Newsbytes - Internationa…ews 1983 May to 1994 June/Newsbytes - International Computing Industry News 1994 Edition - May 1983 - June 1994 - Wayzata Technologies (5045) (1994).iso/mac/Text/Mac Text/1989/nb890530.309

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(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00001)

JUNE 12 MAC TOKENTALK ROLLOUT
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 27 (NB) -- Apple will
announce a series of major networking products at a specially-
convened international press launch in New York next month. The
12 June event, as predicted in Newsbytes West last week, is
expected to attract worldwide interest, since it marks the first
time Apple has announced Mac products for Token Ring
interconnection with the PC environment.

Amongst the several new products expected next month is a
Macintosh Tokentalk card costing $1,200. Informed sources say the
card includes 512K of RAM, expandable to 2MB, and employs Texas
Instrument's four megabit/second [M-bps] Token Ring chipset. Apple
is said to be working on a higher-speed Tokentalk system, with
speeds as high as 10M-bps, for shipment at the end of this year.

Unusually for new product technology, Apple is reported to be
cooperating with third-party manufacturers on the production of
Tokentalk-compatible cards. Assante and Kinetics are expected to
announce Tokentalk-compatible products at the 12 June event.

Assante's card will be competitively priced at under $800 and
functions as a connector between workstations in a four M-bps Token
Ring network. Kinetics offering is based around the new Texas
Instruments 16M-bps Token Ring chipset.

Also scheduled for a 12 June unveiling is Appletalk 2.0, the
next version of the Apple networking software, which breaks the
254 node barrier of previous versions; an X-Window server for the
Mac; X.25 packet switching software for the Mac; and DEC
interface software to allow the Macintosh and VAX environments to
exchange files.

Apple U.K. has confirmed that the 12 June product launch will take
place in New York, but declined to comment on the new product
information. A representative of the company confirmed, however,
that at least two U.K. journalists were being flown to New York for
the launch. Sources in the trade have revealed considerable
interest in the Tokentalk technology.

Reaction in the U.K. to preliminary news of the product releases
was enthusiastic. Arthur Barrow, technical development manager
with the CSS group, a leading U.K. Mac dealership, told Newsbytes
that demand for networking products on the Mac is very strong.

"What a lot of people miss about the Mac is that the machine
includes networking as standard within its price, compared to
#1,000 or more that PC users must spend to obtain networking
facilities. Tokentalk will be interesting, and will build upon
the several networking solutions already available for the Mac,"
he said.

(Steve Gold/19890527)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SIN)(00002)

ASIAN MACWORLD SLATED
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- More than 100 exhibitors,
including big names such as Apple Computer, Microsoft, Claris, and ACI,
will participate in the first Asian MacWorld exposition to be held here
from June 29 to July 2.

Bill James, managing director of Apple Far East, said that
Singapore's hosting of the show was no surprise, as the Asia-Pacific
region has been experiencing a growth in the Macintosh market. He
believed that the show was important enough to merit Apple to take
part on a large scale as participation in it could bring high
benefits.

(Michael Worsley & S. Roowi/19890524)


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

25 MHZ MACINTOSH PREDICTED
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Apple is
preparing to introduce a 25 MHz color version of the IIcx as
early as the August MacWorld Expo in Boston, according to
MacWeek magazine. The trade weekly says the machine will
deliver eight-bit color or gray-scale images at a resolution
of 640 by 480 pixels on a standard 13-inch monitor.

The paper says the 25 megahertz version will be two to three
times faster than the 16 megahertz 68030-based machines.

(Wendy Woods/19890526)


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

APPLE & ADOBE IN TYPE-SCALING SUIT
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Information
International, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Apple Computer
and Adobe Systems, claiming the two firms are infringing its
patent for type-scaling technology.

Type-scaling is the ability of software to mathematically redesign
fonts in any size or style, using one size as a base, and such
a technique is a part of software from both Apple and Adobe.

The suit has been filed in U.S. District Court for the Central
District of California. An Information International spokesman
said the issues involved are highly technical and won't be
easily resolved.

Neither Apple nor Adobe had received a copy of the complaint so
had not prepared a comment.

(Wendy Woods/19890527)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00005)

APPLE LAUNCHING AD BLITZ
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Starting June 1,
Apple will spend an estimated $50 million in television and print
ads, with retail and wholesale promotions, to promote the Macintosh
computer. In what's believed to be the largest marketing
campaign since the Macintosh's introduction, Apple will introduce
the phrase "Apple desktop media" to feature the versatility of its
flagship personal computer.

Created by BBDO/Los Angeles, the advertisements target the
fields of desktop publishing and presentations, showing the ease
with which ideas can be brought to life on a Macintosh.

(Wendy Woods/19890526)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00006)

SYMANTEC SHIPS ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- Symantec is now
shipping Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh [SAM], $100, plus
$60 for automatic updates for the first year. The program includes
an "Init" configured through the Control Panel called SAM Intercept,
and a standard Macintosh application called SAM Virus Clinic. SAM
Intercept is run-time protection that can prevent a virus from
entering a system. The Clinic will detect the virus and give you the
option to delete the file or attempt to help you make the
necessary repairs.

SAM can stop all currently documented viruses, such as Scores,
nVir, Hpat, Init 29, ANTI, AIDS, and MEV#.

(Wendy Woods/19890526/Press Contact: Amy Chang, 408-446-8963)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00007)

AUDIO CASSETTES TEACH MICROSOFT WORD
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Users in need
of the fast route to learning Microsoft Word or Claris
Corporation's Filemaker may find a new product from
Personal Training Systems worth seeing -- make that hearing.
The company has introduced LearnWord 4, an audio-cassette and
disk-based interactive tutorial for Microsoft Word Version
4.0, and Learn FileMaker for the Claris product.

With LearnWord 4, users learn such feats as fixed position
formatting, menu customizing, table formatting and editing,
how to search out scientific formulas from glossaries, to
use the thesaurus and make macros.

Learn FileMaker consists of four modules: beginning,
intermediate, advanced, and tips and techniques. Each is a 90-
minute audio cassette, a practice disk and a command summary
card.

Both products are available directly from Personal Training Systems
or from authorized dealers in the U.S., Canada, and United
Kingdom and cost $49.95.

(Wendy Woods/19890526/Press Contact: Eileen Ebner, McLean Public
Relations, 415-369-3070)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(BOS)(00008)

MAC CREATE AND TEST AT&T CHIPS
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- System
designers can now create and simulate applications for AT&T's
WE DSP32 and WE DSP32C digital signal processors using an Apple
Macintosh computer along with new development tools from
AT&T Microelectronics and Spectral Innovations Inc.

The AT&T processors are used in graphics, image processing,
advanced speech processing, and telecommunications. The move is a
result of AT&T's recognizing that the Mac is now a popular
workstation choice.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Barbara Baklarz, AT&T, 201-771-
2826)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00009)

CROWNTEK CHAIN PICKS UP APPLE
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Crowntek Business
Centres, the second largest microcomputer reseller chain in
Canada, has become an authorized reseller for Apple computers.
Crowntek will service and support the Macintosh through 18
branches across Canada.

Stewart Davis, president of Crowntek, said adding the Macintosh
to his company's lineup was "a natural progression" given the
Mac's increasing acceptance in business. "Our role has been
within a large corporate to be one-stop shopping for them for
their computer needs," he said, and a growing number of customers
were buying Macs.

(Grant Buckler/19890526/Press Contact: Stewart Davis, Crowntek
Business Centres, 416-490-8900)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00010)

APPLE JAPAN TO SELL DESKTOP PUBLISHING SYSTEM
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 20 (NB) -- Apple Computer's success in the
U. S. desktop publishing market has not been repeated in Japan due to
the lack of Japanese PostScript language laser printers.

This may change, however, now that Apple Japan has started
shipping the LaserWriter II NTX-J, a Japanese PostScript laser printer
as well as a complete Japanese desktop publishing system.
Apple Japan is selling a 2.5 million yen [$18,000] desktop publishing
configuration which includes a Macintosh II, NTX-J, word
processor, page layout, and graphics software. To promote its
new products, Apple Japan is opening "NTX-J Experience Fairs"
at 200 retail shops in Japan.

(Ken Takahashi/19890525)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00011)

NEW APPLE MONITORS IN JAPAN
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Apple Computer Japan is now
marketing two high resolution monitors for Mac II, IIx and IIcx, which
debuted in the U. S. this March.

One of the new models, the Apple Macintosh 21" Monochrome Monitor
has a 28.7 by 39 centimeter wide display area capable of displaying
documents the size of two letter-sized pages at the same time.
The resolution of the monitor is 77 dots per square inch.

The other model, the Apple Macintosh Vertical Display, has a
15-inch flat screen.

The price of the Apple Macintosh Monochrome Monitor is 399,000 yen
or $2,751 and the vertical type is 199,000 yen or $1,372.  The
models are shipping and available at shops since May 15.

(Naoyuki Yazawa/19890524/Press Contact: Apple Computer Japan,
03-224-7000)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00001)

QUADRAM SOLD IN PIECES
NORCROSS, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 19 (NB) -- An era is ending in Atlanta
high-tech as the board of directors of Intelligent Systems
Master, L.P. has authorized two separate transactions involving
the sale of assets of the company's Quadram subsidiary. No
details on the transactions were disclosed, although the company
did say that it has signed an agreement with one potential
purchaser and has a letter of intent with the other party. Both
are due to close in June.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Bonnie Herron,
Intelligent Systems, 404-381-2900)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00002)

MICROPRO BECOMES WORDSTAR
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- In an effort
to slim down and get a facelift, MicroPro International has
changed its name to that of its flagship product, WordStar, and
has restructured its North American operations into
separate units.

WordStar International, as it is now known, capitalizes on the
success of WordStar, the word processing program with an
installed base of more than three million copies. The name
change will "eliminate the confusion we have always faced
because MicroPro is a relatively unknown name, whereas WordStar
is a household word throughout the world," says Gari Grimm,
the firm's president.

The restructuring has created two separate operating units,
WordStar USA and WordStar Canada and is designed to allow
the firm to distinguish between the costs of its corporate
staff and that of its operating divisions. "This will provide
a clear picture of WordStar International's overhead costs
and the true operating costs of the U.S. market," says Grimm.

(Wendy Woods/19890526)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00003)

HITACHI TO OPEN DEDICATED PLAZA FOR ASICS
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- One of the leading semiconductor
makers, Hitachi, has announced that it will open a Custom IC
Development Plaza in its plant to cover increasing demands for
application-specific integrated circuits or ASICs.

Semiconductor makers have built individual design centers to accomodate
client requests so far. But Hitachi will build a dedicated plaza
inside its Musashi plant for clients and engineers to directly
discuss technical conditions each other.

The plaza will have 20 rooms with over 20 square meters of space.
A computer-aided design or CAD system terminal will be directly
connected with a host computer for a development and production
network. In case a job is lengthy, sofas, tables and even beds will be
provided in the rooms.

(Naoyuki Yazawa/19890524)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00004)

SUMITOMO CHEMICAL SELECTS CRAY
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- One of the members of Sumitomo
group, Sumitomo Chemical, will purchase a supercomputer
from Cray Research of the United States.  Sumitomo Chemical will
set up the Cray X-MP. EA in its Osaka office in July, where the computer
will be employed for biotechnological research and development.

NEC, one of the members of Sumitomo group, also made a bid.
But Sumitomo Chemical says it went with Cray due to the variety
of available software.

(Naoyuki Yazawa/19890525)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00005)

SUMITOMO JOINS MIPS IN WORKSTATION PACT
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Sumitomo Electric Industries has
established a Silicon Valley Office to work with MIPS Computer
on a next-generation workstation.  The new office will be controlled by
Sumitomo's U.S. subsidiary, Sumitomo America, which has already
started porting and debugging software in a section of MIPS' building.

Sumitomo Electric has designed and manufactured a workstation,
called Ustation series, with MIPS' R2000 reduced instruction set
computer or RISC chip, and has been expecting a further development
of the technology and information with this give-and-take relationship.

In the future, Sumitomo is planning to provide technical information
on gallium arsenide and other semiconductor materials,
to MIPS Computer, and research a method for connecting local area
networks with workstations.

The company is aiming to find other ventures with which to share
technologies in Silicon Valley as well.

(Naoyuki Yazawa/19890525)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00006)

AT&T BUYS 40% OF ENCORE
MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- AT&T Credit
Corporation acquired a 40 percent interest in Encore International,
with options to increase it. Encore, based in Bloomfield Hills,
Michigan, is a computer leasing company with some 130 employees.
The deal increases AT&T's presence in the business of leasing
big computers, and is unrelated to rumors AT&T will put out a
bank credit card.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: John R. Schneider of
AT&T Credit, 201-397-8700, Lloyd B. Marks of Encore
International, 313-645-3701)


(CORRECTION)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00007)

EQUIFAX DIGESTS COMPUTER SCIENCES
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A, 1989 MAY 16 (NB) -- Last week, in a
story about Equifax, we noted it has completed conversion of all
Computer Sciences Corp. credit files to its own system, which now
includes 65 different credit reporting agencies nationwide.

Spokesman John Ford called us and corrected that figure. "The
number 65 refers to the number of CSC files converted," he said.
"We have a total of over 300 credit bureaus." The other facts
in the story, that Equifax now holds a single database with
purchasing information on 150 million consumers in all 50 states
and the Caribbean, is correct. The company estimates it will run
170 million credit checks this year. Newsbytes regrets the error.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890519/Press Contact: John Ford, Equifax,
404-885-8302)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00008)

BATTLE TO ACQUIRE TYLAN HEATS UP
ORANGE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Autoclave
Engineers, Inc. of Erie, Pennsylvania, the parent company of Unit
Instruments [Orange, Ca.] has fired another salvo in the battle to
acquire Tylan Corporation [Torrance, Ca].

