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(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00001)

Supra Intros New V.32 Data/Fax Modems 02/07/92
ALBANY, OREGON, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Supra Corporation has
introduced two new compact V.32 modems with data/fax capabilities
and other new features.

The SupraFAXModem V.32bis can transmit computer data or faxes at
speeds up to 14,400 bps, while the SupraFAXModem V.32 can handle
data and fax transfers up to 9600 bps.

The V.32bis carries a suggested retail price of $399.95, while the
V.32 sells for $299.95.

Both machines, which are housed in compact cases measuring 1 X 4.5
X 6.5 inches, recognize Class 1 and 2 fax commands, are compatible
with Group 3 fax machines, and have the ability to send and receive
faxes directly from the computer. Both modems support data
compression and error correction protocols, including V.42bis
four-to-one compression at throughput rates up to 57,600 bps for the
V.32bis, and 38,400 bps for the V.32.

An interesting feature is the LCD status display, which resembles a
digital clock face. The display can show up to 25 different status
messages, replacing the indicator lights found on many modems.

Other features of the two modems include support of voice and caller
ID. The voice feature, which will be available in mid-1992 when the
user-installable software comes to market, allow the modems to send
and receive digitized voice, as well as compress and uncompress
voice data.

Supra says the voice feature will also generate and recognize
touch tones and select the best transmission rate, depending on the
quality level desired. The voice feature is designed to support
voice mail, answering machines, and digital announcers.

If your phone service provider implements caller ID, both these
Supra modems will display the number from which the incoming call
was dialed, on the user's screen. Supra says the caller ID feature
is ideal for secure communications, automatic identification of
incoming calls, and interactive voice applications.

Supra officials say they are particularly pleased with the pricing
of the two modems, which they say is possible due to innovative
design and the Rockwell chip sets used. "We are very excited
about the power we're putting into our customers hands...at these
very affordable prices," said Supra president John Wiley.

Cable and software kits for IBM and compatibles, as well as
Macintosh systems, are available. Supra says PC internal models
will also be available later.

The Mac packages are compatible with System 7, and include FAXstf
fax software, Microphone communications software, a CompuServe
Information Manager starter kit and software.

The IBM kits are available in DOS and Windows versions. The Windows
package includes Winfax, a fax transmit/receive program for
Windows. No communications software comes with the Windows package,
since Windows has its own communications software. DOS packages
include FaxTalk software and the Mirror telecommunications program.
Both modems are AT command compatible, automatically adjust to the
best protocol and data transfer rate, and have an adjustable-volume
speaker.

Supra says owners of earlier SupraModems can upgrade to current
packages. For more information about upgrading, or about Supra
products, call 800-727-8772 or 503-967-2410.

Supra also makes various peripherals for Commodore Amiga computers.

(Jim Mallory/19920207/Press contact: John Wiley, Supra,
503-967-2400)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00002)

Jurors Award $550 Million In Miniscribe Securities Fraud 02/07/92
GALVESTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Jurors have awarded
more than $550 million to Houston-area victims of an alleged
securities fraud scheme involving Miniscribe, a Colorado disk drive
manufacturer now out of business.

Damages included $200 million assessed against accounting firm
Coopers & Lybrand. The suit had asked for $600 million.

Jurors deliberated for more than two days before deciding damages to
investors who bought about $18 million in Miniscribe bonds. The
two Texas-based banks who brought the suit on behalf of 152
investors alleged that the accounting firm issued misleading
financial statements.

According to the plaintiffs attorney, Joe Jamail, the award is the
second biggest verdict since the Pennzoil case. Jamail won a $10.3
billion judgment for Pennzoil in a 1985 suit against Texaco.
Pennzoil reportedly later settled for $3 billion.

The defendants in the Miniscribe case were found guilty of fraud,
negligence, and gross negligence. Allegations included Miniscribe
packaging bricks and shipping them as computer parts, as well as
valuing obsolete parts as current inventory.

The judge gave the defendant's attorneys until next week to file
motions before he revises or approves the verdict.

A Coopers & Lybrand spokesperson said the company was "outraged" by
the award, and planned a "vigorous" appeal, branding the verdict
unfair.

(Jim Mallory/19920207)


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

Inacom Nets $2.25 Million For 4Q 02/07/92
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB (NB) -- Inacom, merged from Valcom
and Inacomp Computer Centers last August, has reported fourth
quarter earnings of $2,25 million, or 26 cents per share.

Revenues for the period were $252.6 million, according to president
and CEO, Bill Fairfield.

Revenues for all of 1991 were reported as $680.4 million, compared
to $427.8 million for the previous year. Net 1991 earnings were
$3.405 million, compared to $6.96 million for 1990. Earnings per
share for the year were $.56, down from $1.69 in 1990.

Fairfield said the lower earnings and earnings per share were due to
lower than expected revenues and margins, as well as the general
sluggish condition of the industry. Expenditures were also higher
in relation to gross margins.

Fairfield said while the company could have just talked about
integration of the two companies, but "instead, we did it." He said
by moving quickly to eliminate redundant costs, Inacom saw the
positive performance it anticipated from the merger.

Fairfield praised the Inacom staff for moving quickly and reacting
to change well.

Inacom has centralized its distribution, administration and
franchise locations, installed all indirect locations on its
automated ordering and product information system, and trained 1,800
people in the use of the system.

It also reduced the number of people required to run the business by
about 500, and consolidated 20 locations in overlapping markets.

"Mergers of this size usually take years, not months, to accomplish,"
said Chairman Rick Inatome.

(Jim Mallory/19920207/Press contact: Geri Michelic, Inacom,
402-392-3923)


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

Young Ohio Astronauts Like Their Work 02/07/92
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) --- It's a scene we have seen
on television many times. The casually dressed astronauts sit in
front of computer consoles, participating in a space mission.
But these astronauts will probably go to the playground when the
simulated mission to Comet Halley is complete. They're students at
Dayton, Ohio's Kiser Middle School.

The kids are participating in a program to make math and science
come alive for students who are more used to copying notes from a
blackboard. School officials say the program grew out of the desire
for the center to serve as a living memorial to the space shuttle
crew lost in the Challenger shuttle disaster on January 28, 1986.
Then, seven US astronauts lost their lives in a blazing explosion
seen on television by millions of viewers.

Described as "fun" by nine out of 10 sixth grade students
participating in a simulated mission last year, the kids also talked
about learning teamwork and effective communication. Besides
teamwork, 63 percent of students said they had learned something
scientific, when surveyed by the University of Dayton. Nearly half
of the students said, "I learned I am a good communicator" or "I am
smarter than I thought" when asked to describe one thing they
learned about themselves from the experience.

According to James Rowley, assistant professor of teacher education
at the University of Dayton, the center is one of eight in the
country. Twenty-five more are scheduled for construction in the
next five years. Rowley was one of 100 semifinalists in the
"Teacher in Space" program, from which ill-fated Christie
McAuliff was chosen to be the first educator to travel into space.

(Jim Mallory/19920207)




(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00005)

IBM Australia loses massive AUS$247M 02/07/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- As widely feared, IBM Australia
has posted very poor financial results for 1991. Revenue dropped by 30
percent, resulting in a loss of around US$185M on revenue of around
US$1B. (The loss before tax was US$290M.)

These figures represented around two percent of IBM worldwide revenue,
but make up around 6.5 percent of IBM's worldwide loss. MD
Brian Finn blamed the recession as the major factor, saying small systems
sales were the worst hit. "Large corporations have put their PC purchases
on hold, and price has been a major factor for personal purchases.
No one can sustain the current low prices for PCs and we'll see a gradual
return to more 'realistic' pricing."

As an example, he talked of vendors selling systems for less than US$1500
with extended on-site warranties, where they couldn't possibly be
recovering their costs.

