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(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00001)

Taxan Moves Into #1 Position In U.K. Monitor Charts 01/28/92
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Taxan (Europe)
has reached the number one slot in terms of sales by value,
according to the latest set of figures released by Romtec, the
market survey organization. According to Romtec's most recent
survey of 1,259 specialist and non-specialist resellers, Taxan's
market share has grown consistently over previous months by a
healthy 16.7 percent.

Hugh Chappell, sales and marketing director at Taxan, said: "In a
highly competitive market, we have worked hard to increase our
sales and market share."

"The introduction of new products which use the latest in
display technology have helped us to achieve this, coupled with
our reputation for reliability and quality. This survey
demonstrates the success of our strategy. With several new
products being launched during 1992, we intend to increase our
share of the market further," he added.

Romtec's market survey, which runs until December, 1991, showed
that one of the fastest growing markets is for large screen color
monitors, especially in 19 and 21-inch formats. Taxan's market
share in the sector has risen to 20.5 percent in terms of units
sold, around six percent ahead of the nearest competition.

Taxan Europe is a supplier of monitors and display adapters
for PCs. In addition to selling its products through its
network of authorized dealers and distributors, Taxan also holds
contracts with a number of major OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) companies.

(Steve Gold/19910228/Press & Public Contact: Taxan (Europe) -
Tel: [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00002)

New For PC In UK: Co/session 6.0 Released By M-Trade 01/28/92
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- M-Trade, the networking and
communications specialist, has released Co/session 6.0 in the
U.K. According to the company, the new version of the remote PC
communications package is a major breakthrough for users of
Microsoft Windows, since it now fully supports the popular
graphical user interface (GUI) for the PC.

M-Trade also claims that Co/session 6.0 is the first major remote
control comms package that has been demonstrated running under
Windows 3.0 with intelligent, fast graphics and remote mouse
operations.

Co/session 6.0 can cope with all modes of Windows, including
real, standard and enhanced, with full keyboard operations. Both
DOS and Windows applications can be run remotely using the
package.

Additional new features include "point and shoot" file transfers
with a split screen display that allows files on both PCs to be
viewed at the same time. Files can be tagged and transferred
globally or individually.

Newsbytes notes that what is interesting about Co/session 6.0 is
that the package can transfer a Windows screen very quickly.
Instead of transmitting the screen on a pixel by pixel basis, the
package uses an intelligent graphic imaging technology to
compress the image as far as possible. This reduces
the time taken to transmit a full screen image.

"The new graphics technology will change the expectations people
have of running graphic applications remote at 2,400 and 9,600
baud," said Rob Sherwin, M-Trade's marketing manager.

According to Sherwin, Co/session for Windows will deliver 2,400
bits per second (bps) graphics performance equal to or better
than performance currently available using 9,600 bps technology:
"At 9,600 baud, the remote user will feel as if he is running
Windows locally with only minor delays," he said.

Despite the enhancements, Co/session 6.0 is a DOS application
that does not require Windows to be loaded onto the remote PC.
This means that users of 8086 and 80286-based PCs can remotely
control 80386-based PCs running Windows in enhanced mode without
the need for extra storage or memory.

Other features of Co/session 6.0 include a full communications
package capability. M-Trade claims that this allows users to
access online services without the need for another
communications package.

Pricing on Co/session 6.0 depends on what site licensing
conditions the user requires. Further details are available
direct from the company.

(Steve Gold/19910228/Press & Public Contact: M-Trade - Tel: 081-
877-1711; Fax: [phone])


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

UK: Lotus Ships Network Edition of 1-2-3 Windows 01/28/92
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Lotus U.K. has
begun shipping 1-2-3 for Windows server edition for PC networks.
The shipment follows just three months after the initial
shipments of the single user edition.

According to Lotus, the server edition is based on Version 1.0a,
which shipped last November. This extends the package's external
data compatibility, the company claims.

Pricing on 1-2-3 for Windows server edition has been set at UKP
635. Existing users of the DOS version can upgrade for UKP 99,
while users installing a network for the first time can also
upgrade from DOS for the same price.

Announcing the shipment of the package, Ned Huspeth, Lotus'
spreadsheet products manager, said: "Companies with established
PC networks have typically been quicker to standardize on Windows
than individual users, so clearly we see a huge market for our
network version there."

Huspeth added that the company has had a large number of
inquiries about a network edition, but has been unable to satisfy
the demand until now.

For major users of the package, Lotus has begun selling five and
25-user "Multipack" versions of 1-2-3 for Windows. Multipacks,
which can be used on stand-alone PCs or as additional licences for
a 1-2-3 for Windows server edition, are designed to make life
easier for companies wanting to buy in bulk. The savings in
administration are passed on by Lotus in the form of a 10 percent
price discount on a five user Multipack, and 20 percent discount
on a 25-user Multipack.

(Steve Gold/19910228/Press & Public Contact: Lotus UK - Tel:
0784-455445)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00004)

 ****3Com Moves Into Multiprotocol Server Marketplace 01/28/92
ADMIRALTY, HONG KONG, 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- 3Com has introduced two
high-capacity terminal servers, the CS/2500 and 2600 series,
which it claims will simplify networking by supporting multiple
communication protocols.

Both of the machines, which include a disk drive as a standard
option, feature a parallel printer port, enabling terminal and PC
users to share a printer as well as running applications on a
wide variety of host computers.

"The CS/2500 is ideally suited for large network customers concerned
with providing connectivity in a heterogeneous environment and in
simplifying migration to standard protocols," said William Messer,
3Com's general manager for Asian operations.

"The products combine ease of use, manageability and superior
multi-protocol support with 3Com's proven reliability," he added.

Primary applications for the new terminal servers are terminal-to-
host connectivity, modem sharing or pooling and printer sharing.
According to 3Com, the terminals save customers money by
increasing productivity from existing ASCII terminals and
mainframe host applications, simplifying the wiring to attach
these terminals to resources such as hosts, modems and printers,
increasing the productivity and functionality of end users, and
leveraging resources among more users.

Both servers support TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol), Digital Equipment's LAT (Local Area Transport) and IBM's
TN3270 (Telnet 3270). These multi-protocol features provide direct
Ethernet network connection for devices such as printers, terminals
and modems.

By supporting TN3270, the new servers allow ASCII terminals to
emulate IBM's 3278 series terminals for access to applications on IBM
host computers. 3Com's TN3270 implementation supports extended
attributes such as full colour, reverse video and underlining. The
company says no other vendor matches this breadth of functionality.
TN3270 support will be included in the standard TCP/IP software suite
at no additional charge.

