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/NB930217

Text File | 1993-02-18 | 56KB | 1,284 lines

(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00001)

Textile-Pattern Processing Leader Enters Indian Market 02/17/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Viable Systems Inc., of the
USA, has joined up with Beta India to market its computer-aided
pattern design systems for the textile industry in India.

Claiming to control nearly 95 percent of the global market in
computer-aided label manufacturing, Viable Systems is planning
an Indian introduction for its latest Weavetter workstations
based on a 486-based PC and a 32-bit color graphics processor.

The company proposes to introduce in India a wide range of design
stations for computerized jacquard weaving, dobby weaving, and
textile-pattern processing. The systems can be used in the
designing of woven labels, furnishing upholstery, jacquard velvets,
carpets, curtains, and neckties.

According to a Viable Systems spokesperson, India's economic
liberalization has made it possible for almost all textile
manufacturers to afford the systems. This, in turn, will help
them in targeting textile markets overseas.

The spokesperson said that India could emerge as a major global
player in the textile industry. Viable Systems is also planning to
introduce new loom simulation software to display three-
dimensional representation of jacquard fabrics on color monitors
to help designing of garments.

(C.T. Mahabharat/19930217)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00002)

US Software Developer To Shift Operations To India 02/17/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Indepth Data, a US firm,
plans to shift its software development and data processing
operations to India. The company develops applications software
and financial packages for the fixed income market and sells the
information to investment banks such as Salomon Bros and
Goldman Sachs.

The company's vice-president of international operations,
Matthew C. Driscoll, said the plans were still at a very
preliminary stage and no decision has as yet been taken on
whether to shift through the 100 percent export-oriented unit
(EOU) route or set up a joint venture in collaboration with an
Indian partner.

"We hope to shift most, if not all, of our software development
and data-processing to India within two to three years of
setting up our unit. We are considering the possibilities of
locating the unit at either the financial center of Bombay or the
electronics one of Bangalore," he said. "We would also like to
develop databases on the Indian market, especially the stock
markets. We feel that, within the next two or three years,
computers will play a key role in your financial centers. While
there are quite a few databases in Bombay, they are not really
on-line which can be updated daily.''

Matthew Driscoll is a member of a visiting American mission
sponsored by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
(OPIC) - a US government agency which assists investors by
providing direct loans and loan guarantees, and insuring
investment projects against a broad range of political risks.
It also provides other investor services.

Another member of the delegation, Stephen Teel of Raytheon,
said his company has won a contract from the National Airports
Authority of India, for implementing a $75 million project that
will upgrade air traffic control (ATC) equipment and install
automation equipment and airport-surface detection systems
(for checking ground movement) at the Bombay and New Delhi
airports. The company's local partner is Nelco, a Tata group
company, which will look after in-country servicing and
systems software.

(C.T. Mahabharat/19930217)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00003)

Japan: Nintendo To Research Epilepsy & Video Games 02/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Kyoto-based game maker
Nintendo has decided to initiate a major study on epilepsy in
relation to television game activities.

Nintendo's decision came after the recent reports on the problem
of epileptic children who played Nintendo's best-selling TV game
device the Super Famicom and the Family Computer, called
the NES System outside Japan. A couple of cases were reported
that claimed children had suffered epileptic seizures caused by
playing TV games. It is called "optic induced epilepsy," which
is said to be caused by the flickering colorful lights of the
TV screen.

Nintendo and other major Japanese game makers have already
researched the possible epileptic problem. Nintendo has also
decided to study the basic cause of the problem.

The firm has begun looking for the appropriate organization to
investigate the issue. A possible candidate is "National
Rehabilitation Hospital" in Shizuoka Prefecture, according to
the Asahi newspaper. Nintendo will finance the study.

It is expected that other major game firms such as Sega
Enterprises and NEC Home Electronics may join Nintendo.
Meanwhile, some medical specialists are skeptical about
the relationship between TV games and epilepsy.

According to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, there are
about one million epileptic patients in Japan. Among these
people, only 15,000 people are considered as possible optic
induced epileptic patients. They can suffer from the problem
just about anywhere. However, the problem can be prevented
with oral medicine.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930216/Press Contact:
Nintendo, [phone], Fax, [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00004)

Japan: Ricoh Increases Optical Filing System Production 02/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Japan's major office
equipment maker, Ricoh, will raise the production of its latest
optical filing system, called the Rifile FF-1.

Ricoh's optical filing system is claimed to be unique. It looks
like a desktop computer, but it does not have a keyboard. Instead,
there is an A4-size feeder and a 3.5-inch optical disk drive at
the front side of the device. The screen is the upright-type TV
monitor.

About 3,000 pages of an A4-size document can be stored
on one optical disk. The document can be fed from the front side
feeder at 45 pages-per-minute. A mouse is attached with the
device, which provides easier data search from the screen's
menu.

Ricoh released the device in October, 1992. Despite the slump in
the computer industry, it is claimed that the product has been
selling well. It has been reported that Ricoh is preparing to
increase production by almost 120 percent in 1993.

Interestingly, Ricoh will cooperate with Canon Sales in the
marketing of the product in the near future. Ricoh and Canon are
rival companies. However, in order to ride over the slump in the
industry, both firms have becomes allies in the sales of their
respective products. Ricoh has already assigned the sale of
some copiers to Canon.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930216/Press Contact:
Ricoh, [phone])


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

Puppets Teach Kids Computer Security Issues 02/17/93
LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Employees at
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California,
are taking computer ethics to kids with puppets and song. The
program, originally started to teach adults at the lab about
computer security and ethics, is branching out into local
elementary schools.

