News Archive Index
WinNews (tm) - The Monthly PC/Mac News Archive

Prepared & Distributed by:  Baker Enterprises

Assorted press releases  and news articles are available by subject heading in the topic areas shown below or use SEARCH  to find articles listed by company names.

SOFTWARE:	HARDWARE:

Business & Productivity  	PC Systems

Professional/Engineering  	Expansion Products

Personal & Educational  	Peripherals

Games & Entertainment  	Macintosh Specific

System Software & Utilities  	Miscellaneous Hardware

Macintosh Specific

Miscellaneous Software  	GENERAL INTEREST:

Books & Publications

Miscellaneous News

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About Press Releases
Full Text Press Releases...

Press Releases are distributed electronically with 100% of the entire text included as supplied by the company. Most material is available via the online news areas on America Online and Delphi within several days of receipt. News archives such as this are created at the end of every month. For additional information concerning any product or service mentioned, please contact the company directly. Check the end of the article for the company's mailing address and/or telephone numbers.

Note that additional Backgrounder reports may be available for downloading from our Information Download Libraries on America Online and Delphi.


About SEARCH Capabilities
Using SEARCH to Find Articles by Company Name...

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within the various news articles included in the news archive.

2)	Select the desired company from the list, then click on the Show Topics

button (or double click on the company name) to see a list of relevant

articles for that company.

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(or double click on the article title) to display the article text.


About Baker Enterprises
About Baker Enterprises...

Baker Enterprises electronically distributes PC & Macintosh related news and full text press releases  via our New Product Information Service on America Online (Keyword=New Product) and Delphi (GO NEWS PRODUCTS). Monthly news archives such as this are created at the end of each month and include all news processed during the previous month. Besides this Windows-compatible format, the same information is also available in a PKZIP collection of standard ASCII text files with a simple index, but requires your own text file utilities to read. News archive files are available from a download library on AOL, Delphi, and selected Internet archive sites, or direct via mail from Baker Enterprises.

Baker Enterprises also maintains a reference database listing companies and products from throughout the PC industry. The database appears as an online searchable database via America Online in the PC Vendors Database within our New Product Information area. The same data is also distributed monthly on diskette by EMS Professional Software.

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Our services are provided at no cost to any companies or shareware authors wishing to have their press releases distributed, or their company and product information included in our database. All submissions should be mailed, faxed or Emailed directly to Baker Enterprises. Press releases are typically processed and available nationwide within one to three days of receipt!


PC Industry Reference Database
PC Industry Reference Database...

Baker Enterprises produces a PC industry reference database that includes information on thousands of companies and authors, plus brief information on their products. More than just a software locator, the database also lists hardware, peripherals, publications, accessories, supplies, shareware and more -- just about anything and everything relating to the PC industry. Company information includes mailing addresses, telephone/fax/BBS numbers, Email addresses and more. The database is available as an online searchable database in our New Product Information area on America Online. The same data is also licensed for monthly worldwide distribution on disk and CD-ROM as the PC Products Database sold by EMS Professional Software. Individual copies on diskette are $25 plus $5 shipping within the USA (contact EMS on foreign orders).

For information on ordering copies of the PC Products Database on disk and CD-ROM, or optional quarterly and monthly subscriptions, please contact:

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Business & Productivity Software
Business & Productivity Software News:

Market-Base V2.1 Sales & Marketing Info System

Writer's Dream V4.20 Presentation Program

Intex Verbose Thesaurus Add-In for Lotus 1-2-3

Teleform Automated Database Entry for Windows

WestLake Imager 2.0 Adds Pictures to Databases

Microsoft Office Includes Best-selling Database

Microsoft Connectivity Kit for FoxPro 2.5

30+ Vendors Support Microsoft ODBC at DB/EXPO

1040 Advantage Interactive Tax Preparation Swr

Duxbury Braille Products Newsletter, April 1993

Dynodex Full Featured Address Book for Windows

Microsoft Upgrades Word for MS-DOS to Ver 6.0

The Investor's Accountant, Ver 2.0

Keystroke Point of Sale, Version 3.0

Parastat for Paradox Statistical Analysis

CONVERT4 Upgrades Paradox Tables for 4.0

Niche Software Business Training Packages

Major Upgrade of TesaSoft KwikStat Data Analysis

ProActive Software Moves to Harger Headquarters

Street Wizard Ver 3.1 Street Mapping Package

ButtonFile for Windows Personal Database

Compel Interactive Business Presentation Pckg

Shapeware Offers Visio to Education Market

4 Color Letter-Art Brochure Available

Shapeware Launches Visio Shapes/Stencils

PeopleSoft Business Apps for Windows NT

DE/Cartes V2 The Windows Document Manager

QuickToons on CD-ROM

Cardfile.3 DBMS V3.16 for Windows Upgrade Avail

Intex Inventory Analyst Professional


Professional/Engineering Software
Professional/Engineering Software News:

Free Environmental Assistance via Network

ADev Rated TOP CAD Solution in MCAA Survey

Moldflow Computer-Based Training Pgm

chemSAVER 3D Molecular Animation Screen Saver

Free PYRAMID Chromatography Manager Windows Demo

EAGLE Layout Software on CNBC June 1993

DEMAID: Design Mgrs Aid for Intelligent Decomp

PYROLASER Optical Pyrometer Operating System

TWOBODY Improved Lagrange Multiplier

New National Instr. Scientific & Eng Swr Prods

LabVIEW Application Builder & Run-Time System

Intergraph WinTN Drawing Automation Tools

Intergraph MicroStation Version 5

MIT Using Moldflow Plastic Molding Swr

Intergraph Showcases Windows NT Products

MGE is First GIS Swr for Windows NT

First Windows NT Apps for AEC Market

Intergraph Dual-Platform Strategy Report

LabVIEW Version 3.0 Accounced at COMDEX

Instrumentation Swr Pckgs for Windows NT

CADPIPE HVAC from ISS Intro'd at A/E/C Systems

GPSS/H Professional V2.01 Simulation Software


Personal & Educational Software
Personal & Educational Software News:

Expert Home Design for Windows only $14.95

The Mortgage Analyzer V1.05

The Debt Analyzer V1.20

Europress BBC Gardeners' World 3D Designer

Fundwatch Plus Ver 2.0 Investment Swr

Marketwatch Investment Software

Market Strategist Investment Software

Portfolio Analyzer Ver 3.0 Investment Mgmt

ULTRA Market Advisor Investment Software

Education Software Cooperative (Shareware)

Bible & Talmud on CD-ROM from Davka Corp

Band-in-a-Box & Other PG Music Swr Offerings

MultiMedia DeskTop for Windows & Education

Hamilton Market Strategist 100 Stock Data


Games & Entertainment Software
Games & Entertainment Software News:

GIC Interactive Computer Crosswords

Shadow President World Power Simulation

National Lampoon's Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1

Drew Pictures' Iron Helix from Spectrum HoloByte

Star Trek: The Next Generation for MS-DOS

Bubsy Bobcat to Star in Animated TV Special

Legend Entertainment Gateway II: Homeworld

Pele & Al Michaels at Accolade CES Booth


System Software & Utilities
System Software & Utilities News:

Sybase System 10 Enterprise Client/Server Prod's

Sybase Integrates XA/DCE/DME Technology

Ipswitch Catipult NetWare to TCP/IP Gateway

Ipswitch Targets NetWare Users - TCP/IP Gateway

XtreeNet Integrates XtreeGold in Upgrade

FOUNDATION Client/Server Dev Prod Quality Award

FOUNDATION Client/Server Seminar Series

Gupta Supporting Intel Pentium Processor

Enhanced Software Grove Messages for Windows

Gupta Announces Support for NetWare 4.0

Gupta Signs National Consulting Partners

12+ Third Party Front Ends for SQLBase Server

SQLWindows Reusable Template & Object Kits

Gupta Pricing Plans for Large Client/Servers

Gupta Ships SQLWindows 4.0 & Quest 2.0

FOUNDATION Client/Server Development Services

New Generation FOUNDATION Development Tools

AGE Logic PC X Server for Windows NT

Early Start Program for NT-Based PC X Server

DynoPage Printing Utility for Windows

Virus ALERT Version 2.08 Released

ZIP'R Version 3.1 - Program Compress/Uncompress

Extrasensory CA-Clipper Enhancements

MDBS IV Visual Basic Interface Package

Sybase Audit Server for Database Security

SPLIT File Sectioning & Reducing Program

Gupta SQLWindows & MDI Quest Front-End Tools

Dunn Systems NetWare Library for SQLWindows

The SemWare Editor (TSE) V1.0

New Shareware Tools from Another Company

B-Coder Professional Bar Code Swr for Windows

CDROM Publishers Using Multi-Ad Search Runtime

Microsoft SQL Server for NT by Sybase

QA Partner for Testing SQLWindows Apps

Gupta SQLWindows Promotion Thru July 31st

MicroQuill SegMentor Background Report

ColrTrax Screen Print V1.3 Color Screen Hardcopy

Sybase Joins Petrotechnical Open Swr Corp

Gupta SQLRouter/Informix & SQLRouter/Ingres

DataTable Custom Control for Visual Basic/C++

RxEDM Document Mgmt Solution for Windows


Macintosh Specific Software
Macintosh Specific Software News:

Avocet Releases Law Office Manager 3.0

Notator Logic Now Available for Mac & Atari

Apple Worldwide Developers Converence

Apple & Symantec Next-Generation Development Env

Touchdown Math for the Mac from Gamco


Miscellaneous Software
Miscellaneous Software News:

QM-PAGE Alphanumeric Paging Extension

Rodeo and Western Events in the USA


System Hardware
System Hardware News:

Intecolor Industrual VESA/Local Bus Workstations

AST Unveils First Pentium Processor-Based Sys's

NEC Image P60 Fast Graphics Pentium System

NEC RISC-Based Systems for Windows NT

New NEC Products Debut at COMDEX/Spring


Expansion Hardware
Expansion Hardware News:

Ikon Performance Enhancements

US Robotics PCMCIA Fax/Data Modem

PCMCIA Questions and Answers by US Robotics

Half-Length Chromatography Data Acq Board

Bus & Tag Interface Controller for PCs

Proxim RangeLAN/PCMCIA Wireless LAN Adapter


Peripheral Hardware
Peripheral Hardware News:

Presenta 17 & 20 inch 1280x1024 Monitors

SyDOS Removable Disk Compatible with DOS 6.0

QED Quick Easy Disk for PS/2 Upgrades

Logitech Enhances MouseMan Cordless

NEC SilenWriter Laser Printer $250 Rebates

Percon Bar Code & Magnetic Stripe Decoder

PocketReader Portable Bar Code Reader

CodeScan 3000+ Bar Code Reader & Software Utils


Macintosh Specific Hardware
Macintosh Specific Hardware News:

Free Computeryese/RT Software Upgrade

AEGIS Peripherals Tech. Enters Apple Market

Apple Unveils Plans to Expand Macintosh Market


Miscellaneous Hardware
Miscellaneous Hardware News:

Weitek Power 9000 Supports PCI Pentium & More

Novell Certification for Multi-Tech Products

Artisoft External 10Base-T Network HUBS


Books & Publications
Books & Publications:

Mastering Harvard Graphcis for Windows

Visual Basic Easy Windows Programming, 2nd Ed.

Command WordStar Release 7.0, 2nd Edition

System 7.1 The Complete Sourcebook, 2nd Ed.

MS-DOS Batch File Programming, 4th Edition

The CAD Rating Guide, 3rd Edition

Desktop Publishing, Dollars and Sense

Classroom Publishing, Enhanced Student Literacy

Microsoft Access for Windows Step by Step

Official Kid Pix Activity Book

The Shareware Compendium from ASP

Microsoft Word 6 Made Easy

Novell NetWare 4: The Complete Reference

Voodoo DOS, Second Edition Covers DOS 6.0

Microsoft FoxPro for Windows Step by Step

Microsoft Profit

Code Complete, Software Construction Handbook

Running Microsoft Mail for Windows

Windows NT Answer Book

Working with Word 5.1, Third Edition (Mac)

Microsoft MS-DOS 6 Step by Step Courseware

MS-DOS 6 Companion

Dan Gookin's MS-DOS to the Max (w/disk)

Using PageMaker 5 for Windows (w/disk)

Application Programming for Windows NT

New Video Courseware for Lotus 1-2-3, Rel 2.4

Anderson Soft-Teach Enters the Corp Classroom


Miscellaneous News
Miscellaneous News:

COMPUEXPO Energy Efficient Computer Pavilion

WinNews, Monthly PC News Archives for Windows

Bill Gates to Deliver PC Expo NY Keynote Address

The Original Macky Sac Wrist Rest

Software Killer Often Undetected

NetWorks Expo Premieres in San Francisco Apr'94

SPA Survey on Customer & Technical Support

SPA Announces CD Software Data Program

SPA Elects New Board of Directors

PreNet Fiber Network Improves Learning at WSU

NSSI Technology Partnership with Cabletron Sys


Sybase System 10 Enterprise Client/Server Prod's
SYBASE DELIVERS SYSTEM 10 PRODUCTS: SQL SERVER 10, CONTROL SERVERS AND CLIENT/SERVER INTERFACES

Seven new and enhanced products provide the high performance, multi-standard compliance, and operational control required for enterprise client/server computing.

SAN JOSE, CA, SYBASE User Group, April 27, 1993--Sybase, Inc., a leading vendor of enterprise client/server software and services, today announced availability of seven products that make up the foundation of its new SYBASE System 10 product family. The new products are: SYBASE SQL Server 10; enhanced releases of the SYBASE Open Client/Server application programming interfaces (SYBASE Open Client 10 and SYBASE Open Server 10); SYBASE Embedded SQL 10 precompilers; and new and enhanced SYBASE Control Servers 10 (Backup Server 10, SQL Monitor 10 and SA Companion 10). All products are currently in beta and scheduled for commercial availability in 1993.

The SYBASE System 10 family of products provides new capabilities for MIS organizations building enterprise client/server applications. The SYBASE products announced today provide new functionality in three key areas: high performance, multi-standard compliance, and operational control in a distributed environment.

According to Sybase president and chief executive officer, Mark Hoffman, "The products announced today are designed to meet the primary needs of companies migrating to, or expanding the use of, client/server computing. Companies worldwide are rapidly building client/server applications that run their businesses. Their primary concern is achieving the performance, security and control of the mainframe in this new distributed environment. The products we are announcing today address those concerns."

SQL Server 10

The SYBASE SQL Server is a high performance relational database server. Based on an advanced multi-threaded database operating system architecture, SYBASE SQL Server features include scalable high performance, server-enforced integrity, high application availability, and on-line distributed RDBMS capabilities. The product is designed to deliver scalable high performance on the most cost-effective hardware, maintaining high transaction and query throughput while supporting large numbers of users.

The SYBASE SQL Server product has been shipping since 1987, and is currently installed at over 7,800 Sybase-supported customer sites worldwide. The previous version to SQL Server 10 is SQL Server Release 4.9. Applications written to previous versions of the SQL Server product are compatible with the SQL Server 10 release. Customers can upgrade applications with no conversion necessary.

What's New

* Performance: The SQL Server 10 product provides several new performance improvements, achieved through enhancing Sybase's cost-based optimizer and other features. Specific improvements, measured through internal tests and customer feedback, include:

* Doubling the speed of sort and index creation;

* The database consistency checker is three times faster;

* Bulk load is seven times faster.

In addition, the SQL Server 10 product comes bundled with SYBASE Backup Server software (described below under Control Servers) which enhances its very large database support to provide high-speed back-up, loading and recovery capabilities. These overall performance enhancements maintain Sybase's position as the leading choice for high volume, high performance OLTP applications.

Myke Miller, manager at Andersen Consulting, commented on Sybase's performance. "We've developed a Passenger Revenue Accounting (PRA) System for use by major airlines that supports in excess of 1,000 users. For this application, which has very tight batch schedules and large volumes--about 400,000 transactions per day -SYBASE is the only product that can meet our needs. We are basically replacing the mainframe with the PRA application."

* Multi-Standard Compliance: The SYBASE SQL Server 10 product is 100% compatible with ANSI/ISO Standard SQL-89, including declarative referential integrity and cursor support, and passed the NIST (National Institute for Standards Testing) test for ANSI SQL-89 in October, 1992. In addition, The SYBASE SQL Server 10 release is the first RDBMS to be compliant with entry-level ANSI/ISO SQL-92.

SYBASE SQL Server 10 software also supports other government and industry standards. It is compliant with the C2 level of trust as specified by the United States National Computer Security Center's (NCSC) requirements, which conforms to national and international security standards. A B1 version of the product will be available later this year. And the SQL Server 10 software will support XA, the X/Open Consortium's predominant protocol standard for coordinating distributed heterogeneous transactions. (See attached release for more information).

"Sybase's support of emerging standards including internationalization-- makes our development efforts much easier," said Ken Morris, vice president of development and co-founder at PeopleSoft, a leading Human Resources application vendor. "For example, Sybase's compliance with ANSI resulted in feature enhancements which have optimized porting our payroll and financial applications to SQL Server."

* Operational Control: New control features bundled in the SQL Server 10 product include a configurable audit trail for greater assurance, chargeback accounting, and an automated routine log dump. SYBASE Backup Server also provides additional operational control features, which are listed in the next section.

Open Client/Server Interfaces

The SYBASE Open Client/Server Interfaces are open application programming interfaces (API) that support open integration and are the first to provide access to any data source, as well as the ability to invoke heterogeneous applications and services through a common application programming interface. The SYBASE Open Server product is the only server API that enables integration of disparate data sources, server applications, and application services (i.e real-time data feeds, messaging services and gateways to heterogeneous data sources). The SYBASE Open Client product is a client API used to enable third party products or 3GL programs to access SQL Server and Open Server software. Open Client and Open Server have been available since 1989.

What's New

The SYBASE Open Client 10 and SYBASE Open Server 10 products have been enhanced to take advantages of new capabilities in the SQL Server 10 release. In addition, they have new capabilities to provide higher performance and standards compliance in their own right.

* Performance: Open Client 10 and Open Server 10 have been optimized for higher network performance. This is accomplished through the ability to configure data packets to enhance the transfer of large amounts of data such as bulk data and binary large objects (BLOBS) for client to server and server to server communications. In addition, the Open Client release now provides a cursor array interface for rapid transfer of multi-row query results to clients.

* Multi-Standard Compliance: The SYBASE Open Client 10 release now delivers "standards-transparent" functionality. It provides an architecture that allows for native support of multiple native application programming interfaces such as Microsoft's ODBC, Borland's IDAPI, and Sybase's DB-Library. With standards-transparency, customers can build applications writing to any standard they choose, and the Open Client 10 release will handle the translations to the other industry standards. The benefits to customers include simplified application development, improved portability and greater interoperability between tools, applications, networks and servers.

Stewart Schuster, Sybase vice president of marketing commented, "Customers today are faced with 'standards alphabet soup.' When writing client/server applications, they must take into account different API's, data stream formats and network protocols. The multi-standards compliance of our Open Client product eliminates the confusion. Our customers can pick the standard they want, write to it, and Open Client handles the complexity."

Embedded SQL 10 Precompilers

With System 10, Sybase is announcing SYBASE Embedded SQL 10 precompilers for C, Cobol and Ada. SYBASE Embedded SQL 10 precompilers are programming tools used by customers and third party vendors to write custom applications for SYBASE SQL Server databases. Based on ISO/ANSI SQL standards, Embedded SQL precompilers offer a high-level standard interface that is consistent across multiple databases, allowing developers to write custom applications that are easily portable across different relational databases.

SYBASE Control Servers

The SYBASE Control Server family for SYBASE System 10 was designed to provide operational control in distributed environments. The family currently consists of four products, three of which are being announced today: 1) SYBASE Backup Server 10 product, a new product, features high performance, efficient backup, loading, and recovery capabilities; 2) SYBASE SQL Monitor 10 software, a new product, provides for remote monitoring and tuning of the performance of client/server applications; 3) SA Companion 10 software provides system and database administration functionality.

SYBASE Backup Server 10

SYBASE Backup Server software provides high performance backup, loading and recovery for very large databases, with control functions for both local and remote backup. Early internal tests have demonstrated that customers can back up and restore at a rate of 10 gigabytes per hour with almost no impact on applications running at the time. Other benefits include round-the-clock control over multi-hundred gigabyte databases, lights-out operations, and recovery for site outages and disaster recovery.

SQL Monitor 10

SYBASE SQL Monitor software simplifies RDBMS application monitoring and tuning. It diagnoses problems and eliminates bottlenecks through both local and remote monitoring of client/server databases. Monitoring occurs through real-time graphic displays regarding transaction activity, CPU, device and memory utilization, and network traffic. SQL Monitor is the first product on the market for distributed client/server database performance monitoring.

SA Companion 10

SYBASE SA Companion 10 software provides systems and database administration functionality. SA Companion has been available since May, 1990. This new version now supports remote server management and the new functions provided by SQL Server 10 software. In addition, it features an enhanced interface for reduced training time.

Availability

All SYBASE System 10 foundation products announced today are currently in beta. The products will initially be commercially available in 1993 on seven platforms: HP 9000, IBM RS/6000, NCR System 3000, Sun SunOS, Sun Solaris, VAX/VMS and DEC Alpha VMS.

Within 90 days of initial availability, Sybase will begin commercial shipments on an additional twelve platforms: Data General Aviion, DEC Alpha OSF, ICL, Motorola, NEC, Novell Netware, Pyramid S Series, Sequent, Silicon Graphics, Stratus FTX, Stratus VOS, and Unisys U6000.

The SQL Server 10 release is scheduled for general availability on Microsoft Windows NT and IBM OS/2 in the first half of 1994.

Pricing

U.S. pricing varies according to hardware platform and number of users supported. Price ranges are as follows.

* SYBASE SQL Server 10 ranges from $1995 to $256,160 and is

  available to current customers on maintenance contract at

  no charge.

* The SYBASE Backup Server product comes bundled with SQL Server

  10 at no additional cost.

* SYBASE SA Companion and SQL Monitor are each priced from

  $4,460.

* SYBASE Open Client ranges from $290 to $32,020,

* SYBASE Open Server from $1,500 to $102,460 and

* Embedded SQL precompilers are priced from $940 to $64,040.

SYBASE System 10

The SYBASE System 10 product family was created specifically to meet the needs of enterprise-wide client/server computing. SYBASE System 10 is a modular product family consisting of five product categories with 11 products.

This is the second set of System 10 products to be announced this year. Sybase announced commercial shipment of the OmniSQL Gateway distributed data access product on April 5, 1993. With today's announcement, 8 of the 11 System 10 products are now in beta test.

Within the next few months, announcements of availability will be made for the three remaining System 10 products: SYBASE Replication Server 10 for reliable distributed data and transaction delivery; SYBASE Navigation Server 10 for scalable high performance for very large parallel processing systems; and the final SYBASE Control Server 10 product, the SYBASE Configurator 10, for capacity planning and design for database environments.

Sybase, Inc

Sybase, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBS) develops and markets a leading family of client/server-based software products and services for on-line, enterprise-wide applications. Sybase's integrated family of software includes servers, tools, connectivity, and administration/control products that provide complete desktop to mainframe solutions. Headquartered in Emeryville, CA, Sybase markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force, telesales, distributors, OEMs, VARs, and Systems Integrators.

Sybase Inc, 6475 Christie Ave, Emeryville, CA 04608

510-596-3500;  Fax: 510-658-9441


Sybase Integrates XA/DCE/DME Technology
SYBASE PLANS TO INTEGRATE XA, DCE, AND DME TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS WITH SYSTEM 10 ENTERPRISE CLIENT/SERVER PRODUCTS

Key Standards Form Part of Open Strategy of SYBASE System 10 Product Family

EMERYVILLE, CA, April 27, 1993 -- Sybase, Inc. today announced plans for its customers to test the feasibility and benefits of three important open systems standards as part of the SYBASE System 10 product family. The three standards include: X/OPEN's XA standard, the Open Software Foundation's (OSF) Distributed Computing Environment (DCE); and the OSF Distributed Management Environment (DME). The combined standards form the basis for an open, distributed computing environment that users can leverage to more easily integrate heterogeneous applications. As part of Sybase's delivery plan, customers looking to incorporate these standards into their computing environments will be able to test the feasibility and benefits and contribute to Sybase's overall integration plan.

Stu Schuster, vice president of marketing at Sybase, said, "Our customers have expressed an interest in incorporating these important standards into their environments, while preserving the investment they have made in SYBASE as well as other technologies. We are providing our customers with alpha versions of SYBASE products working with these standards to gauge their feedback and provide assistance in the eventual integration. We plan to announce availability as soon as customer testing is completed."

XA Compliance

XA is the X/Open Consortium's predominant protocol standard for coordinating distributed, heterogeneous transactions. Several transaction processing monitors are available which use this protocol to manage transactions that span multiple servers. Examples include: Transarc's Encina, IBM CICS 6000, USL Tuxedo, NCR Top End, and Siemens U. With Sybase's alpha version, the SYBASE SQL Server 10 product can participate in transactions managed by XA Compliant TP Monitors, and a Sybase Open Client application can initiate such transactions making use of a TP Monitor.

Sybase plans to provide an Open Client XA Interface option available for use with XA-compliant transaction processing (TP) Monitors. The Open Client XA Interface option will map directly to the SYBASE two-phase commit service that has been offered by Sybase since its first product was released in 1987.

DCE Integration

DCE was developed by the Open Software Foundation to provide a common set of directory, security, timing and network runtime services for use in a distributed environment.

The integration with OSF's DCE will provide Sybase customers with a consistent environment to develop and use distributed applications. An application will be able to utilize current SYBASE programming interfaces while also using the naming, security, timing and network runtime services of DCE. These services are being adopted by hardware and network vendors to provide a common environment for application developers and will provide SYBASE applications greater location transparency and enterprise security. The DCE alpha version is being tested in customer laboratories over the next several months and will be demonstrated at OSF's Interoperability Challenge '93 Event in Boston on May 26th and 27th. General availability will be announced based on completion of customer testing activities and customer feedback.

DME Support

The Open Software Foundation also developed the DME environment to provide a standard framework for the management of systems, networks, and databases.

Sybase is using Tivoli's Management Framework, selected by OSF to provide a key component of DME, to develop administration and control products for heterogeneous, client/server environments. Sybase is committed to using the DME framework when it is commercially available. By using the Tivoli framework, SYBASE administration and control products will be able to interoperate with other Tivoli Systems Administration and Control products for networks and systems. As the first step in this effort, Sybase is developing a new SYBASE Control Servers release using the Tivoli Management Framework.

Sybase, Inc

Sybase, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBS) develops and markets a leading family of client/server-based software products and services for on-line, enterprise-wide applications. Sybase's integrated family of software includes servers, tools, connectivity, and administration/control products that provide complete desktop to main frame solutions. Headquartered in Emeryville, CA, Sybase markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force, telesales, distributors, OEMs, VARs, and systems integrators.

Sybase Inc, 6475 Christie Ave, Emeryville, CA 04608

510-596-3500;  Fax: 510-658-9441


Ipswitch Catipult NetWare to TCP/IP Gateway
IPSWITCH. INC. RELEASES VERSION 1.3 OF ITS CATIPULT NETWARE TO TCP/IP GATEWAY

Catipult Gives Novell Users Convenient Access to TCP/IP Hosts

--Version 1.3 Adds Windows Front End and Winsock Interface--

(April 29, 1993)--Reading, MA--Ipswitch, Inc. today announced the availability of Version 1.3 of Catipult, the company's NetWare to TCP/IP gateway. Catipult provides NetWare users inexpensive access to a full suite of TCP/IP applications.

Catipult Version 1.3 Highlights

* Windows Front End: Catipult's new WCAT front end lets users navigate between all of the Catipult applications and enter parameters using Windows dialog boxes . With WCAT, users no longer need to remember the names of TCP/IP applications or their specific parameters. Applications are grouped by function in Windows menus.

* Winsock: Catipult now supports Winsock, the new Windows Sockets interface. Catipult's Winsock interface makes a large and quickly growing base of third party TCP/IP applications compatible with Catipult.

* 45 and 60-User Versions: Catipult's scope has expanded from the 30 concurrent users supported by Version 1.2 to include the new 45-user and 60-user versions available in Version 1.3. Since Catipult's licensing is based on concurrent usage, a 60-user gateway often supports as many as 200 users.

* Printer Redirection: Catipult's new printer redirection allows users to print to network printers from within DOS and Windows applications.

* Dynamic Session Allocation: Sites with multiple Catipult gateways may now specify all of the gateways on the application command line, and Catipult will find the first available gateway. With dynamic session allocation, hundreds of users at a site can use several Catipult gateways with no administrative overhead to determine which users should be attaching to a given gateway.

* Full screen installation: The Catipult installation program has been completely revised, and is now a full-screen, windowed, program with on-line help.

Catipult's new capabilities add to an already full-featured product. Highlights include Telnet, TN3270, FTP, broad support for third party applications including databases and terminal emulators, and Catmail, a complete distributed mail system. Also included are an SNMP agent, the Berkeley r-utilities and lpr.

--Pricing and Availability--

Catipult Version 1.3 is available now directly from Ipswitch and selected Value Added Resellers. Priced at $2,975 for 30 concurrent users, Catipult runs over any Ethernet, Token Ring, Arcnet or Broadband network running NetWare 2.x, 3.x or 4.x. The 45-user version sells for $4,275, and the 60-user version is priced at $5,375. The Catipult gateway software runs on an OS/2 PC running Novell's NetWare Requester for OS/2. Existing applications can be easily ported to Catipult with the Catipult Development Kit, which is available now for $475. The Catipult Development Kit fully support Berkeley Sockets.

Ipswitch, Inc. was founded in September of 1991 to develop and market software-only protocol gateway products such as the Company's flagship product, the Catipult NetWare-TCP/IP gateway which allows Novell NetWare users to easily access minicomputers, mainframes and other TCP/IP hosts. Ipswitch also sells Merq, an NFS client for Novell's LAN WorkPlace for OS/2. The Company's headquarters are located at 580 Main Street, Reading, MA 01867 and they can be reached at (617) 942-0621.


Avocet Releases Law Office Manager 3.0
AVOCAT RELEASES LAW OFFICE MANAGER 3.0

LAUNCHES SUPPORT ON APPLELINK

KNOXVILLE-- April 27-- Avocat Systems has announced a major upgrade of its Law Office Manager (LOM) Macintosh-compatible computer software package for legal applications. The LOM 3.0 Version is now available for shipping, according to the announcement made today by Avocat program developer and company president, Lee Riggs.

Simultaneously, the company is launching support within AppleLink's Third Parties Icon through which dealers, consultants and customers can download the LOM 3.0 demo immediately.

According to Riggs, version 3.0  brings new features and capabilities to every area of the LOM program. "3.0 offers more than 75 enhancements to the earlier LOM 2.5.8, LOM was designed to help attorneys efficiently create, track, manage and store information, documents and tasks, 3.0 continues that tradition." said Riggs.

Major new features of the LOM 3.0 include; Automatic Ticklers, Multiple Client Assignment, Document Assignment and Hot Linking, a single-entry Address Book, and automatic links to TimeSlips and various Third Party calendar programs such as Easy Alarms.

Designed to comply with the "Fast Track" type of legal system, the new LOM 3.0 Tickler offers the ability to self-automate all tickler task. A user can now create multiple "Job Sets" which can be automatically attached to new matters, new jobs and archives.

A new "Other-Parties" file has been created within the Matters screen to assign and store information on additional parties relevant to a matter. "The Multiple Client Assignment feature is very important to cases such as insurance defense," explained Riggs, "where an attorney might serve as many as three clients - an individual, an insurance company and an adjusting company - on a single case."

The new program adds an Exhibit functionality to the Documents Log. Documents can not only be logged in and out of the system, but can be identified as Exhibits and pulled up in witness or chronological order.

Also part of the Documents log, the LOM 3.0 "Hot Linking" feature enables the user-- with the click of a button -- to access any document stored in the system. "It doesn't matter what kind of document it is or what program it was created in or even what the name of it is, " said Riggs. "The Document Log Tracks all documents in the system, allowing the user to do document management without any management knowledge, " he explained.

LOM requests for name and address information can now be drawn from the new 3.0 "Address Book." The Address Book eliminates the need to re-enter identical information.

Other important features provided by the LOM 3.0 Version include refinements which increase the accuracy and speed of conflict checking and assign multiple people (an attorney, a paralegal and a staffer) to a particular matter.

A total of 45 new Data Entry fields have been added, including fields for court information and eight customized fields. New fields in the Witness File allow a user to define classes of witnesses, and a 16-page "Note Field" enables storage of particular witness information.

Additionally, the system's word processor can now merge all information stored in the LOM databases. According to Riggs, the speed of the Data Entry screens has been increased by approximately 30 percent.

"The LOM 3.0 Version represents a giant step in the development of our product line," said Riggs. "All of the new enhancements are aimed at helping attorneys efficiently and effectively manage the voluminous amount of information necessitate by the practice of law. With the  LOM 3.0, all information relevant to a matter is instantly accessible from a single screen by a mere click of a series of buttons."

The cost of the new LOM 3.0 single -user package is $899. Each additional user is $199. Value packs include five-user and 10-user packs for $1,495, and $2,195. The LOM 3.0 Upgrade is free to previously registered LOM owners.

The Avocat LOM 3.0 Version is available from all Apple Computer dealers, authorized Avocat consultants, and direct from the company. Avocat offers free technical support via a toll-free number.

Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, Avocat Systems develops computer software for law office applications. For more information on Avocat products or dealerships, contact Avocat Systems, Ltd., 1402 Riverview Tower, 900 Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Tel. (615) 523-9270 or 1-800-521-6588; Fax (615) 637-8810.


Mastering Harvard Graphcis for Windows
Mastering Harvard Graphics for Windows by DON READ

Maximize business productivity with HG presentation graphics

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--This is a concise all-purpose guide to Harvard Graphics for Windows, featuring a thorough tutorial for beginners and complete coverage of advanced techniques for experienced users. Don Read covers every aspect of creating professional presentation graphics with HG in the Windows environment, but not before getting first-time users up and running with step-by-step installation and setup instructions.

Readers learn fundamentals such as how to make charts and graphs, work with text and color, use the symbol and template libraries, edit graphics, and print their work. Later chapters explore HG's more sophisticated features: integrated text and graphics charts, pie and column charts, XY charts for statistical analysis, advanced drawing and presentation techniques, and data import and export. Read also includes a full chapter on how to write and use HG macros.

Don Read is the chief partner in a New York consulting firm specializing in corporate communications and marketing, and an adjunct faculty member at the City University of New York.

Mastering Harvard Graphics for Windows

Order No. 4186

Now Available

Paper $22.95 ISBN 0-8306-4049-5

280pp.,7"x 10"

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

1-800-233-1128,  FAX 717-794-2103


Visual Basic Easy Windows Programming, 2nd Ed.
Novice Programmers Can Write Professional Windows Applications

An introduction to developing commercial quality Windows applications using Visual Basic 3.0

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--A practical, learn-by-example guide, Visual Basic Easy Windows Programming, 2nd Edition shows programmers of all skill levels how to write professional quality Windows applications -- complete with mouse support, command buttons, dialog and list boxes, and other graphical controls.

Full of code samples that are in themselves useful Windows utilities, this updated edition takes advantage of version 3.0's new memory management features, enhanced interface tools, Basic extensions, and MDI windows. Bountiful screen illustrations, programming tips, and helpful icons make this the perfect choice for beginners.

About the Author:

A professional programmer specializing in object-oriented programming, Namir Shammas is the author of Visual Basic Power Programming and Windows Batch File Programming.

Includes a 3.5" disk filled with programming examples and bonus utilities

Windcrest/McGraw-Hill

Visual Basic Easy Windows Programming, 2nd Edition

Order No. 4425

Available: May 1993

Paper $32.95 ISBN 0-8306-4450-4

416 pp., 230 illus., 7" x 10"

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

1-800-233-1128,  FAX 717-794-2103


Command WordStar Release 7.0, 2nd Edition
Commanding WordStar Release 7.0, 2nd Edition

by William Pitts

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--In this definitive guide, William Pitts gives an essential overview of word processing and desktop publishing, then moves on to formatting and typesetting documents of all sizes, from simple memos and correspondence to large manuscripts, reports, and technical papers.

WordStar now features total DOS S compatibility, first-rate desktop publishing capabilities, full printer and font support, special effects printing, and access to all the most popular graphics programs and libraries. It also provides automatic text flow and word wrap, easy stylesheet and paragraph tagging, multiple page views, and a wider array of commands and customization options than any of its rivals. This new guide explains in illustrated detail how to use all of these and many more of the enhancements that have reestablished WordStar as one of the most powerful word processors available.

William Pitts is a full-time technical writer who has written user documentation and training manuals for a wide variety of computer companies, including IBM and Kaypro Corporation.

Commanding WordStar Release 7.0, 2nd Edition

Order No. 4154

Now Available

PAPER $29.95

ISBN 0-8306-3970-5

512pp.,7" x 10"

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

1-800-233-1128,  FAX 717-794-2103


Ipswitch Targets NetWare Users - TCP/IP Gateway
IPSWITCH, INC. TARGETS NETWARE USERS SEEKING GATEWAY TO TCP/IP

Ipswitch Develops and Markets the Catipult TCP/IP-NetWare Gateway Used to Conveniently Run TCP/IP on a NetWare Network

Over the past 10 years, use of TCP/IP on personal computers has grown rapidly. In the mid 80's Fortune 500 firms realized the potential in TCP/IP for communicating between the diverse operating systems in use on desktop, mini and mainframe platforms. In the past five years, the market for TCP/IP software for PCs has grown rapidly, to a current size of over $100 million a year.

Paralleling the growth of TCP/IP, Novell's NetWare has grown to dominate the PC local area network (LAN) market. Today Novell owns substantially more than 50% of the PC networking market, with annual sales of approximately $1 billion.

As both the PC TCP/IP and NetWare markets have grown, more and more customers want and need to run both protocols on the same PC. The most common approach adopted by vendors is the "dual stack", in which both NetWare and TCP/IP are loaded on each PC. The gateway approach adopted by Catipult is an alternative to "dual stacks".

For "power" TCP/IP users, "dual stacks" are often the best solution, because each user has a dedicated TCP/IP protocol stack which they can "tune" to their own specifications. Running TCP/IP on each workstation has its disadvantages, however. Many users benefit more from a gateway instead. Some of the problems with "dual stacks" and benefits of a gateway are:

Problem: With "dual stacks", more system administration is required. Unlike with Novell, which is easily added to new workstations, TCP/IP requires that each workstation be configured with an IP address. An administrator must track each IP address, assign new ones to new users, and reassign addresses when people move.

Solution: All Catipult administration is local to the Catipult gateway. Once the Catipult gateway is set up, any NetWare user can run TCP/IP applications with no installation or configuration.

Problem: To support "dual stacks", NetWare workstations must be running drivers which support Novell's Open Datalink Interface (ODI) specification. Dual stacks will not run over older "IPX" shells.

Solution: Catipult runs over all NetWare clients, including those with the older "IPX" shells.

Problem: Many sites have a shortage of IP addresses. Some are even charging their own departments as much as $500 per year for each IP address.

Solution: Catipult uses only one IP address for all users.

Problem: Many customers want to know as little as possible about TCP/IP, but they need certain functionality that only TCP/IP provides.

Solution: Catipult isolates TCP/IP issues from users and simplifies TCP/IP administration for system administrators. Users don't have to worry about tuning their configuration to make "dual stacks" work, and administrators don't have to worry about making sure that "dual stack" compatible drivers and cards are in each client, or any other client-specific TCP/IP issues. Users are more productive and administrators have more time for their other duties.

Problem: Many sites have a large number of users who use TCP/IP applications for 15 minutes a day. Purchasing "dual stacks" for each user is expensive.

Solution: Since all NetWare clients have access to Catipult, one Catipult gateway can support hundreds of occasional users at great cost savings.

Problem: With "dual stacks" the entire TCP/IP protocol stack must be loaded on each workstation, using valuable memory.

Solution: Catipult runs over IPX, without TCP and IP, saving more than 30K of memory on each workstation.

Problem: NetWare is licensed on a server basis, but "dual stacks" are licensed per workstation. Each time another "dual stack" user is added, another TCP/IP license must be purchased.

Solution: Catipult adopts the NetWare approach to licensing, with the only limit being concurrent usage. Catipult has no per-workstation licensing restrictions.

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

Ipswitch's Catipult Provides Convenient TCP/IP Access to Novell Users

Ipswitch, Inc., (Reading, MA) was founded in September 1991 to address the market need for convenient, concurrent TCP/IP and NetWare use. The Company concentrated on a software-only solution and Ipswitch's flagship product, Catipult, was developed to address the needs of end users and network administrators responsible for communications between NetWare and other operating systems.

Ipswitch's mission is to integrate different networking environments with software-only solutions. Ipswitch decided on software-only solutions for two principal reasons. First, PC hardware is improving at such a rate that hardware-specific add-on processors quickly become obsolete. Second, software-only products give the customer maximum flexibility. The customer gets to choose which PC and network interface card LO use, and they are not tied to one hardware vendor. So, as faster processors and network interface cards are released, customers can take advantage of the increased speed and continue to run their software packages.

Ipswitch targeted the NetWare-TCP/IP market because existing products, though allowing concurrent use of both protocols, still required custom configuration for each PC or the use of proprietary hardware. Customers were requesting, and not receiving, a product which simplified configuration and made it easy for anyone on a Novell network to run TCP/IP. Ipswitch created Catipult to fill this need.

Rather than gluing NetWare and TCP/IP side by side, Ipswitch integrates the two protocols. TCP/IP applications run over Novell's IPX protocol to an OS/2 PC, where the IPX layer is replaced with the lower layer TCP/IP protocols. This approach lets any NetWare user run TCP/IP applications instantly, without any setup or configuration. This is possible because all Catipult users share a single IP address, and configuration is limited to the Catipult gateway.

Catipult's licensing terms parallel NetWare's, and greatly simplify network administration. Unlike other TCP/IP products for use with NetWare, Catipult users do not have to purchase a separate copy for each PC. Instead, any 30 NetWare users can use Catipult at a given time. Catipult needs no TCP/IP configuration for the client PCs. As soon as the Catipult gateway software is installed, all NetWare users have instantaneous access to TCP/IP.

Catipult is also integrated with NetWare, rather than attached to it. In addition to providing standard TCP/IP utilities such as Telnet and FTP, Catipult allows inbound FTP file transfers to the Novell server. This allows Unix and other TCP/IP hosts to transfer files to Novell users.

Catipult also improves upon the standard TCP/IP mail for PCs. Catipult includes a mail repository that runs on the Catipult gateway, unlike other TCP/IP packages which only allow DOS users to send messages, or require that the user install and support a mail repository on a Unix host. Combined with the Catipult mail reader, which is bundled with the product, Catipult provides a complete distributed mail system for all Catipult users.

Privately Funded Ipswitch Markets Through Direct and Reseller Channels

In the United States Ipswitch sells direct and through resellers. Internationally, Ipswitch sells through local resellers in each of the major networking markets. Ipswitch is a Novell Professional Developer, and is privately funded.

Roger Greene is the founder and president of Ipswitch. Prior to founding Ipswitch, Greene was vice president of sales and marketing at FTP Software. Prior to joining FTP Software, Greene was employed by CSPI, Billerica, Massachusetts, as a product manager. Greene has a master's in business administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan and a bachelor of science in computer science from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

Ipswitch was founded in September of 1991 to develop and market software-only protocol gateways such as the Company's flagship product, the Catipult TCP/IP-NetWare gateway, which allows Novell NetWare users to easily access mini-computers, mainframes and other TCP/IP hosts.

Ipswitch Inc, 580 Main St, Reading, MA 01867

(617) 942-0621,  Fax: (617) 942-0823


Presenta 17 & 20 inch 1280x1024 Monitors
PRESENTA RELEASES NEW 17" AND 20" 1280X1024 RESOLUTION MONITORS

(Irwindale, CA) Presenta Technologies Corporation announced that they will be upgrading their current large-screen monitor line in May with two new 1280x1024 non-interlaced monitors. The P2000 (list price $1,195), a 17 flat square tube, and the P3000 (list price $1,895), a 20" tube, will replace their current offering of the DM-2060, a 20" 1024x768 non-interlaced monitor. The new monitors will both be PC and MACINTOSH compatible and will be VESA compliant. The P2000 will be able to accept scan rates of: 30-65 KHz horizontal and 50-90 Hz vertical. While the P3000 will accept scan rates of: 30-64 KHz horizontal and 60-90 Hz. Additional features of the P2000 include microprocessor control and 16 user memory settings. Both monitors have front accessible controls for horizontal and vertical sizing/positioning, brightness, contrast and degauss.

"We are releasing the new large-screen monitors because we fell that the higher 1280x1024 noninterlaced resolution is becoming more popular. The entry of systems with fast local bus video adapters have really pushed the increased demand for high-end monitors. We've also added Macintosh compatibility for both the monitors with the inclusion of sync on green and a 15 pin D-sub connector. We want to offer a good quality monitors to both PC and Mac users at a decent price" said Todd Holley, Director of Product Promotion.

Presenta Technologies

12806 Schabarum St, Unit F, Irwindale, CA 91706-6801

(818) 960-0420 or Fax: (818) 960-0430


SyDOS Removable Disk Compatible with DOS 6.0
SyDOS Removable Disk Drives Compatible with New Microsoft DOS 6.0

Now Get More Performance and Greater Capacity from Your PC

BOCA RATON, FL (April 27, 1993) SyDOS, a division of SyQuest Technology, announces its removable hard disk drive products' compatibility with the recently announced Microsoft DOS version 6.0 operating system.

Based on state-of-the-art Winchester technology, all of SyDOS's products driver software have been modified to support all of the features of DOS 6.0 operating system. The latest version of Microsoft DOS has many new features for DOS users; among them is the ability for built-in disk compression, memory management, file back-up and virus protection which is included within the operating system.

"The opportunity for SyDoS is The back-up capability which Microsoft has built into this product offering," stated Linda Haury, vice president of marketing at SyDOS. "DOS 6.0 offers three different back-up scenarios: full back-up, incremental back-up or differential back-up. What better means is there than SyDOS removable cartridge disk drives to store this backed-up data? The product is a natural fit for back-up functions," she adds. Microsoft DOS' back-up feature supports network drives and removable drives such as the SyDOS line of removeable cartridge disk drives.

End User Upgrade Kits

An upgrade kit will be available May 1, 1993 to SyDOS customers who are DOS 6.0 users. The upgrade kit, consisting of software and manual will be available at no charge for users who purchased SyDOS product after February 28, 1993. Customers who purchased SyDOS product prior to March I may purchase an upgrade kit from SyDOS directly for $12.50. Customers needing an upgrade kit should call 1-800-43SYDOS. Purchases can be made with a VISA, Master Card or COD.

Removability Advantages

The SyDOS family of removable cartridge disk drives plays an important role in providing increased performance for the PC user. The user can store programs or files on separate cartridges, making it easy to organize their work by project, application or by individual users. In addition, SyDOS removable cartridges are ideal for those applications where security and confidentiality are important. And, when performing the back-up procedure, there is no special software to learn, simply use DOS commands.

Committed to Excellence

SyDOS, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, was formed in 1991 to distribute removable cartridge disk drives to the PC and compatibles marketplace and is a division of SyQuest Technology. Committed to providing the best high-performance removable storage products, the company manufactures a full line of removable cartridge disk drives and Host Bus Adapter Kits for the PC and compatibles marketplace.

Drive subsystems are available in 5.25" 44MB and 88MB capacities in internal, external and dual configurations, 3.5" 105MB internal and external configurations, as well as a 2.5" external 42MB configuration. The SyDOS product line is sold through major resellers, distributors and superstores worldwide. All SyDOS drives come with a two-year warranty and cartridges come with a five-year warranty.

SyDOS recently announced the PUMA 105 and MARLIN 105i, external and internal 3.5" removable cartridge disk drives respectively. These drives offer a 14.5ms average seek time and 16-bit IDE adapter. The PRO-NOTE, also recently announced, is a 2.5" 42MB external removable cartridge disk drive targeted at the notebook and laptop marketplace. In addition, the company entered the CD-ROM market with the Personal CD, a low-cost, high quality CD-ROM drive with an integrated parallel port for ease of installation which may be purchased as a stand-alone product or bundled with CorelDRAW version 3.0 software.

Parent company SyQuest Technology, headquartered in Fremont, California, manufactures removable cartridge disk drives predominantly for the Macintosh market and sells through OEMs and systems integrators. SyQuest has shipped over 800,000 disk drives and over 3 million data cartridges since its incorporation in 1982. The company commands over 90 percent of the removable hard-cartridge disk drive marketplace. SyQuest is a public company (NASDAQ symbol: SYQT).

SyDOS, 6501 Park of Commerce Blvd, Ste 110, Boca Raton, FL 33487

407-998-5400;  fax: 407-998-5414


XTREENET INTEGRATES XTREEGOLD IN UPGRADE

Integration of Advanced File & Disk Management Streamlines Routine NetWare & DOS Tasks for Network Administrators

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. -- May 1, 1993 -- XTree Company is now shipping the eagerly-awaited XTreeNet 2.5 upgrade integrating XTreeGold's advanced file, directory and disk management features, designed specifically for Novell NetWare Managers.

Long a favorite of NetWare administrators, it is the first file management product allowing management of server volumes and disks on local or remote workstations. XTreeNet's tools allow network administrators to quickly organize NetWare file systems and manage user and group access to files and directories in one cohesive environment.

XTreeNet 2.5 retails for $495; with server extensions at $295 each. Registered users of XTreeNet may upgrade for $95 and $75 per server extension. Registered users of any other XTree product may upgrade for $249 for the first server; $149 for each server extension. It is available through XTree's network of computer dealers, software resellers, mail order resellers and superstores. All prices quoted are in U.S. dollars.

XTree's Vice President of Marketing Bob Kimball says, "We believe network/LAN managers will appreciate the full power of this product, since it enables them to work with files. directories and volumes on the server and/or local and remote workstations in a logical way."

XTreeNet allows you to connect to any network server, and/or perform peer-to-peer file management of a remote workstation, from any workstation on the network with just a 7K TSR. Up to 26 network, local or remote drives can be mapped. Reports on volume/directory organization, including contents and access rights to any network printer can be generated.

Both current and new users will like the new pull-down menus which make command selection quick and easy whether or not they use a mouse. All the familiar XTree single-key command menus are still available. XTreeNet 2.5 adds ZIP archiving of files for faster compression and expansion, while minimizing the size of the archived files and ensuring greater compatibility with other users and bulletin boards.

Greatly expanded viewer capabilities include support for many programs, including word processing, database and spreadsheets files. More than 50 applications are supported. Files created in supported native formats can be viewed; associated applications may even be executed while viewing a file within the XTreeNet program. Autoview and formatted view capabilities have also been enhanced for viewing many graphic files, including AutoCAD. Moreover, lists of files in a specified directory, as well as their contents, may be simultaneously viewed.

Oops! the new DOS-level undelete allows easy restoration of accidentally erased files. And, move files to other disks and volumes safely, with less keystrokes; before automatically deleting files, the new copy is verified. To significantly speed up tasks on large hard disks, start XTreeNet with a command line prompt for partial logging of the directory tree, one level of the tree, the current branch or directory, or tree structure only, releasing all file information. And, because the Release command can now partially release file information, memory is freed to perform operations not previously possible.

A new capability to compare files across directories and volumes allows searching for unique or duplicate files in order to keep the newest and delete the unwanted, saving space on your server.

Other new features include new Branch logging and window displays; added copy and move capabilities; longer file specifications; increased command history saves and displays 16 entries; easy toggle of upper and lower case display; speedy navigation through directory and file windows; new command line options for greater initialization control; page headers; single or multiple passes of Wash (secure file erasure) for greater security; new configuration options (i.e.. hotkeys); filespecs toggle.

Xtree Company

4115 Broad St, Building 1, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-7993

805-541-0604;  800-333-6561;  fax: 805-541-4762


Weitek Power 9000 Supports PCI Pentium & More
The Weitek Power 9000 Now Supports PCI Pentium, PCI and Power 9000 - The Ultimate Solution

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 27, 1993 -- Weitek Corporation (Nasdaq:WWTK) announced today that the Weitek Power 9000, the "World's Fastest Graphics Accelerator" now supports Intel Corporation's Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) local bus. The PCI bus dramatically boosts the on-screen performance of applications by giving the Power 9000 direct access to the PC's central processor.

The Weitek Power 9000 now interfaces to Intel's new PCI Chip Sets, providing a complete implementation of PCI's performance features. This combination enables workstation performance on i486 and Pentium desktop systems.

"The Power 9000 plays an essential role in helping us pave the way for a new class of business PCs," said Mark Casey, marketing manager for the PCI Chip Set. Added Bob Butchko, Weitek's director of marketing: "Our specialty is speed, and Intel's PCI bus provides us with a fast and forward looking architecture that unleashes the speed potential of our Power 9000 family of products."

The PCI capable Power 9000 demonstration boards are immediately available for evaluation and development. The Power 9000 provides unequaled performance and resolution up to 1600x1200, and refresh rates up to 76 Hz in non-interlaced mode.

Weitek Corporation makes processors and controllers that enhance the performance of standard operating systems, user interfaces and application software. The company's products are used to build faster, more intuitive desktop computers and peripherals.

Weitek Corp, 1060 E. Arques, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

910-738-8400;  fax: 408-739-4374


System 7.1 The Complete Sourcebook, 2nd Ed.
Time and Money-Saving Guide Helps Macintosh Users Master System 7

Updated for Version 7.1

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--What sets System 7.1 The Complete Sourcebook, 2nd Edition apart from its competition? Among other things, its unique focus on the special needs of business users makes this comprehensive reference the best all-around choice for multiuser workplaces, where the bulk of System 7 installations occur. While author Gordon M. Campell devotes ample coverage to individual System 7 set-up and operation, his goal throughout is to smooth the transition of Mac-based organizations to the powerful System 7 environment. Campbell provides a wealth of informative tips on:

* Upgrade strategies: to help users choose from 7.0, 7.0.1 or 7.1

* At Ease: a complete, easy-to-follow installation and

  customization guide to Apple's new desktop look

* QuickTime: colorful video clips

* Macintosh PC Exchange: swap files with DOS and Windows

* Fonts: mix and match TrueType, Adobe Type Manager, and

  bit-mapped styles

* System Folder: learn the ins and outs of 7.1's new folder

  structure

* Memory management: how to get the most from RAM and virtual

  memory

* Networking: using the powerful new features of System 7.1

* IAC: real-world examples

* DAL: mainframe guidelines

About the Author:

Gordon M. Campbell is chief technologist for an international pharmaceutical firm, where he monitors computer industry trends and leads the application of new information technologies. He is also a member of the Apple Developers Association and director-at-large of MacIS, an international organization of senior l.S. executives who manage large installed bases of Macintoshes.

EXCLUSIVE: contains more than $250 worth of money-saving coupons for System 7 products and a disk with 18 time-saving utilities

Windcrest/McGraw-Hill

System 7.1 The Complete Sourcebook, 2nd Edition

Order No. 4364

Available: May 1993

Paper $32.95 ISBN 0-8306-4361-3

448 pp., 276 illus., 7" x 10"

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

1-800-233-1128,  FAX 717-794-2103


MS-DOS Batch File Programming, 4th Edition
DOS Users Can Maximize Productivity with Batch Files

A complete, hands-on guide to writing powerful, time-saving batch files for DOS

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA -- Updated to cover DOS 6, MS-DOS Batch File Programming, 4th Edition skillfully combines fundamental theory with advanced technique to provide a treatment more comprehensive than any other. And, with its exclusive format featuring subroutines with corresponding explanations for each command, it's also the easiest batch file primer to understand.

Extensively revised to make it even more helpful to beginning and intermediate-level DOS users, this fourth edition places added emphasis on basic batch file concepts. Ronny "Dr. Batch File" Richardson has reorganized material so that each chapter covers only one major topic, and includes review questions to help readers gauge their progress. The book's reference value is complete with command summaries and an ASCII character chart. Richardson shows readers how to create all kinds of batch files:

* Personal menu systems

* An automatic document archive system

* A library of virus prevention batch files

* TSR application managers

* Batch file utility programs

* Customized CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, WINSTART.BAT, and

  shutdown files

A 60,000-copy bestseller

Includes a library of helpful batch file programs on disk

Windcrest/McGraw-Hill

MS-DOS Batch File Programming, 4th Edition

OrderNo. 4335

Available: June 1993

Paper $32.95 ISBN 0-8306-4315-X

Hard  $39.95 ISBN 0-8306-4588-8

432 pp., 59 illus., 7" x 10"

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

1-800-233-1128,  FAX 717-794-2103


FREE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE VIA NETWORK

Environmental Experts from around the world are available via the SOLUTIONS Electronic Network at NO charge to assist with industrial waste management problems.

The SOLUTIONS-Network is connected via Computer Modem at (407) 321-6119. Set for Data Bits (8), Parity (N), Stop Bits (1) at 2400 to 14,400 Baud.

Callers simply answer a few quick questions and then they have complete and FREE access to the extensive library of environmental assistance .

Additionally, specific problems or needs can be detailed and then the users request is automatically forwarded via MajorNet, SafeNet and SOLUTIONS-Net around the world for expert comment and solution.

The electronic network service is provided as a courtesy to industry by SOLUTIONS Software Corporation which publishes the well-known Environmental SOLUTIONS Database.

Detailed Information is available upon request or simply Dial the SOLUTIONS-Network.

SOLUTIONS Software Corporation

1795 Turtle Hill Rd, Enterprise, Florida 32725

USA Telephone: (407) 321-7912;   FAX: (407) 323-4898

SOLUTIONS-Net: (407) 321-6119


QED Quick Easy Disk for PS/2 Upgrades
QED: Quick Easy Disk -- PS/2 Users Gain More Storage With Sigma Data's New Hard-Drive Upgrade!

Only a few years ago, the IBM PS/2 was a state-of-the-art computer. But, with today's ever-improving technology and corresponding requirements of operating systems and software, the life span of the PS/2 would appear to have been severely shortened, or so we thought...

Sigma Data has come to the rescue of PS/2 users by offering a cost-effective, solution in their latest product line. The QED, or Quick Easy Disk drive system, breathes new life into your IBM PS/2 Models 50*, 50z, 60*, 70 and 80* computers by providing additional storage and speed.

An internally-mounted IDE disk drive and controller combination, the QED operates as a "second" hard drive and unlocks a whole new world of valuable disk space. The QED unleashes speed that potentially doubles overall performance.

According to Sigma Data Technical Support Manager, Skip Johnson, "The QED offers several benefits to PS/2 users, among them quick and easy installation, faster access to programs and data, and additional storage. What's more, there is no need to tamper with your original drive. It remains the main boot device."

As the economy continues to struggle, many corporations are opting for low-cost upgrade solutions over the high-cost of a new machine. When savings are realized through upgrading, purchasers become heroes.

Charles Burry, a PC/LAN Administrator and Programmer Analyst/V for US Sprint, recently purchased QED/70s for some Model 70s with 60Mb hard drives.

Burry says, "In the past, we were using a SCSI solution that required a slot. The QED/70 is two-thirds the cost of the SCSI solution and does not require a slot. We decided to purchase some QED/70s after we had already put in a request for a new machine to run OS/2 and OS/2-based Case tools. With the QED/70, we saved ourselves the purchase of a new machine!"

Furthermore, Burry affirms that the Quick Easy Disk lives up to its name. "It was one of the easiest installs of a hardware product since Sigma Data's processor upgrades. It took fifteen minutes from the time I opened the box to the time I was up and running," says Burry.

As Burry mentions, Sigma Data's processor upgrades from Hypertec are also a breeze to install. The 486DX/33 CPU upgrade complements the QED/70 to provide a total no-slot upgrade solution for the PS/2 Model 70 com

* Please note: The QED/68 for Models 50, 60, and 80 requires a microchannel expansion slot for installation.

Sigma Data, PO Box 1790, New London, NH 03257

800-446-4525


The CAD Rating Guide, 3rd Edition

By W. Bradley Holtz, Foreword by Dr. Joel Orr

A Tool for the Evaluation of Computer-Aided Design Systems

including FEM, GIS and Animation Systems

A Comprehensive Comparison of Over 100 CAD Systems

Intended as a tool for use when evaluating different CAD systems, the purpose of The CAD Rating Guide is to navigate the reader past the maze of statistics, benchmarks, buzzwords, and canned demonstrations to get to the heart of the matter -- What difference does the choice of a particular CAD system make? The concepts necessary to answer this question are presented in the first part of the book, the remainder of the book consists of product data and user responses, comparison tables, and categorical listings.

Potential readers include those looking for their first CAD System, existing users of CAD systems preparing to switch systems, and the vast majority of current CAD users who work with, or are planning to work with, multiple systems.

The CAD Rating Guide is unique in several ways. First, it is not a book of comparative or numerical ratings, it is a tool for you to use as a basis for forming your own evaluations. The CAD Rating Guide looks at CAD systems as complex, multi-faceted creatures, each composed of the product, what it does, who else uses it, the company that makes it and their policies and stability, who the product is targeted at, and so on. The book is focused on the ways in which the CAD systems are structured. It provides insight as to the bottom-line impact of each element of the analysis and, it provides a common ground for the evaluation of a rapidly changing technology and marketplace in order to enable the comparison and discussion of systems.

What areas does it cover?

All traditional Mechanical and A/E/C CAD uses plus any and all other applications, with the specific inclusion of GIS (Geographic Information Systems), FEM (Finite Element Modeling), and Animation systems where those systems can generate their own models. Systems designed solely for the purposes of printed circuit board and integrated circuit electrical design are not included.

What is it?

A reference work for CAD systems and for the comparison of CAD systems, 505 pages of background information, vendor and product data, and user comments on 105 programs for mechanical design and drafting, mapping, three-dimensional modeling, structural analuysis, NC tooling, and animation. Includes comments from individual users of the CAD systems and statements from the CAD vendors. 546 words in an illustrated glossary. 68 pages of tables, plus 30 pages of categorical listings. Extensive 1600 entry index. Includes diskette.

Completely Revised Third Edition

* Almost entirely rewritten.

* The Big Picture chapter presents a non-traditional, more

  inclusive, method for examining CAD systems which is followed

  throughout the book.

* New Chapter -- Productivity Checklist.

* Revised tables - easire to comprehend, much more information, plus

  new tables.

* Revised key to tables is located on a foldout flap at the back.

* Revised product listings - new format, additional categories,

  additional lists.

* New chapter - Products Not Otherwise Listed, shows significant

  products from 239 companies not listed elsewhere in the book.

* The Microsoft Excel files used to create the tables are included

  on disk. (DOS only, several formats)

Who is it for?

* CAD Managers

* CAD users

* Anyone interested in purchasing a CAD system

* CAD vendors

How do I get it?

Cost is $150 for the 1993 3rd Edition ($195 international), plus Maryland sales tax and $5 shipping/handling per book.

ZEM Press

8220 Stone Trail Dr, Suite 8, Bethesda, MD 20817-4556

301-365-1159;  fax: 301-365-4586


Market-Base V2.1 Sales & Marketing Info System
Market-Base Version 2.1

Enhancements make Sales & Marketing Information System easier and quicker to use

March 29, 1993 -- Market-Base is a PC software package for use by Sales and Marketing Management in building, maintaining and using databases of sales of leads and customers to ensure that maximum Sales Force efficiency is achieved.

Market-Base is particularly well suited to organisations involved in marketing of high value goods and services where the sales cycle can be long and complex.

New Features for Version 2.1 now announced are:

Fast and Accurate Data Entry - Market-Base Automatic Addressing feature generates Town and County details directly from postcodes. This along with Automatic Capitalisation ensures accurate spelling and presentation of address details as well as reducing the number of keystrokes needed.

Suitable for Complex Sales Force Structures - The Market-Base Multi-Level Rights System allows the various tiers of sales management to control and monitor the activities of those for whom they are responsible.

Ensures that Relevant Information is Collected - Management have control over how information is classified and can make the collection of chosen information obligatory with the Market-Base Look-Up Fields and Mandatory Fields.

Previously existing major features of Market-Base include look up tables to ensure that information is entered in a consistent format making analysis easier, a multi-level security system to prevent unauthorised access, an alarm system which prompts for important actions and a letter writer and mail merge function.

For Sales Managers Market-Base offers call planning and reporting, quotation management and lead tracking as well as allowing analysis of Sales Area performance and very importantly, ensures that a permanent headquarters record of all prospects and sales activities is always kept.

For Marketing Managers the benefits include accurately targeted direct mailing using the built in word processor, reports of promotional campaign effectiveness, market segmentation and competitor analysis.

Market-Base can be used on a single headquarters based PC, a multiuser network of PCs, or in distributed mode by field sales staff on portable PCs. In the latter case each field sales person can be allowed access to only their own region if required and information can be passed between the portables and the headquarters PC.

Market-Base pricing starts at 595 British Pounds for the entry level system.

Kensington Marketing Systems

8/51 Drayton Gardens

Kensington, London SW10 9RX ENGLAND

071-373-5746


FOUNDATION Client/Server Dev Prod Quality Award
FOUNDATION WINS QUALITY AWARD FOR NEXT-GENERATION CLIENT/SERVER DEVELOPMENT PRODUCT

Named "Best of the Best for Customer Involvement In Development Process

SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 1993 - FOUNDATION, an Andersen Consulting software organization, has won the "Best of the Best" award from the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI). FOUNDATION won the award for customer involvement in the development of the Rapid Application Builder portion of the next generation FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing (FCP), its new client/server development product introduced today at DB Expo.

"We were impressed with FOUNDATlON's involvement of customers early in the development of the next-generation of FCP," said Mr. William E. Perry, Executive Director of OAI. "They not only obtained valuable customer input for FCP, but also developed an innovative process that encourages customer participation in future product development projects."

