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/1992/NB920414

Text File | 1992-04-14 | 57KB | 1,247 lines

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001)

Weatherbank Markets Weather Graphics Program For PC 04/14/92
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Weatherbank,
Inc., has announced the release of WeatherBrief 5.0, a weather
activity and weather map program for PCs.

The company said that the new release includes high resolution state
radar displays which are updated every 30 minutes. Weatherbrief
graphics are generated from thousands of pieces of weather data
and satellite pictures, and manually drawn by Weatherbank's
graphics artists. The company also downloads government data
from its own satellite downlink. That data is colorized and transmitted
over the phone line to the end user.

In addition to the $53 cost of the software, there is an on-line charge
of $0.20 per minute. Weatherbank can handle modem speeds from
300 to 9,600 bits-per-second. On-line charges are kept to a minimum,
since Weatherbank automatically logs on, downloads the most
recent data, and logs off. The user can then view the maps and data
at their leisure.

Weatherbank marketing VP Steven Root told Newsbytes that
Weatherbrief stores up to 300 weather products in eight different
groups, selectable from a menu of over 5,000 items. Product groups
include current and past weather observations, precipitation
measurements, snowfall, Palmer Drought Indices, MetaFire fire
danger maps, observed and forecast high and low temperatures,
soil moisture, jet stream maps, weather alerts and warnings, cloud
cover, wind speeds, and a number of other categories.

To use WeatherBrief you will need a PC with EGA or VGA graphics
capability, a modem, and a hard drive. Weatherbrief can be
accessed by corporate customers with preferred phone rate
services or WATS (wide area telephone service) lines by calling
801-530-3188. For customers without access to those services, a toll
free number (800-827-2727) is available. You will need to be signed
up as a subscriber before calling.

(Jim Mallory/19920414/Press Contact: Steven Root, Weatherbank,
tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)

Lasermaster Intros 1,000 DPI Printing For Mac, IBM 04/14/92
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) --
Lasermaster Technologies has introduced Unity 1000, a multi-
platform plain paper typesetter designed to provide fast, high
resolution PostScript printing from Macintosh and IBM-compatible
PCs, as well as minicomputers and mainframes.

Unity 1000 connects to the user's computer through LocalTalk,
Centronics parallel, or RS-232C serial interfaces. The typesetter
includes an internal hard disk with 135 Type 1 typefaces already
installed, 1,000 by 1,000 dots-per-inch (dpi) TurboRes quality,
SmartSense automatic emulation sensing, an Ethernet expansion
port, automatic port switching, and TurboGray halftone
enhancement technology.

Lasermaster's announcement said the Unity 1000 supports Type 1,
Type 3, TrueType, and Hewlett-Packard soft font formats, and is fully
compatible with Apple's System 6.0 or 7.0, DOS, Microsoft Windows,
Unix, OS/2, and other operating systems.

Lasermaster first introduced 1,000 dpi typesetting for PCs in 1989.
"The Unity 1000 will follow in our tradition of high speed, high
resolution and more fonts, and marks a whole new generation of
printing technology for Lasermaster," said CEO Mel Masters.

The TurboGray technology included with the Unity 1000 is also a new
product from Lasermaster. Lasemaster said TurboGray improves the
appearance of halftone images by providing increased gray levels
at higher screen frequencies. Users have both high image resolution
to show fine detail and smooth gray-level control to achieve contour-
free transitions on images with gradually changing densities.

(Jim Mallory/19920414/Press Contact: Karen Neset, Lasermaster,
612-941-8687)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)

Compuadd Intros 386SX Notebook PCs With Trackballs 04/14/92
U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Compuadd Computer Corporation has
announced two new 25 megahertz (MHz) 386SX-based notebook
personal computers featuring built-in trackballs, 60 megabyte MB
hard drives, and 10-inch display screens.

The Compuadd announcement said the two new systems, the 325tx
and the 325tfx, would be available in April. A Colorado Compuadd
store told Newsbytes that the units are not in the warehouse yet, and
were not expected for about another two weeks.

Independently operated Compuadd Express, the direct mail arm
of the Compuadd organization, had trouble with deliveries of its
325NXL notebook computer last month. Those supply difficulties
were apparently solved, when Compuadd Express spokesperson
Rick Krousy told Newsbytes in late March that the delayed
components were starting to arrive from the supplier. However,
several people who had ordered the 325NXL had not received
them yet when Newsbytes checked late last week.

The325tx, which carries a price tag of $1,595, has the trackball,
which appears to be smaller than the one in Apple's Powerbook
units, built into the upper right corner of the 86-key keyboard.
Compuadd says the 325tx weighs five pounds, including the battery,
and comes with 2 MB of system memory, one 3.5-inch high density
floppy drive, and a 60 MB hard drive preloaded with DOS 5.0,
Windows 3.1, and Compuadd utility software. System memory can
be upgraded to 8MB.

The 325tx's keyboard sports 10 function keys and the eight cursor
movement keys are not shared with other functions. An external
keyboard port enables the user to connect a desktop keyboard.
The unit can also run on AC power, even with the battery removed,
and has a low battery alarm.

The 10-inch (measured diagonally) edge-lit LCD (liquid crystal
display) screen has a resolution of 640 by 480 dots-per-inch (dpi)
and can display up to 64 levels of gray. The system also has an
external port for a VGA color monitor. The user can toggle between
the external and the built-in screens.

Also included is an internal fax/modem slot, two serial ports, and
one parallel port. The unit comes with a carrying case. An
internal fax/modem card is available from Compuadd for $119,
and an extra clip-on battery pack to provide longer battery life sells
for $149. Each additional 2MB of system memory costs $149, and
a math coprocessor is available for $169.

The Compuadd 325tfx has a price tag of $1,995. The trackball is in
the lower right corner, and a 9,600 baud fax/2,400 baud data modem
and 4MB of upgradeable RAM are included. The 325tfx weighs 5.6
pounds including battery. The 84-key keyboard has 12 functions
keys and emulates a 101-key keyboard. Other features of the tfx
are similar to the tx, except that instead of two serial ports the unit
has one serial port and one mouse port.

