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/NB930128

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

Journalists Get Electronic Link To Experts 01/28/93
MUNCIE, INDIANA, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Journalists now
have a high tech tool to help them find an expert for the story
they are working on.

Called Profnet, the network is operated by the State University of
New York at Stony Brook, and presently links 117 universities and
research centers throughout the country, including MIT, Cal Tech,
Stanford, Cornell, the National Academy of Sciences, and the
National Research Council. The system went on-line in December.

"Profnet is a one-of-a-kind computer network designed to match
university experts with writers and editors seeking information
sources," says Ball State University's Jeffrey Alford, executive
director for university communications and publications. Ball
State is one of three Indiana institutions on the network. The
others are the Argonne National Laboratory, Stanford University,
and Vanderbilt University.

When an expert source is needed, the journalist sends a query to
Profnet, with the message being transmitted simultaneously via
electronic mail to the participating institutions. If an expert is
available, the information is transmitted back to the journalist.
Alford said that in the first month of operation the university
has already provided sources for two stories in major national
publications.

Profnet administrator Dan Forbush told Newsbytes that Profnet
is run from a terminal of the mainframe computer at the State
University of New York at Stony Brook. "We have more than
100,000 faculty members that we can draw on," he said.

Forbush says he came up with the idea for Profnet about 10 years
ago. "I thought it would be a worthwhile service both for higher
education and the news media."  Until the Internet became a
reality, the technology didn't exist that allowed the institutions
to be connected. "It's a tremendous opportunity for public
information officers at universities to make our faculties
available to journalists and to legislators, corporations, or
anyone who has the need to tape the resources of academia."

Journalists can reach Profnet through Internet via electronic mail
to [e-mail]. For those not tied into Internet
directly, several on-line services, including CompuServe and
GEnie, have Internet gateways. For background about Profnet,
CompuServe subscribers can download a file named prof.net in
Library 4 of the Journalism forum (GO JFORUM). Journalists not
using computers have access through a toll free number, or can
fax their inquiries. Profnet is a free service.

Forbush said a national directory of Public Information
Officers would soon be available.

Jim Mallory/19930127/Press contact: Dan Forbush, State
University of New York at Stony Brook, 516-689-6000; Profnet
on Compuserve, 76550,750; For non-computer queries,
800-776-3638)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)

Storagetek Intros Vertical-Mount Tape Subsystem 01/28/93
LOUISVILLE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) --  Storage
Technology Corp., has announced the development of a vertical-
mount tape drive for its nine-track 9914 tape subsystem.

Todd Gresham, Storagetek's director of North American sales,
said the new product was the result of requests by customers.
"We're pleased to be able to provide the solution," said Gresham.

The 9914 is a drawer-mount, automatic loading, half-inch open
reel nine-track tape subsystem. The vertical-mount drive, like
its horizontal brother, features a modular design that allows
access to any field replaceable unit from the front of the unit.
The unit reads and writes in quad density, 125/42 inches per
send, dual speed transfer rate, 320 inches per send rewind speed,
built-in diagnostics, and a choice of Pertec or (SCSI) Small
Computer Systems Interface with performance rates up to 10
megabyte per second.

Storagetek says the new system is compatible with IBM RS/6000
and Sun workstations, and comes with a universal power supply
and an optional DC 48 volt power module. The vertical system
requires less than nine inches of cabinet depth.

(Jim Mallory/19930127/Press contact: David Reid, Storagetek,
303-673-4815


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00003)

UK: Xtree Tools For Networks Unveiled 01/28/93
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Xtree
Company's president, King Lee, was in the UK recently to prepare
the way for the formal launch of Xtree Tools for Networks,
Novell Edition, which is being launched worldwide this week.

In the UK, the package will be available almost immediately at
UKP 595 for the first server and UKP 339 for each additional
server. According to Lee, the primary aim of the package is to
demystify and simplify the management of local area networks
(LANs).

"We're providing a comprehensive set of building blocks to LAN
managers and offering them real solutions and practical advice.
Xtree Tools not only contains the tools necessary to react to and
fix current problems, but also supports LAN managers in taking
active steps and avoiding problems from happening in the first
place," he said.

So what is Xtree Tools for Networks? The package consists of
seven modules, all with a single common interface. The modules
are: configuration management, server monitoring, workstation
monitoring, configuration backup and restore, Quickstat,
Watchlan, and Netrack.

Quickstat is a module that is designed to help test network
performance. The module supports the LAN manager in identifying
potential problems before they occur. Watchlan, meanwhile, is a
run-time and event notification program that allows debugging of
network programs.

Netrack is a utility that monitors and logs the statistics of the
file server. The module can also be used to analyze the overall
effect on network performance by any alterations in the network
hardware.

According to King Lee, Xtree Tools for Networks has little or no
competition in the segment of the market the package is in. Xtree
is best known for its disk management software of the same
name. The company, which has been running for eight years,
claims to have sold more than three million copies of Xtree and
Xtree Pro.

(Steve Gold/19930127/Press & Public Contact: Xtree -
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00004)

LXE Sets Up In Germany 01/28/93
JULICH, GERMANY, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- LXE, the Atlanta, Georgia-
based wireless data communications company, has opened a
wholly-owned subsidiary operation in Germany. Headquartered in
Julich, the office aims to provide sales and technical support for
the company's radio frequency (RF) terminal products.

"We've established direct operations in response to the expanding
market for RF products in Germany," explained Malcolm Bibby,
president of LXE, who added that he sees the new office as a show
of commitment for existing and new customers.

LXE's office is located at Karl Heinz Beckurts Strasse, 5170
Julich.

Over the next few weeks, LXE will be transferring its sales and
support systems for its product to the Julich offices. Currently,
the company provides a full range of handheld and vehicle-mounted
RF terminals, RF units and network controllers from its Atlanta
headquarters, through German distributors. The transfer of power
to a local office will speed up this flow of support, the company
claims.

(Steve Gold/19930127/Press & Public Contact: LXE -
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])


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

UK: Borland Quattro Pro & Paradox Promotions 01/28/93
READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Borland
International has launched Quattro Pro for Windows and Paradox
for Windows to its resellers in the UK. The products will be
formally unveiled to the UK press and public this week.

The real news about the products is their pricing. Quattro Pro/Win
will sell for UKP 89.95, while Paradox/Win will sell for UKP 99.95.
The promotion is open to allcomers, rather than "upgraders" from
earlier or competing packages, as has been the case with many of
Borland's schemes of late. The offer prices cease at the end of
April.

"This is a limited time, while-supplies-last promotion. It's
Borland's way of marking its two-pronged entry into the Windows
market," explained Rikke Helms, Borland UK's managing director.

Helms went on to make the bold claim that both packages are the
best spreadsheet and database products on the market today.
"This price promotion and new product packaging highlight our
entry into the Windows market while guaranteeing superb value
for our customers," she said.

Paradox for Windows will be new to all readers of Newsbytes.
According to Frances Reay, Borland's product manager for the
package, the software is a trend setter in Windows relational
database software.

