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/NB930510

Text File | 1993-05-10 | 70KB | 1,493 lines

(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00001)

DCA Intros NetWare For SAA Windows Client 05/10/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Digital
Communications Associates (DCA) has introduced IRMA NetWare
WorkStation For Windows (INWW), a workstation client for host access
services, optimized to support Novell's NetWare for SAA local area
network (LAN)-to-host platform.

The company has also joined Novell on a 20-city marketing tour
designed to explain the details of the partnership between the
companies to resellers and end users.

DCA announced a new marketing and development partnership with Novell
in February that included DCA's marketing Novell's NetWare for SAA to
its customers. Under the terms of the deal, DCA gets to offer up to
five copies of INWW with each NetWare for SAA server it sells until
December 31, at no extra cost.

In addition, DCA said that, for current NetWare for SAA users
requiring Windows host access connectivity, it is offering a 60-day
money-back guaranteed "test drive" program for INWW until December 31.
Under the program, customers may purchase INWW from DCA for up to a 50
percent discount off the suggested retail price.

Announcing the partnership, Gerald W. Buran, DCA's vice president of
sales and marketing, said: "In working with partners to establish
NetWare for SAA as the NetWare-to-host integration platform, Novell
has given end users the freedom to evaluate and select products which
meet their unique requirements built on NetWare."

Gerry Machi, vice president and general manager of Novell's NetWare
Systems Group-Sunnyvale, said: "With the most powerful set of
application program interfaces (APIs) available, DCA has developed the
broadest line of cross-platform, heterogeneous communications products
for host access services in the industry."

According to DCA, INWW is specifically designed for the NetWare for
SAA platform incorporating customized installation and configuration
support. The company says that it also intends to provide DOS and
Macintosh clients that have been specifically designed for the NetWare
for SAA in the "near future."

The DCA/Novell marketing tour is designed to give NetWare for SAA
resellers and end users an in-depth look at the new partnership
between the two companies, with a morning session for resellers plus
an afternoon session for customers and end users being held in each
city.

IRMA NetWare WorkStation for Windows (INWW) will ship early next month
at $395 for a single-user version. Versions included with NetWare for
SAA from DCA are available for $3,195 (10 users); $9,195 (50 users)
and $15,195 (100 users).

(Ian Stokell/19930510/Press Contact: William Marks, 404-442-4519,
Digital Communications Associates)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00002)

Pyramid Secures ISO 9001 Certification 05/10/93
WAN CHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Pyramid Technology  has
received ISO 9001 certification for the design, manufacture,
service and support of its high-availability servers and mainframe-
class open computer systems.

Developed by the Swiss-based International Standards Organization, the
ISO 9001 standard claims to be the most stringent of the five ISO 9000
quality standards. ISO 9001 certification demonstrates that Pyramid
adheres to a constant set of quality standards in order to provide
superior products and services to its customers.

"ISO standards have already been endorsed by 91 countries worldwide
and are rapidly becoming a prerequisite for doing business in the
Asia-Pacific region," said Ed Norton, vice president of Asia-Pacific
for Pyramid. "This certification not only reinforces Pyramid's long
standing commitment to quality, but also gives us a strategic
advantage over our competitors."

Certification has already become a contract requirement specified by
many organizations, particularly within government and the
telecommunications industry. "The increasing demand for certification,
which is evident in Hong Kong, is an indication of the changes in
trade and industry throughout the world," said Lionel Wood, Chief
Executive of the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency.

"Many organizations view their suppliers' adoption of ISO 9000
development programmes as an indication of their commitment to quality
a commitment which will directly affect the quality of the goods and
services they pass on to their customers," he said.

After eight months of focusing on ISO requirements and an intensive
four-day audit, Pyramid received recommendation for certification from
the British Standards Institute (BSI) Quality Assurance Institute, an
accreditation agency recognised worldwide.

"It was Pyramid teamwork that really achieved this award," said
Norton, adding: "It has taken substantial commitment from every group
in the company to develop a quality management system to meet such
stringent international requirements."

(Brett Cameron/19930510/Press Contact: Ed Norton ,Pyramid, Tel: +852-
827 0211;HK time is GMT + 8)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00003)

Australian National Computer Work Skills Competition Debuts 05/10/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Australian secondary and
tertiary students are currently competing in the first Australian
information technology work skills championships in Sydney. Under the
championships, which are known as the Windows to Work -- Youth
Technology Championships, the young computer experts are testing their
skills and gaining tertiary accreditation for their demonstrated
levels of competence.

A key feature of the event is the national championships in
Mechatronics -- incorporating mechanical, electrical and electronics
engineering. Teams of students from secondary schools are involved in
a two-day Mechatronics challenge in commissioning and fault finding in
a model train installation.

As the name might suggest, one of the sponsors is software
manufacturer Microsoft. Other sponsors include Work Skills Australia
and the Information Services Training Division of the NSW state TAFE
(college system). Students eligible to enter must be under 25.

In one activity, students have been set the task of creating systems
that could be used by the Fred Hollows foundation -- a charitable
institution -- as a complete business system. At the end of the
competition the most suitable installation will be donated to the
foundation by Microsoft, with TAFE students providing ongoing support.

(Paul Zucker/19930510/Contact Kerrie Stevens at Work Skills Australia
Foundation on phone [phone] or fax [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00004)

Andest Unveils Swathe Of New Modems 05/10/93
MILTON KEYNES, BEDFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Andest
Communications has announced several new modems, including a
V.32bis/Group 3 portable fax modem for under UKP 400, plus two new
PCMCIA 2 fax modems giving Group 3 fax and up to V.32bis (14,400 bits
per second - bps) speeds for Compaq, IBM and Toshiba notebooks. Three
internal fax modems for Compaq, IBM and Toshiba notebooks complete the
ensemble.

Andest claims that its V.32bis/Group 3 fax modem, the Rocket, is the
cheapest V.32bis modem on the market. Externally, the black modem
breaks with traditional cigarette packet casings and is rotund in
shape. Tony Sellars, Andest's managing director, the Rocket's
performance, packaging and price should excite new interest in
portable modem technology.

Sellars predicts that a massive growth in demand for low-cost, high-
performance "commodity" modems arising from the acceptance of portable
PCs and the increase in use of online information services such as the
Compuserve Information eXchange and Compuserve.

"As more people integrate comms into their working routine, the
technical sell is becoming less relevant to many potential buyers.
Modems are becoming a commodity, so the Rocket is styled, packaged and
priced to differentiate it from the crowd, and to give it form as well
as function," he said.

The two new PCMCIA 2 fax modems, meanwhile, are less adventurous than
the Rocket, but seek to satisfy the growing market for PCMCIA modems.
One modem supports all data speeds to V.32bis and costs UKP 599, while
the other, costing UKP 399, supports all data speeds to V.22bis (2,400
bps). Both modems support fax at 9,600 bps.

The three internal modems -- the I1414 (for IBM), C1414 (for Compaq)
and T1414 (for Toshiba) - cost UKP 599. They have been designed,
respectively, for the IBM Thinkpad series, the Compaq Contura, Lite,
LTE 386SX and 486 series, and Toshiba notebooks equipped with a "D"
slot. All three modems support the same facilities as the V.32bis
PC<CIA modem.

