of several countries in the West that have
yet to achieve this level of public OSI service.

Last year IT Week was entirely funded by the Hong Kong Information
Technology Federation (HKITF), the major voice of the IT industry in
Hong Kong with more than 100 members including all major computer
manufacturers and vendors. Evans revealed that all funding necessary
for this year's IT Week had already been raised.

"We have the money, and we have an organization involving over 50
top specialists and organizers, so IT Week this year cannot fail. It is
important that we not rest on our laurels, however, because this is an
annual event and as it's popularity grows at an almost exponential
rate so do the costs," he told Newsbytes.

"We are now actively seeking sponsors for next year's event," he
added.

(Keith Cameron/19910528/Press Contact: Noel Yu, It Week, Tel + 852
5911033, Fax + 852 8363831; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 NEW FOR TELECOM: DataCell Links Fax/Computer to Cellular 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00003)

NEW FOR TELECOM: DataCell Links Fax/Computer to Cellular 05/28/91
WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Zirco, the
company that builds and markets the PowerTrip DC inverter that
provides AC power to electronic equipment from automobile cigarette
lighter outlets, has just begun shipping DataCell, a universal 9600
bits-per-second (bps) link that connects all laptop (and other) computers
and fax machines to the majority of portable cellular telephones.

Designed for mobile office users, including police and emergency
services, sales, and on-site service personnel, DataCell is 'hand-
sized', measuring 5.25 by 2.8 by 1-inch thick. The company claims that
its small size and ease of use allows it to easily connect to modems
or fax systems through the unit's standard RJ11 telephone connection,
so providing for much faster data transmission than acoustic couplers,
most of which operate at 300 or 1200 bps.

For further information, contact Zirco at 10900 W. 44th. Ave., Wheat
Ridge, CO 80033 or phone [phone].

(John McCormick/19910528/Press Contact: Neil Zimmerman, Zirco, 1303-
421-2013 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 MOSCOW: LOCALLY-MADE VGA CARDS NOW ON SALE 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00004)

MOSCOW: LOCALLY-MADE VGA CARDS NOW ON SALE 05/28/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Istrasoft, a high technology
company in the Moscow area, has begun marketing a
locally-manufactured Super VGA card capable of 800 x 600 pixels
resolution.

The heart of the card is a chip from Acumos, which has been specially
licensed for use with Istrasoft's own Bios chipset. The Bios is
unusual since it fully supports the cyrillic character set.

According to Immanuil Kmeller of Istrasoft, the card and its
supporting technology was developed and manufactured in Istra, a city
in the Moscow area and, thanks to this, is for sale priced in roubles
as well as Western currency. Most high technology products on sale in
the Soviet Union tend to be priced either in Western currency or, when
available for roubles, are priced very highly.

Pricing on the card starts at $80 for 100-up quantities. The company
is looking for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to supply the
cards to.

Istrasoft is not resting on its laurels. The company has announced a
'font cards' cartridge which, like the VGA card, can support a full
set of cyrillic characters. The cartridge, which retails for 25,000
roubles ($106), also supports Latin characters and runs under DOS with
Microsoft Windows 2.0, 3.0 and Ventura Publisher.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910528/Press contact: Immanuil Kmeller,
IstraSoft, phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 FIRST SOVIET HAYES-COMPATIBLE MODEM ANNOUNCED 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00005)

FIRST SOVIET HAYES-COMPATIBLE MODEM ANNOUNCED 05/28/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Werter has announced the
availability of a budget 1200 bits-per-second (bps) modem. The modem
is unusual in that it is the first Soviet-manufactured unit that fully
supports the Hayes command set, as well as Bell and CCITT modem
tone standards.

The PC card modem, which will sell for 2,000 roubles ($64), will ship
in the late summer. The nearest comparable modem available in the
Soviet marketplace prices in at 5,000 roubles -- the large price
differential between the two units is due to the fact that the higher-priced
modem is manufactured outside of the Soviet Union.

Andrey Nosko, Werter's deputy general director, told Newsbytes that
the company intends to capture a big slice of the Soviet modem
marketplace. He said that the unit offers the twin benefits of high
quality and an extremely competitive price.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910528/Press contact: Andrey Nosko, Werter, phone
[phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 UNIX COMPUTER TO BE IN AUSTRALIAN DEFENSE PROJECT 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00006)

UNIX COMPUTER TO BE IN AUSTRALIAN DEFENSE PROJECT 05/28/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- After two years of requests
by computer experts within the Australian Department of Defense, the
government has decided to include Unix in its Desine contract. Desine
(the Defense EDP Systems Integrated Network Environment) will see the
Department's computer system upgraded over the next few years.

The late move to Unix was made due to the non-availability of
standards (in Unix) when the contract was originally formulated in
February 1989, according to defense spokespeople. IBM has the position
of being a prime supplier for the AUS$600M contract, and will retain
this position until 1994. Despite this favored position, many insiders
claim that AIX (IBM's version of Unix) will not be the only version of
Unix to be installed on the system.

Local Unix suppliers are already clambering to help fill orders and
promote their own versions of Unix, but purchases of non-IBM versions
will probably have to wait until after the IBM contract expires in
three years. It is expected the Department will not specify product
defined environment products in future purchases, but will opt for
standards defined environments -- most probably those conforming to
the X/Open and Posix standards.

(Sean McNamara/19910528)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 NEW BUSINESS MANAGER FOR ORACLE HONG KONG 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00007)

NEW BUSINESS MANAGER FOR ORACLE HONG KONG 05/28/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Oracle Systems has
announced the appointment of Mike Tinworth as its new applications
business manager. Tinworth, who has worked in the computer software
and services industry for more than 20 years and has been based in
Hong Kong for the last 13 years, will be responsible for developing
markets for Oracle applications, as well as managing their installation
and support.

His most recent project was working as an independent information
technology consultant to Hong Kong Cable Communications, the failed
cable television contractor. Prior to that he worked as business
development manager and principle consultant for Computasia, and as
software services manager for COL.

"Mike Tinworth's technical expertise, knowledge of the Hong Kong
market and experience of business development will be a great asset,
especially in replicating the outstanding success that Oracle
Financials has achieved in the US," said John Baun, managing director
of Oracle Systems.

(Norman Wingrove/19910528/Press Contact: Joseph Bauer, Oracle, Tel +
852 824 0118, Fax + 852 824 0915; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 NEW FOR PC: New Writing Analysis Package Debuts 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00008)

NEW FOR PC: New Writing Analysis Package Debuts 05/28/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Artificial Linguistics Inc.,
has announced the release of PowerEdit, which the company
describes as the first in a series of software products that can
intelligently read, manage and manipulate text.

ALI claims that PowerEdit is a writing analysis product that uses
its proprietary artificial intelligence technology to perform the
functions of a human editor and proof reader. The package identifies
such problems as lack of clarity, wordiness, failure to get to the
point, incorrect grammar and the inability to articulate ideas
clearly.

A DOS based product, PowerEdit works with either Word Perfect 5.0
or later editions, as well as with Microsoft Word 5.0 or later, using a
lexicon of around a million words to analyze and understand the
English language.

According to ALI president Douglas Kramp: "Intelligent text
management, which our text engine supports, represents a new
category of software called artificial linguistics." Kramp said that
Esther Dyson, editor and publisher of 'Release 1.0' calls ALI's
proprietary technology "the Mother of all text engines."

Sally Turnbull of ALI told Newsbytes that PowerEdit takes
approximately 40 to 50 seconds to analyze each page. Turnbull said
that PowerEdit can be set up to analyze writing at various levels. For
example, a PhD candidate can initialize the program for postgraduate
writing, while the small business person can set the package up to
analyze his or her level of writing. The error messages generated will
adjust to the writing level selected.

PowerEdit requires 470K kilobytes of RAM plus 1megabyte of either
extended or expanded memory, and 12MB of hard drive space.
PowerEdit has a suggested list price of $295, but is available at an
introductory price of $199, The company maintains a toll free number
(800-800-4254) for ordering or information.

Kelly Wical, co-founder of ALI, spent nearly 16 years developing the
program which uses over 200,000 rules of good writing. The most
intensive effort was in the past three years.

ALI is a venture capital financed firm founded in November, 1987 by
Kramp and Wical. Ray Mussato, former COO at Wordstar
International is the firm's CEO.

(Jim Mallory/19910528/Press Contact:Sally Turnbull, ALI, 214-720-7297)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 ICCA TO HOLD SEATTLE CONFERENCE 05/28/91

05/28/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)

ICCA TO HOLD SEATTLE CONFERENCE 05/28/91
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Microsoft
chairman Bill Gates will deliver the keynote address to open the
Independent Computer Consultants Association's (ICCA's) 14th annual
national conference which opens in Seattle on June 27.

The conference, entitled 'Windows to Success', will also feature
consultant Howard Shenson; Sam Albert, chairman of First Group and
former IBM executive; and Steven Epner, founder of ICCA. The
conference will be held at the Westin Hotel in Seattle

The ICCA is a network of approximately 2,800 independent computer
consultants and has the principle aim of supporting the computer
consulting profession, as well as providing educational forums for the
consulting community.

Vendors and exhibitors participating at the event will include
Microsoft, which recently announced its consultant relations program,
Timeslips, which will display its new Timesheet Professional time
tracking program, as well as Novell, Aldus, IBM and Hewlett
Packard.

The agenda includes sessions on marketing yourself and your
business, writing resumes and technical reports, negotiating contracts
and proposals, and managing health effects, your business and your
image. Additional information on the event is available by calling the
ICCA's national headquarters at 800-438-4222, or the Seattle Chapter
at 206-869-1199.

(Jim Mallory/19910528)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 PRIVACY CONFERENCE SE FOR WASHINGTON IN MARCH 1992 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00010)

PRIVACY CONFERENCE SE FOR WASHINGTON IN MARCH 1992 05/28/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Lance J. Hoffman,
general chairperson of The 2nd Conference on Computers, Freedom
and Privacy, has announced that the conference will be held in
Washington, DC on March 18-20, 1992. The first conference, chaired
by InfoWorld founder Jim Warren, was held in San Francisco in
March 1991.

The steering committee planning the conference includes Hoffman;
Warren; Dorothy Denning, Chairperson, Computer Science Dept.,
Georgetown University; Mike Gibbons, Federal Bureau of Investigation;
Marc Rotenberg, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
(CPSR); Mitch Kapor, Electronic Frontier Foundation; (EFF) David
Farber, University of Pennsylvania; Lynn McNulty, National Institute
of Standards and Technology; and Peter Denning, NASA Ames
Research Center.

Advisors to the steering committee in the planning of the conference
include Arizona prosecutor Gail Thackeray; Janlori Goldman,
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); John Gilmore; Cyngus
Support; Mary Eisenhart, MicroTimes; and Peter Neumann, SRI
International.

Speaking to Newsbytes, Steering Committee member Marc
Rotenberg  said: "CFP-1 was an extraordinary event that will be tough
to match but we will certainly attempt to do so."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910528/Press Contact: Lance
Hoffman, The George Washington University, 202-994-4955)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 NEW FOR MAC: Gold Disk Offers Animation Lab Pack 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00011)

NEW FOR MAC: Gold Disk Offers Animation Lab Pack 05/28/91
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Seeking to
expand its foothold in the Apple Macintosh market, Gold Disk has
announced multi-user packaging of its Animation Works software for
education. The Animation Works Lab Pack includes site licenses for
up to five Macintosh computers.

The pack comes with one set of diskettes, two manuals, five quick
reference cards, a videotape tutorial, and a special diskette designed
for education. The whole package costs US$475, versus US$199.95
for a single-user Macintosh version of the software.

Lori Cromer, a spokeswoman for the company, told Newsbytes that
Gold Disk expanded from its original focus on the Commodore Amiga
by shipping the single user version of Animation Works for the Mac in
January. Education is a significant piece of the market for the
software, she said, though commercial animators and others are also
targets.

Animation Works lets the user create animated characters and
backgrounds and combine them, along with graphics imported in
several standard formats, to form what the company calls 'animated
movies.' The package runs on all current Macintosh models.

(Grant Buckler/19910528/Press Contact: Gold Disk, 416-602-4000; Fax
416-602-4001; Lori Cromer, White & Cromer for Gold Disk, 714-752-2216)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 TELECOM, COMPUTING USES FOR CANADIAN LASER RESEARCH 05/28/91

05/28/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00012)

TELECOM, COMPUTING USES FOR CANADIAN LASER RESEARCH 05/28/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Research on
semiconductor lasers by Canada's National Research Council (NRC)
and the Solid State Optoelectronics Consortium of Canada could have
applications in telecommunications and optical computing. Scientists
here have produced a semiconductor laser that runs on less power
than any similar laser shown before.

Dr Robin Williams, of NRC's Institute for Microstructural Sciences,
told Newsbytes that the researchers set out to demonstrate that an
integrated semiconductor laser could be built using two forms of
gallium arsenide. The chip combines the laser light source with the
circuitry needed to encode information in the laser beam and to
guide the beam. It uses layers of indium-gallium-arsenide and
aluminium-gallium arsenide and has a lower minimum current than
any other laser in its class.

Such semiconductor lasers could some day be used in optical
computers, Williams said. The use of light rather than electrical
currents is seen as a possible way of building computers faster than
anything possible today. However, Williams added, commercial
applications are still several years away.

The technology could also be useful in building optical amplifiers for
long-distance communications by laser. At present electrical
amplifiers are used to boost optical signals when they travel over
long distances. This requires converting the signal from optical to
electrical form and then back again.

The next step depends on the companies backing the Solid State
Optoelectronics Consortium, Williams said. The consortium is a
group of private firms backing pre-competitive research. The
National Research Council is a federal research and granting
agency.

(Grant Buckler/19910528/Press Contact: Patricia Montreuil, National
Research Council, 613-993-4848)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 AUSTRALIA: STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM IMAGING TRANSFERS 05/28/91

05/28/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00013)

AUSTRALIA: STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM IMAGING TRANSFERS 05/28/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) - A consortium of private, public
and academic bodies has begun moves to establish an image database
for academic use. The database will utilize ISDN (Integrated Services
Digital Network) links to allow the speedy transmission of images from
around the world.

The project will be started with color photographic and text documents
used by the Australian Securities Commission. The documents will be
transferred via an ISDN-image based image transfer application. Once
the database is established, it is hoped it will offer multi-platform,
moving and still video images from around the world for access by
students, lecturers and researchers. Expected document types include
research papers, journals, works of art, and technical drawings.

The visual database is made possible by the high speed transfer
capabilities of ISDN. Previously, the large size of such transfers
were prohibitive when setting up visual databases. The participating
bodies are: Telecom (Australia's national carrier); the Royal
Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT); Kodak; the Australian
Securities Commission; and the Collaborative Information Technology
Research Center (CITRC).

(Sean McNamara/19910528)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 IMARA ADDS WINDOWS SUPPORT TO IMAGE SOFTWARE 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00014)

IMARA ADDS WINDOWS SUPPORT TO IMAGE SOFTWARE 05/28/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- In line with the
prevailing view that OS/2 belongs mainly on network servers, Imara
Research has given its image processing software the ability to work
with Microsoft Windows on desktop PCs. The software, originally
written strictly for OS/2, still requires OS/2 to be present on the
file server.

James Storm, who took over as president and chief executive of Imara
at the end of 1990, admitted the move was overdue. "We should have
had a windows product out earlier," he told Newsbytes. Clinging to
OS/2 was "a marketing mistake," he said.

"I don't want anybody to view this as a move from OS/2. We are really
committed to OS/2. It's really the only industrial-strength operating
system for network-based imaging solutions," he added.

The catch, Storm said, is that while OS/2 is needed on the network
server it is not catching on for use on every desktop. Perhaps 20
percent of client PCs in imaging systems run OS/2, Storm said, with
the balance running Microsoft Windows under DOS.

Imara Version 2.0 also supports optical character recognition (OCR)
software from Calera Recognition Systems of Santa Clara, California.
Customers are encouraged to purchase the OCR software separately
from Calera, Storm said, adding that Imara has facilities built in to work
with it.

The stand-alone version of Imara Version 2.0 sells for US$2,495. A
network license version for as many as 19 workstations costs
US$1,995 per station.

(Grant Buckler/19910528/Press Contact: James Storm, Imara Research,
416-581-1740; Fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 COMDEX: WINDOWS ROUND-UP - NEW PRODUCTS GALORE 05/28/91

05/28/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00015)

COMDEX: WINDOWS ROUND-UP - NEW PRODUCTS GALORE 05/28/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- If nothing else,
Windows World, the show which ran alongside Comdex Spring in Atlanta
last week, proved to all and sundry that there really is life after DOS,
and that -- using Microsoft Windows -- single users can accomplish
many things without the need to upgrade to OS/2.

On the show floor, several exhibitors were showing new and existing
Windows enthusiasts their latest products. The keyword was Windows
3.0 compatibility -- if your software didn't have it, and there were many
whose packages didn't, then you could be sure that users would
complain. Microsoft is, after all, bending over backwards to ensure
that software developers are aware of what Windows 3.0 can and can't
do, so software developers have no excuse.

ATI Technologies unveiled its ATI Graphics Vantage Card, a $499 PC
card that claims to boost Windows screen updates by a factor of ten.
This is made possible, the company claims, thanks to the inclusion of
a graphics coprocessor which eases the load on the PC chipset, and
the use of anti-aliasing techniques to clearly display small fonts.

Design Science showed a PC-based version of its math equation editor,
Mathtype, running under Windows. The software allows users to build up
complex mathematical equations using simple point-and-click
techniques, and then place them into their word processing and page
layout documents. The $249 package requires a PC-AT or better with
640 kilobytes of RAM, hard disk and Hercules/EGA or better graphics
card.

Spinnaker Software announced it has begun shipping PFS Windoworks,
an integrated package specifically designed for Windows. The company
made the bold claim that its software is the first integrated package for
Windows. The $199 software includes a word processor, spreadsheet,
database, communications, address book and label maker, as well as
a chart editor, as standard features.

Wordperfect Corporation said it had begun alpha testing of Wordperfect
for Windows earlier in May. The company said it expects the package to
ship during the third quarter of this year. "Our last official announcement
of the expected release date for Wordperfect for Windows was for the
second quarter of 1991," said Pete Peterson, executive vice president of
the company. "This prediction is turning out to be a little too optimistic, but
we are making good progress towards release of this product."

Overall verdict for the Windows World show? The event was well
attended, but the number of new products thin on the ground alongside
Comdex Spring. Expect the show to continue to run under the wing of
Comdex for the next few years.

Contact: ATI Technologies - 416/756-0718; Fax [phone]
         Design Science - 800/827-0685
         Spinnaker Software - 617/494-1200
         Wordperfect Corporation - 801/225-5000; Fax [phone]

(Steve Gold/19910528)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 COLORADO TO HOST HIGH-TECH SYMPOSIUM 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00016)

COLORADO TO HOST HIGH-TECH SYMPOSIUM 05/28/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- The
sixth annual Silicon Mountain Symposium will open at the Colorado
Springs Marriott Hotel on June 9. The symposium, sponsored by the
Colorado Springs Marcom network, will showcase advanced
technology and product development.

A total of 13 Colorado-based high technology companies will present
their products and capabilities to more than 20 national and
international electronic trade publication editors and analysts during
the symposium.

The participating companies, which include optical storage,
semiconductor and computer systems manufacturers, will discuss new
products, technology developments, market plans and industry trends
during formal presentations during the four day symposium. New
products and technology will also be on display at a trade show
reception Monday evening.

During the show a panel will discuss "What successful electronic
companies are doing in the 1990s," Panel members will include
Michael Borrus, Berkeley Roundtable; Ron Scarfo, Instat; and Phil
Devin, Dataquest.

Companies participating in the event are Array Microsystems, Atmel
Corporation Ceram Incorporated, Codar Technology, Exabyte
Corporation, Integral Peripherals, Integrated Logic Systems, Laser
Magnetic Storage, Music Semiconductors, Ramtron Corporation,
Signal Processing Technologies, Simtek Corporation and United
Technologies Microelectronics Center.

Marcom is a not-for-profit affiliation of marketing communications
professionals representing the high tech community in Colorado
Springs.

(Jim Mallory/19910528/Press Contact:Twila Gamble, UTMC, 7190594-8362)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 DATAPOINT TO MARKET PERFORMANCE TECH'S PRODUCTS 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00017)

DATAPOINT TO MARKET PERFORMANCE TECH'S PRODUCTS 05/28/91
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Datapoint
and Performance Technology have announced a worldwide joint
agreement in which Datapoint will market Performance Technology's
(PT) networking products. Announcing the agreement, Datapoint said
it is the first of several which will highlight both companies' strategies
regarding industry networking standards.

According to John Harrison, Datapoint's president: "The addition of
fully compatible Unix and PC LAN products from PT to Datapoint's
current product offering is a logical bridge to open system
networking." Harrison said that the PT products address the
requirements of both Datapoint's existing customer base and the
market in general.

Datapoint will distribute Powerlan 2, a new release of the MS-DOS PC
Netbios; Powerbridge, which allows Netbios local area networks (LANs)
to communicate over standard telephone lines and to bridge multiple
LAN's; and Powerfusion, which allows Netbios LANs to utilize the
resources of larger capacity Unix-based computers.

Last February, Datapoint announced that it would market a 33MHz
Intel 80486 version of its multiprocessor line of file servers, after having
licensed Unix from AT&T. In October of 1990 Newsbytes reported that
Datapoint was exploring strategic alternatives, with several parties
being considered.

In December Newsbytes reported that Datapoint Canada, a wholly
owned Datapoint subsidiary, had been sold to Interlogic Trace for $2.8
million. Interlogic Trace was spun off from Datapoint in 1985. Also in
December, Datapoint confirmed long time rumors by moving its
headquarters to Paris. Datapoint does about 85 per cent of its
business in Europe, and approximately 1,300 of its total staff of
1,700 are located there. At one time the company employed over
8,000 staff.

Datapoint reported showing a profit for the first time in two years
for the period ending in October 1990.

(Jim Mallory/19910528/Press Contact:Patricia Coble, Datapoint, 512-
593-7910)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 CPT IN $4.5 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH SUMMIT SOLUTIONS 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00018)

CPT IN $4.5 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH SUMMIT SOLUTIONS 05/28/91
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- CPT Corp.
has announced it has reached a $4.5 million settlement with Summit
Solutions in the two firms' dispute over Summit's purchase of CPT's
former branch operations in 10 major cities. Litigation began in
November 1989.

Under the agreement, CPT will be paid an initial cash payment plus a
premium payment for purchases of CPT products by Summit and an
additional payment based on a percentage of Summit's sales of
products and maintenance.

"We are pleased to have this matter behind us" said CPT president Arun
Dube. Dube added that, with the new relationship, he expects Summit to
make a constructive contribution to CPT's turnaround. The branches had
accounted for about 15 percent of CPT's annual revenues prior to the
sale.

Summit had defended the suit by alleging the assets received in the
sale were substantially less in value than had been represented by
CPT. The settlement is conditional on approval of the transaction by
the US Bankruptcy Court.

CPT has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy
Code. A company spokeperson told Newsbytes previously that CPT
expects to emerge from Chapter 11protection in June of this year. A
committee representing holders of the company's subordinated
debentures had indicated that it would file a different plan if the
company's plan was not approved.

(Jim Mallory/19910528/Press Contact:David Priebe, CPT, 612-949-1728
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 GEORGE BUSH DENIES SUPERCOMPUTERS TO CHINA 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00019)

GEORGE BUSH DENIES SUPERCOMPUTERS TO CHINA 05/28/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- As Senator George
Mitchell, Democratic majority leader of the U.S. Senate, leads the
fight against extending 'most favored nation' trading status to the
world's most populous country, President George Bush has quietly
blocked further sales of supercomputers to China.

President Bush's move comes in the wake of recent reports that
Beijing has been selling both advanced missile and nuclear
weapons technologies to anyone who wants to buy them.

Supercomputers are essential to the development of nuclear weapons
and very helpful for those building guided or ballistic missiles, but
President Bush emphasized over the weekend at commencement
exercises at his alma mater, Yale, that he believes the United States
must maintain trade with China to have any hope of influencing that
country to moderate its human rights stand.

Senator Mitchell, responding to the President's remarks, said: "There
is no moral reason why we should trade (with China)."

NBC's Fred Francis reports that China has recently sold weapons to
Pakistan, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and any other
country with the cash to pay for it.

(John McCormick/19910528)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 NEW FOR IBM: HPI Releases New Versions Of Instalit 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00020)

NEW FOR IBM: HPI Releases New Versions Of Instalit 05/28/91
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- HPI has
released new versions of its Instalit software installer for MS-DOS,
OS/2, and Microsoft Windows 3.0. The package is a utility program
for program developers that, it is claimed, makes it easy to install any
software on various platforms whether the program is supplied on
disk or sent electronically.

Instalit is important, the company maintains, because, while it is
often easy to port programs from one environment to another, the
installation process is often quite different, often delaying
introduction of new programs for multiple platforms. This utility
makes use of more than 150 common instructions in a procedural
script language that are the same across all versions, simplifying the
creation of an installation utility for any program.

Included with the Instalit package is a compression utility that HPI
says has a performance comparable to that provided by the popular
PKZip utility which is often used to reduce the number of disks needed
to distribute larger programs.

Instalit for MS-DOS carries a list price of $149, while the Windows
version costs $199 or $299 with source code included. A multilingual
version of Instalit, priced at $249, is intended for international
users and recognizes any of ten languages, including most Western
European languages.

For further information, contact HPI, 303 Williams Ave., Suite 312,
Huntsville, AL 35802, or phone [phone] (voice or fax).

(John McCormick/19910528/Press Contact: Cindy Green, HPI, 205-880-8782
- voice or fax)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 IEEE SUPPORTS GOVT R&D BUDGETS BEFORE CONGRESS 05/28/91

05/28/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00021)

IEEE SUPPORTS GOVT R&D BUDGETS BEFORE CONGRESS 05/28/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- The Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the world's largest
technical professional organization with more than 300,000 members
worldwide, has testified in support of fiscal year 91 research and
development (R&D) budget proposals for NIST (National Institute of
Standards and Technology), NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration), the Department of Energy (DoE), and the Department of
Defense (DoD).

Dr. Steinar Dale told the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and
State (NIST is part of the Department of Commerce) that the IEEE was
"happy with the Administration's stated commitment to double the NIST
budget by 1996."

Dale, a member of IEEE-USA's Engineering R&D Policy Committee, said
that IEEE-USA also supports restructuring of the DoC's technical
activities to provide a more co-ordinated approach to achieving
private industry competitiveness and increasing NIST's Advanced
Technology Program budget to $100 million in FY92 and double that in
FY93.

Dr. George Sponsler, III, chairman of the IEEE-USA Aerospace R&D
Policy Committee, testified before a House Committee back on May 2
that NASA did not appear to be following the recommendation made last
year by a Presidential Commission to reduce both the scope and cost of
the Space Station Freedom. Similar comments were recently submitted to
a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee.

Sponsler urged congress to formulate policy and set goals for NASA
with an eye to enhancing the U.S.'s technological leadership and
emphasized the importance of rapid transfer of NASA-supported space
technology to the private sector. He also recommended reorganization
of elements of NASA, NOAA (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration), and the Departments of Commerce and Transportation,
with the goal of developing important space applications.

IEEE-USA representatives also spoke in support of the DoE's FY92
budget request for fusion research, calling it "an important first
step toward a revitalized fusion energy policy."

Support for a doubling of the National Science Foundation's budget by
FY94 and the FY92 budget request of $2.7 billion was supported in a
letter from Michael J. Whitelaw, P.E., IEEE-USA Board Chairman.

Whitelaw emphasized the ways that the NSF can strengthen U.S.
technological competitiveness, including improving college technical
curricula and creating centers for technological innovation where
industry and academia can work together efficiently.

The DoD's budget requests were similarly supported by the IEEE-USA
because of "efforts to leverage the Federal investment in R&D by
targeting dual-use (military-civilian) technology which contribute to
both U.S. national security and economic competitiveness."

(John McCormick/19910528/Press Contact: Bernice Evans, IEEE, 202-785-
0017 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 IEEE SUPPORTS NEW PENSION LEGISLATION 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00022)

IEEE SUPPORTS NEW PENSION LEGISLATION 05/28/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Recognizing the highly
mobile U.S. society where the technical and computer community
especially is likely to change employers and geographic locations, the
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has announced
his support of Representative Sam Gibbons' (D-FL) H.R. 2390, Pension
Coverage and Portability Improvement Act, legislation that is intended
to make the country's pension system more responsive to those who
change jobs several times in the course of a technical (or other)
career.

Ordinarily when people move from one company to another they lose all
of their built-up pension benefits, greatly reducing their ability to
prepare financially for retirement, but H.R. 2390 would affect many
thousands of technical workers, teachers, health care, and small
business employees by providing for faster `vesting' and transfer of
earned funds from one employer to another.

This sort of legislation is especially important for workers in the
computer industry where the turnover of both companies and employees
is very high compared to some businesses because of the rapid changes
in the developing technology.

(John McCormick/19910528/Press Contact: Pender M. McCarter, IEEE, 202-
785-0017 or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 BABY BELL MANUFACTURING BILL GETS FAST TRACK 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)

BABY BELL MANUFACTURING BILL GETS FAST TRACK 05/28/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- A bill to let the seven
regional Bell companies manufacture their own equipment is on the fast
track to Senate passage, with the support of the White House. But it
faces tougher sledding in the U.S. House.

The Senate bill is sponsored by a Democrat, Senator Ernest Hollings of
South Carolina, who faces a re-election challenge next year, probably
from popular Republican Governor Carroll Campbell.

In a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing, a Bell lawyer and consumer
groups faced off, and liberal Democrats lined up against the measure.
Gene Kimmelman, Consumer Federation of America legislative director,
warned that the regional Bells would subsidize their manufacturing
businesses out of local phone rate profits, regardless of attempts by
Congress to legislate a separation between regulated and unregulated
operations.

"History shows that this is exactly what led to the breakup of AT&T in
the first place," he said. "If the Bell companies were allowed to
manufacture and purchase equipment from themselves, they could drive
many small manufacturers out of business and generally impede
competition in the equipment market," Kimmelman said.

Senator Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, put the Administration's side
of the case: "A significant portion of the American telecommunications
industry is effectively banned from contributing to the advance of
technology," he said, adding that the bill would "inject more
competition into the marketplace."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910528)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28  ****MTC OFFERS CREDIT REPORTS ON A 900 LINE 05/28/91

05/28/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)

 ****MTC OFFERS CREDIT REPORTS ON A 900 LINE 05/28/91
NEVADO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- A telecommunications
consulting firm has come up with a new sideline -- re-selling TRW
credit reports to small businesses using a caller-paid 900 number
linked to a data line and a special PC disk.

Cobb Bennett of Marin Telemanagement told Newsbytes that his 900
Autodialer Disk "is designed to dial the number and, through our
authorization, retrieve from the database."

Marin is an authorized agent for TRW, which Bennett acknowledged means
a reseller of TRW services:"The credit reports are usually sold in
monthly minimums. We're charging per report. This lets the small
business get the same information big companies get. The phone company
bills the 900 number, and it's easy access." Bennett said he doesn't
charge for the PC software beyond a $4.95 `handling charge.'

Bennett said that his 900-number service is not like most others,
which charge on a per-minute basis: "We charge a flat $28 per report.
When you think of 900 you usually think of a per-minute charge," he
said.

Marin's software dials into his computers, then lets the user request
a specific name, address, and phone number of a potential corporate
customer. "Then the information comes up," he said.

Bennett is now finishing off a version of his product for use with
toll-free 800 numbers. "You input your major credit card number," he
said, "and the software gets the charge approved, then goes to the
database. So you can either put it on your phone bill or the credit
card. From a software point of view we think it's innovative."

Companies interested in the software can offer it off another 900
number, 900-234-DISC. It's a voice line, and Marin operators will call
back to confirm the order. Bennett says he's doing limited
advertising, mainly through stores catering to small businesses like
the Office Club.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910528)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 FUTURE MEDIA PUSHES MAGAZINES ON TV 05/28/91

05/28/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)

FUTURE MEDIA PUSHES MAGAZINES ON TV 05/28/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Multimedia software lets
you create a magazine which can be `broadcast' on TV in the time it
takes to show a commercial. Getting people to tape and read such a
magazine, getting broadcasters to offer it, and getting advertisers to
support it is the job of Taylor Barcroft and Future Media of Berkeley,
California.

Barcroft has been showing the concept of a multimedia, broadcast
magazine about multimedia to broadcasters and cable-casters. He
explained it to Newsbytes.

"It looks like an MTV station break, except inside it's organized," he
told Newsbytes. "They're using three frame edits for art," meaning that
each `page' in the magazine is shown three times, in three adjacent frames. A
single second of video, however, contains 30 frames, in order to fool
the viewer's eye into thinking these successive pictures are in fact
moving. A 300 page magazine broadcast by Future Media, then, would
take 30 seconds of air time."

"You need a good VCR and good TV to get the most from this," he said,
adding that a good VCR is one that has four recording heads.

Barcroft estimates about half the VCRs now in U.S. homes have four
heads, and notes that such recorders now cost as little as $300 each.
"You also need a good TV," he said, adding that the penetration of
such machines now exceeds that of cable TV.

The magazine itself is multimedia: "You bring images captured in still
frame photography into the computer to enhance the presentation using
Adobe Photoshop or other programs. You lay it out in the computer with
a publishing program, just as you would a magazine, except you're
thinking video."

Before coming to Atlanta for Comdex, Barcroft showed his wares at the
National Association of Broadcaster's show in Las Vegas. "I attended
an interactive TV session at NAB and a professor from MIT referred to
this as 'video dumping,' Barcroft recalls. "What that means is
you're telling people in advance to turn on their VCRs to receive a
dump." Such `dumps' would be delivered at 2-3 AM, but convincing
people to turn on their VCRs at such a time requires heavy
advertising.

How does Barcroft get his money out? "There are three different revenue
streams on my magazine -- a toll-free 800 number that gets me leads, a
900 number so people can listen to audio for each page, by punching in
a page number, and I'm subletting frames to vendors as a form of ad
space." There's a patent on the indexing scheme held by Gary
Tomlinson, a consultant to Future Media.

But Barcroft admits there are three broadcast hurdles he must cross to
make his dream a reality. "They're going to have to let loose of the
reins of content control, paranoia about subliminal advertising, and
about subletting space," he said.

Broadcasters today pre-screen and approve all advertising, and they're
fearful of being accused of `subliminal advertising,' putting in ads
below the consciousness of consumers. Broadcasters also don't like the
idea of an advertiser selling space within what the broadcast industry
calls an ad, and when your entire publication runs in 30 seconds of
air-time that's a necessity.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910528/Press Contact: Taylor Barcroft, Future
Media, PO Box 11632 Berkeley ,CA, 94701-2632 phone: [phone] fax:
415-339-2214)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 AT&T PARADYNE LAUNCHES COMSPHERE 3800 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)

AT&T PARADYNE LAUNCHES COMSPHERE 3800 05/28/91
LARGO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- AT&T Paradyne, the
telecommunications company's data communication products division,
has introduced a product line called the Comsphere 3800 Series, modems
which can be upgraded simply by downloading new modem software into
the non-volatile RAM contained in the modem's control circuitry.

The 3800 model is an add-in card, while the 3810 and 3820 are separate
boxes. The 3800 and 3810 can be programmed to support dial-up
applications or two and four line leased line applications under
either the V.33 or V.29 standard. The 3820 is programmable to support
dial-up or two-wire leased line applications.

All three modems support V.32bis, which is the second iteration of the
V.32 modulation standard, supporting speeds up to 14,400 bits/second,
as well as V.42bis, the second generation of the V.42 error correction
and data compression standard based on the LAP-M scheme. All three
also support network management control, meaning they're designed to
be used as part of a larger network.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910528/Press Contact: AT&T, Garrick Case, 813/530-
8221)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 FUJITSU UNVEILS NEW ISDN TELEPHONE SET 05/28/91

05/28/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)

FUJITSU UNVEILS NEW ISDN TELEPHONE SET 05/28/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Fujitsu has
introduced a version of its ISDN telephone designed for use with
Northern Telecom telephone switches, as well as versions of its ISDN
terminal adapters for PCs, based on those switches called the DMS
series.

"This announcement reflects Fujitsu's continued commitment to multi-
switch support, further positioning Fujitsu as the preferred supplier
of multi-switch compatible ISDN terminals," said Michihiro Hamada,
vice president of the ISDN Systems Division.

Plans call for the National ISDN 1 standard of Bellcore, the local
Bell companies' research consortium, will make the AT&T and Northern
Telecom switches compatible with each other by the end of 1992.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910528/Press Contact: Fujitsu, Dean Wolf, 408/954-
1088)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 NTT SELECTS FOUR U.S. SUPPLIERS 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)

NTT SELECTS FOUR U.S. SUPPLIERS 05/28/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- NTT, the giant Japanese phone
company, has selected 10 suppliers for its integrated customer
services program, and four are divisions of U.S. firms: IBM Japan, Nippon
Data General, Nihon Unisys and Yokogawa-Hewlett Packard all made the
cut, along with 6 Japanese firms.

NTT had been under heavy pressure to accept some U.S. suppliers as a
way of showing that its markets were open. All 10 firms will supply
host computers and peripheral equipment for NTT branch offices,
creating a network of 20 mainframes, 23 minicomputers and 30,000
terminals. The 2-year program starts next year and will cost 200-300
billion yen, about $1.5-2 billion.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910528)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 TRELLIS BECOMES IBM LAN VAE BUSINESS PARTNER 05/28/91

05/28/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00029)

TRELLIS BECOMES IBM LAN VAE BUSINESS PARTNER 05/28/91
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- Trellis, a
privately held company that specializes in network integration and
Banyan Vines network support, has announced that it is one of the
first companies to qualify as a designated IBM Local Area Network
value added enhancement (VAE) business partner in a program that was
launched by IBM last year.

Trellis says that very few companies have yet qualified for the LAN
VAE Business Partner because of extremely rigid requirements,
including high standards of service and a considerable demonstrated
networking expertise.

Trellis's Jack Atwell pointed out that, unlike other IBM Industry
Reseller programs, the LAN VAE does not restrict the partner to
selling into tight vertical markets, freeing Trellis to install and
service networks anywhere they feel they can compete.

Atwell said: "Having access to the PS/2 product line certainly builds
upon our technical foundation while allowing us to continue to offer
the best networking designs for a wide variety of situations."

(John McCormick/19910528/Press Contact: Bob Shea, Trellis, 508/435-
3066, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 28 NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Videotape Editing Softwre Debuts 05/28/91

05/28/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)

NEW FOR MACINTOSH: Videotape Editing Softwre Debuts 05/28/91
NORTHVALE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 28 (NB) -- CV Technologies has
announced Edit Master Mac, an Apple Macintosh version of its Edit
Master videotape editing software. The editor is targeted at
professional video editors, with the Mac version providing additional
features not available in the DOS product, the company said.

CV Technologies is promoting Edit Master Mac as having combined the
pull-down menus of the DOS-based product with the Mac mouse-based
approach. The company said it has a 999-event dual list (EDL)
management and cleaning capability, with full cut, copy and paste of
EDLs as well as the ability to create lists in a variety of formats.
Edit Master Mac also allows for features such as sync roll recording
and dynamic tracking capability.

The company said that the product also includes frame accurate editing
features normally found only on more expensive systems. Edit Master
Mac utilizes either longitude time code (LTC) or vertical interval
time code (VITC), allowing users to keep both audio channels free for
sound recording and permitting the reading of time code at slow speeds
down to a still image.

Edit Master Mac and the DOS product share the ability of being able to
control up to four source and two record video tape recorders (VTRs)
of mixed formats, memory uploading and downloading to serial
switchers, dynamic tracking, automatic assembly in A and B modes,
compatibility with Grass Valley, Vidotek, Echolab, Alta, For-A, and
Ampex serial switchers, and EDL output in CMX, Grass Valley, Sony or
Convergence formats.

To manage two EDLs in memory simultaneously, CV Technologies claims
Edit Master Mac is the only product to include dual 999-event `bins'
and marks tables, cut and paste of events with ripple either within a
list or between bins or lists, sync roll editing to enable cuts
between sources `on-the-fly,' a built-in pop-up time code calculator
with `fit to fill' percentages and full undo function. Also, CVNet
Finetune, is built-in to accommodate ballistic differences between
VTRs.

Edit Master Mac requires a Mac Plus, SE or Mac II series with 2MB of
RAM, a hard disk, two eight-pin serial ports and Mac System Software
6.05 or higher. Prices range from $4,500 for a cuts-only system with
VITC and LTC to $16,000 for a five-machine parallel system with VITC.
Also available is an A/B roll editor for $7,500, and optional
peripherals such as a CMX-style color-coded keyboard and a jog/shuttle
knob controller. CV Technologies can be reached at 148 Veterans Drive,
Northvale, NJ 07647, or at 1-800-526-0242.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910528/Press Contact: Katherine Bulwin,
CV Technologies, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 MAY 27 AUSTRALIA: MICROSOFT OFFICE TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00001)

AUSTRALIA: MICROSOFT OFFICE TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY 05/27/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Although Microsoft has been
bundling its Office software package in Australia for some months, it
is now offering the famous trio as a retail item. Microsoft Office for
Windows consists of Word for Windows 1.1, Excel 3.0 (graphical
spreadsheet) and Powerpoint 1.0 (presentation graphics).

Marketing Manager Jennifer Zanich says "These products offer a
solution to the needs of most PC users in the preferred Windows
graphical environment. All three products look and work in similar
ways, and can exchange data dynamically." The three products have an
Australian recommended price of $2255 but the bundle is just half of
this at AUS$1150. In addition, purchases made in the next two months
attract a $150 rebate.

(Paul Zucker/19910527/Contact: Jennifer Zanich [phone] fax
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 AUSTRALIA: IBM ISSUES OS/2 WHITE PAPER 05/27/91

05/27/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIA: IBM ISSUES OS/2 WHITE PAPER 05/27/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- IBM Personal Systems
Operating Systems Manager for Asia Pacific Ron Witham has broken
traditional IBM behaviour and has produced a white paper on the next
version of OS/2, version 2.

A report in Pacific Computer Weekly says this is an attempt to boost
sales in a product that has suffered from market confusion,
unattained sales and competition from Microsoft. The paper sets out
common criticisms, and attempts to answer each in turn. For
instance, it answers the memory hungry reputation of OS/2 by saying
that as little as three megabytes of random access memory
will be necessary.

DOS and Windows are painted as having inherent shortcomings, only
answered by the power of OS/2. Now that 386 and 486 machines are
becoming standard, the paper shows that OS/2 is optimized for these
processors. Networking is another area said to be the true domain of
OS/2, with DOS and Windows having demonstrated many shortcomings.

(Paul Zucker/19910527)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 AUSTRALIA: STOCK EXCHANGE DELAYS SOFTWARE UPGRADE 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00003)

AUSTRALIA: STOCK EXCHANGE DELAYS SOFTWARE UPGRADE 05/27/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- The Australian Stock Exchange
(ASX) has delayed its entry to the top league of international
share traders due to complexities in developing the necessary
software.

The exchange has said it will meet international requirements to
have all deals settled within five days of commencement (called
T+5), but is going to fall short of the July target date. Instead, the
ASX has issued a revised target of October though inside sources say
early 1992 is more practical.

Main system vendors ICL, Mocom, and Co-Cam say the system can't be
hurried, as the end result must work properly first time. Some
brokers are keen to see existing trading mechanisms continue, as
they will lose trade under the new, centralized system.

(Paul Zucker/19910527)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 AUSTRALIA: 10% TAX LEVIED ON SOFTWARE 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00004)

AUSTRALIA: 10% TAX LEVIED ON SOFTWARE 05/27/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- A recent Australian
Taxation Office (ATO) draft ruling may see the Australian software
industry contribute AUS$50M to the Government's coffers. The tax
involves a 10 percent levy on invoiced amounts of royalties for
software master copies usage by local computer companies.

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) has objected
to the ruling, and claims if other countries introduce similar
levies, it will have a detrimental effect on Australian software
exports. The AIIA has been lobbying the ATO, Treasury, and
Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce (DITAC) to have the
ruling rescinded. The tax is not being applied retrospectively, as
it was generally thought it did not apply to shrink-wrap software.

(Sean McNamara/19910527)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 AUSTRALIA: BSAA INVITES ASSOCIATE MEMBERS - AUS$1,000 FEE 05/27/91

05/27/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00005)

AUSTRALIA: BSAA INVITES ASSOCIATE MEMBERS - AUS$1,000 FEE 05/27/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- The Business Software
Association of Australia (BSAA) has invited local software companies
to join the Association as associate members. The BSAA aims to
broaden its member base, as well as offer anti-piracy services
to a larger section of the computer software industry.

Primarily for local software companies, the associate membership
costs AUS$1,000. This fee will give the company the following
services: the right to attend all general meetings; access to
BSAA resources and expertise (where approved) as they relate
to the Associate Member's own copyright products; an information
service of the BSAA Secretariat, which includes a full-time
information officer; a toll-free hotline for information and
reports of illegal copying of members' products; regular
information updates; and an independent chairman to represent
the company as part of the BSAA national awareness and
education campaign.

Companies eligible for associate membership are those which perform
any of the following services: develop or manufacture computer
software protected under Australian copyright; own copyright for
software protected by Australian copyright; distribute or supply
software as official representatives of copyright-protected
software in Australia; and any person, firm, company or
organization which demonstrates a sufficient interest in
the objectives of the Association.

Commenting on the invitation, Jim Macnamara, BSAA chairman, said,
"The activities of the BSAA benefit the entire industry. We would
like to involve as many companies as possible in this campaign
against software theft and piracy, rather than just the five
founding members."

(Sean McNamara/19910527/Press contact: Jim Macnamara, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 NEW FOR PCS: WindowWorks, Windows & Mouse For $199 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00006)

NEW FOR PCS: WindowWorks, Windows & Mouse For $199 05/27/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Spinnaker
Software has started shipping the first integrated software
package for Windows 3.0, PFS:Windowworks. Egghead, the retail
computer store chain, and Spinnaker say the product is being
bundled with Windows 3.0 and Logitech's Mouseman exclusively
through Egghead Discount Software, for a package price of $199,
as an ongoing promotion.

The PFS packages have traditionally lagged behind other
similar packages in popularity, but according to Christopher
Morgan, a spokesman for Spinnaker Software, the company has
already shipped 1500 copies through an exclusive distribution
contract with Ingram Micro, the largest wholesaler in the
United States.

Morgan listed seven packages integrated in the
PFS:Windowworks package: a word processor with page layout
features, a spreadsheet, a database, a communications
package, labels, a chart module, and an address book. Morgan
said the word processor is very sophisticated, allowing
users to create multiple columns of text, import and
manipulate graphics, wrap text around objects or frames,
scales fonts on the fly from 4 to 127 point, add custom
shapes and shading, and displays What-You-See-Is-What-You-
Get (WYSISYG) on-screen.

Morgan also mentioned the a "hotlink" feature that allows
users to link for example, a memo created in the word
processor with a spreadsheet built in the spreadsheet
module. Then upon pasting the spreadsheet into the memo,
changes made in the spreadsheet are automatically reflected
in the memo. The cutting and pasting is facilitated by the
Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI). However, all tasks
are done within PFS:Windowworks and switching between
modules is done by clicking on icons at the bottom of the
screen.

Spinnaker also announced that PFS:Windowworks includes a
copy of Atech's Publisher's Powerpak, a font generation
program valued at $79.95. The Publisher's Powerpak is
reported to give the user scalable, on-the-fly, high-
resolution screen and printer fonts.

PFS:Windowworks alone lists for $199, but is expected to be
available for less at Babbages, Compusa, Egghead Discount
Software, Electronics Boutique, Lechmere's, Software Etc., and
Waldensoftware.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910524/Press Contact: Christopher Morgan,
Morgan Communications for Spinnaker, Tel: [phone],
617/739-3352, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 WHOA! THAT'S FAST! LIGHTENING INTROS 50MHZ 486 PC 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00007)

WHOA! THAT'S FAST! LIGHTENING INTROS 50MHZ 486 PC 05/27/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Isn't
it true that when you sit down at a computer time speeds up and
one minute actually translates into five minutes in real-time? And
wasn't it Einstein that said someone travelling at the speed of
light doesn't age? Then wouldn't it figure that if they made a
computer really fast, you could sit down at it for an hour, only
to find yourself in the next century, with the coffee on your desk
only just turned cold!

Well, in a move that makes the old 8-MHz IBM PC machines seem
destined for the Smithsonian Institute any day now, Lightening
Computers has announced shipment of a 50 MHz Intel 80486-based
speedster that offers CPU speed of 22 MIPS (million
instructions-per-second), and, what the company claims, is a 50
percent performance increase over 33MHz 486-based machines.

"The Lightning 486/50 runs DOS applications faster than any other
computer on the market," said Richard McCabe, president of
Lightning Computers. "Windows developers, computer-aided design
(CAD) users and other power users are embracing this technology
because of its ability to cut compile and execution times by 50
percent compared to 33 MHz 486 machines."

According to the company, the performance increase has been
achieved by integrating a solid-state cooling module that lowers
operating CPU temperatures to between zero and four degrees
Celsius. This allows the 33 MHz 80486 chip to run at 50 MHz with
no loss of reliability.

Additionally, the Lightning 486/50 uses three separate processors
to speed up graphics, numeric and disk-intensive operations.
According to the company, the product offers three graphics
accelerators: one optimized for Windows-based applications;
another for two-dimensional CAD programs; and a third card,
operating at 25 MFLOPS for high-resolution three-dimensional
modelling and photo-realistic rendering.

Disk-intensive tasks are accelerated by a four to 16 megabyte RAM
cache and a 16-bit Z280 CPU that offloads I/O from the 80486 and
handles, reads and writes in the background.

Retail prices for complete systems range from $8955 to $30,000.
Standard warranty terms are one year for parts and labor with on-site
service available as an option.

For more information call 800-347-4486.

(Ian Stokell/19910524/Press Contact: Tracey Stover, Lightening
Computers, 415-543-3111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 NEW FOR PCS IN HONGKONG: Pacioli 2000 Accounting Software 05/27/91

05/27/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(HKG)(00008)

NEW FOR PCS IN HONGKONG: Pacioli 2000 Accounting Software 05/27/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Hong Kong business form
supplier Toppan Moore (HK) has won exclusive rights to distribute
the award-winning Pacioli 2000 accounting software package in the
local market.

Toppan Moore will sell Pacioli 2000 directly to the public and
through local dealers at a recommended retail price of HK$1,300
(US$166). A free hotline support service - a notable rarity in Asia -
will be offered to registered users by Toppan Moore's retail office
automation team.

"Our reputation rests on our consistently high quality products and
services," said Johnson Chiu, senior manager of Toppan Moore.
"Pacioli 2000 meets these standards, and allows us to add value to
our current activities in the computer forms market."

Each package will include two packs of preset forms and a reorder
card. A two-hour training video covering DOS, basic accounting
concepts and Pacioli will be available separately.

(Norman Wingrove/19910524/Press Contact: Glendy Chu, Toppan Moore,
Phone + 852 545 6622; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 HONGKONG: ADC APPOINTS FUTAC AS DISTRIBUTOR 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00009)

HONGKONG: ADC APPOINTS FUTAC AS DISTRIBUTOR 05/27/91
CHAI WAN, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- ADC Telecommunications has
appointed First Pacific Telecom subsidiary Futac International
Ltd., as its sole distributor in Hong Kong.

Established in 1935, ADC specializes in the design and manufacture of
products that perform the basic functions of circuit testing and
access in copper wire and fibre optic termination and signal
transmission for both analog and digital systems.

According to ADC Singapore's area manager, C.W. Lam, Futac was
appointed because of its marketing experience, professional sales
team and substantial customer base, which would help ensure the
successful penetration of ADC products in the Hong Kong marketplace.

Futac says it has already received strong response from potential
customers and has won major contracts with Hong Kong Telecom and
Reuters Hong Kong.

(Norman Wingrove/19910524/Press Contact: Mark Li, Futac,
Tel + 852 896 8328, Fax + 852 889 5077; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 COMDEX: A FIRST-TIMER'S REPORT 05/27/91

05/27/91


(EDITORIAL)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00010)

COMDEX: A FIRST-TIMER'S REPORT 05/27/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Most members of the
Comdex press core are hard, cynical veterans of the trade show
floor. But Newsbytes Reviewer tbass is an exception. For him, this
Spring Comdex was a first. Here is the show through these new
eyes.

Opportunity knocks, I thought. I am to attend the Comdex/Spring
and Windows World '91 as a member of the Newsbytes press team.
Four days of euphoric hobnobbing with the leaders and leading
wannabees of the computer industry. Product introductions, trade
secrets, hot parties and more. By the end I would describe it as
interesting, overwhelming, entertaining, a whirlwind of great
contacts, wonderful conversations, work, work, and exhaustion.

But where were the wild parties? I went to a few subdued
receptions where I met some interesting people -- definitely
not wild. There was the private Newsbytes reception at Dana's
house where I met three Newsbytes news reporters along with Alex
Randall of the Boston Computer Exchange. This reception was
followed by the Thomas Public Relations reception at the
Mansion hosted by Karen Thomas, who was charming, Wayne Rash
of Byte, representatives of American Megatrends -- now Atlanta's
leading computer firm by revenues -- and many other people.
The filet mignon looked wonderful, but so was my veggie plate.

The next morning started at 7:30 AM when Dana and I headed for
MARTA, Atlanta's rapid rail service, so that we could
get our press registration done early. The wisdom of this was
eluding me -- I was quite tired from the night before. But I soon
saw the light. As we went through the lines they got ever-longer.
And I hate lines, an old habit from my Marine Corps days.

After looking around by myself for a while we went to hear the
president of Novell, Ray Noorda, give his keynote address. I was
impressed with his candor. He acquainted us with the history of
networking technology and introduced us to a new concept, a
multi-vendor user group he's forming called OURS. I liked him,
and I liked OURS.

From there I went to the floor and was overwhelmed by an awesome
number of products, carnival acts, and warm bodies. I wandered
through two massive arenas and several hallways. I understand
that in past years, the show has been even larger and spilled over
into nearby buildings such as the Apparel Mart. My feet told me
it was plenty big enough.

The Newsbytes team met again at 1 PM in the working press room
three stories above the show floor. Between getting lost and
collecting promises for review products, I did not find the room
until 5 PM. By that time everyone had left.

Monday night Dana and I went to three more receptions, meeting
with editors and writers Dana knows. Faces to voices.
Alex Randall and his wife, Cameron, were everywhere encouraging
people to contribute their obsolete computers to his East-West
Foundation, which will send them to Eastern Europe students.

The next day -- another early start. I went to the West Wing
and started once again to work my way through the
exhibits, looking this time for specific products and
information. Some of them turned out to be in the East Wing
and so the adventure began again. It would have been smart to
start mapping the show floor two weeks earlier. I got lost.
On this day, I found the press room at 5:30 -- once again it
was empty. I was feeling quite disoriented and was
too tired for parties. Sleep was my only priority.

Suddenly it was Wednesday. This time I made it to the press room
by 10:30 AM -- because I went there first. It was decided that I
would try to find the Resources Center for the Handicapped
exhibit and learn about the technology for the physically
disabled. I spent five hours looking for it, all the while
getting distracted by products and finding no one in the
Interface-sponsored information booths who knew where the
booth might be. By 5 PM I was in the Interface Group's show
office asking where the display was. Fortunately I got an
answer -- but too late. The floor was closed for the day.

Thursday morning Dana tells me that he had stumbled across the
handicapped pavilion quite by accident and interviewed the
group's president. Bent and determined I trudge down to the Omni
to find the exhibit anyway. I was glad to finally locate it, and
found all the exhibits fascinating -- especially an Apple tactile
keypad which Dana hadn't seen.

"While Comdex was frustrating and disorienting, it was a very
valuable experience. The contacts, the faces put to voices, the
introduction to products, both stable and in beta-test, helped me
enormously. I recommend the experience. And maybe next time, I'll
actually remember the way to the press room.

(tbass/19910524)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 MOSCOW: TEXACO INSTALLS VAX 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(MOW)(00011)

MOSCOW: TEXACO INSTALLS VAX 05/27/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Texaco has installed a
VAX 6000 along with other smaller computers in the Moscow-based
VNIIZarganGeologija, an oil industry research institute. The
computer will be used for a number of joint Soviet-American
projects. The suburban Moscow site will be used mainly for advanced
research projects into new oil field exploration.

Export of the VAX computer to the Soviet Union involved high level
licenses obtained in the US and was delayed due to unrest in the
Baltic Republics early this year, according to a published report.
Despite the fact that the VAX is installed there, Russian
personnel are still not cleared to use its full power. Only
four full-time Americans are security-cleared to completely operate
the Digital Equipment machine.

Michael Slater, VP, Texaco Europe Research Inc., told Newsbytes
that Texaco Europe Research's agreement with VNIIZarubezhGeologija
is a "pure, scientific research, non-profit-making" agreement.
He says the computer was exported exclusively for the purpose of
completing of the agreement as well as a sign of the "long
term commitment" Texaco has to working with the Soviet Union.

The agreement is focused on four projects, according to Mr Slater.
They include porting of existing Soviet geophysics forecasting
algorithms and programs to the newer computer base, and, if tests
will show better results, to include them into Texaco's special
software packages.

Scientific research is also aimed at statistical global oil
reserves estimates as well as detailed comparison of Eastern and
Western European oil basins. VNIIZarubezhGeologija holds a
substantial database on Eastern European oil and gas reserves.

Officers were unable to give Newsbytes either exact machine
types or estimated equipment prices.

Non-Texaco Sources tell Newsbytes that the "other" computers are
made by Intergraph, Compaq, and Sun, and that the Institute
also plans to buy a number of 386-based machines to be used
as a part of the project.

French Companie Generale Geophysique is to follow suit and bring
to Moscow a computer for geophysical research.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910527/Press Contact: Cloy Causey
Chief, USSR Applications, Texaco Europe Research Inc., Houston,
Texas, phone [phone], fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 VIDEOTELECOM INTRODUCES MEDIACONFERENCING 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00012)

VIDEOTELECOM INTRODUCES MEDIACONFERENCING 05/27/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- VideoTelecom has
introduced a concept it calls MediaConferencing, a multimedia
conferencing system combining video and audio of participants,
the ability to pass documents, and computer conferencing, along
with a new technology called TimeConferencing, that allows
users to leave multimedia messages.

The concept is incorporated in the company's new Benchmark Series
product line. Benchmark will enable users to exchange, revise, and
update documents; retrieve, review, share, and transfer network
computer files; and project images for large audience viewing.
Facsimile machines and computer printers can be added to enhance
meeting capabilities. Systems cost $34,950 to $85,000.

MediaMax, a conferencing platform, is the standard, central
component of each Benchmark system. The MediaMax combines a
video codec, which puts video into the phone system, along with
an audio system, image/document system, and PC-AT compatible
computer. VideoTelecom has installed approximately 300
systems in the U.S. with clients such as the U.S. Navy, the
Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory, Fidelity Investments,
Texas A&M, Norwest Bank, and Digital Equipment.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: VideoTelecom, Laurie
Pennino, 214/520-3555)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 AMERITECH TO CREATE COMBINATION CALLING-CREDIT CARD 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)

AMERITECH TO CREATE COMBINATION CALLING-CREDIT CARD 05/27/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Ameritech will
follow AT&T and create a combination calling card and credit
card. While AT&T worked with Synovus Financial, Ameritech will
work with Household Credit Services. Details of the proposed
credit card-calling card -- its annual fee, interest rate or
scheduled introduction, will be announced later.

Household Credit Services has over three million credit cards
outstanding with $2.9 billion in receivables, making it one of
the nation's top 10 issuers. It's a unit of Household
Internationally, known 20 years ago as Household Finance, a
provider of installment credit to homeowners. Household is still
in that business, but makes more money providing commercial
financial credit services and insurance.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: Steve Ford, Ameritech,
312-750-5205)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 NEW FOR UNIX: Pro/Engineer Data Exchange With IBM CATIA 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00014)

NEW FOR UNIX: Pro/Engineer Data Exchange With IBM CATIA 05/27/91
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Parametric
Technology has developed tools to let its Pro/Engineer mechanical
design software exchange data with IBM's CATIA computer-aided
design software. Users will be able to transfer surfaces and
wire-frame geometry between the two packages, Parametric said.

Pro/Engineer runs on a range of workstations including those from
Sun Microsystems, Digital Equipment, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and
Silicon Graphics. Company spokesman John Hudson said Parametric has
created interfaces to other vendors' software before, but this is
the first to a directly competing package.

Hudson said the move will serve large customers who use both
packages in different areas of their design operations, and those
who have had CATIA -- which has been on the market since the early
1980s -- for some years and have bought Pro/Engineer more recently.
Separate companies will also be able to exchange information.

Pro/Interface, an optional software module, will provide the data
exchange capability. It will be available in the third quarter of
1991, Parametric said.

(Grant Buckler/19910522/Press Contact: John Hudson, Parametric
Technology, 617-894-7111)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 AUSTRALIA: QUEENSLAND GETS PARALLEL SUPERCOMPUTER 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00015)

AUSTRALIA: QUEENSLAND GETS PARALLEL SUPERCOMPUTER 05/27/91
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- The University of
Queensland is one of three Australian universities sharing an
AUS$1.32M grant to promote supercomputer projects. The grant will
enable the university to install Queensland's first parallel
supercomputer.

To be installed in late July or early August, the University's
"Charlotte" supercomputer will be shared with other Queensland
tertiary institutions, and will be used to support industry
projects.

Commenting on the three universities' move to purchase
different machines, Rob Cook, director of the University of
Queensland's Center for Information Technology Research (CITR), said,
"There are arguments for all three of us buying the same machine,
but I think that the arguments for buying different machines are
stronger. Parallel architectures haven't really settled down yet."

The CITR will concentrate on commercial software application
developments, particularly in the mining, environmental, and
aerospace industries. Cook feels the move into parallel computing be
Australia is of major importance to the future of software
development in the country. "Parallel machines look like they will
explode on to the commercial market in the next few years and
Australia is in a strong position to capitalize on the development
of software." The university is sharing the grant with the
Australian National University and the University of Melbourne-
Victoria University of Technology consortium.

(Sean McNamara/19910523)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 AUSTRALIA: UNIVERSITY OFFERS COMPUTER TEACHING DIPLOMA 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00016)

AUSTRALIA: UNIVERSITY OFFERS COMPUTER TEACHING DIPLOMA 05/27/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- The University of New South
Wales (NSW) has announced a diploma course for computer teachers.
The course is aimed at giving teachers a much better perspective of
what is possible in the computer industry, and to better equip them
for teaching high-school students.

The two-year, part-time Diploma in Computer Education course was
developed after a request from the NSW Department of Education. It
is primarily aimed at addressing the often limited skills of
computer teachers, and the limited equipment available for hands-on
use by students. Not only has the School of Computer Science and
Engineering opened its doors to teachers, but will also allow
students to use its computer facilities.

Teachers are encouraged to discuss topics with each other, allowing
a much greater exchange of information, as many schools only have
one computer teacher. Teachers are also encouraged to bring their
students to the University to show both parties what is possible
with higher budgets and more powerful equipment than are available
to schools.

(Sean McNamara/19910523)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 HUNGARIANS BUY CD-ROM PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR CENSUS 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00017)

HUNGARIANS BUY CD-ROM PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR CENSUS 05/27/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Meridian
Data has announced that Kozponti Statisztikai Hinata
Nepszamlalas, the Hungarian Census Bureau, has purchased VR
Publisher and VR Professional, a real-time, on-site CD-ROM
production system for use in recording the country's census data.

The purchase was negotiated through the United Nations, which
also provided grant money to allow the cash-poor country to
acquire the equipment.

The Meridian system operates from 286-based or more powerful MS-
DOS computers and allows the production of a complete CD-ROM disc
in less than one hour after the data is fully prepared and
indexed.

VR Publisher formats and organizes a database, then simulates its
operation as if it were already on a CD-ROM disc, and can output
the completed files in several ways for further processing.

VR Professional, a $30- to $50-thousand dollar (U.S.) upgrade, is
Meridian's Yamaha-produced laser recorder which can actually
produce single CD-ROM discs.

Meridian has also announced that DADC Austria, Sony's European
CD-ROM production factory, has purchased CD Master, a CD-I
(compact disc-interactive), CD-ROM (compact disc-read only
memory) and DIV (digital video interactive) mastering system
which can produce up to 20 CD-ROM master discs for mass
production of CD-ROM.

Competing VAX minicomputer-based CD-ROM mastering systems
don't write directly to the Laser Beam Recorder or LBR and thus
can only produce about five masters in a single day.

(John McCormick/19910523/Press Contact: Sheri Elpern, Meridian
Data, 408-438-3100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 NEW PRODUCT: The Archives Of Computing On CD-ROM 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00018)

NEW PRODUCT: The Archives Of Computing On CD-ROM 05/27/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- The Association
for Computing Machinery is now shipping the new CD-ROM research
tool Computing Archive: Bibliography and Reviews from ACM, a
$1,049 disc containing nearly 123,000 citations from the last 10
years of ACM and other publications along with almost 9,000 full-
text reviews taken from Computing Reviews and the annual Guide to
Computing Literature.

Besides the ACM publications, Computing Archive will include an
index to nearly 470 other scholarly and trade periodicals.

Priced at $849 for ACM members, a $50 discount is available to
all purchasers for a limited time.

Orders can be placed by phoning 212-869-7440, ext. 246.

(John McCormick/19910517/Press Contact: Margaret Tuttle, ACM,
212-869-7440, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 NATIONAL STANDARDS GROUP DEFINES COMPUTER SECURITY GUIDELINES 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00019)

NATIONAL STANDARDS GROUP DEFINES COMPUTER SECURITY GUIDELINES 05/27/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Government Computer
News reports that the NIST (National Institute of Standards and
Technology) has told agencies not to concern themselves with the
new European ITSEC or Information Technology Security Evaluation
Criteria which has already been adopted by Germany, France, the
United Kingdom, and The Netherlands.

Vendors and agencies alike have worried that the government
standard for secure systems might be changed from the current
"Orange Book" standard to the new ITSEC draft standard, but the
NIST's Computer Systems Laboratory points out that the European
standard offers no technical advantage over the U.S.'s Orange
Book standard and the only real differences are in the area of
testing.

(John McCormick/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 XTREE UNVEILS NEW OPERATING ENVIRONMENT; GOES GREEN 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00020)

XTREE UNVEILS NEW OPERATING ENVIRONMENT; GOES GREEN 05/27/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1991 MAY 27 (NB) -- Xtree, the California
software house best known for its file manager of the same name,
has unveiled a wide-ranging program designed to ensure that its
entire U.S. operations are as environmentally friendly as
possible.

The company is no stranger to changes. Back in 1985 it released
the first easy-to-use hard disk management program called Xtree.
In 1989 it came up with the U.S. marketplace's first amnesty
program for unauthorized copies of its software.

According to King Lee, CEO of Xtree, the company is making its
blueprint for changes available to third-party companies free of
charge. The idea is turn the computer industry green - a term
referring to environmentally friendly matters.

"In 1990, we started talking about the problems our industry had
caused, rather than the solutions we have found. The price of
progress was increased usage, plastic, and foams and it was the
view of the company that we must do something to reduce our
misuse of resources," he said.

"We wanted to be as sensitive to the environment as possible,"
Lee continued. "So we started right here in the office. The
company banned the use of Styrofoam cups, cut down on using paper
for memos by increasing the use of electronic mail, began
recycling cans and glass, started using recyclable office
products -- including copier paper -- and replaced Tyvex floppy
disk sleeves with sleeves made from recycled paper."

Lee conceded that Xtree is in business to making money and that
`going green ' costs money: "Obviously we are in the business to
produce the best product and make money. The greening of a
company sounds great until you look at the bottom line. The
reality is that environmental sensitivity costs money," he said.

Using recycled, recyclable and environmentally sensitive material
is more expensive than using the more damaging counterparts. Even
with the best buys, the cost is still between 15 and 20 percent
more in most cases.

Despite these obstacles, `Project Green' is uppermost in Xtree
staffer's minds. Starting with the release of Xtree Gold 2.0,
every product component -- with the exception of the floppy disk
and shrink wrapped plastic -- is being made from recycled and
recyclable materials. The company is currently looking at
alternatives to shrink-wrapping its products.

Lee said he would like to see everyone in the industry become
more environmentally aware "even if it just means printing their
manuals on recycled paper."

"The last time I checked, no one around the office was trading in
their car for a yellow robe and a life of monastic service -- but
if other software publishers join us, we really have a chance to
change the world for the better. How many times do you get to do
that?" he said.

(Steve Gold/19910524/Press Contact: Nancy Wahl Scheurich, Xtree -
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 27 NEW ROM CHIPS SAVE LAPTOP BATTERY LIFE 05/27/91

05/27/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00021)

NEW ROM CHIPS SAVE LAPTOP BATTERY LIFE 05/27/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 27 (NB)-- Systemsoft has
started marketing a new set of ROM chips designed to extend the
battery life of computers. The sets are being sold directly to
laptop computer makers. For that reason the company at first
refused to talk to Newsbytes, preferring to stay in the shadows
but finally agreed to an interview.

Vice President Mike Segroves said laptop and notebook manufacturers
are moving to the Intel 80386SL chip from the 80386SX chip mainly
because of its improved power management. Intel was showing the
SL in a nearby booth for the first time. But to be truly powerful,
the new chip needs efficient software instruction. Systemsoft's
Maximizer package -- sold in read-only memory chips -- is controlled
by a Power Management Configuration Utility, which allows the user to set various parameters
tell peripherals when they should power down and conserve
the battery. A menu of parameters appears the first time it is used
or on command, and the user gets the chance to change the settings
using cursor control and function keys.

Features called CPU Standby, Global Standby, and Auto Power Off
control the main system while Device Controls governs peripherals.
The ROM directs the SL chip to move through the system in a
given order, decreasing power usage as it goes. In our
demonstration, CPU Standby was set at four seconds and Global
Standby was set at one minute. An amp meter was set up next to
the computer to monitor power consumption at each stage of the
operation. If the keyboard was untouched after four seconds, the
main CPU went to standby and the amp drain dropped somewhat.
After another minute, the Global Standby activated and the power
drain decreased sharply. This continued through the minutes of
inactivity, with power consumption stopping at each state.

It's important to remember that throughout this process the
program and cursor position is maintained. So even with maximum
energy conservation, you can just tap a key and the system goes
back to where you were in your program, except the power drain
clock is reset.

Maximizer offers three ways to reactivate normal power: it will
resume on a modem ring, resume on an alarm, or resume when you tap
the resume key. Thus, a laptop could act as a terminal which
only turns on completely when it's called. It means a computer
need not be shut off completely during, for instance, a long
airplane flight. An added feature is that the ROM chips direct the
computer to suspend operations if the battery power becomes so
weak that further use would cause data loss. Then you can simply
plug the computer into a wall outlet and save data maintained
in RAM.

Power consumption management on the peripherals can be done
manually or automatically. This includes the floppy disk
drives and the hard disk drives -- the big power users. We were
told that, with this utility, one can take a 15-hour flight with
an ordinary DOS laptop and never run out of power -- most of
today's laptops run out of power in three hours of normal use.

Segroves said thought is being given to offering the
chipset for desktop computers. That would reduce our concerns
about power outages and brown-outs, which can wreak havoc with
data.

(tbass/19910524/Press Contact: R.Micheal Segroves, SystemSoft,
508\651-0088, FAX 508\651-8188.
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 24 Review of: SWAP Utilities ver 1.70, for PCs, 05/24/91

05/24/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00034)

Review of: SWAP Utilities ver 1.70, for PCs, 05/24/91

Runs on: PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, AND 100% compatibles with 640K
RAM using PC/MS-DOS, and a VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules compatible
monochrome monitor. Must have appropriate paired software.

From: Innovative Data Concepts, 1657 The Fairways, Suite 101,
Jenkintown PA 19046, 215-884-3373

Price: The SWAP Utilities prices are as follows:
Any Single SWAP?? Program $ 25; Any Two SWAP?? Programs
$ 45; Any Four SWAP?? Programs $ 80; All Eight SWAP??
Programs $100


PUMA Rating: 3.925 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest )

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary: SWAP Utilities' motto is, "When Your Memory Is To
Precious To Waste!" We found these eight inexpensive shareware
programs in a bundle to be worth their cost.

======

REVIEW

======

Innovative Data Concepts is a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals. The SWAP Utilities are distributed as
shareware programs and the one Newsbytes looked at,
SWAPSP, worked beautifully.

The SWAP Utilities ver 1.70 consist of the following programs
which can be bought as a unit or separately:

SWAPSK -- For SideKick Versions 1.52A through 1.58B.

SWAPSP -- For SideKick Plus Versions shipped as of 4/1/90

SWAPTN -- For Tornado Versions 1.70 through 1.80

SWAPMT -- For Metro MetroKernal 1.0, 1.1 and 1.11

SWAPMM -- For MemoryMate Versions 3.01 and 3.02

SWAPSH -- For PCTools Shell

SWAPDT -- For PCTools Desktop Versions 5.5 & 6.0

SWAPNG -- For The Norton Guides Versions shipped as of 4/1/90

The main reason to use SWAP?? programs is to save memory but
an added side effect is more versatility in hotkeys for most
of programs. Our version of SideKick Plus went from occupying
102K+ to 6K+ of conventional memory -- the program is that
effective.

Accompanying each SWAP?? program is a program named TEST??. This
program is run the first time you install a new version of the
SWAP?? program. TEST?? writes into a .COM file the exact
description of the application it is designed to address. You
only rerun this when you have made changes in the configuration
of the respective application.

TESTDV which also accompanies the SWAP?? programs is used to
determine the run-time parameters if you use the DESQview
environment. You must run it any time you add or remove a
TSR/SWAP?? which is loaded before DESQview. It must be rerun with
any change that affects the way DESQview addresses itself to your
machine.

SWAP?? uses EMS, XMS, and/or virtual memory disk space to do its
work. It is most efficient with EMS, expanded memory. Unless
otherwise informed via command parameters it will seek memory
space in the above order.

When using EMS for swapping, the total amount of EMS required is
the resident size of your application plus its environment area,
rounded up to the nearest 16K boundary. Remember I mentioned that
my version of SideKick Plus went from occupying 102K+ to 6K+ of
conventional memory.

If your computer supports both XMS and EMS, EMS memory is the
preferred choice; using XMS requires almost twice the amount of
memory.

The SWAP Utilities can also loaded in "high" DOS memory with
386Max, QEMM, or other similar programs.

I have noticed that some TSR programs now include the relevant
SWAP?? utility bundled with the package as it is shipped. This
is more convenient than having to search for it on bulletin boards
or elsewhere.

Background communication must be disabled to use SWAPSP along
with SideKick Plus. If the communication activity is initiated
while in the background it may crash everything, resulting in
lost information.

There are a few more small warnings that accompany each of the
utilities, and specifically for SideKick Plus. When you look at
the files and view the readme files, however, they are clearly
explained.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (4.0) The programs I used, SWAPSP and TESTSP, acted
exactly as they were described.

USEFULNESS: (4.0) Considering the user can purchase all or only
what they need, the cost is extremely reasonable.

MANUAL: (4.0) The documentation seems to be complete yet is
simple. There are troubleshooting hints and explanations as to how
to join into online discussions about the product.

AVAILABILITY: (3.7) Written purchase orders (or faxed) are
acceptable, when ordering The SWAP Utilities. Innovative Data
Concepts will ship COD, with a minimum $25 order. MC/Visa
accepted. Call 215-884-3373 to order, or fax your order to
215-886-4225. No 800#, but a lots of technical support avenues.
Technical support can be obtained, registered or not, by
contacting Chip Rabinowitz at Compuserve 70731,20, MCIMAIL 315-
5415, or fax [phone]. You may also write to Innovative Data
Concepts at the address above, or call 215-884-3373.

(tbass HNDYPRSN/19910420/Press Contact:Chip Rabinowitz, 215-884-
3373 or 215-886-4225 FAX)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991  MAY 24 Review of: How to Publicize High Tech Products and Services. 05/24/91

05/24/91


(REVIEW)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00029)

Review of: How to Publicize High Tech Products and Services. 05/24/91

From: Janal Communications, 3030 Edwin Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ 07024;
800-933-3612 or 408-241-6834.

Price: $49.95

PUMA Rating: 3.75 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Dana Blankenhorn, 05/24/91

Summary: Before you hire a PR agency, or enter the market with a
new product, you should know the inside skinny on what these
people do for you. Here it is.

======

REVIEW

======

"How to Publicize High Tech Products & Services: A Hands-On
Guide" is a must for any executive with a technology product or
service to sell. Written and published by Dan Janal, an
experienced high-tech PR man, the book features details on
everything from writing good releases to tracking the media to
getting the product reviewed in the trade press.

If every high tech public relations counsel in the country used
this as a text, reporters like me would sleep better at night.
Janal is up-front in telling clients not to lie, to avoid hype,
to pick up the check at lunch, and to understand the true news
value of what they have to say before they say it. He includes
lots of good examples on everything, and for a self-published
book the presentation is very attractive.

Even if you're not going to do your own publicity, this book can
give you the tools you need to cut through the palaver agencies
give you in selling themselves and not only find the right agent,
but the right budget.

My single qualm is the high price of the book -- $49.95. High
tech entrepreneurs will have no problem ponying that up, and they
should quickly run to Mr. Janal with money in hand. But the long
term future of this book is as a standard text for the nation's
journalism schools, which despite their names now train most of
the nation's public relations people today. Hopefully, the price
will come down in future editions, and some mainstream textbook
publisher will scarf this puppy up for their fall list.

===========

PUMA RATING

===========

PERFORMANCE: 4 Examples, humor, hard information, no fluff.

USEFULNESS: 4 If you're promoting a product or service, you need
this book.

AVAILABILITY: 1 Self-published books don't get the distribution
they deserve. But if Janal takes his own lessons, you'll find it.
Or he'll find you.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910308)

#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 MAY 24  ****VETERANS ADMIN ACCUSED OF LETHAL SOFTWARE ERRORS 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00001)

 ****VETERANS ADMIN ACCUSED OF LETHAL SOFTWARE ERRORS 05/24/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Is bureaucratic
infighting causing the Veterans' Administration to use software
that endangers the lives of patients in VA hospitals? That is the
question Federal Computer Week has raised this week with the
report that a secret group of veterans has condemned the way the
VA develops software and maintains database records.

The Froelich Trust Group has, according to FCW, sent a letter to
Richard Miller, director of the Southern Region Veterans' Health
Service and Research Administration, indicating that poor
management has led to dangerous inadequacies in VA hospital
computer systems, problems "that may be contributing to higher
than normal death rates in some VA facilities."

Charging that turf wars among the bureaucrats at the VA's Medical
Information Resources Management Office and a lack of
coordination are the main culprits, the letter's accompanying
report cited a comparison of 20 records with the computerized
versions and found errors in every case, including one where the
database record failed to note that a certain patient had cancer
or that another was diabetic.

A VA spokesman reportedly said that, although there are definite
errors in the letter, it is being taken seriously by the
department.

(John McCormick/19910524)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 SEARS REMOVED LAPTOP HANDLES TO MEET FED WEIGHT SPECS 05/24/91

05/24/91



(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00002)

SEARS REMOVED LAPTOP HANDLES TO MEET FED WEIGHT SPECS 05/24/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- According to the
current Federal Computer Week, to win the Treasury Department's
DMAC II (departmental microcomputer acquisition contract), Sears
Business Centers had to remove the handles of its laptop entry to
meet the weight limit set in the RFP or request for proposals.

The handle removal information was reportedly mentioned in open
court at the U.S. Court of Appeals, but other companies may also
have shaved ounces using similar gimmicks. Unfortunately for the
press, the rest of the testimony was sealed and unavailable to
the public, which, of course, pays for all this.

The DMAC was awarded to Sears last May but a flood of protests
from defeated bidders caused Treasury to reconsider.

DMAC II calls for the sale and installation of nearly 60,000
computers and local area networks. There are only two remaining
bidders for the $400 million, five-year DMAC II contract - Sears
Business Systems and Sysorex Information Systems.

This is a case of winning by default more than anything else
because Tandy's Grid Systems division and other major vendors
have dropped out of the bidding wars.

DMAC II procurement began way back in the second quarter of 1988
and the Treasury Department has been without a consolidated
microcomputer purchasing plan since DMAC I expired at that time.

Treasury says that the final award will be made before June 1,
1991, but since the court case is still pending even the
announcement of an award will have little meaning.

(John McCormick/19910524)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 IBM ADOPTS DRAGON SYSTEMS' SPEECH RECOG FOR DISABLED 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00003)

IBM ADOPTS DRAGON SYSTEMS' SPEECH RECOG FOR DISABLED 05/24/91
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- IBM VoiceType,
actually a product of Dragon Systems which is also sold by that
pioneering voice recognition company, provides a 7,000-word
speech recognition vocabulary for computer users who either can't
or prefer not to use standard keyboard data and command entry
methods.

Specifically targeted at the needs of the disabled, the $3,185
speech recognition board is Dragon System's first Micro Channel-
compatible voice recognition system and is based on Dragon
Dictate, the complete dictation system offered by that New
England company.

In addition to the 7,000-word active vocabulary, which can
include up to 2,000 user-defined sounds as words, the system also
includes voice macros which can create sentences or longer
text/number strings up to 1,000 characters long from a single
sound command. IBM VoiceType also has an 80,000-word spelling
dictionary.

The new board and software require a 32-bit PS/2-compatible
(Micro Channel) system and won't ship until August.

At just over $3,000, the system comes complete with a video
training tape, standard documentation, and a microphone headset.

For further information or to order IBM VoiceType, call Dragon
Systems at 1-800-TALKTYP (825-5897).

(John McCormick/19910524/Press Contact: Regina Lewis, IBM, 914-
642-5469)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24  ****SCULLEY TELLS BUSH RECESSION ISN'T OVER YET 05/24/91

05/24/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00004)

 ****SCULLEY TELLS BUSH RECESSION ISN'T OVER YET 05/24/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Contradicting the
vast majority of economists, Apple Computer's John Sculley has
told President Bush that the recession definitely isn't yet over for
his company or the computer industry as a whole.

In a parade of economists and business leaders through the White
House this week, the President and staff were told by many that
the recession was either already over or very nearly over, but
Apple's chairman contradicted these views.

CNN reported this week that well over 90 percent of economists
now feel that the recession is finished but nearly as many also
say that they expect a very slow and weak recovery.

(John McCormick/19910524/Press Contact: Marlin Fitzwater, White
House, 202-456-2100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24  ****PC EXPO EXHIBIT SPACE SOLD OUT 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00005)

 ****PC EXPO EXHIBIT SPACE SOLD OUT 05/24/91
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- In a
report that should bring some relief to those worried about the
strength of the computer industry, Bruno Blenheim Inc. has
announced that 700 exhibitors have already contracted for all the
available space at the upcoming June 25-27 PC Expo which will be
held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York.

PC Expo has more than a half-million square feet of exhibit
space, and the preliminary list shows that all the major players
are planning to exhibit this year.

Novell's president and chief executive officer, Ray Noorda, will
deliver the opening keynote address on June 25 at 9 A.M. and his
topic will predictably be "The Past, Present and Future of
Network Computing."

PC Expo is targeted at volume buyers and resellers, rather than
individual buyers.

(John McCormick/19910524/Press Contact: Annie Scully, Bruno
Blenheim, 201-569-8540 ext. 145, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 SOFTLETTER SPONSORS NEW INT'L CONFERENCE 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00006)

SOFTLETTER SPONSORS NEW INT'L CONFERENCE 05/24/91
WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- SoftLetter
has announced that it will bring a new industry conference to
Boston this August 11-13. Sponsored by Apple Computer, MacUser,
and PC Magazine, GeoCon/91 will only feature products developed
outside the United States, making this a truly international
exhibit.

This new exhibit is important because for once the international
computer industry can exhibit its wares and make contacts here in
the U.S. without being shouldered out by the massive presence of
the dominant American companies which usually overshadow foreign
competitors.

GeoCon/91 is scheduled to take place between MacWorld Boston and
the Windows & OS/2 Conference, during what is usually the worst
of Boston's summer heat wave.

For information contact Marc Verschaeren, Version ONE, 109
Plantin, Moretuslei, 2018, Antwerp, Belgium, 32-03-324-3733, fax
32-03-232-4373, or SoftLetter, 17 Main St., Watertown, MA 02172.

(John McCormick/19910524/Press Contact: SoftLetter, 617-924-3944,
fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/24/91

05/24/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00007)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/24/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

The May 20 issue of the Seybold Report on Publishing Systems
looks at more European newspaper publishing systems and carries a
reader comment on how Microsoft is cornering the electronic
publishing market with its recent acquisition of exclusive rights
to Dorling-Kindersley's literary properties including the AMA
Family Medical Guide and The Way Things Work.

This issue of Federal Computer Week takes an in-depth look at the
performance of PCs in Operation Desert Shield and Storm.

June's Byte magazine looks at GUIs and compares an ALR 486SX
Business VEISA and an AST Premium II 486SX with a Club American
Eagle using a 40 MHz. 80386 by Advanced Micro Devices and finds
that the AMD386 chip-based system provides a significantly better
price and slightly faster processor performance.

PC World's June issue looks at desktop color and 44 big-screen
monitors for desktop publishing.

(John McCormick/19910524)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 CRAY RESEARCH TO DEVELOP EUROPEAN ALLIANCES 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00008)

CRAY RESEARCH TO DEVELOP EUROPEAN ALLIANCES 05/24/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A.,1991 MAY 24 (NB)--Cray Research, already
a player in the European computer market, has formally recognized
the need to form strategic alliances with European organizations
in order to develop a range of products and technologies.

While specific details of the Cray plan are still under
development, several promotions and appointments have been made
to support the function. Robert Levy has been appointed vice
president of European Development and has the task of
investigating strategic alliances with European organizations,
which Kate Neessen, Cray's corporate communications director told
Newsbytes would include both other computer industry vendors and
potential customers.

Levy has been president and general manager of Cray Research
France S.A., and was also leader of the company's southern Europe
region, which includes France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and
Belgium. He will report to Cray's Technology Council, a group of
six senior executives that sets the general technical and
business directions for Cray Research. Prior to joining Cray in
1977, Levy, who holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from
London University, held positions with Control Data Corporation,
Memorex Corporation and H.H. Scott of Belgium.

(Jim Mallory/19910523/Press Contact:Kate Neessen, Cray Research,
612-683-7132)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 MORE LAYOFFS AT NORTHERN TELECOM 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00009)

MORE LAYOFFS AT NORTHERN TELECOM 05/24/91
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Northern Telecom
has announced layoffs totalling 208 people at facilities in
Bramalea and London, Ontario. This follows the announcement of cuts
at the company's Belleville, Ontario, plant only 10 days earlier.

At Northern's London plant, 90 manufacturing jobs are being cut.
Employees were given the news May 23. John Lawlor, a spokesman for
the company, told Newsbytes 52 of the lost jobs are in the making
of telephone sets. He said those cuts are largely due to a reduced
demand for new sets due to a drop in the construction of new
houses. The other 38 jobs lost in London are in the manufacture of
handset cords for telephones. That work is being moved overseas to
take advantage of lower labor costs. "It doesn't make sense to have
that type of process being performed in London," Lawlor said.

Many of the earlier cuts in Belleville resulted from the transfer
of some manufacturing to Malaysia for similar reasons. Northern
plans to eliminate 136 jobs in Belleville. Some of these cuts may
be made through early retirement incentives.

In Bramalea, where Northern makes telephone switches at its largest
Canadian plant, the job cuts are in management and office functions
rather than manufacturing. Lawlor said the layoffs are aimed at
running a leaner organization. "Competitiveness is the driving
force," he said. One hundred and eighteen people will lose their
jobs in Bramalea.

Lawlor said no further layoffs are planned at the moment.

(Grant Buckler/19910523/Press Contact: John Lawlor, Northern
Telecom, 416-238-7000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 EDITORIAL: Is Apple Panicking? by Barbara & John McMullen 05/24/91

05/24/91


(EDITORIAL)(APPLE)(NYC)(00010)

EDITORIAL: Is Apple Panicking? by Barbara & John McMullen 05/24/91
NEW YORK, NY., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Let's get the scenario
straight. First the background -- Apple's Macintosh is a
critically acclaimed computer that by its use of a graphical
user interface (GUI) and What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG)
method of text and graphics display has revolutionized
the world of personal computers.

Its impact has not only garnered a legion of loyal users;
it has dragged both staid MS-DOS and Unix systems toward
its view of a user interface. There was, however, a
problem -- a problem which troubled Wall Street analysts more than
users but a problem nonetheless. There was no low-priced Macintosh
which could complete with MS-DOS clones for the low-end user. Even
the three-year-old Macintosh Plus, when equipped appropriately
with a hard disk, cost close to $2,000.

The big cry of the critics became "market share" -- Apple to be
competitive had to do something to increase its market share,
particularly at the low end. So Apple, after what many felt was an
inordinate delay, finally responded. It introduced the Macintosh
Classic, a fully featured Macintosh listing for under $1,000 and
obtainable with a hard disk at street prices of slightly over $1,000.
To achieve this, Apple reduced its own profit margins and
saw unit shipments jump by over 70% in the first quarter of this
year.

A huge success, right? Well -- not exactly! The same analysts who
had taken Apple to task for its lack of market share now turned their
attention to the declining profitability -- by decreasing its margins,
Apple had also, of course, lessened its overall profits. Never mind
that the lowered margins were by design or that Apple still managed
to be profitable in a time in which IBM was suffering its first
quarterly loss in history and other computer manufacturers were
struggling -- or even that the decline was only 0.5% from $131.81
million to $131.14 million. The analysts still felt that Apple's
performance was disappointing -- and, therefore, the price of the
stock began to fall.

One of the truisms of American capitalism is the statement that
"The primary responsibility of a board of directors is to the
firm's stockholders." The adherence of individual companies to
this guiding rule is often directly proportional to the amount of
stock held by its directors and managers. In the case of Apple,
a large amount of stock is held by management. According to a
recent Computer Reseller News study Apple Chairman John Sculley
was said to hold over $31 million worth of Apple stock. A fall-off
of even a few dollars can mean millions of dollars in paper losses
to managers of the firm.

Whatever the stimulant, it is obvious that Apple has taken the
concerns of the analysts quite seriously. It has let the word out
that it means to reduce staff by 1,500 before the end of the year
-- a move clearly intended to reduce expenses and therefore raise
profits.

While word of staff reductions pleased the analysts, it had a
different effect on the retail channel where retailers felt that
their marketing support would decrease. Apple quickly tried to
respond to these fears by indicating that the reductions would be
primarily in the manufacturing area.

The location of the cuts, while important to some, does not address
what we see as the overriding issue. Our major concern is that they
are being made because of panic -- a response to a tumbling price
and slightly negative analyst reaction. If we assume that Apple has
been a well-managed company, then it would seem that these
employees were needed and that, therefore, some activity or other
will be curtailed. If, on the other hand, we assume that Apple was fat
with people that it didn't really need, what assurance should the
market have that this move is well-founded?

We know that Apple's new high-end machine to be announced
later in the year will shift the product mix again and will have
resulting changes in Apple's profit picture. Time will tell
whether the current cost-cutting moves represent intelligent
decision or panic reaction. For the industry's sake, as well as
Apple's, we sincerely hope it is the former.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910524)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 FIRST CABLE FIRM ENTERS PCN PHONE MARKET IN TEST 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

FIRST CABLE FIRM ENTERS PCN PHONE MARKET IN TEST 05/24/91
KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Through
an alliance with McCaw Cellular, the nation's largest cable TV
operator, Tele-Communications, will test-market Personal
Commmunications Network cellular phone service. PCN works on
microwave frequencies, allowing for lower-power handsets and
cell-sites, but closer spacing between them.

The two companies said they envision the service to be more like
cellular service than a cordless telephone. However, it could
be a less expensive service than cellular, having fewer features
and more limited mobility. Rather than being a competitor to
existing cable firms -- McCaw is the largest -- the deal
envisions PCN as a low-cost, crippled alternative.

The test will take place in Medford, Oregon, where TCI operates a
cable franchise, and where McCaw operates a cellular system under
the name Cellular One. In the test Cellular One will be linked to
TCI's cable system using the new microcells. Specially modified
cellular handsets will be used for the test, which is expected to
be fully underway by the fourth quarter of 1991.

TCI became the main beneficiary of the cable television
revolution in the 1980s, which after a 1984 act of Congress has
become an unregulated monopoly. It has used its profits to enter
other businesses, buying pieces of cable programmers like Turner
Broadcasting, making a bid to acquire the United Artists movie
studio operation, and looking into PCN. TCI is a big back of
Cable Labs, the cable research consortium which last year
exchanged technical data with Millicom of New York on possible
cable interconnections with PCN providers. Millicom, meanwhile,
is disputing results of a technical test by Motorola indicating
that unlicensed PCN service won't work the way garage door
openers do, owing to interference with microwave antenna networks
licensed to use the same frequencies.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: McCaw Cellular
Bob Ratliffe, 206/828-8685; Tele-Communications, Lela Cocoras,
303/721-5235)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 ALASKA PREPARES TO DEREGULATE IN-STATE LONG DISTANCE 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

ALASKA PREPARES TO DEREGULATE IN-STATE LONG DISTANCE 05/24/91
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Many Alaskans can
now designate a specific long-distance carrier for in-state
calls. Consumers in Fairbanks, Juneau, Homer, Kenai and Soldotna
can now get these competition benefits based on guidelines
established last year by the Alaska Public Utility Commission.
(APUC).

Alaska's phone situation is unique in that many communities get
their local service from municipal utilities, since they were too
small and far-away to win service from companies in the "Lower
48." Even the present action excludes the state's largest city,
Anchorage, which is served by the Anchorage Telephone Utility.
ATU, instead, will send letters to customers telling them that if
they don't change carriers, their long-distance out-of-state
carrier will automatically become their in-state carrier as well
as of July 1. The option to choose a separate in-state carrier
will become effective next January in Anchorage.

In anticipation of the new rules, General Communication, an
Alaska based long-distance carrier, has been buying new switching
gear to increase its capacity, and constructing new earth
stations in rural Alaska. Gene Strid, GCI's director of
engineering, said in a press release that "As the local telephone
utilities make in-state equal access available to their
customers, GCI will be there with the equipment to make it
possible to originate direct-dialed calls."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: Linda Boggs, General
Communication, 907-265-5600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 AT&T SAYS WORLD TELECOM EQUIP MARKET AT $60-70 BILLION 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00013)

AT&T SAYS WORLD TELECOM EQUIP MARKET AT $60-70 BILLION 05/24/91
DETROIT, MICHIGAN, U.S.A. 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- In a speech in
Detroit, AT&T Chairman Robert E. Allen predicted that nations
around the world will spend between $60 billion to $70 billion a
year in the next decade to build, expand, and modernize their
communications networks. "It presages an explosion of movement
and management of information -- worldwide business carried on in
the global marketplace," he told the Detroit Economic Club.

Allen used these figures to defend the company's recent
acquisition of NCR, which has been attacked as a costly mistake
since other computer industry mergers haven't worked. "Clearly,
communications and computing are coming together," Allen said.
"Networked computing is growing more than three times faster than
the computer industry as a whole. In fact, the world is doing
some 50 billion electronic transactions a year today and we
expect that will quadruple to 200 billion by the mid 1990s. I
believe the AT&T/NCR marriage is a natural."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: Burke Stinson, AT&T,
908-221-2062)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 PACTEL SELLS SHARE IN BRITISH PCN TO BRITISH AEROSPACE 05/24/91

05/24/91



(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)

PACTEL SELLS SHARE IN BRITISH PCN TO BRITISH AEROSPACE 05/24/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- PacTel
sold its 25.3 percent share in Microtel, a British PCN company,
to British Aerospace for an undisclosed price. Microtel is one of
three companies with a UK PCN license, and expects to begin service
next year.

PCN is a type of cellular service that uses higher, microwave
frequencies than conventional cellular. The shorter wavelengths
allow for smaller, lower-powered phones, but require
more cell sites to cover the same area. In the U.S. tests are now
taking place concerning whether PCN service can share frequencies
with existing microwave antennas. Recently Motorola concluded
they cannot.

In a press release, PacTel indicated it sold-out because of
competition in the UK telecom market. In addition to the other
two PCN operators, which have been assigned exclusive frequencies
by the government, the UK is also home to CT-2 franchises and two
nationwide cellular companies. In addition, the UK recently
announced full-scale deregulation of the wired phone system,
allowing even cable television franchises to offer phone
service.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: PacTel, Susan
Rosenberg, 415/394-3910)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 DIGITAL CELLULAR NET SLATED FOR KOREA 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)

DIGITAL CELLULAR NET SLATED FOR KOREA 05/24/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Qualcomm
announced a joint development agreement with the Republic of
Korea's Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
to develop digital cellular network equipment using Qualcomm's
Code Division Multiple Access technology. CDMA offers more
capacity than the competing Timd Division Multiple Access
technology, or TDMA, but TDMA has been endorsed by the U.S.
cellular service industry and will be rolled out later this year.

The Korean effort will involve a small metropolitan area
validation system for demonstration in Korea and interface to a
mobile central office. It's expected that the trial will lead to
CDMA being accepted as the digital cellular standard for Korea.
Korea's Ministry of Communications is in the process of granting
a second nationwide cellular carrier license.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: Qualcomm, Allen
Salmasi, 619/587-1121)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 MCI, SPRINT OFFER NEW PLANS, CALLING CARDS 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)

MCI, SPRINT OFFER NEW PLANS, CALLING CARDS 05/24/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- The marketing
battle over the U.S. consumer's long distance bill continued as
both MCI and Sprint made announcements.

MCI said that MasterCard expanded its MasterPhone long-
distance calling card program, created after AT&T began offering
its Universal Card credit card last year. Credit card holders
enrolled in the program can now use MCI Call USA to call numbers
in the U.S. and 45 foreign countries using their MasterCard. Some
69 banks are soliciting their cardholders to enroll in the plan.

Sprint, meanwhile, announced a new plan called the Priority
Customer Program, open to anyone who uses Sprint for $20 or more
in calls each month. This includes a toll-free customer service
number, periodic reviews of calling patterns, usage bonuses and
automatic enrollment in the company's Caller's Plus Awards
Program. The program is similar in concept to the MCI Exclusives
plan launched last year.

Sprint's Spring Plus residential calling plan was changed to
automatically provide 20 percent discounts to anyone making more
than $20 in calls each month -- previously it took $200 in
monthly calls to get that discount. The new plan, however,
represents an overall rate increase of 2.7 percent, effective
June 3, which will impact infrequent users of long distance
services. It's suggested that those users use Sprint Select,
another group of calling plans in which you pay for a block of
time.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: Robin Carlson, US
Sprint, 202-828-7426; Steve Apesos, MasterCard International,
212-649-5476)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 PACIFIC TELECOM BUYS BAY AREA TELEPORT 05/24/91

05/24/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

PACIFIC TELECOM BUYS BAY AREA TELEPORT 05/24/91
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Pacific
Telecom, which just succeeded in its gamble to complete a trans-
Pacific cable, said it is now buying the rest of the Bay Area
Teleport from Doric Development. The Teleport is a bypass
operation for the 13-county Northern California marketplace,
providing point-to-point services for corporations, financial
institutions, government and even other phone companies at less
than the price charged by Pacific Bell.

Theodore D. Berns, president and chief operating officer of
Pacific Telecom, said that the Bay Area Teleport is now a
successful operation, and poised for continued growth and entry
into new markets.

Pacific Telecom's major activities include ownership of local
telephone operations in 10 states and a long distance service in
Alaska, as well as cellular phone operations and things like the
North Pacific Cable.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: B.M. Wirkkala, Pacific
Telecom, 206-696-0983)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 MCI SIGNS NEW PHONE SERVICE DEAL WITH GE 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

MCI SIGNS NEW PHONE SERVICE DEAL WITH GE 05/24/91
RYE BROOK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- MCI and General
Electric signed a 5-year deal under which MCI will provide GE
with a full range of domestic and international voice and data
products, including Vnet, 800 and private line services. GE has
its own voice network, mainly working on private lines, but the
deal is not expected to impact the separate GE Information
Services network, a worldwide data network which is the host to
the GEnie consumer service.

Instead, the deal involves things like a trial of high-speed
data networking by the company's GE Capital unit, and voice
services delivered through GE's corporate headquarters in
Fairfield, Connecticut.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910524/Press Contact: Frank J. Walter, MCI,
914-933-6292, Bruce Bunch, GE, 203-373-2039)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 SHOWS AND CONFERENCES JUST ANNOUNCED 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019)

SHOWS AND CONFERENCES JUST ANNOUNCED 05/24/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- A series
of shows and conferences are on the books for this year and early
1992. Here are a few new ones that reached the Newsbytes news
desk.

MULTIMEDIA: Mitch Hall Associates has announced plans for
Media '92, a multimedia exposition and conference to be held at the Los
Angeles Convention Center February 27 and 28, 1992.
The magazines Publish and Macworld are to sponsor the exhibition,
for which Mitch Hall Associates hopes to attract more than 200
exhibitors. The organizers say the show will be aimed at business,
entertainment, and communications professionals.
Prospective exhibitors can get more information from Michael
McMahon at Mitch Hall Associates, 617-361-1031.

SONY GOVT TECH EXPO: This July 10 and 11 the Sheraton Washington
Hotel will play host to government technology buyers and federal
contractors as Sony sponsors its third annual government-oriented
Tech Expo '91 in the nation's capital. Products to be shown aren't
limited to computer items but include audio, video, and
telecommunications systems including HDTV, video conferencing
systems, high performance video transmitters which can send a
color image over regular telephone lines in 10 seconds, and the
latest in video cameras. Admission is free but preregistration is
suggested; call 800-877-SONY for details.

ELECTRONIC DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE: Government Technology
magazine, Riley Information Services, and Computer Professionals
for Social Responsibility will sponsor a Conference on Electronic
Democracy this September 4 and 5 in Arlington, VA. The conference
will take a close look at how the move to a very heavy use of computer
technology at all levels of government will influence our daily lives
and how we can cope with the needs for privacy and citizen access to
the data the government is collecting. The keynote speaker will be the
developer of Lotus 1-2-3, Mitch Kapor. Mr. Kapor is also the co-founder
and president of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit group
concerned with the development of new social and legal stands on
electronic information gathering and storage. For further information,
call 916-443-7133 or fax [phone].

DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS: The Department of
Defense, NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology),
and George Mason University have announced joint sponsorship of a
one-day conference on DoD Information Systems: Migrating to an
Open Systems Architecture. The conference will be held at GMU's
Center for the Arts in Fairfax, Virgina, on Wednesday, June 19.
Two main themes will highlight the technical conference. The
first is a survey of the current state of the art in converting
major information systems, while the second major topic addressed
will be determining how government and private sector interaction
can be utilized to ensure success of the move to open systems
architecture. For more information or to register for the conference,
contact the Center of Excellence in C3I, Jackie Hunter, 703-222-5971.

(John McCormick & Grant Buckler/19910521/Press Contact:
Jonathan Hirshon, Sony, 201-930-7812; Michael McMahon, Mitch Hall
Associates, 617-361-1031, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 NEW FOR UNIX: Meridian OpenAda 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(WAS)(00020)

NEW FOR UNIX: Meridian OpenAda 05/24/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Meridian Software
Systems's inexpensive OpenAda for PC systems is now available for
UNIX systems during the next 60 days at the discounted price of
$495. OpenAda provides a full Ada development environment for
Unix users who need or want to produce programs conforming to the
Department of Defense's mandate that new software bought by the
Pentagon be produced in the strictly regulated Ada language.

Ada is also a powerful general purpose programming language that
is easily ported between operating systems and provides some of
the best potential for reusing code, making it highly attractive
to corporate users who aren't marketing to the federal
government.

OpenAda Unix is compatible with AT&T System V version 3.2, SCO's
PC Unix, as well as Interactive System's and MicroPort's PC
versions of Unix.

OpenAda comes with documentation, a validated compiler, MUSIX
(POSIX or the Portable Operating System Interface for Unix
standard set by the IEEE) compliant binding, on-line help,
optimizer, utility libraries, debugger, and editor.

For further information, contact Meridian Software Systems, 10
Pasteur St. Irvine, CA 92718 or phone [phone].

(John McCormick/19910521/Press Contact: Jim Smith, Meridian, 714-
727-0700, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 WEST GERMANY: LOW-COST PORTFOLIO EXPANSION SYSTEM DEBUTS 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00021)

WEST GERMANY: LOW-COST PORTFOLIO EXPANSION SYSTEM DEBUTS 05/24/91
AACHEN, WEST GERMANY, 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Despite what the
adverts say, the Atari Portfolio being sold at $295 comes with
just 128K of RAM. While this can be expanded to 640K using
expansion cartridges, it's an expensive way of boosting memory to
that of a basic desktop machine. Which is why Becker & Partners
in West Germany have come up with a low-cost expansion system for
the machine.

Becker & Partners have a Trans Drive to the Portfolio. The interface unit
connects the Portfolio interactively to any PC compatible, allowing it
to access RAM and disk drives attached to the PC on a transparent basis.

The idea isn't a new one -- early expansion systems for PC
portables used similar technology when RAM and hard disk prices
were high. This is the first time the technology has been implemented for
the Atari Portfolio.

Pricing on the Trans Drive is a reasonable at DM 198 which
works out to be around $130 at current exchange rates. The
company also supplies budget RAM modules for the Portfolio if you
really have to expand memory while on the move.