FCP offers major enhancements that ease and accelerate the process for building client/server systems that connect the full range of software, network and hardware environments across a department or organization. A crucial feature of the new product is the Rapid Application Builder, which offers a revolutionary approach that speeds client/server development and helps bring the design of the system into line with end-user requirements, thus simplifying and shortening the systems development process.

The Rapid Application Builder uses simple point-and-click techniques enabling developers to build pilot client/server applications that function as live applications and that can be delivered as compiled code and stored in the repository. In this way, not only does the pilot application automatically become part of the completed system, it is also available for reuse in future systems.

"Building FCP, FOUNDATION has worked with numerous MIS organizations to enhance the effectiveness of our systems development products," said Kerry Stover, Director of Product Management, FOUNDATION. "This award reflects our dedication to respond to our customers' needs with the delivery of high-quality, integrated solutions."

The Quality Assurance Institute was formed more than 10 years ago to provide leadership to the information technology industry in improving quality and productivity. The QAI's objectives are to recognize organizations for product excellence and to find the best practices that other members can utilize as product development models.

FOUNDATION introduced its initial client/server development product, FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing, in April 1991. The product is being used in strategic client/server development projects by more than 2,800 developers at more than 70 companies worldwide, including Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Sprint Corporation, the State of North Carolina and British Columbia Gas.

Andersen Consulting is an international management and technology consulting organization with more than 26,000 persons in 151 offices and 47 countries. The organization helps its clients link technology, strategy, processes and people. Editor's note: Andersen Consulting is not a subsidiary or division of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen & Co.

Andersen Consulting, 69 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602

312-580-0069


FOUNDATION Client/Server Seminar Series
FOUNDATION PRESENTS SEMINAR SERIES TO HELP COMPANIES IMPLEMENT CLIENT/SERVER APPLICATIONS

SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 1993 -- FOUNDATION, an Andersen Consulting software organization, will host a series of complimentary client/server seminars in 30 U.S. and Canadian cities to demonstrate how companies can successfully implement client/server systems within their organizations. FOUNDATION launches its spring seminar series on May 11 in New York, Houston and Ottawa. The seminars will run through June and are open to the public.

The spring seminar series is a continuation of FOUNDATlON's successful client/server seminar program, held in fall 1992, which more than 1,500 professionals attended. The upcoming spring seminars will show attendees how to overcome the challenges of developing client/server applications. They will hear how FOUNDATION addresses both departmental and enterprise-wide applications and will get a firsthand demonstration of how they can develop client/server applications using the next-generation FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing (FCP) and the new Rapid Application Builder, a component within FCP.

"Through FOUNDATlON's fall seminars, we determined that more than 50 percent of organizations are planning to develop client/server applications in 1993," said Ronald H. Rolland, Director of FOUNDATION Marketing, Sales & Support Services. "This figure demonstrates that today's organizations view client/server technology as the competitive strategy for computing in the 90s. However, there are complexities involved in migrating to client/server environments. Our seminars will dispel some of the confusion surrounding this new technology and will highlight companies that have successfully made the transition using FOUNDATION."

For more information on seminar locations and times, call (800) 458-8851.

FOUNDATION today introduced its next-generation FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing product at the DB Expo conference in San Francisco. The new product offers major enhancements that ease and accelerate the process for building client/server systems that connect a wide range of software, network and hardware environments across a department or enterprise.

FOUNDATION introduced its initial client/server development product, FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing, in April 1991. The product is being used in strategic client/server development projects by more than 2,800 developers at 70 companies worldwide, including Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Sprint Corporation, the State of North Carolina and British Columbia Gas.

Andersen Consulting is an international management and technology consulting organization with more than 26,000 persons in 151 offices and 47 countries. The organization helps its clients link technology, strategy, processes and people. Editor's note: Andersen Consulting is not a subsidiary or division of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen & Co.

Andersen Consulting, 69 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602

312-580-0069


Logitech Enhances MouseMan Cordless
Logitech Announces Enhanced MouseMan Cordless

Improved Ergonomic Shape and Upgraded MouseWare Software Set New Standards for Pointing Devices

Fremont, Calif.--May 3, 1993--Logitech Inc., international market leader in pointing devices and hand-held scanners, today announced a new version of MouseMan Cordless featuring Logitech's radio technology, significant software improvements, hardware modifications for better control, and a new level of ergonomic design. MouseMan Cordless will carry a suggested retail price of $149 (U.S.) and will be available in retail stores in August.

ERGONOMIC DESIGN FOR OPTIMAL COMFORT

The new MouseMan Cordless has been especially redesigned for long-term comfort. It conforms perfectly to the shape of the palm, and the mouse buttons are contoured to allow the fingers to rest naturally and comfortably. Additionally, the ball has been moved forward to improve the user's accuracy and control when manipulating the cursor.

INNOVATIVE RADIO TECHNOLOGY

In 1992, Logitech commissioned a survey of PC users in an effort to better understand how people view their computers. This study, the PCs and People Poll, revealed that one in four persons, when asked the open-ended question, "In what ways do you feel a mouse could be made easier to use?" answered, "cordless." Logitech has been meeting this need with its radio wave technology -- the most sophisticated cordless technology on the market today. Unlike the infrared technology used in other cordless mice currently available, radio wave technology does not rely on line-of-sight. Users can simply plug the MouseMan Cordless receiver into either a serial or mouse port, and it will pick up the mouse signal from up to six feet through any obstacles that may be in the way.

MouseMan offers four transmission channels to avoid interference if another person is operating a Logitech MouseMan Cordless nearby. In addition, it uses low-frequency waves (between 110 and 150 khz), so there is no risk of interference with other radio equipment.

SOFTWARE MAXIMIZES WINDOWS PRODUCTIVITY

MouseMan Cordless ships with Logitech's MouseWare software. The software allows users to easily program the other two buttons with time-saving commands, thus helping to reduce stressful repetitive movements and making working in Microsoft Windows even easier. For instance, the middle button can be programmed as a double click and the third button as escape. To change the button assignments, users can open the mouse control panel and select the desired commands from a menu of choices.

In addition to assigning tasks to the second and third buttons, MouseWare software includes cursor tracking, cursor sizing, and ballistic (speed) control. MouseMan Cordless is 100-percent Microsoft compatible. Logitech backs all pointing devices with a comfort program and 100-percent compatibility guarantee, as well as a limited lifetime warranty.

Logitech manufactures and markets "Senseware" - products designed to give human-like "senses" such as sight, sound, and touch to the computer, making human-to-computer communications more intuitive and natural. Retail and OEM products of the company and its affiliates include pointing devices (such as mice and trackballs), hand-held scanners, digital cameras, pen digitizers, joysticks, sound products, and related software applications for IBM, Macintosh, and other platforms. Logitech International, the financial holding company for the Logitech Group, is traded publicly in Switzerland on the Zurich and Geneva exchanges. With operational headquarters in Fremont, Calif., the group maintains manufacturing facilities in Fremont, California; Hsinchu, Taiwan; and Cork, Ireland; and offices in major cities in the U.S., Europe, and the Far East.

Logitech Inc, 6505 Kaiser Dr, Fremont, CA 94555

510-795-8500;  fax: 510-792-8901


Gupta Supporting Intel Pentium Processor
Gupta Announces Support For Intel's Pentium Processor

Menlo Park, Calif., March 22, 1993 Gupta Corporation today announced support for Intel's Pentium processor. Gupta will be optimizing its SQLBase Server database system, as well as its SQLWindows and Quest front-end tools, to take full advantage of the new features and capabilities of the Pentium processor. The availability of Gupta SQLWindows and Quest for the Pentium processor will allow developers to create client-server applications for the new high-performance platform.

"We expect that SQLBase on the Pentium processor will significantly exceed the OLTP performance record it set on the Intel 486 DX 50MHz and approach the performance found on dual processor machines," said Bruce Scott, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Gupta Corporation. "Gupta SQLBase Server currently sets the performance standard for client/server SQL databases on Intel platforms, and the Pentium processor is a powerful application server platform. With the proven performance of SQLBase on Intel's new high-performance chip, we will be able to deliver an ever more powerful database for complex, mission-critical applications."

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is the leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases, and continues to be the only such database designed expressly for networked PCs. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client/server databases. SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client-server networks. Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and SQLNetwork is a family of software products (SQLGateway and SQLRouter) for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


Desktop Publishing, Dollars and Sense
Desktop Publishing: Dollars and Sense

now, a practical guide for the desktop publisher

According to Home Office Computing magazine, the number of home-based businesses grew to 20 million in 1991 and will have reached 31 million people by the end of 1992. Among them are small businesses and individual entrepreneurs who are taking advantage of desktop publishing technologies to grow their enterprises. It's a natural step but one that needs to be faced with understanding of the economic realities, as Scott Anderson shows us in his new book, Desktop Publishing: Dollars and Sense.

Compared to traditional resources that examine the more technical aspects of layout and design, Desktop Publishing: Dollars and Sense gives an in-depth analysis of the financial and legal aspects of a profitable desktop publishing business. Anderson includes advice from successful graphic artists, designers, freelance writers, and editors who have been in the business for years.

Desktop Publishing: Dollars and Sense addresses issues pertinent to small and home business owners, such as setting prices, billing, and how to choose clients. Anderson discusses business practices which are often neglected by small desktop publishing businesses, such as marketing strategies, and answers questions most often asked by people starting their own business, including how to choose a name and how to discern and avoid illegal business practices. He suggests ways to find a business base, define a market niche, and handle legal aspects of copyright and libel. Anderson also offers advice on how to acquire the appropriate technology.

Scott Anderson has been involved with desktop publishing since its early days, exploring it first as a hobby and then as a business. A writer and editor for 25 years, he spent nearly 15 years as a journalist in Alaska, Idaho, and Washington. Among the magazines he has contributed to are Alaska Magazine and Sports Illustrated. Former editor of the Kodiak Daily Mirror, Anderson has also been the owner and publisher of two small newspapers.

Desktop Publishing: Dollars and Sense by Scott Anderson

Publication Date: June 1992, 208 pp, 5 1/2 X 8 1/2.

ISBN: 0-926085-51-7, trade paper $14.95

Distributed to the trade by Consortium Book Sales & Distribution

Blue Heron Publishing, Inc.

24450 NW Hansen Rd, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124.


GIC Interactive Computer Crosswords
May 1, 1993 -- At last! An intelligent alternative to mindless reflex games! Designed for the whole family (ages 6 to 106) they are at the same time fun, entertaining and educational! GIC-Software has released the first of a series of new Interactive Computer Word Games for single and multi-player participation. Designed for the IBM 386 and higher compatibles, the game package contains six different games with almost limitless variations. These challenging games are different each time they're played!

Dynamic and interactive, the games use the familiar word grid and black squares. The players can enter any word of their choice, and the black squares can either be selected to be generated by the computer in a random pattern before the game, or placed on the playing grid by each player as the game is played. Entering the black squares during the game adds a new dimension, since players can use the black squares to 'block' an apparent next word entry by the opponent! The 'opponent' can either be the computer playing against a single player, or one player against another, or even up to four players - or teams - can interactively play together in the same game! These games combine the challenge of Crosswords, the word forming of Scrabble and the strategy of Backgammon!

Players can customize their games in several ways, (1) by selecting the number of players in the game, (2) the way the game is won (points or last word), (3) whether to have computer generated, or player inserted black squares, (4) the number of words in the game (which also affects the game length) and (5) whether or not to use the self-contained electronic list of over 63,000 words. Each letter of a word entered is worth one or more points, with bonus points being awarded for words over a certain length. Side Words can be formed, and the playing grid can also be shifted (Field Shifts), earning extra points. The games can even be saved to be finished at a later time! Those who like the challenge of word games risk being hooked on Interactive Computer Crosswords.

The suggested retail price is $34.95 and may be purchased, or ordered, from your local software dealer, Radio Shack dealer or directly from GIC-Software. Distributor discounts are available for educational, non-profit and charitable organizations, with prepaid shipments made directly to multiple destinations. Additional information is available upon request.

GIC-Software, a Division of General Investments Corp

231 Nob Hill Way, PO Box 1353, Los Gatos, CA 95031

408-356-7208;  fax: 408-356-3868


Classroom Publishing, Enhanced Student Literacy
Classroom Publishing

A Practical Guide to Enhancing Student Literacy

By Laurie King & Dennis Stovall

How often do we hear good news about America's classroom? And when do we have the opportunity to hear from teachers themselves on exciting curriculum or the things that work for students?

In Classroom Publishing: A Practical Guide to Enhancing Student Literacy, teachers share their success stories about using publishing as a tool to greater literacy. Students--the writers, publishers, editors, typesetters, and printers of the future--are producing an array of sophisticated books, magazines, guides, and newspapers. A tangible product is only one of the rewards. Student publishers develop their writing abilities, but, in addition, skills in critical thinking, researching, teamwork, computer and print technology, and graphic design. Often crossing the curriculum, project examples suggest ways to use publishing to involve even the most reluctant learners.

These innovative publishing projects take place both in and outside the classroom. For example, high school students in Seattle work with Seattle Times editors and publish their writing in a regular youth column. Middle school students at an Albuquerque community center write and produce books to send to Nicaraguan children who have no books. From rural Alaska to Detroit's inner city, from first grade to college, these projects offer a rewarding approach to student involvement in the world of books and ideas.

Classroom Publishing is an accessible guide for teachers, older students, homeschoolers, librarians, administrators, parents, and career counselors. In addition to the project descriptions, there are chapters describing processional publishing and career options, funding and distribution ideas, markets for young writers, resource lists and educational opportunities, plus tools and methods of production.

Co-author Laurie King taught at Reed College and has been a public school teacher in California and in Oregon. She is currently writing a multicultural anthology for Addison Wesley. Dennis Stovall, who teaches classroom publishing workshops for educators, is a writer, editor, and publisher.

Classroom Publishing, A Practical Guide to Enhancing Student Literacy

Publication Date: October 1992, 208 pp, 8 1/2 x 11,

ISBN 0-936085-52-5, trade paper $22.95

Distributed to the trade by Consortium Book Sales & Distribution

Blue Heron Publishing, Inc.

24450 NW Hansen Rd, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124.


Enhanced Software Grove Messages for Windows
SOFTWARE GROVE RELEASES ENHANCED "MESSAGES" FOR WINDOWS

Standalone and Network Software Significantly Enhanced

New Windows software from Software Grove enhances phone message viewing and printing.

April 27, 1993 -- Kirkland, WA -- Enhanced Software Grove Messages and Software Grove Messages for Networks ("the phone messaging system everyone already knows how to use") were today released by Software Grove Corporation of Kirkland, Washington.

The software is titled Software Grove Messages because Windows, DOS and Network users can simply fill out a "MESSAGE" form on their PC screens (the form looks just like the pink or blue forms often titled "IMPORTANT MESSAGE"), and the message is automatically delivered across the network. The single-user version provides paper output, optionally on pink paper.

The new versions are Software Grove Messages for Windows Version 1. 7 and Software Grove Messages for Networks Version 1. 3. Both versions include the following enhancements:

1. On-the-fly name completion, for both the sender and

   recipients names, automatically matches typing with the phone

   list and automatically fills in a name a soon as it is

   recognized.

2. Multiple recipients can now be specified for a single message.

3. Numeric priority/tracking flags can now be set for messages.

4. New printing options, forms and templates (including a new

   "single line" template) provide more attractive printed

   output, and partial forms can now be printed by specifying

   a starting forms position.

5. Users can now modify report and forms templates, which are now

   stored as an ASCII file.

6. There are now more start-up configuration options.

In addition, Software Grove Messages for Networks Version 1. 3 includes the following:

1. Access to shared network resources now provides remote login

   from any station on the network and support for diskless

   workstations.

2. Notification that a message has been received can now be

   provided by any or all of the following options:

   -- "Beep",

   -- Flash the Messages icon,

   -- Flash the "priority icon" for the message that is

      waiting, or

   -- Pop-up the Messages application.

3. Enhanced (optional) password protection (set-up of the first

   message center now controls set-up of additional message

   centers on network) so that security can be consistent across

   the net.

Software Grove Messages for Network has key advantages for both people who receive phone messages and for people who take phone messages. Network users get their phone messages delivered immediately, without having to go to the message center, and messages are always perfectly readable with well-formatted phone numbers and information. Taking phone messages has never been faster and easier: users never have to search for a pad or company directory, they don't have to leave their computers, they are automatically building the company phone list, and back-up copies and reports can be effortlessly provided. For users not on the network, Messages for Networks can print on standard paper or on the four-up, perforated pink message paper supplied with the package.

Marty Tudor, President of Tudor Entertainment, Inc., has completed 6 weeks of testing on Software Grove Messages for Networks. He provided the following enthusiastic evaluation:

"Tudor Entertainment is the manager for many Hollywood actors, and so phone messages are our business lifeline. We have been looking for a reliable and very easy-to-use way to track phone messages because we typically take over 300 messages every day. Without a doubt Software Grove Messages for Networks provides an outstanding and reliable way to track all of our deluge of phone calls. We recommend the product and the company - very highly."

Messages provides the following important capabilities:

1. Instantaneous visual and/or audible notification of waiting

   messages.

2. Notes can be added to messages.

3. Back up copies of messages are instantly available, either

   printed or on-screen.

4. Messages can be sent to individual recipients or groups.

5. Easy entry of messages with automatic filling of fields

   (date, time, message taker and recipients name, plus, for

   repeat callers, the caller's name, company name and telephone

   number).

6. For users not on the network, messages can be printed in

   several formats including four-per-page, one-per-page, Call

   Tracker forms, compact one-line listings, and full caller

   reports.

7. Messages can be taken and sent from any node on the network.

8. Messages can be unprotected and editable, or password

   protected and encrypted.

According to John Grove, President of Software Grove:

"We provide the interface that everyone already knows for message passing - the all-to-familiar phone message form - and we make the secretary's and everyone else's life easier. We have, simply put, provided a message pad on everyone's computer screen. The results of automating phone message taking is far greater than just improved productivity for secretaries and everyone else who takes messages, but for companies from 2 to thousands of employees, everyone who receives a message becomes more productive."

Software Grove Messages operates under Microsoft Windows 3.0/3.1 and Windows for Workgroups, and DOS 3.1 and above, on IBM-compatible PCs. Messages for Networks is compatible with Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer networks, including Novell Netware and Netware Lite, Artisoft LANtastic, Microsoft LAN Manager and Banyan Vines.

Software Grove Messages, for Windows, DOS and networks, is immediately available. Pricing is as follows: single user version $69.95, or $249.00 for a five node package, $399.00 for a 10 node package, or $599.00 for a 20 node package. Users may update to the latest version for $30 per node. A 60-day money back guarantee is provided.

Distributors for Software Grove Messages include Ingram Micro, Daiseytec, American Software & Hardware, Tiger Software, MicroWarehouse and Global Computer Supplies.

Software Grove

12525 Willows Rd, Ste 130, Kirkland, WA 98034

206-823-0833;  Fax: 206-823-1246;  800-793-0040


Ikon Performance Enhancements
IKON ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS TO PRODUCTS

Seattle, Washington -- April 29, 1993 -- IKON Corporation of Seattle, WA, announced today significant performance enhancements for a number of its board-level interface products. Effective immediately, all products currently employing FIFO buffers, which have used a 512 byte FIFO, will be shipped with 4K byte parts at no additional charge. The products affected by this upgrade (which neither alters the form, fit, or function of the hardware nor requires any software driver changes) include the following:

* Model 10099 VME-bus "Ultimate" DR11-W Emulator

Input and output FIFO buffer depth is now increased from 2K bytes to 16K bytes, in each direction.

* Model 10111 ISA/EISA-bus Hardcopy Interface

The FIFO buffer depth for this Versatec & Centronics interface is up from 512 bytes to 4K bytes.

* Model 10103 SBus DR11-W Emulator

Both input and output FIFO buffers are increased from 512 bytes to 4K bytes.

* Models 10104/10105/10106 SBus Hardcopy Interface

These three boards (Versatec Differential, Versatec TTL, and Centronics, respectively) will now have 4K of FIFO buffer, instead of 512 bytes.

These performance enhanced products are being shipped from stock now and come with a Hardware/Software Manual, a full one-year warranty, and coverage by IKON's unlimited, no-cost emergency field loan program. Software drivers, including source code, for both SOLARIS 1.x and 2.x are delivered with the SBus products; and an H-P UNIX driver, again with source code, is provided with the 10111. Even deeper FIFO depths are available as options; call for more information.

IKON Corp, 2617 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Tele:  (206) 728-6465 FAX:   (206) 728-1633


Microsoft Access for Windows Step by Step
Microsoft Access for Windows Step by Ste

The Official Microsoft Courseware

Training yourself, your company, or your customers just got easier with MICROSOFT ACCESS FOR WINDOWS STEP BY STEP--the official Microsoft courseware from Microsoft Press.

This timesaving, cost-effective training package is the ideal self-paced learning tool. Newcomers to the Microsoft Access database management system and database management will be amazed at how fast they'll learn to create and use a custom database. There's less downtime and lost productivity because users can learn right at their own desks. It's the perfect solution for today's on-the-go business-people.

Each of the 21 lessons is generously illustrated with real-world examples and fully integrated with the practice files on disk. Readers can compare their results and track their progress for each lesson. And because the lessons are modular, beginners can complete the entire course from beginning to end whereas intermediate users can pick up at any point to learn specific skills. Readers will learn to use Microsoft Access to:

* Create tables and forms for convenient access to data

* Arrange and combine data to print sales reports, order forms,

  and mailing labels

* Ask questions and get answers by creating targeted queries

* Present data persuasively by using a variety of report formats

* Update hundreds of records instantly with one command

* Access data stored in other database file formats such as

  Paradox and dBASE

MICROSOFT ACCESS FOR WINDOWS STEP BY STEP is also easily adaptable for use in an instructor-led classroom setting. Lessons can be easily customized to fit the needs of a special software training curriculum in a small-business or corporate training facility. Appendixes include printer installation instructions, solutions to database design problems, and a section on using expressions--what they are and when they should be used. A glossary makes looking up terms easy, and the comprehensive index helps students and instructors quickly find information on any topic in the book.

Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.0 or later (version 3.1 recommended) and Microsoft Access database management system for Windows are required. The book includes one 720-KB 3.5-inch disk and ordering information for a 1.2-MB 5.25-inch disk. An instructor's guide and a courseware development kit are also available.

MICROSOFT ACCESS FOR WINDOWS STEP BY STEP joins the growing family of self-paced training products available from Microsoft Press. Microsoft Excel Step by Step--the first official Microsoft courseware product from Microsoft Press won the 1991 "Best Introductory How-To Book" award from the prestigious Computer Press Association. Other book-and-software systems in the Step by Step series include Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh Step by Step, Microsoft Word for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft Project for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft Windows 3.1 Step by Step, Microsoft Excel Macros Step by Step, and the forthcoming Microsoft Word for MS-DOS Step by Step, Microsoft FoxPro for Windows Step by Step, and Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS Step by Step.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users of all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from self-paced tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly from the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


Writer's Dream V4.20 Presentation Program
Writer's Dream, version 4.20

A very effective and easy to use program in which virtually anyone's writing can be presented to thousands and thousands of people. This is an easy-to-use presentation program for standard ASCII text files. Now you can create very professional-looking disk-based books, catalogs, and other products which can be distributed as shareware, retail software or otherwise. No longer do you need a publisher to reach a huge audience. Make copies of your electronic book for the mere price of blank disks.

This new version now has automatic graphics display, support for up to 100 chapters (files), complete mouse support, fully author-configurable colors, bookmark feature, optional file encryption, and more. The runtime program is still under 14k in size.

REQUIREMENTS: Runs in any standard IBM-compatible. Runs under DOS or Windows.

REGISTRATION: $29.95

Another Company, PO Box 3429, Ashland, OR 97520

503-482-3611


Official Kid Pix Activity Book
The Official Kid Pix Activity Book Offers Hundreds of Exciting Possibilities for Creative Family Computing

Endorsed by Broderbund, Book Encourages Imagination, Builds Skills

NEW YORK, April 30, 1993 - The Official Kid Pix Activity Book (Random House Electronic Publishing, April, $12, 180 pages), the only activity book endorsed by Br0derbund Software for its award-winning Kid Pix children's paint program, gives parents hundreds of ideas for constructive, interactive family fun with the computer. Written by renowned parenting authors Steve and Ruth Bennett, the book outlines 225 creative activities that use Br0derbund's best selling children's software as a springboard for educational, entertaining computer-based family time.

The projects outlined in The Official Kid Pix Activity Book capitalize on the outstanding creative and educational opportunities provided by Kid Pix software and emphasize family interaction and fun as an important part of the computer experience. The book's activities range from "Mind Challengers" to "Fantasy & Imagination Games" to "Video Olympics," all of which can be modified in difficulty level for children ages four to 14.

"The first release in the Random House/Br0derbund computing series, The Official Kid Pix Activity Book applies the best of the Bennetts' highly respected parenting ideas to Br0derbund's top-notch children's software," says Michael Mellin, Publisher, Random House Electronic Publishing. "This book is particularly exciting since the personal computer's role in family life is just beginning to be defined. The Official Kid Pix Activity Book is a valuable resource for any family seeking creative, constructive interaction."

The Official Kid Pix Activity Book comes in trade paperback with screen shots and illustrations.

Steve and Ruth Bennett, recognized as the leaders of the "Quality Time Movement," are the authors of one of the nation's best selling parenting guides, 365 TV-Free Activities You Can Do With Your Child. Steve has written numerous computer books, including Microcomputer Marketplace, and with Ruth, the upcoming Official Playroom Activity Book (July 1993), both from Random House Electronic Publishing. Ruth is a landscape architect and illustrator. The Bennetts live in Massachusetts with their two young children.

Random House Electronic Publishing is an imprint of Random House, Inc., wholly dedicated to publishing books that serve the fast-growing field of computer users, from beginners to experts. Established in 1990, Random House Electronic Publishing brings the trusted reputation and resources of America's leading trade publisher to support the unique informational needs of computer users in the 90s. Random House Electronic Publishing books are designed to be the most informative, practical and readable guides to computers and computer software ever available, and can be purchased in bookstores, computer stores and superstores nationwide, or by calling 800-733-3000.


Intex Verbose Thesaurus Add-In for Lotus 1-2-3
INTEX SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES FIRST THESAURUS FOR ALL VERSIONS OF LOTUS 1-2-3

"Verbose" Add-in Extends Rich Vocabulary to DOS and Windows Spreadsheets

April 29, 1993 -- Needham. MA: Intex Solutions, Inc., the leading publisher and reseller of spreadsheet enhancements, today announced Verbose the first add-in thesaurus specifically created for Lotus 1-2-3 users. Verbose is supplied with an extensive list of synonyms for over 90,000 words, and automatically replaces highlighted words in the spreadsheet with a synonym from the choices provided. The add-in currently supports all DOS and Windows versions of Lotus 1-2-3. Verbose is affordably priced at $95, plus shipping.

"Now that users are incorporating more and more text into their spreadsheets, especially with the advent of WYSIWYG and Windows, they need a more effective way to give their letters, reports and presentations added impact," said Marjorie Smith, Product Manager, at Intex Solutions. "Verbose gives spreadsheet users a fast, easy, automatic way to communicate their written ideas in compelling new ways."

Easy To Use

As a true add-in, Verbose attaches or loads into the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet transparently, and a familiar Lotus-style menu makes the program very easy to use. Using cursor keys or a mouse, users simply highlight a cell or range of cells, invoke the add-in, and choose a synonym for selected words from the list provided. As the program moves word by word through each cell, old words are automatically replaced with the new selections, instantly enhancing users' documents and giving their ideas greater impact. Users may also ignore the choices, or replace a word themselves with their own synonym.

Special Spellchecker/Thesaurus Bundle

Verbose makes a great companion to Spellin!, Intex's very popular spellchecking program for Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.x, Symphony and Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3.x. This powerful combination of products ensures that users always have polished documents that are free from spelling errors and express their thoughts in clear, concise ways.

And now through August 31, 1993, Intex is featuring a special bundle price on Verbose and Spellin!. Users may purchase both Spellin! ($125), and Verbose ($95), together for just $145 -- a savings of $75!

Pricing and System Requirements

Verbose runs with Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.0, 2.01, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.1 +, 3.4, and 1-2-3 for Windows (users should specify their specific release). The program is fully mouse compatible and is priced at $95, plus $5 shipping. Spellin! runs with Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.x, Symphony and Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3.x and is priced at $125, plus $5 shipping. The Verbose/Spellin! bundle is available for $145, plus $5 shipping directly from Intex Solutions.

Intex Solutions, 35 Highland Circle, Needham, MA 02194

617-449-6222


Teleform Automated Database Entry for Windows
CARDIFF SOFTWARE OFFERS AUTOMATED DATABASE ENTRY

Teleform for Windows combined with leading databases provides complete solution

(Special to DB Expo, San Francisco, Calif) Cardiff Software's Teleform for Windows v2.0 offers automated form data entry to database applications using fax recognition technology. With Teleform, users design and print professional forms and automatically distribute these forms via fax broadcast. When the form is filled in and faxed or scanned back into the PC running Teleform, the program reads the hand-printed, typed, pre-printed and marked (shaded bubbles) information from the form and enters it in a database without data entry.

Integrators and corporate users can now turn standard fax machines and scanners into data collection devices. Teleform becomes a data entry program that integrates with a variety of leading databases. From sales orders and surveys, to payroll and registrations, Teleform helps organizations recover thousands in data entry costs, and days in turn around time.

Database connectivity includes dBase II, III & IV, FoxPro, Paradox, SQL Server, NetWare SQL, Oracle and DB2. Data can also be written to Lotus 123, Excel DIF and ASCII files.

In addition, Teleform v2.0 offers database pre-fill capabilities. Forms can be automatically filled and faxed or printed using a merge feature that reaches into databases, extracts standard information, and prints it in the appropriate fields on the form. Fields that require new or updated information are left blank. Recipients of the preprinted form only write information into the blank fields, saving form-filling time. OCR optimized for fax recognition is used to read the pre-filled fields with nearly 100 percent accuracy. For example, Teleform can automatically fill in sales order forms with customer names and addresses, fax the form to each customer, and upon receipt of the completed order by fax automatically update the specific customer record in a database with the sales information.

Teleform for Windows v2.0 requires a 386-based microcomputer with at least 4MB of RAM, a Cardiff certified fax board or scanner and Microsoft Windows 3.1 Single and MultiUser versions are available starting at $995 through certified resellers and Cardiff Software.

Cardiff Software develops and markets software products that provide fax productivity solutions for business.

Cardiff Software, 531 Stevens Ave, Bldg B, Solana Beach, CA 92075

619-259-6430;  800-659-8755;  fax: 619-259-6450


Novell Certification for Multi-Tech Products
The NetWare emblem will soon become a familiar sight on Multi-Tech Systems' packaging and corporate communications. It signifies that we have received certification for our LAN modem sharing product line from the premier networking software provider.

And that's appropriate, since no company offers a more complete line of products for practical, affordable data/fax modem sharing than Multi-Tech Systems.

Many of these products -- such as the MultiModemLAN networking modem, and the MultiArray and MiniArray multiport communications products -- have been featured in recent ThroughPuts. They are part of a wider family of products -- including the MultiComAsyncGateway2 and MultiComAsyncGatewayTSR -- all of which function as data/fax communications servers for dial-up communications in a variety of networking applications.

A key element in the success of these products is our own DOS and Windows fax software, which can turn a data-only server into a data/fax server utilizing Multi-Tech modems.

The Novell certification reflects our continuing commitment to providing the right LAN modem sharing solution for today's diverse networks. From simple modem sharing, to remote dial-up access, to sophisticated gateways, Multi-Tech Systems has the product offering to fit the bill.

You can learn all about that product offering through your local Multi-Tech Systems representative.

Multi-Tech Systems Inc, 2205 Woodale Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112

612-785-3500;  800 328-9717;  612-785-9874


WestLake Imager 2.0 Adds Pictures to Databases
20/20 Announces WestLake Imager 2.0

Beaverton, OR -- April 30, 1993 -- 20/20 Software, Inc. announced shipment of version 2.0 of the WestLake Imager for Paradox, FoxPro, dBASE and R:BASE and announced release of 5 and 25-user network versions. The WestLake Imager enables users of popular database software to add pictures to their DOS database. Version 2.0 of the WesLake Imager adds multi-level zoom and pan capabilities, supports display of 256 colors in both zoomed and unzoomed mode, utilizes extended and expanded memory to allow display and printing of very large graphics, enhances and automatics printer control, and adds support for compressed TIFF graphic file formats.

Users simply add a field containing the file name of an associated PCX, TIFF, CGM or PIC file to each record in their database. The WestLake Imager then enables the database to display and print the record with the associated picture. Pictures can be scaled to any size and positioned as specified by the user. Text and graphics are displayed together on the screen. Both dot matrix printers and laser printers can be used for printing.

Existing WestLake Imager owners may upgrade at no charge. The WestLake Imager 2.0 is available now and is priced at $249. A developers version (with an unlimited distribution license) is $399. Network licenses for 5 and 25 users are $799 and $2499.

20/20 Software is a developer and distributor of database enhancement products including: the Nimbus Report Writer for Paradox, PC-Install (a professional software installation program) and DocIt (a Paradox documenter).

20/20 Software, 8196 SW Hall Blvd, Ste 200, Beaverton, OR 97005

503-520-0504;  fax: 503-520-9118


COMPUEXPO Energy Efficient Computer Pavilion
ENERGY-EFFICIENT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY PAVILION SET FOR COMPUEXPO'93

Newark, Calif., May 5, 1993 - UNSC Investment Group, Inc., organizers of the global PC Trade Show, COMPUEXPO, will play host to a pavilion consisting of PC technology providers supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "ENERGY STAR COMPUTERS" Program at COMPUEXPO '93, September 9-11 in Las Vegas. The Energy Star Program is a new initiative in cooperation with the PC industry supporting the development of energy-saving computer products for the 1990's and beyond.

"Computer systems currently account for 5% of commercial electricity use in the United States with potential growth to 10% by the year 2000. By supplying computer components and subsystems with energy-saving features or power management software, companies supporting the Energy Star Computer Program provide the critical building blocks for integrating an energy-efficient computer," said Brian Johnson, Program Manager for the EPA Energy Star Program in Washington, D.C. "We have also introduced an "Industry Allies" Program in which member companies work together toward the incorporation of energy-saving mechanisms as standard features in PC products "Johnson added.

"We welcome the initiative by COMPUEXPO to promote the development of energy saving computers by hosting an Energy Star Pavilion at the Fall '93 Show, as well as their efforts to educate PC technology providers In the US. and internationally about the importance of energy saving PC's "Johnson concluded.

COMPUEXPO'93 exhibitors that are currently members of the Energy Star Program include industry leaders IBM, Western Digital, American Megatrends, EMPaC International, and ACER America; all second time exhibitors.

Companies seeking more information about the U.S. EPA "ENERGY STAR COMPUTERS" Program may call Brian Johnson at (202) 233-9114, or may call COMPUEXPO at (800) 822-1229.

COMPUEXPO '93 is scheduled for September 9-11, 1993 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Incorporated in September, 1991, UNSC Investment Group, Inc was founded to produce COMPUEXPO, a global PC trade show that serves as an international sourcing partner. UNSC is committed to delivering the highest return on investment in the computer industry by providing a cost effective trading environment linking Resellers, VARs and Wholesale Buyers with emerging brand OEMs, Manufacturers and Suppliers.

UNSC Investment Group

39899 Balentine Dr, Suite 175, Newark, CA 94560

510-657-3418;  fax: 510-657-3499


Expert Home Design for Windows only $14.95
Expert Software Presents Low Cost Windows Program --

Expert Home Design

First introduction in $14.95 Windows Line

CORAL GABLES, Florida (May 2,1993) - Expert Software, Inc., the first to introduce value oriented MS-DOS software for only $14.95, has done it again with the release of Expert Home Design for Windows for the same low price.

Expert Home Design for Windows offers all the best features from its award winning DOS counterpart in a new state-of-the-art Windows interface. Expert Software also offers an upscale Home Design "Gold Series" for DOS and Windows for $49.95.

"Expert Software has made its mark as a company providing users with inexpensive, quality software for the MS DOS," said Sue Currier, president of Expert Software, Inc. 'We have now applied the same marketing philosophy for the Windows platform and what better way to get started than with a program tailored after our best selling DOS version."

At only $14.95, Expert Home Design for Windows is still a powerful program offering all the characteristics of a CAD program except difficulty in use. Expert Home Design for Windows comes equipped with over 125 realistic furniture objects including home office furniture you can Drag 'N Drop into your layout.

Expert Home Design for Windows is more than just a home improvement program. Its wide assortment of easy-to-use draw tools include bezier curves and filled polygons liken it to a draw program. But with window and door symbols as well it is ideal for a home designer.

Expert Home Design for Windows allows a user to create custom color fill patterns; group, rotate, or flip objects; zoom in, zoom out, and measure in feet or meters while drawing. Expert Home Design for Windows automatically re-scales library objects to match layout dimensions and displays square footage or meters.

Additional Expert Home Design for Windows features: Scaling controls, on-screen grids insure printed plans will be 100% accurate. Three special scaling options for plans up to 25, 50, and 100 feet across. Multiple Document Interface allows user to open more than one plan at a time. Program includes sample floor plans to get user started. Prints to Windows-supported printed, in color. Includes bonus program for calculating mortgage and building costs.

Expert Software is the developer of Windows, MS-DOS, and Macintosh titles which have appeared on many of the industry's leading hot and best seller lists. Expert Software is located at 800 Douglas Road, North Tower, Suite 355, Coral Gables, FL 33134-3128. For consumer product information contact: 800-759-2562.


ADev Rated Top CAD Solution in MCAA Survey

In a recent industry-wide CAD survey conducted by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Applications Development, Inc. (ADev) was rated one of the top provided of CAD solutions for the mechanical contracting industry.

ADev was also invited to attend and present its PRO-SERIES line of AutoCAD-based plant design software at the Productivity and Motivation Task Force Meeting held on April 15 by the MCAA and the Mechanical Contracting Foundation (MCF). The task force is composed of six owners/top management executives from some of the country's major mechanical contracting firms.

Applications Development, Inc. (ADev) is the world's largest developer of plant design software for AutoCAD and Intergraph's MicroStation. Products include applications for 2D and 3D piping, piping isometrics and stress analysis, process and flow diagrams, plant and equipment arrangements, structural steel interference checking, and electrical diagrams, plans and details.

Applications Development Inc

Lakeway Two, 3850 N. Causeway Blvd, Suite 900, Metairie, LA 70002

504-835-1627;  fax: 504-835-4867


Gupta Announces Support For NetWare 4.0

Menlo Park, Calif., March 10,1993 -- In conjunction with Novell's NetWare 4.0 announcement today, Gupta Corporation is announcing that its SQL System for NetWare client-server product line will support NetWare 4.0.

Gupta's SQL System for NetWare products, all of which have been NetWare-optimized, include SQLBase for NetWare Systems (available as a NetWare Loadable Module) database back-end, Gupta SQLWindows and Quest front-end tools, and SQLGateway/APPC, which runs as an NLM to connect FACSIMILE 415-321 5471 database applications running on NetWare to IBM DB2. All currently support NetWare v3.11, and these versions will also support NetWare 4.0 in the future. Delivery dates for versions optimized to take advantage of the new features of NetWare 4.0 are not yet available. The NetWare 4.0 version of Gupta SQLBase Server NLM will run in ring 3 or ring 0. It will also support NetWare 4.0 features such as directory services, localization and NCP extensions.

Gupta's NetWare product line is currently available through Novell sales channels packaged in Novell-red boxes through a joint distribution agreement reached between Novell and Gupta in June, 1992. Since that time, both companies continue to engage in joint marketing and sales programs to promote Gupta as the premier product line for NetWare environments, and NetWare as the leading network for client-server. Gupta and Novell are currently co-sponsoring, along with Gupta Business Partners, a series of educational sales seminars throughout the country for companies interested in exploring client-server solutions. Novell, Inc. holds a 19% equity position in Gupta from investments dating back to 1990.

Gupta SQLBase for NetWare Systems is a high performance SQL database server optimized for graphical environments on NetWare. Available as a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM), SQLBase can directly access NetWare's functions and resources, and takes advantage of NetWare's 32-bit environment to enhance performance. SQLBase NLM has set the performance standard for PC client-server databases. Using Gupta SQLGateway/APPC, SQLBase users can connect to data on IBM DB/2 mainframes.

SQLWindows for NetWare Systems provides programmers with the leading frontend client-server application development tool for creating Windows-optimized applications running on NetWare. Quest for NetWare Systems gives end-users the ability to access and query information in the database and to generate their own reports.

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is the leading vendor of client-server database software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases, and continues to be the only such database designed expressly for networked PCs. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client-server databases. SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client/server networks. Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and SQLNetwork is a family of software products (SQLGateway and SQLRouter) for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


Gupta Signs National Consulting Partners
Gupta Signs IBM, Price Waterhouse, Grant Thornton And Procom To Its New National Consulting Partner Program

Menlo Park, Calif., March 9, 1993-- Gupta Corporation has established a National Consulting Partner (NCP) program to develop alliances with professional services organizations providing computer consulting services to the Fortune 1000, E 3 9500 and has initially signed four major Consulting Partners: Grant Thornton, the IBM Consulting Group, Price Waterhouse and Procom.

Gupta designed the NCP program to work closely with major consulting companies in identifying opportunities and providing solutions in the client-server marketplace. Gupta contributes a family of products recognized as market leaders and proven client-server solutions, as well as high level technical support. NCP participants bring consulting expertise in major corporate and government markets. Together, Gupta and NCP participants will assist clients in rightsizing their computer infrastructures by facilitating the migration to open systems and expanding the use of graphical user interfaces in network computing.

"Consulting companies are finding a tremendous opportunity for client/server training, installation and support as the downsizing/rightsizing trend continues to grow at major corporations," said James Hermann, Gupta's Vice President, Channel and Marketing Sales. "Working together with these topnotch consulting partners, we can offer corporate customers a total client-server solutions approach that combines the consulting and training expertise brought by our partners with Gupta's premier product line and excellent technical support."

David Dodge, Practice Leader, the IBM Consulting Group, said, "As we design and build client-server applications for companies around the world, we recommend and use the best tools and products the market has to offer. Our association with Gupta Corporation, a premier company in this field, demonstrates our commitment to provide the very best to IBM clients."

W. Dale Young, Managing Partner, Open Systems Integration for Price Waterhouse, said, "The demand for powerful, GUI-based development tools continues to grow. Gupta provided one of the earliest solutions for the emerging client-server environment. Leveraging Gupta's tools with Price Waterhouse's consulting and integration expertise has proven to be valuable to many of our clients."

Frank McCrea, President of Procom, said, "Business applications in a client-server environment require the rigor of an application methodology and the functionality of a robust technology. The design decisions of today should leave open the options of tomorrow. The Gupta SQL System has provided our clients with the flexibility, the portability and the expandability they require."

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is the leading vendor of client-server database software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases, and continues to be the only such database designed expressly for networked PCs. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client-server databases. SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client/server networks. Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and SQLNetwork is a family of software products (SQLGateway and SQLRouter) for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SOL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Gcom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


12+ Third Party Front Ends for SQLBase Server
Gupta Announces Over One Dozen Third-Party Front-Ends For SQLBase Server

Encourages Third-Party Development Through Independent Software Vendors Program

Menlo Park, Calif., March 22, 1993--Seventeen software vendors are announcing support of Gupta's SQLBase Server as part of an expanded Independent Software Vendors (ISV) Program announced by Gupta Corporation.

The ISV Program will increase the availability of third-party products compatible with Gupta's SQL System family of client-server products, giving end-users a broader choice of front-end tools that will work with Gupta's SQLBase Server database, as well as other products compatible with Gupta SQLWindows and Quest.

"By developing technical partnerships with third-party software developers through the ISV Program we can increase the universe of SQLBase front-end products and satisfy the needs of customers who want to use other products with Gupta's products," said Don Hester director, ISV Marketing, Gupta Corporation. "We have worked with third-party developers over the past few years to build products compatible with ours, but with this new ISV program we are really focusing on dramatically expanding that universe. We expect to sign an additional 50 software partners by the end of this year, so we will be opening up a great range of new possibilities to our users."

Companies currently offering products compatible with Gupta's and that have been signed to the ISV program are Approach Software, Charmel Computing, Clarion Software, The Client-Server Factory, Computer Associates, Evergreen Software, JYACC, Inc., Logic Works, Inc., Mozart Systems, MUST Software, N Systems, Pilot Executive Software, Pioneer Software, Software Products Int'l., Software Publishing Corp., Synergistic Solutions, Tools & Techniques. (See the list that follows for specific product names.)

Gupta ISV's receive free, unlimited telephone hotline technical support; free access to Gupta's electronic bulletin board support line; access to Gupta's mailing list, including one free mailing; and discounted registration to Gupta's Developer's Conference. Developers wishing to evaluate Gupta's SQL System product line without incurring an obligation to deliver a compatible product may do so under a 90-day Evaluation Membership. Under the Preferred Membership, vendors commit to develop and deliver a product compatible with Gupta's SQL System.

In addition to encouraging front-end tools vendors to support SQLBase Server with compatible front-end application tools, the program also welcomes vendors that provide add-on facilities for Gupta SQLWindows and Quest.

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is the leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases, and continues to be the only such database designed expressly for networked PCs. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client-server databases. SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client/server networks. Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and SQLNetwork is a family of software products (SQLGateway and SQLRouter) for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


SQLWindows Reusable Template & Object Kits
Gupta Invites Developers To Create And Co-Market "SQLWindows Reusable Template And Object Kits"

New Market For SQLWindows 4.0 Add-On Software Is A Profit Opportunity For Developers

Menlo Park, Calif., April 6,1993--Gupta Corporation is embarking on a drive to make client-server application development more powerful and faster by encouraging developers to create class libraries and templates for SQLWindows 4.0 that can be co-marketed by Gupta to SQLWindows 4.0 users. Add-on software for SQLWindows 4.0 represents a major new market opportunity for developers. SQLWindows enjoys high market penetration in the area of client-server application development tools, with over 20,000 copies sold.

"There is a real demand in the client-server application development market for these kinds of shared add-ons, because you can reuse the same class library or template in many other applications and save a significant amount of development time," said Earl Stahl, Vice President and General Manager, Desktop Products for Gupta Corporation. "SQLWindows 4.0 templates are unique because they are truly portable and developers can use them for different applications accessing different databases. Our users and developers are eager to take advantage of the object-oriented features of SQLWindows 4.0. We expect that there will be a significant new market for these SQLWindows add-ons."

Gupta Corporation will help to remarket the templates, class libraries and custom controls created by third-party developers. Other users can then acquire these add-ons and easily drop them into their own applications, without having to create them themselves. Developers interested in marketing their SQLWindows 4.0 add-ons can contact Don Hester, Gupta Corporation, 415/617-4662.

Reusable SQLWindows 4.0 Templates. Templates represent a very high level, structured approach to easily creating powerful mission-critical client-server applications. Templates speed up application development because they can be used to create standardized application screens. The unique TeamWindows component of SQLWindows includes a data dictionary-driven repository that makes SQLWindows 4.0 templates uniquely portable to different applications accessing different databases. The data dictionary includes a database of information on each template documenting how to insert and update information, without restricting templates to a specific database, thereby lending them the "intelligence" needed to be portable. By just pointing and clicking, templates can easily be reused from application to application.

SQLWindows users can easily drop ready-made reusable objects and templates created by other developers into their own applications. These template and object kits can be created for both vertical and horizontal applications. An example of a vertical kit is an electronic imaging template allowing end-users to view scanned photographic data, such as in insurance forms or security applications.

Examples of horizontal templates that can be used for a broad range of applications include a dialog box for error handling, a window for browsing customer names and other database browsers, log-in dialogs, text processing applications, etc. Templates can also be created for a wide range of applications for a particular database server, such as Oracle.

Object Classes/Class Libraries. Gupta is encouraging developers to create and share class libraries for SQLWindows 4.0. SQLWindows is fully object-oriented, and supports encapsulation, polymorphism, and single and multiple inheritance. SQLWindows 4.0 users will be able to drop standard objects into their applications, without needing to create them themselves. Object classes for SQLWindows 4.0 could include LAN services, database access, graphical drawing, and contain classes such as lists, etc.

Custom Controls. Gupta is encouraging developers to make custom controls available for SQLWindows 4.0 users. SQLWindows will work with any Windows custom control created using the Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK). Examples of custom controls include a spreadsheet window, a gauge indicating inventory levels, airplane seats, kitchen layouts, meters, slides, etc.

Templates can contain visual objects and custom controls. SQLWindows users building an airline reservation application could generate an airplane layout chart from a third-party template which uses custom controls such as airplane seats, alleys and kitchens to create the screen.

About Gupta Corporation

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is the leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases, and continues to be the only such database designed expressly for networked PCs. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client/server databases. SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client-server networks. Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and SQLNetwork is a family of software products (SQLGateway and SQLRouter) for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SOL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


Gupta Pricing Plans for Large Client/Servers
Gupta Announces Special Pricing Plans Providing Major Cost Benefits For Large Client-Server Installations

Menlo Park, Calif., April 6,1993--Gupta Corporation is introducing several new pricing plans for its client-server products designed to offer significant cost benefits to companies installing enterprise-wide client-server systems. In addition, Gupta is introducing the Gupta Enterprise Kits, one-stop PC client-server starter packages that include all of the software products needed to implement integrated enterprise-wide client-server applications on all of the popular PC platforms, including connectivity to data in mini and mainframe computers.

The new pricing plans include server-based router pricing for Gupta SQLRouter connectivity software and multi-copy pricing for Gupta's SQLBase single-user engine. The new pricing is particularly advantageous for companies installing decision-support client-server systems on a departmental or company-wide basis.

Gupta Enterprise Kits. With its family of client-server products, Gupta is unique in being able to offer a one-stop software solution for companies wanting to install enterprise-wide client-server systems. Gupta's Enterprise Kits offer a seamless and cost-effective solution that solves the problems associated configuring a system with front-end tools, back-end servers and connectivity products from different vendors.

Each Gupta Enterprise Kit includes: five copies of the Corporate Edition of Gupta SQLWindows, a powerful graphical application development system for Microsoft Windows, including TeamWindows, a dictionary-driven application repository that manages development by teams of programmers; Gupta Quest, a graphical data access, query and reporting tool for end users; Gupta SQLBase, a full-function, multi-user relational database engine running under DOS, Windows, OS/2, UNIX and NetWare (as a NetWare Loadable Module); and the appropriate gateway or router from Gupta's SQLNetwork family of connectivity products providing access from PCs to data on a wide choice of mini and mainframe computers, including IBM's DB/2, AS/400 and OS/2 Database Manager, Btrieve, Oracle, Sybase, SQLServer, Informix, and Hewlett-Packard ALLBASE/SQL and TurboIMAGE.

Enterprise Kit Pricing. Gupta Enterprise Kits are priced from $40,000.00 for a five-user kit for connecting to Oracle. Sybase and Informix and $45 000.00 for connecting to Gupta SQLBase Server to $75,000.00 for connecting to DB2. Each additional copy of SQLWindows (Corporate Edition, with TeamWindows) is priced at $3000.00 per seat.

All Enterprise Kits include a one week on-site training class, SQLWindows, SQLBase and SQLSystem training videos from Gupta's Video Classroom series and Gupta's premier service and support program: STAR Service, which provides two-hour response to phone calls, a designated Gupta service representative, access to senior technical support personnel, and License Subscription Service (LSS), which includes maintenance releases, the on-line bulletin board, and upgrade discounts.

Server-based router pricing. Router pricing is no longer an issue for enterprise installations supporting many clients. For $1595.00 per server, Gupta's new server-based router pricing allows users to connect an unlimited number of SQLWindows clients to one server, using SQLRouter for AS/400, Oracle, Sybase or Informix. For example, a site supporting 150 clients accessing Oracle can now purchase the routers it needs for that server for $1595.00, instead of at the previous price of $250.00 per client. Individual routers are still available at $250.00.

Multi-copy SQLBase engine pricing. Gupta's new multi-copy pricing for single-user SQLBase Engine for DOS, Windows and OS/2, and SQLBase Server for Windows saves companies as much as half the cost of installing SQLBase on large enterprise systems. The 20-copy pack of SQLBase Engine for OS/2, DOS or Windows is priced at $4000.00; a five-pack version is also available for $1500.00. The complete package includes SQLBase Engine for five or 20 users; SQLTalk, a character or graphically-based interactive data administration tool; SQLRouter software for connecting to DOS, Windows and OS/2; and Gupta's SQL/API application programming interface to connect to applications built in C. Customers may still purchase an individual copy of a Gupta single-user SQLBase Engine for $395.00.

The 20-copy pack of the multi-tasking SQLBase Server for Windows is priced at $6000.00; the five-pack version is $2500.00. Individual copies are available at $595.00.

About Gupta Corporation

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is the leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases, and continues to be the only such database designed expressly for networked PCs. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client-server databases. SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client/server networks. Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and SQLNetwork is a family of software products (SQLGateway and SQLRouter) for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


Gupta Ships SQLWindows 4.0 & Quest 2.0
Gupta Announces Shipment of SQLWindows 4.0 and Quest 2.0

Menlo Park, Calif., April 6,1993--Gupta Corporation announced today that the much-anticipated new releases of its front-end client-server tools, Gupta SQLWindows 4.0 and Quest 2.0, are now shipping.

Gupta SQLWindows 4.0 is the first PC client-server tool designed to meet the collaborative programming needs of client-server application projects. The unique TeamWindows component of SQLWindows and its dictionary-driven application repository offer team coordination and management capabilities that were previously available only in expensive mainframe-based software development systems.

Gupta Quest 2.0 is a major new release of the leading end-user data access, query and reporting tool. Quest 2.0 includes new security and control features that enhance its role as a secure data access tool in large client-server installations. It also includes more powerful business reports, support for additional back-end SOL databases (Informix and AS/400, in addition to Gupta SQLBase Server), and OLE client and server support. With OLE client and server support, Quest 2.0 users can easily integrate Quest data into other Windows applications, as well as embed OLE objects, such as graphs, into reports, and store and retrieve OLE objects in the database.

Gupta Quest 2.1 a maintenance release that will be available in June free of charge to purchasers of Quest 2.0, will feature a new Forms activity. With Quest 2.1, end users can easily create forms-based data management interfaces automatically from SQL data, and customize them using graphical painting tools, menus and dialog boxes.

SQLWindows 4.0

The TeamWindows component of SQLWindows 4.0 facilitates and manages development by teams of programmers working on larger, more complex client-server production applications, by allowing them to share and re-use code. TeamWindows features a dictionary-driven application generator, check-in and check-out facilities, security, project management, and source-code and version control.

SQLWindows 4.0 also features a complete Object Oriented Programming (OOP) environment with inheritance, polymorphism and encapsulation. SQLWindows 4.0's OOP feature is optional, so programmers can learn the new OOP techniques as they go, referring to extensive on-line Help facilities and step-by-step options and using them alongside the SQLWindows Application Language (SAL) to create their applications.

With the addition of the new QuestWindow, programmers can now easily drop tables and objects they quickly build in Quest into their SQLWindows 4.0 applications.

Other enhancements to SQLWindows 4.0 include complete support for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), Multiple Document Interface (MDI), Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) and richer reporting options in Gupta's uniquely powerful Report Windows, a completely integrated full-featured report writer.

SQLWindows 4.0 Pricing. SQLWindows 4.0, the new version of Gupta's leading client-server application development tool, is available in two configurations: the Standard Edition is priced at $1995.00 and includes the SQLWindows 4.0 Application Design Module, ReportWindows, SQLTalk/Windows, SQLBase Server for Windows and the SQLBase single-user database engine. The Corporate Edition is priced at $3495.00 and includes the SQLWindows 4.0 Standard Edition plus TeamWindows, the innovative new multi-programmer development environment that introduces collaborative programming to PC application development. The Corporate Edition also includes Quest and EditWindows.

Current SQLWindows users subscribing to Gupta's License Subscription Service program can upgrade from SQLWindows 3.1 Standard Edition to SQLWindows 4.0 Standard Edition for $300.00. All other users can upgrade for $600.00. SQLWindows 3.1 Standard Edition users can upgrade to SQLWindows 4.0 Corporate Edition for $2000.00; SQLWindows 3.1 Client-Server Edition users can upgrade for $1000.00. (The ClientServer Edition includes a five-user version of SQLBase for DOS, as well as Quest and SQLWindows/Runtime for five users.)

Quest 2.0 Pricing. Quest 2.0 is priced at $595.00.

About Gupta Corporation

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is the leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases, and continues to be the only such database designed expressly for networked PCs. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client-server databases. SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for clientserver networks. Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and SQLNetwork is a family of software products (SQLGateway and SQLRouter) for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


FOUNDATION Client/Server Development Services
FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW CLIENT/SERVER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 1993 -- FOUNDATION, an Andersen Consulting software organization, today announced an array of new education and enablement services to help organizations migrate to client/server computing and to support its new FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing (FCP) client/server development product announced today at DB Expo.

FOUNDATION has added 13 new education courses, ranging from FCP training and object-oriented programming to client/server methodologies and advanced development strategies. Courses are designed to train customers on use of FOUNDATION products, systems development methods and design techniques for successfully implementing complex client/server systems.

To further aid customers, FOUNDATION has developed a new Critical Resources Group, composed of experts in client/server systems development methods, tools and techniques. Called "catalysts," these experts work on-site with customers' internal development organizations to provide critical input on topics, such as multi-platform support, networks and object orientation, which are key to building client/server applications.

"During the past two years developing client/server systems, we have received considerable feedback from our customers," said Bruce Froehlich, FOUNDATlON's Director of Customer Sales and Services. "Our new services not only reflect their requirements for FOUNDATION training, but also specifically target the most challenging areas of building client/server systems."

New enablement offerings include FOUNDATION ServicePacks, which combine appropriate services to enhance organizations' implementation of FOUNDATION products. The first of these ServicePacks include: Installation and Certification Services, which certifies completion of installed FOUNDATION and associated LAN, operating system and application software; and Tuning and Performance Planning Services, to improve performance of client/server applications during the three critical stages -- design, testing and production.

Earlier this year, FOUNDATION expanded its services by announcing an agreement with James Martin Insight (JMI), a leading provider of media-based products on emerging technologies. FOUNDATION and JMI will develop and distribute a series of video-based education products to provide technology readiness for organizations migrating to client/server computing.

FOUNDATION also offers customers additional support services via its series of start-up solutions, such as the successful Starter Kit, which combines training and support services for the development of pilot client/server systems, helping organizations begin a larger-scale migration to large departmental and enterprise-wide client/server.

Announced today, Andersen Consulting's next-generation FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing (FCP) offers dramatic enhancements that ease the process for building heterogeneous client/server systems while extending FOUNDATlON's advanced message-based communications architecture.

Major new features of the next-generation product include:

* Rapid Application Builder, a revolutionary new approach that speeds client/server development by utilizing simple point-and-click programming techniques and eliminating the need for 4GLs and pseudo-code.

* an integrated LAN-based repository built on a relational database management system

* extension of the FOUNDATION message-based communications framework to support additional computing environments, such as UNIX (HP-UX and ULTRIX)

* delivery of FOUNDATION as a client/server application, providing scalability and workgroup productivity gains for systems development teams

FOUNDATION introduced its initial client/server development product, FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing, in April 1991. The product is being used in strategic client/server development projects by more than 2,800 developers at 70 companies worldwide, including Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Sprint Corporation, the State of North Carolina and British Columbia Gas.

Andersen Consulting is an international management and technology consulting organization with more than 26,000 persons in 151 offices and 47 countries. The organization helps its clients link technology, strategy, processes and people. Editor's note: Andersen Consulting is not a subsidiary or division of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen & Co.

Andersen Consulting, 69 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602

312-580-0069


New Generation FOUNDATION Development Tools
FOUNDATION EXTENDS INDUSTRY LEAD WITH NEW GENERATION OF CLIENT/SERVER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS

New products heralded by leading industry analysts

SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 1993 -- FOUNDATION, an Andersen Consulting software organization, today introduced the next generation of FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing (FCP), which represents a major advance in client/server systems development.

The new product, reflecting FOUNDATlON's experience with the more than 2,800 developers using the first-generation of FCP, offers dramatic enhancements that ease and accelerate the process for building heterogeneous client/server systems. It also extends FCP's unique communications framework to support additional computing environments.

FCP is the only product available with an advanced, message-based communications framework that overcomes the most important barrier to developing high-end departmental and enterprise-wide client/server systems: How to connect the full range of software, network and hardware environments across an organization. It is this multi-platform communications framework, which incorporates a messaging system and industry standard communications interfaces, that enables FOUNDATION customers to build client/server systems that span departments or enterprises, regardless of computing platform or location.

Major new FCP features include:

* Rapid Application Builder, a revolutionary new approach

  that speeds and simplifies client/server development

* an integrated LAN-based Repository built on a relational

  database management system

* expansion of the FCP communications framework to support

  delivery of applications on UNIX servers

* delivery of FCP as a client/server application

"The next-generation FCP product builds upon FOUNDATlON's more than two years' experience in the field supporting 2,800 systems professionals using our product to develop client/server systems in a range of industries," said Don Dall, Managing Director of FOUNDATION. "We've added both power and usability to our design tools -- enabling systems developers to better leverage FCP's multi-platform communications framework."

FOUNDATION included its customers in the development of the new product, and was recognized by the Orlando, Fla.-based Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) with a quality award for customer involvement in the development of the Rapid application Builder component of FCP.

Major New Features

FCP's new Rapid Application Builder dramatically improves and accelerates the way client/server systems are built by eliminating the need for 4GLs or pseudo-code, required by other client/server development tools. Using simple point-and-click techniques, developers can work interactively with end-users to build pilot client/server applications that respond as live applications and that can be delivered as compiled code and stored in the FOUNDATION repository for future reuse.

The FCP LAN-based repository is built on a fully relational database management system and allows networked workgroups of developers to store and reuse defined data objects for building client/server applications. The repository is integrated with each component of FCP, so information is shared throughout the development process.

FCP now supports development of UNIX servers, including HP/UX and ULTRIX, extending FCP's support for the widest range of platforms in customer environments. Other platforms supported include: OS/2, VAX/VMS and CICS servers, and Windows and OS/2 clients.

FCP is also the first client/server development product to be delivered as a client/server application. Offering the benefits of portability, scalability and true workgroup computing, FCP enables organizations to exploit new computing platforms as their business needs change.

Customer Application

Organizations have begun systems development work with next generation FCP, including Florida Power Corporation, a leading utility located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Florida Power is using the product to design an advanced customer service information system that integrates a range of hardware, software, network and operating environments.

"We are a large organization, with more than 60 developers working on a large-scale client/server project that involves computing platforms ranging from laptops to mainframes," said Mitch Hull, Manager, Customer Service Systems Development, Florida Power. "FCP is the only product on the market that can enable us to achieve our objectives. We already have been successful in getting much of our system up and running using the first generation of FCP. FCP is both easing and accelerating our development work."

Analyst Reaction

Andrew Mahon, of Westport, Conn.-based New Science Associates, a leading technology research firm, said, "FOUNDATION is releasing its next generation of FCP with a decided emphasis on ease of use. In this way, FOUNDATION can compete on an equal footing with some of its lesser-function brethren, but meanwhile maintain a strategic direction towards high-end distributed processing. The new version of FCP is indeed an attractive product."

According to Judith Hurwitz, president of Hurwitz Consulting, a leading industry analyst in the open systems development arena, "FCP represents an important step forward in tools that support development of multi-platform client/server systems. Only with the combination of an advanced communications framework and sophisticated tools can organizations deliver a true client/server capability, which means distributing presentation, data and processing anywhere across the client/server system."

FCP Overview

The new FCP client/server solution is composed of a client/server methodology, development tools and support services. The methodology and tools are built on top of a fully-integrated LAN-based repository that stores and updates design information, which is reused and shared among different FCP tools in the development process, including:

FOUNDATION Design, incorporating systems analysis and design functions, such as Rapid Application Builder and GUI design;

FOUNDATION Construction, which generates code for a wide range of client and server target environments;

FOUNDATION Production, which incorporates FCP's message-based communications framework that shields developers from the complexities of communications among LANs, hardware, software and operating environments regardless of the physical location of data and applications.

FOUNDATION Methods, a field-tested methodology that offers guidance through the unique processes involved in client/server development, combined with project management capabilities from Applied Business Technology's Project Management Workbench.

Services and Support

In support of FCP, FOUNDATION also announced today several new services designed to help organizations develop high-end departmental and enterprise-wide client/server systems. FOUNDATION will offer 13 new education courses, ranging from object-oriented programming to client/server methodologies; a new Critical Resources Group of client/server development experts; and new ServicePacks that combine appropriate services to enhance implementation of FCP.

FCP is available immediately through the FOUNDATION direct sales organization, operating from Andersen Consulting's more than 150 offices worldwide.

FOUNDATION Organization

FOUNDATION introduced its initial client/server development product, FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing, in April 1991. The product is being used in strategic client/server development projects by more than 2,800 developers at 70 companies worldwide, including Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Sprint Corporation, the State of North Carolina and British Columbia Gas.

Andersen Consulting is an international management and technology consulting organization with more than 26,000 persons in 151 offices and 47 countries. The organization helps its clients link technology, strategy, processes and people. Editor's note: Andersen Consulting is not a subsidiary or division of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen & Co.

Andersen Consulting, 69 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602

312-580-0069


WinNews, Monthly PC News Archives for Windows
WinNews

The Monthly PC/Macintosh News Archives for Windows Users

May 10, 1993 -- SEWELL, NJ -- Baker Enterprises announces the release of WinNews, a new monthly computer industry news archive containing full text press releases from throughout the PC and Macintosh industry. All news articles are provided in a single hypertext WinHelp file, complete with an article index, ready for immediate browsing on any compatible PC system running the Windows 3.x operating system.

