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/NB930224

Text File | 1993-02-24 | 64KB | 1,415 lines

(NEWS)(IBM)(DEL)(00001)

India - IBM Joint Venture Takes Off 02/24/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Exactly one year after
its formation, the Tata-IBM joint venture, Tata Information
Systems Ltd (TISL) has launched a comprehensive range of
products and services. TISL offers latest IBM computers and
reliable augmented products services like education, training,
maintenance and software development.

The latest systems from IBM which were launched worldwide last year
are now available in India: the PS/VP, the PS/2, the RISC
System/6000, and the AS/400.

While the PS/VP and PS/2 are to be produced locally, other systems
will only be marketed in India. To attract customers, TISL is offering
a three-year warranty on the PS range of computers. In the first five
years of operations, the company hopes to achieve a cumulative
turnover of Rs 1,200 crore (around $400 million).

Asked if the company would follow the IBM strategy of drastically
slashing prices (as in the US and more recently in Japan), a TISL
spokesperson replied with an emphatic "No." He said, "Our pricing
will be entirely market-driven. The price war in the West will not
have any effect on our pricing strategy here." In fact, TISL has
already put a 10 to 20 percent premium on the prices of most
products.

(C.T. Mahabharat)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEL)(00002)

India - Special Treatment For Tata-IBM Venture? 02/24/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- The Ministry of industry
and the department of electronics, of the Government of India,
has awarded a Rs 17.5 million ($0.58 million) licence to Tata
Information Systems Limited, IBM's joint venture with the Tatas,
to manufacture personal computers and to import printed
circuit boards (PCBs).

Industry analysts see the awarding of the contract as a pointer of
things to come. They are predicting the removal of PCBs from the
negative list (a list which allows the import of certain items
only with a special licences from the Government, a licence seldom
given) in the coming Exim Policy.

Some, however, claim the licence is an unfair advantage to TISL. "The
government gave us a similar licence to import populated PCBs, when we
came in," said a competitor, "But it was for short term and we had
to commit to the government that we will be manufacturing them
locally. In TISL's case there is no clear commitment."

Though the import of PCBs by TISL is viewed as a deviation from its
commitment to manufacture in India, TISL staff say they are doing it
to meet IBM's tough qualification process for components. "IBM has a
very complex qualification process and it will take us some time to do
it locally," says Michael Klein, managing director, TISL, "The
imports of PCBs is a short term arrangement. There is a parallel
qualification program underway."

Another reason is that it is just not feasible to set up a separate
surface mount technology (SMT) for PCBs. Many companies of the Tata
group have SMT lines which are underutilized. "It does make economic
sense for us to look at these," says Klein. TISL also has a Rs 7-
crore application for licence to import another component, the details
of which were not disclosed, on deadline.

(C.T. Mahabharat)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00003)

NEC Sets Foot In India 02/24/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- The event was to introduce
three NEC 24-wire dot matrix printers and MultiSync monitors,
but the occasion was the "Launch of NEC business in India."

The delegation from, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore,
consisted of enough managers to make it clear that the Japanese
computer and communications giant is readying to storm the Indian
market.

"We've completed our market survey," said Shuji Nose, deputy
managing director of NEC Singapore Pte. Ltd. "We're starting business
with 24-wire dot matrix printers, next will be NEC notebooks, CD-ROMs
and other multimedia products, and then the PCs."

NEC will form joint ventures with Indian partners after the
1993-94 budget and the EXIM policy changes are announced, in order
to know the final duty structure. "It will help us decide whether
to bring in complete systems or in CKD (completely knocked down)
or SKD (semi knocked down) form," explained Nose. Hesitant to
name the Indian companies short listed, he said the partner must
have a "widespread distribution network."

India is not a new experience for NEC. The government of India, in
particular, has regularly been importing telecommunication equipment
and computers from the Japanese firm for over 20 years. "Revenues
earned every year from India are about $15 to 20 million," claims
Nose.

NEC printers also debuted in the Indian market over a year ago. Delhi-
based companies Intecon (I) Ltd. and Micronics Infotech Enterprises
have been dealing in NEC P3200 and P3300 24-pin dot matrix printers,
and Silentwriter S62P laser printers respectively. Now, NEC has
introduced a new 24-pin printer P3600i, and also formalized the
distribution agreement with Intecon. As per the agreement, NEC
Singapore will provide supervisory and technical assistance for NEC
printer assembly by Intecon (I) Ltd. It will also assist Intecon to set
up service centers to provide after-sales support and bear the
promotional costs for its products. NEC will provide sales and
technical training to 21 dealers, revealed Rajeev Shukla, the
managing director of Intecon.

In the span of a year, Intecon has sold more than 2,500 printers, with
P3300 proving the bestseller. Technical specifications being the same,
the difference between the Rs 16,000 ($533) P3200 and the Rs 23,000
($767) P3300 lies in the size of the paper on which it can print.
With P3300 you can go up to B4 print capability. The newly
introduced P3600i, which offers a speed of 300 characters per
second for high-speed draft, has 7 set of fonts and a color kit
option. Intecon hopes to sell more than 10,000 printers, in the
current financial year.

"Within two years, we hope to capture more than 30 percent of the
24-pin dot matrix printers market in India," said Christopher Chen,
assistant division manager, channel sales division, NEC Singapore.

Apart from printers on display was the MultiSync flat generation
series of monitors. The company is scouting for a partner to assemble
and distribute these high-resolution monitors in India.

(C.T. Mahabharat)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00004)

Japan - NTT To Cut 30,000 Employees 02/24/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- NTT will reduce its staff
by 30,000 by 1996 in the first major cut in the firm's history.

NTT has announced a rationalization plan, which mainly
features the job cut -- 30,000 employees will go within the next
four years. According to the plan, NTT will reduce personnel by
closing some sales offices, installing computer systems to replace
some jobs, and by giving other jobs to part-time workers.

Last year, NTT offered early retirement to employees between the
ages of 45 and 55 by paying extra retirement bonuses. NTT started
to transfer other employees to affiliated firms and subsidiaries
last year. As a result, NTT was able to reduce its head-count
by about 40,000 people but still has 234,000 employees to go, based
on this new layoff and consolidation plan.

In 1985 when NTT was privatized it had 310,000 employees
under its wing.

The Japanese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication has reportedly
claimed that NTT's employee numbers will still be too high after
the layoffs, and should be reduced to 150,000 to 160,000 people.

NTT's sales have been slumping. The telecom giant was making
about 500 billion yen ($4.2 billion) per year when it was
privatized. However, fiscal 1992, which ends in March, is expected
to produce have that amount.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930224/Press Contact: NTT, +81-3-
3509-5035, Fax, [phone])


(CORRECTION)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)

Correction - Looks Like A PowerBook, But Runs Windows 02/24/93
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Newsbytes would like to
correct an error in a February 16 story of this title. The report
said that the Intel 486SLC-based WinBook from Micro Electronics
comes with a 180-megabyte (MB) hard drive. In fact, that drive is
optional -- the unit comes standard with a 120-megabyte drive.

