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(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00001)

NEC Meets Shortage of 4M Monolithic SRAM 11/13/92
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- If you
haven't noticed that there is a major shortage of the popular
four-megabit size of monolithic static random access memory
(SRAM) chips, then you probably don't build telecommunications
hardware. NEC Electronics has moved to alleviate this temporary
shortfall by introducing a compatible SRAM module.

NEC's new MC-434000 four-megabit SRAM module is plug-compatible
with the still-scarce monolithic 4M SRAM and is intended to
temporarily plug the supply gap so that telecommunications and
industrial control users can increase memory without having to
wait until enough new manufacturing facilities are online to meet
the demand for advanced monolithic memory chips.

MC-434000 SRAM modules will be available in 100- and 85-
nanosecond speeds and operate at five volts, drawing only 50
milliamperes operating power and 10 mA on standby. An access
decoder is included in the module, as are decoupling capacitors
which reduce noise.

Ceramic-packaged 32-pin DIP (dual in line pin) 128-kilobit by 8-
bit SRAMs are now shipping, and the company says that plastic-
packaged SRAM modules will ship in January. The 100 ns MC-
434000D-10 lists for $80 each in quantity.

(John McCormick/19921113/Press Contact: Nikki Tanis, NEC, 415-
965-6620 or fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00002)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 11/13/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

Release 1.0, dated 31 October, discusses wireless links.

MIS Quarterly for September looks at organizational effectiveness
at Federal Express, studies the impact of data integration on the
costs and benefits of information systems, and explores factors
affecting software developers' performance.

The Technological Horizons in Education Journal for November
places the focus on software for school administrators.

Communicationsweek dated November 9 says that Home Box Office
(cable and satellite movie channels) is overhauling its computer
network with an eye to the next century.

This week's Network World has a buyer's guide to switched digital
services.

Government Computer News for November 9 explores the
data processing mess at the Department of Defense -- among other
things, the Pentagon must maintain 1.4 billion lines of often
poorly integrated computer code.

Computer Reseller News for the week of the 9th says that new 486-
based notebooks will banish 386 laptops to the low end of the
market.

(John McCormick/19921113)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00003)

The Enabled Computer By John McCormick 11/13/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- The Enabled Computer
is a regular Newsbytes feature covering news and important
product information relating to high-technology aids for the
disabled.

Most of this issue will be devoted to the American Printing House
for the Blind's computer literacy work, but first I want to
mention that the National Cristina Foundation has launched a
major year-long effort to inform business and the public about
its efforts to broker tax-deductible computer donations for the
disabled.

Starting back in 1985, the National Cristina Foundation has
worked to collect used computers, fax machines, TVs, and VCRs
from business and private donors and match the donations with the
needs of various charities that distribute the systems to
educational and training groups for the disabled.

Due to legal restrictions on charities, the NCF can't donate
equipment to individuals, but through their efforts more than
50,000 people have been helped in 35 US states, Ireland,
Poland, China, and Latin America.

Besides being used to teach computer technology, NCF computers
are used to assist learning disabled students with standard
school subjects such as history.

Of the more than 5,000 computers already placed by NCF, most have
been IBM compatibles, but, as founder Yvette Marrin told me, the
agency is interested in all makes of computers and is in special
need of Macintosh systems.

Although companies can receive special accelerated tax deductions
when donating old models from active inventory (IRS Section
170(e)(3)), individuals also gain tax deductions, including
deductions for storage and shipping.

What a great way for your company to dispose of old PC, AT, and
other outdated business computers! Don't overlook the benefits to
home users when you try to convince your spouse that it really is
time to move up to an inexpensive 486 -- the lack of space
argument is easily countered by showing that you can not only get
rid of the old computer almost effortlessly but you can even
deduct it as a charitable donation.

To learn more about donating equipment, call 800-274-7846 or 914-
738-7494. The mail address is: National Cristina Foundation, 42
Hillcrest Drive, Pelham Manor, NY 10803.

NCF will give you a tax break for that old (but working)
computer, but if you are visually impaired and what you really
need is some help learning how to use a computer you just got,
then you need to know about the American Printing House for the
Blind, a group that produces a number of tutorials and programs,
all accessible by the blind.

APH has just added a toll-free number for orders, 800-223-1839,
as well as a new 24-hour fax line at 502-895-1509.

To get you up and running with AppleWorks, the APH has published
a set of manuals consisting of an audio tape, "AppleWorks
Tutorial," and a disk-based version of "AppleWorks Reference
Manual." Apple II users will know that AppleWorks is an integrated
program with word processor, database, and spreadsheet.
The audio tape is a 4-track cassette running at 15/16-inch-per-
second, with the page and chapter breaks specially marked with
tones to make it easy to fast-forward and reverse search.

In other news from APH, users of PocketBraille will continue to
receive technical support for several years, but APH has
discontinued sale of the note taker while adding the $1,070
Braille 'n Speak Snap-Pac (180 K of memory) and the $1,295
Braille 'n Speak 640 (640 K of memory) to its catalog of
specialty items.

Made and supported by Blaize Engineering, APH will sell the two
hand-sized Braille devices starting immediately.

Both provide note-taking ability with audio output and printer
interfaces.

Other APH devices include an inexpensive (five for $9) injection-
molded plastic training model of the Apple IIe keyboard with keys
marked in Braille, and a thin plastic Braille keyboard overlay
for the Apple IIGS keyboard.

Talking software for 64K Apple II computer systems, priced at
$38.38 each, cover topics ranging from African-American
literature, history, science fiction, and women authors to modern
British literature. There are a number of topics covered by other APH
software, including typing tutorials, and all are usable by totally blind
individuals. Some do require a 128 K memory and synthesizer.

As an article in a recent APH Micro Materials Update newsletter
says, "Computers promote a sense of independence, autonomy,
positive self-esteem, and empowerment." That is certainly the way
we feel about it here at The Enabled Computer.

The mail address for the APH is 1839 Frankfort Ave., P.O. Box
6085, Louisville, KY 40206.

(John McCormick/19921113)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00004)

Sierra On-Line Posts Loss For 2Qtr 11/13/92
OAKHURST, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Blaming
the delay in shipping the "King's Quest VI" game for its lower
earnings, Sierra On-Line has posted a loss of $986,600 for its
second quarter ending September 30, 1992.

The results were expected as the revenue decline had been
previously announced. The company had originally expected to
ship "King's Quest IV" in September, but instead, it was shipped
October 6, 1992.

The company said that, while the late shipment of the product
lowered overall revenue, Sierra's UK operation also took a large,
one-time charge to "liquidate older titles and reduce warehouse
inventories in preparation for the coming season's new titles."
The company also shortened the lives on certain titles, "which
is reflected in a much higher amortization of software
development costs."

Revenues for the quarter declined six percent to $9,923,900
compared to $10,520,300 for the same quarter of the prior year.
Net loss for the quarter was $986,600, or ($0.13) per share,
against net income of $767,300, or $0.14 per share, for the
second quarter of last year.

For the six-month period, revenues increased 14 percent to
$19,462,500 from $16,998,100 for the same period last year.
Net loss for the period was $859,900, or ($0.12) per share,
compared to net income of $809,200, or $0.14 per share, for
the prior year.

The company maintains that the entertainment software
business "continues to perform well at the retail level."

The company claims that it increased its investment in its
on-line, multiplayer, interactive gaming service, called The
Sierra Network. The company introduced a new, flat-rate pricing
structure for the service in June and, as a result, lost a large
percentage of those members who infrequently used the service.
The company has begun a marketing campaign to increase the
membership.

Ken Williams, president and chief executive officer of Sierra,
said: "Only a small percentage of the total number of products
Sierra will ship this year have been reflected in our revenues.
I do not believe our first-half financial results are indicative of
the year I expect. We look forward to a strong third quarter for
both our entertainment and educational product lines."

In July, Sierra acquired Bright Star Technology Inc., an
educational software publisher. Also within the second quarter,
Sierra appointed Dana Berkman managing director of Sierra
On-Line Ltd., and James Stanley executive vice president of
marketing and sales.

