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/nb920121

Text File | 1992-01-21 | 55KB | 1,242 lines

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00001)

Interactive Media Technologies Chairman Resigns 01/21/92
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Interactive
Media Technologies President R. Glenn Williamson has
announced his resignation, effective immediately.

Williamson is stepping down from his position as chairman of the
board, director, and chief executive officer. Williamson founded the
company three years ago. He will continue in a consulting capacity
"to ensure a graceful and orderly transition to new management,"
according to a press statement.

William said: "In the evolution of most companies there comes a
time when the entrepreneur must allow the baby to breathe on its
own. I am passing the baton to the new wave of professional
management."

Interactive has recently undergone several changes in its senior
management, with the board of directors naming Allan Ayers as
president. Speaking of William's departure, Ayers said: "We will
miss Glenn's high energy and relentless pursuit of the company's
mission."

Under Williamson's leadership Interactive launched its IMTX 8000
Media Integrator, a multimedia integration system consisting of
hardware and software designed to reduce the complexity and
cost of choreographing and delivering audio and video for
presentation, business, and educational purposes.

In May of 1991 the company completed a $1 million private
placement offering. In November it attained the working capital to
complete development of the IMTX 8000 by selling 10 percent of
the parent company and 9.9 percent of software subsidiary
Interactive Media Intelligence to Canon Sales of Japan.

(Jim Mallory/19920120/Press Contact: Arethea Erwin, Interactive
Media Technologies, 602-443-3093)


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

Aldus Board Approves Repurchase Of One Million Shares 01/21/92
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- The board
of directors of Aldus Corporation has authorized the repurchase of
up to one million shares of the company's outstanding common
stock. The shares to be repurchased represent about seven
percent of the company's outstanding common stock.

Aldus says the share purchases may be made from time to time in
the open market or otherwise, depending on factors such as market
conditions and share price. The purchases will be funded from
normal working capital.

In September Aldus reported having $97.3 million in cash, cash
equivalents, and marketable securities. The company reported
revenues of $40.3 million and net income of $5.5 million for the
second quarter.

Paul Brainerd, Aldus founder and president, said: "This action
reflects the confidence of Aldus' directors and management in the
prospects of the company." Brainerd said the decision was based
on the company's "continuing profitability, significant cash reserves,
and a commitment to enhance shareholder value."

Aldus' flagship product is Pagemaker. The company also
produces Freehand, Digital Darkroom, Photostyler, and other
graphics creation and manipulation programs.

(Jim Mallory/19920121/Press Contact: Mary Batterson, Aldus Corp,
206-628-2383)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00003)

Landmark Graphics Reports $3.2 Million Income For Quarter 01/21/92
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Landmark
Graphics says its revenues for the quarter ending December 31,
1991, were $25 million, with net income of $3.2 million, up from $2.2
million for the same period last year. Earnings were 30 cents per
share.

C.E. Ennis, Landmark chairman and CEO, attributed the increase to
international demand for the company's technology. Ennis also
said North American sales had stabilized, but were still soft due to
uncertain oil and gas prices in the domestic petroleum marketplace.

About three-quarters of Landmark's sales are to the international
market. Ennis said that adds an element of complexity to the
revenue generation cycle because of the additional time
necessary to meet international shipping requirements.

Landmark markets technology for the oil industry, with products
and services for seismic and geologic interpretation, seismic
processing, mapping, modeling, workgroup computing, and
integrated field studies.

(Jim Mallory/19920121/Press Contact: Karla Mount, Landmark
Graphics, 713-578-4200)


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

Kodak, Philips Announce New Photo-CD System Features 01/21/92
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Eastman
Kodak and Philips have announced new features for the Photo CD
system they initially announced in September of 1990. The new
features allow sound, text, and graphics to be recorded along with
photographic images on Photo CD disks.

The Photo CD system allows consumers to have as many as 100
of their 35 millimeter (mm) negatives or slides scanned onto
compact discs. Photofinishers are expected to be ready to provide
the service beginning this summer. The pictures can then be
displayed on television sets, using a Photo CD player or a
compact disc-interactive player. The images can also be played
back on computers equipped with CD-ROM XA drives.

Kodak said it has no plans to abandon its conventional film
processing and printing services, since it is not sure how well
consumers will accept the new way of storing and viewing their
photos. Kodak has estimated that the consumer will have to pay
about $20 to have a 24-exposure roll of film processed and stored
on CD.

Another stumbling block could be the number of professional
photofinishers willing to invest the estimated $100,000 required to
obtain the equipment for Photo-CD processing.

The Photo CD players are expected to begin shipping this summer.
According to Peter Palermo, Kodak VP, the players will also have
the added sound, text and graphics capabilities at no increase in
price. "We expect retail prices for players to begin at about
$400," said Palermo.

Philips says it plans to publish prerecorded Photo CD titles when
it introduces its Photo CD players later this year. Prerecorded
disks can carry up to 800 digitally recorded images, with
resolution equal to a television picture. Alternatively, a
prerecorded disk would provide about 72 minutes of CD audio
sound.

A Philips spokesperson said the prerecorded discs would be easy
to produce, and are ideal for art, sports, and nature collections.

(Jim Mallory/19920120/Press Contact: Ronald Roberts, Eastman
Kodak, 716-724-4513)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00005)

Microdyne To Market Novell Coprocessor Board 01/21/92
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Continuing the
relationship that they have had for some time now, Microdyne has
taken over the marketing functions of another Novell product.

This time the product in question is the WNIM+, a communications
coprocessor board that allows PC users to drive most of Novell's
remote access software products like Novell Netware Access
Server, Netware Asynchronous Communications Server, and
Netware Asynchronous Remote Router packages.