(Steve Gold/19930510/Press & Public Contact: Andest Communications -
Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00005)

PPCP Launches Own Brand PCMCIA Modems 05/10/93
FELTHAM, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- PPCP, the portable
connectivity distributor, has launched into the own brand marketplace
with two PCMCIA 2.0 fax modems, the Avanti! AV2496 and AV1414.

John Nolan, PPCP's managing director, said that the modems have been
released to satisfy resellers and end users who have been frustrated
at not being able to obtain branded PCMCIA 2 modems.

"We had to take matters into our own hands and source our own product.
The PCMCIA market offers tremendous opportunities but availability is
everything. Latecomers will find it tough going as margins inevitably
come under pressure," he said.

Nolan added that he plans to flesh out the Avanti! range of modems
this summer, with a variety of units, including internal modems to
support portable computers.

The two PCMCIA modems cost, respectively, UKP 399 and UKP 599. The
2496 supports up to V.22bis data and 9,600 bits per second (bps) in
fax mode, while the 1414 has the same specifications, plus support for
V.32Bis (14,400 bps).

(Steve Gold/19930510/Press & Public Contact: PPCP - Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00006)

Irish Govt Announces Plans To Attract Foreign Companies 05/10/93
DUBLIN, IRELAND, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- The Irish Government, after
seeing its high technology business, most of which has been attracted
to the country thanks to tax breaks, hit by recession, is attempting
to staunch the flow with what it claims are revolutionary tactics.

Rather than simply set up a business enterprise operation, as has been
done in the past, the Irish Government wants to set up two development
boards to handle domestic and overseas investment, as well as
competition for the state-run utility corporations. The idea is to
attract more foreign companies to Ireland, as well as force the state-
run companies to run on more commercial lines.

According to Ruairi Quinn, the Irish Employment Minister, the aim is
to create an environment in which businesses can "perform effectively
and efficiently."

Quinn, who is faced with an unemployment rate of 17 percent of the
Irish workforce, said that the reforms will reverse the trend of the
past few years, allowing the Irish Government to "reap rich dividends
over time in the form of increased levels of sustainable jobs and
improved living standards for the people of Ireland."

The Government also plans to work with the state telecoms company to
cut the cost of international phone calls. In addition, the
communications infrastructure of Ireland is to be beefed up to improve
transport generally. To achieve this, Quinn said that he plans to
obtain investment funds from the European Commission (EC), which has
already invested heavily in the country.

(Steve Gold/19930510)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00007)

Toshiba Cuts Portable PC Accessory Prices 05/10/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Peripherals and
accessories constitute a sizeable portion of the portable computer
market, often because the base configuration of a system is barely
able to handle the high RAM requirements of today's applications.
Claiming to address this need, Toshiba America Information Systems'
computer systems division has cut the price of its portable computer
accessories by up to 32 percent. According to the company, the move
coincides with its recent price reduction on a number of notebook and
portable computers, as reported by Newsbytes.

Announcing the cuts, Steve Lair, vice president of marketing for the
Computer Systems Division, said: "to complement our recent notebook
and portable computer price reductions, we have reduced nearly all
Toshiba accessories to allow our users to customize their systems at
attractive prices."

Examples of the cuts include the Dynapad T100X pen computer stylus,
which has been reduced 32 percent; the 150-pin SCSI (Small Computer
Systems Interface) adapter, which has been cut 12 percent from $279
to $245; the 14.4 data/fax modem, cut 10 percent from $529 to $475;
the 486DX upgrade chip, designed for the T4400SX, T6400 systems,
which was reduced by 20 percent from $699 to $559; and the leather
attache case, designed for all notebooks, which was cut 13 percent
from $149 to $129.

Toshiba has also cut its memory prices for portable and notebook
systems. For example, a two megabyte (MB) memory card for the
T1850/T1850C was cut 11 percent from $219 to $195; a 4MB memory card
for the same systems was cut 16 percent from $369 to $309; and an 8MB
memory card was cut 20 percent to $559 from $699. The 4MB and 8MB
memory cards for the T4400/T6400 were cut 16 and 20 percent
respectively, from $369 to $309, and $699 to $559.

Battery packs have also been reduced in price. For example, a battery
pack for the T1800/T1850/T1850C range of portables has been cut nine
percent from $98 to $89; a Nicad battery pack for the T4500 was
reduced 12 percent from $169 to $149; and a nickel metal hydride
battery pack for the T4500 has been cut by eight percent from $249 to
$229

According to International Data Corporation, a market research
company, Toshiba is the leading vendor in the US market for portable
computers, and holds 16.2 percent of the volume for 1992.

(Ian Stokell/19930510/Press Contact: Howard Emerson, 714-583-3925,
Toshiba America Information Systems)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00008)

Digital To Introduce New Logo & Advertising Campaign 05/10/93
TAIKOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
Corporation will be introducing an enhanced version of the company's
logo as well as a new advertising campaign beginning this month. The
advertising roll-out will appear in 75 publications around the globe.

According to Tony Leung, Director of Marketing for Digital's Asia
region, "We have evaluated Digital's strengths, the needs of our
partners and the direction of the market. Changes have been going on
within the company. These changes have been observed by people who
regularly follow our business.

"Now we are ready to tell a larger audience about the revitalization
of Digital. The advertising campaign and the redesigned logo are
external signs of Digital's dedication to our core values and
competencies as well as the steps we are taking for the future of our
customers and of the industry."

"The Digital logo was updated rather than radically changed in order
to maintain a sense of the company's tradition." Walter Cheung,
Marketing Communications Manager for Digital's Asia region, said,
adding: "there is a great deal of equity in the old logo and we
wanted to preserve that asset."

"The significant change is the decision to maintain a universal look
by specifying that where colour is possible the blocks will always be
burgundy and the letters will always be white." In the past, Cheung
explained, the logo had been used without strict guidelines
concerning the use of colour.

The brand identity Digital wants to communicate to its customers and
prospects is "Digital people are dedicated to customer success
through innovation". The new advertisements will first appear in
print and will focus on the theme "Putting Imagination to Work."

"This campaign positions us as flexible and collaborate," said
Cheung. "The advertising builds a market perception that Digital
people make great customer ideas happen. And those customer ideas
happen because we understand their business and provide the solutions
through technological leadership and successful partnerships."

(Brett Cameron/19930610/Press Contact: Walter Cheung (Digital): Tel:
[phone];HK time is GMT + 8)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00009)

Duplex Fax Machine From Sharp Sends Two-Sided Pages 05/10/93
MAHWAH, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Sharp Electronics has
debuted a fax machine being billed as the first to provide duplex
faxing, or the ability to send two-sided pages.

In an interview with Newsbytes, Joe Cosgrove, national marketing
manager, said that the new FO-5400, a plain-paper machine, is
especially well suited to government agencies and other organizations
that require internal copies of documents to be printed on both
sides, out of interests in saving money and trees.

"Faxing those copies once they were put in that form used to be a
nightmare," Cosgrove commented. "You had to send all the odd pages,
and then send all the even pages. After that, someone on the other
end had to put them all back together again in the right order."

The FO-5400 performs duplex faxing by scanning an original twice --
once on each side -- and then sorting the pages in memory and faxing
them in the proper order.

The new machine is also one of the few on the market to transmit fax
pages so that they arrive face-up, which Cosgrove claims eliminates
the need for time-consuming collating on the other side.