The CS/2500 and CS/2600 will also support 3Com's full OSI (Open
Systems Interconnection) implementation - including the virtual
terminal protocol - in future releases. In addition, the
multiprotocol support will allow users to gain access to OSI without
losing support for TCP/IP and LAT.

The CS/2500 is a diskless unit that can be booted securely from
remote management stations such as 3Com's Network Control Server
(NCS/AT), or the Unix-based Remote Boot and Configuration Service
(RBCS) application for use on a Sun Microsystems workstation. The
server provides SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) agents,
allowing management via any SNMP-based manager.

The unit's 10 serial ports can be dynamically configured through
software to support the RS-422 signalling standard. This extends
transmission capability from 50 feet (the distance supported by the
RS-232 signalling standard) up to 4,000 feet, allowing greater
flexibility in attaching peripheral devices.

The CS/2500 includes a standard Centronics parallel printer
interface, providing support for high speed printing. The CS/2600
also features a floppy disk drive, allowing local booting.

Both units provide 2MB of RAM, expandable to 4MB -- doubling the
memory capacity of existing terminal servers. This gives users the
ability to run multiple protocol stacks simultaneously, and to
maintain multiple sessions to various hosts over different protocols
simultaneously.

This also provides a simple migration path for TCP and TCP/LAT users.
Protocol changes will be handled through the software. With a
centralized network manager such as NCS/AT or RBCS, the changes can
be broadcast simultaneously to all 3Com terminal servers on the
network.

(Norman Wingrove/19910228/Press contact: Marshall Gabin, 3Com, Tel
[phone]; HK time is GMT + 8)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)

Micrografx To Ship Picture Publisher 3.0 In February 01/28/92
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Micrografx has
announced that it will be shipping release 3.0 of its
Windows-based Picture Publisher by the end of February.

Picture Publisher is a graphics program which the company claims
is designed for the high-end demands of photo designers and
business users who want to add visual impact to proposals,
newsletters, documents and presentations.

Picture Publisher 3.0 allows users to scan color or black-and-white
photographic prints, slides and line art using flatbed or hand-held
scanners. It will also accept images from still-camera video
capture devices.

Micrografx says that, as a special promotion good through June
30th, it will include a hand-held scanner, the ColorArtist from
Mustek, at no extra cost. ColorArtist usually sells as a stand-
alone product for $699.

Picture Publisher 3.0 has a suggested list price of $795.
Existing owners can upgrade to release 3.0 of Picture Publisher
without the scanner for $99.95. Picture Publisher 3.0 and the
scanner are available for $499.95.

Micrografx says that new features in the upgrade include enhanced
masking, an added text tool, new drawing tools, a color shield,
textures, and a selection of special effects. You also get special
filters, such as 3-D, emboss, crystallize, and a graphic pen.
Supported file formats include TIFF, PCX, TARGA, BMP, GIF, and
export of EPS and DCS.

The additional tools include an airbrush, texture, paint, and smear.
The enhanced masking capability allows you to rotate, skew, tilt,
and distort masks.

Another new feature, Color Shield, allows the user to select
or protect up to eight separate areas of an image based on the
color selected. The program can also improve poor quality
photographs, using the Quartertone feature.

If you want to run Picture Publisher 3.0, you will need at least a
386-based system, 4MB of RAM, a 40MB hard drive, Windows 3.0, a
mouse or other pointing device, and a VGA display. Micrografx
recommends a SuperVGA display. For professional photo design, you
will need more memory, a larger hard drive, and a 16-bit or 24-bit
video card.

Micrografx reported a record third quarter for its full financial
year, which ended on December 31st, 1991. The company said
that revenues reached $12.9 million for the quarter, a 50 percent
increase over the same period last year.

(Jim Mallory/19910228/Press contact: Katrina Krebs, Micrografx,
214-497-6247)


(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00006)

New For Unix: ICL's Online Open Systems Transaction Mgt 01/28/92
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- ICL has announced the launch
of its online Open Systems Transaction Management (OSTM) on its
DRS 6000 Series of Unix servers here in Hong Kong.

According to the company, OSTM integrates Unix System
Laboratories' (USL) Tuxedo Release 4.1 transaction manager with
leading relational databases, including those from
Ingres, Informix, and Oracle.

Distributed online transaction processing (OLTP) enables users to
execute transactions and access data across a company's information
structures, updating multiple databases simultaneously across large
geographic distances and between organizations, with speed and
security.

Announcing the products, Tony Tsang, ICL Hong Kong's managing
director, said: "With the availability of OSTM on DRS 6000, the
necessary technologies are now in place to enable our customers
to develop and deploy fully scalable online transaction
processing across multiple Unix systems."

OSTM comprises three basic elements: the user's application, which
defines the actual transactions to be carried out; a resource
manager -- typically a relational database which also controls
shared resources; and the transaction manager, which oversees the
whole process, ensuring data coordination and integrity. Tuxedo
forms the basis for the transaction manager component of the OSTM
environment.

(Norman Wingrove/19910228/Press contact: Xanthe Boyd, MDL, Tel +852
838 3889, Fax [phone]; HK time is GMT + 8)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00007)

Two New Multimedia CD-ROMs Announced 01/28/92
PARSIPPANY, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Bureau
Development has just announced a new version of The 1992 CIA
Multimedia World Fact Book, priced at $99, and Great Literature
on CD-ROM (compact disc, read only memory), another multimedia
disc priced at $99.

Both these titles join the previously announced Monarch Notes on
CD-ROM and U.S. History on CD-ROM, multimedia titles introduced
by the Bureau last fall.

Upgrades from the current version of the CIA World Fact Book CD-
ROM are available at only $49. New for this version, besides
updated information and new maps where required, are performances
of each country's national anthem.

The Great Literature CD-ROM contains the full text of hundreds of
historic books and poems, dating from early history to the 20th
century. Musical excerpts related to some of the documents are
included, as are readings from some performed by George Kennedy
and others.

Announcing the disc, Bureau Development's CEO, Larry Shiller,
said: "The honest truth is, we have no idea how people use this
product or why they even buy it, but it's a great seller on the
PC side and it's the first and only literature CD-ROM title for
the Mac."

The titles are available for Mac and IBM PC compatible computers
at the same prices.

Newsbytes' Washington bureau has copies of both the CIA
multimedia title and Monarch Notes and is presently reviewing
them. Preliminary indications are that they are very well-
produced titles.

For more information about these or other CD-ROM and MPC titles,
contact: Bureau Development, 141 New Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054.
Telephone toll-free on 800-828-4766, or fax [phone].

