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.

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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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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:

Enhanced ADA Option for Letter-Art Software

Service Call Tracker (SCT)

Pro CD Mid-Year ProPhone Updates

PeopleSoft Signs 10 New Financials Customers

Intex Has Lotus 1-2-3 Rel 4.0 Enhancements

SST SUPER Show & Tell Multimedia Presentations

XSoft Acquires Agfa CAPS Publishing Products

401 Great Letters for Windows

R/LASER V4.0 Direct Database Publishing

Internet Banks on ProActive Software

SYBASE Partner Certification

CheckMaker Check Printing Program

SpecPlus Hypertext Doc Reading/Annotation Tool

Cashbox Software POS Solutions

ProActive Software Now The Vantive Corp

Vantive System 2.0 for Customer Service

Vantive ISO 9000 Quality Assurance Swr

Vantive Problem-Solving Help Using CBR Express

Vantive Strategic Marketing/Reseller Agreemnts

Microsoft Excel Top-Selling Spreadsheet

First Impulse! Promo Unanticipated Volume

First Impulse Promo Extended to 300,000 Copies

Mega Media - 1 CDROM for Presentations & More

PeopleSoft & Mercer for Pension Mgmt System


Professional/Engineering Software
Professional/Engineering Software News:

LabVIEW Honored in WINDOWS Mag WIN 100 Awards

National Algorithm Honored with R&D 100 Award

National Continues to Offer DOS-Based LabWindows

LabWindows/CVI Features

Catering to C Programmer for Instrumentation

Differentiating LabWindows/CVI

Profiles of Typical LabWindows/CVI Customers

LabWindows/CVI Engineering & Scientific Apps

Q&A About LabWindows/CVI for Windows & Solaris

3 New Keithley How To Application Booklets

Aero-VISTA 3D Mesh Computational Flow Dynamics


Personal & Educational Software
Personal & Educational Software News:

I Love You In the Sky, Butterfly (Special)

TUNE 1000 Soft Karaoke LPs for MIDI Music

TUNE 1000 SOFT KARAOKE Introduced at PC EXPO

Soft Karaoke LP Summer 1993 Catalog

Five new Expert Software Titles for Windows

Velveteen Rabbit, How Toys Become Real (CDROM)

1993-94 Mega Movie Guide Multimedia CD-ROM

Smart -N- Easy Wedding Planner

Smart -N- Easy Baby Planner

Project Gutenberg Text Now Available on CDROM

Looking for Work, Step-by-Step Guide

Expert Travel Planner Gold for Winners

Gakusei Version 1.1 Japanese Language Tutorial

Collins COBUILD Student's Dictionary V2.21e

XYSee 4.0 Ready for School

Windows Music Scupltor MIDI Sequencer

Kid's Zoo, A Baby Animal Adventure

Dinosaur Adventure Ranked #1 Selling Educ Swr

Matrix Genie and the Carpool


Games & Entertainment Software
Games & Entertainment Software News:

RALLY - Virtual Reality Car Racing Game

Bubsy Bobcat Reaches Millions of Kids

Strategic Studies Group - Warlords II

Copperhead at Innisbrook Links Courseware

Golf Illustrated Hole Design Contest Winners


System Software & Utilities
System Software & Utilities News:

CE Power Pak for Windows - Productivity Tools

ProKey 1.5 for Windows Macros & Scripting

Parsifal AnaGram LALR-1 Parser Generator

GrafBASE Documents Communications Networks

ARDI Executor/DOS Mac Emulator Swr

JORF Version 2.1 Object Oriented Language

Microsoft Mail Special Edition/Promotion

Route 1 Version 4.0 Shell for Windows

mdbs DOS Protected Mode KnowledgeMan & GURU

mdbs Shipping Object/1 for Windows & OS/2

Desaware SpyWorks-VB ver 2.0 for Visual Basic

SpyWorks-VB 2.0 Product Description

Cognitronix Adds Searching PKZip v2.0 Support

dbModules 1.0 for Windows Released

Judy's TenKey Windows Calculator

Sherlock 2.0 Windows File Management Swr

ProActive Help Desk Swr for Adobe Systems

Multimedia Software for Windows OEMs

NSSI LanSafe II Gets Netware 4.0 Certification

Advantage Xbase Server Now Shipping

LibTools & LibTools Lite Library Management

Cheyenne Swr & Media Integration OEM Agreement

Cheyenne AppWare Loadable Modules for Novell

Cheyenne Announces Microsoft At Work Support

Cheyenne ARCserve 5.0 for Netware/Windows

Help Development Kit V8.0

VocalChat Real-Time Voice Comm. Via Networks

Microsoft Multimedia Jump Start Developers Conf

Application Pad v3.9 Windows Pgm Mgr Tool

AnaGram Extended LALR-1 Parser Generator

Multilink for Windows for Multiple Users

MPC Wizard Multimedia Diagnostics

NSSI SNMP Power Mgmt Solution for Novell NMS

Sybase & Drake Develop Certification Pgm

Triton CoSession ACS V6.2 Network Comm Swr

AGE Acquires Tektronix Serial Xpress Software

PC X Server Software for Windows NT

UniQue Print Queue for UNIX

Racal-Datacom Wide Area Performance Analyzer

JASC Paint Shop Pro V2.0 Windows Graphics Tool

CMFiler File Manager Enhanced (V5.36c)

MKS Announces 32-bit MKS Toolkit for OS/2

New Version of HIPPIX Supports Windows NT

Prime Time Swr Dev Kit for Unix Sys 5 r 4.2

Wind/U 1.3 Windows & Visual C++ Apps on UNIX


Macintosh Specific Software
Macintosh Specific Software News:

QuicKeys 3.0 Desktop Automation Swr

Apple Bundles QuicKeys OSA Component

QuickAccess Prototype for Apple Newton

DeskTracy Network Management Utility

Custom Overlays for IntelliKeys

Living Desktop Customizes Mac Desktop Bkgrnd

FULLPIXELSEARCH Mac Pixel Image Analysis Swr

PageMaker 5 Adds KeyServer Network Mgmt

Aldus Ships PageMaker 5.0 for Macintosh

KeyServer Macintosh Network Management Swr

MIFP Development Ships ScreenSavor 3.0 for Mac

JB-Prolog 2.1 for Macintosh Announced

Straight Shot Prof. Billing Softwarefor Mac

Working Watermarker v1.0

QuicKeys 3.0 Ships


Miscellaneous Software
Miscellaneous Software News:

HP 3000 Migration to UNIX & Oracle

CD ROM Paradise Collection, 1st Edition


System Hardware
System Hardware News:

Panasonic Electronic Filing System

AST Reduces Prices on Premmia High-Perf Systems

Micro Express Microflex-VL/Multimedia

DFI Introductes PCI Motherboard

V-Station II Personal Desktop Video Post-Prod

AST Intros Bravo NB Notebooks


Expansion Hardware
Expansion Hardware News:

New National Instruments SMT Mfg Equip

Greystone Intros PCMCIA Universal Adapter

New DDI Relay Output Module Switching Options

Artisoft Intros New Ethernet Adapter Series

DEC EISA Bus FDDI Network Interface Card


Peripheral Hardware
Peripheral Hardware News:

AMT IntelliPlot C-size InkJet Plotter

TracJet III 16ppm Continuous Forms Laser Prtr

Multi-Tech V.32terbo MultiModem

MosesSPOOL! Upgradable Printer Sharing

Logitech CyberMan 3-D Controller

Logitech Ships Improved MouseMan

DGR 650 REM 5.25" Optical Disk Drive

SBIR-Fund Alternative Keyboard for Disabled

LaserJet Banyan VINES Network Interface Card

U.S. Robotics Adds 7 New Courier Modems

Supra Faxmodem Extra Value Packages

Brother HL-6V 6ppm PCL 5 LaserPrinter

Brother HL-10h 600 dpi 10 ppm Laser Printer


Macintosh Specific Hardware
Macintosh Specific Hardware News:

Apple Reduces PowerBook Duo, Centris & Quadra

First Newton (The MessagePad) Hits the Market

Apple Pushes Boundaries With AVTechnologies

ColorBlaster PB Adds PowerBook 16-bit Color

Stalker Ships Lineshare 2.0 for Mac


Miscellaneous Hardware
Miscellaneous Hardware News:

Micromint PRO31/52 Single-Board Controller

Percon Portable Bar Code Reader

DIANACHART Desk-Top LAB-ACQ Data Acquisition

Sceptre Touch Screen Technology

RIGHTON Line of Anti-Theft Devices

FOREX Intros Pentium Chipset


Books & Publications
Books & Publications:

Software Portability with image

Super Art with SuperPaint 3.5

Running Windows on LANtastic

Paradox Relational Database Advisor

OS/2 Extra! VIO, KBD and MOU Special Functions

Microsoft FoxPro 2.5 Programming

Maintain & Repair Your Notebook, Palmtop, Pen

Learn DOS -- Guaranteed! 3rd Edition

Bookkeeping on Your Home-Based PC

WordPerfect 6, The Pocket Reference

WordPerfect 6, The Complete Reference

Teach Yourself WordPerfect 6

WordPerfect 6 Made Easy

Looking Good with CorelDRAW!

Desktop Publishing with WordPerfect 6

Inside Visual C++

401 Great Letters by Kim Komando

Microsoft MS-DOS Programmer's Ref, 2nd Ed.

CD-ROM Directory (book or CD-ROM)

Computer Conferencing, The Last Word...

How To Make Real Money on Aftermarket Inventions

Information Highways, Strategic Elec. Info.

Microsoft Windows NT Step by Step

Ventana Press Welcoms New Mac users

Book About Online World Released as Shareware


Miscellaneous News
Miscellaneous News:

Miscellaneous NewsBits...

CoSA Acquired by Aldus Corp

National Instruments Expands on 65 Acres

Pixar President Receives Siggraph Coons Award

Cascade Tech. Enhances BBS Service

Source Code Escrows for Small Developer

Intergraph Bulletin for Analysts, July'93

Miscellaneous Newstips (8/18/93)

MicroSqueez Relieves Hand Strain

CompuExpo 93/Las Vegas Product Intros Sept 9-11

Armchair General MousLounge Keyboard Caddy

AST Reports Record Year-End Revenues

DuraLine Printer Ribbons/Toner Cartridges

Sun Micro Exec Bill Larson Named McAfee CEO

Cheyenne Software Forms New Subsidiary

Apple & BellSouth Wireless Comm for Newton

George Washington Univ Continuing Eng Educ

SPA Charts Software Piracy by Location/Industry

Global Network Navigator

Wireless Comm Revolution Social Change

NSF Report, 20-Yr Look At Math & Science Educ

Miscellaneous News for the End of August...

NSFNET to Boost Network Access

Boscov's Dept Stores Copyright Infringement

Artisoft Launches Sales/Training Seminars

Gupta 4th Annual Developers Conf 8/29-9/1

FaxFacts System Aids MidWest Flood Recovery


RALLY - Virtual Reality Car Racing Game
RALLY IS BACK - AND MORE REALISTIC THAN EVER!

Europress Software is about to launch the latest generation of "virtual reality" car racing games.

Rally, which simulates the Network Q RAC Rally -- the final, most exciting stage of this year's World Rally Championship -- will be launched in November for the PC and Amiga. It features digitised video graphics of the route, taking in real race tracks, bleak hill and moorland and snowy Welsh forests, giving a greater degree of authenticity than has ever been possible until now.

Five years ago Europress Software, then called Mandarin, made history with Lombard Rally, the first rollercoaster-type driving game. It was a top seller at full price and a chart-stopper when it was later launched on Ocean Software's Hit Squad budget software range, with total sales of well over 100,000.

Now Europress Software has once more teamed up with the RAC to create a faithful representation of this year's four-day rally, which starts on November 21. As the final round of the World Rally Championship, it is the premier event in the 1993 rallying calendar. Computer gamers all over the world will be able to slip behind the wheel of a fully modified Ford Escort Cosworth, Toyota Celica or other entrants from Lancia, Mitsubishi or Subaru, and try their luck at winning this most prestigious of events -- all in the comfort of their own home.

The RAC's endorsement has meant that Europress has been able to draw on the RAC's unrivalled knowledge and experience of rallying. Extensive research was carried out with works rally teams to ensure cars featured in the simulation are as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Project manager Richard Vanner travelled around the country filming the various special stages along the route and the footage has resulted in different road textures like gravel, tarmac and mud being accurately reproduced on-screen, together with roadside features like trees, logs, actual rally roadsigns, marshals and of course spectators. The result is a stunning 3D race game that creates impressive new standards in simulation programming.

Players will be able to select from the latest, most technologically advanced rally cars in the world, each with its own distinctive performance and handling characteristics. Then it's off on the race of a lifetime, with the game reflecting reality as the cars track the actual rally route at breakneck speed. As you race against the clock, your computer co-driver will scream out pace notes, and full sound support adds even more to the realism and addictiveness of the product. It's even possible to roll the car, and any damage caused along the way will affect performance -- just like real rallying.

Rally will be launced in November 1993 for Amiga and PC.

Amiga (29.99 British pounds): compatible with all Amigas, 1 meg required, 256 colour graphics will fully exploit the enhanced capabilities of A1200 and A4000.

PC 3.5" (34.99 pounds): supports Soundblaster, Ad Lib and Disney Sound Source. Minimum specification required: 386 processor, SVGA graphics, hard drive (required 6MB).

Europress Software

Europa House, Adlington Park

Macclesfield SK10 4NP ENGLAND

0625-859333,   fax 0625-879962


Miscellaneous NewsBits...
Assorted News From Various Sources...

Media Merge video editing software for Windows from ATI Technologies Inc ships August 9th at $299 retail. Includes MediaMontage CD-ROM disc with edit-ready source material ($129 value). ATI Technologies, Thornhill, Ontario CANADA; 416-882-2600

Lenel Systems Internation shipping MultiMedia Works Developers Toolkit ($499 list). Lets any Windows 3.1 application make DLL calls to play multimedia files in various formats, size & place windows, create thumbnails for embedding in OLE objects, and more. Lenel Systems, Pittsford, NY; 716-248-9720

New Win/TV software supports Video for Windows clip captures at 15 fps at 160x120 pixels, 16 bits per pixel, non-stop, direct to hard disk. Free for the downloading from their BBS at 516-434-8454 8N1, speeds to 14.4Kbps. Hauppauge Computer Works, Hauppauge, NY; 516-434-1600

Supra is dropping the SupraFAXModem Plus 2400bps data/9600bps fax modems from their product line. They'll be sold out when gone!

Devont is making a competitive upgrade offer to users of WordPerfect Office. Einstein Mail DOS and Windows software is normally $899 per server with unlimited users. WPO users who send a copy of the WPO manual table of contents can get it for $350. Unlike WPO, Einstein is natively MHS compatible. If you don't have MHS, Devont offers a local-delivery workalike called Mailroom for $199 list. WPO users can get Einstein plus Mailroom for $499. Non-WPO users can get both for $999. Devont Software Inc, Conroe, TX; 409-321-3220

GVC starts bundling Prodigy Starter Kits ($49.95 msrp) in its August modem shipments. Should be in all channel shelves by September.


CE Power Pak for Windows - Productivity Tools
CE Software Ships CE Power Pak for Windows

West Des Moines, IA, July 20, 1993 - CE SOFTWARE HOLDINGS, INC. (NASDAQ/ NMS Symbol: CESH) today announced the release of CE Power Pak, a powerful collection of CE's leading productivity tools for Windows. The CE Power Pak is attractively priced at $129.00, just 48% of the combined suggested retail prices of the individual products.

The CE Power Pak contains full working copies of DiskTop for Windows, a file and document management program; CalendarMaker for Windows, a calendar publishing application; and the newly released version 1.5 of ProKey for Windows, a scripting and macro tool for Windows 3.1 and Windows applications. For Windows users who want to automate hard-to-remember commands required by DOS or DOS applications, the Power Pak also includes ProKey for DOS, a scripting tool designed specifically for the DOS environment.

"The CE Power Pak has everything Windows users need to efficiently automate and manage their computing environments. This product was developed as a response to customer and reseller requests for one package containing these four powerful tools," said Ford Goodman, president of CE Software, Inc. "Together, the collection is unbeatable as it allows users to easily automate and delegate critical tasks to their desktop computers."

DiskTop for Windows offers complete file and document management for novices and power users alike. Users can move, copy, delete, rename, and sort through files quickly. The DT Launch feature allows users to launch applications and documents from a menu. PC Sources states in their April, 1993 Windows File management review, "If you're looking for comprehensive and innovative file launching and management capabilities, you'll welcome this newcomer with open arms." Goodman said, "We feel that DiskTop for Windows is the fastest, most efficient and complete file and document management product available today."

With ProKey for Windows and ProKey for DOS, users can automate their working environment by replacing repetitive, time-consuming tasks with shortcuts. ProKey for Windows users can record and play back simple and complex commands inside Windows applications. In March 1993, The Chicago Tribune picked ProKey for Windows as their choice for the "Best Keyboard Macro" program. ProKey for DOS can save users time by using scripts to execute routine DOS commands automatically, virtually eliminating the need to employ the DOS "command line".

CalendarMaker for Windows is an easy-to-use tool for creating presentation-quality calendars. CalendarMaker helps users keep track of business appointments, personal commitments, and special events. Users can easily create interesting, informative calendars using imported pictures, icons and text to effectively communicate critical, time-sensitive information to others.

CE Power Pak is available through North American distributors and resellers. The U.S. suggested retail price is $129.00. Each can be purchased separately at a U.S. suggested retail price of: DiskTop for Windows $59.00, ProKey for Windows $79.00, ProKey for DOS $79.00, and CalendarMaker for Windows $49.00.

CE Software is the world's largest Macintosh E-mail provider. With nearly one million QuickMail users world-wide, CE is a rapidly expanding developer of system-enhancing software and network productivity tools for the Macintosh and Windows/DOS markets. CE is leveraging leadership positions to develop next generation messaging and personal agent software.

CE Software Inc

1801 Industrial Circle, PO Box 65580, West Des Moines, IA 50265

515-221-1801;  fax: 515-221-1806;  CIS: 76136,2137

AOL/AppleLink/MCI-Mail: CESOFTWARE


ProKey 1.5 for Windows Macros & Scripting
CE Software Ships ProKey 1.5

West Des Moines, IA, July 20, 1993--CE SOFTWARE HOLDINGS, INC. (NASDAQ/NMS Symbol:CESH) today announced the North American release of ProKey version 1.5 for Windows. ProKey 1.5 is the newest release of the market-leading macro and scripting product for the Windows operating environment.

"ProKey users will be especially pleased with the increased reliability and support of ProKey 1.5," said Christian Gurney, director of technical services at CE Software. "Users will be able to not only leverage the new features introduced with Windows 3.1, but also benefit from improved support for launching from within DOS and new support for users with physical disabilities."

"ProKey 1.5 represents the first of many steps planned by CE to strengthen our scripting and macro product line," said Ford Goodman, president of CE Software. "Today our customers receive the flexibility of custom shortcuts to increase their productivity without script-writing or programming. As Apple, Microsoft, Novell and others add value to their operating systems, we will build that value into true, cross-platform utility for our customers. CE's scripting strategy ensures that all customers, not just those with programming skills or scriptable applications, gain the productivity that ProKey, QuicKeys and their next generations offer."

Increased support in ProKey 1.5 includes:

DOS Support

* Users can launch ProKey and Windows simultaneously from DOS.

* ProKey 1.5 offers new support for the DOS command line.

Windows Common Dialog Support

* Version 1.5 now supports the Open and Save consistency

  standards introduced in Windows 3.1. Extended ASCII Support

* Users can now take advantage of extended ASCII characters by

  using ALT key sequences.

Handicapped Access

* One-finger typing: Users can access all shortcut key

  combinations that otherwise require pressing two keys

  simultaneously.

* Mouse operations using the keyboard: Allows users to operate

  the mouse using the numeric keypad or the cursor keys.

* Keyboard responsiveness: Users can set controls to increase

  ease of use of the keyboard. Controls that can be modified are

  delay, bounce control, repeat delay, and repeat rate.

ProKey version 1.5 for Windows is available through distributors and resellers worldwide. The U.S. suggested retail price is $79.00. Registered users of ProKey 1.0 may upgrade to ProKey 1.5 for $24.95. For a limited time, registered users of ProKey may also upgrade to ProKey 1.5 by purchasing the CE Power Pak at a special upgrade price. The CE Power Pak, announced today in a related release, is a suite of CE Software's Windows and DOS system enhancing products. The CE Power Pak includes full working copies of CE Software's ProKey for Windows 1.5, ProKey for DOS, DiskTop for Windows, and CalendarMaker for Windows for a U.S. suggested retail price of $ 129.00.

CE Software is the world's largest Macintosh E-mail provider. With nearly one million QuickMail users world-wide, CE is a rapidly expanding developer of system-enhancing software and network productivity tools for the Macintosh and Windows/DOS markets. CE is leveraging leadership positions to develop next generation messaging and personal agent software.

CE Software Inc

1801 Industrial Circle, PO Box 65580, West Des Moines, IA 50265

515-221-1801;  fax: 515-221-1806;  CIS: 76136,2137

AOL/AppleLink/MCI-Mail: CESOFTWARE


QuicKeys 3.0 Desktop Automation Swr
CE Software Announces QuicKeys 3.0

West Des Moines, IA, July 26, 1993 - CE SOFTWARE HOLDINGS, INC. (NASDAQ/ NMS Symbol: CESH) today announced the impending release of QuicKeys 3.0, a new version of its award-winning QuicKeys desktop automation software. The company announced that the North American release will be August 16, 1993.

"Over the years, we have spent hundreds of hours discussing what QuicKeys is and should be," said Donald Brown, vice president of CE Software and lead engineer of QuicKeys. "QuicKeys 3.0 represents the culmination of our development process. We conducted market research with our users and with our potential market. QuicKeys is finally what we set out to build .... an irreplaceable tool for every Macintosh user. Our customers can now delegate to their computers."

A refined user interface and enhanced, powerful shortcut recording methods are responsible for the breakthrough. The product ensures that valuable repetitive and time-consuming tasks are easily identified for replacement by QuicKeys shortcuts. A wide variety of shortcuts may be designed to automate commonly-used actions within applications and within the Macintosh operating system. Additionally, QuicKeys offers a wide variety of "triggers" to invoke shortcuts such as timers, key combinations, computer/application start-up, icons, menu choice and more. The company will be announcing its plans in the area of voice recognition in the upcoming days. Additionally, QuicKeys is now OSA (Open Scripting Architecture) compliant and can interact with other OSA compliant products such as AppleScript and Frontier.

"It is the unique ability of QuicKeys' to interact with non-scriptable applications that makes our OSA compliance so powerful," said Ford Goodman, president of the company. "Most scripting technologies rely on application vendors to make their products scriptable. QuicKeys (as well as ProKey, CE's desktop automation product for Intel platforms) is founded on the principle that users should be able to delegate to their computers without regard for standards. Customers should not be reliant upon standards which may or may not be followed by their application vendors. With QuicKeys 3.0, we can do much more than build and trigger QuicKeys shortcuts -- we can trigger and interoperate with AppleScript, Frontier and any other OSA compliant scripting language. Any application that can run an OSA compliant script can run QuicKeys shortcuts and scripts seamlessly. Our customers gain both the productivity that delegating to their computers implies plus a growth path available through a variety of scripting and programming languages."

Users of QuicKeys 3.0 can delegate tasks to their computer in a variety of ways. Instant QuicKeys walks users through an interview of how they use their system, while creating dozens of shortcuts for delegating tasks such as launching applications and desk accessories, selecting server volumes or printers, typing text, or dialing a phone number. QuicKeys can record a users steps while working with the computer on a routine task. QuicKeys will now accomplish that vital task at the users command. Other benefits include the ability to delegate tasks to the function keys on the extended keyboard and to map a numeric keypad onto the PowerBook keyboard.

QuicKeys version 3.0 will be available through CE's authorized distributors and resellers worldwide. The U.S. suggested retail price is $169.00. Registered users of QuicKeys 2.1.2 and greater may upgrade to QuicKeys 3.0 for $49.95. If upgrades are purchased by 9/30/93, users will receive a $10 discount. Registered users of versions earlier than 2.1.2 may purchase the upgrade for $79.95. All upgrade offers expire 11/30/93. International customers should contact their local distributors for availability and pricing.

CE Software is the world's largest Macintosh E-mail provider. With nearly one million QuickMail users world-wide, CE is a rapidly expanding developer of system-enhancing software and network productivity tools for the Windows/DOS and Macintosh markets. CE is leveraging leadership positions to develop next generation messaging and personal, agent software.

CE Software Inc

1801 Industrial Circle, PO Box 65580, West Des Moines, IA 50265

515-221-1801;  fax: 515-221-1806;  CIS: 76136,2137

AOL/AppleLink/MCI-Mail: CESOFTWARE


Apple Bundles QuicKeys OSA Component

West Des Moines, IA, July 29,1993 - CE SOFTWARE HOLDINGS, INC. (NASDAQ/ NMS Symbol: CESH) today disclosed that a component of the recently-announced QuicKeys 3.0 will be bundled with the operating system for selected Macintosh computers from Apple Computer Inc. QuicKeys 3.0 provides scripting capability to virtually all applications, even those that are currently non-scriptable.

"QuicKeys has become a critical part of the operating system offering for the Quadra 840AV and Centris 660AV," said Ford Goodman, president of CE Software. "We have developed an OSA (Open Scripting Architecture) component for use in these machines in conjunction with Apple's new speech and voice recognition system. QuicKeys joins AppleScript as technologies by which voice can activate OSA scripts (including QuicKeys scripts) and QuicKeys shortcuts on these Quadra and Centris computers. We believe that the ability of QuicKeys to interact with non-scriptable applications helped us win Apple' s support on computers which include voice recognition.

Also bundled by Apple on these machines is QuicKeys Test Drive. Test Drive allows users to experience simple methods of creating shortcuts, to delegate complex and/or repetitive tasks to their computers.

"Users can gain significantly more productivity by utilizing a full version of QuicKeys 3.0," said Donald Brown, CE Software vice president and QuicKeys lead engineer. "The OSA component is but a small part of the functionality of QuicKeys. Whereas scripting implies programming capability and text input, QuicKeys 3.0 is designed specifically to ease our customers' ability to delegate to the processing power on their desktops. Rather than forcing them to learn a programming language, QuicKeys guides users through the process of creating valuable shortcuts."

Apple's speech recognition-enabled Macintosh computers, the Quadra 840AV and Centris 660AV, allow QuicKeys 3.0 to add voice command as a new trigger for any QuicKeys shortcut. A single click in the microphone column on the main QuicKeys screen enables a QuicKeys shortcut to be speech-activated.

QuicKeys 3.0 also includes a new extension, Speak Ease, developed to interact with PlainTalk, Apple's new speech technology. Speak Ease is designed to articulate text that a user has either predefined in a text field or placed on the clipboard.

For users who prefer using Apple's Speech Macro Editor, QuicKeys 3.0 power is accessible through the QuicKeys Script OSA-compatible scripting language, included in the new release.

QuicKeys version 3.0 will be available August 16,1993 through distributors and resellers.

CE Software is the world's largest Macintosh E-mail provider. With nearly one million QuickMail users world-wide, CE is a rapidly expanding developer of system-enhancing software and network productivity tools for the Macintosh and Windows/DOS markets. CE is leveraging leadership positions to develop next generation messaging and personal agent software.

CE Software Inc

1801 Industrial Circle, PO Box 65580, West Des Moines, IA 50265

515-221-1801;  fax: 515-221-1806;  CIS: 76136,2137

AOL/AppleLink/MCI-Mail: CESOFTWARE


QuickAccess Prototype for Apple Newton
CE Software Unveils QuickAccess: Prototype for Apple Newton

West Des Moines, IA, July 30, 1993 - CE SOFTWARE HOLDINGS, INC. (NASDAQ/ NMS Symbol: CESH) today announced a prototype of QuickAccess, a technology designed for Apple Computer's new Newton MessagePad, also announced today. QuickAccess will be demonstrated August 3rd through August 5th at the Newton Showcase in Boston Symphony

QuickAccess will allow Newton users to send and receive mail from a mailbox on a number of LAN-based mail system transports, including CE's own QuickMail, Novell's NetWare MHS, and Apple's AOCE.

"The Newton MessagePad is all about intuitive, powerful communication," said Ned Horvath, director of network products at CE Software, Inc. "Users will need a mail repository, and a means of accessing it appropriate to this new technology, and our customers expect us to address that need. But we're interested in several other applications as well."

"Newton represents a new direction for Apple and the industry, and a new class of personal productivity devices," said Ford Goodman, president and CEO of CE Software, Inc. "This technology permits a new class of users and applications to be integrated within the workgroup, and this dovetails nicely with CE's groupware and personal productivity strategies."

The company did not announce availability or pricing for the technology.

CE Software is the world's largest Macintosh E-mail provider. With nearly one million QuickMail users world-wide, CE is a rapidly expanding developer of system-enhancing software and network productivity tools for the Macintosh and Windows/DOS markets. CE is leveraging leadership positions to develop next generation messaging and personal agent software.

CE Software Inc

1801 Industrial Circle, PO Box 65580, West Des Moines, IA 50265

515-221-1801;  fax: 515-221-1806;  CIS: 76136,2137

AOL/AppleLink/MCI-Mail: CESOFTWARE


DeskTracy Network Management Utility
DeskTracy, the first network management utility to monitor use and control system access

Program allows for billing or auditing of network use

July 15, 1993 - Oakland, California - KansasBay Systems, Inc. announces a major upgrade to DeskTracy, the network private eye, scheduled for release in August. DeskTracy is a suite of network utilities which monitor use and control system access. The totally revised version 2.0, includes a new interface designed for tracking users, time and prints, folder locking, system protection and new administration tools.

DeskTracy incorporates breakthroughs in both technology and affordability. It is the first software to invisibly (no spoolers) track prints from any LaserWriter device on the network from any application. Until DeskTracy, businesses were unable to track and assign a cost to printing or faxing on the network. It is the first software package to include "network basics", like a customizable screen-saver, security features, and piracy prevention, as an integral part of the entire application.

DeskTracy takes less than 5 minutes to configure and can be used an entire network or an individual Macintosh. All features are fully customizable to reflect the user environment and requirements.

Target Customers

Originally designed for the rental environments of Copy Shops, Service Bureaus and University Mac Lab's for tracking use by walk-in customers, DeskTracy is familiar to millions of users on a daily basis. Now home-business can document use for their tax returns; corporate environments can audit use by department or billback by customer, project or employee; and computer labs can charge for time and prints.

DeskTracy 2.0 was redesigned for this newly expanded market. The results are an easy-to-use interface allowing more control over network and hardware use, increased systems protection and expanded reporting.

"Our customers wanted an uncomplicated system for monitoring time and prints, and for decreasing the users ability to randomly trash the system or pirate software." says Chris Cacioppo, CEO and President of KansasBay Systems, Inc. "DeskTracy makes it possible for businesses to recoup or justify their investment in equipment in a very short time."

Product Features

DeskTracy is virtually transparent in its operation. Once logged on, the users name appears in a pull down menu (a la DiskDoubler) in the menu-bar of the Finder. Current rates, preferences and usage totals can be viewed or paused via this menu or by key commands at any time during operation. Access to these controls can be secured on an individual machine or across the network by the manager. The software is modularly configured by feature:

Access Control: Define the log-in features, lock folders, set an access password, protect copying or deleting applications, pausing time tracking, changing preferences, or modification to the system folder.

Time Tracking: Set rates for each machine on the network, by hour, increment, minimum and starting rates.

Print Tracking: Set-rates for each printer in each zone on the network. Set a default printer for report or proof printing and to prevent costly prints to a more expensive machine.

Database/Reports: Select the format for reporting use, revenue & mail-lists.

ScreenSaver: Create and play any number of PICT's in any order and at any interval of your choosing.

Log-in Screen: The greeting which appears to the user detailing any charges attached to the use of the CPU or printers on the network, and requires log-in.

Pricing, Availability, Distribution

DeskTracy 2.0 for the Macintosh will ship August 1, 1993. The software is available in lab pack pricing; $149. for single units, $495. five pack, $695.10 pack. Site licensing is also available. KansasBay Systems offers a 60 day money back guarantee and free technical support. DeskTracy can be purchased directly from KansasBay at 1 (800) 754-7300 and through selected software resellers.

Technical Specifications

DeskTracy 2..0 runs on any Macintosh computer running System 7.0 and the new LaserWriter 8.0 Driver. Memory requirements: 2 MB RAM minimum. Supports all printers which are 100% compatible with the Apple LaserWriter 8.0, Postscript Level One or Two, and AppleTalk or Ethernet connectivity.

KansasBay Systems, Inc.

Founded in 1990, KansasBay Systems, Inc. is headquartered in Oakland, California. The company has software development, publishing, and consulting divisions servicing the private and public sector. KansasBay offers a variety of "Sensible Solutions" to improve productivity and manage expenses; including DeskTracy-The Network Private Eye, DeskWatch- Time Billing Software and HomeBase-Accounting Database. DeskTracy for Windows will be released in November 1993.

KansasBay Systems

6464 Moraga Ave, Oakland, CA 94611-2819

510-339-7300,   fax 510-339-1179,   CIS: 70550,1752


Enhanced ADA Option for Letter-Art Software
ENHANCED ADA OPTION

July 21, 1993 -- Symbol Graphics of Corona, CA recently released an enhanced ADA option for Letter-Art software. The latest ADA offering provides a Grade 2 Braille solution for all applications.

The ADA option consists of five fonts. Three braille fonts are provided to meet the requirements of various output devices. One braille font consists of Grade 2 Braille dots enclosed in a cell for engraving. The second braille font consists of braille dots without a cell for vinyl or film cutting for polymer wash or similar processes. The third braille font consists of single points designating the braille dot locations for drilling or embossing. An International Symbol font with borders for vinyl cutting and International Symbols without borders for engraving are also included.

Letter-Art is an open architecture DOS program which supports plotters, printers, and engravers. Letter-Art provides a solution for all lettering and signage needs including Braille .

Symbol Graphics

1047 W. Sixth St, Corona, CA 91720

909-736-4040,   fax 909-737-0652


Parsifal AnaGram LALR-1 Parser Generator
PARSIFAL RELEASES EXTENDED LALR-1 PARSER GENERATOR

July, 1993 -- Parsifal Software has released AnaGram, an extended LALR-1 parser generator which overcomes many problems associated with syntax directed parsing. AnaGram incorporates lexical analysis in its grammar rules, usually making separate lexical scanners unnecessary. New notation links grammar tokens clearly to processing code. Parsers may be configured with a variety of input protocols and error handling options.

Using AnaGram's File Trace, software developers can test grammars interactively on data files even before compiling a line of code. They can also pop up windows detailing every aspect of a grammar, including derivations which show exactly how conflicts or other problems arise.

AnaGram comes with extensive cross-referenced, context sensitive online help, a comprehensive reference manual including an introduction to parsing, and numerous documented examples.

AnaGram requires an IBM compatible AT, 386, or 486 computer with a minimum of 400K of available memory, DOS 3.1 or higher, and approximately 1 megabyte of hard disk space. A C or C++ compiler is required to compile the generated code.

AnaGram sells for $495 and requires no royalties or runtime licenses. For further information, or a free trial copy, contact Parsifal Software, P.O. Box 219, Wayland, MA 01778; (800) 879-2577, (508) 358-2564; 72603,1763 (CompuServe); or 72603.1763@compuserve.com (Internet).


CoSA Acquired by Aldus Corp
CoSA Acquired by Aldus Corporation

CoSA to Become Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

(July 26, 1993, Providence, RI) - CoSA (The Company of Science & Art) today announced that it has been acquired by the Aldus Corporation, a Seattle-based software developer. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, CoSA will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aldus.

"We are extremely excited about the potential this acquisition offers us," said Bill O'Farrell, CoSA's president. "With the support of such a major player as Aldus, CoSA will be delivering the highest quality graphics tools for many years to come. We will also be expanding our customer services and assisting Aldus in its electronic publishing plans."

Under the terms of the acquisition Aldus will acquire all outstanding shares of CoSA stock, its product line, source code, copyrights and trademarks. CoSA will remain at its headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island, where it will continue its research and development, sales, marketing and technical support activities.

"We see this as a very symbiotic relationship," commented CoSA's Chief Technical Officer, David Herbstman. "CoSA benefits from the infrastructure of a larger company while Aldus is able to integrate our professional video and imaging technology into their code base. We can enhance our customer services and R&D efforts and Aldus is better prepared to serve the electronic publishing market."

CoSA's flagship product is CoSA After Effects, a digital compositing, 2D animation, and special effects program for the Macintosh. It allows video professionals to combine, layer, and composite an unlimited number of QuickTime movies and PICT files. CoSA After Effects provides users with the control, functionality, and output quality that they expect to find in expensive post-production facilities. CoSA also developed and markets the PACo family of products. PACo ("PICS Animation Compiler") is a cross-platform, software-only solution for compressing and playing digital videos on personal computers.

Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ:ALDC) creates computer software solutions that help people throughout the world effectively communicate information and ideas. The company focuses on three lines of business: applications for the professional publishing and prepress markets; applications for the general consumer market; and service and support programs for professional end-users. Aldus has subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim serving a worldwide network of dealers and distributors.

CoSA, 14 Imperial Place, Suite 203, Providence, RI, 02903

(401) 831-2672; Fax: (401) 831-2675


GrafBASE Documents Communications Networks
NETWORK DIMENSIONS ANNOUNCES GRAFBASE

July 1993 - San Jose, CA - Network Dimensions, Inc., announced today the availability of GrafBASE, a versatile software package for visual display and documentation of communication networks. While GrafBASE is extremely user friendly, its numerous features give the user flexibility and control in accessing, maintaining, updating, and presenting network information from their personal desktop computers. GrafBASE runs under Microsoft Windows 3.x on an IBM PC compatible desktop computer. It provides full color visual displays of network topologies that span the world down to a computer room. In addition, it allows the user to create and easily access from a single application, an extensive database of information on nodes and links of the network.

GrafBASE is a one-of-a-kind graphical database for network information and configuration management. Through multiple nested views of network and equipment layouts, users can manage and access configuration information for interconnected world-wide networks (WANs), metropolitan-area-networks (MANs), campus networks or local-area-networks (LANs). Designed specifically for the needs of the communications network industry, GrafBASE is used to create network presentations and reports, consolidate and manage network data, configure and track network configurations.

It provides the following tools to simplify a network user's tasks, while providing the kind of functionality and flexibility, in a PC application, usually found only in expensive high-end work station based applications:

- Ability to define, pick and place icon representations of network devices on a display screen and draw connections between these icons to show network topology

- Ability to overlay the network topology on geographical maps of the world and its countries, or even street level maps

- Ability to overlay the network topology on bit-mapped images (BMP) or CAD derived DXF images

- Ability to hierarchically relate multiple views for easy navigation of complex topologies.

- Ability to store this information in an internal data base and display the topology and reports with a point and click interface

- Ability to import and export network information through a text file

- Ability to send real-time alarm information for color coded display, by letting GrafBASE poll an alarm log text file

In addition to end-users of the application, GrafBASE is available to OEM's who wish to incorporate GrafBASE as a graphical front-end for their Windows or OS/2 based network management applications. Existing Windows based management software can be easily integrated with GrafBASE as a Dynamic Linked Library (DLL). The GrafBASE tool-kit maximizes the use of existing vendor specific network management software thus saving development time and cost.

Ranjana Sharma, President of Network Dimensions, states, "GrafBASE provides a remarkable price/performance advantage, plus simplicity and flexibility that is inherent in a PC based application which is easily and readily available at a user's desktop. GrafBASE replaces disparate graphics, drawing, and database applications, by consolidating these functions specifically for the needs of the networking professional."

GrafBASE is priced at $750 with options for geographical map data, and geo-coded area code/prefix data. Optional data, includes extensive geographical maps from worldwide countries to street level maps of USA counties. Points can be placed on maps by latitude/longitude coordinates. An optional built in database provides automatic conversion of phone numbers to an on-screen geographical location.

GrafBASE is available directly from Network Dimensions, Inc.. Users can obtain a free GrafBASE demonstration disk for an overview of the graphics and features.

Network Dimensions, Inc., founded in 1989, develops Microsoft Windows based, graphical software, specially targeted for the communications industry. The company has previously released GrafNet and GrafNet Plus software. With GrafBASE the company is launching its next generation product, increasing the software's capabilities and customer base. The company also provides software development for special customization. For more information, contact Network Dimensions, Inc., 5339 Prospect Road, Suite 312, San Jose, CA 95129, (408) 4469598, fax (408)255-4576.


AMT IntelliPlot C-size InkJet Plotter
AMT ANNOUNCES C-SIZE INKJET PLOTTER

CAMARILLO, CA--Advanced Matrix Technology, Inc. (AMT), a manufacturer of dot matrix printers, has announced the Intelli-Plot InkJet plotter, the company's first inkjet offering. Combining Canon's BJP-50 bubblejet print engine with the advanced plotting capabilities of AMT's well-established Intelli-Plot line, the Intelli-Plot InkJet delivers C-size (or ISO A2-size) drawings in under five minutes, variable plot resolutions up to 360 x 360 dots per inch, easy-to-use operator controls, and the proven reliability of "drop-on-demand" bubblejet technology.

"We looked at what other OEMs have done with Canon's inkjet engine and knew we could do better," said Greg Larson, AMT's inkjet product manager. "First, we designed a data controller that receives and rasterizes plotting data faster and more efficiently. Then we replaced the engine's cryptic control panel with AMT's patented Select-dial' and a plain-English LCD. We also added a printer pedestal with built-in C-size roll-paper feeder so that the plotter can operate unattended for long periods of time." AMT boasts that these changes, and others, make the Intelli-Plot InkJet easier to use and more feature-packed than the Pacific Data Product ProTracer, Houston Instrument JetPro, or JRL JR-670 -- all of which use the same Canon engine.

The Intelli-Plot InkJet can receive up to 20 HP-GL/2X and AutoCAD ADI plot descriptions at a time via its simultaneously active Centronics-compatible parallel and RS-232 serial interfaces. As the InkJet receives each plot it compresses the data for the most compact storage and then places it into an internal drawing queue. The user is free to manipulate drawings as desired, using the Select-dial control panel. Drawings can be scaled horizontally, vertically or proportionally; positioned up or down, left or right; or rotated around the page. Or, since the Intelli-Plot InkJet can sense the page size, it can automatically scale and position drawings to best fit the page.

The Intelli-Plot InkJet comes with many other useful features, including multiple copy plotting, automatic replot, auto paper parking, and convenient queue control. The InkJet provides 15 logical pens that the user can set to draw lines from 0.07 to 0.98 millimeters thick. Plus the user can turn any pen off, which allows unwanted lines or layers to be removed from the drawing. These changes can be made at plot time and take effect immediately, without the need to resend the drawing. A drawing can be plotted at low-resolution to check sizing and positioning, and then replotted at high-resolution by pressing a single button.

Another convenient feature of the Intelli-Plot InkJet, is its long-axis plotting capabilities. The InkJet can plot individual drawings up to 15.5 inches wide by 91 inches long and can automatically abut these drawings to make plots of unlimited length. The roll-paper feeder that is included with the plotter is especially handy for this application.

"The Intelli-Plot InkJet operates very quietly," said David Beardsley, AMT's Vice-President of Sales, "you can hardly hear it plotting. You get C-size plots in about five minutes, B-size in about 2-1/2, and A-size in 1-1/2." The InkJet can plot on all common drafting media, including plain, bond or plotter paper, and vellum. It accepts cut sheets and roll paper through its front paper entry slot and pin-fed continuous forms paper through its built-in forms tractor. AMT plans to sell 1 7-inch wide bond, chart and vellum roll paper for the InkJet, as well as front and rear cutsheet feeders that hold 100 sheets apiece.

Despite its C-size output, the Intelli-Plot InkJet is a desktop plotter. It uses pop-in ink cartridges that provide approximately two million characters. Other than replacing ink cartridges from time-to-time, the InkJet is virtually maintenance-free. Normal operation provides automatic head capping and cleaning, plus internal diagnostics and real-time fault reporting.

In addition to the plotting capabilities, the Intelli-Plot InkJet emulates the IBM XL24 Proprinter. This feature lets the InkJet be used for day-to-day word processing, desktop publishing and spreadsheets. The plotter automatically senses whether incoming data is plot data or print data, so the user is not burdened with any setup or configuration routines.

AMT plans to begin shipments of the Intelli-Plot InkJet in September 1993. The retail price of the Intelli-Plot InkJet will be $1,995 which includes the printer pedestal, roll paper feeder, and one-year manufacturer's warranty. The front sheetfeeder will retail for $199 and the rear sheetfeeder for $119. The ink cartridges will be sold in six-packs for $149. Intelli-Plot InkJet plotters will be sold by authorized AMT dealers, VARs, and system integrators. For more information, please contact AMT Sales at (800) 992-2264 or write to AMT at 765 Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012-8077.


New National Instruments SMT Mfg Equip
New SMT Manufacturing Equipment Increases Production Volume and Quality of Instrumentation Hardware

August 2, 1993 -- Austin, TX - National Instruments announced today it has incorporated new, state-of-the-art surface-mount equipment into its around-the-clock manufacturing process to dramatically speed production and maintain the quality of its GPIB, data acquisition, VXI, and VME hardware products.

The company has recently installed two Siemens SP-120 Surface Mount Device (SMD) Speed Placers, each of which uses a vertical 12-position revolver head to pick up components from 8-24 mm tape feeders. The revolver head lifts components with vacuum nozzles, then verifies the electrical value of each component before placing it on a PC board. To improve throughput, the SP-120 has been programmed to place components in a path-optimized sequence - SP-120 machines in a standard dual configuration can pick up, test, and place more than 14,000 components per hour.

Surface-Mount Manufacturing Speeds Production While Improving Quality

The SP-120s have decreased the time needed to manufacture the company's hardware products. In December 1992, it took the company 20 hours to manufacture 200 Lab-PC+ plug-in data acquisition boards - a rate of 10 boards per hour. Using the SP-120s, the company manufactured 156 Lab-PC+ boards in only eight hours, raising the production rate to 19.5 boards per hour - an increase of 95 percent.

"We invested in the SP-120s because they do more than mount the components and increase our production rate," said Jim Craig, quality control methods manager. "The machines also improve the quality of our products. The SP-120s automatically discard a component if they discover that its electrical value is out of tolerance. Also, the machines place direction-specific components such as capacitors, diodes, and so on - in the proper direction."

"In our process of continuous improvement, we know that we need to reduce costs while simultaneously improving quality," said James Truchard, president and CEO. "By incorporating leading-edge technology into our manufacturing process, we not only maintain the quality of our hardware products, but also improve our throughput."

For more information on the company's GPIB, data acquisition, VXI, and VME hardware products, contact National Instruments, 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Or call toll free in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 433-3488. Telex: 756737 NAT INST AUS, fax: (512) 794-8411.


National Instruments Expands on 65 Acres
Austin-Based Architecture Firm to Develop National Instruments North Austin Expansion Site

65 Acres to House Sales, Electronics Assembly, and Administrative Operations

August 2, 1993 -- Austin, TX - National Instruments announced today that it has selected RTG/Partners, Inc., an Austin-based architecture firm, to develop a 125,000 sq ft expansion facility on the 65 acres National Instruments recently purchased in north Austin. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Under the terms of the proposal, RTG will supply all architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural engineering, and landscape architecture services for the project. The first phase of the site will include approximately 50,000 sq ft of office and administrative areas and approximately 75,000 sq ft of assembly area and warehousing space, including shipping/receiving areas and loading docks. National Instruments intends to move its sales, assembly, and administrative operations to the new facility from its headquarters now located in the Millenium Building on Bridge Point Parkway in northwest Austin (on Shepherd Mountain near the Loop 360 bridge and RR 2222). The 50,000 sq ft of mezzanine space, currently reserved for sales and administrative functions, can be easily redesigned to accommodate future needs.

Long-term plans for the property are to develop a corporate campus that will house all Austin employees. National Instruments currently occupies about 150,000 sq ft of owned and leased office and electronics assembly space at two sites - on Shepherd Mountain and near the University of Texas at Austin campus.

"We are extremely pleased to be selected to work on this expansion site with National Instruments," said DeWitt Gayle, managing partner of RTG/Partners. "We are confident that we can provide a first-class facility that will accommodate the growth of National Instruments into the next century."

In April, National Instruments announced its option to purchase approximately 65 acres in north Austin from International Business Machines (IBM), with American Realty Services serving as project manager. In 1986, IBM donated right-of-way to the state of Texas for extension of the Mopac Expressway (Loop 1) northwest of the IBM Austin site. Completion of the highway project resulted in the triangular tract bordered on the west by the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, on the southeast by Mopac, and on the northeast by several small tracts of land that also directly border Duval Road. Because the tract is not contiguous to the main IBM site, and because the decision was made to expand east across Burnet Road, the land was made available for sale. National Instruments closed on the property on July 6, 1993.

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National Instruments Announces 65-Acre Expansion Plans

April 19, 1993 -- Austin, TX - National Instruments announced today that it has the option to purchase approximately 65 acres in Austin from International Business Machines (IBM). The terms of the contract were undisclosed.

The company also announced that it plans to construct and occupy a 125,000 sq ft facility there within a year for its sales, electronics assembly, and administrative operations. Remaining personnel will move at a later date. Long-term plans include building a corporate campus on the property that will house all Austin employees. National Instruments currently occupies about 150,000 sq ft of office and electronics assembly space in Austin.

National Instruments is excited about its future expansion plans for the IBM tract. "This tract was one of the few sites we evaluated that was zoned properly for our needs and available at a price we could afford," comments Dr. lames Truchard, president and chairman of the board of the company. "This property will give us the growing room we need to house the employees and equipment necessary to realize our long-range business plan. For the last several years, we've been growing at a faster rate than the industry we serve -we are still maintaining our 40 percent annual sales growth rate and we've added over 300 employees to our Austin staff in the last two and one-half years. We anticipate we will continue enjoying this steady growth rate."

National Instruments named American Realty Services, also of Austin, as project manager for the expansion project. The two companies are currently in the architectural selection process for the initial building.

For more information, contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 338-9119. Or call toll free in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-5732.


LabVIEW Honored in WINDOWS Mag WIN 100 Awards
LabVIEW Honored in WINDOWS Magazine WIN 100 Awards

April 6 1993 -- Austin, TX - On January 20,1993, WINDOWS Magazine held its annual WIN 100 Awards ceremony. The annual awards honor hardware and software products that operate best in the Windows operating environment.

"We are honored that LabVIEW was chosen as a WIN 100 winner," says Jack Barber, LabVIEW product marketing manager. "We are very excited about the coverage and attention that WINDOWS Magazine has given the scientific and engineering marketplace. This market has spawned numerous technologies and products, such as the graphical programming technology in LabVIEW, which are very innovative and will soon be commonly used in the general Windows computing industry."

LabVIEW is a general-purpose graphical programming tool with graphical user interface tools and extensive libraries for data acquisition, 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. Engineers and scientists use LabVIEW in applications such as process monitoring and control, laboratory automation, automated testing, and physiological monitoring.

WINDOWS Magazine, published by CMP Publications, Inc., is the oldest and largest publication serving the growing legion of Windows users. As a leading publication in its field, its annual awards are widely sought among industry participants.

For more information about LabVIEW, please contact National Instruments 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. For more information about the WINDOWS Magazine WIN 100 Awards, please contact CMP Publications, Inc., 600 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, (516) 562-5724.


National Algorithm Honored with R&D 100 Award
Gabor Spectrogram Honored With R&D Magazine's 1993 R&D 100 Award

July 9, 1993 -- Austin, TX - National Instruments today announced that its Gabor Spectrogram joint time-frequency analysis (JTFA) algorithm has been honored with a R&D magazine 1993 R&D 100 Award. The 100 honorees are selected by the magazine's editors and more than 75 scientific experts. The award recognizes the Gabor Spectrogram as one of the year's most technologically significant new products.

The Gabor Spectrogram is a new algorithm for improving JTFA using techniques that are computationally faster and more accurate than the traditional short-time Fourier transform (STFT). Other benefits of the Gabor Spectrogram include improved resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

JTFA is a useful tool that simultaneously analyzes a signal in both the time and frequency domains. The JTFA method of analysis is commonly used in industry and research for applications such as speech processing, sonar, vibration, transient signal detection, and acoustics. JTFA proves very useful when traditional waveform and frequency analysis are inadequate.

Engineers and scientists can purchase the Gabor Spectrogram as an add-on package to the National Instruments LabVIEW instrumentation software. Gabor Spectrogram users have already discovered numerous applications for the new technology, including engine diagnostics tests, heart sounds monitoring, dynamic monitoring of electrical power systems, and speech recognition.

R&D magazine has honored inventors and scientists around the world since 1963 by annually selecting the 100 most technologically significant new products and processes. Corporations, government labs, private research institutes, and universities throughout the world vie for this "Nobel Prize" of applied research.

Past winners include numerous well known products that are now a part of everyday life, including; Polacolor film (1963), the electronic video recorder (1969), anti-lock brakes (1969), the automated teller machine (1973), halogen lamps (1974), the fax machine (1975), a lens stabling system for camcorders (1989), low palmetic soybean oil (1991), the photo CD system (1991), and the Nicoderm transdermal patch (1992).

R&D 100 Awards recognize significant scientific achievement, and are a hallmark of the innovative spirit that the genius of research and development demonstrates.

For more information about the Gabor Spectrogram, please contact National Instruments 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.

For more information about the R&D 100 Award and a list of other 1993 recipients, please contact Tina Lentz, R&D 100 Program Coordinator, 1350 E. Touhy Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60017-5080,(708)390-2739. Fax: (708)390-2618.


Custom Overlays for IntelliKeys
Custom Overlays Published for IntelliKeys

July 23, 1993 -- Richmond, CA--Educational software publishers are now developing custom overlays for IntelliKeys, the award-winning keyboard from IntelliTools. Hartley Courseware, the UCLA Intervention Program, R.J. Cooper, and Marblesoft are creating custom overlays for IntelliKeys as part of their software programs for use in special education and early childhood.

IntelliKeys is a keyboard for the '90s, one which can be used--by merely changing cables--with any Apple II, Macintosh, or IBM/compatible computer. IntelliKeys comes with six standard overlays--Arrows, Numbers, Alphabet, Basic Writing, and QWERTY overlays for Apple and IBM--and a Setup Overlay for adjusting feature settings on the keyboard. A bar code on the back of each of these overlays signals the keyboard to reconfigure, thus making it the keyboard with a "changing face." IntelliKeys also works with custom overlays, either provided by a software company, such as Hartley, or those made by the user with IntelliKeys Overlay Maker software designed by IntelliTools.

"From its initial design, IntelliKeys has had the capacity to accept these custom overlays," says Arjan Khalsa, president of IntelliTools. "Now our customers can benefit from this advanced technology. We also are conducting studies on the effectiveness of these custom overlays for learners with disabilities."

Using a preboot disk, the custom overlay information for Hartley Courseware's I Love You in the Sky, Butterfly is automatically installed in IntelliKeys keyboard memory. Then, when the user boots up the program and slips one of the two custom overlays into IntelliKeys, the keyboard is adapted especially for that program's custom overlay. Hartley's custom overlays are available for Apple II, Macintosh LC, and MS-DOS-compatible computers.

The UCLA Intervention Program was the first to design custom overlays to work with IntelliKeys. There are now custom overlays for 20 Apple II and two Macintosh programs published by UCLA for early-childhood education, including the popular Wheels on the Bus and Old McDonald's Farm.

Two other commercial vendors are also publishing custom overlays for use with IntelliKeys: RJ. Cooper has a program called Point to Pictures which includes a preboot disk which allows it to work with IntelliKeys; Marblesoft has an Apple IIe early learning packages which includes several programs having custom overlays for IntelliKeys.

"This is just the beginning," says Khalsa. "We are working closely with a number of publishers to include custom overlays as part of their software packages. This means many more educational programs will be available with custom IntelliKeys overlays, and IntelliKeys will become an even more viable alternative to the standard computer keyboard."

IntelliKeys and IntelliKeys Overlay Maker are available from IntelliTools or from authorized IntelliKeys dealers (such as Hartley Courseware). For more information, contact IntelliTools, 5221 Central Avenue, Suite 205, Richmond, CA 94804, telephone (510) 528-0670.

There are several software publishers who now make custom overlays that accompany their software and which work with IntelliKeys......

Marblesoft has an Apple IIe early-learning package which includes several programs having custom overlays for IntelliKeys. These programs feature counting, letter-matching, early addition and multiplication, and some items (color and shape recognition) for younger children. These programs work on the Apple IIe, the Apple IIGS, or the Macintosh LC in the IIe mode. For more information, contact:

Marblesoft

12301 Central Ave, NE, Suite 205

Blaine, MN 55434

(612) 755-1402

R. J. Cooper has a program called Point to Pictures, which teaches cause and effect and allows severely disabled people control their environment and make selections. This is an Apple II program which works on Apple IIe, Apple IIGS, or the Macintosh LC in the IIe mode, and there's a preboot disk that allows it to work with IntelliKeys. For more information, contact:

R. J. Cooper

24843 Del Prado, Suite 283

Dana Point, CA 92629

(714) 240-1912

UCLA has created custom overlays, which work with IntelliKeys, for 15--20 of their software programs, including Wheels on the Bus and Old McDonald's Farm. There are versions for both Apple IIe (also works on Apple IIGS, or Macintosh LC in IIe mode) and for Macintosh computers. For more information, contact:

UCLA Intervention Program

1000 Veteran Ave, Room 2310, Los Angeles, CA 90024

(310) 825-4821

Hartley Courseware has a preboot disk for I Love You in the Sky, Butterfly, allowing the program's custom overlay to work with IntelliKeys. This is a creative writing, reading, and exploring type program. It works on Apple IIe, Apple IIGS, and Macintosh LC in the IIe mode. For more information, contact:

Hartley Courseware

133 Bridge St, Dimondale, MI 48821

(800) 247-1380    (517) 646-6458


I Love You In the Sky, Butterfly (Special)
IntelliTools, Inc. and Hartley have jointly developed two unique IntelliKeys overlays for Hartley's educational software program - I Love You in the Sky, Butterfly.

Hartley's I Love You in the Sky, Butterfly offers an innovative approach to whole-child learning. With 10 thematic units, children see and create colorful, animated stories that foster cooperative learning and active participation. Units contain software, videotapes, cassettes and storybooks integrated around a theme that helps students build self-esteem and explore their world.

The two IntelliKeys Butterfly overlays allow children access to this open-ended software if they need any sort of variation from the standard keyboard. One overlay allows for word processing functions, while the other one is simpler, giving only mouse and menu choices.

The overlays are available for Apple II, Macintosh LC and MS-DOS compatible machines. If you purchase IntelliKeys or I Love You in the Sky, Butterly from Hartley before December 31, 1993, you can get the overlays free a $14.95 value. For more information, write Hartley, 133 Bridge St., Dimondale, MI 48821, or call 1-800-247-1380


TracJet III 16ppm Continuous Forms Laser Prtr
AMT OFFERS PCL-5 16PPM CONTINUOUS-FORMS LASER PRINTER

CAMARILLO, CA--Advanced Matrix Technology, Inc. (AMT) has begun shipping the TracJet III, the newest version of their 16 page-per-minute continuous-forms laser printer. The TracJet III contains an entirely new data controller offering full HP LaserJet III (PCL-5) compatibility, HP-GL/2 plotting, and scalable fonts. A PostScript emulation with automatic language switching is also available as an option.

"The TracJet III combines advanced technology from five different companies," said Greg Larson, AMT's laser products manager. "We've integrated a Pentax 16 ppm laser engine with an Intel i960 RISC processor and i961 controller-on-a-chip, PeerLess PCL-5 emulation, Agfa Intellifont scaling technology, and Output Technology engine controller." By assembling components from these industry leaders, AMT boasts that the TracJet III delivers exceptionally high performance and 100% compatibility.

TracJet III's 16 page-per-minute print engine is ideally suited as a laser replacement for a wide range of line printer applications. The TracJet III is equally adept at handling complex continuous-forms jobs, like printing bar codes, labels, checks, forms, continuous "strip" charts, stock tags, membership cards and more. Over the past two years, TracJet's print engine has gained wide acceptance in a variety of industries and has proven to be both durable and reliable.

The TracJet III's superior performance is achieved with an advanced i960 32-bit 16 Mhz RISC processor and i961 controller-on-a-chip. The i961 performs many printer-specific functions, relieving the i960 from the burden of performing lower-level, time-consuming operations. This architecture is extremely efficient and maintains consistent throughput in all applications.

TracJet III's HP PCL-5 emulation was developed by the PeerLess Group, a leading software developer and supplier of emulations. The PCL-5 emulation has been fully tested in other products over the past year, so full HP LaserJet III compatibility is assured. The emulation includes HP-GL/2 vector plotting, compressed raster graphics printing, macro functions, and advanced font effects, such as patterned and cross-hatched fills, rotations and non-linear scaling.

The PCL-5 emulation also features the same Agfa Intellifont scaling technology and typefaces that are used in the HP LaserJet III models. With Intellifont, TracJet III can scale fonts "on-the-fly" from 1 to 999 points in quarter-point increments.

"The OTC engine controller offers a variety of useful features that are not available on competing products," said David Beardsley, AMT's Vice-President of Sales. "There's programmable fuser heating so that you can print on a wide range of media, variable forms length control so that you can use pages up to 33 inches long, and a patented ALF (any length forms) function so that data is positioned precisely from page-to-page."

The TracJet III, which retails for $6995, comes standard with a one-megabyte memory (expandable to nine megabytes), dual parallel and serial interfaces, and a one-year manufacturer's warranty. The PostScript option retails for $995. AMT is also offering a custom printer stand with a motorized paper stacker for $695. The TracJet III will be sold by authorized AMT dealers, VARs, and system integrators. For more information, please contact AMT Sales at (800) 992-2264 or write to AMT at 765 Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012-8077.


Pixar President Receives Siggraph Coons Award

Anaheim, CA (August 3, 1993) The ACM-Siggraph committee announced that they have awarded the 1993 Steven A. Coons Award to Pixar President, Dr. Edwin E. Catmull. The award, named after one of the pioneers in computer graphics, is awarded bi-annually in recognition of long term creative impact on the field of computer graphics.

Over the past twenty years, Dr. Catmull has made many fundamental advances in computer graphics as an individual researcher, inspiring leader, director of pivotal organizations, and a mentor for many.

Dr. Catmull received his doctorate from the University of Utah during the golden era of computer graphics. While at the University of Utah, Ed invented many of the algorithms that the industry now takes for granted, such as texture mapping and the Z buffer.

Later, Dr. Catmull moved to the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) where he became the first director of the Computer Graphics Laboratory. While at NYIT Dr. Catmull led the team that developed the first RGB paint system, wrote the first keyframe animation system and developed many important graphics algorithms still in use today. Under Dr. Catmull's leadership, this laboratory grew from the proverbial garage to the center of raster computer graphics research in the 1970's.

In 1979, Dr. Catmull joined Lucasfilm as vice president of the Computer Division to develop state-of-the-art computer technology for the film industry. Under Ed's direction, Lucasfilm developed an entire spectrum of applications of computers to feature film production, from video and audio editing stations to high-quality computer image generation and digital optical printing. In 1986, this division spun off to form Pixar.

Dr. Catmull states, "Pixar's goal is to make images so realistic that they can be used in live-action motion pictures." Pixar achieved this goal with the development of RenderMan, the industry standard software system for photorealistic image synthesis. RenderMan is currently in use at various motion picture production companies including: Industrial Light and Magic, where it was used to create special effects for Terminator II and Jurassic Park; and, Walt Disney Studios, where it was used to create stunning 3D backgrounds for Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. In fact, RenderMan is so important to the film industry that earlier this year, Ed and six other computer scientists were awarded a Scientific and Technical Academy Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the development of RenderMan.

Perhaps the most exciting development of the past few years is that Pixar is currently partnered with Walt Disney Pictures to produce the world's first full-length computer animated feature film due to be released in 1995. This project is the computer graphics industry's "Holy Grail" which Dr. Catmull has been working his whole career to achieve. It is now a reality.

Dr. Catmull is the sixth recipient of this coveted award. Previous recipients include cofounders of Evans and Sutherland Corporation, Dr. Ivan E. Sutherland and David C. Evans, pioneer in computer aided design, Dr. Pierre Bezier, Cornell professor, Donald P. Greenberg and distinguished author and Brown University professor, Andries Van Dam.

Pixar was incorporated in 1986 and is located in Point Richmond, California. The company specializes in the development of computer graphics software including RenderMan, Showplace, and Pixar Typestry. Pixar's animation division offers worldclass computer animation production services.

Pixar, 1001 Wets Cutting, Richmond, CA 94804

510-236-4000,  fax 510-236-0388


Living Desktop Customizes Mac Desktop Bkgrnd
Mantis Development Corporation announces Living Desktop, the first application to provide automated customization of the Macintosh desktop background.

West Newton, Mass., August 3, 1993 - - Mantis Development Corporation today announced Living Desktop,  the first application to provide automated customization of the Macintosh desktop background.  Living Desktop replaces the standard 8-pixel by 8-pixel desktop background with sophisticated, professionally designed artwork in the Pixel Pattern ("ppat") format.  Those used by Living Desktop may be up to 128 by 128 pixels in size and contain up to 256 colors.  Living Desktop comes with 110 professionally designed desktop patterns which can be alternated manually, or automatically using the built-in, user configurable timer.  Registered users receive a one year Electronic Artists Consortium (EAC) membership.  EAC provides a continuous supply of high quality patterns, discounted graphics software and services, and 40 new patterns to newly registered users.

Highlights of the program's features include:

1)  Minimal Random Access Memory (RAM) and disk requirements

    (69k of RAM, 45k disk space).

2)  Automated pattern switching using the built-in, configurable timer.

3)  Fast Forward and Fast Backward controls for "slide show" effect.

4)  Manual pattern switching controls.

5)  Streamlined, intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI).

6)  A total of 150 sophisticated, professionally designed

    background patterns.

7)  Number of patterns limited only by disk storage capacity.

8)  Option to keep patterns installed even when Living Desktop

    is no longer running.

9)  Free one year Electronic Artists Consortium (EAC) membership

    upon product registration.

10) 90 day money-back satisfaction guarantee.

"Living Desktop was designed with maximum efficiency, stability and ease of use in mind," says Barbara Mikolajczak, General Manager of Mantis Development Corporation.  "As an application, Living Desktop provides functionality and efficiency not possible with Control Panels or INITs [System Extensions].  It doesn't eat up your System memory or conflict with other software as Control Panels and INITs frequently do.  And the user is always in full control of the program using a familiar, streamlined Macintosh interface."

Registered Living Desktop owners receive a one year Electronic Artists Consortium (EAC) membership.  Founded by Mantis Development Corporation, EAC is composed of software vendors, graphics professionals, artists, and consumers dedicated to the creation and distribution of superior quality patterns, graphics software and Desktop patterns are professionally designed for use as background artwork, and come in a number of categories. Volume 1, which ships with Living Desktop, is composed of Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures & Surfaces and Miscellaneous. Living Desktop patterns are professionally designed for use as background artwork, and come in a number of categories. Volume 1, which ships with Living Desktop, is composed of Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures & Surfaces and Miscellaneous. Living Desktop patterns are professionally designed for use as background artwork, and come in a number of categories. Volume 1, which ships with Living Desktop, is composed of Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures & Surfaces and Miscellaneous. Living Desktop patterns are professionally designed for use as background artwork, and come in a number of categories. Volume 1, which ships with Living Desktop, is composed of Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures & Living Desktop patterns are professionally designed for use as background artwork, and come in a number of categories. Volume 1, which ships with Living Desktop, is composed of Animals, Fine Art, Flora, Sports, Textures & Surfaces and Miscellaneous. Livdditional patterns are available through EAC.

Many users have reported that Living Desktop lessens eye strain and promotes longer, more pleasurable use of their Macintosh.  Says Fidelity Investments' Patricia Cahalane, "Every day I spend several hours in front of my Macintosh.  Until I began using Living Desktop, I found my eyes were fatigued well before the workday was over.  Now I'm regularly treated to a refreshing background without interrupting my work flow.  My windows and icons float above the art, giving me something beautiful to look at while I work.  My eyes are less strained, and I find time on my Mac more enjoyable now. I've seen plenty of other pattern utilities, but Living Desktop is the first to offer true artwork."

Says Alex Sirota of Apple Computer Inc.,

"Thanks for giving me the first product which

 1. is compatible fully with everything because it is NOT an

    extension or control panel but an application. Great decision.

 2. does not take much memory

 3. is utterly beautiful

 4. works as advertised and actually gives me new patterns. This is

    the After Dark of desktop pattern switchers."

Availability and Price

Currently shipping, Living Desktop is available directly from Mantis Development Corporation.  $59.95 MSRP.  Several discount incentives are offered (see below).  Free demonstration versions of Living Desktop are available through America Online, CompuServe and directly from Mantis Development Corporation.

Discounts

50% Competitive Upgrade Discount - Users who own a competing desktop pattern utility receive a 50% discount off the suggested retail price.

30% Network Discount - Members of an electronic network service (CompuServe, America Online, etc.) receive a 30% discount off the suggested retail price and receive the product and documentation electronically.

20% User Group Discount - Members of a computer user group (BCS, BMUG, etc.) receive a 20% discount off the suggested retail price.

Specifications

Living Desktop can be used on any Macintosh running System Software 6.0.5 and higher (running Multifinder) or System 7.0 and higher, including the Classic II, PowerBook, Duo, Quadra and Performa series of computers (with the exception of the PowerBook 100, Mac SE and Mac Plus).

Supports any size black & white or color monitor at any color depth.  Multiple monitors are supported.

Living Desktop requires only  69k of RAM and 45k of disk space [pattern files require additional disk space, but no additional RAM.  Disk requirements vary depending on the number of patterns installed].

Mantis Development Corporation

(800) 230-6434

(617) 969-6434


FULLPIXELSEARCH Mac Pixel Image Analysis Swr
Avian Systems announces FULLPIXELSEARCH, the first desktop program for exploring images and identifying regions of interest.

New York, NY, August 2, 1993 -- Avian Systems, a developer of scientific and graphic software, announces the availability of FULLPIXELSEARCH software that allows users to search and find important regions inside TIFF or PICT images on any color-enabled Macintosh.

FULLPIXELSEARCH matches patterns at the pixel level, a function which previously has been available only on mainframe systems.  FULLPIXELSEARCH works with a wide range of images and has been used by:

- Scientists to scan satellite photos for mapping agricultural

  lands

- Physicians to analyze X-Ray, MRI and other biomedical images

- Graphic Artists to touch-up, restore, and enhance digital

  photographs

- Law enforcement agencies to analyze phots of crime scenes

FULLPIXELSEARCH was developed by Dr. Richard Podolsky, a noted ornithologist and expert on satellite imagery and remote sensing. According to Dr. Podolsky, head of development at Avian Systems, "FULLPIXELSEARCH allows Macintosh users to perform extensive searching and pattern recognition within a wide range of imagery. It's functionality presents users with a unique and powerful set of tools for exploring the details and subtleties in any digital image."

FULLPIXELSEARCH allows the user to simultaneously author a search routine while viewing an image.  The user assembles search templates either by copying and pasting regions of interest, or pixel by pixel.  FULLPIXELSEARCH scans the image and records the location of regions that match the search criteria.  According to Dr. Dennis Wildfogel, Software Designer at Tandem Computers, "Search-find-replace commands in a word processor have great utility and can save enormous amounts of time.  FULLPIXELSEARCH applies this same kind of power to digital imagery."

FULLPIXELSEARCH features allow users to:

- Locate regions of interest with extensive control of the

  search criteria.

- Identify regions in any image, and define a search based

  on those regions.

- Save, as separate files, search templates and the location

  of all matches or finds generated.

- Generate histograms for any selected region of an image and

  display coordinates and spectral class value for any pixel.

- Specify 100 percent accuracy of the search routine, or

  relative accuracy at one percent intervals.

- Generate a "neighbor report" for all pixels of any color

  enabling the user to quantify the degree of randomness or

  uniformity in an image.

Dr. Podolsky is the developer of GAIA (Geographic Access, Image, and Analysis), an acclaimed remote sensing software package.  He is also an imaging consultant to industry and teaches at the Center for Creative Imaging in Camden, Maine.

FULLPIXELSEARCH is available for $895.  Avian Systems welcomes dealer and distributor inquiries.  For more information on FULLPIXELSEARCH contact: Avian Systems, 235 West 56th St, Suite 20N, New York, NY 10019-4330, Tel: (212) 246-4686;  FAX: (212) 246-6074, Compuserve = 76460,2615; Applelink = PODOLSKY; Internet = PODOLSKY@AOL.COM


Software Portability with image
O'REILLY RELEASES FIRST GUIDE TO imake

August 10, 1993 -- SEBASTOPOL, CA -- O'Reilly & Associates announces the publication of the first guide to imake, the UNIX tool that helps software developers write portable programs. Software Portability with image, by programmer Paul DuBois, explains how to make this tool do the "dirty work" by configuring projects where large numbers of parameters vary according to hardware manufacturer, operating system, or site.

The book is divided into two sections. The first section is a general explanation of imake, X configuration files, and how to write and debug an Imakefile. The second section describes how to write configuration files, and presents a configuration file architecture that allows development of coexisting sets of configuration files. Software Portability with imake provides documentation for imake and associated toools, as well as exercises to build hands-on experience. Several sets of configuration files are described and are available free over the Internet.

imake is a utility that works with make to enable code to be automatically configured, compiled and installed on different UNIX machines. imake makes possible the wide portability of the X Window System code and is widely considered to be an X tool, but it's also useful for any software project that needs to be ported to many UNIX systems.

Author Paul DuBois is a programmer at the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The book's editor is Adrian Nye, editor of The X Resource and author of several bestselling books about the X Window System.

O'Reilly & Associates is recognized worldwide for its definitive books on UNIX, The X Window System and the Internet. Working closely with developers of new technologies, O'Reilly's editors are "computer people" who use the software and systems they write about. The company's planning and review cycles link together authors, computer vendors, and technical experts throughout the industry in a creative collaboration that mirrors the strengths of the "open systems" philosophy itself.

O'Reilly & Associates Inc

103 Morris St, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA 95472

707-829-0515,   fax 707-829-0104


Multi-Tech V.32terbo MultiModem
For some time now the data communications industry has been anxiously awaiting the next new speed standard for dial-up modems. This standard, dubbed "V.FAST," has been rather slow in coming. Meanwhile, Multi-Tech Systems and other modem companies are introducing modems that incorporate the AT&T "V.32terbo" standard, providing for a 19.2K bps data rate.

Our new V.32terbo MultiModem(Model MT1932BL) is the ideal modem choice for users who want the benefits of high speed data communications -- fewer bottlenecks, higher productivity -- right away.

Some modem companies have taken an "all or nothing" approach to the new standards, insisting that the proper course is to steer clear of V.32terbo and wait until V.FAST is finalized. Multi-Tech Systems respectfully disagrees.

We say, "Why wait?" With V.42bis data compression the new MT1932BL MultiModem gives you effective throughput as high as 75K bps. It's a data/fax modem with all the advanced features you expect from a Multi Modem, including callback security, remote configuration, V.42 error correction and 9600/14.4K fax. And it comes bundled with MultiExpress data and fax software.

Multi-Tech Systems has been and continues to be a staunch backer of standards. When V.FAST does arrive, you can be sure that we will enthusiastically support it. What's more, the MT1932BL MultiModem will be fully compatible with our V.FAST modem at 19.2K bps.

Multi-Tech Systems Inc

2205 Woodale Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112

612-785-3500,  800-328-9717,  fax 612-785-9874


TUNE 1000 Soft Karaoke LPs for MIDI Music
New Entertainment Company Releases Interactive Licensed Versions of Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Elton John Tracks on 3.5" disks.

Atlanta Georgia, May 24th, 1993, Newly founded TUNE 1000 corp. officially enters the exciting international entertainment market with the world premiere release of its innovative SOFT KARAOKE software. Along with this new product, TUNE 1000 will be releasing compilations of the most popular songs made famous by artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Elton John, Eric Clapton, R.E.M., Frank Sinatra, and Cole Porter to name a few. From the 20's through to the 90's, this listing will cover every musical epoch of the twentieth century.

The SOFT KARAOKE player allows the consumer to load songs, adjust the pitch and tempo, modify the instruments playing the song, and sing the Lyrics as they light up to the right beat. "Just about everybody loves to sing," says Francois Taschereau of TUNE 1000, "Our new SOFT KARAOKE product offers music aficionados an additional way of enjoying their favorite songs by allowing them to sing along. Furthermore it is the first product of its kind to allow for the adjustment of the music to the singer's voice range. We are also very excited about our catalog, chock-full of hits which will be compiled on our SOFT KARAOKE LP's!"

Amazingly, these LP's, containing ten songs each, are stored on 3.5" Floppy disks. All of these songs are stored in the MIDI File Format and are therefore readable by any professional MIDI device.

SOFT KARAOKE software and LP's can be purchased from TUNE 1000's toll-free hotline 1-800363-TUNE Operators are on hand around the clock to receive orders for SOFT KARAOKE. The package includes the SOFT Karaoke player, five legally-licensed songs, and, for a limited time, a microphone that plugs directly into users' sound boards along with one SOFT KARAOKE LP.

Suggested Retail Price: $49.95

Tune 1000 Corp

295 Forest Ave, Suite 1000A, Portland, ME 04101-2000

7710 Hamel Blvd W, Ste-Foy, Quebec, CANADA G2G 2I5

418-877-8900,  800-363-TUNE,  fax 418-877-9994


TUNE 1000 SOFT KARAOKE Introduced at PC EXPO
The Universal Network of Entertainment Adds New York to Its World Tour Calendar

June 28, 1993, New York, NY. NNE 1000 anxiously prepares for its newly-added New York Shows (June 29-July 1). Attending New York was a last minute decision but the TUNE 1000 team did not want to miss the tremendous opportunity to show off its breakthrough entertainment product in the big apple.