Cosgrove also told Newsbytes that the FO-3400 complies with the V.33
and V.17 standards, which call for fax transmission rates of up to
14.4 bps, a rate equivalent to the V.32 bis standard for data
transmission. The machine incorporates compression, as well, raising
speed to the level where a page can be faxed in only six seconds.

Priced at $3,695 and shipping now, the machine also offers a host of
other advanced features, such as a 51-page memory with an additional
memory upgrade, 40-number rapid dial, fax broadcasting to up to 159
stations, a multi-copy function that produces up to 99 copies with
one pass, and 40 timer operations for unattended, after-hours
transmission/polling.

The duplex fax machine comes with a front-mounted control panel that
offers a large, 20-digit two-line LCD (liquid crystal display). A
variety of reproduction controls are incorporated, including auto-
contrast, 64-level halftone control, error correction mode (EMC), and
smoothing.

Other capabilities of the FO-5400 include a 50-page automated
document feeder, separate original and copy exit trays, automatic
cover sheet, automatic fax/telephone change-over, the ability to
handle "Distinctive Ring," and more.

Now available as a service from many phone companies, Distinctive
Ring allows the user to have numerous phone numbers put on one line,
assigning each number a different ring pattern. The user is obliged
to pay only a small extra monthly charge for an additional line.

(Jacqueline Emigh/19930510/Reader contact: Sharp Electronics
Corporation's facsimile division, tel [phone]; fax 201-529-
8952; Press contact: Hope Wright or Gail Birnbaum, Dorf & Stanton for
Sharp, tel [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00010)

Software Publishing Offers Competing Product Guarantee 05/10/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Software
Publishing Corporation (SPC) is offering a "satisfaction guarantee"
program for its Harvard Graphics for Windows or DOS presentation
graphics software packages. The guarantee works with customers being
able to select a competitor's product if they are not "completely
satisfied with their purchase," according to the company.

Announcing the scheme, Chris Randles, vice president of marketing at
SPC, said: "Feedback from our resellers indicates that customers who
are looking to purchase a graphics package choose Harvard Graphics
two to one over the nearest competitor, primarily because we offer
value-added services and presentation expertise that go beyond the
shrink-wrapped box."

"With this type of channel feedback, we can offer new customers who
are interested in purchasing a graphics package, a risk-free
guarantee that they will be satisfied with Harvard Graphics," he
said.

According to the company, the guarantee program is valid for users
who buy the latest version of Harvard Graphics for Windows or DOS 3.x
between May 15, 1993 and August 31, 1993, and contact SPC within 60
days of purchase.

Products available under the guarantee include Lotus Freelance
Graphics for Windows, Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, Lotus
Freelance Graphics for DOS, and WordPerfect Presentations for DOS.

The company is also offering users who purchase Harvard Graphics for
Windows or DOS between May 15 and August 31, 1993, the Harvard
Graphics Advisor Presentation Pak free of charge. It is valued at
$90, and includes the "Simple Art of Presentation" video and booklet,
which provides guidelines and techniques for creating and delivering
presentations.

(Ian Stokell/19930510/Press Contact: Dorothy Meunier, SPC, 408-450-
7637)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00011)

Canadian Product Launch Update 05/10/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcement by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: the new Microsoft Mouse,
Sun's new workstations, and IBM price cuts.

Microsoft Canada has launched the redesigned Microsoft Mouse
(Newsbytes, April 27), which has an indentation on the left side that
makes it look a little like the letter "J". Available right away in
Canada, the Microsoft Mouse 2.0 carries a suggested retail price of
C$139.95 for versions that attach to the serial port or the mouse
port of an IBM PS/2, or C$159 for the bus version. It's also
available bundled with Windows 3.1 for C$279. All these are
introductory prices that will stand until June 30.

Microsoft's new mouse driver software, Version 9.0, is available to
present Microsoft Mouse owners for C$25 plus shipping and handling.

Sun Microsystems of Canada has added to the SPARCstation 10 line of
workstations and Sparcserver 10 line of servers (Newsbytes, April
21). Canadian prices for the new Sparcstation 10 models are: C$23,200
for an entry-level Model 30LC; C$30,100 for the Model 40; C$35,900
for the Model 402MP; and C$40,250 for the Model 51. Server prices are
C$23,550 for the Model 40; C$32,250 for the Model 402MP; and C$33,700
for the Model 51. The new models are to ship in Canada this quarter,
except for the Model 51 which is to ship in the third quarter.

Sun Canada also cut prices on other Sparcstation 10 and Sparcserver
10 models. The Sparcstation Model 41 goes to C$33,000; the Model
512MP to C$48,950; and the Model 54 to C$66,350. New prices on
Sparcservers range from C$20,300 for the Model 30 to C$68,300 for the
Model 54.

There were price cuts at IBM too, as IBM Canada cut prices on several
models in its Personal System/2 (PS/2) line of personal computers.
The Model 56 was marked down from C$3,220 to C$3,010, the Model 57
from C$6,889 to C$6,310, the Model 76 from C$3,900 to C$3,490, and
the Model 77 form C$5,085 to C$4,370.

(Grant Buckler/19930510/Press Contact: Jeff Dossett, Microsoft
Canada, 416-568-0434 ext. 4052, fax [phone]; Michael Douglas,
Sun Canada, 416-477-6745; IBM Canada, 416-474-3900)


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

Caere Corporation Unveils FaxMaster Server 05/10/93
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Caere Corporation
has released a new fax package for local area networks called
FaxMaster Server that lets up to 25 people share a fax modem.

The package is an extension to the company's FaxMaster fax/OCR
package under Microsoft Windows, which is designed to make incoming
faxes usable on a network by extracting words for editing and
pictures for use in other documents.

The software is installed on a LAN server and can accept faxes for
the whole group or a specific person, with access controlled by the
network administrator, who can manage the fax logs, route the faxes
and control security, even screening incoming faxes to discard those
not wanted by the group or print those which need to be distributed.

The package costs $495 -- a single PC version is sold for $109. A
workgroup pack, which includes the server version and five PC copies,
can be bought for $695.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930510/Press Contact: Caere, Mike Lough, 408-
395-7000, FAX: [phone]; Public Contact: (800) 535-SCAN;
Active Voice, Kristi Thorndike, 206/441-4700x153)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00013)

Creative Labs Intros Sound Blaster 16 PC Sound Board 05/10/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- PCs generally come
with pretty inadequate sound processing capabilities. The potential
for sounds boards then is quite considerable, especially for users
who play games or  utilize multimedia technology. Now Creative Labs
has introduced the $279 16-bit Sound Blaster 16 sound board that
includes speech recognition software.

The company licensed Voice Processing's VProCommand technology in
order to provide the speech recognition engine for the VoiceAssist
speech recognition software that comes with the board.

Announcing the product, Arnold Waldstein, director of marketing at
Creative Labs, said: "We've added speech recognition and upgrade
options for advanced signal processing and the Wave Blaster
daughterboard, yet dramatically lowered the price from our top-of-
the-line 16-bit board, the Sound Blaster 16 with advanced signal
processing."

Creative's new speech recognition software, VoiceAssist, is packaged
with the Sound Blaster 16 , and allows the customization of any
Windows application with voice commands. According to the company, it
also provides a powerful application programming interface (API) for
application developers.