Autoclave first tendered their unsolicited offer on April 28,
slightly less than two weeks after Tylan received a similar, though
lower, offer from Vacuum General, another Southern California
company. At the time, Tylan had announced a non-binding
agreement in principle with Vacuum General.

Tylan's board of directors answered the Autoclave offer with a
neutral response, indicating some concern in several areas.
First was Autoclave's 70 percent minimum stock acquisition
proposal since one Tylan stockholder who has 21 percent of the
shares and several smaller owners had indicated reluctance to
sell to Autoclave. The second was the fact that Unit Instruments
and Tylan both supply the same product to the semiconductor
manufacturing business prompting an informal anti-trust inquiry
by the FTC.

Autoclave, in a letter to Tylan's president, reduced the stock
minimum from 70 percent to 51 percent and extended the offer to June
23. At that time, it is expected that the FTC will have ruled on the
anti-trust issue.

Autoclave CFO, Thomas C. Guelcher told Newsbytes: "We've taken
this and other actions in response to concerns expressed by the
Tylan board of directors. These moves should allay their doubts
and allow us to move ahead with our tender offer which we believe
gives their shareholders the best price and terms. We would like
to see Tylan's board reconsider its neutral position in light of
our updated offer."

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Thomas C. Guelcher,
Autoclave Engineers, 814-838-7071)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00009)

MOTOROLA TIES WITH THOMSON-CSF
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Motorola's
Semiconductor Products Sector has announced formation of a
strategic partnership with Thomson-CSF [Paris], the world's
second largest defense electronics company.

Thomson-CSF will standardize its military and defense products on
Motorola's 88000 reduced instruction set microprocessors.

Motorola has also granted Thomson-CSF rights to act as an
alternate source of a military version of the 88000 for the space
and defense markets.

According to Motorola, in the next few weeks, a number of major
computer systems companies will be endorsing the 88000 series.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Chuck Granieri,
Motorola, Inc., 602-952-3601)


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

COMPAQ OPENS DENMARK SUBSIDIARY
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Compaq's business in
Denmark has grown to a level where it can no longer be properly
serviced by Compaq's subsidiary in West Germany. For this
reason, the company has announced the formation of Compaq
Computer A/S in Copenhagen.

Newly appointed Compaq president, Europe and International,
Eckhard Pfeiffer [Newsbytes 5-19], has indicated that Compaq
Computer A/S will market the entire Compaq product line and will
provide service and support throughout Denmark.

John Marlet has been named to head Compaq Computer A/S. Marlet's
background includes 13 years experience in sales and marketing
with IBM in Denmark.

Earlier this year, Compaq established a subsidiary in Norway. In
the first three months of 1989, Compaq moved ahead of Apple and
Olivetti to become the second largest seller of personal
computers in Europe.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Bob Beach, Compaq, 713-
374-1560)


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

TI ALLIES WITH COMPUTER TASK GROUP
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Texas Instruments has
formed a strategic alliance with Computer Task Group, Inc.
[Buffalo, N.Y.] to support the Information Engineering Facility
[IEF], a completely integrated software engineering [CASE]
program.

IEF was made commercially available by TI in 1987 and is
currently in use at over 150 large corporations in North America,
Western Europe and the Pacific Rim.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Texas Instruments, 214-
575-4404)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00012)

UPDATE ON PRIME/MAI BATTLE
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- On Friday, May
18, MAI Basic Four refused to sign a confidentiality agreement
with Prime. The company had previously asked Prime for such an
agreement but now refuses to sign the pact because it would
prevent them from buying Prime stock below current market value.

Subsequently, on Wednesday, May 24, Prime Computer was added to
the restricted list at Oppenheimer & Co. which could mean that
this investment banking firm has found another bidder for Prime.
Spokepeople at both Oppenheimer and MAI refused comment on this
latest development. Rumors on Wall Street of a second possible
suitor were also greeted with a "no comment" response from Prime
Computer.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00013)

DISK-DRIVE MAKER MINISCRIBE IN TROUBLE
LONGMONT, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 19 (NB) -- Miniscribe
has announced that its financial statements for 1986, 1987 and
the first three quarters of 1988 are unreliable due to the poor
accounting controls in effect at those times. Records and
documentation for that time period are inadequate so the company
probably will be unable to reconstruct reliable reports.

The reports in question overstated Miniscribe's assets. As a
result, Miniscribe may have to record a large loss to reconcile
its books. In light of these disclosures, Miniscribe has lost
access to most external funding sources and has been warned that
its common stock may be delisted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(BOS)(00014)

DEC TO FREEZE SALARIES
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 20 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment Corp. will freeze the salaries of all of its U.S. employees
when the new fiscal year begins this summer, the company has
confirmed.

DEC, which is the largest private employer in Massachusetts and
New Hampshire, said the freeze would take effect on July 2, the start
of the company's 1990 fiscal year.

The freeze will affect 73,500 DEC employees across the country, and
will remain in effect indefinitely. DEC is in a pitched battle against
IBM, HP and other vendors in the mid-size computer arena.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Joyce Radnor, DEC, 508-486-
5096)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(BOS)(00015)

NCR'S $15 MILLION AGREEMENT WITH SCRIBE
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- NCR has announced
the signing of a three-year contract with an estimated $15 million
value to provide national maintenance for Xscribe Corp.'s computer-
automated transcription equipment.

Xscribe designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware and
software for computer-aided transcription systems for court reporting,
real-time captioning for the deaf, and other law firm-related
applications.

NCR will be the nationally-authorized service vendor to the company,
supported by a network of over 5,200 field engineers in 425 NCR
service locations.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: David Sacash, NCR, 513-445-
4168)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00016)

SYDNEY DEVELOPMENT BANKRUPT
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Sydney
Development Corp. and its parent holding company, SDC Sydney
Development, have declared bankruptcy. On the morning of May 23,
a company employee told Newsbytes she was awaiting the arrival of
the receivers, Thorne, Ernst & Whinney Inc. The company has made
no further comment.

Sydney Development, founded in the early 1980s with a structure
designed to take advantage of Canadian tax breaks for research
and development, has been involved in an assortment of software
development and publishing projects, most recently concentrating
on electronic mail software supporting the international X.400
standard.

(Grant Buckler/19890526/Press Contact: Sydney Development, 604-
734-8822)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00017)

ATI-HELIX MERGER CALLED OFF
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- ATI Technologies
and Helix Circuits have cancelled the merger agreed on earlier
this month (Newsbytes, May 23). The maker of PC add-on boards
and the printed circuit board manufacturer were to have joined
under the name ATI-Helix. Newsbytes has been told only that the
merger is off, and that further comment will be available this
week.

ATI is best known for its video adapters for IBM and compatible
PCs, including the EGA Wonder and VGA Wonder cards. This spring
the company introduced the Messenger board, a combination modem
and fax board. Helix Circuits' parent, Helix Investments, bailed
out the troubled Geac Computer Corp., also of Markham, after that
computer system vendor went into receivership in 1987.

(Grant Buckler/19890526/Press Contact: Henry Quan, ATI
Technologies, 416-756-0718)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00018)

CANADIAN FIRMS STEADY IN RANKINGS
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Two of Canada's
three annual corporate scorecards, released this week, show
little change in the position of leading high-technology
companies. The top-ranked technology-related firm, BCE Inc. of
Montreal, dropped from second to third spot in both the Canadian
Business 500 and the Financial Post 500. BCE, the parent of
Northern Telecom and Bell Canada, among other companies, traded
places with Ford Motor of Canada while General Motors of Canada
remained in top spot. BCE subsidiary Northern Telecom dropped
from 12th to 14th spot in the Canadian Business 500. The
Financial Post 500 does not rank subsidiary companies.

IBM Canada of Markham, Ontario, made a slight gain, climbing from
27th to 26th spot in the Canadian Business ranking and from 32nd
to 29th in the Financial Post list. And Xerox Canada of Toronto
cracked the Financial Post 100 for the first time, rising from
110th to 100th. On the Canadian Business list, which uses
somewhat different rules, Xerox remains in 140th spot. Both
rankings are by sales.

(Grant Buckler/19890526)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00019)

IMAGINEERING BRAVES RUMOURS OF DOOM
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- Top Australian distributor
Imagineering continues to lose products, market confidence and
share price. The once all-powerful company continues to be the
subject of speculation that it may be heading for at least
partial collapse. The share price has dropped by almost 50
percent over recent months and top suppliers have steadily taken
their products elsewhere.

It still has Ashton-Tate and Lotus products, both with long term
contracts, but a spokesperson from one of these companies recently
told Newsbytes, "They've already broken so many of the conditions
of the contracts that we could dismiss them without even a day's
notice if and when we wanted to."

The company's New Zealand operation has just suffered a
disastrous year and would have failed if not for the backing of
the Australian parent. Managing Director Jodee Rich dismisses the
problems and confidently predicts a full recovery. He 'knows'
that major stockholders will stick with the company as it regains
its high standing. He has revised annual turnover from AUS$310 to
between $250 and $300 million. He even bravely announced that AST
had not withdrawn its products but that Imagineering had 'dumped'
AST!

(Paul Zucker/19890526)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00020)

UNISYS INTO SUPPLIES MARKETING
MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Unisys, the computer
manufacturer, has moved into the mail order sales market, with
the launch of 'Unisys, the Supplies Book.' The company is
offering a number of sales incentives to grab a share of the
rapidly expanding mail order marketplace.

Unlike many of its competitors, Unisys is offering a toll-free
line for catalogue and merchandise orders. In addition, it has
simplified its account procedures to allow ordering on credit.
Perhaps the most interesting is a UKP 20 money-off voucher for
every UKP 350 order placed, and a similar voucher offered free
for every recommendation that results in a UKP 350 or greater
order.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press & Public Contact: Unisys Supplies -
Tel [toll free] 0800-252-700)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00021)

DITEC OPENS ITALIAN OFFICE
MILAN, ITALY, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Ditec, the computer training
company, has opened its first office outside of the U.K. in Milan,
Italy. The office is managed by Joyce Barber, who believes that
Ditec's training facilities will be welcomed in Italy.

"The PC market is booming. Everyone is gearing up to support this
expansion in sales, but the kind of training on offer is all tied
to suppliers, No one is carrying out that kind of work and
implementing independent training courses," she said.

Barber added that the Italian office will be using the same
principles as the U.K. offices -- that of operating small classes
working to vigorously structured curses that rely on
documentation written by the company's specialists.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press & Public Contact: Catherine O'Hagan,
Ditec U.K. - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(BRU)(00022)

MICROSOFT'S W. GERMAN HEADQUARTERS
MUNICH, WEST GERMANY, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Microsoft West Germany
has relocated to a larger headquarters, owing to increased sales
and improving product awareness in West Germany. The company's
new address is now:

Microsoft GMBH, Edisonstrasse 1, 8044 Unterschleissheim, West
Germany, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone].

(Peter Vekinis/19890526)


(EXCLUSIVE)(BUSINESS)(BRU)(00023)

INTEL ANNOUNCES 80486 PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Intel has
announced firm European pricing and availability on its new 80486
microprocessor.

The 80486 chip is downwards compatible with its 80386
predecessor, but incorporates many extra facilities, including a
reduced instruction set computer, or RISC-like, architecture;
80387 math coprocessor functions; and a greatly improved
memory management unit [MMU] system, as standard.

Intel Europe will retail the chip from the end of 1989 onwards in
25 and 33MHz versions, at prices starting from DM1,960 for 1,000-
up quantities.

Several companies are reported to be actively interested in the
chip. Apricot, Compaq, IBM and Toshiba are known to be looking
at including the new chip in future PC products, with Apricot and
Toshiba expected to announce 80486-based products within the next
month or two.

(Peter Vekinis/19890526)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(BRU)(00024)

PROFITS UP FOR U.S. HIGH-TECH FIRMS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., MAY 28 (NB) -- Company reports
out in the U.S. show that the computer business is picking up
slightly, after a sump-link period lasting more than a year. The
change in computer company fortunes is attributed to an easing in
the dynamic random access microprocessor [DRAM] chip crisis, and
increasing markets for hardware and software.

Amongst the many results out this past few weeks, are:

ADC Communications [OTC] reported profits of $3.985 million on
sales of $45.697 million for its second quarter ended 30 April,
1980. Profits were up 30 per cent on the same period last year.
For the six months to 30 April, 1989, the company took a slight
dip in sales and profit due to sluggish demand.

Carlton Communications [OTC] increased sales by a phenomenal 130
per cent to UKP 207 million against UKP 85 million for its six
months trading to 31 March, 1989. Profits were doubled to UKP 28
million for the same period compared with the six months to 31
March, 1988.

Sigma Designs [OTC], the computer graphics boards specialist,
finished the quarter ending 30 April, 1989, with profits of $3
million on sales of $25 million - and increase of 100 per cent on
the period last year. The company attributes its success to
increased VGA PC card sales.

