Newsbytes - International Computing Industry News 1983 May to 1994 June

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(NEWS)(APPLE)(ATL)(00001) More On Apple LC520 Launch At Education Show 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Apple officially released its LC 520, a new Macintosh aimed at the education market, at the National Educational Computer Conference. The LC 520 features a built-in CD-ROM drive, stereo sound and a color display with an all-in-one design, meaning it can be plugged into a schoolroom and used almost like a TV. Apple said it is targeting the LC 520 at the K-12 education market and timing the release of the product to that market. In the US, the LC 520 will be available only to K-12 and higher education markets. Outside the US it will be offered only in Canada, again for the education market, and in Japan, where the fact it takes little deskspace means, according to Apple, that it's suited to the multimedia market. At the show, the company's K-12 division also announced a suite of new products and programs aimed at maintaining its lead in the market. Headlining the effort is the Personal LaserWriter 300, a new laser printer schools can buy for $569. Apple also announced a special hardware and software bundle aimed at preschoolers, focused on older LCs with disk-based software, as well as training programs for preschool teachers and administrators. Apple's booth at NECC also showcases 15 new software packages. Apple also offered proof of its market leadership. It showed a study from Field Research Corporation estimating about $5 billion was spent on the K-12 market in 1991, with Apple holding a 60% share of the installed base. Apple also sees a big growth market in CD-ROM, with a drive included in the LC 520. It showed numbers from Link Resources showing a 50 percent annual growth rate in in-school CD-ROMs, and said 60 percent of schools will have them in two years. Cheryl Vedoe, vice president and general manager of the K-12 division, noted this is the first time Apple has introduced a new product at an education conference. She said Apple has seen an improvement in academic achievement over the last 10 years, but admitted it's not enough. "Our educators have a challenge that goes beyond educating," she added, "compensating for the family environment that's so important." She also noted that public expenditures, per pupil, are going up, but without much result. Vedoe said technology must be seen as a catalyst for education reform, turning students into knowledge builders, and teachers into facilitators. To keep its lead in the market, Apple is pricing the new products aggressively. Schools can get a fully set-up LC 520, with 5 megabytes of memory, the CD-ROM, and an 80-megabyte hard drive, for about $1,700 per unit. That's an institution price -- consumer prices will be higher. "Our focus has been to drive down the price point of color Macintoshes to meet the needs of the education market," said Vedoe, "to put as many computers in front of as many students and teachers as possible." The goal isn't to teach computer literacy, however, but to make PCs a pervasive tool on which teachers can base their whole curriculum. Beyond the computers and lower prices, what is most evident from Apple's announcement is it wants to be known as an Integrated Learning Systems vendor, a single source for educational computing solutions to schools, taking over a market now dominated by Jostens Learning Systems. Jenny House, an Apple marketing officer, made a subtle dig at Josten's during her presentation by categorizing ILS as a "computer lab" market, on which of course Apple isn't focusing. The use of technology in schools has barely scratched the market, Vedoe insisted, with students now getting their hands on computers only once a day or less. That's why Apple, which is otherwise troubled with doubts about its future, is aiming big-time at the K-12 market. Apple is also aiming at a new learning market it calls the Learning Enterprise, or "schools without walls," House said. "We know a lot of schools are just getting into enterprise computing right now," she said, "while others are looking heavily at networks. We're providing models" so classrooms, teacher desks, administrators, and homes can all be linked up, using education software tools, into "learning communities." To make that happen, House added, Apple is also going to be active in politics, supporting the America 2000 program as well as state and federal legislation to fund technology purchases. (Dana Blankenhorn/19930628/Press Contact: Bill Keegan, Apple Computer, 408-974-5460l; customer contact: 800-793-3382; FAX: 512-919-2992) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00002) Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media Over Last Two Weeks 06/29/93 WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Roundup is usually a brief look at some computer stories carried in other publications received here this past week but, because the bureau which compiles Roundup has been on vacation, this issue covers the past two weeks. PC Magazine has begun expanded network coverage with the Network Edition dated June 19. The same issue looks at Pentium processor-based machines as both servers and desktop machines and in particular looks at how the new Peripheral Component Interconnect or PCI architecture being pushed by Intel will help get the most out of Pentium systems by putting the video graphics chip, network, SCSI, and other basic I/O functions on a separate bus rather than having the standard ISA, EISA, or MCA bus handle these and processor functions. BYTE for July also focuses on the Pentium and says that most vendors have just added a daughterboard to carry the 64-bit Pentium in their old 486-systems rather than redesign the entire computer to accommodate the much more powerful chip's greater need for special I/O access. The ALR Evolution V-Q is the only machine cited in the article that actually puts the Pentium on the motherboard and that system, along with the NCR System 3360, are the only ones that feature completely redesigned systems. Older NCRs already used separate processor boards for their microprocessor components. CommunicationsWeek for June 21 says that Hybrid switches from Hypercom will let network managers combine SNA and TCP/IP protocols over a single circuit. Boardwatch Magazine for July looks at 322 St. Louis BBS systems and says that Hayes' new sysop price of only $179 for an external Optima 144 + Fax144 will cause a revolution in the way BBS operators look at high-speed 14,400 bps modems. High-Tech Marketing News for June says that PC makers have been caught by surprise that new multimedia systems are going into homes, as might be expected from the large number of non- business software titles. Unfortunately, most system builders had envisioned (and priced) multimedia systems for office users rather than the home market, according to the front page article, and may miss the multimedia boat. The June 21 Federal Computer Week says that Comdisco has won the five-year, $50 million interagency disaster recovery contract to supply backup systems and recovery services for IBM and DEC mainframes in various agencies. Computerworld for the week of June 21 reports that airborne electronic mail and other wireless networking systems are gaining ground in their attempt to displace hard-wired networks. The recent Electronic Mail Association conference in Atlanta witnessed the first interoperability effort among radio-nets, e-mail radio net implementations, and other milestone products. Computerworld for June 14 says that Compaq will introduce a new line of large-scale servers for as little as $5,000 this fall. Included in the newly designed servers will be such mainframe- like features as component monitoring, auto-power down procedures, utilization monitors for performance tuning, and support for up to four processors. Software will, according to the report, be upgraded by CD-ROM and all the new servers will include a CD-ROM drive. Government Computer News dated June 21 says that the first orders are being placed under Desktop IV and that the first ZDS (Zenith Data Systems) Z-433D+ system offered is "a humdinger." The front page story also says that GTSI won't raise its prices even if the distributor adds 486-based systems to its offering on the new Desktop IV schedule. (John McCormick/19930628/) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00003) British Robot Invades US - NECC Show 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- At the National Educational Computing Conference in Orlando this week, a British company is showing off a robot that has already made it by the thousands into British schoolrooms. Roamer is a robot from Valiant Technology Ltd. of London, England. Roamer looks like a volleyball someone cut in half. It can be programmed to move along a flat surface in a procedural and control language similar to Logo. It has buttons on its top and connectors which can be used to give it "arms" that do a variety of things. Dan Catlin of Valiant said 33,000 have been sold in the UK for use in schools, and a few school boards, like one in Grand Rapids, MI, have taken to them here. The top is so plain it almost demands dressing-up. Various Roamers in the Valiant booth were masquerading as square-dancers, mailmen, and