(Wendy Woods/19930224/Press contact: Rick Marshad, Micro
Electronics, 614-481-8041; Reader contact: Micro Electronics,
800-468-2162 or 614-481-8041)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00006)

Trio Of Japanese Firms Announce 256-Megabit DRAMs 02/24/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Several 256-megabit dynamic random
access memory chips have been developed by major Japanese electronic
firms: NEC, Toshiba, and Hitachi. Details of these highly advanced
memory chips are to be unveiled at the ISSCC (International Solid
State Circuits Conference) in San Francisco this week. Matsushita
Electric is also expected to announce its super-fast 16-megabit
DRAM chip at the conference.

NEC's 256-megabit DRAM chip measures 13.6 x 24.5 mm. About 570
million transistors are laid out on this tiny chip which can store
more than 1,000 pages of newspaper data. The data access speed is 30
nanoseconds, which is about 10 nanoseconds faster than a standard
16-megabit chip. Also, the chip offers relatively low power
consumption of 115 milliwatts, a fourth what standard 64-megabit
DRAM chips consume. Another advantage of this chip is the low
noise architecture, says NEC. Hitachi's 256-megabit DRAM chip
consumes even less power than NEC's, according to the company.
Fujitsu has also established the basic technology to produce
256-megabit DRAM chips.

These powerful memory storage devices aren't expected to appear in
computers for some time. The companies plan to ship the 256-megabit
DRAMs in 1996 and quantity production isn't expected until 1999.
In April, for example, the firms will just start to release sample
versions of less powerful 64-megabit DRAMs.

Meanwhile, Matsushita Electric claims to have developed an extremely
energy-efficient 16-megabit DRAM, also saying it is the world's
fastest 16-megabit DRAM. This chip was jointly developed by
Matsushita Electric and Matsushita Electronics Industry. The size is
smaller than current 16-megabit DRAMS and Matsushita will ship samples
at the end of the year. Details will also be announced at the ISSCC.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930224/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3451-2974, Fax, [phone], Toshiba, [phone], Hitachi,
[phone], Fax, [phone], Matsushita Electric, +81-
3-3578-1237, Fax, [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00007)

Sybase Sets Up Spanish Subsidiary 02/24/93
MADRID, SPAIN, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Sybase, the enterprise/client
server software company, has opened an office in Spain to service its
growing customer base there. The subsidiary company, known as Sybase
Iberia, is headed up by Guillermo Montes, the director of operations,
who will report Andre Andrieux, Sybase's vice president for Southern
European operations at the company's Emeryville, California
headquarters in the US.

Announcing the new operation, Rob Albers, vice president for Sybase's
European operations, said: "Sybase is an acknowledged client/server
technology leader in the US, and is rapidly establishing a strong
following with customers in Europe and around the world."

According to Albers, the Spanish subsidiary augments the company's
commitment to the European market, complementing existing subsidiaries
in Europe. "Guillermo's expertise, coupled with that of his staff,
will service and expand the emerging Spanish and Portuguese markets,"
he said.

Montes comes to Sybase from the Borland Spain, where he was general
manager. Before joining Ashton-Tate (later to be taken over by
Borland), he was in Argentina with Hewlett-Packard.

(Steve Gold/19930223)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00008)

UK Hacker Did It For Kicks, Court Hears 02/24/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Paul Bedworth, an alleged
computer hacker, accused of gaining unauthorized access to European
Commission (EC) office computers in Luxembourg as well as around the
world, has said that he did it all for kicks.

Speaking in a London court, Bedworth, aged 19, has pleaded not guilty
to unauthorized modification and access of computers and material and
denies conspiring to obtain telecommunication services dishonestly.

The prosecution also alleges that Bedworth, who was arrested two years
ago at the age of 17, gained unauthorized access to British Telecom's
network and accessed a Lloyds Bank computer system.

"He was tapping into offices at the EC in Luxembourg and even the
experts were worried. He caused havoc at universities all around the
world so that the computer systems were inaccessible to anyone but
him," James Richardson, for the prosecution, told Southwark Crown
Court.

Richardson acknowledged that Bedworth did what he did for fun and that
there was no suggestion of fraud. He went on to explain to the court
that Bedworth started to become obsessed with computers at the age of
14 after he was given a computer. After associating with other network
hackers, he called himself "Olicana," after the Roman name for Ilkley,
his home town in Yorkshire in the North of England.

Two other defendants, Karl Strickland, aged 22, of Liverpool, and Neil
Woods, aged 26, of Oldham have admitted conspiring to dishonestly
obtaining telecom services and plotting in the unauthorized
publication of material under the Telecommunications Act 1984. They
will be sentenced at a later date.

(Steve Gold/19930224)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00009)

IDG Starts Ukrainian ComputerWorld Magazine 02/24/93
KIEV, UKRAINE, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- A Ukrainian publishing company called
Fortune has announced that it will publish ComputerWorld-Ukraine under
license from IDG group.

The publication, the first issue of which is scheduled to be available in
March, will feature translations of other Computerworld publications as
well as articles by local writers.

Fortune says it is likely to start public subscriptions only after
a trial period during which the paper will be distributed to companies
and individuals known in the field.

The paper will be issued in the Ukrainian and Russian languages. No
information about the frequency of issues nor the price were available
at deadline.

(Kirill Tchashchin/19930224)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)

 ****AT&T Makes Massive Push Into China 02/24/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- AT&T signed trade
agreements with both Chinese governments, in Beijing and Taiwan.
AT&T called the agreement with the China government in Beijing
"one of the most ambitious and comprehensive partnership
agreements" the company has ever signed.

The Beijing agreement will see AT&T setting up factories in China
to make and sell most of its product line, starting with its
flagship 5ESS switch, and including fiber cable.

The deal will help China rapidly expand its telecommunications system.
Currently there are only two telephones in China for each 100
citizens. The government wants to increase the ratio to 40 per
100 by the year 2020, despite the fact that it is adding 18
million new people each year. The plan is expected to cost the
government up to $2 billion per year by 1996, AT&T officials
said. AT&T will hold a 51 percent stake in all the joint
ventures, which will be formed separately.

There is special urgency for China in modernizing the networks
serving its capital of Beijing. Beijing is one of the leading
cities competing to host the 2000 Olympics. A decision is
expected later this year.