Microdyne officials disclosed to Newsbytes that this release is part
of a trend. Novell is apparently committed to exiting the hardware
business and is looking for companies that can pick up and
support that kind of product. A Microdyne spokesman also told
Newsbytes that the company expects that more products will be
transferred to them. They point with pride to their beginnings when
they picked up the Excelan line of LAN (local area network) boards
a few years ago.

Novell continues to receive royalties under the arrangement and
Microdyne gets the technology and the established market.
Microdyne engineers can then take the product and continue to
develop it under the Microdyne name.

The WNIM+ hardware features a Zilog Z-80 chip with 64 kilobytes
(KB) of RAM. It handles intensive character manipulation functions
while eliminating the need for the host CPU (central processing unit)
to be too involved. Up to four connections each operating at up to
19.2 kilobits-per-second (Kbps) are supported. The product comes
with the cables necessary to attach asynchronous modems to each
adapter.

The transfer is effective immediately. WNIM+ boards are priced at
$895. More information about the transfer and about the products
can be obtained by calling the Microdyne Customer Information
Center at 1-800-255-3967.

(Naor Wallach/19920121/Press Contact: Cliff Rockwell, Microdyne,
703-739-0500)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00006)

DaVinci To Market MacAccess E-Mail Product 01/21/92
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- DaVinci
Systems has picked up the marketing, distribution, and development
rights to MacAccess from Action Technologies. MacAccess is an
electronic-mail program that uses Novell's MHS standard.

MacAccess is the first Macintosh product that is supported by
DaVinci. To date, they have concentrated on providing MHS-
based e-mail packages on DOS, Windows, and OS/2 platforms.

"The addition of Macintosh support is truly a major step forward in
the recognition of MHS as a viable standard," said Bill Nussey,
president of DaVinci Systems. "Our customers have been so
vocal about the need for MHS support on the Macintosh that we
felt we should take the necessary steps to get them that support as
soon as possible."

DaVinci is working on its own e-mail package for the Macintosh
and is planning to make it available later this year. Current
customers will be given the option of upgrading when it is ready.
MacAccess is available now for $395 for five users from DaVinci.

(Naor Wallach/19920121/Press Contact: Chris Evans, DaVinci
Systems, 919-881-4320)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00007)

UK: Hayes Announces Ultra 144 Modem 01/21/92
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Hayes
Microcomputer Products has announced the V-Series Ultra
Smartmodem 14400. The Ultra 144 is a high-speed modem that
supports V.32Bis 14,400 bits-per-second (bps) data transmissions
and V.42Bis error-correction and data compression.

U.K. pricing on the modem is expected to be around the UKP 700
to 800 mark. Hayes does not quote retail prices on its modems,
preferring instead to refer to typical selling pricing. The modem,
which is already on sale in the U,S. and Canada, is effectively
a software and firmware upgrade of the company's existing Ultra
96, which supports the V.32 (9,600 bps) data transmission standard.

According to Dennis Hayes, president of Hayes, the new modem
delivers unique connectivity to SDLC and X.25 networks, as well
as ISDN (integrated services data networks) services. In
addition, the unit supports virtually every modem communication
application in mainframe, workstation, and personal computer
environments.

"CCITT V.32 has been around for seven years, and it's just now
replacing CCITT V.22Bis, 2,400 bps, as the business standard for
high speed modems. CCITT V.32Bis is leading-edge technology.
Ultra 144 is ideal for customers who want new technologies and
whose applications require additional throughput," he said.

Existing customers of the Ultra 96 can upgrade to the Ultra 144
for UKP 250. Customers interested in this offer can contact the
company's customer service division at 081-848-1858.

The Ultra 144 will be available shortly in the UK. The unit
features Hayes Autosync, a data transmission handshaking
system used for synchronous communications, as well as
CCITT V.25Bis for synchronous autodialing. In addition, it provides
backwards compatibility with the Microcom Network Protocol
(MNP) Class 2 to 5, Hayes adaptive data compression, and the
Link Access Protocol (LAP) B protocol.

(Steve Gold/19920121/Press & Public Contact: Hayes
Microcomputer Computer Products, tel [phone],
fax [phone])


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00008)

Microsoft Promo For MS-Works, Office For Mac Users 01/21/92
READING, ENGLAND, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced that purchasers of MS-Works for the Mac, as well as
Office for the Mac, will be entitled to a free copy of Address Book
Plus from Power Up Software when they buy either of the
packages before the end of March, 1992.

Address Book Plus is an address management system for the Mac
that stores and organizes names, addresses, telephone numbers
and other information in an easy-to-use database format, the
company claims. The package normally retails for UKP 80.

According to Microsoft, Address Book Plus is useful for Mac
users, since the database can be accessed from Microsoft
Works and the applications included in Microsoft Office.

So why the offer? Microsoft says that MS-Works and Office are
two of the company's most popular products. MS-Works, which
integrates word processing, spreadsheet and communications,
as well as database and drawing packages, sells for UKP 145.

MS-Office, meanwhile, includes four popular packages for the
Mac: MS-Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Microsoft Mail. The
package retails for UKP 575, compared to the UKP 950 cost of
buying the software individually.

(Steve Gold/19920121/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft ,
0734-270001)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00009)

New For Mac: Hayes Intros Hayesconnect Version 3.0 01/21/92
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Hayes
has begun shipping Hayesconnect  version 3.0, a software package
that it claims enables users to share resources such as modems,
plotters and printers, as well as manage the use and allocation of
such resources.

Version 3.0 of the software includes advanced server features
such as device pooling, security, activity logging, and support of
the Mac Communications Toolbox. The package also supports
System 7.0, the Mac's latest operating system version, which
includes such features as AppleEvents and Balloon Help.