Gale Warfahawsky, director of programs for the Livermore said
she and Computer Security Manager Lonnie Moore developed a
program using puppets, video, and overhead transparencies to
teach security and define computer crime at the Labs.

Warfahawsky, an amateur puppeteer with a theater background,
contacted professional puppet company Images in Motion of
Sonoma, California, for help. Three main characters for the
security presentations evolved: Chip, a gutted computer turned
into a puppet; Gooseberry, a purple, feather covered, naive
computer user; and Dirty Dan, a bad guy character who is a
perpetrator of computer crimes.

The presentations illustrate in a non-threatening way important
security issues, according to Warfahawsky. For example,
Gooseberry chooses her first name as her password. Chip the
computer talks her into a better choice for a password, but
then Gooseberry writes her password down on a note and sticks
it to the side of Chip's monitor. While Gooseberry is at lunch,
Dirty Dan comes and erases her work from Chip. In another
segment Dirty Dan is careless and spills coffee all over Chip's
keyboard, causing Chip to cry.

On a family day at Livermore Labs a parent saw the computer
security presentation and asked if Warfahawsky could come to
his daughter's school, Emerson Elementary, and give the
presentation to the students. Things went so well at the school
that Warfahawsky and her colleagues are planning to visit local
schools once a month.

Warfahawsky says the kids are more computer literate than some
of the adults because they are growing up with computers and
the presentation is opening up understanding of the issues
involved in computer security. The glorification of teenage
computer hackers has Warfahawsky concerned that kids will
grow up thinking that there is nothing wrong with stealing data.

In the presentation, Dirty Dan's theft of Gooseberry's data is
likened to someone stealing a student's bike when the bike is
parked for a moment outside their home. "We call breaking into
computer systems what it is - stealing," Warfahawsky told
Newsbytes.

Warfahawsky said she has approached the organizers of the
Computer Security International Conference to be held in
Washington DC, in June, to present the idea in the form of a
talk entitled, "How do you get people to pay attention to
computer security?"

The Livermore employees who are involved in the program are
doing it on their own time and the Livermore team has even gone
as far as to write a song, design a comic book featuring Chip,
and produce a leader's guide for use in the presentation.

The team is scheduled to being their school presentations in
March of this year and anticipates being fully booked up into
1994.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930216/Press Contact: Gale Warfahawsky,
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, tel [phone], fax
510-423-0913)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00006)

AT&T Switch Gets Certified In Russia 02/17/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- AT&T St Petersbourg
Telecommunications Research Institute (LONIIS) and St
Petersbourg city telephone network (LGTS) has announced the
successful conclusion of the 5ESS certification process in
Russia.

According to the official announcement, the AT&T-made 5ESS
digital switch has demonstrated good working conditions and
compliance to local regulations. This allows for larger sales
and distribution of this equipment in the Russia.

In addition to Russia, AT&T has already installed similar
equipment in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Poland. The company
claims it has extensive development plans in those countries.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19930215)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00007)

Matsushita & Sony To Agree On Digital VCR Standard 02/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- An attempted industry
standard for a next-generation digital video cassette tape
recorder (VCR) will be set in the near future.

Japan's major electronics firms Matsushita Electric and Sony
have reached an agreement to set up the digital VCR standard.
Other firms are also expected to join these firms under the
united industry standard.

Both firms have already reportedly written down the signal
processing method of the device, and have proposed other
electronics makers. It is said Hitachi and Japan Victor
(JVC) have also agreed to join the alliance. Dutch-based Philips
and France-based Thomson are also expected to join in the
future.

Matsushita and Sony are currently discussing the details of the
device's future standard such as the recording method and the
tape's width. Their proposed standard will also cover digital
camcorders. Moreover, the device will be equipped with features
to transmit motion picture data and game software via
telephone lines.

The actual standard will be the tape's width of only six to eight
millimeters (mm), which is smaller than VHS VCR. The camcorder
version of the digital VCR will also be small and is expected to
fit into a hand. Also, the recording time will be four hours for
regular TV programs and two hours for high definition TV (HDTV)
programs. Interestingly, it is claimed that it would be compatible
with a variety of HDTV standards, regardless of whether they are
Japanese, American or European.

The digital copying will be reportedly limited to only a single
time in order to protect the copyright of programs or software.

Apparently, Matsushita and Sony wanted to avoid repeating their
previous mistake which caused confusion in the industry -
VHS versus Beta. The first digital VCR products are expected to
be released as early as the end of next year.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930216/Press Contact:
Matsushita Electric, [phone], [phone],
Sony, [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00008)

Japan: Fujitsu To Set Up Multimedia Unit; New PC Debuts 02/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Fujitsu has announced that it
will create a multimedia-oriented division within the company.
It is called "Multimedia Project Development Division," and is
expected to play an important role in the firm.

Fujitsu's new multimedia division will start soon, and will
deal with a wide range of products, including the low-end
consumer market and the high-end corporate market.

About 20 employees will work on the development of
multimedia devices. They will attempt to incorporate voice
data, pictures and graphics for the development of these devices.

By this summer, Fujitsu will increase the number of the
employees for this division to 75. These people will be
transferred from Fujitsu's various departments, including its
advanced laboratory. It is said these people will work on the
development of multimedia authoring systems and motion-picture
software. They will also research the possibility of applying
multimedia technology to office equipment, data processing,
and mainframe systems.