At the end of September, Newsbytes reported that Sierra had
released Quest for Glory III: The Wages of War game for the
DOS platform. The company also announced at the time that it
had settled a conflict with Virgin Games and Westwood Studios
over use of the trademark that Sierra uses for its King's Quest
game series.

(Ian Stokell/19921113/Press Contact: Richard Gelhaus,
209-683-2598, Sierra On-Line)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00005)

Moscow: GPT Wins Large Communications Order 11/13/92
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Russian President Boris Yeltsin has
signed an agreement with GPT, the British communications equipment maker,
to supply the city of Moscow with a modern communications system.
The British government will fund the development.

GPT is expected to supply 45 mln pounds (US$75mln) worth of switching
System X and transmission equipment to Moscow during the next several
years. A government financial support package was negotiated between
British Prime Minister John Major and Yeltsin.

GPT is a joint venture between British General Electric and German
Siemens. It is represented in Moscow through Comstar, another
joint venture, with the Moscow City Phone Network (MGTS), the monopoly
telephone service provider.

Comstar now supplies a limited number of customers in Moscow with high
quality phone communications using its own private network. It is
uncertain, however, whether the new services will reach regular
residents and businesses in the city, as no details of funding
and pricing for the upcoming service improvements were announced.
Representatives of Comstar were not available for comment.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19921112)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00006)

India: Tata Elxsi/Silicon Graphics Deal Takes Off 11/13/92
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- When Tata Elxsi (India) Ltd.
(TEIL) started operations in India a year ago, many in the industry
were sceptical about its success. But, its technical collaboration
with Silicon Graphics seems to have paid off.

Now in its second year of operations, TEIL's fortunes are on the
upswing as the company is making dents into niche markets such as
graphics and video animation.

In the process, TEIL has shipped out over 20 units of its Power Series
3200, high-end RISC/Unix minis. And what is more is that the company
is complementing its domestic operations with export of design and
software both to Elxsi and Silicon Graphics.

Says Vikas Deshmukh, managing director, TEIL, "We are undertaking
projects as well as design of specific projects. The objective is
to build a complete design center." Deshmukh reckons that exports
should constitute roughly 10 to 15 percent of its turnover this
year which is projected at more than double its turnover last year.
Last year TEIL grossed Rs12 crore.

Interestingly, TEIL has managed to pick up a number of orders in
segments as diverse as financial services, manufacturing and even
scientific markets over the last year. Stock Holding Corporation,
Nuclear Science Centre, and Air India have been some of its clients.
In most of these cases, the winner has been TEIL's edge in graphics.

According to Deshmukh, a project TEIL is currently doing for Railways
Design and Standards will cover the entire gamut of visual processing.

Though Tata Elxsi is at present a single product company, Silicon
Graphics' stake in the company means that future products of Silicon
Graphics would be manufactured at TEIL. To complement its existing
and future products, the company has been beefing up its R&D. A
parallel board based i860 as back-end with the Silicon Graphics
RISC server is already in the pipeline. Though the additions to
its product line would be in terms of hardware, the company
does not want to project itself as a hardware company. "We would
like to be known for our capacity to provide solutions rather than
as a hardware hawker," says Deshmukh.

The software content of TEIL's sales so far vary between 15 percent
and 50 percent of the total sale value. Though no formal
arrangements with software companies exist as yet, TEIL is
understood to be talking to some companies.

(C.T. Mahabharat/19921108)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00007)

Australia: Politicians To Use Simulator To Test Policies 11/13/92
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- A new research center
established in Canberra will allow politicians to simulate the
effects of policy using computer simulation technology. The
National Center for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) will
allow the government to examine the social impact of policy before
implementation.

NATSEM, established by the University of Canberra, will receive
AUS$1.4M a year in government funding for the next five years.
Federal Minister for Health, Housing, and Community Services Brian
Howe said at the launch that there is currently a lack of information on
the social effects of government policy. "The models being
developed by NATSEM will substantially fill that void and will help
governments to target health and welfare services so they better
meet the needs of all Australians," Howe said.

As an example of the potential use of NATSEM, Howe said, "It will
enable us to accurately gauge the effect of a proposed new health
program on 20 different types of families at 20 different income
levels; who would be the winners and losers, and what the losses and
gains would be." The center will initially be headed by Professor
Ann Harding, a microsimulation specialist who was appointed the
applied economics and social policy chair at the University of
Canberra.

(Sean McNamara/19921113)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00008)

1992 Australian Computerworld Fellows Awards 11/13/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Computerworld Australia
newspaper has made its 1992 Fellows Awards, and once again, the
"fellows" are all "fellas." Now in their eighth year, the awards are
intended to publicly honor those individuals who have used
information technology to best benefit Australia and Australians.

This year's winner is Roger Clarke, reader in Information Systems
at the Australian National University. Clarke has been described as
someone who is as close as Australia gets to a home-grown social
conscience of the Australian computer industry. In the 1980s he was
one of the few people to foresee that the increasing penetration of
computers into business and government raises issues such as
privacy, security, and ethics.

In 1985 he became chairman of the Australian Computer Society's Social
Implications Committee. He enlarged its brief to include economic
and legal issues, writing, "I believe that all researchers and
professionals must regard the implications of their work as part
and parcel of it." Clarke helped lead the campaign against the
Australia Card (a card that would have given all citizens a single
number for data-tracking purposes).

Other 1992 Fellows are:

Dave Jawal, manager of information systems and technology
at the NSW state office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Robert James, general manager of Telecom Australia's Network Products
Information Technology Strategy Group.

David Merson, managing director and co-founder of Mincom.

Ian Davies, technical director of Odyssey Development (manufacturer
of the top-rating, Australian developed text retrieval package, ISYS).

(Paul Zucker/19921113/Contact Computerworld ph. +61-2-439
5133 fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00009)

Agreement Reached On Undersea Cable Network 11/13/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Australian telecom carrier
Optus and 46 other international telecommunications carriers have
signed contracts for the construction and maintenance of the
TPC-5 Cable Network, the first undersea fiber optic network in the
Pacific.

Unlike current point-to-point undersea cable systems, the TPC-5
network will be a "self-healing" loop that links the US mainland
(California and Oregon), Hawaii, Guam and Japan (Miyazaki and
Ninomiya). The 25000km (16000 mile) network will use the latest
undersea fiber optic system technology -- optical amplifier
technology -- jointly developed by AT&T and KDD to handle high
volumes of information. The system can transmit up to five gigabits
(billion of bits) per second per fiber pair which is equivalent to
60,480 simultaneous conversations.

The $1.3B TPC-5 network will provide instantaneous service restoration
by shifting voice, data and video signals to a spare fiber on the
network in the unlikely event a break occurs somewhere along the
route. The instantaneous restoration is realized by the network's
loop configuration. Network segments between California, Guam and
Miyazaki will be ready by the end of 1995. The entire network will
be available by late 1996.

(Paul Zucker/19921113/Contact: Optus ph. [phone]
fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00010)

ISYS Windows To Debut At COMDEX 11/13/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Isys, the award-winning,
Australian-designed PC text retrieval package is to be released in
a new Windows version at COMDEX next week. Isys has proved very
popular in many countries, winning awards against all other
text retrieval packages.

Managing director of Isys' manufacturer Odyssey Development, Mark
Reiss said customers in all markets have been demanding a Windows
version of the product. "The character version is well known for
its ease of use but the Windows version is even easier thanks to its
front end which has an incredibly sexy look and feel. COMDEX
provides the ideal arena to give users a first look."

Because the DOS and Windows versions are database compatible,
companies which have not completely moved to the Windows environment
on their local area networks will be able to have all their users
searching the same database, regardless of the front end. Users
will have increased access to graphics files, and are able to zoom,
pan and print them straight from Isys, which takes the product even
further into the imaging market. Isys not only outperforms
competitive products, but is many times cheaper, according to Reiss.

It has cut and paste between applications and is fully Windows
clipboard-compatible. Users can have multiple documents open
at once, and still conduct additional searches. It is now possible
to run the word processor and Isys simultaneously on the one screen.
Australian price is AUS$525 for a single license and AUS$995 for the
LAN starter kit.

