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/nb920227

Text File | 1992-02-27 | 61KB | 1,388 lines

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00001)

Canadian University To Outsource, Downsize To PCs 02/27/92
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- York University has
turned over its mainframe computers to ISM Information Systems
Management, a Toronto outsourcing contractor, as the first stage
in a plan to replace them with networked smaller systems.

York says that it hopes to eliminate mainframes from its
computing operations entirely in five to seven years, a
university spokeswoman said. The university has signed a contract
with IBM Canada, which is part owner of ISM, to outsource its
mainframe computing systems and services. ISM will operate the
systems as a subcontractor to IBM.

Over the next few years, spokeswoman Chris Cable told Newsbytes,
York plans to stop using mainframes entirely, moving to a
distributed network environment. Personal computers, workstations,
and servers, tied together through local-area networks, will
provide more computing power in a few years than York's three
mainframes provide now, officials predicted.

Cable said there will be no jobs lost at York as a result of the
move. All of the people who formerly worked with the mainframe
systems will be reassigned to support networked computing and
end-user computing facilities. The university plans to use the
money it saves through outsourcing to expand end-user computing
facilities.

Canada's third-largest university, York has 40,000 students in 10
faculties.

(Grant Buckler/19920227/Press Contact: Chris Cable, York
University, 416-736-5010, fax [phone]; Karen Grant, IBM
Canada, 416-474-3112)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00002)

Europe's GSM Digital Mobile Network Plans Pruned 02/27/92
LONDON. ENGLAND, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Plans for Europe's groupe
speciale mobile (GSM) phone service now look like they will be
severely pruned, following continued delays in the introduction
of approved handsets for the mobile phone network.

Original plans for the GSM network included an advanced digital
communications network that would overlay the basic voice
telephony network. GSM is capable of easily supporting both voice
and data since its network is all-digital rather than analogue as
the majority of existing mobile phone networks.

It now seems that the majority of GSM operators have shelved
plans to introduce a mobile data network running in parallel with
the voice telephony aspect of their networks. Newsbytes notes
that this effectively reduces the GSM network's features to the
same level as existing analogue cellular networks.

According to Communications Week International (CWI), even the
GSM equipment manufacturers are worried about the high cost of
developing kit for the networks. This could act as a limiting
factor when it comes to the GSM network's planned rollout of
digital data network services.

CWI notes that, while GSM was supposed to be introduced
throughout Europe in July of last year, networks are currently
only in operation in Finland and Germany. German GSM operators
are reported to be losing as much as $6 million a month
due to the lack of available handsets.

In practice, Newsbytes notes, this figure is overly high, since
it presumes a degree of take-up for GSM from subscribers to the
existing cellular networks. GSM's potential gains may be at the
cost of the existing cellular services.

In the U.K. only a prototype GSM service has been launched by
Vodafone. Cellnet, the other existing analogue cellular network
operator has announced it will not launch a GSM service at this
time. When Cellnet made this announcement late last year, many in
the industry criticized its decision.

(Steve Gold/19920227)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00003)

British Telecom's Divisional Costs Revealed 02/27/92
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- One of British Telecom's
rumoured problems has been confirmed -- the cost of providing
local loop services into the home and office is being subsidized
by the call revenue from trunk and international calls.

This confirmation comes in the form of a special report issued by
Oftel, the U.K. Government's telecom regulatory body. The
report, for the first time ever, details how BT's income,
expenditure and profits measure up in the specific provision of
services in the U.K.

On the local loop front, BT's income from business services
during financial year 1990/91 was UKP 789 million, as compared to
operating costs of UKP 911 million -- the division lost UKP 122
million for BT. The figures for the provision of residential
services were even worse. During the financial year ended March
1, 1991, BT generated UKP 1,368 million, but incurred costs of
UKP 1,896 million -- a loss of UKP 528 million.

Actual local call revenue (as distinct from line rentals etc.)
stood at UKP 2,057 million for the year, as against operating
costs of UKP 988 million. Local call profits were, therefore, UKP
1,069 million.

Trunk calls generated a revenue of UKP 2,837 million, with costs
at UKP 994 million -- profits for the year on trunk calls were
UKP 1,843 million.

The real profits were generated by international calls. During
the year, BT International generated UKP 1,721 million in income
compared to UKP 919 million in costs. Profits were UKP 802
million.

The release of these figures could have important repercussions
for phone users in the U.K., Newsbytes notes. Currently, Oftel
restricts BT's price rises to 6.25 or more below the rate of
inflation. While BT's profit-generating services will be
constrained by this restriction, BT could, quite legally, hike
its local loop service charges considerably.

The Oftel report also highlights another problem facing potential
rival telecom operators to BT -- BT can charge pretty well what
it likes for access to the local loop, in order to offer MCI and
Sprint-style indirect access services, since the local loop
services make a loss for the company.

(Steve Gold/19920227)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00004)

UK: Hayes Announces Ultra 24 With Express 96 02/27/92
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, LONDON, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Hayes
Microcomputer Products has announced that its new Ultra
Smartmodem 2400 with Express 96 is now available in the U.K. The
modem will sell for under the UKP 400 mark -- Hayes does not
publish recommended retail prices in the U.K.

As well as being a conventional quad standard (300, 1200/75, 1200
and 2400 bits per second) modem, the Ultra 24 with Express 96, as
the unit is called, supports a half-duplex 9,600 bps protocol.
Coupled with the V.42Bis error-correction and data compression
protocol, the half-duplex 9,600 bps system allows data
transmissions of up to 25,000 bps, Hayes claims.

Hayes also claims that the Ultra 24 with Express 96 can
communicate easily with all Hayes' V series range of high speed
modems. Newsbytes understands that, while the modem does not
support the CCITT V.32 9,600 bps full duplex standard, it does
allow rapid point to point data communications for users on a
tight budget.

John Babb, Hayes' general manager for Europe, said that the new
modem, which was launched in France as well a few weeks ago, is
the fastest 2,400 bps modem on the market, and has the
most comprehensive feature set.

"Through the X.25 packet assembler disassembler (PAD) we are
giving our customers a transition path to ISDN. We believe these
elements make the Ultra 24 with Express 96 a uniquely versatile
and powerful modem with a price/performance that cannot be
matched," he said.