Beginning tomorrow at the Jacob K. Javitz convention center, booth 211 will be bursting with energy as Expo attendees get the chance to interact with music made famous by stars like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Madonna, and Led Zeppelin (to name a few).

"Not only will we do New York, New York, but we'll do so much more," says Don James of the TUNE tour, hinting at the vast repertoire of music available in this new interactive format called Soft Karaoke software. With selections spanning from opera to pop, country to rock, TUNE 1000 offers all types of music lovers this new interactive entertainment.

Part of a tour that will reach select cities in North America, South America, and Europe, Tune 1000 is excited about its New York premiere. "We are having a great time!", says Francois Taschereau of Tune 1000, "It is very fulfilling to be a part of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment trend while offering people the chance to express themselves through one of our most celebrated forms of communication - singing".

With a mission of bringing the world closer together through a network of entertainment, Tune 1000 will donate part of it's profits to charitable organizations such as the Heal the World foundation.

Tune 1000 Corp

295 Forest Ave, Suite 1000A, Portland, ME 04101-2000

7710 Hamel Blvd W, Ste-Foy, Quebec, CANADA G2G 2I5

418-877-8900,  800-363-TUNE,  fax 418-877-9994


Soft Karaoke LP Summer 1993 Catalog
Mainstream music now generated by Sound Boards

Atlanta, Georgia, May 24th, 1993, Newly founded TUNE 1000 Corp. officially launches it's SOFT KARAOKE LP Summer 1993 Catalog. To be used with the SOFT KARAOKE player, each "LP" contains 10 songs licensed from major music publishing houses. There are SOFT KARAOKE LP's for all tastes! All of the greatest hits will be available on SOFT KARAOKE LP's.

This music offers users an innovative way to enjoy their sound boards' capacities. It also gives people who don't have sound boards an excellent reason to get one. Each track is in standard midi file format and respects the music's original orchestration. SOFT KARAOKE LP's don't sound computer-generated due to the fact that the music is programmed using real instruments. This gives a natural feel to the music making it all the more enjoyable.

The SOFT KARAOKE product line was developed by TUNE 1000. The whole idea behind this new company is "fun". Everything from the new products themselves, through the virtual imaged instruction manuals, to the dynamic and multilingual DJ's (Digital Jockey s) on TUNE 1000's hotline is entertaining.

The SOFT KARAOKE software player and LP's can presently be obtained by calling the 24 hours/day, 7 days/week TUNE 1000 hotline at: 1-800-363-TUNE

Suggested Retail Price: SOFT KARAOKE Software $49.95

                        SOFT KARAOKE LP's $19.95 each

SOFT KARAOKE software and SOFT KARAOKE LP's require a sound board and Windows 3.1.

Tune 1000 Corp

295 Forest Ave, Suite 1000A, Portland, ME 04101-2000

7710 Hamel Blvd W, Ste-Foy, Quebec, CANADA G2G 2I5

418-877-8900,  800-363-TUNE,  fax 418-877-9994


PageMaker 5 Adds KeyServer Network Mgmt
Aldus PageMaker 5 Adds Support for KeyServer Network License Management

Hanover, NH, Aug. 2, 1993--Sassafras Software Inc. and Aldus Corporation announced today that the newly released Aldus PageMaker 5 includes KeyServer technology that lets PageMaker take best advantage of the extensive license management services available with Sassafras KeyServer.

When KeyServer license management software is not in use, Aldus PageMaker 5 restricts application launches to one launch per serial number. However, at networked sites that use the industry standard Sassafras KeyServer, PageMaker 5 can take advantage of KeyServer's versatile set of license compliance tools to make software publicly accessible, and still maintain legal use. With a single version of PageMaker, Aldus has implemented a licensing solution that is convenient and practical for standalone users and for network users with or without KeyServer.

Sassafras KeyServer

KeyServer is a network management tool commonly known as a "Software License Manager". KeyServer is used both to enforce software license compliance and to make software programs more accessible for legal use at user's sites. Other features of KeyServer are used to maintain version consistency of programs distributed throughout a site and stop software piracy.

KeyServer controls concurrent usage limits for programs installed throughout a network. It can also be employed to manage dedicated usage licenses, groupware licenses and other types of software licenses.

Sassafras engineers have been instrumental in developing industry standards like the "LSAPI" (License Server Application Programmer Interface), which has been co-developed by other vendors including Microsoft, Novell, Apple and DEC.

KeyServer Functionality

KeyServer controls the use and availability of Macintosh applications used throughout a network site according to the details of each particular software license. Concurrent usage limits for Macintosh applications are enforced without introducing new obstacles to end users or software publishers. KeyServer works much like a library. To run an application, a user simply launches the application as usual. Upon launch, the application transparently checks out a key from a central KeyServer. The KeyServer maintains a usage count, and will not grant a key if the count would exceed the maximum number of licenses allowed.

According to Kirk Loevner, Vice President for the Apple Developer Group,

"KeyServer addresses the fundamental issues of software license compliance within organizations. It allows for effective and economical management of software applications across groups of users and ensures that every launch of a software application is a legal one."

In its most widely used form, KeyServer is sold to network administrators, who act as the conscience for their entire network. In most cases network administrators are willing to take responsibility for license compliance when given practical tools and the permission to do so. These administrators and their companies have made a commitment to legal software use. KeyServer allows them to manage the software on their network easily and accurately, so that they may focus their attention on tasks other than policing their users.

All Macintosh applications on the market today can be controlled by KeyServer without modification. Macintosh applications do not have to be programmed to be aware of KeyServer. However, some application programs also implement their own internal license counting technology. While KeyServer can control licenses for these programs, in some cases the administrative benefits of KeyServer are undermined by the application program's serial number requirements.

In order to better support users at KeyServer managed sites, several software publishers have made their programs "KeyServer aware" so that KeyServer's more versatile management tools can be used without interference. Among the many benefits of using KeyServer, a network manager can track usage and gauge the need for additional software licenses. Network administrators, software users, and software publishers benefit from KeyServer's integrated management of programs whether used on the network site or checked out for off-site use.

Sassafras Software

PO Box 150, Hanover, NH 03755

603-643-3351


MosesSPOOL! Upgradable Printer Sharing
MOSES COMPUTERS INTRODUCES NETWORK-UPGRADABLE PRINTER SHARING

$179 "MosesSPOOL!" Features All Hardware, Software and Cabling To Share Printers Between 2 PC's--With Easy Upgradability to A Full Peer-to-Peer Network

August 3, 1993 -- (LOS GATOS, CA) - Moses Computers, a leading manufacturer of "plug and play" networks for the IBM-compatible personal computer market, will introduce MosesSPOOL!, a remarkably easy to use "plug and play" printer sharing system which will let users easily upgrade to a full-fledged Local Area Network (LAN) with the addition of extra software only.

MosesSPOOL! marks the entry of Moses Computers, a leader in the easy-to-use, peer-to-peer LAN market, into the $100 million printer sharing market. "Our full-fledged entry-level network, MosesALL!, is competitively priced to most printer sharing devices," said Berko. "It made sense that we would eventually introduce a product that more specifically targeted this large and growing market of home-based business and small office users."

MosesSPOOL! contains all the hardware, software and cabling one needs to connect two PC's for printer-sharing purposes. As with all Moses products, the cabling is standard telephone wire. Unlike most printer sharing devices, which operate at speeds averaging 64,000 to 256,000 bits per second, MosesSPOOL! transfers data across the wire at 2,000,000 bits per second--the same speed as many Local Area Networks.

Moses officials predict that Moses SPOOL! will open up a completely new channel of distribution to the company, namely that of traditional office equipment stores. "Office equipment and supply dealers have been afraid to carry Local Area Networks for many years, and rightly so, because of the heavy support issues," said Berko. "The entire Moses line-up of 'plug-and-play' peer-to-peer networks and the new MosesSPOOL! printer sharing system eliminate this concern."

All Moses products, including MosesSPOOL!, require no hardware jumper settings, nor do they require the addition or configuration of any external devices. All printer sharing selections are made through the software. MosesSPOOL! also differs from many competing printer sharing devices in that it uses no specialized transmitters, receivers, multiplexers or other terminating devices. Moses uses a simple interface card which is as easy to install as a simple joystick or I/O card--much simpler than a modem or sound card.

"With MosesSPOOL!, there is one easy setup (the manual is only 12 pages long), and everything works like clockwork from there," continued Berko. "MosesSPOOL! retains network speeds, but gets rid of the network overhead. It's the only system one needs to share printers, yet it's easily upgradable when one wants to load programs between PC's, share files, send E-mail and perform other true network tasks."

All Moses products are easily installed by the user, with no need for a network consultant or integrator, and no hubbing, transmission repeating or complex wiring issues. MosesSPOOL! takes the process one step further than Moses networks by eliminating all software setup other than printer sharing.

Only Printer Sharing Device With Full LAN Compatibility

Attaching the MosesSPOOL! directly to the PC's bus, instead of the parallel port, makes it upwardly compatible to a full-blown network and eliminates the slower performance and printer placement limitations inherent to parallel port printer sharing devices. With MosesSPOOL!, users can place printers at any PC and use them from any other PC, rather than placing all printers in one physical location controlled by the transmitter, receiver or printer sharing hub.

"No other printer sharing device, including models from ASP, Buffalo Products, PC Interlink and Printmax, are able to be upgraded to a LAN without losing one's entire investment in the system," noted Berko.

"With MosesSPOOL!, all software and cabling stays the same--you don't even have to open the box again to upgrade," concluded Berko. "The simple installation of a network program will switch the printer sharing system to a true Local Area Network operating at 4,000,000 bits per second."

MosesSPOOL! can be upgraded to any of Moses' LAN products. These include the company's flagship product, ChosenLAN, which can be expanded to a network of 53 PC's; the popular PromiseLAN, which is also sold in bundles with networkable application software titles by Paciolli, DacEasy and Enable; company bestsellers MosesALL! and MosesALL! IV; and Moses' new laptop-compatible MosesSWIFT! and MosesDOCK! "single-user" LAN systems.

MosesSPOOL! will begin shipping in September for $179 MSRP per two-node starter kit, with expected street prices of less than $125 to hook up two computers. Additional nodes can be purchased for additional PC's, and an external peripheral for printing from a laptop computer to a desktop PC will also be made available. For more information, contact Moses Computers, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 201, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Telephone: (408) 358-1550.


ARDI Executor/DOS Mac Emulator Swr
ARDI To Release of Macintosh Emulator, Executor/DOS

August 2, 1993 -- While Apple has been trying to boldly go forward with its 80X86 project code-named Star Trek, ARDI, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based ISV, has even more boldly gone first and announces the introduction of a product that allows 80X86-based PCs to run unmodified Macintosh software. The product is Executor/DOS, a Macintosh emulator that combines ARDI's efficient 68040 synthetic CPU and their reverse engineered system software.

ARDI is eager to make its emulation technology accessible to the average user and is marketing its first release of Executor/DOS as an interoperability tool with an introductory price of $99.00. That makes ARDI's product less expensive than some utilities which only read and write Macintosh formatted disks. As an introductory version, Executor/DOS 1.0 has some limitations--no support for: color, sound System 7, AppleTalk, or Script Manager. In addition, many larger applications don't work yet. Executor/DOS 2.0, slated for a May 1994 release, will clean up these problems, but in the meantime users will have access to many Macintosh applications and a preview of what it is like to run Macintosh applications on a PC.

ARDI also wants to debunk the common assumption that the hidden price of cross-platform compatibility is poor performance. ARDI has solved the performance problem through the use of dynamic recompilation in their synthetic CPU and their efficient reimplimentation of the system software. The results are applications that run with what Executor users describe as "impressive" speed.

ARDI is the leader in Macintosh emulation technology and offers consumers the most 'wallet friendly' package. Currently there are four major competitors in the emulation market: NuTek with expensive hardware; Xcelerated System's Liken that requires the user to obtain system software from Apple; Quorum Equal which runs only on expensive RISC hardware. And although Apple has not yet released a product, all information suggests that their 68040 emulator will work only on the Power PC and be slower than ARDI's synthetic CPU on the Power PC.

ARDI has few competitors primarily due to the severe technological challenges involved in making efficient emulators, but also due to the perceived climate of hostility projected by Apple Legal. From a legal standpoint, ARDI is well-positioned and has been shipping a version of Executor for the NeXT workstation for 18 months with no challenge from Apple. In fact, ARDI was the first company to ship binary Macintosh-compatible products that do not require system software from Apple Computer Inc.

ARDI founder and president, Clifford T. Matthews, states: "ARDI is immune to legal challenges because Executor was developed using strictly clean room techniques and we have never disassembled any of the Mac ROMs and System File." In addition, he claims that, "From a look and feel perspective, compared to Quorum's endeavors, Apple will prefer our technology because it doesn't attempt to disguise the origins of the applications running under it."

Executor/DOS and Executor NeXTSTEP are only the first two members of ARDI's product family. In the works are an X-Windows and Windows NT versions of Executor for the Alpha, MIPS and SPARC processors.

Abacus Research and Development, Inc. (ARDI) is a privately held Delaware corporation with a primary office located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. ARDI markets binary Macintosh compatible products that do not require system software from Apple Computer, Inc.

ARDI, 1650 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

505-766-9115,  fax 505-247-1899


Cascade Tech. Enhances BBS Service
CASCADE TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES ENHANCED BULLETIN BOARD SERVICE

(July 30, 1993; New York, NY) Cascade Technologies announced today that they are now offering clients a significantly improved bulletin board system. This improved service provides an entirely new interface, as well as many new options.

The new bulletin board service allows two callers to access the system simultaneously. Callers may send and receive message to Cascade personnel. The new system lists system updates and enhancements along with an appropriate description of the each update. Callers also may define user parameters, including transfer protocol and baud rate. Callers may also use the system to download technical memorandum and view the latest schedule of classes being offered at the Cascade Learning Center in New York. Finally, at any time during a call, with the user's request, a Cascade representative has the ability to "take control" of the call in order to provide assistance to the user.

According to Liz Seiter, Vice President of Client Services at Cascade Technologies, "We've tried to create an easy to use, full-featured bulletin board system, which provides clients with as much information as possible. Not only can they find out when upcoming classes are scheduled, but they may download technical memos which correspond to their specific questions. Altogether, the new bulletin board service rounds out our comprehensive range of support services."

Founded in 1985, Cascade Technologies is a New York-based software developer. The firm specializes in defined contribution administration, interactive voice response, and call center systems. Cascade's products have been recognized for excellence by IBM Corporation and Voice Processing Magazine.

Cascade Technologies Inc

1430 Broadway 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018-3308

212-768-7380,, fax 212-768-7806


Aldus Ships PageMaker 5.0 for Macintosh
Aldus ships PageMaker 5.0 for the Macintosh

SEATTLE, August 2, 1993--Aldus Corporation today began shipping Aldus PageMaker 5.0 for the Apple Macintosh in the U S. This version introduces a significant set of new product features, as well as enhanced services that are designed specifically for graphic design and production professionals.

"From the very start, Aldus PageMaker 5.0 has been designed to be the best professional page-layout program available," said Lori Birtley, senior product marketing manager. "Its more than 100 features improve PageMaker's precision, control, integration, and versatility. Our new service enhancements will help graphics professionals maximize their productivity with this upgrade."

Version 5.0' s most important new features include a revamped printing engine, advanced text and graphics controls, broader import and export capabilities, and new, professional Additions that extend PageMaker' s functionality for special publishing needs. The service enhancements include a 24-hour technical support line, an increased number of Aldus Imaging Centers, and a rebate offer available through these service providers.

Professional features

The PostScript printing code in PageMaker 5.0 has been completely rewritten. Printing speeds, including those for background printing, are up to twice as fast as those of the nearest competitor. In addition, customers can now print non-consecutive pages and page ranges, and can easily add printers' marks (such as crop, registration, and plate identification marks) to their output.

A new Addition enables users to save oft-used print settings and to send multiple files with unique settings to different output devices simultaneously. Other new printing features include an Addition for simple page-imposition, diagnostic messages of PostScript-printing errors, and the ability to print multiple EPS files of publication pages at once.

Moreover, PageMaker now outputs process-color separations and can convert spot colors to process for all imported and user-defined colors.

Version 5.0' s advanced text and graphics controls features include the option to rotate and skew text and graphics in 0.01-degree increments, as well as flip them horizontally and vertically. PageMaker users can edit rotated text and crop rotated graphics directly in page-layout view.

The program's Control palette has been significantly enhanced in the Macintosh version. Not only can customers precisely place and size both text and graphics through the palette, but they can also use it to apply type attributes, such as font, size, and leading; define and apply paragraph attributes, such as styles and alignment; shift baselines and nudge objects; and apply transformations, such as skewing, rotation, and flipping.

Broader import and export capabilities include support for automatic compression and decompression of TIFF images; the option to link (or embed, through OLE) any EPS or TIFF graphic; and the ability to send only cropped image data to the printer to reduce printing times.

Several new Aldus Additions included with PageMaker 5.0 enhance the product's typographic capabilities: Expert Kerning automatically adjusts the spacing between characters, for example, and Edit Tracks customizes font tracking information on a point-size basis.

Expanded support services for professionals

For the first time, Aldus is offering 24-hour phone support to first-time purchasers of PageMaker for 90 days, starting from the date of their first call. Thereafter, this round-the-clock assistance is available through select Aldus CustomerFirst support subscriptions.

Membership in the nationwide Aldus Imaging Center Program has been boosted by the number of service providers who joined the program to benefit from the power of the PageMaker 5.0 release. Because members receive targeted, high-level technical support directly from Aldus, they can provide PageMaker 5.0 customers with quality output and even faster service. The imaging centers are also part of a short-term promotion with Aldus to offer a $25 rebate to customers upgrading to PageMaker 5.0.

System requirements

The recommended system configuration for PageMaker 5.0 is any Apple Macintosh II series, Quadra, or SE/30 computer, System 7.0 or later, 5-8MB of RAM, and an 80MB hard drive. The minimum configuration is an Apple Macintosh LC series or Classic II, System 6.0.7, 4MB of RAM, and a 20MB hard drive. It will print to any PostScript- or QuickDraw-compatible laser printer or imagesetter.

Pricing and availability

Aldus PageMaker 5.0 for the Macintosh is available now for a suggested retail price of $895 (U.S.). Customers who purchased a retail copy of version 4.2 after January 1, 1993, are eligible to receive 5.0 free with a product registration card and a dated proof of purchase. Those who upgraded to version 4.2 from an earlier version may purchase 5.0 directly from Aldus for $75 (U.S.). All other owners of an earlier version of PageMaker for the Macintosh may purchase 5.0 for $150 (U.S.) from either Aldus or an Aldus reseller. Greater discounts apply for customers who have a service contract with Aldus.

Until August 31, 1993, PageMaker customers in the United States are also eligible for a $25 rebate on the upgrade price of PageMaker 5.0 for either Macintosh or Windows. Rebate coupons are available from Aldus Imaging Centers; for a list of these service providers, customers may call (800) 685-3501 from a fax machine and request Document #499906.

For more information on CustomerFirst, customers should call (206) 628-2320. Businesses interested in the Aldus Imaging Center Program should call Aldus at (206) 628-4513.

Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ:ALDC) creates computer software solutions that help people throughout the world effectively communicate information and ideas. The company focuses on three lines of business: applications for the professional publishing and prepress markets; applications for the general consumer market; and service and support programs for professional end-users. Aldus has subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim serving a worldwide network of dealers and distributors.

Aldus Corp

411 First Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104

206-622-5500


Panasonic Electronic Filing System
PANASONIC ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM COMBINES BROAD ARRAY OF FEATURES AND USER BENEFITS WITH LOW, END-USER PRICE

SECAUCUS, NJ -- The speed of a 40 pages per minute scanner and capacity of a magneto-optical drive are now available for under $15,000 in a new Electronic Filing System introduced by Panasonic Communications & Systems Company. "After analyzing the potential market and needs of potential end-users, Panasonic is introducing the KV-F51, that is a breakthrough, a turnkey Electronic Filing System at an unprecedented price performance level," said Steven Yuhas, President of Panasonic Communications & Systems Company, headquartered here.

The new Panasonic System offers high-level functionality dedicated to document filing. It features: (1) a letter-sized liquid crystal display that can be turned vertically or horizontally, (2) high speed scanning at 40 pages per minute and printing at 4 pages per minute, (3) a magneto-optical disk drive, and (4) a choice of either thermal or plain paper printer output.

With a thermal printer, the suggested end-user price of the Panasonic Electronic Filing System is just under $15,000; with plain paper printer output, the suggested end-user price is slightly over $16,000.

"Based on our extensive research of this fast booming electronic market," continued Steven Yuhas, "no other complete system currently offers the price performance of 3.5" magneto-optical drive, full page screen, 40 pages per minute scan rate, and compact design of the KV-F51. Optional communication capabilities allow users to add group 3 fax, SCSI-2, or Ethernet connections, to access the stored information at the next desk or around the world."

The KV-F51 offers flexibility in filing. (1) With Cabinet style filing, the user can select from up to 8 cabinets, 16 drawers, and 128 folders per disk. (2) With Key Word filing, documents can be filed under a matrix of 8 categories of 80 words each, with up to 640 key words to choose from. (3) With Box style filing, the storage disk is divided into 32 boxes and users can file documents in the proper box.

Input, Storage, Output

A user can scan, display and store documents on the optical disk at 40 pages per minute using a choice of single document scan, divided scan, or batch scan entry. Retrieval is easy, offering a choice of retrieval by document name, image index, or document display method. Flexible Document display features offer a choice of standard size, viewpage, enlarge magnification window using the mouse.

A user can print either full documents or selected unique notepad feature allows notes to be added to documents without disturbing the original image.

Unified Components

The Panasonic Electronic Filing System, designated KV-F51, is a totally integrated and compact unit, small enough to fit on a secretarial desk's return. The display is a rotatable 8 1/2" x 11" back-lit, virtual resolution liquid crystal display with 1280 x 960 dot configuration, each dot 4.4mm across. This enables users to view an entire legal-size page on the screen at one time in either landscape or portrait mode.

When being used as a scanner, the system accepts 40 letter-size pages per minute and documents in various sizes from 3" x 6" check size to 8 1/2" x 14" legal size with 200 x 200 dots per inch, a 32 unit gray scale, a 400 x 400 dots per inch superfine mode and photo mode, and an easy-to-use reverse gravity paper feed. The high speed facilitates rapid entry of documents, especially so with its standard 50 page Automatic Document Feeder.

There is a choice of printers. A thermal printer with 200 dots per inch operates at 4 pages per minute. If a user wants plain paper printout, a LED printer is available. It has 300 dots per inch resolution and operates at 4 pages per minute.

The KV-F51 comes standard with: a 3 1/2" magneto-optical 128 megabyte drive which stores approximately 3000 pages per disk, and a 3 1/2" floppy disk drive.

The Panasonic Electronic Filing System comes standard with interfaces: a video interface that connects the printer/scanner to the central unit, an SCSI-2 interface to connect the optional optical drives, a flatbed scanner or a jukebox, and an RS232C interface. The unit comes with a 2-button mouse. The keyboard is an ASCII standard keyboard with 10 function keys and two special function programmable keys.

Panasonic Communications & Systems Company offers a broad line of electronic products for automated office use including: computer products, printers, copiers, facsimile, electronic typewriters, and peripherals. Panasonic Communications & Systems Company is a division of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America.

Panasonic Communications & Systems Company

Two Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094


Source Code Escrows for Small Developer
Source Code Escrows for the Small Developer

Fidex Americas Corporation announces a source code escrow service targeted to meet the needs of independent software developers and their clients. Now there's an answer when a potential client asks "What happens to me if the programmer who wrote my custom software gets hit by a truck?"

More than half the software companies in the U.S. employ three people or less. These small developers offer unsurpassed expertise, responsiveness, and pricing. At the same time, though, a single accident can put a company like this out of business. So a potential client may hesitate to entrust their crucial project to a small developer.

The crux of the problem is that, according to U.S. Copyright Law, a custom software program is the property of the software developer who wrote it, not the client who paid to have it written. The software developer retains exclusive possession of the source code files used to create the software, and gives their client only the executable program that actually runs on the computer. Without access to the source code, the software created from it cannot be modified.

If a custom program needs to be updated and the developer who wrote the software is out of business, what can the user do? The new Software Security Service from Fidex Americas Corporation gives the software developer a way to alleviate their client's legitimate concern.

The concept is simple: in order to guarantee that their client's custom software will be maintained for as long as they need it--in other words, to guarantee that their client's investment in custom software does not become worthless--the software developer deposits a copy of the source code with Fidex Americas Corporation.

The source code is accompanied by a written agreement between the developer and client detailing the events that trigger release of the source code to the client. The deposit materials are stored by Fidex Americas in a climate controlled subterranean vault, while both the software developer and their client rest easy.

Fidex Americas Corp

821 Fir St, Sandpoint, ID 83864

208-263-5348,  800-569-7569,  fax 208-265-4191


Five new Expert Software Titles for Windows
Expert Software Expands Into Low Cost Windows Market With Five New Titles

Expert to pioneer value-oriented Windows market

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA (July 28, 1993) - Expert Software, Inc., known for its popular, value-oriented MS-DOS and Macintosh programs, has entered the Windows market with the release of five exciting new titles. Expert Software today began shipping Expert Home Design, Landscape Design, Travel Planner, Maps, and Fonts. All five programs have a Suggested Retail Price of only $14.95.

"We expect nothing short of success from our best value Windows line," said Sue Currier, president of Expert Software, Inc. "Expert Home Design, Landscape Design, Travel Planner, and Maps already occupy all the leading hot and best seller DOS lists and Expert Fonts represents one of the most popular categories in the software market."

Expert Home Design for Windows is a powerful program offering all the characteristics of a CAD program except difficulty of 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 Landscape Design for Windows makes it easy to design your landscape quickly. Just click on a tool icon and draw! Its extensive toolbar with fully editable tools makes it simple to create complex shapes, bezier curves, boxes, circles, and much, much, more. Plus, it is the only landscape Windows program to offer one step Zoom In/Out tools and the ability to access objects from the toolbar.

Expert Travel Planner for Windows can plan your trip to any destination using its extensive network of Freeways, Tollways, and Primary and Secondary Roads within the continental U.S. It computes, displays and prints your specified route, detailed itinerary, and travel information.

Expert Maps for Windows makes it simple to quickly access world data, flags, time zones, topographic maps and more from push button icons on the toolbar. Expert Maps also allows a user to view over 120 flags, measure distances between any two points on your map, and customize any map by adding lines, text, circles, and more using the drawing tools.

Expert Fonts for Windows is a selection of 100 Serif, Sans Serif, Script and Decorative fonts, carefully selected to insure that you will have the ideal typeface for every job. Expert Fonts for Windows can adorn your business or personal writing with its True Type fonts for Windows 3.1 or higher.

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.


Velveteen Rabbit, How Toys Become Real (CDROM)
Redding, California -- Aug. 1, 1993, TWI announces the release of: THE VELVETEEN RABBIT or HOW TOYS BECOME REAL

A CD ROM Interactive Children's Book for the Multimedia Personal Computer (MPC)

A CLASSIC AND FAMILY FAVORITE COMES TO LIFE IN A NEW AND EXCITING WAY WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:

* ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORES IN DIGITAL STEREO ENHANCE THE WHIMSICAL AND FANCIFUL NATURE OF THIS CLASSIC.

* DIGITIZED REAL LIFE VOICES OF THE MAIN STORY TELLER AND SEVEN CHARACTERS COME TO LIFE IN A WAY NEVER BEFORE BROUGHT TO YOU ON MIXED MODE CD ROM.

* COLORFUL GRAPHICS WITH HOT CHARACTERS WILL DELIGHT THE CHILD'S IMAGINATION AND DRAW HIM INTO THE STORY.

* WORD DEFINITIONS AND WORD PRONUNCIATIONS SPOKEN BY THE ORIGINAL CHARACTERS ARE A POWERFUL LEARNING TOOL.

* A CD ROM STORY THAT CAN BE RUN INTERACTIVELY OR PASSIVELY.

* THE TUTORIAL HELPS BUILD COMPUTER SKILLS WHILE SHOWING THE CHILD OR ADULT HOW TO USE THE PROGRAM.

* THIS CLASSIC STORY IS LISTED IN THE CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S RECOMMENDED READING IN LITERATURE PUBLICATION, THIRD THROUGH SIXTH GRADE.

* PRODUCED FOR USE WITH MICROSOFT WINDOWS VERSION 3.0 WITH MULTIMEDIA EXTENSIONS OR MICROSOFT WINDOWS VERSION 3.1 OR LATER PC/MPC

Suggested Retail Price $59.95   ISBN 1-884117-00-7

Trans World Intertainment

133 Woodhill Dr, Redding, CA 96003-2917

800-578-1545,  916-246-0738


Service Call Tracker (SCT)
ANNOUNCING: SERVICE CALL TRACKER (SCT)

Nashville, Tennessee, August 2 1993 -- Custom Micro Software, (CMS), a Division of Computer Maintenance Service, Inc. (CMS), is pleased to announce a new product just released for Companies in the "Service Industry".

Service Call Tracker (SCT), a product like no other in this industry. This product is so easy to use and maintain, that you will begin running your service department the same day you install it. There is absolutely no need whatsoever for you to ever pick-up a training manual. Work orders are produced effortlessly. You have the ability to view and sort work orders according to your needs. There are 30 useful reports at your fingertips, including, Detailed listings of all Open, Closed, and Archived Work Orders. Printing is a breeze. Referencing a work order is no longer a hassle, automated windows let know. Dual level password protection. Our programmers have designed this software to be very user friendly with special "help" and "pop-up" windows. Demo's available.

Custom Micro Software

4825 Trousdale Drive Suite 203, Nashville, TN 37220

(615) 399-0055,  fax 615-831-9563


1993-94 Mega Movie Guide Multimedia CD-ROM
1993-94 MEGA MOVIE GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE IN MULTIMEDIA CD-ROM FOR WINDOWS VERSION

$59.95 Software Title Contains Nearly 60,000 Movie Reviews, Two Hours of Film Clips, Plus Extensive Search Features By Rating, Actor, Director, Category or Awards

August 4, 1993 -- (OREM, UT) -- InfoBusiness, Inc., has released its second multimedia CD-ROM in as many months: the 1993-94 Mega Movie Guide Multimedia CD-ROM for Windows. The multimedia version of this popular title will add two hours of film clips, bibliographies, an easy, attractive user interface--plus thousands of new movie reviews to raise the total to nearly 60,000, from Birth of A Nation through Jurassic Park according to InfoBusiness president Bryan H. Barron.

"It is the intent and goal of the Mega Movie Guide to provide the most comprehensive, economical, up-to-date and easy-to-use source for obtaining data on any film ever made," said Barron. In addition to offering more than three times the movies of other popular movie guides (58,000 vs. 19,000 reviews), the new Mega Movie Guide offers some key features not found on other movie databases, such as the ability to search on the movie's run time, MPAA expanded rating, place of origin, B&W or color designation, and availability on video.

The more than 35 film clips which will be featured on the new Mega Movie Guide will range in length from two to four minutes and will contain classic scenes from some of the most popular films of all time. Performers include Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy and Susan Hayward.

The software's true value lies in its comprehensive scope, aggressive price, and rapid search engine. "The Mega Movie Guide combines entertainment with comprehensive research capability on movies, actors and directors; it also takes the guesswork out of picking a good movie," said Barron. "This remarkable compilation reviews more than 1,000 four-star films, as well as several thousand international films and the entire listing of all major Academy Award winners and nominees since 1927-28."

Two other powerful features are a compilation of the Greatest Hits of The Decade for every ten-year period since the 1920's, based on a combination of critic's picks and popular ticket sales; plus the ability to personalize one's disc by saving an unlimited number of personal notes about the film (likes, dislikes, how many times seen, which video stores carry a title, etc.). The Mega Movie Guide user can now search on their own opinions.

In addition to nearly 60,000 primary movie reviews, more than 5,000 movies include second, more extensive reviews by popular movie critics. One can also search by actor or actress (e.g., all films with Dustin Hoffman or Elizabeth Taylor); director (e.g., all films directed by Steven Spielberg or Frank Capra); Academy Awards or Greatest Hits of the Decades.

In addition, one can search by genre (comedy, western, romance, suspense, etc.); foreign language (with entire reviews in French and Spanish); documentaries and made-for-TV films; even for length of the movie. Searches also can combine several criteria, e.g., French films with three- to four-star ratings, or all Dustin Hoffman films that won Academy Awards.

Movie trivia fans can find the answer to an array of questions, such as were there any movies starring Jack Nicholson and directed by Sidney Pollack. Users also have the ability to print out the results of their searches for a "shopping guide" at the video store. In addition, InfoBusiness issues frequent updates to the Mega Movie Guide, so one is always up to date on the latest movies to assist their searches.

Powerful Windows Features Speed Up and Simplify Searches

The Mega Movie Guide Multimedia CD-ROM for Windows unites live action film on video, still photos, audio, massive amounts of text and interactive participation. The Windows interface allows split-second access to information, as well as the ability to perform instant searches on highlighted terms simply by double clicking, using literally thousands of hyper links. The software also allows the user to place an unlimited number of bookmarks, notes and multi-color highlights to assist even further in one's searches.

"The Mega Movie Guide Multimedia CD-ROM for Windows provides the golden key for unlocking the treasure chest of the world's cinematic wealth," said Barron. "It's easy enough for a child to operate, yet comprehensive enough to do serious research on film history."

The Mega Movie Guide Multimedia CD-ROM for Windows is expected to ship in mid-August. MSRP for the title is $59.95, with updates planned for twice a year. Barron said that the first shipping version of the Mega Movie Guide Multimedia CD-ROM for Windows will cover all of the popular summer movies of 1993, from Jurassic Park and The Firm to Dennis the Menace and Sleepless in Seattle.

InfoBusiness, Inc., was founded in 1991 to help PC users "turn information into knowledge, knowledge into wisdom, and wisdom into life." The company also creates information databases (or "infobases") for some of the largest corporations, government agencies, universities and computer companies in the world. The company's other bestselling titles include Government Giveaways for Entrepreneurs Multimedia CD-ROM (which recently began shipping), Government Giveaways for Entrepreneurs (floppy disks), Lesko 's Info-Power, Lesko 's Computerized Federal Data Base Finder, The Great American Gripe Disk, Information USA CD-ROM, The Ultimate Job Finder, The Computerized Standard Industrial Code (SIC), Mega Movie Guide 's Greatest Hits (floppy disks), Roger Ebert 's Deluxe Computerized Movie Home Companion and the Computerized WordPerfect 5.1 Manual.

For more information, contact InfoBusiness, Inc., 887 S. Orem Blvd., Orem, Utah 84058. The company can be reached at (801)221-1100, fax: (801) 225-0817, order hotline: (800) 657-5300.


Pro CD Mid-Year ProPhone Updates
DESKTOP MARKETING HAS ARRIVED

Pro CD Releases 7 Disc Mid 1993 Update

Marblehead, MA August 9,1993. Pro CD announced it is has released the 1993 Mid-Year Update to its successful CD-ROM title - ProPhone, a collection of the nation's white page listings.

The third release of the product represents a significant breakthrough in the availability of current directory information and the ability for users to make use of the information in an unlimited fashion. The Mid-Year Update contains over 27 million new listings. The retrieval software has been modified to allow users to export the date each listing was published, SIC Codes and number of employees for most businesses. ProPhone contains over 77,000,000 white page listings and is packaged on seven CD-ROMs.

A feature that allows users to export an unlimited number of listings to their hard disks sets ProPhone apart from other electronic directory products. Once the listings have been downloaded they can be imported in database, spreadsheet, word processing, mapping or contact management programs. Pro CD provides a limited license to end users that permits them to use the listings for their own direct marketing use, thus eliminating the need to rent compiled mailing lists.

According to Jim Bryant, Pro CD's President and a pioneer in CD-ROM publishing, "ProPhone has emerged as one of the most compelling business applications on CD-ROM. Our product has simply redefined how businesses obtain lists of marketing contacts and access directory information. Our customers are taking advantage of ProPhone's unique ability to export large numbers of records, which can then be used for a wide variety of desktop marketing and market analysis applications."

Pro CD also announced that it was providing registered end users with a complementary copy of AccuMail CD-ROM when they upgrade to the Mid Year Update. AccuMail, which is published by Group 1 Software, contains the U S Postal Service's entire Zip + 4 database. The CD-ROM product allows users to append Zip + 4 and carrier route codes to their address databases and was designed to correct address records that may otherwise be undeliverable.

Registered end-users can upgrade to the Mid-Year Edition of ProPhone and receive a free copy of AccuMail for only $129. New users can purchase ProPhone at the suggested list price of $449.

ProPhone contains the published listings contained in every white page telephone directory in the United States. Each listing contains the complete mailing address, telephone number, and date of publication. Most business listings contain the type of business or SIC Code and the number of employees. ProPhone consists of seven CDROMs including a national business edition that can be searched by SIC Codes or types of business, and six regional titles that can be searched by telephone number, address or name. The program is accessible from any standard 80X86 computer equipped with a CDROM drive.

Pro CD, Inc., a privately held firm based in Marblehead, MA, is committed to changing the way people access directory information.

Pro CD Inc

8 Doaks Lane, Little Harbor, Marblehead, MA 01945

617-631-9200,  fax 617-631-0810


AST Reduces Prices on Premmia High-Perf Systems
AST REDUCES PRICES ON PREMMIA HIGH-PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS, LOW-RADIATION MONITORS

Sets New Price Levels for Premium Desktop Systems

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 2, 1993 -- AST Research Inc. today reduced prices on its Premmia high-performance desktop systems by as much as 20 percent, establishing new price levels for premium desktops within the computer industry. At the same time, the company reduced prices on its line of ASTVision color monitors.

AST's Premmia desktop systems feature an array of advanced technologies -- a sophisticated local-bus graphics design including LocalMotion video acceleration, a 32bit EISA I/O bus, Pentium upgradeability, zero-wait-state second-level cache and security features for both individual and network computing environments.

"The Premmia PC, with its sophisticated feature set, is ideal for computing in critical business environments," said Larry Fortmuller, AST's director of high performance systems marketing. "AST is taking a leadership role in establishing prices for this class of product to make this level of performance more widely available to corporate end users."

Sufficient volume sales of the Premmia systems introduced in March 1993, combined with increased efficiencies in manufacturing, allow price reductions to be implemented at this time.

Premmia estimated sales prices now range from approximately $1,500 for a base model Premmia 4/33s equipped with an Intel 486SX, 33MHz microprocessor, to $2,800 for a fully configured Premmia 4/66d, featuring a 486DX2, 66MHz CPU. This represents an end user savings from 9 to 20 percent. Prices are effective Aug. 2, 1993 and Premmia systems are available in volume from resellers nationwide.

Premmia PCs are Intel-based and are equipped with 8MB of memory expandable to 128MB, with the exception of the Premmia 4/33s and 4/33 Model 3 which feature 4MB of RAM, 128MB maximum. Models 173W and 343W feature MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 preinstalled, a mouse and mouse pad, with a 170MB hard drive and 340MB hard drive, respectively.

AST Premmia PCs are backed by a full three-year parts and labor warranty, including free one-year on-site and two-year carry-in. AST also has one of the industry's most comprehensive service and support programs available -- lifetime toll-free Technical Support via a hot line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; AST OnLine! bulletin board service and AST Info-FAX also available 24 hours, 7 days a week providing access to a broad selection of technical support documentation.

ASTVision Low-Radiation Monitors

ASTVision high-quality color monitors are ideal for graphic-intensive Windows-based applications. The multi-scanning operation delivers enhanced flexibility in graphics resolution and refresh rates. Also, end users are able to define horizontal and vertical image size through digital controls. Formats range from 14 to 17 inches and meet the Swedish MPR II low-radiation standard. AST also has lowered the price on its 14-inch non-interlaced monitor.

New ASTVision estimated sales prices range from $365 to approximately $900 and are effective Aug. 2, 1993. This is from 4 to 45 percent lower than estimated sales prices of comparable monitors offered by competitors.

Corporate Background

AST Research Inc., a prominent market share holder in desktop, file server and notebook computers, ranked No. 367 on the 1992 Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial companies. The company is represented in 100 countries and operates 41 international subsidiaries and sales offices.

In July 1993 AST acquired Tandy Corp's PC manufacturing business. According to International Data Corp., a Framingham, Mass.-based market research firm, the acquisition makes AST the No. 4 U.S. and No. 6 worldwide personal computer company, based on the most current calendar year 1992 unit volume shipment data. These figures include Tandy and GRiD brands manufactured by AST and encompass all domestic and worldwide distribution channels.

AST's award-winning product lines include AST-branded desktop, file server and notebook computers, as well as GRiD and Victor-branded desktop, notebook and pen-enabled systems.

AST's corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone: (714) 727-4141 or (800) 876-4278. Fax: (714) 727-9355.


Super Art with SuperPaint 3.5
New Guide Shows SuperPaint Artists How to Make Their Graphics Scream

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA -- Super Art with SuperPaint 3.5 is for experienced SuperPaint artists who want to know more about the latest version of the program than they can learn from the user's guide. Evelyn Alemanni's instruction is just what you would expect from a SuperPaint expert who's received three Awards of Excellence from the Society of Technical Communication --authoritative, in-depth, and effective.

Filled with nearly 200 quality SuperPaint images and screen illustrations, this power-user's handbook demonstrates step by step how to:

* Scan full-color graphics directly into SuperPaint with TWAIN

* Use QuickTime movie support

* Use pressure-sensitive tools to create gradients and textures

* Work with the latest plug-ins

* Customize the toolbox

* Create text effects and design custom fonts

* Incorporate 3.5's new templates and textures into your graphics

Covers System 7.1 compatibility

About the Author:

Evelyn Alemanni is a professional documentation writer who wrote the SuperPaint users manual for Aldus/Silicon Beach.

Super Art with SuperPaint 35

Alemanni

Order No. 4495

Available: August 1993

Paper $19.95 ISBN 0-8306-4556-X

256 pp., 197 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


Running Windows on LANtastic
New Book Provides Maximum Windows Performance for LANtastic Networks

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--From program installation and system configuration to file sharing and remote access, Running Windows on LANtastic gives network managers and users the tools they need to plan, implement, and maintain fast, trouble free Windows operations in the LANtastic environment.

Written in terms novices can understand, yet detailed enough to meet the reference needs of experienced users, no other book provides such a comprehensive, in-depth look at what it takes to run Windows and Windows applications productively on a LANtastic network. Michael S. Montgomery covers all the vital issues:

* Program installation

* Windows customization

* File sharing

* Server and workstation performance

* Dynamic Data Exchange

* Management utilities

* Network configuration

* Data security and backups

* Remote access

* Network printing

* Object Linking and Embedding

Covers Windows 3.0-3.1 and LANtastic 4.0-4.1

About the Author:

Michael S. Montgomery manages a CAD department for a large architectural firm. He is the author of Networking with LANtastic.

Running Windows on LANtastic

Montgomery

Order No. 4423

Available: August 1993

Paper $22.95 ISBN 0-8306-4447-4

Hard $34.95 ISBN 0-8306-4446-6

304 pp., 100 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


Paradox Relational Database Advisor
Paradox Beginners Can Create Relational Databases

A guide for entry-level users of Paradox 3.5 and 4.0 for DOS

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--Even Paradox beginners can be their own database consultants with The Paradox Relational Database Advisor: Elements of Database Design. Novice business users faced with setting up their first Paradox database will find a set of easy-to-follow guidelines for each phase in the database design process. More experienced users will learn how to create versatile systems that fit a wide variety of business needs and hardware environments.

To help readers take full advantage of Paradox, emphasis is placed on moving beyond traditional flat-file or hierarchical systems to creating sophisticated libraries with common informational links. Real-world examples are used to illustrate principles and techniques for building true relational databases, giving readers the know-how to plan, implement, and maintain large but efficient Paradox systems.

Case studies provide hands-on experience with four different database applications

Graphic icons identify key concepts, important terms, and mistakes made in each case study, with corrections provided

About the Author:

Kimberly Maughan Saunders is a computer consultant who provides system analysis and strategic design services, including extensive database design and programming, for clients in industries as diverse as manufacturing broker services, and law. Ms. Saunders has been a featured speaker on relational database design and other PC database issues at the first two International Paradox User's Conferences.

The Paradox Relational Database Advisor:

Elements of Database Design

Saunders

Order No. 4129

Available: July 1993

Paper $21.95 ISBN 0-8306-3859-8

304 pp., 138 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


OS/2 Extra! VIO, KBD and MOU Special Functions
FOUND! . . . The Missing OS/2 Documentation

All the keyboard, mouse, and video functions that drive OS/2 programmers crazy

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--This exclusive guide fills the gap in the official documentation for OS/2 2.0-2.1. Programmers have been demanding IBM's secret to writing high-powered character-mode functions for OS/2 applications . . . and OS/2 Extra! VIO, KBD, and MOU Special Functions Revealed has it!

Answers the questions OS/2 programmers ask most online

The information furnished here can't be found anywhere else in printed form. This convenient, low-priced volume contains undocumented OS/2 keyboard, mouse, and video calls previously available only online.

IBM approved!

About the Editors:

An internationally recognized authority on the C programming language, Len Dorfman is a principal for a software development firm specializing in programmers' tools. A compiler design specialist, Marc J. Neuberger created the first successful Paradox-to-C translator.

OS/2 Extra! VIO, KBD, and MOU Special Functions Revealed

Dorfman/Neuberger

Order No. 4504

Available: August 1993

Paper $19.95 ISBN 0-8306-4567-5

208 pp., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


Microsoft FoxPro 2.5 Programming
New Book Shows Users How to Customize FoxPro

Practical, real-world FoxPro programming strategies

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--Now updated for the latest version of FoxPro, Microsoft FoxPro 2.5 Programming contains more than 150 full-length programs demonstrating every aspect of FoxPro database development.

"Les's book takes an interesting and different approach to explaining how to design FoxPro programs," says Walter Kennamer, a software design engineer for Microsoft, in the foreword. "He draws a distinction between menu-driven and event-driven programming and goes into substantial detail on the advantages and disadvantages of each technique." The result, Kennamer explains, is "a book that should be helpful to all FoxPro users."

The applications were derived from actual applications Les Pinter has written for his clients, Examples show users how to develop customized applications complete with data conversion, parent-child editing, event handling, access, browse, list management, and many other valuable functions. Pinter demonstrates how to deal with:

* Screen Builder

* Project manager

* File structures and CDXs

* Menu Builder

* Spreadsheets in FoxPro

* Color management

* Multiuser support

* 1-to-many relationships

Includes a side-by-side comparison of menu-driven and event-driven programming techniques

About the Author:

Les Pinter is president of Pinter Consulting, a firm specializing in FoxPro applications. He is the publisher of the Pinter FoxPro Letter, an internationally recognized publication for professional FoxPro programmers.

Microsoft FoxPro 2.5 Programming

Pinter

Order No. 4388

Available: August 1993

Paper $24.95 ISBN 0-8306-4398-2

360 pp., 116 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


Maintain & Repair Your Notebook, Palmtop, Pen
Do-It-Yourselfers Can Save Big by Repairing Their Portable PCs

Achieve peak performance, avoid costly downtime, and save on expensive repairs

Illustrated troubleshooting procedures and charts make diagnosis easy

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--For those portable computer owners who cringe at the thought of troubleshooting their own equipment, Maintain and Repair Your Notebook, Palmtop, or Pen Computer offers a comprehensive overview of the tools and techniques used to service today's small personal computers.

Stephen J. Bigelow's coverage builds confidence in the reluctant do-it-yourselfer by giving easy-to-follow, low-tech descriptions of components and test instruments, precise service guidelines, and easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for performing routine maintenance and basic repairs. All portable computer subsystems are covered:

* Batteries

* Displays

* Power supplies

* Hard and floppy drives

* Input devices

* Logic boards

Low-priced, with convenient lay-flat binding

Includes money-saving sources for replacement parts

About the Author:

Stephen J. Bigelow is an electrical engineer and technical writer who has worked extensively with small personal computers.

Maintain and Repair Your Notebook, Palmtop, or Pen Computer

Bigelow

Order No. 4428

Available: August 1993

Paper $18.95 ISBN 0-8306-4455-5

Hard $26.95 ISBN 0-8306-4454-7

368 pp., 180 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


Learn DOS -- Guaranteed! 3rd Edition
Beginners Can Master DOS Basics Fast With New Quick-Start Guide

Updated for MS-DOS 6 and DR DOS 6

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA Learn DOS Guaranteed!, 3rd Edition is a simple, no nonsense alternative to all of the cumbersome "DOS from A-Z" encyclopedias. Logically organized, well-paced, and enhanced by lots of helpful review exercises, this concise guide teaches through a series of bite-sized tutorials only those DOS concepts, commands, and operations beginners need to get started quickly.

Richard Cadway cuts out all the fat--first-time DOS users receive none of the highly specialized or technical instruction found in other so-called DOS introductory guides. Instead, they learn how to perform basic operations such as:

* Running SETUP

* Formatting disks

* Making, changing, and removing directories

* Copying and deleting files

* Backing up data

* Installing and loading applications

* Using the DIR and PROMPT commands

* Customizing AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS

Features lay-flat binding

About the Author:

Richard Cadway is an independent computer consultant who specializes in end-user training.

Learn DOS--Guaranteed!, 3rd Edition

Cadway

Order No. 4351

Available: August 1993

Paper $16.95 ISBN 0-8306-4331-1

192 pp., 44 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


Bookkeeping on Your Home-Based PC
New Guide Shows PC Users How to Make Money as Independent Bookkeepers

Edited by work at-home gurus Paul and Sarah Edwards

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--Part of Windcrest's Entrepreneurial PC Series, Bookkeeping on Your Home-Based PC is a complete guide that will launch the careers of newcomers and provide valuable tips for established bookkeepers. Author Linda Stern leads readers through each step in the process of starting and running a home-based bookkeeping service, with emphasis on the technology needed to make it work.

After setting an encouraging mood with an overview of the attractive prospects and rhythms of the business, the book focuses on how to equip the venture with computer, fax, modem, and telephone systems that fit the needs of home-based bookkeepers. Among the other questions Stem helps the reader to answer are:

* Is home-based bookkeeping right for me?

* How do I find out where my market is?

* What legal issues should I be aware of'?

* How and where do I find clients?

* How (and how much) should I bill clients?

Features inside tips and tricks from successful work-at-home bookkeepers

About the Author:

Linda Stem's award-winning, nationally syndicated personal finance column appears in The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Times, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Los Angeles Daily News, and other national newspapers. She is also a regular columnist for Home Office Computing.

Also in the Entrepreneurial PC Series:

Computer Consulting on Your Home-Based PC, Health Service Businesses on Your Home-Based PC, Mailing List Services on Your Home-Based PC, The Entrepreneurial Mac, and The Entrepreneurial PC: The Complete Guide to Starting a PC-Based Business.

Bookkeeping on Your Home-Based PC

Stern

Order No. 4328

Available: July 1993

Paper $14.95 ISBN 0-8306-4304-4

Hard $24.95 ISBN 0-8306-4305-2

256 pp., 50 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


WordPerfect 6, The Pocket Reference
WordPerfect 6: The Pocket Reference -- The Most Convenient Way To Get Answers Fast

Berkeley, CA -- Osborne/McGraw-Hill announces publication of WordPerfect 6: The Pocket Reference ($9.95, ISBN: 0-07-881905-9, 212 pages) by bestselling author Mella Mincberg.

To avoid spending valuable time wading through volumes of documentation to answer a simple WordPerfect question, all WordPerfect users will want a copy of WordPerfect 6: The Pocket Reference.

Far more than a command card and much more streamlined than a manual, this convenient pocket-sized guide is a handy reference tool that contains all the essential WordPerfect 6 commands and functions.

Mincberg first provides a quick overview section on general WordPerfect topics such as cursor movement, codes, and blocking, followed by an alphabetical listing of all the important WordPerfect 6 commands along with a brief description.

WordPerfect 6: The Pocket Reference is the number one instant reference WordPerfect users can turn to when they need an answer fast.

Mella Mincberg is a computer consultant and the award-winning author of seven books on WordPerfect for DOS and WordPerfect for Windows. Her WordPerfect Made Easy has sold over 400,000 copies over four editions.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603


WordPerfect 6, The Complete Reference
WordPerfect 6: The Complete Reference -- The Ideal Reference for Every WordPerfect User With Over 400,000 Copies Sold

Berkeley, CA-- Osborne/McGraw-Hill announces publication of WordPerfect 6: The Complete Reference ($29.95, ISBN: 0-07-881901-6, 981 pages ) the most well-organized, thorough, resource book available that covers every aspect of WordPerfect's newest release 6. This authoritative text spans the entire range of WordPerfect capabilities, from the rudiments of text editing to the most advanced features.

Written by Allen L. Wyatt, Jim Sheldon, and Steven Nameroff, the authors provide detailed coverage of every WordPerfect feature, message, and menu item that can be quickly accessed through the book's timesaving, alphabetical reference.

Beginners will get a confident start by following the authors' clear explanations of the basics. Experienced users will discover optimal ways to customize the program; get valuable hints on printing, creating tables, working with graphics; and explore WordPerfect's desktop publishing capabilities, macros, and merge functions. All topics are thoroughly covered with well-chosen illustrations, practical examples and timesaving hints on using every new feature and enhancement of version 6.

Written for novices and experienced users alike, WordPerfect 6: The Complete Reference is THE indispensable reference tool that will be consulted time and again.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603


Teach Yourself WordPerfect 6
Teach Yourself WordPerfect 6 -- Learn WordPerfect Step By Step in Easy 15-Minute Sessions

Berkeley, CA -- Osborne/McGraw-Hill announces publication of Teach Yourself WordPerfect 6 ($24.95, ISBN:0-07-881894-X, 526 pages) by bestselling author and computer trainer Mary Campbell who teaches WordPerfect in easy-to-follow 15-minute sessions.

Campbell covers WordPerfect in single-objective lessons, skills and mastery checks so readers understand what a feature does and how to use it in their work. Beginners learn to perform increasingly complex functions beginning with simple text editing techniques and moving on to more advanced skills such as working with graphics and style features. With each chapter building upon material in previous chapters, readers advance at a comfortable self-paced rate becoming confident WordPerfect users in no time.

After mastering the basic skills for creating a document, Campbell covers intermediate-level features that enhance the appearance of documents and add flexibility to basic skills. A Special Topics section introduces more advanced skills including merging, creating columns and tables, WordPerfect's graphics features, outlining, Styles, and using the other new enhancements and features of WordPerfect 6.

For anyone who needs to learn WordPerfect, this time-saving, self-paced book is like having a private tutor.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603


WordPerfect 6 Made Easy

Osborne's Award-Winning Introduction Is Fully Revised to Cover WordPerfect Release 6

Berkeley, CA-- Osborne/McGraw-Hill announces publication of WordPerfect 6 Made Easy ($24.95, ISBN: 0-07-881895-8, 712 pages) by Mella Mincberg, author of four previous bestselling editions that have sold over 400,000 copies.

In confidence-building, conversational, step-by-step style, acclaimed author Mella Mincberg provides everything WordPerfect users need from the first keystroke. Beginners will find clear descriptions of every basic feature, from typing and editing to retrieving, saving, and printing documents. Simple-to-follow, hands-on exercises allow beginners to work at their own pace while building skills.

Experienced users upgrading to version 6.0 from 5.1 quickly learn to make the switch and get productive results fast. Intermediate users can explore powerful features such as desktop publishing, mail-merge capabilities, styles, tables, columns, and other features to take full advantage of everything WordPerfect has to offer.

All WordPerfect users will appreciate the handy pull-out command card that neatly consolidates WordPerfect's most important commands and features at a glance.

WordPerfect users will want to keep this book close at hand to get the most from the newest version of WordPerfect's topselling program.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2600 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603


Looking Good with CorelDRAW!
Looking Good Looks Better Than Ever!

CHAPEL HILL, NC--With the release of Version 4.0, CorelDRAW! rises to the level of a full-fledged professional desktop publishing and illustration program. And with the release of its Second Edition, Looking Good With CorelDRAW! from Ventana Press steps up to meet the growing needs of CorelDRAW ! users of all levels of expertise.

A bestseller in its first edition, Looking Good With CorelDRAW! by Sheldon Nemoy and C. J. Aiken drew accolades for its ability to instruct and inspire. Now, with more step-by-step details and an expanded gallery of examples, it helps designers truly take CorelDRAW! to its fullest heights.

"The heart of the book is its illustrations and galleries--and the possibilities they suggest for expanding and refining your own creative techniques," explains design guru Nemoy. Authors Nemoy and Aiken illustrate and illuminate key features using an array of award winning designs in color and black & white. Readers will learn to

* Create start-to-finish projects using CorelDRAW!'s new desktop publishing features, including multipage layout, styles for text and graphics, text wrap and flow control, and more.

* Design dazzling documents with CorelDRAW!'s vast variety of visual effects, including contour fills, fountain fills, fractals and PowerLines.

* Streamline their work using CorelDRAW!'s toolbox features, graphic building blocks, clip art, improved menus and the expanded Undo command.

* Mold the design to the message with CorelDRAW!'s auxiliary applications, including PHOTO-PAINT, CHART, SHOW and the all-new animation program, MOVE.

According to the press and pundits, CorelDRAW! is better than ever. And with more examples, instructions and ideas, it's now easier than ever for designers to find their work Looking Good With CorelDRAW!

Sheldon Nemoy is president of The Thornhill Group, a Los Angeles-based firm specializing in computer design, and teaches publication design in the Computer Graphics Department at UCLA Extension. His clients have included major corporations and top Hollywood entertainment industry groups. C. J. Aiken, a writer and editor, directs publication services for The Thornhill Group and is the former managing editor of Access Press, Ltd. and Reason magazine. She has worked with some of California's leading graphic designers and written for a variety of publications.

Looking Good With CorelDRAW!, Second Edition is softcover, 7 3/8" x 9 1/4", 328 pages with 215 illustrations, including 24-page color section. Suggested retail price: $27.95. ISBN: 1-56604-061-2. For orders only, phone 800/743-5369.

Ventana Press publishes books and other materials that help computer users become more productive, including Looking Good in Print, Third Edition, Voodoo Windows, The Windows Shareware 500, Windows, Word & Excel Office Companion, Desktop Publishing With Word for Windows and The Gray Book. 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


Desktop Publishing with WordPerfect 6
VENTANA'S NEW WORDPERFECT 6 BOOK IS BEYOND WORDS

Chapel Hill, NC--With the addition of powerful graphics tools and WYSIWYG editing, WordPerfect 6.0 has turned the preeminent PC word processor into a professional quality desktop publisher. Desktop Publishing With WordPerfect 6, new from Ventana Press, does the same for everyday users.

"This book has two purposes," explains noted author Richard Mansfield, "to teach the tools of WordPerfect 6 and to demonstrate the techniques and trends of effective contemporary design." Indeed, Mansfield guides readers of all levels of experience through WordPerfect's impressive new graphics features with the hand of an expert and the eye of an artist, demonstrating how to

* Streamline and simplify using the new graphics and page modes, image editor and WYSIWYG convenience.

* Add style and spark with new features: superimposing, inversions, rotations, custom borders and more.

* Increase efficiency with easy-to-use styles, macros and keyboards.

* Apply professional design techniques to add impact to newsletters, flyers, brochures, menus, ads and more.

* Avoid pitfalls with a checklist of the 15 most common design problems.

Lavishly illustrated and packed with tips for adding power and punch to your publications, Desktop Publishing With WordPerfect 6 is the definitive guide for moving into a whole new graphically enhanced world.

Richard Mansfield's books on computers have sold over 250,000 copies worldwide. He was the Editor-in-Chief of Compute magazine for seven years and has authored several columns on computer topics, hundreds of magazine articles and several published short stories. He is the author of The Visual Guide to Visual Basic for Windows (Ventana Press), now in its second edition.

Desktop Publishing With WordPerfect 6 is softcover, 7 3/8" x 9 1/4", 349 pages, 245 illustrations. Suggested retail price: $24.95. ISBN: 1-56604-049-3.

Ventana Press publishes books and other materials that help computer users become more productive, including Looking Good in Print; Voodoo DOS; DOS, WordPerfect & Lotus Office Companion; Looking Good With CorelDRAW! 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


KeyServer Macintosh Network Management Swr
KeyServer provides concurrent-use license metering, version control, and transparent usage monitoring for all programs in use throughout a network of Macintosh computers.

Effective management of multiple copies of software presents computer site administrators and Macintosh software publishers with a major dilemma. Previously available methods of sitewide software control range from hardware locks, disk-based copy protection, and disk serialization, to restricted redistribution rights dictated by site licensing. Unfortunately, the focus of control for all of these methods is the physical location of the application file or program disk. The details of controlling physical access and the degree of inconvenience vary, but in a world of hard disks, networks, file servers and electronic mail, management based on controlled distribution is intrinsically impractical or even impossible. Without any practical tools, site administrators and the software industry are forced to rely on a rather ill-defined "reasonable effort" at software license compliance.

The Sassafras Solution

KeyServer, developed by Sassafras Software of Hanover NH, addresses the issue of legal software use and other software control concerns without introducing new obstacles for either vendor or user. KeyServer runs as a central network service to enforce concurrent usage limits for applications that are partially cached on individual Macintoshes. In addition to performing as a software license server, KeyServer can also manage software version upgrades throughout a network.

Physical control of the application file or program disk is no longer an issue. Users are encouraged to freely distribute "keyed" (specially modified) applications via electronic mail, file servers, diskettes, etc. All copies are identical and without serialization, but they are useless without the cooperation of the KeyServer network license server. When a keyed application is launched from an off-site Macintosh, a message will simply explain the need for a license server connection and the application will quit to the Finder.

When active on any AppleTalk network, KeyServer is able to monitor application use, and to strictly enforce concurrent use licensing requirements for keyed applications. A client Macintosh automatically logs on to the network KeyServer at startup time and then applications are launched as usual. KeyServer can be configured to support requests for a particular application from all network clients, or support can be restricted to clients from within the same AppleTalk zone as the server. If the number of concurrent users of a particular keyed application is below the licensed maximum, then a key is instantly obtained from KeyServer and the launch proceeds. In case all keys have been checked out, KeyServer offers to send notification when a key becomes available. The user need not pester the KeyServer with repeated requests for the unavailable application. When another user returns a key, it is reserved for 5 minutes for the next waiting user, who is notified that the application can be launched.

Controlled access to application software extends beyond computer laboratories to include all Macintoshes on an AppleTalk network. In an academic setting, access to applications from individual faculty and staff offices can be supported under the same licensing agreement which gives laboratory (and dorm room) access to students.

Software version control is facilitated by KeyServer's additional messaging system which is triggered at program launch time. As an example, an application-specific message can be used to automatically inform a user that the running software version will not be supported after a certain date. When the date arrives, any further attempt to launch the program can be answered by a message explaining where to get an upgrade. This control and messaging mechanism is also designed to support site-wide trial-use and instructional-use periods for new programs, and has been used to deactivate old beta-revision software when a new version is available .

KeyServer Implementation and Requirements

The KeyServer software is interrupt-driven and highly optimized in assembly language. Network traffic overhead is minimal, and response time is virtually instantaneous over an AppleTalk network. A system administrator can install key control into any existing program, or a software vendor can license the technology and market keyed software directly. The same server and client software standard supports both locally installed and vendor installed keys using a secure network Protocol.

Any networked Macintosh can be transformed into a server machine by starting up with the KeyServer INIT file in the System Folder. A MacPlus used as the server machine to run KeyServer, will easily support very large networks and will be able to run standard Macintosh software at the same time. KeyServer neither depends on nor interferes with other network services. It can be run on any Macintosh on the network even if the Mac is simultaneously running as a file server, print server, and mail server.

KeyAccess, KeyServer's partner on each client machine, is a small INIT file that must be placed in the user's System Folder. Interaction between the network KeyServer and all keyed applications is handled by KeyAccess, which allows users concurrent access to keyed applications under MultiFinder. KeyAccess will transparently support key service on any Macintosh computer, from the old 512K "fat Mac" to the state-of-the-art Quadra and it will run under any System software version from 3.2 through 7.0.1 and A/UX.

Design

Transparency to the user and absolute robustness have been the paramount design goals for the KeyServer system. Network interruptions are tolerated gracefully; network routers, client machines or the server machine itself can go down, and if the physical link is re-established within a quarter of an hour, the server client relationship will heal itself without users being aware of an interruption . A client can crash while holding the last key to an application, and then restart and relaunch the application within 10 minutes - KeyServer will recognize the returning client and revalidate its old key. Of course, an attempt to launch a keyed program while the physical link is broken will fail, and a message reporting the broken link will be presented to the user.

KeyAccess was designed to have no noticeable impact on the user's environment, and makes no assumptions about the user's hardware and software configuration. A keyed application can be run from any mounted volume, whether it is on a remote file server or on a local diskette or hard disk. The performance of a keyed application is identical to its unkeyed counterpart.

KeyConfigure Application

Usage limitations for any application can be set by using KeyConfigure, KeyServer's administration program. KeyConfigure is able to configure and monitor KeyServer either from the server machine itself, or remotely over the network - the server machine requires no Finder or MultiFinder visible software. All administrative control functions, including support for newly keyed applications, take effect immediately without interruption of ongoing service. By making minimal and defensive assumptions, KeyConfigure has been able to successfully install into any Macintosh application. Once an application is keyed with the KeyConfigure install procedure, it cannot run without network access to KeyServer.

KeyConfigure also allows an administrator to view the current usage of KeyServer. A list of the users in contact with KeyServer, followed by any keyed applications they are using, is available to the system administrator along with a table of supported applications that displays current usage counts.

Assurance of Network Service

An optional KeySentry INIT can be run by select network administrators so that they will receive instant notification of any network interruption between users and a KeyServer. KeyServer itself may send messages to its special KeySentry clients to report any necessary status information, such as the need for some type of log file maintenance.

Log File

KeyServer maintains a date- and time-stamped transaction log file, which can be configured to report various levels of detail. Summary information can be dynamically extracted from the active log file using KeyConfigure either locally or over the network. The log file is simple text, readable as a tab-delimited data base which can be subjected to complete analysis using any data base or statistical analysis program.

Testing Grounds

In addition to the standard Macintosh system software releases from 3.2 through 6.0.8, KeyServer has been tested under A/UX 2.0, EtherTalk 2.0, and System 7.0.1. Hardware environments have ranged from the Mac 512Ke through the Mac Quadra. It has been extensively tested on a large and active AppleTalk network which has over 80 zones connecting more than 5,000 Macintosh computers. An application can request a key transparently across various routers, bridges, low- and high-speed modems, and repeaters which connect phone lines, twisted pair, coax and fiber links running all the standard protocols. Throughout the ongoing testing period, no incompatibility with any application, INIT or particular Macintosh hardware has been discovered.

For further information contact Sassafras Software at (603) 643-3351 or via e-mail as Sassafras@dartmouth.edu or via AppleLink as Sassafras.

Sassafras Software

PO Box 150, Hanover, NH 03755

603-643-3351


Greystone Intros PCMCIA Universal Adapter
GREYSTONE INTRODUCES NEW PCMCIA UNIVERSAL ADAPTER FOR PC CARDS

New Front-Loading CardDock Multi-Socket Interface For Desktop PCs Priced Under $300; Supports PC Card Types I, II, III, and Devices Up To 15mm

Los Gatos, CA -- July 27, 1993 -- Greystone Peripherals, Inc., an emerging player in the PCMCIA market, is introducing the new CardDock universal adapter for PC cards. Fully compliant with PCMCIA version 2.0 specifications for memory and I/O cards and Intel ExCA specifications, the two- or four-socket CardDock enables easy plug-and-play of any memory, ATA and I/O cards designed to PCMCIA specifications. The CardDock is a totally compatible solution for reading and writing data, and the exchange of data files and peripheral I/O functions between mobile and desktop PCs using PC Cards.

Greystone's CardDock interface conveniently mounts into a standard 5.25-inch half-height drive slot and supports +5 volt and +3 volt PC card Types I, II and m, as well as devices up to 15mm. This flexibility ensures compatibility with future form factors that may exceed the current 10.5mm maximum Type III standard.

"The CardDock was designed to be the industry-standard interface for the explosive PC Card market," said John Usher, Greystone's vice president of sales and marketing. "By mounting the adapter in the PC's front bay, users can insert and eject PC Cards just as easily as they would a floppy disk, without powering down the system or risking any data loss."

Usher said that price would play an important role in achieving industry standardization. "We have introduced CardDock at under $300, significantly less than competitive offerings, which typically mount on the back of PCs, do not have an eject mechanism, nor data-saving sensor." Usher said that the software provides for Flash filing support and critical data integrity, allowing PC Cards to be moved from system to system and slot to slot, for true plug-and-play.

Data loss and risk of PC Card damage due to accidental card removal or power failure is minimized by the CardDock's proprietary built-in sensor which automatically notifies the host PC to suspend current operation before a hard drive or memory card is ejected using the company's proprietary pushbutton mechanism. Another proprietary feature is a convenient front panel jack for telephone and other communications connections required by PC Modem cards.

The CardDock software manages system resources with easy-to-use pop-up menus, and includes DOS- and Windows-compatible PCMCIA Card Services and Socket Services software for configuring the system and each PC Card, managing I/O ports, interrupt levels and memory blocks. The software also allows hot insertion/removal, an important feature for preserving data integrity and preventing data loss. PC Cards can thus be moved from system to system, one slot to another, without identification conflicts, much as a floppy diskette.

CardDock applications include not only personal desktop computers, but across the full range of products now taking advantage of PCMCIA card technology. This includes printers, musical instruments such as electronic keyboards, copying machines and industrial controllers.

Each turnkey CardDock includes two- or four-slot docking bay hardware, a PC interface card which installs into any 16-bit AT-bus slot, cables and software. Occupying a half-size slot in the front of any PC, the unit is designed to mount all PCMCIA cards almost flush with the PC's front bezel. This eliminates any card damage or bent internal connector leads due to improper insertion or removal. The CardDock unit is easy to install and use, featuring LED read/write activity indicators.

Greystone's Model GS-220 (two slots) CardDock is available immediately at a suggested list price of $299.00. A four-slot unit, model GS-440, is also available. Both models have quantity discounts available. The CardDock is warranted for one year. CardDock units are marketed to dealers, distributors, VARs/VADs, OEMs and via telemarketing to the U.S. and overseas.

Greystone Peripherals, Inc., was founded in 1992 and is led by industry veterans George Robinson and John Usher. The company designs, manufactures and markets computer peripherals. In addition to the PCMCIA market, its Data Blaster hard disk drive software duplication system is targeted to the software manufacturing market.

GREYSTONE PERIPHERALS INC

130-A Knowles Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95030.

408-866-4739,  Fax: 408-866-8328


JORF Version 2.1 Object Oriented Language
JORF VERSION 2.1 RELEASED

The JORF Company has released version 2.1 of the JORF Programmer's Pack and Developer's Kit products that feature an easy Object Oriented language for business application programming. The Programmer's pack includes interpreters, debuggers and editors for both DOS and MS-Windows applications. The Developer's Kit includes a compiling system for the same two platforms.

Version 2.1 adds support for X-base DBF/DBT/NTX files, contains array handling, and features improved international date support. A new DOSPC module provides optimum support for XT and 286 computers, while the DOS-386 module uses high memory and 32-bit optimization.

The 2.1 interactive Editor and Debugger now features function highlighting, watch variables, and an improved class browser. A new dynamic watch variable called an "auto-watch" displays the value of each assignment and conditional as you trace through the program. The debugger supports "Rewind-Change-Continue" editing for on-the-fly changes to the program code.

The 2.1 Developer's Kit supports multi-module applications. Modules may be overlaid using Borland's VROOM or another overlay linker. The JORF to C language translator has been further optimized to provide a strong platform for compiling and distributing JORF applications.

The JORF Programmer's Pack ($85 from the JORF Company) includes interpreters, editors, debuggers, sample programs and 300 page command reference guide. The JORF Developer's Kit ($170 from the JORF Company) enables you to compile your interpreted applications under the same platforms. A fully functional shareware version is available from BBS's and shareware distributors.

JORF Version 2.1 Long Description...

A full featured Object Oriented language that is easier to learn than Pascal and dBASE. Supports automatic data typing for integers, floating point numbers, strings, text, structures (records), and arrays. Features virtual memory and transparent database storage for structures. Modular class definitions, polymorphism and multiple inheritance are all supported.

Uses a CUA compliant screen manager that supports pull-down menus, buttons, check boxes and pick lists under DOS Text and DOS graphics modes. Supports exactly the same features under native MS-Windows mode. No WinProc, no multi-level class library, just a simple window manager system.

Not a data base command language but a data base application builder. The JORF language is a fully structured language, not a modified scripting language. Use this for quickie-apps where you create a screen, data base structure and reports in a matter of hours. Can be used in a relational manner, but data storage system is fundamentally hierarchical. Supports one-to-many by allowing any data base "field" to be an array or linked list. Structure (record) storage is variable length, empty fields take no disk space. Structures (records) may have new fields added without needing to rebuild the file.

Multiple structure (record) types can occupy the same file. Index adding, changing and deleting is completely automatic. Records can have up to 256 index keys. Index keys share the same file, considerably reducing the number of file handles needed when you use a lot of them. Additional indexing method allows rule based indexes with unlimited keys per record. Rule based indexes support Expert System forward and backward chaining.

Full support for international dates and numbers. Dates use a formatter for European and Japanese dates, support month names in any language, and support dynastic years. Display support for comma-decimal numbers allows programs and data to be standard while the operator enters in the style of their choice. With these features, programmers can effortlessly support the date and number formatting needs of foreign users.

Use this language to learn programming. Reference guide has numerous examples. Sample programs include contact manager, calendar, calculator, file printer, and text editor all in source code form. Language is free from traditional barriers like "have to open a file before you read from it" and "arrays cannot have negative elements or elements larger than 65535". In JORF, the File:Read function will open the file if necessary, arrays can use any integer up to 134 billion.

Version 2.1 supports X-Base/dBASE Ill/Clipper DBF/DBT files using Clipper NTX indexes. dBASE style APPEND, GOTO and SEEK functions are fully implemented. The PACK function automatically packs DBT files as well as DBF files, and leaves your original file intact if it runs out of disk space.

All versions of JORF are Network versions. Multiple instances of JORF applications can be run under MS-Windows. On networks, DOS and Windows users can share the same JORF data base files.

Wayland Bruns started developing JORF in 1987 because he was frustrated with the complexity of application tools at that time. You can imagine what he thinks now. Wayland remains dedicated to the idea of creating a tool that allows programmer "wanna-bees" write commercially viable applications. Version 1.0 was released in September 1990. The current version 2.1 was released March 20, 1993.

The JORF Company

25858 Elwood Rd, Colton, OR 97017

503-824-JORF


Intergraph Bulletin for Analysts, July'93
INTER FACTS: Bulletin for Analysts, July 23, 1993

INTERGRAPH MOVES FURTHER TOWARD OPEN SYSTEMS

New Hardware, Software Strategies Announced at IGUG, Windows World

Intergraph's annual May meeting of graphic users from around the world is a traditional forum for major announcements, and this year was no exception. CEO Jim Meadlock and Software Systems Executive Vice President Tommy Steele unveiled the company's new hardware and software strategies before an audience of 3,500 Intergraph customers and employees.

The news centered on a development and marketing relationship with Microsoft Corporation to have Intergraph's application software run on Windows NT. Microsoft's new operating system. Intergraph also announced a new line of entry level Intel-based workstations. The new machines give technical users, for the first time, the flexibility to run both popular business software programs and Intergraph's technical applications on the same platform.

"We chose to be a leader by embracing Windows NT early on," said Steele. "We believe it's the right decision for Intergraph, and it's the right decision for you as Intergraph customers."

At the Windows World '93 trade show in Atlanta later in the month, Intergraph underscored its commitment to Windows NT by showcasing more than 30 of its technical applications on the new Microsoft operating system. Show attendees could also see Windows NT running on Intergraph's own Clipper RISC-based workstation, as well as the new Intel-based TD-1 machines.

PACT WITH SUN TOPS LIST OF ALLIANCES

Intergraph and Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation agreed to co-develop future generations of SPARC microprocessors. Intergraph will also port Microsoft Corporation's Windows NT operating system to the SPARC architecture!

"This is the next logical step in our relationship with Sun," says Intergraph CEO Meadlock. "It reinforces Intergraph's capability to provide interoperability between Unix and Windows environments."

Meanwhile, Intergraph moved ahead with plans to develop a broader, two-tiered distribution system by signing agreements with two major distributors of technical and computer-aided design software -- The David Group and Access Graphics. Both companies will begin by representing Intergraph's basic CAD products. They will eventually graduate to the entire hardware and software product line.

Intergraph will jointly develop an information management system with The National Biodiversity Institute of Cost Rica (INBio) for an inventory of Costa Rica's estimated 500,000 species of organisms. INBio will lend its experience in conservation to the project, while Intergraph will contribute $750,000 worth of hardware, software and services.

Intergraph and Synercom Technology, Inc. of Houston formed a strategic business partnership to provide solutions to electric and gas utilities around the world. The arrangement calls for the integration of WMIS, Synercom's Work Management Information System, with Intergraph's FRAMME facilities information management system.

SECOND QUARTER AT A GLANCE

Financials . . . A continuing product transition, coupled with weak markets in Europe and the U.S., continued to take its toll, resulting in a net loss of $18.6 million for the second quarter. Revenues were down 14 percent to $249 million, while income posted a net loss of 40 cents a share, compared with net income of six cents a share a year earlier.