Isys will be performing text retrieval on Newsbytes News Network
reports at the Odyssey's booth at Comdex at Ballys, stand 1942.

(Paul Zucker/19921113/Contact: Odyssey Development ph
[phone] fax [phone])


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00011)

Australia: Multimedia, Prepress Shine At MacWorld Show 11/13/92
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- This year's MacWorld show
held at Sydney's Darling Harbour has seen the rise of multimedia and
prepress hardware and software. Also popular was the Apple stand,
which was displaying Apple Computer's latest PowerBook technology.

The increased presence of multimedia, and the added interest in it,
is new for the MacWorld show, which for the previous three years
had displayed a decided lack of interest in multimedia and CD-ROM
technology, according to Marius Coomans, of Firmware Design, local
distributor of CD-ROM and multimedia titles. However, this year,
Coomans' stand, along with others displaying multimedia and CD-ROM
packages, were constantly busy. Another stand generating a lot of
interest was the Ashton-Scholastic stand, which showcased its
educational range of CD-ROM and multimedia titles, with the most
popular being the Flash Back CD-ROM which contains in-depth
multimedia coverage of Australia's history.

Prepress hardware and software also was prominent compared to
previous years. Digital scanners (slide, drum and flat-bed) were
displayed throughout the show, as were image-manipulation software
and imaging devices. Prepress software was also on display, with the
most well-known packages, QuarkXpress and Aldus' range of pre-press
software, drawing the most attention.

(Sean McNamara/19921113)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00012)

Claris Entices Mac, Windows Developers 11/13/92
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Claris has
announced the formation of a new venture and division within the
company called Claris Clear Choice. The idea is to join
small developers that have innovative ideas with Claris's marketing
and distribution muscle to yield better results for both sides.

Claris Clear Choice will be a software publisher and will not
develop products itself. Original developers will maintain and
enhance the products. Claris Clear Choice's mandate is to find new
and unique applications that Claris has not developed.

The way the program works is as follows. A developer with a product
calls up the Claris Clear Choice Developer's Hotline at 408-987-7422
Once connected to a Claris official, the developer describes their
program to Claris. Assuming that developer's program is of interest,
Claris will send a packet of information to the developer. This packet
contains a description of the program and its potential benefits.
There is also a non-disclosure agreement, an initial contract, and
other information. The non-disclosure is intended to assure the
developer that Claris will not take a developer's ideas and make them
into Claris products, and will not talk to anyone else in the software
field about the developer's ideas.

Should the developer be interested, they must send a copy of their
program and accompanying documentation to Claris, which then
evaluates it. If Claris is interested in the program past this point,
then negotiations proceed on the exact terms and conditions under
which a contract will be signed. Claris officials were not willing
to disclose to Newsbytes what those terms might be, but acknowledged
that the contract is essentially an arrangement to pay royalties to
the developer on sales generated by the product.

If a contract is signed, Claris develops the packaging, pricing, and
marketing strategies and will market and distribute the program under
the Claris Clear Choice label. Claris officers told Newsbytes that
the contract-to-marketing process takes about four months.

Claris Clear Choice is currently interested in programs that run in
either the Macintosh or the Microsoft Windows environments, especially
utilities for Windows and games for both Windows and Macintosh.

Although the program has just been announced, rumors about it
circulated for several months and Claris reports it received
many phone calls expressing interest in the program.

Claris has already chosen the first two programs that will be
marketed under the Clear Choice label. The first is Retrieve It!,
a Macintosh desk accessory that can find any file or text anywhere on
the Macintosh. The program will search for file names as well as
text within the files. Once files are found that match the search
criteria, the program from which the found file originates can be
launched from within Retrieve It! The program will sell for $89.

BrushStrokes is described as a low-end 32-bit painting program for
the Macintosh. It has a complete set of tools, filters, and special
effects so that novice as well as expert users can quickly perform
various tasks. Brushstrokes will retail for $139. Both programs
will be available in early 1993.

(Naor Wallach/19921113/Press Contact: Steve Ruddock, Claris, 408-
987-7202/Public Contact: Claris, 408-987-7000)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00013)

Canada's BCE, Britain's Mercury Ally 11/13/92
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- BCE Inc., parent
company of Bell Canada and Northern Telecom, has bought a 20-percent
stake in Mercury, the number-two telephone carrier in
the United Kingdom. The deal also gives BCE a link with Cable &
Wireless, an international telecommunications firm based in the
UK.

BCE will pay UKP480 million for the one-fifth share in Mercury, and
Cable & Wireless will pay UKP30 million for a 20-percent interest
in BCE's subsidiary, BCE Cable (UK) Ltd., the holding company for
BCE's interests in cable television and telecommunications
franchises in Britain.

The move is a response to the demands of a global business
structure and a step in an ongoing BCE strategy, said Eamon Hoey,
a telecommunications consultant based in Toronto.

Hoey said BCE has been weak due to its inability to provide solid
international services to its business customers. An earlier move
in which Montreal businessman Charles Sirois, backed by BCE, was
installed as head of international carrier Teleglobe Canada, was a
step toward solving the problem, Hoey said. The Cable & Wireless
deal is the next move.

"As long as Bell Canada was stuck in a domestic environment," Hoey
said, "it would never be able to provide the services that its
customers were pushing it to provide." Those services include
desk-to-desk dialing among widely separated offices of global
corporations, and various advanced telecommunication services over
long distances.

The Mercury deal gives Bell a partner in one of the key markets
where it needs to be able to offer global services, Hoey said. He
added that the new Cable & Wireless connection holds the promise of
more such arrangements. "Cable & Wireless has 57 other properties
around the world, including Hong Kong Tel, including a carrier in
the United States," he said. The deal is "just the beginning of a
larger theme for both companies."

Hoey added that BCE is "not the junior partner here by any means."
Canada's largest company, with interests in the financial and
natural resources industry as well as its flagship
telecommunications business, BCE has annual revenues that dwarf
those of Cable & Wireless, Hoey said.

Among other things, the deal gives Cable & Wireless a connection to
Northern Telecom, one of the major manufacturers of telecommunications
equipment.

BCE is to be represented on the board and in the management suite
of Mercury. The companies also said they plan a partnership to
expand their telecommunications services in the European Community.
Subject to approval from British regulators, the deal is expected
to close in January.

(Grant Buckler/19921113/Press Contact: Bernard Gregoire, BCE,
514-499-7070)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00014)

Canada: Long-Distance Competition For Manitoba 11/13/92
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA, 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- A provincial
government decision means telephone users in the province of
Manitoba can look forward to a choice of long-distance services
some time in the new year.

Unitel Communications, a Toronto-based national long-distance
carrier, announced that the province had given its approval for
Unitel to compete with the provincially owned carrier, Manitoba
Telephone System.

Unitel and MTS will now begin discussions aimed at interconnecting
their networks, and Unitel expects to begin offering service to
Manitobans some time in 1993, said Jan Innes, vice president of
public affairs at Unitel.

At present, Unitel offers long-distance service to residential and
small-business customers only in Canada's three largest cities:
Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Services are available to large
business customers elsewhere. The company plans to roll out service
to more and more Canadian centers over the coming year, Innes said.

The Manitoba decision leaves one province -- Saskatchewan -- as the
odd man out in Canadian long-distance competition.

In mid-June, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC), a federal regulatory body, gave Unitel
permission to compete in seven federally regulated provinces:
British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,
Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. The CRTC also approved an
application by Toronto-based Lightel and Vancouver-based BC Rail
Telecommunications to offer long-distance service in British
Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

The province of Alberta had not been under CRTC regulation when the
Unitel application was filed, and thus was not included in the
initial ruling. However, Alberta has since come under federal
regulation, and Unitel is already negotiating with AGT, the
provincial phone company there, to offer competitive service.

Saskatchewan, which like Manitoba has a phone company both owned
and regulated by the provincial government, has shown no signs of
accepting competition. There are "no discussions under way" with
Saskatchewan Telecommunications or the province, Innes said.