Simply locate any WinNews file using the Windows File Manager and double-click on the filename to activate the news package. Use the standard WinHelp point and click features to select the desired news group, then individual articles from the displayed list of article titles. Add your own comments and notes with the Windows Annotate features or print individual articles for later reference.

Each WinNews file contains all articles and backgrounder reports electronically distributed during the previous month via our online news service available on America Online. Typical news volume is averaging 200 or more articles per month, and growing rapidly. We also provide special coverage of selected trade shows from time to time as well!

Current news groups cover:

Software (commercial and shareware)

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

* Business/Applications

* Professional/Engineering

* Personal/Educational

* Games

* System/Utilities

* Macintosh Specific

* Miscellaneous

Hardware

--------

* Systems

* Expansion Hardware

* Peripherals

* Macintosh Specific

* Miscellaneous

General Information

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

* Publications/Audio-Video

* General News

A one year subscription for twelve monthly issues on disk via first class mail within the USA is $60, or $75 for airmail shipments elsewhere. Individual sample copies are $5 postpaid. NJ orders should include 6% state sales tax with all orders. Copies may also be obtained from our New Product Information area on America Online, where users will also find the daily news postings and other general information. AOL subscribers can use the keyword  "NEW PRODUCTS"  to quickly locate the area.

Baker Enterprises also produces a PC industry reference database that currently includes information on over 15,700 companies and authors, plus their 42,000+ products. The database is more than just a software locator, as it also includes hardware, peripherals, publications, accessories, supplies, and more --- just about anything and everything relating to the PC industry. Company information includes mailing addresses, telephone numbers (including WATS and support BBS numbers), plus Email addresses and more. The database is available as an online searchable database in our New Product Information area on America Online. The same data is also licensed for monthly worldwide distribution on disk and CD-ROM as the PC Products Database sold by EMS Professional Software of Olney, MD. Individual copies on diskette are $25 plus shipping, with quarterly and monthly subscription options also available.

Our services are provided at no cost to any companies or shareware authors wishing to have their press releases distributed, or their company and product information included in the database. All submissions should be mailed, faxed or Emailed directly to Baker Enterprises. All press releases are processed and available nationwide within one to three days of receipt.

For more information on any of the above mentioned products or services, contact:

  Baker Enterprises             (609) 582-9203  Phone

  20 Ferro Drive                (609) 582-9204  Fax

  Sewell, NJ 08080

  Email via Internet:  rbakerpc@aol.com

  or  America Online:  RBakerPC

For information on ordering copies of the PC Products Database on disk or CD-ROM, contact:

  EMS Professional Software     (301) 924-3594  Phone

  4505 Buckhurst Ct.            (301) 963-2708  Fax

  Olney, MD 20832

  Email via Internet: eengelmann@worldbank.org


The Mortgage Analyzer V1.05
Homeowners can save money with new software Mortgage Analyzer

BOUNTIFUL, UTAH -- May 10, 1993 -- Insight Software Solutions today announced the release - The Mortgage Analyzer version 1.05, a financial software package for the IBM PC. Homeowners can save money by applying loan acceleration concepts to their mortgage. By paying an extra $100.00 a month on a typical $100,000 mortgage, homeowners can save over $90,000 in interest payments. See graph below.

Loan acceleration can be illustrated with recurring extra payments, variable extra payments, variable payments, double principal payments, 13 monthly payments, 26 half month payments, 52 quarter payments and growing equity payments. An accelerated mortgage schedule and/or summary can be viewed or printed by itself or side by side with the basic non accelerated mortgage.

"In 1991, over 4 million new and existing homes were sold. For most people, buying a home will be their single largest expenditure in their life. The financial decisions behind the home buying process can now be easier and interest savings can be realized by use of The Mortgage Analyzer software package." said Michael D. Jones, President of Insight Software Solutions.

Potential homeowners can now compare their mortgage options to determine the best solution for them. Two complete mortgages can be entered and compared. If the effect changing the points and interest rate are desired, simply enter the mortgage information for both mortgages and a sided by side schedule and/or summary is produced allowing the user to visualize the impact.

Other features include tax savings analysis, loan qualification, refinancing and a solve for missing loan value calculator. The program handles fixed, stepped, adjustable and reset rates. Points, daily interest, mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance, property tax and closing cost are accounted for.

Professional reports and schedules can be viewed on screen, printed or sent to an ASCII file. Schedules can be printed either on a yearly or monthly basis, a calendar or fiscal year basis, using cumulative or non cumulative values and using whole dollars or exact cents. All information can be saved and retrieved for multiple clients.

Unlike similar programs, there is no need to wander through endless screens entering data wondering when the last screen is at hand. Mortgage schedule and summary inputs are contained on one screen with the use of function keys to branch out to less common needed items such as 360 interest rate inputs for use with ARMs. The Mortgage Analyzer is menu driven with help for all input fields. The menu, help, look and feel all make the program intuitively easy.

The Mortgage Analyzer is "unusually well-done" and "easy to use, very quick and well documented" said Peter G. Miller, author of The Common-Sense Mortgage and Real Estate Host for America Online. "Two mortgages can be compared side by side, a great feature."

The product is designed for the homeowner or potential homeowner. It can also be used by professionals including accountants, lawyers, financial planners and real estate agents and brokers.

The Mortgage Analyzer can be run on any IBM PC compatible computer with 512K of memory using DOS 2.0 or greater. A hard disk is not required, however it is recommended for use with multiple clients. A printer capable of printing in a condensed mode is required for some reports.

The price of The Mortgage Analyzer is $25.00 and may be obtained from Insight Software Solutions, P.O. Box 354, Bountiful, UT 84011-0354, (801) 295-1890. Site licenses are available.

Founded in 1990, Insight Software Solutions is a producer of financial software packages designed for the professional and the average user. The company provides easy-to-use and feature-rich software at a reasonable price. Sales span four continents including nine countries. Michael D. Jones, founder and President, has over seven years experience in the finance industry. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science and has been awarded the FLMI insurance designation.

ISS Insight Software Solutions

P.O. Box 354, Bountiful, UT 84011-0354

(801) 295-1890;   Fax: (801) 299-1781

BBS: (801) 963-8721 (join conference 4) CIS: (1672,3464)


The Debt Analyzer V1.20
HOPELESSLY IN DEBT? -- THE CURE CAN BE EASY!

BOUNTIFUL, UTAH -- May 10, 1993 -- Insight Software Solutions today announced the release of The Debt Analyzer version 1.20, a financial software package which helps a person reduce and eliminate debt. The IBM PC software accomplishes this by producing a debt elimination schedule or a loan consolidation schedule. The product is designed for consumers who find themselves in debt. It can also be used by professionals including accountants, lawyers, financial planners and real estate and consumer credit professionals.

Major improvements to the new version include the ability to select 9 new debt priority payoff methods, to print a new summary report, to view the sum of all debts and payments on screen at all times, to use an effective interest rate calculator and other miscellaneous items.

"In 1991, over 750 billion dollars were extended to consumes as credit in the United States. In the same year, 880,000 bankruptcies were filed and another 1,123,000 were pending. The Debt Analyzer is a software package which addresses the consumer debt problem in this country and can help bring it under control." said Michael D. Jones, President of Insight Software Solutions.

The debt elimination schedule works by analyzing all debt information and assigning a priority to each debt. Debt information includes minimum payments, current payments, interest rate and loan balance. Once a debt is paid off, the payment for that debt is applied to the next highest priority debt-- accelerating the payoff of the debt. You may choose to have the difference between the current payment and the minimum payment shuffled around and applied to the highest priority debt. You may also choose to add an additional monthly amount to your payment--increasing the acceleration even more. The payment acceleration results in significant interest savings.

You may prioritize the payoff of your debts in any user specified order. However, there are 9 new predefined priority methods available. These include "Highest Interest Rate First", "Smallest Balance First", "Largest Balance First", "Smallest Minimum Payment First", "Largest Minimum Payment First", "Smallest Current Payment First", "Largest Current Payment First", "Shortest Term Debt First" and "Longest Term Debt First".

The new optional summary page contains the following pertinent information: Name of Debt, Loan Balance, Payment Schedule, Number of Months to Pay, Number of Months Saved, Interest Rate, Interest Paid, Interest Saved, Total Interest Paid for all Debts and Total Interest Saved for all Debts. The interest saved and the number of months saved can bear a strong influence on why one should stick to the schedule.

The loan consolidation demonstrates how savings can be incurred by combining high rate debts to one lower rate debt. The term or payment of the consolidated loan can be specified or the sum of all debt payments may be used as the consolidated loan payment.

Professional reports can be viewed on screen, printed or saved to an ASCII text file. All information can be saved and retrieved for multiple clients.

"The debt program is vastly improved--quite an accomplishment when you consider that the original was excellent." said Peter G. Miller, author of The Common-Sense Mortgage and Real Estate Host for America Online. "Note that this program has particular value as a personal finance tool and as a device to help with mortgage loan applications."

The Debt Analyzer can be run on any IBM PC compatible computer with 512K of memory using DOS 2.0 or greater. A hard disk is not required, however it is recommended for multiple client use. A printer capable of printing in a condensed mode is required for some reports.

The price of The Debt Analyzer is $20.00 and may be obtained from Insight Software Solutions, P.O. Box 354, Bountiful, UT 84011-0354, (801) 295-1890. Site licenses are available. Updates to current users are being made at no charge. Normal update fees range from $5.00 to $8.00.

Founded in 1990, Insight Software Solutions is a producer of financial software packages designed for the professional and the average user. The company provides easy-to-use and feature-rich software at a reasonable price. Sales span four continents including nine countries. Michael D. Jones, founder and President, has over seven years experience in the finance industry. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science and has been awarded the FLMI insurance designation.

ISS Insight Software Solutions

P.O. Box 354, Bountiful, UT 84011-0354

(801) 295-1890;   Fax: (801) 299-1781

BBS: (801) 963-8721 (join conference 4) CIS: (1672,3464)


AGE Logic PC X Server for Windows NT
AGE LOGIC ANNOUNCES PC X SERVER FOR MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT

San Diego, CA. May 10, 1993 - AGE Logic, Inc. (AGE) announced XoftWare/32 for Windows NT, AGE's new 32-bit X server software for Microsoft Windows NT systems. XoftWare/32 for Windows NT adds full 32-bit X11R5 server capabilities to 386, 486 and Pentium-based Windows NT systems, enabling users to concurrently access and display Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows NT and network-based Unix applications on the same PC. AGE will demonstrate XoftWare/32 for Windows NT during Windows World '93 in the Microsoft Booth, #W8214.

"In addition to providing full X11R5 compliance, XoftWare/32 for Windows NT includes many unique features, such as XoftStart, RAPID, and our NT-based Multi-Process Startup System (MPSS)," said Craig A. Schmidt, vice president of marketing for AGE.

XoftWare/32 for Windows NT is specifically designed and optimized for the Microsoft Windows NT 32-bit operating system. Fully X11R5 compliant, XoftWare/32 for Windows NT also includes many AGE enhancements. AGE's XoftStart feature automates host login and application start-up through a convenient icon-based click & start feature. MPSS (Multi-Process Start-Up System) allows multiple applications to start simultaneously. CascadeX provides the user with the choice of positioning windows in a Microsoft-like cascading window format or in the standard X Window System geometry windowing format. RAPID (Resource and Performance Interactive Display) lets the user fine-tune X performance and resource utilization by simply sliding a graphical scale. Automatic Font Substitution (AFS) ensures that font-specific information is displayed even when the requested font is unavailable. This is accomplished by locating and substituting the closest available Microsoft Windows NT font for display usage. AGE's Color Map Reservation System (CMRS) lets the user optionally override the standard X color map routines and, instead, preserve the Microsoft Windows NT color map for display clarity and consistency.

Production shipments of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT will begin in conjunction with Microsoft's official shipment of Windows NT. List price will be $495 (US). Multi-Pack pricing and site licenses will also be available. XoftWare/32 for Windows NT will be offered through AGE's worldwide network of distributors and resellers. Custom OEM versions are also available. Interested parties should contact AGE for more information.

AGE Logic, Inc., a privately owned corporation founded in 1984, is a supplier of X Window System software that enables PCs, terminals, workstations and embedded systems to access X applications residing on a variety of host-based systems. Marketed under the XoftWare (pronounced zoft'ware) brand name, AGE offers a full family of PC packaged products for distributors/resellers, systems integrators and OEMs, as well as customized embedded X products for the world's leading terminal, computer and systems companies. AGE's family of XoftWare packaged products support industry standards including Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows, DOS, and Unix. AGE has alliances with major silicon, terminal, and workstation companies to develop highly optimized, hardware-specific X servers tailored to their specifications. AGE is located in San Diego, California and can be reached at (619) 455-8600.

AGE, 9985 Pacific Heights Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121

619-455-8600   Fax: 619-597-6030


Early Start Program for NT-Based PC X Server
AGE LOGIC ANNOUNCES "EARLY-START" PROGRAM FOR NEW NT-BASED PC X SERVER

San Diego, CA. May 10, 1993 - AGE Logic, Inc. (AGE) announced a comprehensive Early-Start Program for Microsoft's Windows NT Beta sites to begin an early evaluation of AGE's new NT-based X server software. XoftWare/32 for Windows NT is AGE's new 32-bit X server software which enables users to concurrently access and display Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows NT and network-based Unix applications on the same PC.

AGE's new Early-Start Program provides Windows NT Beta sites with three (3) prerelease copies of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT compatible with the March Beta release of Windows NT, access to AGE's priority Technical Support program, complete documentation, and three (3) free upgrades to the production release of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT.

"We've had many requests from Microsoft's Beta customers for a pre-release version of our anticipated X server software for Windows NT," said Craig A. Schmidt, vice president of marketing for AGE. "Windows NT users are anxious to evaluate all of the components of their system, including X. The Early-Start Program provides users the opportunity to begin evaluating X server features and performance under the Windows NT operating environment and to receive priority technical support from AGE."

Participation in the Early-Start Program is limited and the fee is $995. Early-Start Program shipments will begin in conjunction with Windows World '93. Potential participants should call AGE directly at 619/455-8600 for more information on the program.

AGE Logic, Inc., a privately owned corporation founded in 1984, is a supplier of X Window System software that enables PCs, terminals, workstations and embedded systems to access X applications residing on a variety of host-based systems. Marketed under the XoftWare (pronounced zoft' ware) brand name, AGE offers a full family of PC packaged products for distributors/resellers, systems integrators and OEMs, as well as customized embedded X products for the world's leading terminal, computer and systems companies. AGE's family of XoftWare packaged products support industry standards including Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows, DOS, and Unix. AGE has alliances with major silicon, terminal, and workstation companies to develop highly optimized, hardware-specific X servers tailored to their specifications. AGE is located in San Diego, California and can be reached at (619) 455-8600.

AGE, 9985 Pacific Heights Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121

619-455-8600   Fax: 619-597-6030


Microsoft Office Includes Best-selling Database
Microsoft Announces New Version of The Microsoft Office to Include Best-selling Database

New Version of The Microsoft Office to Combine Best-selling Desktop Applications in One Integrated Package

SAN FRANCISCO--May 4, 1993--Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill Gates announced today that Microsoft Corporation will ship a new edition of The Microsoft Office that will include Microsoft Access, the phenomenally successful relational database management system for the Microsoft Windows operating system, beginning in early June 1993. The Microsoft Office with Microsoft Access edition will be available in addition to the current version of The Microsoft Office, the best-selling set of desktop productivity applications. Gates made the announcement as part of his keynote speech to 1,500 database developers at DB/EXPO in San Francisco, Calif.

Since its release in November, the Microsoft Access database has sold nearly 800.000 copies and has vaulted into the number-one spot in the PC database category. Over the past two years, The Microsoft Office has been climbing the sales charts, appearing regularly in the top 10 on industry best-seller lists from resellers such as Ingram Micro and Merisel, and has become a more significant part of the overall applications business at Microsoft. Company officials estimate that more than half the sales of Microsoft Excel and Word, the company's two leading applications, will be through The Microsoft Office by the end of 1993.

"The release of Microsoft Access last winter caused a fundamental shift in the PC database market" said Gates. "Its appeal was not just to traditional database developers and users, but to a new category of users who want easy-to-use database functionality that integrates well with their other desktop applications."

"Adding Microsoft Access to The Microsoft Office offering is a natural," said Pete Higgins, senior vice president of desktop applications at Microsoft. "The number-one request from our Office customers has been to add a database. People want to work with data on their desktops, and Microsoft Access is a great fit with Microsoft Excel and Word."

The Microsoft Office with Microsoft Access edition will contain the following applications: Microsoft Access relational database management system (DBMS) version 1.1, Microsoft Word word processing program version 2.0, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program version 4.0, Microsoft PowerPoint presentation graphics program version 3.0 and a license for the Microsoft Mail e-mail package version 3.2 (server software available separately).

One reason for the tremendous success of The Microsoft Office has been the popularity of the Microsoft Windows operating system. With more than 25 million units sold, Microsoft Windows is the best-selling operating system. Increasingly, users of Microsoft Windows are using multiple applications for cross-application tasks such as producing a report that combines text, data and graphics. A recent study by InfoCorp, an industry research firm, reported that the typical user of Microsoft Windows has an average of 7.9 applications.

Microsoft internal data shows that more than 89 percent of its Fortune 500 customers have acquired The Microsoft Office in quantities ranging from a few hundred to several thousand copies. Several of these customers have taken advantage of the flexible options for volume-based licensing available through the Microsoft Select program, which makes it easier for large and multinational organizations to acquire licenses, upgrades and maintenance for The Microsoft Office and other Microsoft products. Industry data also shows a tremendous rate of multiple-application use among database, word processing and spreadsheet users; among licensed users of Microsoft Access, 70 percent are licensed users of either Word or Microsoft Excel.

Corporate Customers Praise The Microsoft Office

"The Microsoft Office has been the foundation of our desktop computing solution for two years. ' said Michael Chang, manager of office/decision support systems at Nissan Motor Corporation. "Adding Microsoft Access to this set of software will make The Microsoft Office by far the most complete software solution on the market."

"We believe that Microsoft has produced a good blend of applications by incorporating Microsoft Access into The Microsoft Office," said Art Beckman, manager of the client support services department at Pacific Gas & Electric. "Microsoft Access is a good, solid database that offers user-friendly functionality that is easy to integrate into our already strong set of Microsoft applications software at PG&E. The Microsoft Office provides a computing solution that increases worker productivity and reduces development costs."

"Microsoft is the leader in providing easy-to-use applications that integrate well together. Now with the inclusion of Microsoft Access, The Microsoft Office becomes an even stronger set of business productivity tools," said Walt Corbitt, chief of information systems, State of Alabama Department of Environmental Management. "The Microsoft Office and Microsoft Access are a perfect match for our work."

"The Microsoft Office is the best all-in-one solution for the desktop. The software set provides everything our team needs for typical end-user tasks," said Richard Boone, manager of technical services at King County Medical Blue Shield. "Now with Microsoft Access, we can take advantage of advanced database technology like Query Tool, Cue Cards and Wizards. The new version of Microsoft Office makes what was great, even 'better."

Specific Product Features

Microsoft Access 1.1

Microsoft Access 1.1 is a planned update to the currently shipping Microsoft Access 1.0. It includes expanded database connectivity, including direct connection to the Microsoft FoxPro database versions 2.0 and 2.5, and connection to ORACLE and Sybase SQL Server via open database connectivity (ODBC); larger maximum database size (one gigabyte); and improved integration with Microsoft Excel and Word.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word, the leading full-featured word processor for Windows, now has more than 4.5 million users worldwide. Dataquest, Inc. recently reported that based on unit market share, Microsoft has become the top word processing company worldwide.

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft recently announced that there are more than 4 million users of Microsoft Excel for Windows worldwide, of which more than 1 million are users who switched from Lotus 1-2-3.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Sales of Microsoft PowerPoint, the easiest way for business people to turn ideas into great presentations, have grown dramatically since Microsoft shipped version 3.0. PowerPoint now has more than 1.75 million users worldwide.

Microsoft Mail

Microsoft has shipped more than 2 million workstation licenses worldwide of Microsoft Mail, the company's robust e-mail package. Since August 1992, Microsoft Mail has been averaging sales of more than 75,000 licenses per month.

Pricing and Availability

The suggested retail price for The Microsoft Office with Microsoft Access edition is $949. It is scheduled to ship in early June. The suggested retail price (SRP) for The Microsoft Office for Windows is $750. The Microsoft Office is also available for the Macintosh platform at an SRP of $750. For more information, call (800) 426-9400.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Corp, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080,  fax: 206-93MSFAX


Microsoft Connectivity Kit for FoxPro 2.5
Microsoft Announces Connectivity Kit for FoxPro 2.5

Developers Can Now Build Client-server Applications Based on Microsoft FoxPro 2.5, Connecting to ORACLE and SQL Server Data

REDMOND, Wash.--May 4, 1993--Microsoft Corporation today announced its Connectivity Kit for the Microsoft FoxPro database version 2.5 for Windows and Microsoft FoxPro 2.5 for MS-DOS. The kit enables developers to build enterprise-wide, client-server applications based on FoxPro 2.5, the best-selling, best-performing dBASE-compatible database management system (DBMS) available. It will be demonstrated in Microsoft's booth (#502) at DB/EXPO '93.

"The Connectivity Kit is our key to client-server computing using FoxPro," said Robert Green, vice president of Information Management Group. "Now we can build distributed applications combining the user interface and programming language of FoxPro with the security and transaction processing of SQL Server and ORACLE. This is clearly the upgrade path for existing Xbase applications."

With the Connectivity Kit, FoxPro 2.5 can be used as a client application to access and manipulate database information on a range of standard and proprietary PCs, minicomputers and servers throughout a multivendor environment. FoxPro 2.5 users also gain the cost savings, flexibility and control associated with client-server computing.

The kit will allow developers to take full advantage of the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) specification. ODBC is an application programming interface for database connectivity that offers access to a variety of PCs, minicomputers and mainframes, including platforms running the Windows, MS-DOS, DEC VMS or Apple Macintosh operating systems.

More than 70 vendors, including Oracle, Ingres and Informix, support ODBC, which is based on the call-level interface specification of the SQL Access Group.

The Connectivity Kit will include library files and documentation that developers need to create FoxPro 2.5-based applications, which are connected to SQL data hosts. Using FoxPro 2.5 for Windows, developers can connect to ORACLE version 6.0 and higher, Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2 and any ODBC-supporting data source. Applications based on FoxPro 2.5 for MS-DOS can access Microsoft SQL Server 4.2.

Since ODBC is an open API, ODBC drivers for other popular enterprise data sources such as Digital's RdB and IBM's DB2 are also under development by independent parties. "We expect the FoxPro 2.5 Connectivity Kit to open up FoxPro to the enterprise, making it an even better downsizing solution," said Tod Nielsen, group product manager for FoxPro at Microsoft.

The announcement of the Connectivity Kit marks the latest addition to the expanding family of FoxPro products. In addition to FoxPro 2.5 for Windows and FoxPro 2.5 for MS-DOS, Microsoft has released the FoxPro Distribution Kit for MS-DOS and Windows and the FoxPro Library Construction Kit, demonstrating its commitment to the FoxPro product line. The Distribution Kits will allow developers to compile and distribute applications to their users royalty free. The Library Construction Kit will let developers create libraries and further extend the tools and environment of FoxPro 2.5.

Now in beta testing, the Connectivity Kit will be available from resellers nationwide by the end of the second quarter of 1993 at an introductory price of $295.

Since its release in January 1993, FoxPro 2.5 has become the best-selling dBASE-compatible database. The product is three times faster in multiuser and multitable operations than its predecessor, the award-winning Microsoft FoxPro 2.0. In December, that earlier version was rated the fastest PC-based DBMS by the National Software Testing Laboratory, outperforming Borland Paradox 4.0, Borland dBASE IV 1.5 and Microrim R:BASE 4.0.

The suggested retail price for either FoxPro version 2.5 for MS-DOS or FoxPro version 2.5 for Windows is $495. To upgrade from Microsoft FoxPro 2.0, the price is $199. For a limited time, this upgrade will be further discounted to the retail channel and will also be available directly from Microsoft to users of competing desktop database products for only $149. This offer expires on June 30, 1993.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Corp, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080,  fax: 206-93MSFAX


Shadow President World Power Simulation
The First Hundred Days:

You Are the President with Shadow President

EVANSTON, IL -- April 29, 1993 -- Today the President of the United States completes his first 100 days in office. President Clinton has faced one of the roughest weeks in his presidency. He faces a new challenge on how to deal with the mounting violence in Bosnia; balancing a further aid package to Russia against the economic needs of the American people; and the defeat of his economic stimulus package.

If you were the President, how would your first 100 days be different? It's easy to find out with Shadow President: The Simulation of Presidential World Power.

This software simulation for IBM and compatible personal computers is based on seven years of Tufts University doctoral research. Shadow President models realistic global responses to your actions as President. You are the President, and it is up to you to create the world of your dreams.

"Shadow President lets you experience the challenge of taking actions that affect the entire world," said company founder, Robin Antonick. "This simulated environment is fun and mentally challenging. Although it allows you to spend many years as President -- assuming your popularity is high enough to be re-elected -- it is interesting to see how your first 100 days would be different."

Armed with social, enconomic, political, and military controls, you wield the power of the greatest nation on Earth. Give a country humanitarian aid. Execute a coup attempt. Grant "most favored nation" status. Initiate a nuclear attack. Your Cabinet of Advisors stands ready to guide you and will update you on world events. You see the ramifications of your actions and the responses of other nations, both friend and foe.

You can explore the world with global, regional and country maps at your command. The CIA World Factbook gives you more than 600 pages of information on over 150 countries, including everything from a country's birth rate and form of government to the phone number of its embassy.

Shadow President embodies the belief that fun and learning are integral partners in the human experience. It has a suggested retail price of $69.95 and is available wherever software is sold.

D.C. True, 1840 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

800-929-1243,  708-866-1864,  Fax: 708-866-1808


30+ Vendors Support Microsoft ODBC at DB/EXPO
More Than 30 Vendors Demonstrate Applications and Drivers for Microsoft ODBC at DB/EXPO

SAN FRANCISCO--May 4, 1993--More than 30 vendors are demonstrating their support for the Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) at DB/EXPO'93, which opened here today. Twelve leading software providers are demonstrating ODBC in the Microsoft Corporation booth (#502), showing a variety of front-end applications, application development tools, relational database management systems and database drivers for ODBC.

"Microsoft is excited to see the tremendous amount of support being shown for ODBC by the ISV community at DB/EXPO," said Jonathan Lazarus, vice president, systems strategy at Microsoft. "Based on our Open Services Architecture, these components and products will allow customers to participate in the democratization of data via ODBC."

The 12 vendors demonstrating ODBC in Microsoft's booth are Apple Computer, Inc.; Blue Sky Software, Inc.; Cognos; Coromandel Industries, Inc.; Hewlett-Packard; Information Builders, Inc.; Ingres; Knowledgeware, Inc.; PageAhead Software Corporation; Powersoft Corporation; Q+E Software; and Tandem Computers, Inc.

In addition to the 12 vendors demonstrating today with Microsoft, 21 software providers are showing ODBC-compliant applications or ODBC drivers in their own booths. Those software providers include the following: Andyne, Approach Software, Chen & Associates, Cincom Systems Inc, DataEase International, Digital Equipment Corporation, Dharma Systems, Fulcrum Technologies Inc, Guild Inc, Indigo Software, MapInfo, Micro Decisionware Inc, Microrim Inc, Oracle Corporation, Quadbase, Raima Corporation, Software Publishing Corporation, Tandem Computers Inc, Trinzic, WATCOM, and XDB.

An additional 40 vendors have also committed to supporting ODBC, most of which expect to deliver drivers or applications supporting ODBC in 1993. In total, more than 75 database and application providers have now endorsed ODBC.

"Industry standards such as ODBC are an important component of Powersoft' s best-of-breed Client-server Open Development Environment (CODE) initiative," said David Litwack, president of Powersoft Corporation. "Early on, we invested significant resources in order to exploit this API's strengths and gradually move away from vendor-specific interfaces. ODBC's acceptance by leading database vendors finally allows us to connect to database products on our 'wish list,' enabling a significant number of corporate sites to benefit from Powersoft products."

"One of the best ways to advance the ODBC specification is to deliver products that customers can apply to real-world needs," said Bruce Dougherty, vice president of Tandem Computers Incorporated, Cupertino, Calif. "To further ODBC as an industry standard that meets those real-world needs, Tandem invites applications and tools providers to work with us to achieve ODBC interoperability. The level playing field created by the standard will allow customers to choose the best database for their requirements, including Tandem's high-function, high-performance NonStop SQL distributed database management system. The multivendor support for ODBC will also promote enhancements to client-server technologies, a significant benefit to customers."

ODBC Provides Common Data Access for Windows and the Macintosh

In July of 1992, Microsoft and Apple announced their support for the combination of Microsoft ODBC and Apple's Data Access Language (DAL). Today at DB/EXPO, Apple and Microsoft are demonstrating the ODBC/DAL client software for Macintosh and Windows, which extends the reach of ODBC to the Apple Macintosh personal computer. Having ODBC on both Windows and the Macintosh gives customers consistent data access for applications on both platforms and makes it easier to develop and deploy client-server databases across both environments.

"Microsoft's ODBC and Apple's Data Access Language together provide a complete cross-platform, data-access solution for client-server computing," said John Nauman, senior director of integration technologies for Apple's enterprise systems division. "Apple extended its Data Access Manager API to include ODBC, and today we announced an ODBC Software Developers Kit for the Macintosh, which will enable Macintosh developers to build applications and drivers for ODBC. Developers will now be able to code to a single data-access API, making their applications easily transportable between Macintosh and Windows."

More on ODBC

An emerging industry standard for client-server database access, ODBC is Microsoft's open and vendor-neutral programming interface for database connectivity, based on the Structured Query Language (SQL) Access Group's call-level interface specifications. ODBC is a cornerstone of Microsoft's vision of Information at Your Fingertips and the Microsoft Windows Open Services Architecture. ODBC provides access to data on virtually all major databases residing on PCs, minicomputers and mainframe systems.

"Bankers Trust provides software to clients who have various types of hardware and software, some on local workstations, some on LANs," said David Osbourne, vice president, Bankers Trust. "We are looking forward to working with ODBC because it provides data location transparency--whereby data can be accessed from a local LAN server or host computer--and promises support for stored procedures and scrollable cursors on any platform. ODBC will allow us to write applications for access to databases on single desktops, LANs, VAX, and IBM mainframes. ODBC will provide us with a single API and greater SQL consistency for access across all platforms."

ODBC can simplify application development by reducing the complexity of interfacing PC-based and Macintosh-based tools to database management systems. Through ODBC, corporations can continue to make use of their existing data while rightsizing their applications using client-server technologies. End users benefit from easy access to large volumes of corporate data, including access to multiple database types from within a single application.

The ODBC specification is a result of development through an open design process in which vendors and corporations have reviewed the specification and participated in developer' s conferences both in the United States and internationally. The Microsoft Software Development Kit (SDK) for ODBC, available to developers, reflects feedback that was actively solicited by Microsoft from more than 300 developers using a pre-release SDK distributed in March 1992 at the Microsoft ODBC Developers' Conference.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every, day.

Microsoft Corp, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080,  fax: 206-93MSFAX


Bill Gates to Deliver PC Expo NY Keynote Address
BILL GATES TO DELIVER PC EXPO KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Microsoft Chairman and CEO Will Discuss Emerging Technologies at Major Computer Trade Show for Corporate Buyers and Resellers in New York

(Fort Lee, NJ, Apr. 30) -- Microsoft chairman and CEO Bill Gates will provide his vision of new computer technology on the horizon at the Eleventh Annual PC EXPO in New York, when he delivers the show's keynote address. PC EXPO in New York, the industry's premier trade show for corporate volume buyers and resellers, will run June 29-July 1, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Mr. Gates will discuss, "New Technology for the Information Age," in his speech, on Tuesday, June 29, at 9 a.m. This is the second time that Mr. Gates will deliver the PC EXPO keynote address. Microsoft will also be exhibiting at the show, along with 800 other exhibitors of computer hardware, software and services. PC EXPO in New York takes place in the country's largest marketplace for computer purchasing. PC EXPO show hours will be: Tuesday and Wednesday --10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday --10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other PC EXPO exhibitors will include: Adobe, Aldus, Apple, AST Research, Borland, Claris, Compaq, Computer Associates, Corel, Dell, Digital Equipment Corp., Epson, GRiD, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Lexmark, Lotus, NEC, NCR, Sharp, Software Publishing, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, WordPerfect, and Zenith Data Systems.

Dan Ness, Senior Industry Analyst at Computer Intelligence (Cl), and a member of the PC EXPO Advisory Board, said Mr. Gates' speech will be relevant to the PC EXPO attendee whether they are buying, selling or using the latest technologies. Cl is a computer industry market research firm in LaJolla, CA.

"With every new technology, there seems to be more questions than answers," said Mr. Ness. "I expect Mr. Gates, in his usual style, to cut through the fog and give us some answers. It will be a must-see presentation."

Mr. Ness will moderate two sessions, "The Great Operating Systems Debate," and "What's Hot and What's Not," as part of the largest PC EXPO Seminar Series ever, with 77 conference sessions running during the show, plus nine Tutorials on Mon., June 28.

Will South, another PC EXPO moderator, noted Microsoft has been successful in desktop computing, and that he hopes Mr. Gates will discuss his company's plans for enterprise-level computing. Mr. South is Manager of Catalog Research and System Development at Automotive Controls Corp., a division of Echlin Inc., in Branford, CT.

"With the introduction of new products, Microsoft wants to capture the market share of enterprise and client/server computing," said Mr. South. "Mr. Gates will have to prove Microsoft's new products have the power, dependability and the ability to co-exist with installed operating systems." Mr. South will moderate the "Coexistence of Windows and Other Environments" session at PC EXPO in New York.

PC EXPO is produced by Bruno Blenheim Inc. (BBI), of Fort Lee, NJ, the country's leading tradeshow management firm for computer technology. In addition to PC EXPO in New York, Blenheim also produces: PC EXPO in Chicago and UNIX EXPO. BBI will also produce NetWorld 93 Dallas, Oct. 5-7,1 993. In 1994, the NetWorld shows will return to Boston and Dallas under their new name, Networks Expo. BBI is part of the Blenheim Group PLC, a worldwide organizer of exhibitions and conferences with more than 250 events, including 32 information technology events.

Bruno Blenheim Inc

Fort Lee Executive Park, One Executive Dr, Fort Lee, NJ 07024

800-829-3976,  201-346-1400,  Fax: 201-346-1532


Free Computeryese/RT Software Upgrade
DIGITAL VISION SHIPS FREE COMPUTEREYES/RT SOFTWARE UPGRADE WITH QUICKTIME SUPPORT AND PHOTOSHOP PLUG-IN

May 3, 1993 -- (DEDHAM, MA) -- DIGITAL VISION, Inc., producer of the only SCSI video frame grabber for the Macintosh, announces a free software upgrade for ComputerEyes/RT users that includes QuickTime support, a Photoshop plug-in, and a new version of the still image capture software.

A QuickTime driver, known as a VDIG, is now included with ComputerEyes/RT that allows you to capture images within Adobe Premier, Movie Recorder, or any other QuickTime compatible application. Simply install the VDIG in the Extensions folder of the System Folder and reboot. The movie capture capabilities of any QuickTime compatible application will awaken, allowing you to grab QuickTime sequences from live video or from your favorite video tape.

The upgrade includes an Adobe Photshop Plug-in. When placed in your Adobe Photoshop folder, this software will add capture capabilities within Photoshop. It's a one-step solution replacing the process of capturing from within ComputerEyes software, saving the image, and then loading it into Photoshop.

A new version of the ComputerEyes/RT application completes the upgrade package. The new version of software now has a motion filter for catching stills from faster moving video. Plus, we've added a field grab option. giving you the ability to grab an image in 1/60th of a second instead of 1/30th. The faster grab also helps improve images from fast moving movies.

"Free software updates are just part of the way we do business''. said Digital Vision President, David Pratt. "While other manufacturers make money selling software upgrades, we feel it's easier to keep our current customers happy and up-to-date so that they'll become repeat customers."

Released in the Fall of 1992, ComputerEyes/RT SCSI grabs full-screen. 640 x 480. 16.7 million color images in 1/30th of a second from any source with NTSC composite video or S-video output. The result is near-photographic quality images in black-and-white, color, or gray-scale. The user can then save the images in MacPaint, PICT, TIFF, or QuickTime files and use them in desktop publishing, graphic arts, image databasing, presentations. or a variety of other applications. ComputerEyes/RT sells for the very affordable price of $599.95.

The software upgrade is available on CompuServe or from the Digital Vision BBS at (617) 329-8387. Those without a modem may contact Digital Vision directly.

Digital Vision Inc, 270 Bridge St, Dedham, MA 02026

617-329-5400;  fax: 617-329-6286


Notator Logic Now Available for Mac & Atari
NOTATOR LOGIC IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ATARI AND MACINTOSH COMPUTERS

May 5, 1993 -- Malvern, PA ---EMAGIC is now shipping NOTATOR LOGIC for Atari and Macintosh computers. This long awaited sequencer/notation program--developed by EMAGIC--is designed to have the same look and feel on both platforms. Like Notator SL, Notator LOGIC uniquely offers the integration of sequencing and notation, while simultaneously assisting in controlling MIDI set-ups.

Notator LOGIC Atari

Notator LOGIC Atari supports the ST, STE, the TT, and the new Falcon 030. The program ships with the newly developed LOG 3 MIDI interface, which has three fully independent MIDI outputs giving 3x 16 additional full-bandwidth MIDI channels. The program' s security key is also built into the LOG 3. The LOG 3 fully supports the UNITOR 2 (hardware expander with extra MIDI inputs, outputs and SMPTE synchronization). In addition, the LOG 3 allows Notator SL users to continue to use Notator (although not on the TT or Falcon) along side of Notator LOGIC.

Upgrades

ENSONIQ Corp (EMAGIC's U.S. Distributor) will offer a limited time direct offer to all Notator, Creator and Alpha users wanting to upgrade to Notator LOGIC on the Atari. This offer will include Notator LOGIC Atari ($699 Value) plus SOUNDSURFER, a new Universal Librarian ($199 Value). The upgrade will cost $299 for Notator users, $450 for Creator users and $479 for Notator Alpha users. Users can also crossgrade to Logic for the Macintosh for the same price (without SOUNDSURFER).

Notator LOGIC update 1.6 for the Macintosh

Version 1.6 update for the Macintosh is now available from ENSONIQ. This is a free update to any Notator LOGIC user. New features include step entry, real-time groove design with percentage quantization, a more powerful real-time transform, environment window enhancements which include buttons, knobs and horizontal faders with grouped control, and significant enhancements in the score, score formatting, and score style windows.

Other EMAGIC news

At the recent Frankfurt Music Messe EMAGIC showed Logic Audio, a program that lets you record/playback up to 4 simultaneous tracks of digital audio (using any of Digidesign's digital audio cards). Recordings can be edited in real-time using the built-in sample editor and are integrated into Notator LOGIC, taking full advantage of its advanced window and environment controls. Logic Audio retails for $999.00 including Notator LOGIC, and is available as an "add on" to Notator LOGIC for $299 retail.

Notator LOGIC features

Notator LOGIC is a brand new program utilizing the latest object oriented programming techniques. LOGIC offers unlimited tracks (any length), unlimited sequences, unlimited polyphony per track, 960 PPQ resolution (auto-dynamically set) and a tempo range from 0.05 to 9999.99 BPM.

LOGIC also allows the user to carry out editing steps in real time, using reversible non-destructive playback parameters. LOGIC offers control over the look of the program by allowing unlimited windows to be opened and manipulated to suit the user needs. This look can be programmed as a screen set, 90 of which are available for each song. In addition edits performed using the event list, matrix or hyper edit, or notation are immediately updated in all other windows.

In the notation department LOGIC has automatic triplet recognition, unlimited number of staves, unlimited number of styles, unrestricted text input anywhere on score page, WYHIWYG (What You Hear Is What You Get) performance, and much more.

For more information on NOTATOR LOGIC, the upgrade program, the 1.6 update or other products available from EMAGIC, please call ENSONIQ at 1-800-553-5151.

EMAGIC is headquartered in Germany and is one of the leading developers in Music software for the Atari and Macintosh platforms. They are the same people who were responsible for the design of Notator SL, the award-winning sequencing and notation program (for the Atari platform).

Ensoniq Corp, 155 Great Valley Parkway, Malvern, PA 19355

215-647-3930;  fax: 215-647-8908


1040 Advantage Interactive Tax Preparation Swr
PRENTICE HALL OFFERS 1040 ADVANTAGE INTERACTIVE INDIVIDUAL TAX PREPARATION SOFTWARE

ATLANTA, May 5 -- Prentice Hall Professional Software, a leader in the accounting software business for over 25 years and developer of the first in-house tax package, offers 1040 Advantage, an interactive tax preparation system based on government forms. Introduced last fall to a limited number of users for processing their 1992 returns, 1040 Advantage is the latest addition to The Prentice Hall Tax Advantage System, which also offers business tax software solutions. 1040 Advantage gives tax preparers a simple, comprehensive tool for individual tax return completion.

1040 Advantage loads directly onto the tax preparer's system with minimal steps and automatically checks disk and memory space. "1040 Advantage, like all our Tax Advantage products, is designed for today's marketplace where each preparer has a computer. The interface, with pull-down menus, hotkeys and pop-up windows, is similar to other popular business software, as well as our new Advantage line products. This means the software is immediately familiar and much easier to learn," said Tax Products Manager Eileen Lichtenfeld, CPA.

Calculation Highlights Highlights of possible calculations with 1040 Advantage include:

* Passive loss limitations, including full and partial

  dispositions, complete AMT recalculation, passive loss

  worksheets, and passive loss summaries for each activity.

* Automatic transfer for dispositions of depreciable assets.

* Alternative minimum tax preferences and adjustments.

* IRA and Keogh contribution calculations and limitations.

* Automobile expense schedule for Schedules C, F, rents,

  and K-1s.

* Options for both personal and business ownership percentages

  for rental properties, with non-business portions of applicable

  mortgage interest and taxes transferred to Schedule A.

* Vacation home limitations.

* Optimization of lump-sum distributions.

* Net investment income and interest expense limitations.

* Section 179 limitations, including the trade or business income

  limits, cost basis, overall expense, and carryover amounts.

Multiple Return Capacity and Electronic Filing Capability

In addition to smaller returns, 1040 Advantage also handles more complex returns and accommodates multiple schedules for rental properties, K-1s, and installment sales. The system includes the optional EFile module for electronic filing of tax returns. The easy-to-use feature offers clients a reporting alternative and ensures the validity of transmitted returns.

Client Selection and Organizer Screens

Selection screens provide the tax preparer with client name, social security number, and return status. The screens also offer brief user comments for maximum control at quick reference. The on-screen organizer allows clerical staff to key directly from the client-completed organizer, conserving valuable professional staff entry time. 1040 Advantage also supports on-line client interviews.

Convenient Review Tools

* Diagnostics compare client returns to IRS statistics and alert the tax preparer to omitted or overridden items.

* Instant tax summary enables preparer to view overall results from any form.

* Built-in tax planner and filing status comparison aids in planning approach and filing option strategy.

* Two-year comparison helps explain tax increases or decreases.

Other Preparer Tools

1040 Advantage supports multiple preparers and most states, including many part-year and nonresident computations. The system produces customized letters and filing instructions and prepares billing invoices with flat fee rates or different rates per form. The software provides the tax preparer with a pop-up calculator, memo pad, and built-in loan amortization calculator, as well as the ability to import client data directly from Quicken and Pacioli personal checkbook programs.

System Requirements

1040 Advantage is designed for LAN environments as well as a single PC, compatible under DOS 3.1 or higher. The software requires 640K of RAM with 510K free. For a limited time, Prentice Hall is offering the 1992 version of 1040 Advantage at the trial price of $19.95. The promotion also offers the 1993 version at the renewal price of $395, a savings of $200 off the list price.

Prentice Hall Professional Software was the first organization to introduce accountants to the profitability of automated in-house tax preparation with its venerable Software 1040 package, a batch entry system designed for mid-range IBM computers as well as PCs.

The company is the leading supplier of tax, accounting, audit, and real estate management software. It is a unit of Simon & Schuster's Business, Technical, and Professional Group. Simon & Schuster is a Paramount Communications company engaged in professional, consumer, and educational publishing worldwide. Prentice Hall Professional Software can be contacted at P.O. Box 723597, Atlanta, GA 31139, or by telephone at (800) 241-3306, or (404) 432-1996 in Atlanta.


Duxbury Braille Products Newsletter, April 1993
Duxbury Systems - Duxbury Newsletter #18, April 1993

Professional Braille Production Products Since 1975

Duxbury Systems, Inc.

435 King Street, P.O. Box 1504

Littleton, MA 01460 U.S.A.

Tel- (508) 486-9766;  Fax. (508) 486-9712

CompuServe: 76150,2046

Frequent readers will quickly notice the change in format commencing with this newsletter. Rather than clumping the news into departments, the newsletter will be composed of stories, such as this one, with an author and title. We hope that this new format will make it easier for you to find the subjects that interest you. We're still scheduling issues approximately twice each year.

As in the past, the newsletter is available in braille at no charge. All you have to do is ask for it! If you know of anyone else who might be interested in receiving this newsletter, please let us know what format they prefer, and we'll be happy to update our mailing list. Finally, please let us know if we have misspelled your name or address, or if you are receiving more than one copy of this newsletter. Thank you.

In this newsletter:

New News is Good News by Matt Sullivan

What's Up with DUXWP by Peter Sullivan

Improving Technical Support by Joe Sullivan

Bulletin Board News by Don Breda

Compatibility with ICADD SGML Coding by Joe Sullivan

Miscellaneous Technical Notes by Joe Sullivan

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

What's Up with DUXWP, by Peter Sullivan

In the year since its release, there have been several changes made to DUXWP, most of which deal with the way it interacts with other software. The original version of DUXWP required quite a bit of memory--nearly 530 kilobytes ! This proved to be a problem for many users, particularly those running speech software on non-386 systems. Newer versions require only about 470 kilobytes, though we still recommend a system with at least 500 kilobytes free for full functionality.

In addition to the memory-related problems, we believe that the following problems have been fixed: (1) The stubborn printing behavior with LaserJet clones and unusual braille printing equipment, (2) the incompatibility with HumanWare's MasterTouch speech program, and (3) functioning from within Windows 3.1 running in 386 enhanced mode.

In fact, DUXWP will now run in any Windows configuration we have tested. For those users with a 386 machine, DUXWP can run in its own window, alongside WordPerfect for Windows. Speaking of WordPerfect for Windows, the new 5.2 version can be used as input for DUXWP.

A special note for MasterTouch users: While DUXWP will now work with this program, you must press the shift and alt keys where the DUXWP manual says to press the alt key alone, and be sure the computer has enough low DOS memory available to run DUXWP.

If you are a registered customer experiencing any of the above problems, or if your version of DUXWP is earlier than 1;5, then contact us prior to May 1st for a free maintenance update. You can acquire the update through our Bulletin Board (see below), or you may call or fax us specifying your serial number and preferred disk size. After May 1st, regular update prices apply. To find out your version of DUXWP, use the "File, About DUXWP..." selection from the menu.

How does one purchase DUXWP if they don' t have it already? See the end of this newsletter. DUXWP is a stand-alone product (item #18-C9), but is also a subset of the MS-DOS Translator (item #18-C1). Existing users of the MS-DOS Translator can acquire DUXWP by updating (item #18-C1-U).

Improving Technical Support, by Joe Sullivan

Back in the "good old days" of the mid-70's, when our customer base numbered in the tens, it was possible to provide effective customer support on a relatively informal basis. The customer would call us (or at times it was just me), we (or I) would do our damedest to answer the question or solve the problem, and then we'd go back to hours or even days of further work on the software before the next call came in. The problems were fewer, too; the software itself was simpler, and it operated in simpler environments, so that all the possibilities could be checked more thoroughly. The first user-discovered bug, the trauma of which I still remember well, wasn't reported for three years !

All that has changed, mostly for the better. Our most popular Braille Translator does a great deal more than the mid-70's model, yet costs 1/50th the price. We have about 200 times as many customers now as we did then, so even at those much lower prices, we can keep a larger staff going--six persons full-time, one part-time at this writing. The only problem is that doing things the "old" way makes it hard to keep up with support calls while continuing to carry the software development forward. The cause of this problem is obvious enough -- 200 times as many customers are being supported by only six times as many employees. Still, we feel strongly that both development and support are essential to our customers' interests and to our own. So, we are working on better and more efficient support methods.

One of these methods is the electronic bulletin board system (BBS), operated by Don Breda (see separate article) . BBS ' s and other forms of electronic mail have been around for a long time, but only recently has their usage begun to take off. This has much to do with the hardware. Compared to the "inexpensive" modems of a few years ago, today's modems are more affordable, faster, and easier to use. To top these advances, we now have the political stimulus afforded by Vice President Gore' s interest in the "Electronic Highway." Clearly electronic communications is coming of age, and we have committed ourselves to making the best of it. From the user's point of view, our BBS is a fast, efficient way to check for specific improvements or generally "what' s new", and to download the latest versions (within a year of purchase or paid update), at virtually any convenient time.

Another change we're making is to separate, procedurally, the two functions of technical support and development. In other words, the person providing technical assistance is not the programmer, but a support specialist who consults with the programmer(s) only as needed, freeing the latter to concentrate more on development activity. This division of labor has numerous, long-range benefits for all concerned, including an increase in the overall number of people who are able to address questions. It does, however, mean a shift towards a more formal as well as indirect process.

Specifically, we ask that you be ready with the following information when you call for support, so that we can better make this work: (1) The identity of the Duxbury product in question, (2) your license (serial) number for that product, (3) model and version numbers for any hardware and software items involved in the question, including your computer, braille embosser or other peripherals, operating system, word processor or composing program, etc. (4) a specific example illustrating your question or difficulty, if that is at all possible. Often such an example takes the form of corresponding input and output files, which we may need you to send us in order for us to understand and work out the problem.

Items 1 and 2 are required partly to determine the version and release date, but frankly this is mainly to help us be sure that we are using our customer-supported resources to meet customers' needs, not to supply oral documentation for someone who has dishonestly copied the software. Items 3 and 4 help us to "pin down" the problem. There are an enormous number of variables in a computerized braille production setup. If we can "rule out" many of them immediately, the problem will be easier to locate.

Changes such as these typically involve a few wrinkles, especially at first, that may take a little time to iron out. But, given that time, we anticipate that communications, including technical support, will become even easier and more effective than in the "good old days."

Bulletin Board News, by Don Breda

The Duxbury bulletin board is the latest in our efforts to serve our customers with software updates and technical support in the most efficient manner possible. Several customers voiced their interest in a bulletin board and so it came to be.

The bulletin board, or BBS, was originally designed with two purposes in mind: (1) To provide software updates to registered customers who were familiar with telecommunications, and (2) so that registered customers could send us files to assist us in providing technical support.

The BBS is now being used for these purposes and a few more. For instance, customers and non-customers alike can use the BBS to download the latest demonstration versions of our software products so that they can evaluate them at their own leisure. We hope that this will bring us additional customers and spread the word about our products.

The BBS is organized into file and message areas. Message area one and file area one, for example, are for anyone who decides to call the BBS. The file area contains all of our demonstration programs, freeware and archiving utilities to expand the files you download. The corresponding message area allows anyone to upload and leave messages for us. All other message areas (numbered 2 and up) are accessible only by registered customers with an access code, for up to a year after purchase or paid update. In all areas, history (.HST) files are maintained so you can quickly determine what enhancements have been added, and when.

The bulletin board can run at any speed from 300 baud all the way up to 14.4 BPS, with automatic detection. You should use a setting of 8 bits and no parity. Please call Duxbury to request access if you're a registered customer. If you are not, but would like to look around and download some demonstration programs, feel free. The BBS number is (617) 767-5964. The voice line for the system operator (me) is (617) 767-5916.

We hope that you find this bulletin board to be useful. Please feel free to leave us your feedback, good or bad, in a message area, or send it by mail, fax or telephone. I should note that we have already heard back from users who don't own telecommunications equipment, and who feel that they may be somehow "left out." While the bulletin board is the most efficient way to handle many types of support, the old methods (phone calls, faxes, letters, this newsletter, etc.) also still work!

Compatibility with ICADD SGML Coding, by Joe Sullivan

In Newsletter 17, we discussed the concepts behind the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), its relevance to braille production and some of the history of its use for that purpose. We also mentioned that the International Committee on Accessible Document Design (ICADD) was gravitating towards SGML as the basis for establishing standards for document encoding, so as to assure the broadest possible accessibility. In SGML terms, a formal definition of a coding system is called a Document Type Definition or DTD. (Take heart, we're just about through with the alphabet soup !) ICADD has in fact developed two DTD' s, one establishing a minimum set of markup codes for accessible documents, the other defining a fuller set.

The minimum set has the advantage of simplicity, both for direct human coding and as a target for conversion from other sources, and is adequate for quite simple documents. The full set can handle greater complexity in document structure. Thus the minimum set has a more short-term purpose, with the full set expected eventually to supplant it as appropriate conversions are defined. Of course, the full set itself will undoubtedly evolve as dictated by experience and emerging needs.

For users of current Duxbury software, ICADD-coded SGML files can be regarded as just another file to be converted to a "Duxbury dollar-coded" text file (or maybe a WordPerfect file, if you prefer to think that way) before translation to braille. In fact, if you are accustomed to our text files, you will probably find SGML files to be relatively easy to work with as sources, because the two file types have a lot in common. Both, for example, are instances of ASCII text files, which means you can use the same editor for both kinds of files. Furthermore, you can build a converter for your own text editor using macros, global replacements and the like. Of course, we're also working on more automated methods, and already have some crude but helpful "tools" for this purpose. I've also written a paper that explains, in layman' s terms, what SGML is all about, and why it' s good for braille. It also touches on why SGML is complementary to the Unified Braille Code (UBC), which was also briefly described in the last newsletter.

Incidentally, BANA's UBC Research Project has progressed to the point where a proposed method of code extension is under review. I hope to have more to report next newsletter.

The easiest way to get access to the SGML paper and conversion tools, and to keep up with the tools as we improve them further, is to join our BBS. Or if the BBS is not possible for you just now, contact us and we'll send a disk at no charge; the only requirement is that you be a registered MS-DOS Translator customer with a sincere interest in SGML, and that you tell us how it works out for you.

Miscellaneous Technical Notes, by Joe Sullivan

I'm not sure that I should be writing this article, as GUI interfaces, LANs, font handlers and the like are beginning to make some of my older technical skills seem, well, older. Still, with a bit of borrowing from Peter, Don and Matt, here goes. Additional notes are available in the history (.HST) files on our BBS system (see Don's article).

The dot size and other aspects of the simulated braille fonts may now be reconfigured by the MSDOS Translator, DUXWP and Edgar. With this same release, we've added support for the HP DeskJet.

The $pi command has been expanded to support Enabling Technologies' ETGRAPHX braille graphic files in addition to TeleSensory graphic files. This is only applicable to the MS-DOS translator.

When using "Dux-Bridge" on the Macintosh, it may help to realize that there is a difference between the way Dux-Bridge looks at a page and the way a human looks at the same page. In particular, Dux-Bridge treats the page as if it had been composed entirely in a fixed-pitch font. Consequently, if it is possible, you can "help" Dux-Bridge by applying a fixed-pitch font, such as Courier, to the entire document before printing to disk with Dux-Bridge. Naturally, you do not need to retain the document in that form for other purposes.

We're sometimes asked whether we will be providing Edgar, or some equivalent means of direct braille editing, on the Macintosh. We have no immediate plans for such a product, mainly because most Mac keyboards cannot accept six-key data entry. This may be changing, however. In the meantime, one enterprising user has managed, to our pleasant surprise, to run Edgar on a Macintosh using SoftPC! Edgar uses the PC architecture in some fairly deep ways, and we had not expected SoftPC to provide such a thorough emulation of that architecture. If you are a Macintosh user and a six-key braillist, you may want to give us a call --we can send you a free demo disk to try it out for yourself.

A much-requested update of Edgar, to permit display of the file as ordinary ASCII characters on screen, is ready. In ASCII mode, Edgar can now be used for six-key braille editing by blind persons using ordinary screen access tools.

The right-context or look-ahead capability has been improved in the Translator proper (TRANST). This has helped us make a considerable improvement in the accuracy of the braille-to-print tables for the French supplement (FRABP.BTB). While speaking of French, we were pleased to hear of the formation of the "Autorite Internationale du Braille Francophone", which like BANA and BAUK will constitute an authority that may help remove slight differences in French braille practice from place to place.

PIMBRI of the MS-DOS Translator, and DuxBridge on the Macintosh, now have a facility for treating wide tables in "partitioned" format--that is, putting as many columns side-by-side as will fit spatially in the braille, then taking as many additional columns as will fit (repeating the first column as presumably consisting of "row headers"), etc. until all columns have been processed.

The American and British tables have been updated, mostly to follow some rule changes but also to correct the usual handful of obscure words.

A few Edgar users have reported occasional keyboarding problems, which we believe are related to a memory architecture issue (in the handling of the so-called "A20 line"), which is described in a recent issue of Byte Magazine as causing occasional keying glitches in general editing software such as WordPerfect. If you think you have been similarly affected, we may be able to help you work around it, pending a more permanent solution.

OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The following is a summary of our principal products and prices. As many of you know, we work with many braille codes and grade 2 languages (e.g. Arabic and Swahili) and operating environments other than those listed. Please contact us for details on additional products and prices. All products, unless otherwise indicated, are sold as a single-user license. Although not explicitly listed, every product has a corresponding "site license" (unlimited users at one location) at a price of five times that of the single-user equivalent. Our products generally require a hard disk for convenient operation. Documentation and operating language for all software obtained directly from us is in English; contact us regarding suppliers of versions that operate in other languages. All products carry a full 90-day warranty.

All orders must be prepaid in US$ by check, money order, Discover, Visa or MasterCard, or shipped COD, unless received from a government agency or an existing customer with a credit application on file. Massachusetts customers must add 5% sales tax or supply exemption form. Shipping is free only for ground shipments to North American destinations. For overseas and faster shipping methods, please call for a quote.

IBM PC (MS-DOS) Products

18-C1   Duxbury Braille Translator .....................  $495

18-C1-U Duxbury Braille Translator Update* .............  $175

18-C3/C4/C5 Nemeth/Spanish/French

            supplements to item C1 ...............each at $195

18-C6   Duxbury Braille Editor (EDGAR) .................. $295

17-C6-U Duxbury Braille Editor (EDGAR) Update* ..........  $99

18-C9   Duxbury Braille Translator for WordPerfect

                                          (DUXWP)** ..... $295

18-C9-U Duxbury Braille Translator for WordPerfect

                                   (DUXWP) Update   .....  $99

Windows Products

18-C10  Duxbury Braille Board/MS Windows ................ $295

18-C11  Duxbury Braille Font for ATM/Windows ............ $99

Macintosh Products

18-C2   Duxbury Braille Translator/Macintosh ............ $495

8-C2-U  Duxbury Braille Translator/Macintosh Update* .... $175

18-C12  Duxbury Braille Font for ATM/Macintosh  ........   $99

Please specify 3-1/2" or 5-1/4" diskette size when ordering MS-DOS or Windows products.

*All update orders must be accompanied by a valid serial number from the initial purchase.

**This product is included with products 18-C1 and 18-C1-U. As a stand-alone product, DUXWP is recommended for new users who need fast, easy and accurate braille from WordPerfect 5.x files.


The Shareware Compendium from ASP
LEADING TRADE ASSOCIATION BOOK DETAILS 1,100 SHAREWARE PRODUCTS

April 30, 1992 -- Muskegon, Michigan -- Almost 1,100 programs, marketed through the shareware ("Try Before You Buy") marketing concept, covering hundreds of subject categories, are detailed in a new book titled The Shareware Compendium, edited by Rob Rosenberger and published by the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).

With over 700 cross-referenced and well-indexed pages, this massive book will serve as an invaluable guide to those who want to find the very best software products that will fit not only their personal needs but their pocketbook as well.

Each program listing in The Shareware Compendium has detailed descriptions, hardware and software requirements, registration fees and benefits of registration. Separate appendices list the programs by author or company and how to contact them to order or get support. Also listed are hundreds of BBSes and disk vendors where evaluation copies can be obtained either free or inexpensively.

The book opens with an introduction by Jim Button, one of the pioneers in the shareware world. It follows with solid information about what shareware is and how this method of marketing software benefits both you and the authors. It also contains information about the Association of Shareware Professionals, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the shareware marketing principle.

For anyone who is serious about selecting quality software products for their everyday use, The Shareware Compendium will provide an irreplaceable reference resource that will allow them to pick and choose the programs that they're most interested in trying out.

Those unfamiliar with shareware should buy a copy of this book, if for no other reason than to see how they can expand their choices of software by considering the most popular, fastest-growing segment of the software market today.

The Shareware Compendium has been years in the making. An interesting side note is that this up-to-date version was largely "written" by an intricate software package developed by the editor, Rob Rosenberger. It compiled the descriptions, indices and table of contents from materials submitted by the individual authors. The software itself, notes Mr. Rosenberger, took nearly a year to perfect.

The Shareware Compendium lists for $24.95 and can be found in local bookstores, or can be ordered by your bookstore from Business One/Irwin by its ISBN (1-55623-914-9). Alternatively, copies can be ordered directly from the ASP's World Headquarters at the list price plus shipping and handling charges. Contact Jan Abbott (ASP Executive Director) at 616-788-5131 or FAX 616-788-2765 for further information.

Association for Shareware Professionals

545 Grover Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427


Europress BBC Gardeners' World 3D Designer
Watch Your Garden GROW with BBC Gardeners' World 3D Designer from Europress Software

May 13, 1993 -- Have you ever been lost in a worl dof abics delavayi var Forestil or planted acid loving plants in alkaline soil, only to watch them fade away? Or do you perhaps wish to dig further into your plant knowledge, produce a 'things to do' sheet for the seasons, and create that patio garden which you've been meaning to do for years?

Europress Software have sprung up with the answer to all gardeners' needs, with an easy to use, well designed computer software program. All the information you need is at your fingertips, including instructions on how to install the software, helpful on-screen icons to assist you through designing your garden, a detailed database of plants, bushes and trees, plus a versatiel choice of garden conditions which enable you to design your garden according to your needs.

BBC Gardeners' World 3D Designer has been created to cater for the needs of all gardeners, from the 'novice' gardener to the 'well seasoned', and includes the following features:

* Easy to use - no previous typing/computer knowledge necessary

* 3D garden effects, plus ability to view from any angle in the

  garden or house - ideal for those awkard corners

* Ability to see your garden through the seasons, watch colours

  change plus see plant growth from year 0 to year 3,000!

* Create a garden from scratch, or change your existing garden -

  perfect for a 'spring clean'!

* Work book of over 500 plants with English and Latin plant

  names, plus descriptions. You can even add your own plants,

  giving you a personzlised database.

* Produces a 'things to do' list to take you through the seasons

  - a timely reminder to prune those roses!

* Includes ponds, greenhouses, fences and walls in your 'dream

  garden' - the choice is endless

* Choice of garden size from 1m to 1,000m squared which means

  that you can cater for anything from a window box to a garden

  the size of Windsor castle!

* Ability to print off your garden plan which can be used as a

  handy reference sheet.

* On-screen warning stops you planting in the wrong place, and

  gives practical advice - essential for the novice gardener.

* Caters for all gardening conditions i.e. acid/aklaline soil,

  north/south facing, therefore covering all the options

  available to your.

So now you need not be afraid to try out a tiarella wherryi or design that exclusive waterfall and rose arbour you've always dreamed about. 3D Designer is a small investment that promises a big growth in return!

About the Author

The creator of 3D Designer is Janet Nicholson. Janet studied at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology where she received an honours degree in Physics. Her interest in home computing began in the early days with an Ohio Scientific Superboard 2 equipped with a then state of the art 4K memory. She worked for ten years at the University of Manchester's Computing Centre where she came into contact with a wide variety of platforms from supercomputer to micro. She has worked with applications covering the range of university disciplines specialising in database management systems. Janet's interest in gardening has grown over the years - she has two allotments and a large garden where she takes particular pleasure in encouraging the wildlife. It was a natural step therefore for Janet to combine gardening with her training in computing when she took up full time computer software design from her home in Macclesfield which she shares with her partner Richard and son Robert.

3D Designer works with any IBM PC with a minimum of 512K RAM, VGA compatible 16 color/EGA graphics and Microsoft compatible mouse. Release date: Spring 1993. Price 19.99 British Pounds.

Europress Software

Europa House, Adlington Park

Macclesfield SK10 4NP United Kingdom


Dynodex Full Featured Address Book for Windows
AVAILABLE AT RESELLERS NOW: DYNODEX FOR WINDOWS USERS

CUPERTINO, CA -- Dynodex, the first full-featured address book software for IBM PC and compatibles users, begins shipping to resellers today. The new software from Portfolio Software, Inc. allows Microsoft Windows users to manage their contacts and print address books for many personal organizers.

Dynodex carries a suggested retail price of $89.95, and is available at resellers nationwide as well as direct from Portfolio.

The new address book manager offers a pre-formatted Entry Screen, as well as 22 user rename able fields; an extensive notes field that holds up to 5,000 characters, all of which are search able; four phone number fields; three dedicated fields to group names by category, or include a salutation, next action information or other special flags; and a date field for birthdays, deadlines or other dates. Dynodex offers several data entry options including automatic initial caps or all caps;

Shorthand Keys to type a partial value; customizable field labels and tab order, and repeatable field entry from the previous record to save data entry time.

