Virtual Reality Zone/VRZONE.ISO/mac/TEXT/CYBERSPC/CSR9405.TXT

Text File | 1994-06-04 | 214KB | 4,171 lines

This is the compilation of the 4 CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLYs for the month of
May 1994. It features late-breaking computer industry news for IBM, Macintosh,
and Amiga owners which you won't see in the trade magazines for months!

Search on the term   DateLine  to locate the Contents listing at the beginning
of each weekly report.



 _________________________________________________ Month of May 1994_______

           ___  _   _ ____  ____ ____  ____ ____   ___   ___  ____
          / _ \| | | |  _ \|  __|  _ \|  __|  _ \ / _ \ / _ \|  __|
         | | )_| |_| | |_) | |_ | |_) | (__| |_) | |_| | | )_| |_
         | |  _ \   /|  _ <|  _)|    /|__  |  __/|  _  | |  _|  _)
         | |_) | | | | |_) | |__| |\ \ __) | |   | | | | |_) | |__
          \___/  |_| |____/|____|_| \_|____|_|   |_| |_|\___/|____|

 _______________________ R E P O R T  -  W E E K L Y ______________________

  Produced for GEnie's Multimedia, Desktop Video, & Virtuality RoundTable.
   (C) Copyright Peggy Herrington 1994. Freely Distributable When Intact.
 __________________________________________________________________________


CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY is published each Friday for the Multimedia, Desktop
Video and Virtual Reality RoundTable on the GEnie online service, also known as
CYBERSPACE. Check the date on Menu Item 7, Page 2000 to be sure you have the
most recent Report, and be sure to get them all! CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY
features newsworthy information:

      * New Product Annoucements       * IBM, Macintosh and Amiga News
      * Industry Trends and News       * Special Upcoming VIP Conferences
      * Upcoming Industry Events       * Special Offers from Developers
      * Industry Trade Show Reports    * Virtual Reality Developments

Capture each CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY and read it later, off-line! It ONLY
takes a FEW minutes!

Current CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY is on the Menu until replaced by the next
week's issue. Reports for a calendar month are compressed and made available
the CYBERSPACE Library for downloading.

CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY brings you industry news AS IT HAPPENS! Don't wait for
the magazines! Visit the RoundTable each week to learn what's happening in the
Multimedia, Desktop Video, and Virtual Reality communities!

Send GE Mail to the Multimedia/CYBERSPCE RoundTable Staff (to MULTIMEDIA$) or
Internet mail to [e-mail] with suggestions or input.

As long as individual stories are kept intact with appropriate credit,
permission is granted to reprint CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY in all or part on
private electronic bulletin boards, user group newsletters, and even in
magazines! See the end of this Report for proper wording.



 ------------------ C O N T E N T S --  DateLine: May 6, 1994 --------------

 1. Quest 5.0 for Windows: Unprecented Interactive Power and Flexibility
    to Multimedia Authoring Systems

 2. Microsoft Gets Serious about Fun in Windows "Chicago"

 3. Midisoft Launches Localized Software Products in Europe

 4. Commodore Hits the Financial Buffers

 5. AmigaWorld Reinforces Position of Strong Support in Market

 6. New Viper Pro: Accelerated 1280x1024 True Color Graphics and Video
    Playback

 7. Diamond Announces Stealth 64 Graphics Accelerator

 8. 21st Century Media Announces New Product Line for Multimedia

 9. Cyberspace Library Finds and April CYBERSPACE REPORT Compilation

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------




                            Quest 5.0 for Windows
                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                      Unprecented Interactive Power and
  ___             Flexibility to Multimedia Authoring Systems
 / _ \
| |_| |               Salt Lake City, US -- May 1, 1994
|  _  |
| | | |
|_| |_|llen Communication of Salt Lake City, Utah, introduced a Windows version
of its Quest Multimedia Authoring System(TM) this summer. For ten years the DOS
version of Quest has been the de facto standard for interactive multimedia
trainers and educators developing on the DOS platform. Quest 5.0 for Windows
builds on the power of its DOS counterpart with an all-new user interface and a
breakthrough system design that promises developers the flexibility to move
beyond typical boundaries and create in their own style.

"Quest 5.0 is far more than a conversion to the Windows platform," said Rex
Allen, president of Allen Communication. "This is a fundamentally new approach.
It is designed from the ground up to harness the power of Windows and to bring
greater interactive power within the reach of more developers -- whether they
are creating training, entertainment titles or educational courses."

A fully integrated authoring system, Quest 5.0 is designed for developers at
all levels. All multimedia tasks that are frequently used are availbale at the
entry level. Developers work from WYSIWYG displays and floating toolbars to
assemble graphics, text, audio, video motion, buttons, and animations, or to
set up branching and interactions. Non-programmers can design and create
dynamic titles and courses with Quest. At the same time, skilled programmers
will not be inhibited either. All the power of "C" programming code is embedded
in the system.

Flexibility at Design and Frame Levels

Quest 5.0 is the only authoring system that gives developers the flexibility to
author at both the Design and Frame levels.

At the Design level, developers can make big-picture decisions about flow,
overall structure, and interactions. Working with postage-stamp presentations
of actual frames, developers have an immediate view of how the title content
looks and how it links together. This not only encourages sound design, but
reduces the mistakes that are made when developers are forced to work at a
micro level too soon.

At the Frame level, developers work from the inside of the frame, viewing the
screens exactly as the end-user will see them. Quest 5.0 offers a true WYSIWYG
environment. All funcitons of the system can be accessed without exiting to
outside editors. Graphics, audio/video options, controls, interactions,
branching, and animations are all built into the system.

"Our experience as a development house is reflacted strongly in this product,"
Allen said. "Developers who see and use Quest 5.0 will instantly recognize it
as a tool created by developers for developers."

Live Objects Bring Unprecedented Interactive Power

Quest 5.0 provides unlimited possibilities for interactivity because every
object is a "smart" object. Developers and users can "talk to" and modify
object properties during both development and runtime. Once a "smart" ogject
has been named, it comes alive. Developers can select actions and conditions
for it, request data from it, and even let the end-user manipulate it.

"'Smart' objects are the heart of Quests's interactive power. These aren't just
display tricks, but true independent objects with a life of their own. This
feature alone shatters previous limitations on multimedia interactivity. True
'smart' objects bring high-level interactivity within the reach of every
developer," Allen said.

Windows Quest includes an embedded authoring language called "Quest C," which
makes all the power of "C" programming language available within the system.
Using the "Quest C Coach," non-programmers can select options from dialogue
boxes to create C-syntax code. Witout entering a line of code, they can access
programming functions, variables, and command statements to control and
manipulate "smart" objects. These features give non-programmers more access to
programming power than ever before available in an authoring system. "C"
programs can be written and compiled without going to an external editor. By
blending "Quest C" programs with "smart" objects, developers have virtually
unlimited multimedia power. Plus, Quests extensible design allows developers to
create customized "smart" objects to meet their specific needs. Custom "C"
program templates can also be stored for repeated use.

FastTrack

With Quest's FastTrack feature, developers can quickly add their own content to
pre-built screen layouts, menus, templates, borders, buttons, question/answer
frames, and interactions -- even a whole series of pre-linked frames. Entire
interactions can literally be built in minutes. FastTrack not only cuts
start-up time for new users, it also allows experienced users to create and
store their own templates, layouts, and strategies for repeated use,
significantly speeding up production time.

Dynamic Librarian

Developers can manage all data from a dynamic-link librarian tool. All types of
data can be stored in the same library -- graphics, bitmaps, digital video
(AVI) files, animations, audio files, buttons (such as media control panels,
dials, and slide controls), scene designs, testing sequences, or even large
sequences of frames within a title design. These items can then be quickly
accessed and used repeatedly in a course or title without increasing its size.

Extensibility

Quest includes an extension manager, an easy-to-use tool that allows developers
to attach Windows DLL's, executables, and developer utilities to the Quest
Engine. Once attached, calls to these DLL's and programs are made directly from
within Quest frames and object lists. Developers who purchase third-party
database utlities, communication libraries, or custom objects can play them
directly in Quest.

More Productivity Features

A full-featured debugger traces all objects, interactions, and programs used
within a title; it provides detailed, prescriptive feedback in message windows.
This helps developers quicky isolate and correct problems.

A smart-spots editor helps developers specify irregular or non-adjacent touch
areas down to the pixel-level.

Several hundred special effect features such as 3-D, fade in and wipe out, can
be used with any visible object. Additionally, five types of animations (path,
cycle, bounce, drag, and file) are included in Quest.

Online help and documenation, tutorials, and pre-created management options for
controlling student logon or tracking performance are also included with the
package.


Quest 5.0 for Windows is priced at $3,995. There are no runtime fees or
royalties. Significant education and quantity discounts are available. Customer
support is free.


A dynamic demonstration of Quest for DOS (not Windows) Version 4.2 is available
in the Multimedia RoundTable Library on GEnie Page 2000. It requires TWO files:

 ******************************
 Number: 1016  Name: QUEST1.ZIP    (Disk 1 of 2)
 Approximate # of bytes: 1132800

 ******************************
 Number: 1017  Name: QUEST2.ZIP    (Disk 2 of 2)
 Approximate # of bytes: 1189120

Description:
This is a GREAT DEMO of Quest, Allen Communication's full-featured Multimedia
Authoring system for DOS. It demonstrated the fully integrated multimedia
package that allows you to bring together text, graphics, animation, video, and
digitized audio to create dynamic interactive titles for both DOS and Windows.
Allen's new version, called Quest 5.0 for Windows, is expected to be available
in summer 1994 for $3,995 suggested retail. VGA graphics and mouse required.
Download both files and decompress them to high density floppy disks.


For more information about Quest for DOS or Windows, contact Allen
Communication, Likeside Plaza II, 5225 Wiley Post Way, Salt Lake City, Utah
84116, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

                                  -*-




             Microsoft Gets Serious about Fun in Windows "Chicago"
             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Announces New Software, Support for Developers of Games for Windows
 _    _
| \  / |
|  \/  |          Redmond, Washington -- April 26, 1994
|      |
| |\/| |
|_|  |_|icrosoft Corporation announced its intention to make the Microsoft
Windows operating system a great environment for computer games. At the
Computer Game Developers Conference in Santa Clara this weekend, Microsoft
announced it will deliver a new software library and other tools to make it
easier for developers to create 32-bit games with fast graphics for existing
and future versions of Windows. A developer's handbook entitled "Writing HOT
Games for Microsoft Windows," the WinG software library, and information about
a CompuServe forum for developers were described at the conference.

"Microsoft is committed to delivering top-notch multimedia functionality in
Windows," said Brad Chase, general manager of the personal operating systems
division at Microsoft, "and games are one of the largest, most important
categories of multimedia applications. Because of the installed base of more
than 40 million Windows-based machines, the forthcoming 32-bit capabilities of
Microsoft Windows 'Chicago,' and the games tools we announced this weekend, we
believe the Windows family of operating systems offers great opportunities for
games developers to grow their businesses."

The most welcome news Microsoft delivered to games developers is about the
tools for better graphics for existing Windows systems. Fast graphics are
critical to dexterity-based computer games, and the WinG library makes graphics
speed and responsiveness dramatically better than was previously possible with
Windows and comparable to the MS-DOS operating system. To demonstrate WinG's
graphics performance, Microsoft and Id Software, maker of the popular
MS-DOS-based game Doom, showed a prototype of Windows-based version of Doom at
the conference.

According to Jay Wilbur, business manager of Id Software, the process of moving
to Windows was easy. "John Carmack, the chief architect of Doom, and others
ported the core Doom game in about two days, and boy, did it look good!" Wilbur
said. "We plan to have a full version of Windows ready for Christmas."

"The Windows-based PC is destined to become the primary information and
entertainment device in the home," said Ron Whittier, senior vice president at
Intel Corporation. "The WinG library will help make Windows the premier
platform for games."

New Capabilities for Games Coming in Windows "Chicago"

In addition to improved graphics speed, Windows offers compelling advantages to
game developers today, such as device independence and extended memory
management services. Microsoft Windows "Chicago," the next major release of
Microsoft Windows, will offer game developers even more capabilities because of
its 32-bit architecture.

According to Microsoft's Chase, the new WinG lets developers get started today
on great, fast games for Windows "Chicago," while also taking advantage of the
installed base of Windows and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 this year. He added
that Microsoft expects some developers to be interested in going directly to
Windows "Chicago" because it will enable them to create entirely new types of
games. "For example, the extra performance of the 32-bit architecture of
Windows "Chicago," as well as multithreading, networking and built-in support
for high-performance digital video, could add up to some dazzling multiplayer
games," said Chase.

"WinG performance, plus new features in Windows "Chicago," make Windows a great
computer-game environment," said David Stafford, president of Cinematronics.

Developer Support Scheduled in May

Microsoft plans to deliver tools to get developers started creating games for
Windows:

 * The WinG library, which provides a portion of the fast graphics support
   of Windows "Chicago" under Windows 3.1. Game developers who use these
   libraries and the Win32 API set will be able to create fast 32-bit,
   256-color games that are compatible with both current and future releases
   of Windows. A beta release of the library is scheduled to be available
   by the end of May.

 * "Writing HOT Games for Microsoft Windows," a handbook that includes
   technical information and advice for game developers.

"WinG and the forum are the first step," said Chase. "We are looking forward to
a continuous dialogue with game developers that will help us make Windows the
platform developers want for great computer games."

More information about Microsoft's game efforts can be obtained in the
Microsoft RoundTable on GEnie Page 505.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software
for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and
services for business and personal use, each designed with a the mission of
making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full
power of personal computing every day.

                                     -*-




 _____      Midisoft Launches Localized Software Products in Europe
|_   _|     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  | |               Redmond, Washington -- April 15, 1994
  | |
  | |
  |_|he rising demand for multimedia audio products in Europe has led Midisoft,
a multimedia music and entertainment software company, to distribute three of
their popular products localized for German, French, Italian, and Spanish
speaking countries. Dutch translations will also be available to OEM customers.
Localized versions of Studio for Windows, MIDI Kit with Recording Session, and
Sound Impression are expected to ship in Europe and North America During the
second quarter of 1994.

These products and others are readily available in North America.

Midisoft products give the user the ability to learn about, create, record,
playback, print, or simply experiment with music and sound effects on their PC.
Midisoft's products are based on MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
and WAVE technologies which are industry standards for the audio components of
multimedia PCs.

Studio for Windows

Studio for Windows is aimed at the mainstream PC user with an interest in music
or multimedia. It is the first music software program that instantly displays
standard musical notation in real-time. It features both MIDI sequencing and
notation capabilities which give the PC user the ability to record, edit,
print, arrange, and play along with MIDI music.

Users can enter notes directly from a MIDI instrument or place notes onto
staves using mouse and Studio's note tool box. Quantize and humanize commands
provide nearly infinite degree of correction for rhythm. Advance functions
include Loop, Punch, Splice Cut/Splice Paste, Step Play and Step Record to make
editing fast and easy. Record up to 32,000 tracks. Record and edit all types of
MIDI data including controller and pitch bend, program changes and aftertouch.
Studio for Windows supports up to 256 MIDI channels and includes MIDI Sync for
connections to SMPTE and FSK devices.

Studio for Windows was released in the U.S. in December of 1991 and is now
widely distributed throughout North America. It lists for $249.95 (U.S.).

MIDI Kit with Recording Session

MIDI Kit with Recording Session is for the music enthusiast who wants to
connect their PC sound card to a MIDI instrument and record what is played. The
product includes a universal MIDI adapter card and Recording Session for
Windows, an easy-to-use MIDI music playback and recorder program. Together,
they turn a PC into a multi-track MIDI recording studio that allows the user to
compose, record, and edit music in real time notation.

One end of the MIDI adapter cable connects to the joystick port on the sound
card. The other end provides necessary MIDI In, Our, and Thru ports for
connecting a MIDI instrument. A pair of MIDI cables is included. Suggested
retail price is $119.95 (U.S.).

Sound Impression for Windows

Midisoft's Sound Impression for Windows is a software program that includes
sound recording and production features such as a familiar stereo rack-mount
look-and-feel interface that makes the product easy-to-use for both beginners
and seasoned audio enthusiasts. Waveform audio data (WAV files) can be
recorded, edited, mixed, and manipulated, then combined with MIDI files using a
"start-stop" feature for voice-overs.

Effects such as chorus, echo, flange and fades may be added using Sound
Impression for Windows. Users can add music to voice tracks, embed voices into
spreadsheets, word processors and other OLE applications. A CD audio playback
interface is also included. Suggested retail price for Sound Impression is
$79.95 (U.S.).

Additional Midisoft Products Available in North America:

Music Mentor

Midisoft's Music Mentor with Recording Session for Windows is the only software
one needs to start learning and creating music on the PC. It is the first
computer-based music learning program to include a tutorial and a
notation-based MIDI sequencer. Its animated tutorials provide a strong
introduction to the basics of music notation and elements of music composition.
Examples are given of how these elements were aplied during five major
historical periods.

Music Mentor includes Midisoft Recording Session, an easy-to-use music playback
and recorder porgram which allows users to interact with sample songs, import
other MIDI files, or create their own original music. It is the ideal program
for the person who wants to learn the basics of music and MIDI. Suggested
retail price is $149.95 (U.S.).

MusicMagic Songbook

MusicMagic Songbook for Windows includes both the MusicMagic player and
arranger, and the Songbook Library of over 100 songs in a wide range of styles.
Users can play music and sing along, or just look, listen, and learn since
music notation appears instantly as it is played.

With the help of Songbook Library, the stories and personalities behind each
piece of music come to life. Users can look up background information of songs
along with lyrics. Music notation commands include delete, cut, copy, paste and
move notes. MusicMagic Songbook is retails for $49.95 on 3.5" media, and CD-ROM
for $39.95 (U.S.).

Multimedia Music Library

Midisoft Multimedia Library is a convenient source of high-quality, royalty-
free music for use in multimedia productions. Fifteen libraries each contain a
main theme together with approximately 19 related variations and edits. Each
piece of music is optimized for both GM (extended-level) sound cards, and FM
(base-level) sound cards.

The floppy disks contain 175 Standard MIDI files organized in such a way as to
make it easy to select a main theme and related shorter peices. Each of the
original pieces on the disk has been professionally created and performed for
maximum sound quality and musical accuracy. The Library includes a MIDI
Editor/Player utility. Multimedia Music Library retails for $79.95 (U.S.).

World of Music Sampler

The World of Music Sampler is a collection of 37 classical, pop, and jazz
pieces (including drum patterns, ragtime, religious, patriotic, kits' tune and
Hollywood classics) stored on floppy disk in Standard MIDI File format. Each
piece of music is optimized for both GM (extended-level) and FM (base-level)
sound cards.

The Sampler is an ideal source of MIDI music for entertainment, education, or
business, and may be used to enhance multimedia projects and desktop
presentations. The included MusicMagic utility program lets users edit and
remix any MIDI arrangement, and even create tunes by placing notes on the score
with the mouse. Suggested retail price is $24.95 (U.S.).


Midisoft Quick Reference Guide

                                                             Multi- World of
        Studio 4  Music Mentor  MIDI Kit  MusicMagic  Sound  Media    Music
        Windows    w/Rec.Ses.  w/Rec.Sess  Songbook  Impress Library Sampler

Play Back   *         *            *        *           *      *        *
Edit        *         *            *        *           *      *        *
Mix         *         *            *        *           *      *        *
Create      *         *            *        *           *      *        *
Learn About
 Music                *                     *
Learn Music
 History              *                     *
Real-Time
 Notation   *         *            *        *           *      *        *
 On-Screen
64th Note
 Resolution *
Song
 Library    *         *            *        *           *      *        *
Print Music *
Input from
 MIDI Instr *         *            *
Record/Edit
 WAV files                                              *
Play CD-
 Audio                                                  *
Integrate
 Audio                                                  *
Sync Audio                                              *


Screen captures from five Midisoft music products are available from the
Multimedia/Cyberspace Libary:

 *********************************
Number: 1018  Name: MIDISOFT.ZIP
Address: CYBERSPACE   Date: 940505
Approximate # of bytes: 152960
Number of Accesses: 2  Library: 1
Description:
This file contains five screen captures in GIF from Midisoft's award-winning
line of music software for Windows. Each screen shows that program's GUI
Graphical User Interface) and, in some cases, its standard music notation
display. Midisoft's products range from serious MIDI composition to music
history to simple musical enjoyment. Screens included are from Studio for
Windows, Music Mentor, MusicMagic Songbook, Sound Impression, and Multimedia
Music Library, and may be displayed on any system equipped with a GIF viewer.


For more information on these products, contact Midisoft Corporation, P.O. Box
1000, Bellevue, WA 98099, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

                                    -*-




                  Commodore Hits the Financial Buffers
                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  ___                           Newsbytes
 / _ \
| |_| |              West Chester, PA -- May 2, 1994
|  _  |
| | | |
|_| |_|fter months of speculation surrounding its financial stability,
Commodore International, one of the personal computer industry's pioneers, has
announced plans to enter into voluntary liquidation.

A month after reporting an $8.2-million second-quarter loss and admitting it
was on the verge of financial collapse, Commodore has announced it is
transferring its assets to trustees for the benefit of its creditors and
placing its major subsidiary, Commodore Electronics Limited, into voluntary
liquidation. Both companies will be liquidated, officials said.