Both units include free technical support for the life of the product,
plus a one-year limited warranty.

(Jim Mallory/19920414/Press Contact: Wendell Watson,
Compuadd, 512-250-2530)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00004)

UK: Bluemaq Unveils Two New Printers 04/14/92
GATESHEAD, TYNE & WEAR, ENGLAND, 1992 APR 13 (NB) --
Bluemaq Systems has announced two new printers -- the BP4040
laser and the BP3670 bubblejet unit.

The BP4040 is based around a reduced instruction-set computer
(RISC) chipset and retails for UKP 1,794. The machine is designed
for applications that require speed, quality, and functionality,
according to Bluemaq.

The four page-per-minute (ppm) printer supports Microsoft's
True Image page description language and Apple's Truetype font
technology, making it ideal for use with Windows 3.0 and/or the
Apple Mac's System 6.0 and 7.0 operating system technology,
company officials added.

As supplied, the printer comes with two megabytes (MB) of RAM
and 3MB of read-only memory (ROM). Although only a one year
on-site warranty is supplied, the printer also has a year two and
three year labor-only warranty.

The BP3670 bubblejet printer comes with a high-speed SCSI
(Small Computer Systems Interface) that can process a 360 by
360 dots-per-inch (dpi) image in a few seconds. The unit can also
print a 180 by 180 dpi image at the rate of six ppm.

According to Bluemaq, the BP3670 is pitched at the computer-aided
design (CAD), newspaper, word processing and publishing markets.
Pricing in the UK is a fairly hefty UKP 2,999, although the company
claims this is competitive, especially with its three-year warranty.

(Steve Gold/19920414/Press & Public Contact: Bluemaq,
tel: [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00005)

New For PC: Imara Lite Document Management Software 04/14/92
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Imara
Research has announced a scaled-down version of its work-group
image processing system. Imara Lite is a single-user package
intended mainly as an "electronic filing cabinet" for personal
computer users on the move.

Company spokeswoman, Erin Hintz, told Newsbytes that Imara
expects a large portion of the sales of Imara Lite will be to portable
computer users. The software allows users to organize files,
whether created electronically on the computer, scanned in, or
received by fax, into a structure of electronic "file folders" the
company contends is easier to use than the DOS operating
system's structure of eight-character file names and directories.

Imara Lite includes fax send and receive software as well as image
processing and document management capabilities, Hintz said.

Files created using other personal computer applications, such as
spreadsheets, word processors, and the like, can be stored in the
same folder with document images and received faxes. Users can
name documents with description of up to 32 characters in length,
the company said.

Imara Lite runs under Microsoft Windows and, unlike the full Imara
package, does not require a network or file server. It can work
with an optical disk drive, the company said. The Kofax image board
is also supported, along with various scanners, fax modems, and
laser printers.

Due to be available in May, Imara Lite carries a suggested retail
price of US$295 or C$350.

(Grant Buckler/19920414/Press Contact: Erin Hintz, Imara Research,
tel [phone], fax [phone])


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

Peoples Telco Calls FCC Compensation Plan Inadequate 04/14/92
MIAMI, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Peoples Telephone
Company, which operates over 19,000 pay telephones for airports,
prisons, and other property owners, charged that a Federal
Communications Commission decision giving it $6 per phone per
month from long distance carriers for access to the units is
inadequate.

The compensation starts immediately, and will be worth about
$1.36 million per year to the company. Peoples sought the money
because it gets nothing when callers use long distance calling
cards to place calls from its phones. Chairman Jeffrey Hanft said
in a press statement that the FCC has made a major stride "in
addressing the inequity of being forced to carry calls for free,"
but urged that the FCC offer per-call compensation, which would
bring his company even more money.

Hanft said the FCC will be working with his pay telephone industry,
the long distance companies, and local phone companies
to develop a mechanism which will measure the number of long
distance calling card calls placed at pay telephones, with
suitable compensation. Hanft said the FCC decision is based on
an assumption that the carriers are entitled to about 40 cents per
call.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920414/Press Contact: Peoples Telephone,
Robert D. Rubin, 305-593-9667)


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

Misuse Of "800" Exchange Charged 04/14/92
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- AT&T
and Sprint are warning that the toll-free "800" exchange, recently
made famous by Jerry Brown and H. Ross Perot, may not always
be toll-free. The two companies, working with a group called
Consumer Action, want action to stop charges on the exchange,
except where consumers make explicit arrangements by, for
instance, giving out their credit card numbers.

According to CA Director Ken McEldowney: "The problem we are
fighting is the use of 800 numbers to bill for 900-type information
services. There have never been charges for making calls to 800
numbers. However, in the past month we have heard of phone
services in which callers to 800 numbers were charged on phone
bills or look-alike phone bills for information received over the
phone. This is the type of service for which '900' numbers were
created. But with increased regulation of 900 numbers, some
information providers are switching to 800 numbers, taking
advantage of the fact that people assume they won't be charged
for calling an 800 number the way they are charged for calling 900
numbers. Currently, there are no effective regulations to prevent the
misuse of 800 numbers for billing of information services. This puts
consumer confidence in the free 800 call in jeopardy."

AT&T and Sprint said they have discussed new tariff language
with the Federal Communications Commission to prevent use of
toll-free numbers to bill for information received over the phone,
except in cases where there is a previous relationship between
the caller and the service, or the caller agrees to be billed on
a credit or charge card.

