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/1993/NB121793

Text File | 1993-12-17 | 75KB | 1,671 lines

(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00001)

CASE Tool Data Exchange Standard Support By 4 Vendors 12/17/93
REDWOOD SHORES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Four
companies who develop computer-aided software engineering (CASE)
tools have announced they will support a standard file format,
the CASE Data Interchange Format (CDIF), so data can be shared
from one CASE tool to another. The format is being defined by the
Electronic Industries Association (EIA) in America and the
companies involved are Oracle, Bull, LBMS and Software One.

While CASE tools are attractive for custom software application
development, two major problems confront the CASE tools market.
One is the fact that CASE vendors have still produced products in
a closed architecture, meaning the industry is struggling with
the concept of moving data from one CASE product to another. Even
the simplest word processing program allows the import and export
of data at a basic level so every word doesn't have to be
rekeyed, but CASE tools have been able to get away with proprietary
approaches to the user's data. To address the problem, third
party vendor Software One has developed Exchange, products
specifically for the task of moving data from one CASE tool to
another.

The other problem is CASE tools, of necessity, are behind the
current technology. To use CASE tools, software developers either
have to ask their clients to wait for the tools to catch up with
the technology, or attempt to take on the much more complex task
of integrating low-level programming tools with the CASE tools.

The EIA is attempting to address the first problem, that of data
exchange. Mary Lomas, chair of the EIA's CDIF technical
committee, said: "The collaboration by these leading systems
development software suppliers confirms the importance of the
CDIF standard. CASE users can now exchange systems information in
a vendor-independent standard format, regardless of whether the
tools involved expressly support CDIF import/export utilities.
This product enables them to take information from a variety of
tools and export it in CDIF format; it will also accept CDIF
compliant data models and transform them for import into various
CASE products."

The first release of the CDIF standard was in July of 1991, but
the EIA is now updating to a new version. The new CDIF standard
will use the Software One's Exchange technology to deliver CDIF
compliant interfaces to Bull's Integrated Systems Development
Repository, LBMS Systems Engineer product, and Oracle's CASE
Dictionary.

Each of the four companies has boasted its long term support for
open data exchange. Software One chairman, Andrew Mercer, said
the standard is driven by the market. "In committing to this CDIF
software, the vendor companies are responding to users' demands."

(Linda Rohrbough/19931216/Press Contact: Eve Kowtko Smith,
Oracle, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00002)

UK - Novell Unveils Netware Video 1.0 12/17/93
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Novell has
announced in the UK Netware Video 1.0, a new product that it claims
allows Novell's customers to easily integrate digital video and
synchronized audio into Netware networks.

Using server-based multimedia storage and playback, the company
claims that Video 1.0 provides customers with the benefits of shared
storage, timely updates, efficient distribution, and compatibility
with existing Netware applications and networks.

By adding its easily installed Netware Loadable Module (NLM),
Netware customers can implement a wide variety of MS-Windows-based
business applications available now from Novell dealers and
partners, the company reports.

Partners providing training, education, and messaging applications
running with Netware Video 1.0 today include Aimtech, Beyond, Course
Technology, Iprax, Lotus and Vision Integration.

"Netware Video 1.0 provides an innovative, as well as a practical
solution to customers' increasing demand for business video
applications that maximize their existing investments in Netware and
networked applications," explained Lalit Nathwani, Novell UK's
product marketing manager.

"Netware Video 1.0 delivers business applications and lays the
groundwork for widespread, cost-effective multimedia deployment
across networks," he added.

Plans call for Netware Video 1.0 to ship on both sides of the
Atlantic by the end of this month in five, 10 and 25-user
configurations. Prices are, respectively, UKP 810, UKP 1,460 and UKP
2,180.

(Steve Gold/19931215/Press & Public Contact: Novell UK - Tel: +44-
344-724000)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)

Cyberdesk - Front-End To The Internet 12/17/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- The Internet is
without question the leading on-line story of 1993. The huge
success of O'Reilly & Associate's "Whole Internet User's Guide,"
by Ed Krol, which has sold over 200,000 copies, has spawned a
host of imitators from major computer book publishers. And
O'Reilly is now working with software companies and service
providers on "Internet in a Box," which gives modem users easier
access to Internet services.

That latter move ia also spawning competition. The latest is
CyberCorp., which has a new release of its Cyberdesk program.
Cyberdesk offers a Windows-based front-end to the Internet, as
well as other services, using store-and-forward technology to cut
costs further. The latest version of the program ships in January
at $179, and automatically issues the appropriate commands to
exchange e-mail and join public Usenet newsgroups.

The software can also handle links with other major online systems
and LAN mail packages, and offers an "address book" to keep track of
correspondents on all mail networks. Cybercorp said its package
allows anyone to get inexpensive Internet access through dial-up
services like Netcom and standard Unix services.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19931215/Press Contact: Nan Atwell, Cybercorp.,
404-424-6240; FAX: [phone]; e-mail; [e-mail])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00004)

PC Memory Company Is Entrepreneur's Dream 12/17/93
NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Everyone
knows the story of Apple Computer's beginnings -- two friends
started a company in a garage that became a billion dollar
operation. But most financial analysts will probably say that rags-
to-riches dream is no longer attainable.

Those analysts probably haven't met Allen Sutker and Mark
Polinsky. The one-time computer salesperson and former stock
trader and his attorney friend launched Desktop Sales Inc., five
years ago out of the living room of a Chicago apartment selling
computer memory boards. Today Desktop Sales has six
offices across the country, employs 140 people, and expects to
end 1993 with $180 million in sales. Desktop spokesperson
Debbie Labinger told Newsbytes the company is headed to
topping the $250 million sales mark in 1994.

Desktop Sales says its success is attributable to a combination
of outlandish style, outstanding service, aggressive pricing, and a
willingness to take risks in a volatile industry. To illustrate their
willingness to take risks, Sutker and Polinsky say they maintain a
comprehensive inventory of memory boards while most suppliers
aren't willing to face the risks of unpredictable pricing and model
changes. Desktop's inventory allows it to fill virtually all
orders the same day the order is received.

That gave them the edge when an explosion in a resin factory
threatened the supply of computer chips. "Competitors either
didn't have stock or waited to ship because prices were rising
and they wanted to make more money," according to Polinsky,
Desktop's chief executive officer. "We are the only company I'm
aware of that didn't have a single back order. We shipped every
order that came in right away."

The two entrepreneurs describe the early days of Desktop Sales
as something out of the Keystone Kops. Shipping manifests were
lost, the two owners disguised their voices to make it sound like
there were more employees than actually existed, and they had
meeting to discuss how many slices of bologna should go on the
day's lunch sandwiches.

But within a year the company had moved into an office, and finished
the year with $17 million in sales. By 1990 they had moved to
larger quarters, and say they have been knocking down walls ever
since in order to expand their space.

Sutker sums up the company's philosophy of success combined
with an offbeat philosophy. "Our aim, of course, is to be Number
1. But we're going to have fun doing it."

(Jim Mallory/19931214/Press contact: Debbie Labinger, S&S
Public Relations for Desktop Sales, 708-291-1616; Reader
contact: Desktop Sales Inc, 708-272-9695 or 800-775-9695)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00005)

Maxtor's 1.8-inch PCMCIA Hard Disk Drive Wins Honors 12/17/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Maxtor is
boasting its 1.8-inch Mobilmax hard disk drive with a 105-
megabyte (MB) capacity was honored by PC Magazine and
PC/Computing. The drive is Personal Computer Memory Card Industry
Association (PCMCIA)-compatible and part of the company's line of
portable mass storage products.