He admitted IBM couldn't see a strong turnaround in 1992 as buyers would
find it hard to change their buying patterns and expectations. Therefore,
he pointed to the large staffing cuts IBM Australia was making (which
contributed US$42M to 1991 losses) as IBM's realistic reaction to the
situation.

Balancing the domestic 40 percent drop in sales last year was the 32
percent increase in exports from Australia to Southeast Asia.

(Paul Zucker/19910206)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00006)

Former A-T President Ed Esber Joins Gold Disk Board 02/07/92
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Ed Esber,
former president of Ashton-Tate, has joined the board of
directors of yet another computer company, Gold Disk.

Esber is also on the board of directors of Magic Software
Mentalix, Poqet Computers, and Quantum. He has served on the
board of directors of the American Electronics Association,
Ashton-Tate, Pansophic, and Mediagenic.

Esber's reign at Ashton-Tate was fraught with controversy, and
just months before the company was sold to Borland, Esber
resigned. Borland bought the failing Ashton-Tate giant last
year.

Ashton-Tate is credited with the introduction of the concept of
a database and was the company that introduced the product
dBASE, the first product to incorporate the concept and
revolutionize the business world.

Ashton-Tate was founded by George Tate, and the concept of the
database is credited to Wayne Ratliff, developer of Vulcan,
which later became dBASE II. Ratliff developed Vulcan during
his employment at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

Ed Esber took over the leadership in the company in 1984.
Probably best known for publicly threatening third party dBASE
cloners with legal action with his "Make my day" speech at an
annual gathering of the Software Publisher's Association, Esber
is blamed by some for the downfall of Ashton-Tate. Laura
Brennan in a January 1991 PC Computing article "The Rise and
Fall of Chairman Ed" quotes Wayne Ratliff as saying "I don't
think anyone in this industry has had a greater fall."

Esber has since joined the boards of several companies. The
last company Esber joined, Magic Software, was Tel-Aviv company
opening a headquarters in the U.S.

Gold Disk, his latest concern, describes itself as a developer
of desktop presentation and business productivity products for
Windows-based PCs, Macintosh and Amiga platforms.

"His exceptional experience in the PC market, operations
management, and fiscal leadership will be a tremendous asset to
the company as we continue to grow," said Kailash Ambwani chief
executive officer and president of Gold Disk.

The Gold Disk's PC products are Animation Works Interactive and
Screencraze for Windows. On the Macintosh the company has
developed Animation Works and Surpass, and on the Amiga the
company has produced Professional Page, Professional Draw,
Showmaker, Moviesetter, Comicsetter, and Professionalcalc.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920206/Press Contact: Joe Deal, Gold Disk,
tel [phone], Ed Esber, The Esber Group, tel [phone])


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00007)

Apple Offers Educational Planning Guide To Schools 02/07/92
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Apple is
again trying to attract the educational market with new help
to integrate its computer technology into schools and
classrooms, by offering the "Teaching, Learning and Technology
-- A Planning Guide."

The new publication is available in two different versions: a
print-based "Basic Kit;" and a multimedia-based "Interactive
Kit." Geared toward institutions, administrators, and
educators, Apple says each version offers a variety of flexible
tools designed to with the curriculum planning process.

The "Basic Kit" includes a "Teaching, Learning and Technology
Workbook" described as a step-by-step planning tool for
education professionals and includes examples, case studies and
numerous resource lists; a "Plan Template" disk or formatted
templates for organizing a plan; a workbook duplication masters
for collaborative activities; and the "Learning" video
featuring dramatizations of possible classroom scenarios.

The "Interactive Kit" includes: "Map" which is a guide to the
audio, video and textual contents of the Interactive Kit; a
"getting started" tutorial called Quick Start detailing how to
organize the computer equipment; a "Teaching, Learning and
Technology" workbook; a "Plan Template" disk; workbook
duplication masters; a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)
Disk containing two hours of stories featuring teachers and
administrators who discuss how to develop a plan for
integrating technology into the curriculum; and "Videodisk"
which is an hour of examples and planning tips from schools
across the country.

Apple is a long-time supporter of the educational system, and
has offered incentive programs to help schools get Apple computers.
One popular program requires the school to collect register receipts
from a participating grocery store, and computers are provided to
a school based on the totals from the register receipts.

Sue Collins, Apple Computer's senior manager of strategic
initiatives and education reform, says the planning guide is to
help schools make use of their Apple computer resources. "With
this planning guide, Apple hopes to inspire administrators and
educators and provide all the components needed to assess,
plan, and achieve their education vision," Collins said.

Apple has a telephone information line for schools to get
information on its educational offerings. That number is 408-
862-1204.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920206/Press Contact: Bill Keegan, Apple,
tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00008)

Rasterops To Develop 24-bit Video Board For HP Workstations 02/07/92
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Rasterops
and Hewlett-Packard (HP) are getting together to offer 24-bit
integrated live video-in-a-window for the HP Apollo 9000 Series
700 reduced instruction set chip (RISC) workstations.

Rasterops has committed to developing a video board for the HP
workstations with the capability to display live video, to do
frame capture so images can be saved to memory or to disk, to
resize the video window and reposition it anywhere on the
screen, and to allow the daisy-chaining of multiple display
adapters so users can view of several live video windows on the
screen at once.

The new display adapter is to accept video input signals from a
variety of sources including cable TV, VCRs, cameras, and
medical scanners. The companies say possible applications for
the new adapter include government and financial services,
marketing communications, and medical imaging. In addition, the
display adapter will accept composite, S-video or red green
blue (RGB) sources, Rasterops said.

Specifically, the graphics board-independent video adapter will
occupies one EISA slot, and will allow HP model 720, 730, and
750 workstations to accept video input from any NTSC, PAL, or
SECAM source, and to display 24-bit realtime, full-motion
images on the workstation monitor, Rasterops said.

The design and manufacture of the graphics board will be done
by Rasterops and HP will distribute and market the board under
the Rasterops name. Rasterops says it expects the new video
adapter to be available in the Spring of 1992.

Rasterops is known for its graphic display boards and monitors.
The company says it is the only company that provides 24-bit
color display products with live video-in-a-window capability
for multiple manufacturers' platforms including Unix-based
machines.

HP, probably best known for its line of laster printers, also
develops and manufacturers computer systems including
workstations and IBM-compatible personal computers (PCs).

(Linda Rohrbough/19920206/Press Contact: Pattie Walters,
Rasterops, tel [phone], fax [phone])


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

Systemhouse, BCE Discuss Partnership 02/07/92
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Major Canadian systems
integrator SHL Systemhouse and BCE, the Montreal-based holding
company that controls Northern Telecom and Bell Canada, have
revealed that they are talking about a strategic partnership. If
concluded, the deal would involve Systemhouse taking over the
operation of Bell Canada's data center and offering systems
integration and outsourcing services to Bell Canada customers.

The two companies would also create a joint venture to sell
computer systems and services to the telecommunications industry
worldwide.

A major impetus for the deal is Systemhouse's keen interest in the
business of outsourcing, in which a services company such as
Systemhouse operates a client's information systems on its behalf,
said company spokesman John Owens. Bell Canada is a major potential
customer for such services. A multi-year outsourcing contract with
Bell could potentially be worth a billion dollars or more, he said.

The deal would mean Systemhouse would buy some assets of Bell
Canada for cash. BCE in turn would pay cash for enough Systemhouse
shares to give it 60-percent ownership of the company. BCE
currently has a 25-percent stake in Systemhouse.

BCE's involvement with Systemhouse dates back to 1987, when it
loaned money to Kinburn Technology, a holding company that formerly
controlled Systemhouse, to help purchase Computerland Canada, the
Toronto-based firm which operates Computerland retail franchises in
Canada. Kinburn defaulted on the loan in 1990, and BCE ended up
with its 25-percent share in Systemhouse as a result.