The company says that the system supports up to 1,024 voice commands
per application, with a maximum of 256 active words at a single time.

"VoiceAssist raises the technology of speech recognition to a new
level, and for the first time makes speech recognition a viable input
option for PC access, along with the mouse and the keyboard. We see
enormous potential for speech recognition - not only in the business
arena, but also for education and entertainment applications," said
Waldstein.

Sound Blaster 16 offers a built-in power amplifier for direct output
to small, unpowered speakers for desktop use, and a line-out option
to by-pass the board's internal power amplifier, connecting the audio
with external equipment.

Real-time audio compression is also featured, along with 16 bit
quality stereo sound sampling and playback with auto dynamic
filtering, 20-voice FM music synthesis, tone control, input/output
gain control and a recording input mixer. A microphone also comes
with the package.

Creative Labs and Voice Processing have also announced the immediate
availability of the VoiceAssist API.

(Ian Stokell/19930510/Press Contact: Benita Kenn, 408-428-2346,
Creative Labs Inc.)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00014)

 ****Lotus 1-2-3 For Windows 4.0 Arrives -- With Chronicler 05/10/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corporation has announced 1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows, a
major upgrade to its principal spreadsheet package for Microsoft
Windows.

The software is the first to incorporate Lotus' Chronicle version-
control technology, and comes with a simplified, context-sensitive
user interface that Lotus claims will make it easier to learn and
use.

The Version Manager feature tracks changes in spreadsheets shared
among work groups. This is the first use of Chronicle, a technology
that Lotus eventually plans to incorporate in most of its products,
Peter Cohen, a company spokesman, told Newsbytes.

The new release also adds a new data query tool, and features such as
one-step charting, customizable fill-by-example, worksheet tabs, and
in-cell editing that Lotus officials said will help users create
basic spreadsheets quickly. Integration with other Lotus Windows
applications is also improved, according to the vendor.

A context-sensitive menu presents only menu choices appropriate to
the immediate task. For example, while working on a chart, the menu
reads "chart," while in a spreadsheet range, it reads "range." The
menus and controls perform the same tasks consistently throughout the
product, officials said, regardless of where the user is working in
the spreadsheet.

The current version of 1-2-3 for Windows is known as Release 1.1.
Commenting on the leap in numbering, Cohen said it is partly intended
to convey that the product is a "new generation" because of the
Version Manager and other improvements, and partly meant to avoid
confusion with Lotus' versions of 1-2-3 for DOS.

1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows is currently undergoing final beta
testing with customers. The finished product will be available in the
US in June, Lotus said. Japanese, French, and German versions will
ship at the same time, and other language editions will ship within
30 to 90 days after the US version.

(Grant Buckler/19930510/Press Contact: Peter A. Cohen, Lotus, 617-
693-1283)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)

Forget Newspapers -- Here Come Interactive Classifieds 05/10/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- The Freedom Newspapers,
which include the Orange County Register and are the nation's 13th
largest newspaper chain, have signed a deal with IT Network to
develop interactive classified ads.

The Orange County, California-based Freedom Newspapers have long been
considered an innovator within their own base. The company has its
own 24-hour news channel, and innovated in the use of computers for
video long before it was acceptable. IT Network runs the Interactive
Channel, a national network for interactive TV programming.

Newsbytes discussed the offering with John Reed of IT Network, who
explained that the current system uses standard phone lines, services
over 60 US markets and handled more than a million requests last
year. "It's done in conjunction with Yellow Pages, radio and
television stations -- a variety of media," he said.

The company has relationships with five of the seven regional Bell
companies, for instance -- the exceptions are Bell Atlantic and
Nynex. Among the 200 electronic affiliates is KHOU in Houston, which
offers voice services by telephone that include sports and weather
headlines delivered by its talent.

The Interactive Channel is in the last stages of trials in
Birmingham, Michigan, and will roll-out early next year, Reed said,
adding that the system delivers full color photos with sound over
existing cable networks.

In use, viewers can control what they see with a remote control
device. "Over a two-way cable system the return path is cable. In a
traditional cable net the return path is a standard phone line, with
the cable box attached via phone line," Reed said.

According to Reed, that system can work with any cable system
offering pay-per-view with addressable set-top converters.

So, what wil Freedom do? "Our programming consists of information
services and education, entertainment and games and home shopping.
Within that there are Yellow Pages, catalogs and classifieds.
Freedom's agreement is to deliver a universal template for electronic
classifieds to newspaper publishers, so they can deliver their
existing classified product over cable. Their relationship is
critical both in the design area and in the marketing area," Reed
answered.

The whole program is of keen interest to both broadcasters and
newspaper chains. Estimates by the National Association of
Broadcasters are that half of the nation's radio broadcasters, and
one-fourth of its network television affiliates, are losing money.

Over a dozen newspaper publishers, including Gannett, Knight-Ridder
and Times Mirror are negotiating with MIT on a plan to use computers
and phone lines to deliver customized newspapers.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930510/Press Contact: IT Network, Amy Knight,
214/369-8491)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00016)

Hong Kong Government Approve New Wireless LAN Technology 05/10/93
WAN CHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 MAY 10 (NB)  -- Hong Kong is the first
country in Asia to approve the sale and use of Windata's FreePort, a
powerful wireless local area network (LAN) system distributed in the
region by ITS Asia Pacific.

The approval, which took less than two months to obtain, will enable
users in the territory to join the growing number of businesses in
Europe and the United States, including General Motors, AT&T and
Merrill Lynch, who are switching to second generation wireless LAN
technology.

In Hong Kong, Citibank and law firm Baker & McKenzie have already
ordered the FreePort system and other orders are expected soon.

"The Hong Kong Government has one of the strictest frequency licensing
conditions in Asia," said Barry Bonnett, Managing Director of ITS Asia
Pacific.

"This licence, granted in record time, is proof that Windata has
passed the government's conditions with flying colours, posing no
interference problems to other equipment," he said.

"In addition, the new licence will allow unregulated use of FreePort
anywhere in Hong Kong, unlike other narrow band systems which require
licensing at specific locations within a building," he added.

Based on spread spectrum technology, the FreePort system adheres to
the standards of wired LANs. It is claimed to be the only system to
comply to industry standard IEEE 802.3 Ethernet architecture and
offer full, industry standard Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP) support.

With a maximum throughput of 5.7 Mbps, FreePort operates almost four
times faster than its nearest spread spectrum competitor. A single
FreePort wireless LAN can accommodate up to 256 users and provide
coverage of more than 20,000 square metres through solid office
walls.

Security is provided by modulating the radio broadcast signal to
encrypt its content with a spreading code. As a result, while the
signal may be received by many units, only the receiver which knows
the code can make sense of the data.

The FreePort system consists of three major components, the Wireless
Hub, the Wireless Transceiver and SeePort, the system's Network
Management System.

The Wireless Hub provides the central control and management for a
group of Wireless Transceivers, as well as connectivity to a backbone
wired system. All network management functions are centralised in the
Wireless Hub and can be accessed through any PC using Microsoft
Windows.

"While FreePort will not replace cabled LANs, it will significantly
expand the LAN marketplace providing LAN connectivity in locations
previously considered too awkward or expensive to install," said
Bonnett. "The opportunities are tremendous and include temporary
offices, portable PCs, buildings with architectural restrictions,
factory floors and warehouses."