The drive requires a PCMCIA Type III slot, which has been
implemented by some original equipment manufacturers by placing
Type II PCMCIA slots one on top of the other. While the drive may
seem the perfect idea for the emerging personal digital assistant
(PDA) market, none of the main PDA products, such as the Newton,
the Zoomer, or the AT&T EO have Type III slots. It appears the
Mobilemax hard disk drive is aimed more at the laptop and sub-
notebook computer market.

PC Magazine named the drive Editors' Choice in Portable
Technology in its December 21, 1993 after comparing it with 32
other similar products. PC/Computing honored the Maxtor drive at
the industry trade show Comdex in November with its 1993 Most
Valuable Product (MVP) award.

Maxtor's Mobilemax drive is part of the company's Mobilemax
product line, which also includes Flash Memory Cards and the
Mobilemax Deskrunner, an internal PCMCIA (Personal Computer
Memory Card International Association) card reader/writer for
desktop personal computers.

(Linda Rohrbough/19931217/Press Contact: Holly Campbell, Maxtor,
tel [phone], fax [phone]; Public Contact, Maxtor, 800-
462-9867)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00006)

Microsoft Corporate Giving Reaches All-Time High 12/17/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation may be a tough business competitor, but when it
comes to helping others it's a pussycat, judging by the results of
its 1993 community giving program.

The software giant says it and its employees have contributed
more than $17 million in corporate and employee donations to
charitable organizations nationwide in 1993.

Microsoft says $3 million of that came out of the pockets of its
employees, up a whopping 64 percent over last year. On the
corporate side the company reports its total contributions
exceeded $14 million, with more than $5 million of that in cash
and matching gifts.

The contributions were distributed among human services
organizations, educational institutions and causes, arts and
cultural organizations, and to aid civic and environmental
concerns. Cash contributions were up 45 percent over last year.

Microsoft donated software worth $9 million calculated at the
suggested retail price of the various products that went to non-
profit organizations across the US. Its largest corporate
donation goes to United Way and is driven by the company
matching employee gifts to that organization. Microsoft offers
employees payroll deduction of their charitable contributions and
matches those dollars on a one-to-one basis up to $12,000 per
individual employee annually.

A new program this year is the establishment of the Microsoft
Endowment for Excellence at the University of Washington. The
company has committed to a minimum of $500,000 per year over
the next several years for this project and the amount is expected
to reach the $1 million mark by the end of the decade. Like most
of its contributions, Microsoft places no limitation on the use of
those funds, allowing the university to support any educational or
program need at the school. It also sponsors a scholarship
program to aid promising high school and college students
pursue a career in computer science or a related field.

(Jim Mallory/19931217/Press and reader contact: Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00007)

Encore Wins Grumman/Navy Subcontract 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Fort Lauderdale,
Florida-based Encore Computer has announced that the company has
been selected by Corp.'s Aerospace and Electronics Group to
provide the real-time computer systems for two flight simulators
being built under contract for the US Navy. Grumman is
upgrading two simulator Navy systems for the advanced E2C radar
surveillance aircraft. One will be installed at the Miramar Naval
Air Station in California and the other at the Navy base in
Norfolk, Virginia.

Encore Computer, which made the Encore CONCEPT 32/97 systems
that are present in the current simulators, will be enhanced
with advanced Encore RSX real-time computer systems and new I/O
subsystems which will provide for data exchange at up to 53
megabytes per second.

Encore will also supply three more Encore RSX systems for a new
Navy simulator.

Encore specializes in making massively parallel computers which
offer alternatives to traditional mainframes. RSX and Infinity
R/T are the company's real-time operating systems.

(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Charles Anderson, Encore
Computer, 305-797-5605)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00008)

Gates/FA Distrib Ag't With Vision, Data Race 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- In the course of two
days, Gates/FA Distributing of Greenville, North Carolina, a
major US computer distributor, has signed two new distribution
agreements, one with a basic computer hardware manufacturer
(Vision Technologies) and the other with Data Race, a supplier of
advanced telecommunications devices.

Gates/FA will now distribute Vision Technology's bare-bone
computers which consist of case, motherboard, and power supplies
to Gates/FA resellers. Gates/FA will also customize the equipment
with CPUs, video cards, disk drives, network adapters, and other
peripherals under yesterday's agreement with the Carlsbad,
California-based manufacturer.

Vision is an Energy Star manufacturer certified by the
Environmental Protection Agency because of its use of low power
components and use of recycled/reusable packaging.

Wednesday's announcement involved Data Race, a San Antonio,
Texas-based modem manufacturer. Under the distribution agreement
Gates/FA will market Data Race's complete line of RediCARD PCMCIA
(a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association slot
for adding memory cards or peripherals, especially to laptop or
notebook computers) fax/modems, RediCELL cellular phone data/fax
adapters, Ethernet LAN adapters, and the RediDOCKit wireless LAN
and docking system.

Gates/FA will also sell the RediMODEM line of internal data/fax
modems.

Gates/FA, headed by President and Chief Executive Phil Ellett,
ended its 1993 fiscal year with a net income ($6.2 million) up
123 percent over the previous year, with total revenues up a
strong 33 percent to $307.4 million.

Gates/FA has recently increased its support of value-added
resellers (VARs) under Mr. Ellett's guidance.

(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Nancy Comstock, Comstock
Communications, 510-799-7711)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00009)

 ****Sega Night Trap Pulled From Some Stores 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- A December 9 joint
Senate Judiciary and Government Affairs Committee hearing on
video game violence co-chaired by Senators Joseph Lieberman (D.
Conn.) and Herbert H. Kohl (D Wisc.) has apparently spurred
consumer complaints and garnered enough industry attention that
two major toy stores have decided on their own to remove Sega's
ultra-violent, photo-realistic Night Stalker game from their
shelves.

Toys'R Us, and high-end toy store chain FAO Schwartz both
announced yesterday that they were removing Sega's Night Trap
from their shelves. The object of Night Trap is to keep hooded
men from committing violent acts against women but of course
video games are very difficult to beat so most players will be
exposed to the violent acts with their heavy sexual overtones
every time they play the game.

Night Trap was formerly carried on Toys'R Us game shelves next to
programs like PBS's Barney which are clearly intended for very
young children.

Senator Lieberman has called Night Trap's graphic depiction of
violence against women "deeply offensive." Night Trap uses actual
images of actors and actresses rather than cartoon-like
animations used by many video games which is thought to give the
game even more impact.

"Sick and disgusting," was how North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan
described Night Trap in his opening comments at the hearing when
he announced that he wanted to be named as a co-sponsor of
proposed bill calling for industry self-regulation but
threatening government intervention if the industry fails to take
steps to restrict the access of children to these extremely
violent games.

During last week's hearing, Senator Lieberman, in his opening
statements said that some video games contains "the most horrible
depictions of violent crimes." They "teach a child to enjoy
inflicting torture," said the Senator.

Sega's Bill White defended its games' sex and violence content on
the basis that they were rated and that most users of the more
advanced systems were over 21 years of age. When asked whether
there was any attempt to enforce ratings limits in advertising or
at the retail level, Mr. White made no clear statement indicating
that there was.

At that time Sen. Lieberman also chided Toys'R'Us and other toy
retailers for failing to respond to his staff's requests for
input on how these violent games could be kept out of the hands
of young children.

A new industry coalition including Sega, the Software Publisher's
Association, Atari, 3DO, Electronic Arts, and the Video Software
Dealers Association has been announced that will address the need
for video game ratings.

As the hearing wore on, Senator Joseph Lieberman stated that he
"finds Sega the most objectionable." The Senator also called
Sega's current unenforced rating system a "fig leaf to cover a
lot of transgressions."