The unit supports both asynchronous and synchronous
communications. Support for V.25Bis synchronous
autodialling and four channel PAD linking is also included as a
standard feature.

This could make the modem useful for multiplexing of four 2,400
bps data signals onto a single modem carrier over the telephone
network -- a feature unheard of in a modem at this price level.

Hayes has obtained approvals for most European countries. Plans
call for the modem to be launched in countries other than France
and U.K. very shortly.

(Steve Gold/19920227/Press & Public Contact: Hayes Microcomputer
Products - Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00005)

New For PC: X.400 E-mail Switching On The Desktop Debuts 02/27/92
KILBARCHAN, SCOTLAND, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Fleet Digital Solutions
has announced the availability of its Personal Mail and Personal
Mail Server packages for users of its electronic mail and
conferencing technology.

The add-in packages cost less than UKP 250 per desktop
system with e-mail costs of less than 24 pence per
message (the price of a first class stamp in the U.K.) the
company claims.

Although Fleet offers tailor-made electronic mail and messaging
systems to companies, its service is based on a central
bulletin board system (BBS)-style messaging environment. Messages
can be switched internally on the user's own site (as with any
local area network) but also -- using the Colloquium central
system -- to other sites.

Access to the Colloquium service is made via Mercury's packet
data network (PDN) within the U.K., as well as via British
Telecom's global network service (GNS) -- formerly known as BT
Tymnet -- across Europe. Plans call for an ISDN (integrated
services digital network) access number to be made available by
the middle of this year.

The Colloquium service also offers conventional dial-up
conferencing and messaging facilities. Online charges are UKP
5-00 an hour -- with access at all speeds to 9,600 bps. There
are no minimum monthly connection charges.

The service is based on a VAX computer system running VAX Notes.
Onward access to the Usenet/Internet service for messaging and
e-mail is also supported.

The Colloquium service was first established by Fleet Digital
Services in mid-1989 to provide online conferencing facilities to
members of a United Nations subcommittee. Since then, the
service has become a more general online service with value-added
facilities such as the mail server services mentioned above. The
system is a Newsbytes republisher, with the European twice-weekly
edition available online.

(Steve Gold/19920227/Press & Public Contact: Fleet Digital
Services - Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00006)

Ziff Communications Selects CD-ROM Reseller
CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Massachusetts-
based Corporate Software has announced that it has been selected
as the exclusive North American reseller for the Ziff
Communications line of computer-related CD-ROM databases which
includes Computer Select and Select Demos.

Computer Select is a massive monthly compilation of full-text and
abstracts of nearly 200 computer-related magazines, newsletters,
and newspapers, with each issue containing about 70,000 articles
from the past year of each included publication.

Also included on Computer Select when the name was changed from
Computer Library were two different industry glossaries, a list
of about 12,000 companies, complete with mailing addresses,
telephone numbers, names of top personnel, and types of products
or services offered. When available, such data as years in
business and sales are also provided.

Also found on each Computer Select disc are specifications for
more than 70,000 computer software and hardware products. This
entire database is searchable in a number of different ways,
including full-text.

Using Computer Select, a person can quickly answer such questions
as "Who writes about CD-ROMs?" or "Which SuperVGA video cards
cost less than $500?"

Previously Ziff Communications had sold the databases directly
through advertisements in various computer publications and at
one time had a GSA contract number for sales to the federal
government.

Computer Select costs $999 for a one-year subscription. Select
Demos meanwhile, which sells for $99, has a vast selection of up-
to-date software demonstrations and is intended for use by
corporate software buyers, or as a point-of-sale tool for
computer stores. Demo programs are copied by the user to floppy
disks and can them be duplicated and distributed freely.

Some of the programs on Select Demos are full operating versions
of the software, others are slide-shows, while still others are
limited operating versions which do everything except perhaps
print out results.

Among many other publications, each monthly Ziff Computer Select
disc contains the entire past year of Newsbytes News Network
stories in full-text form.

(John McCormick/19920227/Press Contact: Howard Sholkin, Corporate
Software, 617-828-7727 extension 1177)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00007)

Best Offers Double Lifetime Warranty On Surge Protection 02/27/92
NECEDAH, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Best Power
Technology, a major supplier of top-quality power filter and
uninterruptible power supply systems for small and large systems,
has announced a new warranty program for its transient surge
suppression circuitry.

Under the warranty, not only is the Best hardware guaranteed,
but there will also be expanded coverage for up to $25,000 of
physical damage to customer's own equipment hooked up to the
Best systems.

There are restrictions and full details are available from Best
resellers or the company itself, but basically the warranty
covers damages due to defects in surge suppression components in
Best's FERRUPS, Fortress, Patriot, Citadel, and SpikeFree UPS and
power filter hardware.

For further information contact Best Power Technology, P.O. Box
280, Necedah, WI 54646. Phone [phone] or 608-565-7200. The
warranty applies only to equipment produced for sale in the U.S.
and Canada.

(John McCormick/19920227/Press Contact: Ed Coudal, Best, 813-966-
1888)


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

International Telephone Update 02/27/92
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Privatization and
new market openings remain the major trends in international
telecommunications.

The major news this week is Argentina's sale of its remaining
stake in Telecom Argentina, which is run by France Telecom and
Stet of Italy. The sale, March 16, will be managed by Merrill
Lynch and complete the privatization of the former
EnTel phone monopoly. Shares of Telefonica, privatized last year,
are now up 25 percent in price on the local bourse, and the new
sale could fetch up to $1 billion, analysts say.

Recognizing the trend, Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori has
called 1991 "the year of privatization," hoping to sell his
country's EnTel Peru monopoly, along with the AeroPeru airline,
Centromin mining company, Petroperu oil company -- up to 50
companies in all.

Fujimori may dismantle another 100, saying they cost the
government too much -- the state-owned part of the economy
generates about $400 million in losses each year. The
International Monetary Fund has been pushing the move in Peru, as
it's pushing similar efforts in the Sudan and elsewhere. But
Peru's is a special case -- a continuing civil war with Communist
guerrillas and drug traffickers makes foreign investors wary.