Repeated attempts to obtain further details from the company brought no
response by Newsbytes' deadline.

Commodore, once a typewriter repair shop and later a maker of calculators, was
among the first entrants into the personal computer business in the late 1970s.
After considerable success with its PET series of business computers in the
late 1970s, the early 1980s saw the low-priced, eight-bit Commodore 64 computer
chalking up respectable sales volumes in the home computer market.

In 1985, Commodore launched the Amiga, a powerful personal computer with strong
graphics features. By that time, however, IBM and its imitators had taken the
largest share of the personal computer market, leaving a slice for Apple
Computer's Macintosh but not much room for the Amiga to make its mark.

The Amiga "really was spectacular for manipulating and playing with video,"
noted Toronto-based personal computing consultant Richard Morochove, but it
never took a significant market share.

Commodore also tried to get into the home multimedia market, first with the
CD-TV and then with the CD32. Both machines used the same internal workings as
an Amiga, but came with a built-in compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive
and were meant to play entertainment and education CD-ROM titles at home.

After the CD32 was launched, Commodore officials admitted the original CD-TV
had been a disappointment. They hoped the more powerful CD32 would do better,
but as the company collapsed it was still struggling to make the device catch
on.

Commodore's attempt to grab a piece of the market for PCs compatible with IBM's
met with more success in Europe and Canada than in the United States, but in
recent months that too started to fade.

Early this year, the Canadian subsidiary, Commodore Business Machines Limited
of Toronto, turned over the right to sell Commodore-brand PCs to most buyers to
another company, 3D Microcomputer Wholesale and Distribution (Canada), keeping
for itself only the government, education, and institutional markets. At the
time, Doug MacGregor, president of Commodore Canada, told Newsbytes that his
company was finding it harder and harder to compete in the DOS PC market.

In early March, the Australian subsidiary, Commodore Business Machines
(Australia), of Sydney, was put into liquidation, with total debts of about
AUS$3 million.

The parent company said in late March that its financial problems were
constraining sales of all its products, while poor economic conditions and a
weak computer game market were further crippling the CD32.

While Commodore was a PC industry pioneer, the company had faded into relative
obscurity in recent years, to the point where few but the minority of Amiga
users will notice it is gone, Morochove told Newsbytes.

"Somehow they lost their leadership and weren't able to regain it," he said.
"For the last few years they haven't been a major player in the PC market."

        (C) Copyright 1994 Newsbytes. Reprinted by permission.

                                     -*-




                                  AmigaWorld
                        --The Leading Amiga Publication--
  ___           Reinforces Position of Strong Support in Market
 / _ \          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |_| |               Peterborough, NH  -- May 3, 1994
|  _  |
| | | |
|_| |_|migaWorld, the independent, monthly consumer publication for users of
Amiga personal computers, has announced today that recent events at Commodore
Business Machines in no way affect AmigaWorld's commitment to the market.

Responding to news on Friday, April 29, that Commodore was going out of
business, AmigaWorld Editor-in-Chief Daniel Sullivan stated, "Regardless of any
change in the status of Commodore's operations, AmigaWorld will continue to
provide coverage of the Amiga market for its readership. We believe there are
sound reasons to remain in the Amiga market -- namely, an installed base of
five million Amiga computers worldwide; a dedicated AmigaWorld readership of
loyal, enthusiastic users; and an innovative, proactive group of third-party
developers."

Sullivan added, "We also feel certain that the technology will survive the
liquidation of Commodore through licensing agreements with interested third
parties -- of which there appear to be many. This is an excellent opportunity
for the Amiga community to take charge of its own destiny and set a direction
for further development that Commodore has not been able to provide."

The AmigaWorld staff views this situation as an opportunity to provide an even
greater level of service to its readers and advertisers. With Commodore's
departure from the market, customer service will become an even greater
priority at AmigaWorld. The staff will continue to support everyone involved in
the market through such means as phone support and on-line feedback. By
providing strong customer service and up-to-date market coverage for readers,
AmigaWorld hopes to be the catalyst for future growth and development in the
Amiga community.

AmigaWorld Magazine is published by TechMedia Publishing, Inc., an
International Data Group company. IDG is the world's foremost publisher of
computer-related information and the leading global provider of information
services on information technology, with over 194 computer publications in 62
countries.


For more information, visit the *StarShip* RoundTable on GEnie Page 555,
keyword AMIGA.

                                     -*-




                    New Viper Pro: Accelerated 1280x1024
 ____              True Color Graphics and Video Playback
|  _ \             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| | ) |                Sunnyvale, CA -- March 16, 1994
| | | |
| |_) |
|____/iamond Computer Systems, Inc., has expanded its Viper line of graphics
accelerators to include Viper Pro. Available for PCI (Peripheral Component
Interconnect) or VLB (VESA Local Bus), the Viper Pro provides 24-bit, true
color at 1280x1024 resolution, flicker-free refresh rates and fast dual-ported
VRAM performance. Viper Pro's color and speed capabilities bring workstation
graphics to the desktop PC enhancing graphics applications that require
photo-realistic images. In addition, the card is equipped for multimedia,
offering digital video acceleration and playback as an optional feature.

"Viper Pro is the ideal solution for PC power users who demand workstation-
like true color graphics and video acceleration," said Bill Wong, vice
president of marketing for Diamond.

True Color Graphics

The Viper Pro is designed for graphics and engineering professionals who need
true color imaging and large screen monitor support. Based on the P9100 64-bit
performance graphics engine from Weitek Corporation in Sunnyvale, Calif., Viper
Pro accelerates high resolution and true color graphics modes including 16.7
million colors in 1280 x 1024 resolution and 65,000 colors in 1600 x 1200. It
supports ISO-compliant, ergonomic refresh rates of more than 120Hz by utilizing
the 170MHz IBM RGB525( Palette DAC, from IBM Microelectronics.

Fast Performance

Viper Pro extends graphics performance to more than 26 million true-color
WinMarks as measured on WinBench 4.0 with an Intel 66MHz system. The technology
behind this ground- breaking speed is the combination of the P9100 controller
and Diamond's proprietary software drivers which optimize the performance of
the board.

Windows 3.1 software drivers are included with the Viper Pro and releases of
Windows NT, OS/2 2.1, AutoCAD 11, 12 and MicroStation are planned.

Multimedia Ready

Accelerated video playback with scaling is available with the Viper Pro. Based
on Weitek's Video Power chip, the Viper Pro provides accelerated video playback
at 30 frames per second. In addition, Video Power supports all of the leading
compression/decompression (codec) formats including Indeo, Cinepak, Captain
Crunch, MPEG and Motion-JPEG.

In addition, the Viper Pro is equipped with a standard feature connector to
allow the card to communicate with other add-in boards such as sound or digital
video capture.

Price and Availability

Available in two configurations, 2MB VRAM upgradable to 4MB and a 4MB version,
the Viper Pro is aggressively priced to offer graphics professionals and power
users affordable true color graphics. They are priced at $479 suggested retail
for the 2MB version and $699 for the 4MB version. Video Power may be added for
$100.

The product is shipping to OEMs and will be available to retail customers in
the second quarter of 1994.

Warranty and Service The Viper Pro, as with all of Diamond's graphics cards, is
backed by a five-year limited warranty. Technical assistance by phone is
available six days a week, and 24-hour support is available through the
bulletin board service (BBS), CompuServe and America OnLine electronic
services. For Diamond's 2400 bps BBS contact [phone], or the 9600 bps
line at [phone].

Diamond Computer Systems, Inc.

Established in 1982, Diamond Computer Systems, Inc., designs, manufactures and
markets video graphics adapters, high-end Windows accelerators and multimedia
cards in Sunnyvale, California.  Diamond's products are sold through regional,
national and worldwide distributors and mass merchants as well as to major
OEMs.  Diamond also has offices in Japan and Germany. ### Viper is a trademark
of Diamond Computer Systems, Inc.  All other product names are property of
their respective manufacturers.  All products were tested independently by
Diamond Computer Systems using the Ziff-Davis Labs' WinBench v3.11 and WinBench
v4.0.

                                   -*-



              Diamond Announces Stealth 64 Graphics Accelerator
              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 ____  Sets a New Standard for 64-bit Graphics Price and Performance
|  _ \
| | ) |               Sunnyvale, CA -- March 16, 1994
| | | |
| |_) |
|____/iamond Computer Systems, Inc., has announced its first 64-bit VRAM
accelerator, Stealth 64. Designed for PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
and VLB (VESA Local Bus), the VRAM-based Stealth 64 reaches new levels of
graphics performance, breaking the 100 million WinMark barrier in WinBench
version 3.11, and reaching over 30 million WinMarks for WinBench version 4.0.

At only $399 suggested retail price with 2MB of VRAM (upgradable to 4MB), the
Stealth 64 takes price and performance for graphics accelerators to a new
level.

Stealth 64

Based upon the new Vision964, 64-bit graphics engine from S3 Incorporated in
Santa Clara, Calif., Diamond's Stealth 64 accelerates Windows 3.1, AutoCAD and
other graphics applications by providing true 64-bit pixel processing and VRAM
memory access and by off-loading common graphics functions such as BitBLTs,
rectangle fills and raster operations from the system CPU.  All color depths
are fully accelerated providing instantaneous screen updates even in 24-bit
true color modes. And, by utilizing a jumperless and switchless design, the PCI
version of the Stealth 64 is 'Plug and Play' ready.

With up to 4MB of high bandwidth VRAM and a 135MHz RAM DAC, the Stealth 64
displays true color at up to 1024x768 resolution and 65,536 colors up to
1280x1024 resolution and far exceeds VESA's minimum recommended standards with
flicker-free refresh rates of up to 120Hz.

Unlike many 64-bit VRAM accelerators, the Stealth 64 is ideal for
multi-platform corporate environments with software driver support for Windows
3.1, AutoCAD ADI, and DOS. Releases are planned for OS/2 2.1 and Windows NT.

Furthermore, performance is never compromised no matter what the operating
environment. Under DOS, the Stealth 64 supports VESA extended graphics modes up
to 1280x1024 resolution as well as 65K and 16.7 million color modes. This
allows for application support for popular DOS, design, presentation and
entertainment software, and makes the Stealth 64 an excellent choice for the
game player as well as the Windows or CAD power user.

Diamond's Stealth 64 also is ready for the next generation in multimedia system
technology. Its VESA feature connector offers complete compatibility for
Diamond's award-winning VideoStar full-motion video capture, compression and
playback card.

InControl Tools and DPMS Power Savings

For easy, one-step installation and enhanced productivity, Diamond's Stealth 64
features InControl Tools desktop productivity software. InControl Tools is a
Diamond designed software utility that provides virtual desktop capabilities
including on-the-fly resolution switching. With InControl Tools it is simple to
change color depth,  font, font size, cursor color and size, and move freely
about the screen using the real-time pan and zoom feature.

Also included with the Stealth 64 is DPMS (Display Power Management Signaling)
which controls power consumption for VESA compliant monitors, thereby
conforming to Energy Star and VESA guidelines. DPMS allows a monitor to be
placed in a reduced power standby mode after a predetermined time of no
activity, and eventually to be completely shut down.

Price and Availability

The Stealth 64 is available in two versions, 2MB upgradable to 4MB and a 4MB
version. Its suggested retail price is $399 and $599, respectively. The Stealth
64 will be shipping to the OEM and retail channels in April, 1994. Warranty &
Service The Stealth 64, as with all of Diamond's graphics cards, is backed by a
five-year limited warranty. Technical assistance by phone is available six days
a week, and 24-hour support is available through the 23-line bulletin board
service (BBS), CompuServe and America OnLine electronic services.  For
Diamond's 2400 bps BBS contact [phone] or for the 9600 bps line contact
[phone].

Stealth Family

Diamond's Stealth family of graphics cards include the Stealth 24, Stealth Pro,
Stealth 32 and Stealth 64 product lines. All Stealth cards supply high-quality
graphics acceleration, true color modes and VESA VBE compliance.

Diamond Computer Systems, Inc.

Established in 1982, Diamond Computer Systems, Inc., designs, manufactures and
markets video graphics adapters, high-end Windows accelerators, audio cards and
full motion video controllers in Sunnyvale, California. Diamond's products are
sold through regional, national and worldwide distributors and mass merchants
as well as to major OEMs. Diamond also has offices in Japan and Germany. ###
Stealth and InControl Tools are trademarks of Diamond Computer Systems, Inc.
All other product names are property of their respective manufacturers. All
products were tested independently by Diamond Computer Systems using the
Ziff-Davis Labs' WinBench v3.11 and WinBench v4.0.

                                    -*-




          21st Century Media Announces New Product Line for Multimedia
          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 _____            ClipPix: Multimedia Images from PhotoDisc
|_   _|
  | |                    Seattle, WA -- May 2, 1994
  | |
  | |
  |_|wenty First Century Media is enhancing its PhotoDisc product line with the
creation of ClipPix(TM), the company's first image content product designed
specifically for multimedia designers and producers.

Many multimedia developers have experienced tremendous success through their
use of PhotoDisc images. It's becoming increasingly clear, however, that non-
print professionals have special needs. Size? Display? Format? Color depth?
Price? After surverying more than 200 multimedia professionals and interviewing
their customer base, PhotoDisc will release ClipPix on May 16, 1994.

Following in PhotoDisc's quality-oriented footsteps, each two-CD volume in the
ClipPix line features up to 500, 72 dpi (screen resolution) images from the
portfolios of award-winning photographers. This first CD has uncompressed 8-bit
color images at 640x486 pixels allowing users quick and painless access to all
500 images via both a Windows and Macintosh browsing utility. The second CD
contains compressed, 24-bit color, higher resolution versions of he same images
optimized for full-screen display at 640x486 and 1024x786 pixels for the more
serious designers.

Liberal Mutlimedia License

Just like the PhotoDisc collection, the ClipPix collection, the ClipPix series
will host a liberal use license. The ClipPix license, however, will be uniquely
supportive of multimedia development, allowing even resale customers up to
10,000 copies without additional fees. An innovative one-time fee will be
available for large-scale unlimited rights for over 10,000 units.

"Existing PhotoDisc volumes are designed to meet the exacting standards of
print output, and the product's image files tend to be too large for effective
multimedia use," notes 21st Centure president, Tom Hughes. "No one else in the
industry had addressed the real needs of multimedia designers. ClipPix is a
solution."

PhotoDisc is the leading producer of digital stock photography on CD-ROM. The
PhotoDisc digital photography series currently features ten high-resolution
volumes with a broad offering of subjects an dover 3,000 images. Approximately
700 new images are released every quarter.


Samples available for downloading from the Multimedia/Cyberspace Library:

 *********************************
Number: 1021  Name: CLIPPIX.ZIP
Address: CYBERSPACE  Date: 940506
Approximate # of bytes: 380928
Number of Accesses: 1  Library: 8
Description:
Two 24-bit JPEG images from 21st Century Media's ClipPix PhotoDisc Collection:
 1. BACO81.JPG  744x490x256+ colors -- intricate geometric designs!
 2. BUS007.JPG  728x490x256+ colors -- men in shirtsleeves with graph at a
    business meeting. Looks like a photograph only its on your screen!
                                    -*-
These sample screens illustrate the quality of this extensive commercial
collection of photographic clip art for use in multimedia presentations.
Viewable on any system with JPEG viewer (best in SVGA). LVIEW31.ZIP in this
Library recommended for display in Windows.


Special Offer

If you purchase ClipPix before May 16th, the price is only $119. After its
release, the price will be $149 direct.

To place an order, contact PhotoDisc at 1-800-528-3472, or write us at 2013 4th
Avenue, 4th Floor, Seattle, WA 98121, fax [phone].

                                     -*-




 _                        Cyberspace Library Finds
| |                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |                   Cyberspace, GEnie -- May 6, 1994
| |
| |__
|____|ast week's CYBERSPACE REPORT included Visual Software's announcement
about a brand new version of Visual Reality for Windows, a powerful suite of
3-D graphics and animation programs. We received the demonstration version of
Visual Reality for Windows shown below too late to include it with that story.
It's a big download -- two disks worth -- but well worth it if you're into
photorealistic art creations!

 *********************************
Number: 1019  Name: VRDEMO1.ZIP
Approximate # of bytes: 1400320

 *********************************
Number: 1020  Name: VRDEMO2.ZIP
Approximate # of bytes: 950272

Description:
Disk 1 of 2: 256-Color DEMO of Visual Reality for Windows, a new commercial
suite of programs from Visual Software Inc. for creating photorealistic 3-D
graphics, animations, and scenes. Program itself handles up to 16 million
colors. Demo includes fanatastic 3-D scenes ranging from subtle to outrageous
for business graphics, architectural applications, and product design. Shows
detailed GUIs used by Visual Model, Visual Image, RenderizeLive, Visual Font,
Visual Player, Visual Ojects, and Visual Textures. Requires Windows, SVGA, 8MB
hard drive space, and VRDEMO2.ZIP. To install from Windows: Run from Files menu
by typing A:\VRDEMO. Expanded, this file fills a HD floppy disk to the brim.
More information in CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY for April 29, 1994.


The April CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY Compilation is now available from the
Multimedia/Cyberspace Library in the following file:

 *********************************
Number: 1022  Name: CSR9404.ZIP
Address: CYBERSPACE   Date: 940506
Approximate # of bytes: 113408
Number of Accesses: 1  Library: 1
Description:
This compilation contains the five CYBERSPACE REPORTS WEEKLY for April 1994,
late-breaking industry news you won't see in the magazines for weeks if not
months! You'll find 50+ stories on everything from new commercial software and
hardware to multimedia and VR trends and upcoming trade shows, CD-ROM products
for Macintosh & Windows, reports from the National Assn of Broadcasters,
Compton's Multimedia Patent, recommended files and demos to download, animation
and recognition break-thrus, accelerators, and more! Permission granted to
reprint in all or part as long as credit is given. This ASCII text file is
readable on any system. Get it while it's hot!


               CYBERSPACE REPORTS WEEKLY for April 1994
               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
940401:

 1. TouchVision Systems Updates D/Vision, Shows CineWorks at NAB
 2. Radius Revolutionizes QuickTime Video Editing
 3. Apple Launches Digital Camera for Macintosh & Windows PCs
 4. C-Cube's Multimode Video Decoder & Transport Demultiplexer Chips
 5. Media Vision Ships New Multimedia Kits
 6. CD Software Sales Explode in Fourth Quarter
 7. MDI Ships Major League Baseball SportsGuide Software
 8. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Rejects Compton's Multimedia Patent
 9. Recommended Library Files This Week in Cyberspace

940408:

 1. Observations from Cyberspace: Multimedia Meets TV at NAB
 2. PC Data Releases List of Top-Selling Software for 1993
 3. Twelve Vendors Recognized at Seybold Editor's Awards for Excellence
 4. Davidson & Associates Ships The Cruncher for Windows
 5. VIDI's Presenter Professional 1st for 3-D Visuals and 3-D Audio
 6. Media Vision's New Sound Boards Feature SRS Labs 3-D Sound
 7. Media Vision Launches 3-D Sound Boards
 8. More DareWare ShareWare in the Cyberspace Library

940415:

 1. Multimedia Development Group Hosts Event with Film and TV Producer
    Celebrities to Discuss "Killer" Content
 2. CompuAdd Launches 11 Multimedia Models
 3. New Generation of Apple Products Makes Multimedia More Accessible and
    Affordable for Macintosh and PC Customers
 4. Sound Blaster 16 Value Edition to Ship Worldwide
 5. Training Program Lets Users Learn and Experience Multimedia
 6. Individual Software Inks OEM Deal with Aztech Systems
 7. Aldus Type Twister Adds New Twist to Old Applications
 8. Ulead Systems Releases ImagePals 2
 9. Canada's 1st Virtual Construction Company Sets Up Shop in Cyberspace
10. Virtual Reality Conference Projects Future World Today
11. Spring Internet World '94
12. Explore New Worlds with "The Virtual Reality Construction Kit"
13. CYBERSPACE Library Finds

940422:

 1. O'Reilly Announces $500 Winner of "Best of New SMILEY Contest"
 2. Harvard Graphics for Windows Official Presentation Graphics at FOSE
 3. Gold Disk Extends Astound Introductory Price to April 30th
 4. CoSA Announces Hitchcock for Macintosh
 5. Paramount Publishing and Davidson & Associates Announce Joint Venture
 6. Music _Is_ the Edge: InterOctave Ignites Multimedia Products
 7. The Software Toolworks Expands Commitment to Edutainment Market
 8. GSI Announces Model 4C Intelligent IDE Accelerator Board
 9. ALR Offers World's First 16-Bit IDE CD-ROM Drive for Desktop PCs
10. BAT Keyboard a Hit with Computer Users
11. The Learning Maching: The Ultimate Altered-State Experience for
    Learning, Meditation, and Personal Growth
12. 1st Internet CyberStation to Broadcast from NetWorld+Interop 94

940429:

 1. World's 1st Wireless, Real-Time Motion Capture System Character Animation
 2. Nestor Announces Pact to Market Ni1000 High-Speed Recognition Chips
 3. Ray Dream Announces addDepth for Windows: Instant 3D Impact for Type
    and Graphics [Macintosh Ray Dream Designer Updates]
 4. Visual Software Ships Visual Reality for Windows
 5. Musitek to Ship MIDISCAN v1.1 for Windows Upgrade at Reduced Price
 6. Creative Introduces Family of Single Chip Sound Blaster Audio Solutions
 7. Diamond Introduces 64-bit Acceleration to SpeedStar Graphics Cards
 8. DevWare Releases Crouton Tools for Video Toaster Systems
 9. Living Books Acquires Multimedia Rights to Berenstain Bears
10. Living Books Acquires Multimedia Rights to Dr. Seuss Books
11. Video Arts and Philips Media Join Forces to Provide Humorous Management
    Training Programs on CD-i

All 50+ of these stories are now available in file 1022 CSR9404.ZIP!