BCE would pay C$12.75 per share for the additional Systemhouse
stock. That makes the transaction worth about C$167.8 million.

The deal also calls for BCE to have one quarter of the seats on an
expanded Systemhouse board of directors. Currently BCE is
represented by two out of 10 directors on the Systemhouse board.

SHL Systemhouse reported revenues of C$700 million in 1991. It has
more than 3,000 employees.

Owens said negotiations are continuing, but due to the magnitude of
the possible deal results should be expected in "weeks, not days,"
and a conclusion could even take several months.

(Grant Buckler/19920206/Press Contact: John Owens, SHL Systemhouse,
613-238-6648; Harry Schlough, Systemhouse, 416-366-4600)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(NYC)(00010)

 ****High-Tech System For Police Cars 2/07/92
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- The
Westinghouse Electric Corp. has unveiled a prototype electronics
system for police cars designed to put a variety of services at the
fingertips of the mobile officer.

Bill Hudson, manager of Westinghouse's Law Enforcement Systems
Department, described the system, saying it consists of a
mobile data processor that will receive information from a variety of
sources. "It will have features like satellite-based vehicle location,
electronic access to criminal and other data banks, a video link to
central dispatch facilities, officer identification and monitoring, and
eventually, head-up displays and even voice recognition capabilities.
Although they sound like science fiction, most of those features are
being demonstrated on our prototype."

Hudson emphasized that the new devices will provide information
important to the safety of officers summoned to an emergency. He
said, "We can answer a lot of important questions for officers in the
field -- Has a pulled-over vehicle been stolen or recently used in a
crime -- anywhere in the country? Does the driver have a criminal
record or is he wanted by police? Does a possible suspect resemble
a mug shot sent electronically to the vehicle? What is the
architectural layout of a building in the midst of an emergency?
What is the best route to take to the scene of a crime? All of this
information, and more, would be readily available inside the police
car."

Edward N. Silcott, vice president and general manager of
Westinghouse's Commercial Systems Divisions, indicated that
the firm is turning its attention from defense to the private
sector. "Westinghouse has a proven track record of integrating
command, control, communications and intelligence systems in the
defense sector. Now we are providing this expertise to help fight
the daily battle against criminal elements that threaten our society."

He added, "In a time of growing concern about crime, new products like our
vehicle electronic system are designed to increase the safety of police
officers and make them much more effective in this fight."

In addition to the direct support of the field officer, the system is
designed to provide online feedback to support facilities. Through a
computer screen display, the police dispatcher can see the exact
location of the police vehicle, is alerted if the officer draws a weapon
or issues a distress signal, and can even activate a video link to the
police car to view a crisis. The dispatcher can then contact the officer
via direct, secure data, radio and telephone communication links.

The car is also designed to work in tandem with airborne law
enforcement systems, such as the Westinghouse Multi-Sensor
Surveillance Aircraft, a light utility aircraft equipped with
sophisticated surveillance, tracking and communications technologies.
Westinghouse stated that "These and other law enforcement systems
are part of a larger effort by Westinghouse to convert sophisticated
technologies, originally developed for the Department of Defense, to
meet changing needs and to respond to new challenges."

Westinghouse is now demonstrating its vehicle electronics system to
police departments across the country. The current prototype police
car system features a dashboard, fitted with Westinghouse's
advanced computer, communications, electronics and software
package, mounted for display inside a customized van. A simulated
dispatch center, equipped with displays, communications links, and
command software that would go into a police station, accompanies
the demonstration van.

Westinghouse spokesperson Karl Holub told Newsbytes that the
system will be available for installation by police agencies in
approximately 18 months.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Bryan G.
Wiggins, Westinghouse, 410-993-6320/19920206)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00011)

Systemhouse Awarded $270 Million Postal Contract 2/07/92
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Systemhouse Inc.
has announced that it has been awarded a $270 million contract over
an 11-year period for the provision and operation of a
comprehensive tracking, tracing and inquiry service of postal mail
for the U.S. Postal Service. The base contract which covers the first
five years of the agreement, is valued at $142 million.

Under the terms of the contract, Systemhouse will design, develop
and implement the necessary software needed to manage and control
the entire tracking and tracing application. The system is comprised
of scanning devices in 16,000 postal locations transmitting
information as the mail pieces are received at each facility.
Subsequently, an 800 inquiry service will provide the status of each
transaction to the customers of the Postal Service.

In the implementation of the system, Systemhouse will manage the
activities of a number of other firms participating in the project. IBM
will provide its Information Network as a communications vehicle for
data collection and interface to other systems. American Airlines
Direct Marketing Corporation of Fort Worth, Texas, will manage and
operate the nationwide customer inquiry center. Symbol
Technologies Incorporated of Bohemia, N.Y., will be providing the
scanning devices used in capturing all the information required to
track mail pieces. Unisys Corporation will supply installation and
maintenance services as well as selected hardware components to
the project. Training and documentation to Postal Service employees
will be provided by Learning Systems International of Washington.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Andrew
Bart, Systemhouse, 703-276-0500/19920206)


(REVIEW)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00012)

Review of: Productivity Sand Traps and Tar Pits by Mike Walsh, 02/07/92

From: Dorset House Publishing, 353 West 12th St. New York, NY 10014
[phone]

Price: $27.75

PUMA Rating: 2.5 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Naor Wallach 2/7/92

Summary: Mike Walsh writes about his experiences at CBS. Most of the book
is concerned with identifying negative corporate behavior and case studies
that document their failings. Not enough meat on how to make things better
or work at all.

======

REVIEW

======

Productivity Sand Traps and Tar Pits is a book in which a 23-year veteran
of the computer industry attempts to describe what productivity traps a
manager can fall into, how to detect them, and how to rise above them to
perform your tasks properly. Drawing on his career, Mike Walsh gives
many anecdotes and stories of what he has seen work, and what has not
worked, in the large corporate environment.

Through four parts and 15 chapters, Mike Walsh shares with the reader some of
his experiences. He details the problems that he and others encountered, and
tells of what worked and what did not. Readers who come from a similar
corporate environment will laugh and cry with recognition at some of the
problems that Mike Walsh encountered. Laugh, due to that familiarity of the
problems, from bosses who know it all, to lackeys who are essentially
"yes" men who move up through the ranks. Cry, since it proves that the same
problems that you are facing are universal and no amount of good resolution
and dedication will stand in the way of some people's sheer stupidity or
meanness.

The four parts of the book are titled: "Effective Use of Technology,"
"Effective Use of People," "Case Studies in Productivity," and "Wisdom
and Work." Each part contains several chapters that elucidate and further
develop the part's theme.

"Effective Use of Technology" details some of the most common problems that
are encountered in any organization: misunderstanding high-tech and its
benefits, and the NIH (Not Invented Here) syndrome. Mike Walsh shares some
of his experiences with both types of problems. He clearly understands
how technology is frequently misused and misunderstood. His stories of
how some of the very people who stood the most to gain, effectively sabotaged
a system brought many nods of recognition from me.

In the latter part of the section, the author prescribes some remedies. His
exposition here relies again on his experiences and applies most directly
to companies or organizations that are high-tech oriented and even more
specifically, in the computer field.

Part two is concerned with people. The author begins with an examination
of primordial forces: the need to survive; and from that he develops a
sequence of actions that characterize the organization man in the most
negative sense. He then goes on to talk about consultants, sales reps,
and technical oriented people. This is followed by a chapter that describes
the author's feelings about older and younger workers and his prescriptions
on how to handle these workers. Finally, he describes the different models
of behaviour that he has seen and their negative effects on organizations.