(Peter Vekinis/19890528)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(BRU)(00025)

COMPUTER STOCK REPORT MAY 26, 1989
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Computer
stocks finishing the week of 26 May, 1989 are detailed as
follows:

EXCHANGE    NAME              SALES(000's)  LAST     CHANGE
-----------------------------------------------------------
OTC         ADC               80500       14 1/2      -1/4
OTC         AST Research      8900         7 5/8      -1/8
OTC         Adage             10400        1 7/16      1/16
OTC         Accel             15000        6 7/8      -1/2
OTC         Adobe             246600      29           1/2
OTC         Advanced Magnet   21000       12 1/2       1
OTC         Advanced Semi     17900        9 1/4      -3/8
OTC         Aldus             27900       19 1/4      -1/4
OTC         Alliant           262900       5 3/4       3/8
OTC         Alpha Micro       10100        7 3/8       nc
OTC         Altera            84800        8 5/8       1/8
OTC         Altos             12200        6 3/4      -1/4
OTC         Apple             2074700     48 1/4       1/2
OTC         Archive Corp.     82700       12 3/8       1/4
OTC         Ashton Tate       1026        21 3/4       1/4
OTC         Babage            21900       15 1/2       3/4
OTC         Bytex             5300         8 3/4       1/8
OTC         Cipher            184200       8 1/4      -1/4
OTC         Cognos            13100        6 1/2       1/8
OTC         Coherent          59500       14 1/8      -1/8
OTC         Com Dial          10200        15/16      -1/16
OTC         Comnet            900          9 1/4       1/2
OTC         Daisy Systems     115200       3 3/4       nc
OTC         ELXSI             86700         5/32       nc
OTC         Emulex            268400      10 5/8       1/8
OTC         Encore            113400       3 1/16      1/8
OTC         Evans-Sutherland  84500       21 1/2      -1/4
OTC         Everex            309600      10 3/8      -3/8
OTC         Exar              1000         6 5/8       1/2
OTC         Gould             75300       24 1/4      -3/8
OTC         Graphic Sciences  40800        9 7/8      -1/8
OTC         Informix          26100       10 1/2      -1/4
OTC         Intel             1245400     31 3/4       nc
OTC         Intergraph        997300      19           nc
OTC         Lee Data          88800        3 3/8       3/8
OTC         Logic Devices     18400        8 1/2       1/2
OTC         Lotus             527000      25 1/4      -1/4
OTC         Maxtor            472400      10 3/8      -3/8
OTC         Micropolis        234900       6 1/8      -1/8
OTC         Micropro          170500       2 1/2       7/16
OTC         Micro Semi        24200        5 1/2       nc
OTC         Microsoft         234900      57 1/2       nc
OTC         Psicor            12200       12 1/4      -1/4
OTC         Qintex            26700        4 7/8       nc
OTC         Quantum           808500      15 5/8       1/8
OTC         Qume              30800        6 7/8       1/8
OTC         Scientific Tech   16000        3 3/8       1/8
OTC         Scitex            117000      13           3/4
OTC         Sigma Designs     55200       19           nc
OTC         Silicon           23700        2 7/16     -1/16
OTC         Silicon Graphics  115000      20 1/2       nc
OTC         Siliconix         3400         4 1/2       nc
OTC         Soft Works        22100        8 3/8      -1/8
OTC         Software Systems  9200         3 1/8      -1/8
OTC         Sun Micro         1525600     21 1/4      -3/8
OTC         Televideo         2200          5/16      -1/16
OTC         Teradata          17200       17 3/4       1/2
OTC         3Com              699900      27 1/2       1 3/8
OTC         VLSI              625700       9 1/8       5/8
OTC         Valid Logic       359000       5           1/2
OTC         Ventrex           54300        1 1/8      -1/16
OTC         Vertex            1000         5           1/16
OTC         Wavetek           1400         5 1/4       nc
OTC         Weitek            79800       14 3/8       5/8
OTC         Wicat             7800         1 3/8       nc
OTC         Xicor             47900        7 7/8      -1/8
OTC         Xscribe           3900         1 5/16      1/16
OTC         Xylogic           1500         8 7/8       nc
OTC         Zeus              3000         3 1/4       nc
OTC         Zitel             4500         4           nc
OTC         Zycad             113700       4 1/8       nc
OTC         Zymos             4300         1 3/8       1/8

NSE         AMD               290000       9 3/8       1/4
NSE         Adobe             289000       9 1/2       3/8
NSE         Control Data      578200      21           3/8
NSE         Cray Research     254700      52           3/4
NSE         Data General      85600       18 5/8       1/4
NSE         Digital           810500      92 1/4       1/8
NSE         Hewlett Packard   424600      53 7/8      -1/4
NSE         IBM               979800     109 5/8      -1/8
NSE         Texas Instruments 210300      43 5/8      -1/8
NSE         Unisys            1787700     25 1/2       7/8

(Peter Vekinis/19890526)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(BRU)(00026)

COMPUTER STOCKS EDGE UP
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Computer stocks
edged slightly up over last week. Scitex peaked at $13 dollars,
the highest it has ever been. Robert Maxwell is rumoured to be on
the verge of buying another seven percent [he already owns 27 percent]
of the company. The stock was traded at just $3 last December.

Apple stock traded heavily with more than two million shares
changing hands. This could be due increased speculation on the
success or failure of the laptop Mac, which is scheduled for an
August '89 release.

No change for Microsoft which checks in at 57 1/2 with 237,000
shares changing owners. 3Com gained $1 3/8 over news that the
company has gained precious ground from Novell for its 3Com
network.

Lotus remained barely unchanged at 25 1/4, although analysts
noted that its latest version of 1-2-3 will ship, as scheduled,
in June 1989. However, the fact that the product has been in an
extended beta test makes it all the more noticeable to the
public.

Sun Microsystems lost ground and ended the accounts period at 21
1/4. Analysts are sceptical about the influence the 386 based PC-
priced systems will have to its powerful workstation database.

(Peter Vekinis/19890526)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SIN)(00027)

SHIP ANALYTICS OPENS SINGAPORE OFFICE
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Ship Analytics Incorporated
[SA], a U.S.-based simulation-based training and research firm,
will open a regional office in Singapore later this year. The
Singapore office will serve as a marketing centre for Asia and the
Middle East, as well as a new product development centre.
Sales from both regions, projected to be between US$5 million to US$6
million in 1990, are expected to increase to US$10 million per
subsequent year.

Two Americans, Steven C. Hargis and Steven Weinstein, will take
charge of local operations. Hargis will be the director of
international marketing while Weinstein will head system
development.

They visited several computer software development companies and the
National Computer Board [NCB] while they were here recently. The
company will initially be involved in teaming programmes with the
firms to provide software training. Later, the Singapore office will
progress to joint product development, which, according to Hargis,
can cater to the needs of particular organizations.

Hargis believes that technology from product development, to be
centred on computer-generated imagery [CGI] and interactive
video disc [IVD] simulation systems from fully integrated part task
trainers to full mission systems, can be transferred from Singapore
to the rest of the region.

The company has also approached the Port of Singapore Authority for
which it hopes to develop a simulation system.

(Michael Worsley & S. Roowi/19890523)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SIN)(00028)

INFOMAG & DYNAMAR OF SINGAPORE TEAM UP
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Infomag of San Diego, a
major supplier of magnetic read/write heads and Dynamar Computer
Products of Singapore, believed to be one of the largest American-
owned sales and marketing companies dealing in electronic components
and parts in Southeast Asia, have entered into two agreements that
will benefit their customers in the region.

Dynamar Holdings, the parent company with offices in the U.S., Europe
and Asia, deals with high-technology manufacturing and distribution
globally. This year, it expects its turnover to increase to US$35
million, a jump of 70 percent.

With the world magnetic head market estimated at US$600 million a
year, Infomag's sales account for US$90 million a year. Its Asian
market has been projected to bring in 30 to 50 percent of its
worldwide sales this year.

Dynamar will be Infomag's sales representative for Singapore and
will take over the company's refurbishing and repair operations for
the region. In the past, Infomag had no sales personnel in Singapore
and sales were handled from its U.S. base.

In a technology agreement, Infomag will move its assembly and test
operations into Dynamar's new building, where refurbishing operations
will be done in a clean room. It will perform repairs and
maintenance work on Winchester head assemblies sold in the region
from this new location, but will continue to provide technological
support and tooling.

Under this agreement, a transfer of technological function is seen,
with Dynamar taking over the assembly and test functions of the
highly-technological assemblies.

(Michael Worsley & S.Roowi/19890525/PressContact: Dynamar
Singapore,Ph:[65] 747.6188)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SIN)(00029)

SYSTEMS SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES IN SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 19 (NB) -- Comat Services Pte Ltd of
Singapore, a company which remarkets mid-range IBM computer systems
and specializes in systems for manufacturers and distributors, has
been appointed by Systems Software Associates [SSA] as its affiliate
business partner for the local market.

Comat will be given exclusive sales and support for marketing SSA's
business planning and control system [BPCS] software products. BPCS, a
fully integrated management system for manufacturing and business
enterprises, consists of 36 products. Singapore accounts for more than
40 of the total 3,100 BPCS installed worldwide.

Managing Director of Comat Steven Yeoh said that they
anticipate a high demand for computer systems in the manufacturing
sector this year and in 1990 as small and medium-sized manufacturers
automate their operations to counter the expected labour shortage and
higher wage levels in the 1990s. He believed that BPCS is a cost-
effective solution to help these companies achieve operating
efficiency.

(Michael Worsley & S Roowi/19890525/Contact: Comat Services P/L, Ph:
[65] 732.7811)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SIN)(00030)

SINGAPORE CONSTRUCTION SHOULD COMPUTERIZE
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Local construction companies
have been urged to widen the use of their computers to include
software related to computer-aided design and drafting [CAD]. This
call was made by Dr. Lee Boon Yang, Singapore's Senior Minister of
State for National Development.

D.r Lee, speaking at the opening of a three-day conference on the use
of information technology [IT], quoted figures from a recent survey
carried out by the Construction Industry Development Board [CIDB] on
2,300 companies in the industry.

With nearly 60 percent of companies in the industry now having at
least one personal computer, he commented that the results of the
survey showed the industry recognized the potential and benefits of
applying IT in their business.

The CIPB's General Manager Chow Kok Fong said that the eventual
target was for the construction industry to be 90 percent computerized
within the next two years. However, he then went on to point out that
most construction companies use their computers for very basic
functions like keeping track of payroll and accounts, and just six
percent of them use software related to CAD.

Dr. Lee's obvious message to the construction companies was to
computerize immediately, especially for the more repetitive and
document-intensive parts of the business, as the shortage of manpower
[in Singapore] would become even more acute in the coming years. Most
have said that they will continue to invest in computer installations.

The CIDB with the National Computer Board [NCB] will set up an
advisory committee to assist the industry. It will introduce advanced
software packages directly related to the industry with the aim of
increasing the present six percent of CAD users to closer to 50 percent
over the next three years. Another objective is to reduce paperwork
and improve efficiency.

(Michael Worsley & S.Roowi/19890526)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00001)

NEC OFFERS U.S. VIDEO GAMES
WOOD DALE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- NEC will charge
into the $2.3 billion U.S. video game market dominated by
Nintendo this fall with a formidable offering that's already
zapping Nintendo's business in Japan.

NEC Home Electronics U.S.A. will release a video game machine,
the TurboGraphx-16 System [TGX16], $199, and the $399
TurboGraphx compact-disc [CD] player [TGXCD].  The product
features a 16-bit graphics processor which allows video games
to offer faster action sequences, new levels of play and a broader
range of colors and visual images.

The $199 TGX16 will have the same features as PC Engine, released
by NEC in the Japanese market last October, which is eating
Nintendo's lunch, having sold some 1,350,000 units so far.  That
game machine, like this one, comes with read-only-memory [ROM]
card software, 16-bit graphics, and high-quality sound -- all
superior to Nintendo's offerings.

The TGX16 will come standard with a TurboPad controller and one
TurboChip game card -- the Case College in Alpha Zones action game.

(Ken Takahashi & Jon Pepper/19890525)


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00002)

ATLANTA HAS TWO COMPUTER MAGAZINES
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 11 (NB) -- Atlanta, which some
observers think is too small to support even one computer
newspaper, now has two. Ken Lipscomb, who held a franchise for
Atlanta Computer Currents and ceased publishing in January, is
back with a new monthly called Atlanta Computer Spectrum.

Meanwhile, Computer Currents Publishing of Milpitas, California
has given a new franchise to Jaye Publications, which began
publishing in May. Computer Currents is also suing Lipscomb,
contending he has refused to return a list of 17,000
International Data Group subscribers, and audits of 750 major
Atlanta computer users, which the franchisor had lent him.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00003)

HP BIRTHPLACE NOW LANDMARK
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 19 (NB) -- In 1939 William
Hewlett and David Packard built an audio oscillator in their
garage. That garage is now history -- specifically a historical
landmark, having been dedicated by the California Department of
Parks and Recreation. A sandstone plaque now stands in front of
367 Addison Avenue, Palo Alto, where Packard and his late wife Lucile
lived. Hewlett lived in a bungalow, which still stands, in
the back of the house.

The oscillator was purchased by Walt Disney studios and was used
in the creation of sound for the film Fantasia. Disney officials
say the oscillators purchased during that time were in use right
up until the early '80s. William Hewlett and David Packard,
present for the ceremony, credited the late Stanford University
professor Frederick Terman for inspiring them. Terman, who
died in 1982, had told students to work for or start companies
locally, and envisioned a high-tech partnership between
industry and the university. Hewlett and Packard were among
the first to follow his advice.

(Wendy Woods/19890526)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00004)

IBM, AT&T, MIT IN SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- AT&T, IBM, and
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have formed the
Consortium for Superconducting, a group which will share American
superconducting technologies. Both academic departments of MIT
and the Lincoln Laboratory, which is sponsored by the federal
government, will participate in the consortium. Other industrial,
academic and government institutions are also being invited to
join. Initially, 25 researchers will work in four areas: signal
distribution and conditioning networks; junctions and exploratory
devices; SQUID devices, advanced devices and integrated circuits;
and high-temperature materials and technology. The researchers
won't physically move, but will cooperate in other ways.