Dynodex gives users many sophisticated database functions such as a Search function that instantly selects subsets based on multi-level query with two-line selection, and a set of eight logical and arithmetic operators. Sorting can be done by three-key, ascending or descending, on any field. Dynodex offers high-speed find, change, global delete and delete duplicates features. To share common addresses across a work group, Dynodex has a Merge command. Users can mark specific records to create ad hoc lists; and frequent find, select, import and export menus let users save often-used settings in a pop-up menu for quick, one step access.

Dynodex can dial any phone number from within the application; and users can define dialing prefixes and suffixes for long distance, credit card or PBX calls. And, users can choose tone or pulse dialing through their modems.

Dynodex offers a wide variety of printing options from any size address page to mailing labels, Rolodex cards and envelopes. All page sizes and layouts are customizable, giving users maximum flexibility in how they can print their data. Dynodex prints single and double-sided pages; prints in any font, size or style on a field-by-field basis; prints fields in any order and in any position, and entry length can be varied or fixed to a specified number of lines.

Included with Dynodex are pre-set page formats for most personal organizers including Day-Timer, Day Runner and Time/Design, eliminating the need to spend time designing layouts. The program can break pages on a new letter of the alphabet or print continuous listings, depending on user preference. It also includes pre-set formats for most laser label and card sizes such as Avery or Paper Direct. When printing envelopes, Dynodex can print return addresses and offers optional printing of Post Net bar codes, speeding up mail delivery.

Dynodex requires an IBM PC or 100% compatible, two megabytes of RAM (four megabytes of RAM recommended) and Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or higher.

Portfolio Software offers a comprehensive user manual and on-line help. Free technical support is offered to all registered users; and free e-mail support is available via CompuServe, America Online, Connect and AppleLink.

Users can call Technical Support at (802) 865-3300 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Standard time; or FAX questions to (802) 865-4300. Technical support is also available via CompuServe (75300,520), America Online, Connect and AppleLink (PORTFOLIO).

Portfolio Software, Inc. is a leading personal organization software developer and marketer across multiple-platforms. Portfolio is headquartered in Cupertino, CA, with development and technical support offices in Williston, VT. Porfolio products are sold through Ingram, Merisel, Kenfil, Egghead, Mac and PC Connection, and many domestic mail order and international distributors. Other Portfolio products include Dynodex for Macintosh, DynoPage, DynoPaper, SuperGlue and SmartScrap.

Portfolio Software Inc

10062 Miller Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014-3471

408-252-0420;  fax: 408-252-0440


DynoPage Printing Utility for Windows
NEW DYNOPAGE EXTENDS PRINTING OPTIONS FOR WINDOWS APPLICATIONS

Making Printing Personal to Fit Individual Needs

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- April 23, 1993 -- DynoPage, a new utility program that enhances the printing capabilities of most Windows applications, was announced today by Portfolio Software,

Shipping today, DynoPage 1.0 for Windows is a print application/driver that allows users to print any file on any page size. Users can create mini-pages for personal organizers, appointments books and calendars. DynoPage also prints booklets, manuals, thumbnail proofs and trifold brochures. Because DynoPage can print pages that are smaller than the paper normally printed on -- 8-1/2 x 11 -- it can fit multiple pages on each sheet of paper.

The product retails for $89.95, and is available from resellers nation-wide, as well as direct from Portfolio. DynoPaper, special personal organizer laser paper in 6-and 7-ring and A4 formats can be ordered from Portfolio and resellers for use with DynoPage.

Brian Smiga, Portfolio's co-founder and general manager, said, "Printed output is an important part of communication and presentation. With DynoPage, you can extend the printing capabilities of your favorite programs to get the type of personalized output you want such as booklets and pages for Day Timers and Day Runners."

DynoPage is both a printer driver and an application. Users can set up DynoPage to work transparently with all their Windows applications. The program is installed through the standard Windows program manager. The quick setup also includes an "un-install" option to easily remove the program if necessary.

After initial setup, DynoPage takes over any application's print routine and gives the user flexibility in how documents are printed. Dialog boxes allow users to choose layouts, and provide information about print options.

DynoPage extends the print options of most Windows software giving users the added choices of double-sided and printing any page size including formats for all personal organizers, thumbnails, brochures and booklets. DynoPage ships with over 200 layouts including formats for Day-Timer, Day Runner, Filofax, Franklin and other organizers.

A QuickStart tutorial is included with DynoPage, and a comprehensive "reference" section in the manual lets users access information quickly.

As with all Portfolio products, DynoPage is packaged in all recycled or recyclable materials.

Smiga added, "Macintosh users are passionate about DynoPage because it enables them to extend their printing possibilities, and it will be exciting to see Windows users experience the same benefits. One thing is for sure -- DynoPage will help Windows users to make their printing more personal."

Portfolio expects DynoPage technology to be widely licensed by companies who want to bring booklet, personal organizer and portable printing to their products. Companies interested in licensing DynoPage should contact Cynthia J. DeForge, product marketing manager at Portfolio in Cupertino, CA.

System Requirements

DynoPage runs on an IBM PC or 100% compatible computer under Microsoft Windows 3.1. It requires a 286 computer with a minimum of two MB RAM (a 386 or 486 with at least four MB RAM is recommended), a VGA or SVGA display and adapter, any printer supported by Windows, MS-DOS 3.3 or later; and a mouse or other pointing device is recommended.

Portfolio Software, Inc.

Portfolio Software, Inc. develops and markets personal organization and utilities software for Windows and Macintosh platforms. The company is headquartered in Cupertino, CA, with development and technical support offices in Williston, VT. Portfolio products are sold through Ingram, Merisel, Kenfil, Egghead, Mac and PC Connection, and many domestic mail order and international distributors. Portfolio products include award-winning Dynodex, DynoPage, DynoPaper, SuperGlue and SmartScrap.

Portfolio Software Inc

10062 Miller Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014-3471

408-252-0420;  fax: 408-252-0440


Microsoft Upgrades Word for MS-DOS to Ver 6.0
Microsoft Upgrades Word for MS-DOS

Version 6.0 Brings New Ease-of-use Features to Current Users

REDMOND, Wash.--May 6, 1993--Microsoft Corporation today simultaneously announced in Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States an upgrade to Microsoft Word for the MS-DOS operating system. Microsoft Word version 6.0 for MS-DOS is designed to simplify common word processing tasks and bring new functionality to the millions of Word for MS-DOS users in the United States (and in Europe, where Word for MS-DOS is the leading character-based word processor). The upgrade also aligns Microsoft Word for MS-DOS more closely with other members of Microsoft's word processing family, including Microsoft Word for Windows and Microsoft Word for the Macintosh.

"We've seen a dramatic shift away from character-based MS-DOS word processors as users move to the Windows and Macintosh operating systems," said Pete Higgins, senior vice president of desktop applications at Microsoft. "As that shift continues, many of our customers need to support a mix of users on all three platforms. We designed version 6.0 as a great upgrade for current users of Word for MS-DOS who still need a character-based word processor that requires minimum disk space and can run well on an 80286 or a low-end 80386 microprocessor machine. We also wanted to incorporate ease-of-use features similar to those in Word for Windows and Word for the Macintosh to make it easier for customers to operate in a cross-platform environment."

Drag and Drop editing, Tables, TrueType fonts and Automatic Bullets are among the features that make Microsoft Word 6.0 for MS-DOS a valuable upgrade for current users who want to make everyday word processing easier.

"I especially like the new high-resolution Print Preview mode in Word 6.0 for MS-DOS," said David Huxford, president of Financial Computer Support, Inc., a Maryland-based company with more than 800 financial and money management planning offices across the country. "And the new menu structure is more consistent with the other Microsoft programs we use, including Word for Windows, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint."

New Features

Users who upgrade to Microsoft Word 6.0 for MS-DOS can take advantage of the following new features:

* New Table tool inserts a table in one easy step

* Automatic Bullet feature instantly adds bullets or numbers

  to selected text

* Drag and Drop editing, pioneered in Word for Windows and Word

  for the Macintosh, now is implemented in Word 6.0 for MS-DOS

* TrueType fonts provide professional-quality output on printed

  documents

* New Ribbon gives one-click access to common formatting

  functions, such as changing fonts, indenting or unindenting,

  and making text bold, italic or underlined

* Grammatik grammar checker proofreads documents and catches

  grammatical errors

* Print Preview mode can magnify images from 50 percent to

  200 percent

* New Print Merge Helper gives step-by-step guidance for

  creating mail merges

* Special symbols and foreign language characters are

  conveniently available on a single palette

* Multilingual Spelling Checker checks multiple languages in

  a single pass

* Line and Border tools frame tables and text and add visual

  interest to documents

* Integrated outlining with the Outlining Toolbar makes

  organizing long documents easier

* New macros simplify creation of envelopes and mailing labels

  in all the most popular sizes

* Word 5.0 Transition Help explains changes between Word for

  MS-DOS versions 5.0 and 6.0

* Help for WordPerfect guides WordPerfect users moving to

  Microsoft Word

* Improved file conversion tools convert Word for Windows, Word

  for the Macintosh, WordPerfect, MultiMate, DisplayWrite and

  WordStar files

Awards

The two most recent predecessors of Word 6.0 for MS-DOS (Word 5.0 for MS-DOS, released in November 1988, and Word 5.5 for MS-DOS, released in November 1990) have been recognized with the following awards:

* PC World, Best Buy, 1991 (awarded to version 5.5)

* Stiftung Warentest (Germany), Best Word Processor (highest

  rating overall, awarded to version 5.5), December 9, 1991

* PC Professionell (Germany), Suggestion of the Magazine

  (awarded to version 5.0), April 1991

* PC Magazine, Editor's Choice, 1990 (awarded to version 5.0)

* PC World, Best Buy, 1990 (awarded to version 5.0)

* PC Magazin (Germany), Best Word Processing Software, 1990

  (awarded to version 5.0)

* PC World, Best Buy, 1989 (awarded to version 5.0)

International Versions

Microsoft Word 6.0 for MS-DOS will be available in 10 languages worldwide, including the following international versions: Australian English, British English, French, French-Canadian, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

System Requirements

Microsoft Word 6.0 for MS-DOS brings ease of use to character-based word processing, but remains true to its MS-DOS heritage of modest memory and hard disk requirements with a speedy editing interface. The following are system requirements to run Microsoft Word 6.0 for

MS-DOS:

* MS-DOS version 3.0 or higher

* 384K available memory (512K of memory recommended)

Hard disk space required:

* Minimum installation requires 1.5MB

* Full installation requires 5.5MB

Pricing and Availability

Microsoft Word 6.0 for MS-DOS has a suggested retail price of $495. Licensees of any version of Microsoft Word can upgrade for $99 through September 30, 1993 ($129 upgrade thereafter). The new version will also include a "dual license" for Word 6.0 for MS-DOS and the next version of Word for Windows, due out later this year. The dual license will allow users who upgrade to Word 6.0 for MS-DOS to later move to Word 6.0 for Windows without having to purchase an additional license. Microsoft Word 6.0 for MS-DOS is also part of the Microsoft Select Program and the Microsoft Select Maintenance Program. License Paks will be available for the product in single, 20 and 100 unit quantities. The academic version is available for $99. Microsoft Word 6.0 for MS-DOS is expected to be available at the end of May 1993.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Prices listed are U.S. suggested retail prices. Reseller prices may vary.

Microsoft Corp, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080,  fax: 206-93MSFAX


Moldflow Computer-Based Training Pgm
MOLDFLOW OFFERS COMPUTER-BASED-TRAINING PROGRAM EXPOUNDING SOUND MOLD DESIGN PRINCIPLES

(Kalamazoo, Michigan -- April 28, 1993) Moldflow today announced the introduction of a computer-based-training software package that explains the principles of design for manufacture with plastics in a practical way. Key topics covered include: molding economics, evaluating the design, design principles, molding problems, introduction to computer-aided engineering and an interactive case study. Application of the Moldflow design principles explained in "Inside the Mold" will reduce injection molding leadtime and manufacturing costs and improve quality. The package also explains how these results can be maximized when the principles are combined with proper application of computer-aided engineering technology including flow, cooling and warpage analysis. The program is self-paced and interactive and runs on IBM compatible 386 and higher computers with a minimum of 2 Mb. RAM under Windows 3.1. Price is $500.

Moldflow has pioneered computerized analysis of plastic injection molding, which improves product performance, reduces scrap, shortens design leadtimes and lowers design and manufacturing costs. Products include: MF/FLOW -- which predicts flow patterns and characteristics within the mold; MF/COOL --- which analyzes the vital role of heat exchange and temperature control in the mold; and MF/WARP software which analyzes the net distortion of the actual molded part and helps determine its mechanical Products include: MF/FLOW -- which predicts flow patterns and characteristics within the mold; MF/COOL --- which analyzes the vital role of heat exchange and temperature control in the mold; MF/WARP software -- which analyzes the net distortion of the actual molded part and helps determine its mechanical properties; and MF/Quickcheck -- a low cost flow analysis package that gives instantaneous results on a PC.

Moldflow Inc, 2 Corporate Dr, Ste 232, Shelton, CT 06484

203-925-0552;  fax: 203-925-1175


Microsoft Word 6 Made Easy
Classic Introduction to Microsoft Word Revised To Cover New MS-DOS Version 6

Berkeley, CA -- Osborne/McGraw-Hill announces publication of Microsoft Word 6 Made Easy ($19.95, ISBN: 0-07-881939-3, 354 pages) by Paul Hoffman, one of the all-time, bestselling introductory guides to Microsoft Word now revised to cover the newly released version 6.

Microsoft Word beginners can follow Hoffman's simple, clear, instructions and find out how to take advantage of everything Microsoft Word has to offer. Through examples, exercises, and illustrations, beginners will learn fundamentals such as editing, saving, and printing a document. After mastering the fundamentals, readers will also benefit from Hoffman's coverage of intermediate techniques such as building macros to automate tasks, setting up style sheets to perfect documents, and creating indexes for easy reference.

Experienced users upgrading to version 6 can learn all about Word's newest features. Hoffman covers using the enhanced mouse and keyboard that are nearly identical to Word for Windows; creating complex tables; drag and drop editing; using the external grammar checker; improved print merge; and other powerful new features.

For nearly 10 ten years, Paul Hoffman's bestselling book has set the standard for guiding Microsoft Word users through all the features of this topselling wordprocessing program. Savy users won't want to miss this latest edition packed with tips, illustrations, and excellent instructions.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603


Novell NetWare 4: The Complete Reference

All In One Source Book to the Most Powerful Version of Novell

Berkeley, CA -- Osborne/McGraw-Hill announces publication of Novell NetWare 4: The Complete Reference ($39.95, ISBN: 0-07-881909-1,920 pages) a new book written by Tom Sheldon for network administrators, supervisors, group managers and users covering the most essential information on networks and NetWare.

With Novell's documentation for NetWare 4 priced at $350, anyone working with NetWare 4 or considering upgrading will want to take advantage of this exceptional book.

Tom Sheldon, a Novell Certified Network Engineer has updated his earlier bestselling book on NetWare 386 to cover Novell's latest version 4 for 486 computers. Highly praised in earlier editions by publications such as LAN Times, PC Magazine, CompuServe and others, Sheldon's book once again offers comprehensive, easy-to-understand coverage while providing a portable and accessible guide to NetWare.

Sheldon covers the new features in NetWare 4 including the major differences between the new release and previous versions of NetWare with feature-by-feature explanations. Readers will get a clear picture of the changes in the command structure and user interface. and its effects on the management strategies of supervisors. The book provides valuable time and money saving information on the best ways to manage a network once it's installed with tips and techniques for security planning, printing. login scripts, high capacity storage systems, connecting with LANs, and changing the configuration.

Sheldon also discusses how the new release takes full advantage of the power of 80486 microprocessors with the NetWare Directory Services, improved support for Apple and other operating systems, improved backup utilities, and the high capacity storage system.

New users can also take advantage of the book's highly accessible introductory sections on networking and the NetWare environment, and those on interoperability, protocols, network topologies, hardware and cabling systems.

Novell NetWare 4: The Complete Reference offers a superior source of information providing its readers the advantages of thoughtful, organization, clear writing, and an experienced insider's perspective.

About the author: Tom Sheldon is a fully authorized Novell service and support technician and Novell Certified Network Engineer (CNE). He has worked extensively with other networking systems including IBM LAN Software, Microsoft LAN Manager, UNIX/XENIX, and Apple Networks. Sheldon has been instrumental in many major network installations, including sites such as Lockheed Space Operations, and various government and educational institutions on the West Coast. He is currently working on a book titled, The Encyclopedia of Networking, ($49.95, ISBN: 007-881965-2, 1300 pages), tentatively scheduled for publication in November 1993.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603


NEC SilenWriter Laser Printer $250 Rebates
NEC CONTINUES OFFERING A $250 REBATE FOR SILENTWRITER LASER PRINTERS

Boxborough, Mass., May 3, 1993--In response to unexpectedly high consumer demand, NEC Technologies, Inc. today announced it will extend a $250 end user rebate on several Silentwriter laser printers purchased from May 1, 1993 through June 30, 1993 within the United States.

Under the terms of this rebate, consumers must return a completed coupon with a copy of the purchase receipt and the bar-code label from the printer box.

Qualifying NEC laser printers include the award-winning Silentwriter Model 95, a 6 page per-minute (ppm) printer, the Silentwriter Model 97, with a print speed of 10ppm, and NEC's first-to-market laser printers to include Adobeo PostScript facsimile capability factory installed--the Silentwriter Model 95fx and the Silentwriter Model 97fx.

"Due to overwhelming response, NEC has decided to continue the consumer rebate promotion which offers users a savings of $250. Coupled with a price reduction, the consumer rebate offers an unbeatable value," said John McIntyre, director of marketing for NEC's Printer Division. "NEC's PostScript Silentwriter printers offer two-for-one functionality, superior laser quality output as well as plain-paper facsimile capabilities."

The NEC Silentwriter Model 95 and Silentwriter Model 97

The Silentwriter Model 95 and Silentwriter Model 97 are both fully configured PostScript language printers providing Macintosh and MS-DOS capability, Adobe PostScript language printers providing Macintosh and MS-DOS capability, Adobe PostScript Level II, HP PCL 5 emulation, and patented Sharp Edge Technology to produce a print quality appearance comparable to 600 dots-per-inch (dpi) printers.

PostScript Language Facsimile Capability

PostScript language facsimile capability, available factory installed on the Silentwriter Model 95fx and Silentwriter Model 97fx, enables users to send resolution-independent faxes and receive PostScript quality faxes through their laser printers.

Pricing and Distribution Information

Silentwriter laser printers are available immediately from NEC's extensive North American network of authorized resellers. At the following Typical net retail prices after the $250 manufacturers rebate are:

Silentwriter Model 95         $1,070

Silentwriter Model 97          1,354

Silentwriter Model 95fx        1,308

Silentwriter Model 97fx        1,600

PostScript Facsimile Option      239

A vast array of NEC printer options, ranging from additional memory and paper handling devices, are also available.

NEC Technologies, Inc.

NEC Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computers and peripherals for the North American market. Product lines include award-winning ProSpeed laptop computers, UltraLite notebook computers, MultiSync FG monitors, Silentwriter and Colormate printers, Image, PowerMate, Express and Ready systems products, and MultiSpin CD-ROM hardware. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation.

NEC Technologies

1414 Massachusetts Ave, Boxborough, MA 01719-2298

508-264-8000


chemSAVER 3D Molecular Animation Screen Saver
MOLECULAR ARTS CORPORATION RELEASES NEW 3D MOLECULAR ANIMATION SCREEN SAVER FOR CHEMISTRY SPECIALISTS

Anaheim, California, May 3, 1993 -- Molecular Arts Corporation (MAC), has announced today a new release of its popular Windows-based screen saver - chemSAVER, a desk-top utility for chemists, chemical engineers, students, or anyone interested in chemistry. Version 3.0 of chemSAVER offers many new features including "Animated Windows Wallpaper," additional 3D visualization styles, an expanded library of over 150 3D molecular structures and geometric objects, an illustrated 50+ page manual, plus simplified menu access to chemSAVERs many features. As before, chemSAVER offers sophisticated 3D graphics, user-definable animations and patterns, "Instant On" security, plus a user-expandable library of 3D molecular structures for an unlimited variety of screen images.

Vice-President of Marketing for Molecular Arts Corporation, Laura Voyles, says of the new release, "chemSAVER is an easy-to-use utility that provides protection from phosphor burn-in of computer screens that are on all day." She went on to say, "What makes it so exciting is that it also provides a cost-effective way for accomplishing basic molecular structure visualization tasks. Besides protecting the substantial investment in your computer's display monitor, chemSAVER is thought-provoking, educational, and just plain fun!"

Graphical User Interface

By utilizing the popular Microsoft Windows graphical user interface, chemSAVER is very easy to install, learn, use, and customize. All of chemSAVERs extensive controls and features are accessible via simple menus and dialog boxes. Also incorporated into this release is support for Microsoft's common dialog controls. These provide a similar look and feel across many different Windows applications enabling users to learn new applications faster.

Unique Features

Besides being the only screen saver designed specifically for chemistry specialists, chemSAVER is also the only known Windows screen saver that performs real-time animations of 3D objects. Sophisticated 3D graphics capabilities, formerly available only on expensive 3D workstations, have been brought to the PC in a cost-effective package. Simple dialog box controls offer the user a wide range of animation controls, rendering styles, color schemes, and depth-cue mechanisms to enhance depth perception. It is also a simple matter for the user to add molecular structures of particular interest to their research.

Availability

The commercial release of chemSAVER (Version 3.0) is concurrent with this announcement. A single-user industrial license is available for $59.95. Also included are a 50+ page User Manual, a chemical structure library with over 150 3D molecules and objects, and instructions for optimizing the program for particular hardware platforms. Discounts are available for academic organizations and non-profit institutes. Current licensees can upgrade for $19.95.

This release of chemSAVER will operate on IBM PC's and PC-compatibles that support the Microsoft Windows 3.x graphical user interface. In the United States, chemSAVER is available directly from Molecular Arts Corporation. Prices outside North America are slightly higher.

Molecular Arts Corporation, Anaheim, California, is a supplier of desk-top visualization, documentation, and analysis tools for the chemical research industry. Its business is the development, marketing, and support of software tools for chemical research. The focus of all product development activities is to provide researchers with desk-top computing solutions for their visualization, documentation, and analysis needs.

Molecular Arts Corp, 1532 East Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92805

(714) 634-8100;   FAX (714) 634-1999


Voodoo DOS, Second Edition Covers DOS 6.0
THE VOODOO BEAT GOES ON: DRUMMING UP NEWS ON DOS 6

Is it really magic that DOS 6 lets users double the space on their hard disks? Is it some curious conjury that gives good old DOS the power of modern client-server communications? "Why waste time trying to understand theories and applications?" says voodoo queen Kay Nelson in the Second Edition of her hit, Voodoo DOS (Ventana Press). "Use your time to learn new and better ways to compute!"

Referring to DOS 6 as a "trickster's delight," Nelson sheds light on simple techniques and traps that will make true DOS wizards out of the most timid technophobes. New information emphasizes DOS 6's built-in compressing, defragmenting and memory management features and highlights new CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT tricks like creating startup screens and setting up different configurations on the same machine. Also included in Voodoo DOS, Second Edition:

* New Utility Players: taking advantage of DOS's new built-ins, and more including DoubleSpace, defragging, MemMaker, E-mail, and virus checking.

* DOS Shell Games: using the shell to set up program groups, switch between programs, use keyboard shortcuts and otherwise get more from programs.

* Disk & Drive Magic: getting around boring day-to-day disk routines, using the new Quick Format command, copying disks and dealing with hard disks.

* Do-it-yourself DOS: letting batch files and time-saving Doskey macros do more of the work.

* Command sleight-of-hand: mastering new commands for DOS 6, including DELTREE and MOVE; wildcard tips and traps; special symbols and commands; DOS 6 Startup menu tips: using MENUITEM, MENUCOLOR, SUBMENU and MENUDEFAULT; and (finally) turning NumLock off with NUMLOCK!

Kay Nelson is widely celebrated for her ability to turn techno-babble into plain talk for everyday computer users. In addition to her Voodoo books for Ventana (Voodoo DOS, Voodoo Windows, and Voodoo Mac) she has also written instant references for all audiences (DOS Instant Reference and WordPerfect Instant Reference, Sybex) and beginner books (The Little DOS 5 Book and The Little Windows Book, Peachpit Press).

Voodoo DOS, Second Edition is softcover, 7 3/8" X 9 1/4", 325 pages with 90 illustrations. Suggested retail price: $21.95. ISBN: 1-56604-046-9.

Ventana Press publishes books and other materials that help computer users become more productive, including Voodoo Windows, Looking Good in Print, Windows Shareware 500, DOS, WordPerfect, Lotus Office Companion, Desktop Publishing With WordPerfect and Voodoo WordPerfect for Windows. All titles are available in bookstores and through Ventana Press, P.O. Box 2468, Chapel Hill, NC 27515;  919/942-0220; FAX, 919/942-1140


QM-PAGE Alphanumeric Paging Extension
QM-PAGE: NEW CONFIGURATIONS, REDUCED PRICES

JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA--Wolf Creek Technologies, Inc., has announced reduced pricing and configuration additions for QM-PAGE. Prices for their versatile alphanumeric paging extension have dropped substantially from February's $1995 price for a 20-user site license. As of April 21, the same package is only $995. In addition, Wolf Creek has introduced affordable packages for fewer users. New 10 and five-user licenses--$595 and $325--mean virtually any organization can take advantage of the time-saving productivity enhancements of Desktop Paging.

QM-PAGE is designed to work with QuickMail, the popular electronic mail program from CE Software. QuickMail users can create and send an alphanumeric page without making a phone call-- right from their desktop computer. The recipient's page device contains a complete message-- eliminating the need to call back for more information.

Custom Packages

QM-PAGE uses QuickMail and existing local area networking to send pages from individual workstations, but Wolf Creek's paging architecture can be customized to accommodate other network communication applications and platforms. This also means that QM-PAGE is not limited to electronic messaging applications. All Wolf Creek Technologies' custom configured solutions include software, installation, service and support.

The QM-PAGE Base Package includes: QM-PAGE Server, QM-PAGE Gateway, QM-PAGE Form and a User License. Packages also include 90 days of free technical support. Special site licenses for large installations receive the same package and are quoted on an individual basis.

Fax Hotline

Seven days a week Wolf Creek Technologies operates a 24-hour fax hotline. Dial 407-229-7682 for more information about QM-PAGE or contact the sales department at Wolf Creek Technologies, Inc., 1274 N.E. Business Park Place, Jensen Beach, FL 34957-5319; telephone 407-334-0448; fax 407-334-2303.


The Investor's Accountant, Ver 2.0
THE INVESTOR'S ACCOUNTANT: Version 2.0

Comprehensive investment portfolio management and analysis system for financial professionals, businesses, and active traders.

Comprehensive maintenance, analysis and reporting for diverse investment portfolios containing any investment type, including options and futures contracts. Accommodates unlimited number of portfolios, securities and transactions. Reports include: Portfolio and Security Internal Rate of Return both before and after estimated taxes, Portfolio Status with asset allocation by security type, industry and user-defined indicators, Gain/Loss, Tax Liability, Interest Yields, Income, and attachments to IRS schedules B and D. Provides automatic foreign currency translations, and alerts on prices, dividends, expirations, gain/loss and short/long-term status. Sales reportable using FIFO, specific ID, or (mutual funds) average cost basis. Integrated version of MARKETWATCH provides tracking, graphing, and analysis of individual securities. Allows automatic price-volume updating from any ASCII file, globally applies distributions, mergers and stock splits, and provides "sweep" transfer accounting. Provides pop-up information windows and calculator with paste option. Data files exportable to spreadsheets. Enables "what-H" simulation.

System Requirements: IBM PC, 512K, MS-DOS 2.0+,

                     hard disc recommended

List Price:          $395

First Released:      January 1991

Support:             Unlimited telephone hotline

Warranty:            30 days replacement of defective materials

Demo-Trainer:        $5 (may be applied toward product purchase)

Orders and info:     1-800-733-9607

Hamilton Software, 6432 East Mineral Place, Englewood, CO 80112


Fundwatch Plus Ver 2.0 Investment Swr
FUNDWATCH PLUS: Version 2.0

Easy, low-cost tracking and evaluation of mutual funds and other capital growth or income oriented investments.

Easy-to-use tool simplifies evaluation and comparison of various common investments including mutual funds, stocks, money markets, and market indexes. Allows home investors to seriously evaluate such investments inexpensively without requiring a modem or on-line service. Annualizes yields including proceeds from dividends and distributions, evaluates price movement trends, graphs performances of multiple funds along with moving averages, and provides comprehensive investment comparisons. Share prices are manually entered on a weekly basis and combined with dividends and distributions to reveal true investment performance.

System Requirements:  IBM PC, 256K, MS-DOS 2.0+,

                      5-1/4 or 3-1/2 inch disc.

List Price:           $29

First Release:        July, 1989

Support:              Unlimited telephone hotline

Warranty:             30 days replacement of defective materials

Orders and info:      1-800-733-9607

Hamilton Software, 6432 East Mineral Place, Englewood, CO 80112


Marketwatch Investment Software
MARKETWATCH

Versatile tracking and evaluation of securities, mutual funds, fixed-income funds, and market indexes.

Simplifies evaluation and comparison of multiple types of investments including stocks, mutual funds, options, commodities, money markets, and market indexes. Allows either manual or automatic price-volume entry from any ASCII source. Annualizes yields including proceeds from earnings and distributions, evaluates price movement and price-volume trends, graphs performances of multiple securities along with moving averages and/or volumes, reveals performance of individual portfolios, and provides comprehensive investment comparisons. Accommodates an unlimited number of security groups, for which prices and optional volumes are updated according to user-specified time intervals, and combined with earnings and distributions to reveal true investment performance.

System Requirements:  IBM PC, 512K, MS- DOS 2.0+,

                      5-1/4 or 3-1/2 inch disc.

List Price:           $59

First Release:        January, 1991

Support;              Unlimited telephone hotline

Warranty:             30 days replacement of defective materials

Orders and info:      1-800-733-9607

Hamilton Software, 6432 East Mineral Place, Englewood, CO 80112


Market Strategist Investment Software
MARKET STRATEGIST

Complete program and database for developing and back-testing strategies for buying and selling stocks.

Comprehensive back-testing system including 7 years of S&P 100 historical stock market data enables the user to develop and thoroughly test under actual trading conditions, a set of rules or "system" for stock trading. Complete database and menu-driven software enable custom development and testing of both technical and fundamental trading criteria. Chronological simulation handles stock splits, earnings, commissions and margin costs. and enables stock comparison with market indexes and industry groups. Trading system performance is plotted graphically along with the S&P 500 index, and a series of reports produced: Industry Group Summaries, Stock-Trade Plots, Yearly Summaries and Performance and Trade Details. 100 stocks from expandable database can also be plotted separately.

System Requirements:  IBM PC, 512K, MS-DOS 2.0+,

                      hard disk with 2Mbytes available

List Price:           $195

First Release:        January, 1992

Support;              Unlimited telephone hotline

Demo-Trainer:         $5 (may be applied toward product purchase)

Warranty:             30 days replacement of defective materials

Orders and info:      1-800-733-9607

Hamilton Software, 6432 East Mineral Place, Englewood, CO 80112


Portfolio Analyzer Ver 3.0 Investment Mgmt
PORTFOLIO ANALYZER: Version 3.0

Powerful and convenient investment portfolio management and analysis system for home, business, and professional use.

Provides easy maintenance and analysis of diverse investment portfolios containing any investment type, including options and futures contracts. Accommodates many separate portfolios with unlimited securities and transactions. Reports include: Security Rate of Return both before and after estimated taxes, Portfolio Status with asset allocation by security type, Gain/Loss, Tax Liability, Interest Income, and attachments to IRS schedules B and D. Sales may be reported using FIFO or specific identification. Provides price alerts. Allows automatic price updating from any ASCII file, and globally applies distributions, mergers and stock splits. Provides pop-up information windows and calculator with paste option.

System Requirements:  IBM PC, 512K, MS- DOS 2.0+,

                      5-1/4 or 3-1/2 inch disc.

List Price:           $99

First Released:       July, 1989

Support;              Unlimited telephone hotline

Warranty:             30 days replacement of defective materials

Orders and info:      1-800-733-9607

Hamilton Software, 6432 East Mineral Place, Englewood, CO 80112


ULTRA Market Advisor Investment Software
NEW SOFTWARE CONSISTENTLY CALLS STOCK MARKET TOPS AND BOTTOMS!

ULTRA Financial Systems has released the ULTRA Market Advisor, DOS software that automatically generates buy and sell signals for the general stock market. The Market Advisor uses technical, fundamental, and sentiment analysis to identify situations that have historically resulted in stock market turning points.

The Market Advisor includes 50 years of historical data and an option to test the system's results against any period in history. This historical analysis can be set up to model various real-world investment scenarios such as: short sales, margin trading, commissions, and interest rates. For example, if the Market Advisor was set to analyze the period from January 28, 1963 to March 9, 1993 without short sales or margin, the automatic signals would have returned 101,517% against the NASDAQ composite index. That's 26% annually compared to a buy and hold strategy that for the same period returned 2,118% (11% annually). This feature is intended to give the user an education in stock market history and confidence in the automatic signals.

Included with the system is a set of advanced indicators and tools designed fine tune investment decisions for maximum profit. Indicators such as advance/decline line, breadth, volume, stochastics, CCI, RSI, OBV, MACD, McClellan Oscillator index, Relative Strength, Price/Dividend Ratio, Short Ratios, and Federal Reserve Policy are fully explained in the complete documentation and on-line help. Tools such as support/resistance lines, moving averages, trading bands, daily/weekly/monthly index graphing, and linear/logarithmic index graphing, give the user special insight into stock market trends.

With easy to use graphic screens, pull-down menus, on-line help, and complete documentation, the ULTRA Market Advisor is listed at $195. With the purchase of the system, each user gets a free trial account with the ULTRA Data Service which contains daily stock market statistics that are accessible via modem. For a limited time, a free bonus software system (the ULTRA Destiny Manager, a $150 value) is included with the Market Advisor. To order or for a free information kit, call (800) 364-4883.

Ultra Financial Systems

1633 Arrowhead Dr, Flower Mound, TX 75028

214-539-8232;  fax: 214-539-3803


Keystroke Point of Sale, Version 3.0
Keystroke Point of Sale

Leading the Revolution in Sales Management and Inventory Control into New Frontiers

Introducing Version 3.0

* New Transaction Types - for Sales Order Entry & Purchase

  Invoices

* Duplicate Product Code Handling - for repackaged &

  multi-style/color items

* New Inventory Receiving Function - for more efficient

  shipment handling

* Enhanced Reporting Functions - new Inventory History reports

* New Label Editor Function - with more barcode print formats

* More Flexible Configuration - new entry & display parameters

* New Hardware Interfaces - customer displays & electronic scales

* Credit Card Processing - authorization only or EDC via third

  party product

* General Ledger Interfaces - now available for PAS III by CYMA,

  ACCPAC Plus and BPI by Computer Associates, and BusinessWorks

  by Manzanita Software.

Superior Technical Support Services

Fully Revised User Guide

For more information, call SDS at 800-359-3458

Specialized Business Solutions

215 Long Beach Blvd, Suite 523-43, Long Beach, CA 90802-3162

310-432-3458


Percon Bar Code & Magnetic Stripe Decoder
BI-DIRECTIONAL MAGNETIC STRIPE, CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE READABILITY, SUPPORTED IN NEW PERCON BAR CODE AND MAGNETIC STRIPE DECODER

May 5, 1993 -- EUGENE, OR--The newest model of Percon Series 20 Universal bar code and magnetic stripe decoder, Version 4.1, features bi-directional magnetic stripe scanning and supports California Driver's License scanning. Laser and CCD trigger modes, serial ACK/NAK protocol, and host control indicators are also available in Version 4.1.

"The features addressed in Series 20 Version 4.1 provide the opportunity to meet the specific needs of customers requiring special decoder options," says Doug Wilson, Director of Sales and Marketing. "These exceptional features are now available with the proven performance and reliability of the Series 20."

The Series 20 4.1 decoder electronically decodes customer credit card information, driver license numbers and demographic information stored on magnetic stripe driver licenses now in use in California. Non-standard information including specific information about the driver such as name, address, sex, age, height and weight are also encoded. Bi-directional scanning allows the users to run a card through a magnetic stripe scanner in either direction, while maintaining accuracy of the information scanned.

Trigger modes enable a laser or CCD in the default mode to automatically turn on and read any enabled code. Auto scan is supported for hands-off scanning and a multi-scan mode allows the laser to automatically turn on after current data has been output. An input device using this mode cannot read the same bar code twice in a row.

Serial ACK/NAK protocol has been added to check and verify data running through the main serial port. If the host response required mode is activated, the host must respond to the Series 20 decoder by using one of two options: serial batch programming commands or host controlled indicators--tone, number of beeps, loudness of beeps--to indicate to the bar code reader and the user if the data transmitted met the application criteria before the next bar code can be read. Host control indicators can be used separately from the host response required.

The Series 20 4.1 can now be reprogrammed using serial batch programming mode during scanning. Now, programming through the serial port can occur when needed, taking only seconds to complete.

As with the entire line of Percon Series 20 decoders, Series 20 4.1 provides these benefits:

Data input editing enables users to customize scanned data before it reaches their application program. This automatic data editing is completely programmable, and permits adding data, moving data, or subtracting data from each bar code or magnetic stripe as it's scanned.

Auto-Host Recognition allows the Series 20 4.1 decoder to recognize and configure itself for the computer to which it's connected.

Full keyboard support permits users to encode any key on a keyboard--including all function keys. The unit also allows auto-terminators to be any of 128 ASCII characters, and the unique "Zap Mode" disables the user-defined auto-terminator by encoding PERCON-defined characters into that bar code.

Additionally the Series 20 4.1 will auto-discriminate among 13 different bar code symbologies, and read both credit card and airline format magnetic stripes on up to four magnetic stripe channels simultaneously. Multiple magnetic stripe scanners (one track per channel) and one bar code input device may be connected to the same decoder.

The suggested retail price for Series 20 4.1 begins at $415.00 (US, quantity one) and is now available. Interface cable is purchased separately. The Series 20 4.1 is backed by a five-year warranty with an optional on-site warranty available.

Founded in 1983, Percon engineers and manufacturers keyless data entry and identification equipment. Based in Eugene, Oregon, Percon sells bar code hardware and software worldwide through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors and value added resellers (VARs) and offers next-day shipping, toll-free telephone support and rapid turnaround repair service.

Percon manufactures fixed-station, hand-held and portable bar code readers including the Series 10 and Series 20 bar code and magnetic stripe decoders; and the PocketReader, a portable bar code reader, which uses Percon Program Generator (PPG) software to create Windows-based application programs. Percon also distributes a complete line of input devices including wands, CCDs, hand-held and hands-free lasers, magnetic stripe readers, and ID badge scanners; WRITEBAR, bar code printing software for dot matrix and laser printers; and other bar code accessories.

For more information contact Percon, Inc., 1720 Willow Creek Circle, Suite 530, Eugene, OR 97402-9171. Phone (800) 929-7899 or (503) 344-1189. Fax (503) 344-1399.


Parastat for Paradox Statistical Analysis
PARASTAT 2.0 NOW AVAILABLE FOR BORLAND'S PARADOX 4.0

New Version Enhances Statistical Analysis of Paradox Data

SAN DIEGO, CA -- May 17, 1993 -- FMS, Inc. (Financial Modeling Specialists, Inc.) announced at the Borland International Conference that ParaStat 2.0, a major upgrade to the popular Paradox add-on statistics program, is shipping. ParaStat is available from FMS and is specifically designed for Borland's Paradox PC relational database.

ParaStat performs statistical analysis on data stored in Paradox tables. Features include field analysis such as standard deviation, variance, percentiles, frequency distribution, and confidence intervals. Group analysis including two sample t-Test and ANOVA, field comparison for correlation, R-Square, covariance and paired t-Test, regressions (simple, multiple and polynomial), cross-tabulation with Chi-Square, and probability evaluation of test values are also featured in ParaStat 2.0.

Paradox 4.0, a major upgrade to Borland's critically acclaimed PC-based relational database, incorporates tremendous speed and power gains, a windows-like user interface, enhanced network performance and expanded Paradox Application Language, PAL. Paradox is ideal for a wide range of users from end users to applications developers.

PAL, is a powerful, high level procedural language that lets users create sophisticated applications quickly. New features let users build custom applications that incorporate mouse control, pull-down and pop-up menus, dialog boxes with push buttons, check boxes, radio buttons and pick lists.

ParaStat runs from within Paradox and uses Turbo Pascal and the Paradox Engine to perform the intensive statistical analysis. ParaStat is entirely menu driven with pint and choose options. Users select tables and fields similar to a Paradox query. All results are returned in Paradox tables just like the ANSWER table of a query. This gives Paradox users full control over the results, including the ability to sort and query for specific data, and merge data into reports or graphs. PAL programmers can even add ParaStat features within their applications. ParaStat provides full support for Paradox 4.0, and supports Paradox versions 3.0 and 3.5.

"ParaStat 2.0 extends Paradox's already powerful query features," said Daniel Klaussen, Paradox product manager for Borland. "It is extremely valuable to those needing to further analyze their Paradox data."

ParaStat 2.0 can now analyze up to 50 fields simultaneously. Performance has been greatly enhanced by using Paradox Engine, 3.0. ParaStat 2.0 also supports Paradox 4.0's standard mode interface with pull-down menus, dialog boxes, speedbars, scrollbars and full mouse support. A new user manual is also available.

"ParaStat 2.0 incorporates features and enhancements requested by our users," said Luke Chung, president of FMS. "ParaStat 2.0's improved speed and ability to analyze more data at once, makes it the most powerful data analysis tool available for Paradox. With full support of Paradox 4.0's new user interface, ParaStat is easier than ever to use."

Pricing and Availability

ParaStat is available immediately from FMS, Inc. and may be purchased in either a single user version or a network version. The single user version is network compatible and sells for $245. The network five-pack which lets five simultaneous users access ParaStat and includes five user manuals sells for $595. Owners of previous versions of ParaStat may upgrade for $99.

Paradox 4.0, available from Borland, has a suggested retail price of $795. The Paradox 4.0 LAN Pack, which adds one additional user to the network, retails for $395. Registered owners of Paradox (version 2.0 and higher) can upgrade for $199.95. All suggested retail prices are in U.S. dollars and apply to the United States and Canada.

FMS, Inc. is a software consulting firm specializing in Paradox system development. FMS was one of the first companies to offer Paradox add-on products and continues to introduce leading edge Paradox add-on products today. In addition to ParaStat, FMS also offers Convert4 (Paradox 4 table conversion program), ParaDate (calendar Program), ParaTrak (script documentation), and ParaView (table, form and report documentation). All products support Paradox 4.0.

FMS Inc, 8027 Leesburg Pike, Suite 410, Vienna, VA 22182

703-356-4700;  fax: 703-448-3861


Virus ALERT Version 2.08 Released
Virus ALERT ver. 2.08 Released

Now shipping, version 2.08 detects more than 2,300 viruses and includes a new Microsoft Windows installation option allowing you to run Virus ALERT from the Windows Program Manager, in a DOS window.

"Does low cost mean bad performance? Not if you're talking about $39.95 for Virus ALERT from LOOK Software," says reviewer Steven Chen in the March 16/93 issue of PC Magazine (US).

New Corporate 10-Pack

Version 2.08 also marks the debut of the Virus ALERT Corporate 10-Pack. With a suggested retail price of $79.95, this mini site license for up to 10 computers is less than one-tenth the cost of the 10-pack offered by one major competitor!

Virus ALERT's low-cost regular site licenses, easy set-up, user-transparent operation and frequent updates make it the anti-virus utility of choise for larger organizations, as well. Virus ALERT can be implemented on virtually any site with minimal down-time and virtually no cost for opeator training.

Rave Reviews!

For the individual user, Virus ALERT is the only major-league antivirus utility in its price range (suggested list: $39.95) and it's so easy to use, no manual is required. In fact, Virus ALERT can detect and remove viruses simultaneously, with just two key strokes!

"The program's excellent hypertext-like on-line documentation provides a thorough explanation of its use," says reviewer Scott Spanbauer, in the May, 1993 issue of PC World magazine (US).

"Virus ALERT is the only software we've seen that's brave enough to sell without any sort of manual at all. It really is that simple," agrees reviewer Sarah Purnell, in the May/93 issue of PC Magazine (UK).

LOOK Software

PO Box 78072, Cityview

Nepean, Ontario CANADA K2G 5W2

613-837-2151,  800-267-0778,  fax: 613-837-5572


CONVERT4 Upgrades Paradox Tables for 4.0
CONVERT4 NOW AVAILABLE FOR BORLAND'S PARADOX 4.0

Simplifies Application Upgrades to Paradox 4

SAN DIEGO, CA -- May 17, 1993 -- FMS, Inc. (Financial Modeling Specialists, Inc.) announced at the Borland International Conference that Convert4 is shipping. Convert4 is available from FMS and is specifically designed for Borland's Paradox PC relational database.

Convert4 quickly upgrades tables from previous versions of Paradox to Paradox 4.0. Paradox 4 offers a wide range of new features such as memo fields, case-insensitive secondary indexes, and new validity settings. To take advantage of these features, Paradox tables need to be converted to the new Paradox 4 file format. While Paradox allows the conversion of one table at a time, Convert4 automates this process by upgrading many tables in one pass. An unlimited number of tables from an unlimited number of directories can be selected and converted at once. Convert4 runs from within Paradox and is entirely menu driven.

As part of the conversion process, Convert4 also upgrades all secondary indexes to the new case-insensitive and maintained format, which improves sorting and queries. Convert4 also checks for errors that can damage tables. Multi-table forms and reports and even data can be destroyed if conversion is performed improperly. Convert4 copies each table, documents its family (forms, reports, validity settings, etc.), converts it to Paradox 4, verifies all the family objects, then replaces the original. Any errors detected are documented and the original table is not modified. A summary of tables converted and errors is presented upon completion.

Paradox 4.0, a major upgrade to Borland's critically acclaimed PC-based relational database, incorporates tremendous speed and power gains, a windows-like user interface, enhanced network performance and expanded Paradox Application language, PAL. Paradox is ideal for a wide range of users from end users to applications developers.

"Convert4 simplifies the process of upgrading existing applications to Paradox 4" said Luke Chung, President of FMS. "When we first tried to upgrade such applications, we destroyed many multi-table forms and reports. With Convert4 the conversion process is a snap."

Pricing and Availability

Convert4 is available immediately from FMS, Inc. and may be purchased in either a single user version or a network version. The single user version is network compatible and sells for $145. The network five-pack which lets five simultaneous users access ParaStat and includes five user manuals sells for $375.

Paradox 4.0, available from Borland, has a suggested retail price of $795. The Paradox 4.0 LAN Pack, which adds one additional user to the network, retails for $395. Registered owners of Paradox (version 2.0 and higher) can upgrade for $199.95. All suggested retail prices are in U.S. dollars and apply to the United States and Canada.

FMS, Inc. is a software consulting firm specializing in Paradox system development. FMS was one of the first companies to offer Paradox add-on products and continues to introduce leading edge Paradox add-on products today. In addition to Convert4, FMS also offers ParaDate (calendar program), ParaStat (statistics program), ParaTrak (script documentation), and ParaView (table, form and report documentation). All products support Paradox 4.0.

FMS Inc, 8027 Leesburg Pike, Suite 410, Vienna, VA 22182

703-356-4700;  fax: 703-448-3861


PocketReader Portable Bar Code Reader
POCKETREADER RELEASE 2.0 ELIMINATES CHARGER/ADAPTER; EXTENDS OPERATING TIME

April 30, 1993 -- EUGENE, OR--New versions of Percon's portable bar code reader, the PocketReader and it's Microsoft Windows-based application generator software program, the Percon Program Generator (PPG) will be available beginning July 15, 1993.

PocketReader release 2.0 incorporates several hardware and software changes from version 1.2 including bank erasable Flash ROM, removal of the charger/adapter and increasing software application size from 8k to 16k. A summary of the changes are as follows:

Flash ROM is bank erasable. Now, there is no need to download both the system software and the application software--only the application software needs to be downloaded into the PocketReader. Individual application programs can now be selected and loaded into the PocketReader using the PPG downloader menu. Users simply scroll down the menu, point and click on the application desired, and the program is automatically downloaded to the PocketReader. Downloading applications is now up to ten times faster than version 1.2.

The original Charger/Adapter has been removed; all components including RS232 are now on-board (inside).

In addition, power consumption has been reduced significantly, increasing the sleep (off) mode of the PocketReader from 5-6 days to approximately one month.

In line with the improvements on the PocketReader, Percon Program Generator (PPG) software has also been updated. PPG software release 2.0 includes the following changes:

* Menu node replaces use of display, input & verify nodes

  to create menus.

* Application size increased from 8K to 16K.

* Templates and fields are now emulated.

* Individual links can now be chosen (helpful when they

  are layered within an application).

* Compiler uses up to 10x less memory. It can now be run using

  a one Megabyte computer.

* PPG programs can be downloaded without distributing the source.

* Downloader now brings up a menu of applications to chose from.

* DOS version of download software is available. There is no need

  to use Windows to download application programs.

The Percon PocketReader weighs 12 ounces and is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. Both chemical and splash resistant, it withstands repeated five-foot drops to concrete. The PocketReader's standard wand tip is suitable for even marginal bar code labels and for narrow bar widths down to 0.0007 inches (7 mils). A four-line by 16-character display provides operator prompts and messages and users can scroll through and review up to 24 lines of data held in a display buffer. Nineteen splash-resistant keys enter both alpha and numeric data and, there are four user-programmable function keys. Audible feedback is provided through an adjustable-volume speaker.

Data and storage memory is available from 128k up to one Megabyte. The decoder is compatible with a variety of data collection networks, and--using an included RS-232C interface and flexible menu-driven communications protocols--it interfaces to a wide variety of host computers for data downloading.

Operating on rechargeable NiCd batteries, PocketReader provides continuous error-free scanning for more than twelve hours. To conserve battery power, the unit can be configured to turn off after a specified interval of non-use. The PocketReader's rugged industrial design makes it usable in harsh working environments--including wet, cold, outdoors--and its light weight (12 ounces, including battery) enhances use in a wide range of inventory control, product tracking and document tracking tasks.

Running in a Microsoft Windows based environment, Percon Program Generator software (PPG) uses a graphical user interface (GUI) and object-oriented programming with the Windows interface to set up a complete custom data collection program. Once a user has created an application program, PPG automatically compiles it into the format needed for the PocketReader. Users may download programs designed for specific applications into PocketReader's Flash ROM memory in seconds.

Founded in 1983, Percon engineers and manufactures keyless data entry and identification equipment. Based in Eugene, Oregon, Percon sells bar code hardware and software worldwide through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors and value added resellers (VARs) and offers next-day shipping, toll-free telephone support and rapid turnaround repair service.

Percon manufactures fixed-station, hand-held and portable bar code readers including the Series 10 and Series 20 bar code and magnetic stripe decoders; and the PocketReader, a portable bar code reader, which uses Percon Program Generator (PPG) Windows-based software to create application programs. Percon also distributes a complete line of input devices including wands, CCDs, hand-held and hands-free lasers, magnetic stripe readers, and ID badge scanners; WRITEBAR, bar code printing software for dot matrix and laser printers; and other bar code accessories.

For more information contact Percon, Inc., 1720 Willow Creek Circle, Suite 530, Eugene, OR 97402-9171. Phone (800) 929-7899 or (503) 344-1189. Fax (503) 344-1399.


Intecolor Industrual VESA/Local Bus Workstations
INTECOLOR ANNOUNCES FIRST INDUSTRIAL VESA/LOCAL BUS WORKSTATIONS

DULUTH, GA (May 12, 1993) -- Intecolor Corporation has announced VESA/Local Bus versions of its industrial Workstation product line. The new versions represent the first VESA/Local Bus systems designed specifically for power users in the industrial market. Advanced ruggedization features make them ideal for factory floor applications.

Local bus video technology, developed by the Video Electronic Standards Association (VESA), provides significant performance advantages over standard ISA machines. Conventional ISA bus systems have 16 bit data paths at 8 MHz compared with local bus data paths of 32 bits at speeds up to 50 MHz. This results in local bus data transfer rates of over 130 MB per second, many times faster than ISA's 16 MB per second limit. This high speed data path allows communication between the CPU and local bus peripherals to take place at speeds approaching memory and the processor itself.

"Just as we've seen in the commercial marketplace, users are moving to graphic intensive applications and demanding more power," said Stan Jessen, Systems Product Manager. "To run these applications, our customers are requesting 20-inch displays with 1024 x 768 resolution. Higher resolutions increase the graphics workload, creating a need for higher performance graphics and computing capabilities. Our VESA local bus systems attack this problem on two fronts. First, an intelligent graphics card is used to off-load the main CPU. Secondly, local bus removes the communications bottleneck between the CPU and the graphics card.

"However, our customers are still concerned with reliability on the plant floor," said Jessen. We've built a solution -- an ideal system to work with Windows that can withstand harsh environments."

Sturdy features include 16 gauge steel chassis construction and fans that use positive air pressure to cool the cards and the 200 watt power supply. Dual, individual card restraints guard against shock and vibration. A front door conceals the power and reset switches, front keyboard connector, hard disk and floppy drives, and the Workstation's monitor controls.

The new units come in four integrated Workstation versions: Rackmount, Industrial Benchtop, NEMA 4 Panelmount, and NEMA 4 fully enclosed. All of the integrated Workstation versions include an AT computer plus a 20" 1024 x 768 non-interlaced display. Also available is a standalone rackmount Workstation without a display.

The new Workstations feature processors ranging from 486DX 25 MHz to 486DX2/66 MHz; hard drives from 80 to 400 MB; and RAM from 4 to 32 MB. Options include integrated touchscreens, higher performance video cards, VL-Bus hard drive controllers, and installed Windows. Custom capabilities such as stainless steel and purged enclosures are also available for specialized industries.

All versions are now available. 1 00-piece prices for the integrated Rackmount start at $4,595.

Founded in 1973, Intecolor is a leading manufacturer of human-machine interface systems for the industrial control industry. The company's complete line of industrial Workstations, Monitors, and Terminals is available in a wide variety of enclosures and resolutions.

For more information contact Intecolor, 2150 Boggs Road, Duluth, GA 30136, (404) 623-9145, FAX (404) 623-9163.


ZIP'R Version 3.1 - Program Compress/Uncompress
ZIP'R Version 3.1

STSI is proud to announce the release of ZIP'R Version 3.1! ZIP'R is a program designed to use an existing compression program, such as PKZIP/PKUNZIP, ARJ, LHA, or SQZ to automatically compress entire programs (including sub-directories) when programs are exited, and decompress them prior to execution. This saves valuable hard drive space by compressing programs that are seldom-used. ZIP'R even achieves a substantial amount of compression on hard drives that already use an on-the-fly compression program, such as SuperStor or Stacker. ZIP'R is unique because it not only compresses and decompresses entire programs, but it launches them as well! This feature makes it possible to fully integrate ZIP'R into most, if not all menuing systems.

This version of ZIP'R includes a ZIF Editor to edit ZIP'R Information Files (.ZIF files). These files contain program specific information that instruct ZIP'R how to execute a particular program, and what archiving utility should be used. This makes ZIP'R an easy-to-use utility for novice and experienced users alike!

What Are Some Of ZIP'R's Features?

* ZIP'R compresses, decompresses, and launches programs, saving

  valuable hard drive space while programs are not in use!

* ZIP'R supports ARJ, LHA, SQZ, and PKZIP versions 1.1 and 2.0!

* ZIP'R checks for available hard drive space before

  decompressing programs!

* ZIP'R contains a ZIF Editor to manage program customization!

* ZIP'R can manage multiple access to programs on networks and

  under multitaskers!

What Does ZIP'R Require?

* DOS 3.3 or Higher

* IBM PC, PC-Compatible or MS-DOS Computer with a Hard Drive

  and 640K RAM

* Any one of the following compression programs: ARJ, LHA, SQZ,

  PKZIP/PKUNZIP

* CGA Color, EGA Color, or VGA Color Monitor

Available as shareware from various sources or direct from the author, Craig S. Stevenson at:

Stevenson Technical Services, Inc.

108 Second Ave, West Bertha, MN 56437-0297

Phone: (218) 924-2050    FAX: (218) 924-2050 (Ext. 11)

The Bertha BBS: (218) 924-2060


Free PYRAMID Chromatography Manager Windows Demo
FREE Windows Data System Demonstration Disk

A new Demonstration Disk, which runs in Microsoft Windows, is now available upon request for PYRAMID Chromatography Manager. The Demonstration shows many examples of how PYRAMlD's graphical user interface makes everyday chromatography operations, documentation, and methods development fast, simple, and error-free. The unparalleled ease of use and customizability of this system are emphasized. The PYRAMID Windows Demonstration is recommended for PCs running Windows 3.1 with at least 10 MB free hard disk space and VGA graphics.

AXXIOM CHROMATOGRAPHY, INC.

11988 CHALLENGER COURT, MOORPARK, CA 93021-7122

(805) 523-8888     (800) 441-8888    FAX (805) 523-2313


US Robotics PCMCIA Fax/Data Modem
U.S. ROBOTICS ANNOUNCES V.32 BIS PCMCIA FAX/DATA MODEM

V.32 bis PCMCIA Modem to Ship in June; Dual Standard PCMCIA Modems With Cellular Capabilities to Follow

SKOKIE, Ill., -- May 10, 1993 -- U.S. Robotics today announced two PCMCIA products scheduled to ship in June -- a V.32 bis/14,400 bps PCMCIA fax/data modem and a V.22 bis/2400 bps PCMCIA fax/data modem. The company also announced a Dual Standard PCMCIA modem to ship in late July, which includes V.32 bis, cellular capabilities and HST, U.S. Robotics' proprietary 16.8 Kbps asymmetrical data transmission protocol. All products include both fax and data capabilities, and are designed for "credit card" -sized laptop and palmtop PCMCIA 2.0 slots.

"PCMCIA further broadens our comprehensive WorldPort line of portable modems, providing new portable fax/data communications options for our customers," said Jonathan Zakin, U.S. Robotics executive vice president of sales and marketing. "The new products also allow U.S. Robotics to tap into the high-growth PCMCIA market. An increasing number of laptop and palmtop manufacturers are announcing support for the PCMCIA standard, signifying strong continued prospects for PCMCIA technology."

The market for PCMCIA products is rapidly expanding; sales of PCMCIA fax/data modems are expected to grow to nearly 3.4 million units in 1995, a growth of almost 200 percent over estimated 1993 PCMCIA fax/data modem shipments (Source: AP Research).

"In addition to our PCMCIA development, we plan to continue to support and develop our other WorldPort portable products," added Zakin. "Although PCMCIA technology is the new frontier, not every portable computer supports it at this point, nor do all laptop users want to use their PCMCIA slot for a modem. We believe it's vital to provide a range of portable communications options tailored to laptop and palmtop users' different needs."

The WorldPort 14,400 Fax/Data PCMCIA 2.0 ($649) and WorldPort 2496 Fax/Data PCMCIA 2.0 ($349) will ship in June. The WorldPort 14,400 product includes CCITT V.17/14,400 bps fax and CCITT V.32 bis/14,400 bps data capability; the WorldPort 2496 product includes 9600 bps Group III fax and CCITT V.22 bis/2400 bps data capability.

PCMCIA Products Result of P.N.B. Acquisition

These new PCMCIA modems are a result of U.S. Robotics' recent acquisition of Suresnes, France-based P.N.B., s.a., which began shipping its PCMCIA products in 1992. P.N.B. is the largest supplier of PCMCIA products, having developed modems for sale by some of the largest OEM customers in the world including IBM, Dell, AST and ZDS. P.N.B. has broad experience in developing PCMCIA products for OEM customers, working with the international data communications channel and meeting strict international requirements to gain approvals for their PCMCIA products, giving WorldPort-branded PCMCIA products a decided market edge.

"The P.N.B. products provide us the advantage of bringing PCMCIA products to market earlier than originally planned," said Jonathan Zakin, U.S. Robotics executive vice president of sales and marketing. "The P.N.B. designs also carry international approvals in nearly 20 countries, and give us an internationally approved solution to offer to our customers now."

International Compatibility Key to Product Design

U.S. Robotics PCMCIA products provide the advantage of patented "Smart DAA" technology. The DAA (Data Access Arrangement) provides the interface between the telephone system and the modem. Smart DAA technology allows users to purchase a DAA designed for a specific country, which will automatically configure the PCMCIA modem to that country's specifications, completely eliminating the complications which can accompany international data communications. This means users can be assured of international compatibility when they are traveling; the P.N.B. designs already carry approvals in nearly 20 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S.

Dual Standard PCMCIA Modem With Cellular Capabilities Available in Late July

Additionally, the company will ship a Dual Standard PCMCIA product in July. This modem also incorporates "Smart DAA" technology, and is based on U.S. Robotics' modem architecture and proprietary DSP-based technology, used in Courier, Shared Access and Sportster products. This architecture allows the company to implement high-end features, such as Quick Connect and Adaptive Speed Leveling, reducing training time and optimizing online transmissions for greatly improved performance.

The Dual Standard modem includes V.32 bis/14,400 bps capability, plus HST, U.S. Robotics' proprietary protocol for 16.8 Kbps data transmission. Additionally, the Dual Standard modem includes HST Cellular, U.S. Robotics' new protocol for cellular data transmission. After extensive testing with .6 watt cellular telephones, HST Cellular has been able to achieve in excess of 800 characters per second (roughly 8000 bps), in a moving vehicle. While standing still, transmissions exceeded 1200 characters per second (roughly 12,000 bps). The protocol provides significant performance improvements over other protocols used in cellular environments, such as V.42 and MNP 10.

PCMCIA Provides Long-Awaited Standard for Peripherals

From an industry perspective, PCMCIA provides a long-awaited standard for laptop and palmtop disk drives, memory cards, fax/data modem cards, LAN adapters and other products. From a user point of view, PCMCIA cards provide several benefits. First, they're interchangeable -- PCMCIA cards can be used with any laptop or palmtop computer that supports the standard. Second, they provide the convenience of a small, easily portable product. And finally, they draw little power, requiring only minimal power from the laptop or palmtop power source.

"PCMCIA benefits users because it's a standard," said Zakin. "It's a very simple matter to interchange peripherals with PCMCIA, making it easier and less costly for users to communicate from either laptops or palmtops. This is key for the corporate accounts we support, which often have large field sales and support forces for whom mobile communications are vital. Being able to interchange peripherals gives these organizations a flexible, portable, easy-to-support solution."

U.S. Robotics, Inc., (NASDAQ:USRX), is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of data communications systems and products. Both corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations are based in Skokie, Illinois. U.S. Robotics owns and operates U.S. Robotics Ltd. in Slough, England, U.S. Robotics, s.a. in Lille, France and P.N.B., s.a. based in Suresnes, France. The company markets its products to business, industry, government agencies and original equipment manufacturers.

U.S. Robotics, 8100 North McCormick Blvd, Skokie, IL 60076

800-DIAL-USR;  708-982-5010


PCMCIA Questions and Answers by US Robotics
PCMCIA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Provided by US Robotics.....

Q: What is PCMCIA?

A: Products based on PCMCIA technology are commonly referred to as "credit card" -sized. PCMCIA stands for the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. A standards body and trade association that consists of more than 300 member companies, the PCMCIA has set standards for peripherals such as memory cards and fax/data modems.

Q: What are the different types of PCMCIA cards? Which type does U.S. Robotics support?

There are three types of PCMCIA cards: Type I; Type II; and Type III. U. S. Robotics supports Type II cards. All three types are credit card -sized; however, they vary in thickness. Type I cards are 3.3 mm thick, Type II cards are 5 mm thick, and Type III cards are 10.5 mm thick. All three products use the same interface, and are designed for laptops, notebooks, palmtops, tablets and other portable computer systems.

Each card is used for different applications. Type I cards are typically used for memory enhancements, including RAM, FLASH memory, one-time programmable (OTP) memory, and electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Type II cards are also used for memory enhancements, but also are seen in a variety of I/O applications, including modems, LANs and host communications. Type III cards are used for more data-intensive applications, such as removable hard disks and radio communication devices.

Q: What is a DAA?

DAA stands for Data Access Arrangement. The DAA is the interface between the modem and the telephone line; it contains the RJ-11 phone jack and some of the primary modem components. Currently, there is no way to incorporate the DAA into the PCMCIA card due to space constraints. Some PCMCIA products, such as the products developed by P.N.B., have an external DAA, which is attached via a cable. The U.S. Robotics-based Dual Standard PCMCIA modem has an attached DAA.

Q: What is a "Smart DAA?"

A: U.S. Robotics uses patented "Smart DAA" technology, which allows users to purchase a DAA designed for a specific country. This DAA will automatically configure the PCMCIA modem for use in that country. This guarantees users compatibility with each country's telephone network, and eliminates the hassles often involved with international communications and varying international standards.

Q: Are PCMCIA products approved for international use?

A: The U.S. Robotics PCMCIA modems have approvals in nearly 20 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Sweden? the U.K. and the U.S. This international compatibility is achieved by use of U. S. Robotics"'Smart DM" technology (see question above, "What is a 'Smart DAA?'" for explanation).

Some PCMCIA products are not internationally approvable, because their parts do not meet tolerance requirements or because they have exposed wires. This includes products such as Megahertz' XJack modem.

Q: What are the advantages to using PCMCIA technology?

A: Many laptop and palmtop manufacturers include PCMCIA slots with their products. PCMCIA cards are standards-based, which allows for the flexibility to use them with a variety of computers. PCMCIA products are also designed for low power consumption, so that the power draw from the laptop or palmtop computer is minimal. Of course, they are also small and lightweight, making them easy to transport and store.

One additional benefit is that the products are removable, external products. For example, if a problem surfaces with an internal laptop modems, often the entire system will need to be sent in for repair. If there are problems with a PCMCIA card, the card can easily be removed and sent in for replacement or repair, leaving the laptop user's system intact.