Howard Lincoln of Nintendo called former Nintendo employee Bill
White's (now representing Sega) testimony "nonsense" after Mr.
White said that Night Trap is only targeted to adult audiences.

Senator Lieberman has called for another Senate hearing on video
game violence and the proposed new rating system in February,
1994.

In a somewhat related story DIC, a major US television cartoon
producer, has outlined its plans to greatly curtail violence and
stereotyping in its productions which include the popular Captain
Planet show which the company produces in conjunction with Turner
Broadcasting.

(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Jim Kennedy, Senator
Lieberman's Office, 202-224-4041 or fax [phone]; Ilene
Rosenthaul, SPA, 202-452-1600)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00010)

 ****Academics Testify During Hearing About Media Mergers 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Barry Diller,
chairman and CEO of the QVC cable shopping network, and two
academics, appeared yesterday afternoon at a Senate hearing
called Media Mergers Impact on Consumers & Competition, chaired
by Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH).

Mr. Diller, who is currently trying to purchase Paramount, did
not face the obvious antagonism which awaited John Malone,
president, Tele Communications Inc., as he testified earlier
in favor of his company's proposed merger with Bell Atlantic.

Mr. Diller, whose merger only peripherally involves hard-wired
delivery systems, appeared to answer most questions from the
Senators to their satisfaction and his only memorable statement
came when reminded of the Delaware Supreme Court's recent
decision which opened up the way for QVC to make a competitive
bid for Paramount, prompting Mr. Diller to joke with Senator
Metzenbaum, "Winning is not just winning in court, but it does
help."

But the hearing also saw important testimony from two independent
anti-trust consultants Professor Robert Petofsky, a former member
of the Federal Trade Commission, and Henry Geller, Communications
Fellow at The Markle Foundation, an independent New York-based
group which conducts research in telecommunications issues.

The consultants were asked to comment about the dangers of media
mega-mergers such as the one between Bell Atlantic and TCI, the
country's largest cable system. Both expressed some concerns but
also pointed to potential positive effects of such mergers.

"It's possible that when these mergers are entered into, it is
really an effort on the part of the firms to keep up with new
developments in technology," testified Prof. Petofsky. "It is
often the case in dynamic changing markets that complimentary
technology is really essential to move the process ahead."

He went on to say, "I suppose that as a practical matter quite
often it is a little of both - an effort to achieve market power
[and] some effort to combine technology and it is up to the
enforcement agencies to take a very careful look to decide which
motive and effect dominates."

But he expressed more concern about First Amendment (free speech)
issues which worry some individuals and legislators as media
mergers tend to reduce information sources. "Anti-trust
usually looks at purely economic issues. I believe that
concentration of economic power in the communications field has a
direct effect on first amendment concerns," he told the Senators.

But Mr. Petofsky pointed out that this was not an immediate
concern, "We now have an amazing range of information sources -
the trick is to keep it that way."

The former FTC employee also pointed out that, unlike many other
industries, cable television and telephone service is "Not likely
to be challenged from abroad," making most earlier anti-trust
opposition less relevant in this discussion.

But in general he appeared to support such mergers saying, "I
worry about anti-trust preventing deals in which the goal is to
lower prices to consumers or improve products to consumers."
Regulators "should be solicitous about protecting incentives to
innovate. It is possible that blocking this (TCI/Bell Atlantic)
merger could harm the consumer."

Mr. Geller, a communications researcher for The Markle Foundation,
responded to the panel's question about what the Bell Atlantic
TCI merger will do to promote local loop competition by saying,
"Video dialtone [access] serves the First Amendment. Public
interest is served in this merger."

He also called on the Congress to "legislate common carriage for
cable drop and inside connection" referring to a call for forcing
cable companies to allow competitors access to homes on common
wires. This would be similar to the equal-access mandated for
long distance telephone companies.

Mr. Geller then chided Congress for failing to "legislate free
access for local competition" for telephone services.

Newsbytes carried coverage of the first part of the Senate
Hearing in its December 16 issue when TCI's Mr. Malone testified.

(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Sen. Metzenbaum,
202-224-2315 or fax [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00011)

Bill Gates To Anoint New Australian MD 12/17/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Microsoft boss Bill Gates
is to visit Australia in February 1994, picking up New Zealand
MD Chris Kelliher and dropping him off in Sydney where he is
to become the new Australian MD of Microsoft.

In addition to addressing the Australian National Press Club on
February 4th, Gates is coming to launch the Microsoft Home line
of products including personal productivity, education, and
entertainment software for the home market. The company has said
it will launch around 70 of these products in the next 18 months.

Observers see the Home Brand initiative as a revenue covering bet
for Windows NT which has been slow to make a showing in the desktop
operating system market.

Microsoft Australia marketing director, Tony Fraser, said that while
the NT advanced server has been doing well, NT for the desktop has
been disappointing due to a dearth of proper 32-bit applications.
Fraser admits Microsoft, as well as third party developers, have
been slow to get 32-bit apps to market but says this problem will be
addressed in 1994.

Also likely to come from Microsoft next year will be the mix-and-match
software suites and CD-ROM-based software libraries shipped with PCs.
Fraser said Microsoft Australia's revenues are slowing as the price
battle rolls on, The company's dollar per PC is stable. He believes
the days of annual growth hitting the 50 percent mark are over with
an expected revenue for Microsoft Australia next year of around 20
to 25 percent.

(Paul Zucker and Computer Daily News/19931217/PR Contact: Patricia
Gibson at Microsoft Australia on phone [phone] or fax
[phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00012)

Japan - Magazine Error Gives Free Software To Readers 12/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Softbank, the publisher of
Japanese MacUser magazine, has distributed a sample CD-ROM disc
in each copy of its magazine. Although the disc was supposed to
contain only demo versions of new programs, it actually contains
a complete version of one of them, a $980 value.

The CD-ROM disk was intended as a free gift for purchasers
of the magazine. Softbank released the first issue of the
magazine on November 18.

The CD-ROM disk contains a number of demonstration copies of
various application programs plus a complete version of
Wings, which was developed by Japan's ASCII under a licensing
agreement from Informix in the US.

ASCII brought the matter to Softbank's attention, which has since
issued a massive recall of these magazines. For its part,
Softbank claims it intended to include a demonstration copy of
the program and the full version was included by mistake.

An ASCII spokesman told Newsbytes that ASCII is now talking with
Softbank and is looking into this problem in order to
determine how the mistake was made.

Although Softbank is trying to recall the magazine from
bookstores, a considerable number of them have already been sold.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931206/Press Contact: ASCII, +81-3-
5351-8065, Fax, [phone])


(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00013)

Japan - NEC, Sunsoft Japan Link On Solaris, Says Report 12/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- NEC and Sunsoft Japan are
in a venture together involving Sun's Unix operating system Solaris,
according to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper. The report says Solaris
will operate on NEC's best-selling personal computer the PC-9801
family. Both Sunsoft Japan and NEC have no comment on the report.

The newspaper says NEC and Sunsoft Japan have reached an
agreement, two years in the making, concerning development of
Solaris for the PC-9801. The NEC version of Solaris is expected to
debut by the summer of 1994, the report says.

A Sunsoft Japan spokeswoman told Newsbytes that there is
no such agreement at present and she denied that there may be
an NEC version of Solaris.

Meanwhile, an NEC spokesman admitted that NEC is providing
technical information on the PC-9801 to Sunsoft Japan. This,
however, may not be significant because NEC also provides
the same information to other third party software makers.