Meanwhile, Fujitsu has added more powerful personal computer
to the firm's multimedia FM-Towns family. It is the FM-Towns II
Model UR. This new multimedia PC has a 20 megahertz 486SX
processor. A 10-inch color display TV and a CD-ROM drive are
also included in the computer. Fujitsu claims that the PC can
display extra-clear pictures on the screen and the system's
data processing speed is three times faster than its predecessor.
The PC costs 288,000 yen ($2,400)r. Fujitsu is predicting sales
of 160,000 units for the initial year.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930217/Press Contact:
Fujitsu, [phone], Fax, [phone])


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

Galacticomm Adding Fax to Major BBS 02/17/93
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) --
Galacticomm is integrating a facsimile service to its The Major
BBS bulletin board system.

Here's how it works. While a user is on-line to the bulletin
board, they can enter the optional Fax/Online service and get a
list of available fax documents from a database, which can be
delivered to a number they designate. The program's editor can
also be used to order delivery of a fax, attaching the numbers of
the faxed documents. The system allows for delivery of the same
fax to multiple numbers. At that point the fax is compiled into a
large file with the extension "FAX" and sent on a different
channel. This means a user can be sending a fax through the
board while remaining linked to the board.

The Major BBS is designed as a pay-as-you-go system for users,
and has extensive capabilities for compiling charges, including
charges for using the fax service. System operators can also
attach text files to the BBS' hard drive, or to any drive on a
local area network attached to the BBS. System operators can
also edit cover pages, adding their board's logo to each message
as it is sent, for example.

Another add-on for The Major BBS is its Internet gateway. This
allows users of The Major BBS to send and receive Internet
electronic mail as well as Usenet newsgroup messages. The
module can either run on the same PC as the BBS, or a different
machine linked to it by a network. If a separate machine is used,
the Internet traffic can be sent and received in real-time.

Since Galacticomm also offers a LAN-mail gateway under the
MHS standard, the bulletin board can be used simply as an
intermediary between a LAN and the Internet system. The
system uses UULink software by Vortex Technologies,
Topanga, California, and the UUCP network.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930217/Press Contact: Sheri Robert,
Galacticomm, 305-583-5044)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00010)

Florida To Tax Computer Services? 02/17/93
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- The state of
Florida is moving towards a sales tax on computer and information
services. The six percent tax would be used to fund computers for
Florida schools.

The Information Technology Association of America is ringing the
alarm bells on the tax, comparing it to a services tax introduced
by former Governor Bob Martinez, a Republican, which was later
withdrawn but did hurt his re-election bid. Martinez lost in 1990
to current governor Lawton Chiles, a Democrat.

This year's sales tax move seems to be directed by legislators,
not the governor, and is not aimed at closing a budget gap, but
at funding a new program from the Florida Department of
Education.

Despite the fact revenues would go toward a cause it celebrates,
the IITAA is calling on the legislature to reject the tax. ITAA
was formerly known as ADAPSO.

The Florida House is presently considering the bill, known as
PCB 93-7, after it was passed by a subcommittee on Sales Tax.
If the bill passes the full House, it will go on to the Senate,
and if it is passed there it would go to Governor Chiles for
signature.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930217/Press Contact: Bob Cohen,
ITAA, 703-284-5333)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)

Bell Company Update 02/17/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Bell Atlantic
admits to billing troubles, Nynex got a bill it doesn't like, and
BellSouth will be shelling out big bills on its network.

Bell Atlantic said it is up to six months late billing some calls
made on its IQ calling cards over the AT&T network. The problem
involves intra-state long distance calls made by some customers
of its C&P Telephone unit while traveling.

Maryland customers who made calls within West Virginia, for
example, may just now be getting the bills. The problem is
AT&T's, said spokesman Jim McGann to Newsbytes. The company
incorrectly added sales tax to some of those bills, when the
information should have come from C&P, and that caused a
hiccup in the billing system.

The price difference is just pennies per call, and both C&P and
AT&T said they will work with customers who have trouble
paying the old bills. The big losers here appear to be self-
employed people who routinely bill their customers for calls
they make - it may be too late for them to be reimbursed.

Nynex, the Bell company for New York and New England, was hit
by a $1 million fine from Judge Harold Greene, for violating his
1982 decree which broke up the Bell System. Nynex said it would
appeal the fine to the US Court of Appeals.

At issue is a Nynex subsidiary, called Telco Research Corp., in
Nashville, which  apparently wrote software for MCI in 1990, a
time when the Bell companies were prohibited from participating
in the information services business. Nynex claims there was no
willful violation, but the US Justice Department, which
prosecuted the case, said Nynex worked on the software for 10
months, that its officials knew about it, and knew it might be
illegal, but they did nothing about it.

BellSouth, which serves the nine states of the Southeast,
said it will spend $3 billion per year on improving its network
over the next three years. The announcement follows similar
moves by other Bell companies to pre-announce their
construction schedules.

In addition to clearing up damage left in the wake of last year's
Hurricane Andrew, which struck Louisiana and Florida, the
company is also going to keep up with growth in demand and
spend $1 billion per year adding fiber cable and installing
digital switches. BellSouth expects that 70 percent of its
customers will be serviced by digital switches by the end of
this year, up from 61 percent at the beginning of the year.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930217/Press Contact: Jim McGann,
AT&T, 202-457-3942; Betsy Ricci, Nynex, 914-644-5014;
Tom Crawford, BellSouth, 404-249-4135)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)

 ****Intel & Ericsson To Develop Wireless Modem 02/17/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Intel will
work directly with Ericsson GE on a new, lower-priced wireless
modem and assist in its distribution.

The announcement, made jointly with RAM Mobile Data, which
operates the Mobitex radio data network for the US, and
BellSouth, which owns half of that network, is aimed at
increasing the number of wireless modems.