(Brett Cameron/19930510/Press Contact: Wayne Merrick (ITS): Tel: +852-
831 0506;HK time is GMT + 8)


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

Dvorak Radio Show Sets Deal with Sierra 05/10/93
OAKHURST, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- John Dvorak is
putting together an online forum over The Sierra Network as an
adjunct to his radio show.

"Dvorak on Computers" has 48 affiliates and, according to his
syndicator, SNP Radio Network, about a half-million listeners.

Sierra is best-known as a games network, but is trying to broaden
its audience. Questions left on the network will be answered on
the air either by Dvorak, co-host Leo LaPorte, or other Sierra
users. The idea is to link the online service directly with the
radio show, according to executive producer Renn Vara. Under the
agreement with SNP, Sierra will be loaded onto three PC compatible
computers in the radio studio.

The link does raise questions, however. Dvorak is a columnist for PC
Week, a Ziff-Davis publication, and Ziff has its own online service,
Ziffnet, which offers answers to computer questions through
affiliations with Prodigy and CompuServe.

"Sierra is all games and entertainment, that's it. There's nothing
functional, no downloading of data," said Sierra spokesman Audrey
Mann, but Newsbytes notes that the expansion of the network's reach
through its link to Dvorak, a Ziff employee, could make it more
competitive with Ziff's own online service.

Sierra costs $12.95 per month for up to 30 evening and weekend hours
and basic service. Top gaming areas SierraLand, MedievaLand and
LarryLand cost another $4 per month each, and e-mail privileges cost
another $2 per month. Membership information is available at 1-800-
SIERRA-1.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930510/Press Contact: Sierra, Audrey Mann,
212/505-9900)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00018)

3M/Conner Intros Quarter Inch Drive Sales Toolkit 05/10/93
ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- As any computer
user knows that has experienced a system crash, data backup is
vitally important. In an effort to stimulate end-user demand for
quarter-inch data cartridge drives and storage media, 3M and Conner
have introduced a training and sales toolkit designed for resellers
and retailers.

The program is called "Follow the Leaders to the Top," and is being
offered free of charge to 30,000 resellers nationwide. According to
the companies, the training and sales kit includes helpful sales
collateral, a backup-solutions guide, a sales-training diskette, a
disaster- avoidance manual and other tools to "bolster merchandising
and raise customer awareness of the importance of data backup."

Initial participants in the program include CompuCom, CompUSA,
ComputerLand, Gates FA, InaCom, Ingram, Intelligent Electronics,
Merisel, MicroAge, Robec, Sears, Tech Data and a number of Canadian
distributors.

According to the companies, a companion "Test the Market" drive offer
allows eligible resellers to purchase a discounted Conner quarter-
inch data cartridge drive for resale or customer demonstrations. A
nationwide co-operative advertising program is also planned.

Announcing the plan, Michael Stevens, business development director,
3M Data Storage Tape Technology Division, said: "Data backup has
extraordinary value, but it's not always easy to communicate that
message. By helping the education process -- through training and
compelling sales tools -- we believe resellers can take better
advantage of the huge, untapped market for desktop data backup."

The toolkit includes a quarter-inch data cartridge Solutions
Guidebook, demonstration diskette, disaster- avoidance and data-
protection information pamphlets, value-oriented sales literature and
a 3M quarter-inch data cartridge compatibility reference book.

Resellers interested in receiving the free materials can obtain more
information by mail from Conner Distribution and 3M Promotion, P.O.
Box 1349, Norcross, Ga. 30091-1349.

(Ian Stokell/19930510/Press Contact: Larry Teien, 612-736-5961, 3M
Data Storage Products)


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

The Latest Report From Steve Roberts 05/10/93
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Mobile computing guru
Steve Roberts is back on the road, this time piloting a mobile home
called the Mothership which holds his 350-pound bicycle and mobile
computing testbed, Behemoth.

Roberts' latest plan is to move off the bike and move into a water-
borne testbed made at a "boatlab." Thus he's renamed his publications
"Nomadness" from "Bikelab."

He recently traveled through Wisconsin via kayak toward Lake
Michigan, dodging snowmelt. He writes that Behemoth will go on loan
to the Boston Computer Museum, but will retain an online link to his
kayak so visitors can keep track of Roberts' own progress from the
Museum.

Meanwhile, however, there are speaking engagements to make and
articles to write, hence the 9,000 bus ride with Sok Sun Chang, a
Cal State engineering student and ham radio operator.

The boat, dubbed the Microship, will be a kayak-based trimarin "using
a drop-in recumbent as drivetrain as well as something approaching
500 watts of solar panels." Roberts is now poring through dozens of
offers to host the boatlab. "Hopefully, the next report will not only
be more timely than this one, but also carry official news of the
project's physical inception."

Roberts' next public appearance will be May 11 and 12 in Portland at
the Telecomm Conference.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19930510/Press Contact: Steve Roberts; GEnie Mail:
Wordy)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00020)

Cognos Updates Impromptu Query Tool For PCs 05/10/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Cognos has released the
newest version of its desktop query software, Impromptu. According to
the vendor, Impromptu Release 2.0 adds more powerful query functions,
advanced security and performance capabilities, and the ability to
deal with more database packages.

Support for the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) specification
allows Impromptu to query a number of database systems running on
mainframes, minicomputers, and personal computers, including IBM's
DB2, the vendor said. Cognos has also added native support for
Borland's dBase and Paradox PC database packages. Impromptu also
works with Oracle, Sybase, and Microsoft's SQL Server.

With the new release, Cognos said, users can now work directly on
query results to create reports; no separate reporting module is
requires. Features for report creation include an assortment of
fonts, colors, borders, headers, footers, page numbering, and a
"format like" command aimed at making it easy to re-use custom
formats.

Thanks to support for Microsoft's Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)
technology, a new configurable tool bar can be used to call other
applications or operations from Impromptu. OLE and Dynamic Data
Exchange (DDE) allow users to embed Impromptu reports in other
applications or create dynamic links to them.

Impromptu 2.0 can calculate totals, subtotals, averages and the like
from query data, and can perform functions such as sort and average
on those figures, Cognos said.

Security and administration features have also been improved, the
vendor said. New features include a "security by value" option
that will let users see a particular database field in selected
records but not in others -- for instance, a department manager
might be allowed to see salary figures in a personnel database,
but only for his or her own staff.

Impromptu 2.0 is due to be available in August. The Enterprise
Edition, meant for end users, is priced at US$395 or C$500, and
the Administrator Edition at US$595 or C$685.

The Administrator Edition has a number of tools for creating
custom views of data for end users, a company spokeswoman said.
The Enterprise Edition can work with information packaged by the
administrator, or can work on a stand-alone basis with PC
databases.

Impromptu requires a personal computer with at least an Intel 286
or equivalent processor, an EGA or higher-resolution monitor, two
megabytes of memory, DOS 3.1 or later, and Microsoft Windows 3.0
or later.

(Grant Buckler/19930510/Press Contact: Wendy Rajala, Cognos, 416-338-
8532; Lyse Teasdale, Cognos, 613-738-1440, fax [phone]; Public
Contact: Cognos, 613-738-1440)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00021)

Motorola Announces New Microcontroller Architecture 05/10/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Motorola's CSIC
Microcontroller Division has announced a new eight-bit
microcontroller that it claims provides a faster bus speed and
greater programming flexibility but is upward object-code compatible
with its earlier controller.

