Newsbytes - Internationa…ews 1983 May to 1994 June/Newsbytes - International Computing Industry News 1994 Edition - May 1983 - June 1994 - Wayzata Technologies (5045) (1994).iso/pc/text/mac_text/1992/nb920103

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(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00001)

Le Cordon Bleu Paris Trip Offered By Micro Cookbook 12/03/91
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Pinpoint
Publishing, developers of Micro Cookbook, is sponsoring a
sweepstakes in which the grand prize is a week long session at the Le
Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris.

The sweepstakes, offered in conjunction with the Le Cordon
Bleu-Paris Video, is geared to promote the company's Micro
Cookbook software product and the cooking videotapes and
gourmet food items of Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Video.

The grand prize is 4 days (a one week session) at the Le Cordon
Bleu-Paris Cooking School for one person, but that person gets
to take a friend to Paris with the inclusion of two round-trip
airfares, six nights at a centrally located Paris hotel for two,
and $500 spending money.

Gregory Hastings, vice president of Pinpoint Publishing, said a
course in Le Cordon Bleu's state-of-the-art kitchens is hard to
come by even for paying students. Enrollment at the exclusive
school is limited to 140 students per year. The Le Cordon Bleu
school is known world-wide for its training of top chefs.

Second prize in the sweepstakes will be awarded to three people
and is a complete set of Le Cordon Bleu cooking videotapes
valued at $200 each.

Third prize will go to ten winners and includes gift selections
of the new Le Cordon Bleu Paris gourmet food items.

No purchase is necessary to win, however original entry forms
are required and may be obtained at stores carrying Micro
Cookbook or by writing Pinpoint Publishing, Attn: Micro
Cookbook/Paris Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 1359, Glen Ellen, CA
95442. The sweepstakes runs through April 30, 1992.

Pinpoint describes Micro Cookbook as including 350 to 700
kitchen-tested recipes and an unlimited number of personal
recipes may be added. Micro Cookbook Plus Paks include more
recipes. Some plus paks are "Quick, Healthy & Hearty,"
"Tempting, Fresh & Fun," and "Desserts."

The software allows the user to look up recipes in seven
different ways, including by recipe name, classification, and
ingredients. Adjustment of recipes for 1 to 299 people can be
done automatically and the software prints 3 by 5 inch recipe
cards, standard 8 1/2 by 11 inch pages and shopping lists,
Pinpoint added.

The software currently runs on the IBM personal computer
platform, however a Macintosh version of Micro Cookbook has
been announced for release in the spring of 1992.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910102/Press Contact: Lorena Peer, Pinpoint
Publishing, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00002)

Cray Research Names Manager of New Subsidiary 01/03/92
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Cray Research has named
Martin Buchanan as general manager of its new wholly owned
subsidiary formed as a result of Cray acquiring Floating Point
Systems (FPS).

Selected assets of FPS were acquired by Cray Research in December of
1991 after an on-again, off-again purchase offer deal. FPS's
business centered around the design, manufacturing, and marketing of
computing systems for scientific engineering, and technical
applications.

The subsidiary, as yet unnamed, will continue to operate from the
Beaverton location. Cray Research acquired selected customer and
vendor contracts as a result of the transaction.

Buchanan, who joined Cray Research in 1984, has been senior director
of software and application development for Cray Research's Entry
Level Systems Division since May of 1990. In that position he
oversaw software development for Cray's entry level Y-MP EL system.
Previously, he held the position of general manager for Cray
Research's Canadian subsidiary.

"Martin Buchanan has extensive experience in all aspects of the
high-performance computing industry, including marketing, customer
support and services, software development, and operations," said
Cray President and COO John Carlson.

(Jim Mallory/19920102/Press contact: Mardi Schmieder, Cray Research,
612-683-3538, FAX [phone])


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00003)

 ****Computer Judges Hospital Patient's Mortality Risk 01/03/92
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Medical personnel at
some U.S. hospitals are using a computer program to predict the
chances that a patient in intensive care may die.

Called Apache III (an acronym for Acute Physiology and Chronic
Health Evaluation), the program compares each individuals's medical
profile against thousands of other cases stored in the computer to
reach a prognosis.

Invented by intensive-care physician William Knaus at George
Washington University, the system was developed not out of a desire
to direct the decisions of physicians, but as a way for them to judge
how they were doing.

The program considers each case as a complicated sum of several
variables, including diagnosis and physiological abnormalities, age,
and pre-existing medical problems. Apache's author said he wrote a
program that could compare one ICU's (intensive care unit) mortality
experience with another's.

Eventually, the database contained the information about 17,448
patients treated at 40 different hospitals. A treating physician
provides the computer with 27 pieces of information about the
patient, and the program predicts the patient's risk of dying while
in the hospital. The result is expressed in a percentage figure.

Physicians using the system are quick to point out that they do not
use it to make decisions, but rather as just another piece of
information. With physicians frequently faced with the decision to
continue life support systems, and more and more people executing
living wills, a system such as Apache III can help support those
decisions.

A system like Apache can also help doctors who are less frequently
required to care for critically ill patients, offering a "second
opinion." Doctors see it as a management tool which can show a
hospital if its patients stay in ICU longer than similar patients in
other institutions, or if they have higher death rates.

Apache carries a price tag of about $150,000.

(Jim Mallory/19920102)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00004)

 ****Micro Business To Market Mac-Compatible Notebook 01/03/92
CONROE, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Albara Corporation has
announced that its operating subsidiary Micro Business Solutions
(MBSI) has entered into a marketing agreement with Outbound Systems
of Boulder, Colorado.

The agreement calls for Outbound to manufacture and configure its
Macintosh-compatible notebook computer for sale by MBSI. The
notebook units will be sold under MBSI's trade name RealTech.

MBSI says its expects to begin shipment of the privately labelled
units in the first quarter of 1992.

MBSI President Real Provencher told Newsbytes that the notebook
system will be available in two configurations. The Travler system
will come with an 80 megabyte hard drive and 8 megabytes (MB) of RAM
(random access memory). The other system will have 14 MB of RAM
and an 80 MB hard drive. The Travler will have a suggested list
price of $3,495, while the other system will list for $3,995.

While Provencher was reluctant to quote any specific sales
projections, he did say that MBSI expects sales of RealTech units to
significantly contribute to its 1992 revenues.

MBSI is a direct sales organization. Orders for the RealTech units,
which will be available for shipping in February of 1992, can be
placed by calling Hardware That Fits, MBSI's DBA, at 800-972-3078.