                                     -*-





 ---------------- C O N T E N T S ------------ DateLine: May 13, 1994 -----

 1. Knowledge Adventure ZoomScape Basis for Absolut Marketing VR Application
     Superb Virtual Art Museum Demo in Library File 1023 ABDEMO.EXE

 2. VREAM Announces its Version 2.0 for Windows: VRCreator
     Excellent VR House Adventure in Library File 1025 SEEVREAM.EXE

 3. New Book: "The Virtual Reality Primer" by L.Casey Larijani

 4. Do Boys and Girls have Different Learning Styles?
     Yes, When They Use Electronic Software and Video Games

 5. The Decline and Fall of Commodore Int.

 6. Aldus Paint & Publish Helps Users Design Show-Stopping Documents

 7. CD-ROM Volume #1 from Micro R.& D. for Amiga

 8. Asymetrix Ships CD-ROM Version of Jurassic Park - The Screen Saver

 9. ORIGIN's Privateer CD Has It All

10. Interactive Academy's Award Entries to be Screened

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------



   Knowledge Adventure ZoomScape Basis for Absolut Marketing VR Application
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                   Absolut Museum Created using Company's
 _   _                 3-D Virtual ZoomScape Technology
| | / )
| |/ /               La Crescenta, CA -- April 21, 1994
|   <
| |\ \
|_| \_)nowledge Adventure, a leading developer of multimedia educational
software, today announced that its 3-D Virtual ZoomScape technology is the
basis for the creation of the Absolut Museum, the first marketing use of an
interactive 3-D virtual reality. The Absolut Museum was created by Ogilvy &
Mather Direct's Interactive Marketing Group under contract to Absolut's
advertising agency, TBWA. The Absolut Museum presents a "virutal" tour through
210 of the best works commissioned by TBWA for Alsolut since its famous ad
campaign launched in 1980.

Fine Art

Designed for use on a standard personal computer with a hard drive, the Absolut
Museum using Knowledge Adventure's 3-D environment by moving the arrow keys or
using a mouse. As customers explore the Absolut Museum, they will see well
known paintings by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Kenny Schart; design works by
John Celation, Adam Tihany and Maria Blatta; fashions by Joie Natori, Toad
Oldham and Richard Tyler, paintings by African-American artists and 26
then-Soviet artists; and highlights from the main Absolut advertising campaign
-- among the 210 works. The three-disk sets are available for $29.95 by calling
1-800-94-ABSOLUT. Sales of the disks will be restricted to those over 21.

Net proceeds of all sales of the Absolut Museum will be donated to the American
Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR).


A wonderful demonstration version of Absolut Museum is available for
downloading from the Multimedia/Cyberspace Library on GEnie Page 2000:


 *********************************
Number: 1023  Name: ABDEMO.EXE
Address: CYBERSPACE   Date: 940511
Approximate # of bytes: 561664
Number of Accesses: 2  Library: 13
Description:
Absolut Museum Demo lets you move around a fabulous 3-D Virtual Reality Art
Museum show-casing the award-winning Absolut Vodka ad series begun in 1980.
Move through marble hallways viewing paintings that come into focus as you
approach; even has music and special effects! Done with Knowledge Adventure's
ZoomScape, designed by Interactive Marketing Group with TBWA Advertising. Net
proceeds from Absolut Museum's 3-disk set donated to AmFAR (American Foundation
for AIDS Research). Expand this self-extracting file by typing ABDEMO. Type
ABSDEMO to run. Mouse or keyboard control; press F1 for help, the + starts you
moving forward. Requires IBM-compatible, VGA, 520KB free conventional memory. A
fascinating VR experience!


Knowledge Adventure, Inc., headquartered in La Crescenta, California, is a
leading developer of multimedia educational software products. The company's
3-D Dinosaur Adventure recently was selected the Best Overall Education Program
by the 1994 Software Publishers Association as part of its Excellence in
Software Awards Program. Dinosaur Adventure and Space Adventure were selected
Best Elementary Education and Best Secondary Education Program, respectively,
by the 1993 Software Publishers Association as part of its Excellence in
Software Awards Program.

                                     -*-




             VREAM Announces its Version 2.0 for Windows: VRCreator
             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            New functionality, new $495 price tag, new $295 unlimited
             distribution license make VREAM the most powerful, most
 _    _   affordable, full featured virtual reality software available.
| |  | |
| |  | |                San Jose, CA -- May 11, 1994
| |  | |
 \ \/ /
  \__/REAM, a company dedicated to bringing vitrual reality to the consumer
market, today announced the Version 2.0 Windows release of its VREAM Virtual
Reality Development System: VRCreator. This software, now available for a
breakthrough price of $495, builds on VREAM's successes to date and remains the
only affordable software product that lets users quickly and easily create
fully interactive, high  resolution, textured virtual reality worlds or
applications for the PC.

"More than ever before, we've made state-of-the-art virtual reality accessible
to the masses for business or  pleasure," said VREAM founder and president
Edward R. LaHood. "This is far and away the most robust and most affordable
virtual reality software on the market."

New Features Make Hot Technology Available to Everyone

Until VREAM introduced its ground-breaking Version 1.0 software, only
super-programmers working for institutions with deep pockets had access to
virtual reality. The affordability and ease of use of VREAM's virtual reality
software has ensured that everyone, even novice computer users, can have access
to true virtual reality. Around the world, located in over thirty countries,
VREAM users are taking advantage of VREAM's offering the most virtual reality
functionality at the most affordable price. With this latest release, VREAM
brings virtual reality to even more people, anyone running the popular Windows
operating system. With only a standard PC, VGA monitor, mouse, and keyboard,
non-programmers can now create a complex three dimensional virtual world under
Windows and then enter the world and interact with it in real time under either
Windows or DOS.

To gear the product for the consumer market VRCreator has been greatly
enhanced. The software now  supports high resolution Super VGA graphics modes
and graphics co-processing boards. Moreover, it has been optimized to provide
high performance levels as users walk through virtual worlds, grab, move, and
throw objects with the user controlled hand, and experience the interplay of
defined behaviors and cause and effect relationships. Of course, VREAM has
ensured that worlds or applications built with the the current version of the
software are fully forwards-compatible to the new version.

A breakthrough for the industry and certainly one of the nicest features of
VRCreator is the new multi-user enhancement. Users will now be able to share
virtual space within a single world, throwing objects back and forth or
otherwise interacting with their partners in the virtual world.

Importantly, VRCreator now allows a virtual world to be experienced in either
DOS or Windows, the first step towards achieving VREAM's goal of having worlds
and applications be seamlessly portable across many platforms, from PCs to UNIX
workstations to home-market set top machines.

Development of Complete Virtual Reality Applications Easier than Ever

For sophisticated users, VRCreator offers many new features to facilitate the
development of robust applications for shrink-wrapped distribution or for
proprietary purposes in a wide range of application areas, including
entertainment, education, financial services, corporate training, medicine,
architecture, and many others.

"The leading players out there realize that this [virtual reality] is the
future of computing and they're not about to miss the boat," said VREAM
marketing vice president Ken Gaebler. "Soon, you'll see the technology getting
past the hype and you'll see innovative virtual reality software applications
popping up all over the place."

VREAM users have always had access to the powerful VREAM scripting language,
VREAMScript, which defines every world built with the software, but now this
language has been enhanced to meet important developer needs. Additional
control structures, user-defined variables, and improved links to external
programs are now  available to VREAM users. Importantly, VRCreator now allows
users to incorporate 2D buttons, pop-up windows and other control panel items
to monitor and control the activities of the virtual worlds that drive an
application.

Without question, however, one of the most important new features for
developers is the availability of the VREAM Unlimited Distribution License,
which for the low price of $295 allows for the distribution of an unlimited
number of applications built with VREAM. The company has led the market in
price, features, and  performance and now leads once again by introducing an
affordable distribution license.

Both Desktop and Immersive Virtual Reality Provides Optimal Flexibility

VRCreator requires a 386, 486, or Pentium based IBM compatible running
Microsoft Windows, four megabytes of RAM, a math co-processor, and a standard
VGA graphics board. Users can experience "desktop virtual reality" or "virtual
reality through the window" with this minimum configuration. Alternatively,
users can take advantage of VREAM's ever-expanding list of supported low- and
high-end devices, including head-mounted  displays, 3D tracking systems, 3D
mice, gloves and 3D ball controllers, to achieve "immersive virtual reality."

Virtual Reality Adventure

An absorbing Virtual 3-D World created with VREAM is available in the following
file. Additionally, four very interesting GIFs of 3-D VREAM-created screens (a
couple showing its user interface) may be downloaded as well.

 *********************************
Number: 1025  Name: SEEVREAM.EXE
Address: CYBERSPACE   Date: 940512
Approximate # of bytes: 514560
Number of Accesses: 2  Library: 13
Description:
This impressive 3-D virtual world adventure illustrates basic capabilities of
virtual worlds developed with VREAM. It begins in the main room of a 3-D house
where you can manipulate/carry 3-D objects like blocks, pictures on the wall, a
ceiling fan, and television; go into the attic through the ceiling (jukebox and
beach balls that bounce) or go outside through the walls. You can go INSIDE of
ALL objects and even underground to see the house from there! Requires
IBM-compatible 386 with math coprocessor or better, at least 4 MB RAM, 3MB hard
drive space, VGA, mouse. Instructions included. Type SEEVREAM to expand.

 *********************************
Number: 1026  Name: VREAMSNS.ZIP
Address: CYBERSPACE   Date: 940512
Approximate # of bytes: 167168
Number of Accesses: 2  Library: 13
Description:
Four very interesting GIFs showing 3-D screens created with VREAM, Virtual
Reality creation program for DOS and Windows. 3-D views of Chicago, 3-D House
and interior, textured 3-D Room and objects. Some screens show VREAM's GUI
interface. Display on any system with a GIF viewing program. 640x480 in 256
colors.


Beta releases of VRCreator will be available third quarter 1994. Production
releases will be available fourth quarter 1994. For more information, contact
Edward R. LaHood, VREAM, Inc, 2568 N. Clark St #250, Chicago, IL 60614,
telephone [phone].

                                     -*-




 ____       New Book: "The Virtual Reality Primer" by L.Casey Larijani
|  __|      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |_                    New York, NY -- May 9, 1994
|  _|
| |__
|____|xamining the tremendous promise of virtual reality (VR) in many different
fields and industries, "The Virtual Reality Primer" by L. Casey Larijani is an
easy-to-understand, jargon-free guide to this revolutionary, fast-developing
technology -- the most complex computer technology to date.

                                                    ____________________
                                                   /                    \
    ______________________________________________| Prizes, Games & Fun! |
   /                                              |======================|
  |                                               |                      |
  |         "The Virtual Reality Primer"          |         YOU          |
  |                                               |         ~~~          |
  |             by L. Casey Larijani              |   Could Win a FREE   |
  |                                               |  COPY of this Great  |
  |   Alternate Selection of THREE book clubs:    |  New Book at the VR  |
  |  Library of Computer and Information Science  | Real-Time Conference |
  |           Small Computer Book Club            |  on Tuesday, May 17  |
  |              Library of Science               |    in CYBERSPACE!    |
  |                                               |                      |
  |    274 pages; Illustrated; 7-3/8" x 9 1/4"    | That's 10PM Eastern  |
  |     Hardcover: $40.00; Paperback: $24.95      |    time on GEnie     |
  |            McGraw-Hill Publication            |   Page 2000, Menu 2. |
  |        ISBN: 0-07-036417-6 (hardcover)        |                      |
   \______________________________________________|_____________________/


Larijani thoroughly explains how virtual reality works, tells where it's going,
and speculates on the impact it will have in specific areas. She demonstrates
that virtual reality has many extraordinary commercial applications (in
addition to its obvious appeal to the entertainment industry), discussing its
potential in such fields as manufacturing, engineering, medicine, education,
architecture, and the military.

As the author points out, "By providing us with the means of 'seeing' things
invisible to us in the real world, VR techniquest can sharpen our under-
standing of the real world." This possibility allows well-designed
virtual-reality experiences to "shorten the distance betweeen what we must
learn and what we are able to know through experience." It opens up
opportunities for major advances in everything from telemanipulated
microsurgery to electronic outreach classrooms, from molecular modeling for
scientific projecs to CD-ROM games.

"The Virtual Reality Primer" fully examines what is needed to create a virtual
world, such as the hardware and software requirements, networkin capabilities,
and the audio/video considerations. It provides objective reviews of
representative VR products and reports on the latest R&D advances, the players
in the field, and who's investing in it. In addition, the book includes a
particularly helpful glossary with definitions of more than 200 virtual reality
terms.

L. Casey Larigani is a New York City-based technical writer and consultant.
Previously director of James Martin Research and managing editor of
High-Productivity Software, she has extensive experience with a wide range of
computer systems and their applications in both business and education.

Available at book stores, or call 1-800-2-MCGRAW to order by telephone.

FREE copies of "The Virtual Reality Primer" and other fine prizes will be
awarded at the CYBERSPACE Real-Time Conference (RTC) on Tuesday, May 17th,
starting at 10PM Eastern Time on GEnie Page 2000, menu option 2.

                                    -*-




               Do Boys and Girls have Different Learning Styles?
            Yes, When They Use Electronic Software and Video Games
 _          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |
| |                    San Mateo, CA - March 28, 1994
| |
| |
|_|n a new study that could have profound implications for parents, teachers,
and educational software designers, unique research indicates boys and girls
exhibit very different learning styles when using electornic games and
software. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Queens
University found that different electronic games preferences seemed to be
expressions of different learning styles.

How Girls are Engaged

As a group, girls generally identified strongly with characters in software
games, and less with fast-action, goal-oriented type products like video games.
Often they saw themselves as the character in a game. They were fascinated by
the relationships between characters and resulting story lines. Girls also were
more likely to assign a gender to an androgynous character, such as a ghost or
a troll.

Girls were less likely to approach computers and home video games when they
were in use by boys. Instead of approaching a boy who was playing the game,
girls would instead approach a researcher and say, "I think it's my turn now."
When beginning to play games that were new to them, girls often exhibited low
confidence, saying things like, "Oh, I am terrible at this!" before they had
even begun to play.

How Boys are Engaged

Boys, on the other hand, were much more likely to ask for their turn at the
computer or video games, regardless of who (boys or girls) were playing.
Fact-action, competition, and speed were interesting to boys, possibly because
they provide mental challenge. While boys also liked violent and aggressive
games, researchers believe games with violence and aggression may be less
engaging than those that mentally challenge boys.

From their observations, researchers believe that the most attractive elements
to boys might be fast-action, competition and speed. They intend to build games
which contain these elements, but not violence and aggression elements, in
order to test their theory.

Video game playing was most definitely not a solitary activity for boys. In
fact, boys tended to group around a video game and suggest comments to the
player or players about how to progress to the next level. Says Maria Klawe,
Department Head and Professor of Computer Science at the University of British
Columbia, "As a group, they tended to be engaged, even though only one person
might actually be playing. They collaborated on the results, verbally and
sometimes even to the point where they passed around the game controls. Each
boy would perform the task he excelled at and then pass the control on to the
next boy."

What Can We Learn From the Research?

For parents and teachers, the research suggests that special efforts might be
needed to make sure that boys and girls get equal time on computers or video
games. Following on research released in 1992 by the American Association of
University Women's Education Foundation (How Schools Shortchange Girls), this
research suggests ways to more effectively engage girls as well as boys.

Educational software designers are takng such advice to heart. One company,
EA*Kids(TM), a division of Electronic Arts, is using the team's reserach to
design a new math software product, slated for fall release, called Counting on
Frank(TM) (based on the book by Rod Clement). Says Greg Bestick, General
Manager of EA*Kids, "This new research is helping us design products that will
be interesting for girls as well as boys. Our goal with Counting on Frank is to
create a math game that is so engaging that children are motivated to learn,
because they want to play the game."

Such efforts are the reason the research was conducted in the first place. It's
part of a larger research project called Electronic Games for Education in Math
and Science (E-GEMS). The overall goal of the E-GEMS research group is to
increase the number of children who interact positively with math and science,
using electornic games within the context of a classroom. Preliminary research
on what is interesting and engaging to children in electronic games will help
the team design and develop games that incorporate mathematical and scientific
concepts. Games will be initially developed in a computer software format
because of the hardware/memory restrictions in the video game format.

Klawe was careful to emphasize that while the research inidicated strong
trends, there were exceptions to each trend. Some girls, for instance, appeared
to enjoy fast-paced games. And one boy was reluctant to destroy game creatures
in order to continue a game, and actually apologized to them before blowing
them up.

The research was conducted at Science World, a children's science museum, so
researchers could observe several thousand boys and girls over a period of nine
weeks in an informal learning setting. The ages of the children ranged from 3
to 18, and they came from vairied socioeconomic backgrounds. The two reports
referred to in this summary are "We Have Never-Forgetful Flowers in Our Garden:
Girls' Responses to Electronic Games" and "Exploring Common Conceptions About
Boys and Electronic Games." Both are available as technical reports from the
Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia and have
been submitted for publication in scientific journals.


EA*Kids is a division of Electronic Arts. Electronic arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) is a
diversified entertainment and education company that develops, publishes, and
distributes software worldwide. The company was founded in 1982 and has an
annual sales rate of almost $400 million. Its corporate headquarters are in San
Mateo, California, with additional offices in Texas, Canada, United Kingdom,
Europe, Australia, and Japan.

                                     -*-




                    The Decline and Fall of Commodore Int.
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                It was a Failure of Marketing, Not Technology.

 _                      Philadelphia, PA -- May 8, 1994
| |                          by Anthony Gnoffo Jr.
| |                   Staff Writer, Philadelphia Enquirer
| |
| |
|_|t was a wake in cyberspace.

Minutes after Commodore International Ltd., the company that helped launch the
personal-computer revolution 15 years ago, said it was going out of business
nine days ago, the Commodore faithful tapped into the Internet, CompuServe,
GEnie and a host of other on-line services and computer bulletin boards.

They came from their bedrooms and dens, from offices and college dormitories,
from America and Europe and Australia and Asia, from everywhere people keep
desktop computers. Software engineers, videographers, techno-artists, hackers
-- they eulogized Commodore's Amiga computer as far better than those pitiful
Macintoshes and IBM-compatibles.

Their Amigas can handle streams of video that would choke a Mac or an IBM.
Their Amigas can produce eye-popping graphics and dazzling sound at a lower
cost than the competition. Yet their Amiga was unappreciated in the personal-
computer marketplace dominated by Macs and IBMs.

Why didn't Commodore try harder, they wondered.

"They really seemed to believe that if you build a better mousetrap, the world
will beat a path to your door," said Brian Jackson, a former Commodore
engineer.

Why didn't chairman Irving Gould, who routinely was paid more in a month than
most people make in a year, spend more to market the Amiga? Why was their
beloved computer left to wither and die?

They may never know.

As is its habit, Commodore, which is incorporated in the Bahamas but keeps much
of its corporate offices in West Chester, announced its bad news after the
close of the stock market on a Friday. As has also been their habit, Commodore
officials have not returned repeated phone calls to answer any of the questions
raised by their terse announcement.

Drowning in debt from its recent losses, Commodore did say that it would
voluntarily sell off its assets for the benefit of its creditors. Among the
creditors is Gould, who lent the company $17 million in 1993, when the company
erased its shareholders' equity with a $356.5 million loss for the year that
ended June 30.

Commodore's overseas subsidiaries were not included in the announcement. What
is to become of them, including operations in Europe and Asia, is not known.

The company said it would turn its assets over to an unidentified trustee who
would oversee their sale under Bahamian law.

There have been assumptions and rumors among the Commodore cult that
Commodore's technology, so adored for its ability to process video images and
multimedia applications, will live on. Such theories hold that some other
company - perhaps a big Japanese consumer electronics house - will buy the
rights to Commodore's proprietary chips. But no one knows for sure, and no
companies have made any offers.

At least not in public.

There is also a movement afoot among the small companies and individuals who
developed software and peripheral hardware for Commodore to assemble a
consortium to buy the technology rights. It is being organized on the Internet,
just as a move to gain control of the company's board of directors was pursued
this year; that effort failed.

"No one knows what's going on or what will happen," said one Commodore dealer.
"There's nothing but guesses and speculation."

Paul Higginbottom began tinkering with a Commodore PET computer - PET, for
Personal Electronic Transactor - in 1978, when he was still a college student
in England. Jimmy Carter was in the White House; Mac's Apple II was not yet on
the market, and the IBM PC was three years away.

"I was experimenting with it, writing some programs, just a typical hobbyist
kind of guy," he said. "So I showed (Commodore) one of the programs I wrote,
and they thought it would be quite useful." In the summer of 1979, he went to
work for Commodore.

"What I liked about going to work for Commodore was that it was a new
industry," he said. "No one knew where it could really go, but the sky seemed
to be the limit as far as where you could go within the company.