"It's the most eagerly awaited Windows database product in the
computer industry. At UKP 99.95, there is simply no reason to
buy any other Windows database," she said.

(Steve Gold/19930127/Press & Public Contact: Borland
International - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00006)

UK: Lotus To Unveil Improv/Win & Freelance/Win In Feb 01/28/93
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- It may still
be a month away, but the Windows Show has started to attract
the usual crop of pre-release announcements in the UK. Lotus is
the most news-worthy to date, as the company will be unveiling
Improv for Windows, the first "dynamic" Windows spreadsheet,
as well as Freelance Graphics 2.0 for Windows at the show.

According to Lotus, the UK unveiling of Improv/Win is the most
important spreadsheet package to be launched since the original
version of 1-2-3. In the US, PC Week referred to the package as
"an extraordinary product," while the Wall Street Journal said it
represents "a whole new level of clarity and ease of use in
spreadsheets."

Officially, Lotus is making no comment on Improv for Windows.
Newsbytes understands, however, that the package works with
plain English commands rather than mathematical formula seen
in other packages of this type.

The package has been designed for, what Lotus is privately calling,
"maximum usability" for spreadsheet users, combining standard
spreadsheet components, such as cells and formulas, "what-if"
analyses and business graphics, with multi-dimensional structure
and dynamic views.

In an early version of Improv/Win shown to Newsbytes recently,
the package allows data to be entered in a standard row and
column format, yet presents data in the form of customized
charts, presentations, and reports.

To encourage users to come along to the show and try out the new
packages, Lotus will holding a series of free product-based
seminars throughout the three days of the show, which opens at
London's Olympia on February 16. Three streams of seminars will
take place throughout the show, covering Ami Pro and Improv,
1-2-3 and Freelance Graphics plus Notes, and CC:Mail, and
Organizer.

(Steve Gold/19930127/Press & Public Contact: Lotus
Development - Tel: [phone])


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

UK: Credit Card Usage Up Over Christmas Period 01/28/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- There may be a recession
on in the UK, but that has not stopped people from flexing their
plastic cards over the Christmas period, as statistics just
released by British Telecom (BT) have confirmed.

According to BT, there was a marked increase in the use of
plastic cards over the Christmas shopping period. During the five
day period ending Friday before Christmas, BT's global network
service (GNS) Cardway card authorization system handled more
than four million authorizations.

On Saturday, December 19, Cardway reports that a million
card authorizations occurred. These figures compare with
authorizations of around 1.5 million for the whole equivalent
six-day week of 1991, according to BT.

The authorizations represent just the tip of the iceberg for
plastic card usage, as most outlets impose a floor limit
(typically UKP 20 to 75 depending on the outlet), below which
cards are not electronically authorized.

BT has adopted a change in strategy with its GNS Cardway system,
which switches the electronic funds transfer at point-of-sale
(EFTPOS) terminal call through to its packet data network (PDN)
to the nearest Cardway center. In previous years, such calls were
routed to the nearest PDN access point and switched accordingly.

This last year has seen BT introduce its toll-free "Linkline"
service on Cardway, with card calls switched free of charge to
the nearest available PDN center. This results in a smoothing of
network surges.

Never-the-less, the volume of plastic card authorizations is quite
staggering. Roger Alexander, director of sales and marketing with
Barclays Merchant Services, said: "Barclays experienced a
substantially higher volume of plastic card transactions than was
originally forecast for the Christmas period, with an increase of
14.4 percent on credit cards and 54 percent on debit cards over
the same period last year."

The introduction of toll-free access to the Cardway service is a
strategic one for the card issuers. Faced with rising card fraud,
the banks and financial institution want to encourage all retailers
to switch to EFTPOS transactions. BT says it expects that
Christmas 1993 will see even more transactions whizzing over
the network, with Cardway usage projected to increase by at
least 60 percent.

(Steve Gold/19930127/Press Contact: Christ Tucker, Barclays
Bank - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00008)

New For PC: IBM Database 2 For OS/2 01/28/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- IBM has
taken steps to tie the OS/2 operating system in more closely
with its mainframe database strategy by announcing Database
2 for OS/2. The relational database management software can
operate on its own or as part of a client/server computing setup,
and can work with the existing mainframe edition of Database 2,
the company said.

DB2/2, as IBM abbreviates it, uses 32-bit technology and is the
successor to the Database Manager that came with the extended
edition of OS/2 1.0 and 1.3.

The new offering incorporates technology from both OS/2 Database
Manager and DB2, said company spokesman Steven Malkiewicz, and
is compatible with both through support for structured query
language (SQL) and other connectivity features.

On a local area network, IBM said, DB2/2 can act as a server for
PCs running OS/2, DOS, or DOS and Microsoft Windows. The OS/2
1.0 or 1.3 Database Manager can run as a client to the new DB2/2,
Malkiewicz said.

According to IBM, the new software provides remote systems
administration and other features meant to improve reliability
and systems management, and supports industry standards.

"Mission-critical applications, on-line transaction processing and
line-of-business applications are being moved to client/server
LANs as companies expand and downsize," said Janet R. Perna,
director of database technology at IBM's Toronto laboratory, in a
prepared statement. "Businesses want a database manager to
which they can entrust these key corporate assets. DB2/2 brings
a relational database manager to the LAN environment that
customers can bet their business on, at an affordable price."

IBM also introduced Distributed Database Connection Services/2
version 2. This new 32-bit version for OS/2 2.0 lets users on a
client/server local area network or on PCs directly attached to
a host, read from and update host databases from OS/2, DOS, or
Windows clients, officials said. DDCS/2 makes the host database
look like just another server, and no special gateway products
are needed on the host, according to IBM.

DB2/2 and DDCS/2 can be used with the newly announced IBM
Communications Manager/2 products, or with OS/2 Extended
Services Communications Manager.

First customer shipments of DB2/2 and DDCS/2 version 2 are
planned for March 26, IBM said. The single-user edition of DB2/2
will cost $425. The client/server version is $2,495 plus $75 per
client. The upgrade price for DB2/2 single-user from OS/2
Extended Edition is $195, and from OS/2 Extended Services $95.

The cost to upgrade to DB2/2 client/server from OS/2 Extended
Edition is $1,495, and from OS/2 Extended Services with
Database Server $625.

The purchase price for the single-user version of DDCS/2 is $500,
and the multi-user version is $4,680. A single-user upgrade from
version 1.0 to version 2.0 of DDCS/2 is $75, and the multi-user
upgrade is $700. An upgrade from the single-user version 1.0 to
the multi-user version 2.0 is $4,400.

The purchase prices include toll-free support, 24 months of
service, and free maintenance upgrades.

(Grant Buckler/19930127/Press Contact: Steven Malkiewicz,
IBM, 914-642-5449)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00009)

New For PC: Delrina's PerForm Pro Plus Filler 01/28/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Delrina
Technology Inc., has begun shipping a separate form-filler
module for its PerForm Pro Plus forms processing software. The
module for Microsoft's Windows operating environment will be
the first of several filler modules for different environments,
said Josef Zancowicz, a company spokesman.