(Jim Mallory/19920102/Press contact: Holly Arbuckle, MBSI,
409-539-2992)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00005)

Technology Solutions Earns $2.1 Million on Record Sales 01/03/92
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Technology Solutions
has reported record sales for its second quarter, with earnings of
17 cents per common share on record revenues of $15.3 million.

The company says earnings for the quarter are up 31 percent over
the $11.7 million for the same period last year. The increase was
attributed primarily to increased customer billing hours. Other
factors credited were higher staff utilization and the elimination
of deferred cash compensation in a modified employee incentive
program.

Albert Beedie, TSC chairman and CEO, credited hard work and
leadership. "These strong results are a direct reflection of the
hard work of our 360 people, and in particular, the strong
leadership and management capabilities of our 33 project
managers," said Beedie.

Melvyn Bergstein, TSC vice chairman, said the company has not been
significantly affected by the recession. "Comnpanies are moving
forward to implement technology-based business systems that will
measurably improve customer service, reduce cost and/or increase
revenue," said Bergstein.

TSC provides customized services such as major computer systems
design, development and implementation, for large companies in the
consumer products manufacturing and financial services industries.

(Jim Mallory/19920102/Press contact: Rick Gray, TSC, 312-819-2280)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)

United Buying Rest of Sprint for $530 Million 01/03/92
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- United
Telecommunications agreed to exercise its option to buy the rest
of the U.S. Sprint long distance network from GTE. The price for
the 19.9 percent stake was $530 million, close to its book
value.

The sale will close on January 31, pending regulatory
approvals, at which point United will pay $250 million in cash.
The balance, also in cash, will be due July 1. United will take
on additional debt to finance the purchase, and change its
corporate moniker to Sprint after the deal, said Chairman
William Esrey in a press release.

Sprint was started in 1986 as a 50-50 joint-venture between GTE
and United, but United purchased another 30 percent -- with a
GTE-exercisable option on the rest -- in 1988. The GTE sales
option had hung over Sprint's head like a sword of Damocles for
some time, and it had to be reassuring to set a definite price
and terms for the deal. Since selling most of the old joint-
venture to United, GTE has become the nation's largest local
phone company, while United has posted spotty results, partly
due to problems integrating the disparate systems United and GTE
brought to the venture.

Following the sale, the Fitch rating service affirmed GTE's F-1
credit rating, and called the trend "improving" due to this and
other asset sales meant to reduce leverage. GTE is also selling
its Sylvania electrical products division. The F-1 rating is
similar to the "A" ratings from Standard & Poor's or Moody's
rating services. That S&P rating, however, may be in jeopardy
despite the sale, according to the ratings service, due to the
slow pace of debt payments.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920103/Press Contact: Judith Shannon,
United Telecom, 913-624-3221; Harvey W. Greisman, GTE, 203-965-
2903; Timothy Cain, Fitch, 212-908-0587)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)

Bell Quits as CEO Of Phoenix To Raise Children 01/03/92
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Phoenix
Network Chairman Thomas H. Bell has became something of a hero
for the 90s, resigning his position to care for his children.

Bell, who founded the small long distance company, decided something
had to be done last April, when his wife died and he found himself
in the care of two young children. He'll remain chairman of the
board of directors, while investor Robert Curtis serves as
interim chief executive and day-to-day operations continue to be
handled by President Marc Goyette.

"Tom Bell was the first entrepreneur to rebill long distance services
in America, and is leaving some awfully large footsteps to follow in,"
said Goyette.

Bell said he delayed his retirement for the sake of Phoenix,
which he considered a third child. "I decided to continue as CEO
until such time as the company returned to profitability," he
wrote in a press release. "Having achieved that goal in the
quarter reported two weeks ago, I believe it is an opportune time
for me to pass on day-to-day management to those who can invest
their full energies to the company's continued growth."

Phoenix Network re-sells long-distance service it buys in bulk
residential and small businesses, rebilling at rates below the
retail rates offered by conventional long distance companies. It also
provides custom billing and management reports tailored to specific
customer needs.

(Dana Blankenhorn & Ian Stokell/19920103/Press Contact: Marc Goyette,
Phoenix Network 415-981-3000)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)

ITI Gets Short-Term Loan 01/03/92
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- General Motor's EDS
division got its foot-in-the-door of the long distance business
when its EDS Financial Corp. division agreed to handle accounts
receivable financing for International Telecharge, in
conjunction with Pittsburgh National Bank. ITI took over the
remaining accounts of the old Telesphere company, and merged them
with its own, late last year.

The new facility, amounting to either a percentage of its total
receivables or $62.5 million, has already been drawn down to the
tune of $21.4 million, and the loan runs out April 22. The
company is currently seeking longer-term financing and EDS has
agreed to use its best efforts to arrange for such financing. The
facility replaces a previous agreement with Ronald J. Haan,
former head of Telesphere, who pledged $5 million in additional
security to bring the bank on-board.

If the deal does turn sour, speculation will rise as to EDS' next
move. The accounts themselves are expected to be serviced by
Williams Telecommunications, a Tulsa-based company which had been
re-selling its fiber lines to other long distance companies, and
offering add-in services to large accounts, but has been troubled
by bundled tariffs from the "Big 3" -- AT&T, MCI, and Sprint.
Some link between Williams and EDS, through ITI, could create a
strong #4 company in the U.S. long-distance race, but that's pure
speculation.

International Telecharge, sells operator and information
services primarily to hotels, pay phone owners and other
interexchange carriers.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920103/Press Contact: Phil Sawyer, ITI, 214-
653-1265)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00009)

Australia: Computer Australia Baled Out By HiSoft 01/03/92
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Computer Australia,
recently experiencing financial difficulties, has been acquired by
HiSoft Computer. The acquisition will see HiSoft gain top position
in the Australian PC market, with expected sales to rise from
AUS$150M to AUS$220M.

Computer Australia was formed last year with the buy-out of six
ComputerLand business centers from the US parent company,
ComputerLand Corp. However, the new player experienced liquidity
problems recently, and had to appoint a bank agent. Operations of
the six centers would be integrated into HiSoft's, but the centers
themselves would be closed, HiSoft's group managing director, Howard
Merry, said.

HiSoft sees the acquisition as strengthening its position in a
wide range of markets, as its traditional strong markets have been
government and corporate businesses, as opposed to Computer
Australia's broad-based markets. HiSoft has also signed an agreement
which will see it manage the remaining 13 ComputerLand franchises
not affected by the acquisition of Computer Australia.