(Steve Gold/19910524/Press & Public Contact: Becker & Partners -
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 NEW FOR PCS: PCL-5, Postscript Controller Cards 05/24/91

05/24/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)

NEW FOR PCS: PCL-5, Postscript Controller Cards 05/24/91
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Eicon Technology's
EiconScript printer controller cards will be able to get both
PostScript and PCL-5 output from printers that support neither of
those page description languages with a software option Eicon plans
to ship in June.

Eicon is showing at Comdex in Atlanta a US$300 software upgrade
option for its EiconScript line of PostScript controller cards that
will add the ability to handle PCL-5, the latest version
Hewlett-Packard's page description language. Margie Moore,
international sales manager for Eicon's image division, told
Newsbytes the software will let older HP printers and others that
only support the earlier PCL-4 language to handle PCL-5 as well as
PostScript output through an EiconScript controller.

The EiconScript controllers fit in PC expansion slots and provide
the PostScript processing that is built into printers designed for
PostScript. They also provide faster printing than is possible with
a controller in the printer, Moore said.

Eicon is also showing at Comdex a hardware-software combination that
will convert PostScript and PCL-5 output into the format used for
facsimile transmission. EiconScript (FX) will be sold to other
manufacturers to be sold with or incorporated into fax products,
Moore said.

(Grant Buckler/19910515/Press Contact: Margie Moore, Eicon
Technology, 514-631-2592, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 NEW FOR PCS: Informtech 486SX System Board in Hongkong 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(HKG)(00023)

NEW FOR PCS: Informtech 486SX System Board in Hongkong 05/24/91
SHATIN, NEW TERRITORIES, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Hong Kong
system board specialist, Informtech, unveiled a new Intel 486SX-based
motherboard at the colony's recent Computer 91 Expo.

Despite being a last-minute, unpublicized addition to the company's
range, the new board drew many interested visitor's to the Informtech
pavilion, where other exhibits included demonstrations of products
incorporating the latest EISA (extended industry standard
architecture) technology, and a video wall of Acer monitors, for
which Informtech recently signed a distributorship agreement.

Meanwhile, Informtech is following up its successes at recent
European and American exhibitions, as well as the Hong Kong show,
with appearances at two Asian technology shows in June.

The company will be displaying its range of system boards, add-on
cards and peripherals at Computex '91 in Taipei and Computer Thai '91
in Bangkok.

"We will be using these shows to reinforce Informtech's standing as a
first class Hong Kong manufacturer with a strong international
network of sales and support offices," said Elkie Yeung, marketing
manager for overseas business.

(Norman Wingrove/19910524/Press Contact: Jacqueline Sun, Informtech,
Tel + 852 686 1188, Fax + 852 635 1636; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 UK: WORDPERFECT CLAIMS LEAD IN E-MAIL SOFTWARE MARKET 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00024)

UK: WORDPERFECT CLAIMS LEAD IN E-MAIL SOFTWARE MARKET 05/24/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Wordperfect U.K. is claiming
more than 250,000 users of its WordPerfect Office 3.0 product.
The office automation software provides LAN users with electronic
mail facilities, among other features, and WordPerfect believes
this makes it the leader in LAN e-mail packages.

Office is the firm's second most successful product, after the
eponymous word processor.

David Godwin, WordPerfect UK's director of marketing, said,
"Industry observers say that within the next two years the
current number of e-mail servers in the UK will more than double,
if not triple. WordPerfect Office is poised to capture more of the
growing DOS market as well as make further strides in the GUI
environment once WordPerfect Office for Macintosh is released later
this year and WordPerfect Office for Windows is released early in
1992."

Godwin reckons that sales of WordPerfect Office will grow by
around 25 percent over the coming year. Versions for Unix and
VMS will also be released in 1991.

(Steve Gold/19910517/Press Contact: Vivienne Wilson, David Godwin
- Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 BOT BANKS BAHTS ON AST 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00025)

BOT BANKS BAHTS ON AST 05/24/91
BANGKOK, THAILAND, 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- In a contract worth more than
baht 13 million (US$500,000), the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has
purchased 250 AST Bravo 386SX personal computers from AST's Thai
distributor, SCT Computer Co.

BOT is Thailand's central bank and plays a key role in the finance
sector, counting all the country's commercial banks and financial
investment companies among its customers.

The new machines are to be installed in the bank's head office and
branches, linked to an IBM 9370 mainframe computer, and supporting
the bank's data entry, documentation and database management
functions. The installation, due for completion by the middle of the
year, represents almost half BOT's total installed PC base.

Applications supported include Lotus, dBASE and Thai Word.

AST's Asia director, Alex Chu, said the purchase was a significant
step forward for AST's penetration of the Thai market and that it was
a strong indication of his company's determination to penetrate the
Thai banking sector.

(Norman Wingrove/19910524/Press Contact: Clara Skek, MDL HK,
Tel + 852 838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24  ****APPLE INCLUDES WINDOWS 3.0 IN MICROSOFT/HP SUIT 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00026)

 ****APPLE INCLUDES WINDOWS 3.0 IN MICROSOFT/HP SUIT 05/24/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Apple
Computer has amended its original copyright complaint against
Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard, saying that not only is Windows 2.03
and New Wave infringing on its Macintosh copyright, but so are
Windows 3.0 and New Wave 3.0. This is the first time the newer, and
more successful products have been a part of the suit.

Apple also officially asked the court to rescind the 1985 license
which is at the heart of the dispute, a license granting Microsoft rights to
use certain aspects of the Macintosh display technology in its
software design.

This time, Apple presented evidence in the discovery process which
reportedly was designed to invalidate the 1985 license. Issues raised
in this non-public aspect of the trial included allegations that Microsoft
threatened to stop developing Macintosh software in 1985 if Apple
didn't sign the agreement; the citation of a verbal statement from
Microsoft officers at the time in which they "implicitly promised" that
later versions of Windows would be less Macintosh-like than the first
version; and that the original agreement was designed solely for
Macintosh software products, not for IBM-compatible software,
according to published reports.

US District Court Judge Vaughn Walker has set the next hearing for
June 14 to consider Apple's newest allegations and the lawsuit status
in general.

(Wendy Woods/19910525)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24  ****APPLE TO GO WITH COMPUTER SUPERSTORE CHAIN? 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

 ****APPLE TO GO WITH COMPUTER SUPERSTORE CHAIN? 05/24/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- In a move sure
to upset many of Apple Computer's established resellers, the company
has changed tack over distribution of its low-end microcomputers
and is reported by the Wall Street Journal to be considering a
deal with computer discount chain CompUSA.

Lisa Burns, spokesperson for Apple USA, asked to confirm the
report, told Newsbytes that she could not comment on any discussion
in which Apple may be involved. She did however confirm that
"Apple is looking towards superstores as a distribution outlet
for high volume products."

If confirmed, the move would mark another milestone in the company's
change in strategy that began really with the introduction of the low-end
Macintosh Classic and color Macintosh LC late last year in an effort to
increase market share in the face of heavier competition from
IBM and compatible DOS-based machines, especially those employing
Microsoft's Windows 3.0 graphical user interface.

The change of strategy has not come without its drawbacks though
as the new low-end computers carry with them lower profit margins.
This in turn led to disappointingly low profits in the company's last
financial quarter, even though unit sales had increased considerably.
Consequently, the company has just announced a huge reduction
in worldwide staffing by some 1560 employees.

Apple vastly underestimated the demand for its new Classic, which
led to waiting periods of as much as three months before delivery
and allowed dealers to charge the full 'suggested' price for the first
six months because demand far outweighed supply.

Computer specialty stores such as those favored by Apple
generally charge higher prices than superstores but offer
considerably better support and services. The reported
agreement would reflect a move away from those stores for the
distribution of low-end products. Some analysts believe that any
such move would force other major PC competitors such as IBM
and Compaq into similar action.

Lisa Burns told Newsbytes that Apple would continue to use its
established resellers in conjunction with chain store outlets,
although she said she could not comment on what incentives
Apple was prepared to give its loyal distributors to compensate
for the anticipated undercutting of their prices by superstores.

Newsbytes got reactions from some Apple dealers. Mike Descher, vice
president of operations for Mac Universe in Tarzana, California said,
"We can't wait until they [Apple] do it. The more Apple computers
sold, the more business we do. But, a lot of computer dealers are
scared because they think Apple is going to offer their hardware at
cost to discounters. Right now, discounters can't afford to work at the
margin we do, which is at 10% margin of gross profit. Discounters
usually expect 35 to 40% gross margins. Apple hasn't made any formal
announcements yet, though, so anything now is just speculation."

(Linda Rohrbough & Ian Stokell/19910524/Press Contact: Mike Descher,
Mac Universe, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]; Apple Computer
408-996-1010)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 DIGITAL RECEIVES $140 MILLION NAVY CONTRACT 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00028)

DIGITAL RECEIVES $140 MILLION NAVY CONTRACT 05/24/91
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment Corporation has announced it has been awarded a U.S. Navy
personal computer network integration contract with a potential value
of $140 million for hardware, software and services for up to
8,000 local area networks potentially connecting more than a
million personal computers currently utilized by the
Department of Defense.

According to the announcement, much of the Navy will be required to
buy hardware, software, installation and services for the local area
networks from the contract. The rest of the Navy, other DOD activities,
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also may order supplies
and services through this contract.

Announcing the award, Harvey L. Weiss, vice president of
Digital's Government Systems Group, said that the contract win
reflected, "Digital's ability to serve as a systems integrator and
provide its customer with the computer solution it wanted." He
added, "We will be integrating the products of other vendors
and serving as the single point of service for the customer."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Frank
Donovan, Digital Equipment Corporation, 603-884-4489
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 IBM PUTS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON STAFF REDUCTION 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00029)

IBM PUTS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON STAFF REDUCTION 05/24/91
PURCHASE, NEW YORK., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- IBM, in
an admitted effort to accelerate staff reductions of marginal
employees, has instituted a new program, "Individual Transition
Option" (ITO), that will let managers target specific marginal
employees for the program.

This program follows on IBM's March 1991 announcement that
it hopes to eliminate 14,000 employees this year through
voluntary means. Such a cost-cutting move would bring the
firm's worldwide work force to under 360,000. A company
spokesperson, commenting on the new program, said that it is
not intended to reduce the number of employees below that
point but is merely intended to focus on those employees who
"who appear to be mismatched with their jobs."

A senior IBM executive, speaking under the terms of
anonymity to Newsbytes, said that the program was a response
to concerns that the firm was losing valuable employees
through the voluntary program while marginal employees
were remaining on the staff. He pointed to the fact that IBM
has concurrently dropped its severance program for
terminated people from two weeks pay for every year of
service to one week per year and said, "Some may take this to
be intimidation but it certainly makes the new program more
attractive to those who might be concerned about being
dismissed for poor performance."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910524)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 IBM WILL SPONSOR COMPUTERIZED EQUESTRIAN RANKING 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00030)

IBM WILL SPONSOR COMPUTERIZED EQUESTRIAN RANKING 05/24/91
GLADSTONE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- The
United States Equestrian Team (USET) has announced that IBM
will sponsor a new computerized ranking system for show
jumpers. IBM is supporting the development and operation of
the computerized ranking system and is providing an IBM
Personal System/2 computer.

The new "IBM/USET Show Jumping Rankings" will be used to
select horse/rider combinations for various international
competitions. Ryegate Show Services, which has been engaged by the
USET to administer the program and distribute a an updated weekly,
developed the algorithm used for the ranking system over an
eight-month period. The rankings will incorporate results of all
show jumping Grand Prix events offering at least $25,000 in
prize money. The program will rank horse/rider combinations
based on their results and the relative strength of the field in
each competition.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Marty
Bauman, U.S. Equestrian Team, 617-784-4386; Ray Meurer, IBM,
914-642-4644/19910524)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 SUN JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY SIGNS WITH MORISAWA & CO. 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00031)

SUN JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY SIGNS WITH MORISAWA & CO. 05/24/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- In a move
designed to allow scalable Japanese outline fonts to be bundled with
Unix systems, Sun Microsystems and its Japanese subsidiary, Nihon
Sun Microsystems, have signed technology licensing agreements
with leading type vendor Morisawa & Co. Ltd. of Osaka, Japan.

The agreements, which the company maintains is the first such
bundling of fonts, are part of Sun's strategy to extend its "common
imaging model" for Unix to the Japanese market. 'Scalable' means
that a single outline can be turned into a bit map in any point size.

Leiann Lee, spokesperson for Sun Microsystems, told Newsbytes
that the agreement was important because the company would "now
be able to offer a common imaging model" to both end-users and
software developers. It was particularly of interest to the end-user
she said, because with the new fonts "what they see on the screen
is the same as what they see on the page." This has not been the
case for Japanese users before.

Under the agreement, Morisawa will use Sun's software tool, called
TypeMaker, to produce versions of several Morisawa fonts in the
scalable outline F3 format. Sun then plans to include two of the
Morisawa Japanese fonts in the F3 format with all Sun
SPARCstations, SPARCservers and printing products sold in Japan.
Morisawa also plans to offer other Japanese fonts in F3 to software
developers and end users.

Because there are nearly 7,000 characters is the Japanese character
set, the development of fonts for computers is expensive and very
time-consuming. This has resulted in a limited selection for end-users
and developers alike. Sun claims that its automated tools allow
for the development of fonts in a fraction of the time it would otherwise
take.

Morisawa & Co. Ltd. is a major supplier of phototypesetting
equipment in Japan.

(Ian Stokell/19910524/Press Contact: Leiann Lee, Sun Microsystems
Inc., 415-336-0597)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24  ****US-USSR LINES CLEARED BY FCC 05/24/91

05/24/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00032)

 ****US-USSR LINES CLEARED BY FCC 05/24/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- AT&T has received an official
approval from Federal Communications Commission to use satellite
circuits provided by Soviet Intersputnik between U.S. and U.S.S.R.

According to Robert Bose, AT&T market development director for Eastern
Europe and U.S.S.R., the company received final approval from the FCC to add
100 satellite lines to the existing 67 public access circuits between the
US and the Soviet Union. "At the moment those new facilities are
undergoing extensive tests and will be put into commercial use within
two weeks," he told Newsbytes at the Communications'91 international
exhibition in Moscow.

Intersputnik circuits were reserved for scientific non-commercial use
in the past. The US State Department made a decision last year to allow
AT&T and other carriers to use those facilities for communications
between the two countries.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910524/Press contact: Robert Bose, AT&T Europe,
phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 MOSCOW: AT&T ANNOUNCES EXPANSION PLANS 05/24/91

05/24/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00033)

MOSCOW: AT&T ANNOUNCES EXPANSION PLANS 05/24/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 24 (NB) -- AT&T will quadruple the number of
circuits between the Soviet Union and the US within four months, offer
USA Direct service, and 800 toll free numbers to Soviet customers.

AT&T representatives told Newsbytes at the Communications'91 show in
Moscow that those projects will result in better service to Soviet phone
users, who now have to book a phone call to the United States two days in
advance.

USA Direct service was first offered during the Kremlin Cup, an
international tennis competitions in Moscow and "was a great success,"
according to a company spokesman.

Offering USA Direct service will result in more revenues for the Soviet
Ministry of Communications which means they are very eager to help
in increasing communications facilities, the spokesman said.

AT&T will open its Moscow office accredited with Soviet authorities in
early fall, according to Eric Jennes, the expected office manager.

The company has recently provided Armenia with equipment and
arrangements to organize international telephone communications
independently of Moscow.

The company sells its small office phone systems called Sprint as
well as mid-range exchanges through a number of Soviet distributors.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910524/Press contact: Robert Bose, AT&T Europe,
phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 Review of: How to Publicize High Tech Products and Services. 05/24/91

05/24/91


(REVIEW)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00034)

Review of: How to Publicize High Tech Products and Services. 05/24/91

From: Janal Communications, 3030 Edwin Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ 07024;
800-933-3612 or 408-241-6834.

Price: $49.95

PUMA Rating: 3.75 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Dana Blankenhorn, 05/24/91

Summary: Before you hire a PR agency, or enter the market with a
new product, you should know the inside skinny on what these
people do for you. Here it is.

======

REVIEW

======

"How to Publicize High Tech Products & Services: A Hands-On
Guide" is a must for any executive with a technology product or
service to sell. Written and published by Dan Janal, an
experienced high-tech PR man, the book features details on
everything from writing good releases to tracking the media to
getting the product reviewed in the trade press.

If every high tech public relations counsel in the country used
this as a text, reporters like me would sleep better at night.
Janal is up-front in telling clients not to lie, to avoid hype,
to pick up the check at lunch, and to understand the true news
value of what they have to say before they say it. He includes
lots of good examples on everything, and for a self-published
book the presentation is very attractive.

Even if you're not going to do your own publicity, this book can
give you the tools you need to cut through the palaver agencies
give you in selling themselves and not only find the right agent,
but the right budget.

My single qualm is the high price of the book -- $49.95. High
tech entrepreneurs will have no problem ponying that up, and they
should quickly run to Mr. Janal with money in hand. But the long
term future of this book is as a standard text for the nation's
journalism schools, which despite their names now train most of
the nation's public relations people today. Hopefully, the price
will come down in future editions, and some mainstream textbook
publisher will scarf this puppy up for their fall list.

===========

PUMA RATING

===========

PERFORMANCE: 4 Examples, humor, hard information, no fluff.

USEFULNESS: 4 If you're promoting a product or service, you need
this book.

AVAILABILITY: 1 Self-published books don't get the distribution
they deserve. But if Janal takes his own lessons, you'll find it.
Or he'll find you.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910308)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 24 Review of: SWAP Utilities ver 1.70, for PCs, 05/24/91

05/24/91

(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00035)

Review of: SWAP Utilities ver 1.70, for PCs, 05/24/91

Runs on: PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, AND 100% compatibles with 640K
RAM using PC/MS-DOS, and a VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules compatible
monochrome monitor. Must have appropriate paired software.

From: Innovative Data Concepts, 1657 The Fairways, Suite 101,
Jenkintown PA 19046, 215-884-3373

Price: The SWAP Utilities prices are as follows:
Any Single SWAP?? Program $ 25; Any Two SWAP?? Programs
$ 45; Any Four SWAP?? Programs $ 80; All Eight SWAP??
Programs $100


PUMA Rating: 3.925 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest )

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary: SWAP Utilities' motto is, "When Your Memory Is To
Precious To Waste!" We found these eight inexpensive shareware
programs in a bundle to be worth their cost.

======

REVIEW

======

Innovative Data Concepts is a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals. The SWAP Utilities are distributed as
shareware programs and the one Newsbytes looked at,
SWAPSP, worked beautifully.

The SWAP Utilities ver 1.70 consist of the following programs
which can be bought as a unit or separately:

SWAPSK -- For SideKick Versions 1.52A through 1.58B.

SWAPSP -- For SideKick Plus Versions shipped as of 4/1/90

SWAPTN -- For Tornado Versions 1.70 through 1.80

SWAPMT -- For Metro MetroKernal 1.0, 1.1 and 1.11

SWAPMM -- For MemoryMate Versions 3.01 and 3.02

SWAPSH -- For PCTools Shell

SWAPDT -- For PCTools Desktop Versions 5.5 & 6.0

SWAPNG -- For The Norton Guides Versions shipped as of 4/1/90

The main reason to use SWAP?? programs is to save memory but
an added side effect is more versatility in hotkeys for most
of programs. Our version of SideKick Plus went from occupying
102K+ to 6K+ of conventional memory -- the program is that
effective.

Accompanying each SWAP?? program is a program named TEST??. This
program is run the first time you install a new version of the
SWAP?? program. TEST?? writes into a .COM file the exact
description of the application it is designed to address. You
only rerun this when you have made changes in the configuration
of the respective application.

TESTDV which also accompanies the SWAP?? programs is used to
determine the run-time parameters if you use the DESQview
environment. You must run it any time you add or remove a
TSR/SWAP?? which is loaded before DESQview. It must be rerun with
any change that affects the way DESQview addresses itself to your
machine.

SWAP?? uses EMS, XMS, and/or virtual memory disk space to do its
work. It is most efficient with EMS, expanded memory. Unless
otherwise informed via command parameters it will seek memory
space in the above order.

When using EMS for swapping, the total amount of EMS required is
the resident size of your application plus its environment area,
rounded up to the nearest 16K boundary. Remember I mentioned that
my version of SideKick Plus went from occupying 102K+ to 6K+ of
conventional memory.

If your computer supports both XMS and EMS, EMS memory is the
preferred choice; using XMS requires almost twice the amount of
memory.

The SWAP Utilities can also loaded in "high" DOS memory with
386Max, QEMM, or other similar programs.

I have noticed that some TSR programs now include the relevant
SWAP?? utility bundled with the package as it is shipped. This
is more convenient than having to search for it on bulletin boards
or elsewhere.

Background communication must be disabled to use SWAPSP along
with SideKick Plus. If the communication activity is initiated
while in the background it may crash everything, resulting in
lost information.

There are a few more small warnings that accompany each of the
utilities, and specifically for SideKick Plus. When you look at
the files and view the readme files, however, they are clearly
explained.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (4.0) The programs I used, SWAPSP and TESTSP, acted
exactly as they were described.

USEFULNESS: (4.0) Considering the user can purchase all or only
what they need, the cost is extremely reasonable.

MANUAL: (4.0) The documentation seems to be complete yet is
simple. There are troubleshooting hints and explanations as to how
to join into online discussions about the product.

AVAILABILITY: (3.7) Written purchase orders (or faxed) are
acceptable, when ordering The SWAP Utilities. Innovative Data
Concepts will ship COD, with a minimum $25 order. MC/Visa
accepted. Call 215-884-3373 to order, or fax your order to
215-886-4225. No 800#, but a lots of technical support avenues.
Technical support can be obtained, registered or not, by
contacting Chip Rabinowitz at Compuserve 70731,20, MCIMAIL 315-
5415, or fax [phone]. You may also write to Innovative Data
Concepts at the address above, or call 215-884-3373.

(tbass HNDYPRSN/19910420/Press Contact:Chip Rabinowitz, 215-884-
3373 or 215-886-4225 FAX)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 23 COMDEX DOES RIGHT BY THE HANDICAPPED 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00001)

COMDEX DOES RIGHT BY THE HANDICAPPED 05/23/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Comdex is not known
as a charitable event, but it does have a heart. That was much in
evidence in the East Hall of the Spring Comdex show, where one of
the larger booths was given away to a Seattle group called the
Resource Center for the Handicapped. Its president, Rich Walsh,
has been paralyzed from the neck down since 1977, the result of a
Jeep accident.

When we arrived at the booth, he was playing bridge on a Zenith
286-based machine. A steel pin hung beneath his chin to keep his
head upright, and his motionless hands and legs were like lead
weights in his heavy wheelchair, but above the neck he is a
dynamo. The headset over his ears attached to a speaker next to
his mouth, and a wire from that went to a larger speaker on his
desk. His eyes sparkled as he won trick after trick over his
electronic partner. Then he turned and made his pitch.

"This whole system I'm working at costs $5,000," he said,
including peripherals needed by a quadriplegic. "People don't
know about it and it's a tragedy." Walsh has become a big
believer in Microsoft Windows, which meant he fit right in at
this Comdex show floor. "With the 386 in my office I have a task
in each Window, so I can jump between them quickly. I can dictate
letters, and send them out myself. It's phenomenal."

Computers have made Walsh productive, and his Resource Center has
in turn helped others. "I started on this about a year and a half
ago. I went to Boeing and Microsoft, and other major vendors, and
put together this technology applications group. Our idea is to
develop high tech, low cost equipment, so the disabled can go to
work. They bought off on it. I bet they spent $300,000-400,000 on
this booth. They shipped a lot of it out by Airborne, and built
it. I just had to show up on Sunday. They had it all set up for
me. It's pretty wonderful."

Walsh is challenging the computer industry to come up with
standardized systems which will put more handicapped people to
work. "Right now there are 5 different systems, and I can't
interface with them. With a standard platform, or universal
access box, I can roll up to any computer." The speaking-
interface system with which Walsh worked at Comdex, for instance,
works only with computers using the old AT plugs -- a similar
system using IBM's Micro Channel plugs would cost $20,000, and
entail a costly learning curve. That's the kind of thing he's
working against.

The benefits of putting the handicapped to work go right to the
bottom line, Walsh added. " Last year it cost the U.S. taxpayers
$300 billion keeping 20 million disabled Americans from working.
We work with any physical disability. IBM has a screen reader,
reading a creen for a blind person. Digital makes DEC Talk --
slip in a board and it also reads the screen."

Presently, Walsh's center in Seattle can train 100 students per year,
turning them into productive citizens. "For every student we graduate, the
federal government expects a $4-6 million tax swing," he says, adding the
aid that's no longer needed to the taxes that can be paid over a
graduate's lifetime. "It's mind boggling no one has ever done
this before."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910522/Press Contact: Rich Walsh, Resource
Center for the Handicapped, 20150 45th Avenue NE Seattle, WA
98155, 206-545-6550)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23  ****SPRING COMDEX A SURPRISE HIT 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00002)

 ****SPRING COMDEX A SURPRISE HIT 05/23/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB)-- After every
Interface Group show, the organizers congratulate themselves on a
record turnout and the press grouses that nothing happened. This
time, however, the routine announcement -- a crowd estimated at
60,000 -- was no hype. Not only was there a record attendance,
much to the surprise of the press nay-sayers, but the aisles at
the World Congress Center were packed, and exhibitors interviewed
by Newsbytes all expressed pleasure with their quality and
willingness to buy.

This was unexpected. As recently as a few months ago there was
speculation that Spring Comdex would soon fade away. The deal
with Microsoft, which put its first Windows World show inside the
Spring Comdex, was seen as a last attempt to inject some
excitement into the 10-year-old show.

In the end, however, Comdex carried Windows World, not the other
way around. While Microsoft has sold four million copies of Windows
3.0, there are still few applications for it. The top Windows
announcement was a new version of Basic. So while the
Windows World sessions drew overflow crowds -- a marked contrast
to those sessions billed as Comdex sessions, the Windows show
floor itself was tiny, with only Tandy's Multimedia PC and IBM's
multimedia demos adding some spice. Instead, the attraction of
Windows World kept many exhibitors in the show, and they were
rewarded.

All this did not go unnoticed at the Interface Group, which is
now busy trying to spin off other sections of the show into mini-
Comdexes, with industry leading companies as sponsors. Novell
will have a networking section at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas
next fall, and a new multimedia section was promised for next
spring in Chicago.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910522/Press Contact: David Kaminer, The
Interface Gruop, 617-449-6600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23  ****COMDEX: NOTEBOOK TREND IS 6 POUNDS, 386SX CHIP 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00003)

 ****COMDEX: NOTEBOOK TREND IS 6 POUNDS, 386SX CHIP 05/23/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- If we saw it once,
we saw it 100 times at this Spring Comdex show. A notebook
computer, weighing about 6 pounds, or under 3 kg., sporting the
Intel 80386SX chip and a 40 megabyte hard drive, along with one
megabyte of random access memory. The price -- usually about $2,500
to $3,000, retail. Many vendors admitted street prices by this
fall for such machines should easily plunge to under $2,000.

One reason for this was explained in "Computer Sources," a new
reseller magazine edited by former Comdex Show Daily Editor Peter
Bochner. According to Bochner, Taiwanese computer makers have
organized a consortium to crack the U.S. notebook computer
market. Their original plan, to use the Intel 80286 chip, went bust
because of a shortage of flat screens, which are all made
in Japan. The new version is made possible by two factors --
Intel's willingness to push the SX chip, and an ample supply of
battery-powered hard drives in the 20-40 megabyte range. The
effect of all this, according to the article, is to make such
computers a commodity and put a floor under future notebook
development.

Innovation, however, remains a moving target, and some U.S.
companies were offering considerably more than this same-old
same-old. Notebook Computer of Houston, Texas, for instance,
showed a 4.5 lb, or 2 kg machine based on the Intel 80486 chip,
with signs in the booth saying the machine was ready to ship. The
Model 486-T33 Notebook Workstation also features a paper-white
VGA display and a snap-on module weighing under 1 pound which
lets you plug in such things as a SCSI interface for CD-ROM
drives, or a 100 megabyte hard drive. The expansion slot, called
an ePad, can handle one AT-style add-in card in an area 1/2 inch
thick, or you can buy a 2-inch deep model which can handle 3 add-
in cards, plus a drive for a second 3 1/2 inch floppy drive.

MicroSlate, of Montreal, Canada, showed the Datallite 300 series,
a 5.5 pound notebook computer with a touch screen designed for
use as a portable terminal. The device uses that 20 megahertz
80386SX chip to deliver enough power to run Microsoft Windows
3.0, and versions of the touch-screen interface running that
software were on the show floor. A representative of the company
told Newsbytes that the same computer is being shown in a suite
off the show floor, running a demonstration version of
Microsoft's Pen Windows software, which will use a stylus and
handwriting recognition. A version will also be available in the
Fall running Go's PenPoint software. Both PenWindows and PenPoint
promise to start a new revolution in laptops, since they can take
handwritten input, and can be held in one hand while instructions
are given with the other.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910522/Press Contact: William Clough,
MicroSlate, 514-444-3680; fax: [phone]; Peter Bochner,
Computer Sources, 616-965-4741; Notebook Computer, 713-651-0800;
fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 AUSTRALIA: ANU AND FUJITSU ENTER R&D AGREEMENT 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00004)

AUSTRALIA: ANU AND FUJITSU ENTER R&D AGREEMENT 05/23/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- The Australian National
University (ANU) and Fujitsu have entered the next phase of an
industrial partnership agreement with the installation of a Fujitsu
AP1000 supercomputer at the university's Parallel Computing Research
Facility (PCRF).

The supercomputer is about ten times more powerful than the ANU's
VP-100, currently the most powerful academic supercomputer in
Australia. The supercomputer is built up from a number of individual
computers (up to 1,024) creating a cellular array processor (CAP).
The installation pushes the ANU's PCRF into the position of the most
advanced supercomputing facilities in Australia, and one of the most
advanced outside of the US.

The supercomputing facilities will be available through the
Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet) for use by other
institutions. Fujitsu and the ANU have also entered into a research
and development (R&D) agreement in covering artificial vision and
parallel computing.

(Sean McNamara/19910523)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 NEW FOR PCS: Tecmar's Fast MCA Memory Board 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)

NEW FOR PCS: Tecmar's Fast MCA Memory Board 05/23/91
SOLON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB)-- Tecmar has introduced a
new memory board for the IBM PS/2 and other Micro Channel based
systems, called MicroRAM SC. The new board used zero wait state
memory reads and writes, and Tecmar says it will perform up to 50
percent faster than similar products which use one wait state,
such as those from IBM.

Tecmar also says the MicroRAM SC offers true BIOS level
compatibility, eliminating the need for custom software drivers
and installation procedures that can cause hardware and software
compatibility problems.

MicroRAM SC will support up to 32 megabytes of memory on one
board, and users can mix combinations of 1,2,4, and 8-megabyte
SIMMs (single in-line memory modules).

The board includes a diagnostic utility, and has a socket
to support standard 72-pin, 36-bit motherboard-style SIMMs, which
allow systems integrators to stock just one type chip for
standard systems and board level expansion.

Tecmar also introduced QT Backup Version 3.0, a tape backup system
designed specifically for the Macintosh.

The MicroRAM SC has a suggested retail price of $390 for the
board only, plus the cost of the necessary chips to get the
amount of memory desired.

(Jim Mallory/19910523/Press Contact: Kathleen Botz, Tecmar,
216-349-0600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 PANSOPHIC GETS JAPANESE DISTRIB 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006)

PANSOPHIC GETS JAPANESE DISTRIB 05/23/91
LISLE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Pansophic Systems Inc.,
has taken what it calls a significant step toward fulfilling
its Pacific Rim expansion by signing a business partnership
agreement with Bridgestone Software Co., Ltd.

Under the agreement, Bridgestone Software, based in Tokyo, will
be the exclusive distributor in Japan of Pansophic's Resource
Management System (PRMS), an IBM AS/400-based business operations
and planning software system targeted at manufacturers and
distributors. The two companies are working on translating the
PRMS into Japanese.

According to Douglas Percy of Pansophic, "In Japan, many
manufacturers and distributors have looked to custom programming
for business and operating systems. Now there is a programming
backlog, and the midrange computer market is very open to looking
at packaged applications software. Percy also cited the growing
relationships between American and Japanese companies as a factor
in the agreement.

Pansophic also has partnership agreements with firms in Korea,
Malaysia, and Hong Kong, and also operate in Australia and
Singapore.

(Jim Mallory/19910523/Press Contact:Patricia Maloney, Pansophic,
708-505-6204)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 NEW FOR MAC: Readright OCR Software, Formerly Just For IBM 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00007)

NEW FOR MAC: Readright OCR Software, Formerly Just For IBM 05/23/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- OCR Systems
announced at COMDEX the release of Readright optical character
recognition (OCR) software for the Macintosh. OCR Systems claims
that not only is Readright the best OCR software on the IBM market, with
99.9% accuracy, but the Macintosh version is priced at
least $300 less than any of the other competing Macintosh
OCR products.

The company also claims Readright for the Mac also includes the
advanced features found on the IBM version such as a built-in dictionary;
an error checker; page decomposition for automatically separating text
from graphics; and deferred processing; which lets users perform the
character recognition at off-peak hours when the computer is not in
use. Other leading OCR products for the Mac, such as Caere's Omnipage,
offer these advanced features, but only at a higher price.

The Mac version offers a template feature to automatically process
documents with similar layouts, and the stack processing feature
scans and recognizes multi-page documents whether single or double
sided, the company said.

The company said the Mac product supports Claris XTND, so recognized
text can be pulled directly into MacWrite, Microsoft Word, Microsoft
Works and Appleworks. Wordperfect 2.0 is directly supported as
well, and Writenow, Pagemaker, and Quark Xpress are supported
through RTF. Documents can also be saved by Readright as .TIFF files,
to be used in desktop publishing, the company said.

Readright for Macintosh requires a Mac SE/Classic or
higher, with 4 megabytes of memory, and supports most
full page scanners, according to the company.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910523/Press Contact: Sally Dunn,
OCR Systems, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 COMDEX: MULTIMEDIA USED IN POSTAGE STAMP DESIGN 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00008)

COMDEX: MULTIMEDIA USED IN POSTAGE STAMP DESIGN 05/23/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Artist Joni
Carter, in conjunction with IBM, unveiled the new series of sports
postage stamps commissioned by the U.S. Postal Service to
commemorate the 1991 Olympic Games. They are the first stamps ever
to be designed on a computer. "To my knowledge, I am the only
traveling sports artist who uses computers and multimedia
technology as a medium," Carter said.

Carter's studio consists of two IBM PS/2 personal computers (PCs).
One is the "model," showing a video or photographic image
captured on the screen, and the other is her "canvas," and doubles
as her multimedia presentation tool. Carter uses Lumena Software
from Time Arts, the TARGA+ Micro Channel Board from
Truevision, and a WACOM tablet and pressure-sensitive pen.
Carter said she moved as an artist from oil painting to computers
in 1982.

Besides her multimedia demonstration given during the week,
Carter has been on the show floor daily autographing
reproductions of one of the five new stamps. "Sports is a really
tough life," Carter said. "You go to the world's top sporting events,
hang out with the rich and famous and go to the Super Bowl every
year."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910523/Press Contact: Joni Carter, Tel:
213/859-2851, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 HAYES TO TARGET AUSTRALIAN MARKET 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00009)

HAYES TO TARGET AUSTRALIAN MARKET 05/23/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) - Hayes, one of the best-known
names in the telecommunications world, is to officially enter the
Australian market. The company's products will be sold in
Australia by MPA International, and will be in direct competition
with Netcomm Products.

Netcomm designs and manufactures modems in Australia, a point they
hope will help them brave the onslaught from Hayes. Hayes will use
its Ultra 96 modem to lead its assault on the Australian market. The
complete range of PC and Macintosh modems offered by Hayes will be
sold by MPA.

Commenting on the "late" entry into this market by
Hayes, Alfred Li, technical manager for Hayes Microcomputer Inc.,
(Asia), said, "We had other things to do over the last few years."

With the major changes to Australia's telecommunications industry
currently being experienced, MPA sees massive potential for Hayes
products here. Terry Gray, managing director of MPA, said, "Although
Hayes products are new to Australia, most Australian users are
acquainted with the company because the majority of communication
software packages have been developed using the Hayes Standard AT
Command Set. We believe Hayes will take the dominant position in
Australia."

(Sean McNamara/19910523)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 NEW TDD DEVICES FROM AT&T 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00010)

NEW TDD DEVICES FROM AT&T 05/23/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- At this week's meeting
of The President's Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities, AT&T has introduced two new models of portable
Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDDs) which will be of
interest to the more than 20 million hearing-impaired Americans.
A TDD is used by hearing-impaired people to communicate over
regular telephone lines.

The VCR tape-sized TDD 2930 is a portable TDD or computer
terminal with ASCII format capabilities making it suitable for
sending and receiving electronic mail over regular telephone
lines. A 32-kilobyte memory allows the storage of up to 10 full
typed pages of text which can be used to hold "captured"
messages, compose e-mail off line, and store other information.

The TDD 2930's 80-character display is augmented by a synthesized
voice system.

The AT&T TDD 2700 is a lightweight portable TDD with an acoustic
coupler and a printer port with the added advantage of a
sensitivity adjustment which helps maintain clear communications
even on noisy lines.

Almost as important to the disabled community, these devices will
now be made available through all of AT&T's more than 400 Phone
Centers, just like other home and business telephone systems.
The cost of the TDD 2700 is $249.99, and the TDD 2930 lists for
$399.99. They can also be ordered through some local telephone
companies and AT&T's National Special Needs Center. Contact the
National Special Needs Center at 800-833-3232 (TDD)
or 800-233-1222 (voice) for further information.

(John McCormick/19910523/Press Contact: Kathy Coulahan, AT&T,
201-581-4037)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 ELECTRONIC FIRMS CUT BACK PLANS TO STORM EUROPE 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00011)

ELECTRONIC FIRMS CUT BACK PLANS TO STORM EUROPE 05/23/91
RADNOR, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Chilton
Company's Electronic News reports that the recession, combined
with the volatile economic environment in Eastern Europe, is
causing Asian and U.S. companies to cut back their previous plans
for a rapid expansion into that market.

Electronic News reports that Harris Corp. has postponed plans to
construct a $225 million semiconductor factory in Plymouth,
England, and that completion of Fujitsu's $680-million chip plant
in Newton Aycliffe, England, is slipping behind schedule.

Storage Technology, a builder of high capacity storage devices
such as optical systems, has reportedly cancelled plans to open a
plant in Eastern Europe.

Companies had jumped at the chance to build factories in Europe
because of an initial fear that the coming consolidation of
Europe at the end of 1992 would lock out companies without a
strong manufacturing structure in place within the community.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had fought
against too rapid or complete an integration of Great Britain
(GB) into the European Community (also known as Europe '92) and
there is still a strong sentiment in GB to resist the adoption of
one Europe-wide currency system.

This and market forces have made it seem less likely that
outsiders from Asia and North America would be rapidly shut out
of lucrative European markets if they did not have a physical
presence there.

Observers feel that this softening of a need to rapidly expand
into an unknown territory couldn't have come at a better time for
an industry embattled by a worldwide recession, but it may pose a
major blow to the recovering Eastern European economies as well
as those countries such as Germany (former West Germany)
committed to helping them rebuild their economies after decades
of Communist domination which stifled free market forces.

(John McCormick/19910523/Press Contact: Linda K. Freeman, Chilton
Co., 215-964-4494)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 SEMATECH APPOINTS INTEL'S ERICKSON 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00012)

SEMATECH APPOINTS INTEL'S ERICKSON 05/23/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- SEMATECH, a consortium
of 14 major U.S. semiconductor manufacturers along with the
Department of Defense, has named Keith C. Erickson to the newly
created position of vice president of total quality.

Erickson, assigned to SEMATECH by Intel, joined the consortium as
vice president of supplier relations in 1989.

Erickson will concentrate on the Partnering for Total Quality program,
an effort to alter the way competing companies interact. He will also
supervise the implementation of SEMATECH's internal Total Quality
program which is based on the ideals of the Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Award.

Randal T. Buchanan, an assignee from Santa Clara, California-
based National Semiconductor, was named to replace Erickson as
head of supplier relations.

Some industry observers point out that, since the institution of
the Malcolm Baldrige Award for excellence in quality, many
companies are targeting the specific steps needed to compete for
the award while ignoring broader issues, much as students cram
for the college entrance tests.

SEMATECH is an acronym for SEmiconductor MAnufacturing
TECHnology. SEMATECH member companies include Advanced Micro
Devices, AT&T, Digital Equipment Corp., Harris Corp., Hewlett-
Packard, IBM, Intel, LSI Logic, Micron Technology, Motorola, NCR,
National Semiconductor, Rockwell International, and Texas
Instruments.

(John McCormick/19910523/Press Contact: Michele Higdon, SEMATECH,
512-356-3659)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23  ****BSA RAIDS MORE ALLEGED PIRATES 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00013)

 ****BSA RAIDS MORE ALLEGED PIRATES 05/23/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- The Business Software
Alliance (BSA), the international associate of the Software
Publishers Association, has announced another round of raids and
legal action against companies it alleges is involved in
illegally copying software for sale or internal use -- this time in
Korea and Italy.

In Seoul, Korea, the BSA announced legal actions against two
companies in South Korea: Dae Lim Motorcycle Marketing and Sales
Co. Ltd. and Tae Young Industrial Co. Ltd., both for the alleged
unauthorized copying of software from Ashton-Tate, Lotus
Development, and Microsoft. The charges were leveled as a result
of recent surprise raids conducted by Seoul police earlier this
month where unauthorized copies of software were found at both
firms.

Beverage suppliers were the targets in Italy, where at the Turin
headquarters of the Lavazza coffee company and the Milan office
of Gelme, Italy's largest distributor of alcoholic and soft
drinks, BSA inspectors conducted investigations.

As a result of those searches, BSA members have filed suit
against Gelme, and the BSA and Lavazza have reached an agreement
in which the company reaffirmed its commitment to stop illegal
copying of software and especially to train its employees in the
Software Code of Ethics.

Bradford L. Smith, the BSA's European counsel, said, "Lavazza is
committed to adhering to the law and has made important efforts
to implement a corporate policy against copying [software]."

Other recent international activities have included legal
announcements in France and the United Kingdom as well as visits
to Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

(John McCormick/19910523/Press Contact: Lori Forte, BSA, 202-
737-7060)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 ELECTRONIC MAPS OF CALIFORNIA TO BE SOLD BY LANDBASE 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00014)

ELECTRONIC MAPS OF CALIFORNIA TO BE SOLD BY LANDBASE 05/23/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- LandBASE
Corp., of Sunnyvale, CA, has reached an agreement with the Santa
Cruz County Board of Supervisors for a 10-year, renewable license
to resell the county assessor's parcel maps and other
geographically related data which was recently converted into a
LandBASE electronic database. The new LandBASE Santa Cruz
electronic database represents one of the first county-wide
applications of parcel-level electronic mapping in the state
of California.

The agreement calls for the database to be shared among other
local county agencies and licensed by LandBASE to private-sector
organizations and businesses.

O.H. Davison, chairman of LandBASE, told Newsbytes, "It is
our intent to offer the same kind of program to most urban counties
in California."

Under the agreement LandBASE is allowed to sublicense all or
portions of the database to third parties for their internal use or
to provide service-bureau access to the geographic database.

The county will be entitled to a royalty share of LandBASE publishing
revenues but will be responsible for providing the company with a
continuing source of updates and changes to the official county
land records for publication purposes.

Davison identified to Newsbytes a number of specific areas targeted
by the product including utilities, transportation, and
engineering, and 'information consumers' who would use the
database for analysis and presentations, such as real estate
firms and insurance companies.

"The conversion of our old maps and documents into electronic
form and the integration of county-wide information into a
seamless geographic database will increase the productivity of
our service to the public, and make information sharing with
other agencies and with the public an affordable reality,"
said Santa Cruz County Assessor Bob Peterson.

Davison, echoed the sentiment when speaking to Newsbytes,
said that "many counties are anxious to convert their manual
systems to an electronic form."

LandBASE design, develops and markets geographic information
systems, and services using multimedia computer technologies
that integrate data, images and graphics.

(Ian Stokell/19910522/Press Contact: Inge Hutzel, LandBASE Corp.,
408-733-4881)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 NEW PC: Dario SX/20 For UK Market 05/23/91

05/23/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00015)

NEW PC: Dario SX/20 For UK Market 05/23/91
COLCHESTER, ESSEX, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Triumph Adler has
launched a 20MHz 386SX-based machine -- the Dario SX/20 -- that
it claims is faster than its rivals and should help to take the
company further into the corporate market.

The Dario SX/20 comes with 3MB of RAM as standard, expandable to
17MB, and has a 30 nanosecond 32K cache memory. Two versions are
available -- a slimline desktop model offering three 16-bit
expansion slots and a mini-tower with one XT and five AT slots.

VGA graphics come as standard on the machine. A 100MB hard drive
is available for either machine, and the slimline model can be
supplied with a 40MB drive. Serial, parallel and PS/2-type mouse
sockets are standard equipment as well.

The firm currently sells mainly through office equipment
retailers, but is actively looking to expand its computer dealer
network and open up new market, especially in the networking
arena. The 386SX is now regarded by many as the minimum
specification for a network station.

(Steve Gold/19910517/Press Contact: Judi Holly, System C - Tel:
0622 691616)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 ASHTON-TATE STARTS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00016)

ASHTON-TATE STARTS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 05/23/91
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Ashton-Tate
(AT) has started a certification program for dBASE IV and
Multimate. Other companies, such as Microsoft and Lotus have
similar certification programs, the difference being Ashton-Tate
has announced it will allow end-users as well as trainers, and
consultants to participate.

The Certification Program is designed to measure the participants
knowledge of dBASE IV and Multimate through a series of exams,
according to AT. The exams are product-specific and participants
receive certificates for each exam successfully completed. Upon
completion of a series of exams on a product, the "Master" or
"Expert" designation is awarded, the company said.

Barry Obrand, vice president of the Professional Services Division
said, "By preparing for the exams, users learn how to get the most
from dBASE IV and Multimate. In addition, being certified increases
their value and credibility within their organization."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910522/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver,
Ashton-Tate, 213/538-7011)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 COMDEX: NEW "BAT" KEYBOARD & MINI-BAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017)

COMDEX: NEW "BAT" KEYBOARD & MINI-BAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY 05/23/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- The "BAT," an
ergonomically designed keyboard from Infogrip on display at
Spring Comdex, looks like two mounds of molded plastic with
seven buttons on each and the design is "chordic," meaning the
user types characters by pressing a combination of the seven keys
without moving the hand, much like playing chords on a piano.

The design was developed, according to Ward Bond, president of
Infogrip, after making a series of studies of the human anatomy.
Bond said the fingers are aligned with the forearm, and there's
a palm rest for the hand to take the strain off the arm and
shoulder muscles. The 20% angle of the keyboard hand rest
prevents the twisting of the carpel tunnel bone that happens
when the hand is held flat. The design eliminates movement of
the hand completely, and anchors the fingers to eliminate as
much repetitive motion as possible.

Betty Heggemeier of Infogrip was in the booth typing 50 words
per minute. Heggemeier said she has typed for more than 4 hours
without fatigue. She said she learned the chords for the each
character in less than an hour, but it took several
hours of practice before she could master the Bat.

The Bat has proven to be effective for handicapped people as both
hands are not needed to type, Bond said. It is connected to the
computer via the serial port, but a regular keyboard connector
is planned, the company said.

The Mini-BAT, introduced at COMDEX, is a complete computer,
3.5 inches by 7 inches by .8 inches thick, with a BAT-based
keyboard. Bond said placing the BAT keyboard on the Mini-BAT
solves the problem of placing a 101-key keyboard on a computer
that can be held with one hand. It has a two-inch, four-line
screen, and a battery life of 40 hours.

The Mini-Bat can be held in one hand and typed is done with the
other. It is a dedicated word processor, but also has an address
book, an appointments diary, a daily planner, a filing system,
a calculator and an alarm clock built in, Bond said.

Data can be transferred from the Mini-Bat to a computer, or to
a printer, according to Bond. Infogrip just recently made
arrangements to make WordPerfect available on the Mini-Bat
in July, and current Mini-Bat users will be provided the upgrade
free.

The Mini-Bat has two connectors, for peripherals such as a bar
code reader, a fax/modem, and an alphanumeric pager. The company
said cards are also available for Lotus 1-2-3, finance and math,
and language translation ability.

More information about the Bat or Mini-Bat is available from
Infogrip, 812 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802, Tel: (504)
336-0033.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910522/Press Contact: Ward Bond, Infogrip, Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 HONGKONG SEEKS GOVERNMENT EDI POLICY 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00018)

HONGKONG SEEKS GOVERNMENT EDI POLICY 05/23/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- A new survey of
Hongkong's EDI (electronic data interchange) prospects shows
most are concerned about a lack of government policy on the
matter.

The survey was conducted by the Hongkong Information Technology
Federation (HKITF) to establish an industry viewpoint on the
Shared Project for EDI, (SPEDI) a joint venture between
Government and a private consortium of EDI interested parties,
Tradelink.

The results of the survey failed to produce a general negative or
positive consensus on the SPEDI report. In essence, according to Mr
John Daly, chairman of the HKITF's committee on EDI, one consensus
was clear, and that was that the establishment of a government
policy on EDI was urgent.

Mr Daly said there was a deal of concern by the industry about
whether a single, independently controlled agency should handle
the EDI gateway to government departments. The SPEDI
recommendation was for this to happen, but many HKITF members
believed that this was not only unwise, but also would result
in more delays and inefficiencies in the implementation of EDI.

Another worry expressed by many members was the fact that the small
traders in Hongkong, who make up by far the majority of the hundreds
of thousands of companies in the territory, would not benefit at
all by the introduction of EDI and there was grave concern that
the SPEDI recommendations had not given sufficient attention to
this aspect.

Most members considered that insufficient information was available
to support the SPEDI financial estimates of about US$125 million
implementation costs. In addition there was confusion as to whether
this amount was a net cost or a total of the funds required to launch
EDI in the territory. It was believed by some members that the amount
was actually a net figure, and the actual funds required would be
substantially larger.

Mr Daly said that 100 percent of respondents agreed that a Hongkong
Bureau of IT Standards should be established immediately, but far
less agreed that a commercial coordinating body should be formed.

(Keith Cameron /19910521/Press Contact: John Daly, HKITF,
Tel + 852 9876102, Fax + 852 9875268; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 NEW FOR MAC: Tecmar Backup Software For System 7 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00019)

NEW FOR MAC: Tecmar Backup Software For System 7 05/23/91
SOLON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB)-- Tecmar has announced
QTBackup Release 3.0, which it says is the first backup software
designed specifically for System 7 on the Macintosh.

QTBackup 3.0 has full compatibility with System 7, including
support for Apple Events, Desktop Manager, Process Manager, and
32-bit virtual memory. According to Gene Della Torre, Tecmar's
product manager, users select and drag any disk, folder or file
icon onto the QTBackup icon to backup those files.

Users can specify search settings based on a file's name, data
type or label under the System 7 Find menu. It runs in
AppleShare foreground, allowing backup of AppleShare volumes
while the server is online. Restores are performed while the
server is offline, or from a workstation.

(Jim Mallory/19910520/Press Contact:Kathleen Botz, Tecmar,
216-349-0600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 AUSTRALIA: CABPHONES A BIG HIT WITH TAXI CUSTOMERS 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00020)

AUSTRALIA: CABPHONES A BIG HIT WITH TAXI CUSTOMERS 05/23/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) - Fifty pay-mobile phones
recently installed in Sydney taxis have proved to be a popular
novelty item with customers. The phones were installed in taxis
belonging to the Combined taxi group.

After picking up the hand-piece, customers are asked to swipe
their credit cards through the machines and dial the required
number. The phones are installed at the driver's side and can
be flipped to allow passengers in the back seat to use them.
Currently, only a few of the Cabphones can accept coins,
although all are capable of it.

The system was developed by Telecom with the help of the taxi
industry and has proved a great talking point for the customers,
either with the driver or with the recipient of the call. The phones
are busiest during the day, when many businesspeople use them
to keep their office informed of where they are and their plans.
The instructions heard regarding usage can be given in English,
Japanese, German, and Mandarin.

(Sean McNamara/19910520)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 NEW FOR PCS: Phar Lap Updates 386|DOS Extender 05/23/91

05/23/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00021)

NEW FOR PCS: Phar Lap Updates 386|DOS Extender 05/23/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Phar Lap
Software is shipping Version 3.0 of its 386|DOS Extender
software development tool. The new release supports the Extended
Memory Specification (XMS), making it work with the standard as
well as the real mode of Microsoft Windows 3.0. It also uses less
conventional memory than previous versions, the company said.

Company spokeswoman Maria Vetrano said the previous Version 2.2D
worked only with the real mode of Windows 3.0. Phar Lap does not
expect the bulk of its customers to be using 386|DOS Extender for
Windows development yet, she added, but considers it important to
provide the support.

Version 3.0 of the software can use as little as 62K bytes of
conventional memory, compared to a lower limit of 160K with Version
2.2D, Vetrano said. The default is 78K, versus 220K before. The new
software also changes the handling of certain hardware interrupts
and allows applications to run at privilege level 3, which Phar Lap
said is a step toward compatibility with the DOS Protected Mode
Interface (DPMI).

Version 3.0 of 386 VMM, Phar Lap's virtual memory driver, also
allows data files to be placed in virtual memory.

The software is available from Phar Lap for US$495. Users of
Version 2.2D can upgrade for US$150, plus US$285 for 386|VMM.

(Grant Buckler/19910515/Press Contact: Maria Vetrano, Phar Lap
Software, 617-661-1510, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 AUSTRALIA: NSW DEPT OF WORKS GETS NEW ACCOUNTING SW 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00022)

AUSTRALIA: NSW DEPT OF WORKS GETS NEW ACCOUNTING SW 05/23/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- The New South Wales (NSW)
Department of Works has awarded a contract for the supply of
accounting software to Adelaide firm Computer Software Packages
(CSP). The contract is worth AUS$2M, and will involve the upgrading
of Online 2000, the currently installed accounting package

CSP's Prophecy accounting software won the tender from a field of
80, and further strengthens claims within the Australian software
industry that Australian developed software is as good or better
than overseas software. NSW distributor Eden Technologies will be
responsible for the installation and support of Prophecy. The
Department will purchase the prescribed payments, general ledger,
project costing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and
supporting modules. The software will be installed over the next 18
months on the Department's new Pyramid computers.

The software will handle operations from new hospitals, worth
AUS$100M down to minor maintenance projects. Peter Brownscombe,
manager of the information and computing services branch of the
Department, said "Being a construction-oriented organization, we had
to have a good project costing facility and we are impressed with
the flexibility and functionality of the Prophecy project costing
module."

(Sean McNamara/19910516)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 HONGKONG: ORACLE LAUNCHES CUSTOMER BBS 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00023)

HONGKONG: ORACLE LAUNCHES CUSTOMER BBS 05/23/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Oracle Systems has launched
an online bulletin board (BBS) to provide customer support.
The BBS was originally developed last year in the US and is now
available in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It contains
detailed product information, together with suggestions, hints and
tips for developers on more than 80 hardware platforms.

The service is being provided free of charge to Hong Kong
customers as part of Oracle's maintenance contract.

"Online customer support is extremely popular in the States and the
Hong Kong office is committed to providing the same level of
service," said Oracle managing director, John Baun. "The bulletin
board effectively allows customers to pick the brains of Oracle
specialists all over the world, 24 hours a day."

One of the first users of the BBS in Hong Kong was Citibank,
closely followed by Dodwell International Buying Offices.
Dodwell system analyst Gerald Reyes said, "I actually scroll
down the system for my own interest as well as consulting it
for specific ideas about applications we are building."

(Norman Wingrove/19910517/Press Contact: Joseph Bauer, Oracle,
Tel + 852 824 0118, Fax + 852 824 0915; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 FIVE FIRMS PUBLISH SPEC FOR FDDI ON TWISTED PAIR 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00024)

FIVE FIRMS PUBLISH SPEC FOR FDDI ON TWISTED PAIR 05/23/91
LITTLETON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Five network
and semiconductor manufacturers have published a common
specification for running the Fiber Distributed Data Interface
(FDDI) network standard over shielded twisted pair cabling. The
specification will move data as fast as 100 megabits per second,
the companies said.

Advanced Micro Devices, Chipcom, Digital Equipment, Motorola, and
SynOptics Communications demonstrated their products working
together at an event here.

The companies said they want to provide interoperable products
without waiting for a standard now being developed by the
X3T9.5.Committee of the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). However, they pledged that all five companies will endorse
the ANSI standard when it appears.

John Ricciardone, a spokesman for Chipcom, told Newsbytes the group
cannot be sure in advance that its specification will correspond to
the ANSI standard, but "it's not going to be 180 degrees opposite
to what's taking place here today." All five firms in the present
group are represented on the ANSI committee, he said.

The five companies said they believe added support for the
specification will drive prices down and lead to
100-megabit-per-second FDDI connections being extended to desktops.
At present FDDI is used mainly for network backbones.

"There is a need in some areas for 100 megabits to the desktop,"
said Joyce Radnor, a spokeswoman for Digital Equipment. She cited
image processing and video transmission as examples of the
applications that require such speed -- 10 times that of Ethernet
networks. But, Radnor added, "to cable fiber optic directly to the
desktop can be a very expensive proposition."

Companies that have shielded twisted pair installed and need the
added speed today will be able to use the new specification,
leaving open the possibility of moving to fiber eventually, Radnor
said. Fiber still has the advantages of immunity to electrical
interference and eavesdropping. It also requires fewer repeaters,
since twisted pair cabling requires a repeater about every 100
meters to handle FDDI.

The specification is in the public domain and available free from
any of the five originators to any firm interested in providing
FDDI on shielded twisted pair to its customers.

(Grant Buckler/19910523/Press Contacts: Maureen O'Connell, Advanced
Micro Devices, 408-982-7880; John Ricciardone, Chipcom,
508-460-8900 ext. 4455, fax [phone]; Joyce Radnor, Digital
Equipment, 508-486-5096; Rhonda Dirvin, Motorola, 512-891-2140;
Rene Shimada Siegel, SynOptics, 408-764-1013)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 MITEL REPORTS C$107-MILLION LOSS 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00025)

MITEL REPORTS C$107-MILLION LOSS 05/23/91
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- As expected,
telecommunications equipment maker Mitel has reported a net loss
for fiscal 1991. In the year ended March 29, Mitel lost C$107
million on revenues of C$431.3 million.

That compares with net income of C$12.1 million on revenues of
C$427.4 million in fiscal 1990.

Mitel slipped into the red in the second half of fiscal 1991. In
the fourth quarter, the company lost C$94 million on revenues of
C$110.3 million. That loss included an unusual expense of C$83.5
million to do with the company's current restructuring program. In
the third quarter, ended December 28, 1990, Mitel lost C$5.9
million.

Mitel's reorganization, announced in April, involves consolidation
of its North American operations and the loss of about 400 jobs.
The company said it wants to concentrate on core activities and
reduce the number of reporting levels.

Company spokeswoman Bonnie Perrigard said the company's prospects
depend largely on the economy. "We're hoping that things are
looking a little more positive," she said.

Jim Jarvis, former chief executive of Mitel, left in January and
was replaced by Anthony Griffiths, who added the CEO's title to
that of chairman. Mitel also lost two senior vice-presidents and
the head of its United States operations early this year.

(Grant Buckler/19910523/Press Contact: Bonnie Perrigard, Mitel,
613-592-2122)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 COMPUTER ASSOCIATES EARNINGS UP SLIGHTLY 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00026)

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES EARNINGS UP SLIGHTLY 05/23/91
GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Computer
Associates International has reported net income of US$159.3
million and revenue of US$1,348.17 million in the year ended March
31. Net income rose 11 percent, and revenue four percent, over the
previous fiscal year.

In the previous year, CA reported net income of US$157.75 million
on revenue of US$1,295.99 million.

In the fourth quarter, revenue was US$401.09 million, up 10 percent
from US$363.66 million in last year's fourth quarter. Net income
was US$64.25 million, down from net income of US$66.93 million last
year. Computer Associates blamed the income drop on a difference in
effective tax rates.

In a statement, Anthony W. Wang, president of Computer Associates,
said that "while on a full-year basis growth was modest,
nonetheless for the last three quarters, revenue growth was in
excess of 10 percent. Despite the improving trend, however, one
must be mindful of general economic issues in various parts of the
world and the constant shifts in the evolutionary development of
the software and information technology industry in general."

(Grant Buckler/19910523/Press Contact: Deborah Coughlin, Computer
Associates, 516-227-3300 ext. 7222)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 COMMODORE OFFERS NEW 386, 486 PCS IN CANADA 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00027)

COMMODORE OFFERS NEW 386, 486 PCS IN CANADA 05/23/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Commodore Business
Machines has launched a personal computer using Intel's high-end
80486 processor, and two machines using the 80386 chip. All three
use chips that run at a speed of 25 megahertz in Canada.

The DT386-25 comes has a 25-MHz 386 chip, one megabyte of memory
and a 52-megabyte hard drive for a price of C$3,599. The DT386-25C
is the same machine with an extra megabyte of memory and 64K bytes
of fast cache random-access memory, for C$3,959.

The DT486-25C comes with four megabytes of memory and a 52-megabyte
hard disk, and uses the 25-megahertz 486 chip. The price is
C$7,999.

Tom Shepherd, director of marketing at Commodore Canada, said the
market for 486-based computers is still "quite small." The machine
will sell mainly for "high-end, processor-intensive applications,"
Shepherd said.

Commodore has not yet launched a PC using Intel's recently
introduced 486SX, a lower-priced version of the 486 chip.
"Typically we're not the forerunner in a new chip category,"
Shepherd said. If 486SX systems prove popular, he added, Commodore
is likely to enter that market.

Commodore's United States operation had not announced the new
machines at Newsbytes' deadline. Shepherd said Commodore does not
market IBM-compatible PCs as actively in the United States as in
Canada and some other countries.

(Grant Buckler/19910523/Press Contact: Tom Shepherd, Commodore
Canada, 416-499-4292, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23  ****RASTEROPS TO ACQUIRE TRUEVISION 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)

 ****RASTEROPS TO ACQUIRE TRUEVISION 05/23/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) --Staking
an even bigger claim on the video display and image processing
markets, RasterOps has agreed in principle to the acquisition of
Truevision Inc., marking a wedding of two firms heavily involved
in the graphics market, although each for different platforms.

Truevision is scheduled to become a wholly owned subsidiary of
RasterOps sometime in August, after the issuance of 2.8 million
shares of RasterOps common stock in exchange for all existing
Truevision capital stock.

Keith Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of RasterOps,
speaking to Newsbytes from Truevision's offices, said that he
sees the merger as a benefit to both companies. He considers
RasterOps as the market leader in Macintosh video products,
while Truevision is the market leader in IBM products, "but the
underlying technologies are basically the same."

The transaction will be accounted for as a pooling of interests, the
accounting move that received so much attention in AT&T's lead up
and acquisition of NCR Corp.

The acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including the
execution of a definitive agreement and the approval of the
shareholders of each company.

"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.

Interestingly enough though, one of the most recent imaging products
Newsbytes reported released by Truevision was not for the IBM
market at all; it was Videoscript software for video composition on
the Macintosh using Truevision's Nuvista series of videographic cards.
Two other recent products from Truevision were for the IBM platform:
a $1,000 VGA to NTSC video card called VideoVGA that shipped in
March, 1991, eight months after the initial announcement,
and an MS-DOS version of Renderpak, a rendering accelerator.

Cathleen Asch, president and chief executive officer of Truevision,
is set to retain responsible for the daily operations of Truevision and
will report directly to Keith E. Sorenson. She will also be nominated
for election as a director of RasterOps.

According to Sorenson, the two companies' earnings per employee
are almost the same. He told Newsbytes that, while there is some
overlapping of jobs, both RasterOps and Truevision are growing so
fast that no redundancies are foreseen by either company.

One can only hope this new business venture has more
success than the last for RasterOps: a distribution agreement
with BusinessLand, reported by Newsbytes back in March, 1991.

(Ian Stokell/19910523/Press Contact: Keith Sorenson, RasterOps,
408-562-4200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23 NEW FOR PC: Microsoft Intros Latest Office For Windows 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00029)

NEW FOR PC: Microsoft Intros Latest Office For Windows 05/23/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 (NB) -- Microsoft
has introduced the latest version of The Microsoft Office for
Windows software bundle for use with Microsoft Windows 3.0.

Microsoft Office for Windows now combines the Microsoft Excel
spreadsheet package, the Microsoft PowerPoint presentation graphics
program, the Microsoft Word for Windows word processing software,
and a single-user license for Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, an
electronic mail system.

Microsoft Office for Windows is currently available at a promotional
price of $750 for a limited time.

"We want to make it even easier for customers to acquire the Microsoft
family of Windows applications," said Mike Maples, vice president of
applications for Microsoft. "With the addition of Microsoft Mail for PC
Networks, The Microsoft Office for Windows is an even better value than
ever before. We believe the quality and value of The Microsoft Office
will inspire users to acquire the Microsoft Windows applications family
now."

(Ian Stokell/19910523/Press Contact: Lisa Wilson, Microsoft Corp.,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 23  ****APPLE COPYRIGHT HEARING WITH MICROSOFT/HP TODAY 05/23/91

05/23/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)

 ****APPLE COPYRIGHT HEARING WITH MICROSOFT/HP TODAY 05/23/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 23 -- Following
a breakdown in attempts to settle the matter out of court, a procedural
hearing has been set for today in Apple Computer's ongoing
copyright infringement case against Microsoft Corp. and Hewlett-Packard.
The case, which began in 1988, contends that Microsoft's Windows and
Hewlett-Packard's graphical user interfaces both infringe upon the
company's own programs.

The problem stems from, what federal Judge Vaughn Walker calls a
poorly written contract between Apple and Microsoft, in which Microsoft
was licensed by Apple to use elements of the Macintosh display. Apple
clearly feels that Microsoft went too far with its products.

According to company spokesman Christopher Escher, the companies
remain far apart on an out of court settlement. The hearing will determine
if the case will proceed to a jury trial, as Apple wants, or will be
dismissed altogether as requested by Microsoft and HP.

No one at Apple was available for comment Thursday morning, prior
to the hearing.

(Ian Stokell/19910523/Press Contact: Christopher Escher, Apple
Computer Inc., 408-974-2202)

#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 MAY 22  ****MULTIMEDIA PAYS OFF AT SPRING COMDEX 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00001)

 ****MULTIMEDIA PAYS OFF AT SPRING COMDEX 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- A Spring Comdex
panel session showed that, contrary to common belief, multimedia
is paying off in a big way for a growing number of companies.

The session on "Multimedia Success Stories" was moderated by
Tony Bove, publisher of the "Bove & Rhodes Inside Report" and
the "Macromind Director Letter." It featured Fred Dyer, director
of the multimedia laboratory at Georgia Tech, Steve Floyd of
Floyd Design, Steve Roden of Comsell and Nancy Kenworthy of
International Training.

Dyer's group spent $1.8 million, plus donations, producing two
multimedia presentations which won the 1996 Olympics for
Atlanta. The systems were on display at the Inforum trade market,
a few blocks from the show site. "The total system is unique, but
all the parts are on the commercial market," said Dyer. He's
presently working on a kiosk system which will not only check
athletes in at their venues, but show them where the venues are,
even if they've never used a computer before. "The kiosk has badge
readers, cellular radio , and ham television responding to a TV
monitor. It's by no means finished, but we want to show the world
what we mean by an information kiosk," said Dyer.

"We looked at this as a problem -- how do we influence this
political process in a way that integrates the strengths of the
Atlanta community? We attempted to get inside the minds of the
customer, making them our accomplices. We used the technology but
did not make it intrusive, making them a part of it." The result
was a victory which could be worth as much as $3 billion to the
local economy, "not a bad return on investment."

Floyd's firm uses IBM multimedia tools and creates customized
presentations. He uses video icons, or vicons, which are "Digital
images that tell you exactly what you're working with. We found
that kids can use icons effectively without words -- adults like
to see words," Floyd said. Some of Floyd's work is done using
tools which cost as little as $120, so it's affordable for every
business. "It's very important that IBM has a strategy that lets
you different levels of quality," he said, praising the
multimedia "skunk works" located on the city's northwest side.

"The networks of the future will let us automate the process of
getting compressed video, resident on CD ROM pushed through a
network wire," he continued.

Floyd's main message, however, was for people to think
internationally. "We were recently doing an Italian version of
CADAM for some companies, and we had 4-5 Japanese clients come
in, while in our edit suite we were doing the Mideast version of
a program for Coca-Cola, and one of my people was in Moscow doing
footage. We're a small shop. But this is international
technology. Don't think in terms of operating in a small
marketplace. We're doing $4-5 million this year, if we limited
ourselves to Atlanta we'd do $1 million, maybe."

Kenworthy pointed out that "multimedia is the preferred method of
training for the world's large corporations. It's effective and
cost effective." She described projects for companies like Union
Pacific, Shell and Caterpillar using hundreds of new computer
systems each, but said that cost is easily made up. "The major
training cost is the salary they pay to trainees while they're
off the job, training. Cut the time, and you cut that expense.
Multimedia applications can cut that time 50%. That cut alone
recoups the entire investment for hardware and courseware
development."

Kenworthy added, "There's a large body of industrial courseware
out there. It can cost less than $1,000 per unit. You can be up
and running for a minimal investment. Once a customer has made a
commitment to this kind of training, it will be expanded. It
sells itself. And we're seeing a surge in training products this
year."

Roden focused on what he called the "megatrends" of the business.
IBM and others are looking for power-hungry applications.
Multimedia boards cost $2,000 and prices are going down. IBM and
Intel have announced they intend to put this on the planar board
by 1992, making it resident in every PC."

Roden added, "LANs will become more important in multimedia.
We're finding ways to move large amounts of data interactively,
just in time. That means the process of training will change.
There will remain a tie to traditional training, but it will be
more modular, chunklike. More will be delivered on a standard
workstation, by a network, just when you need it." Roden says
market estimates of the multimedia market alone range from $11
billion to $20 billion by 1994, at least $1 billion in computer
training alone.

Roden suggested that multimedia may be the computer store owner's
last chance to retain his customer base. "This year for the first
time the #1 business strategy of computer dealers is moving
toward training and service as a focal point of your business.
IBM says 95% of their PC sales come from authorized dealers.
That's where multimedia will be sold. We're trying to empower
those people to sell the product."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910521)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 GTE IMPROVES QUALITY OF IN-FLIGHT PHONE SERVICE 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00002)

GTE IMPROVES QUALITY OF IN-FLIGHT PHONE SERVICE 05/22/91
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB)-- GTE Airfone has
implemented new software for its in-flight telephone service
that it says allows users to get an immediate dial
tone, quicker connections, improved sound quality, and less
noise.

Says Robert Calafell, GTE Airfone president, "I am confident
anyone using the GTE Airfone service today and in the future will
appreciate the dramatic improvement in the quality of our
service." The new software is the first step in the transition
from the current analog system to digital service. The company
will install digital lines and AT&T's SDN (Software Defined
Network) service at the ground stations that handle the highest
volume of calls. The installation is expected to be completed by
the end of May 1991.

GTE Airfone says it will also equip all commercial aircraft that
currently have the service with new software. The company says
that so far more than 85 percent of the phone-equipped aircraft
have been upgraded, and the rest of the fleet will be completed
by July 31, 1991. Airfone says that approximately 1,500 aircraft
flown by 14 domestic and foreign carrier are telephone-equipped.

Airfone service is provided by a network of about 100 ground
stations, and each plane is equipped with computerized
transmitting and receiving units. The computer assists the
airborne equipment in selecting the best ground station, much in
the manner that cellular telephones work. One a ground station
has been selected, the signal is sent to it and then integrated
into a worldwide public telephone network.

(Jim Mallory/19910521/Press Contact:Kevin Petschow, GTE Airfone,
708-575-1448)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 LASERMASTER RESPONDS TO MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE ARTICLE 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00003)

LASERMASTER RESPONDS TO MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE ARTICLE 05/22/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB)-- Lastermaster
Technologies has released a statement responding to an article
published by the Minneapolis Star Tribune in which the paper
reported that the company had a $1.1 million reserve fund.

Mel Master, Lasermaster CEO, characterized the story as
"unintentionally misleading and disruptive to our corporate
communications process." Master said, "The reserve was established
to provide for the possibility that additional charges against
current and future product costs could be assessed after June
1992, by one Japanese laser printer supplier, if our purchases of
marking engines from that supplier falls substantially below
levels we predicted in June 1990."

Masters said the new printer product was launched during the Gulf
crisis and has not had time to achieve sales momentum. Masters
said that while the company has some confidence original sales
projections could be achieved, the company will continue to
follow conservative accounting practices.

Masters said Lasermaster will continue to finance current and
future growth through inventory and receivables financing rather
than to use equity financing. Lasermaster says the current
inventory and receivables exceed the present cap on bank
financing. The company is currently negotiating a financing
arrangement with a European source, which was not named.

In December 1990 Newsbytes reported that Lasermaster had sold
$10M worth of convertible subordinated debentures, which the
company said would be used to meet immediate inventory purchase
requirements and to provide a working capital reserve.

Lasermaster is showing the Winprinter 400 at Comdex in Atlanta.
The Winprinter is a laser printer designed to specifically
work with Microsoft Windows. Lasermaster says the
printer typically works at three times the speed of traditional
laser printers. The Winprinter 400 has a suggested list price of
$1,995.

(Jim Mallory/19910521/Press Contact:Karen Neset, Lasermaster,
612-941-8687)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 NOVELL 2Q REVENUE UP TO $150.2 MILLION 05/22/91

05/22/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00004)

NOVELL 2Q REVENUE UP TO $150.2 MILLION 05/22/91
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB)-- Novell Inc., has reported
net revenue of $150.2 million for the second quarter, ending
April 27, 1991. This is an increase of $30.2 million, or 25
percent over the same period last year.

Net income for the quarter increased to #38.4 million from $20.5
million last year. Shareholder earnings are $0.52, up from
$0.30 last quarter. During the reporting period, Novell invested
$15 million in AT&T's Unix System Laboratories, an AT&T
subsidiary that develops and licenses the Unix operating system.

(Jim Mallory/19910521/Press Contact: Peter Troop, Novell,
408-473-8361)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 HONGKONG: BROADCAST 91 OPENS 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00005)

HONGKONG: BROADCAST 91 OPENS 05/22/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Broadcast '91
International Conference and Exhibition has opened at the
territory's exhibition and convention centre. The three-day
event has attracted participants from all over the world.
The recent commencement of television broadcasting, via the
Hongkong-based AsiaSat communications satellite, to more
than half of the world's population, is the subject of
much interest and seminar sessions.

Technologists are not known for their creative writing talents,
except perhaps to devise unintelligible acronyms, but professional
video supply house, Sight and Sound Asia Ltd., can stake a
claim to the prize for this year. "Call us Unconventional,"
says the cover of the company's invitation to its exhibition.
In parallel with Broadcast '91, Sight and Sound is celebrating its
15th anniversary by staging a demonstration of its wide range of
equipment which now embraces the business world, as well as the
professional studio. The exhibition is being held a the Grand
Hyatt Hotel, next door to the HK Convention and Exhibition
Centre, hence the "Unconventional."

Mr Colin Wild, managing director of Sight and Sound, told
Newsbytes that he believed professional studio vendors had a
distinct advantage over the traditional PC dealers when it came
to supplying and supporting audio-visual equipment for businesses.
"For example, many executives have discovered, much to their
disappointment, that buying a sophisticated desktop publishing
configuration does not replace the need for a graphic designer
and layout artist. In a similar way, audio-visual presentations
demand specialized production expertise which is normally beyond
the scope of PC dealers," he said.

Mr Wild makes the point that most people are aware that television
studios utilize a scrolling prompting system to assist newscasters
and other presenters to follow scripts smoothly. Not so widely
known is that both US President George Bush and British Prime
Minister John Major frequently use similar prompting systems,
as did their predecessors.

The difference with these prompting systems is that there is an
invisible screen in front of the speaker. This screen is
transparent to both the cameras and the audience, but displays
the narrative of the speech on the other side. It is this type
of display system which Sight and Sound is demonstrating at the
Grand Hyatt, driven by a normal PC with some rather special,
executive-friendly software from Autocue.

According to Mr Wild, in Hongkong there is always the underlying
communications problem when an executive whose native language
is not English must make presentations to visiting executives
from corporate headquarters who probably have no feel for any
other language but English.

Even executives who only need to make one important speech each
year would find the PC Autocue an invaluable aid. The device
should be as commonplace in convention hotels as a carousel
slide projector. It is a very practical addition to the
executive audio-visual toolkit which is now available at a
reasonable price simply due to PC technology.

(Keith Cameron/19910521/Press Contact: Colin Wild, Sight & Sound
Asia, Tel + 852 3364481 Fax: + 852 8550229 HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 SILICON GRAPHICS NAMES VENEZUELAN DISTRIBUTOR 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00006)

SILICON GRAPHICS NAMES VENEZUELAN DISTRIBUTOR 05/22/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Silicon
Graphics has appointed Data Viz Computacion C.A. as its distributor
in Venezuela. In addition to Venezuela, Data Viz will also distribute the
company's line of IRIS 4D workstations and servers in Aruba,
Bonaire and Curacao.

Theresa Campbell, spokesperson for Silicon Graphics, told Newsbytes
that establishing a distributor for the Venezuelan market was not
something that the company had actively pursued. The agreement
came as a "response to customer enquiries in the region," she said.
Venezuela "became a market for us" after demands from customers
drew attention to the need for direct distributor in the area. Silicon is in
the process of establishing a Latin American support organization
in the US.

"The addition of Data Viz as our distributor coupled with our already
established distributorship in Brazil, CDB Computadores S.A.,
demonstrates Silicon Graphics' commitment to the Latin American
market," added Robert Bishop president of Silicon Graphics
International.

Campbell said that the petroleum and mining industries hold
the greatest potential for Silicon Graphics in the country,
along with research and animation projects. The low-end of
Silicon's product lines are best sellers in the Venezuelan
market, including the 4D 30 and 4D 35 models, although the
high-end 4D310 VGX has also been sold there.

According to Silicon Graphics, the two companies will work
jointly on pre-sales and after-sales support, as well as
organizing high-quality customer training, maintenance, and
technical services. The agreement is effective immediately.

Campbell also told Newsbytes that the international market accounts
for over 50 percent of Silicon's revenues, with worldwide unit
sales having reached 26,000.

(Ian Stokell/19910521/Press Contact: Theresa Campbell, Silicon
Graphics, 415-335-1773)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 NEW FOR PC: Unison World's Avagio 2.0 DTP Software 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00007)

NEW FOR PC: Unison World's Avagio 2.0 DTP Software 05/22/91
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Taking
advantage of the current popularity of desktop publishing, Unison
World Software has introduced version 2.0 of its low-end
package, Avagio.

Owen Nelson, spokesman for Unison World, told Newsbytes that
"at the low price, the product is aimed at the inexpensive,
semi-professional market, although the new features will appeal
to a wider range of users than before."

According to the company, the new version includes an improved
interface, increased speed, 12 new fonts, the ability to rotate text
and the ability to position text on any shape. Automatic drawing
capabilities have been added to include stars, arrows, and free-form
polygons.

Priced at $149.95, Avagio 2.0 will accept PCX and color PCX,
TIFF and color TIFF, PS and EPS files. The company claims
that version 2.0 produces PostScript-quality output without the use
of PostScript, and will support over 256,000 user-defined colors on
screen and in printing.

Nelson also told Newsbytes that Avagio is being "used by many
people as an introduction to desktop publishing." Interestingly,
he also said that by monitoring feedback to their technical support
group, he also believes many users "are learning to use a mouse
and the desktop publishing software at the same time."

With Avagio 2.0, text can be rotated a full 360 degrees in one point
increments, and files can be imported from major word
processing packages while retaining the original formatting.
The package also includes, what the company calls, a 'mingle'
function, which overlays design elements such as text and graphics,
and now works with the new version's color features including color
gradients.

According to Unison, Avagio 2.0 is packaged with 12 outline fonts
that are fully scalable from four to 500 points in one-point increments
without loss of detail. Fonts have been improved with 'hinting' to
allow crisper legibility at small point sizes. Most HP SoftFonts
can also be converted for use in Avagio.

Nelson said that most changes in the product occurred as a "direct
response" to user requests that the company received.

Avagio 2.0 is scheduled to begin volume shipments June 14,
1991 and will include a new design handbook to teach users
professional techniques for creating a variety of desktop
publishing effects.

Unison World Software, located in Alameda, is a division of
Kyocera Electronics Inc., which is a subsidiary of Kyocera
Corp. of Kyoto, Japan.

Unison World Software products include Avagio Publishing
System, PrintMaster Plus, NewsMaster II and FaxBuilder.

(Ian Stokell/19910521/Press Contact: Julia Hing, Unison World
Software, 415-748-6670)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 COMDEX: NEW MAGAZINE, COMPUTER SOURCES, TO DEBUT 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00008)

COMDEX: NEW MAGAZINE, COMPUTER SOURCES, TO DEBUT 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- The Hong Kong Asian
Sources Media Group (ASMG), which lays claim to being the region's
largest trade publishing house, has announced plan to launch a
new magazine -- Computer Sources -- in the U.S. this month.

According to publisher Jim Strachan, the publication, which will
have a target monthly circulation of 20,000, aims to fill a gap
in the market by providing resellers and suppliers of computer
hardware and software with data on the marketplace.

The first issue of `Computer Sources' will have 280 pages, of
which a hefty 204 pages will be advertising. While the editorial
volume breaks no records, the advertising content makes it the
largest new magazine launch ever.

`Computer Sources' is the company's first publication catering
to the U.S. market alone. All advertisers in the magazine have
U.S. offices; operations such as editorial, circulation, and
printing are handled in North America.

"The reaction to `Computer Sources' has been extremely positive,"
said Strachan. "When companies like Teac, Acer, Mitac and
Mitsubishi sign long-term contracts before the first issue comes
out, it's a major vote of confidence and a clear indication
that you are satisfying an important, unsatisfied need in the
marketplace," he added.

`Computer Sources' faces an uphill battle in the U.S. reseller
market. According to several sources consulted by Newsbytes
at Comdex Spring, where the magazine was announced, the North
American market continues to be in recession and, as with the
European market, consolidations among resellers cause problems
with inventory, resulting in heavy discounting to get rid of
surplus stock among resellers.

"The market in the U.S. is hitting problems. It really is a
buyer's market," Owen Linderholm, senior news editor with Byte
magazine, told Newsbytes.

The new magazine brings ASMG's stable of monthly titles to 15.
This is on top pf the group's two newsletters and 11 books. The
company has 1,000-plus staff in 25 countries around the world,
and with a claimed circulation reach of 165 countries.

(Steve Gold/19910521/Press & Public Contact: ASMG, 22nd floor
Vita Tower, 29 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong; US representation
- Anne Hughes 852/555-4737)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 COMDEX: DARIUS OPENS U.S. HQ 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00009)

COMDEX: DARIUS OPENS U.S. HQ 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Darius Technology, the
Canadian PC manufacturer, has announced plans to open an office
in the U.S. The move follows on from the success of the company
in Canada.

In parallel with the opening of the new sales and distribution
office, Darius is actively recruiting dealers and resellers in
the U.S.

"Our move into the U.S. has been planned for over a year," said
Benny Tam, Darius' president, announcing the opening of the new
offices. "We wanted to make sure that we had the Canadian market
under control before we ventured into the competitive U.S.
market. We also wanted to ensure that we had the right products
and people to be effective in the U.S. market," he added.

According to Tam, plans call for the company to sign up around 20
staff -- concentrating on sales and distribution -- and install
them in a custom-built 12,000-square-foot building in Bothell,
Washington.

Darius, which has been active in signing resellers in the U.K.,
has been in the computer manufacturing and distribution business
since 1986. Sales have risen from less than $500,000 in 1986 to
more than $39 million in 1990. The company claims to be the
fastest-growing in British Columbia.

Tam said that his acquisition of Mission Cyrus, a high profile
British Columbia-based company, in 1989 has given his company an
advantage. Mission Cyrus entered the computer marketplace in 1989
with the Darius range of computers.

"The Darius products will give us real competitive advantages
with their unique designs and their innovative features," he
said.

(Steve Gold/19910521/Press & Public Contact: Darius - Tel:
604/436-1027)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 MEMOTEC GETS NEW NAME, DIRECTORS 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00010)

MEMOTEC GETS NEW NAME, DIRECTORS 05/22/91
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Telecommunications
firm Memotec Data has emerged from a proxy battle with a new name
but with its management and board of directors largely intact. At
the firm's annual meeting, shareholders approved a modified slate
of directors proposed by management.

Memotec management replaced two of its previous nominees for the
board with people chosen to represent two large institution
investors. George Fierheller, who is also chief executive of
cellular phone carrier Cantel, of Toronto, had the backing of the
Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, while Pierre
Jeanniot, former president of Air Canada, had the support of the
Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec.

Eric Baker, chairman of Memotec, and William McKenzie, its
president, remain on the board.

Gordon Capital, a Toronto investment firm, had sought shareholder
proxies to defeat Baker, McKenzie and the two other original
nominees and replace them with its own slate. Gordon charged
Memotec was being poorly managed, and that the profits of Teleglobe
Canada, a subsidiary that holds a monopoly on overseas satellite
communication from Canada, were being channelled into riskier
high-technology ventures.

As a symbol of renewed focus on Teleglobe Canada, the annual
meeting voted to change Memotec's name to Teleglobe Inc. The change
is officially effective right away, company spokesman Stuart Logie
told Newsbytes, though it will take some time to change corporate
stationery, signs, business cards and the like.

Logie said Teleglobe was pleased with the results of the meeting
and felt vindicated by the shareholder vote. "We're continuing with
our management strategy and direction," he said.

(Grant Buckler/19910521/Press Contact: Stuart Logie, Teleglobe,
514-738-4781)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SEEKS AUTOMATION PROPOSALS 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00011)

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SEEKS AUTOMATION PROPOSALS 05/22/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- The Interior
Department's Bureau of Land Management is expected to finally
issue a request for proposals or RFP tomorrow for its Automated
Land and Minerals Records System or ALMRS.

The buy, upon which some estimates place a value as high as $247
million but which Federal Computer Week reported last week that
vendors think will only be worth $75 million, may be scaled back
due to a study of the project by a consulting firm.

The RFP will be discussed at a July 2 conference hosted by the
Bureau for bidders on the procurement.

Completion date for the buy, now designated as the BLM ADP
Modernization project, is scheduled for the middle of next year,
almost a year and a half behind the original schedule.

(John McCormick/19910521)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 MOST OF $21.7 B FEDERAL IT SPENDING WILL GO TO TOP FIRMS 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00012)

MOST OF $21.7 B FEDERAL IT SPENDING WILL GO TO TOP FIRMS 05/22/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Federal Sources, a
Vienna, Virginia-based research firm, has estimated that next
year's information technology or IT (information technology)
spending by federal agencies will total nearly $22 billion
but that 15 leading companies will probably capture the majority
of the business.

Federal Sources reports that last year AT&T got over $800 million
in contracts and 15th place Digital Equipment a still-respectable
$110 million, with the top 15 firms garnering just under 50
percent of the government's IT business last year, a trend which
appears to be continuing because just six years ago the top 15
firms only received 39 percent of the federal IT market spending.

(John McCormick/19910521/Press Contact: Robert A. Dornan, Federal
Sources, 703-883-0700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 NEW FOR IBM: Supertime Groupware Ships 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00013)

NEW FOR IBM: Supertime Groupware Ships 05/22/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Supertime, a
groupware program that combines appointment calendar, contact
management, electronic mail and message center, project and task
management and other functions, has begun shipping from the company
of the same name. Designed for IBM and compatible PCs, Supertime
works with major local-area network operating systems, the company
said.

Previewed at last year's Spring Comdex and PC Expo shows, Supertime
was originally scheduled to ship in the fall, but fell prey to "the
predictable delay associated with perfecting a new software
package," the company said.

Gary Babcock, product manager, said the multi-function software is
notable for its flexibility. For instance, users can define their
own data items to specify what information should be stored for
each entry in the contact directory. The appointment calendar
offers five different views of the user's schedule, Babcock added.
He also stressed Supertime's resource scheduling functions, which
he said could be used for managing the use of conference rooms and
other such facilities as well as people's schedules.

A single-user version of the software costs US$295, with multi-user
versions ranging from US$695 for a four-user package to US$8,995
for one that can handle as many as 100 users. Additional users
beyond the 100 level can be added for US$85 each, and packages can
be upgraded to add users as needed.

(Grant Buckler/19910517/Press Contact: Gary Babcock, Supertime,
416-499-3288, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 NEW FOR MAC: Videotape Control Toolkit For Hypercard 05/22/91

05/22/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00014)

NEW FOR MAC: Videotape Control Toolkit For Hypercard 05/22/91
NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Abbate
Video Consultants, the developers of VidClip, the original
HyperCard toolkit for videotape control, have released
OnTrack/Mac, a $199 expanded videotape control toolkit for HyperCard.

OnTrack/Mac is designed to allow Macs to control consumer-level
camcorders and video cassette recorders. It includes the custom
cable needed to connect the Macintosh serial port to the
remote control connector on many VCRs, and gives users
a way to search, log, organize, edit and play videotaped segments.
Also Included is CueTrack, a Hypercard-based tape
logger/ assembler.

The company says customization of the programs is encouraged,
and has been widely implemented in a number of sites, including Brown,
Northeastern and Miami Universities, MIT's Media Lab and Rhode
Island College.

The OnTrack hardware consists of custom cables and adapters for the
Macintosh and selected SONY units- Video8, Hi8, VHS, and S-VHS,
Canon, Nikon, and Ricoh -Video8 and Hi8, and Panasonic's S-VHS VCRs.
The basic OnTrack package comes equipped to control with Sony's 5-pin
control-L and mini plug control S & P to Macintosh serial cable.

Contact Abbate Video Consultants for more information, online at
these addresses: America Online:abbate (and) palombo;
WELL:[e-mail] (and) [e-mail]; CompuServe: 74040,2563.
Or their address is: 83 Main Street , Norfolk,MA 02056, Phone
508-520-0199, Fax [phone].

(Wendy Woods/19910522)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 COMDEX: ALTIMA UNVEILS 386SX NOTEBOOK 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00015)

COMDEX: ALTIMA UNVEILS 386SX NOTEBOOK 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Altima Systems has
announced a new notebook PC tipping the scales at 6.3 pounds. The
machine, which retails for $2,999, will ship in the U.S. in June.

The basic configuration supplied for this price comes with 1MB of
RAM, expandable to 5MB internally, along with a VGA display
capable of resolving 32 shades of grey. The display screen proper
uses LCD technology married with cold cathode fluorescent
technology (CCFT).

According to the company, a 60MB hard disk-equipped version of
the machine is in the pipeline. Plans call for the unit to ship
to resellers in the U.S. in July.

(Sylvia Dennis/19910522/Press & Public Contact: Altima Systems -
Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 COMDEX: HAYES CONFIRMS PLANS FOR LANSTEP 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00016)

COMDEX: HAYES CONFIRMS PLANS FOR LANSTEP 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Hayes has confirmed
that its LANstep network operating system (NOS) is now shipping
to resellers in the U.S. Plans call for the technology to be unveiled in
the U.K. on May 29.

Speaking with Newsbytes, Dennis Hayes, the company's president,
said that next week's UK rollout marks the first stage in a
series of European launches for the technology.

"We first unveiled LANstep at Boston Networld here in the U.S.
and the response has been excellent. Resellers appreciate the
unique opportunity that the technology offers," he said.
"What Hayes has done is to combine the benefits of low-end
networks - cheap pricing, ease of installation and DOS
compatibility - with the features of high-end systems," he added.

Hayes explained that LANstep 's pricing is in line with
current low-end system, yet has all the advantages of a high-end
system without the negative aspects of high-end systems - high
pricing and intensive use of system resources.

"We think that LANstep is unique in the marketplace," he told
Newsbytes.

Hayes has gone for a modular approach with LANstep . The basic
starter kit for up to five users costs $595. A developer kit is
available for the same price. Upgrade packs, which add another
five users to the network, cost $395, while a mail gateway
upgrade also costs $395.

"We are becoming aware of the need for a larger starter kit with
20 or 25 users. This will be released later," Hayes told
Newsbytes.

Ten years in the making, the system started to come together
about three years ago at what was then Waterloo Micro Systems in
Waterloo, Canada.

"When we acquired Waterloo (1990) we realized the potential of
the technology which the company was already marketing. LANstep
is a completely new technology system," he said, adding that it
represents the third generation of networking systems.

"We're especially pleased that the system can offer a mail
gateway that competes with high-end systems at a fraction of the
price," he said.

LANstep is claimed to have a number of advantages over the
competition. These include full NetBIOS support along with
support for CD-ROM technology within DOS, along with disk
caching and fault tolerance.

"Because LANstep does not delay writing to disk, there is no need
for a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). If the power fails, users
can be sure that their data is there on the hard disk," he said.

(Steve Gold/19910522/Press & Public Contact: Hayes - Tel:
404/840-9200; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 COMDEX: GEOWORKS UNVEILS EUROPEAN SHIP, PRICING PLANS 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00017)

COMDEX: GEOWORKS UNVEILS EUROPEAN SHIP, PRICING PLANS 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Geoworks, the
Berkeley, California-based software house which has announced version
1.2 of its Geoworks Ensemble graphical environment and
applications package, says it has a worldwide licensing
deal with Philips, and confirmed that its OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) commitments now exceed 600,000 units, with OEM
versions of Ensemble being readied for the French, German and
Italian markets.

The new version of Ensemble builds on the original version, and
includes a number of new features, including support for more
than 300 printers and a 100,000 word spelling checker. The
package is scheduled to ship at the end of June. Registered users
will be entitled to upgrade free of charge. Pricing remains
unchanged at $199-99.

Brian Dougherty, CEO of the company, said the Philips licensing deal
allows the Dutch computer giant to bundle Ensemble with all of its
PCs. Initially, plans call for Philips to bundle Ensemble 1.2 with its
386, 386SX and new 286 notebook PCs.

Geoworks also revealed that its OEM commitments now exceed
600,000 units. According to Dougherty, European language
editions are ready to ship.

"The enthusiasm of our OEM partners underscores the appeal of
Ensemble to large and varied segments of the computer user
market. With the introduction of the French, German and Italian
versions of Ensemble, we are confident that we can significantly
expand our OEM and end-user customer base over the year ahead,"
he said.

(Steve Gold/19910522/Press & Public Contact: Berkeley Software -
Tel: Geoworks - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 NEW PRODUCT: Compurest Prevents Wrist Injury 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00018)

NEW PRODUCT: Compurest Prevents Wrist Injury 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Ergonomic Designs,
a San Diego-based company, has announced Compurest, a $35 plastic
wrist support that, it claims, negates repetitive strain injury
(RSI).

RSI has become of the most serious problems in the customer
service field. A mild injury can cost from $5,000 to $10,000 in
medical care and lost work time, according to Compurest. A more
serious case may require surgery, cost as much as $100,000 and
result in partial loss of hand usage.

So how much of a risk is RSI? According to Compurest, last year
around 147,000 cases were reported in the U.S. - up from 23,000
cases in 1982. RSI is now the main occupational illness in the
U.S., accounting for more than 52 percent of all disability
claims reported.

Compurest is a low pressure wrist pad that fits around the
computer user's wrist, so -- the company claims -- distributing
arm weight over the maximum possible surface area, reducing
wrist distortion.

The Compurest is a low-pressure foam wrist support covered by a
flexible cotton covering. The pad is fully reversible and fully
washable.

(Steve Gold/19910522/Press & Public Contact: Ergonomic Designs -
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22  ****JAPANESE FIRMS IN MULTIMEDIA DEAL WITH MICROSOFT 05/22/91

05/22/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00019)

 ****JAPANESE FIRMS IN MULTIMEDIA DEAL WITH MICROSOFT 05/22/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Microsoft is seeking alliances with
major Japanese personal computer makers in an effort to create a new
"multimedia" personal computer, according to the Nikkei newspaper.
The new PC is expected to handle visual, vocal and textual data and it
will support the High Definition TV, according to the report.

The Nikkei says the PC will be based on the expended versions of
Windows 3.0 and OS/2 and will be equipped with a CD-ROM system and
Microsoft's audio-visual software.

Microsoft has reportedly sounded out major personal computer makers
including NEC, Sony, and Matsushita. The firm has also discussed
the idea with peripheral equipment makers such as CD-ROM drive
makers, says the Nikkei. About 10 firms will eventually be
participating in this project, which will start in May 1992.

Microsoft wants to promote the development of integrated personal
computers, which are compatible with each other regardless of the
hardware makers. Although many in Japan are enthusiastic about this
possibility, it may not be possible due to territorial interests. For
instance, NEC may want to have the multimedia PC compatible only
with its current de facto standard Japanese personal computer
the "PC-9801."

The Tokyo office of Microsoft is planning to increase the number
of its technical engineers from a current 100 to 500 within 3 to 4
years. This may mean the new-media PC will not be out for at least
3 to 4 years.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910522/Press Contact: Microsoft (Tokyo),
 [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 PALM-TOP COMPUTER WITH OPTICAL DATA TRANSFER SYSTEM 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00020)

PALM-TOP COMPUTER WITH OPTICAL DATA TRANSFER SYSTEM 05/22/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Sony has upgraded its palm-top
computer to include a handwriting input system. The "PTC-300" weighs
only 355 grams and measures 16.5 x 15 x 2.8cm -- roughly half the size
of its predecessor. It's also cheaper -- 65,000 yen ($480), while the
earlier version cost 165,000 yen ($1,200).

The PTC-300 employs fuzzy theory for handwriting input. This enables
the device to translate 3,553 kinds of handwritten letters, the company
says, including Kanji.

Sony's palm-top computer is based around Motorola's 68000 chip. It has a
3.4-inch, high resolution liquid crystal display with 256 x 320
pixels.

One unique aspect of this palm-top computer is that it can exchange
data with other devices via an infrared beam; it has a built-in optical
telecom interface and requires no cable.

This PC also has a built-in RS-232C port for exchanging data with
desktop personal computers. A thermal printer is sold at 35,000
yen ($260).

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910522/Press Contact: Sony, [phone]
Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 JAPAN's PTT PROMOTES NEW MHS E-MAIL SYSTEM 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00021)

JAPAN's PTT PROMOTES NEW MHS E-MAIL SYSTEM 05/22/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- The Highly Advanced Telecom
Promotion Center, which is affiliated with the Japanese Ministry
of Posts and Telecommunication, has started promoting the Message
Handling System (MHS) or the electronic mail system through an
MHS promotion committee. The committee is said to have
participation of over 80 firms and organizations including
telecommunications equipment makers and software companies.

MHS is based on the international X400 standard protocol.
Various messages can be sent to overseas users as well as to
domestic users through personal computers, fax machines, and
telex machines.

The Japanese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication has been
testing the MHS since 1984 in accordance with the recommendations
from the CCITT, the TTC and the HATS (Highly Advanced Telecom
System). The Ministry has just completed the testing and has
formed the guidelines.

Now, the center wants to encourage telecom-related firms to
develop the hardware and the application programs for the MHS.
Some telecom programs for the MHS are already developed, but
they need some polishing to run on personal computers. The
center will provide the assistance to develop the telecom
board for the MHS if necessary.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910522)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 SONY'S NEWS UPGRADED TO 25MIPS 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00022)

SONY'S NEWS UPGRADED TO 25MIPS 05/22/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- The news at Sony is that
its newest NEWS workstation can fly by the competition at a whopping
25 MIPS or 25 million instructions per second. The upgrade, called
NEWS-3865, also operates at 4.3 mega FLOPS for mathematical
calculations. The speedy little NEWS-3865 will cost 3.95 million yen
($29,000) when it is shipped by late August.

Inside the workstation is MIPS's RISC (reduced instruction set
computing) chip. The main memory has 16 megabytes and it can be
expanded to a maximum of 80 megabytes.

Options include a 1.25 gigabyte hard disk for 650,000 yen ($4,800);
a 3-dimensional graphics board; CD-ROM drive, laser printer interface
board and a text filing system.

So far, Sony's NEWS series is selling briskly in Japan and
overseas including the U.S.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910522/Press Contact: Sony, [phone]
Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 TOKYO FIRM CAUGHT SELLING FREE DYNABOOK SOFTWARE 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00023)

TOKYO FIRM CAUGHT SELLING FREE DYNABOOK SOFTWARE 05/22/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- A free personal computer program,
which was uploaded into a forum of the PC network Nifty-Serve,
was sold by a company which failed to get the author's
consent. Tokyo-based peripheral equipment maker Access had
downloaded the program and installed it on the hard disks of systems
which it sold to the public.

According to the Asahi newspaper, a Nifty-Serve member made a hard
disk data-transfer program for Toshiba's notebook-type PC, Dynabook.
The program is said to be of high-quality, written by a professional
programmer, making it attractive. Access is said to have downloaded
the program, changed the copyright notice, deleted the original user
name, and substituted their own company name on the product, before
installing it on the hard disk systems it sold.

Access has admitted that it was 100 percent at fault, and has instituted
a recall of all products containing the program.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910522)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 PRECISION CLAIMS TO HAVE ONLY WINDOWS DATABASE 05/22/91

05/22/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00024)

PRECISION CLAIMS TO HAVE ONLY WINDOWS DATABASE 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Speaking at
Atlanta Comdex, Duke Lane, Precision Software's director of marketing,
said he hoped Software Publishing's acquisition of UK-based Precision
Software would give Precision the market clout it needs to take
advantage of the "window of opportunity" created by the current
dearth of Windows database software. Lane contends that
Precision's Superbase 2 and Superbase 4 are the only viable
products on the market.

Software Publishing Corporation signed a letter of intent to acquire
Precision Software on May 15.

"We expect the first tier database companies to get into it --
Borland is working on Windows software, and Ashton-Tate is still
in the picture. And we keep hearing noises from Microsoft. But
they won't be out for several months, and even then they will be
in their 1.0 stage for a while, so we expect a window of about a
year and a half," Lane said.

There has been no Windows activity at all from the "second tier"
database companies, he noted, and the only other activity has
been from newcomers. But that's understandable, he said, since
Windows hardware is deceptively hard to create, and furthermore
many vendors put their initial efforts into OS/2 versions --
often character-based OS/2 versions.

The proposed merger is subject to approval by the boards of
directors of both firms. The agreement values Precision
Software at about $25 million, and its shareholders are to
receive a combination of cash and Software Publishing stock.

Precision Software is headquartered in Surrey, England, with
subsidiary operations in Irving, Texas, and Munich, Germany.
Software Publishing is located in Mountain View, California.

(Lamont Wood/19910522/Press Contact: Erich Stein, 303-733-3707)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22  ****COMDEX: COMPETITION FOR MICROSOFT BASIC FOR WINDOWS 05/22/91

05/22/91



(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00025)

 ****COMDEX: COMPETITION FOR MICROSOFT BASIC FOR WINDOWS 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- The aisle between
the Microsoft booth and the Within Technologies booth at the
Atlanta Comdex turned into a no-man's-land when Within announced
a competitor to Microsoft's Visual Basic.

Amidst all the Microsoft hoopla on Visual BASIC, Within also
announced a BASIC-like programming language for Windows, the
$395 Realizer.

"We have a higher level approach than Visual BASIC," explained
Steve Cohn, director of systems development. "With Realizer, the
programmer only has to worry about a button, instead of a
button-up or a button-down system message."

Whereas there are 1,500 Windows systems "events" that a
programer has to accommodate when using the Microsoft Windows
Software Developers Kit, and about 50 events to handle in the
Visual BASIC language, Realizer doesn't deal with Windows events
per se. "You just get notified when something important
happens," Cohn said.

As for the Microsoft developers across the aisle, "They keep
coming over one at a time to look at it," he added.

Realizer comes with a range of preformatted subapplications
that a programmer could incorporate into a application, such as
various styles of spreadsheets, charts and text editors, plus
animation and drawing tools.

Although he was not able to do a one-line Etch-A-Sketch program
(such as marked the introductions of Visual BASIC), Cohn was
able to do a complete chart with three lines of code.

Within Technologies is located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

(Lamont Wood/19910522/Press Contact: Steve Cohn, Within,
609-273-8881, fax [phone].)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22  ****FIRST MULTIMEDIA KEYNOTE FOR COMDEX 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00026)

 ****FIRST MULTIMEDIA KEYNOTE FOR COMDEX 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- "Multimedia is so
powerful that it will expand the (computer) market almost beyond
our imagination," Michael Braun, vice president of IBM's
Multimedia and Education Division, told an assembly of computer
industry executives at the Atlanta Comdex.

Braun was making the "Multimedia Keynote Address," the first
time at Comdex that a keynote address had been dedicated to a
market segment. There had been previous keynote speeches for the
show as a whole and for the Windows World portion of the show.

But, Braun added, there are conditions that must prevail in the
market before the promise of multimedia technology (sound and
full-motion video on computer screens, usually with the help of
CD-ROMs) can be fulfilled. Primarily, "The creators of
multimedia applications must do well. For that to happen, the
speed, cost and risk of doing multimedia applications must go
down."

To endure such an eventuality, he listed ten things he thinks
need to happen in the industry:

-- IBM, Microsoft, Apple and Commodore must reach software
standards "that allow them to live in perfect harmony."

-- Optical disk drives must cost less than $200 retail, their
capacity must go up by a factor of four, and they must achieve
the same speed as magnetic media.

-- Digital video monitors must cost no more than $300 over the cost
of standard monitors.

-- Users must be able to find a single source for their software
tools.

-- "Customers must be driving the industry."

-- It must be possible to settle the rights to intellectual
property instantly, as is now about the case with music.