The Ericsson-GE Mobidem, introduced with much fanfare a year
ago at $1,795, has not sold well in a market where even fast
land-line modems cost just a few hundred dollars.

Under the deal, Intel will sell some of the products under its
own label - the company has created a distribution network of
6,200 retail outlets for its modems and enhancement boards.
The companies said the RAM network now operates in over
6,000 US cities - when the Mobidem came out the network
was just starting-up.

Also at the mobile 93 conference, Motorola demonstrated its
NewsCard, which will be available in mid-1993. The NewsCard
is an improved version of the NewsStream pager, which receives
wireless data via paging networks and saves it for use in
small PCs.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930217/Press Contact: Ken Countess,
Motorola, 407-364-3940; Susan McCord, Ericsson,
404-325-7555)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00013)

Japan: Fujitsu Intros Multimedia Player For TV 02/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Fujitsu has developed a
multimedia player that connects to a regular television set.

It is semi-compatible with the firm's multimedia personal
computer - the FM-Town family. With this device, users will be
able to enjoy not only games but educational and music software.

Fujitsu's latest multimedia player is called the FM-Towns Marty.
It is equipped with a 32-bit processor, a two megabyte (MB)
memory, a CD-ROM drive and a 3.5-inch floppy disk. The device
measures 31.6 by 25.5 by 7.8 centimeters (cm), and it weighs
three kilograms (kg).

It is slightly larger than a notebook-type personal computer. A
keyboard, a mouse and an integrated circuit (IC) card modem is
also available for the player.

The Marty has Fujitsu's original full-digital video-converter chip
in its body. With this chip, the device supports high resolution
color pictures at a 640 by 480 pixel mode on a regular TV screen.
As a result, the retail price of this multimedia player will be
reasonably low - It will be released at 98,000 yen ($815) on
February 20.

Already over 250 kinds of software are available for this
new multimedia device, including educational and entertainment
programs such as games and music. Some of programs for the
desktop FM-Towns computer can also be used on the device.

Also, regular music CD can be played on the device. Fujitsu is
planning to increase the number of the software programs to
300 by the end of March, and 400 by the end of this year.

Fujitsu is planning to sell the device through its 2,300 dealers
of personal computers and home electronics shops in Japan. Also,
it will be sold through supermarkets, book shops and department
stores. Eventually, the device will be sold through over 5,000
outlets in Japan.

Fujitsu is hoping to ship 200,000 units of this device in the
initial year, and one million units within three years.

Fujitsu is also thinking of supplying this latest multimedia
player to major home electronics firms on an OEM (original
equipment manufacturer) basis. It is reported that Fujitsu has
already started talks with major firms such as Matsushita
Electric.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930217/Press Contact:
Fujitsu, [phone], Fax, [phone])


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00014)

Ontario Launches Telecoms Program 02/17/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- The Province
of Ontario has announced two programs aimed at promoting the
telecommunications industry in the province. One will focus on
the development of telecommunications networks, the other on
telecommunications applications and business ventures.

Premier Bob Rae and Economic Development and Trade Minister
Frances Lankin announced the measures at a Toronto press
conference.

The province plans to provide C$100 million in funding for the
development of telecommunications-based information networks
under its new Ontario Network Infrastructure Program (ONIP). The
money will come from jobsOntario, an umbrella structure for
job-creation efforts under which the New Democratic Party
government has also recently announced road-building and public
transit projects.

ONIP will pay part of the cost of feasibility studies and
implementation of selected telecommunications network project
undertaken by Ontario businesses. According to documents issued
by the government, the purpose of the program is to, "accelerate
the long-term development and use of high-capacity,
interconnected, multimedia networks to homes, offices, schools,
factories, and laboratories throughout the province."

The second program is a Telecommunications Sector Framework
within the government's C$150-million Sector Partnership Fund
(SPF). Under this framework, the province plans to hand out money
for projects that meet one or more of four priorities: developing
new telecom applications; forming innovative business
enterprises; establishing specialized telecommunications
infrastructure; and enhancing market development and promotion.

Government spokesman Russell Drago said no specific
portion of the SPF's C$150-million budget is allocated to
telecommunications, but as one of the first specific sectors
addressed under the program, it will probably get a sizeable
piece of the money.

The government also said it would set out to become itself a
"model user" of telecommunications and information technologies.

The initiatives were based on the report "Telecommunications -
Enabling Ontario's Future," which was submitted to the
government by a 22-member study group last fall.

(Grant Buckler/19930216/Press Contact: Russell Drago, Ontario
Government Marketing and Information Services, 416-314-7232;
Anna Larson, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and
Trade, 416-325-6686)


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

Delrina Sells Carolian Division 02/17/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Software
developer Delrina has signed a conditional letter of intent to sell
its Carolian Systems division to a group of the division's senior
managers. Terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.

Delrina, which makes forms processing and facsimile software
for personal computers, merged with Carolian, a minicomputer
software vendor, in 1988. The deal was a reverse takeover which
made Carolian a subsidiary of a newly formed holding company,
Delrina Corp., and permitted Delrina to take over Carolian's
listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

With the sale to a group that includes one of Carolian's
co-founders, Carolian will become a privately held company
and Delrina will retain its stock-exchange listing, company
spokesman Josef Zankowicz said.

Zankowicz said Carolian's business - system software for
Hewlett-Packard HP3000 minicomputers - has been shrinking
recently, though it has potential to grow again in an improved
economy. Carolian accounted for only about three percent of
Delrina's total revenues last year, he said, and the company
wants to concentrate on its core PC software business.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of
February.