Products . . . Thirty technical software products covering all Intergraph application areas running on Microsoft Windows NT were demonstrated at Windows World '93. Also on display: MicroStation Version 5.0 . . . TD1 series of Intel-based workstations . . . Intel-based ISMP42 and 44 symmetric multiprocessor servers . . . ANA Tech Eagle Scanner models 3640 and 4080ET.

New Intergraph Electronics products: VeriBest Design System for ASIC/FPGA design on Windows NT . . . V-12 release of electronics software package with new features and better tools . . . EQUINOX IC Design System for exchange of geometric and netlist data among all Intergraph integrated circuit CAD products . . . Analog/Digital Link, a unique, second-generation synchronization package that delivers a true mixed-level, mixed-mode design environment.

MasterWorks, for architects and civil engineers, first AEC applications available on Windows NT . . . ModelView 3.2, which can now directly read AutoCAD .dwg files . . . I/MARC, new software product for finite element analysis, jointly announced by Intergraph and MARC Analysis Research Corporation.

MicroStation to be ported to IBM RISC System/6000 and DEC Alpha AXP PC platforms, fourth quarter 1993.

Contracts . . . $6.7 million from Canadian Department of National Defense for the department's first fully integrated digital map production system . . . $1.1 million from Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company for an I/EMS system . . . $400.000 from Panama Canal Commission for hardware and software to widen the canal. Package includes Intergraph AEC, Mapping/GIS and MicroStation software, as well as 6400 series workstations and servers.

Intergraph, Huntsville, AL 35894-0014

205-730-8877,   fax 205-730-8300


National Continues to Offer DOS-Based LabWindows
National Instruments Continues To Offer DOS-Based LabWindows

LabWindows/CVI for the Windows and Sun operating systems, expands the National Instruments standard programming language software options. One of the reasons National Instruments developed LabWindows/CVI was to give DOS users of LabWindows a seamless migration path to Windows on the PC or to the X Window System on Sun SPARCstations. However, the company is still fully committed to maintaining and supporting the LabWindows product for DOS for those customers who do not migrate to LabWindows/CVI. National Instruments expects that LabWindows will continue to be a viable and popular software product for DOS for several reasons:

(1) DOS will continue to thrive - despite the tremendous acceptance and popularity of Windows 3.1, DOS will continue to be a major force in the PC operating system market for years to come. The recent DOS 6.0 release saw over two million copies shipped in the first month the biggest single PC software distribution ever. Windows 3.1 is being shipped at approximately 1.2 million copies per month. Recent releases of DOS-based products by Lotus and Microsoft highlight the continued importance and commitment to DOS in the general-purpose PC market. In addition, Microsoft has already hinted at some of the features to be built into DOS 7.0, so DOS will continue to be a viable solution in the future.

(2) Advantages of DOS over Windows - even with the increased number of tools available for Windows, DOS remains more appropriate for certain applications and circumstances. DOS requires much less computer resources (memory and processor speed) than Windows to run effectively. In addition to resources, DOS also has lower software overhead than Windows, meaning faster throughput of data to the PC.

(3) Customer preference and need - many customers have used DOS for years, and may elect to continue using DOS rather than moving to Windows. In many other cases, instrumentation areas and test labs inherit computers from the business sector of companies, meaning many scientists and engineers are just now receiving DOS-based 386 and 486 PCs. National Instruments is committed to developing and supporting software for the operating systems our customers prefer. For whatever reason, as long as customers continue to use DOS, we will continue to support and maintain LabWindows for DOS.

Future Plans for the DOS-based LabWindows

With the release of Version 2.3, the LabWindows software for DOS has reached a level of product maturity that ensures our users of stable development efforts for many years to come. By incorporating Borland-compatible stand-alone libraries into LabWindows for DOS, we now offer compatibility with a wide variety of Microsoft and Borland language compilers for building LabWindows DOS-based applications.

Users have the choice of developing within the LabWindows for DOS environment or using one of the third-party language compilers. And, with the addition of low-level geometric graphing routines in LabWindows 2.3 for DOS, users now have a mechanism for designing their own custom controls for the software. These enhancements were added to make LabWindows a viable long-term solution for DOS development.

National Instruments will continue to maintain the LabWindows product for DOS to ensure up-to-date compatibility with Microsoft and Borland DOS compilers and any new National Instruments hardware. National Instruments will also continue its superior customer support service for DOS users of LabWindows.

Currently, the market demands that we shift our development emphasis to Windows and UNIX. In LabWindows/CVI, we have developed a new product, while also maintaining our commitment to DOS users by providing a technical migration path to these new operating systems. However, if for some reason our customers demand new features and products for the DOS platform, National Instruments is prepared to act accordingly to meet this demand.

Commitment to Customer Satisfaction

The cornerstone of National Instruments software strategy is ensuring customer satisfaction and customer success in building applications. For this reason, National Instruments has extended its options for standard programming languages software products - now users can choose between LabWindows/CVI on Windows and UNIX, and LabWindows on DOS (or even use all three).

Existing LabWindows for DOS users still have a choice for future development - either continue working in the DOS world with LabWindows, or migrate to Windows or UNIX seamlessly through the translation utilities in LabWindows/CVI. Whatever option customers choose, they are assured that the investment made in their existing applications and programming methodology in the DOS-based LabWindows is protected for their future development needs.

For More Information

LabWindows Version 2.3 for DOS is available now. The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI will be available from National Instruments in November. The Sun version will be available in December. For additional details, see the press release and other product background information in this press kit.

For more information, please contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


LabWindows/CVI Features

Features at a Glance

* Integrated ANSI C development environment with built-in libraries for data acquisition, analysis, and presentation

* Project-oriented development system designed for easy integration of multiple source files

* Simplified graphical user interface (GUI) programming for Windows and Sun with LabWindows/CVI User Interface Editor and Library

* Function panels for interactive execution and automatic code generation of function calls

* User protection against programming errors

* Integrated ANSI C compiler, linker, debugger, variable trace/display, and memory checking capabilities for quickly creating, running, and troubleshooting applications

* Open system architecture for integration with external ANSI C source files, object modules, C libraries, and dynamic link libraries (DLLs)

* Over 300 instrument drivers for IEEE 488/488.2, VXI, and RS-232 instruments

* Libraries for controlling RS-232 serial interfaces and National Instruments data acquisition (DAQ) and signal conditioning hardware, IEEE 488.2 interface boards, and VXIbus/MXI controllers

* Built-in analysis libraries rivaling dedicated analysis packages

* Cross-platform tool for developing applications under Microsoft Windows and Sun Solaris

* Built-in TCP/IP and dynamic data exchange (DDE) interprocess communication capabilities

* Migration path from DOS to Microsoft Windows on the PC or to X Window System on Sun SPARCstations for LabWindows for DOS users

Features in Detail

Integrated Development Environment with Built-in Libraries

LabWindows/CVI is a software development environment for building Windows and UNIX (Sun Solaris) instrumentation systems using the ANSI C standard programming language. With built-in libraries for data acquisition, analysis, and presentation, and integrated code-generation and debugging tools, users can develop applications quickly within the LabWindows/CVI environment. The objective of the LabWindows/CVI environment is fast and easy application development and debugging, replacing the traditional, batch-oriented edit-compile-link-debug C language development process with a single environment. LabWindows/CVI provides tools for building a user interface, and then creating, compiling, executing, and debugging the ANSI C code for acquiring, analyzing, and presenting data. Each of these development tools is encapsulated within a single, cohesive environment. In addition to having built-in libraries that ensure seamless integration between hardware and software, the LabWindows/CVI environment also has the following development tools integrated into the system.

Project-Oriented Development System

LabWindows/CVI is a project-oriented development system designed for easy integration of multiple source files. Users simply list all of the source files that make up a particular project in the LabWindows/CVI Project Window. The Project Window acts as the manager for the application the user is developing, keeping track of which files must be recompiled and linked each time the project runs. Using the LabWindows/CVI open system architecture, users can choose from a variety of source files, object modules, library files, DLLs, instrument drivers, and user interface files.

Function Panels

Each function in the LabWindows/CVI built-in libraries has a corresponding function panel. A function panel is a graphical representation of a function and its parameters. Each function parameter is represented by a corresponding control on its function panel. The user can call up a function panel and adjust these controls to vary the parameter values. After entering all parameter values, a user can interactively execute the function to test its operation. The user can repeat this procedure as many times as necessary, until appropriate parameter values are found. The user then automatically pastes the function call, with the parameter values set on the panel, into the program window where the source code resides.

Function panels are a vital tool in software development for LabWindows/CVI users. Because each function panel has on-line help describing the function and all of its parameters, users can quickly learn how to use LabWindows/CVI functions. Function panels also generate the function calls for the user, so each function call is syntactically correct as entered into the source file, saving development and debugging time.

Included within the LabWindows/CVI environment are tools for developing function panels for user libraries. Users integrating existing C libraries can create function panels for each of the functions in their external library. Therefore, users can add the same code-generation and on-line help features of LabWindows/CVI function panels to their own library of instrument driver functions.

User Protection

The LabWindows/CVI development environment has a unique troubleshooting feature that protects the user from run-time errors or previously undetectable problems during program execution. In traditional C programming development environments, many times the developer commits a programming error that the compiler does not detect. For example, a violation occurs if a 100-element character array is allocated in the program, and during program execution more than 100 bytes are written to the array (the string is overwritten). However, the compiler has no way of finding this error at compile time. The excess bytes are simply written into memory, corrupting memory locations past the end of the original string, possibly allocated for different variables. The corrupted memory locations may not be a problem at the time; however, it may manifest itself at a later time during program execution.

Problems like overwriting arrays or indexing past the end of an array, although easy to solve, are very time-consuming to pinpoint. The LabWindows/CVI user protection capabilities will not only catch memory violations like these, but also break from program execution and indicate exactly which statement in the source code contains the offending operation. The ability of LabWindows/CVI users to quickly and easily discover where any run-time memory allocation problems exist can save hours of debugging effort during the development process. User protection is unique to LabWindows/CVI; no other C development environment has the same level of built-in run-time memory checking and protection.

Compiler/Linker/Debugger

LabWindows/CVI users have the option of compiling their source code with debug information included, in which case users can step through their source code while it executes for simplified debugging and troubleshooting. At any time during program execution, users can insert breakpoints in their code or track the values of program variables. With the LabWindows/CVI C integrated compiler, linker, and debugger, users can quickly create, run, and troubleshoot their applications. LabWindows/CVI users can also execute their programs at the speed of compiled code, yet debug their programs as if it were interpreted code.

Open System Architecture

LabWindows/CVI is built upon accepted industry standards for maximum flexibility in incorporating existing ANSI C tools and libraries. Because LabWindows/CVI complies with the full ANSI C language specification, users who have developed applications or libraries that conform to the ANSI C standard can use their source code within the LabWindows/CVI environment with few or no changes.

Users with compiled C object modules can incorporate these modules into LabWindows/CVI as well. LabWindows/CVI for Windows accepts object modules compiled with the WATCOM C compiler (LabWindows/CVI is a 32-bit system), and LabWindows/CVI for Sun accepts modules compiled with the Sun Microsystems ANSI C compiler (acc) or the public domain GNU C compiler (gcc). LabWindows/CVI for Windows users can call DLLs from the environment as well. The LabWindows/CVI architecture offers a standard framework from which users can call DLLs, object modules, libraries, or ANSI C source code, providing a flexible, open environment for integration.

In addition to loading external object modules or existing C code, the LabWindows/CVI environment itself is open to a certain level of customization. Users can add entries to the standard LabWindows/CVI menus that will execute user-defined C routines automatically. Developers or integrators of ATE or process control systems can customize the look and feel of the LabWindows/CVI development environment to seamlessly include their own set of menu selections and utilities.

Simplified GUI Programming for Windows and Sun

LabWindows/CVI provides tools for creating and controlling extensive GUIs for the Windows and Sun platforms. The tools for building and controlling a user interface with LabWindows/CVI provide a layer above the operating system for fast and easy creation of windowing applications. LabWindows/CVI hides the low-level details of the operating system event-handling schemes.

The User Interface Editor is an interactive drag-and-drop utility for designing graphic displays. Users can choose from graphs, strip charts, pushbuttons, radio buttons, meters, knobs, thermometers, scale displays, and many other controls to define the operator interface. Each of these control types has a corresponding pop-up dialog box for setting the size, color, label, fonts, and data type of the control. In addition, the editor includes standard graphical editing features, such as cut and paste, control grouping, and alignment and distribution capabilities to organize controls easily on the user interface.

The user interface library contains the functions for controlling the displays created in the User Interface Editor. Users can programmatically modify any of the control attributes defined in the User Interface Editor through functions in the User Interface Library, so the look and feel of program displays can change dynamically during program execution. In addition, the library contains all of the functions for sending data to and receiving data from the front panel displays. With functions for trapping and processing events from the user interface, whether they are mouse clicks or keyboard entries, users can create extensive event-driven programs for controlling their applications.

Controlling Windows or X Window System-based user interface panels from LabWindows/CVI is made simple by the User Interface Library. Traditionally, creating and controlling graphical panels has been very difficult and time-consuming for Windows and X Window System developers because it requires advanced programming skills and a working knowledge of low-level operating system calls. LabWindows/CVI adds a layer on top of Windows messages, so developers can process user interface events without dealing with low-level Windows messaging issues.

Although LabWindows/CVI provides a simplified mechanism for GUI programming, the programming methodology for processing events is both functional and flexible. Users can program with a single event loop, which continuously polls for user interface events and then executes a particular section of code when an event is found. Or, they can use callback functions associated with particular controls on their user interface. For example, users can assign a particular function to a control on the user interface so that every time the control is operated, the function is called automatically to process the events. Developers can recognize different types of events within a callback function for a particular control, such as a left or right mouse button click. Using callback functions is similar to the mechanism that traditional Windows programming follows, whereas using event loops is how LabWindows-created DOS programs are structured. Users can combine both of these GUI programming methods within a single program in LabWindows/CVI. In either case, the LabWindows/CVI developer has access to low-level event information without encountering the issues of the underlying Windows or X Window low-level windowing system.

Instrument Control with Ready-to-Use Drivers

Controlling instruments with IEEE 488/488.2, RS-232, or VXIbus interfaces from LabWindows/CVI is made faster and easier with instrument drivers. An instrument driver is a high-level set of functions that initializes, configures, measures, or controls a particular instrument. With an instrument driver, users no longer have to learn the remote ASCII command sets or register sets defined for their instrument. The instrument driver automatically converts the configure or measure function into a lowlevel command string understood by the instrument, which handles all GPIB, RS-232, or VXI interface issues to send the command to the instrument.

LabWindows/CVI users have the benefit of using the same instrument drivers as those currently available in the DOS version of LabWindows. Although LabWindows/CVI is a new product, over 300 IEEE 488, RS-232, VXI message-based and VXI register-based instrument drivers will be available to developers when LabWindows/CVI Version 1.0 is shipped. With instrument driver development and editing tools available in LabWindows/CVI, users can build their own drivers or edit the source code of any existing LabWindows/CVI instrument driver as needed.

Libraries for Programming Instrument Control, Data Acquisition, and Signal Conditioning Hardware

LabWindows/CVI has built-in libraries for controlling IEEE 488.2 interface boards, plug-in DAQ boards, VXIbus embedded or MXI controllers, and RS-232 serial interfaces. These libraries are built upon the same standard National Instruments NI-488.2, NI-DAQ, and NI-VXI DLLs that developers can use with any Windows development environment that accepts DLLs.

The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI works with National Instruments hardware for PC/XT/AT/EISA and PS/2 computers, including interfaces for GPIB and VXI instrument control, plug-in DAQ boards for real-world signal acquisition, and SCXI signal conditioning hardware.

National Instruments instrument interface hardware for the SPARCstation that works with LabWindows/CVI includes an plug-in SBus GPIB interface board, an external GPIB-to-SCSI interface, a plug-in MXIbus interface for controlling MXI-equipped VXI and VME systems, and the GPIB-ENET/Sun for communicating with and controlling IEEE 488 devices from anywhere on an Ethernet-based TCP/IP network. The company is currently developing SBus DAQ hardware for the SPARCstation and expects first products to be available by the end of the year.

See the National Instruments 1994 catalog for more details on PC and SPARCstation-compatible hardware products.

Built-In Analysis Capabilities Rival Dedicated Packages

Built-in analysis capabilities are a key link between data acquisition and presentation tasks in user applications. The benefits of the LabWindows/CVI Advanced Analysis Library are two fold. Because the analysis functions are fully integrated into the LabWindows/CVI environment, just like the IEEE 488.2 or DAQ libraries, the programmer can maintain the same cohesive development methodology for all acquisition, analysis, and presentation tasks. Additionally, the Advanced Analysis Library itself contains functions powerful and flexible enough to rival dedicated analysis packages. These analysis functions include signal processing, windowing, filtering, curve fitting, statistics, vector and matrix algebra, interpolation, and complex array manipulation. Over 200 functions are available for performing complex data analysis tasks within LabWindows/CVI applications.

As the technology leader in software, National Instruments has gained a strong reputation in the acquisition arena, with the NI-488.2, NI-DAQ, and NI-VXI device drivers, as well as the user interface arena through LabVIEW and LabWindows. However, recent years have seen increased emphasis on the analysis capabilities of our application software products, culminating in the development of the Gabor Spectrogram - a new joint time-frequency analysis algorithm for faster and higher resolution signal analysis. The analysis functions have also been made more usable for the scientist and engineer, incorporating measurement-based analysis techniques to maintain proper units and scaling throughout an application. LabWindows/CVI represents another framework for bringing these advanced analysis algorithms and techniques to the end-user.

Cross-Platform Application Development Tool

Developers using LabWindows/CVI have the ability to create applications that can run on Microsoft Windows or Sun Solaris. Users can port applications that were originally developed under DOS to Windows and UNIX to become multiplatform applications. LabWindows/CVI provides a set of tools and guidelines for those developers interested in creating applications to run on several platforms. Using these tools, developers can ensure that the applications not only function across platforms, but also maintain their graphical "look and feel" in terms of control styles, colors, and text fonts used.

Networking/Interprocess Communication

Using the networking libraries built into the LabWindows/CVI environment, developers can create applications that access external Windows applications or computers across a network. Both Windows and Sun users have access to TCP/IP functions in LabWindows/CVI for networking. In addition, LabWindows/CVI has built-in DDE capabilities for Windows interprocess communication.

Migration Path from DOS to Windows/UNIX

Existing DOS users of LabWindows can port their applications to the Microsoft Windows or Sun Solaris operating systems with little or no modifications. Translator utilities in LabWindows/CVI convert DOS user interface resource files, function panel files, and source files to formats readable from LabWindows/CVI. Because the National Instruments IEEE 488.2, VXI, and DAQ libraries in LabWindows for DOS are identical to the functions available in corresponding Windows DLLs, most of the source code involving acquisition will remain unchanged under Windows.

Availability and How to Get More Information

The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI will be available from National Instruments in November. LabWindows/CVI for Sun will be available from National Instruments in December. For additional details, see the press release and other product background information in this press kit.

For more information, please contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


Catering to C Programmer for Instrumentation
Catering To the C Programmer for Instrumentation

New Instrumentation Software Delivers Advanced Development Tools and Utilities Previously Found Only in Professional Application Development Packages

Within the last five years, the instrumentation market has seen the stronghold of the BASIC programming language weaken and shift toward C. Several recent industry surveys have documented this growing acceptance of C programming - for the first time C is the preferred language of engineers over BASIC! How has this commitment to C for instrumentation evolved, and how are instrumentation vendors responding to this change in user programming preferences?

One explanation for the surge in C popularity is pure demographics - the continuing influx of engineering graduates trained in C programming is steering the instrumentation market more firmly toward it. Another is that engineers and scientists can take advantage of the vast array of tools and development aids for C programming that doesn't exist for other languages. For example, source code control, a standard feature of the C language, is of particular importance to programmers, especially those working on large test or data acquisition (DAQ) systems consisting of hundreds of software modules.

As engineers move away from the high-end, dedicated test systems toward build-it-yourself PC and workstation-based systems, flexibility and integration become vital for successful instrumentation system development. In these cases, nonproprietary languages such as C are attractive to system integrators who prefer a flexible, open architecture for their software development environment. The C language is a well known standard that excels in combining several software modules and components for building an application.

Addressing Changing User Needs

A large number of BASIC and C instrumentation programmers have successfully met their PC programming requirements since early 1988 by using the National Instruments DOS-based LabWindows automatic code-generation software. Although this popular software has satisfied thousands of users, several years of customer feedback have uncovered potential areas for improvement. Because the DOS-based LabWindows also caters to BASIC programmers, a number of language tradeoffs were made to include both the C and BASIC languages within its programming environment. Many C programmers find the development tools within LabWindows for DOS attractive, but must eventually leave the environment and use the software's libraries with their own compiler and linker to access the full C language. Although the flexibility of the these stand-alone libraries provides a functional alternative, most users would prefer to have the full language within the software's environment.

Platform preference is also a concern. DOS users of LabWindows run into operating system performance and memory limitations, causing a growing number of engineers and scientists to look toward Microsoft Windows. Windows offers a powerful upgrade to the huge installed base of PCs - upon which many companies are standardizing. UNIX is another popular alternative to DOS and Windows. Many other companies are moving toward a concurrent engineering development model, in which design and prototyping work is more tightly linked with manufacturing and testing efforts. These customers want to use their high-performance Sun workstations to acquire data for production test, in addition to the design and analysis tools already popular for the Sun.

LabWindows/CVI Overcomes Current Limitations

In response to the increasing acceptance of the C programming language, the overwhelming popularity of the Windows operating system, and the need for instrumentation software for UNIX-based workstations from Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, National Instruments introduces LabWindows/CVI (C for Virtual Instrumentation), a multiplatform software product designed for C programmers developing instrumentation applications. LabWindows/CVI builds upon the proven programming methodology and tools provided by the DOS-based LabWindows, while removing its limitations and expanding on the platforms and operating systems offered.

LabWindows/CVI is a development environment for building test and measurement and data acquisition applications using the ANSI C standard programming language and running them under the Microsoft Windows or Sun Solaris operating systems. The software includes libraries for controlling IEEE 488, RS-232, and VXIbus instruments, and plug-in DAQ boards. The Advanced Analysis Library includes over 200 functions for signal processing, filtering, windowing, statistics, curve fitting, interpolation, and matrix algebra. LabWindows/CVI includes an advanced User Interface Editor for building custom graphics displays for controlling and displaying program results.

The LabWindows/CVI development environment is virtually identical between Windows and Sun, so users can develop multiplatform applications. The LabWindows/CVI development environment includes all of the tools required to build ANSI C compatible Windows or UNIX-based applications. Features include:

* Integrated ANSI C-compatible development environment with built-in libraries for data acquisition, analysis, and presentation

* User Interface Editor for designing and controlling extensive graphical user interfaces (GUIs) quickly and easily

* Over 300 ready-to-use GPIB, VXI, and RS-232 instrument drivers

* Fully integrated, ANSI C compiler, linker, debugger, variable trace display, and memory checking capabilities

* Open system for integration with ANSI C source files, object modules, C libraries, and dynamic link libraries (DLLs)

* Multiplatform application development capabilities

* Interapplication communication through TCP/IP and dynamic data exchange (DDE)

LabWindows/CVI also provides a smooth upgrade path from DOS to Microsoft Windows and Sun Solaris for the thousands of existing DOS users of LabWindows who have developed instrumentation applications. These developers can convert their applications to run on Windows or Sun Solaris with little or no modification using translation utilities available in LabWindows/CVI.

How LabWindows/CVI Fits Into the National Instruments Software Strategy

The National Instruments software strategy is based upon a commitment to deliver multiplatform instrumentation programming tools that match the needs of different types of users. This commitment began with driver-level software for GPIB, VXI, and DAQ hardware and has been extended to its application development software - LabVIEW, LabWindows for DOS, and now LabWindows/CVI.

Why these different software products? The company found that for a software product to satisfy a customer, it had to not only serve the customer's functional needs (such as providing tools for data acquisition, analysis, and presentation), but also to appeal to the customer's programming and computer preferences and expertise. It is unrealistic to expect one package to work for everyone.

The driving force behind the company's decision to develop both LabWindows software for DOS and LabVIEW was the existence of a range of customer preferences and programming experience levels - some users knew how to program in C, some in BASIC, and some didn't program at all. Although LabWindows for DOS and LabVIEW meet the same basic user needs both are software development systems for building test and measurement or data acquisition and control applications - they differ in programming methodology. DOS-based LabWindows caters to the customer who prefers to program on a PC using C or BASIC, while LabVIEW is a graphical (iconic) programming environment that many novice programmers find faster and easier to learn than standard text-based languages.

In addition to programming methodology, customers have strong preferences as to which computing platforms and operating systems are appropriate for their applications. Hence, application software products must run on a variety of operating systems and computer platforms to be accepted by a large percentage of the market. Although both LabWindows for DOS and LabVIEW have been very successful, neither matches the profile of an emerging class of instrumentation user - the Windows or UNIX-based C programmer.

LabWindows/CVI fulfills this need. LabWindows/CVI delivers programming tools for the C programmer within a cohesive, easy-to-use application development environment. LabWindows/CVI overcomes the language and platform limitations of the existing DOS-based LabWindows product, while expanding on the GUI capabilities and code development and debugging tools for the C programmer. The result is a fully integrated development environment that any C programmer, from novice to expert, can benefit from when developing instrumentation applications.

Availability and How to Get More Information

The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI will be available from National Instruments in November. LabWindows/CVI for Sun will be available from National Instruments in December. For additional details, see the press release and other product background information in this press kit.

For more information, please contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


Differentiating LabWindows/CVI
Differentiating LabWindows/CVI from General-Purpose Programming Tools

LabWindows/CVI (C for Virtual Instrumentation) is a standard programming solution targeted at engineers and scientists developing instrumentation applications using the standard C programming language with the Microsoft Windows or Sun Solaris operating systems.

For instrumentation programs, LabWindows/CVI offers a number of advantages over general purpose development packages, such as Visual Basic, Visual C++, and the SDK from Microsoft. Like these general-purpose packages, LabWindows/CVI is an open system, so users can easily integrate external modules, libraries, or dynamic link libraries (DLLs) developed with other software packages. The driving force behind LabWindows/CVI development will always be to improve tools for scientific and engineering applications, with the ability for users to incorporate existing code from other general-purpose packages. LabWindows/CVI, although serving a more specific market segment than general-purpose packages, will maintain an open architecture to guarantee a comprehensive solution for the user.

The following features differentiate LabWindows/CVI from general-purpose development environments:

Integrated Development Environment with Built-In Libraries

LabWindows/CVI is a comprehensive development tool for test and measurement or data acquisition applications. Engineers and scientists are becoming more and more skilled in using the C programming language to solve their instrumentation applications. However, unlike software engineers dedicated to developing applications, scientists and engineers usually do not have the time or computer science background to master all of the advanced development tools available for C programmers. LabWindows/CVI provides advanced tools for editing, compiling, and debugging C applications within a single environment, offering a cohesive development solution. And, because all of the acquisition, analysis, and presentation libraries are built into the LabWindows/CVI development environment, users are assured of seamless integration between their hardware and software. LabWindows/CVI ensures easy hardware integration for complex data acquisition or instrument control applications, while providing the flexibility of using the standard ANSI C programming language with which many scientists and engineers are familiar.

Simplified User Interface Programming

As applications move onto operating systems more sophisticated than DOS, such as Windows and X Window System, building and controlling graphical user interfaces (GUIs) becomes a complex and difficult task. Again, scientists and engineers are embracing the PC with Windows as a standard platform, yet they don't have the time or background to master the integral details of low-level Windows operating systems calls and message handling. The LabWindows/CVI User Interface Editor provides a simple drag-and-drop environment for creating custom GUIs. More importantly, the LabWindows/CVI User Interface Library (UIL) provides an easy-to-use application programming interface (API) for controlling these custom GUIs. The UIL hides the details of handling low-level Windows and X Window System messages from the LabWindows/CVI developer.

User Interface Controls

LabWindows/CVI features advanced user interface tools geared specifically toward scientific applications. For example, extensive waveform display capabilities are included with LabWindows/CVI in the graph and strip chart controls for creating scope displays, waveform displays, and X vs. Y displays with options for engineering notation for the units, log scaling, and auto-scaling of the axes. Process control and VXI-based testing applications require controls dedicated for building instrumentation displays, such as meter displays, gauge readouts, thermometer displays, and tank level controls. The user interface tools in LabWindows/CVI focus on the controls and displays found in a technical or scientific report, as opposed to business presentation graphics.

Instrument Drivers

For test and measurement applications, the single biggest factor in saving development time is the existence of the appropriate instrument drivers. With an instrument driver, engineers can instantly communicate with their GPIB, RS-232, or VXIbus instruments without worrying about interface bus or instrument command issues. An instrument driver is a custom library of functions acting as a simple translator from high-level, intuitive functions to the low-level, cryptic commands that the instrument understands.

LabWindows/CVI uses the same instrument drivers currently available for existing DOS users of LabWindows. When LabWindows/CVI 1.0 is shipped, its instrument driver library will contain over 300 GPIB, RS-232, and VXIbus instrument drivers.

Multiplatform

LabWindows/CVI bundles all of these tools and utilities within a single development environment that runs under the Microsoft Windows or Sun Solaris operating systems. Because many scientific and engineering applications require the analysis processing power of a workstation, users find the multiplatform solution attractive. The choice of Windows or UNIX ensures users that they can build their applications on the best machine available for their application.

Summary

LabWindows/CVI adds several important tools and features to standard programming languages that drastically reduce development time for instrumentation applications. Through integrated DLLs, libraries, and GUI development tools, users can combine many different general-purpose development tools within the LabWindows/CVI environment. Future versions of LabWindows/CVI will provide stand-alone DLLs for all of the acquisition, analysis, and presentation libraries included in the product, so developers will have the choice of using the LabWindows/CVI environment or alternative Windows environments to create their applications.

Availability and How to Get More Information

The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI will be available from National Instruments in November. LabWindows/CVI for Sun will be available from National Instruments in December. For more details, see the press release and other product background information in this press kit.

For more information, please contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


Profiles of Typical LabWindows/CVI Customers

The National Instruments LabWindows/CVI (C for Virtual Instrumentation) application software was designed for C programmers developing instrumentation systems for Windows PCs and Sun workstations. Within this focused group, there are several classes of developers who would be particularly interested in LabWindows/CVI - end-users programming in C; existing DOS-based users of LabWindows; systems integrators; suppliers of test and measurement systems, ATE systems, and process control systems; and government contractors. A description of why each of these types of users would be interested in LabWindows/CVI follows.

End-Users Programming in C

Over the last five years, National Instruments has met a large segment of end-user market needs with the LabWindows for DOS and LabVIEW products. However, a growing number of scientists and engineers who are becoming more and more proficient in C programming are outgrowing the capabilities of the LabWindows software for DOS, and do not consider graphical programming a viable option. This group of end-users is left to build their instrumentation specific applications with general-purpose C programming tools, or cope with the limitations of many existing instrumentation-specific packages. LabWindows/CVI is the first full C development package that is geared specifically for the instrumentation market. The group of end-users who are C programmers will find that LabWindows/CVI is a flexible tool that helps them get the job done quickly and easily without imposing programming limitations.

Existing DOS users of LabWindows

With LabWindows/CVI, existing DOS users of LabWindows have a smooth migration path to Windows and Solaris. The LabWindows/CVI development environment will be compatible with all existing C programs developed using the LabWindows software for DOS, with only minor changes required to make the programs functional. Translation utilities are included with LabWindows/CVI to automatically convert an existing LabWindows for DOS user interface file into a Windows or UNIX-based graphical user interface (GUI), mapping the DOS controls to comparable LabWindows/CVI controls. Utilities are also available to convert existing instrument drivers or source code files into LabWindows/CVI-compatible code automatically. Users can load translated source code into the LabWindows/CVI environment as is, and run it with only minor modifications outlined in LabWindows/CVI product documentation. For example, because LabWindows/CVI is a 32-bit system, variables defined as 'int' are represented as 32-bit integers rather than 16-bit integers as in the DOS-based LabWindows. If users want to maintain 16-bit 'int' variables, they will need to change the declaration to 'short'. These types of translation issues are outlined in LabWindows/CVI documentation.

System Integrators

Because the C programming language is a standard designed for modularity and integration, system integrators will prefer the power and flexibility offered by LabWindows/CVI. Because the LabWindows/CVI development environment complies with the full ANSI C language specification, developers will not encounter the common pitfalls of many proprietary language solutions, such as a general lack of flexibility and inability to integrate external components into their applications. ANSI C is an established language standard. In addition, LabWindows/CVI has built-in capabilities for integrating object modules and Windows dynamic link libraries (DLLs) into an application.

LabWindows/CVI will have dynamic data exchange (DDE) for Windows and TCP/IP capabilities, providing communication links with other applications or networks.

Suppliers of Test and Measurement Systems, ATE Systems, and Process Control Systems

For many of the same reasons outlined above, companies looking for a methodology on which to standardize their test systems will find LabWindows/CVI appealing. The test and measurement and ATE market has recently shown a history of accepting and embracing standard programming languages for developing test systems. The integration capabilities of LabWindows/CVI combined with its substantial Instrument Driver Library makes it an attractive product to the test market.

Many companies are looking for an off-the-shelf programming solution to bundle with their dedicated test systems. LabWindows/CVI is an obvious choice, because it is based on a standard language and has a high degree of integration. In addition, system suppliers can customize the LabWindows/CVI environment with their own menus and custom utilities, providing a focused solution for their end-users.

Government Contractors

Many government or defense contracts involve years of source code development from hundreds of different programmers. For these large-scale advanced software projects, source code control and maintenance are critical to the success of the development effort. Because LabWindows/CVI is a standard language development tool, these types of development projects can benefit from the modularity, flexibility, and maintainability of ANSI C source code.

Availability and How to Get More Information

The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI will be available from National Instruments in November. LabWindows/CVI for Sun will be available from National Instruments in December. For additional details, see the press release and other product background information in this press kit.

For more information, please contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


LabWindows/CVI Engineering & Scientific Apps
Engineering and Scientific Applications for LabWindows/CVI

Engineers and scientists will use the National Instruments LabWindows/CVI (C for Virtual Instrumentation) C automatic code-generation software to design and develop instrumentation systems built around Microsoft Windows PCs and SPARCstations from Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation. Following the strategy of other National Instruments application software, LabWindows/CVI is a general-purpose tool that users can apply in a wide variety of application areas, including:

Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Automotive Engineering

Motion Control

Audio/Acoustics/Speech

Physiological Research

Educational Instruction and Research

Process Monitoring and Control

Metrology

Electronics Test

Telecommunications

A brief description of how LabWindows/CVI will be used in each of these application areas follows.

Aerospace Engineering

Engineers and scientists developing instrumentation systems for automating aerospace engineering applications can use LabWindows/CVI to measure, control, and analyze parameters such as temperature, voltage, pressure, flow, and vibration. Potential applications include automating research labs and testing facilities for measuring engine shock, vibration, stress, engine performance parameters, and materials testing.

Automotive Engineering

LabWindows/CVI is ideal for engineers and scientists developing different types of computer controlled instrumentation systems used in the harsh environments often found in automotive research, production, manufacturing, and test industries and even in the auto racing industry. Engineers can combine LabWindows/CVI with plug-in data acquisition (DAQ) boards to monitor and collect analog or digital data about mechanical processes from the engine, transmission, chassis, and suspension. Major automobile manufacturers are already using National Instruments software and hardware in shock and vibration analysis, stress testing, standards testing, and engine performance monitoring. Other uses might include simulating road conditions in durability studies of suspension assemblies, testing and logging data on the reliability and durability of steering column systems, testing the operation of hydraulic brake assemblies, or monitoring and recording oil pressure and temperatures, fuel mix, throttle, braking, suspension travel and stresses, miles per hour, and engine rpms.

Audio/Acoustics/Speech

Users can combine LabWindows/CVI with our dynamic signal acquisition boards and digital signal processing (DSP) accelerator boards to analyze AC signals in applications such as audio, acoustics, sonar, and speech. For example, users can combine LabWindows/CVI with this specialized hardware to create a virtual spectrum analyzer.

Educational Instruction and Research

LabWindows/CVI will soon join the other National Instruments products in use at thousands of universities all over the world for educational instruction and research. Departments that would use LabWindows/CVI include electrical engineering, physiology, biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, medical research, natural sciences, and any other scientific or engineering discipline where educators and students need to monitor, measure, and control real-world phenomena. LabWindows/CVI will be included in the company's academic discount program.

Metrology

The extensive instrument library that is included with LabWindows/CVI makes it very useful in instrument calibration laboratories to engineers who are testing and reconfiguring different types of devices. Test programs developed with LabWindows/CVI instrument drivers make it easy to communicate with and test IEEE 488, RS-232, and VXI instrumentation. Using the extensive graphical user interface (GUI) tools and controls available in LabWindows/CVI, users can build virtual instrument (VI) front panels in software to interactively control these instruments through the instrument drivers.

Electronics Test

Developers can use LabWindows/CVI with GPIB and VXI instruments and plug-in DAQ boards to build versatile, integrated systems for testing components, circuits and circuit boards, cables, or machines. These test systems, which match or exceed performance of dedicated and more expensive controllers, can perform both data acquisition and analysis and have an easy-to-use operator interface. For example, a circuit designer may want to know how an amplifier affects a test signal that is run through it. A computer manufacturer will want to test the quality of power supplies before putting them into production computers.

Mechanical Engineering

Using the signal processing capabilities and wide range of plug-in DAQ boards and front-end signal conditioning tools controlled by LabWindows/CVI, mechanical engineers can use a PC to develop programs and control experiments in real time. Typical applications might include fluid mechanics and fluid machinery, heat transfer, internal combustion engines, control systems, materials Properties, and mechanical measurements. With the SCXI signal conditioning system and the transducer conversion algorithms fully integrated in LabWindows/CVI, users can acquire data and control thermocouples, strain gauges, pressure transducers, digital relays, thermistors, flow meters, or almost any other transducer used in mechanical engineering applications.

Motion Control

Developers can use LabWindows/CVI for robotics, inspection systems, production automation, and machine tools. With LabWindows/CVI, users can build the operator-friendly GUIs needed for such applications and take advantage of its open system architecture to easily link in driver source code for controlling plug-in motion control hardware and equipment.

Physiological/Psychological Research

Researchers can combine LabWindows/CVI with DAQ products and PCs to create custom measurement and analysis systems they can use in medical research and clinical laboratories for laboratory automation, data collection, process monitoring and control, and physiological monitoring. Applications might include lab animal monitoring; researching cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, and respiratory systems; pharmaceutical studies; drug and forensic testing; anesthesiology; studying human emotions; and testing prostheses.

Process Monitoring and Control

Control engineers can use LabWindows/CVI to automate process control applications using Windows and high-performance PCs. They can automate instrumentation applications on the factory floor, or in research labs for all types of process industries including pharmaceutical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, food, metal, and textiles. Engineers can use a system made up of LabWindows/CVI and National Instruments DAQ boards to monitor and control a variety of variables such as temperature, pressure, chemical weight, composition, light intensity, and materials flow, as well as monitor and control instruments such as chromatographs using RS-232 or GPIB.

Telecommunications

Users can integrate LabWindows/CVI into IEEE 488 or VXI-based instrumentation for telecommunications research and testing applications. The LabWindows/CVI open system architecture provides a baseline development environment that users can enhance with telecommunications-specific tests or utilities through external DLLs or object modules. End-user programmers then have a framework to develop custom test programs using these integrated telecommunications tools.

Availability and How to Get More Information

The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI will be available from National Instruments in November. LabWindows/CVI for Sun will be available from National Instruments in December. For additional details, see the press release and other product background information in this press kit.

For more information, please contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


Q&A About LabWindows/CVI for Windows & Solaris
Questions and Answers about LabWindows/CVI for Microsoft Windows and LabWindows/CVI for Sun Solaris

Market Impact

1. In what market areas will LabWindows/CVI have the greatest impact?

LabWindows/CVI for Windows and LabWindows/CVI for Sun will have an immediate impact on all scientific and engineering-related market areas. LabWindows/CVI extends the National Instruments multiplatform application software strategy, which caters to ANSI C programmers with LabWindows/CVI, and to graphical programmers with LabVIEW for Windows/Sun/Macintosh. Scientists and engineers can match their programming experience to the application software package that is best for them - LabWindows/CVI or LabVIEW. These application areas include test and measurement, ATE, process control, data acquisition, and analysis and signal processing.

LabWindows/CVI for Windows eliminates the need for programmers to become familiar with the low-level Windows operating system details to build Windows applications, providing a higher-level development environment for creating and controlling graphical user interfaces (GUIs) quickly and easily. LabWindows/CVI for Windows brings the power and flexibility of ANSI C programming to Windows, while hiding the cumbersome details of traditional Windows development from the user. The incredible growth and success of Windows has driven many scientists and engineers to the Windows environment, only to find a lack of sufficient test and measurement-based development tools for C programmers. LabWindows/CVI delivers easy-to-use Windows development tools for C programmers.

LabWindows/CVI for Sun unleashes the processing power of a Sun workstation to scientists and engineers, delivering a user-friendly programming interface and high-level GUI development tools to Sun workstation users. Traditionally strong in C programming, UNIX users can acquire data and control instruments from the same workstations they use for high-powered product design and data analysis. LabWindows/CVI for Sun bridges the gap between data acquisition and instrument control and the processing power of a Sun workstation, serving both the non-UNIX user who needs the power of a workstation as well as the experienced UNIX user who needs to acquire data or control instruments.

2 . What impact will LabWindows/CVI have on National Instruments revenue/market share?

LabWindows/CVI for Windows/Sun will add significantly to the already strong position of the National Instruments application software packages - LabWindows for DOS and LabVIEW for Windows/Sun/Macintosh. This assumption is based on several factors, including the large installed base of DOS users of LabWindows seeking a migration path to Windows or Sun, the overwhelming success of the Windows operating system, the huge installed base of 386 and 486 PCs, and the wide acceptance of ANSI C as a programming standard. Because of the tight coupling between LabWindows/CVI and all of National Instruments instrument control and data acquisition (DAQ) hardware for PC/AT/EISA and PS/2 computers, LabWindows/CVI will have a significant impact on a broad spectrum of markets and application areas.

3 . How will LabWindows/CVI affect alliances between National Instruments and third-party strategic partners?

LabWindows/CVI provides a standard platform for developing large scale data acquisition and instrument control applications. Significant development effort was invested in making LabWindows/CVI an open system, able to communicate with Windows DLLs or external object modules. Providing an open system that is based upon the worldwide ANSI C programming language standard makes LabWindows/CVI very attractive to all system integrators, including ATE and process control system developers. LabWindows/CVI delivers standard software tools in a simplified application programming interface (API) for building windowing applications. Because of these features, LabWindows/CVI will quickly become popular with system integrators and developers.

Language Issues

4 . Why was ANSI C chosen as the programming language for LabWindows/CVI?

In recent years, the instrumentation market has shown a steady shift toward C as the language of choice. The instrumentation market has been historically dominated by BASIC, due mainly to the prevalence of Hewlett-Packard instruments controlled by HP BASIC. However, recent surveys have shown C outpacing BASIC as the language of choice for scientists and engineers. Recent engineering graduates schooled in C programming are replacing many long-time BASIC users. In addition, C provides the power and flexibility needed to take advantage of the Windows and UNIX operating systems. For these reasons, it was obvious that C was the best choice for LabWindows/CVI.

5. Why was BASIC not chosen as the programming language for LabWindows/CVI?

Although BASIC has been popular in the instrumentation marketplace in the past, we chose not to use the BASIC programming language in LabWindows/CVI for the following reasons:

(1) The market has shown a clear shift toward C Programming in recent years.

(2) If two languages were incorporated, tradeoffs would have to be made that would hinder the functionality of the product.

(3) Visual Basic already provides a solution for BASIC users under Windows. National Instruments endorses the use of Visual Basic for those customers who need to acquire data or control instruments from a Windows application and prefer to program in BASIC. All of the company's hardware products include DLLs that developers can use with Visual Basic. Therefore, using BASIC in LabWindows/CVI would only duplicate a certain amount of the development effort already exerted by Microsoft with Visual Basic. However, until LabWindows/CVI, C programmers have not had a development tool for quickly and easily building Windows applications.

(4) ANSI C is an established standard, whereas BASIC has many different adaptations available on the market.

6. How can C programmers incorporate existing C code into LabWindows/CVI?

Because LabWindows/CVI provides an open foundation for building Windows and UNIX applications quickly, many C programmers will want to incorporate their existing code into LabWindows/CVI. Users can incorporate existing C code into LabWindows/CVI via the following methods:

(1) Because LabWindows/CVI complies with the full ANSI C language specification, users can load and run any C code that follows the ANSI C specification within the LabWindows/CVI environment.

(2) Users can convert their code into DLLs or use existing DLLs with LabWindows/CVI.

(3) Users can compile any existing source code with the WATCOM C compiler and load the object module into LabWindows/CVI. Because it is a 32-bit environment, the initial version of LabWindows/CVI works only with the WATCOM 32-bit C compiler for external object modules. LabWindows/CVI for Sun users can compile external code with the Sun Microsystems ANSI C compiler (acc) or the public domain GNU C compiler (gcc) to load into the LabWindows/CVI environment.

7. Does LabWindows/CVI accommodate C++ language extensions?

The initial version of LabWindows/CVI incorporates only the ANSI C language specification; users cannot use any C++ language extensions or structures within LabWindows/CVI. C++ was originally developed to provide guidelines for creating structured, reusable code within an application. C++, or object-oriented techniques, are valuable for large-scale, professional software development projects. Although the initial investment in C++ may be lengthy, it can pay off farther down the development cycle as more and more reusable code segments are created. Because the emphasis of LabWindows/CVI is to provide tools to quickly build Windows and UNIX applications, C++ was not considered for the first release of LabWindows/CVI. Scientists and engineers creating small to medium scale test and measurement or DAQ systems with LabWindows/CVI do not need the additional classes, structures, and overhead associated with C++. In addition, scientists and engineers generally have not embraced C++ to the same extent they have accepted the standard C language. As a whole, it is not yet obvious within the instrumentation industry if the time and effort required to learn C++ is worth the gains for scientific or engineering applications. If the instrumentation industry demands C++ in the future, National Instruments will take the appropriate measures to meet this demand.

Comparing LabWindows/CVI to LabWindows

8. What enhancements does LabWindows/CVI offer the DOS user of LabWindows?

LabWindows/CVI is a new product - it is much more than a simple port of the LabWindows for DOS product to the Windows and Sun operating systems. LabWindows/CVI is an entire rewrite of the product, with many new features and enhancements. Not only is LabWindows/CVI a full ANSI C development tool (BASIC capability is left to LabWindows for DOS), but every major development tool in LabWindows/CVI was advanced an order of magnitude in sophistication and functionality over those found in the DOS version, including the User Interface Editor and Library, the Source Code Editor, variable display, compiler, and debugger. LabWindows/CVI is a significant extension of the baseline programming tools and methodology introduced in LabWindows for DOS.

9. What level of compatibility will DOS users of LabWindows have when they migrate from DOS to LabWindows/CVI?

Although 90 to 95 percent of existing LabWindows for DOS features will be portable to LabWindows/CVI, a certain percentage of the DOS product's functionality cannot exist under Windows. An example is the color palette functions found in LabWindows Version 2.3 for DOS. Because Windows and UNIX have a totally different color palette scheme than DOS, these functions will not be portable to LabWindows/CVI. The company will provide suggested work-around solutions for these problem areas and will document them in the LabWindows/CVI translators and user manuals.

10. Can users port existing DOS LabWindows applications to LabWindows/CVI?

LabWindows/CVI is built upon the programming tools and methodology introduced in the LabWindows for DOS product. LabWindows/CVI provides a relatively smooth migration path for DOS users to port their applications to the Windows or UNIX operating systems. LabWindows/CVI will include translators to convert existing DOS-based LabWindows GUIs and C source files into LabWindows/CVI-compatible files to run under Microsoft Windows or Sun Solaris. The converter utilities will automatically map any obsolete LabWindows for DOS functions into LabWindows/CVI functions and bring source code files up to date.

11. Will LabWindows/CVI use the same instrument drivers as the DOS version?

LabWindows for DOS currently has over 300 GPIB, RS-232, VXI, and CAMAC instrument drivers. National Instruments is taking steps to ensure that LabWindows/CVI and the DOS version of LabWindows can share the same Instrument Driver Library, thereby making the current DOS LabWindows instrument drivers available on Windows and the X Window System on the Sun with LabWindows/CVI.

12. How do DOS users of LabWindows upgrade to LabWindows/CVI?

Existing DOS users of LabWindows can upgrade to LabWindows/CVI for Windows for $495 or LabWindows/CVI for Sun for $2,495.

Differentiating LabWindows/CVI from Other Software Packages

13. Why introduce LabWindows/CVI for Windows/Sun when National Instruments already has LabVIEW for Windows/Sun?

National Instruments is committed to leading the market in application software technology for instrumentation. LabWindows/CVI and LabVIEW are functionally equivalent - both are general-purpose tools that acquire, analyze, and present data from GPIB, RS-232, VXI, and plug-in DAQ instrumentation. However, the programming methodology is significantly different between LabWindows/CVI and LabVIEW. LabVIEW is extremely successful in delivering a graphical programming solution to novice programmers or nonprogrammers. However, LabVIEW does not address the growing base of experienced C programmers. LabWindows/CVI provides professional-level tools that the experienced C programmer expects, at a level that a scientist or engineer can use.

Clearly, one software package cannot address the preferences of the entire market. In order to maintain this leadership in software technology, the company must provide solutions that cater to customer programming experience levels and preferences, as well as the different needs to acquire, analyze, and present data.

14. How is LabWindows/CVI different from LabVIEW for Windows/Sun?

Programming methodology is the primary differentiating characteristic between LabWindows/CVI and LabVIEW. LabWindows/CVI is an ANSI C development environment and LabVIEW is a graphical programming development environment. LabWindows/CVI is targeted at the growing number of C programmers, and in that sense is very different from LabVIEW. Functionally, both packages provide the same tools for acquiring, analyzing, and presenting data and controlling GPIB, RS-232, VXI, and plug-in DAQ instrumentation hardware. Because the GUI design capabilities of LabWindows/CVI and LabVIEW are virtually the same, it is possible to build an application in LabWindows/CVI that looks identical to one built in LabVIEW.

15. How is LabWindows/CVI different from Microsoft Visual C++?

Microsoft Visual C++ (VC++) is an object-oriented C++ development system for professional Windows application development. VC++ is targeted at companies building Windows applications for resale, such as a spreadsheet or word processing package. VC++ makes it easy to develop large applications quickly with a multiple document interface (MDI) having the standard Windows "File," "Edit," and "Window" pull-down menus. Because major commercial software projects can involve years of development from many different programmers, companies can afford to invest in learning C++. C++ is geared for code modularity and reusability (see question number 7 for more C++ information).

LabWindows/CVI is targeted at scientists and engineers who need to build applications quickly under Windows or UNIX. Because these users are not professional software engineers, in many cases it doesn't make sense for them to spend the time and effort to learn C++. LabWindows/CVI also has tools targeted specifically for instrumentation applications, such as instrument drivers, technical analysis functions, and user interface controls for meters, knobs, graphs, strip charts, gauges, and tanks.

In addition, LabWindows/CVI provides a multiplatform solution to the C programmer for building portable applications for Windows and the Sun.

16. How is LabWindows/CVI different from Microsoft Visual Basic?

Microsoft Visual Basic offers a development environment for building Windows applications quickly and easily using the BASIC programming language. Visual Basic is an excellent tool for quickly creating simple Windows applications. In fact, National Instruments promotes the use of Visual Basic with DLLs for users who want to program in BASIC and use Windows.

However, LabWindows/CVI offers some unique advantages over Visual Basic for the engineer or scientist. First, Visual Basic is not a standard language. It is yet another adaptation of the BASIC language available with no real migration path for DOS developers. LabWindows/CVI is based on ANSI C, an established standard.

Second, Visual Basic is not a viable solution for C programmers whereas LabWindows/CVI caters directly to the C programmer. Third, Visual Basic is only available on Windows, and therefore cannot provide a multiplatform development solution like LabWindows/CVI. And finally, unlike LabWindows/CVI, Visual Basic does not have built-in, instrumentation focused tools, such as instrument drivers, analysis functions, and GUI instrumentation controls. In our experience with both LabVIEW and LabWindows, the integrated software tools for data acquisition and analysis give our users the greatest productivity gains.

17. How will LabWindows/CVI for Windows take advantage of the Windows DLLs previously introduced for National Instruments hardware?

National Instruments has developed and maintained a portable development strategy for all of its driver software (NI-488.2, NI-VXI, NI-DAQ, and NI-DSP) for years. This strategy gives users the ability to move their application programs developed with industry standard languages, like C and BASIC, to new operating systems and new platforms. The Windows DLLs introduced by National Instruments over the last three years represent the implementation of this portable software strategy for Microsoft Windows.

Both the LabWindows/CVI and LabVIEW application software packages build on standardized driver software. In the case of Windows, LabWindows/CVI accesses the National Instruments hardware through Windows DLLs. Thus, the massive development effort to make a portable LabWindows/CVI is a logical Progression in the company's portable software strategy. Now, LabWindows/CVI programs will work with the National Instruments hardware regardless of the platform.

National Instruments will continue to develop, support, and supply Windows DLLs for customers who wish to use LabWindows/CVI, LabVIEW, or other general-purpose programming environments, such as Borland C++ for Windows, Microsoft Visual Basic, and Microsoft Visual C++.

Portability and Networking

18. Define the level of portability between Windows and Sun applications built into LabWindows/CVI.

Portability means two things. Most importantly, it means that users can run a LabWindows/CVI project developed on the Windows version without modification on the Sun. This feature is crucial to the National Instruments software strategy. It is unclear how many users will take advantage of this portability, but if nothing else, it gives them security in knowing they are not tied to a particular computing platform. This strategy is not new to National Instruments - its entire NI-488.2, NI-VXI, and NI -DAQ driver strategy is based upon operating system and computing platform portability. LabWindows/CVI is structured so that much of the code internal to LabWindows/CVI is identical on all platforms (80 percent of the LabWindows/CVI code is platform independent). The only variance in code between LabWindows/CVI versions is in the code that interacts with computer hardware and the operating system. For users, this level of portability ensures a common look and feel as well as identical operation on all platforms. For National Instruments, it means the company can easily port to other operating systems with minimal development effort as market demands change in the future.

19. Can users pass data between LabWindows/CVI applications on both platforms?

Both LabWindows/CVI products can store and retrieve data in ASCII and binary formats. Consequently, LabWindows/CVI users can acquire and store data on one platform and retrieve and analyze it on another platform.

20. Will LabWindows/CVI for Windows have dynamic data exchange (DDE) or object linking and embedding (OLE) capabilities?

The initial release of LabWindows/CVI for Windows will have DDE capability. The initial version of LabWindows/CVI will not have OLE capability. Although National Instruments has definite plans to include OLE capability in the future, it is not clear exactly how or when the company will implement OLE capabilities in LabWindows/CVI.

21. Will LabWindows/CVI for Sun have networking capabilities?

LabWindows/CVI for Sun includes a TCP/IP library, a set of standard protocols for communicating across a single network or interconnected set of networks. LabWindows/CVI accommodates the three basic suites of protocols - the Internet Protocol (IP) for the low-level service of taking data and packaging of components, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) for high-reliability data transmissions, and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) for low-overhead transmissions. The TCP/IP functions handle conversion between 32-bit Internet addresses, dotted notation Internet addresses, and domain name addresses. The TCP and UDP functions use 32-bit Internet addresses to specify destinations.

LabWindows/CVI for Sun Issues

22. Why did National Instruments choose the Sun SPARCstation as the first workstation platform for LabWindows/CVI?

As the leading manufacturer in the workstation market, the Sun platform has a large installed base of technical users. Because Sun is already a dominant player in the Engineering Design Automation (EDA) market as well as in research and experimentation labs, Sun workstations are widely used by the same companies that also need high-performance test and measurement systems. This natural fit will result in the long-awaited goal of the scientist or engineer performing research or design and testing on the same platform. For commercial applications, using the same platform for design and test will result in faster time-to-market cycles and improved quality.

Sun has the built-in connectivity and networking capabilities that are required for integrated test systems in applications such as Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Another attractive feature of the Sun platform is the openness of the platform, which has resulted in widespread availability of the SPARC technology. The price/performance ratio of the SPARCstations also matches the requirements of the test industry, where the majority of users need controllers priced under $10,000.

The Open Measurement Solutions (OMS) alliance, announced in September 1992 between National Instruments, Sun, and Tektronix, is also a factor. This alliance has proved very successful for all three parties. Through OMS, LabVIEW has been introduced at companies like Integrated Measurement Systems (IMS, Beaverton, OR), which selected LabVIEW for its complex device testing systems. LabWindows/CVI is a good fit for OMS.

23. Under which Sun operating systems will LabWindows/CVI run?

LabWindows/CVI runs under the Sun Solaris operating system, Version 1.x (also known as Sun OS 4.1.2) or under Sun Solaris 2.x.

24. Under which UNIX windowing systems will LabWindows/CVI for Sun run?

LabWindows/CVI for Sun was developed with the X Window System, the popular low-level UNIX window building tools developed by MIT. Because users can control X Window applications through either the Open Windows or the Motif window managers under UNIX, LabWindows/CVI for Sun is compatible with both of these window managers.

Future Plans

25. How will future operating system developments, such as NT, OS/2, and Pink, affect LabWindows/CVI?

National Instruments is committed to delivering both standard programming and graphical programming solutions on the most popular platforms as defined by its users. Tremendous efforts have gone into building a portable foundation of software managers under LabWindows/CVI. These managers will make future ports to new operating systems possible for LabWindows/CVI. In general, customers will make the decision as to which operating systems and computer platforms LabWindows/CVI must work with.

At this time, Microsoft Windows is clearly the operating system of choice by a large percentage of the market. The company is anxiously awaiting the release of Windows NT. LabWindows/CVI is actually a 32-bit application with a 16-bit interface to Windows 3.x. With NT, LabWindows/CVI will run much faster. Because of the true multitasking, multi-threaded kernel in NT, many new applications and opportunities will arise on the PC platform. Once National Instruments has released and stabilized the initial version of LabWindows/CVI for Windows, it will make a Microsoft Windows NT version available. The company expects the Windows NT version of LabWindows/CVI to be available in early 1994.

26. What are the future plans for the DOS-based LabWindows?

LabWindows will continue to be sold and supported by National Instruments for the following reasons:

(1) DOS will continue to be a major OS platform for several years to come.

(2) DOS requires a less powerful computer to run than Windows, and may therefore still be a better solution for certain customers or applications.

(3) We can more easily distribute DOS applications than Windows applications for the same resource issues.

(4) LabWindows for DOS is the most widely installed PC instrumentation software package. LabWindows will continue to control all of the National Instruments GPIB, VXI, and DAQ hardware for DOS users.

Instrumentation Hardware

27. Which National Instruments hardware works with LabWindows/CVI for Windows?

The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI can control the National Instruments hardware for PC/XT/AT/EISA and PS/2 computers, including interfaces for GPIB and VXI instrument control, plug-in DAQ boards for real-world signal acquisition, and SCXI signal conditioning hardware.

See the National Instruments 1994 catalog for more details on PC-compatible hardware products.

28. Which National Instruments hardware works with LabWindows/CVI for Sun?

LabWindows/CVI will control all National Instruments instrumentation hardware available for the Sun SPARCstation. Hardware available for the SPARCstation includes a plug-in SBus GPIB interface board, an external GPIB-to-SCSI interface, a plug-in MXIbus interface for controlling MXI-equipped VXI and VME systems, and the GPIB-ENET/Sun for communicating with and controlling IEEE 488 devices from anywhere on an Ethernet-based TCP/IP network. The company is currently developing SBus DAQ hardware for the SPARCstation, and expects the first products to be available by the end of the year.

See the National Instruments 1994 catalog for more details on SPARCstation-compatible hardware products.

Computer Configuration Information

29. What computer configurations are necessary to run the Windows and Sun versions of LabWindows/CVI?

The minimum configuration for LabWindows/CVI running on Windows is a 386/33 with 387 coprocessor, 8 MB RAM, 20 MB hard disk space and DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1. For most applications, National Instruments recommends using a 486/33 with Super VGA display.

The minimum Sun configuration is a SPARCstation with 24 MB main memory, 32 MB disk swap space, 20 MB disk space for the application and associated files, Solaris 1.x or 2.x, and MIT's X Window System Version 11 Release 5. LabWindows/CVI will run under Motif or Open Look.

Price and Availability

30. When will LabWindows/CVI for Windows and LabWindows/CVI for Sun be available and how much will they cost?

The LabWindows/CVI Full Development System for Windows will be available in November for $1,995. It includes the Data Acquisition Library, GPIB Library, Instrument Library, Analysis libraries, User Interface Library, Utility libraries, and the standard ANSI C libraries. A base package configuration, priced at $995, includes all of the libraries except the Advanced Analysis Library. A special LabWindows/CVI VXI Development System for Windows, which includes all of the LabWindows/CVI instrument drivers and VXI controller libraries, will sell separately for $3,995.

LabWindows/CVI for Sun will be available in December for $3,995 for a single-user, floating license. It includes the GPIB Library, Instrument Library, Analysis libraries, User Interface Library, Utility libraries, and the standard ANSI C libraries. The LabWindows/CVI VXI Development System, which includes all of the LabWindows/CVI instrument drivers and VXI controller libraries, will be available separately in December for $4,995. Multi-user site licensing will also be available.

A Windows NT version of LabWindows/CVI will be available in the first quarter of 1994.

For More Information For more information, please contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free at (800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.


Microsoft Mail Special Edition/Promotion
Microsoft Announces Microsoft Mail Special Edition

Special Promotion Offers Flexibility to Meet Individual Needs

SAN JOSE, Calif. - August 4, 1993 - Microsoft Corporation  announced today a special edition of Microsoft Mail for PC  networks version 3.2, which uses its inherent extensibility to  incorporate the flexibility and power of Outside In from Systems  Compatibility Corporation; WinRules from Beyond Incorporated; and  Absentee Manager from Management Software Limited.  With  Microsoft Mail Special Edition, users will have the freedom to  customize their workstations to meet their individual needs.   Microsoft Mail Special Edition provides added features like  rules-based filtering, absentee notification and viewers that  enable Microsoft Mail users to manage their electronic mail more  efficiently.

This special six-month promotion will retail at a suggested  price of $995 for 10 workstation licenses, a savings of more than  $2,000.

"Microsoft Mail users have a wealth of new productivity  options available as a result of the tremendous support  independent software vendors (ISVs) like Beyond, Management  Software and Systems Compatibility have given our product," said  Tom Evslin, general manager of the workgroup division at  Microsoft.  "All these ISVs are helping Microsoft Mail be not  only one of the best electronic mail packages in the market  today, but also the most popular." Microsoft Mail Special Edition Provides Customized Messaging  Solutions

Microsoft Mail for PC Networks version 3.2, the best-selling  LAN-based electronic mail package, offers users a graphical and  powerful messaging system that enables communication across a  workgroup, an enterprise and between organizations.  Microsoft  Mail was inherently built to be extensible, allowing for easy  customization.

For those users who want to organize and prioritize their  messages, Microsoft Mail and WinRules from Beyond Inc. can do  this and much more.  Using Beyond's rules-based filtering, users  can automatically file messages based on user-defined criteria.   For example, if the user has any messages containing specific  words or names like budget and accounting, Beyond's WinRules can  file those messages in the budget folder and forward a copy to  the accounting department.

The system can be told to delete old messages, notify when a  folder is too full or remove messages with low priority.   Beyond's WinRules, in working with Microsoft Mail, can also be  applied not only to a single user, but to an entire organization  as a set of "house rules."

"Intelligent message processing is important to our  messaging strategy and the Microsoft Mail extensibility allows us  to integrate Beyond's WinRules into our system," said Michael  Young, manager, software tools integration at W.R. Grace and Co.   "With the options WinRules gives us to create our own rules in  Microsoft Mail, we are able to tailor our messaging system to fit  our specific situation."

More often than not, large organizations run computers in a  heterogeneous environment with multiple desktop platforms and a  variety of software programs.  By using Microsoft Mail and  Outside In from Systems Compatibility Corporation, users can  view, print, edit and copy any file from more than 120 file  formats within their Microsoft Mail system.

Outside In can identify the format of a file and display it  with full formatting, so users don't need the application that  created the file.  If the user wants to modify the file, Outside  In can either launch the application or copy the file onto the  clipboard for use in other applications.  If all the user simply  wants to do is view the document and print it out, Outside In has  full printing capabilities.

"Outside In has provided us with the ability to view every  format our employees use as well as any message attachments,"  said Bea Anderson, office automation coordinator, Regional  Information Systems.  "The government agencies we provide  services for can communicate with much greater efficiency by  using Outside In with Microsoft Mail."

A challenge in electronic mail management is what to do with  messages when users are out of the office on business or  vacation.  Messages still come in and need to be handled, even if  the user's machine is turned off.  With Microsoft Mail and  Management Software Ltd.'s Absentee Manager, the user can have  messages sorted and forwarded to an appropriate destination.  If  they are important, the messages can be prioritized and the user  can respond depending on the level of importance.  An out-of- office message can be returned to the sender and when the user  returns, there is a full status report of the messages sent,  forwarded, replied to and any errors in messaging.

With the server-based Absentee Manager, the user sets up the  system with dates of departure and return, and will be the only  user with access to the absentee information via their password.

"We installed Microsoft Mail as our LAN-based messaging  system and have been extremely happy with the seamless use  Absentee Manager has provided us," said Bob Beacham, office  systems manager of B.M.W. of North America.  "It's nice to know  one of our people in Europe is going to get an out-of-office  response if they send something to us and we are gone on  business."

In addition to these solutions, Microsoft Mail is the choice  of more than 30 other messaging ISVs.  The products and services  offered by all the ISVs help users get the most out of their  Microsoft Mail system by meeting specific customer needs.   Microsoft Mail goes beyond simple messaging.  It is the platform  of choice for workgroup solutions across the enterprise.

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


PeopleSoft Signs 10 New Financials Customers
PeopleSoft Builds Momentum in Client/Server Financial Application Market

Signs 10 New Financials Customers

WALNUT CREEK, CA, August 2, 1993--PeopleSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ:PSFT), the leader in client/server business application software, today announced it has completed more than 10 major new contracts for the purchase of PeopleSoft Financials client/server applications. This brings the total amount of PeopleSoft Financials contracts signed this year to approximately $4 million. PeopleSoft's announcement underscores the market's rapid acceptance of PeopleSoft Financials and the cross-industry move to open, client/server computing environments.

New PeopleSoft Financials customers within the last few months include: Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) USA, IDS Financial Services Corp., Liquor Distribution Branch of British Columbia, National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), San Francisco Newspaper Agency, Virginia Farm Bureau, and Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia. Other PeopleSoft Financials customers include Agricultural Minerals, Calgary General Hospital, NCR Corporation, and Western Michigan University.

"We are thrilled with the rapid market acceptance of our financial applications," commented Dave Duffield, president and chief executive officer of PeopleSoft. 'We are setting the standard for true client/server financial applications with PeopleSoft Financials, just as we did in the human resource application market with PeopleSoft HRMS. With six years of hands-on client/server experience and a strong team of financial application specialists, I believe we will continue to build momentum in this market."

New Financials Customers

The following is a sample of the wide variety of customers who have recently purchased PeopleSoft Financials:

* IDS Financial Services, Inc., Minneapolis, MN - has licensed PeopleSoft General Ledger and the PS/nVision reporting tool to replace their current mainframe-based management accounting system. The company views the PeopleSoft Financials solution as an opportunity to distribute more function with more powerful and flexible tools for their financial users with this client/server environment.

* National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD), Rockville, MD -- has licensed both the full complement of PeopleSoft Financials and PeopleSoft HRMS product lines in its corporate-wide move to client/server computing.

* NCR Corporation, Dayton, OH--has licensed the entire suite of PeopleSoft client/server financial applications for NCR's largest domestic business unit, and the complete PeopleSoft HRMS product line for worldwide use. The purchase complements NCR's corporate migration from a mainframe environment to client/server computing.

* San Francisco Newspaper Agency, San Francisco, CA -- publishers of both the San Francisco Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle daily newspapers, has purchased the Accounts Receivable module for management of several of their receivables departments including their classified ads.

* Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI -- has purchased and is implementing General Ledger and Accounts Payable along with PeopleSoft HRMS. All PeopleSoft products will run on a local area network. The system tracks financial and human resource information related to the university's operations, faculty and student body population.

About PeopleSoft Financials

PeopleSoft Financials is a complete suite of true client/server financial applications software. The product family comprises PeopleSoft General Ledger (PS/GL), PeopleSoft Accounts Receivable (PS/AR), PeopleSoft Accounts Payable (PS/AP), and PeopleSoft Asset Management (PS/AM). All products can operate standalone, as an integrated suite of financial applications, or in combination with PeopleSoft HRMS for a completely integrated financial and human resource management system.

All PeopleSoft Financials products share the same client/server architecture and are developed using PeopleTools, PeopleSoft's rapid application development environment and customization tool kit. The robust functionality and graphical user interface (GUI) offer customers state-of the-art performance. The applications support Microsoft Windows 3.1 clients connected to PC, UNIX, midrange or mainframe server platforms. PeopleSoft's applications support multiple RDBMSs to provide users flexibility, portability and scalability as their client/server needs change. PeopleSoft RDBMS support includes Microsoft SQL Server, Gupta SQLbase, Oracle, Sybase, Digital Rdb, HP Allbase, and DB2.

Pricing and Availability

PeopleSoft Financials products are available for prices starting at $90,000 per module, which includes software installation, on-site support, training, and one year of maintenance services. PS/GL has been available since October 1992. PS/AP and PS/AR are currently in beta with selected customers and are slated for production in September 1993. PS/AM will be commercially available in the fourth quarter of 1993.

About PeopleSoft, Inc.

PeopleSoft is the leader in the market for client/server business software with six years of experience delivering true client/server application products for the Fortune 1000. PeopleSoft develops and markets PeopleSoft Financials and PeopleSoft HRMS, integrated families of client/server business software, as well as PeopleTools, a family of client/server application development tools. The company differentiates itself on the basis of superior product functionality, technological innovation, and outstanding customer service. PeopleSoft has approximately 250 world-class customers in the manufacturing, transportation, technology, financial services, pharmaceutical, utility, transportation, education, and government sectors.

Products are sold through direct sales offices across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. PeopleSoft has marketing and development alliances with major hardware and software vendors including Digital Equipment, Groupe-Bull, Gupta, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft, NCR, Oracle, Sequent, Sun, and Sybase. The company also has partnerships with major system integrators and consulting firms.

PeopleSoft Inc

1331 North California Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

510-946-9460,  fax 510-946-9461


Route 1 Version 4.0 Shell for Windows
David Karp Completes and Releases Route 1 Version 4.0 for Windows

Route 1 is shareware, and is available on many Bulletin Boards, Internet FTP sites, shareware catalogs, CD-ROMS, as well as America Online, and Compuserve. A brochure, registration information, and unregistered copies of the program are also available from the author (see address below).

Route 1 is a powerful, efficient, flexible, and easy-to-use shell for Windows 3.1 or later. It incorporates a button-bar, clock, calendar, memory display, full drag-drop support, an event scheduler, a powerful and flexible script language, FileFolders (a file management system), SubMenus, and "eyes" that follow the mouse cursor.

Registered users are entitled to the following:

1. free upgrades of the software, forever.

2. free no-nonsense technical support (via e-mail or US mail).

3. discounts on other quality software from the same author.

David Karp, P.O. Box 20024, Oakland, CA 94620

Internet Email:  Daaron@ocf.Berkeley.edu


mdbs DOS Protected Mode KnowledgeMan & GURU
mdbs Ships DOS Protected Mode Versions of KnowledgeMan and GURU

Lafayette, IN - August 5, 1993 - Micro Data Base Systems, Inc. (mdbs) is shipping DOS protected mode versions of its KnowledgeMan and GURU application development environments. KnowledgeMan is a relational database management system for business applications GURU is a comprehensive expert system environment. Available in LAN and single user versions, the new versions enable users to build more complex applications and gain a considerable performance increase over standard versions of the products.

Application Development

mdbs' Protected Mode products let developers directly address up to 16M of memory. By removing "brick walls" in the development process, developers can simplify the development of complex, mission-critical applications such as corporate EIS systems.

DOS Protected Mode KnowledgeMan and GURU Lets developers develop and test applications more rapidly and with fewer complications because it eliminates constraints of the DOS environment. This means a faster, more cost-effective development.

Performance

Because the executables are loaded completely into memory, mdbs' Protected Mode products eliminate performance penalties caused by the swapping of software constrained by DOS memory limitations. Existing KnowledgeMan and GURU (K/G) users simply "plug in' K/G's DOS Protected mode versions and take advantage of its benefits. Performance of existing applications can be further enhanced with minor modifications. The ability to Leverage existing development investments is a major benefit.

Sales Information

KnowledgeMan and GURU are available for single user MS-DOS based PCs, OS/2, most popular LANs, DEC VAX/VMS, and SUN Unix environments. Locking mechanisms allow developers to create multi-user LAN applications across these environments. Applications are portable across all operating environments. KnowledgeMan and GURU are extendable through many 3GLs such as C and FORTRAN. For further information regarding KnowledgeMan and GURU, or to inquire about product pricing, contact mdbs at (800) 344-mdbs.

Micro Data Base Systems, Inc.

Two Executive Drive, Post Office Box 6089

Lafayette, IN 47903-6089

(317) 447-1122,  (800) 445-MDBS,  FAX (317) 448-6428


mdbs Shipping Object/1 for Windows & OS/2
mdbs Shipping Object/1 for Windows and OS/2

Lafayette, IN - August 5, 1993 - Micro Data Base Systems (mdbs) announces that it is shipping Object/1 version 3.0. Object/1 is an object-oriented development environment. This release is available for both 32-bit OS/2 and Windows. Object/1 3.0 offers superior control at the lowest levels of graphical interface development. Developers can create highly portable applications and tweak them for maximum performance in either environment. Major enhancements in Object/1 3.0 include 32-bit operation (OS/2 only), improved database connectivity and performance, and complete portability of applications between OS/2 and Windows

"We believe that OS/2 is becoming the platform of choice for developers. The release of Object/1 as a 32-bit OS/2 application reinforces our commitment to the OS/2 environment," says Kevin Castleberry, President of mdbs Development Tools Division.

Improved Database Connectivity

In addition to operating as a 32-bit OS/2 application, major enhancements have been made to the Object/1 forms painter. These enhancements improve database connectivity and the assignment of functionality to controls. The net result is an environment that merges the convenience of point-and-click development with an extremely flexible and complete object-oriented language. The forms painter also offers developers a complete suite of the new OS/2 controls.

Performance

Product performance has been improved by additional assembly and C code in the kernel.

Synchronization with Windows 3.x

Version 3.0 also embodies mdbs' core philosophy of reducing complexity in mission-critical applications development. Version 3.0 synchronizes Object/1 in Windows and OS/2 2.x. Therefore, developers can write an application in OS/2 and recompile it to run in Windows without making any code changes and visa-versa.

Sales Information

The Object/1 version 3.0 package includes: the base system * one professional pack * and the application development system (ADS). The ADS allows royalty-free distribution of an unlimited number of applications. For further information regarding Object/1, contact mdbs at (800) 344-mdbs

Founded in 1979, Micro Data Base Systems, Inc. is a pioneer in database management software. The mdbs client/server products include MDBS IV, an entity-relationship architecture database management system, and Object/1, an object-oriented development environment. Other development tools available include KnowledgeMan, an object-based relational DBMS, and GURU, a comprehensive expert systems environment.

Micro Data Base Systems, Inc.

Two Executive Drive, Post Office Box 6089

Lafayette, IN 47903-6089

(317) 447-1122,  (800) 445-MDBS,  FAX (317) 448-6428


Intex Has Lotus 1-2-3 Rel 4.0 Enhancements
INTEX SOLUTIONS LEADS THE WAY WITH LOTUS 1-2-3 RELEASE 4.0 ENHANCEMENTS

Sixteen Enhancements Now Shipping, More to Follow

August 6, 1993 -- Needham. MA: As thousands of Lotus users migrate to Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.0, Intex Solutions is ready with a broad range of enhancement products designed to be fully compatible with Lotus' newest release. Intex, the leading publisher and reseller of spreadsheet enhancements, today announced that sixteen of its popular spreadsheet enhancements are compatible with Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.0 and are now shipping.

Intex, known for its many spreadsheet add-ins, templates, and file-compatible applications, offers more high-quality spreadsheet enhancements than any other vendor. Over the years, Intex products have substantially extended the capabilities of Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS and Windows, as well as other spreadsheets, and can now provide this same kind of flexibility to Lotus' new release for Windows.

Enhancements Evolve Continuously with Lotus

"Product development for our enhancements is a continuous process of action and reaction," said Marjorie Smith, Product Manager at Intex Solutions. "In our view, each time Lotus Development brings out a new release, new opportunities for enhancements arise. For example, CompressMate, one of our newest programs, can compress spreadsheet files -- including 1-2-3 Release 4.0 files -- an average of 90 percent and can actually help to speed up spreadsheet save and retrieve operations. These days, with spreadsheet users building large, complex Windows applications, and using software that can take up megabytes of disk space just to load.

CompressMate fills an obvious need for almost any spreadsheet user. Before Windows-based spreadsheets, this need would not have been so obvious."