(Sean McNamara/19920103)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00010)

Australian-Developed Bodyforce To Help Athletes 01/03/92
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- A computer program and
monitoring equipment has been developed by Adelaide firm Ticom
Australia which helps athletes control and improve fitness.

The whole system, The Bodyforce Circuit, keeps track of athlete's
performance and capabilities, allowing it to warn when over-exertion
is a danger. Ticom is a computerized fitness equipment manufacturer
and developer, and sees the Circuit as providing "timely, results-
oriented information to health club members, instructors or
therapists during workouts." Each user of the system purchases a
personal coded key, which contains personal information such as
bests and fitness plans and training goals.

The system displays a workout history, and allows the user to
monitor their performance as the workout progresses. The data is
stored on a network server, which is connected to all the Bodyforce
computer attached to equipment. As goals are reached, they are
automatically revised and displayed. The database of usage and
results can be used by the health club to determine where equipment
is being under- or over-used, as well as the more popular forms of
exercise.

(Sean McNamara/19920103)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00011)

Datapro Survey Shows Internetworking Important 01/03/92
DELRAN, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Datapro has surveyed
nearly 600 networking professionals for their current state of affairs,
views on the future, and plans on buying and installing networking
equipment in their companies. The results of that survey are now
being made publicly available by Datapro.

Datapro's Gerald Arcuri tells the story. "Datapro surveyed 1991 trade
show attendees at TCA, Comnet West and SuperComm, and found that the
majority of those polled at each of these shows indicated that LAN
interconnect was the technology issue that would have the most impact
on their business during 1991 and 1992. The results from our U.S.
LAN User Survey support these findings. Internetworking continues to
be a very important technology issue and has now been implemented by
many respondents. It has become a LAN capability that is considered
a basic requirement for networks by the majority of network
professionals in the U.S."

The survey was conducted by questionnaires that were mailed to 2500
people. About 600 returned their questionnaires and the responses
were tabulated and collected into the main part of the survey that
is now being released. Some interesting figures came out of the
survey. Over 51% of all networking professionals have some sort
of internetworking in their company already. About 75% believe that
they will get more internetworking over the next year.

When asked what the most important attribute was in selecting a LAN
vendor, the users answered overwhelmingly in favor of the LAN
vendor's reputation and support. User Interface and Printer Sharing
features were the two attributes that satisfied this group of users
the most.

The survey is available now from Datapro. Copies can be ordered for
$2850 in a hardcopy format and $3500 for a diskette. Phone number
to call for the survey is 1-800-328-2776 Ext. 2777 or 609-764-0100

(Naor Wallach/19920103/Press Contact: Gerald Arcuri, Datapro
609-764-0100 Extension 2360)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00012)

New For PC: Harvard Graphics For Windows Ships 01/03/92
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Hoping
to cash in on the lucrative world of Microsoft Windows applications,
Software Publishing has began shipping Harvard Graphics for
Windows, a presentation graphics product.

According to the company, Harvard Graphics for Windows
provides users with more chart types than any other Windows-
based presentation graphics program. In addition to standard text,
pie, and XY charts, the product offers data-driven table charts,
high/low/close charts, and organization charts. Users can mix
multiple chart types on a single slide and create their own custom
templates.

The company claims that an integrated chart gallery with 88
professionally designed slide layouts, displayed through icons,
enables users to preview the design and charting options
available for developing a chart.

The package also offers 54 presentation styles, each consisting
of a collection of templates specifying the charting options, color
palette, background design, and type font and size.

Templates automatically position and format text, table and
organization charts, as well as graphics and drawings. According
to the company, this enables users to change the appearance of
an entire presentation with the click of a mouse button. Additionally,
users can also customize styles or create their own to match
corporate guidelines or personalized formats.

(Ian Stokell/19920103/Press Contact: Victoria Paige, Software
Publishing Corp., 408-450-7316)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00013)

 ****Cadence Design Completes Merger With Valid Logic 01/03/92
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Three months
after announcing a plan to merge the two companies and create
what is thought to be the world's largest design software company,
Cadence Design Systems and Valid Logic Systems Inc. have
announced the completion of the transaction, effective December 31.

The original report by Newsbytes in October, estimated that
Cadence was paying around $198 million for Valid. The merger
creates a company with an estimated 2,600 employees and
revenues of more than $360 million.

Cadence claims the two companies are leaders in different aspects
of EDA software, a type of software critical to the increasing
demands of the computer hardware market. EDA software is used
to design the complex and intricate details of linking together
thousands of tiny transistors and circuitry, and is necessary
if semiconductor and computer companies are to get their
products to the market quickly. Cadence claims its strengths lie
in integrated circuits while Valid is a strong player in systems
products.

(Ian Stokell/19920103/Press Contact: Leonard J. LeBlanc, Cadence
Design Systems Inc., 408-944-7345)


(EDITORIAL)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00014)

Editorial: Capitalism's Beauty and Pain 01/03/92
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Editorial by Dana
Blankenhorn and tbass. This one goes to our Moscow bureau chief and
his neighbors in the Commonwealth of Independent States, the latest
member of the capitalist family of nations.

Capitalism works, and communism didn't, for a simple, non-
ideological reason. Capitalism adapts. If a company, or a
country, becomes inefficient or does things wrong, it loses out
quickly.

Along the way, however, there can be a lot of pain, even in an
advanced country like the U.S.

Here's an example. For the last few years, we've been handling
our computer upgrades here through CompUSA, formerly Soft
Warehouse. CompUSA was a pioneer in the "superstore" concept,
with low-priced gear stacked in a warehouse-like atmosphere.
Tommy notes that "Crazy Bob's," an earlier warehouse operation in
Atlanta, was put out of business by CompUSA because the latter
company did their job better. At CompUSA, the stuff worked, the
help knew the stock, and if something went wrong they were happy
to exchange it or take it back. So it was with pleasure that,
before Christmas, we picked up a 9,600 baud modem, a fax modem,
and a CD-ROM drive. Tommy would install the gear while Dana and
his family went on vacation.

Then the nightmare began. The 9,600 baud modem didn't work. Three
trips -- 20 miles each way -- to the nearest CompUSA store
resulted in a startling discovery. None of its 9,600 baud
Compudyne V.32 modems worked. Next, the fax modem turned out to
be both a fax and data unit -- the software was devoted as much
to the latter as the former. Why this unit was pushed on a
customer who was buying a faster data unit for the same machine
was beyond us. Finally, the CD-ROM drive didn't work with
DesqView's QEMM -- despite the fact we repeatedly noted this was
a necessary feature. In addition, the store was out of many items
we wanted to buy, and some nerdy employee was making us sign our
name and address to a piece of paper before we took a printer off
the shelf, which we later returned.