(Grant Buckler/19930216/Press Contact: Josef Zankowicz,
Delrina, 416-441-3676 ext. 308, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00016)

Corel, Data Technology Join Forces On SCSI 02/17/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Corel and Data
Technology, a Milpitas, California, subsidiary of Qume, have
announced a deal to bundle Corel's CorelSCSI software with
Data Technology's DTC SCSI Solution Kits.

Data Technology offers the kits with a choice of 16-bit or
32-bit Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) host adapters.

According to Corel, the CorelSCSI software, with Data
Technology's SCSI host adapters, allows all major SCSI
peripherals to work with DOS, Microsoft Windows, Novell
NetWare file servers, and OS/2 systems.

CorelSCSI also includes tape back-up software, CD-Audio, as
well as additional utilities that let the user customize the
performance of the SCSI peripherals.

Corel has similar agreements with Always Technology, Adaptec,
Buslogic, Distributed Processing Technology, and Future Domain.

Corel, which is best known for its CorelDraw graphics software,
stopped making its own SCSI interface card late in 1991,
choosing to concentrate on the software business.

(Grant Buckler/19930216/Press Contact: Janie Sullivan, Corel,
613-728-8200 ext. 1672; Dave Snook, Data Technology,
408-942-4000)


(NEWS)(IBM)(MOW)(00017)

Russia: IBM Opens Office In St Petersbourg 02/17/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- IBM has announced the
registration of its subsidiary in St Petersbourg, Russia. The
office, which will be staffed with local workers, plans to deal
with the growing demand for the IBM equipment at the Russian
North-West.

According to Josef de Georgi, St Peterbourg branch general
manager, the company was inspired by the number of exhibitions
and  presentations it had in the region in the last year, the
growing flow of computer equipment orders in the region, and
the activities of rival companies - Siemens and DEC.

The company is reportedly negotiating a number of deals with
shipbuilding and research enterprises in the city, as well as
the planning to start its own manufacturing facilities.

The office is to be fully operational in the second quarter
of 1993.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19930217/Press Contact: IBM
St Petersbourg, phone [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00018)

Australia: Compaq Upset Over Dell Press Ads 02/17/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Compaq Australia is
seeking action over  what it calls "inaccuracies" in Dell's press
ads in Australia. The ads compare Dell prices with IBM, Compaq,
and Apple, claiming significant savings against all three.

Compaq claims the ads are unfair as they compare Dell's direct
prices against list prices for the other three. Compaq Marketing
Director Inge Fuglestved told Newsbytes this was unfair as
street prices for Compaq computers were always lower than
list price.

One ad shows the Dell 333s/L against a Compaq Deskpro and a
Compaq Prolinea. Similarly equipped, the prices shown are
AUS$2,295 for the Dell and AUS$4,340 and AUS$3,015 for the
Compaqs. The ad claims one Compaq is 89 percent more
expensive and the second is 31 percent more expensive and
also 25 percent slower.

Compaq also claims that there are inaccuracies in the model
comparison. Fuglestved said, "While we accept that it is standard
marketing tactic for any newcomer to attempt to position itself
against brand leaders in an effort to gain initial credibility, we
believe that such positioning should be carried out with precision
and accuracy. However, the level of inaccuracy in the Dell
comparisons is demonstrable. In the interests of both our
resellers and our customers, we believe it is important that the
correct information be disseminated as soon as possible."

As a first step, Compaq has drawn the ads to the attention of
the Trade Practices Commission, asking it to take action. Dell
is using business and computer trade journals for its Australian
advertising blitz.

(Paul Zucker/19930217)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00019)

Australia: New International TV Broadcasting Service 02/17/93
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Australia's national
broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has
launched an overseas television broadcasting arm, Australian
Television International (ATVI) - a satellite delivered service
aimed at the South-East Asian area.

ATVI consists of a single specialized TV channel and, as a
separate service, the English language channel of Radio Australia,
the ABC's short wave radio service (which carries seven language
services). These are carried on a transponder of the Indonesian
Palapa B2P satellite which already carries CNN, ESPN, HBO
channels from the US and national channels from Indonesia,
Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

ATVI's target area includes India, Bangladesh, Burma, Vietnam,
Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei,
Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and
South-East China. Viewers in these areas will either need a 2.5-
to 3.5-meter dish, or access to a local cable service which
carries ATVI. The signal is not encoded.

Programming is in English, with an emphasis on Australian-
produced programs. Australia's Prime Minister Paul Keating
speaking at the launch said, ATVI "will be the best TV in the
region. A kaleidoscope of entertainment." ATVI is seen as a
way of assisting Australia in business dealings with the rest
of the region.

Programming will originate in Sydney, and ground control for the
feed to the Palapa satellite will be done from Australia's
northern-most city Darwin. The ABC said it has started the
service as a requirement of its charter, and due to budget
cutbacks over the past few years it will seek sponsors from
the business community.

It is unclear if these sponsorships will be rewarded with
"honorable mentions" or by full advertising. Australia's
second domestic public broadcasting TV service - SBS - has
some sponsorship in the form of an ad-like promotion before
and after certain programs.

ATVI will have an emphasis on news, with hourly headlines and
a daily one hour broadcast aimed at Asian viewers. A "dig" was
made at CNN and BBC broadcasts into the region when one
presenter on the opening broadcast said ATVI news would have
an Asian perspective, not British or American.

The ABC has over 500 TV transmitters in Australia, and
hundreds of radio transmitters covering mainstream, local,
youth, classical music and cultural networks. It even has a
specialist network for broadcasting federal parliamentary
sittings.