Kuwait continued its comeback in international
telecommunications, signing a trade protocol with India to train
Kuwaitis to run its phone system and supply equipment. Before the
Gulf War foreign nationals ran most of the Kuwaiti economy, but
they're unpopular now. In exchange, Kuwait will invest in India's
telecommunications sector -- the country is trying to increase
its exports of high-end telephone switches and other gear.

Finally, Infonet extended its worldwide network to Taiwan, the
first major net to set up shop in Taipei. Infonet is owned by MCI
and a number of international phone companies. Infonet already
has direct access facilities in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the
Philippines, Singapore and Australia, along with gateways to
Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Thailand and mainland China. The
Infonet network will be linked directly to Taiwan's Pacnet data
network.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920227)


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

Newsgrid Now Available Over a Premium Rate (900) Number 02/27/92
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Comtex and
Investment News Network have announced a joint venture
arrangement to put Comtex's full-text OmniNews service on INN's
financial 1-900 telephone/fax service.

INN offers companies use of the number for sending out press
releases and financial reports to anyone willing to call, and
reception can be by voice or fax. The wire can be searched using
keywords, including the names of specific companies. Searches can
be stored and repeated at-will.

The deal is the first audiotex arrangement for Comtex, which
offers its Newsgrid service on GEnie and other online services.
In addition, it also offers fax, FM, and satellite delivery
mechanisms.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920227/Press Contact: Jay Hannon, Comtex,
203-358-0007; Jim Franklin, INN, 619-552-0132)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00010)

 ****LapPaq Intros Portable Office In A Case 02/27/92
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Whether you have a
notebook computer or not, TravelPaq might be just the product you
need to take your office on the road in a neat, organized manner.

Introduced by LapPaq, TravelPaq is a two-sided,expandable,
soft leatherette briefcase that has room for most everything you
need to take your office on the road except a copy machine. The
LapPaq measures 13 inches high, 18 inches wide, and is 6 inches
deep. It is expandable to 8 inches deep, and has a shoulder
strap.

If you're a notebook computer user, one side is designed to accept
your notebook. There's also room for an AC adapter, a spare
battery, power cord, printer cable, and according to LapPaq, even
a portable printer.

The other side carries the rest of the stuff you need to make your
office complete: pen and pencil sleeves, storage for four floppy
disks, two pockets for file folders, a pocket with a velcro seal to
keep small items in, and four multi-function pockets. There's even
a special compartment for business and credit cards.

If you don't have a notebook computer, the space usually occupied
by the computer and its peripherals is also available to carry all
those files you need to review while you're on the plane. And if
you don't open the case, everyone will THINK you have a laptop.

Attending a recent computer trade show, this reporter left my
notebook computer in the hotel and carried the case around with my
tape recorder and notepad in it for interviews. It also gave me a
place to store all that literature you accumulate at a trade show,
so I could winnow through it back in my hotel room, before throwing
most of it away.

For more information on TravelPaq or to order one, you can contact
LapPaq at its toll free number, 800-388-5541.

(Jim Mallory/19920227/Press contact: Melissa Rabin, LapPaq,
708-291-1616)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00011)

New for Unix: Sequent CASE Products For Symmetry 2000 02/27/92
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Sequent Computer
Systems and Oracle Corporation have announced the availability of
Oracle's next generation of computer-aided systems engineering
(CASE) products for Sequent's Symmetry 2000 line.

Expected to be available for delivery next month, the Oracle CASE
products are Unix-based, and the company said they have the capacity
to handle the large database and repository associated with large
mission-critical applications. Sequent said CASE users will be able
to both develop and run large relational database management system
(RDBMS) applications on the same system, eliminating the need for
workstations as an intermediate development step.

Sequent said that the systems are targeted at companies looking
for a more cost-effective way to develop and maintain Oracle
applications. Developers will also have access to new reverse and
re-engineering tools to simplify systems maintenance.

The CASE products are based on a new version of Oracle's multi-user
repository, CASE Dictionary V5.0, and include two new generators,
CASE Generator for SQL Forms/SQL Menu 2.0, and CASE Generator for
SQL Reportwriter/SQL Plus V1.0.

Using the new tools users can create sophisticated screen and
menu-based applications and reports directly from definitions held
in the repository. Layout and applications logic is automatically
created.

Oracle said that automated system design tools have been extended
by the addition of a "default application design" facility, which
uses analysis definitions to produce system designs ready for
CASE generation.

(Jim Mallory/19920227/Press contact: Tamara Sturdevant, Sequent
Computer Systems, 503-626-5700)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012)

New For PC: Microsoft Automated Windows Graphical Test Tool 02/27/92
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced Microsoft Test for Windows, which it describes as a
low-cost graphical testing tool to create and run automated test
scripts for Windows-based applications.

The announcement of the package was made at Software Development
92 in Santa Clara, California this week. The package is
designed to test internally developed programs or for acceptance
testing of vendor-developed applications at the corporate level.

Microsoft said that it has been using the basic technology of Test
for Windows for the past few years to test many of its own products,
including Windows version 3.1, due for release soon. The company
said it has also been used to test the QuickC graphical development
environment for Windows, and the Visual Basic programming system
released recently.

Microsoft said that Test for Windows is designed to address the ways in which applications for Windows differ from character-
based applications. For example, it can simulate a multitude of
keyboard and mouse strokes, and compare actual and expected
screen results despite variation in window size and location. The
company said it can also accommodate unexpected events that
usually terminate other test suites. Test for Windows will
reportedly work with any Windows application, regardless of size
or the tools used to create it.

The program incorporates several utilities, including TestDriver,
which includes an enhanced version of the Basic language, and a
recorder and debugger with single stepping and breakpoints.
FastTest offers high-level, English-like functions to help users who
are not familiar with Basic to write test scripts.

Test Dialog captures and compares Windows controls such as menus,
buttons and dialog boxes. Test Screen captures and compares screen
bitmaps. Test Event and Test Control are tools that simulate any
combination of mouse or keyboard input, giving the user control
over the timing of events as well as the ability to identify and
change the availability and state of any individual control by
name.

Microsoft spokesperson Erin Holland told Newsbytes that the $395
package is expected to ship during the first week in March.
Holland added that Test for Windows will be distributed through normal
software channels and can be purchased at your local software
dealer.