"It was a place where the engineers were looking into neat things. The company
was innovative."

And it was a leader. As early as 1979, Commodore shipped 80,000 small
computers, 14 percent of all the PCs sold that year, according to the
market-research firm Dataquest, of San Jose, Calif.

Fueled by the popular Commodore 64 computer, which was introduced in 1982, the
company hit its peak in 1984, shipping 3.4 million desktop computers and
controlling nearly a quarter of the market.

Of course, 1984 was the year that Apple introduced Macintosh. And it was also
about that time that computer firms from the Silicon Valley to Singapore began
marketing inexpensive clones of the IBM PC.

Since 1979, Commodore has sold more than 20 million personal computers
worldwide, according to Dataquest. Compare that, however, with the universe of
IBM-compatible personal computers, of which nearly 30 million were sold in 1992
alone.

Instead of recognizing the pervasiveness of IBM's operating system, Commodore
continued to bet on its own system, and upon that isolated foundation built its
Amiga computer. And just as Sony's Betamax video format failed to capture the
market, even though it was judged superior to VHS, Commodore's Amiga operating
system failed to wrest customers from IBM's MS-DOS.

Amiga's Marketing Spotty

"I can still remember the introduction of the Amiga" in 1985, said Andy Bose,
an analyst at Link Resources Inc., a technology market-research firm in New
York. "It was a real media event. It was at Lincoln Center. Andy Warhol was
there, Deborah Harry from (the pop group) Blondie. It was truly a rich
computer; perhaps it was ahead of its time."

Its lavish introduction aside, Commodore's marketing efforts on behalf of Amiga
were spotty. Ad campaigns were launched, then dropped before they could be
effective, analysts said.

Eventually, Commodore made an effort to sell IBM-compatible systems in Europe.
But the effort, said Dataquest analyst Philippe de Marcillac, was too little
and too late.

"If they had just been more wholehearted about things," de Marcillac said, "a
lot would have been different."

Many analysts, company insiders, shareholders and other Commodore stakeholders
lay the blame squarely at the feet of Gould and his lieutenant, Mehdi R. Ali,
the president of the company.

Fingers Pointed at Top

In 1993, when the company lost $356.5 million, Gould drew a salary and benefits
of $708,333; Ali's salary and benefits amounted to $1,038,098. Neither was
awarded bonuses that year, according to the company's proxy statement. And for
the current fiscal year, Ali had his base salary reduced from $1 million to
$750,000, and Gould's was reduced from $750,000 to $250,000.

"There is only one answer for what happened to Commodore, and that's Irving
Gould," said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies International, a
computer-marketing consulting firm in San Jose.

"He lived by quarterly numbers," Bajarin said of the Commodore chairman. "I
don't think he ever understood the computer revolution and what it took to take
part in the infrastructure of the computer revolution."

What it took was an operating system common to many computers, Bajarin said.
"But he kept moving in proprietary directions."

Good at Finance, But...

Like Gould, Ali knew how to read a balance sheet, Commodore employees said.
What he didn't understand was the computer business.

"He was very sharp at finance," said Higginbottom, who left the company in
1991. "He never understood that if you are going to have a proprietary
operating system, you have to go to great lengths to support the people who are
writing software for your system. Apple understood that. Mehdi Ali did not.

"He just didn't know the computer industry; he didn't understand technology."

For the computer-oriented middle managers at Commodore's offices in West
Chester, where employment fell from more than 400 in 1984 to about 20 or so
when the liquidation was announced, the result was a harried and unpredictable
working environment, former employees said.

"Commodore was just so nuts," said Jackson, the engineer who was laid off in
June 1993, when the company seemed to give up any hope for the future by
letting go more than half of its engineers. "If it appeared nuts from the
outside, it really appeared nuts from the inside.

"You didn't really have a computer company," Jackson said. "Commodore was a
widgets company. They wanted anything we could hack together real quick from
existing technology and sell a zillion of them like we did with the Commodore
64. And with that mentality, you can never really support customers."

Indeed, many Commodore observers said, the success of the Commodore 64, which
came without an aggressive marketing campaign, may have spoiled Commodore's top
managers into believing that such was the way of the computer business.

"So that's what they were always looking for, the next big hit," Jackson said.

When the Amiga didn't provide the big hit, the focus, in 1992, became CDTV, for
Commodore Dynamic Television. That product was intended to bring the computer
into the homes of people who were afraid of computers. A Trojan horse, the CDTV
had a computer on the inside, but no keyboard. It played games and multimedia
reference works on the family TV set, controlled by the couch-potato's favorite
tool, the hand-held remote control.

But it, too, suffered from a lack of marketing. Analysts said that by the time
Commodore brought CDTV and its enhanced successor, CD32, to market, the
company's financial situation was too precarious. Credit markets would not
provide the funds needed to pay for a major advertising push. The product
languished even though some reviewers of CD32 have said it is better than the
well-hyped products by Sega and 3DO.


The epilogue to Commodore's sad story is anybody's guess.

"There is so much speculation; people are mentioning Hewlett-Packard and
Philips and Sony as possible buyers of the technology," said Michael Levin, a
former Commodore employee who heads the Commodore Shareholders Movement, the
Internet-linked group that tried to oust the company's management.

"The dream would be a consortium of Amiga developers," he said, acknowledging
that such a scenario is, for now at least, fairly far-fetched.

"The dice are being rolled, and anything could happen with the Amiga
technology," he said.

Indeed, all that can be said for certain about the future of Commodore and its
Amiga technology is that the lawyers are likely to have a field day
interpreting Bahamian corporate law.

In the meantime, computer junkies across the globe will be watching events
unfold. One young Commodore customer posted this message on the Internet last
weekend:

"I am a very shy teenager who grew up with few friends. What did I care? I had
my Commodore computers! THEY were my friends. They didn't care about the way
you looked, the way you spoke, the way you did ANYTHING! Just press RETURN
after every line; that's all they wanted. In a way, I have lost a friend. I
cannot say that I didn't give birth to a small tear when I heard the news of
(Commodore's) liquidation."

                             Philadelphia Enquirer
                  Copyright Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. 1994
                            Reprinted by Permission.




                      Aldus Paint & Publish Helps Users
  ___              Design Show-Stopping Documents with Ease
 / _ \             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |_| |                  San Diego, CA -- May 9, 1994
|  _  |
| | | |
|_| |_|ldus Corporation's Consumer Division today announced its new Paint &
Publish bundle for Macintosh computers, bringing two of the company's most
popular, award-winning products togetherin one affordably priced box. For a
limited time, authorized Aldus resellers will offer Aldus' SuperPrint 3.5 and
HomePublisher 2.0 at the company's estimated street pricing of $89.99.

"With SuperPaint and HomePublish, non-technical users can easily create
graphically appealing documents, such as invitations, flyers, brochures and
newsletters, that look like they were professionaly designed," said Mark Myers,
product marketing manager for Paint & Publish. "Our built-in templates set the
stage for the creation of hundreds of different looks. Users can also select
from 50 AutoCreate templates, 300 ClickArt images, and 12 exciting fonts to
create unique, dramatic results. We've also included specialty preprinted
papers to add pizazz to the final printed document."

Home, small business, and educational users will find Paint & Publish an
exceptional value in the creation of a variety of graphically appealing
documents, including logos, newsletters, charts and graphs, personalized
greeting cards and invitations, stationery, forms, illustrations, brochures,
organizational diagrams, fliers, business cards, calendars, certificates, and
much more.

The recommended minimum system is an Apple Macintosh SE/30 or later-model
computer, System 6.0.5 or later, 4MB of RAM, and a hard disk. The minimum
configuration is a Macintosh Plus or later model, System 6.0.5 or later, 4 MB
of RAM, and a hard disk.


Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ:ALDC) creates computer software solutions that help
people throughout the world effectively communicate information and ideas. For
more information, contact Aldus Corporation, 5120 Shoreham Place, San Diego, CA
92122-5926, telephone [phone].

                                    -*-




 _   _            CD-ROM Volume #1 from Micro R.& D. for Amiga
| \ | |           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|  \| |                  Loup City, NE -- May 10, 1994
|     |
| |\  |
|_| \_|ew from Micro R.& D., Volume #1 in a new series of CD-ROM discs for the
Amiga user. Volume One contains the complete TRANSITION programs, by far the
easiest, most cost effective multiple platform graphics conversion software
ever written for the Amiga. Includes built-in batch processing capability,
color correction, scaling, and more.

Also, Volume One includes 79 professionally composed Lightwave Objects from
Gateway Productions and the associated texture and reflection maps. Plus there
are 500 PostScript, and 500 Compugraphic fonts for Workbench 2.0 and above,
1300 Encapsulated PostScript Images, and thousands of Pictures, Utilities,
Objects, etc.

The Transition Software and Gateway Objects alone make this CD a real value;
add the fonts, utilities, images, and other extras and it is a real bargain!

Suggested Retail Price: $69.00

Coming Soon: Volume 2, More Textures, Backgrounds, 3-D Objects, etc. Volume 2
will also include the Entire Nature's Backdrop Collection!

For more information or to order direct, contact Micro R. & D. at P.O. Box 130,
721 "O" Street, Loup City, NE 68853, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

                                     -*-




       Asymetrix Ships CD-ROM Version of Jurassic Park - The Screen Saver
  ___  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 / _ \
| |_| |                 Bellevue, WA -- May 5, 1994
|  _  |
| | | |
|_| |_|symetrix Corporation today announced shipment of Asymetrix(TM) Jurassic
Park(TM) - The Screen Saver on CD-ROM. The CD-ROM version offers more than 60MB
of screen-saver shows that can be installed individually on users' hard drives
and easily reconfigured for removal and reinstallation. In addition to the
screen savers, there are many new wallpaper scenes and sound effects added to
the CD-ROM version. Asymetrix worked closely with MCA\Universal Merchandising,
Inc. and Amblin Entertainment to produce Jurassic Park - The Screen Saver. The
original floppy disk version of the screen saver has done phenomenally well,
selling more than 100,000 copies since its announcement last November.

"CD-ROM solves a fundamental problem with screen savers -- people get bored
with a finite set of content," commented Joe Rehfeld, general manager of the
consumer multimedia division at Asymetrix. "The problem is that the material is
played over and over again. With this CD-ROM, we give our users an incredible
range of material to choose from." The CD-ROM version of Jurassic Park - The
Screen Saver includes over 35 screen savers, more than 20 of which are not on
the floppy disk version. Some of these shows include Run Through the Jungle,
Nedry's Adventure, What's for Dinner?, and Feeding Time.

Also new to the CD-ROM version is Sneak Preview(TM), a graphic interface
designed specifically with children in mind. It's an accessible format that's
fun to play with and allows kids to view the screen saver shows at their own
pace. Large graphical buttons provide easy navigation, and the screen savers
can be viewed by clicking objects encountered as one moves through the
different screens.

The Jurassic Park CD includes many new entertaining and informational screen
savers for users of all ages. The Dinosaur Encyclopedia is a thorough
compilation of facts and statistics on the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park. The
Science of Jurassic Park includes a wonderful animated movie on DNA cloning.
Some of the best scenes from the movie are transformed into rich, graphical
vignettes in Lost in Jurassic Park. Park Operations shows users all the inner
workings of Jurassic Park from the Hatchery to Computer Operations.

Jurassic Park - The Screen Saver is the first in a series of entertainment
properties being developed by Asymetrix for the mass market. Working with major
studios, record companies, publications, television and sports organizations,
Asymetrix will bring out a number of entertainment titles in 1994. "We don't
have a preconceived model that we work with for developing our titles,"
explained Rehfeld. "Our approach is to look at each property or artist
independently and then determine what makes sense -- is it a screen saver, an
educational program, a game, or some combination of those featues? Our
expertise isn't just in technology -- we also provide a strong creative element
to help determine the best way to add value to whatever we bring to the digital
domain."

Availability and Pricing

The CD-ROM version of Jurassic Park - The Screen Saver is available now at
software retail outlets and directly from Asymetrix. The suggested retail price
is $34.95. Those who have previoiusly purchased the disk version can upgrade to
the CD-ROM version for $24.95 with a coupon. A version for use with Macintosh
computers is scheduled to be available in the third quarter of 1994. For
additional information, contact Asymetrix at 800/448-6543.

                                    -*-




 _____                 ORIGIN's Privateer CD Has It All
|_   _|                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  | |                      Austin, TX -- May 6,1994
  | |
  | |
  |_|he game that drew raves from the computer gaming industry for its
graphics, effects, and music is coming back for an encore performance on a new
format. The Privateer CD by ORIGIN Systems is scheduled to be released during
the week of June 15th. The enhanced CD version assembles all the Privateer
products on one compact disc: the original game, the fully digitized speech
from the Privateer Speech Pack(TM), as well as Righteous Fire(TM), the add-on
sequel which includes 24 new missions. But best of all, Privateer CD will free
up valuable hard drive space on your computer by playing directly from the CD.
You'll need less than 2 MB of hard drive space to play the game.

In the year 2670, Privateer transports you to the shadowy side of the war
against the Kilrathi empire, into the trading circles of the Gemini sector. On
this frontier, opportunity awaits the resourceful and the ruthless. Struggling
to make a quick buck, you choose your own destiny as you modify your ship,
survive combat, and accumulate cash. You can choose a career as a conniving
pirate, a prosperous merchant, or a hot shot mercenary. Between fighting off
Kilrathi and dodging asteriods, a privateer's days are long, dangerous, and
full of adventure.

Privateer forges ahead to the next generation of space-combat simulation, to a
world where trading and budgeting are just as vital to survival as piloting
skills. Moving through an intensely cinematic universe, you'll experience the
two very different thrills of clinching a bargain and flying in real time, 3-D
space combat. Bartering for an infinite number of missions, you will find that
ORIGIN's dynamic sound effects and flawless animations bring the Privateer
universe to life.

Current system requirements for Privateer CD are:

  IBM-PC, 386/33+, Intel 486 or 100% compatible system (486 recommended)
  4 MB RAM, 1.2 MB hard drive space
  MS-DOS 5.0 or higher
  MS-DOS CD-ROM extensions 2.1 or higher
  256-color VGA graphics
  Music (optional): Ad Lib, Sound Blaster, Pro-Audio Spectrum, General
    MIDI MPU-401, or 100% compatible sound board
  Speech/Sound Effects (optional): Sound Blaster, Pro-Audio Spectrum, or
    100% compatible sound board
  Recommended: 486/33+, CD-ROM Double Speed Drive, 1 MB video card,
    joystick and sound board
  Supports: DOS 6.0 and 6.2 with DoubleSpace
  Expected retail price: $55-65

ORIGIN Systems develops and publishes state-of-the-art entertainment software.
To date, the company has released more than 40 titles including the
award-winning Ultima and Commander series of games. ORIGIN is based in Austin,
Texas, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS).

                                     -*-




 _____          Interactive Academy's Award Entries to be Screened
|_   _|         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  | |                 Beverly Hills, CA  -- May 6, 1994
  | |
  | |
  |_|he Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) and 100 major interactive
software developers and interactive film and television producers including
Philips, Time-Warner Interactive Group, Paramount, Activision, Interfilm,
Knowledge Adventure and Lucas Arts, will commence a week of viewing entries for
the first annual Interactive Academy Awards on Monday, May 9, at the Virgin
Megastore at 8000 W. Sunset Blvd., in L.A. Viewing will be daily from 11 a.m.
to 10 p.m., it was announced by AIAS Executive Director Andrew Zucker.

"The week-long screenings are for members of the Academy, or anyone who wants
to join the Academy. The purpose of the screenings is to select the nominees
for the first AIAS awards show, which has been rescheduled from June 16 to the
fall as a result of a television broadcast contract we are currently
negotiating with a major network. The details of the deal will be announced
very soon," Zucker stated.

Monday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. will be a special kick-off champagne
reception for the news media and the members of the academy.

People under consideration for Best Actor in an Interactive medium include
Leonard Nimoy for his starring role in "The 25th Anniversary Star Trek CD" from
Interplay Productions, Mickey Rooney for "Great Day at the Races," submitted by
Dove Films, and Robert Culp for "Voyeur," submitted by Philips POV with
Propaganda Films.

Best Actress entrants include Grace Zabriskie for "Voyeur," Philips POV with
Propaganda Films, Eileen Weisinger for "Critical Path" Mechaeus/Mediavision and
several others, Zucker said.

"There have been over 200 products in 30 categories submitted for
consideration," Zucker said.  The first annual AIAS Awards Show will be
produced by Milestone Entertainment Co. President Peter Hayman, Zucker stated.
Zucker will executive produce.

For more information, contact Stephen Jaffe of Sitrick Krantz & Co., telephone
310/788-2850 for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

                                     -*-






 -------------- C O N T E N T S --------------- DateLine: May 20, 1994 ----

 1. Media Vision Announces Resignations, Appoints Acting CEO, Interim CFO;
    Media Vision Creditor Committee Forms

 2. Microsoft to Eliminate Suggested Retail Prices in North America Beginning
    July 1, 1994

 3. KnowledgeWare Signs Microsoft, IBM, Novell and others to ObjectView
    Certification Program
  4. Compaq and PictureTel Forming Strategic Alliance

 5. Apple Brings Music to the Macintosh with Help from Roland Corporation

 6. Precision Navigation Introduces Revolutionary Low-Cost Head-Tracking
    Solution for Virtual Reality

 7. Timeworks Launches Affordable Windows Translation Programs

 8. Individual Software Beefs Up AnyTime to Attract Veteran Organizers

 9. Double Doozy Fun Pack for Windows -- Accessories with Attitude

10. Growing Need for Digital Photography Prompts Two New CD-ROM Product
    Lines from Seattle Support Group

11. ORIGIN Goes Head-to-Head with Wing Commander Armada

12. Wrath of the Gods Brings Greek Myths to Life in New CD-ROM Adventure
    Game for Windows & Macintosh

13. CD Utility Collection & MPC Specifications in CYBERSPACE Library

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Observation from CYBERSPACE:  The San Francisco Chronicle recently broke the
story that Media Vision's financial record keeping was under investigation by
the F.B.I. and Securities Exchange Commission. For details, we suggest you
search Newsbytes on GEnie using the terms Media Vision.]



              Media Vision Announces Resignations of CEO, CFO, COO,
         Senior VP of Worldwide Sales; Appoints Acting CEO, Interim CFO
 _    _  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| \  / |
|  \/  |                Fremont, CA -- May 17, 1994
|      |
| |\/| |
|_|  |_|edia Vision (MVIS: NASDAQ) today announced the resignations of Paul
Jain as president and chief executive officer of the company, Steven J. Allan
as vice president, finance and administrations and chief financial officer, and
Russell C. Faust as chief operating officer. Mr. Jain also resigned as a member
of the company's Board of Directors.

Mr. Michael Humphress, vice president of worldwide sales, also announced his
resignation from the company which is effective on June 1, 1994.

Robert Brownell, 47, vice president of domestic sales, was named acting Chief
Executive Officer by the Board of Directors. Mr. Brownell was originally hired
in March 1994 to replace Michael Humphress. Mr. Brownell is the former
president of Altima Corporation, a manufacturer of laptop computers. In
addition, the Board of Directors named Judson W. Goldsmith as interim chief
financial officer. Mr. Goldsmith is a principal in the consulting firm of
Durkee/Shalit Associates with specializes in turnaround management.

The company also announced the appointment of Robert Brownell and Brendan R.
O'Flaherty, the company's corporate counsel, to the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors now consists of G. Bradford Jones, Professor John Chowning,
Robert Brownell, and Brendan O'Flaherty.

                                    -*-




 _    _             Media Vision Creditor Committee Forms
| \  / |            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|  \/  |                 Fremont, CA -- May 17, 1994
|      |
| |\/| |
|_|  |_|edia Vision today announced that, at the company's suggestion, its
suppliers and creditors have formed a committee of nine companies to represent
the interests of all trade creditors and establish a satisfactory payment plan.
Media Vision and the committee have agreed to work together to achieve a
resolution of outstanding trade debt.

In addition, Media Vision has taken several other steps toward resolving its
current financial problems including the appointment of consultant Judson W.
Goldsmith of Durkee/Sharlit Associates as interim acting chief financial
officer; the completion of an agreement with Comerica Bank and the Bank of
Boston; and the selection of consulting firm Price Waterhouse to assist with
the near-term releationships with both banks and creditors.

"These steps demonstrate that we are implementing action toward resolving our
current cash situation," said Robert Brownell, Media Vision's acting president
and CEO. "We will continue to take appropriate steps to restructure the
company, including active recruitment of a permanent CEO, CFO, and addition
permanent members for the Board of Directors."

Brownell added that the company has continued shipping products to dealers and
OEM customers. "April shipments were the best start we have had for a quarter,
and our sell through at the store level is strong," he said. "Media Vision's
recent problems have disappointed many people. I believe these problems can be
surmounted. And I want to assure our investors, suppliers, and customers that
we are doing everything possible to stabilize the situation."


Media Vision's mission is to popularize multimedia by offering solutions at
affordable prices. Headquartered in Fremont, California, the company is a
leader in multimedia for personal computers, including hardware products
ranging from systems and add-in cards to chips based on emerging multimedia
standards for mainstream personal computers, and software titles developed
specifically to take advantage of the power of multimedia computers. The
company sells its products through retail and mass merchandise channels and to
original equipment manufacturers. Media Vision's European subsidiary, Media
Vision Technology GmbH, is located in Munich, Germnay.