Smith added that no matter how many features are built into the core spreadsheet, size and speed constraints will always dictate that many features are best addressed by third-party aftermarket products. In particular, application-oriented programs, which make up the bulk of Intex's product line, are rarely incorporated into the core spreadsheet, a fact that continues to fuel Intex's robust and successful aftermarket business.

Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.0 Enhancements Available Exclusively from Intex Solutions

The following enhancements have been thoroughly tested for 1-2-3 Release 4.0. The list features both new and established products that take advantage of the Windows and WYSIWYG environments, such as Tax Solver, a tax package including over 147 WYSIWYG-style, IRS-approved tax forms, and Forecast!, an award-winning spreadsheet forecasting add-on.

* Capacity Analyst -- Performs "rough-cut" capacity planning analysis for production purposes. $495

* CFO Spreadsheet Applications -- 24 powerful financial templates originally featured in CFO Magazine. $299.95.

* Clip Artist -- A library of over 800 unique black and white and color clip art images. $159.95

* CompressMate -- Spreadsheet-specific "on the fly" compression utility. $99

* Forecast! -- Highly-acclaimed spreadsheet forecasting add-on. $165

* Forms-To-Go! -- 50 ready-to-use spreadsheet-published forms on disk. $129.95

* Intex Bond Calculations -- Specialized bond functions for spreadsheet users. $495/$795/$995

* Intex Mortgage-Backed Calculations -- Specialized MBS functions for spreadsheet users. $495/$795/$995

* Inventory Analyst Professional -- Complete master planning program for spreadsheet users. $495

* Operations Manager -- 35 powerful applications for operations professionals. $495

* Ready to Run Accounting -- Turns 1-2-3 into an integrated accounting system. $199.95

* Spreadsheet MRP -- A fast, easy way to optimize materials purchasing and production plans. $495

* Spreadsheet Scheduler -- Manages a wide variety of projects and scheduling problems. $199

* Tax Solver -- A complete tax preparation program. $79.95

* TRANS -- ASCII-to-spreadsheet data integration utility. $125

* Verbose -- The first add-in thesaurus. $95

Intex plans to update several other programs in its line, including Rescue Plus -- the best file recovery tool for Lotus users -- to work under 1-2-3 Release 4.0 in the near future. The Intex suite of products consists of more than 35 exclusive enhancement titles. In addition, the company distributes many 1-2-3 for Windows-compatible products for other vendors in its catalog of enhancement products.

Intex Solutions, Inc. is a privately-owned software company located in Needham, MA. Founded in 1985, Intex has established a reputation as the leading provider of templates, add-ins and other complimentary products for Lotus 1-2-3 and other popular spreadsheet programs. Intex develops, publishes, or distributes over 50 enhancement products addressing business needs from budgeting and forecasting to spell checking and file recovery, as well as specialized fixed-income security analysis. Spreadsheet users world-wide look to Intex Solutions as their "One Stop Shop" for enhancements for every spreadsheet application.

Intex Solutions, 35 Highland Circle, Needham, MA 02194

617-449-6222


SST SUPER Show & Tell Multimedia Presentations
SST--THE WINDOWS TOOL FOR INTUITIVE, INEXPENSIVE MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS IS NOW SHIPPING

Minneapolis, MN, August, 1993..Ask Me Multimedia Center is proud to introduce SST (SUPER Show & Tell), its premier Windows-based multimedia presentation software. SST is the only multimedia presentation software that allows the user to create interactive multimedia presentations in a free-form environment. It supports all popular graphics, animation, sound and digital video formats. SST is amazingly intuitive and easy to use. Presentations developed with SST use a slide carousel as a metaphor and include sound and motion without having to use a complex authoring language. Ask Me Multimedia Center received many kudos when it previewed SST at Spring Comdex this year.

WHO USES SST

SST is perfectly suited for the business and home office market. For example, business people can choose to present pertinent information by utilizing colorful charts, still-frame pictures and text with the addition of sound and motion, thus making the presentations more exciting and effective. Additional major users include: sales and marketing people who want to make a custom interactive multimedia presentation, the home PC hobbyist who enjoys the latest technology has to offer (i.e. creating home photo albums or interactive resumes) and teachers who want to produce their own interactive educational tools, as well as students who prefer to dazzle their classmates rather than put them to sleep.

EASE OF USE

SST is so easy to use because you have all of the elements necessary to create exciting multimedia presentations right in front of you. Your screen consists of: a 1/4 screen preview window, five thumbnail slides (the one you are presently working on, two before it and two after it), a set of VCR control buttons, a set of positioning controls for alignment and centering, a control for slide sorting, a status bar at the bottom of the screen and a modeless editing section for deciding which elements you are going to incorporate into your slide Modeless editing allows the user to smoothly switch among the different "Media" editors, without leaving the original screen. In addition, SST features context-sensitive help throughout.

Starting is simple...Everything is controlled by clicking on your desired elements with your mouse. All editing is done without ever leaving the main screen...it is intuitive and truly modeless. To begin, you move your cursor to the "Media" button and click on it. A menu offers a choice of: Text, Image, Sound, Draw or Movie. If you select Image, you are automatically switched into the editing mode, and a "Select Picture" button pops onto the screen. Clicking on the "Select Picture" button brings forth a menu of available images, which can be selected, making them appear in the preview window.

Next, you might decide you want to incorporate some text into your slide. Clicking on "Media" and selecting Text switches you into the Text mode without ever leaving the main editing screen. Go over to the Text line and type in the words you want your slide to display.

When you are finished, you receive instant gratification by clicking on the rewind button, then play and watch the interactive multimedia presentation that you've just created with SST. SST is the only presentation software that allows you to create and view your application without ever leaving the original screen. Very sophisticated motion slides are designed with equal ease. Once several slides have been made, they can be easily rearranged on the carousel into a slide show with motion and sound, using the built-in slide sorter.

SST'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Modeless Importing & Editing of Media

* All creation is done on the same screen in an editing window

* No overlapping dialogue boxes or multiple modules in which to work

Dynamic Slides & Media Objects

* Each slide in an SST carousel is a mini movie

* All objects on a slide can be easily given motion

* Text can scroll on and off or move anywhere on the slide

* Images can grow from a small icon to a full screen picture

* Fonts and colors can change on the fly

* Sound and movie clips can be added to each slide

Time-Based Synchronization of Events

* SST automatically generates a simple "playlist" for each slide, as opposed to the object-oriented programming or time-line layout

Supported Formats

* Graphics: .BMP, .DIB, .PCX, .GIF, .TIFF and .TGA

* Audio: .WAV and MIDI

* Animation: Autodesk .FLI and .FLC

  Note: Macromedia .MMM and Golddisk .AWI planned for V 1.1

* Video: Video for Windows .AVI

SST is fun, easy-to-use and priced right. The product ships on a 3 1/2" floppy diskette along with a user's guide, the newly released handbook - Making Great Presentations On Your PC, clip media, a tutorial and sample carousels. Ask Me Multimedia Center includes all of this at the very low suggested retail price of $149.00. Distribution is through Software Resource, domestically. Additional American distributors will soon be added. Canadian distribution is handled by Merisel Canada. Distribution abroad is through a growing worldwide network of international distributors. SST is available now.

Although the products are simple-to-use and intuitive, unlimited free technical support is available for registered users. In addition, satisfaction is guaranteed. Create a multimedia presentation in sixty minutes or return SST for a refund.

Ask Me Multimedia Center is devoted to developing and marketing the best and most advanced multimedia authoring and presentation software available for both DOS and Windows platforms, as well as other related multimedia products and services. The company has been a pioneer in the rapidly growing multimedia industry since 1985.

Ask Me Multimedia Center

7100 Northland Circle, Ste. 401; Minneapolis, MN 55428

612/531-0603 (phone);  612/531-0645 (fax)


XSoft Acquires Agfa CAPS Publishing Products
XSoft Division of Xerox to Acquire Agfa CAPS Publishing Products

Strategic expansion for XSoft publishing group

PALO ALTO, Calif., August 9, 1993 -- XSoft, a division of Xerox Corporation, has signed a letter of intent with Agfa, a division of Miles Inc. located in Wilmington, Mass., to acquire Agfa's Computer Automated Publishing System (CAPS) software products. XSoft intends to incorporate the CAPS products as a strategic expansion of its publishing product

The CAPS product line is made up of two parts: a document composition system, called CAPS, and a document database management system currently under development. Both offer compliance with the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) publishing industry standard. The CAPS composition product is the industry's leading solution combining automated publishing in the SGML standard with a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editing environment. The document database management system will incorporate new technology that allows technical publishers to manage individual document components in addition to entire documents. This enables the re-use of information, eliminating unnecessary document re-creation and reducing production time and costs.

XSoft president Dennis Andrews stated, "Effective technical publishing is an important contributor to bottom line profitability in many organizations today. To keep productivity high, users require an open systems approach, support for standards, and powerful products. The acquisition of the Agfa CAPS products proves our commitment to delivering solutions that incorporate all of these critical elements. It will expand our publishing software offering with proven, highly respected technology and move us quickly to the forefront of the technical publishing industry."

Russell Spencer, Agfa's senior vice president of Field Services, added, "In offering the CAPS products for sale, our most important consideration was maintaining the previous levels of service and satisfaction for CAPS customers. XSoft, with the resources of Xerox behind it, has consistently delivered exemplary customer service and support. We move forward in this transition confident that XSoft will serve the CAPS customers at the high standards to which they have become accustomed."

As is typical in such proceedings, the letter of intent signed by XSoft and Agfa is a non-binding document.

The CAPS Products

The CAPS document composition product features SGML editing, automated pagination, distributed network publishing, interactive parsing, and SGML translators. The product also interfaces with a wide range of personal computer and workstation platforms and operating systems, so that users can capitalize on their current investments.

The shared document management system extends the functionality of CAPS by managing document storage, organizing document content and coordinating the editing, maintenance, and production process. It employs object-oriented SGML as its document architecture, takes full advantage of interchange standards, and provides application interfaces to other vendors' SGML applications, an important open systems capability.

The CAPS products will provide additional document composition and database management capabilities to XSoft's current publishing products. All of these products support XSoft's Open Document Environment strategy by offering full support for multiple industry platforms and operating systems.

Targeted Markets

XSoft will continue to focus its technical publishing efforts on the industries and vertical markets that are adopting SGML as a corporate direction, including aerospace, automotive, defense, pharmaceuticals, financial, telecommunications, computer systems, and technically oriented government agencies. Users of technical publishing applications in these markets are now beginning to seek better software solutions for tracking the progress of their projects. To address this, XSoft plans to combine its powerful InConcert workflow software product and future generations of its workflow technology with its technical publishing offerings.

Agfa

Agfa is the imaging division of Miles Inc. Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Agfa Graphic Systems manufactures and markets electronic and photographic prepress systems, type and font products, phototypesetting materials and presentation graphics systems for the graphic arts and publishing industry. Agfa also manufactures products and systems for the medical and technical diagnostic and amateur and professional photographic markets. Miles Inc. is a Fortune 100, research-based company with businesses in chemicals, health care and imaging technologies. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Miles employs some 23,000 people in its operations throughout North America. In 1992, the company's sales were about $6.5 billion.

XSoft

Headquartered on a campus with PARC, the renowned Xerox research center in Palo Alto, Calif., XSoft was formed by Xerox Corporation in July 1991 to provide software that improves the way people use documents to create, capture, manage and communicate ideas and information.

XSoft develops and markets a broad range of products for document management, office productivity, structured-document publishing, workflow management, international document translation and content-based search and retrieval. In addition, XSoft enables workgroup collaboration through a series of shared document services products. The company also offers extensive product support, training and consulting services. XSoft's products and services are available on multiple operating systems, networks, and computer platforms. They are sold through a worldwide network of direct sales and reseller partners.

Uniquely positioned to utilize Xerox' document systems expertise and worldwide research and development efforts, XSoft is dedicated to turning advanced technology into leading-edge products and providing an Open Document Environment for all computer users.

For product information: Customers may call 1-800-626-6775.

XSoft, 3400 Hillview Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304

415-424-0111,   fax 415-813-7162


Smart -N- Easy Wedding Planner
From the Makers of Smart -N- Easy PARTY PLANNER comes...

Smart -N- Easy Wedding Planner

The complete personal wedding planner

AUTOMATED SYSTEMS announces the release of its new software package: Smart -N- Easy WEDDING PLANNER 3.0

There may never be a perfect day or evening... but there will be perfect moments. Just knowing that your wedding was well-planned eliminates the tension, leaving you free to enjoy the perfect moments of your day that will always be remembered.

Smart -N- Easy WEDDING PLANNER simplifies the planning and provides you with many organized reports which keep you on top of every detail. It will automatically monitor your expenses as you enter them in detail, and will alert you if your planned budget is exceeded. It will keep track of deposits, balances and due dates as well. With separate appointment schedulers for the bride and groom, it welcomes the grooms input too. The system will maintain and report on all guest information, including "which guests did not RSVP?", hotel accommodations needed, seating by table number, and any personal comments regarding each guest. The program records both monetary and material gifts received from guests, which is nice to keep for future reference. Mailing labels are always ready to print for both guests and creditors. By following the planning guide, you will be given a general idea of when you should have certain tasks completed by. You may also edit the planning guide to suit your needs. Always available, is a report on "which tasks on the checklist have not been completed?" Finally, there is a honeymoon planner which will help you organize your travel plans and other important travel information.

Free demo disks are available for readers by contacting Automated Systems.

Automated Systems

386 Main St, PO Box 192, Little Falls, NJ 07424

201-812-1428,   fax 201-812-1427


Smart -N- Easy Baby Planner
From the Makers of Smart -N- Easy WEDDING PLANNER comes...

Smart -N- Easy Baby Planner

The complete personal baby planner

AUTOMATED SYSTEMS announces the release of its newest software package: Smart -N- Easy BABY PLANNER

Having a baby today is not as simple as it may sound, as there are so many details to be concerned about. And now, baby planning enters the computer age with Smart -N- Easy BABY PLANNER.

Smart -N- Easy BABY PLANNER allows you to plan for your new baby in accordance with the complexity of the many concerns of today's parents. Smart -N- Easy BABY PLANNER will calculate baby's expected arrival date and give mom and dad a preview of how baby and mom will develop during gestation with the month-to-month pregnancy guide. It will also help manage the medical bills, insurance claims and general expenses. Mom can now keep a complete record of her doctor appointments including; tests performed, test results, weight gain, doctor's advice, prescriptions, etc., and print out the questions she wants to ask her doctor. There are ready-made shopping lists included that allow mom and dad to customize and print them. Also included is a diary that mom can keep in touch with, during what we think is the most emotional time in a woman's life. Mom and dad can browse through the names/meaning databank included, and select as many names as they wish, to be marked as possible choices, then narrow the selection down from there, until they both agree on a name. Also included is "tips & tricks", which are helpful hints for mom and dad.

Free demo disks are available for readers by contacting Automated Systems.

Automated Systems

386 Main St, PO Box 192, Little Falls, NJ 07424

201-812-1428,   fax 201-812-1427


Desaware SpyWorks-VB ver 2.0 for Visual Basic
Desaware Announces SpyWorks-VB version 2.0 for Microsoft Visual Basic 3.0 and 2.0

San Jose, CA. -- August 9, 1993 -- Desaware today announced availability of SpyWorks-VB version 2.0, a companion product to the Microsoft Visual Basic programming system version 3.0 and 2.0. SpyWorks VB brings advanced Microsoft Windows operating system-based development techniques to Visual Basic programmers for the first time.

SpyWorks-VB allows any Visual Basic based program to intercept the underlying Windows message stream for any Visual Basic form or control. This technique, known as subclassing, allows an application to detect events that are not normally supported by the language, thus significantly extending the power and flexibility of Visual Basic 3.0. It also allows the programmer to modify the behavior and characteristics of standard Visual Basic controls. This is accomplished from within Visual Basic, with no C or DLL programming required. SpyWorks VB even supports "cross-task" subclassing - a technology that allows you to use Visual Basic to create add-ons for other applications.

SpyWorks-VB includes tools to provide efficient access to Windows-based application programming interface (API) functions that are not normally accessible from Visual Basic. These include API functions that require callback function addresses, Windows hooks, Printer driver functions and Visual Basic API functions.

SpyWorks VB includes a set of debugging tools designed for the Visual Basic programmer who wishes to use the Windows API. These include tools to view both Windows messages and Visual Basic events as they occur, to detect API parameter errors, and to examine memory and Windows resource use. These debugging tools are entirely Visual Basic aware - even to the extent of supporting the Visual Basic "lightweight" or graphical controls.

Version 2.0 adds a large number of additional features to SpyWorks-VB. These include:

* Extensive support for Windows hooks that allow detection of events on a task or system wide basis

* SBC.VBX subclassing control can now subclass unlimited numbers of windows with a single control.

* CBK.VBX callback control can now handle callbacks from other applications or even low level and interrupt level callbacks.

* New SBCEasy control, which provides the following capabilities:

  - True MouseEnter/MouseEdit detection for all VB forms

    and controls.

  - Convert forms and picture controls into "roll-up" or

    "tiny caption" windows.

  - Enable form or control scroll-bars or turn them into

    "virtual" scrolling windows.

* Ability to set and retrieve the values of control and form properties given a control name or handle.

* Ability to change styles of VB controls, letting you turn them into true Owner-Draw list boxes, combo boxes, buttons and menus.

* New menu and control analysis and debugging programs

* Access to virtually all Visual Basic API functions.

* New SpyNotes #1 application notes that describe how to implement some of the more common subclassing tasks

* Extensive sample code and complete context sensitive on-line help.

* SpyWorks-VB makes it possible to do virtually anything in Visual Basic that is possible using other languages such as the Visual C++ development system and traditional SDK programming techniques.

SpyWorks-VB is priced at $129.

Desaware is a developer of tools and utilities for the Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Visual Basic.

Desaware

5 Town & Country Village #790, San Jose, CA 95128

408-377-4770;   fax 408-371-3530


SpyWorks-VB 2.0 Product Description
SpyWorks-VB 2.0 for Visual Basic 2.0 & 3.0

SpyWorks-VB version 2.0 is an advanced programming tool for Microsoft's Visual Basic for Windows version 2.0 and 3.0. It consists of a set of custom controls, dynamic link libraries and applications that not only significantly extend the power of the Visual Basic language, but provide valuable debugging tools as well.

Visual Basic Enhancements

On the enhancement side, SpyWorks-VB provides five custom controls.

The SBC.VBX, or generic subclass custom control provides you complete access to the underlying windows message stream for the controls and forms in your application. The messages that you specify will trigger events in the SBC control. Each message can be processed before or after the default Visual Basic processing for that message, or the event can be simply posted so that your program will know that it occurred. The subclass control can even intercept Visual Basic messages to forms, controls and graphical controls.

The CBK.VBX, or generic callback custom control handles those situations where you are accessing a Windows API function or third party DLL function that requires a function address as a parameter. Generic callback provides a pool of "callback" function addresses which are mapped into VB events. Comes with Desaware's unique guarantee - if you need a callback type that is not implemented, we will add it at no cost and send you an update.

The SBCEasy.VBX custom control uses subclassing to modify the behavior of standard forms and controls. It provides true Mouse enter and exit events for all controls in an application to allow easy tracking for status bars. Provide a "tiny" caption similar to that used by the VB toolbar. Turn controls into "rollup" windows such as those used in Corel draw. Turn on scrolling for forms or controls and even turn them into windows into larger "virtual" controls.

The SBCHOOK.VBX custom control provides support for Windows hooks allowing you to detect underlying Windows messages on a form, application or system level.

The SBCKBD.VBX, or keyboard custom control allows you to detect all keystrokes before they are sent to your application, or to detect all keystrokes for the entire system. Even traps the arrow, tab and enter keys that cannot be detected by the Visual Basic KeyPreview property.

The DWSPYDLL.DLL dynamic link library not only provides the underlying code used by the controls described previously, but also provides a powerful set of functions for accessing hard to get at Windows API functions (such as those for the printer drivers). It also provides access to many of the Visual Basic API functions which normally cannot be accessed directly including the ability to read and write property values for controls in other applications, or even the VB design environment.

Visual Basic Debugging Tools

SpyWorks-VB provides a set of debugging tools that can shave hours off of the development process.

SpyParam.exe uses the Windows 3.1 built in parameter error detection capability to detect and trap errors that occur while accessing API functions - errors that are often hard to find because they are simply ignored by Windows.

SpyMem.exe is a complete memory/resource/module and task browser. Not only does it provide detailed information on various Windows objects, but you can compare the current state of the system to a saved reference - ideal for determining if you have forgotten to free memory or resources before your program terminates.

SpyMsg.exe is a classic "spy" type program with the ability to record any or all events to one or more Windows in your system. SpyMsg.exe adds a couple of new twists however, with its ability to detect not only Windows and Visual Basic messages, but also Visual Basic events. You can obtain a complete list of every event that occurs during the course of your program. Naturally, SpyMsg works with VB graphical controls as well.

SpyWin.exe is a system window browser that lets you examine information about any or all windows, forms and controls in your system. Includes all VB source code!

SpyMenu.exe is a menu browser that can be used on any window in the system to determine the structure of the menu and command identifiers for each entry. Ideal for obtaining the information necessary to create VB add-ons to other applications. Includes all VB source code!

SpyVBX.exe is a form, control and custom control analysis program. Obtain complete descriptions of the internal data structures, property lists and event lists for VB forms and controls. Analyze the contents of many VBX files. Includes all VB source code!

SwIniEdt.exe is a utility program for creating and modifying groups of messages that are used by the other SpyWorks-VB applications. Includes all VB source code!

SpyNote1 is the first in a series of advanced application notes designed to help you to use SpyWorks-VB effectively. Includes all VB source code!

SpyDemo.exe - The SpyWorks-VB demo program illustrates some of the possibilities of subclassing including status bars, modifying the behavior of standard controls, and creating a VB add-on for the Windows Notepad application. Includes all VB source code!

SpyWorks-VB comes with extensive on-line help, various sample programs, and a 30 day money back guarantee (when ordered directly from Desaware - your dealer may have other policies). All this for only $129.

SpyWorks-VB is a powerful and flexible tool - but in order to use it effectively you will need to have access to information about the Windows API such as that included in the Windows Software Development Kit, The Windows Programer's Reference from Microsoft, or the Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to the Windows API from ZiffDavis press (written by the author of SpyWorks-VB).

SpyWorks-VB requires Windows 3.1 and Visual Basic 2.0 or 3.0. The runtime custom controls may be distributed with you compiled application without royalties. SBC.VBX and CBK.VBX are Windows 3.0 compatible as well at runtime.

Ordering information:

SpyWorks-VB sells for $129 and is available directly from Desaware (or your dealer can order it for you). Visa/MC orders include phone # and expiration date. Please add $5 S&H ($15 outside the U.S. and Canada or for Fed-Ex delivery). California residents add 8.25% sales tax.

Desaware

5 Town & Country Village #790, San Jose, CA 95128

408-377-4770;   fax 408-371-3530


MIFP Development Ships ScreenSavor 3.0 for Mac
MIFP Development Ships ScreenSavor  3.0 Stand-Alone Application

PORTLAND, OREGON--August 4, 1993--  Responding to customer requests for a high-quality photographic screen saver for the Macintosh that functions as a stand-alone application rather than an INIT, MIFP Development -- More Ideas For People -- has begun shipping ScreenSavor 3.0.  The product is a stand-alone version of its popular photograph-based module for After Dark .

ScreenSavor 3.0 is a major step forward in the commercial screen saver market,  said David Perednia, vice president for customer relations.   It is a direct response to customer demand for a stand-alone application which is professional, attractive and fun to use, yet avoids many of the conflict problems associated with INIT-based screen savers.  Corporate and network manager interest has been especially high.

MIFP's line of ScreenSavor products prevent screen "burn-in" by presenting high quality photographs by world-renowned photographers with a wide variety of creative transitions or "display effects".  Nearly a dozen different effects are provided with the program, including jigsaw puzzles, dissolves, random pixel replacement and more.  Virtually every aspect of image display is under user control.  Users can determine the number of images to be displayed, use of captions, display duration, types of display effects to be used, setting for each display effect, and more.

Sophisticated User-Friendly Application Avoids System Patches and Conflicts

ScreenSavor 3.0 functions as a start-up application rather than INIT-based programs such as After Dark  and Pyro! .  As a result, no system patches are required and INIT conflicts are less likely to occur.  Many network configurations which experience difficulty in using INIT-based screen savers will be able to use ScreenSavor 3.0 safely.  Background tasking is fully supported.  An adjustable  CPU Priority  setting allows other programs to continue to run in the background while the screen saver is running.  Optional password protection is built in.  System 7 is required.

MIFP has gone to great lengths to make program operation simple and friendly. When the computer is started, ScreenSavor launches automatically and retires to the background until a prolonged period of inactivity.  Optional audible and visible alerts appear shortly before the screen saver kicks in, allowing the user to prevent undesired interruptions.    The program will automatically adjust the Macintosh monitor to the highest color depth available to give the best possible picture fidelity.  There is even a "Logo" feature which allows corporate users to include their logo on every image the program displays.

Photo Albums Provide PICT and Multi-Disk Support

Like the After Dark module, ScreenSavor 3.0 supports the use of a users  own PICT images as well as MIFP s own collections of add-on image sets.  Images can be previewed as thumbnails and arranged by use of user definable  Photo Albums .  Users can display images located on CD-ROMs, remote hard drives and even network server machines.  Licensed network users can install image sets on a single server, with client machines downloading selected photos only when needed to save the screen.

New Image Sets are Inspired

In concert with the 3.0 release, MIFP has begun shipping new additions to its lineup of add-on image sets.  The  LifeSavors, Set #1  image set collection includes a dozen spectacular photos, coupled with sixty different inspiration and motivational quotations.  Two separate versions of the set are available. The "Universal" edition includes quotations ranging from Milton and Shakespeare to Ghandi and Mark Twain.  The "Biblical" edition includes quotations from the Old and New Testaments.  The company adds an average of two to three new image sets to its collection each month, based upon user-requested themes.  Over twenty different image sets are currently available, with themes ranging from puppies and kittens to high-speed and aerospace photography.  The company's first CD-ROM release is expected later this month.

Pricing and Availability

The suggested retail price of the ScreenSavor Starter Kit is unchanged at $49.95.  The Starter Kit includes the ScreenSavor 3.0 stand-alone program, the ScreenSavor 2.0.1 module for After Dark, Apple s QuickTime, and a free sample set of 12 images.  ScreenSavor add-on image sets, each containing twelve images, have a suggested retail price of $39.95.  Registered ScreenSavor module owners within the continental U.S. can upgrade to the stand-alone program for $10.  A version of the program for use on computers running Microsoft Windows  will be released in September, 1993.  ScreenSavor products are available from MIFP directly by calling 800-697-6437, (Fax 503-292-0041), or through MIFP retailers and distributors.  Company offices can be reached by calling 503-292-0362.  MIFP Development, 7276 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy., Suite 187, Portland, OR 97225. (Internet: mbg3b2!mifp@uunet.uu.net)


Cognitronix Adds Searching PKZip v2.0 Support
Cognitronix Adds Support for Searching PKZip v2.0

San Diego, CA -- August 15, 1993 -- Cognitronix today announced the addition of support for the PKZip 2.0 file format to its entire line of text search and file management software. With this announcement, Cognitronix becomes the first developer to offer Windows hosted applications for text searching and decompressing ZIP version 2.0 files, including files which span multiple diskettes. Additionally, these ZIP file operations are now twice as fast as in previous versions of Cognitronix products.

Cognitronix offers three products which incorporate the new support for ZIP v2.0. They are: Searcher v3.0a, a comprehensive, entry level, text search and decompression utility with support for multiple true wild card, file and directory specifications, and application launching, at $29.95; Searcher Professional v2.0b, which adds ZIP compression and complete file management at $59.95; and Code Manager v2.1b which at $99, also provides fuzzy text search, regular wild cards, Boolean combination search, four kinds of proximity searching, global replace across all selected files, and touch, to set files to any date and time. All products come with a WordBasic macro for searching text from Word for Windows, and Free Launch, a program launching replacement for the Windows Task Manager. Searcher Pro and Code Manager also come with a large file, multiwindowing editor/viewer which instantly shows you the text found in a search; File Tree, a graphical directory viewer.

All products are covered by a 60 day money back guarantee and are available immediately, direct from Cognitronix at 12322 Poway Rd, Suite 120, Poway, CA 92064. Site licenses are available. Call 800-217-0932 for orders, or 619-549-8955 for technical support. Cognitronix is a privately held software and hardware development company, established in 1986.

Cognitronix, 12322 Poway Rd, Suite 120, Poway, CA 92064

619-549-8955,  800-217-0932


Project Gutenberg Text Now Available on CDROM
Project Gutenberg is now available on CDROM.  The disc contains the etexts of Project Gutenberg for 1991, 1992 and Jan-Jul 1993.  The etexts on the disc include classic literature such as Aesop's Fables, Alice in Wonderland, Moby Dick, and Paradise Lost; Historical documents such as the Magna Carta, U.S. Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Inagural Addresses and many treaties; references such as Roget's Thesaurus, almanacs, census data, the CIA World Fact Book, and mathematical constants; religious documents such as the Bible, and the Book of Mormon.

Project Gutenberg encourages the creation and distribution of English language electronic texts.  Project Gutenberg has set a goal to provide a collection of 10,000 of the most used books by the year 2001, and make them available to more than 100 million people.

The CDROM conforms to ISO-9660, which is the most common and generic format. It will work with almost any system.  All the files are in plain vanilla ascii, so that they can be used with the widest variety of computers and software.  An optional menu driven file viewer is provided.

The price is $39.95.  S&H is $5 (per order, not per disc) for US/Can/Mex, and $10 for overseas.  If you live in California, please add sales tax.  You can send a check or money order, or you can order with Mastercard/Visa/AmEx.

        Walnut Creek CDROM

        1547 Palos Verdes, Suite 260

        Walnut Creek, CA  94596

        +1 800 786-9907, +1 510 674-0783, +1 510 674-0821 FAX

        orders@cdrom.com

The disc is also available by subscription for $24.95 + S&H.  If you want to subscribe, your credit card will be charged as each new edition is shipped. New editions will come out approximately every six months.  We need to have at least 100 people subscribe in order to make the subscription service successful.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of this disc will go to Project Gutenberg and help pay for the creation of new etexts.

You can access the complete works of Project Gutenberg by anonymous ftp to mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu.

For general (not CDROM related)  questions about Project Gutenberg, please ftp their latest newsletter from mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu, send email to dircompg@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu, or paper mail to

  Project Gutenberg

  P. O.  Box  2782

  Champaign, IL 61825

For a detailed description of other CDROMs available, you can ftp the latest list from ftp.cdrom.com:/cdrom/catalog, or send email to info@cdrom.com.


Miscellaneous Newstips (8/18/93)
Newstips from various sources.....

AT&T, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and 15 other companies recently formed a group to promote Fibre Channel, a technology developed by the American National Standards Institute. Fibre Channel can move data at more than 1 Gbps between workstations and massive storage devices.

Quattro Pro 5.0 for Windows is to be available next month and was designed with client-server in mind. A Network Deployment feature will allow hundreds of users on Novell NetWare LANs to access the program. Previous versions had to be loaded onto individual PCs on the LAN and the devices had to be reconfigured to run the application. Future versions may support other network operating systems but there are no specific plans right now.

IBM's Adstar disk-drive unit has gone to court, charging Conner Peripherals with infringing on IBM patents for magnetic disk storage technology. IBM is seeking damages for past infringements and a court order prohibiting Conner from producing parts that infringe on IBM patents.

ATI and Intel are about to introduce a new multimedia standard -- SFBI (Shared Frame Buffer Interconnect) integrates full-motion video and graphics for lower costs and easier installation for users, plus improved performance. Plus it's an open standard!

Supra cuts fax/modem prices again. The SupraFAXModem V.32bis/42bis PC internal modem was just dropped to $149.95 MSR. The 144 LC for PCs drops from $229.95 to $179.95; 144 LC for Macs from $269.95 to $189.95

Seikosha has a new economical 9-pin narrow carriage printer coming in November. SP-2100 has a draft speed of 210 cps with two resident fonts, parallel interface and more.

CheckUPS II for DOS does its own graphing and display, no need to go to a spreadsheet to see your data in a chart. Adds monitoring, charting and power quality diary to the simple shut-down controls of its predecessor. Best Power Technology; 608-565-7200

New Win/TV software update available via Hauppauge Computer Works' BBS (516-434-8454, 8N1 to 14.4) amkes Win/TV look like a video disc to applications like Asymetrix Compel, PowerPoint and others. New video disc emulator works with apps that use MCI device control standards. Hauppauge Computer Works; 516-434-1600


JB-Prolog 2.1 for Macintosh Announced
Announcing JB-Prolog 2.1 for the MacIntosh

JB-Prolog 2.1 is a powerfull Prolog interpreter for the MacIntosh. Its main features are: Fast interpreter only, minor performance degradation in debugging mode, tail recursion, arbitrary long integers, strings not in dictionary, foreign interface, standalone applications, programming environement, user interface toolkit, persistent data store. For more information do not hesitate to contact:

  XLOG

  Postfach 423

  8042 Zuerich

  Switzerland


MicroSqueez Relieves Hand Strain
MicroSqueez

Distributed by MicroBase

The Ergonomic Human/Keyboard Interface

$12.95 Retail

July 15, 1993 -- MicroBase Inc. is proud to announce that it has begun distribution of MicroSqueez. The MicroSqueez offers a fun yet practical way to relieve the strain of keystroke intensive tasks. It is ergonomically designed to build strength in the fingers, hand, wrist, and forearm - crucial for limbering up before and during extended typing sessions. Superior to other hand strengtheners, MicroSqueez is 50% resilient which creates greater dexterity and flexibility. Fun to use, it never feels the same - from squeeze to squeeze.

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI's) are not computer-related psychosomatic ailments. These are real problems receiving rightful attention, due in large part to the increasing prevalence of the machines. RSI's accounted for more than half of all work-related illnesses reported in 1989, that according to the Labor Statistics, is nearly three times the rate reported in 1981. Using MicroSqueez is a pro-active, preventative step against Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendinitis, and other RSI's.

The MicroSqueez is available in business and computer stores, but can also be ordered direct with your company logo to promote your business.

MicroBase Inc. is a Tempe-based computer software and accessories development firm. MicroSqueez is available in business and computer stores or may be ordered by phoning 602-897-7800 or 800-897-3637 or by faxing at 602-897-9799, 9am to 5pm PST, Monday-Friday.

MicroBase Inc

3923 South McClintock, Suite 402, Tempe, AZ 85282


CompuExpo 93/Las Vegas Product Intros Sept 9-11
FROM PEN TO PENTIUM, EMERGING BRAND SUPPLIERS TARGET COMPUEXPO 93 FOR NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS

August 6, 1993 -- With COMPUEXPO 93/Las Vegas less than 5 weeks away, suppliers from Silicon Valley to Singapore are preparing to make new Product introductions around a host of emerging technologies aimed at the VAR, system integrator and OEM attendees who use the annual international exposition to shop for the value brands of the 90's. As a service to the PC industry trade press, COMPUEXPO 93 staff will be updating the new product announcements list on a weekly basis prior to the show, scheduled for September 9-11, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. New product introductions are scheduled to be made in the following product categories:

Pentium/PCI System Boards:

   Free Computer Technology, Milpitas, CA

Pentium VL Bus System Boards:

   Advanced Integration Research: San Jose, CA

Pen Technology/Document Imaging:

   Handwriting Imaging Systems, Agoura Hills, CA

Handheld Computers/Portable Printers:

   Radix Corporation, Salt Lake City, UT

Wireless PCMCIA Fax/Modems:

   E-Tech Research, Inc., Santa Clara, CA/Science Park, Taiwan

Fax/Printer/Scanner Conversion Technology:

   Advanced Imaging Systems, Orinda, CA

EPA Energy Star System Boards:

   Lion America, San Jose, CA, Singapore

Multimedia:

   Behavior Tech Computer, Fremont, CA

Laser Printer Accelerators:

   Ampo Technology, Fremont, CA

Graphics Processors:

   Integrated Information Technology, Santa Clara, CA

Network Pocket Print Server:

   Xircom, Calabasas, CA

Energy Efficient PC Chipsets:

   ACC Microelectronics, Santa Clara, CA

PCI Bus Graphics Chipset:

   Advanced Logic Design, Fremont, CA

PCI 486 System Boards:

   DFI, Sacramento, CA

Notebook Systems:

   ACER America, San Jose, CA

PCMCIA Fax/Modems:

   D-Link, City of Industry, CA

Networking Products:

   Empac, Fremont, CA

Multimedia Subsystems:

   Sun Moon Star, San Jose, CA

Expansion Boards:

   SIIG, Newark, CA

SCSI VL Bus Host Adapter:

   American Megatrends Inc., Norcross, CA

Fault Tolerant Network Servers:

   Uniq Technology, Milpitas, CA

64MB SIMM Modules:

   Champion Memory Products: Cleveland, Ohio

PCMCIA LAN Adapters:

   GVC, Sparta, New Jersey

Uninterruptible Power Supplies:

   Glitch Master Marketing, Denver, Colorado

PC Television Card:

   ISIS Multimedia, Taipei, Taiwan

Energy Saving System Cases:

   Jabert USA, Richardson, Texas

32 Channel Test Equipment:

   M-Tech, International: Rosemead, California

Notebook/Desktop Energy Efficient Chipsets:

   PicoPower Technology, San Jose, CA

Handheld Color Scanners:

   QTronix Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan

Redundancy Power Controller:

   Senstron Electronic, Edison, New Jersey

Pen-Based Mice:

   Smartech Technology, Taipei, Taiwan

Chinese Language Text/Font Applications:

   Top Computech, Vancouver, Canada

Pentium Systems and System Boards:

   Tyan Computer Corp., Milpitas, California

Point-of-Sale Systems (POS):

   University Computer Stores, Carrolton, Texas

Green PC's:

   Achme Computer Products: Fremont, California

COMPUEXPO will be held from September 9 to 11, 1993, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. The UNSC Investment Group, sponsor of COMPUEXPO, is located at 39899 Balentine Drive, #175, Newark, CA 94560. The telephone number is 510-657-3418. The fax number is 510-657-3499.


dbModules 1.0 for Windows Released
A new version of dbModules 1.0 for Windows replaces our previous versions for MS-DOS and IBM OS/2 2.0. This new version of dbModules is for 32-bit Windows 3.1 which run on 386/486 32-bit systems with at least 8MB memory. There are two priorities in using less Mouse device for the notebook type computer users. First, so they can install dbModules in their system and carry all their database with them when they travel. Our second priority is to continue to use the latest compiling technology that IBM or WATCOM International Corporation's Flat Memory Model 32-bit C/C++ has to develop our software. Each application will use a different Child Window to present and operate, so that we may know how far our own pocket book can spend the dollars for computer memory chips and enjoy our mainframe style software running in a tiny Microcomputer. Although we are using 32MB memory system to develop our Windows software; before we release this new version of dbModules 1.0 for Windows, we have tested it under Windows 3.1 and the latest Upgrade IBM OS/2 2.1 Win-OS/2 with a 8MB memory 486 system. They are both running fine. In case the IBM OS/2 2.1 WIN-OS/2 does not support the BIOS's printer routines, then we use UNIX's putc() routine for IBM OS/2 2.1 version.

Computability Development Company.

39120 Argonaut Way, Suite 462, Fremont, CA 94538-1304


Looking for Work, Step-by-Step Guide
NEW EDITION OF STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FINDING A JOB

Looking for Work, an interactive guide to marketing yourself

Job seekers can get a boost from the new edition of Looking for Work, a computer-based, step-by-step guide to running a professional job search campaign. The program, which will run on any IBM-compatible PC, consists of eight "lessons" and more than two dozen worksheets, checklists, templates, model resumes and marketing letters. It contains a calendar of activities for those who aren't sure where to begin and a set of week-by-week milestones against which to measure your progress. The self-paced instruction and clear explanation of the tasks involved in finding a job take a person through every step, including preparation for interviews.

The new edition suggests tips for improving your networking skills and includes extensive help on identifying prospective employers and preparing for interviews. It explains how to get the most out of the new on-line job banks and resume databases, and how computer technologies affect the way your resume should be written. Most people put too much emphasis on the resume and neglect the more important tasks of networking, identifying high potential employers, sending marketing letters (not the outworn and ineffective "cover" letter), and interviewing. "The two-minute drill alone is worth the price of the program," said one financial executive who used the program last year. Even the resume gets a fresh perspective people have been taught to pay attention to their verbs with advice that, "strong, action verbs make an impression,"--when the opposite is true today. If you neglect your nouns, your resume just might never be seen.

Looking for Work is available at numerous university placement offices and in many libraries. Several major career consulting and outplacement firms have adopted the program and are using it to get their clients back into the job market more quickly than ever.

Looking for Work was named one of the best software products of the year by the Public Software Library. Nelson Ford, publisher of PSL, said, "We feel this program will give job searchers more confidence both because it prepares you for the task and because it gives you a plan to go by." Bob Sadler, writing (of the earlier edition) in the Shareware Review, said, "Looking for Work outlines an approach to job seeking that is intelligent, well-structured and professional. The author pulls no punches . . . but you can't help but feel that you are proceeding in an orderly way towards finding employment." The program is currently a "top pick" of America Online and was the subject of an extended review in Joyce Lain Kennedy's nationally syndicated careers column.

Looking for Work has been endorsed by the International Association of Career Consulting Firms--professionals in the business of helping people find jobs--the only software product that organization has ever recommended to member firms.

The program sells for $49 and may be purchased directly from the publisher (InterDigital, (908) 832-2463). The author, Dr. Frank L. Greenagel, was head of executive recruiting for Litton Industries.

InterDigital, 25 Water St, Lebanon, NJ 08833

908-832-2463,  fax 908-832-6081


Judy's TenKey Windows Calculator
Windows Software Lets You Calculate Your Way

August 15, 1993 -- Santa Clara, CA--Judy's Applications today released version 2.01 of Judy's TenKey, enabling anyone to create their own personalized Windows calculator in seconds. Judy's TenKey is primarily aimed at accountants, engineers, and laptop users in general, but can aid productivity for virtually any Windows user. Configurable options include display components (scrolling tape, financial functions, statistics, number pad, transcendental functions), input syntax (standard, reverse polish notation, or tenkey), display settings (number of decimals, keep on top, red negatives), and more.

Unlike any other calculator on the market, Judy's TenKey allows users to choose the way they enter calculations independent of other configuration choices, selecting from Reverse Polish Notation (RPN), standard infix, and of course, tenkey. Thus, even RPN users can now benefit from a scrolling tape.

"Judy's TenKey enables you to work faster and more reliably," states Judy Lemos, President. "Once you can see (and reuse!) the numbers in your calculations, you will never return to the default Windows calculator."

Judy's TenKey also features intelligent copy & paste, and can extract numbers and complex expressions from clipboard contents which may contain extraneous text and formatting. In addition, users can highlight tape entries with the mouse and reuse them in subsequent calculations or paste them into other Windows applications such as Word or Excel.

According to Marketing VP Dan Stickel, 'the first 1,000 customers to purchase version 2.01 at the low introductory price of $14.75 will also receive a complimentary copy of Judy's CountDown (a simple holiday tracking program). At this price, it's hard to go wrong."

Free evaluation copies of Judy' s TenKey can be obtained from Judy's Applications at 602 Valeri Ruth Court, Santa Clara, CA 95050 for $5 shipping & handling. Phone (408) 244-0744; Prodigy ndjf84a; CompuServe 70574,2247.


Armchair General MousLounge Keyboard Caddy
Get Comfortable!

Comfortable computing is now easier than ever. The new MousLounge Keyboard Caddy, from Armchair General is a keyboard-mounted side-tray for keeping your mouse, trackball, joystick - or whatever - readily at hand.

From his armchair, Marc Auth, the company's founder, had faced the dilemma of how to navigate through "mouse-oriented" software without giving up his comfortable habit of working with the keyboard on his lap.

Enter the MousLounge. The fully-adjustable device clamps on to most keyboards and can be quickly attached/removed for right- or left-handed use. The MousLounge's simple locking mechanism makes for a snug and secure fit, and doesn't need to be unlocked for re-attachment - just slide it back on the end of the keyboard.

The tray has low-height perimeter "rails" which keep a mousepad and - more importantly - your input device secure from falling off. Although compact, it's designed so you don't have to adjust mouse ballistics, and is large enough to rigidly support trackballs, joysticks, notepads, pencils, paper clips, etc.

Besides its use for "lap-topping", the MousLounge can effectively extend a narrow work surface where the keyboard and input devices are always competing for desktop real estate. It's sturdy construction allows for actually extending the tray in space off the end of the desktop.

Auth thinks the product is another important ergonomic solution in the desktop computing industry.

But it goes beyond just being a convenience for those who like to work in comfort.

"Some people simply don't have a choice...", Auth says, referring to the physically challenged who can't easily access a standard tabletop. "Armchair computing" as Auth calls it, allows more distance from the monitor, helps increase comfort and productivity, and provides for a "friendlier interface".

Including a premium-quality, fitted mousepad, the MOUSLOUNGE Keyboard Caddy lists for $19.95

Armchair General, PO Box 2211, Twin Falls, ID 83303

208-733-0700,   fax 208-733-9316


New DDI Relay Output Module Switching Options
New Switching Options for PC Bus Systems Add Flexibility

August 18, 1993 -- BEVERLY, Mass. -- Form-C or single pole double throw (SPDT) switching capabilities are now available for a series of PC/XT/AT or EISA-Bus compatible relay output modules from DDI, Inc. Two Form-C models have been added to the Series 8600 Relay Output Control modules, which provide low-cost switching solutions for a variety of PC Bus computer applications.

"The Form-C option will provide our customers with a wider array of switching solutions. Our goal is to help our customers find as many practical approaches to relay control applications as possible." says Erik Valeur, president of DDI, Inc.

The DDI Series 8600 consists of fourteen PC/XT/AT or EISA bus compatible relay control cards. The relay output modules can be fitted with reed, mercury, solid state or electro-mechanical relays.

Offering control flexibility, models can control signals or loads from micro Volts at micro Amps up to 5 Amps at 250 Volts. Each board individually controls up to eight I/O channels. DDI Form-C Series 8600, Relay Output Control modules are currently available for shipping.

Providing simple, low-cost detection and response solutions that switch internal loads directly from embedded or stand-alone PC or STD bus systems is the goal of five year old DDI, Inc. Today, plugin board-level products from DDI are used in process control, telecom, alarms and security monitoring, communications, component testing, laboratory switching, and many other applications.

DDI Inc, 5 Dodge Street, Suite 310, Beverly, MA 01915

(508) 927-7976;   FAX (508) 921-6388


Sherlock 2.0 Windows File Management Swr
SHERLOCK 2.0 RELEASED BY 2010 SOFTWARE CORP. SOLVES THE MYSTERY OF FINDING WINDOWS FILES AND NOW ALSO SUPPORTS FULL-TEXT SEARCH, DOS FILE NAMES...

August 9, 1993 -- (New York, NY) -- 2010 Software Corp. today released a greatly enhanced version of its software product, SHERLOCK for IBM PCs running Microsoft Windows v3.1. The software provides a highly acclaimed system for managing files by utilizing 254 character file descriptions as opposed to "standard" 8 character file names. SHERLOCK is easily affordable, intuitive and "visual," and is intended for both individuals and network users.

SHERLOCK solves a key weakness of Microsoft Windows: it's dependency on DOS's 8 character file naming system. SHERLOCK is made even more important by Microsoft's lack of attention to the problem, even in the next version of Windows (now seen slipping past mid-1994.)

SHERLOCK's ground-breaking capabilities extend the Windows filing environment by seamlessly replacing the Windows Save and Open dialog boxes with access to SHERLOCK's file access cards and 254 character file descriptions to provide instant retrieval of saved files using a "best-fit" lookup including string/word/sentence search. Searching also supports use of optional fields that categorize files by Document Type, Contact, Dates, Full Text Search and more. SHERLOCK also provides a Visual Filing Environment with familiar metaphors for network stations (offices), drives (file cabinets) and sub-directories (file drawers and folders), automatic launching of applications for the selected document, and Novell Netware compatibility.

New features in SHERLOCK 2.0 include: (1) Full text search - so users can find a document that contains a specific word or set of words; (2) SHERLOCK users can now control both the 8 character DOS filename and the SHERLOCK 254 character file description; (3) Optical drives and removable media are now supported; (4) Searching for files has been sped up; (5) Files can now be printed without opening them; and (6) The installation procedure has been improved, including control over where the SHERLOCK program and data files are stored.

"We've created a product that enables Windows users to avoid the cryptic file names that have been forced on them by Microsoft DOS in 1981, and Digital Research before them back in 1977, " said Carl Sgro, President of 2010 Software. "Accessing files with English descriptions removes the major frustration of using - and often even losing -files under Windows. SHERLOCK's seamless integration with the popular Windows applications allows the user to completely forget about DOS file names, directory names and sub-directory names, and to work more productively and efficiently, even across a network."

Mr. Sgro continued: "SHERLOCK 2.0 responds to the very real needs that our users have asked us to solve. Specifically, we've added Text Search so users can locate documents that contain a particular word or set of words, and we now allow the user to control the DOS file name that is used to store the file so they can more easily transfer files out of SHERLOCK for DOS programs and programs that don't support SHERLOCK."

Key to SHERLOCK is that it works from within Windows application programs, without changing the way they operate. "You never have to leave your application programs in order to utilize the advanced document management capabilities of SHERLOCK, " explained Sergio D. Caplan, Vice President of Development for 2010 Software. "SHERLOCK works by simply substituting its own save and retrieve dialog boxes for the DOS file name dialog boxes that the application would normally use. The SHERLOCKfile management capabilities are available directly from the application's pull-down menus and keyboard accelerators, without the user having to run a separate application."

SHERLOCK provides an easy way for LAN users to share work while working within the existing network security. SHERLOCK recognizes all servers and drives that are available to a user and maintains a local catalog of all locally stored documents, which are synchronized with the network document catalog. This means that a user will still have access to their local files even if the network is temporarily down or unavailable.

SHERLOCK-stored documents are stored side-by-side with DOS files. Users can move their DOS files into the SHERLOCK environment using Fast Import, or when needed, individual DOS files can be moved into and out of the SHERLOCK environment by using the Override command. Utilities are also provided for finding and inspecting SHERLOCK-stored files while working in DOS.

Users of SHERLOCK 1.0 and 1.1 have provided the following reports:

"We really know about the difficulties of keeping track of files using only the DOS 8-character file names. Last week, one of our secretaries did some word processing, and the next day 4 people spent 2 hours searching for the file. SHERLOCK will easily payback all of its costs. " -- George Lau, Manager of Human Resources Information Systems for Capital Cities

"SHERLOCK is absolutely showing me advantages over DOS. It's easy to work with and runs completely transparently. " -- Jeff Edelstein, Marketing Manager for Copiers at MCS-Cannon

"It's easier to use than what you're given with Windows, and it cleanly fills a gap not provided by applications. It's intuitive and has been very easy to learn. " -- William J. Chivil at Putnam/Berkeley Publishing

"It's one of the best things to come down the pipe in a long time and it's bringing us closer to the elusive electronic office. SHERLOCK addresses a critical need, keeping track of all our computer files. " -- Robert Lawler at Infosystems

"SHERLOCK is a winner." -- Ed Perratore in BYTE's Essential Guide to Windows, Spring 1993

SHERLOCK 2.0 is available for immediate shipment at the suggested retail price of $139 for single users and $695 for a ten-station LAN-Pack. Dealer inquiries are welcome and dealers are asked to contact Carl Sgro at (212) 887-9555. SHERLOCK runs under Windows 3.1 on any Windows-compatible PC with an 80386 processor or better, with at least 2M bytes of RAM, and approximately 2M bytes of free hard-disk space. For network users, it can be installed on any Novell Netware network. For servers, 2010 Software recommends a minimum configuration of a 386/20 and 4M of RAM. A 30-day money back guarantee is provided.

Lawrence Stern, VP Marketing for 2010 Software, said: "SHERLOCK provides the document management abilities that users need. In researching the market we found that users invest up to $1000 per LAN station to achieve similar filing and retrieval capabilities - plus some systems require a full-time file clerk. Windows users will find SHERLOCK to be a much better solution. "

SHERLOCK is compatible with Adobe Illustrator; Aldus Freehand, PageMaker, Persuasion and PhotoStyler; SPC Harvard Graphics, Corel Draw, Photo, Chart and Presents; Lotus 1-2-3, Ami Pro and Freelance; Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, Notepad, Write and Paintbrush; NBI Legacy; Ventura Publisher; Wordstar for Windows and WordPerfect for Windows.

2010 Software Corp

135 West 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

(212) 887-9555,   Fax: (212) 887-9546


Bubsy Bobcat Reaches Millions of Kids
BUBSY BOBCAT REACHES MILLIONS OF KIDS!

(Commercial marks Accolade's entre into National TV advertising)

SAN JOSE, Calif--August 10, 1993 -- Accolade's video game star "Bubsy Bobcat" has signed up for a five-week TV advertising blitz, marking the company's first entre into mass market TV advertising. Scheduled to run in the top 30 markets, the commercial will begin August ninth and continue through the fall's "back to school" season.

Bubsy's upcoming commercial paves the way for his animated special to air in Bohbot Entertainment's syndicated "Kid's Day Off ' block over the Thanksgiving Day Weekend in 1993. Bay Area ad firm, Darien & Kilburg, together with Calico Entertainment, Imagination Factory, Inc., and Accolade, have combined forces to create a fast-paced spot that combines music, animation, live action, and game footage that reflects Bubsy's slapstick humor.

"This is Accolade's emergence into mass market advertising," said Kathy Piziali, vice president of marketing. "The video game, Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind is a hit with the gaming industry and we are thrilled to introduce such a mega product to the mass market," she added.

"Bubsy is a hip Bobcat with a major attitude, and is destined to be a megastar," said Tom Burton, president of Calico Entertainment, and director of the commercial and upcoming special. "Bubsy says it best himself, 'I'm a hero for cryin'out loud, and if that's a crime, then book me!'".

Accolade, 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129

408-985-1700;  Fax: 408-246-1053


ProActive Help Desk Swr for Adobe Systems
ProActive Signs Agreement with Adobe Systems to Implement ProActive's Client/Server Support, Quality, and Help Desk Software Worldwide

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 9, 1993 -- ProActive Software, Inc. today announced it has signed an agreement with Adobe Systems, Incorporated that allows Adobe the worldwide use of its client/server Support, Quality, and Help Desk Advantage software applications. Under the agreement, Adobe will use ProActive's products in the Application Products and Systems Products Divisions to provide state-of-the-art service to customers and internal users.

Adobe will use Support Advantage as the backbone of its call center in the Application Products Division to support Adobe's font products and applications; Quality Advantage will be used for bug tracking, product change requests, and problem resolution in the Quality Assurance departments in both divisions; and Help Desk Advantage will be used for Adobe's worldwide internal Help Desk. Adobe also has the option to install ProActive's software at customer sites so that their customers can log on to the system to access the problem resolution database, report bugs, and make product suggestions.

"Adobe builds innovative products that improve communications for computer users," said John Luongo, ProActive's president and chief executive officer. "It's been a pleasure to work with a company that communicates customer and product information throughout the organization to help achieve the goal of providing excellent customer service."

"We are pleased to be working with ProActive to implement an integrated customer service solution that is flexible enough to grow with the company," said Al Pappas, Adobe's vice president of Information Systems. "ProActive's family of client/server applications, tools, and services will help ensure that our customers' calls are answered promptly and efficiently."

Extensible System

Adobe is working with ProActive's consulting engineers to customize the system by building add-on modules for configuration management, automated testing, and project management. In addition, Adobe's staff will use ProActive's Advantage Tools to customize screens and workflow rules to fit the way Adobe does business.

Support and Quality in Action

Support Advantage will be implemented on Adobe's client systems in its Application Products Division call center. Customer representatives manage and track thousands of calls daily regarding Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, and other application and font products. Technical problems and enhancement requests will be routed to the Quality Assurance organization where Quality Advantage will track defects and product change requests.

Support for Internal Help Desk

Help Desk Advantage will enable employees worldwide to get quick responses to inquiries about everything from computer problems and personal benefits packages, to research articles in the library. Requests are issued from employees' desktop computers and routed to the appropriate department and specialist. Employees can also access a database of on-line information to get solutions immediately.

About the Companies

ProActive Software, Inc. is the leading supplier of integrated client/server software that spans the enterprise: customer support and help desk, quality assurance and product development, sales and marketing. ProActive's products give companies a competitive edge in delivering superior products and total customer satisfaction.

Adobe Systems Incorporated, founded in 1982, is headquartered in Mountain View, California. Adobe develops, markets, and supports computer software products and technologies that enable users to create, display, print, and communicate electronic documents. The company licenses its technology to major computer and publishing suppliers and markets a line of type and application software products. Revenue for 1992 exceeds $265 million.

ProActive Software Inc

1890 North Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-691-1500,  fax 415-691-1515


3 New Keithley How To Application Booklets
THREE NEW "HOW TO" BOOKLETS FROM KEITHLEY PROVIDE TEST AND MEASUREMENT APPLICATION TIPS

CLEVELAND, OH -- August 6, 1993 -- Three informative new booklets from the Test Instrumentation Group of Keithley Instruments, Inc. offer scientists and engineers a series of application notes on a variety of test and measurement instruments. Written by technical experts at Keithley, these booklets provide invaluable "real life" information on how to simplify test configurations, improve throughput, and reduce testing costs.

The "General Measurements" booklet includes 20 application notes. The subjects covered range from techniques for locating short circuits in printed circuit boards to measuring power line harmonics.

The second booklet, which includes eleven application notes, focuses on "Semiconductor Measurements". The subjects of the notes include zener diode characterization, parametric testing of packaged semiconductors, measuring sweeps using multiple source-measure units, and a variety of others.

The "Low Level Measurements" booklet offers six application notes on subjects such as sources of measurement errors when measuring high resistances, how to use a cryogenic liquid level sensor, and measuring the resistivity of insulating materials.

Keithley Instruments, Inc. is a leading single source of advanced hardware and software for test and measurement instrumentation and data acquisition and control applications of scientists and engineers worldwide. Its products and systems are found throughout the world in universities, industrial research laboratories, engineering development departments, quality control areas, and on production lines.

For free copies of any or all of these new Application Note booklets, call 1-216-248-0400 or 1-800-552-1115 or write to Keithley at 28775 Aurora Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44139.


Multimedia Software for Windows OEMs
Business Audio, Communications, & Multimedia Software Available for Windows OEMs

Two products target needs of systems vendors who wish to bundle advanced telephony, fax/modem, data communications, and sound for mixed media business applications and multimedia presentations. Software uses standard APIs for Windows 3.1 compatibility, portability, and platform independence.

Langhorne, PA August 10, 1993 -- Syncro Development Corporation today announced the availability of two comprehensive multimedia and business communications software solutions designed for the computer systems OEM. Multimedia Connect and Multimedia Impact bring a range of telephone answering machine, fax/modem, image compression, presentation, and sound functions to any IBM PC compatible machine with a 386, 486, or Pentium processor. Syncro's software adheres to industry standards and is available with support for several leading coprocessor architectures, including AT&T's DSP3210 multimedia solution as well as voice-enabled fax/modem chipsets such as those from Cirrus Logic, EXAR, Rockwell International, and Sierra Semiconductor. The Syncro software is targeted at systems vendors who wish to bundle with their computer systems or add-in boards low cost, high functionality software solutions for business communications and multimedia presentations.

Multimedia Connect is a Windows communications solution with integrated fax and voice capabilities. The software supports voice annotation and playback, enabling multimedia fax documents. Multimedia Connect allows remote workers with portable computers to access the home or office system and retrieve and forward faxes and voice mail messages from a standard touch tone phone.

Multimedia Impact is an authoring system that lets users combine still images, graphics, motion video, CD-quality audio, sliding text, and interactive buttons/hot spots into an on-screen business presentation. The program supports industry standard audio and image compression algorithms and file formats, including Video for Windows and works with any MCI audio device such as Creative Labs' Soundblaster. Multimedia Impact users employ a time line to position screen and audio elements in an intuitive manner and includes a rich set of backgrounds and transition effects.

According to Dale Van Aken, President of Syncro, "These two packages are the first integrated multimedia software products to target business applications. Syncro is marketing them to the computer OEMs in order to speed the integration with OEM-specific hardware systems and to make voice, fax, audio, and telephony functions bullet-proof for the end user."

Both Syncro products can take advantage of the performance and functionality available with AT&T's DSP3210 and VCOS operating system. The DSP3210 chip provides the performance levels demanded by real time desktop communications and multimedia applications. The VCOS operating system provides multitasking capabilities and a comprehensive set of development tools. The VCOS Multimedia Module Library (MML) is a suite of high level DSP routines for fax/modem/telephony, voice and sound compression, and other business audio, voice, and multimedia functions.

Multimedia Connect and Multimedia Impact can both use a single DSP3210 in a computer system to provide the fax/modem and voice and sound compression/decompression functions, saving users the investment in a separate modem and sound board. The DSP chip is general purpose, and can also perform speech recognition and imaging functions for many applications.

Other versions of Multimedia Connect are available for other fax/voice chipsets. Similarly, a version of Multimedia Impact without image and audio decompression functions is available from Syncro for non-DSP equipped sound boards. The software also supports the IBM/Intel DVI technology and other compatible MCI devices.

According to Denis Regimbal, AT&T's DSP Multimedia Marketing Manager, "Multimedia Connect and Multimedia Impact are perfect examples of how the DSP3210 and VCOS solution can provide high performance, broad functionality, and multitasking in a PC/Windows system. The developers at Syncro have taken our multitasking operating system and multimedia libraries and molded an ideal, extensible package for the systems OEM. In the end, solutions such as these, which meet industry standards, will insure the compatibility that end users require and will speed the adoption of multimedia business applications."

Multimedia Connect and Multimedia Impact are available immediately for integration by OEM accounts into their specific product lines. Syncro's volume discounts can bring the license price down to just a few dollars per copy.

Syncro Development Corp. specializes in multimedia, business audio, and integrated mail/communications software for desktop applications. Syncro products are aimed at improving the productivity of office applications by the use of mixed media data. Syncro is an early adopter of AT&T's VCOS operating system solution for high performance, real time, multitasking applications.

Syncro Development Corp

580 Middletown Blvd, Suite D-203, Langhorne, PA 19047

215-741-0300,  fax 215-741-3230


Aero-VISTA 3D Mesh Computational Flow Dynamics
SOFTWARE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATES MESH FOR AERODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF AUTOMOTIVE BODIES

(Bingham Farms, Michigan -- August 5, 1993) EASi Engineering has announced the introduction of a computational fluid dynamics pre-processor designed specially for automotive aerodynamic problems. The new pre-processor, called Aero-VISTA, provides automatic creation of 3D mesh for computational flow dynamics (CFD) thus performing a job that today typically requires a month or more in a few hours.

Aero-VISTA accepts automotive body geometry data from computer-aided design (CAD) systems in a variety of formats. Input geometry is accepted in surface format. The next step is automatic generation of a surface grid. Aero-VISTA duplicates the environment of a wind tunnel and generates a grid in flow space. It also handles the difficult problem of maintaining continuity through use of a topology that divides the flow domain into zones using the block structure approach.

Rather than a lengthy and difficult modeling process, the user only has to monitor the above automated process which typically takes a few hours. Then, the 3D grid is exported/written out in the proper format for solution by StarCD or other popular CFD codes. The entire process of generating and validating the model which normally takes several months can typically be accomplished in about one week.

Founded in 1981, EASi Engineering has a staff of over 100 professionals and is one of the largest suppliers of computer-aided engineering services to the automobile industry. EASi's capabilities include structural crash simulation, occupant simulation, biomechanics, linear and nonlinear finite element analysis, optimization, kinematics and dynamic analysis. Additional capabilities includes analysis of noise, vibration and harshness, and alternate materials evaluation including structural plastics and composites. The company also offers EASiBUMPER software which allows the material and geometry of automotive bumpers to be analyzed and optimized in the concept phase on a personal computer without building a prototype.

EASi Engineering Inc

30800 Telegraph Rd, Ste 3700

Bingham Farms, MI 38025

313-901-4800,   fax 313-901-4818


Expert Travel Planner Gold for Winners
Expert Software Cruises Into High Gear With Expert Travel Planner Gold For Windows

Customizable travel program computes, displays, and prints your specified route, detailed itinerary, and travel information

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA (August 8, 1993) - Expert Software has hit the high road to success with the release of Expert Travel Planner Gold Edition for Windows. Expert's latest release follows the successful path of its popular DOS counterpart. Expert Travel Planner Gold for Windows has a Suggested Retail Price of $49.95.

"Tired of asking strangers for directions, unfolding cumbersome road maps in the car, or jotting down confusing travel directions over the telephone? Expert Travel Planner Gold for Windows offers its very own short cut," said Sue Currier, president of Expert Software, Inc.

"Just type in your starting and ending location, choose a route, select your road preferences and Expert Travel Planner Gold for Windows does the rest. It will even tell you when you will run out of gas, " added Currier.

If you are looking for power in a travel software program, Expert Travel Planner Gold for Windows comes loaded with all the extras. It's the only program that lets you add your own roads and locations and view and compare multiple scenarios with its Multiple Document Interface (MDI).

Its extensive database of information includes local weather phone listings, a time zone digital clock, tourist attractions, national car rental agencies, airline service and visitor information.

Expert Travel Planner Gold for Windows also provides a detailed itinerary and toolbar for easy access to push button icons for information on hotels, car rentals, and airlines. Other toolbar commands let you zoom in and out, locate city information, enter expenses in a dialog box, and display legend symbols.

Plus Expert Travel Planner Gold for Windows displays attraction and rest stop data on every route by clicking on desired locations, highlights or finds any road, and computes all incurred expenses. Expert Travel Planner Gold for Windows also offers the following additional features:

* Plan your trip to any destination using its extensive network

  of freeways, toll ways, primary and secondary roads within the

  continental U.S., Alaska, Canada, and Mexico.

* Select from three route classes

  (quickest, shortest, and most scenic).

* Customize your map using any combination of fonts and colors.

* Print your detailed itinerary to take along.

* Personalize Travel Planner by adding your own roads and

  locations.

* Includes guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection

  Agency on driving and vehicular maintenance.

Expert Software, Inc., is the developer of over 40 MS-DOS, Windows, and Macintosh titles which have appeared on numerous best selling lists. Expert Software is located at 800 Douglas Road, North Tower, Suite 355, Coral Gables, FL 33134-3128. For consumer product information contact (305) 567-9990.


Artisoft Intros New Ethernet Adapter Series
ARTISOFT INTRODUCES NEW ETHERNET ADAPTER SERIES WITH LOWER PRICING

Competitively Priced & Positioned For LANtastic/AI, Third-Party Network Operating Systems

(TUCSON, AZ - August 9, 1993) - Artisoft, Inc. announced today the introduction of a new series of competitively priced Ethernet adapters starting at $149. The NodeRunner/SI (software-independent) adapter series includes an automatic configuration utility and is available immediately in four models three ISA and one MicroChannel - that support a variety of cable types, from thick and thin coax to 10BASE-T. A special "Buy Five, Get One Free" promotion will be offered on these adapters for a limited time. These 16-bit, software configurable NodeRunner/SI adapters are shipping independently of the LANtastic Ethernet Add-On Kits, which feature the NodeRunner adapters as well as the software license to expand a LANtastic network.

This "unbundling" enables the NodeRunner/SI adapters to be economically targeted for use with the LANtastic/AI network, as well as a wide range of network operating systems including Novell NetWare. This is the first time Artisoft has shipped its adapters independently of the LANtastic software license.

"Based on reseller demand, we have developed and positioned this high quality adapter series to be sold as a one-source, simple solution for a variety of Ethernet network installations - including, of course, the LANtastic/AI network operating system," commented Dave Hallmen, Artisoft's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "These NodeRunner/SI cards have the sophisticated features and aggressive pricing that will make them a strong competitor in the network adapter market."

Pricing

The NodeRunner/SI 2000/C model has a BNC connection for thin coax cable. The NodeRunner/SI 2000/T model has an RJ-45 connection for 10BASE-T (unshielded twisted pair) cable. Both the 2000/C and 2000/T models are priced at $149 each, with 5-node multi-packs priced at $699 (reducing the cost per adapter to $139) and 10-node multi-packs priced at $1,299 (reducing the cost per adapter to $129).

The NodeRunner/SI 2000/A model, priced at $189, has AUI, BNC and RJ-45 connections for use with thick and thin coax and unshielded twisted pair cable respectively, and is upgradable to 64K RAM. The NodeRunner/SI 2000M/TC model is made for MicroChannel systems and includes both BNC and RJ-5 connections for use with thin coax and unshielded twisted pair cable. It is priced at $239.

Features

The NodeRunner/SI adapters are in 100% compliance with the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard, include 32K onboard buffer RAM, autosense between 8- and 16-bit slots and incorporate the ALICE controller, a completely software configurable Ethernet Integrated Circuit designed and developed by Artisoft.

Because these adapters are NE-2000 compatible and include NDIS and ODI drivers, they are compatible with the LANtastic/AI network - the adapter-independent version of the LANtastic Local Area Network - as well as major third-party network operating systems such as Novell NetWare, Banyan Vines and Microsoft LAN Manager.

This new adapter series also includes an automatic configuration utility for ISA adapters that selects and tests combinations of the IRQ (interrupt requests), bus timing and cable types until a working solution is determined, or until all possibilities are exhausted. An adapter diagnostic feature performs a full functional test of the adapter and identifies possible installation problems such as conflicts with other adapters or faulty cable connections. A menu-driven configuration/setup utility is also included.

LANtastic Ethernet Adapter Line

The NodeRunner/SI adapter series adds to Artisoft's line of Ethernet adapters, which currently includes the NodeRunner adapters found in the LANtastic Ethernet Add-On Kits (introduced earlier this year). These adapters are identical in terms of function and features to the NodeRunner/SI adapter series with one difference. Because the NodeRunner/SI adapters do not include the LANtastic software license, they are competitively priced to be used with a wide variety of network operating system software including the LANtastic/AI network. The LANtastic Ethernet Add-On Kits - which include a NodeRunner Ethernet adapter and a one-user software license - are available for those users wanting to expand their LANtastic network (based on Artisoft's Starter Kit software).

Artisoft's special, limited-time promotion offers customers one NodeRunner/SI adapter free for every five adapters of the same model that they purchase. This promotion is for a limited time only and is subject to change without advance notice.

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 2202 N. Forbes Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85745. Sales 800/233-5564. Corporate 602/670-7100. Fax 602/670-7101


Inside Visual C++

New Ways to Program for Windows Using the Advanced Tools in Microsoft Visual C++

Inside Visual C++ by David J. Kruglinski

632 pages, one 3.5-inch disk $39.95

ISBN: 1-55615-511-5

Pub. Date: September 2, 1993

INSIDE VISUAL C++ -- an insider's perspective on the hows and whys of programming in Microsoft's ground-breaking new development environment--is now available from Microsoft Press.

The Microsoft Visual C++ development system offers an exciting new way to create Windows-based applications that combines the power of object-oriented programming with the efficiency of the C language. INSIDE VISUAL C++ author David J. Kruglinski--a former member of the Visual C++ team--shows readers how to exploit this new programming paradigm to get the most from the richly integrated tools that constitute C++. By utilizing the Visual C++ application framework (based on the Microsoft Foundation Class Library version 2.0), programmers can concentrate on the process of creating robust, professional applications.

Using ample source code examples, Kruglinski explores the class library, App Studio, and the nifty AppWizard and ClassWizard in action. Readers get a healthy dose of application framework theory along with tips for exploiting hidden features of the class library. Fundamentals of Windows-based programming such as event handling, GDI, dialog boxes, memory management, SDI and MDI applications, printing, and help are all presented from a fresh perspective. Detailed coverage of more advanced topics includes DIBs (device-independent bitmaps), ODBC (the new Microsoft Open Database Connectivity standard), OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), and DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries). The accompanying disk contains all the source code files necessary to create the sample applications in the book. In short, INSIDE VISUAL C++ is a natural follow-up book to Charles Petzold's classic Programming Windows.

Appendixes include a "short course" in the C++ language, tables of the message map functions in the Microsoft Foundation Class Library, Microsoft Windows functions used in the book, and notes on Visual C++ for the Windows NT operating. A comprehensive table of contents and a thorough, fully cross-referenced index help readers quickly locate information about any topic in the book.

David Kruglinski considers himself a programmer who writes rather than a writer who programs. addition to writing four books on subjects ranging from microcomputer database management systems to PC communication, he started a successful software tools company. He is also a consultant and teaches training classes on Microsoft Visual C++ around the world.

Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1 and Microsoft Visual C++ Professional or Standard Edition are required (Professional Edition recommended). The book includes one 1.44MB 3.5-inch disk and ordering information for 1.2-MB 5.25-inch disks.

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 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


AST Reports Record Year-End Revenues
AST REPORTS RECORD YEAR-END REVENUES OF $l.4 BILLION; SHIPS RECORD 804,000 PCs

(Note - although financial reports are normally not distributed via our news services, this release was included since it includes interesting information on the recent acquisition of the Tandy PC manufacturing operations--Editor)

IRVINE, Calif., August 5, 1993 -- Representing quarter over quarter growth of 54 percent and annual growth of 50 percent for fiscal year 1993, AST Research Inc. today announced record revenues of $409.2 million for the fourth quarter ended July 3, 1993 and record fiscal year end revenues of $1.412 billion. This compares to revenues of $266.3 million for the fourth quarter of the prior year and $944.1 million for fiscal year 1992.

The acquisition of Tandy Corp.'s PC manufacturing operations resulted in a fourth quarter $125 million pre-tax restructuring charge to realign the company's existing operations and integrate the acquired businesses. The net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1993 was $87.0 million, compared to net income of $18.6 million for the prior year period. The net loss per share was $2.76 for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1993, compared to prior year fourth quarter earnings per share of 59 cents. Without the fourth quarter restructuring charge, pre-tax income would have been $11 .3 million.

The fourth quarter restructuring charge also created a net loss for fiscal year 1993 of $53.7 million, compared to net income of $68.5 million for fiscal year 1992. The net loss per share was $1.72 for fiscal year 1993, compared to earnings per share of $2.16 for fiscal year 1992. Without the fourth quarter restructuring charge, pre-tax income would have been $59.8 million.

"Fiscal year 1993 was a period of significant accomplishment for AST, demonstrated by strong revenue growth and high unit volume increases," said Safi Qureshey, AST president and chief executive officer. "With the acquisition of Tandy's PC manufacturing operations and expansion of our senior management team, AST is executing a high-volume/low-cost manufacturing model that offers the industry's broadest range of products, encompassing personal digital assistants to high-end superservers. We believe the acquisition, an expanded senior management team and our intense focus on customer satisfaction will continue to result in increased worldwide market share."

Record Unit Shipments

The company also announced that it shipped a record 804,000 units worldwide, representing a 69 percent volume increase for the year, including a 73 percent increase in desktops and a 52 percent growth in notebooks. Shipments of Intel-486-based PCs represented 58 percent of the total year's volume.

AST shipped a record 241,000 PCs during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1993, a 76 percent increase over the comparable prior year quarter.

Increased Worldwide Sales

Revenues for fiscal year 1993 increased in all geographic regions, with particular strength recorded in the North American market place. Revenues of $829.7 million for North America rose 56 percent over the prior year, while international sales increased 42 percent to $582.5 million. Total revenues for fiscal year 1993 rose 50 percent over fiscal year 1992.

"Following intense price competition over the past 12 months, our strong revenue growth is testament to the viability of our business model in achieving long-term domestic and international growth regardless of prevailing market conditions," said Qureshey.

At the end of the quarter, AST realigned its sales organization into four major geographical groups: The Americas, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America; Europe; Asia/Pacific; and Rest of World.

Channel Expansion Activity. Product Introductions

AST further expanded its distribution channels during fiscal year 1993, in addition to introducing new products across all product families. As the only major personal computer manufacturer remaining loyal to the reseller channel, AST has increased the number of its domestic authorized resellers to more than 2,400.

AST fiscal year 1993 product development efforts resulted in the introduction of numerous new products, including the Premmia line of high-performance EISA systems, the energy-efficient Bravo LP, the Manhattan SMP symmetric multiprocessor, and the upgradeable PowerExec line of notebooks. These introductions resulted in 28 Product awards received from the PC industry trade press, including the "Product of the Year" honor by LAN Magazine for the Manhattan SMP.

Tandy/GRiD/Victor Acquisition Recap

At the end of the fourth quarter, AST purchased the PC manufacturing operations of Tandy Corp., which included the GRiD North American and GRiD/Victor European sales divisions (except for Tandy/GRiD France). The purchase price is payable in $15 million cash, with the balance not expected to exceed $160 million to be paid with a three-year promissory note. The final price will be determined based upon an audit. The company also intends to purchase certain assets of Tandy/GRiD France in a transaction that is expected to close in September.

As part of the acquisition, AST added four manufacturing plants, new multimedia and pen-based technologies -- including more than 110 computer-related patents--and the GRiD and Victor brand names. Also included is a three-year sales agreement with Tandy Corp. to supply its more than 6,500 Radio Shack, Computer City and Incredible Universe retail operations. The acquisition creates significant purchasing leverage for AST and doubles the company's current manufacturing capacity. The acquisition also makes AST the No. 4 U.S. and No. 6 worldwide personal computer company, according to calendar year 1992 unit volume shipment data from International Data Corp. for the AST, Tandy, GRiD and Victor brands.

AST has begun integrating the acquired operations into its business model with a focus on realigning operations in order to achieve maximum efficiencies and provide uninterrupted customer satisfaction.