For a professional VAR, this could have been an expensive two
weeks. Time is money, after all. The cost of installing bad gear,
the cost of returning it time after time, and the cost of having
to repeat false statements from ill-trained salesmen can put a
VAR out of business in a hurry. Fortunately, Tommy has other
sources of income, we agreed to share the pain, and we'll muddle
through it. Just don't expect us back at CompUSA next year.

And that's the point. CompUSA pioneered this superstore concept,
but you can't patent such a thing. There's now a ComputerLand
Express store in Roswell, north of Atlanta, and a Micro Center to
the northwest, in Marietta. Ads for both indicate they have some
good buys, and we'll check them out.

If our experience becomes typical, it may be CompUSA President
Nathan Morton who feels the pain. Certainly he doesn't want that
-- when we talked to him while writing this, he promised
personally to follow up on all the problems and deal with them.
"That's not the way we do business," he told us. "This is a very
disheartening call." Mr. Morton will move fast because he knows
such problems can drive him out of business.

Capitalism is a system of constant change, with no guarantees to
anyone. Think of it as evolution in action. Who would have
believed a few years ago, for instance, that GM and IBM would
falter, or that WalMart would pass Sears and become America's
largest retailer? As customers find better deals, some companies
and workers are hurt. All this can be hard on everybody. But, in
time, it makes everyone efficient. It makes the hardest workers,
the best companies, and the most efficient nations prosperous.
Laggards lose quickly. Whether anything is done to ameliorate
this pain is a political decision -- we can choose to let the
weak die, or help them up. And we're free to protest, or choose
new political leadership, after that decision is made.

All these market pains and adjustments, which caused us a little
grief over the holidays, will be writ large over the Commonwealth
for years to come. Some Russians will get rich. Some will go
hungry, and some through no fault of their own. Accelerating
change will become a basic fact of life. It's going to be a bumpy
trip.

Is all this worth it? Of course. And we can choose to make life
easier for the losers, if we want, because our democratic
political system allows for it, and because our Bill of Rights
guarantees a free market in ideas. It's not a perfect system,
just better than any other yet created.

(Dana Blankenhorn and tbass/19920102)


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

DEC Wins In Banking After Philips Acquisition 01/03/92
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Asia is
poised for major growth in the regional banking market following
Digital's worldwide acquisition of Philips' Information Systems
Division (ISD) business.

As part of a worldwide agreement, some 600 Philips sales and
technical staff in eight Asian countries - China, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand
- will join Digital within the next few months.

The acquisition will increase Digital's business in Asia by an
immediate 15 percent, adding around 200 customers mainly in the
retail banking sector.

Philips' ISD fits well with Digital's business, product and services
strategy, according to Bobby Choonavala, managing director of Digital
Equipment Asia. The acquisition lays the foundation for continued
strong growth in the financial services market, Choonavala said.

"Philips' great strength is in front-end retail banking systems such
as ATMs and teller terminals, which have been identified as strategic
for Digital," he said. "Retail banking is a high growth area and the
increasing popularity of Digital's networked financial and
administrative systems in this sector makes it essential for us to
offer fully integrated solutions to our banking customers.

"Philips has a strong customer base among the region's major retail
banks, together with excellent people who have a long track record of
success in systems integration. Philips also brings us a solid
product line that has little or no overlap with existing Digital
products but fits well with our multivendor integration and service
strategies."

Choonavala gave an assurance that Digital will take immediate
responsibility for customer service and maintenance in respect of all
the transferred product lines. "Customers will be seeing the same
people and receiving the same service as before, although we except
to improve it by applying Digital standards and controls," he said.

The acquisition covers the full range of Philips retail banking
software applications, hardware products and services, including
image and document processing applications, financial transaction
printers, automated teller machines and self-service information
terminals.

These products will be integrated with Digital's existing back-office
strengths in banking and networking and standards-compliant Network
Applications Support (NAS) software.

"Digital is currently working with more than 2,000 banks worldwide,
has systems operating in 90 per cent of the world's automated
exchanges, and has installed tens of thousands of trading seats,"
said Fred Fung, Digital's Asia region marketing manager for banking
and financial services.

"Following the transfer of Philips IS business to Digital, we can now
offer these customers a much wider choice of solutions and
expertise."

Choonavala said Digital will absorb all of Philips' ISD staff. The
largest operation is in Thailand, where more than 300 people will
form a new company, Digital Equipment Solution Services (Thailand)
Ltd.

This new company, which will focus on systems integration
for the banking and financial sector, will report direct to
the Thailand Country managing director, Philip Curran. Major
customers of Philips' ISD in Thailand include Bangkok Bank,
the country's largest bank.

"Philips employees have taken the agreement very well," said
Choonavala. "It has been a friendly transition. The Philips employees
will have a lot to contribute to Digital and our customers."

In Hong Kong, Digital will acquire Philips' local engineering and
development team, which scored a notable first in 1989 when it won a
US$3.2 million (HK$25 million) contract to supply self-service
passbook printers for the HongkongBank and Hang Seng Bank. More than
400 of the Customer Operated Passbook Updating Terminal (COPUT)
printers have been installed in branches.

Philips has a strong presence in the PRC market, where 350 Philips
ATMs are in use. They are installed at branches of the Industrial and
Commercial Bank of China in more than 16 cities, as well as at
branches of the People's Construction Bank of China.

"All the Philips front-end products, such as teller terminals,
passbook printers and ATMs, can be integrated with retail or
wholesale banking solutions from Digital now," noted Fung.

"But it will be a priority for us to improve on this capability by
incorporating Philips products into Digital's computer architecture,
so they will become compatible with the Advanced Computing
Environment and will support NAS."

Choonavala said reaction from Philips' customers has been very
positive and encouraging. "Most customers appreciate that the
addition of Digital products and services to those of Philips will
widen their choice of banking solutions in the future," he said.
"They also feel confident that Digital has both the resources and the
commitment to modernize and extend the Philips product line."