(John McCormick/19910228/Press Contact: Larry Shiller, Bureau
Development, 201-808-2700, or fax [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00008)

Phoenix Ships Enhanced PhoenixPage Five/PLI 01/28/92
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) --Phoenix
Technologies has begun shipping an enhanced version of its
PhoenixPage PCL 5 compatible emulation software. Enhancements
include support for new printer types and fonts, and speed
improvements, Phoenix officials said.

Version 2.0 of PhoenixPage Five/PLI includes core support for the
Hewlett-Packard LaserJet III, IIID, and IIISi command sets. It also
supports the IIISi extended font set and other command-level IIISi
and IIID functions, and for Agfa Compugraphic's compact version of
the Intellifont Scalable Typefaces, and comes with integrated Epson
LQ850 and 1050 and IBM Proprinter 24 and XL 24 emulations.

Version 2.0 is a superset of the PCL 5 language as implemented in
the Laser III printer. It also includes core support for
duplex printing and for alternate paper sizes and handling
options. Newsbytes notes that performance enhancements provide
for faster imaging than the LaserJet III.

The PhoenixPage Five/PLI is a hardware-independent,
resolution-independent software module that processes PCL 5
page-description language commands from applications software.

Phoenix sells it to printer manufacturers, who can use it in their
products with a range of controller configurations, print engines,
and special-purpose application specific integrated circuits
(ASICs).

More than 15 printer manufacturers have licensed the PhoenixPage
Five/PLI. The original version began shipping in April of 1991.

(Grant Buckler/19910228/Press Contact: Rich Levandov, Phoenix
Technologies, 617-551-4005; Tom Spillane, Phoenix Technologies,
617-551-5030)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00009)

New For PC: Design Your Own Dresses On Computer 01/28/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Livingsoft has
introduced Dress Shop, a custom-fitted clothing pattern program
for MS-DOS computers, and expects to release an Apple Macintosh-
compatible version this fall.

Priced at $99 for IBM PCs and close compatibles, the package is
compatible with both IBM and Epson dot matrix printers. Company
officials say that it is intended for both hobbyist and
professional-level sewers.

The design of a custom pattern begins with taking 13 distinct
measurements of the woman for which the garment is being designed;
the program then creates a custom-sized pattern from a selection
of 29 different patterns.

In a business environment or a large family, users will find that
Dress Shop can store the measurements from up to 100 people on
the program disk, the company says. Full-size patterns are created
by taping together segments from the continuous form paper used by
dot matrix computer printers.

The company's founder, Annette Schofield, told Newsbytes that
this is only the first of a series of programs created by and for
women and intended to make home tasks easier.

Already announced are plans to follow up Dress Shop with programs
that will produce patterns designed for children and men.

(John McCormick/19910228/Press Contact: Annette Schofield,
Livingsoft, 619-371-9629)


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

Profile Of A Multi-Level 900 Service Provider 01/28/92
CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Barbara Dudding, a
multi-level marketing veteran, is seeking to expand into the
caller-paid "900" business with an operation called OPPS 900.
Dudding spoke with Newsbytes about her service, which offers
extensions off a single 900 number for people who think they can
make money on calls to such a number.

"For $24.95, companies get an extension number for our number,
and full support on marketing and advertising, as well as our own
marketing help," she explained. People who convince someone else
to come in after them get a commission of $12.50. Dudding said
she's been in the pay-per-call business for 4 years, starting
with a 976 number in Cleveland that offered over-the-phone
coupons to local merchants.

Later she was president of Info 702, a monthly publication on
multi-level marketing. Info 602, which handles all OPPS 900
calls, is also a multi-level sales and promotion agency.

For their $24.95, potential entrepreneurs get a packet of
information describing the industry in optimistic terms, and
opportunities to advertise their numbers inexpensively through
Info 602. "We're looking for entrepreneurs who want
opportunities," she said, joking that some have called her OPPS
900 company "oops 900" -- "it really stands for opportunity."

Because of its past association with gambling tips and sex lines,
many people have looked negatively on 900 numbers or feel it is
inappropriate for a business. However, Dudding said, the
industry is now in a "high growth phase" with more reliable
companies entering it.

In 1991, one major "900" call carrier, Telesphere, went out of
the business, a second, Sprint, stopped billing on most calls,
and the other two, AT&T and MCI, began demanding strict content
control on calls they carried. This was prompted by moves from
regulators allowing callers to refuse payment on calls to the
exchange and not lose their phone service as a result.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920128/Press Contact: Barbara Dudding, OPPS
900, 216-892-5555)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00011)

FOSE '92 and FOSE CD-ROM Schedules Announced 01/28/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- The federal
government's major spring computer exhibition, FOSE '92 -- short
for the Federal Office Systems Expo -- will be held at the
Washington Convention Center in downtown DC from March 30 through
April 2, 1992. This year a new conference, the FOSE Open Systems
Networking Conference, will be held in conjunction with the
exhibition and conference.

Working with FOSE's National Trade Productions management to
produce the FOSE Open Systems show will be the Corporation for
Open Systems International and Global Management Systems, an ADP
consulting firm.

The new conference will be composed of three program tracks:
planning, operations, and case studies of federal agencies
experiences in the area.

FOSE's CD-ROM and Multimedia Conference & Exposition will be held
on August 5 and 6, 1992, at the Washington Convention Center.

For further information about FOSE, FOSE Open Systems and
Networking Conference, or FOSE CD-ROM, contact National Trade
Productions, Inc., 313 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, VA
22314. Phone [phone] or toll-free on 800-638-8510, fax 703-
836-4486.

(John McCormick/19910228/Press Contact: Pam Nazaruk, National
Trade Productions, 800-638-8510, or fax [phone])


(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00012)

New For PC: Chart To Data Conversion Software Debuts 01/28/92
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- While most companies
have concentrated on creating software that will produce
impressive charts and graphs from computer data, Ferguson,
Missouri-based Biosoft has created UnGraph, a program that can
take TIFF or PCX graphics files created by a scanner and converts
graph lines into computer data.

In use, UnGraph accepts as input TIFF or PCX image files of
graphs, charts, or line drawings and creates X,Y coordinate data
output in ASCII or DXF (AutoCAD) format for processing by other
programs.

Ungraph is priced at $399 in the U.S. and 199 pounds sterling in
the U.K. The software is billed as compatible with IBM PC
compatible and higher computers and uses a math coprocessor when
available. A mouse is required and the software is said to be
compatible with any mouse version. Systems are required to have
512 kilobytes or more memory, and EGA or VGA graphics. MS-DOS 2.0
or higher required.