It is at this point in the book that I started getting some disquieting
thoughts. Although I agree with his descriptions of people types for the
most part, and have seen these characters destroy organizations, I think
that Mike Walsh has gone a bit overboard. His chapter on Sales Reps, Techies,
and Consultants takes all of these people to task. He claims that all
sales reps are simply out for the immediate sale. There is no interest in
these people for your needs. Techies are only interested in getting the
newest technology, they couldn't care less about the organization's needs
as long as they are allowed to play. Consultants are described as people
who are asked for what time it is, borrow your watch to answer you, and walk
away with your watch!

I think that the author is being way too severe here. I have known people
that would fit the above descriptions to some extent. But I doubt that
all of the people in those jobs are as negative and as difficult as the
author claims. I was particularly perturbed by his characterization of
consultants. First, Mr. Walsh himself is now a consultant, is this the
way that he deals with his clients? If so, do any of them call him back?
Secondly, I work in a consulting role myself and do not see myself in
such a callous description.

His descriptions of the old and the young and how to interact with each
group is similarly negative. If you followed his advice, no young people
would be hired or want to work for you. And his treatment of older
people is downright insulting. I do not believe that all older professionals
are simply interested in have a little bit of work to do as they wait for
retirement and would be perfectly happy to simply teach a course or two
and act as mentors while getting paid less and putting in significantly
less hours than others. Needless to say, the older folks should simply
hang around and let the experienced (from where? seeing his descriptions
of what should be done with the young) middle group rise to the top and
carry the organization.

There are five case studies presented as the third part of the book. Each
of these is an examination of a situation and how it resolved itself. All
of them have a negative ending. Even the example that I thought was a
perfect situation for discussing what was done properly, is focused on
what went wrong at the end and does not pay enough attention to what was
done right.

Part four of the book contains the author's prescriptions for what to do
and not to do. In this section a plan is presented for managers to do
good. Also in this section will be found management principles that have
stood the author in good stead and other principles for how to operate.
Unfortunately, the majority of them have a negative slant. Why is it
necessary to read sections on writing everything down in a book on
productivity? Is a section titles "Accept Some Negative Thinking" really
useful in a book that is supposed to get you more productive?

In general, I found this whole book defined by these negative examples.
I gather from the book that Mr. Walsh had finished writing it just after
he was laid off from CBS where he worked for 23 years. Mr. Walsh's bitterness
at being discarded is clearly felt and described. However, this book
greatly suffers from his feelings. There are sections in the latter part
of the book where it is clear that the author is exhorting everyone to
develop alternative careers and interests so that if and when the company
decides to arbitrarily lay you off, you will have something to fall back
on.

This book is mistitled and should you buy it based on the title alone,
misleading. The productivity sand traps and tar pits that Mr. Walsh talks
of exist. However, he does not fulfill his part of the bargain that talks
about how to deal with them. Instead this book deteriorates into a kind
of "told you so" negativism that assumes that no matter what you do, you
will get dealt with arbitrarily and out of hand by a group of know-nothing
financial consultants.

It is a shame that Mike Walsh could not find a way to pull himself above
his self pity and write a worthwhile book.

(Naor Wallach/ 19920203/ Press Contact: David McClintock, Dorset House,
212-620-4697)


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00013)

Review of: The Elements of Style for PCs, 02/07/92

Runs on: PC-XT, PC-AT, PS-2, and 100% compatibles with 640K RAM
using PC/MS-DOS 3.0+, and a VGA, EGA, CGA, or Hercules-compatible
monochrome monitor. A hard drive is required to use this program
and a printer is optional.

From: Microlytics, Two Tobey Village Office Park, Pittsford NY
14534, 800-828-6293, in NY 716-248-9150, FAX [phone].

Price: $59.00

PUMA Rating: 4 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378

Summary: The Elements of Style, Electronic Edition combines the
Strunk and White reference book on writing with the easy access
of Microlytic's INFODesk software.

======

REVIEW

======

Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, Electronic Edition is
the latest in Microlytic's INFODesk series. It is a welcome
complement to any writing reference library.

The Elements of Style, Electronic Edition will install itself
into a sub-directory called INFODESK. If you already have part of
this series installed, the program will install itself alongside
the other program so it can be accessed at the same time.

Most any American/English writer can tell you how valuable The
Elements of Style is when a question of grammar arises. I've
heard the book referred to as "the law" many times, with
reverence. Some call it the Bible of grammar, even though the
book primarily covers only the pet peeves of William Strunk, a
Cornell University Professor in 1919. I love just reading it,
even though I still confuse it's and its. Now that I have it on
my computer I can consult the high priest any time.

The Elements of Style, Electronic Edition is set up in five major
categories of correct English. The categories are: Elementary
Rules of Usage, Elementary Rules of Composition, A Few Matters of
Form, Words and Expressions Commonly Misused; and An Approach to
Style. The 175 articles which are included can be printed out,
viewed on the screen, or saved to your hard disk.

I found myself explaining a grammatical rule to someone a couple
of days ago. Instead of flipping through a book trying to make
my point, I just saved the points to disk and printed them as one
article.

As a memory resident, or TSR program, The Elements of Style
includes Chip Rabinowitz's SWAPINFO so it can be placed above
conventional memory if high memory is available. If high memory
is not available, it can be put on any extra space you might
have on your hard disk. Of course, expanded memory access is
faster. Also included is the SWAP program, which allows you to
use this easily with the DESQview 386 the multitasking
environment.

Once the program is loaded, you can look things up via an outline,
or a reverse dictionary. The reverse dictionary process lets you
search for articles using words, partial words, or phrases. You can
browse through the text using the outline process.

It works.

============

PUMA RATING

============

PERFORMANCE: (4.0) Works like a charm.

USEFULNESS: (4.0) What a reference section this INFODesk is
becoming. Microlytics is performing a valuable service.

MANUAL: (4.0) The manual that comes with this product is short,
to the point, and quite adequate.

AVAILABILITY: (4.0) Microlytics products are readily available at
retailers. EggHead Software charges $49.99. Microlytics is
presently offering The Elements of Style, Electronics Edition
directly for $49.95. Their order desk is 800-828-6293 for outside
New York, or in NY is 716-248-9150.

(tbass HNDYPRSN/19901109/Press Contact:Maria Pignataro, 201-807-
0842, FAX [phone])


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00014)

Apple Canada Launches 7-Week PowerBook Promotion 02/07/92
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Now that Apple finally
has a contender in the notebook computer market, it wants to make
up for lost time. So Apple Canada is setting out to get the
attention of portable computer buyers with an aggressive price
promotion of the PowerBook 100, the low-end model in its notebook
line.

From February 10 to March 31, Apple Canada is offering the
PowerBook 100 at a suggested retail price of C$1,799. That is C$900
less than the regular retail price of C$2,699. The special price
also includes the System 7.0 Tune-Up (an update to the Macintosh
operating system) and AutoDoubler disk management software from
Salient Software.

In addition, company spokeswoman Franca Miraglia told Newsbytes,
Apple Canada has arranged for a number of other software vendors to
make their products available at special discount prices when
purchased along with a PowerBook 100. Apple dealers will be able to
offer customers assorted software discounts depending on their
needs, she said.

Apple said it shipped more than 100,000 PowerBooks worldwide during
its first fiscal quarter, which ended December 27. No data is
available on Canadian PowerBook shipments, Miraglia said.

The PowerBook 100 uses a 16-megahertz Motorola 68000 processor and
comes with two megabytes of random access memory and a 20-megabyte
internal hard disk drive. An external diskette drive is also
provided. The PowerBook 100 weighs 5.1 pounds. A sealed lead-acid
battery provides two to four hours of use before recharging, Apple
said.

Salient's AutoDoubler software packs more data into a given amount
of hard disk space by compressing files.