(Norman Wingrove/19920103/Press contact: Walter Cheung, Digital, Tel
[phone])


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

3Com Reports Strong Financial Results in Tight Market 01/03/92
ADMIRALTY, HONG KONG, 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Global data networking
specialist 3Com Corporation has reported net income of US$2.7
million, or 10 cents per share, on sales of US$97.8 million for its
second fiscal quarter ended 30 November 1991.

The latest net income results represent an increase of 40 percent
over the previous quarter, on a 13 per cent sales increase. 3Com also
reported US$96.3 million in orders for the current quarter, 13 percent
above those of the previous quarter's US$85.2 million.

Net second quarter income for the corresponding period a year earlier
was US$4.9 million, or 17 cents per share, on sales of US$107.1
million.

"We continue to see evidence that our global data networking
strategies are working," said Eric Benhamou, 3Com's president and
chief executive officer.

"In addition to sequential sales and earnings improvements, this
quarter was gratifying from a new product perspective. We introduced
our technologically advanced internetworking and hub platforms,
NETBuilder II and LinkBuilder 3GH, and entered the Token Ring
internetworking market with NETBuilder Token Ring.

"Customers are enthusiastic about incorporating these new
technologies into their growing data networks and product performance
at beta sites has been outstanding. We also took significant steps
towards our goal of being a global data networking leader, with the
establishment of a Japanese joint venture and the commencement of
construction of our European manufacturing plant."

Sales of the company's strategic product lines continued to expand.
Sales of transmission systems products -- including network adapters
and low-end hubs -- increased 13 percent over the previous quarter.
Sales of enterprise systems -- including internetworking, terminal
servers and high-end hubs -- increased 19 percent over the same
period.

Sales of network servers and associated network operating software
were essentially flat from the August quarter, consistent with the
company's stated intention to exit from this business.

For the current half-year, sales totaled US$185.4 million and net
income was US$4.7 million, or 17 cents per share, as compared with
US$213.3 million in sales and US$9.9 million, 34 cents per share, for
the year-earlier period.

The company's balance sheet continues to be one of its strongest
assets, with cash and cash equivalents increasing to a record
US$104.5 million. By the end of the current quarter, days sales
outstanding had decreased to 47 days and inventory turns climbed to
6.4 times.

3Com continued its stock repurchase program throughout the quarter,
spending US$2.6 million to repurchase an additional 266,000 shares of
its outstanding common stock.

(Norman Wingrove/19920301/Press contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com, Tel
[phone])


(CORRECTION)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00017)

Correction: Artisoft Shipping Lantastic For Netware 01/03/92
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Artisoft has informed
Newsbytes that an error had crept into Newsbytes' story on Lantastic
for Netware.

The article stated that Lantastic for Netware can provide
Netware V2.2 users with all of the features of Novell's Netware V3.11.
That is incorrect. Lantastic for Netware can provide some of the
features of V3.11 but not all of them. Specifically, Lantastic for
Netware gives Novell Netware V2.2 the ability to share printers
that are not resident on print servers. It also provides support for
CD-ROM devices. Other Netware V3.11 features are not provided directly
by Lantastic for Netware. Newsbytes regrets the error.

(Naor Wallach/19920103/Press Contact: Joe Waldygo, Artisoft,
602-690-3215)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00018)

The Enabled Computer 01/03/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- The Enabled Computer,
by John McCormick, is a regular Newsbytes feature covering news
and important product information relating to high technology
aids for the disabled.

This week's rather short issue is the final part of a three-part
column on inexpensive text-to-speech systems.

Monologue isn't good for spell-checking because it tends to
pronounce words so well that even if they are broken up or a bit
mistyped you can't always tell by listening. Still, it is very
understandable and the very leniency it displays with
misspellings is a positive benefit when you are listening for
content.

I have found that downloading very large text files from BBS
systems or CD-ROMs and playing them through the Monologue/Speech
Thing combination is a real boon when I have already spent hours
reading technical documents.

I would like an even faster read mode option and a hot-key
(perhaps the keypad + and - keys) way to speed or slow the
reading rate, but this is a minor complaint.

I would also like one item added to the pop-up menu - a reminder
of the key combination that clears the speech buffer so you can
quickly move on to some other task.

COVOX's Speech Thing is both an inexpensive voice for your
computer, one of the few that works with laptops, and a useful
programming environment providing extensive capabilities and
examples of BASIC speech programs.

Speech Thing supports so many programs that I haven't room to
list them all, but among them are Compton's MultiMedia
Encyclopedia (CD-ROM), IBM Speech Adapter Card-compatible
software, and First Byte's educational software.

This is not a highly user-friendly system such as Monologue; it
performs another function entirely, but when using the Speech
Thing's hardware you will find it nearly transparent and you can
ignore the detailed but less than beginner-level documentation.

Don't get me wrong - installing Speech Thing is extremely easy;
it is only a difficult system to use if you are a non-programmer
and trying to use Speech Thing with another more user-oriented
program like Monologue.

If all you need is a way to play back command line text or want
to listen to ASCII text files, Speech Thing and its included
software are an excellent choice.

Likewise, programmers can make use of its features and users will
find that it works with many existing programs that have
digitized speech files.

What Speech Thing isn't good for is playing back text screens
from within normal applications programs such as spreadsheets,
databases, or word processors, although it does work with at least
one specific word processor: Qwerty Word Processor from HFK Software,
Inc., 68 Wells Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773, 617-259-0059.

Separately, Monologue and Speech Thing are very good products,
each with their special features; together they make an
unbeatable combination in their price range.

For their intended purposes they are each easy to use and the
quality of speech is quite good - no one should have trouble
understanding either of them.

(John McCormick/19920103)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019)

ROUNDUP: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 01/03/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.

Telephony dated December 23 explores the option of mixing
wireless access with AIN or an Advanced Intelligent Network.

January 14's PC Magazine picks the editor's top 29 favorite
products and top stories of the decade. Top joke: What's the
difference between a computer salesman and a used car salesman?
Ans: The used car salesman knows when he's lying.

January's Communications of the ACM puts "Hypermedia" on the
cover.

Seybold Report on Desktop Publishing dated January 1 explores
streamlined formatting of repetitive records in database
publishing and includes the vastly helpful annual calendar of
events for the coming year which lists important trade shows
worldwide.

(John McCormick/19920103)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00020)

New For Unix: Energize Programming Sys. For C Prgmrs 01/03/92
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Lucid, which
concentrates on developing software for Unix programming, has
announced its Energize Programming System, a system the company
says offers the advantages of C and C++ language programming
with the advantages of an integrated programming environment.