Q: Why didn't U.S. Robotics implement something like Megahertz' XJack in its PCMCIA design?

A: The XJack, which is basically a "pop-out" phone jack, has two major drawbacks.

* It is not internationally approvable because it has exposed wires.

* Because PCMCIA slots are mounted in so many different ways, a flexible design is necessary. With applications such as the IBM ThinkPad, which has an upside-down slot mounted with little clearance space, users would have to hang the laptop off of their desk to accommodate the phone jack on some competitive products. U.S. Robotics' designs easily accommodate this kind of application -- the first products to ship have a slim cable coming out to an external DAA, which requires no additional clearance; the DAAs on the Dual Standard product will be "flippable," so users merely flip over the DAA to accommodate this kind of application.

Q: Will PCMCIA eliminate the need for external portable modems?

A: No. Although PCMCIA is an important new technology, not every laptop currently supports PCMCIA. Users who do have laptops or palmtops with PCMCIA slots may wish to use those slots for other applications, and thus still have a need for an external portable modem.

U.S. Robotics' external modems have LEDs, which are not available on PCMCIA modems. External portable modems also provide flexibility; they may easily be used either with a laptop or a desktop computer.

U.S. Robotics, 8100 North McCormick Blvd, Skokie, IL 60076

800-DIAL-USR;  708-982-5010


The Original Macky Sac Wrist Rest
SAN DIEGO, CA, May 18, 1993 -- WYSI Z WYG design, a San Diego based design group has developed a revolutionary product for the computer industry. The Original Macky Sac, a wrist rest of ingenuous design, can be interchanged with any computer system that requires a mouse, trackball or keyboard.

Paul Zurlini, principal of WYSI Z YWG design and inventor of the Macky Sac explains "...it was developed out of necessity. I spend all day on a computer. My hand and arm were sore, especially from using the mouse and trackball. The ball of my wrist became very sore from resting it and dragging it across the desk top. The hard foam and plastic rests on the market today gave no cushioned comfort from the desktop and are more restraining and awkward than practical. These large "blocks" of material sit stationary and clutter your work area, so I started designing a solution..." After a few design revisions were made the Macky Sac was born.

Each Macky Sac is a 5 inch Neoprene (material used by the water sport industry for wetsuits) and cotton bean bag that offers firm yet comfortable support that molds to your hand. The patent pending design of the Macky Sac System features Velcro fasteners that allow for the sacs to be customized to the users personal specifications and to be moved around on the desktop where they are needed.

The Original Macky Sac was introduced to the market less than a year ago. It has been widely accepted by a variety of industries and has been written up in such publications as MacWorld Magazine, VDT News, a health and safety report devoted to the computer industry, Home Office Computing Magazine, and Computer Durrents Magazine. Los Angeles based Neurologist Howard J. Baker, M.D. has found the Macky Sac to be helpful to people suffering from Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and has recommended the device to his patients who report chronic wrist pain as a result of repetitive motion.

Macky Sacs, available in four fashion colors (Blue, Black, Pink & Purple), are manufactured in the USA. They are sold through the manufacturer and selected retail stores throughout the country. Retail price is approximately $7.75 each. For more information call 619-274-8537.


CodeScan 3000+ Bar Code Reader & Software Utils
Bear Rock Technologies Releases New Bar Code Reader

New Software Utility Included; Increased Functionality

(May 13, 1993) -- CodeScan 3000+, the newest generation of fully featured, low-cost bar code readers for PCs and RS-232 terminals, is now available from Bear Rock Technologies.

CodeScan 3000+ reads bar code data directly into the computer application as if it were typed from the keyboard. CodeScan 3000+ includes a new software utility which adds a high level of intelligence to scanning bar code data. The reader can be configured from the computer screen or by scanning bar codes. Users can create and edit macros and perform conditional formatting on scanned data from the PC. This means that characters in the bar code can be deleted, inserted and changed as they are scanned in.

The new bar code reader also features a new RJ-45 magstripe connector on the front of the reader which permits a magstripe reader to be connected by cable. Magstripe readers for CodeScan 3000+ have three-foot cables, allowing the credit card to be read on a countertop with the CodeScan 3000+ stored below and out of sight. CodeScan 3000+ supports Track I, Track II or dual track, and can read magstripe cards in both directions.

Along with the magstripe support, an additional jack is available for connection to a slot reader, CCD reader, laser or wand. This is useful in retail situations where products are being scanned and a credit card is used for payment.

Other new features include:

* Magstripe macro. Permits formatting of magstripe data so that users can specify the various data elements individually, output them in any sequence and insert characters into the output as required.

* Conversion macro. Users can define a macro to specify editing of the output data. Characters in the bar code can be deleted, inserted or changed as they are scanned in.

* Foreign keyboard support. Support for ten new languages has been added, bringing the total to fifteen. This includes French, Spanish and German.

* Laser decoding. Improved decoding speed and reduction of misreads when using lasers.

CodeScan 3000+ is simple enough to be used by people who are unfamiliar with bar code reading equipment. It can be installed without tools and used within moments after it is taken out of the box. It can be configured for use with PC/XTs, PC/ATs, PS/2s, RS-232 terminals/CPUs, portable computers and PCs with nondetachable keyboards. A simple change of the back panel converts for use between PCs and RS-232 terminals.

CodeScan 3000+ comes complete with a one-piece polycarbonate Hewlett-Packard wand. This high-performance wand is designed to read the widest range of bar codes printed on dot matrix, thermal and laser printers.

Suggested retail price for CodeScan 3000+ PC version is $345; the serial version retails for $395. CodeScan 3000+ and all options are available directly from Bear Rock Technologies or its authorized resellers. CodeScan 3000+ is manufactured in the USA, and comes with a five-year warranty. Bear Rock also manufactures CodeScan 3000, a Macintosh compatible bar code reader.

Bear Rock Technologies specializes in the design and manufacture of high quality bar code printing and reading products for the Macintosh, DOS and Windows environments.

Bear Rock Technologies

4140 Mother Lode Drive, Suite #100, Shingle Springs, CA 95682

(800) 232-7625 or (916) 672-0244;   Fax: (916) 672-1103


Rodeo and Western Events in the USA
A Bit Soft, Company has released a unique shareware package that lists various rodeo and western events throughout the United States. A calender of events, the software displays the events grouped by state along with the telephone number for the Bureau of Tourism for each state. Version 1.0 has just been released and should be available through many shareware distributors and online services, or may be ordered direct from the author. Registration is $9.95

A Bit Soft, Company

PO Box 80036

Austin, TX 78727-0036

512-873-7267


Extrasensory CA-Clipper Enhancements
Extrasensory Software Adds Two Programs to its Product Line

New Products Enhance CA-Clipper Development; Upgrades to Other Products Also Announced

(May 14, 1993) -- Extrasensory Software today announced that is has added two products to its family of CA-Clipper development tools. Originally marketed by other parties, the new programs are PS Error, a replacement error system for CA-Clipper, and Sez You, an environment control utility for CA-Clipper. Extrasensory Software is planning to release upgrades to both products at the end of June 1993.

"Like our other products, these programs greatly simplify the writing of CA-Clipper applications," said Ira Emus, president and co-founder of Extrasensory Software. "We are getting into software publishing to offer our customers more comprehensive development solutions, and PS Error and Sez You make fine additions to our product line."

PS Error is the only CA-Clipper error system that can track both runtime errors and fatal errors. When problems develop, PS Error writes all information previously specified by the programmer to an Error Log. A quick scan of the Log makes it easy to determine what happened and why. It's a fast, reliable way to error-proof CA-Clipper applications -- both during development and after delivery. New features of PS Error 2.0 include:

* Completely redesigned and reimplemented for

  CA-Clipper 5.2 compatibility

* Reduced memory overhead

* Reduced dgroup overhead (now only 800 bytes!)

* Specialized runtime interfaces to take advantage of tools

  available with FUNCky, ProVision, and CA-Clipper Tools III

* New manual, completely rewritten and restructured for clarity

  and ease of use

Sez You, which has also been upgraded to Version 2.0, gives developers almost total control over their environment settings. Sez You creates 28 slots within the EXE to hold all SET CLIPPER values (including those affecting the 5.x VMM system). Choose from simply putting one set of values directly into your EXE, or naming a Configuration File containing your preferences, or setting up a User Log cross-referenced to multiple Config Files (one for each client/user with different requirements). Best of all, Sez You lets you change everything easily -- without recompiling -- but won't recognize anyone else's conflicting SET CLIPPER values!

New features of Sez You 2.0 include:

* Compatible with CA-Clipper 5.2

* Allows you to make the best possible use of CA-Clipper 5.x's

  VMM (including swap files, EMS, file handles, etc).

* A simple evaluation order for Configuration settings

* A Sez You branding module which allows CA-Clipper programs

  to brand other CA-Clipper programs

* New functions to report important machine information,

  including memory statistics

* Result codes to let you know if there are problems

* New manual, completely rewritten and restructured for clarity

  and ease of use

Extrasensory also announced version 2.0 of Telepathy, its award-winning serial communications library for CA-Clipper. It offers terminal emulation, Zmodem capability, and multi-port serial board support. New features include CA-Clipper 5.2 compatibility, a scripting language, and greater control over incoming data. A new Telepathy companion product called ClipDoor is now available as well. It allows a CA-Clipper program to become a "door" or host that can be accessed by other computers.

Also announced were upgrades of The PostScript Library and FAXual.lib, which are now CA-Clipper 5.2 compatible. The PostScript Library provides an intuitive interface to PostScript printers, dramatically expanding the creative possibilities for CA-Clipper reports and charts. FAXual.lib makes it possible to send faxes directly from your CA-Clipper programs at any time, operating in the background without interfering with the program in the foreground.

All upgrades will be released at the end of June 1993. PS Error, Sez You, and The Postscript Library are all priced at $149.95 each; Telepathy is priced at $219.95; and FAXual.lib is $99.95.

Extrasensory Software can be contacted at:

818-981-8367;  fax: 818-986-5411


Niche Software Business Training Packages
Missiles to Marshmellows

You've heard of Guns to Butter. Well, Niche Software & Communications, a software developer with a defense antecedent, has Shareware products available for business training problems (for IBM PC-DOS). The 20 minute electronic lectures feature VGA graphics and are designed to give the student the impression that he is touring an art gallery while absorbing the material. Available topics so far are "Japanese Business Culture", "Ethics Awareness Kit", and "Service Business Design". Registration fees are a nominal 5$ and site licenses are available.

Niche also has a first release of a shareware game intended for women only , "Play For Mate: A Discreet Event Simulation", which entertains while answering the question " How do I meet Men?". Another simulation, "Angst", invites the user to click his way through the Los Angeles recession.

Niche Software, 14162 Elystan Circle, Westminster, CA 92683

714-892-9052


Education Software Cooperative (Shareware)
Education: Small Solutions by Independent Developers are Ready Now

Do you need to keep those newly purchased school computers loaded with history, mathematics, biology, and creativity applications? Where can you find a huge collection assembled IN ONE PLACE? Where can you "try before you buy"? Try the Educational Software Cooperative. If you elect to buy, prices are modest and district licensing is available.

A group of shareware authors and dealers have formed a cooperative to share ideas and to develop standards for educational software. For an IBM experienced purchaser who is already literate in decompression techniques, the ESC Coop offers a collection of over 80 programs -- all in one place -- available in zipped format. The ESC Shareware Package is available for $25.00 (specify disk size) from:

     Education Software Cooperative

     C/O Motes Educational Software

     PO BOX 575

     Siloam Springs, AR 72761

SHAREWARE by the EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE COOPERATIVE

This package of software currently contains over 15Meg of educational PC shareware (over 75 programs in compressed form) written by members of the Educational Software Cooperative. All programs are the very latest versions and "zipped" ready for distribution. A public domain decompression program is included for you to use in unzipping the programs. The list is growing quickly. These are some of the titles:

EAG Mouse Paint          Mellisa's Music Flashcards

Mathcounts 4+4           Brandon's Big Lunchbox

Three Ball Juggler       Typing Games

ABC-Talk                 MathYou

Parables & Parabolas     Angst

Trainer                  Olympiad

Hangman Jr.              Ecomaster

Super VGA Puzzle         Basic Training

Towers                   Quilt

Mom's Math               Dr. Motes' Colorbook

Sky Globe                Mathplot

On This Day              Talking ABC's

Word Rescue              Kwikstat

Math Games               PC-CAI

Why Do I Need Math       Toybox II

123-Talk                 Jubilee

Insight                  Palette Pleezer

Chronos                  School-Mom

Children's Graphics      Nonlin

Math Rescue              Spell Games         ...and more!

To purchase this package of diskettes for shareware distribution or private use, cost is $25 from the Educational Software Cooperative, c/o Motes Educational Software, PO Box 575, Siloam Springs, AR 72761. Specify whether 3.5 inch 1.44M or 5.25 inch 1.2M high density diskettes are desired.

About hte Educational Software Cooperative

A group of shareware authors and dealers have formed the Educational Software Cooperative to help themselves and their customers. This cooperative provides a medium for sharing ideas and advertising. Plans for the future also include developing standards for educational software. Profits from the ESC Shareware Package will be used to support the ESC.


AEGIS Peripherals Tech. Enters Apple Market
NEW ENTRY IN APPLE PERIPHERAL INDUSTRY

AEGIS PERIPHERAL TECHNOLOGIES TARGETS $6B MARKET

May 14, 1993 -- LITTLETON, MA - Targeting the growing $6 Billion Macintosh computer data storage market, AEGIS PERIPHERAL TECHNOLOGIES has emerged as a joint venture between Advanced Media Services, Inc. and Antares Technologies, Inc., both in Eastern Massachusetts. Advertisements in trade magazines and other publications are scheduled to begin this month, and both AEGIS and its initial products are rapidly attracting notice.

According to Joseph P. Thomas, Vice-President and Co-Founder of AEGIS, "The company's goal is to produce the best value in data storage solutions for Macintosh computers. That means high-quality, competitively-priced, and reliable products, as well as service and support to back them up." As proof of this commitment, AEGIS offers extended warranties, ships its products fully tested & formatted, and includes a disk optimization package from Software Architects Inc. with each hard drive.

AEGIS is using a direct-marketing strategy for their introductory line of hard drives ranging from 120 Megabytes to 1.24 Gigabytes, which use proven mechanisms and technology from Maxtor Corporation. Other products, including CD-ROM and removable media, are planned for later release. With prices below many competitors, AEGIS is measuring up as a serious contender in the computer peripheral industry. Contact AEGIS PERIPHERAL TECHNOLOGIES for further information at (508) 486-0831.


Software Killer Often Undetected

CUPERTINO, CA - MAY 1993 - What should personal computer users fear the most? Recent media alerts focusing on the threat of viruses contaminating and even destroying computer data have prompted many users to vaccinate their disks with virus sceening and protection programs. Yet a less publicized "silent" data killer lurks, often undetected, never arrested, in the shadows of every disk drive.

Dirty drive heads are a major undiagnosed cause of bad floppy disks. Since the read/write head affects nearly every aspect of a drive's operation, a dirty head is a particularly deadly and elusive culprit. "Debris that becomes lodged in a sensitive region of the head may have an immediate, noticeable effect on disk quality or could conceivably cause gradual deterioration of the drive and the floppy disks used in it," says Max Dunn, President of Micro System Designs.

Disks have a magnetic coating that accumulates on the drive head, even with normal use. Under humid conditions or with low quality disks, drives can become clogged after running as few as 50 disks, according to Dunn. Dust particles and other dirt on the disk surface also contribute to the layer of residue. Cigarette smoke, which appears as small blobs of tar under a microscope, will stick to the disk surface and is subsequently transferred to the drive head. Heavy deposits are visible as a brownish film on the drive head.

When floppy disks are used in a dirty drive, the residue prevents the read/write head from making good contact with the disk. The dirt particles cause erratic operation when the disk is read or written to, including good disks that are inexplicably rejected or disks that other computers cannot read. Inconsistent performance or the rejection of a substantial number of disks - Dunn considers anything over 2-4% to be excessive - are indicative of extensive deposits on the read/write head.

The only effective remedy is to clean drives regularly. If it has been a period of months since a drive head has been cleaned and the drive head is accessible, Dunn suggests using a Q-tip and alcohol to remove any residue. For inaccessible heads, kits containing standard cleaning disks and cleaning fluid are readily available.

The first time the drive is cleaned, Dunn recommends running the cleaning disk for three minutes. Thereafter, the best line of defense is running the cleaning disk regularly, for approximately fifteen seconds once a month.

Many users worry that cleaning the drive heads too often will wear them out since the surface of the cleaning disk is coarser than that of a normal disk. In fact, Dunn says that operating a drive with a dirty head induces more wear, because of the abrasive action of the dirt.

Micro System Designs' software duplication program, DiskDupe Pro, features a special cleaning cycle that moves the drive head back and forth across the entire surface of the disk as opposed to just using one section of the cleaning disk surface. "This allows more efficient use of the cleaning disk and produces a cleaner head," Dunn says.

DiskDupe Pro also duplicates, formats, and compares disks, makes 5" to 3" conversions, makes customized disks and disk sets, and supports the 2.8Mb format for the IBM PC and compatibles. It retails for $179 and is available through Micro System Designs.

Micro Systems Designs Inc

10062 Miller Ave, Suite 104, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-446-2066;  fax: 408-446-2095


NetWorks Expo Premieres in San Francisco Apr'94
NETWORKS EXPO TO PREMIERE IN SAN FRANCISCO

Networking Trade Show to Fill Void Created by Interop's Departure

(Fort Lee, NJ, May 12) -- Networks Expo, the world's leading exposition and conference devoted solely to network computing, will make its West Coast premiere in San Francisco's Moscone Center, April 19-21, 1994, announced Ralph Ianuzzi Jr., president of Bruno Blenheim, Inc. (BBI).

The new event joins Networks Expo Boston and Networks Expo Dallas in 1994, when Bruno Blenheim's networking shows, formerly called NetWorld, will be presented annually under their new name. The 1994 dates for Networks Expo in Boston are February 15-17, and September 20-22, in Dallas.

"Our West Coast show will fill a major market void created by the hasty move of Interop to tertiary cities next year," said Mr. Ianuzzi. "After many years of investing huge amounts of time and money to develop and serve this extremely viable region, it is inconceivable to us that exhibitors would abandon San Francisco. In addition, independent research proves that a vast majority of loyal attendees prefer to go to the same venue year after year. The same rules of patronage will apply to Networks Expo in Moscone Center."

The decision to create a West Coast Networks Expo was made following discussions with exhibitors who expressed a keen desire to maintain their customer relationships on the West Coast. "By producing Networks EXPO in Moscone Center, Bruno Blenheim will offer the industry three major networking events in the Boston, Dallas and San Francisco business markets," said Mr. Ianuzzi.

Networks Expo in San Francisco will be a replica of the shows in Boston and Dallas complete with the ShowNet system, and a full conference program on networking business solutions, interoperability, LANs and enterprise networking.

With the addition of the San Francisco networking event, Blenheim solidifies its trade show reach to encompass the most populated and lucrative markets in the U.S. "Exhibitors have a virtual one-stop shopping opportunity to reach corporate volume buyers of IT business solutions at all of our shows," added Mr. Ianuzzi.

The three American networking exhibitions are pan of Blenheim's worldwide group of shows appearing under the Networks brand name and include the largest computer networking events in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.

Blenheim Group is the world's largest producer of computer related trade shows with more than 32 international information technology events in its portfolio. Its worldwide computer events annually attract more than 600,000 volume buyers and resellers. In addition to the Networks Expo (formerly NetWorld) events, Blenheim in the U.S. also produces the PC EXPO shows and UNIX EXPO.

Bruno Blenheim Inc

Fort Lee Executive Park, One Executive Dr, Fort Lee, NJ 07024

800-829-3976,  201-346-1400,  Fax: 201-346-1532


MDBS IV Visual Basic Interface Package
MDBS IV Visual Basic Interface Means Fast, Efficient Access To Client-Server Database Engine

Redmond, Wash. - May 14, 1993 - Micro Data Base Systems, Inc. (mdbs) has developed an optional MDBS IV language interface for the Microsoft Visual Basic programming system version 3.0. The MDBS IV Visual Basic Interface package enables developers to create complex, powerful client-server applications under the MS-DOS operating system using a visual paradigm. These applications are easily portable to the Microsoft Windows operating system.

"We see an enormous potential for Visual Basic-based applications in the client-server market," said Kevin Castleberry, president of mdbs Application Tools Division. "The MDBS IV Visual Basic Language Interface gives developers using Visual Basic access to an extremely high-performance client-server database engine that specifically meets the needs of the rightsizing market."

MDBS IV is capable of highly complex data modeling, including the direct representation of many-to-many sets without joined tables. In addition, database size has little effect on the engine's performance.

The MDBS IV Interface for Visual Basic 3.0 is undergoing internal testing. mdbs anticipates a release during fall of this year. Call mdbs at (800) 445-mdbs for pricing and additional product features information.

Founded in 1979, mdbs is a pioneer in database management software for VAX, SUN and PC computers. mdbs products include: KnowledgeMan, an integrated information management system for business applications; GURU$, a comprehensive expert systems environment; GURU Solveur, a do-it-yourself tool for building diagnostic expert systems; MDBS IV, a high performance database server for on-line transaction processing environments; and Object/1, an object-oriented development environment for graphical applications.

Micro Data Base Systems, Inc.

Two Executive Dr, Post Office Box 6089, Lafayette, IN 47903-6089

TEL. (317) 447-1122;   (800) 445-MDBS;   FAX (317) 448-6428


National Lampoon's Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1
SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE SHIPS NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHESS MANIAC 5 BILLION AND 1

Adult-Oriented Sendup of Current Chess Games Now Available for IBM Compatibles

ALAMEDA, Calif., April 5, 1993 -- Spectrum HoloByte has teamed up with the legendary wit of National Lampoon to produce National Lampoon's Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1, a bawdy, sometimes bold, always hilarious spoof of current computer chess programs. The game, featuring live-action and 3-D graphics in fully animated adult-oriented situations, is now available for IBM compatibles on floppy disk and CD-ROM formats.

National Lampoon's Chess Maniac 5-Billion and 1 presents both solid chess logic and an entertaining source of nonstop laughs. It features two basic sets, the Bawdy and the Boring, with 10 levels of difficulty to challenge all players from beginner to advanced.

From beginning to end, the Bawdy set pulls no punches. Players start by choosing a computer opponent, which can be a man, woman or mountain goat (even the Maniac is politically correct!). Then, the Bawdy set's pieces come alive with full-motion, rotoscoped video and digitized sound to perform dozens of hilarious skits as one piece takes another. Players will get a kick out of the Sultan as he cruises the board in his gown and goatee or the Belly Dancer as she performs dangerous dances including "Death by Lambada." In all, Chess Maniac includes over 60 outlandish skits.

National Lampoon's Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1 also contains numerous random animations that are designed to distract the player in various wily ways. Take too much time to make a move, and the player is liable to lose a piece to the Maniac's cheating shark. Warning: Escher the dog is not house broken.

The Boring set, featuring standard Staunton pieces, is for those who wish to play a chess game without the action of its Bawdy counterpart. But it's really not all that boring. Backdrops transport players to exotic locales such as a laundromat (the Maniac plays a clean game) and a graveyard (people are just dying to play here).

Designed in a classic parody style, the Chess Maniac manual contains instructions on playing, along with a complete description of all of the characters players encounter throughout their grand and glorious chess adventure. Manual highlights include a hilarious revisionist jaunt through the history of chess and an exclusive interview with the Maniac himself.

National Lampoon's Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1 for IBM compatibles is available at computer retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $69.95 for floppy disk and $59.95 for CD-ROM.

** The Maniac's a comin': Don't say we didn't warn you. **

Spectrum HoloByte, 2490 Manner Square Loop, Alameda, CA 94501

(510) 522-3584;   Fax (510) 522-3587


Drew Pictures' Iron Helix from Spectrum HoloByte
SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE ENTERS GROWING CD-ROM MARKET WITH DREW PICTURES' IRON HELIX

Photorealistic Action-Adventure Poised for First-Quarter 1993 Release on the Macintosh; IBM-Compatibles Version Set for Second Quarter

Spectrum HoloByte is pleased to announce the first CD-ROM title in its growing line of leading-edge interactive entertainment products. Iron Helix, created by development house Drew Pictures Inc., will be published and distributed by Spectrum HoloByte. A March 1993 release is expected for the Macintosh CD-ROM platform; a CD-ROM-based IBM-compatibles version is scheduled for May 1993.

Rendered entirely in full-color photorealistic 3-D animation, Iron Helix is an action adventure set in a cold-war future where a terrible biological weapon threatens to touch off a galactic holocaust. Players must stop the weapon from reaching its target by piloting a small robotic probe within an impossibly huge maze-like starship, all the while evading the ship's deadly security drone. By speeding through corridors, shafts and chambers in this six-level monolith, players must guide the probe to the clues that will stop the drone and destroy the monstrous ship. But there's a catch: the players' probe was developed for biological research and thus carries no weapons, making Iron Helix a race of wits and time.

Iron Helix was created by Drew Pictures Inc. of San Francisco, a software development studio specializing in CD-ROM entertainment. Drew Huffman is the game's main designer with art direction by Rich Cohen. Peter Stone composed the motion-picture quality soundtrack.

Iron Helix will be published and distributed by Spectrum HoloByte. Iron Helix was released for Macintosh CD-ROM-based systems in March 1993 at an SRP of $99.95.

Spectrum HoloByte, 2490 Manner Square Loop, Alameda, CA 94501

(510) 522-3584;   Fax (510) 522-3587


Star Trek: The Next Generation for MS-DOS
SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE TO DEVELOP GAMES BASED ON HIT TELEVISION SERIES: STAR TREK - THE NEXT GENERATION

Third-Quarter 1993 Release Expected for the Super Nintendo and MS-DOS Platforms

In an exclusive agreement with Paramount Pictures, Spectrum HoloByte will produce a computer game version of Star Trek: The Next Generation, America's number one syndicated hour-long series. A leading interactive entertainment developer and publisher, Spectrum HoloByte is best known for its cutting-edge work in games for the personal computer. A third-quarter 1993 release for the Super Nintendo and MSDOS versions is planned.

Spectrum HoloByte's Star Trek: The Next Generation will allow players to take command of the U.S.S. Enterprise, the flagship of the Federation's Galaxy class starships, to visit strange new worlds, encounter alien life forms and experience dozens of other realms of graphic adventure. Players will travel to distant star systems and select a complement of away-team members for the mission. Players will then use the transporter to beam down to the planet's surface and control ship's operations--from engineering to transporter-room functions--with an interface modeled from the studio set of the actual U.S.S. Enterprise.

In developing the Star Trek: The Next Generation games, Spectrum HoloByte has gathered top talent in and out of the interactive-entertainment industry. Andrew Probert was the original spacecraft and set designer for the series and acts as a consultant on the games. Stephen Goldin, a writer of some 30 science-fiction novels, is the primary technical writer on the Star Trek: The Next Generation project.

Spectrum HoloByte, 2490 Manner Square Loop, Alameda, CA 94501

(510) 522-3584;   Fax (510) 522-3587


Major Upgrade of TesaSoft KwikStat Data Analysis
TexaSoft Ships Major New Upgrade of the Popular KwikStat Data Analysis Program

DALLAS, TX--May 20, 1993--TexaSoft this week released a new edition of its widely-known data analysis program, KwikStat. Dubbed KwikStat Professional, the new edition adds Quality Control and Advanced Regression modules to an award-winning program already packed with data analysis features.

Designed for business and scientific data analysis, KwikStat contains graphical and numeric procedures including descriptive, comparative and forecasting capabilities. It allows import of data from ASCII, dBase and Lotus 1-2-3 file formats.

Quality Control KwikStat's new Quality Control module brings state-of-the-art analysis procedures within the scope of every business or scientific professional. The Quality Control module displays an array of control charts (X-Bar, R-, S- and P-charts). It allows users to perform an interactive graphical query of the control plot, using the ingenious new SmartPoint mouse-drive pointing system. By quickly determining the original source of any point on the graph, SmartPoint makes each control chart a dynamic business control tool.

Advanced Regression

KwikStat's new Advanced Regression module makes forecasting quick and easy, by offering assistance in determining the best forecasting model. A variety of methods are included for simple, polynomial, stepwise or all subsets models. A custom regression option allows users to build and estimate the parameters for customized regression models. Plots produced by the Advanced Regression also contain the SmartPoint pointing system.

Award-Winning

KwikStat won the 1992 SIA award for Best Data Analysis Math/Engineering Program. It is remarkably easy to use, yet features a full array of data analysis capabilities, including descriptive statistics, non-parametrics, t-tests, ANOVA, frequency and crosstabulations, and much more. Also included are Time Series Analysis and Two-Way ANOVA modules. State-of-the-art graphics can be printed or captured as PCX graphics files.

TexaSoft

KwikStat Professional retails for $149. TexaSoft, a 12-year-old company based near Dallas, TX, produces business, scientific and educational software.

TexaSoft, PO box 1169, Cedar Hill, TX 75104

214-291-2115;  fax: 214-291-3400;  800-955-TEXAS


EAGLE Layout Software on CNBC June 1993
PCB SOFTWARE FEATURED ON CNBC

Program will be aired in June 1993

CadSoft Computer's EAGLE Layout Software package has been selected to be showcased in a national television show. CNBC's Business Today Series will introduce EAGLE in their show, 'Inside Integrated Circuits'. This educational program will be aired in Jue 1993, and will emphasize the quality of the PCB software. Apart from that, CadSoft is offering a free copy of their newest symbol library collection to all of their United States EAGLE users. The libraries include the addition of ECL, ACL, FIFO and 68000 components, and contain most of the newest 1993 parts from Intel, Motorola, National Semiconductor, Burr Brown and Texas Instruments. Customers who have a modem can retrieve the libraries from the company's BBS system. For more information, contact CadSoft Computer Inc, 801 South Federal Highway, Delray Beach, FL 33483; 800-858-8355


ProActive Software Moves to Harger Headquarters
ProActive Software Moves to Larger Headquarters

Mountain View, CA, May 18, 1993 -- ProActive Software, Inc., the leading supplier of enterprise-wide customer service software, has relocated its corporate headquarters to larger facilities. ProActive will occupy the building at 1890 North Shoreline Blvd., in Mountain View, CA to accommodate its rapid growth and future expansion plans. Phone and fax remain the same: corporate (415) 691-1500; support (415) 691-1495; and fax (415) 691-1515.

ProActive Software develops and markets the Customer Information Resource (CIR) system, a family of integrated applications that span the enterprise -- customer support departments, sales and marketing, quality assurance and help desks. These applications are targeted at a broad range of industries including financial services, medical equipment, telecommunications, consumer products, and high technology.

ProActive is the leading supplier of integrated software products for sales, service and quality management organizations. ProActive's enterprise-wide information base offers corporations a competitive advantage in delivering superior product quality and total customer satisfaction.

The company is funded by co-founder Roger Sippl, as well as Mohr, Davidow Ventures; Mayfield Fund; Weiss, Peck & Greer Venture Partners; Grace Horn Ventures; and Stanford University. Products are sold by the company's direct sales force and through resellers and systems integrators worldwide. Sales offices are located at corporate headquarters in Mountain View, CA, as well as in Atlanta and Chicago.


Street Wizard Ver 3.1 Street Mapping Package
Street Wizard Version 3.1 Release

San Diego, CA, May 18, 1993 - Adept Computer Solutions, Inc. announces the national release of Street Wizard Version 3.1. Street Wizard is a street mapping software package for IBM compatible microcomputers running Windows. Street Wizard provides maps with detail down to the local street level for every county in the United States. Street Wizard can be purchased on a county by county basis at $99 for the first county and $49.50 for additional counties.

Street Wizard brings low cost desktop mapping for your local area into your home or office. Computerization gives faster access and greater functionality than paper maps alone. Street Wizard will find addresses, print maps and draw routes.

Enter an Address. Street Wizard will find it, highlight it and zoom in to show you a close-up of the area. Street Wizard will also tell you the zipcode of an address. You can print a map of any location you desire and as much of the surrounding area as you like. No more fumbling through endless pages or having difficulty refolding a paper map. Print out the area you need and take it with you. You can even print in color. Or fax a map to a friend or client trying to find your home or office. Street Wizard will also print text directions to your destination. The text directions tell you where to turn, how far to go between turns and even which streets you will pass between turns. The directions also give total distance traveled and approximate travel time.

You can create a pin map with Street Wizard. Each "pin" can be given its own color. size. and description, allowing you to see your data on the map. The pin map information can be updated from within Street Wizard and can then be saved for later use.

Street Wizard incorporates many new Windows 3.1 features including TrueType fonts. Other new features include a convenient tool bar and user control of colors. You can highlight several addresses, and then save them for later recall. You can highlight your starting point and your destination, and then choose a route between them with just a few mouse clicks. You can save that route for later use as well. Street Wizard comes with preset map grids or you can make your own based on a grid you currently use. Street Wizard can also copy maps to other Windows applications via the Clipboard.

Street Wizard requires a 386SX or higher processor, 2MB RAM, a hard disk, and Windows 3. 0 or later and is available from Adept Computer Solutions at (800) 578-MAPS.

Adept Computer Solutions Inc

1742 Garnet Ave, Suite 206, San Diego, CA 92109

(619) 270-4900


Microsoft FoxPro for Windows Step by Step

The Fastest Way to Learn Microsoft FoxPro

Training yourself, your company, or your customers just got easier with MICROSOFT FOXPRO FOR WINDOWS STEP BY STEP--the official Microsoft courseware from Microsoft Press.

This timesaving, cost-effective training package is the ideal self-paced learning tool. Newcomers to Microsoft FoxPro for Windows and database management will be amazed how quickly they'll learn to create and use a custom database. There's less downtime and lost productivity because users can learn right at their own desks. It's the perfect solution for today's on-the-go businesspeople.

Each of the 12 lessons is generously illustrated with real-world exarnples, and each is fully integrated with the practice files on disk. Readers can compare their results and track their progress for each lesson as they learn to use Microsoft FoxPro for Windows to:

* Display database information on the screen or in a customized

  report

* Learn the best way to create new databases for effective

  information management

* Organize information by indexing and sorting databases

* Work with several databases at once to display and report

  related information in other files

* Create applications with the Application Generator, and manage

  an application's development with the Project Manager

* Enhance custom applications by designing and building screens

  and menus with the Screen Builder and the Menu Builder

MICROSOFT FOXPRO FOR WINDOWS STEP BY STEP is also easily adaptable for use in an instructor-led classroom setting. Lessons can be easily customized to fit the needs of a special software training curriculum in a small-business or corporate training facility. An appendLlc clarifies how the snippets of code used in this book work so users can put them to use in their own applications. A glossary makes looking up terms easy, and the comprehensive index helps students and instructors quickly find information on any topic in the book.

Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.0 or later and Microsoft FoxPro for Windows version 2.5 are required The book includes one 720-KB 3.5-inch disk and ordering information for a 1.2-MB 5.25-inch disk. An instructor's guide is also available.

MICROSOFT FOXPRO FOR WINDOWS STEP BY STEP joins the growing family of self-paced training products available from Microsoft Press. Microsoft Excel Step by Step--the first official Microsoft courseware product from Microsoft Press--won the "Best Introductory How-To Book" award from the prestigious Computer Press Association. Other book-and-software packages in the Step by Step series include Microsoft Excelfor the Macintosh Step by Step, Microsoft Wordfor Windows Step by Step, MicrosoftProjectfor Windows Step by Step, Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft Windows 3.1 Step by Step, Microsoft Excel Macros Step by Step, Microsoft Access for Windows Step by Step, and the forthcoming Microsoft Wordfor MS-DOS 6 Step by Step, Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS Step by Step, and Microsoft Mail for Windows Step by Step.

Based in Bellevue, Washington, Catapult, Inc. is a national software training company dedicated to providing the highest quality application software training. Catapult's contribuiion to the Step by Step series from Microsoft Press is based on their proprietary Performance-Based Training Prograrn for adult learning.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 rnillion users of all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Tides ranging from self-paced tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order direcdy from the publisher at 1-800 MSPRESS.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft FoxPro for Windows Step by Step

By Catapult Inc

312 pages, one 3.5-inch disk, $29.95

ISBN: 1-55615-540-9

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


Half-Length Chromatography Data Acq Board
Half-Length High Performance Chromatography Data Acquisition Board and Software

A new "mini" Model 717 Data System features a redesigned 24-bit analog-to-digital convertor card which will fit into any true "half-length" PC bus slot. The card runs at a 100 Hz sampling rate and is suitable for all GC and HPLC techniques. It includes both digital inputs and outputs for synchronizing data collection with or controlling external devices. Any PC, XT, 80286, 803861 or 80486 can accommodate the card and its companion 717 chromatography software, which handles all data archiving, integration, quantitation, and reporting tasks. The new 717 system is ideal for field or alternate-site applications requiring portable or laptop PCs, with or without hard disk drives.

AXXIOM CHROMATOGRAPHY, INC.

11988 CHALLENGER COURT, MOORPARK, CA 93021-7122

(805) 523-8888    (800) 441-8888    FAX (805) 523-2313


Bible & Talmud on CD-ROM from Davka Corp
Bible & Talmud On CD-ROM For $49.95

May 18, 1993 -- Chicago -- Davka Corporation, in cooperation with the Institute for Computers in Jewish Life, announces special pricing on the CD-ROM Judaic Classics Limited Edition, for the IBM PC, and Macintosh computers. Until July 1st, 1993, the Library, which includes the complete text of the Bible, the Talmud, and Rashi's commentary on the Pentateuch and Talmud, together with a search program, is available for $49.95.

The CD-ROM Judaic Classics Library was established in 1991, to provide access to the major texts of Judaism--in Hebrew and English, as well as standard Jewish reference works, on computerized compact disks. Other volumes in the Library currently available, include the Judaic Classics Second Edition, and Third Edition, both of which contain additional Hebrew texts.

Since its introduction, the CD-ROM Judaic Classics Library has been acclaimed as a boon for scholars, rabbis, and students--for anyone who needs quick access to the classic works of Judaism. The search program included with the CD-ROM Library makes it easy to search for any word or phrase in the various databases, in the original Hebrew and Aramaic.

Using the CD-ROM Library, someone looking for all occurrences of a particular Talmudic word or passage can quickly search through the entire Talmud--over 5000 pages--to find the relevant citations, just by typing in one or two words from the relevant passage.

With the proliferation of personal computers in today's society, the CD-ROM Judaic Classics Library is quickly becoming a standard reference tool in Jewish homes and institutions of higher learning worldwide.

The CD-ROM Judaic Classics Library can be used with the IBM PC or compatibles, as well as the Apple Macintosh computer, equipped with a CD-ROM drive and hard drive.

Davka Corporation is the world's largest developer of Hebrew and Judaic software. The Institute for Computers in Jewish Life develops and disseminates applications of computer technology in Jewish life. For more information contact Davka at 7074 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60645 (312) 465-4070.


DEMAID: Design Mgrs Aid for Intelligent Decomp
DEMAID - A DESIGN MANAGERS AID FOR INTELLIGENT DECOMPOSITION

Many engineering systems are large and multi-disciplinary. Before the design of new complex systems such as large space platforms can begin, the possible interactions among subsystems and their parts must be determined. Once this is completed the proposed system can be decomposed to identify its hierarchical structure. DeMAID (A Design Manager's Aid for Intelligent Decomposition) from NASA Langley Research Center is a knowledge-based system for ordering the sequence of modules and identifying a possible multilevel structure for the design problem. Although DeMAID was originally written for design problems, it has proven to be very general in solving any problem which contains modules (processes) which take an input and generate an output. For example, one group is applying DeMAID to gain understanding of the data flow of a very large computer program. In this example, the modules are the subroutines of the program.

DeMAID is available in two machine versions: a Macintosh version which is written in Symantec's Think C 3.01 (LAR-14973) and a Sun version which is written in C language (LAR-15018). The standard distribution medium for the Macintosh version of DeMAID is a set of four 3.5 inch 800K Macintosh format diskettes. The standard distribution medium for the Sun version of DeMAID is a .25 inch streaming magnetic tape cartridge in UNIX tar format. Both versions include sample input. Program $500; documentation $18.

COSMIC, The University of Georgia

382 East Broad St, Athens, GA 30602-4272

(706) 542-3265;  Fax: (706) 542-4807


PYROLASER Optical Pyrometer Operating System
PYROLASER - PYROLASER OPTICAL PYROMETER OPERATING SYSTEM

The PYROLASER package from NASA Marshall Space Center is an operating system for the Pyrometer Instrument Company's Pyrolaser. There are 6 individual programs in the PYROLASER package: two main programs, two lower level subprograms, and two programs which, although independent, function predominantly as macros. The package provides a quick and easy way to setup, control, and program a standard Pyrolaser. PYROLASER, MFS-28819, is written using the Labview software for use on Macintosh series computers running System 6.0.3 or later, Sun Sparc series computers running OpenWindows 3.0 or MIT's X Window System (XllR4 or XllR5), and IBM PC or compatibles running Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later. An electronic copy of the documentation in Macintosh WordPerfect version 2.0.4 format is included on the distribution medium. Printed documentation is included in the $150 price of the program.

COSMIC, The University of Georgia

382 East Broad St, Athens, GA 30602-4272

(706) 542-3265;  Fax: (706) 542-4807


Sybase Audit Server for Database Security
SYBASE ANNOUNCES AUDIT SERVER

Powerful Auditing Device Enhances Standard Database Security

EMERYVILLE, CA, May 19,1993 -- Sybase, Inc. today announced the SYBASE Audit Server product, a powerful auditing tool that enhances security and allows database administrators to audit all database activity across the network. The SYBASE Audit Server product was developed in response to the growing demand for security in the marketplace by providing information systems managers greater control of security in database server environments.

As client/server technology matures, government and private organizations are moving more of their critical data assets to database servers widely distributed over networks. The result is increased accessibility to data by larger groups of users and an increased demand for security measures to protect all types of private and sensitive information.

Ben Martindale, director of Sybase federal marketing, said, "The demands for higher levels of security and protection of data are becoming increasingly widespread within federal and commercial markets. The SYBASE Audit Server product addresses these requirements by giving greater control of database security environments to-those-individuals directly responsible for their protection. The SYBASE Audit Server product exceeds Department of Defense C2 auditing requirements and provides the most powerful auditing tool available for SQL server-based client/server configurations."

Auditing consists of the capturing and recording of selected operations taking place in an information system, and has long been the foundation of security system implementations. Auditing systems capture instances of inappropriate access or modifications of critical data that is then used to mitigate security threats and improve overall system integrity.

The SYBASE Audit Server

The SYBASE Audit Server product is flexible and completely configurable to the requirements of virtually any security policy. Located between SQL servers and their clients, the SYBASE Audit Server product has three principal functions. First, it validates and authenticates all attempts to log into SQL server systems. Second, it captures and records all database access operations defined by the database administrator as being "auditable events." Third, it enables authorized security administrators, through use of reporting tools, to easily extract needed data from the audit database.

Because the SYBASE Audit Server product is based on the SYBASE Open Server product, it is fully scalable: the SYBASE Audit Server product and the audit database can exist on separate nodes, apart from the audited SQL Server. This scalability makes the SYBASE Audit Server product ideal for use in high volume environments. The SYBASE Audit Server product is policy-free, allowing data administrators to customize their own auditing and security policies. It can be easily added on to-any new or existing application in a cost-effective way without modifications to the applications or upgrades to the SQL Server. The SYBASE Audit Server product's password mapping feature means that adding the SYBASE Audit Server product to an existing SQL Server application provides mainframe-like password security capabilities without any modifications to-the application or database.

The SYBASE Audit Server product is designed specifically to work with the SYBASE SQL Server product, a client/server-based relational database management system.

Sybase's Scalable Security Capabilities

The SYBASE Audit Sever product is one of a series of security enhanced products Sybase will be introducing throughout the year. Designed to fulfill the stringent requirements emerging within client/server environments, the SYBASE System 10 family offers SYBASE SQL Server 10 and SYBASE Secure SQL Server 10 as part of its flexible product suite. SYBASE SQL Server has built in capabilities and will comply with the Department of Defense C2 level of protection. SYBASE Secure SQL Server features allow it to comply with Department of Defense BI level of security.

The SYBASE Audit Server product is an important component to Sybase's array of security enforcement options. Not all organizations have security requirements that fit into the levels defined by existing government criteria.

The SYBASE Audit Server product was co-developed with Softport Systems, Inc., a leading New York City-based software engineering firm that specializes in client/server technology with extensive experience in developing Open Server/SQL Server-based mission critical applications.

Availability/Pricing

The SYBASE Audit Server product is currently available for use with all supported versions of SYBASE SQL Server and Microsoft SQL Server. It runs on the following platforms: Sun, Digital VMS, and OS2. Pricing for the SYBASE Audit Server starts at $2,500, depending on platform, size, and number of users. Run-time pricing is also available.

SYBASE System 10

The SYBASE System 10 family of modular products was created to specifically meet the needs of enterprise-wide client/server computing. The products include: OmniSQL Gateway for easy-to-use, transparent distributed access; SQL Server 10 for proven advanced RDBMS technology; Navigation Server for scalable high performance; Replication Server for reliable distributed data and transaction delivery; and Control Server for distributed control from a single location.

Sybase, Inc.

Sybase, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBS) develops and markets a leading family of client/server-based software products and services for on-line, enterprise-wide applications. Sybase's integrated family of software includes servers, tools, connectivity, and administration/control products that provide complete desktop to mainframe solutions. Headquartered in Emeryville, CA, Sybase markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force, telesales, distributors, OEMs, VARs, and systems integrators.

Sybase Inc, 6475 Christie Ave, Emeryville, CA 04608

510-596-3500;  Fax: 510-658-9441


ButtonFile for Windows Personal Database
ButtonWare Announces buttonFile for Windows

New Windows personal database at the touch of a button.

BELLEVUE, Washington, -- May 10, 1993 -- ButtonWare today announced the Immediate shipment of buttonFile, a simple to use Windows flat filer. Targeted for the easy-to-use and Inexpensive niche of the Windows market, buttonFile allows names, companies, phone numbers. contacts, ally kind of data, to be filed on over a dozen pre-defined card decks (databases). All card decks can be customized, and data can be printed on over 100 pre-defined and customizeable forms. CEO Jim Button commented, "buttonFile is easier to learn and use than any competing product. You don't even need the manual!".

* Work with over a dozen pre-designed templates, or customize a card deck (database) to fit individual needs. Templates include business contacts, credit cards, home inventory, library, music inventory, personal contacts, personnel, recipes, Rolodex card, software library, video library, note cards and more.

* Multiple Document Interface (MDI) allows Multiple files to be open at the same time.

* View files as cards in a Rolodex (card) format, or in a spreadsheet-like table view.

* Print lists, mailing labels, 3x5 cards, envelopes, reports, including Avery Dennison laser and tractor feed forms - point and click with a mouse to customize. Over 100 predesigned forms to choose from!

* Fully TrueType compatible, for individual selection of fonts and styles.

* Browse through data a card or a screenful at a time with index buttons.

* Search using "contains", "begins with", "sounds-like", "greater than". AND/OR, wildcards, and more.

* Exchange data with a variety of popular software programs and file formats: dBase, ASCII CSV (comma delimited), WordPerfect merge, Windows Cardfile, PC-File by ButtonWare, and TakeNote by ButtonWare.

* Auto-dial any phone number stored on a card. buttonFile also has a "Quick Dial" feature that works the same as a telephone's speed dial.

* File cards of variable length. Pre-designed or customized cards hold up to 8K of information each.

* Sort data in any preferred order, up to three levels.

* Password protection and encryption.

* Powerful clipboard support.

* An Index Tab Bar lets the user immediately advance to the first card in the file that begins with any letter In the alphabet, or to any number.

* The tool bar provides shortcuts to all of the most commonly used features.

buttonFile requires a machine running Windows 3.0 or Windows 3.1, 1MB of RAM, and a hard disk. It is available on 5-1/4" and 3-1/2" diskettes. buttonFile is available through ButtonWare and the reseller channel at an MSRP of $89.95 USD. A Local Area Network (LAN) version will be released in the second quarter. ButtonWare is a leading software applications developer with over 800,000 customers worldwide. Founded in 1982, ButtonWare has 25 employees.


Apple Worldwide Developers Converence
3,000 Developers To Attend Apple Worldwide Developers Conference

CUPERTINO, California--May 7, 1993--Apple Computer, Inc. will host its annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference next week in San Jose, Calif. More than 3,000 third-party software application and hardware developers from around the world are expected to attend the weeklong conference to hear about Apple's business and technology directions, receive in-depth technical information on current and upcoming technologies, and learn about development opportunities in a variety of emerging markets.

"The Worldwide Developers Conference is a tremendous forum to exchange information with our developer business partners," said Kirk Loevner, vice president of the Apple Developer Group. "Our developers learn first hand about our vision of the future, and Apple gets invaluable feedback that helps shape that future to ensure our mutual success."

WWDC attendees will participate in more than 100 technology presentations and panel discussions throughout the week. Conference keynotes will include strategic overviews of Apple's business directions and strategies from John Sculley, Apple's chairman, chief executive officer, and chief technology officer; and from top executives from Apple product and marketing divisions. Conference sessions are divided into four main tracks: The Macintosh Desktop, Servers and Services, Mobile Computing, and Tools and Integration.

Major conference topics include Apple's overall technology framework; Macintosh on PowerPC; collaborative, scripting, and imaging extensions to System 7; cross-platform development tools; client/server application development; and development opportunities in enterprise, mobile, and multimedia markets.

To make it easy for developers to begin learning about and working with technologies they will hear about during the conference, Apple will distribute the WWDC '93 New Technologies CD to all registered conference attendees. The CD contains materials for more than 15 software technologies, tools, and documentation, ranging from prerelease to final versions.

The WWDC '93 New Technologies CD contents include the first major prerelease version of QuickDraw GX, Apple's new imaging technology for color publishing; an updated prerelease version of AOCE (Apple Open Collaboration Environment), the platform for integrated electronic communications, workgroup and workflow applications; AppleScript, the foundation for custom software solutions; prerelease text-to-speech software; preliminary Macintosh-on-PowerPC documentation; the Japanese Language Kit, software enabling customers to use Japanese characters on their non-Japanese systems; an electronic handbook for Macintosh games developers, and more.

The latest releases of QuickTime and QuickTime for Windows software are also provided on the CD by using a hybrid CD format, allowing the CD to be accessed by both Macintosh and Windows systems. Following the conference, the WWDC '93 New Technologies CD will be distributed to members of Apple Developer Programs worldwide.

In addition to formal sessions, developers can take advantage of many other special events and opportunities during the WWDC, such as ATG Afternoon, a popular show-and-tell presentation by Apple's Advanced Technology Group, providing leading-edge technology demonstrations and sneak previews of futuristic product concepts.

Technical labs, hosted throughout the week, allow attendees to meet individually with Apple engineers to get advice on specific programming projects. Attendees are also invited to visit special product expositions and extensive concourse displays, where they can gather valuable information on a wide range of developer services from Apple and third parties.

More than 1,200 Apple executives, managers, engineers, and marketing representatives will also attend the WWDC, providing third-party developer attendees with frequent opportunities to exchange information, share ideas, and discuss issues one-on-one with Apple employees--an activity that consistently rates among the key benefits of attending the conference. Extending this opportunity for interaction, Apple will host more than 20 feedback forums and Q&A sessions during the week, inviting developer feedback on specific technologies and strategies.

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, hosted by the Apple Developer Group, is being held May 10 through May 14 at the San Jose Convention Center. The conference is open to developers worldwide, including Apple Developer Program members, Apple Multimedia Program members, independent software vendors, corporate developers, value-added resellers, and systems integrators.

Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) develops, manufactures and markets computer systems for use in business, education, the home, science, engineering, and government. A recognized pioneer and innovator in the personal computer industry, Apple does business in more than 120 countries. Apple's Macintosh computers and LaserWriter printers were ranked highest in user satisfaction among business users in recent studies by J.D. Power and Associates.

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Apple & Symantec Next-Generation Development Env
Apple and Symantec Relationship to Deliver Next-Generation Development Environment for Macintosh on PowerPC

SAN JOSE, California--May 12, 1993 -- Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) today announced an agreement to work together to develop and market the next-generation development environment for Apple Macintosh computers. The environment initially will target Apple's PowerPC-based systems, and will address the needs of developers creating native applications for those systems. Macintosh on PowerPC is expected to ship in the first half of 1994.

The two companies will share engineering resources and build upon Symantec C++ 6.0 for Macintosh, an object-oriented development environment introduced today at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference. The new environment will also build upon Apple's Macintosh Programmer's Workshop (MPW), a comprehensive suite of development tools for professional programmers.

Through the joint-development efforts, the two companies plan to provide developers of Macintosh-based applications with a suite of high-quality, easy-to-use tools that facilitate teamwork among programmers working together on a development project. The new development environment will be marketed by both companies as a successor to MPW. Apple will continue to support developers who rely on MPW.

The new environment will be based on an open architecture that enables interoperability with tools developed by other vendors. Consequently, developers will be able to customize their development environment by integrating the rich technology from Apple and Symantec with their favorite tools from third-party vendors.

"Apple is bringing computer systems to market at a rapid pace, requiring developers to get their products to market faster," said Steve Weyl, Apple's director of developer tools. "Our partnership with this leading and proven vendor will help provide timely availability and interoperability of the best tools technology from Symantec, Apple and other tools vendors."

"The PowerPC represents the future of Macintosh computing," said Gene Wang, Symantec executive vice president of applications and development tools. "We intend to maintain our leadership position in the Macintosh development tools market by working closely with Apple and building a world-class environment for PowerPC application development."

This agreement expands the formal working relationship between Apple and Symantec, which began in June 1992, with a joint-development agreement to provide a cross-platform application framework. Known as Bedrock, the framework is designed to make it easier for application developers to create products for both Macintosh computers and Windows-based PCs. The next-generation environment will enable developers to take advantage of Bedrock in designing, building and testing applications for both Macintosh computers and Windows-based systems. A first look at Bedrock, the Bedrock Architecture CD, was announced today.

The close working relationship between the two companies has already resulted in delivery of a Symantec C++ development environment by incorporating technology from both companies. Symantec C++ 6.0 for Macintosh includes all of THINK C 6.0, also introduced today, and Apple's SourceServer, a source-code management system that helps development teams manage large and complex projects. In addition, using Apple's ToolServer, the two companies have enabled access from Symantec C++ 6.0 for Macintosh to many of the MPW tools. As a result, Symantec C++ 6.0 for Macintosh combines the power and flexibility of MPW with the ease-of-use and productivity of Symantec's development environment.

Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Apple Computer, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets computer systems for use in business, education, the home, science, engineering, and government. A recognized pioneer and innovator in the personal computer industry, Apple does business in more than 120 countries. Apple's Macintosh computers and LaserWriter printers were ranked highest in user satisfaction among business users in recent studies by J.D. Power and Associates.

Symantec Corporation develops, markets and supports a complete line of applications and system software for IBM personal computers, IBM compatible PCs and Apple Macintosh computers. Founded in 1982, the company has offices in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. Information on the company and products can be obtained by calling: (800) 441-7234 toll free, or (408) 252-3570

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Apple Unveils Plans to Expand Macintosh Market
Apple unveils plans to expand market for Macintosh

SAN JOSE, California--May 10, 1993--Apple Computer Inc. kicked off its Worldwide Developers Conference today with two announcements that will further expand the market for the company's Macintosh technologies.

"Unit shipments for Macintosh climbed again in our last fiscal quarter," said John Sculley, Apple's chairman, chief executive officer, and chief technical officer in his keynote address. "And we're committed to making the moves necessary to bring Macintosh technologies to even more people."

First, Apple revealed that it intends to greatly expand the scope of its client/server computing solutions by bringing Macintosh software services, application software, and technologies to UNIX systems. Client/server refers to a trend in information systems toward distributing computing resources away from centralized solutions based on mainframes and to decentralized solutions based on desktop or mobile computers accessing a variety of server-class systems, including mainframes.

Initially, these services--called Apple Services for Open Systems--would provide customers with the ability to run Macintosh applications unmodified on open systems servers, workstations, and X terminals. As a result, Apple application developers would have access to millions of new customers--people using UNIX-based systems--without any additional work or expense. And UNIX users would have access to a rich suite of more than 5,000 Macintosh personal productivity applications. Apple expects products supporting this strategy will be available to customers later this year.

The strategy was endorsed on stage at the Worldwide Developers Conference by executives from leading open systems vendors, including Bill Filip, IBM vice president, and president, Advanced Workstation Division; Bill Larson, vice president of sales and marketing, SunSoft; Gary B. Eichhorn, general manager of Hewlett-Packard's Workstation Systems Group; and Roel Pieper, chief executive officer of UNIX Systems Laboratories.

Second, Apple revealed that it has made significant progress in the development of the first PowerPC-based Apple Macintosh personal computer. PowerPC is a new family of low-cost RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) microprocessors that will bring higher levels of performance and new capabilities to Macintosh and personal computers from other vendors.

Apple demonstrated a prototype Macintosh computer running on an 80 MHz PowerPC 601 microprocessor--achieving a new performance level in the computer industry. The company also demonstrated compatibility with existing Macintosh application software running without modification on a PowerPC 601--and previewed new applications that exploit the high performance of the competitively priced chip. Apple also announced a planned upgrade path to PowerPC for current Macintosh users, as well as support from 11 leading software developers who are writing new versions of their applications for the platform. In addition, Apple demonstrated new foundation technologies for the Macintosh platform, including speech recognition, telephony, and video. Apple plans to incorporate these technologies into future products.

The announcement was Apple's first major report on the status of Macintosh on PowerPC since announcing the adoption of the low-cost RISC chip as part of the sweeping Apple-IBM-Motorola technology alliance in October 1991. Apple expects Macintosh systems using PowerPC technology to be available in the first half of 1994.

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference runs through May 14 in San Jose.

Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) develops, manufactures and markets computer systems for use in business, education, the home, science, engineering, and government. A recognized pioneer and innovator in the personal computer industry, Apple does business in more than 120 countries. Apple's Macintosh computers and LaserWriter printers were ranked highest in user satisfaction among business users in recent studies by J.D. Power and Associates.

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


AST Unveils First Pentium Processor-Based Sys's
AST UNVEILS FIRST PENTIUM PROCESSOR-BASED SYSTEMS

IRVINE, Calif., May 17, 1993 -- Taking a strong stance in support of emerging technologies, AST Research Inc. today announced its first Intel Pentium processor-based products, the Premium SE P/60 server, Manhattan SMP multiprocessor and Premmia P/60 desktop system.

Embracing Intel' s contribution of key technology for more powerful PC performance through the nineties, AST is offering a full range of products that are highly functional in today's as well as tomorrow's dynamic world of computing.

"AST designed a path to full Pentium processor functionality with its high performance desktop and server products early on, allowing us to bring Pentium processor-based models to market quickly," said Larry Fortmuller, director of high performance systems marketing. "These products are designed to take full advantage of 32-bit operating systems and more powerful applications as they evolve. AST also will be offering upgrade implementations to allow users to make the transition from i486 to Pentium processing with current AST machines."

AST's Pentium processor systems will be available through AST's reseller channel. The estimated retail price ranges shown below include a variety of models and configurations. AST's lineup includes:

Premium SE P/60 server, a new model in the current i486 Premium SE line incorporating the Pentium processor with AST's award-winning Cupid processor design. This board will also be an upgrade solution for earlier Premium SE servers that incorporate AST FlashBIOS. The processor, related circuitry, up to 128MB memory and 256KB of second-level cache are on the board, providing full 64-bit performance of the Pentium chip at 60MHz clock speed. Estimated retail prices will range from $7,500 to $9,500.

Manhattan SMP fully symmetric multiprocessor, AST's cost-effective alternative to mini computers, was designed from the ground up to be Pentium-processor ready. It features a 64-bit passive backplane for full exploitation of Pentium processor capabilities. Currently available with 486DX/50MHz CPUs, the Manhattan SMP also will be available in a Pentium 60MHz processor board configuration. The board also allows upgrading Manhattan SMP systems equipped with 486DX/50MHz CPUs. Estimated retail prices will range from $32,000 to $36,000.

Premmia P/60 desktop PC is the latest addition to the EISA-based i486 Premmia family. A dedicated slot accommodates a Pentium processor board with 256KB of second level cache for 64-bit CPU to memory access. The Premmia PCs are equipped with a sophisticated local bus video subsystem called LocalLink for significantly accelerated video performance. Estimated retail prices will range from $5,500 to $8,000.

AST's Pentium processor systems are scheduled for July availability.

Premium SE P/60 Server

Specifically engineered for the networking and multiuser environments, AST's Premium SE P/60 server will deliver noticeable performance increases. For example, the Pentium processor has 3.5 times the transaction processing power of the i486DX/33

The Premium SE P/60 will maintain full compatibility with leading networking operating systems, with specific capabilities to address 32-bit operating systems such as Windows NT, Solaris, Univel and OS/2. It also will achieve higher performance levels in running existing 16-bit operating systems, including Novell Netware, SCO UNIX and Banyan VINES.

Base configuration includes 16MB of RAM, 256KB cache memory and 8 available EISA expansion slots. An optional three or five-channel disk array controller accommodates up to 8GB of internal hard drive storage in the main cabinet. FastSCSI hard drives mounted in slide-out trays, along with SCSI backplanes, provide cable-free drive installation for ease in upgrading or "hot" swapping. This disk array subsystem provides fault tolerance and high availability. The Premium SE server also features AST FlashBIOS with Common User Access setup routine and security protection as well as AST Premium VGA high-performance integrated video.

Manhattan SMP Symmetric Multiprocessor

The Manhattan SMP fully symmetric multiprocessor, AST's flagship in the super-server and minicomputer replacement arena, can be purchased for the price of a service contract of many mini or mainframe computers. Error-Correcting Code memory, 625-Watt redundant power supplies and a multi-channel disk array subsystem provide the high availability required for this level of processing. Additionally, the data integrity and functional redundancy-checking features built into the Pentium chip will enhance support of mission critical applications.

The Manhattan SMP also is AST's most scalable system, featuring up to four Pentium processors, 448MB maximum memory, eight EISA and two ISA expansion slots, and 16 SCSI hard drives in the main cabinet supporting up to 16GB of internal storage. The base configuration includes one Pentium processor board, 16MB of RAM and 256KB of cache. Models will be available with various hard drive configurations.

New to the Manhattan family will be the Manhattan SMP Pentium processor card featuring two 8KB internal memory caches, a 64-bit data bus, a 32-bit address bus and floating point unit with 256KB second-level write back cache.

Premmia P/60 Desktop System

AST's Premmia P/60 boasts features that yield the advanced power and reliability required for high-end business and CAD/CAM applications. The 60MHz Pentium processor makes it AST's fastest PC to date. AST has included 256KB 64-bit second-level cache to utilize 64-bit CPU to memory access. The Premmia base configuration also includes 16MB of RAM and four open EISA expansion slots. A hard drive model will be available featuring an integrated IDE hard drive controller.

The Premmia also features LocalMotion a part of its video subsystem for fullscreen video capabilities. AST FlashBIOS for upgrading BIOS via floppy or over a network, extensive security and asset management capabilities, four EISA expansion slots and five drive bays are additional features.

Service and Support

AST's Premium SE and Manhattan SMP servers are backed by a full three-year on-site warranty with service provided by AST Authorized On-Site Service Providers. The Premmia desktop system features one-year on-site with second and third year carry-in service. AST has a 24-hour, 7 days-per-week toll-free hotline, Info-FAX and world-wide 24-hour on-line bulletin board service for technical and product information.

Corporate Background

AST Research Inc. ranks number 367 on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial companies. Revenue for calendar year 1992 totaled more than $1.1 billion. AST reported record sales of $370.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 1993, ended April 3, 1993, representing a 70 percent increase in unit shipments over the comparable year quarter. Fiscal year 1992 revenues were $944.1 million, compared to sales of $688.5 million for fiscal year 1991. AST Research headquarters is located 16219 Alton Parkway, Irvine, Calif. 92718. Telephone: (714) 727-4141, (800) 876-4278. Fax: (714) 727-9355.


SPLIT File Sectioning & Reducing Program
SPLIT - FILE SECTIONING AND REDUCING PROGRAM

SPLIT, from NASA Marshall Space Center, inputs any large ASCII type file and splits, or rewrites, it into smaller, more easily managed files. The number of lines in the created files is designated by the user. These smaller files can then be edited, printed, or copied to floppy disks without file size complications, since all editors, printers and floppy drives have inherent file size limits. File order is maintained by the program in naming each output file with the original filename plus a sequentially numbered filename extension. No limit exists on the size of the input file. SPLIT is completely menu-driven and includes user input prompts.

SPLIT, MFS-29863, is written in FORTRAN 77 for IBM PC series and compatible computers running MS-DOS. The standard distribution medium for this program is a 5.25 inch 360K MS-DOS format diskette. Documentation is included in the $50 price of the program.

COSMIC, The University of Georgia

382 East Broad St, Athens, GA 30602-4272

(706) 542-3265;  Fax: (706) 542-4807


Microsoft Profit

Tools, Techniques, and Tips for Using Microsoft Profit to Manage Business Finances More Efficiently

MICROSOFTD PROFIT--the official software companion to the entry-level management and accounting software for the Windows operating system--is now available from Microsoft Press.

Author Stephen L. Nelson shows how small-business managers who have little or no accounting experience can automate, organize, and streamline business finances with ease. Example-packed tutorials cover all the features of Microsoft Profit, and Nelson's easy-to-follow instructions and valuable tips serve as a handy primer for understanding small-business finance. Topics include:

* Getting started with Microsoft Profit

* Purchasing and selling goods and services

* Collecting and disbursing cash

* Recording formless financial transactions

* Preparing an employee payroll

* Customizing reports

* Managing assets and liabilities

* Budgeting and measuring performance with financial statements

MICROSOFT PROFIT is packed with helpful screen illustrations and handy tips. The valuable appendixes cover principles of business accounting and profit-volume analysis, and instructions for installing Microsoft Profit. A comprehensive index helps readers quickly locate information on any topic in the book.