While Delrina offers filler modules for Windows, DOS, and the
Apple Macintosh for PerForm Pro, its earlier forms package, until
now the filler component has not been available separately for
PerForm Pro Plus. The filler module lets users fill in forms
created with the Designer component in the full version of the
software, but not modify the forms.

Aside from preventing unauthorized modification of forms, the
filler module has the added advantage of being cheaper than the
full package. It sells for US$199 or C$239, versus US$399 or
C$469 for the full PerForm Pro Plus. Multi-user packs for
local area networks are also available.

Zancowicz said that over time the filler package will gain more
functions, including interfaces to electronic mail (e-mail)
software so that filled-in forms can be sent by e-mail to other
computers on a network.

PerForm Pro Plus filler modules for other operating systems
are also in the works, Zancowicz added.

Forms processing software is meant to be an automated
replacement for paper forms, letting users take advantage of
computers for designing and filling forms and of networks for
distributing and collecting the information.

(Grant Buckler/19930127/Press Contact: Josef Zancowicz,
Delrina, 416-441-3676, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00010)

Northern Telecoms Record 4Qtr/Annual Results 01/28/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Northern
Telecom Ltd., has reported record revenues and earnings for the
fourth quarter and the year 1992.

In the year ended December 31, Northern's revenues were US$8.41
billion, up three percent from US$8.18 billion in 1991. Net
earnings applicable to common shares increased eight percent to
US$536 million from US$497 million.  Earnings per common share
increased seven percent to US$2.17 from US$2.03.

Northern also said its order input rose 14 percent in 1992 to
US$9.16 billion from US$8.05 billion in 1991. Order backlog at
year end was a record US$3.58 billion, 19 percent higher than the
US$3.02 billion backlog at the end of 1991.

In the fourth quarter, Northern had net earnings of US$253
million on revenues of US$2.54 billion. Earnings were up 24
percent from US$204 million in the last quarter of 1991, while
revenues rose 10 percent from US$2.31 billion last year. Earnings
per common share grew to US$1.02 from 83 cents.

Northern also reported that its orders grew 23 percent
year-over-year in the quarter, to US$2.84 billion from US$2.31
billion in the fourth quarter of 1991.

Northern said the strong growth in the fourth quarter came
largely from the United States. Company spokesman Tom Tropea
said orders from the regional Bell operating companies in the US
were low in the first half of 1992, but bounced back in the
fourth quarter as the Baby Bells made up for lost time.
Improvement in general economic conditions was the main
reason for the rebound, he said.

Northern's revenues in Canada, where the economic rebound has
been weaker than in the US, grew slightly in the fourth
quarter. International revenues showed good growth in the fourth
quarter on the strength of large percentage gains in the Asia
Pacific, Caribbean, and Latin American markets, offset by lower
European revenues due partly to currency exchange rates.

For the year, both Canada and the United States showed growth
while revenues in the rest of the world were flat.  Asia Pacific
revenues showed strong growth, but were offset by Europe, where
economic conditions and Northern's sale of some parts of STC PLC
combined to drag revenues down.

Northern said its revenues grew in most product categories in
the fourth quarter, except in cable and outside plant, where
sales were flat. For the year, it was central office switching
equipment where revenues held steady, while other areas grew.
Ironically, cable and outside plant revenues, while flat in the
fourth quarter, showed the fastest growth over the year as a
whole, due in particular to submarine cable products.

Northern said its selling, general, and administrative expenses
decreased to US$445 million in the fourth quarter, from US$459
million in the fourth quarter of 1991, and decreased as a
percentage of revenues to 17.5 percent from 19.9 percent.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year were
US$1.56 billion or 18.5 percent of revenues for the year,
compared with US$1.60 billion or 19.5 percent a year earlier.

Northern currently has about 58,200 employees, not counting
roughly 800 working for a recently launched joint venture with
Bell Atlantic in the US, Tropea said. A year ago, about 57,000
people worked for the company.

(Grant Buckler/19930127/Press Contact: Tom Tropea, Northern
Telecom, 416-566-3178; Gary Brandt, Northern Telecom,
416-566-3098)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00011)

Canada: 66MHz 486DX2-Based PC From VTech 01/28/93
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- VTech
Computer Systems Inc., has introduced a Hong Kong-made 486
PC, the Laser 486DX2/6 T, to the Canadian market.

The tower-style machine has an Intel 486DX2 processor with
clock-doubling technology running at 66 megahertz (MHz). It
comes with four megabytes (MB) of RAM, expandable to 64MB on
the system board. There are eight 5.25-inch, half-height bays for
storage devices such as disk or tape drives, as well as eight
16-bit and two eight-bit Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
or AT bus expansion slots.

The machine has eight kilobytes (KB) of on-chip cache memory
and 128KB of high-speed external cache, according to the vendor.
It comes with a 300-watt power supply and support for two
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) hard disk drives.

VTech offers a choice of hard drives for the machine, including
units that store 42MB, 106.9MB, 130.7MB, 245.3MB, 340MB, or
452.4MB, said David Ward, a company spokesman.

The base list price of C$3,887 does not include a hard drive or
monitor, but does include a 3.5-inch, 1.44MB diskette drive and
a Super VGA display card. The machine is also bundled with
DOS 5.0 and Microsoft Windows 3.1. It is shipping now, the
vendor said.

VTech is a Canadian-owned company affiliated with the Hong
Kong manufacturer, also called VTech, Ward said.

(Grant Buckler/19930127/Press Contact: David Ward, VTech,
416-477-2818, fax [phone]; Public Contact: VTech,
416-477-2818, 604-294-2288, or 800-465-2737)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00012)

New Zealand: ComputerWorld Expo 1993 Set For March 01/28/93
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- New Zealand's
largest computer show, ComputerWorld Expo, is to be held on
March 23, 24 and 25. It consists of a number of conference
streams as well as hardware and software shows.

Organized by publisher IDG, the expo not only features imported
products, but also locally developed computer software and
services. Promising to be of particular interest to the attendees
is the "Network World" section which will display working
networks running "real life" applications.

The two-day conference consists of the following streams:
Network World (trends, support issues, and PC integration);
Windows World (strategic directions, implementation, support,
and developer sessions); Computer Reseller Conference
(examining technology and market changes as they affect
reseller channels, also strategies and emerging profit
opportunities).

For more information on exhibiting or attending, contact
IDG Communications (New Zealand) at: telephone -
64-9-3779902, or fax - 64-9-3774604

(Paul Zucker/19930127)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00013)

Australia: Panasonic Launches CF-1000 Notebook 01/28/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Japanese electronics
manufacturer Panasonic has released a new notebook PC in
Australia. The CF-1000 is a 2.3 kilogram (five pounds) machine
with a large 240 millimeter (9.5-inch) screen.