firemen. Sensors can be attached to help Roamer react to the environment, and with the addition of a control box, students can even add a waving wand. Plus, at $279, it's affordable. The same company makes a more expensive robot, called the Turtle, with pens on its bottom that is programmable, in full-fledged Logo for true "turtle graphics." "It's very simple," Catlin saId. "You switch it on, press a button and it goes. But it can challenge university students with thinking projects." By dressing it up and giving it things to do, "it puts math into a real situation children can relate to." (Dana Blankenhorn/19930628/Press Contact: Dan Catlin, Valiant, 370 Old York Road, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1SP, England, +081- 874-8747) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00004) Tripping Along With Trip - NECC Show 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Trip Hawkins turned out to be the most controversial guest to hit NECC in some time. He charmed the press, and most attendees, but many old-time exhibitors complained bitterly his speech was nothing but a sales pitch, without any attempt to disguise it. And then, in the atrium of the Marriott World Resort center, he held a press conference. Basically, he suggested, all those school districts which are considering the purchase of technology this year should put their checkbooks away. "If I was serving grades K-7, I would not spend money on PCs right now. For younger children it's an inefficient way to spend money." About the best thing that widespread use of computers has done in business is, thanks to e-mail, force executives to learn to type. "Technology has to be whipped into shape," he said. "PCs are too expensive and hard to use" for most schools." His own $700 boxes, which combine RISC technology, a proprietary operating system, and a multi-purpose CD drive, are something else again. "If 3DO is going to fail, someone will have to bring out something better." Hawkins continually impressed reporters with how simple the 3DO machines would be to use. "Teachers don't need training to use TVs or VCRs" and that's how simple 3DO will be. While networking isn't an initial part of the business plan, Hawkins insisted it's just a matter of time. "In the long run it's essential to be networked. Computers don't achieve their destiny unless they're networked. 3DO will be networkable" from the start. It's just that entertainment applications can quickly bring the product to the mass market, so entertainment applications will be the first to emerge. "For something to really succeed in changing society it has to reach a mass audience. Videogames and computers," despite big sales, "haven't done that. TVs and VCRs have. Computer technology has great potential because it engages the mind. But it will take 20-30 years for people not to think it's hype." Hawkins also addressed the move by cable television companies to test interactive technologies. The big threat here is that TeleCommunications Inc., may bring Microsoft to Time Warner and force a standard for cable interactivity based on Microsoft Windows before 3DO can get going. "What cable companies should be interested in is standardization," Hawkins said. "It's important for cable companies to do some experimenting first, however. When you think about a company like Time Warner building a full service network, you don't want to make a mistake. What will emerge from Cablesoft," which many feel is Microsoft's wedge into dominating cable, "is a specification" that companies selling 3DO devices may meet. And the company that meets or exceeds them, at the lowest cost, will win out. (Dana Blankenhorn/19930628) (NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005) Scholastic Online System -- NECC Show 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Scholastic Inc., announced an online network in collaboration with America Online. The Scholastic Network, actually a special section of the larger service, has been in beta test with about 300 teachers for some months, General Manager John Lent told Newsbytes. The network will cost $16.95 per month, for which users can stay online for up to 5 hours, including time spent with the parent service. Lent said that e-mail was the most popular use of the system during tests, although a lot of the beta testers wanted data that only Scholastic, the largest textbook publisher, can provide. That includes an online encyclopedia, databases of teaching materials, instant access to Scholastic magazines, curriculum guides and other educational materials. "It's the first network designed specifically for teachers and students," he said, "focused on interactivity in a coherent, managed environment." By managed, he insisted, he's not talking about a system like Prodigy, which takes down message bases when they get too controversial. During the beta test phase, Lent said, no problems requiring such moves occurred. Lent admits he's excited and a little nervous pending the network's official September 1 launch. "We budgeted conservatively, and there are days when 10,000 users seems high, and others when it seems like no problem." Newsbytes asked Lent about the decision-making process leading to Scholastic's decision to work with AOL, which uses Stratus machines. We finally decided that we didn't want to run a system. We wanted to focus on interactivity and content. There's a lot about America Online that will be of interest to teachers. But we know classrooms and teachers." (Dana Blankenhorn/19930629/Press Contact: Linda Lehrer, Scholastic Inc., 212-505-3736) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00006) National Education Computing Conference Overview 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- With 5,123 attendees, many of whom brought their children, this was the biggest National Educational Computing Conference yet. On the whole, those in attendance are excellent teachers, proud of their achievements, here to celebrate as much as learn. Instead of spending the evenings schmoozing in hospitality suites, these attendees went to special nights, paid-for in part by vendors, at local theme parks. Still, there's an air of unreality about all this. At this show, messaging systems sponsored by Apple and an "Internet Corner" with online access were popular attractions. Many were quick to admit that, back home, it's quite different. The US has one computer for each 16 students, grades K-12, according to Quality Education Data. And often that computer is an ancient Apple II or worse, locked into a "lab" students may be able to work with for one hour, or less, once a week. Except for a small number of pilot projects, sponsored by Apple, IBM's EduQuest, or other vendors, multimedia remains a dream for most teachers. The fear is this won't change. Computers and networks are not really part of the national debate on education, despite some talk coming from the Clinton Administration. Vice President Al Gore cancelled his speech here two weeks ago, and the sponsors were frankly relieved to be done with the security headache. Instead, this remains a week to celebrate small-scale icons like Jan Davidson, who's been in educational computing since the 1980s, and to talk about individual achievements in panels that fill each day. Sometimes, as in the press room, the frustration comes out. Some reporters admit they're sending their kids to private schools, either because they're afraid for their safety in public schools, or because public schools favor boys over girls, or because they think the public schools are no good. The public debate over public schools is driven by politicians and political causes, either "public-private choice" on one side or "political correctness" on the other. Technology, which could scramble the mix by giving control of education to students, isn't even on the radar screen. Most here admit that. What it will take to put technology onto the school reform radar screen is the subject of much debate. (Dana Blankenhorn/19930629) (NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00007) PC Expo - Sales Of "P-3s" To Reach $3.5 Billion By '98 06/29/93 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Sales of "next generation" handheld computing and communicating devices will shoot up 53% annually to a total of $3.5 billion in 1998, says a new survey by Link Resources and International Data Corp. (IDC), announced today at PC Expo. Communications will be the "killer function" for many users, according to the study, which examined demand for a new market segment dubbed "P-3s" (Personal Productivity Partners). The new P-3 category includes PDAs (personal digital assistants), personal information organizers, pen-based notepads, handheld multimedia or CD-ROM devices, and anticipated consumer-oriented products, researchers stated in releasing the results. Some of the P-3s are personal communications devices used for multiple functions throughout the day, some will act as knowledge- based assistants to skilled workers like nurses or auditors, and others will aim at improving the productivity of executives and entrepreneurs. "There is excitement, uncertainty and doubt wrapped around the market for P-3 devices. The airwaves are awash with vendor evangelism about P-3s, but this study provides important user response to the adoption, usage, pricing, and future