Bills for information received on 800 numbers are not subject to the
same type of consumer protections as are calls to 900 numbers or
charges billed to a credit card, and some consumers could have
their phones cut off if they do not pay. CA also wants Congress to
consider legislation to prevent abuse of 800 numbers, codifying the
tariff changes proposed to the FCC by the long distance companies.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920414/Press Contact: Robin Pence, Sprint,
at 202-828-7454; Ken McEldowney, Consumer Action, 415-777-9648)


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

BellSouth Offers Latin Cellular Roaming 04/14/92
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- While other
US cellular providers are beginning to offer nationwide roaming
through agreements with one another, BellSouth said it will soon
offer international roaming among its US system and five Latin
American cellular operations.

Roaming service lets cellular customers use their cellular phones
in other markets, as when Latin America subscribers visit the
United States, or vice versa. As an initial step, BellSouth
announced that it will immediately begin a trial involving about
100 customers from its Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Caracas,
Venezuela, operations to its US operations, using Miami as the
gateway. The trial is expected to last up to three months.

BSI already offers international roaming between its Argentian
and Uruguayan affiliates, with more than 1,000 customers using
the service since its inauguration in December 1991. In a related
move, BSI, on behalf of its associated companies in Latin America
today became a founding member of ALACELL, a Latin America
cellular association. In Latin America, BellSouth provides cellular
communications in Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, Uruguay, and
Argentina.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920414/Press Contact: Tim Klein,
BellSouth Enterprises, 404-249-4135)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00009)

Systemhouse Sets Up Insurance Market Unit 04/14/92
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Systems
integrator SHL Systemhouse has created its fifth industry group,
this one dealing with the insurance industry. The others focus on
telecommunications, postal agencies, the energy industry, and
human services.

Peter Sandiford, vice-chairman of Systemhouse, told Newsbytes
the insurance industry, while it makes up a fairly small portion of
Systemhouse's business today, is ripe for growth. The industry
has been quite conservative in its use of technology until recently,
Sandiford said, but has now begun adopting technology and using
it to change the way companies do business.

The insurance industry currently accounts for about C$10 million of
Systemhouse's annual revenues, Sandiford said. He forecast that
within a year, the company could raise that figure to about $50
million.

The new unit will have its base in Hartford, Connecticut, Sandiford
said, and Systemhouse employees around the world will work for it.
Systemhouse has hired Henry Burgess, formerly a partner with
Andersen Consulting in Hartford, to become vice-president of the
new unit. At Andersen, Burgess directed the development of a
consulting operation with significant insurance industry business.

Sandiford said this new business unit will not be Systemhouse's
last. "We're going to be launching a number of these," he said,
probably within the next year. Over time, Sandiford said,
Systemhouse plans to organize the business units into larger
groups by industry sectors such as financial services, government,
and manufacturing and distribution.

Systemhouse is an Ottawa-based systems integrator with
worldwide operations, more than 3,000 employees, and 1991
revenues approaching C$700 million.

(Grant Buckler/19920414/Press Contact: Peter Sandiford, SHL
Systemhouse, 613-236-1428)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00010)

Telxon Buys Telesystems SLW 04/14/92
AKRON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Telxon, a manufacturer
of handheld computer terminals that use wireless communications,
has bought Telesystems SLW, a Toronto-based maker of wireless
networking technology. Telxon already owned five percent of
Telesystems and used its technology.

The move makes sense for Telxon because it gives the company
control of a vital source of supply, a company spokeswoman told
Newsbytes. The acquisition will also allow Telxon to control costs
at Telesystems more closely and to realize some economies of
scale, she said.

"This way, we can protect our ability to provide that kind of
system to our customers," she said.

Telesystems supplies communications products that use spread
spectrum technology for wireless communications. Some of its
components are used in a wireless communications system that
Telxon supplies to retailers, including the large American chain
Wal-Mart Stores.

Spread spectrum is a modulation technique favored for military
covert operations because it is hard to intercept or jam, and for
commercial uses such as wireless local area networks because it
does not cause radio interference and works well inside buildings
where reflections from walls cause problems with conventional
radio transmission.

Telesystems will continue to operate under its present name and
with its present management, the Telxon spokeswoman said. The
company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Telxon.

Telxon has about 1,300 employees and annual revenues of more
than $200 million, the spokeswoman said. Telxon paid about US$10
million in cash and stock for the six-year-old Telesystems SLW, she
said.

(Grant Buckler/19920414/Press Contact: Julie L. Ganim or Cathy
Taylor, Telxon, 216-867-3700; Telesystems SLW, 416-441-9966)

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00011)

Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Digital, Intel Stocks Off 04/14/92
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Stocks of
several computer industry leaders, including Microsoft, Apple,
Hewlett-Packard, Digital, and Intel were down last week because
of lawsuits and poor earnings.

Microsoft, HP, and Apple shares dropped because of concerns
over a federal court hearing on Apple's infringement suit against
Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard. Apple claims that Microsoft
Windows infringes on its Macintosh graphical user interface.
Microsoft was off five to 115, HP dropped four-and-three-eighths
to 74.25, and Apple slid two to 55.25. Microsoft has declined
comment on the upcoming hearings, and reportedly had no
comment on its stock activity. The US District Court is hearing
arguments on protectability of software under copyright laws today.

Digital stock was down three-and-five-eighths to 44 and five-eighths
after the company reported a much larger than expected third
quarter loss of $2.36 per share.

Intel stock fell just over $6 to $51.125 after it also reported poor
first quarter earnings. The company reported first quarter earnings
of $184 million, or 86 cents per share. That is a 6.6 percent
earnings drop over the same quarter last year. Intel revenues
were up for the period, with the company reporting $1.24 billion,
a 9.7 percent increase over last year. Intel cited one-time events
as the cause of the lowered earnings. Analysts had said they
expected earnings for the quarter to be about the same as last
year.

Intel may have been hurt by increased competition by other
companies, including Advanced Micro Devices, having introduced
a competitor to Intel's 486 microprocessor. AMD recently reported
a 49 percent increase in fourth quarter sales.

The one-time events cited by Intel included a $35 million reserve to
cover payment to Hughes Aircraft Company as part of a patent
infringement settlement, and a $15 million reserve for possible
payment to AMD as part of an arbitration decision. Those figures
were partially offset by a recognition of $23 million in deferred
royalty revenues previously received from AMD.