The deal may be somewhat controversial, since it includes
transferring important US technologies to China but will not
significantly reduce the $18 billion per year balance of trade
deficit. Critics may charge that the Communist government is
using Western governments to fund brutality and guarantee that
its officials will remain the elite as the country converts to a
capitalist economy. Perhaps most controversial is the decision to
set up a unit of AT&T's Bell Labs research unit in China.

But AT&T spokesman Jim McGann says the deal is great for AT&T.
All the equipment being made in China will include US-made
components, and will require the expertise of US personnel. And
if AT&T didn't enter the market as fast as possible, competitors
might gain the benefits of dealing with the fastest-growing
telecommunications market in the world. McGann added that the
deal also helps fulfill an October, 1992 pledge made by the
Chinese government to the Bush Administration, that it would
eliminate 80 percent of its import quotas over the next five
years to narrow the trade gap.

The Clinton Administration has been briefed on the plan and is
supportive, according to AT&T. McGann added, "There are still some
COCOM rules," restricting what can be exported to China because
of Western security concerns, "but we don't expect any problem."

The deal with AT&T also kills a secret directive from the Chinese
government signed in 1989 that awarded market exclusivity to
Siemens of Germany, Alcatel of France and NEC of Japan. All three
have since set up their own joint-ventures in China, and
withdrawal of the directive has been a key issue in bilateral
trade negotiations. China also hopes the deal with AT&T will
encourage the US Congress to maintain Most Favored Nation
trading status. Many Congressmen have been seeking to revoke
that status due to continuing human rights abuses. China also
wants to join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or
GATT, trading union.

The Taiwan agreement, signed with that government's Economics
Ministry, is similar. The government and AT&T will form a
strategic alliance to manage technology transfers, win contracts
and operate manufacturing projects. Taiwanese engineering and
manufacturing will be married to AT&T technologies under the
deal, with the hopes that lower-cost equipment will increase
access to growing Pacific Rim markets. The deal is said to be
worth "several" hundred million dollars. Taiwan said the AT&T
deal is its first with a foreign multinational and will serve as
a model for future deals. AT&T currently operates three Taiwanese
companies with total 1992 sales of $300 million.

The deal, coming one day after the Beijing announcement,
highlights growing links between Taiwan and Beijing. The two
governments still do not have diplomatic ties, with Beijing
claiming that Taiwan is part of China. But there remains
sensitivity despite the progress. While the Beijing deal was
announced from AT&T's Washington office, the Taiwan deal was
announced from its offices in New Jersey

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930224/Press Contact: AT&T, Jim McGann, 202-
457-3942; Paul Provost, 201-606-2826)


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

AT&T Buys Into McCaw, PC Card Modem With Nokia 02/24/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 -- AT&T began the process
of picking up a one-third interest in McCaw Cellular, the
nation's largest cellular operator, by paying $400 million for
new stock. The deal is part of a $3.8 billion investment in
McCaw announced last November. The investment is being fought by the
regional Bell companies, which claim it puts AT&T back into the
local phone business in violation of the 1982 decree breaking up
the Bell System.

The deal involves the purchase of 14.5 million new shares at
$27.625 per share, about $7 per share below current market
prices. AT&T will also buy out British Telecom's interests in
McCaw, at a hefty premium to the market price. The deal is due to
be complete in June, at a total average price of $42 per share. A
$100 million option, if exercised, would give AT&T control over
McCaw's board and can be exercised for 7 years.

AT&T's Paradyne unit also announced a direct link with cellular
phones made by Nokia of Finland's US unit, using a PC card-
based modem under PCMCIA standards. The credit card-sized modem,
called KeepInTouch by AT&T, will be linked to the phones via a
slim cable and data cradle that holds the phone steady while data
is being transmitted. Software residing in the modem is also part
of the package, at a total price of $699 and planned May
delivery. Since the modem and interface work off the cellular
phone's battery and the PC's power supply, no additional plugs
are needed. The deal may be considered a challenge to Spectrum
Information Technologies, which has been proclaiming in court
that it holds patents covering any connections between cellular
phones and modems. The protocols being used for the connectors is
from AT&T, a Nokia spokesman said.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930224/Press Contact: Nokia, Colleen
O'Connor, 813/536-5553; AT&T Paradyne, Garrick Case, 813/530-
8221)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00012)

Macworld, Networld, Now -- E-Mail World! 02/24/93
ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Digital
Consulting, Inc., has announced the creation of E-Mail World: The
Mail-Enabled Applications Conference and Exposition.

This newest trade show devoted to this niche market is set for
November 1 through 4 at the Santa Clara Convention Center,
Santa Clara, CA. The new show will explore the extensive range of
opportunities that are arising as e-mail contends for the title of
"new corporate backbone."

E-Mail World will incorporate eight separate conferences:
Enterprise E-Mail, Global E-Mail, Networks, Internetworking, E-Mail
Enabled Applications, Groupware, EDI, and Technology Standards.

Serving as chair and advisor for the first edition of the expo is
Einar Stefferud, president of Network Management Associates and
computer science professor at the University of California/Irvine.

Stefferud is also active in a number of industry groups that
address e-mail issues. He chairs the International Federation for
Information Processing's Working Group 6.5, as well as the
Technical Liaison Committee for the Open Systems Environment
Workshop at the National Institute of Technology (NIST).

He also participates in Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
working groups on mail systems and network management, the US State
Department's messaging handling study group, and the USA
Registration Authority Committee of the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI). He has published 37 books, papers, and articles
on e-mail, messaging, and the Internet.

DCI sponsors more than 75 computer-related expos, conferences, and
seminars throughout the world, including CASE World, Database &
Client/Server World, Downsizing Expo, Mobile World, and Software
World. In addition, the company manages user/developer conferences
for Digital Equipment, IBM, Next, and Sybase.

(Jacqueline Emigh/19930224/Reader contact: DCI, tel [phone];
Press contact: Paul Lamoureux, DCI, tel [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00013)

Pacific Data Product's In-Printer Server 02/24/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Pacific Data
Products has expanded beyond printer add-on products into the
computer networking arena with the introduction of four models
of a print server that needs no dedicated PC to perform its
functions.

Known as the Pacific Directnet products, they all perform the
same functions -- they plug into the XIO or MIO ports inside
Hewlett-Packard printers. Once installed, their BNC or 10Base-T
ports are connected to the network and they are configured as
print servers. Users on the network can then use other printers
and print servers without having to dedicate a PC to that
function.

Pacific Data Products says one reason for four models is to
accommodate the different HP printers -- Hewlett-Packard has moved
from its older XIO standard interface to the newer MIO
standard interface. A second difference between the models is
the software supported by the print server card. One supports only
Novell networks, the other, Novell and Unix networks. Asked why
these particular choices were made, company spokespeople told Newsbytes
that customers overwhelming favor Novell networks, and many are
adding Unix workstations into the mix.