(Paul Zucker/19930217)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00020)

Cellular Phone Fraud In Sweden: 10 Arrested 02/17/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Ten alleged members
of a crime syndicate operating in the Stockholm, Sweden, area
have been arrested and charged with reprogramming
thousands of stolen cellular phones to make free phone calls.

According to Swedish police, the syndicate was involved in a
major operation that routed all stolen cellular phones for
reprogramming and onward sale to members of the public, who
were offered a "flat rate" cellular phone to make as many calls
as they wished.

The scam came to light late last year after subscribers to the
Swedish cellular phone services started to receive large bills,
some as high as 500,000 crowns (about $70,000) for a quarter's
usage.

Inspector Goran Gortzen, of the Huddinge precinct near Stockholm,
said that some of those detained, all men aged between 25 and 30,
were associated with Televerket, the mobile phone service
operator, and LM Ericsson, the electronics manufacturer.

Gortzen said that the phones were reprogrammed with the
identifications (IDs) and numbers of legitimate subscribers
using a computer program copied from Ericsson.

Cellular phones, unlike their hard-wired counterparts, are easy
to reprogram, provided the user has access to the necessary
hardware and software. When cellular phones first appeared in
the mid-1980s, the reprogramming units were carefully
controlled by the network operators.

Today, a quick glance through the "sales and wants" column of
most electronics magazines will reveal a ready source of "no
questions asked" reprogramming units for most makes of phones.

(Steve Gold/19930217)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00021)

Virtual Phone Concept Now Reality, Claims UK Company 02/17/93
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- The Generics Group, a
research company based in Cambridge, has announced the Virtual
Phone, a hardware/software package that it claims allows any
PC to be turned into a videophone-cum-telephone.

The heart of the package is a Microsoft Windows application
that presents the user with a mouse/button-controlled graphical
user interface that guides the user through a series of menus to
the required service.

The service could be standard telephony, it could be a PC-based
fax, it could be a videophone. The concept is simple: a modular
series of components that are tied together by a Windows
application. Gordon Edge, one of the founders of Generics, says
that he plans to offer the Virtual Phone as an off-the-shelf
package for as little as UKP300.

Although Generics' plans are still at an early stage with the
Virtual Phone, beta testing of the software will take place this
summer and, provided the company can pull off a number of
hardware deals, a finished "Virtual Phone" should be available - shrink-
wrapped - before the end of the year.

The slightly bad news is that the Virtual Phone is not designed to
work over the standard phone network. Its flexibility allows many
of its features to be used over conventional phone circuits, but its
feature list only comes into its own once the link is made into an
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) circuit.

British Telecom currently offers its basic two-line ISDN service -
ISDN-2 - across two thirds of the UK.

(Steve Gold/19930217/Press & Public Contact: The Generics
Group - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00022)

Canon Unveils BJ-10sx Bubblejet Printer 02/17/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Canon UK has announced
another in its range of popular bubblejet printers. This latest
machine is the BJ-10sx, an advanced version of the UKP299
BJ-10ex unit which has been on sale since last year.

The BJ-10sx will sell for UKP349, and, according to Canon, is
positioned just below the BJ-200, which sells for UKP399.

The BJ-10sx offers users a faster print speed than the BJ-10ex, as
well as an optional 50 sheet cut page feeder. The software on the
printer has been redesigned, resulting in a rejigged front panel and,
what Canon claims are, easier to use controls.

According to Alan Luck, Canon UK's marketing manager for text and
data products, the BJ-10sx will appeal to users who are after an
alternative to dot matrix units. "There is no doubt that the BJ-10ex,
when combined with a laptop computer, offers the user an
extremely compact and cost-effective solution for portable
computing and printing," he said.

"We've identified that some purchasers are using the printer as a
desktop unit at home. The BJ-10sx, with its faster print speed and
optional sheet cut paper feeder. satisfies the requirements of the
home user requiring high quality, quiet and efficient printing, at
an extremely attractive price," he added.

Canon claims to have sold large quantities of the BJ-10 series of
bubblejet printers. According to figures from Romtec, the market
research company, the BJ-10ex is the best selling printer of any
type in the UK at the moment, holding on to just under 10 percent
of the market.

Canon also claims to have sold around 200,000 BJ-10 series
printers since their introduction to the UK two years ago.

(Steve Gold/19930217/Press & Public Contact: Canon UK -
Tel: [phone]; fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00023)

Microsoft Hosts NT Train-the-Trainer Program 02/17/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- More than 500
people are attending a Microsoft sponsored Windows NT training
and certification program in Seattle this week that is designed
as a "train-the-trainer" course.

Microsoft says the program will eventually have at least 7,000
people around the world trained and certified to install,
administer and support Windows NT by the time the program
comes to market.

Spokesperson Anne Kutscher told Newsbytes that Windows NT is
scheduled to ship during the second quarter.

At the core of the program is an agreement by the large account
customers, value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators,
resellers, consultants, and hardware manufacturers to take what
they learn this week back to others in their organizations.

Microsoft says the Windows NT Inside Track technical training
event is an extension of Microsoft Solutions Channels, a support
program launched in September 1992 for VARs and other support
personnel.

Participants in the event have promised they will share what they
learn this week with their employees and customers by the end of
May. One organization represented at the seminar says it will
present support and programming courses on Windows NT in over
seven countries starting in April.

Microsoft spokesperson Anne Kutscher told Newsbytes that in
addition to the Seattle course this week, Microsoft plans other
training events in various international locations during the week
of February 22. Microsoft supplies training tools, information,
student materials, marketing support, and MCP testing for the
secondary training events.