success of products in this embryonic marketplace," commented Bruce Stephen, director of PC Hardware Research at IDC. The report determined that data and voice communications and services are needed by over 80% of potential P-3 buyers. Further, P-3 products are dividing into two broad categories: extensions of desktop PCs and scaled-down systems that are optimized for mobile use and long battery life. Coordination of files and schedules, plus messaging, are mobile workers' primary applications. Miniaturization of existing desktop or notebook components may be adequate for desktop extension applications, but not for scaled- down devices, the researchers found. Where desktop extension users typically tend to generate data, mobile users are net consumers of data, from e-mail to voice and from handwriting to images. The study also predicted that significant market growth will be delayed until vendors develop and effectively market systems that provide the mobile user with well-defined benefits. Success of the new devices will depend not only on their hardware features, but on their integration with communications networks and services, the researchers concluded. (Jacqueline Emigh/19930629/Press contact: Michael French, LINK Resources Corp., tel 212-627-1500) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00008) PC Expo - 1993 Data Preservation Awards Are Launched 06/29/93 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- On the first day of PC Expo, 3M launched the 1993 Data Preservation Awards, a program created in association with a dozen user groups to curb the estimated $4 billion in productivity losses suffered by US organizations each year from inadequate protection of PC-based data. The new program will give tribute to individuals who have created outstanding PC data backup and protection policies for organizations, 3M officials said in making the announcement. The program is an outgrowth of a 1992 Intelliquest study showing that about two-thirds of intensive users in US businesses are either unprotected by formal data safeguard policies or unaware of their existence. Judging for the awards program will be conducted by a blue-ribbon nomination review board of journalists, corporate users, and user group leaders based on five criteria: originality, execution, communication, motivation, and creative thinking. Winners, their organizations, and their nominators will be honored at a ceremony at Fall Comdex. The Grand Prize winner will receive an engraved crystal trophy produced by Tiffany & Co., plus a travel package for two to New Orleans, the site of Preservation Hall. The package will include round trip airfare, $100 in spending money, and a four-night stay at the Hotel Inter-Continental New Orleans. Cash awards will be presented to the Second Prize winner, as well as to the nominators of both the Grand Prize and Second Prize winners. "Several major trends -- the rise of distributed information systems, the ballooning of personal computer storage capacities, and expanded access to more sophisticated applications and greater quantities of information -- have increased both the value and vulnerability of personal computer-based data," explained Michael Stevens, business development director for 3M's Data Storage Tape Technology Division. "Those people who have been savvy enough to link personal computer data backup and protection and their companies' overall business health -- whether administrative assistant or CIO -- merit formal recognition," he added. In the study that spurred the awards program, IntelliQuest determined that significant data losses have already affected more than one of every four intensive PC users. In addition, roughly half of all business users expect to sustain a serious loss at one time or another. Meanwhile, only 18 percent of businesses with fewer than 10 employees have instituted formal backup policies, and the rate is scarcely more than double this number for much larger organizations. Just 40 percent of firms with more than 500 employees, and 44 percent of companies with LANs (local area networks) installed have formal backup policies in place, according to the survey. Nomination forms for the new awards program can be obtained by calling 1-800-888-1889, extension 33, through some electronic bulletin boards and online services, and through several supporting user groups. User groups participating in the awards program include the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), the Berkeley Macintosh Users Group, the Boston Computer Society, Capital PC User Group Inc., the Chicago Computer Society, the New York MacUsers' Group, the New York Personal Computer Users Group, the North Orange County Computer Club, the Sacramento PC Users Group, the San Francisco PC Users Group, the Silicon Valley Computer Society, and Washington Apple Pi. (Jacqueline Emigh/19930629/Reader contact: tel 800-888-1889, ext 33; Press contacts: Kris W. Chvatal, Fleishman-Hillard Inc. for 3M Data Storage Products, tel 213-629-4974; Larry Teien, 3M Data Storage Products, tel 612-736-5961) (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00009) British Telecom To Limit Premium Rate Phone Line Access 06/29/93 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- British Telecom (BT) has announced plans to block direct access to premium rate phone lines starting in July 1994. From that date onwards, customers will have to contact BT for a PIN (personal identification number) which will allow them access to the so-called adult lines from any phone in the UK, charging such calls to their account. Although information is sparse as Newsbytes goes to press, there is a strong suggestion that the PIN code to be offered by BT is merely a special calling card number, which will access the BT charge card system by dialling 144. According to a BT spokesman, the PIN code system will work "all over the UK," charging calls back to the user's account. The ban could cause problems for phone users wanting access to non- adult services, Newsbytes notes. BT has no way of knowing what services are available on different numbers. The revenue that BT will forego as a result of its restriction is huge. BT admits that its premium rate numbers attract around 100,000 calls a day, with an average of 45 pence per call spent. Newsbytes notes that the adult phone services account for around 12 percent of the UKP 200 million a year premium rate phone industry in the UK. (Steve Gold/19930629) (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00010) British Government To Announce BT Prospectus Today 06/29/93 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Kenneth Clarke, the newly appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, will today announce full details of the British Government's sale of its remaining 22 percent stake in British Telecom. The details will be of major interest to potential investors, mainly because the prospectus issued today will give precise details of company assets, plans for the future and its general trading position. Of most interest, however, will be the views of Oftel, the government-appointed regulatory body for telecoms, which is expected to detail its plans in the BT prospectus. The British Government is pouring vast quantities of cash into its marketing campaign to encourage potential investors to register their interest in the BT3 sell-off early. It is now almost impossible to see an ad break on TV without one of the several lengthy adverts encouraging viewers to register early. The early registrations close on July 2, after which time new share buyers will not receive any bonus share allocations. Registering for information with a share shop or the share information office gives British citizens the chance to take a discount of 10p a share on the second and third installments or to receive bonus shares on holdings kept until 1996. (Steve Gold/19930629) (NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00011) UK - BT Opens Interconnect Charge Plans 06/29/93 LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- British Telecom has admitted defeat on its behind the scenes negotiations with third-party telephone companies wanting access to its local network into subscriber's houses and offices. To date, the negotiations have been secret and behind closed doors, but now BT wants to publish a table of rates for allowing local access to the competition. The change is a direct response to a consultative set of documents issued earlier this year by Oftel, the government-sponsored office of telecoms regulation, which said that BT must let the telecoms industry know how much it costs to run its national network, and how much interconnects with third-party telecom companies actually cost. BT will be publishing two sets of tariffs. Tariff A, Newsbytes understands, applies to interconnection services on BT's local network. Tariff B, meanwhile is for competitive national and international switching capacity, the so-called toll access. BT is now throwing down the gauntlet with many of its competitors, claiming that they should now commit to publishing prices later this year. In its consultative document Oftel has requested that interconnection charges should be "at levels which are both efficient and sustainable so that no under- or over-recovery of BT's costs would generally result." (Steve Gold/19930629) (NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00012) Phiber Optik Trial To Start 06/29/93 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- The trial in federal court of Mark Abene, well known throughout the hacker community as "Phiber Optik," is scheduled to begin on July 6th in the Southern District of New York. The trial, to be presided by Judge Louis Stanton, will take place in Courtroom 444 in the New York City's Federal Courthouse at Foley Square. Abene was indicted on July 8 of last year along with John Lee, Julio Fernandez, Eli Ladopoulos, and Paul Stira, on a variety of charges relating to computer intrusion and telecom fraud. In the interim, Lee, Fernandez, Ladopoulos, and Stira have pled guilty to lesser charges. Lee has been sentenced to a year and day in federal prison and Fernandez is reported to have become a witness for the government. Stira and Ladopoulos are scheduled to be sentenced on July 23. Lawrence Schoenbach, attorney for Abene, told Newsbytes, "We are all looking forward to the trial and the litigation of the issues involved. This is a trial for the 21st Century and addresses the questions of how much the government can interfere with the search for knowledge and how far it can intrude into personal communication." Schoenbach added that he expected the trial to take a few months. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Fishbein declined to comment on a case about to go to trial, telling Newsbytes, "We will be making our profound statements in court." The trial is expected to provide the cornerstone for a book by Joshua Quittner and Michelle Slatalla, Newsday reporters, who having been covering the case since the indictment. Quittner told Newsbytes that he is taking a leave of absence from his Newsday duties for the duration of the trial. (Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19930629) (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00013) BoCoEx Index 06/29/93 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Boston Computer Exchange for the week ending June 25, 1993. Closing Prices from the Boston Computer Exchange Machine Main Closing Price Ask Bid Drive Price Change IBM PS1 386SX/25 130 MgB 850 900 750 IBM PS/2 Model 70-A21 120 MgB 875 950 800 IBM PS/2 Model 56SLC/20 120 MgB 1050 1300 900 IBM PS/2 Model 55SX 60 MgB 650 800 700 IBM ThinkPad 300 80 MgB 1400 1500 1325 IBM ThinkPad 700 80 MgB 1850 2400 2000 IBM ThinkPad 700C 120 MgB 3600 3700 3500 IBM V\P 3/25T MOD. 80 80 MgB 1500 1600 1500 IBM PS/2 Model 90-OH9 160 MgB 1700 1700 1600 IBM PS/2 Model 95-OJF 400 MgB 3000 3300 2700 Compaq Prolinea 4/66 340 MgB 2000 2150 2000 Compaq Prolinea 486/50 240 MgB 1450 1500 1200 Compaq Portable 386 100 MgB 650 800 600 Compaq SLT-386 120 MgB 925 950 850 Compaq LTE-286 40MgB 600 700 600 Compaq LTE-LITE 3/25 120MgB 1350 1450 1200 Compaq LTE-LITE 4/25C 120MB 3450 3600 3400 Compaq SysProXL 1.02 Gig 8,100 12,500 6,000 Compaq Syspro 486/50 Mod 1 6700 8500 6500 Compaq Prosigna 486 /33 550 MgB 3500 3800 3350 Compaq Portable 486/66 525 MgB 3650 4000 3500 Compaq DeskP 486DX2/66i 240 MgB 2100 2400 1900 AST Prem Exec 386SX20 40 MgB 675 750 650 NEC UltraLite 25C 80 M0gB 2000 3400 3300 NEC UltraLite Versa 20C 80 MgB 2850 2950 2800 Zenith Mastersprt-386SX 60 MgB 800 900 800 Zenith SuperSport 386SX 40 MgB 650 800 650 Macintosh Classic 40 MgB 600 650 600 Macintosh Classic II 40 MgB 750 800 700 Macintosh SE 40 MgB 575 650 550 Macintosh SE-30 80 MgB 1050 1150 1000 Macintosh LC 40 MgB 1000 1300 800 Macintosh II 40 MgB 1250 1300 1250 Macintosh II SI 80 MgB 1200 1300 1200 Macintosh II CX 80 MgB 1450 1550 1400 Macintosh II CI 80 MgB 2150 2250 2000 Macintosh II FX 80 MgB 2600 2800 2600 Macintosh Quadra 700 160 MgB 3050 3100 3000 Macintosh Quadra 900 160 MgB 3700 4000 3600 Macintosh Powerbk 165C 80 MgB 2400 2500 2400 Macintosh Powerbk 145 40 MgB 1450 1550 1400 Macintosh Powerbk 180 80 MgB 2925 down 25 3100 2900 Apple Imagewriter 2 200 ` 225 175 Apple Laserwriter IINT 900 1000 900 HP Laserjet II 675 700 650 HP Laserjet IIISI 2200 2300 2000 Toshiba T-1200 20 MgB 350 375 350 Toshiba T-1600 40 MgB 525 575 500 Toshiba T-2000 SX 40 MgB 700 800 700 Toshiba T-2000 SXE 40 MgB 800 900 750 Toshiba T-2200 SX 80MgB 900 1000 900 Toshiba T-3100 20 MgB 400 400 400 Toshiba T-3200 40 MgB 550 700 500 Toshiba T-3200 SX 40 MgB 600 750 500 Toshiba T-3200 SXC 120 MgB 1850 2000 1800 Toshiba T-6400DX 200 MgB 2200 2300 2100 Toshiba T-4400C 120 MgB 3025 3100 2900 Toshiba T-5200 200 MgB 2100 2200 1900 BoCoEx Index data is compiled by Market Analyst, Gary M. Guhman Here are some current retail-oriented Seats on the Exchange, presented in a cyclic basis. Dallas - Ft. Worth, TX - DFW Computer Exchange - M.B. Lee - 817-244-7833 Escondido, Ca. - Affordable Computer Solutions - Dean Jacobus - 619-738- 4980 New Orleans, Louisiana - Audubon Computer Rental - Mike Barry - 504-522- 0348 Detroit, Michigan - CompuCycle - Walt Hogan - 313-887-2600 Computer Exchange\\NorthWest - Dye Hawley - 206-820-1181 Albuquerque, NM, Western Computer Exchange - David Levin - 505-265-1330 Fresno, California - MacSource Computers - Mike Kurtz - 209-438-6227 BoCoEx Index prices are based on complete systems with keyboard, VGA monitor and adapter, less the value of any software or peripherals. Boston Computer Exchange is available at: 617-542-4414, Buyer's HotLine: 1-800-262-6399, In Alaska and Canada 1-800-437-2470, FAX: 617-542-8849. (BOCOEX/19930629) (NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00014) Links To Notes, Databases In Improv For Windows 2.1 06/29/93 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- A new release of Improv for Windows, Lotus' new-design spreadsheet software, brings the package's first links to Lotus' Notes work-group development software and to database packages, along with network-ready installation and other added touches. Launched at the PC Expo trade show, the software is due to be available in July, Lotus said. The original Improv for Windows release, shipped last February, was meant for stand-alone use. Improv for Windows Release 2.1 adds a network-ready installation procedure that is the same whether you load Improv for stand-alone, network distribution, or server use, the vendor said. Lotus said Improv's installation scheme is now a standard for its entire product line. It was recently added to 1-2-3 for DOS Release 3.4a, 1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows, and the Ami Pro word processor, and soon will be used in all Lotus products. The new Improv also reads and writes .WK4 files from 1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows, which began shipping June 15. Improv for Windows Release 2.1 will ship with Q+E Extend for Improv Starter Edition, technology licensed from Q+E Software, Inc., that lets users query data from various external databases and bring data into Improv worksheets. This is much the same function Lotus' Datalens technology serves in 1-2-3. Q+E Extend for Improv Starter Edition provides access to Borland International's Paradox and dBASE, Btrieve, and Microsoft Excel database formats, as well as text files. Customers may upgrade to Q+E Extend for Improv Client/Server Edition, which gives direct access to more than 20 database formats, for $99 through Q+E Software in Raleigh, North Carolina. Improv for Windows gets its first link to Notes with Application Field Exchange (AFE), which lets users link Lotus Notes fields with a Lotus Improv worksheet. Using AFE, when an Improv worksheet is updated the new values automatically appear in the corresponding Notes document via object linking and embedding (OLE). The AFE technology will also work the other way around -- update the fields of a Notes document and the changes will appear in Improv. While this is Improv's first link to Notes, an upcoming Release 3.0 will provide much closer integration, a spokeswoman for the company said. In a twist on the familiar competitive upgrade ploy, Lotus is offering users of its own 1-2-3 spreadsheet as well as rival products a special deal on Improv as a "second spreadsheet." The Companion Upgrade Edition, which the spokeswoman said is a full version of Improv, is available to licensed users of 1-2-3 (except 1-2-3 for Home), Improv for Next, Symphony, Excel, Quattro Pro, and CA-Compete for a suggested retail price of $199. Versions of Improv for Windows Release 2.1 will be available in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish within 60 days. The suggested retail price of Improv for Windows Release 2.1 is $495. Improv license packs without disk and documentation are available for $395. Improv for Windows Release 2.0 owners can upgrade for a $10 shipping and handling charge through Lotus at 1-800-Tradeup, ext. 8945. (Canadian customers call 1-800- GoLotus.) The update kit does not include Q+E Extend for Improv Starter Edition. Improv for Windows Release 2.1 requires a PC with an 80386 or higher microprocessor, four megabytes (six MB recommended) of available system memory, a hard disk with 12 MB available, and Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher. Network operating systems supported include: Novell Netware 4.0, 3.11, and 2.15c; IBM PC LAN 1.2 and 1.34xs; Banyan VINES 4.0, 4.11, and 5.0; Microsoft LAN Manager 2.1a and 2.2; IBM LAN Server 1.3, 2.0, and 3.0; Digital Equipment's Pathworks 4.1; and NCR's StarGroup 3.5 and 2.1a. (Grant Buckler/19930629/Press