Regarding the possibility of bundling Solaris on the PC-9801, the
NEC spokesman flatly denied that there such a plan at present.
Solaris is a Unix operating system, based on Unix System V
Release 4. The software currently operates on Sun's RISC (reduced
instruction set computing)-based SPARC workstations, Intel's
80486-based computers, and the Power PC.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931216/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3451-2974, Fax, [phone], Sun Soft Japan, [phone])


(REVIEW)(IBM)(LAX)(00014)

Review of - Dauphin DTR-1 Pen-based Portable Computer, 12/17/93

From: Dauphin Technology, 377 E. Butterfield Road, Suite 900,
Lombard, IL, 60148-9722, 708-971-3400, 800-782-7922

Price: $2,500

PUMA Rating: 3.5 (1 lowest, 4 highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Linda Rohrbough, 12/17/93

Summary: The Dauphin DTR-1 is a delightful toy, but it's also a
powerful, and handy computer. Its most practical value will
probably be in vertical market applications.

======

REVIEW

======

The Dauphin DTR-1 is a computer, about the size of a paperback
book that runs Windows and offers a pen interface. When I first
took it out of the box, it looked like a kludge, but the more I
got into it, the more I liked it. The thing that sets the DTR-1
apart, more than anything else, is its versatility.

The unit is powered by a 486ALC Cyrix microprocessor running at
25 megahertz (MHz), an internal 40-megabyte (MB) hard disk drive,
a 9600 baud fax/2400 baud internal modem, a serial port, a
parallel port, a monochrome, pen-sensitive display, a super
video graphics adapter (SVGA) port for an external monitor, an
optional Ethernet connection, and a small-sized keyboard. I also
understand Dauphin has added the option of a sound card as well.

The computer is 9 by 5.5 by 1.24 inches, weighs 2.5 pounds and it
is just about all screen. The monitor is a 6-inch diagonal
monochrome display and the unit comes with a cover that slides
over the top and effectively protects the screen and all the
ports. The cover slides off and can be turned over and slid back
on to protect the ports while you're walking around with it.

It comes with a soft, zippered case equipped with Velcro straps
that hug the DTR-1 to hold it while the keyboard fits in the
bottom of the case. You can use the DTR-1 with or without the
keyboard. If you decide to use the keyboard and want the DTR-1
propped up like a laptop, the case has a stand built-in that is
weak-kneed, but effective in a pinch.

I found I became enamoured right away with the pen interface for
Windows. I didn't do anything spectacular, but if I could trade
my desktop PC's mouse for a pen-tablet right now -- I'd do it.
The handwriting recognition was dismal, though, and I gave up on
it after about 20 minutes of trying to get it to recognize my
name one character at a time.

So that leads me to why this machine is really good for vertical
applications. Industry analysts have been saying for some time
the market for pen-based computers is in medical and
manufacturing fields and it is easy to imagine a nurse walking
around with a DTR-1 to record patient data.

However, any application that requires handwriting recognition is
sunk, but an interface with sliders and pick lists would be a
delight to work with and very fast. Dauphin was smart enough to
include a couple of those applications with my unit and I was
pleasantly surprised to discover how easy they were to use.

If writing is required, the best way to get it done would be to
call up the electronic keyboard and tap in the letters by
touching them with the pen or just plugging in the small keyboard
that comes with the unit. There is a port for a "real" keyboard
that those with larger fingers will appreciate if an attempt to
do any serious typing is made. The unit will also run a full-
sized video graphics array color display via a built-in VGA
connector either with the built-in display or without. It will
produce super VGA (SVGA) resolution if you don't use the built-in
display with another monitor attached.

I found it painless to connect to peripherals with greater
freedom than my laptop. I suppose that's because the ports are
all right there around the outside edge of the computer.

There were a couple of glitches. Along the side of the screen are
adjustments for brightness, contrast, suspend/resume, and turbo
mode, all of which are adjusted by using the pen. After I used
the DTR-1 a few times, the pen suddenly didn't work anymore. I
fiddled with it until I discovered that the pen wouldn't work
unless the unit was in turbo mode, which is selected by tapping
on the turbo adjustment to the side of the screen.

Dauphin representatives confirmed that indeed the pen doesn't
work unless the unit is in the 25 megahertz (MHz) turbo mode.
Non-turbo mode is 8 MHz, a surprisingly slow speed, but one
designed to save battery life, according to Dauphin.

I also noticed I got under two hours of battery life, although
the unit recharges the batteries in under an hour. That was
disturbing. If the DTR-1 is set to the lower clock speed, it'll
deliver more battery life, but, of course, then the pen doesn't
work. Dauphin officials told me they are aware of the problem and
will introduce a new battery in the first quarter of 1994 that
will go 8 hours.

Another, much more minor ailment was the fact that the connector
for the external 3.5-inch drive that came with the DTR-1 forces
itself between the keyboard and the computer in such a way that I
couldn't get the stand to hold the computer up very well. So I
learned I couldn't use the DTR-1 in the case with the 3.5-inch
drive plugged into it.

Overall, I'd say the DTR-1 is an interesting and versatile unit
-- but you'd have to have a special project to justify the
expense. With the built-in Ethernet connection, the DTR-1 I
evaluated is retail priced at $2,900.

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

PUMA RATING

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

PERFORMANCE: 3 The three here is for the pen's inoperational status
at the low clock speed. The unit performed admirably otherwise.

USEFULNESS: 3 I really liked this computer and found several, varied
uses for it. The only problem would be the battery life, which is why
it gets a three here.

MANUAL: 4 There were clear, straight-forward illustrations and simple
to follow instructions. No problems here.

AVAILABILITY: 4 Several major distributors have picked up the DTR-1,
including Merisel.

(Linda Rohrbough/19931216/Press Contact: Colleen Burke, Dauphin,
tel [phone], fax [phone])


(REVIEW)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00015)

Review of - The Internet Complete Reference 12/17/93

From: Osborne McGraw-Hill, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0701. 800-
722-4726. Written by Harley Hahn & Rick 1994, Osborne
McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-881980-6.

Price: $29.95

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

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick, 12/17/93

Summary: The essential introduction to the Internet, this book
covers everything you need to get started exploring this vast
resource.

======

REVIEW

======

Do you want access to millions of thoughtful, well-educated
people? How about a few good vegetarian recipes or information
about the latest advances in cold fusion research? All this, and
literally millions of other pieces of information are freely
available on the Internet - all you have to do is locate what you
want and that is just what this book promises to show you how to
do.

Ever wonder what Archie, Jughead, and Veronica are doing these
days? Well they are on the Internet, ready to help you find what
you need and this book will show you how to use them and dozens
of other critical Internet tools.

"The Internet is, by far, the greatest and most significant
achievement in the history of mankind," so begins this book which
promises to provide all you need to learn to navigate the vast
Internet, but is the statement mere hyperbole and is this really
a "complete reference" as the publisher claims?

My answer to both is a qualified yes.

If, as I do and the authors apparently do, you see the exchange
of knowledge as the most important aspect of society, that which
separates human beings from mere biological organisms, then you
will agree that Internet is a milestone, every bit as important
as Gutenberg's invention and quite possibly an even more seminal
event.

Of course some cultures ranging from TV network executives to
many Eastern religions, and the vast majority of US high school
students, do not see knowledge as very important so they would of
course disagree but, as I feel certain Mr. Hahn would say, "Who
cares about sharing ideas with them?"

As for this being a "complete reference," I feel that this book
does qualify for that designation despite the fact that it barely
touches on the contents of the Internet.

You see, no one really understands all of the Internet or knows
what is on this international network which connects several
million computers and local area networks (another thing no one
knows is just how many computers are connected to the Internet).