(Jim Mallory/19930217/Press contact: Anne Kutscher,
Microsoft Corporation, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft,
800-426-9400)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00024)

Microsoft Program Recognizes Windows NT Support 02/17/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced the formation of a new series of programs that
will recognize third-party products that support Windows and
the Windows NT operating system.

Microsoft says its Windows Partners Program is a series of
programs designed to enable key technologies to be developed
on Windows NT and ensure the platform has all the components
necessary for development as a client-server tool.

The company says independent software vendors (ISVs) - the
companies and individuals who develop programs such as word
processing, accounting, and other programs that run under
Windows and coming Windows NT - will benefit through a more
formalized technical and marketing relationship with Microsoft.

Customers, says Microsoft, will benefit by being able to quickly
identify and differentiate products that were developed to meet
their business needs and can take advantage of the features of
the Windows family.

The company says it will act as a liaison between customers and
ISVs  to bring advanced products to market that meet customer's
needs. ISVs will participate in Microsoft's "Open Process" design
previews, which provide early technical briefing and feedback in
advanced technologies. They will also have access to Microsoft's
porting lab, and will participate in developer conferences and
early beta programs.

(Jim Mallory/19930217/Press contact: Beverley Flower,
Microsoft, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: 800-426-9400)


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

Iomega Restructures, Lowers Some Tape Drive Prices 02/17/93
ROY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Iomega Corporation has
announced a restructuring of operations because of lower-than-
expected sales-to-expenses ratios.

The company says it is restructuring its operations in order to
reduce overhead expenses and improve its competitive position
in the industry. Iomega manufacturers and sells removable
mass storage products for desktop computers.

Specifically, the restructuring will eliminate 99 professional,
manager, and staff positions. Twelve of the 99 have been offered
other jobs within the organization.

Iomega President Fred Wenninger said that in addition to the staff
cuts, the restructuring will assign bottom-line responsibility to
the various product divisions. Wenninger said the Bernoulli, Tape,
and Floptical product managers as well as Subsystem Development
and Manufacturing will now report to the newly created position of
Senior VP of Operations. "Our new structure will provide a more
responsive and efficient organization to meet the challenges of
our rapidly changing industry," said Wenninger.

Wenninger said there were several factors involved in the decision
to reorganize. Revenues from the new tape and floptical product
lines have not yet offset the startup costs, and sales to federal
agencies have not reached the company's expectations. Wenninger
said sales in the first quarter are ahead of sales for the same
period last year, but planned expenses were based on substantially
higher sales than are currently being realized. "It was therefore
necessary for us to take immediate action."

In other Iomega news Hal Julsen has stepped down as senior vice
president of sales and marketing, but will remain with the company
on special assignment until September. His replacement has not
been named. Iomega spokesperson Paul Slack declined to say if
Julsen's departure was related to the company's sales. He was
unable to say what Julsen's specific duties in his new assignment
would be, although they may be in market analysis and working
with Iomega's European division.

(Jim Mallory/19930217/Press contact: Paul Slack, Iomega,
801-778-1000; Reader contact: Iomega Corporation,
801-778-1000)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00026)

Iomega Cuts Minicartridge Tape Drive Prices 02/17/93
ROY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Iomega Corporation has
announced cuts of up to 20 percent on the price of some of its
minicartridge tape drive models.

The maker of removable mass storage products for the personal
computer market says it is dropping the price of several models
of its Iomega Tape250 minicartridge tape drives.

Iomega's Cara O'Sullivan told Newsbytes that the Tape250
Insider, an internally-mounted drive, has gone from $299 to $269,
a 10 percent reduction. The PC Powered Tape 250 was reduced 14
percent from $499 to $429.

O'Sullivan said the half-height Insider which was priced at $349,
will now have a suggested retail price of $279, a 20 percent cut.
The price of the parallel port drive, on which Newsbytes recently
reported, has not changed.

The Tape250 units were introduced last June. O'Sullivan told
Newsbytes the prices are being reduced in order to meet
competition.

(Jim Mallory/19930217/Press contact: Cara O'Sullivan, Iomega,
801-778-3712; Reader contact: 800-777-6179)


(CORRECTION)(IBM)(DEN)(00027)

Correction: Business Insight, An Analysis Tool 02/17/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- A Newsbytes story on
February 16 incorrectly stated the suggested retail price of
Business Insight, a program the company says is designed to
assist managers and business owners in the development and
analysis of business and marketing strategies.

The correct suggested retail price of Business Insight, which
runs under Microsoft Windows, is $495. As stated in the original
story, present users of the DOS version of Business Insight can
upgrade for $175.

(Jim Mallory/19930217/Press contact: James Brawner, BRS,
512-251-7541; Reader contact: BRS, 512-251-7541 or
800-423-1228, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00028)

Motorola Demos Wireless Receive-Only Modems 02/17/93
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Motorola is
showing its lightweight receive-only modem at "Mobile 93," a
computer and communications trade conference being held in San
Jose, California, this week.

Called NewsCard, the device is a PCMCIA-compliant receive-only
modem designed for use with portable or stationary computers
and the personal digital assistant (PDA) devices expected to start
shipping later this year.

PCMCIA is the industry standard adopted for a credit card-sized
card which can be plugged into a PCMCIA slot in portable
computers. The cards can be used for additional memory,
software, or a modem, depending on the installed chip.