Balance Sheet Information (Impact of Acquisition)

AST's acquisition of the Tandy/GRiD PC operations includes the purchase of selected inventory, fixed assets, other assets and the assumption of certain liabilities. However, as final asset and liability valuations have not yet been completed, a July 3, 1993 AST consolidated balance sheet has not been provided.

Balance Sheet Information (Pre-Acquisition AST Results)

The company's financial position has remained strong throughout both the fourth quarter and fiscal year. Total cash and cash equivalents were $121.6 million at July 3, 1993, as compared to $121.8 million at April 3, 1993, while short-term borrowings totaled $59.2 million and $49.4 million for the same respective dates.

Accounts receivable totaled $236.0 million at July 3, 1993, which represented 52 days sales outstanding.

Total inventory was $242.3 million on July 3, 1993, down $10.6 million from the immediately preceding quarter ended April 3, 1993. The company's inventory turnover ratios have improved from 4.1 on June 27, 1993 to 4.7 on April 3, 1993 and now are at 5.5 as of July 3, 1993.

"Throughout this period of high unit volume growth and significant product transitioning, AST has remained committed to effectively managing its worldwide inventory levels," said Qureshey.

Also during fiscal 1993, the Company has increased its credit line from $100 million at June 27, 1992 to $175 million at July 3, 1993 in order to provide additional financing flexibility.

Company Background

AST Research Inc., ranked No. 367 on the 1992 Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial companies, develops personal computer products with technologies ranging from hand-held portable computers to superservers.

AST's award-winning product lines include desktop, file server, notebook and pen-enabled computers, marketed under the Advantage!, Bravo, Premmia, Manhattan SMP, PowerExec, GRiD and Victor product names.

The company is represented in 100 countries and operates 41 international subsidiaries and sales offices. AST's corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, IRVINE, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone (714) 727-4141, (800) 876-4278. Fax (714) 727-9355.


Micro Express Microflex-VL/Multimedia
MICRO EXPRESS MICROFLEX-VL/MULTIMEDIA OFFERED WITH CYRIX S/40 CPU

Santa Ana, CA, August, 1993..Two powerful Multimedia PCs have been added to the popular MicroFLEX-VL family of desktop PCs, by Micro Express. These low-cost VESA-standard local bus machines are available with either Cyrix Cx486S/40 or Intel 486DX2-66 microprocessors. The machines are designated the MicroFLEX-VL/S/Multimedia and the MicroFLEX-VL/66/Multimedia.

Each system includes a Texel CD-ROM drive, a MediaVision Pro Audio Spectrum 16 SCSI sound card, a pair of LabTech powered stereo speakers and a microphone, as well as a 340MB hard disk drive, both 3-1/2" and 5-1/4" high density floppy disk drives, 16-MB of RAM, a 256K RAM cache and a 15" SVGA color monitor capable of displaying resolutions up to 1024 x 768 pixels in a non-interlaced mode, a 101-type keyboard, DOS 6.0 and Windows 3.1. The MicroFLEX-VL/S/Multimedia costs a very reasonable $3250, and the MicroFLEXVL/66/Multimedia is offered for $3650.

The system contains a local bus video card that allows resolutions up to 1280 x 1024 pixels, with high-color (32,768 colors) at up to 1024 x 768, and true-color (64.8 million colors) at a resolution of 640 x 480.

For an additional $25 each, PFS:WindowWorks Version 2 and PFS:Publisher for Windows will be bundled with the system.

MicroFLEX-VL/Multimedia is housed in a mini-tower case, measuring 7.1"[W] x 14.6"[H] x 18.25"[D]. The case has provision for three accessible 5-1/4" disk drives, one accessible 3-1/2" disk drive, two internal 3-1/2" disk drives and one internal 5-1/4" disk drive. The proprietary motherboard has eight expansion slots, including two 32-bit VESA local bus slots, five 16-bit slots and one 8-bit slot. Up to 32-MB of RAM are supported on the motherboard.

The excellent AMI BIOS, with password protection and selectable shadowing of both system and video BIOS, is used and 256K of direct-mapped, write-back RAM cache is included. A CMOS clock-calendar is included, as are built-in diagnostics.

The Finest Available Customer Support

A full 2-year warranty is included on parts and labor for this PC, with shipping for the first 4 months paid both ways by Micro Express, as well as a 30-day moneyback guarantee. Optional on-site service, through GE, is also available. If a part fails, Micro Express offers 24-hour express board replacement service. As with all other Micro Express computers, this machine is burned in for 72 hours before shipping to eliminate early failures. In addition, a toll-free number is provided for free unlimited technical support. Technical support is available 24-hours per day and 7-days per week as part of the exclusive Micro Express "Always" customer support program. When technical documents are required, Micro Express offers Automated FAX-back Service. Using this service, documents can be requested through voice-mail and will be FAXed directly to the customer without human intervention.

The MicroFLEX-VL/Multimedia systems are available now, direct from Micro Express.

Micro Express is an award-winning manufacturer of notebook, laptop, portable and desktop microcomputers that are fully IBM compatible. Micro Express offers extremely high quality and a wide range of additional features at a very competitive price. Micro Express personal computers are regularly rated at the top of comparative reviews in computer trade magazines, having won such honors as PC Magazine Editors' Choice, PC World Best Buy, Computer Buyer's Guide Best Buy, BYTE Magazine One-To-Watch, PC Week Analyst's Choice and many others. The company also offers a selection of high-performance add-in peripheral boards and monitors.

For further sales information, contact Micro Express at 1801 Carnegie Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705. Phone: (714) 852-1400 or (800) 989-9900.


Micromint PRO31/52 Single-Board Controller
NEW SINGLE-BOARD CONTROLLER PACKS 10 POUNDS OF HORSE POWER INTO A 5-POUND BAG

VERNON, CONNECTICUT, July 16, 1993 - In response to OEM customer demand, Micromint Inc. introduces the PRO31/52 single-board controller. The PRO31/52 is one of the most versatile single-board computers that Micromint has produced.

Packing most of the features of Micromint's highly popular RTC product line into a single board measuring only 4"x8", PRO31/52 may be programmed with everything from assembly language to high-level languages. PRO31/52 has room for up to 96K of RAM/PROM; an 8-channel, 8- or 10-bit ADC; an 8-channel, 8-bit DAC; interfaces for both an LCD display and a 4x5 keypad; clock/calendar; hardware watchdog; interrupt inputs; 48 bits of TTL I/O; and an I/O expansion bus with 8 more bits of port 1 TTL and six decoded address strobes.

Not only is there flexibility in the system specifications, but there is flexibility in system power. The PRO31/52 can be powered from either a single 12 to 24V DC supply, or three supplies of +5V and +12V DC. Both the system RAM and clock/calendar are nonvolatile.

Program development on the PRO31/52 is as fast and simple as connecting a terminal to the PRO31/52 and entering BASIC language programs at the prompt, or downloading a BASIC language, C language, or an assembly language file using one of our convenient ROMed or PC-based development packages.

The 80C52 processor may be jumper configured for 80C31/80C32 functionality making a dual programming environment possible. The 80C52 is an 8K-byte floating-point BASIC interpreter that is both fast and control orientated. It can directly call assembly language routines for applications which need the "best of both worlds." External interrupts, clock/calendar interrupts, or watchdog timer interrupts can be serviced directly in BASIC-52. For those who have tough code problems or require code protection, Micromint offers an optional BASIC-52 compiler.

A sample programs ROM is provided that demonstrates the major features and functions of the board. Other utility programs are available that allow the creation of EPROMable programs, terminal emulation, editing, and file transfer using a PC.

PRO31-1 prices start at $289.00 in singles ($219.00/100) and PRO52-1 prices start at $299.00 in singles ($229.00/100).

Founded in 1979 by the internationally renown consultant and author, Steve Ciarcia, Micromint is a leading manufacturer of embedded controllers, single-board computers, and industrial controllers to the world-wide OEM and end-user markets. The world headquarters of Micromint Inc. are located at 4 Park Street, Vernon, CT 06066-3233, USA. Voice - (203) 871-6170,  Fax - (203) 872-2204


NSSI LanSafe II Gets Netware 4.0 Certification
NOVELL AWARDS NSSI's LANSAFE II NETWARE 4.0 CERTIFICATION

First Power Management NLM Certified for Novell's Enterprise Networking

SAN DIEGO, August 18, 1993 - Network Security Systems Inc., (NSSI), a recognized leader in network and standalone power management solutions, today announced that it has received NetWare 4.0 Tested and Approved certification from Novell, Inc. for it's LANSafe II NetWare Loadable Module (NLM). NSSI's LanSafe II is the first network power management software to pass Novell Lab's rigorous NLM testing program. NLM's are value-added applications that run on NetWare 3.x and 4.x file servers as an extension of the NetWare operating system.

LanSafe II, when used in combination with NSSI's Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs), provides power protection for computer networks against conditions such as blackouts, brownouts and over/under voltage conditions -- ensuring data integrity should a power fault occur. NSSI's unique power management software affords any intelligent network device with an attached NSSI UPS, including bridges and workstations, protection against adverse power conditions. As an added benefit, system administrators can view and control network power conditions both locally and remotely.

According to David Owen, vice president of Novell Labs, NLM developers must pass a comprehensive series of tests to receive NetWare Tested and Approved certification. "These tests are designed to help network administrators choose products that have proven themselves to be well integrated with other NLMs and the NetWare operating system," said Owen. "NSSI 's LanSafe product has demonstrated these capabilities and we are happy to present them with the first NetWare 4.0 certification for an NLM in the power management field."

"Receiving Novell's NetWare certification further validates our commitment to providing our customers with best-in-class products that help them meet their power management needs," said Bill Humphreys, president and founder of NSSI. "Having worked with Novell for over seven years as a Novell Registered Developer has greatly aided in our efforts to develop technically superior, complementary NetWare products, a direction we'll continue to follow."

LanSafe II features include monitoring and logging of power conditions, customizing hardware voltage settings based on actual power conditions and system requirements, automated system-wide power testing, remote shutdown and reboot, and unattended NetWare orderly shutdowns. Available now, the suggested U.S. List price of LanSafe II for Novell with DOS and Windows is $135. NSSI's family of UPSs include models ranging from 300VA/210 watts through 1200VA/960 watts, providing power backup Protection for PCs to larger workstations, bridges and servers. Prices begin at less than $300. NSSI's entire line of products is backed by a full, two-year warranty which may be extended up to five years. For additional product information, contact NSSI at (800) 755-7078.

NSSI's award-winning products support Novell, UNIX, Windows, OS/2, LAN Manager, and LAN Server. NSSI's products are available through many leading value-added resellers and distributors including Ingram Micro, Tech Data and Vitek.

Network Security Systems Inc

9401 Waples St, San Diego, CA 92121

619-587-7950,  800-755-7078,  fax 619-552-9162


Percon Portable Bar Code Reader
NEW PORTABLE BAR CODE READER WEIGHS ONLY 12 OUNCES; FEATURES LONG BATTERY LIFE; MICROSOFT WINDOWS-BASED PROGRAMMING AND AT, PS/2 BAR CODE WEDGE INTERFACES FOR FIXED-STATION APPLICATIONS

July 30, 1993 -- EUGENE, OR--A new portable bar code reader, the PT 2000, is now available from Percon, Inc., a leading manufacturer of bar code reading equipment. The PT 2000 features a slim, ergonomic design, long battery life, the ability to use a variety of input devices and a built-in AT, PS/2 bar code wedge interface for fixed-station scanning applications.

"Market research indicated portable users want an affordable unit that is easy to Program, light weight, has a long battery life and is adaptable to a variety of applications," says Doug Wilson, Director of Sales and Marketing. "The PT 2000 is the answer to that need."

The PT 2000 offers users the flexibility to choose the appropriate input device for an application, whether it's a wand, CCD, SV laser or I.D Badge scanner. Its four-line by 16-character LCD display provides easy readability and users can scroll through and review up to 24 lines of data held in a display buffer. Thirty-four splash-resistant alphanumeric keys, including four programmable keys, give users the option of keying in data. A real time clock and calendar allows any record to be time/date stamped. Audible feedback is provided through an adjustable-volume speaker.

In addition, the PT 2000 autodiscriminates between any combination of three loaded symbologies. It offers data storage memory beginning at 128K with upgrades available in convenient 128K increments up to one megabyte. The PT 2000--using an included RS-232C interface and flexible menu-driven communications protocols--it interfaces to a wide variety of computers for data downloading.

"We offer source code for DOS, UNIX and Macintosh platforms," says Rob Hougen, Vice President-Engineering. "This feature enables end users to integrate communications into their application."

Users have a choice of three AA alkaline batteries, three NiCd batteries or a rechargeable NiCd battery pack to power the PI 2000 for up to 12 hours of continuous use. Should the batteries fail, a lithium back up battery is built into the unit for up to 10 days of memory storage.

"Battery life wasn't sacrificed in making the unit light weight," says Andy Storment, Vice President. "Over 20,000 scans can be performed with a 5V laser or CCD."

The PT 2000 features a built-in AT, PS/2 interface, so it can be used as a keyboard wedge for those applications including point-of-sale and library/video check out which require fixed-station scanning during business hours and portable scanning during off hours.

"This added feature allows users to purchase one unit for multiple applications," says Wilson. "It offers the user a cost-effective way to implement both portable and fixed-station bar code scanning."

Application programs for the PT 2000 are quickly and easily created using Percon Program Generator (PPG) software. Running in a Microsoft Windows-based environment, 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 PI 2000. Users may download programs designed for specific applications into the PT 2000's bank erasable flash ROM memory in seconds.

"Traditionally, changing application programs was very difficult. A user would have to reburn an EPROM under ultraviolet light, a very time-consuming task," adds Storment. "With the PT 2000, reprogramming takes just a few seconds using the unit's bank erasable flash ROM memory. As a result, the user saves money by minimizing downtime."

Backed by a one-year warranty, this durable unit, made of high-strength polycarbonate-blend plastic is rugged enough to withstand multiple drops to concrete. It's compact size, ergonomic design, and long battery life make the PT 2000 an excellent choice for use in a variety of environments including inventory control, point-of-sale, and route accounting.

The suggested list price for PT 2000 (Part Number 40-000-00, 128K model), begins at $795.00 (US, quantity one) which includes three AA batteries. The PT 2000 is backed by a one year warranty with optional extended and on-site warranties available. Suggested list price for PPG software, part number 00-730-20, is $295.00.

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 distributors, resellers, systems integrators and value added resellers (VARs). The company offers its distribution channel excellent customer service including a personal account executive, 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 Pacon 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 laser scanners, magnetic stripe readers, and ID Badge scanners; WRITEBAR, bar code printing software for dot matrix and laser printers; and other bar code accessories.

Percon, Inc.

1720 Willow Creek Circle, Suite 530, Eugene, OR 97402-9171

(800) 929-7899 or (503) 344-1189,  Fax (503) 344-1399


Advantage Xbase Server Now Shipping
Extended Systems Ships Seamless Client/Server Solution For Xbase

BOISE, ID, August 12, 1993 -- Extended Systems announced today that the Advantage Xbase Server is now shipping. The Advantage Xbase Server can improve the multi-user performance and integrity of networked CA-Clipper applications without rewriting a single line of code. The Advantage Xbase Server seamlessly brings the multi-user performance and file integrity benefits of client/server processing to CA Clipper applications. Advantage Xbase Server consists of a Clipper Replaceable Database Driver (RDD) and a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM). The RDD integrates seamlessly with existing Clipper 5.01 or 5.2 applications. The NLM runs on a NetWare 3.11 or 4.0 fileserver.

"Beta testers claim performance increases of 10 to 20 times in WAN applications," said Clay Young, marketing manager for the company's software products. Testers with large LAN-based databases are also seeing significant performance increases. "One beta site indicated that a report previously requiring two 486-66MHz PCs over 18 hours to complete is now processed in less than 3 hours," said Young. "All that was required to achieve this increased performance was relinking the application with the Advantage RDD and loading the Advantage Xbase Server NLM on their NetWare file server," he added.

Advantage Xbase Server pricing ranges from $895 for the 5-user version to $7495 for the 1000-user version. The Advantage Xbase Server Software Developer's Kit (SDK), which contains everything required to create client/server CA-Clipper applications, sells for $249. A complete range of service programs are also available from Extended Systems.

Extended Systems product families focus on enabling users to increase the life, functionality, and performance of their computer resources. Products are available direct from Extended Systems, VAR's, and distributors worldwide.

Extended Systems

5777 N. MEEKER AVE, BOISE, ID 83704

SALES ASSIST: 800-235 7576,   406 587-7575,   FAX 208 377 1906


DIANACHART Desk-Top LAB-ACQ Data Acquisition
DATA ACQUISITION/CONTROL FOR THE LAB

The DIANACHART desk-top LAB-ACQ turns any personal computer into a laboratory data acquisition system for research. Installation is easy, the manufacturer claims; just plug it into a parallel printer port. It easily moves from one PC to another.

LAB-ACQ can be easily set up to measure directly from sensors or transducers - temperature, pressure, pulse rate, etc., with full 16-bit resolution. The LAB-ACQ applies signal conditioning such as linearization and then stores the readings to disk in an ASCII file format, compatible with spreadsheets and databases.

The LAB-ACQ is a complete system with hardware, cables, manuals and driver software included. LAB-ACQs have 6, 14 or 48 Analog Inputs, 11 Binary Inputs, an Event Counter and 10 Binary Outputs. Analog Outputs are available.

With optional INSTA-TREND Real-time Graphics software, data is continuously displayed on-screen and there are many types of print-outs available. The data is stored to multiple files at chosen intervals. Data files are LOTUS compatible.

INSTA-TREND eliminates programming - just make a few menu entries. Use a mouse or touch screen!

Many features are available to satisfy more sophisticated needs. Features like: Alarms with voice-phone interface, PID and PLC control, instant replay of past data, X-T, X-Y and Bar graphs, custom displays, reports and print-outs.

Model: LA

Availability: Immediate

Dianachart Inc

101 Round Hill Dr, Rockaway, NJ 07866

201-625-2299,  fax  201-625-2449


401 Great Letters for Windows
401 GREAT LETTERS FOR WINDOWS By MicroBase Saves Money and Time

MSRP $49.95

Making sure a letter sent is read by the recipient takes creativity, time and hard work. Thanks to the software program 401 Great Letters for Windows, published by MicroBase Inc, five minutes is all it takes to compose a great letter. 401 Great Letters for Windows, full of point-and-click features, provides a 3 step process to sending the perfect letter for any occasion: 1) find the letter, 2) fill in the blanks, and 3) print.

Name the subject and odds are, the ideal letter is now at your fingertips. There are letters on everything - complaints, deal makers, AIDS, sexual harassment, legal issues, the environment, direct marketing, office policies, even love letters! Organized in four sections that cover business-to-business, business-to-customer, internal company, and personal correspondence, 401 Great Letters for Windows is the instant source. Hints even describe what to put in the blanks. Users will simply select the category, pick the letter's topic, fill-in-the-blanks, and then can print, modify or save their letter. Plus - put any 401 Great Letter on the Windows clipboard and instantly, the letter is ready to use with your favorite word processor, allowing you to take advantage of Windows' powerful tools.

Interestingly, for the price of this software one actually receives a $5,000 to $7,000 value. The Dartnell Corporation's Institute of Small Business and Nine to Five performed extensive research on the cost of a conventional, 185-word business letter. The analysts found that one letter costs anywhere from $11.91 to $18.03. Mind you these letters are along the "To whom it may concern," lines bearing no resemblance to the power in 401 Great Letters for Windows.

401 Great Letters for Windows is available in business and computer stores everywhere or may be ordered by phoning 602-897-7800 or 800-897-3637 or by faxing at 602-897-9799, 9am to 5pm PST, Monday-Friday.

MicroBase Inc

3923 South McClintock, Suite 402, Tempe, AZ 85282


Strategic Studies Group - Warlords II
WARLORDS II

Available for IBM $69.95, Distributed by Strategic Studies Group

15th May 1993 -- Strategic Studies Group has announced details of Warlords II, the keenly awaited sequel to the best selling Warlords. Warlords II will be available in August.

The original version of Warlords created a new standard in strategy gaming, selling well over 50,000 copies. Critics and gamers alike raved about its highly addictive gameplay. Warlords was voted Strategy Game of the Year by Computer Gaming World magazine, and Wargame of the Year by Strategy Plus magazine.

Warlords II will feature a huge number of improvements to the original game, while still retaining Warlord's enjoyment and ease of play. Many of these improvements will be optional, giving the player total control over customising game features.

New features will include:

* random maps for infinite game replayability

* hidden map option to make each new world a mystery

* totally new AI system to challenge even the most experienced

  gamers

* diplomacy option to provide a formal framework for

  back-stabbing and deceit

* new movement systems and interface to make troop movement and

  control flexible and easy

* new army types for enhanced production

* troop transports and warships create a new dimension for

  amphibious warfare

* Optional quest structure to reward the pure or the cunning

* powerful new magical items and abilities

* awesome 640x480 VGA graphics created by Nick Stathopolous

* optional personalities for computer opponents to make winning

  even harder

* full historical report to detail the story of your conquest

* optional military adviser takes the guesswork out of combat

* digital and midi sound support

Warlords II requires 640K of RAM plus 2MB of expanded or extended memory, an 80386 or better CPU, hard disk, VGA graphics, mouse, supports Ad-Lib, Sound Blaster, Roland MT-32, and Roland Sound Canvas.

Strategic Studies Group

PO Box 30085, Pensacola, FL 32503-1085

904-469-8880,  fax 904-469-8885


DuraLine Printer Ribbons/Toner Cartridges
DuraLine Imaging Inc. manufactures only one product: computer printer ribbons. They have been able to retain approximately 75-80% of their original staff from the past 23 years so their ribbons have been assembled by some of the most knowledgeable and skillful people in the industry. They use fabric that is the best that can be found in the marketplace for the manufacture of computer ribbons, and it too is manufactured in North Carolina where Duraline is located. All of the plastic casing for cartridge ribbons and the paper cores are the best available and most are made in the United States. In addition to the standard blue ink, DuraLine Imaging offers seventeen other colors and types of ink for computer printer ribbons, and is provided to them by major manufacturers throughout the Unites States.

DuraLine Imaging Inc. refills cartridge ribbons and reconditions wide (14" to 18") ribbons. This is a service that can save you or your company as much as 50% to 70% of the cost of buying new ribbons, as well as having a very positive impact on our environment.

The cartridges are tested for mechanical defects, stripped of the old fabric and refilled with new inked fabric of the same type (although you can sometimes opt for different fabric types in some cartridges). The cartridges are tested again and returned directly to you.

Wide ribbons are optically scanned for flaws, reconditioned, re-scanned and returned. DuraLine Imaging Inc. will guarantee that reconditioned wide ribbons may yield as much as 80% of the original line count.

DuraLine Imaging Inc. can also recondition your laser printer toner cartridges. Since the advent of laser printers, there have been many companies entering this market. DuraLine Imaging has been reconditioning laser printer toner cartridges for about seven years. We do not just refill the cartridges, as with many services, but we totally recondition the cartridge and drum assembly. If the cartridge does need minor repair, and we have replacement parts in stock, most of the time we are able to make the repair at little or no additional charge to you. Of course, if the needed repair is major, they will notify you that the defective unit can be sent back to you for your inspection, or that they can replace it at their current price, which because of DuraLine Imaging buying power, is very competitive.

DuraLine also sells print bands. These long-life print bands are made either from high-tensile strength molybdenum alloyed stell or conventional 410 stainless steel. Under normal operating conditions, these bands can yield up to 130 million lines of print. Other brands will usually yield about 50-70 million lines of print. These print bands are available for Data Printer, Fujitsu, IBM, Burroughs, NCR, Sperry and other printers.

DuraLine Imaging Inc. ships computer printer printer ribbons and laser printer toner cartridges throughout the United States, Canada, and into South America and Europe. But they also provide all clients with sales support and service that will not be offered by any other major manufacturer.

Local representation is always preferred, but when it is not possible, their support staff in Naples, North Carolina is always willing to handle your every question or need. As always, any product or service sold or offered by DuraLine Imaging is 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

DuraLine Imaging Inc

1315 Whirlaway Circle, Helena, AL 35080-9650

205-663-5036,  voice/fax: 800-453-4171


401 Great Letters by Kim Komando
401 Great Letters by Kim Komando Saves Money and Time

Available in book and software form

June 24, 1993 -- Homewood, IL -- Gone are the hair-pulling, gut-wrenching, time-consuming sessions trying to find the right words or present facts properly in a letter. Making sure a letter is read takes creativity, time and hard work. Thanks to the Business One Irwin book 401 Great Letters by talk-radio host, television commentator and syndicated columnist Kim Komando, five minutes is all it takes to compose a great letter. 401 Great Letters provides a 2-step process to sending the perfect letter for any occasion:  1) find the letter and 2) fill in the blanks.

Name the subject and the ideal letter is at your fingertips. There are letters on everything - complaints, deal makers, AIDS, sexual harassment, legal issues, direct marketing, orrice policies, getting alimony and child support payments, even love letters! Organized in four sections that cover business-to-business, business-to-customer, internal company, and personal correspondence, 401 Great Letters is the instant source for 115 letters for business, 115 letters for customers, 115 letters for an office, and 56 letters for personal matters. To save even more time, the letters are available on disk ready to be used with the most popular personal computer word processing software programs or as a stand-alone DOS and Windows software program.

The Dartnell Corporation's Institute of Small Business and Nine to Five performed extensive research on the cost of a conventional, 185-word business letter. The analysts found that one letter costs anywhere from $11.91 to $18.03. These letters are along the "To whom it may concern," lines bearing no resemblance to the power in 401 Great Letters. For the price of this book, the buyer actually receives a $5,000 to $7,000 value.

401 Great Letters (the book) is available in fine bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Waldenbooks as well as libraries everywhere or may be ordered by phoning Business One Irwin's toll-free customer service department at 800-634-3966, 10am to 6pm EST, Monday-Friday. Cost of the book is $25, or $60 with letter template on 5 1/4" disk. A special Windows version of the package is available from MicroBase Inc.

BusinessOne Irwin

1818 Ridge Rd, Homewood, IL 60430-1795

800-448-3343

MicroBase Inc

3923 South McClintock, Suite 402, Tempe, AZ 85282

800-897-3637,  602-897-7800,  fax 602-897-9799


Microsoft MS-DOS Programmer's Ref, 2nd Ed.
Microsoft MS-DOS Programmer's Reference, Second Edition

528 pages, $27.95

ISBN: 1-55615-546-8

Pub. Date: August 25, 1993

MICROSOFT MS-DOS PROGRAMMER'S REFERENCE--the Microsoft technical reference for the MS-DOS operating system--is now available from Microsoft Press.

This extensive resource provides easy access to fundamental information about the structure of MS-DOS and its programming interface. It's an essential source for any serious MS-DOS programmer.

The heart of the MS-DOS PROGRAMMER'S REFERENCE is a comprehensive guide to all MS-DOS system interrupts and functions. Topics include:

* Overviews of the MS-DOS system functions

* A comprehensive reference to the system functions, interrupts,

  and structures

* An explanation of device drivers

* A description of the function interfaces for MS-DOS extensions,

  such as print spooling, national language support, and task

  switching

Included in the appendixes are code-page tables for the six pages of code included with MS-DOS, keys and key combinations that generate the extended key codes, a list of error values returned by MS-DOS system functions, and code that client programs can use to ensure successful switching between tasks. A comprehensive index provides quick access to a wealth of information on various MS-DOS topics.

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 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


Straight Shot Prof. Billing Softwarefor Mac
Lincoln Software is now shipping STRAIGHT SHOT, an accounting package designed specifically for companies that bill professional services and allocate expenses to clients. STRAIGHT SHOT uses a hierarchical approach to exploring and storing data. Double clicking on a deposit reveals the invoices that make up that deposit; from a single invoice, individual charges can be displayed; from an individual charge, the user can directly see the professional time charge from which it was allocated. This product requires a Macintosh computer with a minimum of 3.5 MB of RAM and System 6.04 or later. Price is $1,200

Lincoln Software Inc

Lincoln, MA

617-259-8727


LibTools & LibTools Lite Library Management
Faster, Smarter Library Management Speeds Your Development Cycle!

You've probably already discovered the productivity boost gained by using libraries to manage your object code. LibTools handles everyday library management functions like addition, extraction, and deletion of modules at breakneck speeds.

But to use libraries effectively, you need to have more information about and control over your library files. LibTools gives you that control. Included is a Library Dump utility which will list, in detail, the complete contents of a library, including external references and public symbols. A Library compare utility compares two libraries for differences, and can produce a list of duplicate public symbols so you can forecast future conflicts.

LibTools works with object modules created with almost every compiler, including C, C++, Assembler, XBase, and all other Intel, Microsoft, or Borland compatible object modules. It offers adjustable buffer sizes and configurable behavior, including multiple .INI file support for project by project customization.

Plus, LibTools offers extensive reporting options to give you the very specific information you need to do your job. Wondering why a single, 1K function call bloated your executable by many kilobytes? If one function references another in the library, you'll drg in the code for both. Generate an "I Need" report of the other modules a particular function will drag in when linked.

Ever changed a function that appeared in one of your applications, only to break another routine that relied on the same function? A "Need Me" report will pinpoint every function which depends on the function you're working on, so there are no surprises.

What happens after LibTools shows you duplicate assignments that may cause conflicts in your libraryes? LibTools give you the power to RENAME public symbols and external references even if you don't have the source.

Plus, wildcard support speeds your specification of modules, to save you even more time. And optional checksum error checking insures that modules are added correctly.

The manual includes an introduction to library management theory, points on designing more efficient libraries, and tips on working with classes. A set of tutorials gets you started working with libraries and guides you step by step through solving problems you may be having with libraries.

List price is $149 plus $9 shipping within the USA.

Also available is LibTools Lite..... for only $29

LibTools Lite gives you the library processing speed you need to get your job done in a hurry, at a price you can't refuse. LibTools Lite comes with online documentation and electronic technical help. If later you decide you can't live without all the powerful features of the professional version of LibTools, you can apply your entire LibTools Lite purchase price towards your LibTools purchase.

Both versions come with a 30 day money back guarantee, so your risk is nothing.

Integrated Development Corp

190 Main St, PO Box 592, Hampstead, NH 03841

800-333-3429,  603-329-5522,   fax 603-329-4841

CIS:  70441,2465


Sun Micro Exec Bill Larson Named McAfee CEO
SUN MICRO EXEC BILL LARSON NAMED CEO OF McAFEE ASSOCIATES; ADDS MANAGEMENT DEPTH TO FAST-GROWING SOFTWARE COMPANY

Founder and Current CEO John McAfee Assumes Position of Chief Technical Officer; Concentrates on Strategic Technology Acquisition and Development

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. (August 18, 1993) -- McAfee Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCAF), the world's leading developer and electronic distributor of anti-virus software for personal computers and networks, today named Sun Microsystems executive, Bill Larson, as the company's new chief executive officer. Larson, who stepped down as SunSoft's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, is expected to bring considerable strategic planning and management expertise to McAfee Associates as the company diversifies its product line and leverages its position as the industry's leading electronic software distributor.

John McAfee, McAfee Associates' founder and present CEO, will assume the position of Chief Technical Officer, while remaining chairman of the board. The position will allow McAfee to assume greater hands-on and strategic involvement in the development and acquisition of new products and technologies necessary for the company's diversification. McAfee will devote full time to identifying potential acquisition candidates and developing new technologies for communications, utilities, and network management products. William McKiernan remains the chief operating officer.

As vice president of sales and marketing at SunSoft, Inc., a subsidiary of Sun Microsystems and the world's second largest system software company, Larson managed worldwide sales, service and marketing. Larson is credited with establishing Solaris as the leading 32-bit operating system alternative to Microsoft's Windows NT. Larson also built a worldwide field sales organization that included major OEM accounts such as Dell and AST, distributors such as Merisel and Ingram Micro, and a dealer network of over 2,000 resellers. Prior to Sun, Larson held senior executive positions at Apple Computer, Spinnaker Software and Bain & Co.

"The hiring of Bill Larson will boost our management structure and allow me to focus my full attention on the development and acquisition of new products for introduction through our electronic distribution channel and to our installed base of over 15,000 corporate accounts," said John McAfee.

While McAfee Associates continues its leadership position in the anti-virus software market, the company has taken several steps to diversify its product offerings to include other software suited to electronic distribution. The most notable example of this strategy is the company's recently completed letter of intent to acquire personal database developer ButtonWare Inc, of Bellevue, WA. The company recently further enhanced its management team with the recent addition of Marc LeBrun as vice president of research and development. LeBrun is the former director of advanced technology at Autodesk.

McAfee Associates, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, develops, markets, and distributes general purpose personal computer utilities and network software designed for electronic distribution. Its anti-virus product line is one of the premier brands of virus protection, detection and eradication software, with millions of users worldwide. The company's software is distributed electronically through a network of bulletin boards, CompuServe, America Online, Internet, and through a unique network of 180 authorized agents who provide local sales and technical support.


Sceptre Touch Screen Technology
TOUCH SCREEN

Human's first best and most direct sense.

Use Windows without mouse

Experience the excitement of Touch Technology. Whether your interest is in: Industrual Process Control, Remote Control, Hand-Held Terminal, Machine/Equipment Automation, Testing/Analysis Instrumentation, Medical Device, Military Application, Automotive Dashboard, Communication, Security System, Point of Sales, Public Information System, Library Index Directory, Catalog Shopping, Educational Device, Game/Entertainment or any other type of menu-driven applications which can take advantage of: user-friendly operation, direct & fast response, error-free data input, Eliminating keyboards, low power requirements, or portability.

Sceptre's Touch Screen is "Resistive Membrane" type with the unique INVISIBLE SPACING TECHNIQUE which assures the best sensitivity and cosmetic appearance. At Sceptre, we are commited to offer consisttently highest quality and lowest price for the followin products:

1. Standard Touch Screen for Flat-Panel Display

   Many standard touch screens, both analog and matrix, are available

   for the most popular LCD's and EL displays.

2. Custom design Capability

   our touch screen can be custom designed into any size, any shape

   with any kind of switch postiions arrangement.

3. EZ ADD-ON touch Screen for CRT Monitors

   The most economic analog touch screen can now be easily mounted

   to CRT monitors within 10 minutes. The touch screen is available

   with RS232/PC-Bus dual-purpose controller card.

4. Touch-Sensed Monitor

   a. KTST-64: A slimline desktop 640x480 STN LCD Monitor equipped

      with analog touch screen and controller card is CGA/EGA

      compatible. This lightweight, 11" diagonal monitor can plus

      directly into the 9-pin video output port of an IBM XT/AT

      compatible PC.

   b. KTHR-58: This is a compact rugged EL monitor, also equipped

      with analog touch screen and controller card which has

      640x400 pixels. When used with FPC-AT adaptor, the monitor

      can then be connected to an IBM XT/AT compatible.

5. Custom Control Panel

   We also supply conductive rubber keypad, membrane switch and LCD.

   Therefore, we have the capability of combining those components

   with our Touch Screen and the display system of your choice into

   a fully integrated control panel.

Touch Screen is a direct interaction with displayed information by touching. To accomplish this, a position sensor is placed in front of the display system which is linked to microprocessor to relate location and information on the display. The operator will then be able to communicate to a menu-driven system by walking their finger across the display.

The fast growth of touch screen technology is in response to the rapidly increasing demand of computerized devices being used in many areas by the operators who have minimum or no training in computer operations. Those areas include: Industrial process control, Maching operation, Medical Diagnostics, Laboratory testing analysis, Military weaponry, Catalog or directory searching systems where the easiest man-machine interface is required to operate a menu-driven system by presenting choices and obtaining feedbacks.

Fast Response and Virtually Error-Free input are critically important to some industrial, medical and military applications. The interface system must be designed to minimize or totally eliminate procedures from operator's memory in order to control and operate the system. A computerized system with Touch Screen input will allow the operator to be able to use recognizing method instead of recalling method. Only the allowable options will be displayed at the time the input from the operator is required. The operator will recognize those options instead of memorizing them and make the choice by directly touching the selected category.

Membrane Touch Screen is similar to conventional membrane switch in structure, except the conductive material of touch screen is made of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) which is sputtered onto plastic films, usually polyester. Two Conductive layers are laminated together with insulting spacer in between. The top layer can be flexed by applying pressure to make contact to bottom layer, the contact is broken when the pressure is released. Therefore, this kind of device can serve as a normally open, momentarily closed switch.

Matrix Type Touch Screen has the etched ITO conductive arrays on top and bottom layers (rows and columns) with their directions perpendicular to each other. The touching position is sensed by detecting the contact between certain column and row. The resolution of the matrix type is fixed once the touch screen is made. On the other hand, Analog type Touch Screen's resolution can be defined by software through an A/D converter. The touching position may be precisely detected to the tolerance range of pixel level. The analog type is made of two continuous resistive layers. The touching point is resolved by comparing the resistance (or voltage) which is proportional to the coordinates.

SCEPTRE has the capability of designing and manufacturing both Matrix and analog, touch screens with the unique Invisible Spacing Technique which assures no visual interference with data presentation in the viewin garea, it can also minimize the non-responsive area due to the existence of spacers, hence improves the sensitivity of touch.

TS-232B Controller Card

The TS-232B Controller Card, is a half-size card designed to interface with Scepter's Analog Touch screen through an 8-bit analog to digital converter (ADC), and host with serial communication link. The controller is operated on a single voltage, +5VCD, with maximum of 300 mA. It can be either plugged into an empty PC slot or mounted seperately with an optional power supply. When the touch screen is touched, the X coordinate is determined by having X= set at +5V, X-grounded, and reading analog signal at Y+. The y-coordinate is determined by having Y+ set at +5V, Y grounded, and reading X+. The ADC accepts the input of X+, Y+ values after they are filtered to minimize the noise. The conversions are completed within 50ms. The controller will make another verification reading to discard those readings made during the making and breaking contacts of touch screen. If the data are valid after verification, they are then transmitted to the host. The controller is IBM XT/AT PC compatible with 256x256 touch resolution. The output is at standard RS-232C levels. A cable with DB-9 connector is included for connecting to serial port. Also included are user's manual and software for calibration and setting up. The controller is designed to be configured for a variety of operating modes and options through a software setup sequence.

Sceptre Technologies Inc

714-993-9193,  fax 714-993-2997


Cheyenne Swr & Media Integration OEM Agreement
CHEYENNE SOFTWARE AND MEDIA INTEGRATION SIGN OEM AGREEMENT

ROSLYN, NEW YORK, July 6, 1993- - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today the establishment of an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) relationship between Cheyenne and Media Integration, Inc., a national integrator and distributor of network storage solutions.

Media Integration will be marketing Cheyenne's data management software products, ARCserve DOS and Windows Editions, ARCserve/Solo and ARCserve/Open, as a bundled solution with Media Integration's line of changers and tape devices.

In addition, Cheyenne has established a distribution relationship with Media Integration. Media Integration will be marketing Cheyenne's full line of software solutions, including InocuLAN, for server-based anti-virus protection; FAXserve, an automated facsimile service for NetWare networks; Monitrix, a high performance network management solution, and Cheyenne Utilities, a set of critical server and file management utilities.

In making the announcement, Hinda Chalew, Director of OEM Sales for Cheyenne Software stated, "The strategic relationship between Cheyenne and Media Integration further solidifies the acceptance of ARCserve as the industry standard for data management. In addition, we feel confident that the results of this mutually beneficial relationship will generate new and exciting opportunities for both companies on a long-term basis."

According to Cameron T. Brett, Director of Marketing for Media Integration, "The breadth of support offered by Cheyenne's products for our entire line of tape drives, allows us to offer our customers a single solution of superior quality."

The ARCserve family of data and storage management solutions, were developed by Cheyenne as a comprehensive, reliable backup and restore software solution for NetWare. ARCserve integrates an array of features that provides users with the highest level of automation for network data management. Optional Database Agents for the ARCserve NLM allow for the on-line backup of databases that are continuously open on a NetWare 3.11 server. Optional MACagents and Uagents for ARCserve NLM, coupled with the product's inherent support for DOS, Windows and OS/2, enables ARCserve to provide backup and restore services for all major operating systems available in the PC marketplace.

Media Integration, Inc., is a national integrator and distributor of network storage solutions. Founded in 1983, the company specializes in on-line mass storage, near-line optical and tape backup subsystems. Media Integration focuses on complete solutions for storage, including fault tolerance, RAID and hierarchical storage management, along with the highest levels of quality and service.

Cheyenne Software, Inc., founded in 1983, is a leading developer of automated software solutions for NetWare, UNIX and DOS. Cheyenne currently markets an array of security, backup and management products, including Monitrix, FAXserve, InocuLAN, and the ARCserve family of software. The company's products are sold on a worldwide basis through strategic partnerships and an extensive distribution network.

Cheyenne Software Inc

3 Expressway Plaza, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

516-484-5110,   fax 516-484-3446


Cheyenne AppWare Loadable Modules for Novell
CHEYENNE ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR NOVELL'S APPWARE

Imaging ALMs Developed for Strategic Desktop Platform

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, June 28, 1993 -- Asserting its commitment to provide continued support for all Novell platforms, Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) today announced a series of AppWare Loadable Modules (ALMs) for use in building document imaging applications. These ALMs are designed for use in the AppWare environment, introduced today by Novell.

AppWare is Novell's development infrastructure upon which developers can easily create or customize distributed network applications. Cheyenne's ALMs will allow AppWare users and developers to integrate the following functions into their computing environment:

* scanning/compression;

* viewing/decompression;

* facsimile services;

* text retrieval;

* OCR; and

* optical disk and jukebox storage management.

"Novell's AppWare provides an exciting new platform for Cheyenne technology, n noted Jim McNiel, Cheyenne's Vice President of Business Development "As a pioneer in the development of applications closely integrated with Novell's operating systems, the creation of ALMs for AppWare is a natural evolution for Cheyenne."

Cheyenne's ALMs will be the basis for a document imaging application workshop currently under development. Cheyenne expects to create additional multi-platform desktop service ALMs in the future.

Cheyenne Software, Inc., founded in 1983, is a leading developer of automated software solutions for NetWare, UNIX and DOS. Cheyenne currently markets an array of security, backup and management products, including Monitrix, FAXserve, InocuLAN, and the ARCserve family of software. The company's products are sold on a worldwide basis through strategic partnerships and an extensive distribution network.

Cheyenne Software Inc

3 Expressway Plaza, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

516-484-5110,   fax 516-484-3446


Cheyenne Announces Microsoft At Work Support
CHEYENNE ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR MICROSOFT'S AT WORK

NEW YORK, June 9, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYL) announced today its support for the Microsoft At Work architecture, which has been designed to provide a work environment that, among other things, integrates information and rich Communications, provides benefits to all office workers, and leverages the ease of use and consistency of a graphical user interface. Cheyenne, in concert with Microsoft's At Work architecture, has developed a superior technology, which allows users to transmit and receive facsimile communications via fax modems centralized in the NetWare file server.

Cheyenne's FAXserve, the first server-based automated approach to network facsimile services, enables users to publish and receive documents between Microsoft's Windows and MS-DOS clients and the high performance FAXserve NLM. As an NLM, FAXserve provides a device independent driver level in order to support the leading fax hardware in the marketplace. Using a facsimile machine to send information, as opposed to mailing it, has quickly become the preferred method of information distribution for the majority of businesses throughout the world. Automating this function will allow companies to re-focus the time and effort usually spent on faxing to more productive, and potentially more profitable activities.

In making the announcement Yuda Doron, President of Cheyenne Communications, stated, "We are extremely pleased to support the Microsoft At Work architecture. Windows-based users will now have access to, and will benefit from, enhanced client communications technology, that is tightly integrated with Cheyenne's server-engine, FAXserve. Microsoft's vision is to enable the client. Cheyenne's vision is to enable the server. The synergy between the client and the server, is the future."

Cheyenne Software, Inc., founded in 1983, is a leading developer of automated software solutions for NetWare, UNIX and MS-DOS. Cheyenne currently markets an array of security, backup and management products, including Monitrix, FAXserve, InocuLAN, and the ARCserve family of software. The company's products are sold on a worldwide basis through strategic partnerships and an extensive distribution network.

Cheyenne Software Inc

3 Expressway Plaza, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

516-484-5110,   fax 516-484-3446


Cheyenne Software Forms New Subsidiary
CHEYENNE SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF NEW SUBSIDIARY

Cheyenne Communications, Inc. to Develop and Market Software for "Desktop to Enterprise Communications"

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, June 7, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary to be known as Cheyenne Communications, Inc. Cheyenne Communications, Inc. has been established to take full advantage of the growing demands and needs associated with the rapidly expanding local area network (LAN) communications market.

Cheyenne Communications, Inc. will develop and market turn-key "Desktop to Enterprise Communications" software products. These products will be focused on facsimile services, data transmission and a variety of other communications applications that will integrate within the client/server model, which was pioneered by Cheyenne during its developmental stage.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheyenne Software, Cheyenne Communications, Inc. will be afforded the ability to focus its resources on building a solid niche within the communications industry, while Cheyenne Software continues to pursue its leadership position as a provider of server-based storage, network management and security software products.

In making the announcement, Eli Oxenhorn, President, Cheyenne Software, stated, "The formation of Cheyenne Communications provides an exceptional vehicle by which Cheyenne can support the anticipated growth within the LAN communications market. We feel confident that given the abundance of opportunities which have been presented to us in the communications industry, the establishment of Cheyenne Communications, as a focused, dedicated organization, is needed to reap the benefits of those opportunities."

Cheyenne also announced that Mr. Yuda Doron has been appointed to the position of Cheyenne Communications's President. Mr. Doron, a 16 year veteran in highly technical start-up companies in the U.S. and Israel, will be responsible for the company's operating activities, as well as establishing Cheyenne Communications's overall direction. After selling his Israeli-based software and integration company, Mr. Doron was a vital part in forming a successful TCP/IP, UNIX software factory floor division for Texas Instruments.

Mr. Oxenhorn also noted, "Mr. Doron's experience and management style will be vital to the success of Cheyenne Communications. Under his direction, Cheyenne Communications will provide an attractive environment for recruiting qualified talent and integrating technologies."

Initially, Cheyenne Communications, Inc. will market FAXserve, the first file server-based, automated approach to network facsimile services. The company will expand its product line through the development and acquisition of complementary technologies.

Cheyenne Software, Inc., founded in 1983, is a leading developer of automated software solutions for NetWare, UNIX and DOS. Cheyenne currently markets an array of security, backup and management products, including Monitrix, FAXserve, InocuLAN, and the ARCserve family of software. The company's products are sold on a worldwide basis through strategic partnerships and an extensive distribution network.

Cheyenne Software Inc

3 Expressway Plaza, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

516-484-5110,   fax 516-484-3446


Cheyenne ARCserve 5.0 for Netware/Windows
CHEYENNE SHIPS ARCSERVE 5.0 FOR NETWARE - WINDOWS EDITION

The Next Generation of the Industry's Leading Data Management Software Now Available

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, June 24, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today that it has begun shipping through worldwide distribution the most powerful enterprise-wide backup solution available in the market today, ARCserve 5.0 for NetWare-Windows Edition. ARCserve Windows Edition represents the next generation of the industry's leading client/server backup and recovery software. Now available in both DOS (version 4.0) and Windows (version 5.0) Editions, ARCserve is suitable for single-server or large multi-server Novell NetWare 3.11 or 4.0 networks.

The ARCserve Windows Edition "point and click" interface minimizes the complexities typically associated with a backup and recovery operation, further strengthening the product's position as a high-performance, yet simple to use data management solution. ARCserve's new Graphical User Interface presents a source and destination paradigm through an enterprise view, which allows users to visualize their network and transfer data between NetWare, DOS, Windows, OS/2, Macintosh and Unix nodes.

Significant enhancements in ARCserve Windows Edition include: Parallel Streaming - This high performance function allows ARCserve to perform concurrent operations on up to seven tape devices on a single SCSI adapter, providing unprecedented throughput and performance. Multiple backup and restore jobs can be scheduled to process simultaneously, thereby dramatically expanding the throughput of the system and allowing users to backup and restore greater amounts of data in less time. Complementing ARCserve's Parallel Streaming technology is Tape Cascading, which allows ARCserve to continue a backup operation on successive tape drives when the first tape reaches capacity.

Intelligent Restore - By simply selecting the backup source from the enterprise view, ARCserve Windows Edition uses its advanced database feature to locate data for restoration. A sophisticated query facility and the presentation of multiple backup versions allow users to easily select data for restoration to an enterprise destination of their choice.

Product Line Integration - ARCserve Windows Edition incorporates access to additional network services provided by Cheyenne. InocuLAN, Cheyenne's enterprise-wide anti-virus software works in conjunction with ARCserve to ensure that all backups are virus-free. FAXserve, Cheyenne's server-based facsimile solution, provides the ability to send data management reports to a destination of their choice.

Storage Management Services (SMS) - As a Novell Co-developer, Cheyenne fully supports the SMS specification in ARCserve Windows Edition, enabling users to backup Macintosh, OS/2 HPFS, Unix and FTAM name spaces on a NetWare server.

ARCserve Windows Edition also provides Pre and Post Job options, allowing the execution of commands at the server prior to or following ARCserve operations, in order to customize data management job flow. For example, users have the ability to make tape copies after a backup occurs, or unload a specific NLM prior to backup, and reload that same NLM after job completion.

In addition to local and remote NetWare servers, ARCserve backs up DOS, OS/2 and Windows clients via agents supplied with the software. Macintosh and Unix clients, as well as NetWare SQL, Btrieve and Oracle database servers, may be backed up by using optional agents sold separately. ARCserve supports most of the industry standard tape devices, including optical, 4mm DAT, 8mm, QIC, stackers and autoloaders. All devices certified for ARCserve 4.0 are compatible with ARCserve Windows Edition.

Current ARCserve 4.0 customers can upgrade to ARCserve Windows Edition at no cost if ARCserve was purchased between March 15 and July 31, 1993. Upgrades will be available to customers having purchased ARCserve 4.0 prior to March 15, 1993 for as little as $95, depending upon their NetWare user level. For upgrade information, contact 800-370-8991 (U.S. and Canada) or 716-871-6778.

Cheyenne Software, Inc., founded in 1983, is a leading developer of automated software solutions for NetWare, UNIX and DOS. Cheyenne currently markets an array of security, backup and management products, including Monitrix, FAXserve, InocuLAN, and the ARCserve, family of software. The company's products are sold on a worldwide basis through strategic partnerships and an extensive distribution network.

Cheyenne Software Inc

3 Expressway Plaza, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

516-484-5110,   fax 516-484-3446


Apple Reduces PowerBook Duo, Centris & Quadra
Apple USA Reduces Price of PowerBook Duo, Macintosh Centris 650 and Quadra 800 Computers

Apple continues aggressive price cutting to build sales momentum

CAMPBELL, California--August 3, 1993--Supporting its ongoing strategy to accelerate sales momentum for its Macintosh personal computers through more competitive pricing, Apple Computer, Inc. today announced a reduction in the price of its award-winning Apple PowerBook Duo computers, the Apple Macintosh Centris 650 and the Apple Macintosh Quadra 800 computers in the United States.

Effective immediately, the U.S. suggested retail prices (SRPs) of the Apple PowerBook Duo 210 and 230, Macintosh Centris 650 and Macintosh Quadra 800 computers have been reduced by as much as 33 percent.

"Unit shipments of our Macintosh products have picked up significantly since we began implementing our new pricing strategy," said Bob Puette, president of Apple USA. "And in the last quarter, supply has caught up with the demand, enabling us to lower price and put the products within the reach of more users. We plan to continue with this winning strategy and bring our superior technology to even more people."

The price reduction follows a series of strategic pricing actions taken by Apple in recent months that are aimed at increasing market share. Since April, 1993, Apple has reduced prices on a number of products, including the Apple PowerBook, the Apple Color Printer, the Apple Personal LaserWriter NTR, the Macintosh Quadra 950, and the Apple Workgroup Server 95.

Customers can obtain more information about Apple products by calling the Apple Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-776-2333.

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 & BellSouth Wireless Comm for Newton
Apple and BellSouth Announce Wireless Communications Based On Newton

ATLANTA, Georgia--August 2, 1993 -- Apple Computer and BellSouth Corporation today announced that BellSouth's Mobile Systems Group will offer communications products and services for products based on Newton technology.

As part of the agreement, MobileComm, BellSouth's paging company, will provide wireless messaging through its paging network, for Newton-based products.

BellSouth Cellular Corp. (BSCC), BellSouth's domestic cellular carrier based in Atlanta, announced its intention to work with Apple to investigate the market opportunities for a series of wireless communications products and services based on Newton technology.

These efforts will build on Apple's strength as an innovator in designing and marketing user-friendly technology, and BellSouth's unique position as the leader in wireless communications. BellSouth offers nationwide paging, domestic cellular service and cellular, paging and wireless data operations on five continents.

Utilizing the MobileComm paging network and the Newton MessageCard, a lightweight credit cardsized receiver manufactured for Apple by Motorola, Newton users will be able to receive postcard length messages and notification. This service is one of the first in a new series of electronic services to be marketed by Apple's Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) division.

The first member of the Newton family is the Newton MessagePad announced today. It allows people to gather, manage and communicate information with speed, clarity and effectiveness. By combining rich built-in communications capabilities with technology that actively assists people in getting work done, Apple has created a new class of Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).

"Working with a world leader in wireless communications, such as BellSouth, helps us understand the needs of cellular and paging customers both now and in the future," said Gaston Bastiaens, general manager and vice president of the Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) division of Apple. "This combination of BellSouth and Apple will help ensure delivery of innovative new products and services that meet the needs of an increasingly mobile society."

"To make wireless communications accessible and usable to everyone, it's imperative that the products and services are simple to use and understand," said Steve Hamm, group president-Mobile Systems, BellSouth. "Newton and the MobileComm paging network take this ease of use to a new level. Additionally, BellSouth is pleased to be working with Apple on the integration of cellular with Newton technology."

It is expected that the paging service will be launched in the fall of 1993. At that time, Newton MessagePad users will be able to choose from MobileComm's nationwide, regional or local coverage.

Innovative wireless services such as ProLink, BellSouth Cellular Corp.'s recently announced one number service, will enable Newton customers to get the most out of their Communications Assistants. Newtons could be linked through one phone number with a customer's home, office and cellular phones, fax and pager. ProLink, combined with Newton technology, will give customers visual interface for prioritizing and managing their communications.

Additionally, any Newton device with cellular capabilities will have access to the value-added services available to all cellular phone customers. Cellular custom calling features such as call waiting and call forwarding, plus free 911 calls (where available) and market and carrier specific services such as ProLink will be available to Newton customers who have activated cellular service.

BellSouth Corporation is an Atlanta-based international telecommunications holding company. Its subsidiaries offer local telephone service in nine Southeastern states and mobile communications services worldwide, provide advertising and publishing services and market and maintain standalone and fully integrated communications systems.

Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) develops, manufactures and markets computer systems, server systems, and personal digital assistants 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


First Newton (The MessagePad) Hits the Market
First Newton -- The MessagePad -- Hits The Market

CUPERTINO, California--July 30, 1993 -- Apple Computer, Inc. today announced that the first product based on its innovative Newton technology--the Newton MessagePad--will ship on Aug. 2, 1993. The Newton MessagePad is a handheld communications assistant that allows people to gather, manage, and share information with tremendous ease and spontaneity. By combining rich communications capabilities with technology that actively assists people in getting work done, Apple has created a new class of personal digital assistant (PDA) devices--one that lets people communicate ideas with greater speed, clarity, and effectiveness. The Newton MessagePad is also a rich platform for a wide variety of new applications and software titles that take advantage of its unique technology, convenience, and usability.

The Newton MessagePad is the first in a family of products based on Newton technology: others will be introduced in the future by both Apple and its licensees.

"We believe that Newton will be seen as the defining technology of the digital age," said John Sculley, Apple chairman. "It will be a focal point for the coming convergence of industry sectors such as computers, communications and consumer electronics. Communications is a key component of this new emerging industry and the Newton MessagePad demonstrates how this capability can be powerfully yet intuitively built into a handheld device. I look forward to a full lineup of products and services based on Newton Intelligence, not just from Apple but from innovative, creative companies around the globe."

The Newton MessagePad is based on the concept of Newton Intelligence, which is a combination of software and silicon. Newton Intelligence is what makes Newton understandable, friendly, intuitive and useful. It is the "soul" of the Newton MessagePad that allows the product to "learn" the user's preferences and requirements. For example, the user could receive a wireless message from a colleague to attend a meeting and Newton could automatically place the appointment in its calendar. More importantly, Newton Intelligence actively assists users in completing their tasks. It "learns" users work habits and patterns--and then implements them on cue. Whether it's printing a letter in an accustomed format, or faxing a message to a client's office, the MessagePad learns over time to adapt to the user's preferences.

Communication capabilities

Because of Newton technology's robust communications architecture, the MessagePad comes with a wide variety of powerful communications capabilities. The Newton Communications Architecture is highly modular. This means that when new applications and services become available, they can easily be added and supported in an integrated, plug-and-play manner. The communications capabilities in the MessagePad allow users to send, receive, and share information through virtually every communication method in the workplace today--through telephone lines, wireless networks, and computer networks.

*Faxing. The MessagePad can act as a handheld facsimile (fax) machine allowing users, with the optional modem, to send facsimiles to virtually any fax machine in the world. Additionally, Newton Intelligence makes the process of sending a facsimile simple: With the press of one button, the MessagePad automatically formats the output, adds a cover page, and places the facsimile in the system's Out Box, awaiting connection to a telephone line. It is anticipated that future products in the family will additionally offer the capability to receive fax messages.

*Wireless Messaging. Users of Newton MessagePad are expected to have access to a wireless messaging service with both national (U.S.) and local access. This service will deliver alpha-numeric paging and messaging capabilities to users of the Newton MessagePad. This service is expected to give the users a fully-featured method of keeping in touch that is totally integrated with the MessagePad. (Full details of this service will be available in the near future.)

*Electronic Mail. MessagePad users will be able to send and receive electronic mail messages to and from other MessagePad users who are NewtonMail subscribers--or just about any computer, by using the NewtonMail service and the optional modem. NewtonMail is a subscriber-based service to be offered by Apple that is an extremely cost effective way of communicating across the United States and the rest of the world. Availability of the NewtonMail service will be announced at a later date. Over time, it is anticipated that NewtonMail will be expanded to offer a wide range of information such as news, weather and financial information as well as the potential for online transactions.

*Beaming. Making use of its built-in infrared function, the MessagePad can send--or "beam" in Apple engineer parlance--quick messages to other Newton devices across a one meter distance, without any wiring or cabling. This capability is ideal for the quick exchange of items such as business cards, meeting notes, maps, or appointments.

*Printing. The MessagePad can print any document it creates--notes, drawings, addresses, maps, letters on most popular dot matrix, portable inkjet, thermal and laser printers. These printers can be either connected directly, or accessed through a local area network.

Desktop Connections

The Newton MessagePad can share information quickly and easily--with millions of personal computers. Using the optional Newton Connection package, users can transfer, synchronize, back up, and update information between a Newton MessagePad and a Macintosh personal computer or a personal computer running the Windows operating system. Newton Connection is based upon a technology Apple calls "Smart Synchronization," which automatically updates information between a MessagePad and a personal computer. Any changes made to the information on the Newton--or on the personal computer--will be automatically synchronized and updated between the two when they are connected. Newton Connection also includes a set of complementary Newton applications intended to let users create, view, and edit Newton information on a personal computer, even when the computer is not connected to a Newton.

Newton Connection is planned to be available in the following versions for either Macintosh or PCs running Windows: The Newton Connection Kit, which backs up and restores information; and The Newton Connection Pro Kit, which gives complete file to file synchronization. The product allows creation of a "virtual Newton" on the desktop.

Availability for Newton Connection products will be announced at a later date.

Keeping in Control

The Newton MessagePad also includes a collection of capabilities that help people capture and organize an array of information in the way that suits them best. The system can capture and file notes, sketches and other details on file, ready for almost instant access. Built-in calendars, alarms, and reminders help people keep track of busy lifestyles. Its built-in address book holds hundreds of names and addresses. The MessagePad's advanced recognition architecture not only understands printed and cursive script, but also cleans up drawings and diagrams, making them easier to understand and communicate.

Applications, Titles, Developer Support

More than 20 developers are announcing products for Newton MessagePad, including CE Software, Claris Corp., Fingertip, Great Plains, Integrated Systems, On Technology, Pastel and Pastel, Slate and Strategic Mapping. These products range from specialized realtor systems to titles for sports enthusiasts. Many more developers are in the process of creating innovative new applications for the system. In addition, Apple's PIE Publishing group, Starcore, announced six titles ranging from financial assistance to interactive city maps. (see associated releases).

Licensing

From the beginning, Apple had signaled its intention to broadly license Newton technology. This activity has resulted in agreements with leading corporations around the world, including Sharp and Kyushu Matsushita Electric in Japan and Motorola in the United States. Siemens/ROLM will also be incorporating Newton technology in its forthcoming NotePhone product. For customers, it is anticipated that this licensing effort will mean that software, titles and accessories can be used across a variety of products from these and other corporations.

Distribution and Availability

Initially the Newton MessagePad will be available in limited volume at Apple Computer resellers in Boston and New York. During the week of August 2 Newton MessagePad will also be sold at MacWorld Expo in Boston. By mid to late August, it is anticipated that the product will roll out across the United States, and will be available in more than 2,000 computer retailers and consumer electronic stores. Availability in some international markets will follow in September, with localized versions following through 1994.

Pricing

There is no suggested retail pricing for the Newton MessagePad. Individual retailers will price the products according to their specific solutions offerings. However Apple expects the Newton MessagePad to be priced from $699 to $949, depending on configuration:

* Newton MessagePad with AC Adaptor

* Newton MessagePad Communications System

  (Newton MessagePad with AC Adaptor and External Modem)

* Newton MessagePad Professional Communications System

  (Newton MessagePad with AC Adaptor, External Modem and

  Newton Connection Pro)

* Apple Messaging Service:

  Formal pricing to be announced upon availability.

* Newton Messaging Card: pricing to be announced

* NewtonMail: pricing to be announced

* Newton Connection Kit: pricing to be announced

* Newton Connection Pro: pricing to be announced

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Apple Pushes Boundaries With AVTechnologies
Apple Pushes The Boundaries Of Personal Computing With AVTechnologies

New Macintosh Models Combine State-of the Art Telecommunications, Video and Speech Capabilities for Mainstream Business and Education Use

MACWORLD, BOSTON -- July 29,1993 -- Redefining the boundaries of personal computing once again, Apple Computer, Inc. today announced two new Macintosh computers that feature a unique combination of communications and computing capabilities. The Macintosh Quadra 840AV and Macintosh Centris 660AV bring together telecommunications, video and speech technologies on a desktop computer for the first time, offering users new and enhanced ways to communicate.

Apple refers collectively to the set of technologies that distinguish the new models as "AV Technologies". With AV Technologies, Apple adds a new dimension to personal computing. For example, with these new systems, customers can

* access voice mail, electronic mail and faxes from the

  convenience of a single location on their desktop;

* use the computer as a hands-free speaker phone and answering

  machine;

* communicate using desktop videoconferencing capabilities

  with greater ease and at a new price point;

* use speech for command, control and navigation.

"No other personal computer on the market today can provide all of these capabilities in one integrated system," said Ian Diery, executive vice president of Apple's Personal Computer Division. "With AV Technologies, we are extending the Macintosh platform, and providing countless new communications possibilities for our customers and developers. Once again, Apple is raising the industry standard in personal computing."

Powerful CPUs

Powered by the Motorola 68040 microprocessor and an AT&T 3210 Digital Signal Processor (DSP), the new Macintosh Quadra 840AV and Centris 660AV computers are powerful personal computers that extend the capabilities of the Macintosh family with new levels of performance and functionality.

While the Motorola 68040 microprocessor does general-purpose computing work, the DSP handles specialized tasks and real-time data--including speech, audio, modem, telephone and fax signal to provide customers with advanced performance. Third-party developers also can tap into the power of the DSP to provide performance enhancements, such as "plug-in filters" for the popular publishing program PhotoShop by Adobe.

With AV Technologies, Apple is laying a foundation for future Macintosh systems. Apple intends to begin integrating these technologies as appropriate into its next generation Macintosh products based on the PowerPC RISC chip.

AV TECHNOLOGIES

AV Technologies include the following technology components:

Telecommunications

The GeoPort telecommunications architecture featured in the Quadra 840AV and Centris 660AV is a plug-and-play access system for telecommunications that integrates data, fax and voice telephony. Unlike a traditional modem, the GeoPort architecture is a software-based telecommunications architecture. With the GeoPort Telecom Adapter and associated software, users can immediately connect to telephone services and support phone calling and answering, as well as send and receive data and fax.

The GeoPort Telecom Adapter will be sold separately. At introduction, the adapter will support analog services at 9600 bits per second (bps). Apple is also working with third parties to offer additional GeoPort adapters for PBX and ISDN services in the future.

Digital Video

The new Macintosh AV models feature a rich video and graphics architecture, permitting seamless display of full-motion video from sources such as VCRs, camcorders and laserdiscs, plus the digitization and capture of single frames as pictures or video sequences. For video-in, all major standards are supported--NTSC, PAL and SECAM--and composite and S-video ports are provided.

The Macintosh AV series' video-out capabilities make it possible to connect to a regular television, which allows users greater access to inexpensive large screen TV for presentations--without the cost and complexity of additional hardware circuitry and equipment to support the connection. At the same time, business and education users will find it easy to create inexpensive presentation materials by simply connecting their VCR and using their Macintosh to print a presentation to videotape.

The sophisticated video capabilities of the new Macintosh AV models, when combined with GeoPort and built-in Ethernet networking capabilities, enable a new class of collaborative applications for document sharing and local area network (LAN)-based videoconference capabilities. As ISDN becomes more pervasive, Apple believes these built-in video and telecommunications capabilities will open more cost-effective ways to communicate with electronic desktop videoconferencing over wide area networks (WANs).

Speech

Equipped with Apple's PlainTalk speech technology, the Quadra 840AV and Centris 660AV are the first mainstream personal computers to offer both speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities as a standard user interface extension, complementing today's keyboard and mouse. The first release of PlainTalk supports North American English only.

The PlainTalk speech recognition system offers a robust speaker-independent, continuous speech system for voice commands. Users can manipulate standard Macintosh menu commands, and streamline computing tasks with applications that take advantage of PlainTalk. Or they can create their own speech-activated commands, using either AppleScript or QuickKeys as a scripting engine. Both technologies come bundled with the new systems. The latter is licensed from CE Software.

With PlainTalk's text-to-speech system, Apple delivers a standard way for applications to synthesize a human voice. Today, this capability is particularly useful in applications such as language instruction and proofreading. In the future, with third-party applications, users also will be capable of accessing electronic mail or faxes from a remote location over their voice mail and have the text of messages read to them.

"Although it represents the first generation of speech technology, PlainTalk is a robust speech engine that will grow in richness," said Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, Apple's chief speech technology scientist. "We hope to learn from real users' experience as they explore the benefits of speech in mainstream settings and provide valuable feedback on future speech product enhancements and development."

Product Specifications

Based on a 40 MHz Motorola 68040 microprocessor, as well as a 66MHz AT&T 3210 Digital Signal Processor (DSP), the Macintosh Quadra 840AV becomes the highest performance Macintosh in the line. With a balanced mix of high performance and expandability, the Quadra 840AV is well suited to designers, publishers and media authors, engineers, scientists and power users. Expandable from 8MB of DRAM to 128MB, the Quadra 840AV features four standard expansion bays for internal storage, including two 3.5-inch bays for hard drives or removable media, and two 5.25-inch bays for removable devices. Offering up to 2MB of VRAM, the Quadra 840AV supports 24-bit color on displays up to 16 inches and 16-bit color on 21-inch displays.

The Macintosh Centris 660AV is the highest performance offering in Apple's midrange line and is an ideal system for educator, trainers, business professionals and telecommuters. Powered by a 25 MHz Motorola 68040 microprocessor, as well as a 55 MHz AT&T 3210 DSP, the Macintosh Centris 660AV is expandable from 8MB of RAM to 68MB. For internal storage, the Centris 660AV provides one 5.25-inch bay for removable devices. The Centris 660AV offers up to 1MB of VRAM for supporting 16-bit color on displays up to 16 inches and 8-bit color on 21-inch displays.

Both systems come standard with Ethernet and feature the fastest implementation of NuBus ever, NuBus 90. NuBus 90 transfers data up to four times faster than the existing Macintosh NuBus implementations. The Quadra 840AV comes equipped with three high-speed, 13-inch NuBus slots and the Centris 660AV supports one 7-inch NuBus slot via an optional NuBus adapter. In addition, both models support a Digital Audio Video (DAV) connector that provides a high-speed path to and from the raw digitized video and audio data produced by the computer. The DAV slot can be used for real-time audio and video hardware compression cards such as JPEG, MPEG, DVI and H.261.

The new systems also support 16-bit stereo audio input and audio output at various sample rates including 44.1kHz and 48kHz for outstanding quality audio.

Accessories and Applications

The Apple PlainTalk Microphone and software that supports North American English voice recognition and text-to-speech will be shipped standard along with the new AV Macintosh computers in the United States. Outside the United States, the Apple PlainTalk Software Kit and Apple PlainTalk Microphone can be purchased separately. The GeoPort Telecom Adapter is sold separately, with a U.S. suggested retail price (SRP) of $129.

For an introductory period in the United States, Apple is bundling a number of applications on the hard drive of the new systems, to make the new AV Technologies useful out of the box. These include: Apple Phone, a screen-based phone application developed by Apple; ExperFax by ExperVision, a fax-to-text conversion application; FusionRecorder by VideoFusion, an application that provides users with the capability to record video and high-quality 16-bit audio; and ES-F2F, a LAN-based videoconferencing application by The Electronic Studio.

Pricing and Availability

The Macintosh Centris 660AV will be offered worldwide through authorized Apple resellers beginning Aug. 3, 1993. The Macintosh Quadra 840AV will be available worldwide beginning Aug. 25, 1993. Pricing and availability will vary outside of the United States.

Apple plans to make logic board upgrades available for Macintosh Centris 610 customers to the Macintosh Centris 660AV and for Macintosh Quadra 800 customers to the Macintosh Quadra 840AV later this year. Both new Macintosh computers will support upgrades to PowerPC in the future.

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


Gakusei Version 1.1 Japanese Language Tutorial
Gakusei version 1.1 replaces all earlier versions of Gakusei 1.0.

Gakusei is a PC-based tutorial of the Japanese language for English speakers.

Changes since 1.0: we have added additional lessons, Kanji, and color. The shareware version now contains 20 lessons. Registered users are sent an additional 10 lessons for a total of 30.

"GAKUSEI" is the Japanese word for "student". Gakusei 1.1 includes these features:

-The user will view Hiragana and Katakana, the Japanese character sets, from the beginning. Kanji characters are introduced starting in lesson 16.

-The exercises encourage the user to enter responses using virtual kana keyboards. The virtual keyboards closely resemble the keyboards of Japanese word-processing equipment.

-With a compatible dot-matrix or laser printer, the user can print screens with Japanese characters on them.

-The tutorial dictionary conjugates verbs and true adjectives.

-Gakusei covers elementary grammar more extensively than other tutorials, and is designed to supplement several language textbooks.

-A complete user's manual in plain ASCII (.txt) format is included on the enclosed diskette.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: IBM PC/compatible, 640K memory, 3 MB available hard disk space, EGA or VGA display, DOS 3.3 or later. For printing, an Epson LQ-compatible dot-matrix printer with a 32K memory buffer, or an HPLJ2-compatible laser printer is required.

BULLETIN BOARDS may carry Gakusei. Recommended BBS filenames: GAKU11V1.ZIP and GAKU11V2.ZIP.

REGISTRATION: $55 plus $4 shipping and handling ($55 + $7 outside the USA and Canada).

Barham Software

15507 S. Normandie Ave, #245, Gardena, CA 90247-4028

800-726-3279,  310-327-4862,  CIS: 70700,2225


Help Development Kit V8.0
HLPDK - Help Development Kit - Version 8.0

Write once, HELP many!

August 17, 1993 -- HLPDK is a shareware hyper-text help database development kit, distributed by ISoft D&M, that includes two royalty free help engines and a help compiler with a built in cross reference tool. HLPDK supports the creation of help files for many target formats from one help source. Supported targets are:

Windows 3.0/3.1 winHelp .HPJ/.RTF

HELP 3.0 .HL (HL 6.0 & 6.10).

QuickHelp 1.83 .SRC (HELPMAKE).

POPHELP .TXT (MAKEHELP)

Native (Memory HDX & text).

OS/2 .IPF (IPFC)

DESQview/X .HLP (MDVXHELP)

TVHC 1.1 .TXT (TVHC).

Native (Paradox 4.x & text).

The new version 8.0 adds support for Word Processors (via RTF) and Text Documents with automatic table of contents, glossary and index.

Developing help text is an important but often neglected part of application development. Developers often run out of time and/or money long before they even start it. Not a easy task to begin with (it requires skills in both application design and technical writing), today' s help systems also require programming expertise and a good measure of time. As a result, many applications have inadequate help systems that do not really fulfill their objective - help the user. The problem is even more complex when an application has more than one target environment, each one using different formats and programming techniques to generate help text.

HLPDK cannot solve all the problems involved in help text generation, but it helps a lot. It allows you to write one help text source and compile it to many different targets. Take existing texts (user manuals, technical notes, etc.), add simple help commands, compile them and you have a complete help system with hot-links, indexes and directories !

You can download HLPDK from your favorite BBS or get the registered version directly from ISoft D&M (PO Box 5517, Coralville, IA 52241, Compuserve: 76350,333). Pick also at IL2HDK20, a conversion program from Ralf Brown's interrupt list to HLPDK! Registration fee is $50. Help Engine sources can be obtained for an additional fee.


RIGHTON Line of Anti-Theft Devices
SecurTech Company has added four new additions to the RIGHTON line of anti-theft devices.....

PERRYLOK

Perrylok is a new theft prevention device for laptop and notebook computers. It gives you security in the office or while traveling. Its low profile and slimline, smart design make the PERRYLOK a natural extension of your laptop.

The PERRYLOK is a completely self-contained anchor with a hand-retractable 14" heavy-duty coated cable. It attaches to the top or bottom of your laptop with the powerful RIGHTON adheisive. It does not attach to case slots, ports, or weak existing screws. Its unique design and light weight (4 oz.) allow it to fit on most any laptop, including the Powerbook. The computer must have a 1-7/8" x 8-1/2" flat surface. The PERRYLOK becomes your constant companion for securing your laptop anywhere. The PA-14 kit includes the anchor, adhesive, instructions, four rubber feet (if necessary), and a quality brass padlock.

TraVlok Anchor System

The TraVlok is a new security option for portable equipment. It's an anti-theft anchor made especially to secure computers which are moved around. Its clever design makes it an attractive addition to any computer. The TraVlok is affordable, easy to install and simple to use.

The TraVlok anchor, with its coiled 48" heavy-duty coated cable, is a completely self-contained anchor. The TraVlok body is 4" across and 1" thick allowing it to fit on most any computer. The anchor attaches to your equipment with the powerful RIGHTON adhesive. The heavy duty cable extends during use and coils away neatly during transport.

The TraVlok anchor comes in two styles: The TA-48 is for plastic cases, and the TAB-48 is for painted metal surfaces. The TAB-48 requires two holes to be drilled or punched and comes with set screws and nuts. Each kit includes the anchor, adhesive, instructions and a quality brass padlock.

Mouselok

The Mouselok protects a computer mouse from theft. It locks around the mouse cable (CPU or Keyboard) with one of our security cables - purchased separately.

Surface Plate

The Surface Plate is a companion to their popular SPOT anchors, and secures equipment with painted metal cases. No drilling or punching is necessary. Ideal for VCRs and other metal cases as well.

For current pricing and/or additional information on the full line of RIGHTON Theft Prevention Devices, contact:

SecurTech Company

5755 Willow Lane, Lake Oswego, OR 97035-5340

503-636-6831,  fax: 503-636-9642


Collins COBUILD Student's Dictionary V2.21e
COLLINS COBUILD STUDENT'S DICTIONARY NEW EDITION 2.21

August 10, 1993 -- HarperCollins has released a new edition of the add-on English dictionary for Collins On-Line, a range of electronic bilingual dictionaries for DOS and Windows 3.1

New features: Collins COBUILD Student's Add-on Dictionary e2.21 includes a new Secondary Zoom Window which displays extensive dictionary entries more clearly. A Key search feature accelerates the lookup process by means of a sequential search.

Collins COBUILD Student's Dictionary gives learners from intermediate level the help they need to read and write English more effectively. It concentrates on the common words of English and presents the most important facts about the language in a clear and readable style. This English dictionary includes almost 40,000 references, giving good coverage of current language. Information on grammar is presented through clear labels. Spelling forms of words are given in full. Over 30,000 examples chosen from the COBUILD database show typical uses of words and phrases in everyday English language. Words and meanings are explained in full sentences.

Designed as an add-on English dictionary for Collins On-Line v2.20 (or higher) Collins COBUILD Student's Add-on Dictionary requires less than 2.75Mb of hard disk space.

Collins COBUILD Student's Add-on Dictionary e2.21 may be used with any of the bilingual dictionaries available for Collins On-Line v2.20 (or higher) and can quickly provide better understanding of the English translation given for the current headword simply by pressing a hotkey. The Annotation feature allows personal glossaries to be created which can be easily modified to suit individual needs.

Collins COBUILD Student's Add-on Dictionary e2.21 is supplied on two high density 3.5" disks and is fully documented and supported.

COBUILD is the Collins Birmingham University International Language Database -- an authoritative and informative description of today's real English.