HP, Microsoft, and Apple recovered slightly yesterday, with HP
up to 76-and-three-eighths, Microsoft closed at $117.5 and Apple
was back to $56.5. Intel didn't fare as well, continuing its downward
trend. It closed at 49-and-seven-eighths, off another 1.25.

The problems may not be over for the high-tech companies yet.
According to a story carried by Reuters news service, a Dain
Bosworth equity trader said there may still be more earnings
surprises as companies report quarterly earnings.

(Jim Mallory/19920414)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00012)

Compaq Appoints Australian 3rd-Party Maintainer 04/14/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Compaq Australia has
appointed ACL engineering to provide third-party maintenance to
its equipment in Australia. ACL is claimed to be the largest
independent service provider in the country.

Compaq Technical Director, Ian Harvey, said ACL's support staff
will be trained to provide "unprecedented levels" of support to
Compaq's VARs (value-added resellers), resellers, systems
integrators, and retail outlets. This will include both warranty and
non-warranty maintenance.

Harvey said: "This means Compaq can now provide support
levels unmatched in the industry. While the cost of our products
may continue to fall, the level of support  will increase - the only
thing that won't change is the traditional Compaq quality and
performance."

Compaq has also opened a new remote warehouse facility in Perth -
Australia's western capital city. It will offer 24-hour, seven-day-a-
week spare parts access. Western Australian computer users have
traditionally been disadvantaged by remoteness from the east coast
where the majority of computer users and vendors are situated.

The West Australian facility will incorporate an artificial intelligence
support system designed to answer most client questions. It will
incorporate a fax-back facility, with only a telephone keypad
needed for requesting assistance. Another service offered by
Compaq is a CD-ROM-based support reference consisting of the
equivalent of 25,000 pages of support information. It includes
diagrams, configurations, and trouble shooting notes.

(Paul Zucker/19920414)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00013)

 ****US 1991 Software Sales To Japan Up 38 Percent 04/14/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Twenty-two US
companies sold $160.1 million worth of software to Japan in 1991 --
a 38-percent net increase over sales for 1990. Software sales
numbers were released by the Software Publishers Association,
the major industry trade group which boasts more than 900
members.

Fourth quarter sales for the 16 categories in the survey were up
21 percent over the same period last year, with nearly 80 percent
representing MS-DOS applications programs. Apple Macintosh
and Microsoft Windows software sales were about equal at nearly
$16 million each.

But fourth quarter numbers may show the beginning of a major
change with Windows applications sales more than doubling the
year's average at the expense of Macintosh and MS-DOS sales.

Spreadsheets topped the list of most popular application
categories, registering more than half the sales of US-produced
software in Japan, with a related category -- accounting -- making
up another 16 percent.

(John McCormick/19920414/Press Contact: Terri Childs, SPA,
202-452-1600)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00014)

CBEMA Info Tech Data Book To Be Released April 15 04/14/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- CBEMA, the
Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturing Association, will
release its annual Information Technology Industry Data Book on
April 15. Included in this major industry study are sales numbers for
computer hardware as well as important industry expenditure and
employment data.

The 211-page report covers domestic sales, import, export,
employment numbers, research and development expenditures,
worker efficiency (productivity) rates, and wage information.

The CBEMA report is the hardware industry's equivalent of the
Software Publishers Association's software sales reports which
have been trickling out over the past several weeks.

When analyzed, these sets of numbers provide companies with the
basic information which shows them how various segments of the
computer industry are growing or shrinking.

The Data Book is available directly from CBEMA's Christine
Zvonkovich for $155. The telephone number is 202-626-5732, or
write her at CBEMA, 311 First Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington,
DC 20001.

(John McCormick/19920414/Press Contact: Maryann Karinch,
CBEMA, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00015)

Ungermann-Bass To Resell NetWorth Ethernet Cards 04/14/92
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) --
Ungermann Bass (UB) has signed an agreement with NetWorth of
Dallas Texas under which it will resell NetWorth's Ethernet cards
under a joint UB NetWorth label. There are three models of Ethernet
cards that differ according to the kind of bus they will operate in.

The EtherNext NIC-8 operates in eight-bit PC busses like those
present in XT and AT class machines. The EtherNext NIC-16
operates in 16-bit busses like the 16-bit AT slots (Industry Standard
Architecture), while the EtherNext NIC-MC operates in Microchannel-
equipped machines. There is no model at this time for EISA
(Extended ISA) machines although the company states that the
NIC-16 should operate in those without any problems. All the cards
support both 10Base-T and AUI connectors. They also have 6 LEDs
(light emitting diodes) for detailing status and troubleshooting
information and have on-board jumpers for customization.

The NIC-8 and the NIC-16 will begin shipping in May. The NIC-MC
will begin shipping in June. The NIC-8 will be priced at $259 per
unit with a bundle of five selling for $1,045. The NIC-16 will sell for
$279 per copy with the bundle of five selling for $1,145. And the
NIC-MC will sell for $309 each or $1,295 for a bundle of five.

This relationship is the first visible result of the business
partnership agreement that UB signed with NetWorth in December
of 1991. Other products are expected to flow from this partnership
in the future, but no advance word is forthcoming as to what those
may be.

(Naor Wallach/19920414/Press Contact: Jim DeTar,

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00016)

Maynard Intros Transportable Tape Backup Systems 04/14/92
LAKE MARY, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Maynard
Electronics has introduced the Irwin EzPort transportable tape
backup systems. EzPort connects to the parallel port of desktop,
laptop, or notebook PC, or PS/2 systems.

Maynard said the unit does not require a separate controller card,
and shares the PCs parallel port with a printer, eliminating the
need to connect and disconnect either of the peripherals to use
them. According to Maynard spokesperson Anne Lardner, the
special cable connects the tape drive to the computer. A port in
the tape drive accepts a cable from the printer. Only one of the
devices can be used at a time, Lardner said.