-- It must be possible to access multimedia data wherever it
resides.

-- Full motion titles must cost no more than $25.

-- Desktop video conferencing must cost no more than $1,000 per
seat.

-- "The interface must be so personal and usable that millions
more people will use the technology."

To show how multimedia works, he called to the podium
"multimedia expert" David Greaves, an eight-year-old second
grader from Anchorage, Alaska, who had put together a multimedia
presentation about Alaskan geography and the moose and caribou
his family had encountered on a camping trip. He made a
recording of Braun's voice and overlaid it on a mountain
climbing video.

"Gates, eat your heart out," commented Braun.

(Lamont Wood/19910522)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 NEW FOR PCS: Smalltalk/V For Windows And OS/2 05/22/91

05/22/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027)

NEW FOR PCS: Smalltalk/V For Windows And OS/2 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Digitalk is
offering Smalltalk/v for Microsoft Windows 3.0 and Smalltalk/v
v1.2 for OS/2, two versions of Digitalk's object-oriented
programming environments.

The Windows version of Smalltalk/v incorporates the previous
functionality of Smalltalk/v but now under Windows, the company
said. The Windows version source code is compatible with
existing Smalltalk/v product, allowing developers to
choose DOS or Windows as a development environment, or to
develop products for both
simultaneously. The Windows version does provide access to
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) to allow information to be shared
with other programs, and Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs), to
allow a way for other programs to be called from Smalltalk/v,
the company said.

The OS/2 version of Smalltalk/v features new development tools
including a Pluggable Object Library (POL) builder, and the
Objectfiler, according to Digitalk. The company said the POL
allows a developer to structure applications into components
made up of Smalltalk/v objects. This means that in order to update
an application, a developer delivers the update to the user who
copies it to the disk, and the new functionality is automatically
incorporated into the application.

The company also claims the new .EXE files are very small, and
allows the application to start quickly, a feature called
"instant-on." The new version also allows objects to be
stored on disk and retrieved later as needed, or exchanged with
other users, the company said.

Smalltalk/v PM for OS/2 is $500, but registered users of earlier
versions of the PM product may upgrade for $95. The upgrade
includes the developer's guide and an upgrade disk. Smalltalk/v
Windows is also $500, but an upgrade from other Smalltalk/v
versions is only available for a limited time. For more
information contact Digitalk, 9841 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles,
CA 90045, Tel: [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910522/Press Contact: Barbara Noparstak,
Digitalk, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 HITACHI OKLAHOMA PLANT REPORTS CHEMICAL SPILL 05/22/91

05/22/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00028)

HITACHI OKLAHOMA PLANT REPORTS CHEMICAL SPILL 05/22/91
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB)--Hitachi Computer
Products has confirmed that a hazardous material spill occurred
at its Norman, Oklahoma facility. The spill involved
1,1,1-trichloroethane, a product commonly used in cleaning
printed circuit boards.

The spill occurred at approximately 6 AM. A company hazardous
materials team responded to the incident and cleaned up the
spill. Hitachi says none of the material escaped into either
drains or the ground.

About 3 hours later, nineteen employees reported becoming ill,
complaining of headaches, nausea, headaches and respiratory
irritation. All nineteen were taken to the Norman (Oklahoma)
Regional Hospital where seventeen of the employees were examined
and released. Of the two remaining patients, one was released
today, and one is still hospitalized in stable condition,
according to a hospital spokesperson contacted by Newsbytes.

According to a hazardous materials expert contacted by Newsbytes,
1,1,1-trichloroethane is also known as methyl chloroform, a
colorless liquid which is insoluble in water which is
non-flammable. He says that it is irritating to eyes and tissue
and has a tolerance of 350 parts per million in air, which he
characterized as being much less hazardous than many other
products, which would have a tolerance level in the single or
double digit parts per million.

(Jim Mallory/19910522/Press Contact:Les Frank, Hitachi,
405-360-5500)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 NEW FOR UNIX: Teleuse 2.0 GUI Dev't Tool For OSF/Motif 05/22/91

05/22/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00029)

NEW FOR UNIX: Teleuse 2.0 GUI Dev't Tool For OSF/Motif 05/22/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB) -- Telesoft has
announced version 2.0 of Teleuse, a graphical user interface (GUI)
development tool. The new version has all the enhancements
requested by Telesoft customers on a "hot list," the wish list
Telesoft compiled from user requests, according to Bruce
Sherman, vice president of marketing for Telesoft.

Teleuse is a user interface management system (UIMS) for
development of user interfaces based on the Open Software
Foundation Motif (OSF/Motif). Sherman said there's a war between
OSF/Motif and Open Look, another user interface, but Telesoft's
feeling is OSF/Motif is winning, with Open Look being dominant only
on the Sun workstation. That's why the company made the decision
to go with OSF/Motif on the Teleuse product.

Teleuse 2.0 is estimated by Telesoft to cut development time to
create GUIs by 90 percent, as it frees the developer from the
tedious task of having to hand code each screen coordinate, color,
etc. Sherman said the new features include generation of C and the
OSF user interface language (UIL), an optional porting kit to allow
Teleuse applications to be executed on any machine that supports
OSF/Motif v.1.1, full support for X Window System version X11R4,
better use of Xresource files, improved handling of custom widgets,
improved documentation and more demonstration examples.

For more information contact Telesoft at [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910522/Press Contact: Bruce Sherman, Telesoft,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 SUMITOMO/NCHIP WORK TOGETHER ON CHIPS 05/21/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00030)

SUMITOMO/NCHIP WORK TOGETHER ON CHIPS 05/21/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- In an effort to
lower the cost and improve the volume manufacturability of core
technologies employed in multichip modules (MCMs), San
Jose-based nCHIP Inc., has signed an agreement for the joint
development of low-cost packaging, electro-plating and production
technologies with Japan-based Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM)
Electronics, a division of Sumitomo Metal Mining.

nChip is a manufacturer of silicon-based, high-density MCMs. In
addition to a multi-million dollar equity investment in nCHIP by
SMM, the agreement also calls for the two companies to work
together to improve substrate, packaging and interconnect
technologies.

Steve Stephansen, vice president of marketing for nCHIP, told
Newsbytes that with the agreement, nCHIP gains a development
partner with high experience in packaging components. "We see
the agreement as instrumental in driving down the cost of
manufacturing of MCMs."

According to Steve Pittman, president and chief executive officer of
nCHIP, the agreement marks the latest milestone in the company's
efforts to produce high-volume MCMs for the commercial desktop
systems market.

"nCHIP is ready to manufacture MCMs in volume for the workstation
market," said Pittman. "Our agreement with SMM will allow us to offer
an aggressive, low-cost migration path for MCMs, making them an
attractive alternative for other desktop systems, including personal,
laptop and notebook computers."

Stephansen also said that two specific areas highlighted by the
agreement are the development of low-cost, non-hermetic packages,
which will allow nCHIP to further cost reduce MCMs, and the
development and refining of several key processes critical to
high-volume manufacturing of substrates.

Stepphansen told Newsbytes that nCHIP did not rule out the possibility
of other agreements with similar companies. He said that Sumitomo's
experience was unique, and that nCHIP was actively engaged in
seeking companies with a broad manufacturing experience base
that would "offer a unique contribution to our business."

According to the company, nCHIP was founded in 1989 to address
the interconnection and packaging needs of semiconductor and
original equipment manufacturing (OEM) system manufacturers,
particularly those in the desktop and other high-volume systems
markets.

(Ian Stokell/19910521/Press Contact: Steve Stepphansen, nChip Inc.,
408-945-9991)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 22 MOTOROLA CUTS WIRELESS ETHERNET PRICE 05/22/91

05/22/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00031)

MOTOROLA CUTS WIRELESS ETHERNET PRICE 05/22/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 22 (NB)-- Motorola has
announced at the 1991 Comdex show in Atlanta that effective
immediately it has cut the suggested list price of its
Altair wireless Ethernet products nearly 70 percent.

The announcement was made by Mil Ovan, senior marketing manager
for Altair product operations, during a seminar on wireless LAN
products. According to Ovan, "We are determined to open up the
wireless LAN marketplace."

A wireless LAN (local area network) links computers in a network
by means of radio waves rather than the more traditional cabling
method. Motorola says other advantages are greater flexibility
and reduced costs and delays in installing, expanding, or changing
wired LANs.

An Altair wireless network consists of two basic elements: a
control module and one or more user modules. The new price for
the user module is $995, compared to the previous price of
$3,495, a cut of almost 70 percent. Each user module can
connect to up to six Ethernet devices such as personal
computers and printers. The control module is connected to the
Ethernet servers and wired networks, and routes data between the
user modules as well as to and from wired LANs. Each user/control
module unit, called a microcell, can support up to 32 Ethernet
devices within a 5,000 square foot office area. Additional
microcells can be connected to a wired Ethernet backbone to
provide connectivity to other office areas.

Motorola says the cost reductions were possible due to increased
factory capacity, which allows for volume production, and
improved manufacturing yields on components.

(Jim Mallory/19910522/Press Contact:Cheryl Beck, Motorola,
708-632-2853)

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 MAY 21  ****COMDEX: VIRUS PROGRAMS NEED BENCHMARKS 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00001)

 ****COMDEX: VIRUS PROGRAMS NEED BENCHMARKS 05/21/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- It's put-up-or-shut
up time in the anti-virus industry, says Alan Solomon. Solomon
heads S&S International of Berkhamsted, England, producers of Dr.
Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit," which is distributed in the U.S.
by Ontrack Computer Systems of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

At the Ontrack booth, Dr. Solomon told Newsbytes that unmet
claims by anti-virus program makers have become an epidemic
in their own right. He asked the press to do something about it.

Dr. Solomon urged the creation of some solid, anti-virus
benchmarks, tests which the media should put all such programs
to. "Look at the number of viruses a program detects, not the
number its maker claims to detect," he said. "Look at how fast it
scans -- scanning for many viruses can slow a poor program down."

Another issue many program authors fail to address is false
alarms, Dr. Solomon said. "I know of one company who had to take
a bank's deal-making network down for an entire day because of a
false alarm generated by a $500 anti-virus program," he said.

The press should look at whether users have to scan manually for
viruses, or whether the program is RAM-resident. If it is the
latter, how much memory does it take? And does it work with
Windows? Upgrade policies are also fair game for comparisons --
how often are programs upgraded to detect new viruses, and how
quickly can the vendor react to a new threat? Finally, he said,
programs should be tested on whether they just alert users to
viruses, or really put right the damage a successful attack can
cause.

Only when real users know how to really evaluate competing anti-
viral claims can they begin to solve the virus problem, Dr.
Solomon concluded.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910520/Press Contact: Dr. Alan Solomon, S&S
International, +0442-877-877; fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21  ****COMDEX: VIRUS ATTACKS INCREASING, SAYS EXPERT 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00002)

 ****COMDEX: VIRUS ATTACKS INCREASING, SAYS EXPERT 05/21/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- A year ago less
than one percent of computer users had experienced a virus attack.
Today, 11% have and within a year nearly all will. So says Dyan
Dyer, president of Command Software Systems, who spoke with
Newsbytes about the problem at Comdex.

Dyer's products, like Security Guard and LANGard, all protect
against attacks in a number of ways. Programs are double-checked
for length to see if anything has been added to them. Both
products have memory wipe utilities to clear viruses that might
sneak by the safeguards. There are controls over the Absolute
Disk I/O needed by most viruses to gain a foothold in a system.
"We also protect against program files being changed in any way,
and provide access controls and encryption to protect the entire
system, locking programs into designated subdirectories."

But true protection against viruses, says Dyer, starts with
employees who are aware of the problem. "You have to deal with
employees and tell them not to bring in unauthorized or
unauthenticated software. In many firms you can get fired for
doing this," she said. "If you're getting new equipment, or
having old equipment repaired, you must check it for viruses as a
routine matter before putting it into service," she added.

The real danger with viruses, however, comes from the
proliferation of local area networks, says Dyer. That's why
programs like LANGard are so needed now. A single virus can take
down an entire network, and close down an entire business, where
a few years ago it might have infected only one PC.

But Dyer isn't just offering dire warnings. Most problems you'll
find with your computers are likely still caused by mistakes of
the staff. "Viruses like to advertise themselves," she told
Newsbytes. "If a PC breaks and there's no code bragging about it,
chances are you don't have a virus problem."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910520/Press Contact: Dyan Dyer, Command
Software Systems, 407-575-3200;fax, 407-575-3026)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21  ****WINDOWS WORLD: BIG FIRMS SMOKE THE WINDOWS PEACE PIPE 05/21/91

05/21/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00003)

 ****WINDOWS WORLD: BIG FIRMS SMOKE THE WINDOWS PEACE PIPE 05/21/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Windows World may
be a surprisingly small part of this year's Spring Comdex show,
but it will go down in history as an event for which all of the
software industry's leaders officially got behind the Microsoft
operating environment and committed to it with real products.

At the Window World market forecast panel, representatives from
both Borland and Lotus demonstrated their new software running
under Microsoft Windows 3.0, and committed to using it in new
releases. One reason, noted by Tom Button, group product manager
for the applications programmability group at Microsoft, is
because 4 million copies of the program have already gone out.

But that's also partly because, as John Mandell, project manager
for the object programming division of Borland pointed out, the
program offers more than just a Macintosh user interface.
"Windows applications are inter-operable," he said. "You can have
different programs work together easily, so you can get the best
out of different products."

Features like Dynamic Data Interchange and the system's
common data forms means both programs and data can be accessed
in the same way by different programs. "All this capability
has made users ecstatic about Windows, but has made developers
absolutely frantic," he added. "There will be an explosion of
new development tools, and we're committed to using
object-oriented application tools to let people develop
applications quickly for Windows."

Donald Casey, vice president of Lotus Development's spreadsheet
division, took moderator Bill Machrone's kidding about being part
of the "Windows hold-out panel" with good humor, and promptly
offered a demonstration of Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows. "Clearly our
goal is to have every major application we publish available on
Windows this year," he said. Windows, he predicted, will become
the foundation for true Groupware. "Windows lets folks begin to
work together in groups, unbound by geography."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910520/Press Contact: Dyan Dyer, Command
Software Systems, 407-575-3200;fax, 407-575-3026)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 VIKING PRESS TO PROVIDE ON-DEMAND ELECTRONIC PRINTING 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)

VIKING PRESS TO PROVIDE ON-DEMAND ELECTRONIC PRINTING 05/21/91
MENASHA, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB)-- Biking Press has
announced plans to form an electronic printing operation designed
to meet the needs of customers who need fast response and
delivery of printing projects.

The unit, named Demand Documents, will be located in Minneapolis,
and is scheduled to start operations on June 15, 1991. Banta
Corporation, parent company of Viking Press, says that Demand
Documents will employ about 15 people when fully operational.

On-demand printing takes electronic information directly to high
quality printing on paper, eliminating the intermediate steps of
films of printing plates used in more traditional printing
methods.

Text and artwork can be taken from scanned images which are
converted to a digital format, or by reading digital information
created in a database format or on a desktop publishing system.
The system initially will be equipped with one printing system,
which can handle imaging up to 135 pages per minute, at 600 dots
per inch (dpi) resolution. In comparison, most laser printers
produce output at 300 dpi.

John Colwell Jr, Banta president, says the system is an economical
way to provide quality printing on small production runs.
According to Colwell, "Our customers are looking for a vendor who
can reduce the manufacturing cycle and offer the high quality of
traditional printing." Colwell says Demand Documents will be able
to provide quality print runs of one to 2,500 books or manuals
very quickly. Once the deadline pressure is relieved, offset
printing equipment can handle larger quantity runs. Other
potential uses could include additional short runs to fill out
orders, quick production of computer documentation, user manuals
and training programs.

(Jim Mallory/19910520/Press Contact:Chip Fuhrmann, Banta,
612-941-8780)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 CDC TO DEVELOP SPACE SHUTTLE PLANNING PROGRAM 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00005)

CDC TO DEVELOP SPACE SHUTTLE PLANNING PROGRAM 05/21/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, US.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB)-- Control Data
Corporation has announced it has received a $6.5 million contract
to develop a space shuttle mission modernization plan.

CDC was awarded the contract by Loral Space Information Systems,
and is the largest order ever received for CDCs 4000 series
computer system. Loral has held a NASA contract since 1963 to
provide mission support systems, and is responsible for operation
of the Johnson Space Center mission control center.

In the new system, called FADS (Flight Analysis and Design
System), CDC will install a distributed network, using off the
shelf computer hardware and software, as well as provide support
services to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The objective of FADS is to support more space flights as well as
enhance the overall mission planning systems. The first
deliveries of the system components will begin in June 1991 and
are expected to be complete by May 1992.

(Jim Mallory/19910520/Press Contact:Charlotte Fransen, CDC,
612-853-6137)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 NMC, TRW DEVELOP COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR DOCTORS 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006)

NMC, TRW DEVELOP COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR DOCTORS 05/21/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB)-- NMC Services has
announced an agreement with TRW Receivables Management Services
to develop a program to manage physicians' delinquent receivables.

According to Reynolds & Reynolds Company, studies of collection
trends conducted by the US Department of Commerce show that the
older the bill is, the more difficult it is to collect. NMC
Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Reynolds and Reynolds.

An additional factor affecting collections is the tightening of
reimbursement by third-party payers of medical bills, according
to the study. These factors, added to the poor economy, have
pushed physicians receivables to an all time high.

Under the agreement, NMC Services will be able to electronically
access TRW services to collect past due accounts. "This new
arrangement with TRW will allow physicians... to collect an even
higher percentage of their receivables," said Jim Byrd, NMC
Services general manager.

Paul Palermo, president of TRW's receivables management division,
said, "We have a high percentage of success with our collection
letter series." Palermo says if the account remains delinquent
after receiving one or more letters, the physician can implement
"our full collection effort." Byrd told Newsbytes that
eventually the customer's credit rating with TRW could be
adversely affected. He declined to quote how much money was
presently outstanding in overdue medical bills.

If, after follow-up through the TRW system the account remains
delinquent, that information will be submitted to TRW, and TRW
will send a series of collection letters.

(Jim Mallory/19910520/Press Contact:Paul Guthrie, Reynolds &
Reynolds, 513-449-4216)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 EXPOCOMM MOSCOW SHOW ANNOUNCED 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00007)

EXPOCOMM MOSCOW SHOW ANNOUNCED 05/21/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- German Hannover Messe
International and E. J .Krause & Associates of Bethesda, Maryland,
U.S.A. have announced "Expocomm Moscow '91," yet another competing
telecommunication show in early summer.

The show will be held at VDNKh exhibition site on June 5-10, 1991,
only a week after the closing of the Communications'91
international exhibition in Moscow.

According to the show organizers, major companies like Northern
Telecom, Motorola, Siemens, AT&T, IBM, Ericcson, Olivetti, Gold
Star, Samsung, Alcatel, and Hewlett-Packard will participate
in Expocomm.

Only one out of four active local computer communications
providers is expected to participate in Expocomm with the
remaining three choosing to attend Communications'91 for various
reasons.

German Hannover Messe International and E. J .Krause &
Associates will also run another computer show in Moscow
simultaneously. It is called Systemotronika'91 and will feature
different brands of non-communications computer hardware.

Organizers claims the shows will be an "international trade
fair for all the Soviet Union."

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910520/Press Contact: Deutsche Messe, Moscow
office phone [phone];E.J.Krause & Associates, phone 301-986-
7800; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 DATAFLEX 3.0 AVAILABLE IN LATVIA 05/21/91

05/21/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00008)

DATAFLEX 3.0 AVAILABLE IN LATVIA 05/21/91
RIGA, LATVIA, 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- A Latvian company has
announced local availability of Dataflex 3.0, database
management software from Data Access Corp. It runs on
IBM PCs, Unisys, VAX, and Sun machines, and provides
compatibility with a number of existing hardware platforms.

Applications written for earlier versions of Dataflex are
reportedly in use by a large number of Soviet banks, both
state-run and independent.

The new version of Dataflex is expected to be simultaneously
released in Europe and the Soviet Union, according to company
representative.

The package will ship in early June. A single-user version
is priced at US$830 or 15,000 rubles; a software development
kit costs US$150 or 2,500 rubles; a local area network
version is US$1500 or 40,000 rubles.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910520/Press contact: Maris Krastynsh, Silava-
IFO, phone [phone], 947649)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 KAPOR'S EFF ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO BOARD 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00009)

KAPOR'S EFF ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO BOARD 05/21/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) --
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has announced the
election of Esther Dyson and Jerry Berman to the board of
directors.

Berman and Dyson join EFF co-founders Mitchell Kapor and
John Perry Barlow, Whole Earth Review Editor Stewart Brand,
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Cygnus Support's John
Gilmore as EFF directors. Berman is the director of American
Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU) Information Technology Project
and is based in Washington. Dyson, editor of Release 1.0 and
columnist for Forbes Magazine, is a well-known industry
analyst.

Announcing the additions to the board, Mitch Kapor, said,
"These are two terrific people and will bring an incredible
amount of expertise and wisdom to the board. Esther knows
the industry and the issues as well as anyone on the planet.
And Jerry Berman's experience with the legal aspects of all the
EFF issues -- stemming from his first-rate work with the ACLU
-- is outstanding."

Founded in July 1990 to "address social and legal issues arising
from the impact on society of the increasingly pervasive use of
computers as a means of communication and information
distribution," EFF has taken legal positions aimed at clarifying
constitutional issues in cases involving, Craig Neidorf, Len Rose,
Steve Jackson Games and the "Atlanta 3" (Robert Riggs, Adam
Grant and Frank Darden). In each case, EFF has sought to raise
constitutional points concerning such issues as rights of
electronic publishers, boundaries of search and seizure, and
value of intellectual property.

EFF recently joined with Steve Jackson Games to bring suit
against the United States Secret Service and other parties
for activities relating to the seizure of computers and other
material from Steve Jackson Games in March 1990.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Michael
Godwin, Electronic Frontier Foundation, 617-864-0655/19910520)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 LOTUS WILL INCLUDE ATM WITH WINDOWS APPS 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00010)

LOTUS WILL INCLUDE ATM WITH WINDOWS APPS 05/21/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corp. has announced that it will provide Adobe
Systems' font technology with its Windows software
applications, beginning with the inclusion of Adobe Type
Manager (ATM) software in 1-2-3 for Windows.

In its announcement, Lotus stated that the two companies have
signed a license agreement granting Lotus the rights to include
ATM software in all of its applications for worldwide
distribution, and to provide a core set of 13 typefaces from the
Adobe Type Library with each application. Lotus also said that
upcoming versions of Lotus Windows applications that will
incorporate Adobe ATM include AmiPro, Freelance Graphics for
Windows and Notes.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: David
Downing, Adobe Systems, 415-962-6055; Betty Kosheff, Lotus
Development Corp., 617-893-1292/19910520)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 NEW FOR MAC: Netware Access Server V1.2 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00011)

NEW FOR MAC: Netware Access Server V1.2 05/21/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Novell has begun
shipping Version 1.2 of its Netware Access Server product. V1.2
has several new features and enhancements that make it even more
desirable and useful, according to the company.

Netware Access Server is a product that allows remote access by
many users to a Novell-based network. Users can call in on one
of the lines provided by the dedicated PC that is hosting a
modem card. Once connected, they can use all of the network
resources through the Netware Access Server.

There are three significant enhancements in V1.2. The first is
that more adapter cards that have specific features are supported.
Up till now, only the Novell WNIM+ communications adapter was
supported. With V1.2, Netware Access Server supports adapters
from IBM, Specialix, and Newport Systems Solutions. These are
cards that support up to 16 communications lines.

The Newport Systems Solutions XCI card allows for 16 users who
are using X.25 (much more prevalent in Europe than in the
U.S.) to be multiplexed into a single port in the Netware
Access Server. This is important as a single line is less
expensive to use than multiple lines.

Secondly, Netware Access Server V1.2 supports more modem brands
than previous versions. Thirdly, Netware Access Server V1.2
allows Macintoshes running Netware for the Mac V3.0, to log-in
remotely to the Netware network and execute DOS programs.

Mr. Steve Nelson, director of product marketing for Novell
Macintosh Products says, "This capability provides Macintosh
users with a key benefit. Many of these customers have
had to maintain a DOS-based PC on their desk just to gain access
to the DOS applications on their company's Netware network.
The Netware Access Server V1.2 eliminates the need to maintain
two PCs on the desktop."

(Naor Wallach/19910519/Press Contact: Michael Adams, Novell,
801-429-5833)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 NEW FOR MAC: Tape Backup System For LANs 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00012)

NEW FOR MAC: Tape Backup System For LANs 05/21/91
LAKE MARY, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Maynard will begin
shipping LANStream software in late June. LANStream is a tape backup
system that supports DAT or 8mm tape and comes with a set of DOS
utilities that are installed on each PC in your network.

LANStream is a companion and complementary product to the
Maynstream tape backup system that the company currently
manufactures. Maynstream will continue to be shipped.

Maynard sees LANStream software as providing a set of features
that are different than those desired by Maynstream customers.

LANStream software will require a dedicated PC on the Novell
network (no other LANs are supported at this time) to act as a
tape server. The package will include a tape controller card,
the LANStream software, a package of 5 sets of end-user software
modules, manuals, and the appropriate licenses. For $7495 users
can get a DAT tape drive, while for $8995 users get an 8mm
helical scan drive.

LANStream software can support multiple tape drives that reside on
one PC. The idea is to allow individual access to the tape drives
to users on the network and not to centralize the backup
functionality the way that Maynstream does. Maynard says that
operating LANStream with the modules that it ships is much easier
than operating Maynstream and that therefore, LANStream will
appeal to the more casual user who is not the network
administrator. All access to the LANStream tape server is
controlled via standard Novell Netware security procedures so
that it can be made as secure as is needed.

Those users who currently operate Maynstream will be given the
option to convert to LANStream operation if they so choose. The
conversion kit will provide the necessary PC modules, software,
and other upgrade details. The conversion kit will be priced at
$1595. Since Maynard products are sold through distributors and
not directly, Maynard recommends contacting the dealer directly
or calling them for the dealer nearest you. The product
information number is 800-821-8782 (or if calling from outside
the U.S. 407-263-3500

(Naor Wallach/19910519/Press Contact: Mary Fenton-Lee, Maynard,
407-263-3644)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS REDUCE VDT EMISSION PROBLEMS 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00013)

AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS REDUCE VDT EMISSION PROBLEMS 05/21/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Engineers with the State
Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) have developed a EMF
Compensator which reduces interference caused by low frequency
magnetic fields. The device will allow users of computer video
display terminals (VDTs) to reduce or eliminate the emissions from
the terminals.

The device is believed to be a world first, and its creators have
applied for a patent. The device should help alleviate the
problem of health risks associated with VDT use. The device was
primarily designed to offset the effects of magnetic fields on
the display device, and it works with any type of field-sensitive
cathode ray tube (CRT)-based equipment.

The device was developed by electrical engineers Garry Melik and
Ron Owen and technical officer Don Taylor, who all work for the
SECV Power Grid Development Department. The motivation for the
development was the number of requests from customers looking to
minimize the effects of magnetic fields on and from CRT equipment.

At first, the only advice which could be given was to move away from
the source of emissions, but now the device is used instead. It
took only one week for the design team to develop the concept,
and approximately one month to build a version which could be
patented.

The compensator works by generating a field of equal strength and
frequency of the "offending" field, but in the opposite direction to
the "offending" field. This results in "substantial reduction or
full compensation of the external field," according to Melik. The
generated field can be determined either from a power point (if the
interference is due to power frequency magnetic fields) or from a
sensor coil and signal amplifier.

Each unit currently costs around AUS$600, but this should be reduced
as demand and sales increase. Although the device is currently
external to the VDT or CRT at the moment, it could easily be
incorporated in the casing of these in the future. "If there is
sufficient demand for the device, the SECV will consider either
marketing it direct on a substantial basis or establishing a
marketing arrangement with an external organization to sell the
device under licence," Melik said.

(Sean McNamara/19910520/Press contact: Brian Morley, phone in
Australia [phone], fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 NEW FOR OCS: Voice E-Mail From Futurus 05/21/91

05/21/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SAT)(00014)

NEW FOR OCS: Voice E-Mail From Futurus 05/21/91
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Futurus
(formerly Futuresoft) has announced Right Hand Man II, an
electronic mail tool that now supports voice mail.

Using an Artisoft Sounding Board with its telephone handset,
Right Hand Man II can save digitized voice mail messages as
electronic mail file attachments for exchange over a local area
network.

Other features include the ability to view incoming faxes from
remote locations, a new graphical interface, fax modem support,
multiple mailboxes, and real-time chat. As a pop-up program
waiting in the background, Right Hand Man II takes up only 4
kilobytes of random access memory.

Pricing is $149 for a single-user license, $495 for five users,
and $1995 for five users. The sounding Board adapter costs $99
for an standard PC bus and $199 for a PS/2 Micro Channel bus.

(Lamont Wood/19910515/Press Contact: Alan Weinkrantz,
512-820-3070, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 NEW PRODUCTS: Rackmount UPS From Best 05/21/91

05/21/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00015)

NEW PRODUCTS: Rackmount UPS From Best 05/21/91
NECEDAH, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Best Power
Technology announces the availability of new models in its
line of rack mountable Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS).
There are three models in the Micro-FERRUPS line that allow
for outputs of 850 VA, 1.15 KVA, and 1.4 KVA.

All three can be mounted in a standard 19-inch rack and take
up the same amount of space. The units measure 16-inches
wide by 21-inches long and have an EIA 6U high front panel.
The units weigh 100, 140, and 145 lbs. respectively.

Input and output are configurable to 120, 208, or 240 volts. Each
of the units include an internal battery and RS232 port. The
smallest unit can be upgraded to extend the length of time
that it can run.

These units are designed for use in factory automation systems,
telemetry stations, process control computers, telecommunications
equipment, and small rack-mounted computers.

(Naor Wallach/19910514/Press Contact: Ed Coudal, Best Power
Technology, 813-966-1888)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 A 900 NUMBER THAT TALKS ABOUT 900 NUMBERS 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)

A 900 NUMBER THAT TALKS ABOUT 900 NUMBERS 05/21/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- It had to happen.
After all of the other caller-paid 900 lines offering everything
from sex to Jose Canseco, PDI Digital Marketing Group has
announced a 900 number which covers the 900 number industry.

The industry should do over $1 billion in business this year,
despite growing restrictions on it from federal and state
regulators and long distance carriers. PDI utilizes an
interactive system that allows touch-tone callers to select the
information they want to hear from several branching menus.
Further, the line supplies specific contact information for
equipment vendors, service providers, phone companies, and joint
venture opportunities.

The number is 1-900-988-5156 and a charge of 95 cents per minute
is added to the caller's phone bill.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Dennis DeLorey, PDI
Digital Marketing Group, 303-232-1901)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Communications Server From Telebit 05/21/91

05/21/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Communications Server From Telebit 05/21/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Telebit
announced the Telebit Asynchronous Communications Server, a
system for sharing a large number of modems on a local area
network. The company said it can handle 32 modems using IBM PC
AT-type plugs, or 48 modems using the newer Micro Channel plugs.
The server can also handle faster modems, and it can dynamically
allocate ports, insuring that no modems or phone lines are
inaccessible unless they are actually being used.

Each Telebit ACS port can be set up to run at speeds of up to
57,600 bits/second, the fastest in the industry. And there are
management features like audit logs and remote console features.
The 8-port ISA version of the Telebit ACS is currently available
for $3,995, while the 16-port Micro Channel model sells for
$5,995. Both include LAN license agreements for Crosstalk
Mk.4 and pcAnywhere IV/LAN.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Telebit, Mary Hopkins,
408/745-3061, or 1-800-TELEBIT)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21  ****FIRST "FUZZY" CHIP DEBUTS FROM OMRON 05/21/91

05/21/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00018)

 ****FIRST "FUZZY" CHIP DEBUTS FROM OMRON 05/21/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Omron is the first to place
fuzzy logic on a chip. Fuzzy logic deals with vague statements
and information. Omron is preparing to use this chip in its
workstations.

Omron's fuzzy chip calculates 10 FLOPS or 10 million calculations
per second employing fuzzy logic. It can also process 32,000
kinds of "what-if" questions.

Omron plans to release a computer board, which is equipped with
this chip, first. Then, the firm wants to use the chip in its
Luna series workstations.

The chip system can be used for analyzing mechanical problems of
machinery or in various expert systems. Currently, the fuzzy
concept is used in a variety of consumer electronics products
such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, electric ovens, and
air conditioners in Japan.

Prior to Omron's putting fuzzy logic at the chip level, many
computer firms employed fuzzy logic only at the software level.
Omron says the chip version is more efficient and can simplify
software development.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910520/Press Contact: Omron, +81-3-75-
463-1162)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21  ****APPLE MAKES IT OFFICIAL - 1560 LAYOFFS 05/21/91

05/21/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00019)

 ****APPLE MAKES IT OFFICIAL - 1560 LAYOFFS 05/21/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Apple Computer
will institute an across-the-board layoff of 10 percent of its 15,600
workforce this fiscal quarter, and will restructure parts of the
company in order to be more profitable.

Apple says it will take a number of other short-term and long-term
actions -- including relocating and consolidating some functions
and reducing management levels -- to reduce expenses.

The overwhelming success of the Macintosh Classic and low-cost
peripherals has forced Apple to revamp its market strategy,
from one which emphasized high-gross margins to that of a
volume dealer. Customer demand for Apple's Macintosh, the company
says, has soared, increasing unit shipments in the company's last
reported fiscal quarter by over 85 percent.

John Sculley, Apple chairman, in a press release, states that the
first component of a market share strategy - a unit sales increase
- has been accomplished. "Clearly, this has happened -- and even
faster than we anticipated. In fact, Apple is accounting for the
majority of unit growth in the personal computer industry."

He says a restructuring must now be accomplished to cut costs.
"Even though sales of our midrange and high- end computers --
which provide us with higher gross margins -- have grown somewhat
faster than the industry, the growth is not enough to offset the
impact of the dramatic product mix shift towards our low end
models. Prevailing currency exchange rates are also putting
pressure on our earnings."

Apple has reported that it expects lower gross margins, and
indeed for the quarter ending in March, revenues grew only
19% and profits were lower.

(Wendy Woods/19910521/Press Contact: Christopher Escher, Apple,
408-974-2202)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 SHUTTLE LAUNCH DELAYED BY COMPUTER AND SENSOR FAILURES 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020)

SHUTTLE LAUNCH DELAYED BY COMPUTER AND SENSOR FAILURES 05/21/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- A NASA (National
Aeronautics and Space Administration) official told reporters at
9 A.M. on Tuesday that the launch of STS-40, the Space Shuttle
Columbia, would be delayed at least 24 hours due to three
problems, two of them computer-related.

At T-11 hours NASA has halted the countdown to launch by imposing
a 24-hour standdown, pushing back the first possible launch time
by one full day even if all the problems can be fixed rapidly.

The first computer problem occurred last night when the
multiplexer and demultiplexer or MDM failed a polling test three
times, causing the system to go into a reset mode; reportedly the
system is now working properly but it is being monitored and if a
replacement is required it could take from eight to nine days
because the unit is in the aft bay 5, a difficult-to-reach area.

The MDM in question (there are 19 total on the spacecraft) is the
one that interfaces between the shuttle's GPU or general purpose
computers and the other systems on the shuttle. If a failure
occurred during flight, there is one level of backup for the MDM
and the crew could, according to NASA, switch ports and continue
operating normally.

The other computer problem occurred in the number four GPU.
Mission critical shuttle computers such as the GPUs which control
the entire flight, are run in parallel, with all systems
performing the exact same tasks and comparing results with three
computers being able to outvote a fourth which produces a
different result.

At approximately 8:10 A.M. on Tuesday, the number four GPU was
detected by the other three systems to be producing erroneous
results but it hasn't yet been determined whether the problem is
hardware- or software-related.

The NASA spokesperson told reporters that R&R or removal and
replacement of a GPU is a relatively minor problem that would
only take a few hours if it was determined that the problem was
hardware-related. An inflight failure of one GPU would not affect
the mission.

The non-computer-related problem involves some of the nine
sensors that measure the temperature of the liquid oxygen or LOX
and fuel used to power the vessel. There are two sensors for each
engine - one for fuel and one for oxygen - as well as two at the
LOX disconnect valve and one at the fuel disconnect valve.

The NASA spokesperson said that if it is determined that the
sensors must be replaced the process would take from four to five
days.

STS-40 is scheduled to carry on the most extensive life sciences
experiments since the Space Lab experiments in the early 70s and
will involve testing the reactions of many rodents and thousands
of jellyfish to weightlessness and other space-related
environmental conditions.

(John McCormick/19910521)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21  ****IBM ANNOUNCES PS/2 PRICE CUTS 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00021)

 ****IBM ANNOUNCES PS/2 PRICE CUTS 05/21/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- IBM has joined
the personal computer price cutters. On the heels of price
reductions by its arch-rival, Compaq, plus Texas Instruments,
Dell, and others, IBM has reduced prices on several Personal
System/2 (PS/2) models by six to 24 percent.

The cuts in suggested retail prices affect the PS/2 Model 30 286,
Model 55 SX, Model 55 LS, and Model 80 386.

The IBM cuts closely follow the arrival of the first PCs using
Intel's 486SX processor. "What we're really just seeing here is the
scheduled downward march of prices," said Carl Fink, a senior
manager in the management consulting group at Deloitte & Touche in
Boston.

John Ferraro, a product manager at IBM-compatible PC maker Acer in
San Jose, California, agreed that the cuts were part of the usual
industry pattern, but allowed that IBM was to some extent reacting
to Compaq's earlier cuts. He added that Acer is currently reviewing
its pricing.

IBM's Model 30 286 E01, with 1 megabyte of random-access memory and
a diskette drive, goes from US$1,845 to US$1,625. The same machine
with a 20-megabyte hard disk goes from US$2,145 to US$1,795, the
30-megabyte-disk model from US$2,295 to US$1,995, and the
45-megabyte model from US$2,495 to $2,345.

A Model 55SX with 30-megabyte hard disk and two megabytes of memory
is reduced from US$2,995 to US$2,745. The 60-megabyte version of
the 55SX goes from US$3,295 to US$2,945.

A diskless Model 55LS with a Token Ring network adapter is reduced
from US$3,325 to US$2,745, while a 55 LS with an Ethernet adapter
is cut from US$2,755 to US$2,395.

A PS/2 Model 80 386 with four megabytes of memory and an
80-megabyte hard disk is cut from US$5,495 to US$4,595. The price
of Model 80 386 with a 160-megabyte hard disk drops from US$6,095
to US$5,095. With a 320-megabyte hard disk, the Model 80 386 goes
from US$8,445 to US$7,145.

The price of the PS/2 Model 80 386 A16, which has a 25-megahertz
Intel 386 processor rather than the 20-megahertz version in the
models listed above, goes from US$8,695 to US$7,095 with a
160-megabyte hard disk and from US$11,495 to US$8,695 with a
320-megabyte hard disk.

IBM Canada also announced PS/2 price cuts, affecting these models
as well as PS/2 Model 25, Model 65, and Model 70 systems.

(Grant Buckler/19910521/Press Contact: Michael Reiter, IBM,
914-642-5368; Karen Grant, IBM Canada, 416-474-3900)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 CHAPTER 11 PETITION FOR CONCURRENT DISMISSED 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00022)

CHAPTER 11 PETITION FOR CONCURRENT DISMISSED 05/21/91
TINTON FALLS, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Concurrent
Computer's escape from Chapter 11 of the United States bankruptcy
code is official. In line with an agreement announced in March, an
involuntary petition by three bondholders has been dismissed.

The bondholders filed the petition on New Year's Eve to maintain
the relative positions of the bondholders and the bank group while
Concurrent restructured its debt.

Vic Taylor, Concurrent's director of marketing operations,
explained that the company has been trying for several months to
reduce its short-term debt to free up money for product development
and other needs.

The agreement exchanges the notes formerly held by the bondholders
for a mixture of new notes and equity in the company. The deal also
lets Concurrent defer interest payments for at least two years.

"Now that the court has dismissed the petition and with the
recapitalization process almost completed," said Denis R. Brown,
president and chief executive of Concurrent, in a press release,
"we can concentrate on our strategic planning process, focus on the
future of the company and its return to profitability during our
1992 fiscal year."

Concurrent makes real-time computer systems for the financial,
communications, public sector, technical, aerospace, and simulation
markets.

(Grant Buckler/19910520/Press Contact: Robert L. Tobias, Concurrent
Computer, 908-758-7472)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 CA FORMS JOINT VENTURE WITH BANKING SERVICES FIRM 05/21/91

05/21/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00023)

CA FORMS JOINT VENTURE WITH BANKING SERVICES FIRM 05/21/91
GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Computer
Associates has combined its banking software product line with the
business of The Newtrend Group, of Orlando, Florida, in a joint
venture.

The present owners of Newtrend will own half and Computer
Associates will own the other half of the joint venture, which will
keep the Newtrend name. Charles B. Wang, chairman and chief
executive of CA, will become chairman of Newtrend, and R.E. King,
formerly Newtrend's chairman, will be president and chief executive
officer.

Chris Maynard, a spokesman for Computer Associates, told Newsbytes
the move will bring together his company's strength in software for
commercial banks with Newtrend's stronger position among smaller
thrifts and credit unions. "Both parties stand to benefit from the
union."

Computer Associates sells Infopoint, a banking application for IBM
mainframes. Newtrend uses its Miser2 software in providing computer
services and outsourcing.

The merged company will remain in Orlando, and will employ 450
people. The company will provide services to 700 commercial banks,
250 thrifts and 70 credit unions and other types of financial
institutions.

Combined 1990 revenue for Newtrend and the Computer Associates
banking division was about US$58 million, the companies said.
Anticipated revenue for 1991 is US$68 million. Financial terms of
the agreement were not released.

(Grant Buckler/19910521/Press Contact: Chris Maynard, Computer
Associates, 516-227-3300 ext. 7129; Serge Beauregard, Newtrend
Group, 407-297-0870)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 WANG CREATES IMAGING SYSTEMS GROUP 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00024)

WANG CREATES IMAGING SYSTEMS GROUP 05/21/91
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Taking another
step in its Office 2000 strategy to refocus on office automation,
Wang Laboratories has set up an Imaging Systems Group. The new
group will handle all aspects of imaging from development to sales,
and will take charge of an assortment of image products Wang has
announced recently.

Frank Ryan, vice-president of communications at Wang, told
Newsbytes that imaging is "a very key technology" for Wang, and a
cornerstone of its renewed focus on office automation. But he would
not say what percentage of Wang's business imaging represents or
how many employees will work in the new group.

Thomas H. Willmott, vice-president of The Aberdeen Group, a Boston
industry-watcher, has called Wang's Office 2000 plan a realistic
one with a good chance of success.

David I. Goulden, formerly director of marketing strategies, has
been named vice-president of the Imaging Systems Group.

(Grant Buckler/19910521/Press Contact: Frank Ryan, Wang,
508-967-7038; Ed Pignone, Wang, 508-967-4912)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21  ****MICROSOFT RETURNS TO BASICS 05/21/91

05/21/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00025)

 ****MICROSOFT RETURNS TO BASICS 05/21/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Returning to his roots
16 years after doing the first microcomputer BASIC (for the MITS Altair),
Bill Gates has released Microsoft's Visual BASIC for Windows.

Priced at $199, the program includes a set of Windows graphics tools
that can be selected from pop-up screens, so that every object (screen
icons, graphics frame, text windows, list box, etc.) can handle
every possible Windows "event" (mouse move, button press). More
than 400 screen icons are included, and the programming tools are
designed so that third-party software vendors can add to them.

Performance was said to equal that of QuickBASIC, Microsoft's latest
BASIC product, with compiling speed of up to a million lines a minute
for simple jobs.

Gates, CEO and president of Microsoft, said that Visual BASIC was
designed to fill the void of programming tools between the upper end
with the user-hostile Windows Software Developers Kit, and Word BASIC,
the macro language of Word for Windows, at the low end.

At the announcement at the Atlanta Comdex, Microsoft officials drew
applause by writing a Etch-A-Sketch program (where mouse moves drew
lines on the screen) with one line of code.

Visual BASIC allows access to dynamic exchange and dynamic link libraries.
The software can create Windows executable files that can be copies
and distributed with any run-time package and without paying royalties
to Microsoft.

(Lamont Wood/19910521/Press Contact: Cathy Licht, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 THINKLABS INTROS COMPUTERIZED GROCERY SHELF DISPLAYS 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00026)

THINKLABS INTROS COMPUTERIZED GROCERY SHELF DISPLAYS 05/21/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Thinklabs Inc., has
introduced a computerized grocery shelf display which the company
says will help the shopper make intelligent product choices. The
first units will be seen at Kal Kan pet food displays.

The units are clipped to the supermarket shelf. The shopper
answers a few multiple choice questions, and the computer
recommends the item which best meets the customers
needs.

Clive Smith, Thinklabs president, says that consumers are deluged
with advertising, and it's becoming more difficult to persuade
potential buyers to purchase a particular product. Smith says
the best time to steer the customer to a particular product is
when they are in the store.

The Kal Kan unit asks the buyer to select the age, weight and
activity of the pet, then makes a recommendation for the best
food as well as a few suggestions about pet care. According to
Smith, "Thinklabs expects that interactive technology will be used
to sell everything from vitamins, foods, and over the counter
pharmaceuticals, to law fertilizers and batteries." He says that
the cost of such technology makes this an economical way to
educate the consumer.

(Jim Mallory/19910521/Press Contact:Clive Smith, Thinklabs,
303-773-3968)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 MOTOROLA INTROS SINGLE-BOARD UNIX COMPUTER 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00027)

MOTOROLA INTROS SINGLE-BOARD UNIX COMPUTER 05/21/91
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB)-- Motorola has
announced a new single-board computer based on the complex
instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessor. In January
Motorola announced a single-board computer based in RISC (reduced
instruction set computer) technology.

The new computer has the processor, memory, and communications
capabilities of a Unix computer on one board. The only
additional equipment required is a power supply, case and any
peripheral devices such as printer and video cards. Motorola
says the single board system can be used in all types of
workstation, multiuser systems, file servers, and automation
equipment. It can also be used for realtime and process control
applications.

The system, dubbed the MVME167, is prices at $3,995, and can
handle 20 million instructions per second (MIPS) at 25 megahertz.
The price performance ratio for the unit is less than $200 per
MIPS, which Motorola says is the lowest in the VME market.

(Jim Mallory/19910521/Press Contact:Barbara Patterson, Motorola,
602-438-3576)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 COMDEX: CANON INTROS THREE HOME OFFICE PCS 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00028)

COMDEX: CANON INTROS THREE HOME OFFICE PCS 05/21/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Canon has released three
20MHZ 80386SX-based PCs aimed at the booming home office
marketplace. The machines, announced at Comdex Spring,
are bundled with MS-DOS 4.01, Microsoft Works, Windows and a
starter kit for the Prodigy online service.

Canon is offering each of the three machines -- the C200
M50/HD40, M50/HD80 and M50/HD120 -- in four configurations:
standard, which includes the computer, keyboard, software and
PS/2 mouse; standard with the addition of a VGA monitor; Standard
with the addition of a Canon bubblejet printer and paper feeder;
and Maximum, with both a VGA monitor and bubblejet printer.

Pricing on the machines starts at $1,998 for a standard
configuration of the C200 M50/HD40, to $3,568 for the Maximum
configuration of the high-end C200 M55/HD120.

The C200 M50/HD40 has a 40MB hard drive with a 28ms access speed,
1MB of RAM (expandable to 8MB) and four 16-bit expansion slots.
Other features include VGA graphics, twin serial ports and a
single parallel port.

The C200 M50/HD80 comes with a 17ms 80MB hard drive and 2MB of
RAM. Other specifications are as with the M50/HD40.

The C200 M50/HD120 is the flagship of the range and comes with
2MB of RAM, a 15ms 120MB hard drive and a 2400 bits per second
Hayes-compatible modem. The modem occupies one of the machines
four available expansion slots.

According to a spokesman for Canon, the M50/HD40 and M50/HD120
will ship in the U.S. from next month onwards. The M50/HD80 ships
in August.

(Steve Gold/19910521/Press & Public Contact: Canon USA - Tel:
516-488-6700)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 NEW FOR PC: GeoWorks Intros Ensemble 1.2 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00029)

NEW FOR PC: GeoWorks Intros Ensemble 1.2 05/21/91
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Taking
advantage of the current popularity of Windows, particularly for
low-end PCs, GeoWorks has introduced GeoWorks Ensemble
Version 1.2.

The new version comes with Tetris, the Russian computer game,
and a number of new features including a GeoWrite spelling
checker containing a 100,000-word dictionary, and support for more
than 300 printers, including color and black-and-white
Postscript-compatible printers.

The company maintains that version 1.2 also offers international
preferences for date, time and currency; a comprehensive,
DOS-based diagnostic help system to facilitate installation; an
expanded library of 50 new program icons for the DOS Room;
several screen savers; and a library of memo, invoice and purchase
order templates for small businesses.

Version 1.2, which is scheduled to ship on June 30, will be sent
to all registered users free of charge and will be available in
retail outlets at the suggested retail price OF $200.

"We wanted to provide Ensemble 1.2 free to registered users of
version 1.0, in recognition of their early commitment to the
company and the product," said Brian Dougherty, chief executive
officer of GeoWorks.

GeoWorks Ensemble consists of the company's multitasking,
windowing, graphical environment and seven integrated productivity
applications designed to run on the full family of IBM-compatible
microcomputers from the older Intel 8086- and 8088-based machines,
right up to 386-based speedsters. Applications include word
processor, an object-oriented draw program, an address book and
automatic phone dialer, a calendar and appointment book, and
communications software.

(Ian Stokell/19910521/Press Contact: Lee Llevano, GeoWorks,
415-644-0883)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 COMDEX: MORE ON LOTUS/ATM BUNDLES 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00030)

COMDEX: MORE ON LOTUS/ATM BUNDLES 05/21/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Lotus, with Adobe
Systems, announced it will bundle Adobe Systems' Adobe Type
Manager (ATM) and 13 typefaces from the Adobe Type Library
with its Windows 3.0 version of Lotus 1-2-3. The two companies
have signed an agreement to granting Lotus the rights to
include ATM software in all Lotus applications for worldwide
distribution.

Lotus's Frank King, senior vice president of the software business
group, said Lotus plans to bundle the Adobe software with all its
applications. King said the main reason was Adobe's commitment to
cross-platform compatibility and "What You See Is What You Get,"
(WYSIWYG).

The biggest effect of this announcement for users, according
to King, is not only will ATM be available for Lotus applications,
but it will be installed and available to other non-Lotus
applications as well. At the user's option, the ATM software and
fonts will be installed during the regular installation of Lotus
1-2-3 for Windows.

John Warnock, chairman of Adobe Systems, said the move would free
users from the "ASCII prison." However, the Postscript fonts are
very slow, though they will produce printed fonts on non-Postscript
printers, as well as Postscript printers, said Warnock.
Adobe software and fonts should cause no conflicts with
the planned Window True Type, Warnock said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910521/Press Contact: Frank King, Lotus,
Tel: [phone], John Warnock, Adobe Systems, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 21 COMDEX: GATE'S WINDOWS PARTY FEATURED ROCK GROUP CHICAGO 05/21/91

05/21/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00031)

COMDEX: GATE'S WINDOWS PARTY FEATURED ROCK GROUP CHICAGO 05/21/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 21 (NB) -- Bill Gates, chairman
of Microsoft, threw a bash for Windows 3.0's first birthday at
the Omnidome in Atlanta. The party featured a concert by the
rock group Chicago on the first stop of their summer tour.

The party was by invitation only but crowds were estimated at
between 5,000 - 6,000.

Attendees were treated to free drinks, party hats, and party
horns. Party goers were kept in the dark as to what would happen,
so every event was unexpected. First the Booker T. Washington
High School marching band performed, then a dance group, followed
by fog and a spectacular laser show, after which party goers were
showered from the ceiling of the Omnidome with balloons and
confetti.

The highlight of the evening was Chicago's performance, during
which hundreds of COMDEX attendees got up and danced in
front of the stage.

Gates himself never appeared. But after Chicago took their last
bow, the announcement was made that Gates had buses waiting
outside to provide transportation to all the major hotels in
the area.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910521)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 20 NCR ENTICING RESELLERS WITH D&B SERVICES, PRODUCTS 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00001)

NCR ENTICING RESELLERS WITH D&B SERVICES, PRODUCTS 05/20/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Hoping to make itself and
its products more attractive to computer resellers, NCR has
announced that products and services from Dun's Marketing Service
will be available to all of its direct resellers. NCR signed an
agreement with Dun's, a member of the Dun & Bradstreet group.

Dun's will provide direct mail prospect lists and labels, general
prospecting data, telemarketing lists, market analysis profiles,
and management reports for sales tracking and management control.
NCR said resellers can use the lists and data with its direct mail
and telemarketing programs.

NCR said its ValuePlan cooperative funding program will reimburse
resellers for their database service expenses. The offer is open to
all NCR direct resellers, company spokeswoman Dawn Mellon said.

(Grant Buckler/19910517/Press Contact: Dawn Mellon, NCR, 513-
445-5278)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 AUSTRALIA: OSF TO TALK WITH LOCALS 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIA: OSF TO TALK WITH LOCALS 05/20/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- The Open Software Foundation
(OSF) has held talks with three local "high-fliers" of the computer
market as part of its aim to move into the Asia-Pacific Region. The
OSF is a non-profit consortium sponsored by IBM, DEC, Philips,
Hewlett-Packard (HP), Siemens Nixdorf, and Hitachi.

The main aim of the OSF was to find viable alternatives in open
systems' operating systems. The OSF operating system is claimed to
be compatible with both Unix and Xenix.

Marie Burch, manager of international operations for the OSF,
met with local representatives of HP, DEC and IBM to discuss
the move into the Asia-Pacific region. The foundation expects
to have a presence in the region by the end of the year,
either full- or part-time. Birch also reiterated plans to
make the whole OSF self-sufficient by the end of 1992, rather
than dependent the sponsoring companies.

(Sean McNamara/19910520)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 ORACLE SEEKS ASIA-PACIFIC ALLIANCES 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00003)

ORACLE SEEKS ASIA-PACIFIC ALLIANCES 05/20/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Oracle, one of the world's
largest software manufacturers, is currently seeking Australian
companies with ready-to-market programs and expertise to offer to
the Asian market. The search is part of Oracle's move into the Asia-
Pacific market, which it sees as a market with great potential in
the long term.

Derek Williams, newly appointed vice-president of the Asia Pacific
region for Oracle, said, "We're looking for a transfer of skills
from Australia to Asia." To be based in Singapore, the Asia-Pacific
regional office will take in the whole of Asia (except Japan),
Australia, and New Zealand. Japan will have its own regional office
as Oracle believes it merits a separate operation. The region
currently accounts for 15 percent of Oracle's US$984M revenue, and
Oracle expects the size of the market to triple in the long-term.

The company sees Australia as a strong basis for its operations in
the region due to the country's level of expertise in the software
industry. The alliances will bring benefits to both companies.
Oracle will gain quick access to predeveloped products and
expertise and the software companies will gain quick access to the
Asian market.

(Sean McNamara/19910520)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 WHAT IS MULTIMEDIA ANYWAY? 05/20/91

05/20/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00004)

WHAT IS MULTIMEDIA ANYWAY? 05/20/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) --
Market Intelligence Research Corp. (MIRC) says multimedia is
computing and home entertainment merging together as the
"wave of the mass consumer's future." Multimedia is defined
by MIRC as the presentation of text, graphics, animation,
sound and video that can be viewed on a computer or other
output screen, and is run by a microcomputer.

The company claims multimedia is not offering new systems,
but is providing new ways to handle existing information and
links to various ways of presenting that information.
However, the company claims that multimedia needs declining
prices, understandable technology and the concept of
multimedia itself understood for the expected growth to take
place.

MIRC claims to have a crystal ball into the multimedia
future, based on reports from marketing and technical
experts, and past industry performance and it claims it
verifies the information through secondary sources. MIRC has
put together a report, U.S. Multimedia Hardware and Software
Markets: Emerging Opportunities in the PC Arena, that states
that 1990 revenues in multimedia are expect to be at $346.1
million, but are predicted to increase 867% to $3 billion by
1997.

MIRC attributes the predicted growth to decreasing hardware
prices, emerging international standards and proliferating
compression/decompression that allows for greater capacity
for storage. The company is also predicting the IBM personal
computer (PC)-based multimedia market will "soon take off"
because it is the market with the largest installed base.
The Macintosh market is also a factor because it is more
conductive to audio, video, graphics and animations.

MIRC is also predicting non-platform specific products will
multiply, meaning vendors will provide products that will
run on a variety of computers, rather than the current
practice of offering a variety of versions of the hardware
or software.

The U.S. Multimedia Hardware and Software Markets report is
289 pages of estimation of what parts of the multimedia
market will grow and what parts are expected to decline, new
technology trends, end user product forecasts, gross
projections, and competitive analysis of the main players in
the current market, according to Amy Emerson, public
relations manager for MIRC. The report is available for
$1295 from MIRC, 2525 Charleston Road, Mountain View,
California, 94043, Tel: [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910516/Press Contact: Amy Emerson, MIRC,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 NEW FOR PCS: Windows-Compatible Fax Card 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)

NEW FOR PCS: Windows-Compatible Fax Card 05/20/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Calculus Inc.,
has introduced EZ-Faxit for Windows 3.0, a PC-compatible fax card
and fax software compatible with Windows Release 3.0. The new
product allows Windows users to send and receive fax in
background from any windows 3.0 application.

Calculus spokesperson Chris Claudatos says EZ-Faxit requires as
little as 4K (kilobytes) of conventional memory to operate.
Memory requirements are a real concern with systems that have
mouse drivers, network shells and memory-resident programs,
called TSRs (terminate, stay resident), since those type of
programs are subject to the DOS 640K cumulative limit.

To use EZ-Faxit, the user selects the appropriate choice from the
Windows printer dialog box. EZ-Faxit can fax any fonts or
graphics from a Windows application, and is compatible with
Adobe's Type Manager and Bitstream's Facelift programs.
Documents are translated to fax format on the fly, and EZ-Faxit
can concurrently send and receive faxes, convert a document to
fax format, scan pages and print received faxes while a
foreground Windows application is running.

The program includes a GUI (graphical user interface) which
provides for screen display of received faxes and screen preview
prior to transmission, as well as phone books for pre-chosen
addresses and group address capability. Fax files are
automatically erased at the end of a time period chosen by the
user. The original source document is retained.

Other features include the ability to turn the PC's speaker on to
monitor fax call progress, control of maximum line transmission
speed, a choice of touch tone or pulse dialing, and the ability
to re-send only un-sent pages, such as when transmission is
interrupted. The fax header line can be edited.

The fax card is a half-card, and is self configuring, eliminating
the need for the user to set dip switches or jumpers, and does
not use a communication port. The unit is available in 4800 and 9600 baud
version, priced at $299 and $499 respectively. Claudatos says
the product is certified both for Artisoft LANtastic and Novell
Netware networks.

(Jim Mallory/19910514/Press Contact:Chris Claudatos, Calculus,
408-733-7800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 NEW FOR PCS: Prokey Plus Release 5.1 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)

NEW FOR PCS: Prokey Plus Release 5.1 05/20/91
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Rosesoft has
started shipping Prokey Plus Release 5.1, its upgraded keyboard
macro program for DOS machines. The company says the new program
includes more than a dozen new features. Macro programs allow
users to assign a series of keystrokes to a particular key.
When that key is pressed, the keystrokes automatically play back.

Rosesoft says Release 5.1 includes compatibility with CGA, EGA
and VGA monitors, flexible date and time formats such as European
and military an events scheduler to execute commands at specified
dates and times, a cut and paste feature, to move text within a
program to another program, fill in the blanks fields, and the
ability to call one macro from within another.

Prokey can store up to 9000 characters for each macro, and a
Windows version is also available. The program comes in a full
features version which requires 66K (kilobytes) of RAM (random
access memory), or an abbreviated version which takes only 40K of
memory. Rosesoft says it has sold more than 150,000 copies since
Prokey was introduced in 1982.

(Jim Mallory/19910514/Press Contact:Mary Gray, Rosesoft GM,
206-562-0225, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 NEW FOR PCS: Beckertools V.2 For Windows 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)

NEW FOR PCS: Beckertools V.2 For Windows 05/20/91
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Abacus
today releases Beckertools V2 Plus, a file and data management
utility running under Windows.

Main features of the upgrade are disk defragmentation, file/disk
recovery, and files backup and restore. The program also
includes such disk and file management capabilities as diskcopy,
delete, undelete.

Beckertools V2 Plus adds Beckercompress, BeckerRecover and
BeckerBackup. Beckercompress collects the various pieces of your
files, which are scattered in various sections of the hard drive,
and stores the entire file in one place. Hard drives which have
been defragmented usually perform significantly faster,
depending on the amount of fragmentation prior to running the
program. Beckercompress runs as a stand-alone Windows
applications, but no other Windows applications can be active
concurrently.

Beckerbackup is a file and disk backup and restore utility which
can backup entire disks or only the files that have been changed
since the last backup. Wildcards (selecting all the files that
have an extension of .doc, for example) are supported, as is data
compression to save backup disk space.

Beckerrecover checks and repairs common file and disk drive
problems such as corrupted FATs (file allocation tables, which
allow the computer system to know where to look for your files),
improperly chained clusters, or corrupted files.

George Miller, director of software development, told Newsbytes
that Beckertools V2 Plus is being shown at the Windows World Show
in Atlanta. Suggested list price is $129; currently registered
users of V2 are eligible for a free upgrade. Three levels of
use, from novice to expert, can be selected, with each level
adding additional features.

(Jim Mallory/19910514/Press Contact:Jim Oldfield Jr., Abacus,
616-698-0330, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 GTE INTRODUCES NEW CELLULAR CREDIT-CARD TELEPHONE 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

GTE INTRODUCES NEW CELLULAR CREDIT-CARD TELEPHONE 05/20/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- GTE Mobile
Communications has introduced a cellular credit-card telephone
that provides hands-free operation, on-hook dialing and
telephone-number display. Also, for the first time, consumers
using this credit-card phone may plug in facsimile machines or
lap-top computers. GTE has added the AT&T credit card to those
already accepted, and the phone can be tailored to accept almost
any other type of credit card.

Among the features are a display which can display the number
you're calling from, so you can leave messages. And if you forget
to push the send button, the phone automatically dials the number
after a delay of only five seconds. Cellular credit-card phones are
used in limousines, rental cars, taxi-cabs, recreational and
commercial ships, and buses. More than 10,000 credit card
telephones are in use across the United States and Canada.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: GTE Mobile, Janet
Henderson, 713-586-1418)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 MOSCOW: MAJOR E-MAIL SERVICE DOUBLES CAPACITY 05/20/91

05/20/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00009)

MOSCOW: MAJOR E-MAIL SERVICE DOUBLES CAPACITY 05/20/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Relcom, the Soviet
Union's largest dedicated electronic mail system has upgraded
its Moscow facilities to double throughput. Relcom network
representatives say a Micro VAX machine was installed in the
firm's headquarters in downtown Moscow and the number of
dial-up phone lines was doubled from 10 to 20 at this location.

The largest computer communications outlet, Sprint Network
USSR, has at the moment 32 incoming phone lines.

Users have reported to Newsbytes an increase in the Relcom
service's reliability after this computer installation.

Relcom offers electronic mail connections with the outside
world for Soviet customers, charging them in nonconvertible
Soviet rubles only.

The new machine was named KremVAX as it is only a 10 minute
walk from the Kremlin in the heart of the Moscow. Newsbytes
recently received an electronic mail message postmarked with this
name. However, for the moment Relcom has stopped postmarking
the name on e-mail messages due to the fact that this name
for years was, along with "KGBVM," a popular worldwide joke
name for an electronic mail server.

(Kirill Tchashchin & Igor Vyazanitchev/19910517/Press contact:
Dimitry Volodin, Relcom, phone [phone]; fax +7 095
233-5016; e-mail [e-mail])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 ESTONIA: COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY RESTRUCTURED 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(MOW)(00010)

ESTONIA: COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY RESTRUCTURED 05/20/91
TALLINN, ESTONIA, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- The government of
the Estonian Republic has decided to form two companies to
serve the state interest as a replacement for the single
Ministry of Communications. Eesti Telecom will run all
electronic communication services in the republic, while
Eesti Post will be engaged in mailing services.

Sources say the move was made to separate Estonian communication
services from those conducted by the Soviets, as well as to reduce
bureaucratic red tape.

Transition to the new structure is to be completed within the
next several months, press reports say.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 MOSCOW: APPLE OFFICER FEATURED IN TV SHOW 05/20/91

05/20/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(MOW)(00011)

MOSCOW: APPLE OFFICER FEATURED IN TV SHOW 05/20/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Greg Borrowsky, Apple
Computers U.S.S.R. business development manager, has briefly
described company plans for the Soviet market in a television
interview. It was the first appearance of an Apple
representative on Soviet TV.

Mr Borrowsky said in a 5-minute speech to the "Personal Computers
World" show that localization of Macintosh software will be
completed "in a matter of months."

"We are broadening our contacts with local companies with an
already-developed marketing infrastructure in the country.
It will be the our way of entering the Soviet Union with
leading computer technology," he announced.

The Apple representative announced that the company doesn't
plan to make a fast profit on the Soviet market. "We would
like to provide [the country] with leading technology and
customer support. We wish to help build a new society in
the Soviet Union," he added.

Mr Borrowsky did not mention, probably due to the short time
available, a Warsaw, Poland-based Apple Central Europe
Corporation which was formed last month by Apple to conduct
expansion in U.S.S.R. and other Eastern Europe countries.

Asked why company did not participate in the Comtek'91 computer
show in April, Mr Borrowsky told the host that there was
no software nor hardware available for this market at the
time of the exhibition. Comtek organizers, DEC representatives
and an industry expert told Newsbytes that Apple had actually
bought Comtek space but after a dispute with an undisclosed
Soviet company, let DEC use its non-refundable exhibition
booths.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 AUSTRALIA: RETURN OF THE TODAY CLIENT/SERVER DEV'T SYSTEM 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00012)

AUSTRALIA: RETURN OF THE TODAY CLIENT/SERVER DEV'T SYSTEM 05/20/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Computer Power Group (CPG)
has released a new version of Today, a commercial applications
development system. CPG purchased rights to the program after
the original developers, local company BBJ, went into
receivership.

The new version of Today, Today Client/Server, is aimed at the
client/server development market and has involved AUS$11.3M in
R&D (research and development) by CPG. The company's interest
in the client/server market was sparked by a survey by leading
British analysts, Ovum, which found that by 1996 23 percent
of the applications development market would be held by
client/server systems.

The development has been carried out with National Australia Bank
(NAB), one of Australia's largest banks. According to John Field,
general manager of CP Software, the development "was prompted by a
combined NAB-CPG perception that the needs of commerce for
enterprise-wide development tools were not being addressed." The
system includes a "bridge" which allows users of the original Today
to upgrade their existing applications without the need to rewrite
code. The system will be marketed worldwide by CPG and
Hewlett-Packard. The comarketing agreement is the first of a
series which the companies recently announced.

(Sean McNamara/19910516)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 ELECTRONIC LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG/BRITISH COMPUTING GROUPS 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00013)

ELECTRONIC LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG/BRITISH COMPUTING GROUPS 05/20/91
TSIMSHATSUI, KOWLOON, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- The launch
of an international electronic connection between the
Hongkong Computer Society (HKCS) and the British Computer Society
(BCS), known as Information Exchange, was celebrated simultaneously
in London and Hong Kong by a live video conference for the ribbon
cutting ceremony.

Hong Kong Computer Society's (HKCS) Bulletin Information Systems
Special Interest Group (BISSIG) founder, Dorothy Chan, laid claim
to the information technology milestone at the Society's 21st
anniversary bash at Kowloon's Regent Hotel.

BISSIG, which is supported locally by AST and Digital Equipment, has
been running very successfully for more than three years. Judy Lau,
joint founder of the bulletin board service (BBS) with Chan, has been
in London on assignment and was able to coordinate the UK end of
Information Exchange.

Messages and other information will be exchanged between BISSIG and a
BCS equivalent system, installed in the UK by AST. The 2,500 members
of HKCS will be able to communicate regularly via electronic mail
with their 40,000 counterparts in the British society.

The equipment for the event was provided by HK Telecoms International
and leading local film services contractor, Salon Films. The ceremony
immediately preceded HKCS' 21st anniversary dinner.

AST Europe has donated a 486 PC system for the UK BCS system, which
will be similar in function to BISSIG in Hongkong. The BISSIG 386 PC
host in Hongkong was also donated by AST. The two machines will run
the Major BBS software from the USA. It is intended to build both
systems into practical and useful on-line information services, in
addition to the regular electronic mail and forums which will exist
between the Societies.

This linkage program is not merely a "connection" between Hongkong
and UK. It will also serve as a node to other countries in Europe
Chan said.

Initially the British Computer Society will be the major user and
contributor to the European node, but other professional
organizations in UK, such as IEE, the Open University, and London
Chamber of Commerce have also promised to contribute. Various
information technology related bodies in Europe are also expected to
come on stream.

In Hongkong, more BISSIG contributors are expected to develop an
interest in the international hook-up, which may eventually include
other professional bodies, user groups, and even members of the
general business public.

Cable & Wireless worldwide is supporting the Information Exchange
project and the UK's Mercury Data - a Cable & Wireless subsidiary -
has already committed weekly data communication time for file and
message transfers. Final details are yet to be worked out, but the
linkage is planned to commence at the end of this month. HKCS is
negotiating a similar level of support with the HK Telephone Company.

HKCS is hoping to establish similar links with professional
information technology bodies in other countries.

(Norman Wingrove/19910517/Press Contact: Dorothy Chan, BISSIG,
Tel + 852 253 595, Fax + 845 2070; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 MAJOR HONG KONG SHIPPER SAILS WITH ORACLE, SEQUENT 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00014)

MAJOR HONG KONG SHIPPER SAILS WITH ORACLE, SEQUENT 05/20/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- The Hong Kong-based Wallem
Group of companies with 220 ships currently under management, has
chosen hardware and software from Sequent and Oracle for a
system to manage its growing fleet.

After evaluating proposals from several leading system integrators
and vendors, Wallem says, it eventually chose custom designed
software from Oracle Complex Systems Corporation (OCSC) running on a
Sequent Computer Systems' Symmetry '81 (S81) computer.

"When it comes to using information technology, the shipping industry
in general has not advanced as far as other industries such as
banking, manufacturing and retail," said Rod McGregor, Wallem
Services' information systems department manager. "Ship managers have
a variety of complex operations and procedures to keep track of at
all times and without a powerful electronic communications system,
this would be almost impossible in today's competitive environment."

OSCS program manager, Brian Garnichaud, said flexibility, a strong
growth path, and open systems were prime considerations in the
selection of Sequent hardware.

The S81 runs Dynix, Sequent's Unix-based operating system, selected
for its scalability and portability, according to Wallem.

An international team from OCSC, together with Wallem staff, is
designing a ship management system using Oracle CASE products.

(Norman Wingrove/19910517/Press Contact: Stuart Bagshaw, Sequent,
Tel + 852 805 1212, Fax + 852 850 7112; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 CELLULAR PRIVACY DESIGNED FOR DESERT STORM GOES PUBLIC 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00015)

CELLULAR PRIVACY DESIGNED FOR DESERT STORM GOES PUBLIC 05/20/91
HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- GTE
Mobilnet has just announced the addition of a service for
customers to scramble conversations on cellular calls to
prevent illegal monitoring by people with scanners or other
devices. The company said the scrambling service will be
available to Northern California customers in early June,
and is expected to expand to the Pacific Northwest and
Hawaiian Islands in coming months.

The scrambling service requires a device connected to the
mobile or transportable phone, and the addition of the
service to the customer's number by GTE, according to Tony
Frank, market manager for GTE Mobilnet's Pacific Region.

The scanning of private cellular conversations is illegal,
but isn't possible to prohibit without the scrambling
device, according Janet Henderson, of GTE in Houston. GTE
says this system was developed because some customers --
mostly government accounts and defense contractors -- are
concerned about the illegal monitoring of the radio waves
over which the mobile-telephone signals move.

The technology is based on mobile cellular equipment
prepared by the GTE Government Systems Group for Operation
Desert Storm, Henderson said. "We're fortunate in that the
branches of GTE work together, and we could take advantage
of the work of systems group."

Henderson went on to explain that the danger of being
monitored is not as severe as people might think. "The
danger in being monitored really lies in being stuck in
traffic or stationary for a period of time. Traveling at 55
miles per hour on the freeway in heavily populated areas
like Los Angeles, there are so many cell sites, a listener
would have a pretty tough time staying with your
conversation. A listener would have to scan somewhere in the
neighborhood of 416 cell sites to pick up your conversation,
and after you went 2 blocks, they'd have to scan all 416
sites again."

"However, we do have those customers who are concerned about
their privacy and have sensitive issues they want protected.
This service is targeted at them," Henderson said.

"With this system, the voice quality is excellent and the
scrambling doesn't delay the conversation," Frank said. "An
eavesdropper with a scanner will hear unintelligible noise."

Frank said the device, which is about the size of a pocket
calculator, will work for installed car and transportable
cellular phones -- but not handheld mobile telephones. It
can easily be installed by customers between a mobile
telephone's handset and the transceiver.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910517/Press Contact: Janet Henderson,
GTE Mobilenet, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 AUTODESK PROMISES WINDOWS SUPPORT FOR AUTOCAD 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00016)

AUTODESK PROMISES WINDOWS SUPPORT FOR AUTOCAD 05/20/91
GUILDFORD, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Autodesk has
announced that its popular AutoCAD computer-aided design software
is finally to make it into the world of Windows.

According to the company, a Windows extension kit is under active
development and the firm is promising shipment in the first half
of next year. The kit will enable users to run AutoCAD Release II
under DOS, under Windows, or in both environments interchangeably.

The new kit will offer context-sensitive help with hypertext
links and Windows features like the clipboard and Dynamic Data
Exchange (DDE). It will be available at a nominal price to
registered users.

"Just as Windows is a complementary product for MS-DOS, the
AutoCAD Windows extension kit is a complementary product for
AutoCAD Release 11," said Mike Sutton, AutoCAD's managing
director.

"Our approach to supporting Windows in the short term provides
our DOS customers with an easy and inexpensive way to combine the
power and performance of AutoCAD 386 with the productivity gains
and ease-of-use of a popular windowing environment. At the same
time, our announcement signals Autodesk's intent to support more
advanced and more powerful versions of Windows as these become
available," he added.

(Steve Gold/19910517/Press & Public Contact: Karen Hiscock - Tel:
Autodesk 0483 303322)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 UK FIRM LAUNCHES WORLD'S SMALLEST DESKTOP PC 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00017)

UK FIRM LAUNCHES WORLD'S SMALLEST DESKTOP PC 05/20/91
REDHILL, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Tiny Computers
claims to have launched the world's smallest desktop PC --
the Tiny PC measures 210 x 73 x 133mm and sells for just UKP 299.

The base model is built around a 10MHz V30, though a 12MHz 80286
version is also available. A single 3.5-inch disk drive is
provided (a second is available), plus serial, parallel, games
and mouse sockets.

The operating system supplied is DR-DOS 5. Display output is
through a PAL modulator, allowing normal TV sets to be used. The
firm sees its main market being education and home users.

The firm also announced its Building Blocks range aimed at VARs
(value-added resellers) and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
These are basic PCs plus a range of disk drives, video
cards, and other add-ons that allow the dealer to build machines
to a customer's specifications. The base machines cover 80286,
386SX, 386DX and 80486 processors and start at UKP 249.

(Steve Gold/19910517/Press & Public Contact: John Harris, Tiny
Computer Company 0737 779511)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 NEW FOR MAC IN UK: Microsoft System 7 Products 05/20/91

05/20/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00018)

NEW FOR MAC IN UK: Microsoft System 7 Products 05/20/91
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Microsoft has
started shipping in the UK Excel 3.0, Mail 3.0 and Office 1.5 for the
Macintosh following the long-awaited arrival of Apple's System 7.0
operating software for the machine.

Microsoft claims the new versions take full advantage of System
7.0's new features, which include multitasking, Balloon Help
screens and sophisticated data exchange facilities. The firm has
also promised a further nine Macintosh announcements, including
two new products, during this year.

Excel 3.0 sells for UKP 345, with an upgrade deal of UKP 75 for
people who purchased the previous version before 9 Jan 1991 and
free to those who bought after that date. It will run on System
6.0.2 and higher, but some features require System 7.0.

Microsoft Mail sells for UKP 275 and is available for networks in
5- and 10-packs at UKP 270 and UKP 459. Single user versions can
be upgraded for UKP 55. Microsoft Office will sell for UKP 595
until 1 Aug 1991, and UKP 645 after this date.

(Steve Gold/19910517/Press & Public Contact: Arlette Cox,
Microsoft - Tel: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20  ****CAMCORDER WITH 100X ZOOMING TO DEBUT 05/20/91

05/20/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00019)

 ****CAMCORDER WITH 100X ZOOMING TO DEBUT 05/20/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Hitachi has developed a VHS
camcorder with the zooming feature which enlarges an image by
100 times. It is called the "VM-5400A" and will sell for
$1,400 in the U.S. this September.

Normally, a zoom lens capable of this kind of image reduction
would weigh too much to be practical in the consumer market.
Hitachi has solved the problem of weight by using a
digital signal processor or a DSP. Hitachi has incorporated
digital zooming technology into this camcorder. Even though
the actual lens can only magnify an image by 8 times, the
image is enlarged up to 100 times by this digital signal processor.

With this digital signal processor, the camcorder is small
and lightweight. Also, it consumes less electricity. Hitachi
plans to use this digital signal processor in an 8-mm
camcorder soon.

According to the Nikkei newspaper, the 3.2 million units of
camcorders will be sold this fiscal year. This is an 8 percent
increase over the previous term. The 8-mm camcorders have taken
over sales from VHS camcorders in Japan, and it is expected
that the U.S. market will gradually follow suit.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910520/Press Contact: Hitachi, +81-3-
3258-2057)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 IBM JAPAN PROVIDES OS/2 & MCA INFO TO 3RD PARTIES 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00020)

IBM JAPAN PROVIDES OS/2 & MCA INFO TO 3RD PARTIES 05/20/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- IBM Japan will release
technical information concerning OS/2 and Micro Channel
Architecture (MCA) to third party hardware and software makers,
says the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper. This is a move reportedly
instigated by IBM Japan's Open Architecture Developers' Group
or OADG, which is wasting no time in its attempts to
gain PC market share in Japan.

IBM Japan organized OADG in April, and has already started releasing
technical information on IBM's personal computers. The first
batch of information had to do with the intricacies of VGA and
the DOS/V operating system. This time, IBM Japan will provide
OADG member firms with information on its 32-bit personal
computers, according to the Nikkan Kogyo. The information is
expected to cover OS/2, Micro Channel Architecture, and the XGA
high resolution display standard (1,024 x 768 pixels).

IBM Japan Vice President Nobuo Mitsui was quoted by the Nikkan
Kogyo newspaper saying that "the success of the OADG depends
on cooperation from third parties including peripheral makers,
dealers, publishers and seminar organizers."

Meanwhile, IBM Japan has signed a distribution agreement with
Japan's major software dealers, which are Softbank, Software
Japan, and Softwing. The agreement calls for sales of IBM
Japan's application programs for personal computers by these
software dealers. So, a major battle is shaping up among
Japan's three major personal computer groups -- IBM PCs,
Apple's Macintosh, and NEC's PC-9801.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910520/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-3586-
1111, Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 MITSUBISHI WORKING WITH HP ON RISC WORKSTATION 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00021)

MITSUBISHI WORKING WITH HP ON RISC WORKSTATION 05/20/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Mitsubishi has signed a business
agreement with Hewlett-Packard which calls for Mitsubishi
to sell HP's workstations under Mitsubishi's brand name.

In this agreement, HP will supply its RISC (reduced instruction
set computing)-based workstation called the HP Apollo 9000
series to Mitsubishi on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer)
basis. The high-end version of HP's Apollo has a processing
speed of 76 MIPS (million instructions per second). The workstation
will be sold to universities, laboratories, and financial firms
which require major scale calculations.

Mitsubishi will sell HP's products as the "Melcom-Me RISC series."
The list price will be between 2.26 million yen ($16,700) to
8.61 million yen ($63,700). Mitsubishi will start marketing these
machines in September.

Currently, HP is marketing its workstations through its joint
venture Yokogawa-Hewlett Packard in Japan. In an agreement with
Mitsubishi, HP expects to gain a 20 percent share of the
workstation market in Japan.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910520/Press Contact: Mitsubishi Electric,
 [phone], Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 COMDEX: SAMSUNG SLASHES PRICES; INTROS NEW PCS 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00022)

COMDEX: SAMSUNG SLASHES PRICES; INTROS NEW PCS 05/20/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Mirroring similar
moves in the U.K. market earlier this year, Samsung Information
Systems America has slashed pricing on its 16 MHz Notemaster range
of notebook PCs. At the same time the computer giant has cut
pricing on its LAN workstations and file server systems.

On the new products front, Samsung has announced a RISC-based X-
terminal system, a high end file server PC, and additions to the
company's notebook computer families.

So why the flurry of activity from what many perceive as the
sleeping giant among the computer manufacturers? According to
Mike Hong, president and CEO of the company's U.S. operations,
Samsung Information Systems America is evolving technologically.
"Our goal is to competitively price these solutions so that more
and more users can reap the price/performance benefit," he said.

The largest price cuts are on the Notemaster 386S/16 with
a 20MB hard drive, which falls from $3,999 to $2,799 -- a price
fall of 30 percent. Pricing on the 40MB version falls
to $3,099 -- down 28 percent. The 60MB model falls 24 percent,
from $4,499 to $3,399.

On the desktop PC front, Samsung has shaved an average of 10
percent on its Deskmaster series, while on the LAN products side,
the cuts range as high as 25 percent.

Further upmarket, Samsung has unveiled its first Unix-only
product, the SGS-19X Windows Systems Terminal, an 18-inch
monochrome X-terminal based on the Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
29000 RISC microprocessor. In addition, the company announced the
Systemmaster 486/33TE, a 33MHz Unix-compatible version of its
80486-based EISA (extended industry standard architecture) bus
machine. Pricing on the machine, which is designed for between 8
and 12 node networks, comes in at around the $31,000 mark,
although an entry-level system costs $7,699.

(Steve Gold/19910520/Press & Public Contact: Samsung Information
Systems America - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 COMDEX: Xtree Intros Xtree Easy 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00023)

COMDEX: Xtree Intros Xtree Easy 05/20/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Xtree Corporation
has unveiled Xtree Easy, a replacement for its Xtree basic file
management software. The package, which retails for $69 in the
U.S., and UKP 50 in the U.K., is targetted at the novice and
intermediate user.

"When we introduced the original Xtree in 1985, user's needs were
not as stratified as they are today." said King Lee, Xtree's
company CEO. "We now offer a range of products, from Xtreenet for
Novell network administrators and Xtree Gold 2.0 for power users,
to Xtree Easy for those users who don't have an interest in the
magnitude of power contained in our other products and just want
an easy to use file management package at a very affordable
price."

With Xtree being discounted down to $30 from many U.S. outlets
and even bundled with some mid-range PCs, what's to persuade PC
users to upgrade or pay more for Xtree Easy? According to the
company, it all comes down to new and improved features.

The two primary features are Menu and pull-down menus. Menu is a
point and shoot application `launch' module that, despite only
occupying 7K of system memory, shields the user from DOS using a
shell system. Pull-down menus allows users access to all the
features of the package using a `Windowsalike' menuing system.
Other features of the original Xtree package have been speeded up
in Xtree Easy.

Xtree Easy is, according to company officials at COMDEX
Spring, available immediately on both sides of the Atlantic. The
software requires a PC or close compatible with DOS 3.1 or later
and 256K of available memory to run effectively.

(Steve Gold/19910520/Press & Public Contact: Xtree Corporation -
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 COMDEX: Go Technology Updates Hot Keys 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00024)

COMDEX: Go Technology Updates Hot Keys 05/20/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Two new versions of Hot
Keys, the F-Key macro system for the Apple Macintosh, have been
unveiled by Go Technology at COMDEX. The packages were
developed to support Aldus Pagemaker 4.0 and Silicon Beach
Software's Personal Press packages. As with earlier editions
of Hot Keys, the packages combine multiple keystrokes on the
Mac into one or two keystrokes which, the company claims,
makes life easier.

As with macro software seen on the PC, Hot Keys combines basic
functions such as cut/paste, copy, undo, close, shutdown, font
size/type control and others can be easily accessed, removing the
need to click and drag through a series of Macintosh menus/icons.

Included with the two new packages is a plastic template. Despite
the inclusion of a template, the packages retail for $59.95 each.
System requirements are Mac System 6.0.2 or later, an extended
keyboard on the Mac and at least 1MB of memory.

(Steve Gold/19910520/Press & Public Contact: Go Technology - Tel:
800/468/5391 (toll free) 619/468-5391)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 COMDEX: NOORDA KEYNOTE SAYS USERS SHOULD SET STANDARDS 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00025)

COMDEX: NOORDA KEYNOTE SAYS USERS SHOULD SET STANDARDS 05/20/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Users, not vendors,
should set industry standards, said Novell President Ray Noorda
in his keynote address for COMDEX Spring in Atlanta.
Noorda proposed a multi-vendor user group called the Open User
Requirements System, or OURS, to coordinate future industry
standards around a kernal of industry consultants.

"We're in a networking phase of management, not just between
desktops but between countries and companies," he said. "We're
setting the stage for the way we'll do business in the 21st
century."

Noorda saw inspiration for the future in Novell's own history,
including its 1983 financial troubles. "We asked ourselves, in
1983, what would be our survival path," he said. "We decided our
priorities must be, first, the customers, second, our employees,
and third the shareholders." The U.S. is in similar straits
today, he said, looking for a survival path in a world where new
economic competitors like Germany, Japan, and even Eastern Europe
threaten to overwhelm us with their talent. Cooperation between
customers and vendors, outside the bureaucracy of government, is
the way to win, he said.

"Multi-vendor customers need a multi-vendor user group," he
explained. "We hope customers will come together to provide a
voice to us as suppliers and tell us what we need to supply."
While Novell is taking the lead in starting OURS, he said,
customers will control it. "The mission is to drive the computing
industry to customer priorities, rather than vendor priorities,"
he added.

OURS will conduct benchmark tests of multi-vendor product
configurations at neutral test sites. The media conducts such
benchmark tests now, Noorda said, and perhaps magazines will
continue to direct them. But users must have primary input.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910520)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20  ****COMDEX: THE SHOW IS ABOUT TO SPLIT INTO PARTS 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00026)

 ****COMDEX: THE SHOW IS ABOUT TO SPLIT INTO PARTS 05/20/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- They're splitting
up that old COMDEX of mine. The Interface Group, the show's
sponsor, said it is seeking more alliances like the one which
created the Windows World show in order to help attendees find
their way through the maze.

The second such alliance was announced during Novell President
Ray Noorda's keynote address. A networking section will be added
to next fall's COMDEX in Las Vegas, at the Mirage Hotel. "We're
going to prove networking is no mirage," Noorda joked.

Interface Group Chairman Sheldon Adelson said other, similar
deals are in the offing, and predicted that next spring's COMDEX
in Chicago will have special sections on multimedia as well as
networking. Windows World will also be a part of next spring's
show, he confirmed.

The moves came in response to 18 months of interviews with
COMDEX attendees, Adelson added, in which the show organizers
listened closely to what the market was demanding.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910520/Press Contact: Dave Kaminer, The
Interface Group, 617-449-6600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 CITIZEN INTROS SMALLEST LASER-QUALITY PRINTER FOR LAPTOPS 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027)

CITIZEN INTROS SMALLEST LASER-QUALITY PRINTER FOR LAPTOPS 05/20/91
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Citizen
announced today at COMDEX its "world's smallest" laster printer
aimed at the laptop computer market, the PN48 Notebook Printer.
"It is the first truly portable laser-quality printer," said
Bob Adam, vice president of marketing for Citizen.

Citizen claims a business letter can be produced in a little
less than a minute, and the printer handles all types of paper,
including envelopes and overhead transparencies. Citizen also
claims it is fully compatible with virtually all software
packages.

"It's two inches high, 3-1/2 inches deep, and 11-1/2 inches
wide. It fits neatly in a briefcase next to a notebook
computer," said Adam. "Now business travelers can have a
complete portable office without compromise."

The PN48 Notebook Printer is laser quality and virtually silent,
said Citizen. A typical business letter may be produced in less
than a minute at 80 characters per second. The notebook printer
handles all types of paper business people are most likely to
use, such as cut sheet paper, letterhead, labels, envelopes and
overhead transparencies.

"We've created 'on-the-road' 24-hour express service to meet
the special needs of executives away from the office," said
Adam. The standard warranty is one year, parts and labor, Adam
added. The PN48 includes a lightweight (1/2 pound) rechargeable
NiCAD battery pack and lists for $549.

For more information contact Citizen America, U.S. headquarters
are located at 2450 Broadway, Suite 600, Santa Monica, Calif.,
90404-3060; Phone: [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910520/Press Contact: Bob Adams, Citizen, Tel:[phone],
Fax:[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 BROOKTREE FILES THIRD PATENT SUIT 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00028)

BROOKTREE FILES THIRD PATENT SUIT 05/20/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Brooktree
has filed a third patent suit against Sierra Semiconductor in
the U.S. District Court for Southern District of California
charging that Sierra has infringed on three of Brooktree's
patents on its video digital-to-analog converter technology used
in its RAMDAC products.

The technology Brooktree is protecting has to do with the circuit
design of the RAMDAC product line, which is used primarily in
computer graphic systems in personal computers and workstations,
said Joe Santen, vice-president of corporate communications for
Brooktree.

This is the third suit Brooktree has file to protect its patents
on the RAMDEC circuit design. Another suit was filed earlier this
year against Samsung Semiconductor, for infringement of the same
three patents. Brooktree won a suit it filed last year against
Advanced Micro Devices on two of the circuit design patents its
attempting to protect in litigation now.

The company said the current complaint against Sierra asks the
district court to grant brooktree a preliminary injunction
preventing Sierra from manufacturing and marketing the products
covered by the Brooktree patents. The complaint also requests a
permanent injunction and damages, according to Brooktree.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910520/Press Contact: Joe Santen, Brooktree,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20  ****GCC INTROS POSTSCRIPT PRINTER FOR $1599 05/20/91

05/20/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00000)

 ****GCC INTROS POSTSCRIPT PRINTER FOR $1599 05/20/91
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- GCC
Technologies, famous for its line of printers for the
Apple Macintosh, may have the least expensive Macintosh Postscript
laser printer on the market, next to buying one used. It's
called the BLP Elite, and is said to be rock-bottom priced
thanks to the use of custom designed circuitry to create a
the most compact PostScript controller on the market.

GCC has designed the BLP Elite for optimum performance. Because of the
high-speed micro-processor used in the printer, a 16.67 MHz 68000, the BLP
Elite produces output as fast as printers costing thousands of dollars more.
The BLP Elite comes standard with 17 PostScript fonts, two megabytes of RAM,
and built-in AppleTalk(R) for sharing over a network. The BLP Elite also
features a user-friendly control panel for configuring the printer and
monitoring its status, as well as a user-adjustable "sleep mode" that
automatically silences the printer when not in use, minimizing noise while
conserving energy.

The printer processes 40 percent faster than the Apple Personal
Laserwriter NT, the company says, yet costs $1,000 less.
The controller board is less than half the size of the Personal
LaserWriter NT's and has one third the number of components, the
firm says.

The printer engine, made by Oki, processes four pages per minute
and features a "patented toner recycling system" which automatically
recycles unused toner. There is also a new edge-to-edge printing
option -- something useful for designers, engineers, and other
professionals needing to print spreadsheets and flow charts.

The software bundled with the printer includes an envelope
printing desk accessory, QuickEnvelope.

"We're proud of the technology efforts made with PostScript
printers by GCC Technologies. Technological advances like the
controller design of GCC's BLP Elite bring Adobe PostScript
printers to a new level of affordability," explained Dr. Charles
Geschke, president and COO for Adobe Systems. "The BLP Elite
clearly represents a new era for price-conscious
customers requiring the sophistication of PostScript printers."

In addition to the BLP Elite, GCC has announced a $799 PostScript
language upgrade for its PLP II QuickDraw laser printer.
For more information, contact GCC at 800-422-7777 in the US
or a local authorized dealer.

(Wendy Woods/19910520/Press Contact: Bruce Bradshaw,
GCC Technologies, 617-890-0880)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 20 NEW FOR IBM: Symantec Q&A Version 4 05/20/91

05/20/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(0000)

NEW FOR IBM: Symantec Q&A Version 4 05/20/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 20 (NB) -- Symantec is
rolling out a new version of Q&A and says it features advanced
database power, direct access to corporate data, all-new
application programming tools, enhanced natural language
interface, more flexible reporting and increased word
processing capabilities. It works with OS/2 and DOS but not
Windows.

Symantec says Q&A version 4.0 includes tools for
advanced database applications, such as posting. This lets
users post data to external databases. When used with the
external lookup command, users can create two-way links between
databases -- a feature useful for inventory and sales
tracking applications.

Q&A version 4.0 also provides a direct link to SQL, and it
includes enhanced import/export capabilities with support for
dBASE, Paradox, Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, Microsoft Word and
others.

Q&A does not work with Windows, and Symantec spokeswoman Terry
Sammonds says that the company won't discuss whether a Windows
version will be forthcoming. "We don't discuss our product
plans."

The new Q&A will ship in about 2 weeks. The cost of the program
is $399; the upgrade price is $85 from any previous version.

(Wendy Woods/19910520/Press Contact: Terri Sammonds, Symantec,
408/725-2752)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 17 Review of: Stratego, game for Mac, 05/17/91

05/17/91


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(0001)

Review of: Stratego, game for Mac, 05/17/91

Runs on: Macintosh

From: Accolade, 550 S. Winchester Blvd., Suite 200,
San Jose, CA 95128 [phone]

Price: $49.95

PUMA rating: 3.5 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach

Summary: This is Stratego. The only difference is that
you can play it by yourself on the computer.

=======

REVIEW

=======

Have you ever played the Milton Bradley game Stratego? Did you
like it? Did you like it enough that you want to play it over
and over again? Did you ever try to get others to play it
with you and not succeed? Well, if you answered YES to all
of these questions, particularly to the last one, Accolade
and Milton Bradley have teamed up to solve your dilemma.

Stratego is the computer version of the board game and it
will provide an opponent for you at any time of the day or
night.

The game comes on two floppy diskettes and has different
files for either a black and white Macintosh or a color
machine. Installation is simply a matter of dragging the
proper files into a folder on your hard disk. You can also
play from the floppies if you desire. This game is
copy-protected. The copy-protection scheme is the type
where the box yields a set of plastic dials. The game asks
you to match three of the dials up and then type in a four
digit code that shows up in a window. Not too bad, but
still bothersome.

There is a 20-page manual that thoroughly explains every
facet of the game. The manual is well written and does
not assume that you know anything about the board game.
In the package, there are also a registration card and
proof of purchase slip as well a card touting Prodigy
and a catalog of other Accolade offerings.

If you know how to play Stratego, skip the next two sections.
Otherwise, read on. The object of Stratego is to capture
the enemy's flag before he captures yours. To help you on
both the defense and the attack, you have an army of
people starting with a Marshal and ending with several
scouts. The different ranks are represented by numbers
on the pieces. 1 represents the Marshal and 9 the scouts.
Combat is determined by having the numbers compared and
the lower number wins. The losing piece is removed from
the board. If both pieces sport the same number, both
pieces are removed. There are also some special pieces.
There are bombs that will kill anyone who touches them
aside from Bombardiers (8). There is also a spy. He is
weaker than all of the other pieces and will die if any
of them attack him, but he has one special capability:
he can kill the opposing army's Marshal if he attacks first.

The board is divided into the two camps with a narrow strip
of empty space between them. There are also two lakes that
separate the battlefield. Playing is done one piece at a
time. You move one piece one square forward, then the
computer moves his piece. To attack an enemy piece you
move your piece over the top of the enemy's piece. You
will not know what kind of enemy you hit until you get
on top of it. Only then will you have the chance to see
what your enemy is and then you'll see the reaction. If
you win, his piece leaves the board and you occupy the
empty square. If he wins, your piece leaves the board.
If you tie, both pieces leave. The game ends when either
camp captures the enemy's flag by attacking it.

The game begins with a nice graphic depicting Napoleonic
soldiers attacking. This is accompanied by a short piece
of trumpet-like music sounding the charge! Then, the game
board is drawn. This is the traditional game board that
all Stratego players are familiar with. On the right is
the bin that holds all of you pieces. The enemy is
already deployed and what you see is the backs of all
of his pieces. You can modify the game to better fit
your personality. You can change backgrounds, you can
change the depiction of the pieces. You can also change
the rules. There are some special sets of rules that
you are allowed to activate or deactivate. All of these
options can modify game play. There is another option
that is very important. This is the choice of opponent
level. You can have your opponent play like a Sergeant,
Major, Colonel, General, or Marshal. The higher the
rank, the better of an opponent the computer makes.
You can also choose to play a complete campaign in which
you play five consecutive games against the different
levels. You must win all of them to complete the
campaign. If you lose any, the whole campaign is lost.

The game is completely mouse driven. You set your pieces
up by dragging them from the bin to their position. You
move them by dragging them from square to square. The
computer takes care of resolving combat and taking
pieces off of the board as needed. The computer also
arranges the pieces in the bin so that you can figure
out strategy. There is another possible window that
the computer maintains which contains a bunch of
statistics about the game. As your pieces move, attacks
get made, and resolved. The computer has a bunch of
sounds that it uses to let you know that the action
actually occurred. This starts with a clicking sound
when you move your pieces, and continues through
explosions when a bomb is attacked. The sounds can
be disabled if they bother you but I found that they
added some more excitement to the game.

When you capture the flag, a picture of a victorious
soldier (again a Napoleonic figure) comes on the screen
and a trumpet plays a victory tune. The word VICTORY
is splashed across the screen. When the music is done,
you can click on the mouse and see all of the enemy's
pieces revealed.

My impressions of this game are that it is very
competently done. There were no bugs that I came across.
The game played well and indeed, did improve as its rank
was heightened. My only concern is that this is a single
player game only. There is no option of playing this, on
the computer, against another human being. Maybe that
was the price of getting the license to do this from
Milton Bradley. Maybe it is better to pull out the
board game itself if you wish to play against another.
However, it seems like a mistake not to have this
capability.

=============

PUMA RATINGS

=============

PERFORMANCE: 4 The game plays well and quickly. There are
never any unnecessary delays and no bugs that I encountered.

USEFULNESS: 3 If you can find no other human opponent when
the mood strikes for a game of Stratego. This game can
serve as a useful substitute.

MANUAL: 4. No typos. Complete.

AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from mail and software stores.
There is a customer service telephone number but it is
not a toll-free call.

(Naor Wallach/910505)
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 MAY 17 Review of: DynaCADD, CAD for the Amiga, 05/17/91

05/17/91


(REVIEW)(GENERAL)(BRU)(00031)

Review of: DynaCADD, CAD for the Amiga, 05/17/91

Runs on: Comnmodore Amiga 2000/2500/3000

From: Ditek International, 2651 John St., Unit #3, Markham,
Ontario, Canada L3R 2W5 ph 416 479-1990

Price:  $995

PUMA Rating: 3 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Peter Jones

Summary: Professional 2D- and 3D computer-aided design
application

======

REVIEW

======

This program is new for the Amiga, but already enjoys a certain
success in the MS-DOS world. It is a comprehensive and
sophisticated two- and three-dimensional technical drawing
application which has been adapted quite well to take advantage
of the special facilities offered by the Amiga, but nonetheless
still bears some traces of its non-Amiga origin.

Ditek recommend a minimum of two megabytes of RAM, a hard disk
drive and a 68020 or 68030 processor and a 68881 or 68882 maths
co-processor, although the company says that the program will
run on a standard machine with the 68000 CPU. DynaCADD also
needs a minimum resolution of 640 by 400 pixels, so a
de-interlacing card such as the Flicker Fixer from Microway
or Commodore's own A2320 Enhancer board, and a multi-scan
monitor are also necessary, unless you own an A3000.

For this review, DynaCADD was run on my B2000 machine, which
has a Commodore A2630 board (25MHz 68030 CPU, 68882 maths
co-processor and four megs of 32-bit memory), another five
megs of 16-bit RAM (the standard one meg on the mother board
and four on a Microbotics 8-Up card), one meg of chip RAM
and a Flicker Fixer card outputting to a Commodore 1950
multi-scan monitor.

DynaCADD is packaged in a strong, plastic-clad box and
consists of two disks, a 600-page manual in a roughly A5-sized
three-ring binder, and a DONGLE!!!! The string of
exclamation marks and the upper case characters attempt (barely)
to illustrate my exasperation. For those of you with no
experience of the dongle beastie, I should explain that
it is a copyright protection device in the form of a
small (about 3cm by 3cm) block with a nine pin connector
on one side. This plugs into the joystick port. The program
checks for its presence and will not run without it.

At its simplest it just checks for a voltage but the dongle
can contain more sophisticated copy protection circuitry.
The advantage is that the legal owner is free to make as
many back-up copies as he (or she) likes, which answers
the most widely voiced criticism of programs with software
protection. The disadvantages are that: a) a dongle will
not necessarily work with all revisions of the Amiga
motherboard, and b) a dongle effectively nullifies one
of the features of the Amiga which sets it apart from
the rest - multitasking. If you have two or more
applications requiring a dongle, and only one joystick
port to play with.... you see what I mean?

Double-clicking on the DynaCADD icon brought up a screen
with the look of Workbench 2 about it, using a battleship
grey as the principal colour and employing icons and buttons
that appear to be embossed. It is mandatory to specify at
least a part and a drawing in the central dialogue box
entitled Current Drawing Parameters before clicking on
the OK button. The other parameters deal with the units
to be used: inches, feet, yards, miles, millimetres,
centimetres, metres or kilometres; the scale to be used;
and the drawing size, where you have a choice of A-E
(English standard) AA-AE (architectural) or A0-A5 (DIN).

When activating a part, another dialogue box is displayed
listing the names of existing files, and this is where a
certain inconsistency creeps in. If an existing file is
selected, the name will pop up in the space marked File
Name, and a click on the OK button will cause the program
to accept the file. However, if you wish to create a new
file, this must be typed in the File Name space, but
will not be recognised if the OK button is pressed,
but only if the RETURN key on the keyboard is actioned.

On the second and subsequent loadings of DynaCADD you
are first presented with a box offered the option of an
AUTO Load. If this is accepted, the last file saved in
the previous session will be automatically loaded.

Once the selections have been made, and assuming an
existing file has been chosen, the parameter dialogue box
disappears, and the drawing is displayed on the page. This
occupies about eighty percent of the page starting almost
from the bottom right of the screen, with the rest reserved
for the bewildering number of buttons (there are more than
300 altogether!) which need to be pressed in order to draw
things. Eleven of these are found along the top of the page
below the menu bar, and provide the viewing controls:
zooming in, zooming out, centering, scrolling, windowing,
etc. The rest are grouped in four columns down the left
hand side of the screen. Initially, only the first three
of the fifteen rows of buttons have symbols on them, but
pressing on one of these activates subsidiary blocks.

For instance,INSERT is selected. Another sixteen buttons
are activated. Click on LINE from among these. A further
twenty seven spring to life.

There is a comprehensive, context sensitive on-screen manual
available at a press of the HELP button and everything
possible had been done on the screen to enable even
impatient, irrational people like me to learn how to use
the program smoothly.

There are two tutorials which you are encouraged to follow,
one for 2D and the other for 3D. These are reasonably easy
to follow, marred slightly by instructions left over from
MS-DOS. One quickly learns that any geometric object,
be it a line, polygon, square, circle, or whatever, is an
Entity; that a Part is a three dimensional database
that defines the basic elements (an entity or group of
entities) of a drawing; and that a Drawing is the actual
page or sheet of paper on which one is working, the size
and scale of which having been defined in the Current
Drawing Parameters dialogue box.

Entities can be manipulated endlessly: turned round,
duplicated, locked into any of the three axes - X, Y,
Z, aligned with other entities, and so on. Entities
can be drawn in any of sixteen colours, with a choice
of three different thicknesses of line, twelve pre-defined
styles (continuous, dashed, etc) or a style defined by
the user. For complex drawing a pull-down menu offers
up to sixteen separate, user-definable, views (referred
to as images) of an object.

One of the powerful features of DynaCADD is that a drawing
can be built up in layers, rather like those educational
books where drawings of car engines are placed on several
pages of transparent plastic which can be turned over to
reveal the various parts. DynaCADD permits 256 such layers.
Each layer can be locked or made invisible, facilitating
the design of complicated structures.

File transfer to and from DynaCADD and most other CAD
programs is possible through the use of the popular DXF
standard. For file transfer between different versions
of DynaCADD and between implementations of DynaCADD on
different machines, the program has its own proprietary
standard, DEF (DynaCADD Exchange Format).

Once a drawing has been completed, the program allows
for the various dimensions to be added automatically
to the page. Any entity can be selected, instructions
given as to how the dimension should be shown: where
the dimension label should be placed, at what angle,
what type of lines or symbols should be used to indicate
the range of the dimension, and then the program
automatically calculates the distance involved and
places it appropriately on the page.