Contact: Peter A. Cohen, Lotus, 617-693-1283; Shelly Eckenroth or Toni Mattucci, McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus, 617-862-4514) (NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00015) Apple Canada Coy On Layoff Rumors 06/29/93 MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Apple Canada Inc., will not confirm rumors of impending layoffs, but is careful not to rule out the possibility either. Meanwhile, the company recently replaced its marketing boss. "At this point we have no announcement about the rumored layoffs," company spokeswoman Franca Miraglia told Newsbytes. "It's obvious that business right now is very competitive and we're always reviewing every aspect of our operations." There have been reports of impending job cuts at Apple both here and in the United States. Miraglia also confirmed that Wayne Arcus, former vice-president of marketing, has left the company. She would not comment on the reasons for his departure, saying it was "a personal matter between Wayne Arcus and the company." David Wright, a 10-year veteran of Apple Canada, has been named vice-president of marketing in Arcus' place. (Grant Buckler/19930629/Press Contact: Franca Miraglia, Apple Canada, 416-513-5511) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00016) ****Software Exec Outlines Education Future -- NECC Keynote 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Jan Davidson, president of Davidson Associates, held an the National Educational Computing Conference audience in Orlando in rapt attention during her keynote address. Unlike the sales pitch delivered a day earlier by 3DO's Trip Hawkins, Davidson issued a call to action, asking teachers to think of students as customers to be satisfied, not charges to be led. Her talk, titled, "The Future Isn't What It Used to Be," recalled past conferences where she sat in the audience when people like Al Gore and John Sculley previewed products and concepts which are now common currency. She was obviously thrilled to be in their place, and her audience, recognizing the former teacher as one of their own, seemed genuinely thrilled to hear her. "If anyone is going to change education and ensure that our students will thrive in the 21st century, it's this group," she said. "I took the skills I had developed in education and applied them to running a business," and "I had learned far more than I'd realized about marketing and sales. "The past decade has opened my eyes to how interconnected the school and the workplace really are," she continued. "They both exist for a single purpose: to serve their customers." She continued, "In Information Age classrooms, students will move through the school day in a similar way their adult counterparts move through the workday. They will manage their time. They will have tools. They will have teammates. And they will take responsibility for a given task, leverage their skills, ferret out information needed to solve a problem, and work with classmates to get the job done." She said moves toward school privatization, public-private choice and Whittle's Edison Project are stimulating change toward such a classroom, and such stimulus is a good thing. "In order to serve our customers, we need to embrace the second C of the Information Age: Change." And change isn't something that's done once, but a continual process. "Site-based management, teacher empowerment, team modules for learning and risk taking -- hardly sounds like life in the Little Red Schoolhouse. It's not. It is life in the Information Age. If your school hasn't embarked on a course of change, I challenge you to lead the way." In that change, computers are enablers, not the change itself. "The feeling of empowerment a child experiences when she learns to use a tool on the computer is similar to the feeling of empowerment a child feels when she first learns to ride a bicycle. It's exhilarating!" And it can happen every day, she concluded. "Let's commit ourselves to making computer tools a basic, integral and accessible part of the learning environment," she said. ""It's up to use to go back to our schools and be the change-makers. We all entered this profession to make a difference in the lives of our students. What I'm saying to you today is, that in order to do so, you have to also make a difference in your school." "At our company, we continually improve," she said in an interview with Newsbytes before her talk. "It's just the way we have to be. And schools need that mentality." Davidson is optimistic that technology is becoming part of America's debate on schools. "People are catching on. And we're inserting ourselves into the debate more and more." She cited Julie Saltpeter's "Kids & Computers," from Prentice-Hall's Sams Publishing unit, as being among the books moving the debate forward. Like many other industry veterans, Davidson bristled at suggestions by Trip Hawkins that younger kids should not use computers. "There are powerful products for younger kids -- our Kidworks' and KidCad work with text. And when you work with text you need a keyboard." The proposed 3DO machines will lack keyboards for some time. "I'm not convinced people will want to learn in front of the TV anyway," she added. Davidson also addressed the problem of high-tech obsolescence, the fact that many schools have only old PCs on which her new software won't run. "It does make things difficult for parents who leave their old PCs to their kids. I could ship 10 CGA titles today, but dealers don't want them. We find people complaining that we aren't glitzy. I couldn't get the press or crowds here with CGA (graphics)." For schools, she suggested, "I understand educators want things to stay the same. But they should not think of technology as something you do once. It should be a permanent part of the budget. (Dana Blankenhorn/19930629/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver, Davidson & Associates, 310-793-0600x230; FAX: 310-793-0601) (NEWS)(APPLE)(ATL)(00017) MindPlay Focuses On Macintosh 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Methods & Solutions Inc. of Tucson, Arizona, which does business as MindPlay, announced new Macintosh versions of most of its products. MindPlay focuses on learning games with a videogame-like feel. The announcement was made at the National Educational Computing Conference this week in Orlando. Founder Judi Bliss started the company after her son, David, refused to use the educational software she'd bought for him, preferring videogames. Among the titles now available in Macintosh formats are Crozzwords, Bake & Taste, RoboMath, Chemistry Tutor, Biology Tutor, Ace Reporter and Ace Detective, Math Magic, and Easy Street. The company also announced a new series called the General Science Tutor Series, a three-package, 18-disk set of software for junior and senior high school students in a variety of areas. The company has pricing for teacher editions, which are single PC licenses, lab packs, and networks. Pricing on PC and Macintosh versions are identical in most cases. (Dana Blankenhorn/19930629/Press Contact: Methods & Solutions, Judi Bliss, 602-322-6365; FAX: 602-322-0363) (NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00018) PC Revolutionizes Student Testing 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Remember those cardboard forms you completed for standardized tests with number two pencils? New technology allows a PC to do the job of the old "readers" for those cardboard forms, and allows a teacher to create a form themselves. Bruce Fox, vice president of marketing for Scanning Concepts Inc., Duluth, Minnesota, explained to Newsbytes that three companies -- NCS, Scantron, and his company -- sell the machines which can scan the forms to grade the tests. The technology is called Optical Mark Recognition, or OMR. They sell the machines for very little money. Where they make their money is on forms -- the machines can only read forms the companies make, which can cost as much as 50 cents each. Well, technology marches on, and now Scanning Concepts is out to break up the racket. The company's new program, Slugger, runs on any PC and lets you create a form, printed on a laser printer, which any of the scanners will read. This means you can design a test or questionnaire the night before you give it, Fox explains, without worrying about whether you can get delivery of forms. More important, you can photocopy the forms on any copier -- Fox told Newsbytes the error rate on those forms is about 2 in 3,000. Most of his clients are the computer directors of schools, quality improvement people in hospitals, and survey-makers. He adds the company is developing a prototype for a system which will let you do double-sided forms that can be read. (Dana Blankenhorn/19930629/Press Contact: Bruce Fox, Scanning Concepts Inc., 218-722-4849; FAX: 218-722-5270) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00019) Changing Market For School Computers -- NECC Show 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- MECC, one of the largest software vendors to schools, had a surprisingly small booth at the National Educational Computing Conference, this week in Orlando. Tom Allen discussed the changing nature of the market. This year, he explained, MECC made its big splash at the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, displaying home