In use, the package uses the AppleTalk datastream protocol
(ADSP) to link served devices and workstations over Localtalk
and Ethernet networks with the Appletalk network protocol.

"Providing users with an easy-to-use, practical way to share and
manage peripherals in various locations, reinforces Hayes'
commitment to provide complete communications solutions within
the Macintosh environment," said Hayes President Dennis Hayes.

Hayesconnect retails for UKP 79 in the U.K. The package
supports any Mac with 1 megabyte (MB) of RAM. System software
version 6.04 or later is recommended, and the package is System
7.0 compatible.

(Steve Gold/19920121/Press & Public Contact: Hayes
MIcrocomputer Products, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00010)

New For Unix: Island Graphics Offers Presentation Software 01/21/92
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Hoping to
cash in on the increasing market for presentation graphics, Island
Graphics Corp. has introduced IslandPresents.

According to the company, the package is a complete WYSIWYG
(what-you-see-is-what-you-get) presentation and business
graphics product, which includes two new modules -- IslandChart
and IslandTable -- in addition to the award-winning IslandPaint.

The company plans for the IslandPresents to be available
for Open Look in the first quarter 1992, and late in the second
quarter in an OSF (Open Software Foundation)-Motif version for
HP workstations. Both products will be priced at $995.

According to Paul Remer, Island Graphics' executive vice
president: "IslandPresents answers our customers' requests for
Mac-like presentation tools that take advantage of Unix power."

The company claims that the modules in IslandPresents make
a complete set of tools that work smoothly together and, at the
same time, are separate so that in each work mode, the interface
remains simple and uncluttered.

The main module, IslandPresents, includes Outliner, Slide
Editor, and Organizer views. The program provides color 35
millimeter (mm) slide output to selected film recorders and output
to overhead transparencies.

IslandChart allows users to create data-driven color business
graphics, including bar charts and pie charts. Users can import
data in Wingz, Lotus 1-2-3, and WordPerfect data file formats,
and generate single or multiple charts automatically from any
portion of the data.

The company maintains that the IslandTable module is a table
editor which allows users to create full WYSIWYG tables
incorporating high-quality text and graphics. Tables can be
pasted and imported into IslandWrite memos, letters and
reports, and into IslandDraw diagrams and illustrations.

Each module in IslandPresents provides output to color as well
as black and white PostScript printers, and to HP LaserJet and
PaintJet printers.

(Ian Stokell/19920121/Press Contact: David Newman, Island
Graphics Corp., 415-491-1000, ext 111)
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

OSINET Waives Networking Database Fees 01/21/92
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- OSINET, which
runs a database on networking protocols under Open Systems
Interconnect, or OSI standards, said it will waive fees for
registering interoperability test results in its database through
September.

Results on how well products work together can be uploaded free,
and suppliers can also get free access to the database, which
contains over 100 product pairings, the group said. Buyers of OSI
networking software can also continue to dial into the database free
of charge. The aim is to increase use of the database and stimulate
more testing of equipment between suppliers, raising buyers'
confidence in products and, hopefully, increasing sales.

OSINET said is also developing test cases for X.500 Directory
Services, which will be available in March. X.500 is a
developing standard for addressing electronic messages sent
between disparate e-mail systems under the X.400 standard.
OSINET said it will also work more on network management this
year, cooperation with the Network Management Forum and the
National Institute for Standards and Testing, or NIST, Special
Interest Group. The NIST was formerly known as the National
Bureau of Standards.

Companies with registered products at OSINET include AT&T,
Bull, Control Data, Data General, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Retix,
Northern Telecom, and Unisys.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920121/Press Contact: David Moyer,
Unisys, 215-986-4387; Database Contact, OSINET,
703-883-2797)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

 ****New Bell Services Offered 01/21/92
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) --
The seven regional Bell companies continue to slowly roll out
enhanced information services, using powers given them by the
courts last year.

Southwestern Bell has begun offering message delivery services
in Oklahoma's 405 area code. Operators will come onto the line
when a call rings five times, and offer to make sure a message
gets through for $1.50. A recorded message of up to three minutes
is made, and operators replace a call with that message every
30 minutes until it is answered. A special number is offered so
customers can make sure the message was delivered.

In Minneapolis, US West has rolled out Traffic Watch, a traffic
reporting service through its cellular phone system. Data is
gathered and maintained by US West Cellular and available only
on its system, cross referenced to specific sections of the metro
area. US West says information is never more than 15 minutes
old. The system is accessed with the (number) key, followed by
526, and problems can be reported by entering (star), then 847.
It is available from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m., the hours of heaviest traffic.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920121/Press Contact: Bernadette
Anderson, US West Cellular, 206-562-5754; Sherry Smith,
Southwestern Bell, 314-247-6771)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00013)

BBN Announces Plans For ComNet Show 01/21/92
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) --
BBN Communications said it will offer new LAN (local area network)-
linking and network management tools at the ComNet trade show
in Washington D.C., starting January 28.

ComNet is a twice-yearly show featuring the latest in
telecommunications equipment and services, and is sponsored
by the International Data Group and its Network World magazine.
Newsbytes will provide daily reports on the show.

The theme of BBN's appearance at the show will be "Bringing you
to new levels of packet networking." The new hardware product is
called the T/10 Integrated Access Device, which can also link
multiprotocol terminals and host computers to a common switched
network, as well as LANs. The network management software tool
is called NetCheck.

BBN will also introduce Net$AVE, a service designed to help
clients develop network cost reduction strategies. The goal of
the service is to help clients save as much as 10 percent of
their data communications budget.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920121/Press Contact: Jeanne Bock,
BBN Communications, 617-873-6231)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)

World Data Offers Financial Data Via Fax 01/21/92
HARPER WOODS, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) --
Newsbytes has learned of a second Major BBS (bulletin board
system) system integrating fax and data services, this time
specializing in financial data. World Data Delivery Systems' lead
service is called the Direct Investor, and features certificate of
deposit prices from 3,000 banks, credit unions, and other
companies.