Text handling is well catered for, with a total of fifteen
vector fonts being provided: five from Ditek itself,
and ten AGFA Compugraphic fonts. Text is first typed
into an Edit box, and can then be placed anywhere on
the drawing, at any angle. The characters can be equally
or proportionally spaced or kerned. The height and width
of each character can be set independently, as can the
space between characters. This can be a two-edged
weapon: since characters can be any size or shape
you want, it is very easy to destroy the carefully
designed proportions of a traditional type style. I
have a Fleet Street working background, and should
have liked to have had the option of referring to
the character sizes by points. It is possible for
the user to create his own vectored fonts using a
Font Editor but, curiously, since it is covered in
the manual, it does not come with the program. It
is sent, free of charge, upon receipt, by Ditek
International,of the Product Registration card.

Three different choices are offered for turning the
results on the screen into hard copy: A plotter, a
dot matrix printer, or a Postscript printer. I selected
the dot matrix printer option. Initially, no printer was
shown, but by pressing on the Config button I was able
to select from some 21 printer drivers. There was no
driver for the Desket 500 but the LaserJet 150dpi
driver worked perfectly. Annoyingly, and despite the
fact that Ditek have gone to great pains in the rest
of the program to provide metric units and DIN paper
sizes, in the printer parameters box it is only possible
to select the sheet size for the best fit printing
option in increments of one inch. Since I use DIN
A4 paper which is just under twelve inches in length,
I was forced to drop down to the 11 inch sheet size in
order to make sure the whole drawing would fit on the
paper. This failing also applied to the postscript
printer parameters. However, the plotter parameter
box properly allowed the selection of the page size
in all the three systems allowed by the main program.

In this review, I have been able to cover only a few aspects
of this comprehensive drawing package, but in conclusion,
I think that, with DynaCADD, Ditek International broadly
succeeds in its aim of providing a high quality,
professional CAD application. I am, though, of the
opinion that more could have been, and should be, done
to make it look and perform like a 100 percent Amiga
product. A piece of paper included with the manual
states, among other things, that "All of the screen
shots, figures and dialog boxes shown in the manual
are actually from the MS-DOS version of DynaCADD.
Because of this, they will appear slightly different
than (sic) what is displayed on your Amiga monitor.
These differences are only cosmetic. The functionality
of these screen shots remains the same."

In fact, the MS-DOSness extends into the text somewhat
as well. Ditek, however, cannot expect to shrug off the
responsibility of providing an authentic Amiga product by
merely printing a disclaimer of this nature. For the high
price the Amiga user is expected to pay for this product,
he merits the software equivalent of a tailor-made suit,
not an IBM hand-me-down.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: 3. Performs very well, especially with the
68030 accelerator.

USEFULNESS: 3. If you need a professional design program,
this could be it.

MANUAL: 2. Too much MS-DOS has been left in it.

AVAILABILITY: 4. Generally available.

(Peter Jones/19910513)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 17 NEC COMES THROUGH FOR EASTERN EUROPE JOURNALISTS 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00001)

NEC COMES THROUGH FOR EASTERN EUROPE JOURNALISTS 05/17/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- The East-West
Foundation, set up to move computer technology to the former
Communist Bloc as a way to encourage development of a freer
culture, announced that NEC will donate hundreds of laptop
computers for distribution to schools of journalism all over
Eastern Europe.

Alex Randall, who heads the foundation, said the gift would
"strike a blow for the bill of rights" and could encourage other
gifts by other companies. Randall's efforts have been hampered by
demands from Soviet acquirers for state-of-the-art machines, and
supplies through his Boston Computer Exchange of older, slower
equipment. One task for East-West will be to acquire such
computers and upgrade them before distributing them.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Alex Randall, 1-800-
BOCOEXX)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 ANTERIOR TESTING MOBILE GATEWAY 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002)

ANTERIOR TESTING MOBILE GATEWAY 05/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- In a copyrighted
story released in conjunction with its Mobile Data Conference,
Mobile Data Report Washington Editor Alan Reiter reports that
Anaterior Technology of Menlo Park, California is working to
become a "middleman" between electronic mail networks and mobile
communications systems.

Anterior, which first came to attention a few years ago when it
began editing Internet conferences to give readers "only the good
parts," is now talking about its idea to such companies as Pactel
Paging, Poqet Computer, Skytel and Ardis, Reiter reports.

Anterior founder Geoffrey Goodfellow gathers Internet data over
a 56,000 bit/second leased line and distributes it using a rack
of Telebit Trailblazer modems running at 19,200 bits/second
each. The system is a gateway for Oracle and Autodesk, as well as
e-mail networks run by MCI Mail, AT&T Easylink Services and
Telemail, writes Reiter.

Skytel, the paging company, has been testing with Anterior for
two months, Reiter adds. The company is adding a second channel
and the vast majority of its pagers can handle more data, so the
company is looking to more enhanced services. Ardis, the national
RF data packet network owned by Motorola and IBM, will begin
testing the service late this year, he adds.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 MILLICOM RECEIVES CELLULAR LICENSE FOR GHANA 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)

MILLICOM RECEIVES CELLULAR LICENSE FOR GHANA 05/17/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Ghana will
implement its first analog cellular system under the TACS
standard. Millicom International, a division of Millicom of the
U.S., announced it has won the license to serve the West African
nation of 14.6 million. The company will hold a majority interest
in the concession, along with local Ghanaian partners.

The TACS cellular system in Ghana will initially serve the
capital city of Accra and the neighboring city of Tema, with
service being extended throughout the country in the future.
Initial service in Accra and Tema should begin in September 1991.
Millicom Chairman J. Shelby Bryan noted that Ghana has fewer than
40,000 telephone lines, which will make the cellular system
doubly important to the nation's economic development.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Millicom Andrea Van
Raalte, 212/755-4460)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 TOP U.S. PHONE FIRMS ALL HELPING KUWAIT 05/17/91

05/17/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)

TOP U.S. PHONE FIRMS ALL HELPING KUWAIT 05/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Phone service to
Kuwait continues to improve, as all three of the largest U.S.
long distance companies made announcements relevant to that
improvement.

AT&T announced that it has delivered two digital telephone
exchanges and an earth station to improve local service in a
deal valued at $7 million through the Kuwaiti Ministry of
Communications. AT&T said it rushed its top-of-the-line 5ESS
switches to the country less than 60 days from the initial order
-- deliveries usually take 6 months. The equipment should be
operating by the end of May. They were delivered by U.S. Air
Force cargo planes. One switch will add service to 6,000 local
phones, while the second will add to the country's ability to
handle international calls. The earth station will relay those
calls to communications satellites in space.

MCI, meanwhile, announced it has restored international direct
dial voice service to Kuwait, using satellites to link with the
nation's phone system. Direct dial calls to Kuwait are dialed
with 011 to reach the international circuits, then the 965
country code for the Persian Gulf nation. Calling card service
from the nation is expected back soon, MCI said.

Sprint, meanwhile, signed an agreement with the Kuwaiti Ministry
of Communications to install an Intelsat satellite earth station
and videoconferencing center in Kuwait City. The U.S. company
will also assist the Kuwaitis re-establish such services as
packet-switched data services, electronic mail, facsimile, telex,
and voice telephone services. Kuwait will be linked to both the
Sprintnet data network and SprintMail messaging service, as well
as the Sprint Meeting Channel videoconferencing network and the
Sprint long-distance network. Three business centers are being
set up in Kuwait to speed all this along. Services should be up
within 90 days, the company said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: US Sprint, Vince
Hovanec, 202-828-7423, AT&T Network Systems, Tom Harris, 201-606-
2471; Alan Garratt, MCI International, 914-934-6484)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17  ****TI SLASHES NOTEBOOK PRICES UP TO 48% 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00005)

 ****TI SLASHES NOTEBOOK PRICES UP TO 48% 05/17/91
TEMPLE, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Texas Instruments has
slashed prices on its TravelMate line of 286- and 386-based
notebook computers by as much as $2,300, nearly a 42 percent cut
in the suggested retail price.

The TravelMate 3000 with a 20 megabyte hard disk which was priced
at $5,499 now carries a list price of only $3,199, with similar
price cuts on other TM 3000 systems.

The 80286-based TravelMate 2000, also with a 20 megabyte hard
disk, was cut from $3,199 to $2,369.

Some comparable 386SX-based clone notebook systems with a 20
megabyte hard disk and similar features are priced below $2,000.

The 386SX-based TravelMate 3000 only began shipping last
December.

For further information, phone [phone].

(John McCormick/19910517/Press Contact: Cathy Sang, TI, 512-250-
6679)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 MAXELL INTROS HIGHER DENSITY 1/4-INCH CARTRIDGES 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00006)

MAXELL INTROS HIGHER DENSITY 1/4-INCH CARTRIDGES 05/17/91
FAIR LAWN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Maxell has
introduced a new line of one-quarter-inch data cartridges which
utilize epitaxial technology to increase the capacity of the
tapes.

Sizes for the new tapes range from the MC-2080 with an 80
megabyte capacity to the MC-6525 which holds 525 megabytes, about
the same amount as a CD-ROM disc.

The shell of the new cartridges has been improved and, according
to the company, the tape sensor holes are now larger to conform
to the ANSI/ECMA/ISO standard.

For more information, contact Maxell Corporation of America, 22-
08 Route 208, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410.

(John McCormick/19910517/Press Contact: James Sciales, Dorf &
Stanton, 212-420-8100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 SPA DROPS ANTI-PIRACY CASE AGAINST SNAP-ON 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00007)

SPA DROPS ANTI-PIRACY CASE AGAINST SNAP-ON 05/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Little noted by most
people was last week's dropping of a software piracy suit which
the SPA or Software Publishers Association had filed against
Snap-on Tools on behalf of Microsoft, WordPerfect, Ashton-Tate,
and Lotus Development.

The suit was apparently dropped when Snap-on employees were able
to convince SPA watchdogs that they were in legal possession of
the questionable software.

A former Snap-on employee had accused the company of using
pirated software, resulting in a March 20 raid where the SPA
conducted an audit of all computers and software at Snap-on's
headquarters.

(John McCormick/19910517/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-
452-1600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 VA'S EDP WINGS CLIPPED IN BUYING RESTRICTION 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00008)

VA'S EDP WINGS CLIPPED IN BUYING RESTRICTION 05/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- The General Services
Administration has cut the Veterans Affairs Department's ability
to purchase computer equipment without GSA oversight by 75
percent from $10 million to only $2.5 million.

Back in 1986 the GSA had started allowing the VA to purchase
computer systems valued at up to $10 million without approval of
the government's main purchasing watchdog but a recent
reevaluation has caused the GSA to rescind most of that
independence because of misuse of the funds.

The new cap means that the GSA must individually approve all
purchases involving more than $2.5 million in EDP or electronic
data processing equipment.

(John McCormick/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17  ****US FEDS TO INCREASE IT SPENDING BY 1.9 BILLION 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00009)

 ****US FEDS TO INCREASE IT SPENDING BY 1.9 BILLION 05/17/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- In the "So that's
where it goes" department, the Office of Management and Budget
and the General Services Administration figures show that the
federal government's spending on information technology or IT
equipment and services is growing by $1.87 billion for
fiscal 1991.

A recent Business Week quoted Index Group's survey which shows
that 400 top U.S. companies only expect to increase IT spending
budgets by an average of 5.3 percent.

In real figures, the federal government spends about $19 billion
on computer equipment each year. For comparison, the
chemical/plastics industry is the second biggest spender but that
entire group only spends about one-third as much, while the
computer industry itself will only increase spending on its own
equipment by about five percent.

(John McCormick/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00010)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

Government Computer News dated May 13 reports that the TAMMIS or
Theater Army Medical Management Information System, which uses
Melville, New York-based Miltope microcomputers, ran very
successfully in the high heat of Saudi Arabia during its
deployment for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The May issue of Boardwatch Magazine carries a cover story on
Mitch Kapor and his Electronic Frontier Foundation's defense of
electronic BBS systems, as well as a look at an Estonian BBS.
Boardwatch reports recently finding 37 active online services in
the Soviet Union. The U.S.S.R's BBS list can reportedly be found
on the Court Crimson King system at 7-3832-356722.

This week's ComputerWorld discusses the AT&T/NCR merger and looks
at IBM's position as a software giant in a changing world. Also
included is a guest editorial/viewpoint by Bill Gates concerning
Open Systems.

The Seybold Report on Desktop Publishing considers the fate of
OS/2, System 7, and the ACE or Advanced Computing Environment
consortium which involves Compaq, Microsoft, The Santa Cruz
Operation, MIPS Computer Systems, and Digital Equipment.

(John McCormick/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 POQET AND INGRAM MICRO IN DEALER PROMO 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00011)

POQET AND INGRAM MICRO IN DEALER PROMO 05/17/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- In an
effort to increase its share of the palmtop computer market in
the face of fresh competition from Hewlett-Packard's 95LX plus
a myriad of other offerings in the palmtop arena, Poqet Computer
has signed a one-month reseller registration promotion with Ingram
Micro. The program, which is aimed at Ingram's top portable dealers,
combines sales incentives and special unit pricing.

Matt Schmidt, spokesman for Poqet, told Newsbytes that the market
has got a lot more competitive since HP released the 95LX. He also
said that the fact that a major computer vendor like HP has released
its own palmtop has given credibility to the palmtop market in the eyes
of the consumer, and believes it will help sales of Poqet in the
long term.

The main elements of the program feature a New Dealer Starter Kit,
that includes a complete demonstration package and a second
Poqet PC for resale to be offered through May 23, and special
co-op advertising in which resellers earn three percent on all
Poqet products purchased through Ingram Micro from April 15
through June 30.

Some analysts believe Poqet has been feeling the pressure of the
market recently. In an attempt to boost sales the company signed a
deal with Lotus Development to provide a free copy of Lotus 1-2-3
with each new Poqet sold through June 30.

Poqet has also gone to great lengths to introduce peripherals
that work with its palmtop product. The company recently displayed
a $495 ThinCard PC Card Drive made by Databook to link the Poqet
to any standard IBM-compatible 3.5-inch drive, and a 2400
bits-per-second modem called Poqet/Modem.

Poqet also recently announced a joint development with Infonet
Services to develop products that will allow users to access
Infonet's worldwide messaging and communications services.

Schmidt told Newsbytes that the agreement with Ingram Micro has
been in effect since December 1990, and provides for the exclusive
distribution of the Poqet and related products in North America. A
company by the name of U.S. Computers has distribution rights to
Central and South America.

The Poqet PC is a one-pound, portable personal computer powered
by two AA-size alkaline batteries, and with a suggested retail
price of $1,450. The product features an 80-character by 25-line
display, a 77-key keyboard and MS-DOS 3.3. Program and data
storage is provided by two card drives.

Poqet Computer Corp., founded in 1988, is a privately held
company, part owned by Fujitsu Ltd., and headquartered in
Santa Clara, California.

(Ian Stokell/19910517/Press Contact: Robert Owens, Poqet Computer
Corp., 408-764-9465)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 FRAME TECHNOLOGY ESTABLISHES EUROPEAN HQ 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00012)

FRAME TECHNOLOGY ESTABLISHES EUROPEAN HQ 05/17/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Frame
Technology has concluded negotiations with the Industrial
Development Authority of Ireland (IDA) and plans to establish
a European support center in Dublin, Ireland.

Lisa Morgan, spokesperson for the company, told Newsbytes that
establishing a center in Dublin was "important" as Europe
accounts for 17 percent of the company's worldwide revenue.

It is intended for the Dublin operation, called the European
Operations Centre, to support Frame's European distribution network
by manufacturing and distributing localized (market-specific and
translated) versions of the company's products.

Morgan told Newsbytes that European operations were presently
"difficult to monitor" because they were conducted through the
company's California offices. She said that there would actually be
two offices in Europe, the other being in Amsterdam, the Netherlands,
which will report direct to the Dublin office.

The company maintains that the European Operations Center will
provide its European distribution partners with local
telephone-based support services, local manufacturing support,
the translation of software, documentation, packaging and
on-line help in specific European languages, software
development and quality assurance.

Morgan said that Dublin was chosen because "there are a lot of
software companies already established there," and that there is
considerable local talent. She also said that it was "financially
to Frame's advantage" to locate in Dublin.

Geraldine Kelly has been named managing director overseeing the
Dublin operation. She will be responsible for directing manufacturing,
development, order processing, support and quality assurance.

Prior to joining Frame, Kelly was product configuration manager
for Apple Computer Ltd. Previous to Apple, Kelly held program and
traffic development management positions with Shannon
Development in Shannon, Ireland.

Frame distributes its products through a network of independent
distribution partners in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Frame is a major supplier of document publishing software for
creating business and technical documents. Frame markets its
products worldwide through distributors, value-added resellers
(VARs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and directly
to end-users.

(Ian Stokell/19910517/Press Contact: Kristin Vais, Frame Technology,
408-433-3311)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 SUN DISTRIBUTES WIND RIVER REAL-TIME OS 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00013)

SUN DISTRIBUTES WIND RIVER REAL-TIME OS 05/17/91
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Sun
Microsystems Federal has signed an agreement to distribute Wind
River Systems' VxWorks real-time operating system and
development environment to its customer base.

Under the agreement, WRS will join the Sun Federal Third Party
Offerings (S3PO) program and WRS and Sun will jointly market
SPARC-based real-time embedded development and delivery
solutions.

Martin Chorich, spokesman for Wind River Systems, told Newsbytes
that, although the agreement was put together by Sun Federal, it
was intended to allow for all of Sun's salespeople to sell the product.

According to the company the agreement represents an extension
of an ongoing relationship between the two companies which began
in 1988 when Wind River Systems joined the Sun Catalyst program.
Sun then cosponsored Europe's first real-time conference in Paris
a month ago.

The agreement also calls for Wind River Systems to provide support,
maintenance and training for the products sold through Sun.

"This agreement strengthens our relationship with Sun and gives Sun
customers the most advanced real-time product, services and
support," said Mitch Bishop WRS director of marketing. "We are very
pleased that Sun has expressed its confidence in us by establishing
this partnership to serve its customer base."

Chorich told Newsbytes that Wind River sells most of its products
to contractors and systems integrators in the aerospace and process
control industries, although it was difficult to break down the company's
federal market into specific groups.

Founded in 1981, Wind River Systems Inc. develops, manufactures
and markets VxWorks worldwide.

(Ian Stokell/19910517/Press Contact: Martin Chorich, Wind River
Systems, 415-748-4100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 ALDUS SAYS ITS SOFTWARE ALREADY SYSTEM 7-COMPATIBLE 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00014)

ALDUS SAYS ITS SOFTWARE ALREADY SYSTEM 7-COMPATIBLE 05/17/91
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Aldus Corporation
says that all of its software is compatible with Apple's
System 7.0. While other companies are announcing where they
stand on Apple's compatibility charts, Aldus reports it has
been working with Apple all along and claims to have
fully tested all of its products with System 7.

The complete line of currently shipping Aldus products are fully
compatible with System 7.0, the firm reports. This includes all
of the products that Aldus acquired coincident with its
acquisition of Silicon Beach Software. The products involved
are: Freehand, Pagemaker, Persuasion, Preprint, Supercard,
Digital Darkroom, Superpaint, and Super 3D.

All of Aldus' products will immediately take advantage of the
following System 7.0 features: aliasing, file sharing, virtual
memory, 32-bit addressing, and the new Multifinder. Aldus'
future plans are to upgrade products to include support for
Inter-Application Communications (IAC), the Publish/Subscribe
facility, and AppleEvents. Aldus sees IAC as the most
important new capability offered by Apple and plan to make
significant use of this feature.

Aldus claims that users should not encounter any problems with their
current versions of Aldus products and System 7.0. However, should any
use experience any difficulties, the company encourages them to call their
technical support line (206-628-2040) and talk to a technician who may
have a workaround.

(Naor Wallach/19910516)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17  ****REPORT SAYS APPLE MAY LAY OFF 2,000 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00015)

 ****REPORT SAYS APPLE MAY LAY OFF 2,000 05/17/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Apple
Computer might lay off up to 2,000 people or 12 percent of its
workforce, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle.
An Apple spokesman would not comment on the report to Newsbytes,
but admits that the company is looking at ways to lower operating
expenses.

Apple has reported that it expects lower gross margins, and
indeed for the quarter ending in March, revenues grew only
19% and profits were lower despite an increase in volume sales --
up 85 percent. The high volume of sales was from the successful
Macintosh Classic and other low-end machines, which despite volume
sales, offer smaller profit margins than Apple's traditional,
higher-priced Macintoshes. These low-end machines sold
"faster than we expected," says Apple spokesperson Christopher
Escher. He adds that the strong dollar abroad has not helped
the company's bottom line.

Financial analysts came away from a recent meeting with Apple
with the distinct impression that a layoff was imminent, the
report says, and quotes inside sources as saying the layoff
could be as low as 600 people, or as many as 2,000.
Apple officers are meeting now, the report says, to determine
exact numbers and no final decision will be forthcoming until
next week. Then, the layoffs would occur in June.

(Wendy Woods/19910517)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 BUSINESSLAND DEALS WITH MORE CREDITORS 05/17/91

05/17/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00016)

BUSINESSLAND DEALS WITH MORE CREDITORS 05/17/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Businessland
is back on the credit track with Apple and Compaq thanks to
the services of ITT Commercial Finance. A deal just struck
with the credit firm allows Businessland to violate certain
provisions of an earlier credit agreement governing the financing
of inventory. The financing will enable Businessland to continue
to ship product to customers without interruption, the company
says.

Businessland and ITT have agreed that inventory financing under
this agreement will continue through June 30. But there is more
financing to be arranged for other vendors, which Businessland
executives are working on now.

(Wendy Woods/19910517/Press Contact: Thomas F. Pelandini,
Businessland, 408/437-4076)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17  ****ZENITH CUTS PRICES AGAIN, INTROS NEW PRODUCTS 05/17/91

05/17/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00017)

 ****ZENITH CUTS PRICES AGAIN, INTROS NEW PRODUCTS 05/17/91
BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 (NB) -- Zenith Data Systems
(ZDS) has announced that effective Monday, May 20, it will
reduce the suggested retail price of all laptop and desktop
personal computers. This will be the second price cut announced
by Zenith Data in 60 days.

Cuts will range from 12 to 30 percent, with the Z-386/33E Model
150 getting the biggest cut, a whopping $3,000. The Supersport
386SX Model 40, a portable, will be cut the least at $600.

Enrico Pesatori, ZDS president, says the price cuts are in
preparation for the five new portables and two new desktop
systems which will be introduced Monday.

Zenith Data includes a Microsoft Mouse as well as factory
installed Windows 3.0 and Dos 4.01 on all hard disk equipped
desktop units except the Model 1. The ZDS Model 1 is a Z-386/25
desktop selling for $3,699 under the new price structure, a
$1,000 reduction.

In March Newsbytes reported that Zenith Data had cut prices on
some of its 286 and 386 based PCs by as much as 11.5 percent.

ZDS is a Groupe Bull Company and has no connection with Zenith
Electronics, the firm that Newsbytes recently reported as
experiencing a struggle for control of the board of directors.

(Jim Mallory/19910517/Press Contact:Glen Nelson, Zenith Data,
708-808-4848)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 SPRINT EXPANDS ITS 800/900 BUSINESS IN FORT WORTH 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

SPRINT EXPANDS ITS 800/900 BUSINESS IN FORT WORTH 05/17/91
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Sprint
Telemedia, the company's operator of toll-free 800 and caller
paid 900 line services, announced it will build a new call center
in Fort Worth, Texas using equipment from Brite Voice Systems.

The new center will be integrated with existing centers in
Atlanta, Omaha, and Overland Park, and handle an additional 1,200
at once. The network is controlled through a command center in
Kansas City.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Brian Schoenthaler,
Brite Voice, 316-652-6500)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 U.S. ROBOTICS BUYS TOUCHBASE 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

U.S. ROBOTICS BUYS TOUCHBASE 05/17/91
SKOKIE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- U.S. Robotics has
acquired the assets of Touchbase Systems, which makes the
WorldPort pocket-sized modems for laptop computers. Touchbase is
currently the only manufacturer shipping a portable modem running
at 9600 bits/second under the V.32 modulation standard. Terms of
the purchase were not disclosed. Both companies are privately
held.

Casey Cowell, the chairman of U.S. Robotics, noted in a
statement that this is the third acquisition by his company in
the last 2 years, following the 1990 acquisition of
Communications Research Group, makers of Blast telecomm
software, and Miracom Technology, a leader in the UK modem
market, which was acquired in 1989.

As a result the deal, Touchbase will become the portable products
division of US Robotics with manufacturing and engineering for
the Worldport range of modems continuing in Culver City,
California.

According to Touchbase co-founder Mike Bernard, "the timing was
right to join the US Robotics family."

"With USR's resources and commitment to building an international
data communications business, we have a solid opportunity to
expand the market for our products," he added. As part of the
deal, Bernard becomes vice president for international sales and
marketing for USR's portable products division.

In the UK, the merger seems likely to affect the branding of
Touchbase's range of modems, which are distributed through
several reseller channels although the official licensee --
Milton Keynes-based Andest Communications -- reports that it's
business as usual, at least in the short term.

"I view it as a major opportunity for ourselves in expanding the
range and availability of Touchbase modems in the U.K.," said
Tony Sellers, managing director of Andest. "The problem is that
Touchbase has been too successful for its own good -
they have around 50 distributors round the world. The
manufacturing differences between each region's modems has
caused problems," he added.

Sellers went on to say that, because of Andest's unique
relationship with Touchbase -- extending to licensing and local
manufacture of Touchbase's modems in the U.K. - the company's
U.K. resellers are unlikely to see any difference,

"I'm pleased about the takeover. US Robotics has a larger
manufacturing base than Touchbase. It has a much bigger
engineering division which means that its support for modems is
far greater," he said.

Sellers, whose company has a 25 percent share of the UK portable
modem marketplace added: "This can only be good news for us. The
research and development and marketing resources of US Robotics
will provide the boost we need to take a commanding position in
the market."

Sellers said that, as exclusive U.K. distributor for Touchbase's
Worldport modems in the UK, he has received assurances from US
Robotics executive vice president for European operations, John
McCartney.

"We will continue to receive full support for the products as a
cornerstone of US Robotics portable modem market strategy for the
UK," he said.

(Steve Gold/19910517 & Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact:
Karen Novak, U.S. Robotics, 708-982-5244; UK - Tony Sellers,
Andest Communications - Tel: [phone]; US - US Robotics - Tel:
708/982-5010)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 ROLM, MCI TO DO JOINT MARKETING 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

ROLM, MCI TO DO JOINT MARKETING 05/17/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Rolm and MCI
announced a joint-marketing agreement under which Rolm will sell
MCI long distance services along with its private branch exchange
switches. Rolm is currently owned by IBM and Siemens. At one time
IBM had a major investment in MCI.

The program represents the first time that Rolm has offered a
carrier's long-distance services and the first time that MCI, the
nation's second-largest carrier, has entered into such an
agreement with a switching equipment vendor.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Rolm, Joyce Clark,
203/849-6736; MCI, Frank Walter, 914/933-6292)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 AMERICAN EXPRESS ENTERS TELECONFERENCING 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

AMERICAN EXPRESS ENTERS TELECONFERENCING 05/17/91
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- American Express
has entered the teleconferencing business through its American
Express Information Services unit. The unit is best known as a
processor of credit card transactions. American Express is also a
one-half owner of the Call Interactive 900-number operation,
along with AT&T.

American Express entered the teleconferencing market because
it's now worth $500 million to $600 million per year, the company
said. The company is offering flexible reservation procedures,
including the ability to have a "standing call" for, say, 8:30 in
the morning each Monday. Business travelers can also schedule
conference calls from their hotel, airport and car phones.

A wide variety of optional services, such as taping,
transcription and translation, roll call and precall
notification are also offered, along with customized billing
give a detailed summary of charges by region, division or
individual. The operation is based in St. Louis.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Owen Thomas, American
Express Information Services, 402-498-2022)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 COMDEX: DAINIPPON TO ENTER DATA CARTRIDGE MARKET 05/17/91

05/17/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00022)

COMDEX: DAINIPPON TO ENTER DATA CARTRIDGE MARKET 05/17/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- DaiNippon Ink and
Chemical, the third largest chemical company in Japan, will enter
the U.S. market for back-up data cartridges at the Comdex trade
show using the trademark DIC Digital. The company is a major
supplier of such tapes in Japan, but is not a retail brand there
because of agreements with other companies.

DIC/Digital is aiming at the high end of the market with a line
of tapes whose capacities start at 162 million bytes in the 4 mm
format, 287 million bytes in the 8 mm format. The top capacity
tape holds 2.3 billion bytes of information. They use the metal
particle tape format to greatly increase storage density. The 1.3-
billion byte tape, for example, is one-third the size of a
quarter-inch 500 million byte cartridge. Dainippon is a leader in
ultra-thin coatings of metal particles onto tape, which allows
for such high densities. U.S. sales operations will be based in
Fort Lee, New Jersey.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Steve Hoechster, for
DIC/Digital, 212-575-1976)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 SONY PLANS 2.5-INCH DIGITAL AUDIO DISC 05/17/91

05/17/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00023)

SONY PLANS 2.5-INCH DIGITAL AUDIO DISC 05/17/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Sony has begun
discussing a new 2.5-inch audio disc -- the MD or Mini Disk --
similar to the larger CD-ROM, which can contain about one hour
of digital sound and can also be used for recording, not just
playback of prerecorded sounds.

Industry insiders have been awaiting this announcement for
several years and expect that the new disc size, although
very attractive, especially for portable computers, will not
become a major factor for several years, if ever.

Sony doesn't expect to release the audio version until Christmas
season of 1992 and has not commented on the potential for a
computer data version.

Although prerecorded music is expected to be made available, the
new MD or Mini Disk system will also permit home digital
recording and it is expected to encounter the same problems that
blocked the introduction of DAT or digital audio tape when music
companies vehemently objected to the new tape's ability to
produce flawless copies of copyrighted recordings.

A great advantage of the new MD over the existing DAT systems is
the ability to randomly access passages of the 74 minute
recordings without having to fast forward through all preceding
passages.

The 0.6 oz disk/caddy combination is relatively rugged and
unlikely to be damaged in normal handling.

The playback-only, prerecorded MD discs will be the same type of
optical media now used in the larger CD-ROM or singles discs, but,
for recording, a different MO or magneto-optical recording media
is required. Although Sony didn't comment on it in the
announcement, MS systems are normally erasable and this one is
expected to be so too.

Sony says that current CD audio (and thus CD-ROM) pressing
facilities will be able to produce the prerecorded audio discs.

(John McCormick/19910517/Press Contact: Shari Haber, Sony,
201/930-6442)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 SPA URGES REFORM OF MEXICAN COPYRIGHT LAWS 05/17/91

05/17/91



(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00024)

SPA URGES REFORM OF MEXICAN COPYRIGHT LAWS 05/17/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- The Software
Publisher's Association asked congress this week to help make
certain that Mexican assurances that a new copyright bill is
about to be enacted are carried out before the U.S. grants fast
track authority which would allow very rapid agreement on a U.S.
free trade arrangement.

Karen Casser, director of public policy and legal affairs for
the SPA told the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on
Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks that the software industry
supports expanded trade, but that Mexico has long promised
copyright reform but has yet to take action.

The SPA, the personal computer software industry's largest trade
organization, with nearly 800 members, estimates that U.S.
software publishers are loosing a minimum of $100 million
annually because of loose Mexican copyright laws that make it
difficult to combat piracy.

(John McCormick/19910517/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-
452-1600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 INFONET TO EXPAND TO SOVIET UNION 05/17/91

05/17/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00025)

INFONET TO EXPAND TO SOVIET UNION 05/17/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Infonet, an international
consortia offering a wide range of computer communication services
including X.400 messaging and electronic data interchange (EDI),
plans to enter the Soviet telecommunications market.

Infonet is co-owned by MCI, Deutsche Bundespost, Telecom Australia,
Swiss, Netherlands PTT, Singapore and Swedish Telecoms, Spanish
Telefonica, French Transpac, and KDD of Japan and offers local
access to computer communications in 110 countries worldwide.

Infonet services in the Soviet Union are likely to be aimed at
corporate customers.

The official statement is due to be made on May 28 by an Infonet
vice president during the Communications'91 international
exhibition in Moscow.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 HEWLETT-PACKARD 2Q EARNINGS SOAR 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)

HEWLETT-PACKARD 2Q EARNINGS SOAR 05/17/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- While the
current trend among computer companies is to complain about the
economic climate and to blame bad financial results on everything
from the domestic recession to the Gulf War, Hewlett-Packard
has posted second quarter profits of $233 million, up an huge
25 percent over the $186 million from the same period last year.

Net revenues for the quarter ended April 30 were up 13 percent to
$3.73 billion from last year's $3.3 billion. Shareholders should be pretty
happy about the situation, as all this translates to an increase
of $0.93 per share.

Mary Lou Simmermacher, spokesperson for HP, told Newsbytes
that although all products were currently selling well, the HP3000
and HP9000 Series 800 lines were doing best.

"We're pleased with our results this quarter," said John A.
Young, president and chief executive officer, in a press release.
"Our efforts to realign the company's expense structures are
paying off, and HP's people deserve a lot of credit for our
progress," he said, referring to a company restructuring that
was begun in 1990.

Simmermacher told Newsbytes that, specifically, increased growth
was as a result of sales in the "medical and analytical areas,
services and support," and especially in HP's "software,
especially computer-aided software engineering (CASE), and
mechanical engineering businesses."

Orders for the quarter were $3.8 billion, compared with $3.5
billion in the second quarter of 1990. U.S. orders totaled $1.6
billion, up 1 percent from the comparable quarter in 1990,
while orders from outside the United States grew by 15 percent
to $2.2 billion.

According to Simmermacher, the international market accounted
for 58 percent of current revenues, and would continue to
provide a large portion of HP's revenues in the foreseeable future.

(Ian Stokell/19910517/Press Contact: Steve Beitler,
Hewlett-Packard, 415-857-2387)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 NEW FOR TELECOM: Radio-Shack 1-Pound CellPhone 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)

NEW FOR TELECOM: Radio-Shack 1-Pound CellPhone 05/17/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Radio Shack
released the CT-302 cellular telephone, a 1-pound or .4 kg unit
about the size of a pocket stereo player. Fujitsu, Motorola and
Mitsubishi, among others, have released much lighter products in
the last few months, but the Tandy product will be competitive
because of its price -- $499.

The phone has many features which are becoming standard on
cellular phones, including the ability to redial the last number
dialed, and the ability to secure the phone against unauthorized
calls without losing the ability to dial 911 in an emergency. The
price includes a rechargeable battery, desktop charger and
convenient carry case. Options include a kit which can link the
phone to an auto's electrical system, with a mounting bracket, as
well as a recharger which fully discharges the battery first to
maximize its life, taking 1 hour for the whole cycle.

Another advantage for the Tandy unit. It's immediately on sale at
over 7000 Radio Shack, Radio Shack Computer Center, and dealer
stores nationwide.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910517/Press Contact: Radio Shack, Tony
Magoulas, 817/878-4852)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17  ****LOTUS READIES NEW AND UPGRADED WINDOWS APPS 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00028)

 ****LOTUS READIES NEW AND UPGRADED WINDOWS APPS 05/17/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Lotus Development
will demonstrate several business applications for the Microsoft
Windows environment at Windows World, the Windows-specific event
that runs alongside Comdex/Spring, which opens in Atlanta on
Monday. The exhibition marks the first time that 1-2-3 for
Windows has been shown to the public.

Also scheduled to be shown at the show is a version of Freelance
Graphics for Windows, along with versions of cc:Mail, Ami Pro and
Lotus Notes for Windows.

"Windows World gives us a great opportunity to show our products
to some 60,000 potential buyers and to demonstrate our approach
to designing breakthrough applications for the Windows
environment," said Jim Manzi, Lotus' president and CEO, pre-
announcing the packages on the eve of the show.

"With cc:Mail, Ami Pro, Notes and new versions of 1-2-3 and
Freelance Graphics, Windows buyers will be able to use products
designed specifically to work together on the desktop and
throughout their organizations, and to work applications from
other vendors," he added.

Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows is being readied for a formal launch in
early June. According to Lotus, the package is currently in
extensive beta test with a number of user sites, pending a third
quarter shipment to resellers.

The package features two major upgrades from previous versions -
Smart Icons and 1-2-3 classic menus. Smart Icons allow users to
automate basic spreadsheet functionality and fine-tune their
working environment, according to Lotus.

1-2-3 classic menus, meanwhile, allows users to access the full
features of the package using the standard `/` key interface.

Other new and improved features of 1-2-3 for Windows include
faster and more efficient printing capabilities, a solver and
backsolver advanced goal-seeking system, as well as external data
access capabilities using the Datalens technology.

(Steve Gold/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17  ****5 NEWSBYTES REPORTERS WILL COVER COMDEX 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00029)

 ****5 NEWSBYTES REPORTERS WILL COVER COMDEX 05/17/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Five top journalists
from the Newsbytes News Network will be combing Atlanta for
the Comdex/Spring and Windows World events, filing reports daily.
The Comdex presence will be the largest Comdex/Spring coverage
in Newsbytes history, and rivals the coverage of the
Comdex/Fall events.

Reporting for Newsbytes will be UK Bureau Chief Steve Gold,
Telecommunications Editor Dana Blankenhorn, San Antonio-area
reporter and Microsoft specialist Lamont Wood, Los Angeles-area
reporter Linda Rohrbough, and product reviewer T. Bass.

Newsbytes is the largest, electronic, independent newsgathering
organization in the computer industry, with daily reports on major
online systems worldwide and a base of more than 50 subscribing
publications. Altogether Newsbytes employs 19 people in the US,
Canada, Europe, Japan, Hongkong, Australia, Moscow, and India.

Throughout the week, Newsbytes will publish dozens of reports
generated on scene, reported independently by the team.

(Wendy Woods/19910517)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 TETRIS INVENTOR MOVES TO SEATTLE 05/17/91

05/17/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00030)

TETRIS INVENTOR MOVES TO SEATTLE 05/17/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Bullet-
Proof Software announced that Alexey Pajitnov, who invented
Tetris, the game that spread throughout the world, is
working in Seattle for Bullet-Proof software on a new game,
Hatris. The soviet game inventor is in the U.S. as a Soviet
citizen in a trade relationship between the U.S. and the
Soviet Union, the company said.

Pajitnov, a graduate in applied mathematics from Moscow
Institute of Aviation in 1979, attributes his interest in
game puzzles to his early teens, when he broke his leg and
needed something to occupy himself. Pajitnov told Newsbytes
he has written 5 games sold both in America and in Japan.

Tetris, Faces and Wellgris are in American distribution now,
with Hatris to be released for the Nintendo Game Boy system
June 1.  Hedris and Night Wolf are for Japanese Nintendo
systems.

Elfish, also created by Pajitnov with a team of 15 Soviet
programmers, is a simulation of fish in an aquarium where
the display is super high-resolution graphics and the fish
have the exact movements of real fish, said Sheila Boughten
of Bullet-Proof software. The fish can also be breed to
produce fish that do not currently exist in the real world,
according to Boughten.  When asked by Newsbytes about
Elfish, Pajitnov said, "[Elfish] has been called a new
cultural phenomenon for the computer."

"We're not sure what the application is for the technology
behind Elfish, but it certainly is impressive," Boughten
said. "We let him [Pajitnov] be creative," Boughten added.

Elfish is being reworked for release, according to Pajitnov,
but it has to be powered down. "This is a first, where the
prototype is more powerful than the finished version,"
Pajitnov chuckled. "We have to make it simpler, less
beautiful, because everyone does not have the power of the
computer we needed to make it."

Bullet-Proof software began negotiations with Pajitnov about
working in Seattle in January, the company said. Pajitnov's
wife and two sons are expected to join him in June.

Pajitnov's newest game, Hatris, is planned for release on
the Nintendo Game Boy system in June. Versions are planned
for the new 16-bit Nintendo Entertainment system that is
expected to be available in the market around September, and
for the personal computer as well.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910517/Press Contact: Sheila Boughten and
Alexey Pajitnov, Bullet-Proof Systems, Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 17 Review of: Stratego, game for Mac, 05/17/91

05/17/91


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00031)

Review of: Stratego, game for Mac, 05/17/91

Runs on: Macintosh

From: Accolade, 550 S. Winchester Blvd., Suite 200,
San Jose, CA 95128 [phone]

Price: $49.95

PUMA rating: 3.5 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach

Summary: This is Stratego. The only difference is that
you can play it by yourself on the computer.

=======

REVIEW

=======

Have you ever played the Milton Bradley game Stratego? Did you
like it? Did you like it enough that you want to play it over
and over again? Did you ever try to get others to play it
with you and not succeed? Well, if you answered YES to all
of these questions, particularly to the last one, Accolade
and Milton Bradley have teamed up to solve your dilemma.

Stratego is the computer version of the board game and it
will provide an opponent for you at any time of the day or
night.

The game comes on two floppy diskettes and has different
files for either a black and white Macintosh or a color
machine. Installation is simply a matter of dragging the
proper files into a folder on your hard disk. You can also
play from the floppies if you desire. This game is
copy-protected. The copy-protection scheme is the type
where the box yields a set of plastic dials. The game asks
you to match three of the dials up and then type in a four
digit code that shows up in a window. Not too bad, but
still bothersome.

There is a 20-page manual that thoroughly explains every
facet of the game. The manual is well written and does
not assume that you know anything about the board game.
In the package, there are also a registration card and
proof of purchase slip as well a card touting Prodigy
and a catalog of other Accolade offerings.

If you know how to play Stratego, skip the next two sections.
Otherwise, read on. The object of Stratego is to capture
the enemy's flag before he captures yours. To help you on
both the defense and the attack, you have an army of
people starting with a Marshal and ending with several
scouts. The different ranks are represented by numbers
on the pieces. 1 represents the Marshal and 9 the scouts.
Combat is determined by having the numbers compared and
the lower number wins. The losing piece is removed from
the board. If both pieces sport the same number, both
pieces are removed. There are also some special pieces.
There are bombs that will kill anyone who touches them
aside from Bombardiers (8). There is also a spy. He is
weaker than all of the other pieces and will die if any
of them attack him, but he has one special capability:
he can kill the opposing army's Marshal if he attacks first.

The board is divided into the two camps with a narrow strip
of empty space between them. There are also two lakes that
separate the battlefield. Playing is done one piece at a
time. You move one piece one square forward, then the
computer moves his piece. To attack an enemy piece you
move your piece over the top of the enemy's piece. You
will not know what kind of enemy you hit until you get
on top of it. Only then will you have the chance to see
what your enemy is and then you'll see the reaction. If
you win, his piece leaves the board and you occupy the
empty square. If he wins, your piece leaves the board.
If you tie, both pieces leave. The game ends when either
camp captures the enemy's flag by attacking it.

The game begins with a nice graphic depicting Napoleonic
soldiers attacking. This is accompanied by a short piece
of trumpet-like music sounding the charge! Then, the game
board is drawn. This is the traditional game board that
all Stratego players are familiar with. On the right is
the bin that holds all of you pieces. The enemy is
already deployed and what you see is the backs of all
of his pieces. You can modify the game to better fit
your personality. You can change backgrounds, you can
change the depiction of the pieces. You can also change
the rules. There are some special sets of rules that
you are allowed to activate or deactivate. All of these
options can modify game play. There is another option
that is very important. This is the choice of opponent
level. You can have your opponent play like a Sergeant,
Major, Colonel, General, or Marshal. The higher the
rank, the better of an opponent the computer makes.
You can also choose to play a complete campaign in which
you play five consecutive games against the different
levels. You must win all of them to complete the
campaign. If you lose any, the whole campaign is lost.

The game is completely mouse driven. You set your pieces
up by dragging them from the bin to their position. You
move them by dragging them from square to square. The
computer takes care of resolving combat and taking
pieces off of the board as needed. The computer also
arranges the pieces in the bin so that you can figure
out strategy. There is another possible window that
the computer maintains which contains a bunch of
statistics about the game. As your pieces move, attacks
get made, and resolved. The computer has a bunch of
sounds that it uses to let you know that the action
actually occurred. This starts with a clicking sound
when you move your pieces, and continues through
explosions when a bomb is attacked. The sounds can
be disabled if they bother you but I found that they
added some more excitement to the game.

When you capture the flag, a picture of a victorious
soldier (again a Napoleonic figure) comes on the screen
and a trumpet plays a victory tune. The word VICTORY
is splashed across the screen. When the music is done,
you can click on the mouse and see all of the enemy's
pieces revealed.

My impressions of this game are that it is very
competently done. There were no bugs that I came across.
The game played well and indeed, did improve as its rank
was heightened. My only concern is that this is a single
player game only. There is no option of playing this, on
the computer, against another human being. Maybe that
was the price of getting the license to do this from
Milton Bradley. Maybe it is better to pull out the
board game itself if you wish to play against another.
However, it seems like a mistake not to have this
capability.

=============

PUMA RATINGS

=============

PERFORMANCE: 4 The game plays well and quickly. There are
never any unnecessary delays and no bugs that I encountered.

USEFULNESS: 3 If you can find no other human opponent when
the mood strikes for a game of Stratego. This game can
serve as a useful substitute.

MANUAL: 4. No typos. Complete.

AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from mail and software stores.
There is a customer service telephone number but it is
not a toll-free call.

(Naor Wallach/910505)

#ENDCARD






#CARD::1991 MAY 16 ANTI-PIRACY GROUP GETS INJUNCTION AGAINST AUSTRALIAN FIRM 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00001)

ANTI-PIRACY GROUP GETS INJUNCTION AGAINST AUSTRALIAN FIRM 05/16/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- The Business Software
Association of Australia (BSAA) has gained a permanent injunction
against the Computer Exchange Corp.'s sale of illegal copies of
software. The BSAA is the Australian arm of the anti-piracy BSA,
and has carried out a series of actions against copyright
offenders in recent months.

The injunction was taken out to prevent the Computer Exchange Corp.,
Kassra Mahdavi (its managing director), and David Kutteh (an
employee), from reproducing, selling or distributing unauthorized
copies of Ashton-Tate, Lotus, or WordPerfect software. The three
software companies have already received an "undisclosed sum" of
money from Mahdavi, and the company's liquidators have accepted proof
of debt to the three companies of over AUS$350,000.

The injunction is a result of an investigation last year which
led to the "trap" purchase of a personal computer from the Computer
Exchange -- software with it was found to have been illegally copied.

Jim Macnamara, chairman of the BSAA, said the purchase was carried
out by a third party, and was an alternative to an Anton Piller
order. The BSAA has used such orders in the past, which allow BSAA
representatives to search the premises of suspected copiers, with
great success. He said that trap purchases will be used in
future cases as well when the Association needs physical evidence of
installation of illegal copies. The BSAA is currently investigating
further possible copyright breaches, and its most publicized case
against transport giant Mayne Nickless is continuing.

(Sean McNamara/19910516)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 AUSTRALIA: MICROSOFT APPOINTS TWO NEW MANAGERS 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIA: MICROSOFT APPOINTS TWO NEW MANAGERS 05/16/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Microsoft has announced the
appointments of new Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and OEM
Managers.

Newly appointed as ACT Manager, for Microsoft Australia is Geoff
Zuber, formerly of Digital Equipment Corporation. Zuber will be
concentrating on managing Microsoft's Canberra (Australia's capital)
office which services the region's corporate and government
accounts. He bring with him 11 years of Information Technology (IT)
industry experience, with particular expertise in the government
market. Prior to his time at DEC, Zuber spent nine years handling the
government market for Honeywell.

John Levishon has been appointed to the post of OEM (original
equipment manufacturer) manager. Levishon's main duty is to
coordinate deals between Microsoft and hardware manufacturers, which
includes negotiations for the bundling and licensing of Microsoft
products with hardware. Levishon has spent the last 10 years with
Burroughs where he served in various sales and marketing positions,
before which he lived in England.

(Sean McNamara/19910516/Press contact: Jennifer Zanich, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 COMPUTER CONFERENCES DOWN UNDER 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00003)

COMPUTER CONFERENCES DOWN UNDER 05/16/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Here is a list of some
computer-related conferences to be held in Australia this year.

June

Electronic Technology for the Transport Industry. Sydney June 3-4.
[phone]

Electronics Technology and Transport. Sydney June 3-4. [phone].

ELENEX. Electronics Industries Exhibition. Sydney June 30 to July 3.
[phone].

NSW Computer Education Group. 8th annual conference for educators.
Bathurst, NSW June 29 to July 2. [phone]

July

Computer Applications to Mineral Industry. Wollongong, NSW. July
10-12. [phone]

August

Windows World. Sydney August 6-8. [phone]

AIRC91. The Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Reasoning and
Creativity. August 20-23 in Queensland. [phone]

September

Publish '91. Sydney September 3-5. [phone].

October

Australian Computing Conference. October 6-10 Adelaide. [phone]

(Paul Zucker/19910516)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 MAI SYSTEMS REPORTS SECOND QTR LOSS 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00004)

MAI SYSTEMS REPORTS SECOND QTR LOSS 05/16/91
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Citing lower
sales in the United States and Canada, MAI Systems Corp. has
reported a 3.8 percent reduction in revenue from $95 million to
$91.3 million for the three and six month periods ended March 31,
1991, compared to net income for the same periods in 1990.

Second quarter operating income was down to $2.2 million,
compared to $8.4 million for the like period last year, and a net
loss of $5.9 million compares to a net income of $2.1 million
reported last year.

Six months results are little better, with revenue for the period
declining six percent to $175.9 million from $187.1 in 1990. Net
losses of $23.8 million and an operating loss of $8.2 million for
the six months compares to a net income of $4.6 million and an
operating income of $17.9 million for the same period last year.

Apart from lower domestic sales, the company blames lower
revenues on the sale of the company's Australian subsidiary in 1990,
the adverse impact on service fee revenue of replacing older MAI
computer systems with GPx models having extended warranties
and lower per-unit maintenance revenue, and its efforts to improve
inventory management and scheduling with a resulting increase in
the backlog of customer orders.

The company also cited some encouraging signs to offset
the bad news: strong sales by the company's German subsidiary,
higher U.S. dollar values of European currencies, and additional
revenue derived from the company's April 1990 acquisition of
Computerized Lodging Systems Inc.

Second quarter gross profit margins were 38.9 percent compared
to 45.3 percent for 1990, and 37.0 percent compared to 46.5 percent
for the six months. The company attributes these declines to
competitive pricing pressures, the discounting of older MAI
equipment expected to be phased out in 1991, higher inventory
provisions associated with trade-in equipment and a higher
proportion of software sales which normally have lower gross
margins than hardware sales.

(Ian Stokell/19910517/Press Contact: Robert J. Amman, MAI
Systems Corp., 714-731-5100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 COLORADO SEMICONDUCTOR COMPANY LOSES ALMOST $1 MILLION 5/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00005)

COLORADO SEMICONDUCTOR COMPANY LOSES ALMOST $1 MILLION 5/16/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Simtek
Corporation, a Colorado based semiconductor company, has revealed
that it has lost $990,205 for the fourth quarter, or $0.23 per
share. Simtek had a similar loss - $1.08 million - for the
previous quarter, which ended December 31, 1990, for a $0.27 per
share loss.

However, Simtek CEO Dr. Richard Petritz said that the losses for
the first quarter are consistent with management's expectations.
Simtek is currently engaged in the development of non-volatile
static random access memory in the 64 kilobit to 1 megabit size.
Simtek is working under a joint development agreement with the
Electronic Systems Group of TRW to integrate TRW metal oxide
semiconductor fabrication with Simtek's non-volatile memory
chips.

In March 1991 Simtek completed an IPO (initial public offering)
in which they sold 1.95 million shares of common stock and
approximately 2.2 million redeemable warrants. The sale provided
operating capital in the amount of slightly more than $10
million.

Newsbytes reported recently on another company that is engaged in
the development of non-volatile memory for computerized devices.
Non-volatile memory chips are considered important to the
computer industry because the information in memory is not lost
when the product they are used in is turned off.

(Jim Mallory/19910515/Press Contact:William Skolout, Simtek,
719-531-9444)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 SEYMOUR CRAY SAYS CRAY-3 DEVELOPMENT ON SCHEDULE 5/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006)

SEYMOUR CRAY SAYS CRAY-3 DEVELOPMENT ON SCHEDULE 5/16/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- In a rare
public appearance, Seymour Cray told shareholders that the Cray-3
supercomputer being developed is right on schedule.

The company says it expects to test a scaled-down version of the
16-processor supercomputer in July, and ship it to the Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory by the end of 1991.

Cray said, "Where are the negatives? I've been looking and the
only one I can find is that we can't go faster than we are."
Cray said he had feared that cables linking the computer's
circuit modules might reduce computing speed, but that didn't
happen.

The company has already overcome one critical problem
when it built a $10 million gallium arsenide factory in
Colorado Springs when vendors were unable to provide gallium
arsenide chips in the required quantities. Gallium arsenide
chips are critical to the supercomputing speed of the Cray-3,
since they carry electrical impulses faster than the traditional
silicon chips. The time required to build the gallium arsenide
foundry was utilized by Cray engineers to triple the memory of
the Cray-3.

Development of the Cray-3 is being funded by a loan of $98.6
million from Cray Research, the company that spun off Cray
Computer Corporation. The parent company granted an extension on
the loan when the gallium arsenide supply problem arose, and Cray
Computer Corp says it has about a 13-month supply of money
remaining, if present spending levels are maintained. Cray won't
receive the $28 million that Livermore Labs are paying until
installation is completed, probably in 1992. No additional
orders are expected until the first unit is installed and
operating successfully.

(Jim Mallory/19910515/Press Contact:Neil Davenport, Cray
Computer, 719-579-6464)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 NEW FOR PC: Harvard Graphics 3.0 And For Windows 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00007)

NEW FOR PC: Harvard Graphics 3.0 And For Windows 05/16/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Fast on
the tracks of other major publishing houses trying to cash in on the
Microsoft Windows 3.0 bonanza, Software Publishing has brought out
a Windows version of its Harvard Graphics presentation graphics
package, as well as released version 3.0 of its main DOS-based
product.

The company maintains that version 3.0 features enhanced
charting, drawing, and presentation features by incorporating such
tools as chart layout regions, a broad selection of chart types,
and a spreadsheet view to simplify the chart creation process, while
maintaining the product's ease of use.

The Harvard Graphics for Windows product meanwhile includes
such features as Presentation Styles, ScreenShow application
launching, and Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), to analyze and
communicate information.

With the Windows version, users have access to 12 chart types,
including title, bullet, table, column, pie, organization, vertical and
horizontal bar, line area, high/low/close, point and free form.

In addition to these chart types, Harvard Graphics for Windows
offers a Chart Gallery of 88 slide layouts that are displayed through
icons, enabling users to preview the design and charting options
available for developing a slide.

According to the company, Harvard Graphics 3.0 also offers an
extensive selection of chart types. Users can create charts from
scratch, or select from more than 160 chart types available in the
product's Chart Gallery. In addition to standard text, pie, and XY
charts, the product offers new table charts that format text and data
in up to 24 columns and rows, and color-coded ranges to
customize data or emphasize key points.

The company maintains that new chart appearance options in the
DOS 3.0 version, such as wordwrap and shrink-to-fit, automatically
reformat text to fit within chart layout regions. Framing options let users
place different box frames, such as three-dimensions and shadow,
and add more dimension to data in a specific chart region.

Both Harvard Graphics 3.0 and Harvard Graphics for Windows will be
distributed through Software Publishing's network of over 4,500
resellers nationwide. International language versions of Harvard
Graphics 3.0 will be available in September 1991. Users of
Harvard Graphics 3.0 can participate in a limited-time cross-platform
exchange for $50.

(Ian Stokell/19910516/Press Contact: Viki Hahne, Software
Publishing Corp., 415-335-2059)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 LOTUS 1-2-3 FOR WINDOWS COMING THIS SUMMER TO JAPAN 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008)

LOTUS 1-2-3 FOR WINDOWS COMING THIS SUMMER TO JAPAN 05/16/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Lotus will release both
English and Japanese versions of Lotus 1-2-3 for Microsoft
Windows 3.0 this summer, according to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper.

The Windows 3.0 version of Lotus 1-2-3 supports multiple number of
worksheet and a pull-down menu as well as the conventional 1-2-3
menu of MS-DOS version. The program provides "What-You-See-Is-
What-You-Get" feature to print out the screen image.

Apparently, Lotus was behind in the development of a Windows 3.0
version because it spent a great deal of time developing the
program for IBM's Presentation Manager. Now, Lotus is
simultaneously developing the English and the Japanese versions.
The firm has already developed the beta-version of the programs,
says the Nikkan Kogyo.

Meanwhile, major Japanese business application program developer
Creo will release a unique integrated program for Windows 3.0 this
summer. The program code named "Scene" has multiple features
including word processor, spreadsheet, database, scheduler,
graphics, and telecommunications. This program provides much faster
switching from one feature to the other, compared with other
application programs on Windows 3.0, the company says.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910515/Press Contact: Lotus, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 MOSCOW: INFORMATION SECURITY CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED 05/16/91

05/16/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00009)

MOSCOW: INFORMATION SECURITY CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED 05/16/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- The new local "Information
Protection" magazine has announced a 3-day conference for Soviet
citizens called "Commercial Information Protection Problems." It
will be held from July 11 through July 13 in Moscow.

According to Mr Victor Tchervov, a member of the magazine's board,
the conference will be aimed at large local companies which
still pay little attention to information security matters.

Several classified projects will be made public during this event,
which will take place in the Communist Party's Academy of Social
Sciences premises in the Moscow suburb, Mr Tchervov told Newsbytes.

He also expressed great concern about the future of Soviet companies
which are just entering the world market and have almost no
knowledge of data security. "This can lead to major losses in a
number of businesses across the country in the coming months,"
he added.

Conference entrance fees are 2000 rubles ($70 by the market rate)
which includes materials and meals. The conference is limited to 250
participants and no Western parties are likely to be admitted.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910515/Press contact: Victor Tchervov,
Information Protection, phone [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 SAS TO ADD IBM/VAX SPREADSHEET 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00010)

SAS TO ADD IBM/VAX SPREADSHEET 05/16/91
WESTERN DISTRICT, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- SAS Institute is to
add a new spreadsheet to its SAS Applications System this year.

Currently in experimental release, SAS/CALC is a modular component
of the SAS Applications System integrated software for data access,
management, analysis, and presentation. Production for IBM mainframes
and Digital's VAX series will begin later in the year.

"The user demand for a spreadsheet component to the SAS System has
been tremendous," said the company's general manager in Hong Kong,
Nigel Gasper. "We have already received close to 1,000 orders and we
expect this component to be the most successful product launch in the
Institute's 15-year history."

SAS claims that on the basis of advance orders alone, the spreadsheet
will gain more than double the market share of the existing
spreadsheet in the MVS environment, jump straight to number two in
the CMS environment and be placed among the top five in the VMS
environment.

(Norman Wingrove/19910515/Press Contact: Nigel Gasper, SAS,
Phone: + 852 540 3160, Fax: + 852 858 2658; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 IBM SAN JOSE, LIKE APPLE, REDUCES CFC AIR EMISSIONS 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00011)

IBM SAN JOSE, LIKE APPLE, REDUCES CFC AIR EMISSIONS 05/16/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Citing a
corporate goal of eliminating the usage and emissions of
chlorofluorocarbons by the end of 1993, International Business
Machines has reported that it has reduced CFC-113 air emissions
at its San Jose, California site by 95 percent over the last three years.

The company said that CFCs have been used primarily in the past
for cleaning and drying disk storage system parts. Now though,
the company is converting to aqueous cleaning systems and
dryers which use hot air or vacuum instead of CFC-113.

Newsbytes recently reported that Apple too is taking steps to
eliminate CFCs from manufacturing processes in its plant in
Fremont, California, just across San Francisco Bay from the IBM
facility. In addition to eliminating the use of CFCs to clean
electronic assemblies and circuit boards, Apple also said that it
had developed a new process for circuit board assembly that did
not require the boards to be cleaned.

IBM said its San Jose site will report to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) that 68,000 pounds of CFC-113 were
emitted to air in 1990 compared with 230,000 pounds reported in
1989. The total year-to-year emission reduction is 70 percent, the
greatest in three years. Its 1987 CFC air emissions were reported at
1.5 million pounds. IBM also reported using 521,000 pounds of
CFC-113 in 1990, a 63 percent reduction from the previous year and
an 83 percent drop from the 1987 figure of 3 million pounds.

CFCs have been linked with depletion of the earth's ozone layer, a
natural shield against harmful ultraviolet radiation. The electronics
industry has long used CFCs to clean electronics assemblies and
printed circuit boards.

A combination of deionized water, detergent and ultrasonic sound
waves are used in the new cleaning process to wash the parts,
and hot air to dry them. In one water cleaner system, parts are
moved into the four-stage cleaners in stainless steel baskets by
a robotic arm that operates under the control of a personal
computer.

The washing and drying cycle takes about 15 minutes and uses
about 13 gallons of water per load. The water is reused so the
total daily volume per machine is about that used by an average
household.

IBM maintains that water-based cleaning is equal to, or better than
the CFC cleaning it is replacing and is less than half the cost
to operate, because expensive air emission control is not required
and solvents are not used.

IBM's San Jose-based Storage Systems Products Division
develops and manufactures computer disk and tape storage
systems and employs more than 9,000 people.

(Ian Stokell/19910516/Press Contact: Walt Keeshen Jr.,
IBM, 408-256-2217)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 SOFT-SWITCH INTEGRATES FAX, TELEX WITH E-MAIL 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00012)

SOFT-SWITCH INTEGRATES FAX, TELEX WITH E-MAIL 05/16/91
WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- However efficient
a means of communication electronic mail is, it only works if the
person you want to contact has access to an e-mail system.
Recognizing that, Soft-Switch is offering gateways to two other
forms of electronic communication: facsimile and telex.

Soft-Switch said its new gateway products will let any e-mail user
connected to a Soft-Switch mail backbone send fax or telex
messages. A message may be sent to a distribution list encompassing
e-mail, fax, and telex users. The fax gateway can also add graphics
and logos to the message.

The gateways can also receive fax and telex messages, although the
distribution of fax messages within a network is limited by the
graphics capabilities of the workstations. Company spokesman David
Zimmer explained the optical character recognition (OCR) technology
is not yet up to converting an incoming fax into machine-readable
text as in an e-mail message. So, if the addressee has a PC with
adequate graphics capability, the message can be displayed as an
image. Otherwise, it can be printed out for delivery on paper.

Telex is easier; since the message is in machine-readable form
anyway, it simply needs to be translated. It can be delivered like
any other e-mail message provided it bears the recipient's correct
e-mail address.

Soft-Switch's products provide switching and connectivity among a
number of vendors' electronic mail systems.

Zimmer said Soft-Switch expects the gateways to be popular with
multinational corporations that must use a mix of communications
methods. Telex, though its use is declining in highly developed
countries, remains popular in Eastern Europe and the Third World,
he said. The capability will also ease companies transition from
older technologies to e-mail, he added.

The gateways work with Soft-Switch's e-mail backbone. The fax
gateway has a base price of US$32,000; the telex gateway starts at
US$30,000. In both cases there may be additional customization
charges depending on how the customer's backbone is set up, Zimmer
said.

(Grant Buckler/19910515/Press Contact: David Zimmer, Soft-Switch,
215-640-9600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 '486 LAPTOP DUE IN JUNE FROM VERMONT START-UP 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00013)

'486 LAPTOP DUE IN JUNE FROM VERMONT START-UP 05/16/91
BENNINGTON, VERMONT, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- What do you get
the computer user who has everything? How about a laptop computer
based on the high-powered Intel 80486 microprocessor? Aquiline, a
startup computer company, thinks some people will like the idea.

Tony DeMaria, vice-president of marketing at Aquiline, told
Newsbytes his company plans to have an 11-pound laptop computer
using a 33-megahertz or 50-megahertz Intel 486 chip on the market
by mid-June. DeMaria said the machine will appeal to engineers and
programmers who want to take work home with them, software
salespeople demonstrating power-hungry software, and some military
users.

The machine will come with a 330-megabyte hard disk drive, a
diskette drive, a liquid-crystal display screen with 800-by-600
resolution, an 88-key keyboard, and two or three free Extended
Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) expansion slots. Don't plan
on designing a building on a coast-to-coast airplane flight,
though; the current prototype can only run on batteries for about
40 minutes, and while Aquiline is working on improving the battery
life, DeMaria said the machine is not intended mainly for
battery-powered use.

Aquiline also recently introduced a 4.5-pound notebook computer
based on the 20-megahertz Intel 386SX chip. The Aquiline Notebook
comes with an 80-key keyboard, liquid crystal display conforming to
the VGA standard, file transfer utilities, and other software. One
megabyte of memory is standard, and 30-, 40-, and 60-megabyte hard
disks are available. A mousepad is built in. The retail price is
US$2,995.

The six-month-old company also offers notebook computers using
Intel 286 and 386DX chips.

(Grant Buckler/19910515/Press Contact: Tony DeMaria, Aquiline,
800-221-1119, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 2 U.S. FIRMS SET UP IN CANADA 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00014)

2 U.S. FIRMS SET UP IN CANADA 05/16/91
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Two American
networking suppliers have opened Canadian offices. CrossComm of
Marlborough, Massachusetts has opened an office in Richmond Hill,
just north of Toronto, while Westborough, Massachusetts-based Epoch
Systems opened an office in nearby Mississauga.

Cliff Gentle has been named senior account executive at Epoch's
Canadian office. Epoch also announced that Systemes Grafnetix, of
Montreal, has signed a value-added reseller agreement with the
company.

CrossComm named Mark Verdun, formerly of 3Com Canada, as its
Canadian country manager. CrossComm's founder, Tad Witkowicz, is a
Canadian.

(Grant Buckler/19910515/Press Contact: Nancy Baptiste, CrossComm,
800-388-1200; CrossComm Canada, 416-822-5929, fax [phone];
Andrew Hettinger, Epoch, 508-836-4300)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 NEW FOR MAC: System 7 On Nautilus Subscription CD-ROM 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00015)

NEW FOR MAC: System 7 On Nautilus Subscription CD-ROM 05/16/91
DUBLIN, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Nautilus, the CD-ROM-based
subscription service, will carry the new operating system version
for the Macintosh on its May 27th issue. Although the software comes
on a CD-ROM from Apple itself, this marks the first third-party
CD-ROM publishing of the System 7 software package, which up until
now has been sold only through dealers, distributed through user's
groups, or found online on bulletin board and major information
services.

"Our next issue will include a fully functional version of Apple's
new operating software, System 7.0. We are obviously delighted
with Apple's decision to aid us in providing this valuable service
to our subscribers," stated Jeff Wilkins, chairman and CEO of
Metatec, publishers of the CD-ROM. "Since we launched Nautilus
last September we have made it a priority to provide our
subscribers with the latest information available for the
Macintosh. This is just one more example of our commitment
to our subscribers, and to the advancement of CD-ROM
technology."

In addition to the System 7.0 software, the May 27th issue of
contains an extended audio interview with Steve Goldberg Apple's
System 7.0 product manager. The interview, divided into subject
areas, can be accessed directly from the disk, using
Macintosh audio capability.

Nautilus is a multimedia CD ROM based information service
published every four weeks (at a cost of $9.95 per disc for
a twelve issue subscription). Single issues are also available
to non-subscribers at a price of $19.95 per issue. Currently
available only for the Macintosh, a PC compatible version of
Nautilus is slated to be released in September.

Newsbytes News Network reports are also found on the Nautilus
CD-ROM.

(Wendy Woods/19910516/Press Contact: Mary Vaughn, Metatec,
614/761-2000)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 IBM SPINNING OFF SYSTEMS SERVICES BUSINESS 05/16/91

05/16/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)

IBM SPINNING OFF SYSTEMS SERVICES BUSINESS 05/16/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Strengthening
its focus on systems integration and services, IBM has announced it
will spin off its Systems Services Division as a separate company,
Integrated Systems Solutions Corp. (ISSC). ISSC will be a wholly
owned subsidiary.

IBM spokesman Lyle McGuire told Newsbytes the move is a response to
customer demand for more services such as outsourcing and systems
management. Part of the reason for doing this through a separate
company is a provision in the U.S. Justice Department's 1956
consent decree that allows IBM to offer computer services only
through a separate subsidiary. However, McGuire added, the
subsidiary also offers greater flexibility than a division within
the parent company.

ISSC will offer a range of services, including computer operations
and resource management, application development, network
management, disaster recovery services, and transaction processing.
The new company will continue to provide business systems and
information systems support for the IBM United States field
organization.

"Our new IBM services company can provide customers with the full
spectrum of outsourcing services from one dedicated, organization
with an intensified focus on marketplace needs," said Dennie M.
Welsh, president of ISSC, in a prepared statement. "The expanded
capability that we can provide through ISSC will enable our
customers to focus on their core businesses while we provide the
information technology competency."

An IBM executive, commenting to Newsbytes on a not-for-
attribution basis, said, "We are very happy with the success of
this activity to date. Kodak and a number of other significant
large firms provide the core of a client base that is rapidly
expanding. We believe that many companies are best served
by focusing on their core business and leaving the data
processing to the experts." He further told Newsbytes that all
employees of the IBM Systems Services Division have become
employees of ISSC and will maintain the same benefits they
had when directly employed by IBM.

Headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, ISSC will have 5,000
employees initially. Paperwork to transfer employees to the new
organization is expected to be done by mid-June.

(Grant Buckler & Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910516/
Press Contact: John Clark or Lyle McGuire, IBM, 914-642-5409)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 IBM CANADA STAKE IN SERVICES FIRM SET 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00017)

IBM CANADA STAKE IN SERVICES FIRM SET 05/16/91
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Pursuing the same
services and outsourcing business as its parent company by a
slightly different course, IBM Canada has signed a definitive
agreement to take 27 percent of what will be Canada's largest
computer service bureau.

In a deal announced in March, Westbridge Computer of Regina,
Saskatchewan, will acquire STM Systems, a subsidiary of
International Semi-Tech of Markham, Ontario. International
Semi-Tech, IBM Canada, and Saskatchewan Telecommunications will
each emerge with 27 percent of Westbridge.

Saskatchewan Telecommunications, a government-owned telephone
company, was the majority owner of Westbridge. The remaining 19
percent of the new company will be widely held.

IBM Canada spokesman Stan Didzbalis told Newsbytes the deal is
strategic because it gives IBM Canada a foothold in the outsourcing
and systems services business.

Comparing the deal to an announcement that IBM Corp. will spin off
its systems services division into a separate company, Integrated
Systems Solutions Corp., Didzbalis said IBM Canada is going after
much the same market as its parent company but by different means.

Michael List, vice-president of corporate development at
International Semi-Tech, said Westbridge and STM are a good
combination because STM is strong in eastern Canada and Westbridge
is strong in the west. List added that IBM Canada's involvement
puts a "stamp of approval" on the new entity.

The new Westbridge will be well placed to go after international
markets as well as Canadian business, List said, making special
reference to the free-trade agreement between Canada and the United
States.

IBM is paying C$7.15 million for its stake in the merged company.

(Grant Buckler/19910312/Press Contact: Michael List, International
Semi-Tech, 416-475-2670, fax [phone]; Stan Didzbalis, IBM
Canada, 416-474-3036)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16  ****NEXT-GENERATION OS DEVELOPMENT AT APPLE 05/16/91

05/16/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(SFO)(00018)

 ****NEXT-GENERATION OS DEVELOPMENT AT APPLE 05/16/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- In developments
which are most likely related, Apple Computer is working on
a next-generation operating system which may not be
Macintosh-compatible, and is evaluating several RISC-based
processors, including one developed by an alliance between
itself, LSI Logic, and Acorn, to power new machines.

One of the elements coming into play in the development of
new, RISC-based processors, and possibly the new operating
system, is ARM, for Acorn RISC machine -- an alliance
formed in November, 1990. The spin-out firm, spawned by
Acorn Computer of Great Britain, has created prototype RISC
machines which offer high performance and low power
consumption, elements which come in handy for a laptop, but
most likely are not being considered for large-sized
processors that might compete with workstation makers like Sun
Microsystems, an informed source at Apple tells Newsbytes.

A report in the San Francisco Chronicle, which could not be
confirmed at deadline, says that Motorola's prototype 88110
RISC-based microprocessor is also being tested in Apple's
Advanced Technology Group. This group, however, is set up not
to develop products, but to investigate new technologies that
might lead to product development. The 88110, due to be finished
later this year, according to the report, would be used to
compete with workstations from Sun, and MIPS, the report
suggests.

Apple will not comment on the report's assertion that the new
operating system software, for which development is being led
by Senior Vice President Ed Birss, is object-based.

John Sculley, Apple chairman, has stated that a next-generation
operating system would most likely not be an extension of the
Macintosh line, although he did not specifically say that it
would not run Macintosh programs. Sculley has also stated that
RISC is an important direction for the industry and that Apple
is responding accordingly, according to Apple spokesman
Christopher Escher.

(Wendy Woods/19910516)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 COMPAQ STOCK FIASCO 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SAT)(00019)

COMPAQ STOCK FIASCO 05/16/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Wall Street seemed
to turn its back on Compaq Computer Wednesday 5/15 after it
announced -- for the second time -- that its financial results
for the latest quarter would be less than wonderful.

Far from announcing a loss, Compaq had said that its revenues
for the quarter ending June 30 were likely to be 15% below the
same quarter last year, when it grossed $862 million. As for
profits, they are expected to be 25 cents per share, as opposed
to $1.18 per share last year.

Compaq's stock price promptly fell 27 percent in value, by
$13.25 to $36.

Compaq blamed the financial projection on the strong dollar,
which makes it harder to export goods, and to a general industry
slowdown. Rod Canion, Compaq's president, also mentioned "excess
inventory" in the dealer channel, meaning the stores were not
restocking because they, presumably, are not selling Compaqs at
the expected rate.

Compaq had recently announced a serious of price reductions, and
Canion said the reductions had had a positive effect on sales.
However, along with lower prices, Compaq had also announced
lower dealer discounts -- 30 percent instead of 40 percent --
for some of the reduced systems. Dealers had rarely charged the
full price but had sacrificed some of their discount to give
discounts to customers. With less margin to play with, the
"street prices" have not been as reduced as the Compaq list
price reductions would seem to indicate.

(Lamont Wood/19910516/Press Contact: Debra Globe, Compaq,
713-374-4613.)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 DCA EMBRACES SYSTEM 7 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SAT)(00020)

DCA EMBRACES SYSTEM 7 05/16/91
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Digital
Communications Associates (DCA) has announced System 7
compatibility for its Macintosh line of IRMA 3270 emulation
products.

Apple had announced System 7 this week, a new operating system
for the Macintosh with broader network and multi-user support,
more sophisticated help screens, and more sophisticated font
handling.

MacIRMA Graphics version 2.0 will replace the current product.
With it, users of the Mac LC, SE/30 and II families can emulate
the IBM 3179G or IBM 2192G graphics terminals.

With the new version, users can have multiple mainframe graphics
sessions, and can cut and paste mainframe graphics into Mac
applications.

MacIRMA Graphics will sell for $195. Companion product MacIRMA
Workstation will be available for $295, or for $1195 when
bundled with the MacIRMA Entry Emulator and a MacIRMA coaxial
cable adapter.

(Lamont Wood/19910517/Press Contact: Meg Owens, DCA,
404-442-4521.)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16  ***FIRST 486 NOTEBOOK PC DUE OUT FOR COMDEX 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SAT)(00021)

 ***FIRST 486 NOTEBOOK PC DUE OUT FOR COMDEX 05/16/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- NoteBook Computer
Co. has unveiled its first product, two notebook-sized,
battery-powered PC clones based on the 486 DX and SX.
The makers claim the computers are the first battery-powered
486-based notebook computers to reach the market. They are to
have their first showing next week at the Atlanta Comdex
computer industry convention.

The model 386-T20 with a 20 megahertz 486SX and 20 megabyte (MB)
hard disk sells for $4,495. The 386-T33 with a 33 megahertz
386DX (which should run 25 times faster than an IBM PC/AT) with
a 40MB hard disk sells for $6,795, and for $6,995 with a 60MB
hard disk.

The units weigh 4.5 pounds with the battery and measure 8.5 by 11
by 1.4 inches. The liquid crystal display emulates VGA graphics,
and there is a three-button mouse emulator. Three hours of
battery operation are possible.

A optional snap-on expansion unit offers various multimedia and
graphics options, such as a color monitor controller, a disk
drive, a digital-audio speaker, a second serial port, and a
second diskette and hard disk connection port.

(Lamont Wood/19910517/Press Contact: Jeff Ketner, 512-794-8876,
fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 NEW FOR PCS: Logitech Cut-Rate Scanner & OCR Bundle 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00022)

NEW FOR PCS: Logitech Cut-Rate Scanner & OCR Bundle 05/16/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Logitech
has introduced the Scanman Model 32, a black and white hand-held
scanner for IBM personal computers or compatibles. Logitech says
it is marketing the new scanner separately for $299 or bundled
with its Catchword Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software
(retail $249), for a total for both of $359.

The hand scanner is said by Logitech to be for the price-
sensitive, novice scanner users who work in the DOS
environment. Logitech said the scanner software will run as
a non-DOS application under Windows, however.

Although the street price on the new scanner is expected to
be lower, comparable hand scanner/OCR packages are selling
for hundreds of dollars less. DAK electronics, a mail order
house in Canoga Park, California offers a Mars 105 hand
scanner and Readright personal OCR software for a retail
price of $149.

Scanman plus users can upgrade to the Graytouch software
through Logitech for $25, by calling 415/795-8500 for
details. DAK catalogs are available by calling (800)888-
7808.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910516/Press Contact: Betty Skov,
Logitech, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 ILLINOIS MICROAGE SIGNS $6 MILLION NCR DISTRIBUTION DEAL 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00023)

ILLINOIS MICROAGE SIGNS $6 MILLION NCR DISTRIBUTION DEAL 05/16/91
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- A Central
Illinois Microage distributor, located in Champaign, Illinois,
has announced that it has signed a three-year, $6 million
distribution contract with NCR. Microage will become the only
NCR Gold Medallion Dealer in Champaign, and will market NCR 286,
386sx, and 486-based systems as well as NCR's new System 3000 family
of computers.

Under the agreement Microage will sell products jointly with the
NCR field sales staff as well as service the installed NCR
customer base in Central Illinois. NCR says it will also work
with Microage to target key market segments in the area, creating
specialized marketing programs to meet the customers needs.
Marketing activities will include direct mail, telemarketing, and
seminars.

Microage presently has facilities in Champaign, Peoria, Normal,
Decatur, and reportedly will be opening outlets in Springfield
and the Charleston/Mattoon area in the near future.

(Jim Mallory/19910515/Press Contact:Microage, 217-351-1171)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 NCR, OTHERS JOIN FORCES TO SET INDUSTRY STANDARDS 5/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00024)

NCR, OTHERS JOIN FORCES TO SET INDUSTRY STANDARDS 5/16/91
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Four major computer
firms have joined forces to propose object management
specifications to the Object Management Group (OMG), an
international organization of systems vendors and users.

NCR Corporation, Object Design, Inc., Hewlett-Packard and Sun
Microsystems will cooperate to propose standards which will allow
the use and sharing of information on networks comprised of
different hardware platforms, operating systems and networks.
The group will utilize Sun/HP distributed object management
facilities (OMF). Advantages of OMF are a high level language
interface and a runtime application programming interface that
supports the development of applications which will operate
across multiple distributed computing technologies.

NCR says they will provide a compiler with an interface to NCR's
Remote Method Invocation, an advanced technique for object
communication. They will also provide common class libraries,
which are sets of reusable objects utilized by programmers to
develop applications quickly.

(Jim Mallory/19910516/Press Contact:Bob Farkas, NCR,
513-445-2078)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 APPLE ISDN PRODUCTS SHOWCASED 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00025)

APPLE ISDN PRODUCTS SHOWCASED 05/16/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Apple is
seeking greater breadth of applications for its Macintosh and
telecommunications by expanding offerings for programmers with
an improved Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Developer
Toolkit, introduced at its Worldwide Developers Conference.

Apple product line manager for the Enterprise System Division,
Doug McLean, said, "Apple views ISDN as a key technology for
the next generation of applications that will bring integrated
voice, data, imaging and video capability to Macintosh personal
computer users worldwide."

ISDN is an evolving set of international standards for unifying
a broad range of voice, data, imaging and video communication
services in one digital wide area network.

The toolkit consists of an Apple ISDN NB Card and Mac ISDN Software.
The Apple ISDN NB card is an intelligent NuBus card for the
Macintosh II COMPUTERS. Like Apple's other NuBus communication
cards, it uses the Macintosh Coprocessor Platform (MCP), based
on a Motorola 68000 microprocessor and 512 kilobytes (KB)
of RAM.

Also in the toolkit are Telephone Manager (formerly called the
Integrated Voice/Data Manager). This software was enhanced so
that developers can write applications that run over a variety
of networks as well as incorporate the inter-application
communication (IAC) features within System 7.

Finally, the toolkit includes ISDN Tools which control
telephone functions of the Apple ISDN card. The ISDN serial
connection tool controls data communications functions on the
Apple ISDN NuBus card.

(Wendy Woods/19910516/Press Contact: Brooke Cahan, Apple Computer,
408-974-3019)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 IBM GIVES BUSINESSLAND TIME TO PAY UP 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00026)

IBM GIVES BUSINESSLAND TIME TO PAY UP 05/16/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Businessland has
received a line of credit from IBM Corporation so that it can
continue to sell and ship IBM products. The news comes as
Businessland is nearly on the rocks following its sixth
consecutive quarterly loss and rumors that a buy-out or Chapter
11 bankruptcy filing is imminent.

Businessland says it has reached full agreement with IBM Credit
Corp. regarding its financing arrangement for the purchase of
IBM inventory. "This agreement, which enables Businessland
to continue shipping IBM products to its customers without
interruption, reflects the strength of the long-term relationship
that has existed between the two companies," a statement said.

Businessland has also just severed a business relationship with
Next Computer Inc., to terminate their sales agreement effective at
the end of May. Businessland has been authorized to sell and
service Next products since March 1989.

Businessland, the operator of 62 stores and branch offices
throughout the world, suffered a third-quarter loss of $43
million on revenues of $269.7 -- a figure down 17% from the
previous year.

Previous Businessland spokesperson Beverly Bird was recently
laid off; she has been replaced by Tom Pelandini, VP of
corporate communications.

(Wendy Woods/19910516/Press Contact: Thomas F. Pelandini, VP
Corporate Communications, Businessland, 408-437-4076)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16  ****IBM WEDS BORLAND IN OS/2 SOFTWARE TOOL DEV'T 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00027)

 ****IBM WEDS BORLAND IN OS/2 SOFTWARE TOOL DEV'T 05/16/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Hoping
to lower the pane a bit on the windstorm created by the sale
of 8 million copies of Microsoft Windows 3.0, IBM has teamed up with
Microsoft arch-rival Borland International to create a set of
tools for development of object-oriented programming languages
for OS/2 2.0, a successor to the current version, due out
later this year.

Borland says its languages and development tools for OS/2 2.0 are
nearly a good year away, but says the first to appear will be
Borland C++ for OS/2.

Object-orientation is an advanced software development technology,
enabling computer programmers to build powerful, reliable and
easier-to-use software that is optimized for specific computer
systems.

Borland's Philippe Kahn, chairman and president, boasted of the
liaison, "Borland is excited about providing a set of world-class
tools for the OS/2 32-bit environment. Borland C++ for OS/2 will
allow developers to take full advantage of computers with 32-bit
architectures."

OS/2 2.0 is the 32-bit, advance function operating system developed
by IBM which says the new version due out will run DOS, 16-bit
Windows, and 16-bit and 32-bit OS/2 applications concurrently.

An IBM spokeswoman tells Newsbytes that IBM has recently broadened
its base of liaisons with third-party developers, namely
Novell and Micrographx, "in our desire to give customers a
choice." However, IBM spokeswoman Tracy O'Neill tells Newsbytes,
"The fact that C++ is to be the first 32-bit toolkit is
significant." She says IBM has shipped over 600,000 copies
of OS/2 to date and is aiming for shipments of a million by
the end of the year.

(Wendy Woods/19910516/Press Contact: Dick O'Donnell, Borland,
408-439-1631; Tracy A. O'Neill, IBM, 914-642-5412)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 CORRECTION: Xtree Pro Name is Xtree Gold 05/16/91

05/16/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00028)

CORRECTION: Xtree Pro Name is Xtree Gold 05/16/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Newsbytes wishes
to update a review on XTree Gold which appeared as
REVIEW: XTreePro Gold ver. 2.0, last week. The review mistakenly
refers to the program throughout as XTreePro Gold when in fact
the name of the product is XTree Gold. We regret the mistake.

Also, a new version of the book Official XTree MS-DOS and
Hard Disk Companion by Beth Woods now includes a section on
XTreeNet, as well as more than 100-150 new pages of info
including information on XTreeGold 2.0 Plus and the just-
released XTree Easy

(Wendy Woods/19910516)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 CORRECTION: NEWTEK TOASTER IS AMIGA-BASED 05/16/91

05/16/91



(CORRECTION)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00029)

CORRECTION: NEWTEK TOASTER IS AMIGA-BASED 05/16/91
TOPEKA, KANSAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 17 (NB) -- Newsbytes wishes to
clarify a previous story on the new stand-alone Newtek
Video Toaster. Newtek is acting as an OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) for the Commodore Amiga 2000 to create its new
$2,995 product, bundling the computer and its add-in board to
create a complete system sporting the Newtek name.

As our readers point out and Newtek has confirmed, the guts of the
product remain the Commodore Amiga 2000. Newsbytes had simply
reported that it was a stand-alone unit that looked like
a Commodore Amiga 2000.

The product features a four-input production switcher which can
perform cuts, fades and wipes among any of seven sources including
four video inputs. It also includes a digital video effects
generator, a three-dimensional animation package called LightWave,
a character generator, a paint program, 2 frame buffers, a
color processing engine called ChromaFX, and a frame grabber
and storer.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: NewTek, 913-354-1584;
Commodore, 215-431-9100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 16 BBS DOWNLOADERS OF SYSTEM 7 CAN CALL 900 NUMBER FOR SUPPORT 05/16/91

05/16/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)

BBS DOWNLOADERS OF SYSTEM 7 CAN CALL 900 NUMBER FOR SUPPORT 05/16/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 16 (NB) -- Those choosing
to download their System 7 software from a bulletin board or major
online system or get it free from a user group can still get
support via phone, but it won't be free.

Apple spokeswoman Brooke Cohan tells Newsbytes that free support in
the US and Canada, via an 800 toll-free number, is only available
to those who purchase the System 7 software package direct from a
dealer, at a cost of $99.

Those downloading the software from major online systems, including
Genie, America Online, and Compuserve, or from bulletin board systems,
or those who get it from the Nautilus CD-ROM, can get support by
dialling 900-535-APPL at a cost of $2 a minute. There is also a
line which has prerecorded answers to "the top questions" about System
7.0, and it is a toll call at 408-257-7700.

Users cannot get System 7.0 from Prodigy since the system does
not allow file downloading.

(Wendy Woods/19910516)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 15 HP'S NEW WAVE INTEGRATES NEC, IBM AND FUJITSU 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00001)

HP'S NEW WAVE INTEGRATES NEC, IBM AND FUJITSU 05/15/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- It's a Tower of Babble when
it comes to Japanese PCs. Few can talk with each other and exchange
data. Canon hopes to change all this by offering a "universal
translator" for NEC, IBM and Fujitsu machines. Canon will market
Hewlett-Packard's original software tool which integrates
different types of personal computers -- it's called "New Wave."

The software will be supplied to NEC, IBM, and Fujitsu on an OEM
(original equipment manufacturer) agreement with Canon. These firms
will bundle this tool with their own personal computers, according
to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper.

New Wave is an object-oriented integrated shell originally
developed by Hewlett-Packard in the U.S. but revised by Canon
for Japanese computers. New Wave operates applications with a
consistent user interface on a variety of operating systems
including MS-Windows, OS/2 and Unix, regardless of the hardware.

Japanese personal computers, which are equipped with New
Wave, are expected to debut as early as this December. Canon
will supply a Japanese application program development toolkit
to software makers this summer.

Currently, Japanese PCs are not compatible with each other
although most of them run programs written for the MS-DOS
operating systems. This is because they are using modified
versions of MS-DOS. With New Wave, application programs can be
shared among different Japanese PCs.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910515/Press Contact: Canon, [phone]
Fax, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 JAPAN: FAX MACHINE DISPLAYS FAXES ON LCD, PAPER OPTIONAL 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00002)

JAPAN: FAX MACHINE DISPLAYS FAXES ON LCD, PAPER OPTIONAL 05/15/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Toshiba has developed a low-end
version of a fax machine that is equipped with a liquid crystal
display on which a transcript of the fax can be viewed.
It is expected to cost around 150,000 yen ($1,100).

Toshiba's latest fax machine, called the "Display Fax,"
is equipped with a built-in LCD with the size of 23 by 7 cm
and a memory. The received messages can be displayed and
scrolled up and down on the screen. This feature allows the
user to choose which fax messages to print out. So, it will
save the fax paper.

Interestingly enough, the scanner part can be separated from the
body of the fax machine. So, the thick document such as books can
be transmitted easily.

This fax machine is expected to debut this fall, and will be aimed
at home users. Other electronics firms are expected to follow
shortly thereafter with similar products.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910515/Press Contact: Toshiba, +81-3-
3457-2100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 SANYO AND NEC AGREE ON SALES OF ENGINEERING WORKSTATION 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00003)

SANYO AND NEC AGREE ON SALES OF ENGINEERING WORKSTATION 05/15/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Sanyo has signed a sales
agreement with NEC which calls for sales and marketing
of NEC's engineering workstation by Sanyo. To start, Sanyo will
sell NEC's Unix workstation -- the EWS4800 series.

Sanyo has yet to develop its own engineering workstation.
So, rather than wait, Sanyo has decided to sell NEC's product,
possibly to learn sales technique and technical skills with the
engineering workstation.

In the initial year, Sanyo expects to rake in 10 billion yen
($75 million) from sales of NEC's engineering workstation
as well as Sanyo's office workstation. Sanyo aims to sell the
engineering workstation to specialty markets such as
CAD (computer aided designing), CAM (computer aided manufacturing)
and CAE (computer aided education).

Meanwhile, Sanyo also expects to start marketing its own
engineering workstation in the spring of 1992. It has the MIPS'
RISC (reduced instruction computing) chip. The firm plans to market
both firms' products until sales of its own product picks up.
Then, Sanyo wants to switch the deal to an OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) agreement with NEC.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910515/Press Contact: Sanyo, [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 NEW PCS IN JAPAN: 32-Bit Notebooks From Fujitsu & AST 05/15/91

05/15/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00004)

NEW PCS IN JAPAN: 32-Bit Notebooks From Fujitsu & AST 05/15/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Fujitsu and AST Research have
each released new notebook-type 32-bit personal computers in
Japan. The Fujitsu offering is called the "FMR-50NBX" and
is compatible with its desktop computers.

The new notebook-type PC has a 16MHz 80386SX microprocessor, a 3.5-
inch floppy disk drive, a 1.25MB RAM disk drive and an IC card
drive. Fujitsu also sells the 20MB and 40MB hard disk models. The
backlit-LCD display supports 16-color gradation. The PC weighs
2.6kg, and costs 258,000 yen ($1,900) to 385,000 yen ($2,850).
Fujitsu promises to offer 100 software products on an IC card
format by the end of this year.

The notebook from AST Research Japan, a subsidiary of the U.S.
computer firm, is the "Premium Executive 386SX120." The PC runs
the software written for IBM's Japanese operating system DOS/V
and Japanese Windows 3.0. A 20MHz 80386SX chip is the heart of
the operation. The display supports VGA, which is 640 x 480
pixels. The list price is whopping 629,000 yen ($4,650) to 797,000
yen ($5,900). At this price, AST Research admits it plans to
sell just 4,500 units this year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910515/Press Contact: Fujitsu, +81-3-3215-
5236, AST Research Japan, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 NORTHERN TELECOM CUTS JOBS AT CANADIAN PLANT 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00005)

NORTHERN TELECOM CUTS JOBS AT CANADIAN PLANT 05/15/91
BELLEVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Northern Telecom
has told employees at its manufacturing facility here that 136 jobs
will be eliminated by the end of the year. Most of the jobs are in
the manufacturing of private branch exchanges (PBXs), telephone
sets, and subassemblies, with the balance in materials handling and
product development.

John Lawlor, a spokesman for Northern Telecom in Mississauga,
Ontario, told Newsbytes the cuts result partly from the aging of
some products, the manufacturing of which is being scaled back.
Some labor-intensive work is also being shifted overseas. Power
packs previously made in Belleville will now be made in Penang,
Malaysia, for instance. "It's a reality of the Canadian workplace
that for those kinds of jobs we really can't compete," he said.

Northern also plans to purchase cable with connectors already
installed, rather than attaching the connectors itself. Cuts in
materials handling result from the decision to work through a
distributor for certain components that Northern previously bought
directly from a long list of suppliers. This means a "shift of
responsibility" from Northern to its distributor, Lawlor said.

About 15 of the jobs that will be cut in Belleville are in research
and development, Lawlor said. This reflects the fact that
Northern's Meridian One PBX line is now more than a year old, and
needs less research and development support. The focus is shifting
to newer products such as wireless PBX's, on which research and
development is being done at Bell-Northern Research in Ottawa,
Lawlor said.

The cuts will not necessarily result in 136 employees being laid
off, Lawlor said. The first step is to meet with about 85 employees
who are eligible for early retirement incentives. Depending on the
response to those incentives, he said, layoffs are likely to start
in mid-September and continue until the end of the year. Lawlor
added that an upturn in the economy could still offset the cuts,
leading to fewer jobs disappearing than is currently planned.

(Grant Buckler/19910515/Press Contact: John Lawlor, Northern
Telecom, 416-238-7000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 SOFTWARE PUBLISHING TO ACQUIRE PRECISION SOFTWARE 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00006)

SOFTWARE PUBLISHING TO ACQUIRE PRECISION SOFTWARE 05/15/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Software
Publishing has announced it has signed a letter of intent to acquire
Precision Software Ltd., of Surrey, England.

The agreement calls for Precision Software shareholders to be
paid in a combination of cash and securities, and values the
company at approximately $25 million. The acquisition is subject
to signing a definitive agreement and approval by the boards of
directors of both companies.

Mary Jane Reiter, spokesperson for Software Publishing, told
Newsbytes that the opening up of the European Community
in '92 was not a major consideration in the acquisition of
Precision, as the company "already has an international
base" which accounts for 25 percent of all Software Publishing's
sales.

The reasons for the move were more to do with "looking to
acquire a product that fits in" with Software Publishing's own
offerings, she said.

Interestingly, Reiter told Newsbytes that Software Publishing
considered Europe to be behind the United States in terms
of penetration of PCs and software, and therefore a "pretty
untapped market."

"The acquisition gives us immediate access to the growing
Windows database market and will allow us to build on the
market leadership already established by Precision Software,"
said Fred M. Gibbons, president and chief executive officer of
Software Publishing.

Precision Software is a privately held company and the developer
of the Superbase 2 and Superbase 4 database products for the
Microsoft Windows environment. In addition to its UK headquarters,
Precision Software has subsidiaries in Irving, Texas and Munich,
Germany. The company had revenues of approximately $10
million for its fiscal year ended March 31, 1991.

"In addition, the Superbase technology is complementary to our
long-term information access development plans based on the
client/server model. InfoAlliance is the backbone of this
strategy and a key product area for Software Publishing," added
Gibbons.

Software Publishing develops and markets a range of
decision-critical software for IBM personal computers and
compatibles, including the Professional and Harvard series and
the InfoAlliance product line.

(Ian Stokell/19910515/Press Contact: Mary Jane Reiter, Software
Publishing Corp., 415-335-6440)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 MICROSOFT REPORTS FULL SUPPORT FOR SYSTEM 7 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SAT)(00007)

MICROSOFT REPORTS FULL SUPPORT FOR SYSTEM 7 05/15/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced that it will support all the features of
System 7 in its 8 Macintosh products within 12 months.

Specific System 7 features Microsoft referred to include the
Publish and Subscribe function (similar to DDE on Windows
whereby data and functions can be shares between applications
and users); Balloon Help (which provides a quick overview of
menu commands); virtual memory (using disk files to mimic random
access memory); and TrueType scalable fonts.

Microsoft Excel version 3.0 spreadsheet for the Mac already
supports most of these features.

"System 7 allows us to create better Macintosh applications,"
stated Mike Maples, vice president of applications software at
Microsoft. "Capabilities that we used to build into our
applications, such as 'warm links,' are now supported in System
7, allowing us to break new ground by adding even more of the
functionality requested by users."

System 7 for the Mac has been awaited for about two years, and
in the meantime Microsoft has come out with answers to it for
the DOS world in Windows 3 with DDE (dynamic data exchange) and
its enhancement called OLE (object linking and embedding), plus
virtual memory and consistent help screens. TrueType font
technology is expected to be included in future enhancements of
Windows, offering matching screen and printer fonts that can be
scaled to any size.

(Lamont Wood/19910515/Press Contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft,
206-882-8080, fax [phone].)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 AT&T, MICROSOFT JOIN TO DEVELOP UNIX LAN MANAGER 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SAT)(00008)

AT&T, MICROSOFT JOIN TO DEVELOP UNIX LAN MANAGER 05/15/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- AT&T, HP, and
Microsoft have announced an agreement to have Bell Laboratories
take over development of LAN manager for Unix machines. LAN
Manager for Unix will be influenced by Microsoft to comply with
the overall direction of LAN Manager, but the brunt of the
development will now be transferred to AT&T.

LAN Manager for Unix is the server application that will run under
Unix. LAN Manager for OS/2 will continue to be developed by
Microsoft and will influence the future development of LAN Manager
for Unix. Microsoft's goal is to allow for interconnections among
machines of many manufacturers and types. Microsoft hopes that all
computer platforms will eventually encompass support of LAN manager
in one way or another.

The companies' current strategy calls for LAN Manager server
applications to reside on OS/2 and Unix machines while all other
machines will support LAN Manager client applications. If this
occurs, Macintoshes, DOS machines, Suns, HPs and many others
will all be able to reside on one network exchanging files and
sharing resources seamlessly.

Up till this announcement, AT&T, Microsoft, and HP each had their own
versions of LAN manager under development. As a result of this
agreement only one set of code will be developed allowing for
consistency and less customer confusion. The companies expect that
the Application Programming Interface (API) for both products
will develop jointly and compatibly. Microsoft and AT&T will both
market the product internationally to hardware manufacturers and
independent software vendors.

"We are committed to bringing one powerful, portable Unix
system-based network operating system, as well as value-added
services and support, to the marketplace," said Mike Murray,
general manager of the Microsoft network business unit. "This
cooperative development agreement will benefit customers by
enabling them to use the power of client-server computing in a
single network that includes minicomputers as well as PC servers
running the Unix System and OS/2."

"Now there will be a single LAN Manager for Unix Systems for
customers who want to take advantage of the extraordinary
scalability of the Unix System and the advanced client-server
capabilities of LAN Manager," said Bill O'Shea, vice president
of systems marketing/ and development, AT&T Computer Systems.

(Naor Wallach & Lamont Wood/19910514/Press Contact: Jill Pembroke,
Waggener Edstrom, 503-245-0905; Brenda Hansen, Microsoft,
206-882-8080, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 BULL HN STRENGTHENS MALAYSIAN POSITION 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00009)

BULL HN STRENGTHENS MALAYSIAN POSITION 05/15/91
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- In a move intended to
boost its market position in Malaysia, Bull HN Information Systems
has opened a marketing and support office in the capital, Kuala
Lumpur.

Bull says the move is part of a continuing effort to develop its
Asian marketplace

The Malaysian marketing force will work closely with recently
appointed distributor, Peransang Alphasoft SDN Bhd (PAB) and other
local vendors. Their aim will be to promote Bull's computer
systems, with particular emphasis on the Unix-based DPX/2
minicomputers and DPS 6000 mid-range systems, according to marketing
and planning manager, Richard Law.

Chairman of the Perangsang Group, Dato' Haji Zabir, said the presence
of a Bull team has greatly strengthened Bull's support to PAB, which
recently won a contract to supply DPX/2 computers to the chain of
Holiday Inn Hotels in Malaysia.

"Our operation in Malaysia started small, but we expect to achieve
significant growth within a short period in light of the promising
economic situation and market potential for the IT industry in
Malaysia," said Law.

Bull HN has its Asian headquarters in Hong Kong, while maintaining
full Asian operations in Singapore and Taiwan.

(Norman Wingrove/19910515/Press Contact: Mike Dunn, MDL,
Phone: + 852 838 3889, Fax: + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 WORDSTAR-IMAGINEERING SQUABBLE ERUPTS IN ASIA 05/15/91

05/15/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00010)

WORDSTAR-IMAGINEERING SQUABBLE ERUPTS IN ASIA 05/15/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- A public slugging match
between the makers of Wordstar and software distributor Imagineering
appears to be nearing a climax.

The South China Morning Post weekly supplement, Technology Post,
quotes an anonymous source as saying Imagineering intends to file
complaints, possibly including one of libel, against Wordstar.

Last week, Wordstar placed advertisements in newspapers in Hong Kong
and Malaysia, saying it was considering legal action against
Imagineering for allegedly distributing incomplete copies of the
Wordstar program. Imagineering, which last year was embroiled in a
software scandal involving illicit sale and packaging of Lotus
products, has denied Wordstar's allegations and, according to the
Post report, insists that all Wordstar products it has were imported
directly from Wordstar in the US or were manufactured under licence
from Wordstar.

The Post also reports that other Wordstar distributors named in the
Wordstar advertisements, themselves apparently likely targets of
legal action by Imagineering, claim they were not consulted by
Wordstar before their names were used and had no part in placing the
ads.

The fracas comes at a time when Imagineering has been making
determined attempts to recover from last year's scandal, which
resulted in the dismissal of a number of its management staff in
Asia.

According to the Post, a statement by Wordstar in a leaked letter to
its authorized dealers that it would take legal action against
Imagineering, has not been followed up by action, whereas
Imagineering may take counter-action in the courts as early as the
end of this week.

(Norman Wingrove/19910515)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 NEW FOR MAC: Sitka Upgrades MacTops To 3.1 05/15/91

05/15/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00011)

NEW FOR MAC: Sitka Upgrades MacTops To 3.1 05/15/91
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Sitka
MacTops version 3.1, due to ship this summer, is expected to
be System 7.0 compatible and will enable the operation of
System 6 and System 7 computers on the same network, the company says.

MacTops is a part of the Sitka line of products that allow for
complete peer to peer networking within a mixed environment that
can contain Macintoshes, IBM PCs or compatibles, and Sun
Microsystems computers. Other Sitka products are named DosTops
and SunTops and the complete network is known as SitkaTops.

This arrangement is a unique set-up that contrasts to the more
general way of handling networks which calls for dedicated hardware
and software.

MacTops 3.1 allows for the addition of Macintoshes that are running
under Apple's just announced System 7.0 to existing SitkaTops
networks. Current machines that are running under System 6 can
remain as they are or they can be upgraded.

MacTops version 3.1 will be available in August of this year
according to the company. Anyone who purchases MacTops between now
and when version 3.1 begins shipping will receive a free upgrade
to the new version as well as the authority to upgrade the rest of
their Macintosh systems for free. A site upgrade will cost $75 once
the new version begins shipping.

(Naor Wallach/19910514/Press Contact: Rebecca Fuller, Sitka Corp.,
415-769-2580)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 3COM ANNOUNCES REORGANIZATION 05/15/91

05/15/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00012)

3COM ANNOUNCES REORGANIZATION 05/15/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- 3Com announced
a reorganization involving two of its divisions. Vice President and
General Manager of the Distributed Systems Division Alan Kessler has
accepted the job of vice president and general manager of the Network
Systems Division. Also, the Distributed Systems Division will be
folded into the Network Systems Division.

The current manager of the Network Systems Division was Eric
Benhamou who also acts as the company's president and chief executive
officer. Benhamou will now concentrate on long-term strategies for
the company.

The Network Systems Division was formed in October 1990 with a focus
on terminal servers, wiring hubs, protocol software, and internetworking
products. The Distributed Systems Division focused on network servers,
workstations, and related products.

3Com claims that the internetworking marketplace grew by 33% in 1990
and that this consolidation of the two divisions will lead to a better
strategy for dealing with this exploding market. Mr. Kessler is 33 years
old and has been with the company since graduating from college.

(Naor Wallach/19910514/Press Contact: David Abramson, 3Com Corp.,
408-764-6621)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15  ****ILLINOIS BELL CHIEF LETS CALLER ID CAT OUT OF BAG 05/15/91

05/15/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)

 ****ILLINOIS BELL CHIEF LETS CALLER ID CAT OUT OF BAG 05/15/91
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- The Illinois
Commerce Commission staff has recommended that Illinois Bell be
allowed to offer the controversial "Caller ID" service without
blocking, on a two-year trial. That recommendation was mentioned
in testimony which Illinois Bell President Richard Brown gave a
House telecommunications subcommittee. Brown was arguing against
a bill which would let consumers block their numbers from going
on, on a per-call basis.

The content of Brown's testimony was confirmed by Mike Connally,
a spokesman for the committee. A summary of the testimony from by
Brown, he said, read in part that "The ICC staff, after careful
analysis, has agreed with our proposal." In the 8 pages of
written testimony, which Connally read to Newsbytes, it said in
part "We have filed with the ICC for permission to offer Caller
ID without blocking. The ICC staff has recommended that our
proposal be approved for a two year trial."

Recently, advocates of Caller ID without allowing for blocking
have been fighting a losing battle with state regulators.
BellSouth, Ameritech, and Bell Atlantic all claim that allowing
blocking would dilute the service, but BellSouth couldn't win
that argument in Florida, Bell Atlantic hasn't won that argument
in New York and Ameritech was said to be in trouble in Illinois.
Pacific Telesis, on the other hand, has endorsed blocking, and
the California Legislature passed a bill mandating it.
NYNEX and Southwestern Bell are publicly neutral on the subject,
and some observers feel the service' roll-out has been delayed by
the uncertainty.