The Consortium for Superconducting Electronics was formed in
response to the findings of the Committee to Advise the President
on High-Temperature Superconductivity. The committee presented
its findings in January of this year, with this consortium as one
of its major recommendations.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Mike Miller of AT&T,
201-564-3836; Susan Eldred of IBM, 914-945-3033; or Gene Mallove
of MIT, 617-253-2700)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00005)

SEMATECH AWARDS FIVE CONTRACTS
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- SEMATECH, a research
consortium of 14 high technology companies and the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency [DARPA], has selected the first
group of equipment and materials manufacturers to receive joint
development contracts.

SEMATECH was formed to restore U.S. leadership in semiconductor
manufacturing. The awards announcement was timed to coincide with
SEMICON/West 89, a major semiconductor industry show held each
year in San Mateo, California.

The winning companies included Hewlett-Packard which, together
with Westech Systems, is to provide equipment and services at
SEMATECH's clean room facility [Austin, Texas]. Semi-Gas Systems,
Union Carbide Industrial Gases and Wilson Oxygen and Supply will
work as a "Site Gas Management Team" to develop a system that can
guarantee process purity on a wafer. These companies will be
assisted by DuPont Corporation and Air Products and Chemicals,
Inc.

ATEQ was awarded a contract to complete development of a Custom
Optical Reticle Engraver [CORE] and GCA [division of General
Signal] will supply optical reduction steppers.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/ Press Contacts: Miller Bonner,
Deborah Cippola, Ann Marett, SEMATECH, 512-356-3137)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00006)

U.S. SOFTWARE SALES UP 13%
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- The Software
Publishers Association says that domestic first-quarter PC software
sales increased by 12.9 percent, to an estimated $666 million at
the retail level.

During the same period, international sales of U.S. software firms
grew by 45 percent. SPA data are based on an analysis of monthly
sales information submitted to the accounting firm of Arthur
Anderson & Company by 138 of the nation's leading PC software
publishers.

Among other finds, the SPA says graphics applications grew
dramatically, word processors were the largest category, and
MS DOS is now the predominate format for entertainment
software.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Jodi Pollock, SPA, 202-4520-
1600)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00007)

LOTUS ANNOUNCES NETWORK STRATEGY
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A. 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Lotus
Development announced that its leading business programs --
including 1-2-3, Symphony, and Lotus Manuscript -- will exploit
network services across the leading PC local area networks.

The announcement marks the first step in Lotus' overall strategy to
support networking computing, first in the PC environment and later
over other hardware platforms and operating systems.

Lotus will ship a network version of Manuscript and Symphony in
June, and network versions of 1-2-3- Release 3 and Release 2.2. about
90 days after the standard versions of those product ship. Support for
all major PC networks, including 3Com, Banyan Systems, IBM, and
Novell, will be available.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: James O'Donnell, Lotus, 617-225-
1284)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00008)

F-19 FROM MICROPROSE BEST SIMULATION
HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- MicroProse
Software announced that its F-19 Stealth Fighter, a highly-acclaimed
combat flight simulator, was named the Best Simulation at
the Software Publishers Association (SPA) Awards Ceremony held in
San Diego on May 23. F-19 became the first MicroProse title to earn
an SPA award.

President and cofounder of MicroProse Bill Stealey said, "We are
extremely honored," adding, "it's an excellent reward for all the hard
work, dedication and craftsmanship that went into the game."

In a coincidence, the game began shipping on the same day that the
Pentagon officially acknowledge that the Stealth fighter existed, after
years of speculation that it was in fact developing a radar-elusive jet.

The game based on the plane received critical acclaim for its solid-
filled 3-D graphics and smooth animation. F-19 Stealth Fighter, which
has sold over 100,000 units, retails for $69.95.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Kathy Gilmore, MicroProse, 301-
771-1151)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00009)

COMMUNICATIONS WEEK SUMMIT ON COMPUTER TOPICS
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A. 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- CommunicationsWeek
will convene a summit on telephony computers, wide-area and
local-area networks in San Diego on Sept. 21. The convergence of
computers and communications in advanced new networks is the
theme of the conference to be held at the San Diego Princess
Resort Hotel.

Speakers will include Victoria Brown of Timeplex, Ellen Hancock of
IBM, Michael Kaminski Jr, of General Motors, and David Mahoney of
Banyan Systems.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Elizabeth Bassine,
CommunicationsWeek, 516-562-5717)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00010)

UNIQUE GRAPHIC SOFTWARE FOR PC-9800
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 21 (NB) -- Japan's leading video cassette
recorder maker Victor Company of Japan has launched into the
personal computer software market with its computer graphics
software called Trimagine.  The new software allows you to create
graphics using a keyboard or a mouse.  One can freely set the position
of objects, sources of light, and viewpoints, so it is a versatile
design tool. And the software allows you to express the "feel" of
various materials with a variety of textures, shades or transparencies.

The new software will be available for NEC PC-9800 series and
Seiko-Epson PC-286 series starting next month.  Professional
HS-P 1000 will retail for 600,000 yen or $4,300 and HS-P1100 for
97,000 yen or $700 for beginners.

(Ken Takahashi/19890525)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00011)

AUSTRALIANS GET SOFTWARE AT U.S. PRICES BY MAIL
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Direct supply dealers in
the U.S. continue to annoy authorised PC product distributors in
Australia by undercutting them as much as 50 percent. The latest
of these is GlobalSoft run from a small office on Market Street in
San Francisco. John Russo worked in sales at the nearby Egghead
Software store and was amazed at the number of Australian and New
Zealand shoppers who came in and asked if they could mail-order
PC software and hardware when they got home.

Convinced that there was a ready market he opened his business,
took out an ad in an Australian daily newspaper and waited until
the phone started ringing. "The only trouble is that I have to
keep Sydney office hours. That means staying in the office until
at least 10 at night," said Russo. Even allowing for air freight
and customs clearance he is able to deliver product at around
half of the Australian recommended retail price.

Now, Kelly Micro Systems has opened offices in Melbourne and
Sydney. The Australian manager told Newsbytes, "Our offices here
will be stocking points. We're letting people purchase at U.S.
retail price and get local delivery. At present we're offering
integrated circuits but will expand the range."

(Paul Zucker/19890526)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00012)

SWAT TEAMS TO HIT COMPUTER INSTALLATIONS
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Accounting firm Coopers
and Lybrand is preparing commando style 'tiger teams' to raid data
processing sites throughout Australia. The teams will test company
security in the vital areas of data processing and information
systems. Once commissioned to 'break in,' the teams will go
underground and penetrate the target systems. "It's generally
accepted that technically proficient people can enter most
systems, get their target data, and leave without a trace," said
a spokesman.

(Paul Zucker/19890526)


(EXCLUSIVE)(GENERAL)(BRU)(00013)

ISRAEL/EC PROJECT A SUCCESS
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Consultants hired by
Eurotech International on behalf of the European Commission [EC]
have returned from Tel Aviv after completing a successful joint
cooperation project in the computer technology arena.

The project involved finding European companies which would be
interested in Israel and its products. In addition, European companies
were able to use this opportunity to expand marketing of their
products to Israel.

Several European companies used the trip to obtain distributors
for their products in Israel. Louis Heessels of CCA Europe
commented, "I just sold cables to one of the Israeli companies and
became a distributor for another. This trip was well worth it."

Luc Sala, of Sala Communications of the Netherlands said, "It was
very interesting to see Israeli companies and products as well as
their technological base."

The European Community operates similar projects with other
countries. Currently South America and another Israeli project
are being organized in the field of electronic components.

(Peter Vekinis/19890526/Press Contact: Amnon Rimon, Israeli
Export Institute, Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00014)

COMPUTER GAMES BEFORE SEX
MACCLESFIELD, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 27 (NB) -- Mandarin Software,
keen to make sure it markets Lombard/RAC Rally, its new motor
rally simulation software, correctly, commissioned an anonymous
survey of 500 executives to find out how they relieved stress.

The results were surprising -- 202 favoured computer games, whilst
197 opted for booze, and just three went for sex, as a means of
relieving executive stress.

More importantly, Mandarin's survey revealed what a lot of people
in the computer trade have known for some time -- computer games
sell to a much wider category than kids.

The result of the survey, as well as making for amusing computer-
literate reading, is that Mandarin is now able market its motor rally
game - which retails for UKP 24-95 - far more effectively.

One key executive of a multi-national summed it up when he said:
"If you hit the bottle during the working day, you wouldn't hold
your job for long. Cigarettes are becoming increasingly seen as
anti-social. Sex is also a no-no unless you've a very willing
secretary, and don't work in an open plan office. But you can
resort to playing computer games at any time -- as long as you can
get it off the screen when someone approaches," he said.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press Contact: Mike Cowley, Cape Cowley
Associates - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00015)

COMMODORE USER SHOW THIS WEEK
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Both Commodore and show
organizers Database Exhibitions are working hard behind the
scenes in preparation for the Commodore Computer Show in London
this week. The three day event takes place at the Novotel Hotel
in Hammersmith, London, on 2, 3 and 4 June.

The show marks a change of strategy for the organizers, in that
it is the only Commodore show to be held this year. According to
Michael Meakin, head of Database Exhibitions, the move from two
shows a year to just one has enabled everyone concerned to
concentrate their activities into one large show.

Almost 100 stands have been taken by exhibitors, with several free
attractions, including a free game arcade designed to keep
everyone happy. Several companies are also planning to launch new
Amiga products at the show. Newsbytes will have a full report on
these in next week's issue.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press & Public Contact: Database
Exhibitions - Tel [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SIN)(00016)

FINANCIAL SYSTEM DEVELOPED IN SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- McCormack and Dodge, a
leading U.S. financial software company, will launch a budgetary
control system worldwide. It developed this system jointly with
Singapore's Finance Ministry when it undertook a project for that
department two years ago.

Recognizing the potential for such a system, McCormack and Dodge
acquired the rights to the system for marketing worldwide. The program
facilitates the effective monitoring and management of the budget
allocations of government and non-profit organizations.

John Siniscal, the company's vice president for the Asia-Pacific
region, said that pre-launch versions of the system, named Budgetary
Control: Millennum, have proved popular with countries like Australia
and New Zealand.

(Michael Worsley & S Roowi/19890524)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SIN)(00017)

EDI SUBJECT OF FREIGHT CONFERENCE
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- The Asia Pacific Freight 2
conference and exhibition now features a separate seminar devoted
entirely to the topic of electronic data interchange [EDI], as it
commanded such great interest when it was discussed theoretically at
last year's conference.

The Port of Singapore Authority [PSA] will display its use of EDI on
one of its S$16,000 [US$8,800] self-service terminals. Eighty such
terminals, to be operational by year's end, will be installed at
various godowns [warehouses] and container freight stations.

James G. Davies, the conference chairman, said the two-day
conference, part of the three-day show, will have thirty speakers from
13 different countries presenting a wide range of papers covering
subjects which include developments and trends in the various facets
of the freight-forwarding industry, Singapore's plans for this
industry and the implications of Europe's move towards a single
market.

Gerald Cary-Elwes, the conference director, said that the three-day
exhibition, opening today, has 47 exhibitors and is expected to
attract about 4,000 visitors. Computer manufacturers and software
companies, such as Nixdorf Computer and IPACS Computer Services, are
expected to promote their freight management software packages at this
show.

(Michael Worsley & S Roowi/19890524)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SIN)(00018)

SINGAPORE'S NATIONAL SOFTWARE COMPETITION
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Singapore has announced
a national software competition to promote the use and understanding
of information technology [IT] and encourage the development of
creative applications in IT.

To be held in conjunction with Singapore Technology Week '89 from
December 4-10 this year, the competition's main sponsor is the
Microcomputer Trade Association of Singapore [MTAS]. Other sponsors
include the National Computer Board [NCB], the Singapore Microcomputer
Society [SMS], Japan-Singapore Institute of Software Technology
[JSIST] and the People's Association of Singapore [PA].

The Organising Committee will only provide PCs of basic standard
system configuration for evaluation of entries [IBM or AT with
CGA or EGA monitors, Apple Macintosh, Commodore Amiga, etc.]. If
peripherals other than the basic configuration are needed,
participants must provide them if they wish the judges to explore the
full capabilities of their software.

The theme for the competition this year is "Software Thru' The 90s."

(Michael Worsley & S. Roowi/19890525)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SIN)(00019)

SINGAPORE EYES FUTURE BANKING
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 15 (NB) -- Electronic trade
payments and the impact of electronic data interchanges on the
financial services sector in the 1990's will be the theme of a
conference to be held in conjunction with a trade exhibition on
banking systems technology in Singapore on June 6.

Tan Chin Nam, the chairman of Singapore's National Computer Board
[NCB], and also the general manager of its Economic Development Board
[EDB], will talk on this subject at the sixth biennial congress of
"Technology and the Future Bank."

More than 130 delegates from the Asia-Pacific region are expected to
attend the three-day congress. Speakers will include Colin Klipin,
senior vice-president of the Bank of America, John Phimester,
deputy chief executive of British Automated Cleaning Services, and
Paul Olson, executive vice-president of Michigan National Corporation.

Ben Fernandez, managing director of Consulton, the organizers of the
congress, said that electronic trade documentation and EDI in banking
are technologies very much in the early stages of implementation.