                                    -*-




                 Microsoft to Eliminate Suggested Retail Prices
                    in North America Beginning July 1, 1994
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 ____       Sees SRPs No Longer Required in Software Market Pricing
|  _ \
| |_) |                   Redmond, WA -- May 9, 1994
|  _ <
| |_) |
|____/eginning July 1, 1994, Microsoft Corporation will no longer use the
convention of publishing suggested retail prices (SRPs) for Microsoft(R)
products in the United States and Canada.

Following a long period of consulation with its channel partners and end-user
customers, Microsoft has decided to eliminate its use of SRPs. Many customers
felt there was no longer a meaningful link between the price and the advertised
SRP. Microsoft research showed the large difference that had emerged between
SRPs and the prices paid resulted from the rapid growth of low-cost
distribution. The research also confirmed that variations in prices paid by
customers reflect the level of service sold with the product and do not relate
to SRP.

Microsoft eliminated its SRPs in Europe July 1, 1993, a move that was received
very positively by customers and dealers. Several large software manufacturers
followed Microsoft's lead and also eliminated SRPs in Europe.

"SRPs were originally intended to provide a guideline to customers about the
price of a product," explained Mike Appe, Microsoft's vice president of
reseller and end-user sales. "Today, the discrepancy between SRPs and actual
retail prices is such that SRPs no longer serve this purpose at all. Price-
conscious customers simply ignore SRPs and look at the prices advertised, and
new customers are just confused by SRPs. As Microsoft releases more products
designed for the home user, it is important that we not add to this confusion.
By eliminating SRPs, Microsoft is acknowledging that the dealer sets the retail
price of a product. Since our prices to distributors and dealers will remain
unchanged, the price the customer will pay for software should not change as a
result of this announcement."

"Microsoft's elimination of SRPs supports the reseller marketplace, which has
been moving to cost-plus pricing for its customers," said Steven Weiner, senior
vendor manager, Corporate Software Inc. "We expect other vendors to follow
Microsoft's lead."

"SRPs no longer have relevance in the marketplace. I endorse Microsoft's
decision," said Peter Janssen, vice president of merchandising and advertising
for Egghead Software, Inc.

"Inacom fully supports Microsoft's move away from suggested retail pricing,"
said Brad Casell, vice president of distribution products for Inacom Corp.
"Suggested retail prices are not an accurate barometer for the customer because
every manufacturer offers a different pricing structure. The reality of pricing
in the Fortune 1000 environment is a cost-plus model."

"We fully support Microsoft's move away from SRPs." said Rose Hultgren,
director of marketing at Software Spectrum. "The SRP has little meaning to most
customers because it no longer represents the real cost of software."

 Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software
for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and
services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of
making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full
power of personal computing every day.

                                   -*-




                 KnowledgeWare Signs Microsoft, IBM, Novell
               and others to ObjectView Certification Program
               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                     Program provides compatibility in
 _                multi-vendor client/server environments
| |
| |                   Atlanta, GA -- May 3, 1994
| |
| |
|_|n a significant step to provide compatibility in diverse client/server
environments, KnowledgeWare Inc. today announced it has signed more than 20
software vendors to its new ObjectView Certification Program. The program
includes system testing and verification to certify compatibility between
KnowledgeWare's ObjectView and other vendors' products such as databases,
middleware, networks, tools, and testing and reporting products. As a result,
organizations can confidently develop and implement open client/server
applications using a multi-vendor approach.

ObjectView Certification Program

The ObjectView Certification Program demonstrates KnowledgeWare's commitment to
providing a seamless and scalable environment for developing and deploying
client/server applications. ObjectView is KnowledgeWare's family of visual
development tools for rapidly creating high-performance client/server
applications from the desktop to departments and to the Enterprise.

"Close relationships between KnowledgeWare and the market-leading vendors of
diverse client/server products demonstrate KnowledgeWare's ongoing commitment
to customer satisfaction," said Donald P. Addington, KnowledgeWare president
and chief operating officer. "When vendors cooperate to provide reliable
solutions, customers can use technology more successfully to solve their
problems. That's what we are all in business to offer, and that is what has
value to customers today."

More than twenty vendors are participating in the ObjectView Certification
Program at its introduction. KnowledgeWare is continuing to add vendors as
testing is completed and they become eligible for certification. Current
certified vendors and products include:

Networks:
 IBM Corp., LAN Server
 Microsoft Corp., Windows for WorkGroups
 Novel Inc., NetWare

Databases:
 Cincom Systems Inc., SUPRA Server RDBMS
 Gupta Corp., SQLBase
 Oracle Corp., Oracle7 and Oracle6
 Quadbase Systems Inc., Quadbase - SQL for Windows XBS
 Sybase Inc., SQL Server
 XBD Systems Inc., XDB SQL RDBMS and XDB Server

Middleware:
 Digital Communications Associates Inc., QuickApp for Windows
 Dharma Systems Inc., Dharma/SQL ODBC Driver
 Netwise Inc., TransAccess
 Q + E Software Inc. (Intersolv Inc.), Q + E Database LIBRARY
 ShowCase Corp., OBBC AS/400 and Database Gateway
 Visionware Ltd., SQL - Retriever
 Wall Data Inc., RUMBA for Database Access

Tools:
 DB Open Inc., DBXTensions
 Intersolv Inc., PVCS Version Manager
 Visual Tools Inc., First Impression and Formula 1

Testing
 AutoTester Inc., AutoTester Plus

Report:
 ClearAccess Corp., ClearAccess


"We feel it is important to work closely with other vendors to provide
compatibility between our products right out of the box., said Michael J.
Ciocia, KnowledgeWare senior director of industry marketing. "The ObjectView
Certification Program provides organizations with the confidence to implement
client/server environments with intertwined dependencies between products and
vendors."

"Our certification of NetWare with ObjectView is not only important to our
companies, but to the user community at large," said Joe Firmage, vice
president of Novell's AppWare Systems Group. "As a result, the client/server
development community is provided with a robust operating system combined with
ObjectView, a leading development tool."

Nimish Mehta, vice president of Oracle's Desktop Product Division, said, "We
are delighted to certify the Oracle family of database servers with ObjectView.
The combination of Oracle database servers and ObjectView provides an ideal
environment for quickly developing client/server applications."

Larry Goldsticker, AutoTester Inc. director of strategic relations, said, "Our
customers continue to tell us that the migration to client/server is a critical
part of their strategic direction. AutoTester's partnership with KnowledgeWare
will allow them to build highter quality, client/server applications that can
be throroughly tested during development."

The KNOVA Partnership Program

The ObjectView Certification Program is one component of KnowledgeWare's KNOVA
organization of partnerships between KnowledgeWare and leading companies
throughout the industry. The KNOVA Partnership Program also includes the
following:

 * The Developer Program to facilitate the development, compatibility
   testing and marketing of products and services complementary to
   KnowledgeWare products;

 * The Client/Server Alliance of partnerships between KnowledgeWare and
   selected system integrators and consultants who incorporate
   KnowledgeWare products into turn-key client/server solutions;

 * The KnowledgeWare Store which contains a variety of software products
   developed by other companies and now remarkedeted and supported
   KnowledgeWare;

 * Value Added Resellers who provide solutions for unique business niches
    and vertical markets by incorporating KnowledgeWare technology; and

 * KnowledgeWare's University Grant Program which places KnowledgeWare
   products with colleges and universities around the country.

"KnowledgeWare vigorously pursues partnerships throughout the industry to
provide developers of client/server applications with a variety of product,
middleware, hardware and operating systems," said Kim B. Addington,
KnowledgeWare vice president of marketing. "Our KNOVA program includes more
than 285 organizations, and we will continue to expand our partnerships to
include broad choices for our customers."

KnowledgeWare's ObjectView family includes ObjectView Desktop and ObjectView
Enterprise. ObjectView Desktop is the new visual development tool scaled for
desktop developers who want a comprehensive yet affordable visual development
environment. ObjectView Enterprise is a comprehensive environment for diverse
and complex client/server application development and deployment. Both tools
include the SQLBase database from Gupta Corp. at no additional charge, as well
as high-performance native database drivers and middleware connections to
nearly 75 databases and database servers.

ObjectView Enerprise is priced at $3,200, and ObjectView Desktop is priced at
$499, with an introductory price of $199.

KnowledgeWare Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS:KNOW) is a worldwide leader in providing
scalable application development tools and services for rapidly responding to
changes in business needs and requirements. The Application Development
Workbench, ObjectView, Flashpoint, Legacy Workbench, NorthStar, ForeSight, and
associated products and services are used for developing, redeveloping, and
maintaining a range of applications in open, client/server computing
environments. To date, the company has shipped more than 123,000 products to
5,000 companies in 50 countries, and had revenues in its fiscal year 1993 of
$128.8 million. Revenues for the first nine months of FY 1994 ending March 31,
1994, were $111.13 million.

For more information, contact KnowledgeWare, Inc., 3340 Peachtree Rd., NE,
Atlanta, GA 30326, telephone [phone].

                                    -*-




                Compaq and PictureTel Forming Strategic Alliance
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                Joint Effort to Focus on Development, Marketing,
  ___          and Distribution of Personal Conferencing Systems
 / _ \
| | )_|                Danvers, Mass. -- May 3, 1994
| |  _
| |_) |
 \___/ompaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) and PictureTel Corporation
(NASDAQ: PCTL) today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding outlining a five-year strategic alliance for the design and
manufacture of standards-based personal conferencing products. The memorandum
calls for the two companes also to develop join marketing programs and
promotions that take advantage of each others established presence in the PC
and telephony distribution channels. The memorandum of understanding will be
the basis for a formal agreement now being developed. Financial terms of the
agreement were not released.

Combining the resources of the world leader in videoconferencing with the
leader in industry-standard personal computers will produce new products
scheduled to appear in the worldwide marketplace by 1995. The first products
will be compiant with the ITU-TSS (International Telecommunication Union -
Telecommuncations Standardization Sector) H.320 telephony standard, making them
able to communicate with the more than 15,000 standards-compliant systems
already in use around the world today.

"Compaq believes personal conferencing will be one of the major computer
applications for the rest of this decade and beyond," said John T. Rose, senior
vice president and general manager of Compaq's Desktop PC Division. "This
strategic alliance with PicutureTel is a major element of our overall personal
conferencing strategy and strengthens other development activities we currently
have under way. Personal conferencing will bring real productivity benefits to
our customers -- especially as the PC evolves into the center for both
advanced-communications and computing."

"PictureTel is committed to being a major player in the desktop conferencing
market and Compaq is a perfect partner for us in that venture," said Domenic J.
LaCava, senior vice president of PictureTel's Personal Systems Division. "This
strategic alliance will accelerate the worldwide acceptance of personal
conferencing. By working together, we will combine our expertise to bring
price/performance leadership to the market."

Each company will make significant contributions to the joint effort. Compaq
will leverage its extraordinary engineering resources in audio, graphics, and
system integration, plus its presence in distribution channels and its ability
to manufacture in high volumes. PictureTel will leverage its expertise in
standards-based compression algorithms, high-end audio technology and worldwide
telephony integration. Windows-based collaborative computing software from
PictureTel also will be incorporated into the jointly-developed Compaq
products. This software, for example, allows two people in a conference call to
have the same document on their screen, with each able to make changes and see
the changes made by the other.

Compaq Computer Corporation is a world leader in the manufacture of servers,
and desktop, portable, and notebook personal computers. Founded in 1982, the
company reported 1993 worldwide revenues of $7.2 billion. Compaq products are
sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of more than
21,000 Compaq marketing partners. Compaq also sells directly to customers
through COMPAQ Direct Plus at 800/888-5858. For information on Compaq products,
call 800/345-1518. Users needing technical support for their Compaq products
can call 800/OKCOMPAQ.

Founded in 1984, PictureTel Corporation headquartered in Danvers, Mass.,
develops, manufactures and markets a full range of visual telecommunication
solutions that are "redefining the way the world meets." PictureTel, with more
than 800 employees worldwide, enables global videoconferencing systems.
Additional information on PictureTel products can be obtained by calling the
PictureTelecenter at 800/716-6000.

                                    -*-




  ___    Apple Brings Music to the Macintosh with Help from Roland Corp.
 / _ \   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |_| |                 Cupertino, CA -- May 10, 1994
|  _  |
| | | |
|_| |_|pple Computer, Inc. a computer and information industry pioneer, and
Roland Corporation, a leading manufacturer of professional music instruments,
today announced an agreement in which Apple(R) will license Roland's music
instrument sound collection for use in future versions of QuickTime(TM),
Apple's software that brings multimedia capabilities to computers and consumer
electronics devices.

The Roland(R) Sound Canvas(TM) musical instrument collection includes digitized
samples of more than 10 instrument families including piano, organ, guitar,
bass, strings and orchestra, ensemble, brass, reed, percussion, sound effects,
and more. These sounds can be used to create and play music on computers --
without users needing to know the technical nuances of MIDI technology.

"Until now, our instrument samples have been used primarily by professional
musicians," commented Ikutaro Kakehashi, president of Roland Corporation. "The
rapid growth in the multimedia industry, however, has prompted us to lower the
barriers to entry for people who want to create and play music, without
assembling an entire music studio. Apple's move to include our Sound Canvas
libraries with QuickTime will make high-quality music much more widely
available, while allowing a natural upgrade path to Roland's professional
instruments."

"Like music in feature films, music in CD-ROM titles and multimedia
presentations results in a more approachable, entertaining user experience,"
said Tom Ryan, manager of AppleSoft Media Software Group. "Over time, music
will become a standard part of the Macintosh experience."

QuickTime Music Architecture Makes Music Easy

The QuickTime Music Architecture, a component of QuickTime 2.0, includes
several features that make it easier for compuer users to create, edit, play
and synchronize music with video. Through the use of the Roland instrument
library and Apple's proprietary sound synthesis technology, the architecture
requires no additional hardware to play music.

A key feature of the QuickTime Music Architecture is that is requires very
little of the user's disk space. For example, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata
would require nearly 180MB if recorded as CD-quality audio, but when stored as
a QuickTime movie it only uses 75K of disk space. Or an entire corporate
presentation -- complete with high-quality images with background music --
could fit on one floppy disk.

The QuickTime Music Architecture is also compatible with MIDI, yet is
distinctly different from MIDI. Any Standrad MIDI File can be converted
directly into a QuickTime music movie, and MIDI devices, such as MIDI
keyboards, can record directly into music movies. In addition, the architecture
is scalable, so it will automatically take advantage of the best available
device for playback -- including MIDI devices, such as those offered by Roland.
Unlike MIDI, additional hardware is not required and users do not need to know
how to configure instruments or channels, or understand complicated file
formats.

QuickTime 2.0: Bigger, Faster Video

QuickTime 2.0, announced this February, not only includes enhanced support for
music, but also provides greatly increased performance for video. The latest
version of QuickTime provides for larger video windows to be played at faster
frame rates, resulting in full-screen movies without the addition of hardware.
QuickTime 2.0 also provides an infrastructure for development and delivery of
interactive television applications, including MPEG support and network
enhancements so that QuickTime can address distributed networks and devices.

System Requirements

QuickTime 2.0 will run on any color-capable (68020 or later) Macintosh computer
running System 7 or 6.0.7 with at least 2 MB of memory.

Availability

The QuickTime 2.0 developer kit for the Macintosh is expected to be available
in mid-1994. As with previous versions, QuickTime 2.0 is designed to permit
cross-platform compatibility between platforms which support it.


Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
develops, manufactures and markets personal computer, server, and personal
interactive electronic systems for use in business, education, the home,
science, engineering and government. A recognized pioneer and innovator in the
information industry, Apple does business in more than 120 countries.

Roland Corporation is a leader in the development and production of electronic
musical instruments. Headquarted in Osaka, Japan, Roland manufacturers and
distributes products through four divisions: musical instruments, comtemporary
keyboards, professional audio, and a newly formed multimedia division. Roland
promotes a multi-brand strategy which includes the Roland, BOSS, and Rodgers
line of products. Roland is a global company with 19 overseas joint ventures
and affiliates, 40 distributors, and six R&D facilities worldwide.

                                      -*-




                  Precision Navigation Introduces Revolutionary
 _____         Low-Cost Head-Tracking Solution for Virtual Reality
|  _  |        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |_| |                  San Jose, CA -- May 11, 1994
|  ___|
| |
|_|recision Navigation, Inc. unveiled its source-less low cost head-tracker,
the Wayfinder-VR, at the Meckler Virtual Reality '94 Show today. With a single
unit price of just $599, the Wayfinder-VR revolutionizes standards for price
and performance in head-tracking. Precision Navigation, Inc., a leading
manufacturer of digital compass products for navigation, has achieved this
breakthrough through the application of its state-of-the-art electronic compass
technology to virtual reality.

Any virtual reality system depends upon a high-quality head-tracker -- the
component that senses the orientation of the user's head, thus allowing the
computer to generate video images of a virtual world with the proper
perspective. Unfortunately, existing trackers are either extremely expensive or
require unacceptable performance compromises.

Precision Navigation's patented compass technology, however, has created a new
approach to head-tracking that offers by far the lowest cost solution for high
performance tracking. As a result, the Wayfinder-VR makes practical
applications of virtual reality far more accessible to consumers and
businesses. With the Wayfinder-VR, the virtual reality community can for the
first time equip a head-mounted display (HMD) with a head-tracking component
that costs far less than the HMD itself!

The Wayfinder-VR is a 3 DOF tracker based upon a 3-axis magnetic field sensor
and a 2-axis tilt sensor. Because it utilizes the earth's magnetic and
gravitational fields to detect orientation, the entire system is fully
contained in a small head-mounted unit. No bulky transmitter unit is required,
nor are users forced to restrict operation to "line-of-sight" or to a narrow
cone of space. The Wayfinder-VR system also offers greater immunity to
interference fields, and its extremely low power requirements make wireless
applications possible.

The unit is implemented on a small printed circuit board with an RS232 data
interface. The current Wayfinder-VR, which is closely related to Precision
Navigation's electronic compass instruments for navigation, offers an 8 Hz
sampling rate. Versions optimized for virtual reality will offer much higher
sampling rates in the near future.

Precision Navigation has also begun licensing the Wayfinder-VR technology to VR
equipment manufacturers for very high-volume applications. This provides the
ultimate solution to enable high-performance, very low cost consumer VR
products. To date, Precision Navigation has signed several such licensing
arrangements.

Precision Navigation, Inc., based in Mountain View, California, developed its
patented digital compass technology for the military and offers a variety of
high-performance compasses for industrial, military, and consumer applications.
Its navigation products are found in everything from jet aircraft to tanks to
oceanographic buoys and off-road vehicles. Most recently, the company has begun
applying its technology to the field of virtual reality.


Wayfinder-VR: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Wayfinder-VR?
A: the Wayfinder-VR is a low-cost, source-less 3DOF head-tracker.

Q: What is a "source-less" tracker?
A: A source-less tracker operates without the need for a transmiter unit,
   thus providing greater convenience and portability for the user.

Q: What makes the Wayfinder-VR different and/or better than existing
   products?
A: * It is extremely low-cost
   * It offers excellent performance
   * Since it is source-less, it is self-contained in one small unit
   * It offers good immunity from magnetic interference
   * It consumes very little power

Q: Who is Precision Navigation, Inc.?
A: Precision Navigation, Inc. was incorporated in 1987, and developed its
   patented digital compass technology for the U.S. Army. It is a leading
   manufacturer of digital compasses, with a broad range of products for
   military, industrial, and consumer applications. It has recently begun
   applying its digital compass technology to the field of virtual reality.

Q: How does the Wayfinder-VR work:
A: It utilizes a 3-axis magnetometer to sense the earth's magnetic field,
   and a 2-axis tilt sensor to measure pitch and roll. It combines these
   data to mathemetically compute orientation in 3 axes.

Q: What about reliability? (Is this a proven technology?)
A: The Wayfinder-VR is a solid-state system, and is based upon a technology
   that's been proven through years of field use. We've sold over 35,000 of
   our electronic automobile compasses, which typically see very harsh
   environmental extremes.

Q: Why does the current version (v1) only respond at 8 Hz?
A: Wayfinder-VR v1 is very closely related to its cousin, the TCM1, which
   is a high-performance navigation instrument that sacrifices sampling rate
   for precision and accuracy. Future versions of the Wayfinder-VR will be
   optinized for greater sampling rate. Expect a 30 Hz version by July,
   1994. You'll also note that many of today's applications simply don't
   require very much sampling rate because the software can't update very
   fast anyway.

Q: What about drivers?
A: A driver for Sense8 VR software is available today; drivers for the other
   popular VR platforms will be available soon.

Q: If this is so great, why aren't others doing it?
A: Precision Navigation, Inc. holds a patented technology that allows us to
   deliver this capability at such a low price. We have a proven track record
   and years of experience using this technology for navigation.

Q: What's the best reason I should buy one today?
A: The Wayfinder-VR is by far the most cost-effective tracker available.
   Combined with the rapidly dropping prices of high-quality HMDs and the
   steady increase in affordable computing power, you can now put together
   a practical VR system for a fraction of yesterday's cost.

Q: I'm a manufacturer, and want to do a high-volume application, but need
   a rock-bottom price. Can the Wayfinder-VR help?
A: Qualified manufacturers can license the Wayfinder-VR technology for
   high-volume applications, and integrate the tracker into their own
   electronics. This is THE ultimate solution for consumer applications.