The Novell-only models will be sold for $599 regardless of the kind
of interface (MIO or XIO) supported. The Novell and Unix
models will retail for $799. All four models will be available on
March 8.

(Naor Wallach/19930224/Press Contact: Christine Hinton, Pacific Data
Products, 619-597-3228)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00014)

Newgen 1200 DPI Printer 02/24/93
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Newgen has
introduced a new member into its "B" series of printers -- a
large format printer which can print at resolutions of up to
1200 DPI (dots per inch).

The TurboPS/1200 B, its name, is, like its siblings, based
on Canon's BX engine. It also sports Newgen's proprietary Automatic
Recognition Technology (ART) which allows the printer to be attached
to Apple's EtherTalk, TCP/IP, and Novell Ethernet. ART performs
automatic recognition of the Ethernet protocol spoken at the
Ethernet port and automatically adjusts supports that protocol
without software reconfiguration or installation.

The TurboPS/1200 B has a 25 MHz RISC-based microprocessor
that allows it to keep up with the Canon engine's rated speed of
8 PPM (pages per minute). The new printer has a resolution of 1200
by 600 DPI and can handle page sizes up to 11 inches by 17 inches.
The printer comes with a selection of different Postscript fonts
including 9 fonts that are part of its Kanji family: Hoso-Ming-Cho,
Chu-Ming-Cho, and Futo-Ming-Cho.

The TurboPS/1200 B will be shipped in March and will retail for
$6495.

(Naor Wallach/19930224/Press Contact: Alexandrea Todd, McLean Public
Relations for Newgen, 415-513-8800)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00015)

Canada - AGT Wants Alberta Phone Rates Higher 02/24/93
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- AGT Ltd., the
telephone company serving the province of Alberta, has filed an
application to raise its local telephone rates. The move follows
an application by Bell Canada to raise local rates in Ontario and
Quebec.

AGT said it wants to increase single-line residential rates by
C$3.50 per month and single-line business rates by C$8 to C$23
per month. In addition, the company wants to increase its charges
for Extended Flat Rate Calling service, which eliminates
long-distance charges for calls to neighboring communities, by as
much as C$1 per month.

The rate increase would take effect May 1. AGT said it will apply
to federal regulators soon for this increase as well as an
unspecified "small" increase to follow in October.

A statement from AGT said the increases, if granted, would raise
the typical residential customer's phone bill by nine percent and
the average business customer's bill by 15 percent.

These figures appear to be based on a bill that includes a
typical amount of long-distance calling. Based on figures
provided by an AGT spokesman, Newsbytes has calculated that the
proposal would raise the minimum cost of basic residential
touch-tone service in Calgary by 27.8 percent, from C$14.38 to
C$18.38.

The minimum business rate per line in Calgary would go from
C$29.88 to C$41.88, AGT spokesman Ron Liepert said. That is a
40 percent increase.

AGT noted that its local telephone rates have risen only once
since 1984, while long-distance rates have dropped 40 percent in
five years.

Liepert denied that the rate application is a response to the
impending arrival of long-distance competition in Alberta, but
said it is AGT's long-term plan to bring local and long-distance
rates more into line with the actual cost of providing service.
Even with the proposed increase, he said, local rates would not
cover the cost of providing the service.

AGT said the rate increase would bring it C$71.8 million in added
revenue in 1993.

(Grant Buckler/19930223/Press Contact: Ron Liepert, AGT,
403-498-7329, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)

 ****New Special Effects Firm Due Tomorrow From IBM 02/24/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- IBM and a
Hollywood creative firm will launch a multimedia joint venture,
or computerized special effects company, at a Los Angeles press
conference Thursday. The name of the new company is expected to
be Digital Domain.

Lucie Fjeldstad, vice-president and general manager of multimedia
at IBM, and James Cameron, chairman of Lightstorm Entertainment,
Inc., will be a part of the new company. Cameron was director of
the movie Terminator 2. Academy Award-winning character creator
Stan Winston and studio executive Scott Ross, formerly with
George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic, are also involved in
the project.

The announcement will correspondent with a major restructuring
of George Lucas' San Rafael, CA-based entertainment and effects
empire. Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic and Skywalker Sound
firms are expected to become Lucas Digital Services. The two
other companies to be involved in the restructuring are
LucasArts and LucasFilm Ltd. Details are also expected tomorrow.

(Grant Buckler & Wendy Woods/19930224/Press Contact: Audrey Mann,
Technology Solutions PR for IBM, 212-505-9900)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00017)

Lotus Begins Shipping Improv For Windows 02/24/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Lotus
Development has begun shipping Improv for Windows, which it
calls the first dynamic spreadsheet for Windows. A suggested
introductory price of $99 will apply until May 31, after which
the suggested retail price will be $495.

Lotus first released Improv on workstations from Next Computer.
It takes a different approach to multidimensional data than
the three-dimensional model in some versions of Lotus'
better-known 1-2-3 package. Instead of multiple worksheet pages,
it uses a single sheet but lets the user restructure the data by
moving headings around.

In an earlier demonstration for Newsbytes, Peter Carrescia, a
product specialist at Lotus Development Canada in Toronto, set up
a simple worksheet with several expense headings for each of two
products, broken down by quarter. He showed how Improv made it
possible to reorganize this data in various ways by dragging and
dropping the headings representing products, cost categories, and
quarters.

By reorganizing the worksheet, Improv users can group data in
different ways and display whatever level of detail is needed.
For instance, a view with rows for each expense category, a total
row for each product, and a column for each quarter, can quickly
be rearranged to show rows for each product, totalled by quarter,
with a column for each expense category. Or the expense
categories could be hidden entirely, showing only product cost
per quarter.

At the bottom of the screen, Improv shows a list of formulas used
in the spreadsheet. Selecting a cell will highlight the formula
used in that cell, while selecting a formula from the list
highlights all cells that use that formula. According to Lotus,
this will help users check their spreadsheets for errors.

Formulas also use English words, such as "expense" or "quarter"
rather than cell addresses.

Charting options include 20 major chart and graph types, such as
three-dimensional bar, stack, line, bar, pie, scatter, and area
graphs. Users can change font types, background colors, and fill
patterns in graphs. Improv for Windows also makes it possible to
annotate presentations with text, drawn images, lines and shapes,
bit maps, clip art, logos, and photos.

The new software offers a number of features found in other Lotus
products, including 1-2-3 for Windows, such as the company's
SmartIcons for automating common tasks and the live status bar
familiar to users of the Ami Pro word processing software. Improv
is also mail-enabled.

Improv also supports Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), which allows
data exchange with other Windows applications, and Object Linking
and Embedding (OLE), which permits objects to created with other
applications to be embedded in Improv worksheets, Lotus said.

Improv is the first Lotus product to use Lotus Script, a macro
language Lotus expects to add to other packages in future, and
Lotus Chart, a charting tool that will also be used across the
product line.