Included with the package is a driver/controller for the Logitech
ScanMan, and the program accepts any line-level or 1-bit graphics
files from other scanners which produce TIFF or PCX files.

The user controls which lines on a scan are to be converted and
can fill in blank spaces on lines using the included paint
program.

For further information, write: Biosoft, P.O. Box 10938,
Ferguson, MO 63135, or call the contacts numbers below.

(John McCormick/19910228/Press & Public Contact:
Biosoft - Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00013)

Wollongong Group: New Products, Liaisons With NCR 01/28/92
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Capitalizing
on the recently concluded UniForum show held in California,
the Wollongong Group has announced upgrades and enhancements to
various product lines and a major new relationship with NCR.

WIN/TCP for STREAMS release 4.1.3 combines all of the features
that were previously available in the separate Wollongong TCP/IP
products into a single package. From now on it is only necessary
to purchase WIN/TCP for STREAMS in order to operate on any
machine that runs Unix System V on 386 machines, the company
claims. Unix implementations from the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO),
Interactive, Intel, and AT&T are all supported by the package.

According to the company, WIN/TCP for STREAMS, which is now
shipping in the U.S., is independent of the lower layers of the
link protocol. It supports the Logical Link Interface (LLL)
defined by AT&T for Unix Release V. This gives WIN/TCP for
STREAMS the ability to use almost any vendors' network interface
as well as network type -- i.e. Ethernet, Token Ring, X.25, FDDI,
and ISDN.

Also shipping are new versions of Wollongong's OSI products.
Specifically, WIN/MHS and WIN/DS have both been upgraded to
release 2.1. The major improvement is that the Wollongong Group
now completely supports messaging and directory services that are
based on the CCITT 1988 standards.

WIN/MHS is a GOSIP compliant implementation of the X.400
standard. It can also be used as a gateway between Internet
hosts, X.400, Message Transfer Agents, and as a central "post
office." WIN/DS provides the complete set of directory services
that have been defined by the CCITT X.500 and ISO/IEC 9594
standards.

Both products, which are shipping now, are available in versions
for either SCO Unix or an AT&T, Intel, Interactive Systems
version.

NCR has signed an agreement under which they will resell
Wollongong's Pathway Access products. The first of these
products, Pathway Access for DOS/Windows, is Wollongong's
implementation of TCP/IP for PCs that are running either under
DOS or under Windows. This allows those machines to interconnect
and communicate with the rest of the Unix/TCP/IP world. NCR will
begin selling Wollongong's products under its own label this
quarter.

(Naor Wallach/19920128/Press Contact: Lisa Kelaita, Miller
Communications for Wollongong, 415-962-9550)


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

New For Networks: Joiner Upgrades E-Mail Software 01/28/92
MADISON, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Joiner Software
has upgraded its e-mail to MHS (JMM) electronic mail software. In
addition, the company has announced a software add-in that allows
onwards connection to an IPX standard network.

The upgraded software, JMM version 1.2, is billed as a major
upgrade over version 1.0. Company officials say that the package
is now able to take full advantage of Digital's Distributed
Directory Services. Joiner Software officials claim that this is
a major improvement, not just in the accuracy of the mail
services, but that it also eliminates the need to keep redundant
information in two databases with all of its attendant problems.

Using JMM, PC network users can now address e-mail using the
native format of whichever e-mail system they happen to use --
like cc:mail, Da Vinci eMAIL, or Wordperfect Office. JMM collects
those messages and performs an address match using Digital's
directory. JMM also performs the address translations and
forwards the mail message to its intended recipient.

JMM-SPX is a new add-on product from Joiner that is designed to
work with JMM. This is a transport protocol implementation that
allows the user to avoid the use of Digital's PathWorks or other
such products. Joiner officials stated that while PathWorks is a
good product, they felt that they were asking their customers to
spend too much money on the simple services that it provides
Joiner users.

JMM licenses are priced at $9,800. An annual software support
service is priced at $1,800. All of Joiner's customers that are
covered by this support service will receive the upgrade to
version 1.2 for free. JMM-SPX will retail for $1,000 per system.
Software support for it is included in the charge for JMM. Both
products are now shipping.

(Naor Wallach/19920128/Press Contact: Ronald Rassner, Joiner
Software, 608-238-4454)


(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00015)

New For PC: Group-Calendering Software 01/28/92
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- The Windows
Support Group (WSG), has released. The Corporate Calendar. This
is a Microsoft Windows based application that can make the task
of scheduling meetings and gatherings easier than manual methods.

Those of us with a corporate background can appreciate the
difficulty of trying to schedule a meeting with multiple
individual's different time requirements. The Corporate Calendar
is a networked product that attempts to solve that exact problem.

The Corporate Calendar runs as a structured query language (SQL)
Server application in a client server mode. This allows the
corporation to keep its directory on the server as well as
information on conference rooms and personal calendars. Anyone
who wishes to plan a meeting can enter the program and peruse the
availability of all the people invited to the meeting as well as
availability of conference rooms. Should a time be found when all
of these match, it becomes a very simple matter to schedule
everyone for that meeting.

Thanks to the use of Microsoft's SQL Server, there are
practically no limitations on the size of the directory that can
be kept or many other parameters. As the numbers of users and the
database size grows, the software can be moved to ever larger and
multiple hardware sets.

The Corporate Calendar is available now. It sells for $275 per
user and requires the use of SQL Server Version 1.1 or later.

(Naor Wallach/19920128/Press Contact: Gary Baker, Technology
Solutions, 212-505-9900)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00016)

New For Networks: Allied Telesis Expands Media Converters 01/28/92
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Allied
Telesis has introduced two new products -- the AT-MR111T and AT-
MR114 -- which allow different kinds of Ethernet media to connect
with each other while maintaining complete compatibility and
conformance to all applicable IEEE specifications.

The AT-MR111T allows the user to attach a full length 10Base-T
Ethernet segment to a full length 10Base5 segment using an AUI
connector. The device includes the power supply connection as
well as a full set of LEDs to tell you its status at a glance.

There is even an optional bracket that allows you to mount the
device on a wall. Plans call for the system to begin shipping
next month with a $549 price tag.

The AT-MR114, meanwhile, performs similar functions to the AT-
MR111T except that it uses different network media. In the case
of the AT-MR111T, it connects a full length 10Base2 to a full
length 10Base5 segment. The AT-MR114 will sell for $649 and comes
with the same set of LEDs, bracket, and power supply as the AT-
MR111T.

"These products expand our 'plug and play' conversion solution to
those users with thick coaxial backbones," said Anders Swahn,
Allied Telesis vice president of product marketing.

"It has never been more simple for network managers to expand
using BNC and UTP cabling, at the same time protecting their
investment in the 10Base5 backbone," he added.