Data Sheet: Wayfinder-VR -- VR 3DOF (v1) Head Position Sensor

Description

The Wayfinder-VR is a 3 DOF attitude sensor whose combination of high-
performance, low-power, and low cost make it ideally suited for head-
positioning and other virtual reality applications.

The Wayfinder-VR is a passive attitude detection system based upon a
proprietary triaxial magnetometer system and a biaxial electrolytic
inclinometer. It does not require tansmitters to provide a reference source
signal, instead utilizing the earth's gravity and magnetic fields as
references. It outputs heading, pitch, and roll data via RS232 serial link, and
a serial mouse emulation mode is also available which maps yaw to left-right
motion and pitch to up-down motion.

It is user configurable and programmable, provides advanced calibration and
distortion detection algorithms, and tolerates rugged use. The Wayfinder-VR is
implemented on a compact, single-sided printed circuit board with tooling holes
for mounting to a motherboard or chasis. Each unit is rigorously tested and
calibrated before shipment.


Heading Information                   Tilt Information

Accuracy        +/- 2 degrees         Accuracy        +/- 1 degree
Repeatability   +/- 1 degree          Repeatability   +/- 0.5 degree
Resolution      +/- 0.1 degree        Resolution      +/- 0.1 degree
Tilt Range      +/- 25 degrees        Tilt Range      +/- 25 degrees
Update Rate     8 Hz                  Update Rate     8 Hz


Electrical Power

Supply Voltage  +5VDC regulated or 6 to 25 VDC unregulated
Current         12 mA typical


Physical Measurements

Dimensions      2.5" x 2" x 1.1"
Weight          1.6 ounces


Environmental Characteristics
Operating Temperature   15 to 45 degrees C
Storage Temperature     -20 to 70 degrees C


Interface

Digital         RS232C
                Serial mouse emulation


Features

Distortion Detection: raises a warning flag when magnetic disturbances such as
nearby ferrou smetals and electrical currents are compromising operation.

Automatic calibration algorithms


For more information, contact Precision Navigation, Inc., 1350 Pear Avenue,
Suite A, Mountain View, CA 94043, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

                                     -*-




 ____      Timeworks Launches Affordable Windows Translation Programs
|  _ \     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |_) |                  Northbrook, IL -- May 3, 1994
|  _ <
| |_) |
|____/uilding upon its customer-acclaimed DOS-based translation products,
Timeworks International announced today that it is now shipping two highly
accurate, fast and affordable language translation programs for the Windows
environment: Translater It! for Windows -- a whole-document translation
program, and Word Translator for Windows -- a multidirectional word
disctionary. Both programs retail for under $100 and will be demonstrated at
Spring Comdex '94 (May 23 through May 26 in Atlanta at the Georgia World
Congress Center, Timeworks International booth number 7672, Windows World).

Translate It!: Highest Accuracy, Largest Distionary Available

Translate It! for Windows is a series of whole document, bi-directional,
foreigh language translations programs for IBM-compatible computers. The
programs translate entire documents at once with idiomatic accuracy. Timeworks
is now shipping three languages: English to/from Spanish, English to/from
French, and English to/from German. The products are currently shipping in DOS
and Windows versions, and will be available for the Apple Macintosh environment
in June 1994.

Translate It! for Windows can process over 20,000 words per hour with up to 90
percent accuracy -- the highest of any translation product currently on the
market. Its 250,000-word dictionary is the largest available and can easily be
customized for business, educational and personal use. Documents can be typed
and translated interactively using the built-in text editor, or created in any
word processing program and imported and translated in a single step. Its
grammar module can help users learn the foreign language by providing specific
information on conjugation, use and definitions.

Word Translator: The Only Five-Language, Multidirectional Dictionary

Word Translator for Windows is a multidirectional translation dictionary that
works with Translate It! as a stand-alone program or with any translation
program available, as well as with word processors, desktop publishers and
other applications. It quickly and easily translates words or phrases to or
from one of the five built-in languages: U.S. English, U.K. English, Spanish,
French, and German. With over 40,000 words with 60,000 meanings, and 130,000
cross-translations for each language, Word Translator can increase the
grammatical accuracy of translations, presenting several meanings for each word
and translations for each.

The program includes a spell-checker that identifies misspellings and words
with multiple spellings. It also conjugates verbs in all resident languages,
shows simple and compound tenses, singlular/plural forms, and gender forms of
adjectives. Word Translator is easy to use, displaying menus and dialog boxes
familiar to Windows users.

Special Premium Offer

Timeworks also announced today that as a premium through July, purchasers of
Translate It! for Windows who send in the registration card can receive free a
single-language version of Word Translator for Windows in the same language as
their Translate It! for Windows program. Customers pay only shipping and
handling charges.

Small and Home Office Experts

"Timeworks International has tailored these translation products to the small
business, education, government, and home office users who demand high-end
performance at an affordable price," said Curtiz Gangi, Timeworks International
vice president of sales and marketing. "In fact, we understand this market just
about better than anyone because we have served the needs of its users since
1982 with programs such as our award-winning Publish It!"

System Requirements

Translate It! and Word Translator run on any 386 or higher DOS-compatible
computer with 2MB of memory. The Spanish and French versions of Translate It!
for Windows require 14MB of hard disk space while the German version takes up
18MB. Word Translator needs 1.5MB of hard disk space for each language
dictionary installed.

The suggested retail price for each of these programs is $99.95, and they are
available through dealers and distributors worldwide. All Timeworks programs
include free technical support.


About Timeworks International

Founded in 1982, Timeworks International publishes a broad line of cost-
effective productivity software for home, business, government, and educational
use. Timeworks products are available in Windows and DOS versions for
IBM-compatible and Macintosh computers, and have received over 20 media awards.

                                    -*-




      Individual Software Beefs Up AnyTime to Attract Veteran Organizers
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                 AnyTime 2.1 -- the easiest-to-use personal
 _____          organizer now has import/export capabilities
|  _  |
| | | |                Pleasanton, CA -- May 2, 1994
| |_| |
|___  |
    |_|uick to respond to the varied demands of the retail customer, Individual
Software Inc. today announced that it is shipping an upgrade of its popular
Windows personal organizer AnyTime 2.0. This upgrade, AnyTime 2.1, retains the
price, features, and functionality of its predecessor, and adds the ability to
import and export data, allowing users to use existing data from major database
and scheduling programs. This new version of AnyTime also boasts more than 50
customizable print outs -- twice as many as any other organizer. Priced under
$30.00 on the retail shelf, AnyTime 2.1 is still the lowest priced Windows
personal organizer available in its class.

"When we shipped AnyTime 2.0 in February of this year, we knew we had a winning
product that would attract many first time and mainstream computer users," said
Diane Deitzler, vice president of sales and marketing at Individual Software.
"We were pleasantly surprised to find an equally strong interest in AnyTime
among users of competing organizer programs who were still looking for a clean,
simple approach to scheduling and organizing. In version 2.1, we've responded
quickly to the needs of these veteran users by adding the feature they demand
most -- the ability to import and export data."

In addition to import and export, new features in AnyTime 2.1 include:
additional portrait versions of weekly print outs, the ability to copy
appointments, to-do's, and addresses formated for pasting into other
applications, the ablity to select a default window to automatically open when
AnyTime is started, automatic recall of user settings such as window view
modes, and an interface that allows quick access to AnyTime from any
application's system menu. The program has also been optimized to run faster.

AnyTime's three main components -- Day Planner, Address Book, and To-Do List --
help users tackle those important personal and professional organizational
tasks in a user friendly, intuitive environment. In addition to tracking
appointments, to-do's, and addresses, users can add further details, notes and
directions to any item. Once organized, users have an extensive variety of
print out options to choose from for presenting professional-looking documents
and labels.

Quick Glances Provides Unlimited Flexibility in Scheduling

A key feature that sets AnyTime apart from the competition is Quick Glances.
Quick Glances gives users unsurpassed freedom in the way they choose to view
and manipulate their schedules. By clicking on a Quick Glance button, users can
get a weekly, monthly, or annual view of their schedule in either a graph or
calendar format. They can then easily add new appointments, events or revise
existing information throught the Quick Planner. The ability to view and add
information from this mode is unique to AnyTime.

Largest Choice of Customizable Print Outs

 * More than 50 print outs to choose from
 * Customizable fonts, borders, headers, footers, shading and colors
 * Ability to print schedules and calendars to fit popular paper-based
   organizers like Day-Timer, Day Runner, Filofaxes and Franklin Planners
 * Ready-made special print out styles including Monthly Calendars, Agenda,
   Travel Planner, To-do List Planner and Emergency Contact List

Packed with Extra Tools for Staying Organized

 * Automatic warning of conflicting or overlapping appointments
 * Schedule repeating events
 * Separate schedules into groups
 * Quickly search appointments, important dates, to-do's and addresses
 * Prioritize to-do's with automatic rollover of unfinished tasks
 * Check off tasks as they're completed
 * AnyTime supports network use. Users can use the Attach features to view
   a master schedule on the network

System Requirements

AnyTime 2.1 for Windows requires a 386-based PC or higher, Microsoft Windows
3.1 or higher, 2MB of RAM, a hard disk with 3MB of space available, and a VGA
or higher display.

Pricing, Availability, and Upgrade Policy

AnyTime 2.1 for Windows has a suggested retail price of $49.95. Anytime 2.0
customers can upgrade to version 2.1 free of charge by mail ($4.95 shipping and
handling). AnyTime DOS users can upgrade to Windows for $19.95.

Individual is offering AnyTime for Windows with a lowest price personal
organizer guarantee. If users find a lower priced Windows personal organizer in
its class, Indivudual will pay the difference. AnyTime for Windows is
distributed through Ingram Micro, Merisel, Handleman, and Kenfil. The program
is available in stores including Egghead, CompUSA, Computer City, Office Depot,
Fry's, and Best Buy. To order AnyTime direct from Individual Software call
800/822-3522.

About Individual Software

Founded in 1981, Individual Software is the world's leading developer of
computer-based training, productivity, and multimedia software products for
IBM, IBM-compatible, and Macintosh computers. For more information about
Individual Software and its products, call 800/822-3522 or write to the company
at 5870 Stoneridge Drive #1, Pleasanton, CA 94588.

                                  -*-




        Double Doozy Fun Pack for Windows -- Accessories with Attitude
 _____  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|_   _|
  | |                Berkeley, CA -- March 21, 1994
  | |
  | |
  |_|oday Access Softek introduces Double Doozy Fun Pack for Windows. A lively
addition to the Video Toys Software division, Double Doozy offers "accessories
with attitude" -- twenty full animated screen savers, twenty- five tasteful
wallpapers and backgrounds, and fifty icons that can be mixed and matched to
personalize the desktop.

This eclectic assortment of images ranges from the sophisticated to the absurd,
to fit the personality and mood of each individual user. Double Doozy Fun Pack
supports Windows 3.1 and retails for $29.95.

With Double Doozy, users can choose from a diverse array of innovative and
constantly surprising screen savers. Gone are the days of monotonous images
floating inertly across the screen. In the wacky world of Double Doozy, a
frenzied artist splashes paint onto the desktop; an accidental streaker sprints
off screen, shocked by his own nakedness; a personal Yes Man strokes the user's
ego with flattery. For the more literary-minded, the poet screen saver writes
lines of surreal poetry, or see the graffiti artist, take the user's own poetic
utterances and -- after checking for cops -- spray-paint them across the
screen. Complementing these absorbing screen savers is a gallery of wallpapers
culled from the works of Van Gogh, Picasso, and other renowned artists. To
round out the package, Double Doozy offers a collection of whimsical icons,
from Marilyn Monroe and Richard Nixon to cartoon bears and bug-eyed monsters.
Easily installed and manipulated, Double Doozy brings fun to the desktop for
users of all ages.


Access Softek is a privately held software company founded in 1984 and based in
Berkeley, California. The third software company to release an application for
Microsoft Windows and the first to develop an integrated Windows product line,
Access Softek is a longtime pioneer of new technology. In November 1992, the
company launched its line of Video Toys with Matinee, the first screen saver to
bring full-motion video to personal computers. More Video Toys are currently in
development.

For more information, contact Access Softek, 2550 9th Street, Suite 206,
Berkeley, CA 94710-2554, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

                                     -*-




                  Growing Need for Digital Photography Prompts
            Two New CD-ROM Product Lines from Seattle Support Group
            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
              Growing demand for digital color photography prompts
         Seattle Support Group to launch two new lines of CD-ROM-based,
           royalty-free photography for Windows and Macintosh users:
         Screens & Wallpaper (200 screen-resolution images per volume
          for $19.95) and Color Digital Photos (200 magazine quality,
 _____            high-resolution photographs for $79.95).
|  _  |
| | | |        New Media EXPO, Los Angeles, CA -- April 12, 1994
| | | |
| |_| |
|_____|ver 2.5 million color printers were sold in 1993 alone, reflecting the
increased use of color in desktop publishing and presentations. This growing
need for quality, royalty-free photography, plus the increasing demand for
color images in video and multimedia, has prompted Seattle Support Group to
launch two new product families of digital photography on CD-ROM.

The new 2-volume Screens & Wallpaper collection features 200 screen- resolution
images per CD-ROM disc, for use as backgrounds in multimedia productions, as
screen savers, as Windows Desktop background, or in presentations using
programs like PowerPoint, Pursuasion, and Astound.

The second collection, called Color Digital Photos, features 200 magazine
quality-images per CD-ROM disc. Color Digital Photos are high-resolution (2100
x 1500 pixels), 24-bit color images suitable for color desktop publishing of
brohcures, posters, etc. Images are stored as JPEG files that expand to 9 MB,
and print to 7 by 5-inches at 300 DPI (or 150 LPI).

Each high-resolution Color Digital Photos image also comes in screen-
resolution format for previewing, or for use in the same ways possible with
Screens & Wallpaper. Both collections also come with Kudos image browsing
software for easier previewing and drag-and-drop transfer into packages like
Photoshop, PageMaker, and Quark.

Both collections feature a range of subjects including professionally
photographed scenes of nature, lifestyles, business, animals, plants, vehicles,
sunsets, etc. Color Digital Photos includes some single-subject CD-ROM discs --
such as NASA pictures of space and spacecraft (Vol. 2), flowers (Vol. 3),
aircraft (Vol. 4), and glamour shots (Vol. 6).

Screens & Wallpaper and Color Digital Photos both feature the work of
professional photographers. Images are chosen for their ability to maintain
their quality and usefulness after their conversion to digital form. Once
digitized, all photos are previewed, cleaned, cropped, and color corrected.
Imperfections -- such as dust particles captured during scanning -- are removed
digitally.

All of the photographs in Screens & Wallpaper and Color Digital Photos are
completely royalty free. They can be freely used for any commercial or
non-commercial purpose -- except for redistribution in digital stock
photography collections, or in sexually explicit materials.

Screens & Wallpapers and Color Digital Photos discs can be used inter-
changeably on CD-ROM-equipped PC or Macintosh personal computers. If you own a
PC, minimum system requirements are: 80286 CPU, Microsoft Windows 3.0 or later,
VGA color video board and compatible color monitor, and a mouse or other
pointing device. Macintosh systems require at least a 68020 CPU, 2 MB of
application RAM, Apple system software 6.07 or later (including version 7),
32-bit QuickDraw extension and QuickTime extension.

The first two Screens & Wallpaper volumes will be available at the beginning of
May 1994. Each volume costs $19.95 and includes 200 royalty-free screen-
resolution images.

Color Digital Photos will be available in mid April 1994 in 6 different CD-ROM
volumes: Premiere, Space, Floral, Planes, Paramount, and Glamour. Each volume
sells for $79.95 and contains 200 photographs, saved in high- resolution and in
screen-resolution formats.

Learn more by contacting Seattle Support Group, 20420 84th Avenue South, Kent,
WA 98032, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

                                  -*-




 _____         ORIGIN Goes Head-to-Head with Wing Commander Armada
|_   _|        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  | |                    Austin, TX -- May 6, 1994
  | |
  | |
  |_|he rules of combat are about the change in the Wing Commander(R) universe.
With the release of ORIGIN's Wing Commander Armada(TM) in late June, gamers
will have the option of waging thier intergalactic battles head-to-head with
another player by using a modem or network. Wing Armada is the first in a line
of multi-player products from ORIGIN. There's a split-screen view that allows
two players to compete on the same computer. And, for the first time in a Wing
Commander game, a player can switch sides and fly for the evil Kilrathi Empire!

But there's much more to Wing Armada than head-to-head combat. You're no longer
just a hotshot pilot fulfilling an assignment. Here you have the freedom to
construct your own missions and your own campaign. For the first time, players
will merge their space combat abilities with strategic responsibility. From
quadrant maps and information from recon ships, you plan an expansion of your
fleet and manage critical resouces. At the end of each decision lies a battle,
and you lead the Wing. If that weren't enough, you also choose the intricacy of
combat, from short dogfights to extended campaigns across an infinite universe.

Unlike previous multi-player games, Wing Commander Armada utilitzes a next
generation 3-D engine complete with fully textured, light-source shaded
objects. Some of the new features include an invisible cockpit that gives the
player a larger viewing area, actual 3-D shields that protect your ship from
the inevitable onslaught, an intuitive "Starmap" naviagtion/deployment
interface, and a "Tauntmaker" option in which the player can customize digtal
taunts to use against the enemy. External camera angles, a dynamic musical
score, and digitized sound effects add to the depth of the experience.

Current system requirements for Wing Commander Armada are:

  IBM-PC, 386/33+, Intel 486 or 100% compatible system
  4 MB RAM, 8-10 MB hard drive space
  MS-DOS 5.0 or higher
  256-color VGA
  Music (optional): Ad Lib, Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster Pro, Roland
    LAPC-1/MT-32, Gravis Ultrasound, GEneral MIDI MPU-401 interface, or
    100% compatible sound board
  Speech/Sound Effects (optional): Sound Blaster or 100% compatible
    sound board
  Head-to-Head Play (optional): Hayes compatible 2400+ baud modem or
    NetBIOS Network
  Expected retail price: $55-65
  (Note: You must have a sound card with an internal recording program and
  an external microphone to record taunts. Wing Armada will integrate *.WAV
  files you create using your sound card hardware.)


ORIGIN Systems develops and publishes state-of-the-art entertainment software.
To date, the company has released more than 40 titles, including the
award-winning Ultima and Commander series of games. ORIGIN is based in Austin,
Texas, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS).

                                     -*-




                 Wrath of the Gods Brings Greek Myths to Life
             in New CD-ROM Adventure Game for Windows & Macintosh
             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                  "Photo Surrealistic" Adventure Lets Players
 _         Experience the Exploits of the Greatest Heroes of All Time
| |
| |                  San Francisco, CA -- April 4, 1994
| |
| |__
|____|uminaria shipped its debut Windows title, Wrath of the Gods, a CD-ROM
adventure game that brings the Greek myths to life. The unique look of the game
was created using production techniques that combine motion video, special
effects, graphics, and high resolution still photographs.

In the course of 40 hours of game time, players embark on a journey through
dozens of interactive adventures based on the exploits of the Greek heroes. On
a quest to regain their kingdom, they face challenges like battling a
many-headed Hydra, navigating the Labyrinth of the Minotaur, and stealing the
Golden Fleece from a fire-breathing dragon. Wrath of the Gods also has a very
contemporary feel: Players encounter real-life situations and colorful
characters who deliver witty dialogue.

Produced by the team that founded the award-winning San Francisco Production
Group, Wrath of the Gods features digital video of 60 actors in full costume,
with more than 300 backgrounds collaged from original photographs of Greece.
Wrath of the Gods incorporates layers of digital special effects seamlessly
combined to create the feeling of full-screen motion.

"Wrath of the Gods is an excellent example of what the future holds as far as
Hollywood meeting Silicon Valley," said Maxis CEO Jeff Braun. "This is a TV and
film production company that's used its expertise to create a quality
multimedia experience with a great adventure game." The game will be
distributed to retail outlets by Maxis, one of the leading distributors of
interactive entertainment.

"We were inspried by the university of the Greek myths," stated Jeff Cretcher,
president of Luminaria. "With Wrath of the Gods we aimed to create a game that
people will truly enjoy, while avoiding gratuitous violence."

Wrath of the Gods goes beyond the limits of the traditional computer adventure
game. Its lifelike characters, extensive soundtrack, and photo- realism combine
with a high degree of interactivity to create the experience of being inside a
movie. Mythological creatures from Pegasus to Medusa spring to life, created
with stop-frame animation. The visual style is enhanced by an audio track that
features original music and rich environmental sound.

The game's geographic layout is truly non-linear. As players acquire
appropriate inventory, they can roam the extensive terrain at will,
encountering numerous live-action characters, nightmarish monsters, and
entertaining puzzles and dilemmas. For quicker navigation and hints to the
puzzles, an animated Oracle offers clues in exchange for points from the
player's score. An integrated "information space" provides background on the
myths the adventures are based on (and frequently, if you dig deep enough, free
hints to the puzzles). This user-friendly resource is illustrated with images
of Greek mythology obtained from museums and private collections around the
world.

Wrath of the Gods also offers a novel alternative to untimely "death" in game
play. Rather than being ousted unceremoniously from the action with no recourse
but to restore the most recent saved game, the player is transported to worlds
like Hades or Olympus for further adventures.

Wrath of the Gods for Windows is available through standard retail channels.
Suggested retail price is $69.95.