But despite the fact that this book provides a vast amount of
information about how to use the Internet and even what you can
find there, the authors don't even pretend to cover more than a
tiny part of what is out there, all they promise to do is provide
you with the tools needed to go forth and explore the Internet on
your own.

This promise they have kept - read this book and you will
understand enough about the Internet to begin what will be a
lifetime's exploration.

Starting with the basics, the authors explain what the Internet
is, explain how to connect to it, how to interpret Internet
addresses, and how to send and receive e-mail.

More advanced, but essential topics include how to connect to
remote computers, what the Usenet is, how to use the four major
Newsreaders with tips on how to decide which is best for you,
what an Anonymous FTP does, how Archie locates files for you,
uploading and downloading Internet files on PCs and Macs, and
what Gopher has to do with Veronica and Jughead.

All of those are basic essentials for using Internet resources,
but this book also covers more advanced topics which many users
won't decide to use at first. These include strategies for
tracking down a lost friend's address, Wais, the Web, and Mailing
Lists.

As you may have suspected, that there is just so much in the
Internet that the biggest problem with using it is locating what
you want. That is where this book really shines - explaining how
to find just those files or ideas you are looking for.

This book isn't for complete computer novices, but if you know
how to connect a modem and log on to a BBS or even a commercial
system like GEnie or CompuServe, you are ready to tackle the
Internet with the help of this impressive guide and reference.

An important part of this document is the massive guide to
Internet services which will show beginners and experienced users
alike just where to start looking for interesting items. The
guide fills hundreds of pages but still only skims the surface of
what exists on the entire Internet because it can only include
the organized groups and much of the power of the Internet comes
from the fact that not everything is organized.

Appendices tell you where to gain access to the Internet and the
book even includes a coupon offering a month's free access to the
net.

Of special interest to some Newsbytes readers is the fact that we
are also on the Internet and available at any subscriber location
which subscribes to the Clarinet news service. Unlike Usenet
which carries discussions and lots of useful current information,
Clarinet carries actual news from a number of sources.

Perhaps the most comforting advice provided by this book is the
assurance that, although some knowledge of Unix can be very
helpful, it is by no means necessary for anyone wishing to join
this international information-sharing network.

(John McCormick/19931215/Press Contact: Lisa Kissinger, McGraw-
Hill, 717-794-2191)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00016)

VLSI, 3DO Postpone Stock Offerings 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- While many stock
market observers see the blue chip market as churning at or near
its all-time record highs, high-tech stocks haven't fared as well
lately. Technology stock IPOs, initial public offerings of stock
which a company sells when it wants to raise money and
potentially make early investors and executives rich from their
stock holdings, and secondary placements, have both been all over
the place as far as initial placement prices and subsequent
action. Two noteworthy stock offerings, those from VLSI and 3DO,
have recently been pulled from the market, most likely for very
different reasons.

3DO has announced that it will not bring more stock to the
market at the moment. Most observers see this as
being because of apparent diminished prospects for the company as
well as negative pressure on many technology stocks.

San Jose, California-based VLSI, which makes very-large-scale
integrated circuits (hence the company name), had planned to sell
some three million shares of the company's stock which is already
traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol VLSI.

The company's stock, which had a calendar high of 18 7/8 and a
low price of 6 1/2, as of 11 a.m. today was trading at 10 1/2, up
5/8 from yesterday's closing price of 9 7/8. The company pays no
dividend on its stock and has negative earnings per share
according to Fidelity Brokerage Services' online trading system.

The company has cited poor market conditions in the technology
sector and VLSI's own disappointing price as reasons for not
coming to market with three million more shares. Some observers
see this as a positive indication, showing that company
executives are withholding the new stock because they feel that
the company's stock is worth more than they would be forced to
accept at this time.

3DO, the maker of an advanced new video game which has been
criticized by vendors as not having very many titles available,
and for putting too high a price tag on its video game machine,
has also cancelled a stock offering of one million shares of
common stock. It launched its initial public offering earlier
this year and its stock is traded on the NASDAQ.

3DO has recently seen some major players come on board as game
developers, the latest being Accolade which announced support
yesterday, but many industry observers see major competition just
over the horizon from larger companies which expect to offer more
powerful and less expensive video game machines than the one
which Panasonic currently markets as the FZ-1 REAL 3DO
Interactive Multiplayer.

Other recent new issues have been hot when they first hit the
market but have plunged on disappointing financial results or
company statements.

One major example has been Dataware Technology, which came public
earlier this year in the mid-teens and climbed steadily to a high
of 23 1/2 before settling back near its IPO price. Then, on
negative comments about earnings, it plunged to only half its
price in a single day and is still hovering at 8 3/4 today, near
its record low of 7 3/4.

Since the CD-ROM publisher and software supplier actually has
earnings and a price earnings ratio of 49 to 1, many investors
would see it as a stronger investment (as opposed to speculation)
than either 3DO or VLSI.

(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Gregory K. Hinckley,
VLSI, 408-434-7836 )


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00017)

Worldwide Transaction Processing (TP) Market On The Rise 12/17/93
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- The 1990s
will be remembered in part as the decade in which transaction
processing (TP) technologies moved to the forefront of competition
in the commercial systems and servers industries, according to a
new survey by International Data Corporation (IDC).

The worldwide TP systems market will grow at between 1.5 to 2.0
percent per year through 1997, the study projected.

The worldwide TP database software market will experience better
than 15 percent compounded annual growth (CAGR) over the same
period, says the report, "Transaction Processing: Systems,
Databases and Middleware."

The worldwide market for TP monitor software will also register
strong growth, amounting to better than 5 percent per year CAGR
through 1997.

Markets for these TP tools have already become among the hottest in
the industry, as mounting competition forces organizations to focus
on customers, and to reduce the complexities and costs of doing
business, the researchers explained.

In addition, users want TP systems to present information through
"action-support" applications that do not require significant
browsing or searching of volumes of raw data.

"Our research clearly shows that application programming interface
like those found in leading SQL (Standard Query Language) databases
and IBM's CICS (Customer Information Control System) TP monitor are
essential to customer action-support application plans," noted
Peter Burris, director of IDC's Worldwide Commercial Systems and
Servers research program.

IBM's CICS product family owns 54 percent of the worldwide TP
monitor software market today, according to the survey. As a
result of an aggressive but achievable strategy and solid
customer demand, CICS' share of the market will rise to 64 percent
by 1997, enhancing the position of CICS as a de facto industry
standard, the researchers predicted.

(Jacqueline Emigh/19931217/Reader contact: IDC, tel [phone];
Press contacts: Deborah Butler, IDC, tel [phone]; Peter
Burris, IDC, tel [phone])


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00018)

 ****Writers Sue Over Use Of Articles Online 12/17/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Ten freelance
writers are suing several major media outlets and two electronic
publishers over what they say is unauthorized use of their work
on online services and compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).

With the backing of the National Writers' Union, the writers have
filed a suit against The New York Times, Time Inc., the Newsday
subsidiary of Times-Mirror Corp., Mead Data Central Corp., and
University Microfilms International, a division of Bell & Howell.

They charge that work commissioned for The New York Times,
Newsday, and Sports Illustrated magazine was placed on Mead's
Nexis online service and published by University Microfilms on
CD-ROM without the writers' permission and without further
compensation, said Jonathan Tasini, president of the National
Writers' Union and one of the plaintiffs in the case.

It is the first such lawsuit filed in the United States over
electronic republication of writers' work, Tasini said.

Freelance writers, who work on a contract basis for various
publications, usually retain ownership of what they write,
selling only the right to publish the material once, unless a
contract states otherwise.