John Ahlbrand, president of World Data Delivery Systems,
says the system has been up for about 18 months. Both sellers of
paper and investors can call into the system either via a modem
or a fax machine, and access data by a page number, he told
Newsbytes. "Someone who has an account with us pays, and we
charge the institutions a small charge to list on the system. We
have two accounts -- $295 for six months for unrestricted access,
or an as-used basis, at about $1 a minute basis." The company
also offers research reports for a client called Chicago Corp.

Ahlbrand compared his service favorably to those offered by
"USA Today" and "The Wall Street Journal," which use caller-paid
900 numbers to deliver stock and bond information. "It's a buck a
minute, and they keep you on the phone a few minutes before you
get anything. They'll give you three top CD rates. We give you 50
companies off a single call, with their addresses, and
statistical performances." Advertising for a 900-number based
version of the database will roll out soon in major financial
publications like "Money Magazine" and "Barron's."

Ahlbrand says the heart of his operation is a 64-line bulletin
board system using the Major BBS from Galacticomm, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. "We were brokers for a long time. Then we
found out we could do a much better job for clients doing this,"
he said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920121/Press Contact: John Ahlbrand,
World Data, tel [phone], fax demo line, 313-886-6498)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00015)

Australia: ASC Investigation Adds Further Woes To Uni-Lab 01/21/92
PERTH, AUSTRALIA, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- After a poor showing on
the stock markets late last year, Perth-based telecommunications
company, Uni-Lab, has had to suffer the additional strain of a
month-long investigation by the Australian Securities Commission.

Uni-Lab's shares dropped dramatically last year, and they were
recently suspended from trading for not being able to adequately
explain the reasons for the rapid stock fall. Uni-Lab stocks dropped
from AUS$2.60 in October to AUS$0.40 by the time they were
suspended in early January. The suspension is likely to remain in
place, at least until talks with Sydney based firm, AWA, are
completed. These talks are thought to be covering financial and
managerial advice, and may lead to AWA taking an interest in
Uni-Lab.

Despite promising signs for the company early last year, when its
Cell Switch earned it contracts with Telecom and Poland (for the
supply of a rural telecommunications network worth AUS$30-40
million), the negotiations for these have been protracted, and the
ability of the Australian companies to fulfill the contract has been
questioned by Polish authorities. The company is hoping to ride
the current storm, and reap the benefits of the Polish contract, which
has been finalized, and which should be a long-term earner for
Uni-Lab.

(Sean McNamara/19920121)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00016)

Australia: Zoo Vets Use Chip Bar Codes For Identification 01/21/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Vets at Sydney's
Taronga Zoo, are utilizing a technology similar to that found in
many supermarkets today - bar codes.

The ten-digit codes are stored on a microchip transponder which is
implanted just below the animal's skin. A magnetic scanner is then
passed over the chip, and the vets are able to quickly identify the
animal in hand. Four years ago, Taronga became Australia's first
zoo to test electronic identification systems. It has since
standardized on the Trovan system from AEG and Telefunken,
of Germany.

The electronic system has numerous advantages over traditional
identification systems, Taronga vet, Derek Spielman said. "Other
forms of identification have been wrought with problems - ear tags
can come off, tattoos tend to fade and ear notches are often
obscured by cuts and bites," Spielman said. A system allowing the
identification of animals by scanning the transponders from several
meters are currently being investigated. These have the advantage
of not requiring the animal be anesthetized for identification.

(Sean McNamara/19920121)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(WAS)(00017)

GCC Offers $100 Printer Rebates Through March 27 01/21/92
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- GCC
Technologies has announced that it will kick off 1992 by offering
a direct $100 factory rebate on any laser printer purchased
between January 6 and March 27, 1992, whether the printer is sold
in the U.S. or Canada.

GCC offers Macintosh printers starting at only $999 for the PLP II
(before the rebate). During the rebate period, the top-of-the-line
GCC PLP IIS will sell for $2,799, after the rebate.

Also for the new year, GCC has introduced background printing
with its new PLP 4.0 software upgrade. The new software will ship
with new PLP printers and is available as an upgrade for
installed machines, but Adobe Type Manager and Adobe Type 1
fonts will also ship free of charge with new printers.

Those wishing to upgrade can pay $69 for version 4.0 of the
printer control software, fonts, and documentation, or $99 to
receive the software along with one megabyte (MB) of RAM
memory to upgrade the printer. Publisher's Choice and Headliners
owners can upgrade for only $49. Owners of GCC printers are
urged to call 800-422-7777 for details.

GCC has also expanded its hard disk product line with new
UltraDrive models ranging from 240 MB capacity to the
company's largest, the UltraDrive 1300X, which provides 1.3
gigabytes of storage. Prices were not supplied.

(John McCormick/19920121/Press Contact: Bruce Bradshaw,
GCC Technologies, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00018)

Meridian Intros Low-Cost CASE Tools For PC 01/21/92
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Meridian
Software Systems, the company known for last year's introduction
of the very low-cost AdaZ Ada language programming system,
has broken the CASE (computer-aided software engineering)
price barrier with OpenSelect CASE. The product, priced at $195,
features a set of integrated, language-independent tools for the
design and analysis of real-time and management information
systems (MIS) applications software.

OpenSelect can be used to create a powerful environment by
selecting the required tools and then use the CDIF or CASE Date
Interchange Format to export the data to larger systems, keeping
development costs low by using PCs for initial development.

The new CASE toolsets from Meridian provide both low entry-level
costs for CASE development and testing, and a clear upgrade
path to ease any interoperability concerns.