Of the Markey bill, Connally said, "We're still negotiating over
the question of state pre-emption, and trying to work out some
problems. Once that's sorted out we'll bring the bill to the
subcommittee." The argument is over the minimal standards for
blocking that would overturn state law.

As to the testimony, ICC spokesman David Farrell told Newsbytes
"That's news to me" regarding the staff decision. Public hearings
are still going on, he said, regarding Illinois Bell's request to
offer the service, and the case has been paired with a request by
Centel to offer Caller ID with blocking.

Illinois Bell, meanwhile, insists its boss was misquoted. "No
decision has been made, not even a hint," spokesman Laura Littel,
the company's point person on Caller ID, told Newsbytes. "As far
as I know, and I read the entire transcript, he did not say that.
The ICC is only halfway through proceedings, and a decision isn't
due until October 11."

The bill in question is called The Telephone Consumer Privacy
Rights Act. It would currently require any phone company offering
Caller ID to provide free blocking of caller's numbers, on a per-
call basis. The FCC is also looking at the whole Caller ID
question, but has yet to make any public statements. In
interviews, FCC chairman Alfred Sikes says he's neutral on the
subject.

Markey's subcommittee is also looking at a bill called the
Telephone Advertising Consumer Act, which would require the
Federal Communications Commission to establish a national data
base of people who don't want unsolicited phone or fax calls,
which marketers would have to consult before making such calls.
That's similar to a practice in Florida, which passed an anti-
junk call law in 1990.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: House Subcommittee on
Telecommunications, Mike Connally, 202-226-2424; Illinois
Commerce Commission, David Farrell, 217-524-5056; Illinois Bell,
Laura Littel, 312-220-2381)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 BUSINESSLAND MAY SEEK CH. 11, CUTS TIES WITH NEXT 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00014)

BUSINESSLAND MAY SEEK CH. 11, CUTS TIES WITH NEXT 05/15/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Businessland Inc.,
and Next Computer Inc., have announced that the two companies have
mutually agreed to terminate their sales agreement effective at
the end of May. Businessland has been authorized to sell and
service Next products since March 1989. The severing of relations
comes as Businessland teeters on the brink of bankruptcy.

In their joint announcement, Businessland and Next attributed the
termination to "changes in the two companies' selling strategies."
The announcement stated "Businessland has refocused on
distributing microcomputers in volume to corporate users and
has closed its retail outlets. Next has expanded its independent
retail dealer channel for sales to small and medium size
businesses and has expanded its direct sales force and VAR and
systems integrator channels for sales to corporate customers."

Businessland, the operator of 62 stores and branch offices
throughout the world, may seek either Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection or a buyer to take over the company. The firm reported
its sixth consecutive quarterly loss. The current third-quarter
loss of $43 million on revenues of $269.7 is a figure
down 17% from the previous year. Informed sources say
Computerland and JWP Inc. are in discussions with Businessland
officers regarding a possible buy-out once the company files for
Chapter 11 protection.

In a statement, Businessland said that the quarterly loss
"reflected continuing losses in both domestic and foreign
operations."

Once one of the strongest retail chains in the country,
Businessland suffered various financial blows over the past
two years.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen & Wendy Woods/Press
Contacts: Sylvia France, Businessland Inc., 408437-4453; Emily
Brower, Next Computer Inc., 415/780-3786/19910515)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 IBM KICKS OFF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAM 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(000015)

IBM KICKS OFF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAM 05/15/91
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- IBM has
announced what it refers to as "a major research program
intended to encourage the use of computer-based technology in
the study of environmental problems."

The multimillion program is intended to promote cross-
disciplinary collaboration and stimulate the international
transfer of technology and will provide funding, equipment and
technical support for selected research projects over several
years. IBM will invite qualified researchers from universities
and research organizations in the United States to submit
preliminary project outlines, after which a review committee
will request formal proposals on selected projects. An IBM
advisory committee, including representatives from the
environmental, scientific and business communities, will then
evaluate the formal research proposals and nominate
candidates for final selection by IBM.

IBM said the program "is designed to address problems of
concern to both industry and the general public, such as
ground water pollution, ozone depletion and waste disposal." It
also stated that, while "this program will be offered on an
invitation basis, interested parties may obtain guidelines by
writing to: Program Director, Environmental Research Program,
IBM Corporation, 208 Harbor Drive, Room Number 4C-29, P.O.
Box 10501, Stamford, Conn., 06904-2501."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Brian
Doyle, IBM, 914-765-6432/19910515)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 DIGITAL FILES PATENT SUIT 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00016)

DIGITAL FILES PATENT SUIT 05/15/91
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) --
Digital Equipment Corp. has announced that it has filed a
lawsuit against Clearpoint Research Corp. of Hopkinton, Mass.,
for patent infringement.

The charges against Clearpoint involve five patents relating to
the VAXBI bus and one patent on the Mass Storage Control
Protocol (MSCP), Digital makes the interconnect technology
available to the industry through two licensing programs. It
claims that "Clearpoint has been offered and has refused to
take a license under either program."

The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the
District of Massachusetts, asks that Clearpoint Research
Corporation be permanently enjoined from "directly or
indirectly making or causing to be made, using or causing to be
used, or selling or causing to be sold, any equipment or
products that infringe any or all" of the above mentioned six
patents; that they account for and pay to Digital all damages
including lost profits and interest thereon; and that they pay
triple damages for their intentional copying of Digital's
patented inventions and violation of Digital's patent rights.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Nikki
Richardson, Digital Equipment Corp., 508-493-6369/19910515)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 IBM ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR MATH EXPERTS 05/15/91

05/15/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00017)

IBM ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR MATH EXPERTS 05/15/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- IBM
announced that it will provide loaned computers, software,
training and service support valued at $2.8 million to the
Mathematical Sciences Education Board (MSEB) of the National
Research Council for a nationwide network linking leaders in
mathematics education reform. The network is expected to be
in operation by Oct. 1.

The network, the Mathematical Sciences Education Leadership
Network (MSELnet), is intended to enhance communication
among 165 leaders in nine national organizations which are
working cooperatively to implement national mathematics
education reforms in each state.

Announcing the grant, James E. Dezell, IBM vice president and
general manager of IBM Educational Systems, said, "Last year,
the nation's governors adopted several key goals for education,
among them that students in the United States will be the best
in the world in mathematics and science achievement by the
year 2000. We believe the MSEB has taken a key role in the
work needed to be done to make that happen, and we're
confident that networked computer technology can make the
job easier, more efficient and enjoyable. These
technologies placed in the hands of our nation's leaders in
mathematics education will help us create environments where
mathematics can be visualized experienced, taught and
discovered like never before."

Ray C. Shiflett, executive director of the MSEB, commented on
the goal of the network installation, saying, "Educators in the
mathematical sciences are prepared to help achieve the
governors' goals. To do so we are basing our actions on new
standards for the content, teaching and assessment of
mathematical sciences from grade school through graduate
studies. MSELnet is an important part of that plan. MSELnet
will be of great value to national efforts to improve instruction
in the mathematical sciences since it fosters the timely sharing
of ideas among decision makers at the national, state and
classroom levels."

The Mathematical Sciences Education Board was established in
1985 by the National Research Council, Washington, D.C., to
stimulate, coordinate and monitor national reform of
mathematical sciences education. The National Research
Council is the operating arm of the National Academies of
Sciences and Engineering.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contacts: Tom Wall,
IBM, 404-238-2950; Kathleen Holmay, Mathematical Sciences
Education Board, 301-588-6168/19910515)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 INTERFACE TO AUDIT COMDEX/SPRING ATTENDANCE 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00018)

INTERFACE TO AUDIT COMDEX/SPRING ATTENDANCE 05/15/91
NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Trade shows
have never been audited for circulation and demographics the way
publications are. Interface Group plans to change this with an
audit of its Comdex/Spring and Windows/World events slated for
May 20-23 at Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center.

The audit will be conducted by Exhibit Surveys of Red Bank,
New Jersey, and will seek data regarding the number of attendees,
their locales, organization types, titles, and influence in
purchasing computers and related products. Audit results are
expected 8 weeks after the events, and will be made available
to exhibitors.

Jane Lorimer, president of the Trade Show Bureau of Denver,
says the audit shows that "Interface Group has taken a major
leadership role in helping its exhibitors and the entire trade show
industry ascertain much-needed information."

Comdex show director, Richard Schwab, says, "Comdex is a bellwether
of the computer industry and trade shows worldwide. As such,
we felt Comdex is setting a new standard in providing
data about attendees to exhibitors."

Some 60,000 attendees are expected and 900 companies are to
exhibit at the combined shows, but the audit should confirm these
figures after the show is over.

(Wendy Woods/19910515/Press Contact: Richard Schwab, Interface,
617-449-6600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 UK: ACORN SHUFFLES SHARES WITH OLIVETTI TO RAISE CASH 05/15/91

05/15/91



(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00019)

UK: ACORN SHUFFLES SHARES WITH OLIVETTI TO RAISE CASH 05/15/91
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Acorn Computers
has agreed to sell its 1.57 million shares - representing a 4.58
percent stake - in Literal Corporation, formerly known as Laserdrive,
to Olivetti Realty, a division of Olivetti, the Italian computer
giant.

Olivetti Realty currently owns 79.8 percent of Acorn's ordinary
shares. Acorn officials said that Olivetti, which owns 21.56 percent
of Literal, will pay $1.57 million for Acorn's stake.

According to the Reuters news wire, Literal, an optical storage and
retrieval systems company, reported a $6.1 million loss in the nine
months to September 31, 1990 on net assets of $6.73 million. Acorn
officials said that the sale proceeds would help reduce its debts.

(Steve Gold/19910515/Press Contact: Acorn Computers - Tel: 0223-
245200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 EC REQUESTS SPAIN TO CHANGE ALPHABET 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00020)

EC REQUESTS SPAIN TO CHANGE ALPHABET 05/15/91
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- European Community (EC)
officials have instructed Spain to drop the letter N with a
tilde from computer keyboards to the Spanish marketplace. Not
surprisingly, the demand is drawing sharp protest from the
Ministry of Culture, the Royal Spanish Academy and the Spanish
computer industry, to mention but a few Spanish authorities
outraged by the thought.

The tilde is the diacritical mark over the letter N in Spanish that
indicates the nasal sound `enye.' The tilde is, among other things,
essential to the proper spelling of the country's name in Spanish,
`Espana.' Although not found on all computer keyboards in countries
that use the tilde, such as France and Czechoslovakia, Spain is the
main country in Europe that makes use of the mark.

Inclusion of the tilde is currently mandatory on all printers,
keyboards and computer screens sold in Spain. The EC, however, has
been pressing Spain to drop the tilde since July 1989, arguing that it
is an obstacle to free trade by favoring domestic manufacturers over
those from other EC nations.

The tilde, in fact, is viewed as so essential a part of certain
European languages that several online service providers - notably
viewdata services - actively support the mark as a standard feature of
their otherwise ASCII-driven online services. Even Compuserve is
working on implementing an extended ASCII service for its European
subscribers.

The Royal Spanish Academy is reported to have convened a special
meeting this week to debate proposals to defend the tilde and issue a
statement condemning the EC's request. "The tilde is our tradition
and our identity," Academy Director Manuel Alvar is quoted as
saying. "Its elimination would be a victory for commercial interests
over the value of a language."

(Steve Gold/19910515)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 ITALY: CIR REPORTS PROFITS SLUMP 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00021)

ITALY: CIR REPORTS PROFITS SLUMP 05/15/91
MILAN, ITALY, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- The key holding company of Italian
financier Carlo De Benedetti has posted an 86.5 percent drop in 1990
net profits, mainly from the sale of its stake in Societe Generale de
Belgique.

Compagnie Industriali Riunite (CIR) said that its 1990 profits tumbled
to 9,500 million lire from 144,900 million lire a year earlier.

De Benedetti, the chairman of Italy's computer giant Olivetti, began
an unsuccessful takeover attempt on Societe Generale in 1987. When
CIR later sold its stake in Societe Generale, the company decided to
take the losses on its 1990 earnings statement, although the operation
was completed in the first quarter of this year.

More recently De Benedetti was also involved in a corporate battle for
control of Italy's largest publishing group. He is also currently
embroiled in a legal battle regarding a scandal surrounding the
collapse of the Vatican's bank, the Ambrisiana.

(Steve Gold/19910515)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 GRASS ROOTS LOBBYING MADE EASY IN CALIFORNIA 05/15/91

05/15/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00022)

GRASS ROOTS LOBBYING MADE EASY IN CALIFORNIA 05/15/91
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- A new
database program is available for grass roots citizen
lobbying of public officials in California, says Scott E.
Smith, president of The People's Lobby.

The program of the same name is said by Smith to be a 5000-member
database of the elected and appointed individuals in California
state and local government, with search and selection
capabilities, and the ability to print labels, reports and
mail merge files compatible with WordPerfect, WordStar,
Microsoft Word, PC-Write and Volkswriter.

"Now more than ever Joe Citizen needs to be heard," said
Smith. "We're trying to distribute an easy way for concerned
citizens to communicate with the government officials who
make laws and spend tax dollars. We don't care if you are
pro or con on this issue or the other, we just want our
elected and appointed officials to know that we're
watching."

The People's Lobby claims the database includes 2 U.S.
Senators, 45 Districts of California Representatives to U.S.
Congress, 38 Districts of California Senators, 78 Districts
of California Assembly members, over 500 officials of the
State Executive Branch, over 2500 officials of cities, and
over 1300 officials of California's 58 counties. The
individual names in the database can be modified or deleted
based on the user's preferences and new names can be added,
Smith said.

The program allows the selection of individual names based
on title, office, city, county, area code, party or any
combination of those criteria, and creates a generic comma
delimited file called MERGE.DAT, Smith said. A sample letter
is then provided for each of five word processing programs,
that is already set up for mail merge with the data created
by The People's Lobby program, according to Smith.

The letter can be edited, the information changed and fonts
can be applied within the word processing software, the
company said. Instructions on how to get each of the
software packages supported to execute the mail merge are
included, said Smith.

The People's Lobby retails for $39.95 plus $3.00
shipping/handling and is available from The People's Lobby,
P.O. Box 427-355, Tustin, CA 92681-0427, Tel: [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910515/Press Contact: Scott Smith, The
People's Lobby, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 NEW FOR MAC: Macwrite II /Wordstar's Grammar Checker Bundle 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00023)

NEW FOR MAC: Macwrite II /Wordstar's Grammar Checker Bundle 05/15/91
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- While Claris debates
what to do about a future version of Macwrite II, and whether to
simply discontinue it in favor of the newly announced Macwrite Pro,
a slightly improved version of Macwrite II is due to appear in mid-June.

The new Macwrite II 1.1 version 2 will be free by request to current
owners of Macwrite II, according to a Claris spokeswoman, and buyers of
the program between now and August will get a free copy of Macwrite Pro
when it ships by August. The version 2 of Macwrite II will have a few
minor changes making it more System 7 compatible -- basically related to
Truetype functions.

Claris is also bundling Correct Grammar 2.0 with Macwrite II to sweeten
the deal. The Wordstar product, Correct Grammar 2.0, was acquired when
Wordstar bought Lifetree Software recently.

Wordstar has also brought out a Windows version of Correct Grammar
and is shipping the product now. The software enables users to check
their grammar, spelling, style, and readability. The program costs
$119 but is available to owners of other Wordstar products for $49.

(Wendy Woods/19910515/Press Contact: Eileen Ebner, McLean
PR, 415/377-0478)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15  ****IBM SAYS MULTICHIP PACKAGE IS WORLD'S FASTEST 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00024)

 ****IBM SAYS MULTICHIP PACKAGE IS WORLD'S FASTEST 05/15/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- IBM is saying that
it has set a record for speed and closeness in a 121-chip
ceramic package capable of speeding along electricity at 280
million miles per hour. The announcement was made at the
Electronic Components and Technology Conference in Atlanta.

Engineers say they have packed a new glass ceramic chip
bundle measuring five inches square, designed for its System/390
series of large computers, with 121-chip packages spaced only
three-eighths inches apart. The design of the package, an
evolution of IBM's patented "Thermal Conduction Module" (TCM),
invented in 1980, resembles a multi-layered club sandwich
with chips bonded directly to a 63-layer slice of the glass
ceramic. 140 feet of thin copper wires - each only 1/1,000th
inch thick - link the chips together.

The biggest challenge, says IBM engineers, was in firing the
glass ceramic base with its copper wire in place. So they had
to design a ceramic material that hardens before the copper
wiring melts. The new glass ceramic crystallizes at
1,742 degrees Fahrenheit, just 203 degrees under the temperature that
melts copper.

In short, IBM says the package breaks several records: that of
the lowest "dielectric constant" of any ceramic in commercial
production, allowing electrical signals to travel from chip to chip
about 25 percent faster than in the package it replaces; the
chips are closer together than in any other contemporary chip
package; the design allows heat generated by the chips to be
carried away through copper "pistons" at twice the rate of previous
TCM packages; and the unit's 63 layers of glass ceramic and
copper wiring add up to more layers than in any other ceramic
package design, accommodating the required dense circuitry.

(Wendy Woods/19910515/Press Contact: Linda Currey Post, IBM Corp.,
Research Division, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 914/945-2885)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 COMPAQ EXPECTS LOWER REVENUES 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00025)

COMPAQ EXPECTS LOWER REVENUES 05/15/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Compaq says it will
most likely have revenues 15% below the like quarter last year,
which were $862 million. The culprit is the strong dollar abroad --
which makes US goods less attractive to foreign buyers -- and a
general industry slowdown.

Compaq says its earnings per share will be less than 25 cents,
much lower than the $1.18 the company reported in the second
quarter of 1990.

Rod Canion said, "We have seen several indications that our
recent price reductions have resulted in sales we would otherwise
not have made and we believe we are increasing our already
significant market share. "However, we have recently been
informed by several of our key dealers that as a result of a series
of consolidations and mergers that are currently taking place in
the dealer channel, an excess inventory position has been created
within these operations which will delay their purchase requirements
for additional products." Canion is Compaq president.

Although things may be gloomy now, he sees hope: "We believe
that the pricing and customer support actions taken thus far
in 1991, the ongoing introductions of new products and other
major efforts we are undertaking such as the ACE initiative,
position us well for the future."

(Wendy Woods/19910515/Press Contact: Bob Beach or Debra Globe,
Compaq, 713/374-4613)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 NEW FOR PCS: Fax & Voicemail Called Faxpump 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00026)

NEW FOR PCS: Fax & Voicemail Called Faxpump 05/15/91
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Companies seeking
a cheaper way of running their own fax delivery and voice mail systems
are being eyed by Faxpump Systems, which has just come out with the
$1295 Faxpump, an integrated voicemail with fax system for PCs.

Consisting of two 8-bit, PC compatible (ISA) plug-in cards, an external
speaker, two telephone cords and software, FaxPump requires a PC with
a minimum of 640K RAM (random access memory) and a hard disk drive with
DOS 3.1 or greater. An optional fax/phone switch is $199.

The way it works is this. The unattended FaxPump, using digitally
recorded voice messages, verbally offers callers a set of menu options
and depending on which options are selected, can immediately transmit
the desired document by fax if a call is being made from a fax
machine.

The software keeps track of which options are selected, and if necessary,
calls back the caller's fax machine and transmits them.

Its creators say FaxPump is fully compatible with all existing PBXs and
Voicemail systems using analog lines.

"There is a tremendous need for automated inquiry handling,"
said Victor Hanna of Service Plus Technology, a national distributor
of computer products. "The $15,000 add-on solution offered by
voicemail companies is out of the reach of most small to mid-sized
companies and corporate departments."

(Wendy Woods/19910515/Press Contact: Chris Claudatos, Closed Loop
Marketing, 800/695-1210)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 NOVELL SUPPORT NOW AVAILABLE ON 800 LINE 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00027)

NOVELL SUPPORT NOW AVAILABLE ON 800 LINE 05/15/91
LAKE OSWEGO, OREGON 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Users who block calls to
900 numbers can now call a 800 number for 24-hour hotline
support. The new service is operated by 900 Support, Inc, which
also operates the 900 line.

Calls to the 900 line were a problem for firms which had blocked
calls to the 900 series numbers to preclude employees from making
calls to some of the entertainment services. Under the new
service, callers can either obtain a personal identification
number (PIN) by establishing a service contract, or charge the
call to a credit card.

Danton Mendell, president of 900 Support Inc., says the 800 access
was opened to meet corporate and government demand. Mendell says
that 95 percent of all Novell Netware problems are diagnosed and
resolved in about 10 minutes by the CNEs (Certified Netware
Engineers) that staff the service.

The number to call for Novell network support is 800-937-4832,
and calls are charged at $4.99 for the first minute and $2.99 for
each additional minute. Requests for additional information
should be directed to 503-684-3519 or fax [phone].

(Jim Mallory/19910514/Press Contact: Steve Leon, Technopolis
Communications, 213-670-5606, FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 NEW FOR PCS: Logitech Intros Low-Cost First Mouse 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00028)

NEW FOR PCS: Logitech Intros Low-Cost First Mouse 05/15/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- The
extraordinary popularity of Microsoft Windows 3.0 has led to
Logitech introducing a low-cost $79 three-button serial mouse
designed for first-time users called 'First Mouse.'

"We introduced First Mouse to meet the needs of price-conscious
users who are looking for a basic mouse," said Logitech product
marketing manager, William Mowry.

Included in the First Mouse package is 'Mouse Software,' which
provides a pop-up control panel, ballistic drivers for adjusting
cursor sensitivity, pre-programmed menus, and a special driver
that the company maintains provides complete Microsoft
compatibility in addition to permitting the use of all three buttons.

The product has an elongated curved shape with large buttons
and an accompanying 46-page user manual.

"With the growing popularity of graphical user interfaces such as
Microsoft Windows 3.0, there is an increasing demand for pointing
devices, but not everyone wants to buy a high-end product initially, "
added Mowry.

(Ian Stokell/19910515/Press Contact: Betty Skov, Logitech,
415-795-8500)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 MOSCOW NEWS WEEKLY OFFERS FAX EDITION 05/15/91

05/15/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00029)

MOSCOW NEWS WEEKLY OFFERS FAX EDITION 05/15/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Moscow News, an independent
weekly, has become a first Soviet newspaper to offer a faxed edition.

Vladimir Brodetsky, Moscow News Fax Digest marketing manager, told
Newsbytes that the service was launched last month and has an
undisclosed number of subscribers in the U.S. and Europe. Every
Wednesday it has 8 pages of English-language information extracted
from what has been published in the newspaper.

A one-year subscription costs US$350, 6 months -- US$180, 3 months --
US$90.

Digest has distribution agents in United States, Italy, and Germany.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910515/Press & Public Contact: Vladimir
Brodetsky, Moscow News Fax Digest, phone [phone]; fax +7 095
200-0267)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 15 AST COFOUNDER HONORED 05/15/91

05/15/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00030)

AST COFOUNDER HONORED 05/15/91
CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 15 (NB) -- Tom Yuen, co-founder and
chief operating officer of AST Research, has been awarded the first-
ever Honorary Fellowship conferred by the Hong Kong Association for
the Advancement of Science and Technology (HKAAST).

The ceremony took place at the inauguration if the International
Federation of Associations for the Advancement of Science and
Technology (IFAAST).

Yuen was born in Shanghai, but as a child moved to Hong Kong, and
he received his early education before attending the University of
California, Irvine, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree
with honours in electrical engineering.

Together with two friends, Yuen founded AST Research in 1980 as an
engineering consultancy and component board manufacturer. The company
went on to produce its own range of high-performance PCs, with
revenues of over US$500 million in 1990.

At the conferment, Yuen said, "I am very proud to become a fellow of
the HKAAST and have a chance to participate in Hong Kong's
advancement in this area. I know the territory can continue to
contribute significantly to the development of technology for all the
world's peoples."

(Norman Wingrove/19910515/Press Contact: Clara Shek, Media Dynamics,
Phone: + 852 838 3889, Fax: + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD







#CARD::1991 MAY 14 RAMTRON SIGNS WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTORS 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00001)

RAMTRON SIGNS WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTORS 05/14/91
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) --
Ramtron International has announced it has signed up 16 sales
representatives worldwide to sell and support the company's
semiconductor products.

Ramtron manufactures FRAM (ferroelectric nonvolatile random
access memory). FRAM is the first memory product which retains the
information in its memory when the power is turned off and without the
need for a magnetic change in the material, as is required in bubble
memory.

The initial FRAM chips are expected to be installed in electronic
products which require less memory than PCs, such as telephones,
video cameras, postage and power meters, and electronic identification
devices. A spokesman for Ramtron told Newsbytes that later
generations of FRAMs are expected for use in computer products.
Richard Horton, Ramtron president, said that FRAM products will offer
significant cost savings over competitive semiconductor memory
products.

Ramtron's new sales network will initially be selling and supporting
the FMx 120B FRAM as part of a FRAM evaluation and development
system, called the FEDS-1. The network will also support higher
capacity FRAM products as they are introduced.

Under the new sales agreements announced today, Ramtron will have
U.S. representatives in New England, the western and southwestern
states, along the east coast and in the midwest. Foreign representatives
will be located in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Germany, the
United Kingdom, and in Europe.

FRAM products are manufactured at the Colorado Springs plant, as well
as in plants in Germany and Japan by licensed manufacturing
partners. Ramtron can be contacted toll free at 800-545-3726 or Fax on
719-481-9170.

(Jim Mallory/19910514/Press Contact:Jil Goebel, Origin Systems, 719-
630-3384)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 CRAY AND LOS ALAMOS LAB BOOST HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE 05/14/91

05/14/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)

CRAY AND LOS ALAMOS LAB BOOST HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE 05/14/91
EGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) --- Cray Research and the
Department of Energy in the U.S. have joined forces to sponsor a year
long competition for high school students. The program is designed to
heighten interest in science and technology.

Students participating in the competition have access to the Cray Y-MP
supercomputer installed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The
lab is operated by the Department of Energy.

This week students from about 20 percent of New Mexico high schools
gathered in Los Alamos to display the projects they have been working
on and participate in an awards ceremony for their work, which
includes projects from astronomy to zoology.

Technical experts from the National Lab and Cray provide ongoing
support to the teachers, students and coaches. Other sponsoring
organizations are several New Mexico universities, Sandia National
Laboratories, New Mexico Technet and several public and private
organizations.

Cray chairman John Rollwagen, who delivered the keynote address
at the awards banquet said he believes the program will help the
nation maintain its technological strength. "It is collaborative efforts like
this that will develop these students of today in the advanced
technical thinkers of tomorrow," he said.

In January of 1991, Cray Research donated a X-MP supercomputer to
the Department of Energy's Livermore National Laboratory which is also
used to support the National High School Supercomputer program.

Summer workshops are available for both students and teachers, and
during the school year students can access the systems by modem (a
device that connects computers to conventional phone lines).

(Jim Mallory/19910514/Press Contact:Kate Neessen, Cray, 612-683-7132,
FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 KELLY SERVICES GOES HIGH TECH WITH OPTICAL BILLING 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

KELLY SERVICES GOES HIGH TECH WITH OPTICAL BILLING 05/14/91
TROY, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Kelly Services, long a
provider of temporary employees with PC skills, has announced the
Kelly optical imaging laser billing system, which the company says
will save time and increase efficiency for both their customers and
their staff.

Until the implementation of the new procedure, more than 100,000 time
records were photocopied and inserted in with the customer's invoice
manually. Using the new technology, an image of each time card is
captured electronically and printed directly on the invoice.

Time cards for the more than 580,000 temporary Kelly employees
worldwide are scanned by high speed optical scanner and stored on
optical disks. After sorting and verification from data in Kelly's
database files, invoices -- including the scanned image -- are printed
on a standard eight-and-a-half by 11-inch sheet of paper. All of Kelly's
180,000-plus customers will be served by the new system. Kelly
spokesperson Jane Riesterer said that data can also be easily
retrieved from the optical disk files if needed later, ensuring quick
response to a customers query.

Riesterer says that for customers who prefer to eliminate a paper
invoice completely, the billing process can be handled by electronic
data interchange and electronic funds transfer, similar to
transactions where banks transfer funds from one bank to another.

(Jim Mallory/19910514/Press Contact:Jane Riesterer, Kelly Services,
313-244-4305)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 PHONE PROGRAMS REBUTS FTC KIDDIE LINE CHARGES 05/14/91

05/14/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)

PHONE PROGRAMS REBUTS FTC KIDDIE LINE CHARGES 05/14/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Phone Programs,
the leading supplier of recorded 900 number services, is fighting
charges from the FTC alleging that it was deceptive in advertising two
children's programs -- 'Popeye,' which ran in January, 1989, and 'PJ
Funnybunny,' which ran in March 1989. Two other companies charged
with similar deception have settled with the U.S. Government agency.

PPI chairman Bruce Fogel discussed the charges, and the troubled
state of his industry with Newsbytes. "We've worked too hard for the
image we have," he said. "For me to do what the other companies did,
which was not characterized as an admission of guilt, but you knew was
a tacit admission of guilt, would be wrong."

Fogel added that his company got out of the "kiddie line" business
soon after the ads ran, and that in any case the ads did not contain the
deceptions that the FTC claimed they did.

Fogel continued: "I am an executive committee member of the voice
information services division of the Information Industries
Association," which represents the 900 industry and opposes all
government regulation of the industry.

"Our company is going further than the association right now." Fogel
said he likes parts of the FCC's proposed rules, for instance, including
mandatory kill messages for childrens' programs, during which they
can hang up the phone without charge.

"We think there should be a price point over which a preamble
should be placed, and the wording should not advise the customer
that he can hang up without charge. It should tell the customer
positively that billing will start in 4 seconds, a subtle difference."

Fogel added that he thinks a price limit of $5 per minute, $10 total
charge, for such mandatory preambles -- which AT&T and Sprint
have already accepted -- would be fair.

Generally, Fogel supports federal legislation on 900, with free
blocking of the exchange and adjustments on bills when users do not
know about call costs. Republican Edward Markey of Massachusetts
recently concluded hearings about such a bill, and Fogel spoke to his
subcommittee.

"I also told him there should be an admonition on all ads, telling
children to get their parents' permission before calling," and that
advertising should display the price of a call clearly. "There is no
question consumer protection has to be addressed," added Fogel.
"The extent to which they're protected has to be sorted out, and it's
something we haven't been active in."

Fogel also took a swipe at MCI, which announced a set of stringent
guidelines for its 900 numbers recently: "I find what MCI is doing now
to be far more responsive, after they didn't take care of the store
prior to January," he said.

"It's disappointing that they're getting positive publicity as a
Johnny-come-lately, and as to whether they'll be effective, show me,"
he added.

MCI has been in the business for at least as long as the other long
distance companies, said Fogel. "They called it a trial or beta test
before, but they have been in the business. It's a mischaracterization
to say they just got into the business."

Fogel also spoke before the National Attorneys General a few weeks
ago. A committee of the NAG has proposed strict state laws regulating
the 900 industry. Fogel prefers a uniform federal code, but told the
group: "I added the belief that law enforcement cannot shirk their role
in cleaning up our industry. If there are bad apples, they have got to
get them."

Fogel concluded: "We've been at the forefront of this industry, helping
create the laws in place today on advertising guidelines and
childrens' programs. What we found is there's no question there is
trouble in the 900 business, big trouble, but focusing on what the FTC
chose to focus on is something we had to fight. We haven't been in the
kids' business for a long time, and if we were, we would do kids'
programs according to the settlement with the FTC. The difference is
we'd do it voluntarily, and I don't think we did anything wrong in
1989."

In a statement to the media, Fogel notes that all advertising for
'Popeye' and 'PJ Funnybunny' contained voice-overs on the cost of
calling, advising children to get parents' permission. The cost of the
call was also printed on the screen. The statement added that when
the two programs were on, there were no FTC rules or guidelines
legislating the advertising of 900 service programs to children.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: Deborah Green, for PPI,
Deborah Green, 212/685-8794)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14  ****NON-PROPRIETARY FAST DATA STANDARD PROPOSED 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

 ****NON-PROPRIETARY FAST DATA STANDARD PROPOSED 05/14/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- A group of
vendors Monday announced what they call the first non-proprietary
interface specification based on Switched Multimegabit Data Service
(SMDS). Ungerman-Bass, Digital Link, Verilink, Wellfleet
Communications, and Advanced Computer Communications
consolidated the work of two independent development groups to
propose a single standard.

Many local phone companies are beginning to offer SMDS service as a
way to link local area networks (LANs) transparently under the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.6 standard accepted
by BellCore, the research arm of the regional Bell companies. This
agreement assures that such services can be connected to corporate
routers in a single, standard way, which should aid in the development
of applications for such systems.

The SMDS interface simplifies such connections through what are
called Data Service Unit/Channel Service Unit products. The
proposed specification represents the first SMDS interface based on
standard protocols which includes network management. Based upon
the High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol, which is already
widely used for communications between LAN and DSU/CSU
equipment, the  specification provides management of both the devices
and the links between devices. It conforms to Bell Communications
Research network management recommendations TA-TSV-001062.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: Ungerman-Bass, Jessica
Dunker, 408/562-7958; ACC, Gary Krall, 805/963-9431; Digital Link,
David Della-Maggiore, 408/745-6200x190; Verilink, Pat Confer, 408/945-
1199; Wellfleet Communications, Sheryl Schultz, 617/275-2400, x227)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 NORTH PACIFIC CABLE INAUGURATES SERVICE 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

NORTH PACIFIC CABLE INAUGURATES SERVICE 05/14/91
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Telephone
calling capacity between the U.S. and Japan was greatly increased as
the North Pacific Cable opened for commercial service recently.

Stephen E. Lovas, president of Pacific Telecom Cable, one of NPC's
founding companies, said the 1,260 million bits-per-second fiber cable
opened for business May 9. So far, 32 communications companies from
19 countries have bought a piece of the system, which was founded by
Pacific Telecom, International Digital Communications of Japan, and
Cable and Wireless of the United Kingdom.

The total capacity of the cable is 27 DS-3s. A DS-3 is a channel
running at 45 million bps, plenty of capacity to handle a television
telecast. The cable runs from Pacific City, Oregon and Miura, Japan,
and can handle voice, data, and enhanced value-added services as
well as video throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Americas.
The cable is the largest in the Pacific market and can handle 85,000
telephone conversations, according to Lovas. The cable also offers an
additional 9 DS-3s of capacity between Oregon and Seward, Alaska --
that Alaska Spur is undergoing final testing and will be ready for
commercial service before the end of the month.

NPC is interconnected to all the major U.S. fiber systems and other
telecommunications networks which will provide the capability for an
all-fiber route to Europe via the trans-Atlantic fiber optic cables.

After the cable opened, Cable and Wireless increased its stake in IDC,
which competes with KDD for Japanese long-distance traffic. The
British company, along with Toyota Motor and C. Itoh, now each own
17.2 percent of IDC. Cable and Wireless and C. Itoh previously held
16.2 percent while Toyota held 13.2 percent. Pacific Telesis of the
U.S. also increased its stake, from 9.5 percent to 10 percent. Six new
shareholders also bought in were Intec, Kyocera Toyo Information
System, Okaya and Co., and the Mainichi and Yomiuri newspaper
groups. The new holdings cost the buyers 8 billion yen, worth about
$58 million.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: Stephen E. Lovas, Pacific
Telecom Cable, 206-696-7398)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 NEW PRODUCT: Dual Standard Fax-Modem 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

NEW PRODUCT: Dual Standard Fax-Modem 05/14/91
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- The UDS
division of Motorola will announce a fax-modem at the Spring Comdex
show which obeys both the V.42 modulation standard as well as the
Class 1 fax-board standard.

The FasTalk Fax32 could, with error-compression, move data at up to
38,400 bits-per-second. It doubles as a four page-per-minute fax/modem,
and could be used with any software program adhering to Class 1, which
is an extension of the AT command set made famous by Hayes. Class 1
controls operations such as auto-dialing, auto-answering and fax-group
selection. Until now, fax boards have used proprietary standards to
address these problems, meaning that they could only work with the
software they are shipped with.

"We wanted to make sure there was a standard software interface
before introducing our first fax product," said UDS director of business
development Bill Schlosser. "We intend to introduce more fax products
in the future."

While Class 1 has been accepted by the Telecommunications Industry
Association, it has not yet been widely accepted in the marketplace.
Only Crosstalk, for instance, supports Class 1 among the best-selling
modem programs.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: Bill Schlosser, UDS, 205-
430-8000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14  ****NEWTEK MARKETS STAND-ALONE VIDEO TOASTER 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00008)

 ****NEWTEK MARKETS STAND-ALONE VIDEO TOASTER 05/14/91
TOPEKA, KANSAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- With the Commodore
Amiga continuing to fade from the computer market, one of its major
success stories is going it alone. NewTek, whose Video Toaster board
for the Amiga acts as a stillstore, switcher, titler, and video effects
generator, among other things, has announced it is now selling a
stand-alone Toaster system for $3,995.

The new stand-alone Toaster looks like a Commodore Amiga 2000,
but it is designed specifically for the broadcast TV market. The
product features a four-input production switcher which can perform
cuts, fades and wipes among any of seven sources including four
video inputs. It also includes a digital video effects generator, a
three-dimensional animation package called LightWave, a character
generator, a paint program, 2 frame buffers, a color processing
engine called ChromaFX, and a frame grabber and storer.

The product includes all the new video effects which Newtek has
been working on since the Toaster was first shipped a year ago,
along with additional software. The product was first introduced using
a video by the comedy-magic team of Penn & Teller, that was
created with the Toaster.

Commodore, meanwhile, announced the Commodore Amiga 500
Starter, a version of the Amiga targeted at first-time computer users,
and the Commodore Amiga 2000HD Professional, an enhanced
system for the small business market. The latter product costs $2,000
and comes bundled with a word processor, spreadsheet, database,
desktop publishing, business graphics, print, and music program,
along with a program to read and write MS-DOS files. The Starter
system costs $599, and comes bundled with simulation and games
programs.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: NewTek, 913-354-1584;
Commodore, 215-431-9100)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 OAG DOUBLES CAPACITY OF FLIGHTDISK DATABASE 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00009)

OAG DOUBLES CAPACITY OF FLIGHTDISK DATABASE 05/14/91
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Official Airline
Guides (OAG), a Maxwell Macmillan Group Company, has
announced it has doubled the number of flight schedules available on
its OAG FlightDisk, and substantially increased the number of
destination cities listed.

The May 1 edition of the floppy-disk-based product now displays over
250,000 flights to 1,200 cities -- just like the 700 page OAG Desktop
Flight Guide book. One difference between the products though is that
the disk can be searched interactively.

The FlightDisk was introduced in November, 1990, and a year's
subscription costs $199. The product is targeted at corporations which
are large enough to have a travel coordinator, who can now figure out
routes on a PC before calling the travel agent.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: Sally McElwreath, OAG,
212-702-3850)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 NEW PRODUCT: US Robotics' Modem Management System 05/14/91

05/14/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

NEW PRODUCT: US Robotics' Modem Management System 05/14/91
SKOKIE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- U.S. Robotics is
shipping a modem management system called Total Control, which
enables data center managers to centrally access and control up to
1,024 dial-up modems. The system includes a software interface,
a rack chassis, and modems for the rack.

The Total Control system permits managers of dial-up networks to
program their systems for instantaneous execution of tasks like Auto
Response, a proprietary feature which automatically initiates
preprogrammed responses to events. Total Control can also test
modems, busy out phone lines, and reroute a modem or phone line
if either fails.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: Karen Novak, USR, 708-982-
5244)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 AMIS GROUP BEGINS TESTING ANALOG MAIL SYSTEMS 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

AMIS GROUP BEGINS TESTING ANALOG MAIL SYSTEMS 05/14/91
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- The Audio
Messaging Interchange Specification (AMIS), created two years ago
to create compatibility among voice mail products, has issued a
request for proposal to agencies interested in conducting tests of its
AMIS-Analog Protocol. Vendors are presently implementing the
protocol, which provides for the exchange of voice messages among
different vendors.

The group is also seeking to create a standard for digital voice mail
products, but that work was split from the analog work a year ago.

The AMIS group was formed after a group of large voice mail users,
including The Coca-Cola Co., became disgruntled over the lack of
standards among the voice mail systems they were buying, and their
difficulty in creating a single, integrated system to manage voice
mail at the companies.

Interested testing agencies will define the scope of tests to be
performed which will verify that voice mail systems meet the AMIS
standards. Testing will be conducted on behalf of vendors, both
members and nonmembers of the AMIS group being eligible to
participate. Tests are based on the AMIS-analog specification,
version 1, first dated February, 1990, and since amended.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: Robert Mercer,
AMIS project facillitator, 303-442-5395)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14  ****INDUSTRY FIRST: NEW CHIP SPEEDS UP WINDOWS 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00012)

 ****INDUSTRY FIRST: NEW CHIP SPEEDS UP WINDOWS 05/14/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Weitek has
announced the immediate availability of the personal computer
industry's first user interface controller microprocessor, the W5086.
which builds the software screen draw commands into the video
controller card, and speeds up Microsoft Windows.

The single chip controller incorporates in hardware the key functions
of Microsoft Window's graphic device interface and is expected to
increase the speed of the Windows environment and Window's
applications, the company said.

Industry experts have expected for some time the introduction of a
hardware-controlled user interface to speed up the performance of
products such as Windows. However, the W5086 chip is the first to
make those predictions reality, according to Weitek.

Greg Spector, a spokesman for Weitek, said that the new chip is
expected to provide an increase of 25 times the current speed of
BitBlk transfers, which consist of moving the visual objects in
Windows.

"This increase in speed will not increase the user's speed 25 times,
but it is expected to cut the average user's work-time in Windows in
half," Spector said. He predicted the new chip will be available in
original equipment manufacturer video cards in the $150 to $200 price
range by Fall Comdex in October of this year.

Weitek claims the W5086 chip is compatible with existing Intel 80286-
and 386-based hardware, both 16- and 32-bit, and IBM Video Graphics
Array (VGA) displays, so it will run all existing non-Windows software.

The company maintains that the chip offers up to 2,048 by 1,024 pixels
resolution in monochrome mode, 1,024 by 768 pixels resolution with
16 colors, and 800 by 600 pixels or 640 by 480 pixels resolution with
256 colors.

"Microsoft is pleased that Weitek will offer a User Interface
Controller supporting Windows," said Rich Abel, Windows group
product manager, Microsoft Systems Division. "The inclusion of
dedicated graphics acceleration functions such as BitBlit and LineDraw
enhances the performance of graphical user interface environments
such as Windows, thus benefiting the user."

"The PC systems market is being differentiated on the quality and
performance of the user interface and applications," said Art
Collmeyer, president of Weitek. "We see an opportunity to provide user
interface processors and controllers that will enhance the performance
of Microsoft Windows and support Microsoft plans to add video and
audio processing to the user interface."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910514/Press Contact: Melanie Taylor, Weitek, Tel:
408/738-8400, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 U.S.S.R.: TRAVELING COMPUTER SHOW ANNOUNCED 05/14/91

05/14/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00013)

U.S.S.R.: TRAVELING COMPUTER SHOW ANNOUNCED 05/14/91
KIEV, UKRAINE, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- The Space Control
center, and an informal club of major computer center managers have
teamed up to host a series of computer hardware and software
exhibitions which will take place across the Ukraine aboard a luxury
cruise liner.

The liner -- the Lenin -- will start out from the port of Kiev, the
capital of the republic, and sail to Odessa, a major port on the Black
Sea. A total of 300 staff will travel with the show, according to a
spokesman for the show organizers.

"We plan to make stops in every major industrial city along the Dnepr
river. Most of the expected show attendees will have never seen a
good computer exhibition before," the spokesman told Newsbytes.

Why the show? The answer is simple -- the show organizers hope
that they can extend their computer sales to Ukrainian cities which
existing computer sales have yet to penetrate.

For more detailed information on booking a booth aboard the Lenin,
the show organizers can be contacted at the Space Control centre in
Moscow on [phone].

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910514)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 JAPAN: MOVA PHONE'S POPULARITY CAUSES SHORTAGES 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00014)

JAPAN: MOVA PHONE'S POPULARITY CAUSES SHORTAGES 05/14/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- While cellular phones are rapidly
becoming passe in many areas of the world, tiny portable cellphones
are still extremely popular in Japan. So popular. in fact, that many
potential buyers are having to wait several weeks for their new toy.

The Mova cellphone is a case in point -- NTT had to delay the launch
of the phone for a month to allow stocks of the handset to build up.
This was to no avail because demand for the new phone is still
exceeding supply, the telecommunications giant has admitted.

According to a spokesman for NTT, around 120,000 potential users
have ordered a Mova handset, although the company is only able to
supply 7,000 units a month. NTT said it hopes to supply the bulk of
the backlog of orders by the end of the summer.

While the success of Mova handset appears to have caught NTT on the
hop, several industry sources are claiming that the Japanese company
is simply a victim of its own sales hype. According to informed
sources, NTT was frustrated with the competition in the mobile phone
stakes in Japan and was in a hurry to sign up as many new users as
possible.

Currently, NTT's Mova handset is being manufactured by four Japanese
electronics companies -- Fujitsu, Matsushita, Mitsubishi and NEC --
and is supplied on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis. All
four companies are reported to be producing the phones as quickly as
possible.

The Mova measures 15 by 6 by 3 centimeters and tips the scales at just
280 grams. The basic monthly rental for the unit is 17,000 yen ($125) which
is too expensive for personal users, so the phone is being marketed at
the business user.

The Japanese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications estimates
that 10 million mobile phones will be in use in Japan alone by the end
of the decade.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910514/Press Contact: NTT, [phone],
Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA JOIN 5TH GENERATION PROJECT 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TYO)(00015)

ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA JOIN 5TH GENERATION PROJECT 05/14/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Japan's 5th generation computer
project -- ICOT -- has announced that major agreements are about to be
signed with universities in England and Australia. The agreements call
for the universities to pool their resources with the Japanese
government to produce prototypes of the computer. The universities'
involvement will be to develop a programming language that works using
AI (artificial intelligence) techniques.

Initially, ICOT will install pilot 5th generation parallel processor-
based computers at Bristol University in the U.K., and the Australian
National University in Australia. Both computer systems will then link
back to ICOT's Tokyo office using international phone circuits.

ICOT is not putting all its eggs into one basket either. The Japanese
Government division is actively copyrighting with the Argonne National
Laboratory in the U.S. and the Computing Science Laboratory in Sweden
regarding, respectively, a gene analysis system and an AI network.

ICOT is a 10-year project, started in the summer of 1982 and run by
the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910514)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14  ****NEW PRODUCT: Fujitsu Intros 16-bit Handheld Computer 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00016)

 ****NEW PRODUCT: Fujitsu Intros 16-bit Handheld Computer 05/14/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Fujitsu has
announced a new handheld PC-compatible, the Acutote 3000. The DOS-
compatible unit is the same size as a conventional hand-held
scientific calculator, only a lot more powerful.

"Acutote is more than just a handheld computer - it's an entire system
of integrated software and peripherals that have been specifically
designed to improve data collection operations," said Larry Farrell,
director of handheld systems marketing and development at Fujitsu.

According to Fujitsu, the Acutote 3000 is fully compatible with existing
PC-based programming tools and its connectability to a host
system via modem or direct link will help facilitate business
operations such as order entry, inventory management, route
accounting, materials handling, distribution and a range of retail
applications.

"Now it's just as easy to develop applications for the Acutote as it
is to program a PC. Small and large companies alike can now automate
operations without making a huge investment in software development,
training or proprietary hardware," said Dave Baker of Fujitsu's
systems sales.

"Users can configure their handheld systems with mobile and portable
printers, communication devices, scanners and custom software - all
fully integrated and optimized to improve performance," Farrell said.
"We also offer a variety of memory options, including memory cards
with up to 2 megabytes of RAM," he added.

Fujitsu claims that the Acutote 3000 has been designed with rugged
operating conditions in mind. The company claims that the computer's
surface mount technology helps it survive shock and vibration, the
unit is environmentally sealed, the charging unit lasts 10 hours, and
is the computer is designed to prevent overcharging.

The standard serial RS-232 connector has been replaced by an
optical RS-232C that Fujitsu says is more reliable. The keys are
sculpted, it can be laid face down without the keyboard or display
area making contact with a hard surface, there's support for a variety
of scanner attachments, an adjustable backlit display is provided, and
it has a elastic strap and holster, the company said.

Fujitsu has at the same time initiated a support program for its value-
added resellers that provides support and training as well as end-
user leasing and financing options. For information about the Acutote
3000 contact Fujitsu, 12670 High Bluff Drive, San Diego, California,
92130-2013, Tel: [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19910514/Press Contact: Gwen Carlson-
Malott, McQuerter Group, Tel: [phone], Fax: 619/450-
3140)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 $10,000 TOP PRIZE FOR COMPUTER PRODUCT FOR DISABLED 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00017)

$10,000 TOP PRIZE FOR COMPUTER PRODUCT FOR DISABLED 05/14/91
LAUREL, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- As it did back in
1981, Johns Hopkins University is conducting a search for innovative
computer-based products designed to aid the physically or mentally
disadvantaged. Top prize is $10,000 in cash but there are other
prizes, ranging from computers to certificates of achievement.

Co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation and MCI
Communications, Johns Hopkins is conducting the search and
evaluation.

Mr. Paul L. Hazan, assistant to the Director for Applied Computing
Technology of the JHU Applied Physics Laboratory, told Newsbytes
that the search will extend to existing and proposed projects developed
by professionals, amateurs, and students but pointed out that any
interested parties should contact the search committee immediately
because the deadline is August 23, 1991.

Hazan is no stranger to the process of winnowing out the best new
products because he was also the director of the last search
conducted 10 years ago, and he hinted to Newsbytes that he was
just now recovering. All rights to the entries will remain with the creators.

Entries in the search for Computing to Assist Persons with
Disabilities, or CAPD, will be judged in several categories, so students
will not be competing directly with computer professionals working for
companies like IBM, and entries need not be completed hardware or
software products but can be ongoing projects.

A certain number of winning entries will be selected from each
geographic region and in December science museums around the
country will hold special exhibitions where hundreds of those regional
winners will be selected and awarded prizes. The top 30 regional
winners will be invited to exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution where the
top 10 national winners will be selected.

The first national search, conducted in 1981, resulted in more than
8,000 entries, including Raymond Kurzweil's Reading Machine.
Hazan points out that a product need not be complex or sophisticated
and in fact should be as low-priced as possible to keep it affordable.
An example he gives of a strong contender would be a very inexpensive
screen magnification program.

With federal government estimates that the lifetime cost of an
unemployed disabled person to the country would be more than $1
million and the annual value of employing that person being about
$65,000 in both taxes and reduced social services costs, the need for
this adaptive technology is immense.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, which goes into effect on July
26, 1992, will mean that companies and businesses which never gave
a thought to employing the disabled will now be required to cease
discrimination. New technology for the workplace, as well as a new
mind-set, will be vital to meet the challenges of the decade.

Perhaps Mr. Hazan said it best in the close to his announcement of the
contest: "For most of us, computer technology is a convenience. But
for a person with a disability, a computer-based aid or tool can mean
the difference between dependence and independence, between
frustration and true self-fulfilment, and between boredom and
meaningful leisure. For a learning disabled student, a well-conceived
program can open doors to education and a bright future. The National
Search is a wonderful opportunity to change the lives of thousands or
even millions of people."

For an entry blank, write to: CAPD, P.O. Box 1200, Laurel, MD 20723.
Sorry; the contest is restricted to residents of the U.S. and, as the
saying goes: "faculty, students, or employees of JHU and the JH
Hospital aren't eligible for prizes, though they may enter the
competition."

(John McCormick/19910514/Press Contact: Paul L. Hazan, JHU, 301-
792-5364)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14  ****ILLINOIS BELL CHIEF LETS CALLER ID CAT OUT OF BAG 05/14/91

05/14/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

 ****ILLINOIS BELL CHIEF LETS CALLER ID CAT OUT OF BAG 05/14/91
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- According to
Network World's Washington correspondent Ellen Messmer, Illinois Bell
president Richard Brown told a House telecommunications
subcommittee recently that a bill mandating blocking with the
controversial Caller ID service would upset an agreement with the staff
of the Illinois Commerce Commission, which has approved the service
without blocking.

"The proposed federal legislation would override the work and effort
of the Illinois Commission staff," Brown reportedly said, in a story
published May 6.

"That's news to me," ICC spokesman David Farrell told Newsbytes.

According to farrell, public hearings are still going on regarding
Illinois Bell's request to offer the service, and the case has been
paired with a request by Centel to offer Caller ID with blocking,
which Centel offers in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Needless to say, Illinois Bell was embarrassed, and now insists its
boss was misquoted. "No decision has been made, not even a hint,"
spokesman Laura Littel, the company's point person on Caller ID, told
Newsbytes. "As far as I know, and I read the entire transcript, he did
not say that. The ICC is only halfway through proceedings, and a
decision isn't due until October 11."

The Markey subcommittee is considering two bills. The Telephone
Consumer Privacy Rights Act would require any phone company
offering Caller ID to provide free blocking of caller's numbers, on a
per-call basis. State rules now differ, with Georgia offering the service
without blocking, California offering it with blocking, and
Pennsylvania not offering it at all because a court ruled the whole
idea is a violation of privacy rights.

The subcommittee is also looking at the Telephone Advertising
Consumer Act, which would require the Federal Communications
Commission to establish a national data base of people who do not
want unsolicited phone or fax calls, which marketers would have to
consult before making such calls.

That is similar to a practice in Florida, which passed an anti-junk
call law in 1990. The telephone industry opposes both bills,
preferring state regulation in the former case and self-regulation in
the latter, but the direct mail industry supports both bills, saying
it already plays by those rules.

Finally, the FCC is looking at the whole Caller ID question, but has
yet to make its stance known.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910514/Press Contact: House Subcommittee on
Telecommunications, Mike Connolly, 202-226-2424; Illinois Commerce
Commission, David Farrell, 217-524-5056; Illinois Bell, Laura Littel,
312-220-2381)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 TOKYO: MAJOR COMPUTER SHOW OPENS 05/14/91

05/14/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00019)

TOKYO: MAJOR COMPUTER SHOW OPENS 05/14/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- The Business Show, one of
Japan's major computer and technology exhibitions, has opened in
Tokyo. According to the show organizers, this year's show will be the
biggest in the event's 72 year history.

This year's show features color versions of office equipment and
networking systems and devices under the theme of 'the intelligent
and comfortable amenity office.' All the latest office automation
equipment -- color laptop computers, color copier, color printers,
local area networks and the ISDN (Integrated Services Digital
Network) systems - are on show.

A total of 349 firms are showing off their new products at the show,
which runs through until May 18. Entrance to the show is free,
although by invitation only on May 15 and 16.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910514)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14  ****DELL JOINS PRICE MELTDOWN 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SAT)(00020)

 ****DELL JOINS PRICE MELTDOWN 05/14/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Joining a long list of
other PC vendors who have announced price cuts recently -- including
arch-competitor and fellow Texas clonesman Compaq -- Dell
Computer Corporation has announced system price reductions of
between $100 and $900.

Reductions announced by the mail-order firm include the 16MHz Intel
386SX-based 316SX with 1 megabyte (MB) of memory, a 40MB hard
disk drive, a VGA Color Plus monitor and a 5.25-inch or 3.5-inch floppy
disk drive, which formerly cost $1,999 and now costs $1,799.

The 286-based 12MHz 210 has been reduced $200, and the 386-based
25 and 33MHz 325D and 333D have been reduced by $100 in all
configurations. The 316LT and 320LT laptops have been reduced by
$400 to $800 depending on the configuration, and the 486-based 33MHz
433P has been reduced by $900.

"Today's announcement is the first in a series of aggressive actions
from Dell to maintain our competitive advantage in the computer
industry and continue our high level of customer satisfaction," said
Joel Kocher, Dell's senior vice president of U.S. sales and
operations.

(Lamont Wood/19910514/Press Contact: Brian Fawkes, 512-343-3782, fax
512-343-3312)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 CANADA: MEMOTEC FACES PROXY BATTLE 05/14/91

05/14/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00021)

CANADA: MEMOTEC FACES PROXY BATTLE 05/14/91
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Memotec Data is
preparing for a proxy battle at its coming annual general meeting.
Toronto-based brokerage firm Gordon Capital, believed to be acting for
major Memotec shareholders, has said it will oppose three nominees for
the company's board of directors, including Memotec's chairman and
president.

Gordon Capital said Memotec is being poorly managed. It accused
Memotec of using proceeds from Teleglobe Canada, the international
satellite communications firm it bought from the Canadian government
in 1987, to finance expansion into other high-tech enterprises rather
than paying enough attention to its core telecommunications business.

Memotec spokesman Stuart Logie told Newsbytes the charges were "ill-
conceived, wrong-headed, and full of misleading information." Memotec
is sticking to its slate of nominees and will oppose the Gordon
Capital move, he said.

Memotec has purchased full-page advertisements in the business section
of The Globe and Mail, a Toronto-based daily newspaper with national
distribution, claiming the real purpose of the move is to give BCE,
the parent company of Bell Canada and Northern Telecom, control of
Teleglobe. BCE has four directors on the Memotec board.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC), a federal regulatory body with authority over
Teleglobe, lent some credence to Gordon's position with a ruling that
Memotec had improperly taken cash from Teleglobe's coffers to pay for
unrelated businesses.

(Grant Buckler/19910514/Press Contact: Stuart Logie, Memotec, 514-738-
4781)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 IBM CANADA SIGNS UP PS/1 DISTRIBUTOR 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)

IBM CANADA SIGNS UP PS/1 DISTRIBUTOR 05/14/91
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- IBM Canada has signed
Beamscope Electronic Entertainment as a distributor for its PS/1
computer. Beamscope distributes consumer electronics and home office
products.

Al Ionson, IBM Canada's director of personal systems, said IBM sees
great potential in the home market in general because only 16 percent
of households now have computers. Working at home -- whether the home
is the sole place of work or a supplement to the office -- is expected
to be a major reason for putting computers into homes. Ionson said the
PS/1 will appeal to first-time home office buyers.

About 85 percent of Beamscope's dealers focus on home office buyers,
Ionson said.

Ionson added that IBM has been very happy with PS/1 sales in Canada to
date, but has focused so far on its existing dealers. While continuing
to sell through those channels, he said, IBM wants to look at ways of
reaching other buyers as well.

Larry Wasser, president of Beamscope, said that his company expects
the home computer market to take off, and described the IBM deal as "a
relationship which we hope will go on for many years in the future."

(Grant Buckler/19910514/Press Contact: Karen Grant, IBM Canada, 416-
474-3900; Richard Clarke, Beamscope, 416-291-0000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 NEW FOR IBM: Ad Lib Offers Second Stereo Adapter 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00023)

NEW FOR IBM: Ad Lib Offers Second Stereo Adapter 05/14/91
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Hoping the multimedia
market lives up to its advance billing, Ad Lib has launched the Ad Lib
Gold Stereo Sound Adapter. Ad Lib said the adapter is compatible with
its Music Synthesizer Card.

The new card includes a 20-voice FM music synthesizer, a 12-bit stereo
digital to audio converter, microphone and auxiliary inputs, an analog
mixer, a game port, and a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)
connection.

Model PC-1000, suited to XT-bus machines with disk-based applications
only, will sell for about US$300, Ad Lib said. Model PC-2000 adds a
Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) connection for CD-ROM players
and will cost about US$400. Model MC-2000 has the SCSI connection and
fits Micro Channel Architecture machines, and will be priced at about
US$500. The adapter are scheduled to be ready for shipment this
summer, the company said.

(Grant Buckler/19910514/Press Contact: Grant Hamilton, Ad Lib, 418-
529-9676)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 NEW PRODUCT: Computer-Output Microfilm From Agfa 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00024)

NEW PRODUCT: Computer-Output Microfilm From Agfa 05/14/91
RIDGEFIELD PARK, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Optical disks
or not, the Agfa Matrix Division of Agfa Corporation, believes that
the market for computer-output microfilm technology is not dead yet.
The division's Micrographics and Document Systems Business Unit has
developed a system that it said can output computer files to microfilm
at faster than 30,000 lines per minute.

Jim Quinn, Agfa's national sales manager, told Newsbytes organizations
with large volumes of data, such as banks and telephone companies,
still cannot keep everything on line. A large telephone company, for
instance, produces about 60 million bills per month.

"They would need the biggest thing in the world to store it," Quinn
said. So such organizations keep the data on line for a few months,
then transfer it to microfilm.

Eventually, Quinn admitted, optical storage will eat away a good deal
of the computer-output microfilm market. But that will depend on
lower-priced optical storage than is available today. He said Agfa
expects the COM market to be healthy for at least the next five to 10
years.

Agfa's new COM 2400 is built on a Digital Equipment minicomputer. It
accepts data from disk or tape. The system also includes a printer, a
high-speed universal camera, and disk-resident Agfa software for job
definition and execution.

The Computer Microfilm Corporation (CMC), recently bought seven of the
units. In quantity, the COM 2400 is priced at about US$160,000, Quinn
said.

(Grant Buckler/19910514/Press Contact: Maureen Joel, Agfa, 201-440-
2500, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 NEW FOR IBM: Time Management Package Includes Training 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00025)

NEW FOR IBM: Time Management Package Includes Training 05/14/91
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Priority
Management Systems has introduced PC software to go with its time
management training courses.

The company will sell The Priority Manager, software which runs on IBM
and compatible PCs, along with its courses on management skills and
productivity.

Norm Jone, vice-president in charge of the software project, told
Newsbytes the software is somewhat similar to personal information
managers such as Lotus Agenda that can be used to maintain to-do
lists. It helps users keep track of appointments, calls that must be
made, deadlines, and other things to do. It also lets them assign
priorities and set alarms to remind them of appointments.

Unlike other software vendors, though, Priority Management sells a
package that includes not only the software but a four-phase training
course. Given at roughly 250 locations worldwide, including about 140
in the United States, the course covers essential management skills
and group productivity, and includes a personal consultation at the
customer's office to help customize the software.

The Priority Manager is a memory-resident program that occupies about
7K bytes of memory and can be popped up over another application. It
allows daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly views, with as many as 20
alarms per day. It can dial phone numbers automatically, search for
text strings, and import data from other programs, the vendor said.

The package, including training, costs US$595 to US$695, depending on
location. Priority Management also has training franchises in
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal,
Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

(Grant Buckler/19910514/Press Contact: Norm Jone, Priority Management,
604-879-6121, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 NEW PRODUCT: Mathcad For Windows 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00026)

NEW PRODUCT: Mathcad For Windows 05/14/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Mathsoft has
jumped on the Windows bandwagon with Mathcad 3.0, the latest version
of its technical calculation software. The company said Windows allows
it to add several new features to Mathcad.

Mathcad 3.0, which requires Microsoft Windows 3.0, uses the pull-down
menus, dialog boxes, and other features of the Windows interface. It
also adds a new feature called Electronic Handbooks. Company
spokeswoman Julie Sall told Newsbytes these are based on the context-
sensitive help capabilities built into Windows. They provide standard
formulas, constants, and diagrams for use in mathematical problem
solving.

Another new capability is an easy-to-use symbolic calculation
capability for computer algebra. This is based on technology developed
at the University of Waterloo in Canada and at Waterloo Maple
Software, which sells a symbolic calculation tool called Maple. Sall
said Windows, because of its extended memory support, is also vital to
making this feature available in Mathcad.

Mathcad is used in education from grade school to university and in a
variety of scientific and technical applications, Sall said.

Mathcad 3.0 is due to be available in June and will sell for US$495.

(Grant Buckler/19910514/Press Contact: Julie Sall, Mathsoft, 617-577-
1017, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14  ****MOST EXISTING MAC APPS WILL RUN ON SYSTEM 7.0 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

 ****MOST EXISTING MAC APPS WILL RUN ON SYSTEM 7.0 05/14/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Most of the existing
4,000 applications will run on the new System 7.0 software, according
to the company. Apple engineers say they tested 777 existing Macintosh
programs and the `top 500' ran on System 7.0 with no problems.

A new, separate application which is essentially a compatibility
checker is included with the System 7.0 software package. It not only
analyzes all applications on a Macintosh's hard disk to see if they
are System 7.0-compatible before the System 7.0 upgrade takes place,
but provides the information needed to upgrade, including the phone
numbers of the companies making the software.

The System 7.0 personal upgrade kit is $99 from dealers and a group
upgrade kit designed for system administrators, which includes a CD-
ROM containing the software and online reference manuals, is $349.
Apple spokeswoman Brooke Cohan told Newsbytes that System 7.0 will
also be available on bulletin boards and major online systems, such as
Genie, Compuserve, and America Online. "This was the traditional way
of doing it (distributing system software) so Apple decided to do it
again," she said.

Bart Barton, host of the Macintosh area on GEnie, however, suggests
that those people wishing to download the System 7.0 software prepare
themselves for a wait -- even at high speed, the 3 megabyte-sized file
will take hours to download. Then, users will still need to buy a
manual from an authorized Apple dealer and may not be eligible for the
free technical support Apple is offering buyers of the complete
software package.

(Wendy Woods/19910514)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 APPLE SYSTEM 7.0 EXPLOITS WORKGROUP COMPUTING 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00028)

APPLE SYSTEM 7.0 EXPLOITS WORKGROUP COMPUTING 05/14/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Apple has leaped
ahead of IBM in the area of distributed processing -- not with a
different class of computers, but with a different class of computer
usage, so says Bob Puette, president of Apple USA.

The new System 7.0 software enables the processing of an application
to be offloaded to a different Macintosh while the user's machine
processes a different program, a feature normally found in far more
sophisticated networks and a feature designed to make it more
attractive to corporate users. Apple demonstrated this capacity on an
LC which distributed an application to a second Macintosh while it
worked on a different one.

"Workgroup computing," with System 7.0, proclaimed Puette, now goes
"beyond connecting computers to a single printer." Workgroup computing
is also at the heart of several new products and features for the Mac.
The "publish" and "subscribe" options now found in several
applications, written specifically with System 7.0 in mind, enable
users to make their files available to others on their network without
departing their application, or pulling up a special network menu.

On Technology's new Instant Update software is the latest to exploit
the workgroup computing concept. This program enables everyone on a
network to be notified of changes in a word processing document.
"Apple is in the forefront of a powerful operating system for any
style of user. Publish and subscribe in itself will get a great deal
of attention, as will (System 7.0's) multitasking," Tim Bajarin,
executive vice president of Creative Strategies, a market research
firm, told Newsbytes.

(Wendy Woods/19910514)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 SYSTEM 7.0 - MORE IMPORTANT DETAILS 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00029)

SYSTEM 7.0 - MORE IMPORTANT DETAILS 05/14/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- Of the 3 1/2 million
Macintoshes in the US, 2 million of them have the necessary random
access memory (RAM) on hand to run the memory-hungry System 7.0
software, so predicts Apple USA President Bob Puette.

A minimum of 2 megabytes of RAM are needed to run applications under
System 7, but Apple officials say most computers now are being shipped
with 2 megabytes of RAM, even the Macintosh Classics. Puette revealed
that most Macintosh Classics are being sold in 2/40 combinations -- 2
megabytes of RAM and a 40-megabyte hard disk -- which brings their
price up to about $1,500.

System 7.0 will be bundled with all Macintoshes within the next few
months, and those which contain System 6 software will include a
special card for a free software upgrade. However, what about the
memory-short Macintosh Classics, which have become Apple's volume
product, but which come standard only with one megabyte of RAM? Apple
says that even these will come with System 7.0 software -- but won't
be able to run it without a RAM upgrade. This means the dealer will
have the responsibility to inform buyers that their machines will not
be able to run System 7.0 software, and will have the incentive to
sell buyers of the lowest-priced Macs more memory at the time of
purchase.

Internationally, Apple will roll out System 7.0 software in other
Roman languages this summer, and a Kanji version is due in early 1992,
the company said.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the System 7.0 roll-out was
Apple's free technical support for buyers of the package. Those buying
the PUK -- Personal Upgrade Kit -- get 90 days of direct, toll-free
telephone support, and those buying the GUK -- Group Upgrade Kit --
get 180 days of free technical support. This is the first time Apple
has had a direct support hotline for its products, and is not
depending on dealers to answer buyer's questions.

On a side note, Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and co-founder, took
the stage at the System 7.0 intro at the San Jose Convention Center to
introduce new Microsoft Excel features, and to announce a new version
of the venerable Flight Simulator. Despite their friction in court,
where Apple is suing Microsoft over its Windows product in a
celebrated `look and feel' case, the two firms continue to work
closely on product development and collaborated closely on development
of the Truetype technology.

Gates told the audience that he was wearing the same blue polo shirt
Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, gave him in 1984 at the introduction of
the original Macintosh. Gates got a laugh when he said, "At that time
there were 15 developers and we all went out to dinner afterwards." At
this roll-out there were 2,000 developers. He concluded his address by
saying that Microsoft will have 8 major applications which take
advantage of System 7.

(Wendy Woods/19910514)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 14 100 NEW 3RD PARTY SYSTEM 7.0 APPS DUE BY AUGUST 05/14/91

05/14/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)

100 NEW 3RD PARTY SYSTEM 7.0 APPS DUE BY AUGUST 05/14/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 14 (NB) -- At Apple's roll-out
of System 7.0 operating system software, John Sculley, Apple CEO,
announced that while he didn't know how many of the applications
written specifically to exploit the power of the new software were
currently shipping, he promised that over 100 of them will ship by
Macworld in August. This adds to the existing 4,000 applications on
the market for the Macintosh.

The following new applications due by Macworld were announced at the
Worldwide Developer's Conference.

Bitstream: The firm has released 2 new typeface packages --Bitstream
Font Packs 3 and 4 each contain 13 typefaces in Truetype format. The
$149 packs are shipping. Bitstream: 617-497-6222.

Dataprism 1.7 and Datapivot: Two programs used for data access,
analysis and reporting. Dataprism copies data from remote databases
into spreadsheets, word processors, and charts without programming.
Datapivot is a reporting tool that works with tabular data from
virtually any source. Both are from Brio of Mountain View, CA. phone:
415-961-4110.

Farallon: Timbuktu 4.0, Phonenet Liaison, Diskpaper, and Phonenet Talk
will all have new versions supporting System 7.

Fourth Dimension: Acius' database program will have support for
Truetype, Balloon Help, Edition Manager, and Apple Events --the
underlying messaging language that applications use for sophisticated
communication with other applications -- later this year. The current
version runs under System 7.0. Acius: 408-252-4444.

Also coming is Omnis 5, a new version of Blyth's relational database;
DeltaGraph Professional, a new version of the charting and graphics
application for the Mac from Deltapoint of Monterey, CA.; Canvas 3.0
from Deneba Software of Miami, FL; POS-IM point-of-sale, inventory
management software from Ensign Systems of Layton, Utah; ReadingMaze -
- a new version of this pre-kindergarten through second grade reading
program takes advantage of System 7.0 to allow networking, Balloon
Help, and other features; Macvision, from Koala Technologies, is a 24-
bit version of the video digitizing program; Microphone II 4.0 is set
to launch on July 1 -- it adds user interface tools and extends the
program's support for DEC terminals.

(Wendy Woods/19910514)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 13 CONTROL DATA TO SELL INFORMIX SOFTWARE 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00001)

CONTROL DATA TO SELL INFORMIX SOFTWARE 05/13/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Control
Data Corporation (CDC) has announced it has signed an agreement
with Informix Software to sell and distribute the Informix database
products directly to its RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing)
based 4000 series customers.

According to Keith Goettsch of CDC: "It (Informix) is a natural
fit for our customers who are developing and running large
on-line transaction processing applications."

Tim Shetler of Informix said that during testing, Informix turned
in exceptional performance ratings on the 4000 series platforms.
"We are pleased to offer them a product which supports the
company's open systems strategy," he said.

Informix for the CDC 4000 series is priced at $2,090 for a base
package on the entry level 4320 system, and is immediately
available. Informix Software markets database management
systems, application development tools, and graphical and
character-based productivity software. The company is
headquartered in Menlo Park, California, and has outlets in
Europe and the Pacific Rim.

(Jim Mallory/19910513/Press Contact: Charlotte Fransen, CDC, 612-
853-6137)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 MICROAGE SIGNS EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTOR 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00002)

MICROAGE SIGNS EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTOR 05/13/91
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Microage has
announced a joint venture agreement with Springfield, Virginia-based
Donasphere Limited to distribute Microage products in Hungary,
Czechoslovakia and Poland through Duna Elektronika, a subsidiary
of Donasphere. Terms of the agreement call for the first Microage
computer centers to open in Hungary in May 1991.

Duna Elektronika is a joint venture between computer reseller
Donasphere Limited; SZUV, a state owned Hungarian computer
service company; and SzKi, a state owned Hungarian software
development firm. SZUV and SzKi presently operate 24 computer
centers which Duna Elektronika will be able to convert to Microage
computer centers. At least six of these centers are expected to be
licensed in the next few weeks.

Plans call for sites in Hungary to sell computers and peripherals, as
well as other office technology such as fax machines and copiers. It
will also provide consulting and training services. Duna Elektronika
is a joint venture of the Hungarian-American Enterprise Fund, which
is funded by the US Government to encourage private enterprise
development in Hungary. This is the first venture the fund has
invested in.

"We believe that Donasphere's program to develop this network of
computer centers to more effectively serve small- and medium-sized
businesses will be an important contribution to the infrastructure of a
free market economy in Hungary", said Alexander Tomlinson,
president of the Fund.

Duna Elektronika will operate a distribution and technical
service center near Budapest. According to Peter Freed, president
of both Donasphere and Duna Elektronika, the distribution center
will allow the company to provide next day delivery. Freed said
this is especially important since one of the frustrations for
Hungarian businesses is the availability of equipment. Microage
and Donasphere both say they expect to open sales offices in
Prague and Warsaw soon, with other centers to follow.

(Jim Mallory/19910513/Press Contact: Microage, Karen Geiger, 602-
968-3168, Donasphere, Henry Amann, 804-288-0755)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 NEW FOR UNIX: Generation 5 Intros Geographic Information System 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00003)

NEW FOR UNIX: Generation 5 Intros Geographic Information System 05/13/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Generation 5
Technology has announced the release of its geographic information
system (GIS) for the Unix operating system. The system, called
Geo/SQL, is a local area network (LAN) product running on Sun
Microsystems' Unix/NFS operating system.

According to Generation 5, Geo/SQL users will be able to share
maps, drawings, photographs, digital records, spatial and SQL
(Structured Query Language) database records across a
heterogeneous network of DOS/Unix computers.

"The key to LANserver is its emphasis on binary compatibility
between DOS and Unix workstations. We have designed Geo/SQL to
work with industry standards, integrating AutoCad, SQL DBMS
systems and allowing users to move and share freely between DOS
and Unix workstations. Obviously we think it's a winning
strategy," said Dan Hinckley, marketing vice president with the
company.

GISs use databases which hold the users' spatial data, such as
pipeline right-of-way information, a city county or government agency
map base, or facility management information for buildings.
Generation 5 says that because an object or event has a single,
unambiguous location in physical space, such geographic
information systems will become the central focus of tomorrow's
organization-wide DBMS.

(Jim Mallory/19910513/Press Contact:Dan Hinckley, Generation 5,
303-427-0055)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 WIRELESS MEDICAL MONITORING SYSTEM DEBUTS 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)

WIRELESS MEDICAL MONITORING SYSTEM DEBUTS 05/13/91
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Medical
Data Electronics (MDE) has announced Escort-Link, a PC-based
wireless monitoring system. The system is designed for use in
patient-critical situations, such as intensive care units, where patients
can quickly be 'plugged into' a central monitoring unit quickly and
efficiently.

Supplied in a case about the same size as a shoe box, the patient
monitoring unit is linked to the central station via a low power
(50 milliwatt), ultra-high frequency radio transmitter. The
central station can monitor 32 patients simultaneously, provided
the remote patient units are located no more than 150 feet away.

The monitor transmits heart rate, oxygen saturation, ECG, blood
pressure, temperature, and respiratory functions. The heart of
the system is an Intel 80386SX microprocessor driving a VGA color
monitor with a touch screen interface.

In use, the nurse at the central station can select how to view
the patient monitor values, choosing from a variety of visual
configurations. Continuous waveforms from eight patients, as well
as less detailed information on the other 24 patients can be
displayed on-screen.

Jay Brown, co-owner of MDE, claims that a wireless system offers
the twin advantages of lower initial installation cost and reduced
maintenance costs. Most maintenance costs on similar systems
are wire-related, and with that problem eliminated, an expensive
maintenance network is not required.

St Luke's Hospital in North Dakota, a level II trauma center with
300 beds, currently has 10 Escort-Link units in active use. Manager
Jeff Hoss said they asked the nurses, who would be the primary
users, what kind of features they would like to see on a patient
monitoring system. "The Escort-Link met all their criteria" he said.

Central station pricing begins at $13,000, and each bedside
monitor costs $3,600. MDE claims that its units will be especially
attractive with federal funding cuts forcing hospitals to cut back on
staffing and with many hospitals are currently experiencing difficulty
in hiring nurses.

(Jim Mallory/19910513/Press Contact:Jack Rubinger, KVO, 503-645-
1551 or FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 AUSTRALIA: UNISYS WINS POSTAL CONTRACT 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00005)

AUSTRALIA: UNISYS WINS POSTAL CONTRACT 05/13/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- As part of Australia
Post's current restructuring, the Australian postal carrier has
begun moves to upgrade its computerization levels and systems
integration. The restructuring aims to improve the performance
and public image of Australia Post.

Unisys has been awarded the systems integration upgrade contract,
and this could be worth AUS$10M to the company alone. The upgrade
may involve up to 5,000 Intel 80386-based personal computers being
installed in post office retail facilities.

On current average pricing, this will involve AUS$19M in machines,
but this price is before negotiations, and considering the current
cut-price attitudes of computer suppliers in Australia, the actual price
will probably be reduced significantly before installation.

The overall contract will also see the supply of local area network
(Microsoft Lan Manager is the touted success) and a fourth
generation language with SQL (Structured Query Language), which
will be supplied by Progress Software.

Most of Australia's existing 1,400 post offices and 3,000 postal
agents currently run at a loss, and Australia Post's AUS$110M
profit last year is well short of the target of 10-12 percent of
its AUS$2B revenues. The current moves extend beyond the
equipment level, and include a managerial shake-out.

(Sean McNamara/19910513)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 OTC OFFERS INDIAN OCEAN INMARSAT-C SATELLITE SERVICES 05/13/91

05/13/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00006)

OTC OFFERS INDIAN OCEAN INMARSAT-C SATELLITE SERVICES 05/13/91
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- OTC, Australia's
international carrier, has announced it is offering the Indian Ocean
Region's first commercial services available through Inmarsat-C.
The introduction of Indian Ocean coverage completes the almost
global coverage of Inmarsat-C.

Indian Ocean coverage is handled through OTC's Perth land earth
station. According to the company, Inmarsat-C allows users to receive
data via the smallest, lightest and cheapest satellite terminals of any
satellite service. The terminals resemble small inverted flower pots,
and some are small enough to be carried in a briefcase. Terminals
can be fitted to any vessel or vehicle, and the maritime industry is one
of the larger users of the services offered.

Inmarsat-C can be used for: store and forward telex; packet
switched data (X.25) and text fax delivery for vehicle tracking;
ship-shore-ship messaging, water resource management, and remote
area and emergency communications. There are currently around
1,500 mobile terminals in service in 60 countries on both land
and sea - 150 of these are in service in Australia.

(Sean McNamara/19910513/Press contact: Paul Rea, phone in
Australia [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 AUSTRALIA: OTC AND TELECOM PREPARE TO MERGE 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00007)

AUSTRALIA: OTC AND TELECOM PREPARE TO MERGE 05/13/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- OTC and Telecom,
the two Australian telecommunications carriers, have begun their final
preparations for their merger later this year. The two
telecommunications carriers will examine their managerial
structure before July, when the merger will be finalized and the
license for the second telecommunications carrier awarded.

Until recently, both companies were subject to a freeze on
executive appointments imposed by the merged company's board.
With the lifting of the freeze, OTC is expected to appoint almost
100 executive and sub-executive positions. Overall, OTC is a
leaner and more efficient organization, Telecom is due to reduce
its staffing levels before the merger, and these have already
reached 83,000 from a record high of 94,000 in 1984.

The staffing changes are designed to make the merged company
more efficient. OTC is planning to keep its experienced staff, as
well as attract suitable executives to become part of the new
company. Once the second carrier license is awarded, it is
expected that the new carrier will be offering competitive wages
and conditions in an attempt to lure staff from the established
companies.

(Sean McNamara/19910513/Press contact: Paul Rea, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 TECHNOLOGY & HANDICAPPED CONFERENCE SCHEDULED 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00008)

TECHNOLOGY & HANDICAPPED CONFERENCE SCHEDULED 05/13/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- 'Closing
the Gap,' a monthly publication which focuses on technological
advances as they can be applied to help in the fields of rehabilitation,
special education, and assisting the disabled, has announced plans
to sponsor the 1991 Closing The Gap Conference this October 17
through 19 at the Radisson South Hotel and Hotel Sofitel in
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Plans call for workshops, exhibits, and more than 150 conference
sessions to be presented and, of course, those with special needs
will be accommodated. Registrations received by the end of June
will cost $165, $195 thereafter, with an additional $20 late fee
added to those registering after September 20.

For further information, contact: Closing The Gap, P.O. Box 68,
Henderson, MN 56044, 612-248-3294 or fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 FIRST BYTE TO PREVIEW MONOLOGUE FOR WINDOWS 05/13/91

05/13/91



(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00009)

FIRST BYTE TO PREVIEW MONOLOGUE FOR WINDOWS 05/13/91
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- First Byte has
announced that it will preview a beta Windows 3.1 version of
Monologue, the company's text-to-speech software for PC-
compatible computers, at Windows World '91, which runs in
parallel with the 1991 Spring Comdex show. Comdex Spring runs
from May 20-23 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta,
Georgia.

This is an important development because applications software
run under Windows are normally inaccessible to vision-impaired
computer users and current 'Americans with Disabilities'
legislation requires that business and government offices must
accommodate special needs employees and customers.

Monologue for Windows is a Windows 3.0 version of Monologue which
will read words presented in text-based applications but, unlike
the MS-DOS version which can use the PC's internal speaker,
Monologue for Windows will require an external speech accessory
speaker.

(John McCormick/19910513/Press Contact: Richard Jacks, First
Byte, 714-432-1740, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 3COM SUPPORTS DUAL PROTOCOLS IN TERMINAL SERVERS 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00010)

3COM SUPPORTS DUAL PROTOCOLS IN TERMINAL SERVERS 05/13/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- 3Com Corporation has
announced plans to begin shipping dual-protocol Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and Open Systems Interconnect (OSI)
Connection Service (CS) software for its CS line of terminal servers
in June.

The product is the latest in 3Com's line of terminal server software for
the CS/2000 and CS/2100 terminal servers. The new software lets
terminal and PC users concurrently access minicomputers and other
hosts running TCP/IP and OSI protocols.

"Our Connection Server software is designed to help customers
keep pace with dynamic growth in their networks," said the
company's general manager for Asian operations, Bill Messer.
"Since all our Connection Service products use the same network
management software, end-user and network administrator
interfaces, productivity is maintained even when protocols are
changed or added. It's just a matter of plugging in the new
software: no EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only
Memory) or hardware swapping is required."

Administrators can use the menu interface to simplify initial
installation and configuration, and the command line interface to
speed day-to-day configuration and administrative tasks.

(Norman Wingrove/19910513/Press Contact: Marshall Gabin, Phone: +
852 848 9200, Fax: + 852 537 1149; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 MACAU BANK INSTALLS KAPITI EQUATION TO AID GROWTH 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00011)

MACAU BANK INSTALLS KAPITI EQUATION TO AID GROWTH 05/13/91
MACAU, SOUTH CHINA COAST, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Macau's Seng
Heng Bank -- one of the most prominent banks in the four-hundred year
old Portuguese colony on the coast of China 100 kilometers West of Hong
Kong -- has installed a Kapiti Equation system to manage its
fast-growing wholesale and development banking business.

The system was bought from Hong Kong computer, software and
consultancy supplier CSSL, a company part-owned by IBM with
branches throughout South-east Asia.

The bank, which was acquired by Sociedade de Tourismo e Diversoes
de Macau (STDM) two years ago, is in transition from its traditional
retail business to a full-service bank, financing major local
corporations and th governments infrastructural projects.

"As our business became more diversified, we felt the need to
automate our entire bank processing, both from a branch networking
perspective and from the perspective of back-office operations," said
general manager, Stephen S.T. Chu.

"With help from Ernst and Young, we evaluated a number of banking
systems that offered an integrated database. The Kapiti Equation
system emerged as the most appropriate solution," he added.

The Equation software runs on an IBM AS/400 model B45 midrange
computer. This was supplied by CSSL, one of Asia's largest
remarketeers of IBM midrange systems. Equation has been
implemented at the bank's headquarters and at five remote sites,
including the executive director's office in Hong Kong's Shun Tak
Centre.

The system uses a set of parameters to represent the individual
processing and reporting requirements of each bank. Changing
needs can be met by adding, amending or deleting parameters.
The underlying programs are unaffected by this process, making
the system easy to manage and maintain.

Seng Heng Bank, a long established 'cambista' or moneychanger,
was converted into a bank in 1972, following liberalization of
Macau's banking regulations. Today it operates from a
headquarters and four branches in Macau, serving customers in
Hong Kong and South-east Asia as well as Macau.

(Norman Wingrove/19910513/Press Contact: Ally Ho, CSSL, Phone: +
852 806 1622, Fax: + 852 806 2645; HK and Macau times are GMT +
8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC BUYS SEQUENT SYSTEM 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00012)

HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC BUYS SEQUENT SYSTEM 05/13/91
KOWLOON TONG, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- The computer
science department of Hong Kong's City Polytechnic has announced
the purchase of a Symmetry S27 parallel computer system and an S3
minicomputer from Sequent Systems Asia.

City Polytechnic, which already has a campus-wide Digital
Equipment installation, said that the purchase places it well in
the lead among Hong Kong academic institutions in the teaching of
computer courses in distributed- and multi-processing, together
with open systems standards.

The purchase of the Sequent system was triggered by the Poly's
decision to establish a Master's Degree program in computer
science, targetted at meeting Hong Kong's need to educate trained
systems integrators.

The systems will be used in the polytechnic's new 27-month part-
time study program for practising computer professionals. It covers
topics ranging from networks and protocols, operating systems,
software and data engineering and system integration, to modelling
and performance analysis.

Forty students are currently enrolled in the course, but this number
is expected to increase to about 140 in the near future. The
program, whose theme is distributed processing, is the only one
of its kind offered in the region.

"Planning for the laboratory work for this study program led us
to the conclusion that we needed to have the ability to run both
Unix and the Carnegie Mellon University's MACH operating system
and to be able to interconnect heterogeneous computers from
different vendors," said Dr N.V. Balsubramanian, head of the
department of computer science.

The Symmetry S27 computer system is a general purpose parallel
computer, supporting simultaneous execution of parallel programs
and existing sequential operations. The S27 at City Polytechnic
is configured with 6 CPUs, (central processing units), 16 megabytes
 of memory and two 264MB discs.

Software running on the Symmetry system includes MACH 2.5, NFS,
TCP/IP, C, C++ Preprocessor, Pascal, and X-Windows. The S27 will
be used to teach multi-processing as well to conduct research
into distributed multi-processing environments.

(Norman Wingrove/19910513/Press Contact: Stuart Bagshaw, Sequent,
Phone + 852 805 1212, Fax + 852 850 7112; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 DIGITAL PROVIDES TECH TRAINING FOR CHINA CADRES 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00013)

DIGITAL PROVIDES TECH TRAINING FOR CHINA CADRES 05/13/91
BEIJING, CHINA, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- More than 100 senior
technocrats in Hong Kong, ranging from government directors to
general managers of key factories, have been undergoing an
intensive five-day training course in technology management as
the country attempts to improve the efficiency of high-tech
enterprises.

The seminar was organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the
China Enterprise Management Association (CEMA) and Digital
Equipment Corporation. It featured talks by members of a high-level
Digital delegation from the US.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in the Great Hall of the People,
Song Jian, State Councillor and Minister of the State Science and
Technology Commission, said "Most of the cadres managing our
research and science organizations were trained in science and
technology but they have an inadequate understanding of modern
management skills and also lack basic management training."

(Norman Wingrove/19910513/Press Contact: Walter Cheung, DEC Hong
Kong, Phone + 852 861 4850, Fax + 852 861 1040; HK time is GMT +
8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 BARNEYSCAN UPGRADES COLOR IMAGING SOFTWARE 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00014)

BARNEYSCAN UPGRADES COLOR IMAGING SOFTWARE 05/13/91
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Barneyscan has
announced upgrades to its Color Imaging Systems (CIS) scanning
and color separation software.

Product upgrades include QuckScan scanning software and CIS-
ColorAccess calibrated color separation software for the Sharp
JX-600 color flatbed scanner. Additionally, QuickScan and CIS-
ColorAccess have been upgraded to support the CIS-3515 color
slide scanner and the CIS-4520 multiple format transparency
scanner. All upgrades include support for Apple's Level 1, System
7.0, and are scheduled to ship on June 3, 1991.

The new scanning software for the Sharp scanner is called CIS-
QuickScan JX, version 2.1. According to the company, it features
the same intuitive scanning interface bundled with all CIS
scanners, allowing for grayscale prescanning, adjusting exposure
and contrast, and the ability to crop and size images.

When used in conjunction with CIS ColorAccess, version 1.2 of
QuickScan JX allows the user to select a 'prepress mode' which
includes professional-level controls for setting highlight and
shadow point.

The company maintains that CIS-ColorAccess 1.2 also includes
productivity features such as batch queuing for creating color
separations, background separation processing under Unifinder,
and operation for stand-alone workstations using a special access
hardward key included with the software.

Upgrades to QuickScan for the CIS-3515 include automatic color
negative scanning and support for Level 1, System 7.0. Also, CIS-
QuickScan 4520 adds support for scanning 6 by 7 centimeter
transparencies.

Upgrades to QuickScan will be available at no charge to
registered owners of CIS scanners. CIS ColorAccess upgrades will
cost $95 to registered CIS ColorAccess or free of charge to
purchasers of CIS ColorAccess or a CIS 4520 scanner within the
last 90 days.

CIS ColorAccess including QuickScan-JX will be available to Sharp
JX owners for $1,995. QuickScan-JX will be available as a stand-
alone package, without prepress mode, to Sharp JX owners for $95.
Additional copies of CIS-ColorAccess will be available to
Barneyscan scanner owners for $1,995. All Barneyscan CIS-4520
multiple-film format scanners are bundled with CIS-ColorAccess.

Barneyscan Corporation, founded in 1986, is a developer and
manufacturer of software that manages the integration of images
into computer applications. The company is headquartered in
Alameda.

(Ian Stokell/19910513/Lucy E. Garrick, Barneyscan Corp., 415-521-
3388)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 ACS UNVEILS TOPFIT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR TRADERS 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00015)

ACS UNVEILS TOPFIT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR TRADERS 05/13/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Australasia Computing
Services (ACS) has launched its TOPFIT trader's information system.
The company unveiled the system at the Hong Kong Computer '91
exhibition.

TOPFIT stands for The Order Processing and Tracking System for
Indent Traders and is a management information package capable of
handling several different types of order, including indent, transhipment,
stock orders and any combination of these transactions.

The package consists of six modules consisting of systems
maintenance, stock control, order and shipment, financial entries,
market analysis and MIS reports, and housekeeping. It can run on a
variety of hardware including IBM PC-compatibles, PC-LAN, UNIX,
VMS/VAX minicomputers and IBM mainframes.

Designed as a parameter-driven system, TOPFIT is claimed to give
maximum flexibility for users to set their own standards within
the computer package. This includes a variety of options for users to
define ways to calculate purchase and selling prices and includes: the
relationship between parties such as suppliers, clients and agents; types
of document such as invoices or credit notes; and ways to work out
rebates and commissions.

(Norman Wingrove/19910513/Press Contact: Clara Shek, MDL, Phone +
852 838 3889, Fax + 852 838 0886; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****HUNGARY: COMPUTER EXPO HAILED A SUCCESS 05/13/91

05/13/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00016)

 ****HUNGARY: COMPUTER EXPO HAILED A SUCCESS 05/13/91
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- IFABO-91, Hungary's
biggest ever computer technology exhibition, was hailed as a
success when it closed its doors in Budapest last week.

The bulk of the show space was given over to office automation
equipment, specifically communications equipment and computers.
The four day event attracted more than 400 Western companies to
the Hungarian capital.

Among the several major market players in attendance at the event
were Siemens, Apple, Star, Epson, Novell and IBM. A number of the
companies from the domestic Hungarian marketplace were also
showing their hardware and software.

On the communications front, cellular technology now appears to
be taking off, as does local area network (LAN) technology. This
perhaps reflects the changes taking place in the Hungarian market.

On the computer front, Apple showed off a number of Hungarian-
language applications, including a word processor with a
Hungarian spellchecker and hyphenation algorithms for the Mac.

The next Hungarian technology event is a general investment
exhibition planned for Bundapest at the end of May.

(Kirill Tchashchin & Peter Broszko/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 TELECOM AUSTRALIA CHANGES LAPTOP TENDER METHOD 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00017)

TELECOM AUSTRALIA CHANGES LAPTOP TENDER METHOD 05/13/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Telecom Australia
is experimenting with an alternative to its panel contract for
supply of equipment. It is about to close a tender for the supply
of 3000 Intel 80286- and 386-based laptops.

Computing Australia reports that this experiment will determine
if future large orders are handled this way, rather than the more
complicated method of approval and placement on an approved
buy list, but with no guarantee that any supplier will be asked to
sell.

Telecom Network Development and Construction Manager Bob
James said while he could not name interested parties, it was a sign
of the times that every major supplier had expressed interest
"including Compaq, Toshiba and IBM". He said the $9M contract
would only be part of a plan to equip many more of the 85,000
staff with computers. "Modern communications technologies within
their cable-free environment are a natural for laptops, and
that's the future."

(Paul Zucker/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 PC IMAGING AIDS OUTBACK AUSTRALIAN MEDICINE 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00018)

PC IMAGING AIDS OUTBACK AUSTRALIAN MEDICINE 05/13/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Teleview, a system
developed at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, may help to save lives
in the outback of Australia. Doctor Peter Dohrman, a neurosurgeon,
and other doctors from the hospital's radiology unit, developed the
system from a software package called Imagex.

Teleview transmits medical images such as X-rays, ultrasounds and
CT-Scans. It uses a high-resolution video camera to capture the
images which are then compressed for transmission by modem.
Moving pictures can also be used, as a frame-grabber catches one
still frame from the sequence for transmission.

Once received at a large hospital, many more staff are available
to collaborate in diagnosis, and treatment.

(Paul Zucker/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 AUSTRALIA: RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 05/13/91

05/13/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00019)

AUSTRALIA: RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 05/13/91
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- The eighth annual
Australian records management conference will be held in Darwin
on September 15-18. The theme for the event is 'The Information
Environment - towards 2000.'

Papers scheduled for the event include: effective use of
technologies; impact of technology; administrative requirements
and trends; law and it's effect; educating tomorrow's information
manager; public concern for the environment; managing
information; cultural heritage.

Registration for the conference is AUS$715, though discounts
apply for early registration, accompanying persons and members.
Further information is available from: The Convention Catalyst,
GPO Box 2541, Darwin, NT 8001 or phone [phone] or fax +61-
89-412815.

(Paul Zucker/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY LINKS WITH MICROSOFT 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00020)

AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY LINKS WITH MICROSOFT 05/13/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Macquarie University in
Sydney and the Microsoft Institute have joined forces to foster
information technology research. The U.S. software giant is claiming
a world first for the project.

The arrangement will see Microsoft's resources moved into the
university with an aim to produce specifically Australian software,
new general software and international software marketing projects.

The project will involve existing research bodies such as CSIRO
which already has a record for producing world-class products.
There will be a two-way exchange between Microsoft and other
university projects and faculties.

(Paul Zucker/19910513/Contact: Professor Di Yerbury [phone]
at Macquarie Uni, or Professor Vance Gledhill of Microsoft
Institute [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 LOWEST SOFTWARE PRICES FROM YOUR PC 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00021)

LOWEST SOFTWARE PRICES FROM YOUR PC 05/13/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Did you ever
wish someone would compile all those computer magazine software house
ads into one database, and provide an easy way to search it? Lilac
Akiko Limited claims it has done just that, and for only $5 (US price)
for a trial issue of the Ultimate Computer Software Buyer's Guide.

The guide comes on either 5.25 or 3.5-inch disks, and has an easy to
use interface. The latest version provides price information on 592
software products from 35 mail order companies, said Lilac Akiko. The
interface provides a choice of six keys to access the entire database,
the up and down arrows, Esc, Enter, Space Bar keys and F1 for help,
the company claims.

The database can be searched by product name, manufacturer, and type
of software, according to the company. Once a product is selected,
another window shows the mail order companies that carry it, and each
price, lowest price first, Lilac said. Lilac also said that full
information is provided on each software house including any toll-free
numbers, terms and business hours.

Subscription prices are listed by Lilac as a single trial issue for $5
USA, $6 Canada, and $7 all other countries; A six month subscription
is $25 USA, $30 Canada, and $35 all other countries, and a 12 month
subscription costs $45 USA, $55 Canada, and $65 all other countries.
Inquiries may be directed to Lilac Akiko Limited, Subscription
Department 127 Twin Palms, Palm Springs, CA 92264.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910513/Press Contact: Aki Korhonen, Lilac Akiko,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****OPTICAL DISK BREAKTHROUGH: MULTIPLE ERASABLE DISK DEBUTS 05/13/91

05/13/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00022)

 ****OPTICAL DISK BREAKTHROUGH: MULTIPLE ERASABLE DISK DEBUTS 05/13/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- The Optical Storage Corporation,
part of the Sumitomo group of Japan, has announced its has developed a
flexible optical disk data storage system. The disk, which is claimed
to be compatible with existing disks in terms of rotational speeds,
operates at between 1,800 and 3,600 rpm.

Data on the disk surface can be rewritten many times. The disk surface
is the same as on existing optical disk systems, but the thickness of
the surface coating is different, according to a spokesman for the
company.

The majority of existing optical disks are designed to that they can
only be used for a particular rotational speed. The OSC system can be
used at almost any speed, the company claims.

Plans call for the new optical disk system to be released this coming
fall, with provisional plans to ship around two million units over the
next three years.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910513/Press Contact: Optical Storage, +81-3-
3583-3261)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****JAPAN: WORLD'S FIRST COLOUR-SPECIFIC LCD CHIP DEBUTS 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00023)

 ****JAPAN: WORLD'S FIRST COLOUR-SPECIFIC LCD CHIP DEBUTS 05/13/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- NEC has developed what it claims is
the world's first chip capable of controlling a colour liquid crystal
display (LCD) screen. The chip -- designated the Micro-PD16426N --
supports up to 4,096 colors on-screen at any given time.

According to NEC, the screen update speed is quite fast at 15MHz. The
chip, which supports a maximum of 1,920 x 400 pixels up to a maximum
of ten inches in size, is claimed to smaller than current counterparts
and consumes less electricity than its counterparts. This allows the
chip to be used in notebook and other battery-powered machines where
earlier chipsets could not be used for fear of using up available
power resources.

Sample pricing on the new chipset is 2,000 yen ($15). Plans call for
NEC to ship 100,000 units of the chip per month, starting from June
onwards.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910513/Press Contact: NEC, [phone], Fax:
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****GUILTY PLEA IN `SUNDEVIL' CASE 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00024)

 ****GUILTY PLEA IN `SUNDEVIL' CASE 05/13/91
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Baron Majette, 19, also
known as "Doc Savage", has pleaded guilty in the Superior Court in the
State of Arizona to a single count of computer fraud, a third degree
misdemeanor. Majette was arrested in late March as a result of the on-
going joint federal/state `Operation Sundevil' investigation.

Majette, who is also charged separately with probation violation, will
be sentenced on June 7 for the computer fraud case. Under Arizona
state law, the maximum sentence for this crime is 10 years and the
`presumptive sentence' is 5 years.

A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Attorney's office explained to
Newsbytes that a presumptive sentence is one which the judge, "under
normal circumstances" should issue for the crime in question; a
sentence, in other words, which is the standard for the crime. The
spokesperson further said that the judge is free to deviate from the
sentence should the facts or plea arrangement warrant.

At the time of Majette's arrest, he was charged with arranging
conference calls worth approximately $8,000 to be charged illegally to
Toys 'R Us, the illegal obtaining of credit cards and codes through
computer penetration of the TRW data base and other sources, and the
use of the cards and codes to obtain cash and services in excess of
$60,000. While Majette admitted in the plea the setting up of the
conference call and the penetration, he denied the use of the credit
information to the extent specified. The exact terms and conditions of
the plea agreement have been sealed at the request of the defendant.

When Majette was originally arrested and identified as being linked
with the Sundevil investigation, Gail Thackeray, former Assistant
Attorney General for the State of Arizona and the prosecutor of
Majette for Maricopa County, told Newsbytes: "The Sundevil project was
started in response to a high level of complaint of communications
crimes, credit card fraud and other incidents relating to large
financial losses."

"These were not cases of persons accessing computers 'just to look
around' or even cases like the Atlanta 'Legion of Doom', one in which
the individuals admitted obtaining information through illegal access.
They are rather cases in which the accused allegedly used computers to
facilitate theft of substantial goods and services."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****IBM ANNOUNCES MANDATORY VACATION DAYS 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00025)

 ****IBM ANNOUNCES MANDATORY VACATION DAYS 05/13/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- IBM has announced that
approximately 14,000 of its headquarters employees in the New York-
Connecticut area will have a mandatory three day vacation from July
1st through the 3rd.

The mandatory days, when combined with Thursday, July 4th and Friday,
July 5th, which were already company holidays, provide a week's shut-
down of the headquarters facilities which will function with only a
skeleton staff during the first three days of the week.

The move is intended partially to reduce IBM's liability for deferred
vacation time. As a further step in that direction, the firm said that
employees must use all of their vacation time in 1991 and, by 1992,
may only have a maximum of 10 days deferred vacation time carried over
to the next year.

In April, IBM reported a first-quarter net loss of $1,730 million, the
first loss ever incurred by the world's largest computer maker. The
cost cutting vacation moves come at the same time that the firm
specified other reductions in expenses by telling employees to reduce
travel not related to serving customers and have meetings at on-site
locations instead of at off-site facilities.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****APPLE U.S. ANNOUNCES SYSTEM 7 O.S. NOW SHIPPING 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00026)

 ****APPLE U.S. ANNOUNCES SYSTEM 7 O.S. NOW SHIPPING 05/13/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Apple Computer has
announced that it is now shipping the System 7.0 upgrade to the
Macintosh operating system, a product that it calls "the most
significant enhancement to Macintosh since its introduction in 1984."

Announcing the availability of System 7.0, John Sculley, Apple's
chairman and chief executive officer, said: "Macintosh system software
is Apple's greatest strength, and we intend to use this advantage
aggressively to become a much bigger player in the industry. Our
system software has set a standard that others have struggled to meet.
System 7 sets a new standard, thereby widening the gap between what
one can do with a computer, and what one can do with a Macintosh."

Among the features contained in the new operating system are improved
handling of fonts and desk accessories, `virtual memory' which allows
the automatic expansion of memory available for applications,
`InterApplication Communications' (IAC) which allows disparate
programs to dynamically work together, and `Data Access Manager' (DAT)
which allows access to mainframe and minicomputer-based SQL
(structured query language) databases.

In the announcement, Apple said that many developers have products
ready to utilize the new features of System 7.0. These companies were
said to include Claris, Microsoft, Ashton-Tate, Oracle, Autodesk Inc.,
Symantec, Aldus, Acius Inc., Adobe Systems Inc., Great Plains
Software, Farallon Computing Inc., Interleaf Inc., WordPerfect, and
Novell Inc. Additionally, Apple stated that it "expects most of the
more than 4,000 Macintosh applications currently shipping to be
compatible with the new System 7."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910513/Press Contact: Brooke
Cohan, Apple Computer Inc., 408-974-3019/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****APPLE REDUCES MEMORY PRICES 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

 ****APPLE REDUCES MEMORY PRICES 05/13/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- To coincide with the
extra memory requirements of the newly released System 7.0 operating
system, Apple has announced a significant price reduction on its logic
board upgrades and memory for its Macintosh line of computers. The
cuts range from 41 percent for logic board upgrades, to as much as 57
percent for memory kits.

For example, a Mac SE/30 logic board upgrade for the Mac SE has been
reduced from a suggested retail price of $1,699 to $999, a reduction
of 41 percent. A IIci upgrade for the Mac IIcx is down from a
suggested price of $2,399 to $1,499, a drop of 38 percent.

In addition, Apple has reduced the price of its Dynamic Random Access
Memory (DRAM) expansion kits. For example, a 1MB expansion kit is down
50 percent to $149 from $299, a 2MB kit is down 55 percent to $225
from $499, and 4MB is down 57 percent to $425 from $999. Also, 1MB of
memory for the IIci is now priced at $125 from $299, a reduction of 58
percent, and 4MB for the IIci/IIsi is down 57 percent to $425 from
$999. The IIfx is also catered to, with 4MB down 57 percent to $425
from $999.

Apple is also offering a new 8MB expansion kit for the IIsi and IIci
priced at $825, and reducing the cost on its 4MB parity kit for the
IIci 55 percent, to $475 from $1,049.

Enhanced memory will allow many Macintosh models to take advantage of
System 7.0's virtual memory capabilities, and allow some high-end
models to access 32-bit addressing. 2MB of RAM is required to run
System 7.0.