(Grant Buckler/19921113/Press Contact: Jan Innes, Unitel,
416-345-2767)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00015)

Systemhouse, Samsung In Partnership 11/13/92
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Canadian systems
integrator and outsourcer SHL Systemhouse has announced a deal with
Samsung Data Systems of Korea. The two firms plan a consortium that
will provide systems integration and outsourcing to Korean
customers and to Samsung's operations worldwide.

The companies formally signed the deal at a press conference in
Ottawa Friday morning.

The deal could bring Systemhouse revenues of C$25 million to C$60
million by 1997, said Peter Sandiford, vice-chairman of
Systemhouse. The company also expects some 300 new jobs to be
created, with 15 to 20 percent of those people hired in Canada.
Sandiford told Newsbytes he expects revenue from the deal to begin
flowing very quickly. "They've got lots of things going on," he
said of Samsung.

Sandiford said the agreement, while unlike any Systemhouse has
completed before, represents a model the company believes is the
right way to build its international business. "We expect to see
more along this model," he said.

In February, SHL Systemhouse announced plans for a deal with BCE,
the Canadian holding company that controls Northern Telecom and
Bell Canada, under which Systemhouse would have provided
outsourcing services to Bell Canada and the firms would have
jointly marketed their services. That deal later fell through.

The Samsung agreement provides that each firm will hold 50 percent
of Samsung Systemhouse Consortium. Systemhouse is to name the
president of the new firm and Samsung a vice-president. Operations
are expected to begin in Korea early in 1993.

Officials said the new company will provide such services as
business process re-engineering, change management, technology
research, client/server consulting, network engineering, and
network management to Samsung member companies around the world.

Samsung, established in 1938, has interests in computers, aircraft,
pharmaceuticals, industrial automation, and semiconductors. The
multinational company has more than 180,000 employees in 100
countries and reported revenues of US$50 billion in 1991.

The new consortium will also offer its services to business,
government, and public agencies in Korea, with an initial emphasis
on the public sector. It could also approach non-Samsung companies
outside of Korea in the future, particularly where such companies
have an existing relationship with Samsung, Sandiford said.

SHL Systemhouse has about 3,000 employees and reported revenues of
about C$700 million in 1991.

(Grant Buckler/19921113/Press Contact: Rick Doyon, Hill & Knowlton
for SHL Systemhouse, 613-238-4371; John Bean, SHL Systemhouse,
604-681-9441; Ki-Jong Shin, Samsung, [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)

International Telecom Update 11/13/92
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- The world is being
woven closer together by the minute, thanks to international
telecommunication companies.

AT&T and MCI are the two largest US partners on Columbus II, a
new fiber cable system linking Mexico and the Caribbean with the
US. The system will be extended across the Atlantic to Portugal,
Spain and Italy, hence the name. A total of 56 companies from 43
companies signed to launch the system in Cancun, Mexico. The
cable will have a capacity of 60,000 simultaneous phone calls.
The cable is planned to be available for service on Columbus Day
1994. AT&T holds a 25 percent stake.

Also in Latin America, Argentina's two phone companies -- Telecom
and Telefonica -- are jointly building an X.25 data network called
Arpac, through a joint-venture called Startel SA. Equipment
contracts were given to Telematics International's Argentine
distributor, Transistemas SA Aerolineas Argentina, which will use the
backbone network to link its offices. SITA, the worldwide air
reservation system, will then be linked to the 61-node network,
which should come online by year-end.

MasterCard users worldwide will soon be able to use their credit
cards as telephone calling cards, according to MasterCard
International. All credit cards will get four-digit personal
identification numbers, or PINs, which the credit company says
will eliminate the need for calling cards. Calls will be billed
on the credit statements. By making telephony a standard service,
the company said, you cut 11 digits from the dialing format.

In Europe, AT&T's Paradyne equipment unit announced a partnership
with COM 1 of France in the field of modem cards for portable
computers. COM 1 will distribute AT&T cards under the PCMCIA
standard in Europe, including the former Soviet republics, Africa
and the Middle East. The cards will be sold on an OEM basis so
makers of notebook and laptop computers can sell them as part of
a larger unit, and run at speeds to 14,400 bits/second. The cards
are already going through PTT approval processes in 12 European
nations, and send faxes at 4 blank pages per minute.

In the United Kingdom, US West used its experience as part of
TeleWest International, a joint-venture with TCI which offers
both cable television and phone service, to press its case for
US regulatory relief. TeleWest owns or is part owner of 16
cable TV franchises in the UK, with two million homes. Most
are already offering integrated cable TV and telephone services,
and the remaining franchises will soon follow. Other cable TV
partners with TeleWest in some of the franchises are Comcast and
Compagnie General des Eaux. US West claims the franchises are
prospering, with 48,000 phone customers, an 18 percent
penetration rate, and 120,000 cable customers, a 24 percent
penetration rate. That indicates 3 in 4 of its UK cable
subscribers are also using it for phone service, with long
distance services provided through the Mercury network.

While the UK market is ferociously competitive, most of Europe
remains a monopoly. Stet of Italy said recently it doesn't want
its cellular monopoly to end until the government grants it
compensation. The monopoly was due to expire in 2003.

Finally, in Asia, TRI of Malaysia will set up a new
communications network for Cambodia, where the Khmer Rouge are
still fighting despite a year-old peace accord. TRI will hold a
70 percent equity stake in the new network. OTC of Australia is
also active in the Cambodian market. It installed a satellite earth
station in the capital of Phnom Penh back in 1990, and signed a
10-year contract to further upgrade international links, with an
international gateway phone exchange and Intelsat A earth
station. Finally, NTT signed to get 20 percent of Thai Telephone
& Telecommunications, which has a $1.6 billion contract to
install phones throughout the Bangkok area, under a 25-year
concession. NTT will supply and install equipment in exchange for
the stake.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19921113/Press Contact: U S West, Blair
Johnson, 303/649-4676; AT&T Paradyne, Cindy Pollard, 201/326-
4908; Telematics, Lawrence Cattell, 305-772-3070; Richard Woods,
MasterCard, 212-649-5450; MCI International Jane Levene, 914-934-
6484; AT&T International, Tricia Sieh, 201/326-4224)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)

ISDN Trial Set For November 19 11/13/92
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- November 19 may
become known as the date ISDN began in earnest in the US. On
that date, the first inter-regional ISDN network will be set up
during the TRIP '92 trade show. Soon after, AT&T will start a
technical trial of ISDN-based consumer video services with Bell
Atlantic and US West.

The 6-9 month trial features only about 100 consumers, who will use
prototype ISDN video telephones with full-motion color video images
and sound. The trial will look into network signaling and other
capabilities that must be developed to provide consumers with
ISDN-based video services, AT&T said.

Phone companies are responding to both marketing and political
pressures, and a technical fix has arrived just in time. After
years of wrangling, a standard called National ISDN is now being
deployed in switches of the major manufacturers -- AT&T, Northern
Telecom and Siemens -- meaning the service can be handled in
basically the same way everywhere. Business customers, which got
heavily into videoconferencing during and after the Persian Gulf
war, have been demanding a better way of organizing their digital
services.

And now the incoming Clinton Administration, with its focus on
telecommunications, seems unwilling to take any more guff from
the industry. Under the leadership of Vice President-elect Al
Gore, the new administration will press for an even faster
digital network, in the multi-billion bits-per-second range,
linking research institutes which now transmit data at a speed
limit of 45 million bits/second in vast Internet of inter-linked
networks.

Equipment suppliers like Cisco Systems and ADC Telecommunications see
this as a gold mine, and MCI, which runs the NSFnet, also seems a likely
beneficiary. A national ISDN network would give every home a minimum
of two 64,000 bit/second data channels to link with such a network.
But on top of ISDN, which requires only changes in software with
major switches, the Clinton-Gore people are also expected to press for
more fiber cable installations. Only Ameritech has set a major plan in
motion for that.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19921113/Press Contact: AT&T Mark Siegel,
908/221-8413)


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

Bells Vs. Bypass Dispute Continues 11/13/92
WASHINGTON. D.C., U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- The nation's
regional Bell companies are deploying a risky rear-guard strategy
trying to hold off competitors. Bell Atlantic, Bell South,
Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell, Cincinnati Bell, GTE, Lincoln
Telephone, Southern New England Telephone and United Telephone
all joined in a request to the Federal Communications Commission
to stay its order demanding they let competitors co-locate
equipment in their major switch centers.