The company claims that the new HC08 provides migration for current
HC05 users who need a cost effective means of increasing performance
without having to develop new software, since the device is backwards
compatible.

The HC08's central processing unit, the CPU08, is an architecturally
enhanced 8-bit core that provide faster bus speed and greater
programming flexibility, and uses a standard bus interface to connect
the CPU08 to specialized peripheral modules.

Motorola says that this approach allows it to utilize the growing
number of functional modules such as fuzzy logic, digital signal
processing, and flash memory technology, to create new HC08
variations. Plans call for the HC08 to be used in applications such
as automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, industrial use, and
communications.

The company has also announced various development tools to support
the new architecture, including a C compiler, source code assembler,
and a PC-based software simulator. Higher level tools including an
evaluation system and a modular development system are in
development, and are expected to ship later this year. Motorola says
it is providing the software simulator at no cost. The source level
debugger and C compiler are available now from Byte Craft Limited,
with price tags of $795 and $1,495 respectively.

Motorola's HC05 family can be found in about 130 different
applications, and uses Motorola's Customer Specified Integrated
Circuit (CSIC) technology, which allows the user to specify precise
microcontroller requirements which Motorola designs into the end
product. The design begins with a single core derivative that closely
resembles the customer's specification.

New or existing modules are then added to meet the specific
requirements. Using this technology, Motorola says it can design and
sample a specific microcontroller in less than six months. The new
design is then added to the product line for selection by other
customers.

The CPU08 is an 8-bit processor core than operates at 8-megahertz bus
speed, and can perform routine tasks 5-10 times faster than the older
HC05. Motorola says it incorporates 78 new instructions, a 16-bit
index register, a 16-bit stack pointer and stack manipulation
instructions designed for easier programming and more efficient
execution of compiled code. The CPU08 supports enhanced binary coded
decimal technology to handle data in 4-bit segments.

Other features include a direct memory access module with three
channels to take control of the address/data bus at any cycle
boundary, perform memory-to-memory moves or service peripherals
modules without intervention of the CPU. There's also a timing
interface module, a 16-bit timer with software-programmable prescaler
and four channels that can be independently programmed as either
input captures or output compares.

A serial communication interface (SCI) enables full-duplex,
asynchronous communication with a host, printer, or other
microcontroller in the system with minimum demand on the CPU during
data transfers. The SCI is a UART-type serial input/output module
with eight separate enable bits for interrupt control, double
buffering and DMA support with a 13-bit modular prescalar that allows
use of a wide range of crystal frequencies.

A serial peripheral interface allows full duplex, three-wire
synchronous communication with on-chip modules and other
microcontrollers in the system. It contains a flexible input/output
logic system that lets the user implement standard SPI or single bi-
directional data line systems, and can transmit and receive data
simultaneously without intervention from the CPU.

(Jim Mallory/19930510/Press contact: Julie Kleinkopf, Motorola, 512-
891-2035)


(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)

 ****IBM Revamps PS/1 Line -- Again 05/10/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- IBM has completely
replaced its PS/1 line of personal computers, aimed at home-office
and small-business buyers, with a "Spring Product Line 1993."

The new models mark the arrival of the first PS/1 to use Intel's top-
of-the-line 66-megahertz 486DX2 processor, the first mini-tower
system chassis in the PS/1 line, and the first use of IBM's
TrackPoint II pointing device in the PS/Note notebook family. Some of
the models are also built to be upgradeable to Intel's new Pentium
microprocessor.

The new models completely replace the previous PS/1 line, company
spokesman Ralph Hammock said. IBM is typically refreshing the
PS/1 line about every six months, he explained.

IBM has also made more complex its division of the PS/1 line into
subgroups aimed at different marketing channels. There were three
groups: the Essential line, aimed at small business and meant to be
sold through office supply stores, the Expert line, to be sold to
more experienced buyers through computer superstores, and the
Consultant line, aimed at home and home-business buyers and meant to
be sold through mass merchandisers.

IBM has added the Investor line, which will be sold through buying
clubs, and the Advisor line, which is meant for mass merchandisers
larger than those that handle the Consultant line -- large department
store chains such as Wal-Mart, Hammock said.

Eight desktop and mini-tower systems are offered with different model
numbers for the different lines.

The desktop line begins with machines based on the Intel 486SX chip
and offering a choice of 85-, 129-, or 170 megabyte (MB) hard drive.
The 170MB machine comes with five drive bays and five slots, the
others with three bays and three slots. A 33 megahertz (MHz) 486DX
system with a 211MB hard drive and a 50MHz 486DX2 box with a 250MB
hard drive round out the desktop offerings. Both have five slots and
five drive bays.

Mini-tower machines are available either with a 33MHz 486SX chip and
a 170MHz hard drive or with a 66MHz DX2 chip and a 250MB hard drive.
The mini-tower systems come with six drive bays and eight expansion
slots.

The Advisor line includes only the 486SX desktops with 85 or 170MB
hard drives. The Investor line comprises only the 33MHz 486DX
and 50MHz DX2 desktops and the 66MHz 486DX2 mini-tower. The other
three lines include eight desktop and mini-tower systems.

There are three new PS/Note notebooks, all weighing a little more
than five pounds and equipped with an Intel 486SL 25MHz chip, a fax
and data modem, and an 85-key keyboard. The notebooks are said to run
from three to more than five hours on a battery charge depending on
the model.

One is a color unit, and all use IBM's TrackPoint II pointing device,
a tiny lever mounted in the middle of the keyboard. The TrackPoint II
was first introduced on IBM's ThinkPad notebooks last fall, and this
is its first use in the PS/Note line, Hammock said.

Most of the machines come equipped with DOS 6.0, Microsoft
Windows 3.1, Microsoft's Works for Windows integrated software,
access to the Prodigy and America Online information services,
and a collection of special PS/1 software that includes a
tutorial and a virus checker.

The Expert model of the 33MHz 486DX desktop comes with IBM's OS/2
operating system instead of DOS and Windows, and does not include
America Online or the PS/1 software bundle, but does have the Address
Book Plus personal filing software.

Desktop and mini-tower buyers can also choose one additional
software package from a list that includes Quicken, WinFax Lite,
Calendar Creator Plus, Address Book Plus, The New Print Shop,
Grammatik, and Amaze Daily Planner. Choices with the PS/Note are
limited to Quicken, WinFax Lite, and Calendar Creator Plus.

IBM does not publish suggested retail prices for the PS/1 line,
but officials said street prices are expected to range from
$1,199 to $2,999. All models are available now in North America
except the PS/Note notebooks, which are to ship within 30 days,
IBM said. Worldwide availability may vary.

(Grant Buckler/19930510/Press Contact: J. Ralph Hammock, IBM,
914-766-3935)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00023)

CERAM Announces Solid-State Compute Server 05/10/93
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- CERAM has
announced the availability of TurboPAS, a solid state personal
application server based on CERAM's TurboCard solid state disk for
Sun workstations, servers, and compatibles.

The company claims that the TurboPAS server is a SPARC-based compute
server that uses RAM (random access memory) disk technology to make
it 100 percent solid-state. RAM disks read and write data many times
faster than conventional disks. The TurboPAS server uses the RAM disk
as a cache and swap device to a cut down as much as 99 percent on
network traffic, and still increase system performance and network
scalability.