Maynard said they will start shipping EzPort with its EzTape DOS
software in May. EzPort will have a suggested retail price of $699
for the 120 megabyte (MB) version and $799 for the 250MB drive.
The company says EzPort can backup a 40MB hard drive in less
than 10 minutes. EzPort is compatible with the installed base of Irwin
AccuTrak systems.

EzTape is a menu driven program, and offers unattended backup
as well as the ability to select full backup or only selected files.
Maynard also offers EzTape software for Windows as an option.

The Windows version includes multitasking capability, allowing the
backup to be done while other tasks are being performed. Data
compression, automatic scheduled backup, network support and an
integrated tape librarian are also included in the Windows version.

Present EzTape users can upgrade to the Windows version for $59.
If you do not already use EzTape, the Windows version has a $169
price tag.

Network support is provided for Novell, LANtastic, IBM's PC LAN
(local area network), and TOPS.

The AccuTrak system provides for the exchange of data between
minicartridge tape drives marketed by IBM, Compaq, NCR,
Hewlett-Packard, NEC, Data General, Zenith, and other distributors.
The EzPort drive can also interchange data with tapes written by
EzTape for OS/2 software.

(Jim Mallory/19920414/Press Contact: Anne Lardner, Maynard
Electronics, 407-262-4268)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00017)

New For Mac: Suntime Intros Corvette Mouse Cover 04/14/92
TAMPA, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- If you are tired of
moving a mouse around your desk, how about turning the little
rodent into a sporty Corvette?

Suntime has introduced Auto Mouse, a snap-on mouse dust cover
that fits the Macintosh mouse. Auto Mouse comes in red, white, or
blue, and is built under license from General Motors. The hood of the
Corvette becomes the switch for the mouse. Bill Daniels, Suntime's
chief designer, said each Corvette is hand-assembled and hand
painted with up to three coats of paint including a final clearcoat
to protect the car against chips and wear. The hood is adjustable
so the user can set the feel of the mouse button.

Daniels said the company is working on other sports car models as
well as cats and dogs. Newsbytes learned that the next model will
probably be a popular foreign sports car. While the current model
only fits the Macintosh mouse, future models will include the
Microsoft mouse and other models. Suntime also said it is
negotiating a logo deal with a large US distributor.

The Corvette mouse cover, built in the US, sells for $19.95, and is
available directly from Suntime. A Suntime spokesperson told
Newsbytes that the company expects to have the Auto Mouse in
retail outlets in a couple of months. Also look for other products
from Suntime in the next few months.

(Jim Mallory/19920414/Press Contact: Emma Morgan,
tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)

AT&T Announces New Joint Ventures 04/14/92
BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) --
AT&T continued its practice of joint ventures in new technology by
announcing deals with Lockheed of the US, and Mitsui of Japan.

The deal with Lockheed is aimed at the new, growing market for
automating the collection of highway tolls. A number of new
highway projects, like the Georgia 400 toll road in Atlanta, are
expecting regular customers to buy tokens which are read by
electronic devices when they pass designated checkpoints,
thereby reducing traffic jams at each end of the route. The two
companies also note that such systems reduce air pollution at
the same time. AT&T and Lockheed's IMS division in Teaneck,
New Jersey, will work on a smart card system for vehicle tolls.
The companies claim that AT&T has smart card technology,
while Lockheed has the engineering talent.

The deal with Mitsui is aimed at making chips for new digital
cellular telephones under the Time Division Multiple Access, or
TDMA, scheme endorsed by the US cellular industry. The two
companies are already offering samples of a digital signal
processor AT&T calls the "VSELP Engine," which handles speech
compression and error-correction required under the digital
cellular standard, also known as IS-54. The new chip has a small
package and the firms claims it takes less power than current
models. In addition to Mitsui and AT&T, Teknekron
Communications Systems, which controls the formula used to
compress voices.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920414/Press Contact: AT&T, Rich Larris,
908-771-2826; Mitsui, Ken Shima, 408-446-7821; Teknekron
Communications Systems, Sun Jen Yung, 510-49-3634; AT&T,
Mike Jacobs, 201-564-3836)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)

 ****Telebit Launches 70,000 Bps Analog Modem 04/14/92
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Telebit
has launched an analog modem it says can run at up to 70,000
bits-per-second (bps).

The WorldBlazer does this by incorporating a new version of the
company's proprietary Packetized Ensemble Protocol -- the new
TurboPEP adds Trellis Coding and new error-correcting
techniques. The modem also follows the V.32bis standard at
14,400 bps.

PEP has proven popular among companies which are creating
their own internal networks and do not mind incompatibility. The
PEP protocol also reportedly runs well on bad lines, since it is
constantly sending out bits on 511 separate channels, and can
usually find a clear channel somewhere even when conventional
modems cannot. In order to get the fastest speed of the
WorldBlazer you will need to connect it to another WorldBlazer.

The same company's CellBlazer technology, a variation of PEP,
is also included, meaning it can work well on cellular phone lines.
The WorldBlazer offers remote configuration and management
features, as well as password and callback security.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920414/Press Contact: Telebit, Mary
Hopkins, 408-745-3061)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

Phone Links With Vietnam Return 04/14/92
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Responding to a
November request from AT&T, the US government has agreed to
restore direct phone links with Vietnam, which were cut off after the
US lost the war there in 1975.

While State Department spokesmen attributed the turnabout to
Vietnam's cooperation on POW-MIA issues, and support for the
Cambodian peace accord, there were other, practical
considerations as well. For one thing, as AT&T noted in its
original request, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees,
many now US citizens, are routing calls back home through third
countries. This increases their costs, but effectively gets-around
the blockade. Until the complete US economic embargo against
Vietnam is lifted, revenues from the calls will go into blocked
accounts.