(Grant Buckler/19920207/Press Contact: Franca Miraglia, Apple
Canada, 416-513-5511; John Elias or Julie Rusciolelli, National
Public Relations for Apple, 416-860-0180, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00015)

Microsoft To Show Windows 3.1 At Forthcoming Show 02/07/92
READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced details of its activities at the Windows Show, which
will be held at London's Olympia 2 exhibition hall from February
18 to 20. Amongst the several attractions of the event will be
the UK's first showing of Windows 3.1.

Other features of the event include a strong focus on Microsoft's
Pen Windows operating system, as well as a number of multimedia
products, including the recently released Multimedia Beethoven:
The Ninth Symphony.

Visitors to the show, which Microsoft is promoting heavily, will
also be able to look at the Microsoft suite of Windows
applications, including Microsoft Word for Windows 2.0, Excel,
Project 3.0, Works, Powerpoint and Publisher. Plans call for
Microsoft to demonstrate MS-Mail for Networks, the company's
electronic mail package, in addition to the Microsoft Office,
which incorporates Mail, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

A Windows conference will run in parallel with the actual show.
This will cover issues of importance concerning the corporate
implementation of Windows. The conference is divided into five
streams: Windows - behind the icons; Developing applications with
windows; Migrating to windows; Windows communications in a
corporate environment; and Networking with Windows.

Registration and further information on the show and associated
conference can be obtained on 0256-704177. Registration for the
show is free of charge, while the delegate price for each stream
in the conference is UKP 159.

(Steve Gold/19920207/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK - Tel:
0734-270001)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00016)

Dowty Communications Czechs Out The Czech Banks 02/07/92
WATFORD, HERTS, ENGLAND, 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Dowty Communications
has revealed that it has secured orders from the two major banks
in Czechoslovakia. The orders are worth almost UKP 900,000 in
total.

The first order from the state bank, Statni Banka Ceskoslovenska,
called for Dowty to design, supply, and install an X.25 network to
link the bank's clearing center in Prague with its three main
branches around the country. The order for phase one of this
project was worth UKP 350,000 to the company.

Newsbytes notes that this was the first X.25 network installed
for a bank in Czechoslovakia. In addition, the network was
installed in just four months, which Dowty claims is an extremely
short time scale.

Phase two of the Statni Bank project will involved extending the
network to several other banks in Czechoslovakia, with work
commencing later this month.

Dowty was also chosen by Komercni Bank, the largest commercial
bank in Czechoslovakia, to supply an X.25 network to link its
eight main branches in the country.

The UKP 530,000 order was awarded in a 14-way tender which
included Eurotel, the consortium formed between the local PTT,
plus US West and Bell Atlantic.

Dowty Communications was chosen by Komercni Bank because of its
good local knowledge of Czechoslovakia. According to a spokesman
for the bank, Mr Zaloudela, Dowty was awarded the contract
"because they demonstrated excellent team work and were really
enthusiastic about getting our business."

"The proposals they made were of an extremely high standard and
showed in-depth knowledge of our market," he said.

(Steve Gold/19920207/Press & Public Contact: Dowty Case - Tel:
0923-258444)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00017)

 ****IBM, Selectron Talk Farming Out Circuit-Cards 02/07/92
PURCHASE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- IBM, which late in
1991 announced plans to cut costs by eliminating jobs and spinning
off parts of its business, may turn over some electronic card
assembly operations to a separate firm. IBM has announced it is
talking with Solectron, a San Jose, California, components
manufacturer, about a long-term manufacturing relationship.

The tentative plan is that IBM would become a minority shareholder
in Solectron and Solectron would acquire an IBM production site in
Canejan, France, and a building with an assembly operation in
Charlotte, North Carolina. Solectron would then be contracted to
supply IBM with electronic sub-assemblies.

The companies said the proposed relationship would let IBM better
use its manufacturing resources and give Solectron access to
certain IBM technologies and processes.

"It's not like the Lexmark deal," IBM spokesman Paul Neuman told
Newsbytes, referring to the 1991 transaction in which IBM spun off
its printer business into a separate company of which it remains
part owner. However, Neuman acknowledged that the Solectron talks
are related to IBM's effort to divest itself of some assets and
parts of its operations.

Solectron is a 2,600-employee supplier of manufacturing services,
and already supplies customized computer components to IBM.

The deal depends on the execution of definitive contracts and
appropriate government and other approvals. The companies hope to
reach an agreement within a couple of months and to establish
manufacturing contracts by mid-year, Neuman said.

(Grant Buckler/19920207/Press Contact: Susan Wang, Solectron,
408-942-2903; Paul Neuman, IBM, 914-697-6537)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00018)

 ****Digital Cuts PC Prices, Emphasizes Service 02/07/92
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment has responded to competitive pressures with price cuts of
five to 35 percent on its personal computer products. However, the
company is anxious not to be seen as a bargain-basement PC vendor.

Digital announced the cuts with a brief prepared statement by
Dennis Schneider, director of marketing for its desktop business in
the United States. Schneider said Digital is "prepared to remain
competitive on price while delivering unmatched customer value."

A company spokesman said Digital cut prices on 169 items. For
example, the price of the DECpc 320P, a 20-megahertz Intel 80386SX-
based laptop with two megabytes of random-access memory, a 40-
megabyte hard disk, 2,400-bit-per-second modem, mouse, diskette
drive, carrying case, DOS and Microsoft Windows software, was cut
from $2,195 to $1,995.

One of the largest cuts was in the price of the DECpc 325c system,
a 25-megahertz Intel 80386DX-based machine. The base system, with
diskette drive only, was reduced from $1,400 to $900, a 36-percent
reduction.

This is Digital's second round of PC price cuts since the beginning
of the year. In mid-January, the company announced across-the-board
price reductions on its PC line, and established a direct sales
channel called Desktop Direct for the personal computer products.

"Three weeks ago," Schneider's statement said, "we said we were
turning up the heat in the PC market -- and that's exactly what's
happened. Other PC vendors have reacted with competitive
advertising, and now with price cuts....

"But although our competitors have cut prices, they still can't
match our 'no fine print' on-site warranty service. We remain the
only PC vendor in the direct market with our own field service
organization. We're the only PC vendor that offers one-stop
shopping from a toll-free telephone number that can deliver a full
line of hardware, software, service, and support for the networked
business computing environment, as well as for the single,
stand-alone PC user."

(Grant Buckler/19920207/Press Contact: Bob Schneider, Digital
Equipment, 508-480-4620; Geoff Spillane, Creamer Dickson Basford
for Digital, 401-456-1624)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00019)

 ****Bush Budget Boosts Technology 02/07/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Although it takes some
time to analyze the gigantic U.S. budget documents, President
Bush's proposals for fiscal year 1993 spending includes some very
interesting increases for computer-related activities in the
overall $1.5 trillion budget.

The High-Performance Computing and Communications Initiative
program will get slightly more than $800 million, more than a 20-
percent increase from FY 92.

R&D for advanced manufacturing techniques will get a nearly 30-
percent boost to $320 million.

The computer and IS-related budget of The National Science
Foundation will see a 30-percent jump to $272 million, while the
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) will see a
35-percent increase in manufacturing engineering research
spending and a 45-percent surge in computer system budgets.

President Bush wants Congress to make the 20-percent tax credit
for research and experimentation permanent, and he also proposed
a new investment tax allowance that will boost equipment purchase
write-offs by another 15 percent.

Of course, all this depends on the budget being accepted as
proposed, but, despite the nearly $400 billion budget deficit,
Congress and the Executive Branch never seem able to reduce
spending, only increase it, so look for these and more programs
to receive big increases which will partially offset some cuts in
the Defense Department budget - something which is mostly in the
political rhetoric, not the actual budget.

While the President has proposed a cut of $50 billion in defense
spending, this is over a five-year period, and, despite winning
the Cold War, the defense budget is only being cut by 10-20
percent at most.