CERAM claims that, when multiple jobs run on a single server or
workstation, they have to contend for system time, which can create
significant performance bottlenecks. TurboPAS servers allow users to
process jobs on dedicated CPU's that provide linear performance.
Since TurboPAS servers employ a local high speed swap, they don't
have to compete for shared resources like swap space and memory.

According to CERAM, multiple TurboPAS systems would allow software
developers to run different operating systems on each server,
enabling them to perform parallel builds and create a test
environment for different operating system versions.

TurboPAS supports both the Solaris 1 and Solaris 2 operating systems.
The company says that the package also supports data intensive
environments like CAE and EDA, which must normally have to contend
for limited system resources. Since 10 to 15 TurboPAS servers can be
installed for less than buying or upgrading a central server, users
can cost effectively run their jobs on dedicated high performance
CPU's, the company claims.

TurboPAS prices start at $6,900 for a 16MB SPARC-based CPU with a
160MB TurboCard. SuperSPARC-based TurboPAS servers are also
available.

(Jim Mallory/19930510/Press contact: Scott Currier, CERAM,
719-540-8500, fax [phone]; Reader contact: CERAM, 800-237-8600)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00024)

Phone-PC Integration On Networks Debuts 05/10/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- A Seattle-based
company has introduced a software product that integrates the user's
telephone with personal computers on a local area network (LAN).

Active Voice Corporation says that TeLANophy uses Microsoft
Corporation's recently announced Windows Telephony application
programming interface (API) to bridge LANs, telephone systems, voice
processing and desktop computing and combine electronic mail, voice
mail, and fax mail in a Windows environment.

The potential market for such a product is huge. Research firm
Dataquest says that about half of US businesses that use PCs link
those machines on a local area network. Dataquest also says that
almost all businesses that have 100 or more employees use LANs, and
estimates that by 1996 80 percent of all desktop PCs will be
connected by a LAN.

TeLANophy uses the Microsoft API and automatic number identification
technology offered by the major phone service providers to preview
phone calls. When a call comes in, an incoming call windows pops up
that displays information from a PC or LAN-based database that links
the originator's phone number with information such as company name
or other information about the caller.

By clicking with a mouse, the call receiver can ask a caller to
identify himself, put the call on hold, play a custom greeting,
transfer the call to another extension, or ask the caller to leave a
message, all without ever picking up the receiver.

TeLANophy displays voice messages on screen via a graphical user
interface that displays a list of waiting voice messages and can play
any message in any order. A blinking icon indicates new messages.
Messages can be played, forwarded to another user, or archived.

Active Voice's product manager Helen Wright told Newsbytes that
TeLANophy, which is presently in beta testing, is expected to ship by
the end of August. Pricing has not been set yet.

(Jim Mallory/19930510/Press contact: Kristi Thorndike, Active Voice,
206-441-4700, ext 153; Reader contact: Active Voice, 206-441-4700)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00025)

US West, CNET Announce Network Management Alliance 05/10/93
PLANO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- US West's NewVector Group
and CNET say they have formed a strategic alliance to promote the
development of new wireless network management products and
applications.

The two companies say that the terms of the agreement give CNET all
product and marketing rights to US West NewVector's Basic Operations
System (BOS) software, a network integration and management program
introduced in 1988.

BOS collects real-time alarm and status messages from cellular
switches, interconnection devices, messaging systems, security,
environmental control and other systems so wireless communication
network managers can better manage their systems. The company also
claims that current BOS customers it will support include domestic
and international cellular system operators, as well as local and
long distance exchange carriers.

The two companies say the alliance provides for NewVector's use of
CNET's Wireless Network Graphics System (WINGS) software. WINGS is a
tool used to plan and manage digital and analog wireless
communications systems by depicting system performance from a visual
geographic perspective. WINGS supports automated frequency planning,
system-wide interference studies, three-dimensional modeling and
microcell analysis.

NewVector says it will be the first cellular carrier to use an
integrated BOS/WINGS system, taking realtime network data from BOS
and graphically displaying the data through WINGS. Combining the two
tools is expected to greatly improve troubleshooting capabilities.
WINGS can also be used to forecast and analyze network trends and
potential problems before they happen.

John DeFeo, US West NewVector Group President, said that the
integration of the two programs will bring wireless network data and
RF (radio frequency) performance to life. "WINGS forecasting and
modeling capabilities offer us new ways to manage our network better
and enhance customer service," said DeFeo.

"For example, if a customer's (cellular) call is dropped, the
integrated BOS/WINGS product will provide us with real-time
information about the problem, presented in terms that make sense to
the customer. We can contact customers to let them know we're aware
of the problem and working on a solution," he added.

DeFeo said that that kind of proactive service is the key to building
customer loyalty.

BOS and WINGS will be offered as standalone or integrated products,
depending on the customer's requirements. Both software packages are
Unix-based and can run on a variety of computer platforms. CNET
spokesperson Stan Rippel told Newsbytes that pricing depends on the
customer's configuration, with price tags starting at $25,000.

(Jim Mallory/19930510/Press contact: Stan Rippel, CNET, 214-867-3333,
fax [phone]; Laurie Johnson, US West NewVector, 206-552-5483)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00026)

Intel Stock Split -- A Psychological Move 05/10/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- While Intel, now
the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer, again reported record
earnings last quarter, the company's stock took a mysterious turn
downward that puzzled everyone. Intel's answer? Split the stock.

With the well-publicized introduction of the new Pentium
microprocessor-based personal computer (PC) just around the corner,
projected sales of the company's 486 chip of 30 million, and
expansion of microprocessor manufacturing in the low cost area of Rio
Rancho, New Mexico, Intel's immediate future appears to be bright
indeed. Yet the company's stock took a turn downward. Intel stock
traded as high as 121 3/4 a share in mid-March then began falling to
close as low as 87 3/8 on April 26, 1993.

Michele Bourdon, a spokeswoman for Intel, said that the theory at
Intel is the company's record first quarter sales of over two billion
coupled with the rising stock prices made the average investor think
the company's stock just couldn't go any higher. Cutting the price-
per-share in half by splitting the stock is a move designed to make
Intel stock more "affordable," she said.

The 2-for-1 split of Intel stock, approved last week at the company's
shareholders meeting, will go into effect June 7. The last stock
split for Intel was in 1987. Since the announcement, the company's
stock has begun climbing again to close Friday at 102 per share and
was listed as second in the NASDAQ list of the ten most active stocks
for Friday's trading with a volume of 217,121,568.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930510/Press Contact: Michele Bourdon, Intel, tel
408-765-1538, fax [phone])


(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00027)

 ****PowerPC-based Mac Demo-ed; Upgrades For Macs Planned 05/10/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Apple Computer
demonstrated the first Macintosh PowerPC-based computer at its
developer's conference today in San Jose.

The company claims that the new machine will be on the market in the
first half of next year. The prototype not only zips along at 80
megahertz (MHz), but it also runs Macintosh applications without
modification.

PowerPC is the name of the new microprocessor Apple, IBM, and
Motorola announced they would begin work designing in October of
1991. "Power" is an acronym based on IBM's Performance Optimization
with Enhanced RISC (reduced instruction set computer) technology. The
Unix-based operating system announced to go along with the PowerPC is
PowerOpen, but no mention of PowerOpen was made in today's
announcement.