(Jim Mallory/19920227/Press contact: Cathy Licht, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)


(CORRECTION)(IBM)(LON)(00013)

CORRECTION: Wordstar 7.0 Report Correction/Clarification 02/27/92
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Wordstar has asked Newsbytes
to correct and clarify our report from the Windows Show dated the
19th of February.

At the show, Wordstar was demonstrating its Wordstar for Windows
product, along with other packages. In addition, the company
revealed some of its plans for its next major upgrade, Wordstar
7.0. The company will launch Wordstar 7.0 on March 2 in the U.K.
Shipment of the package is planned for the end of March at the
latest.

According to the company, the objective with Wordstar 7.0 was to
create a package that is sufficiently flexible and intuitive that
it allows users to improve their written communications. Wordstar
7.0 achieves these aims.

The package features all the "classic" commands seen in early
versions of the word processor, as well as support for mouse and
accelerator keys.

Features available on Wordstar 7.0 include a much-improved
"Advanced Page Preview" facility. As with Wordstar 6.0, the new
version shows all print features on-screen on a WYSIWYG (what you
see is what you get) basis. Other features include an improved
cursor bar system and a tighter set of program code.

Existing users of Wordstar are being encouraged to upgrade to
Wordstar for Windows. Until the end of March, users can upgrade
to Wordstar for Windows for UKP 99. Users of competing packages
can also upgrade for the same price.

Wordstar for Windows includes Bitstream Facelift and Correct
Grammar for Windows as optional add-ins.

(Steve Gold/19920227/Press & Public Contact: Wordstar UK - Tel:
081-643-8866; Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00014)

Compuadd Signs Apple Distribution Deal 02/27/92
AUSTIN, TEXAS,U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) - For the first time in its
history, Compuadd will sell Apple computers. That's the result of
a distribution deal announced by the two companies this week.

The deal, effective March 1st, marks a major strategy shift for
Compuadd, which until now has sold only IBM-compatible personal
computers, carrying their own brand name in most of its locations.

The Macintosh roll-out will begin with Compuadd's 16 Texas locations.
The company estimates that by the end of the third quarter employees
in all 125 stores will be certified to sell Mac products and provide
warranty support.

Compuadd said it would also provide toll-free technical support
through its Austin support center.

Bill Hayden, Compuadd founder and CEO, said the Macs would be a
complimentary product line for the chain, as well as a unique growth
opportunity for both companies." Apple has a loyal, growing customer
following, and Compuadd has a nationwide organization that can
provide high-quality support and service," he said.

Cliff Jenks, Apple's VP for channel development, said the arrangement
would "provide Apple greater access to new customers, particularly in
the business market."

John Pope, director of corporate relations with Compuadd, which
has just spun off its UK operation as a separate business, told
Newsbytes that the Apple distribution deal had taken four years
to achieve.

"We've been talking to Apple for four years, though it's only in
the past year that they've come round. We now have 125 dealers
ready to take the complete Mac range of products," he said,
adding that this makes Compuadd the largest channel route for
Apple in the US.

Although declining to talk about profit margins and anticipated
sales of Macs through Compuadd, Pope said that he expected the
Apple distribution deal to boost sales revenue by between 20 and
25 percent.

(Jim Mallory/19920227/Press contact: Cynthia Stine, Compuadd,
214-907-9500)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00015)

 ****Microsoft Tries To Open Windows 02/27/92
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced what it calls the Windows Open Services Architecture
(WOSA), in a move to make Windows compatible with other major
computing environments.

WOSA was formally announced by Microsoft President Bill Gates, who
said: "It (WOSA) represents a major step in Microsoft's objective
to provide an open environment for the development and use of
Windows-based applications." Gates' remarks were made at the 1992
PC Forum in Tucson, Arizona. Gates said the WOSA goal is to make
it easy to connect Windows with enterprise-wide computing
environments, while hiding the complexity of applications from
the user.

WOSA is designed to provide an isolation layer between Windows-based
applications and a variety of connectivity services to work withe
several environments. Microsoft said that WOSA will provide
independent and corporate software developers with an open set of
application programming interfaces (APIs) to write to and, as
well as to access Windows services. Applications using these
APIs will be able to interoperate with multiple environments
concurrently, according to Microsoft.

WOSA also includes services for data access, messaging, distributed
file and print services, systems management, and host
connectivity. Microsoft said it is working with other leading
computer companies to deliver customer systems under the WOSA
umbrella.

(Jim Mallory/19920227/Press contact: Marty Taucher, Microsoft,
206-426-9400)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00016)

Harris Night Hawk To Be Used In Radar Test Bench 02/27/92
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Harris
Corporation has announced that Thomson RCM has chosen the Harris
Night Hawk 4000 real-time computer system for its B.E.P. radar
testbench program. Thomson RCM is the Radar and Counter Measures
division of Thomson CSF headquartered in Paris.

B.E.P. is a test bench for functional prevalidation of the new phase
array radar, RBE2. The new radar will equip the Rafale aircraft
which will be used by the French Army within the next decade. The
test bench will be used to execute all ground-based tests of the radar
functions while the Night Hawk computer system integrates pilot
simulation functionalities.

This most recent contract award represents Harris' second Night
Hawk order from Thomson in less than a year. In June 1991,
Thomson DSI selected Night Hawk for use in the Airbus 330/340
simulator. Harris said that Thomson's "major reasons cited for again
choosing Night Hawk include its stringent real-time functionality,
CX/UX operating system, and immediate availability. In addition, the
Harris P (cubed) I (Pre-Planned Product Improvement) program
gave Thomson confidence that their strategic applications will be
supported for the long term life of the program."

The order for a four-processor, RISC-based Night Hawk was received
by Harris Systemes Electroniques S.A., a subsidiary of the Computer
Systems Division, located in Velizy, France.