versions of its latest titles for the first time. Here, the company's emphasis was back on the schools with offers of site licenses on titles for schools and more flexible payment plans to schools. While most advanced computers, like Apple Computer Macintoshes, are usually bought using Federal Title I money aimed at special education students, Allen said, that's slowly changing, with a broader mix of funding for computer hardware. MECC is changing with the market, Allen continued, with its site license policy, which covers all versions of its products including the Mac, PC and Apple II. These are not annual licenses but lifetime purchases, he emphasized. "If I buy a district license, I own that product. Many large districts find an annual site license too restrictive. It's not conducive to long range planning." The higher capacity of new computers has also changed the way schools buy software, Allen continued. "In the Mac and DOS world the purchasing criterion has changed. They're deciding to buy now on a product by product basis. There's more sophistication." The limited abilities of the Apple II forced many districts to demand a single, wide-ranging program from a single vendor. (Dana Blankenhorn/19930629/Press Contact: Pat Kallio, MECC, 612- 569-1640; FAX: 612-569-1551; Customer Contact: 800-685-MECC) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00020) Florida Schoolyear 2000 06/29/93 ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Given this year's National Educational Computing Conference is taking place in Florida, a lot of attention is being paid to how this state is implementing technology in education. Florida's system is more centrally directed than many other states' programs, and its SchoolYear 2000 program is aimed at re-engineering the schools so technology will be useful. Robert Branson of Florida State University in Tallahassee, director of the school's Center for Educational Technology, led a discussion of the program at the NECC press room. The idea is to first re-engineer the learning process, then apply technology. "What are the basic processes that need attention, and how can they be re-engineered?" he asked. "The current model was designed in the early 1900s, when there were no accepted theories of management or science of learning, let alone technology for transmitting data. We're as good as we're going to get under that model." "A learning-based system is different from a teaching-based system," he continued. "You're talking about tools in the hands of the learner, and a system built on that prime function." And the state is willing to listen to any good idea. "Regulations out of Tallahassee are falling like Kansas wheat. Restrictions have been reduced one after another. It's hard to think of something which could be thought of that couldn't be accepted. The state is encouraging the design of a new system," even with direct input from private industry. Trends like CD-ROM, portable computing, and networks are all being applied, but more important is changing the process, Branson continued. "Technology for the most part has been added on to schools. But that just automates chaos. You have to find an integral process technology can support. It won't be important until it's an integral part of education." And political discussions about breaking-up the public system, or funding private schools through vouchers, are stimulating this. "One reason people in education are willing to see alternatives is because they realize there will be competition. As that grows the public sector must respond to it. That's a reality. Our proper design of services will give us a competitive advantage, and provide equity for all students in the state." (Dana Blankenhorn/19930629/Press Contact: SchoolYear 2000 Florida, Betty Castor - Commissioner of Education, 904-644-4720; FAX: 904-644-5803; Robert Branson: email, rbranson@cet.fsu.edu) (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00021) Singapore/India Joint PC Manuf'ing Venture 06/29/93 HYDERABAD, INDIA, 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- The little-over-a-year dormancy of its mainframe manufacturing facility seems to have spurred the public sector giant, Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL), into action. Its search for newer alternatives to keep its machines functional, has culminated in a decision to manufacture PCs, in collaboration with Verness Tech, a Singapore-based PC manufacturer. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a joint venture with equal equity stakes of 50 percent each. The new enterprise will use ECIL's manufacturing facility at Hyderabad for producing the Verness's range of 286-, 386- and 486-based personal computers for the local market. "Local components will be minimal but there will be a considerable amount of value addition," claimed G.R. Pie, general manager, corporate marketing, ECIL. Though Verness will contribute both the design and the components for the PCs, ECIL will market them under its own brand name. The company hopes to launch the PC range within the next three months. The machines will be targeted at ECIL's traditional bulk buying customers in the government and corporate sectors. (C.T. Mahabharat/19930629) (NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00022) India - Siemens To Foray Into Rural Telecom 06/29/93 NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Siemens will continue to invest in India despite its own slow rate of growth during the last two years and the political events in the recent months. This is a commitment and a long-term strategy for India, the chairman of Siemens AG, Germany, V. Pierer, said during a recent visit. The company plans a major foray into rural telecom. It has participated in tenders floated by the Department of Telecommunications for microwave transmission equipment. In addition, the company also plans to harness solar energy in rural areas. Pierer said if there was to be a turnaround of the Indian economy, investments in infrastructure had to be beefed up. He felt that implementation of reforms required to be "speeded up." He also made out a case for lower taxes on the corporate sector. Pierer, however, refused to make any statement on the controversy surrounding the validation tests of the main line exchange installed by Siemens in Calcutta (like all other switching systems this one too failed in the busy-hour call rate test). "All I can say is that the system installed in Calcutta meets the technical norms specified by DOT," he said. Last year, Siemens has set up a software firm Siemens Information Systems Ltd. with more than 100 engineers. "This will go up to 1,000 in the next few years," he said. The German multinational is also planning to set up a software research and development center for its global public switching systems. Software developed at the center will be used for the company's global operations. In the area of transmission equipment, Siemens has already committed to invest Rs 100 crore (about $33 million) for manufacture of the equipment locally. (C.T. Mahabharat/19930629) (NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00023) Fujitsu Creates Online Japan-US Patent Database 06/29/93 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Fujitsu has created a huge in-house database on US patents and inventions which can be accessed on Fujitsu's corporate LAN (local area network) throughout Japan. Fujitsu purchased this database from the US Patent Agency. It contains 1,360,000 patents and inventions and is available through 7,400 personal computers, workstations and CAD (computer-aided design) systems at over 80 locations connected via the LAN. Through this system, researchers and engineers from Fujitsu, its affiliated firms, and laboratories can access the latest patent information from the US. Fujitsu already has a 1,250,000-item patent-related database on Japanese products. Together with this database, a total of 2,610,000 patents can be searched. Fujitsu has spent a total of 550 million yen ($5 million) to create this database on US patents. However, the firm estimates that it will be able to save about 100 million yen ($0.9 million) as a result of its existence because it can check before applying for a patent to see if it has been registered or not. Other Japanese electronics firms are also interested in this database. As a result, Fujitsu is thinking of selling this database in the near future. Major firms such as Matsushita Electric and NEC are also creating similar corporate databases. (Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930628/Press Contact: Fujitsu, +81-3- 3215-5236, Fax, +81-3-3216-9365) (NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00024) Japan - Computer Sales Down In 1992 06/29/93 TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Dataquest Japan has announced that computer shipments dropped sharply in Japan in 1992. This reflects the serious slump in the industry. Although sales of large-scale computers went down, sales of personal computers went up slightly. So, this reflects the downsizing trend. Dataquest Japan recently surveyed 200 computer hardware firms in Japan and found total shipment of computers in Japan for 1992 was worth 2.145 trillion yen ($19.5 billion), which was 15.8 percent lower than the previous year. This is the first big dip in Japan's computer