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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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V39
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1991-07-11
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[***][2/21/84][***]
HARD-SELL FOR SOFTWARE:
"BusinessWeek" devoted its cover story this week to the software
industry, claiming it's overtaken the hardware industry in influence
and growth rate, and will continue to do so. For instance, Softcon,
the first software industry trade show in New Orleans featured 600
booths, which offered up 12,000 new programs for every computer imaginable.
Analysts from Future Computing predict the software industry will attain
$11.7 billion in sales by 1988 (it achieved $2.1 billion last year).
Many products at Softcon boasted of "integrated" applications that
feature several functions such as graphics, spreadsheets, and word
processing capabilities on one diskette.
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[***][2/21/84][***]
APPLE SCAM:
A friend of mine recently confided he was buying a MacIntosh computer
for $1,000. I looked at him in disbelief. He said, "It's easy, just
walk up to any college kid and ask him if he's buying a computer, if not
give him a thousand bucks and ask him to buy one for you." There's no
telling how far this scam is reaching, but it appears the Ivy League
and other schools that have entered into this lucrative marketing
arrangement with Apple, are making themselves vulnerable to this kind of
"black market" activity unless they police the students who are buying
them. Meanwhile, the schools that are not participating include the
University of California at Santa Cruz, which was recently the scene of
a snafoo between students and administration. The kids want the contract
so they can buy cheap Macs; the school says no because a deal with Apple
may sacrifice its integrity.
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[***][2/21/84][***]
TIMEX OUT:
Timex has become the third major home computer maker to abandon this
highly competitive industry. Timex announced last week that the company
is losing money from dwindling sales of the Timex Sinclair 1000.
(Mattel and Texas Instruments dropped out recently.) Company spokesmen
say Timex will continue to honor warranties and service contracts, but
its agreement with British inventor Clive Sinclair is over. Analysts
credit the Timex computer's decline to two factors: the lack of software
written for it, and increasing competition from other low-priced computer
manufacturers.
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CONTACT: C. M. JACOBI, V.P. MARKETING AND SALES
TIMEX CORPORATION
MIDDLEBURY, CONNECTICUT
203-575-7600
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[***][2/21/84][***]
IBM HITS AGAIN:
Last week IBM settled out-of-court with two computer distributors it
charged with violating its Input-Output system code copyrights. Add
another company to the list. Eagle Computer, which was charged with
the same violation by IBM, has agreed to destroy all existing copies
of its Input-Output system code, but is doing so without admitting
any liability. An Eagle spokesman tossed off the agreement by saying
it won't hurt the company; it has a 16-bit computer planned for
release next month which has a different BIOS code anyway.
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CONTACT: RONALD MICKWEE, PRESIDENT AND CEO
EAGLE COMPUTER
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
408-395-5005
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[***][2/21/84][***]
NEW PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT:
Two new computers worth a quick note: Zenith has introduced 5 (count 'em)
IBM-compatible 16-bit personal computers called Zenith PCs. Priced
at $2,699 to $4,799, they include desktop and portable models with 128K
expandable to 640K, detachable keyboard, one parallel and two serial ports.
Zenith says the desktop versions are being shipped, the portables will
be shipped in May. Also, Kaypro has the Kaypro 4 personal computer
available. For $1,995 you get a built-in modem, an improved display
and 80 columns.
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CONTACT: ZENITH DATA SYSTEMS CORP.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
212-245-1400
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KAYPRO
SOLANO BEACH, CALIFORNIA
619-481-4300
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[***][2/21/84][***]
BLUE PIZZA:
The floundering Pizza Time Theater has been hit by two lawsuits by angry
investors, charging the company with deception, fraud and misrepresentation
in connection with a $50 million debenture offering last May. The
lawsuits come as the video-and-pizza arcade chain, founded by Nolan
Bushnell of Atari-fame, has decided to close 20 of its 148 outlets and
fire 900 of its workers, leaving the company with a total staff of
5,600. Pizza Time will also close its Kadabrascope division which was developir
losses recently, amounting to $7 million for the second and third quarters
and is expected to lose another sizeable amount this quarter.
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CONTACT: PIZZA TIME THEATERS, INC.
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA
408-734-8731
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[***][2/21/84][***]
ATARI LOOKING UP:
Initial reports show Atari is improving a bit from its dreary financial
picture. After having lost half a billion dollars last year, the
company now says there is a fourth-quarter profit--sales were more
than a billion dollars this quarter. No reason for the improvement
is given, but Warner, Atari's parent company, made haste to release this
information.
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CONTACT: ATARI
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
408-745-4142
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[***][2/21/84][***]
COMPUTER CAMP SAFARI:
A guide through the jungle of computer camps has been published. It's
called "Parent's Guide" for 1984 and it lists 180 computer camps across
the country. Published by the American Camping Association, the guide
lists general information on camps and questions parents should ask
of camp directors before packing off their kids. A spokesman says the
association, which represents a third of all U.S. camps, views computer
camps as just another fad, similar to the foreign language camps
popular in the 50's. The book is priced at $6.95
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CONTACT (or write for the book):
ACA PARENT'S GUIDE
AMERICAN CAMPING ASSOCIATION
BOX 100
BRADFORD WOODS, MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA 46151
317-342-8456
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[***][2/21/84][***]
IBM-READERS:
How about a directory of IBM software? There's a 1036-page directory
now available from Micro Information Publishing which covers 800
programs currently available, with prices and descriptions. Want faster
information? Micro Info also offers a free software locator service
for PC owners, just call them toll-free on their 800 number. Want
a leisurely on-line tour? Call ITM of Walnut Creek, California for
information on their One Point Electronic Catalog. The database
offers 3000 IBM programs which you can view for a $100 sign-up fee
and $3 an hour for each product search. Plus you get a 20% discount
for each software package you buy.
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CONTACT: MICRO INFORMATION PUBLISHING
PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
218-447-6959
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ITM
WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA
415-947-0850
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[***][2/21/84][***]
ELECTRONIC POLITICIANS:
Hey, they're no dummies. John Phillips, a two-time candidate for public
office, is marketing "Campaign Manager", a software system for politicians
who want fast access to changing campaign information. He says three
Democratic presidential hopefuls have purchased his $750 system, among
thousands of others, and he claims he's got a potential market of 50,000.
He also claims that every candidate who used his system won an election
last year.
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CONTACT: JOHN ARISTOTLE PHILLIPS
ARISTOTLE INDUSTRIES
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT
203-853-6686
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