The Harris Night Hawk 4000 family of computer systems, based on
RISC technology, are multiprocessing real-time systems and range in
performance from 20 to 160 MIPS. In its announcement, Harris
reaffirmed that the Night Hawk family are based on open systems
architecture and support compatible real-time and multilevel
secure Unix operating systems that comply with POSIX, SVID and
88open standards.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19920227/Press Contact:
Gail Truman, Harris Corp., 305-973-5122)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00017)

U.S. Reps Say Japan Has Improved On Trade 02/27/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- For the past three
years the U.S. and Japan have been involved in something often
referred to as the Structural Impediments Initiative talks, top
government-level discussions aimed at reducing Japan's built-in
business and government practices which tend to exclude foreign
investors and importers. After this week's meeting, U.S.
officials said that Japan has improved its anti-monopoly action
and pointed out that the recent success of Toys Are Us is an
example of the improved business conditions.

In return the U.S. was asked by Japan to decrease its budget
deficit, improve education, and increase savings.

This comes close on the heels of many disparaging comments made
by high Japanese officials about American workers' inefficiency
and lack of education, and only days after news of the latest
Japanese government scandal broke - showing the world some of the
hidden details of just how Japanese business, government, and
crime syndicates sometimes appear to work closely together.

Meanwhile, as a result of the scandal about crime boss payments
to Japanese officials, President Bush's older brother has just
been discovered to have become a consultant to Japanese interests
within a couple of weeks of George Bush's election as President
late in 1988. According to NBC, it turned out this week that
Prescott Bush's Japanese clients were representatives of Japanese
organized crime - the same criminal group which is also accused
of making big payoffs to Japanese government officials to
strengthen their monopoly in trucking.

There is no evidence that Mr. Bush knew of these connections, but
some observers feel that President Bush's re-election efforts
will not be helped by the disclosure that his brother was helping
Japanese investors buy U.S. land and companies.

Democrats in Congress are preparing legislation which would
penalize Japanese companies unless the staggering $43 billion and
growing trade deficit is reduced.

The White House said that the President declined to comment.

(John McCormick/19920227/Press Contact: Marlin Fitzwater, White
House Press Secretary, 202-456-2100)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00018)

India Cited For Patent Violations 02/27/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- As required under
U.S. law, after a year-long investigation, the Administration's
point person on trade, Ambassador Carla Hills, has cited India
for violation of U.S. intellectual property rights.

The law also provides that, unless the offending country takes
almost immediate action to eliminate unfair use of copyrighted or
trademarked products, the office of the U.S. Trade
Representative, which Ms. Hills heads, may impose 100 percent
retaliatory tariffs against the country's imports into the U.S.

In particular this investigation turned up violations of U.S.
drug companies' patents on certain pharmaceuticals, but the same
laws apply to violation of copyrights on computer software.

U.S. officials said that there were no talks scheduled with India
about this problem and that action could be taken at any time,
but Hills also praised India's recent promises to improve
copyright and other protections.

Insiders note that the Administration was opposed to passage of
the law, which requires it to publicly cite violations of fair
trade practices.

This action involving India follows close on the heels of similar
threatened action against China which could also result in the
imposition of 100 percent tariffs against that country.

High punitive tariffs are already in effect against some
Japanese-made computer components. Japan and China account for
almost all of the U.S.'s international trade deficit.

(John McCormick/19920227)


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

U.S. Navy Laptop II Contract Protest Settled 02/27/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Sysorex Information
Systems' protest over the award of the U.S. Navy Laptop II
contract to Sears has been settled, but, according to Government
Computer News' Cynthia Morgan, the terms of the settlement won't
be disclosed.

Laptop II, which was awarded in December, is the replacement for
the contract under which Zenith loaded up the government with
nearly 100,000 of its laptops.

Zenith Data Systems, Sysorex, and Sears all submitted bids for
the Navy contract which involves the purchase of about 75,000
laptop computers, most by the military, but nearly 10,000 of the
total could be purchased by civilian agencies.

The Navy had originally expected to let the contract at a total
value of about $400 million, but the Sears bid came in at only
$87 million. Because of the steady drop in computer prices, there
has already been an upgrade to the original contract with
Lombard, Illinois-based Dauphin Technology upgrading its laptop
from a 40 megabyte hard drive to a 60 MB unit at no extra cost.

While Dauphin will supply all of the laptops under the Sears
contract, Salt Lake City, Utah-based Axonix will provide desktop
expansion units, and Digital Research's DR DOS 5.0 will be the
operating system initially shipped with the computers.

The Seikosha LT-20 printer will also be available on the
contract.

If the fact that Sears is selling the Navy computers from Dauphin
Technology isn't confusing enough, the actual hardware will be
built by Rapid City, South Dakota's SCI Systems.

(John McCormick/19920227)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00020)

New For Networks: Windows Connection To Sybase 02/27/92
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- NetManage has
collaborated with Sybase to provide a connection between a PC
running Microsoft Windows and Sybase's database management system
on a remote server using a TCP/IP network.

There are two parts to this arrangement. NetManage makes a product
called NEWT. This product is a Microsoft Windows compatible Dynamic
Link Library (DLL). NEWT allows a PC running Microsoft Windows to
talk across any network that is TCP/IP-based. The big advantage of a
DLL is that it is invoked only when necessary. It does not,
therefore, take up memory like a TSR when it is not running. NEWT
is sold by NetManage for $200 per copy.

The second part is sold by Sybase. It is called PC Net-Library for
Windows. This is a set of networking modules that reside on the PC
and use NEWT to talk to a remote Sybase server. The PC then becomes
a Sybase client for all intents and purposes. PC Net-Library for
Windows sells for $145.

By combining both products, a PC can become a Sybase client and use
any Sybase server that happens to reside on a Unix machine somewhere
else on the network. This will help in the creation of client/server
systems and that is exactly the positioning that NetManage is touting
as the big advantage of the arrangement.

(Naor Wallach/19920227/Press Contact: Dan Geisler, NetManage,
415-973-7171)


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

Solomont To Head Massachusetts Software Council 02/27/92
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- The
Massachusetts Computer Software Council Inc., has announced that
the board of directors of the council has named David Solomont as
the council's new president and Frank A. Ingari as the new vice
president.

Solomont, president and founder of Business & Professional Software
Inc. (BPS), founded the firm after five years as a software
consultant. He holds a degree in engineering from Tufts University
and a management degree from MIT and previously was the
treasurer and a founding board member of the Software Council.