In addition to OpenSelect Starter, a single-user system based
on a data dictionary and supporting interactive rules and
consistency checking, Meridian has provided OpenSelect DOS,
a multiuser system priced at $795, and OpenSelect Windows,
which adds Microsoft Windows support at $995.

All three provide real-time support for Yourdon-DeMarco CASE
methodologies, Ward-Mellor and Hartley extensions, Jackson
structured program charts, and Chen ERD's. In the MIS area they
support Gane and Sarson and S=SADM version 3.0 and version
4.0 with support for information engineering, schema generation,
and data modeling.

For further information, contact Meridian Software Systems at 10
Pasteur St., Irvine, CA 92718. The telephone number is 714-727-0700
or 800-221-2522.

(John McCormick/19920121/Press Contact: Jim Smith, Meridian,
tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019)

Demax Offers LAN Security Survey Results 01/21/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Demax Software,
a major supplier of distributed or local area network security
systems, has released the results of a study on security
implementation in heterogeneous networks.

The study shows that 30 percent of systems surveyed had
experienced accidental or malicious security incidents, due
partly to management paying lip service to network security
concerns. Despite the fact that most of the 119 organizations
surveyed have written security policies, few implement them.

Demax's study actually shows that an alarming 50 percent of those
surveyed may have suffered a security breach on their network.
In addition to the 30 percent actually reporting one or more
incidents, another 20 percent have such loose security
procedures in place that they were unable to determine if any
violations had occurred or not.

Also, a significant number of these incidents were not just minor
events. More than 10 percent of the reported incidents were said
to have had a serious financial or operational impact on the
organization.

Eighty-one percent of responding companies do not manage
network security on a full-time basis and budgets for security,
including training, tools, and personnel, account for only an
average of 3.5 percent of corporate data processing budgets.

A 16-page summary of the study is available free of charge from
Demax Software. Non-Demax customers should request "Some
Observations on Heterogeneous Network Security." Subscribers
to the Demax Security Alert Program and current Demax customers
will automatically receive a copy.

Demax has Canadian, U.K., and German offices, but the U.S.
headquarters is located at 999 Baker Way, Suite 500, San Mateo,
CA 94404. The telephone number is 415-341-9017 or 800-283-3629.

(John McCormick/19920121/Press Contact: Jacques Buerette,
Demax, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00020)

New High Capacity MegaStore Optical Jukebox 01/21/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Plasmon Data
Systems has just announced the world's largest capacity 5.25-inch
optical drive jukebox which can handle 1,020 one-gigabyte (GB)
erasable disks or the same number of 940 megabyte (MB)
WORM (write-once, read-many) drives.

The new MegaStore RF-1020JM is normally configured with four
drives and up to two pickers, depending on the number of discs it
is designed to hold.

The company claims that faster access for multi-user installations
can easily be achieved by adding up to 30 drives in a custom
configuration.

The MegaStore is now available with starting prices pegged at
$70,000.

For more information, contact David Kalstrom, Plasmon Data
Systems, 1654 Centre Pointe Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035. The
telephone number is 408-956-9400 or 800-445-9400.

(John McCormick/19920121/Press Contact: Brad Lee Brenner,
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)

 ****Motorola To Build Wireless WAN 01/21/92
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Motorola
and Racotek will create a wireless metropolitan area network (MAN)
for mobile data and voice services. The service will be based on
Racotek's RacoNet mobile data service, and is designed to help
mobile workers use radio frequencies to get their work done.

"LANs (local area networks), WANs (wide area networks), and
MANs serve to provide data links for local and remote corporate
facilities," said Motorola executive Morton L. Topfer in a press
release. "Now, by adding mobile data capability to voice radio,
the concept of the metropolitan area network will be extended to
include another type of mobile worker."

Over the last few years Motorola, which is best known as a chip-
maker, has been concentrating on mobile communications.
Besides making pagers and cellular phones, it also has provided
an increasing number of radio-frequency voice and data offerings
including Ardis, a joint-venture in radio data transmission with
IBM.

RacoNet will work over Specialized Mobile Radio systems
without interfering with existing voice users, and was called a
complement to Ardis by Topfer. RacoNet's hardware is
compatible with over 900 channels between the frequencies of
800-900 megahertz in over 1,100 locations, as allocated by the
Federal Communications Commission. RacoNet works with a
broad range of MS-DOS based laptops and other hand-held
computers, and is based on the Open System Interconnect
(OSI) model.

Under the agreement, Racotek and Motorola retain exclusive
distribution rights to Motorola products compatible with the
RacoNet service, which will go into field trials this year.
Applications include messaging and dispatch, work-order
management, order entry, automatic vehicle location, package
tracking and shipping, taxi services, electronic invoicing under
EDI (electronic data interchange) services, customer service
programs, and document transmission, among others.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920121/Press Contact: Bob Walz, Motorola,
708-576-6609)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00022)

India: New Harvard-Affiliated Computer Academy 01/21/92
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- It is yet another new
chapter in the brief history of the booming  computer training
"industry" in India. The Indian Computer Academy (ICA), launched
recently in Bangalore, aims to be a cut above any other private
training institute in the country.

To start, it is a nonprofit body. Affiliated with the prestigious Harvard
University, its curricula is set by the Department of Continuing
Education (DCE) of Harvard. The papers are shipped to the
United States for evaluation and there are two Harvard dons on the
advisory board to oversee the implementation of the program.

According to Prakash Ahuja, the promoter-manager of ICA, this is
the first time that Harvard, is lending its name to another institution
anywhere in the world. Initially the academy would offer a one-year
full-time program, which would include a six-month internship at
software companies. The dean and faculty of the academy are
trained at Harvard. Additionally, Harvard professors on sabbatical
are being considered as lecturers.