All in all, Bush's proposed budget for FY 93 includes nearly $3
billion in new funding for 10 Presidential Priority Systems
ranging from the Food and Drug Administration, which needs
modernized computer systems to speed drug approval, to $806
million for the Federal Aviation Administration's Advanced
Automation System.

For comparison, here are some selected hardware purchase
proposals for fiscal year 1992:

Department of Defense - $1.5 billion; Justice Department - $90 million;
Department of Transportation (mostly FAA) - $600 million; NASA -
$460 million

(John McCormick/19920207)


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

The Enabled Computer 02/07/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- The Enabled Computer
is a regular Newsbytes feature covering news and important
product information relating to high technology aids for the
disabled.

The Enabled Computer by John McCormick

The column this week will be a bit different because your
reporter spent last weekend as a national finals judge for The
National Search for Computing to Assist Persons with Disabilities
being run by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

For one thing, this means that we are going live on Saturday
morning, February 8, on the Business Radio Network, to talk about
the National Search. BRN is the all-business news radio network
available in most U.S. cities.

This week's issues of Newsbytes News Network carried a number of
reports on that event and the winners - that is, everyone who
participated and more. There were no losers, nor can there be in
an effort such as this.

Every entrant received a minimum of a $300 cash prize, which came
as a surprise to them - they didn't know that the Search's
Director Paul Hazan had been able to find enough money to give
checks even to the National Merit Award recipients.

But not only did the 30 entrants win, there were many more
winners than the Smithsonian could possibly have held.

On the obvious level, there were the top money winners.

Arjan Khalsa won the $10,000 prize for his Unicorn Smart
Keyboard, a new membrane keyboard for PC and Macintosh computers
which accepts plastic overlays that are automatically recognized
and configured for the computer. The Unicorn entry was developed
by Unicorn Engineering, 5221 Central Ave. Suite 205, Richmond, CA
94804.

Jonathan Adams, who had just learned the hard way that skiing is
a dangerous sport, demonstrated his marvelous music program one-
handed because he broke his right on the slopes. The $5,000
second prize award went to his Switch Ensemble, which runs on the
Apple IIGS and is intended to be controlled by disabled children
who, no matter what their skill or motor control level, can join
together to produce real music. Switch in Time, 101 Clay St.,
Cambridge, MA 02140.

Texan Frank McKiel's software utility that lets visually impaired
users access Windows 3.0 or other graphical user interfaces came
in third, for which he received $1,500. The program is owned by
Frank's employer, IBM, and it is not yet on the market, but there
is a move being mounted to convince IBM to release the program as
freeware.

But, in addition to the top winners, there were a number of other
fascinating entries.

Robin Japins, a profoundly deaf Kansas software developer,
entered his commercial Tri-Page System which lets paging systems
interface with hearing-impaired users' TDD communications
terminals.

Michael Socha, who lives on a Missouri commune, entered his
design for a one-handed computer keyboard which he custom-builds
from surplus computer keyboards. By the way, he reports
difficulty in locating suitable keyboards. He makes the custom
boards himself and sells them at cost.

Di Han, who, along with his wife, came to this country from
Beijing, China, has developed a prototype speech recognition
system which is tied to a neural stimulator and can cause
paralyzed users' muscles to contract on voice command - such as
"close hand." Orthopaedic surgeon Ed Cooper, M.D., who works with
Dr. Di Han (Ph.D.), said the device is meeting success in teaching
profoundly retarded individuals to use their hands.

The list goes on and future issues of this column will list many,
perhaps all, of the top 30 finalists.

Other winners included the 20 judges, some of whom, but not all,
were disabled, but all seemed to feel enriched by participating
in the event, as did all the staff from the Applied Physics Lab
who helped organize the event over the past year.

But there were 43 million other winners in this country alone,
the 43 million permanently disabled Americans, many of whom could
benefit from having some of these inventions available.

Even more, nearly 40 percent of all Americans will at some time
benefit directly from legislation and technology aimed at
leveling the playing field for disabled citizens because that is
how many people are either permanently or temporarily disabled at
some time in their lives.

Remember that time you broke your arm? You may be a champion
weightlifter now, for while that cast was on you were disabled.

Wear glasses? Your sight will probably get worse, not better.

Color-blind? Some signs are useless to you.

Do you expect to become old some day? If so, you will probably
become disabled in some way, if only through weakness.

Feel left out? In another sense we are all disabled in some way.
Ever see a child unable to reach a water fountain or too weak to
open a stiff door?

Many of these disabilities are either minor or something that
only affects us for a relatively brief time, but that doesn't
mean we aren't all benefited by adaptive technology or removal of
architectural barriers.

There are tens of millions of people who can't work because of
disabilities, or, more accurately, because employers and society
put barriers between them and work.

Who do you think pays for their inability to work?

That's right, all of society.

In a very real sense, the recently concluded Johns Hopkins
National Search left all of us winners, even people in other
countries who will also benefit from these devices' availability.

The only bad thing about the search is that it has concluded -
the good news is that Paul Hazan, the Director of the Search, has
no intention of letting another 10 years go by as it did between
the First National Search and the Second National Search.

Look for the Third to begin in less than five years.

(John McCormick/19920207/)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00021)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 02/07/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

April's Science PROBE!, The Amateur Scientist's Journal, looks at
computer graphics standards and imaging on PCs.

PC Magazine dated February 25 explores the latest generation of
word processors for Windows 3.

The January 27 Telephone carries a cover story on how U S West
supplied telecom services at Super Bowl XXVI.

Government Computer News dated February 3 has a buyer's guide for
security software and an editorial by Editor Rick Vizachero
quotes a major IBM executive as agreeing that mainframes are on
the way out even in the government.

February 3's Network World has an in-depth look at IBM's new
multiprotocol SNA bridge/routers.

IBM Plans to Open its APPN Network Node to licensing according to
the February 3 CommunicationsWeek.

The Feb. 3 Federal Computer Week has a bound-in white paper on
the computer systems used in the Department of Defense.

Computerworld dated February 3 says that Bush's budget plan could
boost federal IS departments.

March's Unixworld profiles Andy Heller, the renegade IBM Fellow
who founded Hal Computer to challenge IBM with a line of SPACR-
based computers.

IEEE Spectrum explores optical computers or photonics in the
February issue.

Technological Horizons in Education for February highlights
multimedia.

Networking Management dated Mid-January 1992 is a special Annual
wideband directory.

February's Computers in Healthcare says that radical changes are
needed in the way information is managed in the field.

Federal Computer Week dated January 27 says that President Bush
is proposing to ease mandatory use of the federal telephone
system (FTS 2000).

February 3rd's Informationweek looks at Kodak's IS department's
next big move.

March's Macworld reviews low-cost color monitors.

Lotus magazine dated February '92 looks at top tax packages.

January 28th's Computer Currents features the best Windows
products of the past year.

CommunicationsWeek (enterprise networking) says that users are
cautious about adopting frame-relay protocols due to a need for
better technical support.

(John McCormick/19920207)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)

 ****FCC To Push Total Deregulation 02/07/92
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- In response to
President Bush' State of the Union speech, FCC Chairman Alfred
Sikes will push to deregulate broadcasting, cable TV and the
telephone industry by the end of 1992, the Washington Post
reported.

Sikes has been pushing deregulation moves ever since becoming FCC
chairman in 1989, saying competition will keep companies more
honest on pricing than regulation. This is the first time,
however, he's reportedly given himself a deadline for action.

Sikes may have trouble meeting the deadline, however. He has
sometimes been outvoted on the commission, as he was last year in
an attempt to let broadcasters own TV show rebroadcast rights
under the FCC's so-called "fin-syn" rules. Any move to
deregulate cable, meanwhile, will go up against the interests of
his original patron, Sen. John Danforth, who pushed a bill re-
regulating the industry through the U.S. Senate only a few weeks
ago.