In addition, readers receive a special offer on Stephen L. Nelson's Personal Financial Calculator. This handy, Windows-based software add-on figures 18 differentpersonal financial calculations allowing readers to deteImine how much interest could be saved with an extra $25 a month in mortgage payments and the value of an Individual Retirement Account or 401(k) Plan at retirement, for example. Details are in the back of the book.

Stephen L. Nelson is a certified public accountant and a former senior consultant with Arthur Andersen & Co. He is the author of several books about business applications software, including Quicken, Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Money. His articles have appeared in PC/Computing, PC Magazine, Home Office Computing, and Mac World magazines.

Other books in the Of ficial Software Companion Series fTom Microsoft Press include Microsoft Publisher, by Luisa Simone; Microsoft Works for Windows, by JoAnne Woodcock; and Microsoft Money 2.0, by Stephen L Nelson.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users of all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from strearnlined tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly from the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Profit

By Stephen L. Nelson

384 pages, $24.95

ISBN: 1-55615-513-1

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


Code Complete, Software Construction Handbook
Code Complete

A Practical Handbook of Software Construction

My primary concem in writing this book has been to narrow the gap between the knowledge of industry gurus and professors on the one hand and common commercial practice on the other. Although leading-edge software-development practice has advanced rapidly in recent years, common practice hasn't. Many programs are snu buggy, late, and over budget, and many fail to satisfy the needs of their users. --Steve McConnell

A new book from Microsoft Press promises to help self-taught programmers, programming students, and professional developers write better programs in less time and with fewer headaches.

CODE COMPLETE, by Steve McConnell, is an in-depth study of software construction, often the part of the software-development cycle most neglected by researchers and writers. It offers keen insight into why programmers have had problems in the past and shows how to avoid them in the future. Plus, the book provides a larger perspective on the software-development process and the role of construction in that process. Armed with this valuable handbook, programmers will be able to take strategic action rather than fight the same battles again and again. Developers at all levels get:

A Complete Software-Construction Reference

The author discusses general aspects of construction such as software quality and ways to think about programrning; then gets into the nitty-gritty construction details such as the steps in building a routine; ins and outs of using data and control structures; layout, commenting, using reviews and unit testing to improve quality; debugging; and code-tuning techniques and strategies.

Ready-to-Use Checklists

Readers can use the book's handy checklists to assess software architecture, design approach, module and routine quality, variable names, control structures, layout, test cases, and much more.

State-of-the-Art Information

Some of the most up-to-date techniques--many of which have not yet made it into common use--are presented. Case studies are included from Microsoft and several other leading software companies.

Concepts and Code Examples Applicable to Any Procedural Language

Convinced that programming principles transcend the syntax of any specific language, the author describes techniques programmers can use to get the most out of whatever language they're using in any computing environment. Some 500 examples of code (good and bad) in C, C++, Ada, Basic, Fortran, and Pascal are included.

Access to Other Sources of Information

Throughout the chapters, "FurLher Reading" sections describe other books and articles readers can turn to for pursuing the topics they find most interesting. Margin notes highlight related sections of the book, and entertain questions from several fields comment on the text. A complete bibliography is located at the back of the book.

The only other way to obtain all the valuable information in CODE COMPLETE might be to plow through a mountain of books and a few hundred technical journals. And even programmers who have already done that will benefit from the book's collection of information in one place for easy reference. An annotated table of contents and a comprehensive index help readers quickly locate information on any topic in the book.

Steve McConnell has personally written more than 50,000 lines of production code in the last five years and is a consultant to software-intensive companies in the Puget Sound area, including Microsoft Corporation. He is a member of the IEEE Computer Society and the ACM.

MicrosoR Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users at all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from streamlined tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly from the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Code Complete

by Steve McConnell

880 pages, $35.00

ISBN: 1-55615-484-4

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


Running Microsoft Mail for Windows
Running Microsoft Mail for Windows, Version 3

The Microsoft Guide to Using the HOT New E-Mail Package for Windows

RUNNING MICROSOFT MAIL FOR WINDOWS--the convenient hands-on reference guide to Microsoft Mail--is now available from Microsoft Press.

Microsoft Mail is quickly becoming an e-mail comrnunications software standard for the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Windows for Workgroups operating system with integrated networking.

In RUNNING MICROSOFT MAIL FOR WINDOWS, author Russell Borland shows newcomers to electronic mail how to get up and running right away using a brief sample e-mail session at the beginning of the book. Readers will soon be reading, responding to, forwarding, deleting, and sending messages like old pros. In the second section of the book, the author guides readers in other everyday tasks, such as using the handy online Help system, creating folders, printing messages, and attaching documents from other applications. Finally, Borland offers important information on preventing--and restoring--lost mail, changing passwords, customizing Mail, working off line, and practicing e-mail etiquette (see attached). The entire book is packed with page after page of screen shots so that readers can quickly learn to:

One Microsoft Way

* Attach spreadsheets, graphics, and charts to outgoing mail

* Organize received messages in folders

* Tag an outgoing message as high priority

* Spell-check messages--one by one or automatically

* Set up audio and visual notification of new messages

* Create and change a personal address book

* And much, much more

Plus, RUNNING MICROSOFT MAIL FOR WINDOWS includes a complete command reference featuring all the toolbar buttons, shortcut keys, icons, and menu commands. And for quick reference, each task-oriented chapter begins with a table that lists the use and menu location of the commands covered in that chapter. A comprehensive index helps readers quickly locate information on any topic in the book. It's an indispensable desktop companion for all Microsoft Mail users.

Russell Borland has been a technical writer for Microsoft Corporation for 12 years and is an authority on Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Word for Windows. His Windows 3.1 Companion, Getting Started with Windows 3.1, Microsoft Wordfor Windows Macros, and Running Wordfor Windows are industry bestsellers.

RUNNING MICROSOFT MAIL FOR WINDOWS is the newest Microsoft-authorized software guide in the Running series from Microsoft Press. Other tides include the classic Running MS-DOS, by Van Wolverton; the bestselling Running Microsoft Excel, from The Cobb Group; Running Visual Basic for Windows, by Ross Nelson; Running Windows 3.1,- by Craig Stinson; Running Wordfor Windows, by Russell Borland; Running Microsoft Access0 by John Viescas; and the forthcoming Running Microsoft FoxPro for Windows and Running MicrosoftFoxPro for MS-DOS, both by Sal Ricciardi.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users of all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from streamlined tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly from the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Running Microsoft Mail for Windows

by Russell Borland

224 pages, $12.95

ISBN: 1-55615-561-1

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


Windows NT Answer Book

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Microsoft Windows NT

The WINDOWS NT ANSWER BOOK is the first authoritative guide to the implementation of Microsoft's next-generation, 32-bit operating system.

Never before has a software release generated as much widespread anticipation as the new Windows NT operating system. And never before have there been so many questions about hardware requirements, file systems, compatibility, networking, and system security.

That's why Microsoft Press and author Jim Groves worked closely with the Windows NT development team and Microsoft Product Support Services to write the WINDOWS NT ANSWER BOOK. The information is presented in a question-and-answer format to help computer professionals decide whether the Windows NT system is right for them. And for those who have already decided to move to the Windows NT operating system, the book provides practical advice on installing Windows NT as well as conceptual advice on using it in business applications. Readers get honest, straightforward answers to questions such as:

* How does Windows NT compare with Windows operating system

  version 3.1?

* What kind of hardware do I need to run Windows NT?

* How does Windows NT make my system easier to use?

* How does Windows NT allow me to run more kinds of applications?

* Can I keep my existing operating system?

* How can integrated security protect my system's data?

* How do I let others use my computer and its resources?

* What is networking with Windows NT?

* How can I use Windows NT to organize a network?

A foreword by Paul Maritz, Microsoft Corporation Senior Vice President, Systems Division, addresses the strategic objective and performance goals of Windows NT, and a comprehensive index and table of contents help readers quickly locate information on any topic in the book. In short, the WINDOWS NT ANSWER BOOK is a highly accessible look at the Microsoft operating system for the 1990s.

Jim Groves an insider on the Windows NT User Education team at Microsoft Corporation--has written documentation for the Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit, MS-DOS 5, and Windows NT.

Other books about Windows NT from Microsoft Press include Helen Custer's Inside Windows NT, a technical discussion that details the design philosophy and inner workings of Windows NT; and the forthcoming Advanced Windows NTand the Microsoft Windows NTResource Kit.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users of all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from strearnlined tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly from the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFr') 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.

Windows NT Answer Book

by Jim Groves

224 pages, $16.95

ISBN: 1-55615-562-X

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


Working with Word 5.1, Third Edition (Mac)
Working with Word 5.1, Third Edition

The Definitive Guide to Microsoft-Word for the Apple Macintosh

"A highly readable, enlightening book....WORKING WITH WORD wins with a KO in thefirst round." --Macworld

When they want to go beyond sirnple word processing, Microsoft Word users make sure they have WORKING WITH WORD 5.1, Third Edition, beside their Apple Macintosh computers.

This information-packed resource from Microsoft Press is filled with page after page of advice, information, and tutorials on every feature of version 5.1. Scores of tips not found in the documentation give users added power and functionality regardless of the kind of documents they want to create. In fact, every element of the book was created and printed from Microsoft Word.

With WORKING WITH WORD 5.1, readers will discover how to:

* Use Word's Print Merge Helper to easily create form letters

  and envelopes

* Fine-tune documents with the improved spelling checker, bullets

  and numbers, drop caps, and text automation features

* Create, format, and edit tables quickly and effortlessly

* Create and manipulate graphics with the built-in drawing tool,

  and then wrap text around the graphics

* Use the System 7 operating system's Publish and Subscribe

  feature to create complex, yet easy-to-update documents

* Locate a file in a flash--even if you can't remember its name

  (search by author, date, key word, or any other word in the

  document)

* Add PostScript effects to the Word application itself

* Discover inner secrets of the style sheet

* Learn how to achieve exact control over Word's formatting

  effects

* Use the RTF format to automate document pnocessing

* Add sound, video, and animation to documents with Apple

  QuickTime

Plus WORKING WlTH WORD 5.1 includes handy blueprints for newsletters, bnochures, presentations, reports--even books. The special Toolbox section pnovides easy access to information on using PostScnpt, cneating mathematical formulas, accessing special characters fnom the keyboard, and finding every menu and keyboard command available in Word 5.1. The summary sections at the end of each chapter list handy mouse, menu, and keyboard shortcuts; and a comprehensive index helps users quickly find information on any topic in the book. In short, WORKlNG WlTH WORD 5.1 is the best, most complete, and most up-to-date guide to the advanced features of Micnosoft Word 5.1 for the Apple Macintosh.

Author Chris Kinata played a key role on the special development team at Microsoft Corporation that extended MicnosoR Word's capacity to handle major documentation and desktop publishing pnojects. Within the software industry, he is considered an authority on word pnocessing program design and applications. He is coauthor of Complete Guide to Microsoft Excel Macros, Microsoft Excel 4 Companion, and Running Microsoft Excel, all fnom Microsoft Press.

Micnosoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft pnoducts. Mone than 10 million users of all skill levels nely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from streamlined tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly fnom the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFr') 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 mone enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Working with Word 5.1, Third Edition

by Chris Kinata, Gordon McComb

816 pages, $29.95

ISBN: 1-55615-451-8

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


TWOBODY Improved Lagrange Multiplier
TWOBODY - IMPROVED IMPLEMENTATION OF LAGRANGE MULTIPLIER

The Lagrange multiplier method has been used for many years by engineers to develop equations of motion in multibody problems. Use of the Lagrange multiplier has an advantage over some other formulations in that it preserves the original simple form of the equations of motion for each body. However, in typical timevarying dynamics simulations that use the Lagrange multiplier, computational instability can occur because integration error causes the two (or more) attached bodies to drift apart and violate the constraints. The computational instability usually happens suddenly, and the computed values "blow up" within a few time steps.

TWOBODY, from NASA Marshall Space Center, utilizes a new programming technique which eliminates computational instability in multibody simulations that use the Lagrange multiplier. This new technique uses the constraint equations, instead of integration, to determine the coordinates that are not independent. TWOBODY employs a simple model, consisting of a solid rocket booster and a parachute connected by a frictionless swivel, to illustrate the new technique.

TWOBODY, MFS-28774, is written in FORTRAN 77 for IBM PC series and compatible computers running MS-DOS. It requires 100K of RAM for execution. A sample executable is included with the distribution media. The standard distribution medium for this program is one 5.25 inch 360K MS-DOS format diskette. Program $100; documentation $13.

COSMIC, The University of Georgia

382 East Broad St, Athens, GA 30602-4272

(706) 542-3265;  Fax: (706) 542-4807


Bubsy Bobcat to Star in Animated TV Special
ACCOLADE'S BUBSY BOBCAT TO STAR IN ANIMATED TELEVISION SPECIAL

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 18, 1993 -- "Bubsy Bobcat," Accolade's newest video game star, will enter the television arena with an all-new animated special to air in Bohbot Entertainment's syndicated "Kid's Day Off' block over the Thanksgiving Day Weekend in 1993.

Accolade, together with Imagination Factory, Inc., and Calico Entertainment, will create and produce the half-hour animated special featuring "Bubsy Bobcat". Tom Burton, Emmy award winning president of the animation production company, Calico Entertainment, Stanford Blum, award winning producer/director and president of Imagination Factory, Inc., and John A.S. Skeel, executive producer at Accolade will be the producers of this special.

Both Burton and Blum, realizing that "Bubsy Bobcat" had a broad demographic appeal, knew the character would be funny to all audiences and all generations.

"Bubsy Bobcat" is the best character I have seen in years. Knowing that he will be the next decade's 'toon' star, I pursued the rights to make Bubsy the next major character in the market place," said Blum.

"Bubsy is a fast talking, over-confident hero, and the pilot episode 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?' is a combination of classic slapstick animation comedy and utilizes various animation techniques, as well as live action," said Burton.

The half-hour animated special will follow the exploits of "Bubsy Bobcat", as he and his cohorts, "Arnold" the Armadillo and his mischievous niece and nephew, the "Bub Twins", run amok with Professor Virgil Reality's new invention, the Virgil Reality and his helmet. When worn, the wearer's thoughts become reality, and the foursome have a Virgil Reality field day as their thoughts take them from roller coaster rides to combination submarines and space ships. The "cat'aclysmic" chase scene features arch villainous, "Ally Cassandra" and her sidekicks, "Boswell the Buzzard", and "Sid 'The Vicious' Shrew" as they scheme to steal the helmet for their own evil thoughts.

Ray De Laurentis, one of the television industry's most talented new sit-com writers, is writing the original teleplay. Bohbot Entertainment, Inc. will distribute this animated special nationwide.

Says John Skeel of Accolade, "We've always considered Bubsy as more than just a video game character. His personality lends itself to many different vehicles, television I next logical audience."

Bohbot Entertainment, a division of Bohbot Communications, Inc. is a youth oriented marketing services company headquartered in New York, with offices in Chicago Francisco. They syndicate the "Kid's Day Off" block which features a three-hour marathon of children's programming scheduled for Thanksgiving Day Weekend.

"Bubsy is a classic character, reminiscent of our childhood favorites," said Allen Bohbot, president and CEO of Bohbot Communications. "Behind Bubsy is a world af creative talent, and we're excited to be a part of the team bringing this property to television."

Accolade, 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129

408-985-1700;  Fax: 408-246-1053


New National Instr. Scientific & Eng Swr Prods
New Scientific and Engineering Software Products Unveiled

Announcements Include Four Windows NT Products, Upgrade to LabVIEW Graphical Software, and Tools for Easier, Cheaper Distribution of Third-Party Add-Ons

May 24, 1993 -- Atlanta, GA - National Instruments announced today at COMDEX/Windows World several software products that end-users, systems integrators, and VARs can combine with PCs and workstations to create custom instrumentation systems. These systems are used by engineers and scientists in applications such as scientific research, manufacturing/industrial automation, and automated testing.

National Instruments unveiled four Microsoft Windows' NT software products - LabVIEW, its general-purpose graphical programming tool for instrumentation, and its NI-488.2M, NI-DAQ, and NI-VXI driver software for controlling its instrumentation hardware. The company also announced LabVIEW Version 3.0 - packed with new features for users of Windows 3.1 PCs, Macintosh computers, and Sun SPARCstations; the new LabVIEW Application Builder; and the LabVIEW Run-Time System. Complete details, including price and availability, on these new products are found in the enclosed news releases.

LabVIEW is a robust, multifaceted product that engineers and scientists have used since 1986 to simplify instrumentation system development. With LabVIEW, users graphically build software modules, called virtual instruments (VIs), with icons instead of writing text-based programs. Users can build custom user interfaces and control panels; acquire data from thousands of programmable instruments (GPIB, VXI, and RS-232) and the company's PC data acquisition (DAQ) and signal conditioning hardware; and perform data analysis, including routines ranging from simple statistics to digital signal processing (DSP), with or without the company's DSP accelerator hardware.

About National Instruments

National Instruments, headquartered in Austin, Texas (USA) and privately held for 17 years manufactures software and hardware products that scientists and engineers use with PCs and workstations to build custom instrumentation systems. The company has about 800 employees and sells its products worldwide to end-users, systems integrators, VARs, and OEMs through direct and distributor channels.

For more information, please contact the company at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039; (512) 794-0100. Call toll free in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


LabVIEW Application Builder & Run-Time System
Graphical Programming Tool Now Equipped for Expanded Distribution Channels

Building and Distributing Graphical Instrumentation Applications Made Easier, Cheaper with New LabVIEW Application Builder and Run-Time System

May 24, 1993 -- Atlanta, GA - National Instruments announced today at COMDEX/Windows World the new LabVIEW Application Builder and LabVIEW Run-Time System (RTS) for Microsoft Windows PCs, Macintosh computers, and SPARCstations B) from Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC). With the Application Builder, a LabVIEW user can now create virtual instruments (VIs) that operate as stand-alone executables. The Application Builder differs from the LabVIEW RTS, an operate-only version of LabVIEW, in that the Application Builder builds the run-time engine into a VI application.

Now OEMs (or embedded OEMs), end-users, systems integrators, and VARs have two cost-effective options for running VIs on computers without the full development system. They can buy the LabVIEW RTS for a computer and run any VI, or buy the Application Builder to create stand-alone executables that do not require an RTS. "These new tools will help create distribution channels for LabVIEW," says Jack Barber, LabVIEW marketing manager. "Our third-party vendors can now bring their LabVIEW-based products to market more easily and less expensively."

Using the Application Builder

By using the Application Builder, users create a self-contained application that does not require the LabVIEW system or the RTS to execute. Internal distribution of executables in conjunction with the company's hardware is free. External distribution of executable Vls is subject to a license fee.

The Application Builder is ideal for users who plan to develop and deliver a turnkey system. The executables that they create behave similarly to a program written with a standard programming language. Once selected, the executable will load, execute, and unload automatically.

Using the RTS

With the RTS, users have an application that loads, executes, and unloads multiple LabVIEW Vls rather than having each VI acting as a self-contained application. The RTS remains resident in memory, so users can run several VIs without having to reload the LabVIEW execution resources. The RTS may also be more efficient for disk space, because executables will be rather large (each contains an embedded RTS).

Choosing Between the Application Builder and RTS

LabVIEW users who need to run a large number of VIs on a single computer should choose the RTS. A developer who wants to deliver a set of VIs rather than a single turnkey application should choose the Application Builder, which may be more cost effective.

System Configuration Requirements

The minimum configuration for the LabVIEW Application Builder for Windows is a 386 PC with a 387 coprocessor, 8 MB RAM, 10 MB hard disk space, Microsoft Windows 3.1, and DOS 5.0. The LabVIEW RTS for Windows PCs requires 4 MB RAM. A Super VGA display and a Windows 3.1 compatible graphics accelerator are recommended.

The minimum Sun configuration for LabVIEW is a SPARCstation with 24 MB main memory, 32 MB disk swap space, and 10 MB disk space (for the application and associated files). The LabVIEW RunTime System for Sun requires 16 MB main memory. LabVIEW 3.0 for the Sun will run under Solaris 1.x or Solaris 2.x. LabVIEW requires MIT's X Window System, Version 11, Release 4 or 5. It can also run under OpenWindows Version 3.

The minimum configuration for the LabVIEW Application Builder for a Macintosh is at least 8 MB of memory and a math coprocessor. LabVIEW for Macintosh requires System 6.0.3 or later operating system. The Run-Time System requires 4 MB of memory.

Pricing, Availability and for More Information

The LabVIEW Application Builder and the LabVIEW RTS for will be available in July from National Instruments. The Application Builder is priced at $995 regardless of platform. The RTS is priced at $495 for the Windows and Macintosh versions, and $995 for the Sun version.

For more information about the LabVIEW Application Builder or the LabVIEW Run-Time System, please contact National Instruments, 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 7940100, fax: (512) 794-8411. Call toll free in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 433-3488.


Compel Interactive Business Presentation Pckg
Asymetrix's Compel Storms the Market

Product Gains Praise From Worldwide Customers, Resellers and Hardware Partners

BELLEVUE, Wash.--May 18, 1993--Compel, the interactive business presentation package that Asymetrix Corporation introduced less than two months ago, is receiving enthusiastic praise from customers impressed by its robustness, ease of use and affordable price. Another sign of success is Compel's bundling with several key providers of multimedia hardware and peripherals, such as Intel, Consumer Technology and Cardinal, and internationally, Korea's Solvit Chosum Media Corporation.

"We have seen tremendous response from our customers saying they've been searching for a package designed specifically for onscreen presentation delivery," said Bert Kolde, president of Asymetrix. "Their feedback is that Compel's easy and integrated multimedia support, powerful interactivity and unique presentation portability features make it the clear tool of choice for onscreen presenters. Since our data shows that the onscreen category is the fastest growing segment of the presentation software market, we are very excited about Compel's continued sales success. To date, Compel sales have exceeded our expectations."

Customers from the medical industry to the entertainment business have adopted Compel, some abandoning established products such as Freelance or Harvard Graphics. The reasons they quote for the switch are ease-of-use, multimedia capabilities, abundance of templates, flexibility in delivery, quality of the presentation, and finally, price. Compel retails for $295, but it is available for $99 until July 10, 1993.

Resellers are also impressed with Compel. Nathan Morton, president and chief executive officer of CompUSA, Inc., said, "CompUSA, America's largest computer superstore retailer, is proud to distribute Compel. We have seen a growing interest in multimedia from our customers who are business users. As the first affordable multimedia presentation package, Compel is a great answer to their questions. Sales have been strong in our stores."

In addition, Compel won the Windows Watcher Innovation Award last month. The award, given by the Redmond, Washington-based newsletter, recognizes creativity and fresh approaches in computing. In describing Compel, editor Jesse Berst wrote, "Multimedia just got easier and more accessible for everyday business presenters."

Who Is Using Compel?

The following is only a sampling of a wide variety of businesses that are successfully using Compel:

CEMA Distribution.

CEMA, a company that distributes the music of Garth Brooks, Janet Jackson and others on the labels of Capitol Records, Virgin and EMI Records Group, is demanding about video and music quality. Using Compel, CEMA's Grant Spofford is developing what he calls the "sales rep of the future." Directed at resellers, this electronic format magazine will showcase new offerings including samples of the music and videos, special messages from the artists and album graphics.

National Medical Enterprises.

Tim Burns coordinates video-conferencing for this company, which owns and manages hospitals nationally and internationally. He created a presentation in Compel to explain the benefits of video-conferencing and plans to play the presentation during video-conference sessions.

Cadd Works.

Paul Dugas used to present graphics and animations of his company's oil field equipment to customers using high-end animation software. But the documents lacked a unifying, professional look and feel. Now he is using Compel and says, "It makes my job a lot easier." He is impressed with how easily he can incorporate stills, animations and sound into his presentations.

Gakov Limited.

"First, I'd like to compliment you on Compel," said Jack Ballinger. "It is a great presentation program. I have Freelance 2.0 and Corel, but I don't think I'll be using anything but Compel for presentations. If you are thinking of renaming the product, go with WOW! That was the reaction it got from me." Jack is using Compel to show potential 486 buyers what those computers can do.

VideoLogic.

Says Steve Raney: "I used Compel for the first time for a recent company meeting. I am in charge of Developer Relations at VideoLogic, and we make 'MediaSpace' for full screen capture and playback of Video for Windows. To illustrate my point videotaped product managers from companies I work with. Instead of reading boring bullets and charts, the audience could hear directly from our users why they think our boards are great. The presentation was a huge success."

IBM.

IBM's Ultimedia Tool Series gave Compel its stamp of approval as its newest member. The Ultimedia Tool Series is a collection of state-of-the-art multimedia development tools, optimized in complementary groupings to help creators in the development process. Compel can be mixed and matched with other tool members in a seamless, interoperable manner. IBM considers Compel a key component in the Ultimedia Tool Series.

New PC Manufacturer Agreements Announced

Asymetrix signed several PC manufacturer deals in the few weeks following the introduction of Compel, demonstrating that the new presentation package is a natural asset for people acquiring new multimedia hardware products.

"People who purchase the innovative hardware now available from Cardinal, Intel and Consumer Technology will also be getting our innovative software. The two pieces complement each other and together provide the tools for multimedia users to take advantage of this technology," said Kolde.

Compel and MediaBlitz! version 2.0 will be bundled with Cardinal's Multimedia Accelerator Kit, which includes a 24-bit graphics accelerator card and a paint program. The kit fills a void in the marketplace as the first upgrade kit focusing on video acceleration and is priced aggressively at $199. MediaBlitz!, another Asymetrix product, enables users to quickly create powerful multimedia scores consisting of any combination of video, audio, animation and graphics synchronized over time.

Asymetrix recently signed an agreement to bundle Compel with an unannounced product from Consumer Technology. The company markets PC-to-TV adapters. Its latest product will open new venues for multimedia presentations. Expanding the ways those presentations can be delivered should accelerate the adoption of multimedia.

Compel, as well as MediaBlitz! version 2.0, are bundled with the Intel Smart Video Recorder, the first retail add-in board to capture and compress Indeo video in a single step. The bundle, retailing for $699, provides customers a turnkey solution for capturing and creating dynamic presentations that seamlessly integrate video images.

International Success

Since the opening of its European office in Germany, Asymetrix has already released an international English version of Compel and is also planning to release a German version in August.

The company is also continuing to strengthen its relationships with international partners. In the UK, Compel will soon be marketed by Ingram UK. In Korea, Solvit Chosum Media Corporation, long an Asymetrix reseller, will be bundling Compel and Multimedia ToolBook with its multimedia upgrade kits. Multimedia ToolBook is Asymetrix's award-winning development tool used to develop many commercial and in-house applications.

Asymetrix Corporation is a privately held, employee-owned software company based in Bellevue, Washington, committed to a mission of bringing pioneering productivity to all levels of Windows-based users with affordable, easy to use software.

Asymetrix

110-110th Ave NE, Suite 700, Bellevue, WA 98004

206-462-0501;  fax: 206-455-3071


Shapeware Offers Visio to Education Market

SEATTLE--May 12, 1993--Shapeware Corporation today announced Academic Visio, an educational version of its award-winning, breakthrough drawing and diagramming program. Academic Visio is a fully functional program designed to address the specific needs of users within the academic market.

"We are pleased to be offering educators and students a product that makes it easy to incorporate drawing into everyday activities within an educational setting," said Jeremy Jaech, Shapeware president. "Academic Visio provides students, faculty and administrators the ability to communicate graphically without having to learn the complicated tools used by graphics professionals and artists. Academic Visio should quickly become an often used, much needed program on educators desktops."

Academic Visio includes 17 stencils of ready-made shapes, specific to different tasks (e.g., flowcharts, marketing diagrams, engineering schematics, space plans) that users simply drag and drop onto the drawing area to create their drawings. Because Visio's basic drawing process is the same regardless of the actual shape the individual selects, users can cut training time--once they perform one task with Visio, they can perform them all.

In addition, Shapeware offers 17 Visio Shapes, a line of add-on stencil products that extend the number and types of drawings available to users of Visio. The extensive collection of shapes are designed for specialized drawing needs commonly found in an educational institution (e.g., chemistry, software programming, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biotechnology/medicine, kids, landscape planning,). Shapeware expects more shapes for the Visio drawing platform to appear on a regular basis. Visio runs on the Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1.

Pricing and Availability

Academic Visio is available to faculty, staff, and students at Shapeware Authorized Academic Reseller locations throughout the U.S. and Canada for the suggested list price of $99 (the suggested list price for Visio is $299). To obtain more information on Academic Visio, customers can call (800) 446-3335 extension 27A.

About Shapeware

Founded in October 1990 to develop and market mainstream business graphics software products for personal computers, Shapeware shipped its first product, Visio, in November 1992. The Seattle-based company's founders include Jeremy Jaech and Dave Walters, two of the founders of Aldus Corporation, and Ted Johnson, the lead developer of Aldus PageMaker for Windows. Shapeware has been funded by Technology Venture Investors (TVI) and Neiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, both of which are represented on the company's board of directors. The board also includes Scott Oki, a Shapeware investor and former Microsoft senior vice president.

Shapeware, 1601 Fifth Ave, Ste 800, Seattle, WA 98101-1625

206-467-6723;  fax: 206-467-7227


Gupta SQLWindows & MDI Quest Front-End Tools
GUPTA FRONT-END TOOLS TO RUN THROUGH MICRO DECISIONWARE DATABASE GATEWAY

SAN FRANCISCO - May 4, 1993 - Micro Decisionware, Inc. (MDI) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Gupta Corporation to provide interoperability between Gupta's SQLWindows and Quest front-end tools, and Micro Decisionware's Database Gateway. Interoperability with MDI's Database Gateway will provide SQLWindows and Quest users with additional functionality in the areas of data distribution and warehousing. This new working relationship demonstrates Gupta's and MDI's commitment to openness and interoperability in client/server environments.

MDI's ISV Certification Program Protects Application Investments

"Micro Decisionware has been an industry leader in forging working relationships with ISVs and major players such as Microsoft and IBM," said MDI president Michael H. Forster. "Currently, 58 front-end applications are certified to run through MDI's Database Gateway for DB2. This guarantees corporations that their existing investments in popular applications will be protected, and that they will have continued flexibility and options as their information architectures evolve. The certification of Gupta's SQLWindows and Quest products is significant and will benefit both Gupta and MDI customers."

"This announcement is directly in line with our strategy of being the open and interoperable client-server database systems company," said Reed Taussig, Senior Vice President, The Americas, Gupta Corporation. "We are pleased to explore avenues of opportunity making the benefits of Gupta's graphical front-end tools, SQLWindows and Quest, available to Micro Decisionware's customers."

Gupta and MDI expect to deliver this interoperability to their respective customers in late 1993.

MDI and Gupta Background

Since its inception in 1980, MDI has become an international supplier of multi-platform database access tools. It has established itself as a leader in the fields of cooperative processing and client-server computing. Nearly, one third of the Fortune 1000 companies are using MDI's Database Gateway, making it the industry's leading enterprise data connectivity product. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, MDI is a partnership company of Safeguard Scientifics, a New York Stock Exchange Company headquartered in Wayne, PA.

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is the leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networked. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


Dunn Systems NetWare Library for SQLWindows
Gupta Partner Introduces NetWare Library for SQLWindows 4.0

Direct Access To NetWare Services Makes Client-Server Application Development Easier

Menlo Park, Calif., May 3, 1993--Gupta Corporation announced today that Dunn Systems, a Gupta Business Partner (Lincolnwood, Ill.), will make available a Novell network applications library for Gupta SQLWindows that provides built-in access to NetWare services from SQLWindows applications. SQLLib is the first third-party class library to be introduced for SQLWindows 4.0 as part of Gupta's recently announced program encouraging developers to create and co-market add-on templates and libraries for SQLWindows 4.0.

"SQLLib makes it easy for application developers to create NetWare integrated applications while remaining in the SQLWindows environment," said William Dunn, President of Dunn Systems, Inc. "Many of Gupta's customers enjoy the high productivity gained from using a fourth generation language, and this library will allow them to stay in that environment and still have access to NetWare services."

Willie Tejada, director of Developer Relations for Novell, Inc. said, "We want to make it as easy as possible to develop applications that take advantage of the NetWare environment SQLWindows is a robust product with a significant installed base in the NetWare environment, so we are very pleased that it will now allow simplified access to NetWare services through SQLLib."

SQLLib for NetWare lets developers easily create graphical applications that access Novell NetWare services from the SQLWindows development environment, without having to code in C or C++. SQLWindows developers will be able to access all NetWare services currently supported by Novell's libraries, including file, print, directory, login and logout, user management and communications. Future versions of SQLLib will support new services being developed by Novell, including document management, imaging and others.

Programmers who take advantage of SQLLib will be able to add, delete and modify Novell user information directly from SQLWindows. Some of the capabilities available with the library include the creation and modification of login scripts, user and group trustee rights, and configuration of print services. NetWare 4.0 users will also be able to create custom entries in Novell's new directory services.

SQLLib for NetWare, with availability planned the end of the second quarter of this year, will be the first NetWare applications library for client-server development to become available. It will be priced at $595.00, making it the most cost-effective NetWare applications library yet announced. SQLLib will be compatible with Novell NetWare 2.X, 3.X and 4.0. For more information, contact Dunn Systems at 800/486-3866.

About Dunn Systems

Dunn Systems is a microcomputer consulting firm based in the Chicago area. Founded in 1988, Dunn Systems specializes in client-server application development and installation. Dunn Systems is a Gupta Business Partner and Authorized Training Center.

About Gupta Corporation

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is a leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server database software. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client-server databases. Gupta SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client-server networks. Gupta Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and Gupta SQLNetwork is a family of software products for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


Intergraph WinTN Drawing Automation Tools
Enhancements for Technical Computing

Intergraph Introduces Drawing Automation Tools for Microsoft Windows NT

ATLANTA, May 24, 1993 -- Intergraph Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.) announced today that its MicroStation I/RAS B and I/RAS Engineer software and the ANA Tech Eagle scanners will support the Microsoft Windows NT operating system. Intergraph, the largest independent Windows NT development site, supports the high-end computing environment as part of its corporate commitment to open, non-proprietary systems. Intergraph made the announcement at Windows World '93, here. These products are key tools for Intergraph's manual drawing automation.

The I/RAS software is compatible with MicroStation, Intergraph's 2D/3D design and drafting software, and supports raster data editing and manipulation as well as hybrid raster/vector editing. The scanners scan, threshold, compress and save drawings and maps at resolutions of one to 1,600 dots-per-inch. As a result, they are ideal for large-volume archival, revision and conversion projects.

Windows NT is Microsoft's new scalable, platform-independent, multitasking operating system. Windows NT supports MS-DOS, 16-bit Windows and 32-bit Windows applications.

"Microsoft Windows has become the industry standard graphical user interface," said Robert. W. Kuehlthau, vice president of Intergraph's Scanning Systems Division. "Because our products fully support the Windows environment, we are able to unite the thousands of available commercial packages with our own offerings, creating a new 'technical desktop' to improve the productivity of technical users."

Intergraph Background Information

Intergraph Corporation products include a broad range of complementary workstations and network servers, as well as complete application-specific systems for computer-aided design, engineering, manufacturing and publishing, plus numerous earth science applications. A member of the Fortune 500, Intergraph is the world's largest producer of interactive computer graphics systems.

Intergraph Corp, Huntsville, AL 35894-0014

800-345-4856,  205-730-8302,  fax: 205-730-8300


NEC Image P60 Fast Graphics Pentium System
NEC TECHNOLOGIES' INTRODUCES THE IMAGE P60; LATEST ADDITION TO THE IMAGE SERES OF FAST GRAPHICS PCs IS BASED ON INTEL'S PENTIUM PROCESSOR AND PCI LOCAL BUS

Atlanta, Georgia, May 24, 1993--Making yet another quantum leap in its mission to provide advanced business users with the fastest graphics performance of any PC workstations available, NEC Technologies, Inc. today introduced the Image P60, an Intel Pentium processor-based extension of its award-winning Image Series. The Image P60 is also the first NEC system to adhere to the Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) Local Bus Specification, which is designed to complement the performance of the Pentium processor.

Combining the power of the Pentium processor with the high-performance of the PCI local bus, the Image P60 provides users with superior graphics performance for applications such as CAD, software development, and financial analysis, as well as operating environments such as Windows NT, OS/2 and NextStep.

"The Image P60 is by far the fastest, most powerful Intel-based PC ever offered by NEC," said James Berrett, chief operating executive of NEC Technologies. "The power, high performance, and technology leadership of Intel's Pentium processor represents a true technology breakthrough. NEC Technologies has made a significant research and development investment to optimize our PC products to take advantage of this technology."

NEC's Image P60: A 61 bit Approach to Pentium Processor Computing

The PCI EISA-based Image P60 features a 60MHz Pentium processor with an optimized, native 64-bit design, SIMM memory expansion up to 192MB, Fast SCSI II, Super-I/O, and integrated audio.

In contrast to other designs that are simply modifications to existing 32-bit designs, NEC developed the Image P60 as a balanced 64-bit system that features a native 64-bit memory bus interface, complementary burst mode secondary cache, and powerful PCI local bus graphics that empower users to take full advantage of the Pentium processor's ability to process and display information.

To exploit the Pentium processor burst mode, the Image P60 includes an optimized second-level cache architecture--a key element of a balanced 64-bit design--comprised of a standard 256KB burst mode (synchronous) 9ns SRAM write-back cache to take advantage of the highest processing modes of the Pentium processor to provide superior system performance.

"NEC is providing a balanced 64-bit approach as the best way to fully exploit Pentium processor technology. by combining the power of the Pentium processor with the versatility of the PCI Local Bus Specification, NEC is making a total commitment to high-performance computing," said Paul Otellini, senior vice president, Intel Corporation. "NEC is a classic example of an organization that is investing significant research and development resources to tap the true potential of the Pentium processor."

NEC Continues to Lead the Way in Local Bus Video Technology

NEC, the innovator of local bus video technology in 1991, further enhances its ImageVideo technology for the Image P60 by implementing a powerful PCI local bus graphics subsystem that features 2MB of VRAM, 1024 x 768 high color, a high performance graphics accelerator with linear frame buffer and full PCI burst write support.

The industry standard PCI bus is a highly integrated I/O interface that offers the highest performance local bus available for the Pentium processor. The high bandwidth PCI local bus eliminates the data bottleneck traditionally found in PC systems, while simultaneously providing users with a clear upgrade path to future technologies to ensure investment protection.

Unparalleled Connectivity and System Performance: Fast SCSI II and Integrated Audio

To provide high performance and connectivity to a broad range of devices via an intelligent standard interface, the Image P60 features an integrated Fast SCSI II peripheral interface on the main logic board. This integrated features provides users with maximum peripheral expansion capability for devices such as SCSI hard drives, CD-ROM, and up to seven external devices to the SCSI bus.

Realizing the increasing popularity of business audio capabilities associated with Windows, the Image P60 also features integrated audio, enabling users to add an explanation to a spreadsheet, a comment to a memo, or an introduction to an annual report.

NEC PC Product Families:

American Designed and Manufactured

All NEC PC products, including the new Image P60, are designed and developed at the company's extensive Boxborough, Massachusetts Research and Development facilities, and manufactured at a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in nearby Northborough.

In addition to the Image Series, positioned to meet the needs of the advanced business user, other NEC PC product families include: The Ready family of desktop systems for the small office/home office (SoHo) user; the PowerMate Series for the general business user; and, the Express/II line of power EISA-based server systems for IS managers utilizing mission critical applications.

Availability, Distribution, Pricing and Service Information

Sold through NEC's extensive nationwide network of authorized resellers, the Image P60 will be available during the Summer of 1993. Pricing information will be available at that time.

Purchasers of the Image P60 will be provided with an industry-leading three-year limited warranty on all parts and labor, including first-year on-site service and second and third-year return-to-depot service.

NEC Technologies, Inc.

NEC Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computers and peripherals for the North American market. Product lines include award-winning ProSpeed laptop computers, UltraLite notebook computers, MultiSync FG monitors, Silentwriter and ColorMate printers, Image, Express/II, PowerMate and Ready systems products, and MultiSpin CD-ROM hardware. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation.

NEC Technologies

1414 Massachusetts Ave, Boxborough, MA 01719-2298

508-264-8000


SPA Survey on Customer & Technical Support
New SPA Survey Examines Customer and Technical Support Practices

Most Software Publishers Provide Customer Support Without Restrictions

May 24, 1993 (Washington, DC)- Nine out of ten software publishes today provide customer and technical support with few, if any, restrictions. And the support person answering your questions is likely to have two full weeks of training on the software before he or she is even allowed to pick up the phone.

Those are some of the findings of the recent Customer and Technical Support Survey conducted by the Software Publishers Association (SPA), the principal trade association of the personal computer software industry. The survey was conducted among 280 publishers of business, education and consumer software. Among its key findings:

* More than 90 percent of publishers offer both customer and technical support. Most make customer support available without restrictions, though many offer technical support only to registered users.

* In absolute terms, six in ten software publishers report their company's support costs have increased in the last two years. However, less than one-fourth say they experienced an increase in support costs relative to software unit sales.

* Firms report support employees receive an average of two full weeks (75 hours) of training and/or apprenticeship before they respond independently to inquiries. Additionally, a plurality of software publishers say their part-time support employees are trained to the same level of knowledge as their full-time customer and technical support employees.

* Domestic and international customer and technical support are available an average of 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. Domestic response rates range from about 9 minutes for telephone support inquiries to 21 minutes for non-telephone inquiries. Similarly, international response rate averages for telephone and non-telephone support are 9 and 24 minutes, respectively.

* Among software publishers that offer local support to international customers, the way publishers handle international support is notably similar among Europe, Far East/Asia, and the rest of the world. It appears that the methods successfully established in Europe are being replicated in other parts of the world as those markets grow and become established. Of the methods tested, only local/regional support centers are substantially more prevalent in Europe than they are in the Far East/Asia and the rest of the world.

The survey was conducted during January and February, 1993. Participants ranged in size from very small to very large software publishers. The survey collected general and demographic information, and had separate sections on domestic support, international support, and support statistics.

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of the PC software industry. Its 1,000 members represent the leading publishers in the business, consumer, and education markets. The SPA has offices in Washington, DC, and Paris, France.

Software publishers Association

1730 M St, Northwest, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036

202-452-1600,  Fax: 202-223-8756


Intergraph MicroStation Version 5
Intergraph Announces MicroStation Version 5

ATLANTA, May 24, 1993 -- Intergraph Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.) announced today the upcoming release of MicroStation Version 5. The announcement was made at Windows World '93.

"With the announcement of MicroStation Version 5, Intergraph furthers its commitment to bring users the highest level of functionality and flexibility of any computer-aided design (CAD) package in the industry," said Loyd Tarver, executive director of MicroStation Product Center. "The advancements go beyond adding new features and capabilities. Version 5 empowers the user to take complete advantage of MicroStation by closely matching the user's working methods."

MicroStation, a key Intergraph application to port to Microsoft's Windows NT operating system, supports Intergraph's commitment to Windows NT. Version 5 will be available for DOS, Windows, Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT operating environments as well as UNIX and Macintosh.

With MicroStation Version 5, users have the ability to both read and write AutoCAD .dwg files. Other formats supported include IGES, CGM, and DXF. Built-in SQL provides easy links to dBASE III+ file format (including clones), Oracle and INFORMIX databases without programming.

MicroStation Version 5 offers greater usability with enhancements such as Workspaces, customized environments that accommodate each user's level of CAD experience and discipline. Users can also choose the interface with which they feel most comfortable -- Windows or Motif. User-defined linestyles (UDLs) allow users to create their own linestyles while saving time and design file space requirements.

Dimension-driven design tools and associative patterning/hatching capabilities allow users to quickly modify, measure and place multiple 2D shapes, boosting the 2D drawing process. Version 5 offers advanced 3D surface modeling tools including 3D Boolean operations and mass properties analytical functions. With Version 5's new rendering functions, every CAD user can now create photorealistic views and flythroughs of designs.

Pricing and Availability:

The list price for MicroStation Version 5 will be $3,790 (U.S.). MicroStation for Windows/DOS will be packaged in one box. For a small handling fee, users can move to MicroStation for Windows NT at their convenience.

MicroStation Version 5 for Windows/DOS will ship Aug. 30,1993, and other platforms will follow in the third and fourth quarters. MicroStation Version 5 will be available for personal computers, Intergraph workstations, IBM RISC System/6000, HP Series 700 workstations, Sun SPARCstations (Solaris 2), and Apple Macintosh.

Users purchasing MicroStation Version 4 after today will pay the Version 5 price and receive the upgrade automatically when it is available. Users can upgrade to MicroStation Version 5 for $475 through Dec. 31. After this date, upgrades will cost $950.

MicroStation Background Information

MicroStation is the graphics nucleus for 80 percent of Intergraph's leading application solutions. The industry's No. 2 PC CAD software, MicroStation is a popular standalone drafting/design product and CAD engine for Synergy third-party application software. MicroStation supports multiple platforms, from personal computers to the leading industry UNIX workstations.

Intergraph Background Information

Intergraph Corporation products include a broad range of complementary workstations and network servers, as well as complete application-specific systems for computer-aided design, engineering, manufacturing, and publishing, plus numerous earth science applications. A member of the Fortune 500, Intergraph is the world's largest producer of interactive computer graphics systems.

Intergraph Corp, Huntsville, AL 35894-0014

800-345-4856,  205-730-8302,  fax: 205-730-8300


The SemWare Editor (TSE) V1.0
SemWare Announces THE SEMWARE EDITOR V1.0 (TSE)

The Next Generation of the QEdit Text Editor

May 1993 -- Marietta, GA (USA) - SemWare has begun shipping a pre-release version of its latest text editor, The SemWare Editor (TSE).

For over two years, SemWare has been hard at work updating and improving its line of editors. The result of this dedicated work is the new SemWare Editor for DOS. The SemWare Editor is based on QEdit and offers even greater speed and ease of use than QEdit. The SemWare Editor even breaks the DOS memory barrier, allowing you to EDIT VERY LARGE FILES. It also has a powerful new MACRO PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE making the editor extremely flexible and extendable.

The final release of version 1.0 is due out later this year and will incorporate user feedback from the pre-release phase, continuing the practice adopted for QEdit, allowing users to greatly influence product design and features.

The SemWare Editor will be a separate product line from QEdit. Both text editor lines will continue to be maintained and enhanced.

Other new features for improved productivity with TSE include:

* Full MOUSE SUPPORT

* ENHANCED PRINTING OPTIONS including headers, footers, page/line

  numbering

* REGULAR EXPRESSION search and replace, and INCREMENTAL search

* MENU-DRIVEN CONFIGURATION capability

* VERTICAL and HORIZONTAL WINDOWS to view and edit files

* BOOKMARKS to mark and return to selected positions

* Support for FIXED, VARIABLE and HARD TABS

SemWare Corp

4343 Shallowford Rd, Suite C3A, Marietta, GA 30062-5022

404-641-9002;  fax: 404-640-6213;  BBS: 404-641-8968


4 Color Letter-Art Brochure Available
New Four-Color Letter-Art Brochure Touts Grand Package and Graphic Editor Features

May 19, 1993 -- Symbol Graphics of Corona, CA, offers a new four-color brochure which showcases its new Graphic Editor and Grand Package. The brochure includes colorful examples, descriptions, and a "quick reference" guide to the complete Letter-Art 7.5 signmaking software product

The new Grand Package includes 100 registered tradename fonts, 65 + pre-defined Distortions, Inline/Outline and Raster to Vector Conversion capabilities, plus the Graphic Editor. The Graphic Editor offers the ability to customize and clean up scanned and imported art, plus create original art with a variety of freehand drawing tools.

Symbol Graphics at 1047 W. Sixth Street, Corona, CA 91720

(909) 736-4040.


Artisoft External 10Base-T Network HUBS
ARTISOFT ANNOUNCES TWO NEW EXTERNAL HUBS FOR 10BASE-T NETWORKS

Compatible With Multiple Networking Environments

(TUCSON, AZ - May 17, 1993) - Artisoft, Inc. announced today two new concentrators for use in any 10BASE-T network installation. The two models include the T-Runner 800/TC, an eight-port concentrator priced at $449, and the T-Runner 1200/TC, a twelve-port concentrator priced at $749. These external, IEEE-compliant concentrators (which are scheduled to begin shipping later this summer) are compatible with a variety of networking environments - from Artisoft's LANtastic Local Area Network to third-party networking environments such as Novell's NetWare.

"We are providing these hubs to meet the growing demand for 10BASE-T products from our reseller channel," said Artisoft's Chairman and CEO, Jack Schoof. "The T-Runner hubs complement our complete line of networking products and will help Artisoft to provide a total hardware and software solution to both resellers and endusers."

The T-Runner 800/TC and 1200/TC models contain a BNC connector that allows concentrators to be linked to one another via thin coax cable. In addition, the BNC connector allows for the mixing of cable types. For example, the T-Runner concentrators enable users on a 10BASE-T segment to connect and communicate with users on a coax segment. The T-Runner 800/TC and 1200/TC concentrators also include an auto partitioning feature that automatically disables ports that do not have link integrity.

These T-Runner concentrators are in addition to Artisoft's Peer-Hub internal concentrator. The Peer-Hub concentrator resides in a host PC, XI, AT or EISA computer (ISA mode only) and has five external 10BASE-T ports.

Artisoft develops and manufactures a full line of innovative, cost-effective network communication solutions including the award-winning LANtastic Local Area Network. Recognized as the leader in peer-to-peer networking for DOS and Windows environments, the LANtastic network also offers multiplatform connectivity solutions for NetWare, TCP/IP and Macintosh systems. It allows up to 500 users on one network to connect and share information and peripheral devices such as printers, hard drives and CD-ROMs. Artisoft maintains nine international offices and distributes the LANtastic network and its other connectivity products in over 70 countries worldwide.

For more information about Artisoft or its product line, contact Artisoft, Inc. at 691 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85704. Sales 800/846-9726, ext. 611. Corporate 602/293-4000. Fax 602/293-8065


Legend Entertainment Gateway II: Homeworld
The year is 2112. The city is San Francisco. You are a successful space prospector, enjoying the financial rewards of previous missions. Your peace is about to be shattered.

Gateway II: HOMEWORLD is another gripping science fiction adventure based on Pohl's Hugo and Nebula award-winning Heechee saga. In this new high stakes drama, you experience the chilling reality of 22nd century Earth, travel to astounding new worlds and finally cross the event horizon to enter the Heechee homeworld - the center of a huge interstellar empire hidden in the core of a massive black hole.

You battle murderous robots, carnivorous dinosaurs and spear-carrying humanoids. You activate a Heechee rescue station on a frozen planet where crystalline beings metabolize electricity. You rescue a fellow prospector marooned inside a robot-controlled Heechee biological collection station and escape using knowledge stored in the digitized brains of former prospectors. Finally, explore the many Heechee populated planets in the Core and live within the complex Heechee society - a world where political influence is still wielded by long dead ancestors now in electronic storage.

Frederik Pohl's GATEWAY was one of Legend's best selling games. Now, Gateway II: HOMEWORLD promises you more deep space adventure, more alien encounters, more exotic new worlds and spectacular 256 color animated sequences created with state-of-the art 3-D tools! Visit the Accolade booth at CES, (7131 McCormick/North) and preview this thrilling new adventure.

Legend Entertainment Company

14200 Park Meadow Dr, Chantilly, VA 22021

703-222-8500,   FAX: 703-968-5151


Pele & Al Michaels at Accolade CES Booth
PELE & AL MICHAELS TO PERSONALLY APPEAR AT ACCOLADE BOOTH DURING THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

SAN JOSE, CALIF - May 24, 1993 -- Accolade announced today that Pele, the internationally famous soccer personality, and Al Michael, a premier sports announcer, will make appearances at its booth during the Consumer Electronics Show in June. Al Michaels will be at the booth (McCormick North #7131) on Thursday, June 3, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, and Pele will visit the booth on Friday, June 4, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Both celebrities will be available to sign autographs for show attendees.

Pele, famous for playing on three World Cup soccer teams and soccer at large, is a delegate to FIFA. (Federation Internationale de Football Association). Known as the Sportsman of the Century, Pele' will exclusively co-design and endorse a line of soccer simulation games for Accolade. The first game at CES, and is scheduled for release during the fourth quarter of this year for Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis video systems. To help promote the World Cup that will take place next summer in the United States, Pele is the exclusive spokesman for Mastercard, one of the sponsors of the event.

Al Michaels is well-known for his expert reporting for ABC sports, including play-by-play coverage of Major League Baseball and Monday Night Football. Under an exclusive arrangement with Accolade, Michaels provides professional commentary for a number of sports simulations. He has earned critical acclaim for his work on the company's baseball simulation, HardBall III, and in the future will provide commentary for a hockey simulation co-designed by hockey great, Brett Hull. Michaels was named Sportcaster af the Year in 1980, 1983 and 1986, and in 1989, he won his second Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality.

Games with Personality

Accolade has made a commitment to consumers, trade and press that all Accolade products, licensed personalities and original characters, will contain personality. Along with expert input from such sports stars as Al Michaels and Pele, Accolade captures playing styles and individual personality traits to integrate into its games. These traits, combined with outstanding graphics and realistic gameplay, distinguish Accolade games in the entertainment software category.

Accolade, 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129

408-985-1700;  Fax: 408-246-1053


MIT Using Moldflow Plastic Molding Swr
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY WILL USE MOLDFLOW PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING FLOW ANALYSIS SOFTWARE IN "LEADERS FOR MANUFACTURING" PROGRAM.

(Shelton, Connecticut -- May 12, 1993) Moldflow Pty., the world's leader in computer aided engineering CAE technology for the plastic injection molding industry, announces its MF/FLOW flow analysis software has been selected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for use in its "Leaders for Manufacturing" program. The "Leaders in Manufacturing" program is an innovative two-year program offered jointly by the School of Management and the School of Engineering which integrates management studies with schooling in one of five engineering disciplines. The program involves close collaboration with more than 10 of the nation's foremost manufacturing firms to prepare a select group of individuals to provide leadership in the changing manufacturing environment. According to Kevin Spratt, Technical Instructor at MIT, the software will be used in the laboratory portion of the required Fundamentals in Manufacturing course. The students in the class will break up into teams and attempt to optimize plastic injection molding conditions for a manufactured component.

Moldflow has pioneered computerized analysis of plastic injection molding, which improves product performance, reduces scrap, shortens design leadtimes and lowers design and manufacturing costs. Products include: MF/FLOW -- which predicts flow patterns and characteristics within the mold; MF/COOL --- which analyzes the vital role of heat exchange and temperature control in the mold; and MF/WARP software which analyzes the net distortion of the actual molded part and helps determine its mechanical properties.

Moldflow Pty Ltd

4341 S. Westnedge, Ste 2208, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

616-345-4812,  fax: 616-345-4816


Bus & Tag Interface Controller for PCs
IBM Mainframe Tape and Printer Controlled from PC

Liberty Computer, Inc announces the Bus & Tag Interface controlling channel attached high-speed laser printers, line printers and tape drives from a PC. Print jobs are off-loaded from IBM mainframe or midrange computers via 3270, Twin-AX or magnetic tape converting EBCDIC into PC DOS files.

Bus & Tag Interface supports Xerox laser printers running up to 135 pages per minute, Siemens, IBM, Unisys and others transferring data at 2.5+ million bytes per second. Support of 1/2", 9-track magnetic tape 1600/6250 BPI is maintained with the Bus & Tag Interface.

Bus & Tag brings new life to mainframe equipment scheduled to be replaced. Companies downsizing can retain their existing tape drives and printers or purchase refurbished equipment and control it from a Novell network. Liberty Computers is Novell certified.

The Bus & Tag Interface comes complete with printed circuit board, communications software, 20 feet of cables and manual for $3,995. Contact Liberty Computers 1-800-422-3638.

Liberty Computer Inc

14674 North 78th Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

800-422-3638,  602-951-2391,  fax: 602-951-1058


New Shareware Tools from Another Company
New Shareware products from Another Company

PO Box 3429, Ashland, OR 97520; phone: 503-482-3611

PICTURE MENU: This is the ultimate graphical user interface. It is totally free-form, simple & small. Now you can be free of windows, icons, and lightbar menus. Anything you write, scan, draft or draw will work as a menu image, background or icons. End users can run applications with absolutely no training!

Writers, artists and programmers can use this program to organize and display their works in an attractive disk-based package.

Parents can organize a computer in a way that their smallest children can start and run favorite games and programs.

Retailers can use this program to run a customer-driven hands-on demonstration of assorted programs.

Managers can use this program to give employees an easy way to locate and run programs and files instantly.

REQUIREMENTS: EGA or VGA, 256k RAM. Supported, but required are mouse, hard disk, MS-Windows, color.

REGISTRATION: $29.95

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BGI-DRAW: For Borland/Turbo C/C++ and Pascal programmers, this package runs like any other paint program, except your picture is recorded as C or Pascal source code! Simply paint sprites, backgrounds, any sort of graphics image, and then incorporate them into your programs. Includes full support of Borland Graphics Interface and fonts.

REQUIREMENTS: Borland/Turbo C/C++ v1.5 - 3.1 or Turbo Pascal v4.0 - 7.0, mouse, 640k RAM.

REGISTRATION: Freeware, $29.95 registered version optional


B-Coder Professional Bar Code Swr for Windows
Professional Bar Code Software for Windows

New Easy-to-Use Bar Code Generating Software

The new B-Coder Professional is an extremely easy to use program that generates professional quality bar codes of all major symbologies and sizes and places them in the Windows clipboard so that they can be pasted directly into files or documents created with other Windows programs. Bar codes generated with this program may be scaled to any size and can be used by any Windows program that supports pasting of Windows MetaFile graphics. (i.e. MS Word, Windows Write, Ami Pro, Excel, Lotus, Word Perfect, Micrografx Draw, Pagemaker, Corel Draw, Visio, Quark Express, etc.)

B-Coder gives you the ability to quickly incorporate bar codes into any Windows application program. Instead of dealing with expensive and complex bar code label design programs, simply paste perfect bar codes directly into the programs that you already know how to use and print them on any printer supported by Windows (i.e. any standard printer). B-Coder even supports a set of DDE commands that allow other Windows programs to completely control its operation. The DDE command language enables B-Coder to function as a bar code graphics "engine". Any Windows program that can issue DDE commands can use B-Coder to generate bar codes on demand. For example, you can use B-Coder with Word for Windows to create an extremely powerful bar code labeling system by writing one simple WordBASIC macro.

B-Coder generates precise bar code graphic images on screen, WYSIWYG. It supports ail standard bar code symbologies including UPC-A, UPC-E, CodaBar, Code-39 (Normal, Full ASCII and HIBC versions), EAN-8, EAN-13, Interleaved 2 of 5, Discrete 2 of 5, Code93, Code128, EAN/UCC 128, Postnet (ZIP+4 & Delivery Point), FIM patterns and full support for all the powerful features of PDF417. With pull-down menus and a "button-bar" option selector bar coding could not be easier.

The new B-Coder Standard v2.0 has all the powerful features of B-Coder Professional except selectable colors for bar codes, text & background, bar code rotation and auto sequencing.

Fully Guaranteed. Available from T.A.L. Enterprises, 2022 Wallace Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. (215) 763-2620 or (800) 722-6004. Fax:(215) 763-9711. B-Coder Professional- $395, B-Coder Standard v2.0- $295. (B-CODER2 for DOS is also available for $99 and its source code for $395)


Band-in-a-Box & Other PG Music Swr Offerings
From PG Music Inc.

To Band-in-a-Box customers....

We have some brand new programs, some reminders, and special deals on Roland hardware in our latest flyer.

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

These are our brand new hot programs for Windows.

The Pianist for Windows ($49 after July 1, 1993)  Special..$29

The Jazz Guitarist for Windows                             $49

PowerTracks Sequencer for Windows and DOS                  $29

Sound Canvas Pro Editor/Librarian for Windows              $29

Multi MPU401 Driver (for Windows 3.1)                      $19

If you haven't already ordered these check out these hot programs

Band-in-a-Box Pro for Windows 1.0                Upgrade $29

Styles Disk #4 for Band-in-a-Box                         $29

...and amazing deals on hardware, all with software included.

Roland SCCI card                $389

(includes PowerTracks and SoundCanvas Editor/Librarian)

New! Roland SC-7 sound module         $389

(includes PowerTracks and SoundCanvas Editor/Librarian)

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Band-in-a-Box Pro for Windows 1.0 is ready!

The award winning Band-in-a-Box automatic accompaniment program is now available for Windows 3.1

All of the features of the DOS version, plus much more including...

* The "Wizard" (intelligent playalong features)

* background playback in other programs

* support of all MultiMedia drivers (Roland MPU401, Soundblaster,

  MultiSound, AdLib, TG100, etc.)

* copy MidiFiles to Clipboard to paste into other Windows

  music programs

* onscreen toolbar, full mouse support, fully featured Windows

  interface

* all files fully compatible with DOS, Mac and Atari versions!

* StyleMaker enhanced and easier to use (making styles is much

  easier - you can import instruments from other styles into your

  style, so you can make styles by building on existing styles)

* all new printed manual & extensive 400K on-line help file with

  graphics Por program and StyleMaker

* requires Windows 3.1, 286 or better, 2mb memory.

* Basic upgrade to Band-in-a-Box Pro for Windows $29

* Complete Upgrade including new 5 instrument styles disk #4 $49

This is the most powerful and easiest to use version of Band-in-a-Box ever!

There is also a new styles disk available...

25 Hot new styles for Band-in-a-Box. For Windows or DOS.

Jazz (9 styles) - Country (8 styles)

Pop (11 styles) - Ethnic (6 styles)

We've made our best styles disk ever, most utilizing 5 instruments at a time (bass/drum, piano, guitar and strings). This disk Supercharges your Band-in-a-Box program ! ! All styles sound realistic as they are made by playing patterns in live from keyboards into the StyleMaker. You can edit them to suit your tastes, or take instruments out of them to use in your own styles using the new import instrument features in the StyleMaker! See the back of this page for complete list of new styles!

PG Music Inc, 266 Elmwood Ave, Suite 111, Buffalo NY 1422

416-528-2368;   800-268-6272;  FAX 416-628-2541


Intergraph Showcases Windows NT Products
Committed to Windows NT

Intergraph Showcases Over 30 Products for Technical Desktop at Windows World

ATLANTA, May 24, 1993 -- Intergraph Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.) comes to Windows World '93 here, demonstrating its commitment to Windows NT and the technical desktop by showcasing over 30 technical applications running on Microsoft's new scalable, platform independent, multitasking operating system. Intergraph announced in November that it would begin porting its full range of technical applications to Windows NT.

Additionally, Intergraph is demonstrating Windows NT running on its Clipper RISC (reduced instruction set computing) microprocessor-based workstation; the first models in it's new Technical Desktop series of Intel-based Windows/DOS and Windows NT workstations; two new Intel-based symmetric multiprocessor servers; and two fast, large-format scanners. The new Technical Desktop series workstations are the first high-performance, affordable systems capable of running Windows NT and Intergraph's wide variety of technical applications for demanding tasks such as computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE).

Covering Breadth of Industries and Applications

The Intergraph application products at Windows World '93 range from architecture to geographic information systems and are the first of about 300 Intergraph technical applications due for release on Windows NT by the end of 1994. The huge Windows World audience is viewing the first group of packages, many of which will be covered in detail at specific industry trade shows during the next few months.

"Last year we made a major commitment to Windows NT. Combining our large catalog of technical applications with Windows NT's powerful 32-bit processing, the popular Windows graphical user interface, and thousands of commercial applications will yield greater productivity for technical users. Windows NT enables us to create a single, consistent and efficient technical desktop," said Intergraph Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Meadlock. "We promised products in the second half of this year. We've come to Windows World with over 30 Windows NT applications and new Windows NT-ready hardware, actually beating our development schedules for a number of products."

Intergraph is the largest Windows NT application development site in the world. Meadlock said the company will have more than 3,000 developers devoted to developing software for Windows NT by the end of the year.

Meadlock will discuss the company's product and systems strategy with the news media tomorrow at 3:15 p.m. in room W-368 of the Georgia World Congress Center.

Solutions for the Technical Desktop

With official introduction of Windows NT-based hardware and software, Intergraph has a dual-platform strategy. The company is known for its UNIX-based products, used worldwide in numerous industries and technical disciplines. Now, Intergraph delivers all its applications for UNIX on Clipper systems, and all applications for Windows NT on both Intel and Clipper systems. With full Windows NT support, Intergraph addresses a larger population of potential users and targets new solutions for the technical desktop.

Intergraph's Windows NT Applications

Among the Intergraph Windows NT applications at Windows World is the latest version of MicroStation: Version 5.0. MicroStation is a general-purpose 2D/3D design and drafting package, and also serves as the graphics engine for a number of other Intergraph applications. MicroStation runs on multiple platforms and in many environments, including DOS, Windows, Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT. When released in August, MicroStation will list for $3,790 (U.S.)

Intergraph is also demonstrating ModelView, its specialty rendering and animation software, on Windows NT. ModelView produces photorealistic images and animations from 3D models created with a number of popular CAD packages, including MicroStation and AutoCAD. ModelView will also be released for Windows NT in August, with a list price of $2,500 (U.S.).

Intergraph products presented at Windows World '93 include:

MicroStation 5.0

The general-purpose 2D/3D graphics design and drafting package that also serves as the graphics engine for many other Intergraph applications. MicroStation runs in multiple environments, including Windows/DOS and Windows NT, and on UNIX-based systems from several vendors.

ModelView

Specialty rendering and animation software that produces photorealistic images from 3D models created with a variety of popular computer-aided design (CAD) packages, including MicroStation and AutoCAD.