It features a diskette drive that can be removed to reduce
weight, or replaced with a second nickel metal-hydride battery
for 11 hours of continuous operation. The case uses a carbon
fiber construction that is claimed to be five times as rigid as
a typical plastic case. SuperStor disk compression software is
standard, making the 19 millisecond 60 megabyte (MB) hard disk
capable of holding around 110MB.

The optional docking unit allows desktop peripherals to be
connected to the notebook simply be mating the two. The docking
unit holds two AT cards, has connectors for mouse, keyboard,
color VGA monitor, modem, and printer. The modem port has a
buffered UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter)
to prevent dropped characters during high-speed file transfers.

There is also an internal 2400 bits-per-second (bps) fax-modem.
Panasonic suggests that some users will use the modem and an
external fax machine as a 200 dots-per-inch (dpi) printer by
"fax-printing" from the computer to the fax machine. Other
features include advanced power management, resume mode,
and password protection.

It comes pre-installed with MS-DOS 5.0, Windows 3.1, and
SuperStor. Price in Australia is $3,599 (around US$2,400)
with the fax-modem an additional $699.

(Paul Zucker/19930127)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00014)

Australia: 1993 Farm Software Competition 01/28/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Entries are now being
sought for the eighth annual Royal Agricultural Society (RAS)
Farm Software competition in Australia. Sponsors include the
Australian newspaper, ICL, Fujitsu, and the various state
departments of agriculture.

The competition is designed to improve awareness of the
suitability of computer software in the farming and grazing
sector. Entries will be demonstrated at the Royal Easter show
(like a US State Fair) in March, where farmers will be invited
to try some "hands on."

There are four categories: Financial, Production, Process
control, and Strategic models. There are cash prizes in each
category, plus two trips to the Royal Agricultural Society of
England's national show.

The 16-person judging panel includes academics, software
developers and primary producers. They will award the trips to
the people they believe will best benefit. Entries close on
January 31, so anyone interested should immediately contact
Alf Gates at the RAS, Sydney Australia at telephone -
61-2-3319111

(Paul Zucker/19930127)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00015)

Hong Kong: KPS Video Express Installs DG AViiON Server 01/28/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- KPS Video Express,
claimed to be Asia's largest videotape rental chain, has become
the first company in the Asia-Pacific region to purchase the
Data General AViiON (AV) 4625 server, which was announced on
July 14, 1992.

The AV 4625 will be used as a server connecting a network of
personal computers to the company's existing NCR Tower A50
host, using TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol) and Data General's AV Office system.

"We wanted a Unix box offering Symmetric Multi-Processing
(SMP)," said Joseph Lam, MIS manager of KPS. "Although this is the
first installation in Hong Kong, the AV 4625 is a thoroughly proven
machine. We found that it is actually many times faster than our
host machine, but at only a fraction of the price."

Initially, the AV 4625 will support 30 concurrent users. This
number is expected to be doubled within a year, providing every
KPS manager with a terminal. Under its SMP architecture, the
system is capable of supporting a maximum of 258 concurrent
users.

SMP permits the expansion of a computer by the addition of extra
central processing units (CPUs), which work symmetrically to
increase its speed and power.

"Theoretically, an SMP-based machine can have unlimited power,"
said Lam. "This does not always work out in practice, however, a
near linear improvement is generally regarded as good."

"KPS is always focused on improving and enhancing its services,"
Lam told Newsbytes. "The AV Office system will provide us with
better communication and business tools necessary to do just
that."

Although the AV 4625 will not be directly related to transactions
involving KPS' 120,000 club members, it will soon have impact on
services to them.

"At present, we have 16 Megastores in Hong Kong, each of them
with a stock of over 25,000 tapes covering more than 10,000
titles," said KPS' PR and marketing manager, Kerry Lee. "Obviously
this involves a great deal of back office administration not
directly related to over-the-counter operations."

"The new AViiON server will increase our administrative
efficiency and will also provide greatly improved communications
between our offices and stores," Lee commented. "This is
especially important since we intend to open a further eight
Megastores by mid 1993."

"This is a very significant contract for us," said Data General's
area business manager for Hong Kong, William Chan. "It is the
first installation in the Asia-Pacific region of the new AV 4625
server. KPS' comments on its performance increase our confidence
that it will prove as great a winner in this region as elsewhere.
The fact that KPS has chosen the AV 4625 at a time when its
multi-user computing requirements are expanding dramatically
speaks for itself."

(Brett Cameron/19930126/Press Contact: Mr Joseph Lam, KPS,
Tel: [phone]; HK time is GMT + 8)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00016)

Hong Kong: Eltra To Use Swires Chameleon 01/28/93
WAN CHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- ICL and Swire
Systems recently teamed up to provide Eltra Aeronautics with
a "sophisticated, but user-friendly," answer to the firm's
distribution problems. The sale included an ICL DRS 6000, L420,
and Chameleon, a distribution software package from Swire
Systems.

Eltra Aeronautics is a major supplier of helicopter parts to the
PRC, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The company acts as the
exclusive distributor of Euro Copter, a French-based
manufacturer. The company has been selling helicopter parts
since 1986.

Running Chameleon on an ICL Unix-based system offers what
Eltra Aeronautics believes is unrivalled flexibility and efficiency
for its day-to-day distribution operations, including sales
invoicing, inventory control, and shipping.

Prior to installing Chameleon, Eltra Aeronautics was running a
package called Stoctec on a PC-LAN (local area network) and it
was essential that the new computer system should link into
Stoctec. The DRS 6000 was selected for its cost-effective role
as a database and application server for Chameleon and its
ability to link into Eltra Aeronautics existing technical
applications.

The most important criteria for Eltra Aeronautics new system
were cost-effectiveness and expandability. By selecting DRS
6000 L420, Eltra Aeronautics has the capability to expand the
hardware to multiple CPUs (central processing units) and
increase disk space and memory. The Chameleon package itself
is also very flexible, with many optional modules including
accounting and general ledger.

Chameleon has a report writer and data dictionary functions
which allow users to create customized forms and reports. A
special function within the software also allows users to
access the Informix database and design, and build files which
link directly into Chameleon's own data files.

Euro Copter International Pacific, an Australian helicopter
parts supplier which has dealings with Eltra Aeronautics,
recommended the Chameleon running on an ICL system. It was
Euro Copter's strong recommendation of both ICL and Chameleon
which convinced Eltra Aeronautics that it was the right for the
company.

Richard Fan, ICL sales manager responsible for the sale, said,
"A Unix-based DRS 6000 running Chameleon answered the
customer's every requirement and the recommendation from
Euro Copter helped clinch the deal. Because Chameleon is 'open,'
it runs on many different platforms. However, Eltra Aeronautics
chose the DRS 6000 as it is the best, most economical, Unix
hardware for running this type of application."

ICL, offered extensive demonstrations and allowed Eltra
Aeronautics to conduct studies into the overall system
performance prior to winning the sale.

