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Newsbytes - Internationa…ews 1983 May to 1994 June
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Newsbytes - International Computing Industry News 1994 Edition - May 1983 - June 1994 - Wayzata Technologies (5045) (1994).iso
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1984
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V37
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1991-07-11
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[***][2/7/84][***]
VICTOR BANKRUPT:
Victor Technologies, maker of IBM-compatible desktop computers
ranked as "excellent" by most analysts, was forced into bankruptcy by
6 major debtors last week. The company laid-off 600 of its remaining
850 workers and has announced it's going to have to borrow money to meet
the remaining workers' payroll. Tandon, a disk-drive manufacturer is
Victor's biggest debtor, claiming Victor owes it $10 million. Victor's
demise is directly attributed to two factors: poor distribution and
increasing competition from IBM. Total debts for Victor are said to exceed
$60 million.
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CONTACT: VICTOR TECHNOLOGIES
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA.
408-438-7000
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[***][2/7/84][***]
IBM STRIKES AGAIN:
This time it's affecting Seagate Technologies, which attributed 60% of its
hard drive business to an IBM contract. IBM announced last week that it's
cutting back on its orders to Seagate, which has caused of flurry of
activity at the company (which is right next door to Victor!) Employees
report many people are being fired for the slightest infractions.
Meanwhile, a company spokesman from Seagate will only quote the company
president, who claims profits are up, although Seagate is actively looking
for new clients. Seagate had to borrow $50 million from four banks recently,
the same spokesman says the money is for "future growth."
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CONTACT: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA.
408-438-6550
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[***][2/7/84][***]
MATTEL ENDS THE GAME:
Mattel, the largest toy maker in the world, has called it quits
in the video game and electronics market. Massive losses which
may total $400 million for the year, forced the decision to sell.
The trouble began when Intellivision units had less and less
software available for them, software writers, instead, turning
to Atari and Coleco. Analysts have agreed that Mattel finally
realized that sale of Intellivision was the only recourse, although
they state that the decision came almost too late. Intellivision
will be sold to one of its investors for $20 million. The investor
is actually a Mattel marketing executive, Terrence Valeski, who
promises to continue the Intellivision line of home computers
and video games.
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CONTACT: MATTEL, INC.
HAWTHORNE, CA.
213-978-5150
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[***][2/7/84][***]
ADAM DEBACLE:
Depending on who you talk to, Coleco could be in for the best of times,
or the worst. First the bad news. Ted O'glove of Reporting Research
says Coleco's going to have a heck of a time paying off back debts totalling
$150 million, more production problems with the Adam Computer are in the
works, half of the Adams sold are being returned with defects, and last but
not least, Coleco's not making much of a profit on them. But Coleco's
own press release paints a rosy picture. The company says full scale
production of Adam Computers is underway and more people will be hired
at two New York State plants.
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CONTACT: COLECO INDUSTRIES
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
203-278-0280
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[***][2/7/84][***]
WHO DROPPED THE PIZZA?
Where is Nolan Bushnell? He's not at Pizza Time Theaters anymore.
Nolan left the company last week, saying he's just not any good at firing
people. The Atari founder's departure comes as Pizza Time is nearly
on the skids..banks have cut off the company's line of credit, stock
prices are at their lowest levels in three years, and the company
projects a loss of more than $3.7 million in the third quarter.
Pizza Time Theaters expects revenues to reach $155 million this year,
that's up 55% over last year, but analysts say it's still not enough
to offset increasing costs of Pizza's spin-off company Sente Technologies.
----
CONTACT: PIZZA TIME THEATERS
SUNNYVALE, CA.
408-734-8731
----
[***][2/7/84][***]
COMMODORE SHAKEUP:
Four executives of Commodore suddenly resigned last week on the heels
of the departure of founder Jack Tramiel. At the same time, Commodore
announced its "264" computer, introduced at the C.E.S. in Las Vegas,
will be delayed. A spokesman says executives are "re-examining" the
product and will introduce it "when there's a need for it." This
cryptic announcement signals some major decisions are being made at
Commodore. Spokesmen say the "264" will definitely be out by the end
of 1984.
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CONTACT: COMMODORE INTERNATIONAL
WEST CHESTER, PA.
215-431-9100
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[***][2/7/84][***]
PEANUT NON-ENVY:
Finally the PCjr went on the road last week but most computer dealers
say they can't give definite arrival dates for customer orders. Meanwhile
a panel of experts, meeting in Phoenix, is blasting the lower-priced
IBM computer, saying it doesn't address a real need, and predicting it
will be the #3 seller this year, behind Commodore's 64, and the Apple
IIe. The panel included Doug Carlston of Broderbund Software, Bill
Bowman of Spinnaker, Jim Levy of Activision and Steve Gibson, inventor
of the light pen. Says Gibson, "it's not clear that a PCjr can do
anything that a Commodore 64 can't."
----
[***][2/7/84][***]
SHOOTING FOR THE STARS (and missing):
The failure of the space shuttle crew to launch Westar VI last week
is also bad news for Hewlett Packard, Western Union, and Vitalink.
HP had planned, through Vitalink, to offer computer-to-satellite
communication for HP3000 computer owners. HP had hoped be the first
company to announce this capability for computer owners; now that
is in serious question. HP3000 computers cost between $30,000 and
$100,000. Satellite communication would have allowed data transmission
without phone lines, instead with an earth station. Back to the
drawing boards.
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CONTACT: HEWLETT PACKARD
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
415-857-1501
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VITALINK
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA.
415-968-5465
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[***][2/7/84][***]
SOFTWARE FOR DANCERS:
I normally don't post software reviews. Do you folks want them?
Well, here's one. The program is called the "DOM Notation System" and
it runs on an Apple II or IIe. The program enables you to manipulate
an on-screen figure, recording dance steps and body movements. It's
a revolutionary approach to choreography, better than videotape and
a lot less expensive. The program is already in use at Stanford
University's athletics department.
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CONTACT: EDWARD DOMBROWER
MIRAGE GRAPHICS
3143 E. ANAHEIM ST.
LONG BEACH, CA. 90804
213-546-1234