Lectures by professionals from the domestic industry on areas
such as networking are scheduled for the course. It is expected
that students will have to put in an intensive 800 hours of work
during the first six months of the course.

"The core curriculum of ICA, which represents the first six months
of the course, is almost the same as the course we offer in Harvard,"
said Paul Bamberg, director of science instruction, Harvard DCE.
"However, beyond the core curriculum, ICA will be guided more by
the needs of the local industry than by the details of Harvard
program."

ICA has managed to gear up enough industry support for its course.
Chief executives of two large hardware companies in Bangalore
are on the advisory board.

Even on the matter of admissions, ICA will follow Harvard's
guidelines. There is an entrance test and 50 percent in graduation
is the minimum score to qualify for the test. The academy will
organize educational loans on a merit-cum-means basis to the
students. "A few scholarships will also be available," says Ahuja.
The course fee is $1,000

During the first year the institute will enroll 60 students. With the
expansion of infrastructure, the admission will be increased to 300.
The one-year course is expected to prepare the students for
entry-level jobs in the computer industry.

ICA has built a campus with classroom facilities, a laboratory and
a library. The total cost of the project, according to Ahuja, is about
$0.4 million. Citibank has given a grant of $50,000 and has
committed to provide $10,000 annually. The project has also been
financed by 20th Century Venture Capital Corporation. HCL
Hewlett-Packard Ltd., has agreed to give an endowment besides
supplying hardware at concessional rates. Novell and Borland
International are donating software.

(C.T. Mahabharat/19920122)


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00023)

Online Intros Version 2.0 Of CD-ROM Network Software 01/21/92
GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Online
Computer Systems has just released Opti-Net version 2.0, the
company's popular CD-ROM networking software.

Using Microsoft's latest CD-ROM Extensions and including an
optional SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) bus disconnect
utility, Opti-Net supports up to 255 CD-ROM drives, an unlimited
number of optical servers, and monitors usage of up to 100 users.

New for version 2.0 are removable Opti-Net device drivers which
allow a user station to remove the CD-ROM and network drivers
without rebooting, giving systems administrators more flexibility
in designing batch files.

The new SCSI bus disconnect/reconnect feature allows devices to
be automatically disconnected from the system while performing
commands and reconnected when the task is completed, allowing
the network to issue near simultaneous commands to a number of
other devices which improves overall performance.

A new remote network management interface has been included
in this version of Opti-Net as well as centralized LAN (local area
network) management.

For further information, contact: Online Computer Systems, 20251
Century Boulevard, Germantown, MD 20874. The telephone
number of the company is 800-922-9204 or 301-428-3700. The
facsimile number is 301-428-2903.

Pricing for Opti-Net DOS version 2.0 is $795 for an eight-user
system and $1,495 for the 100-user version.

(John McCormick/19920121/Press Contact: Lisa Huber, Online
Computer Systems, 301-601-2204)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00024)

Dowty Intros ScaNet Multi-Protocol Terminal Server 01/21/92
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Dowty
Communications has introduced the ScaNet Multi-Protocol
Terminal Server (MPTS) for linking asynchronous, IBM 3270,
and IBM 5250 terminals and printers to Ethernet networks.

The new ScaNet servers are the only mainstream terminal
servers to support TCP/IP, OSI (Open System Interconnection),
and DEC LAT protocols simultaneously.

Designed on a COBRA RISC-based hardware platform, the
ScaNet Multi-Protocol Terminal Server is able to link all major
terminals to a Series 6000 or any other IEEE 802.3 network to
create high-performance LANs (local area networks) and
WANs (wide area networks).

"This new family of servers supports our strategy of moving from a
purely OSI-based environment to the wider multi-protocol market,"
said Simon Naylor, Asia general manager of Dowty
Communications.

ScaNet is designed for integrating all hosts and terminals in a
multi-vendor environment. Different terminal servers can be used
with different protocols allowing users to log-on to a range of hosts
through customized menus.

Users are able to communicate with OSI, TCP/IP and DEC LAT
systems directly, or with IBM SNA (Systems Network Architecture),
IBM AS/400, IBM S/3x, Sperry UTS, and asynchronous hosts via
Series 6000 Host Servers.

"Some vendor's terminal servers require EPROM (erasable
programmable read-only memory)-chip or ROM-card
swapping to change protocols," said Naylor. "With the ScaNet
solution, changing protocols is achieved by simply changing the
software configuration on the Network Control Center."

Full integration is achieved through a Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP) agent based on the MIB-11
recommendation and extended to hold Series 6000, OSI, and
DEC LAT related information.

(Norman Wingrove/19920121/Press Contact: Simon Naylor,
Dowty, tel Hong Kong +852 828)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00025)

 ****Microsoft, Intel Boost Portables Battery Life 25 Percent 01/21/92
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) - Intel and
Microsoft have announced a new software specification that they
claim will extend the battery life of portable computers by up to 25
percent.

Called Advanced Power Management (APM), the new technology
is the first announced approach to involve the operating system
and software applications in power management.

In APM, the operating system sends information to the firmware
(computer code stored in the system's read-only memory)
regarding power usage. The firmware uses this information to
make better and faster choices about power conservation.

Some portable computers, using the Intel 386SL processor, are
designed with built-in power management. Such units could use
APM to extend battery life even more, depending on the user's
habits, the BIOS (basic input/output system) used, and the
configuration of the system.

Intel said it designed specific features in its SL chip family to
make implementation of APM simpler for PC manufacturers. The
SL chip family incorporates dedicated hardware ports that serve
as the interface between the operating system and the central
processor. This hardware is designed to allow BIOS developers
to implement the APM functions in a single system management
mode (SMM) module.

Intel and Microsoft say they spent two years developing APM.
Thirty-seven companies have endorsed APM so far.