Improv for Windows will exchange data, formulas, fonts, and
numeric formats with 1-2-3 for Windows and other versions of
1-2-3, and with Microsoft's Excel 4.0 spreadsheet.

Carrescia said the software will appeal to users who deal with
complex worksheets and need to rearrange data for different
purposes. Lotus expects Improv to be used in areas such as
long-term corporate planning, sales forecasting and tracking,
brand management analysis, market research, and investment
decision analyses.

Improv for Windows requires at least a 20-megahertz 386
processor, four megabytes of memory, a VGA monitor, and a mouse.
Lotus recommends a 33-megahertz chip and six megabytes of memory.
The English-language version is available now. French and German
versions will ship later this quarter, Lotus said, with Swedish,
Italian, Spanish, and Dutch versions to follow.

(Grant Buckler/19930224/Press Contact: Peter A. Cohen, Lotus,
617-693-1283; Shelley Eckenroth, McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus,
617-862-4514)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00018)

 ****Spinnaker, Power Up To Merge 02/24/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Spinnaker
Software has announced plans to acquire Power Up Software
of San Mateo, California, a deal that would create a
$65-million consumer software company.

A letter of intent signed by the companies calls for Spinnaker to
pay an undisclosed amount in cash and stock warrants for Power
Up, which has annual revenues of about $34 million, just slightly
more than Spinnaker's.

The companies said that C. David Seuss, Spinnaker's chief
executive officer, would be CEO of the new company. Edward
Lauing, now chairman of Power Up, would remain a member of the
board of directors.

Spinnaker spokesman Dan Chmielewski said it is too early to say
what effect the deal will have on staff of the two companies.
However, a press release mentioned economies from the
"consolidation or elimination of duplicate functions," and
Chmielewski acknowledged some of those savings would probably
come from staff cuts.

Power Up's products include Calendar Creator Plus, Express
Publisher desktop publishing software, Address Book Plus, and
Labels Unlimited. Spinnaker said these packages will complement
its PFS: line of software for small business and home office
users, which include the PFS:WindowWorks integrated package,
PFS:Write word processor, PFS:Publisher desktop publishing
software, and others. Chmielewski said it has not been decided
whether the Power Up titles will become part of the PFS: line.

The companies have complementary distribution channels: Spinnaker
has an established network of about 15,000 dealers, while Power
Up publishes a catalog that is mailed to more than eight million
computer users each year. Both companies' products will be
marketed through the other's present channels, officials said.

(Grant Buckler/19930224/Press Contact: Dan Chmielewski, Spinnaker
Software, 617-494-1200 ext. 458)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00019)

dBASE Users Can Upgrade To Foxpro, Says Microsoft 02/24/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- The war
between Microsoft and Borland escalated again with Microsoft's
offer to the estimated four million users of dBASE. Microsoft
will allow them to switch to Foxpro for Windows for $199 or less.
The deal is also good for users of other PC-based database
management system software.

Microsoft says since it's offering a 30-day money back guarantee
you can't lose. The company has set a suggested retail price of
$199 for upgrades obtained through retail channels, but says it's
being discounted to retailers so you may find the street price is
lower. If you order direct from Microsoft you can get the upgrade
for $149 so retailers may match that price. The special rate is
available until June 30, 1993.

Microsoft's Dave Fulton says Foxpro 2.5 is gaining widespread
acceptance as the preferred PC database management system for Xbase
users. "Through this program we are dedicating our efforts to help
dBASE users as they migrate easily and effectively to FoxPro."

Users in doubt as to whether they should switch may have gotten some
help from dBASE publisher Borland, which reportedly is delaying
shipment of dBASE IV.

Network users are also being encouraged to make the switch. A
twenty-pack upgrade package for workgroups and network users is
being offered, with a suggested retail price of $3,215. If you are
using dBASE or one of the other products included in the trade-in
list on a network but have less than 20 workstations, you'll have to
pay the single-user price, a Microsoft spokesperson told Newsbytes.

If you're not sure if you want to switch to Foxpro, Microsoft is
offering a free Foxpro evaluation kit that has an evaluation guide,
comparative benchmark results, and a videotape showing Foxpro in
action, plus some user testimonials. There's also a free Foxpro
migration kit for dBASE IV users that includes utilities and
documentation for dBASE users making the change. The kit includes
utilities to convert dBASE screens, reports and label fields to the
FoxPro equivalents, and a program analyzer can read dBASE program
files and report on any incompatibilities with FoxPro, suggesting
changes when necessary. Microsoft is also offering free phone
support for users making the conversion. The call is not toll-free,
however.

To further promote migration to Foxpro 2.5 for Windows, Microsoft
says it will conduct a series of nationwide free seminars beginning
later this month. The company expects more than 20,000 will attend
the seminars, which conclude in June.

In addition to dBASE, Microsoft told Newsbytes users of Paradox,
Clipper, R:Base, DataEase, and SuperBase could also trade in.
Anyone making the change-over will need proof that they are using a
legitimate copy of their present program. That means an original
program disk or the original first page of the user manual.

(Jim Mallory/19930224/Press contact: Cindy McKendry, Waggener
Edstrom for Microsoft, 503-245-0905; Reader contact: Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00020)

Microsoft Ships New Windows Visual Programming Tools 02/24/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation says its now shipping a set of visual programming tools
that accelerate the development of applications written for Windows
and Windows NT.

The company says the new tools include: the Visual C++ development
system; the Delta visual version control system; the Microsoft
Developer Network collection of technical and strategic developer
information for Windows and Windows NT; and the new visual Control
Pack, a collection of custom controls for Visual C++ or Visual
Basic.

According to Microsoft the Visual C++ tool set makes the processing
of learning and adopting the C++ programming language much easier
for programmers developing for Windows. Visual C++ has tools for
editing, resource building, class and resource mapping, browsing and
debugging, and uses a visually oriented approach similar to Visual
Basic.

Visual C++ also incorporates the Wizard technology found in
several Microsoft user applications. Microsoft says the AppWizard
creates a set of skeleton source code files and automates the first
steps of creating the application framework. In a user application
Wizards lead users step-by-step through a specific task so they
don't have to refer to the manual for each operation.

There's also a ClassWizard in the new toolkit that automates the
connections between user interface controls such as dialog buttons
and the code that makes them work.

Microsoft Delta is a visual version control system for Windows that
simplifies the process of source code management. Microsoft says
Delta allows a team of developers to work together more efficiently
by using a simple visual interface to compare and track progress. It
also records the history of a development project, storing and
retrieving previous versions of the code, preventing unrecorded
changes to source files.