(Michael Worsley & S.Roowi/19890522)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SIN)(00020)

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE TO TEACH CIM
SINGAPORE, SE ASIA, 1989 MAY 18 (NB) -- Singapore's Nanyang
Technological Institute [NTI] is considering running a part-time two-
year course, probably to begin next year, for the training of
specialists in computer-integrated manufacturing [CIM].

NTI's President Dr. Cham Tao Soon says CIM is an area requiring
a higher level of specialized training.

At a ceremony sealing a S$1 million software development partnership
between NTI and ATS Software Centre, a local software house, Dr. Cham
announced that Gintic, the computer-aided design/manufacturing centre
set up jointly by NTI and Grumman International, an American aerospace
company, will set up the course.

Gintic's Director, Ho Nai Choon, said a part-time course would be
more attractive to working engineers who otherwise would have to give
up careers to pursue full-time post-graduate studies.

(Michael Worsley & S. Roowi/19890522)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00001)

$750,000 SETTLES WTSP HACKER CASE
TAMPA, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 -- WTSP-TV in St. Petersburg
has agreed to pay the state of Florida $750,000 so that it won't
be sued under the state's anti-racketeering law.

Terry Cole, the former news director at the station, and Michael
Shapiro, who he'd hired from rival station WTVT, pled no contest
the week before on charges they illegally tapped into the newsroom
computer system of rival WTVT in Tampa. The two men got five
years' probation. While the station didn't admit to wrongdoing in
the settlement, Florida law states that a company's assets can be
seized if it is proven employees acted illegally on company time
to further the interests of the company.

Under the settlement, WTSP will contribute $400,000 to the state
attorney's Victims Assistance Program, $250,000 to the State
Attorney's Office for production and airing of public service
announcements, and $100,000 jointly to the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney's Office to cover the
cost of the investigation of the computer hacking operation.

The settlement does not shield WTSP from possible civil action by
WTVT.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00002)

XEROX TO LICENSE GRAPHICAL SOFTWARE
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- The
increasing importance in personal computing of the iconic,
graphical techniques first developed by Xerox is being recognized
in Xerox's industry-wide program to license this technology to
other software developers.

Xerox announced that the lawsuit with Metaphor Computer Systems
of Mountain Computer, California, relating to intellectual
property rights, has been settled. The settlement includes the signing
of a licensing agreement that allows Metaphor to use all features
of the Xerox interface.

Metaphor's David Liddle, who worked at Xerox's Palo Alto
Research Center [PARC] in the '70s developing Xerox's graphical
user interface, adopted parts of its when developing his own
products at Metaphor. It is generally believed that Xerox would
not have raised the red flag had Metaphor not signed an agreement
allowing IBM to use its graphical interface in the Metaphor
Data Interpretation System.

However, now that Xerox has official granted a license to Metaphor,
it will license others to use parts of the interface developed at
PARC, as well. Apple Computer's Macintosh interface is
considered by some to have derived from Xerox's work, so
some believe this licensing development could add even more
complexity to Apple's copyright battle with Microsoft and
Hewlett-Packard over the look and feel of its software.

(Janet Endrijonas & Wendy Woods/19890526/Press Contact: S.A.
Lanzarotta, Xerox, 213/333-3425)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00003)

CMS ENHANCEMENTS IN PX AND BX MARKET
TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- CMS Enhancements
has signed a deal worth $2.4 million to supply computer data
storage products to stores on 200 U.S. and NATO military bases
worldwide.

The agreement was made with a Texas-based company [MJ Daniels
Co.] that sells merchandise to military post exchanges.

The pact is for one year and calls for CMS to sell internal hard
disk drives for IBM, Tandy and Commodore computers as well as
external hard drives for Apple and Macintosh.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Ted James, CMS
Enhancements, 714-259-5812)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(BOS)(00004)

SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTION PROTEST
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- Leading
computer scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and other institutions have organized to resist the trend toward
increasing copyright protection in computer software.

The group of scientists objects to copyrighting of the so-called look
and feel of computer software. These copyrights will result in less
competition, higher prices, and slower advancement in the field, said
Richard Stallman, a well-known computer programmer who is
leading the new group.

Lending their names to the effort are Martin Minsky, Patrick Wilson,
and other leading computer scientists. The group led a
demonstration Wednesday at the headquarters of Lotus Development
to protest that company's litigation in the look and feel area.

(Jon Pepper/19890526)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00005)

HOME AUTOMATION FIRM GETS GRANT
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1989 MAY 15 (NB) -- AISI
Research, a developer of home automation technology, has received
a C$196,000 grant from the Canadian government. The funding is
for research and development on Spirit, AISI's silicon
implementation of the North American CEBus home automation
standard developed by the Electronic Industries Association.
Spirit is the first CEBus chip on the market. The money comes
from the Canadian federal government's C$60-million
Microelectronics and Systems Development Program, and AISI is one
of four companies to receive funding.

(Grant Buckler/19890526/Press Contact: Michele Rasmussen, SMith
Marketing Communications, 415-989-3104)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SIN)(00006)

SINGAPORE'S SKIN-CARE COMPUTER SYSTEM
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 15 (NB) -- Singapore National Skin
Centre's new S$1.5 million computer system has attracted other
hospitals in the republic wishing to computerize.

The system, supplied by American company NCR, has 40 PCs, 44 "dumb"
terminals and 42 printers. The first phase of its implementation will
involve the running of patient registrations and appointments,
billings, accounting, drug inventory and administration functions. Its
patient database is linked to the Patient Master Index stored in a
large IBM system at the Ministry of Health.

Later the centre's system will be linked to a network, MediNet, which
will allow the linking of all hospitals and private clinics under the
second phase of the implementation.

(Michael Worsley & S.Roowi/19890522)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(KUL)(00007)

MALAYSIAN POST OFFICES COMPUTERIZE
TRENGGANU, MALAYSIA, 1989 MAY 18 (NB) -- The Malaysian government has
allocated more than M$470 million [US$164.5 million] for the supply of
computers to the country's 315 post offices in stages beginning next
year.

Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Malaysia's deputy Energy, Telecommunications
and Posts minister, said that going online was to improve the counter
service. He said that all post offices were expected to be equipped
with computers by mid-1991. The computers would initially be used for
the payment of bills and updating of accounts but other transactions
might be included later.

A pilot project has been implemented at the Cheras post office in
Kuala Lumpur.

(Michael Worsley & S. Roowi/19890522)


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00001)

COMPAQ UNVEILS POWERFUL COMPUTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Texas-based
Compaq Computer has taken the wraps off Deskpro 386/33, a
33 MHz machine based on a new chip introduced by Intel last
month. Said to be the world's most powerful desktop personal
computer, the Deskpro 386/33 is set to expand Compaq's share of
the multi-user market currently dominated by mini and mainframe
systems.

This computer is designed for applications ranging from computer-
aided engineering design to financial modeling to functioning as
file server in a network. The system has 64 Kbytes of cache
memory to deliver a 35 percent improvement in processor intensive
applications as compared with the performance of 25 MHz, 386
cache-based personal computers.

In a related announcement, Compaq has also introduced a new model
of its 386-SX based Compaq Deskpro with more standard storage
capacity and an enhanced version of the company's Fixed Disk
Expansion Unit. Also announced was a reduction in the price of
many Compaq memory options thanks to greater availability and
lower cost of one megabit DRAM chips.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Bob Beach, Compaq
Computer, 713-374-1560)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00002)

COMPAQ OFFERS FRENCH CANADIAN MACHINES
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Along with its
introduction of the new 33-megahertz Deskpro 386/33, Compaq
Canada has announced a line of PCs with French Canadian
keyboards, documentation, software, and optionally a French-
language MS-DOS. The Compaq SLT 286, Deskpro 286e, Deskpro 386s,
Deskpro 386/20e and Deskpro 386/33 are available in French-
Canadian versions, at the same prices as their English-language
counterparts.

Canadian suggested retail prices for the new 386/33 line range
from C$15,749 to C$26,999. The Model 84, with two megabytes of
RAM, one 1.2-megabyte diskette drive and an 84-megabyte hard
disk, is C$15,749. With the same RAM and diskette drive, the
Model 320, with a 320-megabyte hard disk, is C$22,499 and the
Model 650, with a 650-megabyte hard drive, is C$26,999.

(Grant Buckler/19890526/Press Contact: Compaq Canada, 416-733-
7876)


(EXCLUSIVE)(IBM)(SYD)(00003)

COMPAQ EISA MACHINES TO BE NEW STYLE
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Compaq has revealed some
of the changes in design which can be expected with the first
extended industry standard [EISA] machine expected to be released
late this year. Speaking to Newsbytes at the Australian
introduction of the latest 33MHz 80386 machines, Compaq
management admitted that the EISA machines would probably come in
a completely different form factor [system unit shape and size].

The first Compaq EISA PC will probably be an 80486 machine, with
little change from US$30,000 for a standard machine. Later
versions will include 80386 machines at a slightly better price.
As the Compaq people said, "A machine with that sort of power and
price simply isn't a PC anymore. We now use the term
'workstation' and we want you to too!" They predicted that the
machines would be much more likely to be used as file servers and
graphics stations than simply ultra-fast personal computers.

Rumours of an impending 80386 battery powered PC from Compaq were
also squashed at the meeting. "While the '386 is already a CMOS
chip, it isn't low power and neither are the ancillary chips.
That's something we won't see until next year, from anyone.
Perhaps it might even be a battery powered '486. Anyway, were not
convinced that people will even want anything that
powerful....though we must admit the 80286 SLT battery portable
is our best selling machine by far -- worldwide."

(Paul Zucker/19890526)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00004)

SOFTWARE TO START A BUSINESS
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Want to start a
business but don't know where to start? Star Software has the
place -- a $349 PC program called Venture -- The Entrepreneur's
Handbook. This program offers, according to Star's President
Bill Webster, "comprehensive small business management AND
planning."

The product provides the would-be entrepreneur with a Business
Planning Module that is not "a cookie-cutter, fill-in-the-blanks
approach," says Webster. Venture prompts the user with questions
and then guides them through a series of steps to create a
customized business plan including an Executive Summary, Contingency
Plan and Financial Requirements. "Ours is based on the fact that
everybody's business is different," he says. The program was
developed by faculty from the Univeristy of Southern California
Business School's Entrepreneurship Program, and is based on the
book "The Entrepreneur's Handbook.

Venture, which offers a friendly user interface with icon-based
graphics, pull-down menus, and mouse support, also offers
word processing, spreadsheet, file management, and double-
entry ledger to support the planning document. In addition,
there are standard forms for employment contracts, partnership
agreements, and limited power of attorney. All the modules
are integrated.

Most notably, the product comes from a firm which is itself
considered a sterling example of planning and business execution.
Star Software  grew at a 3400 percent rate from 1981 to 1986,
placing the company on Inc. magazine's list of the 500
fastest-growing private firms in America.

Venture is available through Tandy stores and direct from
the company at 213-533-1190.

(Wendy Woods/19890526)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00005)

NEW PRINT SHOP FROM BRODERBUND
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- The runaway
best seller, Print Shop from Broderbund, has been updated and
will be a part of the largest product launch in the company's
history. In July, Broderbund will ship The New Print Shop,
$60. An Apple II version for $50 is slated for release later
in the year.

The program has more than 20 new features including a new
assortment of high-resolution graphics in multiple sizes,
improved, time-saving interface, the ability to place multiple
graphics and fonts anywhere on the page, and WYSIWYG [what
you see is what you get] preview that allows users to see how
an overall design looks at any time. There is also a
calendar-maker with daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly
formats, and the product can create giant wall-sized
calendars and signs measuring up to nine by six and a half
feet.

The ubiquitous Print Shop created an entirely new category of
software when first introduced five years ago, and it has
become one of the top-selling software programs of all time --
an estimated 1.6 million copies.

Spokeswoman Jenay Cottrell tells Newsbytes as part of the
promotion, the firm has set up a hotline for existing owners
of Print Shop, so they can order it direct. The number is
800-999-3256. Retailers and telemarketers will also compete
for a Carribbean cruise with a special promotional contest.

(Wendy Woods/19890526)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00006)

PC-USA PROFILES THE 50 STATES
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- A new product provides
an instant profile of all 50 states and Puerto Rico, offering
maps, graphics and database chock full of interesting facts.
PC-USA provides data on employment, health, education, crime,
elections, history, climate, tourist attractions, area codes,
and zip codes for all U.S. states. User-generated bar charts
display cross-comparisons of state demographics, including tax
rates, school enrollment, average income, and more.

The maps display elevations, major natural features, and the
location of each state's 15 largest cities. Comwell Systems,
the manufacturer, also makes PC-Globe+, an atlas program
sold through major retail outlets.

PC-USA will ship in July, it runs on a PC with a minimum of
384K, two floppy drives, and a hard disk. It will cost $70.

(Wendy Woods/19890526/Press Contact: 602-894-6866)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00007)

PASCAL NOW OBJECT-ORIENTED
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Both Borland
and Microsoft chose the same week to announce new object-oriented
programming features on their versions of the Pascal computer
language. The two announcements represent the first implementation
object-oriented technology in a mainstream industry standard
computer language.

The benefit of object-oriented technology, according to Borland,
is that it gives software programmers a "building block"
approach to programming. Programmers can spend more time
designing and less time with the basic mechanics of writing a
program.

Borland's Turbo Pascal 5.5, $150, combines the simplicity of
Apple's Object Pascal language with extensions from the C+++
object-oriented programming language, including static objects,
object constants, static methods, constructors, and destructors.
Borland says only four new keywords have been created, making its
version of Pascal the cleanest and more consistent.