(Naor Wallach/19920128/Press Contact: Shawn Hoth, Allied-Telesis,
415-964-2771)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00017)

Lancast To Intro Three New Products At NetWorld 01/28/92
AMHERST, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Lancast will
be showing three new products at its booth at NetWorld '92 that
will be held in Boston. Lancast's booth is #1310 on the first
floor of the Hynes Convention Center.

The ENT-4302 is a fiber optic transceiver for Ethernet networks.
On one side it offers an AUI port, on the other, the customer has
a choice between SMA and ST type connectors for the fiber optic
connections. In addition to the connectors, the ENT-4302 features
an SQE function with two LEDs that verify its operation. An
additional switch allows selection between FOIRL and 10Base-FL
operation.

Customers who order the ENT-4302 will also receive the ERT-4308.
This is an in-line network monitor that allows the users to
verify network operations from their desktops. The unit has two
AUI type connectors, the user simply attaches one side of the
device to the AUI cable and the other to the workstation and from
that point on one can monitor the network operation by viewing
the LEDs. The four LEDs are labelled Power, Collision, Receive,
and Transmit and will give the user a pretty accurate picture of
what is going on at any moment.

The combination of the ENT-4302 and the ERT-4308 will start
shipping next month and will cost $395.

The ENT-4312 is called a "mini fiber optic transceiver" by the
company. Its task is to connect all kinds of Ethernet devices
directly to the fiber optic network. Similar to the ENT-4302, it
offers either SMA of ST fiber connectors and an AUI connector.

However, it differs from the ENT-4302 in that its set of LEDs
give more information on the status of the network. The LED array
reports on such conditions as: link, jabber, collision, receive,
transmit, SQE, and power. There are also switches for turning SQE
on and off and for connecting to an FOIRL or a 10Base-FL network.

The ENT-4312 will also begin shipping next month and will be
priced at $295.

(Naor Wallach/19920128/Press Contact: Janice Bremer, Lancast,
603-880-1833)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00018)

 ****Microsoft Inaugurates Customer Svc For Hearing-Impaired 01/28/92
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced that effective immediately it will provide technical
support and customer service for its hearing-impaired customers
through the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TTD) service.

Under the program a hearing impaired customer can contact
Microsoft using a TDD device, and ask questions. A support
associate will set up an appointment for a return call by a
support technician or customer service representative also using
a TDD device.

The TDD is a specialized computer terminal linked to a telephone,
on which each party types their messages, similar to a real-time
on-line conference on a computer bulletin board.

The Microsoft TDD service plan won acclaim in the recent Johns
Hopkins National Search for Computing to Assist Persons With
Disabilities program, for its technical excellence.

Asked by Newsbytes what motivated Microsoft to install the
special line and equipment to serve hearing-impaired customers,
spokesperson Anne Kutscher said that the company came to realize
that more and more of their customers were hearing-impaired.
"Hearing impaired people use computers to be part of the
mainstream, and are going to be using them more and more."

Microsoft says that there is no charge for the TDD service other
than the regular long-distance toll charges. TDD callers can
expect a return call from a product or tech support person within
four business hours.

To contact Microsoft via TDD, callers should dial 206-635-4948.
Product support calls are accepted between the hours of 6AM and
6PM Pacific Standard Time Monday through Friday. Customer service
representatives can be contacted from 6:30AM to 5:30PM.

Kutscher said that Microsoft has no idea how many calls will come
in on the TDD line, but does expect an initial surge of calls as
people try out the service. "We'll staff as necessary; I don't
think people will have to wait," she said.

Microsoft claims that it receives more than 13,000 support calls
each business day. Non-physically challenged customers can call
its toll free number (800-426-9400) for product information. The
company has not yet instituted toll-free product information
service for TDD users.

(Jim Mallory/19920128/Press contact: Anne Kutscher, Microsoft,
206-882-8080)


(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00019)

 ****Compaq Intros PC Battery Recycling Program 01/28/92
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has introduced what it claims is the first nation-
wide PC battery pack recycling program.

Effective immediately, the free service allows users to send
depleted batteries from Compaq laptop and notebook computers to
Compaq's recycling facility, which is operated by a third party
at locations throughout the US. The batteries installed in
Compaq's two LTE notebooks announced this week are included in
the program.

The recycling facilities are licensed by the Environmental
Protection Agency, Compaq says. Reusable metals from the battery
packs are recycled and sold by the recycler to manufacturers for use
in the production of new products.

Compaq pays a fee for each rechargeable battery pack sent to the
recycler. Metals are reclaimed through a smelting process.
Customers desiring to recycle batteries should call Compaq at
its toll-free hotline [phone]). The company will then send
you a pre-addressed, postage-paid battery mailer. The program is
free to Compaq notebook owners.

Compaq says the estimated life expectancy of a battery is about
two years, although this will vary with battery usage. Compaq
battery packs are warranted for one year, and will be replaced
free if they fail during that period. Warranty replacement is
handled by authorized Compaq dealers.

(Jim Mallory/19920128/Press contact: John Sweney, Compaq Computer,
713-374-1564)


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

 ****Compaq Intros Two New Notebook PCs 01/28/92
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Compaq has announced two
new six-pound notebook personal computers, the LTE Lite/25 and
the Lite/20.

The LTE Lite/25 is an Intel-based 25 megahertz 386SL system with an
estimated three to four-and-one-half hour battery life. The
Compaq-designed battery pack uses a built-in microprocessor to
monitor power use. The microprocessor displays a "gas gauge"
which estimates the remaining battery power in hours and minutes.

Compaq says that the smart battery pack can be quick-charged in
one hour if the system is not in use, and 1.5 hours while using
the computer. The Lite/25 also has a backlit VGA display which
Compaq says cuts battery drain by as much as 50 percent.

The LTE Lite/20, meanwhile, is a similar unit using a 20
megahertz Intel 386SL chip.

Compaq also introduced two new notebook PC options -- a desktop
expansion base that enables notebook users to convert their system
to a desktop PC, and a 9600 bps data internal modem for notebooks.

(Jim Mallory/19920128/Press contact: John Sweney, Compaq Computer,
713-374-1564)


(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00021)

New For PC: North Shore Picks Up Where It Left Off 01/28/92
INCLINE VILLAGE, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- North Shore
Systems has announced the release of version 2.1 of StayAround
Auto, a TSR program that returns you to the same point you left
off when you turned off your computer.

The package is being marketed as a battery power conservation
program for laptops and notebooks, but could easily appeal to
desktop PC users too.