Microsoft spokesperson Tricia Bull told Newsbytes The Visual Control
Pack is shipping now, and has a suggested retail price of $149,
while Visual C++ will ship at the beginning of March. It sells for
$499 for the full-featured version. Delta, shipping in April, will
have a price tag of $499. Enrollment in the Developer Network costs
$195 annually. Bull said users of other compilers can upgrade to
Visual C++ for $199, while present Microsoft C++ 7.0 users can move
to Visual C++ for $139.

The company also announced Fortran PowerStation, a Windows-based DOS
32-bit protected mode product which is scheduled to ship in
mid-March. It carries a suggested retail price of $495.

(Jim Mallory/19930224/Press contact: Tricia Bull, Waggener Edstrom
for Microsoft, 503-245-0905; Reader contact: Microsoft Corporation,
206-882-8080)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00021)

Dell Withdraws Stock Offer 02/24/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Dell Computer
announced it has withdrawn its planned offering of four
million shares of common stock, citing what it called
"unfavorable market conditions."

The company says it is still confident of its ability to fund
significant growth for the coming year, predicting revenues for the
current year would be up 70 percent over last year, according to
Dell Chief Financial Officer Tom Meredith. "It is also reasonable to
expect our unit shipments to double next year as we take advantage
of share acquisition opportunities available to us." If Meredith is
right, that would make Dell a nearly $4 billion company by this time
next year.

"It's clear that with interest rates where they are and with
currently low price/earnings multiples for technology stocks, we can
do better for our shareholders by accessing other sources of
capital," Meredith said in a prepared statement.

He says Dell has a strong financial position at present
and can take its time to pick the method for funding growth
that best fits the company's needs. A Dell spokesperson told
Newsbytes the company has adequate cash on hand to fund any
planned expansion and isn't planning any specific steps at
this time.

Meredith's statement noted that the company is continuing to invest
in its infrastructure and operational capabilities. A Dell
spokesperson told Newsbytes the company is making a significant
investment in "information systems technology" but declined to be
more specific other than to say "it's in the managing the customer
relationship category." The company also expects to expand its
manufacturing capacity. Dell declined to say where that facility
would be located, but Newsbytes has learned that it will probably
not be in the Austin area.

The company will announce its fiscal '93 fourth quarter and year-end
financial results on March 9th, and says it doesn't expect those to
vary appreciably from the $650 million projection announced earlier
this month.

Since mid-January Dell stock hovered in the mid-to-high 40's until
mid-February when it dropped to 34-5/8. It rebounded slightly and
closed yesterday at 36-1/4. While Dell declined to speculate on the
cause of the dip, they note that high tech stocks are always
volatile. Since the beginning of the year several large
computer companies announced their poor results and analysts
expressed concern over the continuing pricing competition.
Concerns over the new administration may have affected
stock prices also.

Dell officials say they expect computer prices will continue to be
very competitive, saying, "We intend to price aggressively but
rationally. We are not pricing for profitless prosperity." Dell says
other factors to be considered are the value provided per dollar.

"Value to customers in this market is increasingly not just focused
on the hardware but also on services, integration capability,
efficiency of buying, etc." The company also says it plans to
enhance the integration capability and the software and peripherals
side of the business as part of its investment program for the
coming year.

(Jim Mallory/19930224/Press contact: Roger Rydell, Dell Computer
Corporation, 512-794-4100; Reader contact: Dell Computer,
800-289-3355 or 512-338-4400, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00022)

 ****Zenith Data Cuts Michigan Workforce 30% 02/24/93
BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Zenith Data
Systems has announced that it will lay off about 30 percent of its
workforce at its St. Joseph, Michigan facility in the next several
weeks due to what it described as "a soft market for personal
computers."

The company said the layoffs were spread among hourly and salaried
workers at all levels at the Michigan engineering and manufacturing
site. ZDS spokesperson Paula Hancock-Wheeler told Newsbytes the
plant employs about 1250 people. "We haven't determined the exact
number (of layoffs) yet." She told Newsbytes the plant has had
layoffs off and on over the past couple of years but none for some
time. ZDS spokesperson Matt Mirapaul told Newsbytes that the
company often recalls workers and the net result of layoffs,
callbacks and new hires has resulted in a increase in staffing.

Mirapaul said the St Joseph plant is the company's worldwide
research and development and engineering headquarters, as well as
the primary North American manufacturing site for desktop computers.

Hancock-Wheeler said employees losing their jobs are being notified
this week, and the company is providing a severance package as well
as outplacement support including computers, printers and telephones
to aid in the job search. She said St Joseph is a small community
but quoted city officials as saying the layoff would have a minimal
effect on the community.

Mirapaul told Newsbytes he is not aware of any other planned ZDS
layoffs. The company reduced its field sales and support staff by
about 100 employees last fall.

Paris, France-based Parent company Groupe Bull cut about 5,000 jobs,
or 10 percent of its workforce in late 1990, attributing those cuts
to the softening computer market. About 1,000 of those jobs were in
Massachusetts, 250 were in Phoenix, Arizona, and another 350 were in
Groupe Bull's field offices across the US. About 100 jobs were lost
in Canada.

In January this year Newsbytes reported that ZDS President Enrico
Pesatori had left the company after serving two years as the
company's president and chief executive officer. A few days later
Digital Equipment Corporation appointed Pesatori head of its new
personal computer unit. Jacques Noels, formerly with Nokia's
consumer electronics division, took over as ZDS president.

Zenith Data Systems thought it had the US Air Force Desktop IV
contract, a multimillion dollar award to provide computers to the
service branch. However that award has been awarded and protested
several times. The most recent action was the award of the contract
jointly to ZDS and Virginia-based Government Technology Services
in early February. However the contract is again in limbo due to
protests by Electronic Data Systems and Compuadd, according to
Mirapaul.

"Desktop IV was designed as an innovative and fast track
procurement, with a 10-page Request For Proposal. The problem is
not with the procurement process; the competitors are protesting
merely to protect their own business interests and not to
support the efforts of the government to get good products at
good prices," Mirapaul told Newsbytes. Hancock-Wheeler said
the current layoffs were not caused by the delay of Desktop
IV but rather in response to market conditions.

(Jim Mallory/19930224/Press contact: Matt Mirapaul, ZDS,
708-808-4848)


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

SuperMac, E-Machines In Licensing Deal 02/24/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- SuperMac
Technology has signed a licensing deal involving E-Machines'
products, brand names, and distribution rights.

Under terms of the licensing agreement, SuperMac will market,
distribute and support all existing E-Machines products under
their current brand names, along with such forthcoming
E-Machines peripherals as the PowerLink Presentor and the
PowerLink DeskNet for the Macintosh Duo System.

According to the company, after a transition period, E-Machines
will then operate under the new name -- E-M Technology Inc.,
which will focus on research and development. Its existing
subsidiary, Executive Remarketing, will continue to focus
on mail order sales of Macintosh computer systems and
peripherals.