Since the first online databases of newspaper and magazine
articles appeared more than 10 years ago, some writers have
worried about their work being republished electronically without
their receiving any more money for it.

Newsbytes reached Mead Data Central in Dayton, Ohio, but a
company spokeswoman said Mead could not comment as it had not yet
seen details of the suit.

(Grant Buckler/19931217/Press Contact: Jonathan Tasini, National
Writers' Union, 212-254-0279; Monica Schiffler, Mead Data
Central, 513-865-1519)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00019)

IBM Ships AS/400 Models, OS/400 Release 12/17/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- IBM has
announced that it is shipping to customers three new models of
its AS/400 midrange computer announced in September, and an
update to the OS/400 operating system that runs on the AS/400
line.

Shipments of the AS/400 9402 Model 100, 9404 Model 135, and 9404
Model 140 began today, the company said. The machines were part
of an extensive announcement in September aimed at extending the
midrange line's appeal for client/server computing.

The new models come at prices roughly comparable to those of the
existing F02, F10, and F20 models respectively, said John
Thompson, senior vice-president and general manager of
application business systems, during the September press
conference, but will deliver three to five times better
performance than the older models when dedicated to client/server
computing.

"If you're running client/server type of work for more than 50
percent of the time," Thompson said, "then these are the models
that we would recommend."

"As a market, the client/server opportunity is a very large
opportunity," added Susan Whitney, director of midrange systems
marketing for IBM United States. The market is growing at about
25 percent per year, she said.

Earlier, in a July press conference in New York, IBM Chairman
Louis Gerstner said 60 percent of AS/400 systems in use were in
client/server installations, and claimed the company was becoming
more aggressive in going after that market.

IBM also said it is now shipping OS/400 Version 2 Release 3, the
latest revision of the AS/400's operating system. First revealed
in February, the new release improves client/server performance
and brings improvements in system management, application
development, communications, printing, and other functions,
according to IBM officials.

(Grant Buckler/19931217/Press Contact: Karla Feuer, IBM,
914-642-5473; Barbara McNair, IBM, 914-642-5357/PHOTO)


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

 ****CompuServe Music Suit Could be Far Reaching 12/17/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Music publishers
have sued CompuServe in a case which could have far-reaching
effects, but which has not had a practical impact yet.

In a complaint filed in the US District Court for the Southern
District in New York City, CompuServe is being charged with
violating the copyright on the tune "Unchained Melody," by Alex
North and Hy Zaret. The song dates from 1955, but its best-known
use was a 1965 version by the Righteous Brothers. The suit
charges that the copyright has been violated at least 690 times,
based on uploads and downloads of MIDI files in the music forums
on CompuServe.

The case has potentially far-reaching effects. If music is to
attain the same legal protections as software, then copyrighted
MIDI files will have to be purged from all of the thousands of
bulletin board systems which now post them, not just CompuServe.
It may be necessary for trade groups to launch massive education
campaigns and engage on raids on computer users homes, as is now
done with software, observers suggest. Even at that, of course, the
success of the effort may prove limited. Despite legal protections
and enforcement efforts, software piracy remains a big problem.

In the case at issue, however, the plaintiffs are trying to
simplify their task of enforcement by making the online service
responsible for infringements, as bulletin board operators are
held responsible for postings of copyrighted software. The Wall
Street Journal quoted plaintiff's attorney Alan Shulman as saying
"it's too much work" to go after the people uploading and
downloading such files. "I'll never chase them all over the
country." That's why he wants to hold the systems that post such
files liable for infringement. The suit asks $100,000 for each
infringement.

Newsbytes reached Mr. Shulman at the offices of the National
Music Publishers Association, which shares offices with the Harry
Fox music publishing firm. The association is reportedly backing
the suit, turning it into a class-action on behalf of some of its
500 members. Mr. Shulman, upon learning that Newsbytes is
distributed online, refused our request for an interview. When
asked for advice on avoiding lawsuits, he declined to give any,
and hung up the phone. CompuServe spokesmen were also unavailable
for comment at press time.

Newsbytes joined the music forums at issue, and left a note for
sysop Jim Maki, but a reply to that note had not arrived by press
time. We checked the forum's procedures for uploading files,
which might be of issue, and found this standard disclaimer --
"Under our Agreement and Operating Rules, you must own or have
sufficient rights to any information you place on the Service."
We also browsed the most recent uploads to the section and found
that, while most files are patches to MIDI programs or original
compositions, some are admitted variants of popular, and
copywritten, songs."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19931217/Press Contact: CompuServe, Debra
Young, 614-538-4553; Alan Shulman, National Music Publishers'
Association, 212-370-5330)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00021)

Wang Outlines New Financial Structure 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Wang Laboratories,
the once high-flying office automation computer company which
fell on hard times because it failed to move with the industry
adoption of compatible hardware and software, has announced just
how its new public stock structure will be configured.

After bankruptcy reorganization, Wang has issued 30 million
shares of a new common stock and will distribute 20.4 million of
these shares to unsecured creditors by Christmas. The remaining
9.6 million shares are a reserve which the company will
distribute as claims against the company are settled.

The new shares will trade on NASDAQ as soon as enough shares are
transferred to make a liquid market. Share prices closed
yesterday at $14 7/8 bid and $15 1/8 asked in when-issued trading
yesterday on the NASDAQ system. The spread or difference between
bid and asked represents the difference in what people are asking
for their shares and what buyers are willing to pay.

Under the new stock plan, WangB shares (which have traded well
below $1 per share in recent months) and the thinly traded WangC
common shares will be cancelled, and the company will replace
them with 7.5 million warrants for holders of record as of
September 28, 1993. The seven-year nine-month warrants will be
calculated at a later date and will be based on an estimate of
the allowed unsecured claims divided by the 30 million shares of
new common stock which has just been issued to the unsecured
creditors.

When the new shares are issued next week this will also activate
the $60 million in proceeds from an earlier private placement of
600,000 shares of a preferred stock and 1.5 million shares of the
new common stock.

Wang will also gain access to $25 million in letters of credit
from Congress Financial Corporation and a $5 million line of loan
credit.

This announcement marks a milestone in Wang's attempt to emerge
from bankruptcy as a smaller but viable computer company.

(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Frank Ryan, Wang, 508-
967-7038)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00022)

AST Cuts Bravo Notebook Prices 12/17/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- In the burgeoning
notebook computer market, like the desktop computer market,
hardware vendors are continually lowering system prices in an
attempt to increase sales. Now AST Research Inc., has cut the
price of its Bravo NB 4/25s.

Donna Kather, spokesperson for AST, told Newsbytes that prices
were cut to "remain competitive in the market. We introduced
(the Bravo) as a value line with the idea of making mobile
computing more accessible to a broader range of users."

According to the company, new estimated sales prices for the
Bravo NB 4/25s product line start at $1,650 for monochrome,
$2,350 for Dual-Scan STN (supertwist nematic) color, and
$3,275 for TFT (thin film transistor) color, which translates
into savings of $50, $150, and $175, respectively.

There is also a special skiing promotion on Bravo NB notebooks
sold until January 31, 1994. End users who purchase a Bravo NB
notebook and authorized reseller sales representatives selling
five or more Bravo NBs will "automatically qualify for a ski
vacation package, consisting of lodging and lift tickets at one
of eleven destinations in the United States and British Columbia."
The company does say however, that the package is subject to
"certain limitations."

Kather told Newsbytes that the limitations are really just, "the
timing of it -- you have to buy the notebook between now and
January 31. And there are limitations on the ski areas -- you
have a choice of ski areas from which to choose. It includes
lodging and lift tickets, but it doesn't include the airfare."