Microsoft's QuickPascal is claimed by the company to be the
fastest available Pascal on a PC, linking programs 10 to 15 percent
faster than Borland's as well as compatible with it. Unlike
the Borland product, it offers a window-based editor that supports
multiple views into a source file, or simultaneous editing of
multiple files. QuickPascal is $99.

(Wendy Woods/19890526)


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00008)

BORLAND SETS U.K. TURBO PRICES
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Borland International has
launched major upgrades of two of its existing packages, Turbo
Pascal 5.5 and Turbo Debugger 1.5, in Europe and the U.S.

Turbo Pascal 5.5 will retail for UKP 99.95, whilst the
professional version, which includes Turbo Debugger 1.5 and Turbo
Assembler 1.0, retails for UKP 199.95. Existing users of Turbo
Pascal can upgrade to the new version for UKP 24-95, or UKP
129.95 for the professional package.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press Contact: Tina Elliott, Keene Business
to Business - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00009)

MITAC OFFERS MODEL 55 386SX CLONE
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- No sooner had IBM
introduced its Model 55SX, that American Mitac also introduced a
Micro Channel Architecture 386SX-based microcomputer, based on
technology licensed from IBM. The basic computer, with one
megabyte of random access memory, one 1.44 MB floppy drive, and
VGA-compatible graphics, retails for the same as IBM's basic
offering -- $2995. The retail price is expected to come down to
beat IBM's price after a while, Shawn Leuthold, American Mitac
spokesman tells Newsbytes. Delivery is slated for June 1.

"We have a lot more features than IBM. We have six expansion slots,
they have three. Our RAM is expandable to eight megabytes, theirs
is only four and its ends up taking a slot. For OS/2 and
Presentation Manager you'll need eight megabytes. Ours also
has one 3 1/2 and two 5 1/4-inch floppy drives," says Leuthold.

The speed with which American Mitac, affiliated with parent company
Mitac in Taiwan, got the product to market surprised even its
vice president. "In the past we beat Compaq and other compatible
manufacturers to market with several of our models. However it's
a real tribute to Mitac's engineering prowess that we managed
to bring the MPS2386 to market at essentially the same time as
IBM," says C.K. Cheng, assistant vice president.

In a cross-licensing agreement, IBM has access to the largest
research staff in Taiwan right now. Mitac's facility there has
several inventions IBM may utilize, including technology
for inputting Chinese characters into a computer from a IBM-
style keyboard.

(Wendy Woods/19890525/Press Contact: Shawn Leuthold, Mitac, 408-
432-1160)


(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00010)

IBM BUYS STAKE IN MSA
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- IBM has bought five
percent of Management Science America, MSA, which produces
software for IBM mainframes. IBM paid just $11.50 per share, $10.14
million for the whole stake. MSA will use the money for bills
and developing products using IBM's Systems Application
Architecture (SAA), which connects IBM's entire product line.

There is precedent for this type of investment being returned
after a profitable project completion, as with IBM's one-time
equity stake in Intel. There is also precedent for IBM swallowing
those in which it invests, as with Rolm. Observers say it is also clear
that, as with SuperComputing Systems of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, its
most recent investment, MSA, is working on things IBM badly
wants done.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: David Colmans of MSA,
404-239-3355, or Theo Chisholm of IBM, 914-697-6516)


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00011)

EYE STRAIN RELIEF FOR LAPTOP USERS
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- What may prove
to have been one of the more interesting product introductions
during the Software Publisher's Association annual spring
symposium was the unveiling of Eye Relief, the first PC-based
writing tool designed for the millions of people who have poor
vision and the millions of others straining their eyes to squint
at laptops in poorly lit environments.

Eye Relief, $295, is a full-featured word processing program that
displays and prints large size type. The program creates
standard ASCII files and can output to any printer.

Ken Skier, president of Ski Soft Publishing Corporation, told
Newsbytes that he has been in the business for seven years and has
launched many products. "Never before have I encountered such
overwhelming reaction to a new product introduction. At the
Software Publisher's Symposium, everyone who tried it out said
the same things -- can I have one, I know someone who needs this
product, and this is a great idea."

"Eye Relief lets you edit on screen with type as large as you like,
so you can easily read the text," Skier added. Text as large as 33
columns across by 7 rows high can be displayed. The program
promises those letters will be finely curved, without the ragged stair-
step effect of some screen fonts. And it's fast enough to keep up with
a typist even on an old IBM PC. "On an AT, it is a screamer,"
said Skier.

Skier also assured Newsbytes that this is not vaporware. "We
have beta copies now and are finishing things like the cover art
for the documentation. We will be shipping within a month."

(Janet Endrijonas & Dana Blankenhorn/19890526/Press Contact:
Ken Skier, SkiSoft Publishing, 617-863-1876)


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

IBM TO USE WESTERN DIGITAL NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- Western Digital
has signed an agreement that allows IBM to use Western Digital's
network technology. This is a major policy change for IBM.
Beginning sometime later this year, customers will be able to
connect some IBM personal computers using Ethernet technology
rather than IBM Token Ring.

This move will allow users who have equipment from a number of
vendors to link everything including some IBM personal computers
into a single network. Companies other than Western Digital who
also make Ethernet boards are expected to benefit from this IBM
policy change as well.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Linda Orban, Western
Digital, 714-757-4234)


(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00013)

IBM AND IBS COOPERATE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Image
Business Systems and IBM have signed a cooperative software
agreement under which each will market IBS' image processing
software, called ImageSystem.

ImageSystem is a local area network, or LAN-based, document-handing
imaging application which runs on the IBM RT under AIX. With
ImageSystem, an RT can serve as an independent file server for
IBM's PS/2 workstations linked together on a Token-Ring or Ethernet
LAN, and as a gateway to an IBM mainframe. Claims processing,
invoicing, and accounts receivable reconciliations are typical
applications.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Deborah DiSesa, IBM, 914-642-
5462)


(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00014)

3COM SIGNS ETHERNET PRODUCT LICENSE WITH IBM
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- 3COM
and IBM have signed an agreement whereby IBM will license 3Com's
Ethernet network drivers for use with IBM's OS/2 Extended Edition.
3Com codeveloped an interface with IBM that allows OS/2 Extended
Edition version 1.2 to operate with industry-standard Ethernet
adapters.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Scott Brooks, IBM, 201-930-5231)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00001)

AT&T STRIKE THREATENED
MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- The threat of
a national telephone strike in the U.S. is real, if small, as the
Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers authorized a strike May 28, or later, and
AT&T finally came up with a wage and benefit offer.

The pact proposed by AT&T reportedly includes a pay increase, but
would cut health benefits. Workers may see it as Boulwarism, a
practice started by former General Electric executive Lemuel
Boulware in which a single offer is put on the table and
management refuses to bargain above it so as not to give the
unions credit for anything. The union vote doesn't authorize an
immediate strike, but calls on unions to call one at any time.

The union could also engage in "electronic picketing," urging
AT&T customers to use other carriers and even giving out
competitors' access codes.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00002)

BELLSOUTH'S E-MAIL SERVICE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- BellSouth is now
offering BellSouth Message Central electronic mail service. The
Southeastern phone company is looking to design customized
applications for e-mail, to help businesses gather sales data,
enter and verify orders, manage inventories, consolidate
forecasts and distribute financial information throughout their
companies.

BellSouth licensed its electronic mail software from Telenet, and
will at first run the service over its PulseLink Plus packet
switching service. For calls outside a regional calling area,
customers can select Telenet or any other packet switching
services. The service is presently connected to Telenet's
Telemail via X.75 gateways, but will soon be connected via the
newer X.400 standard to other public and private E-mail
services.

BellSouth Message Central is being marketed by BellSouth Advanced
Networks, a subsidiary of BellSouth which markets enhanced
network services.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Carlton Horton,
BellSouth, 404-249-4135)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)

SOUTHWESTERN BELL SELLS SOFTWARE
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- Southwestern
Bell is offering 60 software programs it wrote itself to the
general business public, having sold $2 million worth in the
last two years, and expecting another $2 million in sales by the
end of 1989. A press release from the company's St. Louis
headquarters doesn't mention the amount of money spent generating
these sales. The one sale it mentions specifically was to another
Bell Operating Company, U.S. West, which announced practically the
same day it was closing its software subsidiary, U.S. West
Knowledge Engineering of Denver, because sales and profit
levels failed to meet expectations. The Department of Justice
is also investigating Knowledge Engineering for antitrust violations.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Vince McDonough of
Southwestern Bell Telephone [phone], Ed Mattix of U S WEST
Diversified, 303-649-4676 )


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

NORTHERN TELECOM'S NETWORK TOOLS
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- Northern Telecom
has announced NetMate, a set of software planning tools which let
phone company engineers design, simulate, and configure entire
public phone and data networks from a personal computer.

NetMate is designed to let telephone operating companies decide
how and where to allocate resources in the public-switched
network. Planners can electronically specify and simulate a
variety of hardware designs, and see how the parts will work
together. Some parts of the program, of course, require access to
the phone company's IBM mainframe.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Northern Telecom,
Research Triangle Park, NC, Preston Peek, 919/992-2788)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)

DATAPOINT INTRODUCES VIDEO INTERFACE
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Datapoint, which
was the first to market a local area network, namely ARC, has
introduced MINX -- Multimedia Information Network Exchange -- a
network which integrates video-teleconferencing rooms and roll-
about video-teleconferencing carts. This lets companies share
expensive codecs, giving the teleconference broader reach.

The idea is to link the teleconferences businesses are already having
in special rooms with executives who are working at desktop PCs.
James R. Barnes, Datapoint vice president, technical operations,
explained the MINX Network Interface is the first product in the
industry to bridge the gap between the individual desktop video-
teleconferencing unit and the centralized video-teleconferencing
room.

Monitors, microphones, recorders and tape players, cameras and
other devices can be added easily to a video network
using MINX. Pricing for the basic MINX Network Interface unit
starts at $8,000, with the MINX Cluster Network Adapter costing,
$1,595, and keypads going for $395.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Don Pothier of
Datapoint Corporation, 512-699-7477)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

COMMUNITYLINK IS U.S. WEST'S GATEWAY
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- U.S. West
CommunityLink Service will be the name of the information-
services gateway to be offered in Omaha by U.S. West
Communications early this fall.

Linda Laskowski, a U.S. West officer for the gateway and
related businesses, said the name "describes what
customers told us they wanted from the gateway." Laskowski
expects to have over 100 service providers by early next year,
which may include grocery shopping, restaurant menus, community
sports, cultural and school activities, as well as news and
discussion forums.

For the test, 4,000 Philips M-2 videotex terminals will be
distributed by Tel-e-tex Inc. of Omaha. Laskowski said this is to
avoid bias in the test caused by the fact most homes don't have
PCs. The terminals will sell for about $270 through a special
retail store, and home delivery will be available. Most
important, charges for CommunityLink will be taken directly out
of customer phone bills.

Jim Atkinson of U.S. West in Omaha told Newsbytes the Philips
terminals handle both ASCII and teletel-based services, and in
Omaha services will be offered under both protocols. "We'll have
an internal test this summer with 300 employees, opening around
August 1. We'll test with the external information providers we
have at that point." Among the information providers already
signed up, he revealed, are Boston CitiNet and the Omaha World-
Herald, which will act as a service bureau and bring in outsiders
to run its services, as well as using newspaper employees.

Atkinson adds there are still no firm commitments on connecting
with Minitel Services, citing protocol problems and questions
about handling and billing calls to France. U.S. West also wants a
block put on Aline, the erotic talk service, and the right to
control what's written on the gateway. Atkinson, however, has
high praise for the French representatives working on the test.
"We find the French very cooperative, and they're flexible and
smart. They've had a lot of experience with this."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Jim Atkinson. US West,
402-422-8204)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

MINITEL PITCHES FORTUNE 1000 ON TELETEL
PURCHASE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Minitel Services
President Joe Mazzeo is taking his best shot at success for the
French teletel standard. He's trying to sell the Fortune 1000 on
electromarketing. That's his buzzword for what telephone-linked
computing can do for marketing.

Mazzeo offers big business access to the French Minitel directory,
which has four million names, and some U.S. directories, and is
promising to make available names in Europe and Japan, as well,
in a new approach to direct marketing.

By distributing terminals to retail outlets and encouraging
customers to sign up, Minitel hopes to open up new channels
of distribution which can lead right into customers' homes.

"With Minitel, users do not interact exclusively with computers
to obtain data or execute transactions. Instead they communicate
with sales personnel, service representatives, consultants and
others, forming long-term relationships in the process," Mazzeo
explained. "The conversational nature of electromarketing gives
businesses the ability to form dynamic relationships with
prospects and customers. Communications with company
representatives can be tailored to the relationships the business
wants to develop. For example, hotline desks, user group
meetings, training classes or workshops can provide real-time
support while electronic mail lets buyers receive ongoing
personal service from someone they know and trust."

Teletel creates a menu-driven graphic interface on a simplified
terminal that lets people navigate through complex computer
applications and services with eight keys representing major
functions. Users can, within seconds, send or receive orders,
make or cancel reservations, send or receive information or
electronic messages, and participate in online training classes,
forums, meetings and information-sharing workgroups, among other
things. Minitel also offers personal computer users free software
that allows IBM PC, IBM compatibles, Apple II Macintosh and
even Commodore computers to emulate the Minitel teletel protocol.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Terry Ribb, 914-694-
6266)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

PC-BASED PHONE SERVICES FROM UNISYS
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Unisys has
introduced a Network Application Platform it says lets phone
companies quickly develop customized services for customers
from a single PC.