(Jim Mallory/19920121/Press Contact: Liz Sidnam, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00026)

Borland Back In The Black, But Stock Is Dropping 01/21/92
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB) --
After reporting $102 million in losses last quarter, primarily
because of the company's purchase of Ashton-Tate, Borland
International is back in the black. The company is reporting $7.53
million to the positive for the current quarter ended December 31,
1991.

While Borland is still blaming the lower profits on the Ashton-
Tate acquisition, Borland President Philippe Kahn said
Borland's primary focus during its last quarter was to absorb
Ashton-Tate. Kahn said: "We are pleased with how quickly we
have assimilated Ashton-Tate's people, products and
technology worldwide."

Borland's revenues for the third quarter were $114,577,000 -- a
6.6 percent decrease compared with $122,728,000 for the
quarter ended December 31, 1990. The company reported a net
income of $7,535,000, or 28 cents per share, for the quarter,
compared with a net income of $6,834,000, or 28 cents per share,
for the same quarter a year ago.

Included were additional pre-tax restructuring charges of $6
million and a tax benefit of $7 million, both related to the acquisition
of Ashton-Tate. To date Borland claims buying Ashton-Tate has
cost it $116 million.

Although things are on the upswing, one Wall Street analyst calls
the earnings disappointing and is lowering his fourth quarter
estimates for the company. Other analysts are issuing cautions
concerning Borland.

Borland stock fell sharply after the earnings announcement and
is still dropping, according to reports from Wall Street. On
Friday, January 17, 1992, Borland's stock closed at 75.25. However,
on Monday after the announcement, the stock closed at 72. In an
interesting note, analyst Paul Johnson for First Boston was reported
by Reuters as saying if the stock fell below 65, he would buy it.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920121/Press Contact: Sandra Hawker,
Borland, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00027)

 ****Dell Ships PCs Preloaded With Software 01/21/92
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Dell
Computer Corporation has announced that it is now shipping its PCs
with the option of having applications software preloaded on the
machine's hard disk. Dell claims that this is an industry first
for a PC manufacturer.

Newsbytes notes that there are several suppliers of PCs offering
this option in the U.K. already. The bulk of these suppliers can
be classed as dealers, however. Dell is a direct mail-order
operation, with minimal representation in the dealer sales channel.

Dell's scheme seems quite comprehensive, with the company
calling it the factory installed software application (FISA) program.
The program begins at the end of January, 1992.

The first software companies to take part in the FISA program are
Borland, Lotus, Microsoft, Software Publishing Corporation, and
Wordperfect. Dell customers will have a choice of popular
packages for word processing, spreadsheets, business graphics,
and databases.

The initial FISA portfolio will include: Borland's Paradox 3.5
and Quattro Pro 3.0; Lotus' 1-2-3 release 2.3, 3.1+, and 1-2-3 for
Windows spreadsheets; Microsoft's Excel 3.0 and Word for Windows
2.0 word processing packages; SPC's Harvard Graphics 3.0; and
Wordperfect 5.1 for DOS and Windows.

All the applications will be loaded electronically onto the PC's
hard drive during the manufacturing process. Shrink-wrapped
packages of the software -- including disks -- are also supplied
with the PCs, as a backup option.

Jon Cooper, software marketing manager for Dell, said that he
knows that users want to put their computers to work immediately.

"By loading their application software at our factory in Ireland,
we're able to provide a system that is fully quality-checked by
our technicians and ready to run -- with obvious benefits in time
and convenience -- at no extra cost," he said.

Cooper reckons that preloaded software makes life easier for
novice and less-expert users of PCs. It will also appeal to
Dell's corporate customers who order multiple systems to run
two or three packages, he said.

In the U.K. the FISA program is officially launched on 28
January. Newsbytes understands that parallel programs are
being launched by other Dell operations around the world later
in 1992.

(Steve Gold/19920121/Press & Public Contact: Dell Computer
Corporation, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00028)

 ****Toshiba UK Intros New Color, Gas Plasma Portables 01/21/92
WEYBRIDGE, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1992 JAN 21 (NB) -- Toshiba
U.K. has announced a new range of portable PCs with color thin film
transistor (TFT) and gas plasma display options. The company has
also launched the T3300SL notebook PC and a new high speed
modem.

Flagships of the new launches, as well as the company's range of
portables, are two mains-powered portables with TFT color and
gas plasma display choices. Both are Intel 80486-based and,
according to Toshiba officials, the new T6400SX and T6400DX are
among the most compact PCs on the market to offer full-size
industry-standard expandability. Both models ship in the U.K. in
February.

The T6400DX is a 33 megahertz (MHz) 486-based system that
comes with a 200 megabyte (MB) hard disk and a choice of TFT
color or gas plasma screens. Pricing is UKP 4,450 for the gas
plasma version, and UKP 6,499 for the TFT color version.

The T6400SX, meanwhile, is a 25 MHz 486SX-based system with a
120MB hard disk. Similar screen choices to the T6400DX are
available, with pricing at UKP 3,625 for a gas plasma version, and
UKP 5,750 for the TFT color model.

Internal to both machines is a full-length ISA (Industry Standard
Architecture) expansion slot. The 3.5-inch floppy disk can also
be replaced by a CD-ROM drive, though pricing has yet to be
announced on this option.

Further downscale, the T3300SL is a sub-six pound unit based
around a 25 MHz version of Intel's 80386SL low-power
microprocessor. The UKP 3,475 machine tips the scales at 2,7
kilograms and is 45 millimeters thick. The paper-white VGA
(video graphics array) screen measures 9,5-inches diagonally --
one of the largest available currently -- and produces an
impressive image.