The Bravo NB notebooks are powered by an Intel 25 megahertz
(MHz) 486SX microprocessor. A Type III PCMCIA (Personal
Computer Memory Card International Association) slot is also
included which allows access to both Type III and Type II
cards for modem and fax and local area network connections.

The company says that Bravo NB systems come standard with an
integrated trackball; local bus enhanced graphics; four megabytes
(MB) RAM, expandable to 20MB; a 3.5-inch 1.44MB internal floppy
disk drive; and hard drives ranging from 80MB up to 170MB. The
nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery gives users up to three and
one-half hours of computing time on the Bravo NB monochrome
system and up to three hours on the Bravo NB Color and ColorPlus
models, according to AST. There is also an external NiMH battery
option can reportedly double the battery life.

The Bravo NB measures 8.8-inches by 11.7-inches by 1.5-inches
and features an 11-millimeter trackball imbedded into the 82-key
keyboard. It weighs in at 5.5 pounds for the Bravo NB 4/25s and
six pounds each for the Bravo NB 4/25s Color and ColorPlus
versions.

AST also says that all models come with Microsoft's DOS 6.0,
Windows 3.1, and Star Software's B-Tools business utilities,
which include a financial calculator, business plan generator,
phone book, and envelope and label print templates.

The notebooks are also covered by a one-year warranty and the
standard ExeCare Plus program includes free 48-hour repair upon
receipt at AST. The company will pay the freight both ways, and
on-site maintenance is available within a 50-mile radius of more
than 250 authorized AST on-site service locations. There is also
a toll-free customer service available 24 hours a day, seven days
a week.

(Ian Stokell/19931217/Press Contact: Donna Kather,
714-727-7943, AST Research)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00023)

3Com Posts Record Earnings, To Acquire Synernetics 12/17/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- 3Com
Corp., has posted record sales of $205.3 million for its second
fiscal quarter ended November 30, an increase of 34 percent from
the year-earlier quarter. The company has also announced a
definitive agreement to acquire Synernetics, Inc.

According to 3Com, net income increased 131 percent to $21.5
million ($.65 per share) compared with the prior year, and orders
for the quarter totaled $202.1 million.

The company maintains that the results represent the "strongest
sequential growth in its history," with sales increasing 27 percent
from the $162.1 million reported in the first fiscal quarter, and
orders increasing 29 percent from $157.0 million. As a result,
net income and earnings per share increased 61 percent and 59
percent respectively, exclusive of "non-recurring gains in the
August quarter."

Eric Benhamou, president and chief executive officer, said:
"Sales and order growth this quarter were fueled by strength
in both our adapter and systems businesses. The company's
focus on global data networking and providing
complete desktop-to-WAN (wide area network) connectivity
systems has allowed us to penetrate new markets and expand
our customer base significantly."

The company also says that sales of its systems products,
including hubs and internetworking platforms, represented 35
percent of total sales during the quarter, while sales of network
adapters accounted for 59 percent of total sales. The remaining
six percent of its business was accounted for mainly by
communication servers and customer service.

North Billerica, Massachusetts-based Synernetics, is a major
player in the Ethernet and FDDI (fiber distributed data interface)
switching markets, and estimates that 1993 revenues will be at
about $27 million. The two companies have been joint development
partners since 1991.

According to 3Com, the acquisition positions the company as
"the leader in Ethernet switching." The addition of switching
also "strengthens the company's position in both the hub and
internetworking markets."

According to the companies, the acquisition, which is expected
to be completed in January, will be accounted for as a purchase
for $104 million. 3Com says it will write off a substantial
majority of the purchase price and related transaction costs in
the current quarter.

Said Eric Benhamou, "Together, we have more direct experience
with customers using switching technologies than any other
vendor. Combining this market experience with technology
investment and our High Performance Scalable Networking
strategy can accelerate the growth of switching product sales."

Synernetics develops and markets intelligent switching hubs.
Switching technologies are becoming increasingly important as
users demand higher bandwidth, faster throughput, more LAN
(local area network) connections, and lower per-user costs.

Synernetics says it will maintain its facilities in Massachusetts
and become 3Com's switching division, reporting to Dave
Tolwinski, currently Synernetics vice president of marketing,
who will become a 3Com vice president and general manager of
the division. Allan Wallack, Synernetics president and chief
executive, will serve in a "consulting" role during the transition.
The division will report to 3Com's executive vice president, Bob
Finocchio.

(Ian Stokell/19931217/Press Contact: David Abramson,
408-764-6621, 3Com Corp; Roman Kichorowsky, 508-670-5488
ext 6219, Synernetics)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00024)

Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

January's Computer Shopper had some nice comments about the
Newsbytes CD-ROM archives written by columnist Alfred Poor, but
the main feature of this issue was the yearly Best Buy ratings
for products in many categories. Computer Shopper differs from
many publications in rating products AND the companies which sell
them. Gateway 2000, Zeos International, and Insight came out on
top for desktop computers, notebooks, and multimedia systems. All
advertise in CS, but then almost every direct seller does, so
that is unlikely to sway the judges.

Communicationsweek for December 13 reports that Intel will launch
a major $2,000 per seat video conferencing system with data
sharing. Beta testing now, this is a fast Ethernet-based product.

InfoWorld dated December 13 says that WilTel will be the first
carrier to offer one-stop shopping for buyers of ATM
(asynchronous transfer mode) services by offering LAN-to-WAN
links, Routers, and support.

Computer Currents for December 14 reviews some multimedia upgrade
packages and looks at computer user-oriented holiday gifts.

The December 13 Computerworld takes a look at NAFTA's (North
American Free Trade Agreement) opening up of the market south of
the border with a special emphasis on the major
telecommunications problems which face any company moving into
Mexico.

Network World for the Week of the 13th predicts that IBM will be
making a major push into high-speed wireless LAN next year.

(John McCormick/19931217/)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00025)

Software Company Pays Nonsmokers 12/17/93
PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Former
smokers - and wannabees - know how hard it is to quit smoking.
Now one Texas-based software company has made it worthwhile
for its employees to give up the habit.

MICA Accounting Software President Mark J. Lee has issued a
challenge to any of his employees who smoke. Lee says any
employee who remains smoke free during the 1994 calendar year
will receive a $1,000 cash bonus at the end of the period.

Lee, a non-smoker himself, says he has pursued a life of fitness
and nutrition, and has authored a nutritional analysis software
program that was marketed nationally during the late 1980s. Lee
believes better health and fitness leads to increased productivity
and better work attitudes so he is willing to make it worthwhile for
MICA employees to quit smoking.

"I sincerely believe that if our employees quit smoking, they will
feel better and work more productively each day. I definitely know
they will take fewer smoke breaks each day. Besides, we have
invested a large amount of time and money training each of our
employees."

A MICA spokesperson told Newsbytes three of MICA's 18
employees have already jumped at the offer. Telesales
representative Breada Junot says it's the first time anyone has
offered an incentive to quit. "It just floored me that someone was
willing to give me $1,000 to do something that could have such a
positive impact on my physical and mental health," says Junot.
Another telesales representative said the timing was perfect,
since she was already scheduled to get a nicotine patch to help
her quit. "this will just give me that much more incentive to stick
to it," said Patsy Bailey.

MICA spokesperson Alan Weinkrantz told Newsbytes Lee said the
company does expect the program to have a positive effect
on the health care program MICA provides for its employees, but
does not know yet how much the premiums will be reduced.
MICA's health insurance provider requires covered individuals to
be smoke free for one year before granting a rate decrease, said
Weinkrantz.