Architecture/ Engineering/ Construction (AEC)

The MasterWorks family of six MicroStation-based tools (DesignWorks, FrameWorks, CogoWorks, SiteWorks, RoadWorks, and RoadWorks Plus) that enable architects, civil and structural engineers to handle design, modeling, engineering, and drafting tasks.

Mapping/GIS

The Modular GIS Environment (MGE) is a solution for capturing, integrating, analyzing and presenting geographic information in applications such as infrastructure and land management, environmental site remediation, transportation, modeling, and petroleum exploration.

Eight MGE core products for Windows NT (MGE Basic Nucleus, MGE Basic Administrator, MGE Base Mapper, MGE Projection Manager, MGE Translator, MGE Analyst, MGE Terrain Modeler, and MGE Map Finisher) will address map coordinate systems, base mapping, data capture and validation, spatial analysis, map projection transformation. terrain modeling, data translation, and map finishing capabilities. In addition, four products in the image processing, photogrammetry and map scanning disciplines will be available.

Electronic Publishing

A family of BestInfo products (Merchandise InfoLinks, MerchBase, Version Manage, and Workflow Manage) that integrate marketing, advertising, and production for firms with intensive merchandise advertising and catalog production requirements.

Electronics

ACEPlus and ACEPlus Designer, text and graphics tools that simplify schematic capture and design for industrial and consumer electronics.

Utilities

The FRAMME family of automated mapping and facility management software for utility companies: telephone, electric, gas, water.

Scanning

I/RAS B, a MicroStation-based binary raster editor, and I/RAS Engineer, an interactive raster-to-vector conversion tool. Both packages support the ANA Tech Eagle Scanner models 3640 and 4080ET, wide-format scanners for medium to high resolution scanning of engineering drawings and maps.

Technical Information Management

A family of four data management products (DM/Manager, DM/View, DM/Redline, and Database (DB)/Access) that enable users to share an organization's network of information through access to a variety of popular databases, and managing, editing, viewing, printing, and plotting documents across the network.

Plotting

Comprehensive network queuing, printing, plot customization, and plotting, to a variety of output devices from MicroStation-based applications.

Workstations

The new affordable, high-performance Technical Desktop 1 (TD 1) series of Intel-based Windows/DOS and Windows NT workstations for technical users. Also featured: engineering models of the future TD 4 workstations based on the Intergraph Clipper RISC processor and Windows NT.

Servers

The new Intel-based ISMP42 and ISMP44 symmetric multiprocessor servers for intensive database and file access applications.

Scanners

ANA Tech Eagle Scanner models 3640 and 4080ET: wide-format scanners for medium to high resolution scanning of engineering drawings and maps.

Intergraph Background Information

Intergraph Corporation products include a broad range of complementary workstations and network servers, as well as complete application-specific systems for computer-aided design, engineering, manufacturing, and publishing, plus numerous earth science applications. A member of the Fortune 500, Intergraph is the world's largest producer of interactive computer graphics systems.

Intergraph Corp, Huntsville, AL 35894-0014

800-345-4856,  205-730-8302,  fax: 205-730-8300


MGE is First GIS Swr for Windows NT
Open Systems for GIS

Intergraph's MGE to be First GIS Software Available on Windows NT

ATLANTA, May 24, 1993 -- The Modular GTS Environment (MGE) software from Intergraph Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.) will be the first in the geographic information system (GIS) market to be available on Microsoft Windows NT.

The company will demonstrate MGE's capabilities this week at the Windows World conference here.

According to Larry Ayers, vice president of Intergraph's Mapping Sciences Division, "With this initiative, Intergraph expands its current operating system options to include Windows NT in addition to UNIX. Customers will be able to choose the operating environment they prefer, and Intergraph will ensure smooth interoperabilily and data sharing for mixed network environments."

MGE is a modular solution for capturing, integrating, analyzing and presenting geographic information in applications such as infrastructure and land management, environmental site remediation, transportation modeling, petroleum exploration and many more. By making MGE applications available on UNIX and Windows NT, Intergraph is addressing the needs of a broader user base.

Windows NT is Microsoft's scalable, platform-independent, multitasking operating system that brings 32-bit processing, the user-friendly Windows graphical user interface and thousands of commercial applications to the desktop. By fully supporting the Windows environment, Intergraph applications smoothly integrate with users' office automation and other standard tools to create a new "technical desktop," making Users more productive.

Intergraph's MGE core products on Windows NT will be ready for release during the second half of 1993. Solutions will be available on both Intergraph's Clipper and Intel platforms.

"Intergraph provides solutions to customers' requirements, and making MGE available on the desktop, both with UNIX and Windows NT, is a response to an identified need," said Ayers.

MGE is No. 1 in overall customer satisfaction among GIS users, and Intergraph leads in market share for both GIS hardware and software, according to industry analyst Dataquest Incorporated. Intergraph Background Information

Intergraph Corporation products include a broad range of complementary workstations and network servers, as well as complete application-specific systems for computer-aided design, engineering, manufacturing and publishing, plus numerous earth science applications. A member of the Fortune 500, Intergraph is the world's largest producer of interactive computer graphics systems.

Intergraph Corp, Huntsville, AL 35894-0014

800-345-4856,  205-730-8302,  fax: 205-730-8300


First Windows NT Apps for AEC Market
For Architects and Engineers

Intergraph Releases First Windows NT Applications for AEC Market

ATLANTA, May 24, 1993 -- Intergraph Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.), a leader in the computer-aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE) market, announced today the release of its first Microsoft Windows NT applications for architects and civil engineers. Intergraph made the announcement at the Windows World '93 tradeshow here.

Intergraph announced in November that it would port its line of software for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) to Windows NT, Microsoft's platform-independent operating system. The first AEC applications available are the MasterWorks family: DesignWorks for architectural design and drawing production, SiteWorks for digital terrain modeling, RoadWorks for transportation engineering, CogoWorks for interactive coordinate geometry, FrameWorks for structural design, and InRail for track design. Intergraph's remaining AEC applications will be available on Windows NT in 1994.

Expanding Options for A/E Firms

"Intergraph has dominated the high end of the AEC market with its UNIX applications. With the introduction of our new Windows NT products, we are now able to meet the needs of more customers by offering affordable solutions on either Intel or Clipper platforms," said Dr. Anthony B. Crawford, vice president of Intergraph's AEC Division. "In addition, these products are compatible with existing UNIX and DOS applications."

The breadth of Intergraph's AEC applications and the flexible Microsoft Windows NT operating system give architects and engineers a new choice in CAD/CAE. This strategy enables customers to use a mix of Intel and Clipper workstations running technical applications and business software. Now a single computer is feasible on every desktop, improving the productivity of technical users.

AEC products continue to be available for UNIX, and the MasterWorks family is also available for DOS.

Intergraph Background Information

Intergraph Corporation products include a broad range of complementary workstations and network servers, as well as complete application-specific systems for computer-aided engineering, design, manufacturing, and publishing, plus numerous earth science applications. A member of the Fortune 500, Intergraph is the world's largest producer of interactive computer graphics systems.

Intergraph Corp, Huntsville, AL 35894-0014

800-345-4856,  205-730-8302,  fax: 205-730-8300


Intergraph Dual-Platform Strategy Report
BACKGROUNDER REPORT

Intergraph's Dual-Platform Strategy for UNIX and Windows NT Interoperability

Seamless interoperability between UNIX and Windows NT systems is a necessity for the technical desktop user. Seamless interoperability enables an application to operate smoothly in a networked environment, while shielding the user from the complexity of the network and operating system. With the advent of Windows NT on Intel- and Intergraph Clipper reduced instruction set computer (RISC)-based systems, Intergraph ensures that data is easily exchanged among operating systems.

Support for industry-standard file formats and network protocols means that data and design files flow effortlessly from source to destination, whether the information is traveling down the hall or around the world. Various tools let users share printers and plotters and manage data across the network. Plus, investments in existing hardware, software and databases are preserved as new Windows NT systems are added.

Standard File Formats

Whether data is created on an Intergraph Clipper R[SC-based system, an Intel-based system, or workstations based on other supported operating systems, users can share text and design files without translation. Intergraph supports standard file formats such as the Intergraph Graphics Design System (IGDS), Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES), Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM), AutoCAD's Drawing (DWG) and Drawing Exchange Format (DXF), PostScript and Windows Bitmap (bmp) files.

Standard Networking Protocols

Support for industry standards makes it possible for dissimilar systems to participate in network-wide communication. Windows NT provides Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), including file transfer protocol (ftp) and telnet. In addition, Windows NT systems can connect to other network devices through a variety of methods, including LAN Manager, network file system (NFS), Novell and many more.

Data management

Interoperability means much more than the ability to move or share files among disparate systems. Users must also manage data in multivendor environments. Data management entails backing up and archiving files, providing history and audit trails, controlling data access across multiple platforms, monitoring the location of files in the network and tracking file versions.

Standard networking protocols facilitate these critical tasks. The relational interface system (RIS) creates a window to the industry's most widely used relational databases: Ingres, Oracle, Informix, DB2 and Sybase. Intergraph client/server data management products, such as Network File Manager (NFM) and Document Management and Distribution System (DMANDS) provide tools to effectively manage files and other data throughout local and wide area networks.

Printing and plotting

Intergraph is widely respected for its printing and plotting product, InterPlot. Based on a client/server architecture, InterPlot provides network-wide access to thousands of devices. For Windows NT systems, Intergraph has added the network queuing system (NQS) to its Print Manager product for print spooling to networked printers and plotters. The combination of InterPlot and NQS provides true interoperability among diverse systems. Users can attach plotters and printers to Clipper RISC-based Windows NT systems, Sun UNIX systems and Intel-based Windows NT systems. Plus, users have network-wide access to these systems from other systems.

Worldwide solutions for technical desktop users

Intergraph's commitment to the Windows NT operating system opens new avenues of communication to UNIX and Windows NT users alike. Intergraph supports the industry's foremost communication protocols and file formats; offers access to the industry's most popular relational databases; and lets users manage, print and plot data across the network. Thus, UNIX and Windows NT users share common resources and enjoy a communications environment that provides smooth interoperability between UNIX and Windows NT systems.

Intergraph Corp, Huntsville, AL 35894-0014

800-345-4856,  205-730-8302,  fax: 205-730-8300


NEC RISC-Based Systems for Windows NT
NEC TECHNOLOGIES, INC. INTRODUCES A NEW LINE OF MIPS RISC--BASED SYSTEMS OPTIMIZED TO RUN WINDOWS NT

COMDEX/Spring, Atlanta, Georgia, May 24, 1993--Meeting the growing demand for higher performance systems specific to Windows NT, NEC Technologies, Inc. today introduced the RISC PC Line, a series of 64-bit computers based on the MIPS RISC architecture and the NEC VR4000 family of microprocessors. The RISC PC, being shown at booth W8156, is the first in a family of computers NEC is developing to utilize its advanced reduced instruction (RISC) chip set, tailored for Windows NT.

The RISC PC Line, developed by NEC in conjunction with Microsoft, is custom designed to enhance Windows NT performance by taking advantage of features such as multi-tasking and multi-threaded I/O operations.

"We are excited to be working with Microsoft to provide the most cost-effective, high-performing platform for running Windows NT," said Mike Mitsch, manager of NEC's Computer Systems Marketing Unit. We are committed to the MIPS RISC architecture and intend to implement NEC MIPS RISC upgrades up to 200MHz. NEC's future plans include enhancements and new product offerings ranging from notebook computers through multi-processor, departmental and small business oriented servers."

NEC Chip Architecture

Custom designed and manufactured by NEC Electronics, the VR4000 is one of a family of chips based on the MIPS architecture. This VR4000 architecture partitions the system into four separate subsystems: processor, I/O, video and memory. Each subsystem simultaneously employs a 25 MHz 64-bit video bus and the CPU local bus running 50 at MHz.

High-Level Video Performance and I/O Design Features

Designed for maximum performance, the NEC 64-bit local bus provides enhanced support for video, networking, and other performance-related peripherals. The 64-bit CPU and 64-bit I/O master concurrently share the 200Mbyte/sec. video/memory bus.

The design supports an innovative I/O structure that uses a concurrent dual 64-bit bus master architecture to extend performance beyond traditional PC architecture limitations. Additionally, the RISC PC takes advantage of four 25MHz direct memory access (DMA) channels to enhance the throughput of low-cost DMA devices including SCSI-II and networking devices.

"The RISC PC puts the power of a workstation on the desktop at prices comparable to PCs. For the emerging client/server architecture of computing, this technology allows for the development and deployment of new advanced multi-tasking applications at an affordable price point," added Mitsch.

Pricing, Availability, Configuration and Service Information

The entry-level RISC PC will be available third quarter, pending the official release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating System.

For a suggested retail price under $4,000, the standard configuration for the RISC PC includes: an upgradable 100MHz VR4000PC CPU, 16KB internal cache, 128KB secondary cache, 16MB of RAM expandable to 128MB on the motherboard, a 170MB SCSI-II HDD, internal NEC MultiSpin 84 CD-ROM drive, integrated local-bus video with a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024, and 1MB standard video RAM, expandable to 2MB video RAM for high resolution "true color". Also bundled is an integrated Ethernet connector, 1.44MB 3.5" FDD, keyboard and mouse. This unit comes preloaded with Microsoft Windows NT software.

An industry-leading three-year limited warranty on all parts and labor, including first-year on-site service and second and third-year return-to-depot service, is included with the RISC PC Line.

NEC Technologies, Inc.

NEC Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computers and peripherals for the North American market. Product lines include award-winning ProSpeed laptop computers, UltraLite notebook computers, MultiSync FG monitors, Silentwriter and ColorMate printers, Image, Express/II, PowerMate and Ready systems products, and MultiSpin CD-ROM hardware. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation.

NEC Technologies

1414 Massachusetts Ave, Boxborough, MA 01719-2298

508-264-8000


New NEC Products Debut at COMDEX/Spring
NEC TECHNOLOGIES' INTRODUCES IMAGE SERIES DESKTOP PC AND EXPRESS/II FAMILY OF SERVER SYSTEMS BASED ON INTEL'S PENTIUM PROCESSOR AND PCI LOCAL BUS NEC

Boxborough, Mass, May 17, 1993--Building upon its long-standing and strategic relationship with Intel Corporation, NEC Technologies, Inc. today announced that it will expand its award-winning Image Series of fast graphics desktop PCs and the next generation of the popular Express family of servers to support Intel's new Pentium processor. The new Pentium processor-based systems will be unveiled at COMDEX/Spring in Atlanta on May 24, 1993.

"The power, high performance, and technology leadership of Intel's Pentium processor represents a true technology breakthrough. NEC Technologies has made a significant research and development investment to optimize our desktop and server products for this technology," said James Berrett, chief operating executive of NEC Technologies, Inc. "Our parent company, Japan's NEC Corporation, also has aggressive plans to develop Pentium processor-based products, thereby qualifying NEC as a worldwide leader in the application of this technology."

"NEC is providing a balanced 64-bit approach as the best way to fully exploit Pentium processor technology. By combining the power of the Pentium processor with the versatility of the PCI Local Bus Specification, NEC is making a total commitment to high-performance computing," said Paul Otellini, Senior Vice President, Intel Corporation. "NEC is a classic example of an organization that is investing significant research and development resources to tap the true potential of the Pentium processor."

Image P60 and NEC's Marketing Strategy for Pentium Processor-Based Desktops

The Pentium processor-based Image P60 represents the latest addition to the recently-introduced Image Series. Combining the power of the Pentium processor with the high-performance of the Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) local bus, the Image P60 provides advanced business users with superior graphics performance.

The PCI EISA-based Image P60 features a 60MHz Pentium processor with an optimized, native 64-bit design, SIMM memory expansion up to 192MB, Fast SCSI-2, Super I/O, and integrated audio. To exploit the Pentium processor Burst Mode, NEC has implemented an optimized cache subsystem into the Image P60 that offers users 256KB 9ns Burst Mode (synchronous) SRAM write-back cache.

As part of its marketing strategy for Pentium processor-based desktop PCs, NEC offers users two ways to take advantage of this technology. The existing Image Series--Image 425, Image 433, and Image 466--offers users a 32-bit upgrade strategy whereby universal Pentium processor upgrade compatibility is achieved via the use of a 238-pin ZIF socket, allowing migration to Pentium OverDrive processing power. The second method, a balanced 64-bit strategy, is achieved with native Pentium processor-based systems such as the Image P60. This 64-bit approach allows optimized Pentium processor performance, a full 64-bit architecture and date transfers, Burst Mode capability, and the PCI local bus specification.

NEC, the innovator of local bus video, further enhances its Image Video technology in the Image P60 by implementing a powerful PCI local bus graphics subsystem that features 2MB of VRAM, 1024 x 768 high color, an amazing high-performance graphics accelerator with linear frame buffer and full PCI burst write support.

"Systems with full 64-bit capability and the high-speed PCI local bus for integrated features are the right kind of systems to showcase the Pentium processor. This unique graphics subsystem combination provides the best video subsystem value of any Pentium processor-based system in its class," commented Berrett.

Express/II P661LT and Express/II P662LT and NEC's Marketing Strategy for Pentium Processor-based Servers

Developed for IS managers working to downsize or rightsize their organizations, the high-end of NEC's next generation of server products--the Express/II Series--includes two Pentium processor-based systems, the Express/II P661LT and the Express/II P662LT.

The Express/II P661LT is a single Pentium processor-based system operating at 66MHz. With 256KB of integrated secondary write back cache, a maximum of 384MB system RAM, integrated dual channel SCSI-2 interface, and the recently announced EISA-EMB supporting EISA bus throughput at 66MB/S, the Express/II P661LT has been optimized for maximum system performance. The Express/II P662LT features a dual processing design to accommodate ECC system memory and two Pentium processors operating at 66MHz.

"We've designed the Express/II P661LT and Express/II P662LT to be optimized for use as high-end file servers and mid-range application servers," added Berrett.

NEC offers users a three tier upgrade strategy for Pentium processor-based servers. The Express/II 486-based models, also slated for announcement at COMDEX/Spring, support the OverDrive processor, while the Express/II P661LT and Express/II P662LT systems are each OverDrive ready to accommodate future Intel performance enhancements. In addition, the single processor Express/II P661LT is fully upgradable to dual processing capability to provide additional power and performance.

Availability, Pricing, and Distribution Information

Sold through NEC's extensive nationwide network of authorized resellers, the Express/II P661LT, and Express/II P662LT will be available next month, while the Image P60 will be available later in the Summer of 1993. Pricing information will be disclosed at that time.

NEC Technologies, Inc.

NEC Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computers and peripherals for the North American market. Product lines include award-winning ProSpeed laptop computers, UltraLite notebook computers, MultiSync FG monitors, Silentwriter and ColorMate printers, Image, Express/II, PowerMate and Ready systems products, and MultiSpin CD-ROM hardware. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation.

NEC Technologies

1414 Massachusetts Ave, Boxborough, MA 01719-2298

508-264-8000


Shapeware Launches Visio Shapes/Stencils
Shapeware Launches Visio Shapes

Extends Visio's Stencil Offerings

SEATTLE--Feb. 15, 1993--Shapeware Corporation today announced the launch of Visio Shapes, a line of add-on stencil products for Visio, its new drag-and-drop drawing program. Visio is targeted at business and technical users who need to create drawings or diagrams but are not graphics specialists, and Visio Shapes extends the number and types of drawings available to users of Visio.

"Shapeware's mission is to bring the power of drawing to a wide range of business and technical users," said Jeremy Jaech, Shapeware president. "With Visio Shapes add-on products, we are giving our current users expanded drawing capabilities and we are also reaching new users with more specialized drawing and diagramming needs."

Visio currently ships with 17 stencils containing more than 300 predefined shapes from a wide range of drawing types. Visio users can now select from 16 additional Visio Shapes products.

Extensive Visio Shapes collections for marketing diagrams, office space plans, computer network diagrams, and even insurance claims and policies, are available for business users interested in drawing solutions related to their specific professional areas. Visio Shapes products for electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and software diagramming provide technical users with a means to quickly and accurately diagram their work. Home owners who use Visio at the office can now design or remodel their home, kitchen, bathroom or garden using the same drag-and-drop drawing technique.

Visio--an Extensible Drawing Platform

Visio was designed so that users can add to the number of drawing types they can do with the program. Shapeware expects this initial offering of 16 add-on products to be expanded upon by its own shape designers as well as third parties. However, companies that use Visio don't have to wait for the shapes they need. Since creating a new "master" shape is as easy as dragging a shape from the drawing page back to the stencil, users can create their own custom stencils. Advanced users can create logos, backgrounds, symbols and other graphics for everyone in a department or company to standardize on.

Visio Shapes are more than just a collection of clip art or symbol libraries. They are SmartShapes: intelligent shapes that are programmed to behave as a user would expect shapes to behave. As a result they make drawing both easier and more intuitive.

Even "programming" new shapes with intelligent behavior is readily accessible to advanced users. While average users will probably never have the need, power users can open the ShapeSheet behind any shape and--with the use of standard spreadsheet functions--program the desired shape behavior.

Shapeware is responding to corporate users and third parties who have expressed interest in developing shapes by publishing a book entitled "Developing Visio Shapes." This guide is scheduled to be available by the end of April for $29.

Price and Availability

Visio Shapes are available direct from Shapeware and through leading national resellers. The Shapeware list price for these products ranges from $39 to $79 and includes a 60-day money back guarantee. For further information about Visio or Visio Shapes, customers can call (800) 446-3335. Shapeware expects more shapes for the Visio drawing platform to appear on a regular basis.

About Shapeware

Founded in October 1990 to develop and market mainstream business graphics software products for personal computers, Shapeware shipped its first product, Visio, in November 1992. The Seattle-based company's founders include Jeremy Jaech and Dave Walter, two of the founders of Aldus Corporation, and Ted Johnson, the lead developer of Aldus PageMaker for Windows. Shapeware has been funded by Technology Venture Investors (TVI) and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, both of which are represented on the company's board of directors. The board also includes Scott Oki, a Shapeware investor and former Microsoft senior vice president.

Shapeware, 1601 Fifth Ave, Ste 800, Seattle, WA 98101-1625

206-467-6723;  fax: 206-467-7227


CDROM Publishers Using Multi-Ad Search Runtime
MULTI-AD SERVICES SIGNS CD-ROM PUBLISHERS TO USE RUNTIME OF MULTI-AD SEARCH 2.0

May 24, 1993 -- PEORIA, IL--Multi-Ad Services, Inc., announces the signing of three CD--ROM publishers to use a Runtime version of Multi-Ad Search 2.0 on their upcoming clip art compact discs.

Totem Graphics of Tumwater, WA, will be including the electronic index on its upcoming Totem Color Clip Art CD which features 18 collections (96 images each) of EPS color graphics.

The WetSet CD-ROM, featuring Macintosh clip art stored in various file formats from Dubl-Click Software of Woodland Hills, CA, will utilize the Search 2.0 Runtime version.

Sunshine of Austin, TX, will upgrade its Search 1.0 Runtime on the current Visual Delights CD which consists of over 5,800 TIFF images for the Macintosh.

According to Marc Radosevic, marketing manager, Multi-Ad Media Services Division, "We are very pleased that these companies have decided to include the Search 2.0 Runtime with their products. It's a good feeling when other firms can see the dramatic benefits that Search 2.0 offers them. Multi-Ad Services is proud of our association with these firms and we look forward to adding other members of the electronic clip art industry to our list of Search 2.0 Runtime users."

Multi-Ad Search 2.0 is totally rewritten with a faster database engine and cleaner user-interface. Search 2.0 can now easily handle 160,000+ images (color and black & white) per catalog from various file formats including EPS (Mac/PC), PICT, TIFF, RIFF, JPEG, MacPaint and Multi-Ad Creator. Also, Search 2.0 allows the user to open and search across up to ten catalogs at once. With Search 2.0's improved printing flexibility, the user is able to print catalogs, keyword lists, thumbnails and/or actual images. Optimized for System 7, the Place Apple event support within Search 2.0 provides tighter integration with Multi-Ad Creator, QuarkXPress and Aldus PageMaker.

In addition, the Search 2.0 Runtime will be provided with Multi-Ad Services' monthly electronic art services, Ad-Builder and SCAN as well as the Kwikee Illustration System and Custom Ad-Planner CDs.

Multi-Ad Services

1720 W. Detweiller Dr, Peoria, IL 61615-1695

309-692-1530;  fax: 309-692-6566


PeopleSoft Business Apps for Windows NT
PeopleSoft Announces Support for Windows NT

Client/Server Leader Delivers Business Applications for NT Platform

WALNUT CREEK, CA May 24, 1993 -- PeopleSoft, Inc., (NASDAQ:PSFT) today announced support for its client/server business applications on the Microsoft Windows NT operating system. PeopleSoft will deliver PeopleSoft Financials and PeopleSoft HRMS (Human Resource Management System) on Windows NT for both workstation client and server platforms.

Rick Bergquist, Vice President of Technology at PeopleSoft, commented, "Fortune 1000 organizations are keenly interested in seeing robust commercial applications on NT. We are excited about extending our platform support to include NT, and about expanding our partnership with Microsoft on both technical and strategic marketing levels."

David Thatcher, Windows NT group product manager at Microsoft Corporation said, "As a leader in the client/server applications market, we view P commitment to Microsoft technology as an important factor to the widespread acceptance and implementation of Windows NT in the marketplace."

PeopleSoft and Microsoft

Microsoft has been working closely with PeopleSoft since 1990 as a customer and a development partner. Microsoft has licensed PeopleSoft HRMS to manage and track its internal human resource operations. The two companies have also cooperated in several joint development activities including PeopleSoft's support for Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft SQLServer, and several applications such as Microsoft Excel.

PeopleSoft has been demonstrating PeopleSoft HRMS on Windows NT operating under ORACLE7 on Sequent Symmetry servers since last July. PeopleSoft also plans to provide support for Microsoft SQLServer, Sybase SQLServer, Gupta SQLBase, and Digital Rdb on the Windows NT platform.

Availability

PeopleSoft will ship its applications on Windows NT approximately 90 days after Microsoft ships the production version of NT.

PeopleSoft, Inc.

PeopleSoft develops and markets PeopleSoft HRMS, an integrated family of client/server human resource management application software, as well as PeopleTools, a family of client/server application development tools. PeopleSoft also recently introduced PeopleSoft Financials, an integrated family of client/server financials systems application software. Products are sold through direct sales offices in the United States, Canada, and Europe. PeopleSoft has marketing and/or development alliances with major hardware and software vendors including Digital Equipment, Groupe-Bull, Gupta, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, NCR, Oracle, Sequent, Sun, and Sybase. PeopleSoft also has business alliances with major systems integration consulting firms, including Andersen Consulting, Price Waterhouse, EDS, and ADP.

PeopleSoft

1331 North California Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

510-946-9460;  fax: 510-946-9461


DE/Cartes V2 The Windows Document Manager
DE/CARTES VERSION 2.0, THE WINDOWS 3 DOCUMENT MANAGER, OFFERS NEW FEATURES FOR SINGLE USER AND GROUPWARE.

(Mahwah, New Jersey -- May 19, 1993) Desktop Engineering International, Inc. announces the release of DE/Cartes Version 2.0, the Document Manager that makes document filing and retrieving quick and easy by efficiently cataloging all the documents in your office. Version 2.0 features an improved user interface as well as performance upgrades. New enhancements include: 1) A text menu bar similar in style to the menu found in nearly all Window programs, with use of key stroke short cuts; 2) A new button control menu which contains all the most frequently used controls; 3) All user operations on a document are now recorded in the document audit trail; 4) A split screen function which allows folders and documents to be dragged and dropped between the two windows; 5) Performance improvements which exceed the previous version by up to a factor of 300; and much more.

The enhanced DE/Cartes Version 2.0 now supports the following "drag and drop" options: copying documents between folders; copying folders between cabinets; moving documents and folders; and moving complete folder trees between cabinets. Version 2.0 also offers an export facility - any document can be exported from DE/Cartes to any of the drives and directories available to the user. Further, the new version restricts access to the office, cabinets and folders. A new multi-user document database allows up to 250 users on any Novell fileserver to access in excess of one million documents.

The original version of DE/Cartes gained acclaim from a large number of users and reviewers. DE/Cartes uses easy to recognize icons to quickly identify the day to day operations of creating new documents, editing old revisions and deleting out-dated information. Using a simple filing structure, DE/Cartes lets the user see at a glance exactly what is on their system. Each document name can have up to 64 characters, so it is easy to see exactly what is in each DE/Cartes cabinet, folder and document, and each document can have an unlimited number of revisions on-line for immediate access. With DE/Cartes, every cabinet, folder and individual document can have a note attached to it, like a computerized Post-It note. Each note can be set up with different fields used for searching for information about the document. In this way, whole groups of associated documents or folders can be quickly retrieved from anywhere in the system.

Minimum hardware requirements for the program on a personal computer include: IBM PC or 100% compatible, MS-DOS 3.0 or later, Microsoft Windows 3, graphics card and mouse supporting Microsoft Windows, Hard disk space of 5 Mb., 2 Mb RAM or more and, for networking, Novell 3.11. All Desktop Engineering products are available from authorized dealers located throughout the world. For more information, contact Desktop Engineering International, Inc.; 1200 MacArthur Blvd; Mahwah, New Jersey; Phone 201-818-9700. Fax 201-8189707.


Microsoft SQL Server for NT by Sybase
SYBASE ANNOUNCES COOPERATION WITH MICROSOFT ON SQL SERVER FOR NT

Microsoft SQL Server for NT Co-Developed by Sybase and Microsoft; Compatible with SYBASE SQL Server on Other Platforms

EMERYVILLE, CA, May 24, 1993--Sybase, Inc. today announced its cooperation with Microsoft to deliver the Microsoft SQL Server on the Windows NT platform for client/server computing. Sybase, a leading vendor of client/server software and services for the on-line enterprise, licenses its SYBASE SQL Server, a component of SYBASE System 10 relational database technology, to Microsoft for distribution on Microsoft operating systems.

"Sybase is proud to provide Microsoft with its SQL Server technology on the Windows NT platform," said Stewart Schuster, Sybase vice president of marketing. "We believe that Microsoft's proven expertise at delivering workgroup products and services, combined with our enterprise-wide focus, provides customers with the best client/server solutions in the industry."

The Sybase/Microsoft Relationship

Sybase and Microsoft have been working together for over five years in a partnership based on a complimentary vision of client/server computing. Today, Sybases licenses its SQL Server product to Microsoft for OS/2 and Windows NT. The Microsoft SQL Server is compatible with the SYBASE SQL Server product on other platforms including enterprise Unix platforms, PC Unix platforms, Digital Equipment platforms, and Novell NetWare.

Sybase, Inc.

Sybase, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBS) develops and markets a leading family of client/server-based software products and services for on-line, enterprise-wide applications. Sybase's integrated family of software includes servers, tools, connectivity, and administration/control products that provide complete desktop to mainframe solutions. Headquartered in Emeryville, CA, Sybase markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force, telesales, distributors, OEMs, VARs, and Systems Integrators.

Sybase Inc, 6475 Christie Ave, Emeryville, CA 04608

510-596-3500;  Fax: 510-658-9441


MultiMedia DeskTop for Windows & Education
Datalus, Inc. Continues to Ship the MultiMedia DeskTop for Windows

(OKEMOS, May 24, 1993) - Datalus, Inc. continues to ship the MultiMedia DeskTop for Windows. The MultiMedia DeskTop is an electronic book written in Asymetrix ToolBook Version 1.53. The Windows MultiMedia DeskTop provides dynamic linking for the ActionMedia II card in addition to other Media Control Interface (MCI) devices. An ideal way to develop DVI applications, the MultiMedia DeskTop operates in a hypertext environment. Its' simple interface and accompanying video tape make it easy to create an entire interactive in an afternoon. The learning curve is so short, most users can be up and running within an hour.

The product is ideal for the K-12 educational market because of it's ease of use. This is also an important quality to corporations and individuals that need a simple "authoring" product for all levels of expertise.

The MultiMedia DeskTop comes with an instructional videotape which is intended to be viewed in the MultiMedia DeskTop through the ActionMedia II capture card. The video explains the basics and gives the end user video segments to capture for construction of an interactive video.

In the event that you have specific requirements of how you want your program to operate, the OpenScript source code is included. The MultiMedia DeskTop is totally conducive to fulfilling your needs. The MultiMedia DeskTop allows you to capture video, video and audio, audio only and stills. Using three special Control pages the MultiMedia DeskTop allows developers to create pages containing; optional text, text with graphics, text with optional audio, menus and questions. A new analog control page has been added for laser disc pass-thru capability.

At $395.00 (U.S. Funds), the MultiMedia DeskTop can save you dozens of hours in programming on each project. It is so easy to author with the MultiMedia DeskTop and ToolBook that you can prototype applications in a "real time" fashion.

Datalus, 4767 OKEMOS RD, OKEMOS, MI 48864

(517) 347-1333;    FAX (517) 347-2466


QA Partner for Testing SQLWindows Apps
Gupta Partner, Segue Software, Provides An Automated Solution For Testing SQLWindows Applications With QA Partner

Helps Create High Quality Applications and Speeds Development

Menlo Park, Calif., May 3,1993--Gupta Corporation is announcing the availability of QA Partner, from Segue Software, as an automated solution for SQLWindows developers to test their applications.

The importance of QA Partner with SQLWindows is that it will allow Gupta customers to move their SQLWindows applications into production faster and with greater confidence that the delivered applications will stand up under real-world conditions.

Developers can use QA Partner to perform powerful functional, stress and performance tests on their SQLWindows applications, helping to assure high quality programs. QA Partner helps developers transition from traditional application development environments to client-server GUI development by providing a testing tool designed specifically for GUI services. It significantly reduces testing time and manpower requirements to help make product development more efficient. Software vendors and system integrators can use QA Partner with SQLWindows to move new applications to market quickly.

"Applications testing has been a big hurdle to overcome in GUI and client-server applications development," said Earl Stahl, Vice President and General Manager of Desktop Products for Gupta Corporation. "Gupta recognizes the need for advanced tools for testing and quality assurance, and by working with Segue we can provide an effective solution for SQLWindows users."

Dr. Laurence Kepple, President of Segue Software said, "Testing has been the Achilles heel of the software industry. We're pleased to see a leading vendor like Gupta make it possible for their developers to deliver high quality software in a very timely manner by making available to them our GUI-aware automated testing solution."

QA Partner for Windows is an integrated environment for rapidly developing robust, easily maintainable automated tests for Microsoft Windows applications, client-server systems and API-level interfaces. QA Partner's object-oriented design works with SQLWindows 40's object-oriented features to test any high-end GUI application created with SQLWindows. QA Partner helps to assure high quality applications. Its tests verify the identity of each application object as they execute, subjecting applications to a high level of validation.

For more information on QA Partner, contact Segue Software at 617/969-3771.

About Segue Software

Founded in 1988 and based in Newton Centre, Mass., Segue Software Inc. provides automated cross-platform testing products and consulting services to organizations engaged in the development of graphical user interface (GUI) client-server applications.

About Gupta Corporation

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is a leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client-server databases. Gupta SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client-server networks. Gupta Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, and Gupta SQLNetwork is a family of software products for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


Gupta SQLWindows Promotion Thru July 31st
Gupta Targets Microsoft SQL Server and Sybase Market with Special SQLWindows Promotion

Offer expires July 31, 1993

Menlo Park, Calif., May 19, 1993 -- Gupta Corporation announced today that until July 31 only it would offer a full featured, unrestricted Gupta SQLWindows 4.0 Standard Edition to registered Microsoft/Sybase SQL Server users in the United States for $199. The offer is good for only one copy of SQLWindows per SQL Server license.

The SQLWindows Standard Edition retails regularly for $1,995, offering users a savings of over $1,795. Gupta will include a $250 router for SQL Server/Sybase free of charge representing a total savings of $2,046. As part of the same offer, the company will offer Gupta Quest for $395, a $200 savings off the regular $595 price of Quest. Users taking advantage of this SQLWindows offer can upgrade to the SQLWindows Corporate Edition, which includes TeamWindows' collaborative programming abilities and one copy of Quest, for $1,500.

Gupta SQLWindows is the leading tool for developing enterprise-wide PC client-server applications. Gupta's special promotion offer is designed to capitalize on this leadership position and attract a greater share of the front end applications market among Microsoft/Sybase SQL Server users. Until now, Gupta estimates it has captured between 10 and 15 percent of the front end tool market for Microsoft/Sybase SQL Server.

Umang P. Gupta, president and CEO of Gupta Corporation, said, "This is an aggressive offer providing SQL Server sites with unbeatable value for the money. It is designed not only to market SQLWindows and Quest to the Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server market, but to directly take on Powersoft in SQL Server accounts. We believe that once users sample the ease with which client-server applications can be developed with SQLWindows 4.0, with its 'learn-as-you-go' complete object orientation and rich feature set, that we will substantially increase the number of sites in which SQLWindows is a front end to SQL Server."

In 1992 SQLWindows won Data Based Advisor Magazine's Readers Choice Award far "Best Development Product" and "Best Front-End Development Product."

SQL Server customers interested in taking advantage of this offer should call 1-800-44-GUPTA (1-800-444-8782).

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984 and a publicly traded Nasdaq company, is the leading provider of client-server system software for PC networks, enabling Fortune 500 companies to rightsize/downsize applications to PC LANs. Its products include Gupta Quest, an end user data access, query and reporting tool, Gupta SQLWindows, an easy-to-use, point-and-click client-server application development system, Gupta SQLBase, an SQL database server for DOS, OS/2, NetWare and Unix and Gupta SQLNetwork, connectivity software enabling Gupta tools to access data in SQLBase, Oracle, Microsoft/Sybase SQL Server, IBM Database Manager, AS/400, DB2, Informix, Ingres, HP Allbase and TurboImage and Cincom Supra.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


LabVIEW Version 3.0 Accounced at COMDEX
LabVIEW 3.0 Goes Beyond Complete Platform Portability

Developers Roll Many Extras into Latest Version

May 24, 1993 -- Atlanta, GA - National Instruments announced today at COMDEX/Windows World LabVIEW Version 3.0, its multiplatform graphical instrumentation software for Microsoft Windows PCs, Macintosh computers, and SPARCstations from Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation.

With LabVIEW 3.0, not only will the company fulfill its earlier commitment to deliver complete LabVIEW program portability between Windows PCs, Macintosh computers, and Sun SPARCstations, it will also surprise users with a long list of new features. Included in Version 3.0 are measurement-based analysis capabilities, a Test Executive, a new Attribute Node for programmatic control of panel objects, a Control Editor for user-defined controls, intensity charts and graphs, interapplication communication enhancements, built-in global variables, new local variables for setting controls and indicators, labeling numeric controls with physical units, and controlling separate, synchronous activities with new Occurrences Functions.

Platform Independence

All three platform versions of LabVIEW 3.0 (for Windows PCs, Macintosh computers, and Sun SPARCstations) now use the same portable architecture, so users have the freedom and flexibility to transfer virtual instruments (VIs) between these platforms, yet retain a common look and feel regardless of platform. With this portable architecture, users are not locked into one particular computing platform. They can also look forward to migrating to other platforms in the future - because 80 percent of the LabVIEW code is platform independent, National Instruments can more easily port LabVIEW to other popular operating systems.

Measurement-Based VIs

National Instruments added Measurement VIs to LabVIEW 3. 0. Measurement VIs have characteristics that model the behavior of traditional bench-top frequency-analysis instruments.

The VIs assume real-world time-domain signal input and connect directly to LabVIEW-data acquisition (DAQ) Vls. The VIs also produce outputs in magnitude and phase, scaled, and in units ready for immediate graphing. The VIs convert sampling period to frequency interval for appropriate x-axis scaling and correct outputs where necessary for the different window types. The Vls can display the power or amplitude spectrum in various unit formats, including dB and spectral density. Measurement VIs include functions for frequency-measurement applications in instruments such as dynamic signal analyzers, which measure single-sided amplitude and phase spectrum, power and frequency estimation, transfer function, impulse response function, coherence function, and cross-power spectrum.

Test Executive

LabVIEW 3.0 includes a Test Executive for creating automated test suites. The VI includes basic test sequencing capabilities, such as stop on first failure and loop on failure. Specific features of the Test Executive include a run-time operator interface, UUT prompt, pass/fail banners, and tests results log. The Test Executive VI is included in diagram source code so users can modify it to meet custom application needs.

Attribute Node and User-Defined Controls

Two new control features in LabVIEW 3.0 are the Attribute Node and the Control Editor. With the Attribute Node, users can programmatically set and read attributes of controls. Some useful attributes include visibility, the location of graph cursors, colors for controls, and the strings for ring controls. With the Control Editor, users can make custom controls and save them in a library. These controls then become part of the standard Controls menu.

Type Definitions

From the LabVIEW 3.0 Control Editor, users can now save a control as a Type Definition. When a control is saved as a Type Definition, VIs that use it will remain linked to the file containing the control, so the VIs will automatically be updated if the users ever change the control file. Type Definitions are very useful in large projects where data types evolve throughout the project. Rather than having to update every VI that uses the control, users can update the single control file containing the definition.

Intensity Charts and Graphs

LabVIEW 3.0 gives users Intensity Graph and Intensity Chart functions, which display 3D data by showing the values of the third dimension as colors defined by a color table. In previous versions of LabVIEW, users could display three-dimensional (3D) data only by massaging the data into a 2D waveform, like a waterfall display on an XY graph, or opening an external window to display an image.

Interapplication Communication

LabVIEW continues to use the most popular interapplication communication protocol for each platform. For users who want to communicate between platforms, LabVIEW 3.0 now includes TCP/IP capability on all three platforms, not just the Sun version. In addition, LabVIEW 3.0 has expanded capabilities for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) under Windows - users can build VIs with DDE server capabilities. On the Macintosh, LabVIEW 3.0 continues to work with AppleEvents and Program-to-Program Communication (PPC).

Global Variables Simplified

LabVIEW 3.0 now has built-in global variables - users simply drop a global variable on the diagram, open it, define the data type with front panel controls, and give it a name. Previously, users had to build a subVI with a shift register for storing and retrieving data.

Control/Indicator Capability Added

LabVIEW 3.0 also introduces the concept of a local variable that can set the value of front panel controls and indicators from several locations on the diagram. This control/indicator capability addresses the need to use the same front panel object for both input and output operations.

Physical Units

Users can now add physical units, such as m or km/s, to their numeric controls. When units are enabled, LabVIEW enforces type checking to automatically scale and display numeric values in the appropriate units as well as prevent ambiguous or nonsensical operations.

Occurrence Functions Added

LabVIEW 3.0 introduces Occurrence Functions to simplify the control of separate, synchronous activities. With Occurrence Functions, users can make one part of a diagram wait until another diagram finishes. While it is possible to emulate this functionality with Global Variables, Occurrence Functions are easier to use and require less overhead.

System Requirements

The minimum configuration for LabVIEW for Windows is a 386 PC with a 387 coprocessor, 8 MB RAM, 10 MB hard disk space, Microsoft Windows 3.1, and DOS 5.0. A Super VGA display and a Windows 3.1 compatible graphics accelerator are recommended.

The minimum Sun configuration for LabVIEW is a SPARCstation with 24 MB main memory, 32 MB disk swap space, and 10 MB disk space (for the application and associated files). LabVIEW 3.0 for the Sun will run under Solaris 1.x or Solaris 2.x. LabVIEW requires MIT's X Window System, Version 11, Release 4 or 5. It can also run under OpenWindows Version 3.

The minimum Macintosh configuration for LabVIEW is at least 8 MB of memory and a math coprocessor. LabVIEW for Macintosh requires System 6.0.3 or later operating system.

Price and Availability All versions of LabVIEW 3.0 will be available in July. The Windows and Macintosh versions are priced at $1,995. LabVIEW for the Sun is priced at $3,995 for a single-user license.

For More Information For more information, please contact the company at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


Instrumentation Swr Pckgs for Windows NT
Four Instrumentation Software Packages Announced for Windows NT

National Instruments Tightens Working Relationship with Microsoft Corp.

May 24, 1993 -- Atlanta, GA - National Instruments announced today at COMDEX/Windows World four software packages for the Microsoft Windows NT operating system. The company has ported its LabVIEW graphical instrumentation software and NI-488.2M, NI-DAQ, and NI-VXI driver software to Windows NT. Engineers and scientists migrating to Windows NT can use LabVIEW's graphical programming to create PC-based systems for data acquisition (DAQ), data analysis, and instrument control. LabVIEW uses the company's NI-488.2M, NI-DAQ, and NI-VXI driver software to interface with its hardware - IEEE 488.2 instrument interfaces, plug-in DAQ boards, and VXIbus controllers. Engineers and scientists can also use these drivers with traditional programming languages and Windows NT.

Moving to Windows NT

National Instruments has worked closely with Microsoft to facilitate the rapid port of LabVIEW and the driver software to Windows NT. National Instruments is unique among Windows software and hardware developers because of the demands its products place not only on the Windows graphical user interface, but also on the I/O capabilities of the operating system. Because of the heavy use of memory-mapped I/O, interrupts, and DMA, as well as the need for real-time response and high data throughput for measurement and control applications, the National Instruments driver software and LabVIEW push the technical limits of the Windows operating system much further than general-purpose applications such as word processors and spreadsheets.

The initial work to create Windows DLLs for DAQ and instrument control hardware helped National Instruments improve the performance of interrupt handling and DMA transfers in DLLs. This work included writing a 32-bit Virtual Interrupt Service Routine Driver (VISRD) to improve interrupt response time under enhanced mode Windows. The knowledge gained in optimizing the l 6-bit DLLs for Windows 3.1 and writing the VISRD helped greatly when porting to the 32-bit DLLs for Windows NT.

The port of LabVIEW from Windows 3.1 to Windows NT took minimal effort because LabVIEW, as released for Windows 3.1 in September 1992, was already written as a 32-bit application. As a result of working early with Microsoft and having knowledge of their future plans, National Instruments opted to develop LabVIEW as a 32-bit clean application to prepare for Windows NT, and then modify the program to run in 16-bit mode of Windows 3.1. Consequently, the porting efforts from Windows 3.1 to Windows NT focused primarily on taking advantage of the extended capabilities of Windows NT, such as multithreading, NTFS, and the built-in TCP/IP support.

Both Microsoft and National Instruments have benefited from the developer relationship. "Working closely with Microsoft gave us a headstart on porting our products to Windows NT," explains James Truchard, president and chairman of the board of National Instruments. "We are excited about the upcoming release of Windows NT and the opportunities its enhanced capabilities presents for our existing and future products."

Brad Struss, manager of Win32 developer relations, explains the nature of the relationship - "National Instruments has been an active beta tester and user of our 32-bit Windows products, including Windows NT and Win32s. On many issues, such as the development of Win 32s, they were among the ISVs who provided us valuable feedback on a number of Win32 design issues. Along with a number of other ISVs we invited them to show their LabVIEW product running on Windows NT and Windows 3.1 with Win32s in our ISV booth at the Fall COMDEX show to demonstrate how this type of engineering and scientific software takes advantage of Windows NT and Win32s features. Additionally, a beta version of LabVIEW was one of the 26 third party products included on the Win32 Sampler CD that was distributed to a core set of our Windows NT beta sites."

About LabVIEW for Windows NT

LabVIEW is a general-purpose graphical programming language used extensively for DAQ, instrument control, data analysis, and data presentation. With LabVIEW, engineers and scientists build software modules called virtual instruments (VIs) instead of writing text-based programs. LabVIEW features a library of ready-to-use controls, graphs, and strip charts for quickly and easily building custom user interfaces and control panels. With LabVIEW, users build block diagrams as the executable programs. Icon libraries include GPIB, VXI, and Instrument Driver VI Libraries for controlling over 300 GPIB, VXI, and RS-232 instruments using the company's interface hardware; and Analysis VI Libraries for performing data analysis, including routines ranging from simple statistics to advanced digital signal processing (DSP). LabVIEW also has a DAQ VI Library for controlling the company's PC plug-in DAQ, DSP, and signal conditioning hardware.

LabVIEW for Windows NT is compatible with the Windows 3.1 version of LabVIEW. All programs developed for LabVIEW for Windows can be run under LabVIEW for Windows NT.

About Nl-488.2M for Windows NT

NI-488.2M is a multitasking software package that simplifies programming the National Instruments PC-to-IEEE 488.2 interfaces that function as GPIB Controllers, with complete communication and bus-management capabilities for the IBM PC AT, IBM PS/2, and compatibles. The software is installed as a loadable device driver. It includes over 50 GPIB-related routines and functions, thus eliminating the need for the user to understand or program the hardware. Operations include Talker, Listener, Active Controller, and System Controller.

Nl-488.2M for Windows NT includes the industry-standard set of NI-488.2M functions and a set of routines that duplicate the IEEE 488.2-specified sequences and protocols. New driver features include "Smart I/O. which automatically selects the most efficient data transfer method - either DMA or Programmed I/O. depending on the transfer size. NI488.2M also includes a language interface library for the Windows NT version of the Microsoft C compiler. For other languages, a dynamic link library (DLL) provides a set of direct entry points that users can access through any application that can access 32-bit DLLs. The NI-488.2M software package includes configuration and debugging utilities, as well as a completely new documentation set. NI488.2M for Windows NT maintains the same programming syntax as all other NI488.2M (and NI488.2) software packages, so users can easily port their applications to Windows NT.

About NI-DAQ for Windows NT

NI-DAQ is a high-performance DLL that controls the company's plug-in DAQ boards. NI-DAQ contains DAQ I/O routines, a resource manager, and a data and buffer manager, so users can develop both simple and complex DAQ applications. Over 110 DAQ I/O routines control the analog, digital, and timing 1/0; triggering; and multiplexing of plug-in DAQ boards. With the NI-DAQ Resource Manager, applications can simultaneously control a variety of functions on several boards. The Resource Manager also prevents multiboard contention over DMA channels, interrupt levels, and Real-Time System Integration (RTSI bus channels. The data and buffer manager handles large arrays, streams data to and from disk, and coordinates double buffering using polling, interrupts, and DMA. With double buffering, an application can seamlessly acquire or generate arrays of data while simultaneously processing other arrays of data.

NI-DAQ for Windows NT can be event-driven to notify applications whenever a user-specified DAQ event occurs. Examples of possible user events include completion of a DAQ operation; the analog level and slope of a signal matching at certain levels; and the signal inside or outside a voltage band.

Users can develop applications in any programming language that accesses DLLs, such as Microsoft C. NI-DAQ for Windows NT maintains the same interface as NI-DAQ for Windows 3.1 and DOS, so users can easily upgrade applications from Windows or DOS to run under Windows NT.

About Nl-VXI for Windows NT

NI-VXI is a software package that simplifies programming VXI with C or LabVIEW. Nl-VXI features intuitive graphical tools for interacting with and learning about VXI, comprehensive high-performance routines for programming VXI using the C programming language or the LabVIEW software system, including a VXI Virtual Instruments Library to simplify graphical programming with LabVIEW. Nl-VXI includes a Resource Manager, an interactive VXI Resource Editor, a comprehensive library of software routines for VXI programming, and a VXI Interactive Control program for interacting with and learning about the VXIbus. NI-VXI can control multiple-mainframe VXI configurations. Programs developed with NI-VXI for Windows NT are compatible with Nl-VXI programs for many other VXI controller platforms.

Pricing and Availability

The Windows NT software products will be available when Windows NT is available later this summer. Pricing for LabVIEW for Windows NT will be available in June. Please call National Instruments Public Relations Department at (512) 794-0100 for pricing information on LabVIEW for Windows NT.

Nl-488.2M for Windows NT for existing AT-GPIB and MC-GPIB users is priced at $200. N1488.2M for Windows NT runs only on GPIB hardware with the Turbo488/NAT4882 chip set. Hardware upgrades are available. NI-DAQ for Windows NT is included with all plug-in DAQ boards. Customers with NI-DAQ for DOS/Windows can upgrade to NI-DAQ for Windows NT for $95. NI-VXI will be available to existing users for $995.

For more information, contact National Instruments, 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


MicroQuill SegMentor Background Report
SegMentor

Minimizing Swapping and Linking Overhead with SegMentor

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

Introduction

Mention segment map tuning to a programmer today and you'll usually get a loud groan. Most of us detest such an assignment, knowing it to be a trial and error process that is tedious, time consuming, and very frustrating. Unfortunately, however, it is a job that typically cannot be ignored, unless you don't mind a program that "thrashes" in low memory situations -- using nearly all the computer's cycles on retrieving and linking segments, and relatively few on actually executing functions. In such environments good segmentation can improve overall application performance by 2X to 10X. Even with plenty of memory, an untuned segment map can cause from 5% to 10 % overall performance degradation, due to the overhead of far calls. This is especially true on larger and function intensive (like C++) applications.

Dynamic linkers, virtual memory managers, and segmentation

Through the dynamic linking and virtual object management systems (VM) in Windows, applications that are larger than available memory can be run by having a memory manager load code segments in from disk as needed at runtime. Because these segments are dynamically linked into the running programs, they can be loaded anywhere in memory. So the developer must no longer decide what combinations of code segments can be resident at the same time, as is the case when breaking up a program for overlays.

While VM and dynamic linking relieve the programmer of having to decide where the code segments will reside, they do not address the issue of optimizing the content of each code segment. So, if the developer is concerned about performance, he is still left to determine by hand the best allocation of functions to code segments.

NOTE: When loading a segment, virtual memory managers often need to displace one or more resident segments to make room for the new one. VM systems use least recently used (LRU) algorithms to calculate which segment(s) should be removed. This reduces the chances of needing to re-load and re-link a segment immediately after it is displaced. Windows and OS/2 include this functionality; for DOS it is provided with add-ons like .RTLinkVM or VROOMM from Borland. This type of optimization is independent of, and complementary to, segmentation optimization. VROOMM and other like technologies address which segment(s) should be displaced to make room for a new one; SegMentor addresses which functions should be allocated to the various segments.

How segmentation affects performance

Good segmentation groups functions into segments based on how frequently the functions call each other. The goal is to minimize the number of cross-segment function calls that occur as the application runs. Overall application performance is improved in two ways by minimizing cross-segment calls.

First, when a cross-segment call occurs, there is some probability (which is a function of the amount of available memory) that the segment containing the target function won't be in memory. If it is not, it will have to be loaded from disk. Good segmentation, by reducing cross-segment calls, will ultimately reduce a like percentage of disk hits. Because disk hits are very expensive (a function call to a function on disk is about 20,000 times slower (386 Windows protected mode with 4K segments) than a call to a memory resident function), the effect on overall application performance can be dramatic.

Using a disk cache such as SMARTDrive is a help. But even when the target function is cached in memory, the function call will still be more expensive (2000X more so!) than calls to 'resident' functions. SMARTDrive resident functions are already in memory, but they are not directly available. To execute these functions, their segment must still be loaded and linked into the running program. SMARTDrive saves a disk hit, but it cannot eliminate the (expensive) loading and linking process. Good segmentation will complement SMARTDrive and produce even larger application speedups. Another benefit of a well-segmented application is that the memory required for acceptable performance will be lower. A rule of thumb is that a randomly or poorly segmented application requires 30-40% more memory than a well segmented application.

The second reason minimizing cross-segment calls improves performance is that such calls are always far calls under DOS,

Windows and OS/2 1.x. Far calls take longer to execute than calls within a segment. An in-segment far call can be optimized by the linker so that it takes about half as long to execute as a call to a function in another memory resident segment. And an explicitly declared near call takes even less time. So, if an entirely memory resident application spends 10% of its time just making function calls, good segmentation can cut this time in half, thus speeding up the application's overall performance by 5%.

(Note that the near/far call distinction goes away with the full 32 bit linear addressing schemes in OS/2 2.0 and 32 bit versions of Windows like NT. However even in these environments, applications will continue to encounter low memory situations, forcing code segments (or pages) to be loaded from disk. Thus, for optimum performance, paged environments still require intelligent segmentation -- or intelligent placement/ordering of functions within an executable file).

An unrealistic but illustrative example

Imagine an application has 5 functions: a, bl, b2, e1, e2 . Each function is about 2 Kbytes in size, and you want to segment the application into 4K code segments (so two functions will fit in each segment, and the application will have to be split into three segments). In a typical runtime usage of the application, a calls bl 10 times, then a calls e1 10 times. Each time bl is called, it calls b2 10 times, and each time e1 is called, it calls e2 10 times. So a total of 220 function calls occur when the application runs.

Let's explore the impact of several segmentation alternatives.

A worst case segmentation for this application would be to place bl and e1 together in the same segment, b2 and e2 together, and a in a segment by itself. In this case, all 220 function calls that occur will be cross-segment calls rather than in-segment calls.

The best case segmentation for this application is to put bl and b2 together, e1 and e2 together, and a by itself. In this case, there are 20 cross-segment function calls and 200 insegment function calls.

If there were at least 12K of memory available on the machine (and no other applications were running), all of the code segments will fit in memory and 0 'disk-hit' function calls will occur for both the worst case and the best case segmentation. The worst-case application would run a little slower though, because all of its function calls are far. If only 8K of memory were available (so that only 2 code segments could be resident at a time), the worst case solution would induce 40 disk-hits while the best case solution would only induce 2.

Additionally, if only 4K were available, the worst case solution would induce 440 disk hits (returns from functions in addition to calls can require a code segment to be read from disk) while the best-case solution would only induce 40.

When we look at the overhead incurred by the various types of calls, we see why applications get incredibly slow in tight memory situations. These figures (in microseconds) are estimates based on a 25MHz 386 running Windows in protect mode with 4K segments:

near call:                 .3

in-segment far call:       .6

cross-segment far call:    1.4

SMARTDrive resident call:  2,000

disk hit call:             22,000

As you can see, hits to functions on disk or in the SMARTDrive cache are vastly more expensive than calls to functions within memory. Good segmentation can produce huge gains in application performance by reducing these types of calls.

Ramifications of segment size

A possible solution to the segmentation problem would be to have just one function per segment. This would allow an application to run efficiently in the minimum amount of memory. The application would make the best possible use of memory and would have the fewest possible disk-hit calls. However, there are two problems with this approach.

The principal problem is that Windows and OS/2 place a limit on the number of segments allowed in an application (the limit for Windows is currently 253 segments to an application). Therefore, this approach isn't feasible for larger applications. Applications that are small enough to use this scheme probably don't need to be very concerned about low memory/segmentation issues because they are memory resident at all times anyway.

The second problem is that assigning one function per segment forces all calls to be far. For many applications, this won't have a very big impact on performance, but for some (either because they're very time-critical or very function-call intensive) this can be quite important.

Using very large segments is another alternative. Large segments have the advantage of minimizing the number of far calls. However, as segments grow larger, more time is required to read and dynamically link them into a program. Also, as the segment size increases, the minimum memory required by the application tends to increase.

In practice, a code segment size of 4K to 8K produces the best overall results (it is not by chance that paged memory schemes have settled on 4K as the fixed page size).

Summary of the segmentation problem

The problem, then, is to place an application's functions into segments in a way that will minimize the number of cross-segment calls that occur when the application runs.

The data needed to solve this problem is: a list of the functions in the application; the size of each function; and finally the sequence of function calls that occur when the application is run (in a typical session).

While the problem of finding an optimal solution is a simple one, the solution space that must be searched is very large. For example, assuming you have to place n equal sized functions into m segments, there are on the order of nm possible solutions to consider. This problem is probably NP complete -- like the traveling salesman problem of finding the shortest possible route that visits N different cities.

Inadequate solutions

Leaving segmentation up to the linker is the default method. However, this produces poor results because linkers don't have access to the runtime function call history of an application, and thus cannot make intelligent segmentation decisions.

To group functions into segments, linkers can make use of two pieces of data. First, they can allocate functions based on how they are grouped in their source code files. This is a reasonable idea, since functions in the same file tend to call each other. Second, a linker can make use of the 'static' call-tree data on an application. A linker can know, for example, that function bl calls function b2 (what a linker can't know is how many times bl calls b2, and it also can't know about hidden function calls that occur through function pointers, call backs, etc.).

Generally, even making use of the above data, a linker's segmentation of code is only slightly better than random segmentation. This is because the 'static' data that is available to the linker is simply inadequate.

Another option is to hand segment an application. This approach has three problems.

First, you typically have the same problem the linker does: lack of sufficient data. In particular, most DOS/Windows/OS/2 profilers do not provide information on 'who calls who, and how many times'. They can only provide this calling information if you specify which calls to trace -- and you can only trace a limited number of calls in one pass. For proper segmentation, you need a comprehensive, application-wide call-tree summary that represents a broad range of end-user type activity. This runtime function call history is critical information for segmentation decisions. Without it, you must make educated guesses about how strongly linked a given set of functions are (that is, how frequently they call each other). For small applications with relatively few functions, this can be a manageable method. But with larger applications, an educated-guess approach becomes impractical.

Second, even given the necessary data, finding a good solution by hand is very difficult. What you find is that performance is improved in the area you considered, but at the expense of slowing other parts of the program. This is because when functions are moved to optimize one area of the program, the change removes those same functions from other segments where they may be frequently used.

When doing this job by hand it is impossible to know every implication of a change in segmentation. Given a modestly sized application, a person simply cannot consider all the ramifications of a single solution, let alone compare that solution to others. Very simply, computers do a better job of solving problems of this class.

Finally, hand solutions are labor intensive and require a senior engineer with a thorough knowledge of the entire application. This makes such an approach very, very expensive in both time and money. This is especially the case when an application is modified fairly frequently, thus requiring constant changes to its segmentation.

Why the runtime frequency of each function call is vital to optimal segmentation

There are tools on the market that claim to compute optimal segmentation by analyzing the "static" links between functions. In other words, they calculate "optimal" segmentation by grouping functions into segments based on which functions can call which other functions. Unfortunately, this does not work.

While this static information is helpful for calculating segmentation, it represents only part of the data required. The actual frequencies of each function call, captured by tracing the application at runtime, are absolutely vital to the process.

If it were possible to compute ideal segmentation without frequency information, the compiler vendors, who have access to this static information, would have already done it! But, because compilers do not have access to the critical function call frequency data, they cannot compute optimal segmentation, and thus do not attempt to do so.

A simple but illustrative database application with four functions demonstrates why frequency data is crucial. The functions are:

open; close; read; and write (the main menu)

Given the nature of the application, the static (possible) function calls would be:

   main calls open

   main calls close

   main calls read

   main calls write

Let's assume that there are only two segments in this application (one with two functions and one with three functions). On the basis of the static data shown above, how would you (or any algorithm you conceived) know where to place each function?? Strictly considering this information, you would conclude that the solution has an equal chance of being any of the following allocations. (Each solution binds main with two of the four functions it calls.)

   SG1 main;open;close        SG2 read;write

   SG1 main;open;read         SG2 close;write

   SG1 main;open;write        SG2 close;read

   SG1 main;close;read        SG2 close;write

   SG1 main;close;write       SG2 open;read

   SG1 main;read;write        SG2 open;close

Now, let us consider the solution if we had access to the application's runtime call history. When the program is exercised we learn that the functions actually occur in this sequence.

     >main

       open

       read

       write

       read

       write

       read

       write

       read

       close

     >main

When consolidated into function calls and their respective frequencies, the above call history is the equivalent of:

  Function call           Frequency

  main calls open              1

  main calls closed            1

  main calls read              4

  main calls write             3

Based on this data it is overwhelmingly clear that main, read, and write belong in segment 1 and open and close belong in segment 2. (This solution had only a 17% likelihood of being selected had the runtime data not been considered.)

SegMentor -- an automated solution to the segmentation problem

Capturing the critical data

The first step in using SegMentor is to build a database on the application (.exe or .DLL) that is being segmented. The basic data needed is a list of functions in the application, their sizes, and the runtime calling relationships among the functions. But in order to collect the runtime calling data (and in order to make some other things work) some secondary data is also needed. This includes the name of each function's default segment and source code file.

Data is drawn from three sources: the application's .map file, the application's source code, and the 'log files' that are generated which contain the application's runtime function history.

.map file data:

The .map file provides the name of each function in the application together with its (executable) size. It also provides the name of each function's default segment (this is used in tracing the application's function activity).

Unfortunately, functions declared as static don't show up in an application's .map file. To get around this problem, a SegMentor utility called fixup is used to change the static keyword (when used in reference to functions) to a macro, such as LOCAL. Then, by defining this macro as 'nothing', it is possible to compile without static functions and thus generate a full .map file (for normal compiles, the macro can be defined as 'static').

Source code (.c file) data:

The application's source code points out those functions in the application's .map file for which there is no corresponding source code. This may be because they are from the standard library, or from third-party libraries, or because they're written in assembly. In any case, without source code there's no mechanism (in Microsoft C) for assigning a function to a particular segment, so such functions are ignored by SegMentor, and they wind up in default segments based on how they're grouped into object files. (Note: SegMentor can trace and segment assembly code, just not as conveniently as C.)

The source code also provides an un-mangled function name, a prototype for each function, and the name of the source file in which each function is found. This information is used in conjunction with the alloc text pragma when integrating a segmentation scheme back into the application. The source code is also used in determining whether a function is far or near, and whether it uses the Pascal or C calling convention. This information is necessary to configure the tracing hooks properly.

Last, the source provides 'static' who-calls-who information. Though frequency information is not available, the source code does describe all the nonhidden function calls that occur in the application. This is used to supplement the runtime function call history. If a given function doesn't appear in the runtime history because the developer does not exercise it for some reason, the static function-link information can then be used to make reasonable segment-placement decisions for that function (these static links are assumed to have a frequency of one).

Runtime function call (.log file) data:

To get a runtime function call history for an application, a 'traceable' version of the application must be built. First, the application is compiled with stack checking enabled. This causes a call to the chkstk function to be placed at the beginning of each function in the application. Then a special library called trace . lib is built using the application's database and a SegMentor utility. trace . lib contains a special version of chkstk which, in addition to performing chkstk ' 8 other duties, logs function calls and function returns to a disk file.

How does MicroQuill's chkstk work?