The strategy is especially risky politically, because the current
FCC sees competition as a substitute for regulation, while the
incoming Clinton Administration is demanding technical
improvements to the nation's networks, without excuses. The Bells
claim that demands they give competitors like Metropolitan Fiber
or Teleport direct access to their networks, through their switch
centers, represent an illegal "taking" under the Fifth Amendment
of the US Constitution, and that it's an unnecessary regulatory
intrusion in violation of the Communications Act and
Administrative Procedure Act.

The first claim could prove a winner. Under Reagan-Bush
appointees, the US courts have been increasingly turning to the
Fifth Amendment as a protection for property -- previous courts
had held the amendment as a protection for individuals. In a
South Carolina case, the Supreme Court used the "takings" clause
to give back a property owner the right to build a house on a
sand bar despite state environmental regulations designed to
protect the ecosystem. Business lawyers see that precedent as the
start of a trend which could sweep away decades of regulation on
the claim that any impediment to someone's control of their
property is tantamount to taking it without warrant under the
Constitution.

The effect of all this can be seen right now in Chicago, where
both Metropolitan Fiber and Teleport run fiber "loops" in
competition with Illinois Bell. Without co-location, Metropolitan
Fiber can only offer to move calls from a few downtown office
buildings, where its system has connections, to the offices of
long distance companies like MCI. Teleport, meanwhile, signed a
deal with Illinois Bell giving the Bell company control of
Teleport equipment in Bell switching centers. It may be able to
use its network, and its relationship with Illinois Bell, to give
some customers the ability to run local calls completely on
Teleport equipment, bypassing Bell entirely. The legal threats
may be seen, then, as a Bell attempt to force bypass companies
to deal on their terms as they try to compete.

Pacific Bell acknowledged all this openly in a press statement.
"It is unfortunate that the FCC is taking such an intrusive and
unsupportive approach which does not permit us to offer physical
collocation under reasonable terms and conditions," said Michael
Miller, regulatory vice president, in the statement. "As a
business decision, we're prepared to try to meet customers'
requests to provide physical collocation for special access at
negotiated rates and interconnection arrangements at cost-based
rates." Teleport has been willing to try it this
way, Metropolitan Fiber has not, the Pacific Bell statement
indicates.

In other words, pay Bells' price and meet its conditions or you
can't compete, says Metropolitan Fiber in its own statement. The
company notes that the Bells demand free competition outside
their local service monopolies, but seek to protect those
monopolies with what it calls "anti-competitive and dilatory
action." "In this year of the Olympics, the petitioning RBOCs
have just earned the gold medal for hypocrisy," stated President
Royce Holland.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19921113/Press Contact: Steve Ingish, MFS
Communications, 708-218-7318; Pacific Bell, Charlene Baldwin,
415/542-4640)


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

COMDEX Preview: PCMCIA Modems 11/13/92
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- One sub-text for
the 1992 Fall COMDEX show and beyond is the rise of the PCMCIA
modem card. This is a credit-card sized device which fits in the
same plug on a notebook PC used for memory or software products.

AT&T and Rockwell, the leaders in the modem chip set field, have
already announced plans to enter the PCMCIA modem chip set
market. Analog Devices, which makes digital signal processing
chips, claims PCMCIA modems are a major opportunity. It claims
DSPs can be configured with software to perform a number of
functions, as modem chips, music chips, or telephone chips,
among other things.

Analog faces problems, however, from the Crystal Semiconductor
unit of Cirrus Logic. That company sued Analog, charging it
infringing on four-key delta-sigma technology patents it has and
is infringing on its mask work in the CS5501 analog-to-digital
converter. Crystal also claims that Analog Devices has competed
unfairly by misrepresenting its products to customers.

Sierra Semiconductor has also entered the PCMCIA modem chip set
market, guaranteeing lower prices. Sierra's unit is called the
ST4743XCTT VoDaFAX, and it supports voice and fax as well as data
for PCMCIA cards. The ST4743XCTT features support for wave file
formats allowing business audio to be added to documentation. IT
also supports the Caller ID service, so users can identify the
numbers of incoming callers. New Media has already decided to use
the Sierra chip set in its PCMCIA cards, Sierra said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19921113/Press Contact: Sierra Semiconductor,
Michael Hasegawa, 408/263-9300; Crystal Semiconductor, Craig
Ensley, 512/445-7222)


(EDITORIAL)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)

Editorial: Is Telecom The Next Airline Industry? 11/13/92
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- By Dana Blankenhorn.
For 12 years, a free market ideology has dominated US politics.
The idea was that by promoting domestic competition, companies
could be toughened to compete abroad, while US consumers would
benefit from the lowest possible prices and high quality.

While Americans scoffed, Europe and Japan continued to protect
their domestic markets. In recent years, however, that has begun
to change. With US airlines and phone companies offering lower
prices to fliers and callers in other countries, policymakers
have been forced to respond.

The results have not been what US policymakers had hoped. The
airline industry represents a good example. Weak airlines like
US Air, Continental, and Northwest are now being forced to seek
capital overseas. The result is that British Air, Air Canada and
KLM are grabbing big hunks of the domestic US market at rock-
bottom prices. The US airlines were, in fact, weakened by price
wars.

Recent financial statements indicate this is starting to happen
in telecommunications as well. The toughest competitors, like
Comcast, are reporting increasing losses. Comcast is involved in
cable TV and cellular telephony. It wants to build a microwave-
based PCN network and has bought a local bypass company, Eastern
Telelogic. It lost $52.33 million in just the third quarter of
this year.

Qualcomm, a leader in new cellular technologies like CDMA digital
service, lost $4.12 million for its most recent fiscal year. In the
UK, British Telecom reported its total earnings have fallen flat,
as competition has taken hold in its domestic market and the company
has tried manfully to compete abroad.

Contrast this with the performance of America's Bell companies.
All are using their monopoly on local phone services and duopoly
on cellular service to buy-up cellular concessions and phone
systems in other countries, which offer them the same advantages
there.

The fact is, monopolies are more profitable than competitive
companies. And the world is getting smaller. When you weaken the
balance sheets of competitive companies, they can be taken over
by foreign monopolies.

The only answer is reciprocity. The Bush Administration began
pursuing this in telecommunications, but fell down when financial
pressures grew on US airlines. Under reciprocity, you let
others into your market under the same rules you get in their
markets. KLM can buy Northwest only if US airlines get free
access into its markets, or no dice.

Trouble is, this is not simple. The US retains monopolies, with
monopoly advantages, in telecommunications. Those monopolies are
crushing competitors, both here and abroad. The challenge for the
incoming Clinton Administration is to break the back of those
monopolies, guarantee reciprocity, and make sure competition in
the world telecommunication market is free and fair. To do that
will require a willingness to play hardball, even offering
subsidies to US companies if foreign competitors are
subsidized. It's a huge, complex challenge. But they asked for
that when they ran for the office.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19921113)


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00021)

 ****Intel's PCI Chipset Gives PCs Workstation Performance 11/13/92
FOLSOM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- The increasing
acceptance of video, graphical operating systems such as
Windows and OS/2, and the demand for faster peripherals has
created a need for enhanced performance from IBM and compatible
personal computers (PCs). Intel says its introduction of the
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) chipset is a low-cost
way to speed up the PC bus and offer workstation performance on
486-based PCs.

The bottleneck on the PC in processing video, network information,
and in talking to fast small computer systems interface (SCSI) components,
is the bus, the data highway between the microprocessor (also known as
the central processing unit or CPU) and every other device on the PC.