HarperCollins Electronic Reference

14 Steep Lane, Findon, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 OUF, UK

Tel +44 (0)903 873 555,    Fax +44 (0)903 873 633


Logitech CyberMan 3-D Controller
LOGITECH ANNOUNCES NEW DIMENSION IN INTERACTIVE COMPUTING: CyberMan 3-D Controller

Next-Generation Gaming Tool Combines True 3-D Capability and Tactile Feedback with Affordability

Fremont, Calif. -- August 16, 1993 -- Logitech Inc., computer mouse pioneer and international market leader in pointing devices and imaging products, today announced CyberMan 3-D Controller, a major technological advance in navigation devices for PC games. CyberMan features true three-dimensional control previously unavailable outside of the high-end workstation market. It also supplements the input capability of traditional PC gaming tools, such as mice and joysticks, with tactile feedback that can be linked to software events. While the product can still operate as a standard 2-D mouse, it is specifically designed for the interactive software entertainment market. It will be available in October at a suggested retail price of $129.

Optimized for Gaming: CyberMan resembles a futuristic cross between a mouse and a joystick, combining the features of these devices while adding dimensionality and interactivity. Whereas a mouse or a joystick only offers two degrees of freedom, CyberMan offers six degrees of freedom in order to achieve full 3-D motion: X, Y, and Z axes in addition to pitch, yaw, and roll. A motor integrated into the unit allows various gaming events -- such as being struck or bumping into a wall -- to actually be felt in addition to any sound or visuals the game may produce.

Mouse Compatibility and Software Support: CyberMan is 100-percent compatible with existing Logitech mice and works with games that support a mouse. However, to take advantage of the 3-D control and tactile feedback, game developers must write specific Telex 757411 drivers. To date, the following software vendors have agreed to endorse CyberMan's interface (known as SWIFT): Access Software Inc., Bethesda Softworks, Cyberdreams, Electronic Arts, ID Software, Interplay Productions, Knowledge Adventure, Looking Glass Technologies, New World Computing, Origin Systems, Probotics, Sierra On-Line, Twin Dolphin Games, Virgin Games, and Westwood Studios. Several software games will be included with the product when it ships.

CyberMan's Market: CyberMan is targeted at serious PC game players, especially those who frequently use first-person-perspective games in which the screen display features sophisticated 3-D graphics to simulate the protagonist's visual field. It is particularly suited to role-playing games, which involve navigating passageways, selecting items, and combating various enemies. With CyberMan, users can simulate actions that were previously unavailable with a single device, such as jumping or kneeling (through Vertical Control), leaning forward or back (through Pitch Control), or looking left or right (through Yaw Control). When using traditional 2-D joystick or mouse products, such actions require a combination of pointing device and keyboard commands.

The Need for Tactile Feedback: By incorporating tactile feedback, CyberMan expands the number of senses engaged in entertainment, more closely resembling real-life sensory feedback. By "feeling" the action, in addition to seeing and hearing it, the user perceives an enhanced presence in the game.

"Logitech expects 3-D interactive technology to be driven by the entertainment market," says Logitech product marketing manager, Scot Schulte. "The gaming market typically serves as a proving ground for new technologies, and its members are true early adopters."

System Requirements: 80386 or higher IBM PC or compatible; a free serial port; and MS-/PC-DOS 3.3 or higher. Tactile feedback requires two M alkaline batteries or an AC adapter (optional). See individual games for any additional requirements.

Logitech manufactures and markets "Senseware" -- products designed to give "senses" such as sight, sound, and touch to the computer, making human-to-computer communication more intuitive and natural. 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; Shanghai, China; and Cork, Ireland; and offices in major cities worldwide..

Logitech Inc, 6505 Kaiser Dr, Fremont, CA 94555

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

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

CyberMan 3-D Controller by Logitech

Questions and Answers

* Will CyberMan support all games?

CyberMan is guaranteed compatible with a mouse and will be backwards compatible with existing games that use a mouse. To take advantage of the additional features of CyberMan, such as tactile feedback and Z, pitch, yaw, and roll, the game must support CyberMan.

* What types of games are best for CyberMan?

CyberMan was designed for role playing, adventure, and action games. It was not necessarily designed to be a replacement for a joystick in flight simulators. CyberMan does not have the proportional pitch and roll control preferred for flight simulation.

* What is meant by pitch, yaw, and roll?

These are terms used in aviation to describe the movement of an object around a fixed point.

  -- Pitch refers to forward or backward "rocking."

  -- Yaw refers to turning from side to side on the same plane.

  -- Roll refers to a movement side-to-side movement around

     an axis.

* Will CyberMan work under Windows?

CyberMan will operate as a conventional three-button mouse under Windows.

* Can a mouse be connected to the computer as well as CyberMan?

Under DOS it is possible to have a conventional mouse and the CyberMan device working concurrently by issuing the command MOUSE DUAL. Under Windows, only one of the devices will work.

* Can CyberMan be used as a regular mouse?

CyberMan is 1 00-percent compatible with a conventional mouse. However, the user may want to experiment with CyberMan and standard mouse-based applications for usability preference.

* What sort of guarantees come with CyberMan?

CyberMan comes with a Satisfaction Guarantee. If a user is not pleased with CyberMan for any reason, it can be returned to the retailer within 60 days for a full refund. CyberMan also carries a limited lifetime guarantee.

* Is tactile feedback always activated?

Many games will have an option to turn off the tactile feedback in an option menu. If the game does not, the user can simply remove the battery.

* How long will the battery last?

Depending on the duration and intensity of game playing, and tactile feedback implementation of the specific game, CyberMan's battery will last three to nine months. If the user finds it necessary to replace the battery frequently, an optional AC adapter is recommended. Only the tactile feedback feature in CyberMan needs the battery. The unit can perform all other functions without the battery.

* Can CyberMan be used in conjunction with sound?

The use of sound and CyberMan together will enhance the gaming experience even more. Both products bring the user one step closer to achieving total game immersion.


George Washington Univ Continuing Eng Educ
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

CONTINUING ENGINEERING EDUCATION PROGRAM

ANNOUNCES SHORT COURSES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

APPLIED SOFTWARE METRICS for PRODUCTIVITY and QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Course #1885DC October 13-15, 1993 in Washington, DC        $975

The objective of this course is to provide participants with an understanding of state-of-the-art techniques and tools used to collect and analyze metrics during the four phases of software development: definitions requirements, design, implementation, and testing. Software metrics provide information on the structural and functional complexity of the software design to aid in the process of achieving system performance within budget and time schedule.

INSTRUCTORS: Dr. Ambrose Goicoechea and Miguel Carrio

APPLYING TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT to SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Course #1810DC     November 8-10, 1993 in Washington, DC  $975

This course emphasizes the process improvement aspects of TQM as it applies to software development and maintenance. It focuses on the actions necessary to evaluate the adequacy of current processes and to implement improvements, where required. By combining the technique of presentations with hands-on application of the principles, it enables the participants to understand how the principles of TQM are applied in a software development or maintenance environment. This is accomplished by walking participants through the principles of TQM as formulated by Deming and Juran, highlighting proven statistical process control techniques and tools, and then having participants apply them to actual software development and maintenance processes.

INSTRUCTORS: Dr. Emanuel R. Baker and Dr. Ron S. Kenett

ARTIFICIAL NEURAL SYSTEMS and NEURAL COMPUTING

Course #1865MG  Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 1993 in Munich, Germany   $1,290

The wide-spread application of artificial neural networks is astonishing and inspiration. Neural networks are gaining popularity in diverse fields such as aerospace, banking, communications, defense, transportation, just to name a few. Why is this new technology expanding so rapidly? Are neural networks a panacea ? How do they work? Are they truly intelligent? This course uses discussions, demonstrations and classroom workshops to teach how neural networks function and to stimulate future application. It introduces neural network paradigms in sufficient depth to provide insight into their properties, applications and pitfalls. The course reviews design and implementation issues, and presents related software and hardware advances. It also provides comparisons between neural networks, conventional computing techniques and other artificial intelligence paradigms - fuzzy systems, genetic algorithms, expert systems.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Peter L. Knepell

ATM LAN's: Gigabit Networks

Course #1891DC  Oct 18-20, 1993 in Washington, DC     $975

The objective of this course k to help participants understand the advanced networking capabilities being planned for high bandwidth integrated voice, data, image and video communications. Course participants will be able to understand the key requirement for broadband applications; understand limitations of 1st and 2nd generation LANs; appreciate the broadband networking standards process; understand the concepts of gigabit transmission: SONET networking; conceptually understand the ATM architecture and technology; understand LAN/WAN interface options; appreciate issues related to building wiring for high bandwidth communications and understand the state-of-the are for 3rd generation LANs.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Satish Chandra

COMPETITIVE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Course #1881DC     September 13-15, 1993 in Washington, DC  $975

This course introduces managers and senior staff to the bask business issues present in developing and maintaining software. It shows how to develop competitive software by using proven software engineering principles enhanced by recent developments in process improvement methods, CASE tools, software metrics and risk-driven project management Most of the principles presented will improve any software organization but the process is particularly enhanced under one of the modem object-oriented languages such as Ada or C++. These modem languages provide major life-cycle cost advantages and support efficient, proprietary reuse libraries. Many of the methods described are based on the proven software development frameworks (such as the Capability Maturity Model or CMM) from the Software Engineering Institute.

INSTRUCTOR: John Cosgrove

HIGH-PERFORMANCE (MICRO)PROCESSORS

Course #1908DC     Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 1993 in Washington, DC $1,125

This course was designed to enable participants to understand the advanced features and capilities of modem high-performance 32-bit and 64-bit RISC and CISC processors, as well as their similarities and differences to assist them in selecting a processor. Participants will also learn the issues and trade-offs involved in choosing among different design approaches, and how to use the processors and accompanying external chips in designing integrated working systems.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Nikitas Alexandridis

INTERCONNECT DESIGN In HIGH-SPEED DIGITAL SYSTEMS

Course #1910MG     December 1-3, 1993 in Munich, Germany  $1,210

This course emphasizes understanding the physical principals in signal propagation and degradation through interconnects in high-speed digital systems. The course covers topics relevant to the design, simulation, and measurement of interconnect components, including transceivers, connectors, printed-circuit and cable interconnections in high-speed buses, including clock routes. Case studies are included focusing on important, yet relatively less understood aspects of practical designs.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Istvan Novak

OBJECT-ORIENTED REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS and LANGUAGE-INDEPENDENT DESIGN: A Software Engineering Approach

Course #1833DC     Aug. 30-Sep. 3, 1993 in Washington, DC  $1,295

Object-Oriented Development (OOD) has become accepted as the best overall paradigm for developing software and is in the process of replacing the older structured approaches. This course emphasizes the aplication of modern software engineering to the analysis and language-independent design of large, complex, and even real-time systems such as those developed in the aerospace, telecommunications, process control and defense domains. The course introduces some fundamental concepts and six object-oriented models (I.e., object, class, state, control timing and assembly) including the associated diagramming techniques and object-oriented specification and design language. It will provide numerous approaches to the identification of object, classes, and subassemblies including strengths and limitation of the individual approaches It then presents the requirements analysis and logical design activities of the ASTS Development Method 3 (ADM 3) including intermediate product evaluation criteria.

INSTRUCTOR: Donald Firesmith

SIMULATION MODELING

Course #1558DC September 20-23, 1993 in Washington, DC    $1,125

       #1558DC October   18-22, 1993 in Brussels, Belgium $1,370

This course discusses applications of simulation modeling to manufacturing, military logistics, transportation, computer and communication systems. It provides effective methods for developing the system model ensuring validity, selecting simulation input and analyzing output data. The course offers in-depth evaluation of simulation software enabling hr the best selection to a specific application.

INSTRUCTOR: Averil M. Law

PLEASE CONTACT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, CONTINUING ENGINEERING EDUCATION PROGRAM OFFICES FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The George Washington University

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Washington, DC 20052

202-994-6106,  fax: 202-872-0645

800-424-9773 (USA),   800-535-4567 (Canada)


Logitech Ships Improved MouseMan
Logitech Announces and Ships Improved MouseMan

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

Fremont, Calif. -- August 16, 1993 -- Logitech Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of pointing devices, today announced a new version of its popular MouseMan product featuring an improved ergonomic design and a significant software upgrade. The product carries a suggested retail price of $109 and is available now in retail stores.

NEW HARDWARE CHANGES

The next-generation MouseMan line features new contoured buttons to allow the user's fingers to rest more comfortably. Other enhancements include Teflon feet for smoother movement, lighter force switches for easier depression of mouse buttons, and a more flexible cable.

"The new software adds one click shortcuts for easier and faster computing," says David Smith, product marketing manager for Logitech. "Users can cut, paste, or call up a task list with the second or third mouse button, without going to the pull down menu."

SOFTWARE MAXIMIZES WINDOWS PRODUCTIVITY

MouseMan ships with Logitech's new Enhanced MouseWare 6.3 software. The software now installs both Windows and DOS drivers at the same time. A special network installation is also available. MouseWare 6.3 allows users to easily assign time-saving commands to the other two buttons, thus helping to reduce stressful repetitive movements and making working in Microsoft Windows even easier. In fact, Logitech has made the middle button default to double click, of course users can choose a different function if they wish. In an effort to reduce unnecessary movements further, Logitech has added a feature called "Smart Move." If a user opens up a dialog box under Windows, the cursor automatically jumps to the default button in the box (i.e., the most common next operation step). Additional enhancements include cursor tracking, cursor sizing, and ballistic (speed) control. MouseMan is 100-percent Microsoft-compatible. In addition, Logitech backs all pointing devices with a comfort program, a 100-percent compatibility guarantee, a 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, and a three-year warrantee.

AVAILABLE IN BOTH IBM PC AND MACINTOSH VERSIONS

The new MouseMan will be available in both IBM PC and Macintosh versions. The PC version has a PS/2 default and comes with Enhanced MouseWare 6.3 software. The Macintosh version connects through the ADB port and ships with MouseKey version 1.11.

UPGRADE POLICY

Anyone who has purchased a MouseMan right-hand, bus or Macintosh between August 2 and September 3, 1993 is eligible for a free hardware and software upgrade. Any other user who purchased prior to August 2 or after September 3 can upgrade the hardware for $45 and MouseWare for $19 plus shipping.

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; Shanghai, China, 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


R/LASER V4.0 Direct Database Publishing
ANNOUNCING R/LASER V4.0 - SUPPORTS REVELATION 3.1 AND THE LASERJET 4!

Chicago - June 30, 1993 - Blackhawk Data Corporation today announced a new version of its "R/LASER" Direct Database Publishing product which supports Advanced Revelation V3.1. Additionally, new features have been added for the built-in fonts on the LaserJet 4.

R/LASER Direct Database Publishing System adds the vital link of electronic publishing power to Advanced Revelation - now you can PUBLISH information instead of just reporting it. Easily prepare directories, contracts, financial reports, inventory reports, catalogs, price lists, mailing labels, convention badges, employee ID badges, employee benefit statements, and much more!

This is the second major update to R/LASER this year. In February 1993, Blackhawk started shipping Version 3.3 with support for COLOR on HP's PaintJet XL300, or any color PostScript printer!

Introduced in 1987, R/LASER is the original PC database publishing system - it adds up to 75 publishing and graphics commands to your existing applications; it can produce a document, a partial document, one page of a document, merge a document with all or SELECTed portions of a data file, OR print presentation-quality management reports quickly, with NO PROGRAMMING!

R/LASER is competitively priced at just $595.00; it includes drivers for PCL4, PCL5 and PostScript, 36 HP-compatible soft fonts, in sizes up to 30-point bold, support for Pacific Data Products' 25-in-One cartridge, the Format Report Writer, and image processing of logos and raster images.

Blackhawk also has a royalty-free version of R/Laser, to be used in conjunction with Revelation Technologies' Runtime Deployment Kit ("RDK") for Advanced Revelation. At a cost of $595.00, owners of a full development copy of R/Laser may purchase a special run-time version, called "R/Laser RDK", which can be reproduced at no charge, for distribution with applications.

Blackhawk President John Brink says, "I'm very enthused about the potential of the new R/Laser 4.0 which allows developers and large corporate users to combine a fourth-generation database management system with state-of-the-art direct database publishing. Also, R/LASER is backwards compatible, it supports all versions of Advanced Revelation from 1.0 through 3.1."

Blackhawk Data Corp

7234 W. North Ave, Suite 411

Elmwood Park, IL 60635

708-453-9590


XYSee 4.0 Ready for School
XYSee 4.0 is Ready for School...

XYSee 4.0 from Insight Advantage, reaffirms its position as the Premier Mathematics Visualization program for high school and early college level studies in Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Version 4.0 Features Include

* A sensational new 3-D interface with colorfill icons, button

  bars, and in-cell editing

* HP-Laser printer support

* Expanded on-line "how to" help

* Numerous usability enhancements including a streamlined menu

  structure, improved macro language, and new custom-resolution

  real-time cursor

XYSee's Advanced Features include:

* Fully interactive, high-resolution Color Graphics

* Frustration free "Smart Mouse" menu selection

* Unique, multi-level model expansion as in

  Y-sin(X)...Y=Asin(BX+C)+D

* Asymptote, vector, foci, and axis translation Visualization

  Aids

* Illustrated, step-by-step User's Manual for rapid program

  familiarization

With XYSee 4.0, your customers will:

* Conduct interactive, "what if" analysis on a broad array of

  Functions and Forms

* Cover material found on the SAT, ACT, and Math Placement Tests

* Challenge problem-solving skills with ho-hum to horrifically

  complex Puzzles

* Run powerful, yet easy-to-use Macros, saving keystrokes and

  automating tests Add their own custom macros and puzzles using

  the "smart" Program Editor

* Track progress with printable Performance Reports

Prior VGA versions of XYSee are superseded by version 4.0, and their distribution should be discontinued. XYSee 3.1 for EGA remains effective, and its distribution should be continued.

High Performance Math, Points to Parametrics...Lines to Lissajous

Dean M. Thompson

Insight Advantage, 4509 Yellowleaf Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76133

(817) 346-9116,   CS 73627,3532


SPA Charts Software Piracy by Location/Industry
New Research from SPA Charts Software Piracy by Location, Industry

LA, NY and SF are nation's hot spots; manufacturing, consulting and retail businesses the biggest culprits

August 17,1993 (Washington, DC)--The "City Of Angels" has earned a new title--"City of Software Pirates." According to a study by the Software Publishers Association (SPA), Los Angeles is now the nation's top city for software piracy. During the year ending June 30, 1993, the SPA brought 34 software piracy cases to a close there. SPA actions included lawsuits and audits of businesses and other organizations for compliance with the federal copyright law.

New York and San Francisco rank second and third, respectively, behind LA as America's most notorious pirate dens. The SPA concluded 28 actions against software pirates in the Big Apple, 18 in the City by the Bay. Fourth and fifth-ranked cities in the SPA study are Houston and Dallas, with 14 and 10 cases, respectively.

"Domestic software pirates steal property worth more than $1 billion each year in the US alone," says Ken Wasch, SPA executive director. "That's why we make it our business to work very closely with law enforcement and other officials to protect intellectual property rights of our members. Software piracy is not about fun and games, it's about robbing hardworking individuals and firms of their livelihoods. "

The new SPA study ranks California, Texas, Florida, New York and Illinois, respectively, as the top five states for anti-piracy actions over the past three years. Together, they account for nearly two-thirds (62%) of the SPA's actions.

The SPA study also shows that since 1990, five types of organizations were most likely to be involved in anti-piracy actions. They include manufacturers, consultants, retailers, financial service providers and engineering firms. Manufacturers were involved in 24% of SPA anti-piracy actions, while consulting firms were implicated in 22% of the cases, retail businesses in 15%, financial service providers in 9% and engineering firms in 7%.

Since 1990, the SPA has initiated more than 1,300 anti-piracy actions nationwide. These include raids on businesses, computer dealers, bulletin board services and other institutions that have violated members' copyrights, as well as lawsuits and software audits. With commercial software piracy now classified as a felony under federal copyright law, the SPA plans to launch additional actions in the months ahead. The SPA maintains an anti-piracy hotline, 1-800-388-7478, that accepts calls to report software violations.

Education, Too

In addition to working with law enforcement agencies, the SPA provides assistance to businesses, educational institutions and government entities to educate computer users on how to comply with the federal copyright law as it pertains to computer software. Materials such as an SPA Self-Audit Kit which includes a software inventory management program, are available at no cost.

The SPA has also produced a rap music video, "Don't Copy That Floppy," that teaches youngsters about the ethical and legal implications of software piracy. Copies of the video and accompanying lesson plans are available to schools for a small shipping and handling charge.

Established in 1984, the Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of the personal computer software industry. Its 1,000 members represent the leading publishers in the business, consumer, and education software 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


CD-ROM Directory (book or CD-ROM)
Multimedia Explosion!

4,731 CD-ROM titles now,    ....   6,000+ by Christmas!

August 6, 1993 -- TFPL's latest edition of The CD-ROM Directory reveals that 1992's unprecedented growth in the number of CD-ROM titles published has just been exceeded. During the first six months of 1993, over 1,100 new titles reached the market. The PC remains the dominant publishing platform, fuelled by the launch of large numbers of multimedia titles, but there have been interesting surges in production for some of the alternative platforms.

Editor Matthew Finlay comments, "Although the total number of titles always makes the headlines, what is more important to the end user is the high quality of many titles now appearing. This fact, combined with lower prices being offered by publishers, is doing much to increase the number of CD-ROM users."

The number of Macintosh titles, which nearly doubled during 1992, has already increased by a third this year. This is no doubt due to Mac's natural ability as a multimedia machine. Apple's Multimedia Developer's Program (released in the USA early in 1993 and forecast for European launch in September) is likely to sustain this trend.

CD-I is at last beginning to achieve a respectable count of titles as many discs previously "in development" are actually being released. This is in contrast to the two other consumer multimedia platforms. CDTV would appear to have ground to a halt in terms of new title releases, confirming an increasingly popular suspicion that it is out of tho running in the consumer multimedia-player stakes. VIS was launched last year with around seventy titles on the shelf, however new releases for this platform appear to be following the patterns set by both CDTV and CD-I - an initial surge followed by a long lull as a new batch of titles is developed.

MMCD titles are listed in The CD-ROM Directory for the first time, the player having been released during March of this year. It is early days for this platform, but it seems likely that the increasing trend toward cross-platform titles will result in a respectable catalogue of applications being released in a relatively short time frame.

Published in July, the 10th Edition of The CD-ROM Directory contains a number of innovations over previous editions:

Product Demos, Graphics & Electronic Brochures ON DISC!

The new disc pilots a brand new promotional feature which offers companies the opportunity to run a product demonstration linked to the relevant title listing, display the CD cover design of an individual disc, or even include an "electronic brochure". These graphic displays will increase the impact of existing company and title entries within the directory.

New Italian Retrieval Software

In addition to the existing French, Spanish, German and English language interfaces, the 10th Edition of the directory (now using version 3.2 of CD Answer retrieval software from Dataware Technologies, Inc) introduces an Italian Interface.

Publication Schedule

In order to keep fully up-to-date with this fast-changing business, a completely new edition of The CD-ROM Directory is published every six months (July & Dec). The latest edition (the 10th) launched in July, is currently available. Subscribers to the CD-ROM VERSION automatically receive two editions as part of their yearly subscription ($220 for both editions). A BOOK VERSION is also published in December of each year ($165 per copy).

TFPL, Inc.

1301 Twentieth Street, N.W., (#702), Washington, D.C. 20036

(202) 296-6009,    Fax: (202) 296-6343


Internet Banks on ProActive Software
Internet Banks on ProActive Software for a Service Advantage

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 16, 1993-- ProActive Software, Inc., today announced that Internet Systems, Corp. Ltd., a $50 million international financial software firm, has licensed and implemented Support Advantage for a worldwide customer service system.

Support Advantage will be used by 40 analysts and technicians at support centers in Chicago and London to handle customer inquiries for Internet's ATLAS and TRANSACT trading and banking systems. According to Internet, Support Advantage is delivering a 40% increase in call handling capacity and user productivity, while resulting cost savings will pay for the system in 15 months.

In late 1992, Internet replaced its internally developed customer support system with Support Advantage, part of ProActive's family of integrated service management applications. ProActive also offers software for help desks, quality assurance, and sales, as well as customization tools.

'With Support Advantage we are significantly more organized and prepared when customers call with a problem," said Mike Baron, Internet's manager of customer support for North America. "Our people project professionalism and confidence because they're using a sleek, powerful tool; one that says our company cares about providing service and has invested in technology that helps us do it well."

John Luongo, ProActive's president and chief executive officer, said, "Internet has made an investment in its service organization with ProActive Software. This reinforces Internet's total commitment to providing the best service and customer satisfaction to some of the largest financial institutions around the world."

Time for a Change

Internet's previous system had two separate databases for logging calls and reporting software defects, but offered no historical data tracking. Because the systems were not integrated, data was duplicated and users were uninformed about developments.

The company evaluated several products before selecting Support Advantage. Internet had five requirements: support for a client/server environment and Microsoft Windows 3.1, ease of customization, comprehensive data management, problem-solving help, and of course, customer service.

Client/Server and Microsoft Windows Support

"Internet believes strongly in the client/server approach and has standardized on Microsoft Windows," said Stuart Campbell, Internet's manager of customer support for Europe. "ProActive fits right into our environment." Internet is using Support Advantage on SYBASE operating on a Sun SparcStation 10 Model 30 connected to 40 PCs operating Windows 3.1.

Easy to Customize

ProActive's products are flexible and easy to customize. According to Campbell, new users can customize up to 90% of the system without help. Working with ProActive, Internet added a few data entry modifications.

Comprehensive Data Management

Internet uses Support Advantage to track and solve incoming calls on the ATLAS and TRANSACT systems. Users can access a customer's account history-- including date of purchase, most recent call, special system attributes - simply by typing in the caller's last name. "It's virtually impossible for anyone in the chain of support to be uninformed about the status of a problem," said Campbell. "With ProActive's system we appear less reactive because we have all the customer data at our fingertips."

Solving Problems Only Once

Support Advantage enables users to search for and find resolutions by key words, by nature of the resolution, and by description of the problem. Internet is using Support Advantage to build a library of problems and possible solutions that users can search when similar calls come in. This saves time by enabling the analysts to resolve problems quickly and move on to the next call. It also serves as a knowledge base to help bring new trainees up to speed. Finally, Internet uses the system's problem-solving capabilities to provide customers with progress reports.

An Expert Appraisal

Campbell is as impressed with ProActive's service as he is with Support Advantage. "Being in the service business ourselves," he says, "we look critically at those who provide service to us. ProActive's people and service set them apart. We've selected the best product and company to be our service and support partner."

Based on the success of Support Advantage, Internet plans to use additional applications from ProActive. Internet's goal is to have one set of applications that share a common database, user interface, and "look and feel." The ProActive System links many departments in a company--R&D, sales, QA, and customer support--to give everyone access to the same comprehensive database of customer and product information.

About ProActive Software

ProActive Software is the leading supplier of integrated, client/server applications that span the enterprise: customer support and help desk, quality assurance and product development, sales and marketing. ProActive's products give companies a competitive edge by delivering superior products and total customer satisfaction.

All ProActive products run on the leading Unix server platforms and support Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, and X/Windows clients. The architecture enables easy porting and customization, as well as integration with other client/server applications in the enterprise. The company works in partnership with its customers, providing installation and consulting services.

ProActive Software Inc

1890 North Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-691-1500,  fax 415-691-1515


DFI Introductes PCI Motherboard
DFI INTRODUCES A PCI MOTHERBOARD

SACRAMENTO, CA-Diamond Flower Electric Instrument (DFI) will be shipping its state-of-the-art Panther 486PCI motherboard to its worldwide network of OEMs, distributors and dealers.

The Panther motherboard is designed around the new PCI architecture with support for Intel's 486 and Overdrive CPUs. The PCI bus architecture optimizes local bus support by allowing up to 10 peripherals to work on the PCI bus at 33MHz. DFI has integrated accelerated IDE and super I/O (w/ECP) on it's new Panther board leaving two PCI slots open for PCI expansion boards. DFI's new motherboard uses surface mount technology for reliable high-volume manufacturing.

POWERFUL PCI TECHNOLOGY

Specific features and benefits include: Intel 486 25/33MHz and Intel Overdirve ODP CPU support (237 pin ZIF, 3.3 Volt support). 128K (SMD) external cache, DIP sockets for cache expansion to 256k. Intel Saturn ISA-PCI chipset. Energy Star Compliant. DRAM support expandable to 128Mbs with four 36-bit SIMM sockets provided. Phoenix BIOS with boot block ROM support. Connector for option off-board battery. PC/AT keyboard (optional PS/2 keyboard and mouse). SMC 665: 2 serial (16550), 1 hi-speed parallel (with ECP). On board FDD and HDD interface support (360K, 1.2Mb, 720K, 1.44Mb & 2.88Mb, accelerated IDE using Type F (fast) DMA. Seven total slots: 4 ISA, 1 shared ISA or PCI slave & 2 PCI masters. Surface mount technology, 4 layer PCB, single sided assembly. 9" x 13" (Baby-AT).

DEMONSTRATION AT COMPUEXPO

DFI will be exhibiting and demonstrating it's new Panther PCI motherboard and PCI computer systems at COMPUEXPO in Las Vegas, September 9-11, 1993. DFI will also be announcing their support and intent to manufacture PCI video and I/O products. More details to follow.

THE COMPANY

Diamond Flower Electric Instrument, with U.S. headquarters in Sacramento, California, is one of the fastest-growing privately-held companies in the United States (ranked ninth in Inc. magazine's 1991 list). DFI is also one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of motherboards, interface cards and peripherals. Founded in 1981, DFI manufactures and markets more than 60 products for the IBM compatible computer market.

DFI, 135 Main Ave, Sacramento, CA 95838

916-568-1234


VocalChat Real-Time Voice Comm. Via Networks
VocalTec Introduces VocalChat for Real-Time Voice Communications Via Networked PCs

A Windows Software Package, VocalChat Enables Voice Conversation on a LAN; Answering Machine Mode Captures Audio Messages.

NORTHVALE, NJ, May 25, 1993 --- VocalTec Inc. today introduced VocalChat, a Windows software package that enables people with PC's to speak with individuals or groups via their local area network (LAN) or to leave voice messages for those who aren't available.

A real-time voice communications tool, VocalChat vastly expands the methods of communicating on the network. It serves as an inexpensive alternative to voice mail for internal use and offers more because it allows for interactive communications. It also simplifies the broadcasting of audio messages to groups on a LAN and gives users a new way to hold conferences with others in the company.

"VocalChat is the first product to enable voice communications over the network from any audio-capable PC," said Dr. Elon A. Ganor, Chief Executive Officer of VocalTec. "The market is moving toward integration of all types of communication equipment on the PC. VocalChat is a product that takes advantage of this to offer end users a whole new level of communications capabilities on the network."

VocalChat Features & Benefits

VocalChat works with PC's with Windows 3. 1, a network adapter and any Windows-compatible audio device, including VocalTec's CAT, which produces the highest-quality sound of any device of its kind.

To make calls via VocalChat, users click on the VocalChat icon to view a list of people on the network and select those with whom they want to speak. VocalChat makes the connection instantly, and its voice activated system keeps the link open until the conversation is completed. VocalChat's real-time voice compression and automatic idle detection conserve network resources, enabling people to continue with data communications while speaking on the network. A graphic Windows interface gives users an easy way to control volume and monitor network activity to see who is on the call. Also, VocalTec's user-configurable quick-dial buttons accelerate connection with frequently called numbers.

If an individual or a group of people aren't at their desks when called through VocalChat, the software's answering machine mode automatically records messages. Users can personalize greetings to indicate they aren't available and can easily access messages left by others in VocalChat's archiving facilities.

Pricing & Availability

While the suggested retail price for VocalChat is $399, VocalTec is selling the product for $99 per network under a special introductory offer. VocalChat will be available in August in major computer stores worldwide and direct from the company.

VocalTec Inc., based is Northvale, NJ, develops, manufactures and markets digital audio hardware and software products for PC's. Its development efforts are allied with those at VocalTec Ltd., based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Other products developed by VocalTec include the VocalTec CAT, the VocalTec CAT Board - a half-sized hardware card easily inserted into PC's, and the VocalTec audio system for the visually impaired.

VOCALTEC INC, 157 Veterans Dr, Northvale, NJ 07647

201-768-9400,   Fax: 201-768-8893


SYBASE Partner Certification
SYBASE PARTNER CERTIFICATION GUARANTEES CUSTOMER ACCESS TO LEGACY DATA

Seven ISVs Already Certified

EMERYVILLE, CA, August 16, 1993 -- Sybase, Inc., The Enterprise Client/Server Company, announced today that it is certifying independent software vendor (ISV) partner products to provide customers a direct access link to IBM DB2 data using the SYBASE OmniSQL Gateway product. By certifying its Open Solutions partner's tools, Sybase is guaranteeing customers that they provide mainframe access while running in heterogenous, networked environments. Certification occurs at the Sybase Open Solutions Lab, a testing facility in which products can be tested against DB2 and the SYBASE SQL Server software on a number of platforms and using multiple network protocols.

Seven vendors including Business Objects, Clear Access, KnowledgeWare, OpenBooks Software, Powersoft, Q+E Software, and Irinzic, have recently certified their products to work with the OmniSQL Gateway. While more than 100 ISV tools now work with various SYBASE products, these seven partners have taken an additional step to guarantee that their products work with Sybase's interoperability products and directly access DB2 data; Sybase anticipates that more tools will be certified by the year's end.

"Sybase is committed to enterprise-wide connectivity," said Berl Hartman, Sybase's vice president of product marketing. "By using tools that interface with the OmniSQL Gateway product, large customers can use a variety of Sybase-certified application development, query and report tools while achieving the performance benefits of direct access to DB2 data. The commitment that Sybase and its Open Solutions partners are making to certify these tools encourages these customers to choose SYBASE with confidence," she said.

About OmniSQL Gateway

Announced in April as part of Sybase's System 10, the OmniSQL Gateway product allows users to transparently access remote data from a SYBASE SQL Server, Oracle or DB2 database as though all data were stored locally on a single client/server RDBMS. It is optimized for uses such as ad hoc decision support, customized decision support applications and special-use situations requiring data updates. Through the OmniSQL Access Module for DB2, OmniSQL Gateway permits any Open Client application to access and update DB2 information on the mainframe. It provides the security and integrity of the mainframe environment as well as controllable performance and scalability, even in environments with hundreds of clients.

The Open Solutions Lab

Sybase established the Open Solutions Lab in September 1992 to help software vendors implement and test communications methods and support heterogeneous computing environments, including gateway interoperability. A primary benefit of the Lab to participants in Sybase's Open Solutions Program, the company's third-party reseller program, is the ability to access and test against mainframe data using the OmniSQL Access module for DB2. In addition, the Lab allows partners to test against SYBASE SQL Server programs from DOS, Windows, Macintosh, and Unix operating environments while using a number of network protocols, including TCP/IP, DECnet, SPX/LPX, and Named Pipes. The Open Solutions Lab is the primary resource used by partners during the certification of their products.

The Open Solutions Program's Partner Certification

As participants in the Open Solutions Program, Gateway Partners are encouraged to certify their products. Product certification requires Gateway Partners

* provide a copy of the tested product for use in the Open Solutions Lab

* provide sales and technical support to customers who use their product with Sybase gateway products

* complete a required test suite in the Sybase Open Solutions Lab Tools that successfully meet these requirements will be considered Sybase certified. Information on Sybase-certified tools is distributed to the Sybase sales force and systems consultants.

"By certifying their products to support SYBASE, our Gateway Partners have made a commitment to the SYBASE Open Interoperability architecture, and Sybase has made a like investment in them by providing the Open Solutions Lab," said Chuck Donchess, Sybase vice president of market development. "Our Open Solutions partners are key to Sybase's strategy of providing customers with total enterprise client/server solutions, and we look to our Gateway Partners to develop leading tools that support Sybase's flexible, open environment," he said.

Sybase views its relationships with third-parties as playing an integral role in delivering complete client/server solutions to its customers. Open Solutions Program participants are offered the technical, sales, and marketing support required to meet these enterprise and departmental client/server customer needs. Dedicated resources in technical, sales and marketing areas of the Open Solutions Program were announced last month.

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


CheckMaker Check Printing Program
Academy Systems Releases CheckMaker, Check Printing Software That Eliminates Pre-Printed Checks

Brooklyn, NY -- Academy Systems, Inc. has announced the release of CheckMaker, a check printing program that prints the whole check -- including the MICR bank codes -- on standard laser printers. CheckMaker interfaces to existing accounting software and can import check information from popular packages such as Quicken, Quickbooks, One Write Plus, etc. It can also import check information from spreadsheets and text files. In addition, CheckMaker can interactively issue a check or print a series of blank checks.

By printing all the bank account information on the check along with the check detail, CheckMaker eliminates the need for pre-printed checks. This can reduce the cost of checks by as much as 70%.

"An added benefit of CheckMaker is that it allows checks from any number of different checking accounts to be printed without changing forms and without maintaining different check forms for each account," says Academy president Michael Hochman.

To allow the printing of the MICR bank information, CheckMaker makes use of special MICR (Magnetic Ink) toner cartridges available from Academy for most popular laser printers such as the HP LaserJet series and IBM LaserPrinters. All special fonts that are needed are included in the program.

Academy recently released Corporate Cheeking, an easy to use checking management and Accounts Payable/General Ledger system which incorporates MICR check printing to eliminate pre-printed checks. The release of CheckMaker rounds out Academy's offerings to accommodate people who already have an accounting package and simply need to add MICR check printing capabilities.

CheckMaker is available in two versions:

* Version DS--supports two MICR check printing accounts, retails for $89.

* Version MS--supports an unlimited number of MICR check printing accounts, retails for $249.

Academy Systems, 1327 East 10th St, Brooklyn, NY 11230

(800) 446-6619 or (718) 253-4227.

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

Questions & Answers About MICR Check Printing

Q: What is MICR ?

A: MICR characters are the unusual numbers and characters printed on the bottom of all checks which identify the bank, the bank account number, and the check number. MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The MICR characters are printed with ink that contains particles which can be magnetized. The bank 'reads' the information on the check by magnetizing the MICR character line and then passing the check through a high speed reader that translates the magnetic information into characters.

Q: What is MICR check printing ?

A: That's when you print all the MICR information at the same time that you print the check detail(i.e. amount, payee, etc.).

Q: What advantages are there in printing MICR checks ?

A: 1- You save the cost of pre-printing checks. If you issue many checks, the savings can be quite significant. 2- If you have multiple checking accounts, you don't have to stock a separate check form for each account. 3- You don't have to switch check forms in your printer when switching between different checking accounts. Academy Systems MICR check printing software allows you to easily select the account from which to issue a check. 4- You don't have to worry about blank checks lying around which may be inviting fraud.

Q: Will my banks accept the MICR checks that I print ?

A: Yes. Checks printed using Academy Systems software and supplies meet all American Bankers Association (ABA) standards for MICR check printing.

Q: What equipment and supplies do I need to print MICR checks ?

A: 1- A laser printer that accepts MICR toner. This includes all HP LaserJets, IBM LaserPrinter series 40xx, Canon, Okidata 400/800, Ricoh 4080,4081,4150, QMS, Kyocera F-series, Alps, Sharp 9500 series, and C.Itoh(TEC) printers. 2- MICR toner for your laser printer. 3- Blank, perforated, colored backround check forms. All supplies are available from Academy and from many dealers around the country.


DGR 650 REM 5.25" Optical Disk Drive
DGR Technologies' 650 REM Brings Large File Transfer and Storage Capability to Optical Technology

(August 9, 1993. Austin, TX.) - In the wake of receiving top honors for the DGR 128 REM and the 256 REM, DGR Technologies introduced another addition to their unsurpassed optical family - the DGR 650 REM 5.25" optical drive. The DGR 650 REM enables the user to transfer and store large files onto reliable, care-free media.

The DGR 650 REM boasts a short seek time of 22 milliseconds and a sustainable transfer rate of 680 kilobytes per second, making this drive one of the fastest in its class. The driver software by CharisMac enhances the throughput of the DGR 650 REM; therefore contributing to the overall speed.

The DGR 650 REM complies with the ANSI/ISO standards to permit interchangable media. The 5.25" double-sided disc stores 650 megabytes on removable erasable media, offering infinite portability. The DGR 650 REM optical drive will not only write to any 5.25" optical disc, it will also support Write Once media.

The DGR 650 REM optical drive ships with one cartridge, cables, manuals, and Anubis driver software. DGR Technologies supports this drive with a no questions asked thirty-day money-back guarantee, a full one year warranty and toll-free technical support.

DGR Technologies, 1219 West Sixth St, Suite 205, Austin, TX 78703

512.476.9855,  Fax 512.476.6399


ColorBlaster PB Adds PowerBook 16-bit Color
DGR Technologies' ColorBlaster PB adds 16-bit Color Capability and External Presentation to the PowerBook 140, 145 and 170

(August 9, 1993. Austin, TX.) - DGR Technologies announced plans for a new 16-bit display adapter, the ColorBIaster PB, for the PowerBook 140, 145 and 170. The ColorBIaster PB allows 16-bit external color presentation on a monitor of up to a 16" and includes six megabytes of additional RAM.

The ColorBIaster PB enables the Macintosh PowerBook 140, 145 and 170 to display 16-bit true color on the Apple 12", 13", 16" and VGA monitors, as well as 8-bit color on up to a 21" monitor. This allows the user to employ the portability of the PowerBook in effective presentations and displays. The ColorBlaster PB utilizes internal video circuitry; therefore, there is no need for an external box or power supply.

The ColorBIaster PB is designed to be installed in the memory expansion slot, and includes six megabytes of system memory, resulting in unrivaled speed and system memory expansion to the maximum of eight megabytes.

The ColorBIaster PB will begin shipping by August 15, 1993, and will include a three-year warranty. As with all DGR products, the ColorBIaster is backed by toll-free technical support, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee.

DGR Technologies, always on the leading edge of today's technology, is an award-winning manufacturer of quality products for the Macintosh computer.

DGR Technologies, 1219 West Sixth St, Suite 205, Austin, TX 78703

512.476.9855,  Fax 512.476.6399


Microsoft Multimedia Jump Start Developers Conf
Microsoft Multimedia Jump Start Developers Conference

You've read about it. You've heard about it. You've probably even played with it.

For developers, multimedia now represents one of the brightest opportunities in software development today. Far from the hype and promises of tomorrow, you can build the coolest applications today and sell them to an eager audience.

Microsoft wants to get you going and we're pleased to announce the Multimedia Jump Start Developers Conference. This conference is a one-day, technical training session. It's designed to give you a flavor of the tools, quick start training, and the essential elements for you to produce and sell a multimedia title.

From the moment it begins, early in the morning, you'll realize this is not a bunch of marketing weenies shoving boring slides in your face. Nope!!  This is a tech-ni-cal day. Cold pizza style breakfasts, gourmet junk food for lunch, and code. Lots and lots of code.

The attached agenda outlines the day in detail but here's a summary. The morning will guide you through the basic components of the media elements - audio, video, graphics, and animation. We'll show you how to work with each of the parts, where to obtain stock video/audio clips, how to create animation, what makes good animation, putting all these parts together, and more.

After a sumptuous lunch of developer junk food, it's back to the afternoon sessions where we put all the code together and show you how to build titles using Microsoft (R) Visual Basic (TM) and Microsoft Multimedia Viewer.

We will also give you information to become a member of the Microsoft Partner Programs. This will enable you to access many co-marketing opportunities. Of course there's much more, but you'll have to show up to get the other secrets.

You'll get, in additional to the hours of training, the following items:

- A copy of Microsoft Multimedia Viewer (retail value $495). Ready to use, royalty-free run time, full package. This title development tool will allow you to get started when you get home.

- The Microsoft Multimedia Developers Resource CD. This is packed with example code in Viewer, C/C++, and Visual Basic, resource listings, application notes, free clip art, and much more. This CD is actually a title in itself. You get all the code plus application notes on how we built it.

- All the source code from the day's event that you can use royalty-free.

- Two neat new development utilities. This cool, back room, secretly developed under the table code will enable you to add a new interactive dimension to your new titles. Never before shown or seen, as an attendee you'll be the first to get it. You'll be given the utilities, and the source code and shown how to use'em to create even better stuff.

- Microsoft Video for Windows (TM) with the complete Clip Library (retail value $199). In addition, you'll receive extra video development utilities to help add video to your product.

Act now and save $70! For a limited time, you can get into this action-packed course for only $225. You get over $600 in free product, training, junk food you love, and CD-ROMs full of code that you can use royalty-free.

Due to the overwhelming response we have already received, and since space is limited, please fill out the attached registration form and fax to (415)979-2270 or call (800)438-3976 to register for the Multimedia conference.

Listed are the dates, cities and locations for the Multimedia Jump Start Developers Conference.

 September 28  Seattle, WA        Microsoft Corporation

 September 29  Seattle, WA        Microsoft Corporation

 October 4     Chicago, IL        Fairmont Hotel

 October 11    New York, NY       Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers

 October 14    Atlanta, GA        Stouffer Waverly

 October 18    Waltham, MA        Hillcrest Center

 October 21    San Francisco, CA  South San Francisco Conference Center

 October 25    Newport Beach, CA  Marriott Hotel & Tennis Club

See you soon.

 Rick Segal, Manager

 Multimedia Developer Relations

 Microsoft Corporation

If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, or other reasonable accommodations, please contact Microsoft at (800)438-3976 at least two weeks prior to the event date.

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

Microsoft Multimedia Jump Start Developers Conference Agenda

 7:00 - 8:30   Registration

 8:30 - 9:00   Introductions

               A short welcome session. We'll introduce the players, go over

               the day's events, and give you a feel for the current

               multimedia "state of the nation."

 9:00 - 10:00  First Steps

               The storyboard process: Our first goal is to go through the

               process of storyboarding. How you can use easy tools and

               methods to get the multimedia title decided and laid out in

               rough draft. This important first step will set the

               foundation for your title. We show you the how-to's, go

               through some real-world examples, and give you some tips on

               doing this right.

               Media Options: The very word "multimedia" causes people to

               think sight and sound. This session will go through all your

               media options including full motion video, still photos,

               bitmaps, graphic animation, etc. We'll include layout options

               and give you lots of tips on how to make the best use of each

               media object. We'll also point you to a number of excellent

               resources for "off-the-shelf" media objects that you can use

               in your titles.

 10:00 - 10:25 Break

 10:25 - 12:00 Media Creation

               In this session we'll go through the process of actually

               creating different media objects. We'll create objects from

               audio, video, graphics, and animation. Each media object will

               be created, edited, and used in a real title we develop

               during the day. Of course, plenty of tips and tricks along

               the way on maximizing impact, disk space, and other technical

               issues.

 12:00 - 1:00  Lunch

 1:00 - 2:30   Build It: Part One

               After lunch, we start to put it all together. In this session

               we take our storyboard and start to build the title. We'll be

               using Microsoft Multimedia Viewer for the first build. We'll

               incorporate media objects with text and show you different

               ways to create interactive components of your title. Along

               the way, we'll be showing how to use the tools you'll receive

               as part of the session.

 2:30 - 2:55   Break

 2:55 - 4:00   Build It: Part Two

               After the break, back to building titles. In this session we

               show you how to expand your Viewer work to include Microsoft

               Visual Basic. We'll show you both complete Visual Basic title

               creation and how to combine the power of Visual Basic with

               Viewer. You'll learn about the extension possibilities of

               both products as we show you how to use the add-ons you

               receive as part of the course.

 4:00 - 4:30   More Tools You Can Use

               The final session of the day is a tour of popular third-party

               tools that allow you to create even more compelling titles.

               We'll have some short demos along with information on how to

               obtain these tools.

 4:30 - 6:00   Wrap Up/Q&A

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

Microsoft Multimedia Jump Start Developers Conference 1993

How To Register

By Phone: Use VISA, Master Card, or American Express. Call (800)438-3976 (US only) Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:30pm PST.

By Mail: Photo copy and complete this form. One form per attendee please.  Include full payment and mail to:

    Microsoft Multimedia Conference

    33 New Montgomery, Suite 2070

    San Francisco, CA 94105

By Fax: Fill out this form and FAX to (415)979-2270. Indicate your VISA, Master Card or American Express number. One form per attendee please.

 Name    ___________________________________________________________________

 Title   ___________________________________________________________________

 Company ___________________________________________________________________

 Address ___________________________________________________________________

 City    ________________________  State __________  Zip ___________________

 Phone Number ______________________________________________________________

 FAX Number ________________________________________________________________

 Payment Information  (please check one):

  __VISA  __Master Card  __American Express  __ Check

 ________________________________________________________________________

 Card Number                                                    Exp. Date

 __________________________________________________________________________

 Signature as it appears on card

If paying by check please make payable to Microsoft and reference attendee name.

Indicate the city you are registering for:

  September 28  ___ Seattle, WA

  September 29  ___ Seattle, WA

  October 4     ___ Chicago, IL

  October 11    ___ New York, NY

  October 14    ___ Atlanta, GA

  October 18    ___ Waltham, MA

  October 21    ___ San Francisco, CA

  October 25    ___ Newport Beach, CA

Cancellation Policy: A $50 refund fee will be charged for cancellations 10 days or more prior to the conference date. Cancellations received 10 days or less prior to conference will not be refundable.


Application Pad v3.9 Windows Pgm Mgr Tool
Application Pad (Version 3.9)

This program  provides you  with an  alternative  to  Window's Program  Manager. It is an application pad that stays only on one side of your  screen. You can launch your favorite programs from it. It comes with a  digital clock,  a calender, an X-EYES, a screen  blanker,  and  more!  The  online  help  that comes with the software provides a detailed explanation  of  the functionality of the program. This is a FULLY FUNCTIONAL program! (No cripples)

I hope you would find this program useful.  The Application Pad is NOT  a FREEWARE.  The programmer has spent many hours to write it and is constantly improving it.   You can keep  and try it out  for a maximum period of 10 days.  Thereafter,  if you so decide  to continue to use it,  you are to  register by  sending  US$15 to the address  given below.   Registered users will be given a  registration  number and will  receive future  upgrades at NO  additional cost  (less shipping & handling). $15 applies to a single computer. Additional licences are at $10 each.

DISCLAIMER. You use this program at your own risk. The programmer will not be held  responsible for any ill  effects that  this program  may cause to your system and any damage that may result.

The programmer welcomes any queries and  suggestions.  Please indicate  the version number of the program you are currently using when you write.

LEE, CJIN PHEOW

203 Alhambra Place, Apt. #4,

Madison, WI 53713

United States of America


SpecPlus Hypertext Doc Reading/Annotation Tool
SciSo, Inc. of Albuquerque announces the release of SpecPlus(tm), 1.0.

SpecPlus is a powerful hypertext document reading and annotation tool, uniquely tailored for the PC-based workgroup - with a man-machine interface emphasizing accessibility for the intermittent user - the expert in his/her technical field, not in his/her toolset.

SpecPlus provides multi-dimensional access to information in the source document - both text and graphics - in the various ways users are accustomed to working in paper documents.  The user's own annotations are attached to reference points in the source document. SpecPlus allows for serial, random and search navigation through the source via the user's own annotations, as well as via the direct source docuument serial, random, hypertext and search hooks.  The system has been designed to accommodate large documents - multi-thousand page source documents, 20,000 character annotations and both public and private annotations attached to each line of the source document. SpecPlus includes an extensive graphics-based hierarchical help facility, selective export capabilities and a convenient set of automated aids for import and update of the user's source document.

SpecPlus operates in (minimally) an 8MB MS/DOS-based 486/DX33, invisibly interfacing the Asymetrix ToolBook, Raima Data Manager and Microsoft Windows environments. Licenses for run-time use of the enviornments come with SpecPlus.  The single user version is available for $5,000 (quantity discounts available), and a network version starts at $20,000.

SciSo president, Elizabeth Gardner, notes that SpecPlus brings us dramatically closer to the goal of "making paperless practical", so as to enhance document user group efficiency and to control the proliferation of paper in the workplace.

For further information on SpecPlus, please contact SciSo at:

        Voice           1-800-SP-SciSo (1-800-777-2476)

        FAX             1-505-881-8143

        E-Mail          TNSciSo@technet.nmt.org


Stalker Ships Lineshare 2.0 for Mac
STALKER SHIPS LINESHARE 2.0 FOR MACINTOSH

August 16, 1993---Stalker GmbH. announced it is now shipping LineShare 2.0. LineShare is a Control Panel that enables a Macintosh, using just one telephone line and one serial port, to have any number of communications servers open, making them all simultaneously available for incoming or outgoing calls. With retail pricing of $79, LineShare 2.0 is available direct to end users from Global Way, an authorized U.S. reseller based in Campbell, CA. Upgrades are free to registered users with a minimal charge for shipping and handling.

LineShare 2.0, creates "virtual ports" and registers them with the Communication Toolbox (CTB), designating virtual subports for each communication application. For each virtual subport, LineShare emulates a Hayes-compatible modem. At the same time, LineShare connects to the actual modem and monitors the line with user-selectable scripts to control the modem. LineShare arbitrates and routes incoming calls to the correct application, and directs outgoing calls to the actual modem. With LineShare, users can concurrently have AppleTalk Remote Access, TeleFinder (bbs), QuickMail (e-mail), WhiteKnight (data), Notify! (pager), and FAXstf (fax) all open and able to accept incoming or make outgoing calls using just one serial port and one phone line. With LineShare users save money and gain functionality. They can avoid the expense of adding dedicated telephone lines, and they no longer must bother with having to quit or suspend one application to use another.

LineShare 2.0 now supports Caller ID features implemented in new modems with the ability to capture text strings and save them to a Log File. Its scripting language now supports the use of wild-card characters and includes a built-in debugger that lets users define how a modem will work with any application. A variety of scripts shipped with LineShare 2.0 can distinguish different types of data calls, automatically routing ARA, data, mail, or bbs calls to the appropriate application. It is also capable of sending a text- menu to callers so they can choose the service they wish to connect to. Additionally, LineShare 2.0 offers Master Servers that can be used to route calls from one application to another. If a voice-mail application, after answering a call with voice prompts, detects that a call should be routed to some other application, it can send a message to LineShare to route the call to the appropriate program. System 7 and CTB compatible, LineShare supports Hayes-compatible modems and Fax Class 2.

Stalker Software GmbH. can be reached at its Moscow Labs at: Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, MGU, NIVC, Moscow, Russia; 7-095-939-3907 (voice),7-095-938-2136 (fax); netprod@stalker.srcc.msu.su (Internet). For end- user, retail sales or literature contact: Global Way, P.O. Box 1631, Campbell, CA 95009-1631; 800-262-4722 (sales); 408-370-3170 (fax).


AnaGram Extended LALR-1 Parser Generator
NEW SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TOOL EXTENDS SYNTAX DIRECTED PARSING

Parsifal Software has released AnaGram(TM), an extended LALR-1 parser generator. AnaGram produces C or C++ input processing modules from formal descriptions of input syntax. It has been designed to make syntax directed parsing a practical, usable tool for everyday software development.

Syntax directed parsing has long been recognized as the most powerful technique available for handling program input. Until now, most tools available to software developers to exploit this power have been primitive and hard to use, so that, for most programmers, syntax directed parsing has remained a textbook curiosity.

Although syntax directed parsing is most often used for developing script languages, database query languages, "little" languages, translators, compilers, macro languages, or other programs whose input data structure is extraordinarily complex, AnaGram may also be applied profitably to more mundane, everyday tasks such as parsing keyboard input, reading configuration files, or any other task which requires deciphering an input stream.

To use syntax directed parsing, software developers first write a high level description of the structure of their input data. A parser generator, using a standard algorithm, can then create an input module, or parser, for their program from the description. Since the description, or grammar, is non-procedural, it is generally easier to write and to modify than the equivalent program code and much less likely to harbor bugs.

Some of the innovations provided by AnaGram:

 *  Lexical scanner not required: AnaGram's notation, with character

    sets, keywords and fine control over white space suppression,

    usually makes a separate lexical scanner unnecessary.

 *  Interactive working environment: Pop up a wide variety of windows

    and interactive tools to analyze and trace conflicts and

    other problems. Step through any sequence of inputs and

    watch your parser's response.

 *  File Trace: See precisely how a parser derived from your grammar

    will interpret a test file. Fast forward, parse character by

    character, back up, try again.

 *  Semantic control over parsing: Control parsing semantically as

    well as syntactically.

 *  Automatic setup of parser stack, with provision for arbitrary C

    or C++ data types, including template classes.

 *  Parser options include automatic error diagnostics and recovery,

    event driven parsers and coverage analysis.

 *  Notation provides simple, familiar representation of choices,

    options, and repetition as well as symbolic links between grammar

    rules and semantic actions.

AnaGram comes with extensive cross-referenced, context sensitive online help, a comprehensive reference manual including an introduction to parsing, and numerous documented examples.

AnaGram requires an IBM compatible AT, 386, or 486 computer with a minimum of 400K of available memory, DOS 3.1 or higher, and approximately 1 megabyte of hard disk space. A C or C++ compiler is required to compile the generated code.

AnaGram costs $495 and requires no royalties or runtime licenses. A free trial copy is available.

    Parsifal Software

    P.O. Box 219, Wayland, MA 01778

    Phone: (800) 879-2577 or (508) 358-2564

    Internet: jholland@world.std.com

    CompuServe: 72603,1763


DEC EISA Bus FDDI Network Interface Card
Product Type: FDDI Network Interface Card (NIC) for EISA-bus systems.

     Keywords: FDDI, Network, NIC, EISA, NetWare, Windows NT, LAN

 Product name: DEC FDDIcontroller/EISA

 Option names: DEFEA-AA, DEFEA-DA

 Company: Digital Equipment Corporation

          550 King Street (LKG1-2/W6)

          Littleton, MA  01460

          1-800-DEC-INFO, Ext 33  (USA only)

          (508) 493-7167, Ext 33  (Outside USA)

 Product Description:  The DEC FDDIcontroller/EISA is an FDDI Network

        Interface Card that allows EISA-bus computers to connect to

        an FDDI LAN.  The product comprises a controller module, an

        installation guide, and two 3.5" diskettes, which contain

        device drivers and related software. The DEC FDDIcontroller/EISA

        has the following features:

        o Single Attached (SAS) or Dual Attached (DAS) options.

        o Master-mode DMA operation for high throughput/low CPU use.

        o Large on-board buffer memory (1MB) to avoid packet loss.

        o Device drivers for most popular operating environments.

        o Driver updates available via Internet and CompuServe.

        o ANSI draft FDDI Station ManagemenT (SMT) V7.2 compliant

        o Support for full-duplex operation with other DEC controllers.

        o Local management application for access to FDDI attributes.

        o EISA configuration file and diagnostic routines.

        o ANSI standard multimode fiber MIC connectors.

        o Support for Optical Bypass Relay (OBR) on DAS option.

HARDWARE PREREQUISITES:

Any i386, i486, or Alpha AXP PC with an EISA bus. Requires FDDI multimode fiber

cables with ANSI MIC connectors.

SOFTWARE PREREQUISITES:

The DEC FDDIcontroller/EISA is currently supplied with device drivers for the

following operating environments:

 - -Digital PATHWORKS for DOS v4.1.

 - -Digital PATHWORKS for OS/2 v2.0.

 - -Microsoft LAN Manager v2.2.

 - -Microsoft Windows NT (March 1993 Beta Version).

 - -Novell NetWare v3.11, client and server applications.

    (Novell Tested and Approved, bulletins L-1557, L-1558)

 - -Novell NetWare v4.0, server applications.

    (Novell Tested and Approved, bulletin L-1572)

 - -OS/2 V1.31 and DOS V5.0.

 - -SCO UNIX V3.2.2 and V3.2.4 and Open Desktop (ODT) V1.1 and V2.0.

 - -SCO MPX V1.1.

PRICING/AVAILABILITY:

The DEC FDDIcontroller/EISA is priced at $1,895 for the single attachment station

(SAS) and $2,995 for the dual attachment station (DAS), and is available now.


Global Network Navigator
               THE GLOBAL NETWORK NAVIGATOR

            An Internet-based Information Center

                 O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.

        Free Subscription (send mail to info@gnn.com)

Next month, we will launch a new experiment in online publishing, _The Global Network Navigator_ (GNN), a free Internet- based information center that will initially be available as a quarterly.  GNN will consist of a regular news service, an online magazine, The Whole Internet Interactive Catalog, and a global marketplace containing information about products and services.

Keep Up with News of the Global Network

The Global Network News provides a continuously updated listing of interesting news items by and about the users of the Internet, including announcements of new information services.

Discover New Interests in GNN Magazine

Each issue will present articles developed around a common theme, such as government or education.  Regular columns will cover such topics as how to provide information services on the Internet or help for new Internet users.  It will have several innovative departments, such as Off The Wall Gallery, that exhibits in digital form the works of new artists, and Go Find Out, a section containing reviews of the Internet's most interesting resources.

How to find resources on a particular subject

One of the most popular features of O'Reilly's _The Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog, by Ed Krol, is the catalog of information resources on the Internet.   GNN features an expanded, interactive version of this resource catalog that can be used online to navigate to the Internet servers containing those resources. The Online Whole Internet Catalog organizes Internet resources in the following categories:

     - The Internet             - Arts

     - Current Affairs          - Libraries, Reference & Education

     - Science                  - Government and Politics

     - Technology               - Business

     - Humanities               - Work and Play

In the Online Whole Internet Catalog, subscribers can not only read about these resources, they can actually connect to them with a click of the button.

Participate in the GNN Marketplace

Getting good information from a company about their products or services is almost as valuable as the product or service itself. The Global Marketplace provides referrals to companies providing this kind of information online through the Internet.  The Global Marketplace also contains commercial resource centers in which subscribers may find white papers, product brochures or catalogs, demo software or press releases for the companies advertising in GNN Marketplace.

GNN and The World Wide Web

Global Network Navigator is an application of the World Wide Web (WWW), developed at CERN in Switzerland.  Users can choose any WWW browser, such as Mosaic (available for UNIX, Windows, and the Mac) from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. In addition, O'Reilly & Associates will make available Viola, an X-based hypermedia software environment in which we've developed a sophisticated WWW graphical browser. Viola makes it possible to distribute object-oriented documents that use formatted text, graphics, icons, and scripts.  All World Wide Web browsers can be used to access network services such as gopher and WAIS, independent of the Global Network Navigator.

How To Subscribe

The Global Network Navigator is available over the Internet as a free subscription service during its launch.  GNN will be funded by sponsors who provide commercial information of interest to our readers in GNN Marketplace and through advertising in GNN News, GNN Magazine and the Online Whole Internet Catalog.

To get information on subscribing to Global Network Navigator, send e-mail to info@gnn.com.

O'Reilly & Associates

103A Morris Street, Sebastopol CA 95472

707-829-0515, Fax 707-829-0104


Windows Music Scupltor MIDI Sequencer
Windows Music Sculptor is a very easy to use MIDI sequencer that allows you to record, edit, and play music.  It can be used with an external MIDI keyboard and also includes an on-screen music keyboard.  It is a fully functional shareware program and you will receive a collection of 75 midi songs upon registration.

Works with Windows 3.1 in 386 Enhanced Mode and any Windows-compatible sound card or midi interface.

Version 1.1 is available via anonymous ftp from louie.udel.edu in the directory /pub/midi/software/ibm.  The filename is winmusic.zip.

Aleph Omega Software

Box 61085

Kensington Postal Outlet

Calgary, Alberta T2N 4S6 Canada

(403) 289-8831

Email: strubens@cuugnet.cuug.ab.ca


Computer Conferencing, The Last Word...
"COMPUTER CONFERENCING - THE LAST WORD..."

Computer Conferencing - The Last Word presents a collection of essays on the current state of CMC and speculations on its future and the possibilities for its use.  This book concentrates on the fundamental issues of how computer conferencing is used, and how its potential can be maximized.

Written by experts in the area who have used computer conferencing over the past decade in distance education and commercial service bureaus, "The Last Word..." also offers practical examinations of case studies and the dynamics of computer conferencing.

Beach Holme Publishing Ltd.

4252 Commerce Circle

Victoria, B.C. V8Z 4M2 CANADA

Phone:  1-800-663-7560


Wireless Comm Revolution Social Change
Personal Communicators + Wireless Revolution = Social Change

LIVINGSTON, NJ.  August 16, 1993:   Wireless data communicators that mix text,graphics--even multi-media messaging--will soon begin usurping the role of the traditional telephone line as the means to convey information between distant locations, according to a new report from Insight Research Corporation.  Changes wrought by this new way of communicating will remake social and business habits, the report says.

The report, Wireless Data Transport: Applications & Markets, 1993-1998, argues that recent advances in digital signal processing (DSP) and display technologies are creating a new class of light-weight portable data terminals capable of operating anywhere.  Newer DSPs make it possible to transmit higher bit rates than ever before possible while bigger displays --more akin to computer monitors rather than LCD displays-- consume only small amounts of power, so battery weight is reduced without degrading performance.  These technological improvements are fostering new varieties of wireless terminals designed to service different consumer and business market segments.

The report suggests that the personal communicator could surpass the fax in terms of its impact on business practice and social interactions because they are being positioned as personal artifacts-not business machines.

According to Insight, wireless communications markets will enjoy better than a 20 percent compound annual growth rate over the next five years.  Insight predicts that hybrid terminals offering such capabilities as store-and-forward messaging via an integral modem as well as a built-in telephone will combine the best of both worlds: the necessity of receiving information anywhere in the world, and the convenience of being able to speak to the originator of the message immediately.  These hybrid machines are the essence of the personal communication services (PCS). Applications such as mobile electronic mail, news and information services, and two-way interactive paging will be just some of the horizontal markets for these communicators.

Wireless Data Transport: Applications & Markets, 1993-1998, is now available from the Insight Research Corporation. For more information, please contact:

Insight Research Corporation    (201) 605-1400 voice

354 Eisenhower Parkway          (201) 605-1440 fax

Livingston, N.J.  07039


NSF Report, 20-Yr Look At Math & Science Educ
NEW REPORT OFFERS 20-YEAR LOOK AT MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION IN U.S.

July 26, 1993 -- Black high school students are performing measurably better in science and mathematics today than they were two decades ago, according to a new report released today by the National Science Foundation (NSF).  The report, titled Indicators of Science & Mathematics Education 1992, consolidates previously fragmented information about the status of science and mathematics education in the U.S., and provides a comprehensive view of where the strengths and weaknesses lie.

Nearly 100 statistical indicators in the report describe how science and mathematics education has changed in the U.S. during the past 20 years.  The five chapters cover student achievement, curricula, teachers, persistence and career choices, and higher education.

Some key findings of the report include:

Achievement

-Black elementary and secondary students have experienced gradual but meaningful increases in mathematics test scores, with nine-year-olds increasing by 18 points (out of 230 total), 13-year-olds by 21 points  (out of 270) and 17-year-olds by 19 points (out of 300) from 1973-90.   Scores of Hispanic students also improved by slightly smaller margins.   Meanwhile, there was little detectable change in the achievement scores among  white students, and a troubling gap between white and minority students remained.

-U.S. achievement levels remained about the same from 1965-85, compared to seven other technologically advanced countries.

Science and Mathematics Curricula

-Course requirements for high school graduation have been significantly upgraded.  For example, the number of states requiring more than two years of mathematics courses for graduation increased from two percent in 1980 to 24 percent in 1990.

-An analysis of tests revealed that they stressed memorization rather than higher order thinking.  Only five percent of test items required more than mere memorization of facts.

Science and Mathematics Teachers

-Science teachers feel less qualified overall to teach their subjects than do teachers in other areas.  For example, 94 percent of social studies teachers feel "very well" or "adequately" qualified, compared to 74 percent who teach physical or earth sciences -- and only 15 percent of those science teachers consider themselves "very well" qualified.

-Most elementary science or mathematics teachers earned bachelors degrees in elementary education; only a few majored in science or mathematics.  Teachers in grades 7-12 whose second (rather than main) assignment was science or mathematics instruction frequently did not earn degrees in either discipline.

-Male teachers were underrepresented at the elementary level, accounting for only 10 percent of all teachers in 1987-88.  However, male representation at the elementary level was greater among mathematics teachers (18 percent) and science teachers (34 percent).  At the secondary level, women were underrepresented in chemistry and physics.

Persistence and Career Choice

-High school student persistence in science and mathematics courses increased during the late 1980s, meaning that they were more likely to take advanced courses.

-The percentage of high school seniors completing geometry increased from 55 to 70 percent from 1980-90; and those taking first-year algebra increased from 79 to 86 percent during the same period.  However, there was no increase in students taking calculus courses.

-High school seniors in 1990 were slightly more likely to have completed two years of mathematics than those ten years earlier.  The percentage of students who reported completing both geometry and second-year algebra increased from 42 percent to 51 percent.

Higher Education

-More women were studying science and engineering at all levels in 1990 than 20 years earlier. The percentage of women earning bachelors degrees in science and engineering increased by 13 percent (to 42.5 percent of all degrees awarded); those earning masters increased by 16 percent (to 34 percent of all degrees); and those earning Ph.D.s increased by 18 percent (to 28.6 percent of the total).

-The number of students earning bachelors degrees in natural sciences and in engineering declined slightly (by two percent) from 1986-90, while the number of degrees awarded in the social and behavioral sciences increased by the same margin.

The purpose of the report was to respond to Members of Congress who asked to be kept informed on the progress of the U.S. toward improving the science and mathematics achievement of students.  According to the report, federal agencies invested just under $2 billion in 1992 to improve science and mathematics education; about one-fourth of that total came from NSF.

The National Science Foundation is an independent agency of the federal government established in 1950 to promote and advance scientific progress in the United States.  NSF accomplishes its mission primarily by competitively awarding grants to educational institutions for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

This and other information is available electronically on STIS, NSF's Science and Technology Information System.  For more information about STIS contact the Publications Section at (202) 357-7861 and request the "STIS Flyer," NSF Publication #91-10, or send an E-mail message to stisinfo@nsf.gov (INTERNET) or stisinfo@NSF (BITNET).


SBIR-Fund Alternative Keyboard for Disabled
SBIR-FUNDED ALTERNATIVE KEYBOARD EASES COMPUTER USAGE FOR DISABLED, CHILDREN

August 9, 1993 -- As computer usage becomes more and more a part of everyday life, computer literacy for all people becomes increasingly important.  A researcher funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) is helping to address that concern with his "smart" computer keyboard and its creative and evolving set of tools.

Arjan Khalsa created his IntelliKeys keyboard with private funding in 1992, and is now funded by NSF's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to research the potential for extending its application in educational settings. Although he originally designed his keyboard to respond to the unique needs of the physically disabled, Khalsa is finding it equally useful for children, students, and other groups.

The keyboard comes with seven interchangeable overlays with large, easy-to-touch keys.  Khalsa has developed software which allows users such as teachers to design "faces" for the keyboard -- in other words, to create their own custom overlays to fit the needs of individual users, activities, software programs, and computers.  For example, users can change the number of keys, size and location of each key, type of label on each key, function each key performs, and appearance details such as color, patterns, and borders.

Khalsa has also developed a talking word processor, called "IntelliTalk," which allows non-verbal students to participate in classroom activities by simultaneously typing and speaking a sentence.

By envisioning and developing his "keyboard with a changing face," Khalsa's goal was to create one that is easy to use, does not require extensive training, and can dramatically improve student performance and access to computer communications.  He claims success by pointing to an experiment conducted in 1992 which showed that students with disabilities -- and their able-bodied peers -- could dramatically improve their performance by using IntelliKeys to report their results.

"That meant they could spend more time learning about science and less time struggling to report on what they learned," said Khalsa.

Khalsa compares the alternative keyboard to a typical sidewalk curbcut which improves the physical mobility of many people in addition to those in wheelchairs for whom they were originally designed -- for example, parents pushing strollers, kids on bicycles and delivery people with carts.  "As a curbcut, the keyboard has many advantages over the standard keyboard for students and teachers and for many other adults in the community at large; for example, to encourage children to use computers before they know how to type or even write properly, or to teach English to the increasing number of foreign-speaking U.S. citizens."

IntelliKeys was funded this year under Phase II of the three-phase SBIR process to continue to explore and evaluate its applications.  For example, children with physical disabilities will do science experiments and record their results using IntelliKeys with a custom overlay, then will listen to their lab reports as IntelliTalk reads their reports to them from their computer screens.  Also under Phase II, Khalsa will develop and distribute teachers guides, curriculum activity booklets, and custom overlays for math and science software programs.

According to Don Senich, who manages the SBIR program at NSF, IntelliKeys is "a good example of the SBIR program's goal to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, increase the commercial application of NSF-supported research, and improve the return on investment from federally-funded research for its economic and social benefits to the nation."

The National Science Foundation is an independent agency of the federal government established in 1950 to promote and advance scientific progress in the United States.  NSF accomplishes its mission primarily by competitively awarding grants to educational institutions for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

This and other information is available electronically on STIS, NSF's Science and Technology Information System.  For more information about STIS contact the Publications Section at (202) 357-7861 and request the "STIS Flyer," NSF Publication #91-10, or send an E-mail message to stisinfo@nsf.gov (INTERNET) or stisinfo@NSF (BITNET).

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

FACT SHEET

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Purpose: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program was initiated at NSF in 1977 and now spans 11 federal agencies.  Its purpose is to increase the opportunity for small science and technology-based firms to participate in federally supported research and development and to stimulate technological innovation and commercial applications.

How it works:  SBIR proposals are solicited annually, and are categorized into 25 topic areas covering all fields supported by NSF.  Proposals are evaluated on a competitive basis, with primary consideration given to their scientific and technical merit along with potential for commercialization. The program is implemented in three phases.  Projects must first be funded for a six-month feasibility study under Phase I.  If determined eligible, they are then funded for the principal research effort under Phase II.  In Phase III, which does not involve any SBIR funding, the commercial applications of the resulting research are pursued.

Budget:  Each agency with an R&D budget of more than $100 million is congressionally directed to spend 1.5 percent of its budget on the SBIR Program.  That percentage is projected to grow to 2.5 percent by 1997. NSF's SBIR budget for 1993 is $28 million.

Proposals:  The number of Phase I proposals received by NSF under SBIR increased from 1,740 in 1992 to more than 2,200 in 1993. Of those, 260 are expected to receive a Phase I awards. Another 64 projects have received support this year for Phase II.

Examples:  Government-wide, successful projects include new scientific instrumentation, advanced materials, computer applications, and environmental services.  Examples of successful NSF-funded SBIR projects include an alternative computer keyboard with a variety of applications in educational settings; a product which reduces the drag on tractor trailors and subsequently reduces diesel fuel consumption; and a process to breed and harvest striped bass for consumption in areas where it would otherwise be unavailable.

Federal agencies participating in SBIR: National Science Foundation; National Institutes of Health; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; departments of Defense, Energy, Agriculture, Commerce, Education, and Transportation; Environmental Protection Agency; and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.


Cashbox Software POS Solutions
Cashbox software offers a complete POS system including POS features, inventory, customer history, sales reports, daily close-out, and mail-merge for customer mailings. The software is available in three versions, The Retail Cashbox, The Salon Cashbox, and The Floral Cashbox, and can be integrated with POS devices such as bar code readers, cash drawers and printers.

Each version features specialized features necessary for the specific business such as appointment scheduling for salons and wire sales for florists. The software offers pop-up windows and on-screen help for ease of use.

List price is $495 for the Retail Cashbox and $795 for The Salon and Floral Cashbox software. Available now vendor direct.

Cashbox Software

PO Box 10, Prior Lake, MN 55372


Multilink for Windows for Multiple Users
Multilink for Windows lets multiple users share one Windows machine from serial terminals and graphics workstations. The initial release will provide connectionof up to nine serial terminals and let users access DOS applications on the Windows host.

The software offers all users access to host resources, including print spoler, EMS and XMS memory. A second release will support full Windows-compatible and DOS applications. The software will support terminals that support the PCTERM protocol.

Preliminary pricing has been announced at $149 for a two-user version, $399 for a five-user version, and $599 for nine users. The product is scheduled to be available Q3.

The Software Link

5575B Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd, Ste 205

Atlanta, GA 30338


Working Watermarker v1.0
Working Software Inc launches Working Watermarker, version 1.0, a printing utility for Macintosh computers that prints graphics in the background. Allows company or department logo or other message to be printed onto the page behind the document being printed. Works with PostScript and non-PostScript printers. Requires Macintosh 6.0 or later; uses 15K of RAM and 40K of disk space plus RAM and disk space needed for graphcis.

Working Software Inc

PO Box 1844

Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1844


Miscellaneous News for the End of August...
Newsbits from various sources.....

ATI's new MediaMerge multimedia editing software should be shipping to waiting orders. This $299 package is the first video editing software for Windows aimed for mass-market appeal! ATI Technologies (Thornhill, ONT) 416-882-2600

PC software makers SoftKey Software, WordStar International, and Spinnaker recently announced the signing of a definitive agreement to merge. The combined entity will be North America's 12-th largest independent software company according to a report in Information Week.

Hauppauge will be bundling U-Lead's Image Pal with Win/TV in a special package that will only be available from mid-September to mid-December. Hauppauge Computer Works (Hauppauge, NY) 516-434-1160

A federal district court judge issued an injunction against Borland International that prohibits the company from including its key reader function in current and future versions of Quattro Pro. The injunction follows a ruling two weeks ago that the key reader infringes on Lotus 1-2-3. However, the injunction automatically triggers an appeal and delays a jury trial to determine damages until October of next year. The new version of Quattro Pro, set for release September 1st, will not have the key reader function. Supposedly, nine user groups have filed a friend-of-the-coard brief complaining that decisions in the Lotus-Borland case compromise compatibility among different software packages.