Each time it is called it determines which application function called it (and in that way, which application function was most recently invoked) by examining the return address on the stack which corresponds to the call to chkstk. The return address is correlated with information from the application's database (which is coded into trace . lib) in order to figure out which function made the call. Also, in order to trace function returns, chkstk saves the return address that corresponds to the call to the current application function, and replaces it with a call to a MicroQuill routine called rtn-hook. That way, each time an application function does a return, rtn-hook gets invoked. When rtn-hook is called, it logs the function return to disk and then does a jump to the saved return address.

Once a 'traceable' version of the application has been built, it can be thoroughly exercised in order to generate a log file of runtime function call activity. Ideally, each part of the application should be exercised. Furthermore, it is best if each part of the application is exercised in proportion to the percent of time that it's used. So if end users spend 75% of their time using option X, then realistically 75% of the log file data should relate to option X (even if option X only represents 10% of the application's code).

One option with SegMentor is to create separate log files for the different parts of an application. Then, when a log file is incorporated into the database, it can be weighted more heavily by having its data multiplied by some value. For example, you might have the log file data for option X weighted 7 times more heavily than it normally would be. (Another option would be to create a single log file, and then just spend lots of time exercising option X -- but in Practice, this latter approach can be awkward, as it might dramatically increase the amount of log file data needed for good segmentation).

For a large application, the log file(s) produced will typically be several megabytes in size (2-30 bytes are needed to store each function call and each function return).

Computing a new segmentation layout

Using SegMentor utilities, the above data is gathered into a database file. Then a utility called segment searches for an optimal segmentation for the application. In addition to the application's log database, segment accepts several parameters, such as the target segment size that is desired (4K is recommended). segment will crank away searching for solutions for as long as desired; whenever it finds a solution better than all previous ones, it is saved. For a large application, segment usually finds a good solution in one or two hours. Running it overnight produces the best results.

Segment rates a given segmentation scheme by adding up the cross-segment function calls that the scheme produces. The fewer the cross-segment calls, the better. In our previous example, the best case segmentation would be given a rating of 20, while the worst case segmentation would be given a rating of 220. This rating function is optimum for reducing far calls and also produces a minimum number of 'disk-hit' calls when the application is run in a low-memory environment.

Note: The most accurate rating function for minimizing diskhit calls would be to simulate the sequence of calls that occur as the application runs, assuming a given amount of available memory and an LRU swapping policy. This would give a precise count of the number of disk-hit calls that a given segmentation would produce. However, such a rating function is impractical because it's so expensive to compute. And it turns out (not surprisingly) that the number of cross-segment links is an excellent predictor (given reasonable computation time) of the number of disk-hit calls.

To start, segment makes an initial placement of functions into segments, using a mini-max algorithm. In addition to making a reasonably good initial placement, the mini-max algorithm produces a random initial placement, in the sense that each initial placement is different. Once the initial placement is made, segment begins a phase in which it randomly moves functions around from one segment to another in an effort to improve the segmentation's rating. In this phase, segment can either do 'iterative improvement' or 'simulated annealing'.

In iterative improvement, only moves which lower (and thereby improve) the segmentation's rating are accepted. segment accepts 'downhill' moves (that is, moves which lower the segmentation's rating value) until no more downhill moves can be found. At that point, it makes a new (and different) initial placement and repeats the process.

With annealing, segment will initially accept uphill moves (moves that raise the segmentation's rating value). For example, immediately after making the initial placement, segment might accept a move that raises the rating by 50. Over time, the size of the uphill move that segment accepts is reduced, until it finally reaches 0. At this point it will no longer accept uphill moves of any sort, and the process becomes one of iterative improvement.

If you imagine the solution space to be a 2 dimensional (hilly) plane, in which altitude corresponds to a segmentation's rating value, then with iterative improvement segment can only drop to the bottom of the closest valley or hole that the initial placement puts it in. With annealing, segment can climb out of the hole to 'explore' neighboring holes. This gives it the possibility of finding deeper holes. Both techniques work well. Iterative improvement generally finds good solutions faster than annealing. Given more time (usually 24+ hours on a fast CPU), annealing tends to produce slightly better solutions.

Integrating the new layout back into the application

Once segment has been run on an application's database, all that is left to do is to integrate the resulting segmentation scheme back into the application. With C, the mechanism that is used to 'enforce' the segmentation is the alloc text pragma, which allows one to place a function in a particular segment.

To do this with SegMentor, the utility makeinc is run. makeinc reads the database and outputs a single include file called project.h. This include file contains all of the necessary alloc text pragma's for the application. As part of the preparation for using SegMentor, a #include of project.h must be added to each of the .c files that make up the application (the fixup utility can add this at the same time it 'removes' static functions from the application).

With project.h built, the application is re-compiled and re-linked (this time without stack-checking and without the trace . lib file) and . . . viola! A well-segmented application is the result.

NOTE: The tracing technique for the Zortech compiler utilizes prolog and epilog data instead of the chkstk data. This version also uses a post compile object patching technique (as opposed to the alloc text pragma) to integrate the new segmentation. Work is ongoing to support the allocation of functions to code pages in NT and other environments.

MicroQuill also sells SmartHeap, a professional memory management library and debugging toolkit for Windows developers. If you have further questions, please call MicroQuill at 206-525-8218, or Fax us at 206-525-8309.

MicroQuill Software Publishing Inc

4900 25th Ave NE, #206, Seattle, WA 98105


Touchdown Math for the Mac from Gamco
TOUCHDOWN MATH Now Available from Gamco

Big Spring, TX May 15, 1993--Gamco Education Materials today announced the shipment of TOUCHDOWN MATH for the Macintosh. TOUCHDOWN MATH, a series of five programs designed to provide practice in computational skills, will be sold through Gamco and its 250 educational software dealers worldwide.

"Beta tests have shown us that both girls and boys enjoy playing TOUCHDOWN MATH," said Auriel LaFond, President of Gamco. "The programs use the excitement of a football game to motivate students to do guided practice in mathematics."

The five programs in the TOUCHDOWN MATH Series are Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions, Percent, and Rounding. Students choose from four playing levels in each program: High School, College, Pro, and Super Bowl. Each level contains specific computational skills that have been selected for practice by the teacher. On each down students select from four possible plays: running play, short pass, long pass, or punt. Running plays are the easiest problems while long passes are the most difficult. Punts are used to move the ball down the field on fourth down and long yardage.

The program management system allows teachers to establish specific mathematical parameters for the problems in each level of play. They can control total playing time and set time limits for answering each kind of problem. They also control sound, record keeping and access to the built-in Mac calculator. The student management system will maintain up to 100 records for each of up to 500 students. As students play, the date, the playing levels, and the number of problems correctly solved at each difficulty level are recorded. Teachers can view, print, or delete all or individual student records.

TOUCHDOWN MATH will run on the Mac Color Classic, LC Series, II Series, and Performa 400 and 600 series. The programs require a hard disk, System 6.0.5 or higher, 2MB of memory for System 6.0.x or 3MB for System 7.0, and a 256-color (or shades of gray) monitor. A Macintosh-compatible printer is optional.

Gamco Education Materials has published award-winning materials for the classroom for over 37 years.

GAMCO, P. O. Box 1911, Big Spring, TX 79721

800-351-1404;  Fax: (915) 267-7480


ColrTrax Screen Print V1.3 Color Screen Hardcopy
New! ColrTrax Version 1.3 Prints STUNNING 360-dpi Device-Resolution Images!

CHICAGO - January 1, 1993 - Blackhawk Data Corporation is now shipping Version 1.3 of its ColrTrax Screen Print, which enables popular software packages to generate presentation-quality color hardcopy images; this includes images produced with paint and illustration software, as well as charts and graphs generated by presentation packages or spreadsheet programs. ColrTrax also works with databases, allowing easy printouts of screens that combine images or photographs and text, such as those created by Blackhawk's own Database Graphics Toolkit ("dGT").

ColrTrax is among the first products to fully utilize IBM/Lexmark's new 360-dpi PS 4079 color PostScript printer -- just introduced in mid-November 1992, at the Fall Comdex show!

ColrTrax faithfully reproduces any screen, from 40x25 text mode up to 1024x768x256-color graphics mode. Like Blackhawk's other products, ColrTrax automatically configures itself to the correct video mode and adapter. The software is written in hand-tailored assembler so it can print a small image in just a few seconds - see "Performance", below.

ColrTrax's crystal-clear images are the result of a powerful software technique, called "error-diffusion filtering", which ensures maximum accuracy with virtually no distortion. The output is "gamma-adjusted" meaning that The printer's output color levels are matched to a specified compensation curve. In Version 1.3 this curve can be set by the user!

ColrTrax's greatest strength is its flexibility - users can control the image's position on the page and select any of four output sizes, in either portrait or landscape mode. ColrTrax can run as a hot-key TSR or be called by other programs. Additional features let the user customize output by specifying gamma response curve, individual hue, contrast, saturation, brightness, printer address, printer type, and hot-key identity, yielding the highest-quality output possible on any printer!

ColrTrax can be installed and ready to run in just five minutes!

ColrTrax loads with a one-word command and can be activated by a single keystroke!

Network-ready ColrTrax Unlimited is priced at just $199, and can be copied up to 1,000 times, royalty-free; ColrTrax Single-User is just $99. Both are available immediately from Blackhawk dealers and distributors all over the world.

An interactive demo file, called CLRTRX.ZIP, is available on CompuServe (GO DBADVISOR, Library 4, "Windows and Graphics"), and other forums and bulletin boards. The demo program, like ColrTrax itself, treats the screen much like a television picture - it provides a sample image which users can modify as to hue, brightness, contrast, saturation, and gamma curve, and then print, in any of four sizes.

Blackhawk Data Corp

7234 W. North Ave, Suite 411, Elmwood Park, IL 60635

708-453-9590


SPA Announces CD Software Data Program

New Program to Track and Report Sales in Fast Growing CD Software Area

May 26, 1993 (Washington, DC) - The Software Publishers Association (SPA) announced today a major extension of its well known Worldwide and International Data Programs - the SPA CD Software Data Program.

The first report will be delivered to participants by the end of summer, and it will cover Q1 and Q2, 1993. Reports will then be issued quarterly, with a two month lag time for the data. As with the other SPA data programs, individual companies' sales information will not be disclosed. The reports will contain sales data aggregated in categories and by platforms/operating systems. These detailed reports will only be available to companies who participate in the program by reporting their sales. The SPA will also issue a quarterly news release, which will contain information summarized from the participants' report.

"The sales of personal computer software on CDs have really taken off in the last 12 months," said David Tremblay, SPA's Research Director. "But, there is very little quantitative information on CD software sales available. Our objective with the SPA CD Software Data Program is to develop an accurate, reliable source of quantitative information on the CD software industry. The reports will allow publishers to track the growth of the CD software market, and to identify and help evaluate new opportunities as they develop."

For more information on the report or for information on how to participate in the program, contact David Tremblay, SPA Research Director, at 202/452-1600, ext. 317.

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of the PC software industry. Its 1,000 members represent the leading publishers in the business, consumer, and education markets. The SPA has offices in Washington, DC, and Paris, France.

Software publishers Association

1730 M St, Northwest, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036

202-452-1600,  Fax: 202-223-8756


SPA Elects New Board of Directors
Software Publishers Association Elects New Board of Directors

Doug Carlston, John Kernan Named Chairman and President

May 25, 1993 (Washington, DC)--The Software Publishers Association (SPA) announced today the results of the 1993 election of officers and Board of Directors

The SPA board members, elected for a 2 year term, include:

* Phil Adam, vice president, Interplay Productions

* Jan Davidson, president, Davidson & Associates

* Alan Gleicher, division president, ChipSoft, Inc

* Gordon Jones, vice president, Novell, Inc

* John Kernan, chairman and CEO, Jostens Learning Corporation

* Kirk Loevner, vice president, Apple Developer Group

  Apple Computer, Inc (non-Voting)

Pete Higgins, vice president, Microsoft Corporation, and Rod Turner, president, Knowledge Adventure, Inc, were appointed to one year terms on the board.

Returning board members include Dan Bricklin, vice president, Slate Corp; Doug Carlston, chairman and CEO, Br0derbund Software, Inc; Gordon Eubanks, president and CEO, Symantec Corporation, Spencer Leyton, vice president, Borland International, Inc; Heidi Roizen, president and CEO, T/Maker Co; Michael Skok, CEO, ESP Publishing; and Ken Wasch, SPA's executive director

At its first meeting on May 17, 1993, the directors elected the board officers, who are: Doug Carlston, chairman of the board; John Kernan, president; Phil Adam, treasurer; and Dan Bricklin, secretary.

"The SPA is lucky to have such a diverse and dedicated Board of Directors," said SPA executive director Ken Wasch. "Our board has a major challenge ahead in dealing with common issues of more than 1,000 members spanning dozens of market segments."

The Software Publishers Association, with offices in Washington, DC, and Paris, is the principal trade group of the PC software industry. Its more than 1,000 members represent the leading publishers in the business, consumer and education software markets.

Software publishers Association

1730 M St, Northwest, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036

202-452-1600,  Fax: 202-223-8756


CADPIPE HVAC from ISS Intro'd at A/E/C Systems
International Software Systems is Releasing a Comprehensive and User-Friendly HVAC Package at A/E/C SYSTEMS '93

May 24, 1993 -- International Software Systems will introduce an addition to its CADPIPE plant design software solution, CADPIPE HVAC, at the A/E/C SYSTEMS '93 show in Anaheim, California, June 8-10th. This new program makes HVAC design faster and easier with scaled drawings, 3-D capabilities, interactive collision checking, full accessory items, and automatic bills of material.

Unlike other packages whose drawings are not done to scale, CADPIPE HVAC is unique in that the system (including joints, sizes and ductwork) is drawn exactly as it will be installed, correctly selecting the proper lengths, connections and size based on real, previously defined, HVAC parameters. The user does not have to do any adjustments as he/she would with not-to-scale drawings.

CADPIPE HVAC allows users to define system specifications and design HVAC systems in 2-D or 3-D, enabling the user to create detailed drawings while automatically checking for interference with piping systems and building structures.

CADPIPE HVAC is a true 3-D drawing package, with all ductwork and fittings represented by 3-D objects. The AutoCAD hide, shade and render commands can be used to create presentation drawings of ducting systems. As a result, the user can view these systems from any angle or elevation for coordination purposes.

Because HVAC is a true 3-D system, it allows users to draw in any direction or any elevation. With the interactive Collision Checking feature, the user can create complex design runs in crowded areas without the fear of interference problems. The system automatically alerts the user when such a problem occurs. HVAC will allow users to view the collision from any angle; or it will provide the information on elevation of the duct or fitting, and the elevation of what the user collided with. The duct design can be viewed from any angle or position in the building. Elevation and isometric views are automatic so that section views of crowded areas can be placed on the drawing allowing for easy installation.

CADPIPE HVAC's other features, created to make design and drawing as simple and easy as possible include: AUTO-ROUTE which allows you to route runs of ducting using elbows, or offset and standard straights; AUTO-NUMBERING which automatically places a tag number on each piece of duct or fitting for easy installation; AUTO-ANNOTATE which automatically places the size, length and elevation on the drawing on any piece of duct or fitting; HVAC EDIT which easily moves, copies or deletes single fittings or entire runs of ductwork; and Flex and Spin which places flex ducts and spin-ins and connects them to a diffuser.

HVAC includes user definable system specifications for round and rectangular ducting, default lengths for straight ducts, joint type and allowance; material type, gauge flange and gasket size. It also has a full complement of fittings including taps, flex connector, flexible pipe, offsets, transitions, increase area takeoff, Y branches, goose necks and elbows and tees. It also includes architectural features such as walls, structural, lights, columns, and grid functions. All objects drawn with the architectural function are also checked with the Collision Checking function to ensure that drawings and designs are free from interference problems. CADPIPE HVAC also has HVAC accessories, and full reporting capabilities.

CADPIPE HVAC uses AutoCAD Release 12 features including pull-down menus, as well as dialogue boxes.

International Software Systems Inc. develops and markets software products, collectively known as CADPIPE, for industries involved in plant design. CADPIPE software has been providing companies with intelligent plant design systems since 1987. Fortune 500 companies in 55 countries have made CADPIPE their plant design solution of choice. ISS, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a registered third-party developer for AutoCAD.

International Software Systems Inc

Suite 650, 202 - 6th Avenue S.W.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 2R9

Phone (403) 233-2520;   Fax (403) 234-8583


Sybase Joins Petrotechnical Open Swr Corp
SYBASE JOINS PETROTECHNICAL OPEN SOFTWARE CORPORATION

Plays an Integral Role in Developing Customer-Oriented Open Systems Software Standards

EMERYVILLE, CA, May 24, 1993 - Sybase, Inc. today announced that it has joined the Petrotechnical Open Software Corporation (POSC). As a member, Sybase will help define an open systems software integration platform for Exploration and Production (E&P) of technical applications in the oil and gas industry. Sybase is a major supplier to the petrochemical industry, and through its POSC membership will continue to work toward an open systems environment. POSC was formed in 1990 in an effort to standardize data management within the petroleum industry.

Sybase, Inc. is a leading developer of enterprise client/server relational database management systems and supplies its product to corporations such as BP Exploration, Chevron Canada, Shell Oil, and PEMEX. POSC is a non-profit membership corporation dedicated to facilitate open computing technology for the E&P segment of the international petroleum industry. The open platform POSC supports is a set of standard interfaces between petrochemical software applications, database management systems, workstations, and users.

Sybase vice president of marketing, Stu Schuster, said, "Sybase is committed to meeting the integration needs and standards for industry organizations, such as POSC. POSC is an important standards organization, and the petroleum industry is a key component of our customer base. The rapid growth and acceptance of open systems and distributed computing in the petroleum industry will allow MIS professionals, engineers and scientists to concentrate more on the oil business and expect greater productivity gains."

Dan Turner, president of POSC, said, "We are extremely pleased that a technology leader such as Sybase has joined POSC to help us work towards an open systems software platform. The oil industry is looking to open systems to take advantage of the opportunities that are happening in the computer world today, and having Sybase as a member of POSC will help us to get closer to our mission."

John Cross, the general manager of global information technology at BP Exploration, Inc., a founding member of POSC, said, "We believe in POSC's mission, and look forward to working with Sybase to implement the software standards of the international petroleum industry."

By joining POSC, Sybase will work with other companies, including software and hardware manufacturers, petroleum companies, universities, government, and research institutions to minimize or eliminate information management problems by providing common data-application software, hardware, and user-application communications.

Sybase is committed to working with its customers to provide solutions adhering to software industry standards. Joining POSC supports Sybase's commitment to standards organizations such as its affiliations with: the ANSI SQL Committee, SQL Access Group, Open Software Foundation (OSF), and Sybase's relationship with Microsoft Corporation to provide Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) -- Microsoft's implementation of the SQL Access Group's Call Level Interface (CLI) specification, which enables access to a variety of heterogeneous SQLbased data sources.

Sybase, Inc.

Sybase, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBS) develops and markets a leading family of client/server-based software products and services for on-line, enterprise-wide applications. Sybase's integrated family of software includes servers, tools, connectivity, and administration/control products that provide complete desktop to mainframe solutions. Headquartered in Emeryville, CA, Sybase markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force, telesales, distributors, OEMs, VARS, and Systems Integrators.

Sybase Inc, 6475 Christie Ave, Emeryville, CA 04608

510-596-3500;  Fax: 510-658-9441


QuickToons on CD-ROM

(Color and Black & White Cartoons)

Now for the first time, you have access to classic Cartoons in QuickTime on your Macintosh or PC with Windows! A fantastic addition to your multimedia presentations or enjoy them for pure entertainment....

Contains 6 full-length cartoons starring: Betty Boop, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Bimbo!!!

Special Introductory Offer!

Purchase QuickToons for just $29.00 (Reg. $49.00). In addition, when you purchase QuickToons, you can receive our brand new CD-ROM, "Made in the USA" for just $9.00 (Reg. $49.00).

Postage is $4.50 for domestic and $10.00 for international.

WAYZATA Technology, 2515 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

218-326-0597;  800-735-7321;  fax: 218-326-0598


Cardfile.3 DBMS V3.16 for Windows Upgrade Avail
Software Upgrade Note

Cardfile/3 DBMS V3.16 for Windows 3.x upgrade is available now to registered users of Cardfile V2.x, 3.x. This is a major rewrite of the program. All features of Carfile V2 are implemented and includes too many new features tolist. Use any dBase database file. Features include support for Windows 3.1 TrueType, a database browser, full online help, call duration logging, import/export dBase and comma delimited files, card tagging, report generation using any printer fonts available to Windows. Supports up to 14 user defined fields (in addition to the 34 predefined ones) and comes with a structure editor for adding and removing fields from your database. Registered users of Cardfile V2 will also receive the ProMAIL package: laser envelope and label printer modules that work with Cardfile's card tagging feature, print your database on plain envelopes or laser labels.

Cost of the upgrade is $12.50 US. The package retails for $79.95

Engineering Concepts, 612 W. Gage Ave, Fullerton, CA 92632

714-525-3519


Gupta SQLRouter/Informix & SQLRouter/Ingres
Gupta Ships Informix Connectivity; Ingres Connectivity in Beta

Informix and Ingres Users Can Take Advantage of Benefits of Gupts SQLWindows and Quest

Menlo Park, Calif., May 3, 1993 -- Gupta Corporation continues to expand its open systems connectivity strategy with the introduction of Gupta SQLRouter/Informix and SQLRouter/Ingres, which provide client-server users with seamless, fully functional access to Informix and Ingres data from Microsoft Windows-based applications.

Gupta SQLRouter/Informix is now shipping; Gupta SQLRouter/Ingres is currently in beta and is expected to ship in July. Both SQLRouter products currently provide complete and fully functional access to Informix and Ingres data for any Microsoft Windows application developd using Gupta's SQL/API application programming interface. These include mission-critical applications developed using Gupta SQLWindows, SQL-intensive decision-support applications and Microsoft Windows front ends that add functionality to existing character-based Informix and Ingres applications. End users can use Quest 2.0 to directly access Informix or Ingres data through SQLRouter to do their own ad-hox queries and reports. In addition to Gupta's API, the company's connectivity strategy also includes announced support for the ODBC, DRDA and EDA/SQL connectivity standards.

"Companies with Informix and Ingres databases can now take full advantage of the popular Windows GUI on PCs with a client-server system giving users access to the database," said James Hermann, Vice President of Marketing for Gupta Corporation. "Informix and Ingres sites can take advantage of the exciting new features of Gupta SQLWindows 4.0 and Quest 2.0 and the large base of developers with SQLWindows expertise. Gupta SQLRouters make access to Informix and Ingres data possible for our current userss, too."

Gupta's SQLRouters handle database-specific functions and map client transactions to Informix and Ingres transactions so that the specific database is transparent to the client user. Gupta's SQL/API provides a common interface to all database back-ends which it supports, so that users accessing multiple databases work with a consistent interface. All of the back-ends that are supported by Gupta's SQL/API, including Informix and Ingres, are available to the end user with all of their native power. In addition to Informix and Ingres, Gupta currently connects SQLWindows and Quest applications to IBM AS/400, DB2, ORACLE Server, NetWare SQL, IBM's OS/2 Database Manager, Microsoft/Sybase SQLServer, Cincom SUPRA, HP ALLBASE/SQL and HP TurboIMAGE, as well as Gupta's own datbase, SQLBase Server.

SQLRouter/Informix

SQLRouter/Informix provides full support for the complete Informix database environment. In addition, it supports forward and backward scrolling. Backward scrolling is not native to Informix, but with the front-end result sets function of SQLRouter/Informix, developers can easily build this feature into their applications. It allows users to browse forward and backward through the results of a query without reexecuting the query.

SQLRouter/Informix serves as a transparent interface to Informix I*Net to link client users with Informix data. Protocol support is based on protocols supported by Informix I*Net, which currently includes Sun Microsystems PC-NFS v3.5, FTP Software PC/TCP v2.05, Wollongong PathWay Access V2.0, AT&T StarGROUP v3.4, and Novell IPX/SPX for NetWare v3.11. SQLRouter/Informix features a highly efficient SQL messaging protocol that minimizes network traffic.

Pricing and Availability

Gupta SQLRouter/Informix is currently shipping. Gupta SQLRouter/Ingres is currently in beta and is expected to ship in August 1993. Both are priced at $250.00 for a single router, and, under Gupta's new server-based router pricing plan, $1595.00 to connect an unlimited number of SQLWindows or Quest clients to a single server. Gupta SQLRouter/Informix supports all common versions of Informix, including Informix-OnLine v4.1, Informix-SE V4.1 and Informix v5.0 on UNIX.

About Gupta Corporation

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is a leading vendor of client-server system software for PC networks. Gupta's products are widely used by major corporations to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC LANs.

Gupta's SQLBase Server pioneered the market for PC client-server databases. The NLM version recently established a new performance standard for PC client-server databases. Gupta SQLWindows has been instrumental in the growth of applications developed for client-server networks. Gupta Quest is a data access, query and reporting tool for end-users, agn Gupta SQLNetwork is a family of software products for connecting Gupta tools and servers to other server data sources including DB2, ORACLE, Sybase and Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, AS/400 Database, HP/ALLBASE and HP/TurboIMAGE, Cincom SUPRA Server and others.

Gupta Corp, 1060 Marsh Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-321-9500;  Fax: 415-321-5471


PreNet Fiber Network Improves Learning at WSU
Racal-Datacom PremNet Fiber Network Improves Higher Learning At Wichita State University

May 24, 1993 -- SUNRISE, FLA -- The city of Wichita, Kansas is known as the "air capital of the world" boasting Boeing Aircraft, employing 20,000 people, and Beech Aircraft, Cessna, and LearJet. It is small wonder that Wichita State University (WSU) is known for its emphasis on aeronautical engineering and aviation. WSU is especially proud of its Wind Tunnel Testing Facilities, one of the top aircraft design devices in the U.S.

Founded in 1895, WSU offers 67 degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in six undergraduate colleges and four associate degree programs. There are 44 master's degree programs offered, nine doctral programs, and three specialist degrees in more than 100 areas of study.

WSU's computing environment is extremely sophisticated and houses an IBM ES9000 and a DEC 4000 server in a client-server configuration to meet advanced educational requirements and needs. The IBM mainframe supports two vector processors for numeric intensive computing research and other applications. The goal of client-server computing at WSU is to enable the campus population of users to access information when it's needed, where it's needed, no matter where the information is located.

Recently, WSU constructed a new computer center to administer and control equipment and transmission facilities for the more than 40 buildings that comprise the 330-acre campus. The center is in the north wing of a new $11.6 million state-funded science building in the middle of the campus. The center opened in July of 1992. The building also houses computer labs, artificial intelligence research labs, and nuclear physics, laser physics, and optic labs.

"Recabling the entire campus to relocate the computer center would have been a logistical and financial nightmare," said Gary Ott, Director of University Computing at WSU. "The trick was to find a way to relocate without having to recable. Luckily, the solution was at hand. We had already laid fiber in the ground several years ago." After much discussion between Ott and his staff, they decided that the best solution would be to install a Racal-Datacom PremNet fiber optic backbone multiplexer systems to connect 15 campus buildings. It was agreed that the network would be ideal for transporting WSU IBM 3270 applications. Also, Ott was confident that the Token Ring and Ethernet based network would position the university to grow its data and video needs for the future.

Client-Server Environment

Ott's challenge in creating a client-server environment has been to enable faculty and students to better learn and to be productive particularly when collaborating with others on research projects. The PremNet network is a key ingredient of the client-server environment because it allows Ott to more easily embrace the goals of these individuals by providing them with the right computing resources such as groupware and other software tools accessible from their desk-top systems.

Second, the selection of information technology has allowed a migration path to meet evolving and future information needs. This is fortunate as use of the two computer labs housing a total of 70 individual computer stations has increased dramatically. Said Ott, "students are lined up at 7AM every morning to get into our computer labs and have to be asked to leave at 11PM closing time. They're going to force us to expand our hours."

Third, Ott has successfully been able to balance the risks of providing information and software to these users versus the need to meet academic needs and at the same time meet WSU security guidelines and policies.

Network Collaboration

As an example of productivity through collaboration, Ott cites use of the international Bitnet and Internet networks that WSU is connected to. According to Ott, departments across the board use these networks to accomplish research.

"Let's say you're an engineering professor writing a paper on something as obscure as 'structured rapid prototyping for software development,"' Ott said. "You are collaborating with colleagues in Italy and Ireland to jointly author the paper, and you know that the majority of your research material happens to reside in host computers housed in Japanese and German universities. You are on a tight deadline to publish."

From his DEC 486 IBM compatible workstation, or Apple MAC, the professor can access the Internet network which allows access to approximately 1 million computers around the world. He has the capability to access library computers in Japan and Germany, search indexes for tides of books and periodicals, download the information, and either incorporate it directly into the paper, using the flexibility of Windows software, and/or search separately for the actual books and periodicals. Because WSU provides a client-server environment, computers using different protocols present no access problems, and whole files of information can easily be downloaded to the professor's PC over the 100 Mbps offered by the PremNet campus network.

Using Bitnet and/or the Internet, the WSU professor can concurrently establish e-mail connections with his colleagues. He can electronically send copies of the existing paper to them, have them work on it, and receive back a master copy incorporating all additions and changes. He can also include an e-mail audit trail telling him who looked at what sections and who made what changes/additions. More than 400 faculty are currently using the network.

"It's a far cry from the days of asynchronous and synchronous communications over coax where the most exciting things we did were payroll, human resources applications, and software programming using IBM PC ATs or compatibles," Ott said.

But Ott stated that it was definitely not a particularly exciting prospect trying to manage the network before the fiber network was installed. With coax direct cabled from each terminal in each of the 15 buildings back to the Data Center, it was a spaghetti nightmare that made problem detection and administration extremely difficult. These problems were compounded by the fact that the coax was aging. "Imagine having to physically go out and check miles of coax cable every time someone had a communications problem and you get some idea of the magnitude and unreasonableness of the situation," Ott said.

"By replacing several thousand coax cables with a few fiber strands, our communications ducts are no longer overloaded with a spaghetti mess and we no longer have to chase all over campus looking for a needle in a haystack. With Racal's Communications Management Series (CMSR) 400, we can quickly isolate faults down to PC ports, or to PremNet multiplexer ports, and fix the problem." CMS is a windows system that manages Racal-Datacom's broad line of LAN and WAN offerings.

Secure, Cost Effective Network

Use of the network allows Ott and WSU to minimize the cost of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software and also to maximize its utilization. Instead of buying many separate copies of different types of software and then taking the time to separately install each copy, Ott has all software stored on a server. From there, it can be efficiently downloaded over the network to individual workstations in a fraction of the time it would take to individually install. This also makes administering software upgrades an easier job. At the same time, Ott is able to capitalize on savings from a multi-user license versus the cost of purchasing individual copies.

One further benefit is that downloaded software can be protected from unauthorized copying by allowing read only access to it at workstations. Read only access also protects the software from intentional or unintentional destruction.

As if this is not enough, sophisticated safety features for the science building include motion detectors to monitor movement through stairwell entrances, and computer-run digital locks and code-number pads for offices and computing rooms.

Reflecting on the new computing environment, Ott stated that "it was a dream come true."

Racal-Datacomm, 1601 N. Harrison Parkway, Sunrise, FL 33323-2899

Mailing Address: PO Box 40744, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340-7044

305-846-1601;  Fax: 305-846-3935


DataTable Custom Control for Visual Basic/C++
Custom Control Provides Database Resources

DB Technologies has begun shipping the DataTable 3.0 custom control for Visual Basic  and Visual C++ programmers. The DataTable 3.0 custom control (.VBX) is an object-oriented,  custom control interface to Borland International's Paradox Engine 3.0.Using the DataTable custom control Visual Basic and Visual C++ programmers have instant access to multi-user,  network compatible database resources in their own programming projects.  Programmers have  access to all of the DataTable features in design mode as well as through code.

The DataTable custom control is very easy to use. It provides developers with a simple,  powerful,  and cost-effective tool for developing multi-user database intensive applications. Developers are given a royalty-free runtime version of the custom control to distribute with  their finnished projects.

DataTable 3.0 Price: $75.00

Contact: DB Technologies (309) 786-9602


Microsoft MS-DOS 6 Step by Step Courseware
Microsoft MS-DOS 6 Step by Step

The Official Microsoft Courseware

Microsoft MS-DOS 6 Step by Step

By Catapult, Inc.

304 pages, one 3.5-inch disk, $29.95

ISBN: 1-55615-552-2

Pub. Date: May 31, 1993

Training yourself, your company, or your customers just got easier with MICROSOFT MS-DOS 6 STEP BY STEP--the new book-and-disk training courseware from Microsoft Press.

This timesaving, cost-effective training package is the ideal self-paced learning tool. Newcomers to MS-DOS and personal computers will be amazed at how quickly they'll learn the basics of the MSDOS operating system. There's less downtime and lost productivity because users can learn right at their own desks. It's the perfect solution for today's on-the-go business-people who want to know how to work with their computers more effectively.

Each of the 11 lessons is generously illustrated with screen shots and real-world examples that are fully integrated with the practice files on disk. Readers can compare their results and track their progress for each lesson. Readers will learn to use MS-DOS to:

* Organize files into directories for quick access

* Copy multiple files onto a floppy disk--in a single step

* Use the MS-DOS Editor to create timesaving batch files

* Protect data and recover files accidentally lost

* Check a computer system for damaging viruses

* Double the size of a hard disk with DoubleSpace

MICROSOFT MS-DOS 6 STEP BY STEP is also easily adaptable for use in an instructor-led classroom setting. Lessons can be customized to fit the needs of a special software training curriculum in a small-business or corporate training facility. Appendixes cover some of the more advanced system-optimization features of MS-DOS version 6, including memory management and optimization of disk efficiency. A glossary makes looking up terms easy, and the comprehensive index helps students and instructors quickly find information on any topic in the book.

Microsoft MS-DOS version 5.0 or later is required. The book includes one 720-KB 3.5-inch disk and ordering information for a 1.2-MB 5.25-inch disk.

MICROSOFT MS-DOS 6 STEP BY STEP joins the growing family of self-paced training products available from Microsoft Press. Microsoft Excel Step by Step--the first official Microsoft courseware product from Microsoft Press--won the 1991 "Best Introductory How-To Book" award from the prestigious Computer Press Association. Other book-and-software packages in the Step by Step series include Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh Step by Step, Microsoft Word for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft Project for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft Access for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft Windows 3.1 Step by Step, Microsoft Excel Macros Step by Step, and the forthcoming Microsoft Word for MS-DOS 6 Step by Step, Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS Step by Step, and Microsoft Mail for Windows Step by Step.

Based in Bellevue, Washington, Catapult, Inc., is a national software training company dedicated to providing the highest quality application software training. Catapult's contribution to the Step by Step series from Microsoft Press is based on their proprietary Performance-Based Training Program for adult learning.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users of all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from self-paced tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly from the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


MS-DOS 6 Companion

by JoAnne WoodCock

720 pages, $27.95

ISBN: 1-55615-550-6

Pub. Date: June 8. 1993

The Comprehensive Reference That Fully Explores the Power and Features of MS-DOS 6

PC enthusiasts who have always wanted to fully explore the power and functionality of the MS-DOS operating system now have their chance, with a landmark book from Microsoft Press called MS-DOS 6 COMPANION.

This easy-reading yet in-depth look under the hood at MS-DOS helps serious users take full advantage of all the features that MS-DOS version 6 has to offer. It's the ideal book for nonprogrammers who want to take full control of their system and be prepared for any unexpected situation that might arise. Powerful tips will help users master their machinery in no time

The 700 pages of intelligently organized topics on MS-DOS in MS-DOS 6 COMPANION will allow readers to gain an understanding of how MS-DOS can help them to be more inventive and more productive. The book is a powerful tool in the hands of support professionals who provide assistance to coworkers and business associates in their daily computing tasks. Author JoAnne Woodcock explores every inch of MS-DOS 6 including:

* The rich set of commands that form the foundation of the MS-DOS operating system's tremendous flexibility for controlling and automating a system. Commands are grouped by task to help users see MS-DOS as form related to function.

* Background material on computer hardware and explanation of bits, bytes, and binary and how they work with MS-DOS.

* A detailed survey of the MS-DOS Shell, the intuitive graphical environment alternative to the sometimes terse MS-DOS command line.

* The new MS-DOS 6 utilities, such as DoubleSpace and MemMaker, that can increase space on a hard disk and free available memory for applications and the Windows operating system

* The powerful assortment of MS-DOS 6 tools for undeleting, compressing, and backing up files and disk maintenance tools for defragmentation, diagnostics, and virus detection.

Appendixes cover ASCII and IBM extended characters, ANSI.SYS escape sequences, key codes, code pages, countries, and keyboard layouts. A comprehensive index helps readers quickly locate information on any topic in the book. In short, MS-DOS 6 COMPANION is the ultimate MS-DOS user's guide and reference.

JoAnne Woodcock is a writer and editor who specializes in books that make Microsoft software easier to use. She is the author of Microsoft Works for Windows, Concise Guide to MS-DOS 5, Concise Guide to Microsoft Works for Windows, and coauthor of Running UNIX and Microsoft Word Style Sheets. As an editor, she has worked with such industry luminaries as Peter Norton, Peter Rinearson, and Van Wolverton. She is currently a master writer and editor for Microsoft Press.

Other books covering the MS-DOS operating system from Microsoft Press include Van Wolverton's classic Running MS-DOS as well as MS-DOS to the Max and The Microsoft Guide to Managing Memory with MS-DOS 6 by Dan Gookin, and Microsoft MS-DOS 6 Step by Step, a self-paced book-and-disk training package.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users at all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from streamlined tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly from the publisher at l-800-MSPRESS.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


Dan Gookin's MS-DOS to the Max (w/disk)
Dan Gookin's MS-DOS to the Max

Tools and Techniques That Will Make Your Hard Disk Scream

336 pages, one 3.5-inch disk, $29.95

ISBN: 1-55615-548-4

Pub. Date: May 11, 1993

Soon you and your PC should be zooming through the electronic cosmos, using MS-DOS TO THE MAX. -- Dan Gookin

Dan Gookin has done it again! The author who took the computer world by storm with his wildly successful DOS for Dummies now brings his distinctive brand of fun and computer know-how to the PC enthusiast who wants to do MS-DOS TO THE MAX.

Gookin wastes no time in getting down to business. He shows how average PC users can boost performance, safeguard data, and exploit the new features of the MS-DOS operating system version 6.0 to the fullest with this new book and with the more than 20 disk-based batch files, utilities, and programs included on disk.

MS-DOS TO THE MAX is designed for ease of use and total accessibility. It's thoroughly crossreferenced so PC users can pick a chapter and jump in to learn about any topic. Easy-to-use strategies, subtle tricks, and handy shortcuts will help readers to:

* Use little-known CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT techniques to personalize PCs and manage multiple configurations

* Apply time-proven techniques and new commands to organize disks and manage files

* Pour megabytes of extra space into hard disks using the new DoubleSpace integrated disk-compression feature

* Take advantage of the new power tools for MS-DOS, including Backup, MemMaker, Microsoft Diagnostics, DeFrag, Undelete, VSafe and MSav antivirus tools, and Advanced Power Management

* Make an informed decision when buying a new drive for a system--and learn how to configure it for maximum performance

* Enliven the command prompt with ANSI.SYS and DOSKEY

Through it all, Gookin incorporates his witty and slightly irreverent style in the discussion of a very serious subject--higher performance and greater enjoyment from MS-DOS. A comprehensive index helps readers quickly find information on any topic in the book.

The accompanying software on one 720-KB 3.5-inch disk features two special utilities called Config Wizard and Autoexec Wizard that help properly configure and optimize computer systems. These valuable utilities plus all the programs, batch files, and special utilities featured in the book and a selection of useful Hall of Fame commands from earlier versions of MS-DOS will help PC users tap their system's power potential. MS-DOS 6 is required.

Dan Gookin manages to have one or two computer books on the bestseller list at any given time. His down-to-earth, friendly style has led to a stint as a host of a popular radio show, assignments for several computer magazines, and invitations to speak at dozens of user group meetings. Two of his bestselling books--the recently revised The Microsoft Guide to Managing Memory with MS-DOS 6 and the Microsoft Guide to Optimizing Windows--are published by Microsoft Press.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users of all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make learning and using software easier. Titles ranging from streamlined tutorials for first-time computer users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States can also order directly from the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

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 the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-882-8080


Proxim RangeLAN/PCMCIA Wireless LAN Adapter
PROXIM WIRELESS LAN ADAPTER FIRST TO PROVIDE PCMCIA SOCKET AND CARD SERVICES SPECIFICATION COMPATIBILITY

RangeLAN/PCMCIA Ensures "Plug-and-Play" Mobile PC LAN Capability

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 26, 1993 -- Proxim, Inc., the leading supplier of spread spectrum-based wireless networking products, announced that its RangeLAN/PCMCIA wireless LAN adapter, designed for the TYPE II Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card slot in portables, notebooks and palmtop computers, now meets the PCMCIA specifications for Socket Services and Card Services.

Socket Services is a BIOS-level software interface that offers a means of access to PCMCIA computer slots by identifying how may sockets are in a computer system and detecting the insertion or removal of a PCMCIA device while the system is powered on. PCMCIA's Card Services is a software management interface that allows the allocation of system resources automatically, once the Socket Services detects the addition of a PCMCIA device. Card Services also releases these resources when the device has been removed and provides an interface to higher level software required for loading hardware drivers.

"Proxim led the wireless LAN industry into the world of PCMCIA with the shipment of RangeLAN/PCMCIA earlier this year, and now, with the addition of Socket and Card Services support, RangeLAN/PCMCIA is even easier to use," said Rick Heller, president and CEO of Proxim. "New functionality such as the "hot insertion" capability allows a PCMCIA c be inserted and removed while the computer system is running. This announcement demonstrates Proxim's commitment to providing our customers with easy-to-use, standards-based wireless products."

Card and Socket Services, combined with hardware specifications from PCMCIA, provides a "plug-and-play" capability in the portable computing environment. Compliance with these specifications makes it possible to add and remove PCMCIA devices without powering down the system, and allows for automatic reconfiguration of the system for memory blocks, I/O ports, and interrupt levels.

Mobile Wireless LAN Connectivity

RangeLAN/PCMCIA, the first and only PCMCIA wireless LAM adapter in the market, provides a wireless networking solution for portable c users, enabling them to easily set up an "instant" LAN without cable, extend their existing LAN to mobile users and hard-to-reach places. I spread spectrum technology, RangeLAN provides a range of up to 800 feet and supports most popular LAN operating systems including both server-based and peer-to-peer networks.

RangeLAN/PCMCIA's Socket and Card Services software functionality resides on the network operating system driver which accompanies the product. RangeLAN/PCMCIA, priced at $595, will begin shipping with this functionality immediately.

RangeLAN adapters are available in several other form factors including RangeLAN/ISA for servers and desktop PCs (retail $495), RangeLAN/LT for Compaq portables (retail $595), and RangeLAN/ Parallel, which connects to the printer port of any PC (retail $595).

Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Proxim was founded to develop and market wireless communications products. The company entered the LAN market in early 1992 with RangeLAN wireless LAN products.

Proxim, Inc. 295 North Bernardo Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-960-1630;   Fax: 415-964-5181


Intex Inventory Analyst Professional
INTEX ANNOUNCES INVENTORY ANALYST PROFESSIONAL

New Add-On Brings True "Master Planning" Capabilities To DOS and Windows Spreadsheets

May 24, 1993 -- Needham. MA: Intex Solutions, Inc., the leading publisher and reseller of spreadsheet enhancements, today announced a new program called Inventory Analyst Professional. Designed for production planners, inventory analysts, purchasers and other planning professionals, the spreadsheet-based program provides a powerful set of tools to help both DOS and Windows users reduce inventory costs, build accurate purchase or production plans and maximize cost savings. The program, developed by professionals certified by APICS, the American Planning and Inventory Control Society, offers a number of unique features, including batch planning for hundreds or thousands of items, "best fit" forecasting, and a popular planning technique known as "ABC" analysis. Inventory Analyst Professional is priced at $495, plus $5 shipping and is available now from Intex.

"Inventory Analyst Professional was developed to answer a growing demand in the inventory planning world. The program is menu-driven and spreadsheet-based, so its fast and easy-to-use, it's reasonably priced in comparison to most of the mainframe-based inventory systems available, and most importantly, it has the flexibility and advanced capabilities inventory planning professionals demand," said Marjorie Smith, Product Manager at Intex.

Powerful Planning Capabilities

Whether users want to generate purchase plans pinpointing the right number of paint brushes to stock, need to know how many cardboard cartons to produce and when to produce them, or need to make a quick decision on safety stock levels for a popular product, Inventory Analyst Professional gives them the power to make important planning decisions faster and with more confidence than ever before.

Using Inventory Analyst Professional's familiar menus, users simply load historical data, select one of the program's built-in forecasting and scheduling methods and factor in any special considerations such as service levels and safety stock. The program will automatically generate a 12 month or 12 week purchase or production plan for every item or part in inventory, allowing users to avoid costly stock overruns or outages.

One user who appreciates the program's powerful, cost saving features is Michael Weiss, General Manager of the Felters Company in Union, South Carolina. According to Weiss, "Inventory Analyst Professional showed us real, tangible ways to save on both manufacturing and inventory costs. This program is unbelievable!"

To make inventory planning even faster and more reliable, Inventory Analyst Professional also offers a number of advanced features usually found only in expensive mainframe-based inventory systems. These features include batch forecasting and scheduling of hundreds or thousands of items simultaneously, "best fit" forecasting which automatically chooses the best forecasting method for each item and "ABC" planning, a popular technique that ranks and groups items by dollar volume.

A Familiar Environment

Besides being a powerful planning tool, Inventory Analyst Professional provides an additional benefit to users by fitting effortlessly into their spreadsheet environment. Inventory Analyst Professional offers familiar spreadsheet-like menus, an easy way to import data from existing worksheets into the program's built-in database and also takes advantage of the spreadsheet's WYSIWYG capabilities. That means that the program's reports and eight built-in graphs are always presentation-quality, making them easier to understand and analyze.

Compatibility and Pricing

Inventory Analyst Professional Version 1.0 runs with all DOS and Windows releases of Lotus 1-2-3 (including the forthcoming 1-2-3 for Windows Release 4.0), Quattro Pro for DOS and Excel 4.0. 190K RAM is required in addition to normal spreadsheet memory requirements. The product is priced at $495 plus $5 shipping. Intex also publishes a standard version of Inventory Analyst for users whose planning needs are limited to 10 to 20 items. Inventory Analyst, Standard Version, is priced at $245. Existing Inventory Analyst users who wish to "trade-up" to Inventory Analyst Professional may do so for $250, plus $5 shipping.

Intex Solutions, 35 Highland Circle, Needham, MA 02194

617-449-6222


NSSI Technology Partnership with Cabletron Sys
NSSI ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP WITH CABLETRON SYSTEMS

SAN DIEGO, June 1, 1993 - Network Security Systems, Inc., (NSSI) today announced that the company has entered into a technology partnership with Cabletron Systems, Inc. As a technology partner in Cabletron's SPECTRUM Partners Program the two companies will work to develop applications for monitoring and managing power in network environments.

"Our relationship with NSSI is a step forward in expanding cross-platform network management capabilities to include backup power monitoring. Managing power in a network is a critical ingredient to ensuring network reliability and data integrity," said Malcolm Welsh, Manager for Business Services at Cabletron Systems.

SPECTRUM, available from Cabletron Systems, is an enterprise management platform for large scale, multi-L AN, multi-node communications networks. The system provides protocol independence, multi-vendor management, and enterprise-wide systems integration. The SPECTRUM Partners Program is Cabletron's strategic policy of actively seeking out and helping third party developers to create and maintain innovative, new SPECTRUM products and applications.

NSSI is recognized as the leading market innovator in network power management solutions. Its award-winning Intelligent Power Supply (IPS/A.I.) hardware and LanSafe power management software maintain the integrity of distributed data and the productivity and reliability of networks. For additional product information, contact NSSI at (800) 755-7078.

NSSI, 9401 Waples St, San Diego, CA 92121

(619) 587-7950;  (800) 755-7078;   Fax: (619) 552-9162


GPSS/H Professional V2.01 Simulation Software
GPSS/H Professional Release 2.01 now shipping

May 25, 1993 -- Wolverine Software Corporation announces GPSS/H Professional Release 2.01 - the newest update of its popular PC-based simulation software. GPSS/H Professional Release 2.01 runs as a 32-bit application under DOS, Windows, and OS/2 2.x to provide unlimited model size and blazingly fast execution. For most real-world models, GPSS/H Professional is four or more times faster than competitors' 16-bit software.

GPSS/H Professional Release 2.01 has several other new features. A new option allows GPSS/H to write a fully compiled model out to disk, which then can be run rep re-compilation, or used in conjunction with Wolverine's new Run-time GPSS/H option, "Quiet Mode" causes GPSS/H Professional to run a model without writing any output to the screen. There are also several enhancements to memory utilization, in addition to improved error messages.

GPSS/H is a language and development system for building and running discrete-event simulations. Simulation enables designers, analysts and engineers to build models of proposed or existing systems. By varying the model alternatives can be evaluated before building or modifying the system. Huge savings are realized through improved system design and better operational decision making. Because of this, simulation is often used to model manufacturing facilities, material handling systems, computer systems, communications and transportation networks, mining operations, hospital operations, logistics systems and other complex operations.

GPSS/H is a high-performance, higih-level language for accurate modeling of a GPSS/H is known for its language flexibility and interactive debugging system checked out, the speed of GPSS/H allows extended, statistically meaningful simulation runs.

GPSS/H Professional runs on an IBM or compatible PC with a 386 or higher CPU. A math co-processor is required. In addition to Windows and OS/2 2.0, GPSS/H also the PC, and on IBM mainframes, DEC VAX (VMS), and Sun workstations.

Wolverine Software Corp

4115 Annandale Rd, Suite 200, Annandale, VA 22003-2500

703-750-3910;  fax: 703-642-9634


Using PageMaker 5 for Windows (w/disk)
Using PageMaker 5 For Windows -- New Book/Disk Package Offers Superior Desktop Publishing

Berkeley, CA -- Osborne/McGraw-Hill announces publication of Using PageMaker 5 for Windows ($39.95, ISBN: 0-07-881852-4, 500 pages) a new book and disk package by Martin Matthews and Carole Matthews, coauthors of two previous editions of Using PageMaker that are the all-time bestselling PageMaker books ever sold.

Readers who are upgrading to PageMaker 5 or interested in learning about this exceptionally powerful product will discover this book provides all the information they need to create everything from simple forms and flyers to newsletters, catalogs, and annual reports.

As an added bonus, the book includes a 3.5-inch disk containing all the sample projects in the book with additional text and graphics files from Microsoft Word for Windows, Microsoft Word for DOS, WordPerfect. CorelDRAW. Micrografx Designer, Microsoft Excel, and dBASE that can be imported into PageMaker 5.

The Matthews cover all the latest features of version 5 including expert kerning and extensive color manipulation with four-color separations, spot color, and process color. PageMaker users will discover how to work with new professional tools including Aldus Additions, Control Palettes. True Type fonts, and more.

Divided into three sections that contain increasingly more advanced applications of PageMaker, the first section begins with an overview of desktop publishing concepts, working with Microsoft Windows, and an introduction to the most basic features of PageMaker through a quick lesson in creating a flyer.

In the second section. readers are guided through three common desktop publishing projects -- business forms using the Table Editor feature, an advertising brochure that introduces users to importing a graphic created with Micrografx Designer included on the companion disk, and an introduction to using color that explains color concepts in-depth.

A special project involving a four-color label is included that uses a four-color scanned image and type produced with CorelDRAW both of which are contained on the companion disk. A four-color insert provides the final results.

In the third section, readers learn to "dress up" multi-page documents that include a financial report, catalog and newsletter while learning the integrating power of PageMaker by importing files from Microsoft Word for Windows, Microsoft Excel, and dBASE found on the book's companion disk. The Matthews also cover using PageMaker's powerful and versatile features that include autoflow, style sheet, Drop Cap and Continuation Aldus Additions.

Creating memorable presentations needn't be time-consuming or confusing with Using PageMaker 5 for Windows, Martin and Carole Matthews' outstanding book and disk package.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603


Application Programming for Windows NT
The BEST Source of Application Programming Information for Windows NT

Berkeley, CA -- Osborne/McGraw-Hill announces publication of Application Programming for Windows NT ($39.95, ISBN: 0-07-881933-4, 680 pages) a comprehensive new book and software guide to using Microsoft's powerful new operating system for applications development written by bestselling authors William H. Murray, III and Chris Pappas.

Included with the book is one 3.5-inch disk packed with detailed sample code found within the book, including multimedia sound, animation techniques, a screen saver application, Microsoft's foundation class libraries, and much more.

The authors assume some programming experience in C/C++ as they explain how to take advantage of Windows NTs complex applications capabilities, including GDI drawing primitives, and charting capabilities for business, mathematics, and engineering. Programmers will gain insight into developing special applications, including sketching, animation, and screen saver applications. The book also covers advanced programming techniques involving the use of Microsoft's Object-Oriented Foundation Class Library code and Windows NT Unicode.

With the accompanying disk, this superior resource is the most authoritative guide to developing practical applications programs with Windows NT.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603


RxEDM Document Mgmt Solution for Windows
RASTEREX Releases their Microsoft Windows 3.1 Version of Document Management Solution RxEDM

Highlighting Workflow and Conversion Capabilities

May 26, 1993 -- Atlanta--Expert Graphics, Inc., the sole distributor of RASTEREX products in the U.S. and Canada, is pleased to announce the porting of RxEDM, RASTEREXs Engineering Document Solution, to Microsoft Windows 3.1.

RxEDM for Windows is a complete modular document management solution comprised of five separate components all intrinsically linked within Windows. RxEDM for Windows integrates fast document/drawing retrieval and workflow distribution through a database linked to a multiple-format viewing and redlining tool. With RxEDM for Windows, users have full raster and vector editing and conversion capabilities, as well as the ability to add links to CAD or scanned drawings, enabling associated documents to be retrieved concurrently with any drawing for viewing and mark Windows works with any network and on all PC platforms that support Windows. Application areas include manufacturing, architecture and construction, utilities, government, facilities management, I and project management. The capability of each module is described below.

RxIndex for Windows V 1.0, the fully customizable database module of RxEDM, offers an object-oriented Windows screen paint program, DDE support, and multi-level supervisor control. RxIndex for Windows also enables users to retrieve a full color image, scanned raster file, vector file or document file (including Word, WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel etc...). When the user makes a selection, a pop-up view of the files within the selection set appears in a small window in the screen giving the user a fast preview of the files to better determine which file to select. The user is then able to make redlining comments to the retrieved file using RxHighlight tor Windows (described below). Additionally. the user can start up any other Windows application (e.g. AutoCAD) with that retrieved file.

RxHighlight for Windows V 1.0 is a fully featured drawing, document and image view & redline product, handling most files in their native format (e.g. DWG, DGN, DXF, TIFF CGM, RLC, DOC, WP, WKS, etc...). The key to RxHighlight's capabilities is the integration of a true workflow distribution mechanism using electronic circulation slips. The circulation slip allows any user to e-mail a marked-up document to selected users within pre-defined workgroups. File and Feature access is controlled through passwords and file encryption procedures. Comments can be typed directly on the screen or in separate letters which are show as envelopes on the screen. When an envelope is selected, the comments are then revealed.

RxSpotlight for Windows V 1.0, the raster editing module, controls user access and uses intelligent raster editing tools for fast clean-up of scanned drawings for archiving. RxSpotlight for Windows also has the ability to erase, rotate and clean-up scanned files at the pixel level, and includes such tools as trim, de-skew and de-speckle. Additional tools available in the Windows version of RxSpotlight for improved image quality and editing include:

warping--the ability to twist an image according to a set of user specified reference points.

Line cleaning--of both horizontal and vertical lines that typically appear ragged after a scanning process.

clip--clip out rectangular regions and save them in the Windows clipboard or a separate file name.

RxAutoIcon for Windows V 2.0 is an ADI driver for AutoCAD Release 12 for Windows which adds real-time performance and raster bitmap capabilities. Scanned paper drawings and full color images can be read into AutoCAD, used as a template for a new drawing with RxAutoIcon for Windows' Background Drawing function, and then plotted. RxAutoIcon for Windows supports overlay and hybrid plotting for a number of files including: BMP, DIB, GIF, PCX. RLE. TIFF. TARGA and RLC. Additionally, RxAutoIcon for Windows significantly accelerates the overall vector performance of AutoCAD for Windows, adds a number of unique display features, and is optimized for most popular graphics boards.

RxVectory for Windows V 3.0 is the automatic raster-to-vector conversion module with a full graphical interface, which does not require any interaction from the user during the vectorization process. A complete ensemble of tools provides pre-process user control to achieve maximum recognition including the ability to trim or thicken raster objects one pixel at a time, separate partially merged lines, fill-in small holes and cut peaks, as well as performing speckle removal. Additional pre-process tools include:

* automatic object recognition--including text & dimension

  line identification.

* extended area selection--select work area or mask out text

  or table regions that you do not want to vectorize.

* image alignment--rotates the drawing for horizontal or vertical

  alignment.

* more raster editing features--drawing and erasure tools for

  pre-process clean-up.

Post processing features allow clean line advancing and global entity adjustments.

"The Windows environment opens up a whole new realm of development possibilities for document management, control and conversion," says Darrell Knight, president of Expert Graphics Inc. "RxEDM for Windows uses these extended capabilities to achieve maximum performance."

Expert Graphics

1908 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 2010, Atlanta, GA 30329

404-320-0800;  800-648-7249;  fax: 404-315-7645


Hamilton Market Strategist 100 Stock Data
HAMILTON SOFTWARE BREAKS THE STOCK DATA PRICE BARRIER

June, 1993 - Hamilton Software Inc has released The Market Strategist 100, the most comprehensive weekly historical database of the S&P 100 stocks available to PC users--with full charting and export features included. Comprising 7 years of weekly and quarterly high, low, close, volume, dividends, EPS, shares outstanding, P/E ratios, capitalizations and yields for each stock in the S&P 100 and each of Us 82 industry sectors, the package provides an indispensable research base for the investor with a computer. HSI has bucked the trend of pricey stock data by offering this extensive program/database combo for under $80.

No other single source or service provides all this information in one package. The uniquely broad scope of the Market Strategist 100 enables both technical and fundamental stock analysis, providing all the information necessary for calculating such statistics as moving averages, previous high/low, volatility, earnings growth, net worth, dividend yield, etc. Overall market averages included are the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrials, Dow Jones Utilities, and Dow Jones Transports. The on-line costs to obtain 7 years of these averages alone would far exceed the price of the Market Strategist 100.

A menu-driven charting feature allows weekly high-low-close-volume charts to be viewed or printed for any stock, industry group, or market index, along with providing tabular displays of user-selected fields. Any or all of the Market Strategist 100 can be easily exported for use by a favorite spreadsheet or analysis package like Lotus, Quicken, Metastock, or The Investor's Accountant--one of several in the complete line of investment programs available from HSI. Quarterly updates to the database are also available by annual subscription through HSI.

The Market Strategist 100 lists for $79 and is available from Hamilton Software Inc., 6432 East Mineral Place, Englewood, Colorado, 80112. HSI has specialized in providing investment software for PC-based computers since 1984. An evaluation copy will be sent immediately to reviewing editors upon request.

System Requirements: IBM PC or PS/2, MS-DOS,

                     Hard disk with 2M available.

Ordering Information:   1-800-733-9607

Pricing: Market Strategist 100    $79

         Quarterly updates        $76/yr


New Video Courseware for Lotus 1-2-3, Rel 2.4
NEW VIDEO COURSEWARE FOR LOTUS 1-2-3, RELEASE 2.4

LOS GATOS, Calif. -- (May 17, 1993) -- Anderson Soft-Teach announces it will ship a complete video training course for Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.4. Shipments of the training package will begin May 31, 1993.

The new Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.4 training courseware includes three volumes covering the essentials of Lotus 1-2-3. Topics covered in Volume I include: creating a 1-2-3 worksheet, working with formulas & functions, and using a dialog box. Volume 2 provides instruction on formatting with WYSIWYG, creating and printing graphs, and linking files. Finally, in Volume 3 the student will learn how to manage large worksheets, use macros and styles, and sort records in a database. Detailed course outlines can be obtained directly from Anderson Soft-Teach.

Each training volume includes a videotape for instruction, a step-by-step workbook and practice disk for hands-on practice (disk duplication license also included), and a self-test to measure learning retention. The workbooks also include additional exercises at the end of each lesson to reinforce skill development. Anderson Soft-Teach will also send a certificate of completion to each student who successfully completes the self-test. Each volume also includes a Classroom Guide for easy classroom implementation of the courseware.

"Video training is an economical alternative for companies with tight training budgets. Our courses provide an effective means of training hundreds of people for less than $20 per student," says Warren E. Anderson, President, Anderson Soft-Teach.

The complete three volume course will be sold for $995. Anderson Soft-Teach offers a unique "version insurance" program of 50% off for users who are upgrading from Anderson Soft-Teach's Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.2 courseware to Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.4 within six months. The videotapes are closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

"After using Anderson Soft-Teach for a year, I find it to be a very time and cost-efficient training method," says Kathy E. Kear, Software Training Specialist for Whittle Communications.

Anderson Soft-Teach also introduces a new product component: The Classroom Guide. This guide is now a part of most Anderson Soft-Teach courses. The Guide will outline for the classroom instructor exactly how to incorporate the Anderson Soft-Teach courseware into their classroom training programs. Step-by-step instructions provide guidelines to ensure a smooth and effective class.

The SmartClassroom approach, created by Anderson Soft-Teach, is helping many training professionals successfully meet their training demand while facing shrinking resources, frequent software version changes and multiple software platforms. In a SmartClassroom, Anderson SoftTeach videotapes can be used as part of or as the entire lecture portion of the class. An instructor monitors the class, starting and stopping the videotapes to introduce topics, facilitate discussion and answer questions. The instructor initiates hands-on exercises, which are provided. At the end of the course, the instructor administers the Self-Test. There is tremendous savings in course development and delivery time for the corporate trainer.

Trainers who are already using the SmartClassroom approach report that they are putting many more students through their PC training programs by using Anderson Soft-Teach videotapes and workbooks as the core of their classes. According to Joyce Boeringer, Systems Analyst for McDonnell Douglas, "Using the Anderson Soft-Teach courses in the classroom has allowed us to train about 120 students per week. It seems we're always trying to do more with less, and using Anderson Soft-Teach in the class is one of the ways we've found to do it."

Anderson Soft-Teach is currently celebrating its 10-year anniversary as the producer of the largest library of video courseware in the industry for personal computer software. Its products are sold both domestically and internationally. Anderson Soft-Teach's current line of courseware topics includes: Windows, Word for Windows, Excel for Windows, PowerPoint 3.0, WordPerfect for Windows, MS-DOS, Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, dBASE IV, Introduction to PCs, Introduction to LANs and others. Anderson Soft-Teach is a privately owned company located in Los Gatos, California, and can be reached at (800) 338-4336 or (408) 399-0100.

Anderson Soft-Teach, 983 University Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030

800-33-VIDEO (Sales), 408-399-0100 (Corp), 408-399-0500 (fax)


Anderson Soft-Teach Enters the Corp Classroom
ANDERSON SOFT-TEACH ENTERS THE CORPORATE CLASSROOM

LOS GATOS, Calif. -- (May 17, 1993) -- Today Anderson Soft-Teach, the leading PC software technical training company, announced the SmartClassroom, their first videobased courseware for the corporate classroom. This courseware will help Fortune 500 training professionals successfully train thousands of employees on new computer software easily and effectively.

The SmartClassroom approach, created by Anderson Soft-Teach, will help trainers teach corporate employees cost-effectively, while training departments are faced with shrinking resources, frequent software version changes and multiple software platforms. In the SmartClassroom, the instructor uses the Anderson Soft-Teach videotapes as the lecture portion of the class. An instructor monitors the class, starting and stopping the videotapes to introduce topics, facilitate discussion, answer questions, initiate hands-on exercises and administer the self-test.

"The SmartClassroom will be an invaluable asset to corporate trainers," stated Warren Anderson, president and CEO of Anderson Soft-Teach. "Each year the demands on trainers increase as new versions of software and new operating systems are introduced at an accelerated pace. With the constant revisions to PC software, utilizing the SmartClassroom will let the trainers stay ahead of their students and offer the most up-to-date courses available."

Corporations that adopt the SmartClassroom will realize savings in both course development and delivery time for the instructor. The courseware can also be used to "train the trainer" and can easily be implemented to provide consistent training at multiple sites.

The SmartClassroom courseware includes the new Classroom Guide. This convenient guide for the corporate PC instructor shows how to incorporate and run the Anderson SoftTeach courseware in their classroom. The guide also provides valuable tips that streamline the learning process. The SmartClassroom combines videotapes, workbooks, practice disks and self-tests for an effective training solution. The step-by-step techniques in the new classroom guide will help corporate trainers quickly and easily implement this simple technology into their classroom.

The SmartClassroom component is available immediately and is included with all courses currently available from Anderson Soft-Teach. These include Microsoft Windows, Word for Windows, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect for Windows, MS-DOS, Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, dBASE IV, Introduction to PCs, Introduction to LANs, and others. Course prices range from $295 - $995 for the master course materials. Extra student packs, consisting of a personal training guide and self-test, are also available.

For a limited time, the new Classroom Guide is available free of charge and can be obtained by calling (800) 338-4336.

Anderson Soft-Teach, founded in 1983, is the producer of the largest library of video courseware in the industry for personal computer software. The Company's products are sold both domestically and internationally. Anderson Soft-Teach is privately owned, is located in Los Gatos, California, and can be reached at (800) 338-4336 or (408) 399-0100.

Anderson Soft-Teach, 983 University Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030

800-33-VIDEO (Sales), 408-399-0100 (Corp), 408-399-0500 (fax)