StayAround-Auto needs 19K of RAM. By adding its start-up command
in your autoexec file, the program can be loaded automatically
each time your computer is started. If you left off working in a
word processing program, you will be returned to that exact spot
when you turn on the computer.

In use, the package remembers where to start by pressing the Alt
and zero keys, or a Control-Alt-Enter combination. Two options
are offered in case one is already used by your program or
another TSR package.

North Shore says that if you load StayAround Auto after all
other TSR (terminate-stay-resident) programs, you shouldn't have
any trouble with program call conflicts. However, if you do, the
company says you can call and get some help.

Richard Stouffer, president of North Shore, says that another use
for the program would be for sales presentations, where you could
mark the starting point in the demo; or a sales call where you
could mark the record holding the next client's information, and
have that record appear when you turned on your laptop in the
client's office.

StayAround-Auto has a suggested retail price of $79.95. The program
runs on just about any notebook or PC. You'll need DOS 3.1 of
later, and the program is compatible with EMS. Stouffer says that
it also works under DR-DOS. It's not compatible with Windows or
Tandy's Deskmate, but does work with Desqview.

Stouffer told Newsbytes that several notebook manufacturers are
bundling Stayaround-Auto with their hardware. For more
information about Stayaround-Auto, you can contact North Shore at
702-831-1108, or contact any of Waldensoftware's 58 stores.

(Jim Mallory/19920128/Press contact: Richard Stouffer - Tel:
702-831-1108; Fax: [phone])


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022)

Chrysler Corp Installs Third Cray Supercomputer 01/28/92
AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Auto maker
Chrysler Corporation is installing its third Cray Research
supercomputer at its newly opened Technology Center here. The new
system will be a Cray Y-MP 8I, an upgrade from a Y-MP 2E
installed last year. Pricing details were not available at press
time.

Chrysler officials said that the system will be used for general
automotive applications including structural analysis and design,
computational fluid dynamics, and crash simulation.

According to Cray Chairman and CEO John Rollwagen, the purchase
of the new system "during today's difficult economic times shows
Chrysler's recognition that advanced computational tools are
needed for the company's (Chrysler's) future growth."

Chrysler Executive Engineer Ron Bienkowski said that the work of
analyzing new vehicle platforms "would be next to impossible without
the Cray."

(Jim Mallory/19920128/Press contact: Mardi Schmieder, Cray Research,
612-683-7395)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00023)

Maxpeed To Ship Low-Cost Terminal Server 01/28/92
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Maxpeed
has announced it will begin shipping its SC-16 terminal server
this week. The machine is the latest product from this low-cost
networking equipment specialist.

The SC-16 has 16 serial ports and one parallel port on one side,
and an Ethernet connection on the other. All flavors of Ethernet
wiring are supported giving you the choice between using the BNC,
AUI, or RJ45 (for unshielded twisted pair) connectors.

The low level Ethernet software is built into the unit's firmware
thereby eliminating the need to load software or fuss with
different drivers. This software goes all the way up to the
TCP/IP layer.

On the serial side, the terminal server supports rlogin or telnet
services. The parallel port can be used for a printer or other such
device.

The SC-16 is built around an 80286 microprocessor. In addition to
512K of memory, there are two separate communications processors
built into the system to support up to three sessions for each
port. Each of these can transfer data at rates of up to 115,000 baud.

The common hardware used, and the high level of integration of
the hardware with the software allows Maxpeed to sell this device
at a price of $1695 or roughly $100 per port. This is relatively
inexpensive.

"We developed the SC-16 to give VARs and installers a new approach
to integrating larger server-based systems that allows them to go
beyond eight users for only $100 per port," said Wei Ching,
Maxpeed's president.

"Using a widely accepted standards-based technology like TCP/IP
gives our VARs access to a broad market. We see this kind of
intelligent terminal server an ideal connectivity solution for
universities and large corporations with existing minicomputers
and RISC 6000 based networks that are looking for an inexpensive
way to add new local and remote users," he added.

(Naor Wallach/19910228/Press Contact: Tom Woolf for Maxpeed,
Tom Woolf Media Relations, 415-508-1554)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00024)

Educational Courses On Networking Debut From 3Com 01/28/92
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Entering a
seemingly new direction, 3Com Corporation has released a series
of instructional courses aimed at teaching the basics of
networking to people.

3Com officials claim that the company has developed these courses in
response to what they have seen over ten years of working in the
networking and internetworking arenas. Many other course providers
offer either introductory material or offer a very theoretical course
on networking. What 3Com is trying to accomplish is to distill their
accumulated experience and pass it on in a non-vendor specific
manner.

3Com relied on its own expertise, developed in-house, in training
people on how to use their products. The company's employees
found that they had to spend as much as a full day in getting
everybody who enrolled in the course up to the same level of
understanding. As training budgets have gotten tighter, 3Com
started looking around for ways in which trainees can better
benefit from their more limited training time.

The result of all of these thoughts is this series of courses. There
are currently four titles released with another planned for April
and more in the conceptual stages. The four titles that have been
released are titled: "Understanding TCP/IP," "Introduction to SNMP,"
"Introduction to Bridging and Routing," and "Network Architectures
Standards and Protocols." The title that is scheduled for April will
cover FDDI.

Each course has two components, a book and a diskette. The book is
intended to be kept beyond the course as a reference book. The disks
use an educational technique called Computer Managed Instruction
(CMI). In this technique, students are asked to take tests on the
various chapters in order.

As a student passes the test on a specific chapter, he is then
allowed to either repeat any of the tests on this chapter and
previous ones - albeit with different questions - or take the
test on the next chapter. If the student does not pass a test on
a specific chapter, he cannot advance until he has read the book
and can pass the test.

The diskettes are available only for MS-DOS machines. 3Com recommends
the use of a computer with at least 640K of RAM, both 3.5- and
5.25-inch diskettes supported. Prices for the courses range from
$195 to $295. These courses are available from 3Com resellers as
well as others. As a matter of fact, 3Com expects that several
other networking vendors, including some of 3Com competitors,
will pick up these courses and resell or license them for their
own use.

(Naor Wallach/19920128/Press Contact: Krista Lynn Passarelli, 3Com,
408-764-5436)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)

 ****Comnet: Upbeat Keynote To Telecom Managers 01/27/92
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- The rest of the
U.S. economy may be in the dumps, but the people who run the
nation's phone and computer networks are being told to go for
the gold, and more important, that they deserve it. "Killer
applications" which leverage existing network infrastructures can
now turn mild-mannered network managers into corporate heroes,
Dixon Doll, a regular Comnet speaker and chairman of the DMW
Group, an Ann Arbor, MI market research firm, told a keynote luncheon
speech opening Comnet '92.