(Ian Stokell/19910513/Press Contact: John Cook, Apple Computer Inc.,
408-974-3145)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13 NEW FOR MAC: Ventura Publisher For System 7.0 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(000028)

NEW FOR MAC: Ventura Publisher For System 7.0 05/13/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- To coincide with
Apple's release of the new Macintosh operating system, Ventura
Software has announced a new version of Ventura Publisher, Macintosh
Edition desktop publishing software that includes support for the
System 7.0 architecture.

"Desktop publishing has been the strength of Apple Computer's
Macintosh for many years, and System 7 provides functionality that is
unequaled on any platform," said Larry Jordan, senior director,
product marketing for Ventura Software.

"This new version of Ventura Publisher will take advantage of System
7.0's leading edge technology by offering exciting new features ideal
for long document production," he added.

System 7.0 features supported by the new version of Ventura include:
Publish and Subscribe, which is the ability of one document to have
dynamic links with another document; Interapplication Communication,
or the communication between applications; and Balloon help, a form of
system level help within and between applications.

The company maintains that TrueType, an additional feature of System
7.0, is already supported by the current 3.0.1 version of Ventura
Publisher. Availability of Ventura Publisher, Macintosh Edition is
planned for August 1991.

(Ian Stokell/19910513/Press Contact: Larry Jordan, Ventura Software
Inc., 619-673-0172)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****CLARIS ANNOUNCES SYSTEM 7.0 PRODUCTS 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00029)

 ****CLARIS ANNOUNCES SYSTEM 7.0 PRODUCTS 05/13/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Claris
Corporation has announced the introduction of a series of new and
revised products designed specifically to utilize the features of
Macintosh System 7.0 operating system which began shipping on May 13.

The new products are a spreadsheet (Claris Resolve) which Claris calls
"the first Macintosh application designed from the ground up for
System 7.0" and a word processor (MacWrite Pro), while those programs
modified for the new System 7.0 operating system are MacProject II
version 2.5 and HyperCard 2.1.

In its announcement, Claris stressed its compliance with System 7.0's
`publish & subscribe' feature which provides users with `workgroup'
publishing capability. Claris also states `cross-platform links in
Claris applications will allow users to extend workgroup publishing
beyond a network of Macintosh-based Claris applications. By melding
Publish & Subscribe with XTND file translation, workgroup publishing
can include work created on non-Macintosh platforms.'

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Steve Ruddock,
Claris, 408-987-7202/19910513)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 13  ****FIRST IN INDUSTRY - NEW CHIP SPEEDS UP MICROSOFT WINDOWS 05/13/91

05/13/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00030)

 ****FIRST IN INDUSTRY - NEW CHIP SPEEDS UP MICROSOFT WINDOWS 05/13/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 13 (NB) -- Weitek announced
the immediate availability of the personal computer industry's first
user interface controller chip, the W5086, a chip that builds the
software screen draw commands into the video controller card, and
speeds up Windows. The single chip controller incorporates in hardware
the key functions of Microsoft Window's graphic device interface and
is expected to increase the speed of the Windows environment and
Window's applications, the company said.

Industry experts have expected for some time the introduction of a
hardware-controlled user interface to speed up the performance of
products such as Windows. However, the W5086 chip is the first to make
those predictions reality, according to Weitek.

Weitek claims the W5086 chip is compatible with existing 80286 and
80386 (16- and 32-bit) hardware and IBM Video Graphics Array (VGA)
displays, so it will run all existing non-Windows software. The chip
offers up to 2,048 by 1,024 pixels resolution in monochrome mode,
1,024 pixels by 768 pixels resolution with 16 colors, 800 pixels by
600 pixels and 640 by 480 pixels resolution with 256 colors, Weitek
said.

"Microsoft is pleased that Weitek will offer a User Interface
Controller supporting Windows," said Rich Abel, Windows group product
manager, Microsoft Systems Division. "The inclusion of dedicated
graphics acceleration functions such as BitBlit and LineDraw enhances
the performance of GUI environments such as Windows, thus benefiting
the user."

"The PC systems market is being differentiated on the quality and
performance of the user interface and applications," said Art
Collmeyer, president of Weitek. "We see an opportunity to provide user
interface processors and controllers that will enhance the performance
of Microsoft Windows and support Microsoft plans to add video and
audio processing to the user interface."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910513/Press Contact: Melanie Taylor, Weitek, Tel:
408/738-8400, Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 MAY 10 Review of: Books Cards & Labels -- Database Version 2, 05/10/91

05/10/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00030)

Review of: Books Cards & Labels -- Database Version 2, 05/10/91

Runs on: PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, AND 100% compatibles with 442K
RAM using PC/MS-DOS 2.0-4.01, and a VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules
compatible monochrome monitor. Storage: 1 hard disk and 1 floppy
disk drive, or 2-720k floppy disk drives.

From: Useful Software Inc., 2301 Stokes Canyon, Calabasas CA
91302, 818-880-4001.

Price: $129.95

PUMA Rating: 3.763 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest )

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary: Bob Singer has continued to shape Books Cards & Labels
into a superior Useful Software product for creating
address, contact, or limited inventory lists.

======

REVIEW

======

Bob Singer of Useful Software has continued to work to improve
his superior product, Books Cards & Labels. Now it comes in
two versions, a database version and a printbase version,
sold separately.

Among the changes is an attractive new interface. It is
equipped with pull-down menus and plenty of help screens.

Books Cards & Labels, Database ver.2, BC&L-D2, is a database
program with many predefined printing formats. It has several
nice features relating to the manipulation of records in
its charge. Some of these features are described below.

The user can define two different codes from A to Z, or 26
different encoding signals for each code. This process offers
real flexibility. The user is provided an opportunity to assign
several sub-codings for even more exacting selection. This means
that it is easy to set up a tickler report for various key
factors, such as date and location, as defined by the user.

I would like to mention at this point that I found a reference in
the manual to the process of defining the above mentioned codes.
This point was important enough to be highlighted. When I figured
out how to edit the two code list it turned out to be a
simple process. For your information, should Code1 or Code2 be
highlighted, press F-1, then highlight the letter you wish to
edit and press the spacebar. While the highlight is superimposed
on the code listing, type its definition and then press enter. Done.

There are predefined fields for organization, type of business,
last name, first name, multiple phone numbers, phone number
coding, two address, three extra named contacts or family
members, and ample note space. The phone number coding lets the
user designate the phone as voice, fax, or work.

BC&L allows the user to set up multiple databases designating
them as phone books or lists for various purposes.

Most of the above features are relevant to the phone book
features. BC&L can be used to maintain personal or household
inventory list. It can be used to keep up with books, records,
VCR tapes, etc.

BC&L2 supports more than 400 printers. It supports HP-compatible
cartridges and soft fonts. Bitstream Charter font is included
which is compatible with the HP LaserJet series printers.

This is, according to Useful Software, the database of choice for
a number of companies and government organizations including
Egghead Software, the U.S.Secret Service, MCI, and the California
State Highway Patrol.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (3.8) The printing, sorting, and selection by codes
works well. It is easy to set up and will maintain both address
books and list. A limitation is that it will only maintain five
of them -- five databases are plenty for most users, however.

USEFULNESS: (4) The program serves a real need for computers
users who want order in their lives and want a simpler way to
maintain and print out that orderliness. The price is in keeping
with the function and features.

MANUAL: (3.5) BC&L is fairly intuitive. There is a context-
sensitive help menu which answers most questions. What's still
needed is a better definition of ASCII Delimited than that which
is provided in the manual. I found the mention of the process
for changing the code definition a little obscure.

AVAILABILITY: (3.75) There is no 800#, but the creator is eager
to please his customers with an enthusiasm that goes beyond the
call of duty. Egghead Software is carrying the product
for $69.99. SoftWarehouse has it for $83.99.

(tbass, HNDYPRSN/19910415/Press Contact: Robert Singer, 818-880-
9128)
#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 10 Review of: Lifeguard for Macintosh, 05/10/91

05/10/91


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00029)

Review of: Lifeguard for Macintosh, 05/10/91

Runs on: Macintoshes

From: Visionary Software, P.O.Box 69191, Portland,
OR, 97201, [phone]

Price: $59.95

PUMA rating: 3.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach

Summary: A watchdog program that tells you when its time to
take a break from your computer. Overblown warnings and scare
tactics are supposed to make you "see" the problems in using
a computer.

=======

REVIEW

=======

On the Lifeguard package, in large, bold, lettering, is the
statement "Going overboard at a computer can cause serious
injury and pain." With such a frightening prognosis, is it any
wonder that some people may buy this package just to see how
it will lessen the chances of "...serious injury and pain?"

If you do, you will find that your money has bought a package
that contains one diskette and a 40-page manual. The program
is in two parts: a file that should be put into your System
Folder, and a Desk Accessory that is to be installed in your
System using the thoughtfully provided Font/DA Mover. The Desk
Accessory is used to control the various parameters that the
program will use, while the Init will serve as the actual
running part of the program.

The manual is clear and well-written. It tells you all that
you want to know about installing and configuring the program.
It also contains a wealth of information about the kinds of
injuries that could be caused by over-computing, and some
simple exercises and other things that can be done to lessen
their likelihood.

So, what does the program do? You ask. What the program does
is keep track of the amount of time that you are working on
the computer and at a set point in time, it notifies you that
it is time to take a break. If you wish, the Desk Accessory
will give you suggestions on exercises and other activities
that you may want to undertake while on your break. That's
it. That's all that it does.

The amount of time for either the working period or the break
period are defined by you. So are the sounds that notify you
of the end of a work or break period. You can also define a
"Snooze" key that acts much like the "Snooze" button on your
alarm clock. And let's not forget that the time that you are
allowed to snooze is also definable by you. If you don't want
the sounds supplied, no problem. You can turn them off and
have just a visual indicator flashing. Want a different sound?
Again, no problem. The manual contains instructions on how to
add your sounds, activities, and reminders to the program.

How useful is it? Well, that's a good question. I have no
doubt that the studies that the program's manual are
true. I doubt if there is really a need for a watchdog
program like this. I suppose that it can act as a novel excuse
for staying away from the computer that you are supposed to be
working on. Mostly I think that this program is just a gimmick.
Can't you just visualize the following scene:

Boss: "Aren't you working on X?"

Employee: "Lifeguard just told me to go run some errands, so
I'll just mosey on out and go do them. See you in a bit."

Boss: "Oh, OK. If Lifeguard told you to do so, then it's OK!"

Would you care to guess what the aftermath will be?

=============

PUMA RATINGS

=============

PERFORMANCE: 4 The program does what its supposed to do and does
it well.

USEFULNESS: 1 I don't see it. If you are really afraid of spending
too much time at your keyboard, buy a Kitchen timer and set it for
break times.

MANUAL: 4 It tells you all that you need to know. I could find
no mistakes in it.

AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from Mail Order and Software stores.
Technical support is available from the company. However, it
is not a toll-free number.

(Naor Wallach/19910428)
#ENDCARD




#CARD::1991 MAY 10  ***BORLAND STOCK FALLS AFTER REPORT ON LOTUS SUIT 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00001)

 ***BORLAND STOCK FALLS AFTER REPORT ON LOTUS SUIT 05/10/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Borland
stock was off 2-3/4 at 48 after Labe Simpson and Co.
analyst Charlotte Walker issued a report in which she said
Borland would lose a copyright infringement case with Lotus.
Lotus has sought a summary judgement against Borland claiming
Borland's Quattro Pro product violates the copyright on Lotus'
1-2-3 spreadsheet product.

US District Court Judge Robert Keaton has been asked by Lotus
to rule that there are no factual issues to be resolved in a
trial. Currently both parties are in the "discovery" phase --
documents are being exchanged and evidence submitted.
Borland is dismissing the Lotus move as a ploy to "short circuit
the discovery process."

Dick O'Donnell, spokesman for Borland, tells Newsbytes that
the motion is just "oral arguments they have made before and
now they have just committed them to paper.

"We continue to maintain that Quattro Pro is an unique
product, that it does not infringe copyrights of 1-2-3 and we
will continue to vigorously defend ourselves. The next milestone
is the June 18 pretrial hearing in front of Judge Keaton. He
has asked that both parties come before him and recommend how
the trial should be phased."

Borland calls Lotus' latest action "a non-event." He says that
Borland will continue to defend itself in court. "If it requires
us going to trial we will be prepared to do that. We continue to
maintain that Quattro Pro is an unique product that does not
infringe [Lotus copyright]."

Alex Brown and Sons analyst Christopher Mortensen said he
believed the hearing on June 18 will basically be an organizational
meeting and no decision will be issued. "The judge has been
taking his time with this and I don't expect anything so
soon...especially in a part of the law that is without
precedent," Mortensen said.

As for the falling stock prices, David Bayer, an analyst
with Montgomery Securities, said the outcome of the case was
far from clear and believed the market was overreacting. "I
think it (the stock fall) is overstating the case."

(Linda Rohrbough & Wendy Woods /19910509/Press Contact:
Dick O'Donnell, Borland, 408-439 1631)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 MOTOROLA CAUGHT IN GEORGIA SCANDAL 05/10/91

05/10/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002)

MOTOROLA CAUGHT IN GEORGIA SCANDAL 05/10/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Motorola is the
focus of a scandal involving the sale of an $11 million emergency
telephone system for Fulton County, Georgia. Fulton County
contains most of the city of Atlanta, and is the state's most
populous county.

Motorola has offered to repay $16,500 which the county
District Attorney Lewis Slaton says was used to bribe the
emergency communication workers. Gifts, trips, and entertainment
were disguised on invoices as training that never took place, and
the repair of "lightning strike" damage which never happened, he
says. Motorola claims the refunds would not be an admission of
guilt, just "good customer relations."

Robert W. Deariso, head of the Fulton County communications
center, has resigned and no decision has yet been made on
criminal indictments.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 GLOBAL SCAN ENTERS U.S. CREDIT REPORTING MARKET 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)

GLOBAL SCAN ENTERS U.S. CREDIT REPORTING MARKET 05/10/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Dun & Bradstreet
now faces competition from a United Kingdom company called
Infocheck, which began offering its Global Scan services to the
U.S. market May 7.

Infocheck is already the largest company credit reporting agency
in the United Kingdom. For the U.S., it is providing gateways to
European, Canadian and Middle Eastern credit reporting agencies,
which can link reports throughout the world. According to a
press release from the company, "Global Scan provides a window on
the global economy. Over 10 million companies, representing
nearly every company legally registered in Europe and Canada, are
available online via this comprehensive service."

Markets now served by Global Scan include the United Kingdom,
France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Finland,
Denmark, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Scheduled for
online gateways in 1991 are Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Ireland,
Taiwan, Holland, Norway, Portugal, and India, as well as the
U.S. Service can be in your choice of languages, and reports can
be accessed using ordinary PC communication packages like
Smartcom over the Sprintnet network, which links to the Global
Scan gateway host in London. Subscribers are charged on a flat
rate report basis -- one report, one price -- and all information
on the structure of a business community, filing requirements,
providers and contents of the data base is free. Average search
time is between 2-4 minutes and most credit reports are no older
than 90 days. Despite the fact that reporting requirements vary
on a country-to-country basis, the content of the reports is very
similar, the company said.

Bill Seebeck of Global Scan told Newsbytes, "We're the only
online service to use Sprintnet to link multiple contents. We've
also created standard search software, which lets you search the
database with separate search criteria. The main menu comes up,
you have a choice of 11 languages, and you can change language
with a function key. You choose countries individually, and get
different menus of the products available. You input the company
name or registration number onto one screen, to speed the search.
Then I hit the return key and I'm gatewayed."

The product is distributed in the U.S. by Owens Online of Largo,
Florida for the credit business and SIS International. The
distributors set the pricing for their market.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Bill Seebeck, Global
Scan, 914-939-7400)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10  ****DECUS AND DEXPO COME TO ATLANTA 05/10/91

05/10/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(ATL)(00004)

 ****DECUS AND DEXPO COME TO ATLANTA 05/10/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- The twice-yearly
DECUS user group meeting and DEXPO trade show made its appearance
at the Georgia World Congress Center and Inforum trade marts May
6-10. Attendance was estimated at 4,700, down from 5,600 last
time but not bad, considering that many industry meetings are
seeing cuts of 20 percent or more from a year ago.

Digital Equipment, whose users and add-in makers make up the
DECUS and DEXPO attendee list, respectively, had a lower profile
than normal this time. The reason: a proposed set of DECUS bylaw
changes which have been a burning controversy on the Usenet,
Internet, PSINet, and other networks where users get together.

It seems the DECUS board, working off a study by management
consultants, proposed a set of changes which will "cut out the
middleman" in the words of proponents, or "change DECUS from a
bottom-up to a top-down organization," according to opponents.
Jobs once given to groups, in other words, would be designated to
individuals, and the number of total positions would be cut. As a
result DEC, which will lose in either case if disappointed
members drop out, made no press announcements at this event. The
DECUS board, however, did manage to tick off opponents of the
changes on the first day of the show by moving budgetary
authority from a management committee to a treasurer, without
waiting for the decision on bylaw changes. Results of the vote
are due by the end of the month.

DEC has reason to be fearful of any revolts in its ranks. A
survey of DECUS members delivered at the show revealed that over
80 percent have multi-vendor computer systems.

Outside the controversy, this was a quiet event. The DECUS
exhibit floor of the Congress Center was filled, not with booths
and product hawkers, but with terminals and workstations to play
with new products on, and with helpful DEC employees to explain
them. The products were separated into, not booths, but
"campgrounds," and once a badge-holder was admitted he could
wander through them at will. And if he, or she, was wearing a
year-old beard, a tie-dyed t-shirt, and running shorts, no one
paid a second mind. If they had good questions, or suggestions,
they were more than welcome. You can find more true hackers in a
day at DECUS than in a month of Comdexes.

The DEXPO show floor, a few blocks away from DECUS at the Inforum
and Apparel Mart trade centers, was more traditional. The largest
group of demo-watchers, in fact, was in the Word Perfect booth,
watching in rapt attention as the intricacies of Word Perfect 5.1
for VMS were explained to them. Newsbytes dropped by the Datability
booth, where partner Richard Rupp explained that the complex
press release about his communication services "smashing" the
38,400 bit/second speed barrier merely meant that the system can
now handle the new Rockwell 14,400 bit/second data pump, which
with V.42bis data compression can run data at up to 57,600
bits/second.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: DECUS, 333 South St,
SHR 1-4/D20, Shrewsbury, MA 01545; Datability, Richard Rupp, 212-
807-7800; fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10  ****MISLEADING STATEMENTS SUIT FILED AGAINST APPLE 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00005)

 ****MISLEADING STATEMENTS SUIT FILED AGAINST APPLE 05/10/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Following Apple
Computer's disappointing third quarter financial results, a lawsuit
has been filed against the company and certain officers and
directors for allegedly making misleading statements regarding
the company's prospective earnings and business outlook. The
lawsuit alleges violation of federal securities laws.

Christopher Escher, spokesman for Apple, told Newsbytes that the
lawsuit alleges that Apple made false financial statements to the
public during the early part of 1991 prior to the release of the
company's third quarter statement on May 1st announcing that the
corporate earnings were "under pressure." Following the statement,
Apple stock took a tumble.

Escher also told Newsbytes that the claims were "completely without
merit" and that Apple was quite prepared to "oppose all claims."
The suit, Berley v. Sculley, was filed on May 7, 1991 in United
States District Court, Northern District of California.

The plaintiffs seek to bring suit on behalf of all purchasers of
Apple common stock between January 17, 1991 and April 30, 1991.
The plaintiffs did not specify the damages sought.

(Ian Stokell/19910510/Press Contact: Christopher Escher, Apple
Computer, 408-974-2202)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Smaller Ethernet Transceiver 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00006)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Smaller Ethernet Transceiver 05/10/91
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Accton Technology
Corporation has announced a new addition to its line of Ethernet
and 802.3 compatible cabling products. The TransCoax-II is a new,
significantly smaller, AUI to RG58/U transceiver than currently
exists on the market.

There are two main ways of attaching to an Ethernet. They are
via a coaxial cable or an attachment unit interface or AUI. The
coaxial cable connection sports a BNC type connector while the
AUI uses a 15 pin "D" type connector.

Most PC network interface cards provide a BNC connector protruding
out of the back of the PC. When you need to go for longer
distances, or when you are converting from one type of media
(say coaxial) to another (say fiber optics), you will need to
connect to a device known as a repeater. The problem is that
all of the mainframe repeaters are equipped solely with AUI
connectors.

Making transceivers that convert an AUI type connection to a
coaxial is nothing new. Accton Technology's advance is in the
physically smaller size of the unit that they are introducing.
The TransCoax-II measures 2.75 inches by 2.16 inches by 0.82
inches which compares with others that can be as big as a child's
shoebox. This smaller size conveys certain advantages like the
ability to attach the transceiver directly to the back of the
network card. Other advantages are in the smaller amount of
heat generated by the device as well as the fact that it is
completely powered through the AUI and therefore, one need
not snake out a separate power cord. There is also a
collection of LEDs on the unit that denote various statuses.

The TransCoax-II will begin shipping June 1st and is projected
to cost $119.

(Naor Wallach/19910509/Press Contact: Tom Woolf, Media
Relations, 415-366-6231)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 NOVELL, EAGLE INTRO ENTRY LEVEL "LAN-IN-A-BOX" 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00007)

NOVELL, EAGLE INTRO ENTRY LEVEL "LAN-IN-A-BOX" 05/10/91
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Novell has announced
that it has signed a licensing agreement with Eagle Technology,
of San Jose, California, under which Eagle Technology will
manufacture and distribute a complete LAN (local area network) in
one package.

The package, dubbed the Netware Starter System, will contain
starter Novell LAN software which will accommodate up to four
users on the network, as well as two Ethernet network interface
cards which Novell has certified as compatible with versions of
Netware, and is complete with cabling, connectors and
documentation.

Novell says the two companies decided to provide this small
business configuration as a direct response to customer demand
for a complete network all in one package. The operating system
for the new package is based on ELS Netware Level I technology.

The new package is immediately available, and has a suggested
retail price of $995 for the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)
version, and $1155 for the MCA (Micro Channel Architecture)
version. Technical support will be handled through Novell's
current distribution channels. Customers can upgrade to either
Netware 2.2 or Netware 2.11 when their system needs grow.

Additional information is available from Eagle Technology at
800-733-2453.

(Jim Mallory/19910509/Press Contact:Nancy Morrison, Novell,
801-429-5833)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 NEW FOR PCS: Greek Learning Tool 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00008)

NEW FOR PCS: Greek Learning Tool 05/10/91
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Parsons
Technology has released GreekTools, a Greek-English learning tool
offered in a flash card format. The cards present information in
both Greek and English. Parsons says the product is primarily
targeted at serious students of the bible, studying the original
Greek documents.

Users create stacks of flash cards according to their study
needs, adding and deleting cards or stacks as needed.
Personalized self-tests can be designed, and the built-in
Greek/Hebrew/English word processor allows tagging extensive
notes to existing cards. Cards can be saved is ASCII format for
use with other word processors.

The program's Greek lexicon contains a database of 1,150 Greek
words occurring at least 10 times in the Greek New Testament.
GreekTools also includes a catalog displaying the name, content,
type, date, current location and text family of 1,200 Greek
manuscripts. Users can locate particular Greek words or
manuscripts through a whole or partial word search.

The program also explains correct pronunciation, grammar and
breathing marks, and includes a text "Learn New Testament Greek"
by John Dobson. GreekTools retails for $49 and requires an IBM PC
or compatible, at least 512K or RAM (random access memory), DOS
2.11 or higher and either two floppy drives or a hard disk. A
dot matrix printer or laser printer allows the Greek and Hebrew
characters to be printed. Parsons Technology maintains a toll
free order number, 800-223-6925.

(Naor Wallach & Jim Mallory/19910509/Press Contact: Anne Rawland,
Parsons Technology, 319-377-5601)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 MCI 900 POLICIES DETAILED 05/10/91

05/10/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)

MCI 900 POLICIES DETAILED 05/10/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- MCI was late to the
business of running so-called "900" numbers, where callers pay
for recordings or other services, but they're hustling to catch
up, using policies which are stricter than those offered by
competitors. A recent MCI release saying the company would refuse
billing to adult-oriented 900 lines, in line with policies
already in force at AT&T and Sprint.

MCI spokesman Pam Small told Newsbytes that operators of adult lines
must now either go to separate billing agencies or use toll-free
"800" lines to collect credit card numbers from callers.
But, she explained, her company's policies go further. "We have a
mandatory preamble," consistent with the proposed rules of the
FCC which are opposed by the "900" industry group the Information
Industries Association. The preamble tells callers the nature of
the service offered and its cost, then gives them a chance to
hang up without charge.

"The reason we have these policies in place is we're trying to
protect consumers and prevent fraudulent or misleading
applications. We'll constantly review them, and as time goes by
we may adjust them. But at the present we feel these policies
need to be adhered to." MCI may, for instance, refuse to bill for
so-called "slasher" 900 lines offered to teen-age fans of Freddy
Krueger, if enough complaints are received.

Also, "We have a limit on the amount that can be charged per
call," said Small. "In our tariff we say any program that exceeds
$25 per call or $5 per minute we'll refuse billing services on.
Any program that uses autodialers or computer-generated
announcements, or automatically reverses bills through an
autodialer, is also against our policies. Anything that involves
a second 900 call using a PIN or activation number -- no way.
Anything that uses multilevel marketing or promises compensation
based on a salesman's ability to generate more calls -- no way."

MCI also advocates that consumers be given the option of blocking
the 900 exchange, something businesses with their own private
switches already do. As to numbers aimed at kids, "We haven't
segregated children's numbers, but we believe any program over $4
per call we won't bill, when it's directed to children."

One policy MCI may have trouble justifying is that involving
Automatic Number Identification, or ANI. While MCI won't give a
list of callers to anyone besides the call sponsors, the company
has no objection to those numbers being matched to a database of
addresses. "We don't have a problem with ANI being matched to
public information," Small said. "We believe your telephone
number is a public resource -- it does not belong to you as an
individual." People with unlisted numbers may have trouble with
that, since it's their struggle to remain anonymous from
marketers which is at the heart of the present "Caller ID"
controversy, in which ANI is being extended to local exchanges.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: MCI News Bureau, 800-
289-0073)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Multinet Version 3.0 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00010)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Multinet Version 3.0 05/10/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- In a major upgrade
to their Multinet software, TGV has made available a host of new
features designed to allow Multinet greater connectivity and
compliance with evolving standards.

Multinet software by TGV acts as a Network File System client
or server on top of the Transmission Control Protocol / Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) suite on a VMS-equipped minicomputer from
Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). DEC VMS machines do not
normally have access to NFS due to it being primarily a Unix-derived
set of protocols. NFS allows for seamless transfer of files
between similarly equipped machines running across an Ethernet
network.

Multinet V3.0 has several major new enhancements including
electronic mail for the DEC All-in-1 software package and
support for the Post Office Protocol Versions 2 and 3 (POP2 and
POP3). This is a public domain standard that allows all other
POP-equipped machines, including PCs, to get and receive mail
from the DEC machines.

The new software version also offers remote startup (booting)
of diskless workstations. This allows the workstations to start
up by using the host DEC machine as a big file server. Plus
all of the documentation that TGV supplies now supports the
DEC Bookreader format. This is the documentation standard
developed by DEC that is being embraced throughout the DEC
user community.

Multinet V3.0 will start shipping on June 15th. Prices range
from $1200 to $28,000 depending on the kind and configuration
of the machine.

(Naor Wallach/19910509/Press Contact: Tom Woolf, Media Relations,
415-366-6231)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 MCI FAX REQUIRES MCI AS LONG DISTANCE CARRIER 05/10/91

05/10/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

MCI FAX REQUIRES MCI AS LONG DISTANCE CARRIER 05/10/91
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission is presently investigating a process
called "slamming," defined as changing people's long-distance
service provider without their permission or knowledge. AT&T is
the focus of the investigation. A study recently submitted to the
FCC by Allnet, a small long distance competitor, says that while
AT&T is still slamming as much as ever, MCI is doing it less.
Allnet wants the FCC to demand that all changes on a default
long-distance carrier be put in writing.

Usually, slamming involves using telemarketing agencies to call
customers of smaller companies such as Allnet and then, after
verbal permission, submitting something called a "PIC" to the
local phone company, which changes the default carrier used when
the subscriber dials "1" before making a long distance called.

But, with the major phone companies offering a variety of new fax
services through separate subsidiaries, that's not the only way
you can get slammed. Recently, Newsbytes' Atlanta bureau found
out all about this. Our bureau has two phone lines. One was
presubscribed to MCI long distance, the other to AT&T, with the
AT&T line shared by a fax machine and modem. Early in 1991, to
speed delivery of our newsletter, "The Teleputing Hotline," we
subscribed to MCI Fax, a service of the MCI International
division. The idea was to call a 700-exchange number and order
delivery of a single fax to a mailing list.

When the bills came in, they were unusually high, and we called
MCI International to find out about them. After an examination of
the bill details, we were told that all was in order -- there
were just a lot of extra calls on them. In fact, every long-
distance call made from the number presubscribed to AT&T were
now being billed via MCI Fax -- even modem calls.

That is slamming, according to Roy Morris of Allnet. "Carriers
doing telemarketing have construed the new rules as meaning they
don't need written authorizations," he says. Allnet wants all
changes in long distance allegiance to go to state public service
commissions, and follow-up calls made to subscribers to assure
they do want to change, before a change is made.

But John Houser of MCI said his company is innocent of slamming
in this case. "In order to have access to that 700 exchange used
by MCI Fax, you have to have MCI long distance service on that
number," he explained. The 700 exchange, unlike the 900 exchange,
is linked directly to carriers, so 700 numbers run by MCI can't
be dialed by AT&T customers, and vice versa. Houser apologized
for the fact that this has never been explained to MCI Fax
customers, either in marketing materials or elsewhere. Houser
added that it's not a bad idea, if you have two phone numbers, to
subscribe them to different carriers, just in case one goes down.

The bureau still felt a bit slammed, so we made some phone calls.
The result? Our regular phone line, which bills $2-300 in long
distance service each month, will henceforth default to AT&T. The
fax line, which bills about $10 in long distance per month, will
stay with MCI. The changes were made by phone, and no written
authorizations for such changes are available, a Southern Bell
representative said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910510/Press Contact: Roy Morris, Allnet,
202-293-0593; Dana Blankenhorn, Newsbytes, 404-373-0794; fax,
404-378-0794; MCI News Bureau, John Houser, 800-289-0073)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10  ****USDA TO REPLACE 25,000 MICROS AND MINIS 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00012)

 ****USDA TO REPLACE 25,000 MICROS AND MINIS 05/10/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- The U.S. Department
of Agriculture will be a major purchaser of computer equipment
for the next few years, according to a recent report by James M.
Smith of Government Computer News. Four sub-agencies - the Forest
Service, the FmHA (Farmers Home Administration), the Agricultural
Stabilization and Conservation Service, and the Soil Conservation
Service - will in unrelated buys purchase nearly $1 billion worth
of new mini- and microcomputers to upgrade systems in about 7,000
field offices.

RFPs, the official requests for proposals from companies wishing
to supply the computers, will start appearing later this year
with the Forest Service's $500 Project 615 buy, which replaces
the previous attempt to acquire equipment back in 1989 when the
process was suspended after the General Accounting Office called
the project poorly planned.

Other buys will be down the road, as far as two years hence, but
the massive purchase will all involve systems which conform to
the GOSIP or Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile,
POSIX or the Portable Operating System Interface for Unix
standard set by the IEEE, and other APP or Application
Portability Profile standards that are now in effect or are
expected to take effect during the life of the equipment.

(John McCormick/19910510)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 NSF SENDS 8 STUDENTS TO JAPAN'S SCIENCE CITY 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00013)

NSF SENDS 8 STUDENTS TO JAPAN'S SCIENCE CITY 05/10/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Eight computer
science graduate students, part of 50 graduate students in the
program, are going to spend the summer working with Japanese
government and corporate laboratories in Japan's Tsukuba or
"science city." The project, called The Summer Institute in
Japan, started in 1989 and is jointly sponsored by the U.S.
National Science Foundation or NSF and Japan's Science and
Technology Agency as a result of discussions between the American
and Japanese members of the Task Force on Access.

This year 11 corporate laboratories have been added to the
government cites included last year, and the number of interns
has doubled for the Summer 1991 Summer Institute.

The 50 American students gathered in Washington, D.C. on April 18
and 19 for preliminary orientation on some of the cultural
problems which they may encounter.

(John McCormick/19910510/Press Contact: Cheryl Dybas, NSF, 202-
357-9498)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 SPA APPOINTS TWO NEW COUNSELS 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00014)

SPA APPOINTS TWO NEW COUNSELS 05/10/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- The Software
Publishers Association has announced the appointment of two new
counsels in anticipation of an expansion of its legislation and
litigation activities.

With nine years of experience in the computer industry, Karen L.
Casser is the new director of public policy and legal affairs,
the person who deals with Congress and other government
activities as well as all other public activities of the
association. Ms. Casser was formerly general counsel for SAS
Institute of Carey, North Carolina, a major privately held
software developer.

John Lawlor, the new director of litigation, is a former
litigation associate at the San Francisco firm of Howard, Rice,
Nemerovski, Canady, Robertson & Falk, and at the Boston law firm
of Ropes & Gray.

Mr. Lawlor's activities will be directed toward prosecution of
software piracy.

In response to the question of whether these new appointments
indicated an upcoming surge of anti-pirate litigation, Jodi
Pollock, public relations director of the SPA, told Newsbytes
that "the increased staff would certainly help along those lines
 ... especially the appointment of one counsel [Lawlor]
specifically working on that area."

She went on to say that we can certainly expect to see increased
activities in that area.

With 770 members, the SPA is the major trade group representing
the personal computer software industry. The SPA works to promote
and support legislation here and abroad which will strengthen
copyright enforcement for software and, through the SPA Copyright
Protection Fund, a group supported by 13 of the world's largest
software companies, actively files lawsuits against groups found
to be illegally copying software.

(John McCormick/19910510/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-
452-1600)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 AMERICA'S CUP RACERS DESIGNED USING COMPUTERS 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00015)

AMERICA'S CUP RACERS DESIGNED USING COMPUTERS 05/10/91
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- In the fast-
changing world of yacht racing, computer technology is essential
in designing new boats and Hewlett-Packard is helping out the
American team headed by Dennis Conner.

Yacht building is as much an art as a science, but, while the
three years prior to the 1987 America's Cup races saw Dennis
Conner's Stars & Stripes team tank-testing models of 40 designs
and building three full-sized yachts, the greater use of
computers has allowed them to tank-test fewer than 15 models this
time and build only one full-sized yacht.

Hewlett-Packard computer systems are also used by the New Zealand
challengers, and both teams use HP computers for both on-board
tactical evaluation, design, and simulation.

Besides working with yacht designers and the racing teams, HP is
also providing about 150 personal computers and workstations,
along with associated printers and plotters, for use during this
week's World Championship races.

The on-shore uses during race week include such things as weather
research and performance prediction to business operations of the
race syndicates participating in the races.

Just two and one-half years ago the two competing boats in the
International America's Cup Class (IACC) were a 132-foot New
Zealand entry and a much smaller and faster catamaran put forward
by the U.S. defenders.

1992 will see the America's Cup competition return with a 12-
meter standard for all vessels and people are getting the first
look at the new designs this week at The America's Cup Class
World Championships being held in San Diego, CA.

Besides the change of boat size, no one knew whether the next
America's Cup races would be held off New Zealand or near San
Diego until after the results of the 1988 race and different
water/weather conditions can drastically affect designs of both
the boats and their sails, all now being designed on computers.

(John McCormick/19910510/Press Contact: Jerry Gross, Hewlett-
Packard, 408-447-1074)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 "QUAYLE-PHERNALIA" 900 LINE OFFERS JOKES, NOVELTY ITEMS 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00016)

"QUAYLE-PHERNALIA" 900 LINE OFFERS JOKES, NOVELTY ITEMS 05/10/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Cashing in on the
recent resurgence of media attention being given to Vice
President Quayle, Radar World Chicago has inaugurated a 900 line
offering Dan Quayle jokes, ditties, and novelty items.

Costing $2 for the first minute and $0.99 for each additional
minute, calling 900-USA-DANNY Ext. 29 will get you a chance to
vote on whether the former National Guardsman should be kept on
the Republican ticket, an opportunity to try and win a bumper
sticker, and some unparalleled shopping opportunities.

Among the Quayle mania novelty items are $30 watches that have
the numbers out of order; $14 "Rebel Without a Clue" T-shirts
with the VeeP's head superimposed on James Dean's body; and "The
Dan for All Seasons Calendar" which sells for $8.

Every 10th caller will reportedly receive a free bumper sticker,
and every 50th will get a free $30 watch, according to a company
spokesperson.

An 800 (toll-free) telephone number will connect you with a
salesman at the company who can provide further information about
the Quayle-line or other products. For information, telephone
800-521-4211.

Although the Quayle line is several months old, a spokesperson at
Radar World told Newsbytes that there has been a strong recent
increase in interest in the 900 line. Radar World's major
business is selling radar detectors by mail order.

(John McCormick/19910510/Press Contact: Gary Cohn, Radar World
Chicago, 708/537-9319)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00017)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/10/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

The May 6 Computerworld reports that The Electronic Frontier
Foundation is funding a suit against the federal government which
may be the first test of whether e-mail and BBS messages are
subject to constitutional protection.

April 29's Network World features a piece comparing twisted pair
and fiber optic wiring.

The May 6 Network World has a buyer's guide on packet switching.

Mind over Media for May 1 looks at Intel's DVI, includes some
suggestions about how to plan multimedia projects so they will
transfer well to videotape, and looks at a multimedia health care
kiosk.

May's Communications of the ACM focuses on software engineering.

Computer ResellerNews for May 6 carries a front-page story
focusing on VAR's thinking of changing focus from Apple's
Macintosh to the new Windows environment.

April 29's Government Computer News looks at the recent AIIM show
in Washington and reports that NCube will soon introduce a 250-
megaflop supercomputer measuring only 17" by 15" by 9".

(John McCormick/19910510)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10  ****MAC SYSTEM 7 PLANS FOR THE UK 05/10/91

05/10/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(LON)(00018)

 ****MAC SYSTEM 7 PLANS FOR THE UK 05/10/91
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Apple U.K. has announced
its plans for its System 7.0 operating system for the Macintosh. Plans
call for the UKP 50 package to be ship to English resellers by
the second week of May, with a UKP 125 multimedia (CD-ROM)
version available within the same timeframe.

"We're also shipping the eight disk System 7.0 package along with
Apple Macs sold in the U.K. from May 15 onwards," Clive Girling,
Apple UK's product marketing manager, told Newsbytes.
Girling said that end user response to System 7.0 has
been excellent and that the version sold and supplied in the UK is a
localized edition.

"The version we're shipping on this side of the Atlantic is
Anglicized. Unlike the US edition, which has a trash bin along
the bottom of the screen, the U.K. edition has a waste basket.
There are a number of other improvements as well," he said.

Despite early indications that System 7.0 requires a hefty slice
of the Mac's available memory, Girling said that it will
run on a Macintosh Classic equipped with 1MB of RAM. "It will run on
almost any Mac, but we are recommending at least 1MB of memory to
allow applications software to run happily," he said.

Among the many enhancements to the Mac's operating system, System
7.0's most immediate difference from earlier editions is the
inclusion of a context-sensitive help file system known as the
balloon helper. This obviates the need to constantly refer to the
user manuals, the company claims.

(Steve Gold/19910510/Press & Public Contact: Apple U.K. - Tel;
081-569-1199)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 AST BULLISH AND BACK ON TRACK, SAYS FOUNDER YUEN 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00019)

AST BULLISH AND BACK ON TRACK, SAYS FOUNDER YUEN 05/10/91
CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- AST Research has a great
future, has learned from past mistakes and is back on the right
track, says company co-founder, Tom Yuen - the "T" in AST.

In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with Newsbytes, Yuen, who is
visiting his native Hong Kong for this week's Computer Expo during a
business swing through East Asia, said AST is in a healthy state and
all the signs are that it will continue its current progress.

"From our losses in the late '80s, we made US$200 million last year
and we see the successful trend continuing."

Of the previous losses, he says, "Our rapid success went
to our heads," he says. "Our early PCs were such a hit,
we lost sight of our original principles, got a bit
greedy and allowed the accountants too much influence in the
introduction of our first 386 based machine. We had a nasty shock in
1988 as a result, but it was a good experience in the long run."

Yuen, born in Shanghai, met his partners Albert Wong and
Safi Qureshy while a university student."We used to get together and
talk about our frustrations working in large bureaucratic companies.
We often talked about starting our own company, but nothing happened
until one weekend we suddenly decided to take the plunge. We did a
quick calculation of our available assets and were rather dashed to
find we had only about US$2,000 between us."

Various options had been discussed over the years, but the trio
finally opted to set up an engineering consultancy, then
manufacturing.

They began with circuit boards but with the release of the original
IBM PC in 1981, began producing communications adaptors, so that
PC users could communicate with other computers. "Then we looked
at the inside of the machine. Early models needed add-on adaptors
for everything - communications, extra memory, printers, and disc
controllers.

"Software houses were already starting to convert or write software
to run on the new machine, so its future seemed assured. But buyers
would soon find they needed to add all sorts of extra cards and they
would soon run out of slots. That was when we hit on the original AST
Six Pack. It offered 256K of extra memory, disc controllers, two
serial ports and serial printer port, all on one card. Our first ten
boards sold the moment they were ready. That was incredibly exciting.
The rest is history."

AST went public in 1984 and introduced its first own-brand personal
computer in 1986.

"We decided early on that we would not build down to a price, but
would strive to improve on other vendor's products while still
keeping prices down to a reasonable level."

The policy paid off, but indirectly it was nearly AST's downfall. "We
got cocky and arrogant. We thought we knew it all. The success even
changed our lives and relationship. The three of us stopped talking
with each other and grew apart. Previously, we had always discussed
in detail every minute stage in the development of a product.

"When we introduced the Premium 386, we allowed the finance guys to
cut back on quality and increase price. Our competitors gained the
upper hand and suddenly we were losing around US$70 million a year."

The three partners went through a period of strained relations.
"Eventually, Albert left and Safi and I carried on alone. The
experience brought us much closer again. Safi is a very thoughtful
man - something of a philosopher, and we have found we have a great
deal in common. When I look back on my own humble Hong Kong
beginnings, I am staggered about the success I have had. But my needs
are really very simple. I just don't see any point in carrying on
making money just for the sake of it. Like Safi, I believe the reason
for working hard is to help improve the world in some way."

Yuen believes the IT industry's real responsibility is to serve
mankind. "It's all very well getting hooked on ever more powerful
computers, but basic models of good quality at an affordable price
could help developing countries catch up. For this and other reasons,
I don't see the demise of, for example, 286-based machines just yet."

Less than two weeks ago AST was one of the first companies to
introduce a machine based on the new Intel 486SX processor chip.
"This doesn't mean we are about to abandon our earlier models," says
Yuen. Our new CUPID [completely upgradable processor input/output
device] system makes it possible for a user to upgrade to the latest
model by just replacing a board similar to a standard adaptor card
with one using a more advanced processor and associated devices."

Companies that normally amortize computers over five years find they
are constantly being overtaken by needs for more powerful models
after as little as a year, Yuen says. "CUPID allows them to keep a
machine for the full amortization period by upgrading the processor
card as needed. That makes life much easier for them."

While in Asia, Yuen will be visiting Taiwan and China. AST is
negotiating joint venture products with China and sees room for great
expansion there. It also plans to extend its large Hong Kong
factory.

Yuen says AST's new notebook computer has already been sensationally
successful and he sees it soon overtaking Toshiba's products - until
now the most popular in the US market. He reckons recent hefty price
reductions by Toshiba and Compaq were in response to AST's inroads in
the notebook area. "We are already producing 10,000 notebooks
every quarter, and the figure will grow."

AST notebook developments already under way include a new generation
with a colour screen. Also in the pipeline is a 486-based notebook
that Yuen says will be "second best to a workstation." A "Pizza box"
desktop is also planned. This will make use of latest miniaturization
advances to produce a 33 MHz 486 computer with 80 or 100 MB hard disc
in a box no higher than a pizza box. "And it won't need a fan, so it
will be silent."

(Norman Wingrove/19910507)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 SHRUNKEN EXPO OPENS IN HONG KONG 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00020)

SHRUNKEN EXPO OPENS IN HONG KONG 05/10/91
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Hong Kong's annual Computer
Expo, which opened at the Convention and Exhibition Centre
on May 8, is considerably smaller than last year's
exhibition. Observers say this is mainly due to prevailing
economic conditions and the poor performance worldwide of
the computer industry. Some, however, believe there are other
factors involved.

One industry member visiting from Singapore for the
Expo and the associated Hong Kong Computer Society Computer
Conference, told Newsbytes, "I think there is a general feeling that
most computer shows are pretty boring. We always go the main ones
hoping to be surprised, but all too often leave disappointed. Like so
many others, the Hong Kong Expo has developed over its seven years
into little more than a PC show no different from any other of its
kind." He went on to say that he hoped a scaling-down in size of the
show this year might enable the show to focus on a few subjects of
more original interest.

In spite of the smaller scale, the organizers are still expecting an
attendance of about 50,000 over its four-day run.

Annually associated with Computer Expo, the Computer Conference marks
its thirteenth year with the slogan "People Make IT Work," the
brainchild of conference chairman, Dr Colin Greenfield, director of
information technology services for the Hong Kong Government.

The Conference seems set to be as successful as ever, if the number
of IT professionals unavailable for the rest of the week is anything
to go by. Requests for appointments with most leading industry
figures during the past week have met the standard reply that they
would have to wait until after the Conference.

(Norman Wingrove/19910507)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10  ****HONG KONG TO LEGALIZE SOME SOFTWARE COPYING 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(HKG)(00021)

 ****HONG KONG TO LEGALIZE SOME SOFTWARE COPYING 05/10/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- The Business Software Alliance
(BSA) and Software Publishers Association (SPA) face a serious legal
setback to their software protection efforts in Hong Kong, where the
Law Reform Commission has recommended decriminalizing of certain
aspects of software copying.

The Commission's Copyright Subcommittee has proposed that copying of
software products by end users should not be a criminal offence.
Heavy penalties would still apply to commercial copying and
distribution of copyright material.

In the past, Hong Kong has had a flourishing software piracy trade,
catering principally to students and non-business users. Many
legitimate users of commercial software products freely admit to
having started off with pirated copies. They say this was the only
way they could gain hands-on experience of the products to ensure
their suitability for the task to be performed. There have also been
many criticisms in the past of prices being much higher than in the
USA, and of a lack of user support.

Even now, buying legitimate software can be fraught with
difficulties. One frustrated buyer told Newsbytes, "I urgently needed
PFS: Professional File. Whenever I contacted local dealers and
distributors, they tried to sell me Professional Write while saying
it would take three to four weeks to obtain a copy of Professional
File from the US. I didn't want or need Professional Write, so I went
out and bought a pirated copy of File while still searching for a
genuine copy. Eventually, I contacted a former pirate retailer who has
now turned legitimate. That was two days before the Easter holiday.
He said it might take a few days. The first day after the holiday,
one of his staff turned up at my office with the genuine, unsealed
article at a lower price than I had been quoted by the other dealers.
I wonder whether, in the circumstances, I was stupid to do the right
thing instead of carrying on with the pirated copy!"

There have been several reported cases of business houses using
pirated software, but most illicit copies still appear to be bought
by individuals and students trying to extend their computer knowledge
without spending a lot of money on products they are unlikely ever to
put to real use.

Many users wishing to remain within the law, but dissatisfied with the
industry's standards of service, routinely order software direct from
the country of origin, frequently from the publisher, bypassing local
distributors. Another business user told Newsbytes, "I find it not
only cheaper, despite paying air mail or freight, but a phone or fax
order usually results in delivery in two or three days, rather than
the weeks quoted by Hong Kong distributors."

Newsbytes' Hongkong bureau, when trying to upgrade to Turbo Pascal
5.5 from Version 4.0 18 months ago, waited for nine weeks before
receiving delivery, after first handing in the original master discs.
The package was delivered without manuals, rendering it virtually
useless. Rather than deal further with the Singapore distributor for
the region, Newsbytes contacted Borland direct. The manuals arrived
within a few days, accompanied by a complimentary copy of the latest
version of the Assembler/Debugger.

In a lengthy press release originated from its Washington
headquarters, BSA comments on the Law Reform Commission's proposals,
quoting its Hong Kong-based vice president, Jeff Siebach, as saying,
"At the moment, when a company considers whether to purchase
legitimate software, it must balance the cost of acquiring legitimate
product against the cost of committing a criminal offence. If this
recommendation is adopted, that is no longer the case. The balancing
has gone. There is no criminal risk."

Meanwhile, the latest edition of leading information technology
magazine, Computerworld, draws its readers' attention to the wide
availability of shareware programs, which it quotes a user as saying
are "better than anything that is commercially available."

(Norman Wingrove/19910507/Press Contact: Jeff Siebach, BSA,
Phone: + 852 529 6331; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 MICOM CLAIMS TO ELIMINATE IDD PHONE CHARGES FOR ASIA USERS 05/10/91

05/10/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00022)

MICOM CLAIMS TO ELIMINATE IDD PHONE CHARGES FOR ASIA USERS 05/10/91
NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Hong Kong distributor
Datacraft Asia says MICOM's Marathon 5K communications processor is
capable of eliminating international direct dialling (IDD) telephone
charges.

Datacraft's Asia regional marketing director, Ron Cattell, said the
Marathon 5K will allow small to medium-sized companies an affordable
opportunity to enjoy what was once the sole privilege of large
organizations - their own private telecommunications network.

"This is a telecommunications revolution for Asia-based businesses,"
Cattell said. For companies with between 20 and 30 employees and two
regional offices, the Marathon 5K is going to pay for itself within
the first year of operation. After that, international calls are
going to be for free."

The Marathon 5K allows users to combine their data, voice, fax and
computer network traffic over a single line. It achieves this by
combining four bandwidth-saving techniques: data compression, speech
compression and fast packet multiplexing.

MICOM says data compression reduces bandwidth requirements by between
50 and 75 percent, while speech compression provides even greater
savings, reducing the normal bandwidth required for voice signals by
as much as 85 percent. It is these savings that allow the user to
integrate the applications on one line.

Micom's Subhash Bal said the main problem hindering efforts to
compress speech in the past was the inability to efficiently pass
facsimile traffic. This difficulty was overcome by using automatic
fax demodulation.

"The days of data-only remote communications are numbered," said Bal.
"Once word gets out that integration on this level is not only
possible but also affordable, there will be no going back."

(Norman Wingrove/19910507/Press Contact: Ron Cattell, Datacraft Asia,
Phone: + 852 807 2313, Fax: + 852 807 2574; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 REPORT SAYS MAC VARS JUMPING TO WINDOWS 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(WAS)(00023)

REPORT SAYS MAC VARS JUMPING TO WINDOWS 05/10/91
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Allison
Calderbank has reported in this week's Computer Reseller News that
traditional Macintosh VARs, or value-added resellers, are
drifting toward Windows 3.0 applications because the MS-DOS GUI
(graphical user interface) offers better market opportunities.

According to Ms. Calderbank's front page story, several Mac VARs
are already developing Windows applications such as the formerly
Macintosh-only program from Applied Statistics which has recently
signed up to become an IBM reseller.

Some industry observers feel that this could pose a very
significant problem for Apple, which has always relied on its
position as having the only strongly GUI-oriented operating
environment to maintain customer loyalty.

The availability of some programs only for that market has also
strengthened the Macintosh's position, something which will not
continue if the present trend for multi-platform development
continues or increases.

(John McCormick/19910510)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 PEN WINDOWS WORD PROCESSOR RECOGNIZES HANDWRITING 05/10/91

05/10/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)

PEN WINDOWS WORD PROCESSOR RECOGNIZES HANDWRITING 05/10/91
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) --
Software Publishing announced at the DEMO '91 conference in
Palm Springs its Professional Write Plus document
processing product that operates under Microsoft's Pen
Windows Operating System. Software Publishing claims the
product exploits the capabilities of the Pen Windows
Operating System by providing handwriting recognition and
gestures.

The company claims users who want to take advantage of pen-
based computing will not have to sacrifice ease of use or
advanced features. For example, Software Publishing claims
the speed icon bar, used to give commands to manipulate
text, operates with a pen. The gesturing capability of the
pen also provides a way to edit and correct documents, the
company said.

"Software Publishing built its heritage on its intuitive
interface," said Richard Frank, vice president and chief
technical officer. "The simplicity and natural feel of a
pen presents a wonderful opportunity for us to continue
extending this heritage. Professional Write Plus is just
one example of how our intuitive interface can adapt,
unmodified, to a pen-based operating system such as Pen
Windows."

Professional Write PLUS is currently available and has a
suggested retail price of $249, according to the company.
The same version will run under Windows or Pen Windows, the
company said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910510/Press Contact: Mary Jane Reiter,
Software Publishing, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 STUDY SAYS DELL BEST AT MAKING CUSTOMERS HAPPY 05/10/91

05/10/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00025)

STUDY SAYS DELL BEST AT MAKING CUSTOMERS HAPPY 05/10/91
AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- In the
introductory phase of the first of its business user studies
for the computer industry, J.D. Power and Associates has
announced Dell Computer ranked highest according to
individuals surveyed in small- to medium-size businesses.
The End-User Satisfaction Study was part of a series of four
studies designed to measure customer satisfaction among
users in the personal computer category, J.D. Power reported.

The four studies are small- to medium-size businesses, home
businesses, large businesses, and a summary of the results
of the other three studies, according to Patty Patano of
J.D. Power. The studies are based on a national random
sample of office sites with between one and 499 employees,
the company said.

The 1991 Computer End-User Satisfaction Study was designed
to identify those factors which drive user satisfaction in
the following categories: personal computers, printers and
application software and to determine each factor's relative
contribution to overall satisfaction, according to Power.
Manufacturers were then ranked on an indexing system based
on satisfaction, the company said. When asked why the
results for printers and software industries were not
available, Patano told Newsbytes, "We've just completed the first
phase of the small- to medium-sized business study. We will
release other results as they become available."

J.D. Power III, president of the marketing information
company, said, "Our Computer Industry Satisfaction Program
has come about primarily because the computer industry can
no longer depend on technology alone to score big wins.
Much like the auto industry, it is becoming consumer-driven
and its future depends largely on customer satisfaction.
Our study will give manufacturers insight into what they are
doing right and show them how to improve upon their problem
areas."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910510/Press Contact: Patty Patano, J.D.
Power and Associates, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 GALLIUM ARSENIDE CHIPMAKERS PLAN MERGER 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)

GALLIUM ARSENIDE CHIPMAKERS PLAN MERGER 05/10/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Three
major players in the gallium arsenide microprocessor business
whose combined revenues reportedly total over $40 million have
announced plans to merge: Gazelle Microcircuits Inc., based in
Santa Clara, California; Gigabit Logic, based in Newbury Park,
California; and Triquint Semiconductor, based in Beaverton,
Oregon.

Anil Bedi, director of strategic marketing for Gazelle Microcircuits,
told Newsbytes that the merger is "very positive for Gazelle
overall, in that it strengthens the company's position in the
marketplace and gives the company more credibility in the
eyes of prospective and established customers."

The new company, to be called Triquent Semiconductor, will
be headquartered in either Santa Clara or Beaverton, said Bedi,
although it will have operating units in all three areas at present.
Bedi also confirmed that A.J. Moyer will take over as interim
CEO of the new enterprise.

Manufacturers are still seeking to establish gallium arsenide (GA)
microprocessors as a viable alternative to established
silicon chips used by most computer manufacturers.
They are much faster in operation -- 2 to four times
faster, according to Gazelle Microcircuits spokesman Bob Gunn.
Although the base material is more expensive, the cost
of manufacturing is similar to silicon, he says. In the past,
these GAs have been mainly used in supercomputers where speed
is the most important factor. But today, gallium arsenide circuits
are most widely in communication applications. They are just
beginning to be used in PCs and workstations.

Bedi told Newsbytes that the merger is seen as a considerable
benefit to all participants, as the combined strengths of three
individual companies, not in competition, will be far more powerful
in the marketplace than three separate competing companies.

(Ian Stokell & Wendy Woods/19910510/Press Contact: Bob Gunn, Gazelle
Microcircuits Inc., 408-982-0900)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 SUPERMAC TECHNOLOGY TO SPIN OUT SOFTWARE GROUP 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

SUPERMAC TECHNOLOGY TO SPIN OUT SOFTWARE GROUP 05/10/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Citing an
increased emphasis on Macintosh graphics hardware products,
SuperMac Technology is planning on spinning out its software group
into a separate company.

A company spokesperson told Newsbytes that the new company
is currently operating under the temporary name of SuperMac Software.

The move leaves SuperMac Technology free to focus on
Macintosh Graphics hardware products. For the new company, the
way is now clear to work with third party software vendors that,
up until now, may have considered the SuperMac as competitive.
Additionally, added a spokesman, the new company would be free
to actively persue acquisitions in areas outside of Macintosh
graphics.

"There are so many opportunities right now for an aggressive
software company," said Mike McConnell, CEO of SuperMac
Technology. "We feel that this new company has the potential to
become a very large, very profitable developer and publisher."

Laurie Girand, formerly in charge of corporate strategic planning
at SuperMac Technology, has been hired to manage product
development for SuperMac Software.

Before joining SuperMac, Girand was the graphics hardware
evangelist at Apple Computer, becoming the graphics
software product manager when she initiated and launched
32-bit QuickDraw.

Financing for the new company will come from institutional
investment and venture capitalists, because SuperMac
Technology only plans be a minority investor.

(Ian Stokell/19910510/Press Contact: Laurie Girand, SuperMac
Software, 408-245-2202)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10  ****MAC SYSTEM 7 FEATURES RANGE FROM PROMINENT TO SUBTLE 05/10/91

05/10/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00028)

 ****MAC SYSTEM 7 FEATURES RANGE FROM PROMINENT TO SUBTLE 05/10/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- System 7.0, the
new version of the Macintosh operating system, includes a handful
of quite significant new features. But some of the most interesting
changes in the system are small refinements.

In briefings before the official announcement, reporters and
industry analysts learned about a range of System 7 features from
virtual memory and multitasking to a change in way clicking the
mouse selects a folder.

The most visible changes are virtual memory, multitasking, aliases,
balloon help, and "publish and subscribe" links between files.

System 7 will allow any Macintosh that has a Motorola 68020 or
68030 processor to use available hard disk space as virtual memory,
making it appear to applications programs that there is more memory
than the machine actually contains. A trick long used on mainframe
computers, virtual memory is a relatively new feature in personal
computing.

Virtual memory will be useful to those who take advantage of System
7's multitasking ability. Up to now, Macintosh users could run more
than one program at a time and switch quickly between them by using
the Multifinder, an extension of the system software. System 7
makes multitasking part of the basic system.

Aliases let users give a file more than one name and place it in
different folders, for convenient access. An alias looks like an
original file, but is actually just a pointer telling the system
where to find the original. Aliases can keep track of their
originals even when the original is moved, said Steve Goldberg,
whose Apple business card proclaims him a "System 7 Guy." Aliases
can also operate across network links between Macintoshes.

File sharing, another addition to System 7, makes it easier for Mac
users to give colleagues access to their files without using a
network file server.

Balloon help is an addition to the Mac user interface. When the
feature is turned on, pointing to any object on the screen will
cause a "balloon," like the speech balloons used in comic books, to
appear next to the object. In the balloon is an explanation of what
the object is and how it is used. Apple has attached balloons to
almost every visible object in the operating system itself,
Goldberg said, and hopes that application developers will also take
advantage of the feature.

Files created by different Mac applications can now be hot-linked
using publish and subscribe. Data created in one application can be
"published" to make it accessible to other applications. Once
another application "subscribes" to the data, any change in the
original will appear in the subscriber's copy as well. Thus,
changing numbers in a spreadsheet would change the corresponding
numbers in a chart copied from the spreadsheet file into a word
processor document.

There are many subtler changes in System 7. For instance, the Trash
is no longer emptied whenever a user starts a new application or
reboots the system. Instead, it is only emptied when the user so
orders. A new Find command can locate files anywhere on the system
whose names contain a specified string of text. Users can now
assign a text label as well as a name to each icon, and view the
contents of a window by label.

Desktop accessories are now icons that can be opened by double-
clicking on them like other programs, rather than selections on a
menu. Users can also see what a font looks like by double-clicking
on the icon for the font file to bring up a passage of sample text
in the chosen font. The Font/DA Mover utility is no longer needed
to install fonts and desktop accessories: all one has to do is drag
the icons into the System folder.

Several TrueType fonts are included with System 7, and Apple hopes
there will be more in future. The TrueType fonts will be available
to all applications, the company said.

In one of the most subtle changes, a window is now selected when the
mouse button is released rather than when it is pressed. This was
done to solve a problem that occurred when users tried to drag an
icon from one window into another that overlapped the first one.
Dragging the icon would select the window where it originated,
sometimes obscuring the window to which the user wanted to move.

Changes like this and making more objects respond to double
clicking are aimed at making the system more intuitive, Goldberg
said.

Apple hopes software developers will take advantage of the new
features quickly. Jim Davis, System 7 marketing manager, said more
than 100 applications that take advantage of the new system will be
available at introduction.

(Grant Buckler/19910510/Press Contact: Patty Tulloch or Brooke
Cohan, Regis McKenna for Apple Computer, 408-974-5549/408-974-3019)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 Review of: Lifeguard for Macintosh, 05/10/91

05/10/91


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00029)

Review of: Lifeguard for Macintosh, 05/10/91

Runs on: Macintoshes

From: Visionary Software, P.O.Box 69191, Portland,
OR, 97201, [phone]

Price: $59.95

PUMA rating: 3.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach

Summary: A watchdog program that tells you when its time to
take a break from your computer. Overblown warnings and scare
tactics are supposed to make you "see" the problems in using
a computer.

=======

REVIEW

=======

On the Lifeguard package, in large, bold, lettering, is the
statement "Going overboard at a computer can cause serious
injury and pain." With such a frightening prognosis, is it any
wonder that some people may buy this package just to see how
it will lessen the chances of "...serious injury and pain?"

If you do, you will find that your money has bought a package
that contains one diskette and a 40-page manual. The program
is in two parts: a file that should be put into your System
Folder, and a Desk Accessory that is to be installed in your
System using the thoughtfully provided Font/DA Mover. The Desk
Accessory is used to control the various parameters that the
program will use, while the Init will serve as the actual
running part of the program.

The manual is clear and well-written. It tells you all that
you want to know about installing and configuring the program.
It also contains a wealth of information about the kinds of
injuries that could be caused by over-computing, and some
simple exercises and other things that can be done to lessen
their likelihood.

So, what does the program do? You ask. What the program does
is keep track of the amount of time that you are working on
the computer and at a set point in time, it notifies you that
it is time to take a break. If you wish, the Desk Accessory
will give you suggestions on exercises and other activities
that you may want to undertake while on your break. That's
it. That's all that it does.

The amount of time for either the working period or the break
period are defined by you. So are the sounds that notify you
of the end of a work or break period. You can also define a
"Snooze" key that acts much like the "Snooze" button on your
alarm clock. And let's not forget that the time that you are
allowed to snooze is also definable by you. If you don't want
the sounds supplied, no problem. You can turn them off and
have just a visual indicator flashing. Want a different sound?
Again, no problem. The manual contains instructions on how to
add your sounds, activities, and reminders to the program.

How useful is it? Well, that's a good question. I have no
doubt that the studies that the program's manual are
true. I doubt if there is really a need for a watchdog
program like this. I suppose that it can act as a novel excuse
for staying away from the computer that you are supposed to be
working on. Mostly I think that this program is just a gimmick.
Can't you just visualize the following scene:

Boss: "Aren't you working on X?"

Employee: "Lifeguard just told me to go run some errands, so
I'll just mosey on out and go do them. See you in a bit."

Boss: "Oh, OK. If Lifeguard told you to do so, then it's OK!"

Would you care to guess what the aftermath will be?

=============

PUMA RATINGS

=============

PERFORMANCE: 4 The program does what its supposed to do and does
it well.

USEFULNESS: 1 I don't see it. If you are really afraid of spending
too much time at your keyboard, buy a Kitchen timer and set it for
break times.

MANUAL: 4 It tells you all that you need to know. I could find
no mistakes in it.

AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from Mail Order and Software stores.
Technical support is available from the company. However, it
is not a toll-free number.

(Naor Wallach/19910428)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10 Review of: Books Cards & Labels -- Database Version 2, 05/10/91

05/10/91

(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00030)

Review of: Books Cards & Labels -- Database Version 2, 05/10/91

Runs on: PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, AND 100% compatibles with 442K
RAM using PC/MS-DOS 2.0-4.01, and a VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules
compatible monochrome monitor. Storage: 1 hard disk and 1 floppy
disk drive, or 2-720k floppy disk drives.

From: Useful Software Inc., 2301 Stokes Canyon, Calabasas CA
91302, 818-880-4001.

Price: $129.95

PUMA Rating: 3.763 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest )

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary: Bob Singer has continued to shape Books Cards & Labels
into a superior Useful Software product for creating
address, contact, or limited inventory lists.

======

REVIEW

======

Bob Singer of Useful Software has continued to work to improve
his superior product, Books Cards & Labels. Now it comes in
two versions, a database version and a printbase version,
sold separately.

Among the changes is an attractive new interface. It is
equipped with pull-down menus and plenty of help screens.

Books Cards & Labels, Database ver.2, BC&L-D2, is a database
program with many predefined printing formats. It has several
nice features relating to the manipulation of records in
its charge. Some of these features are described below.

The user can define two different codes from A to Z, or 26
different encoding signals for each code. This process offers
real flexibility. The user is provided an opportunity to assign
several sub-codings for even more exacting selection. This means
that it is easy to set up a tickler report for various key
factors, such as date and location, as defined by the user.

I would like to mention at this point that I found a reference in
the manual to the process of defining the above mentioned codes.
This point was important enough to be highlighted. When I figured
out how to edit the two code list it turned out to be a
simple process. For your information, should Code1 or Code2 be
highlighted, press F-1, then highlight the letter you wish to
edit and press the spacebar. While the highlight is superimposed
on the code listing, type its definition and then press enter. Done.

There are predefined fields for organization, type of business,
last name, first name, multiple phone numbers, phone number
coding, two address, three extra named contacts or family
members, and ample note space. The phone number coding lets the
user designate the phone as voice, fax, or work.

BC&L allows the user to set up multiple databases designating
them as phone books or lists for various purposes.

Most of the above features are relevant to the phone book
features. BC&L can be used to maintain personal or household
inventory list. It can be used to keep up with books, records,
VCR tapes, etc.

BC&L2 supports more than 400 printers. It supports HP-compatible
cartridges and soft fonts. Bitstream Charter font is included
which is compatible with the HP LaserJet series printers.

This is, according to Useful Software, the database of choice for
a number of companies and government organizations including
Egghead Software, the U.S.Secret Service, MCI, and the California
State Highway Patrol.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (3.8) The printing, sorting, and selection by codes
works well. It is easy to set up and will maintain both address
books and list. A limitation is that it will only maintain five
of them -- five databases are plenty for most users, however.

USEFULNESS: (4) The program serves a real need for computers
users who want order in their lives and want a simpler way to
maintain and print out that orderliness. The price is in keeping
with the function and features.

MANUAL: (3.5) BC&L is fairly intuitive. There is a context-
sensitive help menu which answers most questions. What's still
needed is a better definition of ASCII Delimited than that which
is provided in the manual. I found the mention of the process
for changing the code definition a little obscure.

AVAILABILITY: (3.75) There is no 800#, but the creator is eager
to please his customers with an enthusiasm that goes beyond the
call of duty. Egghead Software is carrying the product
for $69.99. SoftWarehouse has it for $83.99.

(tbass, HNDYPRSN/19910415/Press Contact: Robert Singer, 818-880-
9128)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 10  ****BILL GATES TO SHARE PODIUM WITH SCULLEY AT SYSTEM 7 INTRO

05/10/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00031)

 ****BILL GATES TO SHARE PODIUM WITH SCULLEY AT SYSTEM 7 INTRO
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 10 (NB) -- Microsoft
chief Bill Gates will share the podium with Apple Chairman
John Sculley and Roger Heinen, vice president of system
software at Apple Computer, when the new Macintosh operating
system is unveiled Monday.

An Apple spokeswoman tells Newsbytes that Gates is speaking
as a Macintosh developer, and "We're happy to have him."
Gates is known for his operating system diplomacy, freqently
seen endorsing OS/2, the Mac OS, and MS-DOS.

Apple will officially unveil System 7.0 on Monday, May 13 at
the Worldwide Developers Conference at the San Jose
Convention Center. Some 2,000 Apple developers are set to
demonstrate software and hardware for the long-awaited OS.

(Wendy Woods/19910510)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 MAY 9 MICRO FOCUS AND IBM SIGN STRATEGIC AGREEMENT 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00001)

MICRO FOCUS AND IBM SIGN STRATEGIC AGREEMENT 05/09/91
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Micro Focus
and IBM have announced the signing of a strategic agreement which
creates joint marketing activities and establishes the software
developer as an IBM AD/Cycle Business Partner. This, in turn,
will allow both companies to share information and to cross
license technologies.

Mike McCandless, a spokesman for Micro Focus, told Newsbytes
that the agreement will especially benefit the company's customers
as now they will have a "team of people from Micro Focus and IBM to
design their solutions and help them select the right products."

Plans call for both companies to jointly market the Micro Focus
COBOL/2 Workbench family of products for OS/2/a and PC-DOS.

The agreement also enlarges Micro Focus support of the IBM cycle
framework for enterprise applications development and designates
Micro Focus COBOL as IBM's Systems Application Architecture/b
COBOL for workstations.

McCandless also told Newsbytes that in terms of the company's
place in the market, the agreement "helps us in being identified
as the COBOL of choice in an IBM AD/Cycle scenario."

Customers can now purchase the Micro Focus COBOL/2 Workbench
and associated products through IBM marketing representatives and
still get Micro Focus direct support and service.

Micro Focus COBOL/2 Workbench includes the Micro Focus COBOL/2
compiler and a set of development tools used by data processing
organizations to create and maintain applications targeted to run
on workstations under OS/2 or DOS as well as on host computers
under MVS, VM, or DOS/VSE.

The agreement is important for the future, McCandless added, in
that it also ensures Micro Focus will be involved in any new
technology that supports the AD/Cycle framework.

(Ian Stokell/19910509/Press Contact: Mike McCandless, Micro
Focus, 415-856-4161)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 NEW FOR PC: Silicon Graphics Intros Developer's Kit 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00002)

NEW FOR PC: Silicon Graphics Intros Developer's Kit 05/09/91
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- In an
effort to improve compatibility between the company's workstations
and DOS-based microcomputers, Silicon Graphics has introduced
the Irisvision DOS Software developer's kit for Intel-based personal
computers, which provides an interface for application developers
to create interactive, three-dimensional graphics in real-time,
motion, and color.

According to the company, the Irisvision DOS software developer's
kit is a DOS implementation of the IRIS graphics library
application programming interface (API) which runs on Silicon
Graphics' workstation product line.

The new kit is source code compatible with the Graphics Library
on all Silicon Graphics' workstations, facilitating the porting
of applications from a workstation to a PC running DOS.

Silicon Graphics Inc., is a leading manufacturer of visual
processing computer systems to the technical and scientific
computing marketplace.

(Ian Stokell/19910509/Press Contact: Betsy Wahlquist, Silicon
Graphics, 415-962-3529)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 NEW PRODUCT: StorageTek Intros ExLM Upgrade 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00003)

NEW PRODUCT: StorageTek Intros ExLM Upgrade 05/09/91
LOUISVILLE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Storage
Technology has announced the availability of Release 1.1.1 of its
ExLM tape cartridge operating system. The system has a list price
of $10,000 - $13,750, depending on which configuration of
Storagetek's 4400 Automated Cartridge System (ACS) it is used
with.

Storagetek claims that Release 1.1.1 reduces manual activities,
schedules operator activities and supports its customers in
unattended operation, as well as facilitating disaster recovery
activities, off-site processing and volume movement. According to
Don Paterson, Storagetek's vice president, VP ExLM "provides our
customers with a powerful management tool for their libraries."

ExLM can identify cartridges or groups of cartridges used for
mass backup by volume number or data set name. In the event that
tape volumes need to be ejected or relocated from one library to
another, ExLM works in conjunction with the data center tape
management system to remove specific volumes, and includes wild
card coding capabilities to control specific groups of cartridges
with a single command.

(Jim Mallory/19910509/Press Contact: Julia Donohue, Storagetek,
303-673-5020)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 NOVELL ANNOUNCES TECHNICAL SUPPORT ALLIANCE 05/09/91

05/09/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)

NOVELL ANNOUNCES TECHNICAL SUPPORT ALLIANCE 05/09/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Novell Inc., has
joined with 11 other computer industry firms to announce the
Technical Support Alliance (TSA), an organization formed to
provide customers with coordinated post-sales support for
multivendor computing environments.

Other participants in TSA are Apple, Borland, Compaq, Hewlett-
Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Netframe, Oracle, Ungermann-Bass
Land 3Com. A customer with a technical problem involving both
companies can call either company to get a complete, one-source
solution to the problem. For example, a client with Compaq
hardware and a Novell network with a problem that could originate
with either the hardware or software could call the Alliance, and
receive assistance from a team consisting of a Compaq and a
Novell representative.

The TSA between Novell and the other members outlines the
responsibilities of a support team, consisting of technical
support staffs from the two companies in each agreement. Team
members exchange training and technical information on their
respective products, and use each other's products in their
technical support labs. Provisions have been made for conference
calls between team members when necessary.

While the original TSA is between Novell and each TSA member,
similar relationships will probably be established between other
TSA members.

(Jim Mallory/19910509/Press Contact:Nancy Morrison, Novell, 801-
429-5833)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 CAL TECH, WESTERN GEOPHYSICAL BUY CRAY COMPUTERS 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00005)

CAL TECH, WESTERN GEOPHYSICAL BUY CRAY COMPUTERS 05/09/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced the sale of a Cray supercomputer to the California
Institute of Technology, as well as another to Western Geophysical,
a seismic contractor and a division of Western Atlas International.

Cal Tech has ordered a Cray Y-MP2E, with installation at the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, scheduled for this
summer. The Cal Tech unit replaces a Cray X-MP which was
installed in June 1989.

Western Geophysical installed its Cray X-MP/EA at the company's
data center in Houston, Texas in March 1991, and expects its new
seismic processing system to be available to customers by January
1992.

This is Western's first supercomputer, according to Cray Research.
The company provides field exploration services, computer
processing of seismic data and data center management to private
and government owned petroleum exploration and production
organizations. It also licenses its proprietary seismic processing
system to oil companies.

According to John Koonce, Western's manager of computer services:
"We believe the Cray system will allow us to more quickly develop
and maximize the advantages of a Unix operating system. Western
had previously done their computing on an IBM MVS system."

Cal Tech will use their system for research in areas including
earth and planetary climatology, geodynamics, oceanography,
scientific data visualization and image processing, spacecraft
navigation and design, radio astronomy and solar system physics.

According to Dr. Carl Kukkonen, manager of the JPL
supercomputing project, the Cray unit will be a major component in
the laboratory's distributed computer project. The Cal Tech order also
includes network interface technology that will connect the Y-MP2E to
two other computer centers, located at Los Alamos National laboratory
and the San Diego Supercomputer Center.

(Jim Mallory/19910509/Press Contact: Kate Neessen, Cray Research,
612-683-7132)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9  ****NEW FOR PC: Lotus Intros 1-2-3 Release 2.3; 3.1+ Due Soon 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00006)

 ****NEW FOR PC: Lotus Intros 1-2-3 Release 2.3; 3.1+ Due Soon 05/09/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corporation has announced the immediate availability
of 1-2-3 for DOS Release 2.3. The new version of the spreadsheet
is intended to bring WYSIWYG (What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get)
display to the product which Lotus says has an "installed base of
more than 14 million users."

At the same time, the spreadsheet specialist has announced plans
to ship 1-2-3 Release 3.1+, an upgrade from Release 3.1, within
the next few months.

Announcing the new version, Eileen Rudden, general manager of
DOS spreadsheet development at Lotus, said: "Customers are
looking for easy-to-use, DOS spreadsheets that maximize the
capabilities of their existing PCs, offer superior control over the use
of fonts, colors, graphics, display and output of spreadsheets, and
offer a migration path to new operating environments as their
needs evolve."

"The 1-2-3 for DOS spreadsheet family delivers the broadest range
of spreadsheet design, analytic, and presentation capabilities to
DOS users, while maintaining style, macro, data and keystroke
compatibility with Lotus' spreadsheets for other platforms," she
added.

In addition to Version 2.3, Lotus also announced 1-2-3 for DOS
Release 3.1+, an update to Release 3.1 that includes the Viewer
and Auditor capabilities introduced in Release 2.3. Lotus stated
that Release 3.1+ also provides the Lotus Solver technology
introduced in 1-2-3/G for OS/2. 1-2-3 for DOS Release 3.1+ is
currently in beta testing and is scheduled to ship within 60 days
in the U.S.

The suggested retail price of the 1-2-3 Release 2.3 Standard
Edition is $495. The Network Server and Node Editions of the
product is scheduled to become available within 60 days at a
suggested retail price of $795 and $495, respectively. Lotus 3.1+
Standard Edition will have a suggested retail price of $595 while
the Network Server and Node Editions of the product, scheduled
to  be available in the third quarter of 1991, will have suggested
retail prices of $895 and $595, respectively.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910509/Press Contact:
Alexandra Trevelyan, Lotus Development Corp., 617-693-
1580/19910509)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 IBM JAPAN STARTS PRICE WAR: 62% PRICE CUT ON OS/2 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00007)

IBM JAPAN STARTS PRICE WAR: 62% PRICE CUT ON OS/2 05/09/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- IBM Japan has taken the
unprecedented step of slashing pricing on the Japanese version of
its OS/2 operating system by 62 percent. Version J1.03 of OS/2
used to cost 95,000 yen -- now it costs just 36,000 yen ($260).

The pricing change is partially explained by the fact that a new
version of OS/2 from IBM's Japanese office is expected shortly.
The price cut is, however, unparalleled in the company's history.
Newsbytes notes that it also unusual for IBM to pre-announce new
products as it has done with the new version of OS/2.

The company says that Version J2.0, the new version of OS/2 will
support Microsoft Windows 3.0 better. It also supports up to 32
megabytes of main memory and has a number of advanced features
including full multitasking facilities.

In a related story, IBM Japan has released a local version of the
PS/2 Model 5510Z, a budget machine. The machine, which is
equipped with an 80286 microprocessor and the DOS/V operating
system, costs 198,000 yen $1,450).

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910509/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-3-
35563-4310, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 NEW FOR PC: Addstor Unveils 'Lossless' Data Compressor 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00008)

NEW FOR PC: Addstor Unveils 'Lossless' Data Compressor 05/09/91
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Data
compression systems - such as ARC-ing and ZIP-ing programs - are
nothing new. They all compress 7- and 8-bit files into pure 8-bit ones, so
reducing the amount of disk space the files require. The trouble is,
because of the nature of the encoding systems used, some 8-bit files
actually expand when 'compressed' in this way.

Addstor of Menlo Park in California has unveiled Superstor, a package
that it claims removes the expansion problem - meaning it is a
'lossless' package when it comes to compressing files.

The $129 software package is designed to compete with The Stacker, a
hardware/software system that was first seen at Comdex Fall last
November. However, because Superstor is software-only, it will run even on
a laptop PC, as well as conventional systems. The company maintains
that it is easy to install and, being software-only, does not take up any
valuable expansion slots.

Superstor compresses data by a factor of two or three, the company
claims. The driver program, which is a TSR (terminate and stay resident)
package, consumes just 28 kilobytes of system memory, to which must
be added another 4KB per drive on the system. The program will load
into high memory on Intel 80286- and 386-based machines.

The company claims that, because the package writes to the disk on a
sector by sector basis, rather than a cluster system as used by existing
compression systems, it can make more efficient use of the disk space.
Although the error-checking codes add to the actual data recorded on the
disk surface, the advantages of sector recording outweigh the losses.

(Steve Gold/19910509/Press & Public Contact: AddStor - Tel: 415-688-
0470)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 WORDPERFECT SCRAPS ATARI ST UPGRADE PLANS 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00009)

WORDPERFECT SCRAPS ATARI ST UPGRADE PLANS 05/09/91
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Despite a lot of
unofficial publicity, it looks like Wordperfect Corporation has now
all but abandoned plans to upgrade its Wordperfect word processor for
the Atari ST.

While the official line was that work on the package had ceased for
the ST platform at the 3.x version, there were rumors that the company
was working on an upgrade late in 1991, thanks to the ST selling so well
in West Germany. It now seems that Atari Germany has cancelled a 10,000
unit order with Wordperfect US for copies of the ST version. Upgrades will
now confined to small revisions and upgrades on an occasional basis.

According to sources close to Atari West Germany, development work on
version 4.x of Wordperfect for the ST platform was conditional on the
order being placed with Wordperfect U.S., for the 10,000 packages.

(Steve Gold/19910509)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 NEW FOR UNIX: Mitac Unveils Series 500 Unix System 05/09/91

05/09/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00010)

NEW FOR UNIX: Mitac Unveils Series 500 Unix System 05/09/91
TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- MItac, the
Far Eastern computer manufacturer, has unveiled the Series 500, a
Unix-based machine that the company claims challenges the
capabilities of super and minicomputer systems at a fraction of
the price.

The system is designed to accommodate up to 160 users and runs
around two to seven microprocessors, all built into an advanced
motherboard which also serves as a bridge between the AT-bus and
the C-bus logic. The dual bus architecture offers a total of 14
expansion slots, comprising of six C-bus slots, five AT-C-bus
slots and a five standard AT slots.

Hard disk capacities on the machine range from 200 megabytes
 through to 1GB (1,000MB), with removable storage requirements
satisfied by twin high-density 3.5-inch floppy drives. Options include
substitute high-density 5.25-inch drives.

"For reliability and performance against cost, this machine has
no peers," said Steve Griffin, Mitac's Unix division manager. "We
are in the enviable position of being able to deliver both
machines and terminals from stock and are confident of its
success in the marketplace," he added.

Pricing on the Series 500 varies, depending on the configuration
required and, since the system is being sold only through
specialist resellers, Mitac says that pricing will include relevant
system software rather than being costed on a simple 'box' system
basis.

The machine is available to end users in the UK immediately, with
a formal unveiling at the European Unix Show in Olympia, London,
from June 18-20.

(Steve Gold/19910509)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 AUSTRALIA: HP & COMPUTER POWER EXPORT AGREEMENT 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00011)

AUSTRALIA: HP & COMPUTER POWER EXPORT AGREEMENT 05/09/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Hewlett Packard
Australia has entered into an agreement with local computer
development and training company Computer Power Group (CPG). The
agreement will see the companies co-developing Australian-made
open systems products for export, as well as cooperatively
marketing HP's client server products.

Under the terms of the agreement, HP will help CPG gain valuable
international coverage and contacts with standards development
bodies, a move HP claims will give CPG a leading edge in world
open systems standards.

CPG will also be offered to HP clients worldwide as a 'preferred
solutions provider,' a move which should see CPG's export
earnings jump significantly. The first product to be covered by
the agreement is CPG's Today, a software tool for systems
development managers. Further development of the product will be
directly attributable as a result of the agreement with HP.

The agreement will form part of Hewlett Packard's commitment to
the Partnerships for Development Program (PDP), under which
Hewlett Packard recently re-negotiated its involvement after
selling its Open Software Association (OSA) last year. The sale
of the OSA put HP's agreement with the federal government at
risk.

However, by forming a new proposal, the company was allowed to
continue in the program. The PDP aims at increasing Australian
exports by giving financial concessions to participating
companies for planned and actual contributions to the export
market.

(Sean McNamara/19910509/Press contact: Gordon Williams, tel:
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 AUSTRALIA: ZENITH AND BULL FORM SALES OPERATION 05/09/91

05/09/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00012)

AUSTRALIA: ZENITH AND BULL FORM SALES OPERATION 05/09/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- In a move to promote the
new Advanced Computer Environment (ACE) in Australia, Zenith Data
Systems (ZDS) Australia and Bull HN Information Systems
Australia, both members of Groupe Bull, have formed Bull HN's new
Indirect Sales Operation (ISO). The new ISO is basically Bull's
existing ISO merged with ZDS.

"The continued presence of both ZDS and Bull in the Australian
market as separate organizations is an unnecessary duplication of
effort; the new organization will be better able to serve the needs of
our Value Added Resellers and customers and will enhance Bull's
image as a Personal Systems vendor," said Stephen Hague,
Managing Director of ZDS Australia and also new National Manager
of Bull's ISO.

"There are a number of converging characteristics between Bulls'
reseller organizations and ZDS' reseller organizations, and this
move enhances both companies' abilities to provide quality
service and product to those resellers," he added.

The companies' relationships with resellers are expected to
remain as they are at present, with possible enhancements for
resellers from the merger. The move is aimed at increasing market
awareness of the new ACE standard, a market in which Bull sees
great potential.

(Sean McNamara/19910509/Press Contact: Don Weatherman, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 AUSTRALIA: SUN SYSTEMS HELP SCIENTISTS STUDY DEATHS 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00013)

AUSTRALIA: SUN SYSTEMS HELP SCIENTISTS STUDY DEATHS 05/09/91
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Forensic scientists in
the Australian state of Victoria now have a computer system to help
them investigate deaths.

Based on 30 Sun Sparcstations and a Sun Sparcserver, the network
links forensic scientists, medical technicians and legal staff in
the Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, and the Victorian
Attorney General's office. It uses the Courtlink network, adding
specialized software.

The system combines medical and autopsy reports, court
transcriptions, legal rulings and coroner's reports. Conventional
software used includes Ingres database, Topic text retrieval and
Asterix word processing.

(Paul Zucker/19910509)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 APPLE JOINS NOVELL'S CUSTOMER SUPPORT ALLIANCE 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00014)

APPLE JOINS NOVELL'S CUSTOMER SUPPORT ALLIANCE 05/09/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Apple Computer
has announced it will participate with Borland, Compaq, Hewlett-
Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Netframe, Oracle, Ungermann-Bass, 3com
and several others in Novell's Technical Support Alliance (TSA),
a group formed to solve customer support issues.

In Apple's case, the TSA formalizes a relationship between Apple
and Novell, as well as the other involved companies, and establishes
official support of Apple Macintosh computers on Novell networks by
both vendors.

According to the company, the TSA agreement is designed to help
each company provide the answers to customers who own and are
interfacing products from a number of vendors. The agreement
specifically provides for cooperative support between the allied
companies, especially concerning customer support issues.

"In today's environment, where multivendor computing is the rule
and no longer the exception, Apple is particularly pleased to be
able to join this effort," said Morris Taradalsky, vice president
for customer support products and services, Apple USA.

"This relationship enhances our ability to solve our joint Apple-
Novell customers' support issues. The overall goal of the program
is to improve the response time and quality of the support,
whether delivered by Apple or Novell," he added.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910509/Press Contact: Betty Taylor, Apple
Computer, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 REPLY REPORTS IBM AND MICROSOFT OEM AGREEMENTS 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00015)

REPLY REPORTS IBM AND MICROSOFT OEM AGREEMENTS 05/09/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Reply has
announced it has purchased several IBM peripheral products for
installation in Reply Micro Channel systems, and will bundle
Microsoft Windows 3.0 and Microsoft MS-DOS 4.01 with the systems.

Reply is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of IBM-compatible
desktop computers which configures systems to specific customer
requirements at the time of the order.

IBM products covered by the agreements include IBM SCSI (Small
Computer System Interface) busmaster adapters, SCSI and integrated
ESDI fixed disk drives, communications adapters, keyboards, and IBM
operating system software, all installed at the factory to meet customer
requirements, the company claims.

The Microsoft products -- Windows 3.0 and MS-DOS 4.01 -- can also
now be integrated at the factory, and are offered either together
or separately to meet specific customer requirements.

Reply's products are sold directly to end-users. The company can
be contacted at 4435 Fortran Drive, San Jose, California, or by
phone at 408-942-4804.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910509/Press Contact: Patricia Almon, Reply,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 TELEBIT NAMES DENNIS AULL VP OF TECHNOLOGY 05/09/91

05/09/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00016)

TELEBIT NAMES DENNIS AULL VP OF TECHNOLOGY 05/09/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Denis W. Aull
has been appointed vice president of technology at Telebit Corp.,
a manufacturer of high-speed modems, dial-up internetworking, and
wide-area communications products.

Aull was most recently director of the WAN Business Unit for CMC,
a subsidiary of Rockwell International. During his time at CMC,
he directed the design, product management, and product support
for the company's digital telecommunications boards.

Aull will report directly to Lewis F. Ellmore, president and
chief executive officer. "Denis Aull's extensive technical and
product development expertise will greatly contribute to
Telebit's tradition of product innovation and excellence," said
Ellmore.

Prior to assuming his position with CMC, Aull managed the AT&T
Bell Laboratories' small business systems department which
provided the design of the Spirit key telephone system.

(Ian Stokell/19910509/Press Contact: Mary Hopkins, Telebit Corp.,
408-745-3061)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 MACWORLD EXPO/EUROPE FOR MAY 15-17 IN AMSTERDAM 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00017)

MACWORLD EXPO/EUROPE FOR MAY 15-17 IN AMSTERDAM 05/09/91
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- The fifth annual
MacWorld Expo/Europe is due to take place at the RAI Exhibition
Center in Amsterdam, between May 15 and 17. The expo will feature
three forums, more than 30 seminars, and exhibits from more than
250 companies. The expo will also feature a time-table of Dutch
sessions as well as English.

Each day of the show will be devoted to a different theme for the
seminars. May 15 will feature electronic publishing, including
PageMaker 4.0, Xpress 3.0, FrameMaker 2.0, and Ventura Mac. May
16 will feature increasing productivity and will include seminars
on Word 4.0, WordPerfect 2.0, Excel 3.0, and RagTime 3.0. May 17
will concentrate on multimedia and advanced technologies and
include sessions on the Mac's System 7.0, networking, and
HyperCard scripting.

Entry prices for MacWorld Expo '91 are DFL 35,00 for all three
days, DFL 42,50 for the expo and Grafivak, and DFL 95,00 for each
day of the expo and seminars, with additional days at DFL 60,00.

(Ian Stokell/19910509)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9  ****MICROSOFT STOCK SPLITS 3 FOR 2 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SAT)(00018)

 ****MICROSOFT STOCK SPLITS 3 FOR 2 05/09/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Hoping to
make its stock more affordable to the average investor, Microsoft
has announced a three-for-two stock split. Shareholders of record
on June 18, 1991, will receive one additional share for every two
shares they hold. Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares.

Since the new stock issue requires that the shareholders approve
an amendment to the firm's charter of incorporation, a special
shareholders meeting has been set for June 17, 1991.

"Our decision to declare this stock split reflects the company's
continuing desire to make our stock more accessible to a broader
base of investors," said Frank Gaudette, Microsoft's chief
financial officer.

As of May 1, 1991, Microsoft had approximately 116 million shares
outstanding. Upon completion of the dividend, that number will
increase to approximately 174 million shares outstanding. The
additional shares will be mailed on or about June 26, 1991, by
the company's 'transfer agent', First Interstate Bank.

(Lamont Wood/19910509/Press Contact: Raymond B. Ferguson,
Microsoft, 206/882-8080, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9  ****NEW PRODUCT: Tandy Intros 'Multimedia' PC Line 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SAT)(00019)

 ****NEW PRODUCT: Tandy Intros 'Multimedia' PC Line 05/09/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 09 (NB) -- Tandy has
unveiled a line of IBM-compatible microcomputers bearing the
Multimedia Personal Computer (MPC) label, with sophisticated sound,
graphics, and  CD-ROM support.

The new line of Tandy Multimedia PCs -- Intel 80286-, 80386SX- and
80386-based systems, as well as CD-ROM upgrade kits -- are now
being shipped to software developers and publishers and will be
placed with selected Radio Shack business and education customers
over the next few months. They should be available at participating
Radio Shack retail outlets by the end of the summer.

The new systems come with the Tandy CDR-1000 internal CD-ROM
drive, a multimedia expansion adapter with audio circuitry, a
3.5-inch diskette drive, 256-color VGA graphics, 2 megabytes of RAM,
a 40MB hard disk, and a two-button mouse. Monitors are not included
in these prices.

Prices start at $2,599 for a 16MHz 80286 system, the Tandy
M2500XL/2. Then there's the Tandy M4020SX, a 20MHz 80386SX
system for $3,299; and the M4016DX, a 16MHz 80386 system for $3,999.
Coming with 4MB of RAM and a 105MB hard disk is the Tandy
M4025LX, a 25MHz 80386-based system for $4,999, and the Tandy
M4033LX, a 33MHz 80386-based system for $5,499.

The units come with Microsoft Windows plus Windows Multimedia
Extensions pre-installed. The CD-ROM drive is based on the
$399.95 internal unit that Tandy announced in March.

The audio circuitry can accept and mix a variety of sound sources.
Features include an 11-voice per channel FM music synthesizer, two
16-bit digital to analog converters with sampling rates of up to 62.5
kilohertz, an eight-bit stereo or 16-bit mono analog to digital converter,
and a built-in stereo amplifier with manual volume control and 1.5 watts
per channel. There is also a MIDI port to interface with computerized
sound systems.

"The Multimedia PC is a natural and compatible product born out
of customers' demands to enhance the information and
communication ability of PCs," said Howard Elias, vice president
of computer merchandising for Radio Shack.

"Tandy's Multimedia PCs create more compelling, interesting, and
productive applications in a consistent and affordable manner. By
adding the capability of high-fidelity stereo sound, photo-realistic
images, animation and CD-ROM mass storage, an industry-standard
PC with a minimum of a 10MHz 286 processor, 2MB of memory, and
VGA graphics can become a Multimedia PC," he added.

"Today's announcements and demonstrations by Tandy represent a
major milestone for Multimedia personal computing," said Rob
Glaser, general manager of Microsoft's Multimedia Systems Group.
"Tandy has played a crucial leadership role in the development of
the Multimedia PC. Tandy's line of Multimedia PCs will play a
significant role in establishing the market for Multimedia
content-based applications."

(Lamont Wood/19910509/Press Contact: Fran McGeehee, Tandy,
817/390-3487, fax [phone].)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9  ****TANDY RELEASES `MULTIMEDIA' PC LINE 05/09/91

05/09/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SAT)(00020)

 ****TANDY RELEASES `MULTIMEDIA' PC LINE 05/09/91
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Tandy has unveiled
a line of PC clones bearing the Multimedia Personal Computer
(MPC) label, with sophisticated sound, graphics, and CR-ROM
support.

The new line of Tandy Multimedia PCs -- 80286, 80386SX and 80386
systems, as well as CD-ROM upgrade kits -- are now being shipped
to software developers and publishers and will be placed with
selected Radio Shack business and education customers over the
next few months. They should be available at participating Radio
Shack retail outlets by the end of the summer.

The new systems come with the Tandy CDR-1000 internal CD-ROM
drive, a multimedia expansion adapter with audio circuitry, a
3.5-inch diskette drive, 256-color VGA graphics, 2MB of RAM, a
40MB hard disk, and a two-button mouse. Monitors are not included
in these prices.

Prices start at $2,599 for a 16MHz 80286 system, the Tandy
M2500XL/2. Then there's the Tandy M4020SX, a 20MHz 80386SX system
for $3,299; and the M4016DX, a 16MHz 80386 system for $3,999.
Coming with 4MB of RAM and a 105MB hard disk is the Tandy
M4025LX, a 25MHz 80386-based system for $4,999, and the Tandy
M4033LX, a 33MHz 80386-based system for $5,499.

The units come with Microsoft Windows plus Windows Multimedia
Extensions pre-installed. The CD-ROM drive is based on the
$399.95 internal unit that Tandy announced in March.

The audio circuitry can accept and mix a variety of sound
sources. Features include an 11-voice per channel FM music
synthesizer, two 16-bit digital to analog converters with
sampling rates of up to 62.5 kilohertz, an eight-bit stereo or
16-bit mono analog to digital converter, and a built-in stereo
amplifier with manual volume control and 1.5 watts per channel.
There is also a MIDI port to interface with computerized sound
systems.

"The Multimedia PC is a natural and compatible product born out
of customers' demands to enhance the information and
communication ability of PCs," said Howard Elias, vice president
of computer merchandising for Radio Shack.

"Tandy's Multimedia PCs create more compelling, interesting, and
productive applications in a consistent and affordable manner. By
adding the capability of high-fidelity stereo sound, photo-
realistic images, animation and CD-ROM mass storage, an industry-
standard PC with a minimum of a 10MHz 286 processor, 2MB of
memory, and VGA graphics can become a Multimedia PC," he added.

"Today's announcements and demonstrations by Tandy represent a
major milestone for Multimedia personal computing," said Rob
Glaser, general manager of Microsoft's Multimedia Systems Group.
"Tandy has played a crucial leadership role in the development of
the Multimedia PC. Tandy's line of Multimedia PCs will play a
significant role in establishing the market for Multimedia
content-based applications."

(Lamont Wood/19910509/Press Contact: Fran McGeehee, Tandy,
817/390-3487, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 ADVANCED GRAVIS, LOGITECH COMPLETE DEAL 05/09/91

05/09/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00021)

ADVANCED GRAVIS, LOGITECH COMPLETE DEAL 05/09/91
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Advanced
Gravis and Swiss mouse manufacturer Logitech International have
completed a private placement that gives Logitech 44 percent of the
Canadian joystick vendor.

Logitech has bought four million shares of Gravis at C$0.25 per share,
and holds debenture convertible into a further 1.5 million shares and
a warrant to buy another 1.5 million.

Logitech got the debenture and the warrant in a previous deal with
Gravis last November 1990. On a fully diluted basis, Logitech will
hold 58 percent of the outstanding shares of Gravis. Two Logitech
representatives have been appointed to Gravis' board of directors.

Founded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and markets pointing
devices, hand-held scanners, and supporting software for both DOS PCs
and the Apple Macintosh. Gravis makes joysticks, an optical Mouse
Stick for the IBM PC, Tandy, and Apple systems, and input devices for
Nintendo, Amiga and Atari machines.

Grant Russell, president of Gravis, told Newsbytes his company focuses
on the entertainment side of the PC market, while Logitech's strength
is on the business side.

Logitech and Advanced Gravis plan to work together in product
development and possibly marketing, Russell said. "We're certainly
hoping some synergy will occur between the two companies."

(Grant Buckler/19910509/Press Contact: Grant Russell, Advanced Gravis,
604-434-7274)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 NEW PRODUCT: Xerox Bundles Scanner & Software 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00022)

NEW PRODUCT: Xerox Bundles Scanner & Software 05/09/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Xerox Imaging
Systems has announced three hardware-software bundles that combine its
GS Plus desktop scanner with image editing and intelligent character
recognition software. The packages will be available through Xerox
dealers around the world.

Each Desktop Input Bundle includes the GS Plus scanner, which can be
used with DOS PCs and Apple Macintosh systems. The GS Plus is
available with Gray F/X, XIS' image editing software for the PC; with
the AccuText intelligent character recognition (ICR) software for the
Macintosh; or with the Discover 386 ICR software, which is meant for
IBM PS/2 computers with Intel 386 processors and Micro Channel
Architecture.

The GS Plus is a single-user, eight-bit scanner meant for desktop
publishers. It offers 256 gray levels and one-pixel jitter resolution,
which Xerox said gives high-quality halftone reproduction in
electronic publishing systems. It includes an optional 50-page
document feeder.

AccuText and Discover 386 offer essentially the same functions on
their respective platforms, XIS spokeswoman Janet Knudsen told
Newsbytes. According to the vendor, they can interpret text in almost
any typeface, and accept input from all XIS and Hewlett-Packard
scanners.

Gray F/X scans photographs and line art into a computer and alerts
them with grayscale editing features. This software runs on the IBM PC
and PS/2 and supports a wide variety of scanners. Users can edit the
photograph with such features as paint, highlight, fill distort, cut
and paste, and rotate.

The bundles are available now for US$2,195 each. Purchased separately,
the GS Plus scanner costs US$1,995, AccuText sells for US$799,
Discover costs US$595, and Gray F/X goes for US$495.

(Grant Buckler/19910509/Press Contact: Janet Knudsen, Xerox Imaging
Systems, 617-864-4700, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 NEW PRODUCT: Film Recorder Works With IBM Or Mac 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00023)

NEW PRODUCT: Film Recorder Works With IBM Or Mac 05/09/91
WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Polaroid has
introduced the Digital Palette CI-5000 Film Recorder, which doubles
the resolution of its existing CI-3000 model and works with the Apple
Macintosh as well as IBM-compatible PCs.

The CI-5000 captures images from a computer, for printing in full
color on instant and conventional 35-millimeter slides, prints, or
small-format overhead transparencies. It accepts 18 different types of
films, including Polaroid Presentation Chrome, a 35-millimeter slide
film made especially for desktop imaging systems.

Phyllis Laorenza, a spokeswoman for Polaroid, said the CI-5000 differs
from the earlier CI-3000 mainly in its support for the Macintosh and
in offering a maximum resolution of 4,000 lines, double the CI-3000's
2,000.

The CI-5000 offers the same standard functionality as the CI-3000,
with 33-bit color recording precision and a palette of 16.7 million
addressable colors, Polaroid said.

The CI-5000 connects to IBM-compatible PCs through a standard parallel
interface. Attaching it to a Macintosh calls for an accessory kit that
includes a Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) cable and a
software driver for the Macintosh, Laorenza said.

The CI-5000 sells for US$5,995. The Macintosh compatibility kit costs
an extra US$599. The CI-3000 sells for US$4,495. Both recorders come
with a two-year warranty.

(Grant Buckler/19910508/Press Contact: Phyllis Laorenza, Polaroid,
617-577-2012)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9  ****NEW FOR IBM: Software Links PCs To NFS 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00024)

 ****NEW FOR IBM: Software Links PCs To NFS 05/09/91
LANCASTER, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Beame & Whiteside
Software has released BW-NFS for DOS V2.20, software that will let any
DOS-based PC operate as a Network File System (NFS) client. The
software gives PC users transparent access to network resources and
Unix-based services on hosts running NFS, the vendor said.

Graham Wright, technical support manager at Beame & Whiteside, told
Newsbytes this is a "substantial rewrite" of Beame & Whiteside's BW-
NFS software. The new release supports DOS 3.1 and later, and
Microsoft Windows 3.0. It uses the Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite to create client/server
links with virtually any remote Unix host. The shell uses little
memory, the vendor said, and can be loaded into high memory on PCs
using the Intel 80386 processor.

BW-NFS for DOS is compatible with all modes of Microsoft Windows --
real mode for low-end PCs, standard mode for 286 workstations, and
enhanced mode for 386 workstations. Beame & Whiteside's NFS client
software product is a Microsoft-compatible network, with support for
Token Ring networks through NDIS network drivers.

PC clients also can be set up to coexist with other network operating
systems, such as Novell's NetWare, 3Com's 3+Open and 3+ LAN Manager,
and MS-LAN Manager, the company said. The software supports more than
90 Ethernet and Token-Ring adapter cards. Beame & Whiteside's core
TCP/IP connectivity support package, BW-TCP for DOS, is included with
BW-NFS for DOS.

BW-NFS for DOS V2.20 sells for US$349 or C$395 and is available now.

(Grant Buckler/19910509/Press Contact: Graham Wright, Beame &
Whiteside Software, phone or fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 MAXIMIZER TO WORK WITH BOOKS, CARDS & LABELS SOFTWARE 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00025)

MAXIMIZER TO WORK WITH BOOKS, CARDS & LABELS SOFTWARE 05/09/91
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Richmond
Software has announced that its Maximizer contact management software
will now work with a special version of Books, Cards & Labels, a
printing utility from Useful Software in California. Books, Cards &
Labels prints in any format, including multi-column labels, phone
directories, and index cards, from any file.

The Print Base versions of Books, Cards & Labels comes with a driver
for Maximizer, said Cathy Jones, a Richmond spokeswoman. Print Base is
available now, separately or through Richmond. Richmond is selling the
software for US$59.95 (C$59.95 in Canada). Also, Jones said, current
users of earlier versions of Maximizer will get a free copy of the
software when they upgrade to Version 2.1.

Maximizer stores client names, tracks contacts with clients, and can
be used to write letters and manage telemarketing.

Richmond has also announced that Market Intelligence Research, a
Mountain View, California, research firm, rated Maximizer the market-
share leader in PC-based individual contact management software, and
second in the local-area network-based area. Market Intelligence
Research's figures give Maximizer 44 percent of the individual
category and 25 percent of the LAN sector.

Richmond has also begun shipping a French-language version of
Maximizer Version 2.1. Prices are $495 for the single-user version and
$1,095 for the LAN version, in American or Canadian currency. A
bilingual version is available for $595 (single-user) or $1,195 (LAN).

(Grant Buckler/19910509/Press Contact: Cathy Jones, Richmond Software,
604-299-2121, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 SOFTWARE TO ALLOW GRAPHIC ACCESS TO DATABASES 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00026)

SOFTWARE TO ALLOW GRAPHIC ACCESS TO DATABASES 05/09/91
BOHEMIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- New software due for
release in June will provide a unique ability to view the contents of
any database graphically, according to the developer, Computer
Concepts. The company plans to release dbView, software for DOS-based
PCs, in June, and an accelerator card called dbExcel to work with the
software late this year.