The advantages of an object-oriented programming (OOP)
environment are many, but with most OOP languages, once
programmers start working in the OOP environment, they're
locked in and cannot get out.

Teddy Rosenberg, vice president of marketing at Lucid, said the
company thinks it has provided an answer. "To date, programmers
moving to object-oriented programming have had two choices:
specialized languages like Smalltalk which provide integrated
environments and good tools for OOP but that are off the
mainstream, or C++, which is a natural extension from the well-
accepted C language, but lacks the integrated support you get
in the environments of special-purpose languages.

"The Energize Programming System brings two new dimensions to
mainstream program development: It provides incremental
compilation and linking to decrease the amount of time a
programmer must wait when making changes to the program. It
also is designed to allow a programmer to navigate easily
through an entire program in the process of understanding code
structure and isolating problems."

Advantages offered by Energize are the ability for programmers
to work at a finer level of granularity in their code; the
programmer is always working on the real program code and not a
simulated version; the ability to view the code, program
elements and program structure from different perspectives; and
a client/server architecture.

Energize is composed of two parts, Lucid said. One is the
Server that provides control and data integration. The other is
the Tool Set which includes new programming tools as well as
tools familiar to Unix programmers.

Lucid says Energize is intended to be the system the programmer
will "live in" and is priced so each programmer may have their
own copy. One copy is $4,250. For 5-person workgroups Energize
is $3,250 per seat, and 10-person groups pay $2,950 per seat.
Additional discounts are available for larger workgroups and
sites, the company added.

Energize comes with documentation and an on-line tutorial.
Customer support is also available including a hotline, Lucid
added.

Lucid, located in Menlo Park, California, describes itself as a
seven-year-old Unix programming software company. In January of
1991, Lucid acquired Peritus International, a company whose
product was C and C++ compilers.

(Linda Rohrbough/19910103/Press Contact: Teddy Rosenberg,
Lucid, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00021)

Netronix's $1000 Prize Still Unclaimed 01/03/92
PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Three months after
its compatibility challenge, Netronix has still not paid out its
$1000 prize to any company or individual who can demonstrate a more
IBM compatible Token Ring bridge than their TokenMaster 2000 product.

The challenge was launched together with the product's introduction.
The rules are simple. Any company that wishes to apply need only call
Netronix at 1-800-282-2535 and ask for one of the TokenMasters. The
company then gets to use it for 30 days free of charge. At the end of
the 30 days, the company needs to return or buy the TokenMaster. If
the company can demonstrate that another Token Ring bridge has worked
better in their network then the $1000 prize is theirs. The only Token
Ring bridge model that is excluded from the challenge is the one
manufactured by IBM itself.

Netronix is reporting that 24 companies have signed up for the challenge
so far. None of them has claimed the prize. In each case the TokenMaster
bridge proved up to the challenge and performed well. Company officials
are citing the quantity of companies and the integration with IBM's
LAN Manager/NetView as major accomplishments and proof that their
product is the most compatible one on the market.

In addition to compatibility, the TokenMaster series offers other
advantages to customers. Low cost and versatile programming options
head the list. Netronix is the only company that offers the ability
to configure their bridge from either IBM's NetView running on a
central console, the built-in Bridge Support Software, or, from the
bridge itself using the built-in LCD display and keypad.

The challenge is continuing with no indication from the company of
a planned termination date. Those interested in participating should
contact the company at the number given above.

(Naor Wallach/19920103/Press Contact: Sue Baelen, Redgate Communications
for Netronix, 415-777-3911)


(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00022)

New For Macintosh: 1991 MacTax Ships in Canada 01/03/92
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- The 1992 version of
MacTax, Canadian income tax software for the Apple Macintosh, is
now available. Developed by RSI of Mississauga, Ontario, the
software is marketed by LDL Enterprises of Markham.

According to LDL, MacTax uses the full Macintosh interface and is
System 7 compatible. Revenue Canada will accept its printouts for
tax filing. Lois Densmore, president of LDL, told Newsbytes the
software is aimed primarily at the home market but also has the
features small-business users need, such as the ability to
produce income statements.

MacTax is a stand-alone product, requiring no other system
application to perform. It produces a full tax return with all
pertinent pages, the vendor said. The software can also be used
for experimenting with "what-if" tax scenarios.

LDL said it will compete with models for the Microsoft Excel
spreadsheet software, which cost from C$100 to C$800, and some
public domain software that is not approved by Revenue Canada.

LDL markets MacTax across Canada through Apple dealers, user
groups, and direct mail. The software retails for C$39.95.

RSI offers full telephone technical support.

(Grant Buckler/19920103/Press Contact: Lois Densmore, LDL,
416-499-7500)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00023)

Southam Acquires Half Share In Mutual Fund Data Firm 01/03/92
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Southam, the large
Canadian publishing firm, has acquired a 50 percent stake in
Fundata, a Toronto-based provider of mutual fund data. Southam
bought the share from the Investment Funds Institute of Canada,
which co-founded Fundata with HKA Data Processing, also of
Toronto, in 1987. Southam and HKA are now equal partners in
Fundata.

Fundata gathers information on mutual funds and provides it to
various clients through electronic links, said Kevin Andrien,
president of HKA Data Processing. Some of Fundata's clients are
investment dealers, while others are newspapers and other news
organizations. These include the national news agency Canadian
Press, the major Canadian business newspapers, and several daily
papers in major Canadian centers. Among the latter are The
Gazette in Montreal and The Ottawa Citizen, both owned by
Southam.

Southam's investment in Fundata could eventually mean more
Southam papers will subscribe to the Fundata service directly,
Andrien said, though he noted that most have access to the
service already through Canadian Press. "It's something that we
would like to take advantage of down the line," he said, but
there are no immediate plans to exploit the Southam connection
and this was not a major reason for the purchase.

HKA did say the deal gives it potential to expand the Fundata
service and develop new products.

Southam said the interest in Fundata, along with its Mutual Fund
Sourcebook and Sourcedisk products, give it market dominance in
the collection, maintenance, and distribution of information in
the mutual fund industry.

The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

(Grant Buckler/19920103/Press Contact: Sue Ann Wickwire, Southam,
416-445-6641, fax [phone]; Kevin Andrien, HKA Data
Processing, 416-479-8661)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00024)

 ****Obituary: Computer Industry Pioneer Grace Hopper 01/03/92
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Rear Admiral
Grace Murray Hopper, co-inventor of the COBOL programming
language, has died after a lengthy illness. She was 85 years old
in December.