A Macintosh version is also available.


Two very interesting screen captures from Wrath of the Gods are available for
previewing the game from the Multimedia/Cyberspace Library:

  1028  Name: OLYMPUS.GIF  Approximate # of bytes: 128512
  1029  Name: GOLDFLEE.GIF Approximate # of bytes: 142848


Luminaria was formed in 1991 by Joel Skidmore and Jeff Cretcher to produce
interactive multimedia entertainment. Luminaria's film-style production values
draw on the experience of its founders, who have produced award- winning
animation for a diverse range of clients, including Anheuser Busch's Bud Bowl
television commercial series, Hanna Barbera, and ABC's "Good Morning, America."

For more information, contact Luminaria, 152 Brewster Street, San Francisco, CA
94110, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

                                    -*-




              CD Utility Collection & MPC Specs in CYBERSPACE Library
 _____        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|  _  |
| |_| |                 GEnie Cyberspace -- May 19, 1994
|  ___|
| |
|_|articularly interesting files uploaded this to the Multimedia/Cyberspace
Library this week include:

 *********************************
Number: 1027  Name: CD_UTILS.ZIP
Address: D.TRAVISON   Date: 940518
Approximate # of bytes: 247424
Number of Accesses: 6  Library: 7
Description:
A great collection of 19 DOS utility programs for your CD Player. Everything
from audio play, resume, reset and stop, to eject, lock and unlock. Monitor
CD-ROM status flags, scan directory structure, get brief contents (track
numbers, start times and disc length), or create a full image of a CD; player
status report, test loading times, block read utility, timecode display, and
CHKCD (like CHKDSK but for ISO-9660 CD-ROMs). ALL COMPLETE WITH INSTRUCTIONS!
Requires IBM-compatible with DOS and CD Player.

 *********************************
Number: 1030  Name: MPCSPECS.TXT
Address: MULTIMEDIA   Date: 940518
Approximate # of bytes: 15232
Number of Accesses: 2  Library: 2
Description:
The official Specifications direct from the Multimedia PC Marketing Council
which define requirements for Multimedia PC (MPC) Level 1 and Level 2 systems
and software. Details on Graphics, Sound, and CD-ROM requirements. You may need
this information if you're considering upgrading an IBM-compatible to handle
multimedia applications or buying a new system. This ASCII text file can be
<L>isted online or downloaded and displayed on any kind of computer.

                                     -*-






 --------------- C O N T E N T S ---------------- DateLine: May 27, 1994 ----

 1. Dell DL-1460NI Computer Monitors Recalled Due to Fire Risk

 2. Kaleida Labs Restructures to Focus on Core Technology

 3. Digital Announces Desktop and Server Systems Based on New Intel
    Processors

 4. Digital Announces New Daughtercard Upgrade For DECpc XL Premium and
    DECpc XL Server Models

 5. Chips & Technologies Brings Desktop-Level Graphics to Notebook Computers

 6. Microsoft TechNet Announces the Microsoft TechNet Supplemental
    (Drivers & Patches) CD and Server Licensing

 7. Moon Valley Puts Victory & Roar of the Crowd on Your PC with ESPN
    Sports Shorts

 8. GameTek Previews Cinema Division with 30 Full-Motion Video Titles by
    Christmas 1994

 9. Microsoft Announces Availability of Bookshelf '94 for Windows and Mac

10. 7th Level's TuneLand, World's First Interactive Cartoon, Listed as
    Top-Selling Children's Entertainment CD-ROM Title at CompUSA

11. Autodesk Animator Pro Player v1.3 Available

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------




 _         Dell DL-1460NI Computer Monitors Recalled Due to Fire Risk
| |        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |                    Washington, D.C. -- May 20, 1994
| |
| |
|_|n cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dell
Computer Corp., Austin, Texax is voluntarily recalling Dell model DL-1460NI
14-inch SVGA computer monitors. Internal components in the Dell model DL-1460NI
monitor can overheat, and the monitor can catch fire.


PRODUCT:  Approximately 63,000 Dell Model DL-1460NI 14-inch SVGA color computer
monitors sold by Dell, Sam's Club, Costco, Price Club, and CompUSA.

PROBLEM:  Internal components may overheat causing a fire hazard.

WHAT TO DO:  Consumers using Dell computer monitors should look for the model
number DL-1460NI on the back of the monitor. Those having model DL-1460NI
monitors should call Dell at 800/913-3355 to arrange for shipping and repair of
the monitor.


Dell Computer Corporation has received 32 reports of monitors overheating and,
in some cases, catching fire. None of the reported incidents involved personal
injury and the reported fires did not spread. Dell reported this problem to the
CPSC.

Dell Computer imported the monitors from a Taiwanese manufacturer in 1992 and
1993. The involved monitors were sold by Dell directly, and at Sam's Club,
Costco, Price Club, and CompUSA. Approximately 63,000 involved monitors are
believed to be in use.

Consumers using Dell computer monitors should look for this model number on the
back of their monitors. ONLY model DL-1460NI monitors are involved. Consumers
having this model should unplug the monitors, and call Dell's recall number
800/913-3355 between 9 AM and 9 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday, or 11
AM and 3 PM Eastern Time, Saturday, to arrange for a free pick-up and repair of
the monitors. Owners may also obtain information and register for repair
through Dell's computer bulletin board (512/728-3589), the Dell forum on
CompuServe and America OnLine. The company will send packing materials
overnight to owners of the monitors. Airborne Express will then pick up the
monitors for return of the repaied unit in 3-5 working days.

Consumers should not call any other Dell 800 number, or any retailer from whom
the monitor may have been purchased, as this will only delay repair of the
monitor. Information on this recall is available via Dell's Techfax(SM) fax
service at 800/950-1329.


Note: To report an unsafe consumer product or product-related injury, consumers
should call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free hotline at
800/638-2772. A teletypewriter for the hearing and speech impaired is available
at 800/638-8270.

                                      -*-




 _   _        Kaleida Labs Restructures to Focus on Core Technology
| | / )       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |/ /                Mountain View, CA -- May 10, 1994
|   <
| |\ \
|_| \_)aleida Labs today announced it will restructure the company to better
focus on its core technology, ScriptX. This action is a result of an intensive
effort by CEO Mike Braun and Kaleida's board of directors to better align the
company's business model with its core customers and technology, and to gain
more strategic leverage from Apple and IBM investments in complementary
businesses.

Kaleida will now focus completely on the delivery of its ScriptX multimedia
development environment, eliminating positions not essential to bringing those
core technology to market. A work force reduction of approximately 20 percent
is aniticipated. Before reductions, Kaleida employed 126 people.

"Our most important priority is to deliver ScriptX and the Kaleida Media
Player," said Mike Braun, Kaleida's CEO. "We won't eliminate any positions
critical to the development of the product or the support of our developers.
While the decision to reduce staff is diffucult, it is important that the
organization be sized according to our mission and with a narrower focus, our
structure can be scaled back."

"Our vision has not changed, we have only redefined our plans to implement it,"
said Braun. "We are going to enter the market intensely focused on our most
important customers -- multimedia developers -- and our first products, ScriptX
development kits for personal computers."

Kaleida remains committed to its plans to develop ScriptX enhancements that
allow multimedia content to be implmented on distributed systems in both the PC
and TV arenas. Braun added that "multimedia developers want their ScriptX
skills and the content they create to bridge the PC and TV worlds, so cross
platform capabilities are fundamental to our system design and product plans."

"Our work on a graphics chip and operating system for set-top boxes was
initiated to fill a market void and create a target platform for ScriptX," said
Braun. "We will be transitioning out of these projects because we can now
depend on Apple, IBM, and others to provide and/or license basic ITV platforms
to companies developing such products."

Transition discussions with interactive television partners and Kaleida's
parent companies regarding the set-top operating system and Malibu graphics
chip are underway.

"As we prepare to ship our next developers release this week to some 200
developers, Kaleida and our customers look ahead to defining the next
generation of multimedia content," Braun continued. "In ScriptX and the Kaleida
Media Player, we have combined a complete object system, hundreds of core
classes, a dynamic language designed expressly for multimedia and a
platform-independent design to give developers an extraordinary development
environment. They will be able to create better and more unique titles and
applications, create them once at lower cost, and distribute them anywhere.
Kaleida is now totally focused on delivering this value to multimedia
developers."


Kaleida Labs, Inc. is an independent, privately-held firm, co-owned by Apple
Computer and IBM Corporation. Its mission is to create a new platform for the
development of multimedia content. The Kaleida Platform consists of two major
components: ScriptX, the first object-oriented programming language designed
specifically for the development of multimedia content; and the Kaleida Media
Player, a multimedia system that provides the software resources for delivering
content across a broad range of operating systems. Kaleida Media Players will
initially be available for Windows, Macintosh, and later for OS/2, UNIX, and
set-top terminals. Kaleida Labs is based in Mountain View, California.

                                   -*-




                  Digital Announces Desktop and Server Systems
                        Based on New Intel Processors
                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 ____              ... And the 'Greening' of its Value Line
|  _ \
| | ) |                  Maynard, Mass. -- May 17, 1994
| | | |
| |_) |
|____/igital Equipment Corporation today announced 13 new models in its DECpc
Value, Premium and Server lines. Nine of the new models are based on the
recently-introduced IntelSX2, IntelDX4 and Pentium 735/90 Intel processors.
Also included in the announcement are desktop systems in the company's popular
Value Line of i486-based desktop PCs carrying the Energy Star logo.

"Digital continues to invest in expanding its range of personal computer
products to meet the diverse needs of today's PC buyers," said Enrico Pesatori,
vice president and general manager of Digital's Systems Business Unit and
Personal Computer Business Unit. "With today's introduction, we are responding
to the increasing demand of our customers and resellers by offering the widest
possible product choice, and the latest in processor and graphics technology,"
added Harry Copperman, the PC Business Unit's vice president, U.S. Sales and
Marketing.

'Green' Machines for Desktop Value

As part of today's announcement, Digital added two new models to its popular
DECpc LPv+ family of Energy Star Value Line desktops. The systems are based on
the recently-introduced IntelSX2 (50MHz) and IntelDX4 (100MHz) microprocessors.
Designed for price and energy conscious users, the DECpc LPv+ family cuts
energy consumption, providing PC users with substantial savings. The DECpc LPv+
450s2 slimline system with 4MB RAM (upgradable to 64MB), 8KB internal cache, S3
805 local bus video, upgradable CPU and a 170MB hard drive is priced at $1,249.
A similarly configured DECpc LPv+ 4100 with 16KB internal cache is priced at
$2,199.

The company also announced it has updated the four i486-based members of its
successful DECpc LPx family to the new DECpc LPx+ 433sx, DECpc LPx+ 433dx,
DECpc LPx+ 450d2 and DECpc LPx+ 466d2 -- all now Energy Star-compliant and all
at the same price as the DECpc LPx models. Competitively priced, the DECpc LPx+
family combines superior performance and energy-efficient features in an
expandable desktop package.

At the same time, two new 'green' models, also based on the new Intel
processors, were added to the DECpc LPx+ family for a total of six new systems.
The new DECpc LPx+ 450s2 full-profile desktop system with 4MB RAM (upgradable
to 64MB), 8KB internal cache, S3 805 local bus video, upgradable CPU and a
170MB hard drive is priced at $1,379. A similarly configured DECpc LPx+ 4100
with 16KB internal cache is priced at $2,329.

Standard with all the new Value Line systems are factory-installed MS-DOS 6.21
and Windows for Workgroups 3.11, a keyboard, mouse and floppy disk drive.

With the new models in the DECpc Value Line desktop families, Digital becomes
one of the first vendors to offer a complete line of i486-based desktop Energy
Star-compliant products.

"Top to bottom we're 'green' with our i486-based Value Line desktop offerings,"
said Jesse Parker, director of desktop and server product management and
marketing. "All systems now have Advanced Power Management to give users
control over how they manage their energy-saving features."

Using the Power Management Windows icon feature of Advanced Power Management,
users can easily control their power down settings -- monitor suspend, monitor
power down, and disk drive suspend -- for optimum power management, resulting
in lower power consumption and operating costs. For example, a user can select
monitor time-outs in intervals of one to 30 minutes before the monitor goes
into suspend or power-down modes.

Premium Line Extends Investment Protection

Also introduced today are two new systems in Digital's flexible Premium Line.
Using the new IntelDX4 and Pentium 90 processors, the new DECpc XL 4100 and
DECpc XL 590 round out Digital's family of high-performance,
processor-upgradable minitower systems.

Based on the company's innovative motherboard/daughtercard XL architecture, the
systems will support multiple generations of i486 and Pentium technologies, as
well as future Alpha AXP technology. This gives users excellent expansion,
unparalleled upgradability, and superior investment protection. Designed for
"power" users, the DECpc XL systems are ideal in accounting, design,
engineering and other processing-intensive applications.

The new DECpc XL 4100 systems offer a high level of expandability with 8MB of
memory (expandable to 128MB), 8K internal cache (with an external cache of up
to 256K), six full-sized slots (2 PCI, 3 Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
and 1 PCI/ISA), PCI local bus video, an upgradable CPU, 340MB SCSI hard drive.
With both a 3.3 and 5.0 volt power supply, the systems can accommodate future
technology choices, without the expense and inconvenience of changing power
supplies. The new DECpc XL 4100 is priced at $2,749. A similarly configured
DECpc XL 590 is priced at $3,399.

Digital also added Intel's new 100MHz processor to its DECpc MTE family. Based
on the IntelDX4 chip, the DECpc MTE 4100 is the latest in a family of powerful,
expandable minitower systems. The DECpc MTE 4100 can be used as a standalone
system for multimedia and other high-throughput needs. The DECpc MTE family
protects users investments in two ways. The family is easily upgradable to
future Intel processors, and the systems accept industry- standard VESA/VL and
EISA add-ons, which are in common use. A DECpc MTE 4100 with 8MB RAM
(upgradable to 128MB), 6 slots (5 EISA, 1 EISA/VESA VL), 8K internal cache
(with an external cache of up to 256K), optional S3 805/S3 928 video adapters,
upgradable CPU, and a 340MB hard drive is priced at $2,649.

The new Premium Line systems come standard with MS-DOS 6.21 and Windows for
Workgroups 3.11 factory installed, as well as a keyboard, mouse and floppy disk
drive.

Flexible Servers Incorporate Unique XL Architecture

Digital also announced two new models in its recently-introduced DECpc XL
Server family. The DECpc XL Server 4100 and the DECpc XL Server 590 are
targeted at departments in mid-sized or large corporations, government
organizations, and finance and insurance institutions. Incorporating the unique
XL architecture, the DECpc XL Servers are the only servers on the market
designed to give PC users the flexibility to implement a top-of-the-line CISC
platform today, as well as support Alpha AXP RISC processors in the future.
These high-performance, flexible servers ensure investment protection for the
user.

Based on the 100MHz IntelDX4 and the 90MHz Pentium processors, the new DECpc XL
Servers are aimed at PC users requiring high-end file and print services, along
with system expansion to run other applications such as small data bases,
communications and electronic mail. In addition, the servers run the widest
range of popular networking and operating systems, including Novell NetWare and
UNIXWare, Microsoft Windows, Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT, SCO UNIX,
IBM OS/2, Digital PATHWORKS and Banyan VINES.

A typically configured DECpc XL Server 4100 with 8MB RAM, standard external
cache of 128KB (upgradable to 256KB maximum), 2xCD-ROM, 535MB Fast SCSI disk,
floppy disk drive, mouse, and keyboard is $4,099. A similarly configured DECpc
XL Server 590 with 16MB RAM, 256KB cache and 1GB disk drive is $5,599. Standard
with the systems are support for Fast-Wide SCSI-2, RAID and 8GB of internal
storage.

State-of-the-Art Graphics Technology Provides Increased Performance

Included in the announcement were accelerated graphics cards based on S3's
Vision864 chip. A PCI version of the card is standard on the DECpc XL. Offered
as a VL-bus option for the DECpc LPx+ line, the card is priced at $225. Both
are available immediately.

Users can expect significant improvement in graphics performance over the
current generation of 32-bit graphics controllers. Digital is one of the first
system vendors to introduce 64-bit graphics acceleration based on the S3
Vision864 chip as an option across its mainstream product offerings.

All of the systems announced today are available through Digital's channel
partners, including master resellers, wholesalers, distributors, dealers, VARS
and system integrators, as well as the Digital PC Catalog and Digital's direct
sales organization. The new DECpc MTE 4100, DECpc XL 4100, and the DECpc LPx+
models are available immediately; the remaining systems are available the first
week of June.

The new DECpc Value and Premium line products carry a three-year, limited
warranty -- first year on-site, second and third year returned to Digital. The
DECpc Servers are covered by a three-year, on-site limited warranty, one of the
most comprehensive in the industry.

Digital Equipment Corporation is the world's leader in open client/server
solutions from personal computers to integrated worldwide information systems.
Digital's scalable Alpha AXP platforms, storage, networking, software and
services, together with industry-focused solutions from business partners, help
organizations compete and win in today's global marketplace.

Note: Sales information may be obtained by calling 1-800-722-9332. Additional
product and technical information are available in fact sheets.

                                      -*-




                  Digital Announces New Daughtercard Upgrade For
                    DECpc XL Premium and DECpc XL Server Models
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 ____                    ...Names Program PowerGrade
|  _ \
| | ) |                  Maynard, Mass. -- May 17, 1994
| | | |
| |_) |
|____/igital Equipment Corporation today announced a new name for the unique
motherboard/daughtercard upgrades for its XL architecture announced last
November -- the PowerGrade Program. Also, the company added a new daughtercard
based on Intel's Pentium 735/90MHz processor.

Under PowerGrade, users of Digital's DECpc XL Premium Line personal computers
and DECpc XL Servers now can easily adapt to their changing business and
technology needs.

"PowerGrade assures our XL customers that the system they buy today will meet
their needs well into the future. It is the easy and economical alternative to
purchasing a new system," said Harry Copperman, vice president, U.S. Sales and
Marketing for Digital's Personal Computer Business Unit. "The program enables
customers to fully upgrade their existing systems as their needs dictate. We
make it easy by supplying everything they need in one convenient package," he
added.

Using the company's unique XL architecture motherboard/daughtercard design,
Digital's PowerGrade Program gives DECpc XL and DECpc XL Server users a
full-processor upgrade. The design places CPU-specific components on the
daughtercard and common system components on the motherboard. This optimized
approach offers excellent flexibility in configuring systems, while providing
customers with a superior upgrade path to Pentium and future Alpha AXP
processors.

The convenient PowerGrade package comes with a daughtercard, new BIOS
diskettes, warranty upgrade stickers and installation instructions. If
purchased within the original three-year warranty period, the warranty is
extended by one year. The customer returns their original daughtercard in the
same mailing package, and receives a trade-in allowance for the card.

The PowerGrade package for the Intel Pentium 66 upgrade is priced at $1399; the
Intel Pentium 735/90 is priced at $1599. Trade-in allowances range from $200
for an DECpc XL 433 daughtercard, to $500 for a DECpc XL 566 daughtercard.

The PowerGrade packages are available at the end of the month through Digital's
channel partners, as well as the Digital PC Catalog and Digital's direct sales
organization.

Digital Equipment Corporation is the world's leader in open client/server
solutions from personal computers to integrated worldwide information systems.
Digital's scalable Alpha AXP platforms, storage, networking, software and
services, together with industry-focused solutions from business partners, help
organizations compete and win in today's global marketplace.

Note: Sales information may be obtained by calling 1-800-722-9332.

                                     -*-




   Chips & Technologies Brings Desktop-Level Graphics to Notebook Computers
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                   New Mustang controllers make possible
  ___                live video in Windows on notebooks
 / _ \
| | )_|                 San Jose, CA -- May 5, 1994
| |  _
| |_) |
 \___/hips and Technologies, Inc. today announced a new family of VGA graphics
display controllers that bring desktop computer graphics capabilities to
notebook computers. Notebooks equipped with one of these controllers can run
graphics intensive software programs, including live video in a Windows
environment, that were previously restricted to office computers.

"By breaking down the wall between what must be done in the office and what can
be done in the field, we believe we've enabled the notebook computer to truly
come into its own as the new centerpiece of personal computing," said Jim
Stafford, president and CEO. "The new controllers are further proof of Chips
and Technologies' commitment to pioneering and leading the development of
graphics chips for the notebook computer industry."

The 65540 and 65545 are now the flagships of Chips and Technologies' product
line, being the world's first flat-panel controllers to add video overlay
capability. These devices will allow notebook computer makers to easily and
inexpensively bring full motion video from VCRs, laser disks, camcorders, and
other sources to add multimedia to their products. The most immediate impact of
this will likely be the creation of new markets for entertainment, business
presentations, and video networking on notebook computers.

Both devices, the first members of the Mustang family, represent compatible
high-end additions to Chips and Technologies' established Vampire line of flat
panel controllers. Among Vampire's customers are IBM, AST, Dell,
Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, and AMBRA, a subsidiary of IBM. The addition of the
Mustang family gives designers a flexible and reliable high-performance
solution -- requiring minimum reconfiguration -- across the spectrum of
notebook designs.

The 65545 uses a hardware accelerator that multiplies the speed of data
transfer to the display to offer deskstop performance in notebook systems. The
65540 is designed for mainstream applications that do not require hardware
acceleration but still need high-speed performance.