Ingari, a trustee at council since June 1988, is the chairman,
president, and CEO of ONTOS Inc., a supplier of object-oriented
database management systems. Before joining ONTOS, Ingari was vice
president and general manager of the Personal Computer
Spreadsheet Division at Lotus.

The Massachusetts Computer Software Council, Inc., founded in 1985,
is a non-profit industry association of more than 250 chief executives
of Massachusetts software companies. Its stated mission is to attract
capital, customers and employees to the Massachusetts software
industry.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19920227/Press Contact:
Joyce Plotkin, Massachusetts Computer Software Council,
617-437-0600)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00022)

AST Now Selling Advantage! Systems In Canada 02/27/92
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Making its first
move into mass-market retail channels in Canada, AST Research has
announced that its Advantage! desktop personal computers are being
sold through two retail chains, London Drugs, and Majestic Sound
Warehouse/Majestic Electronic Stores. The two chains have locations
in four of Canada's 10 provinces.

The agreements mark the first international distribution of
Advantage! systems, AST said. The product line has been available
throughout the United States since August at Circuit City and
Computer City stores.

Since November, London Drugs has sold Advantage! systems through
its 28 stores in British Columbia and Alberta, while in Ontario,
Alberta, and Manitoba, Advantage! systems have been offered at four
Majestic Sound Warehouse stores and 10 Majestic Electronics
locations.

London Drugs is one of Western Canada's largest drug superstore
chains. Majestic Sound Warehouse is a consumer electronics chain
and Majestic Electronic Stores is a consumer electronics superstore
retailer. Each is offering a range of ready-to-operate Advantage!
PCs.

Anthony DeCristofaro, general manager of AST Canada, told Newsbytes
that his company has no immediate plans to add other outlets for
the Advantage! systems, but will consider expanding distribution
"some time when we feel comfortable."

DeCristofaro said the machines are aimed at home and home-office
buyers. "As time moves on," he said, "the home office of home
environment is becoming very open to purchasing computers... in
much the same way as they purchase other electronic products."

The Advantage! product line sold in Canada includes 386SX/20 and
486/25 desktop systems, completely pre-configured with software,
hard disk drives, modems, mice, and other features. The line also
includes a notebook machine.

The machines also come with pre-installed software, including
MS-DOS 5.0, Windows 3.0, Microsoft Works integrated software, and
Microsoft Money, a personal finance package. The Advantage 486/25
also comes with WinFax, a Windows communications software package
for facsimile transmission and reception. Purchasers also receive
a "getting started" videotape.

Prices range from $1,795 for a fully loaded 386SX machine to
C$2,495 for a system with a 25-megahertz 80486 processor,
DeCristofaro said.

DeCristofaro said that the company has been rather surprised to
find it is selling roughly as many of the more powerful 80486-
based systems as it is of the 386SX units.

Advantage! systems are covered by a 90-day dead-on-arrival
replacement and a 15-month limited warranty, AST said. After the
warranty period, service will be available through the company's
125 authorized service outlets across Canada, DeCristofaro said.

(Grant Buckler/19920227/Press Contact: Anthony DeCristofaro, AST
Canada, 416-507-3278, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00023)

New For Macintosh: Bernoulli Drive For Quadra 900 02/27/92
ROY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Iomega has announced a
Macintosh Quadra 900 version of its 90-megabyte removable data
storage system, the MacInsider 90.

The internal storage device, which uses removable data cartridges,
fits into the Quadra 900's storage bay and comes with MacTools Deluxe
from Central Point Software. MacTools Deluxe provides data
compression which can double the capacity of each removable
cartridge.

The Apple Quadra 900 is driven by a Motorola 68040 microprocessor,
making it capable of running applications up to twice as fast as the
Mac IIfx. The 900 supports up to four internal storage devices,
including products such as the Iomega drive.

The Iomega 9 drives use metal-particle media and metal-in-gap
heads, provide 19 millisecond effective access times, and can
transfer data at rates up to 20 megabits per second.

The Iomega drives use a different technology than conventional
hard drives. A flexible storage disk spins at a high speed, and
is drawn toward the read/write head. In the event the machine is
bumped, there is a power failure, or foreign matter such as dust
gets into the system, the disk falls away from the head. With a
conventional hard drive, any of those problems would probably
cause a "head crash" possibly losing data or even physically
damaging the disk.

The MacInsider 90 connects to the Quadra 900 through an internal SCSI
(small computer systems interface) port.

Removable cartridge storage devices offer several advantages.
Cartridges can be removed and stored in a locked container if the
data is sensitive, and data can be created at one location, then
used at another location or in another machine. Data storage
capacity is unlimited, by purchasing additional cartridges.

Iomega said the MacInsider has a suggested retail price of $999,
including all necessary hardware and software, as well as one
90-megabyte cartridge.

Iomega first introduced its 90-megabyte removable cartridge storage
system for the Mac, PCs, and laptop computers in July of 1991.

(Jim Mallory/19920227/Press Contact: Linda O'Neal, Iomega,
801-778-3345)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00024)

Kroy Intros Low Cost Bar Code, Badge Printing System 02/27/92
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- If your business
needs call for the regular printing of bar code labels or name
badges, Kroy has a low cost system for you.

The Kroy portable badge printing system can print names which
the company says are large enough to be read 10-12 feet away. It
also prints bar code symbols, and the company says its thermal
printing system is the only one on the market selling for under $600.

Kroy's Suellyn McMillan told Newsbytes that the dedicated printing
system prints badges on a 1/2-wide clear tape, which can then be
applied to any color badge. The bar codes print black on to a
white tape.

McMillan said that bar codes, usually thought of as an inventory
control tool, are now being used for many other purposes. For
example, she said bar codes are becoming popular in large offices
to keep track of files. Just scan the employee's ID badge and the
bar code applied to the file, and the system easily keeps track
of who has what file.

She added that time and attendance is now being tracked by bar
code. Instead of "punching" a time card, the employee scans their
ID badge, and the system automatically records the date and time
in or out.

The tapes come in different types. A highly scratch resistant
version is used for non-laminated purposes, and a heat-resistant
version is available for laminated badges. McMillan also said
that the thickness of the tape used for badges has been greatly
reduced, so it doesn't create a "bump" when laminated, preventing
the lamination from popping off.