Daniel DelGiorno, president of Computer Concepts, told Newsbytes the
software will let any PC user, with or without a technical background,
view the contents of databases stored on PCs, minicomputers, or
mainframes. It will not require drivers for specific database
software, he said.

DelGiorno said he expects the software to have a "major impact on the
industry."

Computer Concepts is applying for a patent on the products, DelGiornio
said. The first hardware and software products for the company, which
has previously done consulting in the aerospace field, they are to be
the beginning of a family of products called dbExpress.

(Grant Buckler/19910509/Press Contact: Daniel DelGiorno, Computer
Concepts, 516-563-6406, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 PHOENIXBIOS FOR INTEL 82350DT EISA CHIP SET AVAILABLE 05/09/91

05/09/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00027)

PHOENIXBIOS FOR INTEL 82350DT EISA CHIP SET AVAILABLE 05/09/91
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Phoenix
Technologies has announced that its PhoenixBIOS for EISA is now
shipping on Intel 82350DT evaluation boards. The 82350DT, Intel's
latest chip set for Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA)
computers, supports the 386, 486, and 486SX processors at speeds up to
50 megahertz.

Phoenix has extended its modular PhoenixBIOS to support EISA and
Intel's new chip set, incorporating a number of new development
utilities that it said will help PC vendors build better systems
faster. Currently 52 PC makers license Phoenix's BIOS code for EISA
machines.

PhoenixBIOS for EISA supports system BIOS and video BIOS shadowing, as
well as caching of system BIOS, video BIOS, and option read-only
memory (ROM). It works with the Lotus-Intel-Microsoft (LIM) 4.0
expanded memory specification. It also supports flash memory for ROM
BIOS upgrades, hard disks with more than 1,024 cylinders, and
interchangeable CPU cards, Phoenix said.

Optionally, Phoenix offers the PTLECU, which is essential for EISA's
automatic system configuration and initialization procedure. The PTLECU
allocates system resources to the main system board and AT and EISA
expansion boards, and stores the configuration information in non-
volatile memory. PhoenixBIOS for EISA uses that data to initialize
system and expansion boards for a simplified installation process.

(Grant Buckler/19910509/Press Contact: Richard Levandov, Phoenix
Technologies, 617-551-4005)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 NEW FOR NETWORKS: Intelligent Hub For Remote Management 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00028)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: Intelligent Hub For Remote Management 05/09/91
SOUTHBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- A new
intelligent switching hub for Token Ring networks is aimed at
customers with large, mission-critical networks, vendor Bytex said.
The Maestro intelligent hub will let network managers maintain and
change LAN configurations from a central management console,
eliminating the need to repatch cables in a wiring closet, the company
said.

Bytex claimed Maestro is the only system that offers comprehensive
central control. With Maestro, network managers can completely
reconfigure their physical networks solely through software, which
reduces the need to dispatch critical personnel to remote sites.
Company spokeswoman Jackie Lustig said the product is intended for
large LAN installations spread over wide areas.

LANs can be reconfigured while the network is up and running, Bytex
said. Maestro also lets managers monitor and isolate LAN faults
electronically.

The initial release of Maestro, due in July, works with Token Ring
networks using shielded or unshielded twisted-pair cabling at four or
16 megabits per second, Lustig said. Versions for use with Ethernet,
10BaseT, and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) LANs are planned,
she added.

Maestro jobs can accommodate up to 144 ports apiece, and cost from
US$250 to US$300 per port, with the per-port cost declining in larger
installations, Lustig said.

(Grant Buckler/19910509/Press Contact: Jackie Lustig, Bytex, 508-480-
0840)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9 MOTOROLA TO MARKET SRX 911 SYSTEMS 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00029)

MOTOROLA TO MARKET SRX 911 SYSTEMS 05/09/91
PLANO, TEXAS, U.S.A, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- Motorola has announced plans
to sell Enhanced 911 systems from SRX of Dallas as its Centralink 911
system. Enhanced 911 is an emergency response system maintained by
police departments around the U.S.

The SRX systems link phone numbers of callers, generated by a
technology called automatic number identification (ANI), to a6utomatic
location identification (ALI) databases maintained by telephone
companies, so police can tell exactly where 911 calls are coming from.
Dispatchers can then monitor or break-in on calls at any time, and get
notification of critical calls audibly or through displays. The same
box serves as a digital telephone system.

In the U.S., 911 services have been hampered in recent years by people
calling the emergency number in non-emergency situations, as when they
want police to drive them to a doctor. Enhanced 911 systems can help
police track these false alarms and stop them. They can also help
police respond to real alarms more quickly when people are truly in
trouble, as when heart attacks or fear prevents callers from speaking
after they dial.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910509/Press Contact: SRX, Gaynel Richie Buck,
214/386-5400)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 9  ****MCI CLAIMS LOWEST PRICES IN CONSUMER ACTION SURVEY 05/09/91

05/09/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)

 ****MCI CLAIMS LOWEST PRICES IN CONSUMER ACTION SURVEY 05/09/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A, 1991 MAY 9 (NB) -- MCI says it was cited as
having the lowest prices in Consumer Action's Annual 1991 Long
Distance Survey among the `big three' which dominate the market. AT&T
finished second and, surprisingly, US Sprint ranked as having the most
expensive rates. The poll has been released annually during the past 7
years by Consumer Action, a San Francisco-based consumer education and
advocacy organization.

Findings were based on a cost analysis of 27 long distance calls made
within the state of California, where the survey originated, as well
as to other parts of the country, according to Ken McEldowney,
director of Consumer Action.

Dana Blankenhorn/19910509/Press Contact: Debra Shriver, MCI, 703-415-
6904)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 MAY 8 UK: CELLNET CLAIMS 92 PERCENT CALL SUCCESS RATE 05/08/91

05/08/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(LON)(00001)

UK: CELLNET CLAIMS 92 PERCENT CALL SUCCESS RATE 05/08/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- While mobile phone users in
the UK continue to complain about the quality of service, particularly in
the London area, Cellnet is making some bold claims for its service.
The British Telecom/Securicor joint project company claims that,
during March of this year, 92 per cent of calls made in the North Central
London area -- a region known for its network congestion -- were
successful.

"This area is one of the UK's most hostile environments for mobile
telephones and we are pleased with the result," said engineering
operations director Mark Tiplady, who went on to explain that the
improvement in call success rates is a continuation of an upward
trend seen in the last six months in Cellnet's quality of service.

"It's been achieved through our continuing quality improvement
program which now includes investment in a new sophisticated radio
planning tool called  ANET (advanced network engineering tool),
which we have bought from LCC, the market leader in radio planning
technology," he explained.

According to Tiplady, ANET works by analyzing every aspect of a
particular geographical area, including topography, the number of
Cellnet users and the location of cellular network base stations. This
analysis has enabled Cellnet's engineers to refine and focus radio
transmission levels to a much higher degree than before and so
reduce co-channel interference -- a cause of failed calls.

"Cellnet's primary concern is to meet the increasing quality
requirements of its customers, numbering over half a million. Our
investment program, currently running at UKP 4 million a week, has
enabled us to almost treble the number of voice channels since
January 1990," added Stafford Taylor, Cellnet's managing director,
who echoed Tiplady's comments.

"ANET will help us continue our drive to improve call quality
throughout our national network -- it's a further example of our
commitment to quality," he added.

(Steve Gold/19910508/Press Contact - Tel: Cellnet Press Office: Tel:
0753-504814; Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS WINS U.S. ARMY CONTRACT 05/08/91

05/08/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00002)

ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS WINS U.S. ARMY CONTRACT 05/08/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Alliant
Techsystems has announced that the US Army has selected the
company as one-half of a contractor team to develop a `Sense and
Destroy Armor' (SADARM) program.

The other member of the team is Aerojet Electrosystems. The contract
was awarded under a competitive bidding procedure after Alliant and
Aerojet proposed a joint arrangement in response to budget pressures
and reduced production quantities.

SADARM is a system of target-sensing munitions that are fired from a
155mm howitzer gun or a multiple launch rocket system. The system's
primary target is the enemy's self-propelled artillery, with armored
vehicles as secondary targets.

According to Kenneth Jenson, chief operating officer of Alliant: "An
Aerojet/Alliant teaming arrangement on this program makes a great
deal of sense for several reasons."

Jenson went on to explain that the team approach would allow the U.S.
Army to save money, and would focus the best talent of both
contractors on a single design. He said that the ability of smart
systems such as SADARM were clearly demonstrated during the
recent Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf.

Designs for the final phase of the program were submitted to the U.S.
Army in March 1991. Production of SADARM is expected to begin in
1993 and continue well into the next century.

(Jim Mallory/19910508/Press Contact:Rod Bitz, Alliant Techsystems,
612-939-2646)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 NEW FOR MAC: Systat Upgrade Requires Less Memory 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00003)

NEW FOR MAC: Systat Upgrade Requires Less Memory 05/08/91
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Systat has
announced version 5.1 of its graphics and exploratory data analysis
program for the Apple Macintosh computer. The new edition of the
software was demonstrated at the recent National Computer Graphics
Association Exposition in Chicago.

According to the company, Systat 5.1 offers faster processing and
numerical calculations, as well as making more efficient use of
memory. The company quotes an example of a sketch of a map of the
U.S. which now takes 20 seconds, as compared with 59 seconds under
release 5.0 of the package.

Memory requirements have also been reduced, allowing Systat 5.1 to be
installed on any Macintosh with 2 megabytes of RAM. The upgraded
program takes advantage of all available Mac Finder and MultiFinder
partition memory, and dynamically allocates memory to handle much
larger datasets. Additional available memory can be used to run
spreadsheets or other programs simultaneously. Systat 5.1 is
compatible with the Mac Classic, LC and IIsi series of computers.

The program now includes aesthetic improvements to display
options and help messages, and features color graphics and three
dimensional rotation of graphs, dimensional maps, weathervane plots,
linear and multiple linear regression, forecasting and exponential
smoothing and nonlinear regression.

Systat Version 5.1 retails for  $795, but current users can upgrade
from release 5.0 for $65; Users of Systat 3.2 or earlier versions can
upgrade for $135. Systat operates a bulletin board at 708-492-3570.

(Jim Mallory/19910508/Press Contact:Lucy Saunders, Systat, 708-864-
5670)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 NEW PRODUCT: Pansophic's Automated Warehousing Upgrade 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)

NEW PRODUCT: Pansophic's Automated Warehousing Upgrade 05/08/91
LISLE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 08 (NB) -- Pansophic has announced
the release of Version 2.0 of `The Warehouse Boss,' its IBM AS/400-
based automated warehouse management system.

According to John Wark, marketing VP for Pansophic: "The Boss is
designed to achieve three major distribution objectives: lower costs,
greater inventory accuracy, and improved customer service."

Wark added that the vertical market software is more cost effective
than a custom solution because customers define their locating
logic by selecting rules from within the program, rather than by
programming. According to Wark, the program can easily be
reconfigured to meet changing needs without modifying any code.

According to the company, the new features of Boss include
comprehensive tracking capabilities, quality control enhancement and
quicker identification of 'lots' within the warehouse. Boss includes
inventory control and management, receiving on line by exception,
bar code generation, location confirmation, order pool management,
pick planning, and automated selection of shipping containers and
creation of detailed packing lists. Automatic reorder procedures are
also incorporated in the program.

(Jim Mallory/19910508/Press Contact:Marian Cronin, Pansophic, 708-505-
6068)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 APPLE COMPUTER ORDERS NEW CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00005)

APPLE COMPUTER ORDERS NEW CRAY SUPERCOMPUTER 05/08/91
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 08 (NB) -- Cray Research has
announced that it has received an order from Apple Computer for a
second supercomputer. The Cray Y-MP2E will be installed at Apple's
main facility in Cupertino, California this fall, and is valued at
over $4.6 million.

The new system will replace Apple's first Cray supercomputer, a Cray
X-MP, that was installed in 1986. The new unit will provide four times
the memory of the first unit, and will be linked to high performance
graphics display devices via HIPPI high speed channel supplied by
Cray that offers 800 megabits of data transfer per second. The new
supercomputer will also be linked through a FDDI (Fiber optic Data
Distribution Interface) local area network (LAN) to hundreds of Apple
personal computers throughout the facility, providing a data transfer
rate of 100 megabits per second.

Apple will use the Y-MP2E for continued research and development
applications such as heat flow analysis to simulate and determine the
flow of heat, air and dust particles within a computer cabinet.

Other uses will include speech recognition analysis in the
development of a speech recognition system for future computer
products and analog circuit simulation for circuit design. It will also
control many of Apple's manufacturing processing, such as plastic
flow modeling, which is used to simulate the various steps in
manufacturing computer cabinets, keyboards and other PC
equipment.

(Jim Mallory/19910508)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 BANKRUPT CPT PREPARES REORGANIZATION PLANS 05/08/91

05/08/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006)

BANKRUPT CPT PREPARES REORGANIZATION PLANS 05/08/91
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA, U.S.A. 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- CPT
management has announced that is has submitted its disclosure and
plan of reorganization for approval by creditors and shareholders.

CPT said that it expects to emerge from Chapter 11 by June 1991. The
company filed for protection under the federal bankruptcy law, and
filed its reorganization plan with the federal court in February 1991.

The committee representing holders of the company's subordinated
debentures has indicated it will submit a different plan for
acceptance by the creditors if the company's plan is not approved.

Under the company plan new common stock will be issued, so that
the creditors and debenture holders will receive a majority of all
outstanding shares. Under the bondholders plan, all currently
outstanding common shares would be canceled and new shares
issued to creditors, including debenture holders. The shares of current
shareholders would be canceled and they would not receive new
shares.

Arun Dube, CPT president and CEO said: "The important difference is
that the company's plan provides a reasonable opportunity to the
common share holders to realize value from their holdings in CPT.
Many of the common shares are held by retirement plans and small
investors."

In early April CPT received a multimillion dollar commitment from its
Japanese distributor, Kyowa Shokai Corporation, to purchase in
excess of $3 million in CPT office automation equipment over the
next 18 months.

(Jim Mallory/19910508/Press Contact:David Priebe, CPT, 612-949-1728)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 ON TECHNOLOGY INTROS INSTANT UPDATE 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(NYC)(00007)

ON TECHNOLOGY INTROS INSTANT UPDATE 05/08/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- ON Technology
has announced the introduction of Instant Update, a collaborative
application for Macintosh networks intended to help people
communicate through the use of what it calls "live documents."

Bob Simmons, national sales manager for ON Technology, explained
the product to Newsbytes, saying: "It can best be described as a
marriage between word processing and electronic-mail. A person
either writes the first draft of the material directly with Instant Update or
imports it from a word processor."

"A master copy of the document is stored and copies are sent through
the network to co-workers. The co-workers can make changes and
write comments on their copy and ,when the original author tells the
system to update, the changes are incorporated, with markers, into the
master copy," he added.

Simmons went on to say that Instant Update works the way people
want to work. It marries the best of the e-mail and word processing
functions and allows co-workers to stay instantly up-to-date.

"Although it is intended as an 'input tool', in that documents can be
printed directly from Instant Update, you can, of course, export the final
draft to a word processor for the production of the finished output,"
he added.

The suggested retail price of Instant Update is $495 for a two-user
package and $995 for a five-user pack.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19910508/Press Contact:
Marianne Rigo, ON Technology, 617-876-0900/19910508)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 GENERIC CADD REDUCED MACINTOSH UPGRADE OFFER 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00008)

GENERIC CADD REDUCED MACINTOSH UPGRADE OFFER 05/08/91
BOTHELL, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Generic Software
has announced a $99 upgrade to its Generic CADD package for existing
users of MacDraw, MacDraft, ClarisCad or other Macintosh Draw or CAD
(computer-aided design) programs. Ordinarily the suggested list price
is $595. The offer is available for a limited time.

Tim Leavitt of Generic Software said that the offer is targeted at
users of the three low cost Macintosh computers, the Classic, LC and
IIsi. "Draw users will appreciate the way Generic CADD's precision and
power enable them to produce production quality drawings," he said.

A number of new features are contained in the upgrade. They include
snap previewing, automated dimension changed to reflect changes in
the drawing, and the ability to preview symbols before they are placed
from either the Generic library or the users library. A total of 14
optional symbol libraries are available.

Leavitt says the upgraded program requires System 6.0.3 or later.
Color users will need System 6.0.5 or later plus 32-bit QuickDraw, but
both are included. Also necessary are at least 1megabyte of RAM and
a hard disk, although a math co-processor chip and 2MB of RAM are
recommended.

Additional information regarding the upgrade can be obtained from
Generic Software at 800-228-3601.

(Jim Mallory/19910508/Press Contact: Tim Leavitt, Generic Software,
206-487-2233; FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 SCIENTISTS/ENGINEERS FORM MAC USER GROUP 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00009)

SCIENTISTS/ENGINEERS FORM MAC USER GROUP 05/08/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) --- Apple
Computer and the Consortium for Laboratory & Industrial Applications
of the Macintosh have announced the formation of MacSciTech, short
for the Macintosh Scientific and Technical users Association.

MacSciTech is an independent, international users association
focusing on the use of Macintosh computers in science and
engineering. The organization's goal is to enhance the effective
utilization of the Macintosh within the scientific and engineering
communities. Plans call for membership to include users from the
engineering, chemistry, medicine, physics, environmental, and other
technical disciplines.

Specific objectives, according to a consortium spokesperson, are to
provide for the timely exchange of practical information, to provide
education and training in the use of Mac computers in scientific and
engineering environments, and to provide for the exchange of
information between scientific and engineering Macintosh users.

According to Doug Nomura, chairman of MacSciTech and a
molecular biologist: "MacSciTech is a bit unusual as it operates as
if it were a cross between a users group and a professional
association".

Nomura added that some of the ways members will interact is
through online services, public domain software archives on Internet
(a national network of computer networks sponsored the National
Science Foundation), a quarterly newsletter, and an annual technical
conference. The first conference will be held in San Francisco in
January 1992.

MacSciTech charter membership is $25; students can belong for $15
yearly. The organization can be contacted by calling Shari
Worthington at 508-755-5242, as well as on AppleLink (cons.lab.mfg),
or Internet ([e-mail]).

(Jim Mallory/19910508/Press Contact:Shari Worthington, MacScitech,
508-755-5242 or FAX [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 NEW FOR UNIX: Password Security Software 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00010)

NEW FOR UNIX: Password Security Software 05/08/91
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- What can be
done about international computer hackers whose governments do not
prevent their attempts to access computer systems?  Baseline software
claims that it has the answer with a new product for password security,
called Password Coach.

Terry Bigio, vice president of marketing for Baseline Software told
Newsbytes, that  the biggest problem in computer security is easily
guessed passwords. She backed this up with a quote from Bill
Landreth, apprehended by the FBI for computer hacking and quoted in
his own book on computer hacking as saying, "Judging by my own
experiences I would estimate that, if it weren't for password misuse, at
least eighty percent of all hackers would never see the inside of a
large computer."

Bigio claims that Password Coach is a package that is completely
transparent to the user unless a weak password is chosen, and
currently runs on Novell Netware, with versions for the DEC VAX
and IBM AS/400 to ship in June.

Although system passwords are the most secure, they are hardest
for users to remember, and create security problems within the
organization because users place them on post-it notes on the
computer they access, said Bigio.

Password Coach provides a secure password, as the word is
checked against a dictionary of 140,000 to 3,000,000 prohibited
passwords. The list can be customized by the organization to
include any unformatted files, including personnel files, policy
manuals, and acronym lists, to prevent users from using easily
guessed  passwords such as their social security number,
children's names, or the company's name or initials, Bigio said.

The C Language source code is also available with standard
interfacing `hooks' for access control packages that run on IBM MVS
and VM operating systems, and the DEC VAX/VMS operating system,
for companies who want to customize the package to suit their own
needs, Bigio said.

The company advertises the package starting at $795 for a 10 user
Novel Netware version. Free demo disks are available from Baseline
Software that will run on IBM personal computers, Bigio said.

Baseline Software may be contacted at 415/332-7763, or by fax at
415/332-8032.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910508/Press Contact: Terry L. Bigio, Baseline
Software, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 NEW FOR UNIX: Windows 3.0 Interface For Fusion 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00011)

NEW FOR UNIX: Windows 3.0 Interface For Fusion 05/08/91
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Network Research
has announced a new version of its Windows 3.0 interface package for
the company's Fusion for DOS network software.

Fusion facilitates networking of IBM PCs and compatibles to Sun
Microsystems and other Unix workstations, Dec Vax systems,
Hewlett-Packard systems, and IBM mainframes, the company said.

Network Research is touting Fusion as being unique in taking
advantage of the icon-based environment and multitasking
character of Microsoft Windows 3.0. Fusion's Windows interface
uses icons to designate networking applications and utilities, such
as file transfer and virtual terminal and adds Fusion's packet monitor
and network statistics utilities, the company claims.

Users are then freed from entering the command and address each
time they want to connect, as they can click on the appropriate icon
and Fusion makes the connection automatically. The icons appear
in Fusion's own Program Group, which appears as part of Window's
Program Manager.

Network Research also said that Fusionpak, a new multi-copy
package is available for network managers who want to install
Fusion for DOS on multiple PCs.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910508/Press Contact: Dennis Bordelon, Network
Research, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8  ****NEW FOR PC: New Edition Of Crosstalk For Windows 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SAT)(00012)

 ****NEW FOR PC: New Edition Of Crosstalk For Windows 05/08/91
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Digital
Communications Associates (DCA) has introduced version 1.2 of
Crosstalk for Windows. The PC communications package now
includes network support -- a feature missing in earlier versions -- and
more varieties of terminal emulation and file transfer protocols.

The new network features allow users to communicate through shared
modems on a network, meaning that only one high-speed modem per
network is now required.

The package now also includes VT220 and VT320 terminal emulation,
giving users access to the latest DEC system applications.
The new YMODEM-G file transfer protocol supports users with error
correcting modems. The protocol is faster than many others since it
only does error detection after the end of a file, instead of after
every "block."

DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange -- a Windows protocol that allows
Windows applications to use each other's features) sample scripts are
also included with the software showing how to exchange information
with a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

The package is available for $195. Registered users of previous
versions can upgrade for $49, and those who bought the previous
version after February 25 can upgrade for free.

(Lamont Wood/19910508/Press Contact: Margaret Owens, DCA, 404-442-
4520, fax [phone].)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 GEIS LAUNCHES SALES AUTOMATION SYSTEM 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00013)

GEIS LAUNCHES SALES AUTOMATION SYSTEM 05/08/91
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- GE Information
Services (GEIS) has announced that its new Sales Marketing
Communication System now takes advantage of GE's global network
to let sales people work together. GE said the sales automation software
is based on applications developed over a number of years for its
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and messaging clients.

Spokeswoman Jacelyn Swenson said the Sales Marketing
Communications System (SMCS) ties into the network to allow users to
do such things as checking product availability from a remote location.
It combines GE Information Services' global network connectivity and
support with a customizable workstation for territorial sales management.

The system consists of integrated modules which automate such sales
functions as lead tracking, order entry, scheduling, tickler file
notification, forecasting, and call reporting, and can be integrated
with a company's mainframe operations. GEIS said the system can be
modified easily to meet individual companies' needs.

An average price of about US$1,000 per user includes the software,
customization, and networking charges, Swenson said.

(Grant Buckler/19910508/Press Contact: Jacelyn Swenson, GE Information
Services, 301-340-4485)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 SHIVA'S REMOTE DIAL-IN FOR ETHERNET NETWORKS 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00014)

SHIVA'S REMOTE DIAL-IN FOR ETHERNET NETWORKS 05/08/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) --
Internetworking products vendor Shiva has announced that its new
NetModem/E network communications server has three uses on local
area networks. The system allows IBM and compatible PCs and Apple
Macintosh systems to dial into NetWare and AppleTalk Ethernet
networks; it provides shared modem services to stations on a network;
and it can link two networks remotely.

Mark Aisenberg, a spokesman for Shiva, told Newsbytes the
NetModem/E can switch among these three functions as needed,
without needing to be reconfigured.

The stand-alone unit includes an integrated Ethernet interface and a
9,600-bit-per-second modem with support for V.32bis and V.42bis
communications standards. It connects to any standard Ethernet
cabling, he said.

NetModem/E lets remote users dial into a network as if their computer
were directly connected to it. The only difference remote users will
see is reduced speed due to the 9,600-bps connection, Aisenberg
said. It also lets users on the network dial out over a single phone line
to remote hosts or information services. Finally, the system can provide
a connection between geographically dispersed networks.

NetModem/E supports both Novell NetWare's IPX and Apple's
AppleTalk protocols and automatically adapts to the protocol in use
without requiring user configuration, Shiva said.

A key feature of NetModem/E is that it sends standard network packets
between the network and remote sites, according to the vendor. This
means remote PCs can run graphical applications, such as Microsoft
Windows, and still have access to network services and data,
regardless of the type of video screen or input device being used.

NetModem/E will be available in June for a retail price of US$2,299.
Shiva plans to sell the system in the United States, Canada, Europe,
Japan, and Australia, Aisenberg said.

(Grant Buckler/19910508/Press Contact: Mark Aisenberg, Shiva, 617-252-
6417)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 NEW PRODUCT: Microcom Launches Portable Modems 05/08/91

05/08/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00015)

NEW PRODUCT: Microcom Launches Portable Modems 05/08/91
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Microcom
has announced two MicroPorte portable modems. The seven-ounce
modems have a footprint the size of an index card and are intended
mainly for use with portable computers, though they can be used with
desktop systems as well.

The modems support the international V.42 error correction and V.42bis
data compression standards and Microcom's own MNP 10 error correction
protocol, the vendor said. They connect to IBM PCs, compatibles, and
Apple Macintosh computers. The units come with batteries, cables, and an
optional travel kit. The package also includes Microcom's Carbon Copy
Plus remote control/file transfer software.

The 542 model is intended strictly for use on dial-up phone lines while
the 1042 can be used over cellular telephone links as well, said
company spokeswoman Christine Washburn.

The Microporte 542 runs at speeds up to 9,600 bits-per-second (bps),
Microcom said, while the Microporte 1042 can provide speeds of more
than 12,000 bps using Microcom Turbo Mode and V.42bis data
compression. The higher speeds are possible only when
communicating with another Microporte 1042 modem, Washburn said.

The Microporte 542 runs on a standard nine-volt battery, while the
1042 has a built-in rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery pack
is available for the 542, and both models can run on AC power through
an adapter.

The MicroPorte 542 is priced at US$449 while the MicroPorte 1042
retails for US$649. Both are available now.

(Grant Buckler/19910508/Press Contact: Christine Washburn, Microcom,
617-551-1956)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8  ****APPLE OFFICIALLY ADOPTS CYRILLIC ALPHABET ON MAC 05/08/91

05/08/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(MOW)(00016)

 ****APPLE OFFICIALLY ADOPTS CYRILLIC ALPHABET ON MAC 05/08/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Apple Europe has announced
it has agreed on an official way of representing the Cyrillic alphabet on the
Apple Macintosh computer. The announcement means that, for the first
time, programmers have official guidance as to the way in which they
should represent data on the Mac's data files, and opens the way
towards the free interchange of data between Mac packages using the
Cyrillic alphabet.

As is rapidly becoming the norm for the increasingly open-minded Apple
research and development divisions, the code representation system was
developed by a third party -- in this case, Apcom Limited of Moscow.

According to Yury Shakula of Apcom, the company's proprietary coding
scheme supports several Cyrillic alphabets other than standard
Russian. Support is included for the Ukrainian, Byelorussian,
Bulgarian, and Croatian character sets.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910508/Press contact: Yury Shakula, ApCom, phone
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 BANYAN ADDS PROGRAMS FOR INTEGRATORS 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00017)

BANYAN ADDS PROGRAMS FOR INTEGRATORS 05/08/91
WESTBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Banyan
Systems has added 10 new channel partner programs. The company
also made changes to its 25 existing programs. Banyan said that the
moves were part of an ongoing strategic commitment to integrators in
the enterprise networking market.

Major new programs include the Banyan Seminar Program and the
Basic Support Service Program. The Banyan Seminar Program is
intended to help integrators produce seminars for end users. A free
seminar kit includes a three-hour overview of the Banyan's Vines
network operating system and case studies involving Vines. It also
includes slides, handouts, a reference list of collaborative materials,
a `how to run a successful seminar' workbook, sample direct mail
pieces, and regional direct mail lists. Recipients of the kit will also
have access to Banyan speakers.

The Basic Support Service Program will provide channel partners
with technical information and support services to help them support
customers, Banyan said.

Banyan now has 35 channel partner programs, up from the 25
introduced last year.

(Grant Buckler/19910508/Press Contact: Jennifer Jester, Banyan
Systems, 508-898-1000)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 ACM PUBLICATION BOARD GOES ELECTRONIC 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00018)

ACM PUBLICATION BOARD GOES ELECTRONIC 05/08/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- The Association
for Computing Machinery (ACM) has announced plans to create a
full-text electronic archive of all ACM literature, create bibliographic
databases, multimedia products for computer science education, and
distribute special interest group (SIG) publications electronically.

Also announced by the ACM is the formation of two new SIGs, the first
of which is SIGAPP or Special Interest Group on Applied Computing for
"exchanging information on advanced and unique computing
applications which involved the integration of such traditional
disciplines as graphics, database, communication, software
engineering, artificial intelligence, and office automation, with emerging
technologies like neural networks," and other recent developments
like parallel processing.

The second new SIG is SIGLINK, the Special Interest Group on
Hypertext, the program authoring language for the Apple Macintosh
computer.

The Association for Computing Machinery is a 44-year-old
organization founded to advance the art and science of computer
sciences. There are more than 70,000 ACM members worldwide.

The ACM can be contacted at 11 West 42 Street, New York, NY 10036,
212-869-7440, or e-mail: [e-mail].

(John McCormick/19910508)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 EXPERTS SAY SOVIET JOINT VENTURE POLICIES A FAILURE 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00019)

EXPERTS SAY SOVIET JOINT VENTURE POLICIES A FAILURE 05/08/91
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- A recently
completed study by Duquesne University's American-Soviet Center
estimates that the average U.S.-Soviet joint venture agreement has
taken 14 months to conclude and predicts that "65 percent of American-
Soviet joint ventures and almost 60 percent of Anglo-Soviet projects
will fold within one year of initiation."

Special enticement packages which exist in Western Europe are
predicted by the study to result in failure rates under 50 percent for
French, German, and Italian companies.

While agreeing with common wisdom that the deteriorating Soviet
infrastructure has contributed to the high failure rate, the study
concludes that joint venture bureaucratic procedures remain the
primary roadblock to success.

On Monday, Prime Minister Valentin Pavlov stated that the
government now recognized that more direct connections between
foreign companies and Soviet industries are necessary to bring
about successful joint venture projects.

Recent statements from the Kremlin and support from some in the
central planning agency and President Mikhail Gorbachev's main
economic advisor, Oleg Ozherelev, are leading the way to reforms.
The report adds adds that opposition from Victor Geraschenko,
chairman of Gosbank, the central bank, and Vyacheslav Senchagov,
chairman of Goskomtsen, the central state planning committee, has
been the main stumbling block on the road to success

A recent indication that the Russian Republic, Lithuania, and the
Ukraine, all plan separate banking systems, financial practices, and
investment incentives is thought to be a major impulse toward
improving Soviet joint venture activities.

Analysts at the London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development question the continued ability of the central government
to control market developments and consider that easing of
regulations on foreign investment is the only government alternative to
severe market constriction.

Despite some easing of regulations in the past 16 months, there has
actually been a significant decrease in the number of joint venture
agreements reached with foreign investors.

(John McCormick/19910508/Press Contact: Mary Eriksson, Duquesne
University, 412-434-6050, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 PENNSYLVANIA SEEKS 900 NUMBER RESTRAINTS 05/08/91

05/08/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

PENNSYLVANIA SEEKS 900 NUMBER RESTRAINTS 05/08/91
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Despite
an agreement between his agency and Bell of Pennsylvania, which will
notify all residential telephone customers that free blocking is
available against, what is fast becoming the infamous 900-number saga,
the Pennsylvania Attorney General has announced he still wants strong
laws against abuses on the premium rated calls.

"We're still proceeding" on legislation, Dan Clearfield of the
attorney's general office told Newsbytes. "Inserts are something local
phone companies can still do."

Legislation has been introduced by Rep. Bart Gordon in the U.S.
Congress and Sen. John McCain in the Senate, but no bill has been
introduced in Pennsylvania. "We're working on it," Clearfield added.
"We're exploring possibilities, working with legislators, but we
haven't put together a draft law."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910508/Press Contact: Jack Lewis, the Office of
Pennsylvania Attorney General, 717-787-5211)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 BELLSOUTH MOBILITY INTROS NEW ROAMING FEATURES 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

BELLSOUTH MOBILITY INTROS NEW ROAMING FEATURES 05/08/91
ATLANTA , GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- BellSouth Mobility, the
Atlanta-based mobile phone company, has introduced a new set of
cellular calling features called RoamMate services, which include a
new offering called Proactive Roaming which the company says is
unique.

"We called the new service Proactive Roaming because that's what it
does," said JoAnn Blount, director of strategic market planning at
BellSouth Mobility. When the service's central computer detects a foreign
number in its area, it passes the number on to Proactive Roaming which
calls the number. When the mobile customer answers, Proactive Roaming
welcomes him or her to the city and gives general roaming information.

Another new service for BellSouth Mobility customers is a free roaming
information line, accessed by dialing asterisk 711. The service is
available in all BellSouth Mobility markets.

"The information line provides a tutorial on roaming for our customers
as well as visiting cellular customers," Patti Keller, manager-
advanced cellular services, explained. "The program uses interactive
voice response so the customer can find the right answers to his or
her questions."

After dialing asterisk 711, the customer gets a choice of topics.
Information is available on making and receiving calls and roaming in
specific cities, including the one the customer is in.

Nicole Lipson of BellSouth Mobility told Newsbytes that this service
is completely different from seamless roaming systems being
implemented in places like Southern California. "This lets customers
know about roaming when they enter one of the three markets we use it
in. It answers questions they might have which might keep them from
roaming easily," he said.

"Until the entire country is hooked into seamless roaming, calls don't
follow you. As a BellSouth customer, you either initiate roaming
through agreements in 700 cities, or get 'follow me' roaming in 385," he
added.

"What you're talking about happens with Follow Me Roaming. When I
call you I don't have to know where you are -- I dial 7 digits and if you
activated it it goes. But if you go into the city you have to know
whether you dial 1, or some other number."

"This is not seamless roaming," said JoAnn Blount, to Newsbytes.
"We've just added some rural service areas to the Atlanta system, and
that's all seamless to the customer. To link systems together that
have mileage between them will take time. Plus there are some
restrictions under the Bell Break-up decree -- we need a technology
called IS-41 that's at least 2 years away, and standards haven't been
established," she added.

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) in the U.S., is
presently working on that, but it would still take time to implement
when it is approved.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910508/Press Contact: Nicole Lipson, BellSouth
Mobility, 404-847-3712)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 NEW FOR MAC: Employee Scheduling With Swing Shift 1.2 05/08/91

05/08/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00022)

NEW FOR MAC: Employee Scheduling With Swing Shift 1.2 05/08/91
SAN GABRIEL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Computed
Designs has announced Swing Shift version 1.2, a new version of its
automated employee scheduling software, which incorporates new
reports and is 50 percent faster than version 1.1, the company claims.

The new version adds a worker-by-worker schedule, a shift-by-shift
(job-by-job) schedule, a statistics and worker list print-out, and a
Find Worker print-out.

"Swing Shift 1.2 enables supervisors to schedule and track up to 120
workers," Computed Designs President Ted Hoehn said. "Since it can
automatically make assignments, taking into account company and
worker requirements, what is normally a tedious and demanding task
is reduced to a simple routine."

The software, which is HyperCard 2.0-based, comes with HyperCard
2.0 and retails for $395. For more information, call 818/287-5496.

(Computer Currents/19910508)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 BOOT UP FROM AFAR AND KICK TELECOM COSTS 05/08/91

05/08/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00023)

BOOT UP FROM AFAR AND KICK TELECOM COSTS 05/08/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Imagine having the facility
to power up your personal computer simply by calling it on the telephone.
You do not need to remember any fancy codes -- you just need to be
able to count to eight or at least know when you have gone past eight.

Yu Sun-nien, managing director of Yucomp Ltd., an old-hand
professional in the Hong Kong information technology business, has
always managed to maintain a low profile during the many years he has
operated in Hongkong. His latest creation -- the Yucomp RSW-800 -- is
a remote power switch for PCs which is activated by a simple telephone
call, and it may serve to lift Mr Yu's profile somewhat.

The RSW-800 is a small black box about the size of a paper-back book,
which connects to the modem attached to the PC. This, in itself, is a
significant design feature, because it leaves the device independent
of the telephone network, and therefore type approval for connection
is not necessary anywhere in the world.

The Yucomp box relies upon the modem to interpret the signals from
the telephone, not dissimilar from the PC itself. Consequently, the only
device that needs connection approval is the modem.

The device senses when the modem has received eight ringing tones
from the incoming telephone line and then automatically powers up the
PC. It is not necessary for the modem or the device to actually answer
the phone, so there is no cost at all associated with the inward call,
even  if it is an international dial call.

The idea behind the system is that, once the PC boots up, it will run
a batch file that would carry out whichever functions the user
requires. This could involve completing a number of tasks, or even
calling the user back using the modem.

After powering up the PC, the RSW-800 continues to monitor activity on
the line and, if the line has been silent for five minutes, the PC is
powered down. This feature means that automatic and unattended file
transfers are not only possible, but also viable.

The retail price of the Yucomp box varies slightly, but is about
HK$1,200 (US$154). This could be recovered in a very short  time by
the savings on pure telecommunications costs on international
file transfers, Yu claims.

Yu told Newsbytes that he would be prepared to modify the device to
enable the remote control of, for example, air-conditioning, which
would require higher current handling capacity. In addition, he could
modify the automatic power-off facility to suit a given application or
need. He said these extensions to his original idea would be
developed as user demand arose.

Yu reports that, without any publicity at all, he has sold more than
10 percent of his first production run. He is marketing the product
through dealers locally, but has yet to appoint any distributors in
the U.S. or Europe.

(Norman Wingrove/19910508/Press Contact: Yu Sun-nien, Yucomp Ltd,
Phone: + 852 724 2928, Fax: + 852 724 2969; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 NTT LINKS WITH LUCASFILM ON GRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY 05/08/91

05/08/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00024)

NTT LINKS WITH LUCASFILM ON GRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY 05/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- NTT, the Japanese telecoms giant,
has signed an agreement with Lucasfilm, better known as the company
behind the amazing special effects seen in the Star Wars series of films.
The agreement calls for both companies to work on integrating
Lucasfilm's audio-visual technology with NTT's next generation of
telecommunications hardware.

Although it's still early days on the actual technical side of the
hardware, reports suggest that NTT engineers are taken with
Lucasfilm's highly sophisticated computer graphics systems. NTT is
likely to want to include the technology in its high-definition television
(HDTV) systems, as well as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
services.

The agreement, which is expected to run for three years, will
initially call for NTT to send three engineers to Lucasfilm's
headquarters in San Francisco in the fall of this year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910508/Press Contact: NTT, [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8  ****MICROCOMPUTER SHOW OPENS IN TOKYO 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00025)

 ****MICROCOMPUTER SHOW OPENS IN TOKYO 05/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- The Microcomputer Show, one of
Japan's largest computer-related technology events, opened in Tokyo
on May 8. Sixty-three exhibitors are displaying new products this year.

On the first day of the show, exhibitors showed off a new 32-bit
microchip with advanced processing power. Motorola, meanwhile,
showed off its 68040 microprocessor, while NEC unveiled its V70 and 80
chips. Fujitsu officials, meanwhile, were busy promoting the company's
Tron technology, which is widely expected to become a new standard on
future educational computer systems.

Development tools for microprocessors were also on display at the
show. These included in-circuit emulators (ICE) such as for Intel's
32-bit 80486 chipsets.

ICE chips for the new generation of RISC (Reduced Instruction Set
Computing) microprocessors were also displayed. Microprocessors
displayed included AMD's Am29000, NEC's VR3000 and Motorola's
88000 series. Various debugging tools and one-chip 4-bit, 8-bit and
16-bit microcomputers were also shown.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910508)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8  ****AQUILINE UNVEILS 4.5 POUND 386SX PORTABLE 05/08/91

05/08/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00026)

 ****AQUILINE UNVEILS 4.5 POUND 386SX PORTABLE 05/08/91
BENNINGTON, VERMONT, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- What weighs less than
Texas Instruments lightest computer, and is the size and weight of a
heavy magazine? Aquiline says it's the Aquiline 4.5 pound 386SX
notebook computer, equipped with a 20MB 25 millisecond access hard
disk, 1MB of RAM, a 10 inch sidelit LCD screen capable of resolving
VGA graphics in 32 shades of grey, and a 3.5 inch 1.44MB floppy disk
drive - all for $2,995 retail.

As supplied in its $2,995 configuration, the computer comes with
single parallel and serial ports, plus an external VGA port, a mouse
port, a mouse pad on the keyboard, and software bundled with the
computer.

The products Aquiline lists as bundled with the notebook computer
include FastLynx - a program for transferring files between computers;
FastLock - a software-based protection scheme for the computer; a
battery alert program; a phone book; DOS 4.01; a client management
program, and a choice of Microsoft Windows 3.0 or Microsoft Works.

The company also offers an AC adapter, nickel cadmium batteries that
last for up to 3 hours, and a carrying case, as optional extras.
Aquiline claims to offer a 24 hour replacement system, so if the unit
fails in the field, data from the failed computer quickly be restored
to a replacement system before the battery power fails.

The Aquiline notebook computer is offered with a one year unlimited
parts and labor warranty, and toll-free technical support. Upgrades
include a 40 MB or 80 MB hard disk, up to 4 MB of RAM and additional
nickel cadmium batteries.

Aquiline can be contacted at 449 Main Street, Bennington, Vermont
05201, or at 1-800-221-1119.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910508/Press Contact: Aquiline, Tel: [phone],
802/442-1526, Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 MOSCOW: IMPRESSIVE SALES OF OPEN ACCESS II REPORTED 05/08/91

05/08/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00027)

MOSCOW: IMPRESSIVE SALES OF OPEN ACCESS II REPORTED 05/08/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Intersoft, a joint venture
company in Moscow, has reported impressive sales for its localized
(local language) version of Software Products International's Open
Access II integrated environment software.

According to Leonid Tchernyak, an executive with InterSoft, 600
localized versions of the software were sold to approximately 200
companies during last year, with the bulk of the packages sold to
users in Moscow, Leningrad and Kiev.

Open Access II is available in Russian (Cyrillics), Ukrainian,
Georgian and Lithanian versions. Single copies sell for 6,000 roubles
($200), with discounts available for volume purchases.

Intersoft is not resting on its laurels either. The joint venture
company is currently finishing development on a localized version of
Open Access III, which is slated for introduction this fall.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910508/press contact: Leonid Tchernyak,
Intersoft, phone [phone]; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 INMARSAT ANNOUNCES FAR EASTERN EXPANSION PLANS 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00028)

INMARSAT ANNOUNCES FAR EASTERN EXPANSION PLANS 05/08/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Inmarsat has ambitious plans to
provide its satellite communication services to more Soviet customers,
according to the Russian Information Agency (RIA).

To promote its service, the telecoms giant held a two day seminar in
the Soviet Far East port of Nakhodka on the subject of the use of
satellite links by marine vessels. Inmarsat plans to add more users to
existing 800 soviet ships already using its service.

Inmarsat will set up a ground station in Nakhodka in addition to
existing one in Moscow, the RIA reports.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910508)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 JAPANESE ELECTRONICS MAKERS INCREASE R&D SPENDING 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00029)

JAPANESE ELECTRONICS MAKERS INCREASE R&D SPENDING 05/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Several major Japanese electronics
manufacturers have announced plans to boost research and development
investment during the current year. First reports suggest that the
bulk of the expenditure will be made on datacomms and semiconductor
components.

Among the several major names investing heavily in R&D are Hitachi,
Matsushita and Toshiba. Hitachi has plans to spent around 400 billion
yen ($3 billion), which equates to around 10 percent of the consumer
giant's total sales.

Matsushita Electric, meanwhile, will also spend over more than billion
yen for its domestic and overseas affiliates. Last but not least is
Toshiba, which will spend about 8 percent -- 270 billion yen -- of its
total sales.

Sony is not staying in the background either. The Japanese giant plans
to spend around 220 billion yen on semiconductor R&D alone.
Mitsubishi, another Japanese major has plans to invest 200 billion yen
in R&D during the current year.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910508)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 8 JAPAN: INTEL'S RISC MICROPROCESSOR ROLLED OUT 05/08/91

05/08/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00030)

JAPAN: INTEL'S RISC MICROPROCESSOR ROLLED OUT 05/08/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 8 (NB) -- Intel is top of the pops as regards
the Mass 860 consortium in Japan. The reason for its popularity stems
from the fact that the consortium is getting behind Intel's RISC
(reduced instruction set computing) microprocessor technology.

At a show which opens here in Tokyo on May 15, Intel and the
consortium will unveil the i860 microprocessor and peripheral
equipment -- this is the first time the i860 has had any sort of
exposure in Japan.

The Mass 860 consortium aims to maintain the compatibility of
application programs for co-processors, workstations and
supercomputers. The consortium provides the integrated hardware and
the software including the application binary interface (ABI), which
is set under three kinds of programming environment -- one is Unix
i860 System V Rel 4.0 or 860ix. Second is APX, and the third is PAX.

The participating firms at Intel's booth at the show will include IBM,
Oki, Olivetti, Samsung and Alliant.

Meanwhile, in a related story, Intel's majors rivals -- MIPS and SPARC
-- have already organized a similar consortium to gain support of
their own respective RISC chipsets.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910508)
#ENDCARD

#CARD::1991 MAY 7 NEW FOR PC: Four-Inch Hand-Held Color PC Scanner 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00001)

NEW FOR PC: Four-Inch Hand-Held Color PC Scanner 05/07/91
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- NCL America has
introduced a high-resolution, 4-inch hand-held color scanner complete
with software for editing page-width photographs, illustrations and
other color graphics.

The scanner is the latest addition to the company's ClearScan line of
products and is designed for a wide range of DOS applications running
on IBM AT- and compatibles, or PS/2-class systems.

According to the company, the scanner uses PC Paintbrush IV Plus
software for editing or manipulating stored images. With this software,
custom-tailored 256-bit color palettes are created for each graphic
element or photograph scanned using 4096 colors recognized by the
scanner head. The scanner operates at color resolutions as high as
200 dots-per-inch.

PC Paintbrush IV Plus can also be used to cut, move, rotate or
duplicate scanned images, add or delete lines or other unwanted
materials, create gray-scale renderings of a scanned color image,
and store an edited file in industry-standard TIF or PCX formats.
Gamma correction can be applied in order to compensate for
different output screens and printers.

The company says that an Image-Merge function is also included
with the integral ClearScan software that takes individual graphics
segments four inches wide and overlaps and stitches them together to
form seamless full-page images.

NCL is marketing the new ClearScan 4-inch scanners as prepackaged
complete subsystems, containing scanner head, cabling, power
pack and 16-bit NCL host adapter card for enhanced throughput,
in addition to the PC Paintbrush IV Plus software.

The scanner is available immediately at a suggested price of
$695.

NCL America Computer Products Inc., is a wholly owned
subsidiary of National Computer Ltd., Tokyo.

(Ian Stokell/19910507/Press Contact: Gilbert Shepherd, NCL
America Inc., 408-956-1040)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 AUSTRALIAN MADE SOFTWARE SET TO HELP US WELFARE SERVICES 05/07/91

05/07/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIAN MADE SOFTWARE SET TO HELP US WELFARE SERVICES 05/07/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Software developed by the New
South Wales (NSW) Department of Family and Community Services is
currently being demonstrated to 11 U.S. States, and it is expected
that several will purchase the software soon. The Client Information
System (CIS) is an integrated welfare software system which helps in
the handling of welfare cases.

CIS is currently being used by 1,600 users in 160 offices throughout
the state, and is run on a Fujitsu mainframe. Terminals and PCs
throughout the state are linked to the mainframe, and allow the
sharing of information. Client histories, personal
information and case details are all provided to the user.

The system was codeveloped by the Department with Andersen
Consulting, which expects to have 2 U.S. states signing an agreement
in July or August. Work began on the system in 1985, and it was
implemented in 1988. Although there are 2 U.S. systems available, CIS
is the most sophisticated, and the only fully integrated, system,
according to Carney Sodebereg, a partner in Andersen Consulting's
government services division.

(Sean McNamara/19910507)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 AUSTRALIA: OTC REOPENS LINES TO KUWAIT 05/07/91

05/07/91

(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00003)

AUSTRALIA: OTC REOPENS LINES TO KUWAIT 05/07/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- OTC, Australia's
international carrier, has announced that telephone links to Kuwait
from Australia have been re-established. The link has been made
possible after special arrangements were made to route the
calls via the USA.

Telephone services were cut to Kuwait in August 1990 after the
invasion by Iraq. Due to the damage done to the telecommunications
infrastructure, OTC warns prospective callers to be prepared for
difficulties in connection, although most areas of Kuwait should
have minimal trouble. To date, services to Iraq are still to be
reconnected after they were lost on January 17th 1991, and there is
no indication from the Iraqi authorities when they will be able to
restore telephone services to Australia.

(Sean McNamara/19910507/Press Contact: Paul Rea, phone in Australia
[phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 AUSTRALIA: TELECOM OPENS NEW NETWORK CONTROL CENTER 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00004)

AUSTRALIA: TELECOM OPENS NEW NETWORK CONTROL CENTER 05/07/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Telecom has begun operations
of its Sydney Network Management Center (NMC) which controls and
monitors telephone traffic throughout New South Wales (NSW). The
AUS$6M is situated in Telecom House in Sydney's Central Business
District (CBD).

The center also detects and analyses faults in the telephone
network, and is thereby able to ensure the network runs at optimum
capacity. The NMC consists of a computer network based on Hewlett-
Packard 9000 series Unix computers and 40 technical staff constantly
monitoring the network. The NMC carries out numerous functions,
including network traffic management, transmission facilities
management, network performance analysis, network signalling
management, and fault information reporting.

The Sydney NMC will also play a key role in the monitoring of the
Australian network. When used in conjunction with the Melbourne NMC,
nationwide continuous monitoring will be carried out. Due to its
technologically advanced features, the Sydney NMC will monitor the
Australian network during normal office hours. It is expected the
center will help overcome many difficulties experienced at peak
usage times (Christmas, for example), and a disaster coordination
room has been established for key staff to monitor the system in
times of heavy customer use.

(Sean McNamara/19910507)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7  ****NEW SORT TECHNIQUE REVOLUTIONIZES COMPUTER SCIENCE 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00005)

 ****NEW SORT TECHNIQUE REVOLUTIONIZES COMPUTER SCIENCE 05/07/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- The National Science
Foundation has announced that NSF-funded research has resulted in
the development of a revolutionary new sorting technique that
contradicts the 30 years of computer science teaching which says
that there is a definite limit to how fast a computer can sort
data.

Dr. Michael L. Fredman of the University of California at San
Diego and Dr. Dan E. Willard of the State University of New York
of Albany have devised an algorithm that has the potential of
permitting extremely fast sorting of huge databases and the new
algorithm's performance as compared to that of other sort
techniques actually improves as the size of the database grows.

Traditional sorting algorithms, as any programmer knows, normally
perform sorting by comparing two numbers at a time and
rearranging those two. This brute-force technique is normally
just repeated over and over until higher-ranked information
finally bubbles to the top and all items are arranged in the
desired positions.

As any database user knows, this traditional technique can
occasionally lead to hours-long waits for some tasks to be
completed.

This basic one-on-one algorithm resulted in computer science's
30-year-long insistence that there was a firm limit on how fast
data could be sorted.

The new technique, referred to by Fredman and Willard as a
"fusion tree," allows the computer to compare one number to many
others during a single operation.

Although none of Fredman and Willard's new class of algorithms
are yet practical, Fredman notes, "Nevertheless, these results
suggest that future avenues of research may eventually benefit
from the discovery."

While this is a basic breakthrough in computer science,
knowledgeable observers say that it may be several years before
any practical applications will be seen and even then they will
probably involve massive databases which aren't even seriously
considered at the present time.

Such new sort algorithms could make the building of vast
libraries of information much more practical and, if nothing
else, should trigger a new surge of interest in this area among
computer science students who have been taught for years that the
bubble-sort is the ultimate in this technology.

An algorithm is merely the technique used by a computer to
perform some task and a sort is one of the most basic non-
calculating tasks performed by computer software.

As with many fundamental discoveries in the science, this one was
discovered almost by accident, according to Fredman: "We stumbled
across this while attempting to solve another data retrieval
problem."

Students of the history of science won't be surprised to learn
that the researchers' new technique was met by universal
skepticism from other researchers. "When we shared our results
with other researchers, we were invariably asked 'How are
cheating?' because the information-theoretic barrier was so
highly ingrained in their way of thinking."

(John McCormick/19910507/Press Contact: Alan M. Levitt, NSF, 202-
357-9494)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 NSF URGES AGENCY PROS TO GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOLS 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00006)

NSF URGES AGENCY PROS TO GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOLS 05/07/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Dr. Walter Massey,
Director of the National Science Foundation, is urging the
Foundation's 400 scientists and engineers to involve themselves
with Washington, DC, area teachers and schools to promote
interest in science and technology and to help encourage them.

Massey has announced that NSF employees who visited schools during
the April 21-27 National Science and Technology Week will be
considered to have been on official business instead of as
volunteers.

Since taking office on March 4, Dr. Massey has encouraged
professional scientific and engineering organizations to become
more involved in conveying the relevance of their work to school
children from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Although this year's unprecedented push at the NSF marks a major
new effort to encourage science and engineering education, NSF
staff involvement in local school activities is nothing new, with
dozens of employees regularly involving themselves in Washington-
area school activities.

(John McCormick/19910507/Press Contact: Alan M. Levitt, NSF, 202-
357-9494)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 LIBREX DROPS PRICES OF NEWLY INTRODUCED NOTEBOOKS 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00007)

LIBREX DROPS PRICES OF NEWLY INTRODUCED NOTEBOOKS 05/07/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Librex Computer
Systems, a subsidiary of Nippon Steel, has lowered the list
prices of the company's Librex 80286- and 80386SX-based computers
by from five percent to 12 percent.

The Librex 286 with a 20 megabyte (MB) hard disk and one MB of
memory has been reduced from $3,150 to $2,999, and the price of
the 386SX with a 20 MB hard drive and four MB of memory was
lowered from $4,895 to $4,299.

These two computers only started shipping in April and an
industry observer said that the move was apparently forced by
dealer complaints about other notebook computer makers' lower
prices.

The Librex computers weigh only six pounds and come complete with
floppy and hard drives, VGA display, and a 12-month warranty with
24-hour product replacement.

Librex is located at 1731 Technology Drive, Suite 700, San Jose,
CA 95110, 800-248-4880.

(John McCormick/19910507/Press Contact: Jeanne Scharetg, Librex,
408-441-8500, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 AMERITECH A FINALIST IN POLISH CELLULAR SYSTEM 05/07/91\

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

AMERITECH A FINALIST IN POLISH CELLULAR SYSTEM 05/07/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Ameritech and its
partner, France Telecom, are one of the finalists in the race to
build Poland's first private cellular phone system. The winner
gets a 49 percent stake in the resulting system, with the Polish
Ministry of Communications getting the remaining 51 percent.

Ameritech spokesman Mike Brand says that now that the three
finalists' names are known, intense negotiations will commence
between the government on one side and all three finalists on the
other. That's a contrast with some other national bidding
processes, where the naming of finalists was followed by a
single, closed bid. Brand said the government hopes to have the
process completed by the end of June, so as to cut into a huge
backlog of requests for phone services throughout the nation.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910507/Press Contact: Mike Brand, Ameritech,
312-750-5219)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 MOTOROLA SAYS PCN CAN'T SHARE SPECTRUM WITH MICROWAVE 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)

MOTOROLA SAYS PCN CAN'T SHARE SPECTRUM WITH MICROWAVE 05/07/91
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- After a year of
intense study, Motorola engineers have concluded that
interference with microwave antennas is inevitable when so-called
Personal Communication Network phones are used. PCN offers
service similar to cellular phones but at higher frequencies and
using less power, so phones can be smaller and less expensive.

The decision is important, because PCN phone boosters would like
to operate their equipment without license, under the same rules
as garage door openers and infant monitors. But Percy Batlivala,
business unit manager for the company's paging and telepoint
systems group, told Newsbytes the two situations are quite
different. "Garage door openers run at 46-49 megahertz, and
nothing major uses that frequency," he said. The frequencies PCN
wants to use, from 1,850 to 1,990 megahertz, are heavily used for
so-called microwave relay networks, where data moves by air on a
line-of-sight basis along networks of antennas.

Motorola has just such a network in Chicago, so its tests caused
interference for no other users. Motorola also makes the
microwave transmission equipment used by such networks, and has a
natural interest in the problem.

Batlivala said he began his work by creating a computer model of
how a wide-open PCN marketplace would look next to the present
microwave system. "We plotted the frequencies of users, where
their links were. Then we focused on implications of PCN on
microwave. To understand the long term impact, we had to see what
would happen as we increased the number of units. So we built a
model, a mathematical model. We found there was a high
probability of interference to the microwave receivers. They were
especially susceptible within the receiver antenna pattern."

In other words, the microwave relays would be impacted when as
little as a few milliwatts per hertz of energy interfered with
them. And these are important, licensed spectrum users, Batlivala
continued. "The microwave users have very high reliability
requirements now. Commonwealth Edison of Illinois runs data and
control information on these links, and their requirement is
outages on the order of seconds or minutes a year. They want
these links to work all the time. They want to guarantee that
outages won't last more than a few seconds."

Motorola's laboratory results were confirmed in the field,
Batlivala added, on one of Motorola's own microwave links.
Batlivala added that Bell Labs and Rockwell have also validated
those results, using different experimental methods, and the
company is presently working on a report to the Federal
Communications Commission, giving the full technical details.

"Depending on how many PCN units put in, and where, there will be
interference with microwave," concluded Batlivala. "I'm not a
regulator, I'm a manufacturer, and I can't dictate what the FCC
regulates. All I can do is make a trial and let them know what
our findings are."

Those results are bad news to companies like Millicom, which is
also testing "spread spectrum" PCN service in Orlando, Florida
and Houston, Texas. Millicom hopes that it will be able to
cooperate with cable TV companies and compete for mobile phone
revenues right away, using spread spectrum technology, without
special frequency licenses.

When informed of the Motorola results, Millicom President
Shelby Bryan said his own study will disagree. "We're going to
make an announcement," by the end of May, on Millicom experiments.
"I would say the tests are at this stage positive, and we have no
reason to say they wouldn't be positive." He added that Orlando
and Houston have lots of microwave users, so if one study found
interference, his should have, too.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910507/Press Contact: Bob Walls, Motorola,
708-576-6609; Millicom, Andrea Van Raalte, 212-475-8200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 METROMEDIA CUTS PRICES ON AUDIOCONFERENCING, OVERSEAS CALLS 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

METROMEDIA CUTS PRICES ON AUDIOCONFERENCING, OVERSEAS CALLS 05/07/91
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- While
other small long distance companies are backing away from the
market, Metromedia Communications is going all-out on pricing,
except in specialized niches like international calling and
audioconferencing.

The company announced that its rates for audioconferencing are
now lower than those of AT&T, MCI and U.S. Sprint. The company
can link up to 200 locations around the U.S. or the world "as
easily as placing a local phone call," said Communications
Director of Switched Services George Grabowich in a press
release.

There are other benefits, he added. Metromedia Conference Calling
Operators monitor all conferences, so verbal requests by any
party can be handled quickly. If the sound level on any line is
too high or low, the operator can adjust that line individually.
If any party experiences a more serious problem, the
operator can disconnect and reconnect that line without
affecting any other party. If customers must cancel or re-
schedule a call, they can simply dial the toll-free reservations
number and are accommodated -- with no cancellation, overbooking
or other charges. Charges start at $3 per participant plus 15
cents per minute for each participant.

Metromedia also announced substantially lower international
calling rates, six-second international call billing, and
expanded international discounts for customers of its Six-Second
Dial-Up, Precision, Dedicated WATS and Precision Fit services.
The changes were effective March 1.

Prior to March 1, Metromedia offered volume discounts on calls to
80 of the most popular international calling destinations.
Subscribers to the new plan, however, can earn volume discounts
on calls to 176 overseas direct-dial locations Metromedia's new
international calling plan for its core business services bills
international calls in six-second increments, rounded up to the
nearest increment, and eliminates the need to calculate one rate
for the first minute and another for each additional minute: flat
per-minute rates for each time period apply to all countries.

One exception to these rules is Mexico; the U.S. portion of calls
placed to Mexico is billed in six-second increments, while the
Mexican portion is billed in full minutes, and separate volume
discounts apply.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910507/Press Contact: Metromedia
Communications, Scott Shepherd, 201/804-7209)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 MICROSOFT, AUTODESK RAID WESTINGHOUSE BRAZIL 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SAT)(00011)

MICROSOFT, AUTODESK RAID WESTINGHOUSE BRAZIL 05/07/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced that Brazilian authorities, acting on a complaint
filed by Microsoft and Autodesk, carried out a surprise
anti-software piracy raid 4/23 on the Sao Paulo offices of
Westinghouse Brazil.

Police and two court-appointed technology experts examined all
computers at the Westinghouse premises and discovered "numerous
unauthorized copies" on hard disks of Microsoft's MS-DOS
operating system and of Autodesk's AutoCAD computer-aided design
package.

The court appointed experts are to submit a report verifying the
results of the raid and Westinghouse Brazil will then have one
week to present a reply to the court. If the parties fail to
reach an out of court settlement by 5/27, Microsoft and Autodesk
will have the option to file a civil action against Westinghouse
Brazil for damages.

Under Brazilian copyright law, software pirates face fines of up
to 2,000 times the value of each copied computer program. In
this case, Westinghouse Brazil could face fines totalling more
than $2 million. If a civil action were to be filed,
Westinghouse Brazil would also be liable for actual damages,
court costs and attorney fees incurred during a civil trial.

(Lamont Wood/19910507/Press Contact: Cathy Licht, Microsoft,
206/882-8080, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 3COM USERS OFFERED SPECIAL MICROSOFT DEAL 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SAT)(00012)

3COM USERS OFFERED SPECIAL MICROSOFT DEAL 05/07/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced a special offer for current 3Com customers to upgrade
from 3Com 3+Open Mail and 3+Mail to Microsoft Mail for PC
Networks version 2.1.

3Com customers can acquire a special Microsoft Mail for PC
Networks upgrade package for $99. The upgrade package includes
100 user licenses, software for a post office, message transfer
software that enables server-to-server communications and remote
user access, and DOS and Windows workstation software.
The offer is good through December 31, 1991.

Microsoft and 3Com have been working to provide 3Com customers
with an easy upgrade path to Microsoft LAN Manager ever since
Microsoft bought 3Com's network software business.

Microsoft also announced plans to provide transition tools to
allow a systematic upgrade process for large 3Com network
installations. A gateway between Microsoft Mail for PC Networks
and 3Com 3+Open Mail and 3+Mail is expected to be ready by the
end of the year.

A utility will convert 3Com messages to Microsoft Mail for PC
Networks messages and is expected to be available during the
summer of 1991.

(Lamont Wood/19910507/Press Contact: Sarah Charf, Microsoft,
206/882-8080, fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 NEW FOR MAC: Microsoft Groupware Package 05/07/91

05/07/91

(NEWS)(APPLE)(SAT)(00013)

NEW FOR MAC: Microsoft Groupware Package 05/07/91
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Microsoft has
unveiled Microsoft Schedule+ for the Macintosh, a groupware
scheduling package based on Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk
Networks version 3.0.

The package is intended to eliminate the frustration involved in
group scheduling by allowing coworkers to access an
individual's appointment calendar and by sending meeting
requests and responses via Microsoft Mail. The individual
calendar functions include alarm and snooze features. Calendars
can also be kept private, and the contents can be ported into
Microsoft Word or Excel for special formatting.

The retail price is $195 for five nodes or $775 for 20 nodes,
and will be available at the end of May. The package requires a
Mac Plus, Classic, SE, LC, II or portable using System 6.0.2 or
higher and an AppleTalk, EtherTalk or compatible local area
network, Microsoft Mail AppleTalk for each user and at least one
Microsoft Mail server.

"While electronic mail is probably the most important
application for workgroups, a natural extension of this
calendaring and scheduling," said Mike Maples, vice president of
applications at Microsoft. "Both are instrumental to increasing
workgroup efficiency. By integrating calendaring and scheduling
with Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk networks, Schedule+ enables
individuals to manage both their tie and communications more
easily."

(Lamont Wood/19910507/Press Contact: Lisa Wilson, 206-882-8080,
fax [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 COMPAQ OPENS ASIA/PACIFIC HEADQUARTERS 05/07/91

05/07/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SAT)(00014)

COMPAQ OPENS ASIA/PACIFIC HEADQUARTERS 05/07/91
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has announced it is setting up a new organization,
Compaq Computer Asia/Pacific Pte. Ltd., located in Singapore,
which will encompass Compaq subsidiaries in Australia, Hong
Kong, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Heading the new organization is Steve Hamblin, previously
managing director for Compaq Asia, the manufacturing facility
which was opened in 1986. In his new role as managing director,
Asia/Pacific Region, Hamblin will define Compaq's priorities and
programs within this region.

The addition of the Singapore headquarters means Compaq now has
three geographic marketing divisions: Asia/Pacific, Europe, and
North America. All three organizations report directly to
Eckhard Pfeiffer, executive vice president and chief operating
officer, Compaq Computer Corporation, Houston.

Reporting to Hamblin in Singapore will be Ian Penman, managing
director of Compaq Computer Australia; Keith Davis, managing
director of Compaq New Zealand; Lim Soon Hock managing director
of Compaq Computer Asia Pte. Ltd.; and Bernard Yeo, director of
finance and administration, Compaq Computer Asia/Pacific, based
in Singapore.

"Compaq's objective of setting up this new organization is to
put more focus on the Asia/Pacific Region, which has emerged as
an important and unique market for Compaq products, by giving it
an equal reporting posture as that of Compaq Europe and Compaq
North America," said Hamblin. "The Asia/Pacific organization
will provide more autonomy to grow and manage the business in
line with local requirements.

"The establishment of the Asia/Pacific Region headquarters is a
recognition that this region has tremendous growth potential in
the foreseeable future," Hamblin added. "To capitalize on this
potential, Compaq will focus resources, personnel and programs
that are tailored to the specific requirements of our
Asia/Pacific dealers and end-users. I am excited about the
opportunity and confident that we have an outstanding team of
people, dealer network, and products and services that will put
Compaq on top in customer satisfaction."

(Lamont Wood/19910507/Press Contact: Peggy Brewer, Compaq,
713-374-0484, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 TCI, AT&T AND US WEST PLAN CABLE TV MARKET TEST 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)

TCI, AT&T AND US WEST PLAN CABLE TV MARKET TEST 05/07/91
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Three normally
cutthroat competitors are cooperating in a test of pay-per-view
movies in a Denver suburb.

Tele-Communications, the nation's largest cable operator, AT&T
and US WEST said suburban Denver cable customers will be able to
choose from more than a thousand movies and events without ever
leaving home. The VCTV market test will measure the reactions of
450 customers to two services - video on demand and enhanced pay-
per-view. The test will use current technology and will begin by
the end of the year.

All the customers will be linked via a TCI-affiliated cable
system, while AT&T Network Systems will set-top converters and
software and U S West will provide links to TCI's central office,
as well as the VCRs which will deliver the movies. The test will
require that US West employees manually insert tapes into
machines -- in the actual service all this would be done
automatically.

Steve Lang of US West admitted to Newsbytes that all this is
cumbersome. "It's not a technology trial, and we're not trying to
pretend it is. It's a market trial. There are people who might
develop the technology first, but we need to know whether
customers like the service. If we can provide it to them and get
those answers, we'll know better whether to develop it." The test
will start late this year, and go on for 18 months. Lang added,
"We've said for quite a while we want to partner with the cable
industry. We haven't been specific about what that means, but we
think this is a good example of what that means."

Such partnerships are necessary because of the Bell break-up
decree, Lang added. "US West is not allowed to manufacture
anything, even specifying anything. That's why we're not involved
in that. The decree also says we can't be in programming and
services, which is why TCI is into that. Our job is to transport
and do the research, things we're permitted to do."

Jeanne Lang of AT&T agreed there's nothing technologically new
here. "We haven't developed anything new. We will be making the
test as functional as possible, as close to the actual service as
possible. But the video source head end we're using existing
technology." AT&T Network Systems is a vendor to the cable
industry, and all that will be required will be a few
modifications to set-top converters, creating an on-screen menu
subscribers can manipulate using a remote control.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910507/Press Contact: U S WEST, Steve Lang,
303/793-6290; TCI, Bob Thomson, 303/721-5220; AT&T, Jeanne Snell,
303/290-5652)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 TROUBLE IN MEXICO FOR SW BELL 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)

TROUBLE IN MEXICO FOR SW BELL 05/07/91
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Just a few months
after its consortium won control of Mexico's Telmex phone system,
Southwestern Bell is facing a public relations nightmare south of
the border.

Telefonos de Mexico has been fined $68 million for unfair
billing, poor service and for mistreating customers just in the
last four months, according to the country's consumer protection
agency. The fines were levied following 11,143 complaints the
agency received in the last four months - almost half the total
complaints the agency has handled in that time.

Linda Lockett of Southwestern Bell was surprised at the story of
the fines, which originally ran on UPI. The deal between the
consortium, of which Groupo Carso of Mexico owns 51 percent, with
Southwestern Bell and France Telecom holding the remainder,
closed on December 20. She emphasized in response that
Southwestern Bell by itself can't solve all of Mexico's phone
problems at once.

"The consortium, however, is working together on many things.
Each partner takes a lead in certain areas. We take the lead in
cellular and paging, and network distribution, while France
Telecom works in central office switching. We also are taking the
lead in business office practices, customer service. What we've
said since the beginning of January is it will take quite some
time. The improvements needed in Mexico are massive and
expensive. The other thing we try to emphasize is we're all new
controlling owners, but Telmex will continue to be run by Telmex
employees."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910507/Press Contact: Southwestern Bell,
Linda Lockett, 314-235-9800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 MCI 900 REFUSES SEX LINES 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

MCI 900 REFUSES SEX LINES 05/07/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- MCI has issued a
stern statement saying it wants no part of any sexually explicit
900 services, and even those it must carry under common-carrier
rules will be exiled to an easily-blocked 745 exchange. In
addition, the company will no longer handle billings or
collections on any adult lines, as of June 1.

MCI defines adult 900 numbers as "any adult programming, whether
recorded or live, or advertising, that offers sexual stimulation
or sexual arousal."

Pam Small of MCI told Newsbytes the move was made as part of the
company's efforts to become a national player among "legitimate"
service providers. She compared adult services to the early days
of the home video market, when X-rated videos dominated sales.
"Now you don't see them in the video stores for rent anymore,"
she said, and shortly that will be the case on 900 as well. The
model for the separate adult exchange is NYNEX, which has had
one for local caller-paid lines for some time, Small said.

"We cannot refuse carriage as a common carrier. But we can refuse
to bill and collect for those services. By identifying adult on a
separate prefix, consumers can readily avoid those numbers and
specify blocking on the exchange." Small admits that MCI's policy
is the most stringent of the 4 major carriers in the market --
Call Interactive, Sprint and Telesphere are the others -- but she
suspects the other three will follow along in short order.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910507/Press Contact: MCI, 1-800-289-0073)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 NOVATEL RESTRUCTURING TO CUT 387 JOBS 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00018)

NOVATEL RESTRUCTURING TO CUT 387 JOBS 05/07/91
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Cellular telephone
maker Novatel will lay off 387 of its roughly 1,600 employees and
close its manufacturing plant here in an effort to turn a profit.
Manufacturing will be concentrated in Lethbridge, Alberta, Managing
Director Jim McDonald told Newsbytes.

McDonald said Novatel management is determined to make the money-
losing company profitable. He stressed, however, that Novatel does
not intend to sacrifice its research and development capability or
bow out of key markets in the process.

"In our analysis we have not really damaged the R&D capabilities of
this company at all," McDonald said. He added that the
reorganization "does not mean that we have to cut back from any of
our key business opportunities."

McDonald said Novatel has more manufacturing capacity than it needs
in current market conditions. The Calgary plant will be kept in
reserve in case of future needs, he said. The company's head office
will remain in Calgary.

Most of the layoffs will be in Calgary, with the balance in the
United States and Europe.

Novatel is still talking to several companies that might be
interested in buying a stake in the company. Telus, the holding
company that controls Alberta's provincial telephone company AGT,
sold the company back to the provincial government last year after
plans to sell half of it to German electronics firm Robert Bosch
GmbH fell through. Telus (then Alberta Government Telephones) was
itself government-owned when it launched Novatel as a joint venture
with Calgary-based Nova Corp. in 1983.

Novatel lost C$203.9 million on revenues of C$277.8 million in
1990.

(Grant Buckler/19910506/Press Contact: Jim McDonald, Novatel, 403-
295-4500)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 NETWORK MANAGEMENT FORUM PLANS "ROAD MAP" 05/07/91

05/07/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00019)

NETWORK MANAGEMENT FORUM PLANS "ROAD MAP" 05/07/91
BERNARDSVILLE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- In an effort
to keep standards bodies from duplicating each other's work, the
Network Management Forum has announced plans for a "comprehensive
industry road map" to consolidate network management standards and
specifications into a single plan.

The forum will work with various standards workshop groups to plot
a course from the current state of standards to some future point
when a cohesive set of specifications will cover every aspect of
network management. Jim Warner, director of communications for the
Network Management Forum, said the time period the road map will
cover remains unknown, as working out the timing will be part of
the process. "It's certainly going to have to look several years
out."

A variety of groups, including the forum, the OSI Implementors
Workshop, the Asia-Oceania Workshop, and the European Workshop for
Open Systems, are working on various aspects of network management
standards. Warner said the goal of the road map is to keep these
groups from duplicating each other's work and ensure that clear an
unambiguous standards emerge.

(Grant Buckler/19910506/Press Contact: Jim Warner, Network
Management Forum, 404-642-8612)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 QUICKKEYS 2.1 TO DEBUT AT APPLE CONFERENCE 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00020)

QUICKKEYS 2.1 TO DEBUT AT APPLE CONFERENCE 05/07/91
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- CE Software
Holdings, Inc., says it will show QuicKeys v2.1 and CE/IAC at
Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in San Jose, Calif.

CE says QuicKeys v2.1 is a System 7.0-compatible version of the
macro product for the Macintosh. CE/IAC is a background
application which enables Inits, including QuicKeys 2, to both
send and receive Apple Events and UserLand IAC (Inter-Application
Communication) events.

At the Developer Conference, CE Software will demonstrate how
QuicKeys can "drive" applications that support Apple Events.
In the demo, QuicKeys initiates background tasks with Apple Event
"aware" applications including Claris Resolve, MacWrite Pro,
Dynodex and Stuffit Deluxe.

QuicKeys facilitates data being passed between applications,
applications being launched, commands being executed, calculations
made, and data returned to the user -- all without leaving the
user's current working document.

"QuicKeys historically controlled applications by simulating user
actions. Apple Events offers a structured way to control and
communicate with applications. QuicKeys enhances Apple Event
'aware' products as well as bridging 'unaware' products to aware
products," said Richard Skeie, president.

(Wendy Woods/19910506/Press Contact: John S. Kirk, CE,
515-224-1995)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 BORLAND OBJECTVISION SUPPORTS PEN WINDOWS 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00021)

BORLAND OBJECTVISION SUPPORTS PEN WINDOWS 05/07/91
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Borland
says its ObjectVision visual programming tool supports the
Microsoft Pen Windows Operating System and will demonstrate
this capability for the first time at the upcoming
Demo '91 Conference in Palm Springs, Calif., sponsored by
Stewart Alsop.

ObjectVision is a Windows 3.0 application creation tool that
now enables users to develop Stylus-based applications.
Borland also stated that the company would continue to enhance
ObjectVision for the upcoming Pen Windows environment, and include
handwriting edit controls, annotation support and other
stylus-resident features.

Pen Windows is a graphical operating system that is built on
Microsoft Windows, a graphical environment for personal computer
users.

(Wendy Woods/19910506/Press Contact: James W. Strohecker, Borland,
408/439-2096)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 LOGO JAPAN RELEASES UPGRADED LOGO WRITER 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00022)

LOGO JAPAN RELEASES UPGRADED LOGO WRITER 05/07/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Logo Japan has developed an
upgraded version of its Logo Writer. Called Logo Writer 2,
IT will operate on NEC's PC-9801. The list price is 43,000 yen
($320).

Logo is a turtle graphics-based educational program, and it targets
children for its users. Logo Writer is combined with this turtle
graphics and a Japanese word processor. The new version is based on
the specifics and recommendations given by Computer Education
development Center (CEC) in Japan.

Logo Writer 2 supports a multiple number of "turtles," 16 colors,
Japanese Kanji conversion feature, and floating point calculations.
The mouse handling feature has also been improved.

Logo Japan wants to add more features such as a toy control feature
called "LEGO" and a telecommunication feature on personal computers.
These features will be sold as options for Logo Writer by the
winter of this year. Logo Writer is expected to be rewritten for
other Japanese personal computers such as Fujitsu's FMR series
soon.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910506/Press Contact: Logo Japan, +81-3-3470-
6511)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 AUSTRALIA: SECURITIES CLEARING HOUSE TO MARKET SOFTWARE 05/07/91

05/07/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00023)

AUSTRALIA: SECURITIES CLEARING HOUSE TO MARKET SOFTWARE 05/07/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Austraclear, one of
Australia's securities clearing houses, has codeveloped software
which it feels will earn upwards of AUS$50M a year in sales for the
company. The software was designed to allow numerous users access
computer equipment resources, while not sacrificing the timeliness
of that access.

The need for the software came about due to the time and labor
intensive nature of the clearing house's work. Approximately 120
users access Austraclear's online transaction processing relational
database, and they process over AUS$5B worth of short-term
securities every day. Many of these users often access the system's
resources at the same times of the day, and it was because of this
"resource requesting overload" which slowed the system almost to a
standstill that Austraclear searched for a better solution.

As the clearing house was running Oracle on a DEC 6520 series
computer, Austraclear decided to develop its own resource management
application. Unison Resource Manager was codeveloped with Deen
Systems after Austraclear "looked worldwide for something to solve
our problem but only found other companies with similar problems."

Once a user has logged onto the system, updated information is
automatically presented to the user which preempts many queries.
Usage is then monitored to assign the suitable resources or take
appropriate action. For example, if a user's session has been left
idle, the system will automatically disconnect after a set time to
allow the resources to be assigned to other users' sessions. The
system will be marketed by DataLiaison which was established for
that purpose. It is hoped the software will be sold through vendors
such as DEC.

(Sean McNamara/19910506/Press contact: Gary Atchison, phone in
Australia [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 AUSTRALIAN LASER PRINTED PASSPORTS USE NEW TECHNIQUES 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00024)

AUSTRALIAN LASER PRINTED PASSPORTS USE NEW TECHNIQUES 05/07/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- The Australian Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade has developed a virtually tamper-proof
system for the laser printing of passports. Rather than print
on the passports as has been previously done before lamination,
the details to be included in the passport will now be printed
onto the laminate.

Passports have been composed of individual elements which were
laminated together. The details would be typed onto the passport,
the signature and photograph attached, and the whole page laminated.
Now, all the information (including signature and photograph) can be
laser printed in reverse on the side of the laminate which will
stick to the paper, then stuck onto the passport. If the laminate
comes off, so does the information on it. A machine-readable strip
is also printed, and the necessary readers are currently being
installed in Australian airports. The strip allows the details to be
easily compared to warning lists, saving the customs officer the
time to enter the details manually. Officers will also be able to
determine if the laminate has been tempered with be placing the
passport under polarized light. This sort of examination would even
show if a fingernail had been run across the laminate.

The idea, originally formulated by Ted Radclyffe, came
about when the Department was initially trying to determine the best
method of imprinting a photograph on the passport. "We had put out
for expressions of interest and despite 78 responses, no one could
do what we wanted. One night I realized that we had been tackling
the problem the wrong way. Instead of printing in the passport, why
not print on the thing which is going to stick in the passport? You
see, nobody ever thinks of printing things in reverse."

The idea was then developed into a workable form by 3M, and has
acquired the name Project Dawn (for the dawn of a new era). Over a
million passports have been issued under phase one of Project Dawn -
the printing of the details onto the laminate. Phase two has seen
the signature and photograph also printed on the laminate (in black
and white), and the third phase involves the installation of color
laser printers in all Australian passport offices for full color
photograph prints on the laminate.

A further extension of the system could see data terminals capable
of displaying color images installed at airports. These would access
a database of photographs held by the Department, and would help in
the verification of identity should problems arise. The Department
is also examining the possibility of marketing the idea, which it
feels has numerous applications, including drivers licences,
identity cards and credit cards.

(Sean McNamara/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7  ****IBM UNVEILS COMPILER, CUTS RS/600O PRICES 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00025)

 ****IBM UNVEILS COMPILER, CUTS RS/600O PRICES 05/07/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- IBM has
announced new software that it said will increase performance
across its RISC System/6000 family of workstations. The company
also reduced prices on many RS/6000 models, including a 60 percent
cut on its top-of-the-line Powerstation/Powerserver 550.

In addition, the amount of standard memory and disk storage
capacity has been increased on selected models. Prices were also
reduced on RS/6000 entry-level 3-D color graphics adapters.

IBM said its AIX XL FORTRAN Compiler/6000 Version 2 Release 2 will
boost the performance of FORTRAN programs significantly on any RISC
System/6000 workstation. The new compiler includes a new release of
AIX XL FORTRAN Run Time Environment/6000.

IBM spokeswoman Judy Radlinsky said the new compiler will be
available in September and will be a free upgrade for users of the
current RS/6000 FORTRAN compiler. Others will be able to buy it for
US$1,450 to US$5,800, depending on the hardware, plus US$485 to
US$1,940 for the companion run-time environment, she said.

FORTRAN is used mainly in developing scientific and technical
applications. Radlinsky said about two thirds of the RS/6000
machines sold in the United States last year were for such
applications, though there are no figures on how many are using
FORTRAN.

In development tests with the new FORTRAN compiler, IBM said, the
low-end Powerstation 320H showed 27 to 48 percent better
performance in benchmark tests. The high-end Powerstation 550 saw
28 to 52 percent improvements.

Prices were cut on the RISC System/6000 Powerstation/Powerserver
520, 530, and 550 deskside systems; the Powerstation 730
Supergraphics workstation; and the Powerserver 930 and 950
rack-mounted systems. Cuts in the base prices range from four to 60
percent, Radlinsky said.

The memory capacity enhancements double the amount of memory that
comes standard on four models. The 520 now comes with 16 megabytes
standard, the 530 and 930 with 32 megabytes, and the 950 with 64
megabytes. Standard disk storage on the Powerserver 950 was doubled
to 1.7 gigabytes. Disk storage on the Powerstation/Powerserver 320H
desktop system was increased to 400 megabytes from 160 megabytes.

Prices on the eight-bit and 24-bit color graphics adapters were
also reduced. The eight-bit adapter is now US$2,320, or US$3,995
with the Z-buffer solid rendering option. The 24-bit adapter is now
US$4,520, or US$6,195 with the Z-buffer option.

(Grant Buckler/19910507/Press Contact: Judy Radlinsky, IBM,
914-642-4634)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 SOFTWARE AG AND LEGENT ENTER JOINT VENTURE 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00026)

SOFTWARE AG AND LEGENT ENTER JOINT VENTURE 05/07/91
RESTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Software AG of North
America and Legent Corp. will work together to create an interface
between their respective software change management products for
IBM mainframes. The companies said the interface will improve
efficiency and data integrity for data processing departments.

Scheduled to be delivered in the third quarter of this year, the
interface will be sold through Legent, said Laurie Torchin, product
manager at Legent. The price has not been set. The software will
work with the IBM MVS operating system.

The interface will enable Software AG's Predict Application Control
(PAC) and Legent's Endevor/MVS products to work together to ensure
that change management functions for applications that include both
Software AG's Natural fourth-generation language and other elements
are performed on the whole application. PAC is designed to track to
software changes when using Natural, while Endevor is designed for
use with a range of development tools.

A growing number of clients of both companies have a mixture of
development and maintenance tools and are demanding ways to make
them all work together, said Legent spokesman Jon Ebert.

(Grant Buckler/19910507/Press Contact: Jon Ebert, Legent,
508-870-1900; Pam Ellis, Software AG, 703-391-6720)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 UK: HM SYSTEMS PREDICTS DEMISE OF 386DX MICROPROCESSOR 05/07/91

05/07/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(LON)(00027)

UK: HM SYSTEMS PREDICTS DEMISE OF 386DX MICROPROCESSOR 05/07/91
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- HM Systems says it plans
to be among the first PC manufacturers to get an 80486SX-based
system to market in England. The company has unveiled a 486SX-based
version of its Minstrel workstation series.

Because of the uncertainty as to when volume supplies of the Intel
80486SX chipset will be available, the company is reluctant to give
exact delivery dates on customer orders for the machine, nor is
pricing available. The machine will come with VGA graphics as
standard, along with 4MB of memory -- expandable to 32MB on board --
and a choice of hard disks ranging from 50MB capacity upwards.

According to Tony Harris, managing director of the London-based
company, the price of the 486SX-based version of the Minstrel
workstation will be considerably lower than standard 486-based
version. He reckons that, by running at 20MHz, the 486SX Minstrel
will also be faster and more reliable than a 33MHz 386-based
machine.

"I believe that the lower cost and feature benefits of the 486SX
mark the end of the road for the fast 386DX processor. As one
of the first companies to launch, and the first to ship, a
486DX-based machine in the UK in December, 1989, I am pleased
that, today, we are among the first to preview a machine based
on this important new technology," he said.

Based in London and with a subsidiary office in California, HM
Systems has 35 staff and a projected turnover during the current
year of UKP 7 million.

(Steve Gold/19910507/Press & Public Contact: Tony Harris,
HM Systems - Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 CONTROL DATA SELLS QUORUM LITIGATION TO EMPLOYEES 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00028)

CONTROL DATA SELLS QUORUM LITIGATION TO EMPLOYEES 05/07/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Control Data
Corporation has announced that it has signed a letter of intent to
sell Quorum Litigation Services to a team of Quorum managers.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Quorum Litigation Services provides support services for legal
firms, including the sometimes massive task of cataloging all of
the thousands of documents required for a major trial. They also
design databases, consult on the computerization of law offices
and case management and design in-house systems.

Says Bruce Aho, Quorum general manager, "We are extremely
enthusiastic about the opportunities for Quorum Litigation
Services in its chosen markets." William Miller, president of
CDCs information services group, said Quorum was sold because it
does not fit the company's long term plans, since CDC is focusing
on a smaller set of businesses.

CDC had announced recently that it also plans to sell its Quorum
Legal Systems Division to ASA International Limited of
Westborough, Massachusetts. Quorum Legal Systems is a provider of
financial management and word processing systems to law firms

(Jim Mallory/19910506/Press Contact:Bruce Aho, Quorum Litigation,
612-853-5441)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 NEW FOR MAC: Rasterops Imaging Products 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00029)

NEW FOR MAC: Rasterops Imaging Products 05/07/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 7 (NB) -- Rasterops
has announced the ImagePak Still Compression, an image
compression board for Macintosh II computers, a display board
for the Mac II called the 24XLTV, a color calibration system
called the CorrectColor Calibrator, and two new products for
the Sun SPARCstation

The company maintains that the ImagePak is especially useful for
users with applications that involve archival, transmission or
manipulation of large eight- and 24-bit images. The ImagePak
board is fully compatible with the industry's Joint Photographic
Experts Group (JPEG) standard definition for compression,
allowing image data to be exchanged across computer platforms.

"ImagePak is a very cost effective solution for color image
management," said John Barco, RasterOps product manager. "It
provides efficient storage and transmission of large image files
with up to 100:1 compression rate."

The company says that depending on the user's requirements, the
ImagePak supports both lossy and lossless data compression methods.
ImagePak's lossy compression ratios, which are suitable for
transmitting images via local or remote local area networks
(LANs), range from 2.0:1 to over 100.0:1 depending on the image
data. Lossless compression ratios, which retain the original
image data integrity, are approximately to 2:1.

ImagePak supports TIFF, PICT and JPEG 8 and 24-bit file formats.
The RasterOps ImagePak Still Compression board will be available in
June 1991. The board requires a single NuBus slot and is priced
at $499.

RasterOps has also announced a 21-inch display board for the Mac II
family called the 24XLTV. According to the company, it combines 24-bit
color graphics and real-time video display capabilities to support a full
two-page display, on a single NuBus slot.

RasterOps 24XLTV includes software to display and control the live
video window, a Control Panel device that controls the
accelerator, and a monitor extension file that controls the
extended desktop functions. In addition, there is a developer's
toolkit for accessing the board's video functionality from
within either custom or commercial applications such as HyperCard,
SuperCard and MacroMind Director.

The 24XLTV will be available in June at a suggested retail price of
$4,999. The 24XLTV is also available with the RasterOps 2168
21-inch color monitor.

The company has also announced the CorrectColor Calibrator, a color
calibration system for use in the Macintosh, IBM Micro Channel,
and Sun SPARCstation environments. According to RasterOps,
the CorrectColor Calibrator provides a complete closed-loop
color measurement solution, and is the first device capable of
measuring both the screen display and hard copy media-either
transparencies, print or photographs.

RasterOps' Correct Color Calibrator consists of an optical sensor
head, a Color Integration Processor and attachments for measuring
the color content of the monitor, printed material and transparent
surfaces. It has a suggested retail price of $2,999.

RasterOps also announced two new products for the Sun SPARCstation
which, according to the company, provide users with the ability to
create 24-bit True Color computer-generated business graphics
presentations and output them to videotape.

The SPARC Card TC/S is an entry-level display adapter that provides
24-bit color resolution at 640x480 pixels on 13-inch monitors.
The board supports SBus "burst transfer," allowing data to be
moved to and from the frame buffer at rates in excess of 50
megabytes per second. The TC/S provides support for NTSC
and PAL interlaced output when recording graphics to videotape
with the SPARC Video Expander, and is listed at $1,495.

The SPARC Video Expander is a stand-alone enhancement device that
encodes an interlaced RGB signal from the computer screen into NTSC
Composite, S-Video or RS-170 RGB formats. The encoded signal can
then be recorded onto videotape for television display or multisource
studio environment interface. Its features include sync
generation, genlock, sub-carrier phase shift and RGB pass-through.
The suggested retail price of the product is $895.

(Ian Stokell/19910507/Press Contact: Pattie Walters, RasterOps
Corp., 408-562-4200)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 7 INTEL ACQUIRES LANSYSTEMS' NETWORK PRODUCTS DIV 05/07/91

05/07/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00030)

INTEL ACQUIRES LANSYSTEMS' NETWORK PRODUCTS DIV 05/07/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. 1991 MAY 7 (NB) --Intel has
acquired LANSystems' Network Products Division, a developer of
network enhancement software utilities.

"This acquisition directly supports our long-term objective of
providing products and services that enhance and simplify
networks," said Jim Flach, vice president of Intel Systems Group
and a general manager of PCED.

Intel's Personal Computer Enhancement Division (PCED) stands to
gain nine specialized local area network (LAN) software utility
programs, including NetPort, LANSpool, LANSpace, LANShell,
LANSight, LANSelect, LANSchool, and ReferencePoint.

LANSpool, a print server utility, is available in four versions:
LANSpool 286 and LANSpool 386 for NetWare-compatible
programs; LANSpool LM for LAN Manager-based networks; and
the recently introduced LANSpool Si to support the high-speed
graphics print capabilities of the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet
IIISi printer.

Tyrone F. Pike, former president and chief executive officer of
LANSystems, joins Intel as manager of the network enhancement
utilities business unit within PCED. "Intel's network software
utilities and hardware provide network managers with a variety
of tools to help design, build and support networks, which are
increasingly sophisticated and geographically dispersed," he said.

(Ian Stokell/19910507/Press Contact: Ken Harper, Intel Corp.,
503-696-7277)

#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR UNIX: Calera OCR for Sun SPARC Systems 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(WAS)(00001)

NEW FOR UNIX: Calera OCR for Sun SPARC Systems 05/06/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Calera
Recognition Systems is now shipping Omnifont OCR software for Sun
Microsystems SPARC Unix systems, expanding Calera's line of OCR
products beyond the PC and Macintosh computers. Using the same
interface as Calera's Compound Document Processor and Recognition
Server software, systems integrators and developers can now add
OCR capabilities to existing installations by a simple
recompilation.

Calera has also introduced a Developer's Kit for SPARC systems
and a new version of the PC Developer's Kit for AT and MCA or
Micro Channel Architecture-based computers, including those
running Windows 3.0.

(John McCormick/19910503/Press Contact: Barney Dewey, Calera,
408-986-8006, ext. 7002, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR PCS: Laptops, Desktops Can Dial Up Mainframes 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00002)

NEW FOR PCS: Laptops, Desktops Can Dial Up Mainframes 05/06/91
LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Network
Software Associates (NSA) and Spectrum Concepts have jointly
announced that NSA's new AdaptX25 X.25 Packet Data Network or PDN
supports Spectrum's XCOM 6.2 peer-to-peer file transfer system.
The new product will let laptop and desktop MS-DOS computers
access mainframes over standard dial-up modems and through
services such as Tymnet.

XCOM 6.2 is a file transfer system designed to let any two
dissimilar computers transfer data using the SNA or Systems
Network Architecture Logical unit type 6.2 Advanced Program-to-
Program Communications standard.

The most important feature of NSA's AdaptX25 is the way it allows
standard PCs to access mainframes through packet systems using
standard telephone lines rather than the expensive and often
difficult-to-obtain dedicated lines.

LU 6.2 is an IBM standard that allows programs not specifically
designed to operate with specific networks to access them
transparently. Using LU 6.2 compatible systems allows PC users to
directly access the power of mainframes without the need of a
terminal emulation system.

For further information, contact NSA, 39 Argonaut, Laguna Hills,
CA 92656, 714-768-4013 or 800-352-3270.

(John McCormick/19910503/Press Contact: Kelly Williams, NSA, 714-
768-4013, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR PCS: Danish Thesaurus 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00003)

NEW FOR PCS: Danish Thesaurus 05/06/91
MOUNT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Proximity
Technology has expanded its list of original equipment
manufacturing (OEM) products with the addition of a Danish
thesaurus.

The product is produced in conjunction with Danish reference publisher,
Munksgaard International Publishers Ltd. The new addition means the
thesaurus is now available in 10 languages including French, German,
Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, and both American English and
British English.

The company also provides spell checking and hyphenation products
in 16 languages. The company maintains all the products are compatible
with Windows and OS/2 applications through the company's Dynamic
Link Libraries.

Proximity Technology Inc., is a subsidiary of Franklin
Electronic Publishers, Inc., and was founded in 1979.

(Ian Stokell/19910503/Press Contact: Mindy Savar, Franklin Electronic
Publishers, 609-261-4800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR PCS: Unattended Interactive Fax Delivery System 05/06/91

05/06/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00004)

NEW FOR PCS: Unattended Interactive Fax Delivery System 05/06/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Add-On America
has introduced a hardware/software combination system that allows
any IBM PC or compatible microcomputer to answer the telephone
and dispatch faxed information in response to the keystroke instructions
of a remote caller using a touch-tone phone.

The Robofax system sells for $2,999 and includes software, a voice mail
board, a 9600 baud fax modem baud, and a 200-page manual.

According to the company, installation takes less than an hour, and
requires at least an IBM XT-class computer, 512 kilobytes of RAM, a
20 megabyte hard drive, DOS 2.1 or higher, and two free expansion
slots.

More information can be obtained from Add-On America, 433 N. Mathilda
Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94088. Telephone: [phone].

(Ian Stokell/19910503/Press Contact: Steve High, HTC, 408-282-1926)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR PCS: Worksheet Optimizer Now Supports Symphony 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00005)

NEW FOR PCS: Worksheet Optimizer Now Supports Symphony 05/06/91
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Brubaker
Software's Worksheet Optimizer now works with Lotus Symphony as
well as 1-2-3. Brubaker has just announced Version 1.1 of the
software, which removes unnecessary information from worksheets and
reworks formulas to make them calculate faster and use less space.

Brubaker also announced that two catalogs of Lotus after-market
products, Lotus Selects and Intex, will sell the US$99.95 package.

Dale Brubaker, president of Brubaker Software, told Newsbytes that
Worksheet Optimizer can reduce the size of a typical worksheet by
10 or 12 percent. It does so by looking for inefficiencies such as
cells that have been formatted but contain no data, or cells which
contain null strings (a label prefix and nothing else). The
software also speeds worksheet recalculation by eliminating
repetitive calculations.

(Grant Buckler/19910503/Press Contact: Dale Brubaker, Brubaker
Software, 317-497-2928)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 TELECOM CANADA ANNOUNCES ALLIANCE PROGRAM 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00006)

TELECOM CANADA ANNOUNCES ALLIANCE PROGRAM 05/06/91
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Telecom Canada,
the national consortium of telephone companies, has announced a
program of cooperation with computer vendors. Called Alliance, the
program is aimed at developing applications that use both computers
and telecommunications services.

Announced by Telecom Canada member company Maritime Telephone &
Telegraph at its annual Business Communications Update here,
Alliance is a framework for Telecom Canada member companies to work
with computer vendors, software developers, and systems integrators
on communications-oriented business applications.

The first computer vendor to participate in the plan is Digital
Equipment of Canada, along with its Complementary Solution
Organizations (CSOs), a category of resellers. The CSOs have
developed a number of telemarketing, customer service, and office
automation applications based on Digital's Computer Integrated
Telephony platform.

Tom Schwarzkopf, Telecom Canada's manager of public relations, said
applications developed under the Alliance program will be sold
through Telecom Canada, at least primarily. He said applications
using the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) could account
for a good deal of activity under the program, but it is not
limited to ISDN.

No participants other than Digital have yet been announced,
Schwarzkopf said, but "I would imagine that there are discussions
ongoing."

(Grant Buckler/19910503/Press Contact: Tom Schwarzkopf, Telecom
Canada, 613-560-3009)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR PCS: CA-Tellagraf Extended To PC 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00007)

NEW FOR PCS: CA-Tellagraf Extended To PC 05/06/91
GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Computer
Associates has extended CA-Tellagraf, its mainframe and midrange
presentation graphics software, to IBM and compatible PCs. The
company also enhanced its CA-Graphics Connection translation and
production utility.

Mary Keating, a spokeswoman for CA in Toronto, told Newsbytes the
PC version of CA-Tellagraf is not intended for stand-alone PC use.
It offers Tellagraf users a chance to downsize some applications to
the PC, she said. The C$3,335 software takes up eight megabytes of
disk space and requires a PC with at least four megabytes of
memory.

CA-Tellagraf Release 7.0 is fully compatible with the mainframe and
midrange versions, offering thematic mapping, bar graphs, pie
charts, line and area charts, and table charts, CA said. Using the
vendor's CA-Data Connection software, users can also chart
information stored in difference file formats.

CA-Tellagraf runs on IBM mainframes, Digital Equipment
minicomputers, and workstations from Hewlett-Packard, Sun and Prime
Computer.

The latest release of CA-Graphics Connection adds support for
Digital Data Interchange Format and Apple Macintosh PICT file
formats. It also adds graphics attribute mapping and a new user
interface with menus.

(Grant Buckler/19910503/Press Contact: Mary Keating, Computer
Associates, 416-676-6700, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 GEAC DONATING SOFTWARE TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00008)

GEAC DONATING SOFTWARE TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY 05/06/91
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Library automation
vendor Geac Computer plans to celebrate its 20th year in business
by donating its Advance integrated library system to 20 needy
libraries around the world.

Geac said Advance licenses will be donated to libraries that would
like to automate but can't afford entire systems, and which "have
a special vision and scope on the future of the library as an
information center in society."

Geac is asking libraries that are interested to submit essays of
not more than five pages outlining what they hope to achieve
through automation and how automation will help them provide
library services in the future. An international selection panel
will decide who gets the 20 licenses. Further information is
available from the nearest Geac office, and entries must be
submitted by August 30.

(Grant Buckler/19910503/Press Contact: Harrison Cheung, Geac,
416-475-0525)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 SAS CLAIMS SUCCESS WITH OS/2 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00009)

SAS CLAIMS SUCCESS WITH OS/2 05/06/91
WESTERN DISTRICT, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- SAS Institute claims
the latest release of SAS Applications System, running under OS/2,
has been an instant success.

SAS' general manager in Hong Kong, Nigel Gasper, says the demand for
the system has been so strong that it has raised optimism about the
future of the multiple-user OS/2 PC operating system.

"The sales performance has come as a big surprise to industry experts
who have written off OS/2," Gasper said. "Benchmarks carried out on
386 and 486 machines have shown improvements of 300-400 percent when
the SAS System uses OS/2 instead of DOS. We see a great future for
OS/2."

The SAS Applications System consists of integrated software for
accessing, managing, analyzing and presenting data.

"Many of our OS/2 customers also have SAS software on an IBM
mainframe or Digital VAX," said Gasper. "They use PCs to develop an
application and then transfer it to the host computer. This type of
cooperative processing is what users demand these days."

(Norman Wingrove/19910503/Press Contact: Nigel Gasper, SAS,
Phone: + 852 540 3160, Fax: + 852 858 2658; HK time is GMT + 8)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR NETWORKS: 3Com Improves Bridging, Routing, WANs 05/06/91

05/06/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00010)

NEW FOR NETWORKS: 3Com Improves Bridging, Routing, WANs 05/06/91
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- 3Com Corporation has
announced new releases of its bridging and routing software
for its Netbuilder internetworking system.

The new versions include implementations of key Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) routing protocols, enhanced wide
area network (WAN) interface support, and improved price per port
performance.

"This increases Netbuilder's ability to provide network
administrators and managers with a simplified approach for multi-
protocol connectivity to an increasing number of wide area
connectivity options," said 3Com general manager for Asian
operations, William Messer.

Brouter version 3.0 software adds the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
protocol and Point to Point Protocol (PPP) to its implementation of
the TCP/IP protocol suite.

Wide area support has been expanded to include X.25 and Frame Relay
interfaces for both public and private packet switched networks,
allowing network managers t access X.25 and fast packet networks

(Norman Wingrove/19910503/Press Contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com,
Phone: + 852 848 9200, Fax : + 852 537 1149; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR MAC: Contact Management Software 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00011)

NEW FOR MAC: Contact Management Software 05/06/91
VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- After Hours
Software is shipping TouchBASE, a Macintosh desk accessory
database for managing personal and business contacts.

Features of the new software include label, envelope,
fax covers, address book and report printing, as well as
multiuser access over a network, multiple-condition searches,
sorting and permanent resorting by any field, record
duplication for repetitive data entry, and automatic formatting
of words, phone numbers, and ZIP codes. The company says the
software also offers seven user-definable fields and
user-definable tab order; data import and export with
standard and user-definable delimiters; and phone
dialing.

A demo version of the product is available online on several
major online services, as well as through user group libraries
and directly from After Hours Software. The retail price is $125.
For more info, call 818/780-2220.

(Computer Currents/19910506)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW PC: TeleVideo Intros 386-based Tower System 05/06/91

05/06/91

(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00012)

NEW PC: TeleVideo Intros 386-based Tower System 05/06/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- TeleVideo
Systems has introduced the Tele386Te, a tower computer
system with an Intel 80386 CPU designed to offer a compromise
between power and price, the company says.

The system, which uses Intel's fastest 80386 processor
according to the company, is intended as a candidate for
mid-range file servers below the power and cost of 486-based
systems and is aimed at such applications as LAN file servers,
application servers, communications servers, multi-user host
systems and high-power personal systems where a high level of
expandability is desired.

The computer comes with 64K of cache memory expandable to 256K,
and a socket is provided for the Weitek 3167 co-processor for
faster numeric processing. The machine also offers users the
option of selecting IDE, ESDI or SCSI controllers.

The retail price is $4,795. For more information,
call 408/954-8333.

(Computer Currents/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR MAC: Nova Ships Quotation Dictionary 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00013)

NEW FOR MAC: Nova Ships Quotation Dictionary 05/06/91
CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Nova Development
Corp. is shipping the Instant Library of Quotations, a
HyperCard-based library of quotations which contains more
than 5000 literary, contemporary, historical, motivational and
humorous quotations on over 600 topics from 1500 different
sources, the company says.

Quotations come from a variety of writers, politicians,
scientists, moralists and humorists, and are intended for
use by businesspeople, writers, educators, students and
speakers.

The product lets users add new quotations and new topics,
and offers the search capabilities provided by HyperCard.
Also included are an extensive index by author, the
ability to print quotations and "hot" cross-references that
"come alive" when clicked, the company says.

The retail price is $49.95, and is available from computer
and software dealers nationwide. For more information, call
800/950-NOVA or 818/992-3222.

(Computer Currents/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEW FOR MAC: Pixar Ships 3-D Graphics 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00014)

NEW FOR MAC: Pixar Ships 3-D Graphics 05/06/91
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Pixar has
announced that it is shipping Showplace and First Looks, two
new 3-D graphics software products for the Macintosh.

Showplace is three-dimensional picture composition software
that gives users an easy, visual way to compose and produce
3-D pictures on the Mac, the company says. "Users can
now use Pixar's superb graphics technology to create pictures
that look as real as a photograph," says Joan-Carol Brigham,
director of graphics and Macintosh research for
International Data Corporation, a market research firm.