Fargo is introducing a new dye sublimation Photo Realistic Primera printer for Macintosh users at $1,449.90, including ColorSync software. Fargo Electronics (Eden Prairie, MN) 612-941-9470

Seikosha is dropping prices on five dot matrix printers by $30 to $150. The narrow-carriage 300cps SP-2400 drops $30 to $299; SP-2415 wide carriage equivalent drops $150 to $399. Narrow carriage 24-pin SL-70 comes down $100 to $399 with similar color SL-75 printer down $50 to $499. New SP-2100 is due in November and will also be reduced. Seikosha America (Mahwah, NJ) 201-327-7227

New Harvard Graphics for Windows 2.0 is now cheaper, down $200 to $395. Watch for news of a new government edition with government-centric clip art. Also new, an uupdate to the military symbols/accessory package that includes more than 500 appropriate logos. Everything premiers at Fed Micro in Washington, DC. Software Publishing Corp (Santa Clara, CA) 408-450-7316

Supra has always offered favorable modem pricing for SysOps, but now it's even better on Supra's two best models. The V.32bis/42bis external is available for $149.95 vs $249.95 normal retail, or an internal for $129.95 instead of $149.95. Supra was present at the ONE-BBSCON conference in Colorado this week. Supra (Vancouver, WA) 206-750-9600

Clary Corp OnGuard PC-500 VA has been specifically designed for use with workgroups on small LANs and midrange systems. An online UPS, the unit protects and stabilizes power to prevent equipment damabe from frequency and voltage instabilities. In the event of a power outage longer than four minutes, the UPS will execute an orderly network shutdown. List is $999. Clary Corp, 1960 S. Walker Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016

The Roadrunner 200i is a 201MB internal hard drive designed for PowerBook and Apple Due notebook computers. The 2.5" SCSI-2 drive provides an average seek time of 12ms and a sustained data transfer rate of 1.3Mbps. The drive includes a formatting utility, custom installation brackets, and a battery tracking/management utility. List is $999. Microtech Int'l, 158 Commerce St, East Haven, CT 06512

At the Interop trade show in San Francisco recently, IBM announced DCE (Distributed Computing Environment) support for OS/2 clients. DCE is a standard promulgated by the Open Software Foundation that outlines specifications for distributed networking, such as directory services and remote procedure calls. IBM already supports DCE on its AIX Unix variant, and plans to make the standard available on all of its computing platforms by the end of 1994.

Edify Corp introduced Electronic Workforce version 2.2, which utilizes host and now desktop computer applications along with interactive voice and fax capabilities to automate retrieval, assembly, and delivery of information across legacy and client/server computing environments. Software agent technology is employed to automate a wide range of workforce activities, including literature distribution, order status inquiries, and benefits updates. Available on DOS, OS/2 or UNIX platforms and for DLL libraries. DLL support is standard; desktop application support, optional, priced at $500. Edify Corp (Santa Clara, CA) 408-982-2000

aha! software corp. announced InkWriter which enables users of pen-based computers, personal communicators, and personal digital assistants to edit and search for hand-written words in the form of electronic ink without first translating them into computer text. Users write and draw as if using pen and paper, erasing, highlighting, italicizing as desired. When text is deleted, words are automatically rewrapped on page. Rough sketches and drawings may be converted into computer graphics; drawings may be shaded, resized, and rotated. Will support Jot and is endorsed by Apple, General Magic, Go and Microsoft. aha! software (Mountain View, CA) 800-AHA-SOFT

OneOnOne Computer Training division of Mosaic Media Inc offers How To Use Harvard Graphics For Windows, Version 1.x, which takes the user through a chart gallery and teaches creating and modifying text-based slides - title, bullet, list, bar, table and organization charts - as well as scatterplots, linked pies, area and paired graphs. Explores slide sorter and outliner, drawing tools, use of color, variable fonts, and importing data. Self-study course allows user to learn at his or her own pace and is presented on four audiocassettes, reference guide included. Price: $145. OneOnOne Computer Training (Addison, IL) 800-424-8668

Global Consensus Inc announced PC-Conference which allows those with a DOS PC and modem to participate in meetings. Ideas on a given subject are typed in and then anonymously rated, offline, facilitating a quick consensus so that decisions can be made rapidly. Product can complement video conferences and teleconferences. Users of the software can schedule their own conferences or Global staff will assist. Sample conferences are included when software is requested. Cost is for use of time on-line on company's computer system. Global Consensus (Carollton, TX) 800-883-2222

Trident Inc offersa font and graphics software development program for use with the company's ULTRAJET PC Starter Kit. Features on-line print, ASCII/Binary file output that can be used as include-file in Microsoft assembler programs, and zoom that combines printhead and font data to simulate appearance of printed document. Product allows users to employee IBM-compatible keyboard or mouse input to develop original fonts and graphics. Trident (Brookfield, CT) 203-740-9333

ComputerPREP offers courseware to aid instructors in effectively teaching Microsoft Access 1.0 database management software. Courseware is divided into lessons of key features and functions to facilitate comprehension. Instructor information, student traingin guide, exercise diskettes, and overheads are coordinated and annotated. Pre-course and post-course evaluations measure student skils and productivity. Twenty-four-hour free unlimited telephone support provided to trainers. ComputerPREP (Phoenix, AZ) 800-228-1027


How To Make Real Money on Aftermarket Inventions
The Percentage Plus Group has just published a manual aimed at software and hardware marketers in the personal computer industry. The title of our publication is called HOW TO MAKE REAL MONEY ON YOUR AFTERMARKET INVENTION. This information packed guidebook is a necessity for anyone who is a marketer of personal computer products. The instructional manual retails for $39.95 and is advertised through various national magazines.

The purpose of the book is to disseminate how-to information on developing aftermarket software and hardware products from the vantage point of an entrepreneur. Several case studies, including a successful aftermarket company specializing in Windows 3.1 utilities located in California and an investment software company in Texas are highlighted. We explain the marketing techniques of those two successful companies. One chapter is also devoted exclusively on how to prepare effective business plans for banks and venture capital firms. We also discuss:

1. Sources for niche markets

2. Maximize your advertising dollars

3. How to test demand

4. How to establish MORE credibility

5. Beta tseting and intellectual protection

6. Case studies

7. Strategic marketing

8. Make better business plans

9. On-line data to track competition

10. Resource listing with contacts

Using a fresh, no-nonsense style, and we provide to your the kind of realistic, honest, and candid information you need before you commit your vauable resources. Selling your computer aftermarket product is a big risk. No matter how attractive an opportunity may seem, you should not make a commitment until you have asked the questions, examined the facts, and weighed the alternatives as we recommend in our manual. We specialize in marketing for aftermarket-related software and hardware. If you are interested in buying our marketing manual please call 1-800-856-6639.

Percentage Plus Group

3415 Greystone, Suite 300

Austin, TX 78731-2365


NSFNET to Boost Network Access
NSFNET TO BOOST NETWORK ACCESS AS IT ENTERS NEW REALM

July 26, 1993 -- The NSFNET, an agent of pervasive changes in American academia over the last five years, is due for major change itself.

The NSFNET provides the backbone computer network that links more than 1,000 universities and other research and education institutions to the Internet and thus to each other.

With transmission capability of 45 million bits of data per second, the backbone makes the connections over commercially leased lines by linking 19 sites called nodes throughout the U.S. At these sites, mid-level or regional networks are attached and thus interconnected. These regional networks, in turn, reach out to and from thousands of local networks at schools, universities, libraries, research laboratories, government facilities, and supporting commercial organizations. This web of computer conduits allows its users to exchange electronic mail, avail themselves of massive computers, and search libraries and databases all at distant sites almost instantaneously. Developed by the National Science Foundation in 1985, the NSFNET program long ago outgrew its initial vision: to provide broadband access to NSF's five supercomputing centers for researchers with data- or algorithm-intensive projects. The program now supports not only the expanding backbone services, but also directory and information services, operations for regional networks, and connections for universities.

The changes facing the network and its support services are mapped out in NSF's recently released program solicitation (NSF 93-52) for continued development of NSFNET and "support for the goals" of the National Research and Education Network program.

According to Stephen Wolff, director of NSF's Division of Networking and Communications Research and Infrastructure, "There is a difference between the old NSFNET and the new NSFNET; but critical elements of the program will be continuing, elements for which our support will remain steadfast or increase."

For example, with a $12 million, five-year award last December the NSFNET program established the InterNIC, a group of network information services available to the entire Internet. (Through InterNIC cooperative agreements with NSF, AT&T is developing information directors both "white pages" and "yellow pages," a "Directory of Directories" and other database services; General Atomics is establishing a "reference desk," training classes, coordination services and the "InfoScout," someone to uncover new resources and innovative uses of the network for inclusion in a comprehensive database: and Network Solutions is coordinating registration services.)

The InterNIC funding will remain steady, and funding for the connections program which links up to 200 new institutions to the Internet each year is likely to increase, Wolff said.

NSFNET currently supports the regional networks two ways: by providing funds to support their information services, the connection of institutions, and other "intra-regional" operations; and by allowing regionals use of the NSFNET backbone for "inter-regional" connectivity at no charge.

Under the new solicitation, the level of "intra-regional" support would remain steady; meanwhile, NSF would change the way it provides "inter-regional" support.

NSF expects to spend about $18 million a year over the next five years to support NSFNET's next generation. The plan will foster a new architecture (with "network access points" and a "routing arbiter") to facilitate the connection between the regional networks, other private network providers, and the academic community.  The new structure shifts government support for inter-regional connectivity from a "top-down" to a "bottom-up" approach, said Wolff. The change, he said, recognizes "the changing nature of the networking marketplace."

"In 1987 you couldn't buy high-bandwidth Internet services," said Wolff. "There were neither suppliers nor market.  So we commissioned a high-bandwidth backbone; and, in the six and a half years since, a number of comparable commercial services have arisen catalysed in part by the market generated by the NSFNET backbone. So now we can give backbone funding to the regionals and let them buy that connectivity from the suppliers of their choice."

Under the terms of the current solicitation, NSF's funding of backbone services will be channeled through the regional networks, on a declining schedule: 100 percent of current levels the first year, 75 percent the second, and so on, to zero in the fifth year.  This worries some network users who believe it may lead to drastically increased connectivity costs.

"This is a misconception that simply isn't supported by the numbers," Wolff said. "The NSF currently spends about $600,000 or less per regional network per year to provide backbone services. Since an average regional has about 150 or more attached client sites, that's an average of less than $4,000 per site per year."

A typical college or university now pays the regional network of which it is a client between $10,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on locale and grade of service. Under NSF's plan to reduce funding to the regionals for backbone services, a typical institution would, after an initial year of no change, see these annual charges rise by less than $1,000 per year over the next four years.

"Moreover," said Wolff, "as usage increases, the commercial providers' cost of transmission capacity on fiber optics and switches will continue to drop as it has in the past. Thus, in what is becoming a very competitive market, the price will keep going down."

NSF, he said, will continue its connections program, which has increasingly fostered access to the Internet for thousands of colleges, universities, high schools, libraries, and other public institutions. "We will also provide support to the regionals where needs are identified," he said.

Agency officials also expect the NSFNET plan to set the stage for a major leap forward toward the National Research and Education Network (NREN) program envisioned by the U.S. government. With its deployment of the first very high-speed backbone network (vBNS), the NSFNET program will pursue as it did originally a cutting-edge experimental network to interconnect supercomputers and other intensive research applications at a level of service not available commercially.

"This vBNS will be a physically separate network," said Wolff, "one to push the parameters of high-speed networking without affecting general network services."

According to Melvyn Ciment, deputy assistant director for NSF's computer and information science directorate, "The NSFNET enterprise has delivered us, responsibly and quickly, to a point where the Internet is supporting a volume and array of research, educational, and commercial services few would have considered possible in such a short time.  We progressed from a proof-of-concept, experimental network to a production network with commercial access."

Ciment said the NSF plan is to duplicate this success at the next level and to encourage its adoption in the private sector. He said the next NSFNET five-year phase, while supporting wide academic and public-agency access to the Internet, will advance experimentation that is likely to foster another evolutionary surge in networking capabilities.

The National Science Foundation is an independent agency of the federal government established in 1950 to promote and advance scientific progress in the United States.  NSF accomplishes its mission primarily by competitively awarding grants to educational institutions for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

This and other information is available electronically on STIS, NSF's Science and Technology Information System.  For more information about STIS contact the Publications Section at (202) 357-7861 and request the "STIS Flyer," NSF Publication #91-10, or send an E-mail message to stisinfo@nsf.gov (INTERNET) or stisinfo@NSF (BITNET).


LaserJet Banyan VINES Network Interface Card
Extended Systems Adds Banyan VINES Internal Network Interface Card To Its Line

BOISE, ID, August 30, 1993 -- A new Banyan VINES network interface card for any HP LaserJet IIIsi, 4, 4M, 4Si or 4Si MX printer will ship this week, announced Extended Systems. ExtendNet is the easiest way to connect an HP LaserJet anywhere on a Banyan VINES network and replaces a PC running PCPrint, Banyan's dedicated PC solution.

This internal card and Extended Systems' external solution, the PocketPrintServer offer Banyan VINES customers a direct Ethernet connection that integrates seamlessly with the Banyan VINES PCPrint service. "The reliability, ease of use and low cost make this a very attractive alternative to the traditional PCPrint," said beta evaluator Ken Carpenter, supervisor-desktop/network services, Northern Telecom HQ.

Improve Printing Performance and Productivity

The ExtendNet for Banyan VINES can improve printing performance by 10 to 15 times. ExtendNet allows users to take full advantage of the new LaserJet printers' highspeed interfaces. Data is transferred in large packets rather than one byte at a time as with a standard parallel connection. Users can retrieve print jobs faster and increase their overall productivity.

Support For All Ethernet Connections

Support for all three Ethernet connections on a single card allows users to easily move printers from one office environment to another. ExtendNet for Banyan VINES supports twisted-pair (10BASE-T), thin-wire (10BASE2) and AUI (10BASE5).

Easy Installation and Advanced Features Help LAN Administrators Manage

"The installation was as simple as it gets. I hate documentation, so I browsed the install notes on how to setup the PPS with VINES specific information. I ran VPMAN, entered the VINES PCPrint service(s), user ID, and turned it on. It took about 15 minutes from the time I opened the box until I sent the first print job, " said Carpenter.

Also, multiple print services provide LAN administrators with the maximum flexibility to configure their print services and encrypted passwords allow the network to remain secure in environments which have sensitive information. If the server goes down, ExtendNet will automatically reconnect when the server is up and running. In addition, upgradability preserves a company's investment.

Pricing and Availability

The ExtendNet ESI-2876A, internal Ethernet card for Banyan VINES is priced at $695 U.S. List Price. The external parallel port LAN adapter, PocketPrintServer ESI2836A, is priced at $695 U.S. List Price. Both products are available now.

Extended Systems has been providing solutions to help users extend the life, functionality and capability of their existing computer resources since 1984. Products are available from its national direct sales organization, major computer dealers and international distributors worldwide.

For more information about ExtendNet for Banyan VINES, the PocketPrintServer or other Extended Systems network connectivity products, contact Extended Systems Sales Assist Line at 800-235-7576 or 406-587-7575.

Extended Systems, 5777 N. Meeker Ave, Boise, ID 83704


Boscov's Dept Stores Copyright Infringement
Boscov's Department Stores Sued For Copyright Infringement By The SPA

August 23, 1993 (Washington, DC) -- The Software Publishers Association announced today the filing of a new copyright infringement lawsuit in federal court in Philadelphia. The defendant named in the suit is Boscov's Department Stores, Inc., which is alleged to have engaged in the illegal copying of computer software at its stores and offices in Pennsylvania. The SPA suit was brought on behalf of IBM Corporation, Fifth Generation Systems, Ltd., Spinnaker Software, Symantec Corporation, and Traveling Software, Inc. The complaint alleges the unauthorized copying of OS/2, Fastback Plus, PFS Write, Q&A, PC Anywhere, and Laplink.

"The software industry, which loses over a billion dollars in the US each year to software piracy, takes software theft very seriously," said Ilene Rosenthal, General Counsel of the SPA. "It is our hope that Boscov's will cooperate with us and we will be able to solve this matter to the satisfaction of all parties involved."

Since 1988, the Software Publishers Association has initiated hundreds of lawsuits and audits on behalf of its members and obtained numerous search and seizure orders against businesses, computer dealers, bulletin board services, and educational institutions that have violated its members" copyrights. The SPA's anti-piracy hotline, 1-800-388-7478, accepts calls reporting software violations.

The Software Publishers Association also distributes free of charge self-audit materials designed to help businesses, government entities, and educational institutions manage their internal software practices. To obtain a copy of the SPA Self Audit Kit and SPAudit, a software inventory program, companies should write:

SPAudit

Software Publishers Association

1730 M Street, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of the personal computer software industry. Its 1,000 members represent the leading publishers in the business, consumer, and education software markets. The SPA has offices in Washington, DC, and Paris, France.


Information Highways, Strategic Elec. Info.
Introducing....Information Highways....

Since its inception in 1988, Database Canada has been  targeted to serve the needs of the users, creators and suppliers of electronic information products in Canada. It was originally  launched because Canada needed its own unique medium for the  exchange of news and ideas on information issues. The need is even  greater today.

Emerging and evolving technologies for creating and distributing  information, new sources of electronic information, policy issues  such as privacy,crown copyright and freedom of information, and  the shifting boundaries between traditional and nontraditional applications for electronic information, are indications that  our milieu is becoming more complex, more diverse, and maybe  more confusing.

The technology for storing, massaging and distributing  electronic information has existed for some time, but the  developers of technology are suddenly aware that while this is  wonderful, what makes it useful is the content! What good is a  highway with no cars!

With this in mind, Database Canada is being transformed into INFORMATION HIGHWAYS - the Magazine for Consumers of Strategic Electronic Information. Beginning with the October 1993 issue Information Highways will accommodate the new issues and topics in the information industry. Our focus will be on the strategic USE of electronic information. We have stretched the "content" to promote wider interest for all consumers of electronic information, including MIS professionals, Information Specialists, Information Technologists and "end-users".

So what will INFORMATION HIGHWAYS look like? How will it  differ from Database Canada?  Each issue will profile a specific application for electronic information. In our premiere issue, we look at "Media Monitoring - Exploring Alternatives to Clipping". What are the options? The delivery platforms?  The issues? Read  about some very real applications. As well we will have regular columns representing different perspectives - the Information Specialist, the Information Technologist, Government Update - and more. Visionaries will have their turn at predicting the future applications, and we will profile well-known Canadians as consumers of electronic information.

INFORMATION HIGHWAYS is available at an annual subscription  rate of $98.00CDN/US$90.00.

 Information Highways

 162 Joicey Blvd.

 Toronto, Ontario M5M 2V2

 Voice : 416-488-7372

 Fax: 416-488-7078


FOREX Intros Pentium Chipset
FOREX INTRODUCES FULLY-FEATURED, HIGH-END PENTIUM CHIPSET FURTHER EXPANDING PRICE/PERFORMANCE RATIO

SAN JOSE, Calif., August 23, 1993 -- FOREX Computer Corporation extended its chipset I.C. product offering for the systems integrator and OEM marketplace with the announcement of its FRX58C601/602 Pentium Caching Chipset. Targeted at application developers, early implementors and power users, the FOREX Pentium 601/602 chipset offers high-end performance with the popular Intel processor technology. FOREX is well-known for its aggressive pricing matched with high performance, and this product is no exception. With an impressive list of features, the product will quickly attract the high-end PC market.

Supporting up to 66MHz CPU speed, the fully integrated cache controller can direct map up to 2 MB of cache to up to 128MB of main memory, greatly eliminating the bottleneck that comes from slow main memory access. This, in turn, takes advantage of the full power of the CPU to provide the fast data transfer rates that graphics processing, multimedia and large file sizes require.

Write-through and write-back, caching policies for updating main memory with data in the cache, come standard with the FOREX Pentium chipset. An added plus is that this product offers concurrent write-back, allowing the write buffer to free up the host data bus in a minimum amount of time. By updating the first and second level caches before writing the data from the write buffer to main memory, the CPU is able to access requested data with minimum latency. Freeing the CPU for the next task greatly increases the overall efficiency of the system.

Unlike many Pentium chipsets that only offer 1-level DRAM post write, the highly optimized FOREX chipset DRAM controller supports 4-level DRAM post write buffers, speeding along Windows and other memory intensive applications. This offers added flexibility for the developer, and dramatically boosts the speed and performance of graphic-intensive environments like Windows 3.1, OS/2 or the new Windows NT.

The FOREX Pentium chipset provides the opportunity of implementing Pentium and 486 processors on the same motherboard, which allows end users to take advantage of presently lower cost 486s. Later, they may upgrade to the more powerful Pentium processor when the cost of these new, higher-end processors becomes more affordable.

FOREX has taken a slightly different approach to the ever-increasing demand of large data file sizes and memory intensive applications, by positioning their product at the upper end of the scale. These applications put significant strain on a processor and system, and in order to be effective, the high-speed architecture of the FOREX chipset has been engineered to support these tasks.

Supporting both synchronous and asynchronous interface between CPU and VESA bus, the CPU can run at different speeds while taking advantage of maximum speed through the VESA bus. In addition, the FOREX Pentium chipset's support of SMM mode (System Management Mode), a popular feature allowing the system the option to enter a power saving mode, controls both CPU and peripheral power consumption.

"Designed with a truly high-performance and flexible architecture, our new chipset will lead the Pentium offerings current available on the market",, said Jay Tseng, vice president of engineering for FOREX.

The FOREX Pentium chipset will be available for evaluation and development early 4th quarter '93. The FOREX chipset will initially be sold through a solid following of OEMs and systems integrators in the U.S., Far East and Europe.

Founded in 1990, FOREX is a privately held company specializing in the development and manufacture of chipset I.C. products and board level SCSI controllers for the systems integrator, OEM and VAR PC market. Headquartered in San Jose, CA, FOREX continues to introduce new, high-end, price/performance products for the ever-changing PC products market. FOREX products are sold worldwide through a network of distributors and OEMS.

Forex Computer Corp

2121 Ringwood Ave, San Jose, CA 95131

408-955-9280,  fax 408-955-9611


MPC Wizard Multimedia Diagnostics
ARIS ENTERTAINMENT SHIPS SECOND GENERATION OF MPC WIZARD

Bestselling CD-ROM For Multimedia Diagnostics Now Includes More Drivers, MPC Level 2 Testing And Run-Time Video.

August 19, 1993 -- (MARINA DEL REY, CA) -- Aris Entertainment, a leading multimedia CD-ROM publisher for IBM-compatible and Apple Macintosh personal computers, has begun to ship the second generation of its bestselling title, the MPC Wizard 2. O. The $14.95 CD-ROM title combines 100 MB of Windows 3.1 video and sound drivers, plus an extensive collection of multimedia clips. All tests and clips will run on PC's meeting either MPC or MPC Level 2 specifications.

MPC Wizard 1. 0 already contained the largest collection of VGA and sound drivers for Microsoft Windows 3.1 available on a single disc (80 MB), according to Chris Kitze, Aris Entertainment president. MPC Wizard 2. 0 adds an additional 20 MB of drivers, as well as nine Microsoft Video For Windows run-time videos, plus 60 color photographic images and 60 audio tracks, while keeping the list price at $14.95.

Aris, which is a licensee of the Multimedia Personal Computer (MPC) Marketing Council, developed the disc for the millions of CD-ROM and Windows 3.1 users, who may not necessarily have the proper or most up-to-date VGA and sound drivers to make the most of their multimedia systems. Kitze also added that the diagnostic utilities that are included are ideal for "do-it-yourselfers" building their own MPC system via mail order.

In addition to its diagnostic capabilities, which allows users to test and fine-tune their MPC systems, the disc includes over 100 MB of drivers from virtually every manufacturer of Windows 3.1 sound cards and video boards. The disc is used by several of the industry's largest manufacturers to improve the performance of their latest CD-ROM drives and is in fact becoming somewhat of an industry standard in testing multimedia equipment, added Kitze.

The MPC Marketing Council recently announced new MPC Level 2 specifications, which went into effect this week. MPC Level 2 specifications reflect the increased hardware performance needs and set new standards for the basic requirements necessary to effectively utilize multimedia systems. The Wizard's comprehensive collection of Windows Super VGA, sound and CD-ROM drivers includes tests which meet the new MPC Level 2 standards, such as the MPC data transfer rate with 60 percent of CPU available (the new requirement) as well as the standard 40 percent. Other tests include CD-ROM, 1/3 stroke seek time, and maximum data transfer rate; Super VGA chip set detection; CD audio testing, seven parameters for Wave file playback; and more than 100 MIDI playback tests.

The disc will also test playback for Microsoft Video for Windows, using Microsoft, Intel's Indeo, and SuperMac's CinePak compression standards. All video tests display the actual number of frames per second played. Tests for all hardware and software capabilities can be printed and saved to a hard disk or floppy disk file.

The MPC Wizard 2. 0 also includes Aris' standard MediaClips interface to view the 60 pictures, listen to the 60 sound tracks, and watch the eight Video for Windows run-time, live-action videos. All images, videos and sound clips may be used royalty-free in any presentation, provided credit is given to Aris Entertainment and to the artists.

These sights and sound are selected from ten other Aris Entertainment Media Clips CD-ROM titles: Business Backgrounds; Full Bloom; Islands Designs (two-disc set); Jets & Props (two-disc set); Majestic Places; Money, Money, Money!; Wild Places; Deep Voyage; Tropical Rainforest; and WorldView. WorldView is frequently in the nation's top 10 selling CD-ROM titles.

MPC Wizard 1. 0 is currently ranked #2 in the nation for CD-ROM utilities, after two months at #1. "The first MPC Wizard became an immediate bestseller because of its functionality and breakthrough price of $14.95," said Diane Heppting, Aris Entertainment chairman. "MPC Wizard 2. 0 continues to provide a valuable service available on no other disc, plus sixty percent of a full Aris MediaClips product at no extra charge".

MPC Wizard 2. 0 is being housed in an environmentally friendly package of recycled materials. Aris products are sold through Egghead Software, Software, Etc., CompUSA, Fry's, and other major superstores, resellers and mail order houses. Their titles are available in the U.S. through distributors, including Compton's NewMedia, Inc., Carlsbad, CA, and through OEM bundles. For more information, contact Aris Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., 3 10 Washington Blvd., Suite 100, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. Telephone: (310) 821-0234.


Kid's Zoo, A Baby Animal Adventure
Knowledge Adventure Introduces Kid's Zoo, A Baby Animal Adventure

Educational Software Product Explores the World of Baby Animals

LA CRESCENTA, CA., August 23, 1993 -- Knowledge Adventure, Inc., today introduced Kid's Zoo, a Baby Animal Adventure. Designed for pre-readers and early readers, Kid's Zoo introduces children as young as 3 to the world of animals through their adorable young. Kid's Zoo will be available for IBM and compatible personal computer on diskette or on CD-ROM.

From delicate butterflies to the humungous hippopotamus, baby animals are presented to children through a variety of learning modules. These include an interactive encyclopedia, where children can explore mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates through a variety of avenues -- animal type, size, lifespan, speed, even their footprints! All of the information is read aloud to the child; over an hour of digitized speech is presented -- a first in a diskette-based software product. There is also a movie theater where children will delight to the antics of bear cubs, mountain kids, lion cubs and more. Also included are a series of learning games that challenge children's understanding of animal names, appearances, habitats, and sounds.

Kid's Zoo is available to consumers at major software stores, mass merchants, software catalogs, and direct marketing organizations. The suggested retail price is $59.95 for the diskette version and $79.95 on CD-ROM.

"Although not obvious to our young customers, Kid's Zoo combines our proprietary compression technology and our interactive movie technology to produce a fun, whimsical adventure into the world of baby animals," said Rod Turner, president and chief executive officer of Knowledge Adventure, Inc. "A key factor in the design of Kid's Zoo as an early reading product was the requirement to include high quality narration, sounds, and music for young children; yet, still offer Kid's Zoo to our customers on floppy diskettes. Our proprietary compression technology enables us to include over an hour of narration and sounds plus an hour of music in Kid's Zoo, all compressed onto five floppy disks. It remains compressed on the user's hard disk, and individual photos, movies, sounds and text items are decompressed on the fly as required."

Kid's Zoo features exquisite photographic-quality images, illustrations, full-motion video displayed in 256-color VGA, narration and an original musical score in full stereophonic MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) sound, for use on a PC. Even in its floppy-based version, Kid's Zoo incorporates over an hour of narration as well as an hour of music. Using its "paw print" pointer, children can learn about baby animals through eight activities such as the Baby Animal Movie Theater, a talking storybook, and five multi-level games that encourage children to learn and explore as they are challenged by the various levels of the different activities. Upon completion of each game, children are awarded with congratulations, applause and a computer-rendered movie created with our interactive movie technology.

Other activities included in Kid's Zoo are "Who Makes This Sound?" in which children select the animal that matches the sound, "Can you Find Me?" in which children select the baby animal based on its baby animal name, and "Where Do I Live?" in which children learn about geography by searching for where various animals live. Also included is a Photo Safari game in which children can look up their favorite animals alphabetically. The Kid's Zoo Talking Storybook explores the age-old dilemma, "Which Came First: The Chicken or the Egg?"

Kid's Zoo runs on IBM and compatible PCs, equipped with a VGA monitor and a hard disk drive. A mouse is recommended. Over twenty popular sound devices are supported, though Kid's Zoo' sounds will play through the PC's speaker as well. Supported sound devices include: Adlib and Adlib Gold; Aria Synthesizer Sound Card; Artisoft Lantastic Voice; ATI Stereo-FX; Covox Speech Thing, Covox Soundmaster I and Covox Voice Master; DigiSpeech DS201; Disney Sound Source; Gravis UltraSound; Logitech Soundman 16; MediaVision Thunder Board; Microsoft Sound; ProAudio Spectrum 8 and ProAudio Spectrum Plus/16; Roland Sound Canvas General MIDI; Sound Blaster or compatible device, Sound Blaster Pro and Sound Blaster 16ASP; Tandy Sensation, Tandy SL/TL/1000RLX and Tandy TX/EX/HX/SX; and Turtle Beach Multisound. Sound varies depending on the capabilities of the sound device.

Knowledge Adventure, Inc., headquartered in La Crescenta, California, is the leading developer of multimedia educational software products. Recently, the company's Dinosaur Adventure and Space Adventure were selected Best Elementary Education and Best Secondary Education Program, respectively, by the 1993 Software Publishers Association as part of its Excellence in Software Awards program.

Knowledge Adventure Inc

4502 Dyer St, La Crescenta, CA 91214

(818) 542-4200    Fax (818) 542-4705


Artisoft Launches Sales/Training Seminars
"Artisoft Inc

ARTISOFT LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE SALES & TRAINING SEMINARS FOR RESELLER CHANNEL

Free Reseller Seminars Kick Off August 30; Cover 21 Cities

(TUCSON, AZ - August 16, 1993) - Artisoft, Inc. announced today that it will be conducting a free 21-city nationwide seminar program for Artisoft value-added resellers and consultants. These programs will run from August 30 through October 20, 1993, and will cover the latest information on Artisoft networking products, future product strategy plans, training courses, company updates and reseller programs.

The Artisoft Channel Commitment

"These seminars are one of the many communication vehicles we use to bring information to our sales channel," commented Dave Hallmen, Artisoft's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "It's very important to be able to provide this type of program to keep resellers updated on issues such as Artisoft product focus and corporate direction, as well as introducing and reinforcing the many other support programs and resources that we offer."

Overview Of Artisoft Products

Half-day multimedia seminars in each of the 21 cities will give resellers an overview of Artisoft's family of networking solutions while teaching them how to sell and position these products. Topics cover the features and benefits of Artisoft's connectivity software, including version 5.0 of the LANtastic Local Area Network, as well as Artisoft hardware products such as the new NodeRunner/SI adapter series. Resellers will learn the advantages of the LANtastic Connectivity Series, powerful products that provide multiplatform connectivity options to the TCP/IP, Macintosh and NetWare environments. Additional new product announcements, new systems utilities, product positioning and profit potential will be discussed.

Reseller Support Programs And Services

Resellers will also receive an introduction to additional Artisoft programs and services that can further their product expertise, including the expanded training courses available at the newly opened regional business centers in Irvine, California, Westchester, Illinois, and Westborough, Massachusetts, as well as the corporate training center in Tucson, Arizona. Artisoft's unique reseller support programs - the Artisoft Authorized Five Star Reseller and the Five Star Connectivity Reseller programs - will be discussed.

These seminars will be conducted by Artisoft's Business Development Group (BDG) representatives, Regional Managers and Regional Systems Engineers. These highly-trained sales and technical personnel are stationed across the country to assist resellers in the sales and support of Artisoft products. Interested resellers should contact Artisoft at 800/233-5564 for the complete schedule of cities or to register for seminars.

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 2202 N. Forbes Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85745. Sales 800/233-5564. Corporate 602/670-7100. Fax 602/670-7101


Dinosaur Adventure Ranked #1 Selling Educ Swr
Knowledge Adventure's Dinosaur Adventure Ranked as Number One Selling Educational Software Product

LA CRESCENTA, CA., August 23, 1993 -- Knowledge Adventure, Inc., today announced that its award-winning Dinosaur Adventure has attained the rank of number one selling educational software product according to the August Prodigy Schoolware list. The Schoolware list is compiled based on the sales information provided to Prodigy by key software retailers such as 800 Software, Baker & Taylor, CompUSA, Dustin Discount Software, Ingram Micro, Kenfil, Merisel, Software Etc., and Waldensoftware.

Earlier this year, Dinosaur Adventure was also selected as the Best Elementary Education Program by the 1993 Software Publishers Association as part of its Excellent in Software Awards program. Dinosaur Adventure was also selected as the favorite program in the "animal" category in a survey of 2,000 children conducted by Family Fun Magazine and Prodigy. Dinosaur Adventure is currently on exhibit at the Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

"From the Allosaurus to the Ultrasaurus, dinosaurs continue to fascinate kids of all ages," commented Rod Turner, president and chief executive officer. "With Dinosaur Adventure, the world of the dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures evolve through its movies, read-aloud story book, dinosaur identification games and its main Interactive Book. "

Available for IBM-PCs and compatibles as well as for the Macintosh, Dinosaur Adventure provides detailed descriptions of the most popular and interesting dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures with their size, weights and sites of discovery. The program covers the rise of dinosaurs from early reptiles, dinosaurs' lifestyles, the science of fossil formation and discovery, and major dinosaur excavations around the world.

Knowledge Adventure, Inc., headquartered in La Crescenta, California, is the leading developer of multimedia educational software products.

Knowledge Adventure Inc

4502 Dyer St, La Crescenta, CA 91214

(818) 542-4200    Fax (818) 542-4705


NSSI SNMP Power Mgmt Solution for Novell NMS
NSSI ANNOUNCES SNMP POWER MANAGEMENT SOLUTION FOR NOVELL NMS

LanSafe II for NMS Software Extends Features of Open Development Platform

SPECIAL TO INTEROP, August 25, 1993 - Network Security Systems Inc., (NSSI), a recognized leader in network and standalone power management solutions, today announced a new software package in support of Novell's NetWare Management System (NMS). NSSI's LanSafe II for NMS, is a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) compatible, 'snap-in' power management application. It will enable users in an NMS environment to interactively manage and control NSSI uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) attached to file servers throughout the enterprise network. Novell will be demonstrating NSSI's application at InterOp '93, August 25-27 in San Francisco, booth #6152.

"Power protection is an important component of the total enterprise management solution," said Dr. Navindra Jain, vice president and general manager of Novell' s Network Management and Internentworking Products Division. "NSSI's power management application extends the capabilities of the NetWare Management System, improving our customer's ability to centrally manage all aspects of their enterprise."

Tightly integrated with Novell's NMS, the LanSafe II for NMS application is automatically initiated when NMS is loaded, making it easy for system administrators to add power management functions to the network. Through an autodiscovery process, NSSI's UPSs are added to the NetWare Management Map enabling network administrators to view NSSI-protected file servers from the NMS console. By simply clicking the UPS Map icon, users can easily "smart" launch the LanSafe II for NMS console to graphically display the UPS's configuration and the power parameters/conditions of the protected server. The LanSafe II for NMS console allows system administrators to interactively monitor and manage NSSI UPSs on the network without having to reboot the system for configuration changes to take effect. Audible and visible alarms warn system administrators and users of power problems or an impending system shutdown.

"The foundation of any reliable network is power," said Bill Humphreys, president and founder of NSSI. "As such, we've directed our efforts to developing the industry's most comprehensive, flexible and reliable power management system. Our focus on in-house software development, coupled with our 'systems approach' to power management, has enabled us to achieve a level of integration unrivaled in the industry, as evidenced by our new LanSafe II for NMS application."

Additional features of LanSafe II for NMS include:

* Monitoring and logging of power conditions

* Customized hardware voltage settings based on actual power

  conditions

* Automated system-wide power testing

* Remote shutdown and reboot

* Unattended NetWare orderly shutdowns

List price for LanSafe II for NMS is $199.

NSSI's power management system is comprised of a family of intelligent UPSs and LanSafe II network power management software. The company' s award-winning products support Novell, UNIX, Windows, OS/2 LAN Manager or LAN Server. NSSI's products are available through many leading value-added resellers and distributors including Ingram Micro, Tech Data and Vitek. For additional product information, contact NSSI at (800) 755-7078.

Network Security Systems Inc

9401 Waples St, San Diego, CA 92121

619-587-7950,  800-755-7078,   619-552-9162


V-Station II Personal Desktop Video Post-Prod
FutureVideo Debuts V-Station II Personal Desktop Video Post-Production System

ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, USA, 15th AUGUST 1993 -- FutureVideo has the solution for affordable, in-house video post-production. This advanced system, known as V-Station II, is based on a 386DX 40MHz IBM compatible PC platform. The V-Station II system performs inter-format edits, reads & writes SMPTE time code, generates titles & displays Targa compatible computer graphic files, creates various video fades/wipes/dissolves--plus fades & mixes 6 channels of audio. And, V-Station components are fabricated by some of the most respected names in the industry. . . Truevision, InnoVision, Antex, and FutureVideo.

The V-Station II's principal components are:

* FutureVideo EditLink 2200/TCG SMPTE Reading/Writing

  Edit Controller Card

* Truevision TARGA+ 64 Videographics Controller Card

* Antex Z1 Audio Controller Card

* InnoVision PrimeTime Titling and Animation Software

* FutureVideo EDL-2000/FX 999 Event List/System Control Software

FutureVideo's V-Station II is easy to learn and use. The newly-enhanced EDL-2000/FX software is as intuitive as it is powerful. Now, desktop video productions really can be done "in house" by event videographers, corporate communicators, educational users, and many others. More importantly, V-Station II enables SMPTE accurate results to be achieved with affordable "prosumer-grade" VCRs and camcorders. Even inter-format editing--between various Hi8 camcorders & VCRs and SVHS VCRs like Panasonic's new AG-1970--is simply "business as usual" for V-Station II users.

According to FutureVideo's Vice President, Stephen Godfrey, "Desktop Video is in many cases analogous to Desktop Publishing. The power of the computer, coupled with easy-to-use software enabled many to begin creating their collateral materials in-house. This provided the benefits of immediate artistic control, customized results and dramatically lowered costs. V-Station II provides this same leap in capability and performance to those using videotape as a means of communication".

V-Station II is available as a turn-key system incorporating all the various components into a 386DX 40MHz compatible, complete with SVGA color monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cables. For those who may already have a suitable host computer, V-Station II components may also be purchased separately and are supplied with an easy-to-understand installation guide. FutureVideo V-Station system prices start at only $3995 USD.

FutureVideo has been a leader in the world of affordable desktop video editing and post-production systems since 1986.

FutureVideo Products Inc

28 Argonaut, Suite 150, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

714-770-4416,   fax 714-770-4667


Matrix Genie and the Carpool
Are you a company that must demonstrate that it is promoting ride sharing among employees? Then "Matrix Genie and the Carpool" is an IBM-PC based electronic lecture to convince employees of the advantages of carpooling. Employees watch the dynamic mathematical calculations of how highways can be decongested over the long run when a percentage of people give up solo driving habits. Cartoons and morphing hold the interest of the participant.

This Niche Software product has a dual audience. Secondary students studying matrix algebra can visualize a real world example of a Markov process. A teacher's guide provides exercises and background.

This product is available as Shareware from dealers such as Familyware, PO Box 82747, Tampa Florida 33612

It may also be ordered primarily by school districts as part of a collection of 80 educational programs (in zipped format) from:

Educational Software Cooperative

Box 575, Siloam Springs AR 72761

For more information, contact:

NICHE SOFTWARE

14162 ELYSTAN CIRCLE, WESTMINSTER, CA 92683

(714) 892-9052


Sybase & Drake Develop Certification Pgm
SYBASE, DRAKE TEAM UP TO DEVELOP FIRST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE INDUSTRY

Program to Define Independent Measure of Client/Server Technical Expertise

EMERYVILLE, CA, August 23, 1993 -- Sybase, Inc., the Enterprise Client/Server Company, announced today that it will collaborate with Drake Training and Technologies, the global leader in certification testing for the computer industry, to create the first independent certification program for the client/server software industry. The two companies will jointly develop a series of tests to measure the competency of computer professionals who design software applications using SYBASE client/server products. Certification testing for database administrators will be available in 1993, with database developers' and database architects' certification following in the first half of 1994.

The certification program, which will test both Sybase-specific and general client/server expertise, will establish the first industry standard of technical competency, forming a valuable benchmark for Sybase customers and partners in hiring staff and consultants. This program supports the Sybase Professional Services strategy of facilitating customer and partner technical independence through the transfer of technical knowledge. Certification is intended for independent individuals as well as Sybase customers, partners, consultants and employees. To ensure the level of client/server software technical competency is adequate to address the needs of customers using the SYBASE products, Sybase will require that all Sybase Service and Support personnel and Sybase Business Partners--including VARs, ISVs and Systems Integrators--be certified on appropriate tests.

"This exciting program is a natural response to the growth of client/server," said Steve Sharpe, Sybase vice president of professional services. "As client/server moves to the enterprise level, companies have much more at stake in their systems, and they need to take the guess work out of hiring and training the professionals entrusted with their data centers. With this program, we offer customers a way to ensure that they get the highest level of expertise possible."

E. Clarke Porter, president of Certification Services Division, Drake Training and Technologies said, "The client/server industry is growing at a remarkable rate, and there is a need to establish a clear measure of technical competence for customers. We are pleased to work with Sybase because it is a recognized leader in client/server technology and offers the knowledge required to develop the appropriate tests. With Sybase's client/server expertise, we can develop a rigorous battery of tests that examine an individuals technical ability, while also beginning to define a standard of expertise for the industry.

Sybase/Drake Collaboration

Subject matter experts from Sybase will define the areas to be tested and will formulate approximately 250 questions for each exam, including both SYBASE specific and general client/server questions. Testing experts from Drake will apply proven methodologies to evaluate and validate the questions to ensure that they are well-balanced and constitute a fair test of the subject matter. The finalized tests will be administered at 375 Drake authorized testing centers in major markets around the world. Drake will have a dedicated "800" number for information and registration for SYBASE tests.

SYBASE Certification Cost and Availability

The first series of tests for certification, for Certified SYBASE Database Administrator, will be available by the end of 1993. This certification will consist of three one and one half hour tests: "Fundamentals of the SYBASE product,"

"Administration of the SYBASE SQL Server product," and "Performance and Tuning of the SQL Server product." An individual must pass all three tests to be certified as a SYBASE Database Administrator. The next two certifications to be developed will be for the Certified SYBASE Developer and the Certified SYBASE Architect, available the first half of 1994. All tests will be priced at $150.00 per test and will be delivered on PCs, with pass or fail results available immediately. There are no pre-requisites for taking the certification tests, however, Sybase does offer courses that will prepare candidates for each of the tests to be developed.

Sybase Global Service Organization

The Sybase Global Service Organization is building the necessary infrastructure to address the changing requirements of enterprise client/server computing. The two divisions of the organization, Professional Services and Technical Support, work closely together to provide services that meet customer needs throughout the client/server lifecycle, from development to implementation and ongoing maintenance.

Professional Services

The Sybase Professional Service Organization helps customers develop the client/server architecture that meets their business needs. Through both consulting and education, Sybase Professional Services transfers technology to its customers, enabling mastery of SYBASE client/server architecture and developing customer technical independence, while leveraging current technology and expertise.

Drake Training and Technology

Established in 1990, Drake Training & Technologies is the global leader in computerized certification testing for the computer industry. Drake provides certification testing services for leading computer industry companies, including Novell, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, and Skill Dynamics, an IBM company. Drake's 30+ clients, representing computer manufacturers, software publishers, government agencies, and professional associations, are serviced by the company's regional service centers located in Minneapolis, London, Dusseldorf, Paris, and Sidney.

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


Triton CoSession ACS V6.2 Network Comm Swr
Triton announces CoSession ACS v6.2

New Version Provides Support for Multiport Serial Cards and Windows 3X Enhanced Mode

Iselin, NJ, August 20, 1993 - Triton Technologies announces the September 15th release of CoSession ACS v6.2. Version 6.2 adds support for intelligent multiport serial cards, allows modems to be shared on workstations running Windows 3.X in enhanced mode, and offers increased performance.

CoSession ACS is a network communication software solution that provides modem sharing on Novell or NetBIOS networks via either dedicated or non-dedicated PCs.

The support of intelligent multiport serial cards from DigiBoard and Star Gate Technologies increases the maximum number of modems supported by CoSession ACS to 99 per network and 32 per server. Previously, CoSession ACS was limited to 20 modems per network and 4 modems per server.

The use of intelligent multiport serial cards greatly increases performance compared to the performance achieved through standard UART 8250, 16450 or 16550 serial chips used on most standard PCs, especially when the shared modems are operating at speeds of 19,200 bps or faster.

Also, additional Windows support enables modems to be shared in the background on workstations running Windows in either standard or enhanced mode. Previously, CoSession ACS v6.1 only allowed modems to be shared on workstations running Windows in standard mode.

"Many users are familiar with the benefits a network offers for file and printer sharing. However, sharing modems and communication software on a LAN greatly increases employee productivity, and overall, a company's bottom line," explains Floyd Roberts, Triton's Vice President. "High speed modems and communication software provide users with fast access to data and information contained in on-line services such as Dow Jones and CompuServe and on remote PCs and LANs."

CoSession ACS is licensed by the maximum number of modems to be shared on the LAN. Version 6.2 is available in Two, Five and Twenty modem versions with retail prices of $345, $595 and $1295.

An Interrupt 14 version of Triton's CoSession remote communication software is included with each copy of CoSession ACS. CoSession provides remote control, terminal emulation, and file transfer capabilities. Combined with CoSession ACS' modem sharing feature, you receive all these features in one product.

CoSession ACS is also compatible with other leading communication packages such as PROCOMM PLUS for Windows, Crosstalk, Smartcom, Reflections and Relay Gold that support Interrupt 14.

Upgrades from prior CoSession ACS versions to version 6.2 are $95 if purchased before June 1, 1993. Upgrades to users who purchased CoSession ACS v6.1 after June 1, 1993 are available for free if downloaded from Triton's BBS.

Triton Technologies Inc. is a leading U.S. and international supplier of remote access and file transfer communication packages for IBM compatible PCs and networks. The company was founded April 1985 and offers a range of products for PC, LAN and X.25 communications including CoSession, Session XL, CoSession LAN II and CoSession X.25. To date, the company has shipped over 275,000 copies of CoSession.

Triton Technologies

200 Middlesex Turnpike, Iselin, NJ 08830

800-322-9440,   908-855-9440,   Fax: 908-855-9608


Microsoft Windows NT Step by Step
Self-Paced Training Courseware from Microsoft Press

Microsoft Windows NT Step by Step

The Fastest Way to Learn to Use Microsoft's Exciting New 32-Bit Operating System

Training yourself, your company, or your customers just got easier with MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT STEP BY STEP--the new book-and-disk self-paced training courseware from Microsoft Press.

Now there's an alternative to traditional classroom training with this timesaving, cost-effective training tool. Newcomers to the Windows NT operating system will be amazed at how quickly they'll learn to harness the power and use the features of this state-of-the-art operating system. The results are less downtime and higher productivity because users can learn right at their own desks. It's the perfect solution for today's on-the-go business people.

Each lesson takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete and is generously illustrated with real-world examples and is fully integrated with the practice files on disk. Readers can compare their results and track their progress for each lesson. Each progressive lesson builds on concepts presented in previous lessons. Readers first learn the basics and then discover how to use Windows NT commands and features to:

* Manage disks, directories, and files

* Share resources with others on a network

* Use Mail and Schedule+

* Work with applications

* And much, much more

MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT 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 show how to install the Windows NT operating system and protect data with its built-in security measures. A glossary makes looking up terms easy, and the comprehensive index helps students and instructors quickly find information on any topic in the book.

The Microsoft Windows NT operating system is required. The book includes one 720KB 3.5-inch disk.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT STEP BY STEP joins the growing family of award-winning self-paced training products available from Microsoft Press. Other book-and-software packages in the Step by Step series include Microsoft Excel for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh Step by Step, Microsoft FoxPro for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS 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 MS-DOS 6 Step by Step, Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows Step by Step, Microsoft Windows 3.1 Step by Step, Microsoft Word for MS-DOS Step by Step, Microsoft Excel Macros 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 at 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 Windows NT Step by Step

by Catapult Inc.

360 pages, one 3.5 inch disk, $29.95

ISBN: 1-55615-573-5

Pub. Date: October 22, 1993

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

206-882-8080


AGE Acquires Tektronix Serial Xpress Software
AGE ACQUIRES LICENSE FOR TEKTRONIX'S SERIAL XPRESS LOW BANDWIDTH PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT SOFTWARE

SAN DIEGO, CA, August 23, 1993 -- AGE Logic, Inc. has been licensed to market the Serial Xpress software from Tektronix, Inc. as an optional add-on to its XoftWare PC and terminal X server product line. Serial Xpress was specifically designed to optimize network performance and speed over standard low bandwidth telephone lines, using a modem or direct RS-232 serial connections.

"We intend to thoroughly evaluate the market advantages available to X Window applications when Serial Xpress is incorporated," said Peter J. Shaw, president and CEO of AGE. "This data compression software may provide substantial improvements in speed and performance for certain X Window applications linking X terminal and PC users at corporate and remote sites over standard serial lines. After careful evaluation with user benefits foremost in our minds, we will announce serial implementations optimized for our customer base."

Tektronix's Serial Xpress communication software, developed for the TekXpress X terminal family, is a high speed serial protocol. It was designed to manage the increased bandwidth requirements of remote connections to X Window System networks and hosts. Serial Xpress utilizes data compression algorithms to provide serial communication at approximately ten times the speed of Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP). It also allows users to establish and run additional serial sessions concurrently.

"We are pleased that a leading X server developer such as AGE has endorsed our serial compression technology," said Stephen King, vice president of marketing at Tektronix Network Displays Division. "With Serial Xpress, AGE now has available one more solution to its product line. As users migrate to low bandwidth X, the demand for high-performance X protocols increases."

Tektronix's Network Displays Division (NWD) develops and markets a complete line of X terminals, graphics terminals, and netstations. Tektronix, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of electronic products and systems in the areas of test and measurement, computer graphics and television systems. Sales in fiscal 1992 totalled $1.3 billion worldwide. Tektronix NWD can be contacted at P.O. Box 1000, Wilsonville, OR 97070.

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 Unix and other OS-based hosts. Marketed under the XoftWare brand name, AGE offers a full family of PC packaged products for distributors/resellers, system integrators and OEMs, as well as customized embedded X software products for the world's leading terminal, computer and systems companies. These XoftWare packaged products support industry standards such as Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, DOS and various PC Unix operating environments. 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 and can be reached at (619) 455-860().

AGE Logic, Inc. 9985 Pacific Heights Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121

(619) 455-8600,    FAX (619) 597-6030

Internet e-mail: sales@age.com.


PC X Server Software for Windows NT
AGE LOGIC'S PC X SERVER SOFTWARE FOR MS WINDOWS NT AVAILABLE FOR MIPS HIGH-PERFORMANCE RISC R4000 FAMILY

SAN DIEGO, CA, August 23, 1993 -- AGE Logic, Inc. (AGE) is now offering a new version of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT, designed specifically for the MIPS Technologies, Inc. family of R4000 RISC processors. The PC X Server software from AGE adds full 32-bit X 11 RS server capabilities to MIPS-based PCs utilizing the Microsoft Windows NT operating system.

XoftWare/32 for Windows NT, AGE's MS Windows NT-based X server software, has been specifically designed and optimized for the NT 32-bit operating system. Fully X11R5 compliant, XoftWare/32 for Windows NT enables users to concurrently access and display Microsoft Windows, MS Windows NT and network-based Unix applications on the same PC.

"AGE's MIPS-based version of our X server software for MS Windows NT offers users optimized X Window performance for MIPS-based PCs running MS Windows NT and Unix-based applications," said Peter J. Shaw, president of AGE.

"The integration of Windows NT and Unix is an important part of AGE's strategy to provide true cross platform and operating system open systems interoperability," said Shaw. "We believe that the co-existence of NT and Unix applications on a single network, displayed on a single PC or workstation, will be a significant benefit to the user of these systems."

XoftWare/32 for Windows NT includes many AGE enhancements and unique features such as XoftStart, which 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 window 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. AGE's Color Map Reservation System (CMRS) lets the user optionally override the standard X color map routines and, instead, preserve the MS Windows NT color map for display clarity and consistency.

AGE demonstrated a Beta release of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT on the MIPS platform at DCI Expo in Santa Clara, August 3-4, in Microsoft's Booth #701, and will also demonstrate it at Interop Fall '93 in San Francisco, August 25-27, in Booth #5452. Production shipments of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT will begin shortly after Microsoft's official shipment of MS Windows NT, (estimated to be in September). 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 dealers. Customized OEM versions are also available.

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 Unix and other operating systems hosts. Marketed under the XoftWare brand name, AGE offers a full family of PC packaged products for distributors/resellers, systems integrators and OEMs, as well as customized embedded X software products for the world's leading terminal, computer and systems companies. These XoftWare packaged products support industry standards such as Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, DOS and various PC Unix operating environments. AGE has alliances with major silicon, terminal and workstation companies to develop highly optimized, hardware-specific X servers tailored to their applications.

AGE Logic, Inc. 9985 Pacific Heights Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121

(619) 455-8600,    FAX (619) 597-6030

Internet e-mail: sales@age.com.


ProActive Software Now The Vantive Corp
ProActive Software, Inc. Changes Name to The Vantive Corporation

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 23, 1993 -- ProActive Software, Inc., a leading supplier of client/server customer information systems, has changed its name to The Vantive Corporation.

The Vantive Corporation develops and markets the Vantive System, formerly known as the Customer Information Resource (CIR) system, a family of client/server applications that span the enterprise to help companies deliver superior service, product quality and customer satisfaction.

The Vantive System comprises five integrated applications -- Vantive Support, Vantive Quality, Vantive HelpDesk, Vantive Sales, and Vantive Customer. These products were formerly called Support Advantage, Quality Advantage, HelpDesk Advantage, etc. The new name, Vantive, unifies elements of the words ProActive and Advantage into one cohesive corporate and product identity.

The Vantive System also includes Vantive Tools, a set of application specific customization tools, and Vantive OpenLinks, interfaces to third party applications.

The Vantive System is based on a high performance client/server architecture, is easy to customize, highly portable and scalable across PC, Macintosh, and UNIX platforms, and integrates easily with other applications. Products are cross-industry and sold to the financial, telecommunications, utility, medical/pharmaceutical, and technology companies through direct, reseller and OEM sales channels.

The Vantive Corp

1890 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-691-1500,  fax 415-691-1515


Vantive System 2.0 for Customer Service
The Vantive Corporation Unveils Vantive System 2.0, Partnerships, New Products for the Customer Service Enterprise

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 23, 1993 -- The Vantive Corporation, formerly ProActive Software, Inc., today made three major announcements regarding new software products, partnerships and strategic directions. These announcements set a new standard in enterprise-wide software solutions that improve service, product quality and customer satisfaction. The company announced:

* Release 2.0 of the Vantive System -- a family of integrated client/server applications for customer support and help desk, quality assurance and development, sales and marketing. Version 2.0 includes major enhancements to applications and new core functionality.

* Strategic reseller and joint marketing partnerships -- Oracle Corp. for ORACLE7 relational database support, and Inference Corp. for case-based retrieval.

* Upcoming new products --Vantive PhoneLink for remote access, and a new version of Vantive HelpDesk.

John Luongo, President and CEO of The Vantive Corporation, commented, "We are redefining the traditional service software market with a suite of enterprise-wide applications that create and manage a knowledge-base about a company's customers, its products, and how customers use those products. These applications offer the robust functionality and technology required by companies seeking excellence in service."

The Vantive System comprises five integrated applications -- Vantive Support, Vantive Quality, Vantive HelpDesk, Vantive Sales, and Vantive Customer. It also includes Vantive Tools, a set of customization tools that require no changes to source code. All Vantive applications were developed in collaboration with Dr. William Davidow, co-author of Total Customer Service and a major investor in the company. These products share a common enterprise database, and offer core functionality including advanced problem-solving help, workflow, and reporting.

Vantive System 2.0

Available immediately, the Vantive System 2.0 features key developments in two major areas: application enhancements and new core functionality.

2.0 Applications: Vantive Quality and Vantive Support

* Vantive Quality features comprehensive quality assurance management for the entire product lifecycle: design, development, production, installation, and maintenance. Designed for companies offering a wide variety of products or services, Vantive Quality improves product quality while shortening development time, speeding time-to-market, and controlling delivery costs.

Vantive Quality helps organizations comply with the ISO 9000 international quality standards. Companies apply ISO 9000 requirements as a step towards implementing a total quality management (TQM) system. For U.S. companies, ISO compliance can also be a step towards meeting the criteria of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. Vantive Quality monitors development phases, defines and monitors quality objectives, manages configurations, controls changes and defects, validates product operations, tracks installations, maintains specifications and documentation, supports customers, and tracks resolutions and product releases.

It also supports: standard classification of defects as defined in the IEEE 1044 standard, transparent links to popular software source and revision control systems, automatic communication of workarounds and fixes, the ability to link defects to the specific level of product or assembly affected, and metrics, packaged reports, and ad hoc query support for real time quality management.

* Vantive Support is a support automation and call tracking application for a broad range of low to high-volume customer service environments.

Version 2.0 features total integration with Vantive Quality -- for example, it can send data on a product problem to Vantive Quality, request a resolution from engineering, receive suggested fixes and workarounds, and report back to the customer. Vantive Support also features ease-of-use enhancements, and a new set of support specific workflow rules for improved call escalation and automatic notification.

New Core Functionality

The Vantive System 2.0 features several additions to core functionality which are available in all Vantive applications. Version 2.0 includes enhancements to: the Workflow Manager, Research Agent, and Report Manager, as well as expanded platform and third-party application support.

* Workflow Manager in Vantive System 2.0 -- features time-based alarm rules for conditions that persist beyond a specified time. When the alarm fires, the system can send an action item to a specified in-box; execute a stored procedure that escalates a call to a higher priority; or executes a third party application such as remote pager. Customers use the Workflow Manager to intelligently route customer and product information to user and group in-boxes.

* Research Agent in 2.0 -- features automatic keyword extraction and new pattern matching capabilities for fast problem-solving help. Customers use the Research Agent to locate solutions to frequent problems and train new users on products.

* Report Manager in 2.0 -- features new defect reporting capabilities and parameter-driven reports by case priority, status, customer, date and time. Customers can use the Report Manager with all Vantive applications to analyze and create reports on service performance, problem trends, and other customer and product data.

* Expanded Platform Support -- The Vantive System now offers "native look-and-feel" support for most major client platforms. Version 2.0 supports Macintosh and Motif under both the Motif and Open Look window managers. The product already runs on Microsoft Windows 3.1. Vantive System 2.0 will support the ORACLE and INFORMIX databases, in addition to current support for SYBASE. New UNIX platforms supported include HP9000/UX and IBM RS6000/AIX servers.

* Open Communications with new Vantive OpenLinks-- Vantive System 2.0 features a new suite of Vantive OpenLinks, interfaces to external applications including: Vantive MailLink to cc:Mail, UNIX mail and fax, and Vantive ACDLink to automatic call distributors (ACDs). Alarms triggered by workflow rules can also alert remote paging systems. This enables customers to use Vantive applications with other systems in integrated environments.

New Partnerships

The Vantive Corporation has embarked on two strategic reseller and joint marketing agreements with Oracle Corp., Redwood Shores, CA and Inference Corp., El Segundo, CA. These agreements extend Vantive's reach into new and international markets, and offer customers powerful enterprise database and advanced problem-solving capabilities, respectively.

* Oracle Corporation and Support for ORACLE7 -- Under terms of this agreement, Vantive Corporation is a Strategic Marketing Partner and Reseller of the ORACLE7 relational database. Vantive and Oracle will jointly market Vantive's client/server applications on ORACLE7 to Oracle's worldwide customer base in Q3, 1993.

* Inference Corporation and Support for CBR Express products -- Working with Inference, Vantive will integrate and resell Inference's CBR Express family of CaseBased Retrieval products with the Research Agent. The alliance will deliver Inference's proven prompt-and-respond user interface technology to users of the Research Agent for rapid problem resolution in Q4, 1993.

Upcoming New Products

The Vantive Corporation also unveiled new versions of two products -- Vantive HelpDesk, and the Vantive PhoneLink -- that will be available by the end of 1993.

* Vantive HelpDesk is designed to help companies support their own employees. It is used by MIS professionals to track and more efficiently resolve problems relating desktop hardware and software, and internal information systems. Vantive HelpDesk also enables employees to report and solve problems themselves, by placing the power of the Vantive System on their desktops. Users can also send requests for information and automatically get responses -- without picking up the phone or filling out a form.

* Vantive PhoneLink is a remote log-in capability which provides dial-up access to any Vantive application. With Vantive PhoneLink, the network is transparent to the user. No network configuration is required and network security is enforced, since the remote user has access to the application server.

Pricing and Availability

Vantive Support and Vantive Quality are available now on SYBASE, and will be available on ORACLE and INFORMIX in September. The system supports Sun Sparc, IBM RS6000 and HP9000 servers connected to Macintosh computers, and PCs and workstation clients running Windows 3.1, and Motif under both the Motif and Open Look window managers. The Research Agent featuring CBR Express Case-Based Retrieval technology, Vantive PhoneLink and Vantive HelpDesk will be available in fourth quarter, 1993. Pricing of the Vantive System starts at $37,500 for a 10-user license.

The Vantive Corporation

Vantive is a leading supplier of integrated, client/server applications that span the enterprise: customer support and help desk, quality assurance and product development, sales and marketing. Vantive's products give companies a competitive edge by delivering superior products and total customer satisfaction.

The Vantive System is based on a high performance client/server architecture, is easy to customize, highly portable and scalable across PC, Macintosh, and UNIX platforms, and integrates easily with other applications. Products are cross-industry and sold to the financial, telecommunications, utility, medical/pharmaceutical, and technology companies through direct, reseller and OEM sales channels.

The Vantive Corp

1890 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-691-1500,  fax 415-691-1515


Vantive ISO 9000 Quality Assurance Swr
The Vantive Corporation Delivers Quality Assurance Software to Enable ISO 9000 Compliance

Vantive Quality Helps Companies Meet International Quality Standard

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 23, 1993 -- The Vantive Corporation, formerly known as ProActive Software, Inc., today announced immediate availability of Vantive Quality, a quality assurance management system that helps organizations comply with the ISO 9000 international quality standards. Vantive Quality is integrated with other Vantive applications such as Vantive Support, offering customers a comprehensive customer service and quality management system.

John Luongo, Vantive's President and CEO, said, "Achieving superior product quality is critical to customer satisfaction and to long-term competitive advantages. Our commitment to helping customers achieve leadership in quality and service is reflected in our own dedication to delivering products that meet the highest standards. Vantive Quality provides an infrastructure to monitor and improve quality, track quality in the development process, and automate compliance with the ISO 9000 quality standards."

Vantive Quality is one of five integrated client/server software applications in the Vantive System. The Vantive System also includes Vantive Tools for application customization and Vantive OpenLinks, interfaces to third party applications and technologies. Vantive Quality is designed for companies developing a wide variety of products or services, and is used in quality assurance, product development and engineering departments. All Vantive products share a common enterprise database and feature advanced problem-solving help, workflow. management and reporting.

ISO 9000, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization, was developed as a series of quality standards for suppliers wishing to do business with the European Community. Today companies around the world apply ISO 9000 requirements as a step towards implementing a total quality management (TQM) system. For U.S. companies, ISO compliance can also be a step towards meeting the strict criteria of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.

Alka Shah-Jarvis, President of the Bay Area Quality Assurance Association, Quality Assurance Consultant for Charles Schwab in San Francisco, and professor for quality assurance programs at University of California (U.C.) Berkeley-Extension, U.C. Santa Cruz-Extension, and Santa Clara University, added, "There is a world-wide trend toward more stringent customer expectations with regard to quality. Accompanying this trend is a growing realization that continual improvements in quality are often necessary to achieve and sustain good economic performance. Vantive Quality facilitates that process and improves product quality."

About ISO 9000 and Vantive Quality

The ISO standards outline extensive procedures for establishing, documenting, and maintaining an effective quality system. Through ISO 9000 registration, companies demonstrate to customers their commitment to a high level of quality and the ability to meet a customer's quality needs. ISO 9000 standards are comprehensive and apply to all departments across an organization.

Vantive Quality is a comprehensive quality assurance and product development management system covering the entire product lifecycle: design, development, production, installation, and maintenance. It enables companies to comply with goals defined in the ISO standards including: monitoring development phases, defining and monitoring quality objectives, managing product configurations, controlling changes and defects, validating product operations, tracking installations, maintaining specifications and documentation, supporting customers, tracking problem resolutions and product releases, and several others. Vantive Quality also helps improve product quality by providing:

* a single repository of solutions to product problems which can

  be accessed by the support, engineering, quality assurance,

  sales & marketing groups;

* automatic problem escalation and dispatching;

* automatic communication of workarounds and fixes to the

  appropriate parties;

* support for standard classification of defects as defined in

  the IEEE 1044 standard;

* transparent links to popular software source and revision

  control systems;

* ability to link defects to the specific level of product or

  assembly affected;

* metrics, packaged reports, and ad hoc query support for real

  time quality management.

Benefits of Vantive Quality

Vantive Quality shortens product development and change cycles while speeding time-to-market. It reduces product defect levels and labor-intensive delivery costs while optimizing management decision-making capabilities. Vantive Quality is integrated with other Vantive applications such as Vantive Support, enabling customers to share important information across multiple departments, issue action requests and automatically notify technicians in R&D, as well as sales and marketing about problem resolutions.

International Organization for Standardization

ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies. The work of preparing International Standards is carried out through ISO technical committees.

The Vantive Corporation

Vantive is a leading supplier of integrated, client/server applications that span the enterprise: customer support and help desk, quality assurance and product development, sales and marketing. Vantive's products give companies a competitive edge by delivering superior products and total customer satisfaction.

The Vantive System is based on a high performance client/server architecture, is easy to customize, highly portable and scalable across PC, Macintosh, and UNIX platforms, and integrates easily with other applications. Products are cross-industry and sold to the financial, telecommunications, utility, medical/pharmaceutical, and technology companies through direct, reseller and OEM sales channels.

The Vantive Corp

1890 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-691-1500,  fax 415-691-1515


Vantive Problem-Solving Help Using CBR Express
The Vantive Corporation Announces Research Agent and Agreement with Inference Corp.

Vantive to Offer Advanced Problem-Solving Help Using CBR Express Products

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 23, 1993 -- The Vantive Corporation, formerly ProActive Software, Inc., today announced a new version of its Research Agent that will offer customers Inference Corporation's CBR Express family of Case-Based Retrieval products, for advanced problem-solving help. The company also announced a strategic marketing and reseller agreement with Inference Corp. of El Segundo, CA.

The Vantive Corporation develops and markets the Vantive System, a family of client/server applications that span the enterprise: customer support and help desk, quality assurance and development, sales and marketing. The Vantive System enables companies to deliver superior service, product quality and customer satisfaction. Inference Corporation is a leading supplier of software application development tools and services that help people work smarter corporate-wide. Vantive will offer users the option of purchasing the CBR Express product family as a component of the Research Agent, which comes with the Vantive System.

John Luongo, Vantive President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Vantive's approach to software solutions is to provide customers with the broadest range of options and capabilities that accommodate particular business needs. Inference offers powerful Case-Based Retrieval technology that has proven to be a tremendous cost-saver and quality enhancement in many customer service and help desk applications."

Peter Tierney, Inference President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "This announcement further reinforces the fact that Inference's Case-Based Retrieval technology is becoming the standard problem-resolution technology in the customer service industry. We are excited about Vantive's use of Inference's CBR technology and products, and see our relationship as an opportunity to expand the market for powerful help desk solutions."

Research Agent and CBR Express

Scheduled for availability in the fourth quarter of 1993, the Research Agent is part of the core functionality available in all Vantive applications. It is a unique new database search capability that offers customers three levels of problem-solving help, and enables users to manage the simplest to the most complex problem-resolution environments. The current version of the Research Agent offers basic keyword and pattern matching capabilities. The new version of the Research Agent will offer full text search and retrieval for more comprehensive problem-solving, as well as Inference's Case-Based Retrieval capability.

CBR, as commercially implemented in the CBR Express product family, allows Vantive users to create, manage and access repositories of unstructured "case" information using natural language and a graphical, fill-in-the-form user interface. The term "case" refers to a case study or past business experience. CBR Express products provide intelligently guided access to an evolving case base of experience, such as prior customer problems with known solutions. The user interface accepts user input in free-form natural language, proposes questions to help the caller clarify their situation and identifies those previously handled cases that might resolve the caller's problem.

Vantive is developing an interface from the Vantive System to Inference's CasePoint, a product in the CBR Express product family. CasePoint provides highspeed, read-only access to case bases developed with CBR Express. Information from the current Vantive application screen is passed to CasePoint, and the title of the matching case is returned. CasePoint permits the cost-effective distribution of case bases on standard magnetic media, can be embedded in products' operating software to create "smart" products, and puts diagnostic and problem-solving capabilities on the desktops of users to speed up the resolution of problems and general inquiries.

Availability

Inference Corporation's CBR Express Case-Based Retrieval products will be available as an option to the Vantive System in the fourth quarter of 1993.

Inference Corp.

Inference Corp., headquartered in El Segundo, CA, is a leading supplier of software application development tools and services that help people work smarter corporate-wide. Inference's product family includes ART-Enterprise, the industry's first object-oriented, multiplatform tool for building enterprise-wide client/server computing applications, CBR Express for easy, fast development of help desk applications by end users and for general case base authoring, CasePoint for building "smart" products and for wide-scale distribution of case-based knowledge. Inference Corporation has offices through the United States, Europe and the Pacific Rim.

The Vantive Corporation

Vantive is a leading supplier of integrated, client/server applications that span the enterprise: customer support and help desk, quality assurance and product development, sales and marketing. Vantive's products give companies a competitive edge by delivering superior products and total customer satisfaction.

The Vantive System is based on a high performance client/server architecture, is easy to customize, highly portable and scalable across PC, Macintosh, and UNIX platforms, and integrates easily with other applications. Products are cross-industry and sold to the financial, telecommunications, utility, medical/pharmaceutical, and technology companies through direct, reseller and OEM sales channels.

The Vantive Corp

1890 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-691-1500,  fax 415-691-1515


Vantive Strategic Marketing/Reseller Agreemnts
The Vantive Corporation Signs Strategic Marketing and Reseller Agreements With Oracle Corporation

Database and Service Industry Leaders Team to Deliver the Customer Service Enterprise

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 23, 1993 -- The Vantive Corporation and Oracle Corporation today announced a strategic initiative to help companies worldwide deliver superior service, product quality and customer satisfaction for competitive advantage. Vantive and Oracle have formed a Strategic Marketing Partnership and a Reseller Agreement to deliver the Vantive System on the ORACLE7 enterprise database to the international marketplace.

The Vantive System is a family of client/server applications that span the enterprise: customer support and help desk, quality assurance and product development, sales and marketing. These applications leverage a common enterprise database -- a corporate knowledge-base that tracks and manages all the data about a company's customers, its products, and how customers use those products. Available in September, 1993, the Vantive System on ORACLE7 offers companies the open architecture and scalable systems performance required to manage complex corporate information systems.

John Luongo, Vantive President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Oracle and Vantive share the same vision of open systems, enterprise-wide customer service and product quality. Today's announcements expand Vantive's reach into Oracle's international markets, and deliver Oracle's industry-leading relational database technology to the customer service arena."

Richard A. Doerr, Vice President of Oracle's U.S. Channels, commented, "Vantive is at the forefront of a new market for customer information systems that are as mission-critical as manufacturing and financial systems. Our joint efforts offer customers a strong solution based on ORACLE7's cooperative server technology."

Vantive and Oracle

The Vantive Corporation has joined Oracle's Value Added Relicensor Program, a component of the Oracle Business Alliance Program.

The Vantive System is a cross-industry solution and is sold to companies in financial services, medical/pharmaceutical, telecommunications, utilities, and technology markets. Current customers include such blue-chip companies as Adobe Systems, Incorporated, Boehringer Mannheim, Entergy, NEC Corporation and Motorola.

The Vantive System is highly portable and operates on PC, Macintosh and X workstation clients, as well as popular UNIX server platforms. All Vantive applications were developed in collaboration with Dr. William Davidow, co-author of Total Customer Service, and major investor in the company. These applications offer advanced problem solving help and workflow management capabilities to help deliver quality and customer satisfaction. The Vantive System is easy to customize with Vantive Tools, a set of application-specific customization tools that require no changes to source code.

The ORACLE7 is a relational database management system (RDBMS) based on cooperative-server technology. It supports industry-standard SQL query and update transactions that automatically retrieve and modify data on multiple servers. Cooperative server technology enables users to access data stored on multiple servers. It additionally enables a group of low-cost servers to outperform the most powerful mainframe systems, and offers high reliability because there is no single point of failure. With ORACLE7, organizations can increase their system capacity and performance simply by adding another server computer to the network. ORACLE7 is designed to support thousands of users requiring a high volume of transactions per second.

Oracle Corporation

Oracle Corporation, headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif., is the largest supplier of DBMS software and the third largest software and services company in the world.

Oracle develops and markets an integrated line of software products for database management, CASE, applications development, decision support and office automation, as well as families of financial, human resource and manufacturing applications. Oracle products are available on PCs, minicomputers and mainframes, and ORACLE is the first and only open relational database to run on massively parallel supercomputers.

The company offers its products, along with related consulting, education and support services in 92 countries around the world. Oracle is a publicly-held corporation whose shares are traded on NASDAQ/NMS with the ticker symbol ORCL. For further information about Oracle, call Oracle corporate headquarters at 415-506-7000 or write to Oracle Corporation, 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA 94065.

The Vantive Corporation

Vantive is the leading supplier of integrated, client/server applications that span the enterprise: customer support and help desk, quality assurance and product development, sales and marketing. Vantive's products give companies a competitive edge by delivering superior products and total customer satisfaction.

The Vantive System is based on a high performance client/server architecture, is easy to customize, highly portable and scalable across PC, Macintosh, and UNIX platforms, and integrates easily with other applications. Products are cross-industry and sold to the financial, telecommunications, utility, medical/pharmaceutical, and technology companies through direct, reseller and OEM sales channels.

The Vantive Corp

1890 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-691-1500,  fax 415-691-1515


AST Intros Bravo NB Notebooks
AST INTRODUCES BRAVO NB NOTEBOOKS

Local bus enhanced Graphics, Dual-Scan STN display and Type III PCMCIA expansion options combine to give users third-generation functionality in a low-price notebook

IRVINE, Calif., Aug, 23, 1993 -- AST Research Inc. today expanded its portable systems offering by introducing the Bravo NB family of value notebook computers. The systems pack standard features such as local bus enhanced graphics for fast video performance, Type m PCMCIA support for increased system expandability and functionality and an integrated trackball for convenient operation.

Available immediately, AST's new 486-based Bravo NB notebook computers come in monochrome, Dual-Scan STN color and TFT color versions, with estimated selling prices starting at $1,699 for the monochrome systems; $2,499 for Dual-Scan STN color; and $3,549 for TFT color.

"The combination of features in the Bravo NB exceed other notebooks in its class," said Dan Sheppard, director of product marketing. "Users don't have to make price/performance trade-offs with the Bravo NB. The combination of features and third-generation functionality gives users the computing power they need without any sacrifices."

The Bravo NB line joins the award-winning PowerExec family of upgradeable notebook computers to offer users a range of notebook solutions to meet a variety of computing requirements. The Bravo NB and PowerExec families combine to offer mobile professionals, business travelers, corporate users and home-based business operators portable systems that meet their individual needs. The Bravo NB offers users finite computing capabilities at aggressive prices, while the PowerExec gives users maximum levels of computing flexibility and enhanceability.

Dual-Scan STN-display technology and local bus enhanced graphics offer low-cost, high performance color

Third-generation Dual-Scan STN Color LCD display technology and local bus enhanced graphics bring new levels of color and graphics performance to notebook computing. The Dual-Scan STN display available on the Bravo NB 4/25s Color offers increased color depth and brightness over traditional STN color displays due to its advanced 1/240 duty cycle, which eliminates ghosting while increasing contrast, brightness and response time. With its 9.5-inch Dual-Scan STN display, the Bravo NB 4/25s Color delivers clear, crisp advanced color computing to users at aggressive prices.

"For the first time users can get a top quality 486-based color notebook for less than $2,500," commented Sheppard. "The Dual-Scan STN display technology makes excellent color computing a reality for a wide range of mobile computer users."