The 80 MHz PowerPC 601-based Macintosh is faster than Apple said it
originally intended. According to Apple, the PowerPC 601 was designed
to offer a 66MHz clock speed, an obvious reference to the announced
clock speed of the PowerPCs biggest competitor, the Intel Pentium.

Intel has already begun very limited shipments of the 60 and 66MHz
versions of its next generation complex instruction set computing
(CISC) Pentium chip and PCs based on the Pentium are expected to make
their appearance between now and the first of June. Newsbytes notes
that yield problems have meant that Intel will delay volume shipments
of the Pentium chipset until October of this year.

The Pentium has been announced to offer 112 million instructions per
second (MIPS) performance and compatibility with all existing PC
software now available.

Apple's claims include promises the PowerPC will offer substantial
performance improvements over current CISC-based microprocessors and
will perform better on "next generation" applications such as speech
recognition, text-to-speech, sound, telephony, video, three-
dimensional rendering, animation, and complex modeling and analysis.

Apple says not only will users be able to buy a new PowerPC-based
Macintosh, current owners of certain Macintosh systems will be able
to upgrade to the PowerPC. The upgradeable Macintoshes include the
Centris 610 and 650 computer line, the Macintosh IIvx and IIvi
models, the Performa 600 line, and the Quadra 800 systems.

In addition, Apple says its staff and third-party developers are
working to create upgrade paths for other Macintosh models. While no
details as to the specifics on the upgrade options were announced,
Apple did says it would make those specifics available when PowerPC-
based Macintosh products are officially announced.

While users can upgrade to the PowerPC, Apple says it does not intend
to abandon the Motorola 680x0-based Macintosh systems even after the
introduction of Macintosh on PowerPC. The company says it intends to
give consumers a choice between PowerPC-based systems and current
680x0-based systems. In addition, Apple has announced the new PowerPC
Macintosh systems will ship with the System 7 operating system.

Unlike other introductions of new systems, this time Apple Computer
says it is committed to retain a high degree of compatibility between
existing Macintosh applications and the planned PowerPC systems.

To ensure that compatibility, Apple has revealed it is already
working with hundreds of developers on new applications designed
around the PowerPC. Eleven major software developers for the
Mac have already announced support for the PowerPC including: Adobe,
Acius, Aldus, Claris, Deneba Software, Frame Technology, Insignia
Solutions, Microsoft, Quark, Specular International, and WordPerfect
Corporation.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930510/Press Contact: Cathy Volmer for Betty
Taylor, Apple Computer, tel [phone], fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00028)

Fujitsu Intros 10PPM Scanning At "Affordable Price" 05/10/93
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Fujitsu Europe has
unveiled Scanpartner 10, a desktop image scanner that, at UKP 1,550,
the company claims is a highly affordable 10 pages per minute unit.

Fujitsu is pitching the unit as a cost-effective solution for personal
and workgroup desktop publishing (DTP) and optical scanner
recognition (OCR) applications as well as a suitable initial pilot
for organisations considering implementing multi-user networked
document imaging systems.

The new scanner comes fitted with a small computer systems interface
type II (SCSI-II) interface which supports faster data transfer
speeds and has a wide selection of available software drivers. Also,
because SCSI is an embedded controller, users are spared the cost of
buying one separately, the company claims.

The scanner comes complete with a 50 page document feeder, capable of
handling paper from A5 to A4 and can also be used in flatbed mode.
Maximum scanning resolution is 300 dots per inch (dpi) while the
machine recognizes 256 grey scales.

"The Scanpartner gives Fujitsu a significant offering the in the
growing personal and workgroup sectors of the scanner market," said
John Goodyear, Fujitsu Europe's scanner product manager, announcing
the new unit.

"By allowing us to target markets such as Mac and Unix users, it will
also help us expand sales beyond the areas traditionally covered by
our larger multi-user scanners, which already account for over 70
percent of DIP sales," he added.

(Steve Gold/19930510/Press & Public Contact: Fujitsu Europe - Tel:
081-573-4444; Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00029)

Top End Co-exists With IBM OLTP For Downsizing 05/10/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- NCR says that the
latest release of the distributed transaction processing system Top
End is its ability to co-exist with IBM's online transaction
processing system, CICS, so mainframe users can still take advantage
of existing mainframe applications while moving to less expensive
open systems.

Top End 2.0 offers the integration of administration, security,
message handling, recovery and performance capabilities to provide
mainframe-class functionality for Unix 5.4-based client/server and
middleware environments, NCR said. This allows a company who wants to
downsize to make use of their existing mainframe applications, many
of which are critical to the organization, while moving on into
client/server and fourth generation software tools for application
development on less expensive workstation server and personal
computer networked environments.

NCR representatives say the product is smart enough that a
developer can write an application as though it were to be used
by one user on one computer and yet have the application run by
hundreds of users on hundreds of computers. Top End offers an
infrastructure for application management to protect the
application if something goes wrong and to monitor processes on
the system.

The company says that Top End offers co-existence with CISC- and
IMS/DC-based applications; Workstation Client Support so developers
can make use of for Microsoft Windows' Dynamic Link Library (DLL) and
OS/2 functions; a remote login client feature so users character-
based processing to local systems and send only complete messages or
transactions to the server for processing; enhanced routing/load
balancing for intelligently allocating resources on online
transaction processing systems (OLTP); automatic throughput
optimization (ATO) which acts as an "automatic pilot" for system
utilization and consistent response time; support for Ingres 6.3 for
transaction management; and 3270 terminal support.

Top End is available for NCR's own workstations, as well as those of
Hewlett-Packard (HP), Pyramid, and Sun workstations. Retail pricing
is between $4,000 and $18,000 depending on the size of the server,
and the product is available through San Diego, California-based NCR
Corporation.

(Linda Rohrbough/19930510/Press Contact: Christine Sellman, NCR, tel
619/485-2799; Linda Poniktera, PR for NCR, tel [phone], fax 212-
484-5652)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00030)

Microsoft's Bill Gates Gets The Freedom of London 05/10/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 MAY 10 (NB) -- Bill Gates, Microsoft's
chairman, has been given the honorary freedom of the Worshipful
Company of Information Technologists (WCIT), the 100th City of London
Guild. The honorary freedom has been given in recognition of Gates'
contribution to the information technology.

"Back in 1975, Microsoft was formed with the vision of a computer on
every desk and in every home. Whilst that is not yet a reality, we
have made great strides in making the PC an information tool,
integral to our daily lives," said Gates.

"I'm greatly honored to receive this award and see it as recognition
of the commitment and dedication of Microsoft employees everywhere in
striving to make the Microsoft vision a reality," he added.

Announcing Gates' "freedom," Steve Shirley, the Master of the WCIT,
said that Gates had become a legend in his own time.

"Microsoft... has become the world's number one IT supplier and has
been responsible for taking the power of computing to the people.
Windows is not only visionary in its own right, but has given the IT
world a strategy that will last well into the 21st Century, We're
delighted to welcome him into our company with this honor," he said.

The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists was founded in
1987 and livery granted by the London Court of Alderman in January of
1992. The WCIT is an example of the traditions of the City of London,
which dates back to the 11th Century.

(Steve Gold/19930510/Press Contact: Microsoft UK - Tel: [phone])