In announcing the deal, SuperMac President Michael A. McConnell,
said, "E-Machines' strength in business productivity -- and the
value delivered by its products -- complements SuperMac's
strengths in color publishing and digital video."

According to SuperMac, the agreement will strengthen its market
share in the Macintosh color-publishing, business productivity,
and digital video markets by adding a dozen 16-inch to 19-inch
color displays, 24-bit color graphics cards, and Macintosh Duo
System products to its inventory.

(Ian Stokell/19930224/Press Contact: Deborah Doyle,
408-773-4446, SuperMac Technology Inc.)


(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00024)

NEC Releases Image 46 PC Series For Advanced Power Users 02/24/93
BOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Capping off
a new strategy that targets different PCs at different markets, NEC
has released the Image 46 Series for advanced power users.

Mike Everett, marketing manager for NEC's Image 46 and PowerMate
series, told Newsbytes that the 15 486-based computers in the Image
46 family supply the fastest graphics of any PCs on the market
today.

In an interview with Newsbytes, Everett added that the product
launch of Image 46 is the culmination of a marketing approach
initiated two months ago, with the introduction of PowerMate for
business users and Ready Series for the SOHO (Small Office/Home
Office) market.

Available now, the Image 24 PCs are priced at $1,449 to $2,849,
said Everett. Along with superior graphics capabilities, the
systems feature innovations in chassis design, Flash ROM BIOS, and
other areas that bring exceptionally easy upgradability, he
emphasized.

"We looked at every subsystem on the computer, and determined how
we could optimize performance," the marketing manager told
Newsbytes. During this process, NEC arrived at two key
technologies, ImageVideo and OptiBus, for boosting graphics
performance, he elaborated.

"OptiBus stands for `optimized bus,'" he commented. The OptiBus
technology is designed to improve the performance of transfers to
and from the SCSI II and IDE subsystems.

The Image 24 computers are the first PCs to integrate SCSI II on
the motherboard for easy connection of peripheral devices, he
maintained.

Everett also told Newsbytes that ImageVideo consists of three
separate sets of features: a second generation local bus, a
graphics accelerator, and the inclusion of extra video memory and
a true color RAMDAC.

"In the second generation local bus, we've put the graphics
subsystem right on the main CPU bus for optimum video bandwidth
performance," he remarked. The graphics accelerator speeds
performance of Windows and other graphical environments, he added.
The true color RAMDAC provides a color palette of 16.8 million
colors. "That is the limit of what you and I can see."

The PCs also integrate the BIOS for graphics, SCSI, system, and
networking capabilities right into ROM. "So if any of those things
need to be upgraded in the future, the user can easily do so by
diskette."

Upgradability is further enhanced by the use of a lightweight
modular chassis design, with a quarter-turn latch for easy cover
removal, snap-in/snap-out rails for quick device release, and a
snap-in/snap-out hard drive cage, plus two front ports for
multimedia accessories such as microphones and headphones.

In addition, a technology called ImageSync allows the PC to sense
when it is connected to one of NEC's MultiSynch monitors and
automatically adjust to the highest possible refresh rate of the
monitor -- up to 72 Hz -- for clear, flicker-free images.

Benchmark tests have shown the Image 24 Series to outperform all
other PCs on raw video performance, Everett told Newsbytes. "On
graphics accelerator performance, they're equal to or better than
any (other PCs), and from a general applications standpoint,
they're probably the best available on the market."

(Jacqueline Emigh/19930224/Press contact: Geoff Spillane, NEC, tel
508-264-8759)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00025)

Japan - NEC, Fujitsu Interconnect PC Networks 02/24/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Japan's two major personal
computer-based telecommunication networks have interconnected.
NEC's PC-VAN and Fujitsu's NIFTY-Serve are also expected to
link with other Japanese PC networks in the near future.

NEC and Fujitsu will tie up their networks via C&C-VAN and
FENICS, the value-added network lines of NEC and Fujitsu
respectively. Users of NEC's PC-VAN and Fujitsu's NIFTY-Serve
will be able to exchange electronic mail as a result of this
agreement, in April. Users will pay 20 yen ($0.17) per 1K
byte of data.

This interconnection is part of a major project led by
the Japanese Ministry of Posts & Telecommunication. The Ministry
proposed a plan to interconnect all PC networks in Japan.
Through its leadership, the Ministry brought 19 firms including
Fujitsu (NIFTY), NEC, and NTT, together to form the Japan
Electronic Mail Association in July 1992. The firms
have been trying to create a message handling system to
interconnect all PC networks.

The NEC/Fujitsu e-mail interconnection is to benefit PC-VAN's
510,000 users and NIFTY's 450,000 users, making it the largest
interconnection of electronic mail in Japan. In the future, both
telecom giants also hope to interconnect with NTT's message
handling center.

Meanwhile, NEC recently linked with another major BBS network
JALNET, a service of the Japan Airlines. PC-VAN users, as
a result, have been able to deal directly with this major
airline firm.

(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930224/Press Contact: NEC PC-VAN,
 [phone], NIFTY-Serve, [phone], Fax, +81-3-5471-
5890)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00026)

Compaq UK's 24-Hour Customer Fax Service 02/24/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Compaq Computer has announced a
24-hour customer support fax facility. The dial-in service, known as
Faxpaq, which requires the use of a touch tone phone, is designed to
complement the company's existing office hours "human" support
facility.

To use the service, callers dial 081-332-3550 and follow verbal menus
with responses keyed in by touch tones. According to Compaq, as soon
as the caller has hung up, his/her designated fax machine number is
then dialled with the faxed documents required.

"We're currently handling around 300 calls a day on our customer
service help line, open from 9 to 5:30 Monday to Friday," explained
David Clarke, UK marketing director for Compaq. "Many of these calls
are for product information that is usually posted out by return."

According to Clarke, the Faxpaq service is available 24 hours a day,
and callers can have the information they want within minutes. "Even
detailed data like memory upgrades and product switch settings. It
takes us one step closer to our goal of being No 1 in customer
service, as well as the UK sales leader in personal computers."

The service runs on a Compaq PC located at the company's UK
headquarters. A fax modem and touch tone recognition board, together
with appropriate software, has been installed on the PC. Compaq UK is
the first Compaq country operation to install the Faxpaq service.
Plans call for other countries to get the service later this year.

(Steve Gold/19930224/Press & Public Contact: Compaq Computer UK - Tel:
081-332-3888)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00027)

Delrina Plans Voice Features For WinFax 02/24/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Responding to the
impending arrival of fax modems with digital signal processor
(DSP) chips that can process voice and other sounds, Delrina
Technology has said it plans to add voice capabilities to
its WinFax line of facsimile software for PCs.