Hopper became involved with computers in the late 1940s when, as
a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, she joined the Bureau of Ordnance
Computation Project at Harvard University. There she learned to
program Mark I, the first large-scale digital computer. She was
later a research fellow at Harvard during the development of that
machine's successors, Mark II and Mark III, for the navy.

In 1949, Hopper joined the Philadelphia-based Eckert-Mauchly
Computer Corporation, which was then building the first
large-scale commercial computer, UNIVAC I. She remained with that
company through its purchase by Remington Rand and its eventual
merger into Sperry Corp., finally retiring from what was then
Sperry Univac in 1971, while on military leave.

It was her work at Sperry that led to her involvement in the
development of the COBOL programming language, probably her
best-known achievement. In later years, Hopper was often referred
to as "Mother COBOL" or "Grandma COBOL" for her part in creating
what is still one of the most widely used programming languages
in the world.

She is also credited with coining the term "bug" to refer to
problems with computers. The story is that the original bug was
just that -- a large moth which flew inside one of the early
vacuum-tube computers and was fried on the hot electronics,
causing a short circuit.

Hopper continued to work with the Navy long after regular
retirement age, and was from 1982 until 1986 the oldest officer
on active duty in the U.S. armed forces. After leaving the
military, she worked for a time as a full-time senior consultant
to Digital Equipment Corp.

In the 1980s, Hopper remained much in demand as a speaker at a
computer industry conferences and a commentator on computing
trends.

Hopper's husband died during World War II and she did not
remarry. Her death was announced by her brother.

(Grant Buckler/19920103)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00025)

Develcon Electronics Reports Fiscal 1991 Loss 01/03/92
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA, 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Communications
equipment supplier Develcon Electronics has announced a reduced
loss for its fiscal year 1991, ended August 31. Audited results
just released show the company lost C$1.32 million in fiscal 1991,
down from a C$2.07-million loss in the previous year.

Revenues were C$9.11 million, down from C$9.74 million. The results
do not include income tax recovery on the company's losses, but
both years' results include unusual income items relating mainly to
tax recovery on Develcon's purchase of a numbered company in
British Columbia.

Audrey Schneider, corporate secretary for Develcon, told Newsbytes
the company is continuing efforts to reduce costs and boost
revenues. Develcon is "just doing whatever we can just to get the
expenses down," she said.

Schneider said the company is also continuing its search for a
"strategic partner" to invest in Develcon. There have been no
recent developments on that front, she said. The search has been
going on for several years.

Last May, Develcon introduced a new line of communications products
which are simpler to install than its previous Develnet system.
This makes it possible for Develcon to sell its new products
through general distribution channels that were not suitable for
Develnet, Schneider said, and the company hopes this will help
boost revenues over the next few months.

(Grant Buckler/19920103/Press Contact: Audrey Schneider, Develcon,
306-933-3300, fax [phone])


(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SYD)(00026)

Review of: Apple System 7.0 Personal Upgrade Kit, 01/03/92

Runs on: Apple Macintosh computer with at least 2 megabytes (MB) of
random access memory (RAM) and hard disk drive

From: Apple Computer, 20525 Mariana Avenue, Cupertino CA 95014-6299,
[phone]

PUMA Rating: 3.5 on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Sean McNamara 01/03/92

Summary: System 7.0 is the latest incarnation of the Mac operating
system, and incorporates many new features. Installation is not
without pain, however, and should be approached with forethought.

======

REVIEW

======

The release of System 7.0 last May saw the answer to many Mac
users' prayers. With a sleight of new features, the upgrade is
offering users increased functionality without losing much of the
ease-of-use of the Mac operating system. In some areas, ease-of-use
has been markedly increased, especially in the Finder.

Being such a major upgrade (almost the entire system software was
written from scratch), potential users should follow a cautious path
when upgrading. Start by ensuring you know where to go to for help.
Determine what parts of System 7.0 you will be implementing, and be
prepared for the worst. Make sure you have a back-up of all your
files, as well as your original application disks.

Before going ahead with a full installation, prepare a boot disk by
installing a minimum system onto a floppy disk, and copy the Disk
First Aid, HDBackup (or your backup utility) and Apple HD SC Setup
applications onto it. The instructions for installation really must
be followed, right down to running the Before You Install System 7
HyperCard stack and following its recommendations. Treat files
reported as "incompatible" warily, but by all means try them out as
well once the installation is finished.

Once these steps are completed, and you have made sure you
understand all parts of the How to Install System 7 booklet, you are
ready to move onto the installation-proper. For most users,
installation is as simple running the Install program by shutting
down the Mac, inserting the Install 1 disk, and restarting.

The Install program starts automatically, and can determine your
machine type and requirements. For users who wish to customize their
installation, they can select the elements they desire. Generally,
by simply clicking the Install button, and following the
instructions presented, the installation proceeds without incident.

Once installation is finished, simply restart and start exploring
the new features. Test all items reported as incompatible to
determine the level of incompatibility, ensuring you have a backup
of all your files at all times. Problems can be taken up with you
Apple dealer, or via the Apple Answerline, a 24-hour 800 number. It
may be necessary to re-install System 7.0 if your system won't boot
(virtual memory caused some problems early on in the reviewer's
machine), but your files will generally be undamaged.

As with the last few releases of System software, Apple has given
users the option of using an "easy" install or a customized one, but
either way, installation is a simple process. As long as the user
plans everything and follows the instructions given in the manuals
and on-screen, they should have little trouble entering the System
7.0 world, especially with the constant stream of programs being
updated (and released) to take advantage of the new features.

===========

PUMA RATING

===========

PERFORMANCE: 3. After initial problems with installation, the system
has worked well, with the same stability as previous system
releases. With the exception of some programs that don't work with
System 7.0 (usually with a particular new feature), the semi-
pessimistic Compatibility List should be consulted, but not taken as
the final word on compatibility.

USEFULNESS: 3. The usefulness of upgrading to System 7.0 is really
only held back by the minimum requirements to use it. Many users
will not be able to justify the upgrade, and for these, Apple will
continue to maintain System 6.0.X. However, as System 6 "upgrades"
will only be bug fixes or driver updates, the "true path" for Mac
users to enter the 90s is via System 7.0.

MANUAL: 4. As with almost all previous Apple manuals, those for
System 7.0 are first rate, although they are starting to get rather
numerous and long (a feature Apple once ridiculed). They are clear
and concise, and for most Mac users, a quick skim over the What's
New in System 7 booklet should be sufficient to get the most out of
their machine. (Our editor in chief found the answer to "where do I
put my DAs? promptly in the "What's New" booklet.) Apple also offers
its Answerline Service for customer queries free to purchaser of the kit.