Among the services phone companies using the Unisys NAP could
offer are: fax store and forward, 976 selective call screening,
pay-per-view cable TV using voice menus, and applications to let
radio and TV stations run phone-in contests easily. Unisys also
demonstrated a coin-operated voice messaging system, a home
messaging system and an audiotext application letting callers get
information about restaurants, theaters, or entertainment.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Charlotte J. LeGates,
Unisys, 215-542-4213


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)

UDS INTRODUCES MODEM CONTROL SYSTEM
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Universal Data
Systems, a subsidiary of Motorola, has introduced a modem
management system called GlobalView, which lets network operators
remotely configure and monitor all their company's modems, in
much the same way public network operators configure their
networks. The product consists of a PC/AT, network management
software based on Microsoft Windows, and equipment racks which
can hold up to 512 modems each. The program features a system map
which lets users easily see which modems are talking to which.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19890525/Press Contact: Ted Bixby, Crescent
Communications, 404-696-8650)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(BOS)(00010)

STRATUS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS
MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- Stratus
Computer, a leading vendor of fault-tolerant transaction-processing
computers, has expanded its programs for the telecommunications
marketplace by introducing a new networking software product.

The new product, called the OSI Server, runs on Stratus' XA2000
Continuous Processing Systems. The server allows a wide range of
software applications programs for telecommunications service
providers and corporations with large, private networks to run on the
Stratus XA2000 Systems.

Pricing for the OSI Server on an entry-level XA2000 Model 50 is
$2,200, and $4,800 for the Server on a high-end Model 160.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Pam Brown, Stratus, 508-460-
2952)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(BOS)(00011)

FAX ME TO THE BRIDE ON TIME
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- The old song, "Get
Me to The Church on Time" could now well be "Fax me to the
church on time." The latest craze for faxes now is getting wedding
music sent by special delivery.

A Virginia bride recently received a musical selection of sheet music
via fax, because of a last-minute choice. When the music was finally
found, it was too late to have it sent via the mail. Fortunately, the
bride was familiar with fax machines, and the music was sent over a
fax. The wedding went off without a glitch...er....hitch.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Jane Boyett, Murata, 214-403-
3376)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00012)

ITAC TASK FORCE AGAINST REGULATION
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- No matter how much
regulation or how much competition is appropriate in
telecommunications, Canada needs to improve the way the industry
is regulated, according to a task force set up by the Information
Technology Association of Canada [ITAC].

Canadian telecommunications carriers are regulated by three
different levels of government. The federal government regulates
the national and international satellite carriers Telesat and
Teleglobe, the national data communications carrier CNCP
Telecommunications, and four regional telephone companies. Other
regional phone companies are regulated -- and in some cases owned
-- by provincial governments. In a few cases, municipal
governments have authority over small telephone companies.
"Canada's current kaleidoscope of telecommunications regulation
and jurisdiction is a policy patch-work," the task force report
says, "one that is unsuited to the realities of
telecommunications in the 21st century."

Canada needs a single, national telecommunications regulator, the
study contends. The report considers but rejects the idea of
provincial regulators sharing responsibility with a national body
or being subject to federal authority. It recommends instead a
national telecommunications regulatory body, with some of its
members nominated by the provincial governments.

ITAC is an industry association made up of 60 of the largest
information technology companies in Canada, including the
Canadian subsidiaries of most world leaders in the industry.

(Grant Buckler/19890526/Press Contact: Barry Gander, ITAC, 416-
493-8710)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00013)

DATASOFT UPGRADES COM SOFTWARE
ILMINSTER, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Datasoft has released
version 3.30 of its popular Datatalk PC communications software.
The latest version, which retails for UKP 149, now includes Z-
Modem file transfers, support for 50 popular modems, and an ANSI
80/32 column terminal emulator, as well as 11 other emulations,
which includes VT100, IBM3101 and TVI920 formats.

Datatalk now includes MCGA graphics support for viewdata
emulation, as well as the usual monochrome, CGA, EGA and VGA
graphics, with CEPT and STREAMA secure printing formats available
as a value-added extra.

Existing users of Datatalk can upgrade to the new version on
payment of a on-time fee, ranging from UKP 50 for users of V1.0
and single modem versions to UKP 15 for users of v3.299.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press & Public Contact: Jenny White, Sales
Director, Datasoft Limited - Tel: [phone] Email [Dialcom}
10083:DFT001)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00014)

PROFILE DATABASE IMPROVED
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Profile Information, the
Financial Times information service, has added the Deloitte
Haskins & sells EC 1992 file to its range of searchable
databases.

The premium rate file is available in parallel with the existing
Spearhead information files to direct subscribers of the service,
as well as all Mercurylink 7500 subscribers, and certain U.K.
Dialcom affiliate [Telecom Gold] and One-to-One subscribers, as a
pay-as-you-go gateway facility.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press Contact: Jenny Bailey Associates -
Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00015)

NEXT GENERATION U.K. MOBILE PHONES
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 27 (NB) -- Kingston Communications
[KC], in conjunction with Plessey Communications, has submitted
tentative plans for a next generation mobile phone system for
Europe from 1992 onwards.

The submission is in preparation for when the U.K.'s Department of
Trade and Industry [DTI] awards two, or possibly three, licences
for the next generation of digital mobile phones.

Precise frequency allocations have yet to be announced, but the
KC/Plessey submission works at three levels: basic, with a small
pocket radio phone operating on a two-way basis within one kilometer of the
home of public basic unit; advanced 1, with a plug-in cartridge
to allow increased range, possibly to 20km, for rural area use;
and advanced 2, with the facilities of advanced 1 service, plus
the ability to move between 'cells,' as with existing analogue
cellular networks.

The concept of tiered service levels will allow different call
rates to be imposed, say KC/Plessey. In addition, it is hoped
that all three levels of service will be available using a single
basic handset, and two plug-in cartridges for advanced 1 and
advanced 2 services.

One other interesting feature of the KC/Plessey Personal
Communications Network [PCN] is the facility of linking the
public base stations to other base stations by radio links, so as
to allow rapid installation of base stations as demand arises.
The use of radio links to the standard land-based network run by
British Telecom and Mercury in the U.K. also opens up the
possibility of mobile public base stations on trains, planes and
coaches.

(Steve Gold/19890527)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00016)

MERCURY'S EDINBURGH/GLASGOW CABLE
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Mercury Communications has
invested UKP 2 million in the installation of a series of optical
fibre cables in Edinburgh and Glasgow. To date, more than 1,760
kilometres of optical cable has been installed in the two cities,
allowing subscribers direct digital access to the Mercury voice
and data network.

The completion of the cabling scheme also means that a series of
public pay phones -- with call costs starting at 50 percent of the
equivalent British Telecom rates -- can open in both Scottish
cities. Initially, there will be 11 Mercury pay phone kiosks in
Edinburgh, and 14 in Glasgow.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press Contact: Nick Bundy, Mercury
Communications - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SIN)(00017)

SINGAPORE TELECOM DEMO CENTRE
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 18 (NB) -- Singapore Telecom has set up
a demonstration centre, Comcity, where everyone can view and try out
the latest telecommunications equipment.

Members of the public can try out equipment such as image phones,
digital telephones, teleview, video-conferencing, voice-mail and
facsimiles that are more efficient -- equipment to come in five to ten
years.

Dr. Yeo Ning Hong, Singapore's minister for communications and
information and second minister for defence [policy], officially
opened the S$2 million [US$1.1 million] centre yesterday.

Dr. Yeo said that Comcity will help everyone to understand, operate and
assimilate technology that will in time be used daily. He continued,
"Singapore Telecom's objective is to bring the benefits of
telecommunications to Singaporeans to improve their quality of life
and, businesses and industries can have a sharp increase in
productivity and efficiency."

(Michael Worsley & S.Roowi/19890523/Press Contact: Derek Tan,
Singapore Telecoms, Ph:[65] 734.3344)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SIN)(00018)

AT&T TRAIN SINGAPOREANS IN TELECOM
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Singapore's newly-formed
Information Communication Institute [ICIS] will have as its director
Dr. Nelson T. Tsao-Wu, an expert from the U.S. company, American Telephone
and Telegraph [AT&T]. Together with Deputy Director Dr. Christopher
Chia, he will direct the specialized training of personnel in
information communication. The ICIS was jointly set up by AT&T and
Singapore's National Computer Board [NCB] to train specialists in
telecommunications software.

Dr. Tsao-Wu, who is arriving here in November, was department chief
with Bell Laboratories in the U.S., where part of his job was to
research the use of optoelectronics and artificial intelligence in
switching systems. He has also done research to make use of technology
for applications in information communications.

He has also been general manager of AT&T International, where he was
involved in market planning for data networking and value-added
services.

(Michael Worsley & S.Roowi/19890524)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(KUL)(00019)

ABACUS IN MALAYSIA
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, 1989 MAY 22 (NB) -- Malaysia's national
airline [MAS] will have the majority stake in a national marketing
company [NMC] which will market the computerized reservation system,
ABACUS, in Malaysia.

Tan Sri Haji Abdul Aziz, its managing director, said in Kuala Lumpur
last week that MAS has drawn up the plans for the proposed NMC and is
expected to sign an agreement with the other partners in ABACUS next
month. Under the agreement, the partners will participate in all
ABACUS activities, including product development, marketing of the
system to Asian travel agents, and negotiation rights with other
similar systems worldwide.

The formation of ABACUS was originally a project of Singapore Airlines
and Cathay Pacific in partnership with China Airlines, Philippines
Airlines and MAS to simplify the entire reservation process for making
airline, train and hotel bookings with a host of other services on the
same computer terminal. Developed by Abacus Distribution Systems Pte
Ltd, ABACUS is linked to the European-developed AMADEUS and PARS, a
system owned jointly by Trans World Airlines and Northwest Orient.

An NMC was launched recently in Singapore and another will be launched
in Hong Kong in the near future.

(Michael Worsley & S. Roowi/19890523)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00001)

SOVIET-U.S. BROKERAGE FORMING
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Glav-PC is a
new company seeking to forge alliances with the Soviet Union
and set up a permanent showroom for U.S. technology in Moscow.
The new firm, now seeking investment partners, has been
established by Lee Felsenstein, inventor of the Osborne
Computer, and one of the founders of the personal computer
movement.

Glav-PC [Glav meaning "Big Time" in Russian] has been offered
a large commercial space in Moscow but "the paperwork is still
going back and forth," Felsenstein tells Newsbytes. He says
the firm will serve as an infrastructure to help U.S. firms
set up a base of operations in the Soviet Union. Felsenstein
sees an opportunity for U.S. computer firms to make big money
in the U.S.S.R. where the U.S. government allows anything up
to 32 megabits per second -- AT-compatibles, and 68000-based
machines -- to be exported. The Soviet Union, which he
describes as being akin to the U.S. computer industry 14 years
ago, also needs manufacturing know-how.

Glav-PC will bring American technology experts together with their
Soviet counterparts, as well as offer services and facilities
to American firms, such as parts and inventory storage, so they
don't have to set up their own warehouse. But for this pioneer
the corporation he's creating has a larger purpose.

"The potential for restructuring society is what I'm interested
in. The connections that we build in creating the computer
industry there will help immeasurably." He says the U.S., rather
than fear technology in the hands of the Soviet Union, should
see that personal computers are tools for democracy because they
make information available to greater numbers of people.

Those interested in more information can call Felsenstein at his
Berkeley office Golemics 415-548-0738.

(Wendy Woods/19890526)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00002)

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR COMPUTER VIRUSES?
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- Speaking at
the annual spring symposium of the Software Publisher's
Association, John C. Lamberson of Corroon & Black Corporation, an
insurance brokerage, told listeners that the insurance industry
is in the beginning stages of setting precedents for handling
losses attributed to computer viruses.

Lamberson indicated that partial coverage for consumers may come
from "already-existing data" coverage. For developers, the only
possible coverage at present would be within an interpretation of
the Errors and Omissions clause in already-issued contracts.

How the insurance industry will choose to handle additional virus
coverage is currently under consideration. Lamberson noted that
while most viruses to date have been obvious, the next round
could be more subtle. He suggested that the best way for
software developers to protect themselves and their customers
would be to add virus detecting programs to their in-house
quality assurance procedures.

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Gene Donati, Hill and
Knowlton, 212-697-5600)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00003)

64 MEGABIT DRAM CHIP BEING DEVELOPED
OSAKA, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 24 (NB) --Mitsubishi Electric has developed
a new cell structure which it says will make possible the creation of a
dynamic random access memory [DRAM] chip with the mind-boggling
capacity of 64 megabits.  Mitsubishi has succeeded in making the cell
less than one-sixth the size and twice as dense as a four-megabit DRAM
chip by reforming the cell, which consists of transistor and
data-storing memory capacitor.

The 64-megabit DRAM is capable of storing data equivalent to a
256-page Japanese-language newspaper.  It has been quite difficult
to develop because engineers will have to line up a whopping 64
million memory cells on the 200-square-millimeter area.  The 64-
megabit DRAM is become available for practical use in 1993.

(Ken Takahashi/19890525)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00004)

SHARP TO MASS-PRODUCE 14-INCH COLOR LCD
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- Sharp says it is ready to
produce its original 14-inch color liquid crystal display [LCD] next
year.  The new product is expected to open wide-ranging new markets
including those for laptop personal computers and something new
called "tapestry television," in which these LCDs will replace the
traditional cathode ray tube in TV sets.

The breakthrough 14-inch color developed by Sharp has 308,000
pixels and its screen adopts what's called thin film transistor method
in its construction.  The LCD is one-thirteenth the thickness, including
backlight, and one-fourth the weight of a 14-inch cathode ray tube.