Sarhi reports Sikes already has one ally on the commission in
Sherrie Marshall, who has passed around memos advocating a
similiar list of actions. Ms. Marshall's memo was reported on a
day earlier in "The Wall Street Journal." The same story reported
that commissioner James Quello favors loosening regulations on
AT&T, indicating that company may be the first beneficiary of the
new deregulatory push.

Among the specific regulations Sikes is pushing to remove,
according to Paul Sarhi of the Post, are restrictions on the
number of TV and radio stations that one company can own and
rules prohibiting the major broadcast networks from owning cable
TV systems. He also wants to give telephone companies limited
entry into the cable TV business, from which they are now barred.
Sikes also wants to let phone companies depreciate investments in
new equipment more rapidly, and speed up the permit process so
they can build new facilities.

FCC spokesmen contacted by Newsbytes had no reaction to either
report, except to say that commissioners are free to give
interviews to the media on their own.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920207/Press Contact: FCC Press Office, 202-
632-5050)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)

AT&T Has New Cable, New Technology, New Lay-offs 02/07/92
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- AT&T signed
agreements to build a fiber cable linking Korea, Japan and Guam,
in conjunction with Korea Telecom and KDD of Japan. The new cable
with have four times the capacity of an existing cable linking
Korea with Japan and the U.S. There is at present no cable
between Korea and Guam, but that cable will be linked with
another new fiber line going to Hawaii and then the U.S.
mainland, slated for service in 1995.

Meanwhile, Bell Labs said it has a better way to link lasers to
fiber lines, which now lose over half their efficiency at each
link. The new method, which "micromachines" each fiber in a
narrowly focused laser beam, shaping and heating, retains 90
percent of data. A patent has already been awarded.

Bell Labs scientists in San Jose also demonstrated error-free
transmission at speeds of up to 5 billion bits/second and
distances of 15,000 kilometers using solitons, which are light
pulses that maintain their shape over long distances. A speed of
10 billion bits/second was also demonstrated at a distance of
11,000 km. Multiplexing techniques were used to combine 2.5
billion bit/second signals and achieve the higher capacity.

Scientists at the same facility also demonstrated a way to
upgrade low-capacity fiber systems to provide TV-pictures,
without modifying the fibers. This means fibers originally
installed for telephone and slow-speed data service can be
quickly upgraded into systems transmitting video, digital audio
and data all at once. Equipment at the fiber ends need only be
upgraded to change the nature of the system, a Bell scientist
said.

Finally, AT&T confirmed plans to eliminate up to 2,000
professionals from its Network Systems division, which makes
telephone switching hardware and software. Employees will be
informed if they're heading out by March 5, and will then have 60
days to either quit, take another job inside the company, or be
retrained. Outplacement counseling will be offered to those who
leave. Most of the cuts will occur in the Chicago area.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920207/Press Contact: AT&T, Cindy Pollard,
201/644-7056; AT&T Bell Labs, Donna C. Cunningham 802-482-3748)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)

Jury Rules AT&T Violated Patent on Top Switch 02/07/92
MIDLAND, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- AT&T will appeal a
jury's $34.6 million award and decision that it violated patents
held by Arthur Collins, founder of Collins Radio, in designing
its top-of-the-line 5ESS digital switch.

Collins' company is now a part of Rockwell International, and the
patent rights are held by a limited partnership called Collins
Licensing formed with venture capital help to pursue the patent
claims.

At issue is a 1976 patent for a "Time Space Time Switch" awarded
to Collins, which the plaintiffs said AT&T used in designing its
5ESS in the early 1980s, which is now the best-selling large
phone company switch in the U.S. The plaintiff's lawyer, Joseph
Grear of Rolf Stadheim Ltd., Chicago, claimed the total award
could go substantially higher, due to interest accruing back to
1985.

U.S. District Court Judge Lucius Bunton is considering the jury's
recommendation. Final motions in the case are to be made Feb. 14,
and the judge's ruling is expected within the month. AT&T
spokesmen noted that the Federal Patent Office is currently
examining the patent in a separate proceeding, and it could be
invalidated. AT&T is also planning to appeal the Midland ruling.
"Yesterday's decision in Texas notwithstanding, we believe this
suit is totally without merit because the patent is invalid and
because the 5ESS switch doesn't infringe the patent, even if it
were valid, said the company's statement.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920207/Press Contact: Walter Murphy, AT&T,
908-221-6900; Joseph Grear, Rolf Stadheim, 312-236-5480)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)

Skytel Formally Enters Mexican Market 02/07/92
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Through a joint
venture with Grupo Televisa of Mexico, Mtel launched its SkyTel
paging service in Mexico. This maks SkyTel the first paging
service to cover all of North America at once.

The Mexican SkyTel network is initially available in 18 cities
with nearly 50 percent of the country's population, and runs at a
frequency of 931 megahertz, just like the company's system in
Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the Virgin
Islands. Services include multi-party calling, message storage,
programmed messages and Skyvox, a paging-based voice mail
service.

The Mexican paging network is a joint venture owned and licensed
by Comunicaciones Mtel S.A. de C.V., 51 percent owned by
Radiotelefonia Movil Metropolitana, a subsidiary of Grupo
Televisa, and 49 percent owned by Mtel International. Grupo
Televisa, S.A. de C.V., is the largest media company in Mexico,
with interests in television production and broadcasting;
international distribution of television programming; cable
television; radio production and broadcasting; music recording;
magazine publishing; outdoor advertising; nationwide paging and
special event promotion.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920207/Press Contact: Javier Mondragon
Alarcon, Grupo Televisa, 525-709-3333; Diana Brainerd, The
Abernathy MacGregor Group, 212-371-5999)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LAX)(00026)

Elementary School Voice Mail Gets Parents Involved 02/07/92
ORANGE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Pacific Bell is
approaching California elementary schools with Homework
Hotline, a computerized voice mail service that may help
schools communicate effectively with parents.

Schools are finding it expensive, frustrating and ineffective
to communicate with parents by written notes. Pat Puleo
Principal at Golden Hill Elementary School in Fullerton,
California said, "Regardless of the number of notices we sent
home, they weren't getting there." Office expenses are high, as
well as paper costs, and the interval involved in getting
timely information out sometimes means the parents who need
that information don't get it.

Golden Hill was being approached by vendors of computerized
voice mail systems, but didn't have the thousands of dollars it
took to buy a system, Puleo said. Then Golden Hill approached
Pac Bell.

Pac Bell installed the Homework Hotline for a four-month trial
period. Puleo said the service was an overwhelming success.
Parents started using it immediately, to the tune of 300 calls
a day.

"Now, we're spending less on printed notes, yet we're more
effective at getting messages to parents," Puleo said.

Homework Hotline gave parents 24-hour access to daily, first-
hand verbal reports on homework assignments, school activities
lunch menus, and PTA information, Pac Bell said. Further, each
teacher had a private mail box that parents could access by
calling and using the keys on a touch tone phone. The teachers
recorded messages into the private mailboxes in their own
voices concerning what was covered that day, what the homework
was, and any other information.

Golden Hill teachers estimate they can meet electronically with
about 50 percent of parents each day, compared with the two or
three a week they usually see.

"Parents can support their children at home when they keep in
touch with assignments. Parents are relieved since they now
have an easier way to be involved, and kids are finding there
are no more excuses for not doing homework," Puleo said.

Parents can also use the system to leave confidential messages
to the teacher directly or to report the illness of a child.

Pacific Bell is beginning to approach other California
elementary schools with Homework Hotline. Pac Bell says the
price for Homework Hotline is $12.50 per month for the main
mailbox, and each mailbox extension is $9.50 per month.
Installation is $100. With its 23 teachers, Golden Hill
Elementary School's monthly bill for Homework Hotline is $230,
Pac Bell said.