Comnet is a twice-yearly show on telecommunications run by
International Data Corp., where the latest in computer
networking, phone networking, inter-networking and -- now --
wireless networking, will be on display through the end of the
week. Doll, also general partner for Accel Partners, a venture
capital firm, told his audience that they can improve their
corporate bottom lines with cheaper, better customer service,
telemarketing, and service-worker productivity tools.

To make it happen, Doll added, they should insist on an
organizational structure for their network development teams
which insulates them from day-to-day drudgery and gives them a
chance to fail, as well as the rewards of success. Doll mentioned
14 different technologies which can be implemented now, and
whose benefits can go right to the bottom line.

Wireless communications will become "a very major segment of the
business" in 1992, he said. "There's also a great interest in
wireless LANs." And video conferencing has finally achieved its
potential, he said, with hardware prices falling and picture
quality improving rapidly. This year, savvy network managers will
want to install "video hubs," which can allocate and access
services from a variety of carriers, and handle the increasing
traffic.

In the wireless area, Motorola, NCR and Windata are all
announcing wireless LANs which can provide links to
"impossible connection" situations, as in schools with asbestos
inside the walls, or buildings with terribly complex wiring. Doll
said wireless data services will also emerge this year on
metropolitan and national levels.

"The pay-off is enormous for companies that have mobile workers
who need to access information at some central facility to help
them do their jobs. I think it's one of the most exciting
application areas of the 1990s. It can become a billion dollar
business by the turn of the century. I think you'll see an
enormous explosion as pen-based computers become pervasive."

The fastest pay-offs, however, may come from automating customer
service with software linking phone switches and computers like
IBM's CalPath and DEC's CIT. "There are lots of benefits, in
terms of quicker service, more efficient call handling, and the
company appearing to have its act together. You reduce holding
times, the number of ports, and the number of customer-service
agents." He said the big pay-off is that customers don't
have to explain their problems many different times when they
call your company, and don't have to start at the beginning with
each call. That goes for internal "customers," too, he said --
like workers who call data center help desks for help with their
software.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920128)


(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)

 ****First Mass-Market Radio Modem Debuts 01/28/92
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- In a press
briefing before the Comnet trade show, Ericsson-GE launched the
first mass-market radio modem, along with a network to run it on,
peripherals to run it with, and applications running with it.

Ericsson-GE Vice President Leif Holm introduced the Mobidem,
which is not a school of great white whales but a hand-held modem
for the Mobitex network, whose development Ericsson pioneered.

The U.S. Mobitex affiliate is RAM Mobile Data Inc., now a joint
venture between RAM Broadcasting and BellSouth Corp., and
executives from both firms said they're aiming at expanding their
presence world-wide.

Bill Frezza, director of business development and marketing for
Ericsson GE, emphasized the mass-market nature of the product,
saying that it should be available in hundreds of retail outlets
by this fall. He compared the Mobidem's importance to the
announcement of the IBM PC or cellular phone.

"This is not restricted to niche markets. This is something we
expect to get into the hands of every laptop or palmtop computer
user," he said.

The Mobidem itself carries a list price of $1,795, and weighs one
pound, but Frezza said he expects both to come down soon, and
fast. Other companies will be able to make competing products to
link with Mobitex networks, he said.

The Ericsson-GE Mobidem is also easy to use, with two buttons.
"It's like a pager. The network comes and goes, and it works when
it can. You can carry this, and it will collect messages, then
make them available when you're ready. Seamless nation-wide
roaming is built in from the get-go," he said.

To quickly seed the market, Frezza added, "we're running a sale
the first day, a $2,000 kit for linking with MCI Mail. We'll
identify every wireless lunatic in the country, who will be
moving their own messages around and grabbing MIS people by the
lapels."

Carl Robert Aron, chief executive for RAM Mobile Data Inc., said:
"There's no one answer" to the wireless communications puzzle,
noting that users with long messages, local messages, or
infrequent messengers might prefer other ideas. But he said
millions of people need connections to e-mail and computer-aided
dispatch solutions. "They're drawn from pager users, e-mail users,
telephone answering service users, and all kinds of message
center service users," he said.

Mike Harrell, president of BellSouth Mobile Data Inc., compared
mobile data networks to cellular telephony eight years ago,
noting there are now 6.4 million cellular phones out there.
BellSouth became a partner with RAM Broadcasting in this new
venture, for $300 million, after working with the company as a
partner in the non-wireline cellular phone system in Honolulu,
Hawaii. He added that BellSouth and RAM are world-wide partners.
"We're assessing markets, and with our partners we will
aggressively pursue other mobile data networks."

Clain Anderson, communications product manager for the Hewlett-
Packard 95XL palmtop, based in Corvallis, Oregon, compared the
Mobidem to the HP35, the first scientific slide rule, which was
introduced 20 years ago this month. He called the Mobidem and
Mobitex networks "the right solution for two way wireless
messaging."

Bill Breen, president of Simware Inc., emphasized the Mobidem's
connection to central computing resources. Simware usually offers
3270 connections to mainframes over X.25 networks or async
connections, and announced SplitSecond RF, a new software package
which reduces screen data needs by 70%, allowing for connections
between laptops and mainframes through the Mobidem. He said the
company will also work on client-server systems for the
Mobidem.

Finally Warren Armstrong, managing director of Speedwing Mobile
Communications, a unit of British Air, talked about his own
application for Mobidems, for which he'll be an industry systems
integrator. He showed how stewardesses and ground personnel can
use the Mobidem for mobile check-ins and reservations changes,
how cabin crews can use Mobidems to interrogate departure control
systems, and how engineers can access service records directly
from the tarmac. "Mobile data lets functions take place at the
convenience of the passenger, not the airline or airport, and
this will be a part of the rebuilding of the air traffic which
has to take place this decade," he concluded.

In answer to a question, Frezza said there is nothing to prevent
the same technology from being applied to other frequencies, like
cellular and emergency radio channels, and that Ericsson-GE was
open to all kinds of opportunities.

(Dana Blankenhorn/19920128/Press Contact: William Frezza,
Ericsson GE, 201-599-4265)


(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00027)

 ****Fujitsu Swallows Poqet, Aims At Wireless, Portable Mkts 01/28/92
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Fujitsu,
which already has 85 percent ownership of Poqet Computer, has
announced both companies plan to merge. Poqet, which was founded
in 1988, is known for its very small, hand-held portable
computers and pen-based computer hardware.