Current PC bus architectures, such as the industry standard
architecture (ISA) offer 16-bit wide data transfer capability
at 8 megahertz (MHz). The extended industry standard
architecture (EISA) and IBM's Micro Channel architecture offer a
32-bit wide data path, but EISA at 8 MHz and Micro Channel offer
it at 10 MHz. However, Intel says its new PCI chip set, a three-chip
combination, while still 32 bits wide, offers speed, at 33
MHz.

Intel says the PCI chipset is made up of the 82424TX Cache
dynamic random access memory (DRAM) controller (CDC) which is
the bridge connecting the CPU to the PCI. A second chip, the
82423TX Data path Unit (DPU), offers four double-word write
buffers, zero wait states for CPU write cycles, and PCI burst
write capability. The DPU is designed to conserve physical
space while the glue and buffers are integrated into it
directly. The third chip is the 82378IB System Input/Output
(SIO) chip. The SIO is the bridge between the CPU and the
standard I/O bus, integrating the functionality of a ISA
controller, PCI controller, a 32-bit fast direct memory access
(DMA) controller, and standard system I/O functions.

While criticism has been levied that PCI is an expensive, high-
end answer to the bus bottleneck problem, Intel argues the
extra cost can be justified in the "bang per buck" or price-
performance users will get from PCI-based systems, especially
compared to workstations. Intel also says PCI can be
implemented in PCs being manufactured by original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) today and will also handle faster
performance PCs planned for the future. At a peak bandwidth of
133 megabytes per second (MB/sec), PCI can break the bottleneck
between the CPU and conventional peripheral expansion buses,
Intel asserts.

In addition, the chipset can work at the low 3.3 volt power
requirements necessary for notebook computers. Currently notebook
computers are priced much higher than the same processing power
in a desktop machine, and are usually much slower in graphics
performance. However, users are willing to pay more for the portability.

Intel says the PCI bus can bring notebook computers up in performance
to desktop computers and offer satisfying performance when connected
to the increasingly popular office docking station.

Intel also is trying to sell PCI by offering the argument that PCI
is a less expensive way to incorporate local area networks (LANs)
and the small computer systems interface (SCSI) bus into
notebook computers.

Western Digital, the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO), Weitek, and
NCR have all announced support for the PCI chipset. Weitek says
its Power 9000 user interface processor, which provides
resolution of up to 1600 x 1200 at refresh rates of 76 hertz
(Hz) in non-interlaced mode, is available now for $70 in
quantities of 1,000. The company said an integrated release of
the chip, which incorporates the PCI bus interface logic, will
be available in the first quarter of 1993.

NCR announced its first SCSI PCI processor, the NCRE53C810, a
submicron complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
device. NCR says the SCSI PCI processor will also operate at
3.3 volts, will cost $32.40 per 1000, and will be available the
first quarter of 1993.

Western Digital also announced it is developing a new faster
mode for DMA-based IDE hard disks and will support the new DMA
mode included in the Intel PCI chip set.

The Intel PCI chipset is available in sample quantities now,
and production quantities are scheduled for availability in
March of 1993 at $52.80 each in quantities of 10,000.

Intel, the acknowledged leader in microprocessors for the IBM
and compatible computer market, is doing well, despite
recessionary times. The company announced in October it would
expand its advanced logic chip manufacturing facilities to the
tune of $400 million and hire an additional 250 workers.

(Linda Rohrbough/19921113/Press Contact: Kathleen O'Donnell,
Intel, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00022)

Review of: Lapis Powerbase For Macintosh, 11/13/92

From : Lapis Technologies, 1100 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 100,
Alameda, CA 94501, phone [phone]

Price: $599

PUMA Rating: 3.5 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed by: N. Gorski

SUMMARY: The Lapis Powerbase is a unit that allows external monitors
to be hooked up to Powerbooks, Mac Classic II, or any Mac with a
SCSI port. The unit is not recommended with Nubus Macintoshes nor
with the SE/30 for which the company offers faster, color cards.

======

REVIEW

======

You've had it with the basic Macintosh screen, or the minimal
resolution of the Powerbook. If you're not up for a total upgrade,
the Lapis Powerbase lets you use the color or large format
monitor of your choice. This system, however, is not cheap, and
there is the fact that an external monitor is going to require more
space on your desk, even if the Powerbase fits neatly under it.
The Powerbase case seemed slightly light to support the
weight of a monitor upon it, but it was able to support
the one I used for this review -- the Lapis full page monitor (B&W).

According to David Glickman, Lapis spokesman, this product is aimed
at the Powerbook and Mac Classic owner who wants to use a bigger,
better monitor for their deskside work and just can't stand the
little screens on either of the above two units.

The principle hardware is the SCSI connection. The Powerbook needs
a special cable which attaches from its SCSI port to the Powerbase
unit, which requires its side to have a 25-pin jack. This fact
required some hunting on the part of this reviewer, as the cable was
not in the box with the Powerbase unit. However, according to Lapis,
the right cable is now being included with the purchase. Just which
cable goes in the box is determined at the time the order is made.

Meanwhile, the SCSI termination requirements are not all that clear.
This is not due to Lapis' documentation, but rather Apple's. Suffice
to say if the Lapis is the only SCSI in the chain, you're set to go.
Otherwise, you need to actually open up the Macintosh and alter the
termination. In this situation one is not voiding a warranty; it
is a user option and one is given instructions in the manual.

Dip switches on the outside of the Powerbase allow you to select the
monitor to which it is attached. As for the software, just install
per directions.

After these relatively minor problems, the monitor was up and
running. It was certainly a welcome relief to use a large screen
monitor after my years of doing desktop publishing on an SE
and Powerbook. (Don't ask me why I was doing this, it's a long
story!)

The monitor control panels allow you to move the menu bar and other
functions onto the new monitor. However, you can still use the
monitor on the Powerbook or Classic as part of a "virtual desktop."
You can move whatever you want from the Powerbook screen to the
large monitor. I found it handy to keep some desktop icons on the
smaller screen, while keeping the full-page monitor filled up with
a complete screen from my desktop publishing program.

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

PUMA RATINGS

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

Performance (4.0): Does exactly what's advertised. A trifle slow
but not crucial, considering the benefit of being liberated from an
active matrix display, or the mini monitor of a Classic.

Usefulness (3.0): This is a tough judgement call, wholly dependent
on one's system, one's needs, and one's budget. For me, it was very
useful and may have saved me a long-term case of eyestrain from use
the smaller monitors.

Manual (4.0): Says it all concisely.

Availability (3.0): Primarily mail order from Express Direct, Mac's
Place. Distributed by Merisel, phone [phone].

(Nick Gorski/19921113/Press Contact: David Glickman, Lapis,
510-748-1600)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00023)

Apple Installs Toll-Free Telephone Support For Deaf 11/13/92
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Hoping to
improve its response time for the deaf and hard-of hearing,
Apple Computer has installed TDD (telecommunications device
for the deaf) software to allow for direct access to the
company's Customer Assistance Center.

According to the company, the center does not offer technical
support, but instead, provides customers with a source for
sales information, such as product specifications, as well as
general customer information.

The new toll-free line works this way. Deaf and hearing-impaired
customers leaving their name, phone number and a short
description of their questions. Someone then responds to their
call within one business day, Apple explains.

The company previously took calls from deaf and hearing-
impaired individuals through the California Relay System (CRS).
According to Apple, while the CRS provides access to the Apple
Customer Assistance Center, calls relayed through a third party
can be time-consuming. Apple claims that studies also show
that about 40 percent of the context of a conversation is lost
through a relay call.

Apple hopes that, by providing TDD assistance, the Customer
Assistance Center will be more responsive to the deaf and
hearing-impaired community, which is reported to number
about 24 million people in the United States.

The Customer Assistance Center TDD lines are available 24
hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, at
800-TDD-MAC3 (800-833-6223). The hours of operation for
specialists handling TDD calls are Monday through Friday, 9 am
to 4 pm, Pacific time.

In October, Newsbytes reported that The Trace R&D Center at
the University of Wisconsin had released a new PC-and
Macintosh-compatible version of the CO-NET CD-ROM containing
a massive database of 17,000 assistive products for disabled
children and adults. A two-issue subscription to CO-NET for the
Macintosh and the PC costs $50.