Cecile Choi, manager of Eltra Aeronautics, praised ICL's service
team, saying: "This is the first time Eltra Aeronautics has
purchased a Unix system. ICL is giving us good service. When we
need help, ICL provides technicians quickly."

The total cost of the system was HK$ 500,000, including hardware,
software, and services.  Eltra Aeronautics signed the original sales
agreement in June 1992, and installation began in late July. By
October, the software had been fully configured. The system is now
undergoing the final performance tuning phase of its installation.

(Brett Cameron/19930126/Press Contact: Garry Scarborough,
ICL (HK) Ltd.,Tel: [phone];HK time is GMT + 8)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00017)

Hong Kong: Inform's Legal Office's First Installation 01/28/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Inform's Complete
Legal Office (CLO) has found success in Hong Kong with its first
installation at East Asia Tax's/Jeremy Barr & Company.

The designers of CLO, Inform Group, are a New Zealand-based
software company. In Hong Kong, Cybernetics, a division of
Orchard Software (HK) Ltd., is the sole distributor of Inform's
CLO.

CLO was selected by East Asia Tax's partners for its advanced
concepts in client and matter management, fees management,
and marketing database.

"CLO brings fingertip control to the most complex legal practice."
Andre Meyer, marketing director of CyberNetics, told Newsbytes.
"It aids financial productivity and makes any practice more
responsive to clients, whatever its nature. It has been developed
by people with a knowledge of not just the legal system but of
lawyers and how they work."

The introduction of the "front office" concept by CLO will allow
the company's staff to enter their time-sheets directly into the
system and also undertake controlled client enquiries. Billing
can be performed by the fee earners directly from their desks.

Implementation involves entering all clients names, addresses,
opening matters, and posting opening balances and subsequent
transactions. The implementation, which takes about eight weeks
is being overseen by Cybernetics on a daily basis.

"CLO is aimed at developing and enhancing a firms' 'total'
relationship with their clientele," said Meyer.

According to the company, CLO is tailored to individual firms by
its ability to split into two major modules: the management and
accounting module; and the productivity and marketing module.
Each of these is made up of a number of segments.

The first of these two modules includes trust management, fees
management, computer assisted billing, financial reporting, and
client-defined reporting. The latter includes contacts, task
management, client profiling, catalog management, document
management, Protel (telephone system), and a quotation module.

East Asia Tax have a 10BaseT Novell network running WordPerfect
Office electronic mail, WordPerfect, and SoftSolutions Document
Management. CLO runs on a Unix file server and is accessed via
WordPerfect or Windows.

(Brett Cameron/19930126/Press Contact: Andre Meyer,
Cybernetics, Tel: [phone];HK time is GMT + 8)


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

Bells Complain About AT&T-McCaw Deal 01/28/93
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Three of
the seven regional Bell companies formally asked the Federal
Communications Commission to investigate American Telephone
and Telegraph's proposed acquisition of a major stake in McCaw
Cellular Communications.

"The proposed takeover by AT&T, which dominates the long
distance market, of McCaw, the nation's largest provider of
wireless services, represents AT&T's re-entry into the local
exchange business," said Bell Atlantic Mobile general counsel
S. Mark Tuller.

Southwestern Bell and Nynex joined in the petition. Public
statements by the companies to the same effect, issued when
AT&T announced it would buy-into McCaw, were denied by AT&T.
Southwestern Bell uses the same brand name, Cellular One, in
some of its market as McCaw uses in most of its markets, but
McCaw was expected to switch to the AT&T brand after the deal
is done.

The move represents the first new challenge for the FCC since
Bill Clinton became President, and comes with the FCC short
two of its five members, following the resignations of former
Chairman Al Sikes and Commissioner Patricia Diaz Dennis.
Antoinette Cook, counsel to the Senate's communication
subcommittee, was thought to be the leading candidate for
chairman, but an ethics question has arisen around her attempt
to purchase some radio stations a few years ago.

AT&T said it would buy-out British Telecom's 20 percent
interest McCaw last year, plus buy new stock and options which
could, if exercised over a number of years, give it management
and financial control of the company. The company says its
proposal to buy a one-third interest in McCaw is not, as the Bells
allege, "taking control" of the company, and that if it did seek to
exercise options necessary to do that, it would seek approval
from the commission.

Bell Atlantic and Nynex have been among the most aggressive
companies in trying to get their own line-of-business
restrictions lifted. Both want to get into long distance and
manufacturing, and are angry that AT&T may have found a back-
door into competing with them in local service. Tuller just about
admitted as much. "If the restraints on the Bell companies were
removed and all wireless companies were free to compete on an
equal footing we would feel differently," he said. "But in the
current climate, there's a real need for the FCC to examine
whether this serves the public interest."

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930128/Press Contact: Karen Ann
Kurlander, 908-306-7552)


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

MCI Does Well - With Help From Friends 01/28/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- MCI convincingly
put the lie to claims by rivals that the deep discounts of its
"Friends and Family" calling plan would hurt profits. It said
that profits actually rose 13 percent for all of 1992, to $609
million, on revenues of $10.56 billion. That is the first time
MCI sales have risen above the $10 billion mark.

MCI President Daniel F. Akerson was up-front about crediting
outstanding performance by the company's residential telephone
service, which drew 10 million new customers last year through
the "Friends and Family" plan, for the good results. He also noted
some new contracts, including a $1 billion deal with the Federal
Aviation Administration and a $250 million contract with
Citicorp.

MCI also said that its Overseas Telecommunications Inc., unit in
France received government approval to run an independent
satellite telecommunications network, through a 10-year
license from the French Posts and Telecommunications Ministry
for closed user groups.

It has also announced 800 TrafficView, a new reporting
tool for toll-free call centers which offers statistics to help
management know how they are doing. The toll-free area is
becoming far more competitive, since companies will be able
to take their numbers with them starting in May when they
switch carriers.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930128/Press Contact: MCI,
202-887-3000)


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

 ****Motorola's Iridium Network Financing Targets Met 01/28/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Motorola has lined
up the first-line financing of $800 million needed to press ahead
with its proposed $3.37 billion Iridium network.

Iridium is a network of 66 satellites, in low-Earth orbit, which
would provide wireless phone service, at a few dollars per
minute, everywhere in the world. The satellites would also
provide wireless paging, fax, data, and global positioning
services.

The money came from subscription agreements or letters
of intent, Iridium spokesman Lawrence Moore confirmed to
Newsbytes, and most of the investors met in Geneva this week.

A list of investor names, however, was not released, pending
completion of final contracts. That is expected by mid-year.

Since Iridium was announced, a number of challengers have come
up. The most recent is Russia, which says it can put up a network
serving all of Europe within a few years. Other challenges come
from TRW and a group called Globalstar. Both international and
US regulators will have to give out frequencies for such
services.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930128/Press Contact: Lawrence Moore,
Iridium, 202-371-6880)


(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00021)

Data General's Upturn/new 486 PCs/Clariion Pact 01/28/93
WESTBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Right
after showing the second profitable quarter in a row, Data
General has announced new 486 PCs, price cuts across its
existing PC lineup, and a resale deal for its Clariion storage
products with Sun systems integrator ERI.