history. Shipment of mainframe computers was 31.7 percent of total computer shipments. Shipments were down 1.5 percent from the previous year. Mid-range office computers were also down by 1.4 percent. In contrast, sales of workstations and personal computers went up 1.5 percent and 1.4 percent respectively. As a result, the total ratio of workstations and personal computers was 37.1 percent of the total computer shipment. Many US and Taiwanese personal computer makers released low-cost personal computers in Japan last year, and they are releasing more powerful low-cost PCs in Japan this year. These PCs run on the DOS/V system and support the Japanese language. (Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930629/Press Contact: Data Quest Japan, +81-3-5566-0411, Fax, +81-3-5566-0425) (NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00025) San Jose's Center For Software Development Opens 06/29/93 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- A non-profit software development center has been opened in San Jose, California, on the edge of Silicon Valley. Susan Hammer, Mayor of San Jose, formally opened the Center for Software Development at a ceremony attended by local officials and members of the software and computer industries. Those attending the opening saw demonstrations of such computer technology as pen-based mobile computers, virtual reality and game animation and games. According to the official press release, the center was created "to help software firms and individual developers bring better software to market more quickly." Originally formed by the city of San Jose, Novell, and the Software Entrepreneurs Forum, it now involves a number of other computer, software and support companies. In connection with the opening, Stayton Addison Jr., executive director, said: "The center opens at a critical juncture when new choices in technology promise software developers great opportunities but present significant challenges to them. We believe the center will help them meet those challenges. They can now test their software at the center on a wide variety of computer hardware and software. The center and its supporters have set up special capabilities for hard-to-find international systems and new pen-based mobile computers." The center also houses the Software Industry Resource Center, a repository of business and technical information, including an extensive database of firms that help and support software companies: investors, lawyers, accounting firms and marketing and technical partners. Its International Lab helps developers adapt products for sale in other countries and markets. Said Mayor Hammer, "The center is a unique partnership between our local government and private industry to fuel economic growth. We want to make sure that Silicon Valley remains the best location in the world for new and existing software companies. The center will provide a valuable resource to these firms, and we hope it will encourage them to locate in San Jose, particularly near its downtown site." The Center cites a number of "early users" of its resources, including Pixar and Future Labs, a Cupertino-based start-up, which is set to introduce TalkShow, a desktop document conferencing program. John Chua, president of Future Labs, said, "It's a challenge to find and test all these possibilities. In the past, we've had to travel as far away as Sacramento to find certain configurations. The Center set them up under one roof, saving a great deal of time for us. It really reinforces the city's commitment to supporting software companies like us." Novell is reported to have been a major supporter of the Center. Said Jim Tolonen, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Novell. "From its inception, Novell has strongly supported the Center and believes it will help grow our industry by bringing the value of networking to users through the creation of more networked applications." In addition to Novell, other major vendors involved in the center include IBM, AT&T, Microsoft, GO, Intel and Sun Microsystems. The Center is located at Suite 200, 111 West St. John Street, San Jose, California 95113. The telephone number is 408-289-8378. (Ian Stokell/19930629/Press Contact: Skip Addison, 408-289-8378, Paul Franson, 408-453-5220, Center for Software Development) (NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00026) Dayna's TokenPrint Bridges LocalTalk/Token Ring LANs 06/29/93 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Hooking Apple Computer Macintoshes into Token Ring local area networks (LANs) in order to share printing resources is no fun. However, Dayna Communications thinks it has the answer with its new TokenPrint, a LocalTalk to Token Ring bridge designed for connecting LocalTalk printers and other devices directly to Token Ring networks. According to the company, TokenPrint will connect up to two LocalTalk devices to Token Ring, while TokenPrint Plus will connect up to four LocalTalk devices. The company also says that, with the exception of routers, all types of LocalTalk devices are supported, including all brands of printers, network modems and Macintosh computers. The products are especially suited to connecting PowerBook and PowerBook Duo computers to Token Ring, says the company. TokenPrint and TokenPrint Plus both have one DB-9 port for Type 1 Token Ring, one RJ-45 port for Type 3 Token Ring, and one mini-din 8 LocalTalk port. The company claims that they are designed for "plug-and-play ease of use right out of the box, requiring no configuration or startup sequences." Once a LocalTalk printer has been connected to a Token Ring network with TokenPrint, a Macintosh user gains access by selecting the printer in the Chooser. Macintosh computers connected to Token Ring through TokenPrint can access file servers and use existing SNA (Systems Network Architecture) gateways to access mainframe services. In announcing the products, Brad Romney, Dayna president and chief executive officer, said: "A few years ago, there was no easy, low-cost way to connect LocalTalk printers to Ethernet networks. We solved that problem in 1990 by developing EtherPrint and EtherPrint Plus. Today our EtherPrint technology has been carried over to solve the same problem for Token Ring users with the new TokenPrint line." The company says that TokenPrint comes bundled with network management and security software, which provides password protection for both the TokenPrint product and the LocalTalk devices attached to it. TokenPrint Administrator allows users to configure TokenPrint from any Macintosh. Its has four configuration options which allow users to name TokenPrint, place it in any AppleTalk Phase 2 network zone, assign a password for configuration security, and assign password protection to attached LocalTalk devices. The password protection restricts TokenPrint configuration to anyone other than authorized personnel and it restricts access to attached devices. Access to password-protected LocalTalk devices is accomplished by installing Dayna's SecurIt control panel on each Macintosh, which lets users see any TokenPrint-attached LocalTalk device in any zone on the network. TokenPrint and TokenPrint Plus are set for availability on July 15 for the suggested retail price of $699 and $899 respectively. They come with a lifetime warranty, free technical support, and a 24-hour repair/replacement policy on defective parts. (Ian Stokell/19930629/Press Contact: A. Cory Maloy, 801-269-7273, Dayna Communications Inc.) (NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00027) Dell Opens Japanese Production, Cuts Japanese Prices 06/29/93 AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Dell Computer Corporation says it has achieved full production capability at its new facility in Kawsaki, Japan, and is cutting prices in Japan on almost all of its products. The company says the new 12,000-square-foot facility will serve as the center for all custom configuration, hardware and software integration, quality inspection, and distribution of Dell products sold in Japan. Katsumi Iizuka, Dell's manager in Japan, says the new facility, which began shipments in April, has enabled Dell to significantly reduce its delivery times for its full range of systems, and to deliver standard system configurations within three days. Iizuka says demand for Dell products has been stronger than anticipated, resulting in longer lead times than planned. However, with the facility now in full production, that problem has been eliminated. "We now expect consistent, prompt delivery of orders, thanks to our new production site." Dell says Dell Japan is the fastest growing facility in the company's history, with revenue already reaching the goal set for the current fiscal year, which ends January 31, 1994. "Those who believed the Japanese customers would not embrace the concept of buying PCs directly by phone misjudged the market," according to Iizuka. Dell spokesperson Roger Rydell told Newsbytes the price cuts for the Japanese market will range from nine to 23 percent. Asked why prices are being cut just five months after Dell entered the Japanese market, Rydell said it was to take advantage of a window of opportunity for market share acquisition. "The window isn't going to be around for very long, and those who take advantage of it are going to be the ones