In February, Newsbytes reported that Microflip had announced
the MIC300i Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)-compatible
communications card which brings TDD (telecommunication
device for the deaf) compatibility to the standard PC.

Newsbytes runs a regular column by John McCormick which
covers news and important product information relating to high
technology aids for the disabled, called The Enabled Computer.

(Ian Stokell/19921113/Press Contact: Ylonda Davis,
408-974-5193, Apple Computer Inc.)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00024)

State Department Buys Oracle Software 11/13/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Oracle Federal,
which has always been aggressive in marketing to the federal
government, has landed an indefinite delivery, indefinite
quantity contract to supply the company's Unix-based relational
database management system to the US Department of State's
Operations Office.

Oracle's software is Novell-compatible and will provide the
State Department with a multi-platform database system, perhaps
to help wean the agency from its former major dependence on Wang
systems.

Oracle also supplies database software to the Agency for
International Development, but the new system at State will
provide a logistics management system to manage and track
overseas shipments.

Oracle could not be reached for comment on the probable size
or duration of the contract.

(John McCormick/19921113/Press Contact: Susan Lynch, 301/657-
7860)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00025)

 ****Zenith Electronics Claims "Serious Liquidity Problems" 11/13/92
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Zenith Electronics
Corporation, maker of television sets, says in a statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it faces "serious
liquidity problems" if it isn't able to renegotiate a credit agreement
or increase its net worth.

The company says it is considering various financing, strategic or
other contingency plans, but declined to comment on whether
bankruptcy was one of the possibilities. In its third quarter the
company reported a loss of $41.8 million, or $1.42 per share, citing
color television price declines, large restructuring costs and
increased reserves for trade receivables. Third quarter sales were
$313 million, down from $344 for the same period in 91. For the
same period last year the company reported a $1.5 million, or $0.05
per share loss. Zenith reported a $15.2 million loss in the second
quarter this year.

Zenith told the SEC that the pricing environment in the industry
probably has most if not all manufacturers losing money in the TV
business in the US, saying it is worse than it has been in many
years. Zenith said in the fourth quarter it will consolidate
manufacturing operations and employment reductions in Mexico, as well
as consolidate company-owned distribution outlets and realign
sales offices and warehousing activities. Zenith will also reduce
salaried employment throughout the company, and has frozen salaries
for one year.

In mid-October Zenith Electronics issued about 1 million shares
of its common stock to the profit-sharing retirement plan to fulfill
its 1991 obligation to eligible salaried employees.

On August 28 Zenith used a $37 million cash advance under its credit
agreement with the bank to repay all amounts outstanding under its
former bank agreement, and the agreement was terminated.

Zenith said in its September 26th SEC filing that it had a net worth
of $230 million, just $1 million above the minimum account required
under a credit agreement in effect. The company is holding
discussions with the Bank of New York Commercial Corporation seeking
to relax that requirement. If it can't reach an agreement with the
bank, it is expected to be out of compliance with the credit
agreement in late February and until the net worth is
increased through earnings, a sale of equity securities, or a sale of
assets at greater than book value, according to SEC documents.
The company is also seeking to reduce its investments in components
and other non-core activities.

In August Zenith registered a proposed public offering of eight
million shares of common stock, but withdrew the offer after review
of the third quarter results, market conditions, an October price
reduction, and near-term business prospects.

Asked if the company is considering additional layoffs above the 400
Newsbytes reported on in late October, Zenith spokesperson John
Taylor said "we're always looking at more additional (layoffs)."

(Jim Mallory/19921113/Press contact: John Taylor, Zenith
Electronics, 708-391-8181)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00026)

Dell Computer's Public Stock Offering 11/13/92
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Dell Computer has
announced that it expects to make a public offering of approximately
4 million shares of its common stock.

The announcement was formalized this week in a registration
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
company says the offering is expected to be a firm commitment
underwriting, with the proceeds being used for general corporate
purposes, including working capital for anticipated future growth.
Management of the syndicate of underwriters is expected to be
handled by Goldman, Sachs & Co, Alex Brown & Sons, and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith.

Dell spokesperson Roger Rydell wouldn't be specific about what the
proceeds will be used for but said, "Look at the growth of our
company. With the kind of growth rate we've been experiencing it's
important that we have sufficient capital to fund our growth."

The company plans to file an addendum to its registration
statement next week showing earnings, which will determine the
selling price of the stock.

(Jim Mallory/19921113/Press contact: Michele Moore, Dell Computer,
512-794-4100; Reader contact: Dell Computer, 512-338-4400)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00027)

Storagetek Teams Up With Sun, Epoch 11/13/92
LOUISVILLE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- In a deal that
the company says moves it more in the direction of network storage,
Storagetek has announced an agreement with Sun Microsystems and
Westborough, Massachusetts-based Epoch Systems Inc., to provide data
storage systems for managing data storage across an enterprise.

The company's first product for that purpose, NearNet, will connect
servers and workstations from Sun to the Storagetek 4400 Automated
Cartridge System (ACS). "It's our first foray into the network
arena," Storagetek spokesperson David Reid told Newsbytes.

He said that while Storagetek is not generally thought of as a network
storage provider at present, it will in the future. "The ultimate
goal is enterprise-wide storage," said Reid.

Reid said that initially Storagetek will be providing its ACS 4400
hardware and software systems to Sun customers, with its TimberWolf
and WolfCreek units coming on line in the second half of 1993. The
ACS 4400 standard library can store from 2,000 to 6,000 half-inch
tape cartridges. The largest library holds 1.2 terabytes (a
terabyte is one trillion bytes), or about 1.2 billion typed pages.
The Timberwolf and WolfCreek libraries will store approximately 500
and 1,000 cartridges respectively, and can handle data exchanges at
the rate of about 350 per hour.

Initial attachment of NearNet to Sun systems will be through an
Ethernet local area network (LAN) or through a Fiber Distributed
Data Interface (FDDI) connection. The network attachment is a joint
development effort between Storagetek and Epoch Systems. Reid told
Newsbytes NearNet should ship by early 1993.

(Jim Mallory/19921113/Press contact: David Reid, Storagetek,
303-673-4815, fax [phone]; Reader contact: 303-673-5151)


(CORRECTION)(IBM)(DEN)(00028)

Correction: Dell Announces $810 Entry Level PC 11/13/92
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- A recent Newsbytes
story about Dell Computer's $810 entry level PC contained an
incorrect explanation of the acronym SCSI. The correct
explanation is small computer system interface.

The new Dell entry level system, powered by a 33 megahertz (MHz)
Intel 386SX microprocessor, shipping now. Features include a
front-mounted reset button and a socket for an optional Intel 387SX
33 MHz math coprocessor chip. The system also uses buffered
serial ports that can store data in a memory buffer during a
communications session such as sending a fax. Other features include
support for a high-capacity 3.5-inch, 2.88-megabyte floppy drive and
a small computer set instruction (SCSI) adapter; 2 megabytes (MB) of
system memory, or RAM; a 50MB hard drive; and one 3.5 or 5.25-inch
floppy drive.

The $810 price does not include a monitor, as is the case with all
Dell systems except the Dimension line. Monitors from Dell range in
price from $199 to $1,999. Other available options include a variety
of network interface cards, a $150 software package of DOS 5.0 and
Windows 3.1, and a mouse. You can also get a space-saving "combo:"
disk drive that fits both 3.5-inch and 5.25 inch drives into one
half-height drive bay.

(Jim Mallory/19921113/Press contact: Jill Shanks, Dell Computer,
512-794-4100; Reader contact: 512-338-4400 or 800-289-3355)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00029)

Lexicomp Opens Office in Beijing, Plant To Open Soon 11/13/92
BEIJING, CHINA, 1992 NOV 13 (NB) -- Beijing Lexicomp Electronic Co.
Ltd., (BLE) sole distributor of the Lexicomp Chinese-English
electronic dictionary (coined "lexi-com"), officially opened its
office in Beijing last month.

The Lexicomp products are manufactured in Taiwan by Aiside Co.
Ltd. BLE recently formed an agreement with Aiside to deal with
Lexicomp products in the Mainland.