With the products, price changes and pact, Data General is
moving to boost a rising spot in the corporate and government
sectors of the open systems market, officials said in an
interview with Newsbytes.

Newly announced financial results show $800,000 in net income
for Data General during the first quarter of fiscal 1993, which
ended in December. The rebound follows a $2.7 million earnings
increase in the previous quarter. The earlier gain helped to offset
a hefty $62.5 million loss for the 1992 fiscal year.

The Unix-based Aviion product line has played the largest single
role in DG's recent progress, stated Chris Sampson, a company
spokesperson. Aviion now accounts for 50 percent of company
revenues, surpassing DG's proprietary Eclipse series in sales.

But DG also holds out high hopes for Clariion, a series of RAID
(redundant array of inexpensive disks) storage systems introduced
in the last quarter of fiscal 1992, he stressed. The new resale
arrangement with ERI compliments an earlier and similar deal
with Dickens Data Systems, he added. Data General unveiled the
Dickens agreement in December.

"Now that we've got these two major players in place, we'll be
selling Clariion systems for Sun and IBM systems as well as for
Aviion," said Sampson.

Data General's new 486 offerings, and the price reductions on
existing PCs, will encourage more large Clariion and Aviion
customers to incorporate PCs from Data General into their
systems, Sampson suggested.

DG's two latest PCs - the 486DX2/66LE2 and 486/33LE2 - fill
out the company's Dasher II desktop line at the high end, Keith
Lanzilotti, PC marketing manager, told Newsbytes.

The power and expandability of the new machines, along with their
Novell certification, make them ideally equipped as NetWare file
servers, he said. The new machines are also the first desktop PCs
from DG to be Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA)-
based, and the first of the company's PCs to incorporate local bus
video technology, a capability that speeds performance of
Microsoft Windows and other graphical environments.

DG's newly announced price cuts, ranging as high as 26 percent,
apply to the entire PC family, which extends from notebooks to
tower computers, Sampson said. The chance to get a good deal
on high performance computers will make large customers less
likely to go elsewhere for PCs, he predicted.

DG's new PC strategy is providing prices and selection that will
bring the company into head-to-head competition with IBM, Dell
and Compaq among corporate and government users, noted
Lanzilotti.

Each of DG's latest PCs offer six expansion slots and five
peripherals bays, to accommodate growth. In addition, each is
equipped with the same snapfit chassis now being used for
Data General's lower- and middle-tier desktop models. The
snapfit chassis allows the PC to be opened up without the use
of a screwdriver.

The 486DX2/66LE2 includes a 486 DX2/66 processor, an SVGA video
controller with one megabyte (MB) of video RAM, up to 52MB of
system memory, 128 kilobyte (KB) of external cache, a 3.5-inch,
1.44MB disk drive, IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) disk
controllers, one parallel port, one serial port, a keyboard and
mouse. It also comes with MS-DOS 5.0, Windows 3.1, and
antivirus, system diagnostic, and utility software. Prices start
at $3,695.

The 486/33LE2 comes with a 486/33 processor and only 64KB
of cache instead of 128KB, but otherwise offers the same
features. Also supplied is a chip upgrade capability, enabling
easy upgradeability to a 486DX/33 processor that runs
internally at 66 megahertz (MHz). Prices start at $3,045.

For its Clariion systems, DG is envisioning alliances as the
most effective key. ERI is the largest Sun Sparcserver systems
integrator in the US, and Dickens Data Systems is the biggest
US-based distributor of AIX systems, said Sampson.

Clariion systems provide up to 24 gigabytes (GB) of storage in a
footprint of three square feet. By supporting RAID levels 0, 1, 3,
and 5, the systems are designed to provide configurability for
a wide range of uses. The disk arrays are also aimed at assuring
high levels of data integrity for mission-critical applications.

In the new deal between ERI and DG, ERI has agreed to provide
its clients with Sparcserver-compatible Clariion disk arrays,
along with service and support.

However, ERI and Dickens pacts are only the start of Data General's
plans for Clariion, Sampson revealed. "We're looking for more
systems integrators, distributors, and value-added resellers to
join the (Clariion) team. But another goal is to sign on OEMs
(original equipment manufacturers) and private labelers, and
we'll be announcing some news on that next year," he told
Newsbytes.

(Jacqueline Emigh/19930128; Press contact: Chris Sampson,
Data General, tel [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00022)

Microsoft/Banyan Offer Windows For Groups/Vines Support 01/28/93
WOKINGHAM, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Back in
1990, when Windows for Workgroups was just a glint in Microsoft
Chairman Bill Gates' eyes, Banyan signed an agreement with the
software giant to ensure interoperability between the two
companies' products. Banyan has just announced the latest stage
in the fulfillment of that agreement -- support for Microsoft's
Windows for Workgroups (WFWG) from within Banyan Vines
networks.

Banyan makes extensive use of on-line support for its network
technology. In the UK, as in the US, the company allows automatic
retrieval of update files from the company BBS (bulletin board
system) by the Vines network software. Thanks to this feature,
Vines users can now access supplemental programs for Windows
via this route.

The introduction of automatic on-line support for WFWG is an
interesting development, especially when one considers that
Microsoft is itself a network technology supplier (e.g. LAN
Manager). Phil Buggins, Microsoft's director of systems
marketing, said that, far from competing, the two companies'
products actually complement each other.

"Today's announcement is evidence of our efforts to ensure
interoperability of both sets of products," he said, adding that
he sees Banyan as a leader in terms of enterprise computing and
networking technology generally.

The interoperability between Vines and WFWG does not stop at the
support stage. According to Microsoft, the information sharing
facilities of WFWG extends to Vines networks. This means that
users of WFWG can link to servers running Vines, as well as the
expected LAN Manager and Netware operating system networks.

Newsbytes notes that the inter-company deal on network
technology has great potential. Microsoft has just started
shipping the SQL server network integration kit, an enhancement
to the SQL server database that provides users with support for
native network transport and directory services on Vines
networks.

(Steve Gold/19930128/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft - Tel:
0734-270001)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00023)

UK: Future Publishing Readies New Bi-Monthly Mac Magazine 01/28/93
BATH, AVON, ENGLAND, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Future Publishing is
preparing to launch a bi-monthly Apple Macintosh magazine,
Newsbytes understands. The new magazine, with a cover price
of UKP 3.50, has a launch date of March 4.

Editor of the new magazine is Andy Storer, an industry veteran,
who is perhaps best known for his involvement as editor of New
Computer Express, a computer weekly which was published by
Future until a couple of years ago.

Included in the first issue are details of a new range of Macs,
the Performa series, which sources in the computer industry
suggest will be launched on February 10. The machines featured
in the magazine are the Performa 200, 400, and 600 series.