Delrina said the software, expected to appear as a WinFax add-on
this summer, will let a PC distinguish incoming voice calls from
fax calls, record conversations, act as an answering machine, and
send out faxes in response to touch-tone commands.

DSP fax modems and associated software will let computer owners
use one phone line for both voice and fax calls, said Josef
Zankowicz, a Delrina spokesman. Delrina's software will be able
to pick up incoming calls, listen for a fax send tone, and
transfer the call to a telephone with only a slight delay if no
fax is detected, he said.

The software will also let remote callers request that certain
files be faxed to them, by entering commands on the touch-tone
keypads of their telephones, Zankowicz said. In future, he added,
it is possible the software might respond to voice commands, but
that will not happen soon.

The software will also be able to record conversations on demand,
and will have the ability to act as a computerized answering
machine, storing messages on disk. Stored audio will take up to
4K bytes of disk space per second.

The integration of voice and fax will also let a WinFax user keep
a single phone book of both voice and fax numbers, with automated
dialing of both.

Fax modems with DSP chips are just about to hit the market,
Zankowicz said; Delrina expects a number of announcements at the
Spring Comdex show in Atlanta in May.

Delrina also announced it has lined up C$12.5 million in
financing through a private placement of special warrants due to
close March 3. Subject to regulatory approval, the placement
would raise money for development and acquisition of fax and
forms-processing technology, and for working capital.

(Grant Buckler/19930224/Press Contact: Josef Zankowicz, Delrina,
416-441-3676, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00028)

Low-Cost Videoconferencing 02/24/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- One of the
main drawbacks of videoconferencing is its high cost, making
it generally only cost-effective for larger companies. However,
addressing the problem, Compression Labs has announced the
Eclipse videoconferencing systems for under $20,000. The
model 8050 is priced at $14,900, while the model 8100 is
priced at $19,900.

The company says that the Eclipse is also available under a
lease program costing $450 a month for the model 8050 and $600
a month for the model 8100.

According to the company, the systems are shipped fully
assembled and can be installed in minutes, simply by plugging in
two cables. A wireless remote control unit and graphical user
interface make the systems "easy" to operate.

John E. Tyson, president, chief executive officer and
chairman of CLI, envisions a big future for the product in
his prepared statement: "Eclipse will lead to a dramatic
increase in the use of videoconferencing, and represents a
key turning point in the evolution of this industry.
Eclipse is a strategic element in CLI's vision that is shaping
the video communications revolution of the '90s."

The company claims that Eclipse is the first videoconferencing
system to use a remote-control device. The graphical user
interface provides on-screen messages and icons which
correspond to icons on the remote-control unit.

CLI claims to have reduced several key components to single
boards, including the codec, audio system with echo cancellation,
and network interfaces. Theses were achieved through VLSI (very
large scale integration) advancements all housed in an Intel 486
personal computer chassis with both a 40-megabyte (MB) hard
disk and 3.5-inch 1.5 MB floppy disk for software updates.

The company claims that the systems provide with high-quality
video, capable of communicating with other manufacturers'
systems using the CCITT industry standard. They can also
use CLI's CTX proprietary algorithm if communicating with other
CLI systems. Eclipse also includes an audio system with
table-top microphones, full-duplex capability and integrated
echo cancellation.

The eclipse offers a choice of built-in line interfaces for many
types of networks: low-cost switched dial-up services,
basic ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Networks), or dedicated
networks. The system also includes a stand-alone graphics
camera for sharing charts, color photos, and documents. It also
comes with a 20-inch color monitor.

(Ian Stokell/19930224/Press Contact: William Dunk,
214-233-6343, Compression Labs Inc.)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00029)

DCA's Adaptor Lets Laptops Talk To Mainframes 02/24/93
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Digital
Communications Associates (DCA) noticed a growing trend -- the
march of laptops onto desktops. That trend has shaped a
demand for laptops that, like desktops, can talk to mainframes.

DCA cards and equipment connect desktop computers to mainframes,
allowing them to emulate IBM 3270 terminals. Now, DCA has a small
card that allows laptop users to emulate 3270 terminals too.
The new IRMA Pocket 3270 Adapter weighs three ounces and connects
via the laptop's parallel port to a 3270 controller on either
coaxial or twisted pair wiring.

The adapters are designed to work with, and are compatible with,
DCA's IRMA Workstation for DOS (IWD) version 2.0 software. DCA has
announced plans to expand the pocket adapter's capabilities by
spring and also to support IRMA Workstation for Windows (IWW) and
E78 Plus, a software product that emulates Control Unit
Terminals (CUT).

"DCA's experience in the 3270 market, coupled with the proliferation
of laptop computing, has made the IRMA Pocket a natural extension
of our product line," said Gerald W. Buran, DCA's vice president of
sales and marketing. "As more people adopt laptops as their primary
computer, this connectivity addition will keep them integrated into
major office environments."

IRMA Pocket is now available for $695. Current users of an IRMA 2
or IRMA 3 Convertible can trade those devices into DCA for an IRMA
Pocket for a sum of $395.

(Naor Wallach/19930224/Press Contact: Kerry Stanfield, DCA, 404-442-
4519)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00030)

HP/Sun/IBM In Fiber Channel Initiative 02/24/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 FEB 24 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard, Sun Microsystems Computer, and IBM have entered into
a joint initiative that will result in the creation of a fiber
technology "standard" for interconnecting workstations and
peripherals.

According to the companies, the Fibre Channel Systems
Initiative is a "joint effort to advance Fibre Channel as
an affordable, high-speed interconnection standard for
workstations and peripherals used in thousands of commercial
and technical applications."

Stephen Cooper, spokesman for HP, told Newsbytes that,
"Essentially, the three companies formed an initiative to
support the Fiber Channel standard and develop some very
specific interoperability profiles to enable products based
on Fiber Channel to hit the market sooner, and to be able to
interoperate with each other."

The initial focus of the initiative will be on applications
running on multiple workstations from more than one maker.

In essence, Cooper told Newsbytes, the companies are "trying
to help narrow down some of the choices first from some of
the very, very complex Fibre Channel standard options. In terms
of development, the companies are going to develop their own
products and compete against each other in this marketplace."

He added, "They are trying to ensure interoperability, that
their products will work together. But they will be competing
against each other in the marketplace very strongly with their
own product lines. Their cooperation does not extend to the
product development area."

The companies maintain that Fibre Channel offers data
transfer speeds up to one gigabit per second over distances
of ten kilometers (about 60,000 pages of information).

According to the companies, the primary goals of the initiative
are: to advance a high-speed interconnection for workstations
and systems; to promote open systems for distributed computing;
and to propose selected sets of Fibre Channel option, called
"profiles," that will be available to the industry as a basis
for building products.

(Ian Stokell/19930224)