Both the Bravo NB 4/25s Color and the Bravo NB 4/25s ColorPlus with an 8.5-inch TFT display, provide up to 256 simultaneous colors with 640 x 480 pixel resolution. A 9.5-inch monochrome VGA display on the Bravo NB 4.25s displays 64 shades of gray simultaneously at 640 x 480 resolution. The Bravo NB systems support external VGA monitors at resolutions up to 1,024 x 768. Both the monochrome and TFT color versions also support simultaneous external video.

Adding to its graphics performance, the Bravo NB series is one of the first notebook computers to offer local bus enhanced graphics. The local bus enhanced graphics implementation accelerates graphics performance in all applications, especially those running under Windows. Users can expect to see immediate performance improvements up to three times faster than other notebooks.

Type III PCMCIA slot equips users for computing today and tomorrow

The Bravo NB is the only notebook in its class to incorporate a Type III PCMCIA enhancement slot. PCMCIA Type m compatibility adds to the functionality of the Bravo NB by giving users convenient access to both Type m and Type II cards for local area network and modem connections, as well as PCMCIA mass storage options. Additionally, the Type m slot equips users for future PCMCIA offerings, such as two-way radio communications.

Third-generation features provide computing functionality required by today's users

Powered by an Intel 25MHz 486SX microprocessor, the Bravo NB series combines a number of third-generation computing features for optimum performance. The systems come standard with 4MB RAM, expandable to 20MB; one Type III (or Type II) PCMCIA enhancement slot for modem, LAN and storage options; a 3.5-inch 1.44MB internal floppy disk drive; and fast hard drives ranging from 80MB up to 170MB.

A Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery gives users up to three and one-half hours of computing time on the Bravo NB monochrome system and up to three hours on the Bravo NB Color and ColorPlus models. A unique external NiMH battery option can double the battery life, providing up to six hours of uninterrupted computing.

All models include Microsoft's DOS 6.0 and Windows 3.1 and Star Software's BTools Windows Utilities to make the Bravo NB an immediately usable portable solution. The B-Tools business utilities include a financial calculator, business plan generator, phone book, envelope and label print templates, as well as word processing and spreadsheet business templates.

Integrated trackball offers users added convenience

The Bravo NB notebooks come in a sleek, low-profile 8.8" x 11.7" x 1.5" design and feature an 11mm trackball imbedded into the 82-key keyboard. At 5.5 pounds for the Bravo NB 4/25s and 6 pounds each for the Bravo NB 4/25s Color and Bravo NB 4/25s ColorPlus, these lightweight systems are ideal full-featured traveling notebooks.

ExeCare Plus Provides Free 48-hour repair service

AST Bravo NB notebook computers are covered by a one-year warranty. The standard ExeCare Plus program includes free 48-hour repair upon receipt at AST. AST will pay the freight both ways. On-site maintenance is available within a 50-mile radius of more than 250 authorized AST on-site service locations. Toll-free customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Corporate Background

AST Research Inc., ranked No. 367 on the 1992 Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial companies, develops personal computer products with technologies ranging from hand-held portable computers to superservers.

In July 1993, AST acquired Tandy Corp.'s PC manufacturing business. The acquisition makes AST the No. 4 U.S. and No. 6 worldwide personal computer company, according to the calendar year 1992 unit volume shipment data from International Data Corp. These figures include AST, Tandy and GRiD brands manufactured by AST.

AST's award-winning product lines include desktop, file server, notebook and pen-enabled computers, marketed under the Advantage!, Bravo, Premmia, Manhattan SMP, PowerExec, GRiD and Victor brand names.

The company is represented in 100 countries and operates 41 international subsidiaries and sales offices. AST 's corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone (714) 727-4141, (800) 8764278. Fax: (714) 727-9355.


Microsoft Excel Top-Selling Spreadsheet
Microsoft Excel Becomes the World's Top-selling Spreadsheet

More Than 5 Million Users Worldwide

REDMOND, Wash.--Aug. 24, 1993--Microsoft Corporation announced today that worldwide shipments of the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet have recently surpassed those of any other vendor--including Lotus Development Corporation--on the Microsoft Windows, Macintosh and MS-DOS operating systems combined. According to Infocorp estimates of major software developers and Microsoft internal data, Microsoft Excel represented 45 percent of new spreadsheet units and more than 50 percent of new spreadsheet revenues for the Windows, Macintosh and MS-DOS platforms between June 1992 and May 1993, making Microsoft Excel the best-selling spreadsheet during that period. In addition, this news comes on the heels of a record-breaking month for Microsoft Excel, which had its highest-ever new units sales during the month of June. Microsoft Excel has shipped more than 5 million new units worldwide.

More Than 2 Million Spreadsheet Users Have Switched to Microsoft Excel

Sales of Microsoft Excel have been spurred by the increasing number of spreadsheet users who are shifting from MS-DOS to Windows. More than 2 million spreadsheet users have switched to Microsoft Excel. The Todd Organization, a company specializing in executive benefit plans, recently switched from Lotus 1-2-3 for MS-DOS to standardize on Microsoft Excel for Windows in its offices nationwide. "We evaluated Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows when we standardized on the Windows platform, but we found that Microsoft Excel was easier to learn for novice users and offered more powerful features for our advanced users," said Ken Aitken, vice president of information systems for The Todd Organization of Seattle, Inc. "In our business, we use large, complex spreadsheets for actuarial calculations. Microsoft Excel gives us the depth of functionality we need and the flexibility to customize for individual users."

Microsoft shipped the first graphical spreadsheet, Microsoft Excel 1.0 for the Macintosh, back in 1985, followed by the version for Windows in 1987. "Our years of experience in developing graphical spreadsheets have helped us continue to push the envelope of innovation, while at the same time providing the basic usage features most needed by spreadsheet users," said Pete Higgins, senior vice president of the desktop applications division at Microsoft. "We've spent a lot of time listening to customers and responding to their needs. It's gratifying to see our efforts rewarded by the substantial growth in the number of former MS-DOS based spreadsheet users who choose Microsoft Excel when they make the move to Microsoft Windows."

Microsoft Excel Has a Strong History of Innovation

Many of the innovations new to other spreadsheets were first introduced in Microsoft Excel. In 1985, Microsoft Excel 1.0 for the Macintosh was the first graphical spreadsheet, offering a "select-and-do" approach to tasks, multiple document windows, rich formatting, one-step charting and a powerful macro language for creating custom graphical solutions with a spreadsheet. In 1987, Microsoft Excel 2.0 was the first spreadsheet for Windows, advancing integration through dynamic data exchange. In 1991, Microsoft Excel 3.0 became the first totally compatible spreadsheet for Windows and the Macintosh, and introduced "power made easy" through features such as a toolbar, the Autosum button, automatic outlining, a drawing layer on the worksheet, object linking and embedding and System 7 support. In 1992, Microsoft Excel 4.0 increased the level of ease of use with spreadsheet innovations such as cell drag and drop, AutoFill, Shortcut Menus and "Wizards" to walk the user through a process such as creating a chart. Scenario Manager and Crosstab ReportWizard in Microsoft Excel 4.0 brought new analytical tools to spreadsheets for managing multiple "what if" cases for worksheet models and for performing multidimensional data analysis.

Microsoft Excel Is a Member of Microsoft Office

Another key factor in the burgeoning sales of Microsoft Excel is the growing popularity of Microsoft Office, the best-selling suite of desktop productivity programs. By the end of calendar year 1993, Microsoft projects that more than 50 percent of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word sales will be through Microsoft Office.

Microsoft Office Professional version 3.0 for Windows, includes Microsoft Excel 4.0; the Microsoft Access database version 1.1 for Windows, an award-winning relational database program; Microsoft Word 2.0 for Windows, a leading member of the world's most popular word processing family; Microsoft PowerPoint presentation graphics program version 3.0, the world's best-selling presentation graphics program; and a workstation license for Microsoft Mail version 3.2, the company's robust electronic mail package. Designed to be powerful and easy to use on their own, when used together the programs provide the ability to integrate text, data and graphics to solve any business computing need.

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


UniQue Print Queue for UNIX
Announcing UniQue - Print Queue for UNIX

August 1, 1993 -- International Digital Scientific Incorporated, known as IDSI, today announced the availability of UniQue, an "industrial strength" print queue manager for commercial users of UNIX.

UNIX is increasingly being used for the processing of serious business applications. These programs have often been migrated from proprietary mainframe or minicomputer systems, where facilities for printing far exceed the primitive spooling available under UNIX.

UniQue is designed to bring full-featured, mainframe-class print capabilities to UNIX. It is available on most major UNIX platforms, and can be ported to support others by request. A version of the utility has been in broad use among IDSI's Wang to UNIX conversion customers since 1990.

IDSI, a full service integrator, has been an industry leader in the migration and modernization of legacy software since 1986.

International Digital Scientific Inc

28460 Avenue Stanford, Suite 100, Valencia, CA 91355

805/295-1155,   FAX: 805/295-8755


HP 3000 Migration to UNIX & Oracle
HP 3000 MIGRATION TO UNIX AND ORACLE

July 15, 1993 -- IDSI, is pleased to announce CAST/MPE, a Computer Aided Software Translator designed to move Hewlett-Packard COBOL, TurboIMAGE and VPLUS applications from MPE to Open Systems. With UNIX as a target, HP COBOL can be translated into either MicroFocus COBOL or AcuCOBOL and TurboIMAGE databases can be translated into ORACLE or INFORMIX.

To access ORACLE or INFORMIX from converted COBOL software, an SQL-based Application Program Interface (API) is available that is call-compatible with the original TurboIMAGE intrinsics. Similarly, a high performance screen management system has been implemented that is compatible with VPLUS.

Other target systems such as VMS and MS-DOS and other SQL databases can be supported on request.

IDSI is a full service integrator and, since 1986, has been an industry leader in the migration and modernization of legacy software.

International Digital Scientific Inc

28460 Avenue Stanford, Suite 100, Valencia, CA 91355

805/295-1155,   FAX: 805/295-8755


First Impulse! Promo Unanticipated Volume
FIRST IMPULSE! PROMOTION RESULTS IN UNANTICIPATED VOLUME OF CALLS

CANTON, MA August 30, 1993 -- On July 28th International Solutions Inc. began a special introductory promotion in which it gave away the initial 100,000 copies of its entry-level contact management software product 'First Impulse!' for a nominal shipping and handling fee. The promotion was a marketing strategy designed to increase awareness of contact managers while at the same time gaining market share in this category.

Vik Kachoria. President of International  Solutions, Inc. acknowledges that they were unprepared for the sheer volume of telephone calls that they have received. "I was concerned to learn it took some people literally days to get through to place their order." Due to this unanticipated response not only have people had difficulty in ordering, but the delivery time for First Impulse! has also had to be delayed from two weeks to three to four weeks.

As a result International Solutions Inc. has taken steps to meet the needs of all those people who are interested in the product but have been unable to place an order. Extra staff and telephone lines have been added and it is now possible to place an order 24 hours a day. In addition the promotion has been extended to 300,000 copies of First Impulse! for the shipping & handling fee of $12.

To order a copy for the $12 shipping and handling charges, dial (800) 451-5021 or write to International Solutions Inc, 52 Tolman St, Caulton. MA 02021 USA.


First Impulse Promo Extended to 300,000 Copies
PROMOTION FOR FREE "CONTACT MANAGEMENT" SOFTWARE EXTENDED TO THE FIRST 300,000 COPIES

CANTON, MA August 30, 1993 -- On July 28th International Solutions, Inc. began a special introductory promotion in which it gave away the initial 100,000 copies of its entry-level contact management software product, 'First Impulse!' for a nominal shipping and handling fee. The promotion was a marketing strategy designed to increase awareness of contact managers while at the same time gaining market share in this category.

The unanticipated success of the promotion has led the company to extend the original promotion from 100,000 copies to 300,000 free copies. Vik Kachoria, president of International Solutions, Inc. said that the promotion was originally designed because "most people are familiar with word processors and spreadsheets, but are completely unaware of the power and advantages of contact managers. By giving away these copies of First Impulse!, we are offering potential users the opportunity to learn about and take advantage of a rapidly growing software category for FREE."

First Impulse! is a contact management system designed to provide sales and marketing professionals with an efficient and effective way of managing their clients, customers and activities. The product helps build customer relationships through database marketing by automating direct mail, telemarketing and inbound/outbound sales efforts.

With First Impulse! the user is able to keep track of complete and up to the minute information about all of their clients. The software can handle an unlimited number of contacts and databases and also provides 'ticklers' to remind the user of upcoming events and a 'logbook' feature that documents past activities. Other First Impulse! features include: built-in word processor, unlimited notes per client, scheduler, 1,000 user-definable fields, report generator, look up tables, mail merge, envelope printing, help screens, notepads and a pop-up calculator. First Impulse! requires MS-DOS version 3.3 or higher, a minimum of 640k and a hard disk drive.

The promotion, which is being run along with International Solutions, Inc.'s regular sales of its other products, is expected to continue through January 1994. After the promotion ends First Impulse! will be available in stores for a list price of $69.95. Upgrades to other versions in the product family are available. To receive your copy of First Impulse! contact the developer, International Solutions, Inc.. at (800) 451-1021 or by writing to them at 52 Tolman St., Canton, MA 02021 USA. There is a $12 charge to cover shipping and handling.


Racal-Datacom Wide Area Performance Analyzer
RACAL-DATACOM WIDE AREA PERFORMANCE ANALYZER UPGRADE ADDS REAL-TIME UPDATING DISPLAY, X.25 SUPPORT

August 25, 1993 -- SUNRISE, FL. -- Version 2.0 of the Racal-Datacom Wide Area Network Performance Analyzer (WPA), formerly called CMS SPAN/2, will be available in September.

The WPA offers network operators the ability to monitor traffic flow on wide area networks, isolate response time problems, store statistical data for trending, and use historical performance data to optimize networks.

This version offers a real-time updating display of current statistics for single line data monitoring, including all clusters on that line and all devices on each cluster. This allows customers to see which clusters and devices are generating the traffic on the line so that network modifications to improve efficiency can be made.

Another innovation in this version is support of the X.25 protocol. This allows customers who use the X.25 protocol, very popular with Racal's international customers and increasingly popular in American networks, in their networks to realize the full benefit of the WPA product.

Through its windowing system with IBM's OS/2 and Presentation Manager, WPA helps the user plan and optimize data networks by supplying statistical data in the areas of line utilization and response time analysis. Through the use of accumulated data, WPA enables network managers to determine which lines and equipment are under utilized. Other benefits include the elimination of guess work in wide area network usage and planning. It also helps managers improve network efficiency by scheduling demanding applications at non-conflicting times.

WPA is tailored to fit the individual needs of a customer's network through user-defined down-line loaded parameters and protocol definitions. This allows users to attain maximum benefit from WPA as their network configuration and protocols supported change.

WPA can be used with any network using the SNA/SDLC, Bisync, X.25 and ISO Poll Select protocols. It also can be used to report performance-type alarms (for example, response time over threshold) to the Racal-Datacom Communications Management Series (CMS) 400 element management component of the Racal Management System.

List price is $7500 for the WPA software and one protocol (such as SNA/SDLC or X.25). Hardware (a chassis with line monitoring cards) starts at $9000. A personal computer (running OS/2 Version 2.0 or later) also is needed.

Racal-Datacom offers network solutions for the delivery and management of information between local and remote locations. The company offers the widest range of local area and wide area networking products and services in the industry. Racal's broad product line is managed by a single, open and integrated network management platform, and backed by a full range of services including network design and integration, worldwide maintenance and support. Racal-Datacom reported revenues of $560 million for fiscal year ending March 31, 1993.

Racal-Datacom Inc

1602 North Harrison Parkway, Sunrise, FL 33323-2899

305-846-1601,  fax 305-846-3935

Mailing Address:

PO Box 307044, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340-7044


JASC Paint Shop Pro V2.0 Windows Graphics Tool
Just-released version 2.0 of JASC's popular Paint Shop Pro--the Microsoft Windows screen capture, image viewer, graphics editing and file format conversion product -- represents a major new software solution.

Among numerous enhancements are: the ability to act as an OLE server for OLE client applications; support for all TWAlN-compliant scanners, nine new graphic file formats-- including JPEG and Kodak Photo CD--and images up to 16 million colors; working with multiple images simultaneously; batch file processing; and an array of new color and palette editing features.......

Paint Shop Pro

The Complete Image File Viewer, Format Converter, Editor and Screen Capture Utility for Microsoft Windows

Introducing Paint Shop Pro version 2.0 -- More file formats, including Kodak Photo CD and JPEG, multiple image viewing, direct scanning, incredible speed and ease of use, and much more!

HIGHLIGHTS

* Image conversion supporting all the major bitmap formats

  and batch processing

* Image-wide image enhancing

* Screen capturing

* Standard and user-defined filters

* Scan directly into Paint Shop Pro with any current or future

  TWAIN-compliant scanner

* OLE server support for OLE client documents

* Supports up to 16 million colors

Requirements: Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher, IBM Compatible AT 286 or higher, 900K hard disk space, floppy disk drive, 256-color video driver optional but recommended.

Screen Capturing Is a Snap

Paint Shop Pro captures full screen, a user-defined area, a window or a window's client area. Include the cursor in the capture if you desire with a click of the right mouse button.

View Your Image in Various Ways

Paint Shop Pro displays multiple images, or a single image to full screen. Zoom in or zoom out to levels of ten. Full printer control includes the ability to determine size and position of the image on the printed page.

Image Enhancement Has Never Been Simpler

Paint Shop Pro provides a large assortment of image enhancement options. All with a simple click on the menu. Some of the image enhancements include: rotating in one degree increments, cropping, resizing, resampling, filter application, color reduction, brightness and contrast adjustment, highlight and shadow adjustment, gamma correcting, grey scaling, palette editing and more.

Converting Images Is Easy

Converting images has never been simpler! Simply open the image to be converted, then save it with the format you need. Paint Shop Pro supports diverse bitmap image formats, including the high-compression JPEG formats and Kodak Photo CD: BMP, CLP, CUT, DIB, GIF, IFF, IMG, LBM, MAC, MSP, JIF, JPG, PCD, PCX PIC, RAS, RLE, TGA, TIFF, WPG and WMF. Batch conversion allows many files to be converted at a time.

Enhancements to Paint Shop Pro, Version 2.0

Image Viewing - Paint Shop Pro now allows you to open multiple images simultaneously.

Image Printing - Complete control over the size and positioning on the printed page.

Image Editing - Rotate your images in one-degree increments. Add a border. Image filters include: Add Noise, Dilate, Despeckle, Erode, Median, Mosaic, Posterize, Trace Contour and more.

Color Manipulation - New features include highlight/shadow and solarize. Paint Shop Pro now provides a histogram to aid in color adjustments. When adjusting color, enjoy the new Preview buttons for fine tuning.

Scanner Support - Scan directly into Paint Shop Pro with any current or future TWAIN-compliant scanner.

OLE Server - Add enhanced image support to your OLE client applications by using Paint Shop Pro as an OLE server.

Enhanced Format Conversion - Batch conversion for those really large jobs. New formats include: Amiga (IFF), CompuServe (RLE), Deluxe Paint (LBM), Dr. Halo (CUT), JPEG (JIF/JPG), Kodak Photo CD (PCD), PostScript (EPS), Windows Clipboard (CLP) and Windows Metafile (WMF).

Palette Manipulation - Now you can edit the image's palette. Save the palette to a file. Load a new palette into an image using nearest color or error diffusion.

Enhanced Capturing - Now include the cursor in your captures.

Suggested Retail Price is $69.00

JASC, Inc. 10901 Red Circle Dr, Ste 340, Minnetonka, MN 55343

(612) 930-9171;   fax (612) 930-9172;  compuserve: 72557,256


CMFiler File Manager Enhanced (V5.36c)
CMFiler--The Powerful, Lightning-Fast File Manager--Enhanced

TRIANGLE, VA--If you still struggle with the inadequacies of a DOS command processor like COMMAND.COM, are frustrated by your current file manager or simply avoid the DOS environment altogether because of its seeming complexity, CMFiler may be just the utility for you. It is equally at home as a DOS application in a Microsoft Windows environment or an OS/2 DOS box, and offers tremendous speed and simplicity compared to applications designed especially for those platforms.

NoVaSoft has released CMFiler Version 5.36c, a major update to their easy-to-use, versatile and affordable disk/file manager for DOS. CMFiler makes cleaning and organizing your disks a breeze with a transparent architecture and mnemonic, one-touch command structure.

CMFiler's user interface is clean and functional. Mnemonic commands such as "C" for "Copy" are employed consistently throughout, making the product usable "out of the box" for the beginner. Yet its capabilities in manipulating and viewing files, directories and entire disks make it a true power tool for the most experienced and demanding user. Version 5.36c adds 43- and 50-line VGA display capabilities to its lineup of advanced features.

The basic service is a side-by-side, split-screen display of two directories. You copy or move files from one directory to the other, delete files, create new directories, change file and directory names or attributes, and navigate levels of directory structures. A built-in text editor makes identifying and editing files a breeze, while a notepad lets you enter and view your own comments of up to 39 characters about any file or directory. Nine file sorting schemes are available, along with a filename mask and mass-tagging options.

Additional features include a built-in floppy-disk formatter and disk copier, a smart floppy-disk "fill" function, a one-touch directory freshener to make and update backup disks, a print spooler for printing files in the background while you perform other tasks and a facility for printing a directory listing with notes.

CMFiler launches other applications, leaving only a small, 20K kernel in memory waiting to regain control when the application finishes. Another feature tags files for painless compression or extraction using compression utilities. You can view a list of compressed files in ZIP, LZH, ARJ, ARC or self-extracting EXE format.

Perhaps the most exotic capabilities, however, lie in the "tree" module. Here, you display whole disk structures side by side, and copy, delete or move entire directories with the same ease as you can files in the main module. Tree services also include a near-instantaneous filename finder and a fast text finder. The results of searches--or a picture of the tree structure itself--can be printed.

According to NoVaSoft, CMFiler has been under development for three years. It is extremely agile and small (108K) because it is written entirely in highly-optimized Assembly language.

CMFiler is distributed as shareware, with a registration fee of $30--a terrific bang for your buck. Contact NoVaSoft at 3239 Riverview Dr., Triangle, VA 22172-1421; 703-221-1833 or -1471; CompuServe 72130,1400.


QuicKeys 3.0 Ships
QuicKeys 3.0 Ships!

West Des Moines, IA, August 16, 1993 - CE SOFTWARE HOLDINGS, INC. (NASDAQ/NMS Symbol: CESH) today announced the release of QuicKeys 3.0, a revolutionary new version of its award-winning desktop automation software. QuicKeys, which works with any application, delegates simple commands or complex tasks to the Macintosh. It is an invaluable tool for novices and power users that eliminates the monotony of any repetitive task you do on your Mac.

"Over the years, we have spent hundreds of hours discussing what QuicKeys is and should be," said Donald Brown, vice president of CE Software and lead engineer of QuicKeys. "QuicKeys 3.0 represents the culmination of our development process. It is finally what we set out to build--an irreplaceable tool for every Macintosh user."

QuicKeys 3.0 supports AppleScript, Frontier, and any other OSA compliant scripting language. The AppleScript extension gives QuicKeys the ability to send scripts to the AppleScript engine for execution. Together, they can automate any application, regardless of support for AppleScript or Apple Events. "QuicKeys' unique ability to interact with nonscriptable applications is what makes our OSA (Open Scripting Architecture) compliance so powerful," said Ford Goodman, president of the company. Our customers gain both the productivity that delegating to their computers implies plus a growth path available through a variety of scripting and programming languages."

Apple is now bundling the OSA component of QuicKeys 3.0 with every new Quadra 840AV and Centris 660AV, allowing users to voice activate OSA scripts including QuicKeys scripts. QuicKeys 3.0 users have The ability to add voice commands as triggers for QuicKeys shortcuts. QuicKeys also includes a new extension, Speak Ease, developed to interact with PlainTalk, Apple's new speech technology. SpeakEase is designed to articulate text that a user has either in a text field or placed on the clipboard.

Other new or improved features include:

* More powerful branching capabilities give Sequences the power to branch to other shortcuts, jump within a Sequence, and wait according to a variety of conditions.

* Sequences can now call other Sequences and Real Time recordings.

* Redesigned interface includes a new utilities menu that provides easier access to Instant QuicKeys, QK Extension Manager, the Template Printer, and other QuicKeys utilities.

* Easier, more reliable recording capabilities.

* New floating palettes control the recording and playback

  of Sequences or Real Time Shortcuts.

* Extensions are now organized by category for easy selection.

* Apple Events extension has been completely redesigned and

  rewritten.

* New Wait and Pop-up menu steps are recorded automatically,

  increasing sequence reliability.

* QuicKeys Extras include Shortcut sets for 10 of the most

  popular applications and special shortcuts made specifically

  for working with PowerBooks.

* All new documentation that is easier to understand and includes

  a new reference manual and a guided tour manual.

QuicKeys version 3.0 will be available through CE's authorized distributors and resellers worldwide. The U.S. suggested retail price is $169.00. Registered users of QuicKeys 2.1.2 and greater may upgrade to QuicKeys 3.0 for $49.95. Registered users of versions earlier than 2.1.2 may purchase the upgrade for $79.95. If upgrades are purchased by 9/30/93, users will receive a $10 discount. All upgrade offers expire 11/30/93. International customers should contact their local distributors for availability and pricing.

CE Software is the world's largest Macintosh E-mail provider. With nearly one million QuickMail users world-wide, CE is a rapidly expanding developer of system-enhancing software and network productivity tools for the Windows/DOS and Macintosh markets. CE is leveraging leadership positions to develop next generation messaging and personal agent software.

CE Software Inc

1801 Industrial Circle, PO Box 65580, West Des Moines, IA 50265

515-221-1801;  fax: 515-221-1806;  CIS: 76136,2137

AOL/AppleLink/MCI-Mail: CESOFTWARE


Ventana Press Welcoms New Mac users
VENTANA PRESS WELCOMES NEW MAC USERS

Chapel Hill, NC--Computer hype can lead to hypertension, as the competent typist who suddenly finds a Mac on the desktop can surely testify. While a pile of complicated manuals only adds to the discomfort, Ventana Press's lively new Mac, Word & Excel Desktop Companion offers instant, yet abiding, relief.

"This book is intended to get readers going with a minimum amount of fuss and technicalities--and probably contains fewer pages than the manual that arrives with your VCR," says award-winning author Tom Lichty. Remembering that Mac users are mere mortals, as much in need of a chuckle as a helping hand, Lichty peppers his eminently-readable instructions for mastering Mac essentials with anecdotes about the computer industry.

In three separate sections of step-by-step tutorials, Mac, Word & Excel Desktop Companion shares tips on

* Sounding out System 7 and 7.1: Finding (and filing) with Finder; weighing the Options; facts about fonts and managing memory efficiently.

* Working wizardry with Word 5.1: Formatting without fretting; painless proofing; and editing with ease.

* Excelling with Excel 4.0: Entering labels, values and formulas; avoiding errors (and effort!) with Range, Reference and Fill; graphing progress; and managing lists.

* Promoting interprogram rapport: Cutting, copying and pasting between Word and Excel; problem-free printing; and more!

Mac, Word & Excel Desktop Companion extends Ventana' s popular 3-in-1 Office Companion series into the realm of the Macintosh, showing new Mac users how to take control of their machines and even enjoy them.

Tom Lichty directs the University of Oregon's microcomputer program. A noted writer and columnist, he is the author of The Official America Online Membership Kit & Tour Guide; Desktop Publishing With Word for Windows (both from Ventana Press); and Design Principles for Desktop Publishers (Scott, Foresman).

Mac, Word & Excel Desktop Companion is softcover, 370 pages, illustrated. Suggested retail price: $21.95. ISBN: 1-56604-065-5. For orders only, phone 800/743-5369.

Ventana Press publishes books that help computer users make the most of their hardware and software. Bestselling titles include Looking Good in Print, Third Edition, Voodoo Mac, The Mac Internet Tour Guide, The System 7 Book, Second Edition, The Official America Online Membership Kit & Tour Guide and The Mac Shareware 500. Additional titles in the Office Companion series include Dos, WordPerfect & Lotus Office Companion and Windows, Word & Excel Office Companion. 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


Gupta 4th Annual Developers Conf 8/29-9/1
Gupta Corporation's Fourth Annual Developers Conference To Highlight Collaborative Programming

Conference Showcases Real-World Client-Server Applications

August 29 through September 1, 1993 in San Francisco

Menlo Park, Calif, July 26, 1993--Gupta Corporation (NASDAQ: GPTA) announced today the details of its fourth annual international Gupta Developers Conference August 29 to September 1,1993 in San Francisco. Underscoring the theme, "Client-Server At Work: Applications For The New Enterprise," this year's conference will highlight the benefits of collaborative programming for the development of mission-critical enterprise-wide applications on PCs, a technology that Gupta has pioneered with the introduction of SQLWindows 4.0.

Gupta also announced Ray Noorda, Chairman and CEO, Novell, Inc. and Larry Ellison, Chairman and CEO, Oracle Corporation will be keynote speakers at this year's conference. They will be joined by Umang Gupta, President and CEO, Gupta Corporation.

Developers interested in real-world client-server applications, from small departmental programs to complex, mission-critical transaction systems, are invited to attend.

The conference curriculum is comprised of five families of topics pertinent to building client-server systems. The five topical families are: Fundamental Concepts and Techniques, Developing a SQL System, SQLBase, Client-Server At Work, and Management And Standards.

The conference offers in-depth technical sessions designed for experienced client-server programmers, as well as sessions covering basic concepts and techniques fundamental to developing with the Gupta environment, such as object-oriented programming, collaborative programming, and programming with templates. The agenda also includes real-world case studies from such companies as Mobil Oil, Grant Thornton for Federal Express and UPS, and others.

Gupta held its first Developers Conference in 1990. In 1992 the company expanded the Conference to include one in Europe as well. Gupta estimates that over 25,000 developers use its products worldwide.

About Gupta Corporation

Gupta Corporation, founded in 1984, is a leading vendor of corporate PC client-server system software based in Menlo Park, Calif. Gupta's products are widely used by Fortune 1000 companies to downsize/rightsize their applications to PC networks and the enterprise.

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


Book About Online World Released as Shareware
BOOK ABOUT THE ONLINE WORLD RELEASED AS "SHAREWARE"

Odd de Presno, a Norwegian author, has released his work "The Online World" as a shareware book through global online services and networks like the Internet, CompuServe, and others.

The Online World was previously published in Norwegian as a 275 page hardcover book (ISBN 82-90628-67-6), and is still available in traditional bookstores. Local language versions are in the process of being published on paper in Denmark and Germany.

The non-fiction book deals with the practical side of using the global online information resource. It explores selected applications across network  and service boundaries showing how such needs can be met. The examples range from databases to entertainment  and the bizarre  to special services for professionals and organizations.

While the author lives in Norway, the reader is  not  expected to live in any particular country. The breadth of the offerings is described by  using applications on  major global networks and services as the Internet, Fidonet, Usenet, CompuServe, BITNET, IASNET, and many others.

According to the author, the book is not being issued into the public domain and, in issuing it as shareware, he does not waive any rights or copyrights.

de Presno claims that the work is "being distributed electronically so that hundreds of thousands more people can get aware of the wonderful opportunities that are waiting for them in the online world." He hopes this will make more people buy modems and get online for the first time.

The book is distributed as an ASCII text file suitable for sending to a printer, searching, and reading with a wordprocessor or a file viewing program.

Odd de Presno has published several books about the subject.  Besides being an author, he is the founder and project director of  KIDLINK, a global project working to get as many 10 - 15 year old children as possible involved in a global dialog.

The book is available as ONLINE.ZIP from Library 5 in CompuServe's IBMCOM forum.

Internet-connected users can obtain the book automatically using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is a term used to describe the automated transfer of a file from a remote computer system over the Internet, using standard protocols. It may also be retrieved by electronic mail from various sources.

For current information about how and where to get the book, send email to LISTSERV@VM1.NODAK.EDU (LISTSERV@NDSUVM1 on BITNET). In the TEXT of your mail, write the command:

        GET TOW WHERE

This will also give information about TOW, a mailing list set up as an information service. It is used for announcements of new updates of the book. Members can also use it to report and discuss their discoveries in the Online World.

Odd de Presno can be reached via: +47-370-31378 (voice); +47-370-27111 (fax) Email over the Internet: opresno@extern.uio.no.


MKS Announces 32-bit MKS Toolkit for OS/2
MKS Announces New 32 bit Version of MKS Toolkit for OS/2

All utilities re-designed specifically for OS/2 2.x

August 19, 1993 - Mortice Kern Systems today announced the new version of MKS Toolkit for OS/2, specifically designed for OS/2 2.0 and up.  New features include operating system related capabilities, new manuals, POSIX compatibility, and new utilities such as awkc, make, and a version of iconv.

MKS Toolkit delivers more than 130 powerful utilities, including tools for command editing and history, file processing and comparison, and text manipulation and sorting.

All utilities in MKS Toolkit 4.2 for OS/2 are 32 bit.  The 32 bit code has a significant impact on utilities that require large memory segments, such as sort, awk, compress, vi and make.  Using the diff command, one can now find the difference between much larger files because there are virtually no memory limitations.  With the KornShell, there can be more functions running at the same time due to the larger shell environments.

Version 4.2 supports features in the HPFS file system which are native to the operating system, including long file names and permissions.  There is raw media support which means, for example, users can make backup files that are readable by other systems with raw media support.  The mul- titasking capabilities of OS/2 2.0 enable MKS Toolkit to support back- ground tasks.  For example, the user can run make in the background while performing another software function in the foreground.  Support for real pipes adds to the capacity of the system, making it run faster and per- form tasks that could not be performed before.  With real pipes, a user can send the output from one program directly to the input of another, and both programs can process this information at the same time.

AWK Compiler

A new awk compiler creates free-standing OS/2 programs from a working awk program.  This means that users can freely create and distribute applications, without royalties.  These applications can be used indepen- dently of MKS Toolkit and MKS Awk.

MKS Make

MKS Make minimizes file maintenance by allowing users to create a rec- ipe for large or small software projects - such as software rebuilding, installation, configuration and documentation. The 32 bit code allows MKS Make to handle extremely large recipes. With a user-defined depen- dency list, MKS Make will perform precise, repeatable updates whenever necessary. UNIX compatibility means a reduction in maintenance costs for multi-platform developers.

Iconv

Iconv is a utility which allows the user to convert characters from one code set to another. This utility is useful for a user who needs to convert textual output from one language to another. For example, Russian PC text can be converted character by character into equivalent European text.

POSIX Compliance

MKS Toolkit for OS/2 is derived from the same open systems technology as OpenVMS, CTOS, MVS, and MPE/iX and it is also compatible with UNIX to the fullest extent allowed by the OS/2 operating system. The tools conform to the approved POSIX.2 standard.

Pricing and Availability

MKS Toolkit 4.2 for OS/2 will be shipping in September 1993. It will be available for a suggested retail price of US$299 and as an upgrade from any previous version for US$99.

 Mortice Kern Systems

 35 King Street North

 Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2J 2W9

 Phone: 519-884-2251        800-265-2797 (US & Canada)

 Fax:   519-884-8861


CD ROM Paradise Collection, 1st Edition
CD ROM PARADISE COLLECTION - FIRST EDITION - AUG 1993

CD ROM Paradise Collection vol.1 is a new Shareware/PD CD ROM we just finished producing in the first week of August. It was made in ISO9660 format.

It contains MANUALLY selected high quality material, including LAST available release of LINUX (end July 1993, including TeX).

Programs are fully categorized with bilingual English/Italian file descriptions.

Program Files are 1992-1993, with true & meaningful archive program file dates, i.e: the date on the archive corresponds to the most recent file contained in each archive.

This CD ROM uses the popular ZIP format for program archives, and includes BBS ready file descriptions in both Italian and English for those willing to use it on a BBS system. It is not however intended for BBS usage alone, it comes with a search & retrieval program, which we designed to be simple and powerful. It is possible to search by keyword, subject or filename and to decompress archived files on the fly.

The CD contains 529 megabytes excluding indexes and search program, on the cover it says 500 megs, but actually we inserted more material than we planned at booklet cover typesetting time, exceeding 3600 files.

The CD ROM contains material covering these platforms:  MS-DOS, WINDOWS, OS/2, LINUX.

It contains also literature / information and some images. It is intended as a good general purpose disc at a low price.

We accept worldwide orders. CD ROM Paradise collection costs 29.95 USD + 5 USD for worldwide air mail shipping. (58.000 Lire + IVA +S&H in Italy). We accept VISA/MC/EURO/CARTASI/ACCESS.

We do not surcharge credit card orders. We ship within 24 working hrs from order reception. On credit card orders, customers are asked to state BOTH card expiration date and their date of birth (this is a requirement for mail/telephone credit card orders here in Italy, sorry if this sounds strange but this wasn't our choice).

We are currently planning to produce more titles, if you are interested in inserting your programs/files on our new cd roms, you should send a floppy containing your program together with an authorization for CD ROM distribution at our P.O. BOX address. We make very clear and onest legal statements about the contents of our CD ROMs, we do not try to market them as free software, we clearly define shareware. We actually do not charge any fee for shareware / pd software distribution, we only charge for the usage of our database, indexes and some copyrighted material of our own. Authors will be offered substantial discounts on ALL our new cd rom titles.

  CD ROM PARADISE SRL

  P.O. BOX 10177

  20100 MILANO  ITALY.

  FAX/PHONE +39-2-70603189


New Version of HIPPIX Supports Windows NT

August 22, 1993 (Salt Lake City, UT) - Hippo Software today announced a new version of its UNIX(R) integration tools for Microsoft Windows NT.

HIPPIX provides a library that supports over 90% of the functions of the POSIX 1003.1 API. These functions differ from the POSIX implementation provided in Windows NT in that they can be used with calls to the Win32 subsystem. Applications that use the HIPPIX library are source code compatible with POSIX compliant UNIX systems.

Also available is a suite of over 100 UNIX utilities, including SH, VI, AWK, GREP, MAN, MAKE, LEX, YACC, and the RCS revision control system.  All HIPPIX utilities are implemented using the more than 150 functions supplied in the library.

Hippo Software does not require any royalty or runtime licensing fees, so developers may freely distribute the HIPPIX Shared Library (DLL) with their applications.

Pricing and Availability

HIPPIX is priced at $79 for the libraries, and $79 for the utilities. If you order them together, the price is $109. The Beta version is available immediately; purchasing the Beta automatically entitles you to a free upgrade when the final release is made (6-8 weeks).

For More Information

For further information on HIPPIX, contact Hippo Software at 72360,2675 on Compuserve, or from the Internet use hippix-info@hippo.com


Prime Time Swr Dev Kit for Unix Sys 5 r 4.2
PRIME TIME FREEWARE is proud to announce the release of Prime Time Software Development Kit for Unix System 5 r 4.2

The first COMPLETE stand-alone drop in replacement for the USL SDK

 Prime Time SDK for Intel SVR4.2

 Steve Zwaska, Editor

 Prime Time Freeware, 1993

 Issue 1-1, ISBN 1-881957-13-6

Package Description

PTSDK is designed for the low end development market.  Specifically, it targets users of UnixWare Personal Edition (and similar Intel-based SVR4.2 products).  Many of these folks would like to do C and X-based development but don't have the work volume or resources to justify purchasing the SDK (Software Development Kit).  It is also appropriate for users who don't have the system resources needed for the Unixware SDK installation.

PTSDK consists of a book and a Rock Ridge format CD-ROM.  The disc contains complete source code, documentation, and executable files for all of the packages listed below.  The disc may be mounted as a filesystem and used as if it were simply another hard disk.  In this mode, the disc can be mounted during the development phase of a project, and removed thereafter.

PTSDK is also useful as a distribution medium; any package on PTSDK can be copied to a system disk.  Many users will use PTSDK in both modes, running some programs from the CD-ROM and installing others from it onto the system.

Documentation for all of the major packages comes on the CD including Postscript Manuals, Info format text files and man(1) pages

Some of PTSDK's major packages are:

  GNU Project tools     Dozens of UNIX-like commands for file handling,

                        document preparation, software development, etc.

                        (EVERY major tool from prep.ai.mit.edu, including

                        C & C++ compilers, Assembler, Linker, Graphical

                        Debuger, Libraries, Lex and YACC replacements

                        and more)

  C Libraries           A full set of Univel's static C libraries and the

                        appropriate header files

  X11R5

    Development System  XFree86 (fast server, dev. tools, clients...)

    libraries           X11, Athena(2D and 3D), Xview, OpenLook, HP, UKC ...

                        (both shared and static) plus more than 100 X clients

  InterViews

    base system         C++ GUI development environment and Class Libraries

    Doc                 WYSIWYG Postscript Document Editor

    Ibuild/Idraw        GUI application generator/Drawing / Image editor

    Iclass              class browser

  Tcl/Tk/WISH           Shell language for X-based programming

    XF                  Inter-active GUI builder for Tcl/Tk

  Perl                  Script based programing language

  Document Preparation

    GNU Emacs and aXe   Editors

    TeX / Latex         UCSB TeX distribution for SVR4

    DVItoPS             TeX to PostScript conversion

    Ghostscript and

    Ghostview           Postscript Interpreter and browser

    PSroff              [nt]roff to Postscript converter

    Xfig                drawing/drafting package

  Fm                    Binary File Editor

  Man, Xman             Online manual

    Seyon               communications package

  Zsh                   ksh, csh, tcsh, bash compatible shell

  Tcsh                  Enhanced C-shell

The list price is $60 (US), just like Prime Time Freeware.  The target ship date is August 30, 1993.

Future Plans:

New releases will occur at least once a year.  We expect to add new tools and update existing tools each time.  We would also like to fix some of the directory dependencies that are hard-coded into many of these packages.  Finally, versions for other architectures and/or OS variants are a real possibility.

  NOTE: Prime Time Freeware contains 1.2 GB of UNIX-related compressed

        source and documentation, supplied as a book and two ISO-9660

        CD-ROMs.

Prime Time Freeware

370 Altair Way, Suite 150B

Sunnyvale, Ca 94086 USA

408-433-9662 voice,    408-433-0727 fax


Mega Media - 1 CDROM for Presentations & More
Knowledge Media has released a CD-ROM for anyone interested in presentations, desktop publishing, and desktop video.

MEGA MEDIA - 1

The first in a series of theme related digital media CD's. Contains more than 1000 24 bit JPEG, IFF, and TIFF images. These are provided in a 752 x 480 format for easy use where broadcast video resolution is required. They may be easily converted to other screen sizes or resolutions where required. The JPEG standard was choosen as the base standard for our illustrations and digital photographic images to assure the ability to utilize these images across a wide variety of computer platforms. Many of the images have also been saved as IFF or TIFF images for quick access.

The Themes contained on this disc are:

         Animals & Nature: Wild Life scenes and animal portraits.

                 (JPEG, TIFF)

        Space: NASA Photographs and assorted astronomical images.

               (JPEG).

        Travel & Places of the World:  Images of cars.trains,planes,

              beaches, deserts, mountains, etc.(JPEG  TIFF)

        Dinosaurs: Full color graphic renditions of dozens of dramatic

                         dinosaur species and digital photographs from

                         Dinosaur National Monument of fossils.(JPEG,

                         IFF, & TIFF)

        Textures  &  Borders, and much much more! : Dozens of textures

                         and surfaces provide a  professional background

                         for your text  screens or graphic menus. The

                         collection includes:    paper, silk,

                         organic ( leaves, ferns, etc.) marble, onyx,

                         agate, fossils, granite, pine, oak, etc.

                         Each texture is offered in a full spectrum of

                         colors to give attractive variety. Each texture

                         and    color variation is complemented with a

                         full set of beveled plaques and menu bars to

                         highlight your text. (JPEG & IFF)

Price for Mega Media-1 (DML-1) is  $ 34.95 + S & H

S & H (shipping and handling): $ 5.00 1-2 discs, $10 for 3 - ( US & Canada) other foreign S & H is $ 10.00)

PAYMENT: Check, Credit Card (VISA or Mastercard...name, card number, exp date).

        Phone           916-872-03826 (Voice & FAX)

        E-mail          pbenson@cscihp.ecst.csuchico.edu

        mail:           Knowledge Media

                        436 Nunneley Rd, Suite B

                        Paradise, CA 95969

A complete catalog of Knowledge Media's cd-roms may be ftp'ed from:

        ftp.cdrom.com:pub/cdrom/know_med/catalog.txt


Wind/U 1.3 Windows & Visual C++ Apps on UNIX
BRISTOL TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES WIND/U 1.3 - MICROSOFT WINDOWS AND VISUAL C++ APPLICATIONS ON UNIX

- New Version of Wind/U Toolkit Allows Developers to Port By Simply Recompiling Microsoft Windows or Visual C++ Applications to Run As Native UNIX/Motif Programs -

- Key New Features Include Microsoft Foundation Class Library 2.0 Support, Integration of Bristol's Newest Xprinter Library, and other Enhancements -

Bristol Technology Inc. is pleased to announce Wind/U 1.3, a new release of the company's Windows to UNIX portability toolkit with support for Microsoft Visual C++ applications through the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) Library version 2.0.  Wind/U 1.3 enables Microsoft Windows and Visual C++ applications to run as native UNIX/Motif applications. Wind/U 1.3 is available on Sun SPARC, HP700, and RS/6000 workstations, as well as SVR4 on Intel platforms.  The price for Wind/U 1.3 remains $9,950.

Like the Microsoft Windows API, Microsoft Visual C++ is quickly becoming the standard object oriented application framework, and the fastest method for creating Windows applications.  Visual C++ generates the underlying MFC code that runs on Windows and Windows NT.  Wind/U 1.3 now makes it possible for that same MFC code to run on UNIX/Motif, which makes development for UNIX just as fast and easy as development for Windows and Windows NT.

Key Enhancements

Wind/U 1.3 includes four major enhancements:

*  Support for Visual C++ Through the Microsoft Foundation Class Library 2.0 - this support makes it possible for developers to build and run their MFC applications on UNIX/Motif using their same MFC source code base. Developers benefit by being able to ship a UNIX version of their application in a fraction of the time it would take them to either hand port their MFC application or re-write the application to a proprietary portable API.

*  Xprinter 2.1 - this enhancement is the integration of Bristol's Xprinter printing library with the Wind/U graphical device interface.  Xprinter 2.1 adds PCL5 support to the PostScript printing capabilities of Wind/U, as well as rotatable font capability, and downloadable Type 1 Adobe fonts. Developers benefit by being able to print easily from their applications with robust font and printer handling.

*  Other Major Enhancements -

Dynamic Link Library (DLL) Improvement - this enhancement allows developers to explicitly load DLLs.  Wind/U DLLs hide developers from the underlying system architecture dependencies of most Unix Systems by allowing them to access libraries through the DLL APIs in Windows 3.1.

Common Dialog Improvement - this enhancement allows developers to provide their users a similar look and feel in their Wind/U ported version of the application as they do in their Windows version.

Pricing for Wind/U is $9,950, evaluations are available for a limited time only at $250.

Bristol Technology

(203) 438-6969


FAXFACTS SYSTEM AIDS MIDWEST FLOOD RECOVERY

U.S. Government Again Chooses FaxFacts for Crucial Information Delivery

WHEATON, IL -- August 27, 1993 -- Midwesterners stricken by the July flooding can now call FLOOD/FAX at 800-647-3349 to get the latest information on available disaster assistance and rebuilding services. Using Copia's FaxFacts Fax-On-Demand technology, callers can request any of the 50 documents currently on the system and have them delivered to a specified fax machine.

Launched August 1, 1993, FLOOD/FAX is a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Federation. In order to service the greatest number of people, the 16 line system is configured to handle information requests from either a regular phone or a fax machine handset. Various government sources provide information on loan assistance, economic impact, health and medical services and many other crucial topics. Document 199 provides a list of all documents currently on the system.

The U.S. Government uses FaxFacts in several areas where providing timely information, 24-hours a day, is critical. The Department of Commerce established REFIX/FAX last October to aid in the rebuilding of Florida following the Hurricane Andrew disaster. The National Institute of Health's CancerFax (301-402-5874) delivers information to an average of 100 people per day who call to learn the latest developments in cancer treatment. The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (203-297-5698) and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (617-727-2123) makes state tax forms available on a 24-hour basis via fax.

The Commerce Department's Economics and Statistics Administration's Electronic Bulletin Board system (900-786-2329), called EBB/Fax, offers callers economic, foreign trade and monetary data within an hour of its release. Another FaxFacts governmental application, at the Transportation Department's Anti-Drug Information Center (800-CAL-DRUG), provides immediate access to all regulatory information regarding DOT's anti-drug program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides information on health care issues via their Agency for Health Care Policy fax line.

We invite you to try FaxFacts for yourself. Call 708-924-3030 from a standard phone or fax machine handset and request document number 8800. To speak with a FaxFacts representative call 708-682-8898.

Copia International

1342 Avalon Court   Wheaton, IL 60187

708-682-8898   FAX 708-665-9841   FOD 708-924-3030


PeopleSoft & Mercer for Pension Mgmt System
PeopleSoft and Mercer Team to Deliver Pension Management System

PeopleSoft Expands Client/Server HRMS Offering

WALNUT CREEK, CA, August 23, 1993--PeopleSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ:PSFT), the leader in client/server business application software, today announced it has formed a development and marketing partnership with William M. Mercer, Incorporated (Mercer), a leading human resource consulting firm, to deliver a defined benefits pension administration system that will be fully integrated with PeopleSoft's Human Resource Management System (HRMS).

Under the terms of the agreement, PeopleSoft and Mercer will develop, market and support the new system, called PS/Defined Benefits, which is designed for use by employers who wish to manage and administer their own defined benefit pension plans. Scheduled for availability during the second half of 1994, the system will be a new module in PeopleSoft HRMS, an integrated family of client/server human resource applications.

"In keeping with our goal of providing customers the best client/server business application solutions, it was a natural that we pair with Mercer to deliver a pension management system," commented Paul Salsgiver, vice president, partnership programs for PeopleSoft. "PeopleSoft is committed to offering customers complete client/server software solutions combined with rich functionality and leading-edge technology. This pension administration capability is an important addition for PeopleSoft HRMS."

"By combining Mercer's pension administration expertise with PeopleSoft's experience in applying client/server technology to human resource management, we will bring a flexible, easy-to-use system to employers who want to administer their pension plans," said Edward G. Pringle, executive vice president of Mercer.

PS/Defined Benefits will be completely integrated with PeopleSoft HRMS and will be based on the same client/server technology and architecture as all PeopleSoft products. The new module will be developed using PeopleTools, an integrated set of client/server development tools used to design and develop all PeopleSoft products. Available to PeopleSoft HRMS customers, PS/Defined Benefits will operate in a client/server environment. As with all PeopleSoft applications, PS/Defined Benefits will support Microsoft Windows 3.1 clients connected to PC, UNIX, midrange or mainframe server platforms. PeopleSoft's applications support multiple RDBMSs to provide users flexibility, portability and scalability as their client/server needs change. PeopleSoft RDBMS support includes Microsoft SQL Server, Gupta SQLbase, Oracle, Sybase, Digital Rdb, HP Allbase, and DB2.

About PeopleSoft HRMS

PeopleSoft HRMS is a complete suite of true client/server human resource applications software. The product family comprises PeopleSoft Human Resources (PS/HR), Benefits Administration (PS/Benefits), Flexible Spending Accounts Administration (PS/FSA), and Payroll. All products can operate standalone, as an integrated suite of human resource applications, or in combination with PeopleSoft Financials for a completely integrated human resource and financial management system.

All PeopleSoft HRMS products share the same client/server architecture and are developed using PeopleTools, PeopleSoft's rapid application development environment and customization tool kit. The robust functionality and graphical user interface (GUI) offer customers state-of-the-art performance.

About Mercer

William M. Mercer, Incorporated is one of the nation's leading human resource consulting firms. Its 3,400 employees serve more than 9,000 employers from offices in 43 U.S. cities. The firm, headquartered in New York, is the U.S. operating company of William M. Mercer Companies, Inc., a worldwide human resource consulting organization. William M. Mercer Companies, Inc. is part of Mercer Consulting Group, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., which is listed on the New York, Midwest and Pacific stock exchanges (ticker symbol: MMC) and the London Stock Exchange.

About PeopleSoft, Inc.

PeopleSoft is the leader in the market for client/server business software with six years of experience delivering true client/server application products for the Fortune 1000. PeopleSoft develops and markets PeopleSoft Financials and PeopleSoft HRMS, integrated families of client/server business software, as well as PeopleTools, a family of client/server application development tools. The company differentiates itself on the basis of superior product functionality, technological innovation, and outstanding customer service. PeopleSoft has approximately 250 world-class customers in the manufacturing, transportation, technology, financial services, pharmaceutical, utility, transportation, education, and government sectors.

Products are sold through direct sales offices across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. PeopleSoft has marketing and development alliances with major hardware and software vendors including Digital Equipment, GroupeBull, Gupta, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft, NCR, Oracle, Sequent, Sun, and Sybase. The company also has partnerships with major system integrators and consulting firms.

PeopleSoft

1331 North California Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

510-946-9460,   fax 510-946-9461


Copperhead at Innisbrook Links Courseware
Innisbrook advances to become a Links CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE

The Copperhead at Innisbrook, considered to be Florida's finest, joins the Links lineup.

Naturally, every Championship Course is compatible with all versions of LINKS: Links, Links 386 Pro, and Microsoft Golf

Be Careful of the Viper!

Access Software Inc. is very pleased to announce the release of one of the finest American courses, the incredible Copperhead at Innisbrook. Copperhead, like the snake it is named after, winds its way through rolling, pine covered terrain unlike anything found in Florida. With its gaping sand bunkers and strategically placed water hazards, it is little wonder that Golfweek has named Innisbrook the number one course in Florida for six consecutive years. Beneath its serene and meticulously manicured exterior, however, Copperhead is poised and ready to strike at any moment! The course begins shipping August, 1993, with a suggested retail price of $29.95.

LINKS, LINKS 386 Pro, and Microsoft Golf were all designed to easily incorporate these magnificent add-on Championship Courses. New courses are in development and will be released about every EIGHT weeks throughout 1993 and 1994. Access Software received the prestigious Software Publishers Association (SPA) Excellence in Software Award for three consecutive years in the sports category for various LINKS products!!

Access Software

4910 W. Amelia Earhart Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84116

801-359-2900;  fax: 801-359-2968


Golf Illustrated Hole Design Contest Winners
ACCOLADE ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE GOLF ILLUSTRATED "HOLE DESIGN CONTEST"

SAN JOSE, Calif.-August 26, 1993--Accolade, a leading publisher of sports simulations and publisher of the award-winning line of Jack Nicklaus computer golf simulations, in a joint promotion with Jack Nicklaus Productions and Golf Illustrated magazine, today announced the winners of their "Hole Design Contest." The three grand prize winners, a par 3, par 4 and par 5 winner, have each won a trip to play in the Pro-Am event at The Wendy's 3 Tour Challenge in early October at Colleton River Plantation, South Carolina.

The three grand prize winners include Rev. Paul Crocket from Raleigh, North Carolina; Mark Rogers from Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Marshall Gerometta from Griffith, Indiana. The winners will also receive copies of the Golf Illustrated Course Disk featuring their winning hole designs which will be published at a later date by Accolade. The names of the grand prize winners will also be published in an upcoming issue of Golf Illustrated magazine. An additional 33 runner-up winners (7 par 3 winners, 19 par 4 winners, and 7 par 5 winners) from the United States, Canada and Australia, have each won a one year subscription to Golf Illustrated and a copy of the Golf Illustrated Course Disk.

The "Hole Design Contest" challenged computer golfers to create a perfect golf hole using Accolade's popular golf simulation, Jack Nicklaus Golf & Course Design: Signature Edition. To enter the contest, players used the course architect feature in Jack Nicklaus Golf & Course Design: Signature Edition, to design a perfect par 3, par 4 or a par 5 golf hole. A panel of judges from Accolade, Jack Nicklaus Productions and Golf Illustrated magazine determined the winning designs based on accepted golf design criteria including challenge/difficulty, aesthetics and overall fun. "Response to the contest was tremendous, especially when you consider the amount of time each person put into designing their entry," said product marketing manager, Daniel Jeung. "Nearly every person spent a minimum of two or three hours to create their par 3, par 4 or a par 5 design, and most entries contained all three holes. Golfers are dedicated to their sport and this contest proves that computer golfers are equally as dedicated," concluded Jeung.

Developed in association with Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus Productions, Jack Nicklaus Golf & Course Design: Signature Edition is actually two products in one. The Course Architect feature provides players with all the tools necessary to design a single golf hole or a complete golf course. Everything from creating the land plot complete with terrain including hills, valleys and water, to exact placement of course objects such as trees and benches, to precision detail on the greens. The game play option of the product features two Nicklaus designed courses and fully-digitized golfers, including Jack Nicklaus himself. It is the only computer golf simulation for IBM PC and compatible computers with a course architect feature. It is available at a suggested retail price of $69.95

Accolade, is a leading worldwide developer, publisher, and distributor of entertainment software for PC compatible computers and leading video game machines including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Gameboy and Sega Genesis.

Accolade, 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129

408-985-1700;  Fax: 408-246-1053


U.S. Robotics Adds 7 New Courier Modems
U.S. ROBOTICS ADDS SEVEN NEW PRODUCTS TO COURIER MODEM LINE; PRODUCTS OFFER 10 NEW FEATURES INCLUDING 21.6 KBPS CONNECT SPEED

New Courier Modems Offer Host of New Features Including V.32 terbo, HST Cellular, V.17, Security; Products to Ship September 1, 1993

SKOKIE, Ill. -- August 23, 1993 -- U.S. Robotics, Inc. today announced a major evolution to its Courier modem line; the company will ship new Courier models beginning September 1 that include a battery of new features, most notably the 19.2 Kbps V.32 terbo protocol and U.S. Robotics' proprietary Adaptive Speed Leveling (ASL) technology, which further boosts speed to 21.6 Kbps. The new features fall into three broad categories: increased data rates, fax enhancements and high-end features. The company is offering an upgrade program for current Courier high-speed modem users, also beginning September 1.

U.S. Robotics Among First To Ship V.32 terbo

Among the features included in the new modems is V.32 terbo, a new protocol for 19.2 Kbps data transmission developed by AT&T; Courier modems will be among the first shipping products to include V.32 terbo, which delivers a 33 percent increase in speed over the 14.4 Kbps V.32 bis standard. The move to V.32 terbo is in keeping with U.S. Robotics' philosophy of developing modems that support a variety of protocols and provide compatibility with a wide range of modems from other vendors.

These products allow Courier customers to take advantage of increased data rates, while still assuring them of a clear upgrade path to the forthcoming V.fast standard. Additionally, the new modems provide Courier customers the added benefit of proprietary technology that boosts connect speed to 21.6 Kbps.

Proprietary ASL Increases Speed to 21.6 Kbps; DTE Interface Rate Jumps to 115.2 Kbps

The Courier V.32 terbo modems include the company's proprietary Adaptive Speed Leveling (ASL) protocol, boosting throughput to 21.6 Kbps, a 50 percent increase in speed over the current 14,400 bps V.32 bis standard. This protocol allows users who are connecting two Courier modems to take advantage of the 21.6 Kbps rate; V.42 bis data compression provides an additional increase in throughput. An increased DCE to DTE (modem-to-computer) interface rate of 115,200 bps and faster processors accommodate these higher speeds.

Courier Modems Still Upgradable to V.fast (ITU-T V.34)

The new Courier modems, like the current Courier high-speed models, will be field upgradable to the forthcoming V.fast standard, which will likely be named V.34. Availability will depend on ITU-T progress in finalizing the standard; however, study group approval of V.34 is expected in June, 1994. The standard will provide data rates of up to 28,800 bps.

Dale Walsh, U.S. Robotics vice president, advanced development, and a member of the ITU-T committee developing the V.34 standard, points out that V.32 terbo should not be confused with the V.fast standard. "The V.32 terbo protocol is really an extension of V.32 bis," said Walsh. "In fact, when you compare the processing power necessary to run V.32 terbo and V.34, the processors in V.32 terbo modems are more like the processors used for V.32 bis -- they are certainly not capable of achieving the 28.8 Kbps throughput that will be available with V.34."

U.S. Robotics' upgrade to V.34 is performed via a daughterboard swap, which takes a typical user about five minutes. Because the pending V.34 standard requires two to three times the processing power of V.32 bis, both the hardware and software must be upgraded to provide enough power and ensure that there are no hardware bottlenecks that might impede the speed of V.34.

Upgrades to New Product Available for Current Courier Users

Current Courier users may upgrade to the new models. Pricing will vary depending on the modem model being upgraded. The upgrade program will include both current-model Courier modems, which may be upgraded via a daughterboard swap, as well as older-model Courier modems, which may be exchanged for the new models. Courier 2400 bps modems are not included in the upgrade program.

New Courier Enhancements: Fas, Data and High-End Features

The full list of features that will be added to the Courier line includes:

Data Rate Enhancements:

-- V.32 terbo

   Supports data rates of up to 19.2 Kbps.

-- Adaptive Speed Leveling (ASL) for 21.6 Kbps throughput

   Exclusive to U.S. Robotics; proprietary protocol boosting

   connect speed to 21.6 Kbps

-- Increased DTE interface rate of 115.2 Kbps

-- HST Cellular

   Proprietary protocol for high-speed cellular data transmission

   Available only in HST Dual Standard Courier models

Fas Enhancements:

-- V.17

   14,400 bps fax capabilities

-- EIA Class 2.0 fax capabilities

   Standard for fax communications; U.S. Robotics is the first

   to provide support for EIA 2.0

-- Call selection

   Automatic detection of a fax or data call

Feature Enhancements:

-- Dial-back Security

-- Link Security

-- V.25 bis

   Protocol for synchronous dialing

The Courier modems including these features will be shipping September 1; model information and pricing follow.

Courier Products and Pricing

Model Name                                         List Price

Courier V.32 terbo                                    $695

Courier V.32 terbo/PC                                  645

Courier V.32 terbo Fax                                 795

Courier V.32 terbo Fax/PC                              745

Courier V.32 terbo Fax/PS/2                            745

Courier HST Dual Standard with V.32 terbo Fax        $1295

Courier HST Dual Standard with V.32 terbo/PC          1245

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


Supra Faxmodem Extra Value Packages
Supra's Extra Value Packages Slash Prices on High-Speed Faxmodems

ALBANY, OR, AUGUST 23, 1993--Supra Corporation has slashed prices on its full line of high-speed SupraFAXModems by as much as an percent! The reduction affects both PC and Macintosh products and the lower-priced products include all software, cables, and easy-to-use documentation. The new estimated selling prices accurately reflect the actual cost that most customers will encounter in the retail and/or mail order market place.

PC Products PC packages include fax and data software for both DOS and Windows. On the fax side, WinFax Lite and FaxTalk provide a full range of Windows and DOS functionality. COMit, which is also included in all PC packages, provides sophisticated high-speed data communications capabilities for both DOS and Windows. All packages also include CompuServe Information Manager, all required cables, and full documentation.

SupraFAXModem 144i --Dynamo internal 14,400 bps fax and data modem. Includes SupraSmart UART for improved performance. Originally $299.95, Now $149.95

SupraFAXModem 144LC--This external modem for cost-conscious users includes 14,400 bps fax and data and tracks activity with simple LED display lights. Was $279.95, now $179.95

SupraFAXModem V.32bis -- Supra's best-selling 14,400 bps fax and data modem with the revolutionary alpha numeric status display. Upgradable to voice. Was $379.95, now $249.95

Macintosh Products

Mac packages include FAXstf, MicroPhone, CompuServe Information Manager, CCL scripts for AppleTalk Remote Access, all required cables, and manuals.

SupraFAXModem 144LC--this external modem for cost-conscious users includes 14,400 bps fax and data and tracks activity with simple LED display lights. Was $329.95, now $189.95

SupraFAXModem V.32bis-- Supra's best-selling 14,400 bps fax and data modem with the revolutionary alpha numeric status display. Upgradable to voice. Was $399.95, now $269.96

SupraFAXModem 144PB ---- Internal modem for PowerBook models 100 through 180 delivers 14,400 bps fax and data. Was, $349.95, now $299.95

Supra Corporation

With headquarters in Albany, Oregon, Supra Corporation has produced high-quality, lowcost peripherals for personal computers since 1985. All products are made in the USA and backed by a generous five-year warranty.

Supra Corp, 7101 Supra Dr SW, Albany, OR 97321

503-967-2400;  fax: 503-967-2401


Brother HL-6V 6ppm PCL 5 LaserPrinter
BROTHER LAUNCHES A NEW 6 PPM, PCL 5 INTELLIGENT LASER PRINTER - HL-6V

Features Optimized Windows Driver - At Under $699 Street, Best Price/Performance Ratio in its Class

SOMERSET, NJ, (August 30,1993) - Brother International Corporation today announced the HL-6V, a 6 page-per-minute (ppm), 300 dots-per-inch (dpi), PCL 5 language emulation desktop laser printer with a suggested retail price of $995, according to John Wandishin, Director of Marketing, Printers.

The HL-6V is targeted for the user who requires quality laser output at an affordable price. Since the HL-6V includes many features found in more expensive desktop laser printers, it is well suited to perform in a business setting as either a convenience or medium volume network printer.

Standard, leading-edge features of the HL-6V include patented automatic emulation switching, auto-interface switching, 50 fonts, 300 dpi resolution with High Resolution Control, proprietary data compression and certification by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) EnergyStar Program for low power consumption.

Utilizes IntelliPrint Technology to Support No-Hassle Printing

The HL-6V comes with many higher level laser printing features that are commonly found in more expensive desktop laser printers. Intelliprint encompasses a number of these features such as:

-Auto Emulation Switching - Allows the HL-6V to automatically sense and adjust to the data stream sent by the personal computer.

-Auto Interface Switching - The printer can automatically determine whether the data stream is coming over the parallel or serial port.

-High Resolution Control - By manipulating the toner dot size, HRC virtually eliminates annoying "jaggies" to produce near typeset quality output.

-Power Save Mode - The ability to power down and conserve energy when not in use. The HL-6V is recognized by the EPA's EnergyStar Program because of its adjustable Power Save Feature.

-Reprint Mode - Ability to print just the last page through a one button command from the control panel.

-Advanced Paper Handling - When utilizing the optional lower tray, this printer can automatically sense the paper size that it needs.

-Data Compression - Facilitates faster data throughput, thus faster printing.

-Setting Status Page - A one-page print out that itemizes all the settings for the printer which eliminates the need to go through each menu for diagnosis of any printer settings.

These auto-intelligence features minimize manual user interaction, and are especially useful in multiuser and LAN environments where unique user needs require various printer adjustments. The HL-6V even has a Lock-Up Settings Feature which allows an end-user to set and lock the panel switches to prevent unauthorized adjustments.

Professional-Like, Quality Output

The HL-6V produces output of near typeset quality. Sharp, crisp text, and well-defined graphics are the result of its 300 dpi resolution.

The printer comes standard with Hewlett Packard LaserJet IIIP (PCL 5), Epson FX-8500, and IBM Proprinter emulations. An optional BR-Script upgrade (PostScript language emulation interpreter) cartridge will be available during the Fall of 1993. These emulations ensure compatibility with major personal computer platforms and popular software application packages.

Fast Printing Speed

The HL-6V's 6 page per minute rated engine offers the user 50% more engine speed than the more common 4 page per minute engine printers in this class. To quickly and efficiently handle demanding graphics and text, the HL-6V utilizes an optimized Windows printer driver. This, in combination with the HL-6V's powerful 16 MHz microprocessor and bi-directional, high speed parallel port, makes it one of the fastest products in its class. The HL-6V also comes standard with an RS-232C serial port.

Also incorporated into the HL-6V is automatic Data Compression. This feature operates transparently and requires no user interaction. Data Compression reduces a file's size while maintaining no loss of data. This allows more information to be processed and transferred faster with less memory requirements.

Certified by the EPA's Energy Star Program for Low Power Consumption

Every HL-6V comes with a convenient power save mode feature. The user can easily set the unit to automatically power down or "go into sleep mode" when not in use for a certain amount of time (1- 99 minutes). When information is again sent to the printer, it automatically powers up or "wakes up" and prints the file that it is receiving.

Wide Font and Memory Selection

The HL-6V features 24 standard resident bit map and 13 Intellifont (scalable) fonts. In addition to the resident fonts, the product comes with 13 TrueType compatible (scalable) fonts on a diskette .

The printer has one Hewlett Packard compatible font cartridge slot which can accommodate a number of industry standard font cartridges.

The HL-6V comes with 1 MB of RAM standard. Expansion up to 5.0 MB of total on board memory is easily achieved by adding industry standard SIMMs to a 0 MB memory upgrade board (MB-600 -$99 SRP, a bare board that can be populated with either 2 or 4 megabyte industry-standard SIMMs). Or the end user can purchase already configured, memory upgrade options which are: the MB-620, a 2 megabyte board ($249 SRP); and the MB-640 ($399 SRP), a 4 megabyte board.

Uses Industry Standard One-Piece Toner Cartridge

The HL-6V uses the one piece, Canon EPL toner cartridge. This cartridge is widely available from various resellers nationwide and is known for its easy, clean-hands installation. The toner is rated for 3500 pages at 5% coverage.

Small Footprint, Paper Handling, Ergonomic Design

The small footprint of the HL-6V makes it a natural for tight workspaces where space is at a premium. To handle longer print runs, an optional 250 sheet paper drawer (LT-401; Suggested Retail $209) is available that can accommodate letter, legal, A4, and executive stock with the proper cassette.

The HL-6V's easy-to-read display provides a user with direct access to numerous functions.

Warranty and Reliability

The HL-6V includes a two-year parts and labor warranty. In and out of warranty service is available on a walk-in, send-in, or on-site basis through Brother, a nationwide network of Brother Authorized Service Depots or nationally through Dow Jones (depending on location).

Brother International Corp

200 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, NJ 08875-6714

(908) 356-8880,   (908) 469-5167 (fax).

Brother International Corporation is the U. S. sales affiliate of Brother Industries, Ltd. of Japan, the 59-year-old multinational, multiproduct technology, engineering and manufacturing company. Brother maintains manufacturing and sales subsidiaries around the world.


Brother HL-10h 600 dpi 10 ppm Laser Printer
BROTHER LAUNCHES A 600 DPI LASER PRINTER WITH PCL 5e AND POSTSCRIPT LANGUAGE EMULATIONS STANDARD

At $1699, It Has the Best Price/Performance Ratio in its Class

SOMERSET, NJ, (August 30, 1993) - Brother International Corporation's Office Systems Division (OSD) today announced the HL-10h - a 10 page-per-minute (ppm), 600 dots-per-inch (dpi) printer The HL-10h is designed for today's demanding business and graphics professional who needs high quality output, network connectivity and the ability to effortlessly handle complex printing needs

The many features and design of the HL-10h make it equally appropriate for use by a single user or in a network environment. Standard, leading edge features include patented automatic emulation switching, 83 resident fonts, 10 resident bar codes, a high speed bi-directional parallel port, PCMCIA slot, 600 dpi resolution with High Resolution Control, 256 grey scales, automatic interlace switching and data compression.

Advanced Technology and Compatibility

The HL-10h emulates the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4 (PCL 5e with HPGL/2). And unlike many other printers in this class, the HL-10h comes standard with its own PostScript emulation (BR-Script) that provides full support for Adobe Type 1 and Multiple Master fonts. This combination of standard emulations can save the average user approximately $500 in additional upgrade costs.

In addition to a high speed RS-232C serial port, the HL-10h comes standard with a high speed, bidirectional, Centronics parallel port which allows the printer to send and receive printer status messages.

The HL-10h features a standard, internal third interface port. This third interface port provides compatibility with various third-party network interface cards (Ethernet, Token Ring) and printer sharing devices (Network Interfaces: Ethernet, Token Ring; Network Operating Systems: Novell Netware 286 2.1x and Netware 386 3.x).

An important productivity advantage of the HL-10h is its auto interface selection feature. The HL10h can sense the input signal that it is receiving and select the proper port automatically.

Patented automatic emulation switching is another productivity and auto-intelligence feature of the HL-10h. It can automatically sense and adjust to which type of data it is receiving among its PCL 5e, BR-Script, HPGL, IBM Proprinter XL, Epson 850, and Diablo 630 standard emulations. This extensive list of standard emulations ensures compatibility with major personal computer platforms and popular software application packages.

Both auto-intelligence features mentioned above minimize manual user interaction and spare endusers an extra trip to the printer to adjust the control panel. They are especially useful in multiuser and LAN environments where unique user needs require various printer adjustments.

To prevent unauthorized control panel setting changes, the HL-10h has a password controlled "Settings Lock" feature which is especially important in multi-user and network environments.

Professional, Quality, Photographic Output

The HL-10h features the very reliable Brother print engine which produces output of typeset quality. Sharp, crisp text and well-defined graphics are a result of its 600 dpi resolution and High Resolution Control features.

With Brother's High Resolution Control, the HL-10h renders both text and graphics that are virtually free from "stair steps" and jagged edges.

The HL-10h can produce intricate and detailed graphics through its ability to support more grey scales than other mid-range laser printer. When using its Advanced PhotoScale Technology (APT) in PCL 5e mode and utilizing the proper software, the HL-10h can print Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) graphic files with up to 256 grey scales at 53 lines per inch (lpi). The Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4 can only support up to 64 grey scales at 37 lpi and the Lexmark Model 4039 up to 101 grey scales at 53 lpi.

PCMCIA Support

Unlike the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4, the Brother HL-10h has a standard PCMCIA slot. This slot accepts Type 1 flash memory cards to save often used forms and to back up fonts and data. It supports commercially available PCMCIA cards in sizes up to 20 MB.

Fast Printing Speed

The HL-10h's 10 page-per-minute rated engine offers the end-user 25% more output speed than the more common 8 page-per-minute engine printers. To quickly and efficiently handle demanding graphics, the HL-10h is powered by a 32 bit, 25 MHz microprocessor. This in combination with the HL-10h's automatic data compression technology (ADC), allows it to easily handle both sophisticated graphics and text applications . In various PCL 6e application speed tests, the HL-10h tested faster than the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4 [24% faster in word processing (Microsoft Word 2.0 for Windows document), 22% faster in graphics (Corel Draw 3.0 document), 19% faster in desktop publishing (PageMaker 4.0 for Windows document), and 11% faster in spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel 4.0 for Windows document)].

The ADC feature in graphics mode operates transparently and requires no user interaction as it reduces the file size while maintaining no loss of data. This allows more information to be processed and transferred faster with less memory requirements.

Each HL-10h comes with a diskette containing an optimized Windows 3.1 driver.

The HL-10h's Last Page Reprint feature via the control panel allows the reprinting of a page directly by the printer without the need to download the data again from the personal computer.

Wide Font and Memory Selection

The HL-10h comes with 83 resident fonts - the most in its printer class - which includes a combination of bit map and scalable (Intellifont compatible, TrueType compatible, and BR-Script) fonts.

Another unique feature is the inclusion of 10 resident bar codes (UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, EAN-8, EAN-13, Code 3 of 9, Interleaved 2 of 5, CODEBAR, ISBN and POSTNET).

The printer comes with one Hewlett Packard compatible font cartridge slot which can accommodate a number of industry standard font cartridges.

The HL-10h comes with 2MB of RAM standard. Expansion up to 34 MB of total on board memory is easily achieved by adding industry standard SIMMs directly to the controller board. Additional memory upgrade options available are: the MS-1, a 1 megabyte SIMM ($98 SRP); the MS-2 ($195 SRP), a 2 megabyte SIMM, the MS-4 ($390 SRP), a 4 megabyte SIMM, and the MS-8 ($695 SRP), an 8 megabyte SIMM.

Adjustable Input Buffer and Page Protection features can be selected to allow users to better manage available memory and ensure complete document printing.

Uses Industry Standard One-Piece Toner Cartridge

The HL-10h uses the same one piece Canon EPS toner cartridge as the Canon LBP and the Hewlett Packard LaserJet III. This cartridge is widely available from various resellers nationwide and is known for its easy, clean-hands installation. The toner is rated for 4000 pages at 5% coverage.

EPA EnergyStar Program Approved, Small Footprint, Ergonomic Design

Citing its low energy usage, the HL-10h was selected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for inclusion in the EPA EnergyStar Program. Unlike the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4, the HL-10h gives an end-user the flexibility to select when the printer will automatically "power down" during periods of inactivity.

The small footprint of the HL-10h takes up approximately 17% less space than the 8 ppm Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4. The printer comes standard with an adjustable 250 sheet paper drawer (the only adjusting and largest paper drawer in its class) that can accommodate letter, legal, A4, B5, executive, envelope and transparency stock. Since the adjustable drawer can accommodate multiple paper sizes and stock, it eliminates the added expense of additional size specific paper trays. An optional, adjustable 250 sheet second paper drawer ($419 SRP) can be linked to the standard tray to handle longer print runs and/or different paper sizes and types.

The HL-10h's easy-to-read display and control panel can be tilted upward for optimal operation and readability, while providing a user with direct access to numerous functions. Printer messages and status can be set to one of six different languages (English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian).

Warranty and Reliability

The HL-10h includes a two-year parts and labor warranty. In and out of warranty service is available on a walk-in, send-in, or on-site basis through Brother, a nationwide network of Brother OSD Authorized Service Depots or nationally through Dow Jones (depending on location).

Brother International Corp

200 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, NJ 08875-6714

(908) 356-8880,   (908) 469-5167 (fax).

Brother International Corporation is the U. S. sales affiliate of Brother Industries, Ltd. of Japan, the 59-year-old multinational, multiproduct technology, engineering and manufacturing company. Brother maintains manufacturing and sales subsidiaries around the world.

The Office Systems Division markets a full line of office productivity equipment including a complete line of laser, ink jet and dot matrix printers. The U.S. corporate headquarters is located at 200 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, New Jersey, 08875-6714, phone (908) 356-8880, and fax (908) 469-5167