To lengthen the SL processor's longer running life per battery
charge, Toshiba has fitted the machine with nickel hydride
batteries, which, the company claims, gives a third more power
for the same size ni-cad batteries.

Topping out the new product launches is the TQ2400 -- a quad
standard internal modem for the Toshiba range of portables.
The modem is licensed from Kerridge Data Networks,
Newsbytes understands, and costs UKP 350.

Shipment of the modem, which supports all modem speeds to 2,400
bits-per-second, with V.42Bis error correction and data compression,
is from February onwards.

"More sophisticated PCs call for more sophisticated
communications. The TQ2400 answers the speed and accuracy
needs of portable PC users who have to deal with ever-growing
volumes of information," said Nick Hall, Toshiba's marketing
manager.

Hall is also proud of the T6400 series of portables, and claims
they meet the needs of the newly-developing market for 486-
based portables. "There are no other PCs on the market which
offer this combination of power, portability, and TFT color
together with useful features like the full-size 102-key
detachable keyboard," he said.

(Steve Gold/19920121/Press & Public Contact: Toshiba
Information Systems U.K., 0932-841600)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00029)

Virus & Security Conference To Be Held In New York 01/21/92
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB)  -- The Data
Processing Management (DPMA) Financial Industries Chapter has
announced the program for its Fifth International Virus & Security
Conference. The conference is to be held March 12th and 13th in
New York City.

The conference, co-sponsored by DPMA's Financial Industries
Chapter, The Association for Computing Machinery's Security, Audit
& Control Special Interest Group (ACM-SIGSAC), the IEEE Computer
Society, and the Communications Managers Association,  will be
preceded by a one-day pre-conference security course. The
course will be held at New York's Marriott Marquis Hotel on
Wednesday, March 11th.

The conference itself will be held at the Loew's Summit Hotel,
also in New York City. The price for the course is $80 while the
conference charge is a maximum of $395 and varies based on
organization affiliation and length of attendance.

The conference will include sessions on: "Trust and Organization
Policy," chaired by Jack Holleran, National Security Security Council
(NCSC); "Unix I: PC and Mainframe Intruders," Dennis D. Steinauer,
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); "Unix II:
Threatened Networks," Thomas D.S. Duff, Bell Labs; "Publicly
Available Help," Klaus Brunnstein, University of Hamburg; "Malicious
Programs In Warfare," Judy Brand, Nationwide; and
"Detecting/Stalking Computer Intruders," Donn Parker, SRI.
The Keynote Address -- "Networks After 1992: Global versus
Corporate Implementation," will be given by Jan Newman, Novell
vice president for Netware.

Conference chairman Dick Lefkon told Newsbytes that the
conference content will be particularly relevant this year as there
are a number of "hot issues currently under discussion. One is Fred
Cohen's assertion that there can be beneficial uses of computer
viruses. Cohen will speak on this topic at a session. The conference
 will also come a day after the first meeting of the Anti-Virus Methods
Conference (AMC), a new organization formed to facilitate the
interchange of information in a more timely fashion."

Lefkon added: "The recent Dataquest study which states that 25
percent of all computers and 40 percent of all networks have been
attacked by hostile viruses has aroused the concern of computer
users and MIS managers and I expect that this threat will be
reflected in an excellent turnout for this years conference."

Listed in the conference brochure as either chairing a conference
session or authoring a paper for the proceedings are: Gail
Thackeray, Maricopa County, Arizona prosecutor; Marc Rotenberg,
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR); Scott
Charney' US Department of Justice; Eugene Spafford, Purdue
University; Stephen Purdy, Kroll Associates; and John McAfee,
John McAfee Associates.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19920121/Press Contact:
Data Processing Management Association, 800 835-2246 ext. 190)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00030)

NASA Has Begun Vehicle Management System Testing 01/21/92
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 21 (NB)  -- McDonnell
Douglas has announced that NASA has been, since December
16th, 1991, flight testing the core computer elements for "a highly
integrated vehicle management system (VMS) designed to provide
significantly improved performance, control, survivability, and safety
for fighter aircraft."

The VHS, developed by NASA's Ames Dryden Flight Research
Division, McDonnell Douglas' New Aircraft Products Division
(NAPD), and Smiths Industries' Grand Rapids Division, is being
tested in NASA's Highly Integrated Digital Electronic Control
(HIDEC) F-15 Eagle at NASA's Ames Dryden Flight Research
facility, Edwards Air Force Base, California.

The core components of the system undergoing testing are high-
speed, reduced instruction-set computing (RISC) parallel
processing elements that are intended to enable the VMS to
achieve a sophisticated degree of integration and control involving
many flight-critical systems such as avionics, navigation, flight control,
propulsion, hydraulics, electrical power, armament, cooling and
others.

According to the press release: "the integration of the systems which
now run independently, results such as increased engine efficiency
and life, as well as self-repairing flight control  can be obtained. The
high-speed computers' ability to gather, process and check data
from individual flight-critical systems while the aircraft is flying
provides an increased level of safety. "

Engineers from McDonnell Douglas' NAPD programmed flight
control laws for the system using Ada language, managed system
integration and conducted simulation tests of VMS technology.
Smiths Industries developed the VMS computer. Both companies
are assisting NASA in ground and flight testing of the dual-redundant
digital flight control system executing in the VMS computer.

NASA's plans call for continued flight testing of integrated control
concepts aboard the HIDEC F-15, using the VMS core elements.
These include the Propulsion Controlled Aircraft and Performance
Seeking Control systems that McDonnell Douglas' NAPD is
developing under a NASA contract. McDonnell Douglas will
continue to develop VMS technology with its own funds, including
the application of fiberoptics to the integrated control of aircraft
systems.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19920121/Press Contact:
Mary Ann Brett of McDonnell Aircraft Co., 314-234-7111)