The Performa 200 comes with nine inch mono screen and a 16
megahertz (MHz) 68030 microprocessor, together with four
megabytes (MB) of memory (upgradable to 10MB internally). A
40MB hard disk completes the ensemble, which comes with
stereo sound.

The Performa 400 is a mid-range Mac that comes with the same
specifications as the 200, except that it can be linked up to
monochrome and 256 color monitors using an integral video
card. Included with the 400 is a Processor Direct video slot
for linking to network technologies.

The Performa 600 is the flagship of the new Performa range. Based
around a 32MHz 68030 microprocessor, the 600 features three
Nubus slots, an 80MB hard disk and 4MB of memory (expandable to
68MB internally). A CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory)
version, known as the Performa 600CD, is also due to be launched.
As the name implies, the 600CD comes with a compact disk-
interactive (CD-I) drive.

According to Mac Format, the Performa series are built to be a
"plug in and play" machine. Pre-installed on the hard disk is the
System 7.0 operating system, plus a copy of the PC Exchange
software that allows the Mac to read and write to PC format
disks, whether low or high density.

Also included in the first issue of Mac Format is a complete
run-down for new users of the Mac, specifically the Performa
range, as well as a "how-to" set of instructions on Clarisworks.
The first issue concentrates on the Performa series and,
judging from the adverts in the dummy issue shown to
Newsbytes, is aimed at the beginner Mac user.

(Steve Gold/19930128/Press & Public Contact: Future
Publishing - Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00024)

UK: Power Up! Software Signs Two New Distributors 01/28/93
CAMBERLEY, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Power Up!
Software used to be a catalog-only software operation. Now the
company is pushing its products in the computer dealer channel,
and has just signed to Gem and Xitan, which complement its
existing distributor, Merisel.

The idea of the new signings is to allow Gem to specialize in
the retail channel, leaving Xitan to concentrate on the graphics
marketplace. Merisel will continue to service the value-added
reseller marketplace, the company maintains.

"We believe that software sales in the retail channel will
increase dramatically in the UK, just as they have done in the
US over the last few years, which is why we are pleased to be
working with Gem," explained Simon Barnard. UK channel
development with Power Up!

According to Barnard, the retail marketplace for software in
the UK is very much under-exploited in terms of high technology
sales.

"Our products are ideally suited for both the high street and
specialist computer stores like PC World and the Business
Superstore, as they are inexpensive, easy to use and fulfil
very specific task needs," he said.

Power Up! claims that it plans to work directly with its
distributors on joint marketing activities, such as price
promotions, bundling deals, direct mailings, and advertising
campaigns.

Power Up! Software develops and markets business and personal
productivity software for "organized and efficient desktop
computing." Formed in 1985, the company claims an annual
international turnover of $40 million-plus. The UK operation
was founded in 1987 and sells both PC and Apple Mac computers.

(Steve Gold/19930128/Press & Public Contact: Power Up!
Software - Tel: [phone])


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

 ****Japan: Toshiba Develops Low-Cost HDTV Set 01/28/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Toshiba has announced that
it has developed a low-cost high definition television set. It is
equipped with complete high definition TV features, and is
claimed to be the cheapest model on the market.

Toshiba's high definition TV set - the 32HD1 - will be sold at
980,000 yen ($7,850) beginning February 16. It is a 32-inch TV,
which is based on the decoder called the MUSE.

Sony's 32-inch HDTV, which is currently sold at 1.3 million yen
($10,500), is the thought to be the cheapest model currently
available. Also, compared with Toshiba's current model, the
32HD1 is less than half the price.

The lower price if reported to be due to the development of
extra-efficient large-scale integrated circuit chipsets for the
MUSE decoder. The chip sets were jointly developed by Toshiba
and Motorola Japan. They consist of five units which can handle
operations usually done by 30 chip units. Because of the small
number of chip units, the size of the TV box has also been
reduced.

Toshiba is hoping to ship a total of 50,000 units for fiscal 1993,
which starts in April. The amount of units is thought to be
relatively low as Toshiba wants to see the market reaction.

Also, HDTV programs are currently broadcasted for eight hours
per day on an experimental basis. The actual starting date of
commercial HDTV broadcasting is still unknown. The advocator
of the Japanese HDTV standard, NHK (Japan Broadcasting
Corporation) says it will be soon.

Meanwhile, other Japanese electronics makers are also
developing low-cost HDTV sets. Japan Victor is reported to
be preparing to release an even cheaper HDTV set this fall.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930128/Press Contact:
Toshiba, [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00026)

SMC Offers Token Ring Card Trade-In Deal 01/28/93
HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Borrowing a
page from the software industry, SMC is engaged in what has
become known as a "competitive upgrade." Under this
promotional deal, SMC will take older 4Mbps Token Ring cards
in part-exchange for their 4/16Mbps cards. The customer gets
to purchase the SMC cards at a significant cost reduction over
its $599 retail price - $350.

Ellen Roeckl of SMC described the program to Newsbytes: "SMC
is offering customers a way to step up the performance of their
network at a very reasonable price. Because there is no limit
to the quantity, end users can upgrade their network to 16Mbps.
This program demonstrates SMC's commitment to being a
serious player in the Token Ring market."

Ellen Roeckl further explained to Newsbytes that SMC is deeply
committed to becoming a big player in the Token Ring market
and this program is a way for them to gain visibility and have
people try their products for the first time. "Hopefully, once
exposed to SMC, these customers will think of SMC in a
positive light when thinking about Token Ring," said Roeckl.

The mechanics of the program involve having the end user
contact an SMC reseller. The reseller will sell the user the
Token Ring cards and help in the installation if necessary.
Each of the new cards will be sold for $350. The reseller will
then take back the older cards and will send them to SMC for
disposal.

Currently, SMC Token Ring cards can be purchased for about
$460 or $480 on the street. This program represents a
significant cost savings to end users.

There are two restrictions on the program: the first is that
only 4Mbps cards qualify for the swap; and the second is that
the offer expires after March 31.

(Naor Wallach/19930127/Press Contact: Ellen Roeckl, SMC,
516-435-6340)


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

Microsoft Announces Large Account Reseller Network 01/28/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Like the
US Marines, Microsoft Corporation says its looking for a few good
men (and women). The software company wants them to join its
worldwide network of authorized distributors and resellers
servicing large accounts.

Microsoft Senior Vice President Jeff Raikes said the large
account reseller (LAR) network, "is an instrumental building
block in the company's long-term plan to make it easier for
large organizations to do business with us."

According to Microsoft, LARs will distribute packaged products,
software licenses, and documentation. They will also order special
products, provide technical support, refer selected issues to
Microsoft and provide software asset management.

They will also implement Microsoft's new Select large account
program, a new pricing plan for large organizations. Microsoft
says Select will simplify the way companies acquire and maintain
software. That could include an electronic distribution system for
software which Microsoft is reportedly working on, code-named
Hermes.