In addition, the continued US embargo is losing it, what could
become, a prime market of 66 million people. Australia has taken
the lead in reopening communications links, with AOTC agreeing
in January to work on a cellular phone system after having put
satellite earth stations in earlier.  India has agreed to make a
version of its Main Automatic Exchange, a phone switch designed
for tropical climates, in Vietnam. Leading firms like OTC, Alcatel
from France, Siemens and Detecon from Germany, LM Ericsson
from Sweden, Goldstar Information and Communications
from Korea, Minolta, Canon and NEC from Japan, and Uniphone
from Malaysia, have all agreed to participate in a hi-tech expo at
Hanoi next month. And Japan has become a major trading partner
for Vietnam, exporting manufactured goods and importing raw
materials.

AT&T said in November that, if it won permission to serve the
country, it would use 210 circuits on undersea cable, microwave,
and satellites, with 60 going through an AT&T-France Telecom
Atlantic cable, then via microwave to an Intelsat satellite for
transmission to Hanoi. Another 150 would go from an AT&T earth
station in California to a Vietnamese satellite in Ho Chi Minh City
originally installed by OTC of Australia.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920414/Press Contact: AT&T, Jim
McGann, 202-457-3942)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00021)

 ****WELL Director Announces Resignation 04/14/92
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Cliff Figallo,
executive director of the Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link (WELL) has
announced his resignation from that position, effective July 15, 1992.

In a statement, posted in the News section of the WELL, Figallo
enumerated the reasons that he had presented to the WELL's
Board of Directors for his resignation.

He said: "I gave three reasons for leaving. I feel that under the
circumstances, I have brought the WELL as far as I can. It's time
for someone else to try their hand at running this operation. The
combination of what the WELL can pay me, the cost of living
in San Francisco/Marin and the stress of the job do not add up
to an altogether satisfying experience. (Also) I want to explore
other possibilities and adventures that I cannot reach through
my role at the WELL"

Figallo told Newsbytes that he had been with the Whole Earth
Corporation for a longer period of time that he had generally spent
in positions throughout his career. He said: "I came to Whole Earth
in 1983 to work on the software project and then, in 1986, took over
the WELL. Prior to that, I had been working with the Farm Community
in Tennessee, involved in a wide range of projects -- from building
barns to teaching in Guatemala. In 1981, I took over the
responsibilities of bookkeeping for one of the Farm's projects and
inherited the Apple IIc that my predecessor had been using. The
work requirement led me to move rapidly to a more powerful Radio
Xenix system and, all of a sudden, I was a computer person."

Figallo continued: "I expect to continue to be involved with
computers in whatever new endeavor I become involved in. Now
that I'm in my 40's, I do want to explore new areas, particularly
those that may provide greater long-range financial opportunities."

Figallo added: "I've been thinking about this for the last year but I
was determined to get us through the large-scale upgrading of the
system that we had planned. Now that we are in the final stages of
the upgrade and have full Internet status, I'm comfortable going
ahead with my decision. I will continue to be extremely active
during the next three months, attending to the final stages of the
upgrade, concluding our search for a Technical Director and
aiding in the recruitment and training of my replacement."

Figallo's on-line statement concluded: "It has been another of those
long strange trips and I don't see it letting up for a long time. It has
been an honor and a privilege to get to know a lot of you people.
I've been on the bridge for a long watch, and it's time for a fresh
helmsman at the wheel"

Although Figallo's statement was posted only in the News section on
the Well and not prominently in the general sign-on section, seen by
every user. Response to the statement was quick, with 38 responses,
all wishing him good luck, but expressing sadness at his impending
departure, were posted within 15 hours.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19920414/Press Contact:
WELL, 415-332-4335)


(NEWS)(IBM)(NYC)(00022)

 ****IBM Reports $595 Million First Quarter Profit 04/14/92
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- IBM has
announced a first-quarter 1992 net profit of $595 million or $1.04 a
share. This figure compares with a net loss of $1.707 billion in the first
quarter of 1991.

Announcing the figures, IBM Chairman John F. Akers said: "Our
recently announced plan to reshape IBM into a spectrum of
businesses is moving forward aggressively throughout the world,
and a better focused IBM is emerging. We continued to take actions
in the first quarter to strengthen our product line, consolidate
manufacturing and development resources and reduce our overall
work force. Our expenses remain firmly under control. Although
worldwide economic conditions remain unpredictable, we are
encouraged by our improved performance particularly in the
United States, and by the progress we're making in streamlining
the company. Overall, we're pleased with these results and believe
we're on track toward achieving our financial objectives for the year."

The firm's earnings increased 3.3 percent to $14.037 billion, from
$13.587 billion during the same period last year.

A senior IBM executive, commenting to Newsbytes under the
condition of anonymity, said: "The earnings were actually above
some of our projections. US revenue was very strong with non-US
business falling off somewhat. This could be partially attributable to
the fact that we may be coming out of the recession while certain
other countries, particularly Japan, do not seem to be moving out
of it."

He added: "Services and software did very well for us, as
expected, with services increasing 36.4 percent. But what was
very encouraging was the fact that, in US business, we had an
across-the-board improvement. It's a good sign for both us and
the total economy."

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19920414)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00023)

ExeCare For AST Notebook Users In Australia And NZ 04/14/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1992 APR 13 (NB) -- AST Research has
introduced a "guaranteed" service program for users of its Premium
Exec notebooks in Australia and New Zealand. Under the service,
registered users are assured repair and return within 24-hours.

The service is offered by all of AST's service centers in the two
countries, plus a similar level of service from AST's 34 international
offices. Fees range from AUS$145 to $495 per  year. An additional
component  extends normal warranty on the machines from one to
two years.

New buyers of the machines will be able to purchase the ExeCare
program with a 42 percent discount until the end of June.

AST Australia Managing Director, Lionel Cheng, said: "Service
and support is AST's specialty. When you are travelling, a faulty
computer can spell disaster. Becoming a member of AST's
ExeCare program minimizes this risk."