The printing system can also be used to print file labels, access
control and library cards, patient data cards, computer disk
or videotape labels, and for other signage purposes. The system has
a suggested retail price of $599.

(Jim Mallory/19920227/Press contact: Suellyn McMillan, Kroy,
602-948-2222)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00025)

 ****Sanyo Releases Electronic Book Based On Sony Design 02/27/92
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Sanyo has unveiled a portable
computer which it calls an Electronic Book. The unit, which is
based around a three-inch compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM)
data storage system, can do many things, including play music.

According to industry experts, the Sanyo Electronic Book is the
most advanced of its type, having a footprint of 12.5 x 14.3 cm
and a thickness of 2.9 cm. Powered by its rechargeable and
removable battery, the machine can be run for up to eight hours.

The key to the success of the machine is the driver software on
the three-inch CD-ROM system. To date, the available software
includes multiple dictionaries, travel books, and who's who books.
There is also a business guide book and a database of corporate
data. According to Sanyo, a total of 53 packages are available
from a variety of CD-ROM software publishers, a figure that is
expected to double by the end of the year.

To date, Sony has sold around 150,000 Electronic Books.
Matsushita Electric is expected to release a clone of the Sony
and Sanyo units later this year. The Sanyo unit retails for
68,000 yen ($549) -- slightly more expensive than the Sony
version.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19920227/Press Contact: Sanyo Electric,
 [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00026)

Lotus, Action Technologies Team Up On Notes 02/27/92
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Lotus
Development and work-group software developer Action Technologies
have announced a pilot project to investigate ways in which
Lotus' Notes work-group software can work with Action's suite of
workflow methodology and design components.

The companies demonstrated their products working together at
Esther Dyson's PC Forum Conference this week. Lotus and Action are
embarking on a pilot program with Lotus Notes customers to define
and automate customers' business processes using these integrated
technologies.

Notes is a client-server workgroup product that runs on local area
networks. Lotus said more than 115,000 users currently use it for
applications such as shared reference libraries sales and customer
tracking, and brainstorming. Action's Workflow Management System,
meanwhile, is meant to create workflow-enabled applications at
three levels.

At the first level, a client application can be designed that will
initiate specific tasks, such as routing a completed form or file.
Second, applications can become participating components in a large
business process. Third, applications can be set up to manage
business processes and present a high-level view of the process.

The companies have no definite plans for jointly developed products
or co-operative marketing, said a spokeswoman for Lotus. "Right now
it's just technology sharing," she said.

(Grant Buckler/19920227/Press Contact: Constance Mazelsky,
McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus, 617-862-4514; Fritz Dressler, Action
Technologies, 510-521-6190)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00027)

Novell Translating Netware For Macintosh To Japanese 02/27/92
WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Novell is
working on a translation of its Netware for Macintosh product to
Japanese so that it will gain better acceptance in that market.

Netware for Macintosh is a set of Novell Netware Loadable Modules
(NLM) that allow Apple Macintoshes to attach to a Novell network
and use all of its services. Novell Netware v3.1 has already been
translated to Japanese and is sold in Japan as Netware v3.1J.
Similarly, Netware for Macintosh will be sold in Japan as Netware
for Macintosh v3.01J

"With the availability of the Japanese version of Netware for
Macintosh, our customers can integrate their Macintosh computers
into their Netware networks," said Toru Sakai, development manager
for Novell Japan Ltd. "Netware for Macintosh J enables our Macintosh
customers to communicate with other network users and take advantage
of Netware's network services. These services include sharing of
resources, data, and applications within a secure and reliable
computing environment."

Novell Japan Ltd. will be the company that will market and support
Netware for Macintosh J when it becomes available later this year.
The company is a joint venture between Novell, Softbank, Canon,
Fujitsu, NEC, Sony, and Toshiba. The company's purpose is to promote
the use of Novell networking products in Japan.

Apple's Macintosh is the largest selling U.S.-made computer in Japan
and that country represents Apple's largest international market.
Apple has translated versions of its operating systems to Japanese as
well as most of its applications.

(Naor Wallach/19920227/Press Contact: Pattie Heisser, Novell,
415-975-4469)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00028)

 ****Media '92: Multimedia Books Under The Spotlight 02/27/92
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Multimedia
"books" are not an appropriate use of the new medium, according
to Donna Cohen, producer and interactive designer for Warner New
Media and the Warner Music Group in her workshop "Understanding
Interactive Multimedia" at the Media '92 show in Los
Angeles.

"I've asked to look over multimedia titles and they're all
books. That's not what this medium is for," Cohen said. Newsbytes
notes that she was criticizing the linear approach currently in
use by multimedia authors who she says are ignoring the
possibilities offered by multimedia.

"A book is something you sit down and curl up with on a
comfortable couch or in bed. Perhaps when computers get to
be hand-held devices that will work, but not now...
Multimedia on a computer screen should not be reading
interspersed with video pictures," she writes.

Cohen said that multimedia titles, especially those used for
training, are going to have to be very intuitive and non-
linear. Cohen maintains that a person who is being trained
will not spend much time struggling with a user interface
that's hard to understand and they're not going to want to
sit and read type off the screen.

In order to make multimedia what it can be Cohen says it
takes the full use of video to communicate ideas. She showed
an example of a multimedia application where the ideas were
presented by clicking on the faces of people whose
"portraits" (or movies) were interspersed on the screen.
Once the user double-clicked on a portrait, it went into
action explaining the subject at hand. The only type on the
screen was a short single line under the "portrait" of each
individual.

The drawbacks to the creation of appropriate multimedia
titles has to do with the use of video, Cohen added. The
reason the new titles are books is because writers are less
expensive by far than video film crews.

"You can take a 8mm camera out and use that funky approach in a
clever way, but for the most part it just is more expensive to
produce good multimedia titles," she said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920227)


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)

New For PC: Virus-Prevention Hardware Board Debuts 02/27/92
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Multix, a Dallas,
Texas-based company, has introduced Virustop PC Immunizer, a
card it says installs inside the IBM or compatible personal
computer (PC) to prevent virus activity without taking up
system memory, hard disk space, or creating conflicts with a
network.