AVAILABILITY: 4. The Upgrade Kit is not only available from the
usual range of dealers, but for those with the inclination, it can
be downloaded from bulletin board systems (obviously without
manuals).

(Sean McNamara/19920103)


(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00027)

Review of: Official Xtree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion, 2nd Ed. 01/03/92

From: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 155 Bovet RD, Suite 730, San
Mateo CA 94402, 415-358-1250.

Price: $15.95

PUMA Rating: 4.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)

Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378, 01/03/92

Summary: The Official Xtree ... 2nd Edition covers
all six XTree programs in simple language complete with
cartoons and pop quizzes.

======

REVIEW

======

The Official Xtree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion by Beth Woods
is well worth the time and price. Especially for the user who
goes from machine to machine and XTree program version to
version. As the book covers the features in each program,
the differences are noted in the outermost columns on each page.

The 2nd Edition has added sections to include the programs
XTree Easy, XTree Gold 2.0, and XTree Net 2.0. Also added to the
original edition, by popular demand, is a command key list for
every XTree product under the program's own heading.

The instructions and descriptions of features are easy to follow,
with many annotated with suggestions. The literature is laced with
cartoons and pop quizzes making the book fun and interactive.

The consumer is asked to fill out the registration card in the
back of the book as Beth Woods, the writer; Richard Tennant, the
cartoonist; Michael Cahlin, the designer; Jan Altman, the editor;
and Jonathan Sacks, the president of IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.,
all wish to move forward in providing a helpful product.

The Official Xtree MS-DOS and Hard Disk Companion, 2nd Edition
and IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. support XTree Company's Project
Green. Project Green is a program in which recycled paper is used
for printing the books and money is set aside from each purchase
for the planting of trees. We applaud these business practices!

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

PUMA RATING

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

PERFORMANCE: (4) This book accomplishes its goal. It imparts
knowledge, hones skills, and entertains the reader.

USEFULNESS: (4) It broadens ones prospective of the XTree
programs and what can be accomplished with them. The book helps
us to understand the features of these very useful utility
programs.

AVAILABILITY: (4) Available from B.Dalton's bookstores, Software
Etc., or direct from the publisher at 800-282-6657.

(tbass HNDYPRSN/19910211/Press Contact:Micheal Cahlin 213-933-4957)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00028)

New For Networks: Interface For HP Laserjets 01/03/92
BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Extended Systems has introduced
EtherFlex, a flexible network-printer interface for the Hewlett-Packard
LaserJet series II, IID, III and IIID printers.

EtherFlex allows direct printer connection anywhere on an
Ethernet LAN and provides Apple EtherTalk and Novell NetWare LAN
support on one card.

Users simply set the EtherFlex protocol switch at installation for either
Apple EtherTalk or Novell NetWare 386. The switch can be reconfigured
for the other protocol at a later date. LAN connection flexibility is also
achieved by inclusion of both thin-wire (10Base-2) and twisted-wire
(10Base-T) Ethernet connectors.

EtherFlex installs in the optional I/O slot of the HP LaserJet to allow the
printer to be placed anywhere on the Ethernet LAN; the printer is no longer
chained to the server and can be placed where is it needed most, explains
the company.

In EtherTalk mode, the company claims that EtherFlex can improve printing
performance of PostScript graphics files (such as TIFF) by up to two times.
EtherFlex can also improve network printing performance under Novell
NetWare because print data is transferred to EtherFlex in large blocks
at network speeds, in contrast to direct server-attached printers, which
receive print data one character at a time.

The EtherFlex model ESI-2856A is list priced at $695 and is backed by a
two-year warranty and online installation and application support.
For more information, call 800/235-7576.

(Computer Currents/19920103)


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

New For PC: Windows 3.0-Compatible Peer-to-Peer Network
FOSTER CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- NET/30 for
Windows, a software package for Invisible Software's DOS-based
peer-to-peer network, is now available from Invisible Software.
According to the company, Net/30 for Windows gives the invisible
network complete Windows compatibility. With this product, the
company aims to bring the "ease-of-use" associated with Windows to the
peer-to-peer environment.

Net/30 for Windows includes advanced features such as an icon-based
control panel, automatic Windows setup, enhanced security system,
comprehensive e-mail, extensive HyperText-based online help, and
increased open-file capabilities.

According to the company, while Windows creates multiple virtual
machines, Net/30 for Windows takes this capability a step further by
making the virtual machines behave as separate network stations.
For example, mapping network drives and printers can be done in one
virtual machine without affecting the network drive and printer mappings
in any other virtual machine. Invisible Software has further extended
multitasking capabilities by increasing the open-file limit to 999 on a
dedicated or non-dedicated server.

Net/30 for Windows is available for a suggested retail price of $399
per network site. Net/30 for Windows requires Invisible Software's
NET/30 operating system which is included with the purchase of any
Invisible Software network adapter. The Invisible Network uses a
minimum amount of memory, according to the company, and includes
menu-driven or command-line installation, online help, diagnostic
software, file sharing, print spooling, and automatic reconnection
capabilities. For more information, call 415/570-5967.

(Computer Currents/19920103)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00030)

New for PC: 2-Up Publisher 3.0 Now Shipping 01/03/92
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 3 (NB) -- Laser Age
Software Company is shipping version 3.0 of 2-Up Publisher, the software
utility which allows users of Hewlett-Packard and compatible laser
printers to print "two up" documents. The name "2-Up Publisher"
refers to the program's ability to repaginate documents into a side-by-side
booklet-style, or saddle-staple, layout.

2-Up Publisher creates saddle-stapled booklets, books and newsletters from
ordinary word processing or desktop publishing documents. The software
repaginates documents so that the pages are in the correct order for binding,
with two logical pages on each landscape sheet of paper.

Binding options are provided for two-sided printing, and either letter or
legal-sized paper may be used. The page limit is 512 pages -- more than
enough for any booklet, and enough for most books, the company says.

2-Up Publisher is compatible with all the various models of HP LaserJet
and compatible printers and desktop publishing and word processing
programs such as PageMaker, Ventura Publisher, WordPerfect, MS Word,
and many others. Version 3.0 of 2-Up Publisher is available now for a
suggested retail price of $79 by calling 800/942-5016.

(Computer Currents/19920103)