(Paul Zucker/19920414)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00024)

Australian POST Card Diagnostic Tool A Success 04/14/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- A PC diagnostic tool
developed by an Australian company, called Custom Built
Computers, has become an overnight success with frustrated PC
servicers and supporters alike. The POSTMaster is an
inexpensive card that fits almost any PC, and can be used to
diagnose faults even when the PC is too sick to omit beeps.

PCs have a built-in system of checks, called POST, or Power On
Self Check. In most models, the basic tests can often reveal a
basic fault in an unbootable machine by sounding a special code
of beeps. Where the machine is able to write to the screen, more
detail can be given by displaying a code number. These beeps
or codes can be interpreted by users in the know, although to
most, they are just noises and numbers.

If the machine is too sick to even get out its beep, then more
powerful tools are necessary. That is where the POSTMaster
comes in - it can reveal the most basic of operating conditions,
such as the presence of correct power supply voltages, address
lines, or clock. In addition, it can display all the standard POST
fault codes on its own LED (light emitting diodes) displays, making
the test independent of working graphics display.

POSTMaster is designed and built in Australia, and is claimed by
the company, to be competitive with Asian-sourced diagnostic
boards. The suggested retail price is AUS$175 (around US$130)
making it affordable to many in a PC support role.

(Paul Zucker/19920414/Press Contact: John Vandermay, Custom
Built Computers, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00025)

Toshiba Australia Creates Data Encryption 04/14/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- A security and data
encryption system for protecting confidential information has been
developed in Australia by Toshiba's research and development
division.

CustomLoc HiSpeed was created to protect any computer-stored
data which must not be seen by others. The US$850 product uses
two levels of protection. The first level is an access control
feature that uses a number of methods to restrict any user's access
to certain files, directories or disks (effectively hiding anything which
is not meant to be seen).

The second level encrypts data to a standard which is claimed to
exceed the US DES (data encryption system) standard. The figure
quoted is 16 million times more secure than DES, although at those
levels it begins to become academic. Where keyboard entry of
encryption keywords is considered inappropriate or insufficient, they
can be held on Smartcards (costing around US$450 each).

Other features of the system include audit trails, log-in protection,
boot protection, keyboard lock, virus protection, network security,
and high-speed communications encryption.

(Paul Zucker/19920414/Press Contact: Leslie McLennan,
tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00026)

International Polish Telecoms Get A Boost From AT&T 04/14/92
WARSAW, POLAND, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Polish Telecom and
AT&T have signed a deal that will double the number of
international circuits into and out of Poland.

The $12 million deal, which follows on from an earlier deal worth
$26 million for a 1,000 mile fiber optic cable to boost Poland's
internal trunk telephone call capacity, calls for AT&T to install
an extension to Warsaw's international telephone exchange. In
addition, it will enable AT&T to offer direct international lines
to a lot more companies in Poland.

Currently, calls from Polish phones are routed through the main
Warsaw international exchange. Circuits into the exchange are
frequently overloaded, causing calls to fail before the exchange
has even had a chance to attempt a call from Poland.

The AT&T Komertel service, which has been in operation for the
past two years, bypasses the Polish telephone network, and has
2,000 circuits from a special AT&T section in the Warsaw
international exchange, which terminate directly on to the PABXs
(private automatic branch exchanges) of major companies in
Poland. Calls are dialed over the Komertel network as if the caller
were making a call from a US telephone.

The AT&T extension to the Polish Telecom international exchange
will allow as many as 10,000 extra direct international circuits
on the Komertel network to be offered to Polish businesses. This
could prove useful, Newsbytes notes, as AT&T is currently beta
testing an intra-European telecommunications service where calls
are routed from any European country, over to the US, and then
back to another European country. The intra-European service is
designed to by-pass bottlenecks on certain European call routes,
particularly between former Eastern Bloc countries.

While it is possible to dial direct to international destinations
from within Poland, circuits are frequently busy, as the operators
offer a premium rate service at a 100 percent call surcharge rate.
Most businesses in Poland now use operator services for
international calls, paying the surcharged rate in order to qualify
for instant connections.

(Steve Gold/19920414)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00027)

UK: Digital & IXI Sign Pan-European X.Desktop Promotion 04/14/92
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- IXI Europe has
announced that customers of Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC)
Unix workstations are being invited to participate in a special
X.Desktop evaluation scheme. The scheme allows each workgroup
or project team using a DEC Unix system to try out a free copy of
X.Desktop, IXI's Motif-compliant desktop management software.

According to IXI, the scheme will give organizations the chance
to see X.Desktop in action and see for themselves how the
package can change their working practices.

"IXI can help DEC customers get the most out of their Unix
workstations by offering an intuitive, point-and-click interface
to the operating system," said Anil Malhotra, IXI's sales and
marketing director. "With X.Desktop, Digital can successfully win
against competing GUI (graphical user interface) offerings from
Sun, HP, and Apple," he added.

X.Desktop is an icon-based graphical user environment that
provides a way of running programs, managing files, accessing
printers and other peripherals across the network, using mouse-
driven operations. According to IXI, the package shields the user
from the Unix operating system and allows them to organize their
working environment quickly and efficiently.

(Steve Gold/19920414/Press & Public Contact: IXI, 0223-462131)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00028)

Switzerland Gets On-Line To Premium Rate Services 04/14/92
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Racal
Recorders has sold several of its Callmaster 3500 voicemail
systems to Voicemail Services of Zurich. Voicemail Services has
installed the systems in its new center which offers a number of
recordings to the Swiss Telecom Telekiosk premium rate
telecommunications service.

One of the most popular Telekiosk services is the latest weather
reports from 12 Swiss lakes for windsurfers. Voicemail Services
are using a 16-port Callmaster to service the Telekiosk service.