A source close to Microsoft told Newsbytes that the Hermes
technology can poll a network electronically to determine what
software, and how many copies, are on the network. It can also
inventory network hardware, and electronically distribute
software to all the workstations on the network that meet
certain configuration criteria. It might even be able to order
additional software licenses electronically from Microsoft.

Microsoft lead business systems analyst, Michael Hebert, told
Newsbytes that in order to become a LAR an organization will
have to  have an outbound sales force for large accounts, provide
first line technical telephone support, have a local, regional,
national and  international sales presence; and have a record of
selling Microsoft products to large accounts. There is no cost
to become a LAR.

Microsoft says it already has LARs signed up or in the process
of enrolling in the US, Europe, and Mexico. US companies
participating in the program include ComputerLand, CompUSA,
Egghead Software, Random Access, Softmart, Softsource, and
Software Solutions.

(Jim Mallory/19930128/Press contact: Anne Rupley, Microsoft
Corp., 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp.,
800-227-4679)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00028)

Microsoft Announces Data Compression Standard 01/28/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced a data compression interface standard. It has
also introduced a software development kit which it claims
makes it easy for software and hardware vendors to implement
DoubleSpace, the integrated data compression standard that
will be included in future versions of MS-DOS.

MS-DOS is the underlying operating system for millions of
personal computers, performing the necessary housekeeping
tasks such as file management. Other operating systems include
Unix and IBM's OS/2. Applications such as word processing,
spreadsheets, and database programs are written to run under
one of the available operating systems.

The interface being announced is called Microsoft Real-time
Compression Interface (MRCI), and defines a way for software to
take advantage of dedicated compression hardware. If MRCI
becomes the industry standard hardware makers would build
their devices to its specifications and compression software
publishers would also conform to the standard, giving Microsoft
a large market for MRCI.

Data compression, while around for a long time, is expected to
become more important as the use of applications such as
multimedia and graphics images becomes more widespread,
since those programs require large amounts of data storage
space. A few years ago a 20 megabyte (MB) hard disk was big
enough for most users. With the advent of programs such as
computer-aided design (CAD) and desktop publishing programs
500MB and larger hard drives are becoming more common. Data
compression programs such as Stacker compress and decompress
files "on the fly," saving disk space.

While MRCI may become the standard compression interface
between hardware and software, Microsoft's DoubleSpace faces
some problems. Newsbytes recently reported that Stac, the
publisher of Stacker, has sued Microsoft for patent infringement,
claiming Stack's proprietary technology was used in DoubleSpace
without being licensed by Microsoft. Microsoft also said it will
configure the backup program that will be included in future
versions of DOS to conform to the new standard.

In addition to MRCI, Microsoft is offering the DoubleSpace
Toolkit, a collection of information which enables vendors of
defragmenting programs and other disk repair tools to work
with future versions of DOS.

Microsoft says software vendors and users will be able to take
advantage of MRCI compression even when there is no dedicated
compression hardware in the system. The company is licensing,
without fee, the same libraries used in DoubleSpace that provide
MRCI-compliant services. Software vendors can link the libraries
into their applications and provide an automatic check for
MRCI-compliant hardware.

The MRCI specification and license as well as the DoubleSpace
Toolkit are available from Microsoft developer relations
department or on CompuServe and Internet.

(Jim Mallory/19930128/Press contact: Collins Hemingway,
Microsoft Corporation, 206-882-8080)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00029)

Egghead Software Offers Income Tax Software List 01/28/93
ISSAQUAH, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- It's that
time of the year again - tax preparation time. It's a headache,
but Egghead Software is offering a list of the best tax return
preparation software packages for the DOS, Macintosh, and
Windows operating environments.

With personal computers becoming as common in households as in
businesses, the Software Publishers Association (SPA) says tax
preparation programs are one of the fastest growing software
categories. The industry reported a record 1.3 million tax
preparation programs were sold last year. "In 1991 sales of
software in the tax category grew 74 percent over the previous
year, nearly three times the North American software growth
(overall) of 25  percent," said SPA Research Director David
Trembly.

The discount software reseller says all of the programs on its
recommended list provide "what-if" capabilities that allow users
to  compare various tax scenarios before printing the completed
return.  Each time a change is made, the recalculation is
automatic, and changes are reflected across all schedules.

Many of the programs are also compatible with money
management software, allowing the data used during the year
to be transferred directly to the tax program without being
re-keyed. Egghead General Merchandise Manager Kirk Keys says
even people who use an accountant can save money by presenting
the preparer with a computerized printout of their financial
condition. Readers should consult with their tax preparers
before selecting a tax preparation or money management
program.

One of the major benefits of tax software is its ability to apply
the data you enter to the Internal Revenue Service's complicated
rules and instructions. Just answer the questions and fill in
information such as number of dependents, income, allowable
deductions, and the program does the rest. Some programs even
alert the user to entries which might trigger an IRS audit. They
also eliminate mathematical errors, which the IRS says is the
most common mistake found on returns.

All of the programs on the Egghead list come with a guarantee
of accuracy, promising to pay any penalty accrued from errors
in calculations.

Egghead spokesperson Tamese Robinson told Newsbytes that the
programs included on this year's list include TaxCut for DOS,
Windows, and the Macintosh, TurboTax for DOS and Windows, and
MacInTax for the Mac. All of the programs include some state
editions.

(Jim Mallory/19930128/Press contact: Tamese Robinson,
Egghead Software, 206-391-6247; Reader contact for list:
Egghead Software, 800-344-4323)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00030)

 ****Microsoft Claims Windows To Become True O/S  01/28/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 28 (NB) -- Microsoft
is expected to brief key developers next month on its plans to
combine the MS-DOS operating system with Windows into one
32-bit product.

Code named Chicago, the program is reportedly scheduled to
ship within the next 24 months, and will bypass the limitations
of DOS as we know it now and make Windows a true operating
system. At present Windows is a graphical user interface
between the user and the underlying operating system.

One of the features expected to be included will reportedly be
the organization and access of data types such as spreadsheets
and graphics by task or subject matter rather than the traditional
applications approach, with workers using a computer in an
information-oriented way.

The enhancements are expected to be applied to an upgrade to
Windows NT (new technology) which some industry watchers
believe will ship in about the same time frame. Microsoft is
reportedly testing Chicago in its labs with a wide range of users,
including people who do not currently use personal computers.
Chicago is expected to be compatible with Windows 3.1.

In the meantime, Microsoft is expected to ship the next version
of DOS, release 6, this spring. Microsoft is not talking much
about DOS, telling Newsbytes only that, "it's an unannounced
product."

However, industry watchers say one of the features may be
peer-to-peer communications among DOS-based workstations
that can't run Windows. That addition would provide peer-to-peer
networking to the millions of 286 and low-end 386 system users
whose systems don't have the memory and disk space for
Windows. The program is also expected to include a MS-Mail
client package that will work with Windows for Workgroups.
Other features could include an improved backup and restore
feature.

(Jim Mallory/19930112)