One of the most time-consuming and expensive parts of notebook computer design
is the graphics subsystem. Because the 65540 and 65545 are fully hardware and
software compatible, computer OEMs now have a single design that serves the
requirements of several market segments -- from low end monochrome systems to
high end desktop replacements.

The Mustang controllers are also designed for maximum flexibility and
usefulness to computer designers. For example, both are available in 5 volt and
the new energy conserving 3.3 volt 'Green PC' versions. Both feature 'power
down' modes that reduce power consumption and extend battery life.

In terms of software, the two controllers come equipped with VGA-compatible
BIOS (Basic Input Output System) to make most efficient use of all features of
the products. Further, Chips and Technologies offers high performance drivers
for Windows, Windows NT, and OS/2 at different resolutions and color depths.

Price and Delivery

Samples and production quantities of the 65440 are available now. Price, in
10,000 unit quanities, is $24.00. The 65545 will be sampling in July.
Production quantities will be available in September with pricing of $31.00 for
10,000 unit quantities.


About Chips and Technologies

Chips and Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHPS) supplies advanced semiconductor
devices to the worldwide personal computer industry. The company pioneered the
concept of implementing discrete functions in highly integrated chipsets.
Chips' products are found in a wide range of systems from compact portables to
high performance desktop computers.

For more information, contact Chips and Technologies, 3050 Zanker Road, San
Jose, CA 95134, telephone [phone].

                                     -*-




                Microsoft TechNet Announces the Microsoft TechNet
            Supplemental (Drivers & Patches) CD and Server Licensing
 _    _     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| \  / |
|  \/  |                 Redmond, WA -- May 23, 1994
|      |
| |\/| |
|_|  |_|icrosoft Corporation recently released a supplemental Microsoft TechNet
information CD containing the complete Microsoft Software Library that includes
drivers for the entire line of Microsoft software products, code samples,
articles and useful utilities along with the patches for the Microsoft Windows
NT operating system.

Called the Microsoft TechNet Supplemental (Drivers & Patches) CD, this release
of more than 900 drivers is the first of a supplemental monthly CD sent as part
of an annual membership to Microsoft TechNet. It enables users to access
printer, video, audio, storage, pen or network drivers as well as install the
latest Windows NT patches. Future CDs will include patches for LAN Manager (and
other products); and the Microsoft Networking Client Kit, which is the standard
networking client for the Windows NT Advanced Server, Windows for Workgroups
and LAN Manager networks. The kit includes network client software for MS-DOS,
the Windows operating system version 3.1, and OS/2.

Earlier this fall, Microsoft began issuing quarterly customer service packs
with code, updating users to the most current release of Windows NT. However,
this is the first time the information is available on CD, allowing customers
not only to proactively address and work around interoperability issues, but
also to minimize the time and effort needed to access the information. To
simplify the process, users install all of the Windows NT patches at once,
using a simple installation program provided on the CD.

"Customers, support professionals and system administrators told us they need
easy access to current drivers and patches in order to effectively support and
administer business-critical systems. Microsoft TechNet responded by delivering
the Microsoft TechNet Supplemental (Drivers & Patches) CD, our latest addition
to the Microsoft TechNet program," said Gregg Smith, Product Manager, Microsoft
TechNet. "This CD is a collection of software that will empower our customers
to more effectively do their jobs."

J. Matthew Merrick of Merrick Printing received an advance copy of the
Microsoft TechNet Supplemental (Drivers & Patches) CD and found it invaluable.
"As we implement Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server in our corporate
environment, we are confident Microsoft has committed to providing regular
updates to handle any operating concerns, making it a very stable operating
system. Regular delivery of these updates through Microsoft TechNet will
literally save me hundreds of dollars," said Merrick.

Microsoft TechNet

Microsoft TechNet is an CD-ROM-based information service created for those who
support or educate end users, administer networks or databases, create
automated solutions, and recommend or evaluate information technology
solutions. Microsoft TechNet provides timely, in-depth technical information
about Microsoft products and about supporting and administering Microsoft-based
solutions. Since its inception last spring, the CD-ROM information service has
become an invaluable tool for tens of thousands of MIS and help-desk managers,
as well as other support professionals worldwide. Microsoft TechNet was
recently awarded a Win100 award (a top 100 Windows product of 1993) by Windows
Magazine, which said, "This is a must-buy for any technical service
professional" (February 1994).

Along with the monthly Microsoft TechNet Supplemental (Drivers and Patches) CD,
Microsoft TechNet members also receive monthly Microsoft TechNet CDs that
contain the complete Microsoft Knowledge Base; complete product Resource Kits
with utilities for Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, and the Windows and
MS-DOS operating systems and others; Microsoft training materials; customer
solutions; conference session notes from key Microsoft conferences; and other
valuable technical and strategic information. This vast arsenal of information
is simple to access with a Windows-based interface and a full-text Boolean
search engine. Membership in Microsoft TechNet also includes a $20 CompuServe
usage credit, a 20% discount on Microsoft Press books and a printed Microsoft
Services Directory (as well as an in-depth, online version).

The cost for 12 monthly TechNet and TechNet Supplemental (Drivers and Patches)
CD's is $295 for a single user license, or $695 for a single server - unlimited
users license. Both are accompanied by a 90-day, money-back guarantee. For more
information or to join Microsoft TechNet, call [phone], extension 3003.
Outside the United States and Canada, call [phone] for local contact
information.


Cyberspace Observation: Visit the Microsoft RoundTable for information about
accessing these products on GEnie. Type MICROSOFT at any GEnie prompt.

                                   -*-




                Moon Valley Puts Victory & Roar of the Crowd
                    on Your PC with ESPN Sports Shorts
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
              $39.99 CD-ROM features Wacky.WAV files, intense
              action screen savers, and desktop customization
 _    _         for favorite team colors on Windows desktop.
| \  / |
|  \/  |          San Luis Obispo, CA -- April 28, 1994
|      |
| |\/| |
|_|  |_|oon Valley Software has announced its first sports title, ESPN Sports
Shorts, a $39.99 multimedia CD-ROM that includes live ESPN action sports video
clips from around the world; hundreds of sports-themed sound effects and
expressions by popular ESPN announcers; screen savers, wallpapers, slide shows;
even the ability to create one's own phrases with Moon Valley's proprietary
"text-to-speech" capability.

All of the files in this massive compilation can be attached to various
Microsoft Windows events, from the festive sound of team cheers to the
screaming and burning of rubber of Formula One Race cars, said Kirk Keys, vice
president of sales and marketing. In addition, the program includes the Moon
Valley "Style-O-Rama" function set which allows users to customize everything
from the program manager title bar to the dialog boxes with special graphic
effects featuring one's team colors and backgrounds.

"America is sports crazy," said Keys. "ESPN has realized this fact for many
years now. Moon Valley, where everyone is crazy all the time, brings this
vision to the computer-using mass market with a gigantic collection of
sports-themed diversions for the PC desktop."

ESPN Sports Shorts is the second Moon Valley title to feature a text-to- speech
module called Let's Talk(TM), which allows users to create their own phrases
(e.g. "Let's Go, Lakers!") and attach them to any Windows event, such as dialog
boxes, buttons or icons. These phrases can also be set to go off at particular
times.

"We're very excited about the upcoming release of ESPN Sports Shorts," said Tom
Hagopian, vice president, ESPN Enterprises. "Now, sports fans will be able to
enjoy a lot of the great sights and sounds of ESPN on their PCs."

System Requirements

The title requires an IBM-compatible PC with a 386 or higher processor, Windows
3.1, 2 MB RAM, 10 MB available hard disk space, CD-ROM drive, mouse, VGA
monitor and graphics card (Super VGA and 256-color recommended). A sound card
is also highly recommended, although the program includes a driver for the PC
speaker.

ESPN Sports Shorts will ship in less than a month. Street price for the $39.99
title is expected to be around $25.

Sample Screens

Moon Valley generously provided Cyberspace Report with two sample wallpaper
screens from ESPN Sport Shorts with permission to make them available in the
Library! Download them in this file:

Number: 1031  Name: MOONVAL.ZIP
Address: CYBERSPACE  Date: 940526
Approximate # of bytes: 238720
Number of Accesses: 1  Library: 8
Description:
Two cool, sample Windows wallpaper screens (converted to GIF) from Moon Valley
Software's new sports title, ESPN Sports Shorts. Display on any computer with a
GIF viewer; 640x480x256 colors.


ESPN, Inc., a brand name synonymous with quality sports television worldwide,
is America's largest cable network and features events, news and lifestyle
programming. ESPN, owned 80 percent by Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., and 20 percent
by The Hearst Corporation, reaches 63 million households, 67 percent of
American television homes. The 24-hour network, headquartered in Bristol, CT,
debuted September 7, 1979, and televises more than 4,500 live and/or original
hours of sports programming a year.

ESPN Enterprises was created in 1992 to extend ESPN into related ancilliary
businesses, including interactivity, multimedia, electronic publishing,
licensing, home video, and merchandising.


Moon Valley is a place where people go to have fun on their computers. Moon
Valley Software, where the employees are known to sing "Fly Me to the Moon" at
the slightest provocation, is headquartered at 141 Suburban Road, Suite A-1,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, with manufacturing and distribution offices in
Phoenix, AZ.

Despite, or perhaps because of the company's general lunacy, its products are
widely available through leading retailers, including Electronic Boutique,
Egghead Software, Babbages, CompUSA, Micro Center, and Best Buy. Having the
number one selling CD-ROM in America, ROMaterial, for much of 1993 also didn't
hurt.

For more information or a date with Moon Rabbit, the company's furry white
mascot (he's the one on all the boxes), just concentrate real hard and click
your heels together three times. Or, if you're less interesting, you can always
call 800/473-5509.

                                     -*-




                    GameTek Previews Cinema Division with
                30 Full-Motion Video Titles by Christmas 1994
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  ___            "Lights, Camera... GameTek Cinema Action!"
 / _ \
| | )_|             North Miana Beach, FL -- May 11, 1994
| |  _
| |_) |
 \___/lassic Hollywood movies and TV programs -- from George Romero's horror
film, "Night of the Living Dead" and Fritz Lang's science fiction fantasy,
"Metropolis," to a compilation of favorite "Our Gang" episodes and Charlie
Chaplin shorts -- will now be transformed into full-motion CD-ROM computer
video products by GameTek Cinema.

GameTek (NASDAQ: GAME), the international developer, marketer, and publisher of
computer, CD-ROM, Sega and Nintendo System software, announced its leap into
the multimedia entertainment industry today with the launch of its new GameTek
Cinema Division.

MPC and Macintosh CD-ROMs

Positioning GameTak as a leader in the full-motion video industry, the GameTek
Cinema Division will bring to Macintosh CD and IBM-compatible MPC computer
screens an array of top Hollywood motion picture entertainment.

Six full-length animated children's features such as "Treasure Island" and
"Wind in the Willows" -- under an exclusive license with Omnivision, Los
Angeles, -- will be simultaneously unveiled under GameTek's new KidStuff Cinema
label. KidStuff Cinema will also debut children's computer products based on
PBS-TV's "Reading Rainbow," winner of five Emmy Awards.


GameTek is best known for the success of its best-selling entertainment
software such as the award-winning "Frontier Elite II," "Humans" and such TV
game show simulations as "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" The initial
premiere of GameTek Cinema titles will involve 12 entertainment products in
September, eight KidStuff products in October, and six more GameTek Cinema
products in November 1994.

Virtual Movie Theatre

What's more, GameTek Cinema entertainment software will take viewers one step
closer to the actual movie-going experience, thanks to a pop-up computer
interface that leads them through a point-and-click 'Virtual Movie Theatre.'

Movie fans begin in a theatre lobby, which offers a playable arcade filled with
GameTek game demonstrations, an interactive refreshment stand, and other
surprises. "The 'Virtual Movie Theatre' will provide startlingly authentic
entertainment, even before the movie starts," says GameTak Creative Director
Stephen Curran. "The only thing we left out was the ju-ju-bees on the theatre
floor."

Further heightening the movie experience, users can play movie director --
using a full array of movie control features including: Play, Pause (variable
speed), Fast Forward, and (variable speed) Rewind, Frame-by-Frame Forward and
Frame-by-Frame Backward.


"By releasing nearly three dozen CD-ROM multimedia entertainment products in
the next half-year, GameTek Cinema is poised to become one of the leading
sources for full-motion video products and multimedia development," says
GameTek president, Bruce Lowry.

"But for the TV and film industry, GameTek Cinema offers an unprecedented
opportunity to bring the most exciting entertainment properties in Hollywood
into the digital age of CD-ROM. We will be aggressively seeking out new movies,
TV programs, and cartoons to add to the GameTek Cinema line."

GameTek will support all GameTek Cinema entertainment titles with mass
distribution through more than 15,000 consumer electronics and other retail
outlets, reinforced by nationwide merchandising, promotion, and advertising
campaigns.

GameTek's products, designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of age groups,
include TV game show and productivity titles for adults; action, fantasy and
simulation games for teenagers; and developmental and educational titles for
children.

The GamTek Cinema Division, based in North Miami Beach, can be reached through
Carleen Carty at 305/935-3995, ext. 103.

                                    -*-




    Microsoft Announces Availability of Bookshelf '94 for Windows and Mac
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                       Most Significant Upgrade Ever
 _    _           to Popular Microsoft Reference Library
| \  / |
|  \/  |                 Redmond, WA -- May 2, 1994
|      |
| |\/| |
|_|  |_|icrosoft Corporation today announced the availability of Microsoft(R)
Bookshelf(R) 1994. The new version, announced earlier this year, is the most
significant upgrade ever made to Microsoft's popular multimedia CD-ROM
reference library and will be available in separate versions for the Microsoft
Windows(TM) operating system and Apple(R) Macintosh(R) computer. The release
also continues the momentum for the Microsoft Home brand of consumer multimedia
software.

Bookshelf '94 features the complete texts of seven best-selling, newly updated
reference books on a single CD-ROM disk. Bookshelf '94 goes beyond printed
reference books to offer rich multimedia, such as 80,000 dictionary
pronunciations, each spoken in a human voice, and more than 60 animations and
video clips of scientific concepts and historical events. It also contains more
up-to-date material than is possible in printed works, as well as powerful new
tools that make it easier to access information and to facilitate fast searches
across all of the books in Bookshelf '94.

"Consumers are increasingly demanding about the quality of their multimedia
software; they want the comprehensive content available from print titles,
along with stimulating and informative sights and sounds," said Richard Tait,
general manager of the family reference business unit at Mirosoft. "Bookshelf
provides information in a way not possible with printed reference material.
Best of all, with one-click access to best-selling reference information from
within any program, Bookshelf '94 is the new way to look it up. The continued
and expanding popularity of Microsoft Bookshelf proves that we are meeting this
high consumer standard."

QuickShelf Information Retrieval

Bookshelf '94, the most significant upgrade since Microsoft introduced the
pioneering multimedia CD-ROM softare title in 1987, redefines the way people
can work with reference information. For example, the all-new QuickShelf(TM)
information retrieval tool gives users one-click access to each of the seven
reference works in Bookshelf from within any other software program for the
Windows operating system or Macintosh computer. Because the books are
integrated, users can also double-click any word in Bookshelf to see its
definition and hear its spoken pronunciation instantly.

Because users depend on reference information when creating presentations and
reports, Bookshelf '94 works well with other programs for Windows and the
Macintosh. Users can copy and paste facts, quotes and even pictures into their
word processors, spreadsheets or presentation programs.

Seven Best-Sellers

Four of the reference volumes in Bookshelf '94 are completely new: The American
Heritage Dictionary, Third Edition; Roget's Original Thesaurus of Words and
Phrases; The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations; and The People's Chronology.
Bookshelf '94 also includes newly updated versions of The Concise Columbia
Encyclopedia, Hammond Intermediate World Atlas, and World Almanac Book of
Facts(R) 1994.

Price and Availability

To bring Bookshelf '94 within reach of the rapidly expanding market of
multimedia computer users, Microsoft is making this new version available for
the suggested retail prie (SRP) of $99 through Dec. 31, 1994. Licensed users of
previous versions are eligible for a $40 in-box rebate. The Windows-based
version of Bookshelf '94 is available now. The version for the Macintosh is
scheduled to be available next month.


For users of Windows, Microsoft Bookshelf '94 requires a multimedia PC or
compatible with a 386SX or higher microprocessor, 4MB of RAM, at least 2MB of
available hard disk space, a CD-ROM drive, a VGA display, an audio board,
headphones or speakers, and a mouse of similar pointing device.

For users of Macintosh, Microsoft Bookshelf '94 requires a color Macintosh or
PowerBook(R) computer with System 7 or higher, 4MB of RAM, at least 2MB of hard
disk space, and a Macintosh-compatible CD-ROM drive.

The Microsoft Home brand is a broad range of consumer software products
targeted at the rapidly expanding market of home software users. The Microsoft
Home brand has been created in response to customer demand for a line of
userful and enjoyable products for the entire family. Under the Home brand,
Microsoft offers software in the categories of personal productivity, kids,
games, educational entertainment and reference, and will continue to expand
these categories throughout the year.

                                   -*-




        7th Level's TuneLand, World's First Interactive Cartoon, Listed
        as Top-Selling Children's Entertainment CD-ROM Title at CompUSA
 _____  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|_   _|
  | |                    Dallas, TX -- April 6, 1994
  | |
  | |
  |_|uneLand from 7th Level, starring Howie Mandel, was the best-selling
children's entertainment CD-ROM title at leading superstore group CompUSA
during February, 1994. "It hit CompUSA no. 1 seller's list for CD-ROM
entertainment titles just after its release," according to David Peterson, a
buyer for CompUSA disttributor Ingram Micro. Mr. Peterson was quoted in the
3/14/94 issue of the LA Business Journal.

Described as a "living cartoon," TuneLand was also one of the best-selling
titles during the same period at Ingram, which is the world's largest PC
hardware and software distributor. TuneLand came in third behind long-running
hits Microsoft Encarta(TM) and Virgin Games' 7th Guest(TM).

This remarkable showing for 7th Level's first title is reinforced with two
awards given the product recentlly. TuneLand received "Best of Show" for
product design from Game Bytes Magazine at January's Winter Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas. "TuneLand defines multimedia," said Ross
Erickson, editor-in-chief of America's only on-line game publication.
"Unquestionably, TuneLand is one of the finest CD-ROM products ever made," he
added.

TuneLand was also named to the "A-List" by CD-ROM News Extra. "The music is the
most sophisticated and professionally recorded to date," said the publication
in its February issue.

The next release from 7th Level is an adult comedy title, "Monty Python's
Flying Circus," containing game elements and some of the more outrageous skits
from the famous British comedy troupe. Celebrating Python's 25th anniversary,
the title is set for release in late summer of this year.

For more information, contact 7th Level, Inc. 1711 International Parkway Suite
101, Richardson, TX 75081, telephone [phone], fax [phone].

                                     -*-




                  Autodesk Animator Pro Player v1.3 Available
 ____             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|  _ \
| | ) |                Cyberspace on GEnie -- May 27, 1994
| | | |
| |_) |
|____/isplaying graphics and animations created on other computing platforms
has been made dramatically easier for IBM-compatible MS-DOS users with
availability of Aniplay, Autodesk's Animator Pro Player v1.3, in the
Multimedia/Cyberspace Library on GEnie Page 2000.

Properly installed using MS-DOS (see the file description for details -- it's
not hard), Aniplay displays a huge number of file formats including its own
Autodesk MOVie, FLI and FLC formats, and PCX, RND, SLD, Targa, TIF,
TAG/TIFFGREY, in addition to files created on Amiga, Atari ST and Macintosh
platforms.

 * Amiga Deluxe Paint III Animations, RIF, and native IFF/LBM screens
 * Atari ST Degas, NEO, PICT, SEQ; FLILOWRES, GIF, JPEG,
 * MacPaint B/W

Download the following file to get this capability:


Number: 1032  Name: ANIPLAY.ZIP
Address: CYBERSPACE   Date: 940526
Approximate # of bytes: 328320
Number of Accesses: 2  Library: 3
Description:
Aniplay, Autodesk's fantastic Animator Pro Player v1.3, displays animations
(even 3-D) and graphics from MS-DOS. Formats include: Amiga DPaintIII Anims,
RIF, IFF/LBM; Atari ST Degas, NEO, PICT, SEQ; FLILOWRES, GIF, JPEG, MacPaint
B/W, Autodesk MOVie, PCX, RND, SLD, Targa, TIF, TAG/TIFFGREY, and FLC/FLI.
Control with scripts (instructions included) or from its GUI/mouse interface.
Put ANIPLAY.EXE in a directory named whatever you like; inside it create
another directory named RESOURCE and store everything else in this archive
there. Requires IBM-compatible with VGA grahics, and installation of your Vesa
driver for best results.

                                     -*-


    _____________________________ ATTENTION ____________________________
   /                                                                    \
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  |                                                                      |
  |           From CYBERSPACE REPORT WEEKLY on the Multimedia            |
  |           RoundTable on GEnie.  Reprinted by permission.             |
  |                                                                      |
  |                                                                      |
  |    Please include the following SPECIAL OFFER, if you have space:    |
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  |                                                                      |
  |   1. Set your system to half duplex at 300/1200/2400 baud.           |
  |   2. Dial toll-free 1-800-638-8369 (in Canada dial 1-800-387-8330).  |
  |      Upon CONNECTion, enter HHH. Enter HHH each time you use GENie.  |
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