The Callmaster stores up to six hours of spoken word recordings
digitaly, which are then played back to callers as they dial into
the service. Since the last two digits of each Telekiosk call are
passed from the Swiss PTT network to the Voicemail Services
exchange, calls are offered the appropriate recording automatically.

Windsurfing, Newsbytes notes, is one of the most popular summer
recreations in Switzerland. The latest wind reports are keenly
sought by enthusiasts.

The service works with staff at each of the 12 lakes calling into
the Callmaster 3500 system and keying in their PIN (personal
identification number). A digital recording can then be left.
Recordings are time-stamped by the computer system and
times of reports are identified to callers. If a recording is more
than 12 hours old, callers are told there is no up-to-date
information on the required lake.

Dr. David Nutton, Racal Recorders' senior marketing manager,
is enthusiastic about the new Telekiosk service. He claims that
the installation of the Callmaster 3500 in Zurich illustrates the
product's impact on the rapidly expanding voice processing
market in Europe.

"This order also underlines the flexibility of Callmaster and the
benefits of a modular approach to voice processing systems," he
said.

(Steve Gold/19920414/Press Contact: Racal Recorders,
0734-782158)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00029)

UK: Racal Unveils Non-Human PABX Switchboard Operator 04/14/92
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Racal
Recorders has unveiled the Callmaster 1000, a voice processing
computer that can operate a PABX (private automatic branch
exchange) operator position.

In use, the system answers all incoming calls with a digitized
and clear greeting and routes calls as required with the caller
inputting the extension needed using a touch tone keypad. Where
touch-tone facilities are not available, or the caller does not
key in the extension required, the call is routed to one of a
number of designated extensions.

Backing up the system for night time use is a voice mail service
that stores incoming calls out of office hours. Messages can then
be played back from any extension when the office reopens. Voice
mail also operates during the day when the required extension is
engaged - the voice mail acts as a second extension to all
numbers on the PABX.

According to Racal, the major advantage over Callmaster 1000
over other voice processing systems is its ease of installation and
use. The system is so flexible it can be reconfigured by almost
any user over the phone, with the appropriate IDs and PINs
(personal identification numbers).

"We're very pleased with our initial success in the rapidly
expanding European voice processing market," said Adrian Day,
Racal Recorders' managing director, announcing the system.
"The increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness offered by voice
processing technology has already been realized by organizations
as varied as hospitals, consumer goods manufacturers, and the
emergency services," he added.

(Steve Gold/19920414/Press Contact: Richie MacTaggart,
0734-782158)


(CORRECTION)(IBM)(LAX)(00030)

Correction: Eco-Conscious Laser Printer 04/14/92
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Kyocera says the
Ecosys aSi printer it introduced at Spring Comdex in Chicago was
incorrectly reported as a laser printer. Kyocera representatives told
Newsbytes it is a light emitting diode (LED) printer that uses laser
technology.

Kyocera representative, Harry Savage, told Newsbytes the company
does not even like to say the print quality of the aSi rivals laser printers.
However, Savage did again point out the new Ecosys aSi printer
requires only toner refills and as a result can print for one-fourth the
operating cost of laser printers.

The Ecosys aSi model, the FS-1500A uses a drum composed of
amorphous silicon (aSi). Savage said the printer is ecology-
conscious as users can refill the toner themselves using toner
refills from Kyocera. The refills will come in small, biodegradable
containers made of Kalp, a material that when burned only releases
water vapor and carbon dioxide, Kyocera representative, Steve
Petix, told Newsbytes.

Print resolution is 300 by 1200 dots-per-inch (dpi) and the printer can
print up to 10 pages-per-minute (ppm).

Also, while Newsbytes understood the Postscript language offered
by Kyocera is compatible with all but the latest version of Adobe's
Postscript, Savage says that information is incorrect and the printer
has not even been tested with Postscript.

The warranty information was also incorrectly reported to Newsbytes.
Savage says the correct information is that the company says it will
offers a three year or 300,000 copy warranty on the drum and print
head only. A one year or 300,000 copy warranty is offered on the
printer itself.

Savage mentioned in addition that the US division of Kyocera,
headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, is part of the $3.5 billion
Kyocera Corporation, headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. A division of
Kyocera is in Toyko, Japan, not the headquarters as Newsbytes
was previously informed.

Newsbytes wishes to apologize to its readers for any
inconvenience this may have caused.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920414/Press Contact: Harry Savage, for
Kyocera, tel [phone]; Steve Petix, Kyocera, tel [phone],
fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00031)

Semiconductor Industry More Global, Say Analysts 04/14/92
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 APR 14 (NB) -- Shifts in
the market share of wafer fabrication reflect the increasingly global
nature of the semiconductor industry, say analysts. While wafer
fabrication was up overall with the Asia/Pacific growing 64 percent,
the Japanese and North American markets were slipping.

The Asia/Pacific is more aggressive, especially in the areas
of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) production.
Companies in that area are also adding more capacity to support
the further production of advanced semiconductor devices, said
Peggy Wood, principle analyst with Dataquest.

Even though Japan is more sluggish, with only one percent
growth in 1991, it still accounts for 50 percent of the worldwide
market of wafer fabrication equipment, Wood said. The North
American market, though down four percent, holds 25 percent of
the overall market. Asia/Pacific has 14 percent, and European
wafer manufacturers have 11 percent.

Europe showed the largest decline with a 17 percent reduction.
Dataquest officials blamed the reduction on weaker business
conditions in Europe.

US companies showed an increased market share in both the
Japanese and European markets last year, Dataquest said.
Though having to compete more and more with Japanese
equipment companies in their own backyard, US companies
are increasing their presence in the export market, Wood said.

Overall, the worldwide market share for wafer fabrication
equipment was $6.04 billion, up three percent from the $5.87
billion reported in 1990, Dataquest added.

Dataquest, a subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet, is a marketing
research and consulting company based in San Jose, California.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920414/Press Contact: Mary Hand,
Dataquest, tel [phone], fax [phone])