Motorola's NewsStream, already available, is the delivery system
designed to capture information such as electronic mail, stock
quotes, news updates, and data files, which can be sent over
existing paging systems or one of the new one-way wireless
messaging and data networks. It then downloads the information
to a portable or stationary computer or PDA.

Al Zabarsky, director of Motorola's Interactive Data Systems
Group, claims the receivers function as receive-only modems,
providing an easy way for people on the move to receive
information. "The idea is to eliminate the need to return phone
calls just to receive new data when traveling, and to eliminate
the stack of papers piling up in your 'IN' box back at the office,"
said Zabarsky.

Zabarsky said the one-way broadcast provides the ability to
broadcast a single message to thousand of recipients, offers a
strong radio signal that can penetrate buildings, allows
reception to be provided on a local, regional, or national basis,
and uses low-cost, pocket-sized receivers with long battery life.

NewsCard offers built-in memory to store messages for
downloading when attached to any computer with a RS-232
serial port, found on nearly every personal computer.

NewsStream is available through Motorola's EMBARC
Communications Services, through SkyTel, and from several
other companies, including US Paging, MobileComm, Metriplex,
and AmericaTech.

(Jim Mallory/19930217/Press contact: Ken Countess, Motorola,
407-364-3940)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00029)

 ****Informix To Pay $10.4 Million In Class Action Suit 02/17/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Software
developer Informix says it has agreed in principle to pay
out $10.4 million to settle a class action securities suit
originally brought against the company in 1988. The company
says the settlement will bring down its estimated fourth
quarter 1992 income.

The class action suit, brought against officers and directors
of the company, was over events that occurred in 1987 and 1988.
However, Informix said it is making no admission to wrong-doing
or admission of liability. "We firmly believe that the company
fully complied with its obligations under the securities laws.
However, we wanted to put this matter behind us and focus on
our business rather than go through a lengthy and expensive trial,"
said Phillip White, Informix chairman and chief executive officer.

Insurance will pick up $2 million of the tab, but the total
settlement will still cost $10.2 million. The company says the
settlement will reduce its fourth quarter 1992 net income from
$22,167,000 to $15,237,000, and for the year from $54,712,000
to $47,782,000.

Informix recently announced it obtained ISO 9000 certification,
a stringent European external quality management standard that
is governed by the National Accreditation Council for
Certification Bodies (NACCB). The standard has to do with the
customer services offered including consulting, training,
porting, maintenance management, and support.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930217/Press Contact: Brenda Hansen,
Informix Software, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00030)

 ****Dell Tops Dataquest Customer Satisfaction Survey 02/17/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Dell is
number one in overall customer satisfaction, with Gateway 2000
and Compuadd following up close behind, according to the
results of a customer satisfaction survey announced by market
research company Dataquest.

Dataquest said as a result of the Dell's first place performance
in three consecutive quarters in customer satisfaction, it will
award Dell Computer with its cumulative 1992 Customer
Satisfaction Award.

The survey asked 833 users in companies ranking in Fortune
Magazine's 500 best US companies to rate personal computer
companies on the basis of quality, compatibility, commitment to
customer, friendliness, upgrade potential, and price. While
Dell ranked number one overall, Gateway 2000 was number one
in the areas of compatibility, upgrade potential, and price.

AST, who has been getting a lot of attention lately due to its
financial performance, was rated in the top five, Dataquest
representatives told Newsbytes. AST reported 1992 revenues
totaling more than $1.1 billion and said it had the third
largest market share of PCs sold last year.

According to preliminary figures, Dell also was number one in
shipment revenue in 1992, Dataquest said. Dell more than
doubled its revenue and jumped from eleventh in personal
computer market share in 1991, to fifth in 1992.

The recent economic climate and competition between vendors
has forced companies to treat customers better. "With prices
falling and vendors allocating more resources to customer
service, overall customer satisfaction has improved in the last
six months," according to Dataquest's director and principal
analyst Lisa Thornell.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930217/Press Contact: Paul Wheaton,
Dataquest, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00031)

 ****Intel Says Pentium Overdrive Chips Planned 02/17/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 17 (NB) -- Intel
says it is planning to build Overdrive processors for the Pentium
Processor, planned for release in the second quarter of this
year. The Pentium is the long-awaited next-generation
microprocessor, which the public anticipated would be named
the "586" until Intel announced the name change last year.

The Overdrive Processors, introduced for i486 chips last year,
are customer upgradeable processors with which, users can
either replace the existing central processing unit (CPU), or
insert into a socket originally reserved for the Intel 487
math coprocessor.

These are different from the DX2 CPUs which are designed for
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to put into existing
system motherboards. Intel's End User Components Division
Marketing Manager Harry Laswell said the Overdrive Processor
is, "an integral part of our CPU architecture."

The Overdrive and DX2 chips have the same objective, however,
which is faster performance. The chips double the clock speed
of the CPU they replace, allowing users and OEMs alike to get
power boots without a system redesign.

The Overdrive chips have been very successful and Intel
estimates as many as 10 percent of 486-based PCs have
upgraded with Overdrive Processors. However, new developments
are ahead and users can expect to see a blue socket labeled
"Overdrive Ready" in newer 486-based PC motherboards in the
next few months.

Intel says it anticipates OEMs will design the new PC 486
motherboards so users can upgrade right up to the Pentium. An
Intel publication quotes Brian Manser, of PC manufacturer
Zenith, saying his company is one of the OEMs planning that
strategy.

Supplies of the Pentium will be limited until production
ramps up in 1994, Intel said.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930217/Press Contact: Elizabeth Kemper,
Intel, tel [phone]; John Bace, Zenith, tel [phone],
fax [phone])