The Virustop card will work in any IBM or compatible PC and
guards against microcomputer viruses by monitoring the
computer bus to detect operation patterns that are typical of
computer viruses, Multix maintains. By monitoring for virus
activity, the card can detect new strains of viruses as well as
existing ones, the company added.

Multix said that John McAfee of McAfee and Associates, recognized
authorities on computer viruses and developers of Scan anti-
virus software, tested the Virustop and said it provided
protection against nearly all known microcomputer viruses.

The card works by searching the memory and boot sector for
viruses, even before the system motherboard goes to DOS. Multix
said Virustop will warn the user if the virus tries to infect
another file. All computer functions are suspended if a virus
is discovered and the user can take steps to delete the
infected file.

No virus elimination software is provided with the card, and
neither will the card itself take care of a discovered virus,
Multix said. If a computer the card is installed in already has
a computer virus, the card will prevent further spread of the
rogue program, the company claims.

Virustop does, however, have a password feature to prevent
unauthorized booting of the computer. Without the password,
boot-up is impossible, as the card will not allow access to DOS
on either the hard disk or the A: drive until the correct
password is provided, the company asserts. If the password is
lost or forgotten, the card must be removed and the software
activated to erase the password and activate the system.

The card does use a COM port, but software provided with
Virustop instructs the user how to set dip switches on the card
to avoid conflicts with other peripherals. After the card is
seated in the slot, the software is run again to provides the
user opportunity to enter a password.

Virustop retails for $69. More information is available from
Multix, 4208 Beltway Dr., Suite 7, Dallas, Texas, 75244,
telephone [phone].

(Linda Rohrbough/19920227/Press Contact: Hali Denenberg,
Multix, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00030)

 ****Japan: Telestar Intros "No ID" Online Access 02/27/92
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- Telestar, one Japan's major
online service, has introduced a "No ID" method of accessing its
facilities. Thanks to an agreement with NTT, Japan's telecom
company, a special guest ID is now available to selected callers.

While the guest ID cannot access all of Telestar's facilities, it
can access many of them. The charge for accessing the basic rate
service is hidden from the consumer in the form of slightly higher
than normal phone charges.

This idea was last tried out by Micronet, the microcomputing
division of the British Telecom Prestel viewdata network in the
U.K. The Micronet experiment failed because the free access
service was surcharged at the rate of 40 cents a minute.
Telestar's surcharged free access services is surcharged much
more modestly.

The free access numbers (which Telestar calls Dial Q ports) are
0990-343-061 or 0990-343-093. Newsbytes notes that international
callers to these numbers are met with a KDD recorded announcement
in English and Japanese.

Telestar recently moved into a new office building in Japan. The
online service, which is a Newsbytes republisher, hopes to gain
more subscribers with its Dial Q and other new services.

(Masayuki Miyazawa/19920227/Press Contact: TeleStar, +81-3-
3375-3800)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00031)

TRW Business Reports Put on Dialog 02/27/92
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) -- TRW will put
its Business Credit Services file on Dialog as File 547. The file
provides information from a variety of sources to present a
picture of a company's credit behavior, including both current
and historical payment data, as well as legal information such as
bankruptcies, tax liens, and Uniform Commercial Code filings.
Dialog is owned by Knight-Ridder.

Dialog is the only online service on which the TRW database
actually resides, rather than being offered as a gateway. A
primary competitor, Dun & Bradstreet, recently began offering its
business credit files as a gateway service through Dow Jones News
Retrieval. That gateway is handled by Ziff Information Services
through Digital Equipment VAX computers in Massachusetts. A
Dialog spokesman said the move will make the files easier to
search, giving it a common structure with other files on the
system.

Business credit reports differ from consumer credit reports in a
number of key ways, making them eligible for posting in a public
online format. First, information in a business credit file is
provided directly by a business. Second, that information is
cross-checked by the business. A consumer credit file is compiled
by creditors and stored by a credit agency, with consumers given
only limited access to it.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920227/Press Contact: Tim Dolan, TRW Business
Credit Services, 714-385-5675)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00032)

 ****Interactive TV Coming This Year Says HP, TV Answer 02/27/92
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 FEB 27 (NB) --
Interactive television is getting ready to make its debut,
according to Hewlett-Packard (HP) and TV Answer.

Last year Newsbytes reported how a group of fascinated
people in an office suit in Beverly Hills stood around a
rather ordinary looking television trying out a prototype of
the interactive television service called TV Answer. A box
much the same in size and appearance to a video cassette
recorder (VCR), TV Answer, also known as an Interactive
Television Appliance (ITA), is really a computer.

This is how it works. The ITA, attached to cable-ready
standard-broadcast TV sets with two cables, both sends and
receives digitized signals from a local relay unit in much
the same way a cellular telephone works. The digital signals
allow the interaction so a user can do things like order
groceries or a pizza, respond to TV surveys, pay bills, and
even program their VCR. A wireless, hand-held, remote
control that looks much like a gun for a video game provides
the user the ability to "point and shoot" at choices on
screen.

The hold up on getting TV Answer started was the FCC
approval for the part of the radio spectrum needed for the
units and a manufacturer to produce the TV Answer boxes
themselves. Now TV Answer has both. The necessary FCC
approvals came through last month and HP has announced it
will be the exclusive manufacturer of the TV Answer boxes,
which are expected to cost consumers around $700 each.

HP says it expects to produce 1.5 million of the boxes,
based internally on the Motorola 68000 microprocessor, the
same one used in the Apple Macintosh computer.

HP Vice President Robert Frankenberg said: "With TV Answer
we are at the threshold of bringing together the two most
powerful information tools available to consumers - the
television and the computer."

Availability of the first ITAs depends on the FCC licensing
schedule for cell sites, HP said, but is expected before the
end of 1992.

Two licensees will be granted permission by the FCC to offer
the service in each designated geographical region in much
the same way that cable TV companies operate now. TV Answer
said last year the service is expected to be offered in
densely populated areas first and cited Reston, Virginia,
home of TV Answer, and Los Angeles as the most likely first
sites.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920227/Press Contact: Susan Wysoki, Hill
and Knowlton for TV Answer, tel [phone], fax 212-337-
4239)