Sharp plans to offer the LCD with its own office automation
equipment, such as a laptop PC.  Production of test quantitites takes
place this year and details on specific products are due next year.

(Ken Takahashi/19890525)


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

TI INTROS DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSOR
GLASGOW. SCOTLAND, 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- Dallas-based Texas
Instruments has announced a one-million transistor digital signal
processor [DSP], a type of RISC-based microprocessor for high-
speed, number-crunching applications.

The microprocessor is capable of performing 29 million
mathematical operations per second, equivalent to the raw
computational power of a mainframe computer.

In addition to raw speed, this new chip incorporates a variety of
peripheral functions such as large amounts of on-chip memory to
comprise a complete DSP system on a chip. With this chip, many
commercial and consumer applications for which microprocessor
chips were too slow and too expensive in the past will now be
able to process and manipulate information in "real time."

(Janet Endrijonas/19890526/Press Contact: Ted Jernigan, Texas
Instruments, 214-997-5467)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00006)

AT&T'S SINGLE-CHIP DIGITAL TRANSMISSION
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- AT&T
has announced one of the first single-chip, crystal-based timing
recovery units in the industry, which ensures transmission quality in
systems that use digital signals.

The TRU-050 provides designers increased reliability and savings in
board space. It integrates on one chip a phase detector, operational
amplifier, and voltage-controlled crystal oscillator. All functions are
controlled by the TRU-050's quartz crystal, which determines the rate
at which the device transmits data.

The chip is especially useful for networks, digital switches, fiber optic
transmission systems, and multiplexers. Pricing varies with frequency.
For example, a 32Mhz unit would be $125 per chip in sample
quantities.

(Jon Pepper/19890526/Press Contact: Mary Lou Ambrus, 201-771-
2825)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00007)

NEUROCOMPUTER READING BREAKTHROUGH
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- NEC and NEC Information
Technology have developed a program which allows their neurocomputer
to recognize characters using a scanner -- without the need for
specific character recognition programming.

The Neuro-07, the world's first commercial neurocomputer developed
by the two firms, can recognize characters on paper when input
to the computer via a scanner, using this software. The Neuro-07
used to require the programming of character recognition software
in order to perform this function. But the neurocomputer will save
such a programming procedure.

The Neuro-07 neurocomputer can be adopted as an easy-to-use
optical character reader, using the software.

Slated for shipping in July, the new product will retail for
75,000 yen or $540.

(Ken Takahashi/19890524/Press Contact: NEC Information
Technology, 03-454-2091)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008)

NEC MAKING 4-MEG DRAMS IN U.S. AND U.K.
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 20 (NB) -- Japan's largest chip maker NEC
has decided to strengthen production footholds in the U.S. and
Europe.

NEC has established more production lines in its Roseville, California
factory and has also decided to make four-megabit dynamic
random access memory [DRAM] chips there.  The firm will invest
heavily in large-scale equipment at its Scotland factory for full-
scale production of 1-megabit and 4-megabit DRAM chips and
microprocessors.  Both factories are expected to establish volume
production systems by 1991.

Following the NEC move, other Japanese semiconductor makers
are expected to launch production of 4-megabit DRAM chips in the
U.S. and U.K. starting next year.

(Ken Takahashi/19890525)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00009)

U.S.-MADE CAD/CAM SOFTWARE HEADS EAST
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 21 (NB) -- America dominates the computer-
aided design, manufacturing, and engineering or CAD/CAM/CAE market,
which earns an annual 25 billion yen or $1.8 billion a year. America's
leadership in this area has not been eyed without interest from Japan
where there are few qualified CAD/CAM/CAE software engineers.

Consequently, an increasing number of Japanese firms are looking
to the West for joint ventures to develop software for this
market.  For instance, this summer Japan's computer giant Fujitsu will
re-import from the U.S. and sell in Japan CAE software developed
by engineers contracted in the U.S. Seiko Electronics Industry
will establish a research and development center in its
California-based Seiko Instruments USA this April, and will sell
information-related equipment in Japan.  And one of Japan's major
electric circuit CAD makers, Zuken, will establish a Zuken
Laboratory in Colorado, U.S.A., within this year, to develop software
for design automation of semiconductor chip circuits.

There are rumors that other Japanese firms will join the fray.

(Ken Takahashi/19890525)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00010)

BRISK PC SALES DESPITE TAXES
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- Higher sales taxes imposed in
April have had no effect on PC sales, contrary to worries by
industry analysts.

For instance, NEC shipped 75,000 units of its PC-9800 series PCs
in March, and received orders for 78,000 more in the higher-taxed
month of April, of which 30 percent were for the newest NEC PC-9800
models.  Meanwhile, PC-9800-compatible PC maker Seiko-Epson shipped
an unexpected 24,000 PCs in March, leading to a shortage of
product. Seiko-Epson consequently was only about to ship 13,000 PCs
last month.

While the buying frenzy was unexpected, it may be short-lived
as many orders were made before the new taxes went into
effect and customers are waiting for delivery of product.

(Ken Takahashi/19890525)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00011)

EPSON FUNDED GRAPHICS PROJECT
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1989 MAY 25 (NB) -- Swinburne Institute of
Technology is developing a graphics processor with assistance
from Japanese printer giant, Epson. The project spans three years
of development by postgraduates at Swinburne. The system
currently uses Inmos Transputer chipsets but the final product
will be built around a custom integrated circuit.

The processor reportedly is capable of 420 million instructions
per second. Epson has provided financial and equipment backing
for the project which has already spawned spin-offs in the areas
of artificial intelligence and simulation. A paper on the project
will be presented at the Ausgraph 89 conference in Sydney in a
few weeks.

(Paul Zucker/19890526)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BRU)(00012)

CHIP OFFERS LOW-COST WINDOWS
SAN GREGORIA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- Cybernetic
Micro Systems, a small Californian start-up company, has begun
shipping a specialized version of its CY-325 microprocessor. The
display controller chip now includes a windowed LCD function,
with independent movement in all directions, as well as graphics
support.

The CY325 is a CMOS chip and can be used in tandem with several
popular microprocessors to provide rapid screen updates on LCD
screen-equipped machines. The chip is economically-priced as
well, starting at $20 per chip in 1,000-up quantities.

(Peter Vekinis/19890526)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SIN)(00013)

ROBOT PLAYS GUITAR
SINGAPORE, S.E. ASIA, 1989 MAY 20 (NB) -- Singapore will see the
world's first guitar-playing robot at its Singapore Robotics Festival
to be held from June 17 to 25.

Japan's Taito Corporation was responsible for the Robotic Ensemble
project, has called the guitar player Genyu, which translated means
strings and instrument, and which cost some 500 million yen [US$3.7
million] to produce.

In a statement to the press at a demonstration in Japan, H. Kohno,
manager of Taito's Ebina City Factory, said that Genyu is popular
with lounges, hotel and office lobbies because its "endless"
repertoire made it a good substitute for live bands. The robot is made
up of a computer controlling hundreds of electro-magnetic coils, and
has a repertoire of more than 50 tunes. The company charges 500,000
yen [US$3,700] to program a new tune.

Genyu is a spinoff of Taito's Robotic Ensemble. The cello, violin and
recorder ensemble will also be performing at the festival.

The amusement machine exporters' "most sophisticated robot" required
the services of nine software, hardware and music experts to perfect.
It is expensive because of the complexity involved in simulating the
plucking and strumming actions of human fingers at different speeds
and pressures, but 10 units at 12.5 million yen [US$92,600] each have
been bought by lounge and hotel owners.

Japan's robots, introduced earlier in Singapore's factories, are
already part of the Republic's automation process.

(Michael Worsley & S. Roowi/19890522)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00001)

OPEN DESKTOP DEVELOPER KITS FROM SCO
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- The first
developer kits for the Unix environment Open Desktop are being
sent from Santa Cruz Operation. Open Desktop is a multitasking,
mutiuser operating environment based on open systems standards,
designed to provide 386-based computers the features and benefits
of high-end Unix-based graphical workstations at PC prices.

The Open Desktop Developers Program provides application
software, updates, the Online Support system, a dial-up online
information system, an online Open Desktop Developers Newsgroup,
as well as access to promotional discounts on hardware from
participating Open Desktop original equipment manufacturers.

The Open Desktop Developers Program is listed at $5,000 until
September 1.

(Wendy Woods/19890526/Press Contact: Zee Zaballos, SCO, 408-425-7222)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00002)

OPEN DESKTOP AT U.K. UNIX SHOW
WATFORD, ENGLAND, 1989 MAY 26 (NB) -- The Santa Cruz Operation
[SCO] has announced it will be staging the first public showing
of Open Desktop at the European Unix User Show, which opens in
London on 6 June. The new standards-based operating environment
was launched by SCO/DEC/Locus and Relational Technology in
February of this year.

Demonstrated alongside Open Desktop will be SCO Office Portfolio,
SCO's new Unix package that allows existing Unix applications
software to be run under the 'cocoon' of the Office Portfolio
software, which includes an electronic clipboard for 'cut and
paste' data movement between programs, with data reformatting
carried out automatically.

Doug Michels, the cofounder and vice president of SCO, will be
attending the user group board meeting at the exhibition, and is
expected to speak at the show.

(Steve Gold/19890526/Press Contact: Shelagh Lester-Smith, SCO -
Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00003)

UNIX-BASED AMIGA MAY HIT CANADA FIRST
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1989 MAY 24 (NB) -- The Commodore Amiga
2500UX, which runs Commodore's version of Unix, is currently
being beta tested in Canada and the United States, and may see
commercial release here before it reaches the U.S. market. A
spokeswoman for Commodore in Canada said North American release
of the 2500UX is scheduled for 1990, but it will probably come
out in Canada first, possibly as early as the end of this year.
It would not be the first time Canada has seen a new Commodore
product first. The PC-10, first of Commodore's IBM-compatibles,
was sold here well before it reached the U.S. market. The reason
given was that Commodore's distribution channels in Canada were
better suited to a machine aimed more at business than the home.

(Grant Buckler/19890526/Press Contact: Toni Pettit, The
Communications Group, 416-447-8591; Stan Pagonis, Commodore
Business Machines, 416-499-4292)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00004)

SUN SIGNS WITH UNIVERSITY
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- The
Faculty of Applied Science at Simon Fraser University in
Vancouver has signed a 27-month, C$10-million agreement to buy
Sun Microsystems of Canada's latest workstations and servers.
The deal also involves seats for senior Sun representatives on
Simon Fraser's computing advisory committees, and a fellowship in
Sun's honor. The company and the university also plan a
technology sharing agreement, details of which are to be released
later.

(Grant Buckler/19890526/Press Contact: Janice Murray, Sun
Microsystems of Canada, 416-477-6745)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00005)

UNIX BATTLE END NEARING
TOKYO, JAPAN 1989 MAY 19 (NB) -- Finally, one of the three
organizations set up to standardize the Unix operating system may be
winning. Unix International and the Open Software Foundation or OSF,
have joined X/Open.

At a press conference in Tokyo, X/Open officers also announced
they will work with the Information-technology Promotion Agency
or IPA, an affiliate of the Ministry of International Trade and
Industries.  The IPA has been supervising the SIGMA [software
industrialized generator and maintenance aid] project.

There have been some information exchanges between Unix
International, OSF and X/Open because some of the members have
been members of the other groups.  This announcement,
however, means that both Unix International and OSF will follow
the policy of X/Open. The chairman of X/Open, Geoff Morris, says
X/Open has not decided which graphic interface to adopt for
Unix -- Open Look of Unix International or Motif of OSF.

On the other hand, X/Open will begin research to blend SIGMA
tools into the Common Application Environment in cooperation with IPA.

(Naoyuki Yazawa/19890525)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00006)

ALLIANCE PROMOTES X TERMINAL
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1989 MAY 23 (NB) -- An alliance of eighteen
Japanese firms, including hardware makers, software vendors and
users, have announced plans to organize the UWS Consortium in mid-
June.  UWS stands for User Interface WorkStation.

The X terminal was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, or MIT, of the U.S., based on X Window.  The UWS
Consortium will develop Japanese functions for X Terminal and
expand it for general purpose workstations.

The X Terminal is an intelligent terminal capable of controlling
host computers, such as supercomputers and general purpose
computers on a network.

To start, the consortium will release a monochrome terminal for
350,000 yen or $2,415 and a color terminal for 650,000 yen or
$4,482 for Unix-based workstations by this fall.

The consortium will call for leading Japanese hardware makers
for further development products that standardize X Terminal.

(Naoyuki Yazawa/19890525)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00007)

OSF SEEK AUTOMATIC PORTING TECHNOLOGY
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U. S. A. , 1989 APR 26 (NB) -- The Open Software
Foundation [OSF] has launched a worldwide search for technology which
will allow software to run on different hardware platforms.  The OSF
used the same procedure when it created OSF/Motif with a
combination of the graphical user interface technology from Digital
Equipment, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft.

OSF is seeking so-called architecture-neutral distribution
format or ANDF software, which will enable the installation and
operation of software on different hardware architectures without
a hitch.  Technically, the concept is a kind of translation program
which will convert applications to machine-independant ANDF and
rearrange it to meet particular machine architectures.

If this concept becomes reality, software developers will not need
to distribute many versions of machine-specific software and
consequently costs will come down.  Hardware makers will also be
relieved from the task of having to worry about software availability,
and will be able to concentrate on creation of more sophisticated
machines.

Final evaluation of the proposals will be conducted this November
and a feasibility study will start in January, 1990.

(Naoyuki Yazawa/19890525)