(Jim Mallory/19931217/Press contact: Alan Weinkrantz for MICA
Accounting Software, 210-820-3070; Reader contact: MICA
Accounting Software, 409-983-2051, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00026)

German Economy Continues To Improve 12/17/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- According to the Central Bank
of Germany, part of the German economy has improved in the third
quarter 1993. However, investors are still wary of investing,
particularly in the high-tech arena.

According to the bank, fast and positive changes in the whole
infrastructure of the Eastern part of Germany are helping to build a
strong economy. The economy there has shown a lot of improvement
mainly in construction industry.

Also, many products are becoming very competitive, although
Newsbytes notes that demand for all types of products is lower than
on the Western side of the country.

According to the Bundesbank, ships in the Western side of Germany
spent more on goods generally, but these were financed from
citizen's savings rather than from income generally.

Bundesbank officials claim that food products had a lesser demand on
internal and foreign markets, but electronic goods were selling very
well, especially in the light of increasing imports from both the US
and the Far East. Officials predict that sales of electronic goods,
in particular, computers, are expected to rise during 1994.

During the third quarter of the year, company orders in Germany were
up two percent on earlier months of the year, although the
Unification of Germany is taking its toll on the German economy
generally -- orders in the former Western Germany were four percent
down on the third quarter last year.

(Sylvia Dennis/19931217/Press & Public Contact: Deutsches Bundesbank
- Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027)

Sun Signs SPARC Chip Japan Distrib Deal With Mitsui 12/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Japan is becoming an
increasingly important market for US-based semiconductor
manufacturers. Now Sun Microsystems Computer Corp.'s SPARC
Technology Business (STB) has signed up Mitsui & Company
Ltd., and its Electronics Group to be a distributor of all STB
microprocessor, ASIC (application specific integrated circuit),
module, and system board products throughout Japan.

Under terms of a memorandum of understanding, Mitsui plans to
utilize its local sales force to "proliferate SPARC into strategic
Japanese markets." According to Mitsui, the company intends to
maintain a "large local inventory of STB SPARC components"
available for delivery to Japanese customers beginning in the
first quarter of 1994.

Mitsui is reportedly the first Japanese distribution partner to
be named as part of STB's move into technology markets. STB
intends for its new worldwide sales and distribution channel
to meet customer requests for "a single source for SPARC
components complementing existing channels such as STB
manufacturing partner Texas Instruments."

Japanese markets to be targeted include printers, computing
applications, industrial control, and networking. SPARC products
to be sold by Mitsui include the microSPARC and SuperSPARC
central processing unit (CPU) products, CPU modules,
supporting ASICs, and SPARCengine boards.

(Ian Stokell/19931217/Press Contact: Jane Dryden,
415-336-0810, SPARC Technology Business)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00028)

Non-Profit Multimedia Group Targets MM Issues 12/17/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- The Multimedia
Communications Forum (MMCF), a non-profit group whose aim is to
promote networked multimedia market development, says its
December meeting in San Diego was joined by software companies
and end-user companies such as the European ISDN Users Forum,
Scotfield & Pixley, and Kaiser-Permanente.

Bob Bodine, director of Audio Visual and Teleconferencing for
Kaiser-Permanente, gave the end-user perspective describing
challenges faced in implementing video conferencing. Bodine then
offered attendees ideas on how networked multimedia will enable
telemedicine applications. President Clinton, during a recent
visit to Rocketdyne in Los Angeles, mentioned telemedicine
applications as one of the implementations of cold-war technology
to our peace time economy. The President described how the
technology could be used to help patients in rural areas get help
from experts in other locations.

Roman Nowacki of American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) talked
about potential market, especially the potential for as it
involves the CATV residential/consumer market potential.
Companies represented at the event included: Motorola, Kaleida
Labs, IIT and end users such as those from the European ISDN
Users Forum, Scotfield & Pixley, and the Multimeida Development
Group.

MMCF members include: Ascom Timeplex, ATI, AT&T, Compression
Labs, Data Communications, Deteberkom, DMS, E Systems, Ericsson,
IBM, Kemper Technologies, Luxcom, Motorola, National Computer
Systems, National Semiconductor, Northern Telecom, Siemens, and
the University of Singapore are all members of the organization.

The group describes its function as that of defining, setting
direction, and recommending standards, and it says it accomplishes
those functions by providing a forum for the interchange of ideas
and opportunities among vendors and end-users of multimedia
applications.

The group's next meeting is scheduled for March 1-3, 1994 at the
Omni Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Ron Kemper of Kemper Technologies
is handling the distribution of meeting materials concerning the
MMCF.

(Linda Rohrbough/19931217/Press Contact: Leslie Davis, National
Semiconductor, tel [phone], fax [phone]; Public
Contact: Ron Kemper, Kemper Technologies, tel [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00029)

 ****Thousands Of Stolen DRAM Chips Could Be Faulty 12/17/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- OKI
Semiconductor is warning end users it cannot stand behind dynamic
random access memory (DRAM) chips it believes will be sold on the
gray market that were stolen from its production facilities on
Halloween night. An entire week's worth of production involving
hundreds of thousands of chips was taken in the robbery, most of
them untested by OKI.

Joe Baranowski, vice president of sales and marketing, said,
"Most of our stolen chips may appear to be packaged and marked
for ready sale, but they have not been tested to our
specifications. Accordingly, we will not accept any returns of
stolen devices purchased on the gray market.

"Even if the stolen chips are tested by a gray market job shop,
there is still little assurance that they will perform to
specification."

DRAMs of the type stolen are installed on small plug-in memory
modules which can contain up to 36 devices. Since nearly an
entire week's production was taken and since the chips are marked
with coded production dates, OKI officials say they feel
confident the company will be able to identify chips being
returned from sources outside its normal distribution channels.
Remarking the chips would be tedious work and might make them
look suspicious, so Baranowski is betting the thieves won't
bother.

The company confirmed that all devices purchased through OKI's
authorized distributors and sales representatives are covered by
a one-year replacement warranty to assure performance to
specification.

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, OKI has manufacturing facilities in
Tualatin, Oregon (near Portland) and is a division of OKI
America, a subsidiary of OKI Electric Industry Company Limited.

(Linda Rohrbough/19931217/Press Contact: Mary Morrison, OKI
Semiconductor tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00030)

UK - Acer Launches Power EISA Series 12/17/93
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- After pre-announcing
the Power EISA range of machines at Comdex Fall last month, Acer has
announced volume availability of the systems to the UK computer
business.

According to David Tanner, Acer UK's marketing manager, an intensive
advertising campaign is now under way for the new i486 and Pentium-
based systems, focusing on the aggressive price aspect of the
machines.

"We've done things in the reverse order to the US," he explained,
adding that the Pentium-based system has been announced to the
company's distributors and specialist resellers.

"These machines are extremely aggressively priced and combine an
exceptional performance and flexibility with a 32-bit EISA
architecture," he said. "Despite this, we're offering a typical buy
price of UKP 1,575," he added.

For this money, users get a base configuration of 486DX-33, 256K
cache, 4 megabytes (MB) of memory, an SVGA graphics controller,
onboard IDE disk controller and a 240MB hard disk. Further upscale,
UKP 2,945 gets users a Pentium-60 system with a 8MB of memory and 340MB
hard disk. Both systems come with a 14-inch 11D color monitor, MS-
DOS and Windows software.

On the subject of pricing, Tanner told Newsbytes that the aggressive
price tags on the machines were due to the company's attitude to
margins. "Many suppliers regard the Pentium as a cash cow, looking
for margins of 45 percent. We're prepared to look for more normal
profits, hence the price," he said.

(Steve Gold/19931217/Press & Public Contact: Acer UK - Tel: +44-753-
523024; Fax: [phone])