Mr Zheng Li, import/export administrator, told Newsbytes that
"Although BLE is currently importing Lexicomp products from Aiside,
it will very soon be importing only the components, and assembling
the final product in Beijing."

BLE is due to open the assembly plant next month and from that time
will be assembling the products in Beijing. The plant will be
situated in Tian Zhu, near Beijing Capital International Airport.

The plant will not only assemble the latest model Lexi-com,
Lexicomp LC-400, but also a range of notebook, palmtop and desktop
computers.

Mr Zheng told Newsbytes that it is cheaper to import the components
and assemble them in Beijing than to import the whole product.
"This means we will be offering the products at much lower prices,"
he said.

The plant operation has been set up as a joint venture between the
Tian Zhu local government and BLE. According to Mr Zheng, Chinese
Commercial Law dictates that the local government invest 51% of the
funds toward the plant, however the actual proportions, which are
likely to vary, have not been made public.

"One of the problems we face is that the standard of the workers in
the area is not high," Mr Zheng told Newsbytes, "So we need to
increase the level of quality control to ensure that the excellent
standard of our products remains consistent."

"BLE intend to release the LC-400 Lexi-com shortly after the
opening of the plant," Mr Zheng revealed. "Although BLE are
licensed to sell Lexicomp products throughout China, the company's
marketing focus will begin in Beijing."

"The LC-400 Lexi-com is designed mainly for the Chinese market,
however by this time next year there will be a model available for
English-speaking people who want to learn Mandarin," said Mr Zheng.

The LC-400 operates as an effective translator and as a diary as
well, enabling the user to store telephone numbers, schedule
meetings and appointments, and make entries into a memo. There is
also a spreadsheet function.

"This way we are addressing two markets -- those who need a portable
electronic organizer and those who want a portable translator at
their fingertips," Mr Zheng told Newsbytes.

The model currently available, LC-300, features a compound
digitized voice that pronounces the translated word in English. The
LC-400 will be able to pronounce the Chinese words as well.

(Newsbytes representative notes that the voice should only be used
as a guide to pronunciation as the digitized voice is not always
very clear.)

Both models contain 8,000 useful one line translations for
shopping, travel, eating etc which my be displayed in ten languages
including English, German, French and Italian.

Synonyms and antonyms can also be displayed. Another interesting
feature is a selection of 798 idioms and 300 Tang Dynasty poems for
the user's amusement.

The Lexicomp LC-400 will be available at a market price of RMB
2,450 (US$400). An optional connectivity pack that includes all
the necessary cables, adaptors and software for connecting a
stand-alone PC, is also available.

(Brett Cameron/19921113/Press Contact: Mr Zheng, Beijing Lexicomp
Electronic Co. Ltd.,Tel:[phone]; Beijing time is GMT + 8)


(REVIEW)(IBM)(DEN)(00030)

Review of: Gateway 2000 Handbook Computer 11/13/92

From: Gateway 2000,610 Gateway Drive, P.O. Box 2000, North Sioux
City, South Dakota 57049-2000, 605-232-2000 or 800-523-2000, fax
605-232-2023

Price: Suggested retail price $1,295

PUMA Rating: 4.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by Jim Mallory, 11/13/92

Summary: This sub-notebook-sized IBM-compatible weighs 2.75 pounds
and measures 9.8 inches wide by 5.9 inches deep by 1.4 inches high,
and this reviewer liked it a lot, in spite of a few very minor
drawbacks.

======

REVIEW

======

If you need to take a full-function PC with you when you travel, a
unit like the Gateway 2000 is the way to go. With its dimensions
about the width of a standard size piece of paper and just over half
the depth, it goes nicely into a briefcase or a shoulder bag, and is
smaller than an airplane pulldown tray. But its alpha-numeric keys
are full size, as wide as the laptop I use daily The keys have a
nice solid touch, and are quieter than other notebooks I have used.
The unit is well built, and the when you unfold the 2000, the backlit
display will lay all the way down. While you're unlikely to use it
that way, it provides the maximum in adjustment.

Gateway was able to keep the weight so low because the optional 3.5-
inch floppy drive is a separate unit, connecting to the PC through a
special connector at the right rear of the unit. Since that same
connector is used to connect a parallel printer in conjunction with
the provided adapter, the drive housing has a standard parallel
connector and a nine-pin serial connector mounted in the rear of the
drive unit. You can switch between a modem and a mouse without
rebooting the unit.

The drive unit measures approximately 6.5 inches wide by 6 inches
deep, and is the same height as the PC. When the drive unit is
connected, you have two available serial ports. Standard
configuration includes a 40 megabyte (MB) hard drive with
13-millisecond average access time; 1MB of system memory, or RAM
which is expandable to 3MB; DOS 5.0; Microsoft Works for DOS:
Traveling Software's Laplink XL for transferring data directly from
the 2000 to another PC; and Central Point Software's Desktop
personal information manager with scheduling and to-do software.

The video is a backlit CGA screen with 640 by 400 resolution. Other
options include a fax modem, pointing device, portable printer (not
included with our evaluation unit), and an alkaline battery holder.
The battery holder is designed to substitute for the nickel metal
hydride battery furnished, in case you travel to areas where you
can't recharge, but can get batteries. The company rates the battery
life at 2.5 hours without using the built-in power management
feature, and 4.5 hours with power management. I found those ratings
to be realistic.

I also liked the power pack, because it has a cord that's
sufficiently long to let the transformer sit on the floor. The
set-up program allows you to switch the caps lock and the left-hand
control key. The set-up program can be entered while your using an
application and any changes take effect immediately. Visual
indicators at the right side of the display show whether you are
running on battery or AC, display a low battery light, and indicate
caps lock, num lock, numeric key pad on, scroll lock on, and drive
activity. The Chips & Technologies 8680 CPU combines CPU, RAM
management, power management and video all on the 80286-compatible
CPU.

I only found a few things I would like to see improved. Compared to
my own laptop with CGA video, the screen isn't as bright as I would
like. You can switch between white letters on a blue background or
blue letters on a white background while in a program.

I also had problems with the sensitivity of the caps lock key;
it didn't always work. There is a visual indicator to show whether
it's on or not. There was also a very faint flicker in the display
due to the fact that it's interlaced, but once I got used to that
it wasn't noticeable. The only other fault I could find was the
size of the function keys, the cursor control keys and the insert
and delete keys, which are about 3/4 the size of the alpha-numeric
keys. I also had trouble getting used to the location of the
insert/delete keys, which are at the upper right corner of the
keyboard. However, when I used the unit for any length of time, I
got used to that also.

Several other features are worth note. The unit provides password
protection, set at the set-up screen. You can also set the unit so it
comes on automatically at a specified time of day. The screen
palette, which controls the gray shades of the display, is also
changeable while you are in an application. The 2000 never really shuts
off. If you press the power switch all you really do is put the
unit to sleep. No need to exit from your application before
shutting down. Just re-enter it when you want to do more work.
If you walk away and leave the system on, it will shut itself down
in the number of minutes the user specifies.

===========

PUMA RATING

===========

PERFORMANCE: 4.0 This unit performs very nicely, is quick, and
with its full-size keys is as easy to use as any machine. And
it's quiet. The few weaknesses noted above are minor and we didn't
reduce its performance score because of them.

USEFULNESS: 4.0 The $1,295 suggested retail price, which is also
the street price since Gateway sells direct to the consumer, makes
it a good value. We recommend it wholeheartedly if you travel with
a computer.

MANUAL: 4.0 The manual is easy to read and understand, and the
index makes it easy to look up anything that you don't find
intuitive. It's professionally done and doesn't look like it was
translated from another language by a non-English speaking person.
There's also a nice glossary section that explains a lot of common
computer terms.

AVAILABILITY: 4.0. When we called Gateway we got a knowledgeable
answer to our question promptly. They do provide a toll-free number
for support.

(Jim Mallory/19921114/Press contact: Glynis Gibson, Gibson
Communications for Gateway 2000, 312-868-9400, fax [phone])