to come out ahead. Those (companies) that resist it are going to find themselves in deep trouble." He said the company has not set any goal for a specific percent of market penetration. The price cut does not apply to the Dell Pentium server just introduced in the Japanese market, but does apply across the board on desktop systems. Dell recently suspended development and marketing of notebook computers, and none of those systems are being sold in Japan, according to Rydell. (Jim Mallory/19930629/Press contact: Roger Rydell, Dell Computer Corporation, 512-728-4100; Reader contact: Dell Computer Corporation, 512-338-4400 or 800-289-3355, fax 512-794-4238) (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00028) Microsoft Announces Publisher 2.0 For Windows 06/29/93 REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation says it will begin shipping release 2.0 of Microsoft Publisher, its desktop publishing program for Windows, next month. Microsoft Publisher, a low-end desktop publishing program, is designed for users who have little or no experience in graphic design. Typical applications include newsletters, flyers, brochures, banners, invitations, greeting cards, business forms, and calendars. One of the more than 25 new features is Cue Cards, an online advisor that helps users design their creations by clicking on a help button. There are also enhanced PageWizard design assistants, a form of interactive template that asks users a series of design questions to create a custom publication. Publisher comes with 35 templates for various applications, and a feature called QuickDemos is available for the first time user that shows various desktop publishing tasks like layering of frames. Features called Layout Checker and Print Troubleshooter are available to help ensure the publication looks professional and will print correctly. Microsoft says it has also added some advanced features, particularly in the area of text handling. Word Art, a text effects feature, can be used with any TrueType font and typography techniques such as kerning, tracking, auto-hyphenation and justification are also available. Users can create text in their favorite word processor and import that document into Publisher 2.0. For multi-page creations, Publisher can automatically insert "continued on" or "continued from" at the appropriate place, and text drag-and-drop is supported. Microsoft says Publisher is its first application to provide support for OLE 2.0. OLE stands for object linking and embedding, a technology that allows the user to create a text, graphics, video or other file, and either link that file or embed it in the original file. The company says Publisher 2.0 will ship in July in the US, with international versions (Dutch, French, French-Canadian, German, Italian, spanish and Swedish) available in the fall of 1993. A CD-ROM edition of Microsoft Publisher 2.0 is also scheduled for the fall. Publisher 2.0 has a suggested retail price of $199, but is available with special introductory pricing of $139 until September 30, 1993. Microsoft is including a $20 rebate coupon in the Publisher box that can be redeemed by users of Publisher 1.0, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Works. System requirements for Publisher include DOS 3.1 or higher, Windows 3.1 or higher, a personal computer with a 286 or better processor, 4 megabytes (MB) of system memory, six to 13MB of available hard disk space for the program files, a 3.5-inch 1.44MB high-density floppy drive, a mouse or compatible pointing device, and VGA or better video graphics adapter. (Jim Mallory/19930629/Press contact: Karen Meredith, Microsoft Corporation, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corporation, 206-882-8080 or 800-426-9400) (NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00029) Financial Software Vendors Embracing Windows 06/29/93 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 29 (NB) -- At least seven vendors of financial services software showed Windows NT-based software for the financial industry at the Securities Industry Association conference meeting in New York City this week. The vendors, including Desktop Data, Fides Informatik, Market Vision Corporation, Micrognosis, Teknekron Software, Townsend Analytics and Track Data, demonstrated software ranging from trader workstation and analysis packages to quote servers and tools for incorporating real-time data in applications. The vendors say the programs are indicative of a growing momentum toward the recently announced Windows NT as well as other Microsoft Windows-based technologies in the financial services industry. In addition to the demonstrations, the Open Market Data Council for Windows-based applications announced its decision to examine the use of Microsoft's object linking and embedding (OLE) as a standard for integrating real-time data into Windows-based applications. The group is comprised of suppliers to the financial services industry that now has 56 members including the NYSE and NASDAQ stock exchanges. The group says using OLE would make that technology the framework for the Windows Open Services Architecture (WOSA) Extensions for Real-time Market Data, a specification the council is in the process of drafting. If the standard is adopted, users of real-time market data would be able to access information from a variety of vendors and sources, and developers would find it easier to build integrated applications that incorporate live data feeds. Professional traders are interested in obtaining stock market information on a real-time basis in order to make buy and sell decisions promptly. The group also says that since OLE version 2.0 is an existing technology, developers would be able to work with real-time data without having to learn a new programming interface. "The power and reliability of Windows NT will provide a high-performance platform for developing the next generation of data-intensive financial services applications," according to Louis Morgan, chairman of financial quotations service PC Quote. In addition to the seven vendors showing specific applications, more than 25 other vendors reportedly have Windows NT-based financial services applications under development. Many of those companies are participants in Microsoft's Solutions Providers program that gives early access to new Microsoft products as well as technical and marketing support. WOSa is an open environment technology from Microsoft to support applications using Windows. The WOSA Extensions for Real-time Market Data, announced by the council in late 1992, is designed to extend the benefits of WOSA to applications that incorporate real-time market data. (Jim Mallory/19930629/Press contact: Microsoft Corporation, 206-882-8080 or 800-426-9400) (NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00030) ****PC Expo - Gates Promises NT By July 24 06/29/93 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 JUN 28 (NB) -- Windows NT will ship by July 24, Microsoft's new Chicago operating environment is about a year away, and the first applications to use OLE 2.0 technology will be released in the third quarter, said Microsoft CEO Bill Gates in a keynote speech and press conference at PC Expo this morning. During the keynote, Gates announced that the upcoming Microsoft Excel 5.0 and Microsoft Project 4,0 will each incorporate the Visual Basic programming system, Applications Edition, a macro language that includes support for OLE (object linking and embedding) Automation 2.0. Both applications will be delivered this fall, he added. OLE 2.0 gives users "remote control" over functionality in supporting applications, allowing changes to be made in embedded applications without exiting the primary application. The technology is especially useful for quick development of custom applications, Gates asserted. Visual Basic will serve as the common macro language in future versions of applications for the Windows and Macintosh operating systems in The Microsoft Office as well as other Microsoft applications, he stated. In a wide ranging Q&A session with the press right after the keynote, Gates reaffirmed a pledge first made when he introduced Windows NT at Spring Comdex last month. Gates renewed his NT vow after a journalist noted that, during the PC Expo keynote, the CEO had mentioned that NT would ship "in another 60 days." Elaborated the reporter: "That's what you said at Comdex." Responded Gates: "When did I say that? On May 24? Well then, Windows NT will ship by July 24." Chicago, an operating environment now being prototyped by Microsoft, will represent an enhancement of Windows 3.1, much as Microsoft's upcoming Cairo environment will be the "next generation" of Windows NT, Gates told the journalists. Meanwhile, Windows NT itself will serve as "a form of Unix," and, in fact, "the most popular form of Unix," he said. Due to long-standing experience in the mass software marketplace, Microsoft will be able to introduce new applications and upgrades more quickly than traditional Unix vendors, he suggested. In addition, Windows NT will not be faced by the compatibility issues that plague the existing flavors of Unix, he said. "But NT will be only one form of Unix. It will not replace Unix," he concluded. (Jacqueline Emigh/19930629/Press contacts: Annie Scully or Mark Haviland, Bruno Blenheim, tel 800-829-3976)