California Jr. High and High Schools are already using and
spending large sums on in-house automated telephone systems. A
computerized system at the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched
Studies, a magnet school in Southern California's San Fernando
Valley, automatically calls parents at home in the evening if
their child is absent to report the absence.

Puleo said Homework Hotline was cost effective for Golden Hill.
Pacific Bell keeps and maintains the equipment in their offices
and the school's monthly costs are also offset by the savings
in office costs that were spent on written notices.

As an incentive for schools to get started, Pacific Bell said
it will waive the $100 installation fee for Homework Hotline
until March 31. It also said that during the summer, it will
drop the monthly mailbox fee for each mailbox to $5.

The downside is Homework Hotline requires parents have a touch
tone phone and, amazingly enough, some areas in California
still do not have touch tone phone service. Pac Bell says all
areas it serves do have the service, but it serves 80 percent
of California. However, as of last year touch tone service was
made part of the basic telephone service, so parents do not
have to worry about increased telephone bills to use the touch
tone service, if they have it.

Pac Bell says it doesn't anticipate these difficulties will
play a big factor in the introduction of the Homework Hotline.
More information about Homework Hotline is available toll-free
at 800-540-8020.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920207/Press Contact: Linda Bonniksen,
Pacific Bell, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027)

Borland Explains BOCA Benefits To Users 02/07/92
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Borland
has announced specific details on its new, open Borland Object
Component Architecture (BOCA) architecture whose purpose is to
have all Borland products talking with each other and with
third party applications across various computer platforms.

Philippe Kahn, president of Borland, said last year that
Borland's goal is to allow users the convenience of not needing
to know what format their data is in, but still having the
ability to make use of it on any system. Borland says it is
moving that direction with its Open Database Application
Programming Interface (ODAPI), so its products have a greater
degree of interoperability with each other and with third party
applications.

The ODAPI, which is the heart of BOCA, is an application
programming interface that is based on open standards as the
Structured Query Language (SQL) Access Group's Call Level
Interface (CLI) technology and C++ class hierarchy. Through
ODAPI, Borland products comply with Microsoft's Open Database
Connectivity (ODBC) technology, as well as any other vendor's
specification that is SQL Access compliant.

Borland is building on Interbase, its family of scalable
database engines that include the Interbase Local Engine. A
scalable engine means it can be adjusted to accommodate more
users and more data. In the past the problem has been that a
database engine on a personal computer (PC) could be used for
one user, and even moved to a network pretty easily. Problems
erupted in terms of speed however, when that engine was put on
a system that incorporates a hundred or more users.

Interbase is Borland's solution to that problem. Made up of the
Interbase Local Engine and Interbase Server, a relational
database management system, Interbase is integrated into
Borland's database applications. The Interbase engine allows
users to use scalable database architecture in Paradox, dBASE,
and multiuser environments.

Borland says its upcoming versions of Paradox, dBASE, and
Quattro Pro will all include the Interbase Local Engine.
Borland says it plans to integrate Interbase into Objectvision
as well, but in steps so each new release has more integration
with the Interbase database engine.

Borland says Interbase currently runs across multi-vendor
networks in Unix and Vax environments. It provides support for
managing large amounts of complex data such as text, image, and
sound through Basic Large Objects (BLOBs).

ODAPI is the user interface that talks to Interbase and creates
an interface that looks the same to the user no matter which
product or platform it is on. Built on user familiar objects
(UFOs) Borland representatives said this is a distinct
advantage in moving to the next generation operating systems
with graphical user interfaces, because users who use one
Borland product will be familiar with the operation of other
Borland products.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920207/Press Contact: Julie Bartos, Borland,
tel [phone], Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)

UPI To Charge Per-Story 02/07/92
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- United Press
International announced UPI-SelectNEWS, a service which will let
newspapers, broadcasters and others browse through the agency's
major story files and pay only for articles they want. Prices to
newspapers range from $20 to $125, depending on circulation, for
a story of up to 800 words. Sign-up costs just $25 and access is
via an ordinary phone line and modem.

UPI stories are already searchable by keyword through services
such as Newsgrid. Keyword-searchable news for which readers pay
as they use it has long been a feature of the Newsbytes wire on
GEnie and on other services. But UPI is one of the nation's
oldest newswires, having been founded by the E.W. Scripps and
Hearst press syndicates around the turn of the century, and its
move is seen as a final attempt to compete with the Associated
Press, a service owned by member news organizations.

In November, UPI introduced UPI-FaxNEWS, a fax broadcasting
script service for radio stations. UPI also is making its
newsphotos available to newspapers on a per-picture basis, and
making its schedules available by fax for a small monthly fee, so
editors will know what's available or planned.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920207/Press Contact: Al Rossiter Jr., UPI,
202-898-8214)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029)

nVIEW Enhances LCD Projection Line 02/07/92
NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- nVIEW has
announced enhancements to their popular line of liquid crystal
display or LCD flat panel projection screens. Beginning in March,
the MediaPro, which uses thin film transistor technology, will
ship with full 262,144 color capability, up from the present
32,768 colors. Upgrades for older models are available.

nVIEW's projection screens are a cost-effective alternative to
bulky and expensive three-beam television projection systems and
need only be connected to a computer and placed on a standard
overhead projector's platform.

New from nVIEW is the external Video Adapter which allows users
of the ViewFrame Spectra and SpectraPlus projection panels to
project composite video from a video tape or laser disk player
without any need for a video capture card installed in the
computer, or an expensive scan doubler.

nVIEW was forced to move its color screen assembly work offshore
last year when the Commerce Department's 63 percent tariff on the
only available active-matrix color screens was imposed.

For further information call nVIEW at 804-873-1354 or 800-736-
8439.

(John McCormick/19920206/Press Contact: Carol Butler-Suis, nVIEW,
804-873-1354)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00030)

Unisys Adds SNA Communications Capability To 2200s 2/07/92
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 7 (NB) -- Unisys Corp.
has announced the introduction of SNA/net 4R1, a new version of its
SNA network connectivity software intended to provide cost-
effective networking capabilities for users of Unisys Distributed
Communications Processors (DCPs) supporting 2200 Series and
multivendor SNA networks.

The new NT 2.1 feature introduced in Unisys SNA/net 4R1 allows
users engage in peer-to-peer communications without IBM host
involvement for session control. Unisys 1100/2200, IBM AS/400
and IBM System/36 systems networked through a Unisys DCP can
now use Logic Unit (LU) 6.2 protocols to communicate on a peer-to-
peer basis with other Physical Unit (PU) Types.

Unisys SNA/net NT 2.1 will also allow PUT 2.1 devices connected to a
DCP to access IBM hosts via an SDLC link from the Unisys DCP to the
IBM 37XX, enabling LU 6.2 peer-to-peer functions between the IBM
host and the PU 2.1 device.

Unisys SNA/net 4R1 supports a session to IBM's NetView using the
Netview TAF (Terminal Access Feature). Unisys SNA/net and other
DCP products generate Critical Event Notification Logs (CENLOGs)
which can be sent on this session to NetView where they are
automatically logged and can be processed by an operator.

Prices for Unisys SNA/net 4R1 features are dependent on Unisys DCP
model ranges. Optional feature prices range from U.S. $16,428 to
$46,937 for the PU Type 5 CDRM feature; $5,145 to $14,700 for the
NT 2.1 feature; $2,966 to $8,474 for the PU Type 2 feature and
$4,645 to $13,273 for the Terminal Connect feature. The SNA/net
Base feature,required for all other options, ranges in price from
$3,595 to $10,273.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/Press Contact: Ed Johnson,
Unisys Corp., 215-986-5367/19920206)