The company describes Showplace's process of creating a 3-D
image as similar to setting the stage for a picture and then
"photographing" it. The software lets the user construct a
scene through a variety of steps, including importing objects
from 3-D modeling applications (or Pixar's First ClipObjects,
which is supplied with Showplace), arranging the objects in
the scene and locating light sources.

First Looks, which is also bundled with Showplace, is the first
in a series of surface appearance libraries for 3-D picture-making
with Pixar's RenderMan-compatible products, and can be used in
creating scenes with Showplace. First Looks includes
appearances such as metals, woods, stones, building materials
and patterns.

Showplace retails for $695 and includes First Looks. For more
information, call 415/236-4000.

(Computer Currents/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 CHRYSLER ANNOUNCES GASOLINE-METHANOL MIXTURE SENSOR 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00015)

CHRYSLER ANNOUNCES GASOLINE-METHANOL MIXTURE SENSOR 05/06/91
HIGHLAND PARK, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Chrysler
Corporation has announced that it has developed a workable sensor
that allows any fuel tank mixture of gasoline and up to 85
percent methanol with no noticeable performance or drivability
difference.

The device, called the Smart Sensor, is reportedly the invention
of two Chrysler electrical engineers, one of whom is retired.
Says Francois Castaing, engineering VP, "Our Smart Sensor puts the
'flex' in flexible-fuel vehicles. Many flexible-fuel vehicles
being tested today are actually alternative fueled vehicles with
the capability to run on either gasoline, methanol, or a specific
combination of the two, but not a continual variation of any of
those."

The Chrysler statement said the brain of the Smart Sensor is a
built in microprocessor that includes all the electronics
required to process the sensor's information and relax signals to
the engine computer. The system also includes diagnostics, a
fuel-sensing reservoir, a waterproof electrical connector and a
rugged mounting. The entire device fits inside a nickel-coated
plastic housing about the size of a audio cassette.

Chrysler says they have been researching various methanol
concentration sensors, including optical sensors. The Smart
Sensor detects changes in the dielectric constant which then
signals the necessary information to the engine computer.

(Jim Mallory/19910505/Press Contact: Jason Vines, Chrysler,
313-956-5346)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 ULTIMAP SETTLES DISPUTE, GETS NEW PRES AND TWO BIG JOBS 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00016)

ULTIMAP SETTLES DISPUTE, GETS NEW PRES AND TWO BIG JOBS 05/06/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- The past week
was a good one for Ultimap. They obtained two large contracts,
elected a new president, and filed a bankruptcy reorganization
plan with the federal court which it hopes will see it emerging
from bankruptcy in mid-June of 1991.

In addition to electing Robert Bro as president, other members of
the new management team include sales VP, Ed Rarick, and systems VP,
Jim Scott. According to John Donnelly, a partner in Marshall
Financial Group which is guiding the company through its
bankruptcy reorganization, "Bob (Bro) is the right man in the
right place at the right time. His background is perfect and he
has already brought a new sense of mission to the company."
Donnelly also pointed to Bro's knowledge of the government
marketplace and an appreciation of the customers needs in
praising Bro's selection.

Ultimap entered voluntary bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code in December of 1990 after being unable to raise
the necessary financing to purchase certain software license
rights from Hennepin County (Minnesota). The company says that
their proposed reorganization plan will clear title to its GIS
program. Details of the plan were not available.

Ultimap has also announced that is has obtained a GIS contract
with Kaufman County Texas Appraisal District and another with
Finley Engineering, a Wisconsin firm. Additional follow-on
orders have reportedly also been received from the California
Department of Transportation, and the City of Eau Claire,
Wisconsin.

(Jim Mallory/19910505/Press Contact:Bob Bro, Ultimap,
612-854-2382)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 STORAGETEK SHIPS 2500TH UNIT TO PENNSYLVANIA BELL 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00017)

STORAGETEK SHIPS 2500TH UNIT TO PENNSYLVANIA BELL 05/06/91
LOUISVILLE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 06 (NB) -- Storage
Technology has announced that it has shipped the 2500th 4400
Automated Cartridge System (ACS) to Bell Telephone Company of
Pennsylvania, a member of Bell Atlantic Corporation.

Bell of Pennsylvania's computer center in Philadelphia has more
than 30 library storage modules in four systems in the 4400 ACS
complex, and there are a total of 93 libraries installed.

The 4400 ACS is a fully automated system that automates the
handling of 18-track tape cartridges used for automated data
backup tasks. Each library module holds approximately 6000
cartridges, or the equivalent of 1.2 billion typed pages.

(Jim Mallory/19910505/Press Contact: Michael Klatman, Storagetek,
303-673-5020)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 WELLS AMERICAN ANNOUNCES BANKRUPTCY PLANS 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00018)

WELLS AMERICAN ANNOUNCES BANKRUPTCY PLANS 05/06/91
WEST COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Ron L.
Wells, chairman of Wells American Corp., says that the 18-year-old
company and its subsidiaries plan to file for liquidation under
Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy law.

Wells American, formed in 1973 to develop and market
computer technology, was, according to the release, profitable
through the late 'seventies and early 'eighties until the
introduction of the IBM PC. The firm then went into a
downturn until 1988 when it reverted to profitability due
principally to the introduction of its own IBM-compatible
computers.

In later years, however, the announcement states that Wells
was forced to drastically curtail operations due to increased
competition from low-cost foreign manufacturers. Caught in the
sweep was a Macintosh-compatible product which would have
been the first venture into the Macintosh market. The press
release stated that the demise of the product was due to the
firm's inability to "obtain adequate funding to market and
produce it."

Ron Wells said that the board of directors of Wells American
decided that bankruptcy liquidation would be necessary when
it became apparent that an expected infusion of cash from a
pending IRS tax refund would not be received as planned and
when talks with a third party investment partner were not
successful. He also stated that the company's cash and capital
resources together with cash flow were not sufficient
to finance continued operations.

Wells announced that company operations have been suspended
and that the firm of Robinson, Mendoza, Barton & McCarthy of
Columbia, S.C. has been retained as bankruptcy counsel. He said
that the company anticipates filing for Chapter 7 liquidation in
the immediate future.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact:Ron L.
Wells, Wells American Corp., 803-739-1829/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6  ****L.A. DISTRICT ATTORNEY ASKS FOR PRODIGY COMPLAINTS 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00019)

 ****L.A. DISTRICT ATTORNEY ASKS FOR PRODIGY COMPLAINTS 05/06/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Rich
Goldston of the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has
asked that anyone who has a complaint against Prodigy
register it with his office in writing, as part of the
Prodigy investigation regarding the alleged criminal and or
civil violations involving unfair business practices and
unauthorized access to computers and computer data.

Goldston is accepting complaints from all over the country
from both current and former Prodigy customers.

This announcement comes after disclosure that some Prodigy
users claim they've found personal data in a file created
and accessed by Prodigy called STAGE.DAT. Prior to this
disclosure, the L.A. District Attorney's Office was
investigating possible deceptive advertising charges.

Complaints should be submitted in writing to: Rich Goldston,
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Hall of
Records, Room 540, 320 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA
90012.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910503/Press Contact: Rich Goldston, Los
Angeles District Attorney's Office, Tel: [phone], Fax:
213/893-0150)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 ALLIANCE BETWEEN APPLE COMPUTER/U. OF MAINE 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00020)

ALLIANCE BETWEEN APPLE COMPUTER/U. OF MAINE 05/06/91
ORONO, MAINE, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Apple Computer will
work with the University of Maine to establish a campuswide
network of Macintoshes, linking residence halls with campus
resources, and hopes to have the system functional by the
fall semester.

Students signing up for the school's Advancement in Computing
Through Apple Computer Technology (MAC ACT) project will pay
$250 per semester to share one workstation per dormitory. The
fee also enables them to have access to a 24-hour-a-day computer
consultant and maintenance services.

Each Macintosh computer will be connected to the University of
Maine System's high-speed computer network providing access to
other MAC ACT users on the UM campus, a computerized calendar
of student activities, and Internet, an international network
of computers and computer users.

Students may also connect to URSUS, the UM System's automated
card catalog which includes state and law libraries, and libraries
at Bates, Bowdoin and Colby colleges. The combined holdings of
URSUS exceed one million bibliographic records and 1.5 million
copies.

"The University of Maine/Apple partnership combines
state-of-the-art technology and innovative educational
options," says UM President Dale W. Lick. "Backed by the
University's powerful, new telecommunications system, the MAC
ACT greatly enhances student opportunities for creative learning
experiences in an environment of technology and innovation."

The University of Maine considered proposals from four leading
vendors before awarding the contract to Apple. The Macintosh
was selected because it offered "an excellent combination of
price, software and hardware capability, and project training
and support," according to Scott Anchors, director of
Residential Life at UM.

The University of Maine is said to be the only university in the
country to offer this specific Macintosh project, according to
Anchors. Other universities have computers installed in dorm rooms,
including Stanford University, but are not confined to Macintoshes
exclusively as terminals in student facilities.

"This project fits closely with Apple's vision of empowering
individuals by providing them with the ability to access
information resources any time, any place, with any one," notes
Jack Murphy, Apple's vice president and general manager of eastern
operations.

Each of the four residence facilities will be equipped with a
Macintosh LC computer, a 12-inch color monitor and an Apple
StyleWriter printer.

(Wendy Woods/19910506/Press Contact: Susan Garvey of Apple
Computer, Inc., 203-845-3185; or Kay Hyatt of University of
Maine, 207-581-3747)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6  ****AT&T/NCR SIGN MERGER AGREEMENT 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00021)

 ****AT&T/NCR SIGN MERGER AGREEMENT 05/06/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- AT&T and NCR, its
reluctant bride, are finally ready to say their vows at the altar.
The two companies have slated a 10:45 Pacific Time/1:45 Eastern
Time news conference to announce details of what is termed
a definitive merger agreement.

The agreement calls for NCR shares to be purchased for $110 worth
of AT&T shares, and is subject to NCR shareholder approval.

The two sides say that both corporations will be integrated but
remain separate. "My assurances during the negotiations that
NCR would remain intact were not just campaign rhetoric," says
AT&T Chairman Robert E. Allen. "We intend that NCR's corporate
structure, executive leadership and of course, its name will
remain as NCR takes its place as the core of AT&T's computing
business. NCR headquarters will remain in Dayton."

AT&T is committed to doing everything possible to preserve
jobs of AT&T employees who may be affected by the merger,
according to the company.

The Securities and Exchange Commission will now have to review
the merger and an NCR stockholder meeting must be held before
it is approved.

The companies had combined revenues based on 1990 results of
$43.6 billion. Combined assets total $48 billion.
NCR, which has 55,000 employees, is the fifth largest US computer
company.

(Wendy Woods & John McMullen/19910506)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 JAPAN ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR PCS IN JAPANESE SCHOOLS 05/06/91

05/06/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(TYO)(00022)

JAPAN ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR PCS IN JAPANESE SCHOOLS 05/06/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- The Japanese government-affiliated
Computer Education Center (CEC), which initially proposed that
a TRON-based computer become the standard in Japanese schools,
has backed off its original idea and instead issued general
guidelines for PCs in Japanese schools.

The guidelines do not stipulate any specific operating system
or hardware, but emphasize that whatever is chosen, it should
be used in conjunction with textbooks.

The screens should be clear enough for children, the CEC
says, and the software and documentation should be
simple enough for school teachers. This is basically the entire
recommendation and further details are not yet available.

The CEC tried to make the TRON computer the standard for public
schools last year, but had to scrap the proposal due to pressure
from U.S. trade representatives who argued that a TRON-based
PC, with its new operating system, could be a barrier
between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Japanese educational market is lucrative. The
government is planning to spend 180 billion yen ($1.5 billion) for
hardware by fiscal 1993. That will be about 310,000 units of
personal computers. An additional 130 billion yen ($960 million)
will be spent for software by fiscal 1994.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 NEC FLOODED WITH ORDERS FOR WINDOWS 3.0 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00023)

NEC FLOODED WITH ORDERS FOR WINDOWS 3.0 05/06/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Complaints about Windows 3.0
are rampant in the Japanese market -- even so, the package is
selling well and NEC says there is no sign of a slowdown.

Windows 3.0 for the NEC PC-9801 was released in Japan this past
February. Since then, 60,000 programs were sold and purchase
orders are still coming in. An overjoyed NEC has almost tripled
its sales estimates to 200,000 units for the initial year.

Other PC makers such as Fujitsu and Seiko-Epson are also receiving
many purchase orders from end-users, meaning the new product
is being accepted in Japan.

Meanwhile, NEC says it will increase production of its 32-bit
personal computers. The firm has been receiving volume orders for
the machine from universities and governmental institutions.
Apparently, it reflects the popularity of Windows 3.0.
The shortage of the machines on dealer shelves will not end
until early next month, the company says.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910506/Press Contact: NEC, [phone],
Fax: [phone])

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 EC TO PRODUCE 16M DRAM IN THE U.S. 05/06/91

05/06/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00024)

NEC TO PRODUCE 16M DRAM IN THE U.S. 05/06/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Japan's computer giant NEC will
produce 16-megabit (Mb) dynamic random access memory chips in the U.S.
The firm will start building the line at its Roseville factory in
California. This action is designed to reduce trade friction
between Japan and the U.S.

NEC has developed the technology to produce a 16Mb DRAM
producing of the chip in the U.S. is slated to start in 1993.
Monthly production will be 1 million to 1.5 million units
in 1994 and 1995. The total cost to build the 16M DRAM
production line is expected to be 40 billion yen to 50 billion
yen ($295 million to $370 million).

NEC is also preparing a 16Mb chip lines in its Hiroshima
and Yamaguchi factories. The firm wants to start production at
these domestic plants sometime in 1992. NEC anticipates that 16Mb
DRAM will become popular around 1992 and 1993.

Meanwhile, NEC has signed an agreement with AT&T concerning the
production of a next-generation 64Mb DRAM. Both firms are expected
to produce the chip in the U.S.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910506/Press Contact: NEC, [phone],
Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 AUSTRALIA: TELECOM TO APPLY PRICE CAP ON ITS SUPPLIERS 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00025)

AUSTRALIA: TELECOM TO APPLY PRICE CAP ON ITS SUPPLIERS 05/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Slugged with a price cap for
the services it provides, Telecom has announced it will impose a
price cap on its suppliers. Telecom is Australia's national carrier,
and it carries enough muscle in the Australian electronics industry
for such an audacious move.

Telecom is about to have a price cap applied to telephone call
charges, and the cap will mean that call charges will fall by at
least 5.5 percent a year in real terms. The move will involve
regular electronics suppliers to Telecom increasing prices for their
goods according to the equation CPI-2. This means suppliers will
have to limit increases to 2 percent below the CPI. The CPI is the
Consumer Price Index, the official Australian inflation rate as a
percentage. Telecom is currently formulating the official price cap
policy to be distributed to suppliers, and this may include the
software and telecommunications products sectors as Telecom invests
more heavily in those areas.

Telecom currently accounts for around 85 percent of revenue for the
local electronics industry, and it is because of this dominant
purchasing position that Telecom feels it can make a move which it
describes as "provocative." This position is not likely to change in
the near future, with the Australian Government pressuring Telecom
to purchase Australian-made products and services where possible.
Even when the second carrier licence is awarded, Telecom will still
be required to pursue a "Buy Australian" policy.

Despite the apparently hard line by Telecom, the Australian
Electrical Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA) feels that local
electronics companies did not take advantage of the "Buy Australian"
policy. The official AEEMA line is that both Telecom and the new
carrier "will continue to benefit from lower prices in future as
cost reductions from changes to technology and lower component
prices will be passed on by industry."

(Sean McNamara/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 AUSTRALIA: DISCOVERY OFFERS NEW SERVICE FOR BUSINESSES 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00026)

AUSTRALIA: DISCOVERY OFFERS NEW SERVICE FOR BUSINESSES 05/06/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Discovery, Telecom's online
information service, is now offering local businesses access to the
International Business Network (IBN). The IBN links users with
around 1,000 trade partners in more than 80 countries.

IBN is aimed at helping companies break through the barriers which
are being put into place as the world is divided into regional trade
blocs. Information on a wide range of business related topics is
offered through the IBN, and it bring together companies from such
key economic areas as North America, Europe, Japan and the Soviet
Union. User will also be able to access publications such as
American Australian Business and New South Wales Export, as well as
other publications relating to the company's financial and
geographical areas.

The network also allows users to carry on trade with other users
overseas, allowing a more interactive communication between the
trading companies. According to IBN's managing director, Charles
Collins, the needs of the company will depend on the stage of
development both it and its country are at. "Countries starting up
international trade will focus on research while more developed
countries will use a lot of e-mail, matchmaker directories and
electronic menus for trading partners," Collins said. Telesoft, the
company managing Discovery, entered into a revenue sharing agreement
with IBN for access to the network.

(Sean McNamara/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6 BOCOEX Index 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027)

BOCOEX Index 05/06/91
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 -- The price of
Macintosh hardware in the used computer market plunged in response
to Apple's price reductions of two weeks ago.  Prices fell as the
cost of desirable new machines came down and MacOwners reached for
the machines of their dreams. In the 8-year history of BoCoEx Index
there has been no prior drop of this magnitude on such a wide
selection of computer models since the introduction of the IBM
PS/2's killed the value of AT hardware.  The Macintosh IICI
dropped $400 to $4050, losing 10% of its value, while the IICX
was off $100 at $3100.   The MacPlus lost 20% to end the week at
$500. Large drive Mac Models were stable, but the next week of
trading may bring those models in line with the rest of the Mac
Price declines.

The price of a used Compaq was stable despite their recent price
movements.  Volume has been light with most buyers stating a
preference for a less pricey good quality clone over the Compaq
brand.  IBM product was also trading at stable prices in the wake
of their price changes and model introductions.

The price they pay outside the USA for new hardware makes the
price of a used computer even more desirable than anything else.
Recent volume trades through the Big Board in Boston to Algeria
in North Africa and Vienna, Austria confirm that Boston is the
Hub of the Universe.  Particularly strong demand from Algeria was
for the Macintosh desktop publishing computer systems.  With Mac
prices down again this week, demand for high-end Mac systems from
BCE's overseas license holders was up. Volume lot trading was up.

BCE's west coast traders have been taking units out of Silicon
Valley offices and sending them to Algerian buyers. Volume has
been strong and buyer's lots are seldom smaller than 10 units.
The flow through Austria repeats an old story that Eastern
European buyers still believe they have to buy their computers in
Vienna.  With the relaxation of COCOM regulations, the typical
systems traded on the Big Board are safe to export directly to
the east, but buyers tend to trust their old friends in Vienna
and that's where BCE sales tend to travel. Paris reports strong
demand for slow speed 486 machines.

The Boston Computer Exchange's trade-in program with the ValCom
stores is growing. The TechTrade program has been making PC
"holes" on the desks of computer owners.  TechTrade has allowed
owners of older technology to dispose of their gear while
replacing it with desirable new equipment.

With news of the planned merger of ValCom and Inacomp, the
TechTrade program may be extended to include new stores.  ValCom
is now the largest distribution channel with a nationwide
trade-in program, and the potential exists for that to expand
with the planned merger.

A substantial proportion of Big Board "sell" orders are coming
from trade-in programs operated by computer dealers and
distributors. This has been a major shift in the secondary market
since its creation in the early 1980's.

"In the past, most sales were based on individuals and large
corporations offering their old machines for sale," said Charles
Thompson, Operations Manager at BCE, "but with the advent of
major trade-in programs, the Big Board volume has shifted to
wholesale trade."

BoCoEx Index's new format comes on the heels of readers request
to "explain the numbers".  After 8 years of supplying the news
media with a weekly numbers sheet of trading data from the Big
Board in Boston, BoCoEx Index will now come in a "News First"
format, with the weekly data after the news. BoCoEx Index is the
original weekly report on the used computer market and draws upon
more trading than any other resource of its kind in the industry.

BCE's free phone lines were extended to Alaska this month.
Recent additions to the 800 lines gave access to Canada and the
new system brings all of Alaska free phone access.  BoCoEx Index
is now published monthly in The Alaska Computer Society.

 BoCoEx Index /  Closing Prices Report for the week beginning
 May 3, 1991

 Machine                           Closing Price    Ask    Bid

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 IBM PC 176               Floppy      250 -          450    200

 IBM XT 089               20 MgB      500 -          550    450

 IBM AT 099               20 MgB      650 -          775    500

 IBM AT 239               20 MgB      725 -          925    700

 IBM AT 339               30 MgB      875 -         1000    800

 IBM PS/1 Model 30        30 MgB     1150 -         1200   1100

 IBM PS/2 Model 25        30 MgB      550 -          600    450

 IBM PS/2 Model 30        20 MgB      700 -          850    700

 IBM PS/2 Model 30-286    20 MgB     1100 -         1300   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50        20 MgB     1200 -         1450   1000

 IBM PS/2 Model 50Z       30 MgB     1300 -         1500   1200

 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX      60 MgB     2150 -         2600   2000

 IBM PS/2 Model 60        40 MgB     1300 -         1700   1300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70        60 MgB     2600 -         2800   2300

 IBM PS/2 Model 70P      120 MgB     3200 -         3500   3000

 IBM PS/2 Model 80        70 MgB     2700 -         2900   2400

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Compaq Portable Plus     10 MgB      400 -          500    300

 Compaq Portable II       20 MgB      750 down 150  1050    700

 Compaq Portable III      20 MgB     1200 -         1250   1100

 Compaq Portable 286      20 MgB     1100 -         1350   1000

 Compaq Portable 386      40 MgB     2300 -         2500   2200

 Compaq SLT-286           40 MgB     2250 -         2500   2000

 Compaq LTE               20 MgB     1050 -         1200    900

 Compaq LTE-286           20 MgB     1900 -         2100   1850

 Compaq LTE-286           40 MgB     2200 -         2500   1900

 Compaq Deskpro           20 MgB      400 -          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 386/33   320 MgB     5000 -         5500   5000

 Compaq SystemPro 386/33 240 MgB     6000 -         7000   4320

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 NEC 386 SX               40 MgB     1250 -         1400   1000

 NEC PowerMate 1+         40 MgB      650 -          700    550

 NEC ProSpeed 286         40 MgB     1800 -         2000   1600

 Zenith SuperSport-286    20 MgB     1200 -         1400   1000

 Zenith TurboSport-386    40 MgB     2000 -         2150   1900

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Macintosh 512E           Floppy      250 -          450    200

 Macintosh Plus           Floppy      500 down 100   750    500

 Macintosh Plus           20 MgB      750 -          975    700

 Macintosh Classic        40 MgB     1200 down 80   1350   1050

 Macintosh SE             Floppy      840 down 35   1025    700

 Macintosh SE             20 MgB     1050 -         1250   1000

 Macintosh SE             40 MgB     1125 -         1250   1100

 Macintosh SE-30          40 MgB     1975 -         2200   1900

 Macintosh SE-30          80 MgB     2500 down 150  3000   2400

 Macintosh II             40 MgB     2600 -         2800   2400

 Macintosh IIX            80 MgB     3550 -         3600   3500

 Macintosh IICX           40 MgB     3100 down 100  3400   3000

 Macintosh IICX           80 MgB     3300 -         3600   3200

 Macintosh IICI           80 MgB     4050 down 400  4875   4000

 Macintosh IIFX           80 MgB     5500 down 400  6000   5000

 Macintosh IISI           40 MgB     2950 -         3400   2700

 Macintosh Portable       40 MgB     2450 -         3400   2300

 Apple 2c                 Floppy      300 -          300    200

 Apple 2e                 Floppy      350 -          400    300

 Apple 2gs                Floppy      850 -         1100    850

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Apple Imagewriter II                 225 -          350    200

 Apple Laserwriter 2NT               2000 down 200  2500   2000

 HP Laserjet                          425 -          500    400

 HP Laserjet II                       800 down 100   950    800

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 Toshiba T-1000           Floppy      400 -          575    325

 Toshiba T-1200HB         20 MgB      850 -         1130    750

 Toshiba T-1200XE         20 MgB     1400 -         1650   1400

 Toshiba T-1600           40 MgB     1500 -         1600   1400

 Toshiba T-3100           10 MgB      900 -         1000    800

 Toshiba T-3100           20 MgB     1250 -         1300   1000

 Toshiba T-3100 SX        40 MgB     2800 -         3000   2800

 Toshiba T-3200           40 MgB     1800 -         2150   1700

 Toshiba T-3200 SX        40 MgB     2700 -         2900   2600

 Toshiba T-5100           40 MgB     2300 -         2500   2200

 Toshiba T-5200           100MgB     3775 -         3900   3200

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: [phone]. BoCoEx
Database is on CompuServe: GO BCE, on Delphi: ME BO.

(BOCOEX/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6  ****APPLE UNVEILS 2 NEW MAC LC CONFIGURATIONS 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00028)

 ****APPLE UNVEILS 2 NEW MAC LC CONFIGURATIONS 05/06/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Apple Computer,
saying it has responded to the needs of its corporate customers
who asked for a "beefier" version of its lowest-priced color
Macintosh, has unveiled 2 new configurations of the computer.

Apple spokesman John Cook tells Newsbytes that the new
configurations do not include a keyboard, because corporate users
like to add their own. The new bundles are a 2-megabyte RAM,
40 megabyte hard disk LC with 512 kilobytes of video RAM, $2499,
and a 4-megabyte RAM, 80-megabyte hard disk LC, also with
512K of video RAM, $2,999.

The original LC, still on the market, has 2 megabytes of RAM,
a 40-megabyte hard disk, and 256K of video RAM soldered onto
the motherboard.

Cook says focus groups of business customers told Apple they
wanted beefier versions of the Macintosh LC configured
right out of the box. "We've tried to use some of the flexibility
we have in manufacturing," he said, to meet those needs.

Apple believes that these enhancements, especially when
combined with the upcoming release of System 7, will make the
Macintosh LC an even more competitive offering in the business
market.

(Wendy Woods/19910506/Press Contact: John Cook, Apple Computer,
408-974-3145)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6  ****VIDEO DISKS & PLAYERS MOST PROMISING AUDIO EQUIPMENT 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00029)

 ****VIDEO DISKS & PLAYERS MOST PROMISING AUDIO EQUIPMENT 05/06/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- In the consumer electronics world,
the shelves of video disk players have generally gathered dust,
consumers racing for the camcorders, video cassette players,
and televisions. However, that may change, according to a recent
survey by the Electronics Industry Association in Japan (EIAJ).

The EIAJ survey of the electronics industry in 79 countries
showed that most expect sales of video disks to increase by 42.9
percent annually with a total of 8,680,000 units to be
sold by 1995.

Between 1985 and 1990, the camcorder sold best. Sales of
camcorders went up by 41.1 percent annually; CD players went
up by 31.7 percent; and video disks went up by 30.2 percent.
Currently, video disk players occupy only 4 percent of total
VCR sales. The industry expects this to change when video
disk software rental is permitted in the future.

Reflecting this market trend, Japan's Kurare says it will provide
share its video disk production techniques with other Japanese
makers such as Japan Synthetic Rubber and Japan Optical Disk
in October. Currently, Kurare is producing 600,000 video disks
per month while Pioneer is producing 3.5 million units per month.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910506)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 6  ****AT&T/NCR: EXLEY TO HEAD CONSOLIDATION THEN RETIRE 05/06/91

05/06/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(NYC)(00030)

 ****AT&T/NCR: EXLEY TO HEAD CONSOLIDATION THEN RETIRE 05/06/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 6 (NB) -- Announcing the
AT&T/NCR merger, AT&T Chairman Robert Allen stated that Charles
Exley, chairman of NCR, will head up the consolidation with
the help of AT&T's Richard McGuinn. Allen also said that Exley
has stated that he will retire on the effective date of the
merger, "some four to five months in the future."

Allen also announced that Gilbert Williamson, current
president of NCR, will succeed Exley as NCR CEO upon Exley's
retirement. Williamson will also join the AT&T Board of
Directors at that time. Allen further said that, at the suggestion
of Exley, Elton White of NCR will succeed Williamson as
president. It was also stated that Exley, after formal
retirement, will continue as a consultant to AT&T and NCR.

In the announcement, Allen restated his commitment to the
integrity of NCR's existing structure, saying, "My assurances
during the negotiations that NCR would remain intact were not
just campaign rhetoric. We intend that NCR's corporate
structure, executive leadership and of course, its name will
remain as NCR takes its place as the core of AT&T's computing
business. NCR headquarters will remain in Dayton."

In response to a question at the press conference concerning
the impact of the merger on jobs, Allen said "We don't know
how many, if any, jobs will be lost. That is the job of the
transition team to determine." It was also stated at the
conference that one of the tasks of the team will be to integrate
AT&T's computer systems work into NCR. It was said that there
are presently approximately AT&T 9,000 employees in the
computer systems function.

Speaking at the press conference, Exley said, "A fair deal has
been reached and we have done our duty to our stockholders.
My job now is to insure that the merger moves smoothly."
Exley also said that AT&T has agreed that all NCR severance
plans and employee benefits will remain in place.

The merger agreement, which calls for NCR shares to be
purchased for $110 worth of AT&T shares, is subject to NCR
shareholder approval.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Walter
Murphy, AT&T, 201-221-6900/19910506)
#ENDCARD






#CARD::1991 MAY 3 Review of: Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion by

05/03/91
Beth Woods, 05/03/91



(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00001)

Review of: Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion by
Beth Woods, 05/03/91

From: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 155 Bovet RD, Suite 730, San
Mateo CA 94402, 415-358-1250.

Price: $14.95

PUMA Rating: 3.83 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest )

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary: This book provides excellent tips on
all three XTree programs in plain English complete with cartoons.

======

REVIEW

======

The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion by Beth Woods
is well worth the time and price, especially for the user who
goes from machine to machine and XTree version to version. As the
book covers the different features in each version of the program,
the differences are noted in the outermost columns on each page.
The notation scenario used by Beth Woods makes it easy to
understand to which program she is referring in the text.

The book brings to the XTree user many tips on operating more
efficiently and effectively within the XTree programs. It's
laced with cartoons by Richard Tennant and there are pop
quizzes thrown in both as learning devices and for fun.
While reading about Xtree Pro Gold may not be quite as entertaining
as using it, this book is not dry reading.

The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion does not
include XTreeNet, or Xtree Pro Gold ver. 2.0 yet. Admittedly,
the book came out before Xtree Pro Gold ver. 2.0, but it should
have included a section on XTreeNet.

IDG Books supports XTree Company's Project Green. The Official
XTree book is printed on recycled paper.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (3.5) The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk
Companion delivers knowledge while entertaining the reader. Its only
drawback is that it should have included a section on XTreeNet.

USEFULNESS: (4) The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion
includes more information than the documentation, and good data
about the use of DOS and hard disks.

AVAILABILITY: (4) The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk
Companion can be found at B.Dalton's and other book and software
stores. It can be ordered directly from IDG Books by calling
800-28BOOKS.

(tbass HNDYPRSN/19910220/Press Contact:Milissa Koloski 415-358-
1261)
#ENDCARD


#CARD::1991 MAY 3 Review of: XTreePro Gold ver. 2.0, file utilities for PCs, 05/03/91

05/03/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00003)

Review of: XTreePro Gold ver. 2.0, file utilities for PCs, 05/03/91

Runs on: IBM PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS/2, or compatible with MS-DOS
3.1 or higher with 256K RAM available. Both 3.5 and 5.25-inch disk
provided.

From: XTREE Company, A Division Executive Systems Inc., 4330
Santa Fe RD, San Luis Obispo CA 03401, 805-541-0604, Fax
805-541-8053.

Price: $149, the upgrade from XTree products is $35.

PUMA Rating: 3.95 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

SUMMARY: XTreePro Gold goes green. Computer software unites with
the ecology movement to provide excellent utility with a
conscience.

======

REVIEW

======

XTreePro Gold version 2.0 is not only an improved revision of its
former self, but it is now bundled with a chance to help the
environment. Everything in XtreePro Gold ver. 2.0 with the
exception of the floppy disk is produced from recycled and
recyclable materials. American Forestry's operation, Global
Releaf Program, is supported by the XTree Company. In fact, when
the purchaser registers this product, the XTree Company will plant
a tree in the name of that person or company.

XTreePro Gold is easily installed, easily run, and logically
organized. It comes with the classical XTree mnemonic or pull
down menu for access to the features. The program can make
organization and maintenance of your hard drive not only efficient
but even entertaining.

The new and attractive applications menu automatically sets up
itself by identifying many of your programs. XtreePro Gold then
creates batch files by which they can be accessed. Upon accessing
a program from the menu XTreePro Gold shrinks down to a modest 7K
of memory. When the user exits the application they are back in
XTreePro Gold application menu.

There is a simple ASCII editor, 1Word, included, which is also
accessible from within XtreePro Gold. If you do not like 1Word,
XtreePro Gold will allow a word processor of choice to be
substituted. 1WORD allows for quick fixes of batch files and changes
in config.sys. It is far more capable than it may first appear and
extremely easy to use.

All of the older XtreePro Gold utilities -- moving, copying,
renaming, deleting, viewing, sorting, tagging, untagging, split
screen, prune-and-graft sub-directories, search-and-browse files,
the application menu, a keystroke history file, mouse support,
and changing attributes -- are included in version 2.0 plus many
new ones. New features include undelete files, numerous viewer
filters, compression file managers, a compare directory function,
partial drive logging, and a feature which moves a file across drives.

The expanded file viewer filters include many of the more popular
databases, word processors, and spreadsheets. However, they do
not include any graphics formats.

XtreePro Gold ver. 2.0 includes compression management software.
It allows the user to create, view, and expand ZIPped files,
saving valuable disk space.

The compare directory function will automatically tag dissimilar
files in any two selected directories. This speeds the process of
deleting duplicate files.

For those who have really large disk drives, it is now possible
with XtreePro Gold ver.2.0 to log partial drives. This means that
the drives can be logged as single or multiple directories. When
working with just a few directories on a large drive, this feature
is quite helpful.

The XTree Company has for a long time offered the ability to move
files from directory to directory in a few easy steps. Now the
move command can be used not only to move files between but from
drive to drive in the same manner.

Numerous safety nets are in place to help prevent disasters,
though in the end, the user has control. Undelete is a new
command added to the safety nets -- good for when you accidentally erase
files.

XTreePro Gold is still more exciting to use than most video
games, in my opinion!

All of the features I used performed flawlessly. XTreePro Gold
has just become better in version 2.0.

===========

PUMA RATING

===========

PERFORMANCE: (3.8) XtreePro Gold version 2.0 has grown even
larger; however, it is still efficient and fast. The only
drawback I noticed was the lack of viewer filters for popular
graphic files, i.e. *.PCX, *.TIF, or *.GEM.

USEFULNESS: (4) If the computer uses a hard drive it needs an
XTree product. XtreePro Gold ver. 2.0 is a full featured hard disk
manage, plus it comes with a way to help the environment.

MANUAL: (4) Great manual; well organized and informative.

AVAILABILITY: (4) XtreePro Gold version 2.0 can be found almost
anywhere computer software is sold. For more information call 1-
800-282-5003.

(tbass, HNDYPRSN/19910214/Press Contact: Michael Cahlin 213-933-4957)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 3 BORLAND CLAIMS 350,000 C++ PACKAGES SHIPPED 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00001)

BORLAND CLAIMS 350,000 C++ PACKAGES SHIPPED 05/03/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- The
current trend towards object-oriented programming languages for the
increasingly popular Microsoft Windows environment has been
highlighted with Borland International's announcement that it has
shipped more than 350,000 units of its C++ object-oriented
programming languages, including Borland C++, its high-end software
for professional developers, and Turbo C++, its software for
novice computer programmers.

"With the increasing popularity of object-oriented programming,
the C++ language is fast becoming the new world standard for
software developers," said Eugene Wang, vice president and
general manager of Borland's languages business unit.
"Object-oriented technology is the wave of the future that will result
in a new generation of leading-edge development tools and
software applications."

"The success of Borland's language products concretely
demonstrates the industry's shift toward object technology.
Developers are coming to appreciate the speed, flexibility and
ease of maintenance that object technology provides," said
Christopher Stone, president of the Object Management Group.

Borland C++ is a high-end object-oriented language for
Microsoft Windows. It includes a set of tools that support visual
programming for the creations of Windows user interfaces.
Borland C++ has a suggested retail price of $495.00.

Turbo C++ is a complete programmer's development system that
contains two compilers in one: ANSI C and C++. The company
maintains that users are able to program in C with the 100 percent
ANSI-compatible C compiler, as well as in C++ with the 100 percent
AT&T C++ 2.0 compatible C++ compiler. Turbo C++ has a
suggested retail price of $99.95.

Borland is currently shipping four object-oriented products for
the Windows operating environment: Borland C++, Turbo Pascal
for Windows, Paradox Engine for Windows and ObjectVision, a
Windows programming tool for non-technical professionals and
managers.

(Ian Stokell/19910503/Press Contact: Jim Adams, Borland
International Inc., 408-439-1880)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 MCI OFFERS PERSONAL 800 NUMBER WITH FORWARDING 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002)

MCI OFFERS PERSONAL 800 NUMBER WITH FORWARDING 05/03/91
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- MCI enhanced its
Personal 800 offering, a toll-free number for residences, with a
call forwarding feature it calls "Follow Me" service. The
feature, available May 15, allows users to program their 800 line
to ring anywhere else in the United States.

Personal 800 was introduced in October, 1990. The company charges
$1 for activation of the forwarding feature, but it's being waived for
existing customers through Labor Day and for those who sign by
that date in early September.

MCI has established a toll-free number, 1-800-395-4665, to handle
customer inquiries and service orders. Customers can schedule the
location change in advance or forward the number within an hour of
activation.

MCI's Personal 800 service differs from ordinary toll-free
services in that callers not only dial the number but then must
enter a 4-digit security code in order to be connected.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910503/Press Contact: MCI, Kate Fralin,
703-415-6904)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 NEW JERSEY BELL OFFERS VOICE MESSAGING TO BUSINESSES 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)

NEW JERSEY BELL OFFERS VOICE MESSAGING TO BUSINESSES 05/03/91
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- New Jersey Bell is
going into competition with business answering services with
Answer Call and voice mail. It becomes available at 130 central offices
starting May 1, and will be available to 90 percent of the state by the
end of the year.

Answer Call, targeted to small businesses with fewer than 10
phone lines, allows callers to leave messages when the number
they're calling goes unanswered or is busy -- something answering
machines can't do. With the addition of voice mail larger
customers can create employee group lists and, by pressing a
single digit, send a message to the entire list at once.

Costs are as low as $7 per month. The company has been offering
Answer Call to residences since last May, and it is now available
to 2 million customers.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910503/Press Contact: New Jersey Bell, Karen
A. Johnson, 201/649-2282)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 SPRINT AND SOUTHWESTERN BELL REACH BILLING AGREEMENT 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)

SPRINT AND SOUTHWESTERN BELL REACH BILLING AGREEMENT 05/03/91
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Sprint reached
another billing and collection agreement, this time with
Southwestern Bell. Under it, most Sprint residential customers
in SW Bell's 5 state service area will be billed for their long
distance calls in the same invoice as their Southwestern Bell
Telephone local charges.

The single billing option applies to most existing Sprint
residential services including calling card, international
calling and volume discounts. Customers will still see their
Sprint calls itemized, and will continue to receive their usual
Sprint discounts. Sprint charges will be included on the local
telephone company statement sent to customers.

Sprint has signed similar agreements with BellSouth, Bell
Atlantic, Pacific Telesis' Pacific Bell unit in California, and
local units of United Telecom. The company is working on
agreements with the other Bell companies and other
independent telephone companies.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910503/Press Contact: US Sprint, Robin Pence,
202-828-7454)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 PACIFIC BELL TESTS EDI TRANSMISSION OF TELEPHONE BILL 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

PACIFIC BELL TESTS EDI TRANSMISSION OF TELEPHONE BILL 05/03/91
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Pacific
Bell is sending its telephone bills electronically to three large
customers in a six-month test of Electronic Data Interchange
invoicing, known as EDI. The first of the bills went to Tandem.

The invoices are sent from Pacific Bell's Northern California
billing center to an online network which connects with the
customers' own network. The bill comes a few days earlier than
paper bills, and the computer data can be linked to other
applications like inventory, ordering and remittance, without
having to be rekeyed. It uses a telecommunications invoicing
standard called ASC X12 Consolidated Service Invoice/Statement,
known as Transaction Set 811. Pacific Bell currently uses EDI
purchasing and invoicing within the procurement department with
over 160 trading partners.

EDI is different from ordinary electronic mail in that bills must
be secure, error-free and verified in order to be paid.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910503/Press Contact: Pacific Bell,
Dianne Wentworth, 415/542-4541 Tandem Computers, Judy Zimbelman,
408/285-6849)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 BELL OF PENNSYLVANIA AGREES ON 900-NUMBER NOTIFICATION 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

BELL OF PENNSYLVANIA AGREES ON 900-NUMBER NOTIFICATION 05/03/91
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- The state
of Pennsylvania reached an agreement with Bell of Pennsylvania
which will notify all residential telephone customers that free
blocking is available against the notorious 900-number exchange.

Caller-paid 900 lines are coming under fire nationwide, not only
for sex-oriented recordings but for fraud and numbers directed at
children. The Federal Communications Commission has proposed
rules to restrict the industry, including a mandatory "kill
message" which will detail charges at the beginning of each call
and give people the chance to hang-up free, but the industry
opposes the move.

Bell of Pennsylvania also will advise all customers that they
cannot lose their basic or long distance telephone service for
failure to pay a 900-number charge with 3,542,000 bill inserts.
Unblocking of the exchange is also free, but after that a charge
will be imposed for a second block. So far, 235,000 customers
have accepted the free blocking, but complaints continue to come
to the telephone company, the consumer advocate, and Office of
Attorney General. The bill inserts, which start going out this
month, will remind customers of the blocking service.

Attorney General Preate, who has recommended tough laws against
the 900 industry, commended Bell for its cooperation. "I
appreciate Bell's willingness to help prevent consumers from
being ripped off by 900-number scams."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910503/Press Contact: Saul Kohler, Bell of
Pennsylvania, 717-255-4181; Jack Lewis, the Office of Attorney
General, 717-787-5211; Susan Henry, Office of Consumer Advocate,
717-783-5048)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 RACIST COMPUTER GAMES DISTRIBUTED BY NAZIS 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00007)

RACIST COMPUTER GAMES DISTRIBUTED BY NAZIS 05/03/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Computer
video games where the player is a concentration camp manager
who sells lamps made from human skin, gold tooth fillings
and dog food to purchase gas to kill Turks and Jews are
being distributed in Germany and now in the United States,
according to researchers at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in
Los Angeles.

The games are clearly aimed at the home
computer market, and especially at preteens from 13-15
years of age, said researchers at the Center.

The games range from displays of German pre-World War II
symbols to complex graphics of tortured prisoners and
bizarre death images like the grim reaper, according to the
center. Some games are merely multiple choice quizzes, most
are totally in German, and bear titles such as "KZ Manager,"
"Aryan Test" and, surprisingly enough, "Bruce Lee," researchers said.

The most bizarre of the games runs on an Amiga and is titled
"KZ Manager." KZ is short for the German word for
concentration camp. The center has reported it contains
graphic images of human torture, Hitler, and the winner gets
to be the Gestapo, with a tortured, bleeding prisoner in the
background. "The quality of the graphics is very good - the
people who wrote these games know what they're doing,"
Wiesenthal Center researchers said.

As far as Center researchers have been able to determine,
the Bruce Lee games only rotate and display Nazi symbols.
Why they bear the famous Oriental martial arts movie actor's
name is unknown, but ironic, researchers said.

Authorities at the center have distributed translated German
and Austrian newspaper clippings describing concerned
teachers who have started an initiative against the Nazi
propaganda that is not only available through the games, but
on European computer bulletin boards as well. The
statistics reported were 22% of the students in a Salzburg
high school were familiar with the games, many of which are
reported to be pornographic as well as violent.

Turks, as well as Jews, are the favorite subjects of the
games for economic reasons, researchers pointed out. "The
U.S. is used to the 'melting pot' concept, but in these
countries everyone was either French or German, until the
recent Turkish population, over 400,000 in Germany alone,
began moving in to get work," the researchers explained.
"Many of the Turks have taken jobs that natives used to do.
The Neo-Nazis have taken advantage of this in introducing
Turks into these games," researchers explained.

The Wiesenthal center describes itself as an international
center for Holocaust remembrance, human rights and the
Jewish people.

The Center researchers asked their identity not be revealed
due to their secret work in infiltrating the Neo-Nazis party
in the U.S. The researchers said, "Racial prejudice has to
be exposed - it damages all of us."

(Linda Rohrbough/19910502/Press Contact: Avra Shapiro, Simon
Wiesenthal Center, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 TOSHIBA DROPS PRICES ON LAPTOPS 19 TO 33% 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00008)

TOSHIBA DROPS PRICES ON LAPTOPS 19 TO 33% 05/03/91
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Toshiba's
Computer Systems Division, Toshiba American Information
Systems (TAIS), announced the suggested retail prices of its
entire line of laptop and notebook computers have been
dropped by 19 to 33 percent.

The company said the reductions have been instituted to strengthen
Toshiba's market position, according to Tom Martin, vice president of
marketing, TAIS.

A few examples from the company's new price list include:
T1000 has been reduced $200, from $999 to $799; T3100e has
been reduced $800, going from $3,699 to $2,899; and the
T5200C has been reduced $1,900, from $9,499 to $7,599.
Martin said suggested retail prices on accessories were also
reduced.

Toshiba claims it is the leading vendor in the U.S. for
portable computers, with 23.1 percent of the volume in 1990,
according to a study done by the International Data
Corporation (IDC).

Martin says Toshiba's plan in the portable market is to
capitalize on its ability to reduce unit cost by purchasing
materials in volume, an advantage not available to new,
smaller manufacturers. Also, Toshiba intends to help lead
the transition to portables by improving the relationship in
price between desktop and portables, Martin said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910502/Press Contact: Valinda Comejo,
Hill and Knowlton, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone],
Howard Emerson, Toshiba, Tel: [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3  ****MANUFACTURERS IGNORING CUSTOMERS SAYS PANEL 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00009)

 ****MANUFACTURERS IGNORING CUSTOMERS SAYS PANEL 05/03/91
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- According to
a panel of experts recently convened in Santa Clara, technology
manufacturers must begin to "think in reverse" to meet their
customers' needs because they are currently ignoring them.

Addressing the present efforts of many U.S. manufacturers to
improve profit margins during the recession, William H. Davidow,
a Menlo Park, California-based venture capitalist, said,
"Customer satisfaction is not even making some company's list of
objectives. We have got to start to learn to think in reverse.
We've got to stop worrying about what we produce and how we force
it through the channel to the customer and start worrying about
what the customer wants and how we pull it out of the factory for
him."

Delta Air Lines' assistant vice president of information
services, Wayne E. Condra, said, "The vendor has to understand my
environment, my problems, and my strategies, rather than just
trumpeting his products."

The panel of manufacturers, distributors, buyers, and analysts
addressed more than 200 Silicon Valley vendors at an event
sponsored by Inforum, a high-technology sales and marketing
center based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Thomas C. Stevenson, vice president of Inforum, moderated the
discussion and said that several "mismatches" exist between
manufacturer's plans and buyers' needs.

According to surveys conducted by Inforum, the following are some
of the prime inconsistencies in manufacturers' attitudes:

87 percent of manufacturers say they will rely on new products to
reach growth objectives, but 75 percent of surveyed buyers told
Inforum that they felt there were already too many products on
the market to evaluate them all properly.

44 percent of buyers said they need to work with multiple vendors
to meet their entire high-tech needs but manufacturers say that
compatibility and connectivity are low on their list of
priorities and only four percent of surveyed manufacturers said
that they use system integrators who would be able to address
common compatibility issues.

Manufacturers also report plans for increased spending on trade
shows, advertising, telemarketing, direct mail, and public
relations, but buyers say that they don't get sufficient
information from these venues to make informed product purchase
decisions and a whopping 56 percent of responding buyers at
Fortune 1000 organizations reported that they don't receive
adequate information from any source.

Edward R. Anderson, chief operating officer of Computerland, said
that one potential to that last problem would be to "unbundle
reseller services so the customer can pick and choose exactly
what he wants to pay for."

The reseller services he was referring to consist of product
information, product delivery, and after sales service, each of
which is important but might be needed in very different mixtures
by small businesses and companies which have large internal
support staffs.

(John McCormick/19910503/Press Contact: Joliene Price, Inforum,
404-220-2103)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 NEW FOR IBM: First Magnavox Notebook PC 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00010)

NEW FOR IBM: First Magnavox Notebook PC 05/03/91
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Magnavox, a
brand name of Philips Consumer Electronics Company, Knoxville,
TN, has announced its first notebook PC, a 6.9-pound 80286-based
system. Having a large battery capacity, the new Magnavox
Metalis/286 will reportedly run for almost four hours on a single
charge, with a full recharge taking only four hours.

With a suggested retail price of $2,699, the new computer comes
with a 20 megabyte (MB) hard disk, one 1.44 MB floppy drive, and
one MB of memory as standard.

Prices for some 386SX notebook systems operating at higher clock
speeds are comparable or lower than that of the new entry from
Magnavox, but the Metalis has several special features that help
explain the price.

One unusual feature of this notebook computer is supposed to be
the ability to switch batteries without rebooting the computer
and losing work in progress or taking the time to shut down the
system. The full page-wide VGA LCD screen with 640 by 480
resolution and the included mouse pen are also unusual features
for a low-priced notebook system.

The mouse pen is a pointing device that operates like a mouse but
takes up only three inches of space instead of requiring a large
flat surface.

GeoWorks Ensemble is also included with the new system as is a
ROM or read-only memory-based password security system and MS-DOS
4.01, complete with full documentation.

GeoWorks Ensemble is an integrated software package that provides
most basic computer applications features published by GeoWorks,
Berkeley, California. The ensemble includes: GeoWrite, word
processor; GeoDraw, drawing program; GeoManager, file manager;
GeoDex, address book and phone dialer; GeoPlanner, calendar and
appointment book; and GeoComm, terminal emulation program and
software appliances.

Newsbytes was unable to get anyone at Philips to supply further
information on the new product before deadline, despite
telephoning the number supplied on the product announcement.
Staff at the company was not responsive to our requests for a
shipping date or other details such as the size of the screen or
the type of expansion bus included in the computer.

(John McCormick/19910503/Press Contact: Michelle Zawronty, HWH
PR, 212-355-5049)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 MOSCOW: PC WORLD FORUM DATES ANNOUNCED 05/03/91

05/03/91

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00011)

MOSCOW: PC WORLD FORUM DATES ANNOUNCED 05/03/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- The second annual PC World Forum
Moscow will be held at the VDNKh exhibition site on July 9-14, 1991.
Information Computer Enterprises (ICE), a Moscow-based joint venture,
and International Data Group (IDG) have announced that over than 200
Soviet and 150 foreign companies are expected to attend the show.
The exhibition is cosponsored by the Soviet GKNT committee, State
Publishing committee, MosBusinessBank and VDNKh.

A conference devoted to international cooperation in information
technologies will be held at the same time, according to organizers.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910405/Press Contact: ICE Moscow, phone +7 095
187-9840; fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 SOVIET BANKING INFO AVAILABLE ONLINE 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00012)

SOVIET BANKING INFO AVAILABLE ONLINE 05/03/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- USSR Business Newsletter and
Directory, available online through the electronic services of NewsNet
in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA, is tracking activities in the growing
Soviet commercial banking industry. It also offers the latest information
directory on those banks.

The USSR Business Newsletter and Directory is published by Stamm
Publishing of Vancouver, Canada, in cooperation with Hansa Press of
Tartu, Estonia.

It is the opinion of Rein Stamm, the publisher, that "commercial banks
are without a doubt the best point of entry for any foreign firms
serious about doing business with the Soviets."

"The first such bank was formed in 1988 and all over the country
they've attracted the local movers and shakers -- those most
interested in change. For Western firms they provide a quick and easy
way to get the lay of the land and locate suitable partners and
opportunities," he added.

For both Western and Soviet systems and software firms, Stamm sees the
commercial banking system itself as holding some real opportunities
and unique challenges in the near future.

In addition to the online edition, the newsletter and directory are
available in printed form. For more information contact A. Kokkusing at
Stamm Publishing Ltd, fax: [phone]; Hansa Press fax: +7 (01434)
33348)

(Kirill Tchashchin/199100501)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3  ****AMD ANNOUNCES 25 MHZ 386SX 05/03/91

05/03/91

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00013)

 ****AMD ANNOUNCES 25 MHZ 386SX 05/03/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Advanced Micro
Devices (AMD) has fired its latest shot at Intel by releasing
details about a 25-megahertz (MHz) version of its 386SX-
compatible microprocessor due to ship in June. The fastest Intel
386SX now being marketed operates at 20 MHz.

AMD's new chips are not only faster than Intel chips but are said
to use less power, making them especially suitable for the very
fast-growing notebook computer market. AMD claims that its chips
will consume about 40 percent less power operating at 25 MHz
than the comparable Intel chip uses running at 20 MHz.

Sample quantities are now shipping and prices are expected to be
in line with Intel chip prices.

(John McCormick/19910503/Press Contact: John Greenagel, 408-732-
2400, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 NEW PC: Wang Slimline 386SX Desktop System 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00014)

NEW PC: Wang Slimline 386SX Desktop System 05/03/91
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Wang
Laboratories is now shipping a $1,695 16-megahertz (MHz) 386SX
desktop system intended as an entry-level office automation
workstation. The PC 321/16S is only 3.2 inches high and comes
with one megabyte of memory, one parallel port, two serial ports,
a mouse port, 16-bit VGA graphics controller, a single 3.5-inch
high density floppy drive, and an IDE or Integrated Drive
Electronics controller ready for optional hard drive
installation.

The system is priced at $1,595 without the floppy drive and is
recommended as an Ethernet or Token-Ring LAN or local area
network workstation. Maximum system memory is eight megabytes,
and the PC 321/16S has space for one 3.5-inch hard drive for up
to 200 megabytes of storage.

Since all features are implemented on the motherboard, the two
16-bit expansion slots are both available for expansion.

Last week Wang posted a massive $48.9 million quarterly loss on
gross sales of almost $500 million. Wang gross revenue was down
drastically for the first two quarters of 1991 at $343 million
for the first quarter and nearly $320 million for the second
quarter, but third quarter (ended March 31) revenues of about
$500 million showed a substantial revenue increase, despite the
statements of Chief Executive Officer Richard Miller, who blamed
poor results on the Gulf War, a worldwide recession, and
continued weakness in the computer industry.

Some analysts praise Mr. Miller's management and still see
profits in Wang Laboratories' future.

(John McCormick/19910503/Press Contact: Hanne Herwick, Wang, 508-
967-6405)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 CENTRAL POINT DOES WINDOWS, UPGRADES POPULAR UTILITIES 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00015)

CENTRAL POINT DOES WINDOWS, UPGRADES POPULAR UTILITIES 05/03/91
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Central Point
Software is expected to announce major upgrades of PC Tools and
Central Point Backup on Monday, the 6th of May. PC Tools, a very
popular and highly rated utility software package that provides
backup and other useful utilities such as password file
encryption, undelete, and unformat tools.

PC Tools 7.0, priced at $179 ($49 upgrade), adds virus
protection, a powerful remote computing capability, enhanced
Windows support, including MS-DOS and Windows Backup, and
extensive network support. PC Tools 7.0 will ship immediately.

Available in June will be the separate Central Point Backup for
both MS-DOS and Windows at a list price of $129 ($30 upgrade).

Also due to ship in June is Central Point Commute, a new program
which provides full-featured remote computing for LAN or local
area network, modem, and direct connect computer systems. This
program, which is also bundled with PC Tools, will carry a list
price of $129 and offers remote control for those operating a
computer from home or directly connected to a laptop.

Central Point is apparently going to continue breaking some
popular utilities out of PC Tools for those who just want one
feature, but savvy purchasers will continue to buy PC Tools for
the same and much more software at a very reasonable price.

Last fall the company separated Central Point Backup, offering it
as a separate program but keeping the same features in PC Tools,
and now they are offering Commute as a separate program, but only
after releasing it as a part of PC Tools.

There is some demand for this sort of unbundling but Central
Point is giving the consumer a real break by keeping a low-priced
complete set of tools available.

(John McCormick/19910503/Press Contact: Deanne Berry, Central
Point, 503-690-2650, fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00016)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 05/03/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

Computer Reseller News for April 29 carries a special report
focusing on the question of whether Microsoft is too powerful a
force in the industry and the current Federal Trade Commission
investigation of that company.

May's Lotus magazine looks at the release of Lotus 1-2-3 ver. 2.3
and 3.1, the latest versions of this venerable and popular
spreadsheet software.

April 29's InformationWeek looks at local area network security
considerations.

The April 29 Computerworld carries a feature on government
agencies which resist releasing computer tapes requested under
the freedom of information act, insisting instead on publishing
very expensive paper versions.

(John McCormick/19910503/)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 INFORMATION SOLUTIONS TO INSTALL $300K RESORT SYSTEM 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00017)

INFORMATION SOLUTIONS TO INSTALL $300K RESORT SYSTEM 05/03/91
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 03 (NB) -- Information
Solutions has announced a contract to provide a central
reservations system for a group of 45 lodging properties in the
Aspen, Colorado resort area.

The Unix-based system will be installed on an IBM RS6000 RISC
hardware platform, with terminals in each of the 45 properties.
Information Solutions that the system provides for additional
users to be added later. The contract is valued at approximately
$300,000.

Installation will begin this month and will be completed in time
for the start of the 1991 ski season in November. In addition to
handling reservations, the system will also process conference
center scheduling, real-time communications between users and the
central reservations office, as well as sales and marketing
support functions.

(Jim Mallory/19910502/Press Contact: Beth Lawrence, Pfeiffer
Public Relations, 303-623-1169)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 VIRUS EXPERT HONORED 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00018)

VIRUS EXPERT HONORED 05/03/91
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- The Council for
Entrepreneurial Development has presented a special award to
Robert Capon, developer of the Virex virus-protection software and
vice-president of Microcom's Utilities Product Group. Capon and his
wife, Rosemarie Newsom, founded HJC Software in 1988 and launched
Virex the same year.

Microcom acquired HJC at the end of 1989. As head of the Utilities
Product Group at Microcom, Capon has strengthened Microcom's
presence in the utilities software and Macintosh markets.

Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, the Council for
Entrepreneurial Development is a non-profit organization founded in
1983 to encourage and assist the development of technology-based
businesses in the area.

The council said that because Microcom acquired HJC, Capon did not
fit into any of its usual award categories, but his achievements
called for a special award.

(Grant Buckler/19910427/Press Contact: Christine Washburn,
Microcom, 617-551-1956)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 SHIVA SCHEDULES FASTPATH USER GROUP MEETINGS 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019)

SHIVA SCHEDULES FASTPATH USER GROUP MEETINGS 05/03/91
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Network vendor
Shiva will hold its first annual West Coast FastPath User Group
Meeting May 28 at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood City, Calif. Shiva
said the conference will feature industry leaders, technical how-to
sessions and breaking news announcements.

The FastPath, which Shiva bought from Novell in June, 1990, was the
first AppleTalk-to-Ethernet gateway. Shiva said the user group
meeting is its response to an intensive series of one-on-one
contacts with key user sites since taking on the product last year.

An East Coast FastPath User Group Meeting will be held June 10,
1991 at the Lenox Hotel in Boston.

Shiva welcomes all FastPath users, reporters and industry analysts
to attend. There is no charge for attendance. Users can get more
information by calling Amy Gelpey at 617-252-6480.

(Grant Buckler/19910503/Press Contact: Catie Martin, Shiva,
617-252-6338)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3  ****IBM LICENSES CASE TECHNOLOGY FROM HP 05/03/91

05/03/91

(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00020)

 ****IBM LICENSES CASE TECHNOLOGY FROM HP 05/03/91
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- IBM has licensed
computer-aided software engineering (CASE) from Hewlett-Packard for
its AIX variant of Unix. The agreement gives IBM rights to use HP's
SoftBench integration framework and Encapsulator software
technologies in future CASE products for its AIX-based RISC
System/6000 workstations and servers.

IBM spokeswoman Judy Radlinksy told Newsbytes IBM plans to use the
HP technology to develop entry-level AIX CASE tools to complement
its existing more powerful CASE offerings. There is no public
timetable for releasing products based on the HP technology, she
said.

IBM said the agreement will aid customers who wish to share CASE
tools and data among IBM and HP workstations, and will make it
easier for independent developers to produce software tools for
both platforms.

SoftBench is a tool-integration framework used in CASE. It
provides a common interface to and communication between tools used
to analyze, design, construct, debug, test, and maintain software.
It coordinates activities across the entire software-development
life cycle. The SoftBench Encapsulator allows the integration of
third-party tools into the framework.

(Grant Buckler/19910503/Press Contact: Judy Radlinsky, IBM,
914-642-4634; Ken Gerlach, Hewlett-Packard, 408-746-5601)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3  ****IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT PRODIGY? 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00021)

 ****IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT PRODIGY? 05/03/91
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) --
Newsbytes has received permission to reveal the name of the
Prodigy user who informed Newsbytes over a month ago (March
29, 1991, San Francisco Bureau) he cancelled his subscription
after finding sensitive, personal information, in files
created and accessed by Prodigy. Hirshal Wolfson, a retired
physicist/computer consultant and a resident of Culver
City, told Newsbytes, "If anyone asked me, I'd tell them to
stay away from it."

In a letter from Randie L. Moss, Prodigy services manager,
to Wolfson, Prodigy claimed it could inadvertently access
user data, but not if it was operated from a bootable,
freshly formatted floppy disk. In that case, the letter
stated, the information from the hard disk files would not
be accessed by Prodigy. Prodigy President Theodore C.
Papes yesterday issued a statement saying that Prodigy
cannot read or access private data on its members' personal
computers. Papes said, "Such wild speculation simply isn't
true. Prodigy is committed to protecting the privacy of our
nearly one million members."

Wolfson told Newsbytes, "I started out in this innocently.
My hard disk was loaded, so I wanted to install Prodigy onto
a bootable floppy, and I had to call them [Prodigy] to find
out how to do it. I tried it several ways, and when my data
kept showing up, I cancelled the service."

The Wall Street Journal reported Prodigy does access
information from users' personal computers, but said Prodigy
doesn't look at the data. In an article titled "'Prodigy'
Headquarters Offered Peeks Into Users' Private Files,"
Wednesday, May 1, 1991, Prodigy officials were quoted as
confirming a software quirk that picks up unrelated Prodigy
information off a user's hard disk, and also confirmed they
could access that data. Brian Ek, a spokesman for Prodigy
was quoted by the Wall Street Journal as saying, "We
couldn't get to that information without a lot of work, and
we haven't any intention of doing so."

Newsbytes has reports from seven other Los Angeles residents
of incidents involving the finding of personal data in
Prodigy files, including a journalist for Newsbytes. All of
the seven have canceled their Prodigy services.

Prodigy is under fire from several sides. The Los Angeles
District Attorney's office says it is broadening
an earlier investigation into Prodigy to include possible
criminal and civil violations involving alleged unfair
business practices and unauthorized access to computers and
computer data. Two class action suits, filed in
Los Angeles County Superior Court, have been moved to
Federal Court, and are pending. Board Watch magazine
reported on a story from Infoworld in which Soap Opera Now,
a weekly newsletter, has sued Prodigy, alleging Prodigy
illegally used stories from the newsletter in its online
services.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910503/Press Contact: Rich Goldston, Los
Angeles District Attorney's Office, Tel: [phone], Fax:
213/893-0150)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 INFORMTECH TO DISTRIBUTE ACER MONITORS IN HONG KONG 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00022)

INFORMTECH TO DISTRIBUTE ACER MONITORS IN HONG KONG 05/03/91
SHATIN, HONG KONG, 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Hong Kong computer system board
manufacturer Informtech is broadening its presence in the local
computer market with an agreement to distribute monitors from
Taiwan manufacturer Acer.

Informtech will be one of two distributors in Hong Kong for Acer,
which also makes a range of computer products, including electronic
components, brand-name products and software. Acer products have long
been distributed locally by Hong Kong Telecom CSL.

"Acer's well-engineered, state-of-the-art products reflect our own
commitment to quality," said Informtech vice president, Benjamin
Cheung. "The Acerview monitors are among the most advanced on the
market."

Leading the Informtech product line will be the Acerview 33, a 34 cm
colour monitor compatible with MCGA, VGA, Super VGA, 8514/A and
Macintosh II parameters.

Informtech is a leading Hong Kong manufacturer of computer system and
peripheral adaptor boards that are used by independent personal
computer manufacturers around the world.

(Norman Wingrove/Press Contact: Jacqueline Sun, Informtech,
Phone: + 852 686 1188, Fax: [phone]; HK time is GMT + 8)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 IBM/SEGA TEAM ON JAPANESE GAME COMPUTER 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00023)

IBM/SEGA TEAM ON JAPANESE GAME COMPUTER 05/03/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Tokyo-based game machine maker Sega
Enterprises has developed a game-oriented personal computer jointly
with IBM Japan. The machine is called the "Terra Drive" and will be
released by Sega by the end of May.

The Terra is equipped with the twin microprocessing units -- an 80286
chip with the AT bus and a 68000 chip. This is because Sega's game
software is based on the 68000 chip, even as the machine had to be
compatible with the IBM PC/AT. In order to run IBM's latest software,
the machine is equipped with Japanese operating system "DOS/V,"
making it fully IBM-compatible, the two firms say.

The low-end version with a 640KB memory and a floppy disk drive costs
148,000 yen ($1,100). The middle class model with 1MB memory and two
floppy disk drives costs 188,000 yen ($1,390), and the 30MB hard disk
model costs 248,000 yen ($1,800). The 14-inch CRT monitor costs 79,800
yen ($590).

Sega claims to already have about 100 software game titles that run
on this PC.

The technical information on the hardware and the software
was provided by IBM Japan. This is apparently part of IBM Japan's
strategy to share its technology in the market. The firm has just set
up an Open Architecture Developers' Group (OADG) and is
encouraging hardware makers to produce IBM-compatible PCs.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910503/Press Contact: Sega Enterprises, +81-3-
3743-7447)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3  ****FCC FACES COMPLEX TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)

 ****FCC FACES COMPLEX TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES 05/03/91
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission, which was split against its chairman
and staff in the complex battle over TV syndication rights called
"fin-syn," now faces a host of complex questions involving the
telephone industry and some observers are wondering if those
splits won't reappear.

Roy Morris, attorney for Allnet in Washington, discussed some of
these complex issues with Newsbytes. One involves so-called post
dial delays, which sounds esoteric enough. But at its heart is a
decision on how to measure whether local phone companies are
doing their jobs, and how much they may cut costs to earn more
profit under new price cap rules. Post dial delay is the amount
of time between the end of your dialing and the call being
connected, and the phone companies don't want this used as a
measure of quality. They prefer trunk blocking. But, "In a digital
network, calls don't get blocked, things just slow down. Our
point is that the proper measurement is how long things take, not
whether they occur," says Morris. A decision must come in the
next few months, as the first price cap tariffs are enacted, and
the result will impact not only the quality of your calls, but
their cost as well.

The FCC must also consider who will be held liable when hackers
dial into a company phone switch, called a PBX, in order to then
dial out of it on the company's nickel. Many PBX owners want long
distance companies like Allnet to swallow these charges. Morris
says the technical problems can be solved, either with security
features or monitoring programs which alert switch owners about
suspicious calling patterns. "It's a difficult question because
PBX users don't always understand their systems," Morris says.
Many large users with both AT&T switches and AT&T long distance
think this question just involves AT&T, and say that company
should be liable in any case, not them.

The most complex, but theoretically most costly, dispute involves
accounting at the National Exchange Carriers Association and
three of the Bell firms -- NYNEX, Southwestern Bell, and Pacific
Telesis. All three changed how they were accounting for charges
and costs with NECA, an association created by the FCC as a
clearinghouse for the interstate charges run up by in-state local
phone firms. "They all did the right thing at the beginning of
1988 but when NECA told them it was hurting their financials they
undid it." In effect, the local firms were throwing in profits
from regulated operations into the pool, from which they would
later draw more profits. How that issue is decided will have a
big impact on how much your phone service costs.

The bottom-line question -- can a commission charged with ruling
on complex broadcasting questions also rule competently on these
complex telephony questions? Chairman Sikes will be pressed over
the next few months to answer that question, Morris says, and how
he answers it could determine the future of the agency.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19910503/Press Contact: Roy Morris, Allnet,
202-293-0593; FCC, 202-632-5050)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 ZIFF COMMUNICATIONS MOVES INTO NEWSLETTERS 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00025)

ZIFF COMMUNICATIONS MOVES INTO NEWSLETTERS 05/03/91
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- With this week's
acquisition of The Cobb Group, Ziff Communications, already one
of the largest publisher of computer magazines, has also become the
leading publisher of high-end PC users' newsletters. The Cobb
Group, based in Louisville, Kentucky, now publishes 27
newsletters which provide help for users of products such as
Lotus 1-2-3, Wordperfect, Microsoft Windows, and others.

The Cobb Group publications now have a circulation of a quarter
million and will reportedly remain under the same management
control.

Ziff Communications already publishes three newsletters: Seybold
Report on Publishing Systems, Seybold Report on Desktop
Publishing, and ConneXions -- The Interoperatiblity Report.

Philip Korsant, vice chairman of Ziff Communications, said, "Cobb
fits with our overall effort of helping people become more
productive through information technology."

"To date, only the tip of the iceberg has been explored in
getting the most out of microcomputer software. Cobb's journals
help PC users become more proficient in their chosen
applications, systems and languages."

Regarding new ventures, Douglas Cobb, president of The Cobb
Group, said, "We are already at work together, developing
appropriate new products for the many opportunities we see in the
marketplace."

(John McCormick/19910503/Press Contact: Greg Jarboe, Jarboe
Communications, 617-396-5920)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 SOURCE EDP SALARY SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00026)

SOURCE EDP SALARY SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE 05/03/91
IRVING, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Source EDP, a computer
professional-oriented recruiting (employment) firm, is now
offering free copies of its new 1991 Computer Salary Survey with
national and local salary data for 52 U.S. and Canadian
metropolitan areas. The annual survey gathers data on salaries of
nearly 100,000 computer professionals.

The extensive listings of salaries compare different job
descriptions and differing regions as well as offer
information about growth trends in the industry and where
career paths lead.

Those working in the computer field might want to compare their
salaries with those of similar professionals in other regions or
track the potential benefits of switching areas of
specialization.

With nearly 100 offices, Source EDP calls itself the nation's
largest recruiting firm specializing exclusively in the computer
profession.

For a free copy of the report, contact a local Source EDP office
or write: Source EDP, P.O. Box 152109, Irving, TX 75015-2109.

(John McCormick/19910503)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 Review of: XTreePro Gold ver. 2.0, file utilities for PCs, 05/03/91

05/03/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00027)

Review of: XTreePro Gold ver. 2.0, file utilities for PCs, 05/03/91

Runs on: IBM PC, PC-XT, PC-AT, PS/2, or compatible with MS-DOS
3.1 or higher with 256K RAM available. Both 3.5 and 5.25-inch disk
provided.

From: XTREE Company, A Division Executive Systems Inc., 4330
Santa Fe RD, San Luis Obispo CA 03401, 805-541-0604, Fax
805-541-8053.

Price: $149, the upgrade from XTree products is $35.

PUMA Rating: 3.95 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

SUMMARY: XTreePro Gold goes green. Computer software unites with
the ecology movement to provide excellent utility with a
conscience.

======

REVIEW

======

XTreePro Gold version 2.0 is not only an improved revision of its
former self, but it is now bundled with a chance to help the
environment. Everything in XtreePro Gold ver. 2.0 with the
exception of the floppy disk is produced from recycled and
recyclable materials. American Forestry's operation, Global
Releaf Program, is supported by the XTree Company. In fact, when
the purchaser registers this product, the XTree Company will plant
a tree in the name of that person or company.

XTreePro Gold is easily installed, easily run, and logically
organized. It comes with the classical XTree mnemonic or pull
down menu for access to the features. The program can make
organization and maintenance of your hard drive not only efficient
but even entertaining.

The new and attractive applications menu automatically sets up
itself by identifying many of your programs. XtreePro Gold then
creates batch files by which they can be accessed. Upon accessing
a program from the menu XTreePro Gold shrinks down to a modest 7K
of memory. When the user exits the application they are back in
XTreePro Gold application menu.

There is a simple ASCII editor, 1Word, included, which is also
accessible from within XtreePro Gold. If you do not like 1Word,
XtreePro Gold will allow a word processor of choice to be
substituted. 1WORD allows for quick fixes of batch files and changes
in config.sys. It is far more capable than it may first appear and
extremely easy to use.

All of the older XtreePro Gold utilities -- moving, copying,
renaming, deleting, viewing, sorting, tagging, untagging, split
screen, prune-and-graft sub-directories, search-and-browse files,
the application menu, a keystroke history file, mouse support,
and changing attributes -- are included in version 2.0 plus many
new ones. New features include undelete files, numerous viewer
filters, compression file managers, a compare directory function,
partial drive logging, and a feature which moves a file across drives.

The expanded file viewer filters include many of the more popular
databases, word processors, and spreadsheets. However, they do
not include any graphics formats.

XtreePro Gold ver. 2.0 includes compression management software.
It allows the user to create, view, and expand ZIPped files,
saving valuable disk space.

The compare directory function will automatically tag dissimilar
files in any two selected directories. This speeds the process of
deleting duplicate files.

For those who have really large disk drives, it is now possible
with XtreePro Gold ver.2.0 to log partial drives. This means that
the drives can be logged as single or multiple directories. When
working with just a few directories on a large drive, this feature
is quite helpful.

The XTree Company has for a long time offered the ability to move
files from directory to directory in a few easy steps. Now the
move command can be used not only to move files between but from
drive to drive in the same manner.

Numerous safety nets are in place to help prevent disasters,
though in the end, the user has control. Undelete is a new
command added to the safety nets -- good for when you accidentally erase
files.

XTreePro Gold is still more exciting to use than most video
games, in my opinion!

All of the features I used performed flawlessly. XTreePro Gold
has just become better in version 2.0.

===========

PUMA RATING

===========

PERFORMANCE: (3.8) XtreePro Gold version 2.0 has grown even
larger; however, it is still efficient and fast. The only
drawback I noticed was the lack of viewer filters for popular
graphic files, i.e. *.PCX, *.TIF, or *.GEM.

USEFULNESS: (4) If the computer uses a hard drive it needs an
XTree product. XtreePro Gold ver. 2.0 is a full featured hard disk
manage, plus it comes with a way to help the environment.

MANUAL: (4) Great manual; well organized and informative.

AVAILABILITY: (4) XtreePro Gold version 2.0 can be found almost
anywhere computer software is sold.

(tbass, HNDYPRSN/19910214/Press Contact: Michael Cahlin 213-933-4957)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 Review of: Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion by

05/03/91
Beth Woods, 05/03/91


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00028)

Review of: Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion by
Beth Woods, 05/03/91

From: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 155 Bovet RD, Suite 730, San
Mateo CA 94402, 415-358-1250.

Price: $14.95

PUMA Rating: 3.83 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest )

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary: This book provides excellent tips on
all three XTree programs in plain English complete with cartoons.

======

REVIEW

======

The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion by Beth Woods
is well worth the time and price, especially for the user who
goes from machine to machine and XTree version to version. As the
book covers the different features in each version of the program,
the differences are noted in the outermost columns on each page.
The notation scenario used by Beth Woods makes it easy to
understand to which program she is referring in the text.

The book brings to the XTree user many tips on operating more
efficiently and effectively within the XTree programs. It's
laced with cartoons by Richard Tennant and there are pop
quizzes thrown in both as learning devices and for fun.
While reading about Xtree Pro Gold may not be quite as entertaining
as using it, this book is not dry reading.

The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion does not
include XTreeNet, or Xtree Pro Gold ver. 2.0 yet. Admittedly,
the book came out before Xtree Pro Gold ver. 2.0, but it should
have included a section on XTreeNet.

IDG Books supports XTree Company's Project Green. The Official
XTree book is printed on recycled paper.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (3.5) The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk
Companion delivers knowledge while entertaining the reader. Its only
drawback is that it should have included a section on XTreeNet.

USEFULNESS: (4) The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion
includes more information than the documentation, and good data
about the use of DOS and hard disks.

AVAILABILITY: (4) The Official XTree MS-DOS and Hard Disk
Companion can be found at B.Dalton's and other book and software
stores. It can be ordered directly from IDG Books by calling
800-28BOOKS.

(tbass HNDYPRSN/19910220/Press Contact:Milissa Koloski 415-358-
1261)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 MICROAGE TO SPONSOR COMPUTER COST STUDY 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00029)

MICROAGE TO SPONSOR COMPUTER COST STUDY 05/03/91
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- Microage Computer
Centers has announced plans to sponsor a study measuring the
actual investment in networked and connected personal computers.
The study will be conducted by Nolan Norton & Co, a subsidiary of
KPMG Peat Marwick, the worldwide accounting firm.

To qualify for participation, a company must have an installed
base of at least 200 personal computers. The study will run from
July to November 1991. Companies interested in participating in
the study can do so by contacting their local Microage computer
outlet. Microage President William Keiper said the study was
being sponsored "to ensure that Microage clients receive maximum
return on their microcomputer investment."

According to Keiper companies participating will learn the exact
cost of connected workgroup computing in their organization, as
well as develop a workable model for managing connected
workgroups. They will also be able to compare the cost of
connected computing in their organization with that of other
firms, according to Keiper.

The current study is a follow-up to a 1988 survey conducted by
Nolan Norton & Company which they say "shows that while most
companies receive a 10 percent annual return on investment in PCs,
some organizations yield a tenfold annual return." The study,
entitled 'True Cost of the Connected Workgroup' will include such
subjects as the benefits of office integration, maximizing return
on connected PCs, pooling resources and sharing information
across departments and the company.

(Jim Mallory/19910502/Press Contact:David Lucas, Microage,
602-968-3168)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 3 NEW FOR MAC: SuperMac Intros PixelPaint Professional 2.0 05/03/91

05/03/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)

NEW FOR MAC: SuperMac Intros PixelPaint Professional 2.0 05/03/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 3 (NB) -- SuperMac
Software has introduced an enhanced version of its PixelPaint
Professional paint and image processing tool.

The company maintains that PixelPaint Professional 2.0 provides
traditional graphics tools, artistic image processing, and an
enhanced, powerful user interface.

"PixelPaint Professional 2.0 has been rewritten from the ground up in
order to seamlessly provide our customers with some very exciting
tools," said Laurie Girand, SuperMac's director of applications
development. "By redesigning the interface, we have made the
product even easier to use."

The company maintains that by using the new software along with a
pressure sensitive stylus, the designer can create effects similar to
those of watercolors, pastels, charcoal sticks, and other tools. The
PixelPaper feature simulates the texture of linen, concrete, slate,
charcoal, and other papers.

Some special effects and image processing tools have also been
added. The Paste Controls feature can drop one image onto
another and place it in front or behind objects within a picture.
MeshWarp allows for the distortion of images in a controlled fashion.

The company claims an easier-to-use interface for the convenience
of the designer. Icons represent the tools and modes of the program
with the interface consisting of a tool palette, a color mixer, and a
coordinates window.

"The decision to rewrite the program from scratch was
based on our desire to implement many powerful tools under an
interface that would not get in the way of a user's creativity, said
Mike Sellars, president of Pixel Resources, the developer of the
PixelPaint product line.

PixelPaint Professional 2.0 is available immediately at the price of
$799. Users can upgrade from version 1.0 for $125.

(Ian Stokell/19910503/Press Contact: Laurie McLean, SuperMac
Software, 415-358-8535)

#ENDCARD



#CARD::1991 MAY 2 NEW FOR MAC: Authenticator V2.0 Security System 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00001)

NEW FOR MAC: Authenticator V2.0 Security System 05/02/91
ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Eclectic
Associates has announced version 2.0 of its Authenticator security and
resource tracking software for the Apple Macintosh range of computers.
Authenticator can restrict usage of Macintoshes to users with the
required keywords, and also allows the monitoring of printer usage,
the company claims.

The system works by assigning each user a password. Access
to the system is impossible without that password. The system also
keeps a record of use for each computer it is installed on. For local and
networked printers, Authenticator also keeps track of the number of
pages printed to each printer, thereby cutting down on the unnecessary
and/or unauthorized use of printers. The software was designed with
open working environments in mind, as any number of users need to
access computers in these situations.

A second part to the package, the Administrator, allows the system
manager to maintain the system, including passwords and system
configuration.

Although originally developed for Harvard University's Graduate
School of Design by Eclectic, it has been licensed from Harvard by
the software company for commercial distribution. Authenticator will
run  under System 6.0 or greater, and is System 7.0 (the Mac's new
operating system) compatible.

As supplied, the software uses 90KB of disk space and 60KB of
memory when running. Authenticator costs $120 a copy for up to 9
copies, with 10 or more copies attracting a 10 percent discount.
Academic institutions are eligible for a further 30 percent discount on
the single and multiple unit costs.

(Sean McNamara/19910502/Contact: David Kovar, phone [phone] or
17-643 3373 in Mass.)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 AUSTRALIA: OTC SUPPORTS CHILD CARE CENTER 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00002)

AUSTRALIA: OTC SUPPORTS CHILD CARE CENTER 05/02/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- OTC, Australia's
international telecommunications carrier, has entered into an agreement
to establish a child care center. The deal guarantees OTC 20 places in
the center for the next 21 years, and calls for a AUS$600,000 investment
from the company.

The Eastside child care center was built on property owned by the
Uniting Church in Paddington, one of Sydney's inner suburbs. The
Federal Department of Community Services and Health contributed
AUS$500,000 to the facility.

The 20 places reserved for OTC are made up of ten for children aged 6
weeks to 3 years and ten for children aged 3-5 years. Tim Harricks,
OTC Corporate Human Resources General Manager said: "OTC
recognizes that by addressing family concerns, we stand to reap
long-term rewards such as increased work performance and productivity,
reduced, absenteeism and an increased capacity to attract and retain
skilled people who either have, or are planning to have, a family."

(Sean McNamara/19910502/Contact: Paul Rea, phone in Australia +61-2-
287 5602)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 AUSTRALIA: MOBILE RADIO SYSTEM FOR FLEET MANAGEMENT 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00003)

AUSTRALIA: MOBILE RADIO SYSTEM FOR FLEET MANAGEMENT 05/02/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- OTC, one of Australia's leading
telecommunications companies, has announced OTC Fleetcoms, a mobile
radio service aimed at fleet operators. The system should allow
greater flexibility in fleet management and communications by lifting
the inherent restriction in conventional two-way radio systems.

Fleetcoms works through a network of linked base stations throughout
the area to be covered, and the service provides instant, reliable,
24-hour communications through voice, data and fax services.
Communications can be carried out from base to mobile, mobile to base,
and mobile to mobile, and group conference, emergency, and priority
calls can be catered for. The system also allows direct dial access to
national and international telephone networks. According to Professor
Murray Wells, OTC director, the system should provide "substantial
savings" over mobile cellular telephone costs.

Fleetcoms conforms to the international signalling protocol MPT1327,
and equipment for operators and subscribers is readily available from
a large number of suppliers. OTC aims to make Fleetcoms Australia's
premier national trunked land mobile radio service, Wells said.
"Trunking has long been recognized as the most efficient way to
utilize limited radio spectrum capacity. Through OTC maritime, OTC's
mobile communications division, we intend to expand the Fleetcoms
network to all capital cities and to major centers around Australia in
tune with subscriber demand," Wells added.

(Sean McNamara/19910502/Contact: Paul Rea, phone in Australia +61-2-
287 5602)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE GOES HI-TECH 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)

CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE GOES HI-TECH 05/02/91
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Approximately 7,000
traders at the Chicago Board of Trade and the Mercantile Exchange will
soon begin using hand held devices and wireless technology to record
their transactions, replacing the cards that are currently in use.

Dale Lorenzen, vice chairman of the Board of Trade said that high
technology is being implemented in an effort to provide a secure audit
record of all transactions. Transactions will be transmitted via
either infrared or radio frequency signals to a local area network
(LAN) connected to a mainframe.

The two exchanges have each committed $2.5 million toward development
of a prototype device that would weigh less than one pound, and could
record at least 30 trades per second per pit, according to Lorenzen.

Until the devices, called AUDIT, are available, traders will continue
to use the present system of recording their trades on cards which are
collected at the end of the day, then entered into a computer. The
results are sent to a clearinghouse, which matches the entries to
verify accuracy.

The two exchanges want to use the new technology to speed up the
process, which under the manual system inhibits speedy discovery of
any discrepancies in the two records of each trade. The new system
will be able to spot a discrepancy, called an 'out-trade,' almost
immediately, and signal the trader of the problem.

Spectrix, Texas Instruments and Synerdyne are building prototype
devices. Each device will be tested in mock trading sessions, then be
tried out in real trading on the floor. Prototypes that accept both
key input and handwriting are being tested.

Jo Ann Serpe, a Board of Trade spokesperson, told Newsbytes that
the first prototypes are presently in the mock trading phase. Serpe said
that all traders who trade for their own accounts will be using the devices
by the end of 1992, and other exchanges around the country have been
offered an opportunity to share the technology.

(Jim Mallory/19910502/Press Contact: Jo Ann Serpe, Chicago Board of
Trade, 312-435-3500)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 VALCOM AND INACOMP MERGE TO FORM SUPERCHAIN 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00005)

VALCOM AND INACOMP MERGE TO FORM SUPERCHAIN 05/02/91
TROY, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Inacomp Computer Centers
has announced a merger with Omaha based Valcom to form InaCom, a
computer chain consisting of 76 company owned stores and more than 600
franchisees and affiliated locations.

Rick Inatome will be chairman of the new company, while Bill Fairfield,
currently president of Valcom, will be president. The new company will
continue to operate from the two firms existing headquarters in Troy,
Michigan and Omaha, Nebraska. Last year the two firms had combined
sales in excess of $900 million.

In January 1991 Inacomp signed an exclusive agreement with The ASCII
Group, an alliance of independent computer resellers and value-added
resellers (VARs) for Inacomp to become the reseller supplier for CPU
products and services for ASCII's more than 800 member locations
worldwide. It is not yet known how the merger will affect that agreement.

(Jim Mallory/19910502/Press Contact:Rick Inatome, InaCom, 313-649-
5580)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 DIGI INTERNATIONAL EARNS $1.98 MILLION IN SECOND QTR 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00006)

DIGI INTERNATIONAL EARNS $1.98 MILLION IN SECOND QTR 05/02/91
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Digi
International has announced record sales of $9.85 million and earnings of
nearly $2 million for the quarter that ended March 31, 1991.

The company reports that sales increased 79 percent over the same
period last year while earnings increased 57 percent. Earnings per
share for the quarter just ended increased from $0.15 in 1990 to $0.24
in 1991.

Digi International president and CEO John Schinas reported that the
first quarter of 1991 marked the 20th consecutive quarter of record
sales for the company. Schinas said the company's strong sales were
the result of continued sales strength in the distributor, original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) and international sales markets, and praised the
company's technical support and their zero defects program in the
engineering and manufacturing process.

Digi International provides data communications hardware and
software products that allow microcomputers to function as multi-user
systems in a variety of operating system environments under the names
Digiboard and Arnet. Digi International was ranked fifth on a recent
Forbes magazine's best small companies list.

(Jim Mallory/19910502/Press Contact:Jerry Wall, Digi International,
612-943-9020)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 FISERV GETS FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK CONTRACT 05/02/91

05/02/91
\

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00007)

FISERV GETS FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK CONTRACT 05/02/91
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) Fiserv has
announced an agreement under which it will acquire the item processing
business of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Texas. The new
agreement follows one signed recently under which Fiserv will
provide payroll and benefit services to CitiBank.

Terms of the agreement call for Fiserv to provide services to more
than 200 savings and financial institutions located in New Mexico,
Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Fiserv will acquire the Dallas Federal Home Loan Bank's existing
processing facilities in Dallas, Houston, Little Rock and New Orleans.
Those centers presently process over 13 million items each month. With
the new business, Fiserv will handle more than 24 million items per
month in the region.

Fiserv employs more than 3,200 full time employees worldwide, and is
publicly traded over-the-counter.

(Jim Mallory/19910502/Press Contact:George Dalton, Fiserv, 414-546-
5001)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 APPIAN TECHNOLOGY POSTS FIRST QTR LOSS 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00009)

APPIAN TECHNOLOGY POSTS FIRST QTR LOSS 05/02/91
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Appian
Technology has reported a net loss of $2,538,000, or $0.07 per share,
on revenues of $10,663,000 for its first quarter of 1991, ended March 31.

The figures compare with a net income of $229,000, or $0.01 per share,
on revenues of $12,203,000 reported for the like period of 1990.

The company attributed the decline in revenues and income to the shift
in the Intel 80286-based personal computer market to 386-based
systems, dramatic price erosion in the VGA integrated circuit and
board business, and higher start-up costs for new product production
during the quarter.

The company maintains it has been restructuring and transitioning from
being a pure semiconductor supplier to a supplier of high performance
integrated circuit (IC) and board solutions, since the acquisition of
Renaissance GRX in the second half of 1990.

The company is planning to reduce its workforce by 36 employees
between its Bellevue, Washington, and Sunnyvale, California,
facilities, as a direct result of the lower-than-expected earnings. As
of December 31, 1990, Appian employed 150 people.

The company maintains that the high-performance logic and graphics
areas are the key to its future.

(Ian Stokell/19910502/Press Contact: Stephen Vonderach, Appian
Technology Inc., 408-730-8800)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 AUSTRALIA: MARITIME PHONE NETWORK EXPANDS 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00010)

AUSTRALIA: MARITIME PHONE NETWORK EXPANDS 05/02/91
KANGAROO ISLAND, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- OTC Maritime
has commissioned two more Auto-Seaphone stations on the Australian
coastline. They are located at Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln, both
in South Australia.

The VHF radio stations provide line-quality ship-to-shore telephone
services for up to a 100km radius of the station. The sea-phones have
a standard 12-key keypad, and work like a landline telephone, rather a
radio. The system extends over all the eastern coastline of Australia,
plus other populous area.

Features of Auto Seaphone include a 999 emergency number for sea
emergencies, and a series of pre-recorded messages of assistance to
sailors. The cost is a flat AUS$1.20 per minute within Australia (or
$1.00 after 8pm) plus an annual fee of $35.

(Paul Zucker/19910502/Contact: OTC [phone] fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2  ****EASIFAX SYSTEM AUTOMATES FAX TRAFFIC HANDLING 05/02/91

05/02/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00011)

 ****EASIFAX SYSTEM AUTOMATES FAX TRAFFIC HANDLING 05/02/91
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- A new facsimile system has
been launched this week at the ATUG communications show in Sydney.
OTC Easifax is an enhanced fax handling system offering a number of
features not available from standard fax machines.

OTC says it has just signed contracts to supply the technology to
Canada and New Zealand, and other deals are under discussion. The
company maintains that Unitel Canada has purchased the system after
evaluating many competing products from the US and other countries.

Easifax offers broadcasting, security, mailbox, redirection, retry,
notification, itemised reports and store-and-forward facilities for
domestic and international messages, from and to any fax machine.
OTC claims users can save up to 30% with Easifax.

(Paul Zucker/19910502/Contact: OTC [phone] fax [phone])
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 AUSTRALIA: TAX OFFICE ALREADY INTO '92 COMPUTING BUDGET 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00012)

AUSTRALIA: TAX OFFICE ALREADY INTO '92 COMPUTING BUDGET 05/02/91
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- A report in the Pacific
Computer Weekly newspaper says the Australian Tax Office (ATO) is
already buying from 1992's computing budget, after demand has more
than doubled previous expectations.

Main storage is based on two Amdahl computers with a total of
360 gigabytes of storage, which is to increase to almost 1 terrabyte in
the next year. The original estimate was half of this. Some critics
blame the space problems on IBM storage methods which, they claim,
consume too much disk space for the same number of files.

(Paul Zucker/19910502)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2  ****MICROSOFT'S SOVIET ARM REPORTS HIGH SALES 05/02/91

05/02/91


(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(MOW)(00013)

 ****MICROSOFT'S SOVIET ARM REPORTS HIGH SALES 05/02/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Sales of Microsoft software
through authorized channels in Russia appear to be doing well -- the
software giant's Soviet division has reported sales of $1.5 million
for its last financial year.

According to Microsoft, the boost in sales is the direct result of a
joint venture the company has with Dialogue, one of the more
innovative computer distributors in Moscow. Alexey Leontyev, Microsoft
Moscow's marketing chief, told Newsbytes that the company's
relationship with Dialogue has been in place for a year now, and the
results of th link-up have been excellent.

"All the sales were made in hard currency alone - a challenging job
when many businesses seem to have nothing but roubles in their
pockets," he said, adding that plans call for the company to set up a
true Microsoft subsidiary in Russia and for the company to further
expand sales of company software in the Soviet Union.

He also said that plans are in hand to sell Microsoft software for
non-convertible roubles, a situation made possible by the steady
progress the company is making towards producing Microsoft
packages wholly within the Soviet Union for domestic consumption.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910502)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 APPLE II STILL GOING STRONG IN SOVIET UNION 05/02/91

05/02/91

(EXCLUSIVE)(APPLE)(MOW)(00014)

APPLE II STILL GOING STRONG IN SOVIET UNION 05/02/91
MOSCOW, U.S.S.R., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- While the Apple II series of
computers seems destined for the store cupboard in the U.S., as sales
of the Mac continue to soar, there is one country at least where the
Apple II is selling well -- the Siviet Union.

According to Vladimir Federov, the president of the Apple II Soviet
user's group, hundreds of thousands of users of the Apple II are
crying out for information on their machines.

The user group bases this conclusion on the results of a study to
discover the main usage of the Apple II in Soviet Union.

Federov told Newsbytes that the bulk of the existing Apple II-
compatible population of computers were imported into Eastern
Europe as a result of joint Bulgarian/Soviet work. The mainstay of the
Apple II user population is the Pravets-8 computer, an Apple II clone
that was available in Russia for many years at low prices.

The Pravets-8 was not the only Apple II-compatible computer to reach
into the heartlands of Russia. Another Soviet company called Variant
supplied its own Apple II-compatible machine in order to bundle its
local area networking system for sale in the Soviet Union.

"So now we have more 100,000 (Apple II-compatible) computers
installed and operating in the country. But users lack the most important
thing -- contact with each other and the possibility to share the
information with other users," said Federov.

That situation looks set to change very soon, Federov added, thanks to
the activities of the user group.

It is estimated there could be as many as 1.5 million microcomputers
in the Soviet Union.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19910502)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 NEW FOR MAC: New Version Of Unix Debuts In Japan 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00015)

NEW FOR MAC: New Version Of Unix Debuts In Japan 05/02/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Apple Computer Japan has
released an upgraded version of its Unix operating system software
for the Apple Macintosh computer. The software -- A/UX2.01 -- is
available immediately.

According to Apple, the new version of Unix comes complete with an X-
Window and data exchange facility. Using the new facility, data can be
exchanged between Apple Mac software and X-Windows applications
packages which normally run on Intel-based Unix platforms.

A/UX2/01 does not hog memory or system power either - the package will
run on a Mac IIsi, although 4 megabytes (MB) of RAM and an 80MB hard disk
are required to run the package to its fullest capabilities.

The A/UX2.01 package is available in both magnetic (floppy disk) and
optical (CD-ROM) formats. The floppy version costs 150,000 yen
($1,100) while the CD-ROM version prices in at 80 per cent of the
floppy version.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910502/Press Contact: Apple Computer Japan, +81-
3-35562-6000)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 INTERNATIONAL CMOS LOSES MONEY AND PRESIDENT 05/02/91

05/02/91

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00015)

INTERNATIONAL CMOS LOSES MONEY AND PRESIDENT 05/02/91
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- International CMOS
Technology has reported net losses for the second quarter ending March
29, 1991, of $1,272,000, and $2,330,000 for the full year. In
addition, the company announced that Allen Osterman resigned as its
president at the company's meeting of the board of directors held on
April 24, 1991, in San Jose.

For the second quarter ended March 29, 1991, the company's product
revenues were $2,065,000, compared with $3,635,000 for the comparable
quarter of the previous year. Year to date product revenues were
$4,846,000, compared with $6,880,000 for the like period last year.

Loss per share for the second quarter and the year as of March 29,
1991, were 23 cents and 42 cents respectively as against 15 cents and
32 cents for the previous comparable periods.

Following the announcement that Alidad Farmanfarme, currently both
chairman and chief executive officer, will be assuming the additional
responsibility as president of the company, he said: "With recent
actions taken by senior management and the board of directors, the
company is positioning itself for improved operating results in the
second half of fiscal 1991."

"While the company is reporting a loss for the current quarter and
first half of fiscal year 1991, demand and interest in the company's
product lines remains strong," he added.

"We are confident that our new 22CV10 series, 7024 PEEL (programmable
electrically-erasable logic) Array device, and ICT's unique Advanced
Development Software -- will provide for a strong base for future
sales and success in 1991 and beyond," he went on to say.

International CMOS Technology designs, develops and markets user-
programmable logic and memory devices.

(Ian Stokell/19910502/Press Contact: Lawrence A. Yaggi, International
CMOS Technology Inc., 408-434-0678)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2  ****"WHAT'S A MOUSE?" ASKS THE WHITE HOUSE 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00016)

 ****"WHAT'S A MOUSE?" ASKS THE WHITE HOUSE 05/02/91
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Computerworld reports that,
while President Bush was striving to show his concern for continuing
education and the White House's appreciation of the need for computer
literacy, presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater responded to a
question about the new presidential computer by asking: "What's a
mouse?"

Since the recently installed computer is an IBM PS/2, the reporter who
asked the question was probably showing his ignorance also because IBM
PS/2 systems are regularly sold with mice and it is difficult to
imagine the White House not being able to afford one. The computer is
installed in President Bush's study adjacent to the Oval Office.

The president is learning to turn the computer on and off and
exploring the ins and outs of how to write memos in WordPerfect 5.0.

First Lady Barbara Bush is said to be partially responsible for
convincing the chief executive to learn something about computers -
Mrs. Bush already carries a computer with her on trips.

(John McCormick/19910502)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 RESELLERS SKEPTICAL ABOUT IBM AND COMPAQ PRICE CUTS 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00017)

RESELLERS SKEPTICAL ABOUT IBM AND COMPAQ PRICE CUTS 05/02/91
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- According to Computer
Reseller News, dealers are skeptical about the effectiveness of IBM
and Compaq's recent price cuts which were supposed to make the high-
priced systems competitive with clones.

Apparently stung by comparison ads being run by Dell Computer which
claim that its comparable computers were priced far lower, Compaq has
recently lowered prices to dealers so a 386SX system with a 40MB hard
disk is selling around $1,399 (list price $1,999).

IBM's recent price drops have brought its Model 55SX with its 386SX
microprocessor and 30MB hard disk to a dealer low of $1,797 for the
system which carries a list price of nearly $3,000.

While these represent big price drops, dealers are reportedly not
jumping for joy since their costs are still above the list prices of
comparable computers from respected clone builders such as Dell and
Zeos International.

Although IBM has always been viewed as a good buy because of its
reliability and support, with Compaq a close second, somewhat
mitigating the builder's high prices, a major survey of users
published in the September 25, 1990 PC Magazine showed that, while
both companies enjoy a solid reputation, some clone makers rated
higher in reliability and service.

The results for some companies might be skewed by the small size of
the sample, but clearly IBM and Compaq no longer enjoy the solid
"best" ranking that was once theirs almost by default.

Computer Reseller News has quoted one large buyer as saying that the
new price cuts do not affect their search for a supplier. "They are
now only twice as much (as clones), as opposed to three times as
much."

Even more worrying to resellers of the high-priced systems, the clone
builders apparently have room for price cuts of their own because AST
has just cut the price of one 386SX system by more than 20 percent.

(John McCormick/19910502)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 PACRIM RELEASES RADIUS MAC MONITOR IN JAPAN 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00018)

PACRIM RELEASES RADIUS MAC MONITOR IN JAPAN 05/02/91
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Packrim Japan, a subsidiary of
Packrim in the U.S., has released a full-page monitor for the Apple
Macintosh. The monitor, which prices in at 178,000 yen ($1,300)
can display images up to A4 size in high resolution.

Unusual for a full text monitor, the unit is designed to be
compatible with all models in the Apple Mac family, including the low-
end Mac Classic series. To connect to the low-end Macs, the monitor
requires a proprietary interface board which adds around $250 to the
price, The IIsi and IIci Macs do not require an interface board to
drive the monitor.

The monitor is, in fact, a customized version of a similar 75Hz
monitor produced by Radius in the U.S. - Packrim has the Japanese
licensing contract for the unit.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19910502/Press Contact: Packrim Japan, [phone]-
5301)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2  ****DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION BREAKS 486 GROUND 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(IBM)(SAT)(00019)

 ****DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION BREAKS 486 GROUND 05/02/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Dell Computer Corporation
has demonstrated systems based on Intel's newly released stripped-down
20 megahertz 486SX and souped up 50 megahertz 486DX chipsets.

The 486SX was packaged in desktop and floor-standing versions,
upgradable to a 486DX. The desktop version is scheduled for release in
the second quarter of 1991 by the mail-order PC clone maker, and the
floor-standing unit is scheduled for release in the third quarter. No
pricing has been announced.

Both models use the 32-bit EISA bus, and use a BIOS that can be
upgraded by software instead of by changing chips. No schedule was
announced for release of a high-speed 486DX version.

"The advanced performance of 486 technology has become an increasingly
important factor in PC purchases," said G. Glenn Henry, senior vice
president at Dell. "As shown today, we will continue to offer our
customers a broad range of innovative, leading-edge products that
utilize the latest industry technology."

(Lamont Wood/19910502/Press Contact: Lisa Rohlf, Dell, 512-343-3782,
fax [phone].)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2 ROLL PAPER RETURNS FROM THE GRAVE 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SAT)(00020)

ROLL PAPER RETURNS FROM THE GRAVE 05/02/91
WHEELING, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Computer users tired of
taping printouts together to make a party streamer, floor plan or
other over-sized graphical printouts will be happy to hear that roll
paper for computer printers is back, offered by firm call Banner Band.

The paper comes in 80 and 132 column widths, and in 45 and 150 foot
lengths. Retail prices for a roll range from $11.94 to $19.95. Aside
from white, available colors include red, green, yellow and blue, and
fluorescent red, green, pink and orange. Balloons and holiday motifs
are also available.

As with the company's standard perforated fan-fold paper, the material
is 20-pound bond with half-inch tear-away margins and micro
perforations. There are, however, no cross-perforations dividing the
sheet in pages.

In the old days, printers using this type of paper were invariably
teletype machines that used roll paper of pulp quality.

Banner Band founder Stephen Singer said he was selling fan-fold
colored paper and continuous greeting cards at flea market and someone
remarked that it would be better if the perforations weren't there. He
had some paper made without perforations, rolling it by hand, and sold
out.

Banner Band can be reached at 533 North Wolf Road, Wheeling, Illinois,
60090, phone [phone], fax [phone].

(Lamont Wood/19910502/Press Contact: Stephani Perlmutter, S&S PR, 708-
291-1616.)
#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2  ****SIEMENS TO ACQUIRE TI DIVISION 05/02/91

05/02/91


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SAT)(00021)

 ****SIEMENS TO ACQUIRE TI DIVISION 05/02/91
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- Texas Instruments has signed
a letter of intent with Siemens Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Siemens AG of Munich, Germany, to sell Siemens the TI Industrial
Controls division based in Johnson City, Tenn.

The division designs, manufactures and markets programmable logic
controllers and related products. Included in the proposed sale would
be the division's products, facilities, equipment, sales and support
activities.

Approximately 900 TI employees in Johnson City, and another 300
divisional employees in other locations worldwide, will be offered
employment by Siemens. Both companies' products will continue to be
offered to customers by Siemens on a parallel basis.

The terms of the sale were not announced, but its completion hinges on
approval by the board of both firms and by the regulatory bodies
involved.

Siemens already employees more than 35,000 people in the U.S., at more
than 60 plants and more than 400 sales and services offices nation-
wide. Siemens also already has 20 percent of the world industrial and
process automation market.

(Lamont Wood/19910502/Press Contact: Thomas Varney, Siemens, 908-906-
3811.)

#ENDCARD
#CARD::1991 MAY 2  ****SECRET SERVICE SUED BY MITCH KAPOR'S FREEDOM GROUP 05/02/91

05/02/91

(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00022)

 ****SECRET SERVICE SUED BY MITCH KAPOR'S FREEDOM GROUP 05/02/91
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1991 MAY 2 (NB) -- The Electronic Frontier
Foundation (EFF) has announced that both it and Steve Jackson, acting
on behalf of Steve Jackson Games (SJG), have filed a civil suit
against the United States Secret Service, two individual Secret
Service agents, an Assistant United States Attorney, and others,
claiming activities "in connection with the unlawful search and
seizure of the SJG offices in March 1990."

Secret Service agents searched Steve Jackson Games based on their
search warrant on March 1, 1990. During the warrant's execution,
Jackson's computer, notes, diskettes, and other material were
seized as evidence under a sealed search warrant.

Shortly after the seizure, Jackson laid off half of his staff, saying
that the seizure of the material had delayed greatly the introduction
of his "GURPS Cyberpunk" role playing game. Jackson told Newsbytes at
that time, "The Secret Service may have put me out of business because
of their inability to separate fact from fiction." Jackson said that
the Secret Service, which has not charged him or any employee with any
crime will not only not return the material but "will not discuss it
with him."

Jackson's reference to "inability to separate fact from fiction"
reflected his belief at the time that the material seized was because
of a misunderstanding of the purpose of the search and seizure.
Jackson told Newsbytes that one of the Secret Service agents had told
him that the boo