The merger decision came as a result of a joint decision to
pursue the super portable pen-based and communicating computer
markets at corporate and government levels in North America and
Europe. The companies hope to focus on field automation such as
data collection, sales force automation, and field service
automation. Poqet says the merger is expected to have little
impact on its current day-to-day operations.

Fujitsu and Poqet say they will focus their efforts on
developing systems that feature the use of pen-based input and
wireless communications. Poqet is already moving in those
directions with the recent introduction of the 1.2-pound
Poqetpad computer and a 2.2-pound wireless Communicating
Computer.

Poqet, headquartered in Santa Clara, has operations and offices
in Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and international
offices in England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and
The Netherlands.

Fujitsu, a Japanese company formed in 1935, is known for its
electronic devices such as computer, telecommunications
devices, and semiconductors. The company estimates it has more
than 115,000 employees world-wide.

(Linda Rohrbough/19920128/Press Contact: Robert Owens, Poqet,
tel [phone], Fax: area-number)


(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00028)

 ****Wang Seeks Import Ban Over Patent Infringement 01/28/92
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Wang
Laboratories has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to
ban imports of computers that infringe its patents on single
in-line memory modules (SIMMs). Products from eight firms are said
to infringe the patents, which were upheld in a court ruling last
summer against two major Japanese manufacturers.

Last August, the United States Federal District Court in
Alexandria, Virginia, ordered NEC and Toshiba to pay royalties
on 18 months' sales of SIMMs deemed to infringe the patents, and
granted an injunction against further sales. Damages amounted to
$3.3 million.

NEC and Toshiba were ordered to pay royalties of 2.75 to four
percent on all sales of infringing products in the United States
between the beginning of 1990 and the end of June, 1991.

In November, Wang announced a licensing agreement giving Micron
Technology the right to manufacture SIMMs using Wang's technology.
Company spokesman Ed Pignone told Newsbytes that the companies
had agreed not to disclose the amount of money involved, but that
the settlement included a $2-million payment from Micron
Technology to Wang for past infringement on Wang's patents.

Wang said it sent notices of infringement to 14 other SIMM
manufacturers in late 1989, offering to license its SIMM patents to
them.

Wang's patents, which run through the year 2004, cover the SIMM
structure, a widely used memory device in IBM-compatible personal
computers and peripheral devices. The patents only affect certain
SIMM designs, not all SIMMs on the market, Pignone said.

The trade commission is expected to rule on Wang's petition by late
February.

(Grant Buckler/19920128/Press Contact: Ed Pignone, Wang,
508-967-4912)


(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029)

New QMS Laser Printer Speeds Network Tasks 01/28/92
MOBILE, ALABAMA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- QMS has announced a
new high-end Postscript laser printer intended for use on
networks. QMS-PS 1700 is a 17 page-per-minute, RISC-based, 600-
dpi laser printer which carries a suggested U.S. list price of
$7,995 and is available now.

The QMS-PS 1700 is designed to connect directly to the backbone
of a Token Ring or Ethernet network instead of through a file
server, making it much faster, and is intended to service the
needs of up to 20 regular users.

The printer is controlled by an Intel 80960 CA/25-MHz RISC-based
processor and comes standard with 8 megabytes of RAM memory but
can be expanded to 32 megabytes.

Using the same technology as Adobe Type Manager software to
provide faster font scaling, the QMS-PS 1700 comes with 35
standard typefaces, four additional typefaces from the Helvetica
Condensed family, and six typefaces from the Adobe Garamond
family, for a grand total of 45 resident typefaces.

Output is user-selectable at either 300 by 300 or 600 by 600 dpi
using the 17-ppm Canon NX engine. Duty cycle is 50,000 pages-per-
month of up to legal-size paper.

(John McCormick/19920128/Press Contact: Ann Strople, QMS, 205-
639-4474)


(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00030)

 ****Virus-Infecting Leading Edge Cmptrs Won't Die March 6 01/28/92
COMPTON, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1992 JAN 28 (NB) -- Computer users
who have purchased a Leading Edge computer anytime since
December 10, 1991 will be glad to know the Michelangelo virus
that might be on their computer will NOT wipe out their hard
disk on March 6, 1992 as some media sources have reported.

Leading Edge Products has notified dealers and customers that as many
as 500 of its IBM-compatible PCs shipped in December may be infected
with the Michelangelo virus. The machines were shipped between
December 10 and December 27 from the company's assembly plant in
Compton, California. Susan Zephir of Leading Edge Products in Westmoro,
Massachusetts said the virus may have originated in equipment
provided by a subcontractor for its IBM-clone personal
computers. The company is still tracking the source of the
virus, Zephir said.

A virus is a rogue program designed to destroy or corrupt the
information stored on a computer's hard or floppy disks.
They're called viruses because the programs are spread in much
the same way as physical viruses are spread among people. The
viruses are designed to "hide" from users and attach themselves
to floppy disks which users exchange and unknowingly help
infect other computers.

The Associated Press and the New York Times have reported the
virus, called the Michelangelo virus will erase the hard disks
of the infected on the computers on March 6, the birthday of
the artist, but that is simply not true.

John McAfee, of McAfee Associates, a company specializing in
the tracking and elimination of computer viruses said it is a
common misconception that the Michaelangelo virus will erase files
on March 6. As some viruses, such as the Columbus Day virus, do
monitor the computer's date setting and react on a certain
date, that's an easy rumor to get started.

Any program's code looks to the average person like a series of
smiley faces, playing card suits and random numbers, but it is
really instructions to the computer. However, part of the
function of a some virus detection programs is to look for a
statement or phrase in the code that might tip the user that
this code is a virus -- for example the statement "Gotcha" or
"Your hard disk has just been erased." In this particular
program, McAfee said the "word" Michaelangelo was found imbedded
in the code, and hence the name of the virus.

McAfee did say the Michelangelo virus is not harmless however,
and can cause users difficulty in formatting 5 1/4-inch disks,
system crashes, conflicts with memory-resident programs, and in
extreme cases, loss of all data on the hard disk due to loss of
the file allocation table (FAT).

McAfee told Newsbytes the story is a common one. He
said his company gets at least five calls a week from hardware
or software vendors who have distributed a virus to users.

Leading Edge is doing and will continue to do its best to
eliminate the virus, Zephir said. Company technicians were sent to
warehouses to fix computers that had not already been sold. Also
the buyers of PCs already shipped were being tracked down and
mailed McAfee and Associates Viruscan and Clean-up software
that eliminates the virus, Zephir said.

(Linda Rohrbough & Grant Buckler/19920128/Press Contact: Susan Zephir,
Leading Edge, 508-836-4800; John McAfee, McAfee
Associates, tel [phone], fax [phone])